Erin Richards's Blog, page 10

Spotlight & Review: Grading on Curves

I'm excited and pleased to spotlight and review contemporary romance novel, Grading on Curves by author Tara Mills. This is the third Tara Mills novel I've read and it certainly won't be the last! Be sure to read down to the excerpt and review, then run to get your copy! You won't regret it.

Title:  Grading on Curves
Author:  Tara Mills
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher:  Beachwalk Press
Release Date:  June 14, 2013
Format:  eBook (Paperback TBD)

Available now  at:  
Beachwalk Press
 Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble



Back Cover Blurb:
One-on-one instruction never felt so right—or so wrong.

There's nothing unusual about Mia Page's attraction to the young science teacher at the middle school. After all, she's not the only one who finds him enticing. But when he pulls her son aside to ask for her phone number, she knows she's in serious trouble. Since her divorce four years earlier, she's been out of circulation, choosing to focus on parenting instead, and she's not entirely sure she can handle an entanglement with the sexy Mr. Walden.

There are also other reasons why getting involved with Curt would be a bad idea. He's two years shy of thirty, and she's on the downside of that unmentionable number. He's adamant about never having kids, and she has a son. Even the guy's romantic gifts are suspect. Energy saving light bulbs? He has to be kidding.

On the other hand, he's fun, sweet, and smart. He stimulates her intellectually, emotionally, and Lord help her, physically, opening her eyes to life outside her comfortable world. Yet their differences quietly gnaw at Mia even while she succumbs to their undeniable chemistry.

As their romance deepens, so do Mia's fears that Curt will eventually hurt her. On edge, all it takes is an innocent comment to provoke her into drawing first blood. Mia recklessly wounds Curt, learning only too late that this blade cuts both ways. Frantic to make amends, she fears it might be too late to admit the feelings she's tried so hard to suppress.
Excerpt:            Casey was almost to the Explorer, but Mia barely noticed. Her entire focus was centered on the sexy teacher instead.            She could feel the beads of perspiration popping out all over her at the way his lightweight shirt caught the breeze, billowing out of the back of his sexy-assed pants. Was that linen? It couldn’t be. It draped like rayon but without the wrinkles. Whatever it was, he wasn’t exactly dressed to roam school hallways or stand with his back to a class while he wrote on a chalkboard. She envied and pitied the poor adolescent girls who had to look at that supremely scrumptious derriere every day then suffer each night in a private torture all their own.No, this guy belonged on a beach, seated at an umbrella shaded table with his long masculine fingers curled around a glass of wine.Okay, putting Curt on a beach was probably a mistake. In a flash she had him bounding out of the surf in low slung swim trunks as water ran down his sun-kissed body. She moaned softly at the damp line of glittering hair bisecting his chest. It tapered away across his solid abs then picked up again at his navel as a solid arrow plunging inside his waistband. Mia’s fingers twitched as she did a virtual walkthrough, quite willing to follow that trail wherever it led. Exploration was highly underrated these days.“Mom! Are you coming?”Casey’s call jolted her back to reality. Well, one thing she could say for certain, this fantasy was galaxies better than the usual gloom and doom.Hurrying to the SUV, Mia climbed in and drew her seatbelt across her lap. “Did I hear Mr. Walden say he teaches science?” Silence followed her question. Looking up, she caught Casey giving her a strange look. “What?”“Don’t even think about asking me to pass him a note at school,” he said flatly.Mia broke into a startled laugh. “Are you kidding?”The boy shook his head slowly. “I know that look, Mom. I’ve seen it a hundred times this year, and I’m not doing it. Don’t even ask."  My Review:
  Grading on Curves is my third Tara Mills novel. Need I say more? I keep Tara Mills on my TBR list because her fun, flirtatious, and sexy romances are so good. They make perfect beach reads, or a fun quick read on the weekends, with plenty of substance, excellent & believable characterization, and great storytelling. Whenever I want to veer away from the dark, gritty paranormal novels I read, I know a Tara Mills romance will brighten my mood and satisfy my romance bug.Divorced mom Mia is settled in her life and job and isn’t looking for a man despite her best friend’s nagging her to move on and start dating again. The minute Mia lays eyes on Curt, her son’s science teacher, unexpected sparks fly between them. Some people say you’ll never meet the man of your dreams when you’re looking for him. You have to wait for him to pop into your life out of the blue. Bam. Mia and Curt popped out of the blue and into each other’s lives. But there’s resistance on Mia’s part for various reasons I won’t spoil. Curt, not so much. He knows what he wants…and he wants Mia. Chemistry explodes between Mia and the younger Curt, and you root for them to find their happily ever after. What woman wouldn't want the romantic attentions from a hot younger man? Ms. Mills handles the age difference deftly. The road is a little bumpy and you wonder if they will ever reach their destination, but that's what makes this story and the characters so real. Kudos to Ms. Mills for another delightfully enjoyable and passionate winner.
About Tara Mills  
Tara Mills: I write stories I like to read — contemporary romances with identifiable characters and themes. Life is hard, love makes it bearable.  If you like stories with heart, heat, and humor, I have a title for you.

