April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Cherie Japp

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100 comments posted.

Re: Deadly Promises (8:08pm May 6, 2011):

I am so proud of our Navy Seals. They rock! They did an amazing job hunting OBL. Those guys never give up!

Re: The Alchemy of Desire (4:59pm April 25, 2011):

I love alpha heroes with an occasional beta once in awhile to give me some variety. Keeps me from getting bored.

Re: The Devil in Disguise (4:55pm April 25, 2011):

I joined your newsletter. Some of the things I loved to read in a newsletter are recipes, excerpts, news about upcoming books, and book recommendations.

Re: Blood Sin (10:24am April 21, 2011):

Sounds great! Saloman sounds like an eternal bad boy.

Re: Vowed In Shadows (9:08pm April 11, 2011):

Sascha Duncan from Slave to Sensation from Nalini Singh.

Re: Collision Course (3:22pm April 9, 2011):

I loved Star Trek, Lost in Space, and Battlestar Galactica on tv growing up. Add to that Star Wars and Babylon 5 later. I like the classic stuff. I find the remakes disappointing for the most part.

Re: Breaking the Rules (3:16pm February 14, 2011):

Never tried any of the naughty drinks. Not much of a drinker but I do love a pina colada, a daquiri or a bushwhacker on occasion.

Re: Haunted Honeymoon (6:08pm December 27, 2010):

I love otherworldy romances. Love paranormals, fantasy, and sci fi stories especially. They allow me to escape elsewhere. Love great world building.

Re: Pay Up (12:37pm December 23, 2010):

I love a heroine that is a spunky. I dislike a heroine who thinks she knows everything and proves that she does not one time too many for my taste. That just makes me want to throw down the book in disgust. Sounds like a really good plot.

Re: Double Cross (4:06pm December 22, 2010):

I have two major faults: procrastination and indecisiveness.

Re: Sparks (5:58pm December 3, 2010):

Everyone needs at least one Sparky in their life. Sounds like a guinea pig I had some years back. She was quite the character, loveable but with a naughty streak.

Re: Twins Under His Tree (7:25pm December 2, 2010):

Sounds like a wonderful story. I loved reading the bracelet. My dad served in Vietnam so I could relate to the hero having heard my dad's stories of what it was like over there. My husband also served in the Navy so I have a deep respect for our servicemen and women who sacrifice so much to serve our country.

Re: Outrageously Yours (7:52pm December 1, 2010):

Sounds good. Nothing wrong with being a nerd. I was considered a bit of a nerd in high school and survived.

Re: The Taming Of The Wolf (4:43pm November 18, 2010):

Love your list of reasons. I am especially feeling #9 since that is something I have had to deal with recently.

Re: The Christmas Clock (8:19pm November 15, 2010):

I love a heartwarming Christmas tale. This one sounds great!

Re: Casting About (9:44pm November 8, 2010):

I prefer fiction. Reading for me is an escape so I prefer unusual plots. I am a firm believer that if the characters are written well you can make any plot, no matter how unusual, believable.

Re: Holiday Grind (11:48pm November 5, 2010):

Thanks for sharing that delicious sounding recipe. I love holiday food. Big fan of eggnog, both homemade and store bought. I also love to bake Christmas cookies this time of the year and it is fun to try new recipes to add each year with old favorites.

Re: A Darcy Christmas (5:35pm October 22, 2010):

Anne from Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite literary children. She is so precocious. Loved the excerpt. Looking forward to reading this book. I read the first book of the series and loved it.

Re: Pursuit of Justice (12:26pm October 19, 2010):

I love characters that I respect and can relate to. They don't have to be perfect because than they would come off as plastic but I don't want to be so lacking in moral values that I dislike them. I also like a plot that pulls me in from the beginning. I am a sucker for a plot with a fairy tale theme. I also love a variety of settings. Just depends on my mood. Sometimes I want a small town setting and sometimes I want something more exotic.

Re: Grave Witch (12:24pm October 18, 2010):

I am intrigued by your unique twist on death in your story. Sounds like a really good read.

Re: Backstage Pass (4:33pm October 13, 2010):

Sounds like my 2 kids. They each want their share of my attention. Throw my hubby in the mix and sometimes it is like juggling.

