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

Karin Tabke's MASTER OF TORMENT - there's a giveaway!!

Karin Tabke was kind enough to have her publisher send me a copy of MASTER OF TORMENT. First, I have to send huge thanks to her for thinking of me and second, I have to tell you all that you HAVE to get a copy of this book. Yes, it's that good.

A blurb:
Wulfson of Trevelyn, trusted knight of William the Conqueror, has never met a man he could not master. But in the tempestuous young widow Tarian of Trent, known as the Lady Warrior, Wulf may finally have met his match. Ordered by the king to eliminate her traitorous bloodline, Wulf captures the lady but hesitates to execute his orders, falling captive himself to her seductive dark beauty.
To Lady Tarian’s dismay, neither her fighting spirit nor her wiles are sufficient to bend Wulfson completely to her will. As she and Wulfson try to stay one step ahead of the angered King, Tarian vows she will not be the loser in their passionate battle, but her own desire for this overpowering stranger threatens not only her body, and her heart, but both of their lives.

My review:
Lady Tarian isn’t your typical Saxon female. Adept at using sharp instruments, including swords, quivers, and her mind, she wants no part of male-dominated marriage. When she does marry, she ends up killing her husband in order to save her own life. The uncle of her deceased husband then decides that he will marry her, going so far as to abduct and torture her when she refuses. Norman knight Wulfson of Trevelyn comes to Tarian’s rescue, but only because his king, William the Conqueror, has ordered him to kill her.
Wulfson has pledged loyalty to the king but as he spends time with Tarian and gets to know her, he’s forced to acknowledge an ever-growing, unexpected admiration and respect for her. There’s no doubt that she is more intriguing than any woman he’s ever known. Truth be told, she’s stronger and more courageous than most men he’s ever known, but she also seriously tries his patience and his resistance.
Tarian knows that Wulfson shares her attraction but also knows that he won’t be disloyal to his king. As her fondness for him grows, so does her reluctance to put him in harm’s way and when she tries to flee, the resulting violence threatens not only the love between them, but their very lives.
Karin Tabke has given readers a real gem in MASTER OF TORMENT. The first book in this Blood Sword series, MASTER OF SURRENDER, was excellent, but I truly feel that this second work is more satisfying. I was pulled into the characters’ lives and surroundings immediately; the Medieval darkness of the setting at no time feels heavy or unsettling. I highly recommend this book as well as the first book in the series, but would clarify that MASTER OF TORMENT stands very capably on its own.
Thank you, Karin, for allowing me to read and review Tarian and Wulfson’s story for you!
Here's a direct link to Amazon for those who want to get a copy! I look at it like this - at $6.99, it’s pretty inexpensive entertainment!
And if that wasn't enough temptation, look at the cover for MASTER OF CRAVING, the next installment in the Blood Sword series. Yum!

I’m celebrating this new release from Karin with a Christmas gift giveaway. I have a festive glass cutting board from Coldwater Creek – like the one pictured here. It measures 8 x 10 and looks nice on a countertop or tabletop, or it would make a nice gift. I have one just like it on my kitchen counter. Are you interested? If so, check out Karin’s website and leave a comment here that tells something about Karin, her books, her site, etc. I’ll draw a winner on Sunday the 14th.

Thanks for checking it out! I hope everyone is having a great week. I'm off work from tomorrow through Tuesday - yay! I'll be finishing up some decorating, doing some baking and candymaking, shopping, making a trip to Tim's family cemetery in WV to put wreaths on graves, taking my mom to my dad's grave to put on a wreath, and wrapping some gifts. No rest for the wicked, right?

Laurie

MASTER OF SURRENDER - coming soon from Karin Tabke

Karin Tabke has a new release available! She was kind enough to send me an ARC of MASTER OF SURRENDER for review. As hard as it is to believe, this is Karin's first historical. Known for her steamy law enforcement contemporaries, she's going to take the historical romance community by storm with this one.

