Labels: bookcovers, Erin McCarthy

Labels: Erin McCarthy

I have a confession to make: I have a new part-time job. A fun, interesting one too. Curious to know what it is? Well, you are currently visiting the blog of Erin McCarthy's assistant!

Now it's not all a bed of roses. I have to read her books and come up with interesting posts and have contests to give away said books. Yeah, real tough life. All kidding aside, I freakin' ADORE Erin and have known her for years, and I'm honored and flattered to have been offered this opportunity to spread the word about one of my favorite authors ever. It truly is something I love doing, and damn, what a fun gig!

I'd actually been planning this particular post awhile, since way before she asked me about the position, because I do love her books and want to share them with everyone. So now that Hot Finish, the 3rd book in Erin's Fast Track series was recently released, I thought it would be a fun thing to have a contest for all 3 of them.

My contest is open to everyone, including international readers. As long as you can receive mail, you can enter the contest :)

1. The Fast Track series is about racing. Are you a fan of racing? If not, what is your favorite sport to watch on t.v.?


2. Racing has a lot of fans and followers. Would you want to date a racing celebrity? Why or why not?


3. Be honest, when you're behind the wheel, are you a hot-footed Jeff Gordon or a "follow the speed limit or you'll crash" driver?

Contest rules: You MUST answer ALL the questions to qualify for an entry into the contest. Contest will end on Friday, August 20th at 7pm CST. Winner must respond within one week of being announced as such (as I tend to post a bit late!)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Labels: contest, Erin McCarthy

Not all marriages last forever!

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client,and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband!

But this one might…

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if,even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early,they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish!

Labels: Erin McCarthy

These ladies are always doing fabulous things with their love of books, and in this case, it's another of my favorite authors, ERIN MCCARTHY. Both Dear Author and Smart Bitches are GIVING AWAY a huge ass amount of books.

Not all marriages last forever!

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client,and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband!

But this one might…

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if,even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early,they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish!

Labels: Erin McCarthy

Labels: Erin McCarthy

Labels: Erin McCarthy

It's been awhile since I've done my weekly spotlight, but think I'm finally on track again. Since there are some letters of the alphabet that I don't have authors for, I've decided to double up. Here is another one of my all-time favorites:

I first heard Erin McCarthy's name years ago while online at Lori Foster's Yahoo Group. Though it was Lori's group, she was very gracious about inviting other authors to hang out and chat, and I believe that's how I got to know Erin so many years ago. I really liked her personality, and I was excited to hear she was a recently published author, so obviously I couldn't wait to read her stories.

The first book of Erin's I remember reading is "Smart Mouth", which gives the reader a strong idea of Erin's writing style. The story, is sexy and snappy, and I love how once the hero encounters the heroine, his whole perfectly ordered life, or at least the life he thought was so orderly, is turned completely upside down. Another thing I adore about Erin's stories are that they're funny as hell, not always slapstick, but sometimes in a very earthy, sexy way. I love it when the heroine knocks the hero on his ass because she's just not like anything he'd expected, and he just stop thinking about her, even when she drives him completely nuts.

Erin is not one to sit still. She writes about the Vegas Vampires, a light-hearted take on the undead which is a lot of fun to read, and she's writing a darker series about the Seven Deadly Sins. She obviously likes to challenge herself. Not to mention she has the Young Adult books under the moniker Erin Lynn. The first one, "Demon Envy", is a younger voice, but still her's. It's sarcastic, but it's not cynical and so all-knowing like some other YA books I've read. I enjoyed it very much, and have yet to grab the 2nd book, "Speed Demon", especially now that I've found my way slowly gravitating towards YA, which I don't often do. But I enjoyed the characters in the first book very much and would love to find out what they're up to these days.

