End of Summer GIVEAWAYS!!!

Hello, everyone!  I don't know about you, but I'm glad summer is winding down.  I live in Texas, and there's only so much heat a body can take!

I'm moving soon, and am trying to clear off some of my shelves to make packing easier.  To that end, I thought it might be nice to have an end of summer giveaway!  I've got copies of most of my books up for grabs, so scroll down and check things out.  Enter one giveaway or enter them all--it's up to you! (US only, please.)

As always, happy reading!

3 copies of DEADLY CONTACT

It's a race against time—and a fatal outbreak—in this thriller of a debut 

In one passionate night Special Agent James Reynolds and scientist Kelly Jarvis went from friends to lovers. Then Kelly walked away with only an apology. Now James is charged with solving a bioterrorist attack—and Dr. Jarvis works at the suspected lab. 

Is Kelly an accomplice or a victim? Just what are her secrets that drove her from James's bed? Soon one thing becomes clear: The ghosts of her past have nothing on the terrorists targeting her and Washington, D.C. Another threat bathes the city in red alert, and now there are lives at stake, in addition to hearts….

a Rafflecopter giveaway 3 copies of FATAL FALLOUT

Torn between duty and desire, two strangers must risk all for love 

Nuclear physicist Dr. Claire Fleming has one rule: never get close to anyone. But when her colleague is murdered and she's targeted next, she must place all her trust in FBI agent Thomas Kincannon. Soon Claire forgets her tenet as she fantasizes about Thomas's touch. 

Thomas is wildly attracted to Claire. But his life and his job are too complicated for any romantic entanglements. Despite this, they share a mind-blowing kiss, and there's no turning back. When Thomas's niece is abducted, the stakes become dangerously higher as Claire insists he trade her for the child. Somehow, Thomas must find a way to rescue his family and protect the woman who let her protective walls down just for him.
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3 copies of KILLER EXPOSURE

Toxic chemicals and instant chemistry in this tale of murder, medicine and combustible attraction! 

One minute Hannah Baker is a quiet science professor. The next, a possible murder suspect. Six victims, one per week, all poisoned with the same exotic chemical Hannah once worked with. Now she's wanted by Houston detective Owen Randall—but is it to enlist her help, or arrest her? Owen knows the prim Hannah is hiding something, but he isn't sure she's a killer. Especially after some unfortunate incidents. Is she the next victim of the chemical killer? Torn between duty and his growing feelings, Owen only knows he has less than a week to save her…

a Rafflecopter giveaway 3 copies of COLTON BABY HOMECOMING

An abandoned baby in danger brings together the Coltons of

Texas in this gripping series 

Someone has left a baby on the porch of search and rescue expert Ridge Colton's log cabin. Who? And why? A loner, Ridge knows nothing about caring for an infant. But when the woman who broke his heart years ago shows up to help, he's reminded of everything he once almost had. 

From a wealthy family, Dr. Darcy Marrow was dissuaded from loving the man whose name meant one thing in town: shame. But with a dangerous thug trying to kidnap the baby, Ridge discovers how far he'll go to protect the little one, Darcy…and his long-guarded heart.

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3 copies of ENTICED BY THE OPERATIVE

The lives of a beautiful surgeon and her DEA agent protector are at stake in this thrilling tale!  

On a medical mission to South America, Dr. Olivia Sandoval hardly expects to be threatened by a drug cartel. To save lives, Olivia agrees to transport drugs for them. When DEA agent Logan Murray appears as her partner-in-crime and rescuer, Olivia's relieved…and drawn to her knight in shining armor. 

Logan jumps at the chance to guard a beautiful woman and bring down a drug ring. After all, neither he nor Olivia are looking for forever love—just justice. But one kiss changes that as they go on the run. When taken hostage in the jungle, they must not only defeat the enemy—but also escape with their lives!

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LINK up and GIVEAWAY with Maureen Miller!

