Wowf about Writing!

Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews: Taming A Highland Devil by Kimberley Killion

2011-05-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews: Taming A Highland Devil by Kimberley Killion: "Taming A Highland Devil by Kimberley Killion Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Genre: Historical Length: Short Story (74 pages) Other: M/..."

New Author Photo

2011-02-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

There are many authors who have their picture professionally taken, but what does that image really say about who they are? This was the question I asked myself recently before getting a new author photo taken.

I decided that I needed something with pizazz, something that branded me as an author of sexy Scottish romance.

This is what we turned out. What do you think? Sexy? CHECK! Scottish? CHECK Romantic? I think so. *giggle, giggle, snicker, snicker*

Come visit...

2011-02-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

Magnus is getting around! I've got a mini interview up at Voirey Linger's blog today talking a bit about my latest release, TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL.

Stop by and find out my answer to that often-asked question: Just what is under that kilt?

Giving away 15 books!

2011-02-11T05:03:00.000-08:00

The Romance Dish is spotlighting Ellora's Cave today and giving away 15 books!

Here's their opener:

Ellora's Cave Showcase

Boy, have we got a treat for you today!!

As you should know by all the candy, cards and flowers in every store, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While Valentine’s Day is known to be sweet and filled with sugar, this year the Dishes wanted to give you a little spice. Well, actually, a whole lotta spice! Thanks to our friend, author Kimberly Killion, today we are showcasing several of authors with Ellora’s Cave Publishing. These authors are known for the spice and sizzle in their books.

Come on, don’t be shy! Check out these sizzling authors and their latest releases. Click on the author's name to go to her website. Click on the book title to buy the book.

And if you are ready to add a little heat to your Valentine’s Day, then just answer this question for a chance to win one of 15 books these wonderful authors are giving away today:

If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

Educating Aphrodite now available on the Kindle!

2011-01-31T04:01:00.000-08:00

ON SALE NOW!

EDUCATING APHRODITE

Two years is too bloody long to be abstinent, especially when one is married to the insatiable Sebastian Falkner, Earl of Warwick.

ABOUT THE BOOK
READ THE REVIEWS
READ AN EXCERPT
READ ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

Buy NOW!

My Calendar is filling up!

2011-01-30T13:54:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to doing some traveling this year. I hope to see some of you in New York or perhaps New Jersey or maybe in Ohio...

2011 Appearances

Feb 19th
New Jersey Romance Writers
The Woodbridge Hilton, 120 Wood Avenue, Iselin, NJ 08830

Presenting:
DEVELOPING CHARACTER SKETCHES:

****************

June 3rd - 5th
Lori Foster's 7th Annual
Reader & Author Get Together
Cincinnati Marriott North at Union Centre, West Chester Ohio

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June 28th - July 1st
Romance Writer's of America
31st Annual Conference
New York Marriott Marquis · 1535 Broadway · New York, NY 10036 USA

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Sept 29th - Oct 2nd
RomantiCon
Akron City Centre, 20 West Mills Street · Akron, OH 44308

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Kimberly enjoys speaking and would love to talk to your book club, writing group, library, or school about books, writing, the publishing industry, and romance. To schedule a visit contact Kimberly directly.

TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL by Kimberly Killion

2011-01-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my book trailer for my February release. This was my first time using real people and I’m so verra happy with it. What do you think?

And you'll have to check out the blooper video! It's probably better than the edited version. At least it's more entertaining. :)

Release day (again)!

2011-01-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

I have an erotic short out today with Ellora's Cave!

Here's the skinny:
EDUCATING APHRODITE is a Victorian ménage a quatre novella. Translation: it's H(((O)))T!

Here's the blurb:

Two years is too bloody long to be abstinent, especially when one is married to the insatiable Sebastian Falkner, Earl of Warwick.

Countess Alexandra Falkner is desperate to get her husband back in her bed, including performing in the risqué production of Educating Aphrodite. She knows Sebastian will choose the masked woman who performs in the finale with him and his best friend, sexy theatre manager and hypnotist, Vincent Delacroix, and she intends to be the temptress who catches his eye. Unfortunately, she lacks the confidence and experience she needs to have sex with two men in front of an audience. She solicits Delacroix’s skills as a hypnotist to empower her. What she gets is an education in seduction that leads her heart astray.

Will she lose sight of her goal in Delacroix’s arms?

***********************************************

BUY NOW!!!

***********************************************

CHAPTER ONE

“Have you completely lost your wits?” Vincent Delacroix stood upright behind his pine desk and wrenched his fingers into pitch-black hair. “You’re the bloody Countess of Warwick for God’s sake! A lady of noble breeding. Not a common doxy.”

Unable to hold his boiling black glare, Alexandra twisted her gloves in her lap and blew a white-blonde curl from her eyes. “My husband obviously doesn’t want a lady in his bed.”

“Christ, Alexandra!” His harsh tone indicated his opposition, and she’d yet to tell him the whole of her plan. “Your husband is the proprietor of the Piacere Theatre. Not to mention a close friend.”

“Which is why I came to you.” Perhaps this was madness. Perhaps loneliness drove her toward lunacy, but she was desperate to rekindle the passion in her marriage. Unfortunately, she lacked the courage and experience to accomplish her task without Delacroix’s assistance.

“I cannot begin to fathom why you would go to such measures.”

The light-blue silk choker that matched her eyes seemed to tighten around an expanding knot of frustration. She swallowed it hard and raised her pale lashes to Delacroix. “Sebastian and I have not been…intimate since I conceived Edward.”

The angry lines between Delacroix’s dark brows disappeared. He scrubbed his tightly groomed black beard in obvious astonishment. “Your son is nearly a year old.”

Shame burned her face and stung her eyes. Alexandra bit back the tears and looked down the expanse of her fashionable gold gown trimmed with frills and flounces and lace. At twenty-three, she was fit and well-kept and upheld her role as Countess of Warwick with elegance and grace, but hidden beneath layers of perfumed petticoats was a woman that no longer appealed to her husband. “It has taken me months to accept the fact Sebastian no longer desires me.”

“Forgive me. I did not know.” Delacroix rounded the desk to kneel in front of her. He captured her cold wringing fingers then raised her hands to his warm lips. He kissed one, then the other, and offered her a sympathetic look that began to tear the thin layer of restraint guarding her temper.

“I don’t want your pity. I want your help.”

“I’ll help you.” His agreement came quicker than she’d expected. “What exactly is it you had in mind?”

Hope swirled behind her breast. She sat up taller. “I want to dance in Saturday night’s performance of Aphrodite.”

Shock widened his dark brown eyes. He stabbed a finger between his cravat and neck and yanked. “You know about the performance?”

“I know everything.” She knew about the actresses slated to dance at the Piacere Theatre. They were the same women who warmed her husband’s bed and satisfied his carnal appetite. “I know Sebastian is playing the role of Adonis and will select the woman who performs in the finale. I also know that same woman will attend him privately the remainder of the night. I want to be the temptress behind the mask who catches his eye.”

Delacroix stood and walked away from her to a side table where he poured himself a hefty noggin of bourbon. “Then you’re willing to defile yourself before an audience.” He angled his chin over his shoulder. “With me.”

Heat crawled up Alexandra’s neck, spread across her face, then scalded the tips of her ears. That was the one obstacle she hadn’t quite figured out how to get around. The literal climactic ending included three players—Aphrodite and her two lovers, Ares and Adonis. More specifically, Sebastian and Delacroix. She’d never been with anyone other than Sebastian. And she’d certainly never been with two men at the same time. But her faithfulness had gained her naught but an empty bed. “I am willing to resort to whatever means are necessary to have my husband back in my bed.”

“Warwick will kill me if I agree to this.” He emptied the contents of his glass in one loud gulp.

“I do not need your permission to take the stage. I own the theatre. But I lack the confidence and the experience to play the role, which is why I need you to hypnotize me.”

Delacroix paused for long moments, no doubt contemplating her request.

“Please, Vincent. I cannot continue to live like this. I feel like a widow in the latter months of her mourning period.” This shell of isolation grew colder every day and she feared she would freeze to death waiting for Sebastian to warm her again.

Delacroix exhaled a fierce breath then removed his cravat and waistcoat. “Let it be known that I’m doing this against my better judgment.” He pivoted on his heel and splayed his long fingers toward a fainting couch. “Lie down, Alexandra.”

Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance is officially out!

2011-01-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

Today is the official release date of the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance!!!

There are some fabulous authors penning wild and passionate tales of highland flings. Among them are Julianne MacLean, Connie Brockway, Terri Brisbin, Donna Grant, and I give thee Keiran and Sorcha:

Scotland, Inner Hebrides – 1587

Sorcha’s husband is easily the meanest cur alive. He blamed her for every misfortune that befell his clan since he took her to wife four years past. And now the bastard is determined to kill her. If she were half the witch he accused her of being, then she might possess the power to save herself, but Da had ousted her grandmum from the clan before she taught Sorcha the Pagan ways. She is certain of only one thing—if she lives long enough to become a widow, she will never take another husband.

Keiran, the Falconer of Barra, knew he and Sorcha were worlds apart in station—he, the son of a crofter, and she, the eldest daughter of the chieftain—but he’d spent the past seven years of his life trying to change his stars. Everything he’d done had been for her. He’d fought and killed for the clan and learned the Pagan ways, for her. And now that he’d saved her life and took her pain away, the foolish wench accused him of doing it all for the chieftainship.

Will Keiran’s gentle touch crush the last of her resistance? Or will Sorcha’s husband hunt her down and kill her before she discovers the depth of Keiran’s love?

BUY NOW!

*******************************************************************

CHAPTER ONE
Scotland, Inner Hebrides – 1587

The bastard was finally going to kill her.

Sorcha trembled inside her wool mantle as icy wind thrashed strands of brown hair over her face. The rope binding her wrists stung, and her battered legs ached where Hector had pushed her down the steps of the keep. But none of it compared to the fear clutching her insides. She craned her neck over her shoulder and gawked wide-eyed at the white waves pummeling the base of the cliff.

“Ye destroyed my crops with hail, infested the clan’s meat with maggots, and set the outbuildings afire. ’Tis August, yet snow blankets my land.” Hector pressed her closer to the pebbled edge with his dark glare and intimidating size. He stood a full head taller and easily outweighed her by ten stone. “And now this.” He held up his sword arm covered with lesions of oozing puss. “Ye give me a whore’s disease!”

“I did naught, m’lord. I swear it,” Sorcha pleaded between chattering teeth. She considered reminding him that he hadn’t come to her bed in over two years, but knew ’twas useless to defend herself. Hector had blamed her for every misfortune that befell Clan Ranald since he’d taken her to wife four years past.

“Ye lying bitch!” He struck her hard across the face with the back of his hand.

Sorcha twisted at the waist and landed on her knees and elbows. The pain stinging her cheek was soon forgotten when Hector kicked her in the side. She heard her rib crack just before an unbearable streak of pain shot through her very core. She couldn’t fight, couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. The coppery tinge of blood spread over her tongue as she rolled onto her stomach. She spit a string of crimson and pulled herself forward by her bound hands.

“Think ye I dinnae hear ye chant your spells in the old language?” Hector wrenched her back to her feet.

If she were half the witch he accused her of being, then she might possess the power to save herself. She wished Da hadn’t ousted Grandmum from the clan before she taught Sorcha the Pagan ways.

“Ye have cursed me and my clan for the last time,” he bellowed over the howling wind.

“If ye kill me,” she panted through the pain, trying to draw upright to stare him in the eye, “my kin will avenge me.” ’Twas a false threat, but she was desperate.

A deep throaty chortle burst from Hector’s pocked face. “Your da died before naming a tanist to reign in his stead. The MacNeils have no chieftain, no bloodline, save for a sixteen-year-old girl. And your sister will be easy to break.”

Sorcha’s heart lodged in her throat. She tried to shake the horrid images of what Hector would do to her sister, but they erupted in her mind’s eye like a nightmare. Peigi would be powerless to defend herself against Hector and his men.

“As soon as I send ye to your Otherworld, I’ll be claiming the Isle of Barra as my own.”

Sorcha looked to the gray sky and pleaded with the king of her gods. Thou Christ of the cross, snatch me from the snares of this evil demon so I might protect my kin.

A bird cawed overhead, circling them. ’Twas a falcon—a white falcon. Mayhap the Goddess Cliodna had come to escort her to the afterlife.

“Fare thee well, Sorcha of Barra. I’ll see ye in Hell.” Hector raised his foot high and drove the sole of his boot into her stomach, sending her reeling over the edge of the cliff.

Shock numbed her insides. She wanted to hold onto something, to scream, but she could do neither. Her body seemed to fall faster than her soul, and for one breathtakingly frightening moment, she felt as though her physical being separated from her spirit.

Through it all, she kept her eyes fixed on that white falcon following her downward to her death.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

My New Year's wishes for you for the rest of this year and all of 2011...

May you always make the right moves.

May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.

May you remain good looking and looking good!

May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
(If this face doesn't make you want to stop
eating sausage, nothing will.)

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.

May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobbery pink and furry tan.

May you manage to make time for siesta.

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.

May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!

Should your mouth be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!

May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.

And may your friends always bring you joy!

MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR
FILLED WITH LOVE, HAPPINESS, AND HOPE!

Kimberly

Lookie, lookie!

2010-12-18T10:53:00.000-08:00

I got the cover for my February release, TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL. It's stunning!!!

Wanna know more???

TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL
An erotic Scottish novella
Available 02.09.11
From Ellora's Cave

A CHOICE...

Laird Magnus Sutherland loves women. His prowess in the bedchamber has earned him the name Devil of Dunrobin, but no woman has ever stirred his heart. Magnus needs to provide his clan with an heir, which is the only reason he agrees to marry the neighboring chieftain’s sister. When his betrothed arrives, he discovers the chieftain has two sisters. If Magnus must bind himself to one woman, he intends to discover which is best suited to be his wife, for he wants more than a body to plant his seed. He wants a mate for life.

A CHALLENGE...

There are three reasons Lady Effie Reay refuses to vie for Laird Sutherland’s affections…

For one, she is thirty-two and would surely lose a competition to her beautiful, younger sister. Secondly, Laird Sutherland is a well-reputed rake, and she holds no desire to wed another faithless man. And thirdly, the sight of him makes her tingle, shiver and ache.

Will Effie be successful in thwarting Magnus’ advances, or will her body succumb to a temptation that can only lead to heartbreak?

Hot Damn Designs founder Kimberly Killion

2010-12-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

I'm blogging at NINC today! Come check it out...
Hot Damn Designs founder Kimberly Killion

Karma is smiling on me!

2010-12-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

I have so much great news I don't know where to start...

