Texas Tango (Texas Montgomery Mavericks #2) by CYNTHIA D'ALBA COMING NOVEMBER 5TH

Dr. Caroline Graham was just biding her time in Texas. Filling in for Dr's was her specialty leaving her to jump from state to state, town to town without making any long-tern commitments. That is until she happened upon Whispering Springs and its inhabitants that included her great uncle , Angus Fitzgerald and a menagerie of Montgomery's. When Angus passes away and leaves his Singing Springs Ranch to her in his will, he throws a wrench into to carefully plotted out life. You see Dr. Graham hasn't had stellar life even though she achieves greatness in becoming a physician. Her nomadic missionary parents basically left their children on a family member's doorstep so they could traipse around the world taking care of everyone else's family but their own. Caroline's teenage brother Noah has had had it the worst since he is only fourteen and being pawned off to secondary family members too old to understand teenage angst and needs. Even Caroline doesn't know her own brother since she is over a decade older than her sibling and left as soon as she was able.

That being said, the one true beloved family member to Caroline is her Aunt Mamie who is terminally ill and waiting on Caroline to return to her with a man, or more to the point, a fiance. She holds on with every expectation that her niece will find a husband and be happy. Caroline has been telling her aunt that she has a boyfriend in Whispering Springs and she is truly happy, even though it's a complete fabrication.

Travis Montgomery is done with marriage. His wife died years ago of breast cancer leaving him devastated and never wanting to feel loss like he felt upon her death. He's also a very ambitious man, and when he hears that the coveted Singing Springs Ranch is in the hands of Dr. Caroline Montgomery, he wants it badly to add to his acreage. 

The handsome Travis is never far from Caroline's thoughts. So much so that when her aunt backs her into a corner to reveal who her imaginary boyfriend is, she mutters his name before her head has time to rein her in. Now stuck, Caroline must devise a plan to get Travis to go along with a so-called marriage for her ailing aunt and make Mamie content in her last days. Once Caroline divulges what she must do Travis is aghast, but when Caroline throws the ranch into to pot as an even trade, faux marriage isn't looking so bad to Travis.

Of course things like this never come out perfect hence turning lives upside down for the pair and their families. When it all becomes too hot to handle, Caroline thinks that jumping ship may be her only option, even after falling head over heels in love with her "husband". Travis also struggles with his convictions that become clouded by his ever-emerging feelings for Caroline. You have to wonder if these two will ever stop and take their inner-most feeling into consideration instead of their carefully plotted out existences. 

Cynthia D'Alba has another winner of a tale here. This second in her Texas Montgomery Mavericks series TEXAS TANGO can be read as a stand alone, but I wouldn't miss TEXAS TWO-STEP and the prequel to this series. TEXAS TANGO is another one of those books that you can't put down until THE END. Miss D'Alba's sometimes stubborn characters make for one roller coaster of a ride in this tale of coming together, a tale of family and belonging, something that Caroline and Noah have been lacking in their lives and something that Travis can give them. 

~KIMBERLY~ 

Guest Reviewer ~Michelle Boone ~ on Lexxie Couper - Steady Beat

He never missed a beat…until she taught him a whole new rhythm.

Back when he was playing drums for rock star Nick Blackthorne, it was easy for Noah Holden to focus on the sticks in his hand. Now that the band is getting back together, he’s excited—and worried. His ADHD has made every minute of his post-Blackthorne life a chaotic mess.

His apprehension is blown away when a bar waitress makes him a proposition—and not the kind this king of drums is used to.

When Pepper Kerrigan overhears the band talking reunion, she pushes her self-doubt aside, calls on her encyclopedic music knowledge and challenges Noah Holden to a trivia contest. Her prize should she win? An audition. His? A kiss. Their smoking sexual chemistry guarantees victory—for them both.

With Pepper, Noah is finally able to control his stormy creative energy. But when his wild past catches up with him, he faces the fight of his life to keep from losing his smoky-voiced angel. The one woman who keeps his mind—and his heart—staying on rhythm.

