Katie Reus’ “Breaking Her Rules” Virtual Tour & Giveaway!

We are delighted to welcome back Katie Reus! Katie is a multi-published author of romantic suspense, paranormal romance and erotic romance. Katie is here for the next stop on her Virtual Tour celebrating the release of BREAKING HER RULES, the latest in her Red Stone Security romantic suspense. Breaking Her Rules was released on April 1st and has met with high accolades.

About Katie:

Katie Reus fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

Take It Away Katie!

Thanks so much to the ladies at Book Lovers, Inc. for having me as a guest here today! Breaking Her Rules, the sixth story in my Red Stone Security series just released and I’m very excited about this one. True, I’m always happy about any book releasing but this one is special because it features the first RSS female agent in this collection. In the first story (No One to Trust), the heroine works for RSS and she’s a brilliant analyst type, but in Breaking Her Rules, my girl is a total badass. She doesn’t leave home without strapping on at least one weapon!

Iris Tarango is a former Marine and not afraid to get her hands dirty when necessary. Developing Iris’s character was interesting on so many levels. Before I’d started the story I always knew what her military background would be, but I wasn’t sure why until I actually began writing. Then her true personality just slammed into me as she took over the pages. As opposed to the other US military branches, the Marines are predominantly made up of males so for a female to make the choice to become one is bold (and very cool).

If you’ve read either my paranormal or romantic suspense before you’ll already know that in my character career choices for men that almost all of them are former military, whereas my females have a wider array of backgrounds.

So what about you? Do you like reading about military or former military characters?

Length: Novel
Series: Red Stone Security Series, #6
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 1, 2013
Formats Available: eBook, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, All Romance,Kindle, Nook, Kobo Bookstore, iBooks

Book Blurb

Iris Tarango is a small-town girl from the wrong side of the tracks; she’s also a decorated former Marine who fought hard to become one of Red Stone Security’s most respected agents. But her perfectly ordered life is turned upside down when she’s assigned to guard the sexy, dominating tycoon she shares a secret history with. The instant Iris walks back into the billionaire’s diamond-studded orbit, the wild attraction flares between them…and her reputation, objectivity, and heart are in trouble.

After an attempt on his life, business magnate Wyatt Christiansen calls in major favors to hire Iris as his bodyguard. He knows she’s the best, though he has another motive too. He sees this as his final chance to win her heart. But when danger spins out of control, all Wyatt can think of is getting Iris out of harm’s way—even if it means losing her love in the end.

Unfortunately, the killer seems to know their every move. If Wyatt and Iris don’t figure out who put out the hit, they’ll lose more than their chance at happiness together.

Note: While Breaking Her Rules is the sixth story in the Red Stone Security series it can be read completely as a stand-alone.

Excerpt:

Iris Tarango slipped her hand into the crook of Gene Berr’s arm as they bypassed the extra security outside the already packed house party. She had more than one weapon strapped on her, as did all of the security team. The only difference between her and the rest of the team was that she was wearing a long, black formfitting dress. But strapping a blade to her thigh and a small gun to her calf was the perfect way to conceal her weapons.

She hadn’t been inside yet, but the line of cars along the winding driveway was a giveaway of the growing crowd and the security team inside had already let her know how busy it was getting. Which would just make her job that much harder.

With her two-inch heels she stood even with Berr at five foot eleven. He was a handsome, broad-shouldered, middle-aged man in good shape and for the most part she had no doubt that he could take care of himself in a one-on-one fight. There was a lot of muscle underneath the custom-made suit he was wearing and she could tell his nose had been broken more than once. She’d also read his detailed file and the man had been a boxer all through his college years.

Even if he could take care of himself, he’d hired Red Stone Security because someone had made it clear they wanted him dead. The threats had been escalating and last week his assistant had taken a bullet meant for him. Luckily the woman was going to be okay, though she was still recovering. Berr had paid for the best care, letting her heal at home instead of a sterile hospital. Berr was insistent that after his meeting tonight he be taken immediately to the woman’s home. Iris was pretty sure he felt guilty that someone close to him had been injured, but she could also tell Berr cared for his assistant way more than a boss should.

Not her business though. Tonight Iris was his shadow. Everyone but the security surrounding them would assume that she was his date for the evening. In reality she was the lead for his protective detail. If it was up to her he’d wouldn’t be at this party after such a blatant—if sloppy—attempt on his life, but apparently he couldn’t miss talking with someone important. She didn’t know the details of the meeting, just who he had the appointment with.

“No one’s going to believe you’re my date,” Berr murmured as a man wearing a tuxedo opened a large, heavy wood door into the main room of the palatial home and motioned for them to enter.

“You’re rich, of course they’ll believe it,” she said as she kept an eye on their immediate surroundings. Wealthy people could afford whatever they wanted. Sometimes whoever they wanted. Just because she was younger than him wouldn’t make most people at this party look twice. She actually wasn’t that much younger than him, maybe fifteen years, but she looked young for her age. Great genes was the only thing her mother had given her.

To their left Kell Malone and Vincent Hansen, two men she’d worked with on multiple occasions, were alert and prepared for any threats. Wearing dark suits, they blended in with the rest of this crowd. Well, sort of. She could see them for what they were. Dangerous men with a certain set of skills that would terrify most of the guests here. To their right were more men and women she trusted with her life and more importantly, the principal’s life. Protecting Berr was top priority tonight. They might be blending in, but every one of the team was on guard. As they stepped farther into the room, the team spread out into a circle surrounding her and Berr, but Iris doubted anyone else would notice the fluid movements of the team.

Berr chuckled next to her. “It’s refreshing being with someone so blunt.”

She blinked, then turned to look at him, realizing what she’d said. Sometimes she spoke without thinking. When she’d been in the Marines that hadn’t been much of a problem. Now that she was in the civilized world, she had to remember certain things. “Ah…I didn’t mean it like that. You’re handsome too…” She trailed off, realizing how lame she sounded.

But Berr just gave her a half-smile, clearly amused. “I meant that as a compliment, trust me. You remind me of…” His expression grew pained as he looked away, and Iris guessed he’d been about to say Loretta, his assistant’s name.

At least this guy wasn’t sensitive. She’d guarded enough men like that for a lifetime. Men who wanted her to stroke their ego—among other things. As if they thought that was part of her job. Fucking losers. They found out soon enough that she wasn’t just a pretty face. It was always a pleasure watching the shock on their faces when some moron thought he could lay hands on her then found himself flex-cuffed and flat on his face with her boot in his back. Her boss always warned their principals how things were done and made them sign very detailed contracts regarding their own behavior with her, but some of them never listened.

“The meeting starts in five minutes. We’re going to get you in, you’re going to take care of business, then my team is escorting you out. There will be no socializing or bullshit tonight. I refuse to put you at more risk than you already are. Understood?” Iris didn’t sugarcoat anything because it clearly wasn’t necessary with Berr. They’d already been over all this before, but she’d go over it a dozen more times if she felt it necessary. She didn’t think he would ignore her, but the last thing they needed was for anyone, including her team, to get hurt. Not only was she protecting Berr, but as team leader tonight, she considered her people her responsibility too.

“You’re the boss,” Berr said good-naturedly as they continued their slow trek across the marbled floor.

A few people nodded at Berr, but when he kept his expression stony and didn’t invite conversation, everyone stayed away. Which made her job easier. A jazz band played a slow song on the stage on the west side of the dimly lit room. A few giant chandeliers glittered prettily above them with what she guessed were real candles flickering from them. She was pretty sure the lighting was supposed to be romantic, but she didn’t like it. The brighter it was, the better she could see a potential threat. It was too dark right now. The sound of clinking glasses and laughter filled the air, various perfumes trailed around her, but she didn’t see anyone particularly threatening. Any server with a tray that got too close was smoothly cut off by Kell. The man was huge but moved with a stealth that impressed her. But if someone had managed to slip a gun past security…no, not with her team manning all the doors. It wouldn’t have happened. Still, she would never let her guard down.

“Iris, there’s a man at your six bearing down on you two. I’m intercepting.” Vincent’s voice had a deadly edge to it.

“Slow down,” Iris murmured to Berr, who immediately complied. Turning to the left so that Berr’s body was blocked from whoever was coming up on them, she swiveled and used her own body as a shield.

Then froze when she saw the man walking toward her, a determined glint in his piercing blue eyes.

