Blog Tour: A Little Bit Sinful (Interview with Robyn DeHart)

Today we have a special guess and I would like you all to welcome Robyn DeHart to What I'm Reading.

How are you Robyn?

 I’m doing great! Thanks so much for having me and participating in my blog tour.

What made you decided to write stories based in the Victorian era rather than in the Regency era?

 Well, the majority of my books have been set in the Victorian era. I know that most readers prefer the Regency, but I find the Victorian really has more to offer in the ways of the industrial revolution, great fashion and you get a more interesting monarch as well as all the great social conflicts from the Regency era. That being said, I’m pretty much a sucker for most eras in British history.

For those who haven’t read A Little Bit Sinful, can you share what the story is about?

 I think the back cover blurb does a much better job than I could just trying to explain it. J

Justin Rodale is the wealthy bastard son of the Duke of Chanceworth. He owns the most lucrative and luxurious gaming establishment and caters to London’s elite. Educated with the rest of the aristocrats, he knows all the rules by which Society lives, but he is beholden to no one. 

Clarissa Kincaid has been raised to be the perfect English lady. She knows precisely the sort of match she should make and she’s fairly certain she’s found that with a respectable gentleman. But the man won’t commit and she finds herself seeking assistance in the form of seduction lessons from Justin.

This is a challenge the charming Justin can not resist. She may think that he knows nothing about her needs, but he’s determined to show her that he knows plenty about her secret desires. He has no intention of publicly ruining the girl, but he’s determined to privately tempt her into some slightly sinful behavior.

I have to say I love Justin. What makes Justin special to you?

 Oh thank you! I love him too. I think the thing that made him really special to me was the yuck he climbed out of from his childhood. He made the best of the love that he was given and her grew into a wonderful man. I didn’t want him to just be angry because to me that’s too easy. It’s far more interesting to me to show a character who has walked through the pain in his own life and done something productive with it.

What made you decided to make Clarissa a tad bit impulsive?

 I’m not sure I could write a total straight & narrow heroine. I start books with that intention and then things change as the writing goes forward. With Clarissa I knew she longed to be the perfect lady, but fell short of her image of that. I think we as women all struggle with coming to terms with ourselves, our bodies, our limitations, our strengths and weaknesses. Clarissa’s impulsive nature is part of her that she has to come to terms with because it flies in the face of that perfect lady she strives to be.

How would Justin describe Clarissa? And how would Clarissa describe Justin?

 I think the best way for me to do this is to share short snippets, so please indulge me…

Clarissa…

She looked up at him again, this time tilting her neck far enough to see his face. She could see bits of the boy she knew in the man before her, the same amber-colored eyes and olive skin, but she had not been expecting him to be so startlingly handsome. So tall and athletic and masculine, he was beyond dashing. She sucked in her breath at the same time his brows shot up.

Justin…

She still wore that pink confection she’d had on earlier. Pretty, feminine, and so damned tempting. Though he had seen her a handful of times now, he still was not quite used to Clarissa as a woman. He still remembered how she’d looked as a thin girl of fifteen. Now, though, the only hint of the young girl he’d known had been her eyes. You never forgot eyes that blue. Gone were the gangly arms and legs, and in their place was a woman full of delicious curves.

Are there any plans to write more stories that will be in the Forbidden Love series?

 Yes, there is one final book in the series planned right now. A Little Bit Scandalous releases in August and is about Roe, Justin’s half-brother.

Are you working on anything currently and if so can you share or is it still a secret?

 Yes, I'm currently working on Temptations of Anna Jacobs, the second book in my Dangerous Liaisons series. The first book, The Secrets of Mia Danvers releases in June and I'm so excited to share these stories with my readers. I've long been fascinated by Jack the Ripper - who isn't - and since I already write in the Victorian era it seemed there had to be a story there. Well, I found it and I just love the world and the characters and I hope all my readers will too. 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

 Oh wow, there are so many wonderful things about being an author. The business and process of writing – well, that’s a love/hate kind of thing. It’s a business of extreme highs and lows and you have to be willing to ride the waves or as Nora Roberts says, “ride the hard.” I love being able to work from home, being able to be with my kiddos while they’re little and well, I don’t play well with others so it’s best if I’m home and not working out of the house. J I also really love the genre, the whole romance genre, the readers and the other writers, it’s a wonderful community. And well, I’m a sucker for happy endings and love conquering all – it’s a pleasure to write stories that bring people joy.

If you were to write your autobiography, what would you title your book and why?

