Yep, I’m on permanent high expectation and need of some extra cash for book buying over here!

Today let’s feature my friend Carrie Lofty. She’s got a THIRD book out, helping launch Carina Press. Carina’s an e-book first press, which means you digital readers can help determine when it comes out in print so us autograph hounds can get our fix.

The book’s called Song of Seduction. What better book to ask THE question: what song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what Carrie had to say:

I have playlists for all of my books. You can hear the one for SONG OF SEDUCTION on its excerpt page. If I had to choose just one song, however, it would be “Chocolate” by Kylie Minogue. That’s the song I listened to as I — *gasp* — wrote my first ever sex scene. I put all the inhibitions and doubts aside and just went for it. Other songs may have had more influence over the characters or the plot, but I’ll never forget my first time…

Carrie made me laugh out loud with that one…

Here’s the book blurb:

Eight years ago, composer Arie De Voss claimed his late mentor’s final symphony as his own and became an icon. But fame has a price: fear of discovery now poisons his attempts to compose a redemptive masterpiece. Until a new muse appears, intoxicating and inspiring him…

Mathilda Heidel renounced her own musical gift to marry, seeking a quiet life to escape the shame surrounding her birth. Sudden widowhood finds her tempted by song once more. An unexpected introduction to her idol, Arie De Voss, renews Mathilda’s passion for the violin—and ignites a passion for the man himself.

But when lust and lies reach a crescendo, Arie will be forced to choose: love or truth?

It this book NOT for me??? Sheesh. Sometimes, I think Carrie and I were separated at birth or something. We even went to the same university. At different times, but we barely missed each other (she could have been my student! Aack, that makes me feel old!).

And here’s the cover.

Know what we’re missing?? BUY LINK!!! If you buy before July 5, you’ll get 20% off.

I was going to wait to post this until Ann’s back from her vacation and has books to give away, but I figure if I post it now, I can give Ann double exposure. If anyone’s worth it, it’s Ann.

Maybe you know her as Bunnygirl. You sure see her in my comment trail; Ann and I have become very good friends over the years. That’s why I’m nothing but amped to see her making the jump from self-published to a small press, L&L Dreamspell.

The book is called Maelstrom, and if you’re savvy, you’ve been reading her short fiction already. Like my own upcoming Trevor’s Song, Maelstrom the novel takes us beyond the shorts and gives us the full story. I’ve read a draft; you won’t be disappointed.

Which means I HAD to ask Ann the famous one-question interview: What song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what she said:

“I Could Be Good For You” by 707. Oddly cheesy, considering, isn’t it? Funny thing is that I don’t even remember when or where I heard that song, although it must’ve been when I was a kid in San Antonio. I remember all kinds of odd things from those three years I lived there, including my home phone number, go figure.

The song may be cheesy (and I agree; it makes me think of the book!), but the book isn’t. Here’s the blurb:

When a genie grants you a wish, you don’t expect to have to return the favor.

Struggling promoter Ricky Landon is on the verge of giving up his dreams when he dumps sexy genie Kalila from a junk store lamp. She grants his wish to manage a talented band, but she has a wish of her own…she wants to be a rock star.

Kalila’s band consists of fellow demons whose genius on stage is matched by their ability to get themselves banned from every venue they’ve ever played. Ricky is willing to do what it takes to help them succeed, but with a zombie on drums, an incubus on bass, and a vampire lead vocalist, the off-stage antics are a little more serious than diva behavior and trashed hotel rooms.

Via connections and clever promoting, Ricky turns Maelstrom into the hottest act in town, but their growing fame and Ricky’s love affair with Kalila draw the attention of a rival band of washed-up deities. They’ll do anything to stop Maelstrom from achieving their goals, and now Ricky’s career and maybe even his life is at stake.

Ricky knew rock and roll was a little crazy, but he never thought it would be like this!

Pick up your own copy!