What the hell was he doing here? Seeing him in the flesh after a month was a jolt to her system. She felt as if she’d been doused in ice cold water. Or punched right in the face. Somehow she found her voice. “Stand down, Vincent. Now. He’s not a threat.” Well, not to Berr. But he was a complete threat to her sanity.

She didn’t have to give any more explanation than that. Vincent stopped where he was, but his hand was close to drawing one of his concealed weapons from beneath his jacket.

Berr stiffened beside her, but then he shifted and must have seen who was walking toward them because he relaxed. “He’s fine, Iris. He’s joining in the meeting tonight. Last minute addition.”

Okay, that would have been nice to know, but she held her tongue. Mainly because she was having a damn hard time finding her voice. Her stomach tightened because of a whole mess of reasons, none of which she wanted to contemplate right now. As her pulse started to race, she bit back her anger at the affect he always had on her. Shit, shit, shit.

“Wyatt, good to see you. Thought you’d already be in the meeting by now. We’re running a bit late.” Berr held out a friendly hand to Wyatt, but the other man’s laser-like focus was all on Iris. And he was pissed. The anger rolling off him was almost palpable. “This is Iris Tarango, my date for the evening.”

Iris swallowed hard. Oh, Wyatt freaking Christiansen knew her very well. Too well. They’d grown up together, been friends for a long time, then a month ago she’d gone and done the dumbest thing ever.

She’d married the frustratingly sexy man.

 

Where To Find Katie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads Author Page

Find more tour stops and follow to increase your chances of winning at: Lit Connect

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Katie is offering up 5 backlist ebooks from her Red Stone Security series (one per the number of stops). The winner can choose from the first five installments as their choice for their prize. The contest is open internationally, entrants must be 18 years of age, and will run from 12:00am EST 4/8/13 – 11:59pm EST 4/15/13. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email, as well as displayed on the Rafflecopter widget within 5 days close of the tour. Full terms and conditions can be found on the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Thrill Ride by Julie Ann Walker

Format Read: e-ARC provided by NetGalley courtesy of Publisher for Review
Length: 352 Pages
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Black Knights Inc. Book IV
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Formats Available: eBook, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Publisher, Author’s Website, Amazon, Books-A-Milliion, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Book Depository, IndieBound, iBookstore, Kindle, Nook.

Book Blurb:

He’s Gone Rogue

Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information, and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc. aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all, but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows just how to drive him wild—refuses to cut him loose.

She Won’t Back Down

Vanessa Cordova hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist
very long, but she knows how to read people—no way is Rock guilty of murder. And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

My Thoughts:

This novel is aptly named because it is a THRILL RIDE. You not only get a romantic suspense that moves at warp speed, Julie Ann Walker also gives us a sexy Cajun hero to die for and a heroine who risks all to bring the man she has warm and fuzzy feelings for back to Black Knight Inc. A man accused of being worse than a traitor to his country.

Richard “Rock” Babineaux a former SEAL and one of the founding members of the clandestine group of government defense warriors called Black Knights Inc., has unwittingly got himself into very deep weeds. Outside of his missions with the Black Knights, Rock used his skills as an interrogator to assist in a project he believed was operated by the good guys to ferret out evil crime lords. However, when he uncovers information indicating “the good guys” were actually not at all what they seemed he started poking a hornets nest to find out the truth. Framed as a rogue operator Rock has very big CIA guns looking for him as the evidence supporting he is a traitor to his country is irrefutable. Rock eludes the authorities, utilizes his formidable survival skills and sequesters himself deep in jungles of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Despite the damning evidence against Rock, the close family of BKI specialists refuse to believe the worst about one of their own and set out to find him. When Rock is finally tracked down the beautiful Latino communications specialist Vanessa Cordero along with a small support group of Knights head to Costa Rica to bring him home. Rock is not pleased to see her and has no intention of putting the people he considers family in mortal danger and tries to send Vanessa packing. Vanessa is determined to convince Rock to accept the team’s help and follows him back into the dense jungle. Rock has no choice but to protect her not only from the host of dangers inherent to the location, but also from a major influx of CIA commandos with a shoot to kill agenda.

This book is a total adrenaline rush. Walker’s vivid descriptions plunge us into the lush jungle environment where Rock helps Vanessa maneuver one peril after the other, then the commandos arrive and things REALLY get tense and exciting. The enticing Cajun is an intelligent, battle-honed warrior who is prepared for every contingency. He also helps Vanessa deal with a paralyzing fear that has been relentless and traumatic. Rock and Vanessa have been dancing around an intense sexual attraction for some time. However he has some heavy-duty baggage with accompanying commitment issues that despite the desire flowing between them won’t allow him to give his heart to her. Walker builds the sexual tension over the course of the novel leading to hot, emotional love scenes. However, even after they become intimate, Vanessa still must face that Rock is determined to leave her.

Along loving the action and intrigue offered in this story, I enjoyed the laugh-out-loud humor that included a serving of awesome snark. Rock’s New Orleans’s dialect and colloquialisms are hoot-worthy and used liberally during dialogue and introspection. I have a thing for Cajun heroes, and in Rock, Walker developed a winner.

Julie Ann Walker gives excellent background information regarding the Knights and I didn’t feel disadvantaged at all for not having read the earlier series books. I understood why and how Black Knights Inc. came to be, had a good picture of each of the operatives as well as their quirks and quarks, and how they interact as a cohesive loyal group. There are also plot twists and quite a surprise in store regarding the identity of the very manipulative antagonist whose agenda and secrets are so well hidden proving Rock’s innocence seems hopeless.

There was a secondary plot-line developed between team member Bill and socialite Eva Edens so it will be interesting to see where Walker takes the Knight’s next. I was sorry when Thrill Ride ended; I loved Julie Ann Walkers’ voice and am eager to read the earlier and future books in this series.

I give Thrill Ride 4 1/2 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Review: Inside Bet by Katie Porter

Inside Bet by Katie Porter

Format Read: e-book provided by Novel Sidekick courtesy of Author for Review
Length: 276 Pages
Series: Vegas Top Guns, Book 2
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, BDSM
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Formats Available: eBook, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Publisher, Author’s Website, Goodreads, Kindle, Nook

Book Blurb:

As assistant director in an accounting firm, Heather Morris is at the top of her game. Her straight-laced colleagues wouldn’t believe the secrets she hides: her wild teenage past, work-of-art tattoo and nipple ring.

Her orderly life veers off course when she’s approached at a wine tasting by an arrogant pretty boy with a dirty mind and a hardcore dangerous profession. She finds herself tempted to step outside her respectable façade for some well-deserved excitement.

Captain Jon “Tin Tin” Carlisle knows women. Loves women. One glimpse of the nipple ring under Heather’s conservative blazer lights up all his instincts. He’s stumbled upon a rare treasure: an exotic beauty with a sexy laugh and a taste for dares.

After a red-hot hour of roulette, their simmering attraction bursts into an exploration of mutual passion that tests even Jon’s erotic limits. Soon he craves something he’s never desired before. More. But for Heather, more means trusting, and trusting leads to trouble.

Now Jon must decide if the best sex of his life is worth chancing his heart on a woman who shields hers so well.

Warning: Contains hot power play featuring a fighter pilot who comes from old money but knows all about bringing the dirty. Also: a nipple ring, sex on the hood of a hella sweet sportscar, and one teensy, tiny, wickedly naughty fluid exchange.

My Thoughts:

Author Katie Porter (writing duo Lorelie Brown & Carrie Lofty) reached out and grabbed my attention from the first page of the second book in their Vegas Top Guns Series. As noted in the synopsis Inside Bet is Captain Jon “Tin Tin” Carlisle’s story. Carlisle is one of the hot shot F-16 pilots stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. This guy has a genius intellect, is über alpha, has a quick sarcastic wit, and he likes no-strings-attached kinky sex with a capital letter K. However when he zeros in on business woman Heather Morris at wine tasting event he has no idea how much kink he is letting himself in for with the seemingly reserved woman.

Heather initially presents as sedate and cautious, as she puts it she likes her life orderly. She is career orientated and in line for a major promotion at an accounting firm that values propriety. Heather learned the hard way that setting her wild side free leads to nothing but but trouble and regret. However, Jon is given a glimpse of the penchant for wickedness she keeps deeply subdued and he senses her need to be naughty like a hungry predator. He charms Heather to let down her defenses and allow the genie out of the bottle, if only for the evening.