Let's see...I got my cover for EDUCATING APHRODITE. Isn't she beautiful? Edits are turned in and the release date is set for Jan 5. I hope you'll all check out this how little number. It is my first published Victorian as well as my first ménage. *gasp*

I have more good news...I sold a second novella to Ellora's Cave! TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL is a set in the Highlands of Scotland. Yes, my little jaunt to London didn't last long. :) If you liked my single titles, then you will love Magnus's story. It's short, but it packs a lot of meat! *wicked grin*

Just a week ago I was informed that EDUCATING APHRODITE and TAMING A HIGHLAND DEVIL are both finalist in the erotic category of the 2011 Emily contest. This is a very prestigious contest and I’m so thrilled to have both my stories make the cut.

There’s more! Can you believe it? I don’t often talk about my unpublished work here on my blog, but I just found out yesterday that CARIBBEAN SCOT is a finalist in the 2010 MERWA synopsis writing contest! This is huge because I hate suck-nopses! HATE them and being a finalist lessens that venomous hatred inside me. *giggle*

Oh, and I found out today that HIGHLAND DRAGON sold to Thailand! I also learned today that HIGHLAND DRAGON was chosen to be a "Fresh Pick" at www.FreshFiction.com! Here’s their spiel:

[The Fresh Pick is chosen by a group of readers and is never a purchased advertisement or promotion. We've chosen your book because it appeals to us and we like to share our diverse tastes in reading and hope other readers will give it a try.]

Whew! What a day! What a month! I need to go save some more souls. Wanna come along?

Lots o' News!

2010-11-12T04:10:00.001-08:00

Well, things are really wild these days! I'm meeting myself coming and going, but the pace keeps me young. ;)

The biggest news...I sold an erotic Victorian set novella to Ellora's Cave! Whoot! I just got my release date and you'll be able to get your hands on this yummy little tale on January 5!!! That's just one day after the release of the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance where you can read HIS MAGICK TOUCH.

That's right two releases one day apart! Whew! How cool is that, really?

I also just found out HIGHLAND DRAGON sold to Germany. The new title is Magic of the Highlands which I think should pretty cool, though there's no "magic" in the book until you count the romance. *wink*

Lastly, (and this is really what's been keeping me busy) I've been working really hard getting my design business going and it seems I did too good of a job because I'm swamped! Which is a great thing in this economy. To check out what I've been doing, go to www.hotdamndesigns.com and also, check out the new romance stock site at www.hotdamnstock.com

If you want to learn more, I'm blogging with Jennifer Jakes today and giving away one of the images!!

Have a great day!

Mark your calendars!

2010-10-04T04:24:00.000-07:00

Starting Oct. 4th to Nov. 1st, historical romance author Lila DiPasqua will be hosting a BLOG PARTY. Counting down to the release of the next book in her sexy Fiery Tales series, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED (out Nov. 2nd, Berkley Sensation), she's hosting wonderful authors with GIVEAWAYS EACH DAY!

You won’t want to miss out! Stop by HERE and join in the fun!

Maggie Robinson
Kimberly Killion
Kris Kennedy
Tiffany Clare
Courtney Milan
Michelle Rowen
Eve Silver
Miranda Neville
Monica Burns
Christina Phillips
Ann Macela
Margie Lawson
Anna Campbell
Juliana Stone
Sarah MacLean
Carrie Lofty
Kathryn Smith
Donna Grant
Evangeline Collins
Delilah Marvelle

2010 Celtic Festival

2010-09-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

So I just wrapped up at the 2010 Celtic Festival in Buffalo, MO. I had a great time today, chatting up my neighbor vendor, Rich and Kathy (the lye soap maker) and the sword demonstrator, the leather maker, the jewelry maker...And then there was "Tammy", the kewl blonde who drove me to the gas station so we could sneak back some booze. I mean seriously...a Celtic Festival with no ale?!?! What's up with that?

The honored clan was Clan MacLeod, which to my luck is Calin's clan in Highland Dragon, so I knew a thing or two about that particular clan. It was a beautiful day, though it threatened rain once or twice. I was lucky enough to be under a tree, so the sprinkles didn't get me. :) Now the bad news about this tree...I must have had a dozen "creatures" fall straight into my bodice. Ewww!

I was surprised how many readers there were there. Sales were good! Although, some folks didn't read "Romance"...GASP!

Anyhoodles...here are a few pics:

Where did my summer go?!

2010-09-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! I've been neglecting my blog! I've been busy writing, editing, starting new books...
I've turned in edits on HIS MAGICK TOUCH which comes out in January. I started a new novella, MY SISTER'S BETROTHED. I'm 13k in and enjoying it verra much. The hero, Magnus Sutherland, has a reputation with the maidens, and he has certainly proven to be a wicked rogue to write about. :P

On the contest front:

HIGHLAND DRAGON is an Award of Merit recipient in the Historical category of the HOLT Medallion contest.
CARIBBEAN SCOT takes second place in the 2010 URWA Great Beginnings Contest out of 213 entries.
MY CURSED HIGHLANDER
takes second place in the Romance Through the Ages Contest and received an Honorable mention in Passionate Ink's Stroke of Midnight Contes

I had a fabulous time in Orlando this summer at the National RWA Convention. We did Epcot twice...so much food, so little time to eat it. LOL I love conference because I get a chance to meet up with all those people I talk to online everyday. Plus, I'm always so motivated to write when I get home. Here are a few pics:

See MORE on Facebook...

My face is going to hurt. I just know it...

2010-07-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

Do you ever go to an event and have such a good time, when you get home your face hurts from smiling, your stomach hurts from laughing, and you can't sleep because your still giggling about something someone said? Well, that's the kind of afternoon I'll have today because I'm sharing the company of 4 entertaining authors:

EILEEN DRYER
ANGIE FOX
SHIRL HENKE
KIMBERLY KILLION
PATRICA RICE

If you happen to be in the St. Louis area this afternoon, you should stop by AROUND THE CORNER PAPERBACKS between 1:00 and 3:00. It's going to be a hoot and a half! :)

Here's the addy info:
Around the Corner Paperbacks
5496 Baumgartner Road, Suite 127
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 416-9100

Eileen Dreyer

Award-winning, best-selling author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 26 Silhouette books, 8 medico-forensic suspenses, and 7 short stories.

2010 sees her extending her range into historical romance. BARELY A LADY, the first book in her DRAKE'S RAKES series for Grand Central, premieres in July and follows the lives of three women who meet in Brussels during the battle of Waterloo and stumble over a plot against the throne. Eileen spent time not only in England but India to research the series.

A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.

A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.

Barely a Lady ( Drake's Rakes #01 )
ISBN-13: 9780446542081
Publisher: Forever
US SRP: $ 6.99 US
Pub Date: July 01, 2010

After discovering her former husband on the battlefield of Waterloo--and in enemy uniform--Olivia Grace must pretend to still be married to Jack to keep him from being hanged as a traitor.

............................................................................................................................................

Angie Fox

Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of the Accidental Demon Slayer series. She claims that researching her books can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author.

The Accidental Demon Slayer
ISBN-13: 9780505527691
Publisher: Love Spell
US SRP: $ 6.99 US
Pub Date: July 01, 2008

Newly anointed with demon-fighting powers and suddenly able to hear the thoughts of her hilarious Jack Russell terrier, a preschool teacher finds a new dark and dangerous world, including a sexy shape-shifting griffin she's not entirely sure she can trust.

The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers
ISBN: 0505527707
Publisher: Love Spell
US SRP: $7.99 US
Binding: Mass Market Paperbound
Pub Date: May 01, 2009

Accidental demon slayer Lizzie Brown and her grandmother's coven of biker witches have rolled into Sin City to take out a super-sexy succubus who has her eye on world domination--and worse, Lizzie's man, in this second entry in Fox's red-hot series.

A Tale of Two Demon Slayers
ISBN-13: 9780505528278
Publisher: Love Spell
US SRP: $ 7.99 US
Pub Date: February 01, 2010

In this third installment of Fox's red-hot, hilarious paranormal series, Lizzie and the gang travel to Dimitri's home in Greece where they are confronted with his past . . . and an unwelcome family secret that could destroy them all.

............................................................................................................................................

Patricia Rice

With several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice is one of romance's hottest authors. In her forty-seventh book, she begins a new regency series entitled Rebellious Sons. The first book, THE WICKED WICKERLY, is a July 2010 release.

Patricia Rice's emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards. In addition to receiving the Bookrak Bestselling Paperback award, her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina, she currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, and now does accounting only for herself. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Authors Guild, and Novelists, Inc.

The Wicked Wyckerly ( Rebellious Sons )
ISBN-13: 9780451230713
Publisher: Signet Book
US SRP: $ 7.99 US
Pub Date: July 06, 2010

Abigail Merriweather's farm is quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings--until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable--so why does Abby delight in his flirtations?

............................................................................................................................................

Shirl Henke

Shirl Henke sold her first novel, a big historical romance titled GOLDEN LADY, to Warner Books in 1985. In 2005 she switched over to the “dark side” publishing two political thrillers, CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY and HOMELAND SECURITY under the pseudonym Alexa Hunt. She's also written romantic suspense for Penguin Onyx and Silhouette Bombshell as Shirl Henke. She's appeared on the USA TODAY bestseller list, been a RITA Finalist twice, received a BookraK Bestseller Award and won three Career Achievement Awards, an Industry Award and three Reviewers Choice Awards from Romantic Times.

She's a member of the Author's Guild, Romance Writers of America, Missouri Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, Novelists Inc. and International Thriller Writers.

Love Lessons at Midnight
ISBN-13: 9780843963632
Publisher: Leisure Books
US SRP: $ 6.99 US
Pub Date: July 01, 2010

No one knows the true identity of the mysterious madam who runs London's most notorious brothel--a place where a man's wildest dreams can come true. Robert St. John has not imagined the pleasure he will find or the danger he will court while seducing its mistress.

............................................................................................................................................

Kimberly Killion

Award-winning author, Kimberly Killion, has been hailed by Romantic Times Magazine as an author who writes “captivating romance with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity.” Her debut book, HER ONE DESIRE (Kensington 2008), was nominated for the romance-publishing industry's highest award of distinction, the RITA® Award. HER ONE DESIRE won the 2009 Booksellers Best Award for both Long Historical and Best First Book. In addition, Kimberly’s writing received an Award of Merit in the 2009 HOLT Medallion. She was recognized in the 2009 National Readers’ Choice Awards, the 2009 Golden Quill Awards, and the 2009 More Than Magic Contest. Romantic Times Magazine awarded Kimberly’s second Scottish-set novel, HIGHLAND DRAGON (Kensington 2009), with the K.I.S.S. Award and said this is “a tale to cherish.”

Aside from writing, Killion teaches graphic/web design and serves as the President of the Missouri Romance Writers of America. She lives in Illinois with her husband, two children, a dog, three cats, and two dozen chickens.

Highland Dragon
ISBN-13: 9781420104417
Publisher: Zebra
US SRP: $ 5.99 US
Pub Date: October 01, 2009

Killion delivers a passionate medieval Scottish tale in which a laird must choose between avenging his father's death and surrendering to the passion he finds in the arms of his enemy's daughter.

Her One Desire
ISBN-13: 9781420104424
Publisher: Zebra
US SRP: $ 3.99 US
Pub Date: July 01, 2008

After the daughter of the Lord High Executioner rescues a Scottish spy from certain death in the Tower of London, she fuels him with desire and everlasting love, in this sizzling debut romance.

Stop by if you are in the area!!!

His Magick Touch

2010-07-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

I've come to realize that I spend more time on Facebook than I do updating my blog. So, I'm here to tell you a wee bit about my upcoming release.

A wild and passionate highland fling...

Contemporary romantic fiction from bestselling writers set in Scotland and concerning ever-popular Highlanders from every historical period. A collection which ranges widely, including both contemporary and historical settings, time travel, ghosts, and plenty of fantastic and paranormal elements.

His Magick Touch is a sensual novella set on the Isle of Barra in the 16th century Scotland. More coming soon...
Read an excerpt or meet the characters.

Robinson
Paperback
512 pages
Published Jan 2011
ISBN: 9781849014526
Markets: World ex USA, Can
RRP £7.99

Love Letter Magazine

2010-06-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Check out the June issue of Love Letter magazine. I've got an article featured on the front page! I can't read it, but my name sure looks cool sitting nice and pretty next to those NYT Bestselling authors. :)

................................................................................................

From Love Letter's website:

Excerpt from the editorial in the current 54th Edition (June 2010):

Calling all passionate romance readers who

Heroes are the theme of this edition. They deal not only the readers but, as can be seen in many contributions , including the authors. Irene Hannon raves that its a "big , dark and handsome man , Elizabeth Amber is preferred, if it is " charming and amusing ", but also a weakness for " tortured hero with a dark past . " In its "Romance in Space "column examined the role of Heather , which can take the hero of science fiction and romance novels with the support of Lara Adrian , we took the opportunity to ask three of their heroes very personal questions.

In this issue:
Romance & tension with paranormal Touch
In an interview with Amanda Quick ( Jayne Ann Krentz )

Preview
Fall / Winter 10/11

Lucan, Andreas & Kade
In an interview with Lara Adrian's book hero

Soundtrack: music in Las Vegas
by Angie Fox

Romance in Space:
How to tame the hero of a science fiction love story

True Love : A wild summer
Kimberly Killion

St. Louis Renaissance Faire

2010-05-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Went to the St. Louis Renaissance Faire. It rained as usual, but the entertainment was awesome as always, the food delicious, the silver tempting, and the weaponry is always a bonus. :)

Want to Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day?

2010-02-06T18:12:00.001-08:00

How about a Hawt Highlander and body honey?

Win a signed copy of my newest release, HIGHLAND DRAGON, plus Body Honey Miel from Perlier.

To enter, visit FreshFiction.com

Pouring salt on the wound

2010-01-28T01:53:00.000-08:00

I'm usually that person who walks into a room smiling. If I have a personal issue, I'm not one to cry about it to my co-workers or friends. Perhaps it's that quality that makes me a determined writer. Perhaps I'm out to prove to the world that I am a capable of transporting a reader to another time and place. It is my love for the genre that gets me up at 3:00 am to spend time with my characters.

Furthermore, when I get emails from readers telling me how much they loved my books, I get that little tingle of accomplishment. In fact, just yesterday I received this comment from a reader "I am a big fan of character development, and this book has some of the most well developed characters that I have even seen"

But there will always be "those" people who just didn't care for my characters and ideas.

OK...I admit it, I could get a 100 emails telling me how great my work is, but it's that one horrid reader who uses a handful of "ugly" words that kicks you so hard, she steals a little of that determination. She makes you think, hmmm...maybe I do suck.

Unfortunately, this reader didn't send me the email. She posted her opinion on Amazon. Dang!

I'll give you the play by play of what a review like this does to a writer, or at least what it did to me...

