Harlequin Spotlight – Page 5

Harlequin June Spotlight: Q&A with Beth Cornelison, author of Colton Cowboy Protector

COLTON COWBOY PROTECTOR

by Award-Winning Author

Beth Cornelison

A beautiful stranger appears at the Colton ranch during a party, and Jack is none too pleased. With ties to his ex-wife, Tracy McCain claims to be on a mission to bond with his son. But this intriguing widow also has a target on her back. As the Colton family brings Tracy under its broad wing, a relentless assassin puts everyone in jeopardy. Jack’s protective instincts go into overdrive and only fuel his secret attraction to Tracy. Living closely together under Jack’s roof, the heat between them starts to sizzle. In fact, the only thing stronger than Jack’s heady desire for Tracy is his will to keep her safe so that one day they can become a family.

Book links:

Amazon | Harlequin

Q&A with Beth Cornelison

author of

COLTON COWBOY PROTECTOR

You have been writing stories since you were a child. Tell us about the moment you knew you wanted to become a writer by profession.

While I wrote simple stories from an early age, my first significant writing project that inspired me to look into the possibilities of publication was a teen romance I wrote in junior high. Written long-hand in spiral notebooks, my first book took months to finish, but I fell in love with the novel writing process and had my first nudge toward my current publishing career.

What inspired you to make the move from the public relations industry to become a full-time writer?

The love of novel writing was never far from mind from the time I wrote my first novel during my teens. Though I got sidetracked from writing books while in college and early years in my marriage, a cross-country move for my husband’s job left me without a PR job in the early 90’s. While I was home alone in a new city, the stories in my head came roaring back to life. I returned to writing books to fill my time until our son was born, and by the time my son was in preschool, I had focused on getting published and never looked back!

Your novels tend to weave together romance and suspense. What draws you to this combination of genres?

I love the adventure and thrills of suspense books and the problem-solving behind mysteries. At the same time, I’m a romantic at heart and grew up with Disney movies and the all-important happily ever after. When I first read Karen Robards’, Sandra Brown’s and Jennifer Blake’s contemporary romantic suspense stories in the early 90’s, I discovered a blend of the two genres that fueled my imagination. I knew right away that romantic suspense was what I wanted to write.

4. If COLTON COWBOY PROTECTOR were to be turned into a movie, who would you cast in the starring roles?

Oh, wow! What a fun question! As a “visual writer,” I see my story playing out in my head like a movie as I write, so the idea of a real movie is exciting to contemplate. I think Amanda Seyfried has the look I was after for the heroine, Tracy McCain. Torrance Coombs, from the CW’s Reign, has the dark good looks with bright blue eyes that would fit the part nicely for my hero Jack Colton.

What’s up next for you?

I have two novellas with Harlequin Romantic Suspense coming out next, one in November, paired with Colleen Thompson for a two-in-one about a Texas ranch wedding that goes tragically wrong. Then next spring I’ll share a two-in-one with Karen Whiddon about babies rescued from a dangerous cult and the foster mothers who protect the infants. Both are fun projects because I love collaborating with other talented authors!

About the author:

Award-winning author Beth Cornelison has been writing stories since she was a child. A University of Georgia graduate, Cornelison worked in Public Relations before becoming a full-time writer. She has won many honors for her writing, including the coveted Golden Heart, awarded by the Romance Writers of America. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and son.

Website: www.bethcornelison.com

Twitter: @bethcornelison

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beth.cornelison

Praise for Beth Cornelison

“Steady pacing and a solid plot, complete with a dramatic, passionate ending, are all hallmarks of one terrific romance.”

–RT Book Reviews on Colton Cowboy Protector

“Ms. Cornelison has written a multi-layered story of fear, passion, and risks. Her characters, the story, the romance itself are memorable…”

–Once Upon a Romance Review on Healing Luke

“Cornelison has written a page turner that is truly enjoyable from beginning to end.”

–Fresh Fiction on Cowboy’s Texas Rescue

“Be ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions while you enjoy this wonderful novel.”

–Long and Short Reviews on Reyn’s Redemption

Harlequin June Spotlight: Q&A with Vicki Lewis Thompson, author of Midnight Thunder

MIDNIGHT THUNDER

by New York Times Bestselling Author

Vicki Lewis Thompson

Thunder Mountain Ranch was the only place cowboy Cade Gallagher had ever called home. But after he and Lexi Simmons broke each others’ hearts, he left it behind, along with his foster family. Since then, Cade has drifted, looking for something—anything—to call home. Until a call from Lexi changes everything.

