Ripped Cover Reveal and A Chance At An Exclusive Giveaway!

Yes, this cover is ripped, but so is the cover model, don't you think? I mean, LOOK at those ABS!

By now, I'm sure you're asking, "Why are you hiding the majority of this hot cover, Renee Vincent?"

Well, I'll tell you.

I'm giving you a sneak peek at what's coming in 2014. One of my award-winning romance novels will be featured in this incredible boxed set called UNFORGETTABLE HEROES from Turquoise Morning Press. I'm among seven other amazing authors whose heroes are sexy, strong, irresistible and yes, you guessed it - UNFORGETTABLE!

But wait! There's more!

I'm gonna give you a chance to win this boxed set FOR FREE. All you have to do is sign up to receive my author newsletter and one lucky person from that entire mailing list will be randomly chosen January 1, 2014. But you have to be a confirmed subscriber to get exclusive access to this giveaway (and all of Renee Vincent's future giveaways!)

Feel free to spread the word about this upcoming release and the contest I'm ONLY offering to my loyal fans! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you've given, and continue to give, to me.

Sign up to receive Renee Vincent's newsletter.
And get EXCLUSIVE access to all my giveaways!I promise to only send out the occasional newsletter pertaining to my new releases, contests, and special announcements.

www.ReneeVincent.com

Interview of Hollie Glover: HKD BOOKS - Author Services

Please welcome Hollie Glover and HKD BOOKS...a service for authors.

BIO:
Have you ever had a dream? We mean one of those ‘impossible’ dreams that you know is out there if you can just reach out far enough? A dream job is the one where you get paid to do what you love. That is how HKD Books was born. But it was a long pregnancy. Before I could start HKD I had to get a degree, so I put on my big girl panties and went to university, studied Media and focused as much as I could on Publishing especially Romance. I even did an Intellectual Property essay, which was used in the Media and Communication department’s yearly digital magazine, Neutral. http://neutralmagazine.com/article/intellectual-property/.

I also conducted an in-depth research project, asking romance readers, what they read and when, what they like or dislike in books and characters, as well as critically analysing a number of romance books from the list of favorite authors listed by the focus group.

Kim, an HKD team member, is finishing her associates degree, in English Literature and Women’s studies and writes under the pen name Gemma K Murray.

Website: http://www.hkdbooks.co.uk/

Q: Describe your job.
A: Our job is to help an author(s) with any part of publishing, that isn’t writing. I don’t have that skill and Kim has her own books to write. But we can help with content editing, line editing, publishing, book covers, and promotional work, for both new books and your back catalog.

Q: What motivated you to get involved in the romance industry?
A: I used to read mainly children’s books, I found that if I had read a book, I could encourage the children, both my-own and the school kids I worked with, to enjoy and find excitement in what they were reading. Then I stopped smoking, and the first rough day my mum pulled her book out of her bag and sent me to read. I was hooked, I owe a lot to that book, Nora Robert’s Northern Lights, from there I found her JD Robb books and from future I found paranormal romance and Keri Arthur. Keri led me straight to Coffee Time Romance, that was October 2007 I’ve been there ever since, first as a moderator, then a reviewer and that’s when I decided I wanted to edit. I was reviewing books, which were good but only need a little work to have made them great, with some it was just a good line edit, so errors didn’t through you out of the story.

Q: Ebooks or print. Do you read both? If you read ebooks, what reader do you have?
A: I have to say both, I have a problem with light sensitivity and I have found the greyscale screen on e-readers helps, so now the books I would buy in print to add to the bookcase still get bought, and I also buy the e-book so I can read it comfortably.

Q: What do you consider the best way for an author to do promos?
A: That depends on the author, everyone is different and it is important to do what you are comfortable with. If you’re a Facebook fan and you hang out there a lot, then Facebook is the place to be. If you are not comfortable there, then a chat/party isn’t going to work, the readers are going to know there is a problem and won’t enjoy the event. It is better to find somewhere you are happy, if you are excited about what you are doing, your readers will be as well.

Q: What’s the one most important thing a reader/author should know about your business?
A: Talk to us, if you want something that isn’t listed on our site, tell us and we will either find a way to do it, or help you find someone who can. We work with three amazing companies, who are all experts in what they do. Between us we have hundreds of contacts and I’m certain there isn’t a problem or service we can’t work out between us. An author recently asked what we could offer on a month by month basis for her back catalog. We now offer a monthly service leaving our author with more time to write, while still maintaining an online presence and exposure for her earlier books.

