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Top Ten Reasons to Love a Dom Hero
by Jeffe Kennedy, author of Platinum (Carina Press)
A new guy is in town to explore more Facets of Passion. With Platinum, the story moves to the other coast, to gentle and gracious Charleston, S.C.—and a very different hero. Steel (yes, he absolutely made up that name for himself) is not rich, nor is he refined. He had an iffy childhood, but he’s learned to channel his passions into art.
And sex.
Oh yeah. He loves to play the Dom, which is exactly what polite and careful Althea needs, to break out of her shell.
Why is this bad-boy Dom so good for her and why do we love these guys?
1. You don’t have to wonder what he wants.
Right? There’s none of the “is he interested or not?” thing going on. If he’s interested, you’ll know all right. In a big way. And if you’re feeling frisky and make a playful suggestion, he doesn’t want to finish watching the game first—just be ready to go on a wild ride!
2. The sex.
Good sex is all about losing control and giving into pure feeling. A Dom guy gets you there that much faster.
3. He pays attention to you. CLOSE attention.
A good Dom is very careful with his partner. He has to make sure she’s totally on board and having as much fun as—or more than—he is. Let’s face it, what’s sexier than having this hot guy totally focused on you?
4. The sex.
With a Dom guy, the sex lasts for hours. It’s all about the anticipation and the build. This is no wham-bam-thank-you-m’am kind of guy.
5. The bad boy is an iconoclast – that means he’s a tool of personal liberation.
What—you thought this was all about the sex? For those not up on their Latin, an iconoclast means breaker of icons. Icons are symbols of institutional power. You want to break free of all those good-girl rules? Find yourself a bad-boy iconoclast and stretch those horizons!
6. The sex.
There’s nothing at all wrong with vanilla sex, but every once in a while it’s fun to try another flavor. You might find that salted caramel rocks your world.
7. He has his act together or he wouldn’t be there.
With the Dom guy, you don’t have to worry about whether he can hold a job or what. He’s into control, which means he’s mastered himself first. Ooh—that just gave me shivers.
8. The sex.
Most of us work hard. Our lives present daily challenges that require us to be strong in all kinds of ways. Letting go of that is a relief and an intense pleasure. Like a vacation from ourselves.
9. He’s a grown-up.
He owns his sexuality and isn’t afraid to ask for what he wants. That self-mastery thing? Oh yes. This isn’t a boy we’re talking about. This is a man.
10. Did I mention the sex?
Okay, okay—sex isn’t everything. But what’s a love affair without intensity and intimacy? Let him tie your wrists and slip on that blindfold. He’ll take you where you want to go.
About the Book:
Althea Grant is doing fine. Sure, her Charleston gallery is suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere. But she’s happy enough. When rugged metal sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual-and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes. Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr that can be used for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the coolly polite lady into modeling for him is the second. As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn’t just fine at all-it’s as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?
Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author with a writing career that spans decades. Her works include non-fiction, poetry, short fiction, and novels.
Her most recent works include three fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns, the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion, and the post-apocalyptic vampire erotica of the Blood Currency.
Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.
MIRA Monday with author Sophie Littlefield
The MIRA editors are always excited to bring you great voices in Women’s Fiction. This March, we’re especially thrilled for the release of Garden of Stones, a powerful story of stolen innocence and survival that echoes through generations, by MIRA author Sophie Littlefield (who you may know from her Aftertime series with Harlequin LUNA).
Today on the Harlequin blog, Sophie talks about her love of reading, her distaste for history, and how those two elements eventually came together to inspire her new novel, Garden of Stones.
Writing a Story I’d Want to Read
by Sophie Littlefield
I never thought I would write about history. I avoided the subject by skipping class in high school and fulfilling the requirement in college by taking one class on expressionist art and one on Richard Nixon. (I got Cs in both.) I didn’t even know who won the Civil War until I was an adult.
But as a lifelong reader, I inadvertently absorbed a fact or two along the way. I wasn’t setting out to further my grasp on history when I picked up Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All by Allan Gurganus. That was quite an education, but I almost didn’t notice because the story dragged me around like a rat terrier shaking the hell out of its prey.