I’m a pampered wife, lucky mom to three amazing sons and one wonderful daughter-in-law, and I just became a very young grandma. I should probably underline the word very. Oh heck, why not the word young too?  Nah, you get the picture. I’m also the daily monitor of one naughty dog with attitude.


  Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Goodreads | Beachwalk Press | Pinterest

Early Shipping & More!

VIGILANTE NIGHTS is here! I received my boxes of author copies (in hardcover!) a few days ago. I also found out that Amazon is shipping early copies for people who pre-order before its official release date of July 18! Woohoo! I will confess...I can't stop fondling & petting my book! LOL Come on. It's my first hardcover. A dream come true. You'd do the same, right? Buy links for Vigilante Nights.

The Kindle version is available on Tuesday, June 18. Click to order.

If you would like an autographed bookplate for your copy, please email me. Or if you want an autograph for your eBook edition, all my books are available on Authorgraph .

Early Reviews for Vigilante Nights  I received a wonderful review of VIGILANTE NIGHTS last week from a winner of my Goodreads giveaway.

"Vigilante Nights is brilliant for a Young Adult book. It faces the pressure and craziness of teenagers in horrible areas. It's a mystery book with twist and turns at every path, fake or real. Vigilante Nights had me guessing who was the real person who caused the death of Lucas's sister, Silver. For all those romance book lovers out there, Vigilante Nights is a romance, too. And it is a story of revenge."

Read the full review: KittiKat Says Blog.

"This story is also about his metaphorical swim back to the surface after being seized by the undertow. It's his gasp for air, his decision to fight for his life and for what he's lost, and ultimately, move on. He doesn't forget but he finds, with the support of his friends and family, that perhaps he can heal. Bravo, Ms. Richards. Bravo." Full Review.

"Vigilante Nights is a book you won't want to put down." Full Review.

"The story's good; it's well-written, with nicely developed characters. The plot moves along at a swift pace and never lets up. Overall, an interesting and entertaining read." Full Review.

"I was pleasantly surprised to find that I couldn't put it down. This turned out to be, essentially, a nicely paced thriller with some lightweight supernatural elements." Full Review.

VIGILANTE NIGHTS Giveaway and Snippet Sunday!

Merit Press is releasing the eBook copy of VIGILANTE NIGHTS early on June 18, 2013! To celebrate, I'm holding a giveaway of One eBook copy and 1 autographed ARC of VIGILANTE NIGHTS. To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Thanks for entering and supporting me! Good luck!
To tide you over, here's a snippet from VIGILANTE NIGHTS. This is Lucas & Tara's first dance:

I bounced on the sidelines, chugging down over-sweetened punch, until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun on my heel to find Tara smiling at me, her face flushed and radiant. “Where’s Raymond?” I asked.

“Took off with his minions for a few,” she yelled over the booming rock song. Frenzied guitar riffs and pounding drums spilled into a rock ballad. “Looks like you need a dance partner.” She took my hand. Sparks of electricity rushed to my nerve endings.

Tara tugged me onto the crammed dance floor. Not that I resisted. When I folded my arms around her waist, she leaned back into my embrace, putting distance between us. I knew without a doubt that she was different from any other girl I’d met. There was a curious shyness about her. On the flipside, her leading me to the dance floor showed a confidence I found hella fascinating. Loosely, she linked her arms around my neck. I eased back, leaving an inch or two of distance between our bodies, granting her the respect she deserved, even though I wanted her body plastered to mine.