Q: What are your guidelines for a writer/author to submit a book/manuscript for a review or to sell?
A: This is something we have thought long and hard about, for promotional work we don’t have any restrictions, but for editing work we feel it is important to restrict the books we accept to ones we would love. For example, I don’t read thriller books, ever, I have little knowledge of them and I really don’t enjoy them, I don’t even watch thriller movies. Although we could probably do a technical line edit, we would not be able to offer a constructive content edit, even if I did manage to finish reading it.

With that in mind we ask that you send us a few chapters of your work, we promise not to judge your writing level we just want to make sure we can love your characters. Sometimes a book with needing more development work is more fun to work with, it brings out the teaching assistant in me, I love working with people to develop what they do and seeing them achieve their goals.

Please add anything else you feel is important.
 Contact us at: hkdbooks@gmail.com
We could not offer all we do without our friends and experts, please visit their sites.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com
http://stellaprice.deviantart.com/gallery/5827427
http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.co.uk

Issues? What Issues?

As a reader and a writer, I love social issues. One of my earliest favorite books was Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, which dealt with a sixth grader's search for religion, as well as acceptance from her group of friends. In fact, I loved all of Judy Blume's books as she told stories about young teens dealing with divorce, masturbation/early sexuality, scoliosis, and young love.

I also enjoyed the stories of 'I was A Teenage Alcoholic/Drug Addict/Runaway'. I think I checked the teen alcohol addiction one out of the library so many times, my name was the only one on the entire card.  That isn't the book, but it sounds similar to the one I remember.

I learned to stay away from these pitfalls of the teenage years. And they weren't told in a preachy manner. No; quite the opposite. Sometimes it was rather humorous.

And that's what I've has tried to do in my books; weave the social issues into the story lines in order to show how even good kids can make disastrous choices. Throughout the Arbor University series, young women learn the choices they make can affect their overall outcome in life. Sometimes it's a good change; other times not so good. As one reader put it, as she identified with a particular character, "It's nice to see what my life would have been, had I stayed on track."

As for when I'm writing as Kenzie, I don't consciously add in a social issue; it just happens to sneak in. For instance, I had no idea sexual harassment would rear its ugly head in Teacher's Pet. I had to stop writing for two days and research. In All She Ever Wanted, my expanded chapters suddenly dealt with health department citations. Again, I had to stop and research.

In Wild At Heart, gambling addiction showed up. Off The Clock shows a young woman who's the sole caregiver of her Alzheimer's-stricken mother, and the horrific issue of elder abuse (not the woman, but her brother). 

So my advice to anyone wanting to write about issues, be it political, gay rights, whatever...weave it into the story in such a manner it does not come across preachy. The reader should not even realize they are being educated until after they're finished reading.

Happy Reading:)

A Hardy Wecome to Western Romance Superstar, Bobbi Smith!

It’s my honor to welcome Author Bobbi Smith to Romance Books 4 Us! As an extra surprise, she is giving away a copy of her new book, A Cowboy for Christmas to a random winner commenting on her interview below today or tomorrow.

In the past 28-years, Bobbi Smith has written more than 50-books and 6-novellas, and the love affair has become a sizzling romance between the author and her fans. To date, there are over six million Bobbi Smith novels in print. Bobbi has achieved many career goals.

Bobbi has been awarded the prestigious “Storyteller of the Year” Award from Romantic Times Magazine (New York) and has attained positions on the New York Times Best Seller List, the USA Today Best Seller List, the Walden’s Best Seller List, B. Dalton’s List, and the Wal-Mart and K-Mart Best Seller Lists.

The foreign rights to Ms. Smith’s books have been sold to China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Russia and Sweden. Smith’s current  is publisher Leisure Books, a division of Dorchester, and Kensington is reissuing Bobbi's books from the 1980s.  Bobbi has written two faith-based contemporary novels - Haven and Miracles - using the pseudonym of Julie Marshall.

GIVEAWAY! Don't forget to comment below for a chance to win a copy of A Cowboy for Christmas! Be sure to include your email address.  Thanks, Bobbi for your generosity!

NOTE: For more information about Bobbi Smith, visit her author page at http://www.romancebooks4us.com.

Q: By now, most readers know a little bit about you.  Would you tell us a little bit about yourself that not many people know?  

A: I majored in Business at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and got my degree in Business Administration.  I believe to this day that my business background helped make my writing career a success – that, and my wonderful imagination.  J

Q: Did you always want to be an author? 

A: Yes, I did. I grew up playing with my Roy Rogers ranch house, making up wild west stories all the time in my back yard. I actually started writing stories when I was about 10. I hid them from everybody because I didn’t want anyone to read them. (That all changes when you get published. J) My first real ‘published’ story was in college. I called it ‘Good Bye’, and it was the true life tale of me saying good bye to my boyfriend at the airport as he left for Vietnam.

Q: How did you get your first break in publishing? 

