Winner of Laura Breck's Giveaway!

Sorry for the delay in posting today, Cozies - busy Saturday! I enjoyed an awesome pre-Valentine's brunch with members of my family at a local restaurant and the weather was finally nice enough to sit on the deck. Hope the weather's warming up wherever you are - and if not, sending you warm thoughts from the coast!

Now for another winner announcement - this one for romance author Laura Breck's Tuesday, February 8th giveaway for a copy of her debut novel, Secret Vegas Lives. The winner chosen the True Random Number Generator at Random.org is....

Commenter #1 - StacieDM

Congrats, Stacie! To receive your prize, please send a confirmation email to amber@amberleighwilliams.com!

Readers, even though our 20 Questions Event here at The Cozy Page is coming to a close, there are still plenty of chances to win between npw and Valentine's Day! You have until late tomorrow evening to enter Gwyneth Greer's February 10th contest for a paperback or ebook (winner's choice) edition of yet-to-be released romance The Showboat Affair as well as an engraved mirror! There's also still time to win a copy of Elaine Cantrell's romantic suspense novel, Return Engagement, from her February 11th Valentine's contest! Don't miss out on these and more chances to win prizes and read more great excerpts over the next couple of days!

20 Questions with...Laura Breck + Giveaway

Our countdown to Valentine's Day continues today with contemporary romance author Laura Breck!

Laura writes sensual romance with a touch of mystery. One of her primary writing goals is to give readers a world into which they can escape the stress of life. And a fun read for lounging on the beach or cuddling up with a blanket and a cup of tea. Another goal is to make a difference in the world. That is why each of her books sponsors a community program, and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to that organization. She is a member of Romance Writers of America’s Speakers Bureau and enjoys leading workshops on E-publishing, Public Speaking for Writers, Group Blogging, and Marketing. She lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with her family.

And now for a peek into Laura's debut novel, Secret Vegas Lives, which is available now from Red Rose Publishing....

Mistaken for a blackmailer, socialite Valerie Kane will do anything to keep sexy Italian crime writer Antonio Daniato from publicly exposing her, and Antonio is wickedly intent on seeing how far Valerie will go to protect her reputation.

Bestselling author Antonio Daniato sets a trap to capture his blackmailers, and is surprised when well-known psychologist Valerie Kane stumbles into his arms. She swears she’s not involved, but he threatens to expose her unless she reveals her accomplice. When she bares her soul to prove her innocence, Antonio is fascinated by her honesty, but shaken by the intensity of his desire for her.

Surrendering to temptation, Valerie defies her family’s wishes and risks her reputation to let hot blooded, enigmatic Antonio into her life. But she uncovers evidence that he’s staging the blackmail scenes as research for his next book – and casting her as the blackmailer. When she confronts him, it’s his turn to convince her of his innocence.

Their outrageous sexual attraction keeps them in each other’s arms, but mutual distrust prevents them from admitting their deeper emotions. When the true blackmailer threatens to reveal Antonio’s double life, Antonio yields to his guilt and chooses to let Valerie go. But Valerie discovers his secret, and will fight for Antonio against an addiction whose hold on him may be stronger than their love.

Earlier this week, our very own Cozy correspondent, Tink, sat down with Laura for 20 Questions! Take it away, Tink....

Tink: Are you the first one on the dance floor or not so much?
Laura: Always the first, and over the years, my dear husband had lost all inhibitions as well, and will actually ask me to dance when the dance floor is empty.

Tink: Do you prefer to spend the night at the theatre or at a bike show?
Laura: I love theater. Especially musicals.

Tink: Do you give relationship advice or think it’s a bad idea?
Laura: If asked, I’ll contribute, but mostly with thought-provoking questions.

Tink: Describe the ideal hero – rough and tumble highlander, titled gentleman of the ton, modern-day bad boy, or supernatural anti-hero?
Laura: The modern day bad boy fascinates me.

Tink: Would you rather tell someone you love them or show it?
Laura: I like to show it, but dear hubby likes to hear it. Go figure.

