Our Hot Heroes and a $25 Amazon Gift Card

Happily Ever After Thoughts is thrilled to be participating in the Hot Summer Heroes Blog Hop. We are giving away a $25 gift certificate to Amazon to one lucky commenter So I asked my four other bloggers what they thought was “hot” about one of their heroes. Here’s what they said. 

Alexis

CHASE

            Chase Hunter.

            Don’t you love that name? He’s the hero from my book A Good Man For Katie. Despite what the townspeople say about him, despite the reputation he found himself saddled with, he really is a good man.

            Yes, he’s handsome. So handsome, he takes Katie’s breath away (and why wouldn’t he be drop dead gorgeous? I wrote him…well, he helped). When he looks at her with those incredible gray eyes, her heart goes pitter-patter (at least mine did). And when he flashes that smile, well….Katie never stood a chance. Neither did I.

            More important than Chase’s good looks (which is what attracted Katie in the first place…oh, and the fact that he saved her from a runaway stagecoach), what makes him sexy, what makes him my kind of hero, is the simple fact that he is a good man. As we know, good men are hard to find. Katie knows that first hand.

            No, what makes Chase Hunter sexy is so much more than looks as Katie (and you, dear reader) find out. He is respectful…to everyone, even when that respect is not returned.  He’s kind, even when he shouldn’t be (he has a reputation to live up to, you know). He has integrity, another quality I…I mean Katie, finds sexy. He loves his family. He will do what’s right, no matter how much it hurts him. He’s willing to risk his life, his safety, for others. He has a big heart, though he tries to hide it and once he gives his heart, you…again, I mean Katie, has it forever.  

            All those things make Chase Hunter incredibly sexy. What do you think?

Marie

Buy Link AGood Man for Katie

JAKE or DAVID

In Katie’s Rock, Arizona ranchers Jake and David McAllister are both hot!  Tall, dark, and handsome, they are like mirrored bookends with very different personalities but the same kick-ass gene pool and the same sh**-eating grins.  Jake is dark and brooding with a passion for his children and a drive to keep his family together. His cell phone is always at the ready and he is lazer-focused on the task at hand, shooting for perfection in the marketing end of the family ranching business.  Jake’s divorce has him on the ropes and his love for his children drives everything he does.  To sum him up, with Jake you get tall, dark, handsome, intense, focused, driven, perfectionist, passionate, and an overwhelming love of family.   Who doesn’t love a man that loves his kids?  David is more laid back and easy-going, with a tendency to leave his cell phone at home as he oversees operations for the family business.  This is the hot and sexy guy who is witty and funny, always a smile, never picks a fight, never a harsh word, picks you up when you’re down, and is happy to do whatever you love doing.  His nice guy approach and lack of intensity sometimes puts him in the backseat—a role he doesn’t seem to mind.  He handles his life so effortlessly, he makes it look easy.  To sum up David, he’s tall, dark, handsome, easy-going, gentle, funny, witty, smiling, friendly, pleasant, supportive, and flexible.  Ya just gotta love a guy who sincerely wants to do what you like to do!  Can you honestly tell me that these brothers, so opposite of each other, aren’t both sexy?  Don’t lie now!

Kayce

Buy link at Amazon

SCOTT

At first, I intended on picking one of my new heroes who wait in the wings as my favorite, but then I had to go with my first.  Scott was my first in Court of Lies, and the first is always memorable no matter what faults he has.  I picture him as handsome with a hard cut body.  More than that, he’s intelligent, and that’s important too, and he has a heart no matter how long he has to hold back until the right moment.  He endures the initial impression that he doesn’t care or is insincere, yet when it comes down to it, he comes through better than anyone else for his heroine.   Just ask him how a real man gets his woman and he’ll tell you that it’s not a plan, but fate will put the right couple together no matter how impossible the circumstances appear.  It’s all in the chemistry. 

Dawn

http://www.dawnkunda.com

SYNN

I can’t think of Synn without sighing. Synn, the hero in Masque, is a 19th century aristocratic, Nova Scotian. In addition to his long brown hair, muscular body, and gray eyes with shards of blue, he is kind, caring, and protective. The problem is he is too focused on his goal to free the 73 trapped souls he believes he killed, even if it means an eternity trapped in time. This hyper-responsible side to him gets him in trouble with the heroine, but as aggravating as it is, the fact that he takes responsibility and determines to make things right is such an exciting quality to find in a hero.

