Returning to Hawaii Once Again
Hi, everyone. I want to thank Mandi and the rest of the Smexy Books crew for having me on Smexy books again. I am so excited to be here to talk about my ninth Harmless book, A Little Harmless Ride.
First, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a military wife (a soon to be a retired military wife, woo hoo) and I am a former brat. I write in genres from historical to futuristic and everything in between. I am best known for my Harmless series. They are all stand alone books, although former characters do pop up from time to time.
The first book, A Little Harmless Sex, was first published in 2004 as a novella. I expanded it and Samhain Publishing reissued it as a category length book. After that, A Little Harmless Pleasure came to being and how it moved to Hawaii. I was in the middle of writing it when Katrina hit. It was supposed to end in New Orleans. Because the book was releasing in just a few months, I moved the ending of the book to Hawaii. And, since then, the books have taken place there for the most part.
In A Little Harmless Ride, the characters are back again and featuring another island, The Big Island. I am lucky to have lived on Oahu for three years, and now, thanks in a large part to the Harmless books, I return about once a year to the islands for research and buying trips.
Hawaiian culture is unique and colorful, filled with a rich history that includes a monarchy and the only official palace in the United States. The one compliment I hold in the highest regard is when I have Kamaʻāina tell me that I write Hawaii like a local. Each island has their own flavor and feel. Because of that, I hope I have given The Big Island the same treatment for locals and readers.
Melissa Schroeder is the author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels in so many different genres it boggles the mind—not to mention scrambling her brains. She is an Air Force wife, the mother of military brats, and a lover of the absurd. You can find out more about her online:
Website l Blog l Twitter l FB Fanpage l Harmless Addicts
Trailer: http://youtu.be/u7QVUap-F0k
When this Dom falls hard, he will do anything to protect the woman he loves.
Elias St John has lived a life most people wouldn’t believe. An Aussie by birth, he has found his way to the Big Island working as the right hand man to Joe Kaheaku. When his boss dies and leaves the ranch to Eli and Joe’s niece Crysta Miller, Eli finds himself more than a little attracted to her.
After finding her fiancé in bed with another woman and helping her father through his illness, Crysta is ready for a new start. The offer of the ranch far away from home is perfect. The only problem she has is with Eli who constantly tells her what to do. When an argument turns into a passionate kiss, both of them get more than they were expecting.
Eli finds himself completely enthralled with Crysta as his submissive. As seemingly simple accidents turn deadly, Eli realizes that someone is bent on destroying the ranch by any means possible—even murder.
» WARNING: this book contains the following: A cynical Dom, a woman ready for adventure, Hawaiian cowboys-yeah they have them, horse rides, stunning sunsets and a new island for Addicts to cherish. Remember, it’s Harmless so bring on the ice water and towels.
Want a chance at a 25.00 gift card? Let Mel know if you like to start a series at the beginning or will dive into the middle of the series based on the blurb. Open to all through July 20.
I Love reading from the first book to the Very Last which makes me sad but happy because I get to re-read when it’s all over with like one Very Long book….. so Cool!!!!
angelalove@uwmail.com
I like to read a series from the beginning so if I discover a new release that I want to read but is part of a series, I will go buy the other books as well. Thanks for giveaway :)
I always try to start a series at the beginning because I hate to miss out on any background. If a blurb catches my eye for a book that’s in the middle of a series, I generally go back and start picking them up from book 1. Of course, I’e been reading the Harmless series since early on and loving them.
I have been known to start a series in the middle but i will always at some point go back and read the books ive missed out
I loved Ride! I definitely prefer starting at the beginning of a series.
Start at beginning!
I like the beginning. If I find a book blurb that is a middle of the series I will find the books for prior and read them then swoop right into the book I saw blurbed. It keeps my OCD brain from being too freaked out LOL
At the beginning :)
I can do either really because it depends on the book. If the author spends time giving me a recap in book 2, I’m okay because usually it’s different main characters anyway. If it’s the same characters then no…has to be from the beginning :)
I like to start a the first but Mel’s series and more than a few other faves were somewhere in between.
I like to read series in order, especially if they are connected.
But if they are stand-alone I’ll read a book based on a blurb. That is how I started the Harmless series, went back at the beginning and read them in order. I am an Addict for sure :D
I like to read a series from the beginning when ever possible. But I have often discovered a new series by accident when reading a book, then will go back and catch the whole thing if I like the style of the author.
