As you know, I'm a member of InkHeart Authors and I absolutely ADORE them. They are some of the most gracious, generous, and down-to-earth authors you'll ever meet. And their romances are to-die-for!
That said, I wanted to give back to them for all they've given me. So, in the next few months, I'll be featuring a couple of them at a time. Trust me, these authors are definitely worth reading! (And yes, that is a personal recommendation as I've read many of their books since joining them.)
Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He's Mine, Playing With Her Heart, Trophy Husband, Far Too Tempting, The Thrill of It, and Every Second With You, Night After Night and After This Night. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.
Find Lauren Blakely at:
Caught Up In Her
A sweet romance so perfect it could have been scripted by Hollywood. But can a first love survive past the first summer?
I'm not going to say it was love at first sight when I met her. I don't believe in that. Because love isn't about falling for someone's looks. Though she was beautiful in every single way, from her dark, wavy hair to her gorgeous brown eyes, to the soft curves of her body. But that's not why I fell so hard for her that summer. She took my breath away for reasons that had nothing to do with her looks. It was the the movies, the conversations, the walks through the small town, the nights on the beach with the waves rolling in, the way I could hold her hand and feel as if the world had simply melted away and we were all that was left. So, there was no love-at-first-sight. That would come later, and if it happened first it would take away all the reasons that stayed with me for the next five years. Even though you're not supposed to fall for your best friend's little sister. But that didn't stop me...
Caught Up in Her is a prequel novella in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Caught Up in Love series.
THE CAUGHT UP IN LOVE SERIES:
BOOK 0.5: CAUGHT UP IN HER (Bryan & Kat's story begins)
BOOK 1: CAUGHT UP IN US (Bryan & Kat's story continues)
BOOK 2: PRETENDING HE'S MINE (Reeve & Sutton's story)
BOOK 3: TROPHY HUSBAND (Chris & McKenna's story)
BOOK 4: PLAYING WITH HER HEART (Davis & Jill's story)
BOOK 5: STARS IN THEIR EYES (William & Jess' story - October 2014 release)
Caught Up in Love Spin-off: FAR TOO TEMPTING (Jane & Matthew)
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I’ve been writing in one form or another since elementary school but although I always knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, instead I earned university degrees in Marketing and Psychology and writing got put on the back burner. After my twins were born I was buried in diaper changes, middle of the night feedings and mountains of laundry—obviously it was the logical time to start writing again. I guess it took me while to grow up.
I turned to non-fiction and became a regular contributor to local parenting magazines, published in four Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, and a compilation by Seal Press. It wasn’t until 2005 that I tried my hand at writing fiction and wrote my first novel. It’s buried on my hard drive where it should be, and ever since I just keep writing more.
Like a lot of my readers, I’m a busy mom. It often feels like life is pulling us in a million different directions, which is why I love to write romance!
There’s nothing better than knowing you have an escape waiting for you at the end of a long day in the form of a good book.
I’m lucky enough to live in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the foothills of Alberta, where I can write the stories I love. Whenever I get the chance, I escape into those amazing mountains and I can usually be found sitting with my feet in the lake, working on my next book.
As well as contemporary romance novels, I also like to write women’s fiction and my collection of stand alone novels are all part of the Escape Collection. I’m always trying something new, so stay tuned to see what’s next!
Find Elena Aitken at:
Tempting Gifts
Working in the children’s club at the Lodge, reputation is important which is why Lisa Gibbs is tired of the party boys only looking for a one-night stand. She’s serious about her life and career, and she won’t let anything—or anyone—get in the way of that.
Jason Porter will do anything to make his twin sister and his favorite nephew happy. Including attending a dreaded family reunion at the Lodge. But hanging out in the mountains has its perks—like the beautiful woman in charge of the kids club.
And flirting’s safe, because the last thing he wants is a relationship.
And the last thing Lisa wants is any sort of attention from Jason—no matter how funny and handsome he is—especially if it could cost her the job she loves.
But when their concern for the little boy they both care about, forces the two of them together, will they let their walls down long enough to see that what they’ve both been avoiding, may be the one thing that saves them?
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I’ve been reading and writing for as long as I can remember. When I was 3 ½, even though I wasn’t quite clear yet on my alphabet, I decided there were never enough adults around to read to me and demanded to be taught to read myself. My Auntie Mo took the time to teach me. At age eight, I volunteered for summer school so I could take a creative writing class. My friends thought I was crazy; all they wanted to do was climb trees, go roller skating, swim. But I knew even then that what I was doing was even better.
I wrote my first novel at age twelve with a good friend who is also still writing, as far as I know. At a sleepover at her house, instead of sleeping, we stayed up all night crafting a rather horrible romance novel. Hopefully I’ve improved since then, and I now have enough sense to sleep at night and write during the day. Usually.
