Bitten by Books
Hello Readers!
Today I am talking about my new release — All Bets Are On! This book was a kick in the pants to write. The heroine is a somewhat introverted girl who doesn’t get out much, and her BFF insists on setting her up with a guy on an Internet dating site. At first glance he seems harmless, even a little geeky. Okay, so he might be drooling a little in his picture. The perfect easy date, right?
Wrong!!
In walks Mr. Hottie pants and she knows instantly she’s way out of her league. So what should she do? What would you do?
The thought is slightly terrifying to me. But that’s exactly what she does, and she realizes the moment she sees him she’s way out of her league. She tries to escape. Okay, truth has it, she tries to run. But no such luck. He sucks her right in. Tempts her in a wicked way only the Devil himself could do. And you have to ask yourself, what would you do for an extra buck? How far would you go? At what point can you be bought?
Excerpt from All Bets are On:
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll make you a bet.”
“A bet?”
“Yes. You go with me to this ball Friday night, and I bet you will be in my bed by midnight.”
“Are you kidding me?” She laughed. She actually laughed and he realized he liked the sound of it. Though why, he couldn’t fathom.
“I’ll even raise the stakes. You spend the night with me without ending up in my bed, and I’ll throw in $10,000 for your shelter.”
She swept a trembling hand through her hair, forgetting that it was pinned back and allowing more wild curls to fall loose. He was tempted to reach behind her, pull out the clip, and let it all flow free.
“Is it a deal?” he pressed, knowing by the way her tongue wet her lips as she stared up at him that there was no way he could lose. The temptation was too great to resist.
“I can’t believe you’re actually offering to pay $10,000 for a date.”
“I can’t believe you’re not willing to accept it,” he countered.
“Don’t worry. You’ll never get me in your bed. Not that night, not ever. Not for any amount of money.”
He laughed. “Now that I’d consider a personal challenge.”
So the big question is, does he win his bet? Does she?
And then what happens — it’s a downhill thrill ride from there, turning them inside out until they no longer know who they are and what they want. All because of a little bet. Or two.
Buy a Kindle copy of All Bets are On from Amazon by clicking here. - ONLY .99 Cents!
About Cynthia Cooke
Author Bio:
Cynthia Cooke is an award-winning author who has published thirteen books with Harlequin/Silhouette, Steeple Hill, and Entangled Publishing. She has co-written two books, EDGE OF SHADOWS, a thriller with CJ Lyons, and a TASTE OF GREEK, a sexy paranormal with Tina Folsom, Cynthia has a deep affection for romance, thrillers and all things that go bump in the night. So if you choose to delve into one of her stories, don’t forget to turn on the lights. Cynthia Cooke’s books aren’t sweet and they aren’t for the faint of heart.
Connect with Cynthia
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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: A $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Who influenced you the most in becoming a writer, your mom or dad? Can you share an example?
1. I honestly wouldn’t do much for the money. Money isn’t that important to me, honesty and loyalty are though.
2. I’ve never been on a blind date and am married so most likely never will go on one ;).
3. So no, I’ve never set up a date via one of those sites either.
Thank you.
Hi Viki!
That’s a tough question. I loved books as a child, and devoured them. Believe it or not, I loved scary books, and cut my teeth on Nancy Drew. I remember my mom bringing me home a box full of romances she got at a garage sale (when I was a teen) and I thought they were boring. HA! It wasn’t until I was almost twenty before I read my first romance novel and loved it!
Hi Cynthia!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, it is lovely to have you here today.
My question for you is what do you like to do for fun when you aren’t writing or reading?
Hi Rachel!! Thanks so much for having me here!! Well, I absolutely LOVE to scuba dive. I haven’t been in a few years and need to get my certification refreshed, but I love it. I’m a water nymph at heart, so put me near a large body of water and I am happy!!
Hello, Cynthia! Congrats on the new release! It sounds great, love this kind of stories so I’m reading it ASAP. =)
Is this the first book of a series? And if that’s the case, how many books are in it?s
This is the first book. I am toying with the idea of creating more in this world, since I really love how it all came together, but inspiration for which characters need a story of their own has not struck. But I am open to all ideas!! LOL!
