Any author worth her salt knows what readers want in a romance novel hero: He needs to be handsome. Successful. Kindhearted, but not a pushover. Romantic, but not in a sappy way. Respectful of friends and family. Helpful, too. But he can’t be too perfect or readers will believe he’s too good to be true. To say nothing of the fact that all those positive traits and qualities could make the heroine feel ‘less than’ by comparison—not a good thing when the ‘conflict’ cards are already stacked against this would-be couple! Whether historical or contemporary, I start developing my heroes by choosing a “look.” Take Sam Marshall in THE FIREFIGHTER’S REFRAIN, for example. Born ‘n’ raised on his family’s Colorado ranch, he needed to look as heart-stoppingly good in jeans and a Stetson as a tuxedo. And since he also worked as a volunteer firefighter before moving to Nashville, broad shoulders and muscles were a requirement. Photographs are essential, so I can see my heroes as they make their way through my stories. The guy I envisioned while Sam taught fire department cadets? Jesse Spencer, costar of the hit TV series, “Chicago Fire.” Now I ask you, did Harlequin’s talented…

One question I am frequently asked is, “Where inspired your books?” For “SISTERS OF LAZARUS; Beauty Unveiled,” it was sibling rivalry, a song and supermodels. Whenever I have read the New Testament story of Mary listening to Jesus while Martha is stressed over being the perfect hostess, it was obvious that the two sisters didn’t get along. We often think of people in the Bible as being stained-glass saints and above something as petty as sibling rivalry. But they weren’t. They had flaws and strengths, likes and dislikes, favorite foods, hopes and fears, pride and insecurities. Just like us. One reason I like writing biblical novels is that, for me, when I view these people as simple humans—when I learn more about their time period and their culture—the Bible stories come alive and I glean answers to some of my personal struggles. The second inspiration for this novel was birthed in 1982, when the Contemporary Christian group Harvest released their song, “Because I Am.” With rich vocals and epic music, Jerry Williams and Ed Kerr related the interaction between Jesus and Mary outside the tomb of Lazarus. As I listened to the song, the biblical story resonated and I could…

There are many things that inspire my books: movies, songs, quotes, and Facebook memes, to name a few. Sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment inspiration struck and blossomed into a story. Other times, as in the case of DESIRING RED, I know precisely which elements inspired the tale. Earlier this year, my editor at Entangled came to me and asked if I’d be willing to write an erotic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. As a longtime fan of dark fairy tales (Grimm vs. Disney for me!), I was instantly drawn to the idea. Do you remember the 2011 film Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried? Two men. One heroine cloaked in red. That’s where the similarities between DESIRING RED and Red Riding Hood end, but it was the colors that grabbed me. As odd as it sounds, one of the things I remember most from the movie was the stark-white snow, the shadows in the woods, and the crimson red of her cloak. I tried to create an erotic tale as vivid and captivating. Because I’m a sucker for a sexy Alpha wolf, I knew I had to write the tale as a paranormal romance with a…

“Kickass start to a new UF series with dragons and mages” “SMOKE AND MIRRORS is the first book in the new Blackhollow Academy young adult/new adult contemporary fantasy series by Jess Haines. I’m excited for more books in the series, because I freaking loved SMOKE AND MIRRORS. I’ve been a long term fan of Haines’ H&W Investigations, a kooky paranormal series with werewolves and magic. SMOKE AND MIRRORS has a very similar vibe, with magic users, dragons, and Others (like werewolves, centaurs, and vampires). Kimberly is a girl in her last year at Blackhollow Academy learning magic. Kimberly is a rare illusionist, not a regular mage like all the others in her class. She and her mother are living in a crappy apartment and working as many hours as they each can to get by while Kimberly goes to school as well. Kimberly’s dream is to graduate and get a decent paying job in a coven so she can support her mother. But Kimberly can’t pass her finals and graduate unless she can get a familiar as part of her final exams. As an illusionist, she can’t create her own familiar the way the rest of the other students can,…

Entangled Publishing has just launched its new erotic romance imprint and the four launch authors are dishing about why they decide to make the jump to erotic romance from what they have written in the past. Gina L. Maxwell, author of SHAMELESS: No holds barred! I’ve always written really “hot” for the Brazen line at Entangled, which used to be their hottest imprint, but there have been times where the reins have been tugged with the corresponding, “You have to pull this back; we can’t quite ‘go there’ on this line.” *sad panda face* Enter the announcement that Entangled would be launching an erotica line called Scorched. Holy Hannah, I can get—I mean, my characters can get—as freaky as they want! Sign. Me. Up. The reins weren’t only loosened, they were fricking dropped. And believe me, I took full advantage of that glorious freedom. Chance and Jane get their freak on in all sorts of fantastic ways. The other reason I was really excited to make the switch to erotic romance is that it gave me a chance to try something new and challenge myself as a writer. For seven years, I’ve been writing only in 3rd person/past tense POV…

