Monday Afternoon Cover Goodliness

Are they not pretty??? I cannot wait to see them all on magnets, which I WILL have at my Cursed N Blood party at AAD. Photography by Jenn Leblanc and the gorgeous cover art by Kendra Egert!

Sexy Saturday: A Cover Reveal

Hi all! This is kind of a special Sexy Saturday. Why? It is the first cover for many of the people involved.

Last Sunday my friend and goddess of photography Jenn LeBlanc, shot a new model, Karl Biermann and he is a natural. Well, KARL is actually going to be on another cover of mine later, but I wanted to reveal this, his and model Jaci Nudell's first cover.

This is actually a first in many ways. I am lucky that one of my best friends in the world is my PA. Not everyone can say that, but I can. So, when Brandy expressed interest in doing covers, I had to give her a shot. Since Southern Sins is a brand new series for me, we decided to go for this one.  Kendra Egert's talent is stamped all of my other series, so I didn't want to change that of course. I think for Brandy's first cover, she did a FANTASTIC job. I am really rather proud of her and can't wait to see what else she does after this. BEHOLD THE COVER!

This is an unproofed blurb. It is the series I was researching for when I went to Savannah last fall. I love that city and have always wanted to do a series set there. All the books will be romantic suspense, sensual to erotic.

Southern Sins: A Savannah Heat Novel

A woman with a past.

Raised by her maternal grandmother, Raelynn Hill has been a part of Savannah history for as long as she can remember. While most residents still whisper about her mother’s unsolved murder, Raelynn has moved on. Her bakery and bookstore Sweet Reads is so successful, she can barely keep up. The only thing she is missing is an active love life and she thinks new Savannah resident Nikolai Papas might be the guy for the job.

A man searching for a new future.

Needing a change of pace after two tours in Iraq and a divorce, Nik moved to Savannah after accepting a job on the police force. His sweet tooth led him to the popular bakery…and he has been in lust with the pretty bakery owner Raelynn since he first saw her. She bakes the most amazing treats, loves everything vintage, and has that slow southern accent. When a little flirtation turns into a date and that little date turns into more, Nik finds himself completely enthralled.

For the first time in her life, Raelynn finds herself more than just a little in love. Nik is hot, romantic, and everything a girl could want. But someone from Raelynn’s past isn’t happy with the situation, and he will do anything to stop the new love from blossoming into something more--even murder.

New Cover Reveal! By Blood

My big release mid summer is Desire By Blood. It is a vampire tale set in Victorian England, but I was worried about the covers and packaging I had come up with. While I had loved what Kendra did with the original photos, I decided that we needed something different. I wanted to make sure everyone knew this was historical AND paranormal.  I also came up with a subtitle for the books and changed the title up. 

So, I got a pic from Jenn Leblanc and tadaaaaaaa:

I will be signing this at AAD and giving a *few* copies away at my Cursed n Blood party. I love this and cannot wait until I can see promo printed up with it! I will have excerpt booklets made up with the whole first chapter for it, and some other little things I have planned. YAY!

Sexy Saturday: Jenn LeBlanc's Military Men

Jenn Leblanc is having another Studio Smexy today with a HUGE photo shoot and since she photographed four of the five Military Harmless covers, I thought I would feature her photography here. I feel very blessed to have gotten to know her and now work with her pretty much exclusively for my cover photography.

And here are the covers that Kendra Egert did with Jenn's military pics!

Friday Fireworks Blog Hunt

UPDATE: The Friday Fireworks is still going on! But, my individual winner is: HC Harju! You won a copy of Infatuation and the dog tags. Please email me at Contact@melissaschroeder.net! Be sure to get your answers into Heather for the Firework Hunt!

Hey, everyone. Today is the day of the Friday Fireworks blog hop!!! I am so excited that Heather allowed me to be a member of such a great group of authors. Look at this list:

Participating Authors - Blog Links:
Heather Long
Virginia Nelson
Saranna DeWylde - post not live, okay to skip
Delilah Devlin
Lissa Matthews
Jenn LeBlanc
Wendi Zwaduk
Kris Cook
Missy Jane 

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

This time of year is big in the Schroeder household, and it was growing up. Being a military brat, this was the beginning of a few events that shaped my summers. Memorial Day of course started it all off, and my Dad always had a 4th of July party at the house. Where my folks lived in Texas was in perfect viewing spot to see the base fireworks. So, it worked out without the fuss. But the one thing I always loved was Open House. I am not sure if it happened in the summer all the time, but I remember Open House at Sheppard as one of the best times. At that time, there weren't vendors brought in. Instead, they had every squadron working their own booth and allowing them to have their own choice food. We always had Italian food, yeah surprise there, but I loved wandering the food booth area trying all the different types of food. I grew up in an international community as an Air Force brat, much like my heroine in Possession: A Little Harmless Military Romance, Samantha, and my next heroine, Amanada, also grew up as a brat in the Army.

