I can hear some of you saying, “Who cares?” LOL. But for those who do or are just curious, I’m guest blogging (like I don’t blog enough, right?) over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales about where I get the ideas for my historical romances and I’m also giving away a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER and an advance copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE.
Come back tonight, when I’ll be posting an actual blog and giving away more great books and posting the winner of the 3 Historicals for the Holidays.
What Kind of Hero Do You Like? By Tracy Wolff
For those readers who have read my books, either as Tracy Wolff or Tessa Adams, they know that I like my heroes tall, dark and angsty. I mean, seriously angsty. I love me a bad boy (and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. But for my new book, UNGUARDED, the third in my recent Superromance trilogy, I thought I’d try something new. Not only looks-wise (although Shawn’s looks are way different than my usual heroes since he’s a blue-eyed blond) but also in attitude.
Click to read Top Pick review!
An archetype book by Tami Cowden claims there are eight main archetypes for heroes: the chief, the bad boy, the best friend, the charmer, the professor, the lost soul, the swashbuckler and the warrior. I have a tendency, no matter what I’m writing whether it’s paranormal, YA, contemporary or erotica, to write the bad boy or the lost soul, although I have also done the warrior and the chief (both of whom were liberally sprinkled with bad boy, just to make me happy 
But this time around, I went totally out of my comfort zone and wrote a charmer. A serious charmer with best friend overtones and I have to admit, I’m really thrilled with how Shawn turned out.
My heroine, Rhiannon, has a really dark past. The survivor of a brutal rape that ruined her self-confidence, her career and her marriage, she has spent the last few years trying to make a new life for herself, but struggling under some really heavy obstacles. I was completely intrigued with Rhiannon when she showed up in BEGINNING WITH THEIR BABY and knew that I had to give her her own story. But when I started to give her a hero like I normally write, I knew that wasn’t going to work. She didn’t need a dark hero with a terrible past—she needed some sweet and funny and absolutely crazy about her. Graphic novelist Shawn Emerson was born, and though he has some darkness in his own past, he does an amazing job (I think of drawing Rhiannon out of her shell and helping her find her way again.
So, how about you? What kind of heroes do you like? The chiefs who so often make up Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents? The best friend? The swashbuckler? Or are you like me—the badder the boy or the more lost the soul, the more I love him? Leave a comment for a chance to win BEGINNING WITH THEIR BABY, the second book in the trilogy.
The winner of the $15 Amazon Gift Certificate from Kendall Grace in promoting her new release, COME UNDONE is…
Karen H in NC
Congratulations, Karen! To collect your prize, please email Kendall at kendall at authorkendallgrace dot com.
Comment to enter to win these 3 Fabulous Historicals for the Holidays. 
But seriously, did sexy ever go anywhere? I think not. So I can also state quite emphatically that Justin Timberlake didn’t either.
Nonetheless, Kendall–a great writer and good friend–is here to give us her own take on uber-sexy men, and I for one, am more than happy to take a peek at the show. Kendall really begins her sexy parade with her dark and brooding, sexy as all get up hero, Chase, in COME UNDONE. Believe me, you want to take a couple hours out of your day to get to know and appreciate Chase–oh and Jane too, of course.
WHAT IS SEXY?
Ian Somerhalder
What isn’t sexy with this lot is more like it. I often wonder what writers did, specifically romance writers, prior to the internet. I don’t know about everyone else, but having access to all of these hot pictures really fuels my creativity when I’m writing my heroes. I simply pull up the photos, imagine the obsession du juor with my heroine (okay…me) and voila…sizzling sexual tension, ahoy! So what did those poor writers do back in the day? Look at their husbands, their neighbors, their work associates… Gasp! Use their imaginations? I happen to be blessed with a hunky husband, if I must say so myself, but he would only be able to take me so far. The time would come when I would need (want) inspiration from elsewhere. Thanks to modern technology, I can get it. So I present to you four men who get my creative engines (and other notable engines) going.
What’s not to lust over with this one? As the sweet Boone on “Lost” or the Sexier Than Any Man Has a Right to Be Damon on “The Vampire Diaries”, you really can’t go wrong here, ladies. For my current release, “Come Undone”, his character of Damon is the perfect inspiration for my hero Chase. Damaged goods, misunderstood… Hot. Need I say more? Okay, moving on…
~~~
Kellan Lutz
Ladies, please. I beg you to find me abs more delicious than these. It’s truly a shame they “pasty” him all up in the “Twilight” series and keep so many clothes on him. I don’t know about you, but I’d suffer through all the white makeup across this delectable torso if he could go about the movie half-dressed. That kid Jacob does, and Emmett is in no danger of freezing his precious patootie off either, so I say strip the man-child. And speaking of man…
~~~
Benecio Del Toro
Now here’s a tricky one. I’ve heard rumors that some women find him unattractive. I gleefully shove them out of my way as I bulldoze my way over to delicious Benecio. There’s something about him that sets my heart all aflutter and has my girl bits rioting in a joyous chorus to the Almighty for creating this jewel. Those eyes, that hair. His rough exterior. Nothing about him appears gentle, or even gentlemanly (although I’ll guess he loves his mother and treats women like queens). And that is just fine with me. I want him to grab me and do all kinds of wicked things I can’t mention on Bev’s blog since she doesn’t write erotic romance. But I’ll just say that if I was a smoker, I’d be lighting up.