Cade has been gone too long. His foster mother is hospitalized, and the ranch is in deep financial trouble. Yet even as his world crumbles, Cade’s hunger for Lexi is almost as tangible as the taste

of her lips and the way her body fits deliciously against his. It’s bittersweet surrender. But Lexi isn’t the girl she used to be, and she’s determined to have the hot cowboy in her bed only if she keeps him out of her heart.

Book links:

Amazon | Harlequin

Q&A with Vicki Lewis Thompson

author of

MIDNIGHT THUNDER

What inspired you to start writing romance?

Men. Dashing heroes who save the day are more fun to write about than any other subject I can imagine.

With more than 100 books to your name how do you create original characters and plotlines?

I keep my eyes and ears open ALL the time. If I wrote the same story over and over, I’d go crazy, so shaking things up is a matter of self-preservation.

What’s better – the excitement of a new love or a rekindled romance from long ago?

The rekindled romance is much easier to write but discovering a new love is a challenge I like giving myself, so they’re both wonderful in different ways.

What can you tell us about the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood Series?

The heroes all share a similar past – being foster kids at Thunder Mountain Ranch. That single fact binds them together more surely than blood. They have different issues, but each one needs to heal. With insight and the right woman, they can.

What are you working on next?

The heroes of summer, 2016! The heroes of 2015 and my Christmas book for the series are written, so I’m on to the next batch of foster brothers and I love them already.

About the author:

A romance writing career has brought Vicki Lewis Thompson many wonderful things –New York Times bestseller status, an appearance on LIVE with Regis and Kelly, the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from Romance Writers of America, thousands of readers, many dear friends, and the cutest little yellow convertible in the world. Her career has also given her work she loves. Although she’s written more than 100 books, she continues to be fascinated by the many ways that a man and woman fall in love. The age-old story remains a challenging puzzle to be solved anew with each book. That makes her a very lucky person, indeed.

Website: http://www.vickilewisthompson.com

Twitter: @VickiLThompson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vickilewisthompson

Praise for Vicki Lewis Thompson

“This modern cowboy tale expertly balances sex and emotion with a touch of humor. It’s one of the hottest western romances of the year!”

–RT Book Reviews on Claimed!

“[The series] has cowboys, it has sizzling sex, and the books are all well written.”

–Sugarbeat’s Books on Cowboys Like Us

“Once again Ms. Thompson’s writing is crisp and straightforward, with an uncanny ability to weave the beautiful western landscape of the Grand Tetons into the storyline. Overall a hot, sexy read.”

–Harlequin Junkie on Riding Home

“A scorching hit…”

–We Read Romance on Should’ve Been a Cowboy

Harlequin May Spotlight…Q&A with Lynne Graham author of The Sheikh’s Secret Babies

Q&A with Lynne Graham

author of

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES

Tell us a bit more about the relationship between Prince Jaul and Chrissie Whitaker.

It’s such a shock for Chrissie when her husband – a Prince no less – returns to claim her and his heirs after the awful way her father – and in her mind initially – he treated her. And they both have to learn that the people who were married two years ago are not necessarily the people they are today. But the one thing that binds them together, stronger even than their children, is that the love they once had for each other is still there.

What are the three ingredients for the perfect romance novel?

Passion, commitment, and love.

What was the moment when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

I realized that I wanted to be a writer at the age of 5. I was hidden away, writing stories about cats and dogs. The stories had become about people by the time I was a teenager. But I was a great reader of fairytales when I was a child. For me they were the first—and some of the best—romances.

Who would you cast as Prince Jaul and Chrissie if the book were to be made into a movie? Why?

For Chrissie it would have to be Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Her white blonde hair makes her perfect for Chrissie. And for Jaul, it would have to be Joe Manganiello. Surely there is no explanation needed for that!

You have sold more than 26 million books worldwide. What do you think is the secret to your success?

Passionate heroes and heroines that you can recognize, that you can identify with. But above all that, I just try to tell a good story with a happy ending.

Praise for Lynne Graham

“Secrets, betrayals and misunderstandings fill every page of Graham’s remarkable re-do romance. The melding of cultures, exotic desert customs and locales are unforgettable.”

–RT Book Reviews

“The romance was passionate, angst ridden and so intense.”

