Sunday, December 30, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR


HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR
from the
INTRIGUE® FAMILY!


We're looking forward to sharing our stories with you in
2013 and beyond.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Wishes from Intrigue!!


ALL THE INTRIGUE AUTHORS WISH YOU 
HAPPY, SAFE HOLIDAYS.



Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you and your family stay safe, have good health, and experience the most joyous of all emotions in 2013 - LOVE! I hope you find new authors who will thrill and entertain you for years to come. And I hope you continue to enjoy the amazing stories of the authors you've already discovered. When life gets you down, turn to a good book and escape, if only for a little while. Hugs!
~LENA DIAZ

Happy Holidays!  I hope everyone enjoys a fantastic celebration this year.  Make wonderful memories, cherish your family, and smile at all the wonders that come your way.  This season is filled with magic--hold tightly to it! Best wishes to you!
~CYNTHIA EDEN

Beyond the noise, the laughter and the festivities, Christmas is about a wondrous gift of peace, love and  hope.  So I wish those things for all of you in the new year—that you'll have a peaceful year full of love and great hope for the future.  Merry Christmas!
~ PAULA GRAVES

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years. May all your wishes and dreams come true.
~ELLE JAMES

Happy Holidays to all of you. I wish you and yours happiness, fun and memories. Love and peace,
~ MALLORY KANE

Whatever you celebrate, may this time of year be safe and happy.  Hug your loved ones and count your blessings.  Happy Holidays!
JULIE MILLER

May Christmas bring you everything important you didn't know to wish for. May your New Year be filled with nothing but good surprises.
PATRICIA ROSEMOOR

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the best possible New Year. I hope 2013 is all that you want it to be, and More!
~ JENNA RYAN

Hope you share the love and spirit of the Christmas season with those you love, either in person or in spirit. And may your new year be filled with joy, laughter, love and good health.
~ JOANNA WAYNE

As we come up on a new year, I wish you every good thing you have been hoping for.
REBECCA YORK

A Christmas Wish to all our readers . . . May God fill each dream you dare and even those you won't. Merry Christmas!
ANGI MORGAN




Wednesday, December 19, 2012

WRITING CHRISTMAS

HOLIDAY IN CRIMSON
There’s something about murder and Christmas that just seems to work for me. Even though they have a short shelf life, Christmas romantic suspense stories are my cup of eggnog.

I’ve actually written FOUR Intrigues set at Christmas.

In my last blog, I wrote about killing Santa Claus in HOLIDAY IN CRIMSON, published last month in Entangled Publishing’s new Dead Sexy romantic suspense line.


What you might not know is that HOLIDAY IN CRIMSON actually is an updated and editorially revised version of CRIMSON HOLIDAY, which I wrote for Harlequin Intrigue in the late 80s.

Then, when Intrigue wanted to celebrate its 10th anniversary several years later, the powers that be decided not only to reprint some of its most loved books in a leather bound edition, but to offer readers connected books to each of the ones included in the collection.



And so I wrote CRIMSON NIGHTMARE, using many of the fun characters from CRIMSON HOLIDAY. My heroine, Pippa McNabb is the younger sister of Rand McNabb, who was my hero in the original story. I revised and updated CRIMSON NIGHTMARE for Dead Sexy, as well.

NIGHTMARE IN CRIMSON is now available in digital formats:

Another year, another Christmas party...another dead Santa! Run down by eight tiny reindeer and a sleigh, was he killed by accident—or was it murder?

NIGHTMARE IN CRIMSON
At last season’s party, it was Pippa McNabb’s faithless Santa-clad husband who died—so after another St. Nick ends up dead, she’s at the top of the police suspect list. When hunky sleigh-driver Sky Thornton offers his help to find the real culprit, she accepts, and soon finds herself snuggled up with him before a holiday fire—and falling hard for the blue-eyed stranger. But how does he know so much about her...?

Suddenly she isn’t certain if her mysterious new lover is attempting to help her clear her name, trying to frame her for a murder he might have committed...or working to win her heart forever.


Writing romantic suspense doesn’t get much more fun (at least not for me) than that.
                       
The most challenging part of writing the second story was to make it different from the first. Both CRIMSON stories are set at Christmas, both at the same department store, both with a dead Santa as the central mystery. The first thing I had to do was figure out a death that would be different, interesting and leave the authorities confused about whether the hero, the heroine, or someone else did the deed. The fun for me was in having Pippa and Sky suspect one another even as they are attracted to each other. And in having Pippa discover Sky’s true involvement AFTER she falls for him. I hope that’s fun for readers, too.