Haha! Well, good luck then! It’d be great to read more about this series. And the cover is hot.
Answers:
- Not much, even I have my limits.
- More like a friend asked me to go on a date to meet a guy instead of her… Was not a good idea.
- No, I’m not into that sort of sites.
Who are your favourite authors?
That’s a toughie, since it’s kindof like TV shows. The ones I am watching/reading right now!
I am re-reading the entire Sookie Stackhouse series. I just find her so funny and inventive. I love anything by Anne Rice. Stephen King. Of course. Believe it or not, I just started reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jill Shalvis. I have so many on my kindle to read right now, it’s hard to pick any one. I’m also reading Stephanie Bond’s Body Mover series. I obviously love books of all genres and styles. Except those serious literary types that leave me depressed. I like a feel good, sweep me away to another world stories.
If you could give new writers and authors one piece of advice… what do you think is the most important advice to give them?
I’m going to give two.
Never stop learning, reading, and writing. (critical)! And be sure to listen to others opinions on your work, but also listen to your gut. Trust in yourself. Stephen King in his book On Writing said he never lets anyone read his stories until he finishes the first draft because he doesn’t want their opinions changing the outcome of it. There’s something to be said for that. You might not know what your subconscious is trying to say, but it does. Give it the chance to let it all out. Don’t doubt yourself. There are plenty of people out there doubting you for you. 
Never give up! Trust yourself and your process.
Congratulations on your new release! All Bets Are On sounds like a fun paranormal romance. Love the eye-catching cover. If All Bets Are On was made into a movie or TV series, who would you cast as the main characters?
Wow, I’d have to think about that. I do know who Derek’s mother would be.
Yes, she was a lot of fun to write. Confession time: I am a HUGE General Hospital Fan. And the actress (don’t know her name) who plays Helena Cassadine was the perfect role model for Derek’s mother-the ruler of Hell. I still laugh just thinking about it. As far as the hero and heroine, they really are their own people in my head, so it’s hard to find an actress or actor to fit those molds.
Helena Cassadine would be perfect! She is one of my favorite characters on GH.
And she’s back!!!!
What will readers walk away with after reading “All Bets are On”?
Hi Lisa,
Hopefully that although first impressions can tell a lot, they rarely tell all about a person or their journey. There was a lot of judging going on on both the hero and heroine’s parts, but once they really got to know each other, they realized how wrong they both were. And if we want to go deeper, our impression of Hell and what they do there got a nice little flip too.
So what I want to know, is how far would you go for ten thousand dollars?
— Honestly? Not really sure but if it involves tossing away my values and common sense, not very far. Guess, I sort of learned that lesson from watching all those shows and witnessing people morph into monsters that stem my decision. I do not want to lose my sense of self just for monetary gains. Yeah, it would make things easier but I would not be happy with myself. I’m a Virgo, and we tend to be worryworts. And I over worry things… and would regret it.
Have you ever been on a blind date?
- Mmm, no blind dates. Though I did have folks ( where my hubby and I first worked together and met) set us up to go out with each other.
Have you ever set up a date through one of those online sites?
- absolutely not. When the hubby and I had first met and started dating, those sites were not really popular. And we’ve been together for seventeen/eighteen years.
I agree, Raonaid. Remember that move with Demi Moore and Robert Redford where he paid her a million dollars to sleep with him. It was her husband who encouraged her to do it. She couldn’t get past that. It destroyed their marriage and their happiness. Great movie. LOL
I know the movie you are talking about… I seen previews but have never watched the movie. But then I can be a tad finicky about what movies I watch…. And well, hubby was watching Ink Masters on hulu plus, and seeing how these people had changed in their competitiveness.
Author questions
For $10,000 I wouldn’t do anything that I felt was inappropriate or illegal.
I have never been on a blind date.
I have never set up a date on an online site. I don’t think the information on those sites can be trusted.
I have to agree, Bonnie. I’d be really nervous putting myself out there on an online site. Facebook is bad enough! LOL!! But, I have heard some really remarkable and romantic stories about people finding their spouses on Match.com. Considering how hard it must be to meet people these days, I’m glad for them. But I’m equally glad I’m happily married.
