A Lovely Review

Babies in the Bargain's First Review

Author: Mona Risk

Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Release Date: July 3, 2009

Blue Ribbon Rating: 5

Format: EBOOK/PRINT

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is one novel that pulls you into the story and holds you captive to the last page. My heart broke for Marc and the touching way little Paulito comes into his life. At the same time, the baby forces Holly to acknowledge her feelings for Marc – feelings she’s been trying hard to ignore. Mona Risk delves into the intense life and death situation babies in the NICU face and tempers that overwhelming emotion with a high intensity romance in a storyline that will truly touch the reader’s heart.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, sweet and spicy, in the genre of ER and Gray's Anatomy: New release at The Wild Rose Press. Paperback sold at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.

Our main contest is still on. Have you read my books?

Please start sending the answers.

Here are my questions:

1- In To Love A Hero: what is the name of the colonel who is Sergei's close friend?
2- What is the name of the American contract director who travels with Cecile?
3-In French Peril: what is the name of the Chateau's butler?
4- What is the name of François' former French girlfriend?
5-In Babies in the Bargain, what is the baby's name.
6- What is Marc's brother's name?

Are you ready to play?I will post this until the end of August 15 to give you the time to find the answers. I need all the answers for a winner and three runners up.
The prizes are: A bracelet in painted copper from Tunisia.A bracelet and antique car brooch from Spain.A silver pharaonic pendant from EgyptA Golden Heart winner's autographed book by Beth Andrews.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN MY MAILING LIST (the white box on the left of the blog) if you haven't done so already. To make it easier, now I need an answer to four of the six questions.

Links to buy my books: Click on the sites.

TO LOVE A HERO: At Jasmine Jade and At Amazon.com

FRENCH PERIL: At Jasmine Jade and At Amazon.com

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is Bestseller #2 in its category Champagne Roses (long contemporary) at The Wild Rose Press.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

D-DAY for BABIES IN THE BARGAIN

• 
  
  Oh My God, can you hear me sqeal!!!!!!!!!
  
  BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is already up at The Wild Rose Press as ebook for $6.00
  
  
  Click here to buy from
  
  The Wild Rose Press.
  
  And in paperback for $10.99 at Amazon.com
  
  
  
  With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.
  
  When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?
  
  220 Pages,
  SpicyPrint
  ISBN: 1-60154-514-2
  
  
  Contests wins: The Beacon; Launching A Star; The Suzannah; Great Expectations;
  Golden Gateway; Gotcha, Enchanted Words; Winter Rose; Duel on the Delta;
  Linda Howard Award of Excellence....
  
  Chapter One:
  
  “Twin delivery. C-section. Stat.” Dr. Halsdale, the old obstetrician, bellowed. “Ready?”
  
  Being the senior fellow in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier was always ready for a difficult task.
  
  But she wasn’t ready to face Marc Suarez one more time.
  
  Eyeing the imposing back of the anesthesiologist, Holly chewed on her lip, a queasy feeling simmering in her stomach. In med school, falling for the athletic Marc had spread like a virus, resulting in an epidemic that no vaccination could eradicate. Holly had been contaminated too, seven years ago.
  
  The bright Puerto Rican resident had obviously fulfilled his professors’ expectations. He was back at Washington Children’s Hospital as a big-league doctor now and he’d already rattled the hospital’s serenity and her own comfort in the last five weeks.
  
  As usual Marc dominated the scene with his hundred-and-eighty pounds of well-distributed charm and his rugged confidence.
  
  “Twenty-eight-year-old patient. First pregnancy. Thirty-five-week gestation,” Dr. Halsdale said, his eyes scanning his team. One of the residents blinked, and his fingers trembled. Holly smiled with sympathy. She’d been there. Dr. Halsdale had once scared the bejeebers out of her, too.
  
  She turned on the two radiant warmers for the expected preemies. The delivery room bustled with a flurry of activity. Doctors and nurses in surgical garb and masks huddled around the operating table where the patient lay, moaning. Dressed as a medic, the soon-to-be dad hovered near by. His shaky fingers clutching a video camera, he bent and kissed his wife’s forehead.
  
  A few feet away, Marc raised his masked face. His chocolate eyes sparkling with golden flecks, he winked at Holly and resumed his task with unperturbed assurance.
  
  Under the mask, Holly’s mouth fell open. Marc had made it a disturbing habit to wink at her before starting his procedures. A good-luck sign, he’d called it while smiling his infectious grin.
  
  The man was drop-dead gorgeous and always displayed a cheerful smile. As if he didn’t have a single worry in his life.
  
  Maybe he didn’t. Holly suppressed a grimace of disgust as she struggled to control her breathing. Coping with Marc’s presence in the delivery room had doubled the stress of her difficult job.
  
  Resentment pursed Holly’s lips. Three months of crying and almost flunking her medical exams seven years ago had taught her a bitter lesson. One she wasn’t about to forget. But she had no time to dwell on the sizzling emotions only Marc could create in her heart.