Product Warning: There’s a thrumming primitive sexual energy in every rock drummer’s body just waiting to be released

Lexxie Couper draws you into the story, making you feel like you can actually be a part of the band. Or at least wish you were lucky enough to be the woman who captures the heart of a man like Noah who has way too much energy to burn. The hotter than hot sex scenes are fantastic, but the dialogue and chemistry between all the characters makes this a favorite read. As a lover of books about rock stars from paranormal, to normal, Lexxie brings it and then some. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

She gives just enough details you can picture each scene without feeling like she’s just adding fluff. I loved the seamless blend of humor and erotic love scenes between Noah and Pepper. 

Reviewed by Michelle Boone

5 out of 5 Stars

He never missed a beat…until she taught him a whole new rhythm.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ON CYNTHIA D'ALBA

I am so pleased to have author Cynthia D'Alba here on the blog today. I am so excited about her books and I hope you all will be too.... Now let's get a little personal with the fabulous lady, shall we?

1.     Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in Arkansas. Went to college at the University of Arkansas (Go Razorbacks!). Moved to Memphis after I finished nursing school. (I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences College of Nursing.) I lived in Memphis for 17 years working in a variety of medical positions (teaching and administrative.) While in Memphis, I earned a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and a Master of Business Administration. I moved back to Little Rock, AR in 1997 as Assistant Dean in the College of Business. I earned my Doctorate in Higher Education Administration in 2001. I left UALR in 2002 and my husband (Fisherman) and I moved to back to my hometown (Hot Springs, AR) in 2004. We live on a large lake. He fishes (on average) five days a week! We love being here.

We have no “human” children. Instead we have two dogs (who don’t know they are dogs) and a parrot (who thinks he’s in charge.)

I constantly on a diet, which never works. That could be because I love hot chocolate chip cookies!

I hate to shop for clothes. I don’t have a shoe fascination like some writers I know. I’m all about comfort when it comes to clothes and shoes.

2.    When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I always laugh when I get asked this question. Being a writer wasn’t my idea!

I started as a reader...a voracious reader! I started reading steadily when I was about 3 years old. I’ve hardly been without a book in my hand since! When I was in grade school, I used to write fake notes “from my mother” to tell the teachers I needed to stay in from recess because “I was sick.” I wasn’t sick! I wanted to read instead of play.

After I left full time work, I was reading a book a day. After about a year (and I swear, 1000 books!) my husband said to me, “I bet you could write one of those books.” Until that moment, I’d never ever thought about writing. Hard to believe (given how much I loved reading) but true.

In 2005, I attended my first writer’s conference. In 2006, Fisherman and I traveled all over the US so I could attend writers’ conferences and learn. I started entering contests in 2007, with quite a few finals and wins. (Side note: I won the first contest I ever entered. Then I was stunned when I didn’t win all the rest! LOL) I stopped entering contests in 2008 and concentrated on improving my writing. In 2010, I sent Texas Two Step to a couple of contests. I also sent out a paranormal novella, which was rejected all around. But one editor wrote me back that the story didn’t work for her but she loved my voice. Did I have anything else I could send? At the same time, Texas Two Step won two contests and got requests for full manuscript submissions, which I sent out in February 2011. The editor who’d rejected me, but loved my voice (Heidi Moore with Samhain Publishing), offered me a contract for Texas Two Step. I signed with Samhain Publishing, got Heidi as my editor and have loved being with them.

3.    Tell us about your upcoming work?

Texas Tango is the second book in the Texas Montgomery Mavericks Series. It’s the story of Travis Montgomery (oldest brother of Olivia Montgomery from Texas Two Step) and Dr. Caroline Graham (a contract physician only in town for six more months. Here’s the official “blurb”...

Their wedding might be fake, but there’s no faking the mutual attraction.

Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 2

Dr. Caroline Graham is happy with her nomadic lifestyle fulfilling short-term medical contracts. No emotional commitments, no disappointments. She’s always the one to walk away, never the one left behind.

But now her great-uncle is gone and her grandmother is on her deathbed, more concerned about Caroline’s lack of a husband than her own demise. What’s the harm in a little white lie? If a wedding will give her grandmother peace, then a wedding she shall have.