So our good friend Alice Audrey has her debut novel hitting shelves today! You guys know Alice; she of Alice’s Restaurant (that’s the blog) and Suzie’s House (that’s her online fictional serial).

Moving In is the name of this awesome first book — I’m eager to read it. And since it’s being released today, I had to ask her … what song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what she said:

This may be my first professional publication, but I’ve written a fair number of books before. A couple of them are making the agent/editor rounds in New York right now. Sometimes I listen to particular songs or artists while writing – everything from Pearl Jam to Afro Celts. Sometimes I have to turn the music off entirely. Moving In required silence. However, Good Enough by Sarah MacLachlin fits it very well.

Sarah’s folksy, accessible tones are much like Diane. Diane has a way of turning an apartment into a home, whether it’s her’s or her neighbors. She’s a down to earth, warm, and kind woman. Her greatest flaw? She’s convinced a woman can not be a mere housewife and still worthy of respect.

Trigvey disagrees. Adamantly.

He moves into the upstairs apartment of a converted Victorian the same day as Diane moves in downstairs. Actually, since he need to get to work and the previous tenants are still moving, he ends up putting his belongings in a corner of her apartment.

For Tirgvey, the title “Good Enough” is very appropriate. He is a doctor, financially secure, well respected, and good looking, yet when he comes home to a bare apartment and Diane’s generosity, he doesn’t feel good enough for her. He knows what she needs is love and attention, two things that are hard to demonstrate when you spend all hours of the day at work.

When things go badly in the ER, only Diane’s support gets him though. His faith in himself and his life is shaken. Before he’s done, so is hers.

You can click on the link above to see the official music video. And here’s the buy link!

Please join me in congratulating Alice and wishing her great sales (which we can ALL help out with, in fact!).

By now, you ought to know what a Jennifer Estep fangirl I am. I just finished her newest book, Spider’s Bite, and so… I had to ask.

You guys know the drill, right? I ask ONE question to an author about her (there haven’t been any men yet!) new release. That question is a simple one: What song makes you think of your book?

Jennifer picked Human, by the Pretenders. (Jennifer and I share a taste in music!)

Here’s why:

The song “Human” by The Pretenders makes me think of my main character, Gin Blanco. On the outside, Gin is a tough-as-nails assassin and ready to battle any bad guy who comes her way. But on the inside, she has a lot of inner demons, including her guilt over not being able to save her murdered mentor/foster father as well as all the bad things that happened to her the night that her mother and older sister were killed by a Fire elemental. The line from the song “I’m only human on the inside” just really sums up Gin’s character.

Here’s a link to the song at YouTube. Let me know what you think. And pick up Spider’s Bite! It’s available now. In fact, here’s a buy link, to Powell’s.com (Yes, I’ll earn a commission. No, I won’t spend it on myself. When I have enough moolah, I’ll give a book away to one of YOU.)

It’s release day for my new friend Christie Craig. Her Divorced, Desperate, and Deceived comes out today, so I asked her the now-familiar question: What song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what she had to say:

Well, at first I almost chose: Old MacDonald Had a Farm

My stories are whimsical/quirky, fast paced, have lots of animals, are about down-home folks, and hopefully make a lot of people smile. Ahh, but then they’re also kind of sexy. And while I’ve often said that my books are hotter than a goat’s butt in pepper patch, let’s face it. A bunch of animals on a farm, or even a pepper patch, are not reflective of my sensual or suspenseful tone. So I had to go back to the drawing board. But I didn’t come away empty handed. I found: Hero, by Enrique Iglesias.

Okay, I know you’ve probably gotten this one before, but I’m a sucker for lyrics. And these words are so perfect for my book. In many ways this song resonates with the whole Divorced & Desperate series, because all my heroines in these three books are afraid to let another man in their life. They are all in desperate situations and all the heroes are determined to win their love, but first they have to keep them alive.

