The Secret of Mia Danvers Blog Tour: Interview with Robyn DeHart and Giveaway!

Today I'm very happy to welcome back to Books to Brighten your Mood author Robyn DeHart in celebration of her newest release with Penguin, The Secret of Mia Danvers, the first book in the author's newest Historical Romance series. The Secret of Mia Danvers is a book full of mystery and of course, romance! So let's welcome Robyn and don't forget to check at the end of the post for the contest details. 

- Hello Robyn and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood. Could you please tell us a bit more about your newest release, The Secrets of Mia Danvers?

Thanks so much for having me! Here’s the blurb I used in my synopsis:

In the fall of 1888 a murderer terrorized the Whitechapel area in London, horribly mutilating prostitutes and leaving their blood-drenched bodies out to be found, taunting the police and paralyzing the poverty-stricken people with fear. In taunting letters to the police and the newspapers, he called himself Jack the Ripper. Then as quickly as he appeared, he vanished from the news, his reign of terror apparently at an end. Six months later another girl's body was found, but this time in prestigious Mayfair, and this time there was a witness.

- Your heroine Mia has lost her sight at a really young age. Where there any challenges you encountered while writing this novel because of that fact?

Oh yes, so many challenges. I don’t think I ever realized how much of a visual writer I am. But writing in Mia’s point of view I was forced to “see” the scenes through her other senses. It was a fascinating journey, but quite difficult too. It was also very important to me that Mia not be bitter or feel the victim, I wanted her to be a strong woman who had made her way in the world in spite of or perhaps because of her “disability.”

- What is that certain quality that made Alex fall in love with Mia?

I think it was definitely her resourcefulness and the fact that she doesn’t question her ability to do things.

- Could you please give us a short physical description of your two main characters, Mia and Alex?
 
I can do better than that! I can share the pictures I used as my inspiration. It’s very important to me that before I start writing a book I find what I call the character’s “essence” in a picture, it’s not the actor/actress, but the specific image that really speaks to me. So here are Mia and Alex.

- What are your future plans? What should we expect from you after The

Secrets of Mia Danvers?

Well, the Dangerous Liaisons series is planned as a trilogy, but the third book hasn’t yet been contracted so for now you can expect the sequel to Mia Danvers in November, The Temptations of Anna Jacobs.

Before that, in August, you’ll see the 3rd book in my Forbidden Love trilogy, A Little Bit Scandalous, it follows A Little Bit Wicked and A Little Bit Sinful. And I have even more books contracted for 2014!

- Is there any author who influenced your work?

Of course! I was a reader first and I think my work has been influenced most by Amanda Quick. It wasn’t intentional, but I don’t seem to be able to write an historical romance without subplots, so I’ll stick with the suspense and adventure and hope readers will go along with me.

- When not reading or writing how do you like spending your free time?

Well, I’m a mom to two little girls (currently 2 & 4) and they keep me very busy. So in the midst of potty training and dealing with tantrums, I write to get my pages done. Then every once in a blue moon, I find some reading time.  I also love to hang out with my husband, we do most of our together time in front of the TV these days, but there are worst ways to spend time than snuggling on the couch watching Person of Interest.

- What’s your guilty pleasure?

Well, speaking of watching TV with my hubby, we are totally hooked on Pretty Little Liars. It’s inexplicable, really because the show is full of unlikeable characters and convoluted plot twists, yet we can’t seem to look away.

- What is your favorite genre to read and could you please share with us some of your favorite novels?

My first love will always be historical romance and I’ll read anything that Suzanne Enoch, Teresa Medeiros and Amanda Quick write, they’re my go-to authors when I want to sink into a great historical. But I read a lot of romantic suspense; I like gritty police procedurals like the JD Robb books and Allison Brennan’s first several trilogies. I also like some urban fantasy, Jim Butcher and Kalayna Price. And I think I might need a 12-step program for Kristan Higgins’ books…

- Which place in the world are you dying to visit?

Oh man, I’d be happy at the Embassy Suites in my hometown at the moment. Mommy could use a break! But I don’t guess that’s what you’re asking. I love the beach more than any place else on earth, it’s the place that centers me the most, the waves, the sand…. That being said I’ve only been to England once and it was before I started writing seriously and I would so love to go back now that I know what I write. It would be a totally different experience.