Hi there! Did the title of my blog hook you? I hope so. Titles are important, right? When it comes to a book’s title, the author always hopes for one that will intrigue prospective readers and also resonate with readers who have enjoyed the book. A self-published author chooses her/his title, but when you write for a publishing house as I do, the editor and marketing people make the final decision. When I suggested RING OF FIRE for the title of my seventh Caribou Crossing Romance, everyone agreed it was perfect. Why? To start with, Lark Cantrell, a fiercely independent single mom, is the town’s fire chief. Next, Major Eric Weaver was injured in Afghanistan by an IED that also killed his sergeant and caused a fire. The book opens with a middle-of-the-night fire at the old farmhouse where Eric is staying, a fire that triggers his PTSD and threatens his life. You can probably guess who saves him—and how the battle-toughened soldier feels about needing to be saved. In case you’re wondering, yes, Johnny Cash’s song itself plays a part in the book. This time, he could hear the words properly, and realized the man was singing about falling…

Second in NYT & USAT bestselling author Julie Ann Walker’s new romantic suspense series featuring former navy SEALs The former SEALs of The Deep Six return in a sizzling series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker. A COVERT MISSION Maddy Powers’s life revolves around cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events — but she can’t forget the daring former SEAL who appropriated her father’s yacht a few months ago … or the scorching kiss they shared before he disappeared into the deep blue sea. SPARKS A FLAMING DESIRE Bran Pallidino carries a dark secret behind his lady-killer eyes — one that keeps him from pursuing a serious relationship with Maddy. But when she’s taken hostage during a trip to the Dry Tortugas, the men of Deep Six Salvage drop their treasure hunt for a sunken galleon and embark on a dangerous mission to save Maddy. WITH EARTH-SHATTERING REPERCUSSIONS As they fight her merciless kidnappers, they discover this isn’t a simple hostage situation, but something far more sinister. Passion boils between Bran and Maddy, but what good is putting their hearts on the line if they don’t survive the dawn? Buy DEVIL AND THE DEEP:…

When I first sat down to write UNBREAK ME, I knew from the get go exactly how the story would unfold–I’m rather pedantic about outlines. I had a clear vision in my head of what I expected my characters to do and how their journey would end. What I hadn’t anticipated was how they would break my heart, rip my emotions to shred and leave me with many sleepless nights to ponder over the very things I’d written and made them do. Crazy, right? Welcome to the life of an author. What got me through? Music. Music became my saviour as I wrote the ever changing and conflicting lives of Molly and Connor. I never paid any attention to the music that had been playing in my office, not until I found myself being submerged in the melodic tones of Maroon 5 and Raven Quinn. And then it hit me hard in the face and I was blown away. I sat in front of my speakers, closed my eyes and found myself falling in love. Something happened as I paused and listened to the words of each song, it was like the light finally came on inside my head and…

The story behind the story of BOUND TO SERVE The first thing you need to know is that I love spy novels and movies. So naturally I had to come up with, Delta Star, my own clandestine agency. It was a bit like going on an undercover mission creating my own super-secret black ops world and I loved every minute of it. Of course the agents had to be pure ice. Condor earned his reputation by being Delta Star’s ultimate secret agent. He’s untouchable, unstoppable, and he always nails his targets. But no matter how many times he’s saved the world, he’s a ghost who will never take credit. He works best alone, and to continue to protect his country, he’ll stay alone. Some of my books start with an opening line that tantalizes me until I write it down and others begin with a general, I wonder what would happen if I… idea. BOUND TO SERVE, was born after a marathon 007 and Jason Bourne viewing weekend. Hubby also loves them you see. The book is set on a lush tropic island because I truly love the Caribbean. Sparkling water, warm sand beaches, and balmy breezes, what’s not to…

When I was a little girl the last weekends in May leading up to Memorial Day were filled with red poppies and chicken bar-b-que. Yes, in Pennsylvania that is how I was taught to spell barbeque. Our grilled chicken did not have red or tomato based sauce instead it was slathered with a butter and vinegar mixture and grilled in wire frames over coals or flames. The smells were amazing. The chicken skin was dried but the rest was moist and delicious. Paired with homemade pepper cabbage and mustard potato salad the meal was topped off with a square of chocolate iced butter cake. Every church and school and family gathering had a chicken bar-b-que in May, raising money for causes or just the easiest food to make for a large gathering. At the stores or market, old men would be standing with arms or baskets full of red poppy pins. For a donation, and my grandmother always thought a nickel was enough, you got a red poppy to wear on your dress or shirt. My grandmother would mutter and fuss but she always bought a poppy for all of us and tell us to be sure to wear it…