Friday, February 27, 2015

Cover Reveal for NEED ME, a Broke and Beautiful novel by Tessa Bailey






From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tessa Bailey, comes the next fun and sexy novel in her Broke and Beautiful trilogy!

“How did this tweed-wearing English professor turn out to be my dirtiest hero ever? Cause he really is.”--Tessa Bailey

When Honey Perribow traded in her cowboy boots for stilettos and left her small Kentucky town to attend Columbia University, she never expected to find a dirt-cheap apartment or two new best friends. No stranger to hard work, Honey’s sole focus is a medical degree...until she sees newly-minted Professor, Ben Dawson, and her concentration is hijacked. Honey is fascinated by her gorgeous, young English professor and vows to find a crack his tweed-wearing, glasses-clad exterior.

While at an off campus party, an accident lands Ben in a dark, locked closet with a sexy-sounding southern belle...and their chemistry is explosive. But when he discovers that the girl in his arms is the same beautiful student he can’t stop thinking about, he is stunned. Student-teacher relationships are strictly forbidden…yet no matter how hard he tries, Ben can’t stay away from Honey.

And when his attempts to fight their attraction nearly ruin the best thing that ever happened to him, Ben will do anything to prove how much he needs her. 

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tessa Bailey 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.

Connect with Tessa at:

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Release Promo for AN INDECENT PROPOSAL, the Interview by J. C. Reed & Jackie Steele + #Giveaway




An Indecent Proposal by J.C. Reed & Jackie Steele

Release date: February 23rd, 2015

It was supposed to be easy. 
Hire a professional actor to play my fake fiancĂ©. 
But when he steps in front of my door to pick me up for The Interview, my heart stops. Chase Wright is perfect. And hot. I mean like, burn up your dress hot. However, Chase isn't professional at all. I hate what he does to me with his sinfully sexy blue eyes. I hate that he wants me in his bed. 

One month…that’s all I need him for. All I have to do is stay out of his bed. But the rules slowly begin to change. My fake fiancĂ© suddenly becomes my fake husband. When Chase offers me an indecent proposal, it's too late to fire him. It's too late to decline. 

Full-length novel. Includes free prequel novella THAT GUY.

Buy An Indecent Proposal:

Connect with J.C. Reed:
  Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Connect with Jackie Steele
  Website | Facebook | Twitter
455d6-goodreads-badge-add-plus-d700d4d3e3c0b346066731ac07b7fe47


GIVEAWAY (open worldwide)

$50 Amazon Gift Card & signed print copy


a Rafflecopter giveaway 

HTML CODE:
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2fad8f13127/"; rel="nofollow" data-raflid="2fad8f13127" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_gtp11ru9">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>

EXCERPTS


Worldwide, print and ebook

Tasty Book Pre-Order Blast for ALL OF ME, a Love Between the Bases novel by Jennifer Bernard + 2 #Giveaways

ALL OF ME
Love Between the Bases # 1
by Jennifer Bernard
Releasing May 26th, 2015 from Avon Romance

Jennifer Bernard, the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen series, scores another homerun with a brand-new series about sexy, single baseball players.

Playing for the Kilby Catfish is hotshot pitcher Caleb Hart’s last chance to salvage his career after a major league meltdown. But the day of his opener with the minor league team, Caleb strikes out with the gorgeous woman who is delivering a petition to run the unruly Catfish out of town. Now to stay in the lineup, Caleb will need to score big with the feisty brunette he can’t keep out of his thoughts.

After the nasty lies Sadie Merritt’s rich ex-boyfriend spread about her all over town, she’s lucky to have a job at all. She can’t afford to screw it up by falling for the player who is supposed to be helping her change the image of the fun-loving Catfish. But that’s easier said than done when Caleb’s voice alone is enough to make her pulse race. And when he surprises her with a mind-blowing kiss, she knows there’s no turning back.

About the Author:

Jennifer Bernard is the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriels series. She is a graduate of Harvard and a former news promo producer. The child of academics, she confounded her family by preferring romance novels to … well, any other books. She left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She’s no stranger to book success, as she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name not to be mentioned at family gatherings.

Author Links:


Buy Links: Pre-Order Now for a chance to win a $50 Amazon eGift Card - see all 4 options below and because the ebook versions are NOT yet showing up for pre-order, Jennifer has decided to extend the Pre-Order Giveaway to the WHOLE MONTH...Feb 26th - March 26th!! 