Tink: Travel to the past or into the future?
Laura: Into the past, please.

Tink: Bubble bath or hot shower?
Laura: Mmmm, a deep tub, a lot of hot water, and a good romance novel. Bubble bath!

Tink: Flats or high heels?
Laura: Flats. I’ve had too many friends undergo bunion surgery. Flats and a lot of yoga keep the tootsies healthy.

Tink: Flowers or chocolate?
Laura: My niece is a French-trained chocolatier with her own shop in Napa, California, so I’ve come to know the decadent pleasure of fine chocolate.

Tink: G-rated or unrated?
Laura: Unrated, just for fun.

Tink: Alpha or beta?
Laura: Hubby’s beta, but my books are all alpha. What does that mean?

Tink: Would you make the first move or wait it out?
Laura: I’d make the first move. Why not?

Tink: Favorite love song?
Laura: Joe Cocker’s "You Are So Beautiful"

Tink: For Valentine’s would you rather go out or stay in?
Laura: Stay in. Eating dinner scrunched into too-close tables isn’t much fun.

Tink: Karaoke: yes or no?
Laura: Oh, yes!!!

Tink: Describe your most romantic moment.
Laura: Before our wedding, my husband presented me with a beautiful pair of drop earrings. He asked me to wear them on our wedding day, and every year on our anniversary to remind me how much he loves me. He’s a keeper!

Tink: Boxers, briefs…or kilts?
Laura: Tight, red boxer-briefs.

Tink: What is your idea of a dream date?
Laura: Hubby picks me up and my packed suitcase is in the back seat. He whisks me away to some wonderful spot for a long weekend.

Tink: Valentine’s Day watch: sappy love story, romantic comedy or forgo all of the above and go with the action flick?
Laura: Romantic comedy.

Tink: And, most importantly – do you like your man clean shaven or with a five o’clock shadow?
Laura: I like the shadow. It’s more rugged.

Thank you so much, Laura, for answering Tink's instrusive questions! Readers, find out more about Laura and her books at her website! Here for you now is chapter one from Secret Vegas Lives...

“Don’t move your lips when you talk,” her sister said from under the blanket in the back seat. “They might be watching you.”

Valerie Kane’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as she turned into the dog park’s empty lot. Through stiff lips, she answered, “We’re here.” She pulled into a spot as far from a light as possible, shifted into park and killed the engine. “I’m a little nervous.”

“Is your hood up?” Monica asked.

She looked out the windshield. “Hood?”

Her sister heaved a sigh. “On you, not the car.”

Oh, crap, she needed to focus. She tugged the drawstrings of her hooded sweatshirt. “Yeah, it’s up.” She looked around to be sure they were still alone, and caught a glimpse of the lights of the Las Vegas strip twinkling blissfully in the distance. A tingle of anxiety ran through her. “Are we doing the right thing?”

Her sister reached between the seats and gripped her arm. “We don’t have to do this, Val. If you have any doubt, just start the car and let’s go.”

Taking a deep breath, she zipped up her hoodie. “No. We promised. I can do this.” She pressed the unlock button on the doors, then glanced back. Monica was well hidden, and was lying on the bag containing their cousin’s blackmail payment.

Her sister whispered, “Just go really fast and get back here. Wait, first roll down the windows, so I can hear you if you scream.”

Scream? There was no reason to scream. No one was here. This was just a package pickup. Her sister was being overcautious.

She pressed the four window buttons. “Here I go.”

Opening the door, she jumped out quickly. If they were watching, she didn’t want the interior light to give away her identity. Tonight she was a body double for their cousin, an Academy Award winning actress.

The blackmailers specified they wanted the actress to make the pick-up and delivery, but Valerie and her older sister, Monica, let their cousin talk them into doing it. Would the blackmailers be fooled? She and her cousin did look similar; long, straight black hair and light skin, although she was twenty years younger than the actress.

