Sunday, August 15, 2010

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Temple Hogan

My husband says Michigan is God's country, but I was never as enthusiastic as all that. I grew up in the south where the weather was moderate to down right burn the souls off your feet hot. When people talked about frying an egg on the sidewalk, they weren't kidding. But Michigan grows on you and over the years I've come to feel the same way as Steve.

We live on a beautiful in-land lake and I promise the view from our lake patio is every bit as beautiful as anything the Riviera might offer. Blue skies, blue waters, a cooling breeze and a freezer full of margaritas, that's a perfect Michigan day.

I've even gotten so I love the winters, which means the lake's frozen and snow is piled up everywhere, with a cold wind blowing and inside, I'm making a big pot of soup or stew, home made bread and home made cookies or apple pie or maybe both. In the summer we have lots of visitors, in the winter, only family and close friends make the trek out here, so there are long, lazy days of writing without interruptions and reading a book straight through and spending hours perched on an uncomfortable stool while I work out the knotty problem of light and shadow and color in a current painting.

Although in my alternate life, in which I sold 20 historical and contemporary novels, my settings were in Florida or Texas or the West or Scotland, which I researched thoroughly in person, I wrote only one other book set in Michigan.

Now I have a book which came out from Ellora's Cave just this week, called DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS and is set in Detroit. My husband and I lived in Detroit suburbs for ten years and I came to love that troubled city, especially some of its older burbs where you could get ethnic food from little shops and the freshest fish from tiny little fish shops and warehouse craft suppliers and really, really good restaurants. The latest plays came around and we trekked off to see them. Where else could I set my detective story?

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS is about a scam artist, Billy Stone, and Dare Stephanos, one of Detroit's finest who find themselves fleeing some pretty nasty characters who want to kill Billy. I used a jazz bar down along the river, the Radisson and Cobo Hall as part of my settings. Billie just speaks to my heart as a character. She's tough and vulnerable at the same time and Dare is incredibly sexy.

Billy thinks about leaving Detroit, but she can't. She loves the city. She grew up there as did Dare. There's no place else for them to run to, so they have to figure out things so they can back to living and breathing and making made passionate love in Detroit. It just occurred to me, no one ever wrote a song about Detroit the way they did about Chicago and New York. Maybe that will be my next writing project.

We left Michigan once, my husband and I, but we came back. I don't think we'll ever leave again. I have a sister who lives in California and believes it's the most avant garde place in the world with the most knowledgeable people. I just smile when she's bragging. Nothing is better than living in God's country.


Will meeting Dare be the best thing that’s ever happened to Billie? Temple Hogan is a NEW author to Ellora’s Cave ~ share the tale of romantic intrigue in “Dirty Little Secrets” available NOW!!

Dirty Little Secrets by Temple Hogan at Ellora’s Cave

Blurb:

Billie learns quickly that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get a girl killed, unless she has handsome Greek Detective Dare Stephanos on her side. From the moment they lay eyes on one another their libidos explode and they become lost in their mutual desire. But the bliss is short lived when trouble arrives at the doorstep with one thought in mind—to kill Billie. As they escape, Dare wonders what he’s doing, until he looks at Billie and realizes he’ll risk anything to get her in his bed again.

Forced to run for her life, Billie is a woman used to taking care of herself and although she’s deeply attracted to Dare, she knows she has to find her own way out of the danger that surrounds her. But time and again, she finds Dare at her side, protecting her and giving her the most satisfying, mouth watering sex she’s ever had. How can a girl say no to that?

Excerpt

Buy NOW in Ebook at Ellora’s Cave

Visit Temple’s website and take a peek into her world!!



Can a pirate and a British lord find happiness together? Enjoy the first book in Temple Hogan’s Pirate’s Booty Series ~ “The Virgin Pirate” ~ NOW at Resplendence Publishing!!

The Virgin Pirate by Temple Hogan at Resplendence Publishing
Pirate’s Booty, Book One

Blurb:

Born to a life of piracy, Nellie Bouchard knows no other life, but she longs to find a world beyond the ruthless violence and danger. Her wish is fulfilled when she captures Lord Trey Carlyle. Mesmerized by his masculinity and raw sexuality, she insists he teach her the secrets between a man and woman. Long tropical nights and sun-drenched days aboard her ship allow him to show her every aspect of sexual encounters while she teaches him about love. But he’s her captive and she’s a pirate with a price on her head. Their future might mean separation…or death.

Excerpt

Buy in Ebook at Resplendence Publishing

Find your inner pirate….visit Temple’s blog to learn all about this fascinating author today!!

Temple is offering one lucky winner

their choice of the first book of her pirate series,

THE VIRGIN PIRATE
or the latest from Ellora's Cave,

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS.

To enter leave a comment on this post

Please include email address

34 comments:

Cheryl said...

I agree about Michigan summers, springs and autumns, but you can have the winters. Brrrr.

debbie said...

I will take the winters over the summers in Michigan. This one has just been way too muggy for me. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Beverly said...

I live in Minnesota and the winters are cold and the summers are humid and hot - for some reason I love it here - go figure!
Please enter me in your contest - I am an old follower.
bsharp88@gmail.com

Gabrielle Lee said...

This summer was way to muggy for me but we tend to visit Michigan a lot over the years. Your books sound like great readsand I would love to check them out.

Follower

Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com

Nicole said...

Congratulations on your new release! These both look great!!!