A: I was working part-time at West Port Booksellers in St. Louis back in the late 70s and early 80s. I finally got up the courage to tell the folks I was working with that I was trying to write. They encouraged me, and I finished up the manuscript on a manual typewriter J and made copies of it at a print shop that only printed one page at a time J. The gentleman who owned the bookstore, Sandy Jaffe, was a tremendous help to me. Sandy passed copies along to some of the sales reps from the publishers who called on him, and Kensington (Zebra) bought me back in 1982. I’ve been very blessed to have been published ever since.

Q: You sold your first book to Zebra in 1982, so you’ve been a professional writer for quite a while.  I’m sure readers would love to hear how the publishing world has changed over the years.  Tell us what you see as the biggest differences over the years. 

A: For me, the biggest change that’s happened in publishing is the coming of the digital age. Our bookstores are disappearing, and the thrill for me as a published author was to actually see my books on the shelves at the stores. All the new and used bookstores were huge supporters of the romance genre. The booksellers there would hand sell your books to their customers. I miss those stores so much. I used to do book tours with my good friends Constance O’Banyon, Elaine Barbieri, Evelyn Rogers and Janelle Taylor. It was great.  Now, though, everything seems centered on the internet and downloads. It’s sad to lose that personal contact with the booksellers and the readers. Especially after you’ve been all alone in your office writing for months on end.  J

Q: You write in more than one sub-genre of romance.  As a writer, what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?  What kind of books do you enjoy writing the most? 

A: I’ve done two contemporary faith based books, Haven and Miracles using my pseudonym Julie Marshall. I loved them dearly, but they didn’t sell as well as my historicals. My very first four books were all about the Mississippi River, St. Louis and steamboats. I love the river history, but my NY editor at the time told me that if I wanted to have a career in writing, I’d better stop writing about the Midwest. That’s when I turned to my next love – the wild west. J  After Roy Rogers, I fell in love with Bonanza and a ton of other TV westerns.  They were a great inspiration for me. I’ve also written for short story collections and have done time travel and contemporary in those.  One really exciting thing happened when Haven came out. A Hollywood agent wanted to see a treatment of it. I sent the treatment to the agent and heard later that Jim Caviezel really liked it. I have a dream that someday Haven or Miracles or one of my historicals will be made into a movie, but it hasn’t happened yet.  J  I keep praying on it.  J

Q: Tell us about you favorite character from you books. 

A: My favorite character will always be my very first hero from Rapture’s Rage, Marshall Westlake, a lawyer. Rapture’s Rage was one of my steamboat stories set in St. Louis before the Civil War.  Rapture’s Tempest, my fourth book, was the sequel that told the story of Jim Westlake, Marshall’s brother.  He was a steamboat captain.  (I love all my other heroes and heroines, too!  I wouldn’t have had this wonderful career without them!)

Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your latest book? 

A: A Cowboy For Christmas was my latest novel.  I researched orphanages and orphan trains for that story, and it was so sad to learn what all those kids suffered through back in the old days. 

Q: Was there ever a time when you felt like your career might stall?  If so, tell us about it.  If not, to what do you attribute you continued good fortune? 

A: The smartest thing I ever did was get a Business Degree when I was in college. Working in the bookstore and having a retail background helped me to recognize that while writing truly is a deeply heartfelt, creative process, it also is a business. When my editor told me to write something different, I understood where she was coming from. Sales are important.

Q: What tips would you give to aspiring writers? 

A: Follow your dream!  Write the book of your heart.  It’s pure joy bringing those characters to life in your story.

Q: If you could sum up your writing career in one sentence, what would it be? 

A: My career has been AWESOME!  I have been very blessed to have had such a wonderful writing experience.

And, in closing, the romance genre is so fantastic because our readers know that each story ends happily ever after!  J

Thank you so much for dropping by and telling us more about you! For information about where to read more about Bobbi:

Find Bobbi on her website

Like her FacebookPage

 An Excerpt from A Cowboy for Christmas

Set-up:
In our prologue, young Dan Roland and his brother, Nick, have been abandoned by their father at an orphanage in St. Louis after their mother died.  The boys struggle to adjust to their new life, but when Nick is adopted and Dan is left behind, both boys are devastated.  Late one night, Dan sneaks out of the orphanage to try to find his brother.  In the meantime,   Nick runs away from his adopted family to return to live with Dan at the orphanage, only to discover his brother has disappeared.  Nick is returned to his new family.

Our story opens many years later. Dan has gone out west and taken a job as the foreman on a ranch.  Dan’s boss is a good man who has been separated from his daughter, Penny, for some time.  When the boss learns he doesn’t have long to live, he sends Dan back to St. Louis to get Penny and bring her home to him, wanting to see her before he dies.