Re: Building Magic (7:18pm October 3, 2010):

Sounds like a great story. I am a huge dragon lover so this sounds like my cup of tea. Love your analogy of comparing a story to pancakes. Never heard that one before.

Re: Secrets Volume 29 Indulge Your Fantasies (5:42pm September 21, 2010):

Scotland is a good one along with England but my absolute favorite are stories set in Louisiana, particularly in cajun country and in New Orleans. Such a rich history in that state.

Re: Wicked Highlander (12:14pm September 18, 2010):

I have always wondered about dragons ,unicorns and Atlantis. So many other things to wonder about as well. Makes life more interesting.

Re: Atlantis Betrayed (7:54pm August 31, 2010):

Congrats on the new release. Good luck with your move. Loved the excerpt!

Re: Dark Warrior Untamed (3:08pm August 27, 2010):

I would have to pick Gena Showalters's Lords of the Underworld. They are great!

Re: Deadly Fear (2:40pm August 26, 2010):

One thing with vampires is that you know up front that they are dangerous. Humans can look rather harmless on the outside and yet be so evil and so vile on the inside. How many times do you hear from the neighbors of a serial killer or pedophile that so and so seemed like such a nice person. So sickening. Makes you wonder who truly is the real "monster".

Re: Assassin's Heart (2:54pm August 24, 2010):

I have to admit about being skeptical about the validity of the belief of past lives. I enjoy reading about them in books because I enjoy an escape from reality in the books I read. I have never had an experience with regression therapy so I am not sure if that would change my mind.

Re: Roast Mortem (4:31pm August 14, 2010):

Great post! I was born and raised in NYC and now live in Florida so your post brought back some memories. I love books with recipes in them so I definitely have to try yours out. I went to your website and checked out some of your awesome recipes and signed up for your newsletter. Enjoyed the trailer as well. Thanks for guestblogging!

Re: Moonshine (12:49pm July 20, 2010):

I love good secondary characters, female or male. If written well they can help take a book from just being good to being exceptional. I especially love good family dynamics in a book. with family members being supportive of the main characters. Since I am very close to my family I really enjoy that in a book.

Re: Crush On You (3:50pm July 6, 2010):

Ooh! i just love friends to lovers stories. My hubby and I started out as friends but it all changed when he first kissed me. While we are still friends we also have the chemistry of lovers to add to it. A great combination for a great marriage.

Re: Rapture Untamed (6:41pm June 29, 2010):

I love series books and stand alones. They both have their merits My favorite book series is Nalini Singh's psy/changeling series. I also love her arcangel series.

Re: Sworn To Protect (2:32pm June 25, 2010):

Sounds like a great series! I love spunky heroines with a strong faith.

Re: Dragon Unmasked (9:21pm June 16, 2010):

I remember going through a short dry spell right after my second child was born. I was so excited that I just could not concentrate. Once she started sleeping longer and I was getting a little more sleep I could concentrate better and return to the joy of reading.

Re: Ancient Whispers (1:28pm May 31, 2010):

Congratulations! Sounds like a really good read.

I have tried going out of my comfort zone a number of times. I am rather introverted so I make myself attend public and social functions since I know it is not healthy for me to be home all the time. Not easy for me but I know it is necessary.

Re: A Thread So Thin (9:38pm May 8, 2010):

I do read YA. I love having a variety of genres to choose from on my reading pile. I am fine with authors branching out and trying to write YA. They should be allowed to stretch their wings and try something new. I just would like them not to forget their other books.

Re: The Jaguar Prince (11:09pm May 7, 2010):

LOL. Never know what will inspire you. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Silent Truth (3:02pm April 19, 2010):

I am passionate about my husband, my children and reading. I also love to bake. Trying out new recipes is very relaxing for me and then seeing my family enjoy my efforts really is thrilling.

Re: Demonkeepers (4:03pm April 14, 2010):

I enjoyed the first book and I am looking forward to reading the others. Thanks for guestblogging!

Re: The Darcy Cousins (12:11pm April 5, 2010):

Enjoyed your post about developing characters. Thanks for sharing.

Re: A Certain Wolfish Charm (3:22pm March 31, 2010):

A HEA is essential to me for a book to be considered a keeper. LOL! I think I would have to be pretty drunk to have the nerve to order a Screaming Orgasm. I love a good paranormal, especially one involving wolves. Your story sounds like a great one, combining two of my favorite genres, regency with paranormal.