–Harlequin Junkie

“I have always been a fan of Lynne Graham as she is one of the authors who instilled in me the love for the Harlequin romances…”

–Maldivian Book Reviewer’s

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES

By USA Today Bestselling Author

Lynne Graham

Synopsis:

Prince Jaul of Marwan’s royal duty is to marry a suitable bride. But first he must divorce the woman who betrayed him. Locating his estranged wife? Easy. The intense passion still burning between them? Manageable. Discovering he has two royal heirs? Impossible!

Devastated when her handsome prince deserted her, Chrissie Whitaker’s beautiful twin babies were the only balm to her broken heart. Now Jaul will stop at nothing to claim his legitimate heirs, but can Chrissie forget their painful past and recognize him as her husband in every sense of the word?

LYNNE GRAHAM’S first book was published in 1987. Today she is the bestselling Mills and Boon Presents author with sales of 26 million books worldwide. Born of Irish/Scottish parentage, Lynne Graham has lived in Northern Ireland all her life. She has one brother. She grew up in a seaside village and now lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which is wonderfully private. Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. They married after she completed a degree at Edinburgh University. Lynne wrote her first book at 15 and it was rejected everywhere. She started writing again when she was at home with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold her first book and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in the local newsagents has never been forgotten. www.lyneegraham.com

ABOUT THE MAY SERIES SPOTLIGHTS

HEART OF A BULL RIDER

By USA Today bestselling author Tina Leonard

When New York billionaire John Carruth is summoned to No Chance, Texas to save the local rodeo he has no idea he is going home. Now the long-lost twin to the town’s favorite son is determined to win over the people he left behind—and capture the heart of Chloe Winters, a Texan who has her own ideas of what it means to be part of a small town. Jake Fitzgerald, champion bull rider, didn’t know he had another half. John may be kin, but he’s still a stranger in these parts. With his billionaire brother hell-bent on changing Jake’s world, Jake knows he has to take a stand. Will he choose family—or will he take a chance on Erin O’Donovan, a woman who has always meant family to him?

MINDING HER BOSS’S BUSINESS

By USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

Diplomat Alex Ramon’s Miami mission is on the rocks. Convincing the exiled Montoros to give up their American life and return to Alma’s throne has become personal. Not only is his trusted aide Maria Ferro flirting with a potential prince, but Alex is actually jealous! So jealous, he might sabotage his goals so he can take Maria to his bed—a prize more tempting than any commission from the crown. But Alex doesn’t know that Maria has a longtime crush of her own—and it isn’t on the playboy prince.

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES

By USA Today bestselling author Lynne Graham

Harlequin May Spotlight: Writing Space Tour with Janice Maynard, author of Minding Her Boss’s Business

Writing Space Tour with Janice Maynard

Author of MINDING HER BOSS’S BUSINESS

I don’t write at a desk. I have a desk…a very beautiful, oak, roll-top desk. But I tend to roam around the house when I write. Now that warmer weather has finally arrived, I love writing outdoors. We have a small screened-in porch. It’s so peaceful to work out there and watch the birds and hear the wind in the trees. This is my view across my yard and into our neighbor’s yard. The ridge in the background is one of the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Just out of the left side of the frame are several bird feeders my husband keeps filled faithfully. As I’m writing, I often see brilliant yellow finches, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and several varieties of woodpeckers from the very petite ones to the super-sized ones who make a real racket. The natural world, for me, feeds my creativity and helps keep me focused.

JANICE MAYNARD knew she loved books and writing by the time she was eight years old. But it took multiple rejections and many years of trying before she sold her first three novels in 1996 and 1997. After teaching kindergarten and second grade for sixteen years, Janice turned to writing full-time in the fall of 2002. Since then she has written and sold over twenty-five books and novellas. Her publishers include Kensington, Penguin/NAL, Berkley, and Harlequin. Janice lives in east Tennessee with her husband, Charles. They love hiking, traveling, and spending time with their daughters, Caroline and Anna, sons-in-law, Jamie and Chris, three granddaughters, Anastasia, Ainsley, and Allie, and the newest addition to the family, Levi.

ABOUT THE MAY SERIES SPOTLIGHTS

MINDING HER BOSS’S BUSINESS

By USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

HEART OF A BULL RIDER

By USA Today bestselling author Tina Leonard

Jake Fitzgerald, champion bull rider, didn’t know he had another half. John may be kin, but he’s still a stranger in these parts. With his billionaire brother hell-bent on changing Jake’s world, Jake knows he has to take a stand. Will he choose family—or will he take a chance on Erin O’Donovan, a woman who has always meant family to him?