"This book was awful." ...Oh my. Gasp. Swallow. Blink

"The heroine was annoying, changing her mind at the drop of a hat - I thought I would scream if I read "Mercy Mary!" one more time." ...hmmm...i suppose I could have made the heroine say mother-fucker, but that really wouldn't fit into the time period. [snort] As for changing her mind, isn't that what we are supposed to do to build the conflict? She likes the hero, but knows she can't have him so she slips up from time to time. I guess I could have made the heroine a girl who goes after what she wants but then she would be shallow and viewed as a whore. hmmm...still thinking about this one

"The plot thin and unbelievable,"...Really? Thin? Shaking head. I could go into the many layers of twists and in this book, but it would make this post rather long. And, yes, I'm defending myself on this one. Maybe it's because I spent months of my life researching and writing this book, pouring my soul into developing it, only to have this dagger thrust into the very heart of me and then twisted. (OK... that last bit was overly dramatic, but I'm reading Shakespeare right now. LOL)

"I kept trying to finish it, but it was just too dumb." ...Wow! Dumb? Really? Dumb? Tell me what you really think. And there was the salt on the wound.

The last thing I recall thinking after I read this review was...well, I guess it wasn't too dumb since it was nominated for a RITA. At which point I clicked "NO" the review was not helpful (because really that's all I can do) then I stuck my tongue out at the computer screen and went in search of chocolate. :)

Top 100

2010-01-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

Look who's sitting nice and snug between Diana Gabaldon and Laurell K. Hamilton! Yikes! I don't know how that happened, but it's pretty sa-weet. Don't believe me? (I don't blame you. I didn't believe it either.) Check it out HERE!

Happy Hogmanay!

2010-01-01T04:52:00.001-08:00

You read it right...Happy Hogmanay!
Only one nation in the world celebrates the New Year or Hogmanay with such revelry and passion – the Scots!

It is believed that many of the traditional Hogmanay celebrations were originally brought to Scotland by the invading Vikings in the early 8th and 9th centuries. These Norsemen, or men from an even more northerly latitude than Scotland, paid particular attention to the arrival of the Winter Solstice or the shortest day, and fully intended to celebrate its passing with some serious partying.

When the clock strike midnight on 31st December, fireworks explode in Scotland. Crowds gather and the party begins to the tune of Robert Burns' Auld Lang Syne.

Traditions and superstitions related to Hogmanay:

One should clean the house on December 31st (this includes taking out the ashes from the fire).

One should clear all your debts before "the bells" ring at midnight.

One should welcome friends and strangers with warm hospitality and a kiss and to wish everyone a Guid New Year. It is verra important to clear out the vestiges of the old year before you welcome in a young, New Year.

"First footing" is still common in Scotland. To ensure good luck, the first person to enter your home should be male, dark (believed to be a throwback to the Viking days when blond strangers arriving on your doorstep meant trouble) This male should bring coal, shortbread, salt, black buns and whisky.

"Handselling" is the custom of gift giving on the first Monday of the New Year. So be sure to present your loved ones with a Hogmanay gift this year.

Huzzah!
Kimberly

TV's Top Shirtless Guy Moments of 2009

2009-12-29T05:10:00.001-08:00

Other than the obvious error that Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) should have been in the number one spot, this is a verra good list...

clipped from insidetv.aol.com

TV's Top Shirtless Guy Moments of 2009

While this scene technically occurred at the beginning of season 2 in 2008, we'll let it pass since the season carried over into 2009. Plus, it's just too good not to include. As the dashing Nate Archibald, Crawford has plenty of half- and almost-naked scenes with various women. But nobody ever sticks with the same partner for long on 'Gossip Girl,' so way to spread the heat around, guys. Here's the opening of 'Summer Kind of Wonderful.'

10. Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald), 'Gossip Girl'

This year offered plenty of hot and steamy TV moments, but some of the best featured hunky, half-naked guys. It was like an instant party for all of us female viewers out here, whether you're into sexy vampires, rough-gem bikers, or scrappy high school football players.

Drum roll, please...

2009-12-26T05:48:00.001-08:00

And the WINNER of the Holiday Book Giveaway is...

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Wendy Wallach ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Congratulations, Wendy!
(Please email me at kim@kimberlykillion.com with your snail mail addy)

And thank you to everyone who signed up and is now following me here at Wowf about Writing. Be sure to stop by in January to check out my Valentine's Day Contest I will be hosting.

May you and yours have a very prosperous and romantic New Year.
xoxo Kimberly

Happy Holidays from William Lawson...

2009-12-19T13:11:00.001-08:00

I will never get tired of this marketing campaign. Here's hoping you all buy someone you love a little William Lawson this holiday season...

clipped from www.youtube.com

2009-12-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

Ho, ho, ho...'Tis the season for gift giving and Kimberly Killion must be feeling verra generous this year. She's giving away a sled-full of books...

Highland Dragon by Kimberly Killion
Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion
An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
Untouched by Anna Campbell
Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell
Before the Scandal by Suzanne Enoch
Death Angel by Linda Howard
Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins
Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary
Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spears
Everything Forbidden by Jenna Petersen

You have to do two simple things to enter:
1) Go to Kimberly's website and fill out the form on her contest page
2) Follow Kimberly's blog, Wowf about Writing!

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Contest Rules: One entry per person per contest period. Contest winner will be announced on Kimberly Killion's website and blog Dec. 26th, 2009. All entrants must be 18 years of age or older

Foreign Sales

2009-12-03T04:37:00.000-08:00

To my great surprise, I received an advance this week on a foreign sales to Thailand. I was so tickled, I emailed my editor only to find out not only did my debut book, HER ONE DESIRE, sell to Thailand, but also to Brazil, Germany and Japan!

The book releases in June 2010 in Germany and was re-titled Im Kerker der Sehnsucht. I won't even pretend to know how to translate the, but I babelfished it, and the best I can tell, the German publisher re-titled the book: IN THE DUNGEON OF DESIRE. :)

If you think that's fun, the snippet on the cover (the words in the green bar) translates like this...
They defied the danger together - and began a play with the fire

More comparisons...
The English product description on Amazon.com
Secrets and lies have a price that must be paid in blood through the generations. In medieval Scotland, Laird Calin MacLeod must choose between avenging his father's death and surrendering to the passion he finds in the arms of his enemy's daughter.

The product description on Amazon.de
Tower OF London, 1483: Lizzy, the daughter of the executioner, must flee, because she stole an explosive document. The prisoner Broderick uses the opportunity likewise to the escape. Pursued of their enemies they come themselves dangerously close…

Facts, Fiction, Research...oh my...

2009-12-01T05:40:00.000-08:00

Readers often email me to ask me about research. Sometimes they simply want to know if I hold a Masters in history and sometimes they want to point out what I did wrong.

Well, I don't hold a Masters in history. In truth, I never like history in school, but I do enjoy researching now. Partly because it is a means to procrastinate and partly because I find it fascinating. I recently had a woman email me to tell me how much she enjoyed my latest release, HIGHLAND DRAGON, but also pointed out that my heroine was liable to make the hero and his kin sick because she had picked rowan berries and they ate them. Apparently raw rowan berries will give you a stomach ache. I didn’t know that. Which is what I told her. LOL She was so tickled to discover that she had taught me something, that she dug out the newspaper article she had read on the subject and mailed it to me. FROM SCOTLAND!

I didn’t mind. Actually I thought is was kind of cool. We writers have so much to worry about that sometimes, yes, we can get the research wrong. For example, in HIGHLAND DRAGON, I also used the scent of honeysuckle to describe my heroine. Prior to publication, one of my critique partners pointed out that honeysuckle was not native to Scotland. Sheesh! What’s a girl to do? So I changed the name of the flower to the Gaelic word for sugar: siùcair.

Is it really that important to get it all right? Well, there are some readers out there who would say yes. I for one, like to focus on the romance and hope for the best, but if you are one of those crazed-diehard-must-get-it-right people, then here are a few website to assist you with your research…Enjoy!

COSTUME:
12th & 13th Century Clothing - Definitions
18th Century Costume Terminology
By the Sword
Historical Clothing Terms
Crinolines Fashion History
Deb's Historical Research Page
Measurement in the Middle Age
Medieval Clothing Terms
Medieval Fashion Glossary-Images
Noble Ware
The Tudor Shoppe
Clothing Of The Fifteenth Century

SCOTLAND
History of the Scottish Kilt
History of the Tartan
Reconstructing History — Scottish Historical Clothing Research
Scottish Women's Clothing

ITALY
Italian Dress
Italian Renaissance Clothing 1420-1520
Italian Renaissance

DICTIONARIES / GLOSSARIES:
Arms and Armour Terms
Emotion Thesaurus
Color-terms
Dictionary of Baby Names, Meanings and Origins
Dictionary
Etymology Dictionary
English/Irish Dictionary
Herb & Spice Dictionary
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
MSN Encarta
Navy Slang
One Look
Pirate Glossary
Regency Cant and Expressions
Regency Lexicon
Renaissance Faire Glossary
Scots Dialect
Scots Terms
Scottish Vernacular Dictionary
Sex-Lexis.com
Ships Glossary
Slang

MEDIEVAL:
Terms for Castle, Armor, Weaponry
Clothing Terms
Job Listing
Insults and Slang of the 15th Century
Medieval English Towns
Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournament
THE MIDDLE AGES-Lots of Links

FOOD:
Medieval-Themed Restaurants
Medieval and Renaissance Food
The Medieval Kitchen

MONEY:
Historical Money
The DiCamillo Companion
Money in Florence, Italy
Measurement in the Middle Ages

NAMES:
Baby Names
Fake Name Generator
Regency Names
Medieval Names
Medieval Naming Guide
Scottish Boy Names
Scottish Girl Names
Scottish Names 101
Victorian Era Names

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If that isn’t enough to make your eyes cross, feel free to visit my writers page for more...

Huzzah!
Kimberly Killion
______________________________________________________________
HIGHLAND DRAGON ~ ON SALE NOW!
4-STARS from RT Book Reviews "This is a tale to cherish."
http://www.kimberlykillion.com/

Vote for "Best Historical Cover"

2009-11-29T16:04:00.000-08:00

The poll for Best Historical Cover of 2009 (finals) is up!
The winner gets a cover feature and 4 week ad spot at THE SEASONS webiste.

I'm super thrilled to have HIGHLAND DRAGON sitting amidst such beautiful covers.

Don't delay, the voting ends, Dec. 13th. Vote now!

NEW TURKEY RECIPE

2009-11-26T02:13:00.000-08:00

Your dinner will be the talk of the TOWN!! You should try this! Sure to bring smiles from your guests! Here is a new way to prepare your Thanksgiving Turkey.

1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes.

2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully.

3. Roast according to your own recipe and serve. :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Did a woman’s virginity raise her worth on the slave market?

2009-11-20T01:36:00.000-08:00

I'm talking with Eliza Knight today at History Undressed about the "auction scene" in HIGHLAND DRAGON. If you ever wanted to know more about historical slave markets, then pop over. Plus, there's an excerpt...

"After reading HIGHLAND DRAGON, I immediately emailed Kimberly about the book. She had me held captive literally from the first sentence. No kidding, I was sitting in Starbucks with a girlfriend, and I kept tapping her arm and reading to her. She has such a vivid and intense way of writing. I really felt like I was there, experiencing everything that Calin and Akira experienced. The characters are so well-crafted they appear to be real people, with real emotions. Not to mention Calin is a hot-blooded Highlander—you can’t beat that! Verra, verra nice… I cried, laughed, held my breath, chewed off my nails, sighed…the whole nine yards. I told Kimberly this, and I’ll tell you all too, I haven’t read a book this good in a long time. She rivals with some of my old favs, Julie Garwood and Jude Devereux to name a couple. And OF COURSE, she has a great bit of knowledge on history and weaved all the details and facts into the story in a way that it just flowed off the page. I like history with my romance, I like travelling back in time."

READ MORE...

I would read your grocery list!!!

2009-11-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

You know what's better than getting a 5/5 star review from a review website? Getting a letter from a fan.

With the release of Highland Dragon only a month old, I'm starting to get letters from readers that make my heart sing...

"OMG! I just finished your book, Her One Desire, in the early hours of this morning and then immediately started on Highland Dragon and stayed up all night reading the firsty half of it. I Love Them! Thank you so much for bringing your awesome talent to all of your faithful fans!!" —Susie

"I just had to send you a quick note to say... I would read your grocery list!!! You are truly fantastic!!! I was hooked on your first book [Her One Desire] and could not wait for Highland Dragon. I just finished it. LOVED IT!!!"—Jenai

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HIGHLAND DRAGON by award-winning author, Kimberly Killion
Oct. 2009/Zebra books

A desire that defies all limits…and a love that was meant to be…Secrets and lies have a price that must be paid in blood through the generations.

Eighteen years after hiding the secret of his betrothed’s lineage, Laird Calin MacLeod must choose between avenging his father’s death and surrendering to the passion he finds in the arms of his enemy’s daughter.

From the PublisherKimberly Killion's gorgeous, dramatic novels have the sweep and intensity of Hannah Howell's megaselling Scottish romances.

***************************************
Grade A - The Good, The Bad and The Unread
4/4.5 Stars - RT Book Reviews
5/5 Stars - Lond and Short Romance Reiviews
5/5 Stars - Single Titles
5/5 Stars - Book Junkie
5/5 Stars - Heather's Reading Romance

READ THE REVIEWS: http://www.kimberlykillion.com/hdreviews.asp
WEBSITE: http://www.kimberlykillion.com

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EXCERPT:

Hidden behind a false panel, ten-year-old Calin MacLeod covered his ears with sweaty palms. The screams echoing throughout Brycen Castle were loud enough to loosen his teeth.

Lena Kinnon cried for mercy with every gut-wrenching contraction, but didn’t receive the slightest morsel of compassion from the many men present. Her position held no dignity, sprawled atop the council table like a sacrificial lamb. The wool of her soiled sark draped between her raised knees and provided her little privacy. No one wiped her brow or offered soothing words of comfort.

A woman was supposed to suffer during childbirth to pay for the sins of Eve. Even at his young age, Calin knew the laws of the church. He also knew Lena had already suffered more than any woman in Clan Kinnon. The bruises speckling her pale skin were evidence of the constant torture she endured at the hands of her ruthless husband.

The sliver of space between the wooden planks where Calin hid was no wider than the trunk of a sapling, but provided a view of his da, Laird MacLeod, who stood against a stone pilaster opposite Laird Kinnon. Da’s dark hair had grayed at the temples over the recent months, and his face sagged in weariness, but his rigid stance displayed his contained rage. With his eyes narrowed, Da stroked the golden bull’s head engraved into the signet ring he wore and glared at his enemy.

Two pairs of MacLeod warriors flanked each side of his da, while four Kinnon warriors surrounded Laird Baen Kinnon. All were unarmed as was previously agreed upon by both lairds.

“Ye keep screamin’, wife. It’ll cleanse your black English soul.” Laird Kinnon paced the council chamber, a sneer twisting his pitted face.

Calin hated the chieftain of his neighboring clan as much as his da did. Laird Kinnon was a cold-hearted demon. Anyone who would beat his lady wife during her childbearing time walked upon this earth with the devil’s black blood flowing through his veins.

“Ye bear me another bitch and it will be your last.”

