Review: Lion Tamers by Sutton Fox

LION TAMERS
Book One - Traveling Circus
by Sutton Fox
Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Length: Short Novel
Digital Price: $4.50
Digital Publication Date: August 4, 2008
Print Publication Date: February 2, 2009
Cover art by Renee Rocco

Jmo: Okay, let me be the first one to admit I’m not a big fan of racing. I know. I love sports but racing has never been one I followed. So when Morgan told me about Lion Tamers I wasn't enthused but being a voracious reader I jumped in. With my second Okay of this paragraph, let me say I might not be a racing fan but I just became a huge Sutton Fox fan. This book totally blew me away! It’s been a while since I had a book twist me through every emotional turn before slapping me down totally exhausted but satisfied.

Morgan O: Kinda like good sex, eh? Yea!! I’m so glad I was able to convert you! I absolutely adore this book and I don't care how many times I've read it, I still love it.

Jmo: What’s not to love? The entire premise of the book hooks you from the first page. Sutton has complete control of her characters and uses them like weapons to make you care about them. You can tell she knows her way around the racing world. Her scenes at the race track made you believe you were smelling the exhaust.

Morgan O: *Jumps with glee* Jmo gets it! I usually have more feelings for one character over another, but in this one, I love both of them. I'm rooting for both of them which makes it all the more satisfying in the end. I love the way she writes the settings. Yes, they are very real. She has a talent for getting the reader into the scenery without using too many words… unlike me.

Jmo: I rarely get this emotionally involved with characters but I couldn’t help myself. I’m not ashamed to say I fought back a severe case of the sniffles on a scene here and there. When you’re reading an author as in touch with her characters as Sutton is you’ve got no choice. From the first line you’re invested and you can’t stop yourself from loving them.

Morgan O: Since we're going Alpha this week I think it's plain to see these two characters are alphas, which does cause some problems, but when they work those out.... watch out babeeee.

Jmo: Whenever you get two dominate personalities together you’re in for some major sparks. Sutton balances it with such tenderness. I was amazed at the depth of her portrayal.

Morgan O: Damn, all I can do is agree with you. You're doing a fine job of heaping on the praise here! They also have little girls in common which pulls them even closer. Annie is absolutely adorable.

Jmo: I think that’s what got me the most. Both Morgan and Tyler had a strong sense of family. I could relate to them. They weren’t cardboard cutouts wanting nothing more than meaningless sex. Lion Tamers was pure romance!

Morgan O: And high octane action from the very start.

Jmo: It was action packed but she didn’t let the action overpower the story.

MorganO: How she balances it all, was just amazing - high speeds and hot romance - the action keeps the pages turning the romance and emotion makes you slow down just a little so you don't miss a thing but tight writing makes it all work.

Jmo: All I can say is this. Lion Tamers has got to be one of the top ten books I’ve read this year. I’d easily push it past some of the books I’ve been waiting a year to read!

Morgan O: I'd put it in the top ten best I've EVER read. I hope to see this one heading for the national bestseller charts

Jmo: I think the only way to sum this review up is, if you haven’t been TAMED you’re definitely missing one of the best books of this year, I include the big print houses in this statement. If you want romance, action and the best hanky read you’ll ever find, Lion Tamers is the book for you.

Can we say a solid 5 because we don’t go up to 5 million?

Morgan O: I agree, a solid 5 stouts! Might have to add some clovers too...

Jmo: You're not getting me Lucky Charms.

Morgan O: Those are for Jenna, I won't touch those. I don't wanna get hurt.

JMo: That sums it up for this review but I’m not alone in saying when book 2 comes out we’ll be racing to the review.

Morgan O: I get it first!!

Jmo: Guess we see who gets the checkered flag in this duo!

Interview: Sutton Fox

Today the Diaries goes faster than a speeding bullet to find the perfect author to harass - uh interview. Sutton Fox is making her skid marks on the Romance world with her new book Lion Tamers. A perfect blend of high speed action and sizzling romance. Ditching the Pinto we rented for a snazzy pair of racing stripes, we caught up with Sutton Fox at a dusty Georgia dirt track.

Jmo: Right, MorganO, dirt track equals dust. Glad you figured that one out. The smell of nitrous oxide is making us higher than a kite but who are we to complain.

MorganO: Exactly and wait until we get to the Rocky Mountains to interview Piper, woohoo! We’re going to be oxygen deprived. Anyhow, after promising Jenna to keep Jmo away from the trophy girls, she let me snag him away for this special interview. And no, Jmo, we won't be setting Sutton on fire to see if the fire retardant suit really works. Now before he goes in search of Ricky Bobby, let's get Sutton off to a quiet corner where we can have a little chat away from the squealing tires and more importantly, before Jmo tries to join a pit crew. Jmo, put down that wrench.

