The Devil's Daughter (Hidden Sins #1) by Katee Robert

The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert

Release:January 24, 2017
Romance Subgenre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Hidden Sins #1

Growing up in a small town isn’t easy, especially when you’re the daughter of a local cult leader. Ten years ago, Eden Collins left Clear Springs, Montana, and never once looked back. But when the bodies of murdered young women surface, their corpses violated and marked with tattoos worn by her mother’s followers, Eden, now an FBI agent, can’t turn a blind eye. To catch the killer, she’s going to have to return to the fold.

Sheriff Zach Owens isn’t comfortable putting Eden in danger, even if she is an elite agent. And he certainly wasn’t expecting to be so attracted to her. As calm and cool as she appears, he knows this can’t be a happy homecoming. Zach wants to protect her—from her mother, the cult, and the evil that lurks behind its locked gates. But Eden is his only key to the tight-lipped group, and she may just be closer to the killer than either one of them suspects…

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Author Interview

I'm excited to have author Katee Robert on the blog today to discuss her new book, The Devil's Daughter. Thanks for sharing, Katee!

This book is heavier on the mystery/suspense elements than your previous works. How was writing this book different for you?
I’ve been comparing it to a person who runs marathons regularly who suddenly takes up yoga. It was challenging for me, but in a really gratifying way. The rules for mystery are different than for contemporary romance, so there was a lot more plotting and outlining involved to ensure that all the foreshadowing lined up and that no one threw their book across the room at the end of it (myself included).

What inspired you to write this book? Have you always wanted to write something in which mystery and suspense play a large role?
I’ve been a fan of mystery and suspense novels since before I discovered romance. They were the first adult books I jumped to, and writing one for myself has always been on my “Someday I’ll…” list. This specific book was inspired by an interview I read about between one of the FBI agents who founded the serial crime unit and Charles Manson. Things just clicked, and I knew I had to write a story about a serial killer connected with a cult.

If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?
I always recommend two books, depending on what someone is looking for. If they want something lighter and more humorous, I recommend starting with Wrong Bed, Right Guy. If they like their romance with a darker edge, I recommend starting with The Marriage Contract.

What question do you wish readers would ask? What is the answer?
How does a romance writer end up so freaking obsessed with serial killers? Haha. No, I don’t know what question I wish people asked, but that’s as good a one as any. And I blame a combination of finding Sandra Brown’s books the same year that a guy a couple blocks away was arrested for killing 13 women (he like buried some of them in his yard, and my sister went to school with his kids. It was nuts).

As a writer what would you choose as your spirit animal/mascot/avatar? Theme song?
I joke about the honey badger being my toddler, but I think I’m really the honey badger in the family. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is up for grabs haha. A friend once told me that "The Girl With One Eye" (by Florence+the Machine) made her think of me. I found it funny at the time. Now that I’m writing about serial killers and crawling around inside these villains heads, she definitely knew what she was talking about. Fictionally, of course!

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About Katee Robert

Spurred On (Stripped Down #3) by Sabrina York

Release: January 17th, 2017
Romance Subgenre: Cowboy Romance, Contemporary Romance
Series: Stripped Down #3

From the author of Cowboy to Command and Stud for Hire comes the third deliciously sexy Stripped Down novel.

Just south of Fort Worth, Texas, you’ll find a little ranch where the hot, toned cowboys are ready and eager to take it all off and make your naughtiest fantasies come true...

As the owner of the Double S Ranch, Cody Silver knows what women want—all except the one that got away. So when his high school girlfriend Sidney Stevens comes back to town for her sister’s wedding, Cody will do whatever it takes to prove that he’s a changed man.

After their explosive breakup, it took a long time for Sidney’s broken heart to heal—and she’s not about to risk it again. She’ll tangle with Cody and live out her simmering fantasies, but when the time comes she’s going to walk away satisfied.

But love has a way of ruining the best laid plans, and Cody and Sidney are about to learn that what you want isn’t always what you need...

