The More the Merrier

On His Knees By Beth Williamson
**January 2, 2007**

Recently divorced, Renny Johnson is discovering how independent she can be. Her husband of ten years, Nicholas, left her with a broken heart and shattered self-esteem. When a would-be robber turns out to be Nicholas invading her new home, Renny takes the situation, and him, into her own hands. She’s going to teach him what it means to be a man… on his knees.

The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd

Betrothed in the cradle, Princess Sorcha and Prince Rainger were destined to rule their countries together. Then revolution sent Sorcha to a remote Scottish convent—and Rainger into a dungeon so deep rumor claimed he was dead.

Now danger threatens, and Sorcha must travel home with a simple fisherman as her companion—Prince Rainger in disguise. Changed by his imprisonment from a careless lad to a dangerous man, he's determined to win back his kingdom—and the woman he wants more than life itself. But can he protect a woman who believes every person she meets is her friend, every tavern is an opportunity to sing bawdy songs, and each turn in the road hides new adventure? To keep his princess safe, he must resort to his most treacherous weapon: seduction.

Play with Me by Janice Maynard **Jan 2007**

It begins with a toast among three beautiful best friends-Catherine, who's used to putting business before pleasure; Kallie, who's in need of a casual lover; and Gina, a former party girl who's given up on romance. Their pact is to make their naughtiest fantasies come true before their thirtieth birthdays.

They have one year to make it happen-and no position is too compromising. All it's going to take is finding the right man, capturing the perfect moment, and stirring up enough courage to issue the most provocative invitation of the year. The race is on. Who's going to cross the line first?

Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton

What's America's top female action star doing on a tropical island shrouded in secrecy? To Gina Bliss, competing in a survival-type reality show is a nice change from fending off on-screen villains. Until she meets real-life action hero Derek Marks. A survival specialist in a tight black T and sexy stubble, he's arousing every bad-boy fantasy she's ever had...and testing her survival skills to the max.

Martial arts, jungle warfare - Derek's done it all. But his latest mission is more dangerous than a stick of dynamite. Try telling that to the sexy, adrenaline-pumped actress who's got his libido racing off the charts. As the heat rises between them and real-life violence erupts, suddenly Derek and Gina are on the run...and when they uncover a secret so explosive it could blow the lid of their so-called reality show, these two unlikely heroes are about to discover what surviving's really about....

For the Love of a Pirate by Edith Layton

He's searching for a proper bride . . .

Constantine, Lord Wylde, is a gentleman beyond reproach. Now it's time for him to find a suitable gentlewoman to wed-;a well-bred, well-behaved lady, as proper as . . . well, Constantine himself. But his plans are shattered when a fierce, aging pirate invades his home with shocking news: Constantine is already engaged . . . to the brigand's lovely granddaughter, Lisabeth!

But finds a perfect passion instead

Wildly independent Lisabeth, however, has no desire for marriage-;certainly not to a straightlaced nobleman bound to her by some long-ago promise . . . even if she's tantalized by his manly form and the sensuality he can't quite disguise. Though shocked by the lady's improprieties, Constantine soon finds himself acting as lustily as any outlaw.

But how does a staid gentleman win the heart of a bewitching pirate?

The really interesting thing is I think this is a STAND ALONE.

Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank

In this passionate debut--the first in a stunning new series--Frank creates an alternate world where moonlight creates a forbidden passion too overwhelming to ignore.

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and Jacob, the Enforcer, makes certain to uphold this ancient law. For 700 years he has resisted temptation--until tonight. Original.

Sun Kissed by Catherine Anderson
**January 2, 2007**

When Samantha Harrigan attends the local rodeo, she doesn't expect to wind up in jail. But that's what happens when she tries to stop a drunkard from abusing his horse.

Tucker Coulter, a handsome local veterinarian, comes to her defense, and both of them are arrested. The charges are dropped, but Sam's troubles have only started...

Salvation, Texas by Anna Jeffrey **January 2, 2007**

Ever since he lost Elena, everything in Rusty's life has gone wrong. Her wealthy, influential father drove him out of Salvation, away from everyone he'd ever loved. Now he's back, elected by the people to one of the most powerful positions in the county. He isn't about to let the woman who once cost him everything get under his skin again. Not when there's a cold-blooded killer on the loose. And not unless he can find a way to live with her father and her millions.