I didn’t get serious about my writing until the summer of 2000. I went into it writing romance novels, since that was what I thought I could sell, but eventually I returned to what I truly love: writing erotica, and eventually blended erotica and romance in many of my books. It’s been a difficult and wondrous journey, learning about the craft and business of writing, but well worth it. And now, here I am, doing what I love.
Fortunately, someone other than myself loves my work, too. I write for Bantam/Delta, Berkley Heat (as both Eden Bradley and Eve Berlin), HQN and Harlequin Spice, and Samhain Publishing, and I have a few self-published novellas out, as well. Sometimes it’s a struggle, but mostly it’s wonderful and exhilarating. I also love to cook, eat, go to the beach, hang out with friends, shop – especially for shoes – and read everything I can get my hands on. I’m fascinated by art, tattoos, and what goes on inside people’s minds, which is what I love to explore in my books. I’m dying to travel more, and would love to spend a few months at an Italian villa, cruising the Greek islands, or exploring Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, I get to write, and someone actually reads my books, which is a pretty good life!
Find Eden Bradley at:
Pleasure Point
The island always knows what you need…
Miranda lives in paradise— the exclusive Eden resort, the ultimate in fantasy retreats.
Roan, the resort’s dungeon consultant, lives part-time on the island and full-time in the past.
When the sexy Dominant and the sultry pastry chef both receive one of the island’s mysterious invitations they spend a sizzling week together in the dungeon suite. They’re left breathless, wanting more… and hopelessly falling.
Both have been scarred by loss, both have created a nearly impenetrable shell. The intensity and intimacy of kink might be the perfect recipe to open Miranda’s heart again. But can the man who fulfills her every secret desire ever give her what she needs the most?
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Connect With Us At:
I think all of your stories sound great, Lauren, Elena and Eden.
ReplyDeleteElena, I believe you're the one who lives in Canada and goes to the mountains to write. My best friend from high school married a Canadian and lives in Calgary, Alberta. She's a transplant from Kansas and she loves the mountains near her.
It was so nice getting to know all of you. Thank you for visiting Romance Books '4' Us, and thanks to Renee for bringing you to us.
Thanks Sandy for your sweet comment. And I love Elena's books set in the mountains! Whenever I head out west, I just want to stay there. Mountains are some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world!
ReplyDeleteGreat to *meet* all you ladies! And thank you, Renee, for introducing them to us... ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Renee! Seems my tbr list grew today. Thanks for sharing these authors with us today!
ReplyDeleteLynda: so glad you could meet these awesome ladies! Thanks for dropping by today!
ReplyDeleteKrista: I so appreciate you stopping by and taking a moment to visit with us. I promise you won't be disappointed with any of these books being on your TBR list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great book suggestions. I can see my TBR pile is going to get even higher!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me on today-and in such wonderful company! I always love to meet new readers-and to see those I already know, of course!
ReplyDeleteI have another book out today-my erotic and romantic vampire book, ROGUE-I hope some of you will drop by my group blog, Smutketeers.com for my excerpts & giveaway!
~Eden :)
Deborah: I feel your pain. When I started hanging with these ladies, my TBR list took a HUGE leap from colossal to gargantuan!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Happy release day Eden!!! LOVE the title of that book! Heading right now to Smutketeers to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the introduction to these authors and thier books. I've added some books to the tbr pile!
ReplyDeleteGreat book suggestions I definitely need to add to my TBR list. The trick is actually getting a chance to read! :) Promising myself I am going to read more... Of course, my fellow writers know how hard that is with looming deadlines as a way of life! Congrats to you all!
ReplyDeleteConstance, you rock! Thanks for visiting with me this evening! Happy reading to you and best wishes on getting that TBR list smaller. Ha! Like that will ever happen LOL
ReplyDeleteJC, you are such a doll for dropping your writing to come to RB4U today. I cannot thank you enough for paying me a visit. I cannot wait to read your next book! UGH, there goes my TBR list again LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee for sharing all these wonderful authors. :) I got to meet Eden last year at WWW. All the best ladies!
ReplyDeleteNice getting to know all of them. Renee, that's a great column..
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Now I have more to add to my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteAlways great to meet new authors, Renee!
ReplyDeleteMelissa: I've met a few InkHeart Authors in person, like Jayne Rylon, and it will be a weekend I'll never forget! I'm going to be signing with her this weekend at the Queen City Indie Con - can't wait!
ReplyDeleteJean Hart Steward: Thanks so much for that compliment! As always, I love seeing your smiling face each month! Thanks for stopping in.
Jen A: Tell me about it! My TBR list is crazy HUGE!
Amy: Thanks for visiting with me! So nice to see my fellow TMP authors here :-)
Sorry I'm so late to the party! I'm still trying to dig out from my 'post trip pile'.
ReplyDeleteRenee, thank you SO much for featuring me! You are so very sweet!
Sandy, I am indeed lucky enough to live right outside the mountains. I call on them for inspiration all the time. I can imagine your friend would love looking at them (even when they're covered in snow!) ;)