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Theme Song

Based on the epilogue, I'm guessing Spurred On is going to be the last of the Stripped Down novels and that's certainly a shame. I've loved every word of this series. The three prequels partnered with the three full-length novels have been a joy to read.

Although the premise of the books initially drew me to the series, the characters set the books apart. And of all the characters featured in Stripped Down, I certainly couldn't wait for Cody to meet his match. In Spurred On Sidney's personality and relationship with Cody not only met my expectations, they exceeded them. Cody and Sidney's journey was emotional, sweet and sexy all at the same time. This second-chance romance focused on redemption. Cody needed to not only atone for his previous sins but he also had a reputation to discredit/overcome. Now I'm not generally a fan of playboy romances, but York did a great job of focusing on Cody's cowboy/business man image rather than his past sexual encounters. This book is a must-read in my book!

For the Spurred On theme song I picked a song in the country music genre (because...duh) that fit with the redemption concept that figured so heavily into Cody and Sidney's journey. Enjoy!

“Love You Like That” by Canaan Smith
When I'm with you I can see down the road girl Not just the gravel one we're travelin' on girl
And I'm bettin' that it's gonna be a wild ride
But I promise that I'm gonna be there by your side
I think we got another memory in the makin'
So baby let's take it, take it
Slow as the Mississippi
Strong as a fifth of whiskey
Steady as a Tom Petty track
I wanna love, wanna love you like that
Deeper than a sunset sky
Sweeter than muscadine wine
All night 'til the sun comes back
I wanna love, wanna love, wanna love you like that

What did you think of Spurred On?
Are there any songs that remind you of Cody, Sidney and their HEA?

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About Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. With over 25 titles her books range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Represented by Lane Heymont with the Seymour Agency.

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The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown

Release: January 3rd, 2017
Romance Subgenre: Women's Fiction

New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown returns with a heartbreakingly hilarious novel about three women who had nothing in common, except their husband.

Leaving one widow behind is unfortunate. Leaving three widows behind is just plain despicable. Oil heiress Kate Steele knew her not-so-dearly departed husband was a con man, but she’s shocked that Conrad racked up two more wives without divorcing her first. The only remnant of their miserable marriage she plans to keep is their lakeside cabin in Bootleg, Texas. Unfortunately, she’s not the only woman with that idea.

Fiery, strong-willed Jamie wishes Conrad were still alive—so she could kill the scoundrel herself. But for their daughter’s sake, she needs that property. As does Amanda—twenty-eight, pregnant, and still weeping over the loss of her true love. On a broiling July day, all three arrive in Bootleg…with a dogged detective right behind who’s convinced that at least one of them conspired to commit murder. One momentous summer filled with revelations, quirky neighbors, and barefoot evenings on the porch offers three women the chance to make the journey from enemies to friends, and claim a bright, new beginning.

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Character Study

Once in awhile a book comes along that just makes your life better. The Barefoot Summer was like that for me. The book is quirky and fun while really doing a deep dive into the concepts of family and female friendship. The Barefoot Summer made me take stock of what I have and it made me so grateful for the blessings in my life. Seriously, what could be better?

Women’s fiction is such a happy, optimistic little place in the world and The Barefoot Summer is a great addition to the genre. I came to the book due to my love of Carolyn Brown’s cowboy romances, but I have to admit, I may like her women's fiction style better than her romance style. Brown’s no-nonsense writing style, her quick moving pacing, and her witty dialogue made each of the three women featured in this book into living, breathing, and rather pissed off, heroines. Even better, we got a bit of romance thrown in for Kate and Waylon!

I couldn’t resist creating a playlist for The Barefoot Summer that featured a song for each of our gals. Kate, Jamie and Amanda all had unique stories but their eventual friendship and shared anger/hatred/disinterest towards their ex tied them all together. And since I already had a playlist going for these three, I couldn’t help but add Hozier’s “Someone New” for Conrad because...well, because he was always falling in love with someone new!