- Thank you Robyn for stopping by today!

Thanks again for having me!

About Robyn:

A life-long love of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ's and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn't be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is an award-winning author as well as being a four-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee, and a three-time RomCon Reader's Crown nominee. Robyn lives in Texas with her brainy husband, two precocious little girls and two spoiled cats. You can find Robyn on-line at her website or at one of her group blogs, the Jaunty Quills or Peanut Butter on the Keyboard.

Visit Robyn

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

About the Book

Title: The Secret of Mia Danvers
Author: Robyn DeHart
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June 18th 2013
Publisher: Intermix
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

A lone witness finds her protector…

Since losing her sight in a childhood accident, Mia Danvers has resided in a small cottage on the vast Carrington estate. Thought to be dead, Mia lives a life of virtual seclusion—until one night, while walking home, she happens upon a horrendous crime.

Alex Foster, Eighth Duke of Carrington, lives according to society’s expectations for him. He’s never met the woman who lives in the cottage at the edge of his property. But when she arrives at his door in the pouring rain terrified and claiming she has witnessed a murder, she seizes his attention.

Mia is determined to help the authorities track down the culprit, even though the only person willing to accept her aid is the handsome, arrogant duke. Working closely together proves difficult as Mia’s beauty and independence tempts Alex to ignore convention and follow his desire. But what neither of them know is that this murderer has struck before in Whitechapel, taunting the British press only to vanish—a ruthless killer who knows that Mia is the only living witness to his crime…

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robyn DeHart will be giving away winner's choice of the following: Amazon Paperwhite, Nook Glow or a $120 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Open to US residents only.

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Against the Wall Blog Tour: Interview with Rebecca Zanetti + Giveaways!

Today I'm very excited to be the next stop of Against the Wall Blog Tour by Rebecca Zanetti! Against the Wall is the first book in a new and exciting series by Rebecca with Entangled Publishing and in celebration of its release the author stops by today to answer a few of my questions and introduce to us all her new story! So, let's welcome Rebecca and don't forget to check at the end of the post for the contests details and you can also check here for the full Blog Tour schedule :)

Rebecca: Thanks so much to the Books to Brighten your Mood gang for having me over today! I’m so happy to be here!

Anna: Hello Rebecca and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood! I'm very happy for having you here today! Could you please tell us a bit about your newest release with Entangled, Against the Wall?

Rebecca: Against the Wall is about a sexy lawyer named Jake Lodge whose job it is to stop a golf course development in his Montana home town. He’s instantly captured by golf course designer, Sophie Smith, whose job it is to push the golf course through. Well, there’s a bit of tension that leads to the bedroom…and hopefully beyond.

Anna: What are your plans for the future, what should we expect from you

after Against the Wall?

Rebecca: Jake has a couple of brothers and a sister, and I’d like to give them each a story. Quinn Lodge is the sheriff in town, and every instinct he owns tells him that pretty Juliet Montgomery, the local art dealer, is in some sort of trouble. She is and has to fight her attraction to the hot sheriff, but, well, that turns out to be impossible. Their story is called UNDER THE COVERS, and it’ll be released in May.

Anna: Opposites attract according to the law of physics! Is that union explosive or something that can't be helped according to your opinion?

Rebecca: Great question! As far as I’m concerned, the more explosive, the better. In physics, the things that attract electrically have charges with opposite signs, positive and negative. In romance, it’s the different energies and lives of the characters that both push and pull people together. When they finally collide…wowza!

Anna: Could you please give us a short physical description of your two main characters, Jake and Sophie?

Rebecca: I think I’ll let the characters show you how they see each other:

Jake’s first take on Sophie:

Sophie’s vanilla scent still wrapped around him. His hands itched with the desire to haul her back on the horse, but he contented himself with studying her head to toe. Sunlight turned her mass of shoulder-length curls to shiny wheat, the color both sweet and sassy. God, she was beautiful. Maybe not in the conventional movie-star way, more like a fierce “I’m going to knock you on your ass” way. He’d fought in combat, and he’d seen courage. The woman had shown bravery and brains when she’d faced him and settled her stance to fight. An irresistible combination.

Sophie’s take on Jake:

The scent of man tempted her much more than the flowers.