The trip back to St. Louis is an emotional one for Dan, but he concentrates on finding Penny and convincing her to return to the ranch with him.

Excerpt from Chapter Three:

Dan couldn’t believe it was the day after Thanksgiving and he was back in St. Louis.  He was glad he’d brought his heavy coat along as he stood outside the train station in the cold weather.  Looking around, he couldn’t help but notice how much the city had changed in the years he’d been away.  The station was a busy place, and the streets were crowded with warmly dressed folks coming and going.  He was impressed.  St. Louis was called ‘the gateway to the west’ and he knew it was true.  He’d certainly headed west when he’d left.

Dan hired a carriage and told the driver the address for the orphanage.  He wanted to see it before he checked in at the hotel. The driver gave him a puzzled look as he helped him with his bags.  “You sure you want to go there?”

“I’m sure,”  Dan answered.

“All right,”  the driver agreed as they started off,  “but there ain’t much left there to see.”

“Why?  What happened?”   

“The orphans’ home burned down some years back and nobody ever bothered to rebuild it.”

“What about the children?”

“There are other homes in the city.  They took them in.”  He asked,  “Why do you care?”

“I lived at the orphanage for a while --“

“Oh.”

The driver fell silent, knowing by the man’s tone that he didn’t want to talk about it any more.  He drove on to the address and then he stopped the carriage to give him a chance to look around.  

Dan recognized the neighborhood and found himself just staring at the lot where the building had been.  He didn’t bother to get down and walk around.  He knew the driver had been right.  There wasn’t anything left of the orphanage.  There was only an empty lot.  

Empty --  

Dan realized that certainly fit, for that was what his life had been after he’d lost his brother.

“All right, take me on to the Planter’s House Hotel,”  Dan directed, putting the past behind him, he believed, once and for all.  

He’d wasted enough time on memories.  

Now, it was time to take care of Jack’s business.

It was late in the afternoon when Dan finally settled into his hotel room.  He was tired, but he would worry about getting some rest later.  What mattered now was finding Jack’s daughter and convincing her to return to Texas with him.  He’d checked the railroad departure times before he’d left the station and knew that one was scheduled to leave the following afternoon.  If things worked out as he hoped they would, he could have Penny on that train and be heading back to the ranch the very next day.  He had to get Penny back to Texas and her father as quickly as he could for time meant everything right now.  

Dan ordered a bath brought up to his room.  When the bath was delivered, he quickly got cleaned up, shaved and donned his last set of clean clothes he’d saved for this moment.  That done, he was ready to go to Jack’s sister-in-law’s house and deliver the letter to Penny.  Dan put on his coat and his Stetson and glanced down at his gun belt where he’d left it laying on the bed.  He thought seriously about strapping it on, but finally decided against it.  Unarmed, he left the room to get directions from the clerk at the front desk.     

“You’ll need a driver to take you,”  the clerk advised, after telling him how to get to the address he’d given him.  “There should be a conveyance waiting outside the hotel.”

“Thanks.”  

It was after dark when Dan went outside and found that there was a small carriage available.  He hired the driver to take him to Matilda Hathaway’s house. Dan was impressed by the Hathaway home as the carriage drew to a stop out in front.  A three-story brick mansion with a wide front porch, it spoke of wealth and luxury, and he grimaced inwardly at the thought of trying to convince Jack’s daughter to give all this up and return to the ranch.  He had no doubt after all her years of living this way that she was a spoiled, arrogant city girl now, who probably didn’t care at all about her father or the ranch.

“Wait for me,”  Dan told the driver.  He hoped Penny was home and would be willing to meet with him, but there was no way to know for sure.

“Yes, sir,”  the driver answered.

Dan got down from the carriage and made his way through the wrought-iron gate and up the walkway to the porch.  He knocked on the door and stood back as he waited for someone to answer it.  He wasn’t surprised to find they had a maid when she opened the door.

“Yes?  Can I help you?”  Sadie asked, more than a little surprised and intimidated to find a tall, broad-shouldered man who looked to be a cowboy standing there before her.

“My name’s Dan Roland.  I work for Jack Anderson, and I’m here to see Penny Anderson,”  he answered.

“I’m sorry, Miss Anderson isn’t at home right now.  You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”  She started to close the door on the stranger and was shocked when he blocked the door and stepped inside, into the front hall.  He was such a powerful figure of a man that she took several steps back away from him, feeling threatened.  “Sir --  Really ---  You mustn’t force your way in --“

“I’m not forcing my way in.  I just need you to answer a question for me,” Dan said.

