Marvelous May with Harlequin and DELORES FOSSEN

 Welcome to May and Harlequin's fabulous selection of reads for the month! Here's the wonderful, Delores Fossen and her May title, LUCAS... 

LUCAS

By USA Today bestselling author

Delores Fossen

A Texas Lawman will do anything to protect his son – even if it includes reuniting with the boy’s on-the-run mother…

Lucas Ryland has always had a way with the ladies. That is, until Hailey Darrow dropped him after a single night of passion. Then he discovered her unconscious body in a wrecked car with a fake ID and enough money to disappear. Unbeknown to him, the one who got away was leaving town with his baby…

Now Hailey is out of her coma, but still in danger. However, hiding her at his Silver Creek ranch ignites old passions and introduces new threats. Lucas must use every protective instinct in his arsenal to keep Hailey and their infant son safe. And to keep his body from remembering how good it felt to hold her in his arms.

LUCAS

By Delores Fossen

April 18, 2017

$5.75 U.S.; 256 pages

ISBN-978-1-335-720955

LUCAS by Delores Fossen

1)      What is your favorite part about writing LUCAS?

LUCAS is the 12^th book in the Lawmen of Silver Creek series so I really enjoyed visiting with all the cowboy heroes from the previous stories. It was like going home to a family reunion.

2)      Is there anyone who you based Lucas and Hailey off of, or who you drew your inspiration from?

I was inspired by Rayland Givens from Justified. I thought he had that edge that I wanted Lucas to have.

3)      How many books have you written? Is there one that you would consider your favorite?

LUCAS is my 88^th published Harlequin, and I’ve written 12 other books. It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I think for now it’s BRANDED AS TROUBLE, an HQN that comes out July 1^st.

4)      When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, but I didn’t begin writing seriously until my kids were old enough to start to school.

5)      What is your favorite thing about writing contemporary romance?

It’s fun to “build” the ranch where my cowboy heroes and heroines live. And, of course, the best part is creating happily-ever-afters for them.

6)      What is the biggest misconception about your genre?

That the books are easy to write and all the same. They’re very different, and they’re definitely not easy. It takes a lot of work to pull a story together.

7)      What are a few of your favorite books? Do you have any recommendations?

I have SO many favorite books and authors. I love B.J. Daniels, Julie Miller and Lori Wilde. I also read Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

8)      What are your future projects are you working on?

I’m working on three new HQN books for my Wrangler’s Creek series. They’ll be out in 2018.

9)      Do you have any tips for people suffering from writer’s block?

I think it helps to make a schedule and then stick to it. That way, I know what I’m supposed to be doing every day.

10)  Do you have any advice for new writers?

Write as much as you can and experiment with various ways to do the same scene. That’s how to learn the best way to tell the story.

PLAYLIST FOR LUCAS!

·         Song Playlist: A prepared playlist of songs that embodies the book’s characters and their love story.

·         Austin - Blake Sheldon

·         Come a Little Closer - Dierks Bentley

·         Let's Be Us Again – Lonestar

·         Don’t Cry - Guns N Roses

·         Blue Ain’t Your Color - Keith Urban

·         You're The Love I Want to Be In - Jason Aldean

·         I Won’t Give Up - Jason Mraz

·         Stay - Rhianna 

SPOTLIGHT ON KAT MARTIN & AGAINST THE SKY (The Brodies of Alaska Book 2)

Hi, Kimberly!  So glad you enjoyed AGAINST THE WILD.  I think you’re going to like Nick Brodie and Samantha in AGAINST THE SKY.   I think this one has a lot of heart.  I was really happy with the book when I finished.  Big sigh, hated to see it end.  Thanks so much for having me on Romance at Random.  Love ya, kat

Please tell us a bit about Against the Sky.

AGAINST THE SKY is the second book in my Brodies of Alaska Trilogy, the 11^th novel in my Against Series.  

The hero, Nick Brodie, a former Anchorage homicide detective, is a guy with a serious case of burnout.  He wants a new life, something that doesn't include violence and death.  Unfortunately for Nick, when his neighbor, twelve-year-old Jimmy Evans, comes to him battered and beaten, claiming his father was murdered, Nick has no choice but to help him.

To make matters worse, Nick has a lady friend visiting from San Francisco.  Samantha Hollis, owner of the Perfect Pup pet grooming parlor, isn't cut out for the harsh life of Alaska.  Unwillingly swept into Jimmy's problems, she finds herself on a wild ride with Nick that leads them into passion and terrible danger. 

