Samhain Publishing

With every new release I like to take a moment to close the office door and do a total happy dance. I’m talking Snoopy dance, Kermit flail, showing off moves no one should ever have to see. Sometimes you just have to let the excitement flow and revel in one of those truly blissful happenings. Putting a book in the hands of readers never gets old, in fact, it gets better every time.

Adding to my joy this turn around the dance floor are the great reviews For Kicks is collecting. I’ve found some amazing review quotes, and truly lovely reviewers. This may be strategic for me since reviewers tend to come to conferences and I hate to sit alone at lunch. When a reviewer takes the time to make your review special, they tend remember you and let you join their table.

I haven’t told my mother about the reviews yet. This is her favorite story of mine, so whatever success the story finds she’s going to take full credit for. And I’m okay with that.

“For Kicks is as decadent as a chocolate layer cake, as bubbly as a flute of champagne and as exhilarating as a roller-coaster ride. Bayley-Burke writes blood- pumping contemporary romance that will leave readers energized.” 4 1/2 stars, Romantic Times

“[Logan] pursued Breeze like “a Black Friday shopper” and it definitely added to the humor of this story, as did Breeze’s attempts to always turn the tables on Logan.” — Guilty Pleasures, 4 stars

“I loved this story. It was funny, witty, sweet, and sexy. I could not put this book down. Oh and did I mention the love scenes? Oh my…way to melt the panties.” – Romance Book Craze

I have the best job in the entire world. Yes, yes, being a mommy to my three munchkins is faboosh, but I’m talking about the job that pays me in something other than diapers, “what’s for dinner’s” and “are we there yet’s”.

I get to do some amazing things, opportunities I’d be too tentative and shy to try, and it is my job. It is research. White water rafting? OK. Rafting over a waterfall? Egad!! Our raft flipped, my husband was trapped underneath, and I totally panicked. Hyperventilated and the whole bit. See…I am not a thrill seeker by nature. In fact, the episode was so raw I opted to cut the rafting scene from the story. Still, I’ll use it at some point.

I’m not naturally athletic or outdoorsy, but romance heroes often are. Kind of like my own personal hero, Hubba Bubba. He’s thrilled that I randomly come up with ‘date day’ activities that are his idea of a great time. Like snowshoeing – because you can’t write a snowed-in-at-a-remote-cabin story without some snow experience. And kayaking – which I don’t recommend if you’ve had your wrist pinned together. I’ve even been pole dancing – so much harder than it looks – and flew down a zip-line all in the name of knowing what I write.

Some of my adventures are more my cup of tea, wine, absinthe… I’ve sought out foodie walking tours, chocolate tastings, wineries, tea stores…and even a pedicab tour of Portland’s distillery row! That one will end up in a story, I promise!

What adventures have you had lately??

(I’m having trouble loading pictures…so if you want to peek @ my adventures, check out my blog.)

♥ – Jenna Bayley-Burke
PRIVATE SCANDAL

I’m so excited that my release day is finally here! It’s been a while since I’ve had something new to celebrate!!
PRIDE AND PASSION
Jenna Bayley-Burke

He’ll let her have control…until he’s ready to make his move.

The only things Lily Harris inherits after her father’s untimely death are debt, scandal and loneliness. She doesn’t protest when her father’s business partner, Jake Tolliver, steps up to help with the mess she finds herself in—until Jake reveals the last promise he made to her father.

Jake may be as compelling to look at as a marble statue—and stir a frighteningly powerful desire within her—but no way will Lily agree to be his socially acceptable bride while he continues to bed his string of beautiful women—not without getting him to agree to a deal of her own first.

With a well-earned reputation as a feral hunter who goes after what he wants, Jake has his sights set on Lily, and her lack of options puts her right where he’s wanted her from the first moment he laid eyes on her.

Jake’s not above making Lily think she’s having it her way if that’s what it’ll take to have his way in the end. But once he grows tired of playing beast to her beauty, he’s not above changing the rules of the game until they’re both playing for the same prize.

Warning : This title contains a hero used to getting what he wants, a heroine determined not to give in to him, some indecent proposals, a fair amount of pride, and enough passion to burn up everyone’s control.”

