Thursday, June 20, 2013

Her Russian Protector Tour ~ Interview and Giveaway With Roxie Rivera

IVAN
Her Russian Protector, #1

Desperate to find her sister, Erin goes to the only man in Houston who can help her:  Ivan Markovic. The intimidating, tattooed Russian operates one of the most elite mixed-martial arts training centers in the world but it’s his shadowy past and reputed connections with Houston’s underworld that interest her most.

To find her sister, she’ll need the help of her big, scary Russian protector—but asking for help from a man like Ivan carries a steep price, one that might just include her heart.
Available at: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble |  All RomanceEbooks | Apple | Smashwords |  Kobo



DIMITRI
Her Russian Protector, #2

Refusing to lose her brother to the violent Hermanos street gang, Benny turns to Dimitri, the dead sexy Russian who lives in the apartment above her family’s bakery. He’s the only man tough enough to get through to Johnny and save him from a life in prison—or worse.There’s nothing Dimitri won’t do for Benny, even if it means dealing with her troublemaking brother. He quickly realizes that it’s not just Johnny and his thug friends that pose a threat to Benny. A shady real estate developer needs to buy her bakery to secure a multi-million dollar deal and he’ll stop at nothing to make her sell.
Threatened from all sides, Benny finds safety in Dimitri’s strong arms — and in his bed. Her big, sexy Russian has no intention of ever letting her go—and he’ll brave the fires of hell before he lets anyone harm her.

Reader’s Note: Dimitri is an incredibly passionate man with a dominant streak—and Benny is only too happy to indulge his need for a little…restraint.


YURI
Her Russian Protector, Book 3

While clawing her way out of Houston’s worst neighborhood, Lena vowed to never let any man have power over her. After a lifetime of broken promises from her criminal father and a mother who abandoned her, Lena believes that love makes you vulnerable. She’s never been tempted to test that belief…until Yuri.
Sexy as sin and with a dark reputation, Russian billionaire YuriNovakovsky survived a miserable childhood of poverty and neglect to ascend the pinnacle of success. He enjoys the perks of his massive wealth without much thought to the consequences…until Lena.
When Lena’s father and cousin blunder into an international art theft operation, Yuri seizes his chance to be her protector. But when past misdeeds catch up with him and threaten Lena’s safety, Yuri puts her love and trust in him to the test.

He’ll prove he’s the man she needs—a man she can trust and depend upon—one sensual, wicked kiss at a time.

***YURI is a full-length novel, clocking in at 90,000 words and 300+ pages.***

Available at Amazon | B&N | Kobo | All Romance eBooks |Smashwords.


NIKOLAI
Her Russian Protector, Book 4
Release Date:  June 24, 2012

After a brush with death as a juvenile delinquent, Vivian swore she'd never stray across that line again—but there's just one problem with her plan to stay on the right side of the law. She's completely, irrevocably and unabashedly in love with Nikolai, the Russian mob boss who saved her life.

From the moment Vivian appeared in his life on that tragic April night, Nikolai felt himself inextricably bonded to her. She's the bright light in his dark world and the only thing that keeps him from sliding deeper into a life of crime and violence—a mobbed-up life he can't escape no matter how hard he tries.

After Vivian is ripped from his arms in a brazen blitz attack, Nikolai will stop at nothing to get her back—but rescuing her and keeping her safe in his arms isn't enough. Suddenly, Nikolai's only chance to keep her safe is to do the one thing he vowed never to do—he'll drag her deeper into his shadowy world and bind her to him forever.

Because their tangled pasts are about to collide and the shockwave threatens to bring Houston's criminal underbelly to its knees…

Reader Advisory:  This story contains scenes of violence against women and frank descriptions of trafficking.

Coming June 24:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | All Romance eBooks | Smashwords.
*This is not available for pre-order*


*********INTERVIEW ********* 
United By Books is pleased to have Roxie Rivera on the blog today so we can learn more about her amazing books........

1 ~ Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Thanks so much for hosting me today! I'm just your everyday romance writing mama. I live in Texas with my husband, a preschooler and a Great Dane. I pen super steamy romantic suspense as Roxie Rivera and scorching hot paranormal and scifi romances (with BDSM and ménage, usually) as Lolita Lopez for Ellora's Cave, Forever Yours/Grand Central, Siren and Cleis Press.