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES

By USA Today bestselling author Lynne Graham

Harlequin May Spotlight…Bon Appétit & a Book with Heart Of A Bull Rider by Tina Leonard

Bon Appétit and a Book

HEART OF A BULL RIDER

TINA LEONARD’S

Pico de Gallo

This isn’t my recipe per se, I learned it from my housekeeper and have sort of adapted it. But we love it because it’s fresh! You’ll want:

3-5 tomatoes (we use the Roma or pear tomatoes. They’re usually cheaper and have a nice, firm skin. Dice them up by hand.
Diced onion, either yellow or white. Lots of it. It’s good! Again, dice, dice!
Fresh cilantro. Cut the stems off and use the leaves, dicing them to your preference. Be sure it’s fresh. If it’s brown, toss it!
A Serrano pepper. Some folks use different kinds of peppers, but I like this spicy little devil! We had to start off using only a half a Serrano, because we’re timid that way. The Serrano is what gives your recipe the kick-ass! Be sure to slice it so that you get the seeds out, and dice the pepper itself up fine! We’ve graduated to about ¾ of a Serrano—the heat is up to you!
Sea salt to taste!
Fresh lime juice, squeezed right into the bowl and mixed in with the vegetables.

All you need are these 6 things, and you’ve got yum! I use blue corn organic chips for dipping because we like those best, but pick your own favorite and enjoy!

And then, because I had to know—what does a Bull Rider taste like? Well, according to several drink-mixing websites, here are two standard kinds of Bull Riders!

Bull Rider Drink #1

1 shot Amaretto (optional),

1 shot Crown Royal,

1 shot Jack Daniels

In a large shot glass, first put the Jack Daniels, followed by the shot of Crown, then use the Amaretto last. For a stronger version, don’t use the Amaretto, as it masks the flavor of the other two.

Bull Rider Drink #2

1 oz Malibu® coconut rum

1 oz coffee liqueur

1/2 oz creme de bananes

2 splashes Jagermeister® herbal liqueur

fill with half-and-half

Mix all ingredients well and enjoy!

So if you ever wondered what a Bull Rider tastes like, you can mix one up in your own home or order one in a bar and a Bull Rider will be yours!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 3 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted 71 books and special projects. She is best known for her sparkling sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters that include sexy hunks with attitude and heroines with plenty of sass. For more information, visit www.tinaleonard.com or follow her on Twitter: @Tina_Leonard.

ABOUT THE COVER:

The cover features real-life professional bull rider Reese Cates, whose father and grandfather both rode professionally before him. Reese says he was riding horses before he could walk (his mother, aunts and grandmother were all barrel racers). He competes as a part of the Professional Bull Riders, which includes more than 600 bull riders from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. To learn more about Reese, follow him on Twitter: @reesecates. For more information about the Professional Bull Riders, visit www.pbr.com.

ABOUT THE MAY SERIES SPOTLIGHTS

HEART OF A BULL RIDER By USA Today bestselling author Tina Leonard

MINDING HER BOSS’S BUSINESS (will be featured here on May 20th)
By USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

THE SHEIKH’S SECRET BABIES (will be featured here on May 27th)

By USA Today bestselling author Lynne Graham

Books and Bull Riders, Oh My! Meet PBR Riders Harve Stewart & Zane Lambert

HARLEQUIN TAKES THE BULL RIDER BY THE HORNS

Professional Bull Riders Partner with Harlequin Books

Harlequin, the internationally-renowned publisher, is teaming up with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the world’s premier bull riding organization, to bring you four revived titles featuring swoon-worthy, rugged bull riders. This collector’s edition by USA Today and award-winning author Tina Leonard will feature covers showcasing real-life, top PBR riders Matt Triplett, Reese Cates, Harve Stewart and Zane Lambert.

Each book contains exclusive content, including biographies, interviews, photos, signed reader letters from the riders and $20 of value-added coupons for select PBR events, fan club membership and upcoming Harlequin titles.

Harlequin Pro Bull Riders stories are heartwarming contemporary tales of everyday women finding love in the arms of the quintessential American icon, wrapped up in manliness and romance. The stories showcase the charm of small-town America and the ruggedness of Western locales and regularly feature Western characters as protagonists.