Taking her hand once again, he traced the inside of her wrist. Her mouth made pretty protests, but her frantic pulse said otherwise. He drew his touch over the fleshy base of her thumb, down into the soft valley of her palm. If he’d known her even a little bit better, he would have used his nail to scrape a pale red line over her soft skin.

“Because you want to,” he said quietly. “You’ve been good for a very long time, haven’t you?”

Inside Bet © Katie Porter

The erotism in this novel is exquisite, vivid and daring. What begins as a one night stand escalates into a series of adventurous encounters that include D/s play. These two challenge each other with dares and as the stakes and danger increase Jon and Heather push each other’s sexual boundaries to the limit. What I loved was the power exchange, Jon is a Dom but Heather is strong and adventurous during their interludes, she also enjoys taking control and there is a scene where she is shown as a switch. Their affair is addictive, but there is a line drawn, there will be no strings, no commitment. Both Heather and Jon have significant relationship commitment issues and neither has any intention of giving their heart to the other. Famous last words.

She chose her words carefully. “Whereas you believe your self-control is beyond reach.”

He chuckled. “You want me to lose control?”

“No,” she whispered. “I want to make you lose it.”

Inside Bet © Katie Porter

Heather and Jon’s love story is emotional and complex and through stellar sensual prose and dialogue I was kept completely entranced. These people have painful secrets and vulnerabilities that are masked by well sculpted outer shells. The climax of their story tore at my heart strings. However, the novel’s emotional intensity is well balanced with laugh out loud sarcasm between the protagonists and secondary characters who are all extremely well-drawn and I loved sin city as the setting.

Inside Bet offers a fast-paced relationship driven story that isn’t overburdened with aerial maneuvers or technical information regarding the nature of Jon’s flying with the Aggressor Squadron. There is great camaraderie between Jon’s teammates and two closest friends and the author(s) builds the background for book 3 of their Vegas Top Guns Series, Captain Leah “Princess” Girardi’s story, Hold ‘Em, due out September 25th. And trust me Leah is a real weapon. lol

When I was half way through Inside Bet I downloaded Book 1 of the series but didn’t feel disadvantaged by not reading Double Down first, in fact I can’t wait to read it. Inside Bet is a toe curling rush and if you like a hot erotic D/s themed read you may like to give it a try.

I give Inside Bet 5 Stars & an added fist pump! 😉

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Review: His Secret Past by Katie Reus

His Secret Past by Katie Reus

Format Read: e-Book Galley provided by NetGalley courtesy of Carina Press
Length: 80,000 words
Release Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Formats Available: e-Book, Kindle
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher, Goodreads, Kindle, Nook, All Romance eBooks, Audible.

Book Blurb:

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

Betrayed by rogue CIA agents after infiltrating an infamous drug cartel, former DEA agent Hunter Cassidy has spent years trying to clear his name. He’s not proud of the things he’s done, and knows he doesn’t deserve a future with Alexis, or the son he never knew he had, but he’s determined to protect them from the men who ruined his life. Convincing Alexis to trust him—and denying his feelings for her—is going to be the hardest mission he’s ever faced.

My Thoughts

Alexis Baptiste, a devoted single mom to her 5-year-old son Jonathan lives quietly in a small town in North Carolina. Alexis will soon marry Michael, a wealthy area businessman who loves her and treats Jonathan like his own son. While passion is lacking in their relationship Alexis is settled with her decision, Michael offers security, he is dependable and caring and will make a good life for her and Jonathan. It’s evident however, that Alexis Baptiste’s heart belongs to another man, Jonathan’s father, Hunter Cassidy, even though she believes he abandoned her and broke her heart 6 years earlier. Alexis has no idea where Hunter is or if he is alive.

An ex-DEA agent Hunter has been working undercover for 6 long years in the in the jungles of South America. He didn’t choose this undercover mission, it wasn’t sanctioned by the DEA. Hunter was blackmailed by Tom Davis, a traitorous rogue CIA spook. Reus, can really write a nasty antoginist and Tom Davis as well as his associates are major nasties! Hunter cultivated a role as an international arms dealer, and used his contacts to infiltrate a drug kingpins inner circle and steal secrets regarding Davis’ dealings that will expose him. That’s if Hunter can get the information into credible hands before Davis stops him, permanently. However, that’s not all, Davis knows what Alexis means to Hunter and if Davis can get to her before Hunter he will hold the trump card. Hunter Cassidy has no idea he is the father of a 5-year-old son. With the bad guys in hot pursuit, Hunter leaves Central America and heads to North Carolina, and the woman he left holding his heart 6 years ago.

In Hunter Katie Reus crafts a seasoned, highly trained agent who is extremely conflicted about what he has had to do to survive and protect Alexis from Tom Davis’ evil. This hero’s shame and self loathing is quite palpable, even though he wants Alexis desperately but he feels he isn’t worthy and given what has happened between them is fully aware he will never be welcome in her life again. One of the many things I loved about this story is that Hunter realizes immediately after seeing his son for the first time that Jonathan is his. He does the math and the boy looks like him. So, it’s a double whammy, not only is his lost love engaged to another man who is obviously good to her, Hunter feels he has no place in his son’s life. Even worse, deadly danger is coming to Alexis and Jonathan’s door, and it’s his fault.

Alexis’ world tips on it’s axis when she sees Hunter sitting in a car on the street outside the studio where she has attended a final bridal gown fitting. (I know, ironic.) She refuses to acknowledge Hunter, harboring a seething anger and distrust of the man who hurt her so badly. However, when her an her son’s lives are threatened and it is apparent Hunter is the only man capable of protecting her and Jonathan, she is forced to let him back in her life.

Brace yourself! His Secret Past, is action packed and very fast paced with a number of surprises in store. Reus has crafted a plot full of treachery and corruption that connects to the highest levels of government.

What impressed me most about this story is the characterization and primary role given to Jonathan. His initial shyness and wonder at meeting his real father for the first time, as well as how he adapts to the change in his life and danger unfolding around him was so realistic. It is especially poignant to see Jonathan’s relationship with Hunter grow and blossom into a special connection. Reus doesn’t hold back in integrating Jonathan into a life and death kidnap scene and harrowing escape. There are a number of nail-biting sequences in this story that showed the hero’s bravery and lethal defense skills. There are kill scenes incorporated into the storyline but the child is spared that visual.

Alexis stands out as a remarkable, brave woman who does what she must to protect her son. Further, I liked how once she understood what Hunter had endured she accepted his past and realized that he did what he had to do to protect her when he left.

I also liked Michael, who proves to be one of the good guys by helping Alexis and Hunter as best he can. While I felt sorry that he didn’t get the woman he loved, the author does give closure to his story. 😉

His Secret Past offers a multi-layered romantic suspense with a double barreled lovers reacquainted and secret baby themes. The sensuality is light but the author treats readers to a powerful, dominating hero who is matched with an equally strong woman who demonstrates surprising resourcefulness under the worst of circumstances. I’ve read a number of Katie Reus books now, and I have to say this one is my favorite.

I give His Secret Past 5 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Interview: Katie Reus + Giveaway!

Katie Reus

We are delighted to welcome back Katie Reus to BLI today! Katie is a multi-published author of romantic suspense, paranormal romance and erotic romance. She writes awesome appealing Alpha heroes for her well crafted, thrilling and action packed plots. Katie is here for a dual celebration as her fast paced, spine tingling romantic suspense thriller His Secret Past was released from Carina Press on January 2nd. As well Alpha Instinct the kick-off novel in her Moon Shifter series is being released from NAL Signet Eclipse on February 7th! Katie and I are chatting today about her upcoming releases!

Lea: Katie! Welcome back to BLI! Congratulations on your exciting new publications! 🙂

Katie: Thank you so much for having me here with you today! It’s always a pleasure to hang out at BLI and with you!

Lea: His Secret Past is a thrilling, action packed romantic suspense about a former DEA agent who, not by choice, left the woman he loved and worked undercover in Central America for 6 years.

Here is the Blurb:

His Secret Past by Katie Reus

Publisher: Carina Press
Formats Available: e-Book, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher, Goodreads, Kindle, Nook, All Romance eBooks, Audible.

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

Betrayed by rogue CIA agents after infiltrating an infamous drug cartel, former DEA agent Hunter Cassidy has spent years trying to clear his name. He’s not proud of the things he’s done, and knows he doesn’t deserve a future with Alexis, or the son he never knew he had, but he’s determined to protect them from the men who ruined his life. Convincing Alexis to trust him—and denying his feelings for her—is going to be the hardest mission he’s ever faced.