What is your inspiration for this series? 

The setting for the books--Alaska--was my inspiration.  Just being in such an amazing place sent my creative juices into overdrive.  I was there for a month, traveling in the back of a small pickup camper.  (2^nd trip).  Very rugged conditions--and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

How much research did you have to do?

I did a lot for all three books.  I find that writing contemporary novels takes as much research, in a different way, as an historical.  In AGAINST THE SKY, Nick comes up against the Russian mob.  The story involves drug smuggling and underage prostitution.  I can tell you, I was on some VERY interesting websites.

How many more books will be in the Brodies of Alaska series?

There are three Alaska books all together.  AGAINST THE WILD, AGAINST THE SKY, and AGAINST THE TIDE.  I really fell in love with all three of the Brodie brothers.   Nick is amazing and Rafe…well, he’s another sexy Brodie hunk. 

Do you have a favorite hero in this series? (could be past or to come)

I really love Nick Brodie.  He has so much heart.  Nick’s a former Ranger and an ex- homicide detective, tough as nails, yet he’s a sucker for home and family.  I really loved that about him.  Plus he’s six foot two with a perfect body, black hair, and incredible blue eyes.  How much better can a hero get?

Where will your fans get to see you this coming year?

One of the things I’ll be doing in 2015 is signing books on April 11 in Boonsboro, Maryland.  I’ll be at Nora Roberts’ bookstore, Turn the Page.  I think there will be five authors all together, signing for the day.  I’m traveling to Europe this summer so I won’t be at as many conferences as I usually am.  Though I will probably add some trips later.  Readers can always find me on Facebook at Katmartin/author and I’d love for them to stop by my new webpage  www.katmartin.com.

What is your favorite thing to do in your downtime?

I love to travel.  I love staying at expensive hotels and eating gourmet food.  Fortunately, I live in Montana where there are very few of those kinds of places.  I’m really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Europe where I’ll get to indulge myself.   

Thanks so much for answering these questions, Kat. Happy New Year!

Have a great 2015!  Love ya, kat

SPOTLIGHT ON AUTHOR ~ ANGI MORGAN ~ & Giveaway!!!

Hi Angi! First, I would like to say it was a pleasure meeting you at RT in NOLA and even more a pleasure to share a few meals with you at RT San Antonio. For those of my followers who don’t know you, can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

It was terrific to meet you this year, too. Thanks for having me today.

So… the short version? I grew up on romance and can’t think of a better job. Of course, my husband says he probably would have me committed if I didn’t write. (The voices talk pretty loudly.) I love to travel (which I am now). I love spontaneous road trips, can’t keep anything green alive except cactus, am an Amazing Race junkie, and absolutely love taking my frustration out on the characters in my books. It’s awesome therapy. If someone is rude to me, I mentally stick their dead body into my story.  LOL

So looking forward to your new Texas Watchmen Series…  Can you tell us a bit about the series?

I wrote a West Texas story two years ago (Protecting Their Child). The characters were very intense and it was received well by readers. I loved the area which is perfect for my type of story. I continued the same theme of gunrunners and drug traffickers into Mexico. My three heroes might be standard fare for Harlequin Intrigue (The Sheriff, The Cattleman, The Ranger), but I tried to make their lives complicated and a little different--a family secret, PTSD, and a “daddy crush.” Of course, they each meet their match with a smart, complex heroine.

Actually, I love these couples. They were a lot of fun to write and I hope I did them justice.  

You write so quickly and so eloquently. How do you do it?

You’re too kind. It actually feels like I’m pulling teeth (without Novocain) when I write. I feel like I write slowly especially compared to others. But I guess four books a year isn’t shabby. >>grin<< I try to keep the pace of my story fast so *I* won’t get bored while editing.  LOL  How do I do it?  My husband is a frequent flier so that leaves lots of time for the pups--and my characters. Having my daughter out of the house has made a big difference, too. In fact, I sold during her freshman year in college.

What do you do in your downtime? If you have downtime?

When I’m  not traveling, we foster Labradors (and own two). People ask how we fall in love with a dog and then give it to someone else, especially when they’re puppies (which we had four of this past November for six weeks). I’ll admit that it’s hard, but when you see the looks on the new families’ faces…it’s such a joy to know we’ve helped them find a companion to make life-long memories with.

