Recently, one of my besties gave me a cool gift. Author Marilyn Baxter showed up to breakfast with this book:
She’d found it at a thrift store, and thought I would enjoy it since I write for the same line. This is from the Desire line when it was Silhouette Desire, a brand new venture, as this is #50. I absolutely love the cover! The ultra alpha male with a bushy mustache. Those high heels in the middle of the woods. And the (now) vintage car in the background. Dated as it is now, it's a true representation of the books I read that got me hooked on romance. The emotional draw of being swept off your feet by someone able to take car of everything (even if its not PC, I still dream of that some days). :)
Some of the first Desires I read were some older ones. A kind lady who lived across the street gave me a box of books when I was recovering from a very bad illness and it included this book and several others:
I still have this book and still read it too! It's Desire #712. A little closer to the traditional clinch cover, this one still represents the glamour of the Desire line. I'll be forever grateful to that kind lady! She reintroduced me to the joy of reading romance, and eventually writing it. Something I wouldn’t even think about until over 3 years after reading it.
Though vintage covers are cool, I have to admit I’m in love with my Desire covers. Now the line is Harlequin Desire, and my release for last month, A Bride’s Tangled Vows, was Desire #2322.
I think the full cover pic truly pops and draws the eye of the reader more. And I have a brand new cover coming soon. The Blackstone Heir, my Mill Town Millionaire book coming in February 2015, will be my first ever baby cover! It’s so cute! (The cover & the baby.)
So let’s talk about covers! What are your favorite old school and modern cover designs?
Dani
If you’ve ever wondered about the process for Indie authors creating their own covers, check out this really cool Inside Scoop post from yesterday on Nice Girls Writing Naughty by Ella Sheridan, who shares the awesomely hot hunk who will be on her upcoming cover with us!!!!
Nestled in the hills of South Carolina is the one town Aiden Blackstone has refused to acknowledge since he was eighteen years old. The town he grew up in. The town of his birthright. Lured home by his grandfather’s pretense of death, Aiden finds himself snared in a well-laid trap made of coercion, obligation, and duty. There’s no easy way out of his grandfather’s demands that he marry and take over the family business that supports the entire town, not if he wants to keep his invalid mother safe.
Saddled with a wife he shouldn’t want, and the town he never wanted to save, Aiden finds himself swimming through a mire of anger, responsibility, and lust, counting down the days until he can walk away, return to the life he built for himself in NYC, filled with socialites and high dollar art deals, not a town counting on their mill to stay open...and a woman whose soulful gaze gives him a redeeming purpose for every day.
Christina Reece spent her entire childhood wishing Aiden’s family was her own. When a tragic car accident left Aiden’s mother an invalid, Christina got her nursing degree and moved to Blackstone Manor to care for her. Over time, she ended up creating the family she’d always dreamed of...almost. Now she’ll do whatever she must to keep them safe and preserve their future.
When Aiden’s grandfather threatens all she holds dear, Christina volunteers to become Aiden’s wife—not realizing the tormentor from her childhood had transformed into a man she could truly love. A man eager to leave the minute his obligations are fulfilled. As they join forces to uncover a saboteur in their midst, outwit Aiden’s grandfather’s manipulations, and care for Lily, Christina sees the man Aiden truly is—and helps him to see it too. But how can she trust her heart to a man intent on walking away from everything they are building together?
Then their enemy strikes out, threatening everything they hold dear, Aiden and Christina must choose which is stronger—obligation or love?
She’d found it at a thrift store, and thought I would enjoy it since I write for the same line. This is from the Desire line when it was Silhouette Desire, a brand new venture, as this is #50. I absolutely love the cover! The ultra alpha male with a bushy mustache. Those high heels in the middle of the woods. And the (now) vintage car in the background. Dated as it is now, it's a true representation of the books I read that got me hooked on romance. The emotional draw of being swept off your feet by someone able to take car of everything (even if its not PC, I still dream of that some days). :)
Some of the first Desires I read were some older ones. A kind lady who lived across the street gave me a box of books when I was recovering from a very bad illness and it included this book and several others:
I still have this book and still read it too! It's Desire #712. A little closer to the traditional clinch cover, this one still represents the glamour of the Desire line. I'll be forever grateful to that kind lady! She reintroduced me to the joy of reading romance, and eventually writing it. Something I wouldn’t even think about until over 3 years after reading it.
Though vintage covers are cool, I have to admit I’m in love with my Desire covers. Now the line is Harlequin Desire, and my release for last month, A Bride’s Tangled Vows, was Desire #2322.
I think the full cover pic truly pops and draws the eye of the reader more. And I have a brand new cover coming soon. The Blackstone Heir, my Mill Town Millionaire book coming in February 2015, will be my first ever baby cover! It’s so cute! (The cover & the baby.)