Excerpt

Lea: Please tell us about stellar hero Hunter Cassidy.

Katie: Hunter is a bit of a tortured, complex character. He grew up in foster care and if it hadn’t been for some kind individuals he would have likely ended up in prison or as a career criminal. Instead, he joined the navy, then after that he went to work for the DEA. He was a man who loved his country and lived by a certain set of ideals. But then due to circumstances in his life (blackmail), he was forced to take on a role that changed the way he viewed himself. To protect the woman he loved, he became someone he hated so when he’s thrust back into her life, he doesn’t think he’s remotely good enough for her. When he discovers he has a son, he plans to financially take care of him but Hunter is so conflicted about his place in his son’s life.

Lea: You created a strong heroine in Alexis Baptiste, a devoted single mom who has a successful career. Alexis harbors significant anger and resentment toward Hunter. She doesn’t know why he left her and feels he abandoned and betrayed her. Please talk a little about their previous relationship and the circumstances that brings Hunter, and a truckload of trouble, back into Alexis and her young son’s life.

Katie: Thank you! Being a single parent is tough (not that I know from actual experience but I have friends who are and they absolutely amaze me) and it has shaped who Alexis has become at the start of His Secret Past. Alexis and Hunter met six years before the story starts and they both fell hard for each other. Despite having a fairly rough childhood herself and living with a mother who endured one abusive relationship after another, Alexis jumped into a relationship with Hunter with open arms because she knew he was a good man and she couldn’t help but love him. Then one day he was just gone. After he left, she discovered she was pregnant but had no way to contact him. Now, it’s years later and a month before her wedding to someone else and the same day Hunter appears back in her life, someone tries to kill her. Hunter saves her, but then restrains her (man is she pissed about that!) and takes her with him to dispose of the man who tried to kill her so she won’t involve the police. They get off to a very rocky start in His Secret Past to say the least.

Lea: This story has a secret baby as well as a lovers reacquainted theme. I loved your realistic portrayal of 5 year old Jonathan, who holds a pivotal important role in the story. Is this the first book you’ve written with a child as one of the primary characters?

Katie: I love secret baby stories (though this wasn’t a secret by choice, she had no way to contact him!) and lovers reunited is probably one of my all time favorite themes so it was fun to combine the two. Yes, this is the first book I’ve written with a child in a primary role and it was so much fun giving him page time 

Lea: Have you spent a lot of time around young boys? I’ve raised 2 of them and have to say I felt you really nailed Jonathan’s persona and his reactions to what happens in the story.

Katie: As of very recently I spend most of my days with a little boy (well, he’s only six months old), but he wasn’t the inspiration for Jonathan. I have a lot of cousins Jonathan’s age (they were when I wrote this story) and I based much of Jonathan’s personality on two of my younger twin boy cousins.

Lea: Were you concerned about how giving Jonathan a major role would be received by readers given Hunter’s background and what happens when he re-enters their lives?

Katie: Actually, no. Even though this isn’t the first book I’ve had published, it is the first book I wrote (though it’s been heavily editing and rewritten since that first draft years ago) and the characters just jumped to life for me and I wrote exactly what I wanted. It never even crossed my mind that I couldn’t give a child a pretty big role in the book.

Lea: You not only gave this couple a child, you gave Alexis a wealthy, influential fiance which really muddies the waters. lol Alexis isn’t exactly head-over-heels in love with the man she has planned to marry though is she? I liked Michael BTW, I’m glad you didn’t place him in an antagonistic role.

Katie: I’m so glad you said that! Alexis never would have been with a jerk and especially never planned to marry one because it would have meant he’d be a terrible influence on her young son so it wouldn’t have made sense for Michael to be a bad person. If anything, he definitely gets a raw deal. Sometimes in relationships there aren’t any ‘bad guys’, stuff just doesn’t work out and I wanted to keep that realism with his role.

Lea: Speaking of antagonists, you sure can write them! lol Tom Davis is a rogue CIA spook who is up to his neck in nefarious stuff. How is the bad guy connected to Hunter?

Katie: He’s been blackmailing Hunter for years and he’s the reason Hunter had to leave Alexis. I really hated this guy and it was so much fun writing such a bad character.

Lea: You have some surprises in store for readers in His Secret Past don’t you Katie? *g*

Katie: Yes! And I don’t want to give away spoilers so that’s all I’ll say!

Lea: Good move! 😉
Okay, we have to talk about Alpha Instinct!
Here’s the Blurb:

Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

Publisher: NAL Signet Eclipse
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, Kindle, Nook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Goodreads, Powells, Book Depository, IndieBound, Chapters, Kindle, Nook, iBooks

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

Lea: So in Alpha Instinct readers can look forward to a lovers reacquainted theme. Please tell us more about heroine Ana.

Katie: Ha, yes, I love second chances. Ana became the temporary leader of her pack by default when all the males and the pregnant females in her pack were killed by silver poisoning. She loves her sisters and cousins more than anything and would do anything to protect them. She’s not a warrior but she does have an alpha personality (there are distinctions among shifters) and butts heads a lot with Connor when he takes over as Alpha of their pack because she’s not used to answering to anyone.

Lea: If I know you, we can look forward to a strong alpha male lupine shifter in Connor! lol Without giving away any reveals can you talk a little about the hero and heroine’s previous relationship?

Katie: This is all introduced fairly early in the book so no spoilers here: They were really good friends roughly fifty years ago. Connor had been living on her father’s land—who was her pack Alpha at the time—after roaming around for so long with his brother. Ana thought Connor wanted more than friendship from her and was ready to settle down with him. Then one day when she went to meet him in their secret meeting spot, he wasn’t there. And she hasn’t heard from him once until the day Alpha Instinct begins.

Lea: I’ve found with other shifter stories that mating involves a physiological and emotional bond. Is this true for your shifters?

Katie: Yes. My shifters have unbreakable bonds when they finally settle down with their bondmates. While Connor feels a mating pull for Ana, it’s definitely a male thing in this series to feel the ‘mating’ tug long before the female does. Once shifters are bonded (which is different than being simple lovers or even dedicated mates) there’s no walking away for either party except through death so it’s a serious commitment they make to each other. And Connor wants it all from Ana. While there’s usually a ‘knowing’ for the males early on, these shifters always have a choice in who they eventually mate and/or bond with.

Lea: Can readers expect another evil, maniacal antagonist in Taggart? 😉

Katie: Yes! He’s a real bastard and he was fun writing. However, there is another villain in the story but his identity is unknown until the very end. He was very interesting to write and he didn’t think the atrocities he committed were evil because he didn’t view shifters as having worth since they’re not fully human. I enjoyed writing him because he was a complex character.

Lea: Please tell us more about the future books planned for your Moon Shifter Series.

Katie: The next book, Primal Possession, is coming out in September 2012 and the third book (still untitled) is set to release around March 2013. Primal Possession features Liam and December, both introduced in Alpha Instinct. Liam is Connor’s brother and December is a human who knocks him off his feet the first time they meet. There’s a sneak peek at the end of Alpha Instinct into this book. The third book will feature a woman who plays a small role in Alpha Instinct and a male who is only mentioned but not introduced until Primal Possession.

Lea: What do you think sets Alpha Instinct apart from other shifter novels?

Katie: Okay, this is a hard one! Since I originally wrote Alpha Instinct (a couple years ago…it’s taken a while from submission to production!) I haven’t read that many shifter stories because I don’t want to muddy my world building. But, I think what might set Alpha Instinct apart is that my shifters ‘outed’ themselves to the world decades ago. They, along with vampires and other paranormal creatures made a decision to reveal their existence to the world for a multitude of reasons. Technology was one reason, but there are others. In some paranormal worlds I’ve noticed that the paranormal beings are forced to keep their existence from humans secret (which makes for some great conflict and tension), but I thought having their existence revealed to humans would make things even more interesting.

Lea: That is unique in a sifter novel Katie! I’m so looking forward to reading Alpha Instinct!

You are busy Katie! What can readers look forward to from the desk of Katie Reus after the publication of Alpha Instinct?

