Top 5 - Holding On

HOLDING ON made top 5 of the third quarter for new releases. YAY! Thank you to all who downloaded the book.
I can only hope my writing continues to grow.

GREENHORN HEART

Greenhorn Heart - released today! http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&product_name=Greenhorn+Heart&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

At her dying mother’s bedside, Jolene Norris promised that she would keep her baby sister safe from her money hungry aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, keeping that promise is proving a lot more difficult than Jolene thought, and she needs help. Her aunt is out to prove Jolene is unfit or at the very least unstable to take care of her sister, forcing Jolene to seek Seth Morgan’s help. She needs his home, his land, and his name. Too bad he’s as welcoming as the bulls he raises. Scared that she’ll lose her sister, Jolene makes Seth a deal he can’t refuse.

Seth doesn't have time to take care of a petite woman who is as green as her eyes or the small drooling complication on her hip. He doesn't do babies or marriage, not after his ex-wife killed herself and their three-year-old son. But he desperately needs the money Jolene offers him.
Together they arrange a marriage of convenience, which quickly becomes so much more.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEBBY CONRAD

Hi Debby. Thank you for being with us today. Why don’t you tell us a little about the first book you sold.

The first book I sold was LUST’S BETRAYAL.
here is the back blurb –

Steamy adultery, romance, secrets and murder – that’s what the McLaughlin family is made of.

Ross McLaughlin hasn’t loved a woman since his wife died, and his teenage daughter Emma is enthralled with a wannabe rock star. When they receive a letter from a sick loved one, Ross reluctantly heads home. The naïve Emma can hardly wait to meet her family and find out about their past, yet Ross harbors an unspeakable secret: a member of the family might just be her mother’s killer. After this summer on the lake, the McLaughlins’ lives will never be the same.

Where were you when you got your first book contract? Who did you tell?

I was at work. I called my good friend and fellow writer Mary Campisi. She was the one who tipped me off about the publisher wanting new authors for their romance lines.

What draws you to write your genre and sub genre?

I love to read romantic comedy and romantic suspense so naturally I chose those genres to write. You can never have too much laughter in your life, and the suspense
elements keep me guessing.

Do you have any tips for new writers? Yes, I actually have a few. 1) Write a page a day, no matter what. A page a day equals a book a year. I don’t always do this, but when I am disciplined, it works. There are days that my planned 1 page per day turns into several pages per day. If you step away from your book longer than a day, it is extremely difficult to get back in the habit of writing daily. I have learned anything
can turn into a habit once you do it 21 days in a row. 2) Find a critique partner or critique group. Make those critique partners accountable to you and you to them. This will keep everyone writing and moving toward the finish line. The prize – A
completed novel!

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love to play mindless computer games. After a stressful day at my full time job, I enjoy coming home and playing games so I do not have to think about anything else.
Those computer games are also my worst enemies—they keep me from writing. They are time wasters, so try to limit your time on the computer to checking emails and playing games to 30 minutes per day, or only after you have written your page for the day.

Where can your readers reach you?

Email: DKAY@aol.com or my web site: www.debbyconrad.com

Are you working on another book?

Yes, I am working on a body switching story that is a Romantic Suspense. The working title is CHANCES ARE.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

Jenna Caldwell left the big city of Chicago in search of her birth mother. But along the way, a car accident changes her life forever. She is now living in the body of another woman, married to a man who despises her. And how can she blame him once she finds out she may have hired someone to murder him?

How did you come up with the title?

I was thinking “Chances Are” this will never happen and it just clicked.

Do you work on one project at a time or mulitples?

One. I am too scatterbrained to do multiple projects, but I admire those who can. J

Is there one particular thing that you find challenging about writing?

Yes. Believing in myself. Every author goes through periods of self doubt, and I am no different. I try to tell myself if I never publish another book I have had a good life and should not be greedy by wanting something I may not be able to have. Then, I kick myself and say, “But I really need this. My life would not be complete without writing and seeing my stories published.”

Who is your favorite author?
I don’t have just one. I love to read books written by different authors. I love Sandra
Brown’s romantic suspense novels and Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s romantic comedies. I love Leland Barclay’s witty humor and bad guy characters as well as Nelson DeMille’s ability to mix humor with his terrorist plots.