Ashley said...

I would choose the pirate book, I love pirates!

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Arianna Skye said...

Hi Temple. *muwah* If only summer came 364 days a year! I still believe that Christmases should be white. So one day of snow wouldn't be so bad.

No need to enter me. I've already read your pirate book and have already purchased Dirty Little Secrets.

Great books, by the way. You are all in for a treat!

Meredith said...

I could do summer almost anywhere, but I don't do snow!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

The Scarf Princess said...

I definitely would pick the summers. Being a midwesterner I know how bitter and snowy it gets in winter and I despise it. I'd much rather put up with the heat.

Both of your books look super good and I'd love to get my hands on either one.

I'm a follower.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Estella said...

Both books sound interesting.

My step son lived in Cedar Springs for 3 years and the pictures of the snow he sent us would stop me from living in Michigan.
We visited twice in the summer and the mosquitoes were as big as B52 bombers.
The scenery was awesome and well worth the mosquito annoyance.

follower

kissinoak at verizon dot net

Unknown said...

What an awesome title for a book! I would love to win THE VIRGIN PIRATE!

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Unknown said...

I would love to read The Virgin Pirate.
nancysoffice at gmail dot com

LORETTA CANTON said...

I do not like cold weather but home is home.


lorettaC
lbcanton@verizon.net

Sherry said...

It's so hot where I live. This summer there's been a couple of days that has hit 3 digits. I don't think I could ever live in Michigan because I hate snow. We get a little every year and I hate to try and drive in it.

sstrode@scrtc.com

Chantel said...

I would love to win either of these books, they both sound amazing.

cwilliams127 at gmail dot com

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Cheryl, I used to feel that way about Michigan winters, until life got so busy. Now I use them to replenish. I'm not good at romping in the snow, but from my window looking at the frozen lake, I always feel like Lara in Dr. Zhivago! Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Debbie, This summer has been bad. I hate to see my electric bill for the a.c., but I grew up in the south, so scorching hot, muggy summers were the norm. I'll put your name in the drawing. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Beverly, You're entered, thanks for posting. As for Minnesota. One of our favorite places. We used to go up to the Park Rapids, Bimidji area Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Gabrielle, You're entered. Thanks for posting. I'll let everyone know via a post.
You know sometimes our Michigan summers are disappointingly short. We can't complain of that this year, but I'm looking forward to fall and less humid weather. I love the fall colors. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Thanks Nicole, It's been fun to enter the e-market books. I've multi published in the historical market for a long time, so it's kind of fun to try this new venue. Hope you like my books. I noticed you didn't leave an e-mail? Did you not want to enter in the drawing? I'll draw about 10 a.j. Monday morning, so there's still time. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Ashley,
I love pirate books too. My very first print book was a pirate book, so of course for the e-book market, I had to do the same. I'll be doing the drawing Monday morning. Good luck. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Arianna, You are a sweetheart. Thanks for your terrific post. I love your book Wings of Desire and your post on this blog. Wishing you much success with your new book due out at the end of the year. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Meridith, It's pretty to look at. When I was a little girl, my mother used to have us gather snow and she'd make snow cream. It didn't happen often because we lived in the south and snow was a rare occurrence. Now of course, we can't do that. We don't what's falling out the sky. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Joder, Most people feel that way about summer. This might be the exception. I've felt like a prisoner in my own house because I've hugged the a.c. Still, there have been wonderful days where I've just taken a book and gone down to the swing by the water and read. Gotta have moments like that. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Estella, You're right about the B52 mosquitoes. They have a new repellent that you just clip onto your clothes. I haven't tried it yet. Mosquitoes don't both me much except late at night. I think they said eating garlic gets rid of mosquitoes, no that was vampires. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Robin, I like the title THE VIRGIN PIRATE too. It was fun to write. Good luck on the drawing which will occur tomorrow morning. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Nancy, I'll be doing the drawing tomorrow morning. Wishing you good luck. If you don't win, you can get the book at ResplendencePublishing.com for only 3.99. If you win, I'll be e-mailing you. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Loretta,
Amen to that. Home is home no matter where it's at. It's all what you make of it. Thanks for posting. You'll automatically be entered into our drawing. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Sherry,
You must live in a southern state. Snow removal is a big issue in the northern states, so our roads are quickly cleared. Driving isn't too bad. Then, of course, there are those days when everyone stays off the roads, the kids don't go to school and you do a lot of baking for them. Temple

Temple Hogan said...

Hi Chantell.
Love your name. You're automatically entered in a drawing which will take place tomorrow morning. You'll be notified by e-mail. Thanks for posting. Temple

Unknown said...

Wow, Temple your books look and sound fantastic! I can't wait to read The Virgin Pirate (love pirate stories they always have adventure, love thrill and sex ;-p)

Please enter me in the giveaway too.

Thank you!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

*yadkny* said...

OMGosh! The Virgin Pirate has one hot cover:) Thanks for the contest!

yadkny@hotmail.com

Tasha said...

I've always prefered hot over cold weather, so living here in Texas is perfect for me. :) I visited D.C. in November, and thought I was going to die I was sooo cold.

Both books sound like they will be a treat!

tasha8642{at}hotmail{dot}com

Andrea I said...

Thanks for the contest. I live in GA and don't want to move any further north. We're currently going through 80 and 90 degree weather.

andrea.infinger@gmail.com

 
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