A Taste of FORBIDDEN

A quick heads up for anyone who wants to read the first book in my Roman/Druid series, FORBIDDEN, today it's only $2.96 on Kindle! The paperback is just $3.12. What a bargain :-)

He was a master of seduction – but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most

Excerpt Reviews

BETRAYED & TAINTED

I heard from my editor a couple of weeks ago when she let me know she was reading Betrayed. So I'm looking forward to edits landing any time now on that! And when I say I'm looking forward to them, I kind of mean it. I love having input from editors, and working on their suggestions to make the book as strong as it possibly can be.

I received the cover a little while ago and will be unveiling that shortly! 

Betrayed

When Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legion, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king.

But the tough Roman warrior who saved her life is far from the brutal barbarian she fears. His touch inflames and passion burns and against everything she believes in her heart surrenders to her enemy.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. He’s determined to make her his, whatever it takes.But when he discovers the depth of her betrayal his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

I'm currently a third into writing the fourth installment of my Roman/Druid world, Tainted. This book is set in what is now Colchester in the UK. This time the heroine is a Roman noblewoman, Antonia, and her hero is a tough barbarian warrior from one of my previous books in the series. Maximus and Carys, from Forbidden, feature a lot in this book and I've loved finding out what's been happening to them during the two years since they first fell in love.

(This blurb is likely to be tweaked when I've finished writing the book!)

Tainted

Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Druid warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. But despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.

Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt who ignites a passion she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. She knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. But when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.

 

Super Hot Releases!

More Tuesday fun with a few recent releases from good friends!

Feeling the Buzz by Shelley Munro

Book three in the Fancy Free series.

from Ellora's Cave Publishing

Jen Alexander is intent on fulfilling a promise to her mother. She’s heading back to school to finish her education, until a remote-controlled vibrator takes her on an unexpected detour.

For her ex-boss Wayne Garrett, the night of Jen’s farewell party is a revelation. Now that he’s seen her sexy side, he plans on seduction, big-time—a private party for three. But worried his feelings for Wayne could spoil their friendship, his business partner Sebastian Lang refuses to play.

Wayne wants Jen. Sebastian wants Wayne. Jen doesn’t want any man since her boyfriend ditched her by text minutes before the party. It’s going to take a lot of laughter, fun and hot seduction before the three can decide exactly what they want and how to get it.

Strictly Temporary by Robyn Grady

“This Child Isn’t Mine.” 

Discovering an abandoned baby in the backseat of a taxi was not on hotelier Zack Harrison’s agenda. Luckily, a stunning stranger comes to his aid-and piques his interest. But before Child Services can arrive, a snowstorm strands the trio in Zack’s luxurious Colorado cabin.

Trinity Matthews wants to resist Zack’s advances, but his care and concern for her and the baby soon have her melting. As the snow falls and the heat sizzles, it’s not long before Trinity’s sleeping in his bed. And she finds herself wondering if their temporary arrangement could have permanent effects.

Shift into Pleasure by Cathleen Ross

Personal trainer Gabby likes to be the strong one in the gym and the bedroom. She know what she wants and she wants Michael, a new client whose aura of dark energy and predatory look promises an intense erotic encounter. But Michael has an aggressive streak of his own, and makes it clear that he'll be the one in charge--especially when he reveals a secret about Gabby that she never expected.... 

Post-Apocalyptic Sex

It's my turn over at the Romance Writers of the Apocalypse blog today so I thought I'd talk about one of my favorite subjects.

Sex.

Well, since the motto of the RWoftheA is

Get Fit

Be Violent

Write Smut

I felt it was entirely appropriate. Would love you to pop over and give me your views on the subject!!!

More Dark Sider Goodness!

Congrats to fellow Dark Side Down Under member Bec McMaster, whose debut steampunk romance, Kiss of Steel, from Sourcebooks, hit the shelves last week! Here is the blurb to entice you:

He craves her like no other…

 

Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded Whitechapel district can she escape the long reach of the Duke of Vickers. But seeking refuge there will put her straight into the hands of Blade, legendary master of the rookeries. No one would dare cross him, but what price would he demand to keep her safe?

Ever since Vickers infected him with the craving, Blade has been quicker, stronger, almost immortal—and terrified of losing control of the monster within. Honoria could be his perfect revenge against the duke…or the salvation he never dared to dream of.