I can be your hero, baby
I can kiss away your pain
I will stand by you forever
You take my breath away

Stan, AKA, Luke, sees Kathy’s pain. He’s been trying to win her over for almost three years. More than anything, he wants to be her hero. She symbolizes everything he longs for in his life. Someone tender, who wants the simple things, someone who could accept him, flaws and all. But she can’t trust in love. While she’s turned him down more than any man should allow, and he should just give up, he can’t turn his back on her—especially when she accidentally gets caught up his past life, one that could get them both killed.

The lyrics continues to read:

Would you tremble,
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please, tell me this.
Now would you die,
For the one you love?
Hold me in your arms tonight.

My books are sexy, my books have a heck of a lot of laughter and they are suspenseful. This song with its beautiful lyrics brings all that into the listener’s mind. Luke and Kathy are on the run, they find themselves laughing their way through stressful situations. Kathy has to defend herself with toilet tank lid, and then they find a dead guy in the Porta-potty. So yup, you’ll laugh, but you’ll never forget that danger is right around the corner. Forced to trust Luke with her life, Kathy learns to trust him with her heart. Falling in love has never been so risky, or so much fun.

Thanks so much asking me to participate, Susan. Here’s hoping my quirky stories offer a few smiles and sighs to your readers.

Divorced, Desperate, and Deceived. Pick it up, if only to find out about the dude in the Porta Potty!

Can’t get to a bookstore?? Well, Christie’s got a copy to share with you guys (US only, though, ’cause she’s paying for the mailing herself). Just leave a comment telling me WHY you want to read this and your e-mail. I’ll pick a winner on Monday the 30th.

No fancy hoops, like over at Rocks ‘n Reads. Just a comment will do!

If you’ve been hanging at Win a Book at all lately, you’ll know that author Stephanie Kuehnert has been hosting authors to come and talk about their ballad, a song that affected them deeply and has altered who they are. This has been the way in which she’s been gearing up for today’s release of her second novel, Ballads of Suburbia.

So. Being me, I turned the tables on Ms. Kuehnert and asked her THE question: What song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what she said:

Choosing just one song that I associate with Ballads of Suburbia is difficult. After all I put together an entire 33-song soundtrack for the book. I was leaning toward “Suburban Perfume” by Office, which I used in my book trailer for Ballads and I think captures the feeling of innocence lost in the book. Office is a Chicago band and so is Screeching Weasel and their song “Hey Suburbia” I think captures the flipside of the lost innocence feeling– the I just don’t care and I’m gonna have fun aspect of the book. Or there are a couple punk songs that inspired the whole ballad/storytelling aspect of the book: “Story of My Life” by Social Distortion and “The Young Crazed Peeling” by The Distillers. But honestly, the book that I think would capture the overall feeling of the book best and that I listened to repeatedly while doing revisions is “The Kids Aren’t Alright” by the Offspring. In fact, the song used to frustrate me because they distilled what I was trying to say in 300+ pages into a 3 minute song with a catchy chorus. But there it is.

Here’s the link to the song. I sorta dig the Offspring, myself. Okay, more than sorta dig.

Need to know more about Ballads of Suburbia? Me, too!

Here’s the blurb:

There are so many ballads. Achy breaky country songs. Mournful pop songs. Then there’s the rare punk ballad, the ballad of suburbia: louder, faster, angrier . . . till it drowns out the silence.

Kara hasn’t been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park. . . .

Amidst the music, the booze, the drugs, and the drama, her friends filled a notebook with heartbreakingly honest confessions of the moments that defined and shattered their young lives. Now, finally, Kara is ready to write her own.

You guys know what a music junkie I am. I’ve GOT to read both of Stephanie’s books. She and I are, I suspect, cut from similar cloth.

Check ’em both out. Ballads of Suburbia and the debut, I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone.

Contest is now closed!

I know! It hasn’t been very long since my last Featured New Release, but this is going to be a hum-dinger of a book, especially if you like your well-written period pieces to be steamy. Better than a hot shower after sledding steamy.