She wasn’t quite sure what to think of him, but he had said he worked for Penny’s father, so that explained the edge of danger about him.  She had heard all the tales from Penny’s mother when she’d first returned to live with Miss Matilda, about what life was really like out west, and she’d fully understood why she’d wanted to return to live in the city.  “What is it you want to know?”  she asked.

“If Miss Anderson isn’t here, where is she?  It’s important I speak with her tonight.  I have a message for her from her father, and I need to deliver it to her as soon as possible,”  he explained quickly.  He didn’t want the woman to feel threatened by his presence, but he wasn’t going to sit around and wait until the following day to let Penny know what was going on.   

“If you’d like to tell me what it is, I can give her the message when she comes home, but it will be much later tonight.”

“No, I need to speak with her myself in person.”  He fully intended to seek her out himself wherever she was.

“Oh --“  Sadie had heard the talk over the years about Miss Penny’s father, and for this young man to have taken the time to make the trip all the way there to St. Louis, she knew whatever he had to tell her was important.  It would probably be midnight before Miss Matilda and Penny returned and if his message was that urgent, she realized she had to tell him where they had gone.  He was a stranger, but they would be safe with their friends at the Chase home when he sought them out there.  “All right, Mr. --“

“Roland.  Dan Roland,”  he told her his name again.

“Mr. Roland, Penny and her aunt are attending a private ball at the Chase home on Lucas Place.”  Sadie gave him the address.  “You’ll find them there.”

“I thank you for your help, ma’am,”  Dan said as he turned and started back down the walk.

Sadie watched him go, wondering what the message was.  She certainly hoped it was good news and not bad, but she had her doubts, as serious as the young man had been. Sadie wondered, too, what the fashionable Chase family was going to think when a cowboy showed up at their front door.  Tonight was the night of their annual fabulous Thanksgiving Ball that was just for the elite of St. Louis society.  Dan Roland would certainly draw some interest and give the older ladies something to talk about at that evening.  She was sure of that.

Dan climbed back in the carriage and gave the driver the new address, then sat back to wait out the ride.  He was even more tense now as they made their way through the city streets toward the Chase home.  It had been one thing to seek her out at her aunt’s house and speak with her privately there.  It was going to be even more difficult interrupting a social event to find her, but he had no choice.  

Jack slipped into his thoughts right then, and Dan hoped his friend’s health was holding up.  Even with the best of luck, it would probably be close to two more weeks before he could get Penny back home.

As the carriage stopped in front of the Chase mansion, it was obvious there was definitely a large party going on.  The mansion was brightly lit up, and music could be heard coming from inside.

 

Christmas is coming!!!

I know, I know, we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet. But not only are the stores blossoming with lights and gifts, but my new book on Christmas comes out Dec. 4th. This is an erotic novella set in the Regency period, with a new slant on that period you might not have heard.

But first, some more paraprosdokian sentences, since everybody seems to like them. Maybe I should call them an early Xmas gift to tie them into the title of the blog!

1. I asked  for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

2. Going  to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

5. Evening news is where they begin with 'good evening' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

As usual, I'd love to have a vote on the favorite. This time I can't pick. I like them all.

And now for an excerpt from 'Unexpected Christmas'.  This is erotica, so don't read further if you don't want to. But I hope you do.

Hours later he woke up, painfully aroused again by the supple body draped over his. She’d cast aside the pillow and was nestled against him, blissfully asleep as she snuggled against the only warmth in the cold room.

He looked down at the golden hair flowing against his chest and silently cursed the most damnable situation he’d ever been in. Finally he eased himself gently from under her and sat on the edge of the bed. He’d get no more sleep tonight. He certainly couldn’t stay there with his rigid cock poking into her soft stomach. He’d enter her before she even knew what he was about.

He draped his greatcoat more closely around her and rose.

Time to go check the fires.

Both those in this goddamn inn and in his regrettable body.

He’d not counted on his unpredictable Caro. He felt her arms wrap around him, as she laid her cheek against his shoulder.

“Sebastian, why would you want to get up so early? Come back and lie beside me again. I’m so much warmer and feel safer when you’re with me.”

Sheer desperation drove Sebastian. If he didn’t do something he’d turn on her like a ravaging wolf and tear her innocence to shreds.

“Damn it. Caro, are you so innocent you don’t know what you do to me? You’re far from safe with me. If I stay in bed another minute I’ll turn on you, ravage you and take your innocence. No one will marry you then, unless you manage to convince the fool you’re still a virgin. I won’t do that to you, although God know there’s nothing in this world I’d rather do.”

There was a short silence, although she did take her warm arms from around him.

“I don’t want you to leave me. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better so you’ll stay?”

Sebastian was not sure her words came from an angel or a devil."