Her heat drew me closer and her heart tangoed against my chest. She tipped her head back, exposing her inviting neck. Of its own volition, my hand brushed aside her scarf, fingers sliding into the silk. Unable to resist further, I kissed her neck below her left ear, feeling a long shiver rise from her toes. Her fresh floral scent invaded my senses, leaving me drowning in a warm, bubbly pool of ether. Drawing away from her neck before I fell into a drugged stupor, I lost myself in our slow dance. When the song ended, we swam in each other’s presence until tropical storm Raymond blew over to us.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaways: Vigilante Nights

Today's the last full day to enter my Vigilante Nights Goodreads giveaway. Don't miss out! Enter to win one of three autographed ARCs of Vigilante Nights and get your chance to read it before it hits the bookshelves! Each winner will also receive swag: key chain, bookmarks, collectible postcards!

Goodreads Giveaway

I also have other giveaway opportunities coming up as I approach and celebrate my release date on July 18, 2013. Keep an eye on my blog and social media for these opportunities! Here are a couple that will include signed final copies of Vigilante Nights, eBook copies, gift cards and swag! Plus, make sure you come back here on July 18 for my release day special! It's going to be good!

Pre-Release Book Blitz Tour (with excerpts):
 Super Swag Sunday: a great giveaway not just for Vigilante Nights swag, but tons of swag and other giveaways from a bunch of YA authors. Check this out! It's huge!:  Post-Release Book Tour (with interviews, guest posts, excerpts, reviews & more!):  

Camdeboo Nights Tour and Author Interview

 I’m excited to host and interview Nerine Dorman as she tours with her exciting paranormal romance novel, Camdeboo Nights. Find out what inspired Nerine to write and what makes her tick! 

Title:  Camdeboo Nights
Author:  Nerine Dorman
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
Release Date:  January 30, 2013
Format:  eBook

Back Cover Blurb (excerpt below):

Helen Ashfield’s world is about to be turned upside down. Is she ready?

Helen Ashfield’s life is complicated. Not only must she adjust to her parents’ divorce, but she has to come to grips with her new school in the small South African Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet. She’s sorely mistaken if she thinks she’s going to slot seamlessly into her new life. Her growing magical powers have attracted the unwanted attention of Trystan, a vampire, who may not have her best interests at heart.

Outcast from his kind for drinking another vampire’s blood, Trystan has been on the run for almost a hundred years from Mantis–the closest thing their kind has to an enforcer. All Trystan wants is an existence of quiet anonymity, but Helen turns his world upside-down.

Helen’s powers also mark her as one of Mantis’ targets. If Mantis gets control of Helen, she’ll change the course of history…for the worse.