What new fall tv shows are on your must watch list?
That show Forever looks good and that guy is real cute. But I could have swore I saw a new shore very similar to it a few years ago that didn’t make it.
Constantine - OF COURSE!
Gotham - maybe. Will give it a try.
Gracepoint - Because well, stars David Tennant. Nuf said.
How To Get Away With Murder - Love the premise.
Intruders - already started it. Very captivating. And I love John Simms.
NCIS New Orleans looks interesting, but I love Scott Bakula and NOLA.
American Horror Story - Though the clown thing is going to be really creepy. I’d rather have witches and zombies.
Returning shows I won’t miss — Walking Dead, Originals, Grimm, Supernatural, The 100
I’m seeing a pattern here.
We seem to like the same shows. I absolutely love Grimm and Supernatural.
Have you ever planned or been the recipient of a surprise party? did it turn out ok?
My partner is 65 today so instead of a surprise party (he specifically didn’t want anything) I’ve invited just his family round for a bbq on the weekend. Just family is not a party
I haven’t ever had a surprise party though I always thought it would be fun. I think what you have planned will be awesome! Good luck with it.
Do you have a guilty pleasure book, TV show, or movie?
Yeah, that would be General Hospital.
Hello! If you could co-write your next book with any author, living or dead, who would you pick? Or do you prefer to write alone?
I have co-written two books. One with CJ Lyons and one with Tina Folsom. Both were wonderful experiences. I would love to work with Anne Rice just to see how her mind works.
what type of books do you read and enjoy?
All kinds! I just picked up a Christian thriller by Ted Dekker. I like them fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. Not too much violence or gore though. But I do like to be scared.
Is there anything you would never write about in your books, whether an uncomfortable subject or something in which you just don’t have an interest?
I don’t like war books. Military hero’s are very popular and my son is in the National Guard, but I would never be interested in writing a book with scenes in a war zone. Nothing that is too real, I write and read for the escape, the fantasy. War books are too real to me.
Author questions
How far would I go for $10k? Hard question. It would depend a lot on how badly I needed the money. I’d probably always accept a challenge to NOT sleep with someone though. I’m really good at saying no.
No, I’ve never been on a blind date, though I did set someone up on one once.
I’ve never used an online dating service. Pretty much every time I started thinking about signing up for one, I’d get distracted by something else in my life, or I’d get a date.
I know, it seemed like an easy bet, right? Wrong! LOL!!
Hi!
Oh lordy, I have no idea what I would do - your heroine is me, introverted, doesn’t get out much, would try to run. But I wouldn’t even get so far as to using the dating website - so he’d have to find me some other way. But even the devil would have a hard time with me because I wouldn’t buy any of it, and I would definitely try to get away. So, yeah, he’d have his work cut out for him! LOL So, I’d stick with just reading it - and sure love the sound of the premise! 
Lois
Your questions -
blind dates or dating sites - nope to both!
that first question… well, I definitely can say I wouldn’t go into illegal or immoral territory. But if I were desperate enough, I would like to think that I still wouldn’t do anything that I wouldn’t do right now - but you reach that point, who knows?
Lois
LOL! Lois, you sound just like me!
If you could do a crossover with any book, film, or TV series, what would it be and why?
The Walking Dead. That show really gets me thinking. I become so absorbed in how I would survive, what I would do. It’s facinating. And I would never have gone to Terminus!!
Mild embarrassment or logistical difficulty would be okay, but I don’t think I’d do anything that would have a lifelong record of i (e.g., no reality shows). And I’d shy away from anything illegal…
I’ve had a few blind dates. One guy was such a dud that I actually considered climbing out the restaurant bathroom window. My fear of heights prevented that, and good thing, too-he lived in my dorm the following year.
I’ve been reluctant to try online dating thus far because of the horror stories, though it’s worked for at least one friend…
To answer your giveaway questions:
I wouldn’t go too far for $10,000. I definitely wouldn’t do anything bad.
I have not ever gone on a blind date.
I have not ever used an online dating service.
Thanks for stopping by Lindsey!
I’ve never been on a blind date either. I would think it would be nerve wracking. 