Hi, everyone!  Please help me give a warm welcome to Maureen Miller!  Not only does she write books, but she's also the founder of the Just Romantic Suspense, Just Contemporary Romance, and Just Paranormal Romance websites!  I don't know how she does it all, but I'm so glad she took some time out of her day to stop by! :)

Maureen A. Miller:

Title: DUSK

Publisher: Maureen A. Miller

THE STORY BLURB

As a young girl, Amanda Newton witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. As an adult she is targeted by their murderer.

Beautiful. Reserved. Mysterious. Amanda Newton, the CEO of BLUE-LINK epitomizes control with her adept handling of the global company. But that control is threatened with a series of attacks against her.

Ray Gordon, a former Navy SEAL is looking to open his own security firm. One more contracting job with BLUE-LINK would complete the funding. When he is hired to protect Amanda Newton, the Ice Queen herself, he never bargained on falling for her.

Amanda has something her attacker wants, and he will destroy anyone close to her to get it.

...but he's met his match in Ray Gordon.

Pre-Order on AMAZON

EXCERPT

Amanda sat at her office desk with her arms crossed atop the mahogany surface. She glared at the oversized monitor facing her. A grid of six faces stared back, some diffident, some determined. In the upper right-hand corner, Claudia Eichmann from the Berlin office knit her copper eyebrows together as she spoke over the others. Her words were a split-second behind the movement of her lips due to the video conferencing software.

“You are the head of this company. The backbone. The heart. What if something were to happen to you?”

An imperceptible flaring of Amanda’s nostrils might disclose her heavy sigh. “Each of you is fully capable of running BLUE-LINK. You are directors. You are the heart and backbone of your branch. You are my panel of advisors, and I only surround myself with skilled personnel.”

“We appreciate that,” Claudia continued, “but I am sure I speak for the others here in saying that we’re certainly not your equal. None of us would have wanted to take on that Eclipse lawsuit. At the end of the day, it is your company, and you are the one personally vested.”

Several heads bobbed in agreement.

“You need personal security,” Benjamin Forsyth from Australia inserted. “Not a seventy-five year old man.”

Amanda bristled at the attack on George.

“There is nothing sinister behind the assault in the alley,” she countered. Or the attempted break-in. “It’s simply a consequence of being affluent.”

“You are indifferent to your power,” Gerald Williams from Los Angeles chided, “recklessly walking the streets−stopping at the pub on occasion.”

That the ebony-eyed man in the center panel was correct didn’t detract from her need for freedom. She walked a narrow line and she knew it.

One flick of the power switch to the monitor would eliminate their censure, but it would not fade the echoes of their points. She respected this panel. They wouldn’t be facing her right now if she didn’t.

“You recently used a security contractor with that Eclipse Line mess. He seemed very capable and very discreet,” Gerald from LA said. “We suggest that you bring him into the office for a consult. If you don’t speak to him directly, we just may−”

“You’ll call him in on my behalf,” Amanda quickly tested. Her cheeks burned, but her demeanor remained a practiced blend of glacial elegance.

Gerald’s shoulders came into view as he shrugged. “We have a vested interest in your well-being.”

Amanda drew in a long breath and stared down at the reflection of the sun off her diamond ring. It cast a thousand microscopic prisms skittering across the polished wood surface.

“I’ll take your suggestion under advisement. Allow me to confer with the police before I make any rash decisions.”

“Rash?” Claudia from Berlin hefted a burnished eyebrow. “This is not rash. This is something that should have been addressed long ago. To us you have always seemed larger than life.” The eyebrow fell. “But perhaps you are a tad human after all.”

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ABOUT MAUREEN

USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller's first novel, WIDOW'S TALE earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. Working in the software industry for fifteen years in a job that required extensive travel, Maureen chose to write during those lengthy airport layovers. Escapism at its best. She is currently in the middle of a 3-book Romantic Suspense series featuring SHADOW, MIST and DUSK. Recently, Maureen branched out into the Young Adult Science Fiction market with Beyond and the BEYOND Series. She is having fun keeping her head in the stars! When she's not writing, Maureen enjoys supporting other authors. She is the founder of www.JustRomanticSuspense.com, and its offspring, www.JustContemporaryRomance.com and www.JustParanormalRomance.com.

Lara: How often to you get lost in a story?

