Krista Ames's Blog, page 103
October 20, 2013
1Night Stand's 200th Book Birthday Celebration with Starla Kaye & a giveaway !!!
....read all about her!
Please welcome a guest post by Starla Kaye in honor of the Decadent Publishing's 200th book birthday of the 1NS series !!
Don't forget to leave a comment at the end along with your email because she's got some surprise goodies to give away too!
****
Dreaming Up a Secret Wish
Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series is celebrating their birthday this October and I’m celebrating, too. It was my honor to have been one of the early authors writing for the line. At this point I have had two books published in the series: Maggie’s Secret Wish and Starting Over. Eventually I hope to write additional stories for this popular series.
I loved the idea behind the series. 1NS is the business name of an exclusive online dating service owned by Madame Evangeline. The initial goal of the arranged evening is a one-night stand, with each character having a reason for seeking such a date. The encounters can take place anywhere in the world and each story must have an HEA or HFN ending. When I read the basic guidelines, I became intrigued, challenged to come up with a believable erotic romance.
As usually happens with me, I came up with the title first: Maggie’s Secret Wish. From that, I knew my heroine’s name would be Maggie. Additionally, she had a secret wish. That wish had to be special, something she wouldn’t easily admit to anyone else.
I believe that many of us are like Maggie, in that we lead lives where we present a certain image to those we work with, have acquaintances with, or share our basic lives with. A lot of us have another side that we show to very few people. That protected image of ourselves knows our innermost fears, longings, dreams…secret wishes.
Maggie leads a somewhat dull life as a website designer. The men she typically dates are oh-so-boring, but deep inside her, she wants more. She reads erotica, dreams of doing much more than just slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am sex. And she has a secret interest in light BDSM, mainly about spanking. This isn’t something she would share with her family or friends. Yet she fantasizes about having at least one encounter with a man who is not vanilla, a man who is willing to show his dominate side.
Fortunately for Maggie, Madame Eve somehow knows her secret wish…and she knows the right man to fulfill it.
EXCERPT:
She gaped in horror. Five emails from Madame Evangeline. Five! What about her message had captured the matchmaker’s attention enough to have her keep trying to contact Maggie? The spanking stuff! Oh, jeez. That had to be it. Nothing else about her basic info could possibly draw a stranger’s interest.
Fingers shaking, she opened the first message.
I’m so pleased you contacted me, Ms. Malone. I’m sure that I can find someone perfect for you. Please email me back so we can discuss this further.
Palms sweating, she opened the next message.
I’ve done a basic background check on you, Maggie, as I’m sure you’re aware I do for all my clients. Your websites are quite well done, unique. I could see your special imaginative flare. I noticed it in your query message as well. I’m positive I can find the perfect match for you. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Maggie drew in a nervous breath. Madame Evangeline had mentioned imaginativethings in her original email, certainly meaning the fantasies. How embarrassing. Yet she opened the third message.
I know exactly what you need, my dear Maggie. You need time away from your work, time to satisfy your secret desires, time to let a very special man attend to your every wish. I eagerly await your response.
Satisfy her secret desires? Let a special man attend to her every wish? Oh, yes! Need thrummed through her, making her squirm in her desk chair.
Heart racing, she opened the fourth message.
What you need, dearest Maggie, is a special night at one of the Castillo Resorts and Hotels. I’m thinking the one in Maui would please you most. The more I study the websites you design, the more sure I am of your sensuality, of the type of man who could please you. I look forward to you contacting me soon.
How could the other woman know about her preference for Maui? How could this unknown woman sense so much about her? See how much of herself she put into each of the website designs? It was eerie…exciting, too.
She gathered her courage and opened the final email, one sent only an hour ago.
Maggie’s Secret WishDecadent Buy LinkAmazon Buy Link
Author Contact Info:
Author Website: Starla KayeAmazon Author PageFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Please welcome a guest post by Starla Kaye in honor of the Decadent Publishing's 200th book birthday of the 1NS series !!
Don't forget to leave a comment at the end along with your email because she's got some surprise goodies to give away too!
****
Dreaming Up a Secret Wish
Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series is celebrating their birthday this October and I’m celebrating, too. It was my honor to have been one of the early authors writing for the line. At this point I have had two books published in the series: Maggie’s Secret Wish and Starting Over. Eventually I hope to write additional stories for this popular series.
I loved the idea behind the series. 1NS is the business name of an exclusive online dating service owned by Madame Evangeline. The initial goal of the arranged evening is a one-night stand, with each character having a reason for seeking such a date. The encounters can take place anywhere in the world and each story must have an HEA or HFN ending. When I read the basic guidelines, I became intrigued, challenged to come up with a believable erotic romance.
As usually happens with me, I came up with the title first: Maggie’s Secret Wish. From that, I knew my heroine’s name would be Maggie. Additionally, she had a secret wish. That wish had to be special, something she wouldn’t easily admit to anyone else.
I believe that many of us are like Maggie, in that we lead lives where we present a certain image to those we work with, have acquaintances with, or share our basic lives with. A lot of us have another side that we show to very few people. That protected image of ourselves knows our innermost fears, longings, dreams…secret wishes.
Maggie leads a somewhat dull life as a website designer. The men she typically dates are oh-so-boring, but deep inside her, she wants more. She reads erotica, dreams of doing much more than just slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am sex. And she has a secret interest in light BDSM, mainly about spanking. This isn’t something she would share with her family or friends. Yet she fantasizes about having at least one encounter with a man who is not vanilla, a man who is willing to show his dominate side.
Fortunately for Maggie, Madame Eve somehow knows her secret wish…and she knows the right man to fulfill it.
EXCERPT:
She gaped in horror. Five emails from Madame Evangeline. Five! What about her message had captured the matchmaker’s attention enough to have her keep trying to contact Maggie? The spanking stuff! Oh, jeez. That had to be it. Nothing else about her basic info could possibly draw a stranger’s interest.Fingers shaking, she opened the first message.
I’m so pleased you contacted me, Ms. Malone. I’m sure that I can find someone perfect for you. Please email me back so we can discuss this further.
Palms sweating, she opened the next message.
I’ve done a basic background check on you, Maggie, as I’m sure you’re aware I do for all my clients. Your websites are quite well done, unique. I could see your special imaginative flare. I noticed it in your query message as well. I’m positive I can find the perfect match for you. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Maggie drew in a nervous breath. Madame Evangeline had mentioned imaginativethings in her original email, certainly meaning the fantasies. How embarrassing. Yet she opened the third message.
I know exactly what you need, my dear Maggie. You need time away from your work, time to satisfy your secret desires, time to let a very special man attend to your every wish. I eagerly await your response.
Satisfy her secret desires? Let a special man attend to her every wish? Oh, yes! Need thrummed through her, making her squirm in her desk chair.
Heart racing, she opened the fourth message.
What you need, dearest Maggie, is a special night at one of the Castillo Resorts and Hotels. I’m thinking the one in Maui would please you most. The more I study the websites you design, the more sure I am of your sensuality, of the type of man who could please you. I look forward to you contacting me soon.
How could the other woman know about her preference for Maui? How could this unknown woman sense so much about her? See how much of herself she put into each of the website designs? It was eerie…exciting, too.
She gathered her courage and opened the final email, one sent only an hour ago.
Maggie’s Secret WishDecadent Buy LinkAmazon Buy Link
Author Contact Info:
Author Website: Starla KayeAmazon Author PageFacebookTwitterGoodreads
1Night Stand's 200th Book Birthday Celebration with Starla Kaye !!!
....read all about her!
Please welcome a guest post by Starla Kaye in honor of the Decadent Publishing's 200th book birthday of the 1NS series !!
****
Dreaming Up a Secret Wish
Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series is celebrating their birthday this October and I’m celebrating, too. It was my honor to have been one of the early authors writing for the line. At this point I have had two books published in the series: Maggie’s Secret Wish and Starting Over. Eventually I hope to write additional stories for this popular series.
I loved the idea behind the series. 1NS is the business name of an exclusive online dating service owned by Madame Evangeline. The initial goal of the arranged evening is a one-night stand, with each character having a reason for seeking such a date. The encounters can take place anywhere in the world and each story must have an HEA or HFN ending. When I read the basic guidelines, I became intrigued, challenged to come up with a believable erotic romance.
As usually happens with me, I came up with the title first: Maggie’s Secret Wish. From that, I knew my heroine’s name would be Maggie. Additionally, she had a secret wish. That wish had to be special, something she wouldn’t easily admit to anyone else.
I believe that many of us are like Maggie, in that we lead lives where we present a certain image to those we work with, have acquaintances with, or share our basic lives with. A lot of us have another side that we show to very few people. That protected image of ourselves knows our innermost fears, longings, dreams…secret wishes.
Maggie leads a somewhat dull life as a website designer. The men she typically dates are oh-so-boring, but deep inside her, she wants more. She reads erotica, dreams of doing much more than just slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am sex. And she has a secret interest in light BDSM, mainly about spanking. This isn’t something she would share with her family or friends. Yet she fantasizes about having at least one encounter with a man who is not vanilla, a man who is willing to show his dominate side.
Fortunately for Maggie, Madame Eve somehow knows her secret wish…and she knows the right man to fulfill it.