My reading habit gradually convinced me that I wasn’t the worst and laziest student on the planet, something I believed to be true about myself for a very long time. Instead, I discovered that I absorb history best when it’s wrapped up in fiction. Dates and places and events mean little to me, unless there’s a little scandal, a love story, a tragedy, a crime—something juicy to glue all the dry facts together.
I began actively seeking out historic fiction, but I still felt decidedly unqualified to explore the past in the books I was beginning to write. It was as though history was the big box of crayons that only advanced kids got to use, and so I continued to color with only the basic set, creating stories that didn’t require research.
Then one day I heard about Japanese internment from a friend who grew up in California, where Garden of Stones is set and where I now live. I was immediately hooked, because the story was rife with everything I love in a book—tragedy, crime, cruelty and compassion and redemption. I started secretly longing to write about it. The thing that broke the dam for me was discovering I was far from alone in my ignorance about this chapter of American history, which freed me, for some reason, to learn enough about the subject to build a story on.
And suddenly, because I had a cast of characters and a story in mind, reading history became not a chore but a thrilling privilege. Every detail of my fictionalized internment camp was enriched by my growing knowledge of the real ones.
Now, I find, I can’t wait to learn more. If only I’d discovered this in elementary school. I can’t help wondering if there is a child in a classroom somewhere, bored out of her mind, who only needs someone to hand her a novel to create a student of history.
Many of my early reviews mention that the reviewer knew little about internment before reading Garden of Stones. It’s thrilling to think that my book might bring history alive for someone.
The (Fictional) People We Love
by Susan Mallery, author of Three Sisters (available February 26)
I read a great quote recently on Oprah.com from Colin Firth, the actor: “When I’m really into a novel, I’m seeing the world differently…walking around in a bit of a haze, spellbound by the book and looking at everything through a different prism.”
Yes! That’s it exactly!
When I read, I’m all in. I check my “self” at the door and experience life from someone else’s perspective. Reading is not so much an intellectual activity for me, but a visceral one, emotional.
So is writing. When I write, even more so than when I read, I feel every emotion the characters feel. I laugh out loud, just me in my office. I get angry, I fall in love. I cry. It can be pretty tough when the characters are going through difficult times in their lives, but when they reach their happy endings (because my books always have happy endings), my heart sings…and I ride that high for at least a week.
My latest book is Three Sisters (Blackberry Island book 2). Andi, Deanna and Boston are neighbors. They own the Three Sisters, Queen Anne homes at the highest spot on Blackberry Island. The women—like the houses they call home—need one another to become their best selves. By the end of the book, Andi, Deanna and Boston will be forever friends. Sisters of the heart.
I went through every emotion possible while writing Three Sisters, which is a friendship story plus three passionate romances. Deanna’s and Boston’s marriages are both in a moment of crisis as the story starts, and each must rediscover her husband as the love of her life. After Andi was left at the altar by the man she thought she loved, she impulsively buys an old house in bad shape. If she can fix the house, she thinks, maybe she can fix herself, too. (And maybe her handsome contractor can take care of both jobs!)
Three Sisters was named one of the Top 13 New Books of 2013 by Christine Zika, editor in chief of the Rhapsody Book Club, who says Blackberry Island is “a place where they find friendship, heartbreak, romance, laughter and tears.” If you’re in a book club, visit BlackberryIsland.com for information on how your book club can schedule a phone call with me to discuss Three Sisters. You’ll find the Readers’ Discussion Guide there, too.
Join me at www.facebook.com/susanmallery on February 26 at 9:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST for a live chat to celebrate the THREE SISTERS release day! We’ll have lots of fun—and prizes!
Gena Showalter’s BEAUTY AWAKENED Excerpt + Giveaway!
by Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
Giveaway: Win 3 March 2013 Harlequin Presents 2-in-1 Books!
by Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
The March 2013 Harlequin Presents books have a special treat in them — a second FREE book! Each book (both print and digital) contains a bonus a reader-favorite story by the same author, so you can get both their brand-book and rediscover a classic romance you may not have read before!
For our monthly giveaway, we have 3 of these March books available to be won:
Harlequin Blog News Round Up: February 21, 2013
Each week we post the best news coming out of Harlequin and Carina Press. Usually it means a few sales. 