 

 

Unexpected Christmas will be found at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the usual places including my website, www.jeanhartstewart.com

 

Thanks for reading this...Jean

 

Interview of Author Dawn Atkins

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Dawn Atkins.

Latest Book: TWO CAN PLAY
Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Amazon UK
I-tunes

BIO:
Award-winning contemporary romance author Dawn Atkins has published over two dozen romances since 1998--first for Kensington, then for Harlequin Temptation, Blaze and SuperRomance. She writes spicy romantic comedy and romantic suspense. Critics call her books “fresh, fast-paced, believable, sexy and tender, with surprising twists and turns and plenty of suspense.”

A several-times “best of” finalist with Romantic Times Book Club,” Atkins received the Golden Quill for best sexy romance, among other honors. A former teacher, PR specialist and trade-journal writer/editor, Dawn lives in Arizona with her husband, beloved cat, and their son, a college student.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: The first thing I did when Brenda Chin at Harlequin called to tell me I’d sold to Duets was…HANG UP ON HER! I’m not kidding! Well, first I started to shriek, but I got so excited that I dropped the phone (I was at work) and when I picked it up…dial tone. OMG. I was so embarrassed, but when she called me back, she was laughing. Later, she told me she “ate out on that story” a lot.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: It’s not the part…it’s the draft. The first two drafts are scary and make me breathless with trepidation and doubt. The easiest draft is the final polish, after I’ve incorporated all my revisions and critiquer notes and feel confident that I know the story cold.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: The first draft…because I don’t know the characters very well and I’m fumbling around in the dark, not quite sure my idea will work or I can ever get these two characters together in any kind of meaningful way. I feel like Wile E. Coyote once I get going…I try never to look down.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: My favorite character is Rena Novo, the main character, the rising star in Real Life Lounge, a cult-like group of employees who work for a popular gaming company. She’s determined, kick-ass, covering her doubts with action, getting past her childhood hurts by being the best Lifer she can be…until she meets Gage Stone, who makes her question everything. Now, if I were a reader, I’d have to say that Gage is my favorite character. He’s yummy and sexy and strong, but sensitive, and he drives a vintage motorcycle. Mmmm.

Q: What hobbies do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I love to read, watch movies and (good) TV, play casual video games--currently obsessed with Plants vs. Zombies 2 (OMG that’s a great game…and it’s free!), and spend time with friends.

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: Readers say that I create down-to-earth characters, that my dialogue is strong, and I use humor well. There have been a few raves about my love scenes, too.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Web site: http://www.blogger.com/www.dawnatkins.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dawnatkins1
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dawnatkins

QUOTE:
"Woot! Strap yourself in for a fast paced thrill ride with TWO CAN PLAY by Dawn Atkins. I could not put it down! Rena Novo is a refreshingly strong heroine matched perfectly by her handsome counterpart Gage Stone. The heat that ignites between these two while they try to solve their own personal quests positively scorches. This is a do not miss!”—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling mystery author

BLURB:
Live. Breath. And Believe—to Rena Novo there’s nothing better than being a part of the most popular virtual-reality game—EverLife…until she’s given a Quest to evict her best friend from the society she’s come to love. If she completes the job—she’ll rise to the top, but a sexy recruit is stirring a different kind of passion within her and making her question everything that makes her life complete.

Hunting for his missing sister, investigative reporter Gage Stone goes undercover in the gaming cult that’s taken over his sister’s life. But his biggest obstacle is the sizzling attraction between he and Rena, the extremely hot gamer assigned as his trainer. As their attraction builds, Gage realizes his sister isn’t the only one he can’t leave without. Now he must convince Rena the rhetoric the company’s pushing is just a plot that will culminate in the deaths of hundreds… before she turns him in and gets them all killed.

EXCERPT:
He wanted her--he was a man with a pulse, for God’s sake, of course he wanted her--but he had to do what was smart.

He dragged his gaze away, cleared his throat and looked around. “You’ve got some pricey stuff in here. God help him, he found himself staring at the bed again.

“I go after what I want,” she said, low and sexy, her eyes glowing hotter than ever.

She smelled sweet…edible. Was it coconut? Maybe just a taste.

“And what is it you want?” he asked, telling her he wanted it, too with a tone that registered in her eyes like the flick of a gauge needle.

She hesitated, stepped back, on guard. “It’s more important what you want, Gage. Why are you here? In Lounge Life?”

His answer counted big, he knew. “I’m a gamer. I needed a job.” What would a true believer say? “I like what’s here. It’s like a family.”

“You don’t have one already?” Her eyes glittered with suspicion.

“Not really.” His sister Beth was all he had and she was missing. That was his real reason to be here.

“Lifers are my family,” Rena said, emotions rippling beneath her words, like muscles under an animal’s pelt.

