HEY STRANGERS! (sneaking in a giveaway)

I hope everyone had a great week last week and that the weekend is treating you right! We were on vacation all last week and while we didn't go anywhere far away, we kept busy enough that the week flew by in a blur. Back to work tomorrow, which totally sucks.
Last Sunday we went to Cincinnati to watch the Reds get absolutely creamed by the Cardinals. That beating was nothing compared to the beating they took a night or two later though, the poor guys. They've won their last couple of games though, which has to be a bit of a balm for them.
Monday morning Tim and I went to pick red and black raspberries. We froze some, ate some, and I made a one egg cake w/berries that was beautiful and yummy!
We spent took the Jet Express out of Port Clinton and went to South Bass Island for a day. We always have fun there. Spent time at Put-In-Bay, rented a golf cart to buzz around the island, went in some shops and sat by the water. Lake Erie is so beautiful these days - especially compared to the toxic disaster it was about 35 years ago.
On Friday we rented a pontoon boat at our local state park and took my mom, my best friend and her mom out for the day. It was incredibly hot, but there was a decent breeze on the water so we didn't suffer too much! We took picnic foods, sang the theme from Gilligan's Island (all but Tim, who laughed at our silliness), and we did word puzzles, read books and put our feet up while those who wanted (no thank you!) fished off the sides. It was a perfect day.
One thing I did that stretched out all week long was READ! I have reviews to write, review books to read, but did I touch them? Guiltily, I did not. I dipped into my TBR pile and devoured five books - I was on a serious romantic suspense kick. The books I read were:

• Brenda Novak's TRUST ME and STOP ME - I've put WATCH ME on my birthday wish list, but will have to add the next three in the series too, releasing in August, September and October - THE PERFECT COUPLE, THE PERFECT LIAR, and THE PERFECT MURDER. The first two books in this series are excellent and I'm looking forward to the rest!
• Bella Andre's WILD HEAT - the second in this series, HOT AS SIN, will be coming out in October and I absolutely cannot wait!
• Jo Davis's UNDER FIRE, which follows TRIAL BY FIRE, both excellent. UNDER FIRE has a virgin hero, which was a first for me and I have to admit that while I looked forward to reading it (I've had it since the week it released, some time ago), I also dreaded it just a tad The whole virgin issue was nicely, sensually written. Next in this series is HIDDEN FIRE, and I am especially looking forward to it!
• Cheyenne McCray's MOVING TARGET, which was enjoyable, but honestly? It wasn't anything spectacular.

I'm not keeping many books these days, having taken about six copy paper boxes crammed full to the library two weeks ago for their Friends of the Library annual sale, and I've decided to do a giveaway here for these five. It'll be up to you to check them out to determine if you're interested in them, I'm not taking time to put up any additional information. Now keep in mind that I've read these books so they're not pristine. They are clean but I'm pretty certain that all of the spines have creases and there are probably a couple of page corners w/fold lines. Sorry, but when I read a book I like to dig in and don't like worrying about being gentle, unless the book belongs to someone else, in which case I'm respectful and careful! If you're interested in these five books, simply leave a comment saying so. If you want to talk about your vacation plans, recent reads, etc., feel free! I'll draw a name on Thursday.
I hope to have reviews for MATING GAME by Janice Maynard and DOUBLE PLAY by Jill Shalvis sometime this week, followed by a handful of Romance Junkie review books and Karin Tabke's MASTER OF CRAVING. No rest for the wicked, huh?
Have a great week!
Laurie

Happy July 4th!!

Anyone have big plans for the holiday weekend? We'll be taking in our local parade, good wholesome fun, and then we're going to a cookout at my cousin's house this evening - I love getting out my stars and stripes platters and bowls!

My office was closed yesterday, which was especially nice, and tomorrow we're going to Cincinnati to watch the Reds play St. Louis. We haven't been to a Reds game for several years so we're really excited. Top all of that off by being on vacation next week and life's pretty good right now!

Have a great holiday, everyone! Please be careful if you're out on the road and whatever you do, don't drink and drive!

Laurie

TAILS OF LOVE Winner!!

No kids home tonight to give me a number or draw a name so I drew the name myself, and the winner is SANDI! Yay, Sandi - congratulations! You're going to love TAILS OF LOVE - and it comes with the cutest book thong made by Carolyn Dietsch from Lori Foster's Bookjunkie group. Carolyn makes these every year for the "benefit book" - this year she came with over 200 of them. Please contact me with your mailing info by Monday, Sandi, so I can get your book in the mail - ljodamron@gmail.com .