READ MORE: http://www.kimberlykillion.com/hdexcerpt.asp

"Love is Scary"

2009-10-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

That's the theme on TJ Bennet's IMHO and I'm her guest today. Hop over and leave a comment for a chance to win HIGHLAND DRAGON, one of TJ's historical romances, and at least one of our other guests' books, as well as a $20 gift certificate from Amazon.com, tell us what you either love or hate about Halloween. On October 31, 2009, TJ will announce the winning entries drawn at random from all eligible participants (US addresses only, please). The winners will have until November 5, 2009, to claim their prize.

Book Tour

2009-10-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

October has definitely been crazy, which is why I've neglected my blog. Promoting is so draining, but very enjoyable expecially when you can share it with friends. The first weekend I spent in Georgia with the Moonlight & Magnolias chapter. Had a great time and sold out of my HIGHLAND DRAGON at the signing! Yay!

Then it was off to chilly Chicago to hang with the Chicago-North ladies. (Love those gals!) After that, I spent the weekend with my own chapter mates and sold out of all but one book!

I’m in Kansas now perfecting a presentation for the Kansas Writers Group. It turned into a long day, since I stopped at 7 books stores along the way and had lunch with an old college friend (who I hadn’t seen in nearly 20 years!)

It’s been so exciting seeing my book in the “New Romance” section. See me? Sitting right there beside Jan Kenny and Lisa Kleypas???

OK…off to make some edits to my WIP while I’m still awake…

Book of the week at LASR!

2009-10-19T04:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who voted for HIGHLAND DRAGON in Long and Short Review's "Book of the week" poll. It WON!!!

Here's the winning review:

Highland Dragon by Kimberly Killion
Publisher: Zebra Books (Kensington)
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (318 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Queen Anne’s Lace

Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan’s children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.

Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart.

Akira Neish can fight like any man, climb trees like a monkey – although getting down is another story – and swear in four languages. The only man who holds her loyalty, besides her family, is her benefactor, the man whom she will marry. But she’s never met him, and after being captured by the enemy, fears she may never.

Calin MacLeod, the laird of clan MacLeod, vowed as he witnessed his father’s murder that he would lead clan MacLeod and get revenge on his enemy. He saves baby Akira, his bride-to-be, but the day he comes to claim her she’s been kidnapped. Will he be able to save Akira and enact his revenge, or will an old secret destroy any chance he and Akira have at love?

Highland Dragon is brisk, fast-paced, witty and completely sexy. The writing is crisp and concise with characters any reader can easily love. The point of view never jumps, and the scenes are well described and packed with delicious adjectives.

Highland Dragon brings medieval Scotland to life better than any other work I’ve ever read, employing authentic language, terminology and imagery while maintaining the story flow and not confusing the reader. I must award the author “A+++” on a fantastic job!

Ms. Killion is a talented story-teller. I plan to read any other novels she writes. Wonderful job for a writer who is definitely a must keep in the business. Don’t miss out on this must-read, fabulous novel.

Need your vote!

2009-10-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

Highland Dragon is up for Best Book honor this weekend at Long and Short Reviews.
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm
Go vote if you get a chance. :)

READ THE FULL REVIEW...

Wanna win a copy of HIGHLAND DRAGON?

2009-10-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Come visit me this week at Unusual Historicals and leave a comment for your chance to win an autographed copy of my October release, HIGHLAND DRAGON!

Highland Dragon is brisk, fast-paced, witty and completely sexy.

2009-10-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

I continue to be stunned by the success and praise of this book. Check it out...

Long and Short Romance Reviews gave Highland Dragon 5 Books and a heat level rating of SPICY!

"Highland Dragon is brisk, fast-paced, witty and completely sexy. The writing is crisp and concise with characters any reader can easily love. The point of view never jumps, and the scenes are well described and packed with delicious adjectives.

Highland Dragon brings medieval Scotland to life better than any other work I’ve ever read, employing authentic language, terminology and imagery while maintaining the story flow and not confusing the reader. I must award the author “A+++” on a fantastic job!

Ms. Killion is a talented story-teller. I plan to read any other novels she writes. Wonderful job for a writer who is definitely a must keep in the business. Don’t miss out on this must-read, fabulous novel."

—Queen Anne’s Lace, Long and Short Romance Reviews

READ THE FULL REVIEW...

The Promo Monster and his brother, the Demon Sucker of Time!

2009-10-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

OMG! The promotion monster is eating me alive! He is taking tiny little bites and torturing me a day at a time. My second book, HIGHLAND DRAGON, came out Tuesday and while I’m blissfully excited, I’m also drowning.

Come save me...

This is my blog topic for the weekend where I'll be guest blogging with the gals at Romance Roundtable.

Grab a cup of java and stop by.

I'm blogging...Come Out & Play

2009-10-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

Petit Fours & Hot Tamales
TOPIC: Get out of bed and have sex!
Magical Musings
TOPIC: Branding
RomCon
TOPIC: Hooks! How to keep the pages turning.

Blogging with MamaWriters today

2009-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Join me on MamaWriters today to talk about kids in books. I'll be giving you a taste of lil Andrew. This little boy nearly stole my heart in HIGHLAND DRAGON. So come on over and play a little...

It's Release Day!

2009-10-06T02:44:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how perfectly excited I am about seeing HIGHLAND DRAGON on the shelf! I'll be celebrating the launch over at the Jaunty Quills so stop by.

Also, my week long soirée begins today, and I'm giving away lots of books and a first chapter critique, so get thee to my contest page and sign up!

Kimberly

Meet the Characters of HIGHLAND DRAGON

2009-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's getting so close to release day...October 6th is the official date, but I'm already hearing that HIGHLAND DRAGON has made a landing in various cities across the US. To start the celebration early, I wanted to introduce you to the characters in HIGHLAND DRAGON and a snippet from the book where they are introduced...Enjoy!

And get thee over to my contest page. I'm hosting a week long soirée.
AMAZON B&N BORDERS

http://www.kimberlykillion.com/

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THE HERO & HEROINE:
LAIRD CALIN MACLEOD & AKIRA NEISH

The untamed hiss of the next captive pierced through the drone of bidders. Hair black as midnight framed her porcelain face—a face twisted into a ferocious expression of revulsion. Oaths spewed from her mouth in English, French, Gaelic, and another language Calin didn’t recognize. Two sentries in black hooded robes restrained her, and unlike the other women, her hands were bound tightly behind her.

“Christ, that’s Akira,” Kendrick announced in a loud whisper then started for the dais.

“Nay.” Calin placed a firm hand on Kendrick’s chest. “Dinnae draw attention to us or our interest in her.” Calin spoke calmly enough, but his insides were erupting. If the guards dared to strike her, he was fully prepared to start a war.

She lunged at the men confining her to the platform. The woman certainly didn’t lack for spit and fire. She was a fighter. Though relieved he’d found her safe, Calin worried over their initial meeting. Introducing himself to his bride under these circumstances might prove to be an awkward task.

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THE BEAST: LAIRD BAEN KINNON

Laird Baen Kinnon sat at his trestle table and clutched his throbbing skull. Morning always brought the same damned ache. The same frigid cold. Dawn’s light had already cut through the mist and crawled up the tower wall. Gray light cast a shadow over the young girl cowering in the corner of his solar. He pointed to a satchel atop a three-legged cuttie stool. “Fetch me that poke o’ herbs and come fill my cup with ale, wench.”

The girl shuffled across the moldy floor rushes to do his bidding. She’d spent the night curled up with a few orange cats in front of an empty hearth. Had he not been blind drunk, her pathetic bawling would have kept him up half the night. Luckily, the drink had swiftly overcome him.

Her tear-spiked lashes rose just enough for her to peek at him through dirty, pale hair as she handed him the satchel.

She shivered.

He grinned. Just being in his presence terrified her, and he had yet to touch her.

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THE BROTHER: KENDRICK NEISH
Kendrick’s color turned red, his nostrils flared, and his pose took on the stance of an angered warrior. Calin suspected he would lose this battle just as Kendrick dove at him. Calin held one hand out as a shield, but Kendrick twisted that arm behind him. Within a blink, Kendrick cradled Calin’s head in the crook of his arm, constricting the air in his throat.

“Ye be on Kinnon soil, mon, and it would take verra little to snap your wee neck between my brawny arms.”

His comment was delivered with such force Calin couldn’t help but laugh at the man.

Kendrick leaned to the side to study him. “Are ye addlebrained, mon? Mayhap a wee bit light in the head?” Kendrick released him with a forceful shove into a bed of prickly pine needles.

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THE MISTRESS: CATRIONA
A woman emerging from the woodland caught Akira's eye. Floating over the lush foliage of the knoll, the woman glowed beneath the fading sun. Beauty and grace surrounded her every step. Flowing pale blonde hair bounced at her waist. A slim figure curved neatly into slender hips under a plain ivory gown. No jewels graced her bodice or her neck, nor did she wear a plaid, but the woman carried herself with the dignity of a noble. As she stepped even closer, Akira was mesmerized by the perfection of her face. High cheekbones pointed to a mouth most men would betray their country for. Then Akira looked into a pair of silver eyes. Not a blemish of color hid in the flecks. Foreboding crawled up her spine. Immediately, Akira felt uncomfortable in her presence.

The woman embraced her in a cold hug. When she spoke, her teeth sparkled. “You must be Calin’s new wife. ’Tis such an honor to finally meet you.”

“I am Akira. And ye are?”

The woman’s smile broadened when she brushed her long blonde locks over her shoulder. “I am the laird’s mistress, Catriona.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE BRAGGART: JAIME MACLEOD
“Aye, M’lady. The name’s Jaime.” He, too, pressed his lips to her knuckles, but didn’t release her hand as Alec had. “I have nay wife, but if ye’ve any sisters as bonnie as ye, I’m sure to be lookin’.”

A blush heated her cheeks beneath Jaime’s flattery. Calin’s kin certainly excelled in the art of wooing. She fell into a trance under the dreamy hue of aqua-blue eyes. Jaime had a hint more blonde streaked through his beard, and she knew he would be strikingly handsome beneath his whiskers. Certainly, he would have no trouble finding a wife with his face.

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THE SISTER: ISOBEL NEISH
Jaime held Akira's sister, Isobel, in his arms, and she looked as irritated as he looked happy.

“Put me down, ye heathen.” Isobel slapped Jaime’s chest while he twirled her into the chamber. “I swear ye are a swine, Jaime MacLeod. The mon tried to kiss me the whole way here.”

Although Isobel spoke to Akira, her stormy eyes never left Jaime’s face. He set her in a high-backed chair.

“Why did ye not ride with Kendrick?” Akira couldn’t contain her smile. Jaime was a devil, and she didn’t have to guess why he was clean-shaven.

“The brute insisted I ride with him.” Isobel’s flame-kissed locks fell in disarray over angry green eyes when she scowled at Jaime standing possessively overtop her.

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THE AUNT & UNCLE: WANDA & KERK
“Ye should be ashamed o’ yourselves.” Calin’s Aunt Wanda rounded the entranceway and seated every man with a piercing gaze. Dark-red fiery tresses framed the ire burning in her cheeks. Calin sensed the wrath she was about to unleash would topple the Devil’s battalion. Though unaware of how long she’d listened to their deliberations, he could only hope she sided with him. He needed an ally.

Wanda filled her lungs with air, glared at Uncle Kerk, and directed her long finger at him. “It galls me to call ye husband. Ye may as weel have branded her a whore. I’ve the mind to take a blade to your bollocks and have Mattie cook them slowly over the spit. Ye’ve nay use for them. Ye have displayed nay courage in the titles ye bear. Nay loyalty to your kinswomen.”

Uncle Kerk’s adam’s apple slid up and down while his eyes rounded. “Darling, ye—”

“Dinnae darling me, ye addleheaded arse. Think ye King James is a force to be reckoned with. Wait till your women hear o’ your decision.” Her eyes narrowed yet further. “Ye are worthless men. Ye think with your cocks and not with your minds. Weel, I hope your cocks keep ye warm at night, for your kinswomen will not.”

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THE ADVERSARY: GORDON MACLEOD
Gordon, who was easily the oldest, wore a surly frown. The skin beneath his eyes weighed heavily downward, which told her laughter didn’t find his face often. He would undoubtedly be the hardest to befriend. She stood before him, matching his scowl. “That is assuming ye have wives. One might think it a difficult task to find a wife when one does not speak.”

Gordon didn’t respond, as she expected, nor did he return her look. Crossing her arms defiantly over her chest, she spoke to Calin, but never once removed her stare from Gordon. “M’laird, when I am your lady wife, will I have the authority to give your men permission to speak?”

“Aye.”

“For the nonce, I’d like ye to give them permission to speak to me.” Akira thought she caught the hint of a smile threatening Gordon’s face, but she doubted he would crack so easily.

“Just because I give them permission does not mean they will exchange pleasantries with ye.”

She spun around to glare at Calin, her long tresses whipped over her shoulder with the sharp action. Pain stabbed her temples. This did nothing to improve her temper. “Then order them to converse with me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AKIRA'S CONFIDANT & HER WEAKNESS:
AILEEN MACLEOD & ANDREW MACLEOD

Alec, and a woman Akira guessed was Alec’s wife, Aileen, scurried after their children. Red-gold locks fell over her face when Aileen bowed. “A thousand pardons, M’lady. They dinnae know their manners.” Aileen attempted to peel the boy from Akira’s neck.

He wouldn’t let go. Wrinkling his nose, he gave his mother a sour expression and tightened his grasp.

Aileen apologized repeatedly. “Andrew, release M’lady this instant.”

“I cannae, Mammie. I love her.”

That did it.

Akira laughed outright while a blush burned her face to the tips of her ears.

Aileen forcefully pulled Andrew off and dropped him to his feet beside her. “Ye can love her from a distance.”

The boy snuggled into his mother’s skirts then gave Akira a tiny wave before sticking his thumb in his mouth. The boy had far too many teeth for such a habit and Akira knew, with nary a doubt, lil’ Andrew was coddled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SUPPORTER: ELSBETH

Holding her hand, Akira noticed the bloodstains speckling her fingertips from multiple pinpricks. But what intrigued her more, were the faint remnants of bruises on her wrists and forearms, and the yellow tint of an aged bruise alongside her high cheekbones. Why would such a timid woman carry such marks? And especially one with child?

“Elsbeth, do ye stay in the keep or have ye a family?” Akira queried nonchalantly, wanting to know more about her.

“I live outside the bailey with my husband, Ian, and my son.”

“So ye already have one child. Ye and your husband must be excited about the arrival of your second.” Akira knew she’d overstepped her bounds. Elsbeth really wasn’t showing to the degree anyone might notice, but Akira had seen her hand flatten over her stomach at least twice while the woman had dressed her.