Maureen: Every time I pick up a book to read, or every time I sit down to write. Either way I’m easily immersed. We read for escape. Getting lost in a story is the ultimate goal!

Lara: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Maureen: Eat. Is there such a thing as “relief eating”? I think I’m tense and preoccupied while I’m writing. When I type THE END that tension washes away and I do all the things I postponed. (Like eating).  Of course, like any other writer, that down time is brief before we dive back into the next novel.

Lara: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?

Maureen: The hero in DUSK has a weakness for the movie, FROZEN. He had to take his niece to go see it, and now he’s addicted to LET IT GO. [Lara: That is awesome! :)]

Lara: What could we find in your heroine's purse?

Maureen: Amanda Newton would have a stack of business cards, three cell phones, several different currencies, and a passport.

Lara: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

Maureen: This past week I performed my civic duties. I served as a juror on a murder trial. First, I'll state that I am humbled by the diligent and thorough process of our law. Everyone in every role of the court system was professional and informative. Second, I'll state that there is no comparison to watching something on TV and experiencing it in person. I walked away from the week-long trial very saddened. I am sad for the victim. I am sad for the defendant. I am sad for all the families involved. I spent most of Friday crying. The sheer responsibility for twelve souls is overwhelming.

When we finally announced our verdict and returned to the sequester room, we were surprised by a visit from the judge himself. He wanted to thank us for our service, and to assure us that our verdict was the correct one based on the material presented to us. By taking a few minutes out of his busy day to set our minds at ease, that judge became my hero. [Lara: How nice to have that reassurance!]

Lara: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Maureen: JAWS. I could probably recite the entire dialogue for you right now. Which character most closely represents your personality? I am definitely Roy Scheider.

Don't miss the first two books in the BLUE-LINK series!

SHADOW is available for only $0.99 right now.

Where to find Maureen?

Contact      Website      Facebook

Twitter      Goodreads

MAUREEN WANTS TO KNOW....

In DUSK, Amanda Newton wears a blue diamond ring. That is the diamond you see on the covers of the BLUE-LINK books (SHADOW, MIST and DUSK).

As for me, I love opals.

Do you have a favorite gem or stone?

Leave a comment for your chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Thanks for stopping by today, Maureen!

Go on a Stakeout with C.J. Miller!

It's my pleasure to welcome C.J. Miller to the blog today!  C.J.'s latest release is part of the Coltons of Texas miniseries from Harlequin Romantic Suspense--I'll include the covers of the other books at the end of the post so you can be sure to check them all out!

A third generation romance reader and the first in her family to write professionally, C.J. published her first book in 2012. You can follow her on facebook or on her blog.

She lives in Maryland with her family. C.J. believes in first loves, second chances, and happily ever after.

COLTON'S TEXAS STAKEOUT

April, Harlequin Romantic Suspense

This next romance in the Coltons of Texas series turns up the heat as a cowboy falls for the beautiful cop investigating his sister!

Hailing from a family full of law enforcement officials, rookie cop Annabel Colton expects to be treated like the dedicated officer she is. But her overprotective brothers want her off the dangerous case of the serial killer stalking their tiny Texas town. Her determination lands her a stakeout mission at the farm of the prime suspect's brother.

Cowboy Jesse Willard—too handsome, too challenging, too sexy—claims he's not helping his estranged sister evade capture. But as Annabel gets closer and closer to the irresistible rancher, bullets start flying. And their lives—and hearts—will depend on the two of them working together.

Author note: This is book 4 of a 12 book continuity written by 11 authors. The books are being released one per month all year. Colton's Texas Stakeout can be read alone, but the whole series is fascinating and worth a look.

Check out the excerpt!

Who was shooting at her? The serial killer? Someone after Jesse?

The last place Annabel should be was inside her car. The shooter could be working his or her way around to the car and have her penned in. The phrase “shooting fish in a barrel” came to mind.

Annabel slipped out of the passenger side of the car, staying low, hitting her knee on the emergency brake. She waited a beat, then crawled toward Jesse’s house.

Jesse opened the front door and stood on the porch. Panic rose up inside her. If the shooter was targeting Jesse, he was in the open, and a decent marksman could make the kill shot without much trouble.

