One of my Fave Authors Valerie Mann

I just had to share this with you...

When ER nurse Kelly Donovan meets sexy firefighter Nick Barrantes at her sister’s annual summer party, the sparks fly. Famous for its games, this year’s party includes Hide & Seek and Kelly is determined to find a cozy place to hide with Nick. Trapped in a closet together during the game, neither Kelly nor Nick anticipates the sizzling passion that flares between them. However, Kelly can't help but wonder if this is one game she'll lose to her heart...

Rated Rosette (35 pages)

Excerpt: I wandered over to Jen and nudged her with my hip. “Hey.”

“Oh, good, you’re finally here,” she said by way of greeting. “Can you finish this while I bring out the paella?” Without waiting for an answer, she set the knife in my hand and headed for the house. As an afterthought, she twirled back around. “Oh, hell, I’m such a bad hostess! Kelly, this is Nick Barrantes. He’s the new guy in the fire department. Nick, my sister, Kelly Donovan.”

Then she was gone, leaving me to make small talk with a stranger. I looked up. Way up. And all of a sudden, small talk with this particular stranger was no hardship whatsoever. Holy smokes, the guy could haul my body out of a burning building anytime. Nick Barrantes had to be the biggest, baddest firefighter I’d ever seen.

Whoa.

“Hey, Nick.” I set down the knife and stuck a hand out, which he immediately dwarfed in a gentle but no-nonsense grip. My eyes rose back up to meet his and my heart skipped a beat. Maybe two.

I didn’t feel that romance novel “electric shock” when we touched, my knees didn’t go all jelly roll on me, nor did everything in the immediate vicinity black out until only he and I existed in the universe. But when our eyes met, I felt an instant connection to him and when his grasp tightened for a second, I knew he felt the bond, too. I stared in awe at his male beauty. Brush-cut black hair, golden skin and deep brown eyes rimmed with thick lashes—surely illegal in more than one state—stared back at me. Straight nose, square jaw and full lips, broad shoulders, thick muscles straining under a navy blue fire department T-shirt—I halted further downward assessment before I embarrassed myself.

The man was smokin’ hot.

We both took a step back and couldn’t tear our gazes from one another. He tilted his head slightly as though he couldn’t quite figure out what had just happened. And, oh happy day, when his eyes finally left mine, he didn’t make an effort to hide the fact he checked me out as well. A sexy dimple twitched near the corner of his mouth.

A dimple. Damn, I was complete toast.

Valerie got an awesome review with You Gotta Read

WAY TO GO VAL!!!!

Purchase Hide and Seek

Visit The Wilder Roses for more great reads!!

Valerie has another book out with Cobblestone Press

After two decades, Lauren never expects to see her first love again, and in a foreign city, no less. Seth’s reappearance in her life stuns her even though a day hasn’t gone by without thinking about him. Though thrilled to find him again, she’s unprepared for how fast old flames of love can reignite.Seth can’t believe his eyes when he finds Lauren standing in front of him, more gorgeous than ever. Determined not to lose her, he decides a visit down memory lane is in order, and making new memories along the way.

Visit here to read a sexy excerpt and purchase the book

I am going to try to get an interview with Valerie...keep you updated and be sure to check out both of her books, you won't be sorry!!

Valerie Mann's Blog

Valerie Mann's Books & Blurbs

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Happy Reading,

Tonya

Paranormal Author's Fight Club

Fight Club has begun!! Please swing by and vote for my story Ancient Awakenings. It's the first story on the blog and it's up against The In Crowd, so pick your fave by clicking on Take Survey!!

http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/fightclub/blog/

Noble Romance Publishing asked to see my full manuscript...so happy about that, that's never happened to me before:-)

Halloween Myths and Legends

My entire life I have been fascinated by my Irish heritage and Halloween. I think that’s why I love writing paranormals so much. I am going to share some of my families Halloween traditions along with some myths and legends about All Hollow’s Eve and Halloween from Ireland.

The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not developed any spots then the person who placed the leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health until the following Halloween. If not.....

The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to wander the earth but asked the Devil for some light. He was given a burning coal ember which he placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.

The tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born - the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the lantern in their window would keep the wanderer away. When the Irish emigrated in millions to America there was not a great supply of turnips so pumpkins were used instead.

If an owl looks in your window or if you seeing one in the daylight bad luck and death will bestow you.

At one time salt was a rare commodity and thought to have magical powers. It was unfortunate to spill salt and said to foretell family disarray and death. To ward off bad luck, throw a pinch over your shoulder and all will be well.

Sparrows are thought to carry the souls of the dead and it is believed to bring bad luck if you kill one.

If you spot a spider on Halloween than that is the soul of a loved one watching over you. (Maybe this should remind me not to be terrified of them…yuck!!)

If the flame of a candle flickers and then turns blue, there's a spirit in the room.

If a bird flies through your house, it indicates important news. If it can't get out, the news will be death.

If you feel a chill up your spine, someone is walking on your future grave.

A person born on Halloween will have the gift of communicating with the dead.

A bat in the house is a sign of death. OR a bat got in your house because a ghost let it inside.

If a bird flies towards you, bad fortune is imminent.

If your palm itches, you will soon receive money. If you itch it, your money will never come.

Crows are viewed as a bad omen, often foretelling death. If they caw, death is very near.

Many Romans wore lucky charms and amulets to avert the "evil eye."

If a person experiences great horror, their hair turns white.

A hat on a bed will bring bad luck.

The superstition of knocking on wood for good luck originates from pagan beliefs in regards to trees.

Do you have a favorite Halloween Myth of Legend to share? Or perhaps a tradition from your family? Hope everyone is having a spooky month... Tonya

What's Going on in October!

Romance in the Backseat's "Paranormal Author's Fight Club" started on Thursday, October 1, 2009. All 8 writers involved received a paragraph on Thursday, now it's up to us to take that paragraph and write 1,000 words that will awe the reader. I'll post the link up here when it's voting time!! I just finished reading Zero Control by Lori Wilde. She's one of my favorite Harlequin Blaze authors. And this story is part of a three-book series. It's a great read. It's about Eros which is an adult retreat, where your every fantasy is their desire. And their is some sexy historical role-play you won't want to miss. You'll have to check out my November Tonya's Tidbits to see my exclusive interview with Lori Wilde about Zero Control and this series. She's also provided a very sexy excerpt for us. I am still in training with BellaOnline.com for becoming the new NASCAR editor. It's got a lot more work to it than I first figured, but I still have two weeks before the site launches and is officially open for business once again. I received an email yesterday from Class Act Books asking me to be a copy editor. I love editing and it's really exciting to me. What's more exciting is I was contacted by Class Act Books. My website is close to being finished. I like the layout, I'm not completely happy with it, but it's classy and professional and easy on the eyes, which is a must. It's also easy to navigate. I still can't believe it is October and 28 days away from Halloween, which is my favorite Holiday. In celebration of Halloween I am going to be sharing some myths and legends about Halloween over the next few weeks. So, check back often. Thanks for stopping by it's going to be a busy month! Tonya