What are you reading now?

RETRIBUTION by Jilliane Hoffman.

Are your characters a reflection on you or anyone you know?

Not normally. But then again, I will never say never. J

Do you use more than one pen name?

I do not use a pen name.

What do you do to get in the mood to write?

Absolute quiet. I cannot stand background noises like TV. I sometimes like to take a hot bath, relax with my eyes closed and let my imagination run wild. And the third thing is I sometimes think about my characters and plot while I am on a road trip.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

I love losing myself in the writing and playing out the character roles. Real life is so exhausting sometimes. It is fun letting the imagination take control.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you like to be and why?

Probably an angel. Angels are nice. I hate the thought of being something mean or scary.

How long have you been a writer?

Since 1996. It took me 10 years to publish my first novel.

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

I have completed 14 books and published 3.

Do you have a favorite character from one of you own books? Who and Why?

I would have to say Pepper Delaney from EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
She witnessed a mob murder then dressed as a hooker to slip out of town unnoticed. She continues the charade as she has no idea who to trust. She’s a gutsy heroine.

What is the easiest and hardest thing about writing?

The easiest part is being able to escape reality and the hardest part is the discipline. Life always seems to get in the way of everything.

Do you find love scenes difficult to write? Absolutely. A writer tries to be unique with every scene, but there are only so many ways to write a love scene that does not cheat the reader out of the fine details. It is the most uncomfortable part of the writing, at least for me.

Are any of your personal experiences reflected in your writing?

There are always personal life experiences which help an author make her writing more authentic, but none of my characters are based on me personally.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

I have written a book in as little as 6 weeks, when I wasn’t working, but my current work in progress has been ongoing for 7 years now. Normally, 4 months is my average.

Do you set timelines when you’re writing or write when the feeling hits you?

Normally when the feeling hits me or when I need to take something to critique group. Several years ago, when I was fortunate enough to stay home and write full time, I wrote every day.

Do you characters talk to you?

Sometimes they do. When I am really into my writing, I can feel my characters’ emotions and it is as if they are real people.

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Mostly me, but on occasion I have surprised myself by moving in a different direction based on what I feel a particular character wanted to do.

What is your writing day like once you start a book? Because of my day job I do not have a writing day.

If I am lucky enough to have the weekend to write, I like it to be my project for 2 days
straight. I will write for an hour, get up and do something else, then come back and write another hour or so. In between, of course I waste time playing stupid computer games or checking emails, doing laundry and cooking.

Do you promo your backlists when you’re writing a new book, or dedicate your time solely to writing?

I am bad about self promotion, although I am putting 2 of my books, which are out of print, up on Amazon as a Kindle selection along with another book. They will be available in a few weeks.

How many books do you write in a year?

When I was on a roll I could write 2-4 per year, but I am slow as molasses right now.

Thank you again, Debby for answering all our questions. I personally look forward to reading more of your stories and cannot wait for your next book.

Coffee Time Review

Another great review for HOLDING ON! Stop by http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/holdingonbook2bysherrithomas.html

Thank you Matilda for your wonderful review!

GREENHORN HEART

Blurb:

At her dying mother’s bedside, Jolene Norris promised that she would keep her baby sister safe from her money hungry aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, keeping that promise is proving a lot more difficult than Jolene thought, and she needs help. Her aunt is out to prove that Jolene is unfit and at the very least unstable to take care of her sister, forcing Jolene to seek Seth Morgan’s help. She needs his home, his land, and his name. Too bad he’s as welcoming as the bulls he raises. Scared that she’ll lose her sister, Jolene makes Seth a deal he can’t refuse.

Seth doesn't have time to take care of a petite woman who is as green as her eyes or the small drooling complication on her hip. He doesn't do babies or marriage, not after his ex-wife killed herself and their three-year-old son. But he desperately needs the money Jolene offers him.

Together they arrange a marriage of convenience, which quickly becomes so much more.

Review for Holding On.

Thank you Bec for the great review!

Holding On was a really captivating story from the beginning with the way
it introduced Brandi and her baby. The sex scenes were hot, and the love between Dex and Brandi was unmistakable through the writer's words.