“Someone New” by Hozier for Conrad
There's an art to life's distractions,
To somehow escape the burning weight, the art of scraping through,
Some like to imagine,
The dark caress of someone else, I guess any thrill will do
Would things be easier if there was a right way?
Honey, there is no right way.
And so I fall in love just a little, oh a little bit every day with someone new

“Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” by Shania Twain for Kate
Whose bed have your boots been under?
And whose heart did you steal I wonder?
This time did it feel like thunder, baby?
And who did you run to?
And whose lips have you been kissin'?
And whose ear did you make a wish in?
Is she the one that you've been missin', baby?
Well whose bed have your boots been under?

“Smile” by Lily Allen for Jamie
When you first left me I didn't know what to say I never been on my own that way, just sat by myself all day
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found a light in the tunnel at the end

“There's Your Trouble” by Dixie Chicks for Amanda
Should Have Been Different But
It Wasn't Different, Was It
Same Old Story, Dear John, And So Long
Should Have Fit Like A Glove
Should Have Fit Like A Ring
Like A Diamond Ring
A Token Of True Love
Should Have All Worked Out
But It Didn't

What did you think of The Barefoot Summer?
Are there any songs that remind you of Kate, Jamie and Amanda?

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown was born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma. These days she and her husband make their home in Davis, Oklahoma, a small town of less than three thousand people where everyone knows everyone, knows what they are doing and with whom, and read the weekly newspaper to see who got caught.

A plaque hangs on her office wall that says I know the voices are not real but they have such great ideas. That is her motto and muse as she goes through the days with quirky characters in her head, telling their stories, one by one, and loving her job.

She has been married almost half a century to a retired English teacher that she calls Mr. B and he does not read her books before they are published because she cannot afford a divorce. They have three grown children.—and enough grandchildren to keep them busy and young.

When Carolyn is not writing she likes to sit in the back yard and watch the two tom cats protect the yard from all kinds of wicked varmints like crickets, other cats, spiders and blue jays.

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Author Guest Post: The Fixer (Games People Play #1) by HelenKay Dimon

The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon

Release: December 27th, 2016
Romance Subgenre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Series: Games People Play #1

He’s known only as Wren. A wealthy, dangerously secretive man, he specializes in making problems disappear. A professional fixer, Wren hides a dark past, but his privacy is shattered when Emery Finn seeks him out—and what she wants from him is very personal.

Some people disappear against their will. Emery’s job is to find them and bring closure. Wren is the only person who can help solve Emery’s own personal mystery: the long-ago disappearance of her cousin. Just tracking down the sexy, brooding Wren is difficult enough. Resisting her body’s response to him will prove completely impossible.

Anonymity is essential to Wren’s success, yet drawn by Emery’s loyalty and sensuality, he’s pulled out of the shadows. But her digging is getting noticed by the wrong people. And as the clues start to point to someone terrifyingly close, Wren will have to put his haunted past aside to protect the woman he loves.

Amazon / Barnes&Noble

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Author Guest Post

I'm excited to have author HelenKay Dimon on the blog today to discuss her new book, The Fixer. Thanks for sharing, HelenKay!

I love romantic suspense. For a long time I’ve been writing the law enforcement/undercover agent/black ops type. The books are fast-paced and high stakes. Basically, there’s a lot of shooting and explosions. These books mix my love of the romance genre with my love for action movies. My plan is to continue writing those types of books…but that’s NOT what the Games People Play series is about.

This new series, which starts with THE FIXER, is not about saving the world or even really about stopping bad guys. It’s much more personal and character-driven. The books center on people with difficult pasts whose backgrounds intersect in some way. At the heart of each book is a cold case. The heroes in the books are a bit mysterious and all share a connection, having met and been friends since their early twenties. The heroines are smart and determined and not even slightly impressed with grumpy, demanding men. But together these men and women maneuver their way through blinding attraction and painful situations on their way to their happy endings.

