Never Give Up

There are many kinds of heroes, and yesterday there were quite a few of them trying to help the victims of another despicable, cowardly attack on this country. I actually wrote the following giveaway post (and the title of it, too) this past weekend; as soon as I heard about the bombings I considered holding off on it until next week. But if I can share a book like this, with a story of such hope and heroism in the face of great despair and loss, then it may help someone else who needs that right now. My heart and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and all the people of Boston.

Stephanie Tyler's Surrender, the first novel in her new Section 8 series, is an action-packed romantic suspense novel featuring Dare O'Rourke, a former Navy SEAL and the son of a CIA black ops specialist. Dare is still trying to put his life back together after being tortured and nearly killed during a ruinous mission, but his recovery ends when he's sent to rescue Avery, a half-sister he never knew. By the time Dare finds Avery he realized someone is systematically executing his father's old team as well as their families. To stop the killing, he must find his missing father and take out the traitor -- and the only way to do that is to kidnap his enemy's daughter, Grace. What Dare doesn't know is that Grace barely escaped from her murderous stepfather with her life -- and she's already been warned that Dare is coming for her.

Surrender is a dark, edgy story with lots of twists and turns to be navigated by its unusual cast of characters. Dare and the boys aren't simply unsung heroes trying to get past the ways they've been unfairly judged and treated; they operate in that shadow zone where nothing is black or white. The evolution of the relationship between Dare and Grace was fascinating to follow as it bloomed. Oh, and I'll warn you now, there's a marvelous secondary character named Gunner who will not only steal your heart but he'll probably tattoo something beautiful on it to boot.

As always you don't have to take my word for it. In comments to this post name a series with a first novel you loved (or if you can't think of any, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Friday, April 19th, 2013. I'll draw four names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Surrender by Stephanie Tyler. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

One final note -- I'm also holding another giveaway over at the Disenchanted & Co. blog; stop in if you have a chance.

Discoveries Week: Stephanie Tyler

The winner of the Discoveries Week: Shiloh Walker giveaway is:

Shrouded Heart, who can't wait to read Thea Harrison's Oracles Moon;

Shrouded Heart, when you have a chance please send your full name and ship-to address to LynnViehl@aol.com so I can get your prize package out to you. Thanks to everyone for joining in and making so many great March recs.

As much as I enjoy my Darkyn immortals, I think human characters can be just as much fun to write. Simone Derien, the female protagonist of Nightborn, is an extraordinary woman who wanted nothing more than an ordinary life of serenity and service at a French convent. To have it, she had to make a terrible bargain, but in the ten years since she's mostly forgotten about the price of her freedom. When a courier arrives at the convent with a message from one of the deadliest of Kyn assassins, Simone's promise comes due, and her quiet, peaceful life is suddenly gone forever.

While writing my Kyndred novels, I fell in love with other extraordinary humans much like Simone. No matter how powerful their gifts or heavy their burdens, the Kyndred always coveted most what the rest of us take for granted: our simple, ordinary lives. While we often admire and envy those who are exceptionally gifted, we rarely appreciate that deep down they're just like us, and want to be accepted and valued and loved for who they are, not what they do.

As one half of the Sydney Croft writing team, and author of her own Shadow Force and multiple SEAL novel series, Stephanie Tyler is already a very accomplished storyteller with wonderful range. This month she's debuting her first novel of the Eternal Wolf Clan, Dire Needs, a new paranormal romance series about the Dire Wolves, immortal shape-shifters battling an ancient enemy in the modern world. This story moves like lightning from the first paragraph, and has such vivid, wild characters that you're fully immersed in their dark and dangerous world within just a few pages. I think this is the most exciting debut series book being released this month, and definitely worth checking out.



Or you might win a copy from me, along with all four novels in my Kyndred series, an adorable stuffed pup named Scout, a writer's words mug from Author Outfitters, a black cameo edition of my BookLoop and some other goodies. If you'd like to win this bunch, in comments to this post name your favorite shifter book or series (or if you can't think of one, toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST tonight, Thursday, March 8, 2012. I will draw one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner an unsigned copy of Stephanie Tyler's Dire Needs, signed copies of my Kyndred novels and the rest of the goodies. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

Blaze Bonanza

I went to the bookstore today to pick up among other things Alison Kent's latest Blaze release. As I was looking through the titles, other familiar names started jumping off the shelf and smacking me in the head. Turns out that in addition to Alison, Jo Leigh, Jordan Summers and Stephanie Tyler all have new Blaze releases out this month.

What are the odds of seeing four blogpals, all with new books, all published under the same imprint, all hit the same shelf at the exact same time? I don't know, either, but I feel like someone at Harlequin wants me to be very happy.

Tex Appeal is actually a trio of stories by Alison Kent, Kimberly Raye and Cara Summers. I don't think I've ever read a Blaze trilogy before, and romance short stories are tough to write. The stories are about some of our favorite heroes, cowboys, so I'm looking forward to seeing what these three ladies have delivered.

Coming Soon by Jo Leigh is a novel set in the very hot Hush hotel from the Do Not Disturb line, one of my favorite Blaze miniseries. Who wouldn't love a hotel that caters to your private fantasies? Just imagine the room service menu. Or what's stocked in the each room's armoire. Jo never disappoints, so I know this one will be a great read.

Off Limits is Jordan Summers' first release for Blaze. As soon as I saw it I remembered back to the day she posted about selling this book, and then I teared up. When a writer friend who works as hard and cares as much about writing as Jordan does gets on the shelf, I do get a little emotional. I love the cover art for this one, too. It's both provocative and lovely, which suits Jordan's writing style perfectly.

Beyond His Control by Stephanie Tyler features one of her much-loved Navy SEAL heroes. I admit it, I love her guys. Seeing Stephanie in print also takes me back to the days when I first started PBW and (virtually) met her and so many other new young writers pursuing publication. Watching this next generation of writers turn pro is beyond cool.

I've got plenty to read now, so thank you, Harlequin.

I'd like to celebrate my blogpals' releases with a giveaway, so if you want a chance to read these novels, in comments to this post list a link or URL for any writer weblog that you enjoy visiting (or, if you can't pick a favorite, just throw your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Saturday, March 1st, 2008. I'll draw four names from all those who participate and send the winners unsigned copies of Tex Appeal by Alison Kent, Kimberly Raye and Cara Summers, Coming Soon by Jo Leigh, Off Limits by Jordan Summers, Beyond His Control by Stephanie Tyler, plus a surprise. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.