Overall, Holding On was a great short story and the first I've read by this
author. However, it won't be my last. Well done, Ms. Thomas.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Bec

You can read the rest of the review at http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/holdingonthomas.htm

Fall

Fall is fast approaching and we are almost done with our canning. I believe we have canned enough tomatoes, froze enough watermelon, cantaloupe, green peppers, and onions, to last until next season. However we still have peppers to do, and grape juice to make. (Maybe some applesauce. I love homemade applesauce.)

Our garden didn't do as well as we hoped as this was its first year (we moved in our new home about a year and a half ago). But we did get a lot of watermelon and cantaloupe and thanks to a few good friends (who has two green thumbs) we were able to stock our pantry. I'm sure ours will do much better next year.

Fall is by far my favorite season. I can't wait for the leave to start changing. So go put cinnamon potpourri in the slow burner, throw on a blanket, and grab a good book.

What is your favorite season? How did your garden do this season? Do you can your vegetables and fruit?

Six Sentence Friday

This week has been crazy with the kids going back to school and hubby had hernia surgery, but I think things are finally setting down in time for the weekend - I hope ;) I was going to post 6 sentences from my latest book Greenhorn Heart, but we are just beginning edits so I will wait on those. In the meantime here is 6 more from HOLDING ON. Enjoy and feel free to post your own 6 sentences.

He needed answers, and he should have the results in another day or two. Did it matter? Not anymore. Inch by inch the knowledge that he fathered Suzy seeped in through his pores. He approached Brandi's room and rapped on teh door. Suddently hearing Suzy's cries throught the door, Dex burst in.

Another review is in! Yay!

Top Pick!

5 Stars!

Here is a snippet of what Molly has to say about Maddie About Maddie...

I love a good cowboy story, and I love a good author. When I get the two
together, it's even better! I loved Sherri Thomas' work and her skills are
superb. She really captured me instantly, drew me into the heart of the story
and had me hanging on every word until the very last page. I couldn't put this
book down for anything!...

Stop by http://erotic.theromancereviews.com and read what else Molly has to say about Maddie and Jake.

Thank you Molly for the great review.

What are you reading?

So I thought it would be interesting to have everyone write down I am not a sentence from a book they are reading. But then I realized I'm not reading anything right now -due to crazy days (kids going back to school, hubby home waiting for surgery). Hopefully I will be able to hide away behind a romance novel, in the meantime here is a sentence from Mad About Maddie. Page 37 sentence 16.

His gaze cut to her and then the door, torn between running like hell or staying.

I look forward to reading every ones posts. Please post page 37 sentence 16 from the book you are reading, WIP, or another source.

REVIEW BY THE ROMANCE STUDIO

Mad About Maddie

Sherri Thomas
Contemporary romance
Available from
Liquid
Silver Books
ISBN: 978-1-59578-851-1
July 2011

Maddie and Jake don't get along well at all at first. Maddie feels the chemistry and the draw with Jake but wants nothing to do with men after her ex-boyfriend. Their first meeting does not go smoothly at all. Jake gets on Maddie's bad side when he pulls her off of a horse that she has tamed. Jake didn't know he shouldn't have but that doesn't matter to Maddie. Jake is intrigued by Maddie and the different techniques that she's using to tame the horses. Jake starts to pursue her somewhat and Maddie starts to give in to him but repeatedly pulls back. Maddie and Jake are great characters. Maddie was in an abusive relationship and is dealing with all of the changes and repercussions of that. It was years ago but it is still a big factor in her life. Jake has his own jaded past to deal with but he seems to be more open. I love the way that Maddie and Jake interact. Their personalities match very well. They have a lot in common once they actually get to know each other. This story is believable though it does move a little fast for actual reality. Nothing pulled me from the story when I was reading. The characters are very human. I found the dialogue very entertaining and befitting the story. The sex was written well. It takes up very little of the story because of the situation and Maddie's past. It is full of emotion though. The characters are definitely in a relationship when they make love. I enjoyed reading it and what it added to the story. There was a depth of emotion added to this story that draws the reader in because of what has happened in both of Maddie and Jake's past. Both have baggage that affects them but they work through it. I enjoyed this story and the characters. Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Explicit Reviewer: Lexee July 30, 2010

REVIEWS FOR MAD ABOUT MADDIE

YAY 5 stars!!