I think Erin's books are the perfect definition of everything that was awesome about a Kensington Brava story, and now she's moved on to another great name in sexy romance, Berkley Sensation. Erin might quite an impression last winter with the release of the first book in her Fast Track series, "Flat-Out Sexy". And I'd be remiss if I didn't post one of her sexiest covers, from the 2nd book in the Fast Track series. If anyone bought the book for the cover alone, that's a treat, but then you read another hot story that leaves you wanting more. I love that Ty sees beyond Imogen's studious looks to the sexy woman beneath, and that she sees he's not the pretty boy he lets people believe him to be. And I'd also be remiss if I didn't make mention of the hawt tree sexin' that goes on in this book. Just ask Katiebabs, an expert in this particular topic ;)

So tell me: have you read Erin McCarthy's books?

Which one is your favorite?

It's hard to choose, isn't it?

Labels: Erin McCarthy, spotlight

Imogen Wilson is trying to find a topic for her sociology thesis when she comes across a book about the rules for dating and marrying a race car driver, and bingo, she decides she has her subject. But pulling it off might be tricky as she doesn't want to actually catch a race car driver, at least not unless it's sexy Ty McCordle.

Imogen has been attracted to Ty since she met him months ago, but he's dating someone else, plus he doesn't even know her name, so she tries to put him out of her mind. Easier said than done when they hang out with the same people. In fact it's at a gathering at the house of mutual friends that Imogen runs into Ty during a rainstorm, and discovers he's just as attracted to her as she is to him. Still, there's that little matter of a pesky, high-maintenance girlfriend...

Ty knows that he's been dating the wrong kind of women, his latest dating dilemma being a prime example of letting things go way past their expiration date. Just when he's trying to figure out an easy way to get out of a sticky situation, a timely solution presents itself literally right in front of him, letting him off the hook and freeing him up so he can date a woman he's actually genuinely interested in.

While their mutual attraction is what initially draws them together, it doesn't take long for either one to realize that they truly enjoy each other's company. Ty not only finds Imogen to be incredibly smart and classically beautiful, but he's totally turned on by her insatiable curiosity and inability to lie. There's no artifice when it comes to her; everything about her is natural and real, not plastic and enhanced. Plus he finds her hot as hell, and can't wait to get her nekkid.

As for Imogen, well, she loves Ty's laid-back yet adventurous personality. She likes it when he takes charge and tells her how it's going to be instead of always asking for her approval. Ty has a confident, decisive nature, and she finds that incredibly sexy, especially when compared to some of the men she's dated in the past. Plus he quotes Shakespeare, listens to what she has to say, and does amazing things to her with his mouth...

In just a matter of a few short weeks, these two are discovering what it's like to fall in love for the first time, and while it's rather quick and all kinds of scary, it's also really wonderful and exhilerating. Imogen discovers that when it comes to love, there's no such thing as rules, and Ty finds out what it's like to be valued for who he is as a person instead of as a public sports figure. Yet Ty is keeping a secret from Imogen and when it finally is revealed during a crucial time in their relationship, will the truth set him free, or will Imogen's knowledge of this information end up tearing them apart?

My thoughts:

First off, I cannot continue without commenting on the sexiness of this cover. That alone would entice me to buy the book, and because Erin was kind enough to send me an ARC sans hot guy cover a few weeks ago, I will just have to get my own copy when it's released in May. Believe me, it's no sacrifice ;)

Just as deliciously hot and naughty as "Flat-Out Sexy", this book is a fine tribute to the men who race stock cars and the women who love them. Just one of the reasons I love reading them is because they bring back fond memories of my childhood when my uncle used to race cars and he'd come to our house to load the car onto the truck. Having ridden in one, I know exactly how young Hunter (Tamara's daughter) feels. t is a thrill.

One of the really cool things Erin did was write a heroine who broke the mold a little. Yes, Imogen was very intelligent and bookish, extremely inquisitive and more of an observer of life than a participant at times. But she also possessed an earthy, sexual nature that spoke of her appreciation and enjoyment of sex, even before Ty came along and rocked her world. She was not a woman waiting on an orgasm. You gotta love that she had a life before Ty.

