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Rec'd romances: 'Betting the Billionaire,' 'Heart of Gold'

Michelle Monkou
Special for USA TODAY
"Betting the Billionaire" by Avery Flynn.

Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.

Betting the Billionaire by Avery Flynn

What it's about (courtesy of Entangled Publishing):

If that man calls her one more time... So what if Gabe Campos is a model-dating billionaire who gets Keisha Jacobs hotter than a Ferrari's engine on the straightaway? He keeps pushing her to sell her family's furniture business, but she'll never give in--not unless she wants to give her father a second heart attack.

All Gabe should be thinking about is how he'll finally get revenge on the man who killed his father. But when he meets the man's daughter, Keisha, instead of focusing on destroying Jacobs Fine Furnishings, he can't get her warm-whisky voice out of his mind.

Forced by a snow storm to spend the night together, their passion ignites. The next day, however, it's back to business. The only way Keisha can save her family is to win a bet with the billionaire. But neither realized their hearts are part of the bargain...

Why you should read it: Avery Flynn definitely had fun writing Betting the Billionaire. Lava cake with delicious chocolate center to start the story. A hottie McAbs to spice things up. And a sassy afro-wearing heroine to spar with the hottie. The read is fast, steamy, and hits the magic points that entice the reader to root for this couple.

Loved Keisha's strength, decisive attitude, and the touching scenes of her vulnerability. Gabe was hot from the mention of him and his arrogance on page one. He kept getting hotter page after page. Excellent vivid and realistic scenes of verbal sparring that highlighted this couple to be more than lovers, but shone a light on their unique, blossoming friendship. Try Betting the Billionaire — you'll love this story.

INTERVIEW WITH AVERY FLYNN

Michelle: In three words, who is Avery Flynn in three words?

Avery: Good snarky fun. :)

Avery Flynn, author of "Betting the Billionaire."

Michelle: Do you have a vision board? If so...what are some of the things on it?

Avery: I have several and I keep them on Pinterest. I post hero inspiration, specific book inspiration and shoes. Lots and lots of shoes. As for career goals, I'd love to keep writing funny, sexy stories for as long as readers want them. Well, that and hit all of the bestsellers lists. :)

Michelle: Which hero (and book) that you've written is the most interesting or unique? Which heroine (and book)?

Avery: Oh, this is hard! I still have crushes on them all! I love Gabe (Betting the Billionaire) because he's wicked smart and sexy as hell and Keisha gives as good as she gets. I love Tony (High-Heeled Wonder) because he is so alpha and his backstory just kicks me in the gut and Sylvie is smart, savvy and determined to make it on her own. I love Jax (Jax and the Beanstalk Zombie) because he is cleaver and so frickin' determined to get his girl back and Veronica is deadly smart and as good with a weapon as she is with a quip. I love Sam (Passion Creek) because he's the superhot quiet one and you always have to watch out for the quiet ones and Josie with her tattoos and in-your-face personality is his perfect foil and his perfect fit. I love Hank (Seduction Creek) because he is that smart-ass ladies man who in reality wants only one woman and Beth is smart, loyal and exactly the friend who'd always have your back. I love Jake (Temptation Creek) because he was my first hero and he's such a total bad-ass alpha and Claire is the perfect never-backs-down spitfire. Yeah. I can't pick.

Michelle: What's the next project on the horizon?

Avery:This Year's Black, the second book in my Killer Style fashion-based romantic suspense book, comes out May 27. It's a great action-adventure story with a former MMA fighter turned fashion tastemaker hero who is delicious, if I do say so myself. :) Then in July, my next contemporary romance comes out. It's the first in the Sweet Salvation Brewery series about three sisters who inherit a failing brewery in a town where nearly everyone hates their family.

"Heart of Gold" by Beverly Jenkins.

Heart of Gold (A Blessings Novel) by Beverly Jenkins

What it's about (courtesy of William Morrow Paperbacks):

Henry Adams has had its fair share of drama ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town with her divorce settlement. Now just when things are starting to settle down, it's about to get crazy again …

Cephas Patterson doesn't just want to be left alone—if you dare step onto his property, he'll meet you with a shotgun and a warning to stay away from his gold. He reminds Zoey of the lonely time she spent living on the streets, so she quietly begins leaving him small offerings. But then Cephas dies and leaves a saddlebag of gold—to Zoey.