Reviewed by: Mandy | Aug 24, 2011 | 978-1-59578-851-1

A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW

I always love a cowboy romance and Mad About Maddie is no exception. What is it about a cowboy that women love? I can't say for sure, but there's just something very sexy and romantic about Jake being Maddie's knight-in-shining-armor.

It doesn't take Jake long to get attached to the new hired hand, Maddie. She's had a bad experience with an abusive boyfriend and has tried to stay from handsome cowboy, Jake. She's having a hard time making that work for her since he's always around and their attraction sizzles.

Mad About Maddie packs a whole lot of sensual romance inside a great story without making it too long. It's a quick read packed with sweet, emotional, warm-and-fuzzy moments, and you're gonna love it! I'll recommend Mad About Maddie every chance I get to everyone who loves a sexy cowboy romance!

This is my first Sherri Thomas story and I loved it! I'll definitely be looking for more from Ms. Thomas!

INTERVIEW with EDITOR TRACEY WEST

Today I would like to welcome Editor Tracey
West from Liquid Silver Books. (clapping hands) Thank you for being here Tracey
and agreeing to do this interview with me.

Why don't you start by telling us about yourself?

I’m married,
a Mom of three and love everything to do with publishing. Well, okay, the long
hours can be grueling but there’s always a new story to read, new author to
discover, so sometimes I have to pull myself away from the computer.

I’m an avid reader
even away from my online jobs. More
times than not, I can’t sleep without reading a chapter or two from one of my
favourite authors. My husband just built me a full wall of bookshelves…yeah,
those are already full, so now what?? LOL
I have a few thousand books that I can’t part with – some say that’s
kinda crazy, but hey, it keeps me out of trouble. J

Can you tell us a bit about your
childhood? Your favorite memory?

I grew up in
the country, on a farm with many animals, a garden and a lot of land to
explore. I had two loving and wonderful parents, as well as two older brothers
who taught me a lot about sports and drove me crazy.

Favourite
memory, simply sitting on my father’s lap every chance I had and watching TV
like that, reading the paper with him or just cuddling.

What is your favorite drink and food?

Favourite
food…just one? LOL I love
Italian and Mexican food. I love Caesar salad and Quesadillas especially. My fave snack food is sugar snap peas.

I’m an
addict for French Vanilla Cappucinos.

How long have you been an editor?

I’ve been an
editor for about nine years.

Have you always worked for Liquid
Silver Books?

I’ve worked
at Liquid Silver Books all those years and have edited for multiple authors on
the side for just as long.

What drew you to becoming an editor?

The love of
the process and having the chance to work with creative authors to make stories
shine always keeps me editing.

What is your typical day like?

Since I have
multiple online jobs – mainly Editor & Acquisitions Director at LSB, etc.,
I have to split my time. Morning starts
with answering emails, personal & business, and adding new submissions to
the database to read. Checking the LSB forum for anything new, responding to
any posts there.

Editing – I
usually begin that later in the afternoon when I’m fully alert. LOL I try to
stay focused on each story until close to dinnertime. I take most of the hours
that the kids are home from school until their bedtime with them, so it’s not
until around nine p.m. that I’ll work for a couple hours at the computer
reading submissions. I go to bed, get up and begin the process again. J

What is the easiest and hardest thing
about editing?

The easiest
would be working with and developing a camaraderie/friendship with each author.
I’ve been so blessed that every author I’ve worked with has been exceptional
and brilliant, and just a dear to work with. Also, getting hooked on their
characters/stories that usually turn into a series is pretty easy for me.
*cough cough* It’s an easy thing for me to pick a secondary character then
hound the author for their story. So
far, it’s always worked. J

The hardest
would be saying goodbye to characters/series that the author (and I) feel are
finished. I get very invested when editing, the stories/characters become my
own, the authors become important to me. To say goodbye to any of that is
sometimes hard.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Hmmm,
Reality TV. It’s ridiculous stuff to
watch but I do it anyway. In my defense,
though, it’s created a lot of family TV time that I wouldn’t normally have. I
think there’s too much crap on TV (ie: cartoon comedy) that I won’t allow my
kids to watch, so my daughter and I love the dancing shows, challenge shows
like Survivor, and more. There’s just not enough family shows these days like
there were when I was younger.