Katie: In April I have a paranormal novella releasing from the Harlequin Nocturne Cravings line. If you read Destined Mate, this is the story of the second-in-command to the hero in that book. They’re not series books though and can be read completely stand alone. Then in August I have a novella in the Moon Shifter series releasing (tentative title is Lover’s Instinct) and in September, Primal Possession, the 2nd full length book in the Moon Shifter series will be out. I’m also currently working on a category length romantic suspense I hope to have out in the spring (self-published).

Lea: I loved Destined Mate and really like the Nocturne Cravings line from Harlequin! Looking forward to Destined Mate’s sequel!

Please summarize Alpha Instinct for us twitterstyle (in 140 characters or less)?

Katie: This is hard! Okay…

Alpha Instinct features sexy shifters, dangerous villains & an Alpha who will do anything to protect his intended mate & newly founded pack

Lea: Awesome Tweet! 🙂
Now the hard question! lol Please tell us 3 reasons why readers will enjoy His Secret Past and Alpha Instinct?

1. Sexy alpha males
2. Lots of emotion
3. Super devious villains

Lea: Katie, thank you so much for joining us here today! It’s always a pleasure. 🙂

Katie: Thank you for having me!!

Where To Find Katie:

Website
Twitter
Facebook

 

Heads Up:

Katie is running a contest from January 1, 2012 – February 18, 2012. Each week participants will be eligible to win the weekly prizes, which include: Amazon gift cards, Ghirardelli chocolates, books by other awesome authors, and copies of Alpha Instinct and His Secret Past. The grand prize will be Amazon’s newest Kindle. Each weekly contest will be open until midnight Saturday at the end of that respective week. The more things you do the more times you’re entered.

Click on the Image to get all the details!!

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Katie has generously offered a Digital copy of His Secret Past to one lucky commenter! :-)And, she is offering an ARC print copy of Alpha Instinct to one lucky commenter from the USA!

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about Katie’s interview or a question for her!
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This Giveaway is open Internationally for His Secret Past & US commenters have a chance to win an ARC copy of Alpha Instinct in print!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, February 4th, 2012; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

Author Interview: Virna DePaul + Giveaway

BLI is delighted to welcome back Virna DePaul today who is here to celebrate the upcoming release of Chosen By Fate the second novel in her Para-Ops series. Virna is a former prosecutor who writes about flawed individuals who find redemption through courage and love. Chosen By Blood, the first novel in her Para-Ops series was released to rave reviews on May 3, 2011. Chosen By Fate will hit the stands on October 4, 2011. The Para-Ops series is published by Berkley Sensation. Virna has been a very busy lady this year and in addition to her Berkley Publications her stellar Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel Dangerous to Her was published on August 23, 2011.

Lea: Virna! Welcome back to BLI, so delighted you are able to join us again. 😉

Virna: It’s always a pleasure to hang out with you and your readers. Thanks so much for having me!

Lea: Since you were here previously and discussed your writing process I’m going to cut right to the chase and ask some questions about Chosen By Fate, along with a question thrown in about Dangerous to Her. 😉

What can we expect of Chosen By Fate?

Virna: Chosen By Fate starts off right where Chosen By Blood left off. Chapter One begins immediately after the Para-Ops team returns from North Korea, with Caleb O’Flare trying to rescue FBI Director Kyle Mahone. Chosen By Fate has lots of action, but it is more focused on the romance, the relationship between Wraith and Caleb. What started out as an intense attraction between the two in the first book develops into something passionate yet deeply emotional. Wraith fights her feelings for Caleb because she’d never wanted anyone more and her whole existence has been about pain and loss. But despite his own issues, Caleb is steadfast and true. He gives Wraith the strength to take what’s hers.

Lea: Wraith is one of the more complex and fascinating paranormal creatures I’ve read. Among the Otherborn races in your stories wraiths are an anomaly, no one knows how they came to be, there is a lack of understanding regarding their physiology. Essentially they are the walking dead, but they have regenerative abilities. They are intelligent and have feelings, and fears no memory of who they were before becoming a wraith, and all of this is compounded by the fact they feel pain when a human touches them. The thing is, Wraith has an almost palpable self loathing and has turned to pain during the 10 years of her existence, on top of that she has endured torture and betrayal. Can you tell us a little about Wraith’s appearance and her complexities?

Wraith can’t hide what she is. Her blue-tinged skin, white hair, and hazy eyes exude “walking dead.” She can’t see colors, sees things (like trees) in a deadened state even when they are flourishing, and can’t be killed by any known means. She’s a freak by both human and Otherborn standards, but instead of cowering in a corner, she capitalizes on shock value by wearing skintight leather and four-inch blue stilettos, cursing a blue streak, and never letting anyone close. Despite her best efforts, however, Caleb sees more to her than she wants him to. As Caleb recognizes, Wraith is “a heinous bitch, yes, but one whose attitude and mouth was designed to hide something textured and complex…”

Lea: Wraith is a kickass heroine, tough as nails with an ATTITUDE but she is also quite vulnerable isn’t she Virna?

Virna: Wraith is definitely vulnerable, but she’s great at hiding it. She’s lived her entire existence feeling pain and being isolated from others, and she thinks this is her fate. She abides by the theory that if you never allow yourself to get close to someone or feel pleasure, you can’t miss him or it when it’s gone. Joining the Para-Ops team gives Wraith her first taste of truly “belonging” somewhere, and this is what enables Caleb to get past her natural defenses.

 

Lea: Caleb O’Flare, is a psychic shaman, a human with extraordinary abilities. He is special forces trained having fought in the war. (He is also a major hottie!) Caleb has his own demons related to the loss of his best friend who was a male feline during the war. He blames himself for the horrific events surrounding his friend’s death. Caleb is tough and strong, but as a healer he is bound to ease suffering, not cause pain. Would you be willing to share more about Caleb’s background with readers?

Virna: Caleb is a special hero for me. He’s not quite as alpha as Knox or Dex because he shows his emotions more easily. He’s the good-looking charmer with a lazy smile and fast wit that hides his inner pain. He’s half-Irish and half-Native American, a shaman healer, and capable of hearing the “Great Song” and walking the Otherworld. As an army medic, he’s seen the ravages of war and his greatest hope was promoting peace. Caleb has an ability to determine if someone is telling the truth, but when the US government asked him to participate during the torture of a prisoner of war, he refused. The prisoner ended up dying and only later did he learn it was his friend, Elijah, the feline prince. Caleb went into a deep depression, drinking too much and hiding from the world. But then Kyle Mahone showed up, offering him a position on the Para-Ops team. Interestingly enough, while every other member of the team bargained for something, Caleb joined the team with no specific consideration in mind. Instead, he takes Mahone’s IOU, and ultimately uses it not for himself but for the benefit of someone else.

Lea: Caleb wants Wraith as his lover and she wants him but given her physiology and his ethics it makes for an interesting dilemma for the hero and heroine of this novel, doesn’t it?

Virna: I think it does. Wraith longs for touch and connection but being touched causes her pain. She sees pain as her punishment in life, so she actively seeks it out. Caleb is a healer who blames himself for the torture and death of his best friend; the last thing he wants is to cause anyone pain, let alone someone he cares for. What they both come to learn is that pleasure and pain go hand-in-hand, and that love means giving and receiving all that we are, the good and the bad.

Lea: Dex (a werebeast), & Lucy (a mage / feline) have major secondary roles in Chosen By Fate. I really like Dex, he is quite an enigma, I’m quite intrigued to learn his secrets and more about the were’s and where Dex fits in? We learned a little about Dex in Chosen By Blood, he is an outcast is he not?

Virna: Yes, Dex is a werebeast, half werewolf and half human, a creature that is rejected by his own kind for being “less than.” They are often referred to as “pets” or “whipped dogs” since they are generally weaker than full-blooded werewolves. Dex used to ride with a biker gang of werebeasts, called the Ferals, but broke from the gang after he killed one of its members. We know he was abandoned by his family and sent to live at a school for cast-off werebeasts, that he and the other boys were abused at the school, and that he joined the Para-Ops team for one purpose—to get revenge on this grandfather. Dex is hard-edged and a loner, but as we see in Chosen By Fate, he is giving and loyal to those he cares about, including Lucy. I’m writing Dex’s story, Chosen By Sin, right now, and although I’m putting him through the wringer, I can’t wait to see this wounded bad boy get his happy ending.

Lea: The suspense subplot of Chosen By Fate involves the felines, and you develop and expand the physiology and social order of these beings. What exactly are the felines Virna? They have an actual monarchy don’t they?