So let’s talk about covers! What are your favorite old school and modern cover designs?
Dani
If you’ve ever wondered about the process for Indie authors creating their own covers, check out this really cool Inside Scoop post from yesterday on Nice Girls Writing Naughty by Ella Sheridan, who shares the awesomely hot hunk who will be on her upcoming cover with us!!!!
Nestled in the hills of South Carolina is the one town Aiden Blackstone has refused to acknowledge since he was eighteen years old. The town he grew up in. The town of his birthright. Lured home by his grandfather’s pretense of death, Aiden finds himself snared in a well-laid trap made of coercion, obligation, and duty. There’s no easy way out of his grandfather’s demands that he marry and take over the family business that supports the entire town, not if he wants to keep his invalid mother safe.
Saddled with a wife he shouldn’t want, and the town he never wanted to save, Aiden finds himself swimming through a mire of anger, responsibility, and lust, counting down the days until he can walk away, return to the life he built for himself in NYC, filled with socialites and high dollar art deals, not a town counting on their mill to stay open...and a woman whose soulful gaze gives him a redeeming purpose for every day.
Christina Reece spent her entire childhood wishing Aiden’s family was her own. When a tragic car accident left Aiden’s mother an invalid, Christina got her nursing degree and moved to Blackstone Manor to care for her. Over time, she ended up creating the family she’d always dreamed of...almost. Now she’ll do whatever she must to keep them safe and preserve their future.
When Aiden’s grandfather threatens all she holds dear, Christina volunteers to become Aiden’s wife—not realizing the tormentor from her childhood had transformed into a man she could truly love. A man eager to leave the minute his obligations are fulfilled. As they join forces to uncover a saboteur in their midst, outwit Aiden’s grandfather’s manipulations, and care for Lily, Christina sees the man Aiden truly is—and helps him to see it too. But how can she trust her heart to a man intent on walking away from everything they are building together?
Then their enemy strikes out, threatening everything they hold dear, Aiden and Christina must choose which is stronger—obligation or love?
I’m currently digging deep into Book 3 of my Mill Town Millionaires series, and am totally into my new hero Luke ‘Renegade’ Blackstone.
This bad boy escaped his oppressive childhood in Blackstone Manor with his own getaway car—and turned it into a profession as a stock car racer. In Book 2, The Blackstone Heir, something happens to completely sideline his career. Now he’s back in Black Hills, SC, once more, counting the days until he can escape again. But first he must be cleared for takeoff by the town’s only physical therapist—a woman he cruelly spurned when she was a high school senior.
I think this bad boy might have his hands full! Here’s his theme song: Renegade by Daughtry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfypxzUF1y4?rel=0]
Enjoy!
Dani
What makes someone feel sexy? How can someone embrace who they are and know they have something very important to give another person? Well, I know from experience, it isn't easy. The same is true for my heroine, Christina, in A Bride's Tangled Vows. Life has done a number on her, but she's finding her worth-and making her new husband see it for himself!
He didn’t hear the footsteps until too late. He’d barely looked up before colliding with someone coming down the stairs. A soft someone who emitted a little squeal as she stumbled. Certain they’d fall, Aiden surged forward to keep from losing his balance. Christina tried to pull back, but her momentum worked against her. Hands flailed, finding purchase on his shoulders. Her front crushed to his. Their weight pressed dead against each other, stabilizing as two became one.
Everything froze for Aiden, as if his very cells locked down. He managed one strangled breath, filled with the fresh scent of her hair, before his body sprang to life. Her soft curves and sexy smell urged him to pull her closer, so much so that his fingers tightened against the rounded curves of her denim-covered hips. The soft flesh gave beneath his grip.
Darkness permeated the staircase, heightening the illusion of intimacy. His and Christina’s accelerated breaths were the only sound between them. They were so close, he felt the slight tremor that raced over her echo throughout his entire body. It took more minutes than Aiden cared to admit for his mind to kick into gear. “Dreamed up more ways to invade my territory, Christina?”
He felt her stiffen against his palms, tension replacing that delicious softness. Just as he’d intended.
Before he could regret anything, she retreated, stabilizing herself with a hand against the wall. “Aiden,” she said, prim disapproval not hiding a hint of breathlessness, “I’m sorry for not seeing you.”
I’m not.
“And for the record, I’m not invading anything. So I’d thank you to never call me by that stupid nickname.” Her voice came out low, intensifying the sense of intimacy. “I’m trying to help, Aiden. I really am.”
From A Bride's Tangled Vows, Harlequin Desire:
The Term Limit Bride
Wealthy art dealer Aiden Blackstone has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him, and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather’s machinations he’s reluctantly ended up doing both. But Christina Reece quickly proves she’s no mere platonic bride of convenience.
The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past…before it’s too late. Because there’s an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.
