Wacky Wednesday: IT'S QUIZ TIME! How Well Do You Know Romance?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38201553@N02/3622722973/

 So if Scarlett wasn't able to keep Rhett from walking out, how well do you think you know Romance? Love has never been simple. Over the centuries, romance has changed. It's been built on traditions and formed new traditions. There have been new ways of winning the opposite sex even as sometimes, the old ways may work better. Places where we meet prospective spouses have changed as well as the manner in which we marry. Yet some things about romance never change. 

So - how well do you know Romance? Take this simple quiz and find out. You might surprise yourself. Hope you'll let us know how you did. We won't judge.  *wink* 

Have fun and Happy Reading Everyone!

How Well Do You Know Romance? » ProProfs Quiz Maker

photo credit: Li'd via photo pin cc

Unwrapping: A Monday ManCandy Treat!

I know a lot of Monday ManCandy posts disappeared after the reveal of a blogger being sued for posting 'borrowed' pictures from the Internet. It's the reason some of mine disappeared as well. Not going to take any chances. Well, I've been working on developing my own library of ManCandy delights. They may not be the best as I've taken them myself and frankly, they could be better but I am very much an amateur photographer - occasionally, I get lucky and get a great shot but practice makes perfect, right? So I'll keep trying. Then again, it's a tough job but someone has to do it if we're going to have such delicious treats to ogle.   *wink*

I hope to share some ManCandy on occasion to brighten those Mondays that come way too fast after our weekends. My blogger and Pinterest friends are welcome to snag & pin any and all because I won't sue.  xoxo



Happy Reading Everyone!  ; )

Unwrapping Romance: Review of SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol

Releasing at the end of this month on August 28th is the newest novel from this year's debut talent in historical romance who has most definitely become a must read on my reading list. SINS OF A VIRGIN, book one in the Sinner Trio's series is Anna Randol's second full-length novel from Avon and I was thrilled when they asked me as an Avon Addict to read an e-ARC from Edelweiss for it. My only sorrow is that I don't get to keep it so I'll have to get a permanent copy for future re-reading.

Blurb for SINS OF A VIRGIN:

There is improper, there is scandalous… and then there is Madeline Valdan.

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous courtesan, with society's most eligible gentlemen at her feet. But no one knows her shocking secret: she has never experienced the most intimate touch of any man. So she astonishes the ton by telling them the truth . . . and by announcing the auction of her virginity to the highest bidder.

Handsome and disciplined, Gabriel Huntford knows his time is best spent hunting down criminals from the darkest corners of London. As a Bow Street Runner investigating his sister's death, he has no desire to join London's strutting peacocks in this competition when there are more important tasks at hand.

Now, his quest leads him to one of Madeline's "suitors," so he agrees to help this sinful woman. But what begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more . . . and love blooms with a passion neither one expected.

                       *                                *                             *                               *

Mystery and suspense abound in this historical romance from the first page to the last.

Madeline Valden is nothing of what she appears. As we get to know her, we discover that she's been more than anyone suspects since the age of fourteen. Experienced and skilled in all ways necessary to protect herself from men, including not allowing her heart to feel, she still possesses something that the men of London find priceless - her virginity - and now she's putting that last item of value on the auction block.

Gabriel Huntford is a man who never gives up - on anything. He's been searching for his sister's killer for seven years and even after being ordered off the case, he's not willing to step away so easily. Set to protect a notorious courtesan who is professing to be a virgin, he uses her case to seek out the murderer from among her bidders or rather her noble suitors. Unimpressed with the woman's claims of virginity, he cares not what she does as long as he can pursue his investigation. When it becomes obvious that someone wants her dead, he begins to be drawn in by her beauty and the truly innocent Madeline who lies beneath the hard-edged manipulating woman of mystery.

Anna Randol is fast becoming a formidable voice in historical romance with her unique stories of spies, mystery, murder and passion. SINS OF A VIRGIN is the first book in a series that I hope will follow this trio that consists of Madeline and her two spying partners, Campbell and Maddox - I am especially intrigued by Ian Maddox.

In SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, the reader is drawn into a fast-paced story that will keep you begging for more and not wishing the story to end even after the murderer is finally uncloaked. There's danger around every corner yet nowhere is truly safe not even in the midst of a room full of people. The greatest danger exists in the growing attraction that Madeline and Gabriel are fighting to resist but no fear, the author makes sure there's a happy ending.

Whereas the story is exceptional, the characters alive and attractive, I fear that the writing at times left me perplexed. I found that there were many times when I was forced to turn back a page or two to reread because I wasn't sure from which character's point of view I was reading. It happened most often in the first chapters but then corrected itself yet re-emerged briefly toward the end of the book. Despite these brief problems in the book, I thoroughly enjoyed SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol and eagerly await her next foray into this world of suspense she is building for us.

I very much recommend SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol to anyone who loves historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, murderous suspects and most of all teasing passion that will have you begging for just a bit a more as you turn the pages until you find yourself truly satisfied.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, Avon Romance, release date - August 28, 2012, will be available in print and ebook format.

                                                                     

Wacky Wednesday: The Re-Emergence of the Alpha Hero

Cover Reveal for Pamela Palmer's
next Feral Warrior Romance
 coming in December -
Fox - now that's an Alpha!

Over the years that I've been reading romance novels, I've seen the heroes and heroines go through many changes but I am so very glad to see a re-emergence of the Alpha Hero.

In the beginning, the heroines were more genteel and fearful, more submissive and unwilling to cause trouble for fear of retribution. The heroes were Alpha males that took what they wanted from whatever female was available  -  hence romance novels easily lived up to their nickname bodice rippers.

Then along the way, the bodice rippers fell away to heroines who began to fight back a bit. A heroine began to make herself known as someone who wasn't going to submit so easily, who sought to win the hearts of their Alpha men and change them for the better - a very strong bad-boy conversion leveling the playing field a bit. Unfortunately, this led the way to a Beta Hero emerging who at times was too laid back, too easy going, and a bit reluctant to go after what he wanted from his now emerging Alpha Heroine.  I think we still want our men to be real men even if they help around the house and change diapers.

I'm very happy to say that over the past few years, I've read more and more novels from the romance genre that can boast not only a heroine who can give her hero a run for the money but strong Alpha heroes that aren't afraid to show their more gentle side even as they continue to be real men. I like that combination very much.

Whereas the Regency hero remains somewhat the same with his nobility and arrogance guiding his manner toward women, we are seeing Regency women with more spunk and attitude. Women who decide what they want and go about getting it without concerning themselves as to what society might say. It's within contemporary and paranormal romance that I'm seeing the most wonderful changes occur. Strong heroes emerging from men in uniform, strong heroines who have alpha careers who carry over that strong confidence into their relationships with their men. Paranormal heroes and heroines with skills, talents and mysterious powers that put them on an equal playing - or battle - field.

Pamela Palmer's Feral Warrior series is a great example of Alpha Heroes and Alpha Heroines who stand up to each other in both protective instincts and steamy passion. By the way, Pamela's novella, HEARTS UNTAMED, which first appeared in the anthology BITTEN BY CUPID is going to be released as a stand alone in September so if you'd like to read one of her fabulous works to get a taste of the Feral Warriors, so that you may experience them in all of their Alpha glory, this is a good one to start with - be careful though, you'll get hooked, I promise.

By the way, in tribute to our real-life heroes, our military troops, Wendy Corsi Staub is planning to send along some autographed copies of her books to the troops for the holidays and she is asking for messages to give thanks. If you'd like to send our troops a special thank you message, please CLICK HERE to go to the post on avonromance.com. Thank you, it only takes a moment and you'll lift the spirits of someone who is doing their duty to keep us safe and free.

How about you? How do you like your Romance Heroes - Alpha strong, Alpha with a touch of Beta, or all Beta?

Happy Reading Everyone!
Announcement: TINA is the winner of the THREE WEDDINGS AND A MURDER Giveaway - congratulations to her and I hope everyone will read this wonderful collection by these four fabulously talented ladies.  xoxo

                                                              
Hearts Untamed: A Feral Warriors Novella (Originally appeared in the print anthology BITTEN BY CUPID)

All For A Good Cause: THREE WEDDINGS AND A MURDER, an anthology

Lucky me, a while back I won a copy of this fabulous anthology with no expectations of a review but how can I not review this lovely collection of wonderful novellas? Impossible, I say, impossible. I must spread the word.