Founded in 1992, the PBR pits the world’s toughest bull riders against the fiercest bucking bulls on the planet in an 8-second showdown. More than 600 bull riders compete in PBR-sanctioned competitions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States each year. These events are attended by more than 2.5 million fans annually who respect the riders’ athleticism and courage. PBR broadcasts are televised weekly on CBS and CBS Sports Network and reach more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories around the world.

Today I have a fab Q&A with (absolutely adorable) PBR Riders HARVE STEWART and Zane Lambert to share with you!

Harve Stewart

How and when did you start getting into bull riding?

I grew up in Stephenville, Texas, which is a big rodeo town—a lot of legends have come from there. Ty Murray and the Carillo brothers (Adam and Gilbert) are just three of the greats to come from Stephenville. When I was 13 years old, I actually got on my first steers at their place and just fell in love with bull riding. They became my friends, and I felt kind of lucky that I was able to have that opportunity because not many people do. It was an opportunity for me to go and get on, and I didn’t turn it down.

What do you remember about your first Built Ford Tough Series ride?

My first Built Ford Tough Series ride was in Anaheim and it was a bull called Nacho Hero. He was just a cool little bull. I don’t think I was even many points—82.25—on him, but it was just neat to get that first one down. It is something you never forget and sticks with you forever. You will have a Top Ten list of your favorite rides, and your first might not make it on that list, but you will always remember it. We’d had two one-day events, and I bucked off at my first two events and then went to California for my third event and rode my first one there. You are nervous and everything. It is new. You see it on TV, but it’s not something that I got to see before I got on tour—I had never been to a Built Ford Tough event until then. It was something really cool to see, but it dang sure took a while to get used to.

In your career, what would you say was your most memorable moment? And why?

Probably when I rode Meat Hook in Thackerville, Oklahoma, a couple of years ago, in 2012. It was my first BFTS event win. I had gotten close quite a bit, finishing second and stuff like that, but I’d never won one. It came down to the last two guys and I stayed on mine. It was kind of a cool pressure situation—and to come out on top is something I will always remember.

What’s your idea of a romantic night out?

Just a steak dinner and a movie—maybe even at home. We would go to a nice steak house, like a Del Frisco’s. If it was me planning it, hell, we would go golfing and then to a football game. Though it kind of depends on the girl and what she wants to do.

Harve Stewart

@harvestewart

World Finals Qualifications: 6

Hometown: Stephenville, Texas

Residence: Stephenville, Texas

Height: 5-9

Weight: 160

Born: 12/28/87

Riding Hand: Right

BFTS Season: 9^th

Career Earnings: $508,852

High-Marked Ride: 91 points on Savage Shaker in Tulsa, Okla., on July 22, 2007

Personal

A former Texas High School Rodeo Association Champion, Harve rode his first bull at age 14 after watching a friend at nine-time World Champion Ty Murray’s ranch. He learned to ride from his father, Dee, who was a former bull rider and received further instruction from Murray and former PBR stars Adam and Gilbert Carrillo. Harve admits he doesn’t like to ride on an empty stomach and says if he had a choice, he would eat a steak before every ride, whereas most of his fellow riders choose that as their preferred meal after a contest. When it comes time to relax, Harve might be found hanging with fellow PBR riders or maybe watching a comedic movie. His most memorable ride was besting Meat Hook for 90.5 points in Thackerville, Okla. in 2012 to win his first BFTS contest. If he weren’t a professional bull rider, Harve would have liked to be a football player. When he retires he will probably spend more time golfing and envisions himself owning a business of some sort. “Anything where I can be my own boss.” says Harve.

2014 Highlights

Earned round wins in Billings, Montana, and Des Moines, Iowa…landed Top 10 finishes in Anaheim, California (8^th), Fresno, California (T9), Des Moines, Iowa (T9), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (7^th)…went 2-for-3 on his bulls in Colorado Springs for his highest finish on the season…fell out of the Top 35 following Springfield, Missouri, but competed as an alternate in Oakland, California, and Allentown, Pennsylvania.

ZANE LAMBERT

What would you say is your favorite thing about the riding community? It feels very close-knit, and you travel weekend to weekend?

Definitely the best thing about it is the people you meet. The guys you get ready with in the change room. The guys you travel with and hang out with the whole time. There is a huge community and we all interact with each other and it’s pretty cool. We go to different cities every weekend and it’s the same guys going down the road, so it’s really neat to travel all over the world and still have your friends there.

In your career what would you say was your most memorable moment? And why?

Two years ago, I won the Canadian title. That was probably the most memorable for me because I came in second the two years before that. To finally pull out the win—it was pretty special for me, and I finally got my title.