Re: Aries Rising (3:41pm March 26, 2010):

Thank you for your insight into agents and how to deal with one. Very informative.

Re: The Highlander's Sword (3:31pm March 17, 2010):

I love a man who is so tender and loving toward the heroine and I love a heroine who is so sweet and kind. I do have to say that their is just something sexy about a hero dressed in a kilt. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Re: The Stolen Crown (11:26am March 15, 2010):

I enjoy hostorical novels and this one sounds very good. Thanks for guestblogging.

Re: The You I Never Knew (5:49pm March 14, 2010):

I prefer to laugh but occasionally I need a good cry so it is good to have a book that will help release that. A book that gave me a good cry today was Gone by Lisa Mcmann which is the final book in the Wake trilogy. It was so poignant that I just had to shed some tears.

Re: The Scarlet Lion (2:18pm March 11, 2010):

I actually find playing music while reading distracting so I don't usually do that. I have heard of other authors putting together a soundtrack to their books and if they are able to concentrate to do that then more power to them and to you as well.

Re: SEALed with a Ring (3:43pm March 5, 2010):

I love stories with Seals and being of hispanic heritage I love to dance. With dance you can express so much emotion so I am not surprised to hear the seduction is begun with a rumba. Sounds like a great story.

Re: Lake Magic (3:02pm March 2, 2010):

Congrats on publishing your first novel. I don't believe I have the skill to write a good novel but I sure do love reading them. However, I do remember the joy of seeing your name in print for the first time when having a work published. In this case, it was a poem. When I was a teenager I loved to write poetry but lacked the courage to try and get it published until I was in college. I decided to take a chance and submit some of my work to the school's poetry magazine. Like you, I was speechless when I saw that one of my poems had been chosen and published. What a tremendous feeling. I was so glad that I had taken the chance. Proof that you can accomplish what you wish to if you are willing to take chances. Thanks for guestblogging and sharing your story.

Re: Seeing Red (10:28am February 28, 2010):

I had a good month with reading in February. One of the books I read that I higly recommend is Age Before Beauty by Virginia Smith. I especially enjoyed that one.

Re: Cowboy Trouble (11:16am February 26, 2010):

I like characters I can relate to. Everyday, likeable people that you can see yourself hanging out with. I don't think we see many of those types of characters.

Re: Accidentally Demonic (12:31pm February 17, 2010):

Sounds like a fun series. Thanks for guestblogging Dakota.

Re: Viking in Love (11:26am February 4, 2010):

I love discovering new to me authors. I just discovered Ann Macela and I am already checking out her backlist. Just went over to her site. I did not know there was A Viking Barbie. How cool is that? Did she kidnap Ken during some raiding party and carry him off? :-)

Re: Catch Of A Lifetime (4:03pm February 2, 2010):

I just finished reading Wild Blue Under and loved it. Would love to read Angel's story. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Re: Hold On Tight (11:37am January 26, 2010):

I think it depends on how busy I am. If on that day I have only a little time to read than I don't bother looking it up. When I know I have a lot of time to read than I will take the time to look it up.

Re: The Keepers Of Sulbreth (5:08pm January 15, 2010):

All of the above. I have also loved a book book but could not remember the characters names because the names were in another or unusual and therefore hard to remember for someone like me who has a bad memory.

Re: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (3:42pm January 11, 2010):

Being a parent myself, I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can somehow make time to write as well. Thank you for your post. Your book sounds like one I would enjoy reading.

Re: Fugitive (8:01pm January 5, 2010):

Great interview! Wonderful interaction between the characters.

Re: Dangerous Highlander (10:05pm January 4, 2010):

Must say that I was shocked when I first found out that authors have little to no say to titles and covers chosen for their books. I think that is sad since the authors are the ones that know there stories best and would be able to match it best with an appropriate cover and/or title.

Re: The Beautiful Being (8:05pm December 17, 2009):

I have come to realize with time just how hard it is for authors to get published. You really need to persevere. It is why I have so much respect for these dedicated people who refuse to give up. It takes a lot of courage to keep going.

Re: Prime Evil (12:02pm December 15, 2009):

I would love to give this to my twin sister. She would love this book. She really could use a good book to unwind to as well.