Elsbeth caressed her stomach. “I am not very far along. Ian does not yet know.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, there are many more characters;

Lena Kinnon—The BEAST's wife (Akira's mother)
Darach Kinnon—supposed son of Baen Kinnon
Murrdock and Vanora—Kendrick and Akira’s "parents"
Neala—Akira's sister
Riona and Fiona—Akira's sisters
Maggie—Akira's sister
Logan Donald—Maggie's husband
Father Harrald—Man of the cloth of the Isle of Skye
Sister Esa—Nun at Beauly Priory.
Gunnie—Midwife
Brady—Elsbeth's son
Evie and Tara—Akira’s Maids
Alec—Calin's warrior

It's Release Day!...well sort of.

2009-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's October! I should probably dazzle you with wit or teach you something of value like the importance of action tags over dialogue tags, but I'm not going to...why? Because my second release, HIGHLAND DRAGON, hit the shelves today. (Kinda)

Here's the thing...the publisher said the release date was October 6th, but the street date and the online date are different from what I gather. And what's even more exciting is that HIGHLAND DRAGON went to a second printing before its release date!! Whoot!! I'm so thrilled to have this blog spot today to tell you about the book. You see HIGHLAND DRAGON is the book of my heart. I actually wrote it before my debut, HER ONE DESIRE.

To expand...HIGHLAND DRAGON is the book I put through the ringer on the contest circuit. She brought home more than a dozen finals and seven first place wins. She has made me proud but consumed me for more than a year. Blood, seat, and tears I tell ya!

Now I can hardly go on and on about this book without giving you a little taste, now can I? :)

And get thee over to my contest page. I'm hosting a week long soirée where I'm giving away books and a critique.

Remember...Fall in Love Everyday... ;)
Kimberly

Secrets and lies have a price that must be paid in blood through the generations. In medieval Scotland, Laird Calin MacLeod must choose between avenging his father's death and surrendering to the passion he finds in the arms of his enemy's daughter.

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EXCERPT of HIGHLAND DRAGON by Kimberly Killion

"The devil himself could seduce a maiden in this solar."

Calin lifted one brow beneath her fingertips. "I have nay intention of seducing ye."

"If ye dinnae intend to seduce me, how are ye to take my…virginity?"

A rogue's grin curled one side of his mouth, as if he knew something she didn't. "I'll never force ye to do anything ye dinnae want to do. Nor will I touch ye anywhere ye dinnae want to be touched. Tonight, Akira MacLeod. Tonight, ye will take your own virginity. I'll just offer my…assistance."

Akira hooted. "Though I admit to being ignorant to…matters of…coupling, I am certain ye will need to participate in…this."

"I intend to participate fully," he assured then dropped her to her feet. He turned from her and proceeded to disrobe to his plaid. Pale white scars veining his back spoke of the time he'd spent in battle, and she knew he displayed them and the blue battle rings with pride. She wanted to know the depth of his losses, but now wasn't the time to speak of war.

He washed briefly at the basin then turned back to her, exposing the golden ripples of a magnificent chest. He settled casually onto the high-backed bench cushioned with burgundy damask. Careful not to topple the two goblets of wine on the dressing table, he scooped up a handful of rowan berries from a wooden bowl and popped them, one by one, into his mouth.

"Would ye like to start seducing me now or wait 'til the bed has been blessed?"

She knew nothing about seducing a man, but the thought of it made her insides thick and her breasts heavy. Her nerves spiked and she could do little more than banter with him. "I think ye are arrogant, Calin MacLeod. And if ye think I'll be the one ravishing ye, ye are deceiving yourself."

"Tsk, tsk, wife. Ye must conserve your energy. Ye are going to need it." Calin revealed his dimples with this threat while his eyes traveled leisurely over her body.

She remained standing in the middle of the room, hoping Father Harrald would arrive quickly. Calin's heated gaze made her feel naked and vulnerable. How did he do that? The heavy gown she wore suddenly felt as thin as a threadbare shift. Her skin tingled against the silk and she wondered if she'd just married the devil. Only a hex could make her feel this wanton. He chewed slowly on the berry he'd just popped in his mouth, and her body tightened, wanting to know the feel of those lips on her skin. She crossed her arms over her breasts in an effort to subdue the sensations flitting inside her. Closing her eyes, she asked God's forgiveness for her sinful thoughts.

Her prayers were answered when Father Harrald staggered through the open door, bringing with him the smell of burning frankincense. Kendrick, Gordon, and Alec guarded the entranceway behind her as if she might bolt from this duty. Admittedly, the thought had occurred to her.

Silent reverence filled the room as the priest spread a cloth over the tabletop and prepared the oils. Calin remained seated while Father Harrald made the sign of the cross against his forehead. The priest then wavered slightly when he turned to her and did the same. He proceeded to sprinkle the bed with holy water and recite the prayer that would bless their union. Her tension eased when the priest turned and stood before her again. His dark eyes glazed with approval when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Father Harrald," Gordon shouted from behind, "your duty is done. 'Tis time we return to the festivities."

Father Harrald offered her a faraway look and kissed her on the forehead saying nothing more.
Alec stepped forward, his eyes downcast. "Aileen is in the corridor if ye have need of a maid to prepare ye, m'lady."

"She has nay need of a maid. I will prepare her."

Even Father Harrald grinned at Calin's comment, and Akira was sorely tempted to kick all of them. Before she could offer her own barb, the men ushered Father Harrald from the room and left her in silence with her husband.

"The bed has been blessed, and I believe ye were about to seduce me."

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OK...so since I'm in PR mode...anyone else have a release out this month? Tell us about it...

What are you sick of reading?

2009-09-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

Following me on my Blog Tour to BOOK JUNKIE's and comment for the chance to win my second release, HIGHLAND DRAGON. Here's a peek at what's going on:

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be
As a person who gets easily bored, I wonder why we don’t see more unusual books. For example aliens landing in Regency London. OK...this has probably been done, but I’m curious to know if readers get frustrated that traditional publishers don’t take more risks and break out of the norm? What are you sick of? Vampires? Ball rooms?

A few reader comments:
~ I am tired of seeing kick-a$$ heroines who don't have any friends and/or are very mannish.
~ I am tired of whimpering virgins trying to grow some backbone and self-esteem.
~ I'm tired of seeing women who can't do anything for themselves, and must rely on the man to get them to come out of their shell, or for him to do everything for her. Give me strong women! Women that can stand up for themselves.
~ I'm tired of weak women saved by rich and strong men :)

What are you tired of reading? Comment now... CLICK HERE!

If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

2009-09-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

My blog tour kicks off today at LoveStruckNovice with Sarah Simas. Come join me!!!.
Here is a taste of the interview:

If you were a book, what would your blurb be?
Oooh, good question, but a toughy. This will require me to be a little vain, but here goes...

Kimberly Killion, award-winning author of sexy medieval romance, seeks adventure and romance. But what happens when she finds what she’s looking for in the seductive arms of a hawt Highland rogue?

Laird Braw Scot is looking for a woman with an imaginative mind and taste for scandal. He finds her tucked behind her computer, hiding her passion for life inside a motherboard. Does he have the skills to seduce her away from the keyboard?

Will she give up her dreams of hitting the NY Times list and seek passion in the treacherous wilds of Scotland? Or will she resign to live comfortably in the secluded privacy of her Midwest home and never know the meaning of love?

Highland Dragon featured at B&N Studio

2009-09-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the book trailer for Highland Dragon, hop over to B&N Studio and check it out. For reasons unbeknownst to me, the book is already available at B&N, which is wildly exciting. Huzzah!

All about me...

2009-09-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am: Woman, hear me roar.
I love: My life and my family…and coffee!
I dream: Actually, I don’t. I sleep so very little that when I do hit the pillow, I fall into this peaceful place of complete nothingness. And I can be there roughly 4.5 seconds after I hit that pillow.
I wish: I never had to shave my legs again.
I pretend: I’m thin.
I fear: Failure and balloons
I appreciate: Published authors who help those of us who are new to the world of publishing.
I read: Historicals. Anything by Julie Garwood, Teresa Medeiros, Connie Mason…
I want: To start a new saying, “Get wowf!” (Scottish slang for Get crazy!)
I cannot live without: Chocolate
I am happy when: I’m being creative, whether that’s designing or writing.
I would like to meet: My characters in real life.
I am annoyed by: Noise

Sold out of first printing before release

2009-09-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

So here's the thing...there's not a whole lot that makes me giddy, but when the FedEx dude came today, I was all a fluster. Now, you are thinking he was wearing a kilt or that perhaps he was hawt. Well, he was ok. Not really the hunky sort that generally catches my eye...but I digress...

The FedEx dude did, however, deliver the goods. And the goods came in the form of my author copies of HIGHLAND DRAGON. This book hasn't released yet. It's my second book from Kensington books and isn't scheduled to release until October 6, but here's what is even cooler...

I opened up to the copyright page (because that's what authors do) and about swooned when I saw the numbers.

Let me explain...
Do you see the numbers underneath 'First Printing: October 2009'? They start with 10 9 8 ...
Well because it ends in 2, this tells me that the book has already gone into a second printing!!! Sa-weet!

I can hardly wait for this book to hit the shelf. I'll be signing all over the midwest; Georgia, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas...

Busy, busy time for me, but I must get back to my WIP!

Huzzah!!!!!!

B&N jumped the gun

2009-09-18T13:11:00.001-07:00

Eeeek!!!

I thought I still had a couple weeks to prepare for this release, but it looks like B&N already released HIGHLAND DRAGON!!! So if you want to get your hands on Laird Calin MacLeod early (and trust me when I tell you he is sooooo worth getting your hands on) then click HERE.

I daresay Mr. Darcy...

2009-09-16T02:00:00.000-07:00

This has to be the funniest video I've seen in ages. I love it when Mr. Darcy loses himself and spouts vulgarities at Caroline. Too funny!

22 days before Highland Dragon hits the shelves...

2009-09-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to get oober excited about this release now that the reviews are literally pouring in. I've gotten an email every day for the past 3 days with a review in it. And here is the best part...the reviewers are LOVING Calin and Akira's story!!!!!

Here's a few snippets (yes, a few...this is a really long review) from Leontine's Book Realm:

Kimberly Killion – Highland Dragon (Historical novel)
Scotland, Highland 1484,
It was a night the young Calin MacLeod would not likely forget as he witnessed the murder of his father. It ignited vengeance in his heart as it spread through his veins and burned in his soul. That night, his bride also took her first breath in this world. Only hours ago her birth promised hope for an alliance between the Kinnon and McLeod clan but with a coldhearted brute of a man that hope washed away with the blood of those who lost their life’s that night.

It sounds like familiar plot doesn’t it? It certainly isn’t something that hasn’t been done oodles of times before but if there is one thing the highlanders understand then it was vengeance. And if there is one thing Kimberly Killion understands, it is the spirit of the Scottish highlanders.

There were two things that I noticed early on. One, how the cast of characters played on my emotions and two, how the clan politics and intrigue fueled the romance to a higher level. The premise of Calin and Akira’s actual story held it all; betrayal, murder and a secret love.

Calin is all highlander brawn mixed with the responsibilities of a Laird and a strong sense of Clan loyalty. A good, honest, virile highlander who wants what is good for his clan and a woman beside him leading it. Akira is definitely a woman who knows what she wants, how she wants it and is smart enough to get it. I loved the mix of faith, fury, intelligence and empathy in Akira. She became the heart of the McLeod clan by just being herself and she conquered the heart of Calin in the same way. Their interaction encompassed an area of emotions, from poised and tender to fiery and passionate, to the pain of grief and loss. Their journey is steeped in emotions and I instantly picked up on them, thoroughly rooting me in the story and the exhilarating journey of the main protagonists. This is largely due to empathetic and well drawn characters but also the easy connecting writing style of Kimberly Killion.

There was an interchange between the romance, the sensuality, intrigue and character development that ran like clockwork. There is nothing overtly complicated in Highland Dragon, the writing style smooth, working with all the elements present to drive towards a conclusion that had me sighing and in tears at the same time. I just had a remarkable good time reading Highland Dragon. There is desire, Highland rogues in abundance, treachery, romance, friendship and loyalty to be found in an authentic Highlander tale that is delivered with a passionate voice for the genre.

What can I say more than Highland Dragon is a read for stormy nights and candle lit rooms to take you away in to another time, another place, and make you feel romance as is should be, the kind that conquers all!

5 Stars & Sultry!!!!

2009-09-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

I do love a 5-star review that comes with a sensual rating of "sultry"!

Here are a few snippets...

HIGHLAND DRAGON is breathtakingly adventurous and brimming with an abundance of passionate yet heartfelt encounters.
Strong characterizations and a totally gripping premise will draw you into this remarkable story, but it is the interaction between the hero and heroine which keeps you devouring every word. Kimberly Killion has crafted a most satisfying story set in early sixteenth century Scotland featuring the spirited individuals who lived and loved during this turbulent period in history. Kimberly Killion brings historical stories to life with unparalleled believability. From the very first, this fascinating tale of retribution and duty quickly turns into a romance filled with conflicts and danger. Though this love story between Calin and Akira takes years before they officially meet, their guarded connection before then only adds more intrigue to their destined union. There are numerous profoundly touching moments all throughout HIGHLAND DRAGON, and I found myself completely riveted time and again as I awaited the outcome of these often crucial dilemmas.
While they prove their devotion for Scotland in many ways, their love for one another is portrayed with so much compassion plus desirous yearning, and any intimacy between this couple is depicted with passionate enthusiasm and sincerity. There is much colorful imagery in the story, and this attention to details makes the scenes realistically credible. The dialogue for these dynamic Scottish characters is masterfully written by Ms. Killion, as their exchanges take you to another time yet every meaning is expertly understandable. There are lots of memorable characters in this story, both main and secondary, and I did not want to say good-bye to many of them.
HIGHLAND DRAGON is a must-read, as its emotional impact and historical details are unforgettably notable.

Read the rest HERE.
And even more reviews HERE.

A tale to cherish...

2009-09-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

RT BOOK REVIEW, 4-star

Killion's newest Scottish-set novel demonstrates her ability to create captivating, finely written romance. Well told, with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity, this is a tale to cherish.

Summary: At the age of 10, Calin MacLeod witnesses his father's death at the hands of Laird McKinnon on the same day McKinnon's daughter, Akira, is born. Calin swears to avenge the murder. When he assumes the lairdship he decides that by marrying McKinnon's daughter he will destroy the clan's fiber and remaining power.

Akira Neish, raised by a peasant member of the McKinnon clan, is unaware of her ancestry. Suddenly she is taken to an illegal auction to be sold to white slavers, and Calin is there to buy her. Once he purchases her they realize they have an unaccountable emotional tie. He soon sees that his growing admiration and love for Akira is far more a rebirth of his own sense of honor and humanity than any act of revenge. Love does conquer all! (ZEBRA, Oct., 380 pp., $5.99) HOT

—Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews

Halloween Contest

2009-09-03T19:20:00.000-07:00

The Mystic Castle is hosting a Halloween Contest and what a contest it is.
Check it out...