Jmo: Only if you stop trying to lure Jeff Gordon into the backseat.

MorganO: Damn. You weren’t supposed to see that. Ahem. Sutton thanks for allowing us to interrupt your high speed endeavors. First of all explain the difference between dirt track and stock car?

Jmo: Obviously MorganO is more interested in the drivers than what they’re driving, otherwise she’d know the answer to that question.

SF: Thank you for traveling all this way just to interview me, I really appreciate it. It’s tough to get away from the track on race days.

The difference between dirt track and stock car is like the difference between apples and oranges. They’re both fruit...well, you get the idea. The technical version of a stock car, is a race car that conforms externally to a commercial model. For example, the Chevrolet, Impala SS you see Jeff Gordon race at the track on Sunday should resemble the same car you can purchase in the dealer showroom on Monday. Hence the term ‘stock’. They have been modified for safety purposes. These types of cars are usually raced on oval, asphalt surfaced tracks. They do race on road courses as well, but I believe that’s another interview.

The car Morgan Blade drives in Lion Tamers is a winged sprint car. It’s not stock. It’s what is known as ‘purpose built’. It’s made for one thing, racing. It has a shorter wheelbase, bigger tires and way more horsepower than your average street car. And let’s not forget about the wing. It’s there to provide down force or pressure on the car to keep all that horsepower on the track. If you’d like to see a picture of a sprint car, the book trailer for Lion Tamers features a picture of one. You can find the trailer on my website.

A dirt track used for auto racing is an oval or ‘D’ shape with a clay or ‘dirt’ surface. The sizes range from one-quarter mile to a big half-mile with three-eighths mile being the most common.

TMD: Can you tell our readers how you became a fan of racing and how it inspired you to write Lion Tamers?

SF: I’ve been a fan of racing all my life. I remember going to the local asphalt track with my older sister when I was eight years old. It thrilled me to watch those shiny cars speed around the track making all that noise. It still does today. Racers are some of the most dedicated and passionate people I’ve ever met. They don’t quit, they don’t give up, they just keep after that win, no matter what life throws at them. Being fortunate enough to know a few racers personally, and know the sacrifices they’ve made to pursue their sport really inspired me. I wanted to capture their intensity and valor for people who may not be able to get to the track for whatever reason. I want them to be able to know what it’s like here, inside the oval.

TMD: There's a strong sense of reality in this one. You draw the reader right into the world. We can almost smell the dust. *Achoo!* Well, with it blowing around the way it is, can't miss that part. You've reached a pleasing balance between the reality of the world you've created and the emotional tug of Morgan's (That would be Morgan the heroine and not MorganO) reasons for entering the contest. What made you combine the racing world with reality TV?

SF: Remember when reality TV first hit the airwaves in a big way? Here I am, watching all of these reality shows, and couldn’t find a single one about racing. I have since found one, but it wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped it would be. In the way of writers, I wondered how it would be from the inside out. I wondered what would motivate someone to want to be on a show and do whatever they had to in front of the world. Just to win some money. What would that mean to them? I wanted the ‘why’ of it.

TMD: what came first your love of racing or romance?

SF: I guess it would have to be racing. I didn’t read my first romance until I was seventeen. Who could forget Ruark Beauchamp from Shanna, by the incomparable Kathleen Woodiwiss? Upon finishing her story I was well and truly hooked. I always have a book or my e-reader at the track.

TMD: How many years have you been part of the racing world? Only one so enmeshed in the sport could catch the essence so realistically.

SF: I’ve only been actively involved in the sport for about ten years.

TMD: Why do you think so many female readers are entranced by the thrill of racing? Besides the sight of hot men in jumpsuits. Down MorganO.

SF: Because it is a thrill. The horsepower makes you shiver, right along with the element of danger and risk. People who take risks are viewed as powerful and attractive, and that holds a special kind of appeal.

TMD: We understand that Lion Tamers is the first book in a series set in the racing world. Can you give us a brief outline of books to follow? And when does book 2 come out?

SF: The series is called Traveling Circus. Book two, Center Ring, will be released by Lyrical Press on November 2, 2008. It focuses more on the team ownership aspect of racing with little romantic suspense thrown in for good measure. The third book, High Wire, is back to grass roots racing, featuring dirt late models. It will be released February 2, 2009. There are two more books in the series for a total of five, but the last two are still works in progress.

TMD: This is an old tradition but we are all about tradition here. If you were asked to partake in a world's weirdest race, would you ride the goat or the lama?