Also, I should mention that there's something very special about this anthology - all profits from this limited-time digital anthology will be donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. So for the cost of this lovely anthology, you'll be contributing to a good cause and getting a great collection of reading in return. Since I was given this anthology as a gift, I'd like to give back to this wonderful cause by purchasing an ecopy and giving it to one lucky commenter, so stick around to the end for details. : )

The first story in the anthology is by the winner of the 2012 RITA Award for Regency Historical Romance for A NIGHT TO SURRENDER. The wonderful, Tessa Dare:

THE SCANDALOUS, DISSOLUTE, NO-GOOD MR. WRIGHT

Miss Eliza Cade is a lady in waiting. And waiting. Because of a foolish mistake in her youth, she's not allowed "out" in Society until her three older sisters are wed. But while she's trying to be good, she keeps bumping elbows--and more distressingly, lips--with notorious rake Harry Wright. Every moment she spends with him, she risks complete ruin. The sensual passions he stirs in her are so wrong...but Eliza just can't resist Mr. Wright.

Normally with a novella you get a short expanse of time because of the size constraint but Tessa easily took us through years. Eliza Cade is precocious and incorrigible. She's looking for her time in the light - her Season. Standing in her way, three sisters - one already married and the other two nowhere near - and an unfortunate incident which has her father locking her down until her two older sisters are settled so that she might not ruin their chances of marriage with another - ahem - scandal. Of course, within the first pages of this novella, Eliza finds herself in a situation that if discovered would ruin her forever but she is fortunate that the man joining her in this incident has more decency than the last.

Harry Wright might be the wrong person for Eliza Cade or so he tells her but in truth, he cannot escape the memory of her. Over a serious of encounters, his attraction to this still maturing young woman is becoming harder and harder to resist. Eventually, he discovers that it's all the other men who are wrong for Miss Eliza Cade.

From the minute I began reading this delightful regency romance, I was hooked. I was hooked by the free-spirited heroine, Eliza Cade and the brash, teasing hero, Harry Wright. I caught glimpses of Jane Austen's influence amidst the characters and their relationships to each other, amidst the reactions to situations, and within the enticing and delightfully teasing banter that was the growing attraction between Eliza and Harry much as it was between Lizzie and her Mr. Darcy. My only wish regarding this story is that I wish it was full-length for when I reached the wonderful and exquisite ending, I smiled but with a tear in my eye for the characters and for me because I knew I was done. THE SCANDALOUS, DISSOLUTE, NO-GOOD MR. WRIGHT by Tessa Dare is exquisite and delightfully brilliant.

                      *                      *                       *                      *                       *

Next:  THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS by Leigh LaValle

Having awaited the return of her husband for half a decade, Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, has no intention of reconciling with her misbehaving marquess. But when he insists he needs an heir—immediately—she must confront her own lingering desires. Can she protect her heart while attempting to win his once again?

Reading this wonderful novella about a very stubborn wife who isn't ready to accept the return of a wandering husband had me thinking about the old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder. As we all know, absence doesn't necessarily make the heart grow fonder but in the case of Cat and Jamie, I think it did, at least enough to give them a second chance at the life they once dreamed of together.

Cat is a stubborn woman who understandable doesn't want to forgive her husband's abrupt disappearing act that has left her alone and unhappy for the past five years. Not knowing where he's gone or what may have happened to him, she has made the best of her life as a lonely wife caught in this state by a misunderstanding that caused a scandal and her husband's unwillingness to accept her excuse or forgive her her unfortunate circumstance.

Jamie has returned after a five year absence only because his heir has died and now he's in need of a new heir and Cat, his wife, is the only chance of that happening. Showing up five years after disappearing, Jamie is not exactly welcomed with open arms especially after he announces the only reason he's returned is to make sure Cat bears a child so he might have an heir.