Thanks to everyone for your fun pet stories - I loved readin them! Booklover, it's so good to have you here - I hope you'll be a frequent visitor!

Vacation plans, anyone?

We're spending yet another vacation week (next week) mostly at home this year. Kids in college and cutbacks at Hub's work have forced us to cut back too.

We honeymooned in Gatlinburg (many, many moons ago) and returned to the Smoky Mountains for vacation almost annually for several years, even after we had the girls. A trip to Myrtle Beach was enough to hook us on the beach and we went there for several consecutive years. Sometimes we would venture on down to Charleston, SC and from there to Savannah. It's always obvious who are locals and who are visitors when you head that far south because the visitors are the ones who are red-faced, chugging water, and miserably wet with perspiration, while the locals are going about their business, dry and happy as can be. Another year we stayed someplace different every night for the week of our vacation - Mammoth Cave in KY, Graceland, the Gibson guitar factory and Beale Street in Memphis, The Hermitage in Nashville, a night in Gatlinburg, and lastly, the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Not very relaxing for Hub, who is our designated driver, but great fun for the girls and I!

We visited Niagara Falls a couple of years ago and had a fun time there, but it just wasn't the same as our preferred trips to the beach. I did go in a casino for the very first time there though, and that was sooo fun - I can see how gambling is addictive for some. I was certain that the next pull of the arm on the slot machine was going to be the lucky one - every single time!

I grew up in a camping family and my parents would plan year-long for two week camping vacations every summer. I've been to 40 states as a result of those trips and have so many unforgettable memories. These days I'm admittedly NOT a camper, but I still love to plan vacations and travel the highways. Funny thing, no matter where we go or for how long, I love to get back home!

One thing about being smack-dab in the middle of Ohio is that you can drive about two hours in almost any direction and be in another state. I think we'll be taking some "day trips" next week that might take us to the aquarium in Newport/Cincinnati, maybe to Lake Erie for an overnight stay, and the remaining days will be spent in leisure at home. Hub's employer has a gorgeous recreation facility for their associates that includes a beautiful pool - odds are pretty good that we'll be spending a couple of days at the pool, lounging in the sun and dripping water on our paperbacks. Not quite the same as being poolside w/an ocean view, but relaxing just the same.

So what are your vacay plans? Anyone have any exciting trips planned? How many of you are forced to downsize your trips for now, just like the Damrons?

Welcome, KARIN TABKE!

Karin Tabke is guest blogging today, celebrating with us the release of her latest novel, MASTER OF CRAVING, available now from your favorite bookseller! This is the third in Karin's Blood Sword Legacy series and I seriously hope that you'll all check it out!
Karin will be here to chat about her work - backlist, current and future releases included, and anything else that pops up, and will be taking your questions! No reasonable question will be refused! At the end of the day, Karin will be choosing one winner to receive their choice of a copy of JADED or a copy of MASTER OF SURRENDER (first in the Blood Sword Legacy) - good luck to all!
I would remind everyone that Karin is in California, so those of us who are up and cracking with the early birds on the East coast and in the midwest, we'll have to be patient as we wait for her to get here!
Welcome, everyone, and a big welcome to Karin!!

Guest blogger Thursday, July 2nd, KARIN TABKE!

Karin Tabke is guest blogging this Thursday, July 2nd, to celebrate her latest release, MASTER OF CRAVING, available now from your favorite bookseller! This is the third in Karin's Blood Sword Legacy series.