~~~
Gabriel Byrne
Now here is a man who is aging well. Very well. My obsession with him started when I saw “The Man in the Iron Mask”. Sure, he was a Muskateer and wore tights and what suspiciously looked like a skirt. He could be a Mousekateer a la The Mickey Mouse Club for all I care. This man is hot. And I bet he knows his way around a woman’s body. He’s just got to. Is it just me, or is it suddenly very hot in here?
Who do you think is the sexiest of the man candy I’ve provided for you today? Vote, leave a comment and I’ll gift a randomly drawn winner with a fifteen dollar Amazon gift card. Do with it what you may, but if it were me, I’d be buying a movie or TV series with one of these hotties in it. And in the meantime, check out my first release from Ellora’s Cave, “Come Undone”. You’ll get an idea of how I do sexy
~*~*~
My sister became dependent on painkillers after a skiing accident left her leg broken in three places. I didn’t understand and, yes, I judged her. After all, we were talking about her will. No one was forcing those pills down her throat. It seemed very cut-and-dried to me back then. But I know differently now.
The first time Chase touched her, Jane finally understood addiction…understood the aching need, the keen want for more…more of his hands…his mouth…his tongue. His complete mastery over her body. She knew the suffocation of crushing anxiety as she waited for her next hit, the flash of terrific pain when it didn’t come.
Chase seems unwilling to give Jane what she needs; what she ultimately craves above all else. But addicts can’t think beyond the fix. They’ll resort to desperate measures to feed their need…even if they lose themselves in the process. Even if they come undone…
.
To find out more about COME UNDONE and Kendall’s upcoming book SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, you can read excerpts on her gorgeous website: www.authorKendallGrace.com . Comment today and you’ll be entered to win a $15 Amazon Gift Certificate.
Also, vote to let us know which of these sexy men you think is the sexiest!
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Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and include the title of the book you won in the email. You have one week to collect your book.
I have author copies!!! So of course, I must give a couple away to my faithful visitors. Comment and be entered to win an autographed copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE and check out the latest ‘taste’ of what’s in store for Lady Amelia and Lord Thomas Armstrong.
This particular exchange occurs just after Amelia has accidentally–publicly questioned Thomas’s sexual prowess. He is, of course, challenging her on the veracity of her claims.
“It’s not every day that I have a woman cast aspersions on my abilities in the bedchambers, especially in such a public venue.” So casual was his tone, he could have been speaking of the weather.
Some might have winced in embarrassment at having uttered something so raw and emasculating. Amelia felt no such emotion but instead clutched the glass as if her entire existence depended on her not upending it all over his head.
“So how do you intend to prove you’ve won the wager?”
Startled, she shot a look up at him, her desire to see him dripping in overly sweet punch forgotten for an instant. “What wager? What pray tell are you talking about?”
Guileless eyes regarded her as he batted decadent lashes. “Didn’t you wager your friends your dowry that I was not close to my rumored prowess in bed? By the bye, what exactly do the rumors say of me in that arena?” His hooded gaze dipped for a leisurely perusal of her form. “I suppose you’ll want to sample my abilities for yourself.” He spoke in a low purr as he directed his gaze back to hers. “I wouldn’t want you to have to depend on hearsay.”
A choked breath wheezed past her lips. The blasted man was thoroughly enjoying exacting his pound of flesh. Relished it in fact.
“Not if you were—”
“Please don’t say the last man on earth, it sounds so trite. I would think a woman with your penchant for wit and scorn would have come up with something more original. More biting.”
Amelia sputtered and her hand commenced shaking, nearly spilling her drink.
Gapping the distance between them so that he stood close enough for her skirt to brush his black trousered leg, he gently extricated the glass from her hand.
“You seem unnerved.” He paused, and then said in lowered tones and a throaty rumble, “I should kiss you senseless right here…right now.” He dropped his gaze to her lips, before lifting it back up to hers. “But perhaps that’s what you want.”
Before she could respond to his taunt, he bent his head, the warm, clean scent of his breath feathering her ear. For a brief moment, she feared he intended to make good his threat.
“Contrary to what you may believe, I am a gentleman and I will not heap any more embarrassment upon you this evening by making you eat your words.”
He then delivered the coup de grace in a very, very soft whisper. “That must be saved for another time, for what I have planned for you won’t be fit for public consumption.”
Amelia’s mouth went dry. She shivered despite the unaccountable heat that scorched through her to settle low in her belly.
And then as if he’d not just threatened—promised—to commit untold debaucheries upon her person, he straightened to his full height and inclined his head in a bow. “Good evening, Lady Amelia.” With that, he sauntered off.
