Sarah Ballance's Blog, page 67

April 10, 2012

Laura Bickle: "Embers," Salamanders, Swimming Cats, & a G|veaway

Laura Bickle is on fire! To learn more about her work, please click image.


Every now and then I meet my match in, uh, what I think we can fairly call quirk. *Grins.* I firmly believe today is one of those days, and Laura Bickle is definitely one of those authors. (Those of you who have been here a while are equally likely to take that as invitation or warning, and for you, I say . . . thank you for paying attention all these months. LOL!) As for *all* of you, I invite you to settle in and brace yourself for one of the highlights of your day. And since I *know* our guest will leave you wanting more, be sure to stick around to the end to find out how you can win a copy of EMBERS. (You'll be glad you did!)


Welcome, Laura! I couldn't help but notice your web addy, SalamandersTales. There's got to be a story behind that! What is it?


Thanks so much for hosting me today! I'm super-excited to get the chance to meet you and your readers!


I have a minor obsession with salamanders. Okay, a major one.  When I was a little girl, I used to find them under rocks in clear streams. They were pretty rare to find, and I was always excited to see one before it slipped away. They're like secrets – rare and thrilling.


As an adult, I wrote a SPARKS and EMBERS, which deal with an arson investigator and her fire salamander familiar. Fire salamanders are the elemental avatars of fire, and they haven't gotten much press since Paracelsus' time. Sparky, the fire salamander in my stories, likes to gobble ghosts and chew on electrical cords. He spends his nights curled up at his keeper's bed with a Glow-Worm toy tucked under his chin.


Oh, dear. I'm giggling, yet I totally see you saying this with a straight face. I LOVE it! Such a totally original idea. (I never pictured salamanders with teeth, so the electrical cord thing? AWESOME.) Your bio states you and your chief muse co-exist with five "mostly reformed" feral cats. Having had my own less-than-stellar experience with feral cat, may I ask what the most terrifying (or comical) thing they've done has been?


I'm also the crazy cat lady, the Cat Whisperer…or resident sucker. Every tom cat in a ten-mile radius brings his pregnant girlfriends to me.


Funniest story…hmmm. I had one who had a hard time distinguishing between the water bowl and the aquarium. He's blind in one eye, and has depth perception issues. He'd sneak a drink from the aquarium every so often. I have no idea why – extra flavor?


Once upon a time, he fell in. There was flailing, splashing, and howling. It wound up with him cowering under the bed and me with scratches on my arms from trying to help him out. And the fish were traumatized.


After that, I put a cover on the aquarium.


BUAAHAHAHAHAAA! That poor kitty! I'm almost ashamed to laugh, but, um, just *almost.* Man, where's the video camera when you need it? LOL! Okay, I'm trying to get serious here—let's talk about your work. Can you tell readers about your books? How do the books in each series fit together?


SPARKS and EMBERS are probably best summed up as "Ghostbusters in Detroit with dragons and arson." Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya–who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern–suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya–with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team –can stop it.


DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE (by my alter ego, Alayna Williams) are a mashup of magic and science that appeals to fans of the X-Files and Fringe. They're about a criminal profiler, Tara Sheridan, who uses Tarot cards to solve crimes. Tara's a reluctant member of an ancient society of oracles tracing their lineage back to the Oracle of Delphi. In ROGUE ORACLE, Tara and her skeptic partner, federal agent Harry Li, are on the trail of a Chernobyl survivor who's selling nuclear secrets on the international black market.


THE HALLOWED ONES is my YA thriller about an Amish girl who must confront not only a massive disaster unfolding in society at large, but also the darkness brewing in her own community – think "Witness" meets "28 Days Later." It will be out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Graphia teen imprint in Fall 2012, with a sequel in Spring 2013.


Um, wow—that is one intense lineup! I am in awe of your creativity. While I'm scraping my jaw off the ground, fill us in. What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of EMBERS?


Sparky the fire salamander in EMBERS has been around a long time, much longer than his keeper suspects. He's chased vampires with Van Helsing, snuggled with Joan of Arc, and was largely responsible for the Hindenbug disaster.


And he still has his teeth? I'm even *more* impressed. (Seriously, I am so digging Sparky. Epic-genius idea, Laura!) Let's have some fun with EMBERS. What's the first sentence?


Truth burned. It always burned, even in the dark, cold hours of the morning when nearly everything slept.


Oh, wow. That one has me by the throat. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!


A dark giggle rattled through the priest's chest, expelled into the air like condensation.


It was then that she realized that the dream wasn't her own imagination, idly filling in the blanks of the history of St. Florian's ghost.


It was one of Mimi's memories, one of her most treasured ones: the time she drove a priest to suicide.


You're good, Laura. *So* good! Which scene of EMBERS would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?


I think I'd like to experience a slice of life as Sparky the salamander. I'd really like to know what ghosts taste like…and the invisibility power is a bonus.


LMAO! What are you currently working on?


My YA paranormal thriller, THE HALLOWED ONES, is due out in September from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and there will be a sequel too! The heroine is an Amish girl who must confront not only the possible destruction of the world outside, but also the threat of darkness inside her own increasingly fragile community.


You have an amazing body of work, Laura. (Wait. Did that sound like a really bad pickup line or what? Rest assured, Laura and I are each happily married to our respective husbands, so no awkward moments here. Moving on….) Let's take a closer look at the featured title, EMBERS.


EMBERS | blurb & links

Anya Kalinczyk #1


Pocket Books


Mass Market Paperback, $7.99


ISBN: 978-1439167656


April 2010


Unemployment, despair, anger–visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit's unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.


Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya–who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern–suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya–with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team –can stop it.


Anya's accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she's risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she's ever faced.


MORE INFO & BUY @  Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble


Laura Bickle | bio & links

Laura Bickle's professional background is in criminal justice and library science, and when she's not patrolling the stacks at the public library she's dreaming up stories about the monsters under the stairs (she also writes contemporary fantasy novels under the name Alayna Williams). Laura lives in Ohio with her husband and five mostly-reformed feral cats.


AUTHOR LINKS @ Website |Blog| Facebook| Twitter


Thanks so much for hosting me today!


**GIVEAWAY**

My pleasure, Laura! (No, really, I'll be smiling all day after that cat story! LOL.) Readers, as promised, Laura has generously offered to give away a copy of EMBERS, and to enter to win it all you *have* to do is comment with your email address. However, I'd very much love for you to share your funniest, craziest kitty (or other critter) stories. (And I know I don't have to tell you all this, but play nice! No animals harmed, other than perhaps their pride, mkay?)  I'm looking forward to your stories. Have a fantastic day, everyone, and thanks for spending part of it with us!