Re: Kitty and the Midnight Hour (3:20pm December 13, 2009):

Would love to give this to my twin sister. She is going through alot right now and could use a pick me up.

Re: Remembering Ashby (3:15pm December 11, 2009):

Would love to win this for my twin sister. She has been under a lot of stress and could use this to help her unwind.

Re: Keeper Of The Way (10:02am December 10, 2009):

These sound great! My twin sister loves paranormal books. She has been so stressed so I am sure she would love to have these to help her unwind.

Re: My Unfair Lady (5:23pm December 4, 2009):

Thanks for sharing what inspires you to write. It is amazing what would inspire me when I used to write poetry. I got to the point that I started bringing a small notebook everywhere I would go just in case I would get sudden inspiration.

Re: Sex Drive (3:23pm December 2, 2009):

I love series books. My favoriteis Nalini Singh's Psy?Changeling series. As for how many should be written it depends on the author. If the author keep it exciting and fresh than the sky is the limit but if after awhile the story sounds like one I read 4 books ago it is time to wrap it up.

Re: Scorched (3:35pm December 1, 2009):

Would love to read Mac's story. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Re: Captive of Sin (10:26am November 24, 2009):

I am partial to the hero Jacob from Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank. I think what makes tortured heroes so attractive is that they bring out that nurturing side in me. They make me care about them and want for their lives to turn for the better.

Re: Dark Legacy (10:46am November 18, 2009):

Sounds like a wonderful series. Love books that have that paranorml touch.

Re: Over My Dead Body (12:04pm November 16, 2009):

Your Grandma sounds like my mom. I dread the day she passes on. I would probably not be able to cook anything without thinking of her.

Re: Willoughby's Return (11:03am November 12, 2009):

Great idea for a plot to have Willoughby return into Marriane's life and test her love for Colonel Brandon. Would love to read this.

Re: Wild Blue Under (8:28pm November 9, 2009):

Sounds like a great series.

Re: Rainwater (2:21pm November 6, 2009):

I usually don't bother with book trailers. What first attracts me to a book is the cover and then I will read the blurb and excerpts to get a better idea if it is something I will enjoy reading.

Re: One Lucky Cowboy (10:46am November 5, 2009):

Wonderful interview. Would love to read these books. They sound great!

Re: Mr. Darcy Vampyre (11:15am October 28, 2009):

Enjoyed the excerpt! Sounds intriguing.

Re: The Cowboy From Christmas Past (12:00pm October 26, 2009):

Great column. I had to laugh about the description of your hubby on Thanksgiving. Sounds like my hubby. When it comes to holidays he is a traditionalist.

Re: Santa Honey (10:39am October 23, 2009):

How awful! I had seen signs that there were problems in the publishing industry but I had not realized things were this bad. Ebooks are okay occasionally but I really like having that print copy in my hands and there is just something about being able to go to a bookstore and look through books to find new authors to try. It's rather disappointing to know that there will be less to choose from if the industry keeps going the way it is.

Re: Possess Me At Midnight (6:20pm October 22, 2009):

Sounds like a wonderful series. Congrats on the upcoming release.

Re: My Wicked Vampire (3:14pm October 20, 2009):

I have always thought that books with humor have to be the hardest to write. I wonder how authors can know what will work and what will be too extreme. I imagine it is a difficult balance to maintain. I have alot of respect for authors who can make me smile and yet not go over the top so that the humor slips into being stupid.

Re: The Trials Of The Honorable F. Darcy (3:47pm October 15, 2009):

Great post! I identified with Elizabeth most because she was such a strong character. She was honest and loyal which are characters I admire greatly.

Re: A Marquis To Marry (5:38pm October 14, 2009):

Sounds like a wonderful series. I aappreciated the snippet.

Re: A Dark Love (4:20pm September 30, 2009):

Thought provoking post. I think listening to that spidey sense is something we get better at doing with age. We learn to listen to inner voice with time and experience. I know of at least women who won't give up no matter what. I think it is so tragic and really expresses a lack of self preservation. This story sounds good. Thanks for guestblogging.

Re: Lucky Break (3:37pm September 29, 2009):

What I love to see is that the heroine has a good sense of humor. She can laugh at herself without you getting the sense she is demeaning herself. I also want characters that are likable that I could see myself enjoying hanging out with in real life. Congrats on your latest release Carly.