Romantic Times says:
"Tabke's alpha heroes and strong-willed women captivate. Her third Blood Sword Legacy novel is a powerful battle-of-wills love story that resonates with the atmosphere of the era and simmering passion, betrayals and politics that add depth to a stirring tale."
I've read the previous two books in this series and both were top-notch. Sadly, I haven't read MASTER OF CRAVING yet, but it's going to the pool with me while I'm off work next week. I have yet to be disappointed with any of Karin's work and highly recommend her to all romance readers with no hesitation.
A blurb about the series:
Eight mercenary knights, each of them base born, each of them bound by unspeakable torture in a Saracen prison, each of them branded with the mark of the sword for life. Each of their destinies marked by a woman.
‘Twas whispered along the Marches the demon knights who rode upon black horses donned in black mail wielding black swords would slay any man, woman or child who dared look upon them. ‘Twas whispered their loyalty was only to the other and no man could split them asunder, nor was there enough gold or silver in the kingdom to buy their oath. ‘Twas well known each of them was touched not by the hand of God but by Lucifer himself.
‘Twas also whispered, but only by the bravest of souls, that each Blood Sword was destined to find only one woman in all of Christendom who would bear him and only him sons, and until that one woman was found, he would battle and ravage the land...
…but the darkest secret whispered was that there was one among them whose violent craving for the one woman he could not have would be the spark that would set an entire region on fire, and nearly bring down a kingdom, with the aftermath to be felt for the next thousand years.
Want a delicious excerpt? Seriously now, if it doesn't make you want to snatch this one up, I don't know what will!
I hope you'll all take a sec and put MASTER OF CRAVING on your bookstore shopping list. If your bookseller doesn't have a copy on the shelf - please ask them to order it in for you - we need to make sure they know the authors that we're wanting to read. Sometimes they just need a little nudge! And here's a link to Amazon for all of you who want to put a copy in your cart!
Be sure to stop back Thursday - Karin's going to answer your questions (reserving the right to ignore any that are too personal!), and she's generously offering a copy of JADED or MASTER OF SURRENDER to one lucky reader, so get your questions ready! I would note that Karin is on PT, so those of us in between the east coast and California will have to be patient for her to get here!
Laurie

JILL'S WINNER IS . . .

Pam P.! I'm sorry to be late on this one - we had a tag sale yesterday and what a lot of work those are. I was reminded of why we hadn't had one in the past oh, say, 12 or 13 years. I've just had Kelsey give me a name between 1 and 28 and (in between bites of Fruity Pebbles) she said "17" - congrats, Pam! Please contact me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your mailing info and two or three titles from Jill's backlist by Wednesday evening. I'll pass your info on to Jill and your book will come directly from her.
Thanks to everyone who played - I loved all of the comments. It looks like Jill's blog brightens all of our days!
Laurie

TAILS OF LOVE - want to win an autographed copy?

This year's "benefit" book at Lori Foster and Dianne Castell's Reader/Author Get Together, was TAILS OF LOVE, a ten author (Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Kate Angell, Dianne Castell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James, Donna MacMeans, Sarah McCarthy, Patricia Sargeant, and Sue-Ellen Welfonder) anthology benefitting the AAF (Animal Adoption Foundation) in Hamilton (near Cincinnati), Ohio. I bought an extra copy for giveaway here and was able to have it autographed by all of the contributing authors.
If you're interested in this signed copy, simply leave a comment and you'll be entered in the draw. Because these are charming little stories about pets of all shapes and sizes, if you'd like to tell us about your pet(s) past and/or present, feel free! Send a friend over who mentions you in their comment and I'll give you an extra entry! I'm going to let this one run a while and will draw a winning name on July 3rd.
Here's a blurb for TAILS OF LOVE:
Ten all-new stories that celebrate our animal friends, by bestselling and award-winning authors. All Author and Agent proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the AAF - Animal Adoption Foundation - a no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton, Ohio. From Seeing Eye dogs to the cat who cuddles in your lap, animals are there for us in more ways than we can count. Helping us get through the day with a wag of the tail and a tilt of the head, they let us know that someone is on our side—no matter what. They also have an amazing ability to break down barriers between people; bringing families and loved ones closer, and giving strangers an excuse to strike up a conversation. In Tails of Love, each writer draws from her own unique perspective on our loyal friends—exploring the many mysterious ways they bring love into our lives.
Go here - TAILS OF LOVE - to watch a fun video, read an excerpt, and for ordering information. Thanks!
Laurie

INSTANT GRATIFICATION, the latest from Jill Shalvis - there's a giveaway!

Jill Shalvis has a new book, INSTANT GRATIFICATION, about to release (later this month), and for all of you who enjoyed INSTANT ATTRACTION, the first in Jill's "Wilder" series, you're going to love this next installment. If you haven't read INSTANT ATTRACTION, there's still time to snag a copy and catch up with the rest of us!