One of my vices is puzzling. Jigsaw puzzles that is. I usually work one with each book. I’m a linear writer and if I get stuck, there’s something about a puzzle that frees up my subconscious. My BFF (debut author Jan Schliesman) gave me a 2,000 piece giant puzzle too big for a table. We had to set up a piece of plywood so we could put it together. The whole family got involved…and I received another complicated puzzle for Christmas as a reward.

Where can your fans meet you in 2015?

If you’re in Texas, I’ll be signing at the Barnes & Noble at Creek Village in Plano on February 7th. Then on Feb 28th I’ll be at the Houston Author Bash with 100 other authors. I’ll be at the Romantic Times Convention here in Dallas in May. I’m sure I’m signing, but readers can find me walking around the RWA conference in NYC in July.

Where can we find you on the web?

Website   Facebook   FB Fan Page  

Twitter @AngiMorganAuthr    

    Book Trailers on YouTube

Monthly Giveaway on Rafflecopter check out A Picture A Day for the link

Famous last words?

I think I’ll let Pete, my sheriff, take it from here:

 “He’s dead?” She was obviously panicked, more upset than she’d been earlier after the Suit had backhanded her jaw. “The man who stumbled out of the desert is dead? Did he die in the crash? Did I kill him?”

“Gotta run, Dad. Get a deputy there to pick you up. You shouldn’t be driving.” He slid the cell into his pocket and faced her. “I’m sorry you had to hear like that. How he died wasn’t clear when I viewed the body, so I don’t have the answer to your question.”

“I need another shirt. Now.”

He witnessed her realization she still wore the man’s blood. Her chest began rising and falling more rapidly and she was about to completely lose it. Good or bad? He didn’t know. They didn’t get too many cases like this bizarre situation in Jeff Davis County.

One second he was sticking his head out the door calling for clean scrubs and the next he saw Andrea tug the back of her shirt over her head.

“What are you doing?”

She threw the shirt across the room. “I think that’s self-explanatory. What? You’ve never seen a woman in a bra before?”

“Here.” He shifted the pillow from the bed to block the view of her breasts.

“I’m not claiming harassment, if you’re worried–”

“This is a small town and people will talk no matter what you claim.”

“Someone’s trying to kill me. I have no idea why. And you’re worried about seeing me in my bra.” She stared at him, hugging the pillow to her stomach.

She wanted a logical explanation. There wasn’t one. “They’re covering their bases.”

“But I don’t know anything,” she whispered.

“They don’t know that.”

The door swung open and Ginny held a pair of pink scrubs. She handed them to him without a word and turned to leave.

“Wait.” He stopped the nurse after the disapproving look she shot his way. “I’ll leave and you help Miss Allen get cleaned up and changed. Bag all her clothes, will ya?”

“Sure, Pete.” Ginny smiled, raising an eyebrow to match the questions in her voice.

He stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind him, leaning against the wall and refusing to beat his head against the drywall. He was attracted to Andrea Allen in a major way and needed to set it aside until this mess was cleared up.

It didn’t matter that her belly had been faintly stained with blood. He’d barely been able to think like a sheriff while admiring her other…assets. His red-hot American boy shouted at him to take notice.

The woman he’d been watching closely was completely in shape, sleek muscles in spite of being a scholar. That is, they still needed to verify her identity. They hadn’t found any ID at the scene. Nothing on the viewing platform the way she claimed. And if he hadn’t seen the dead man himself, they’d be questioning her story about that, too.

Maybe that’s what she’d intended? Get him distracted so she could slip out of the hospital. Andrea Allen might just be a legitimate name she acquired so she could pretend to be someone from the university.

She was either the most carefree, speak-her-mind woman he’d ever met or the best con artist he’d ever witnessed. Being a looker helped. Spirited. Easily embarrassed on one hand and then contradicting it by stripping her shirt without blinking an eye. Dark brown hair, skin that hadn’t seen sun in a while and at least five necklaces, varying in length, drawing his stare to a pair of perfectly shaped breasts.

Read a little, Buy the book
GIVEAWAY ALERT!!! 

I’d love to give one reader a copy of THE CATTLEMAN for being with us today. Just leave a comment and a way to reach you and Kim can choose a reader. (U.S.--autographed copy; International--digital) So what do you do in your “spare” time?

 

AUTHORS, BJ DANIELS AND ANGI MORGAN WITH ME AT RT NOLA