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Published on April 10, 2012 22:01

April 9, 2012

Award-Winning Author Kathy Reinhart's "Lily White Lies"

Discover the truth within! Click image for more info.


Today I'd like you to meet Kathy Reinhart. She's an author not only celebrated by her readers, but by *accolades,* as she has the honor of adding "award-winning" to her byline. (LILY WHITE LIES is the 2009 winner of Brighid's Fire Books Fiction Manuscript Contest). She's as nice as she can be and really goes out of her way to extend her hand to other authors, and I can't tell you how happy I am to now call her a friend. I hope you'll enjoy her as much as I have!


Welcome, Kathy! Your accomplishments amaze me. As an award winning author, you've been met with a lot of success in your career. How has this affected your direction as an author?


I believe most of us start out looking at our writing as a desire; we desire to become writers, but aren't sure we have it in us. It quickly becomes a hobby with hope; we hope it will become more. Although our far-reaching goals vary, once we hook an agent,  woo a publisher and see our words in print, I believe that only then do we see ourselves as 'working writers'. I think that winning a national fiction contest helped me to take myself more seriously, but hopefully not too seriously.


That speaks so much to your character, Kathy. One of your passions is Ink Drop Interviews, which has a huge following you generously share with other authors. What can readers expect to find there? What drives you to promote your fellow writers in this way?


I truly believe in paying it forward. I think that within this new era of online marketing, many writers – both established and new -  struggle with getting their name and their work out there. My blog grows little by little and I no longer have to put out a call to authors to participate, they are actually coming to me faster than I can publish, so that tells me, that even though my blog is only a tick on the publishing dogs back, it is a sought after service. And I've met a lot of nice people through Ink Drop Interviews, so it's all good.


A tick on a dog's back. LOL! I love your perspective on this (not just the tick part, lol, but the whole wonderful sentiment.) Let's take a closer look at your book. What are readers saying about LILY WHITE LIES? Is there a single comment that has stuck with you? Why?


Lily White Lies has a 5-star rating on Amazon, although it only has 7 or so raters. What I do get a lot of is email and what I hear the most from readers is that they loved the characters. Although they like the main character, it is the secondary characters I get the most feedback about. I just mentioned this in a recent interview I gave and actually had a woman write me to say that she could picture Robert DuVall as Joker Ellis and it was an Aha! moment because that is exactly who I envisioned as I wrote him. So, I guess the comment that sticks with me is the one about the characters.


Wow, how AMAZING for your readers to see your characters *exactly* as you do! What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of LILY WHITE LIES?


Well, the surprise wouldn't be so much with the characters or the plot as it would be with the book in general. I had written the first 27 chapters over the course of 6 months and then set it aside for almost another 6 months. When I read about the national fiction contest, the postmark deadline was only 2 days away. The last 3 chapters were written at warp speed in order to qualify. I really thought the hurried ending would have hurt my chances, but was told later that 'they loved the ending'. Who knew… lol


Geez, woman, you were made for deadlines. I need some of your mojo! LOL. Let's have some fun with LILY WHITE LIES. What's the first sentence?


I wasn't in the mood when he slid his hand up my nightie but I was even less in the mood to argue.


LOL! I can't say I've seen that one before. *grin* What's your favorite line in the book?


Wow, I've never been asked that question in an interview and never gave thought as to how hard it would be to answer. There are so many lines I like, but I'll go with this one…


"…He'd been able to read me like a road sign since our first meeting and now, if there were any particular words that could cause me to melt at his command, he had just said every one of them…"


Oh, wow, what an epic tease. (I am *so* dying to know what words those were!) How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!


"Aunt Karen… last night Gram told me about what happened… to you… at the church." I searched her eyes for a sign of fear or pain to let me know it was time to stop. I had her attention and her expression was one of certainty, as if she were expecting what I was about to say.


What an intriguing excerpt, Kathy. Now I'm so curious as to what happened … and what happens next! Which scene of LILY WHITE LIES was most difficult for you to write? Why?


Probably the goodbye scene between Meg and Brian. He was a domineering egomaniac until that point and I wanted to show him as also being vulnerable. It was a little difficult to find a way to do that within one scene and have it ring true to his character.


That sounds like a powerful moment for both of them. Which scene of LILY WHITE LIES would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?


Would absolutely have to be the cabin scene, after the bachelorette party, and from Meg's POV. Who doesn't love authentic, butterflies-in-the-belly romance?


I know *I* love it! Yummy and melt-worthy. *grin* What are you currently working on?


My current WIP is titled, 'The Red Strokes'.  A little different from 'Lily White Lies' or even 'Missouri in a Suitcase', it explores the full spectrum of emotions between sisters… and beyond.


Sounds wonderful, Kathy! And speaking of fabulous things, let's take a look at LILY WHITE LIES.


LILY WHITE LIES | blurb & links

Meg Embry has a closet full of dreams. Her problem is that all of the hangers are empty. A doting granddaughter, a submissive fiance and a struggling business owner, she doesn't know if who she is is who she wants to be. Will she end up like her kind-hearted but felonious grandfather, her eccentric, vodka-drinking grandmother or her moonstruck aunt? If she's honest, the best answer is none of the above.


Armed with nothing more than the support of her two closest friends and the forbidden but growing interest in a handsome stranger, Meg learns that what she wants isn't necessarily what she needs, and that sometimes love, family and betrayal are bound together forever by lily white lies.


MORE INFO & BUY @ Amazon Paperback or Kindle | Barnes & Noble


AUTHOR LINKS @ Website Under HEAVY construction | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Kathy, thank you so much for dropping in today to introduce us to your book! It looks fantastic, and I can't deny being lured in by what I've seen here. Readers, I'm so glad you joined us, and I hope you'll take a moment to say hello. Have a fantastic day, everyone!


 



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Published on April 09, 2012 22:01

Can You See This? There's Something I Want You to Know.

You---yes, YOU--are awesome. Thanks for being here today! (Photo of my 22-month-old daughter, Lillian, who has spent nearly two years discovering just how elusive hair can be.)