Both unwilling to forgive the other, both wanting the other back in each other's arms, both stubborn beyond stubborn yet desiring each other just as great as when they married five years earlier. THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS by Leigh LaValle will keep you exasperated, cheering first for Cat then for Jamie and then sighing in relief when the two come together exquisitely and very romantically - a wonderful and delightful historical romance worthy of much praise. A second chance to build a life together after rescuing it from the scattered remains left by an unfortunate misunderstanding.

                        *                       *                      *                      *                       *

Next:  THE LADY ALWAYS WINS by Courtney Milan

Railway financier Simon Davenant has waited seven years for a second chance with his childhood sweetheart and best friend. He isn’t about to let his impending financial ruin destroy the opportunity. This time, he’ll do anything he can to secure her hand in marriage—even if it means losing her heart for good.

Simon Davenant has returned to win the hand of the woman he once lost because his family disapproved. He would have married her anyway but she would have nothing of it - not only because his family didn't approve but because he would have been cut off and she would've had to live a life of poverty. Petty, you think? No, Ginny Barrett Croswell knew true poverty and she knew real love but was more afraid of being poor than losing the only man she ever loved. Never sure when Simon was playing at love or sincere, Ginny intends to win no matter what. When the truth of why she married another man comes out, Simon realizes that his own plan to marry her before he loses his fortune would be cruel and unloving. After telling her the truth the real game begins and most definitely, the lady always wins.

THE LADY ALWAYS WINS by Courtney Milan is most definitely a second chance story. Of all of the stories in this anthology, this one was probably my least favorite but that's not to say it isn't well written. I just think the characters lacked something to bring them forward to be favorites of the reader. I honestly have to say that when I sat down to write my thoughts on it, I had to look back into the story to remember their names. I enjoyed the games they played with each other and I especially enjoyed the placement of the story in a time less known to Regency readers with some history of the railroad as a background. This novella is still worth reading and as I always say, different folks - different tastes, so someone else may think this the finest story in the anthology.

                            *                        *                     *                    *                     *

Next: SOLOMON'S WISDOM by Carey Baldwin

Bad-boy-turned-pediatrician Charlie "Drex" Drexler returns to Tangleheart, Texas hoping to reconnect with his old flame - but Anna won't cooperate, his dark past resurfaces, and his best friend's baby disappears. How will Drex and Anna mend their broken hearts while dodging bullets and racing to bring baby home safely?

We started with Regency then traveled further into the 1800's and now we are in present day with another friend turned lover second chance story that pulls in long time friends, the past and a killer - or two.  Already a huge fan of Carey Baldwin's talent in suspense I didn't expect anything else from her here and I wasn't disappointed.

Anna has never forgotten her first love, the best friend who chased every other skirt in Tangleheart but her, yet she was the only one who truly loved him. On the night she got up enough gumption to actually profess her love, a terrible thing happened that sent Charlie hurrying away from Tangleheart and her. Now he's returned and acts as if nothing has changed. He acts as if she never professed her love for him. He acts as if he never broke her heart. He acts as if they are still best friends.

Charlie had left Tangleheart to escape the pain of childhood, the disappointments that life kept throwing at him and the memory of a young girl who had apparently killed herself because he had broken up with her. He had never run away to escape Anna nor her professed love for him, or had he? He was back and he wanted to redeem himself to Anna, the girl he'd never forgotten or gotten over.

Even as Anna and Charlie attempt to get beyond the past and clear their way to capture each other's hearts, the past comes screaming back to the present and now one of their best friends is missing as well as her baby. Simone is running from something or someone. She and her baby have gone into hiding and someone is now trying to stop Anna and Charlie from finding her. Their only clues to solving what's happening lie within the past. When they happen upon the truth, it puts their lives in danger just when they realize they can clear away the walls that keep them apart.

SOLOMON'S WISDOM by Carey Baldwin is the dessert at the end of the meal in this anthology. Its complexity, its twists and turns keep you guessing right up to the moment all is revealed. First you think it's this person then this one and I even found myself pulling in folks that weren't even possible. I love a good mystery and Carey gives it to us, all the while keeping the teasing romance and second chance at love alive and steamy.