Virna: Yes, vamps and felines are ruled by their respective Kings and Queens. Unlike werewolves and werebeasts, felines and the half-breed werecats are not shapeshifters, nor do they have a longer lifespan than humans. On the other hand, felines are very protective of their half-breeds. As a whole, the cat breeds are very family-oriented and known for their highly intelligent yet down-to-earth natures. They are very sexual. Cat breeds go into a sexual heat that lasts seven days, then ebbs for seven days before starting again. Although felines generally embrace their sexuality, it becomes evident in Chosen By Fate that their sexuality is also a source of pain for them. In many ways, it controls who they are and what they do. Feline opponents argue this makes them dangerous. Some felines are desperate to reclaim their independence and find a cure for the heat. Lucy Talob, the Para-Ops team’s feline mage, falls into this latter category.

Lea: Please tell me there will be more books in the Para-Ops series, and if so whose book will be next? Do you have a title?

Virna: I’m planning at least four books in total for the series, so I can get Dex and Lucy’s books out after Chosen By Fate. Dex’s story, Chosen By Sin, is next. I’m also introducing some new intriguing characters (including a dragon shifter) that may get their own stories, as well. Depends on how much time readers are willing to spend with us!

Lea: WOOT! Well, this reader can’t wait for Dex’s and Lucy’s books. 😉

Okay, Dangerous to Her is a thrilling romantic suspense with a reacquainted lovers theme. There is also a secret baby in this story. Please tell us about this book and hero Dom Jeffries and heroine Mattie Nolan.

Virna: Dangerous To Her, my debut novel with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, came out at the end of August 2011. In the story, Dom Jeffries is a burned out undercover cop who is out to avenge his best friend’s death. He goes under cover as a bailiff to investigate a judge and ends up reuniting with court reporter Mattie Nolan, his college girlfriend. Dom broke things off with Mattie because she couldn’t accept his dangerous career choice, but what he didn’t know was she was pregnant at the time with his daughter. The story explores not just the relationship between the hero and heroine, but brothers and sisters, friends, parents and children, etc. I think the book balances intrigue and action with an emotional love story and readers have responded well to the “twist” at the end.

Lea: As I mentioned to you before, I would love to read Mattie’s brother Tony’s story. (Hint, hint – lol)

What can fans expect next from the desk of Virna DePaul?

Virna: There’s a good chance Chosen By Sin, Dex Hunt’s novel, will be out before the new year!

In addition, I’m finishing up my debut romantic suspense novel, Shades Of Desire, with HQN. The book comes out June 2012 and is the first in a series about “SIG,” the California Department of Justice’s elite Special Investigations Group. These law enforcement officers are the “best of the best,” helping other departments solve crimes across the state. In Shades Of Desire, the heroine, a world-famous photographer, takes a picture she shouldn’t have just before she goes blind; in the story, she must grapple with her new disability and her attraction to the hero, a homicide detective, as well as help him stop a killer who soon puts her in his sights. The next book in the series, tentatively titled Shades Of Temptation, comes out October of 2012, and focuses on other SIG characters introduced in Book 1.

My next Harlequin Romantic Suspense comes out in May 2012, and is about a woman and her former crush, a homicide detective, who reopens the investigation of her mother’s murder; the detective is the same man who caused the heroine and her mother to fight just before her mother was murdered, obviously leaving the heroine with unresolved guilt about her feelings for the hero.

Lea: Oh! I’m so delighted to hear that Chosen by Sin will be out so soon. Your new HQN novels sound simply awesome, congratulations Virna!

Can you summarize Chosen by Fate for us twitterstyle (in 140 characters or less)?

Virna:

A sexy, smart-mouthed ghost who feels pain whenever she’s touched & a human psychic healer learn that pleasure & love are worth any risk

Lea: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read Chosen By Fate and Dangerous to Her?

Virna:

• The heroes are sexy and strong enough to give their women the gentleness they deserve.
• The heroines are complex and strong enough to fight for those they love.
• There’s lots of action to keep you on your toes and just as much romance and emotion to touch your heart.

Virna, thank you so much again for joining us at Book Lovers today. I for one am a committed fan. 😉

Virna: I can’t thank you enough for your enthusiasm and support. I love that your reviews and interviews have such depth. You’re the best kind of reader an author can hope for!

Well, thank you for your kind words Virna and for sharing your wonderful stories with us! 🙂

Where to find Virna:

Website
Twitter
Facebook

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Virna has generously offered a copy of Chosen By Blood & a swag package including Chosen By Blood and Chosen By Fate Trading Cards to one lucky commenter!

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, October 8, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

 

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Review: Dangerous to Her, by Virna DePaul

Format Read: e-ARC submitted by author for review
Length: 224 Pages
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, Kindle, Nook, eBook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Book Depository, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, eHarlequin, Books-A-Million, Powell’s, Chapters, Kindle, Nook, eHarlequin ebook

Book Blurb:

“I’m not afraid anymore.”
For years, court reporter Mattie Nolan kept her child a secret. The man she once loved chose his dangerous job—undercover cop—over her. But now, Sacramento detective Dom Jeffries is all that’s standing between her and the drug kingpin set on revenge against everyone who put him away. Including Mattie.

Though teetering on the edge of burnout, Dom goes undercover as a bailiff in Mattie’s courtroom. While he pretends not to remember her, thoughts of her touch, her smell and the smile that had been his alone keep resurfacing. Then he uncovers the secret she’s protecting. To save the daughter he’s never known and the woman he’s never forgotten, Dom’s ready to sacrifice not just his job, but his life…

Excerpt

My Thoughts

Dominic “Dom” Jeffries and Mattie Nolan were lovers in college and had big plans. Then Mattie discovered Dom was determined to become a police officer and she couldn’t deal with the inherent danger involved with his chosen career. They therefore parted ways and Mattie gave birth to their daughter nine months later. Dom has no idea he is a father.

Flash forward 10 years to present day and readers are introduced to Dom as a seasoned undercover detective on the verge of burnout. He is grieving and angry due to the loss of Joel, his best friend and former partner in a tragic shooting. There are rumors swirling that Joel was a corrupt cop and Dom knows in his bones this is false. He therefore accepts an undercover assignment as a bailiff in the court of Judge Butler, who presided over the conviction of a local crime lord. A defense attorney has been murdered and a detective involved with the case is missing. Joel had asked Dom to take the assignment prior his death to keep an eye on the courtroom and find out if anyone associated with the judge was involved with the bad guy. When Dom reviews the files detailing the people surrounding Judge Butler he is stunned to find Mattie is the court reporter.

Not long after she split up with Dom, Mattie married a man who ironically was a police officer and quite a daredevil. Mattie’s husband was good to her and her little girl raising Jordan as his own. Unfortunately her husband was killed in an accident when Jordan was 5 years old. Mattie has not remarried and has worked hard to make a cozy home for herself and Jordan. She has never forgotten Dom and while she harbors significant resentment at his choice of career over her, she still remembers their intimate moments, his touch. Then she enters the courtroom to discover Dom is the new bailiff.

I loved the way Ms. DePaul advanced the romance plot of this story. Dom initially pretends he doesn’t recognize Mattie because of his undercover assignment but as the plot progresses and Mattie’s safety is threatened, he reveals that he knew who she was from the first moment. There is plenty of conflict in Dangerous to Her, not only must the hero and heroine deal with the issues surrounding their previous relationship, but deception, a looming danger, and there are trust issues in that Mattie is terrified that Dom will try to take Jordan from her if he finds out she is his daughter.

Dom is certainly a strong, handsome Alpha hero but Ms. DePaul paints a realistic portrait of a man whose stressful demanding career has taken it’s toll. He deals with a health issue that plagues him at the worst of times. What really impressed me about Dom is his integrity and dedication to finding the truth regarding Joel. Mattie battles her desire for Dom, fearful of being hurt again. Sizzling sexual tension builds over the course of the narrative until they finally become intimate. There is light bondage written into a very sensual love scene.

Dangerous to Her has an intense, thrilling suspense subplot involving organized crime and corruption. There is action, drama, surprising plot twists, and the author provides a nail biter of a climax to the story involving Mattie, her brother Tony, Dom and a couple of nasty antagonists. The identity of one of the bad guys completely surprised me.

