Today for Book Monday, I thought I’d highlight the recent releases of fellow authors who are Beta partners of mine (we swap our stories for critique).
In no particular order…
Melting the Millionaire’s Heart by Linda Morris (Contemporary Romance–Dec 2012, Entangled)
Love a good snowbound romance? Try this sexy new release! Here’s the official blurb:
Special-needs teacher Kayla Johnston writes off any shot at New Year’s Eve romance when she’s summoned to a fundraising event for her school at the remote estate of a wealthy would-be-donor. But when a massive snowstorm hits and Kayla careens off the road, the sexy stranger who rescues her brings to mind cozy fireplaces and steamy midnight kisses…among other things.
Reclusive entrepreneur Ryan Langford may be missing his own fundraiser, but being marooned in a cabin with Kayla beats ducking a room full of people after his money any day. Too bad she’s so irritated with the ” gazillionaire” who ruined her New Year’s Eve that he feels like he has to lie about his identity. But when the sparks fly and they fall into each other’s arms, Ryan knows he’s made a big mistake. Will she be able to trust him once the snow melts and the truth comes out?
I Do . . . Or Die by Donna Cummings (Romantic Comedy–Dec 2012, Crimson)
Looking for a contemporary romance awash in humor, with a dose of suspense?
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is Shelby Atwood’s personal credo. She’s managed to avoid commitment all her life – no pets, no plants, not even a long-term lease. Heck, she’s had colds last longer than her romantic relationships. How could she be any other way when she has a gigolo for a father?
But then gunfire erupts at the latest wedding she’s agreed to be in, and it ends up being the best thing to happen to Shelby’s love life. Detective Ryan Nichols is assigned to the case, and when the shootings don’t stop, he becomes her 24-hour bodyguard. Shelby wouldn’t mind except Ryan is too appealing, too sexy, and too happy to remind her of the raucous bachelorette party when she mistook him for a stripper.
Shelby’s plan is simple: find the shooter, have a fling with Ryan, and return to her non-committal life. Unfortunately, the shooter is very elusive. Shelby’s feelings for Ryan are way more than adrenaline-fueled lust. And returning to her normal life is now impossible since, despite her lifelong resistance, she’s managed to put her heart smack dab in the line of fire.
Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass (Paranormal Romance–Jan 21, 2013, Crimson)
This one we didn’t swap the whole novel, just chapters, but what I critiqued, I remember enjoying!
Mira Herald is having the worst life ever. Not only is she plagued by horrific nightmares starring the Devil himself, she’s now the target of a power-hungry, rogue minion, freshly sprung from Hell and bent on her destruction. To complicate matters further, she’s acquired a stalker. One who insists he’s a divine warrior sent for her protection because she houses an ancient relic with the power to unleash Armageddon. Last time Mira checked, she wasn’t insane. Still, all this celestial mayhem is enough to drive a girl crazy.
Kagan is a member of the Scion, an elite team of immortal warriors selected by Divinity to aid mankind and save the world. After a century alone, Kagan is summoned for a new mission. He’s eager to begin. Eager until he’s informed his mission consists of protecting a woman with no clue to the power she wields. Plus, his briefing fails to prepare him for his new target’s cosmic-sized attitude problem. As Divinity’s sworn servant, he’s required to fulfill his duty. His oath, however, does not require him to be enthusiastic about his new assignment or warm-and-fuzzy toward his new compatriot. He plans a wham-bam rescue and a quick return to solitude.
The minion attacks – with the backing of a mysterious organization – and all Hades erupts, putting a fast end to any whirlwind escapes. Accustomed to staunch independence, Mira’s survival now requires full cooperation and an unwavering belief in Kagan. The battle-hardened warrior is also forced to chose: between duty and desire. Amidst the turmoil, Kagan and Mira’s undeniable passion draws them closer to each other and down a path neither expected but both yearn for, more than they ever knew.
Will love save the day? The world’s fate depends on the answer.
