Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure

CONGRATULATIONS

In honor of the Romance Writers of America® national conference, we're featuring the different nominees for their highest published honor, THE RITA®, by category each day. We hope some of the authors will be able to join us, but remember they're getting ready for their big night July 28th. We'll celebrate the winners here on the 29th along with our celebration drawings from their gracious donations.

COOPER VENGEANCE

Paula Graves
Harlequin Intrigue
Allison Lyons, editor

It's not just the law of averages that convince Natalie Becker that her sister Carrie died at the hands of her playboy husband, Hamilton Gray. Newlywed Carrie had recently confided to Natalie that she thought Hamilton might be having an affair—he kept strange hours and didn't seem that interested in sex anymore. But proving murder, in a town where the Grays are even wealthier and more privileged a family than her own, may be the hardest thing Natalie's ever tried to do. The last complication she needs is a tall, stubborn ex-Navy mechanic named J.D. Cooper, who has his own crazy idea about who killed her sister—and his wife.

THE MAN FROM GOSSAMER RIDGE

Paula Graves
Harlequin Intrigue
Allison Lyons, editor

Gabe Cooper missed the chance to stop his sister-in-law's brutal murder by thirty inexcusable minutes. And even though the man responsible for Brenda Cooper's murder is dead, Gabe can't forgive himself for his mistake. So when his motherless niece Cissy leaves him an urgent message to visit her at college, Gabe drops everything to go. But he's not prepared for what his niece tells him. Cissy believes her mother's murder isn't solved at all. Worse, she's basing her beliefs solely on the theories of a pretty psychology instructor who looks more like a co-ed herself than any one he should take seriously. Alicia Solano believes the dead man had been only one of a pair of serial killers responsible for not only Brenda's death but dozens of murders across three southern states. And now there have been two new murders that fit the profile. There's still a killer out there, and he's found a new partner.

GLIAS interviews 
website

THE DOCTOR’S DEADLY AFFAIR

Stephanie Doyle

Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Wanda Ottewell, editor

Fresh on the heels of their disastrous date, Dr. Camille Lawson is none too pleased to find Dr. Wyatt Holladay darkening her doorstep. But a mystery ailment is claiming her patients - and just maybe the gorgeous doctor can help her get some answers. What should be a simple investigation of medical causes quickly reveals a very real threat. Someone is targeting Camille by killing her patients, one by one. 

Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe. With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life... and her heart. 

Stephanie is contributing to the RITA celebration give-away on July 29th.
GLIAS interviews 
Website    

SOLDIER'S LAST STAND

Cindy Dees

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Patience Bloom, editor 

Navy Commander Brady Hathaway is done with women. Since H.O.T. Watch is pretty much a 24/7 job, that leaves no time for female entanglements. Then he's appointed Eve Dupont's handler. Tan, leggy and blonde, the lethal-looking civilian chosen to take down a terrorist cell scares the hell out of him. Can he keep Eve safe and resist her charms?  

This may be Eve's only shot to clear her name from any involvement in a terrorist cell and bring in a wanted assassin. But can the ultimate party girl do it? And can she convince the sexy Mr. I'm All Business Hathaway that there are times to move fast—and times to go very slowly…. 

website       

STRANDED WITH HER EX

Jill Sorenson

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Stacy Boyd, editor

Trouble in paradise? 

An exotic wildlife preserve is a dream come true for conservation biologist Daniela Flores. Until she finds out her ex-husband is leading the research team. World-famous shark expert Sean Carmichael has only grown more ruggedly appealing in the time they were apart…the passion between them more intense than ever. But how could Daniela forgive Sean for betraying her when she needed him most? 

Sean had come to the remote Farallon Islands to study killer sharks. Now a real killer is on the loose, threatening the woman he’s never stopped loving. And this time, he knows he can’t walk away. Marooned together during a deadly storm, Sean vows to go to hell and back to save Daniela…and for the chance to begin again.

GLIAS interview
website   

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Kara Lennox

Harlequin Superromance

Johanna Raisanen, editor

As chief legal counsel for Project Justice, widow Raleigh Shinn doesn’t seem the type to accept bribes. Still, Griffin Benedict has an anonymous tip that points to her guilt. And if he wants to make the move to national news anchor, he needs a sensational story. 

But nothing is as it seems. Including the do-good lawyer. Underneath shapeless suits and oversize glasses hides an exceptional beauty. Now Griffin not only seeks an exclusive, he wants to uncover Raleigh’s secrets for himself. 

When lies turn to attempted murder, they must hunt down the truth together…to prove her innocence, protect an honest man and save both their lives.

TAKEN TO THE EDGE
Kara Lennox
Harlequin Superromance

Johanna Raisanen, editor 

Ford Hyatt thought he was done. He was all set to give up on himself and on Project Justice. Then Robyn Jasperson walks back into his life. His former bad-girl crush looks better than ever and needs his help getting a case overturned. Robyn’s got an ex-husband in jail, a murdered son and nowhere else to turn. 