This anthology is a delight to read and also supports a wonderful cause. Nearly everyone on this planet has been affected by breast cancer in some way, either personally or by relation to a family member or friend so the purchase of a delightful few hours of entertainment is an easy thing to do to help someone else possibly get a second chance at life.

Since I did receive THREE WEDDINGS AND A MURDER, an anthology as a gift from Carey Baldwin, I'd like to do my part by purchasing another ecopy and giving it away to one lucky commenter. I hope even if you win this copy that you will spread the word and perhaps purchase another for a family member or friend.

So what do you think about second chances in love? Have you ever experienced one or wished for one?

This GIVEAWAY is OPEN to EVERYONE!!  Remember to leave a valid email address with your comment to be entered.

COMMENT + EMAIL ADDRESS = ENTRY

One lucky entry will be chosen at random. This Giveaway will run until NOON EDT on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 so Good Luck and ...

Happy Reading Everyone!  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS.

THREE WEDDINGS AND A MURDER, an anthology featuring works by Tessa Dare, Leigh LaValle, Courtney Milan, and Carey Baldwin, available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo Books.

                                                       

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!

I'd like to thank Joan for being an awesome guest of UNWRAPPING ROMANCE

and I'd also like to thank her and all my fabulous readers for helping make

my birthday a wonderful one this year.  I love you all!

Now for the Winners of Joan's amazing books!

The Winners of ecopies of INTIMATE ENEMIES are:


redjuliet


and


jlzaharia


and


Elizabeth




The Winner of the print copy of FEVER is:


Tatiana




Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you
to everyone who visited and commented. All winners have been notified
by email - those email addresses are soooo important! Winners, please
check your SPAM mail too - just in case.  : )

If you follow Joan on Twitter or Facebook, you'll find more opportunities
 to win her awesome books or just have fun following her.
She's such a wonderful lady!!

Happy Reading Everyone! 

Now For Something Different: Review of DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND by Alexandrea Weis

Recently, Alexandrea Weis asked me to read her newest release, DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND. Now normally I wouldn't accept this challenge for UNWRAPPING ROMANCE because Chick-Lit isn't really considered romance even though it can contain elements of romance and sometimes, even a happy ending. Well, when I read the description, I was intrigued. I was fascinated by the concept of a fortyish woman, wife and mother, embarking on an adventure that could destroy her life as she knows it. I just had to find out what happens in the aftermath. Once I did, I thought - yes, my readers might like this one. So, Alexandrea, thank you for the opportunity to read this wonderful story and as promised, I will present an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND:

Resilient and practical, Kara Barton has continually strived to live a respectable life. She went to college, embarked on a promising career as an attorney, married a great guy, and always appeared to be the perfect wife and mother. But all is not what it seems, and the troubling past Kara has been running from her entire life is about to catch up with her. Urged on by her insecurities about growing older, and desperately wanting to feel one more night of passion, Kara agrees to share a tryst in a hotel room with a sexy business associate, Scott Ellsworth. But Scott wants more than one night together, and Kara quickly discovers it is impossible to resist him. Soon Kara finds herself transformed into the kind of woman she vowed never to become, and the secure world she has struggled all her life to build begins to fall apart. Kara Barton is about to find out how a one-night stand can change everything.

                          *                   *                  *                  *                  *                *   

Kara Barton is an attractive, intelligent forty-something lawyer who has been married for 12 years and has a spirited and precocious ten year old daughter. She also has a very unhappy marriage with her husband, Cal. Feeling as if her youth is slipping away and that she is no longer sexually attractive, Kara succumbs to the flirtations of a handsome older man who invites her to join him in a night of unbridled passion. With the promise that this will only be a one time thing, she gets what she wants - passion, excitement but perhaps more.

Scott Ellsworth is a man with a reputation. He has a reputation for chasing married women and for causing more than one divorce in the process but he, himself, has no desire to be tied down or even in a relationship. Yet when Kara Barton comes into his life, things change. He cannot resist her after their one-night stand and when her husband becomes violent, he comes to her rescue giving her and her daughter a place to stay even as he continues to romance her, seduce her, and claim her.

DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND by Alexandrea Weis surprised and delighted me. It's a story of wishing for what was, what can be and discovering that it was there all along.  This story takes the reader through many ups and downs. It's full of passion, heartache, anger, and resentment but most of all it's filled with a sense of wanting what once was and discovering that it had never gone away but merely changed over the years.

I'm not one to usually quote a book in a review but there is one line from the book that summed up this experience that Kara Barton and many other women are faced with sometimes - the guy left holdin' your hand when life turns to shit is the man you should give your heart to.

DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND by Alexandrea Weis may be labeled a Chick-Lit but it's a romance. It has everything in it that makes you smile, wipe away a tear, and cheer for the heroine when she finally stands up for herself. It even has a happily-ever-after ending.

I do sincerely recommend DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND by Alexandrea Weis to anyone who is looking for a grown up story about a grown up woman that is living a life that can change on a dime not once but twice. And when her search for a real life ends, discovers it's brought her full circle.

Happy Reading Everyone!

DIARY OF A ONE-NIGHT STAND by Alexandrea Weis, World Castle Publishing, available now in print and ebook format.

                                                              

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY & WE ARE CELEBRATING WITH JOAN SWAN!

Yes, today is my birthday and to celebrate, I am so thrilled to have one of my favorite authors, Joan Swan, with us PLUS a great Giveaway!! So hang around, I don't have cake but I've got a fun Q & A with the fabulous author of FEVER and INTIMATE ENEMIES - if you'd like to take a moment to read my reviews on both of these awesome suspense romances, please do by clicking on a title above but hurry back - the fun's about to begin! Joan Swan, debuted this past February with her fabulous novel FEVER and now has ventured into the realm of self-publishing with INTIMATE ENEMIES. Having her here today is the best birthday gift I could get - she's witty, she's smart, and she's a writer that inspires me to want to write my best.  She's quoted as saying, "I write what I like to read: romantic suspense. I write for entertainment and escape–the same reasons I love to read. I prefer real-life language, so you’ll find profanity in my work when it fits the character. I prefer open-door sex, so my love scenes are typically hot and steamy. And because my stories involve suspense, you’ll often find violence, mystery and an inside look at the intricate world of forensics." I think this is why I love her work.

Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Joan Swan to UNWRAPPING ROMANCE!

Amy: Hi Joan, I'm so thrilled to have you here today! This truly is the best birthday gift a girl could get, welcome!

Joan: Thanks for having me, Amy!! You and I share close birthdays. Mine was in July, just a little over a week ago, I’m on the cusp of Cancer and Leo, though I’m definitely more Cancer. You’re definitely Leo, no?

Amy: Oh yes, I'm a Leo! Whenever we meet another Leo, my hubby just says, 'uh oh!' I wonder why?  *wink*

Joan, perhaps you could tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know you yet?

Joan: Oh, nothing particularly unusual here. I write romantic suspense and sometimes throw in a paranormal twist or two for the hell of it. J I’m OCD, an overachiever, a firefighter’s wife and mom of two daughters. I work at UCSF Medical Center as a sonographer.

Amy: Oh no, there's certainly nothing unusual about you. LOL!!

You are obviously an extraordinarily busy woman and I'm curious to know your secret for finding time to write such exciting and complex stories. Will you please share it?

Joan: Absolutely! I don’t cook, clean, exercise or do laundry. I live on diet coke and deadlines and sleep very little.
I actually live an unhealthy lifestyle (a la above) that I keep promising myself to change. Those changes always seem to get pushed off until tomorrow. I’m trying to change that, too.
I believe I might get some of that story complexity from the Theta waves I cultivate on my 4 hr drive to work. At least, that’s what I tell myself to stay sane.

Amy: Four hour drive to work? Wow, that would certainly give you a lot of time alone with your thoughts. So with that in mind and knowing that INTIMATE ENEMIES is an exciting, gripping, and action-packed story, where do you get your inspirations?  

Joan: Generally from a combination of my life, news, movies, books, and my ever-questioning brain.
Inspiration for INTIMATE ENEMIES came from my love of the Hispanic culture, a Californian’s everyday reality of hearing about the weak border between countries, an affinity for the reality show Border Wars, and lingering unanswered questions floating in my mind.

