First things first…

Be sure you enter my STOLEN HEAT Release Contest for your chance to win $100 VISA gift card and other fabulous prizes. Click the “Enter Today” link on the graphic below or go HERE for details:

Today’s Freebie Guest Author is Paty Jager!

Shouldering the burdens of his family and the mining community, Ethan Halsey devotes himself to providing for his brothers’s growing families.

However, Aileen Miller, a widow, also looking out for her family’s interests, refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle- one to push his dream to reality and the other to prove no man will hurt her again- their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide.

To read an excerpt go Here.

Welcome, Paty!

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Series- Why We Like Them
by Paty Jager

When I wrote the first book of the Halsey brother series, it started out as a one book deal- then along came Gil’s brothers- four of them. Even after they were added, only a small niggling said this could be a series, then the first book was released and everyone wanted to know when another brother would have a book and the series emerged!

I’ve had a long standing relationship with series books. I enjoy becoming a family member as I read the stories. I like rooting for everyone and wondering who the next book will be about. And I’ve found so do many other readers.

Readers like finding out more about the families, and in a sense, becoming part of the families as they read the stories. It’s amazing how deep some readers become engrossed in the character’s lives. But it is a rewarding thing for an author to have someone so excited about a next book- about the family. And that is what led me to the second book – Zeke’s book- and Ethan’s book, MINER IN PETTICOATS.

What started out as one idea, a young woman dressed like a boy made marshal by a corrupt mayor (MARSHAL IN PETTICOATS) has ended up a five book series, a Free Read at the Wild Rose Press readers loop, and I hope to start adding a Free Read each month to my website written in one of the secondary character’s POV.

The second book is about the heroine finding the truth about her father and the Halsey brother who not only helps her solve the mystery but heals her heart. The lives of the Halsey brothers have morphed into a family business the oldest brother is determined will flourish to provide for the growing family. The only thing that stands in his way is a widow with two children who is also building her family’s future.

To be entered into the drawing for MINER IN PETTICOATS, answer this question in the comment section:

How do you feel about series? Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

The winner of a copy of Fiona Vance’s SUBMISSION is
Melissa!
(The one with the family pic in her profile.)

Melissa, please email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your snail mail addy and I’ll forward it to Fiona.

Congrats, and thanks to all for participating.

Now read on for today’s prize!

Have you entered the STOLEN HEAT Release contest for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card and other fabulous prizes yet?

And now here’s our Freebie day #3 guest author…

RELECTIONS OF THE PAST
Detroit journalist Navena Larimore thought her romance with NBA star Maxwell McKnight would last forever, but forever came to an abrupt end fifteen years ago, leaving her brokenhearted. Now Maxwell is back in her life as the owner and editor of her newspaper, and Navena’s turbulent feelings have come rushing back.

VISIONS OF THE PRESENT
Navena cannot find peace at home, either. Her boyfriend wants more of a commitment than she can give and she’s haunted by prophetic dreams of murder.

DREAMS OF THE FUTURE
It is up to Navena to figure out her psychic legacy and prevent the murder…but not alone. After struggling with doubt, Maxwell realizes that Navena’s visions are authentic, and it is she who might need saving. Navena may have extraordinary powers, but together they discover that real love is a force of its own.

Review:
“WHERE SOULS COLLIDE is a stunning debut and a magnificent read. Worth’s writing, the story and the plot grabs on to the reader and doesn’t let go. [. . .] It’s such a wonderful twist on the soul mates plot that it will make believers in true love out of the most cynical people. And the love scenes are spicy hot. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great read with paranormal, suspense and romance all woven together.”
– Reader Woman “The Book Diva,” Amazon.com

Today Stefanie is donating a copy of WHERE SOULS COLLIDE to one lucky commenter. Read on to enter.

(This contest is open to all.)

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1) What kind of books do you love to read and how do those stories impact your own writing?
The books that had the biggest influence on shaping my desire to be an author were written by Stephen King and Toni Morrison. I loved King’s subject matter – all things otherworldly – and the wonderful power and lyricism in Morrison’s writing. But my love for fantasy and paranormal was actually stoked mostly by Twilight Zone and Saturday afternoon “horror” movies with Vincent Price and mutant mammals.

2) What are you working on presently? What about upcoming releases?
There’s always something new to learn as a writer and my latest challenge is multi-tasking. Instead of being a one-project-at-a-time author, I’m pushing myself to turn idea files into proposals, which means I’m developing a couple of proposals alongside my current work-in-progress. It makes me feel like I’ve got a split personality, but I think it’s a good skill to grow.