A long-sleeved black T-shirt emphasized strength and muscle, while faded jeans hung low on tight hips over his long legs. Black cowboy boots crossed negligently at the ankle, and he’d tied his dark hair back at the nape, throwing the sharp angles of his face into stark relief. Black eyes reflected humor and determination in equal parts as he held firm. The panoramic window behind him framed rugged mountains and a placid lake in gentle stillness.

The wildness outside only enhanced his.

Thank you so much for having me here today! Let me ask this: Do you think opposites attract? If so, why?

Anna: Thank you Rebecca for being here today :)

About Rebecca Zanetti

USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day--or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Visit Rebecca

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

About the Book
Title: Against the Wall (Maverick Montana, #1)
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 287
Release Date: March 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62266-790-1
Imprint: Brazen
Purchase at: Amazon, B&N, iBookStore, Kobo

Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jack Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAYS~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway 1: Rebecca is generously offering an Against the Wall coffee mug and spiral notebook to one lucky winner. Giveaway ends April 28th and is open to US/Canada residents.

~Guidelines~

~ The contest is open to US/Canada residents.
~ You must be 13 years old or over to participate.
~ The winner will be chosen via Random.org
~ The prize is submitted by the author and I have no responsibility whatsoever over it.
~ The contest will be open until April 28th.
~ The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to confirm his/her e-mail address before a new winner is selected.

~Fill the form below to enter ~


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Giveaway 2: In celebration of the release of Against the Wall, Rebecca is hosting a Tour Wide giveaway as well where the winner will have the choice of winning either a Kindle Fire HD or a $199 Amazon Gift Card. Just fill the form below to enter!

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Private Practice Blog Tour: Interview with Samanthe Beck + Giveaway!

Today I'm very excited to be the next stop in the Private Practice Blog Tour! Private Practice is the debut novel for Samanthe Beck with Entangled Publishing and it's the story of a smart doctor who falls in love with the man who teaches her how to seduce the man of her dreams! I don't know about you but I just can't resist those stories :)
Samanthe stops by today to talk all about Private Practice and answer a couple more of my questions! So, let's give her a warm welcoming and don't forget to check at the end of the post for the giveaway details :)

Anna: Hello Samanthe and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood! Could you please tell us a bit more about your newest release with Entangled, Private Practice?

Samanthe: Thanks for having me! Books to Brighten your Mood is the perfect place to talk about Private Practice, because that’s why I wrote it—to brighten a reader’s mood, give her a giggle or two and deliver the all-important happily-ever-after. Private Practice is my debut novel and I’m thrilled “my first time” was with Entangled’s Brazen line. I definitely can’t wait to do it again! To give you the cocktail napkin summary of the story…Dr. Ellie Swann returns to her tiny hometown of Bluelick, KY to open her general practice, but, before the ink dries on her “The Doctor Is In” sign, she learns the object of her secret—and completely unrequited—adoration, Roger Reynolds is newly single. According to his ex-fiancé, Melody, he’s in the market for a wild, sexually adventurous woman. Ellie’s wondering how she can turn herself into his perfect sexy soul-mate when local bad-boy Tyler Longfoot shows up on her doorstep at 2:00 a.m. with a jealous drunk’s bullet in his butt and a question on his lips. What can he do to convince her not to report the incident to the authorities? Tyler’s a walking, talking wealth of sexual know-how. All of the sudden, Ellie’s ready to negotiate the price of her silence!

Anna: Tyler is obviously a really bad boy! What’s that certain appeal that makes bad boys so irresistible to everyone, proper and good girls included?

Samanthe: One of the best parts about writing “Private Practice” was the chance to get up-close-and-personal with Tyler! He’s six-foot, two inches of Harley-riding, hell-raising naughtiness, and just the right man to show Type-A Ellie how to unleash her inner wild woman. I think that’s a big part of the bad boy appeal…they give us the chance to let our bad girl out to play.

Anna: Could you please give us a short physical description of your two main heroes, Tyler and Ellie?

Samanthe: Tyler’s tall, dark and dangerously sexy, with flashing green eyes that leave a girl with no mistake about his intentions and a wicked smile that makes her wish he’d hurry!