“Get down!” Annabel screamed, rushing at him and trying to cover him with her body. She stumbled up the steps, her adrenaline pulsing hard. She shoved him back inside the house, and they toppled over each other, Jesse catching her before she hit the ground. She kicked the door closed with her foot.

Lying on top of him, she met his gaze, and her entire body shuddered with desire. “There’s a shooter,” she said, perhaps stating the obvious but feeling as if she needed to provide a reason for why she had tackled him.

He smelled good, like mint and earth. Realizing she was in an intimate position, she rolled to the side, moving off of him.

Annabel came to her feet and crouched by the front window to watch for movement in the distance or even to catch a glimpse of the shooter.

Jesse had left the room, but she heard his footsteps and turned to see him returning with a rifle. She felt no danger from him, despite the anger in his eyes. “I don’t know what this is about, but I’ll defend you and my property.”

Lara: How often to you get lost in a story?

CJ: I won't read more than the first 5 pages of a book if I'm not hooked. I would say one out of every ten books I read sweeps me away to the point that I'm thinking about the book days after I've finished it. [Lara: So many books, so little time, right?]

Lara: What three things are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse, satchel, reticule, weapons belt or amulet bag (whatever she carries)

CJ: Annabel is a police officer. When she's out for the evening, her handbag has her weapon, a picture of her late mother whose love inspires her, and her police badge. She worked hard for that badge and it comes in handy.

Lara: What’s the first book you remember reading? 

CJ: As a child, I remember reading Frog and Toad with my mom. When I could read alone, my two favorite books were The Secret Garden and Jacob Have I Loved. Jacob Have I Loved was a gift from my elementary school's librarian and I still have my old copy, easily 20 years old.

Lara: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

CJ: "All day" doesn't apply in my case. I write nights and weekends and my characters are some of the best parts of the job. [Lara: Me too! :)]

Lara: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

CJ: In addition to being a writer, I'm also a technology geek. I'd spend more time on that.

Lara: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

CJ: Save it. Make a backup and email it to myself. Start outlining the next book.

Lara: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?

CJ: Jesse is a farmer and he loves animals. If he could find a woman who felt the same about his pets and his land, his stars would align.

Lara: What one thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine drives her hero nuts?

CJ: Jesse is defensive about his family to the point of denial. Annabel wants to prove herself and puts herself in danger pursuing her case. She doesn’t see it this way, but Jesse is protective of the people he cares for.

Lara’s GOTTA ASK What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?                                    CJ’s GOTTA ANSWER:  I read almost exclusively on my Kindle. I have more than 30 unread books waiting for me. The ones I am most looking forward to are: (1.) Taking Fire by Cindy Gerard (2.) The Harder You Fall by Gena Showalter (3.) Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole (4.) Dirty Rotten Scoundrel by Liliana Hart (5.) Hard Limit by Meredith Wild [Lara: Looks like a good list!]

Where can you find C.J.?

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blogs

What's next for C.J.?

Delta Force Desire, available June 2016

From classified secrets to unleashed desires…

Elite hacker Kit Walker expects a safe desk job when the government taps her for a classified project. So when Kit's captured by a cyberterrorist group, she fears for her life and her work. But when gorgeous Griffin Brooks turns up to save her, it's not only her life that's in danger…

Griffin was assigned to Kit's case, but protecting the bashful beauty soon becomes so much more than a job to him. How can he do his duty to guard her when he couldn't keep his late wife safe from a nefarious killer? As a lethal threat closes in on them both, Griffin and Kit will have to untangle the deadly web of lies—and their growing attraction—if they want to stop their enemy in his tracks.

Don't miss the first six books in the Coltons of Texas series!

 

C.J. wants to know... I'm interested in what's new in romance. I'm late to the game on discovering new tropes and authors.

Thanks again for stopping by, C.J.!

More birthday fun!