Blurb:
In Instant Attraction, Jill Shalvis introduced Cameron, Stone, and T.J., the sexy, daredevil brothers who run Wilder Adventures. And for Stone Wilder, the thrill of a lifetime is about to arrive in a surprising package…
THE DOCTOR IS IN DEEP
Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. It may as well be another galaxy. Here, running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Plus, she has to contend with patients like Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. The man laughs at her. A lot. And Emma loathes him. All except that tiny part of her that wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book…
When Stone tries to help Emma learn to loosen up a bit, he pictures white-water rafting or scenic mountain hikes. Not a mind-blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Emma’s sure she has no place in a town like Wishful, but Stone knows different. Emma belongs here, in this town, in hislife. And convincing this strong-minded, stubborn, sexy woman of that fact will be a challenge no Wilder man could resist…

My review:
Dr. Emma Sinclair left a successful, satisfying job in a New York City ER to come to Wishful, California and cover her father's practice while he recovers from a heart attack. Preferring the hustle and bustle of the city to the laid back, slow motion pace of Wishful, Emma can't wait for her dad to get back on his feet so she can go home. Outdoor adventurer Stone Wilder makes no bones about wanting Emma, but she's determined to remain independently alone. Until she agrees to strike up an affair with Stone that is, no strings attached. Emma didn't come to Wishful with the expectation of getting to know her estranged father, getting to know and more importantly, starting to care for, Stone Wilder, and she absolutely did not expect to get to know herself as part of the equation.
Stone Wilder is instantly attracted to Emma Sinclair, sparks practically fly whenever he's close to the beautiful doctor. He has known and loved women for a long time so he gets the attraction and the sparks. What he doesn't get is why in the world she's in such an all-fired hurry to get back to New York. He's seriously interested in a long-term relationship, but convincing her to leave her cold, sterile NYC life is proving to be a challenge he's not certain he can win.
Like all Jill Shalvis books, INSTANT GRATIFICATION covers all the bases. Readers will laugh at times, feel giddy at others, experience heartfelt pain, and hold their breath (and then sigh) at the steamy, searing passion. Emma and Stone seem total opposites but truth be told, they both just want someone to love and to be loved in return. I feel certain that readers will agree that this is an excellent follow-up to INSTANT ATTRACTION and I highly recommend this book, and this series, to all romance lovers.

Want a copy? Buzz on over to Amazon - I would note that I recently received an email from Amazon indicating that INSTANT GRATIFICATION has been marked down by 27% - you can't beat that!
Jill has been kind enough to offer a book (winner's choice) from her backlist for giveaway. Leave a comment about Jill's website, her blog, her books, etc. and you'll be entered. I'll draw the winning name on Saturday, June 27. Good luck!
Thanks for checking out INSTANT GRATIFICATION!
Laurie

Roxanne St. Claire's HUNT HER DOWN

Roxanne St. Claire has a new book, HUNT HER DOWN, releasing at the end of August '09. Yeah, I know, all of you romantic suspense lovers already know that, and boy do I ever hope you're super excited because this one is so very worth the wait! And those of you who appreciate hot covers, did you check this one out? Wow! This cover has been touched up to sizzle so much more than the cover on the arc - very nice! I was fortunate enough to snag HUNT HER DOWN for Romance Junkies review, but before you read my review, here's a couple of little nibbles from Ms. St. Claire's website to tempt and tease!

HUNT HER DOWN (Mini-Excerpt #1)
“Call it whatever you want.” Dan lifted the hand holding the dossier and gave Max Roper’s massive shoulder a decent smack. “Now go eat some charred meat like a good Rottweiler. You’re missing the party and all the gossip about the reasons behind my first official leave of absence.”
“A leave of absence?” Max’s gaze slid to his shoulder. “With a Bullet Catcher dossier still warm from the Research and Investigative Department printer?”
The son of a bitch didn’t miss a trick. “Just grabbed a file on an old friend I might look up in the Keys.”
“You’re going to Florida? Cori and I are going down to Miami tomorrow, to her place on Star Island. Why don’t you stay with us for a few days?”
“And get psychoanalyzed by two of you? No thanks. Anyway, I’ll be a couple of hours south, in Marathon.”
“Doing what?” Max pressed.“Fishing.”
“You don’t own a tackle box. What’s going on down there?”
“Nothing.” He hoped. “I’m taking some time to myself. See an old friend. Learn the difference between a trout and a…nother kind of fish.”
“Who’s the old friend?”
It was a waste of time to try and sidestep Roper. “A young lady I knew from my Miami days.” Well, she’d been young. But not exactly a lady.