Ellie describes herself as a short, brown haired, brown-eyed former nerd. Tyler, on the other hand, has this to say when he sees her for the first time in ten years: The crazy cap of frizzy ringlets she’d never quite tamed as a kid had turned into a tumble of smooth, ebony waves. Pert features and dimpled cheeks had matured and refined, so the grown-up version delivered a one-two punch of sweet and sexy. Back in the day, she’d worn glasses so thick she could see into next week, but now, only big, brown Bambi eyes blinked up at him. And that mouth. Even bare, it looked soft and ripe and kissable.

Anna: If Private Practice would become a movie who will be your top choices to play Ellie, Roger and Tyler?

Samanthe: I think people expect me to cast Rachel Bilson as Ellie, because of the whole small-town doctor, Hart of Dixie angle, and I love her, but the actress in my head when I wrote the story was Mila Kunis.

I had a harder time finding a real life Tyler. Honestly, the guy on the book cover worked for me. Let’s say a buffed-up, green-eyed Ben Barnes.

In my mind, Roger was a young Paul Walker…blond, blue-eyed, impossibly good looking.

Anna:  Roger is Ellie’s dream man but she is tempted by Tyler when she tries her best to get what she wants, which is Roger. I was wondering how easy is it in your opinion to fall in love with the image you have created of a man rather than the real man.

Samanthe: I think the whole “dream guy/girl” phenomenon accounts for why we love celebrities. We don’t really know them—we connect with the image they project. We fall for a pretty container and a persona we invent for them based on very limited exposure to the person. Is it really love? No. Of course not, (though, if you’re reading this, Matthew McConaughey, yes…it’s really love).

Anna: Tyler teaches Ellie how to seduce the guy of her dreams. How difficult is for the “teacher” to fall for his “student”?

Samanthe: It takes Tyler some time to sort out lust from deeper emotions, but he knows something feels different with Ellie pretty early on. He enjoys her as much outside of the bedroom as he does in it. He likes messing with her—taking her carefully laid lessons plans and just effing them all the hell up—because she’s fun to play with. But Ellie triggers some serious feelings too. She has a difficult relationship with her dad, which brings out Tyler’s empathy as well as a boat-load of protective instincts, and that’s new for him. She holds back the real reason for their “lessons,” but he figures from the get-go she’s building her bedroom repertoire in order to impress someone. Before long he’s jealous of this mystery man, which is also a new experience for him.

Anna: What are your future plans? What should we expect from you after Private Practice? 

Samanthe: I’m like pre-schooler-at-the-petting-zoo excited-slash-terrified to announce I have a new Brazen coming out in April, called Lover Undercover! (Pointless anxiety is part of my charm).

Anna: Is there any author who influenced your work?

So many! Could I be the love child of Nora Roberts and Jill Shalvis--the one neither one of them ever talks about? I’ve read and loved all the other Brazen authors, including my release-sisters, Christine, “Down & Dirty,” Bell and Tessa, “Protecting What’s His,” Bailey.

Anna: When not writing, how do you like spending your free time?

Samanthe: I’m a beach bum lucky enough to live close to the shore in Southern California. An ideal afternoon involves my husband, our four-year-old son, and sand. Lots of sand. Throw in a (sand-free) frozen margarita and I’m in heaven.

Anna: Which place in the world are you dying to visit?

Samanthe: I’m such a cold weather wimp, (I know, I know…winter in Los Angeles…wah, wah). I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve been fantasizing about Tahiti lately. My three favorite words: over water bungalow.

Thank you Samanthe for being here today :)

About the Author

Sam was transfixed from an early age with any tale featuring a handsome prince, a great dress, and, of course, the all-important kiss, and eventually aspired to write her own happily-ever-afters. Naturally, she became a lawyer. The legal world heaved a sigh of relief a few years ago when Samanthe retired from law to take the plunge as a writer.

When not living the glamorous life of a romance author (i.e., chained to her computer), Samanthe keeps busy with the care and feeding of her extremely patient prince-charming of a husband, a not-so-patient ball of energy known as their son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe, the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. Their love, support, and willingness to eat Pizza Hut three or more times a week enables Samanthe to pursue her literary dreams.

