The Forbidden Claim by Kelly Gendron (+ Giveaway!)

I don’t mind a good Romantic Suspense, so I put my hand up to review this title, little did I know I was going to find a seriously sexy title landing in my inbox!

US Marshall Jinx Collins is an outspoken, free-spirited, and fearless woman. It’s that same fearlessness, however, that tends to get her into trouble. Jinx has lots of questions about her life including the man who could be her the key to her past. 

Jed Kane has worked undercover in the human trafficking ring for years. When Jed accepts a job to disguise himself as one of his worst enemies and take a ride from the correctional facility to a secured location, he certainly had not planned on being abducted by Jinx Collins.

There was nothing about the relationship that did not immediately explode into life.  From the first encounter of Jinx and Jed we were left in no doubt that this couple would be ending up together by the end of the book.  The interludes are regular and very very hot.  So make sure you wear oven mits when reading the intimate scenes!

There was a range of themes contained throughout the story, including assumed identities, abducted children, reunited sibling, well you get the idea, anyway.  I did think the suspense came very secondary to the character/couple development throughout the book, which is a shame, because I do think it would have strengthened the tale a little and by the end I was a little let down that it really felt almost unfinished.  I ended up asking myself if there will be a follow on book?

Verdict:  At the end of the day, it is an erotic tale that should leave you warmed on the inside.  I would suggest it for those looking for a weekend or holiday read with the added benefit of a little naughty pleasure.

4 stars

BLURB

US Marshall Jinx Collins is an outspoken, free-spirited, and fearless woman. It's that same fearlessness, however, that tends to get her into trouble. Jinx questions her life prior to being adopted. When those questions lead her to a murderer who's about to be transported into the witness protection program, Jinx decides to kidnap him to see if she can uncover the truth.

Jed Kane has worked undercover in the human trafficking ring for years. When Jed accepts a job to disguise himself as one of his worst enemies and to take a ride from the correctional facility to a secured location, he certainly had not planned on being abducted by Jinx Collins. Jed's uncertain as to how he feels about her touchy-feely hands and loose lips-unsure if they irritate him or if they are awakening his badly behaving desires. Jed knows he must first find out what the fanatical little lady wants with a murderer before he can act on whatever he's feeling.

Straight away Jinx is attracted to the resilient and enticing Jed Kane-the only man who hasn't backed down from her candor. While Jinx discovers that the questionable criminal may be able to assist her in finding out the truth about her past, Jed vows to save Jinx from her daring self. Once Jinx starts to understand what Jed feels for her-he wants to own her-she demands that he succumb to the raging frenzy. Jed allows himself to seduce her body, submitting himself to that dominant need. But haunted by a world of unlawful ownership, Jed forbids his cold heart to stake its dangerous claim on Jinx Collins.

Locked away in a dark basement, a little boy is waiting to be rescued-and Jinx's past holds the key to his prison. If Jinx can finally find the truth which holds her fears, and if Jed can forgive himself for his past, then not only might they be able to save the boy, but they might also discover that their carnal desires really derive from their own prison... an inescapable prison of love.

EXCERPT 

Instinct told him to remove his hands from her hot little body. But Jed stood motionless. He needed to let go-and should have-but as her smile dissolved, he became lost to the kittenish gleam in her canted eyes. She feathered her fingertips lightly over his chest and Jed stiffened.

"Well," she lifted a hand and slipped it around to the back of his neck, "I'm patiently waiting for that other shock... the one you personally were going to give to me if I tried to escape." She scrapped her nails along his neck. A rush of goose-bumps rippled right down to Jed's toes.

He glared at her. Anger surged through him from her foolish but bold act, and from his reaction to it. He wanted to grab her and shake her. Although he may not be Aztec, Jed certainly was a killer, and this Jinx was too daring for her own damn good. He wanted to teach her a lesson and give her another well-deserved scare. He snatched her hands and slammed her into the wall. "Don't try to seduce me. There's no way I'm letting you go," he warned.

"Seduce you?" She tossed back her head and giggled as if it was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard. "Jed," she sobered, but the fearless minx didn't shrink back from him, instead, she pressed her body up against his, "don't mistake my curiosity for seduction."