I host a lot of authors—usually 3-4 a week—and while we get loads of comments from readers, those I get from authors tend to share a common theme. Over and over I hear how *we* have a wonderful, supportive community in this little corner of the web. And you'll notice I said *we* and not *I* . . . my name may be at the top, but without each and every one of you, my guests wouldn't feel the support and sense of community you've fostered. It's an honor to hear those words. I've seen time and time again how, through your comments, you show genuine interest in the authors and their stories. For that–for you—I am so grateful.


I know it's difficult to find the time, but there are several readers who do comment, and faithfully. Karen C., Christine W., Pragya, E. Jamie . . . you guys have been here for more than half of my guests and posts over the last 30 days. That is AMAZING. I know you all have so much going on in your own lives, so for you to make such a meaningful gesture here is just awesome.


I'd also like to give a shout-out to those of you who visit from foreign lands. I know I'm just a URL away on your computer, but I'm still thrilled to reach such a varied audience. Following the United States and Canada, readers have come here in droves from the UK, Australia, India, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Mauritius. Rounding out the heaviest hitters are Mexico, Italy, South Africa, Brazil, Denmark, New Zealand, and Romania. I also have some visitors from Hungary, which I love because in my mutt pedigree, I am more Hungarian (25%) than anything else. I don't know what my grandfather would think of romance novels, but I bet he'd be proud to know there's a connection to his heritage. ;c) All said, there are more than 65 countries represented here in the last 30 days alone. Have I mentioned lately how much you guys ROCK?


And, finally, I'd like to give a shout-out to my followers. When my first book , DOWN IN FLAMES, was published in 2010, I didn't even *have* a blog. (I *may* have reserved the name by then, but that was the extent of it.) I never, ever could have imagined I'd have more than 250 followers, and nearly 200 of you follow via email. That means you actually tolerate seeing my name in your inbox every single day, and that blows me away. I can't thank you enough for being a part of this.


As for today, no buy links. This is about YOU. Whether this is your first visit or your 100th, or whether you comment every day or not at all, the fact that you're here is something for which I am truly grateful. You are all a big part of the reason I do this, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Have a beautiful day, everyone!


 


 



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Published on April 09, 2012 08:14

April 7, 2012

04.08.12 #SixSunday with Tide of Lies

Thrilling new romantic suspense! Click image for several electronic formats, including PDF and Kindle/Nook files.


TIDE OF LIES is *now available* from Noble Romance! And for the scoop on the unsolved murders leading to the lies, check out FAMILIAR LIGHT, on sale for $1.50.


Last week, Julia found herself with an unexpected visitor. I had to leave out most of the conversation that followed due to spoilers, which brings us to another unexpected turn.


He helped himself to another beer, carefully pocketing the bottle he'd just drained.


The move quirked her curiosity. The trashcan was well within view, just a couple of feet from where he stood. Why—?


Then she noticed the skin tone gloves on his hands.


And the leer on his lips.


Enjoy your Sunday six sentences at a time!  To see other participating authors, click here.




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Published on April 07, 2012 22:01

April 6, 2012

04.07.2012 #SweetSat Samples: Unforgiven

Riley Beckett's past just came back to haunt her ... and this time he's got a gun. UNFORGIVEN ... click image.


Congratulations to irgl7(at)etc, this week's gift card winner! If you'd like to be eligible for my weekly giveaways of a $10 gift card to Noble Romance or $5 to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner's choice), simply subscribe by email using the box to your left. You'll be automatically entered every week for as long as you remain a subscriber.


Gage and Riley were once lovers, but a deadly twist of fate tore them apart. Now, one year later, they're thrown together by a murder in which Gage was the intended victim and Riley is wanted for the crime.


This sample picks up where last week left off, with Gage saying to Riley, "I need to tell you something."


Great. Nothing good ever came from those words. Not when tired eyes and a look of apology accompanied them. That look.


He continued. "About the drinking—"


Instinct drove her to cut him off. "You quit. I know that." The sureness in her voice surprised her. It didn't betray the unease casing her spine or the hollowness in her gut. Her fingers tingled with the childish urge to cover her ears, to ignore whatever it was drinking had to do with her brother or the accident.


Gage's drinking was ancient history.


Wasn't it?


"Riley, I tried."


Heat flashed red hot to her face. "You tried?"


"I tried."


No, no, no, no. What was he saying? Denial blasted through his words, shielding her from his meaning, building a wall she had no desire to scale. But twelve months of pain demanded clarity. "As in, you tried but did not?"


BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE


For more Sweet Saturday clean excerpts, click here.


UNFORGIVEN

Riley Beckett's past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he's got a gun.


When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage's former lover, Riley. He and she didn't part ways on good terms, and he's not planning to rekindle anything now–not when he's got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.


A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.


BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE



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Published on April 06, 2012 22:01

April 5, 2012

Q&A with Rebel Ink Press

Today I'm pleased to introduce you to Rebel Ink Press. This behind-the-scenes look is brought to you by their staff, so I hope you'll sit back and enjoy the Q&A. ;c)



Welcome, and thanks for joining us today! Can you tell our readers a bit about Rebel Ink Press?  What prompted the creation of the house, and when was it founded?


Rebel Ink will be two this August.  We're the child of five very stubborn and determined people who wanted to make a difference for emerging authors.  We wanted to treat new writers with dignity and foster relationships over contracts and numbers.  We're proud to say we think we've been able to do just that.


It sounds like you've done a fantastic job with your goals, especially considering the roster of authors and catalog of releases already made available to readers. What types of books will they find there? Is there a certain genre or theme you consider to be Rebel Ink's niche?


Readers will find all genre's of romance at Rebel.  While I think our writers represent the field well, readers can expect stories with happy for now and happily ever after type endings.  We don't leave too many loose ends.


That should keep your readers happy! LOL. What sets Rebel Ink Press apart from its competitors?


Well, let me say we don't consider any other publisher to be a competitor.  Rebel is proud to be in the company of many fine small presses and we value our writer's choice to decide the best fit for their stories.


Awesome answer! Are there any special programs, promotions, or incentives for readers?


We hold various contests and promotions throughout the year.  This fall, we'll be celebrating our second anniversary with kindle give-aways and discount promotions.


Hear that, readers? Mark your calendars! *grin* How often does Rebel Ink release new books?  Which formats can readers find at Rebel Ink Press?


We release new stories on the 3rd and 17th of every month and offer epub, html, mobi and pdf file formats for readers.


Fantastic. Any releases (or upcoming releases) you'd like to highlight?


Every Rebel story deserves it's minute in the spotlight!