EXCERPT:
She gaped in horror. Five emails from Madame Evangeline. Five! What about her message had captured the matchmaker’s attention enough to have her keep trying to contact Maggie? The spanking stuff! Oh, jeez. That had to be it. Nothing else about her basic info could possibly draw a stranger’s interest.
Fingers shaking, she opened the first message.
I’m so pleased you contacted me, Ms. Malone. I’m sure that I can find someone perfect for you. Please email me back so we can discuss this further.
Palms sweating, she opened the next message.
I’ve done a basic background check on you, Maggie, as I’m sure you’re aware I do for all my clients. Your websites are quite well done, unique. I could see your special imaginative flare. I noticed it in your query message as well. I’m positive I can find the perfect match for you. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Maggie drew in a nervous breath. Madame Evangeline had mentioned imaginativethings in her original email, certainly meaning the fantasies. How embarrassing. Yet she opened the third message.
I know exactly what you need, my dear Maggie. You need time away from your work, time to satisfy your secret desires, time to let a very special man attend to your every wish. I eagerly await your response.
Satisfy her secret desires? Let a special man attend to her every wish? Oh, yes! Need thrummed through her, making her squirm in her desk chair.
Heart racing, she opened the fourth message.
What you need, dearest Maggie, is a special night at one of the Castillo Resorts and Hotels. I’m thinking the one in Maui would please you most. The more I study the websites you design, the more sure I am of your sensuality, of the type of man who could please you. I look forward to you contacting me soon.
How could the other woman know about her preference for Maui? How could this unknown woman sense so much about her? See how much of herself she put into each of the website designs? It was eerie…exciting, too.
She gathered her courage and opened the final email, one sent only an hour ago.
Maggie’s Secret WishDecadent Buy LinkAmazon Buy Link
Author Contact Info:
Author Website: Starla KayeAmazon Author PageFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Please welcome a guest post by Starla Kaye in honor of the Decadent Publishing's 200th book birthday of the 1NS series !!
****
Dreaming Up a Secret Wish
Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series is celebrating their birthday this October and I’m celebrating, too. It was my honor to have been one of the early authors writing for the line. At this point I have had two books published in the series: Maggie’s Secret Wish and Starting Over. Eventually I hope to write additional stories for this popular series.
I loved the idea behind the series. 1NS is the business name of an exclusive online dating service owned by Madame Evangeline. The initial goal of the arranged evening is a one-night stand, with each character having a reason for seeking such a date. The encounters can take place anywhere in the world and each story must have an HEA or HFN ending. When I read the basic guidelines, I became intrigued, challenged to come up with a believable erotic romance.
As usually happens with me, I came up with the title first: Maggie’s Secret Wish. From that, I knew my heroine’s name would be Maggie. Additionally, she had a secret wish. That wish had to be special, something she wouldn’t easily admit to anyone else.
I believe that many of us are like Maggie, in that we lead lives where we present a certain image to those we work with, have acquaintances with, or share our basic lives with. A lot of us have another side that we show to very few people. That protected image of ourselves knows our innermost fears, longings, dreams…secret wishes.
Maggie leads a somewhat dull life as a website designer. The men she typically dates are oh-so-boring, but deep inside her, she wants more. She reads erotica, dreams of doing much more than just slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am sex. And she has a secret interest in light BDSM, mainly about spanking. This isn’t something she would share with her family or friends. Yet she fantasizes about having at least one encounter with a man who is not vanilla, a man who is willing to show his dominate side.
Fortunately for Maggie, Madame Eve somehow knows her secret wish…and she knows the right man to fulfill it.
EXCERPT:
She gaped in horror. Five emails from Madame Evangeline. Five! What about her message had captured the matchmaker’s attention enough to have her keep trying to contact Maggie? The spanking stuff! Oh, jeez. That had to be it. Nothing else about her basic info could possibly draw a stranger’s interest.Fingers shaking, she opened the first message.
I’m so pleased you contacted me, Ms. Malone. I’m sure that I can find someone perfect for you. Please email me back so we can discuss this further.
Palms sweating, she opened the next message.
I’ve done a basic background check on you, Maggie, as I’m sure you’re aware I do for all my clients. Your websites are quite well done, unique. I could see your special imaginative flare. I noticed it in your query message as well. I’m positive I can find the perfect match for you. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Maggie drew in a nervous breath. Madame Evangeline had mentioned imaginativethings in her original email, certainly meaning the fantasies. How embarrassing. Yet she opened the third message.
I know exactly what you need, my dear Maggie. You need time away from your work, time to satisfy your secret desires, time to let a very special man attend to your every wish. I eagerly await your response.
Satisfy her secret desires? Let a special man attend to her every wish? Oh, yes! Need thrummed through her, making her squirm in her desk chair.
Heart racing, she opened the fourth message.
What you need, dearest Maggie, is a special night at one of the Castillo Resorts and Hotels. I’m thinking the one in Maui would please you most. The more I study the websites you design, the more sure I am of your sensuality, of the type of man who could please you. I look forward to you contacting me soon.
How could the other woman know about her preference for Maui? How could this unknown woman sense so much about her? See how much of herself she put into each of the website designs? It was eerie…exciting, too.
She gathered her courage and opened the final email, one sent only an hour ago.
Maggie’s Secret WishDecadent Buy LinkAmazon Buy Link
Author Contact Info:
Author Website: Starla KayeAmazon Author PageFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Author, author... Samantha Darling with Revenge in Rio and Giveaway
...read all about her !!
Please welcome the fabulous Samantha Darling !!!
Hi Samantha, so great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you so much for having me here today! Sure, well I live in the UK with my husband, three year old identical twin boys and our two Bedlington Terriers. I’m a mental health nurse by day but my passion is really with writing. I’ve always loved reading and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and Revenge in Rio is my debut book!
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Umm, not so much with Revenge in Rio but I’d certainly use them in the future in the right story if it needed it.
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
No, I try and keep them separate wherever possible - real life and storyland.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
It’s always something different. It could be anything! To be honest, I’m not even sure when the idea for RIR came from. I saw a clip of Fast and Furious Five, which is set in Rio and gradually the story came together piece by piece. I’m such a panster it’s unreal and sometimes VERY annoying!
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Usually evening time once the boys have gone to bed, dinners been cooked, dishes washed, house tidied. It doesn’t leave me long but I try and get an hour in before bed.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
Good question. With the way that the book/publishing world is moving, self promotion seems to be a BIG thing. I feel a bit anxious about marketing and promoting my book in fear that I may over do it and start to annoy people! J (Please just shout at me if that happens!)
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
I like both Facebook and Twitter. I think Facebook is my favourite but I am also enjoying the ‘short and sweet’ approach with Twitter and how interactive it can be.
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I haven’t had the chance of pitching yet but yes I would definitely be up for pitching and hearing the publisher’s thoughts if the opportunity came up.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
I love romance first and foremost but I would also like to try my hand at a paranormal type story.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
No I wouldn’t say so. However, I would like to think that my heroine’s are strong women and take that little trait from me J
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, Excellent, lets do it!
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Hmm, that’s a tough one. I like John Travolta for acting. I think he is so talented. But eye-candy wise….Gerard Butler, Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, shall I go on….LOL.
2) Favorite vehicle – I suffer terribly with travel sickness but if I drive I’m okay, so probably just the car!
3) Favorite way to relax – This sounds very boring but once the house is quiet in the evenings I just lay on the settee and read or watch a film with hubby. But if time, money etc wasn’t an object….Hmm, maybe on a beautiful sunny island, tropical waters lapping at my feet, book in hand….
4) Favorite ice cream – Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie – YUM!
5) Favorite outfit – I’m a jeans and top kinda gal but if I’m going out I love a nice LBD.
And for a bonus: If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be? (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
Hmm, toughie. I’d probably love a nice villa in Euope somewhere, with a huge swimming pool and vineyard for a garden! Maybe Italy, Greece or Portugal….the possibilities!
Where can our readers find you?? Email: samanthadarling1986@hotmail.comTwitter: @samanthav1986Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.darling.9828 Website/blog: https://www.samanthadarlingromance.com http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18745976-samantha-darling
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
Yes! Revenge in Rio is my debut book published by Beachwalk Press and I’m so excited to share it with the world!
Revenge in Rio by
Samantha Darling
Contemporary Romance
Calculated revenge, unexpected passion…Business magnate Luca Venancio is returning to Rio to pay his respects to his late brother, and to seduce his once fiancée, Daniella, back into his bed. Five years ago she left him without so much as a word, shunning him and the rich life he could offer in exchange for his younger, reckless brother. Now Luca wants revenge—seduce her and dump her, that's all he intends to do.Blackmailed into a violent farce of a marriage, Daniella had no choice but to comply to protect Luca's life, even though it meant never being able to see him again. Years later, a twist of fate reunites them, throwing her plans of fleeing Rio out of the window and the love of her life straight back in.Luca's flawless plan soon becomes complicated when he discovers Daniella is expecting his brother's child. It becomes even more complicated when old passions return. Can he actually go through with seducing her, bedding her, and then discarding her?
Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G0LERVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1382168288&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00G0LERVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1382169006&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Excerpt “I will get out here,” Daniella said, reaching for the door handle.“No, keep driving,” Luca ordered, glaring at the chauffeur and pressing the central lock button.Although he hadn’t been back to the house, he clearly remembered where his brother had lived. It had been his parents’ home and he had grown up there. He would never forget the decrepit building that had desperately needed restoring. Paint had chipped and flaked off of the dreary walls, and the rooms were so small they felt claustrophobic. He had spent many nights sitting on the roof listening to faint arguments between his parents, whilst he dreamed of a better life.“You don’t think I at least deserve an explanation? Some minor clarification as to why you just left me in the dark?” Luca stared at her intently and she opened and then quickly closed her mouth again, biting down on her bottom lip until it darkened to a deeper tone of pink.He kept his eyes on her, not even blinking, as he looked her up and down. She was a shadow of the vibrant girl he remembered; the Daniella he had known five years ago. Sitting beside him now she was scared, the fear was wild in her eyes, and she was clearly malnourished, evident from the black sack of a dress, which hung off her delicate frame.“When did you last eat something?” It was more of a demand than a question.“Excuse me?” He finally had her attention.“You heard me. When did you last eat something?”“That’s none of your business.” She pulled the cardigan tighter around her midriff and turned away from him.“I’m concerned. You look ill.”“Well, I’m not. I’m…I’m…” He watched as she stumbled for her words. “I’m just grieving, okay?”Fair enough, she may have been grieving for the last twenty-four hours. It was bound to have been a grueling short space of time for her to comprehend Miguel’s death and have the customary quick funeral. But what about before Miguel’s death? The circles under her eyes and fading blue marks across her jaw were old; her skin and hair were dull and lifeless and told a story. They sat in silence as the chauffeur strategically maneuvered the Bentley through the favela’s never-ending maze of winding roads, passing makeshift house upon house, small street markets, and gangs on each corner. Luca’s eyes fixed on the house in front of them when the car eased to a halt a few meters away from their destination, and he recognized it instantly as his childhood home.Reaching for the door, Daniella pulled on it a couple of times before he pressed the central locking release.She looked over her shoulder and whispered, “You really have to go now.”He had given in far too easily years ago, this time he was a different man; a man who always got what he wanted, however cruel and ruthless he had to be. He had to remember that. Love had left him weak and feeble. It had taken time to gather himself and learn to never let emotions take over. Work was his haven, a place for him to focus and throw himself and his energy into. He would prove to Daniella that she had made the wrong choice. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Luca’s fingers brushed against her dark curls and the nape of her neck. “I’m not going anywhere this time.” He leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her mouth. “I’ve come for something and I intend to get it.”
****
One last thing before we let you leave us today :) Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
I’m not the worlds best cook, but I do do a couple of nice dishes….Shepherds pie and Paella! I have a little step-by-step run down for each on my blog….
http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/its-all-about-paella.html?zx=7164cff68d075372
http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/sams-shepherds-pie.html
My mum is a brilliant cook and she tried this cake the other weekend for my boys birthday party. It went down a treat with everyone! http://chefilepsy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/recipe-best-malteser-cake.html
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for.html
Rafflecopter Giveaway
$20 Amazon or B&N Giftcard
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please welcome the fabulous Samantha Darling !!!
Hi Samantha, so great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you so much for having me here today! Sure, well I live in the UK with my husband, three year old identical twin boys and our two Bedlington Terriers. I’m a mental health nurse by day but my passion is really with writing. I’ve always loved reading and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and Revenge in Rio is my debut book!
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Umm, not so much with Revenge in Rio but I’d certainly use them in the future in the right story if it needed it.
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
No, I try and keep them separate wherever possible - real life and storyland.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
It’s always something different. It could be anything! To be honest, I’m not even sure when the idea for RIR came from. I saw a clip of Fast and Furious Five, which is set in Rio and gradually the story came together piece by piece. I’m such a panster it’s unreal and sometimes VERY annoying!
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Usually evening time once the boys have gone to bed, dinners been cooked, dishes washed, house tidied. It doesn’t leave me long but I try and get an hour in before bed.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
Good question. With the way that the book/publishing world is moving, self promotion seems to be a BIG thing. I feel a bit anxious about marketing and promoting my book in fear that I may over do it and start to annoy people! J (Please just shout at me if that happens!)
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
I like both Facebook and Twitter. I think Facebook is my favourite but I am also enjoying the ‘short and sweet’ approach with Twitter and how interactive it can be.
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I haven’t had the chance of pitching yet but yes I would definitely be up for pitching and hearing the publisher’s thoughts if the opportunity came up.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
I love romance first and foremost but I would also like to try my hand at a paranormal type story.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
No I wouldn’t say so. However, I would like to think that my heroine’s are strong women and take that little trait from me J
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, Excellent, lets do it!
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Hmm, that’s a tough one. I like John Travolta for acting. I think he is so talented. But eye-candy wise….Gerard Butler, Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, shall I go on….LOL.
2) Favorite vehicle – I suffer terribly with travel sickness but if I drive I’m okay, so probably just the car!
3) Favorite way to relax – This sounds very boring but once the house is quiet in the evenings I just lay on the settee and read or watch a film with hubby. But if time, money etc wasn’t an object….Hmm, maybe on a beautiful sunny island, tropical waters lapping at my feet, book in hand….
4) Favorite ice cream – Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie – YUM!
5) Favorite outfit – I’m a jeans and top kinda gal but if I’m going out I love a nice LBD.
And for a bonus: If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be? (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
Hmm, toughie. I’d probably love a nice villa in Euope somewhere, with a huge swimming pool and vineyard for a garden! Maybe Italy, Greece or Portugal….the possibilities!
Where can our readers find you?? Email: samanthadarling1986@hotmail.comTwitter: @samanthav1986Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.darling.9828 Website/blog: https://www.samanthadarlingromance.com http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18745976-samantha-darling
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
Yes! Revenge in Rio is my debut book published by Beachwalk Press and I’m so excited to share it with the world!
Revenge in Rio by
Samantha Darling
Contemporary Romance
Calculated revenge, unexpected passion…Business magnate Luca Venancio is returning to Rio to pay his respects to his late brother, and to seduce his once fiancée, Daniella, back into his bed. Five years ago she left him without so much as a word, shunning him and the rich life he could offer in exchange for his younger, reckless brother. Now Luca wants revenge—seduce her and dump her, that's all he intends to do.Blackmailed into a violent farce of a marriage, Daniella had no choice but to comply to protect Luca's life, even though it meant never being able to see him again. Years later, a twist of fate reunites them, throwing her plans of fleeing Rio out of the window and the love of her life straight back in.Luca's flawless plan soon becomes complicated when he discovers Daniella is expecting his brother's child. It becomes even more complicated when old passions return. Can he actually go through with seducing her, bedding her, and then discarding her?
Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G0LERVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1382168288&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00G0LERVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1382169006&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Excerpt “I will get out here,” Daniella said, reaching for the door handle.“No, keep driving,” Luca ordered, glaring at the chauffeur and pressing the central lock button.Although he hadn’t been back to the house, he clearly remembered where his brother had lived. It had been his parents’ home and he had grown up there. He would never forget the decrepit building that had desperately needed restoring. Paint had chipped and flaked off of the dreary walls, and the rooms were so small they felt claustrophobic. He had spent many nights sitting on the roof listening to faint arguments between his parents, whilst he dreamed of a better life.“You don’t think I at least deserve an explanation? Some minor clarification as to why you just left me in the dark?” Luca stared at her intently and she opened and then quickly closed her mouth again, biting down on her bottom lip until it darkened to a deeper tone of pink.He kept his eyes on her, not even blinking, as he looked her up and down. She was a shadow of the vibrant girl he remembered; the Daniella he had known five years ago. Sitting beside him now she was scared, the fear was wild in her eyes, and she was clearly malnourished, evident from the black sack of a dress, which hung off her delicate frame.“When did you last eat something?” It was more of a demand than a question.“Excuse me?” He finally had her attention.“You heard me. When did you last eat something?”“That’s none of your business.” She pulled the cardigan tighter around her midriff and turned away from him.“I’m concerned. You look ill.”“Well, I’m not. I’m…I’m…” He watched as she stumbled for her words. “I’m just grieving, okay?”Fair enough, she may have been grieving for the last twenty-four hours. It was bound to have been a grueling short space of time for her to comprehend Miguel’s death and have the customary quick funeral. But what about before Miguel’s death? The circles under her eyes and fading blue marks across her jaw were old; her skin and hair were dull and lifeless and told a story. They sat in silence as the chauffeur strategically maneuvered the Bentley through the favela’s never-ending maze of winding roads, passing makeshift house upon house, small street markets, and gangs on each corner. Luca’s eyes fixed on the house in front of them when the car eased to a halt a few meters away from their destination, and he recognized it instantly as his childhood home.Reaching for the door, Daniella pulled on it a couple of times before he pressed the central locking release.She looked over her shoulder and whispered, “You really have to go now.”He had given in far too easily years ago, this time he was a different man; a man who always got what he wanted, however cruel and ruthless he had to be. He had to remember that. Love had left him weak and feeble. It had taken time to gather himself and learn to never let emotions take over. Work was his haven, a place for him to focus and throw himself and his energy into. He would prove to Daniella that she had made the wrong choice. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Luca’s fingers brushed against her dark curls and the nape of her neck. “I’m not going anywhere this time.” He leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her mouth. “I’ve come for something and I intend to get it.”