The year is 1066. William, bastard Duke of Normandy, has claimed the English throne by right of conquest. To quell the Saxon unrest, William sends out his most trusted knights to secure the land. One of those knights is his cousin, Sir Rohan de Luc, known far and wide for his bloody deeds as The Black Sword. . .
Bold and courageous, Saxon maiden Isabel of Alethorpe is the only one left to protect the people of the manor and its lands. When Rohan de Luc seizes Alethorpe, he offers to spare the life of Isabel's young squire in exchange for her willing gift of the charms of her body. Betrothed to another, she vows to that while he may take her maidenhead, her heart will remain her own. But even as her lips say no, Isabel's traitorous body is awakened to desire by the seductive attentions of this potent invader. Can she remain true to her own people, or will Sir Rohan's skilled touch capture her unwilling heart as surely as his prowess with his sword captured her father's lands?
Click here for an excerpt that will tempt and tease.
My review:
In 1066, Rohan de Luc is given the Saxon-owned keep, Alethorpe, by William the Conquerer. When Rohan arrives to take control, his strongest foe is the beautiful Lady Isabel, daughter of the previous owner who along with his son were murdered during a brutal battle. Isabel stands up for her people fearlessly, despite the incredible size and number of the powerful Normans. Isabel tries her hardest to be strong against Rohan's determined attempts at seduction. No easy task when she finds herself undeniably attracted to him. Rohan remains firm in his desire to conquer Isabel, while repeatedly finding himself deeply admiring her fortitude. When the two finally begin to see eye to eye and become increasingly intimate, they're met with another evil in the form of Rohan's heartless brother, who is set on Rohan's total destruction. Isabel's people are surprised at Rohan's fair treatment of them and his intention to provide for and protect them. Eventually Isabel can no longer fight her love for Rohan, only to learn that he is the one who killed her father. Suddenly overwhelmed by the heartache of the past few weeks, Isabel practically loses the will to live.
This book, while downright gruesome at times, is an excellently written historical (medieval) and I give it the highest of recommendations. Rohan and Isabel butt heads constantly, but their disagreements never come across as juvenile or immature. and don't grate on the nerves. Their passion for one another, despite their differences, is strong and true. Rohan's respect for Isabel's innocence and her desire to maintain it is realistic and not the least bit ridiculous or silly.
Can't resist? Click here to order your own copy.
I would point out that Karin has a new contemporary, JADED, and I hope you'll take a minute to take a look. It is available for purchase now.
Thank you, Karin, for requesting that I review MASTER OF SURRENDER - I truly appreciate the opportunity.
Thanks, everyone, for checking this excellent book out!
Laurie

Coming soon from Karin Tabke - five exciting new releases!

Karin Tabke has plenty to be excited about in 2008. Five new releases - two in June, one in July, one in November and December. I can only imagine how exciting that must be for an author. As a reader who loves Karin's books, I'm pretty damn excited myself! Check out the covers, blurbs and excerpts below and then tell me you're not anxious to get your hands on these books too!

COMING IN JUNE, 2008 (Karin's first historical):


The year is 1066. William, bastard Duke of Normandy, has claimed the English throne by right of conquest. To quell the Saxon unrest, William sends out his most trusted knights to secure the land. One of those knights is his cousin, Sir Rohan de Luc, known far and wide for his bloody deeds as The Black Sword. . .
Bold and courageous, Saxon maiden Isabel of Alethorpe is the only one left to protect the people of the manor and its lands. When Rohan de Luc seizes Alethorpe, he offers to spare the life of Isabel's young squire in exchange for her willing gift of the charms of her body. Betrothed to another, she vows to that while he may take her maidenhead, her heart will remain her own. But even as her lips say no, Isabel's traitorous body is awakened to desire by the seductive attentions of this potent invader. Can she remain true to her own people, or will Sir Rohan's skilled touch capture her unwilling heart as surely as his prowess with his sword captured her father's lands?

Check out an excerpt for MASTER OF SURRENDER here.