HUNT HER DOWN (Mini-Excerpt #2)
Straightening, Maggie nodded to the stranger. “I’ll be right there,” she mouthed, taking the empty glasses from the table and wending around some chairs to make her way over.
As she did, he made no effort to hide his long, slow appraisal of her, the hungry gaze leaving a trail of heat and a thousand chills over every well-admired inch of her. By the time he got back up to her face, she’d reached the table, and slithered into the chair across from him.
“You want a Heineken?”
“Among other things.” He added an imperfect, slanted, utterly decadent smile that took him from jaw-dropper to heart-wrecker in a pulse beat.
“Name ’em,” she shot back.
He dropped his elbows on the table and folded his arms, a move that just emphasized the power and size of his shoulders, and leaned closer. She got a whiff of peppermint and spice, and dose of raw sex appeal, and a chance to see that, no, he hadn’t shaved.
“Mrs. Smith. Are you married?”
His question was direct, simple, and delivered with a baritone that made her wonder if his chest rumbled when he spoke.
“Not anymore.” She met him halfway across the table. “Are you?”
“Not even close.”
“Well, now that we got that little detail out of the way, how about we finally introduce ourselves?” She held out her hand, ready for the first touch, bracing for the electricity she just knew was going to zing up her arm. “I’m--”
“I know who you are,” he said. He didn’t shake her hand. Instead, his long, strong fingers plucked at one of the silver bangles on her wrist. “You make noise when you walk, you know that?”
She just stared at him, mesmerized and unable to look away.
“I’ve been hearing you jingle in my sleep.”
Oh boy. He was good.
“What’s it sound like?”
“Trouble.”

My (5 Blue Ribbon!) Romance Junkies review:
When former lovers Dan and Maggie are reunited after a thirteen year estrangement, old threats become new dangers and past secrets may hold the key to their future, in Roxanne St. Claire’s HUNT HER DOWN.

As soon as Bullet Catcher Dan Gallagher hears that evil drug lord Ramon Jimenez has been released from prison, he knows there’s a good chance he and his cohorts will be seeking out those who put him away. Although she didn’t testify in court, Maggie Varcek played an intricate role in bringing Ramon down. It soon becomes apparent that Maggie’s life is in danger. As Dan steps back into Maggie’s life to protect her and they test the waters of a new relationship, he realizes that the secrets he kept from Maggie are small compared to the one she’s unknowingly kept from him.
Maggie has tried to put the past behind her and keep it there, but she never forgot the man she loved so desperately all those years ago. When Dan Gallagher shows up at the bar she owns, she’s instantly intrigued. She’s upset over his earlier deceit, but her anger quickly dissipates as danger looms, threatening everything she’s fought so hard to safeguard. Maggie discovers strengths she didn’t know she possessed, and a passion for life and love that promise an exciting new future, provided they can stay alive.
The latest in the hugely popular Bullet Catcher series, HUNT HER DOWN is simply stellar. Roxanne St. Claire has given Dan an absolutely perfect match in Maggie. She is fiercely independent and strong, capable of taking care of herself, and readers will discover a side of Dan that will make them fall even more deeply in love with him. Through the reflections and recollections of Dan and Maggie, readers are provided heartrending back story. Both had difficult decisions to make and those decisions played a significant role in developing the lives they made for themselves and the people they became. Secondary characters are key to the story and the appearances of previous Bullet Catcher characters will satisfy even the most dedicated of Ms. St. Claire’s fans. I give HUNT HER DOWN the highest of recommendations, especially for readers who’ve read the earlier books in this series. For readers who are new to the series this book stands firmly on its own, but for even greater reading enjoyment I suggest reading in order; I’m confident that you won’t regret it.
I'll make it easy for you to get a copy of your own - go here to toss a copy in your Amazon shopping cart!

Releasing in late September '09 is the next Bullet Catchers installment, MAKE HER PAY, the story of Constantine "Con" Xenakis. I can't wait!! Constantine made appearances in at least two Bullet Catcher books and his role in HUNT HER DOWN has me extremely excited for his story. Want even more temptation? Get a closer look at MAKE HER PAY with this great excerpt!
Go here to pre-order MAKE HER PAY!

In perusing Ms. St. Claire's website I see that she'll be visiting Ohio in September as keynote speaker at the Central Ohio Fiction Writers conference - I couldn't be more excited! I don't attend the conference, but always try to make it to the booksigning since it's only 30 minutes from me. Maybe we can get her back to Ohio sometime for Lori and Dianne's event in Cincinnati, hmmm?
Thanks for stopping!
Laurie