Visit Samanthe

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

About the Book
Title: Private Practice


Author: Samanthe Beck

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 263

Release Date: February 2013

ISBN: 978-1-62266-788-8

Imprint: Brazen
Buy it at: Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Books on Board

He’ll teach her how to bring a man to his knees…

Dr. Ellie Swan has a plan: open her practice in tiny Bluelick, Kentucky, so she can keep an eye on her diabetic father, and make hometown golden-boy Roger Reynolds fall in love with her. But Ellie has a problem. Roger seeks a skilled, sexually adventurous partner, and bookish Ellie doesn’t qualify.

Tyler Longfoot only cares about three things: shaking his bad boy image, qualifying for the loan his company needs to rehab a piece of Bluelick’s history, and convincing Ellie to keep quiet about the “incident” that lands him on her doorstep at two a.m. with a bullet in his behind.

The adorable Dr. Swan drives a mean bargain, though. If sex-on-a-stick Tyler will teach Ellie how to bring a man to his knees, she’ll forget about the bullet. Armed with The Wild Woman’s Guide to Sex and Tyler’s lessons, Ellie is confident she can become what Roger needs…if she doesn’t fall for Tyler first.

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entangled Publishing is generously offering one e-copy of Private Practice to one lucky winner. Giveaway ends April 21st and it is open internationally.

~Guidelines~

~ The contest is open to all.
~ You must be 13 years old or over to participate.
~ The winner will be chosen via Random.org
~ The prize is submitted by the author and I have no responsibility whatsoever over it.
~ The contest will be open until April 21st.
~ The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to confirm his/her e-mail address before a new winner is selected.

\

~Fill the form below to enter ~

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Protecting What's His Blog Tour: Interview with Tessa Bailey + Giveaway!

Today I'm very excited to be the next stop in the Blog Tour for Tessa Bailey's debut title Protecting What's His! Tessa is stopping by today with a very interesting interview, talking all about her debut novel and everything else! Protecting What's His is an exciting and sexy story and if you have read even a single title from Entangled's imprint Brazen then you know how wickedly sexy those stories usually are :) And of course don't forget to check at the end of the post for the giveaway details. You can also check here for the full Tour schedule for more giveaways and other fun stuff :)


Anna: Hello Tessa and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood! Could you please tell us a bit more about your newest release with Entangled, Protecting What’s His?

Tessa: Sure! Protecting What’s His is about a young, Nashville-born bartender named Ginger who is struggling to care for herself and her seventeen-year-old sister, Willa. She comes home one night after a shift to find her addict/stripper mother passed out on their couch, clutching fifty-thousand dollars. In a fateful decision, she takes it and runs, along with her sister to Chicago where she moves in next-door to Derek, a sharp, sexy, filthy-mouthed homicide lieutenant who is determined to find out what she’s hiding.

Anna: When one asks you to imagine a cop, you immediately have an image of a sexy alpha male, overprotective and ready to rescue his damsel in distress. Is Derek according to that description and if different, why is he so?

Tessa: Derek is absolutely an overprotective, sexy alpha male. Ginger is the only one who has ever awakened these overprotective feelings in him, however. The great thing about Derek is he isn’t just a he-man who breaks down doors – he’s smart - and he’s also working behind the scenes to keep Ginger safe.

Anna:  If Ginger could seduce Derek with a single recipe, what would she choose to serve?

Tessa: Ginger isn’t the best cook, but if she wanted to seduce Derek, she would attempt a steak dinner. He’s a meat and potatoes kind of man. Knowing them, though, they would skip right to dessert ;)

Anna: Could you please give us a short physical description of your two main

heroes, Derek and Ginger? And if Protecting What’s His would become a movie what would be your dream cast?

Tessa: Ginger is a bombshell. She’s got long, chestnut hair, bright hazel/gold eyes and a sprinkling of freckles. I would cast Shelley Hennig to play her. Derek is described in the book as having the body of a bar room brawler. He’s tall and muscular with ruthlessly short, dark brown hair. A lot of people think Alex O’Loughlin from Hawaii 5-0 would be a good choice for him and I agree. For Willa, I’d cast a young Kat Dennings type.

Anna: What are your future plans? What should we expect from you after Protecting What’s His?

Tessa: There are more books coming in the Line of Duty series – hopefully soon. I’ve already finished the next one in which a hot shot hostage negotiator falls for his mentor’s daughter. I also finished a novella (yesterday!) as well that you might see before Line of Duty #2.