One More Day / Polynesia

Ten years ago we flew to Tahiti and cruised the Polynesians Islands. [Click on the pictures to enlarge]

Tahiti has beautiful beaches and a lot of souvenirs (made in China) to offer.

These little uninhabited islands are called Mu-Mu.

We reached them by small boats and spent a few hours on the beach swimming before the native served us a delicious lunch.

• Bora-Bora is the most famous island. It was used as a USA base during WWII.

• The color of the Pacific Ocean is a deep indigo blue changing to turquoise near the shore.

• We were able to visit one the fancy straw houses that are built on pillars right in the water. In the middle of the living room, the floor has a glass square that allows a direct observation of the ocean life.




• Can you believe we swam in a natural pool among baby sharks and stingrays?

The rain forests and luxuriant vegetation are another attraction of the Polynesian Islands.

Back to reality:

Today is my mother's birthday. I bought a bouquet of roses and a chocolate cake and went to visit early in the morning. Later on, my granddaughters came, beaming in their new lovely dresses, their hair neatly pulled in ponytails. They brought their art work, sang happy birthday, Mémé, and we all ate the cake. After the girls left with their mother, I opened my laptop, answered emails, and posted comments on various blogs, then stopped at noon to grind Mom's food and feed her. In the afternoon I munched on pistachios as we were out of chocolate.

I made the resolution that next week-- when I am relaxed and happy--I will start a serious, very serious diet.

Tomorrow BABIES IN THE BARGAIN will be on the market. I will post the link as soon as I have it.

The winner of contest #7 about the baby's name is: Chey

Since I am in a celebrating mood, I went back and picked up winners from previous posts. These names came out: Patricia Barraclough-- Estella-- Cherylol-- Jane-- Silvermage--

All winners, please email me with your address and choice of prize. The prizes are in a previous post.

During the Fourth of July weekend I will have a big extravaganza contest to celebrate with you the release of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN.

Short Synopsis:

With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?

Tomorrow I will be the featured author at www.myspace.com/bethtrissel

and at Lindsay's Romantics http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com/


If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

Two more days

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN will be released the day after tomorrow.

I can't think of anything else all day long and I dream about my book at night.

Today I am interviewed at Happy Endings:
http://jeannieruesch.com/wordpress/?p=1402

And at Liana Lavarentz's blog:
http://lianalaveren tz.blogspot. com/


In addition, I am bloging at the Romance Junkies, about Taveling & Inspiration, how my traveling inspired my writing, and how I got the idea for my latest release, Babies in the Bargain, due out on Friday
www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog

Tomorrow I promise I will post gorgeous pictures of Tahiti and the Polynesian Islands.

I hope that by now my winners have received their prizes. Some of you emailed me and reassured me. I have to mail the magnet with the Malta thermometer to Sharon. I haven't announced a winner for contest #7 yet.

And now I will leave you with a trailer of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN:

Four More Days

I can't believe I have only four more days to wait for the release of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN.

I've already received a whole box of paperback copies and I held a book signing yesterday before the official release of my book. So why the stress? The anxiety that burns my stomach and dries my throat? Is it part of my nature to take every thing to heart, to grind my teeth or bite my nails while waiting for others’ approval?

Babies in the Bargain, sweet and spicy medical romance, coming to The Wild Rose Press on Jul 03, 2009.

Short Synopsis:
With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?

Excerpt:

All he needed was a hug from a caring friend. She heaved a deep breath, inhaled his healthy masculine scent and a hint of lemon fragrance, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You’re welcome, Marc. Holler if you need me.”

Marc narrowed his eyes, her last words churning in his guts. “Ah, I need you, all right.” He brought her hard against him.

She threw her head back, eyes wide and turquoise. A bewildered expression spread over her face, but her limpid gaze reflected the same desire that simmered through his blood.

The wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong reason.

His brain screamed no. His body tensed, throbbing against her softness. “Damn it, woman. I need you so much.” He lowered his head and met her parted lips.

“Oh Marc,” she murmured, their hearts drumming together as she laced her fingers behind his neck.

He crushed his mouth to hers. Hunger and despair mingled in his demanding kiss. She responded with the same passion he’d tasted seven years ago. The same fervor he’d eagerly wished to recapture in the last few weeks.

She pulled back to drag in air. His lips abandoned hers and trailed along her jaw, while his fingers played with a lock of her hair. She didn’t move out of his embrace but met his gaze with a question in her eyes.

He groaned and squeezed her against him. She was his anchor to sanity. Blocking the memory of last night, the agonizing hurt, he let his lust submerge his pain. Without hesitation, without taking the time to tease or taste, he devoured her lips like a starving man.

Here is our seventh contest:

What is the name of the baby who plays an important role in BABIES IN THE BARGAIN?

You may find the answer on the Pink Fuzzy Slippers blog where I posted a backstory. http://pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com/

Here is a list of new books. The others have already been won.