Congrats also to Angela Castle, another fellow Dark Sider,  whose latest steamy release from Evernight Publishing, Love Unbound, was released last week!

Arriving home from work, Master Brendon fiinds a wonderful gift awaiting. Tied to a chair is the lush Jay Becket, his sub's best friend. Being bi-secual, Brendon explores the delights of Jays submission. All too quickly he finds himself falling under her spell, in more ways than one.

 

Jay has always lusted after Brendon and agrees to her best friend's plan to become Master Brendon's new submissive, to help ease the pain she knows is coming.

 

But emotions spiral out of control when Brendon learns the truth behind Jay's sweet submission. A secret which could teat their new fragile bond apart.

The Inspiration Behind my World of Archangels

Sometimes I'm asked where I get my ideas for my books, and I always find it a horribly hard question to answer. I just have this fear that if I try and analyze my ideas they're going to disappear. I feel that way about plotting too, but unfortunately I've had to get over myself on that one because editors do like to know what they're letting themselves in for!!!

Anyway, I was recently asked this very question about where I got the inspiration for my ideas so I took a deep breath and tried to answer it. You can find my post over at the Dark Side Down Under blog where I'm chatting about the inspiration behind my upcoming Archangel of Mercy. Look forward to seeing you there!

Destined to fall - destined to love...

Paranormals Down Under

It's been a bumper month for Dark Side Down Under members, with a fabulous crop of new releases to choose from - congratulations, ladies!

Gateway to Hell

Eleni Konstantine 

 Zeta will protect the one she loves, even if it means living in Hell.


Mastering a unique power was much safer for Zeta Kosmos with a mentor to help her along. Now that he’s disappeared, Zeta must continue alone with her calling—closing Gateways to Hell.

Daniel Richards is in the family business—Warding supernatural evil from causing havoc on humans. As such, he’s only interested in the safety of one-night stands. Until Zeta. This bad boy now wants a long, lasting relationship.


But Zeta can’t let go of her past, nor can she ignore the secret demonic threats against Daniel’s life. She’d rather fight demonic spawn and be dragged into Hell than allow anything happen to him. Can Daniel convince her to stay? Will she have to pay the ultimate price?

Harbinger 

Peta Crake

As an Olympic messenger, suburban Aussie girl Ophelia Lind is used to being at the beck and call of the gods. But when gorgeous demigod Aden moves into her neighbourhood and starts taking advantage of her services, Ophelia believes life could not get any worse. She's about to be proven very wrong.

Ophelia tries to enjoy a normal, everyday life while running messages for the Greek gods – but without warning an odious creature - evil incarnate - begins to stalk her. As a messenger dealing with the all-powerful and sometimes frightening gods, Ophelia is accustomed to adventures and scrapes. But this is different. Even Aden, who is madly and deeply in love with Ophelia, finds it difficult to protect her. Suddenly Ophelia is in a battle for survival and begins to question everything – her upbringing, her identity, and her true feelings for the alluring and entirely frustrating Aden.

Fang Tango

Astrid Cooper

 

 Saved by a bite.

Love hurts, love cures, love thrills and blood spills…

At Monsters inK there’s magic, mayhem and miracles – and fang-boys tango and tangle in the sultry dance of seduction and love.

Radan is a tarot-reading, vampire-kangaroo hybrid, who despairs of finding his true love. On the eve of his one hundredth birthday he discovers his dying soul-mate in a garbage dumpster, stinking of fish, but when the man’s blue eyes open, it’s instant Mate Recognition for Rad. The only chance to save his man is immediately change him to vampire—but a blood-transfer made without the man’s love can turn him into a vampire rogue. Has Radan found his true mate only to lose him to the blood-lust?

Andrew Smith is a street-wise cop whose life is comprised of deadly secrets—even his name is a lie. He’s been hurt in the past and he never wants to face betrayal again. So, when he awakens from his ordeal to discover he’s now a vampire, and the guy who’s responsible is a crazy dude who insists that Drew is his mate, and that it’s love at first bite, what is a cop to do, but run? Except, he can’t escape and all he can do is resist Rad’s sexy seduction—or die trying.