Read an excerpt from Samhain

Read an excerpt from Books on Board

Exclusive Blog excerpt

As the mother of three, one of whom is a twenty-month-old diva who doesn’t want to miss a minute on either side of midnight, I have plenty of time to daydream. Sometimes it’s about a self-cleaning house or a deserted stretch of beach with an ever-full margarita machine, but usually I ponder whatever story I’m trying to get on the page between naptime and after-school pick-up.

I take my characters with me to the gym, the grocery store, doctors’ offices, bakeries – heck I’ll even play with them while I’m stuck in traffic. It’s the everyday things that make characters real to me. It can also put them in some pretty interesting situations.

MSN.com had a headline about exploding toads and WHAM, they found their way into Par for the Course. Thank goodness there was a golf course with a few water hazards, or it might have been awkward. Good Morning America ran a piece about new exercise routines – aerobic striptease, couples yoga…and then The View had someone on talking about using Kama Sutra to reenergize your sex life. The two ideas blended together in my why-won’t-this-child-sleep-through-the-night haze and VOILA, Compromising Positions had a Sensational Sex yoga class — couples yoga to ease the more demanding postures from the Kama Sutra.

Characters drive the story, but having fun is what keeps me writing rather than giving in to the call of the afternoon nap! I looked forward every day to seeing how Ben would handle the toad carnage, how David would deal with Sophie’s advances. Just as I hope the stories keep a reader turning the pages, they kept me writing to see not what would happen next (I had that part plotted out) but how it would unfold.

My next story blossomed in much the same way. I was watching Beauty and the Beast with my boys while cleaning out old college files. I couldn’t seem to let go of any of my notes and papers on Jane Austen and her stories — Elizabeth Bennett and her preconceived notions, Emma Woodhouse and her sheltered devotion to her father. The Beast roared from the television and the boys demanded it be turned off, and so while they turned out attentions to Hot Wheels, my mind spun a story that combined Beauty & the Beast, Emma and Pride & Prejudice. Hey, it happens! It was such a joy to watch Lily’s vision of Jake change from a beastly ogre to a handsome reflection of love. Pride & Passion will be available next week.

Writing takes effort, don’t mistake my enjoyment for sheer entertainment. But even writers can glean entertainment from their work. You never know what might weave its way into a story…you’ve been warned. I can’t be held accountable for being inspired by anything you might say or do!

Jenna has a new ebook releasing next week. Pride & Passion comes complete with a hero used to getting what he wants, a heroine determined not to give in to him, some indecent proposals, a fair amount of pride, and enough passion to burn up everyone’s control.To find out what Jenna is up to …check out her website

“What do you write?” could be heard around every table at a writing conference I attended a couple weekends back. A great question, but it always left me with a grin. We’d go around the table — historical with paranormal elements, sci-fi romance, vampires, erotic paranormal, werewolves, dragons, paranormal thriller…and then they’d all be looking at me. “I write normal.” It gets a laugh, which I tend to go for in my books too, but it’s the truth!

I love to read paranormal stories, but my brain doesn’t work that way. I’ll leave it to those who understand the history of vampires…and dragons (who knew there was so much to know about dragons? The conference had a whole class on them.) Me, I’m sending people to yoga and out for doughnuts.

People often ask where a writer gets their ideas. We don’t know, so it’s hard to answer. Everywhere, I think is the common response. But really, a writers stories are just there, twisted in their mind until they unwind themselves onto the page. My stories are classic romance themes with a modern twist (I’m quite excited that my Pride & Prejudice meets Beauty & the Beast story, Pride & Passion, was just contracted!)

I love the indulgence of traditional romance, spiced up but not taken seriously. Hence why I write about Cinderella and unrequited lust. This time of year I am always tempted to write some kind of ghost story, but I resist the urge. Someday I might dip my toe in the paranormal pond, but for now, I write normal.

There are a lot of things going undone in my life lately. House cleaning. Oil changes. Making word count…

Sometimes life happens. We sold our house, but were outbid on the place we’d planned to move. Now every free moment is spent trying to find a new home.

And there aren’t many free moments. The kids are out of school. My best friend has breast cancer.

It’s amazing how a sudden illness can put everything in perspective. It’s like a plot device for life to make us appreciate what we have and reevaluate what we should be doing.

Like right now, I planned on writing while eating lunch in the hospital cafeteria. I think I’ll head back to my friend room and giver her a foot rub.