Buy LinksAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books 
Nerine Dorman Interview
What country or state do you live in? South Africa What’s your day job (other than writing)? Newspaper sub-editor, writer, fiction editor, film production assistant, driver… I wear many hats. What’s your secret passion? Well-written fanfiction imbibed with hot chocolate and a crackling fireplace. Now that we got all the basics aside, let’s learn a bit more about Nerine and Camdeboo Nights! Was there one book that inspired you to write? What book was it and who is the author? What made it stick with you?  I lay the blame squarely on JRR Tolkien’s doorstep. The first fantasy novel I ever read was The Lord of the Rings and I was never quite the same after that. I think what got me was the fact that the author created an entire world, complete with different races, culture and an epic history. I wanted to create stories like that. I wanted to be in charge like that, especially since I wasn’t fully in control of my own life back then. JRR Tolkien also started me on the road to reading and writing fantasy after I read The Hobbit. He certainly inspired many authors. What inspired you to write Camdeboo Nights? I wanted to write an adventure. It started with the idea of a vampire who is on the run because of some terrible crime, only he finds himself the inadvertent custodian of a very precious person. And I was also very much inspired by my love for the South African landscape, and wanted to write a road trip story to end all road trip stories. What’s the first creative writing you did outside school or a class? From the age of about 11 I started keeping a journal, but at the age of 12 started to write my own fumbling attempts at fantasy stories. Looking back now I see I was writing thinly veiled Highlander fanfics, but it got me started. I think the only time I ever stopped writing was for about three or four years in my early twenties when I listened to a boyfriend’s advice when he told me my writing was too sentimental to ever sell. Well, it turns out he was very, very wrong.  I loved the Highlander franchise! It inspired my love for Scottish historicals and I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland. If you didn’t live where you live now, where would you live? Why?  I’d like to be mobile and spend time in Ireland. I was on a media visit there in 2011 and fell in love with that beautiful country. Other than that, I have family in Australia, so I’d like to spend some time there. Apparently Melbourne is the place to be if you’re a creative. But by equal measure I’d like to do my Great American road trip and spend time hanging out in NYC. London is also on my map, and I’d like to visit the Netherlands and France, where my ancestors come from. Ireland’s beautiful. It’s another placed I’d love to visit. Where else would you like to travel to research your next book? Why?  Ooh, I’ve been threatening to write a novel set in Egypt for donkeys’ years now. If I had the time and resources I’d definitely spend a good few weeks in Egypt poking about the temples and museums. I’ve got a great love for ancient Egypt, which is reflected in a lot of what I write. What’s the best and worst part of being an author?  The best part is that moment when inspiration strikes and all the ideas hook up nicely. The other best part is when the words just flow without effort. The worst part is definitely finding the time to revise. I seem to have a built-in resistance when it comes to getting my butt on the chair to revise – but this part is as important, if not more so, than writing new words so I have to do it at some point. What’s one thing in your book that you took from personal experience?  If I tell you, then I’m going to have to kill you… LOL, just kidding. I admit to borrowing A LOT from real life. People who know me well will be able to tell the truth from fiction. I make no secret that I do sneak stuff in that’s true, but I definitely adapt it and modify it. Life is often stranger than fiction, as they say.  Real life is a great inspiration for an author. Just don’t tell where you got the idea from and you won’t have to kill anyone! LOL. What’s the one thing about you that would surprise people?  Seriously? I’m actually just a big softie. I’m not as hardcore/evil/wicked as people seem to assume from the way I dress and present myself to the world. It’s all just a big front. LOL! I love your author picture! It made me wonder if that’s who you are on a daily basis! So what are your pet peeves (that might turn you into that scary, evil persona)?  People who don’t know their boundaries and try to manipulate others emotionally. Or people who constantly run themselves down to the point that you eventually don’t want to encourage them because you know they’re just going to look for excuses to focus on their negative aspects. My attitude is: life’s shit, let’s get on with it and do cool stuff and have fun. I don’t have time for people who’re on a permanent negative buzz. I’ve had far too many low points in my life. I want to be happy. I agree about the negativity. You can’t let it get you down. Life is full of low points and high points and it makes you real (and not the scary, evil persona LOL). Let’s shake things up and talk about writing. Are you a pantser or plotter?  A bit of both, really. I do like having a basic skeleton but then I tend to move the bones around and add bits here and there in subsequent revisions.  If your book were made into a TV show or movie, who would you want to play the main character(s)?  That’s a hard one. I just don’t *see* their faces in terms of celebrities when I write. I think the only characters that really were over-the-top inspired by real people Ash from my novel Inkarna, and a character in a fantasy novel that I keep seeing a young version of Julian Rhind-Tutt. I guess what I’m saying is that I give enough description so readers can make up their own minds who they’d like to cast. Did you publish the first book you wrote? If not, how many books did you write before publishing your first?  I’m embarrassed to say yes. But I burnt the second one I ever wrote. And I wrote many, many notebooks full of drivel for many years before I wrote my first novel. I don’t even know how many million words which I eventually burnt. None of these stories were finished; I’d get past the first three or four chapters, only to stall.  What was your favorite book as a kid? What’s your favorite book now?  As a kid it was The Lord of the Rings. I bought the centenary edition with prize money I won for achieving academically at school when I was 12, and I still have it. It really fits the bill as a “hefty tome” and I still have it on my shelf. Love the illustrations by Alan Lee.   What’s the best piece of advice given to you?  Don’t be precious about your words.  What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer?  Read a lot, and outside your genre, and don’t be precious about your words.   Give us a hint about your current writing project.  I have a fantasy novel I’m busy editing that I’ll be self-publishing later this year. It features a talking griffin as the protagonist and I have my sincere doubts that any publisher at this point would love chatty griffins, so I’m publishing this one for myself because I love it. Then there’s a middle grade fantasy novel I’ve got to revise that will go on the submission mill for agents and publishers. I seem to be writing and selling short stories to anthologies left right and centre, but I’d dearly love to finish writing the third book in my The Books of Khepera series. Excerpt
Armed with her grandmother’s shopping list, Helen ran out to the familiar silver Volvo, looking forward to speaking with Arwen, only to discover Szandor and another woman with a teased-out mop of white-blond hair waited in the car.