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS JUNE:


It takes more than a red-hot body and stunning sex appeal to manage a club like Callahan's successfully. Jade Devereaux hides whip-sharp smarts and cold calculation behind her sleek façade, and she's come a long way from the frightened teenage girl who was once prey to a brutal man. Now, in the cat-and-mouse game of sexual escapades, Jade makes sure that the men are her prey.
When a wealthy businessman is viciously murdered mere yards from Callahan's, cynical cop Jase Vaughn turns to the exclusive private club for answers. Luscious Jade Devereaux sends his masculine desires into overdrive the moment he sees her, but he has plenty of experience with both women and crime suspects, and he can tell Jade has secrets to hide—secrets that are somehow connected to this twisted killing.
Jase is determined to strip away the pretense and expose the real Jade Devereaux, even if that means getting closer to her than the love-them-and-leave-them playboy has ever been to a woman. If she's guilty, Jase has sworn to see her behind bars. If she's innocent, then she could be the killer's next victim. But whether Jade is guilty or innocent, Jase realizes to his dismay that they are both falling victim to something neither has ever known—the power of love.
Check out an excerpt for JADED here.

COMING IN JULY, 2008:

The swagger. The sensuality. Ya gotta love ‘em. The hottest heroes are Italian-American, and every woman knows it…

Good stuff, huh? I'll have details on the other two books as soon as it's available. I hope that if you haven't read any of Karin's previous books, you'll pick at up at least one - THE HARD STUFF (anthology), GOOD GIRL GONE BAD, SKIN, and WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE (anthology). Plenty to choose from; all wonderful! Be sure to check out Karin's blog - she keeps things hopping!

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
Laurie

KARIN TABKE AND JAMI ALDEN!

Return visitors here know that I love Karin Tabke's work - I always regret when I finish one of her books because I have to wait until the next one is released. On a recent visit to her website I saw that she and Jami Alden have a book coming out next summer, ITALIAN STALLIONS, and I can't wait! I've only recently discovered Jami Alden and while I've read two of her (very steamy) books, I have two more on order! Neither of these two very talented authors write fluffy sweet stuff - their books pack a powerful punch of raw sensuality with characters who know what they want and who aren't afraid to go after it.

Here's a blurb, (yes, I know it's dinky) about ITALIAN STALLIONS FROM Karin's website ( http://www.karintabke.com/index2.php ):

The swagger.
The sensuality.
Ya gotta love ‘em.
The hottest heroes are Italian-American, and every woman knows it…

Kensington Aphrodisia
July 2008

I certainly hate to wait until July for this one.
What upcoming books are you anticipating? Any recent reads that you can't stop thinking about?
I'm about to post a review for Elizabeth Scott's SPIN THE BOTTLE and soon after that, Sasha White's SEXY DEVIL.
Thanks for stopping!
Laurie

SKIN by Karin Tabke

Some of you might remember a quick blog entry I did a while back w/this cover. I still think it is very nicely done. I couldn't wait for the book's release and when it showed up on the Romance Junkies review list, I literally begged for it - the first time I've ever done so. Was I ever pleased when told that it was mine! Karin Tabke is a very talented author with some incredible releases - THE HARD STUFF (anthology), GOOD GIRL GONE BAD and now SKIN. I gave SKIN five blue ribbons - I can count on one hand the number of reviews that I've given five blue ribbons. I hope you'll check out my review and Karin's website http://www.karintabke.com/index2.php, and then go pre-order this great book! Here's a link to Amazon so you can do just that! http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Karin-Tabke/dp/1416524924/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2381367-0694212?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175311268&sr=1-1
This is my Romance Junkies review:
A mafia princess unknowingly hires an undercover detective to pose nude for her magazine, while he attempts to figure out who killed her kingpin father. The two end up going on the run to elude whoever is now trying to kill her - in SKIN, the latest offering from Karin Tabke.
Francesca “Frankie” Donatello runs her family-owned magazine, Skin, and while all the rest of this organized crime family’s businesses are on the shady side, Frankie’s magazine is squeaky clean. Shortly before Frankie’s father, Santini, is assassinated, the two had an ugly falling out over Frankie’s decision to feature male centerfolds in her magazine. Santini was adamantly opposed to Frankie’s determination to proceed, even threatening to write her out of his will. When Frankie’s brother, Anthony, makes threats against her unless she desists with her centerfold plan, she shrugs it off to his selfish desire to control all of the family’s holdings. The police are working Santini’s murder, and in the course of their investigation, have sent detective Reese Barrett to audition for the male centerfold position. Frankie feels a definite attraction to Reese but because she was recently burned by the man she loved, she’s hesitant to let herself get attached to anyone. After several attempts are made on her life, and Reese offers to act as her bodyguard and her centerfold, she relents and hires him.
Reese’s colleagues are convinced that Frankie played a part in her father’s death, but he isn’t so sure. Reese plays the part of male model very well, so well in fact that Frankie never suspects him of being a detective, until he does such a stellar job of protecting her, and then there is a slight niggling in the back of her mind that he almost seems to have some police training. When evidence begins to point a guilty finger at Frankie and the attacks against her almost seem staged, Reese starts to have his doubts. Once he begins to fall for her and the threats against her become more brazen, he takes her into hiding.
Karin Tabke doesn’t write sweet romances. Her characters are passionate about every aspect of their life, be it work or play. They take their beliefs and their actions very seriously, and are selective about who they share them with, striving to always be the best. I can’t give a high enough recommendation for SKIN and strongly encourage anyone who loves an edgy, suspenseful romance with shamelessly intense passion to run out and get a copy.
Thanks for stopping by!
Laurie