2 ~  Please tell us a little about your newest release ?

YURI (Her Russian Protector #3) features Russian billionaire Yuri Novakovsky and feisty PR girl Lena Cruz. He's wanted her since the first moment he spotted her, but she's been burned enough times to be wary of his playboy reputation. When her dad and cousin fence a painting stolen from a cartel boss, Yuri seizes his chance to be her hero and prove that he's a man she can depend upon and trust—one wickedly sensual kiss at a time.

NIKOLAI (Her Russian Protector #4) releases on Monday, June 24, and features mob boss Nikolai and aspiring artist Vivian. After Vivian is ripped from his arms in a brazen blitz attack, Nikolai will stop at nothing to get her back—but rescuing her  and keeping her safe in his arms isn't enough. Suddenly, Nikolai's only chance to keep her safe is to do the one he vowed never to do—he'll drag her deeper into his shadow world and bind her to him forever. Because their tangled pasts are about to collide and the shockwave threatens to bring Houston's criminal underbelly to its knees…


3~  Would you like to share an excerpt with us today?


Love to! You can read the first three chapters ofNIKOLAI (Her Russian Protector #4) which releases on Monday, June 24, herehere and here.

Here's a steamy little snippet from YURI (Her Russian Protector #3).

Excerpt:

When we stepped out of the car, the two bodyguards who went everywhere with him surrounded us. Yuri motioned for them to give us some space. As we joined the long, winding line for the truck Chuy and Tai owned, I couldn’t help but ask, “Doesn’t that feel weird?”
He glanced back at the intimidating bodyguards in their matching dark suits. “You get used to it.”
Sadness gripped me. It couldn’t be easy to live in a fishbowl, constantly followed and watched. “I’m sorry you need them.”
He shrugged. “It’s the trade-off for the success I’ve enjoyed. I’ll happily accept it for all the other opportunities I’m afforded.”
Yuri reached out and swept some of my hair behind my shoulder. His fingertips brushed my skin, the very touch searing me. The shuddery flutter in my lower belly accompanied an uptick in my heart rate. It stunned me how easily the man affected me.
When his gaze dropped to my arm, Yuri’s eyes narrowed and anger flashed across his face. Carefully, he ran his fingertips along my skin. “Who did this to you?”
I glanced at the ugly bruises forming there and winced. “It’s nothing.”
“Yelena.” He used my full name, his Russian accent so thick as he emphasized the syllables. “Please don’t lie to me. Did someone hurt you?”
“It was just a stupid work thing, Yuri. Danny grabbed me but I got away from him. It’s one of the reasons I quit.”
His square jaw visibly tensed. Rage etched hard lines into his handsome face. “Has he touched you before this?”
Taken aback by his outrage, I insisted, “Yuri, I handled it. It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal?” He practically gawked at me. “A man grabbed and bruised you. It’s unforgiveable. It’s disgraceful.”
Indignation welled within me. “Yuri, I can take care of myself.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.” His gentle fingertips moved over my sore arm. “If you were mine—”
“I’m not yours,” I interjected without thinking. Almost instantly, I hated myself for it. He flinched, his cheek pulling tight for a millisecond, and dropped his hand. “Yuri, I didn’t—”
“No,” he said softly. “It’s fine. I understand.”
Desperate to make him understand and certain I’d just really stepped in it, I grasped his hand and tugged him out of the line. We were already attracting eavesdroppers and I wanted some privacy. The bodyguards shadowed us but I figured there was no losing those two.
For a few seconds, I simply held his hand and stared at him. He seemed confused and I couldn’t blame him. I was throwing out mixed signals like crazy.
With a noisy exhale, I confessed, “You scare me, Yuri.”
His eyes widened. Concerned, he stepped toward me and asked, “Have I done something to upset you?”
“No,” I hurriedly assured him. “It’s not like that.” I searched for the right words. “You’re big and sexy and powerful and wealthy and I just—I don’t know what you want with me. I’m a big nobody and you’re—”
“You are not a nobody,” he interjected roughly.
I was taken aback by the emotion in his voice. Swallowing hard, I asked again, “What do you want with me, Yuri? Is this just a game? Are you chasing me because you think I’m playing hard to get?”
“Are you playing hard to get?”
I shook my head. “I don’t like games, Yuri.”
“Neither do I.” He dared to reach out and caress my cheek. “Lena, you tempt me in ways I cannot even describe. You make me want it all.”
My heart thudded in my chest as his fingertips trailed along my skin. I tried to swallow but my mouth had gone dry. “All?”
Nodding, he cupped my face with one hand. His mouth curved in a sinful smile “But we can start with a kiss.”