So, at Monsters inK there’s magic, mayhem and miracles – and fang-boys tango and tangle in the sultry dance of seduction and love…

Freaks in the City

Maree Anderson

True love isn’t a cake-walk when your girlfriend’s a cyborg!

The timing couldn’t be worse for Jay to take her relationship with Tyler to the next level—especially when her idea of “the next level” proves to be vastly different to Tyler’s. Building a life together and adapting to each other’s quirks is challenging enough without the secrets they’re keeping blowing up in their faces. Their relationship is tearing Tyler’s family apart. Worse, the ex-girlfriend from hell shows up on their doorstep, destitute and desperate for a place to stay until she sorts out the latest hot mess she’s embroiled in.

Jay’s not exactly thrilled about Tyler’s ex turning up out of the blue, but it’s better to keep your enemies close, right? Sure enough, the ex has an agenda. But discovering who is manipulating her behind the scenes isn’t easy, even for a super-smart computer-savvy cyborg.

Then a vulnerable member of Tyler’s family is threatened, forcing Jay to confront a ghost from her past who’ll stop at nothing to destroy her. And this time, the weapon he’s chosen to take Jay out with really could be the death of her.

Hunter's Blood

Erica Hayes

A powerful young vampire demon-huntress teams up with a legendary slayer to rid their city of soul-munching demons – but he's already broken her heart once. Will he betray her again in his burning quest for revenge?

Gina Santangelo is the toughest huntress in the Guild, unmatched with blade and vampire blood-magic as she keeps the city safe from soul-munching demons. Until she crosses swords with Luka Dragovic, a legendary slayer, the only man who can help her save the city from a fresh demon incursion. But he's also the man who broke her heart five years ago, when he defected to the enemy—and Gina vows that this demon-loving traitor will never best her, either in battle or in love.

Luka can't resist this fiery, defiant adversary—the very woman whose memory kept him alive through five years shackled in hell, tortured by a sadistic demon. Now Luka burns for revenge—but to kill this demon, he'll need Gina's rare brand of magic, which she's sworn never to share, least of all with the man she despises for a traitor. A power Luka can gain only by possessing her, body and blood…

Romancing the Hop - The Winners

What a fantastic weekend it's been! I hope everyone enjoyed the Romancing the Hop as much as I did!!

Carrie Ann has picked the winners for the Grand Prizes, and here they are:

Grand Prize Winners:

 

Kindle Fire Winner:

Laurie Goudge

(from It's the Journey that Counts's Blog)

 

$130 Amazon Gift Card:

Ellie

(from Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog)

 

Swag Pack:

Cassandra

 (from Dana Delamar's Blog)

 

The grand prize winners have already been notified and have their prizes or the prizes are on their way!

And the winner of my erotic futuristic fantasy, Touch of the Demon, has been won by 

Kaylyn D 

Congratulations!!!

Romancing the Hop ~ Lots of Fabulous Prizes on Offer!!!

Welcome to my corner of the Romancing the Hop! It's my first time so please be gentle :-)

 

To be in with a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address. You can go to EACH blog in the hop and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 100 times!

The wonderful Carrie Ann will pick the major prize winners. Good luck! And here are the amazing prizes on offer:

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

What do I love about reading paranormal romance? Embracing another world and knowing that, no matter what dangers, hardships and heartache the hero and heroine go through, at the end of the book they are going to end up together and have their happily-ever-after. I am a total sucker for a happily-ever-after! I don't want anyone dying in the final chapter (unless it's the evil villain!!!)

Archangel of Mercy

Destined to fall... destined to love

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she’s determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they’re together.

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal.

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them.

Release date: 4th December 2012

Pre-Order from

The Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

I'm giving away a copy of my erotic futuristic fantasy e-novella, Touch of the Demon  to one commenter on this post. Just let me know what your fave romance novel, genre or date is!

See below for the list of all the other amazing authors taking part in this blog hop!

Amazing Blog Hop! Awesome Prizes!

What is your favorite thing about Romance? Well, we authors are ready to share our romantic tips and favorite romance reads! Starting on Friday and ending on August 31st, over 100 Authors and Bloggers will share their favorite things about romance, reading romance, and dating.

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 100 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 100 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

Yep. ALL of that! Whoot! Be sure to come back here on Friday and over the weekend to enjoy some stories and facts about our favorite Romance events and reads and enter to win!