Pre-Order Giveaway for a $50.00 Amazon eGift Card


TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY

Monday, February 23, 2015

Unwrapping a Review of THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME, an Argeneau novel by Lynsay Sands

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I love the Argeneau novels by Lynsay Sands. Well, she’s got a new one coming from Avon Romance tomorrow! THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME is book 21 in the Argeneau series, and it’s a definitely hot addition to the rest.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME:

A few hours ago, Sherry Carne would have sworn that vampires didn’t exist. That’s before rogue immortals rampage through her store, leaving bloody chaos (literally) in their wake. The kicker comes when Sherry learns that one of the vamps on the bad guys’ trail may be her life mate. Her head says it’s impossible. The rest of her takes one look at Basileios Argeneau and has much more interesting ideas.

Whatever Basil expected in a life mate, funny, outspoken Sherry isn’t it. But mind-blowing chemistry and instinct don’t lie. They tell him something else, too—that Sherry’s connection to the immortal world goes deeper than she knows. And that she’s in the kind of danger only Basil can save her from—if she’ll just trust him, now and forever . . .

*                  *                   *                   *                    * 

Sherry Carne owns a kitchenware shop and she’s proud of it, business is looking good. She’s thinking life is coming along well when suddenly a teenage girl runs into her store, hides in Sherry’s office and begins telling her outrageous things about reading minds, no-fangers, and when the worst of the no-fangers, Leo, manages to make one of her customers cut her own throat, Sherry discovers her life will never be the same again.

Basil Argeneau – that’s Baw-zil, not Bay-sil – has been waiting a lifetime, a very long lifetime, for a life mate. When he’s introduced to a mortal woman who is being hunted by Leonius Livius, he goes into full protective mode like any good immortal who’s just met his life mate would. It isn’t going to be easy for him though, since Sherry isn’t any ordinary life mate. She’s a very independent woman with a will of her own and perhaps, a secret even she doesn’t know.

In a nutshell, I love the Argeneaus. Lynsay Sands can put together just about any kind of story featuring an Argeneau or Argeneau relation and I’m going to get excited about reading it. Not always, am I completely satisfied by each one, but it doesn’t keep me from coming back for the next one. Well, in THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME, Lynsay leads off with action, carries us forward with more action, some very steamy life mate sex between Basil and Sherry, and then manages to keep us guessing clear to the end about what is going to happen regarding the evil no-fanger, Leo and wondering who is misdirecting Sherry. I have to admit that my imagination was going in all kinds of directions, but I love the way Lynsay puts it all together in the end.

As usual, we are treated to characters from past books that we’ve come to know and love, including our favorite mischievous enforcer, Justin Bricker. I hear his story is in the works. Yay! In THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME, it’s definitely a family affair trying to keep Sherry and Stephanie safe from the evil clutches of Leo and his sons with a lot of fun banter, sexy innuendos, and keeping tabs on Stephanie, who is simply a normal teenager with a little too much know-how.

I highly recommend THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME by Lynsay Sands if you’re a fan of the Argeneaus because it’s fun, action-packed, immortal sexy, and gives us some definite satisfaction. If you’ve never delved into the world of the Argeneaus then please do, because they’re not your normal paranormal romance. They are funny, sexy, emotional, and strangely normal. Give ‘em a try, you might just fall in love with these amazing characters and be as hooked as the rest of us.

Happy Reading Everyone!

THE IMMORTAL WHO LOVED ME, an Argeneau novel by Lynsay Sands, Avon Romance, release date – February 24, 2015 in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

A Tasty Virtual Book Tour for THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY by Codi Gary with #excerpt + #Giveaway

THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY
A Rock Canyon Romance Novella
by Codi Gary

Re-Released February 10, 2015 from Avon Impulse

Fact: Ryan Ashton has never been the hottest girl in the room.

Prim and proper doesn't really lend itself to sexy, but Ryan's okay with that. She's come to terms with her perpetual single status. Or at least she would have, if it weren't for her deliciously gorgeous boss.

Fact: Gregg Phillips is sex on a stick.