Thanks for joining me on the third day of birthday celebrations!  Today I want to introduce you to Penny, Ridge's search and rescue partner in Colton Baby Homecoming.  She's an important part of the story, and I was thrilled to see her featured on the book cover!  My stories usually have an animal or two, but this is the first time one made it on the cover.  I think she looks great! :)

Penny is a chocolate Labrador retriever, which is a popular breed for search and rescue work.  It was really fascinating to research search and rescue dogs and learn more about the things they specialize in and their amazing capabilities.  I also loved learning about the bond that develops between a dog and handler--it really does seem like they can read each other's minds at times!

Penny works as an airscenting dog, which means she's usually off-leash, tracking the scent of a person in a given area.  Did you know Labradors have about 25 times the number of scent receptors as humans?  That makes their sense of smell especially powerful, which is why you'll find so many working in police departments or other security areas.

I really loved getting to explore the bond between Penny and Ridge, and I hope you'll enjoy it as well! Here's a little snippet to give you an idea of their relationship:

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Image credit

A gentle touch on his arm snagged his attention, and he turned to find his partner, Penny, staring up at him with her soulful, dark brown eyes. “I’m okay, girl,” he said, reaching over to scratch behind her ears. Penny, a chocolate Lab, was the best search and rescue dog on the team, and she was always very attuned to Ridge’s moods. In truth, Ridge often felt closer to her than to other people. She didn’t care who his father was, didn’t whisper behind his back or ask awkward questions. She just stayed by his side, a true and loyal friend. She’d melted his heart the moment he’d found her as a lost and abandoned puppy, and he’d do anything for her.

“Ready to head home?” he asked. It had been a long day for her, as well, but she never complained. She let out a soft “ruff” in response, and he started the truck. Keeping one hand on Penny’s head, he idly stroked the velvety softness of her ears as he drove. “How about a bath tonight?” After spending all day in the woods, they both smelled pretty bad, and he needed to check her over for ticks and other unfriendly critters. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

Her ears pricked forward at the word bath. True to her breed, Penny loved the water. While she’d much rather swim in the lake or splash through a stream, she tolerated a bath and its accompanying shampoo with the long-suffering patience of a martyr.

His mood lifted as he pondered the evening’s activities. First, cleanup for him and Penny. Then he’d build a nice fire so she could warm herself while he threw a steak on the grill. And after dinner, he’d get back to his book. Yes, that sounded like the perfect way to wrap up a disappointing day.

____________________________________________

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into Colton Baby Homecoming!  Be sure to enter the giveaway!

If you'd like to stay in touch, please 'Like' my Facebook page and consider joining my Facebook group, Lara's Lab!

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The party goes on!

Welcome back everyone!  Yesterday in celebration of my birthday I shared a little bit about Ridge Colton, the hero of my current release, Colton Baby Homecoming.  Today, I thought I'd talk about Darcy Marrow, the heroine of the story.

Darcy is a doctor who has come back to her hometown of Granite Gulch, Texas for a few weeks before she moves to New York to start a new job.  She's agreed to fill in at the local hospital as a favor to her father.  She has a troubled relationship with her parents, and she's hoping the time she spends with them before her move will help improve their interactions.  Never in a million years did she expect to run into Ridge Colton again, but once she sees her former flame, she can't get him out of her mind.

Here's a little snippet so you can get to know her better:
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My vision of Darcy.  Image credit

Darcy thumped softly on the baby’s back, swaying back and forth as she stood in the middle of the exam room.

“I know you’ve got a burp in there,” she said quietly. “Give it up, little one.”

The baby let out a sigh and started to squirm against Darcy’s shoulder. Darcy kept patting, knowing if she didn’t get the baby to burp after feeding she would spit up once Darcy laid her down. Having just tackled a soiled diaper, Darcy didn’t fancy cleaning up another mess so soon.

There was a soft knock at the door and a nurse entered. “Test results,” she said, passing them over.

Darcy scanned the information, relieved to see everything was normal. The baby was probably just fighting off a virus, and since her temperature was now under control, there wasn’t much more to be done.

“Thank you,” she said.

The nurse smiled back at her. “I’m glad everything looks good,” she said.

“Me, too,” Darcy replied.