Fair enough. ;c) Readers, check here for upcoming releases, but don't go yet! What's next for Rebel Ink Press?


Rebel Ink does have a big announcement coming soon but I can't spoil it here–sorry!


ARGH. What a tease, LOL! If an author is interested in learning more about submitting to Rebel Ink Press, what does he or she need to know?


I would recommend interested authors visit our face book page and website and familiarize themselves with our submission guidelines and policies.


Always good advice. How can readers or authors who have questions or want to learn more about Rebel Ink Press contact you?


Visit us at www.rebelinkpress.com to find out about our submission guidelines, titles coming soon, current releases, links to our authors and special events and happenings.


It's a date! Thank you so much for stopping by to talk about Rebel Ink Press. Readers, I hope you've enjoyed your visit with RIP (



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Published on April 05, 2012 22:01

April 4, 2012

TOMATOES IN JULY by Benjamin Pheesh: If You Have a Sense of Humor, You Need to be Here NOW!

You really, really, really don't want to miss this book. Click image ... or else. Also available by phone at 1-888-795-4274 ext. 7879.


I'm not normally at a loss as to how to introduce an author (or an author and his assistants, in this case) so let me just say you guys are going to have to keep a grip on your drinks because this is one pretty wild ride. (Think "The Wonder Years" meets "American Pie," only totally original, LOL!) In the process of researching this interview, I caught an excerpt of TOMATOES IN JULY on Google so I am confident in assuring you really, really need to stay right there and check this out. This book will leave you endlessly entertained and perhaps a tad nostalgic (even if this isn't a window into your own life, surely you'll recognize these characters, lol). So please, join us (far, far) off the beaten path as we get to know the story behind the unforgettable, incomparable TOMATOES IN JULY.


Welcome, Benjamin, Chriss-A, and Am! I've got to say; a person can't read the blurb of TOMATOES IN JULY without getting a scant bit breathless. Can you introduce our readers to the book? (And perhaps bottle some of your incredible energy to sell?) 


First, Thank you so much for this great opportunity!  TiJ is the Best Light read of the Year.  It's a 2-Arm-Fist-Pump plus, a lot of Sex!  It's got heart, soul, and lots of laughs!  It's not a 500 pg novella.  It's actually very ADD friendly! No Adderall is necessary!


See, I'm pumped already! Clearly, your writing style is unique—I love it! But it's also a slant from traditional. Who would you say your primary audience is? 


O, it ranges from 16-86!  Thanks to facebook and other sites with stats thou the biggest age group of fans ranges from 18-24.  But, those 16 yr olds are catching up and most of the 86 yr olds are dying.


LMAO! I think I'm afraid to ask, but I'm going to go for it anyway. *grin* What inspired you to write TOMATOES IN JULY? From where did you get your ideas? 


It was something that I just stumbled into.  I really never planned on writing this book.  Ideas generally came from texts I would send my assistants and often chapters grew from there.  Ideas usually come from many different avenues in life.  Seeing several different relationships start and end either thru my eyes or through friends stories basically was what gave me the idea.  It's endless really.  More importantly, everyone has different problems or issues in life that they need to overcome.  It's important to not take life so seriously that it ruins the person you want to be and at the same time those very same issues will mold you into the person you become.  So it's important that no matter how crazy or terrible or great things become you should try to always keep a level head. Never let the lows take you too low and never let the highs take you too high.  You have to roll with things and brush the dirt off your shoulder.  Jay-Z will tell you.  However, I know my opinion is just that and It is easy to think you're always right so instead of just trusting just my instincts I like to try to involve my "assistants" in the book to get a few different female points across as well.  My immensely helpful assistants also helped me with editing and injecting their thoughts throughout the story.


All jokes aside, those are some very wise words about the ups and downs shaping us. Now that you've gotten all philosophical on us, lol, how about scooping us on the story. What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of TOMATOES IN JULY?  


The ladies of TOMATOES IN JULY


That it's just part 1!  There's plenty more coming.  Tomatoes in July is about Sex, Drugs, Partying and Relationships…  It's just one crazy surprise after another.  Benjamin uses his "assistants" and text messages as a vehicle to drive the story.  The character development in Part 2 is much more in depth.  It's very exciting and we can't wait to start the publishing process again.  Narrowing the publishing companies down is something that we never anticipated and can't wait to decide on a Publisher that sees and believes in this series as much as we do.


Gotta say, narrowing down to one publisher is one *heck* of a great problem to have, LOL! Let's have some fun with TOMATOES IN JULY. What's the first sentence? 


Ok!  Chapter 1, Chronicle 1  During a rainy June and an even crappier July, the summer of 2009 was shaping up to be yet another shitter…    (in this font which gets a lot of compliments as well a fair amount of hate.)


Unfortunately my blog won't show the font, but it's "marker felt" and personally I think it fits the mood and the tone of the book *perfectly.* It's practically another character! (No, really. Google it!) What's your favorite line in the book?


"I Hit All Ribs!"  Is pretty much the best to me!  It's hard to narrow it down but that's definitely one of my favorites.  My assistants prefer "Irregardless, and there's no such word".  It's used rather frequently.


I read that in the excerpt, and I will say the usage I saw was freaking awesome. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!  


How about 4! No?..


So Benjamin, being the boozed-up comedian he was, without even considering the consequences and basically assuming that everyone in America has two arms, asked the random girl he had just met, "What, do you only have one arm?!" He proceeded to actually hit her arm! The only problem here was that she really only had one arm!


I read that section, too. HILARIOUS! And I loved her response, too. *grin* Which scene of TOMATOES IN JULY was most difficult for you to write? Why?


The end was really hard because I didn't want it to end but I was so excited to start Part 2 and get a whole new list of characters into the mix I couldn't rewrite and revise anymore.  The character development in the 2nd book is way more stimulating.  I'm not gonna lie I really had no idea what I was doing at first but at the end of the day after so many revisions I realized you have to just say enough is enough and move on.  Cause you could revise forever.  Well I could.  Ps. The World is not ready for Escalade Washington.. (#2nd book deets)


LOL! I'll consider myself warned. ;c) I think I'm actually afraid to ask this question, but I'm going to do it anyway. Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV? 


Benjamin and I have a lot in common but I'd have to say the part where he gets the bright idea to take mushrooms before going to the doctors office and walks around the city would be a Prett-Tee eye opening experience.


It would definitely be for me, as I've never been so naughty in my life! (No, really, I haven't.) Okay, let's close this with a bang. What are you currently working on? 


