December Joyathon: Guest Post + Giveaway with Karen Erickson

Meet Karen:

click for an excerpt

I’ve always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in my kindergarten class to penning romantic stories that never ended about my favorite band members (Duran Duran!) in high school, I always had a feeling I wanted to write. It just took me a while to seriously pursue it.

coming 2012

With the birth of my third child came a realization – it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. So I decided to go for it and in 2005 I began my pursuit in writing toward publication. After completing a few clunkers that should never see the light of day, my first erotic romance novella was published with Cobblestone Press in 2006. I’ve since been published with a handful of other epublishers including Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. I have recently sold to Loose Id and Carina Press.
On a personal note I’m a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with my husband and three children. Oh and the dog, the cats, the rooster and the chickens…

Where To Find Karen: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Smutketeers

First, I want to say a big thank you to Kati for having me here on the Romancing Rakes blog and to be a part of the December Joyathon. What a great lineup of authors—I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Now, I’m going to share with you my five must read holiday books. I could go the traditional route and talk about the wonderful classics out there (A Christmas Carol or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, anyone?). But I’m not. I’m going to talk about my five favorite sexy holiday-themed romances.

One problem: I can only choose five. (Sorry Karen!) This is tough! But I think I can do it. *wink*

click for buy options

click for buy options

1. Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway (Holy craps people, you can find this book online for only $2.99 on Kindle and Nook! And trust me, it’s worth far more)! What a delicious book. Bailey hates Christmas yet works at her family’s Christmas-themed store. Sexy former boyfriend Finn is back and though he claims he wants nothing to do with Bailey, soon they’re steaming up the sheets and trying to find true love amongst the holiday chaos. LOVE this book! I read it long ago when it first came out (2006) and it’s a keeper. The accompanying title, Not Another New Year’s, is also a good one (again, $2.99).

2. Twelve Days (Sugar & Spice anthology) by Shirley Jump. There’s not even any S-E-X in this cute little novella but lots of delicious tension. Secret Santas, sexy banter, realistic office interaction (the silly politics, the friends, the flirting and don’t forget the idiot rotten boss) and sweet Christmas flavor laced throughout make this a satisfying little read.

click for buy options

click for buy options

3. Gabriel’s Angel by Nora Roberts. A pregnant heroine on the run and a reclusive, emotionally damaged hero stuck together in a snowstorm? Just about every trope I love and come on, it’s Nora! You can’t go wrong.

4. Finding Mister Right (To All a Good Night anthology) by Jill Shalvis. I’m a hardcore Jill Shalvis fan and I adore every single one of her Christmas novellas she writes. In fact, she has a gob of them and it was soooo hard to pick only one! Featuring a slightly nerdy chemist heroine and a sexy contractor hero, these two really know how to heat up on a cold winter’s night…

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5. Kissing Santa Claus (Small Town Christmas anthology) by Jill Shalvis. Fine. I cheated and chose another Jill novella. But I can’t help it! She writes the best Christmas stories EVER. And this one doesn’t disappoint, especially if you’re a fan of her Lucky Harbor series! Jill also happens to write the best heroes ever and Logan doesn’t disappoint.

Wow. Every single one of the Christmas romances I recommended are contemporaries. Funny considering my Christmas-themed historical novella Her Christmas Pleasure came out late last month at Carina Press. Not only do I love reading holiday-themed stories, I also enjoy writing them. And I’m giving away a digital copy of Her Christmas Pleasure to one lucky commenter!

HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE:

Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it's with his best friend's widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more—until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe...

Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend's kiss. One touch and one taste aren't enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has
stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won't be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay—both in her heart and life—forever?

Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | Carina
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt | My Review

Well, you heard the lady! Karen's giving away a digital copy of HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE to one(1) lucky reader. Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment for Karen along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below. Let Karen know what holiday/Christmas themed books are on YOUR must read list. All other entries are optional.

Easy peasy right? Don't forget to enter for the awesome super secret prize here.