The book is called Bound By Honor, and it’s Colette Gale’s third release. It hits bookshelf stores today (Cinco de Mayo!), so venture on out amidst the parties and pick up a copy. Just… don’t do a reading AT the party or clothes might go flying.

I asked Colette the famed question: What song makes you think of your book?

Here’s what she had to say:

I had a really hard time trying to figure out which song reminds me of BOUND BY
HONOR. Interestingly enough, every other book I’ve written has always had a
song associated with it in my mind.

For example, UNMASQUED: An Erotic Novel of the Phantom of the Opera‘s song was
“The Point of No Return” from the play/movie, of course. And for MASTER: An
Erotic Novel of The Count of Monte Cristo, the song was “Love Hurts” by
Nazareth. But it wasn’t so easy for this one.

But I finally decided on “Bad” by U2. I selected “Bad” because of the angst
and depth of despair in the song, and the mood of the music is raw and rough.
This book is filled with darkness and angst, along with some really hot sex
scenes–most of which take place in Prince John’s Court of Pleasure. And Prince
John is a really *bad* man! 🙂

So is the Sheriff of Nottingham, the dark, brooding Will de Wendeval. A very
bad
man who negotiates with John to have Maid Marian in his bed…instead of the
prince’s.

And then there is the charming, devil-may-care rogue, Robin Hood, who also
wants
Marian–along with any other woman he can woo into a dark corner.

There is a happy ending for those who deserve it, though! And this book is
probably the sweetest, most romantic of the three “seduced classics” I’ve
written–although there is plenty of erotica to keep me happy.

It’s the sweetest? Wow. Now I NEED to read it.

Here’s the cover blurb:

Bound by Honor: An Erotic Novel of Maid Marian
by Colette Gale

Maid Marian, now Lady of Leaford, is sent to the court of Prince John—-not to
take part in the debauchery of his Court of Pleasure, but to spy on him for his
mother. Little does she know that her secret mission will thrust her into a
whirlwind of intrigue, terror, and carnal temptations.

At court, Marian is torn between her duty to the queen and her desire for two
men: one, the mysterious highwayman the peasants call Robin Hood, and the
other, the dark, cold Sheriff of Nottingham. Given an impossible choice, she
must submit to the carnality of Prince John’s court in order to fulfill her
duty and maintain her honor. But in the end, there is only one man for whom she
will risk her life and give her heart.

Still here? Good. Colette has allowed me to jump back in the giveaway game. Leave a comment about WHY you’d like to explore the erotic side of Robin Hood and Maid Marion. This is a US-only contest, and you’ve got until next Monday, the 11th. Leave an e-mail so I can contact the winner (chosen by one of the Opening Act, at random ’cause if you think I let them near this place, you’re nuts!).

For Only the Good Friday, I’ve got a doozy. Because I always assume all my friends know each other, I’m going to my usual thing and say, “You guys know my good friend Thomma Lyn.”

If you don’t know her, you should.

Anyway, Thomma Lyn’s got a new release out, via Black Lyon press. The e-book comes out today, with the paperback hitting shelves next week (but you can preorder it starting today.) It’s called Mirror Blue, and I’ll get to the blurb in a second. First, though, comes the all-important question:

What song makes you think of your book?

Thomma Lyn’s answer:

“People are Strange” by the Doors. The hero of Mirror Blue is a Vietnam vet and I mention Vietnam-era music in the book, and “People are Strange” fits with the story, too, re: Aphra, the heroine. In the beginning of the book, she feels like a stranger with pretty much everyone, even her own family, and by the end, she still is “strange” in a good way, but no longer feels so alone (Isaac’s love, and increased understanding from both his family and her own).

This was a hard one to find on YouTube, but I did the best I could. I was looking for an actual performance, maybe. Or something not fan-generated. Still, this is worth the look. Here’s the link.