The baby chose that moment to let out a belch, as if to add her two cents to the conversation. “Good job,” Darcy said, surprised to find she was genuinely pleased. Since when had she gotten so excited over a baby burping? A week ago she probably wouldn’t have cared all that much, but being around Ridge and this baby had changed her perspective on a lot of things.

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, and come back tomorrow to meet Penny, Ridge's search and rescue partner!

If you'd like to stay in touch, please 'Like' my Facebook page and consider joining my Facebook group, Lara's Lab!

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Lara's birthday celebration!

Hi everyone!  I'm thrilled to be here today, as it's my birthday!  I'm officially another year older (I don't know about the wiser part, but I do try).  Even though it's my birthday, I'm offering *you* a few presents, so be sure to check out the giveaway form at the bottom of this post!

I want to take a minute to talk about my current release, Colton Baby Homecoming.  Here's the back cover blurb, to give you an idea of what the story is about:

An abandoned baby in danger brings together the Coltons of Texas in this gripping series 

Someone has left a baby on the porch of search and rescue expert Ridge Colton's log cabin. Who? And why? A loner, Ridge knows nothing about caring for an infant. But when the woman who broke his heart years ago shows up to help, he's reminded of everything he once almost had. 

From a wealthy family, Dr. Darcy Marrow was dissuaded from loving the man whose name meant one thing in town: shame. But with a dangerous thug trying to kidnap the baby, Ridge discovers how far he'll go to protect the little one, Darcy…and his long-guarded heart.

This is the third book in the new Coltons of Texas miniseries, but if you haven't read the first two books don't worry--you'll still be able to enjoy Ridge and Darcy's story.

One of the things I enjoyed most about writing this book was seeing how the character of Ridge reacted to finding this tiny, helpless baby on his porch.  Ridge is described as being very tall with an imposing physique, so naturally I pictured Joe Manganiello while writing him. ;)  It was a lot of fun to imagine how this big, strapping, serious man would interact with a baby, and I really enjoyed exploring his softer side.  Here's a little snippet of the two of them:

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Image credit

Ridge paced in front of the bank of windows that overlooked the woods at the back of his cabin, patting the baby’s back with a steady thump.

“It’s really coming down out there,” he observed quietly to no one in particular. As if to punctuate his observation a flash of lightning split the sky, the brightness illuminating the ground and revealing the raging river his backyard had become. “I hope the barn is still standing,” he muttered.

Ridge enjoyed working with his hands, and had taken great pride in building his cabin from the ground up. But after he’d finished construction, he’d felt at loose ends. He was so used to having a job to complete that he’d decided to start working on a barn he could use as part garage, part hobby shed. The project was coming along nicely, but his progress had slowed recently as the hunt for the Alphabet Killer had picked up speed.

He glanced down into the face of the infant he held. “Are you the key to finding the killer?”

She yawned and his jaw ached to mimic her gesture. The day was really catching up to him, and he wanted nothing more than to lay the baby down and sleep for a bit. But every time he tried, she woke up and started crying. The only thing he’d found that calmed her down was for him to pace back and forth, an action that simultaneously kept him awake and made him even more tired.

He glanced over to the dog bed on the floor by the fireplace. Penny had gone to sleep hours ago and she looked totally relaxed, sprawled on her back with her paws in the air. “Lucky girl,” he muttered. If only the dog could help him watch the baby!

“We’ll find your mother,” he said softly. “I just wish she had left your name in the note. What am I supposed to call you?”

The baby in question shifted slightly and emitted a soft squeak, so he increased the frequency of his patting until she sank back into sleep.

“I think you look like a Sara,” he said, feeling his heart tighten a little. Saralee had been his mother’s name, and it seemed fitting that this lost little one be named after the woman who had been such an important part of his life.

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I hope you enjoyed this peek into Colton Baby Homecoming!  Be sure to tune in tomorrow to learn more about the heroine, Darcy!

If you'd like to stay in touch, please 'Like' my Facebook page and consider joining my Facebook group, Lara's Lab!

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Get Lost with Geri Krotow! ***GIVEAWAY***

Hi everyone!  I'm thrilled to welcome Geri Krotow to the blog today.  This is her second release with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and it's the second time we've shared a release month! :)  I know you'll enjoy her books as much as I do, so sit back, relax, and get to know Geri!