But there’s also free books, contests, community spotlights and the latest video-in-convos with our authors and book trailers to check out.
Find out what’s behind the curtain below.
Timeless Romance is On Sale!
Get back to the heart of romance with our Timeless Romance selection and save 40%!
Check out the sale on Harlequin.com.
Community Tuesday: Battle of the Books!
Welcome to the kickoff of our NEW Community Book Club. It’s YOUR turn to decide our book club read.
Who will be the March book club read? Cast your vote on the Harlequin Community!
Dive into a New Series with Carina Press
Nothing beats the thrill of diving into a new series. Check out this selection of first books in a series, and let yourself be whisked away!
Dive in at CarinaPress.com.
Poll: What Other “Otherworldly” Genres Do You Read?
by Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
The title of our site may be Harlequin’s Paranromal Romance Blog, we cover all things otherworldly. We don’t just love vampires, werewolves, shifters and other things that go bump and grind in the night…we love all manner of books with some kind of something supernatural or speculative elements to our–or a brand new–world, from epic fantasy to sci fi to post-apocalyptic.
Today, I want to know what kind of “otherworldly” genres you like to read! Please vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments. And please add any subgenres I may have missed!
Bella Andre and Harlequin MIRA—a Perfect Match
by Valerie Gray, Executive Editor, Harlequin MIRA
The global appeal of New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre’s Sullivan series is undisputed. eBook fans around the world began following this big, beautiful family—and their romantic adventures– ever since the first Sullivan book became available online in early 2011.
Now, beginning in June 2013, Harlequin MIRA is thrilled to bring all the drama, all the romance…and all the love of The Sullivans in fabulous new print editions. Not only that, but Bella has expanded the editorial to give us more of the family we have grown to love. With exciting new covers, the Sullivan books will make perfect gifts for you or anyone who loves a sexy, romantic, love story.
The Sullivan family is unique in that there are so many of them!—eight in total. Bella gets emails all the time asking why there couldn’t be more siblings. This just goes to show that the Sullivan family is a big hit with readers everywhere.
Set in San Francisco, and the surrounding wine country, each book in the series is devoted to one of the eight Sullivan siblings. It is hard to pick a favorite Sullivan book but I’m going to! Without a doubt, From This Moment On featuring the eldest Sullivan brother, Marcus, is my favorite title so far. This devoted son and revered elder brother of the Sullivan family finally finds true love – it is so romantic!
Bella Andre and Harlequin MIRA are delighted to be able to bring this series to a whole new audience of readers who have been waiting for the opportunity to put The Sullivans on their bookshelves.
The Sullivans by Bella Andre will be available wherever fine books are sold beginning June 2013.
About the books:
The Look of Love (Available June 2013)
Sometimes one look is all it takes
Chloe Peterson has vowed never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Her reasons are as vivid as the bruises on her cheek. So when her car skids off a wet country road straight into a ditch, she’s convinced the gorgeous guy who rescues her must be too good to be true.
As a successful international photographer, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women. He’s satisfied with his life—until he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley.
With every loving look—and every sinfully sweet caress—the attraction between them sizzles, and Chloe can’t help but wonder if she’s met the man who may be the exception to her rule….
From This Moment On (Available July 2013)
Just one night…
Marcus Sullivan has always been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings when their father died. But when the perfectly ordered future he’s planned turns out to be a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.
Known throughout the world by only one name—Nico—pop songstress Nicola Harding is seen as the ultimate sex-kitten. But it’s all a lie. After a terrible betrayal she refuses to let anyone else close enough to find out who she really is…or to hurt her again. Especially the gorgeous stranger at the bar.
One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But instead, a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated begins….
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Available August 2013)
How much is worth risking?
Gabe Sullivan risks his life every day as a firefighter in San Francisco, but he knows better than to risk giving his heart again. Especially not to the woman he saved from a deadly apartment fire…and can’t stop thinking about.
Megan Harris owes everything to the heroic firefighter who saved her and her daughter. Everything except her heart. Because after losing her pilot husband, she has vowed to never suffer through loving—and losing—a man with a dangerous job again.