Part 2! Specifically, the chapter called "C ode".  It's so great to be wrapping up this 2nd book!  It's been a lot of fun and will take the TiJ series to another Level.  It's literally and figuratively changing the way people read books!  E-book readers will hopefully be able to listen to the music tracks Benjamin lists at the beginning of every chapter.  In theory it will help the reader get into the mood and there is also going to be an official Soundtrack released with the book as well.  It will be posted on facebook soon but people have been telling me to wait until I'm closer to the actual release date of the 2nd book.  Old fashion book readers will have to look the songs up but I feel that's probably more their style anyway.


LMAO! (I'm suddenly feeling old, but that was still funny.) Okay, now the moment you've all been waiting for … a chance to see what the book is all about.


TOMATOES IN JULY | blurb

The setting is in New York City, New York's SoHo neighborhood! It's Hot! it's July! This is the Tomatoes inc. first super mint novel. Tomatoes in July encapsulates the dangers single mid-twenty's kids can have in a veryyy Drunk, (actually, there's drunkenness everywhere), often drug infused state and yet all the while they are still somehow able to remain organized enuff…moreThe setting is in New York City, New York's SoHo neighborhood! It's Hot! It's July! This is Tomatoes inc. first super mint novel. Tomatoes in July encapsulates the dangers single mid-twenty's kids can have in a veryyy Drunk, (actually, there's drunkenness everywhere), often drug infused state and yet all the while they are still somehow able to remain organized enufff to run a great fantasy football team! Ps. There's more then enough vocab abbrevs, so try to keep up! This is summer! This is one boy's wild July from three perspectives. (From time to time, Benjamin's assistants interject to keep the story straight). It's a two-arm fist pump, plus a lot of sex! For the latest on Benjamin Pheesh and the newest info on the 2nd book please find us on facebook @ Tomatoes in July.


MORE INFO & BUY @ PUBLISHER | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE


TOMATOES | author bio & links

The author was born in the good ol U S and A and he currently resides in New York City. A young whippersnapper, he is a self-proclaimed RPS champion and he also massages the beat to his drums regularly when he is not busy using his girthy digits to type. Tomatoes Inc. is a creation of the author's which combines his thoughts through a variety of narratives, mostly, his fantasy football team "Assistants".  They do their best to help keep the authors story straight.  This is their first of an amazing three-part series.


HOOK UP @ FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS


Benjamin, Chriss-A, Am … you guys are a freaking blast. Thank you so much for joining me today. (Is it just me, or does it *really* feel like Friday?) Readers, I hope you've enjoyed this look at TOMATOES IN JULY. I highly recommend you check out an excerpt – it's addictively entertaining and well worth the peek. Thank you all, and have a great officially-declared long weekend. (It may not be Friday, but the mood is there, so "long weekend" it is, LOL!)



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Published on April 04, 2012 22:01

April 3, 2012

Spotlight on "A Very Southern Affair" by Elaina Lee

For full info and links to all formats, including autographed PRINT copies, please click image.


Elaina Lee's latest release is a fantastic romantic comedy packed with laugh-out-loud moments you're gonna love! Want to know more? Here's my full review:


A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR is a delicious romp through the blistering south, where everything that can go wrong does, and with delightful comical style! Elaina Lee's tale of southern dignity gone awry is a laugh-out-loud encounter with some of the most endearing, amusing characters you'll ever read.


Hollee Emmaleigh Rutherford has a problem. Kaiden Thorne is in town, and the last thing she wants to feel for him is a simmering attraction. It's his job to secure a real estate deal, and as town-liaison-slash-bridal-consultant it's hers to make sure Kaiden and his investment dollars meet a warm (not to mention profitable) welcome. To her dismay, most of the town thinks Kaiden is out to ruin everything, and until you've seen these folks up in arms, you've not seen anything. Disgruntled and threatened by the appearance of a bona fide yankee, the townsfolk of Belleville embark on a misguided hodgepodge of strategies resulting in one hilarious moment after another as they seek to oust Kaiden and his big city plans.


As for Kaiden, he doesn't know what hits him. From his opening scene, where he's hopelessly lost and inadvertently (one might assume) punked by a guy on a lawnmower, you've got to love the unenviable Mr. Thorne. His northern roots can't seem to get a grip in the deep southern loam, and his bewilderment is so endearing you almost feel bad laughing … almost. Things, a'course, go careening downhill from the encounter with Lawnmower Man. Less than 24 hours after Kaiden's arrival in Belleville, he is deviously displaced from his hotel and forced to spend his nights in Hollee's large, empty home, which could not possibly be big enough for the two of them–not with the town at the ready for the next piece of gossip, and certainly, absolutely not with the secret Hollee keeps from Kaiden. The Belleville experience not-so-graciously provides Kaiden with any number of reasons his desire for Hollee has bad idea written all over it, but the truth–another hysterical tidbit from the comedic brilliance that is Elaina Lee–is not one he ever saw coming.


A charming tale of when north meets south, A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR will keep readers endlessly entertained while they fall hopelessly in love with rural Belleville and its cast of eccentric, loyal inhabitants. This marriage of southern charm and Elaina Lee's flawless comedic timing will leave readers clutching their sides in laughter. It's an AFFAIR you won't soon forget, and that's but one of many reasons this one belongs at the top of your list of guilty pleasures!


MORE INFO & BUY @ SMASHWORDS (EBOOK) | AMAZON (PAPERBACK)


Note: ARC provided



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Published on April 03, 2012 22:01

April 2, 2012

New Release: TIDE OF LIES by Sarah Ballance (Yes, that's ME!)

TIDE OF LIES is now available from Noble Romance! Click image for more information or to grab it for yourself.


It's been a long time coming, but the day is finally here: TIDE OF LIES is now available from Noble Romance! You can pick it up from Noble in your choice of Adobe PDF, HTML, EPUB, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader, or Mobi4Kindle formats, and from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other third party sites within a week or two.


BONUS OFFER: Like freebies? Stay with me until the end. I might have a little something for you. *grin*


Last week I posted the opening scene, which you can read here. In it, Detective Holden Whitlow finds out his latest crime victim is asking for him by name, which gives her the upper hand, as he has no idea who she is. Today I'm continuing where we left off as Holden heads to the hospital to interview her, only to find far more than he bargained for.


TIDE OF LIES | blurb

A devastating secret. A shocking betrayal. A deadly obsession.