Elena Ryder knew of no better man than Sheriff Rusty Joplin-despite the fact that years back, he let her controlling father run him out of town. Now, she trusts no one else to investigate her sister's tragic death. And she won't even consider resisting Rusty's rugged presence if she gets a second chance…

Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James

Fueled by the knowledge that notoriety is better than failure, witty, unconventional Josie does what no proper young lady should—she challenges fate. She discards her corset and flirts outrageously. She attends the horse races and allows an arrogant rakehell to whisk her behind the stables for a surreptitious kiss . . . and is caught!

She doesn't want to marry the young hellion—but who's to help? Her chaperone keeps disappearing for mysterious appointments; her guardian is on his wedding trip; and his friend the Earl of Mayne is too busy staring into the eyes of his exquisite French fiancée.

Can a marriage forced by stuffy convention and unwilling desire become the match of the season?

Natalie Lambert's life has changed in the space of weeks—and she has no idea why. Her parents were murdered, she has her first taste of sexual desire—and she feels out of control, afraid, desperate to understand her changing world. She flees to New Orleans, hoping to lure the murderer out of the dark and bring to an end the trail of dead loved ones.

Instead, she's attacked by crazed birds, swarmed by locusts, and saved by a Cajun cop who awakens all her latent desires. When Rene Broussard rescues a virgin vampire, he ends up in her bed and becomes hers for life in one lusty bite. Rene awakens the vampire within Natalie, and she awakes the passion within him. Together, they fight the evil threatening to destroy The Born vampires while they discover a treasure of love they can share for all eternity.
Excerpt here

beta blogger suckage or things to try if you can’t comment

1. Make sure you are logged in before you type your comment.

2. If you are not logged in and hit login and publish to post your comment. A screen might appear that says you must log into your beta blogger account. Don't! If you right click - and left click on the word BACK (should be the first selection) it will take you back to your last page. You can then copy your comment you just typed. Then log into beta blogger. This SHOULD let you paste your comment and keep you from having to retype you it.

3. If you still can't comment - I am sorry beta blogger sucks. You should be able to follow these instructions and comment using the anon or 'other' feature.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TYPE IN YOUR NAME OR SCREEN NAME. Otherwise I will have no way of crowning you the winner of any contests. And there are tons of contests and fun things coming.

And before you ask... yes... a new blog is currently in the works and will hopefully be up and running soon(ish).

Review: High Stakes by Erin McCarthy

High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires by Erin McCarthy

This is the first book in Erin McCarthy's new series. A paranormal vampire series with a high funny factor... No! Wait! Come back... It is good!

Alexis arrives at Ethan Carrick's Vegas hotel ready to kick ass and take names. The plan is to knock some sense into her baby sister who closed her dentist practice and moved in with some rich hotel owner she just met.

Alexis is smart, successful and has been taking care of Brittany since their stripper mommy died. She knows she can do anything she sets her mind to and can take care of herself. Alexis also thinks she needs to do the same for Brittany and hasn't quite caught on that her baby sister is all grown up. And as confident as she is in her mind she is equally unconfident in her looks.

Basically our girl has some serious control issues and low self esteem in the looks department.

The baby sister, Brittany Baldizzi, is the girl next door, if your door happens to be in Las Vegas. She has more beauty and heart than brains but Brittany isn't a dumb bunny. Although she is aware people see her as just another pretty face.

Ethan Carrick is the leader of the 'undead world' and would like to stay that way. In typical politician fashion he thinks (and is being told) the best way to win another 40 years as vampire president is to clean up is playboy image and marry a good woman. Only this is vegas baby and he is a vamp - so good woman equals a hottie impure (a human with a vampire daddy) and not Jackie O.

It takes about five seconds with Alexis for Ethan to learn marrying Brit isn't an option. And even though he knows the house always wins, he can't help but take a gamble on Alexis. Alexis figures playing some freaky wanna be vamp's girlfriend is the quickest way to get her baby sister out of "harms way". And Brittany just wants to save their souls from hell. Oh and then there is the guy trying to 'kill' Ethan, one trying to beat him and another trying to cure him.

All in all good times. We do end up spending too much time in with the bad guys. And I have to confess I didn't care much about them. But it didn't take away from Ethan and Alexis's romance so I can't complain too much.