In RED CARPET CHRISTMAS, a 2005 Intrigue -- the final book of the Club Undercover series -- my hero Gideon put his former lover Simone’s father behind bars for killing his own father. Now she needs his help... to clear her of a murder she didn’t commit.





And in CHRISTMAS DELIVERY, a 2010 Intrigue, part of a Holiday Mystery at Jenkins Cove series with Rebecca York and Ann Voss Peterson, my hero Simon returns from the dead after 13 years and is hell-bent on revenge. Only a Christmas miracle could reunite him with Lexie, the girl he’d once loved... and the daughter he didn’t know he had.


Take the time to enjoy a holiday read this coming week.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night :)

Patricia Rosemoor has written more than 90 novels for 8 publishers and has more than 7 million books in print. She writes “dangerous love,” casting her lovers against a backdrop of mystery and suspense.





                           

Monday, December 17, 2012

COLORED MEMORIES

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HANUKKAH

CONTEST ALERT
I thought I'd get this up front and out of the way. For those of you following my personal blog page ( A PICTURE A DAY ) you know that this month's contest (celebrating the February release of DANGEROUS MEMORIES) is named Colored Memories. I've been featuring colored ornaments in a specific order. Together, they create an object.

The colors represented are very recognizable and in a specific order. Take a guess, or two, or three about the remaining sequence I'll be featuring this month. Email me the answer and you'll be entered into a drawing for a special prize. I'm traveling to Branson, MO today to find something special.

CLUE: the order of six colors creates something

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Email Angi@AngiMorgan.com the answer
  •   (it is not how many times I will be featuring colored ornaments, but what the colors represent)
  • Enter until you think you have the correct answer (only correct answers will count). 
  • Leave a blog comment answering the blog question (don't include the COLORED MEMORIES answer) for a second entry.
  • Contest open through Wednesday, December 19th, International mailing.
  • Anyone can participate by viewing the pictures on my blog. 

As I mentioned, I'm traveling today, but will answer comments as soon as I have Internet access.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Don't you love this time of year? I love the music, the decorations, and especially the reason for the season. But I especially love seeing someone's face when I give them a gift. Sometimes even the smallest thing makes someone day. And just so many people are . . . happy.

Tim and I went to his office Christmas party Friday night. It was a good year for the company and they celebrated on the top of Reunion Tower. WAY up at the top of the rotating ball overlooking Dallas. A very nice event and we dressed up for it.

As we were waiting in line for the elevator, a woman (in passing) said, "You look so pretty." I made a joke of it at the time, wondered who she was, but I'll be honest...she absolutely made my week !

I'm trying to "make someone's day" whenever I can.

TODAY'S QUESTION 
(For an second entry into this INTRIGUE BLOG ONLY contest...only counts if you email the correct answer.)

What kindness has "made your day"? was it a stranger? a loved one? Or is there a tip you can give others?

I hope everyone has a fantastic, merry Christmas and a great feeling that lasts you all year long.
~Angi

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: Secrets of the Lynx


Aimee Thurlo's latest exciting Copper Canyon story reveals the Secrets of the Lynx:

SHE FULFILLED A PROPHECY...

For P.I. Paul Grayhorse, there were no secrets-thanks to his special Navajo gift. He knew why U.S. Deputy Marshal Kendra Armstrong found him in the canyons of New Mexico. Reopening the case that ended his marshal career and killed his partner did more than haunt Paul; it put him in the crosshairs.

NOW HE FACED A CHALLENGE...

Using Paul to flush out her fugitive was risky, but teaming with him was downright dangerous. In his arms, Kendra felt like a woman, with a woman's desires. But with his powers, could she hide her biggest secret-that she'd fallen for him? And that for the first time in her career, she was afraid...afraid to live without him if she couldn't get her man?

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: The Awakening


There are more spooky adventures ahead as Jana DeLeon takes readers back to Mystere Parish for The Awakening:

SOMETHING IS OUT THERE...WATCHING...WAITING

It could be a mythical creature wreaking havoc on a Mystere hotel...or a malicious vandal. It's detective Tanner LeDoux's first case and-much to his chagrin-the hotel belongs toJosie Bettencourt, once the most popular girl in town and his unrequited love. A woman who now doesn't even recognize him.