****
One last thing before we let you leave us today :) Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
I’m not the worlds best cook, but I do do a couple of nice dishes….Shepherds pie and Paella! I have a little step-by-step run down for each on my blog….
http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/its-all-about-paella.html?zx=7164cff68d075372
http://samathaveerasamy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/sams-shepherds-pie.html
My mum is a brilliant cook and she tried this cake the other weekend for my boys birthday party. It went down a treat with everyone! http://chefilepsy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/recipe-best-malteser-cake.html
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for.html
Rafflecopter Giveaway
$20 Amazon or B&N Giftcard
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*** Tiger Time on sale NOW ***
Tiger Time (Alaskan Tigers 1) by Marissa Dobson is on sale at All Romance Ebooks for only $.99 until October 23. Be sure to grab your copy. All Romance eBooks
October 15, 2013
Author, author.... Weak at the Knees
...read all about it !!
Please welcome author Jo Kessel to A Passion for Romance!!!
Hi Jo, so great to have you here. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello and thank you so much for having me. Well, what’s to say about myself? I’m a Londoner born and bred. I’ve got three small children who keep me on my toes which makes my life pretty chaotic, so it’s just as well I’m a mad yoga fan. I practice yoga a lot and it really helps clear my head and keep me calm. I’m a big fan of traveling too. For me, it’s a real treat to plant myself in a remote part of the world and soak up a new culture – it also gives me lots of fresh ideas for writing. Most people don’t know that I have really curly hair which I’m forever straightening and my sense of logic and direction is dire. I’m also exceptionally bad at mathematics – my husband sometimes despairs. Oh, and I love skiing. I’m not particularly great at it, but I love it all the same. It’s all the mountain scenery and fresh air.
What did you want to be when you were growing up or did you always want to be a writer?
My father’s a doctor and so was my grandfather and when I was growing up I really wanted to be a gynecologist. Sadly, to become a doctor you have to be good at sciences at school and I was terrible. So instead I concentrated on the arts and had to give up the dream of a medical career. What I really wanted to be was a journalist because I loved writing, but for some bizarre reason (I’m still not sure how it happened) I ended up qualifying as a lawyer. I never worked as one though, because I immediately realized it wasn’t for me and did my best to try to get into journalism. Which happily I eventually did……..and then from writing newspaper articles to writing novels didn’t feel like too big a stretch, so I gave it a go, and here we now are.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing short stories when I was five years old and my mother and sister loved reading them and kept asking for more. I never really stopped writing after that, but I didn’t start writing novels until I was pregnant with my first child – or should I say children, because my firstborns are twins!
What is a typical writing day like for you?
I still work as a journalist and so my novel-writing has to fit in on the side. I wouldn’t want to ‘write’ all day though anyway. I like to write in concentrated spurts of a few consecutive hours and then stop. That could be in the morning, the afternoon or the evening - whatever happens to work on any given day.
Do you have any specific routine you follow or specific items you need with you when you write?
First I have to answer all my e-mails and then I have to boil the kettle and make myself the biggest mug of strong tea (when I say ‘big’ – I mean that my mug is enormous) and only when I have my drink ready and by the side of my keyboard can I start to write. As soon as the cup of tea is finished I make myself another one………………you’ve probably guessed that I’m a major tea drinker, although it doesn’t always have to be conventional tea. Herbals work well too.
What is your favorite part of writing? Is there anything you don’t like about being a writer?
Hum, my favorite part of writing is dialogue. I love writing conversation and putting myself in the heads of the characters and really emoting with them as I work out what they might say, and how they might physically react to what they’re hearing. I close my eyes a lot and try to really transport myself into their souls. What I don’t like about being a writer is when I get stuck on something, but when that happens to me I always stop and take a breather. Often going for a walk really helps. Sometimes I think it’s a shame I don’t have a dog. They would really enjoy accompanying me on all those many, many walks!
What is your favorite length of book to write? (Short story, novella, full length novel) Why?
My favorite length of book is about 80 – 100k words. I’m not sure why. It just seems to be the length I need to tell a story.
How does your family feel about your writing and you being an author?
My family is very supportive of my writing and my children (who love reading) think it’s really cool that mummy has written some books – plus they love their mentions in the acknowledgments. Actually I’m not the first writer in my family. I’m related to a celebrated French author who was called Joseph Kessel – he wrote the book Belle de Jour which was made into an amazing film starring Catherine Deneuve.
Is there a to-be-read waiting on your bedside table?
Knight and Play, Sweet Thing and When I Look to the Sky (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) are all waiting to be read on my kindle. However my husband has just handed me a physical paperback which he has told me I must read – ‘Remarkable Creatures’ by Tracy Chevalier.
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions,
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Holiday - Christmas
2) Favorite Drink - Champagne
3) Favorite Author – Jane Austen
4) Favorite Book – Pride and Prejudice
5) Favorite Animal – Hamster – I have to say that because my youngest daughter has a pet hamster called Lucky who we all absolutely adore.
And for a bonus: What is a typical mood for you? And is your mood different when you’re writing?
Interesting question! Actually, there is no such thing as a typical mood for me. I can swing from calm to stressed-out pretty quickly depending on external factors – like if my children are being naughty! But if the sun is shining (often a rare commodity in London) I tend to feel much happier. Writing also keeps me calm, because I tend to lose myself in it. Skiing has the same effect on me. When I’m skiing I think of literally nothing else other than each physical turn I’m making and the track I intend to take down the mountain.
Where can our readers find you??
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18195781-weak-at-the-knees
Website: http://www.jokessel.com/
Blog: http://www.jokessel.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kesseljo
@jo_kessel
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it? Weak at the Knees
Blurb
“We got so busy living life that we forgot to live our dreams.”
Danni Lewis has been playing it safe for twenty-six years, but her sheltered existence is making her feel old ahead of time. When a sudden death plunges her into a spiral of grief, she throws caution to the wind and runs away to France in search of a new beginning. The moment ski instructor Olivier du Pape enters her shattered world she falls hard, in more ways than one. Their mutual desire is as powerful and seductive as the mountains around them. His dark gypsy looks and piercing blue eyes are irresistible. Only she must resist, because he has a wife – and she’d made a pact to never get involved with a married man. But how do you choose between keeping your word and being true to your soul? Weak at the Knees is Jo’s debut novel in the new adult, contemporary romance genre – a story about love, loss and relationships, set between London and the heart of the French Alps. Buy Links:US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4VC70W
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E4VC70W
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18195781-weak-at-the-knees
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Gift Basket including: a signed book, a signed bookmark, a giant pen from the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and several French goodies featured in Weak at the Knees including a French manicure kit, an Edith Piaf CD (one of France's greatest international singers), personalized merchandise from Montgenevre, the village in the French Alps where Weak at the Knees is set, as well as a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape - a gloriously rich (and expensive) red wine produced in the Rhone wine region in southeastern France. It is a wine that should be drunk to celebrate a special occasion. a Rafflecopter giveaway
One last thing before we let you leave u s. Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
Actually, I’m not a great cook, but there are a couple of fun (and sexy) recipes that feature in my new release Weak at the Knees. This is one:
Hot Chocolate with cognac
****Olivier’s hot chocolate recipe: serves 2:
1 x small carton milk, 1 x small carton of single cream, one bar of milk chocolate (melted). Warm cream with milk and remove from heat before it starts to boil. Add melted chocolate, stir vigorously with a wooden spoon and then pour into two mugs to serve. Optional (add cognac/brandy).
** ** ** ** ** **
Jo, what a pleasure to have you with us today, thank you so much for sharing things about yourself :) We hope you come back again soon !!
Until next time, happy reading !!
Krista
Please welcome author Jo Kessel to A Passion for Romance!!!
Hi Jo, so great to have you here. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello and thank you so much for having me. Well, what’s to say about myself? I’m a Londoner born and bred. I’ve got three small children who keep me on my toes which makes my life pretty chaotic, so it’s just as well I’m a mad yoga fan. I practice yoga a lot and it really helps clear my head and keep me calm. I’m a big fan of traveling too. For me, it’s a real treat to plant myself in a remote part of the world and soak up a new culture – it also gives me lots of fresh ideas for writing. Most people don’t know that I have really curly hair which I’m forever straightening and my sense of logic and direction is dire. I’m also exceptionally bad at mathematics – my husband sometimes despairs. Oh, and I love skiing. I’m not particularly great at it, but I love it all the same. It’s all the mountain scenery and fresh air. What did you want to be when you were growing up or did you always want to be a writer?
My father’s a doctor and so was my grandfather and when I was growing up I really wanted to be a gynecologist. Sadly, to become a doctor you have to be good at sciences at school and I was terrible. So instead I concentrated on the arts and had to give up the dream of a medical career. What I really wanted to be was a journalist because I loved writing, but for some bizarre reason (I’m still not sure how it happened) I ended up qualifying as a lawyer. I never worked as one though, because I immediately realized it wasn’t for me and did my best to try to get into journalism. Which happily I eventually did……..and then from writing newspaper articles to writing novels didn’t feel like too big a stretch, so I gave it a go, and here we now are.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing short stories when I was five years old and my mother and sister loved reading them and kept asking for more. I never really stopped writing after that, but I didn’t start writing novels until I was pregnant with my first child – or should I say children, because my firstborns are twins!