SF: The llama, no question. They spit, and I think that’s funny.

TMD: With so many romance authors setting their books in the sports world, do you think this is a movement to empower women past the role of bring-me-a-beer-during-the-half-time-show?

SF: Honestly, I’m usually the one saying that at my house. I hate to let that go. Really, I believe today’s women have moved beyond the ‘movement’. They aren’t restricted by the narrow and sometimes myopic view of whoever may be leading the current society. They are empowered internally to do whatever they want to do. And that gives them the freedom to make any choice they please and follow it through.

TMD: How does it feel as an author to be able to combine two of your loves?

SF: Unbelievable. I know it sounds trite, but it really is a dream come true.

TMD: Who was the inspiration for Tyler??? MorganO is still drooling over him.

SF: Well, I can tell you personality wise, he’s an amalgamation of several racers that I know. I’m not sure their wives would like the names listed here. This will date me, but in the looks category it would have to be Robert Redford from his Butch Cassidy days.

MorganO: RR? Hubba-hubba! I just knew Tyler was hot for a good reason!

TMD: As someone who's followed both of her dreams, what advice do you have for women who want to follow their dreams, be it racing or writing?

SF: Set goals, believe you can achieve them. Don’t quit, ever. Don’t give up. And for heavens sake, stop worrying about what other people think. They are only thinking about you in reference to themselves anyway. It’s very rare you will find someone who will support your dreams. Most people will definitely tell you why you shouldn’t do something. Especially those who claim to love you the most. So be strong and follow your heart in spite of them.

TMD: Do you think feeling passionate about what you love, in this case racing, makes you a better author when you're writing?

SF: I hope so. I hope when people read my stories they can feel the passion I have for the sport. And I hope they enjoy it just as much as I do.

TMD: Uh, Sutton, Morgan wants to know if she can go vroom-vroom in your car. She's always wanted to go zero to sixty-nine in less than five seconds. Well, looks like you don't have much of say in it. Morgan, watch out for Jeff Gordon... too late! I'm sure when the ambulance gets here, he'll be okay. Sutton, thanks again for letting us experience the thrill of race day with you. Before you go chasing her, could you let our readers know where to find you on web and if you have anything coming out we should be racing to buy?

SF: Thank you again for sharing your time with me. Lion Tamers is available now from Lyrical Press. You can buy it at Lyrical Press.

If you like to know more about me, you can check out my website: http://suttonfox.com or friend me on myspace: www.myspace.com/suttonfox

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at suttonfox@gmail.com

Thanks Jmo. MorganO! Morgan, come back with my car!

Excerpt: Lion Tamer by Sutton Fox

This excerpt of Lion Tamers has not been approved by Lyrical Press. Copyright 2008, Sutton Fox.

Sweat gathered on his brow in a light film. His hands held the edges of his chair in a death grip. He almost stuttered when he asked, “Is there something else you need at this late hour?”

She stopped at the edge of his chair and looked him almost eye to eye. “Just the answer to a question.”

“Okay. Shoot.” Good, great. He’d give her the answer and she’d go.

“Why didn’t you want to kiss me the other night?”

Oh, God. He could swear she almost purred it. Honesty. Honesty was the best policy. She had him so wrapped up, if he lied he’d never remember it anyway. “It...it…” He took a deep breath to steady himself. “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. I’m just not a one night stand kind of guy.”

She laughed.

She actually laughed at him. Again. When his blood found its way back to his brain, he might be insulted.

“Really.” She grabbed his hands from their hold on the chair. She swung one leg over one side of the seat and did the same with the other so she straddled him.

Of their own accord his arms closed around her. He could feel her heat through the thin shorts she wore.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, crotch to crotch, cheek to cheek. Heat sizzled between them. His whole body flared to life as if he’d been held apart from feeling anything, until now.

“Well, what if I’m a one night stand kind of girl?” she murmured in his ear.

Trailer Trash Tuesdays: Sutton Fox

To kick off the new Fall season of The Morgan Diaries, we've convinced Sutton Fox to be our first vic - uh, interviewee. We have lots going on this week, so don't miss a thing.

First off, today we have Sutton's trailer for her book The Traveling Circus: Book One - Lion Tamers. It's as fast and exciting as the book and she provided most of the images. See if you can spot her in the trailer!

Then on Friday, we'll post the interview. We learned some fun new things about racing. We wrap up everthing on Saturday with the review and you won't want to miss that!

If you want to read the book so you can add your comments when we post our signature double-team review, get yourself over to Lyrical Press and get the e-copy today! You won't regret it.