The Geekish Reader

    Welcome to Stitch Read Cook's weekly feature!! A Day in the Life of.....   This is where us bloggers & fans get a glimpse inside the days of our favorite authors!   -------------------- Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, her blog and contest information.   I was thrilled when Aislynn asked me to write a Day In The Life. I think it’s important you all know the very hard work that goes into the daily life of an author. 8:30 a.m. - Roll over in bed and look at the ...

Title:   Better Than Chocolate Author:   Sheila Roberts Genre:   Contemporary Romance Pages:   400 Published:   September 2012 Publisher:   Harlequin Source:   NetGalley Buy Links:   Amazon , Kobo, Book Depository Synopsis: Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?  After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly…. Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, ...

Title:   Secrets of a Wedding Night Author:   Valerie Bowman Genre:   Historical Romance Pages:   325 Published:   September 2012 Publisher:   St Martin’s Source:   via Publisher (NetGalley) Buy Links:   Amazon, Kobo, Book Depository Synopsis: How to Stop a Wedding Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times , she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night,” knowing it will find its way into his intended’s innocent hands… How to Seduce a Widow Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to re...

Title:   Mistletoe Cowboy Author:   Carolyn Brown Genre:   Contemporary Romance Pages:   352 Published:   October 2012 Publisher:   Sourcebooks Source:   via NetGalley Buy Links:   Amazon, Kobo, Book Depository Synopsis: 'Tis the season for... •A matchmaking grandma on a long-distance mission •Mistletoe temptation in every doorway •A sexy cowboy with a killer smile Commitment! It made Sage run the other way. It made Creed shudder. But Sage's granny, the Widow Presley, was determined to get her granddaughter a cowboy for Christmas. And who better than Creed, the man interested in purchasing the widow's Rockin' C Ranch? The fact that a three-day blizzard was blowing in just made things all the better. A person can't run from commitment when they're snowed in, now can they? Sage is shocked and upset that her Grandmother has decided to sell the ranch!  She’s driven home in a blinding blizzard to talk out of what she thinks is a mistake....

Title:   Curveball Author:   Jen Estes Genre:   Cozy Mystery Pages:   312 Published:   October 2012 Publisher:   Camel Press Source:   Partners in Crime Book Tours Buy Links:   Amazon Synopsis: BACK ON THE BENCH Baseball reporter Cat McDaniel specializes in exposes. Now that very talent has left her unemployed. Desperate to get off the bench and back into the lineup, she is thrilled to land an interview with the Buffalo Soldiers' General Manager Roger "Rakin'" Aiken--Baseball legend, eight-time All Star... and oblivious father to a Major League bratty co-ed named Paige. A CURVEBALL WITH A CAVEAT Aiken offers Cat the team writer position for the following spring, but the opportunity is tempered by a curveball of a caveat: she must first spend the winter as a blogger reporting on the Latin American training facility. She is also supposed to look out for Paige, nominally the team's newest scouting assistant. Being a glorified babysitter and chape...

Baseball reporter Cat McDaniel specializes in exposés. Now that very talent has left her unemployed. Desperate to get off the bench and back into the lineup, she is thrilled to land an interview with the Buffalo Soldiers’ General Manager Roger “Rakin’” Aiken--Baseball legend, eight-time All Star ... and oblivious father to a Major League bratty co-ed named Paige. Aiken offers Cat the team writer position for the following spring, but the opportunity is tempered by a curveball of a caveat: she must first spend the winter as a blogger reporting on the Latin American training facility. She is also supposed to look out for Paige, nominally the team’s newest scouting assistant. Being a glorified babysitter and chaperone still beats being an out-of-work sportswriter. Cat reluctantly leaves behind her gorgeous boyfriend Benji and accompanies the party girl to sunny Santo Domingo to balance baselines and conga lines. Paige falls for Chance Hayward, an agent who plays hardball—the figurative...

  Welcome to Stitch Read Cook's weekly feature!! A Day in the Life of..... This is where us bloggers & fans get a glimpse inside the days of our favourite authors! -------------------- Valerie Bowman writes Regency-set historical romance novels with a focus on sharp dialogue, engaging storylines, and heroines who take matters into their own hands! Publishers Weekly calls Secrets of a Wedding Night , an “ enchanting, engaging debut that will have readers seeking future installments ” and Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “ This fast-paced, charming debut, sparkling with witty dialogue and engaging characters, marks Bowman for stardom. ” Booklist gave it a starred review! Valerie has a degree in English Language and Literature from Smith College and lives in Jacksonville, FL with her rascally dog, Roo. You can find Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and on Facebook and Twitter . Ok, so Aislynn asked me what a typical writing day is for me and here’s th...

Title:   Taming the Tycoon Author:   Amy Andrews Genre:   Contemporary Romance Pages:   244 Published:   August 2012 Publisher:   Entangled Source:   via Publisher Buy Links:   Amazon, Kobo Synopsis: Real estate tycoon Nathaniel Montgomery is one deal away from making his first billion and fulfilling a promise to his dying father. Nothing will stop him from tearing down the decrepit St. Agnes hospital and erecting posh condos in its place. Not even the crystal-wearing, health food store owner whose publicity stunt lands him in the hospital. After her brush with death five years ago, child prodigy Addie Collins learned what’s truly important—health, happiness, and the two-hundred-year-old rose garden at St. Agnes. To make amends for the accident, she agrees to pose as Nathaniel’s girlfriend at his eccentric grandmother’s birthday party. But Addie has an ulterior motive. To repay her debt to the universe, she must show him there's more to life th...