And that's not all. Zoey's parents are going through a trial separation, her former BFF Devon is giving her fits, and friend Crystal has run away from home. Then there's Bernadine's mean-spirited baby sister who has arrived unexpectedly, and an ongoing battle with a neighboring town is about to heat up.

Will Henry Adams ever be the same again?

Why you should read it: Book clubs get ready for Heart of Gold by Beverly Jenkins. Welcome to small-town Henry Adams, Kansas, where a wonderful eclectic group of citizens reside. Thanks to Jenkins' warm-hearted, real folk, each character has his/her own quirk that makes them interesting and endearing.

The real deal … A rich read awaits you. Lots of good stuff is happening in this story — all credited to Jenkins, who writes a 10-year-old girl as well as a cranky old man. There's no fluff in the story, so pay attention to the comings and goings, the weaving in and tying up of story lines. No disappointment here. I loved every one of these people.

"The Colors of Friendship" by K.R. Raye.

The Colors of Friendship by K.R. Raye

What it's about (courtesy of J-pad Publishing):

True friendship endures all obstacles…right?

Three college friends search for true love, NFL fame, and a successful engineering career. Will one friend's quest for happiness endanger all three of their lives?

Naïve, romantic Melody Wilkins aims to find true love at college just like her parents. But will she sacrifice her soul to obtain it?

No-nonsense Imani Jordan strives for good grades and a chemical engineering degree. When a friendship offers more, will she follow her head or her heart?

Lance Dunn is only serious about two things: football and protecting his girls, Melody and Imani. When a threat enters their lives and tests their friendship, can he stop it before it kills them?

After the torrents of jealousy, sex, and abuse subside, will their friendship survive…The Colors of Friendship?

Why you should read it:The Colors of Friendship is a solid beginning to the Colors trilogy by K.R. Raye. The university campus as the backdrop tests and instills the bonds of friendship among three students. Entertaining with suspense, romance, and a good dose of life lessons. Time is well spent enjoying these friends.

The New Adult flavor tackles subjects that young adults face in that stretch toward independence. Raye creates an intriguing story to teach such a lesson. Looking forward to the next installment, The Colors of Love. Stay tuned for next week's blog and my thoughts on that book.

LET'S MEET 2 GOLDEN HEART FINALISTS

Through the next few months until RWA's award ceremony in July, I will introduce you to several Golden Heart finalists from Romance Writers of America's contest for unpublished writers.

Amy DeLuca

Amy spent 12 years working as a news anchor and reporter in four different states: Mississippi, Tennessee, California and Rhode Island. After years of writing true stories, she retired from the news business to focus on making some up. She writes YA romantic fiction as Amy DeLuca and New Adult romance as Amy Patrick. Her YA mystery Four Bullets is a Golden Heart finalist this year.

Amy Deluca, 2014 Golden Heart finalist.

Michelle: From news anchor to YA writer, what/who motivated you to make the switch?

Amy: The WHO would have to be my two sons — I enjoyed anchoring the news, and it was a great career until I had children. I was working 3 p.m. to midnight — not great mommy hours, and we were all sort of suffering from overload (and the lack of sleep, clean laundry, and edible food in the house). Walking away from that paycheck was a hard decision, but it freed me up to do something I'd wanted to do since college — write a book. I worked writing and learning the craft around my boys' schedules. I've never regretted the choice. As my husband and I say, "The poverty sucks, but everything else is great!" Hopefully the writing will eventually begin to earn money as well. :)

Michelle: What are the emotions you've experienced in creating and finishing Four Bullets?

Amy: Wow — yes — you nailed it! Writing novels really is an emotional experience. Maybe it has to be for the reader to have an emotional experience reading your words. I wrote my first book, Hidden Deep, which finaled in the Golden Heart last year, over a six-month period, working on it every night when my boys went to bed. It was thrilling and, dare I say, embarrassing? I was secretive at first, because it seemed like such a crazy dream — daring to aspire to be a published author someday. But I poured my heart into that little book, reliving so many emotions from my own teenage years — the intense attraction to someone, exciting and painful first love, the trauma of my parents' divorce, which colored everything in my life at that time.

