Lori Foster's MY MAN, MICHAEL - I have an arc to give away!

Hey ladies, because the response has been so great, I've picked up a copy of Lori's book when I was shopping after work today - so, tomorrow night I'll be drawing names for two winners!

Lori Foster has a new release, MY MAN, MICHAEL - it's on the shelves and available for online ordering now. This is a continuation of her SBC fighting series, but has a slightly different flavor from the previous books. While I think readers are going to enjoy it, I suspect that there will be a handful of readers who'll buy this book without knowing about the time travel aspect, and they will be upset. I admit that when I first heard Lori's plans for Michael, I thought "Oh Lori, Sweetie, what are you thinking?" I suspected that readers would bitch and moan, that reviews would be mixed from one extreme to the other, and the rumors would start that Lori Foster has veered off in a wild new direction and her writing will never be the same. Romance reading as we know it has come to an end, right? Wrong. Oh yeah, those things have happened. BUT, it has gotten readers talking, which is always good. There's chatter everywhere and while some readers are acting like Lori is a puppy kicker or training terrorists in her basement or something, I personally can't help but think that the "controversy" will sell books like crazy.
You'll find a great excerpt here - read it and let us know your first impression of MY MAN, MICHAEL.
I've written a brief review:
When fighter Michael "Mallett" Manchester is severely injured in an auto accident, his future looks grim. He knows that he'll never fight again and he's seriously depressed. When a beautiful woman inexplicably appears in his hospital room, says she's Kayli Raines from the future and promises that he can be completely healed if he'll return with her - to the future. Certain that it's the pain meds fogging his mind and because he's fascinated by the gorgeous stranger and the promise of a totally healed, pain-free body, he agrees. Michael finds himself fast-forwarded decades into the future and a lifestyle that he couldn't have conjured up in his wildest dreams. Women are warriors, men are scarce, and a cranky, smart-mouthed computer seems to know everyone's wants and needs before they do. It turns out that Michael has been sought out for his strength and his ability to fight so as to train warriors.
Michael's immediate feelings for Kayli are just as foreign to him as the world he's living in, but they are strong enough to make the strangeness inconsequential. No one is more confused than Kayli by her body's reaction to Michael as well as the changes he demands be implemented in order for him to stay and share his fighting expertise. No one expected him to insist that Kayli belong to him, just as they didn't suspect that things weren't as they seemed and Michael would be the one to find the truth and make things right.
If you've always enjoyed Lori's books for the romance, the emotion, for the satisfaction of seeing one of her alpha males tamed, and if you're open-minded enough to try something new from her, then snatch MY MAN, MICHAEL up as fast as you can because you're gonna love it. If you have a serious aversion to time travel or stretches of the imagination, then my advice is simple - don't buy the book.

I'm giving away my arc of this one - and who doesn't love an arc, right? All you have to do to enter is let us know your first Lori book, your favorite Lori hero or cover, or which Lori book you've read and reread! Come on and spill - we want to know! I'll draw one name from all who post a comment and the winner will be announced in the evening on Tuesday, February 3rd.
Here's a link to Amazon so you can get your own copy and see what the excitement's about!
Thanks for checking it out - and huge thanks to Lori for allowing me to review MY MAN, MICHAEL for you!!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Laurie

Lori Foster - one busy woman!

Update: A dear friend of mine, Judy F., has offered up another book duo for giveaway - Lori's HEARTBREAKERS and SERVANT: THE AWAKENING! Thanks Judy, you're such a doll!
My good friend Lori Foster has releases and reissues all over the place right now (with even more coming up) and I thought I'd chat about a few of them, starting with SERVANT: THE ACCEPTANCE. This series has been a huge hit with Lori's readers and her "L.L." readers, but this is where I have to admit that I haven't read the first book in this series (yes, Lori knows this and no, she doesn't hate me for it!) and don't know if I'll read the second, but I do have the first one in the event I decide to start. As a matter of fact, I have three extra copies of the first book, SERVANT: THE AWAKENING. At Lori's get together in June there were a couple of books at each person's place at their table - dear friends Judy, Chris and Lisa gave me their copies to use for blog giveaways, as they already had copies (thanks, ladies!). More on the giveaway coming up!







DOUBLE THE PLEASURE will be coming out in December and I can't wait! Four very well-known authors of women's fiction share the bill on this one. I especially like the cover - clean and simple beats a glitzy, too busy cover anytime as far as I'm concerned.











CAUGHT! is the reissue of Taken and Say Yes. Thanks to Lori I also have a copy of CAUGHT! for giveaway. It just keeps getting better, doesn't it?











One more! THE WATSON BROTHERS is only available at WalMart stores. I have yet to see it at either of the WalMarts I frequent, so I'm hopeful it's been more available in other areas. It is the reissue of My House, My Rules, Bringing Up Baby, and Good With His Hands. Lori has also provided me with a copy of THE WATSON BROTHERS for giveaway.


