Jess Dee's Blog, page 12

Currently loving…*Sigh*

So, what am I currently loving?

It's pathetic really, but here you go:

Chopped up apples in fresh, all natural yogurt.

*Sigh* Can you tell I'm on diet?

It's amazing how everything tastes so good when you have limited amounts of it, isn't it?

Jess

Currently loving…an awesome book series

A couple weeks ago I finished reading Maria V Snyder's YA Study series, and cannot explain how much I loved it. I finished the first book in a day, the second book the next day, forced myself to take a break between books two and three, and then missed the characters so much, I read the third book on day 4.

The books are magical. Literally. I think if I tried to describe them I would not do them justice, so rather read the blurb from the first book, Poison Study, and see for yourself:

Poison Study:

Choose: A quick death or slow poison…

On the eve of her execution for murder, Yelena Zaltana is offered an incredible reprieve – on the condition that she becomes the food taster for the military leader of Ixia, Commander Ambrose.

Avoiding poison is the least of her troubles, however… General Brazell, father of the man she killed, has vowed bloody revenge; she's beginning to have feelings for her captor, Valek; and someone is plotting the downfall of the current regime.

In a desperate race against time, Yelena must learn to control the growing magical talent within her and master the demons of her past. The Commander's life, the future of Ixia and all those she loves depend on it…

————–

Go ahead. Read the first book. You will love it.

The nice thing about this series is that Ms. Snyder follows it up with a whole new series "Glass" – about a character we meet in the Study books. She brings us right back to magical world she's created, and generously lets us meet up with all those wonderful characters from the Study series.

But please – don't make the mistake I made. Don't read Glass before Study. You'll enjoy all six books way more if you read them in order.

Happy reading,

Jess

Hidden Fire releases today

Can you see me happy dancing? I'm celebrating the release of Hidden Fire.

I'm doubly excited for this book. Why, you ask? Well, because Hidden Fire is significant in two ways.

First of all, it's the sequel to Winter Fire, and secondly it's part of an anthology sequel. Sound confusing? It's not really.

Winter Fire released as part of the Red Hot Winter Anthology, along with Triple Dare by Lexxie Couper and True Heart by Delilah Devlin. The books were so well received, we all wrote sequels: Hidden Fire (by me) Dare Me (by Lexxie) and Lone Heart (by Delilah). These sequels now form the Red Hot Weekend Anthology.

Hidden Fire – The Blurb

Dirty desires, dark secrets…deepest love

Fire, Book 2

Well, this is an unexpected twist. Jenna Brooks is all set to spend the weekend wallowing in misery, repairing the cracks in the façade she's maintained for twelve years. Instead she's…tied to a chair. Kidnapped by her own twin brother and her so-called best friend.

It's for her own good, they say. She'll thank them later, they say. But when they reveal her partner in captivity, she shores up her emotional barriers. It's Garreth Halt. The one man for whom she let her guard down. What a fool she was.

For one electrifying moment, Garreth had Jenna naked in his arms, on the edge of losing her legendary control. Could have kept her there forever, too, if he hadn't felt honor-bound to tell her the truth. Before she'd heard the whole truth, though, she'd retreated behind the fortress around her heart.

Now they're knee to knee, with no escape. While he's irritated he let his alleged best friend get the drop on him, a small part of him is thrilled. With one final chance to show her his love is real, Garreth methodically, wickedly, sets out to dismantle her defenses.

One dirty word at a time.

Product Warnings: Garreth may have charmed you in Winter Fire, but this time around, his blatantly sexy demands, even sexier actions and heartwarming love for his heroine are gonna make you fall head over heels. 

Not sure if you wanna read it? Here's what the reviewers are saying:

Sizzling Hot Book Reviews: Five Hearts

"Hidden Fire is a fun, sexy, romantic story that will leave you breathless and wanting more." (Reviewed by Stacey)

Pearl's World of Romance

"There are a few authors that make me sound repetitive in my praise of their writing and Jess Dee is certainly among them. She tackles risky subjects and tropes in her own unapologetic way and delivers little jems filled with sizzling heat and heartrending emotions. I didn't think it possible but I loved HIDDEN FIRE even more than I loved WINTER FIRE." (Reviewed by Pearl)

If you'd like to read an excerpt, there are two that are just a click away:

1) You can red the first page of the book in a previous blog post.