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Jenna’s latest release, Compromising Positions, promises to use chocolate, fruit, and the kama sutra to take your mind off of reality.

PAR FOR THE COURSE
by Jenna Bayley-Burke

Magazine columnist Jillian Welch is on assignment to show her readers the golf course is the news single’s bar, and show an old flame all the ways she’s changed. Unless she hasn’t changed at all…

Warning: Fore! This title contains explicit sex, and a love story hazardous to your hankie supply. Oh, and exploding toads.

Samhain Website excerpt
Click here for a special blog-only excerpt!

Par For The Course is a fun summer read and is absolutely enjoyable. – Joyfully Reviewed

This is my first experience with a Jenna Bayley-Burke novel and let me tell you quickly that it is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I love her writing style and her ability to tell a story from a fresh perspective and with an unpredictable cast of characters that prove to her readers that she is a superb author. I have seldom read a contemporary romance which held me breathless as quickly or as speedily seized my attention.

I loved this book. Her characters were magnificent. Her supporting cast was so important even though, typically, they were not the focal point. I found myself totally immersed in the characters and the story as a whole. There were definitely surprises embedded in this storyline. I can guarantee that you will love the story and recommend it to all your friends. I’m honored to have reviewed this book._ – The Romance Studio

Romance writing is ripe with contests. Entire websites are dedicated to tracking contests and winners. Writers on their way to publication are encouraged to mold their writing into the best version possible before presenting it to editors and agents.

Once a book is published, there are more contests looking to sift through and find the best representation of the industry. These contests are cost prohibitive, so authors need to take into consideration lots of variables — who is judging, what is offered to finalists and winners, how many books need to be shipped, the entry fee, etc.

Like the contests for aspiring authors, most of the contests for published books are judged by writers, some are graded solely by authors, and a few are ranked by industry professionals like booksellers and librarians. For me, comparing who the judges are is like comparing winning the Oscar (judged by peers) to the Golden Globe (voted on by the press). Anytime your work is recognized, it’s fantastic.

No matter who is evaluating the novels, a story is being read by someone who might not have read it otherwise. Anyone who volunteers to read for a contest obviously likes romance novels, so if your story wows them, they’ll likley find another of your books. And tell their friends about their new find. Finalling is just icing on the cake!

Why do I have contests on the brain? Her Cinderella Complex is a Passionate Plume finalist! There are quite a few Samhain books on the list. Check it out ::

Contemporary

**Jenna Bayley-Burke – Her Cinderella Complex
**Mari Carr – Erotic Research

Paranormal / Time Travel

**Dana Marie Bell – The Wallflower, Halle Pumas Book 1
**Crystal Jordan – Treasured
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Jenna Bayley-Burke

Sensational Sex is titillating
Breaking His Rules sets the stage for a battle of wills
Working It Out is cute

When I turned the book in, I figured anything was better than how I described the book to people – a Kama Sutra yoga book where Betty Boop takes down the Incredible Hulk. See? Anything would be catchier than that!

The book came through the edits beautifully, the title was more elusive. And then, my editor and I got the tagline back from the Samhain blurb factory ::

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

If we’d been on a sitcom, you would have seen our eyes go wide as we slowly turned to look at each other. Sophie & David’s story had a title – Compromising Positions!

Compromising Positions releases today – complete with Butterflies in Flight, a Snake Trap, and a steady addiction to sugar.
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Jenna Bayley-Burke

I know, my mother taught me not to judge a book by its cover…but sometimes I just can’t help it. When you spend too much time in online writing forums (ahem) you know whenever a fantastic new cover is created.

A sensational cover can tease you for MONTHS before you’re able to get your hands on the book. I’ve been staring at Gwen Hayes Oh Goddess for far too long. I mean, just look at it. Intriguing, right? And to think, in a few clicks it could be yours…when it finally comes out!

I’ve had the same love/hate relationship with Sela Carsen’s Carolina Wolf. That cover has been tantalizing me through forums and blogs for I don’t know how long. It’s great, and suits Sela as well as the story.

When it came time to work on the cover of my next story, Compromising Positions, I thought of the covers that stood out to me. I wanted something a little different than the standard muscled chest cover (though someday I want one of those…the naked man cover, not the muscled chest!), something that readers would remember and look for… I can only hope it works! I like it, for now that’s all that matters.
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Jenna Bayley-Burke