I do have a novella coming out in October. It’s called HeavenSent.com and it’s part of the Holiday Brides anthology. The story is about a woman who’s planned out all the elements of her life – including love – and doesn’t realize that the man she’s looking for is in the cubicle next door. It takes a couple of guardian angels to help her see the light. My next novel is tentatively slated for 2011 release.

3) What’s the best compliment you ever got on your writing or book(s)?
My stories are contemporary paranormals so with Where Souls Collide, I loved that people found the plot unpredictable and for CAN YOU BELIEVE, my novella in The Holiday Inn, reviewers noted that the characters and their struggles felt real and the plot lines weren’t simplistic. I enjoy giving people something to think about along with their happily ever afters.

4) What’s your writing schedule like?
I work full-time for a nonprofit organization by day and I have three kids, though my oldest is in college. That pretty much leaves me with late nights and wee hours to write. I try to keep myself on track by setting monthly goals and writing them in a journal that I maintain daily.

Deadlines are tough – the tight ones that come with editorial feedback after a finished project. Then I flashback to college to pull all-nighters complete with lots of carbs, Visine and under-eye concealer. LOL Otherwise, the overall goal is to write something every day.

5) If you could be one character from any book you’re read or written who would it be and why?
Some days I’d sure like to be Navena Larimore, my heroine in Where Souls Collide. Even though she doesn’t want the power she’s inherited, having the ability to change the past in order to re-direct the future might come in handy every now and then.

And to be entered into the drawing for WHERE SOULS COLLIDE, all you have to do is answer this question:

When was the last time you pulled an all-nighter?

The winner of M.J. Fredrick’s book HOT SHOT from yesterday’s drawing is…
Monica McCabe!
Monica, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your snail mail addy and I’ll forward your information to M.J.

Thanks to all for playing along. Now scroll down to see about today’s drawing!

Housekeeping first…

Be sure to enter the STOLEN HEAT Release contest for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card and other fabulous prizes:

And now on to our guest…

Lady Juliet De Mar is a confirmed bachelorette and a member of the exclusive London Literary Club, a secret sex club for the more libidinous of the London ton. After taunting her childhood friend and wealthy sea captain, James Wakefield, with the club’s bondage games, she finds herself once again longing for him to be something other than he is—a prude with no interest in sex. At least not with her. Tired of his annual visits that always end in rejection, Juliet decides to kidnap him and bring him to his knees—and to the altar—or end their acquaintance forever.

But her plan backfires when she’s kidnapped herself and taken to the docks. Blindfolded and shackled, she becomes the property of a notorious pirate, the murderous Captain Black, purchased for his pleasure. When her deepest, erotic fantasies become a dangerous reality, will Juliet be forced into submission? Or will she learn what she needs to know to master James?

To read an excerpt of SUBMISSION Go Here.

“Ay chiwawa, it was smokin’ hot.”
–Heather Long, Sunday Snips and Clips, Early Edition http://dailydose-fantasyromance.blogspot.com/

Welcome, Fiona!

1) What kind of books do you love to read and how do those stories impact your own writing?
I read everything, romance, techno-thrillers, fantasy, horror, sci fi, non-fiction, cereal boxes… Different genres have different conventions, so there’s always a new way to see something, a new angle from with to explore a character’s situation. I love to have action of some sort in my romances, or some element of mystery or suspense, and I think that provides an interesting backdrop for the developing relationship. Even in an erotic historical.

2) What are you working on presently? What about upcoming releases?
I’ve got two in the pipe, waiting for the aye/nay: another erotic regency novella, called The Highwayman’s Gambit, about a highwayman who picks the wro-o-ong carriage to hold up, and Red Rio Blue, a contemporary erotic paranormal. And I’m putting the finishing touches on Midnight Guardian, a mainstream romantic suspense that was an ’08 Golden Rose finalist.

3) What’s the best compliment you ever got on your writing or book(s)?
A reader once told me she’d stayed up way too late to finish reading. That pretty much says it all.

