What's on your nightstand?

I've been in a mood lately where I haven't wanted to read anything on my bookshelves (literal or virtual). Not because the books are uninteresting, merely that I haven't decided what I'm in the mood for. So, if you've read something lately that blew you away, I'm trolling for recs this week.

This week on my nightstand is Stranger, the fourth book in Zoë Archer's Blades of the Rose series:

Stranger by Zoë Archer
Blades of the Rose, Book 4
Zebra
Paranormal Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1420106817
Description from Zoë Archer's website:

He protects the world’s magic—with his science. But even the best scientists can fall prey to the right chemistry...

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

Gemma Murphy has a nose for a story—even if the boys in Chicago’s newsrooms would rather focus on her chest. So when she runs into a handsome man of mystery discussing how to save the world from fancy-pants Brit conspirators, she’s sensing a scoop. Especially when he mentions there’s magic involved. Of course, getting him on the record would be easier if he hadn’t caught her eavesdropping...

LIGHTING HIS FUSE

Catullus Graves knows what it’s like to be shut out: his ancestors were slaves. And he’s a genius inventor with appropriately eccentric habits, so even people who love him find him a little odd. But after meeting a certain red-headed scribbler, he’s thinking of other types of science. Inconvenient, given that he needs to focus on preventing the end of the world as we know it. But with Gemma’s insatiable curiosity sparking Catullus’s inventive impulses, they might set off something explosive anyway....

What's on your nightstand?

I've slightly switched gears in my reading this week and am enjoying Finding Deaglan by George Seaton. It's an engaging paranormal fiction novel and the author so seamlessly weaves together multiple plot threads that I'm in awe:

Finding Deaglan by George Seaton
MLR Press
Paranormal Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-60820-298-0 (e-book), 978-1-60820-297-3(print)
Click here to buy from MLR Press

A coterie of inheritors of Denver's old money, including twenty-four year old Stephen Thaxton, find themselves inextricably entwined in an imperative to close a hoary circle left open in the other world, the other side where retribution is sought for wrongs committed by their progenitors a century before; wrongs that eradicated wolves from Colorado, and saw the indigenous Indian tribes of Colorado robbed of their lands, all to enhance the wealth and privilege of those who now find themselves the last of their family lines.

What's on your nightstand?

The writing madness continues and I haven't had much time to read. I have, however, been torturing myself with trips to my favorite independent bookstore, buying up all kinds of things to add to my insanely huge TBR pile.

How about you guys? Anything interesting in your TBR piles?

I'm not reading anything at the moment, but I did recently sneak in some time to read a charming, unique steampunk novel:

Soulless by Gail Carriger
The Parasol Protectorate, Book 1
Steampunk
ISBN: 978-0316056632
Description from Amazon:

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Two-Man Advantage now available on Amazon and ARe!!!

I've had people ask me when Two-Man Advantage would be available All Romance ebooks and Amazon. Good news: they went on sale this week!

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Man-Advantage-ebook/dp/B004TH0INO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301026447&sr=1-1-catcorr

ARe link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-twomanadvantage-528193-144.html
(Note: If you're searching for Two-Man Advantage by title at ARe, leave out the dash.)

And for those who prefer to buy their books at ARe, my first story, The Taste of Magick, is also available: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thetasteofmagick-508475-143.html ;)

Book News: Chasing Alex

I'm very excited to announce that I'll have a new story out this summer. Chasing Alex will be available June 1st as part of Dreamspinner Press's Daily Dose: First Time for Everything line.

Chasing Alex is a male/male contemporary romance that's a bit sweet, very sexy, and features two hard-headed cowboy heroes. I'll post more information closer to the release date, but I will say that I had a blast writing this story and I love hot-as-hell cowboys.

I'd also intended for Chasing Alex to be a standalone, but...well, let's just say a certain hero busted into my brain this morning, laying claim to Alex's brother. So look for news as I write Claiming Braden this spring/summer (depending on my schedule). I'm sure Braden and Donovan will take me on one hell of a ride. Braden doesn't want to be "claimed" by anyone, least of all a smooth-talking country singer like Donovan Lane.

Before I get ahead of myself, it's time to get back to work on In the Penalty Box. Those hockey players sure do like to drive me crazy ;)

What's on your nightstand?

First: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

Second: be sure to check my website next week. I'll be posting some book news. Want a hint as to what the story is about? I've got a famous Big & Rich song stuck in my head at the moment ;)

Third: I've been hard at work on In the Penalty Box, book 2 in my Seattle Marauders series, so I haven't had much time to read. I have, however, been listening to audio books. This week the story on my iPod is J.P. Bowie's Lunches in Laguna:

Lunches in Laguna by J.P. Bowie
Total-E-Bound
Contemporary Male/Male Romance
ISBN: 978-1420106817
Click here to buy from Total-E-Bound

Scott is intrigued by an art collection in a Laguna gallery, but it's the gallery manager, Michael, who gets his full attention!

By his own admission Scott Stevenson is a rough and ready kind of guy, but even he can appreciate art on occasion, especially when it comes in the form of Michael Taylor, the manager of a Laguna Beach art gallery. Invited to spend a lunch hour with Michael, Scott doesn't hesitate to let his new friend know he considers him a perfect work of art.

The attraction is mutual and the two men start seeing each other regularly for 'lunch'. But when Michael fails to show up at the gallery one day Scott discovers that his perfect man may have an imperfect past, and if Scott wants lunch to progress to dinner he'd better ensure that those who are threatening Michael aren't around for dessert!

Take a peek inside the Marauders' locker room

I'm hard at work on the second Seattle Marauders book (still untitled, but hopefully that problem will be fixed shortly) which will feature Gregory Samson, one of the Marauders' defensemen. For those hockey-loving fans who are hoping to spend more time on the ice, you’re in luck – this book takes place during the season. And for those who loved Kyle and Nate in Two-Man Advantage: 1) Thank you! and 2) They'll be back in Samson's book for at least a small portion of the story. Kyle couldn't bear being left out and he's dragged Nate along for the ride.

More details on Samson's book are sure to come. In the meantime, why not take a peek inside the Marauders' Locker Room? The Locker Room is still under construction, but it has a partial Marauders roster, player information, and - would ya look at that - even some gossip about one Gregory Samson ;)