A Stolen Season by Tamara Gill

Huge congratulations to fellow Historical Hearts author, Tamara Gill, on the release of her time-travel romance, A Stolen Season from Crimson Romance! I've been lucky enough to read an advance copy of this sexy Regency romance and I couldn't put it down!





Here's the blurb to whet your appetite:

Archaeologist Sarah Baxter had a clear directive: travel back to nineteenth century London to retrieve the measuring device she left behind. But her bungled attempt at thievery left an English Earl dead and his brother bent on revenge. Sarah must once again go back in time to find the device and return to her own time before their tragic mistake puts a noose around her neck. Unfortunately, the only way to get close to the device is to befriend the very man who wants her dead.

Eric the new Earl of Earnston was determined to catch the woman who killed his brother, but she’d disappeared without a trace. Twelve months on and there are still no clues to her whereabouts. As luck would have it, he finds a distraction. A new family have arrived in town and Miss Sarah Baxter is a delightful diversion among the stale debutantes in the ton.

Sarah knows it is madness to seduce the man who would want her dead should he know who she was, but the Earl is an alarmingly persistent gentleman. Can Sarah procure the device without her secret being revealed? And what will the Earl do when he finds out the woman he’s in love with is not the woman he thought he knew.

Now available from Crimson Romance

Time Thief - Fabulous Contest with Anna Hackett!

  

TIME THIEF

Anna Hackett

Hunted for her ability to steal time, Bay North lives a life on the run. All she wants is to make the crime lord who slaughtered her family pay. But now he’s set the ultimate hunter on her trail and Bay will need all her skills to carry out her revenge and survive.

Ex-Navy SEAL Sean Archer saw his team killed by a time thief in Afghanistan and came back a broken man. He’s made a dark deal with a criminal to hunt down all time thieves and now Sean’s tracked the wily Bay North to Denver where he plans to rid the world of one more dangerous mutation.

But during a shootout, hunter and hunted find themselves depending on each other for survival. Joining forces to exact payback by stealing a priceless treasure, their reluctant alliance shatters both their defenses. Can Bay find the courage to trust? And can Sean convince a woman honed in revenge that she can have more than vengeance, blood and killing?

Read an excerpt

www.annahackettbooks.com

The lovely Anna Hackett is celebrating the release of TIME THIEF, and has a fabulous contest for the launch of her first indie pubbed romance.

SPREAD THE WORD CONTEST
Share the cover and blurb of TIME THIEF for the chance to win a $150 Amazon Gift Card. Click here to enter.




How easy is that! Good luck!
 

Diamonds are Forever - RWA Gold Coast Conference 2012

As promised here are a few photos from the Gold Coast conference last week, with big thanks to Sara Hantz who not only remembered to take her camera but also remembered to use it!! This is the spectacular view from our hotel balcony. Despite August being the middle of winter Down Under the weather was gorgeous for the entire weekend.

It happened to be my birthday on the Saturday so, any chance for a celebration, here I am with Amanda Ashby and our posh pink plastic cups of champagne!

Here I am with fellow Berkley Babe, Kylie Griffin, enjoying another cup of champagne (I lost count how many I had, but this was entirely Sara's fault as she kept topping me up. Therefore, I do believe I only ever had one cup!!!)

With a couple of the lovely Apocalypse girls, Kylie Scott and Tracey O'Hara just before the Awards Dinner on Saturday night.

And here is Fiona Lowe with her RITA award for her Carina Press novel, Boomerang Bride!  She also won the RWAus prestigious R*BY Award for best long romance. Although we caught up briefly at the conference itself, we didn't have a good chat until we both caught the same shuttle back to the Gold Coast airport on Sunday afternoon. I even got to have a hold of the golden RITA at the airport!! She is rather heavy and very beautiful!

Next year the conference is in my home state of Western Australia and I promise to not only take my camera next time (I thought I could get away with just my phone this year - big mistake!!!) I promise to take lots of photos too!!!

Pretty Zombie Kitteh!

Today I'm over at the Romance Writers of the Apocalypse talking about a dream I had the week before the Apocalypse blog was born. You might hazard a guess as to what my dream was about by the lolcats pic, and you would be.... right!

Let the kitty revolution begin.