4) What’s your writing schedule like?
I’m an editor and cover artist, as well as a writer, so between the three, I basically work with books 24/7. OK, 16/7, with breaks for sleep and family and grocery shopping. And watering the garden. I escape for a half hour every day to stand there with the hose and do nothing. Luckily, my husband is also a writer, so we cover for each other with the family stuff (he does housework, too, which is great!). Right now, he’s foam-sword-fighting with the two little kids in the kitchen, outside the office door. Sounds like they’re doing some weird amalgam of the dragon from Sleeping Beauty and Super Mario Galaxy. Later, when he’s working, it’ll be my turn. Then after the kids go to bed, it’s back to the computer ‘til bed.

5) If you could be one character from any book you’re read or written who would it be and why?
I think I’m all of the characters from my books. Only they usually have better thighs. I’ve been writing since I was twelve, and I think each heroine contains a little bit of me (the flaws, maybe?) and a little of what I wish I were (more organized, braver, smarter, able to think of that snappy comeback when it’s needed, not two hours after the person’s gone.) Writing for me is as much a fantasy as reading is, only I get to make it what I think would be the most fun at the moment… so right now, since I’m working on Midnight Guardian rewrites, I’m saving people from bad guys, deadly with a nine millimeter, and a size 6. What more could a girl want? Oh yeah, that’s right, a hunky hero. Got him in here, too.

Now, wanna win your very own copy of SUBMISSION? Simply answer this question in the comment section:

What heroine from a book or movie to you most identify with?

“Note: MJ Fredrick’s post and the daily prize are listed below this announcement*

Contest part one: See that lovely widget? To enter the first part of the STOLEN HEAT contest, just share that image. Simply click the “Share” button, copy the entire code, and paste it on your blog, website, MySpace or Facebook page. Then, click the “Enter Today” button to enter the contest and tell me exactly where you’ve posted the widget. (If you don’t have a blog, yes, you can Tweet the contest details. You can post info about the contest on a message board. I’m pretty flexible, so contact me if you have questions about what would be an eligible post.) Every time you share the image, it will count as one entry. So, if you post on your Facebook page and then post again on your blog page–yes, that’s two entries! The more you post, the more chances you have to win.

What will you win? Cool prizes! On August 15th, I’ll pick winners to receive the following prizes:

First place: $100 VISA gift card
Second place: $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble
Third place: Autographed copies of both STOLEN FURY and STOLEN HEAT

Contest part two: For the next month, come here to win daily prizes. I have 30 days of fabulous guest authors blogging about awesome characters and phenom books. Check out the posts each day. When you see a prize you want, just leave a comment for a chance to win. It’s that easy!!

Important note: You must be at least 18 in order to enter any portion of the contest.

Any questions? Just email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com.

GOOD LUCK!!!

It’s here! The 30 Days of Freebie Giveways! For the next 30 days I’ll be hosting some fabulous authors here on my blog. You’ll get to learn a little about their writing and books, and every day I’ll have a contest for some kind of free goodie. Books, jewelry, gift cards…you won’t want to miss these prizes!

The rules are simple…just read the blog, when you see a prize you want, just answer the question at the end of the post and leave a comment in the comment section to be entered into the drawing. It’s that easy!!

So let’s get started!

I was stunned when Meredith and McDreamy were heading out of Seattle Grace, only to be accosted by McDreamy’s wife on Grey’s Anatomy.

I couldn’t believe that Buffy died in season 5 of, well, Buffy.

I fretted over who was pregnant on Friends.

And of course (you knew it would be here) I sobbed when Dean died at the end of season 4 of Supernatural. (The end of season 1 was a great cliffhanger, too, what with the Impala being mutilated in a crash with a semi and a demon standing over the unconscious Winchesters.)

Look for M.J.’s next book, BENEATH THE SURFACE, coming to ebook in September.

To be entered into the drawing for HOT SHOT, simply answer this question:

What are some of your favorite cliffhangers in TV?

So lots of “stuff”…

TODAY ONLY Shelli Stevens is ‘sharing the love’ and giving away a copy of STOLEN FURY on her blog. Pop over and leave a comment about your favorite adventure movie to be entered in the drawing.

I finished the line edits for STOLEN SEDUCTION and got them sent off to my editor last night. Whew…felt good to get those done.

Now I’m moving into serious promo mode for the release of STOLEN HEAT at the end of the month. Check back STARTING WEDNESDAY, July 15th for my big BIG contest. For 30 days I’ll have daily author guests, daily prizes, and you can also enter my big contest with the chance to win a $100 VISA gift card! You don’t want to miss it.

I’m blogging today over at the new NOBODY WRITES IT BETTER blog about kick-ass heroines. Stop by and comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of STOLEN FURY!