Don't forget to check out more sexy fun with cool authors at My Sexy Saturday blog.
He didn’t hear the footsteps until too late. He’d barely looked up before colliding with someone coming down the stairs. A soft someone who emitted a little squeal as she stumbled. Certain they’d fall, Aiden surged forward to keep from losing his balance. Christina tried to pull back, but her momentum worked against her. Hands flailed, finding purchase on his shoulders. Her front crushed to his. Their weight pressed dead against each other, stabilizing as two became one.
Everything froze for Aiden, as if his very cells locked down. He managed one strangled breath, filled with the fresh scent of her hair, before his body sprang to life. Her soft curves and sexy smell urged him to pull her closer, so much so that his fingers tightened against the rounded curves of her denim-covered hips. The soft flesh gave beneath his grip.
Darkness permeated the staircase, heightening the illusion of intimacy. His and Christina’s accelerated breaths were the only sound between them. They were so close, he felt the slight tremor that raced over her echo throughout his entire body. It took more minutes than Aiden cared to admit for his mind to kick into gear. “Dreamed up more ways to invade my territory, Christina?”
He felt her stiffen against his palms, tension replacing that delicious softness. Just as he’d intended.
Before he could regret anything, she retreated, stabilizing herself with a hand against the wall. “Aiden,” she said, prim disapproval not hiding a hint of breathlessness, “I’m sorry for not seeing you.”
I’m not.
“And for the record, I’m not invading anything. So I’d thank you to never call me by that stupid nickname.” Her voice came out low, intensifying the sense of intimacy. “I’m trying to help, Aiden. I really am.”
From A Bride's Tangled Vows, Harlequin Desire:
The Term Limit Bride
Wealthy art dealer Aiden Blackstone has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him, and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather’s machinations he’s reluctantly ended up doing both. But Christina Reece quickly proves she’s no mere platonic bride of convenience.
The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past…before it’s too late. Because there’s an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.
Don't forget to check out more sexy fun with cool authors at My Sexy Saturday blog.
It’s Release Day for A Bride’s Tangled Vows, the first in my Mill Town Millionaires series, and I wanted to do something fun today! I got the idea for an author interview from my fellow author Angel Payne, and am excited about delving further into Aiden Blackstone’s psyche! Its so much fun to torture them. :)
Aiden is a hot shot art dealer who's all business—he doesn’t have time to be pulled into his grandfather’s machinations to bring him back to his hometown of Black Hills. Only his grandfather isn’t going to back down, and isn’t afraid to use Aiden’s invalid mother as motivation. This hero is trapped well and good, and determined not to develop any more ties to his former home—especially to his new wife.
The Term Limit Bride
Wealthy art dealer Aiden Blackstone has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him, and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather's machinations he's reluctantly ended up doing both. But Christina Reece quickly proves she's no mere platonic bride of convenience.
The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past…before it's too late. Because there's an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paperback
The Term Limit Bride
Wealthy art dealer Aiden Blackstone has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him, and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather's machinations he's reluctantly ended up doing both. But Christina Reece quickly proves she's no mere platonic bride of convenience.
The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past…before it's too late. Because there's an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paperback
Let’s delve into what makes Aiden Blackstone tick!
Aiden: Maybe I don’t want to… Dani: You never want to cooperate, unless the idea is your own. But I’m going to ignore that…again. Aiden: You aren’t going to let me out of this, are you? Okay, let’s get on with it. Dani: I love you when you’re grumpy! Now, tell us, if you could erase any horrible experience from your past, what would it be? Aiden: *Looks up the stairs, as if he could see through the flooring to his mother's sick room.* Taking the phone call that my mother was in a car accident. I’d seen her just the day before, and didn’t get the information until my brother was able to call. I couldn’t see her, couldn’t tell for myself that she was okay… Dani: Because of your grandfather? Aiden: Yeah. When that man laid down an ultimatum, he meant it. Dani: If you could re-live any point of time in your life, but only a half-hour, what half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? Aiden: Any 30 minutes from my last day with my mother. Dani: *noting Aiden’s discomfort, and attempting to lighten the tone* Do you have any current obsessions? Aiden: You mean, besides that beautiful brunette I sleep beside every night but can’t touch? Not having her but watching her take care of everyone I love and me? I might be more obsessed with her than I am my business. No, that can’t be right.Hmmm… I have a feeling Aiden will be eating those words by the end of the book. What about you? Do you have any other questions for Aiden Blackstone?
Here’s a sneak peek at the first chapter of A Bride’s Tangled Vows! And don’t forget the other Blackstone Brothers—Jacob and Luke—in the upcoming installments of the Mill Town Millionaires series!
His By Design...
