Satin Sheets Romance -Guest Author - Cynthia D'Alba

            All About Me!

Hi All! Cynthia D’Alba here. This is my first visit to Satin Sheets (as an author!) and I have to say… I love it. Of course, who doesn’t love a good set of Satin Sheets to wrap themselves in! The Satin Sheets gang asked me to tell y’all about my personal reading habits. Here goes…

I’ll start by saying I was a reader (make that voracious reader) since I could hold a book in my chubby little hands. The public library had a rule that you had to be five to get a library card. I was three, so mom used my sister’s name and library card for me to get books. Seriously! Mom worked across the street from the library so I would spend summer days down there reading everything I could get my hands on, from the Autobiography of Malcom X, and James Washington Carver and Joan of Arc to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. I didn’t care what the book was. I just loved reading. Which brings us to romance.

I’ve tried to remember exactly what was the first romance book I ever read, but I don’t remember. I’m pretty sure it was either The Wolf and the Dove (1974) or The Flame and The Flower by Katherine Woodiwess (1972). However, even as a young reader, I was entranced by the innocent romance found in the Trixie Beldon books. Trixie and Jim…Sigh.

I don’t get to read as much as I used to since now I write as my job. However, contemporary romance (which is the genre I write) is still my favorite. I credit Susan Elizabeth Phillips for cementing my love for contemporary. I have all her books. I read them when I want to remind myself what great writing is. Of her books, there isn’t one in the Chicago Stars series that I don’t love. Most of her book beginnings are mind-blowing funny, clever, smart and evoke all kinds of envy on my part. Her ability to lace the story with laugh out loud one-liners is a talent many authors dream of…myself included.

On SEP’s heels is Kristan Higgins. Higgins tortures her heroines in the most delicious ways. I find myself laughing and groaning with the suffering she inflicts on the poor gals. But Higgins has also made me cry at times with her endings, something I don’t often do. Oh, and both of these ladies have made me lose hours of precious sleep because I get so caught up in their stories.

I discovered Susan Elizabeth Phillips when one of my friends recommended First Lady (2000). I discovered Kristan Higgins when she won her first RWA^® RITA award in 2008 for Catch of the Day. If you are unaware of the RITA awards, click HERE and read about them. Think “Academy Award” for romance novels.

Having said all that awesomeness about contemporary, let spend a minute on historical romance. LOVE ‘EM. Can’t write them, AT ALL. My voice simply doesn’t lend itself to historical. That said, I love nothing more than to lose myself in a great historical which shouldn’t be surprising since historical romance is where I began this love affair. In addition to Woodiwess, Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught were my first go-to historical authors. There are some newer historical authors on the scene I’ve been enjoying such as Vicky Dreiling, Tracey Devlin, Eloisa James, and oh, there are so many. Picking a favorite historical romance author is tough.

 

Honestly, the worst interview question is “Who is (or are) your favorite author(s)?” I falter every time. There are just too many to list. I’d have to break all my favorite authors into categories by genre!

 

But the bottom line is that my heart lies with contemporary romance.

 

Which brings us to my latest book. (Don’t you love how I worked that in?)

 

TEXAS TANGO is the second book in the Texas Montgomery Mavericks Series. Here’s a little more about it:

Dr. Caroline Graham is happy with her nomadic lifestyle fulfilling short-term medical contracts. No emotional commitments, no disappointments. She’s always the one to walk away, never the one left behind. But now her great-uncle is gone and her grandmother is on her deathbed, more concerned about Caroline’s lack of a husband than her own demise. What’s the harm in a little white lie? If a wedding will give her grandmother peace, then a wedding she shall have.

Travis Montgomery has one dream left—to build the ranch he and his wife planned before he lost her to cancer. There’s just one thing standing between him and the last bit of acreage he needs—a last living heir who has one traveling foot out the door…and an unusual request that challenges his determination to never again place his heart at risk. The land he wants in exchange for a faux marriage. Everyone wins. Until things start to snowball…and the hearts they stand to lose are their own.

Want to read the opening of Chapter One of Texas Tango? Go HERE.

Texas Tango is available at your favorite online bookstore or follow any of the links below.

Amazon | Samhain  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo 

Well, I’m getting close to my word limit but don’t leave yet! I’ve got some goodies and prizes to give away. But it’s only fair that I tell y’all a little about me. I was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, I’m thrilled to be making my home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. I started writing on a challenge from my husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun.