She jogged across the grass, her shaky legs slowing her. The park measured a half-mile square, and though the sun was down, the temperature had to be in the eighties. Dressed in layers to look heavier, her body heated quickly.

At regular intervals she slowed and scanned the area. She saw no one and her jitters eased. Then a surge of adrenaline pumped through her. She was doing something risky, finally, in her too-safe, over-protected life. And it felt as invigorating as a ride on a roller coaster.

It took a few minutes to reach the middle of the park where a water fountain stood next to a couple trees.

She stopped a yard short and looked around, hearing only crickets chirruping and her heart whumping. She walked up to the fountain and squatted, reaching under the lower bowl set at dog’s height. She felt it, a package taped to the bottom, and tore it loose. It was heavy. How much cash was in it?

Above her, branches rustled and a large bulk dropped from the tree, three feet from her. A man, all in black, a foot taller than her and at least a hundred fifty pounds heavier grabbed her arm, looming over her.

She screamed an instinctive shriek of primal fear.

He shook her. “Shut up.” He looked at the homes surrounding the park. “Someone will call the police.”

She heaved in a huge breath to scream again, and heard Monica yelling as she ran toward them. “I’ve called the cops! And I’ve got a Taser!”

A dose of reassurance steadied her. “Let me go.” She yanked her arm, but he held tight.

The man looked from her sister to her, then back again. “Shit.” He grabbed the package from her and shoved it in his pocket, then pulled her hood off her head. He jerked her around so her face was in the moonlight. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?”

Okay, he knew she wasn’t the actress, but it didn’t take a huge I.Q. to figure out what she was doing. “You told us to pick up that envelope,” she pointed a shaking finger toward his pocket, “and deliver it with our blackmail money.” Her voice sounded weak.

“I told you?” He kept an eye on Monica’s approach. “I’m not the…” He shook his head. “Okay, just tell me where you’re delivering the money.”

“What?” Through her panic, she recognized his accent; Italian. She studied his face: well defined features, shoulder length black hair sticking out of his cap. She should be able to pick him out of a lineup.

He shook her slightly. “I asked you where. Where are you dropping off the money?”

“You should know. You wrote the instructions.”

“Don’t act innocent. I’m not the blackmailer.” He put his hand into his pocket. “You are.”

She stared at his pocket, expecting to see a gun. “No, I’m not.” Her voice went squeaky. “I’ve got a bag with money in it too.” She pointed stupidly to the car. “To be delivered–as instructed–with the money you just took from me.”

He pulled out a camera, held it close to her face and snapped. The flash blinded her.

She heard Monica’s footsteps running toward them. “Let go of her!” She sounded breathless.

A siren whirred a few blocks away.

He leaned close to her face. “This isn’t over, princess. I’ll find you.”



***GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Good news, readers! Laura has generously offered a giveaway for today! By commenting to this post before midnight EST, Friday; February 11th, you will have a chance to win a copy of Secret Vegas Lives! (Chances of winning depend on the number of entries. You must be 18 years or older to enter. One winner will be chosen by the True Random Number Generator at Random.org and announced the morning after contest closing. Please check back in to see if you have won.)

Winner of Ella Vines's Giveaway!

We'll take a brief pause from our 20 Questions Event to announce the winner of February 4th's guest author, Ella Vines's, giveaway for her upcoming paranormal romance, Her Dark Fairy! And the winner, chosen by the True Random Number Generator at Random.org is...

Commenter #4: lee.farm

Congrats, lee.farm! Please send a confirmation email to amber@amberleighwilliams.com to receive your prize!

Readers, there are still plenty of chances to win between now and Valentine's Day! Today's guest, Laura Breck, is giving away a copy of her debut romance! Stay tuned for more 20 Questions and giveaways leading up to Valentine's Day!