August 2013 Harlequin Desire Ziara glanced up to find Sloan’s gaze directed her way. His earlier anger had turned his bright blue eyes icily sharp, his body rigid, his jaw tight. But now he eased back in a chair, propping his elbows on the arms. His fingers absently stroked the upper ridge of his lip, drawing her attention to the sensuous curve of his mouth. His turbulent look suddenly softened like ice thawing beneath a heat lamp. Her emotions seesawed as his gaze traveled south, visually caressing the extra length of leg exposed by her hasty drop into her chair. She could almost feel his touch sliding along the edge of her skirt, tickling the sensitive skin on the backs of her legs. Bit by bit, Ziara used up her willpower forcing herself to sit impassively. The twitch of her thighs urged her to shift her feet, but she resisted. That would tell him just how much he affected her. Tightening her muscles, she tried to crack down on the spreading fire, to no avail. Ignoring physical desire had never been a problem before him. Her new boss. Her soothingly subtle gray business suit, so comfortable in the luxurious air-conditioning only moments ago, now felt heavy, itchy. Her nipples peaked against their confinement. She felt that he peered through her professional armor to the woman she kept hidden deep inside. How could a simple look make her so aware, too aware? As if she lacked something only he could provide. As casually as possible, she adjusted her position and her skirt, covering her legs down past her knees. Knowledge leaked into his eyes, as well as smug satisfaction. He did that on purpose. Feeling a need to defend herself, she met him with a flick of her lashes. Slowly she lifted her left brow. He grinned, not at all intimidated by her challenge. “Be in my office and ready to work first thing tomorrow morning.”
Available Now at Amazon, B&N, and other online retailers.
Check out more My Sexy Saturday posts HERE.
News, news, glorious news. I try to share on the home page each month, but sometimes the news just can’t be contained!
For those who missed it, my debut Harlequin Desire release has an official title! HIS BY DESIGN will be available in bookstores and online in August of 2013. My sensational editor assures me the cover will be fabulous. I can’t wait to see it (and I promise to share as soon as I'm allowed)!
Blurb:
Repressed, conventional Ziara Devan strives for respectability through her job at a wedding gown design firm in Atlanta,GA, hoping to erase the shame of her childhood secrets. Then she finds herself cast in the role of spy, forced to keep an eye on the business-savvy, sexy heir apparent, Sloan Creighton. When exposure of her past life threatens everything she’s achieved, can Ziara trust Sloan to stand by her “til death do us part”?
Speaking of covers, I have a brand new one to show you! That’s right, I’ve just finished the draft on a new Indie release, FINDING HER RHYTHM, and plan to have it ready for release in late March. My awesome cover artist, Elizabeth Wallace, has outdone herself with this one. I love it!
Blurb:
Struggling after the death of her parents, Taylor let her hormones lead her into the biggest mistake of her life. Now she has a dangerous ex who wants to own her and a desperate need for safety. What could be safer than her new job as a nanny to a legendary rock star? Except now she's locked herself in with a man who is potentially more dangerous...to her heart.
Michael Korvello has a dominant nature and a lonely heart that he keeps firmly under wraps. His kids have suffered enough for the mistakes of his past. But his new nanny has those dark desires howling at the gate. The only thing keeping him in check is the fear lurking in those brilliant eyes. Can he earn her trust, and the right to transform all her desires into reality?
Just when neither can deny their need for each other, Taylor's ex shows up like an unlucky charm, intent on taking back what he considers his...even if he has to destroy Michael's world to get it. Can two kindred souls protect the passionate love they ache for from an outsider bent on ripping them apart?
Last, but not least, I'll be attending my very first Readers' Luncheon as an author! Join me for the Heart of Dixie Romance Readers' Luncheon on June 8, 2013, in Huntsville, AL. You can find out more details about this fabulous annual event at www.heartofdixie.org .
Blurb:
Struggling after the death of her parents, Taylor let her hormones lead her into the biggest mistake of her life. Now she has a dangerous ex who wants to own her and a desperate need for safety. What could be safer than her new job as a nanny to a legendary rock star? Except now she's locked herself in with a man who is potentially more dangerous...to her heart.
Michael Korvello has a dominant nature and a lonely heart that he keeps firmly under wraps. His kids have suffered enough for the mistakes of his past. But his new nanny has those dark desires howling at the gate. The only thing keeping him in check is the fear lurking in those brilliant eyes. Can he earn her trust, and the right to transform all her desires into reality?
Just when neither can deny their need for each other, Taylor's ex shows up like an unlucky charm, intent on taking back what he considers his...even if he has to destroy Michael's world to get it. Can two kindred souls protect the passionate love they ache for from an outsider bent on ripping them apart?
Last, but not least, I'll be attending my very first Readers' Luncheon as an author! Join me for the Heart of Dixie Romance Readers' Luncheon on June 8, 2013, in Huntsville, AL. You can find out more details about this fabulous annual event at www.heartofdixie.org .