When I heard Erin McCarthy was the next author to pony up a vamp series I rolled my eyes, whined and knew without a doubt I would read it. There is something about McCarthy's books that are so fast, fresh and funny. The dialogue flows off the page and can't help but make me smile. And I am a really hard sell as far as comedy goes. She doesn't do slapstick, doesn't lose the romance and the book is as steamy as it funny.

Erin McCarthy takes any genre and makes it her own. I don't think I am reading a paranormal, contemporary or even a 'romance' novel when I open one of her books. I am reading an Erin McCarthy novel. She is one of the very few authors I honestly think I would follow into any genre. And High Stakes continues her winning streak.

So what did you think? Have you read it? Did you like it? Have you reviewed it? I haven't stated Bit yet but I have it and plan to this weekend. Hope it is just as good!

NEXT: (out now) Bit the Jackpot and I am crossing my fingers Bled Dry (on sale May 2007) shows up at my door soon

You can find more info on Erin's vamp series here, find her blogging here and order High Stakes here.

We are, we are, the youth of a nation

As I mention all the time, I have a lil sister. A very little sister, well not really but much younger than I am. As she tells me all the time (along with telling me how much taller than me she is, yes she is a brat). On January 22nd I will be 31 and on Febuary 9th she will be 13. This amuses her and she has taken to telling EVERYONE.

Back to my point, the lil sis is a reader and I try very hard to encourage her love of books. I want to find her fun books. Books that are well written AND make her want to read. And with so many romance authors trying their hand at Young Adult novels, I also figured I would put her to work. Child labor... and she works cheap.

So as I was making my list of books for 2007, I was trying to find one YA book for each month that the sis and I could review. And then I remembered I know jack about YA books. I have done what I do best, sent some emails and requested some catalogs.

And now I doing the other thing I do well... asking for help *g*. So tell me what YA books are you looking forward to in 2007? Or your kids are looking forward too? Or are you writing? Or are your friends writing? Tell me all about it. Come now... don't be shy.

Tell me a little about the book and/or the author. And I would love an age range for the book if you know it. We are in the process of redesigning my blog - yes I will most likely finally give in and move to wordwhateveritiscalled. Once the move is done I am thinking of clearing this and putting the YA reviews and rec's here.

That way I don't have to worry about kids googling books and ending up with an erotica rec. And well mostly so I don't have to listen to:

"mmmmmmmoooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sybil said a bad word"

It can be any author, any plot but I am really wondering how many of our oh so talented romance novel authors are trying or have tried their hands at young adult fiction. There is one by Susan Johnson... really! And no we won't be reading that one.

For your hard work of reccing and/or pimping, I have a reward! I have a couple of duplicate books, so on Sunday night I will take all the comments and randomly pick two name (put a note in the post if you don't want to be in the drawing. The winning name can choice between brand new (unsigned) copies of Autumn in Scotland by Karen Ranney, i see you by Holly Lisle, The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd or Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway.

hitler is so 1980

It was only a matter of time before Godwin's Law was updated. For those of you not use to flame wars and/or internet stupidity, Godwin's Law:

As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.

god this brings a tear to my eye... oh yes it is a single tear...

If you are not playing the home game. Holly Lisle said something stupid, jane dared to blog her opinion about it, linking to Holly's own post, holly had kittens, jane posted regarding a demand for sorry's, hugs and air kisses, which ended with holly doing one of the worst things in online netiquette.

The comments on holly's post are golden and filled with wisdom. My personal fave being from pugh7755, who seems to really love bloggers which is shown in his comment

...The more comments they receive the happier they are. A sad excuse for a life really. They are the Al Qaeda of the blog world.

Although Diana Peterfreund's comment does run a very close second. I guess she wouldn't blink an eye if someone fell on her land and said something like... 'wow - you have a dangerous situation here and I was hurt by it. I wonder what a lawyer would say.'

Hmmm well I guess Holly beats pugh because she links to herself, her own words and thoughts and then has no issue with blaming jane for how bookstores (not sellers because she never ever addressed people just the 'stores', we won't even get into how she thinks bricks sell books) misunderstood her post. She says in her comments

These two somehow managed to, and have managed to piss off a number of other booksellers and a whole bunch of potential readers toward me for no reason at all.

So I guess that means not only does holly hate chain bookstores, she thinks booksellers are too stupid to read and form an opinion but can only be spoon fed info from jane.