Gearing Up for the RWA Conference

The Romance Writers of Australia's annual conference, Diamonds are Forever, is being held at the Gold Coast this weekend. And what a fabulous line up of guests we're having, from New York Times Bestselling authors to top editors and agents, both from Australia and the US. I'm flying the red-eye tomorrow night and am looking forward to catching up with everyone!

I'll post photos next week!

Paranormal DownUnder Series

A quick heads up to let you know that this weekend I'm over at Kylie Griffin's blog as part of her The Paranormal DownUnder Series, where she highlights authors who write para romance from Australia and New Zealand.

Find out what compels me to write in the paranormal genre!

(Apart from the scorchingly hot heroes, that is!!!)

A cream donut may (not) be on offer...

Fabulous Cover Quotes for ARCHANGEL OF MERCY

I'm delighted to share the absolutely awesome cover quotes we received over the weekend for my debut paranormal romance as Christina Ashcroft! I'm a huge fan of both Kylie Griffin's Light Blade series and Laurie London's Sweetblood series and am completely blown away that they found the time to read the book and give us quotes within the very tight deadline given.

Destined to fall... destined to love...

Here are the endorsements that are going on the cover of Archangel of Mercy.

"In ARCHANGEL OF MERCY, Ashcroft's unique world-building blends several familiar mythologies and draws the reader in with a creative and intriguing plot involving archangels, demons, gods, demi-gods and other extraordinary races. Her characters are fascinating, the story line compelling, the romance scorching – don't be surprised if you find yourself reading this book late into the night!

Paranormal romance fans could very well discover a new angel addiction in Ashcroft's series!"

Kylie Griffin, National Bestselling Author of The Light Blade Series

"I was completely drawn into Christina Ashcroft's scorchingly hot (book) and couldn't put it down. With its sizzlingly hot archangels, richly imagined world, and truly despicable villains, Archangel Of Mercy would appeal to readers who enjoy Nalini Singh and JR Ward. Dark, gritty and erotic. I loved it!"

~ Laurie London, author of the Sweetblood series 

Pre-Order from

The Book Depository
Barnes & Noble
Chapters

Amazon

Powells 

Secrets & Snippets

There has been much excitement in the Ashcroft camp over the weekend, and I hope to spill the beans later this week!!! To give you a clue - it has something to do with cover endorsements for Archangel of Mercy *happy squee!*

I also decided it was about time I set up a newsletter for Christina Ashcroft. I'll be using the same one as I do for Christina Phillips so that no one misses out on any news. I'll be posting exclusive snippets and hold subscriber only contests as the release dates for my books approach. Look forward to seeing you there!

Sharing the Cover Love

In 1811 getting off the streets of London was a very good thing. So why does Charlotte Raven keep going back?

I thought I'd share some cover love today and first up is this truly breathtaking one from fellow West Australian historical author, Michelle Diener, for her November 2012 release, The Emperor's Conspiracy.

 There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

And look at this stunning cover for the third book in Kylie Griffin's Light Blade series. Gorgeous! Allegiance Sworn is out on 2nd April 2013.

An ancient darkness has risen from the ashes . . . and terror has been loosed upon an unsuspecting world.

And finally today how about this striking cover for Sin's Dark Cares? This is the third book in Tracey O'Hara's Dark Brethren series and it hit the shelves on Tuesday!

Romance in the News

It's fantastic to see romance being shown in such a positive light in the media recently, and on Saturday I was interviewed, along with several other WA authors, by our local state paper, The West Australian. We discussed romance, erotic romance and the impact 50 Shades of Grey has had on the market. Well worth checking out!

In other news I'm delighted that my good friend, Fiona Lowe, won a RITA award at the Romance Writers of America conference on Saturday night for her debut single title novel, Boomerang Bride! The RITA is the romance novel equivalent of an Oscar, so it's a wonderful achievement. Congratulations Fiona!

Also huge congrats to fellow Ellora's Cave and Berkley author Denise Rossetti for coming third in the Passionate Plume award (for Erotic Romance) with her latest release, Guilty as Sin.

And big congrats to fellow Dark Side Down Underer and Apocalyptic romance writer Kylie Scott, who won the unpublished section, At the Stroke of Midnight, with her book that has since been accepted for publication with Momentum, Flesh (with zombies!)

Go the Aussies!