It’s a standing joke in my family that when luck was given out I was at the back of the queue. I never win anything, not raffles, not games of Bingo, not so much as a plastic comb from a Christmas cracker. Lottery tickets are wasted on me, and I steer well clear of gambling because I’d be broke in no time. Not so the heroine of my novella, The Prize. Jessie Barnett buys a raffle ticket and finds herself the lucky winner of a night’s entertainment at an up-market BDSM club. What’s more, she has the pick of the Doms there and really hits the jackpot when she gets not one Master for the night but two. She may have got a just a little bit more than she bargained for, but Jessie is made of stern stuff and she’s determined to claim her prize. I loved writing Jessie’s story. She may be a submissive, but she’s strong and assertive and knows exactly what she wants. Far from being intimidated by the challenge she relishes it and grabs the opportunity with both (bound) hands. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said you should do something every day that scares you,…

Hi everyone! I write bold, sexy romance with just a dash of sweet, and I’m thrilled to be talking about my brand-new release, CROSSING HEARTS, with you! It’s hitting e-readers on February 7th, and I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read Hunter and Emerson’s story. As for me, when I’m not as my desk, clacking away at a new story, I can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in my kitchen, or curled up with my nose in a book. I love fast cars, slow dances, and cupcakes, although not always in that order. I live in Virginia with my wildly patient husband, our three daughters, and the occasional passing bear. I’m also a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader: You love to escape to a new place in a book. I love to write about fun and unique settings! You’re a sucker for a rugged, salt-of-the-earth hero who can still make you swoon. You like smart, feisty heroines. You’re not afraid to cry, just a teensy bit. I’ll give you emotion, but not angst!…

In ZERO TO SIXTY, bad boy mechanic Sam Hamilton is gruff, huge, and tattooed. He’s menacing even when not trying to be. So what makes him a hero? A need to defend the innocent. Sam won’t stand for children, women, or pets to be abused. And he’s part of an amateur effort to rescue stray dogs. Enter Cookie… Sam might seem quiet, rough, and only able to fix cars, but he’s so much more than that. He comes from an abusive background, so he’s actually sensitive under all that tough exterior. And he’s a fan of peanut butter cookies! A sense of humor. He’s constantly bantering with his best friend Foley and the rest of the guys at Webster’s Garage. They’re his family, along with Eileen, Foley’s mom, who helped raise him. Sex appeal. Because what kind of hero would he be if he wasn’t sexy? What do you think of this guy, I ask you? The capacity to love. Sam has always just wanted to belong, to figure out why that needy little boy inside him couldn’t make his mom love him. He feels so much for others but buries those emotions deep. He’d do anything for those he…

As part of the band Shaughnessy, Matt Reed and the band have toured all over the world. Now that the band is on hiatus and relaxing, I imagine they’re thinking about some of the greatest places they played here in the U.S. And when they think about these spots, it’s not just about the acoustics, it’s about the total experience and the surroundings. So here’s the top five concert venues Shaughnessy has played at in the U.S. – and where you should catch a show when you have the chance! Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO. What could be more beautiful than an outdoor venue surrounded by…well…red rocks! If you’re a nature buff, this is a must-see venue for you! The Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA. If you read THIS IS OUR SONG, you know that Riley Shaughnessy held his first solo concert there and who can blame him! Another outdoor venue that has such an amazing history that every music fan should see at least one performance there! Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. This is one of the most well-known venues perhaps in the world. Besides it’s amazing history, it’s located in one of the greatest cities in…

BE MINE IN GOOD HOPE, book 3 in the Good Hope series, brings Marigold Bloom, the youngest of the four Bloom sisters, back to her home town. The first two books in the series, CHRISTMAS IN GOOD HOPE and SUMMER IN GOOD HOPE saw Amaryllis (Ami) and Primrose (Prim) Bloom respectively, find their happily-ever-after in Good Hope, a small community on the Door County (Wisconsin) peninsula. Since becoming a hairstylist, Marigold had been living and working in Chicago. After being fired from her position at one of the top hairstyling salons in the Windy City, she’s returned to Good Hope to plan her next move. She’s made one thing very clear; she doesn’t plan to stay. What would you say is your greatest success? Hands down it was when I was offered a position with the Steffan Oliver Salon in Chicago shortly after graduation. Working with someone like Steffan Oliver was a dream come true. I learned so much for him and was able to rapidly rise to become one of the top hairstylists in Chicago. Why did you return home to Good Hope after losing your job? Being in Good Hope allows me to live inexpensively while considering my…