What would you say is the most romantic thing you have ever done for your wife?

I asked her to marry me at the CN Tower, in Toronto, and we went on our honeymoon to Hawaii. If I could do that again, I definitely would.

What’s your idea of a romantic night out?

I think because I’m on the road so much, a night in is more a night out for me. To sit at home—we like to cook, and that’s my idea of a nice night. Not traveling.

World Finals Qualifications: 1

Hometown: Ponoka, Alberta

Residence: Westbourne, MB

Height: 5-11

Weight: 175

Born: 7/2/86

Riding Hand: Right

BFTS Season: 6th

Career Earnings: $321,876

High-Marked Ride: 87.50 points on Guns & Donuts during Round 3 of the World Finals on Oct. 24, 2014

* – 2013 Canada National Champion

Personal

This Canadian cowboy started riding and attended his first rodeo school at 10 where he won a rodeo card after which he competed in 4 contests that year and was permanently hooked. To keep in shape he definitely hits the gym hard and also has a routine he does in his hotel room on the road that includes pushups, sit-ups, etc. After his wife Stacey, whom he married in April 2013, Zane’s best pal is his English bulldog Ace, whom he calls his mascot and sometimes travels with. When not on the tour, Zane likes snowboarding and doing renovations on his friend’s houses. He and his wife also like to make wine from scratch – they’ve even ordered grapes from California before and done the crushing and fermenting at home. Someday he hopes to retire from bull riding with enough money to buy a big place in the country where he can raise a bunch of kids and of course, have a large wine cellar.

2014 Highlights

Competed in his first event this season in Sacramento, California, where he lead going into the championship round, going 2-for-3 for third place overall and his first Built Ford Tough Series Top 5 finish…collected four Top 10 finishes and two Top 5 finishes altogether, including tying for second place in Des Moines, Iowa, covering two of his three bulls and posting one of his two round wins on the year…earned his second round win in Nampa, Idaho…earned himself a BFTS career-high 87.50 points on Guns and Donuts (Silver Creek Pro Rodeo) during Round 3 of the World Finals.

(click on the photo to enter)

And, here are links to excerpts from each PBR title. At the end of each excerpt is a printable coupon!

A Family For The Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/AFamilyfortheBullrider_chapter.pdf

Heart Of A Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/HeartofaBullrider_chapter.pdf

One Wild Bull Rider: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/OneWildBullRider_chapter.pdf

The Bull Rider Twins: http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/TheBullRiderTwins_chapter.pdf

About the Author

TINA LEONARD

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 3 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted seventy-one books and special projects. She is best known for her sparkling sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters that include sexy hunks with attitude and heroines with plenty of sass.

Website: http://www.tinaleonard.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTinaLeonard

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tina_leonard @Tina_Leonard

Harlequin’s April Weddings Blog Tour

Happy Sunday!

I’ve got some amazing books and recipes to share with you for Harlequin’sApril Weddings Blog Tour featuring a few of Harlequin’s most anticipated series titles of the month.

From a spontaneous Vegas wedding fueled by a night of passion (and tequila) to a marriage of convenience with a twist, these scintillating tales will have you begging for more.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Bon Appétit and a Book: The Billionaire’s Bridal Bargain by Lynne Graham

Cesare’s Salsiccia al vino rosso

Ingredients (serves 3)
½ kilo homemade or good quality pork mince
30g seedless grapes
10g pine nuts
½ finely chopped white onion
2 glasses good red wine

2 tsps honey
1 sliced red peper
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste

This is the perfect meal for an Italian Tycoon!

Pour some oil into a large thick based saucepan (le cruset are my favourites!), brown the onion until cooked through. Pour in the wine and let it bubble up until the alcohol evaporates, then add the sliced red pepper. Rinse the grapes and cut them in half. Add the grapes, salt, pine nuts and honey into the pan and cook for 10 minutes. In a separate pan, heat some more oil and add the pork mince. Make sure the heat is high to get rid of any excess fat. When the meat is cooked through (and do be careful with pork mince, it must be properly cooked through!) transfer to the sauce pan with the grape sauce and cook for another ten minutes. Lovely to serve with pasta or chunks of toasted ciabatta!

Bon Appétit and a Book: From Fake to Forever by Kat Cantrell

Hummus and Pita Chips

This is my recipe for hummus, which I love to make fresh because store-bought generally has a high sodium content, as well as preservatives and other yucky stuff. This is easy to make and doesn’t call for tahini which can be expensive.