What is a typical writing day like for you?
I still work as a journalist and so my novel-writing has to fit in on the side. I wouldn’t want to ‘write’ all day though anyway. I like to write in concentrated spurts of a few consecutive hours and then stop. That could be in the morning, the afternoon or the evening - whatever happens to work on any given day.
Do you have any specific routine you follow or specific items you need with you when you write?
First I have to answer all my e-mails and then I have to boil the kettle and make myself the biggest mug of strong tea (when I say ‘big’ – I mean that my mug is enormous) and only when I have my drink ready and by the side of my keyboard can I start to write. As soon as the cup of tea is finished I make myself another one………………you’ve probably guessed that I’m a major tea drinker, although it doesn’t always have to be conventional tea. Herbals work well too.
What is your favorite part of writing? Is there anything you don’t like about being a writer?
Hum, my favorite part of writing is dialogue. I love writing conversation and putting myself in the heads of the characters and really emoting with them as I work out what they might say, and how they might physically react to what they’re hearing. I close my eyes a lot and try to really transport myself into their souls. What I don’t like about being a writer is when I get stuck on something, but when that happens to me I always stop and take a breather. Often going for a walk really helps. Sometimes I think it’s a shame I don’t have a dog. They would really enjoy accompanying me on all those many, many walks!
What is your favorite length of book to write? (Short story, novella, full length novel) Why?
My favorite length of book is about 80 – 100k words. I’m not sure why. It just seems to be the length I need to tell a story.
How does your family feel about your writing and you being an author?
My family is very supportive of my writing and my children (who love reading) think it’s really cool that mummy has written some books – plus they love their mentions in the acknowledgments. Actually I’m not the first writer in my family. I’m related to a celebrated French author who was called Joseph Kessel – he wrote the book Belle de Jour which was made into an amazing film starring Catherine Deneuve.
Is there a to-be-read waiting on your bedside table?
Knight and Play, Sweet Thing and When I Look to the Sky (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) are all waiting to be read on my kindle. However my husband has just handed me a physical paperback which he has told me I must read – ‘Remarkable Creatures’ by Tracy Chevalier.
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions,
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Holiday - Christmas
2) Favorite Drink - Champagne
3) Favorite Author – Jane Austen
4) Favorite Book – Pride and Prejudice
5) Favorite Animal – Hamster – I have to say that because my youngest daughter has a pet hamster called Lucky who we all absolutely adore.
And for a bonus: What is a typical mood for you? And is your mood different when you’re writing?
Interesting question! Actually, there is no such thing as a typical mood for me. I can swing from calm to stressed-out pretty quickly depending on external factors – like if my children are being naughty! But if the sun is shining (often a rare commodity in London) I tend to feel much happier. Writing also keeps me calm, because I tend to lose myself in it. Skiing has the same effect on me. When I’m skiing I think of literally nothing else other than each physical turn I’m making and the track I intend to take down the mountain.
Where can our readers find you??
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18195781-weak-at-the-knees
Website: http://www.jokessel.com/
Blog: http://www.jokessel.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kesseljo
@jo_kessel
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it? Weak at the Knees
.jpg)
Blurb
“We got so busy living life that we forgot to live our dreams.”
Danni Lewis has been playing it safe for twenty-six years, but her sheltered existence is making her feel old ahead of time. When a sudden death plunges her into a spiral of grief, she throws caution to the wind and runs away to France in search of a new beginning. The moment ski instructor Olivier du Pape enters her shattered world she falls hard, in more ways than one. Their mutual desire is as powerful and seductive as the mountains around them. His dark gypsy looks and piercing blue eyes are irresistible. Only she must resist, because he has a wife – and she’d made a pact to never get involved with a married man. But how do you choose between keeping your word and being true to your soul? Weak at the Knees is Jo’s debut novel in the new adult, contemporary romance genre – a story about love, loss and relationships, set between London and the heart of the French Alps. Buy Links:US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4VC70W UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E4VC70W
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18195781-weak-at-the-knees
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Gift Basket including: a signed book, a signed bookmark, a giant pen from the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and several French goodies featured in Weak at the Knees including a French manicure kit, an Edith Piaf CD (one of France's greatest international singers), personalized merchandise from Montgenevre, the village in the French Alps where Weak at the Knees is set, as well as a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape - a gloriously rich (and expensive) red wine produced in the Rhone wine region in southeastern France. It is a wine that should be drunk to celebrate a special occasion. a Rafflecopter giveaway
One last thing before we let you leave u s. Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
Actually, I’m not a great cook, but there are a couple of fun (and sexy) recipes that feature in my new release Weak at the Knees. This is one:
Hot Chocolate with cognac
****Olivier’s hot chocolate recipe: serves 2:
1 x small carton milk, 1 x small carton of single cream, one bar of milk chocolate (melted). Warm cream with milk and remove from heat before it starts to boil. Add melted chocolate, stir vigorously with a wooden spoon and then pour into two mugs to serve. Optional (add cognac/brandy).
** ** ** ** ** **
Jo, what a pleasure to have you with us today, thank you so much for sharing things about yourself :) We hope you come back again soon !!
Until next time, happy reading !!
Krista
Tasty Blurb Tour: Bought, Branded and Bound by Lynn Richards
Bought, Branded and Bound
Texas Billionaire Box Set
By: Lynn Richards
Blurb
Macy Trent was a chubby girl but that didn't mean she obeyed anybody's rules but her own. That is, until her drop-dead gorgeous boss blackmailed her into submitting to his will. She agrees to spend the weekend with Logan and obey his every command.
Twenty four hours later…Oh my God what have I done?
That’s Macy first thought upon waking and finding herself in Logan Quinn’s bed. As memories of the night before – and her wanton behavior – come flooding back, Macy realizes last night wasn’t her biggest regret, it was falling in love with her drop dead gorgeous boss.
Logan’s curvy assistant is sarcastic, willful, and deliberately disobedient and he’s had enough of her attitude. He knows the only way to get her out of his system is to make her submit. He also knows being a Dom is all about maintaining control. So why does his curvy secretary make him want to break his every rule?
Come join Logan and Macy on their incredibly erotic journey and find out what happens when a good little submissive makes her dominant lose control…
WARNING: For mature audiences only - contains elements of discipline, submission, dominance, hot sex and . . . romance
Buy Links:
BUY LINK FOR AMAZON.
http://www.amazon.com/Bought-Branded-Billionaire-Romance-ebook/dp/B00D0EHDQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378597632&sr=8-1&keywords=bought%2C+branded+and+bound
BUY LINK FOR BARNES AND NOBLE
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bought-branded-and-bound-lynn-richards/1115425648?ean=2940016414430
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/09/now-booking-tasty-blurb-tour-for-bought.html
Excerpt
“Again, Macy, why are you being punished?”
Macy was sitting on the end of the bed like a good submissive when Logan entered the bedroom almost an hour later. Luckily he hadn’t finished sooner. She’d taken a quick shower before donning one of his dress shirts and even answered a text from her sister.
“Because I put two sugars in your coffee instead of three.”
“Did you do that deliberately, Miss Trent? You have made coffee for me almost every day since you’ve been in my employ. And you have put one cube of sugar in my coffee each time. Why forget today?”
He stood there, watching her, his eyes flashing with fire. She didn’t know if it was anger or desire. She hoped it was desire.
“Do you know why I think you forgot, Miss Trent?”
She shook her head, unable to speak.
“I think you want to be punished. You want to feel the heat of my hand on your backside. You want to see how much you can tolerate before using your safe word, don’t you, Macy?”
He stepped back and pulled the t-shirt over his head. Next he hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his pajamas and let them slide to the floor. He wore no socks or shoes. Or underwear.
He walked over to the sitting area and placed one of the high-backed chairs in front of the mirrored closets. Taking a seat he motioned her over. “Come, stand in front of me the way you did last night.”
Macy complied, stepping in front of the chair with her back to him. She could feel her blood thrumming through her body. Even though she couldn’t comprehend the satisfaction to be had from spanking—yet—she was excited. Aroused at the thought of having Logan’s hands on her again.
Would she ever get enough of this man?
He reached out, his hands going under the tail of her shirt to trace the shape of her ass. His hands were warm, his touch firm as he stroked her soft flesh, making her tremble.
“Do you like that, Macy?”
Her breathing hitched. His touch was like a narcotic. One simple stroke and she’d do anything to have more. “Yes.”
“Unbutton my shirt.”
As soon as she’d undone the last button, he was tugging her down across his lap, her torso resting on the large curved arm of the chair. The fingers of one hand threaded through her hair, pulling the errant strands away from her face. Suddenly, she could see them in the mirror. He was watching her. Gauging her reaction.
“I want you to watch me spank you, Miss Trent,” he murmured. This was it. The thought both frightened and aroused her.
Macy watched his face, the brooding, hungry look—like a starving man offered a feast, yet afraid it was going to be snatched away before he got a taste. Fascinated by his expression as he stared raptly at her plump cheeks, she missed the rise of his hand.