Oh, yeah. What is up with those reality shows. I did used to watch Fear Factor though. But really, why do people like to humiliate themselves on TV?
Do you have any pets? If you could have a dragon or a unicorn, which would you choose?
I do. I have two Rat Terriers and a cat. Definitely a unicorn.
HI where is your favorite place to relax and read?
In my TV room. I’ve recently become an empty nester so I took one of the rooms and made it my own. It’s my escape place.
What was the most surprising bit of info you have ever come across when doing any research?
Well, I wish I could say something really cool. But, there really isn’t anything. I’ve done a lot of really cool things in the name of research. I’ve been to Quantico and Langley, have listened to some amazing speakers, learned a lot about forensics and have shot some amazing guns. Though, I think going down inside of one the government’s old nuclear bomb shelters is pretty high on the list. Oh, and seeing the inside of some of FEMA’s amazing mobile command centers was really cool. And did you know they wash brains in the morgue? Saw that, too.
Who would you like to play one of your characters if the book ever got turned into a series or a movie of the week?
Never been on a blind date. Never set up one either and as for ten thousand that’s not enough to get me to go anywhere.
So what I want to know, is how far would you go for ten thousand dollars?
as long as it was legal- pretty far
Have you ever been on a blind date?
yeah, and he turned out being a great friend
Have you ever set up a date through one of those online sites?
no way
Have you ever had a date with someone you met over the internet?
What is your favorite part of being a Author?
Answer Authors Questions
1. Not very far.Would not have sexy or jump out of a plain or anything like that.maybe I would clim a mountain or go in to a contest but not thing scary.
2. No
3. Know have never done that and would have been to afraid of doing something like that. I’m a very shy person.
This was my first Cynthia Cooke romance, but not my last!
Thank you everyone for coming and checking out All Bets Are On!! Had a wonderful time. And thank you Rachel for setting it all up!
Hi Cynthia
I’ve yet to read any of your books but I must say All Bets Are On sounds really interesting and intriguing. I’m really curious with how things move on.
Well my question for you is, how do you usually get inspiration for the books to write. Eg. How do you get the settings, the storyline, the ending. I’m curious as there can be so many possibilities.
Last but not least, congrats on your new release. I’ll be sure to check your books out.
1) How far would I go for $10,000?
If I’m single and available, I’ll definitely go for the challenge. It’ll be good to know myself too but it has to be legal and nothing against my principles.
2) Blind date?
Not sure if this counts. I had unknown person texting me years back. I replied that he/she got the wrong person and then we further communicated via texting. He asked for a meet up a couple of weeks later and I agreed after getting a couple of girlfriends to go along. He had a couple of his guy friends join him as well. Long story short, I ended up dating one of his friends for about 3 years.
3) Online Dating Sites?
No, never tried
Are there any other genres you are interested in writing ?
How many books have you written?
1) How far would I go for $10,000?
idk
2) Blind date?
maybe
3) Online Dating Sites?
No,
I saw in a previous comment that you love to scuba dive. I’m in the same boat (pardon the pun), I adore scuba diving though I haven’t been for a few years. My question for you is what has been the coolest place you’ve done a dive?
Hi,
Cynthia, I loved the book All Bets Are On. Read it in one day. My question, will it be a series?
As far as how far would I go for $10,000, as far as I would be comfortable with.
Was on a blind date.
Never used an online dating site.
Love all of your books. Thanks.
What book got you into reading and writing?
Have you ever based a character on someone you know or have met?
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Two-parter question:
1. What is the best thing you have ever read (book, poem, essay, etc)?
2. What is the best thing you have ever written (published or unpublished)?
hi Cynthia
yes I went on a few blind dates none worked out
I have not signed up for those sites
jump out of a plane
what scares you the most?
What genre(s) would you never write?
1) For that sum I’d agree to a full makeover, even shave my head bald, but no tattoos or piercings, I’d agree to enter a reality show or survivor challenge, maybe even eat something really disgusting, and I think I wouldn’t mind a tasteful nude photo session. But I’d need a sum with more zeroes before I jump out of a plane though.
2) no
3) I haven’t dated online and never would
Which do you prefer to write romances or suspense?
If you could only write in one genre for the rest of your life, which one would it be?