Their gazes locked and the connection went abruptly personal. He saw a lonely little girl behind her eyes and she, no doubt, caught a flicker of the grim kid he’d been.

The past reeked, but it was gone.

An electric thread sizzled between them. “What I want is right here.” He looked her up and down, wanting in, letting her see that. He liked the spark in her eye, the challenge in her half-smile, not to mention that tight, strong body of hers—everything in the right place and then some. He was pretty sure it was her hair that smelled of coconut. “How about you?”

She moved grabbed his belt and tugged, telling him all he needed to know.



 
Anything you’d like to add?
Yes, I also have a book out from Harlequin SuperRomance called ADVENTURES IN PARENTHOOD. You can read about it and get buy links at my website. It’s a tender, fun story, I think.

Guest Interview - John Antorino, Actor/Cover Model

Today I'm happy to introduce someone who is no stranger to Romance Books 4 Us - the multi-talented John Antorino. His career encompasses many avenues; personal trainer, nutrition consultant, bodybuilder, model, actor...the list goes on and on. It has been a while since he has stopped by to chat with us, so I managed to pull him aside from his busy schedule so that he could give us an update as to what's going on in his career and his life in general.

Q (Suzanne Rock): It’s been about a year since you last spoke with us. What have you been up to?

A (John): Yes. Thanks for having me back. I’ve been up to alot. First and foremost I’ve been spending much time with my mom and helping her get through her battle with breast cancer. It’s been a long road. But she’s doing pretty good right now. Career wise so much has been happening. Still with my sponsor Muscle Wiz. Been busy with them making appearances, doing demo’s and shoots. Shot a few more covers and now in prep for more covers. Been traveling a lot. As usual. And what I think is going to be a big career break for me. I signed on to play the lead German soldier in a show for The History Channel called “Escaping the Holocaust”. Going to be a very challenging role that I’ve been working real hard in preparation for. We start filming in late November. And I’ve been working very hard in the gym and also with my diet to stay photo shoot shape ready and also for my appearances and events.


Q: Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s on it?

A: Not really. I’ve done so much already at such a young age. I’ve been all over the world and have done so much in my career and life already. I’ve taken my mom on trips. Always wanted to take her to Italy and did so a few years back. Maybe having some kids. Is that bucket list material? Haha

Suzanne: Absolutely! :)

Q: You have done a lot of acting and modeling in front of the camera. Ever think of pursuing other projects behind the camera? 

A: Maybe down the road. Yes. I wouldn’t rule it out. But I still have a lot left in me in front of the camera I think and I believe my acting career is just really getting started. I’ve pretty much done it all in the modeling world and am now really focused more on moving forward and ahead with my acting career.



Q: Tell us about your new movie project, Escaping the Holocaust. How did you prepare for your part?

A: Yes! I am thrilled to be a part of this great project. I will be playing the lead German soldier. Basically one of the “bad” guys. It’s an amazing true story. About a man and a woman that met while both in one of the concentration camps during those dark brutal times of Hitlers reign of chaos and hate. Stay tuned for it! I prepared by first researching about those times with Hitler and Nazi German soldiers in Europe. I’ve been learning some German. And I had to lose some weight to look the part. Challenging role and brutal content. But this is what I do and I’m up for the challenge. (For more information about the movie, go here.



Q: What was the best present you’ve ever received? Who was it from and what was the occasion?

A: Hmmmmm tough one. I’m very weird about receiving gifts. I’m such a giver. Big time! And although I like nice things in life. I am not materialistic. So…I’ll have to say this. And it’s a non-material gift. And from the heart and how I really feel. My niece Morgan. Best present I ever received. My twin sister Jill’s daughter. Anyone that knows me knows how I’ve always felt and feel about Morgan. She’s been my love and life from day one. I then knew what real true love was when she was born. And have to say as she’s gotten older and is growing up I’ve had a real hard time with it. God what will happen when I have my own? But really I’ve always treated her like my own and love her more than anything. Sorry for all that. Bet none of you were expecting all that. Ha!

Suzanne: No - we weren't, but it's an awesome answer. :)

 Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

 A: Definitely Christmas! Just the season and everything about it. The giving of gifts and time with friends and family. I love giving lots of gifts to my family and friends. And also help as many less-fortunate out during this time of year. Also, it’s the end of the year and soon get a new fresh start for the new year. I also never forget the REAL reason for Christmas and the season.

 Q: You mentioned in a previous interview that you have a strict diet and exercise schedule, but every once in a while, you have a cheat day. What would be your ideal “cheat day?”

A: Ahhhhh yes. My ideal cheat day. This is an easy one. Pizza, first. Chinese food. Chicken parm and meatballs. And anything pumpkin- pie donuts bread. And a big glass of milk. Ahhh you have me drooling here.