But when Gabe and Megan meet again, how can he possibly ignore her courage, determination and beauty? And how can she deny not only his strong bond with her daughter…but also his sweetly sensual kisses, challenging her to risk everything she’s been guarding for so long?
Canadian Girl in a UK World
by Harlequin Presents Editorial Assistant Laura McCallen
Hi everyone,
My name’s Laura and as I’ve recently joined the Presents team I thought it was time that we were formally introduced so we can start to get to know each other!
I’m so excited to be working with the Presents ladies and can hardly believe I get to spend my days reading stories of passionate love affairs, secret babies and marriages of convenience set amidst glamorous international settings with feisty heroines and, of course, that sexy alpha hero!
Having worked in the Toronto office it’s very interesting to see the similarities and differences in daily life at Romance HQ here in the UK. The similarities are easy—the people are lovely, the work is fun, and our authors are some of the nicest (and wittiest!) people in the world.
The differences primarily revolve around…food! The crucial nature of the ‘tea break’ has been impressed upon me and I now know that the fabled ‘treat shelf’ is the best cure for any lulls in energy. My co-worker’s eyes always light up when they find I haven’t tried a specific traditional British dish and I never know whether to be excited or concerned! So far, I’ve been introduced to Scotch eggs, pork pies and flapjacks (which are not, as it turns out, the same thing as pancakes!). I’m curious to see what they’ll come up with next…
I thought the best way to get right down to the good stuff would be to share some fun facts about myself. In no particular order:
- This is actually the second time that I’ve lived in England. I completed my MA in Early Modern History at The University of Manchester where my dissertation focused on Elizabeth I. I liked it so much I’ve been wanting to come back ever since! The history, the architecture, the culture, the landscapes, the locals…what’s not to love about the UK?!
- I am ever-so-slightly (completely) obsessed with the royal families of Europe. If you have a question about the line of succession in Denmark or Sweden I will undoubtedly have the answer!
- I started my career working in higher education textbook publishing before making the leap into fiction. Unsurprisingly, fiction is a lot more fun!
- I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to visit (so far) England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy, France, Monaco, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Russia, Mexico, the US and every province and territory in Canada.
- I love to sew and have recently finished my first full-size quilt. I’m also quite handy making shirts and bags.
- I’m a yogi and find nothing more relaxing then a hot yoga practice.
I’d love to hear any fun facts about you and any suggestions for British foods to try or new and exciting places to travel!
Laura
Who’s Your Best Man?
by Kristan Higgins, author of The Best Man (available February 26)
In my new book, The Best Man, the title has a double meaning: Levi Cooper is the best man at Faith and Jeremy’s wedding…well, their failed attempt at a wedding. But Faith learns (slowly and with a lot of help from Levi himself) he’s also the best man for her.
And so I was wondering, what are the qualities that take a guy from being nice to being the best? What’s that, you say? You want me to go first? No problem!
My Best Man Requirements
- Great in the sack. Oh, come on! We were all thinking it! But sure, chemistry is incredibly important, as well as a certain, ah, attention to detail, shall we say? It shows consideration.
- High moral standards. I want a guy who can do what’s right. Someone who won’t stand idly by when thugs are being thuggish.
- Hard working (and not just in the boudoir, but in the sense that he can support himself). I like a guy with a sense of purpose, who can fill his hours with meaningful activity, and, in the case of my own sainted spouse, carry me out of a burning building should the need arise (I should probably stop setting small fires to get him to do this.)
- Sense of humor. There’s something very sexy about a guy who can make you laugh, and who thinks you’re dorktastic-ness and jokes are funny, too.
- Great in the kitchen. Because all of the above is fantastic, but a girl’s gotta eat.
In The Best Man, Levi Cooper isn’t what Faith thinks she wants. First of all, he ruined her first wedding (sort of. No, he did.). He’s grumpy (in a very hot way, all bristling alpha-male testosterone-ishness). But he’s a good brother, cop and neighbor. And yes! He’s great in the sack.
I hope you’ll come to a Twitter party, gang, because guess what? My great buddy Jill Shalvis is going to be there, too! We sure would love it if you popped in and joined us on February 20th, 1-2 p.m EST and we can talk about what YOU think makes a great hero, and why your honey is the best man for you.