My first book, Texas Two Step, released in 2012 to outstanding reviews, was a Samhain Publishing best seller. The second book in the Texas Montgomery Mavericks series, Texas Tango, released November 5, 2013, again from Samhain Publishing. In February, 2014, Texas Fandango, a Novella in the Texas Montgomery Series will be released by Samhain Publishing. I am currently at work on book 3 of the Texas Montgomery Mavericks series (Texas Twist).

I love love love to hear from readers and there are lots of ways to find me. Online, you can find me most days at my website or my group blog.

Follow me at Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Goodreads or Pinterest.

or email me at cynthia@cynthiadalba.com

To send me snail mail, write to: Cynthia D’Alba   PO Box 2116   Hot Springs, AR 71914

Now for the fun stuff. J

In the spirit of Christmas sneaking up on us, I’ll pick among the comments for someone to take home a western-themed ornament. Here’s just a sample…

I’ve got some great blog tour prizes that’ll be awarded at the end of the tour. I’m using Rafflecopter and sometimes it plays well with Blogger and sometimes it doesn’t. If it did this time, there will be a Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of the page. If not, never fear! Here’s a link to a back-up site on my Facebook page:  http://bit.ly/18bP7RT
There’s more chances to win on my TEXAS TANGO Jewelry-Themed Rafflecopter Giveaway. I’m at a number of stops today, so check out my personal blog for other places you can enter contests! Want to see what you can win?

AND I have swag for the asking! But when it’s gone, it’s gone. Pens, jar openers, postcards, bookmarks, trading cards…just go by my contact page and send me a note.

Thanks for coming by. Check out the Rafflecopter giveaway for entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Samantha's Review of Gaines and Losses by Camryn Rhys

       Gaines and Losses

Author: Camryn Rhys (direct link to site) 

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Genre: Western Contemporary Romance

Length: 44 pages

Buy Links: Amazon and B&N 

Blurb: 

Sylvie Proulx has a very proper, professional life, where every second is scheduled and mouthful of food carefully documented and exercised away. But a woman has needs. So she discreetly requests a 1NS date from Madame Eve, only to be paired with a free-spirited cowboy from Freewill, Wyoming with a thing for steak. Paul Gaines needs a sponsor for the national rodeo circuit and travels back to Vegas to seek out a meeting. He needs a date to the fancy party, and calls on a dating service he's known for a long time, expecting a night of fun and companionship. But the more he discovers about Sylvie, the more he wants to cover her in creme brûlée and teach her how to ride a horse. Only Sylvie has very careful boundaries, and Paul only has one night to convince her to give him a tomorrow.

Samantha's Review : 

In book one Paul is made to look like he is nothing more than Shallow, Lazy and a womanizer. In this one you learn a bit more about Paul and his background and why he is the way that he is. This is definitely one of those books that takes a character that doesn't look like he has many redeeming qualities and shows that they can change. In this book Paul is going to revisit his past and see if he can once again make a go of his career and what made him happy. While he is trying to find a sponsor He Calls Madame Eve for a 1NS Date for a party. Sylvie has her own demons to battle. She has an overbearing father who monitors everything that she does, every day of her life. With the exception of one. Her day in Vegas that is all hers and that is when she makes use of Madame Eve and 1NS. Sylvie has more insecurities than anyone realizes thanks to her father and her ex husband. So while Paul helps Sylvie more than he knows she is also beneficial to him and is able to introduce him to the person that he needs to get his career back on track.

There is undeniable heat between Paul and Sylvie right from the start. In fact they don't even make it out of the party before they are finding a dark secluded corner. Only to find that they are not alone. There is then a pretty steamy interlude in the car on the way to the hotel. Then it gets real hot and heavy once they get to the hotel room. Some of it even involves some desert. Before the end of the night Paul knows that he wants more than just one night with Sylvie. Sylvie feels more for him than her previous 1NS dates but she is too in her head on the matter and too worried about what her dad would say. Paul has his work cut out for him to convince her that they can have more than one night. I love books in the 1NS series. Madame Eve is a Sneaky one. She has a habit of throwing together the perfect couples. I definitely recommend this book. It can be read as a stand alone. But would be better if read in order.

Samantha's Review of Vengeful Gaines by Camryn Rhys

 Vengeful Gaines  ( Book 2 in the Western Escape Series)

Author: Camryn Rhys

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Genre: Western Contemporary Romance

Length: 45 pages

To Purchase :  Amazon and B&N

Blurb: 

Mattie Gaines has so much to be thankful for—three beautiful children who are well on their way to making great love matches, a successful family business that keeps her challenged every day. But a part of her will never forget her first love, and she longs for her own romance du jour.