Author Info
Lynn Richards is actually the pseudonym chosen by two best friends who started writing together back when they were both young and idealistic. Though no longer exactly young, they are still best friends and still pretty idealistic. They enjoy reading (and writing) romances ranging from sweet and pure, to spicy hot and erotic. Nothing pleases them more than hearing from their readers. Please E-mail them at lynn.richardsromance@yahoo.com and tell them what kind of reads you like and what you'd like to see from Lynn Richards in the future. And thanks for taking time to read Lynn Richards’ romances!
Author Links
http://www.lynnrichardsromance.com/
http://lynnrichardsromance.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/lynnrichardsrom
https://www.facebook.com/lynn.richards.9822?ref=tn_tnmn
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4972911.Lynn_Richards
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two Print Copies of TEXAS BILLIONAIRE BOX SET)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author, author.... Burn on the Western Slope by Angela Smith
Today we are proud to have a visit from Angela Smith!!!
Hi Angela, so great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
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I’m a writer, but my full time job is as a paralegal and office manager for a District Attorney’s Office, where I have been for over fifteen years. I’d like to say that I work so that I can have enough money to write, but my work is just as important part of me as my writing. I’ve been married going on twenty years to the love of my life and the inspiration for all my romance novels (even though I wanted to write romance even before I met him!). Most people who know me say I live a double life, because of my writing and my career and how different they both are (and how others perceive me when I’m at work.) Do real life events find their way into your stories?
In little ways, yes. Certain character traits, for instance. But I don’t use my real life to fuel my writing. I keep the two separate.
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
I’ve often thought about it, but my characters are like real people to me (at least in my head) and even if I do try to mimic a family member, the character eventually becomes someone completely different.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
Mostly it’s something different, although my main inspiration, the fact I must write or go crazy, prevails.
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Early in the morning and in the evening. I used to write at lunch, but found lunch too hard as that one hour dreadfully ends too soon.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
Funny you should ask. I first started trying to publish about the time ebooks became popular. I wasn’t a good marketer and didn’t particularly enjoy it, and my career was using all my mental energy. But I’ve learned to enjoy and somewhat crave marketing now.
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
I’m not sure what’s best, but I know what works for me. A writer should never spread themselves too thin, and sometimes that means picking and choosing. My top 3 would be Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
For now, I write the story and have a final manuscript before I start pitching. I hope one day I will be able to just pitch a story, and my reputation will be enough that a publisher will know I’m good for it.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
I’ve actually had some ideas for and even started writing some on an inspirational and a young adult. We’ll see where that leads. My first love will always be romantic suspense.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
No. My characters are completely separate from me. It’s like they live in another realm and are speaking to me as I write. Sometimes that realm is murky and I have to work harder to hear them, but they are completely separate. They most definitely have some of my traits, but I never see myself as them.
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions,
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Liam Neeson
2) Favorite vehicle – 1972 Dodge Challenger
3) Favorite way to relax – Reading
4) Favorite ice cream - chocolate
5) Favorite outfit – shorts and t-shirt.
And for a bonus: If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be? (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
Colorado! I love the mountains.
Where can our readers find you??
Email: angela_gsmith@yahoo.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/angelaswriterFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorangelasmithWebsite/blog: http://www.loveisamystery.comAmazon author page: amazon.com/author/authorangelasmith Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
Burn on the Western Slope
Blurb:
Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life. Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?Buy Links: Amazon B&N iTunes
Crimson Romance Kobo Books Google Books
One last thing before we let you leave us today, do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
I love to try new recipes! I recently started juicing and trying smoothies, and found a smoothie using one of my favorite foods: avocado:
1 ½ cup orange juice
½ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup honey
1 avocado
1 banana
Ice
** ** ** ** **
Giveaway: $5 Amazon Gift Card a Rafflecopter giveaway
******
Thanks so much Angela and what an interesting recipe! I love smoothies so I'll definitely have to try this one. Also can't wait to read Burn on the Western Slope! Please stop by again soon and thanks for coming :)Until next time, Happy reading !!Krista
October 8, 2013
Author, author... Melissa Frost
....read all about her !!
Today I am pleased to welcome Melissa Frost!!
Welcome, so great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi! My name is Melissa. I’m the author of The Dating Tutor, which was recently released by Evernight Teen. I live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my husband Jeremy and my son Marshall.
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Events and incidents in my stories are usually fictitious. I tend to write paranormal romance, so it would be quite the shock if a vampire, even a friendly one, popped up on my doorstep!
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
No. I go in with only the basics and let the characters write themselves.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
It’s always something different. Tiny random things will get me thinking and it just grows. By the end, the original seed that started things off becomes a minor detail in the tale.
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Most of my writing or editing is done during my son’s nap time and bedtime. He is three, so he’s very active and noisy. Lol. I latch on to the rare silence while he is asleep and catch up with my characters.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
I love doing marketing. If there is even one person interested in hearing more about my book or writing, I am onboard 100%.
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
Currently, I’m using my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Hosack-Author-of-Paranormal-Romance/119951088073763I also have a website - https://sites.google.com/site/melissahosack/
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I never submit until I have a final manuscript. I also have my husband read through my stories a few times to look for errors or plot holes before I submit. It is more professional and easier on an editor to submit something that is the best product possible.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
I’ve written quite a few different genres. Whatever mood strikes me, I write. But it might be neat to write a Western.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
Never. My characters feel almost like my “friends”, not an extension of myself. The heroines are all so different and unique. They have their own personalities. And I’d be afraid to get them all in a room together…
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Chris Hemsworth2) Favorite vehicle – One that works!3) Favorite way to relax – A massage or some time at the spa.4) Favorite ice cream – Mint Chocolate Chip5) Favorite outfit – Favorite? You want me to pick? Just one? Impossible! Next you’ll ask me to pick only one pair of shoes! J
And for a bonus: If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be? (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
Somewhere much warmer than Pennsylvania! I am so tired of snow and winter. Give me a beach!
Where can our readers find you??
Email Facebook Website/blog
Amazon author page Goodreads
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
The Dating Tutor
The Dating Tutor centers on Ellie Harper, a shy and somewhat awkward high school student. Ellie is hardly the most sought after girl at Noble High, so she is completely surprised when the boy most likely to become prom king asks her out. Her short-lived glee quickly turns to panic as she admits to herself that she doesn't know the first thing about dating.
After a fair amount of wheedling, she convinces her best friend and hockey star, Alec, to tutor her in the ways of love. Only once things start, she finds she knows even less than first suspected. Dating is full of more codes and unspoken rules than she ever imagined.
Even more difficult is the effort not to cross lines with Alec. Every lesson brings her closer and closer to the boy next door whom she’s never had a romantic thought about before in her life. Each caress and playful scenario has Ellie wishing more for her best friend’s affection than the boy he’s teaching her to woo.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Excerpt:
Ellie walked to her front door with her arm tucked into Alec’s. “This actually was a really fun night,” she reluctantly admitted. “I had my doubts, but date Alec is actually an okay guy.”“You had doubts?” His tone was light and playful as he led her up the front walk. “You should have known I’m quite the catch way before now. I don’t know why it took you so long to figure it out.”She shrugged a shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. Could it be the usual behavior I see from you?” She poked him accusingly in the ribs. “Spraying me with your garden hose, burping, leaving your dirty gym shorts on your bedroom floor for weeks on end, and the many other boy faux pas you commit.”“Dating Alec and hanging out at home Alec are like two different men.” He winked. “You’re one of the rare people who have ever gotten to see both sides of the coin. In fact, you might be the only one.” She nodded with an affectionate smile. “No one knows you like I do.”
“No one,” he agreed.As she reached the first step of the porch Alec tugged her hand to pull her to a stop. As she spun to face him, the question died in her throat when he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.The kiss caught her by surprise. It came so suddenly that she didn’t have time to worry over what to do or how to react. She simply melted against him with a content sigh. Alec swept her hair back from her face and deepened the kiss. His body moved forward to brush ever so gently along the front of hers.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Melissa, thanks so much for visiting with us today! Can't wait to read The Dating Tutor !!
Until next time, happy reading !!
Krista
Today I am pleased to welcome Melissa Frost!!
Welcome, so great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi! My name is Melissa. I’m the author of The Dating Tutor, which was recently released by Evernight Teen. I live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my husband Jeremy and my son Marshall.
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Events and incidents in my stories are usually fictitious. I tend to write paranormal romance, so it would be quite the shock if a vampire, even a friendly one, popped up on my doorstep!
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
No. I go in with only the basics and let the characters write themselves.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
It’s always something different. Tiny random things will get me thinking and it just grows. By the end, the original seed that started things off becomes a minor detail in the tale.
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Most of my writing or editing is done during my son’s nap time and bedtime. He is three, so he’s very active and noisy. Lol. I latch on to the rare silence while he is asleep and catch up with my characters.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
I love doing marketing. If there is even one person interested in hearing more about my book or writing, I am onboard 100%.