I have done both. I prefer to start at the beginning, but I have started in the middle of the pack a couple of times (usually with a new-to-me author when I didn’t realize the book was part of a series) and then gone back and started at the beginning.
I love all of Melissa’s books and the “Harmless” series rocks.
rmwyer at shaw dot ca
I prefer to start at the beginning of a series. However, I can start in the middle of a series if a book is particularly good. Then, I’ll go back to “catch up” on the rest of the series.
Michelle
I prefer to read a series from the beginning. But I have been known to pick up a book out of order & not realize it until I’m part way though I will finish the book I’m reading but then I have to find the 1st book(s) & start from the beginning.
I definitely prefer to start at the beginning, but I’ve found some great series by accidentally starting in the middle!
If a series is written as a stand alone,then yes, I can dive in and start at the middle.
Which book in a series I read first depends on reviews. If reviews for a book are enticing enough, I’ll read the book without starting the series at the beginning. If reviews indicate that I *need* to start with the first book, then I will . . . or I may not read the series at all.
I am enjoying harmless ride right now. Can’t wait to see Eli and Crysta at Rough n Ready.
If I read and like a book from the middle of a series I will go and read the books I’ve missed but I prefer to start with book 1
I like to read a series from the start. That being said, if I mistakenly read a later book first, I often go back and read sequentially until I am “caught up”.
I like this series. I started in the middle and now backtracking. I usually start at the beginning. Love you books. I can read it in any order. : )
I love the Harmless series and I am so excited that I finally get to know the mystery behind the man from the big island. And for me I would want to read a series from the very beginning so I don’t miss out on any good stuff.
Definitely start at the beginning. Sometimes I’ll pick up a book and not realise it’s not the first, but there’ll be things through the book that make me think I’m missing something that has happened before hand. So I’ll go looking and find it’s not the first. So then I have to go back to the beginning and start over.
There are blurbs?? Lol. I am a complete cover whore and usually buy/read a book by the cover. I forget how I came across the first in the Harmless series but I love them! If I can help it, I generally like reading a series from the beginning. If I happen to read a book from the middle of a series, I will go back and read the previous ones too. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love starting a series at the beginning, but if I happen to get a book free, i’ll read it. If it’s really good (as all of Melissa’s are) I’ll go back and order all the previous books and start the series! I order my books at the beginning of the month as I’m disabled and wait to get paid. So I can’t wait to read “a little harmless ride”!!
If it is a book that can be read as a stand alone I will start in the middle of a series. However if the story lines of the books depend on each other i start at the beginning. :-)
I like to start at the beginning. I also like to wait until a few books are released in the series. I hate to be left hanging :) Thanks for the chance Mel!
I am pretty crazy about starting a series at the beginning… I have started a few in the middle and I had to go and get the rest to catch up. I love to know the whole story!!!
I like to start at the beginning of a series. I don’t miss anything and I get to enjoy all the stories.
For me I like to read it from the beginning because then I can get acquainted with the characters.
I have to read the series from the beginning.
What can I say, Mel has many books in many genres. I am reading novels and novellas alike from Mel. What amazes me is her ideas and now fast Mel can put a story together. One thing is for sure this reader is never bored. So far the stories I have read by Mel are thrilling, exciting, HOT and let me escape into the story for awhile.
I MUST start a series at the beginning and I’m one of those people that re-read every book in a series when a new book is released. It’s funny because A Little Harmless Sex although very tame compared to the other books in this series remains one of my favorites. I loved that book which is why I keep on reading the series!
I like to start at the beginning, but there have been a few times where I started a series in the middle because I had no idea it was part of a series.
I always start at the beginning. If I go to download a book only on the blurb I always look it up to see if it is part of a series. Also, just finished ALH Ride and loved it. I think Even is still my fav!!
I much prefer starting a series at the beginning, but there have been times I’ve started a series in the middle & jumped around
I LOVE Mel and her writing style, I find her honesty in the writing is amazing, I feel like she writes each of her characters with a piece of herself in them. Eli was amazing I loved how her was tough but not a jerk. I find that with all of Mel’s books her characters have a certain sensitivity but it doesn’t make them weak it only adds to their over all loveability :)
I do prefer to start a series at the beginning, but have on occasion dived in in the middle either by accident or because the blurb for a particular story was irresistible :) Melissa’s series are all-consuming no matter which book you start with!
Start at the beginning.