Win 20 Books and a $50.00 VISA Giftcard!
Happy Halloween! To continue with the celebration of their new design The Mystic Castle is having a Halloween contest and they’re skipping the tricks and offering plenty of treats. The authors in the Romance Communities have banded together and are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a collection of books (see below) that consists of upcoming and current releases with a handful of out of print novels, along with the $50.00 Visa Giftcard. Ten runner-up winners will win an Author Promotional Package that is full of goodies including posters, bookmarks, coverflats and much more.
The Books
The Redeeming–Jennifer Ashley
Rules of Passion–Sara Bennett
Camelot’s Destiny*—Cynthia Breeding
The Scandals of an Innocent—Nicola Cornick
My Wicked Marquess – Gaelen Foley
The Wagering Widow*—Diane Gaston
Mutual Desire—Donna Grant
To Beguile A Beast–Elizabeth Hoyt
The Dragon Master –Allyson James
Reckless Liaisons–Kayleigh Jamison
Leading Her to Heaven–Kayleigh Jamison
The Masquerade*–Brenda Joyce
Highland Dragon–Kimberly Killion
Her One Desire–Kimberly Killion
Always & Forever – Pamela Labud
The Naked Earl–Sally MacKenzie
Lord of Pleasure–Delilah Marvelle
Once A Rake—Rona Sharon
Too Hot For A Spy –Pearl Wolf
Song of Miriam*—Pearl Wolf

*indicates Out of Print
Entering is easy. Go HERE to fill out an entry form.
The contest is open from September 3rd to October 31st, 2009.

More praise for HIGHLAND DRAGON!

2009-08-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Another review just came in and, once again, I'm blushing and overjoyed and honored. After receiving so much praise for my debut book, HER ONE DESIRE, I prayed it wasn't a fluke. And now I'm seeing that HIGHLAND DRAGON is being received in much the same light. Whew!

Here's a snippet of a very long review posted by Laurel at The Mystic Castle:

"Engaging and exciting, HIGHLAND DRAGON captures your attention right from the first page. With a well thought out plot and two very complex and strong characters, this book leaves the reader breathless in anticipation of what's to come. Kimberly Killion is quickly becoming a master of all things medieval as she dares to be original with her characters incorporating a true description of what life was like without the constant glamorization and glossing over of a brutal truth and era."
—Laurel Letherby, The Mystic Castle READ THE FULL REVIEW...

Ack! 40! Good God that's old!

2009-08-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, if you think on it, not really. And I don't feel 40. In fact, most of the time I feel...ummm...24, no, more like 27. Ahhh...27 was a good age. And for the most part since I'm usually buried in my heroine's POV, I have the mindset of a 27 year old. Of course I'm living in medieval times for the most part. Then there are days that I'm in the mind set of a 30ish year old hero. And can I just say that my hero's tend to have a wicked lot on their minds. Mostly sex. They think about it all the time. There are days I can't get their heads out of the trenches. ;-)

I had goals in life and for the most part I have exceeded my aspirations. I'm a published author! How many people can say that they wrote a book and got it published? That is certainly something to be proud of and I am. I don't live in a castle, or have gold tucked away in my coffers, but I'm happy. And when life gets to be too much to handle, then I set myself back in time and tuck reality under the rug for a while.

So, I will accept for the nonce that I am 40 today, but I have the mind of a 27 year old!

5/5 STARS for HIGHLAND DRAGON

2009-08-08T05:31:00.000-07:00

The reviews for Highland Dragon are starting to trickle in and I can't tell you how thrilled I am that this book is receiving praise. Highland Dragon is the book of my heart and most likely always will be, and I'm so very happy Calin and Akira gave this reviewer so much to boast about.
Enough from me...I'll let the reviewer tell you about it:

5 STARS - LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN (if I could give it 10 stars you bet your bippy I would!)

[Laird Calin MacLeod], oh I so adore him, although a brute he is a brute with a heart, and his soul belongs to Akira as he defends his love and his clan to find a peace inside his heart from all the vengeance and hatred that has been living inside him for eighteen years. You want to root for him throughout every page! They are both cunning and cleaver, fiercely loyal, insecure with their emotions at times and yet both Calin and Akira have this magnetic power by the grace of Kimberly Killion's words to time-warp you back to 1502 and experience their struggle for love and peace, as well as their grief at times. I was truly enthralled and taken away!
—Book Junkie READ THE FULL REVIEW...

RWA National conference in D.C.

2009-07-22T03:36:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting for the rush from the RWA national conference to settlebut it seems to continue on and on and on... With a packed schedule we barely had time for anything, but we squeezed in some siteseeing. My room mate, bff, critique partner and favored travel pal, Megan Kelly, went to the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Reflecting pool, the Walls, both Vietnam and Korean, and the Lincoln Memorial, and there might have even been a few other monuments in the there, but it's a bit of a blur now.

On Wednesday I registered for the conference and attended the Presidents' retreat and took promo items (bookmarks, CDs, coverflats) to the librarian/booksellers event afterwhich I had to cart them to the goodie room. Whew!...Then there was the Literacy Booksigning...

Followed by the Booksellers' Best Awards banquet. This was probably the highlight of my week since I WON both the Best First Book category as well as Best Long Historical. I cried! My dear friend, Delilah Marvelle, who was up against me cried as well. I love her! ;-) That's Kathrynn Dennis in the middle and I'm not certain what that goophy look is on my face since this was right before the announcement.

That brought us to Thursday which was the Kensington party. Below you'll see me with the absolutely georgeous Allegra Gray. The pic below that you'll find Carrie Lofty and Delilah Marvelle having a drink on Kensington. They had a nice room full of authors and appetizers, but I could only stay for an hour as I had to rush off to the National Readers' Choice Awards. I was up for Best Historical with fellow Kensy author, Jackie Ivie, but niether of us took home the trophy. But I didn't care since I was still flying high from the BSB double win.

That brings us to Friday when I actually got to attend a few workshops and go to the Avon book signing. Can you say Regency? That's what they were giving away. Nearly every book was a regency. Hmmm....maybe I should write a regency...

Now, Saturday, I gave my workshop, "The Road So Far: the First Year After the Call" with the awesome Megan Kelly and it was a hit. At least I think we presented it with level heads. ;-) After a few more workshops, dinner, I had to get ready for the big Gala, but not before the hotel was evacuated due to a fire alarm. There were even some people who had to come out of workshops.

Now...the night of all nights...the Golden Heart and RITA awards ceremony. This was an amazing time for me. It doesn't get bigger than the RITAs and being up for Best First Book was truly an experience I will never forget. I didn't win, but I enjoyed my week as a princess and I will be forever grateful to have been recognized by the RWA.

^^ Megan Kelly and me!

^^^Anthea Lawson and me!

^^^Hilary Sares drove down from NY to attend the ceremony and then drove back with her daughter. It was a really honor to have her there with me!

^^^Fellow Kensy sister, Marilyn Brant and me!

^^^My agent, the fabulous Meredith Bernstein, who brainstormed a new 4-book series with me right before the ceremony!!!

^^^And this is me again with the flowers my Scottish writing group sent me.

So you see...conference is not only a place to learn about craft and publishing and get in on all the gossip, it's also a place to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Thank you RWA for making D.C. the bomb. ;-)

Nathan Kamp on burgers and squirrels

2009-07-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how those hot hunky cover models live? Well, Nathan Kamp has a new website. Check out "Nathan's Live to Eat" series at http://www.nathanlivestoeat.com/
Here's hoping they do a bit that lands Nathan in a kilt. Now that would go viral...

From YOUTUBE:

On a busy afternoon Ford Models' Nathan Kamp grabs a bite to eat at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Welcome to Nathan's New York.

The Marga-RITA award

2009-07-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

A couple Saturday's past, I attended (and hosted) my local chapter, Missouri Romance Writers of America, 25th anniversary celebration. We gave away gobs of door prizes, baskets upon baskets of book and baubles. We dined, we laughed, we cried...

As the President, I was presented with a proclamation from the governor of Missouri. But what was the most heart-felt moment of the day was when I was surprised with an unexpected award: The Marga-RITA. My sister author, Karyn Witmer (also the recipient of the Silver Rose) presented me with the award shown in the picture. Imagine the look on my husband's face when he saw this award positioned in the middle of the mantle. And that's where it is going to stay because my Marga-RITA award represents not only my acheivements as an author, but it represents the bond I have with my sisters.

So I humbly thank the women of MORWA for their support, their friendship, and their encouragement.

OMG! I'm finished...

2009-07-01T05:36:00.001-07:00

Those are the words every author loves to say, but how long do you bask in the glory of "OMG! I'm finished"?

Well, I've been basking in it for about a half-day and I'm already looking at the calendar wondering when I can finish another one. Really, that's bad. I need to let my creative juices replenish the well that is bone dry. I need to play a little. Visit a few blogs. Socialize on my networking communities. Prepare for conference. Well, really what I need to do is get ready for the launch of my next book, but that's an entirely different blog...

I should probably go back through it. Right? I should consider writing an epilogue. Right? At what point can I let them go and accept that my characters really are living their HEA? This feeling of closure isn't comfortable to me right now. I don't want to let go. I like them. I like where they ended up and I want to stay and play a while. Let's face it, we went through Hell to get to the HEA, why can't we play there awhile?

As you can see from the brevity of this post...I'm all out of words...

So help me out here...At what point do you start brainstorming another book? Or are you one of those authors who has stacks of ideas filed away in your head?

Romance Authors Around the Clock

2009-06-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

To help spread the word about my Summer Sizzler contest RomanceNovelTV is helping us celebrate with a new guest author every 45 minutes from 9 am to 7 pm (EST) starting with me. The schedule is below and it includes tons of great new historical authors, including two RITA nominees as well as an RT nominee. Hope you can stop by...

9:00 Kimberly Killion
9:45 Delilah Marvelle
10:30 Diana Cosby
11:15 Sarah Parr
12 Kit Donner
12:45 Kris Kennedy
1:30 Carrie Lofty
2:15 Anthea Laswon
3:00 Alix Rickloff
3:45 Elaine Levine
4:30 Allegra Gray
5:15 Christie Kelley
6:00 Vanessa Kelly
6:45 Pearl Wolf

Save the School of Gallantry Series!!

2009-06-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

by Delilah Marvelle!

Mistress of Pleasure Book 1 - N.O.R's Best Historical Romance of the Year award and RT Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee

"What a spectacular debut novel!" ~AEMELIA, NIGHT OWL ROMANCE, 5 out of 5 hearts

On Aug 4th my dear friend Delilah Marvelle's second book will be coming out = LORD OF PLEASURE. This is the second book in the School of Gallantry series. The first book MISTRESS OF PLEASURE got many great reviews and won contests. Including N.O.R's Best Historical Romance of the Year award and was a RT Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee.

MISTRESS OF PLEASURE has sold out its first run. Very good news for us all, but Kensington is citing that they are going to discontinue the series for lack of sales. Your probably going huhhhhh right now. How can something that's sold out be discontinued for lack of sales? Well I'm not sure...but I'm very sure I want this series to fully be published.

So let us readers speak. Let the publishing world know that we want this series to continue. We don't want to be left in the dark. We want more sensual lessons from the School of Gallantry.

To support our cause please PRE-ORDER LORD OF PLEASURE by DELILAH MARVELLE. In the fun of things Delilah is also giving away 3 - $50 Gift Cards via her website. To find out how you can enter visit: Delilah Marvelle

Pre-Order now via these links (and great news, it's only $4.99!):

B&N

Amazon

Katy Budget Books - Indie Store

Powell's

Dear Author Interview

2009-06-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

If you want to learn more about me and my recent RITA nomination, hop over to DearAuthor.com. They are running a series of interviews with the nominees in the First Book category. Alyson conducted the interviews and did a great job, but asked some really off the wall questions.

SUMMER SIZZLER Contest

2009-05-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to June and what I consider the beginning of summer or at least it's the beginning of my next contest, and it is Giiiiii-NORMOUS!

I'm featuring a basket of "New to You Authors" which will include 16 of my ZEBRA sisters' autographed books + a $25 B&N giftcard.

Don't delay, go HERE to sign up for the giveaway.
The winner of the SUMMER SIZZLER will be announced on September 1.

HOLT Medallion

2009-05-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

HER ONE DESIRE made it into the top five in the Best First Book category of the HOLT Medallion contest!!!

The HOLT Medallion is presented annually by Virginia Chapter of RWA® as a mark of excellence in published romantic fiction. Winners will be announced June 13th.

A bald hero?

2009-05-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Over the holiday weekend I attended the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Fair. I love these sort of people watching events. I’m always looking for facial expressions and subtleties, but at the Ren Fair I got to observe people in period costume. There was great food, e.i. kettle corn, cinnamon-sugar coated pecans, turkey legs, funnels cakes…oh yeah, but there was also lots of vendors selling their wares. The jewelry caught my fancy (several pieces) but I also picked up a new blade—a clawed scabbard with a griffin etched into the hilt.

Now there is more to the Ren Fair than fare and wares, there are “acts”. There’s a trio of trollops who sing these sweet little ditties with hidden lyrics. There are elves, fairies, and a guy who delivers the entire play of Hamlet in under fifteen minutes. What I enjoy the most about the Ren Fair is an all male singing group called the Musical Blades. Not only do these drunken seamen have the voices of angels, they really put on a show. The main rake of this production goes by the name of Capt Patch. He’s bald. But it’s a good bald, ya know. He’s not like balding. From the best I can tell this Capt Patch purposely shaves his head.

PHOTOS from Musical Blades website

Now way back, men who sailed the seas shaved to prevent all manner of infestation and other such disease, but that’s not the case these days. I think something that helps the bald man with his look is that little tuft of hair he grows beneath his bottom lip. Now "my man", Capt Patch, didn’t have this from what I could tell, but if I were to model a character after him, he would. :) Another trait that I found interesting about Capt Patch was his veins. That’s right…his veins. You know when you are reading a story and the hero gets so angry a veins starts to pulse in his neck? Well I’d never really put a lot of thought into those lines until I saw Capt Patch hit an octave that might have been just out of his range. Those veins in his neck bulged I tell you—big, blue, thick, hulk-like veins.

Now I don’t want to diminish from the other blokes in this musical ensemble. There was another I watched with avid interest. I believe they called him Cookie. He was a real showman and the perfect secondary character—full beard, pronounced facial expression, loaded with humor. I love a man with wit and this guy was oozing with it. For me, Cookie stole the show from Capt Patch on more than one occasion.

Back to the topic at hand…I once wrote a hero with a full beard and my critique partner told me she wouldn’t read a romance with a bearded hero, so I shaved him immediately. My questions for you are…Do the beards bother you? Have you ever read a romance where the hero was bald?

I’m still up in the air on this one…

Regardless how you feel about that subject, you have to check out the Musical Blades' tunage:

Booksellers Best Awards

2009-05-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Her One Desire
is a finalist in both the Historical and
Best First Book categories of the
BOOKSELLERS BEST AWARD
Showcasing the shining excellence of published
authors in novel-length romantic fiction.