Real estate tycoon Nathaniel Montgomery is one deal away from making his first billion and fulfilling a promise to his dying father. Nothing will stop himfrom tearing down the decrepit St. Agnes hospital and erecting posh condos in its place. Not even the crystal-wearing, health food store owner whose publicity stunt lands him in the hospital. After her brush with death five years ago, child prodigy Addie Collins learned what’s truly important—health, happiness, and the two-hundred-year-old rose garden at St. Agnes. To make amends for the accident, she agrees to pose as Nathaniel’s girlfriend at his eccentric grandmother’s birthday party. But Addie has an ulterior motive. To repay her debt to the universe, she must show him there's more to life than making money. Nathaniel hates to lose, but as she breaks through his defenses, losing himself in Addie's arms might be exactly what this tycoon needs.. About the Author: Amy is an award-winning author who has written thirty rom...

Congrats to all the giveaway winners!  All winners have been contacted and replies received! Thank you to everyone who entered! Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries – Chris B (christinebails@…) (Fallen Women Week) Lord Gray’s List by Maggie Robinson – Diane (dpd333@…) (Fallen Women Week) A Midnight Dance by Lila DiPasqua – Martha L (mlawson17@…) (Fallen Women Week) When You Give A Duke A Diamond by Shana Galen – Millie M (milliemcclain29@…) (Fallen Women Week) Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath – Yadira A (yadkny@…) (Fallen Women Week) The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter – Joy G (joylynne66@…) (Fallen Women Week) The Laird’s Forbidden Lady by Ann Lethbridge – Martha L (mlawson17@…)

Title:   The Beldam’s Eye Author:   Jennifer Rainey Genre:   Contemporary, Fantasy Pages:   209 Published:   September 2012 Source:   via Goddess Fish Book Tours Buy Links:   Amazon Synopsis: When Erasmus Bramble finds the recently-deceased Angus Heyer rummaging through his kitchen cabinets, he knows he has a unique case on his hands. As paranormal investigators in rural Ohio, Ras and his business partner Antony Yeats tackle ghostly problems on a daily basis, from poltergeist exterminations to troubled spirits just looking for a shoulder to cry on. Angus isn’t looking for ghost therapy. He needs Ras and Yeats to help him retrieve a pocket watch stolen from him after death, a pocket watch that is said to be cursed: The Beldam’s Eye. The skeptical Ras and Yeats agree to take Angus’s case, but they soon find themselves in over their heads, facing murder, theft and perilous dark magic. Is it all just backwoods superstition or is the curse of The Belda...

  When Erasmus Bramble finds the recently-deceased Angus Heyer rummaging through his kitchen cabinets, he knows he has a unique case on his hands. As paranormal investigators in rural Ohio, Ras and his business partner Antony Yeats tackle ghostly problems on a daily basis, from poltergeist exterminations to troubled spirits just looking for a shoulder to cry on. Angus isn’t looking for ghost therapy. He needs Ras and Yeats to help him retrieve a pocket watch stolen from him after death, a pocket watch that is said to be cursed: The Beldam’s Eye. The skeptical Ras and Yeats agree to take Angus’s case, but they soon find themselves in over their heads, facing murder, theft and perilous dark magic. Is it all just backwoods superstition or is the curse of The Beldam’s Eye grisly reality? Excerpt: Ras could hear shuffling in the kitchen. He ruffled his hands through his wet hair and walked into the living room. A ghost covered in soot rummaged through his kitchen cabinets, h...

  Welcome to Stitch Read Cook's weekly feature!! A Day in the Life of..... This is where us bloggers & fans get a glimpse inside the days of our favourite authors! -------------------- I live in a small Connecticut town with a beautiful library, a great agricultural fair, nice people and not much else. I have two lovely, entertaining children and a brave firefighter for a husband, who is, perhaps more importantly, a fantastic cook. Digger from Fools Rush In is inspired my very own Digger, our cheerful Lab mutt. We also have two cats and grieve for an occasional, short-lived beta fish. I worked as a copywriter until I had kids and started writing fiction when my children graced my life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, I surmised, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so I started my first novel. Before long, I had finished Stalking Joe, whose title was later changed to Fools Rush In. Catch of the Day followed, winning the 2008 Romance Write...

Title:   In Bed with the Opposition Author:   Stephanie Draven Genre:   Contemporary Romance Pages:   165 Published:   August 2012 Publisher:   Entangled Source:   via Publisher Buy Links:   Amazon, Kobo Synopsis: Armed with a sassy haircut, a sharp wit, and a personal list of rules for all life's exigencies, Grace Santiago is a fiercely loyal Senate staffer who has everything under control. At least until famous political pundit Ethan Castle walks back into her life. Grace hasn't forgotten their disastrous affair in law school, but she can't resist his bad boy charm. When Grace learns that Ethan has been hired as a political gunslinger for the other side, her loyalties—and her heart—are torn in two. Though their sexual chemistry can't be denied, they find themselves locked in political combat. Ethan believes that all is fair in love and war, but he won't throw the election—not even to win Grace's heart. So what can a good girl like Grace do,...