Anna:  Is there any author who influenced your work?

Tessa: I think every author I’ve ever read has influenced my work in some way. I’m a big Tara Sivec fan – I would say she has had the biggest influence most recently.

Anna: When not writing, how do you like spending your free time?

Tessa: With my little girl  I try to go to a concert every couple months, just to get out of the house and blow off some steam. I have a wild group of girlfriends who get me out – and usually pretty hung over the next day! Not good when your day starts at six am.

Anna: What is your favorite genre to read and could you share with us some

of your favorite books?

Tessa: I love paranormal romance. I read oodles of Gena Showalter, Kresley Cole, Karen Marie Moning. I’ve read all of their books – their characters are complex and the romance is hot. Most recently, I enjoyed Iced and The Poison Princess. And of course, Jennifer Armentrout’s Lux series.

Anna: Is there a fictional character you really wished he/she was real?

Jericho Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series.

Anna: Which place in the world are you dying to visit?

Tessa: This changes day to day! I’m told Florence is the most beautiful/interesting place in the world – I’d love to go there. However, as I’m currently at the bitter end of New York winter, I would literally settle for being poolside at a cheap motel in Arizona just to get some sun.

Thank you Tessa for stopping by!

About the Author

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn't writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

Visit Tessa

Goodreads ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

About the Book
Title: Protecting What’s His

Author: Tessa Bailey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 273 pages
Release Date: February 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62266-789-5
Imprint: Brazen
Buy it at: Amazon, B&N, Kobo

She’s running from the law, and the law wants her bad.

The opportunity was just too damn delicious for Ginger Peet to pass up. The purse full of money she finds—$50,000 to be exact—could give her and her teen sister the new start they need. So she grabs the cash, her gothy sibling, and their life-sized statue of Dolly Parton, and blows outta Nashville in a cloud of dust. Chicago, here we come...

Turns out, Chicago has some pretty hot cops. Hot, intense, naughty-lookin’ cops like Derek Tyler, who looks like he could eat a girl up and leave her begging for more. And more. Tempting as he is, getting involved with the sexy homicide lieutenant next door poses a teensy problem for a gal who’s on the lam. But one thing is certain—Derek’s onto her, and he wants more than just a taste.

And as far as he’s concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entangled Publishing is generously offering one e-copy of Protecting What's His to one lucky winner. Giveaway ends April 21st and it is open internationally.

~Guidelines~

~ The contest is open to all.
~ You must be 13 years old or over to participate.
~ The winner will be chosen via Random.org
~ The prize is submitted by the author and I have no responsibility whatsoever over it.
~ The contest will be open until April 21st.
~ The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to confirm his/her e-mail address before a new winner is selected.

~Fill the form below to enter ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Playing the Maestro Blog Tour: Interview with Aubrie Dionne + Giveaways!

Today I'm very excited to be the next stop in Playing The Maestro Blog Tour! The author, Aubrie Dionne, stops by today in celebration of her newest release with Entangled Publishing, Playing the Maestro, a contemporary romance title that will amaze you with how incredibly sweet and fresh it is. After all, how many romances have you read that have an undeniably alpha and hot maestro in it? I know I haven't ever! So, be prepared for one unforgettable story!

So, let's welcome Aubrie and don't forget to check at the end of the post for the details of our multiple contests :)

Anna: Hello Aubrie and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood! Could you please tell us a few things about your newest release, Playing the Maestro?

Aubrie: Sure! This is my first contemporary romance! Since I was accustomed to creating my own worlds in sci fi and fantasy, I decided to stick with what I knew for my first real world story. In Playing the Maestro, the flutist falls in love with the conductor of the orchestra, and of course, problems ensue! This is a great story for all of the band geeks out there, or for anyone who’s wanted to play an instrument.

Anna: I read in your bio that you are a professional flutist, and in Playing the Maestro, your heroine, Melody is also a flutist. Apart from the same profession do you have anything else in common with Melody?

Aubrie: Yes, her particular memory of watching Jean Pierre Rampal perform in Symphony Hall is actually a real memory of my own! As a kid in high school I was lucky enough to witness this great performer live. It’s always been a memory I’ve cherished.