Josie's poor memory is Tanner's luck, however. He has a chance to be the strong, sexy hero who protects her and her hotel from mounting danger. Tanner's no believer in the old ways, but one stormy night, he sees something horrific he can't explain. And he knows, without a doubt, whatever lurks in Honey Island Swamp means to keep Josie from him forever!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: Montana Refuge


Alice Sharpe's new series The Legacy continues with a trip to a Montana Refuge:

HER RANCHER PROTECTOR

The last person Montana rancher Tyler Hunt expected to see on his ranch was his soon-to-be ex-wife. True, he had yet to sign the divorce papers, but Julie had sworn never to return. One look in her eyes, however, and he knew why she was back. Julie was in desperate need of his help.

She'd left Tyler, fearing the loss of her identity. But that desire for independence had caused her life to be put in jeopardy, and Tyler was the only man she could trust. Yet even as the mystery surrounding her new life brought them back together, a secret from Tyler's own past was threatening their reunion. Would they ever have the chance to recapture the bond they'd once shared?

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: Three Cowboys


Three top authors come together to introduce readers to Three Cowboys:

THIS CHRISTMAS, THE MCCABE BROTHERS ARE COMING HOME TO TEXAS... 

VIRGIL by USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller

Detective Virgil "Bull" McCabe hadn't been back on the J-Bar-J Ranch in more than a decade. What he finds is his family in turmoil and his childhood friend, Tracy Cobb, all grown up...and more beautiful than ever.

MORGAN by Dana Marton

It took a lot to bring ex-soldier Morgan McCabe home. But when his brothers sent out a call for help, that was all the incentive he needed. Once there, though, it's his former flame, Dakota Dayton, and her toddler son who might just convince him to stay.

WYATT by Paula Graves

Sheriff Wyatt McCabe has faced a lot of criminals, but none as ruthless as the one holding his sister hostage. Now, forced to work with Elena Vargas, Wyatt has to ensure his family's safety without giving in to his burning attraction to the gorgeous agent.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Forgive or stick a fork in their eye?






I'm starting a new Intrigue. Beginning a book is such a thrill. The possibilities are endless. The plot is exciting, the characters seem engaging and I’m in love with them. (Now, 3 months down the road, after spending 8 hours a day with these people, it's a different story. I can’t wait to get them out of my hair. ) But right now, in this moment of starting the book, everything still seems perfect. I’m convinced that it’ll be my best book yet and win every award known to romance writers.

My hero, Shep, is undercover commando, tall, dark-haired and sexy as anything. The heroine is a woman from his past. Last time she'd been in his life, she had him fired from his job, burned his house down and stole his car. Yep, that one. He's so not going to be amused when she walks through the door. 

How much is too much to forgive? I'm going to find out while working on this story. How do you feel about forgiveness? Forgive and forget or forgive and walk away, don't give them a chance to hurt you again? Or.... don't forgive and knock them to the next county? Have you ever wanted to do that? I have to confess, I had. Just once. I didn't. I reminded myself that I was a Christian and a lady.

I'll be giving away three Kindle copies of Deathscape, so don't forget to comment!

Forgiveness is a tricky thing. The Three Cowboys, my Dec. release with the amazing Julie Miller and Paula Graves deals with this subject, too. Forgiveness between sons and fathers is always complicated. But these three cowboys have hearts the size of TX. (Mind you, they'll do anything to hide that fact.) I really LOVED writing Morgan's story.

If you read the book, please let me know what you think of him.







Wishing you a wonderful day!
Dana

Monday, December 3, 2012

Simply Ali: Simply Ali Interviews Author Patricia Rosemoor!!

Simply Ali: Simply Ali Interviews Author Patricia Rosemoor!!: Today we welcome Author Patricia Rosemoor & take a look at her latest romance BORN TO BE WILD !!

12 Days of Christmas Books

4 1/2*s! "A tour de force..." - RT Book Reviews
I must be obsessed with numbers right now.  On my current blog tour, I've posted a couple of different posts about the magic and power of the number 3.  How I plot in 3's.  THREE COWBOYS, my current release (written with Dana Marton and Paula Graves).  How 3 has been used for centuries to create magic in stories, movies and television.

But today, I thought I'd give good ol' reliable #3 a rest and focus on the number 12.  Those of you who have blogged with me before know how I love lists.  Since my next deadline isn't until February, and I've planned a week or so off around the holidays, I'm treating myself to catching up on my reading.  I decided to list 12 books I want to try to read in December.  Knowing how busy my schedule gets (still have to do a little teaching; still need to spend my work days writing as much as I can), I probably won't get that much done.  But I do love to dream.  A couple of the things on my reading list are holiday-themed.  And, a few projects are my own (need to read one for edits; want to read one for nostalgia purposes).  But most of these books are just things on my TBR pile that I intend to finish or consume before the end of the year.