Suzanne: We're drooling too! ;)

Q: You’re a very versatile model, having done both clean-cut shots and…ahem…photos for Playgirl. (*grin*) Do you prefer one type of photo shoot over the other? Do you have a favorite photo?

 A: Haha yes yes. I am and have done a wide range of work over my career. Very blessed. I have to say that doing those Playgirl shots weren’t fun and not easy. I am done with those I am sure. I actually prefer studio shoots/indoor shoots over location shoots. I have some favorite photo’s. But I am very tough and critical on myself.


Q: You seem like a very positive person. What keeps you focused and upbeat in an industry known for tearing people down?

A: Yes I am. It’s just who I am. I think because at the end of the day I know who I am and am confident in myself. And, it’s just work to me.

Q: You mentioned in a previous interview that you like to cook. Do you have a specialty?

 A: I do. I love it. I cook everything. Italian and seafood. Homemade pizza. Meatballs. Chicken parm.

Suzanne: Where do you live again? ;)

Q: Night owl or early riser?

A: Easy one. Early riser. Up at 6am and ready to go. Gym first thing. To me the morning is the best part of the day. And I rarely go out. Especially while in prep for work and projects. I’m in bed by 10pm. 

Q: I’m from New England and a huge football fan (HUGE). Do you have a favorite sport you like to watch? A favorite team? (If you’re a Jets fan, I may have to end this interview now. J/K ;)

 A: I like and watch lots of sports. Love football and definitely not a Jets fan and I’m actually a Patriots fan too!

Suzanne: No way! Get out! I didn't see that coming! Woot - go Pats! *high five*

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do to “recharge” after a tough day? 

A: Hot bath, cook some good food and relax and watch tv

Q: Where was your favorite photo shoot location? Why was it your favorite?

A: I have so many, so I’ll name a few. Hawaii Italy Brazil St Thomas. Beautiful and fun places.

Q: I heard that your family is very important to you. Your mom, in particular, is a major influence. Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with her and why she’s so special to you?

A: Yes. They are. My mom is my best friend. She raised us on her own. She’s been all I ever had really. She worked 2-3 jobs to support and provide for us. We just have a special bond and connection. And I have a great respect and admiration for her. We can be ourselves completely with each other without judgement. We just have fun and laugh when we’re together. We’ve been through it all together. She’s been fighting breast cancer for 2 years now. It’s been a long tough road. I’ve been by her side through it all. And wouldn’t have it any other way. I give to breast cancer charities and attend as many breast cancer events as I possible.

Q: You mentioned that you enjoy music. Do you have a playlist for when you work out? What’s on it?

A: Yes I do. Here’s what’s on it now: Godsmack, Disturbed, Creed, Avenged Sevenfold, Devour the Day, Linkin Park, Slayer, Eminem, Cypress Hill, Three Days Grace, Korn, and Young Guns.

Q: Do you have any upcoming appearances where we could meet you and get autographs?

A: I have several coming up. Here’s where I’ll be the coming months- NYC, Chicago, LA, San Diego, Washington D.C. Add my facebook page or contact me for details and info on my appearances. The big one I have is in December in Tennessee at the East Tennessee Writer’s Workshop and Holiday book signing hosted by Destiny Blaine. I’ll be the cover model there and will be attending all the events there. Going to be a great event and time! More information here.

 Q: Anything else you’d like to share with us?

 A: First, thank you for interviewing me. It was fun! I want to thank all my friends family and fans for all their love and support with my life and career. And anyone wishing to contact me for work- appearances shoots charity work/events or just to say hello can do so here: Superman530@yahoo.com
or on my facebook pages here:
www.facebook.com/johnantorino and www.facebook.com/johnantorinofanpage

God bless everyone- John Antorino

Websites: 

www.JohnAntorino.com

www.facebook.com/johnantorino 

www.facebook.com/johnantorinofanpage

www.facebook.com/MuscleWizSponsoredAthleteJohnAntorino

www.imdb.com/name/nm3016683/

 http://www.escapingtheholocaust.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Escaping-the-Holocaust/613650468657024?ref=br_tf  
http://romancebooks4us.com/John%20Antorino%20-%20Cover%20Model,%20%20Actor.html

***For more information/photos of John, visit http://romancebooks4us.com and click on his name under the Red Heart section!
Got a question for John? Ask it in the comments section. I'm sure he'll be happy to answer it! Don't have a question? Perhaps you just want to shower him with compliments. That's okay, too. ;) Now's your chance to tell him what's really on your mind!

And THANK YOU, John, for spending some time with us. 
 We really appreciate it!