The show
that I’m addicted to and watching on DVD, since I am a couple seasons behind,
is True Blood. I watch an hour of it
before going to bed (have to make sure the kids are asleep!). It’s my hour of relaxation.

What do you look for in a book?

Whether my
personal reading or acquiring for LSB, stories must have well developed
characters, with depth and explosive chemistry that pull me in, make me love
and/or identify with them. I don’t want
stories that are too reality-based but I do like there to be a realness to the
story that pulls me in. There has to be imaginative and fully realized plots, and
vivid and evocative settings. Romance, Romantic Suspense and some Paranormal
are my three personal favourite genres.
I also love stories with Ménage a Trois sub-genres.

What are the most common mistakes an
author makes?

Showing
instead of telling, passivity, info dumping that slows the story down too much.
Rushing the pace and interaction between the characters, as well as lack of
depth in character and plot.

If you were granted three wishes by a
genie, what would they be?

For my
children to live in a peaceful world, have long, healthy lives and find the
happiness like I have had since meeting my husband and having children.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow,
where would it be?

Ireland. I’d
love to go, see where my Grandfather’s family came from, stand where they might
have once stood, and just see the beauty of the country.

What word or phrases tingles in all
the right places for you?

Chérie. I
love that French word.

I love when
a man is descriptive in what he wants to do to the female. I like to hear the
words, let them wash over me, be the female he’s speaking to. I love it. J

What's the sexiest thing a man has
ever done for you or said to you or both?

Oh my hubby,
he’s the most wonderful man! He gives me the best massages ever. He has magical
hands and just gives me goose bumps. By the time he’s finished, I’m a puddle of
goo…and seduced! It’s simply sexy when
he just wants to take care of me.

Follow me on Twitter

Visit Liquid Silver Books

Available now

Now available at http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com and at http://www.allromanceebooks.com

Six Sentence Friday - Holding On

His eyes narrowed. "What are you afraid of?"
"This works out better, don't you think?" "Troy doesn't know, does he? About us, I mean." His look hardened.

Six Sentence Friday

Holding On -

Hearing a noise, she spun around. Dex stood in front of the bathroom door, naked except for the white towel secured around his waist.
How will I get out of this one?
She swept her eyes over his body and swallowed.
And how can a man look so damn good?

RELEASE DATE

HOLDING ON - the second installment of The Double M Ranch is scheduled to come out August 15. Liquidsilverbooks.com Find out what happens when Brandi McNeal - Troy's sister - returns to her family's ranch - baby in tow.

HOLDING ON

Excerpt:

"What gives you the right to make the decisions? Brandi pushed her hair out of her face. "Are you listening to me?" She clutched Dex's forearm. "You are the most chauvinistic man I know." She yanked on his arm.

"And you're the most stubborn, hardheaded woman I know." Dex's muscle burned with the imprint of her skin. He searched her face for a reaction. His eyes reached her mouth. Her tongue slipped between her lips.

His lips met hers in a punishing, savage kiss. His arms went around her. She tasted sweet. Her body molded to his. Within seconds, desire flared hot. He changed tactics to slow and seductive. He persuaded her lips apart with his and slipped into her wet crevice while his fingers threaded in her hair. His teeth nipped at her bottom lip. His tongue soother her swollen flesh. She moaned. He plunged inside once again leaning her back in his arm.

Too much timme passed since he last touched her.

He ran his hand down her thigh, pulling it up his. Her center rested on his leg. Her fingers skimmed down his back to his buttocks.

He work his way across her jam to her ear and continued his journey down to the dip by her collarbone. He removed her shirt up from the waistband of her jeans with one hand. He brought the other up to stroke the soft skin on her face.

He wanted inside her. Widening his stance, he bent his knees to gain further contact. He held her close. His tongue dipped between the valley of her breasts.

This is what he missed, the surge of adrenaline overtaking his body when he touched her.

He groaned and assualted her mouth for a second time. He pressed his fully aroused state to her.