The woman turned icy gray eyes on Helen, giving her the impression that she could read each of Helen’s secrets. She was pale, which wasn’t helped by the funerary aspect of her clothing–a buttoned-up sleeveless shirt with a cameo at her throat. When she moved, an audible swish of many layers of satin and chiffon filled the vehicle.

This must be the aunt. She couldn’t be the mother. The resemblance to Szandor was almost uncanny.

Szandor smiled, but the pleasure did not reach his eyes. “This is Sonja, my sister. Sonja, this is Arwen’s new friend, Helen.” Sonja gave the briefest of frowns before facing the window.

“Uh, hi,” Helen said, wishing that she could be anywhere else but in this car with these peculiar people. The journey to Graaff-Reinet would be just over half an hour but it would feel like an eternity.

Szandor made a sound that was almost a snigger before turning the key. If only Damon were here, but her brother had gone to visit the Prof the instant his chores were done.

They drove in silence, with only the hiss of the air-conditioner as accompaniment, until they left the valley. Then Szandor said, “Did you enjoy the films last night, Helen?”

She thought her heart would explode. Should she lie? Should she allow the story to filter through without some of the pertinent details?

“I… Uh. Yes.” She had watched films after Trystan had walked them home. Granted, she hadn’t been able to concentrate on any of the onscreen action. “Oh,” Szandor said.

She caught a glimpse of his amused expression in the rearview mirror.

Bloody hell, of course he didn’t believe her. What did she expect?

“You haven’t seen or heard anything that you would consider out of the ordinary, have you?” Szandor asked. “Um, no.”

“You’ll tell us if you do, won’t you?” Szandor asked. It was more a command than a question.

“I guess so.” Helen clutched the seat with white-knuckled hands.

Her grandmother’s amused tones echoed in her memory. The whole lot of them, they’re all witches. The father, too. How far would Szandor push his craft? What could he do? Was she in any danger? If there was the superstitious fear of witchcraft that was prevalent among the indigenous Africans…

She’d read a little about the subject a few years previously while researching for a painting for her art classes. Witchcraft was a fascinating topic but she had never expected to ever deal with the real thing. Now her present situation seemed very real and very menacing.

“Where’s Arwen?” Helen hoped to steer their conversation to safer territory. She may as well have said “Nice weather, we’re having.”

“Arwen has been grounded,” Szandor said, his pale gaze reading the road ahead.

Oh heck. He knew.

“Oh.” Perhaps it would be better to say nothing at all then she wouldn’t dig herself a deeper hole. The rest of the ride passed in uncomfortable silence. Helen pressed her face against the glass and hoped nothing more would be said.

She hated deception of any kind. Whenever she lied, she always ended up being caught out. Instead, she watched the passing landscape, where gray-blue spiked agave lined the road in clumps. Every so often jeep tracks led from the road they followed and she wondered where they went. About Nerine Dorman
An editor and multi-published author, Nerine Dorman currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa, with her visual artist husband. Some of the publishers with whom she works include Dark Continents Publishing and eKhaya (an imprint of Random House Struik). She has been involved in the media industry for more than a decade, with a background in magazine and newspaper publishing, commercial fiction, and print production management within a below-the-line marketing environment. Her book reviews, as well as travel, entertainment and lifestyle editorial regularly appear in national newspapers. A few of her interests include music travel, history (with emphasis on Egypt), psychology, philosophy, magic and the natural world.

Author LinksWebsite | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  Camdeboo Nights Buy LinksAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books Blog Tour Participants
  

Sunday Snippet: Lucas and Tara Get Closer

This is the 2nd scene where Lucas and Tara are together and he realizes he wants her in his life. Enjoy!