Upcoming Karin Tabke

I stopped by Karin Tabke's site http://www.karintabke.com/index2.php
a moment ago and the cover for her upcoming release caught my eye - is this not beautiful? I adore Karin Tabke's work and I'm certain that this will be another great one - releasing in April '07 from Pocket Books. The blurb is brief, for now anyway, and reads "Jaded cop vs mafia princess and all hell breaks loose."

I'll be talking about this one as soon as I've read it, so stay tuned! I can't wait!!

GOOD GIRL GONE BAD by Karin Tabke

I recently selected Karin Tabke's GOOD GIRL GONE BAD for review on behalf of Romance Junkies, not realizing that I had read the earlier work of Ms. Tabke in the anthology entitled THE HARD STUFF. Her story was Stakeout and was very good. I'd be lying if I said that I enjoyed the other two stories in that anthology as much, I just didn't. I am happy to gush and carry on about books that I like, but I'm not going to spout made-up gushes about those that I don't! Ms. Tabke's upcoming release (April '07) is simply titled SKIN and I'm already anxious to read it. Her writing thus far centers around the lives and loves of men and women who work in some capacity on the police force. Below is my Romance Junkies review for GOOD GIRL GONE BAD:
Police officer Philamina “Phil” Zorn met then Sgt. Ty Jamerson three years ago when she was working in Internal Affairs, investigating a brutality charge against Ty. Now a Lieutenant, Ty is investigating a string of kidnappings, all happening at Klub Kashmir, a high-end strip club, where Ty is working undercover as floor manager. Phil, with her killer body, is set up as a cocktail waitress, complete with a sexy, skimpy “uniform.” It isn’t long before Phil and Ty become intimate, and they soon find it increasingly difficult to maintain cool heads, given the erotic surroundings of their undercover operation.
Phil is very inhibited due to a strict upbringing under the thumb of a preacher/police officer father, and an unpleasant sexual experience in her teens. While Phil wants to nab the kidnapper and find the missing women, she also wants to find out the facts behind her father’s alleged suicide, facts that Ty alone can tell her. The problem is that Ty isn’t a man of many words, preferring to let his actions do the talking, especially when he’s attempting to help Phil lose some of those pesky inhibitions.
Phil and Ty literally smoke on the pages. The story behind their history is heavy and deep; there is no fluff to be found in this book. Ms. Tabke offers interesting glimpses of the sometimes desperate, often dark, world of erotic dancing, and an eye-opening look at the questionable goings-on behind the police force. I enjoyed this book not just for its eroticism, but for the powerful storytelling. It is obvious that details were well thought-out and researched. Kudos to Karin Tabke!
Thanks as always for stopping by!
Laurie