I don’t usually like stories with a secret baby theme, but this one was an enjoyable page turner. When Dom discovers that he is a father it tugged at my heartstrings. As well, I loved the characterization of Jordan herself, a happy, loving child with her father’s blue eyes, and his inherent zest for adventure. Further, the story is written so Dom makes sure his daughter is protected from harm which I liked.

Mattie’s brother Tony is a recovered drug addict who plays a pivotal role in the plot of Dangerous to Her. While he caused a lot of heartbreak for Mattie in the past he works hard to make amends and turns out to be quite a heroic figure. Ms. DePaul crafted a wonderful conclusion to the story and leaves the doors open for a sequel – Tony’s story which I would love to read. If you enjoy a fast paced romantic suspense with reacquainted lovers and secret baby theme you may like to give Dangerous to Her a try.

I give Dangerous to Her 4 1/2 Bookies

 

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Review: Deadly Obsession, by Katie Reus

Format Read: e-Book Galley provided by NetGalley courtesy of Carina Press
Length: 80,000 words
Release Date: August 15, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Formats Available: e-Book, Kindle
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher, Goodreads, Kindle, Nook, All Romance eBooks.

Book Blurb:

The chilling words of a killer: This is just the beginning…

Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly’s heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home—and face-to-face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.

Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the past year hunting a sadistic murderer. His investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer’s next target. Determined to protect the woman he’s never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it’s too late…

My Thoughts

With a heavy heart Lilly Carmichael returns home to arrange the funeral of her beloved Aunt Debra. Lilly was raised by Debra from the age of 5 following the death of her parents and therefore loved and treated her Aunt as her mother. Debra Carmichael’s death was ruled accidental but in the opening pages of Deadly Obsession readers learn that she was murdered as part of an insane scheme instituted by a a sociopathic serial killer who has been eluding the police for a year.

Sheriff Braden Donnelly receives a call that another woman has been found, brutally raped, tortured and murdered. The murders had been occurring every 3 months and while the findings were the same on each victim the cruelty inflicted is escalating. To make matters worse, the women targeted were all connected to Braden in some way. Braden and Lilly had been high school sweethearts and he knows in his bones that she will be targeted by the madman.

I found Lilly Carmichael to be a complex and tortured heroine. She is a highly trained and skilled DEA Agent and a year prior to her Aunt’s untimely death Lilly and her team were captured by terrorists when a mission went wrong. Lilly was one of the few alive when rescue came but while her physical wounds have for the most part healed, she continues to deal with posttraumatic stress and horrific nightmares. The graphic details are not spared regarding what Lilly endured and I really felt empathy for Lilly. While questioning her decisions at times I was also impressed by her strength in attempting to work through the crippling after effects of her trauma. I will say Lilly has not had an easy life.

Lilly and Braden were desperately in love as teenagers, and when she abruptly left him with very little explanation it broke his heart. She never shared the real reason why she fled town and Braden which caused deep wounds and an enormous rift formed between them. So, when Lilly opens the door of her Aunt’s house to find her past love standing there she is at first surprised and then she finds herself drawn to him again. It’s been 10 years since they parted but the sexual attraction blazes and tension thickens. There is so much ill will, however that Lilly and especially Braden have any intention of getting involved again. When Braden explains the reason for his visit and the background of the string of horrific murders, Lilly wisely accepts his offer of protection. Lilly is no fool. Then there is the prickly feeling that both of them are being watched.

The plot of this story moves along at a brisk pace, is rife with intrigue and tension, and as the frequency of the murders escalate the insane killer continues to keep one step ahead of the police at every turn. There are a number of sharp plot twists and turns in Deadly Obsession and startling revelations. Readers are given good look inside the twisted mind of a killer who butchers without remorse. In fact, he enjoys terrorizing his prey, becoming aroused by their misery. There are a couple of intense scenes that graphically depict his brutality. He institutes a terrifying game Lilly and Braden whose frustration escalates at his inability to find the bad guy.

Lilly and Braden’s romance is a slow burn but despite their history they given into their feelings and passion. There is significant build up to the love scene and I have to admit I was relived when they finally become intimate. Braden is a strong, sexy, very appealing hero.

The identity of the killer isn’t revealed until the closing scenes of the narrative and it certainly took me by surprise. And, the conclusion? A total nail biter involving the hero, heroine and a savage obsessed serial killer. Then, the lovers are ripped apart again, but never fear, Ms. Reus pens a wonderful HEA for Lilly and Braden.

Deadly Obsession impressed me as a stellar dark romantic suspense with a lovers reacquainted theme and an excellent gritty murder/mystery whodunit woven into the plot. Ms. Reus also developed excellent secondary characters who all play key minor and major roles in the story. I also liked the small town setting of this story where the townspeople rally together in support of Lilly at her time of loss. I really like Katie Reus’s voice and am so looking forward to reading more of her work.

I give Deadly Obsession 4 Bookies

 

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Review: Killer Secrets by Katie Reus

Format Read: e-Book submitted by Author for review
Length: 59 Pages
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: March 23, 2011
Formats Available: eBook, Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Purchasing Info: Smashwords, Author’s Website, Goodreads, Kindle, Nook, All Romance e-Books

Book Blurb:

Journalist Eve Newman stumbles across the murder of a prominent member of her west Texas town and finds herself the target of a shadowy killer. When the body goes missing and the police don’t believe she saw it happen, she turns to the only man in town she can trust; her deceased brother’s best friend.

Former Marine, Macklin Quinn, has been half in love with Eve since they were kids, but he’s always considered her off-limits. When she turns to him for help he can’t send her away. Within twenty-four hours it’s clear she’s in trouble and someone wants her dead. Mac will do everything in his power to keep the feisty journalist alive and help her bring down the killer. And if they can stay alive long enough, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince her they’re meant to be together.

Excerpt

My Thoughts:

Investigative journalist Eve Newman follows an anonymous e-mail requesting a meeting the District Attorney’s mansion for a good story. Eve is a gutsy and savvy reporter and is relentless with respect to following leads and reporting the truth. However, when she hears gunfire as she is approaching the area arranged for the rendezvous and discovers a man known for walking on the shady side of the law dead on the deck of mansion’s pool. Eve finds herself fleeing for her life, the target of the man’s assailants.

Eve eludes the bad guys and turns to the one man who she knows will help and protect her, Mac Quinn. Eve and Mac have known each other for many years as she was his best friend’s kid sister. Mac has always been attracted to Eve but never actively pursued her out of respect for his friend. Katie Reus has created another strong, tough, intelligent and enticing character in this ex-military hero. Mac owns a ranch outside of town and when Eve turns up at his door frightened and in need of protection he cannot turn her away. Eve has a visceral distrust of the town’s law enforcement for good reason and she flatly refuses to go to the police.

Killer Secrets is a fast paced, thrilling romantic suspense that is full of action scenes including a car chase, explosion, gun fire, kidnapping and murder as well as plenty of sexual tension. As it turns out Eve wants Mac as much as he wants her and as the danger moves closer, and near death experiences increase so does their need for each other. When they finally do get together it makes for a very intense sensual love scene.

Ms. Reus penned a couple of excellent plot twists and mystery into the narrative and while I suspected who the murderer was but I couldn’t be sure and it isn’t revealed until the end of the story why Allen Martin was killed. I will say, the antagonist of Killer Secrets is devious, not to mention depraved, and the climax of the story is a real nail bitter. Killer Secrets has all the ingredients I love in a good romantic suspense, excellent character development, a well plotted exciting storyline, and it offers an endearing friends to lovers romance.

I give Killer Secrets 4/5 Bookies

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

Interview: Author Katie Reus + Giveaway!

Please join us in giving a warm BLI welcome to multi published & talented Author Katie Reus (who also writes as Savannah Stuart)! Katie writes sensual, suspenseful love stories that will curl your toes and keep you turning the pages to find out what happens to her special characters. Katie’s latest publication Dangerous Secrets was released February 7th from Carina Press, and it is a sexy romantic suspense! Be sure and read the end of the post as Katie is offering a generous giveaway!! 🙂

BLI: Thank you so much for joining us here today Katie!

Katie: Thank you for having me, Lea!

BLI: Katie can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Katie: The very condensed, informal bio: I’ve been in love with books since I was a kid and the addiction followed me into adulthood. I finished college, worked a few jobs I hated, then a few years ago I decided to try writing romance since I loved reading it so much. After many many rejections, I now have a fantastic agent who believes in me and in addition to the two contracts I signed last year with Carina Press, I also recently signed a three-book deal with NAL/Penguin for a paranormal trilogy. Not long after that I found out I was pregnant so combined with new deadlines and edits, this year is turning out to be pretty busy!