 Now, that’s a hard question. I’ve never really thought about writing my own autobiography…but I suspect if I did, it would be about how important it is to keep on keeping on. I’ve had a lot of struggles (as most people do) in a variety of areas in my life, my career, infertility, failed adoptions…it’s been a series of trials, but you just keep moving forward. I think I’d call it, Swimming Through Molasses

Thank you for stopping by today. Is there anything else you would like to say or share before you leave us today?

 Thanks for having me and for asking such great questions. 

  A Little Bit Sinful by Robyn DeHart

Entangled Publishing - April 2013

Title: A Little Bit Sinful (Forbidden Love Series)

Author: Robyn DeHart

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 204 pages

Release Date: March 2013

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-093-3

Imprint: Scandalous

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBookstore

Author Information

I’m one of those writers who always knew that she wanted to be a writer. It took me a while, however, to figure out precisely what I wanted to write. Reading Kathleen Woodiwiss’ ”A Rose in Winter” sealed the deal for me and I’ve been reading and writing romance ever since. I should have known I was destined for this when my Barbies insisted on hosting elaborate masquerade parties, complete with stolen kisses in the moonlight.

I’m the youngest of three children, so of course I’m the favorite. I was raised in central Texas, in the beautiful Hill Country, right smack-dab between Austin and San Antonio. My parents were high school sweethearts and married a week after my mother graduated – they both needed their parents’ permission to marry since they were so young. So I blame them and their amazing marriage for the fact that I’m a hopeless romantic.

Somewhere along the line, I graduated from college with a degree in Sociology, only after completing an internship with none other than award-winning best-selling author, Pamela Morsi. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life and I learned more about the writing business than I could have hoped.

After college I worked a myriad of jobs: Computer Software Trainer, Recruiter, Administrative Assistant. But no matter what my day job, I come home to my real job and click, click, click away on my computer and get lost in my imaginary world where justice always prevails and the girl always gets her guy! It’s the coolest job in the world.

I’m married to the most amazingly supportive man. He’s so proud of my career, and loves to tell people, “My wife is a romance novelist.” We live in the Austin area, where my husband is a university professor. He’s ridiculously smart, but remains goofy enough to make me laugh every day. We’re the parents of two beautiful and precocious little girls who keep me quite busy during the day. We also have two very spoiled cats who are of no help at all when it comes to my writing, although they sometimes nap in the same room where I sit diligently working.

I’ve published seven historicals, all of which have received great reviews and a handful of them have won awards. I love to hear from readers,

so feel free to send me an email or you can find me online at The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills, or, Peanut Butter on the Keyboard, my newest blogging endeavor that’s all about writing moms or moms who write. You can also find me on my Facebook or my Facebook Author page and on Twitter. I’m everywhere!

Website:  http://www.robyndehart.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobynDeHart
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/288853.Robyn_DeHart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyndehart

Well this isn't the only stop you might want to checkout the other blog stop and here is the link for the full list:

http://www.entangledinromance.com/2013/04/29/a-little-big-sinful-blog-tour-giveaway/

Don't forget the tour wide giveaway, which contains 7 of Robyn backlist (SIGNED). Seriously, you don't want to miss this. Just fill out the rafflecopter.

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Trying to Score by Toni Aleo

First off, I'm not a huge fan of hockey, but I love this book. Seriously! All right, this is book two in The Assassin's Series and goodness, I fell in love with Trying to Score. Here's why:

Well, Fallon Parker is a mess. I can't honestly say she's a lovable mess, because that would be pushing it. However, she can cuss like a sailor, but is a great mom.

Lucas Brooks has been in love with Fallon since the first time he laid eyes on her, but he hurt her bad. Truly messed her up by sleeping with her best friend. So ended a beautiful relationship.

For one thing, if I had been Fallon I would have taken out my best friend, because a true friend wouldn't have done what her "so-called" best friend did. Seriously. Instead Fallon shut down and headed home.

The qualities I love in Fallon: 1) She didn't go after Lucas when she found out she was pregnant (let's be honest some women would have gone after Lucas' money. After all he is a professional hockey player) 2) She tries to be a good mom (no mom is perfect and if they seem like they are, it's a lie) 3) She knows her flaws (man and they are plenty. The top of her flaws is her trust issue) 4) She's willing to do anything for her sister and son.

The qualities of Lucas that I love (other than being hot): 1) Willing to forgive Fallon when she goes all psycho (believe me she does) 2) Steps up being a father 3) Willing to bend over backwards to win Fallon (I don't know, but that is huge). Truly an amazing guy to put up with the crap that he goes through in Trying to Score.