Oh who knows which is the best comment... they are all comic gold. No worries you can make up your own mind. Really! I do wonder though, when the fuck did jane get all powerful and why the fuck didn't anyone tell me? I feel so out of the loop. I wonder if this has shown up on fandom wank yet.

reviews, buys and reads - oh my

Reviews coming this week.... in no order at all since High Stakes is going up today.

Unleashed by Susan Kearney, Lucy Monroe, Diane Whiteside, Rebecca York

In the tradition of "Hot Blooded" and "Hot Spell" comes an anthology that dares to unleash the most uninhibited fantasies imaginable featuring works by Susan Kearney, Lucy Monroe, Diane Whiteside, and York.

The Stranger I Married By Sylvia Day

They are London's most scandalous couple. Isabel, Lady Pelham, and Gerard Faulkner, Marquess of Grayson. Their union is a most agreeable sham, until a shocking turn of events sends Gerard away from Isabel. Four years later he comes back and will stop at nothing to win her love.

The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman

At a glamorous soiree in the romantic English countryside, Lord Devon Boscastle, one of the most elusive bachelors in London, is on the prowl for a willing and wicked lady to share a night of all-consuming sin. So he’s delighted to accept a mysterious invitation for a midnight rendezvous.

Miss Jocelyn Lydbury, a demure young debutante, has her heart set on a marriage proposal from a certain respectable gentleman. Invited to a secret tryst at the stroke of twelve, she hopes to finally meet her longtime admirer. To her dismay, it is the heartbreaking Devon who lies in wait for his midnight lady. Before the pair can unmask their deceiver, they are caught in a passionate, if unplanned, embrace and forced into marriage. Although Devon claims he won’t change his roguish ways for anyone, upon returning to London he is surprised to find that his once-timid bride has become an alluring temptress. But little does he know that Jocelyn has vowed to tame her handsome rake–in the ballroom and in the bedchamber.

The Wicked Games of a Gentleman by Jillian Hunter

Lord Drake Boscastle has everything–smoldering good looks, extreme wealth, and devilish charms. Everything, that is, except true happiness. Hoping to satisfy his growing discontent, he is set to meet one of the most celebrated courtesans in England for a heated rendezvous. But on the scheduled night of pleasure, Lord Drake’s world is turned upside down by Eloise Goodwin, a wholesome, spirited governess with voluptuous curves and a beguiling wit. Even with an experienced seductress willing to satisfy his every need, Lord Drake cannot forget his encounter with Eloise.

Although swept off her feet by the mysteriously handsome rake, Eloise has more pressing matters to address. Her rebellious young client has escaped into the night with a local rogue and is nowhere to be found. Stepping in to assist, Lord Drake must try to resist his desire to indulge the longing passion he feels for Eloise. But once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel . . . or has the untamable Lord Drake at last been tamed?

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY'S LIFE...

Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits. What is a gently bred lady to do?

WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE...

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior. Dammit! How hard can it be to find a decent secretary?

AND FIND EMPLOYMENT.

When Anna becomes the earl’s secretary, both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires . . . with the earl as her unknowing lover.

High Stakes by Erin McCarthy

He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas.

Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?

New to me:
Simply Love by Mary Balogh
All Night Long by Melissa MacNeal
The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd
oh so not fond of that cover or title
Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway
What the Lady Wants by Jennifer Cruise
The Naked Truth by by Donna Kauffman, Beverly Brandt, Alesia Holliday, Erin McCarthy
Honk if you Love Real Men by Carrie Alexander, Pamela Britton, Susan Donovan, and Lora Leigh
Master of Glen Crannach by Stephanie Howard (WHY do I know this name?)

reading this week:
Jingle Bell Rock by Lori Foster, Donna Kauffman, Susan Donovan, Janelle Denison, Alison Kent, Nancy Warren
Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh
Must Love Mistletoe - never read Christie Ridgway... really I can't even say I know of anything she has written.... she any good?
Bit the Jackpot by Erin McCarthy
Harmony's Way by Lora Leigh

But with me who knows... something shiny could change my mind or I end up reading a Diana Palmer. And then there is the lil fact that out of the five apartment I saw yesterday. I liked one I couldn't afford and the rest really don't save me enough money or are close enough to work to make it WORTH the pain and suffering of moving. le sigh...

So what about you? Any recs? New books? Something to squuueee about?

For love or money

As I was looking for a link on LLB's blog (for a cafe press post I am doing) I noticed her last post. I got side tracked....