2) You can see an excerpt on the Samhain site.

If you'd like to buy the book, you can get from your favorite ebookstore or:

Samhain

Kindle

Nook

Go ahead, get your copy, and then we can all happy dance together.

Jess

Currently Loving…

I'm such a slacker when it comes to blogging, I thought I'd try something new. So, I've decided to add a weekly post to my blog. I've called it "Currently Loving" and I intend to post under the title every Friday.

(Just kick me if I forget, please.)

So, what is "Currently Loving"? Well, it's a general category that'll cover something I'm currently really enjoying. A book, a movie, TV program or maybe a song I can't stop listening to. And if you have any things you're currently loving, please tell me about them. I'm always looking for new music, books, movies etc.

So, what am I currently loving at the moment?

It's a song. One I heard on the radio a few months back, loved it and immediately downloaded it. It's become a fave of the whole fam, and every time we get in the car we all have to listen to it and sing along at the top of our voices. (Ok, so the Dee family version isn't so pretty, but the original is way cool…)

It's called Summer Paradise (By Simple Plan & featuring K'naan)

Oh, and know what I love about this vid? It's set in Australia.

Enjoy.

Jess

Visiting Paradise: re-released for 99c

I am thrilled to let you know that Visiting Paradise, my short, sweet and very sexy story has just been re-released at Amazon, for the bargain price of 99c.

This is my first step into the wonderful world of Self Publishing, and I'm still pinching myself to prove I'm not dreaming. But it seems it's true. The book is officially available for purchase.

Look here. It really is!

http://www.amazon.com/Visiting-Paradise-ebook/dp/B006ZNTI36/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_7

With the re-release of the book comes a brand new, gorgeous cover. Created by Valerie Tibbs, I think it is the perfect art work for the story:

Visiting Paradise: The Blurb

Beth Brown needs a holiday. She's burnt out, single and madly in love with the man who pays her salary, Joe Bastion. Much as she'd like to act on her feelings, Beth's learned the hard way not to sleep with the men she works for.  As far as she is concerned, Joe is off limits.

Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to chase hard. And  Joe wants Beth  He's organized the trip of a lifetime for her. Beth's about to set sail into paradise, and she has no idea Joe's the one who'll be taking her there.

Product warning: This book is filled with sunny blue skies, gorgeous tropical islands and a whole lot of scorching hot loving.

————————

Visiting Paradise is only available for purchase on Kindle.

I know there'll be complaints from Nook users, and I do apologize, but I'm taking baby steps here. Today Kindle, tomorrow I need to rest a bit (hey, the procedure was exhausting!) and maybe soon – Nook and Smash Words.

But please, give me time. I'm still reeling from the idea that I have self published a book. The idea has always scared the bejeepers out of me.

(Um, perhaps I should classify the "I" bit. I had some help from my hubby. If not for him, I'd never have worked out how to convert the word document into the appropriate format. Nice hubby, huh?)

So, please, stop reading my blog now and go and buy the book from Kindle instead. I need the reassurance that this was a good idea.

Jess

Massive E-book Giveaway

The very talented and very lovely Selena Illyria has organised a massive e-book giveaway.

The contest is up at The Romance Studio right now. You wanna go there and enter for your chance to win.

Curious to see what's up for grabs?

Here's a list:

Ebook list:

Cynnara Tregarth — Backlist choice (ebook) www.cynnara.com

Alice Gaines — Sinful Wager (ebook)http://alicegaines.blogspot.com/

Selena Illyria — Dragon New Year: Dragons at Midnight (ebook) www.selenaillyria.com

Cassandra Carr — Head Games (ebook) www.booksbycassandracarr.com

Mychael Black — Blood and Fire 1 (ebook) mychaelblack.wordpress.com

Diana Castilleja — Backlist Choice www.dianacastilleja.com

Belinda McBride — Voodoo You Love (ebook) www.belindamcbride.com

Anne Kane — Shifting Priorities – The Collection (ebook) www.annekane.com

Jess Dee — Winter Fire (ebook) http://www.jessdee.com/Jess_Dee/Home.html

Lexxie Couper — Suck and Blow (ebook) www.lexxiecouper.com

Tilly Greene — Konnichiwa Cowboy (ebook) www.tillygreene.com

Rhian Cahill — Truth or Dare — Party Games (ebook) www.rhiancahill.com

B.J. McCall — Wildander (ebook) www.bjmccall.com

Brannan Black –Reader Choice of Wolfman Collection (ebook) http://site.epicromances.com/Home.html