Overall, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Trying to Score. I would have stayed up all night to finish reading this book if my iPad power wasn't so low. I love how Ms. Aleo had Fallon and Lucas flashback through the good times and the bad. You got a real sense of their relationship and I think that really made the story. I truly believe it was well done. Since it is play-offs (I do have twitter friends who love hockey and keep me up to date on this stuff), you might feel like you need a hockey read and I would say grab your copy of Trying to Score. I think you might score with this read.

Copy provide by Random House via NetGalley

Rating:


Purchase Links:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo

Texas Hold 'Em by Kay David

Battling a cold reading do not go hand and hand, you would think. After all, what else am I going to do other lie in bed. However, it didn't work according to plan. Yet, I manage to finished reading Texas Hold 'Em by Kay David.

Where we have an elite squad of rangers masquerading as a biker gang known as the Smokin' Aces. Who doesn't like elite squads? Anyways, Timothy Santos is in search of an evil drug cartel leader.  Which leads him to his former lover, Rose Renwick.

All right, that is the most simple form of a sum up. Ok, I like the story. It was pretty good, and I must say the stories danger did build as I continue reading. Which is important since, it's suppose to be suspenseful.

I did like the idea of the elite group of rangers trying to take down an evil drug cartel. I did like how the author was able to use the drug cartel situation get to former lovers back together. Granted they weren't able to catch the leader yet, which gives readers to look forward to next book.

So, here is the bottom line: Overall, a decent read. Yes, once you start reading you will want to know what will happen next, and yes you will have to wait. You do get lovers reunited, who were meant to be. So, you love suspenseful books with biker dudes, you might want to checkout Texas Hold 'Em.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:
1/2



Purchase links:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo

May the Fourth Be With You or Happy Birthday to Me! #Giveaway

You know growing up my mom loved Star Wars, but she never said "May the Forth Be With You" she would just say, "Happy Birthday." However, as I have gotten older I have heard the term "May the Fourth Be With You." Haha, not really that funny. I guess I'm not geeky enough to find that funny.

Anyways, enough about that. I figure it's my birthday I can cry if I want, just kidding. No I figure I could do a give away of books. So, I decided to do three packs. Each packet has a book and some swag. Each book I have enjoyed and I hope who ever gets them may enjoy them too. I hope it's a good turn out.

One prize is Elizabeth Hoyt's Thief of Shadows.











Another prize is Erin Knightley's A Taste for Scandal.











The last book is Kieran Kramer's Loving Lady Marcia.











Of course some swag to go with the book.

So good luck and May the Fourth be with you. I hope you all have a wonderful day.


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eARC: Lover Undercover by Samanthe Beck

Early this morning I finished Lover Undercover by Samanthe Beck. All right, I thought I put this on my May list to read, I guess not. Well, it was suppose to be there. I must be slipping or I was hoping to finish before May. Which is probably the most likely case. Anyways, I have finish. Let me say I really liked this story.

For one thing it was a captivating story. I can't resist a captivating story. Who doesn't love a story with twins who switch places to help each other. However, it doesn't bode well for Kylie Roberts who is filling in for her sister, Stacy, at the strip club. You know finding a dead body after work and realizing you met the Detective while at work. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I really like Kylie, because she's the polar opposite of her sister who is identical in looks. I like that she's more than a pretty face and wants to make it on her own. Plus, to prove the people back that she become better than her mother.

Detective Trevor McCade wants to solve this case. However, he's really drawn to Kylie. *possible spoiler* However, he did do a big no-no in the book. My mouth just drop, because it's the first rule when bedding a woman. Don't say another name in the midst of passion. Other than he's a really decent guy.

I did really like Lover Undercover, even when I'm not a fan of women who use their past to avoid a perfect guy. However, I love how Trevor and he really aim to win her heart. Towards the end everything happens really fast, but the ending is still satisfying. So, if you are looking for a hot detective and a twin willing to help her sister even when it's a bad idea, you might enjoy Undercover Lover. Who knows you might uncover a love?

Copy provide by publisher

Rating:


Purchase links:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Spotlight: Femme Fatale #Giveaway

Femme Fatale Blurb:

Former teen star Olivia Harper has a problem. If she can’t shake her girl-next-door image and become the femme fatale her latest role requires, her career will flop. But with her squeaky-clean image, Liv’s hardly been kissed, let alone had her world rocked between the sheets. There’s no way she’ll ask her playboy co-star for pointers, so she turns to the sexy new military consultant for some discreet…guidance.