Here's how I'm going to do this one. I'll draw one name for CAUGHT! and SERVANT: THE AWAKENING, another name for THE WATSON BROTHERS and SERVANT: THE AWAKENING, and a third name for SERVANT: THE AWAKENING. If I get to the bookstore between now and the time I draw names, I'll get a copy of SERVANT: THE ACCEPTANCE to put with the lone copy of THE AWAKENING, but I can't make any promises. Interested? I thought you might be! Post a comment below to be entered. If you're interested in one set of books and not another, feel free to mention that and you'll only be entered in that drawing. Is that clear as mud? lol I'll draw a name on Wednesday, November 5th.
Scan down, there are still two other contests running!
Laurie

THE POWER OF LOVE - a contest

THE POWER OF LOVE is a collection of love stories written without compensation, all proceeds going to charity.
Thirteen authors donated a great deal of time, effort and talent in the making of this book. They are: Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Toni Blake, Dianne Castell, Karen Kelley, Rosemary Laurey, Janice Maynard, LuAnn McLane, Lucy Monroe, Patricia Sargeant, Kay Stockham and J.C. Wilder - maybe you'll take a minute to check out their other work.
When I was at the Lori Foster/Dianne Castell get together in Cincinnati the weekend before last, I bought a copy of THE POWER OF LOVE and had it signed by all of the authors who were at the event - it's autographed by all but three of the contributing authors. If you're interested in this book, leave a comment here. Send a friend and if they mention your name they'll be entered and you'll get another entry for each friend who mentions you. I'll draw a winning name in one week - next Monday evening. The winner will have three days to contact me at ljodamron@gmail.com, after which time I'll draw another name. U.S./Canada addresses only, please.
As always, thanks for stopping!
Laurie

HARD TO HANDLE - It's here !!

This is a repost of a November review for Lori Foster's HARD TO HANDLE, which released TODAY - woohoo! Don't miss out on this great book!

I think that everyone knows that Lori Foster is a good pal and I love her to pieces, so I’m not going to gush and get all messy in this post – however, I would like to chat about her upcoming book, HARD TO HANDLE, scheduled for release February 5, 2008. This book continues Lori’s popular SBC fight series.

HARD TO HANDLE is the story of Harley Handleman, yet another gorgeously beefy SBC fighter who has taken some time off from fighting to strengthen himself mentally and physically after three failed title attempts and the untimely death of his mother. Harley rents an isolated cabin from Anastasia Bradley, but has never really paid much attention to his landlady. That is, until he sees her out of the bulky coats and heavy clothing that she usually dons, and then every inch of him stands up and takes notice. Stasia knows of Harley’s wild ways with women and although she finds him very attractive, being the wise woman she is, refuses to be taken in by his charm. When Stasia is the victim of an unknown attacker, Harley is determined to keep her safe, but he refuses to get close enough to let her get a read on him.

Anastasia is a professional life coach, guiding her clients through difficult situations and helping them discover the best direction for their future. She finds Harley in serious need of guidance and understanding and offers assistance, but he dismisses her, unwilling to share that part of his life. When threats are made against Stasia, she reluctantly accepts Harley’s offer of protection, but only to a degree that allows her to maintain independence and control. Harley’s Uncle Satch, his manager and the person closest to him, requests her help and she reluctantly agrees, not realizing that she has been misled. It’s a given that Harley and Stasia will become intimate, but immediately after they do so, a serious misunderstanding erupts, dividing them. Stasia then realizes that she’s in love with Harley. The trouble is, she knows that he has no interest in sharing his feelings, or his life, with anyone else.

Lori Foster fans practically hyperventilate over any upcoming release; this one will have them grabbing for paper sacks. This series has been incredibly popular, whether readers are ultimate fighting fans or not. I think it’s Lori’s eager to please “I know what you want” heroes, and her no nonsense “But I don’t need you” heroines. It’s a potent combination that readers simply can’t seem to get enough of. Harley and Stasia are excellently written, and visits from characters of the previous books are great fun. The side romance of the ever popular Barber is heady stuff – an especially sweet little bonus. Lori’s regular readers most likely already have this book on order or in their hot little hands, but in the event you haven’t – what are you waiting for?
Pop on over to Amazon and pop a copy in your shopping cart!

Thanks as always for stopping!

Laurie

Lori Foster's SIMON SAYS - today's the day!!