If am buying a book which is part of a series I start at the beginning, but have at times picked up a book at the library, enjoyed it, and then discovered it is part of a series then go looking for the earlier books. I read a review of one of the Harmless books, thought it sounded interesting and then went and bought the first instalment. Have continued reading them and am looking forward to the latest one.
I always start a series at the beginning.
The beginning, always. And they must be read in order after that. Yes, my OCD makes my reading list extra long sometimes! :)
Kris
lowekn@gmail.com
start with whatever book in the series sounds most interesting
I could never start in the middle of a series. I have to start at the beginning.
I like to start at the beginning and work my way through. In fact, I have been known to break out in hives if I accidentally read out of order ;)
Well. If the author says, you know, this is a series, but each can be read on their own, I may jump to a certain book that catches my eye. But if I read multiple times in reviews that you get a better reader experience starting from the beginning, I definitely start from the beginning :-)
I am happy to start anywhere and then try to do the rest in order.
I will always go back and read a series from the beginning. I love being able to read them all together, plus I don’t have to worry about cliff hangers!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! :-)
I did start reading in the middle of this series and loved it so much that I have gone back to the beginning and am working my way through!
The Harmless series is amazing and so I am so glad that found it! I told me in a resent chat the Eli may have turned me to a cowboy lover!!!
The book was written just right for the two characters. Really enjoyed it as I usually do Melissa’s books
I am anal about starting a series at the beginning!
If I realise that a book I have read and loved is part of a series, but not the first, I’ll prowl the author’s website to find the complete series list and chronological reading order of the books and then buy them all.
Then I will start all over again from the beginning.
Hence the reason I have SOOOOOOO many books. LOL
Hot wgooo
I refer the beginning series,
Congrats on the book, thanks
I always try to start with the first book in a series, but if the blurb really speaks to me, I’ll just jump right in then backtrack.
msromanticreads(at)gmail(dot)com
I like to start at the beginning, but I have started in the middle before.
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
When I read a blurb about a new series and it gets me interested I start from there. And go back to the beginning and read them all.
I don’t have to start a series from the beginning if each story stands alone. A lot of times I will go back and read the previous stories if I really enjoyed the book I started with.
I will always read a series from the first book. If I like a blurb of a book that is from the middle of a series, I will go and check out the first book of that series.
Most of the time I prefer to read a series from the beginning. Especially if there is a running story arc through each book.
However, there are exceptions to this rule; if the blurb and the sample of the book are compelling enough, I have been known to buy the book, read it, and then go back and buy the entire backlist.
I prefer to start at the beginning and work my way thru.. :)
I always have to start from the beginning :)
I like to start a series at the beginning even if it means reading some backlist. If it’s not possible time wise i at least hope i can find my way through the book and enjoy it still. It’s not usually a problem though. Sometimes if i start in the middle of a series and like it i got back and grab the backlist too.
Lisa B
Of possible, I like to start a series from the beginning. I have started some series in the middle, but then look for the first book & read in order.
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I prefer to start at the beginning of a series, but it is not necessary. If a book calls to me from a blurb or excerpt, and I do not have the books that come before it, I will read it anyway. Once I get the previous books in the series, I will just start from the beginning and reread the book that I read before the rest in the correct order. kbinmich@yahoo.com
If at all possible I want to start a series at the beginning. I started a book yesterday, then realized it was part of a series, so I put it aside until I can start at the beginning.
I like starting a series at a beginning. I dont want to miss any of the details. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
I like to start from the beginning of a series. If I find out as I am reading that a book is part of a series, I will go back and find the rest and then read them in order.
I can start a book in the middle of the series but then as soon as I figure out it comes from a series that I really enjoy, I go back and start from the beginning.
I definitely like to start a series from the beginning. The one time I didn’t I got terribly frustrated.
I’ve read all the Harmless books so far. It’s a great series – fun and sexy.
have to start from the beginning and make my way through all the books in order :)
I have already read and loved all but this newest release and it is on my list to read this week on vacation!!!
I prefer reading the book series from the start! :)
I have to start at the beginning :) Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! Congrats to Melissa on the newest release!
I prefer to start with book in a series, but I’ve certainly read books out of order.
I will start with the first but if its an established series I will jump around to the ones that interest me the most.
I make it a point to start a series at the beginning so I don’t miss out on all the character development/world-building the author has in store for me. However, it has happened that I read a book not knowing it was part of a series was captivated by it so I went back and started the series from its beginning :-)
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