Amy: Do you have any set idea of how many books you'll include in the series, Covert Affairs, of which INTIMATE ENEMIES is Book One?

Joan: I can immediately think of five. Tomas’ book is next. But I can envision books for Xavier, Javier, and definitely Raymie.
The great thing about the missions in this series is that multiple agencies are involved, maybe even a rogue agent (or five) venturing out on his own. As these agents interact, more characters grow and demand the lime light. Which, of course, means more books.
I can see myself continuing to write this series as long as my readers are enjoying it.

Amy: Well, I know I'll be reading them and wanting more as I'm sure others will so you'd best be prepared to be writing this series for a long while. I love that Tomas' story is next, I won't say why because y'all have to read the book to find out!
Joan, now that you've ventured into the realm of self-publishing, is this an experience that you will continue and do you advise it for the rest of us wannabe authors?

Joan: I will continue to self-publish. There are several aspects of self-publishing I really enjoy—freedom, control, speed, reaching a wider audience, and yes, the money.
But there are aspects of traditional publishing I miss when self-publishing—those eyes with decades of experience, drop-dead deadlines that keep me in line, someone to ask legal questions of.
Whether self-publishing is right for any individual author is something only that author can decide. There is a learning curve. There is an expenditure of money needed up front. There is marketing to consider. And, while there is support available in the way of boards and groups, the buck stops with the author. That’s a lot of responsibility.
Also, it’s easier for an established author with a following to sell self-published works than someone fresh, right out of the gate.
Lots of pros and cons to consider. But, I’m glad I did.

Amy: It's always great to get some insight into something new from someone who has attempted it themselves and hopefully succeeds. We all wish you the very best of luck with your endeavor and I'll certainly being doing my part to help.
Joan, thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy day to be here with us. It's truly been such a delight. You're fast becoming one of my most favorite authors and I'm so addicted to your writing now that you could write a post-it and I'd want to read it.

Joan:  JJJJ Cute! But believe me, my first drafts aren’t so pretty! I revise, rewrite, edit and polish dozens of times before I’m ready to let your beautiful eyes see the real thing!

Amy: Well, we're so very glad that you put sooo much work and polish into your stories because they always come out so fantastic, it's worth it. I understand you'd like to give away some copies of your newest and most exciting suspense romance, INTIMATE ENEMIES - so please, feel free to ask anything of us since you've just been put in the hot seat yourself.

Joan: I’m happy to give away *3* copies J. Any e-format, international. Just leave your answer to this:
Do you like foreign or domestic settings better for romantic suspense? Why?

Amy:  So how 'bout it folks? Have you got an answer for Joan?

Giveaway 1:  Joan is giving away an ecopy of INTIMATE ENEMIES to 3 lucky commenters. Please leave a comment answering her question or just to say hello for a chance to win one of 3 ecopies of INTIMATE ENEMIES open to EVERYONE (International included)

Giveaway 2:  In addition to Joan's generous gifts, I am personally giving away a print copy of FEVER to one lucky commenter (US residents only).

All winners will be chosen at random and since there are actually two separate giveaways please in addition to leaving an email address in your comment, please state if you are US or INTL.

Also, if you don't own an ereader & only wish to be entered in the FEVER Giveaway, please let me know in your comment.  *wink*

SO - let's recap the rules: 
COMMENT + EMAIL ADDRESS + US or INTL = ENTRY

All valid entries will be entered in Joan's Giveaway of 3 ecopies of INTIMATE ENEMIES and all US Resident valid entries will be entered in my FEVER Giveaway as well as Joan's.  Got it!?  Remember, if I can't contact you to tell you that you won, you can't win - so follow the rules! Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

Both of these Giveaways will run until 11:30PM EDT on Friday, August 3, 2012 and all winners will be notified by email and announced on a special post on Saturday!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!! 

Thank you to everyone who visited & entered.  Good luck.  : )       

Thank you all for helping me to celebrate my birthday. I love my readers.

Happy Reading Everyone!!

INTIMATE ENEMIES by Joan Swan, available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and All Romance.

You're welcome to learn more about Joan Swan and her books at her website, follow her blog, as well as follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @joanswan and @romancegiveaway.