Sponsored by the Greater Detroit Chapter of RWA®

**********************************
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS!

The Greater Detroit RWA wishes to congratulate the finalists in the 2009 Booksellers Best Award Contest. The winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference Wednesday, July 15th at 8:00 p.m. in the Delaware Room of the Wardman Mariott.
Patti Shenberger/BBA Chair

In no particular order…
* up for Best First Book

Long Contemporary
On My Terms – Shirley Hailstock
A Perfect Stranger – Terry McLaughlin
The Ranchers Surprise Marriage – Susan Crosby
The Wedding Heiress – Pamela Ford
Last Night’s Kiss – Shirley Hailstock

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic
Gone With The Witch – Annette Blair
The House on Tradd Street – Karen White
A Match Made In Hell – Terri Garey
The Bleeding Dusk – Colleen Gleason
All I Want For Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks

Short Historical
Maverick Wild – Stacey Kayne
To Taste Temptation – Elizabeth Hoyt
The Dragon Earl – Jade Lee
What A Pirate Desires – Michelle Beattie *
The Naked Gentleman – Sally MacKenzie

Inspirational
Leaving November – Deborah Raney
Courting Miss Adelaide – Janet Dean *
Anathema – Colleen Coble
Bayou Judgement – Robin Caroll
Lonestar Sanctuary – Colleen Coble

Erotic
She’s On Top – Susan Lyons
Unleashed – Lori Borrill
The Art of Desire – Cherie Feather
Lyon, The Lords of Satyr – Elizabeth Amber
Raine, The Lords of Satyr – Elizabeth Amber

Romantic Suspense
Thread of Fear – Laura Griffin
Trust Me – Brenda Novak
Silent Guardian – Mallory Kane
Wyoming Manhunt – Ann Voss Peterson
Phantom in the Night – Diana Love Snell

Long Historical
Mistress of Pleasure – Delilah Marvelle *
The Legacy – TJ Bennett *
His Woman – Diana Cosby
Shadow Rider – Kathryn Dennis
Her One Desire – Kimberly Killion *

Single Title
The Memory of Water – Karen White
Tall Tales and Wedding Veils – Jane Graves
Sweet Talk – Susan Mallery
Hot – Julia Harper
Once Smitten, Twice Shy – Lori Wilde

Short Contemporary
The Cowboy and the Angel – Marin Thomas
The Surgeon Boss’s Bride – Melanie Milburne
Their Secret Child – Mary J Forbes
Do Not Disturb Until Christmas – Charlene Sands
Once Upon A Christmas – Holly Jacobs

Traditional
Christmas Wishes, Mistletoe Kisses – Fiona Harper
Her Millionaire, His Miracle - Myrna Mackenzie
The Italian’s Cinderella Bride – Lucy Gordon
Newlyweds of Convenience – Jessica Hart
The Convenient Groom – Denise Hunter

More News from the Contest Front...

2009-05-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

I just found out Her One Desire is a finalist in the Best First Book category of the 2009 Desert Rose Golden Quill Awards for Excellence in Romance Fiction. This contest is sponsored by the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter of RWA® and is judged by romance readers. I'm completely stunned by the overwhelming success of this book. But I'm nonetheless pleased to be able to share Broc and Lizzy's story with so many people.

Hooray, hooray, it's the first of May...

2009-05-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those author types who will get up this morning and check all your promo loops to see where you can pimp your book? Or are you on that fancy promo loop that reminds you daily where you can pimp your book, how often, and what the rules are?

I’m that person. Or at least I used to be, but I’m starting to wonder about all those yahoo groups. I’m on a few…ok…57. *blush* But in the past few weeks I have started going no mail on a lot of them. A girl’s got to wonder how many books are you really selling to other authors? This whole promo thing has me mind-boggled. Speaking to other authors, how many books do you read a month? I wish I could give you a number that was double-digits, but I’m lucky to read one book a month.

So who is on all these promo loops and blogs? Is it other authors (who may or may not be buying books) or is it truly the beloved readers? I know what you’re going to say “Writers are readers, too”. Aren’t you just a little curious as to how many of those 2,464 members on Romance Junkies Readers are really readers and how many are writers?

So what’s your opinion? Are we all just a group of writers pimping our books to each other and no one is really buying?

Here is a list of “some” of the groups I belong too.
CataNetwork-Authors
CataNetwork-Readers
CataNetwork-Writers
Chatting_with_Joyfully_Revi...
cupidslibraryreviews
dangerouswomen
heathersromancebookclub
HHRWGen
HRCRomance
karenfindoutaboutnewbooks
LoversofRomance
novelsisterhood
PromoOnly
Promotion_Loop_Schedule
RomanceCafe
romancedivas
romanceexcerptsonly
RomanceJunkiesReaders
romancingthepast
RosesColoredGlasses
RWRpirates
SeducedByHistory
The_Haunt_at_PNR
theromanceroom
welcometotemptation
writerspromotips

Thanks for reading!
Kim

____________________________________________________
Kimberly Killion
HER ONE DESIRE ~
RITA Finalist - Best First Book
National Readers Choice Awards Finalist - Historical Category
HIGHLAND DRAGON ~ October 2009/Zebra Books
http://www.kimberlykillion.com/

National Readers Choice Awards

2009-04-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

This month just keeps getting better and better. I received word today that HER ONE DESIRE is a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards for Best Historical!!!!!!!

Go here to view a list of the finalists.

Excuse me while I squeeeeal!!!!!!

2009-04-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

The postman brought me a lovely surprise today...

I love this cover! Love! Love! Love! I mean really what's not to love...look at Calin...look at those kissable lips...and look at Akira. She is beautiful! I was surprised by the blue, but love it and am so verra, verra glad there are no dragons on the cover...well, except for Akira. :)
Here's the back cover copy:

A love born of fire…

A desire that defies all limits…
and a love that was meant to be…

Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan’s children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.

Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart...

"Fascinating…well-crafted romance. The appeal of Killion's
characters comes from their honor, intelligence and humanity."
–Romantic Times, 4-star review

It's Hunt-the-Gowk Day...be wary...

2009-04-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

In Scotland April Fools' Day is actually celebrated for two days and is known as "Hunting the gowk". The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.

Hunt-the-Gowk day falls on the week of April 1 when bairns of all ages play pranks on others then shout "April Fool" at their victim. In this more sophisticated age the practice seems to be dying out but it does remind us that in the past Kings and Nobles all had their Jester or Fool. One of the most famous in Scotland was Aberdeenshire's Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's Fool. He lived in the eighteenth century and was well known for his wit.

The history of April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is not clear. There is no first "April Fools' Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar, although it is known to date back at least to the sixteenth century. Most historians believe that April Fool’s Day originated in continental northern Europe and then spread to Britain.

More about April Fools' Day around the world...

France - French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their backs. When the young victim discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d'Avril!" (April Fish!)
England - Tricks can be played only in the morning. If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle".
Mexico – the counterpart of April Fools' Day is observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.
Portugal - April Fools' is celebrated on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. The traditional trick there is to throw flour at your friends.

So be wary on this day. If someone calls, claiming to be giving birth, you might want to think on it before calling 911. My son lost a tooth last night and is playing to take the fake blood from Halloween to school to play a little prank on his teacher. I hope she has a sense of humor...

28 hours of awesome chaos

2009-03-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

What does it feel like to be nominated for a RITA?

Do you remember the feeling you got when you were a kid and someone bigger than you picked you up and spun you around by your arms? Well, that's what it feels like. Only I've been spinning for 28 hours. :) I have so many supporters. Within the last 28 hours I have received over 300 emails and wanted to share a few bits and pieces...

OMG, I am just jumping up and down for you, girl! Way to go on your RITA nomination for "Her One Desire." WOWOWWOWOWOWOWOW!!!! I am thrilled for you!!!
Woo Hoo for you! I bet you almost peed your pants when you found out. I'm so excited for you.
Happy dancing for you! Good luck, hon!!!
Now breathe and decide what you're going to wear
Wow. Fabulous. Couldn't happen to a nicer person. And no, I'm not flattering you ... I really mean it!
Squeee!"
This is so. flipping cool!!!!!!!! I can't wait to cheer you hoarse in D.C.!!!
That is fantastic. Truly. (and I am so frickin' jealous and you so suck right now).
Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Yes, I'm living vicariously through you right now, LOL. I was thrilled to see your name/title listed.

Thank you all for being great cheerleaders. :)

2009 RITA nominee

2009-03-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announced that HER ONE DESIRE has been nominated for a RITA in the Best First Book category.

The RITA Award is Romance Writers of America's® highest award of distinction. The awards are presented annually to the best published romance novels of the year. The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for the best in published romance fiction.

Up to 1,200 romance novels from 12 different categories are entered each year in the RITA competition. Novels can be entered either by their authors or by the books' publisher. After the first round of judging by fellow published romance authors, the competition narrows to approximately 100 finalists.

Winners of the awards will be announced July 18th at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 29th Annual National Conference in Washington, D.C.

For a complete list of all the finalist, go to the RWA website.

Did you know...

2009-02-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

I attended a seminar today for training in education and the presenter showed the following video. My head is still spinning from all the information and I'm wondering if I will ever be able to keep up. I'm so thankful I write historicals and I can slow things down a bit.

Check it out:

A Storybook Moment Valentine Kisses Contest

2009-02-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the day of romance, the Mystic Castle is sponsoring a Valentine's Day contest...

All you have to do to enter is watch a Storybook Moment - Valentine Kisses and count how many times the word KISS (not including variations, ie: kisses) appears in the video. All the quotes were provided by our authors from their current/upcoming releases. Then fill out the entry form below and you will be eligible to win a gorgeous red velvet heart shaped box of Godiva chocolates (value $40.00) and other goodies from authors on The Historical Romance Society and The Mystic Realm.

In addition one runner up winner will win a smaller heart shaped box of Godiva chocolates (value 15.00) and goodies from the authors.

Finally one winner will be awarded a Society Author Promo Pack containing, booklets, bookmarks, posters and other goodies.

Good Luck and Happy Valentine's Day!

Contest is open from February 1st to February 28th
2009 Limited to one entry per person
No Purchase Necessary

Enter the contest

2009-01-17T04:17:00.000-08:00

Her One Desire won the “Best Smooch of 2008” award at SingleTitles.com.

WINNING EXCERPT

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A valley hidden by woodland came into view. A small brook bled into a dark lake surrounded by the most beautiful array of flowers to grace her eyes. Thousands of floral species: roses, lilies, wood violet, and some she didn’t recognize at this distance. Excitement gave her stamina. The click of her tongue and a pat on her horse’s backside set the stallion racing down the side of the knoll.

She could pick one of each, mayhap more, and take them to the abbey. She inhaled their powerful scent and decided to mix a unique fragrance for the prioress.

The stallion came to a sudden halt at the water’s edge, pulling Lizzy from her frivolous thoughts and sending her heart into her throat. Its front hooves rose off the ground and then splashed in unison. She eased him backward, not dare looking at the dark water. His tail thrashed side to side in agitation, slapping her like little whips.

More than anxious to get off the beast, Lizzy rose up in the stirrups, but her muscles quivered and pain raced up her spine. She plopped back atop the horse’s back with a thud and wiggled her toes inside her boots, then rotated her ankles. She flexed the muscles in her aching thighs and rocked side to side to get the blood flowing in her hips. Obviously unconcerned about the situation, the horse dipped low to drink and threw her slightly off balance. While managing to slip one boot from the stirrup, the rumble of hooves hummed behind her.

“God’s hooks, woman! Are ye touched in the head? Ye could have ran your mount straight into the damned loch. These animals are trained to follow instructions. They are war horses. Your gown would have pulled you under. Foolish, insufferable woman. What were ye thinking? Lizbeth, answer me! Why are ye not speaking?”

Though startled by the intensity of his tone, his concern touched her. “Because you have yet to stop yelling long enough for me to speak. Pray forgive me for stealing your years. I wanted to pick a few flowers before dark settled in.” She sounded like a pathetic little girl.

He slapped his hand over his eyes and rubbed his temples. “If ye were in such a haste, why are ye still astride your mount?”

“I’m taking in the view. ’Tis lovely,” she lied.

He snorted. “Ye cannae get off your horse, can ye?”

She shook her head, embarrassed by her frailty. Holding the reins, she focused on the moss bordering the lake. A frog winked at her with both eyes, then disappeared into the blackness.

Lord Maxwell snapped his neck, then dismounted with a grunt and flipped the leather straps over the ears of his horse. The beast immediately bent to drink. A slight limp troubled Lord Maxwell’s right leg as he approached her and eased her stallion’s hooves from the edge of the water. Encircling her waist with his hands, he pulled her from the horse and set her on the ground.

She grabbed hold of his forearms and stared at his chest. “Please do not let go yet.”

“Ye gave me a fright.” His pale shirt, loosely laced, rose and fell with his heavy breathing.

“’Twas not my intention.”

He lessened his hold. “Think ye can ye walk?”

She sagged. “I s’pose I will eventually.”

In one swift motion, he plucked her off the ground, one arm behind her back, the other beneath her knees. The movement caused a flutter in her stomach.

“Where are the others?”

He turned back toward the lake and squinted. “Looks like they are getting Celeste off her horse.”

Lizzy studied the scene, feeling only slightly frail now. “Why are they way over there?”

“The water is shallow on the other side.” He set her down on a bed of silky grasses beneath the canopy of a white willow. “I will get your legs working, then ye can pick your flowers, aye?”

“Thank you.” She laid back, not caring that her knees weren’t touching, and thinking they probably never would again. Nor did she protest when he removed her boots and stockings. He worked the same magic as he had the night before, rolling her muscles until the aches thawed and the tingles ceased, then she let him continue simply for enjoyment. She draped her arm over her eyes and hoped he couldn’t see how much he stirred her, how much her heart did a little dance when he looked at her, and how her skin pebbled when she thought of him.

’Twas a shame she would never know a man’s touch. There was so much inside her she wanted to share. Before she could wallow in self-pity, a little voice inside her suggested she let Lord Maxwell touch her. She smiled, knowing that voice belonged to Edlynn.

“Why are ye smiling?” He sprawled out beside her and propped up on one arm.

“Edlynn is talking to me.” She stared up at the weeping branches and inhaled the beauty of this place, curiously aware of the heat of his body beside her.

“And what is Edlynn saying to ye?” He plucked a foxtail and drew it across her collarbone.

She swished the tickle weed away, eager to play his game. “She is a lewd old woman. Your ears would turn to ash if you heard the things Edlynn says to me.”

“Now ye have my interests. What did she say?” The backs of his fingers hovered beside her face.

She wanted him to touch her. She near ached for it. Did she dare share her thoughts, her desires? Would he reject her? “Edlynn told me to laugh more. Play more.”

“Play? Mayhap your auld friend has a suggestion?”