A huge thank you to Karen for participating in the Joyathon and for giving away a copy of HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE.

eARC Review: Her Christmas Pleasure by Karen Erickson

HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE by Karen Erickson
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
FILE SIZE: 235 KB (20,000 words)
PUBLISHER: Carina Press (November 28,2011)

Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it’s with his best friend’s widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more—until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe…
Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend’s kiss. One touch and one taste aren’t enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won’t be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay—both in her heart and life—forever? (source)

Where To Find Karen: Author Site | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | Carina Press 
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

REVIEW: 
Don't judge me! This is probably the 5th holiday themed book I've read this season and I'm going to keep on trucking!

Damien Morton, best friend to Lady Celia Danver's deceased husband and lowly servant's son, has been in love with her for quite some time. There's heavy staring, a bit of a half-massed seductive lid thing going on and a lot of blushing, on Celia's part. Maybe a little on Damien's. He's found another job on France with help from Celia's father-in-law and will be going to take up his new position at the first of the year. Damien thinks he's not good enough for Celia, seeing as his father served under Celia's father-in-law.

A sizzling yet innocent kiss under the mistletoe, egged on by the rest of the family, sets forth in motion the unraveling of their pent up feelings for one another.

Celia is reluctant to tell him how he feels and he in turn does the same but anything is possible around the holidays, right? Damien leaving sparks something in Celia, something that makes her want to hold on to him. He's great with Theo, her son and he's been there for her since the death of her husband. With a little push from her son, who wants a father and thinks Uncle Damien would be a good fit for her, Celia re-evaluates her feeling for Damien. After a sultry night of sweaty sheets, tender caresses and pure sexual magic (or maybe it was the magic of the mistletoe) , Celia and Damien must figure out their feelings for one another as well what the future holds in store for them.


FAVORITE QUOTE: "She'd been aware of him for months. She'd secretly watched him, yearned for him, wished he would notice her too." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)


OVERALL: In Karen Erickson fashion, this story is a Kindle clutching, 'did I just moan out loud?' inducing, heart tugging, heady as mulled wine, wonderful holiday treat of a read. I just adored Theo, trying to play little matchmaker. Celia and Damien's passion sizzled and scorched the pages and their love for one another makes me believe that yes, anything can happen around the holidays.


***requested off Netgalley***

W...W...W...(20)

W...W...W...Wednesdays is a weekly meme MizB of Should Be Reading. 

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

So, here's my answers:

*Click on the covers to read excerpts/learn more.*

• What are you currently reading?

The Price of Temptation by Lecia Cornwall. I just started it and it looks promising. Evelyn Renshaw's husband just up and disappeared after being accused of treason, leaving her behind to take the brunt of whispers and scandal. A handsome ragged soldier comes to her rescue after being attacked in Hyde Park during an early morning ride. Will she ever see him again?

Sweet Magik by Penny Watson. This is the second book in the Klaus Brothers series. Yes, Santa has five sons that help run the family business and this one is about Oskar Klaus. He's lost interest in his job and not even his favorite thing, snowboarding, can keep him interested. He's long overdue for a well deserved vacation.

A Love By Any Measure by Killian McRae. An English lord in love with an Irish girl, can love overcome social boundaries?

• What did you recently finish reading?

A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp. A sweet story for the holidays. A baby found in a manger, a woman bent on making the father claim and take care of the baby and the said father in denial although the child has a striking resemblance.

Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden. A new take on the archangel myth, four archangels looking for their soulmates and forces on both sides trying to stop them. It was a Netgalley grab and I was totally surprised by how much I liked it. Read my review.

Once Upon A Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare. A novella of the Spindle Cove series. It's a story of The Disappointment, second chances and a pistol packing heroine. No sheep involved this time.

Her Christmas Pleasure by Karen Erickson. What?! Another holiday book you say? Of course! I love this time of year and Karen doesn't disappoint with a sizzling sweet story that's as heady as mulled wine and a stolen kiss under the mistletoe.