Wanting a new start, Will Jordan returns to Freewill and wonders whatever happened to that firecracker Mattie Gaines. When he spies her at the first annual Thanksgiving cook-off, old feelings resurface. Will can’t forget Mattie’s kisses from long ago, and he wants to make her remember, too—even if it costs them both more than they bargained. 

Samantha's Review  

Mattie is at the Thanksgiving Cook-off with her daughter Jaime and Ranch cook/future son in law Kyle competing against her Brother and runs into her old flame Will. Before this she really didn't realize how lonely she really was. First thing Will has to do when he see's Mattie for the first time in years is save her from her brother and sparks fly. There is major heat between these two. They both try to find reasons to stay away from each other. One reason being he will be the person hearing the appeal her brother is bringing against her trying to get her Ranch. They  just can't stay away from each other. Jaime catches on to the tension between the two and questions her and although she doesn't get the full story she is there for her mother anyway.

This is the second book by Camryn that I have read and I absolutely loved it... I love stories that involve a second chance at love and that's what this was for Mattie and Will. The characters deal with the attraction and pain in seeing each other after 30 years and what really ended up being a mistake from all those years ago and goes to show what can happen when you are not honest and open about what you want with the person that you love.

This book definitely shows that you have a chance at happiness at any age... If you want a good quick romance this is definitely the book for you.. I highly recommend it... :O)

Nadene's Satin Sheets Review of Cradle of Lies by Rebecca E Grant

TITLE:  CRADLE OF LIES
AUTHOR:  REBECCA E. GRANT
WEBSITE:  GOODREADS
GENRE:  Contemporary Western Romance
LENGTH:  211 pages
BUY LINK:  AMAZON

BLURB:  What can a man hope for when he’s spent the first sixteen years of his life forced to witness some of the most heinous murders ever committed?

When Cord Archer first meets Mattie Rayne, her smile heats him like the summer sun, bleaching him clean. Nothing else matters except to make her his. Before he can do that, his conscience compels him to explain why he entered an institution at age sixteen and spent five years learning to read, write, and function in mainstream society.

Upon learning that Cord is the son of a notorious psychopathic serial-killer, Mattie realizes how miraculous it is that he survived, much less made it all the way back from crazy. The knowledge only makes her love him more. Just when it would seem Cord is finally about to know love, two phenomenally staggering events irrevocably change the course of his life. First, a sociopath becomes fixated on him. Next, his daddy escapes from prison with the sole intent of tracking him down. 

Now, anyone in Cord’s life is at risk because the only thing deadlier than a psychopath is the random unpredictability of a sociopath. God help the man who has to contend with both.

NADENE'S REVIEW:  After completing this title I was a bit skeptical as to whether I would be able to write a review that would be worthy of such an awesome, exciting and riveting read.  I am still trying to recover from the emotional ride that the author took me on.  I experienced quite an array of emotions while reading this title. I experienced moments of sadness, happiness and fear. 

This was a quite an interesting read which had my attention from the very beginning.  The story was well paced.  Character development was quite good.  I particular liked Cord the main male character. He had been through a lot and yet he chose not to follow the path that had been set by his dad who was serial killer. He, however had to live with the stigma which had a serious effect on his relationship with others.
It was good to see him find love with Mattie and be able to overcome his past.  
My least favourite character is Riley. 

She was a manipulative and sick person. She was intent on destroying Cord and any happiness he may experience.  Due to his experience with his father he was able to recognize what a sick person she really is.

Cradle of Lies is filled with drama. suspense, mystery and romance.  It had me turning the pages as I could not wait to find out what was going to happen next.  This is a book that keeps you guessing and the answers are quite shocking.   It is one of those stories that you will have you talking about it days after you have finished reading.

Cradle of Lies shows that with love, support and determination we can overcome our past and become the best we can be.  This is definitely a must read and I would  recommend that you get a copy as you will enjoy every moment.

Nanee's Review of Cowboy's Chocolate Roses by Jess Buffett

Cowboys Chocolate Roses by  Jess Buffett

Author: Jess Buffett                          
http://jessbuffett.wordpress.com/

twitter username

JessBuffett

Genre: contemporary romance, cowboys, male/female, western romance 

Pages 151

http://www.spsilverpublishing.com

 

Thank you to Silver Publishing for allowing me to review

Description: 

Joshua and Brianna hit it off immediately and share a passionate night. Bri flees before Josh wakes up and later regrets her action. Now she has to find him and hope he'll let her explain.