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
Currently, I’m using my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Hosack-Author-of-Paranormal-Romance/119951088073763I also have a website - https://sites.google.com/site/melissahosack/
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I never submit until I have a final manuscript. I also have my husband read through my stories a few times to look for errors or plot holes before I submit. It is more professional and easier on an editor to submit something that is the best product possible.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
I’ve written quite a few different genres. Whatever mood strikes me, I write. But it might be neat to write a Western.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
Never. My characters feel almost like my “friends”, not an extension of myself. The heroines are all so different and unique. They have their own personalities. And I’d be afraid to get them all in a room together…
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Chris Hemsworth2) Favorite vehicle – One that works!3) Favorite way to relax – A massage or some time at the spa.4) Favorite ice cream – Mint Chocolate Chip5) Favorite outfit – Favorite? You want me to pick? Just one? Impossible! Next you’ll ask me to pick only one pair of shoes! J
And for a bonus: If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be? (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
Somewhere much warmer than Pennsylvania! I am so tired of snow and winter. Give me a beach!
Where can our readers find you??
Email Facebook Website/blog
Amazon author page Goodreads
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
The Dating Tutor
The Dating Tutor centers on Ellie Harper, a shy and somewhat awkward high school student. Ellie is hardly the most sought after girl at Noble High, so she is completely surprised when the boy most likely to become prom king asks her out. Her short-lived glee quickly turns to panic as she admits to herself that she doesn't know the first thing about dating. After a fair amount of wheedling, she convinces her best friend and hockey star, Alec, to tutor her in the ways of love. Only once things start, she finds she knows even less than first suspected. Dating is full of more codes and unspoken rules than she ever imagined.
Even more difficult is the effort not to cross lines with Alec. Every lesson brings her closer and closer to the boy next door whom she’s never had a romantic thought about before in her life. Each caress and playful scenario has Ellie wishing more for her best friend’s affection than the boy he’s teaching her to woo.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Excerpt:
Ellie walked to her front door with her arm tucked into Alec’s. “This actually was a really fun night,” she reluctantly admitted. “I had my doubts, but date Alec is actually an okay guy.”“You had doubts?” His tone was light and playful as he led her up the front walk. “You should have known I’m quite the catch way before now. I don’t know why it took you so long to figure it out.”She shrugged a shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. Could it be the usual behavior I see from you?” She poked him accusingly in the ribs. “Spraying me with your garden hose, burping, leaving your dirty gym shorts on your bedroom floor for weeks on end, and the many other boy faux pas you commit.”“Dating Alec and hanging out at home Alec are like two different men.” He winked. “You’re one of the rare people who have ever gotten to see both sides of the coin. In fact, you might be the only one.” She nodded with an affectionate smile. “No one knows you like I do.”
“No one,” he agreed.As she reached the first step of the porch Alec tugged her hand to pull her to a stop. As she spun to face him, the question died in her throat when he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.The kiss caught her by surprise. It came so suddenly that she didn’t have time to worry over what to do or how to react. She simply melted against him with a content sigh. Alec swept her hair back from her face and deepened the kiss. His body moved forward to brush ever so gently along the front of hers.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Melissa, thanks so much for visiting with us today! Can't wait to read The Dating Tutor !!
Until next time, happy reading !!
Krista
October 7, 2013
Author, author... Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis
...read all about it !!
Hello and thanks for stopping by today! We have a personal q&a with Maggie McGinnis so let's get right to it!
What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?
I sort of hate to admit this out loud, but it was really a quest for sanity that led me to writing. I had infant twins and a 4-year old, so my life had temporarily become an endless string of diapers, bottles, and very little sleep. Amidst the craziness that was infants-times-two, I needed someone I could control, so I created pretend-people! J
What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?
For this book I did quite a bit of research on PTSD, and was actually surprised to find out that the highest percentage of PTSD victims are actually car accident survivors. I’d always associated it more closely with combat or personal types of traumas, but apparently it’s much further-reaching than I’d known. I also enjoyed lots of (online for now – sigh) time checking out dude ranches and Montana getaways, and next time I have twelve million dollars lying around, I’m totally buying the mountaintop retreat I found.
Do you have a special place you like to write?
My sweet hubby pulled the ultimate sacrifice last Christmas, turning his Man Cave into a cozy writing space for me. It’s warm, comfy, and tucked away from the chaos, and it’s the first time in a lo-ong time that I’ve had a space to call “mine.” That said, given that I’m mommy-to-many, I’m just as often scribbling notes at the kitchen counter or trying to balance my laptop on a lawn chair!
As a reader, what types of works do you like to read, and do you think they influence the genre(s) you write in?
I spent a lot of years reading and teaching oodles of classics and literary fiction, and I have the utmost respect for those books and authors. I have to admit that these days, though, I tend more toward lighter contemporary novels that let me escape for a few hours without the burden of pondering my own existence or grappling with heavy issues that invade my sleep afterward. As a mom, I am in constant worry-mode about my kids’ health, their futures, their world, so I like to let authors like Kristan Higgins, Eileen Cook, and Jill Shalvis take me away, make me laugh, and usually leave me feeling better about the universe. That’s what I hope my books will do as well.
What is your favorite method of writing? Do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?
I’m a huge fan of the notebook-and-pen method of outlining and notes-gathering, but when it comes time to sit down and write, my hot pink Dell laptop is just the thing. I do my best to plot, but I seem to have a rather cranky muse who prefers to go with the flow whether I want to come along or not. I do plot out major turning points and GMCs for my characters, but very little of my final draft resembles my early planning, despite my best efforts!
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m generally wrangling kids, laundry, and yet another unsuccessful experiment in the kitchen. I’m a wannabe-crafter and someday-photographer, but right now I’m just enjoying all the hours I can get with my family. I know I’m going to blink and this part will be over, so I’m grabbing it for all it’s worth.
Is there anything nobody knows about you that you’d like to share with our readers?
Yikes. Can I trust them? J I’ve already fessed up to owning a minivan (horrors!), so I’m not sure I’m ready to go any deeper than that!
Favorites:Color: Teal and salmon, preferably together!
Dessert: My secret-recipe chocolate chip cookies (Yes, even I have a secret recipe. One.)
Season: Autumn, definitely. There’s nothing like cool air, crisp apples, and the first warm sweater of the season. Ooh – and if anyone has any pull at Yankee Candle, could you please ask them to bring back their Cinnamon Appleberry scent? J
Sad Song: Oboy. I’d have to go with “I Need to Know” by Kris Allen. It’s gut-wrenching, and it helps me write every hero’s black moment.
Romantic Movie: I can’t pick just one! J I tend toward romantic comedies like Bridget Jones, The Proposal, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Crazy Stupid Love, but I have to say one of my favorite movies of all time is one of Reese Witherspoon’s early ones: The Man in the Moon. It’s sweetly haunting and beautiful.
Bonus: What is your ideal romantic vacation?Any vacation at all would be ideal at this point! I’d love to rent an RV and wander the country for a month, stopping where the mood strikes. Then again, there’s an inherent National Lampoon-ish risk in that plan, so it scares me a little!
Thank you so much for hosting me today!!
It was our pleasure !! Now for all the lastest book info :)
ACCIDENTAL COWGIRLBy Maggie McGinnisOn Sale October 8, 2013ISBN: 978-0-345-54875-7Published by Loveswept
BlurbIn her Loveswept debut, Maggie McGinnis tells the tale of a city girl who’s running on fumes—and the cowboy who shows her all the good things she’s been missing.
After being betrayed by her con man ex-fiancé, Kyla Bennett nurses a broken heart. But Kyla's friends have other ideas and when they whisk her off to Whisper Creek, a dude ranch staffed by cowboys so hot they dim the Montana sunset, all Kyla wants to do is hide under a quilt. Then in rides Decker Driscoll. He’s hauling about as much emotional baggage as Kyla, but when he stands close by, both of them want to stay close—and begin to succumb to an undeniable attraction.
After experiencing personal tragedy, Decker never thought he’d see Big Sky country again. But now that his family's Whisper Creek property is in deep with a Vegas gambler, Decker’s back for the summer—and spending all his time running from “cowgirls” who come to the dude ranch to score some dudes. Then he meets Kyla, a kindred spirit who brings on a stampede of protective feelings . . . and a powerful hankering to sear her with a new brand of love.
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBookstore | Google Play | Kobo | Other retailers
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_6627.html
Author Info
Maggie McGinnis is the author of Driving Without a License, which was a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award. A former high school English teacher, an accomplished musician, and a certified black belt, she lives in New England with her family.Connect with Maggie: Facebook | Twitter | Website
Rafflecopter Giveaway -GRAND PRIZE winner - $50 e-giftcard to BootBarn.com and a NetGalley review copy of ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL-3 First Prize winners - Loveswept Coffee Mug -5 Second Prize winners - ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL NetGalley review copy
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hello and thanks for stopping by today! We have a personal q&a with Maggie McGinnis so let's get right to it!
What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?
I sort of hate to admit this out loud, but it was really a quest for sanity that led me to writing. I had infant twins and a 4-year old, so my life had temporarily become an endless string of diapers, bottles, and very little sleep. Amidst the craziness that was infants-times-two, I needed someone I could control, so I created pretend-people! J
What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?
For this book I did quite a bit of research on PTSD, and was actually surprised to find out that the highest percentage of PTSD victims are actually car accident survivors. I’d always associated it more closely with combat or personal types of traumas, but apparently it’s much further-reaching than I’d known. I also enjoyed lots of (online for now – sigh) time checking out dude ranches and Montana getaways, and next time I have twelve million dollars lying around, I’m totally buying the mountaintop retreat I found.
Do you have a special place you like to write?