A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer, Geri left her Naval career to pursue a writing career. She has travelled the world, living in such far-flung places as Whidbey Island, Washington State and Moscow, Russia. Geri enjoys creating love stories that stand the test of time, and with settings that she has personally experienced. She's lived it, now she writes it!

Wedding Takedown

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Florist Kayla Paruso has been hired to decorate the mayor’s daughter’s wedding, but when she witnesses the murder of the mayor’s top aide, rumors of corruption—even a cult connection—swirl through the town. Could the mayor really be involved? Luckily the SVPD offers Kayla the very best protection: Detective Rio Ortego. Who just happens to be the last guy Kayla dated. With the wedding fast approaching, Kayla’s the perfect person to pry into the mayor’s dangerous secrets, but Rio won’t hear of it. And as their old attraction reignites, Rio’s cop instincts clash with his need to safeguard the woman he’s falling in love with all over again…

Check out an excerpt!

And now for the good stuff :)

Lara: How often to you get lost in a story?

Geri: Reading, daily. Being a voracious reader is a prerequisite for any writer, and this

is especially true of fiction writers. I try to read at least one to two romance genre 

stories each week, and I read a lot of stories outside our genre, too.

Lara: What three things are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse, satchel, reticule, weapons belt

or amulet bag (whatever she carries)?

Geri: I’m working on a proposal for a new series (still top-secret!) and my heroine has

wet wipes, lip gloss and her phone. [Lara: I like it!  Sounds very practical!]

Lara: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Geri: I can only write to silence or classical music, no vocals. I have a playlist for my WIP

that I listen to in order to get into the hearts of my hero and heroine, but I can’t listen to

it when I’m putting words on the page. I really believe that the transfer of words from 

our muse through our brain, through the heart, and onto the page, is sacred. I don’t want

it mucked up with outside influences.

Lara: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Geri: Walk my dog with my hero of over thirty years, yoga, knit, bake, garden. I’ve

recently rediscovered the joy of going to the movies now that we’re empty nesters.

Lara: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?

Geri: The heroine’s welfare—if she’s in danger of being hurt emotionally or physically,

he can’t focus on anything else but fixing it for her. Whether she needs him to help or

not! [Lara: Awww!]

Lara: What one thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your 

heroine drives her hero nuts?

Geri: In Wedding Takedown, Kayla struggles with Rio’s stubborn thinking—he won’t do anything, to include committing to her, if he feels it’s detrimental to her. He makes up 

her mind for her—which Kayla can’t stand! [Lara: That would bug me, too!]

Lara: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?

Geri: Romance is what shows up on the page for me. I like the resolution of it, the 

guaranteed happily-ever-after-for-today. And I love that in romance I have the freedom 

to put life’s most devastating conflicts and events into the story, and show that love will overcome. Always.

Lara: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Geri: Take a break and go out for lunch or a movie. Go to the cosmetic store and get a 

new lipstick or blush. Anything to get out of my head and experience what’s been going 

on outside of my writing cave!

Lara: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

Geri: Too many to mention, seriously! And your book, Lara. You are so talented! [Lara:
You're so sweet! :)  Thank you!]

Lara’s:  What has been your most rewarding publishing moment?

Geri’s GOTTA ANSWER:   Besides “the call” back in May of 2006 (I was living in Belgium and had just cut my hair super-short, it was a beautiful spring and the scent of flowers 
floated into the kitchen as I answered the phone in our 200 year old home), it’s been 
signing and working with my agent, Emily Sylvan Kim. And of course, each time I sell 
another story or series, and when I finish a book. Having said all of the above, nothing 
beats when a reader not only says they enjoyed my story but make an incredible 
observation about a character that I didn’t even realize I’d put there…that’s story magic.

Where can you find Geri?

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Pintrest

Blogs

What's next for you?

Silver Valley Book #3, Title TBD (I’m partial to At Risk).

What about previous releases?

Her Christmas Protector, Silver Valley PD Book #1.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Geri is offering a copy of Her Christmas Protector to one of 

the commenters!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Geri!  I look forward to reading this one! :)