Joshua Kell signs a deal that will set his ranch up for life and then spends the night with the woman of his dreams. Waking up alone, he returns home, nursing a broken heart.

Brianna Evans struggles to overcome a horrific trauma. After two years, she's finally taking back control of her life, but she panics when she wakes up next to Josh.

Bri has to find him again, and when she does, hopes he'll understand and forgive her for running. She wants the chance to be happy again. But when a ghost from her past threatens to take everything away, Bri has to trust her cowboy will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Nanee's Review :

I thought this story was sweet, romantic and a little sexy all in one. Although there was a few terrifying moments and sadness, I got swept away in chocolate Roses and hunky cowboys.  I thought the writer captured each moment perfectly, the descriptions and dialogue within the story made me feel part of it. I thought the characters were great....how can you not love a sexy cowboy.....Bri's character is hard not to love, she's shy, easily blushes but she is a strong , smart women that perseveres. Josh is a sexy cowboy that is nothing but a gentleman and extremely protective of what's his... He was was not looking for love (well maybe alittle) he cant believe the feelings from his one night with Bri he still has, well.. sparks did fly...Will Bri and Josh get together??? you'll have to read to find out....I hope their will be a Caleb story in the future (Josh's Brother),,,

.....I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend . 4 to 4.5 stars

  

Nanee

Nadene's Satin Sheets Review of Gambling On A Secret by Sara Walter Ellwood

• File Size: 519 KB
• Print Length: 276 pages
• WEBSITE: www.sarawalterellwood.com
• Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
•                                                                                                                       
• BLURB
• When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked against her?
  Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few glitchesùthe Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.
  
  Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wifeÆs betrayal and the botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, DylanÆs even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.
  
  When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start he so desperately needs?
  
  CONTENT WARNING: Details abuse of a minor, drug abuse, alcoholism, swearing, spicy sex, murder.
  
  
  HONESTLY this was a FABULOUS read. Gambling on a Secret is a gripping, entertaining and an absolutely delightful romantic read which is set in the town of Colton located in Texas.  Sarah Walter Ellwood has scored with this book.  This has been one of my favourite reads for 2013.  The story held my interest from the beginning. I had a real hard time putting it down.   I was so disappointed when it ended. I deliberately took my time reading it so I could savour every minute. I was pulled into the story from the very first page and just could not let go.
  
  
  The characters were amazing. I just loved how the author portrayed them.
  Charli has been through a lot. She is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who was able to turn her life around. I loved her determination and her will to survive. She refused to allow her past to define her.  Dylan is a war veteran who had also lost a lot.  His wife left him and he lost his entire team in Afghanistan. He sought to console himself in the bottle thereby becoming a drunk and the laughing stock of the town.   Charli needed help on her ranch and that help came in the form of Dylan. She was a bit skeptical at first about hiring him because of his reputation but after conducting her own research she decided to take a gamble which ultimately paid off.
  
  
  From the moment those two met sparks flew but because of the pain both had gone through in the past they were afraid to reveal their feelings for each other.  Then there was Leon, Dylan’s uncle whom also appeared to be vying for Charli’s feelings. It was clear that he had an ulterior motive and Dylan did not trust him.
  
  
  I loved how the romance between Charli and Dylan developed. It was not an easy road for them. They fought to make their love survive. It was definitely no fairy tale romance.
  
  
  There were a few twists and turns and some unexpected surprises. It really pulled at my heart strings. There was also some laugh out loud moments. The descriptions were vivid and life like. The story flowed beautifully from beginning to end and it does not leave the reader hanging.  I am so looking forward for the next book in the series.
  
  
  Without a doubt this was an enjoyable read for me and Sarah Walter Ellwood have joined my list of must read authors.  This book comes highly recommended.

Title has been awarded five pillows.

• 
  
• 
  

• Heat Rating

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

Satin Sheets Romance Spotlights - Ryelee's Cowboy by Kathleen Ball

Ryelee's Cowboy

by Kathleen Ball

Published by Secret Cravings Publishing

Contemporary Western Romance (Action)

Heat Level: Steamy

Length: 200 pages

Available at:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Ryelees-Cowboy-ebook/dp/B0092SANIU/

B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ryelees-cowboy-kathleen-ball/1112680476

Blurb:

Twenty-year-old Ryelee Snyder is pregnant and alone. Fortunately, she finds a job as a nanny to precocious four-year-old Rheenie Maloney. Life is perfect except for Horse Trainer, Clint Maloney. Ryelee feels his disapproval and is in constant fear of being fired.