The door clicked open and Tara returned to my side.
“Hey, thanks for patching me up.” My smile evolved into a pained grimace.
Tara patted my shoulder, her warm fingertips lingering before she handed me a glass of orange juice and cookies wrapped in a napkin. “No problem.” She piled the scattered medical supplies neatly on the coffee table.
I finagled myself into an upright position and downed half the juice. “You saved my life.”
She sat on the edge of the couch, rolled her eyes. “Anyone could have done it.” Her skin turned that edible shade of cotton candy again.
“Riiight. Not those posers.”
Her hand alighted on my arm. Electricity arced between us. Club Tara calling. Her blush deepened. Then as if her internal light flipped on, she leaned against my side and mocked sternly, “Now, Lucas Alexander, tell me what really happened tonight.”
“You sound like my mother.” I groaned, dropped my head back on the couch arm. I probably turned as green as the vines snaking across the golden velour couch.
“I’m not, am I?” Her fingers trailed over the back of my hand ever so softly.
I hadn’t planned to tell anyone else about my new “gang” or my reasons for vengeance, but when her expectant blue eyes reached into my soul, I confessed it all to Tara. Something about her drew me in like rain in the desert, kept my good hand touching her arm, and compelled me to open up in a way I hadn’t ever opened to a virtual stranger.  If you haven't entered my Goodreads giveaway to win one of three signed ARCs of Vigilante Nights you have until June 3 to do so. What you are waiting for?

Also, if you've pre-ordered a copy, be sure to send me your purchase details so I can send you a swag pack. If you haven't pre-ordered, you still have until July 17 to get in on this great deal! More details.
As I approach Vigilante Night's release date and afterwards, keep an eye on the happenings. I have fun and giveaways in store!

New Release Spotlight & Giveaway: Screwed

Today, I'm excited to bring another fantastic Merit Press book to your attention. Screwed is Ms. Plissner's second novel, after Louder Than Words was one of the Merit Press launch books in December 2012.

Title:  Screwed
Author: Laurie Plissner
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Merit Press Books / F+W Media Inc.
Release Date: May 18, 2013
Format:  Hardcover and eBook 

Buy Links:
Amazon
B&N

Goodreads Link Enter to win one of 25 copies at Goodreads! Giveaway ends 6/3/13.    Back Cover Blurb:
Flattered by the attentions of Nick, the cutest guy in school, seventeen-year-old Grace Warren, captain of the math team, lets down her guard and gets pregnant the night she loses her virginity. Hopeful that Nick will drop to one knee and propose when she breaks the baby news to him, Grace is heartbroken - Nick wants nothing to do with her. Her best friend, Jennifer, thinks she should get an abortion, but Grace is certain that her morally upright parents will insist that she keep the baby. After she comes clean to her super-religious, strait-laced parents, they surprise her by insisting that she terminate the pregnancy to avoid humiliating the family. But when she sees the fetus on the ultrasound, she decides she can't get rid of it. Deciding to save the tiny life growing inside of her, Grace must face the consequences of being that girl - the good girl who got knocked up.

Author Links: WebsiteTwitterGoodreadsAmazon Author Page
 

New Release & Review: The Other Side of Heaven

Happy release day to Morgan O’Neill’s The Other Side of Heaven with this gorgeous cover! Congratulations, Deborah and Cary!

After having read Morgan O’Neill’s Roman Time-Travel Series, I knew I had to read their new Italian Time-Travel Series. I’m a sucker for time-travel novels and Morgan O’Neill is on my autobuy list, after all. So I was super excited to read it and happy to post my findings on this auspicious release day!

Title:  The Other Side of Heaven
Series:  Book 1 of The Italian Time Travel Series
Author: Morgan O’Neill
Genre: Historical Romance (Time-Travel)
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Release Date: May 13, 2013
Format:  eBook (Paperback TBD)

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
ARe
Kobo
Google Play

Back Cover Blurb:

Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forbearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time.

At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide.

Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

Review:

The Other Side of Heaven is the first in another time-travel series, this time set in Italy, by the fabulous writing duo known as Morgan O’Neill. I eagerly awaited the series after reading the awesome Roman Time-Travel series and my only disappointment was that it ended too soon and I have to wait to read the next book! It was a quick read that kept me riveted to my seat and wanting to return to it (which is hard to do these days due to my busy schedule).

Our action-packed adventure begins when a witch’s curse causes an earthquake, sending spunky heroine Gwendolyn Godwyn and her newly found cousin Stefano into the past. Again, as with the Roman series, Morgan O’Neill’s attention to historic detail is impeccable as the reader is catapulted into ancient Italy and into the middle of a political struggle involving Queen Adelaide and Count Beranger. The story is crafted around real figures and events (Alberto, Adelaide, and Beranger and wresting control over Northern Italy) so well that you feel like you’re there with Gwen and sharing in this part of history even as she adapts to and takes charge of the harshness of her new reality. The romance is light since Gwen and Alberto are separated for much of the story as they each fight their back to each other. But their love blossoms during their separation, and I can’t wait to see it grow in the next book.