Travis Montgomery has one dream left—to build the ranch he and his wife planned before he lost her to cancer. There’s just one thing standing between him and the last bit of acreage he needs—a last living heir who has one traveling foot out the door…and an unusual request that challenges his determination to never again place his heart at risk.

The land he wants in exchange for a faux marriage. Everyone wins. Until things start to snowball…and the hearts they stand to lose are their own.

Warning: This book contains a tortured widower who doesn’t want a wife and an independent doctor who doesn’t want a husband. Hot stuff between the sheets and failed efforts to avoid emotional involvements.

4.    Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?

I think Adam Gentry, from Texas Two Step. Adam is the five-year-old son of Olivia Montgomery Gentry and Travis Montgomery. He was simply fun to write. The feedback I’ve gotten from readers is that they have fallen in love with Adam too!

5.    Was it difficult for you to get published?

My publishing story is given above. It wasn’t as hard for me as it has been for some writers. There could multiple explanations for that. While I wasn’t published in fiction prior to Texas Two Step, I have a number of medical/nursing articles in professional magazines. In addition, I have a published doctoral dissertation. So writing per say isn’t a new activity. However, writing fiction is totally different from writing non-fiction. So I think my previous writing experience was great for training me on how to construct sentences and how to follow through.

Another advantage I had was the changing landscape of the publishing world. I went digital first, followed by print. That option wasn’t open to authors that long ago. It was sell your book to a traditional publisher (Avon, Harlequin, St. Martin’s Press, etc) or you’re cut out of the market. Digital options have opened up publishing avenues for authors that simply didn’t exist.

6.    Who are your favorite authors/reads?

I hate to name names because I KNOW I’ll forget someone! But autobuys for me include Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristan Higgins, Robert Crais, Harlen Cobin, JD Robb (and some Nora Roberts books). I’m discovering new authors all the time, such as Adrienne Giordano, Cat Johnson (not new, but new to me), Pamela Heron, Ruthie Knox, Kelsey Browning. Then there are my author friends that I always buy...Vicki Lewis Thompson, Karin Tabke, Sylvia Day, Delilah Devlin, Elle James. This list could go on for pages! :)

7.    Hobbies?

Number one, without doubt, is reading. I love needlepoint, but I don’t get to do that as much as I used to. I’m taking a class in machine embroidery, so that could be my next thing. I love baking. Cookies, brownies, pies...you name.

8.    What is your dream job?

I think I’ve got it. I enjoy the freedom that writing gives me. I enjoy the online friendships, the socialization with other authors, the thrill of seeing my name in print. At this time in my life, I have it all.

9.    Do you have any favorite TV shows?

The Voice, Grey’s Anatomy, Survivor, Castle (although this season isn’t doing much for me so far!), The Big Bang Theory, Longmire, Rizzoli & Isles, The Mentalist. (I’d better stop here or you’ll figure out I’m a huge TV nerd.)

10.  What’s next for you?

A blog tour in November to celebrate the release of Texas Tango. Check my Appearances page for a listing of stops or the Texas Montgomery Mavericks Site. While you’re at the Montgomery Mavericks site, check out the prizes for blog tour here.

A new novella (Texas Fandango) that releases from Samhain Publishing on February 5, 2014. This novella is also in the Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. For those who read Texas Two Step, this novella is Drake Gentry’s story.

I’m working on Texas Twist, the third book in the Texas Montgomery Mavericks series.

I’ll be headed to RT2014 in New Orleans in May 2014 and would LOVE to meet you.

11.   Where can we find you?

Check out these online links:

Website , Facebook. Twitter, Group Blog , and Personal Blog

In person...

RT Convention in New Orleans, in May 2014
For other personal appearances, check the “Appearances” section of my website

12.  What would you like readers to know about you?

I have a LOUD voice but can get shy at times. :) Especially when I’m talking to someone who is telling me how much they loved my book! I get all flustered.

I love reviews of my books. The best way any reader can help me (or any author) is to post reviews of books. So please, if you read my books, leave me a review!