Major Blake Ramsey is stuck hiding out babysitting actors who can’t even lace their combat boots, until his boss can deal with the fallout from his last mission. When Liv propositions him, he can’t decide whether she’s the naïve girl she claims to be or a bombshell looking for another conquest.

But as the lessons heat up, Blake and Olivia catch the eye of the papparazzi and jeopardize both their lives...

Yesterday, I finished Femme Fatale by Cindy Dees. YAY! I know, one book off my May list. Well, here is your chance to win a copy of Femme Fatale:

All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter and you could win a PDF copy of Femme Fatale thanks in part to Entangled Publishing. If we can get a really good turn out  we could possible give another copy. So, thanks for being such great sports.



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eARC: Femme Fatale by Cindy Dees

All right, I just finished Femme Fatale by Cindy Dees. I must say that I enjoyed the story. At first I wasn't sure about the story, because I was having a hard time getting into the story. As I progress, I started to like the characters. So, let's meet the characters and my thoughts.

Olivia Harper: former child star trying to break her goodie-to-shoes image and become a femme fatale. Yet, she has no clue how do that (Sounds like that could be a problem. I hope it all works out).
Major Blake Ramsey: Hire to do the explosives on set. Not only that he's hiding out from the Russians (He kind of got himself in a bit of a pickle and he needs to lay low, but that's going to be kind of hard cause of Olivia).
Jeremy McDaniels: Olivia co-star in the action movie. Big time Hollywood actor, kind of a douche.

There are other characters, but these three are the main ones. Jeremy is somewhat important, but not really. He does bring in a bit of a conflict, but not in the way your thinking. Trust me, he's a douche. Blake is a bit damage and not from the war. That would be to simple, but a relationship. However, he's willing to help Olivia shed her Miss Goodie-to-Shoe image. Boy does he.

Overall, I did enjoy the story. It was a bit slow at first, but once Olivia and Blake got together it really started to pick up steam. Great chemistry between these two characters. So, if you are looking for military guy with an up and coming Hollywood starlight, you might want to checkout Femme Fatale.

Copy provided by publisher

Rating:
1/2



Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

YAY! It's my Birthday Month!

Happy Birthday to me! Yes this wonderful month is the month that I'm actually born in. Yes, we will be tacking on another year, but that's ok. So, I'm hoping for a great month. Well, it looks like a crazy busy month. I hope that I will survive.

Here are the things that are actually plan (we know that it can change):

~April 23- May 1: continuing with The Assassins Hockey Blog Hop 
~ May 2nd Femme Fatale Blog Tour (eBook giveway)
~ May 4th: My Birthday Giveaway
~ May 8th Robyn Dehart Blog Tour for A Little Bit Sinful (Interview)
~ May 9th His Grace graces us with his presence ( Luke Forest from Lady Vivian Defies a Duke Interview + Giveaway)
~ May 13th When Honey Got Married Blog Tour (Interview)
~ May 15th Tall, Dark and Devine Blog Tour (Review Stop)
~May 28th: Kaylea Cross Blog Tour for The Vacant Chair (Interview)
~May 29th Kay David Blog Tour for Texas Hold 'Em (Interview)
~May 30th Jackie Ashenden Blog Tour for Talking Dirty (Interview)

Reading List:

The Vacant Chair ~ Kaylea Cross
Long Simmering Spring~ Elisabeth Barrett
Blaze of Winter ~ Elisabeth Barrett
What a Wicked Earl Wants~ Vicky Dreiling
Magic I Do ~ Tammy Falkner
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal ~ Jayne Fresina
Ctrl Z~ Danika Stone
One Night with a Rake~ Connie Mason & Mia Marlowe
Barefoot in the Sun~ Roxanne St. Claire
A Rose in the Storm ~ Brenda Joyce
Texas Hold 'Em ~ Kay David
Tall, Dark, Divine ~ Jenna Bennett
Talking Dirty with the CEO ~ Jackie Asheden
The Duchess Hunt ~ Jennifer Haymore
Trying to Score ~ Toni Aleo
Empty Net ~ Toni Aleo
When Honey Got Married... ~ Indulgence Anthology

Recap of April:

I manage to finish my reading list (barely). However, I did manage to every book I listed and then some. I'm super excited I manage to get my list done. I hope that I can get May's accomplish since it's starting to look like a scary list and I'm sure there will be more books to pop-up. Wish luck and I hope y'all pop on by this busy month.