What else makes him hot? Since this story is an erotic romance, Synn’s extensive sexual experience is very exciting. He takes the heroine through the 7 Pleasure Rooms, always mindful that each one is a new experience for her. He can’t let another man have her, he protects her from the villainous ghost, and he never pushes her, allowing her to choose and enjoy each room, but he does challenge her boundaries – to the satisfaction of them  both.

So with Synn being such an amazing lover, friend, protector, and overall responsible character, is it any wonder I can’t think of him without sighing?

Lexi

Buy Link Masque

So tell us if these great authors have hit the mark on what’s hot or if they need to consider another quality and you will be entered to win the $25 gift card. Then move on to one of the other blogs on the hop. There are so many prizes plus the grand prize to win, you don’t want to miss a single one :-)  Good luck!

Alexis

The RNConvention and a Giveaway from Lexi

I attended the RNConvention this week in Las Vegas with the lovely Marie Patrick and the funny Kayce Lassiter. We had a blast and I have to say the company could not be beat!
 

My highlights from this convention were:

Had the opportunity to spend time with my role model, the awesome and prolific Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James. She is the most humble, knowledgeable, successful, fascinating, New York Times Bestseller I know, and to be able to chat and learn from her was simply awesome!

I also had a chance to catch up with some of my writing friends from Arizona. Both K.T. Roberts and Vijaya Schartz were there and we had fun checking in on books, family, and plans for the future.

Another fantastic experience was meeting two absolutely fun romance readers who were having the time of their lives. Yarber and Judy had enough fun for a dozen people and insisted they were “naughty” and “nice,” but I won’t tell you which was which. These two ladies have the warmest hearts and sweetest friendship I have seen in awhile.  They rock!

And of course I experienced my first book signing. What was especially fun was having the banner of my book, MASQUE, right there.  Check out this amazing sign about my book that Bella Media Management designed for me!

I had such a wonderful time with such amazing people, I feel I must spread the joy.  So I am going to give away an e-copy of my first erotic romance, MASQUE. Comment for a chance to win!

When was the last time you had a great time with friends?

And if you are interested in winning a Venetian mask made in Italy and hand decorated, please stop by The Romance Studio for the first day of the Summer Bash. I will be chatting all week, so I’m looking for good questions to answer :-)

Always, Lexi

www.lexipostbooks.com

Behind the Scenes at RWA Nationals-past experiences (Part II)

Behind the Scenes at RWA Nationals-past experiences (Part II)

Reliving the current Romance Writers’ of America’s conference got me to think about past conferences and the scenes I fondly remember.  Didn’t realize how funny some of them were until I looked back.

I vividly recall a pitch to an agent in San Francisco.  I encouraged myself that ten minutes was a minute amount of time to talk about my novel and convince an agent that he really needed me on his roster.  He finished our ten minutes by telling me to kick out a character, change the relationship, and a host of other minor changes, then we can be successful.

Kill me with the word successful.  That made me think he had the perfect resolution to my story’s placement.  I wandered from the “pitching den” and relayed my story to other authors to see what they thought.  As I approached the escalator, I stated “I need a hunk of chocolate and a sexy story to read.”  No sooner did I get to the bottom of the transit when a group of erotic writers had a table set up with Ghirardelli chocolates and erotic novels.  Then I wondered what else I should wish for!  

One more short story…In Washington D.C., the writers shared the hotel with a police convention and service men on leave.  I was oblivious of this until during a break on the outside patio at dusk.  Two Marines sauntered up to me and my friend.  “Do you have a cigarette we can bum?”  My friend and I glanced at each other, and before we answered, the men forgot their quest and proceeded to tell us their titles and that they had purposefully come to the hotel to find their soul mates-they thought romance writers could help them.  

How touching.  When I relay this episode to other women, they are touched also.  When I tell men of the meeting, a smirk creases their faces until they can’t help but laugh. 