Haunted by three unsolved murders, Detective Holden Whitlow is stunned when his cold case takes a heated turn. Julia Cohen, his ex-lover, is back in town, and in the face of a brutal attack she's ready to run. No matter how tightly she holds her secrets, for Holden, turning away from the woman he's spent a decade trying to forget isn't any more an option than walking away from his job . . .even when it threatens to cost Julia her life.


Julia is still reeling from a past she can't bear to face. When she becomes the target of a killer, fate throws her back into Holden's arms, but she's yet to recover from a truth that has stripped her of everything—and everyone—she loves. Will she tell him the secret that will destroy him, or will her lie destroy them both?


TIDE OF LIES | excerpt

Julia Cohen. The name wasn't familiar, but the nagging feeling Holden should know it tailed him all the way to the hospital. The unease kept him company in the otherwise empty elevator where he now stood, thumbs hooked in his pockets with his fingers tapping his thighs. The numbers above the doors lit in rapid succession before landing on six with a quiet ping.


Julia . . . Julia . . . .


The doors slid open to reveal a bustling nurses' station. Ahead, a uniformed officer leaned against the wall, saving Holden the trouble of asking directions. He flashed his badge to the desk nurse and made his way down the hall, sidestepping an elderly woman in a wheelchair and food cart with a stack of covered dishes. The smell of the waiting dinners made his stomach rumble, reminding him he'd skipped lunch.


His stride faltered as he neared the room. He should have stopped for an update on Ms. Cohen's condition. Now, thanks to his bull-nosed curiosity, he had no idea what to expect. With a nod to the officer, Holden knocked lightly on the door, and then waited a few seconds before letting himself in.


Afternoon sunlight bathed the room in an earthy glow, casting a deep shadow over her face and masking her identity from him. His only clue was the shape of the blankets draped over her, which suggested her frame was slight, her height petite. Lacking anything else to go on, Holden took her name for another spin. Julia . . . .


"You cut your hair," she said.


Startled, Holden drew his hand to his head, his palm pressing the soft spikes aside.


Quiet laughter met his ears. "You didn't know?"


Holden squirmed inside, feeling every bit the schmuck for not recognizing her, though she clearly felt she knew him. But her voice . . . it might have been familiar if not for the dry, raspy undertones—a beating could do that to a person, though. Damn. His victim knew him—or thought she did—and he hadn't a clue who she was. After the trio of murders hit Barrier Shoals, he'd had plenty of cameras shoved in his face. Was she one of those so-called murder groupies? Either way, she had the advantage. If he could only see her . . . he struggled with the urge to turn on the overhead light, eliminating the shadows. Grasping, he tried to remember when he'd last made a change to his hair.


Seventeen. Right before his first semester of college, his mom pleaded with him to ditch the shaggy surfer cut—something to do with the world not taking him seriously with his hair in his face. She equated grooming with respectability, and Holden had fast learned the fine art of choosing his battles. Maybe that's why he felt for the kid standing in his socks at the crime scene—Holden had been there and done a little too much of that.


But choosing battles wasn't the only thing Holden had done that summer.


He'd been engaged . . . .


Recognition slammed into him.


"Jules." His voice broke. He tried to hide it by clearing his throat. This was a hellfire state of awkward. It wasn't every day a man ran into the woman who'd made a dizzying, mind-blowing play for his virginity . . . and won.


That part had been amazing. The rest, he had just tried to forget.


Finding his feet, he dragged a chair to her bedside and sank onto the hard vinyl. He fiddled with his fingers for a long moment, finally looking up from the floor tile to find her eyes. Closer now, he knew without a doubt it was her. "I never knew your last name." Or, it seemed, her first.


Jules—Julia—held his gaze. "I don't guess I gave you much of a chance to learn it," she said, her voice soft and . . . wistful?


He swallowed, choking back an unexpected tide of emotion. "No, you didn't."


Her luminous green eyes poured over him. The darkness of the room couldn't entirely overshadow their brilliance, nor did it hide the beginnings of some nasty bruises, but that one look did a fine job of putting to rest any ideas he ever had about being over her.


His heart squeezed in his chest. Do your job. "What happened?"


She leaned forward, and Holden automatically reached to help adjust the pillows behind her back. His fingers grazed hers over the corner of the pillowcase. The passing touch sent his stomach on a wild plummet, any chance of forgetting their past lost to the force of gravity tugging on him like a black hole.


"I was on my way to see you," she said, drawing him from his thoughts.


"Me?" His voice came out as a manly squeak. Great. "May I?" He reached for the light, adjusting it to the lowest setting when she nodded. God help him, he had to see her again.


"Yes, you. I heard you were lead detective on that stalker case that was just in the news." Julia toyed with the bedspread, rolling it between her thumb and forefinger. "I wanted to get in touch with you. For years, actually. But after the way I left, I didn't know what to say."


Holden tensed, but remained quiet. By all appearances, the recent case had ended in suicide and would be off his desk—if not his mind—as soon as the routine investigation was closed.


"It was complicated," she said. "I couldn't . . . ." Her eyes grew shiny, but the tears didn't come.


"It's okay, Jules," he said, ignoring the part of him screaming to know why she had ducked out without a word so many years ago. The blow he took to his ego was to be expected—any guy who gave up his virginity only to have the girl bolt would be inclined to feel like a chump—but the stabbing ache in his heart back then had been a surprise. "Can we talk about what happened today?"


She nodded, the tears holding their ground, unshed. "Like I said, I was on my way to see you. Not long ago I started getting . . . notes. I didn't think much of them at first, but when I heard about the stalking a couple of days ago, I got worried."


Holden had been worried, too. Earlier that week, his old friend Laney Kent had been attacked and left for dead by her jealous co-worker. Although Holden's initial assessment drew parallels to the unsolved murders, Laney's case—unlike those in his past—had been resolved. "We got the guy," he said, his voice low.


Julia tipped her head, her gaze piercing him. "I know. But it made me think twice about the notes I'd gotten."

The nagging feeling returned. "Tell me about them."


"They started out more in the style of a secret admirer. Compliments on my hair or my outfit. A line about how he smiled every time he thought of me. Flattery, you know?"


He nodded. "Any idea who they were from?"


"No. I just assumed it was someone trying to be cute. Four days of those—six notes total—then they changed, and it really started to creep me out. He was so specific he had to be watching me. He'd tell me he was displeased when he saw me smiling at the cashier when I got coffee that morning. Or I shouldn't have eaten those fries with lunch because I'd ruin my figure. Like he was looking over my shoulder, you know?"