And now, the blurb for Mirror Blue:

He’s her first chance at love.

She’s his last.

Free spirit Aphra Porter never thought Isaac Lightfoot would remember the letter she wrote to him years before. But by some miracle, he does. Now a successful Web site designer in her thirties, Aphra meets the man whose writing talents she’s always idolized — an encounter that leaves her spinning. No longer is Isaac a distant image, but a flesh and blood man who looks at her like no one has looked at her before.

A critically acclaimed author and Vietnam war hero, Isaac is one tough bear of a man. Faced with the physical and emotional scars of war, a relationship with a daunting age difference, and an ex-wife bent on tearing Aphra from his life, he’s about to learn that leaving the past behind and building a new life can be the toughest battle of all.

There you go! A new book to get your hands on. If you post a review of Mirror Blue on your website or blog, send me the link. To join the many book bloggers who do exactly this, I’ll link to it here.

If you hang out at my Win a Book blog, you’ll have seen me mention that I think Rachel Vincent is the cat’s meow. That’s not me being funny, nor is it me blowing smoke — many of you have noticed that I’m quite lousy at blowing smoke. Fire’s so much more fun.

That’s why I like Rachel’s Shifter series. Faythe is better at playing with fire, too.

The third book in the series, Pride (following Stray and Rogue), is about to be released. So I went to Ms. Vincent and asked her the usual question: What song best sums up your book?

Here’s what she said:

I’ve got the answer to your question! Though, actually, I could only narrow it down to two songs. One which reminds me very strongly of the actual plot, the other which echos the emotional arc. Is that okay?

The first is Headstrong, by Trapt. The lyrics can be found here.

The second is the Seether/Amy Lee duet Broken. The lyrics can be found here.

Okay, confession time. I adore both those songs. They may not be my usual head-banging angsty fun, but when have I let that stop me?

Before I get to the fun stuff — the videos and the blurb — I want to mention a fun giveaway that Rachel’s doing at her blog. A copy of each book in the series (so far) or a gift certificate to B&N Online — and Rachel’s trademark; a bag of Godiva chocolate. Check it out. Tell her I sent you.

Here are some video links:

Headstrong

Broken

And now… the blurb for Pride!

I’m on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.

I’m two for three. A goner.

Now we’ve discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It’s up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc’s help, I think I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.

If I survive my own trial…

Excuse me, but I’ve got to go read Rogue now…

I’m home from a couple of days of guest blogging. Ahh, this place is starting to feel like home, albeit one that still needs some paint in the walls. And furniture.

So to speak.

Let’s celebrate being home by talking about author Rhonda Leigh Jones. Her book, The Maestro’s Butterfuly, was lucky enough to be the first author published by new e-publisher Ravenous Romance, and I’m lucky enough to know (and like) the woman, so…

I asked her the standard question: What song makes you think of your book?

Her answer was short, sweet, and intriguing:

Song: “I Want To Be Adored” by Stone Roses. It just fits Claudio so well. He’s so wonderfully arrogant.

Here’s the blurb for The Maestro’s Butterfly:

The Maestro’s Butterfly by Rhonda Leigh Jones

Miranda O’Connell has just made a dangerous bet with her mysterious music teacher that will change her life forever – that she can stay at his estate for 30 days and still walk away.

She doesn’t know Claudio du Fresne is a vampire who keeps human slaves to feed from and use sexually, or that he is quick to punish with a sound spanking. Or that he has secretly brought his ruthless brother in on the bet.

Victoire “Jack” du Fresne wants a piece of the action. He will help Claudio ensure the survival of his risqué stage show, if Claudio agrees to his terms. If Miranda decides to stay after 30 days, she becomes Claudio’s property. If she decides to leave, she becomes Jack’s.