"Waiting on You" by Kristan Higgins.

Eventually I started sending my book to agents, putting it out there for critiques from other writers and contest judges, and I experienced the emotions that go with rejection, with realizing I wasn't quite there yet. But I can honestly say I never felt despair — I knew it was part of the learning process, of growing as a writer and that I'd get there someday if I refused to give up. Writing this year's Golden Heart manuscript was much more fun, because this time I had half a clue what I was doing!

Michelle: Any words of inspiration for those making the decision to write?

Amy: Anything is possible if you set your mind to it! Four years ago I'd never finished a novel — now I'm halfway through writing my fifth book. Join RWA and a local chapter near you — getting to know other writers is critically important. Romance writers are literally the nicest, most generous group of people I've ever met. The bonds you'll form as you help each other along, critique each other's work, commiserate about the disappointments and celebrate the victories are simply incredible. I don't know how anyone does it alone. I would be wallowing in ignorance and frustration if I hadn't attended a writer's conference and met other writers.

Michelle: What two to three authors and books have either inspired you or are on your keeper shelf?

Amy: I was a major Lord of the Rings geek as a kid, reading the series an embarrassing number of times. Of course, I realized the whole thing was actually a romance. :) Shh — don't tell the boys! As an adult, I have a bookshelf full of Lisa Kleypas titles — she's amazing. My favorites of hers are Again the Magic and Blue-Eyed Devil. I consider Kristan Higgins an auto-buy author — her just-right blend of humor and romance is one of my inspirations in my New Adult writing. I also read lots and lots of YA and NA titles — but I have too many favorites to choose.

Find out more at www.amydeluca.com. You can also connect with Amy on Twitter (@amydelucaauthor).

Shelly Chalmers

Shelly Chalmers is a Golden Heart finalist in the Paranormal category for Hidden Magic. She also finaled in 2013 with the same title in the Linda Howard Award of Excellence. Otherwise, she lives a quiet life with husband, kidlet, and two nutball cats.

Shelly Chalmers, 2014 Golden Heart finalist.

Michelle: Why paranormal? What elements drew you to write in the genre?

Shelly: Paranormal drew me in because I'm a sucker for myths and magic. I especially like the overlap in myths, say about vampires or werewolves, that cross-cultural boundaries and have a rich history. Like so many others, I was a fan of Joss Whedon and found myself especially drawn to how his strong female characters had to balance their vulnerability with their strength. I think paranormal fiction allows us to examine the true cost and virtue of power, and offers the potential to examine deeper issues that might be too touchy without the cover of fantasy.

Michelle: When did you know that you wanted to write? What/who keeps you motivated?

Shelly: I've been writing since elementary school when I learned you didn't just have to read other people's stories, but you could write your own! In junior high I discovered romance when I borrowed and devoured a friend's mom's romances, the likes of Julie Garwood and Sandra Brown and whose titles remain close to my heart. I'm fortunate to have a very supportive husband, family, and friends who encourage me to keep writing. But I also promised myself to set an example for my daughter, to teach her you can reach for your dreams, and that happy endings are possible.

"Willing Sacrifice" by Shannon K. Butcher.

Michelle: Stylistically, which authors are close to your style?

Shelly: Stylistically, I'm somewhere between Katie MacAlister and Julia Quinn, and aspire to the emotional depth of Galen Foley (her book Princess still makes me cry — in a good way). I like to look at the darker and more unusual aspects of the Regency period, and need a touch of laughter in the books I love to read and write.

Michelle: So far in 2014, what book or series has grabbed your attention?

Shelly: I'm a bit behind on my reading, but this year I must finish more of the Sentinel Wars books by Shannon K. Butcher and the fascinating Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine. I love discovering new paranormal romance authors especially, so my TBR mountain keeps growing.

Find out more at scchalmers.com. You can also connect with Shelly on Twitter (@scchalmers).

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Michelle Monkou celebrates her Evernight urban fantasy digital release, Into the Pride . Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.

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