About the book:
SOMETIMES THE BEST MAN IS THE ONE YOU LEAST EXPECT…
Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she’s ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family’s vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there’s some great scenery there….
Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There’s a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it’s not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she’s having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.
Available February 26, 2013
Poll: Virgin Heroines vs. Virgin Heroes
by Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
Virgin heroines have long been a favorite theme of Harlequin Presents books. Though more sexually experienced heroines may be more realistic these days, there is something appealing about that initial attraction, the discovery of passion and the trust the heroine has in the hero to share her first encounter with him.
But a new favorite trope of mine is the virgin hero. I love it when authors turn classic romance tropes around, like
Harlequin Blog News Round Up: February 14, 2013
Each week we post the best news coming out of Harlequin and Carina Press. Usually it means a few sales. But there’s also free books, contests, community spotlights and the latest video-in-convos with our authors and book trailers to check out.
Find out what’s behind the curtain below.
Kobo’s Perfect Valentine’s Day Contest!
Create a Pinterest board of your own and call it “Perfect Valentine’s Day” for a chance to win a Kobo Glo and 10 Harlequin ebooks!
Instructions and rules are available on the Kobo Books site.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Celebrate with these 14 books for an extra 14% off for 14 days! Treat yourself to something special this Valentine’s. SHOP NOW ► http://bit.ly/XQwNom
Offer expires February 14, 2013 11:59 p.m. EST
Love the Fortunes of Texas?
Don’t miss the FREE Fortunes of Texas daily online read, Third Time Lucky, by Allison Leigh.
Red Rock Rancher Dane Dalton had asked Charlene Kelley to marry him—twice. And she’d turned him down—twice. They were completely wrong for each other…so why did something so wrong feel so right?
Read the story on Harlequin.com and join the conversation in Community. Connected to the continuity
Family War Stories
by Jax Garren, author of How Beauty Saved the Beast, book two in the Tales of the Underlight series from Carina Press
Wesley “Hauk” Haukon, the hero from How Beauty Saved the Beast, is a war veteran who came home from Afghanistan a severe burn survivor. Fortunately no one in my family was injured, but I am the proud daughter and granddaughter of veterans—my father from Vietnam, and my grandfather from WWII. Like many veteran families, we have our stories passed around, some of derring-do, some funny, some sad, but all part of the unique lives of soldiers. Here are a few of my favorites from Pa, my grandfather. (Take a look at the Carina press blog from Tuesday for stories from my father.)
- My grandfather joined the Marines at age 17, one credit away from graduating high school. Family legend says he lied at the recruitment office. Even though his high school granted him a diploma, when he got back from the war he took that last class. It was Physical Education. Something tells me Pa had gotten at least a semester’s worth of that in the Pacific!
- His first time in a foxhole, the bullets were zinging overhead, and he was rightfully terrified. His commanding officer in the hole next to him, yelled, “Smith! Get over here!” Afraid that something had gone horribly wrong, Pa crawled out of his foxhole, heart pounding as he prayed not to get hit, and scurried into the next one. The officer said, “Excellent we have a fourth. Deal him in.” Pa just about shot the man for risking his life over a card game!
- *Creepy story alert* Pa was in a battle the Americans lost. His company landed on a beach that had been mined. Japanese soldiers were waiting, and the Americans were overrun. After the battle, the winning army wandered among the fallen, “cleaning up” so to speak. My grandfather, hurt but alive, lay frozen as still as he could, trying not to breathe. A man stood on his chest and bayoneted the guy next to him…and kept going. Pa earned a purple heart for that battle.
- Like my main character Hauk, my grandfather was a sergeant—a non-commissioned officer (NCO). Those with military connections might know that there’s a bit *ahem* of a rivalry between NCOs and commissioned officers. My grandfather was offered a commission on a battlefield, which would’ve raised him to the level of lieutenant. He turned it down. Somewhat because commissioned officers have to buy their own uniforms and NCOs don’t. Somewhat more because he didn’t want to leave his men. But mostly because, as he said, “A sergeant carries more weight than a general.” I think Hauk would say the same thing!
Do you have any family war stories? Feel free to honor the service members you know by telling their tales here.
http://www.jaxgarren.com