The inspiration for the heroine in THE FIXER – Emery Finn – came from the real-life Doe Network, an organization dedicated to giving “the nameless back their names and return the missing to their families.” These amazing volunteers comb through information and conduct research in an attempt to find matches between unidentified and missing people. They provide closure and much needed exposure to cases. Emery is driven to work at a fictional version of this organization because her cousin disappeared right off the street when they were teenagers. As a result, Emery has spent her life trying to find answers and track down information about her cousin. Emery is running out of leads but finds a clue that leads her to a mysterious millionaire known only as Wren.

Wren is a powerful fixer in Washington, D.C. People know his name but few know him. He actually moves around the city under a pseudonym…and he is totally intrigued by Emery and her determination to track him down and demand information. She isn’t afraid of him. If anything, she thinks his need for secrecy is a bit over-the-top, but she does need his help to find answers…and it turns out he needs her, too.

They should be an odd couple but their desperate histories – and big-time attraction to each other – bring them together. The result is at times funny, sexy, angsty and a little bit dangerous. I hope you’ll give it a try and that you love Emery and Wren as much as I do.

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About HelenKay Dimon

HelenKay Dimon spent the years before becoming a romance author as a...divorce attorney. Not the usual transition, she knows. Good news is she now writes full time and is much happier. She has sold over forty novels and novellas to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Kensington, Harlequin, Penguin Random House, Riptide and Carina Press. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named "Red-Hot Reads" and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. She is on the Board of Directors of the Romance Writers of America and teaches fiction writing at UC San Diego and MiraCosta College. You can learn more at her website: www.HelenKaydimon.com

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The Protector (Sons of Texas #2) by Donna Grant

The Protector by Donna Grant

Release: January 3rd, 2017
Romance Subgenre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Series: Sons of Texas

The second book in New York Times bestselling author, Donna’s Grant’s thrilling Sons of Texas series!

When his aunt and uncle are murdered and his father has been kidnapped, bad boy Marine Force Recon captain, Cullen Loughman teams up with the one woman who turns his world upside down.

Everything’s hotter in Texas…

When Marine Force Recon captain Cullen Loughman learns that his father’s been kidnapped, he will do whatever it takes to find him. In order to achieve his mission, Cullen will need to team up with the best of the best?someone who just happens to be the most stunning woman he’s ever laid eyes on…

This isn’t the first rodeo for ex-Air Force pilot Mia Carter. Still, Cullen’s bad-boy good looks and charm are distracting her from duty. . .and it appears that the feeling is mutual.

As Mia and Cullen make their descent into a dark, dangerous world, their attraction reaches the boiling point. But is their desire worth the risk when a ruthless enemy is waiting in the wings?or will their Lone Star love conquer all in The Protector?

The Protector “…combines danger and desire in an intoxicating mix.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Don’t miss these other books in the series:
Book #1: The Hero
Book #3: The Legend

Buy on Amazon

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Curated Soundtrack

After reading and reviewing The Hero, Donna Grant's first Sons of Texas novel, I couldn't wait to get my hands on book two. Luckily, The Protector was set to release just a month later. Even luckier for, I received an ARC via NetGalley! So of course, I dove right in and began Mia and Cullen's story.

In some ways I'm glad to not be doing a full review of this book, because it would be really, really hard to do without spoilers. The larger story arc regarding Orrin (Cullen's father) progressed significantly, but readers were still left with a ton of unanswered questions when The Protector finished. Even though I'm not doing a full review, I still wanted to somehow commit this book to memory and capture it's essence. A curated soundtrack fits the bill! So for The Protector I put together a playlist that fits in with the mood and ever-present conflict of the book. The Protector is action packed from the very first page; both Mia and Cullen are in constant peril. There is almost no "down-time", it's go, go, go. Even as Mia and Cullen are getting to know one another (inside the bedroom and out :)) there is danger lurking close by. I hope I captured the feel of this book even a little bit in the playlist below!

What did you think of The Protector?
Are there any songs that remind you of Cullen, Mia and their HEA?

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About Donna Grant

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas.