Brandi gasped.

Dex kissed her eyes, her neck, her mouth. He tilted her backward in his arms when he wanted to lay her down in the grassy field and rip every last shred of material from their bodies, ridding the barriers.

Her hands pushed at his chest. He let go. She tore her mouth from his and pressed the back of her hand to her lips.

"This is wrong. Too much has happened."

"What's happened? Tell me, damn it."

She remained silent.

"One of these days, you're going to have to stop running."
"Yep, sure." Her head moved negatively. "I have things to do at the house." She crossed to her horse.

Needing space of his own, Dex dropped the subject. " What about the fence?"

"You're the one who was hell-bent on fixing it yourself, so go for it, cowboy. By the looks of it, you could use the time alone." Her eyes fell to the strain on his zipper.

RELEASE DATE

My first story in The Double M Ranch - MAD ABOUT MADDIE is being released tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST at Liquidsilverbooks.com Then if you have minute tomorrow stop by Liquidsilverbook.com SEx blog for my "Morning After" blog.

Six Sentence Friday

(For some reason this would not post yesterday. Please forgive my computer for the delay)

Here is the last six sentences from Mad About Maddie before it is released.

He shifted her close to his side. He'd made love to women many times. Why did this one touch his soul? His heart hammered in his chest. He knew why, yet anything beyond caring at this point, he denied. And to think, he called her a coward.

Six Sentences on Friday

For the next two Fridays -until it is released- I will post six more sentences from MAD ABOUT MADDIE.

In an instant everything changed. The events became a blur. Someone called her name. The stallion neighed again. His ears flattened. His head went down and he charged forward.

"Six Sentences" on the rise.

Okay so I have been hearing a lot about authors posting six sentences of their work, published, unconsideration, and even their WIPs. So I thought I would give it a try. Here is six sentences of MAD ABOUT MADDIE. Feel free to post comments and your own six sentences.

Maddie reached up to grab a mug out of the cupboard and flinched when Jake cleared his throat. She spun around and dropped the cup she held in her hand. Glass shattered over the wooden floor. She froze, her sights glued to his chest. Even without clothes, he perfected the image of cowboy all the way down to his towel-covered waist, and the happy trail of hair holding secrets beneath them. Her brain ceased to function.

RELEASE DATE

For all who are interested and all of you that have asked, I just received an email today with the release date for MAD ABOUT MADDIE. Drum roll please............. (LOL) July 18 (Monday after 7pm EST) Liquidsilverbooks.com

HOLDING ON

Finishing up edits on the second installment of THE DOUBLE M RANCH series. Here is the blurb.

BLURB:
Brandi McNeal has gotten herself into a speck of a mess. Not only did she keep the birth of her bababy a secret, but she also gave permission to hold a benefit rodeo at The Double M Ranch. A ranch she doesn't own. Upon her arrival home she's taken back by the knowledge that the one man who stole her heart, adn unknowingly fathered her daughter, still sets her body on fire with a mere touch. She's even more shaken to learn that he is also part-owner of The Double M Ranch. She needs his consent. She needs his touch. And in between his caresses, she needs to find a way to tell him about the baby she's kept a secret.

Dex Walczok has all he wants out of life. Or so he thinks, until Brandi enters his life again. He quickly finds himself struggling with the lies she's spinning adn his own desires for her. He can't stop touching her and is unable to ease the flames of passion that burn hot whenever she's near. However, his world is turned upsdie down when Brandi devastates him with the news that she's had a baby. His baby...

MAD ABOUT MADDIE -Excerpt

Here is the excerpt;