Megan Slayer — Fallen (ebook)

Nicole Austin — Good Vibrations (ebook) www.nicoleaustin.net

Missy Welsh — Reader Choice (ebook) www.missywelsh.com

Jade Buchanan — Broken Rules (ebook) www.jadebuchananbooks.com

Sharon Bidwell — All Washed Up (ebook) www.sharonbidwell.co.uk

Kayelle Allen — Alitus Tales of the Chosen (ebook) www.kayelleallen.com

Kate Hill — Frenzied (ebook) www.kate-hill.com

Lissa Matthews — Twisted Up (ebook) www.lissamatthews.com

Sophia Titheniel — Dance Wars (Collection) (ebook) www.sophiatitheniel.com

Koko Brown — Player's Ultimatum — (ebook) www.kokobrown.net

Willa Okati — Best Man (ebook) http://www.willaokati.com/Willa_Okati/Home.html

Cat Johnson — Educating Ansley (ebook) www.catjohnson.net

Marie Treanor — Ariadne's Thread (ebook) www.marietreanor.com

Eliza Gayle — Power Play (ebook) www.elizagayle.net

Jambrea Jones — Backlist www.jambrea.com

Sienna Mynx — Before Sunrise (print) http://siennamynx.com/

Christine Cody — Bloodlands (print) www.christinecody.net

Jessica Coulter Smith — Moonlight Savior (ebook) www.jessicacoultersmith.com

Josh Lanyon — Ice Capade (ebook) www.joshlanyon.com

Samantha Kane — Love's Surrender (ebook) http://www.samanthakane.us/www.samanthakane.us/Welcome.html

Ashlyn Chase — Either (choice of ebook or print) http://www.ashlynchase.com

Jayne Rylon — Through My Window (ebook) www.jaynerylon.com

Lisa Renee Jones — The Vampire Wardens Trilogy (ebook) www.lisareneejones.com

Lex Valentine — Reader's Choice www.lexvalentine.com

Elizabeth Jewell — Puck You http://elizabethjewell.kabeka.com

G Royale — Queen for a Day http://www.ggroyale.com

Gift Certificates:

Raine Delight — $10 Gift Certificate to ARe www.authorrainedelight.com

Diana DeRicci — $25 Amazon Gift Certificate www.dianadericci.com

Tara Lain — $10 Amazon Gift Certificate www.taralain.com

Jianne Carlo — $10 Amazon Gift Certificate www.jiannecarlo.com

Loose-Id — 5 $5 Gift Certificates www.loose-id.com

Tilly Greene $10 ARe Gift Certificate

Publishers:

Etopia Press — Reader's Choice http://etopiapressblog.wordpress.com

MLR and PIP — Reader's Choice http://www.mlrbooks.com/books.php http://www.passioninprint.com

Pink Petal Books — Reader's Choice http://pinkpetalbooks.com

Other

JFay of Studio 3B — a sample of her Sinfully Delicious Cupcake Solid Perfume www.studio3bonline.com

——-

See? Massive.

Just CLICK HERE to enter.

GOOD LUCK!

Jess

The Queen Of Procrastination

I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I consider myself the queen of procrastination.

Truth be told, I'm only writing this blog post now because I have a massive deadline looming, and I'm finding everything in my power to avoid settling down and meeting the darn deadline. (I'm pretty good at this tho. I've convinced myself this is my pre-writing time. My time for getting my head together, gathering my thoughts and getting into the groove.)

Anyway one of my getting-in-the-groove habits is to check blogs from the previous day to see if I've missed comments etc. So I was over at the Down Under Divas and happened to notice the search term "Procrastination" was used by five different people to find our blog. Fascinated, I too typed the word into Google to see how quickly it would lead me to the Down Under Divas.

It didn't. Well, not after pouring through six or seven pages of Google search results. (So I have to commend those searchers' perseverance in finding the Divas. They must all have searched for way longer than I did, making them true procrastinators.)

But what I did find was this hilarious clip by Ellen Degeneres. The second I saw it, I had to post it to my blog.

Enjoy.

Jess

First Page Peek – See You In My Dreams

Ah, See You In My Dreams. The first book in the Speed series and possibly the most romantic story I've written. Contemporary romance with a hint of fantasy.