And Ryan knows that if she wants him to sit up and take notice of her, she's gotta take a chance … and ditch the frumpy librarian look she's been rocking for way too long. It's gonna take a whole new wardrobe and the help of the local sex kitten to make it happen, but Ryan's up for it. After all, true love is worth the trouble—and that's a fact.

Previously appeared in the anthology, Kiss Me.


Excerpt from THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY:

"That's great, you guys. Now Mr. Andrews, why don't you put your arm around her and give her a kiss?"

Jim Andrews gave his wife a lecherous grin and said, "Come here and give me some sugar."

Marcie Andrews turned her cheek up for his lips and Jim kissed it with a chuckle. Gregg snapped the smiling Marcie and looked down at his camera.

"Okay, so I have about a hundred pictures. Why don't you come by tomorrow afternoon around two and I'll show you the top thirty? You can choose your prints then."

"But we're getting a CD right? Can't we just print the ones we want?" Mrs. Andrews asked, her head cocked to the side innocently.

About the Author:

An obsessive bookworm, CODI GARY likes to write sexy small-town contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family.

Author Links:

Buy Links:

TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY

   

Monday, February 16, 2015

Unwrapping a Review of RUNNING HOT, a Bad Boys Undercover novella by HelenKay Dimon

I recently had the opportunity to talk to a new author at Avon/Harper Collins by the name of HelenKay Dimon. She visited the Avon Addicts – one of the perks, mind you – and my Avon sisters were very excited about her new series, Bad Boys Undercover. Well, I hadn’t had the opportunity to read the galleys of her initial novella, RUNNING HOT, and book one, PLAYING DIRTY but after talking with her, and discovering that the inspiration for this series was the HBO show, STRIKE BACK, I knew I had to read them. I love that show! I’m so glad I purchased RUNNING HOT for myself and am glad to share my thoughts with you.

***purchased for my personal reading and gladly sharing my honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for RUNNING HOT:

HelenKay Dimon kicks off her hot new romantic suspense series, Bad Boys Undercover, featuring the fierce men of Alliance—and the only women capable of taming their hearts.

Camped out at a resort bar in Fiji, CIA operative Ward Bennett may look like he's on vacation but he's really deep undercover, hunting a dictator on the run. Ward may be on the job, but that doesn't mean there isn't time for the sexy female bartender. That is, until she drugs him.

When Tasha Gregory discovers the hottie on the barstool isn't who he pretends to be, her MI6 training kicks into gear, and she has no choice but to take him out. Problem is, Ward's not an easy man to put down for long. More than once, his interference almost blows her surveillance operation—and her ability to keep her heart to herself.

As the situation heats up, these two must decide whether they can trust one another—and quick. Working together might just make everyone safer, but getting close enough for comfort … might just get them killed.

**                **                  **                **                **

Ward Bennett is CIA undercover on the island of Fiji, and whereas he’d much rather be enjoying all the delights the tropical scenery can afford plus the luscious sexual delights of the bartender he’s been schmoozing the past few days, waking up tied to a chair with a splitting headache wasn’t in his plans. Discovering the beautiful bartender isn’t what she was pretending to be wasn’t in the plan either but he can learn to appreciate her talents, and her deadly skills.

MI6 agent, Tasha Gregory would rather deal with the bad guys alone than put up with another misogynistic CIA operative who would prefer to have her see to getting coffee for him than take orders from a woman. When she discovers the gorgeous man she’s had to knock out and restrain is indeed, CIA, she wonders what she’s done to deserve him and isn’t about to let him get in her way.

Finally agreeing to work together, Ward and Tasha quickly learn they’re essentially working toward the same goal – to stop the bad guy with way too many stinger missiles. Soon their goal becomes more personal when they start worrying about each other beyond the mission.

If you’ve ever seen, and enjoyed, the HBO show, STRIKE BACK, you will love RUNNING HOT by HelenKay Dimon. Inspired by the show, HelenKay has done great justice to it. Ward Bennett and Ford Decker are very much like Damien Scott and Michael Stonebridge, and I love them. Fast talking, fast thinking, action-seeking and sexy as hell is what HelenKay has created in the Bad Boys Undercover series and RUNNING HOT is a fabulous jumping off point.