Re: Bluegrass Christmas (9:54am September 28, 2009):

I also tend to like it when the characters have quirks as well. It humanizes them and helps me to be able to relate them more. I think to myself "This is someone I could be friends with if they were real." or "Gee, this is someone I would like to hang out with."

Re: Shades of Twilight (8:57am September 26, 2009):

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Unfortunately, I have yet to attend an author signing but I am hoping to someday as well as my first conference. These things will probably have to wait at least until my 2 year old and 6 year old are a few years older.

Re: The Accidental Family (11:00am September 23, 2009):

I can truly sympathize since i experienced the exhausting joy of having a baby so recently. My baby girl is about to become 3 years old in October and is still quite the handful. They are worth it. There is nothing quite like a little girl snuggling up to you and saying she loves you. Just melts my heart.

Re: A Christmas Ball (4:17pm September 21, 2009):

Great post! You folks are getting me in the mood for Christmas already. My favorite Holiday movie is the Muppet Family Christmas Movie. I love watching that one with my 6 year old son and my 2 year old daughter.

Re: What I Did For Love (11:36am September 19, 2009):

I always have to have a book with me wherever I go in case I can get even a few pages of reading done. My strong concentration when I am reading drives my husband crazy. He has gotten to saying "pink elephant" when he wants me to respond because he knows it annoys me and saying my name does not work.

I love to sit and read on my recliner with pillows behind my back. Usually this is in the evening after the kids are in bed.

Re: Beast Warrior (11:16pm September 16, 2009):

Thanks for af ascinating post about wolves. I learned quite a bit.

Re: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening And The Struggle (4:15pm September 12, 2009):

Like Theresa I also believe the Harry Potter books were made into good movies. I also thought that a great job was done making Pride and prejudice, one of my all time favorite books into a movie. I loved the version starring Colin Firth. Most times I prefer some of my bookS not be made into movies because too many liberties are taken and sometimes it actually has ruined it for me.

Re: Loving Mr. Darcy (10:04am September 11, 2009):

What a wonderful introduction to Derbyshire. Your description certainly whets my curiosity to read this book. Thanks for guestblogging.

Re: The Splendor Falls (10:00am September 11, 2009):

I love the Potluck Club Series by Linda Evans Shepard and Eva Marie Everson. There is a recipe for each chapter so by the end of each book you have a bunch of recipes to try. Really yummy recipes too.

Re: Highland Rebel (2:53pm September 3, 2009):

I have read books that capture you and won't let you go until the story is done. Authors that have had that effect on me that I can think of off the top of my head are CL Wilson, Julie Garwood's historicals, Shannon Hale and Nalini Singh.

Re: Dragons Prefer Blondes (1:35pm August 29, 2009):

I don't really watch intervviews often due to lack of time. The few I have watched have been done well and have given me better insight into the author. Since I am more of a visual then an sudio person I learn more from a written interview than a spoken one.

Re: The Treasures Of Venice (8:00pm August 27, 2009):

Congrats on the new release. We do traditional holidays but we also celebrate our own versions of celebrations mom had when she was a little girl growing up in the country in Puerto Rico.

Re: Tortured (12:19pm August 18, 2009):

Interesting what can be discovered when doing historical research. I am intrigued by the plot.

Re: Dark Hunger (12:49pm August 5, 2009):

I remember visiting a plantation in Louisiana that was reported to be haunted. It felt so creepy in there, kind of cold but I never actually saw anything as others have.

Re: It Happened One Night (1:17pm July 31, 2009):

What has caught my attention lately is my 2 year old daughter's imagination. I was amazed while watching her play the other day with her creativity. It was so precious. Made me wish I had the camcorder with a tape in it and ready to run.

Re: Seduce Me (11:10am July 29, 2009):

I love romances that build up the tension between the hero and heroine. I usually don't care for books that have the main characters having sex within the first few chapters. It just seems so rushed and not believable.

Re: The Diva Takes The Cake (11:23am July 24, 2009):

Sounds like a great book. I love it when authors include recipes in their books.

Re: The Plight Of The Darcy Brothers (11:18am July 24, 2009):

My favorite character is Darcy. As far as I am concerned you can never have enough of his character explored. Mary would be another interesting character to explore.