Paranormal Romance: Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank, The Nightwalkers series.
Rogue, The Cat Star Chronicles by Cheryl Brook

Thriller: Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson

HQ Windows Dressing by Nikki Rivers

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Several medical romances:

His Very Special Nurse by Margaret McDonagh
The Single Dad's Marriage Wish by Carol Marinelli,
Her Man Of Honour by Melanie Milburne,
Christmas-Day Fiancee by Lucy Clark
The Sheikh Surgeon's Proposal by Olivia Gates

Copies of my own romantic suspense ebooks: To Love A Hero and French Peril.

OR exotic magnets to post on your fridge: penguin from Chili, St. Petersburg Cathedral, wine bottle from Napa Valley, windmill from Holland, tango dance from Argentina, coach from New Orleans, Hawaiian dancers.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

http://www.monarisk.com/

Father’s Day weekend

[Some beautiful pictures and a sunrise in Fort Lauderdale, FL, a city that I love so much]

We had a lovely time today as we celebrated Father’s Day and my grandson’s third birthday. Little David came from Chicago with his daddy to spend the weekend with the grandparents. We took them to the beach with my daughter and her children. It was so hot, in the nineties, but the children had a blast, building castles in the sand. Later on, we brought my mother to my place to share an early dinner.

David blew his candles and we gave him his presents.

But I am the one who received the best gift. A box of pre-ordered copies of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN. You should have seen my smile as I caressed the cover and stared with awe at my book. I even autographed two copies for my son and my daughter. The book is dedicated to my daughter who inspired the story of Dr. Holly, the neonatologist. My daughter read the medical cases and corrected them. Apparently in spite of my best intentions to play doctors, I wasn’t doing a good job at resuscitating babies. Now that she went through my medical prose with a fine comb, the preemies in my book are safe.

I have also ordered several copies of FRENCH PERIL which is now available in paperback at Cerridwen Press. I am waiting impatiently to be able to hold my second book in my hands. As soon as that shipment arrives I plan to take a picture with my three books.

Another good news: TO LOVE A HERO is available at Amazon.com and on sale with free shipping. Here is a video trailer of TO LOVE A HERO. The story is set in Belarus:

Tomorrow we will have a new contest. To be eligible to win you must sign the email list. Thank you.

NOTE: Those of you who have already received their books, can you email me and let me know that they arrived safely. Thank you.

The winners of contest 5 ( the place you wish to visit) are:

MayaP, silvermage2000, and Razlover's book blog. Please choose your prizes and email me at mona@monarisk.com

Here is a list of the remaining prizes, mostly books or exotic magnets to post on your fridge.

Paranormal Romance:
The Scorpion & the Seducer by Bonnie Vanak, specialist of Egyptian historical/ paranormal
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank, The Nightwalkers series.

Historical Romance:Tempted Tigress by Jade Lee, USA Today Bestselling author
A Little Bit Wicked by NY Bestselling author Victoria Alexander.

HQ Supperromance A Not So Perfect Past by Golden Heart winner Beth Andrews

Several medical romances:

His Very Special Nurse by Margaret McDonagh

The Single dad's Marriage Wish by Carol Marinelli,

Her Man Of Honour by Melanie Milburne,

Christmas-Day Fiancee by Lucy Clark

The Sheikh Surgeon's Proposal by Olivia Gates

Copies of my own romantic suspense ebooks: To Love A Hero and French Peril.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.

Featured author

Today I am a guest at Jenyfer Matthews' beautiful blog. She lives in Egypt and is presenting my medical romance, BABY IN THE BARGAIN.

Please stop by and leave a comment.

Thank you. http://www.jenyfermatthews.com/blog/

I will post again on my blog tonight. Please don't forget to sign my mailing list.

See you at Jenyfer's.

My New Contract.

Last week, I was pleased to receive a contract offer from The Wild Rose Press, for my contemporary romance, BABIES IN THE BARGAIN. The editor who read it described it as ‘a wonderful book very well written and plotted’ and my critique partners call it a warm and sexy book.

The story takes place in Washington DC, more precisely in the Children’s Washington Hospital. It is the love story of two doctors torn between their hectic obligations and sizzling attraction. I like to think that BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is a mix of ER and Gray’s Anatomy in the NICU, and my hero looks so much like George Clooney.

Blurb: With only one year left to complete her training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust in Marc again and believe in true love?

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN finalled in several contests.
First Place: Launching A Star: February 2006; The Beacon: April 2006; Great Expectations: April 2006.
Second Second Place: Golden Gateway: August 2005; Gotcha : January 2006; Enchanted Words: February 2006.
Third Place: The Suzannah: March 2006; Winter Rose 2006: May 2006; Linda Howard Award of Excellence: May 2006.
Fourth Place : Duel on the Delta: March 2006

Authors who read my story in contests describe it as follows:
--If you want to experience the warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that comes from reading a really good story pick up Babies In The Bargain. In this heart-warming medical romance a dark, sexy hero and bright, compassionate heroine find their happy ending with a cute baby every mom would love to cuddle-- Helen Scott-Taylor, The Magic Knot, Dorchester, 2008 American Title IV winner.

--Mona Risk's stories give romance readers the unforgettable heroes and lively heroines that we love the most!--Roxanne St. Clair, national bestselling author of Thrill Me To Death.