20 Questions Valentine's Event Schedule

Hi Cozies! Sorry for the delay on this post. Wednesday evening I was feeling sneezy. It occured to me, somewhat ironically, that I should probably get my flu shot this year. I woke up the next morning with a sore throat and sinus ickiness. Last night both the hub and I got about two hours sleep thanks to fever, chills, body aches, and all around ick. This morning I am feeling a bit better, but now that we're three days away I don't think there will be a Valentine's Day Event banner.

I can, however, say for certain that there will be some awesome prizes handed out from Febuary 1st to the 14th! I've already received the answers to several of our guest authors' 20 Questions. Let me just say - it's going to be a blast! I also have a special volunteer to help get things going - my muse, Tink. Well, she didn't actually volunteer. I figure as long as she isn't helping me write, she might as well put herself to good use :)

Here's the official list of participants for the 20 Questions Valentine's Day Event here at The Cozy Page....


February 1 -Mariposa Cruz

February 2 - Eve Knight

February 3 - Linda Morris

February 4 – Ella Vines

February 5 – Alexandra Kane

February 6 - Jerri Hines

February 7 – Paty Jager

February 8 – Laura Breck

February 9 – Lisa Lipkind Leibow

February 10 – Gwyneth Greer

February 11 – Elaine Cantrell

February 12 - Shona Husk

February 13 – Judy Jarvie

February 14 - Taryn Kincaid

The party kicks off on Monday, January 31 with a special Valentine's Day free read from yours truly! Recurring characters will be here with spurs on. Hint, hint ;)

The giveaways and 20 Questions hooplah begins Tuesday, February 1st! Don't miss out on some great prizes - and I encourage readers to ask the guests of our Valentine's Day Event random and quirky questions of their own!

Since I won't get to post these on Valentine's, I thought I'd share these vintage valentines with today's post! Don't you miss the days of little paper bags and cards? I know I do....

News & Upcoming Events

To celebrate Bet It On My Heart's launch, I'm on the cyber road, so to speak, this week and a bit of next. On Wednesday, March 10, I will be guesting at fellow western romance author Paty Jager's blog. And yes, I'm bringing an exclusive excerpt! Thursday, March 11, I'll be guesting at author Rachel Brimble's site. Don't miss either...

I also have a date with the Sizzlers. I'm helping some of my favorite southern ladies countdown to the Silken Sands Conference on the Beach...and I might do a giveaway or two there so save the date - Thursday, March 18th!

Don't forget I will be attending Silken Sands Conference on the Beach and presenting a workshop on "Grogging" (Group Blogging) with two fellow writers of The Roses of Prose Lisa Lipkind Leibow and Laura Breck that Friday, March 19th.

I'd also like to announce that I am now a reviewer for The Season. Check out the historical romance site, hosted by author Beverly Kendall. It's on my list of morning web-browsing.

The Romance Writers United website has been updated. Authors, this is a free organization to join and the resources have been helpful to me and others of the genre. The "Write Right" newsletter also received a makeover this month - read the March edition, which includes articles by yours truly. If you do not subscribe to RWU, contact me at amber@amberleighwilliams.com and I'll forward a copy to your inbox!

More updates are on their way. I'd like to thank everyone who went out and bought Bet It On My Heart early last week and this week. Your words of praise mean the world to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Special Guest: Laura Breck

Today I'm pleased to welcome a guest to The Cozy Page, author Laura Breck! Laura is a fellow blogger at The Roses of Prose and I'm really excited to learn more about her debut novel Secret Vegas Lives:

Bestselling author Antonio Daniato sets a trap to capture his blackmailers, and is surprised when well-known psychologist Valerie Kane stumbles into his arms. She swears she's not involved, but he threatens to expose her unless she reveals her accomplice. When she bares her soul to prove her innocence, Antonio is fascinated by her honesty, but shaken by the intensity of his desire for her.

Surrendering to temptation, Valerie defies her family's wishes and risks her reputation to let hot-blooded, enigmatic Antonio into her life. But she uncovers evidence that he's staging the blackmail scenes as research for his next book—and casting her as the blackmailer. When she confronts him, it's his turn to convince her of his innocence.