4~ What's in store next for your readers?

In September, I'll be releasing the first book in the Fighting Connollys series, a spin-off of the Her Russian Protector series featuring Kelly Connolly, a bouncer and bodyguard, and his two older brothers. They're all former Marines who have inherited their dying father's failing gym and are trying to make a go of it. There will be tons of suspense (loan sharks, underground fights, etc) and some scorching hot romances. J 

5~ What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

Um…yeah. Taking the fifth on this one!

6~ What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?

I really enjoy a good mystery. Right now, I'm reading the Walt Longmire books by Craig Johnson. I'm also a huge fan of cozy mysteries that feature crafting (especially the knitting series by Maggie Sefton) even though I'm basically a walking advertisement for PinterestFail!

7~ What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Well—let's see. I was a volunteer firefighter during my senior of high school! It was a rural fire department in West Texas (my old stomping ground) and I was one two women on the department at the time. I learned so much and really enjoyed the camaraderie of it.

8~  Do you sing and dance around the house while picking up?

Yes!

9~ Describe yourself in three words?

Loving. Silly. Optimist.

10~ What is the most embarrassing thing you got caught doing?

Oh, jeez! There isn't enough space for that long list! Suffice to say I've had more than my fair share of red-faced moments. J

11~ How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

Wow. That was, like, 2007? I'm pretty sure we went out for dinner. I was pretty young—23-ish—so I don't even think I realized what a huge mega deal it was to sell that first novella to Ellora's Cave. I was so naïve that it never occurred to me that I *wouldn't* sell that book. LOL. Oh, how we learn…

12~ What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?

Love scenes. I want to make sure every word is just right. There's so much that goes into those scenes—and I don't just mean the choreography and mechanics. I generally do the bare-bones basic sexy scene first and then go back and layer in the emotion and sensuality.

13~ Is there anything special you would like to say to your readers while we have you here today?

Thank you. Seriously, I get to do what I love because of the readers who enjoy my books. I'm so grateful to each and every reader who picks up one of my books—and I love hearing that they loved reading about a couple as much as I loved writing about them. It doesn’t get much better than that!

When I’m not chasing after my wild preschooler, I like to write super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica. I live in Texas with a husband who could easily snag a job as an extra on History Channel’s new Viking series, a sweet but rowdy three-year-old with Tetralogy of Fallot, and Bosley, our Great Dane with major mommy issues.

I also have another dirty-book writing alter ego, Lolita Lopez, who writes deliciously steamy tales for Ellora’s Cave, Forever Yours/Grand Central, Mischief/Harper Collins UK, Siren Publishing and Cleis Press.

Connect with Roxie:  Website | Facebook | Goodreads

YURI & NIKOLAI Tour Schedule
June 17 - June 30

6/17- Books, Books & More Books (series spotlight & review)

6/17- Reading Between The Wines (guest post)

6/18- Nina's Literary Escape (series spotlight)

6/18 Flirting with Romance (interview)

6/20- The Reading Café (series spotlight & review)

6/20- United by Books (interview)

6/21- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

6/22- Night Owl Reviews (guest post & review)

6/23- Romance Junkies (series spotlight & review)

6/24- My Reading Obsession (series spotlight & review)

6/25- Offbeat Vagabond (series spotlight & review)

6/26- Cocktails and Books (series spotlight)

6/27- Salacious Reads (series spotlight)

6/27- Riverina Romantics (guest post)

6/29- Book Lovin Mamas (guest post)

********* GIVEAWAY ********
Roxie is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

GRAND PRIZE:  US/CANADA ONLY
Signed set of all four HER RUSSIAN PROTECTOR print books in a tote with swag

RUNNERS UP: US/CANADA ONLY
TWO (2) runners-up will receive a signed copy of IVAN and swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 comments:

VampedChik said...

I seriously need to read this series! It sounds great! Thanks so much!
-Amber

bn100 said...

Very nice interview

books4me said...

Fighting Connollys series that is coming up sounds like a great read too!

Barrie