And Ty, though he was gorgeous and chased after by racing groupies, he had moments of self-doubt, especially when he thought about not racing. And though he wasn't book smart like Imogen, he had an amazing memory and really paid attention to Imogen when she talked. He loved her observations, her endless questions, and most especially her willingness to lead him lead when it came to sex. He liked being dominate in the bedroom, and knowing that Imogen trusted him to take care of her was a huge compliment, not to mention very arousing.

But beyond the scorching sex, these two actually talked. They had conversations all the time, so even though they had only been dating a short time before they fell in love, it made complete and believable sense. It wasn't just about two people who had incredible sex and decided they were soulmates. These two actually got to know each other a little bit before finally setting off those anticipated fireworks in the bedroom. Watching them fall in love through their conversations was unexpectedly sweet, and I say "unexpectedly" because they had such a strong and raging attraction where they could barely keep their hands off each other, yet it was through their talks that they truly bonded.

Now of course you can't talk about this book without talking about the aforementioned heated and raunchy sex. I found it all to be really hot and exciting. There's been some talk (okay Kati brought this up first and I should just call this Kati's other blog since I am always referring to her here LOL) about certain positions and whether or not they're hot, i.e. a woman sitting on a guy's face. I totally agree that it's not the most comfortable or sexy position, and more likely than not makes a woman feel very self-conscious, but at times like this I tend to suspend disbelief a little and let myself imagine that the hero is going to make it so freakin' good for her that she doesn't care what he's seeing as long as he's making her come. Of course then there's the ability to "hold the position" so to speak, and not suffocate the poor guy while he's working his magic. That takes a little more imagination to make it believable, but hey, it can be done.

I had written my comment on Kati's blog before I read the book, so while in theory it doesn't sound very sexy, I didn't have a problem with how it was written. Nor did I feel uncomfortable with it, or that I was jolted from the scene. In most cases, as long there's no pain or unwillingness, I am okay with what happens in the bedroom. Or the tent, as the case may be. And at one point early on, Imogen was completely upfront about what she didn't like, and Ty didn't try to change her mind about it either, and I thought that was cool. He obviously found other ways to please her, and they all seemed to work.

As to the secret Ty was keeping from Imogen, well I'm not going to spill the beans obviously, but I will say it opened up a whole lot of questions for them that were not unexpected, considering the brevity of their relationship. While they loved each other, their were some issues that needed to be brought out and discussed before they could live HEA, and the revelation Ty made was almost enough to end their relationship. Not so much because of the content of his secret, but because of the subsequent discussion they had afterwards. I think it was very important because they needed to have complete trust and honesty between them before they could take the next step. So while they were both giddy with the first blush of true love, there were some significant conversations to be had between them. I think it drives home that yes, love is very important, but so are the other components that go along with it - trust, understanding, honesty, respect. You need all of these things to have a strong and solid relationship, whether you've been together a month or a year.

Of course in this book we get to see Tamara and Elec still going strong, and then there's the much anticipated story of Suzanne & Ryder. These two definitely have a bond, but it doesn't look like it will be all that easy to find love again. I'm so curious to see how Erin will pull it off. But in the meantime, I going to savor Ty's and Imogen's love story, and probably read it again before June, when hopefully I'll get a chance to gush to Erin in person about how much I adored this book. It's definitely one for the keeper shelves.

Rating: ****1/2 out of *****

Labels: Erin McCarthy, reviews

She met him at the racetrack...

...which was the last place Tamara Briggs wanted to find a man. Even a deeply intriguing, seductively sexy man like Elec Monroe. Tamara's a single mother now after losing her daredevil husband in an accident -- and she's not about to get involved with another driver and put her kids, or herself, through that again. Besides, Elec's young enough to be her...younger brother.

Now things are moving a little too fast...

But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she's tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how big a risk she's willing to take to experience the thrilling, terrifying power of true love...

Labels: Erin McCarthy

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Jove (April 29, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0515144622
ISBN-13: 978-0515144628

New Orleans, 1880s. Sent to watch over the decadent city, the angel Gabriel loses himself in the liquid pleasure of absinthe. So when his mistress, Anne, is murdered—and all evidence points to him— a foggy Gabriel cannot be sure he didn't do it. His penance: to be forever denied love. Should he seek pleasure with a woman, she'll know the depths of despair.