Anna: When I read the premise of Playing the Maestro I couldn't help but thinking how fresh it is the fact that your hero is a maestro. In all the contemporary romance titles I read (and they are quite a lot!), that is something I haven't read yet. Did you choose such a setting because of your personal experiences or because of the fact that it is a concept not many stories have explored yet?

Aubrie: It was definitely because of my personal experiences! I had no idea if it would work to make the hero a maestro, but I wanted to try!

Anna: In your story, Wolf is Melody's boss. In your opinion, is work and romance mixing together well?

Aubrie: It depends on the people involved. My husband and I are both musicians, and we’ve worked together numerous times- and are still alive and well!

Anna: If Playing the Maestro would become a movie, what would be your dream cast for Melody and Wolf?

Aubrie: Melody- Anne Hathaway. Wolf- Chris Hemsworth or Michael Fassbender

Anna: What are your plans for future books? After Playing the Maestro what should we expect from you?

Aubrie: I’m just finishing up the sequel, tentatively titled Duets with Michelangelo. The main character in this book is her friend, Carly. When the orchestra goes on a tour of Europe, she falls for the Italian tour guide. Then, she has to decided between her life back in Boston, or his romantic vineyard outside Milan.

Anna: Are there any authors that influenced your work?

Aubrie: I LOVE Patricia McKillip’s beautiful style of writing. I love Tad William’s way of telling a story through multiple viewpoints. I love the subtly in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go.

Anna: What is your favorite genre to read and could you share with us some of your favorite books?

Aubrie: Epic fantasy- all of the dwarves, unicorns, quests, magical amulets, you name it!

Favorite Books:

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams
Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip
A Plague of Angels by Sherri S. Tepper
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Anna: Is there a fictional character you really wished that he/she was real?

Aubrie: Mr. Darcy. Doesn’t everyone?

Anna: Which place in the world are you dying to visit?

Aubrie: Lothlorien, home of the elves in Lord of the Rings!

About Aubrie Dionne:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.

Visit Aubrie

Goodreads ~ Website ~ Twitter

About the book:

Title: Playing the Maestro
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 190 pages
Release Date: February 11th 2013
Imprint: Bliss
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAYS~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway 1: Want to name a character in Aubrie Dionne's next book? Add Playing the Maestro to Goodreads to enter to win!(Giveaway sponsored by the author)

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Giveaway 2: Aubrie Dionne is generously offering a necklace to one lucky winner!Open Internationally. (Giveaway sponsored by the author)

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Giveaway 3: Entangled Publishing is generously offering one e-copy of Playing the Maestro to one lucky winner. Giveaway ends March 24th and it is open internationally.

~Guidelines~

~ The contest is open to all.
~ You must be 13 years old or over to participate.
~ The winner will be chosen via Random.org
~ The prize is submitted by the author and I have no responsibility whatsoever over it.
~ The contest will be open until March 17th.
~ The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to confirm his/her e-mail address before a new winner is selected.

~Fill the form below to enter ~

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Speaking of Love Blog Tour: Interview with Ophelia London + Giveaway!

Today I'm really thrilled to welcome author Ophelia London here at Books to Brighten your Mood as part of her Blog Tour for her newest release with Entangled Publishing, Speaking of Love. Speaking of Love is a sweet contemporary romance (if you've read even a single title from the Bliss imprint by Entangled, you know what I mean!) and the second book in her Perfect Kisses series. Ophelia stops by today to answer a few of my questions and to give you the chance to participate in an amazing giveaway! More details of the giveaway you can find at the end of the post.
So, let's welcome Ophelia!


Anna: Hello Ophelia and welcome to Books to Brighten your Mood! Could you please tell us a few things about your newest release, Speaking of Love?

Ophelia: Thank you! I’m so happy to be here. And sure! “Speaking of Love” is about Mackenzie and Rick, two friends who discover they can’t live without each other while tangled up in a matchmaking scheme. Très bad timing!

Anna: Opposites attract according to the law of physics and reading the summary of Speaking of Love, you do believe in that! Is that union explosive or just something that can’t be helped?

Ophelia: I definitely think that opposites attract. It’s a way of fitting two pieces together to make a perfect, well-rounded whole. With Mac and Rick, they fought against what they thought were insurmountable differences at the beginning, but soon realized that their differences are what make them the perfect match! I had a lot of fun fitting them together.