Lizzy pulled her brows together, acting like there was someone in her head telling her secrets. She purposely widened her eyes and made an O shape with her mouth, over-dramatizing the scene in her head. “Oh, Edlynn. You are a very wicked woman. You should not say such things.”

He laughed at her theatrics. A booming belly laugh accompanied his comely smile and emphasized his dimples. “Ye are wowf.”

Lizzy crossed her eyes and made a funny face at him, enjoying his company more than his seduction. “I am. And you would be half mad, too, if there was an old woman in your head telling you to—”

“Telling ye to what, Lizbeth?” He leaned closer, and his fingers finally touched her cheek.

The tingle that teased her when he was near shot up her spine. She reached up to take his hand. He met her halfway and pinned it above her shoulder, bringing his weight along with him. Positioned over her, he propped his knee between her thighs.

She gasped and curled her fingers in his, waiting, wanting, desiring anything he might give her.

He bent to her ear. “Does Edlynn tell ye to laugh, and to feel, and to want? Or is the voice in your head your own? The same voice that yelled out my name in your dream.” He brushed his lips over hers. “The same voice that wants to ask me to kiss ye, but is afraid, as she is afraid of everything.”

Lizzy took offense. Her eyes snapped open and met his. “I am not afraid of you.”

“Care to wager, angel? If you’re not afraid, tell me what the voice inside your head wants me to do.”

He was goading her. She didn’t care. She would win either way. “I want you to kiss me, and touch me, and tell me I’m desirable.”

He descended on her mouth in one bold action. His tongue swept over hers and demanded she play with him.

She did.

She mimicked his actions, chasing his tongue, twirling in an erotic dance inside her mouth. When he sucked her top lip, she latched onto his bottom, nipping, biting, tasting. She was afraid to move, to breathe, terrified he would draw back and leave her wanting. Trapped within her was a caged desire demanding to be unleashed. Demanding more.

Her hand curled around his neck. Her fingertips pulled him closer.

Then as fierce as he had descended, he pulled away.

“Ach!” He jumped off her like a man escaping a fire, which was exactly how she felt.

A hot, carnal inferno.

“I think it best if we keep Edlynn out of your head. She does not play fair.”

Play fair? It may have started as a game, one she admitted to instigating, but certainly ’twas not how it ended. “How can you jest about what just happened?”

“I kissed ye. This is all. And ye kissed me back.” He sat up, wiping a fine mist of sweat from his thick neck, then he scowled at her. “Dinnae look at me as if I stole your virtue. ’Tis hardly the matter at all.”

Lizzy closed her mouth, wondering how long she’d sat there with it gaping open, and crawled to her feet. She ignored the pain shooting up her back, determined to distance herself from his rejection. Humiliation was no stranger to her, but never had it felt more like a poison than it did right now.

Stuffing her stockings in her boots, she picked them up and stomped through the grasses toward her mount.

“I thought ye were going to pick flowers,” he yelled from behind her.

“I changed my mind,” she spit back.

“Would that be your mind or Edlynn’s?”

“Arrogant, toad-sucking Scot.”

Kiss Off Competition

2009-01-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

HER ONE DESIRE is up for "Smooch of the Month" at SingleTitles.com. If you are out and about surfing, and want to cast your vote, click HERE. The "Kiss Off Competition" is based on a scene in the book where the hero and heroine share a kiss. If you haven't read my debut book, you can get a sample of Broc and Lizzy's passion, along with the other entries in the competition HERE.

(Voting ends January 15th.)

1-William Lawson's Whisky

2008-12-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2-William Lawson's Whisky

2008-12-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping Santa brings me one of these Scots for Christmas. Oh, and I'll take the whisky, too!

3-William Lawson's Whisky

2008-12-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

No rules...great scotch! This one will make you smile.

HER ONE DESIRE nominated for 2008 Best Debut Novel...

2008-12-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

Santa came early!!! I just received word that HER ONE DESIRE was nominated for Best Debut Novel of 2008 over at Romance Novel TV. I am so honored to be among such a talented group of authors. If you would like to cast your vote on which books you enjoyed the most, just click HERE. (Voting ends Dec. 29th)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the list of nominees:

Historical Romance
Broken Wing by Judith James
Duchess by Night by Eloisa James
Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran
Like No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long
Master of Surrender by Karin Tabke
Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale
Seduce Me At Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
The Bride Price by Anne Mallory
The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens
The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
To Sin With A Stranger by Kathryn Caskie

Contemporary Romance
A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action by LuAnn McLane
Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
Just the Sexiest Man by Julie James
Sweet Talk, Susan Mallery
Taking the Heat by Kathryn Shay

Paranormal Romance:
Dark Needs on Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole
Demon Night by Meljean Brook
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Into the Flame by Christina Dodd
Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

Urban Fantasy
Before I Wake by Kathryn Smith
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Night Life by Caitlin Kitteredge
One Foot In the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Romantic Suspense
All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
Death Angel by Linda Howard
Loose and Easy by Tara Janzen
Pitch Black by Susan Crandall
Show No Mercy by Cindy Gerard
Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis

Erotic Romance/Erotica
Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
Forbidden Fruit by Eden Bradley
My Prerogative by Sasha White
Wicked Burn by Beth Kery

Debut Novel
Broken Wing by Judith James
Dark Nest by Leanna Renee Hieber
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
Marked by Moonlight by Sharie Kohler
The Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran
The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis

Book of the Year
Before I Wake by Kathryn Smith
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas.
Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward.
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
The Spymaster’s Lady by JoAnne Bourne
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis

4-William Lawson's Whisky

2008-12-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

And on the fourth day, God created the Scotsman...

5-William Lawson's Whisky

2008-12-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

Lords and Ladies, Lassies, laddies...I give thee the five days of Christmas.

Sneak Peek

2008-12-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

My editor sent me the back cover blurb for Highland Dragon.

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A desire that defies all limits…and a love that was meant to be…

Scotland 1484. Akira Kinnon has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan’s children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.

Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart...

“Fascinating…well-crafted romance. The appeal of Killion's characters comes from their honor, intelligence and humanity.” –Romantic Times, 4-star review
***********************************************

I can hardly wait to see what they do with the cover!

Canned Laughter with Renee Bernard

2008-11-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here's something I haven't done before.

Click the button below to listen to a 15 minute interview
with Renee Bernard hosted by Circle of Seven Productions on blogtalkradio.com.

Her One Desire Book Trailer

2008-11-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Fall ya'll!

A writer's life is never dull. Not only do we have to write the book, we also have to promote it. Having a graphic design background works to my benefit. You may or may not know what is involved in creating a book trailer. Some are simple, some are not. I created a book trailer for HER ONE DESIRE and it only took me 60 hours. YIKES! Think of the time lost writing. ;-)

This particular book trailer is in a little competition. If you would like to check out the entries click here: http://thenewcoveytrailerawards.blogspot.com/

The voting closes at the end of November.

REVIEWS; CONTEST

Huzzah!
Kimberly
_____________________________
HER ONE DESIRE ~ ON SALE NOW!
HIGHLAND DRAGON ~ October 2009/Kensington
www.kimberlykillion.com

'Tis All Hallows Eve...

2008-10-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know Halloween got its origins from the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain?

Samhain is celebrated at the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain is regarded as the "Celtic New Year." During the festival the ancient Celtic pagans took stock of supplies and slaughtered livestock for the winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the living and the dead became very thin, and the dead caused problems for the living through plague or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were cast to ward off evil spirits. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.

So if you are traveling this eve, be wary of what, or who, might be following...

Happy Halloween!
Kimberly

Moonlight & Magnolias

2008-10-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

I'm headed out the door for Atlanta to the Moonlight & Magnolias Writers Conference. If you live in the area, there will be a public book signing at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast, Norcross, GA 30092.
The following authors will be signing:
Keynote Speaker: Teresa Medeiros
Featured Author: Tanya Michna (aka Tanya Michaels)
Suzanne Adair
Ana Aragon
Petrina Aubol
Christina Barber
Stephanie Bond
Jacquelyn Cook
Marcia Colette
Susan Crandall
Alyssa Day
Jacquie D'Alessandro
Anna DeStefano
Cynthia Eden
Debby Giusti
Carmen Green
Raven Hart
Kimberly Killion
Cindy Kirk
Marianne LaCroix
Dana Lyons
Susan Lyons
Lynne Marshall
Susan May
Jess Michaels
Trish Milburn
Julie Miller
Joyce Moore
Jenna Petersen
L.W. Rogers
Loretta Rogers
Emilie Rose
Jan Scarbrough
Haywood Smith
Jennifer St. Giles
Gillian Summers
Missy Tippens
Karen White
CL Wilson

Hope to see you there...
~Kimberly

For more info:http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lmdlb3JnaWFyb21hbmNld3JpdGVycy5vcmcvTU1Db25mLzIwMDgvTU0wOEhvbWUucGhw

What if?

2008-09-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever played the 'What if?' game? I have and do everytime I'm brainstorming a new book, which is where I'm at now...

My debut book, HER ONE DESIRE, which came out in July from Kensington/Zebra books, is the story of a Scottish spy and his quest to protect the executioner’s daughter.

Those last two words were the only words I needed to sell that book: executioner’s daughter. Where did I get the idea, you ask?...

While in the midst of brainstorming ideas for my next book, I found myself searching for inspiration. I looked in the mirror and thought if I keep staring I would be able to find something in my brain to trigger an idea. Unfortunately, my reflection hollered, “What the hell are you looking at?”

I didn’t find what I was looking for there so I went outside and looked at the fields of corn, the gravel driveway, a blade of grass. Nothin’. So I looked up and said, “Give me an idea, pleeeeease.”

Yes, I was asking for the supreme being of all creation to take time out of His busy day and give me an idea for my next book. That was selfish when you think about it. I mean, He has more important things to do, right? So, I thought long and hard and what did I come up with? Lunch. Yep. Lunch. So I fixed myself a little southern fired something and flipped on the TV. A documentary was on about the lives and families of the executioner. It was really quite fascinating. So then I started playing that game…you know the one…the ‘What if?’ game.

What if I wrote a story about the executioner? Oh, he started out as my villain, then I mixed it up a little and he became the hero. It still wasn’t right, so I said the word’s that practically wrote HER ONE DESIRE for itself…What if the heroine was the executioner’s daughter. And there is was. An idea was born.

You know how long it takes the Road Runner to sneak up on Wile E. Coyote? Well, that’s how long it took me to google a few keywords: executioner, occupation, medieval, torture … This went on and on, and before I knew it I had educated myself on every form of torture between hung, drawn, and quartered to peine forte et dure (Pressing to death)

Curiosity leads me to ask, ‘What if?’ So, as I sit here trying to develop my next story idea, I’m also curious to know how other writers develop ideas. Do you play the ‘What if?’ game? Do you get on your knees and pray for inspiration? Does whiskey help? Please, do tell…

The Kindle

2008-09-03T02:46:00.000-07:00

For those of you e-reader junkies...I'm pleased to announce Her One Desire is now available on the Kindle at Amazon. I saw one of these e-readers (the sony) a few weeks back and was surprised how much the actual reading surface looked like a book. I'm not certain if the surface would be as legible on the beach, but nonetheless, it is a great start.
Have a great hump day!

Fresh Fiction Review of HER ONE DESIRE

2008-08-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

HER ONE DESIRE is a luscious historical romance with incredible characters and a great story overall. If you like sexy, to die for heroes, Kimberly Killion has written the ultimate one with Broderick. His devotion to his friends, family and that of Lizabeth is very sweet. Poor Lizabeth is a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders during a time where a lady like herself has no options. She is very brave, loving and filled with such optimism. And don't be surprised if you find yourself laughing at the initial interactions both she and Broderick have. Their bantering back and forth is worth the read alone.

Lord Hollister is a nasty piece of work who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And there are some great secondary characters that also breathe life into this story. Kimberly Killion also has a great knack for combining historical reality with fiction. For a romance that has thrills and some wonderful love scenes between Broderick and Lizabeth, HER ONE DESIRE is a great historical romance that you will not want to miss.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REVIEW...

http://www.kimberlykillion.com/

A wee bit of fan mail…

2008-08-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

A writer knows she's having a good day when a reader reaches out to her and yells, "I love your book!"
I’m astounded by the response I’m getting from reviewers as well as readers. So today, instead of throwing another review your way, I’d like to share a few bits from the letters I’ve received from avid romance readers.
____________________________________________

"I've also always been fascinated by the Tower of London and I was totally caught up in your story about the executioner's daughter. What an imaginative angle and a wonderful love story...*sigh*. Thank you for the awesome read. It brought tears to my eyes at the most unexpected moments. I totally recommended it to one of my writing buddies who says she'll read anything with a hot man and a kilt on the cover."
____________________________________________

"I just finished your book, Her One Desire, and had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Broc is now at the top of my "Favorite Hero" list. :) Her One Desire is exactly the kind of book I enjoy the most. The story was fast paced, suspenseful, and full of wonderful historical details that didn’t overpower the love story. I really liked how you wrote Lizzy. She was intelligent, courageous and very likable. I can’t wait until Highland Dragon is released. Like Her One Desire, it will have a permanent spot on my keeper shelf."
____________________________________________

"Just wanted to let you know that I’m right in the middle of Her One Desire, work has kept me so busy I haven’t been able to finish it yet… but one of [my friends] called me to tell me that it was one of the best books she’s read all year. So of course we spent 30 minutes talking about why we loved it, and I had to stop the conversation short because I’m not done with it yet!"
____________________________________________

“I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I am absolutely loving HER ONE DESIRE. I started it yesterday and was up until 4am because I couldn't put it down. Broc and Lizzy are fantastic together and he is a hero, one to die for.

While Broc is an amazing hero and has all the qualities in a historical that I look for in a hero; stronger, dependable, honorable and willing to die for the woman he loves it is Lizzy that is the book. Her strength and her courage and as with my frustration with historicals grows because they've become 'too modern' and my biggest annoyance is the heroine has become GI Jane in a corset, resembling a 21st century heroine rather than true to her time - I loved Lizzy! She shows that a historical heroine's character doesn't have to be drastically changed to placate today's readers who get offended by the past. She is totally kicking ass with her quite determination and her newfound strength and I'm not even done with the book yet.

You did a fabulous job with Lizzy - I'm almost at the end and she is so lovely and she's simply one of the best heroines I've read in a long time.

I absolutely adore this book!”
____________________________________________

www.kimberlykillion.com

Book Signing in the St. Louis Area

2008-08-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd.
Hazelwood, MO 63042
314-227-5555

TIME: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Stop by, if you're out and about the St. Louis area.

Off to San Francisco

2008-07-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

This time tomorrow I will be signing Her One Desire at the Romance Writers of America Literacy signing to help the fight against illiteracy. I am packed and re-packed and the alarm is set for 3:30 am. I am giddy with excitement as this will be my first BIG signing. I am sitting next to Sherrilyn Kenyon and that alone is enough to make a person crazy excited.
Wish me luck, and hopefully I might even sell a few books. :)

Check my photo gallery in a few days as I will have pictures posted.