Hooked by RUNNING HOT immediately because Ward is so much like Scott, I couldn’t put this book down. Ward is sexy, he’s a smartass, he’s got sexy hot maleness pouring out of his veins. He’s very definitely an Alpha male hero but he can also appreciate a woman with skills, strength, and the know how to keep herself, and others around her, alive – an Alpha female like Tasha Gregory, in whom he’s very definitely met his match.

RUNNING HOT by HelenKay Dimon is an action-packed, sexy adventure in covert operations filled with danger, snarky dialogue, and enough steamy sexual tension, it nearly melted the cover off my e-reader. If you love action, smexy characters, and taking out the bad guys, I highly recommend RUNNING HOT by HelenKay Dimon.

With a teaser for PLAYING DIRTY, the first full-length book in the series at the end of RUNNING HOT, I’m chomping at the bit to read the next one, but have to wait until I clear a slot in my reading schedule. I am so dying for Ford’s story, or is that Stonebridge’s?

Happy Reading Everyone!

If by chance you’re not already acquainted with HBO's STRIKE BACK, I thought I’d treat you to a trailer. Enjoy, I always do!


RUNNING HOT, a Bad Boys Undercover novella by HelenKay Dimon, Avon Impulse, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

These are from the most beautiful Valentine's Day 
card I've ever seen. 
It's created by Jacquie Lawson - click HERE 
if you'd like to see it in full.

Enjoy!








Friday, February 13, 2015

Cover Reveal for GET LUCKY, an Irish Romance Anthology featuring Six Irish-Themed Romances

GET LUCKY
an Irish Romance Anthology
by Nicola Marsh, Kelsey Browning,
Robin Covington, Avery Flynn, Sara Humphreys,
and Kimberly Kincaid

Releasing March 16, 2015 so Pre-Order Now!

What happens when six romance authors get together and write half a dozen brand-new, steamy, Irish-themed novellas? Everyone gets lucky! This 99¢ box set crosses genres and includes contemporary romance, new adult romance, and paranormal romance novellas that will give Get Lucky a whole new meaning. Pre-order your copy today – buy links below!

The GET LUCKY Anthology features:

From USA Today bestselling author, Nicola MarshWALKING THE LINE
Finn Ahearn’s Irish luck is about to run out…
Reformed Aussie bad girl Ellie is a decade older than Finn but that doesn’t stop the charming Irishman from wooing her. Ellie doesn’t believe in the happily-ever-after dream any longer, not since hers imploded a long time ago. But can a smooth-talking Irishman sway a hard-hearted cynic to believe in love again?

From reader favorite, Kelsey BrowningAMAZED BY YOU
Falling again for your first love...this time for keeps.
Author’s assistant Olivia McLaughlin must pull off an extravagant St. Patrick’s Day garden party to win a coveted promotion, but her success hinges on landscape designer Cody Kavanaugh, her old high school boyfriend. Now, Olivia must decide which she can’t live without—the job that will make her a success or the man offering her a second chance at love.

From sizzling hot and bestselling Robin CovingtonONE LITTLE KISS
The best things start with one little kiss.
Trapped by a snowstorm in the same place at the same time, Leighton and Jonas must decide if their hot night together was the end of their story or if they started forever with just one little kiss…

From RT Book Review Award nominee, Avery FlynnBIG, BAD RED
She always gets her wolf...
There’s nothing little or naive about this Red Riding Hood. Red runs the biggest fencing operation for fairytale treasures out of the back of Granny’s Pub. But when she comes into possession of the Caladbolg sword things get hairy–as in hot, sexy Liam MacTĂ­re the werewolf hairy.

From paranormal darling, Sara HumphreysLUCK OF THE IRISH
A leprechaun is powerless without his gold….
Banished to the mirrored realm for hundreds of years, Declan Aherne had nothing but time to plot his revenge and mourn the loss of his beloved wife. But when a beautiful human woman, with a familiar amulet, stares into the mirror....Declan's luck was about to change.

From the sexy, sweet Kimberly KincaidSOMETHING BORROWED
Her best friend is the best man for the job…
When her successful brother announces his plans for an impromptu wedding in Ireland, unlucky-in-love chef Sasha Arrington is stuck between the Blarney Stone and a hard place. Sasha needs a wingman for her brother’s wedding, and the romantic destination could be just what James Sullivan needs to tempt Sasha out of the friend zone.