Holden gave another slight nod. "Did he give any details about himself?"


"No . . . I just assumed it was a man. I wasn't sure, but I brought the notes. They're in my"—her eyes widened—"my purse! Holden, did anyone find it?"


"What does it look like?" he asked, pulling his phone from his pocket. He relayed the details by text to Bear. "My partner is on the case, and as he likes to tell it, his closure rate is pristine. I'm sure he won't let a handbag thwart him." Holden smiled, hoping he sounded reassuring. "Where do you live now?"


"Atwood. It's a couple hours away."


He knew a uniform with Atwood PD. Holden made a mental note to ask about any similar cases there. "I know it. Did you report any of this to them?"


"I didn't think there was anything to report. I mean, I started thinking of what happened here before and got freaked out, but I didn't think the cops would care about a couple of notes, especially considering there were no threats made. Nothing actually happened until today."


"So you came to see me?" Holden did his best to speak over the little lump of curiosity in his throat. He'd never wanted to completely forget the time he spent with Jules—the problem was he couldn't forget how it ended. And after years of safekeeping in a corner of himself he seldom acknowledged, having those old feelings ripped raw unsettled him. Seeing her bruised, however, was far worse. Protective instincts prowled the fence he'd erected around his heart, the resurfaced feelings looking for a hole through which to charge.


Holden could not—would not—go there again. But his determination made her eyes no less green, the bruises no less real.


Julia shifted in the bed, dragging his attention to the shape of her legs under the blanket. His mind jumped to memories of plunging between them. His initial strokes—tentative and awkward—had fired into a two-week long, unholy streak of sin from which he'd yet to recover.


Julia showed no outward signs of sharing his thoughts, but how could she? She only knew half the story, and she'd left him the hell out of hers. He didn't know what made her run, but it was just as well. If her secrets had anything on his, they were both better off in the dark.


She tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear and blew a shaky breath. "It's like I said. I started to worry. I asked . . . well, I cleared my schedule for a couple of days. I wanted to talk to you. There are some things I need to say." Her voice wavered, but her eyes never left his.


Holden rocked back in the chair, unsure if they were stepping around the past or headed right for it. Either way, there was a big white elephant in the corner of the room, and the sun glinting off the damn thing nearly blinded him. "We can talk later about . . . whatever you need to say to me. I need to know about the attack." He paused, finding her gaze. "If our past is too much of a distraction, I can have someone else interview you."


Her eyes flashed with indignation. "Holden Whitlow, if you think—"


"Wait." That spark of emotion from her sent his mind on a skid. Something didn't make sense. Bear reported the perp had beaten Julia within an inch of her life, but she seemed miles from it. Holden wouldn't peg her as cheerful, but this was far from a deathbed conversation. She'd joked with him . . . she'd smiled. He sat up straight and leaned toward her. "How badly were you beaten?"


She blinked, all traces of anger faded from her expression. "What? How do I even answer that?"


Searching for a new approach to his question he asked, "Were you unconscious?"


"No," she said, a small grin lighting her face. "I pretended I was. Thought he might quit if he thought I was out."


"And the bruises?"


"I haven't exactly seen them yet, but he did hit me in the face—twice. By the second punch, I realized he meant business, so I stopped fighting and fell. He kicked me a few times, but I don't think he made a solid connection. I just balled up and went limp."


"That move probably saved your life," he said, studying the early bruising circling each of her eyes. A raw scrape on her cheek didn't hide the darkening there.


She smiled. Bittersweet and sad, it didn't reach her eyes. "I have a lot to live for, Holden."


He fiddled with his hands, biting back the urge to ask her to elaborate. Who or what had put that wistful tone in her voice? "Can you tell me what happened during the attack? How did he approach you?"


"I didn't see much. I got off the bus at the corner and headed west toward my hotel, the Beacon Inn. Next thing I knew, I'd been grabbed and dragged away from the sidewalk, behind the store."


Holden nodded. The gas station sat on a corner lot, and west took her right beside the abandoned convenience store, giving her attacker easy cover. "When did he hit you?"


"I didn't make it easy for him at first. I fought him until we turned the corner of the building away from the street, when he just let go. I probably should have run, but I was so surprised I turned to look at him. Ski mask," she said, answering the question he'd yet to ask. "That was all I saw before he hit me. The second one came immediately thereafter."


"So you were near the building when you went down?"


"Right beside it."


"You were found across the parking lot," he said. "Do you remember getting yourself over there?"


"Yes, a little while after the attack."


Her voice was so soft it pained him. He couldn't imagine how scared and alone she must have felt lying there. "Did you go in the bathroom at any point?"


She wrinkled her nose. "I've always avoided gas station bathrooms. Today was no exception."


"When did you begin to move?"


"He stopped kicking me. I counted to a hundred . . . about five times." She laughed, sadly, and the self-depreciation tore through him. "I don't know how long it was, but when I figured he was gone, I started crawling across the lot. My vision was blurry and everything hurt. I didn't want to chance running into him again, but don't know what choice I had. I hoped someone—someone else—would see me."


"Someone did." The kid with the skateboard. "What can you tell me about the man who attacked you? His build? Height? Did you see his eyes?"


"Gray eyes. Cold and dark, like the person behind them was dead—soulless. He was taller than me, but then again, who isn't?" She laughed again. "Nothing extraordinary."


"Did he say anything?"


She shook her head. "Not a word."


"Were all of the notes delivered in Atwood?" When she nodded, he asked, "Do you have any reason—even if it's a gut feeling—to think this was related to the notes?"


Julia bit her bottom lip, and then winced as if it pained her. "No," she said slowly. "I guess I don't. No real reason. Maybe if not for knowing the guy was still out there . . . but from what I've read about your unsolved cases, the pattern fits. It just seems a bit much to chalk up to coincidence."


Holden couldn't argue with that, but thus far he knew of no real evidence connecting the cases. His next step would be to remedy that. He wasn't one to put much faith in coincidences.


Of course, he hadn't believed in ghosts, either.


Until now.


Want more? Learn the story that leads to the LIES by checking out FAMILIAR LIGHT, an All Romance eBooks best seller (I have the star to prove it, LOL!) now only $1.50 from Noble Romance. Want to skip the LIGHT? No problem. TIDE OF LIES stands alone, so no need to go anywhere but the link below. *grin* And if you want a closer look at TIDE, check out my Six Sunday excerpts—they'll carry you through the story six sentences at a time! ;c)


Click here for more info or to buy at Noble Romance.