I think growing up that way gives you a different sense of the world. It can be tough and let's be honest, it sucks sometimes, but there is a particular privilege to it also. After I realized that Amanda was also a military brat, it made think about how much I had in common with both women. Completely different personalities for both of them, and neither are really like me. Still, the three of us have that connection of a childhood that only those of us who grew up in it understand.
But I am I digressing as usual, lol.

So, back to the chubby girl's dream of trying all the different foods. I think that it was one of the best memories of a base coming together. You had an area with a lot of more traditional ethnic (at the time, remember, this was the 70's and 80's, and in the middle of nowhere TX where Pizza Hut was ethnic for some people) like Italian and TexMex, but then you also had a corner where a lot of the Asian spouses cooked up the best food. It was was where I had my first taste of lumpia and seaweed (before it was fashionable in the rest of the US).

Oh, and there were planes and crap there, lol. Yeah, I did mention I was chubby, right? Ha! Anyway, I did love it, and every time I think of it, I get warm fuzzies. Not just because of the food, but it was the true meaning of military community. Different cultures, religions, ethnic backgrounds, but we all sort of make up a family. One I am proud of to this day.

Okay, so I have rules for the blog hop, AND I have rules for a prize I am giving away.  Let's do the blog hop rules because that is the big SHINY FIRE.
~~~~~~~

Rules:
10 Authors. 10 Questions. 10 Easy Answers.
You will go from blog to blog gathering questions about each author. There will be a
hint and a link that will lead you to the answer.

In order to be entered to win the big prize, a Kindle Fire, you will need to send your
answers to Brandy at bray829@gmail.com SUBJECT: Friday Fireworks

You must include all 10 questions with answers.

Winner of the big prize will be drawn and announced on Heather Long's blog. Any
prizes offered individually on the author's page will be taken care of by that author.

And here is my question:


Melissa Schroeder: What is the name of Delilah's fan driven on going free read?
(Hint: Check out her 'extras' at delilahdevlin.com )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And now for my prize. A SIGNED print copy of Infatuation and the coveted dog tags for Infatuation, Possession AND Surrender! Just answer this easy question in the comments:
What is your favorite summertime memory?  I will pull a name SUNDAY at 8 pm EASTERN US TIME!!! So get your answers in. That is on THIS blog, but make sure you hop around and get your name in the pot for that FIRE. I LOVE MINE.

Cover Reveal: ANGUS

What do you think? Isn't he pretty? Another great cover by Kendra Egert and the photo from Jenn LeBlanc.

Two More Covers, and a CONTEST

So, we have been busy. Jenn LeBlanc has been working on the pics and Kendra on the covers and we have two more covers for you. Part of this is done early because of an ad I have in RT mag this fall and I want to feature the Harmless books. So, I wanted all of them featured.

Here are the next two covers and I have a contest for everyone. I will be giving away a Hawaiian fun pack that includes a bag with Hawaiian print, a key chain, the coveted Infatuation dog tags, a beach towel and some magnets. I will also throw in a Rough n Ready journal. What do you have to do? Just answer the question below the covers by Sunday at noon US central time.  This contest is open to everyone, even international folks. So, answer the question below the covers and good luck!

So, summer is approaching, and I was wondering, if there are any special activities you are looking forward to this year? Are you going to the beach, the mountains, or are you looking forward to some releases by your favorite authors?

NEW COVER REVEAL: THE TENTH HARMLESS

It is odd to be talking about the tenth Harmless book. Seriously. I never knew I would get to the point where I could. So many people discounted the series, ie publishers. Also, you never know where a series will take you. I love the series myself, but how was I to know that people would get attached to the characters I created. I hoped for it, and I love that I get to share my love of Hawaii with others. So, the fact that it was coming up in January of 2013, I figured we should do something for it special.

I loved my old cover design by Scott Carpenter. He took what I had at my old publisher and made it sexier, and it was fresh and new. Now, though 5-6 years later, I am ready for something different. The books are tied to Hawaii and we (Kendra Egert, Brandy Walker and myself) felt we needed something new. So, here it is. This book will feature Devon, Dee's brother who first appeared in A Little Harmless Lie-the one who stole her from Hawaii.