Are you ready to GET LUCKY?
Pre-order today!

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks /



Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Unwrapping a Review of LUCAS, a Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming novel by Susan Fisher-Davis

Susan Fisher-Davis is one of my favorite clients from my editing business but sometimes, I don’t have time to edit all of her stories. Well, LUCAS is one that slipped by but she wanted me to read it anyway, so when she offered me a galley – I jumped at it! (that’s a proper use of the word by the way *wink*) LUCAS, book one in the Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming is a great setup to a new series and I suspect these Bad Boys are going to end up living in our dreams.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for LUCAS:

Emily Walters needs help fast. Her ex-husband is being released from prison and Adam swore he’d never let her go. She knows he’ll come for her. Her only choice is one of the bad boys of Dry River, Lucas Taggart. Lucas raised a lot of hell when he was younger and never backed down from anyone. It's what Emily needs in a protector and a husband. She offers him half of her ranch in exchange for protection and marriage. Whispering Pines is one of the largest horse ranches in the States. Would it be enough to entice the brooding man?

Lucas Taggart isn't interested in marriage but he is interested in Whispering Pines and when he looks into Emily’s eyes, he knows it wouldn't be a hardship being married to her, as long as it's a real marriage.

When Adam shows up to claim the woman he still thinks of as his wife, will Lucas have to do the unthinkable to protect the woman he's come to love with all his heart? What happens if or when Adam is finally out of the picture? Will Emily still want Lucas around and will she ever return his love?

**              **              **              **              **

Emily Walters is a woman in need – in need of a husband and protector. She was married once upon a time. She was married to a horrible man who verbally abused her and was a criminal on top of that. When he went to prison for embezzlement, she divorced him. Well, to say her ex wasn’t happy about that is an understatement. Now he’s about to get out early on good behavior and she’s terrified he’s going to come after her just as he pledged to do. The only one who can possibly make her feel safe is Lucas Taggert so when he agrees to marry her for half ownership of her horse ranch, she hopes it’s enough and that she hasn’t gotten in over her head with a man who says he wants a real marriage not just one in name.

Lucas Taggert can afford to buy his own ranch but he’s wanted one like Whispering Pines since he worked on it as a boy. Wanting to prove himself more than one of the Dry River Bad Boys, he agrees to marry Emily so he can do that and help her build Whispering Pines into something even bigger. Besides, being married to a beautiful woman wasn’t going to be a hardship, right? He didn’t figure on being so attracted to her or falling in love with her. Now he worries he might not be able to protect her like she needs and if this nightmare with Walters ever ends, will she still want him around?

Okay, I admit it, I wasn't too enthusiastic in the beginning about the premise of marriage simply because she needed a protector. After all, she could have hired someone to pretend to be her husband, right? But once they were married, the story picked up well as they got to know each other better. Emily's desire for Lucas was forged in a youthful crush, and Lucas definitely had the hots for her so as the relationship became more stable, falling in love just had to happen.

LUCAS, the first book in the Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming might not have started out with a bang but as the story moves forward, we meet some very interesting secondary characters, including the other Bad Boys who we will definitely want to get to know better. The secondary characters help pull this story together in that small town way where everyone knows everyone else and their business. It's because of this closeness you feel in this small town that Adam might have discovered too easily Emily and Lucas weren’t married had they not made it official, and that would have given Adam entirely too much power. As it is, Adam Walters is the kind of bad guy you really despise. I like that!

As her editor, I might have made a lot of changes, had her bring out Emily and Lucas’s characters a bit more but on her own, she did well introducing us to this new series and so I’m proud of Susan. She created a good solid start to a series featuring some dreamy Bad Boys who will be taking us in many directions while keeping close to the roots that make them who they are. Her next one in the series features Montgomery Bradford who we meet in LUCAS – so hang on to your hats, it’s going to be a very bumpy ride with these Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming.

Susan Fisher-Davis creates some down home, good-people characters in the Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming. It's not hard to imagine them as friends. LUCAS by Susan Fisher-Davis is a good read, and a great start to a brand new series. A series you’ll want to come back and visit again. She demonstrates just how sexy cowboys can be – and romantic.

Happy Reading Everyone!