Anna: Can a man and woman be real friends or do you believe that no matter what they claim, there’s something more going on, at least for one of them?  

Ophelia: Great questions! In real life, yes, I believe men and women can be friends. Hopefully, that is, because I have a lot of male friends whom I feel nothing but friendship for. But I suppose for my hypothesis to be correct, you’d have to ask them. ;) In romance novels, however, the “only friends” set up is the perfect trap for unexpected true love.

Anna: Could you please give us a short physical description of Mac and Rick and if Speaking of Love would become a movie, what would be your dream cast?

Ophelia: Ooh, my favorite part! Mac is a little thing but with a huge personality. She’s got blonde hair, blue eyes and what Rick describes as “the biggest, sexiest mouth.” Rick also has light hair (kind of wavy and rumpled) and blue eyes. Tall, nice shoulders and Mac is rather partial to his butt in Levis. In the movie, Mac would be played by Anna Chlumsky (from “My Girl” all grown up, and “Veep”), and Rick is Arnie Hammer (the studly guy who places the equally studly Winklevoss twins in “Social Network.” Swoooon!)

Anna: Do you plan on writing a new story in the Perfect Kisses series? 

Ophelia: I do. I’m working on a spin-off with Charlie Johansson, that lovable soldier playboy from the first two books. I’m having a blast with it so far.

Anna: What are your future plans? What should we expect from you after Speaking of Love? 

Ophelia: My future involves writing, writing and more writing! The most exciting news is that “Abby Road,” my darling print book, is releasing through Entangled Select on March 26th. I can hardly contain my own squeeing when I talk about it!

Anna: Are there any authors that influenced your work? 

Ophelia: Definitely! So many. Marian Keyes is a big one. She is a wizard at taking deep and sometimes traumatic storylines and adding lightness and humor. I really envy that skill. Her books are amazing!

Anna: When not writing, how do you like spending your free time? 

Ophelia: Well, I just finished watching “Downton Abbey.” *gasp* And I also love to run and shoe shop and gaze through the front window at Sprinkles.

Anna: Could you share with us a couple of your favorite books and/or movies? 

Ophelia: I’m a chick, so I love all things chick-lit and chick-flick. Favorites include Sophie Kinsella’s Shopoholic series, the Twilights (I know, I know…) and of course all things Jane Austen. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is my favorite movie, and I also love “Dear Frankie” (Gerard Butler: major swoon!) and I will always stop down for “Overboard.”

Anna: Which place in the world are you dying to visit? 

Ophelia: I lived in London for a summer while in grad school and have been dying to go back. I’d also love to visit Italy (have you read “The Enchanted April?”) and Scotland. (Did I mention Gerard Butler in “Dear Frankie?”) Shall we plan a girls’ trip? Who’s with me??

About Ophelia London

Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she's lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE... and ABBY ROAD. Visit her at http://ophelia-london.blogspot.com. But don't call when The Vampire Diaries is on.

Visit Ophelia

Website ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

About Speaking of Love

Title: Speaking of Love
Author: Ophelia London
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 230 pages
Release Date:  February 11th 2013
Imprint: Bliss
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Speech teacher and successful matchmaker Mackenzie Simms decides to find a woman for her friend, handsome newspaper tycoon Rick Duffy. Though they’ve been each other’s go-to dates for the past month, Mac and Rick couldn’t be more different: she is outspoken, sarcastic, and completely loathes his privileged lifestyle. He’s laid-back, unassuming, and seems comfortable at an upper-class charity function. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Rick knows he and the opinionated-though-adorable Mackenzie are better off as friends, so he agrees to the double-date getaway Mac plans at his family cabin. But seeing Mac cuddle up with her “friendly” date rankles Rick beyond reason, and Mac regrets her matchmaking scheme the minute she sees the way her beauty-queen cousin looks at Rick. Can Mac ‘fess up to what’s really in her heart, when speaking her mind puts everything at risk?

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entangled Publishing is generously offering an iPod shuffle, an early copy of Abby Road, two swag packs, and two e-books of Speaking of Love. There will be 5 winners in total. (Open Internationally)

~Guidelines~

The giveaway is sponsored by the publisher and I have no responsibility over the prizes or the selection of winners.

~Fill the form below to enter ~

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