Those 30 days will open Miranda to a world of sexual possibility and dark desire, where fear and lust become one. If she can handle the intensity. Will she fall in love with the kinky vampire, le Maestro Claudio du Fresne…or will she escape the confines of his estate for the dashing, dangerous charms of his brother?

And here’s the YouTube link to the song(although now that I’m here on WordPress, I can probably figure out how to embed vids, huh?).

Since it’s October first, we’re not going to mourn the loss of my favorite temporary XM Radio station. Nope. Not gonna do it.

Instead, we’re going to focus on the good and exciting. Today, that means a new release from my writer bud, Shelley Munro.

The book is called Cat and Mouse. Here’s a blurb from Shelley’s website:

Every woman has sexual needs. Lana Sinclair, feline shapeshifter and widow, is more than ready for a fun night with a likeminded male. Hot lovin’ is compulsory because she’s determined to scratch the itch that’s driving her crazy. This time, career-girl Lana is picking a malleable male who won’t try to corral her into the housewife role.

Fellow shifter Duncan Ross is the perfect candidate. The cowboy follows the rodeo circuit and is only in Middlemarch for the bull riding. One night of mutual seduction, slick, naked bodies and pleasure then he’ll be on his way.

Duncan is astonished when Lana propositions him, but no one could ever call him stupid. He’s always desired Lana and now that she’s ready for sex, he’s all action. It’s time to lasso the woman of his dreams with some sweet lovin’ and charm, a sexy massage and ropes spliced together with addictive pleasure. He’ll seduce her to his way of thinking—a permanent arrangement. This is one go-round Duncan is determined to win.

Woo! Sounds like a good one, Shelley! (If you’re over 18, you can read an excerpt by following that same link listed above.)

And since this is a Featured New Release, I HAD to ask the question:

What song makes you think of this book.

Here’s what Shelley said:

When I think of Cat and Mouse I think of the Garth Brooks’ song Rodeo. In Cat and Mouse the tables are turned because my heroine wants one night with the hero. She doesn’t want the bother of having him around all the time and is happy for him to travel the rodeo circuit unlike the woman in the song. Duncan, however, has other ideas and he’s a sneaky feline shifter. Lana doesn’t know what’s hit her…

Here’s a link to YouTube and a video of Rodeo. Man, that opening riff is addictive…

Check out Cat and Mouse and think of Garth as you do…

I had so much fun talking music with Christine D’Abo (here’s the link if you missed it) that I’d like to make this a regular feature.

Just as it felt natural to feature Christine, it feels natural to feature my next author: the way cool Jennifer Estep. I met her when I won a copy of Karma Girl somewhere online. I immediately offered to review it at Front Street Reviews — the first of three reviews I’ve since written about her books.

Let’s face it. I’m an Estep Junkie. The woman could probably write greeting cards and I’d buy them.

Like I said, featuring her today, on the day that her third book in the Bigtime series, Jinx, is released, feels natural.

So I dropped her a note: What song (new or old) best describes how you view Jinx?

Here’s what she said:

The song that makes me think about Jinx is “Under The Gun” by The Killers. The first lines of the song make me think of my main character, Bella Bulluci, since she:

A) Wears a small charm shaped like a pair of wings
B) Dresses up like an angel (with a halo) for a costume party in the book
C) Her house is full of angel- and halo-themed stuff
D) She’s “under the gun” in a number of ways, fighting her feelings for the hero and trying to steer clear of ubervillains and all the other craziness that takes place in Bigtime.

The song starts out like this: She’s got her halo and wings, hidden under his eye. But she’s an angel for sure, she just can’t stop telling lies …

It’s just a fast-paced song that I enjoy. I love The Killers, and this song is on “Sawdust,” which I think is their best album so far.

Here’s a link to a vid that includes the lyrics. Check it out. Read along. Think about Bella and the angel motif.

But mostly, make sure you buy the book. Let this song play in the background as you read it.

And while you’re shopping, pick up the other two Bigtime books, too. They’re light, they’re fun, and they’re worth your time.