“I’ll get us a couple of towels,” she called over her shoulder as she hurried down the hall. She placed her bow in the back room. The closet door creaked when she opened it to extract two towels. “Here.” She entered the living room and shoved the fluff pink terry cloth at him. “Will your horse be all right?”
“Yeah. He knows the way back.” Jake removed his hat. He dried his neck and blotted the water from his shirt.
She squeezed the back of her hair in the towel. She was crazy for inviting him in. Her brain must have gone on vacation without her permission. Sitting out the rain by herself versus being confined with Jake. The storm may have deemed lesser of the two evils.
“I’m going to change.” She retreated to her bedroom without a second glance in his direction. She crossed the burgundy carpet to her mirrored dresser. Making quick work of it, she discarded her clothes, dried off, and put on a gray t-shirt with matching sweat pants that she'd cut into shorts. She picked up a comb and ran it through her hair when a knock sounded on her door.
“Yes?” She opened the wooden divider.
“Dex called. He’s worried the road to your cabin may get washed out and asked if I'd stick around to make sure you were okay.” His eyes roamed over her now dry body.
She sighed. “Your horse made it back?”
“Yeah. Dex spotted him coming in while we were on the phone. Anyway, it’s not supposed to clear up for a few hours.” His eyes traveled behind her to her bed.
Maddie shifted to block his inspection.
“Wonderful.” She punctuated the statement with a sneeze.
“Hey, you're the one who invited me in. Otherwise, I'd be back at the ranch.” He peered down at her, looking ready to devour her. “Why did you ask me to come in?"
Maddie shrugged. "Insanity."
"I don’t think so." He chuckled.
"Honestly," she gave him a fleeting look and lowered her head. "I don't know."
Jake lifted her face with a finger under her chin. Her gaze met his. "Nothing wrong with honesty." He smiled. The ice around her heart melted—some.
"You have a clothes dryer in this place?”
She eyed him. “Why?”
“My clothes are soaked.”
Her eyes traveled over him, drinking in every nuance. The black T-shirt he wore plastered to his chest—along with her gaze, which she didn’t have the power to remove. He planned to parade around her cabin-gulp-half naked.
“What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t suppose you have any men’s pants lyin’ around?” One side of his mouth twitched upward.
“No.” She bit her lip and slid her gaze away.
“I bet you wouldn’t be too happy if I marched around in my birthday suit?”
Her gaze jerked to his hazel eyes, twinkling with laughter. “No.”
“A bigger towel?” He handed her the one she gave him earlier.
Maddie examined it then his waist. The small cloth shrunk before her eyes. He needed more material. “Follow me.”
She contemplated sending him out in the storm, but if he came down with pneumonia, she'd feel horrible. Plus this would be the first storm since she moved into the cabin. She didn’t really want to be alone.
She opened the closet door and searched for the biggest terry cloth she owned before leading him to the laundry room behind the kitchen.
“Are all your towels pink?” He raised a brow in question.
“Does it threaten your masculinity?" She smiled.
“Nothing’s capable of that.” He puffed up his chest.
Maddie licked her lips as the material strained, outlining the contour of his muscles. She gave a nervous laugh and shut the door to give him privacy. She braced herself against the wood, closed her eyes tight, trying not to think of him undressing in the next room.

GUEST AUTHOR RHONDA PRINT

Today we have paranormal author Rhonda Print visiting my blog to talk about her second novel THE ORDER OF CHAOS. Tell us a little about your book.

The Order of Chaos is the sequel to Nightwalker, A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel. It is currently under consideration with the publisher. *fingers crossed*

Blurb:

One man possessed her heart. The other possessed her soul.

Both had betrayed her.

Leah Wolfe, a federal agent for SINS, Supernatural Investigations of Non-Human Species is determined to move on with her life and master her own gifts, including the ability to speak to the souls of the dead. Her ex-fiancé, Joaquin Wildhorse, was unable to accept her gifts and gave himself to another. Ian Nightwalker was more than willing to soothe her broken heart and use her abilities to seek vengeance on his enemies.

With a prominent member of The Marquis, the vampire ruling council, intent of coming to Leah’s hometown, the threat of Chaos touching everyone she loves brings her down a path that leads to Joaquin and Ian once again.

Is she willing to risk her heart again to save the small desert town she loves?

Good Luck with THE ORDER OF CHAOS! My fingers are crossed. Keep us updated.

Where were you when you got your first book contract? Who did you tell?

I was at home. I told my husband first. Then I told anyone who would listen!

Do you have any tips for new writers?

Write what you love. Let your passion shine through in your writing and have fun with it!

Where can your readers reach you?

I love to hear from readers and can be found at www.RhondaLPrint.com or my blog at www.RhondaPrint.Blogspot.com

Are you working on another book?