What?!?  Apparently the Marines were hitting on us.  Call me oblivious and I don’t write inspirational (no offense, of course).  Maybe I should, but I think I’ll stick to suspenseJ

Happy

Writing Distractions

Today’s post is a little different than what I normally write about but I thought you all might like to see what I’m sometimes up against when I’m trying to write.

            This is my beautiful baby. Her name is Schatzie. She’s a German Shepherd and will celebrate her birthday in August. She’ll be a year old. The thing in her mouth? Oh, well, that’s a stuffed animal that does not contain stuffing (yes, they’re sold that way). This particular one is a lion. She also has a skunk, a parrot, and a squirrel. They come with squeakers that don’t last more than a week.

            This is what I see when I’m trying to write (incidentally, this is also what I see when I wake up in the morning). Her. Right there! Trying to give me that much loved toy. Actually, shoving/tossing it at me. If that doesn’t work, she’ll nudge at my hand until I take it from her and throw it down the hall. This is not a silent process, either. She makes noises, too! Soft woofs and little cries and this growl-groan that comes from deep in her chest (I’ve written a dog very much like her in one of my books…actually, Sarge, from A Good Man for Katie is a compilation of all the German Shepherds I’ve had over the years). I will admit, there are some days I’d rather throw the parrot or lion or skunk for her than try to pull words from my brain. It’s much easier and much more fun.

            This is my other beautiful baby. She’s seven and also a German Shepherd. Her name is Daisy. Notice how nicely she lays on the floor behind my chair, hanging on my every word and telling me what a fabulous writer I am. No stuff-less stuffed animal for her. She is too dignified for that; however, she, too, will nudge at my hand, making it impossible to type. Or concentrate.

            So, there’s my excuse…..why it takes me so long to write a story…..I have such lovely (and persistent) distractions. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!

As always, happy reading!

Marie

PS. My apologies for the picture quality. Picture taking is not one of my strong suits!

Guest Author Interview with Lynn Cahoon and a Giveaway!

Alexis: Today we have paranormal romance author, Lynn Cahoon, visiting us and she will be giving away an ecopy of A Member of the Council to one lucky commenter. Welcome Lynn!

Everyone has their own writing process…how they come up with ideas, how they name their characters, how they choose the setting. Can you describe your writing process?

Lynn: Thanks for having me here today!  I love this question because I love reading the answers from others.  For me, an idea germinates from a setting or an activity.  I started writing fiction for the confessional magazines, so I took ideas from everywhere.  The first story I sold was I fell in Love with a Carney.  The not so true story of one night at the state fair.  It was fun to write and I realized that I’d been making up what if stories all my life. So now, I just write them down as they come. Some pan out, some not so much. :-)

Alexis: I definitely understand the “not so much.” Can you tell us your story of getting “the call”?

Lynn: My first ‘call’ came after a big 6 had turned down The Bull Rider’s Brother after several revisions and months of waiting. I sent it one more time, planning on shoving it under the bed if I got another no.  I’d never considered a ‘digital’ publisher but Crimson Romance was just starting out, had the backing of F&W, the Writer’s Digest people, and I figured, what the heck. 

I sent a query. In less than an hour I had a request for the full.  Then in a week, an offer came over email when I was at work.  Shocked, I turned to my cube mate and said, “I think I sold a book.”

Alexis: Too funny. Where did you get the idea for this story?

Lynn: Return of the Fae came to me when I was editing the first in the series, A Member of the Council.  I was running on the treadmill when I realized that my main character’s imaginary friend, wasn’t imaginary.  Toki was a fairy.  And although she didn’t even show up in book one, except for a memory, she became a strong secondary character in Return of the Fae. And of course, if the heroine had a fairy, the hero needed one. Their relationship is, well, complicated.

Both of the fae will return in the third book as well as a few other magical creatures.

Alexis: Oh good. So what are you working on now?

Lynn: As I write this I have one more week free before I have to start the third book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series releasing in 2014. I’m trying to finish my Bull Rider series with Jesse’s story (the bull rider) so it will be close.  But I really want Jesse to get what’s coming to him, I mean, find true love.

Alexis: What has been the best piece of advice you ever received for your writing career?

Lynn: Finish the dang book.  And there’s always a lake monster.