1.  THREE COWBOYS by Julie Miller, Dana Marton & Paula Graves.  (Yes, I've read these 3 novellas before--but I haven't seen the finished product for Dana and Paula's stories, and I'm itching to see if those sexy cowboy brothers are still the Christmas present we envisioned)

2.  THE LOST PRINCE by Julie Kagawa  (I'm a big YA fan--and I've loved her Iron Fey books!  I'm anxious to read this latest edition to the series about fey heroine Meghan Chase's younger brother)

Digital Release-Dec. 2012
3.  ACCIDENTAL BODYGUARD by Julie Miller (This is probably my favorite hero I've ever written, if not my favorite story--originally released in 2005, it's finally being issued in digital format this month as part of a 2-in-1 book called KEEPING WATCH--the other book is by Gayle Wilson--I just bought it for my Kindle) 

4.  RUNNING FOR HER LIFE by Beverly Long (I always try to read the first book by an author to see what has most recently captured an editor's eye--and while this isn't Beverly's first book, it is her first Intrigue.)

5.  ALPHA ONE by Cynthia Eden (ditto)

6.  RANCHER'S DEADLY RISK by Rachel Lee (Ms. Lee is one of my all-time favorite romantic suspense authors so how can I resist?)

7.  UNFORGIVEN by B.J. Daniels  (love me some good romantic suspense! and I'm anxious to see how B.J. amps up the tension in her debut single title novel for HQN)

8.  ELF TROUBLE by Sherry James (something a little different for me--romantic comedy!  but this is a holiday extra story in her funny, sexy Studs-4-Hire series, featuring 3 lady bosses who manage several hunky heroes who are experts in carpentry, plumbing or building whatever the client needs--even if it's a big shoulder to lean on)  This will be out later this month, but since I'm her critique partner, I'm getting a sneak peek!

9.  DEATHSCAPE by Dana Marton (I think Dana is one of the best authors out there writing action-suspense romance, so I can't wait to dive in)

Coming March 2013!
10.  TACTICAL ADVANTAGE by Julie Miller  (okay, this one is work related--it doesn't come out until March, but I need to review a couple of continuity facts for the manuscript I'm currently writing--besides, I love to revisit favorite characters)  And don't you love that cover?

11.  ASSUMED IDENTITY by Julie Miller (again, ditto ;))

12.  THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement Moore (What can I say? It's a Christmas Eve tradition in my family.)


So, what's on your reading list this holiday season?
You don't have to come up with 12.  But I'd love to know what folks are reading this time of year.
One lucky poster will win either a signed copy of THREE COWBOYS, or an ebook gift for your Kindle or Nook of KEEPING WATCH.

Happy Reading!
Julie Miller

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: Cowboy Cop


Join Rita Herron for trip back to Bucking Bronc Lodge to meet a Cowboy Cop:

THE ONLY WITNESS WAS HIS SON-AND NOW HE'S THE KILLER'S NEXT TARGET 

Miles McGregor had dedicated his life to justice, and with his latest arrest behind bars, the detective finally had more time to spend with his son, Timmy. Then the unthinkable happened-Timmy's mother was murdered before his eyes. Miles's only choice was to bring his little boy to the Bucking Bronc Lodge, a ranch where young boys heal....

Jordan Keys is an expert at rehabilitating children. But when it comes to Miles, she is lost. The sexy detective is harder to reach...and a whole lot less willing to try. Before long, though, a killer comes calling and Jordan witnesses the true power of Miles McGregor. And just how far he'll go to rescue them from this living nightmare.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Spotlight on December Intrigues: Christmas Rescue at Mustang Ridge


Delores Fossen delivers fast action and touching emotion to readers in her latest, Christmas Rescue at Mustang Ridge:

A TEXAS SHERIFF IN NEED OF A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE 

Sheriff Jake McCall is about to break the law. To find a bone marrow donor for his ailing baby girl, he'll hack into WITSEC to track down Maggie Gallagher-the only person who could be a genetic match. Yet by doing so, he is jeopardizing not only his badge, but Maggie's life, as well. Expecting to have to force Maggie against her will, Jake is unprepared for her willingness to help-and for the desire and hunger she arouses in him. Still, those forbidden feelings could make Jake reckless, and losing focus now isn't an option. With time running out and a killer on their heels, Jake has to keep Maggie alive-and give his daughter a Christmas miracle.