Ingredients (4 servings)

1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 drops sesame oil, or to taste (optional)

PREP

5 mins

READY IN

5 mins

Directions

Blend garbanzo beans, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and sesame oil in a food processor; stream reserved bean liquid into the mixture as it blends until desired consistency is achieved. Spoon into a serving bowl. You can let the flavors blend several hours or overnight before serving this.

To make fresh pita chips:

Cut two-three pitas into wedges (like a pizza)

Arrange on a pan and brush with olive oil

Grind or sprinkle salt and pepper to taste

Cook for 15 minutes at 375.

Bon Appétit and a Book: The Italian’s Deal for I Do by Jennifer Hayward

A Caprese Salad is one of my favourite appetizers to serve guests at a dinner party. It’s particularly amazing when it’s made with tomatoes grown under the Tuscan sun, but even if you can’t rustle up Italian tomatoes in your kitchen, it’s still perfect for any season. And the ideal dish to enjoy alongside Italian’s Deal For I Do which takes place in Milano. One of my favourite scenes from the book is the opening where my hero, fashion magnate Rocco tracks down former supermodel Olivia at one of the very popular cafes along the canals in Navigli, determined to find some truths. I wish I was enjoying a fabulous meal there right now, but rustling up my own Caprese salad with a great bottle of Chianti will do nicely! Here’s the recipe:

Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

Vine ripe tomatoes – ¼-inch slices

Fresh mozzarella – ¼-inch slices

Fresh basil

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt & Pepper

Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a serving platter. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. And enjoy!

This is such an easy snack. I love to make it with my two boys and there are things even the little one can do. He likes to use the basting brush to “paint” the chips with oil. My older son likes to use the food processor–probably because I don’t make him clean it!

Harlequin Romance’s March Spotlight

Welcome to Harlequin’s March Spotlight:

What’s hotter than a man in uniform? These handsome heroes are here to serve and protect. Heat up your March with steamy romantic suspense from Harlequin’s bestselling series authors. These edge-of-your-seat romances are sure to get your heart pumping.

The lovers in these stories face dark lies, deception, scandal and murder – and manage to fit in a little love and passion on the side. You’ll be glued to the pages of Harlequin’s latest picks – lose yourself in the breakneck speed of these intriguing plots filled with treachery, crime and mayhem.

I’ve got two fabulous book to spotlight and Q&A’s with the authors to share…enjoy and thanks so stopping by!

Synopsis:

The woman fleeing a cold-blooded killer is no stranger to Deputy Colt McKinnon. Fourteen years ago, Elise Nichols was the love of his life. Now she’s back in Sweetwater Springs—to be the star witness in an upcoming murder trial that could tear the Texas lawman’s family apart.

With her explosive revelations certain to rock the town, Elise didn’t expect to be welcomed home with open arms. Certainly not by the cowboy with the badge who once meant everything to her. But after being run off the road and shot at, she has no choice but to trust him. Even more dangerous is the desire that’s reigniting, making Elise yearn for something she may not live to see

Q&A with Delores Fossen

author of THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION

THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION is the latest in your Sweetwater Ranch series. Can you tell us a bit about the series and characters?

The series is about a family of cowboy cops who are torn apart when their mother is arrested for murder. In THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION, Colt McKinnon is a deputy sheriff who also helps his brothers run their successful Sweetwater Ranch. He has to risk his life to protect Elise Nichols, a woman from his past who could ultimately send his father to prison.

Elise and Colt have an interesting past together. What does this bring to the story?

I think their teenage crush has remained over the years, but now that they’re adults, they have to deal with the old attraction and the new problems that it’s creating. If Colt gives into the attraction, he could be betraying his family since Elise’s testimony could lead to his father’s arrest.

Colt McKinnon is an incredible name for a character. Do you have a method down for creating names?

I listen for names in airports, grocery stores, wherever I am. Whenever I hear one that I think might fit, I put it in a file and wait until the right story comes to mind for that character’s name.

Do you have any say in the design of your book covers?

I do fill out a detailed art fact sheet for Harlequin for each book, and I describe three scenes for the art department. The idea is for me to convey the tone and appearance of the main characters and the story.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a plotter. I’m one of those writers who can’t start until I have the plot worked out.

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Elise and Colt’s love affair?

Love that manages to survive.

What drew you to writing romantic suspense?