Their outrageous sexual attraction keeps them in each other's arms, but mutual distrust prevents them from admitting their deeper emotions. When the true blackmailer threatens to reveal Antonio's double life, Antonio yields to his guilt and chooses to let Valerie go. But Valerie discovers his secret, and will fight for Antonio against an addiction whose hold on him may be stronger than their love.

Secret Vegas Lives is a romance/mystery. This genre seems to be growing again by leaps and bounds. Can you tell us what inspired you to write it?

I lived in Las Vegas for three years, and I loved it! It’s so different from my hometown in Minnesota. People from around the world relocate there, and create a unique culture and personality that is addictive. I wrote Secret Vegas Lives based on a girlfriend’s idea after we visited Vegas for a wild bachelorette party. Woot!

Tell us more about Secret Vegas Lives.

Dr. Valerie Kane is an eminent psychologist who is at the wrong place at the right time, and is mistaken for a blackmailer by crime novelist Antonio Daniato. They both swear they’re not the blackmailer, but their suspicions keep them from exploring the intense attraction between them. When they learn to trust each other, the passion is red-hot. But there’s a reason they’re being blackmailed, and when they learn each other’s secrets, their perfect romance is torn apart.

Which is your favorite protagonist and why?

It has to be Antonio. He’s a flawed, self-indulgent man who embraces his bad-boy persona and lives it to the maximum. He doesn’t care to change, he’s happy with his one-nighters and his secret thrill addiction. Until he meets Valerie, and knows what’s been missing in his life. The love of a soul mate, the sharing a man can only have with someone he trusts completely, and the promise of a future.

You’ve sold another manuscript recently. Congratulations! What do you love most about writing?

I love my Italian series, weaving the characters from each book through the others. And weaving bits of interrelated plot within each book. Sometimes the most amazing things pop into my head, and I quickly write them. Then the next day I fire up my laptop and read what I wrote the day before, and I can only attribute the snappy prose to my muse.

According to your website, you’re a big believer in giving back to the community. Tell us about that.

Each of my books discusses an unpleasant element of society that, with our help, can be changed. That’s why I partner with a charity in the city in which each of my books is set. In Las Vegas, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Shade Tree Shelter, a shelter for women, children, and their pets. Read more about this amazing shelter on its page on my website, LauraBreck.com

You’re a member of Romance Writers of America. Please tell us more about it and if you would recommend new authors join?

I’ve been a member of Romance Writers of America for years. Their local groups, Midwest Fiction Writers of Minnesota, and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America, meet monthly, and other chapters, such as Elements of RWA and ESPAN, are online chapters only. Both the brick-and-mortar meetings and the online groups are extremely helpful, supportive, educational, and worth the tax-deductible membership fees.

Ok, now for the fun part! What's your zodiac and what does it tell you today?

I have given up birthdays due to their aging effect, and thus have eschewed my zodiac sign as well. But today, for me, is another 24 hours of unlimited opportunities to work toward my goals, and to make a difference in the world.

Wow, that's a great one! If you could set a story where you live, what genre would it be? Heart-pounding romantic suspense and sweet contemporary?

Gosh, Saint Paul, Minnesota is probably its very own genre of mild pleasantries and quiet cautiousness. But much closer to sweet contemporary than anything with heart-pounding intensity.

If you were a mixed drink, what would you be and why?

I'm a Hurricane. Sweet to the taste, but fortified with a kick of drive and enthusiasm that kind of sneaks up on you.

What recent read would you recommend?

I'm a big fan of Randy Wayne White, and I just read an older book of his, Captiva. It's a book I'll never forget.

What's your favorite smell and what makes it significant?

Coffee in the morning. We're coffee snobs. We fresh-grind our beans, and use purified water. I love getting up early, sitting at my computer with a cup of coffee, and writing for an hour before anyone else is awake. Oh, and don't even get me started on Saturday mornings...