Two more to pimp…. These aren’t Beta partners, but we’ve gotten to know each other in writerly loops and I’m super excited for them. I’ve got them loaded on my Kindle and am eager to read!
Blood Vine by Amber Belldene (Paranormal romance–Jan 2013, Omnific)
In Blood Vine, bites are an inconvenient bliss, exiled vampires are wasting away, and the fate of their kind depends on the perfect PR campaign.
When public relations pro Zoey Porter arrives at an enchanting California winery, she discovers her sexy new client is the almost one-night stand she can’t forget. After her husband’s suicide, Zoey has vowed never to risk her heart again. But can she walk away from the intriguing winemaker a second time?
Driven from Croatia by his ancient foes, vampire Andre Maras has finally made a blood-like wine to cure his fellow refugees. Now he needs Zoey’s PR expertise to reach them. After his wife’s death, Andre has a vow of his own—never to risk another painful blood bond. And one taste of the tempting Zoey would bind him to her eternally.
His secrets stall her PR plans. Her jealousy is stoked by the blissed-out beauties leaving his bedroom. At every turn, he utterly fails to resist her. When she discovers he is a vampire, will she be lost to the golden-eyed Hunters, or lose herself to the emptiness in her heart, before she can help him save his kind?
Wishing For A Highlander (Highland Wishes) by Jessi Gage (time travel romance–Dec 2012, Lyrical)
Highland Wishes, #1
For Melanie, “Be careful what you wish for” becomes “Be careful what you wish on.”
While examining Andrew Carnegie’s lucky rosewood box, single-and-pregnant museum worker Melanie makes a tongue in cheek wish on the artifact–for a Highland warrior to help her forget about her cheating ex. Suddenly transported to the middle of a clan skirmish in sixteenth-century Scotland, she realizes she should have been a tad more specific.
Darcy, laird in waiting, should be the most eligible bachelor in Ackergill, but a cruel prank played on him in his teenage years has led him to believe he is too large under his kilt to ever join with a woman. He has committed himself to a life of bachelorhood, running his deceased father’s windmills and keeping up the family manor house…alone.
Darcy’s uncle, Laird Steafan welcomes the strangely dressed woman into his clan, immediately marrying her to Darcy in hopes of an heir. But when Steafan learns of her magic box and brands her a witch, Darcy must do what any good husband would–protect his wife, even if it means forsaking his clan.
WARNING: A pregnant museum worker, a sixteenth-century Scot, and a meddlesome wishing box.
Read any great newly-released romances lately?
Thanks for the mention! If I can get my muse Endora to be a little more cooperative, I hope to have a Regency novella for you to beta read soon. 🙂 I’m looking forward to Linda’s book. And the last thing I read was this great little story called “Beer and Groping in Las Vegas”. Maybe you’ve heard of it? 🙂
LOL Donna! And can’t wait for the regency. Do you need me to rough Endora up a bit for you? Break her knee caps or something?
“I do… or die” sounds interesting.
Thanks for the promo, lady!
I am intrigued by the new take on vampires and PR campagnes in Blood Vine! I already had I Do … or Die on my Kindle. I downloaded a sample of Melting the Millionaire’s Heart, which then kicked off a whole fantasy (as in “totally in my head”) shopping spree of millionaire and billionaire romance novels…
Thanks for the great recommendations! I can’t wait to check out some of these writers!
You’re welcome on all counts! Yeah, I’m eager to read Blood Vine too!
I tweeted.
This is so unfair! I have such a TBR backlog and here you are tempting me with more great reads!
Though I’ve already read “I Do…Or Die.” It was fantastic!
LOL, sorry Kate!
Angela, what a nice surprise it was to be featured on your blog today–I was traveling, but I’ve finally had a chance to read everyone’s blurbs and I look forward to checking out all these new releases. I’m delighted to hear you all think Blood Vine sounds interesting, and I would love to hear from you, if you do read it!
Awesome book list. They all look fantastic! 🙂