I love weaving together the romance and the mystery, and the danger makes the stakes so high. It’s easy to put the petty stuff aside when the bad guys are trying to kill you.

If THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION was made into a movie, which Hollywood actors would you cast for the main characters and why?

Charlie Hunnam for Colt, but I’d want him less buff. Colt is more on the lanky side.

Natalie Portman for Elise. There’s a quiet strength about her that I think Elise has.

What is your go-to snack when you’re writing?

Tea and cookies. I wish it were something healthier, but they feed the muse. (Or at least that’s what I like to tell myself!)

What are you working on next?

I’m working on a new series for Harlequin Intrigue—titled Appaloosa Pass. It’s a 6-book series about a family of Texas lawmen who are looking for a serial killer. I’m also working on a new single title trilogy for HQN tentatively called Spring Hill. It, too, will be about a family of cowboys and should be released in late 2016.

Synopsis:

LAWMAN ON A MISSION

After a prominent senator’s son is murdered, Capitol K-9 Unit captain Gavin McCord wants answers. The senator was a mentor to Gavin, and he’ll stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice. With his team of elite K-9 cops and his loyal dog, Glory, at his side, Gavin discovers that a child at Cassie Danvers’s nearby foster home may have witnessed the murder. He’s drawn to the determined and beautiful woman, but she doesn’t want him interviewing her traumatized charges. Yet trusting Gavin is the only way to stay one step ahead of the deadly gunman when Cassie becomes a target.

Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Q&A with Shirlee McCoy

author of PROTECTION DETAIL

PROTECTION DETAIL is the latest in the Capitol K-9 Unit Series. Where did you get the idea for incorporating lawmen and their canine partners?

The series was thought out and put together by Harlequin. I’m the first of six authors asked to participate in the series. I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear that we were doing a K-9 Unit series! The other authors and I worked closely together to connect the books and the characters.

The heroine, Cassie, is a foster mother. What is your special connection to her?

My youngest daughter was adopted. We met her when she was seven. She’d been in an orphanage in China for three years and then in foster care there for four. My husband and I were able to meet her foster family in a hotel room in China. I’ll never forget the way Lizzie hugged the little girl she’d spent four years raising. It broke my heart and filled it. I was so happy to see that my daughter had been loved, and so sad to realize that Lizzie and Qian would probably never see each other again. When I wrote Cassie’s character, I spent a lot of time thinking about that moment. I thought about the care and love that had been poured onto a child who would be adopted and loved by someone else. What a beautiful and astounding thing that is. It takes very special people to foster children, and I wanted to do Cassie’s character justice. Hopefully, I did!

What first draws Gavin and Cassie together?

Gavin is working on a case that brings him in contact with Cassie. Cassie is leery of police officers, so Gavin has his work cut out for him! He’s a by the book guy, but he can’t keep from falling for Cassie. They were such fun characters!

What inspired you to start writing romantic suspense?

I have always loved the genre. My mother is a huge fan of gothic romance, and she let me read her books when I was a young teen. I cut my teeth on Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, and I still love a good gothic novel. I think romantic suspense was just a natural progression of that love.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

I often use names of people that I know. Or, I’ll use quirky names that aren’t very common. I love fitting the name with the character’s personality, and that can be a challenge. Once or twice, I’ve changed a name a few chapters into a book because it just didn’t seem to fit.

Do you have any say in the design of your book covers?

I give cover ideas and send photos to my editor. These are used to help design the book.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A pantser who has had to learn to be a plotter? I sell on proposal now, so I have had to learn to outline my books before I write them. It often takes me as long to write the synopsis and first few chapters as it does to write the book! I’d like to say that I follow the outline closely once I finish it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! I tend to write the synopsis and then go on my merry way being a pantser and writing whatever comes into my head. So….maybe I am both.

How would you describe your writing style?

I’m like a truck driver. I push through to the end. No veering off onto other roads or taking little side trips. I have a goal and I stick to it. I don’t go back and edit until I’ve completed the first draft. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one, but it works for me.

If PROTECTION DETAIL was turned into a movie, which Hollywood actors would you cast for your characters and why?

Oh. Wow. Can I say that I have no idea?! I watch documentaries on the history channel or cooking shows on the cooking channel. And, I read books. The last movie I watched was…I don’t even remember! :0)

What are you working on next?

The fourth book in my Mission: Rescue series. The heroine’s name is Harper, and the hero is Logan. She’s a potter, and he’s a hostage rescue specialist. They make an interesting and challenging pair!