Actually, I’m working on three. I am working on the yet untitled third book to Nightwalker, A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel and a short paranormal story as well. I am also polishing up a mystery-romance tentatively titled Forget-Me-Not.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

Here is an unedited excerpt from The Order of Chaos.

He turned me around and melted me with a look that skimmed me from the top of my head to the toes of the stiletto heels that I still wore. I started to kick the shoes off but he stopped me. “Leave those on.” His voice grew deeper, sultry.
I did a little spin that would make any runway model proud. He grabbed me and tossed me onto the bed while we laughed. “Yes, definitely keep the shoes on.”
“You owe me.” I reminded him.
He stripped off my jeans and flipped me onto my stomach. He began caressing my neck, my shoulders, then further south; alternating between gentle sweeps of his hands and a firmer kneading motion that sprang Goosebumps from my body. I felt the bra strap come undone before his hands slid to the flimsy piece of elastic of my panties. His fingers trailed them down my legs until he removed them completely. Then those magic fingers began caressing their way up my legs, teasing the tender skin on the back of my knees and inner thighs. I heard the Velcro of my holster tear away and felt the weight of my pistol lift off my waist.

“Nightstand.” He murmured knowing that I felt more secure if I knew where my weapons were.

Then his mouth blazed molten lava on my thighs and I forgot all about weapons.

What do you do to get in the mood to write?

I’m always working out a plot line or coming up with new scenes. There’s always some storyline floating through my brain. LOL

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

Nightwalker, A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel was my first published novel. It’s available at www.LiquidSilverBooks.com , www.Amazon.com and www.Fictionwise.com . The Order of Chaos is the sequel to Nightwalker, although they are written so that you can read them separately. I’ve completed a mystery-romance as well.

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

The characters take the lead.

Do your characters talk to you?

Obsessively! Getting them quiet long enough for me to get some sleep is the trick! LOL

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Definitely the characters and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Thank you for sharing with us today. I will definitely put your NIGHTWALKER series on my TBR list.

GUEST AUTHOR RHONDA PRINT

Stop by tomorrow and visit with paranormal author RHONDA PRINT!!

INTERVIEW

My interview is up at Rhondaprint.blogspot.com. Stop by and take a look. While you're there check out Rhonda's novel NIGHTWALKER.

BLOG- MAD ABOUT MADDIE

On Wednesday May 4th I will be talking about my book MAD ABOUT MADDIE -Liquid silver books - on paranormal romance author Rhonda Print's blog site. Come check out my interview at http://rhondaprint.blogspot.com

Mad About Maddie - Blurb

I do not have a release date for MAD ABOUT MADDIE as of yet. I will post it as soon as I do. In the meantime here is a blurb of the book. You can also go to Liquidsilverbooks.com to view the excerpt. Click on the coming soon tab.

Blurb;

Madison Preston wants nothing to do with the opposite sex. She only wants to do her job, but finds it hard to concentrate when a certain cowboy won’t stay out of her way. Even her strong tongue-lashings do nothing more than encourage his sexual innuendoes.

All his life Jake Dutson wanted to take in and train abused horses. He has also wanted a place to call home, but being on his own since the tender age of sixteen he's never had that luxury, until now. He's determined to buy a house. He needs the land. What he doesn’t need is an entanglement with a woman who has a tongue as sharp as a razor and doesn't mind using it.

It's going to take a special man to help Maddie overcome her fears of intimacy and abuse. Especially when that man is a hot-blooded, sex-driven cowboy and his very being is dependent upon male-female relations. However that is exactly what Jake does, until, that is, she finds him in the arms of another woman.

Believing he isn't interested in long term relationships, Jake's world is rocked when he discovers the only place he finds home is in Madison's arms. Now he only has to convince Maddie their love is worth the ride.

Coming Soon

Well after years and years of writing, editing, deleting, and rewriting, I am finally going to be a published author. My ranch series - The Double M Ranch - MAD ABOUT MADDIE, and HOLDING ON will be epublished with Liquid Silver Books. I sent in the questionaire for the cover art -Yay! Editing should begin for Mad About Maddie in a few weeks. I will be sure to post the release date and cover art when they are available.