LUCAS, a Bad Boys of Dry River, Wyoming novel by Susan Fisher-Davis, Secret Cravings Publishing, available now in ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Friday, February 6, 2015

Interview Stop on the RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL by Codi Gary Print Tour + #Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL by Codi Gary Print Tour! Yes, it's now in PRINT! I’m so excited today because Codi is here with me to talk about all kinds of things and her Rock Canyon Romance series. If you haven’t read any of this series, and especially her latest, RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL, you must do so as soon as possible. Codi creates the most amazing and incredibly realistic characters ever to grace the pages of a book. If Rock Canyon were real, I’d want to move there. Feel free to check out my review of this fabulous romance by clicking HERE. Now on to the fun and be sure to check out the giveaway at the end.

So without further fanfare, please join me in welcoming Codi Gary, author of RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL, to Unwrapping Romance … 

Amy: Welcome Codi, it's an absolute delight to have you with us today, and I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to join us.  

Codi: I am so happy to be here, Amy, and thanks for having me! *gives Amy a big hug*

Amy: *Big Hug Back* It’s a delight to have you here, Codi. You already know I’m a huge fan of the Rock Canyon Romance, but perhaps you'd like to tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know you yet.

Codi: Sure. Hello, my name is Codi Gary and I'm addicted to TV, peanut butter and maple syrup on my waffles, and getting the mail...I like mail...
No, I'm kidding, although I do like all those things. I am a Northern California original who relocated to Southern Idaho, and I adore it here. I always lived in small towns, so when my husband took a job here three and a half years ago, I didn't have any trouble adjusting. I am a mother of two adorable human children and nine fuzzy ones, and I worked as a Veterinary Assistant for six and a half years in a cat only hospital. Am I rambling yet? :-)

Amy: Not rambling and the more you want to share, the better. Here at Unwrapping Romance, authors are rock stars! Which is why I can get kind of nosy. LOL! I'm always interested in what lures someone to be a writer. What, or who, inspired you and why did you choose romance?

Codi: As the youngest of seven kids and with a seven year age gap between my closest sibling and I, I spent a lot of time playing by myself. I used to spend hours making up tales about ants that were my pets, and lava filled pits of doom, but when I watched cartoons or listened to my books on tape, the ones with a touch of romance were always my favorites. When I was eleven, I told everyone who would listen that I was going to be an author someday, and when I stole my first romance novel off my aunt's bookshelf, I knew exactly what I wanted to write. My stories evolved from R.L. Stine type horror/suspense with a touch of romance, to handsome rakes and princes kidnapping their brides. I put my dream on hold and got into one adventure after another, working and falling in love, but I never stopped reading and loving romance.

Amy: I suspect our love of romance share similar beginnings and remains a lifelong crush. Imagination is a good friend and a great gift. Something you have in abundance as is evident in the fabulous town you’ve conjured in Rock Canyon. You've just published your fourth installment in the Rock Canyon Romance series, RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL. Your characters are true to life, their problems and their emotions touch readers because they're real. What inspired you to create Rock Canyon, and where do your character inspirations come from?

Codi: Aw, thank you, Amy! I appreciate that. Like I said before, I've always loved small town life, and I actually fell in love with the idea of Idaho after reading Rachel Gibson's THE TROUBLE WITH VALENTINE’S DAY years ago. After that, I devoured everything else she ever wrote, so when my husband and I were narrowing down where to move, Montana and Idaho were at the top of our lists. One night we were driving to Buhl, Idaho to visit some new friends. I remember passing through Filer, and then while taking the long way through Buhl (which isn't long at all) I got this idea in my head about what the town looked like, and when Rock Canyon came to me for the name, I wasn't thinking of a catchy series title. I just took in the scenery around us, and Googled to make sure there wasn't a real Rock Canyon. I wish there was a better story behind it.

Amy: Inspiration comes where it comes. I think that’s a great story. J

Codi: As far as my characters, all of them have bits and pieces of me in them. I can't help that. But I didn't want them to be perfect people who make mistakes, because that's not real life. We all have phobias, personality and physical flaws, and pasts we're trying to overcome. My characters can and will make major blunders and bad judgment calls, they will over react and they will make even me crazy, but don't we all do that? (And for those of you that never do, then that's awesome.) I have made a lot of mistakes and wanted to kick my own butt too many times, but I still think I'm a good person. My characters aren't really good or bad, that's not what the stories are about. It's more about how we let other people's judgments determine who we are, and it is sometimes worse when you're surrounded by people who have known you...well...since you were in diapers. But that we are still deserving of the kind of love that lasts...as rare as it can sometimes be.