Clint Maloney needs help with his daughter but he never bargained on Ryelee Snyder. The tall, gangly, girl is a menace. Clint spends too much of his time rescuing her from her latest mishap. Upon finding out about her pregnancy, Clint's feelings begin to change. He no longer views her as a nuisance but as a passionate woman with a generous heart.

Secrets, misunderstandings, and cattle rustling put an increasing strain on their relationship, until they finally turn from each other. Just as they seem to find their way back, Ryelee's part in the cattle rustling is unveiled. Ryelee fights unyieldingly to win the love of a lifetime.

Reviews:

 “I have read Rylee's cowboy (loved it) I went through every emotions one could. happiness, fear, angry, scared, frightened, cried, laughed got excited (blush)where was the hubby when reading this? lol this book was awesome i can't wait for the 4th book of Kathleen Ball's she is a great writer she makes those us that don't like to read WANT to read!!! they are books you can't just put down anytime cause the second your free you pick it back up again and read it. I highly recommend these books of Kathleens as a Must read!”-- Lisa Tompkins - ***** STAR

“Kathleen Ball pulled at my heartstrings once again. In her typical way, this author crafted a story that touched every one of my emotions and pulled me so far into her story that I felt I was part of it.

My heart ached for pregnant Ryelee as she tried to move past her heartbreaking upbringing and make a life for herself. Her relationship with little Rheenie was heartwarming, and her love for Clint was tender. And though at times my stomach hurt for the way Ryelee was treated, I knew Ms. Ball would give us a romantic hero we could be proud of.

This reader has become a lifelong fan of Kathleen Ball and her wonderful stories, and I cannot wait for more.”-- ClassDreamer'84 - 5 Star

Excerpt:

“It’s not good for the baby. Have you seen a doctor yet?”

Ryelee shook her head. “I didn’t want to spend the money.”

“Let me get some tea to warm you up, and we’ll have a good talk.”

Ryelee wondered what a good talk consisted of. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but at least he hadn’t thrown her out in the street. Maybe he would let her stay until she found a new job. She hugged herself as she sat on the couch, waiting.

Clint walked into the family room carrying two cups of herbal tea. He placed them on the coffee table and sat down next to Ryelee. “I feel as though I’ve gotten to know you a bit while you’ve been living here,” Clint began. “I find it hard to believe that Dottie’s accusations of you entertaining men are true.”

Ryelee took a sip of her tea. It warmed her. She looked into Clint’s dark eyes and weakly smiled. No one had ever asked for her side of the story before. She swallowed hard, and wondered if Clint would believe a word she said. Looking into his whiskey colored eyes again, she saw compassion.

 “My father drinks and gambles a lot. After my mother died, he got worse. There were many times that I went to bed, my stomach hurting from hunger. More often than not we couldn't pay our bills. There were many nights that we had no heat. Thank God for our fireplace. Once there was a knock on the door, and two men pushed me aside and took both mine and my father’s beds. He’d lost them playing cards. Eventually the church gave me a mattress. They also gave me clothes. My father ran them off. They didn't come around anymore.”

Placing her teacup on the coffee table, she wondered how to go on. “Two months ago, he…he bet my virginity. He lost, and he demanded that I pay his debt. I was never so frightened. Who does such a thing? A man took me kicking and screaming to a warehouse or something. You can probably imagine what happened. It was the worst hell I’ve ever been through. The whole time I kept thinking why. What had I done to deserve this?”

“What did the police have to say?” Clint asked in a calm voice, but his face screamed outrage.

Ryelee felt like crumbling, but she gave him a shrug. “My father refused to allow me to go to the police. He wouldn’t even let me go to the hospital. I hurt so badly that I was bedridden for a week. He, the man, beat me pretty badly. I felt as though he had torn my insides. My father locked me in my room until I promised to keep quiet about the whole incident.”

About the Author:

Kathleen Ball has been writing a little over three years. She has four published novels: The Lasso Springs Series--Callie’s Heart and Lone Star Joy are available now.  Stetson’s Storm will be available in Feb 2013 all from Desert Breeze Publishing. She also has the Dawson Ranch Series from Secret Cravings Publishing. Those titles are Texas Haven and Ryelee’s Cowboy.

Kathleen lives in Texas and loves the fact that she can drive out of her subdivision and see cattle. She is a native New Yorker from Rochester, New York.

Kathleen is married and has one son who is a Marine. She started writing when she realized that she was facing an empty nest. Always an avid reader, she writes what she likes, Contemporary Western Romance.

Visit her at her website at www.kathleenballromance.com.