The Season is looking for reviewers to primarily focus on reviewing Harlequin category titles and Carina Press books.
Requirements:
Must have a reading mobile device as these would be egalleys–or be comfortable reading on desktop or laptop.
Must have excellent writing skills and be prepared to supply a sample–preferably of a review you wrote.
Must be able to review at least 2 books a month.
**Must read in one or more of the genres below.
**Contemporary, historical, paranormal, romantic suspense, erotic (inlcuding m/m, menage etc), inspirational and multi-cultural–which I think covers pretty much everything under the romance umbrella.
If you are interested, please contact me at contact at theseasonforromance dot com.
Congratulations, ladies. Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. Note the title of the book in the email. You have one week to claim your prize.
Marryin’ ‘Em Off
Pity my poor daughter. I didn’t arrange a marriage for her.
Or at least, that was the attitude she discovered when she attended a semester of school in India. The Indian girls of Samantha’s ripe old age of twenty (and most much younger) were already promised. Their parents had taken care of them.
Visiting Sam in India, I spent an afternoon in the company of parents who felt it a duty and an honor to explain to me the value of arranged marriages. Statistics actually show they are successful marriages. However, these Indian parents were preaching to the choir. If I could chose my son’s wife, I would have married him off long ago!
Throughout much of history, young men and women from families with suitable assets have had their marriages arranged for them. And there have always been those who would buck their parents’ wishes.
In HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE, my latest book, I play with the attitudes towards arranged marriages. Abby’s parents defied parental wishes and happily married for love–so why won’t they let her?
We know the answer. We must protect our children. (Can I confess now that I’m so over parenting? I have young adults. They didn’t listen much when they were younger and listen a bit better now–but it’s time for me.)
I’m not convinced that fate doesn’t play a huge hand in the decision of who we marry and what twists and turns that marriage may take. I’m not certain how it all works but life seems to happen exactly as it should.
And I do believe that each of us, whether our parents choose our mate or we do, wake up sometime within the first two weeks after a marriage and wonder what in the world have we done. You almost have to get to know a person all over again after you’ve married him. That commitment of ceremony and vows means something. It roots out preconceived notions, fears, and fantasies and hopefully leaves a stronger, more meaningful relationship in their place. Or not.
This is even true of marriages of convenience. I use this plot twist in many of my books but I think it plays equally well in contemporary settings. How many of us have married because we want to give a baby a father? Or find a need for a mate to help face the world? I saw quite of few of those types of marriages when I was in the Navy–and you know, many worked out. I have a theory that we never agree to marry anyone for whom we don’t feel at least a spark of attraction.
And what about you? Not every wedding story is rose petals and bridal gowns. There’s always a rub.
Did you jump into marriage without hesitation? Or was your mate someone your family approved of . . . maybe even nudged you toward? Comment and be entered to win a copy of HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE!
In HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE, Cathy Maxwell throws her heroine Abby Montross into the arms of a sexy silver-eyed Spaniard. Now that is the way to arrange a marriage! (P.S. Her daughter is currently planning her wedding to a wonderful young man. Her son is still at-large.)
HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE
Author: Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: November 30, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373296156
Retail: $7.99
Anything can happen at Christmas!
When her father threatens to marry Abigail Montross off to a man twice her age (and with thirteen children!), she decides to elope instead with the irresistibly handsome Baron de Vasconia. She knows all about his notorious reputation. He is the most seductive man in all of London, but he’s vowed to protect her, so she allows herself to be tempted into his bed, promising to guard her heart at all costs.
Andres believes he’s entered into nothing more than a marriage of convenience with a charming and very wealthy young woman. But the days—and nights—Abigail spends in his arms soon reform this rogue. He’ll do anything to gain her love—until they each discover the truth about the other and old wounds are revealed.
It’s the season of miracles and passion—when love not only awakens the senses but delivers the greatest gift of all . . .
5 - Perfect! - Goes on keeper shelf forever.
4.5 - Excellent - Sooo close to perfection, it hurts.
4 - Very Good - Highly recommend
3.5 - Good - Solid read. Would recommend.
3 - Satisfactory - Okay. Would recommend with caveats.
2.5 - Fair – Wouldn’t recommend.
2 – Fatally Flawed
1 Poor (1 being one of the worst books I've ever read) - Didn't find much in it to like.
DNF - Did Not Finish (Yes, it was that bad)
Heat Level
6 - Erotic – Extremely explicit language and lovemaking scenes. This includes BDSM, ménage a trios.
5 – Scorching – Explicit lovemaking scenes and language.
4 – Hot – Very hot lovemaking scenes. This includes oral sex but no more.
3 – Sensual – Lovemaking scenes are hot but not as detailed or long as Heat Level 4
2 – Mild – Lovemaking scenes are short. Very little detail.
1 – Inspy – Lovemaking scenes are practically non-existent. Kissing but definite closed door policy.
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