Ford let her down before. But now he can find the truth, set matters straight and redeem himself. And time is running out. If he fails, she has everything to lose. If he wins, he has everything to gain, including Robyn’s heart.

GLIAS interview

Website    

~ ~ ~

JOIN THE RITA® CELEBRATION by leaving a comment for each category between July 11th and 28th (multiple comments = multiple entries). GLIAS will be drawing for winners on Sunday, July 29th and posting along with all the RITA® winners announced Saturday evening in Anaheim, California.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. If an INTERNATIONAL name is drawn, mailing the book or supplying an electronic version will be the decision of the donator. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

JOIN US tomorrow as RITA® week continues with the best CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE category. Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook. ~Angi

Jill Sorenson

Jill Sorenson writes sexy romantic suspense for Harlequin and Bantam Dell. Two of her novels, Crash Into Me and Set the Dark on Fire, have been excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine.

After earning a degree in literature and a bilingual teaching credential from California State University, Jill decided teaching wasn’t her cup of tea. She started writing one day while her firstborn was taking a nap and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two young daughters.

The Edge of Night

Bantam Dell

April 2011

To support her small daughter, April Ortiz does what she has to do—which means waiting tables in a skimpy outfit at a popular nightclub in the gang-infested area of Chula Vista. When one of her co-workers is found raped and murdered, April does what she knows she shouldn’t—she defies the neighborhood code by giving the police a hardcore gang member’s name.
Clean-cut cop Noah Young wants a shot at breaking this case more than anything in the world—that is, until he meets the unforgettable April Ortiz. When April gives Noah the tip, a spark ignites. As the fire between them threatens to blaze out of control, the two are dragged down further into the dark mysteries of the graffiti-lined streets, taunted by a crazed killer who could strike again at any time.

Stranded With Her Ex

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

April 2011

Trouble in paradise?

An exotic wildlife preserve is a dream come true for conservation biologist Daniela Flores. Until she finds out her ex-husband is leading the research team. World-famous shark expert Sean Carmichael has only grown more ruggedly appealing in the time they were apart…the passion between them more intense than ever. But how could Daniela forgive Sean for betraying her when she needed him most?

Sean had come to the remote Farallon Islands to study killer sharks. Now a real killer is on the loose, threatening the woman he’s never stopped loving. And this time, he knows he can’t walk away. Marooned together during a deadly storm, Sean vows to go to hell and back to save Daniela…and for the chance to begin again.

Jillian welcomes Jill Sorenson to Get Lost In a Story. A little name confusion? Nah!

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

Jill: Every day! It’s pretty easy for me to get lost in the story I’m working on, whether I’m brainstorming, writing a rough draft, or in the last stages of editing. When I read books by another author it depends. The story has to be really great for me to “get lost” in it. I guess that happens about once a month, at the most.

Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write?

Jill: My favorite type of hero to write is a flawed hero. Most of my heroes are blue collar, work in law enforcement, and have troubled pasts. They aren’t rich, perfect, or all-knowing, but they’re usually handsome, smart, and respectful of women.

Jillian: What was the first story you remember writing?

Jill: The first story I wrote (and finished) was a full-length novel. It was a steamy romantic suspense tale with a photographer heroine and a detective hero. All of my friends read it and loved it! But it was a typical first effort, not fit to be published.

Jillian: Who’s your favorite villain?

Jill: My favorite villain is Hannibal Lector, as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins.

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

Jill: I don’t listen to music while I write, or even in the car if I’m thinking about my story. Music distracts me more than other background noises.

Jillian: What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on or did pass on to your children?

Jill: A favorite family tradition I’d like to carry on is reading to my children. My mother read entire novels to me when I was little, not just storybooks. I’ve tried that with mine but so far they like Dr. Seuss better than Harry Potter. Maybe in a year or two they will sit still for longer stories.

Jillian: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Jill: I do read reviews, and I often find them helpful. There’s nothing I appreciate more than an articulate, honest review—even when it’s not positive. I’m always honored when a reader takes the time to share her thoughts on my work. Some of the feedback is useful for future books.

Jillian: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Jill: I drink coffee. Bit of sugar, bit of whole milk. My favorite vice.

Here comes the gotta ask, gotta answer question:

Jillian: (I love to ask RS authors this question.) What is the most unusual place you have ever put your characters for a love scene?

Jill: What a great question! My most unusual love scene setting is from Set the Dark on Fire. The hero and heroine are out in the desert, trying to track down a rogue mountain lion. They’re forced to take cover for the night in a fertility cave. And wouldn’t you know it, one thing leads to another.

I actually visited a sacred site in the Anza Borrego Desert that features Native American yonis (female fertility symbols) and posted the pictures on my blog. Check it out!

Jill's got a question she'd like to ask readers:

Does setting help you get lost in a story? What’s the best, worst, or most unusual setting for a love scene that you’ve read?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Jill's new release: THE EDGE OF NIGHT.*** And visit her online: http://www.jillsorenson.com/

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook or FOLLOW us on Twitter to keep track of who's next to "Get Lost In a Story." And come back Monday when Maureen hosts Stephanie Doyle.

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.