And for Sara, already familiar with the dangers of addiction, Gabriel poses the ultimate threat to her self-control. But can the desire burning between them turn into their salvation—or lead them both to destruction?

Labels: Erin McCarthy, reviews

Labels: ARCs, Erin McCarthy

The year is 1790, and the demons are out to play during Louisiana's hot, sticky summer solstice. One such demon, Rosa Francis is making the rounds of the various plantations to partake in the offerings they have left for her. Her first stop is Rosa de Montana, where she expects to be properly admired and feared by the extravagant offerings of the plantation, only to be greeted by silence, and not the gratitude of those who understand the power she can unleash if she is made angry. Instead she finds the cruel and handsome Damien du Bourg, who gives her great pleasure in exchange for eternal life....

Present-day Louisiana: Marley Turner is looking for her free-spirited sister Lizzie, whose last known whereabouts happens to be Rosa de Montana, and is rather dismayed when when she arrives from Ohio and sees the crumbling mansion where Lizzie had supposedly been staying. Here she runs into sinfully gorgeous Damien du Bourg, who makes her a tad bit uncomfortable and suspicious, but he may be the only person who can help her find her missing sister, so she reluctantly agrees to let him help her while trying to deny her overpowering attraction to the enigmatic man. She knows Damien is keeping secrets from her, possibly dangerous ones, but she's desperate enough to ignore all that if it will help her find Lizzie. Damien discovers that Marley has something he wants, a letter about someone from his past, and he has agreed to help her find her sister in exchange. Damien arranges to throw one of his infamous sex parties in the hopes Lizzie will show up and put Marley's fears to rest, and in turn will give him what he wants.

Damien is intrigued by the saintly yet lushly sexy Marley, especially since she's able to resist his overwhelming sexual pull, a fringe benefit to the immortality he eagerly demanded centuries ago. Part of Damien's curse is that he must service women sexually, and he has done so faithfully yet wearily for years, but now he faces a woman who truly attracts him, yet manages to avoid his seductive charms. The more he gets to know this virtuous woman, the more he wants to be with her, until he finds himself wishing for a future he knows he can never have: of happiness with the one woman he loves beyond eternity. Damien du Bourg has been given a curse he gladly asked for, not realizing until it was too late just how cruel a pact with a demon truly is, and Damien has done things, horrible things for which he knows he can never be forgiven, so wishing for happiness is just a foolish wish.

I was damn lucky to win an ARC for "My Immortal", and it was pure reading pleasure. Erin McCarthy has strayed from her usual lighter, humorously hot stories to bring us a darkly sensual tale filled with lust, redemption and the overwhelming power of love. The setting is the earthly and humid location of New Orleans, Louisiana, which invokes a multitude of images saturated with the spicy and flavorful naughtiness and decadence of the bayou. It comes across as the perfect playground for a regretful demon to live out his eternal life while he pays homage to those he answers to, albeit reluctantly. It's also the right setting for Marley to transform from a shy, introverted wallflower into a confident, brave, alluring woman who demands more out of life than to just merely exist. While searching for her sister, Marley learns some things about herself and about what she cannot control, no matter how much she tries, and while it's a bittersweet lesson, it's one she needed to learn in order to go on with her life.

This book haunted me long after I read it and couldn't stop thinking about what it must be like to live with such a curse. The story was rather dark, and the characters really had to go through a lot to earn their HEA. It reminded me how the consequences of our impulsive actions can sometimes cause strong regret when they can't be taken back, ever. Kudos to Erin for delivering an emotional and intense story that made me think, but also made me believe in the strength and courage it takes to face up to what you've done in your own life instead of whining and/or blaming others. This book really resonated with me. I completely fell into the story and couldn't put it down, which just goes to show you what an amazing talent Ms. McCarthy truly is. I anxiously look forward to the next installment: Erin, babe, you have me completely hooked.

Labels: Erin McCarthy, reviews

Labels: Erin McCarthy, Impalers, vampires