Amy: Wow, that’s exactly what we get in Rock Canyon and I think that’s why this town seems so real. I’ve been able to relate to each of your characters on some level and now it makes sense why. I could be friends with all of your main characters and a few of the secondary ones too.
Is this the last of the series or can we expect more from Rock Canyon? Maybe an HEA for Ellie Willis? Do you see yourself ever writing something other than contemporary romance?

Codi: Oh, no, Amy! :-) I've still got more RC in me...it all depends on if the readers want more. I have a happily ever after for Ellie, AND Miss Know It All *grins*. I would love to try my hand at historical, NA, YA, and erotic romance but for right now, I've got two other contemporary series bouncing around in my brain that demand attention before I branch out.

Amy: Fabulous and I know I still want more Rock Canyon Romance. So glad we will learn who Miss Know It All is eventually. Cool!
By the way, my darling readers, the next book in the series is Callie and Everett’s and you get a teaser for it at the end of RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL.

Codi, if you're like every other writer, you're also a prolific reader. Who are your favorite authors and have any inspired your writing?

Codi: Well, I already said RG, but I'm a HUGE fan of JQ, Eloisa James, Caroline Brown, Johanna Lindsey, Lynn Kurland, LKH, Bertrice Small, Nora Hess, Elizabeth Lowell, Linda Howard, Lorraine Heath, Julie Garwood, Christina Dodd, and Catherine Coulter (in no particular order). Over the last year or so, I've been on a serious NA and Erotic kick, and love getting recommendations from readers too. :-)

Amy: Great list of favorite authors. Many are on my list as well and I think they’re all inspiring.
My last question for you is also my personal favorite. If you could be ANY character in ANY book, not necessarily your own - who would it be and why? 

Codi: Wow, that is...wait, no, I already know. Penelope Featherton from ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON by Julia Quinn. Colin will forever be my ultimate book boyfriend.

Amy: True love, indeed, and book boyfriends are always faithful. LOL!
Codi, thank you so very much for joining us today, and for sharing RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL with us. Congratulations on this amazing series, and I'm sure my readers are as excited as I am to read more from Rock Canyon. 

Codi: Amy, thanks again and thanks everyone, for stopping by to say hi!
Oh, and on top of RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL releasing in print, February is also my Bookiversary, and we are celebrating the re-release of the novella that started it all, THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY on February 10th. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my website because we're having 30 days of giveaways going on now!
Thank you so much, and I am so honored that you like my books. I appreciate all the love and want to crush you in a serious bear hug when I see you!

Amy: Absolutely, Codi, and I LOVE your books. Congratulations on your Bookiversary and the re-release of THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY. One of these days, I’m going to be in the same room with all of my darling authors and it will be a major hug fest, I'm sure. xox

If you’d like to learn more about Codi and her amazing books, feel free to visit her website, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, tsu, Tumblr, Instagram, and Goodreads. She’d love it!

Happy Reading Everyone!
Be sure to come back for THE TROUBLE WITH SEXY by Codi Gary Tasty Virtual Book Tour, February 9th through February 27th – my stop is on February 18th, and I’ll have a promo & excerpt for you.  

Buy Links for RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL by Codi Gary:


TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY

Bad girls don't forgive.

Bad girls don't forget.
Bad girls don't fall in love.

Caroline Willis may be known for causing trouble, but she is NOT about to become homeless. So when she learns that her perfect apartment has been double-booked—to a dangerously hot bad boy—Caroline's bad-girl reputation comes out in full force. He may be sexy as sin, but she's not afraid of him … or his panty-melting smile.

Rock Canyon's got room for only one bad attitude—and Gabe Moriarty was here first. Still, starting over means playing it smart, so while sharing his new apartment is less than ideal, it's worth getting his dream business off the ground. Not to mention that it means shacking up with a sexy wild child. Caroline may be giving him the cold shoulder, but Gabe always was good at starting fires …

Caroline vows to keep things professional with Gabe, but as close quarters begin to ignite the sizzling chemistry between them, she's left wondering: Bad boy plus bad girl equals nothing but trouble … right?