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Any Given Christmas by Candis Terry. This is the second book in the Sugar Shack series. An injured NFL quarterback goes back to his hometown for Christmas. He's determined to get back in the game but his time in Deer Lick, Montana pairs him together with a kindergarten teacher. Is there more to life than the game?

Forever Mine by Delilah Marvelle. Squee! Delilah has given me a sneak peek into the novella, hitting your favorite e-book store in December. It's sexy but set in New York City, 1800. A hop and a skip from across the pond where her books have been set.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

W...W...W... (12)

W...W...W...Wednesdays is a weekly meme MizB of Should Be Reading. 

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

So, here's my answers:

• What are you currently reading?

Changing the Game by Jaci Burton. Holy hotness! Elizabeth was a total bitch in THE PERFECT PLAY. This book is her redemption, with Gavin, Mick's younger brother. This should prove to be a bit awkward.

A Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day. There's angels, er Sentinels. There are fallen angels aka vampires. There are lycans, indentured servants to the Sentinels. Got that? Now on to the complicated part. The head Sentinel, Adrian, has found the soul of his one true love in a mortal woman's body. He must save her before she dies. Again.

Serendipity by Carly Phillips. Second chances...

Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl. There's a little bit of tying up going on. Kinky.

• What did you recently finish reading?

The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen. Um, I won 3 copies of this book and I'm only getting around to reading it now?! It's a wonderful story. 

Romancing Lady Cecily by Ashley March. A novella which sets up ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (9/6/11). It's sexy, full of emotion and a bit mysterious, all in 15,000 words. 

Playing with Fire: Forbidden & Tangled by Karen Erickson. 2 books. Both stories complete scorchers. This is not for the faint of heart.

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl. I read GOOD GIRLS DON'T, which is the first book in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series, and LOVED IT! Looking forward to seeing if Jamie will finally find the woman to curb his wild streak. ***requested from NetGalley***

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks! 

W...W...W... (11)

W...W...W...Wednesdays is a weekly meme MizB of Should Be Reading. 

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

So, here's my answers:

• What are you currently reading? 

Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day
Adriaaannnnn!!! Can a love that transcends death survive a war between angels, vampires, and lycans? 
We'll find out... 
Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl
Ok. So I was reading this last week and I should have finished it by now. I kind of dropped it and finished IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER by Maya Banks. Sorry V.Dahl. This is a very sexy, sexy book AND there might be a little tying up going on. HOT!


• What did you recently finish reading?

Lessons in Indiscretion by Karen Erickson
Karen's first historical. The cover is gorgeous and this is my first Karen Erickson book. It was a fun, fast and sexy read. Karen was on Romance Lately last night.
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
I dropped trew and gave highlanders some love. This was such a great gateway back to reading books about highlanders. An alpha hero, a spunky heroine who has a tendency to blurt out whatever is in her head and a power hungry Laird who will stop at nothing to gain access to the dowry of the spunky heroine. Oh yes, and there's fighting and hot loving.

Growing Up Colt: A Father, A Son, a Life in Football by Colt and Brad McCoy, Mike Yorkey
This is a HUGE change for me. I was totally out of my ever loving Aggie mind. This basically starts off with Colt talking about his first game starting against the Pittsburg Steelers and then goes on to give an overview of his family history, his birth (born in New Mexico over Texas soil in a shoe box), his childhood, his siblings, his school days, his career at the University of Texas, getting drafted in the NFL and marrying his wife (washing of his wife's feet on their wedding night-TMI?). Interspersed are bible verses. Part how to, part memoir, it's a good read.


• What do you think you’ll read next?
Serendipity by Carly Phillips
I swear I am going to read this book next. I've been saying it for the past couple of weeks.
Romancing Lady Cecily by Ashley March
A novella which ties in with Ashley's ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (release date: 9/6). Speaking of, she's on my blog today. Welcome Ashley!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!