The first one is pretty self-explanatory, until you realize that I’d started five different books in five different genres before I learned to finish something.  I haven’t sold that first book and may never, but the magic was in the process.

I was telling a writer friend about a story I wanted to write about three cabins on a lake and the women who live there. He interrupted, “and then the lake monster…”

I stopped him, “There’s no lake monster,” and went on to tell about their lives and interactions.

He interrupted again, “Then the lake monster eats the little girl.”

Exasperated, I explained, “There is no lake monster.”

He sat back and smiled. “Then there isn’t a story.”

Conflict is our lake monster.  And if we don’t have conflict, we’re missing the best part of the story.

Alexis: I love the lake monster. How great!  Well, thank you so much for visiting us Lynn. It was great having you :-)

Be sure to check out the blurb for Return of the Fae and leave a comment below for a chance to win a electronic copy of the first in this series A Member of the Council.

Blurb for Return of the Fae.

A witch in training, a hunter on the prowl, and a world in jeopardy.

Learning the rules of being a witch takes years, but Parris McCall needs to master them in only weeks. Ty Wallace is going mad with his desire for Parris, but she’s a distraction in his quest to find Coven X before they take The Council and everyone he knows down.

The couple searches for Ty’s mentor, but he’s disappeared. Their only clue comes from a banished witch. When they return, not only are their own lives threatened, but a new life hangs in the balance.

About Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon is a contemporary romance author with a love of hot, sexy men, real and imagined. Her alpha heroes range from rogue witch hunters, modern cowboys, or hot doctors, sexy in scrubs. And her heroines all have one thing in common, their strong need for independence. Or at least that’s what they think they want.  She blogs at her website.

To learn more about Lynn:

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon      

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon     

Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor

website - http://lynncahoon.wordpress.com/ 

Amazon author page - http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1           

Buy link - http://www.amazon.com/Return-of-the-Fae-ebook/dp/B00DJVH8V6/

Alexis: Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win A Member of the Council.

Behind the Scenes at RWA Nationals 2013 (Part I)

Recently, I spent the week in Atlanta with two thousand other Romance Writers of America members, including authors who’ve just started writing, bestsellers, agents, editors, and a pile of other mighty interesting people.

The main focus of the conference is to learn good writing, the art of publishing, and to meet up with friends along with making new friends.  That’s the basics, but I’m going to tell you about a few of my encounters with people whom would make great characters for future novels.

One evening I had dinner at a bar and grill and an older woman sat next to me at the bar.  She was delightful as she told me her story.  She’s eighty years old and yearly makes a trip-by car-from her home in California to another in Pennsylvania.  Along the way, she stops wherever her AAA guide book gives her enticing information on a location.  This stop happened to be Atlanta.  The highlight was when she told me she’d finished her bucket list with a recent trip to Australia after she’d already visited the other six continents!  I forgot to ask how Antarctica was.

 

Another woman I won’t forget accompanied me to the terrace of our hotel-purely by coincidence, or maybe Karma(!)  This woman astounded me as her job holds a mystery of the U.S.  She designs the American embassies around the world.  I’m not talking about the furniture or flooring, but rather the cameras, secret rooms and corridors, and placement of the things the average citizen will never know.  Her next stop will be Miami, then Brazil, and followed by another trip across the ocean.

Can’t leave out the interesting men!

As Atlanta is the headquarters for CNN, I attended a workshop by Mike Brooks, a crime analyst (CNN, HLN) with a resume two pages long.  He described in detail former assignments with the DC Metro   Police, FBI, and other tags on his list.  He was a deep sea diver who recovered pieces and parts of luggage and people after the TWA flight (1994) crashed into the ocean.   He’s been at massive slaughters involving AK47’s with gruesome descriptions of the victims.  He’s definitely been around the block. 

I’ll leave you with two men, one from Ethiopia and the other from Egypt.  Their focus was on taking advantage of the opportunities in the great United States of America!  They reminded me of what many of us take for granted daily-a home with bathrooms and heat and AC, your own car, availability of technology for anyone who wants to use it, jobs-yes, they are out there, and so much more.

So don’t forget to pick up any book you want to read, I suggest a great romance, and exercise your freedom of the press!

Happy Reading,

Dawn