I have a thick southern accent so be warned when you talk to me. :)

If you find me at a conference and tell me you’re a fan, I’ll probably offer to buy you a drink.

Thanks so much for participating!!!

KIM

SIGNED BOOKS UP FOR GRABS!!!

Howdy all! Last week I went with a few of my Book Obsessed Chicks to New Jersey for an amazing signing at a Barnes&Noble. I had a great time and got to see C.H. Admirand, Sara Humphreys, Judi Fennell, Stephanie Julian and was totally surprised by Carolyn Brown! I had each lady sign a book for a giveaway and here it is!!! Good luck!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LUCIANNA (The Silk Merchants Daughters #3) by BERTRICE SMALL

I will start this review off by saying that I am a huge fan of Bertrice Small, albeit a recent one. I first read a Dangerous Love back in 2010 and have been stuck since. Bertrice's books are memorable to say the least.

Orianna Pietro D'Angelo carefully plotted each of her daughter's lives, especially their marriages. The wife a Milanese silk merchant only wanted the best of marriages for her beautiful offspring, but sometimes the meddlesome Orianna didn't know what was best for her daughters. When Lucianna went easily into her marriage to wealthy bookseller, Alfredo Allibatore, she actually had it easy at first. Alfredo was old enough to be her grandfather and their relationship was more friendship and mutual respect than marriage. Lucianna emjoyed her work in her husband's book shop and was content with her life even remaining untouched. After three years of marriage in name only, Alfredo passed away leaving nineteen year old  Lucianna a wealthy widow and once again on the marriage market to fulfill Orianna's whim. 

Lucianna has no intention of marrying again. She did her duty by her parents and now she is in a position where she doesn't need a husband. Enter Robert Minton, the Earl of Lisle, a handsome Englishman who is close confidant of the English King. Sparks fly when Minton meets Lucianna, but she is in complete denial.

When Orianna and her husband see the budding attraction, they send Lucianna to England as a representative of the silk merchants of Milan as a conspiracy to push Lucianna into marriage with the Earl. 

Once in England, Lucianna must deal with the difference between both cultures, the Earl desperately wanting to be involved with the beauty when she is has no intention of falling into his arms and outside forces that would have Robert and Lucianna not be together.

Lucianna, by Bertrice Small is great read. It brought me back to my love for the author after I finished the Border Chronicles. Lucianna is the third book in the Silk Merchants Daughters series, but the first I delved into and once I finished Lucianna, I happily went back to the first two books, Bianca and Francesca. Ms. Small just has a way of making you feel that you are part of the story ans Renaissance Italy just came alive for me, along with the restrictive attitudes towards women and the irony of it all. I recommend highly this series to lovers of historical romance and eagerly await the next in the series, Serena.

~KIMBERLY~

Guest Reviewers: Jackie Ferrell & Pat Sheppard ~ SPIRIT ME AWAY by PATRICIA A. RASEY ~

Luke Braden was having the best sex of his life one moment, and the next he's stuck in his apartment as a...ghost. No one to talk with, no one that can see him. That is until Holly stumbles into his life, or there lack of. Things are about to get way more interesting.

Holly Andrews is excited to get her first place, to move beyond the walls of her parent's house and set out on her own. Nothing can dampen the spirit though, like finding out the place is haunted. And if that isn't bad enough, the hot and sexy ghost has one thing on his mind...seduction.

Reviews:

Luke Braden has just realized that he is a ghost. He died while having sex in his condo and has been stuck there, unable to leave.

Six months have passed and Holly Andrews has moved into the condo. She has decided she wants to start a new life that doesn't involve a man. Especially after finding her boyfriend of two years Derek having sex with another co-worker of theirs in his office. 

Holly starts unpacking her things and Luke starts talking to her. Not only can she hear him, but she can also see and feel him and Luke can read her thoughts. Through a series of events Luke and Holly find that they become attracted to and have feelings for each other.  There are periods of time that Luke vanishes, Holly is alone and she starts to miss him. There is definitely a romance brewing between the two of them and they both wish that he was a flesh and blood man.

I loved this story, especially the ending.  It might be considered a novella but is a complete and beautiful story with a ghost who saves the day.