Click here to read the opening scene on my blog.


Click here to peruse Six Sentence Sunday snippets of TIDE on my blog.


**GIVEAWAY**


As I mentioned, the story begins with FAMILIAR LIGHT, and I just happen to have a few PDF copies to give away. (I only have PDF this time around, guys, but you can grab Nook or Kindle copies through B&N or Amazon if you prefer). If you'd like a free PDF copy, be sure to mention it in your comment with your email address and I'll send one your way **while supplies last.** I'll update the post when the giveaway closes, so until then, ask away!


THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF MY "TIDE OF LIES" RELEASE!


 



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Published on April 02, 2012 22:01

April 1, 2012

Ella Jade in "Crossfire of Love" (& a G|veaway!)

Get caught in the CROSSFIRE! Click image for more information.


We're kicking the week off with the very ambitious, seriously productive Ella Jade, who is making her move on the world of romantic fiction with a number of hot new releases. We're going to chat about her new one today, but it's just the tip of her iceberg, as she's on FIRE, having just signed her seventh contract in just one year. And, awesome for us, she came with a copy of her book to give away, so let's get to know her a bit before we try to wrestle it out of her hands. Shall we?


Welcome, Ella, and congratulations on the recent release of CROSSFIRE OF LOVE, which is but one of your many successes. Can you tell us how your writing career started?


Thanks so much for having me today.


I've been a writer for as long as I can remember. The plots and dialog have always played out in my head, but I never knew what to do with them. That all changed when I discovered the eBooks industry. Now I have a place to share my words.


Ebooks have definitely opened a few doors for many of us, and many, many doors for you! *Grin*How has the moment when the contract arrives changed from the first to the most recent? Do you still feel the same thrill?


It's crazy because this time last year I had nothing published. So, to think I just signed a contract for number 7 blows my mind.


Receiving word that a publisher wants my book is always a thrill for me.  I'm not confident enough to come to expect it. I probably won't ever be to the point where I think just because I wrote it, they want it.


I *so* hear you on that, and I love your appreciation for every moment. That's amazing to see! Getting to CROSSFIRE OF LOVE, can you introduce our readers to the story?


Crossfire of Love is a contemporary romance that tells the story of Lorenzo and Gabriella Martinez.  They come together under unconventional circumstances, and have to find a way to live together.


You can't miss with a situation such as that! What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of CROSSFIRE OF LOVE?


Chapter one begins with Lo and Gabby's wedding night. The reader quickly learns their union has been arranged by their fathers.  Gabriella has always wanted Lorenzo, but she wanted them to fall in love first. Lorenzo is captivated by her and jumps at the chance to marry her.


Oh, that's one heck of a way to kick things off! Let's see how it happens. What's the first sentence?


Gabriella Martinez sat in the back seat of the black stretch limo, staring down at the huge platinum diamond engagement ring and matching wedding band adorning her finger.


Right into the action! What's your favorite line in the book?


I have to set it up…


"Gabriella." He advanced her again and placed his hand on her shoulder. "This isn't an open marriage. I don't care how much of a sham you think this is. I will not be having sex with anyone else."


She nodded and swallowed hard. She felt his warm breath on her lips and the ache between her legs increased. In all the years she'd known him, she'd never seen him so serious. It scared her a little, but at the same time it excited her. What was he doing to her?


"And neither will you."


That last line is a KILLER! I *love* it! How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!


She'd spend many years scribbling his name in her notebook after that day. Her favorite thing to write was Mrs. Lorenzo Martinez. Sometimes a girl should be careful what she wished for.


Those words really draw the reader to the same place as your heroine. Who hasn't done that? I think with that we can immediately relate to her on an intimate level. Which scene of CROSSFIRE OF LOVE was most difficult for you to write? Why?


Something happens to Lorenzo toward the end of the book. I remember thinking if I were Gabriella I'd be devastated. There were some raw emotions I had to tap into, but I think those scenes helped Gabriella to grow as the heroine.


Don't worry…there is an HEA!


Oooh, sounds intense! (I really want to read this now, so I think you just gave a winning answer, LOL.) Which scene of CROSSFIRE OF LOVE would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?


Probably Gabby and Lo's first time together. It's sweet and sexy and written from Lorenzo's POV. I'd want to explore her POV for obvious reasons ;)


Now *there* is a tease! *Grin* Before we scope out the blurb, can you tell us what you're working on now?


I always have several WIPs brewing. I hope to finish up two in the next couple of months.


I have an upcoming release with Beachwalk Press called Make Me Stay scheduled to release on 7/16/12. It's a contemporary, BDSM romance.


I love the title! Okay, readers, let's learn a bit more about CROSSFIRE OF LOVE, sneak a look at Ella Jade herself, then I'll let you know how you can win an e-copy of the book. Stay with us!


CROSSFIRE OF LOVE | blurb & links

Can an arranged marriage lead to love?


Recent college graduate Gabriella has finally married the man of her dreams, the older, charismatic attorney Lorenzo Martinez. She's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember and always imagined they'd one day find their happily ever after. Unfortunately, they enter into a union arranged by their fathers.


Lorenzo is charming, protective, and loyal to his crime lord father Carlo. When Carlo asks Lorenzo to marry Gabriella he jumps at the opportunity. He's been drawn to her for many years and knows by marrying her he's helping to protect her father.


Gabby is resentful and won't be Lorenzo's charity case. But sparks fly and the couple soon gives into their desire, realizing they were meant to be together.


What happens when Carlo's enemies threaten their future? Will someone get caught in the crossfire?


Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence


MORE INFO & BUY @ PUBLISHER | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE


ELLA JADE | bio & links

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBooks industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.


Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing and scrapbooking. She hope's you'll get lost in her words.


MORE INFO & FOLLOW @ BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER


**GIVEAWAY**

Want to win an ecopy of CROSSFIRE OF LOVE? Simply comment with your email address and you'll be entered in the random drawing. And if you're up for it, I'd love to know if you've ever scribbled someone else's name down with your own, a la "Mrs. YourName What'sHisFace" (not to exclude the guys, but did they even do that? LOL). If so, whatever happened to your crush? I can't wait to read these answers, so bring 'em on! I'd like to thank you each and every one of you for helping us kick off the week. Ella, it's been awesome, and I wish you all the best with your books!



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Published on April 01, 2012 22:01