I’m sure you all know by now that I consider Lori Foster http://www.lorifoster.com/ a dear friend – that’s why I feel especially lousy about being so late in chatting up her latest release (it's out today!), SIMON SAYS. My sincerest apologies, Lori.
SIMON SAYS is the story of Simon Evans, a trainer in the SBC fighting league, who is busy conditioning himself back into fighting shape, and Dakota Dream, a gutsy heroine who is in a fight of her own, struggling to put past mistakes and hurts behind her in an effort to get on with her life.
Here’s my review of SIMON SAYS:
As part of a blackmail scheme by her no-good stepfather, Dakota Dream must convince supreme trainer/fighter Simon “Sublime” Evans to go visit the despicable man, who happens to be Simon’s estranged father. Because her stepfather claims to have something left to her by her late mother, Dakota feels something close to desperation to make the visit take place. The connection between Dakota and Simon is practically instantaneous, but Simon has no interest in meeting with his father. When Dakota is attacked, Simon is more determined than ever to keep her safe.
Dakota is nothing like any of Simon’s former girlfriends and he doesn’t quite know what to make of her. She’s independently capable of taking care of herself but there’s an underlying vulnerability that he wants to better understand.
Events in Simon’s past have caused him to trust few people, and when a misunderstanding causes him to distrust Dakota and make some downright ugly accusations, she is torn between crushing pain and seething anger.
Dakota isn’t your average heroine. She’s kick-ass tough without compromise to her femininity. She hasn’t led a charmed existence and the harsh realities of life have given her strength and courage. Those are just a couple of the qualities that have drawn Simon to her. Simon is an interesting character himself, and like most of Lori’s heroes, he has the machismo to be a real man’s man, but add a soft touch of incredibly smooth charm and he’s the quintessential ladies’ man.
Lori Foster successfully tugs readers into this story from the start and when characters from Causing Havoc, the previous book in this series, make an appearance, it is an added bonus. Just like all of Lori’s readers, I’m looking forward to the next book in this intriguing series.

You can snag your own copy of SIMON SAYS here: http://www.amazon.com/Simon-Says-Lori-Foster/dp/0425216586/ref=sr_1_1/105-2867046-9010831?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183475265&sr=1-1

Thanks for stopping by!
Laurie
xo

THE WRITE INGREDIENTS

In honor of Memorial Day and our troops past and present, I'm reposting this from a month or so ago - I hope you'll read to the bottom of this post to see how you can support our troop program. If you don't like to cook or can't use the cookbook as a gift for someone, you can also mail a check or gift card to me as I do shopping for and shipping to the troops. I can understand how you might be reluctant to send a total stranger your hard-earned money, but I can guarantee that every penny sent to me goes to support our troops. I have shipped out over 600 pounds of much appreciated supplies to the troops to date. If you have questions, feel free to email me at ljodamron@earthlink.net and I will try to answer your questions. If you would prefer to support the troops yourself, please visit http://www.anysoldier.com - this is an excellent website that provides all of the necessary information for sending packages to our brave men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bless you all.

My previous post:

How exciting is this? Many of you may remember my pleas a while back for recipes from authors and readers alike. The simple little recipe book that Lori Foster decided to put together, with proceeds (or the majority of the proceeds) to benefit our troop shopping program, has turned into a full blown beautiful cookbook, printed by Samhain Publishing. A portion of the proceeds may also be used to benefit the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter and a homeless pet shelter in Cincinnati. Below are links to Amazon and Samhain for purchase of this cookbook (available June 1); it will also be available in brick and mortar bookstores that choose to order it in. The cookbook will be available at Lori's Author/Reader Get Together in Cincinnati in June, with many of the contributing authors available for autographing at the booksigning on Saturday.

I hope you'll all check it out and keep in mind the wonderful causes this cookbook will support. Please help us spread the word - tell your friends!

Thank you!!

Laurie

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599986531?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwsamhainpub-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1599986531

http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/the-write-ingredients

LORI FOSTER'S CAUSING HAVOC!

This is a very bad pic of the book cover, but I couldn't get it to come out any clearer, I apologize for that.
This book is a sensual treat - another winner from Lori Foster! http://www.lorifoster.com Below is my review for CAUSING HAVOC - I hope you'll read it and then go grab your own copy - on sale February 6!!