First Page of See You In My Dreams

If old wives' tales were simply words,

They never would be told.

There's truth in every fable, child—

so heed this song of gold.

 

When day is done and night has come,

You'll see it in your dreams.

Eyes of fire, heart's desire

You'll know just what it means.

 (Gramma Rosie's Lullaby)

Chapter One

Shocked all the way down to her toes, Sophie Butler gawked at the man.

Oh, shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

She was so going to be fired for this.

She should turn around and beat a hasty retreat. If not hasty, she should back out of the door real slow, and give the guy a little privacy. At the very least, she should have the decency to cover her eyes and stammer out a sincere apology.

So why then did she stand frozen in place with her jaw hanging open and her tongue glued to the bottom of her mouth?

Because she was dazed, that's why. Stunned by the sight that greeted her.

And what a sight. A good six feet of tanned male muscle. Legs that stretched on forever, with slim, powerful thighs. A hard and well-defined stomach that tapered down to lean, square hips. Not to mention the arms, biceps rippling and bunching as he towel-dried his hair.

_________________

And that concludes the first page peak series. Hope you enjoyed them.

Jess

First Page Peak – See You In My Dreams

Ah, See You In My Dreams. The first book in the Speed series and possibly the most romantic story I've written. Contemporary romance with a hint of fantasy.

First Page of See You In My Dreams

If old wives' tales were simply words,

They never would be told.

There's truth in every fable, child—

so heed this song of gold.

 

When day is done and night has come,

You'll see it in your dreams.

Eyes of fire, heart's desire

You'll know just what it means.

 (Gramma Rosie's Lullaby)

 

Chapter One

Shocked all the way down to her toes, Sophie Butler gawked at the man.

Oh, shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

She was so going to be fired for this.

She should turn around and beat a hasty retreat. If not hasty, she should back out of the door real slow, and give the guy a little privacy. At the very least, she should have the decency to cover her eyes and stammer out a sincere apology.

So why then did she stand frozen in place with her jaw hanging open and her tongue glued to the bottom of her mouth?

Because she was dazed, that's why. Stunned by the sight that greeted her.

And what a sight. A good six feet of tanned male muscle. Legs that stretched on forever, with slim, powerful thighs. A hard and well-defined stomach that tapered down to lean, square hips. Not to mention the arms, biceps rippling and bunching as he towel-dried his hair.

_________________

And that concludes the first page peak series. Hope you enjoyed them.

Jess

First Page Peek – Office Affair (First time peek too)

Office Affair was the book I never meant to write. And then someone (Ahem, KittyKelly) emailed to ask about a sequel to Island Idyll, and there was the story. Fully formed in my head. The book releases on the 1st of May, and is in fact so new, I haven't finished editing it. It doesn't even have a cover yet. So this is a real first peak!

First Page of Office Affair

Chapter One

"You want to know what I think?"

Ben Cowley jerked his head up at the unexpected voice. He'd been so immersed in figures, he'd had no idea anyone was in his office. Hell, he had no idea anyone was left in the building. At this time of night he'd assumed everyone else had gone home.

"I always want to know what you think." He flashed the woman standing in the doorway his biggest smile, knowing he flirted shamelessly.

"I think you need to get laid. And you need to get laid soon."

The smile vanished. "Pardon?"

"You're a mess, Cowley. You have been since you transferred to the Sydney office."

A muscle twitched in his jaw, but he tried not to show any other emotion—even though his stomach clenched in a nasty knot. Ben raised an eyebrow in question. "Is there a reason we're having this conversation?"

She pursed her lips and gave him a somber nod. "You've changed. You're not the same person you were when we first met. It's almost as if you've lost your enthusiasm, lost your drive. People are starting to talk—"

"People?"

"Well, me." She wrinkled her nose sheepishly. "And maybe not quite talk. It's more like I'm getting worried about you."

Ben looked wryly at her. She cut an imposing figure. Tall—made even taller by the four-inch heels she always wore—slim and dressed to kill. Kill competitors, that was. Melissa Sparks was an all-business, no-nonsense, one-hundred-percent goal-oriented investment banker. Much like Ben was.

____________

Stay tuned. Tomorrow I'll post the last first page excerpt. The first page in the first book of an all new series, Speed.

Jess