Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hearts in Darkness Treasure Hunt




Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.

It’s National Talk in an Elevator Day (seriously!) and what better day to celebrate Hearts in Darkness? This top-rated contemporary romance is about two strangers who find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped for four hours in a pitch-black elevator.

And, did you know…???

Hearts in Darkness is the #4 Top-Rated
Kindle Contemporary Romance on Amazon?

So, we’re celebrating all this elevator-related goodness with a Treasure Hunt Giveaway! Here’s how to play:

1) Find the hidden word on each of the participating sites, usually 1 page off the main page
2) Keep track of the sites/words as you search
3) Email your findings to laurakayepromotions AT gmail DOT com and put Treasure Hunt in the subject heading. Entries accepted through 12 noon PST Saturday 7/30!

What can you win???
GRAND PRIZE: $50 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE
FIRST RUNNER-UP: $20 DIGIBOOKS CAFÉ GIFT CERTIFICATE W/20% OFF CODE
SECOND RUNNER-UP: BAG OF HEARTS swag bag

Here’s where the treasure is buried:

1) For the Love of Books http://fourtheloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
2) Book Wenches http://www.bookwenches.com/laurakayestreasure.htm
3) My Eclectic Bookshelf www.myeclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com
4) MyVampFiction www.myvampfiction.com
5) Where’s my Muse? http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/
6) Author AJ Nuest http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/
7) Author Jill James http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog
8) Author Joya Fields http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/
9) Author Sarah Grimm http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com
10) Author Sharon Buchbinder www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog

When you’re done, stop over to Laura’s own blog for another fun giveaway opportunity!

Thanks for reading and playing!
Laura Kaye
Hot, Heartfelt Romance – Because everyone longs to belong…
Laura is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance with five books releasing in 2011

Read the reviews here!
Buy from amazon! | Buy from DigiBooks Café!
Follower Laura Kaye on twitter | facebook

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Wild Rose Press authors are all a-Twitter




Being part of any supportive group is fun and The Wild Rose Press (TWRP) authors are a great example. Today, lots of TWRP authors will be posting excerpts and favorite lines from their books in a fun promotion to support one another and help readers learn more about TWRP books and authors.

And lucky me! I get to join in. Since I have two upcoming releases, here’s a little teaser about both of them. Hope you enjoy! Follow me on Twitter @joyafields and follow the fun on Twitter @TWRP.

LOVE DELIVERED (Short Contemporary Romance, available late 2011)

When Bianca finally had the willpower to pull away, her face heated and she stared at her lap. She hoped the stormy gray sky hid her embarrassment. She’d kissed him enthusiastically—like a schoolgirl with a giant crush—and had no idea where the impulse had come from. Sure, she liked him. It wasn’t until their lips met that she felt the spark that, even now, had her body shaking with desire.
“I…uh… Wow,” Pete said. From the stunned look on his face, she didn’t think he’d planned the kiss ahead of time. Like her, he probably hadn’t expected such intensity. He smiled his giant smile and leaned his forehead against hers. The move, although simple, felt intimate with him. “What did you put in that sweet tea?” he whispered.



BENEATH THE SURFACE (Full-length Romantic Suspense novel, available late 2011/early 2012)

For the first time since the accident, Brooke forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way Logan made her feel.
She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?
He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing a line of kisses down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.
She should stop this now before it got any more intense.
He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a whiff of his sawdust scent.
“I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.
She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Amie Louellen--Brodie's Bride (A Fun Character Interview)



Meet amazingly talented author Amie Louellen! Her book BRODIE'S BRIDE releases today from The Wild Rose Press. Since her main characters, Brodie and Savanna, are busy with "release day stuff," Brodie's best friend Jackson has stopped by for a visit.