And last but not least, if you found the Mirror of Erised from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, what would you see in it? (Note: If you aren't an HP junkie like me, the Mirror of Erised is a magical object that is inscribed “I show not your face, but your heart’s desire.” Orphaned Harry sees his parents, his friend Ron sees himself distinguished as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, and Albus Dumbledore supposedly sees himself with a pair of socks.)

I've watched the movies, but never read the books. I admire your dedication to the author's subtexts, Amber! For me, the mirror would show a schoolgirl at heart.

Can we please have a little teaser from Secret Vegas Lives?

My pleasure!

Chapter One

“Don’t move your lips when you talk,” her sister said from under the blanket in the back seat. “They might be watching you.”

Valerie Kane’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as she turned into the dog park’s empty lot. Through stiff lips, she answered, “We’re here.” She pulled into a spot as far from a light as possible, shifted into park, and killed the engine. “I’m a little nervous.”

“Is your hood up?” Monica asked.

She looked out the windshield. “Hood?”

Her sister heaved a sigh. “On you, not the car.”

Oh, crap, she needed to focus. She tugged the drawstrings of her hooded sweatshirt. “Yeah, it’s up.” She looked around to be sure they were still alone and caught a glimpse of the lights of the Las Vegas strip twinkling blissfully in the distance. A tingle of anxiety ran through her.

“Are we doing the right thing?”

Her sister reached between the seats and gripped her arm. “We don’t have to do this, Val. If you have any doubt, just start the car and let’s go.”

Taking a deep breath, she zipped up her hoodie. “No. We promised. I can do this.” She pressed the unlock button on the doors then glanced back. Monica was well hidden and was lying on the bag containing their cousin’s blackmail payment.

Her sister whispered, “Just go really fast and get back here. Wait, first roll down the windows, so I can hear you if you scream.”

Scream? There was no reason to scream. No one was here. This was just a package pick-up. Her sister was being overcautious.

She pressed the four window buttons. “Here I go.”

Opening the door, she jumped out quickly. If they were watching, she didn’t want the interior light to give away her identity. Tonight she was a body double for their cousin, an Academy Award winning actress.

The blackmailers specified they wanted the actress to make the pick-up and delivery, but Valerie and her older sister, Monica, let their cousin talk them into doing it. Would the blackmailers be fooled? She and her cousin did look similar, with long, straight black hair and light skin, although she was twenty years younger than the actress.

She jogged across the grass, her shaky legs slowing her. The park measured a half-mile square, and, though the sun was down, the temperature had to be in the eighties. Dressed in layers to look heavier, her body heated quickly.

At regular intervals, she slowed and scanned the area. She saw no one, and her jitters eased.

Then a surge of adrenaline pumped through her. She was doing something risky, finally, in her too-safe, over-protected life. And it felt as invigorating as a ride on a roller coaster.
It took a few minutes to reach the middle of the park, where a water fountain stood next to a couple trees.

She stopped a yard short and looked around, hearing only crickets chirruping and her heart whumping. She walked up to the fountain and squatted, reaching under the lower bowl set at dog’s height. She felt it, a package taped to the bottom, and tore it loose. It was heavy. How much cash was in it?

Above her, branches rustled, and a large bulk dropped from the tree, three feet from her. A man, all in black, a foot taller than her and at least a hundred fifty pounds heavier, grabbed her arm, looming over her.

Where can we find out more about your writing?

Stop by my website, LauraBreck.com, to read an excerpt and watch a video trailer of Secret Vegas Lives (available now from RedRosePublishing.com) I’ve also posted an excerpt from the second book in the series, Scandalous L.A. Desires (coming in 2010.)

Do you have a couple of contests for us?

Check out my monthly website drawing, where I give away a heart-shaped carabiner and lipstick USB drive. And today, one random commenter will win a goodie bag of my promotional items.

Thank you so much, Amber, for hosting me on The Cozy Page today. I’ll be around to answer any questions, and to read comments.

Wishing you tons of sales, Laura! Readers, it's your turn to drill Laura! Sound off!