Jed pinned her hands to the wall. If closeness was what she wanted, then he'd give it to her. He thrust his body forward, hitting his pelvis, hips, and his growing erection into her soft form. She tensed beneath his firm hold, and his action was rewarded by the flicker of fear he caught in her eyes.

"Don't' mistake this GQ guy," he pushed her hands harder to the wall, "for a man who wouldn't hurt you to get what he wants."

Trepidation slipped from her. "And what exactly is it that you want, Jed?" She glimpsed down at their molded bodies, drawing attention to his hard male heat, and then glanced back up at him.

Fuck! Jed could feel his self-control slipping. He needed to back away. Discerning his insubordinate rod was almost ready to surrender to her sexual advances, ready to take what she was offering in return for her freedom.

"Right now, what I want," his mouth was so close, nearly brushing hers, "you couldn't handle it."

"Try me," she purred, her warm breath feathering upon his lips.

Damn! She made him hard. He inched closer to her tempt. Her small firm breasts pressed into his chest and her breaths quickened as he rounded to her ear. "I think I'll wait until you tell me just who you are," he lowered his already rasping voice, "before I satisfy your curiosity and play with you, little lady." He drew back, determining if he didn't retreat, the disloyal throbbing hardness between his legs would stop at nothing to get what it wanted- her. And with that knowledge, Jed did what he should've done when she fell into his body- he let her go. Seeing the flash of relief in her eyes reassured Jed that he'd made the right decision. It appeared, for all the purring the kitty was doing, her nails weren't actually ready to give him a scratch, yet.

Jed went over to the window to close it. While latching the window, he caught her reflection in the mirror. She was going after his gun. "Don't even try it," he advised the little lady, who apparently hadn't learned not to touch something when it was hot.

She grimaced. Her head turned, and she met his reflection. "Wouldn't think of it," she smirked and crossed her arms over her heaving breasts...

BUY LINKS

Amazon  Red Sage Publishing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly has been faithfully writing for three years but did write her first book ten years ago. She put it down to raise her son as a single mom and then picked it back up when she and her son finally grew up. That's when she settled into her adult life and started to seriously write again. She's dabbled with paranormal stories, but recently she's been on a Romantic Suspense kick. The recipe for the men in her stories: dark and mysterious, strong and confident and, of course, besides magnificent bodies, and shameless aptitudes, they must have a heart you want to rip out of the pages (or your e-Reader) and take to bed with you at night.

Website   Blog   Facebook

VBT Schedule:

May 14: Imogene Nix (Giveaway/Review)
May 15: Delighted Reader (Book Feature)
May 16: Black Hippie Chick's Take on Books & the World (Interview)
May 17: Harlie's Books (Interview)
May 18: She Who Blogs Behind the Rows (Interview)
May 19: Bookin' It Reviews (Giveaway)
May 20: Full Moon Bites (Interview)
May 21: Avril's Blog (Book Feature)
May 22: The Romance Writer's Reads (Interview)
May 23: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess (Giveaway)
May 24: Simply Ali (Interview)
May 25: Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More (Giveaway/Review)
May 26: Intoxicated by Books (Book Feature)
May 27: Turning The Pages (Review)
May 28: ReadingDiva's Blog (Review)

To Win!

Simply tell us why you would love to win this title in 25 words or less!  Don't forget to add your email address (with spaces) so I can email the PDF to the winning writer!

Good luck - the winner will be drawn Close of Business Friday 18th May Queensland Time. 

More Cover Art :)

Yes, I've been very very good, hiding away in my office working.  In fact, I have been so good, I haven't yet shared my latest cover art for Star of the Fleet...

So here I am editing Starfire, worrying about edits of Star of the Fleet, and the fabulous Dawne Dominique hits me with this fabulous cover.  What can I say?

It is TOTALLY awesome!

Ah yes and to go with it is the updated Banner as well.  Watch out - this will be showing up in other places soon, too!

Apart from that, Blame the Wine is now being read over and I am working on 2 projects at once - The Blood Bride is finally back onto the screen and being edited (after discovering I lost the last 20 000 words somewhere...) and Beating Death (still on the working title there.)

I am looking forward to my break in Perth in about a week.  So I will only be putting up the odd post, here and there for the next little while.  On a really bright note, though, I will be catching up with the super fabulous Carolyn Wren (you are going to be hearing a whole heap more about her in the months to come!) who just happens to be my Critique Partner and also finalist in BOTH the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald competition (Category Title) AND the Daphne Du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery & Suspense writing.

Imogene

Romance is just one story arc

You know, there just isn't a lot of good SciFi romance around - so when fellow Aussie Greta popped up her hand, to say her next release, Starheart was about to be released, what else could I do.

Please welcome Great van der Rol.

Thanks so much for having me here today, Imogene. My latest science fiction romance, Starheart, has just been released and it's wonderful to have an opportunity to tell your readers a little more about the book.

I've sometimes wondered if I'd be capable of writing a standard romance, where the 'theme' is 'love conquers all' and the 'happy ever after' is the aim of the plot. I have to say, I suspect the answer is 'no'. I think the closest to 'just' a romance I've ever written is the two Iron Admiral books. Even then the books are full of action and adventure and some more difficult themes.

That's why I describe my science fiction novels as having 'a dollop of romance'. If I took out the romance, the story would stand. But I don't think it would be as interesting. Romance is about relationships and the resolution of conflicts. In my novels, you could say the romance element complicates things for my characters. Would he take that risk if he didn't love her? Could she risk getting involved with him? Could she trust him?

Starheart is no different. At its core it is a mystery which starts with the death of Jess Sondijk's husband in a botched raid. When Jess and her first officer, Santh Dekstra, investigate what happened, they are drawn into a web of intrigue and duplicity, all the while trying to keep their activities secret from Admiral Hudson.

Here's a hint of what's to come. Hudson and Jess are at dinner together. Hudson is asking questions.

"What exactly happened? This was a Militia patrol ship that

stopped him, was it not?"

What was this about? Maybe he was asking questions about the Militia and how they did things? Whatever. She had nothing to hide. "Yes. I wasn't there. The report said Troy made an aggressive movement, waved a weapon and he was killed."

"He was smuggling drugs?"

She shook her head. "Rubbish. Never drugs; never. Besides, they take Nervana up to Tabora to suck in bored miners. They don't bring it back."

He spread both hands. "But it was found."

"It was planted to cover up the botched raid. That's what I think, anyway. The officer got jumpy, thought Troy was pulling a gun and overreacted." She shrugged.

"So you don't believe any of it?"

"No. Not then, not now. An incompetent bully-boy covered up a fatal mistake. It wouldn't be the first time." She picked up her glass, sipped at her wine. This was uncomfortable. She didn't want to talk about it. It was over.

"True."

"Look, it's in the past." She twirled her glass in her fingers, watching the wine swirl around the bowl.

"Forgive me. Why weren't you on this trip?"

"I was away, at the hospital with Tenna, my daughter. She'd been taken ill, extremely ill."

Memories flooded. Tenna lying on a sheet, her face parchment-white, tubes, nanobots taking over her functions, drips, oscillating lines on screens. And then to top it off, Troy was dead.

"Is your daughter recovered?" Hudson's eyes reflected sympathy.

"Yes, but learning her father was dead didn't help."

"No, I expect not. He was alone on that trip?"

"No. There has to be a first officer. Regulations. But it was an unusual trip. The first officer, his best friend, was bashed within an inch of his life on Tabora, so he had a stand-in co-pilot. Vera might be a competent navigator but she's a pain in the ass."

Hudson rested his chin on his hand. "Who was bashed? Where?"

The memories flooded back. He'd burst the dam with all his questions, damn him.

"Santh. Santhias Dekstra, he's my first officer, now. He couldn't make the trip home with Troy because he was in the med centre on Tabora."

"And this Vera was the replacement first officer?"

"That's right. Vera Quattro. She's a freelance, a locum if you like. She needed a trip home after taking a ship to Tabora. I heard she complained about getting boarded, too. Troy's dead and she's whining about her reputation. Stupid bitch."

"Did you ask for an investigation into his death?"

