I’m so excited to have one of my favorite authors here on Quick Six! Leslie Parrish writes intense, dark romantic suspense and her latest, COLD SIGHT is hitting shelves now.

After being made a scapegoat in a botched investigation that led to a child’s death, Aidan McConnell became a recluse. Still, as a favor to an old friend, Aidan will help on the occasional XI case. But under his handsome, rugged facade, he keeps his emotions in check–for fear of being burned again.

Reporter Lexie Nolan has a nose for news–and she believes a serial killer has been targeting teen girls around Savannah. But no one believes her. So she turns to the new paranormal detective agency and the sexy, mysterious Aidan for help.

But just as the two begin forging a relationship, the case turns eerily personal for Lexie–and Aidan discovers that maybe he hasn’t lost the ability to feel after all…

Alpha, beta or gamma?
Gamma, baby! I actually wrote an eHarlequin article several years ago using Hugh Jackman to illustrate Alpha/Beta/Gamma. Alpha = Hugh as Wolverine. Beta = Hugh as Leopold. Gamma = Hugh as Eddie in Someone Like You. YUMMM. Eddie was hands-down my favorite, and that was no wonder because I’ve always written Gamma guys, before anybody even acknowledged there was such a trhing. Sexy, wicked, a charmer…doesn’t need to be a cave-man and order a woman around, he simply seduces her into getting his own way. I love me some Gamma.

Romantic suspense or Romantic comedy?
Ha–perfect question since I wrote both! Thing is, the one I love the most is the one I am NOT working on at any one time…lol! Comedy seems easier when I’m writing the thrillers, and when I’m writing the dark stuff, I sometimes find myself trying to crack jokes.

Chest hair or bare?
Chest hair, please! Not a lot (no bear pelts, thank you) just enough to sink your fingers in. Mmm.

Candlelight dinner or dance club?
Candlelight dinner. I absolutely love sitting in a quiet corner, listening to soft music, sharing a romantic dinner with my hubby. Whether that’s in a fancy restaurant, or in our own bedroom, that’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy a meal. I love talking about our days, holding hands across the table, flirting a little, reminiscing about how the years have flown by. (24 for us this month!) Just reconnecting…which you can’t really do in a loud, crowded club.

Bath or shower?
For getting clean? Shower. For sex? … Well, as I often say to my kids: Noneya. (As in None-ya business. )

Pirate or Ninja?
Puh-lease…PIRATE! I wanna see what I’m getting!

I also have a few questions for readers about their own reading preferences in romance. Answer any or all and you’re entered to win a copy of COLD SIGHT.

• eBooks or Print?
• Library or Bookstore?
• Supersexy or Warm?
• Condom or No Condom?
• Great Cover or Great Back Cover Copy? (ie: Which is more important to you?)
• Connected-Series or Standalone Titles?

Leslie Parrish is the pseudonym for multi-published, award-winning romance author Leslie Kelly. The author of more than thirty light, sexy contemporary romance novels, her new Leslie Parrish books are an exploration of her second genre love–dark suspense. Giving in to her dark side has been an exciting dream-come-true, and she hopes to be able to continue to walk the balance beam between sexy, light-hearted fun and dark, dangerous thrills.

Leslie lives in Maryland with her husband Bruce and their three daughters. To learn more about her alter ego, visit www.lesliekelly.com.

I’m blogging about Spark over at Novelist, Inc today - stop by and chat with me. I’d love to know what you think makes a story spark, what gives you that Oooooh moment when you read and draws you into a story!

The most beautiful make-up of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy. ~Yves Saint Laurent

I’d like to think, then, that romance novels bring great beauty

I am so excited to have Liz Talley here on Quick Six! Not only are we celebrating her debut book, VEGAS TWO STEP, but I can’t wait for her to share her story of how this story started Now – the only Harlequin line I adore more than Blaze is SuperRomance, and Liz’s story has some hot Blaze elements that make it extra fun as a Supers! So check out her Quick Six interview, hang out and chang with her in the comments and be sure to answer her question to you below. Liz is offering not only her debut book, VEGAS TWO STEP, but also a Starbucks gift card for $10.00

Ball cap or Stetson?
Ball cap. I know. I have a cowboy on the front of my cover, but I love a guy in a baseball cap, all sweaty and tan with no shirt. Just a personal fantasy, I meant, preference.

Home Made or Store Bought?
Home made. Guess it depends on what it is, but I was thinking of food. I’m always thinking of food. Home made trumps just about every time. Except for cake mixes. I do prefer boxed cake mixes.

Dogs or Cats?
Dogs. I like most animals, but dogs have laughing eyes and never seem to get mad at you. Unlike my cats…who do get mad at me and sometimes plot revenge.

Romantic suspense or Romantic comedy?
Romantic comedy. I love to laugh and I love to fall in love. Explains it all. Besides those are the best movies no matter what the critics say.

Wall-E or Finding Nemo?
Finding Nemo. Fish are friends, not food.

Black or White?
Black. Makes you look slimmer and hotter. Though a breezy white is nice. I like monocromatic outfits, so when I wear white I often wear all white like the guy from Fantasy Island.

My question: Big, fancy wedding or Vegas?

From the time she learned to read to the present, Liz Talley has always had a fascination with books. As a child she remembers reading Little Golden Books instead of napping. And, oh, the first time she read a romance – The Thornbirds – she was hooked. She ate up the SuperRomances on the shelves of her aunt’s used bookstore, borrowed her grandmother’s medical romances (loved those nurses’ caps) and snuck her dad’s westerns so she could read the “romantic parts” (which lasted about a page). She inhales books, no doubt about it.

Of course, it never occurred to her to write a book until her college roommate said, “You read so many of those things, why don’t you write one?” The idea stuck and several years ago she found venturing into writing way more exciting than scrubbing hardened cereal off the loveseat. Underneath her baby food-stained clothes, a dream stirred. Liz followed that dream and after a foray into historical romance and a Golden Heart final, she started her contemporary romance on the same day she met her editor. Coincidence? She prefers to call it fate.

Currently Liz lives in North Louisiana with her high school sweetheart, two beautiful children and a menagerie of animals. Liz serves as the president of her local RWA chapter and Vice-president of the Golden Network. She loves strawberries, fishing, retail therapy, and is always game for a spa day. When not writing contemporary romances for Harlequin Superromance, she can be found working in the flowerbed, doing laundry or driving carpool.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

bwaahahaaaaaa