Interview with Jackson McMasters, best friend of Brodie Harper


It’s been six months since that fateful night/morning when Brodie and Savanna woke up to find themselves married. But as their story goes public today, they weren’t available for an interview. So we have the next best thing. Today we have the other half of HarMac Construction, Jackson McMasters and his lovely wife, Gina.
“If he’s mad about this, I’m blaming it on you,” Jackson asides to Gina, then turns to smile and shake my hand. Jackson is just like described in the book. Blond, polished and wearing an impeccable suit. Dark-haired, dark-eyed Gina is glowing in only the way a new mother can.
“Blame it on me,” she says through her smile. “I’m not afraid of Brodie Harper.”
“Before you two get into a marital spat, let’s get this started.”
Jackson sits down and crosses ankle over knee, his movements nearly elegant. I’ve only met Brodie once before and for a brief time, but it’s so obvious that the two friends are exact opposites. Brodie is dark, a little rough around the edges and Jackson is…not.
“Thanks for coming today.”
Jackson nods.
“Now tell us, you and Brodie have been friends a long time, right?”
“Since elementary school.”
“We all met in the third grade,” Gina adds.
“And just what kind of person is Brodie Harper?”
Jackson smiles and straightens his dark purple power tie. “He’s the best kind I know. Salt of the earth, his Pop would say. Loyal, dependable. He’s the one person I’d want to have behind me.”
“Ahem.”
“Sorry, Gina. Did you have something to say?”
“No. Go on.”
“He’s taken care of his grandmother since his Pop died. That alone is a full time job. He has a great love of family and home.”
“I’ve heard that about him. So were you surprised to discover he’d married a stranger after a one night stand?”
“You…could say that.”
Gina laughs. “He was livid.”
“I was worried about the casino contract.”
“He was worried about his friend.”
“It’s just that no one expected Brodie to get married again,” Jackson explains.
“Again?”
Jackson nods. “Brodie was marred once before. His wife left him to go to Hollywood. It’s caused some issues for him, but I think Savanna has helped him through all of that.”
“So you approve of his marriage then.”
“Of course.”
Gina all but snorts. “You weren’t so approving in the beginning.”
“It was a shock.”
“He thought she was a hooker.” Gina shows utter delight in letting this tidbit fly.
Jackson coolly raises an eyebrow. “So did Brodie. She was dressed a little—“
“Don’t say it,” Gina warns.
“Well, she had decided to disguise herself and follow her fiancé to find out if he was up to no good—“
“Which he was,” Gina adds.
“—and she ended up married to Brodie instead.”
“And his wedding night was also your wedding night.”
“That’s correct, but that’s all the details I’m giving on that. If you want any more, and you’ll have to talk to him.”
“Just where is Brodie today?”
“He had other business to attend.”
“He’s out flying the Cessna with Red Sullivan, the casino owner. Now that Savanna has gotten over her fear, she’s making Red teach her how to fly the plane. Brodie won’t let her go up without him.”
“A casino heiress flying a plane, that would be something to see.”
Gina’s phone chimes and she holds it up for Jackson to see. “Time to get Rosie.”
Jackson stands and reaches out to shake my hand. “Sorry to cut this short, but duty calls.”
Fatherly duty.
Who knows maybe soon, it’ll be Brodie’s turn on baby patrol. One can only hope.
Amie Louellen--Brodie's Bride
Available 6/24/2011 from The Wild Rose Press


Amie Louellen loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and shoes. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list. When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings she enjoys going to little league baseball games and boy scout meetings. Born and bred in Mississippi, Amie is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, a spoiled cat, and one very hyper beagle.




Thursday, May 26, 2011

BOOK COVER FOR BENEATH THE SURFACE!



Are you ready? Really ready? Okay (drum roll please). The cover for BENEATH THE SURFACE has arrived. I couldn't be happier! The cover art department at The Wild Rose Press did a wonderful job. Special thanks to cover artist Kimberlee Mendoza for her awesome work!







BENEATH THE SURFACE

She's fighting to stay independent--he's determined to protect her no matter what...

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda's boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archaeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancee's death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other's wounds and find a killer...before it's too late?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Growing a garden despite the stink bugs

After fifteen years of planting tomatoes, corn, zucchini, spinach, cucumbers and more, this year’s question is: do I dare go through all the work to grow seeds indoors and spend hours tending to them throughout March and April, just to plant them outside for stink bugs to destroy?
I checked with Jon Traunfeld, director at the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Center for some advice.
“Calls to our hotline (1-800-342-2507 M-F 8am to 1pm) and observations, indicate that stink bugs are more of a problem on some crops than others. Tomatoes, peppers, beans and corn seem to be most susceptible to damage from this new invasive pest. Spinach, chard and lettuces are less likely to be affected, so plant away,” Jon said.
He offered these strategies to protect your vegetables:
- Use floating row cover (a white, light-weight fabric with a gauze-like appearance) which is draped over plants and secured to the ground. It allows light, air and water to penetrate, but excludes pests.
- Monitor daily for stinkbugs and brush them into a bucket of soapy water to keep their numbers down.
- There is some evidence that the early life stages of this pest are more susceptible to chemical controls such as insecticidal soap, neem oil and pyrethrums
I’m going to plant my garden as usual. And remember, the stink bugs came to the U.S. via fruit from another country. If you plant a garden AND buy your produce locally, not only are you supporting your neighborhood farmer, but you’re potentially keeping bugs out of your yard, too.
Much research is being done on this pest. Here is a link to the latest information: www.hgic.umd.edu/content/BrownMarmoratedStinkBug.cfm

Happy planting! :)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

How does your (salad) garden grow?

This year, I’m trying two new types of gardens in addition to my regular vegetable garden. I think I’ll blame the snowy Maryland winter for my zest.

It’s March and that means it’s time to plant cold weather veggies like spinach and lettuce. And, thanks to some online directions from the Maryland Extension service and a little help from my husband and his chainsaw, I’ve made a salad table.

It sits right outside the back door…steps away from the kitchen. If all goes as planned, we’ll be having dinner salads with spinach/lettuce that was picked minutes before we eat it.

Directions for making a salad table:
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg601.pdf

Coming in April: the OTHER new garden experiment. Hint: I’m hoping to get tomatoes and peppers a month earlier than usual. A salsa garden! (And find out if the salad garden is making progress.)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Almost Vegetarian

Well, this should be interesting.
I’ve never been a big meat lover, but after finding out some not-so-great facts about the way animals are treated on factory farms as they are raised for meat, I am challenging myself to change the way our family eats.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we got healthier along the way too.
But the challenge is going to be finding meals that:
1.) Are easy to shop for
2.) Are easy to prepare
3.) Taste good for everyone in a picky family. And having one member who detests beans is going to make this all the harder.
4.) Are not too costly


Today is day one of an interesting journey. I’d love to hear comments and suggestions (and recipes…looking for recipes that have been successful for others).
Tonight’s dinner: Eggplant parmesan (Frozen…I’m totally cheating. But it’ll be a good test.)