When extreme fighter Dean “Havoc” Conor receives a letter from one of his estranged younger sisters, he decides to take advantage of an upcoming lull in his fight schedule to make an unannounced visit. Dean was sent to live with an uncle after the deaths of their parents when he was nine, while his sisters remained in the family home with an aunt. Dean always assumed that his sisters were living the good life while he lived meagerly with his uncle. It turns out that he could not have been more wrong; things were not at all as he had assumed. His sisters have worked hard for everything they have. On Dean’s first night back in Harmony, Kentucky, he stops for a cold beer and runs into Eve Lavon, a beautiful, stubbornly independent woman, and is instantly smitten. Dean immediately has his hands full, pursuing a relationship with Eve, getting to know his sisters, making repairs to their house, and dealing with his own personal business matters.
Eve isn’t looking for a relationship when she meets Dean. She is more concerned with persuading her best friend, Cam, to dump her no-good boyfriend. When she finds out that Dean is Cam’s long-lost brother, the two join forces to protect the sisters. Dean insists that he isn’t going to act like a big brother to his sisters, but once he gets to know them, he can’t help but want to protect and spoil them, which is very pleasing to Eve. Eve has witnessed first-hand how Cam and Jackie have struggled, and she is thrilled that Dean is stepping in to take care of them. It’s the attention that Dean has been giving her that has Eve confused. She’s afraid to let herself get too connected, for fear that he will be leaving soon.
It is heartening to see Dean soften and become very protective of his sisters. Equally touching is watching the relationship between Dean and Eve blossom. They both deserve happiness and need each other far more than either is willing to admit. Lori Foster never fails to write characters that are caring and comfortable. Secondary characters keep the story moving without bulk or confusion, and you can’t help but hope that you’ll see more of them in future books in this series. It is easy to give this book a strong recommendation, especially to those who appreciate a heartwarming story with an abundance of sensuality.

Here's a link to Amazon.com so you can throw a copy in your shopping cart! http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0425214230/ref=s9_asin_title_1/103-2381367-0694212
As always, thanks for checking it out!
Laurie

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, a fun Christmas anthology

This week brings the release of A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, a wonderfully fun Christmas anthology containing the works of Lori Foster, Gemma Bruce, and Janice Maynard. I personally enjoy Christmas stories, and find that anthologies are perfect reading during the holidays. While I typically enjoy full-length novels, these shorter stories are a good fit in a busy schedule when you are pressed for reading time. The holiday theme is a nice touch to put you in the holiday mood - the cover is a holiday treat in itself - how fun! My review:
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR by LORI FOSTER
When Osbourne “Ozzie” Decker is asked by his friend and fellow SWAT officer, Lucius Ryder, to keep an eye on Marci Churchill, twin sister of Lucius’s new wife, Bethany, he hesitates. His hesitation stems from the uncontrollable desire he has for her. Marci turns him inside out with just a look, who knows what spending several days in close contact with her will do to him. Someone seems to be following Marci, and Lucius and Bethany won’t leave her alone to go on their honeymoon unless she is protected. Osbourne keeps Marci close by his side, and when it turns out that she is equally attracted to him, even the cold temps outside can’t cool them off. Marci’s ability to “hear” animals is a blessing and a curse. There is always someone who wants to talk to her or interview her; she just wants to be left alone. Osbourne always thought that Marci, despite being totally hot, was a bit of a kook, but once he witnesses first-hand her very special gift, he finds himself falling in love with her. Osbourne and Marci are a perfectly sweet couple. Both are written to be caring and tender, typical of Lori Foster, who is incredibly talented at writing characters that feel like someone you know and love, comfortably common and just a little bit flawed.
BAH HUMBUG, BABY by GEMMA BRUCE
Allison Newberry excitedly takes her sister up on her offer of the use of a mountain chalet in the Colorado Rockies town of Good Cheer for the holidays; she can’t wait to spend some down time, all alone. No family, no work, no pressure, just her and maybe a ski hunk or two. Her plan is looking good until old flame Lee Simonson shows up at her door, when it suddenly becomes obvious that they have been duped into spending the week together by their meddlesome families. This is topped off by a huge snowstorm that has them completely snowed in. Despite a rocky start, these two take up where their relationship ended a year prior, but in the back of Allison’s mind is Lee’s dangerous job; how he could take off on a photo shoot to some drug-infested part of the world, not knowing if he would make it back. When the two walk into town a couple of days later and meet some very quirky townsfolk, reminiscent of days, no, make that years, gone by, they are filled with a loving warmth that comes with a sense of belonging. After they return to California, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems in the town of Good Cheer. This is my first read by Gemma Bruce, but it certainly won’t be my last. Allison and Grant are sensual, fun and well-written.
BY FIRELIGHT by JANICE MAYNARD
Madison Tierney finds herself stranded in the woods in the middle of a raging snowstorm. Sure, she wanted to avoid going home and needed some time away, but this is just too much. She sees a light in the woods and follows it, exhausting herself fighting the wind and blowing snow, and collapsing in a heap when she finally reaches the doorstep. When Grant Monroe finds a beautiful woman on the ground at his door, the first thing he does is make sure she’s ok and begin to warm her up. After that he has to fight the strongest attraction he’s ever had for a woman. He finds himself wanting Madison so badly that he can hardly stand it, but insists on getting to know her before acting on the attraction. Once these two finally do get together, they practically combust, but as the storm lets up and they return to civilization, Madison’s attitude cools considerably, confusing Grant, who realizes that he has fallen madly in love with her. Janice Maynard never fails to write characters that are passionate, caring, and always respectful, and Madison and Grant are no exception.
This is a fun anthology by three very strong voices in women's fiction, you won't want to miss it.
Thanks!
Laurie