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Author Guest Post: Unexpected by KG Fletcher

Unexpected by KG Fletcher

Release: December 12th, 2016
Romance Subgenre: Romantic Suspense

Recently jilted Josephine Davis wasn’t looking for love…. A chance encounter along the sweltering highway with Atlanta’s own millionaire bachelor changed all that. Devastatingly handsome and full of unexpected talents, William Prescott Harrington, III shows beautiful Josie a life that she could have only dreamed of; his excessive wealth and generosity eventually threatening her very existence. Two star-crossed lovers from polar opposite sides of Atlanta navigate their way through a maze of greed and jealousy desperate for only one thing – each other.

Her heart made a wish. Will her dream become reality or will the nightmare destroy them all?

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Author Guest Post

I'm excited to have author KG Flecthcer on the blog today to discuss her new book, Unexpected. Thanks for sharing, KG!

“My love affair with a fast car & how it inspired my debut romantic suspense novel, UNEXPECTED”

Atlanta, GA is the setting of my debut novel, UNEXPECTED, released on 12-12-16. If you’ve ever been to HOT-lanta, you know it can get pretty steamy!

The idea for this story came to me in a very peculiar way. Three years ago I was working for corporate America in a shiny high rise in a wealthy area of Atlanta known as “Buckhead.” I was going through a rough transition in my life trying to figure things out and my six mile commute to work took me forty-five minutes in horrendous bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Fun times.

I’m a very timely person and there was a two week period where I would pass a certain “on ramp” every morning around the same time a black Porsche would whiz by. I LOVE fast cars, so of course, I noticed. It happened every morning for two straight weeks – same time, same black Porsche.

After the third or fourth day, I started anticipating this car passing me, ogling at the beauty of it. I was driving a thirteen year old white mini-van at the time – of course I ogled! I actually started to look forward to my commute and every morning, when this fantastic car would pass, I would often wonder who was behind the tinted windows. I started to day dream about who the driver was, what kind of job, house, family they had. Before you know it, I had a complete story in my head that eventually turned into my debut novel, UNEXPECTED.

Alas, my two week love affair with the black Porsche came to an end and I never saw that particular car again. When I do see a Porsche on the road, I smile and remember the brief encounter that inspired me all those mornings long ago.

I can’t wait for you to meet William Prescott Harrington, III – Atlanta’s very own millionaire bachelor. He’s tall, dark, handsome and a force to be reckoned with in the world-wide real estate market. Devoted to his family, his youthful dreams are set aside in his early twenties because of the unexpected death of his father. As the only son and heir to the family business and fortune, he accepts his responsibilities in life which include a rather nice side effect of extreme wealth and privilege.

Josephine Davis is a feisty, freelance accountant determined to move forward with her life after being left at the altar on her wedding day. Her tumultuous relationship with her ex-fiancé is finally over and she’s trying to move on in the fast lane of the city and make it on her own. She is devoted to her elderly mother and younger sister, never knowing her father who walked out on them when she was only four years old.

Two star crossed lovers from opposite sides of the tracks meet unexpectedly on a hot September day along a busy Atlanta highway. Driving a sleek, black Porsche, Will accidently cuts Josie off causing her to swerve and hit a giant pothole. He stops to help her change a flat tire and their attraction is immediate.

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About KG Fletcher

KG Fletcher is the author of the romantic suspense novel, Unexpected released in December, 2016. She is an active member of RWA and the Georgia Romance Writers Association. She was a singer/songwriter in Nashville, TN and a recipient of the “Airplay International Award” for “Best New Artist” showcasing original songs at The Bluebird Café. She earned her BFA in theater at Valdosta State College and has traveled the world professionally as a singer/actress. She currently gets to play rock star as a backup singer in the National Tour, “Remember When Rock Was Young – a Tribute to Elton John.” (www.almosteltonjohn.com)

KG lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Ladd and their three gorgeous sons. She is a hopeless romantic continuing her work on her original cabaret act called, “Love” to help promote her romance novels.

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Author Guest Post: Meet Me Halfway (The Off Field Series #2) by Kim Carmondy