BLI: Congratulations on your baby news and the exciting contract! Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?

Katie: I wake up, make a pot of coffee and hit the computer for a few hours. I’ll take a break to exercise and run errands or whatever but when I’m done, I’m back at the computer until my husband comes home. I took the plunge into full-time writing recently so I treat it as a business with ‘business’ hours. As far as planner vs. pantser, I’m a bit of both. I plan out my actual writing schedule months in advance. Like right now I know what book I’ll be working on from week to week, what word count I should hit, etc. all the way until May. Maybe that makes me a freak, but it so works for my sanity. When writing the actual book I’m not that organized. I have a general idea what will happen in the beginning and I know most of the high points (the first meet of the h/h, the black moment, etc.) but it usually starts off with me just knowing the characters. I plot about 3-4 chapters at a time until I hit the 70% mark and then I usually map out the rest of the book in one sitting.

BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Katie: Probably obsession…I think a real Book Lover can’t live without a constant fix of good books. Reading isn’t just a luxury for them, it’s part of their life. A Reader likely falls asleep with their Kindle or paperback in hand. (Ahem, like myself)

BLI: What can we expect of Dangerous Secrets?

Katie: Lots of romance, sexy love scenes and of course secrets. Unlike my next romantic suspense from Carina, the suspense isn’t the main focus in this story. It’s the hero and heroine and their growing attraction and feelings for each other.

BLI: As I mentioned in my review, I think one of your strengths as a writer is your characterization of strong alpha heroes and Dangerous Secrets is no exception. As a reader, I found Adam Marcellus to be extremely sexy but also conflicted in many ways. Can you share a little of his background with readers?

Katie: Thanks! I love alpha heroes and I hate that stereotype that alphas have to be jerks so my guys might be domineering and stubborn, but they always put their lady first.

Adam grew up in a very poor section of New Orleans so being successful is very important to him. His mother basically abandoned him and his brother when they were young with their grandmother. She did come back a few times, once to drop off their half-sister. As the oldest, he worked hard to take care of his family because even though his grandmother was technically their caretaker, he actually looked out for their entire household. Once he graduated high school he joined the Marine Corps and continued to financially support them the best he could. After he got out of the military, he and his brother started a security company and they’ve been tirelessly working to make it a success ever since.

BLI: I agree regarding alpha heroes and Adam is anything but a jerk which you made evident by giving him impeccable manners, he knows how to treat a woman. And, he has a toe curling Louisiana drawl – that I so love. 😉

I’ve read a few of your novels now and have to say I’ve loved every one of your heroes. You seem to like writing about men who have served in the military, special forces in particular. Any reason why characterizing these types of men appeals to you Katie?

Katie: Thank you! Yes, I admit to loving military men. There’s something so sexy about a man in uniform but more importantly I love a man willing to stand up for something he believes in whether it be his country or his woman. I’m married to a former Marine (though according to him there’s no such thing as a ‘former’ Marine) so that’s probably another reason these type of men appeal to me.

BLI: I wanted to talk about the heroine of Dangerous Secrets, Isabelle “Izzy” Ballantine. You established an excellent juxtaposition between her and Adam. Essentially, they come from very different socioeconomic backgrounds and both have trust and commitment issues. Can you tell us a little about Izzy and why a big city girl from a very rich and powerful family ends up tending bar in the small town of Coconut Bay?

Katie: After dealing with a meddling father for so many years, Izzy finally drew the line when her father tried to interfere in her professional career. She still loved him but she needed some real distance between them. At the same time she didn’t want to move too far so she moved to Coconut Bay (a fictional town located in North Florida) close to her home of Savannah, GA. She knew she wouldn’t be staying permanently so she wanted a job she could easily leave and a job in the restaurant business was perfect.

BLI: Would you be willing to share an excerpt from Dangerous Secrets today?

~Synopsis~

Isabelle Ballantine has been fighting for independence since she was old enough to walk. Now that she’s finally out from under her father’s shadow, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. It’s tough living on her own, working in a bar and keeping her true identity a secret, but things start to look up when a sexy new stranger walks into her life. After working side by side for weeks, Izzy can’t figure out why he won’t make a move.

To cinch the deal of a lifetime, Adam Marcellus agrees to help Izzy’s eccentric father convince his daughter to move home. He’d assumed Izzy would be another spoiled rich princess, but he’s surprised to discover his feelings for her are stronger than anything he’s ever experienced. When a deranged stalker targets her, Adam finds himself fighting not only an unknown threat – but an unexpected attraction to the one woman he can’t have.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Excerpt~

Izzy spared herself one last glance in the mirror, then rolled her eyes at her reflection. Adam would be picking her up in a couple minutes and she was worrying herself for nothing. Technically, they weren’t even going on a date. He’d asked if she wanted to get breakfast after the staff meeting. That was it.

Of course that didn’t stop her from putting on a jersey halter-style summer dress that accentuated all her curves. Not that she had many, but she capitalized on the ones she did. She’d only known Adam a few weeks, but every time he’d seen her she was fairly sure she’d been wearing her work uniform. The plain black getup didn’t exactly scream sexy siren. It was time for him to see her in a different light.
Last night he’d looked like he wanted to kiss her. Not because of her last name, and certainly not because of who her father was. Nope. He wanted her just for her. Or at least she hoped so.

She pressed a hand to her stomach and tried to force the jitters away. It was like she was sixteen again and getting ready for her first date. Her doorbell sounded and she jumped. She quickly smoothed on lip gloss then grabbed her purse. Almost as an afterthought, she tugged the hair band from her ponytail and left her hair down.

A second later she opened the door to find Adam standing there. She could feel heat creeping up her neck and cursed her Celtic heritage for the billionth time in her life. Simply seeing him shouldn’t get her all hot and bothered. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” He handed her a Styrofoam cup of what she hoped was coffee.

She shut the door behind her as she stepped outside and took a sip. An appreciative sigh escaped. Irish cream. Her favorite. “Mmm, thanks.”

“Did you look through the peephole before you answered?” he asked.

She glanced over her shoulder to look at him as she locked the door. “Uh…no, but I didn’t think anyone else would be here at six-forty-five in the morning.”

“You should start making a habit of it.”

“You sound like my dad,” she joked.

“I’m serious, Izzy. When I talked to the police last night they asked about the girl’s hair color.” The tone of his voice caused a shiver to snake down her spine.

“Why?”

“It looks like this guy is targeting brunettes. I’m sure there’s more to it than that, but as of now that’s the only thing they’ve found in common with the women. Or at least that’s all they’d tell me. You need to start paying attention to the people around you.”

“Oh.” Self-consciously she fingered a dark curl. Technically she had auburn highlights, but she doubted some maniac would make the distinction. And Adam was right. She should have known better.

BLI: Will there be more books in this series (I’m thinking a story about Adam’s brother, Ben would be an excellent read – lol)? What is next on your schedule?

Katie: Eventually I’d love to write Ben’s story though I don’t see it happening until later this year (or maybe early next year). I recently signed a 3 book deal with NAL/Penguin for a paranormal series so for the first time ever I’m writing on a set schedule (one of those books still needs to be written!). Right now I have two things on submission, I’m working on a category length romantic suspense, then after that I’m going to finish book #3 in my contracted trilogy. Oh, and I have another romantic suspense releasing from Carina this August (I’m currently editing that book and it’s kicking my butt). Plus, my editor with them just told me they want the romantic suspense I subbed not long ago so I know I have those edits to look forward to soon. Since I’m having my first baby this summer I’m trying to pack a lot of stuff in the first half of this year since the second half I’ll be taking things much slower.

BLI: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

1. Hot love scenes
2. Happy endings (always!)
3. Alpha males who are NOT jerks. My heroes might be domineering but they always look out for their woman.

BLI: Katie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us at Book Lovers today! It’s been a real pleasure chatting with you.

Katie: Thank you so much for having me!

Where To Find Katie:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

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~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Katie has generously offered a copy of one of her many wonderful romances from her backlist to one lucky commenter! This includes Katie’s books from her Savannah Stuart backlist. 🙂

*PLEASE NOTE* A copy of “Dangerous Secrets” is not included in this giveaway – Thank you.

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, March 5, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.