The photography was done by the amazing Jenn LeBlanc and the cover of course, done by the uber talented Kendra Egert.

Guest Post & Giveaway: Jenn LeBlanc

Ahhhh!!! Here I am! I am so excited to be here today because Melissa is one of my favorite authors. Not only is her harmless series just amazingly hawt and saucy but she’s just good people.

So, me, my name is Jenn LeBlanc and I am a new author. My first book, THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE was released last February and has caused a ruckus. It’s illustrated. The whole thing. It’s like a romance cover on steroids.

It wasn’t published quite the way I wanted to so I’ve worked hard all year and I started republishing it, with a new edit, new content and images as a six part serial novel. The first four parts, FREEDOM, FOUND, TAKEN and RUINATION are already available, and SUBMISSION just came out on the 14th. YAY!!

SO as Mel likes my photography I figured I would bring a selection of images from my books, and from my cover stock photography. Because who wants to listen to me talk anyway when I can supply hawt men?

Yeah. I thought so. So without further whatevers:











Melissa! Thank you for having me over for some coffee and smut. It’s been fun! Can’t wait to have you out to my studio in person. That will be fun. :)

I am giving away a full set of the serial ebook! All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment here, ASK ME ANYTHING!! Include your email address, you’ll also be entered to win the grand prize on my tour as well!

See you all around the internets!!

Jenn


Where to find me: Twitter | Facebook | Author Site | Blog | Tumblr (NSFW)
And please come find me! I LOVE to chat with readers!

And what follows is a bit about the books:

Trailer:

http://youtu.be/RSW_LyFR5To


Blurb:

A woman out of time.

A man stifled by propriety.

A nemesis determined to take her away.

A brother to the rescue.

How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn't know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.

How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

Where to get the books:

THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE

FREEDOM : Part one brings Francine to the world of the Duke of Roxleigh, clashing worlds in first installment of the completely revised novel, with all new material.

Available now from these ebook retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

All Romance eBooks

iBookstore for iThingys

FOUND : Part two finds Francine in the world of the Duke of Roxleigh. The clashing of worlds in first installment of the completely revised novel continues as Francine finds her footing, discovers secrets about her elusive host, and learns more about herself than she ever thought possible.  

Available now from these ebook retailers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance eBooks

iBookstore for iThingys

TAKEN : The Rake And The Recluse : Part Three

Part THREE brings Francine and Gideon closer than they ever imagined possible, until the unimaginable tears them apart. What will Gideon do if he loses her, this time, forever?

Available now from these ebook retailers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance eBooks

Goodreads

RUINATION : The Rake And The Recluse : Part Four

Part FOUR is full of revelations, celebrations, protestations and one surprise that will have you holding your breath for the final chapters. What has Perry done?

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

GOODREADS

SUBMISSION : The Rake And The Recluse : Part Five

Perry leaves Roxleigh House without a backward glance only to be tossed headlong into one of the most difficult trials of his life. How will he protect the very thing he is dedicated to pursuing? How will a man dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure survive a woman who refuses to relent, when he knows he cannot have her.

YESTERDAY!!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance Ebooks

Goodreads

RETRIBUTION : The Rake And The Recluse : Part Six

Perry must find the woman who has managed to capture his heart, then he must find a way to keep her. Someone else is on the hunt, someone from her past who doesn’t appreciate that she still lives and breaths.

Coming February 28, 2012

NOW it’s your turn, remember to answer the question to be entered to win the full six-part serial novel as it is released, and thank you for stopping by. You will ALSO be entered in the grand prize #WICKEDblog tour, which will be given away on March 1, 2012. Don”t forget to include your email address in your comment or you can’t be entered into the grand prize drawing.

Rules can be found HERE. A full list of all the posts in the tour can be found HERE.

COVER REVEAL: TWO HARMLESS

I am so excited to reveal the next two Harmless covers. Projected release date for both books is Fall in digital. Kendra Egert was the artist once again and most of the photos were shot by Jenn LeBlanc