Her post Wowie Kazowie!, talks about the really amazingly great year 'visitor wise' All About Romance has had in 2006.and about raising their ad rates. I have odd ideas (shut up) about making money off blogs, websites and most of all reviews. (another post in the works since I read that article the Dear Jane posted about some amazon reviewer making cash off reviews... won't be up for a few weeks cuz I am doing some tracking in the RT mag *g*) I think my views were shaped from spend so long in xfiles fandom.

Fanfic is at heart nothing but sheer love, lust fannish musing over 'something. Sitting down, creating, learning new skills and the like - just to showcase your fannish colors and 'talk' to others of like mind is just awesome. I think. And is a huge part of what drew me to AAR.

It was the back fence... looking to chat about books, put up honest reviews and help put a more positive face on romance. So when it starts to talk about crappy cafe press sells and charging more for ads, it seems to be no longer about the love of books and romance land but about making a buck.
Is that just me?

Once upon a time I was apart of a huge website for a tv show. I have never seen a blog, message board or website in romanceland come CLOSE to the amount of traffic this site did (back in the day of course - five years later it is prolly closer to AAR's numbers) in a day much less a year.

Now the chick who ran the site was pretty computer smart but still had to pay for some support and things she couldn't figure out herself. I have to admit I thought/think she was pretty off her nut because of the amount of coin she dropped a month to pay for the site, bandwidth, support and whatever else comes with it.

So I think it is smart that AAR, Smart Bitches and whoever else charges for ads to help/try to recoup the cost for the site and give-a-ways. But if you raise your cost too much, don't you put yourself outside the range of the people you are trying to get to advertise with? And I find that sad. I mean hell I hardly ever click on those ads and they have no effect on my romance buying decisions but I like the idea they are there for the authors to use.Is that just me?

Is everyone else rushing out to click on the ads? Is it just certain sites? If so which ones? Hell the big sites like Writespace and Best Reviews (who I think are 'for profit sites' correct me if I am wrong) can't seem to UPDATE their ads to reflect new books. LOL then again I don't go to those site often.

At the same time I find myself going to AAR much less over the last year then I did when I first joined romance land. Blogs have news up quicker and since they are driven on the bloggers personality I think they tend to be more fun than a review site.

So even if hits and traffic are up... is it good time to raise rates? Or is it just me and AAR is as busy and fun as ever?

Poor Computer is still Teh Dead

But other computer shall get a network card today... so cross your fingers...

It bes sick

So just where were you last night at midnight?

It should shock... oh no one... that I was at Walmart (hey it isn't a evol chain).

Oddly enough, okay you can be shocked now, I wasn't looking to fill a late night book emergency. What? Like you have never had one of those.

No I was there for Jack. And because I am a fucking awesome sister (and after the wait the t-shirt sucked but whatever the kid is happy). So as I waited I did the only thing one should do at walmart at 11:00pm.

Looked at books!

I had like an hour to kill. First I put back all the books in the spots where they belong. And moved some new releases up top in the empty spots - for the love of god people but the books back where they go!

I then picked up a couple of books I had been thinking of getting Love in a Bottle and Paula Quinn's new one (I am blanking on the title).

And Susan Mallery's new Desire because I am her bitch and buy all her Desires and SSE. Oddly enough I haven't tried the others yet.

So I read the first chapter of LiaB. It starts really well. We first met Sophie in the forest lusting after a fungus. And she is soon crawling in the mud to get to it... in her dress. I liked her on spot. We are introduced to Ian when Sophie spots his boots next to her fungus. His looks knocks her senseless. It really was a grand start but I hit a wall. They were very familiar with each other and I couldn't wrap my arms around it. It bothered me. So I put it back to think on later when I was like awake.

Now I did what I normally do when thinking on a book and flipped open Quinn's book randomly. The scene is right after the hero and heroine have married and send heroine has fallen asleep on annoyed groom. The morning after amused me and the I liked the hero.

So as my phone went off telling me it was time to go over to lane one where Jack should be showing up shortly. I threw the book who's title I can now not remember into the cart with Mallery.

I read the first two chapters of The Unexpected Millionaire last night and the first chapter of Mustang Wild by Stacey Kayne this morning (which I really like so far). And now want to read Love in a Bottle.

Yo ho hum...

The lesson we learn here... next time put both books in the cart.

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