~JACKIE~

A Ghost of a Chance

One minute you are here and the next you are a ghost.  That is what happened to Luke Braden.  Luke was having the best sex of his life when his ticker gave out.  Besides dying, he was now a prisoner in his condo as a ghost.  No emotions, no one to talk to and no sex.  Until someone was brave enough to purchase his condo and move in.  Holly was tired of living in a noisy household.  So with a new position and a raise to boot, she purchased a condo.  She got it for a steal because a guy had died there and the price was just right.  Solitude, finally she can be alone.  Yeah right!  Several hours after moving in Holly meets her unexpected, not paying half the rent, and all to sexy ghost of a roommate, Luke.  Luke is shocked that Holly can see and hear him.  After introductions and Holly gaining back her sanity, they venture into finding a way to get Luke on his way to whichever direction he needs to go.  Experiments with touching becomes their most favorite game.  Who knew that a ghost could give you a mind blowing orgasm.  But how do you sustain a relationship with a ghost.  I'll tell you how, read the book and find out.  I did and I was most pleased.

Spirit Me Away by Patricia Rasey 

I gave this novella four stars because I felt I was missing something about the character Luke.  We know he lived, died of heart attack and was a sex addict.  But what kind of person was he?

~ PAT SHEPPARD~

Hanging Out With Michael Chulsky

I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at this year's Liberty States conference. He was there as a reader and over our shared love of the color purple, our friendship began.. I truly do adore this man and I hope you all will give his first published work, The Descending Darkness, a look. 

1. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a writer. I love cats, every kind of cat. I enjoy video games and watching anime. I enjoy anything Pina Colada flavored. And I like cheesecake. A lot.

2. When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I first knew that I wanted to be a writer in the fourth grade. I was a very wild kid and most teachers didn’t understand me. I was switched into a classroom, and the teacher belonging to that classroom was Mrs. Becker. She helped me channel my creative energy into a sort of mini-class newspaper. It was just something that I did for fun but she gave me pointers and what not. I saw how much my classmates enjoyed my writing and I realized it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

3. Tell us about your upcoming work?
The Descending Darkness is the story of Shadow and his attempt at saving the world. He isn’t Dean Winchester or anything, so he needs help. He recruits several teenagers with special powers/abilities like himself. It’s his belief that if they stick together, they’ll succeed.

4. Do you have any mentors? Heroes?
Anybody who believes in themselves is my hero. And as for mentors, I feel that most of my fellow-authors are like mentors. Cody Kennedy for one.

5. Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?
This is a very difficult question. I think if I had to pick a character from TDD, It would have to be Maedara. I love silly villains like her. She was extremely fun to write.

6. Was it difficult for you to get published?
I think everyone has some difficulty getting published for the first time. I wouldn’t necessarily call it difficult so much as a trial, so to speak. I definitely think that trying to get published tests your patience and sanity.

7. Who are your favorite authors/reads?
My favorite male author is Lemony Snicket and my favorite female author is Laurell K. Hamilton.

8. Hobbies?
I don’t think a day goes by where I’m not reading and/or playing video games. So I guess they’re my hobbies. =)

9. What is your dream job?
My dream job is being a magical author with the ability to materialize baked goods with my mind. Unfortunately I’ll have to settle for just the author part.

10. Do you have any favorite TV shows?
Yes I do! I love Once Upon a Time (SwanQueen!), Rupaul’s Drag Race, Supernatural, Adventure Time, and Regular Show. Those shows are the best.

11. What’s next for you?
Next on my agenda is finishing my adult novel and my YA M/M romance. Wish me luck.

12. Where can we find you?
You can find me on Facebook (facebook.com/Michael.chulsky) or Twitter (twitter.com/michaelchulsky) I’d love to hear from you!

13. What would you like readers to know about you?
I’d like readers to know that I write for them. I write because I want to make them smile and enjoy themselves. Giving a smile is one of the greatest gifts of all. =)

THANKS SO MUCH TO MICHAEL CHULSKY FOR SUCH GREAT ANSWERS! WHAT A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR!