From Boardroom to Bedroom

Hosted by Donna MacMeans

The always fashionable and incredibly well-coifed Silhouette author, Jules Bennett, is joining us today with a dream and a challenge:

What would YOU do with one meellion dollars (that was my bad Dr. Evil impersonation, you just didn't see my pinky at the cor

ner of my mouth:)

Ahhh, the question you've asked yourself at least once. Right? Let's be honest, you ask yourself this at least once a DAY. I do anyway:)

A million dollars could go a long way, depending on what you do with it. You could get a new wardrobe for each season (with fabu shoes and matching handbag, of course). Maybe you'd buy a house for a family member or good friend in need. Oh, I know, you'd donate it all for the good of mankind:)

What would I do with the money? So glad you asked!

First, I'd go pick a little bit at a time off the tree in my backyard (yes, this is an

actual pic from my yard complete with money tree and dog house). I like to think I'd pay all my bills first (though I really don't have many now that I'm thinking about it), but I know me and I'd go shopping. I'm not gonna lie:)

I'd certainly send my parents on a cruise because they've always wanted to go on one, but never have. I'd also buy my dad a Cadillac because he's always wanted one, but swears the only one he'll ever ride in is the hearse that takes his body to the cemetary...yes, the man is a bit morbid:)

After I made my parents happy, I'd take an all girl trip to somewhere amazing like Italy, Ireland, Scotland. Maybe all three!

Oh, I'd certainly set my girls a nice cushion aside for college and a bit more so they can have a little to fall back on in case of unexpected emergencies.

I'd have to invest wisely (if such a thing is possible anymore).

Ugh! I just remembered I'd have to pay taxes on these to begin with, so my million isn't really a million, now is it? (Donna, what would I take home?)

Do you like how I act like this is a real possibility? Hey, I like to plan ahead and you never know!

Perhaps that's why I write for Silhouette Desire. My agent asked me years ago if I'd ever consider writing for them. She claimed my voice would fit with Desire perfectly. I guess so, huh? I love to daydream about lavish spending and now I get to write about yummy heroes who do just that! A match made in writer's heaven!

Here's the blurb from my October release, FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED?:

He'd been faced with the toughest decision of his life—a future full of wealth and power, or the love of Tamera Stevens. And self-made billionaire Cole Marcum had never regretted his choice. Until now, when circumstances forced him to work as partners with the woman he'd left behind.

The brilliant CEO was determined to keep their relationship strictly business. Even so, working so closely with the only woman he'd ever cherished had Cole rethinking his priorities. This time, was he prepared to choose love over money?

So, what would you do with a million dollars (minus the amount Donna tells us is taken away for taxes)? I didn't even get to all of my list, but I think I'd need more than a million;)

I'd love to hear some of your ideas! I'll chose one random winner to receive an autographed copy of my October Silhouette Desire, FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED?. Who wants to share their dream spending spree?

It's Launch Party Time for The Millionaire Meets His Match!!

By Kate

I am beyond thrilled with the release of my first romance, The Millionaire Meets His Match! Adam Duke is the millionaire in question, and he’s Silhouette Desire’s Man of the Month for July. How cool is that?!

After a rough early childhood, Adam was adopted by heiress Sally Duke, along with two other boys. From their early childhood experience, the Duke brothers believe that love doesn’t last and leads inevitably to pain. They vow to each other that they will never get married. Adam is determined to keep that pact.

The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance when Trish James enters his life!

So now let's party!!!

A Night of Fantasy

I’m hosting our launch party today at the fabulous Fantasy Mountain Resort and Spa, the latest luxury property from Duke Development International. Hop aboard Adam’s private jet and enjoy a nice glass of champagne while you recline in plush leather seats.

We’ve left behind the Sacramento skyline. The beautiful California coast will be visible for several minutes out the left side of the plane before we make our way toward the mountains.

Ah, here we are, at the Fantasy Mountain airstrip. A quick limo ride later, and we arrive at the magnificent, six-story Arts and Crafts style resort.

Smile for the paparazzi! They’re here in force, as they always are for events hosted by the Three Most Eligible Bachelors of California. The Duke brothers are looking fine in their tuxedos.

There’s dancing in the main lodge, so get your boogie on. Call out your requests. The band knows everyone’s favorites, guaranteed. What kind of band? Whatever kind you like – this is Fantasy Mountain, after all. We can all dance to the beat of our own drummer.

When your feet get tired, pop into the spa for a relaxing shoulder massage from Sven or Konrad. (Or Ingrid, for those of you looking for the feminine touch.)

Don't forget to order your favorite cocktail from our cabana boys! And dinner will be served whenever you want it. We have a table just for you in front of the wall of windows looking out onto the mountain scenery. The staff is here to cater to your every whim.

Thank you again for celebrating with me! This has been the perfect way to introduce The Millionaire Meets His Match to the world.

And please visit my brand new romance website! It's katecarlisle.com/romance, and I'd love to know how you like it! Do you like the colors? Do you like the graphics? Is there anything missing from the site? Let me know!

Once you've got your cocktail in hand, I have some Red Carpet questions for you: What are you wearing? Will you be on tomorrow’s Best Dressed List, or the What Was She Thinking page? Who is your date? Who is the celebrity you most want to meet tonight? (Living or dead – We’re on Fantasy Mountain, remember!)

From Booming Jets to the Bossman's Baby

posted by Nancy

Today we welcome RITA winner Catherine Mann for her first appearance in the Lair. Cathy writes both military and corporate romance, and she'll chat with us today about both.

Welcome, Catherine! What's the Dark Ops series, and what inspired you to write it?

The “Dark Ops” novels feature a squadron of top secret test pilots. They’re cutting edge in creating the latest technology. When all other options fail, these aviation pioneers are tapped to try out the latest “toys” from their arsenal!

Who are the hero and heroine of Renegade, and what keeps them apart?

RENEGADE features flyboy Mason Randolph and civilian cop Jill Walczak. Jill knows all about Mason’s heart-breaker rep and wants no part of him. Until he mysteriously lands in the section of Area 51 she’s slated to guard, leaving her no choice but to get upclose and personal when they’re quarantined together.

What bigger challenge do the characters face?

With a serial killer on the loose targeting people connected to the military, Jill and Mason must pool their resources and resist their attraction – especially when the murderer targets Mason.

Can we have a look inside the book?

From Chapter 1 of RENEGADE by Catherine Mann

Set up:In the middle of testing a new hypersonic jet, Tech Sergeant Mason Randolph was forced to parachute out over the desert…

Mason lay on the gritty sand, stunned. No harm in lying still for a few and rejoicing in the fact he would live to fly and make love again. There wasn’t any need to rush out of here just yet. He wasn’t in enemy territory.

Although he didn’t have a clue exactly what piece of the Nevada desert he currently occupied. His tracking device would bring help though. Rescue would show up in an hour or so. Maybe by then he could stand up without whimpering like a baby.

He shrugged free of his parachute and LPU one miserable groan at a time. Already he could feel the bruises rising to the surface. He would probably resemble a Smurf by morning, but at least he still had all his limbs, and no bones rattled around inside him that he could tell.

His teeth chattered, though. From the freezing cold of a winter desert night, or from shock? Either way he needed to get moving. He pushed to his feet, stumbling for a second before the horizon stopped bobbling.

A siren wailed in the distance. Already? Perhaps this flight experience wouldn’t suck so much after all.

He blinked to clear his eyesight. Twin beams of light stretched ahead of a Ford F-150, blinding him the closer the vehicle approached. He shielded his eyes with one hand and waved his other arm. Ouch.

A loudspeaker squeaked and crackled to life. “Get back down on the ground. Lay flat on your stomach,” a tinny voice ordered. “If you move at all, you will be shot.”

What the hell? Had he landed in some survivalist kook’s farm?

But that wouldn’t explain the siren. He must have drifted into restricted territory, not surprising since they flew many of their secret test missions in secured areas. The truck screeched to halt and someone wearing cammo stepped out. A flashlight held at shoulder level kept him from seeing the face, but he could discern an M4 carbine at hip level well enough.

He shouted, “Don’t shoot. I’m not armed, and I’m not resisting.”

“Stay on the ground,” the voice behind the light barked.

A female voice?

Okay, so much for his PC rating today. He’d assumed the security cop was a male, not that it made any difference one way or the other. He respected the power of that M4.

Mason flattened his belly to the desert floor, arms extended over his head. A knee plowed deep in the small of his back. If he didn’t have a bruised kidney before, he sure did now.

A cold muzzle pressed against his skull. All right, then. The knee didn’t hurt so much after all.

“Hands behind you, nice and slow.” The lady cop’s husky voice heated his neck. “So, flyboy, do you want to tell me what you’re doing out here in Area 51?

You have a special knowledge of military life. Could you tell us how that weaves its way into your fiction?

My husband is an air force aviator who has worked extensively with flight tests. He’s a great resource for brainstorming and he always reads my books to check for accuracy. Although he’s been known to raise an eyebrow when I roll out my favorite phrase, “I know it’s not probable, but is it possible?”

How did you and your husband meet?

My hubby Rob has been a bit of a character himself, right from the start. I met Rob when going to visit my future brother-in-law at the Citadel Military College. As I was walking up to the battalion, there was a tall, dark haired cadet standing guard – picking his teeth with his sword. Suddenly he went still, turned his head slightly to look at me. Wowsa, those blue eyes of his twinkled! He stood up straight, sheathed his sword and started toward me. Before he reached me, some other cadets approached. (It was still an all male college then and females were a most welcome sight. ;-) Rob pushed past those other cadets and said, “You can’t have her. She’s mine. I’ve got dibs.” He proposed to me 10 days later… and here we still are together 23 years, 4 children and 9 moves later.


Along with the Dark Ops series, you're also writing for Silhouette Desire, with The Bossman's Baby Scandal out this month. What's the book about?

Nothing had stopped Jason Reagert from making his own millions. And now that he was securely ensconced at Maddox Communications, he was determined to become an even bigger success. Then startling news broke and Jason—along with everyone else—discovered he had gotten heiress Lauren Presley pregnant. He couldn't afford even a whiff of scandal, so he proposed to his lover of one night. Surely she'd agree to a lifetime of convenience, if only for the baby's sake



How do you juggle writing two different types of projects that appear on shelves so close together?

A dear author friend Merline Lovelace once told me that writing different subgenres can really help keep the writing fresh and fun. I totally agree! I also feel the two subgenres help strengthen each other – my Silhouette Desires help me hone the romance elements and the romantic suspense help me pump up that page turning edge even when nobody’s shooting!

What's next for you?

I’ve got a blessedly busy few years coming up! I recently signed on for two more air force books with Berkley Sensation. I’m working with Sourcebooks to develop a new military trilogy. And I have a royal trilogy coming up with Silhouette Desire, all three released within a month of each other. FMI on the upcoming books and contests, check out my website and/or sign up for my newsletter at http://catherinemann.com

Many thanks for inviting me to visit with the Romance Bandits! Y’all rock!!!

Catherine is giving away two copies signed of Defender, the first book in the Dark Ops series (which I've read and which is fabulous). So tell us: What's your favorite romance or romantic story in which technology plays a big role? Who's your favorite military couple in books, films, or life? Do you have a favorite pilot hero or heroine, either in fiction or in real life?

The Bandits Welcome Tessa Radley!

posted by Beth

Today I'm thrilled to have fabulous Silhouette Desire author (and dear friend *g*) Tessa Radley join us in the lair!

Where is Your Personality Rooted?

My Saxon Brides series is set against the background of a successful family-run winery, called Saxon's Folly. (Spaniard's Seduction, the second book in the series, is out this month, YAY!). And while I was writing the series I thought a lot about the French concept of terroir. It's the notion that the land from which grapes are grown gives a wine its specific personality, giving the final product unique qualities that are rooted in a firm sense of place.

Something about this called to me. I mean, isn't that true of people too? Aren't we all influenced and colored by places we visit or live in?

I know I am. I have clear memories of some places that have left a permanent stamp on me. So my sense of place, my terroir, is a little different from that of a wine in that it comes from more than one unique place. I've visited Boer War battlefields where today the veldt is deserted and only the cree-cree of cicadas break the African heat. The only evidence that blood was once spilled here are the metal ammunition cases that can still be dug out the ground—and the sense of desolation.

Across the world in New Zealand, a walk through dense bush that ended at the sight of ancient Kauri trees spearing upward to meet the sky gave me another moment in a place that I will never forget. That grove of leafy giants demanded respect. For some reason the idea that these trees had already been alive before William the Conqueror arrived on English shores had a profound effect on me. I felt humbled and incredibly fortunate to stand in their presence. And then there are those marvelous, miraculous moments of laughter at the edge of the wavelets on a beach near my home with my family that will forever be part of me. So many places that have shaped my opinions and contributed to the person I am.

So share with me the places that have had a huge impact on you. I'll draw one name from the comments section to win a copy of Mistaken Mistress, my Silhouette Desire October release. I'll be back in a while to talk some more.

Tessa
http://www.tessaradley.com/

Thanks, Tessa! Okay, dear readers, let's hear from you!