First-rate characterization, impeccable historical details interweaved with fictional events, heart-pulsing danger and an organic romance make The Other Side of Heaven another fantastic addition to the time-travel genre.

About the AuthorsSemifinalist win in the 2011 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition for After the Fall (published as two novels, Love, Eternally and After the Fall)!

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born.
Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years.

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest. (Bio and photo courtesy of Amazon)

Read more about Morgan O’Neill and view their fantastic Pinterest boards at: Author Links:WebsiteFacebookTwitterGoodreadsPinterest 

Happy Mother's Day Funnies!

Here's my ode to Mother's Day in pictures:




  

Snippet Sunday: Vigilante Nights (Lucas meets Tara)

The release date of Vigilante Nights is careening at me at the speed of hot rods on nitro! July 18 will be here in no time. It's time for some fun snippets to get you in the mood!

Here's the scene where Lucas meets Tara, his new neighbor, for the first time:

My lucky stars must’ve aligned in my alternate universe. The mystery goddess was catching rays and reading on her eReader on her front lawn. Bookworm? Girls I used to date only read fashion and gossip rags. Her gazed alighted on me, zipped away, head bowed as if she were studying her purple toenails. I climbed out of the Lexus, practicing my most suave moves. My disjointed efforts backfired big time as my knee buckled and I banged my arm on the open door catching my balance. Stars flickered in my vision as I rubbed my elbow.
“School out already?” Her voice carried to me, sultry and hot enough to melt chocolate. The breeze tousled her hair and she made no attempt to smooth it down.
Wow. My tongue got all tied up for the first time ever. I wanted my initial words to be epic. Stupid Epic refused to emerge from the brain sludge. I strolled over to where she sat Indian style on the new lawn in a loose black T-shirt and baggy cargo shorts. “I need to meet the tow to snag my car.”
“Bummer about your Camaro.” Lacking any grace, she stumbled to her feet, brushing grass off the rear of her white shorts, seeming not to care about grass stains. Most girls I knew would’ve beelined it for the closet. Strangely, I liked that she didn’t care. “I’m Tara Harrison,” she added. She sipped green gunk out of a clear plastic cup.
Her name jingled a distant bell. Dad probably mentioned the family to me during my Summer of Delirium—in honor of Silver, my moniker for the worst summer of my life. The parentals used to visit my hospital room and babble about nothing. The pits of despair kept me from remembering much.
My gaze traveled from Tara’s bare feet to her blonde-streaked brunette hair. Weird flutters plagued my stomach. A freakishly intense need to move closer to her kept my feet rooted to the new sod in a fierce battle. “Lucas Alexander. I live next door.”
“I figured as much.”
Feeling the idiot gene sprout, I mentally kicked myself. We traded an easy laugh, and I resisted the urge to scratch my itchy facial scars.
“You have awesome eyes. Like spring grass.” A blush colored her neck, flushed down her chest.
“Uh, thanks.” Total moron reply. Man, everything had changed after the accident. My defective brain couldn’t keep up with the new Lucas Alexander.
“Do you play football?” A breeze kicked up, and Tara brushed a lock of glittery hair off her eyelashes.
Several disconcerted moments slipped by before I realized I wore my football team polo, the first shirt my hands snagged in the closet that morning. Regret radiated through me. I attempted to unclench my locked jaw. Time to bite the bullet. Beranger told me every time I discussed the tragedy, it’d get easier to tackle. Those hundred bucks an hour weren’t a total waste. That piece of advice was worth a bill.
“Used to,” I mumbled, honing in on a beetle crashing into the damp grass.
“Did I say—” Her eyes grew misty. “Oh, I’m sorry. The realtor told us about the . . . about what happened.”
I waved off her concern. “Where you guys from?”
Her full bottom lip trembled. Honestly, I was glad she’d heard the story. Saved me from having to download the gruesome details.
 That's it for this Snippet Sunday! Hope you enjoyed it!  If you want to pre-order Vigilante Nights, I'm offering a sweet swag deal! Click on the picture below. Otherwise, make sure you enter my Goodreads giveaway for your chance to win a signed ARC and some swag!