She met his gaze. "They did an investigation. I have the report. 'Dear Ms Sondijk, we're dreadfully sorry your husband was killed, it was an accident, these things happen, have a nice day.'" She pushed her fingers into her forehead. Damn it. She was over this. Over it.

"The case can be re-opened if you're not happy."

"What the hell for? It won't bring him back, won't change anything. No thanks."

****

You can find out more about Starheart on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Starheart-ebook/dp/B007B1W37O/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text

I'll be at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com.au on 9th March to answer six questions.

To celebrate the release of 'Starheart' I'll be giving a $25 Amazon gift voucher to one person who leaves a comment on any of the blogs I visit until 10^th March. So leave a comment here and you'll be in the draw.

Bio

Greta van der Rol loves writing science fiction with a large dollop of good old, healthy romance. She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.

Links:

> - http://gretavanderrol.net/
> - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
> - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Greta.vanderRol

Happy Valentines Day - Naughty After Dark Blog Hop

Welcome one and all. Today is Valentines Day. It is one of my favourite days of the year ... and I'd like to share why.

I feel like I've been blogging all over the internet to get to today. But today is the day I get to share with you my view of Valentines Day.

You know, a lot of people today will post about their most romantic times/places etc., Some will blog about what's wrong with Valentines Day. But for just a moment, I want to be still and savor it

he experience of Valentines Day.

That one day of the year where we can throw our inhibitions to the wind and say I Love You knowing full well that we aren't embarrassing ourselves. Uh Huh... Actually, to be honest I think I did that when I nipped into the newsagents this morning and bought my darling hubby a card and a singing ape. :) Yeah...sad on so many levels, but also, as I walked past a gentleman sitting outside the shop I grinned at him. And you know what? He grinned back!

Why? Because I am lucky. I do have a True Valentine. Someone I feel more at home holding the hand of in public. Someone I am happy to shout I Love You to.

Yes, Valentines Day has a rampantly commercial feel, but it's also a day to celebrate the little

stuff. The thoughtful touches they add to your life. It's the one day you can say Thank You and allow it to be innately romantic. For many, this may be the only day of the year they experience that from their lover.

Now, don't get me wrong. You don't have to spend lots to make that gesture. In fact some of the best I have ever done (well in my opinion) involved little to no cost. And I'm sure most of you readers could share your own thoughts on cheap and cheerful (even free ways) you can do the same.

Love Notes (gee I used to do them in times gone by), cooking a favourite meal and even making biscuits with I Love You written on them (did that while we were both poor University students). But it is the day when you can do this guilt free.

So today I want you to do something different. Find a way. Anyway. Tell the one you love how you truly feel. Just open your heart to your True Love.

Oh...and as a giveaway? Today (and not just because it is part of the Naughty After Dark Blog Hop - that just adds the extra fun element), when you comment and tell me your special almost cost free ideas for Valentines Day. The prize? Well, I'm going to be naughty. A copy of Starline (how to be naughty in space - sorry no Zero G this time!)

Happy Valentines Day

Imogene

Ohh...nearly forgot. Why not pop along and see who else is blogging today for the Naughty After Dark blog hop? Follow the links below!

Valentines Day Ruminations...

Valentines Day is coming and to be honest, this year I'm a bundle of nerves. Why, you ask? Because this year, I have stepped up to the plate...this year I am a Published Author.

How exciting is that, right? Well it is pretty awesome, except for one thing. What should I do know?

Say what...? Yeah, I know. Here I am an author of a SciFi Romance wondering what on earth I should do this year that is so different. In the past, I have done all sorts of things...fun stuff.
One year, when hubby and I were struggling with Uni and work, I made these little love heart biscuits, and with bits of nut, wrote "I Love You" on them and arranged them on the plate. I have left Love Notes and things like that. But the last few years, I have got slack. You read right. Slack. S-L-A-C-K!

Hubby brings me flowers and wine and stuffed sexy kittens for my office, but I am lucky to do a card. Sure I cook dinner and stuff like that, but that is about my limit these days. I want to do something new, bold and exciting.

I was looking around for ideas and found this - I will propose to your boyfriend this leap year for you for $5

Somehow, that didn't do it for me. Could be partially because this year we celebrate 18 years of marriage. Could be, because I would rather do something like that myself. Sigh. So it's time to look again. Something original and new...

That is part of the problem isn't it? I will still cook a dinner for two - we have candelabra, quiet music and ... ah yeah... teenage daughters. It's hard to be romantic with teenagers in the house.

I have always considered sending him flowers, but it really doesn't work for us. He could be anywhere in the region so it wouldn't work and he thinks flowers are a girly thing. A card? Sure I can and will pick one up, and some nice wine. He doesn't really like chocolates and his view of Val's Day is that it is horribly commercial...

So, here I am...once more thinking what to do... But enough of my rambling...what are your plans?

Go on, share. I won't tell anyone. And if I get one I really really like and think will work for me, I might find a copy of Starline in my prize cupboard!

Imogene

Conundrums and more Conundrums

So here I sit in my cold cold office, with fingers that feel like they are likely to break off as iciciles in the freezing weather if it gets any colder. I can hear the chorus of "Hop Into Bed!" running in my mind, but with kids about to go to school and more work including re-writes for the book calling, I know I will have to soldier on. Which leads me to the main reason for today's blog:

Sex, Sex and More Sex....(at least in a romance book or Sci-Fi if you are me.)

One thing I learnt while I was away is that some guys just don't get the whole romance aspect of a sci-fi romance. A friend of hubbys (who is a really nice guy, with a fabulous wife, both professionals who have known us for over 10 years and we consider them good close friends) settled down with my manuscript while we were away, flicking through the pages. Hubby had called it raunchy (in warning to him) to which I valiantly disputed it wasn't (well not by most of today's standards anyway.) Flick, flick, flicking through the pages he found the first of what my CP calls my intimate scenes. Uh huh, watching his face turn shades of red, but you know what? He kept reading. He had no clue I could write like that or even knew some of that information!

So I thought about it, the expectations people have about women who are WAMP's (White, Anglo-Saxon, Married & Professionals) and it occurrs to me, that for all our hard work at changing peoples perspectives of women and their needs, there is still a core (and a strong core at that) of people who believe that it is still Great Auntie Mary who never married who read these books for the titilation value. Now we know that the romance readership is varied and includes Men and Women of all ages, walks of life etc., From Accountants, Solicitors and even Barristers through to the lowliest cleaner...(not that I think they are lowly personally but you get my drift.) I am not sure how we overcome this except by coming out of the closet about our reading choices, what appeals to us and why we read these books.

For me, it is escape, sure I would be the first to agree to that, but also that instinctive need for closeness, romance and love. The concept of hope that seems to thread through a lot of the stories....and yes I get my HEA (Happy Ever After.) To be fair sometimes my HEA waits 3 or more books (bummer!) but I keep hanging out for it because I believe that I have invested emotion into those books - formed a bond with the characters, and I want to see them finally find that special man/woman/relationship. Yes! And I want to be challenged, either in seeking new worlds or just thinking about what is a reality for that cattle farmer down the road. (Not looking for much am I?)

So the next time you are in a bookstore, be loud and proud about your romance novel. Don't hide it in a brown paper bag. On the train, on Facebook or anywhere else you can think of, show off the book you are reading. It is only with a concerted effort that we can change the societal concept of romance readers and our expectations.

Okay, now back to my normal program.....Chloe Neill here I come :)

Happy Reading
Imogene Nix

Welcome to My World

Here I am world...new to the fun parts of writing. I have finished my first manuscript....Starline and while it is currently in it's infancy I think it is fun!

Basic premise? Sorry I can't tell you that just yet, but what I can say it, my brain hurt continually until it was finished. Starline is the first book in a trilogy called the Warriors of the Elector series.

Now I have to say, the hardest parts of this book to write were thinking up words that might be used in the future....I wonder if the concept of marriage will still be around, or will we have moved on to other forms of formalised unions? The future intrigues me and so I have examined that within my story.

The hero is tough and uber sexy, and the heroine? Well actually she kinda reminds me a little of some of my personality traits and others I only wish I could have! lol.

Okay, so keep an eye out to see what more will be coming soon!

Wishing you a wonderful experience
Imogene Nix