My sweet hubby pulled the ultimate sacrifice last Christmas, turning his Man Cave into a cozy writing space for me. It’s warm, comfy, and tucked away from the chaos, and it’s the first time in a lo-ong time that I’ve had a space to call “mine.” That said, given that I’m mommy-to-many, I’m just as often scribbling notes at the kitchen counter or trying to balance my laptop on a lawn chair!
As a reader, what types of works do you like to read, and do you think they influence the genre(s) you write in?
I spent a lot of years reading and teaching oodles of classics and literary fiction, and I have the utmost respect for those books and authors. I have to admit that these days, though, I tend more toward lighter contemporary novels that let me escape for a few hours without the burden of pondering my own existence or grappling with heavy issues that invade my sleep afterward. As a mom, I am in constant worry-mode about my kids’ health, their futures, their world, so I like to let authors like Kristan Higgins, Eileen Cook, and Jill Shalvis take me away, make me laugh, and usually leave me feeling better about the universe. That’s what I hope my books will do as well.
What is your favorite method of writing? Do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?
I’m a huge fan of the notebook-and-pen method of outlining and notes-gathering, but when it comes time to sit down and write, my hot pink Dell laptop is just the thing. I do my best to plot, but I seem to have a rather cranky muse who prefers to go with the flow whether I want to come along or not. I do plot out major turning points and GMCs for my characters, but very little of my final draft resembles my early planning, despite my best efforts!
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m generally wrangling kids, laundry, and yet another unsuccessful experiment in the kitchen. I’m a wannabe-crafter and someday-photographer, but right now I’m just enjoying all the hours I can get with my family. I know I’m going to blink and this part will be over, so I’m grabbing it for all it’s worth.
Is there anything nobody knows about you that you’d like to share with our readers?
Yikes. Can I trust them? J I’ve already fessed up to owning a minivan (horrors!), so I’m not sure I’m ready to go any deeper than that!
Favorites:Color: Teal and salmon, preferably together!
Dessert: My secret-recipe chocolate chip cookies (Yes, even I have a secret recipe. One.)
Season: Autumn, definitely. There’s nothing like cool air, crisp apples, and the first warm sweater of the season. Ooh – and if anyone has any pull at Yankee Candle, could you please ask them to bring back their Cinnamon Appleberry scent? J
Sad Song: Oboy. I’d have to go with “I Need to Know” by Kris Allen. It’s gut-wrenching, and it helps me write every hero’s black moment.
Romantic Movie: I can’t pick just one! J I tend toward romantic comedies like Bridget Jones, The Proposal, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Crazy Stupid Love, but I have to say one of my favorite movies of all time is one of Reese Witherspoon’s early ones: The Man in the Moon. It’s sweetly haunting and beautiful.
Bonus: What is your ideal romantic vacation?Any vacation at all would be ideal at this point! I’d love to rent an RV and wander the country for a month, stopping where the mood strikes. Then again, there’s an inherent National Lampoon-ish risk in that plan, so it scares me a little!
Thank you so much for hosting me today!!
It was our pleasure !! Now for all the lastest book info :)
ACCIDENTAL COWGIRLBy Maggie McGinnisOn Sale October 8, 2013ISBN: 978-0-345-54875-7Published by Loveswept
BlurbIn her Loveswept debut, Maggie McGinnis tells the tale of a city girl who’s running on fumes—and the cowboy who shows her all the good things she’s been missing.After being betrayed by her con man ex-fiancé, Kyla Bennett nurses a broken heart. But Kyla's friends have other ideas and when they whisk her off to Whisper Creek, a dude ranch staffed by cowboys so hot they dim the Montana sunset, all Kyla wants to do is hide under a quilt. Then in rides Decker Driscoll. He’s hauling about as much emotional baggage as Kyla, but when he stands close by, both of them want to stay close—and begin to succumb to an undeniable attraction.
After experiencing personal tragedy, Decker never thought he’d see Big Sky country again. But now that his family's Whisper Creek property is in deep with a Vegas gambler, Decker’s back for the summer—and spending all his time running from “cowgirls” who come to the dude ranch to score some dudes. Then he meets Kyla, a kindred spirit who brings on a stampede of protective feelings . . . and a powerful hankering to sear her with a new brand of love.
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBookstore | Google Play | Kobo | Other retailers
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_6627.html
Author Info
Maggie McGinnis is the author of Driving Without a License, which was a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award. A former high school English teacher, an accomplished musician, and a certified black belt, she lives in New England with her family.Connect with Maggie: Facebook | Twitter | Website
Rafflecopter Giveaway -GRAND PRIZE winner - $50 e-giftcard to BootBarn.com and a NetGalley review copy of ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL-3 First Prize winners - Loveswept Coffee Mug -5 Second Prize winners - ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL NetGalley review copy
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 2, 2013
Author, author...Guest Post ~ Hero for Hire by Merissa McCain & Margaret Madigan
...read all about it !!!
Thanks for joining us today. We have a guest post from the authors of Hero for Hire.
The Authors’ Top Ten Reads for the Doom Shelter
Okay, so there are two of us. And getting ten picks a piece seemed a bit like cheating, especially since we’re counting series’ as one pick. So, I talked Margaret down to five picks, and limited myself to five picks as well. These are of course, the things we’d grab if we had proper warning of the apocalypse, but I’ll admit that if we had no warning I’d read cereal boxes and statistics manuals if it came down to that. And without further ceremony, here are my top five picks.
--Merissa
Okay. I know it’s cheating, but I’m counting books in a series as one read, since with Margaret getting five of the ten picks I’m limited on space. Here are my top five reads for my doom shelter, in no particular order—because they are all equally important for varied reasons…
1. Hunger Games, the entire series. For inspiration and moral support. Because if Katniss can survive with grace and style, and still manage to have two boys drooling after her, I can do it too. (Probably not with grace or boys, but I can do it.)
2. Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. Because it’s awesome. Also, it is set in a world that ends up degenerating into a fae induced post apocalyptic hell. So I could read the series and not feel quite as alone. Plus, there are really sexy fae, really sexy highlanders, and most importantly, there is Barrons. Sigh.
3. Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series. These historical mysteries stories are incredibly well written, abound with details of another time and a different, more genteel way of life. In other words, they’re perfect for when I need to forget about the zombie apocalypse outside, and recharge by losing myself in a story or five.
4. Jennifer Armentrout’s Covenant series. I adore this young adult series. It has forbidden love, teenage angst, a kick ass heroine, two, yes, two super hot super hero love interests, and an amazingly well drawn paranormal world filled with the decendants of greek Gods and Goddesses. And sometimes, the Gods and Goddesses pop in for kicks. This series I’d be sure to bring along just because I adore it. That is all.
5. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Because come war, come the promise of losing everything--even each other, come what may, Jamie and Claire never, never, never ever give up. They fight with their conscience, regardless of the fact that they know they probably won’t win. They hold tight to each other, and to choosing the way they think is right regardless of difficulty. I adore them, I adore this series, and I need them in my Doom shelter.
And now for Margaret:
I wanted to do Top Ten, but Merissa insists we can share the books on our lists, and since we’re kind of cheating and counting series as one entry on the list, regardless of how many volumes it contains, I guess I can go with that.
So, if we knew that the end was coming and had enough time after collecting non-perishables, clothes, medications, and other supplies, these are the books I’d insist were in the doom shelter with us:
1. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King.
You’d think in the midst of a zombie apocalypse the last thing I’d want to read was a seven-volume epic about apocalypse. But this series has always been my all time favorite and I wouldn’t want to live the rest of my life anywhere without being able to reread it. Besides, we might just learn something about survival from the Roland’s ka-tet.
2. No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
This book is amazing on so many levels and every time I read it, I discover some new subtle element I missed before. It’s bloody, violent, and starkly prophetic, but I love it.
3. The Dragonfire series of paranormal romance by Deborah Cooke.
This series counters all the gloom and doom of King and McCarthy. It’s all about love, loyalty, and honor, and sexy dragon shapeshifters who find their true loves among human women. Cooke has managed to build a compelling mythology around her dragon men that makes me want to keep going back for each new story.
4. The Percy Jackson series.
Because it’s rip-roaring fun.
5. Harry Potter series
What doom shelter would be complete without Harry Potter?
There you have it folks. What would you choose to bring to your doom shelter? And would you allow series in your list?Now these great ladies are doing a tour wide giveaway for 5 digital copies of Hero for Hire and (2) $10 Amazon, B&N or iTunes gift cards and you'll find that rafflecopter below.So first let's find out more about ...
Hero for Hire Tales from Beyond the End #1 By: Merissa McCain & Margaret Madigan Lyrical Press
Blurb One day her prince would come…disguised as a zombie-killer.
Having been disgraced and tossed out by her own scientific community, Gwyn is convinced she can develop a cure for a SuperVirus that has turned the Infected into zombies. By pure luck and determination, she has survived on her own for years, but while out scavenging, a clash with the local zombies leaves her potentially infected. Now, running out of time, she needs help and takes a chance on a hero for hire. Rafe loves the apocalypse. Since the world went to hell, everything’s come up roses for him. Having procured a mansion in the Hollywood hills, adopted a slew of homeless boys and one cantankerous but useful Doc, Mr. Charming is benefiting from the nasty zombie infestation. His job? Killing the bastards, which he considers fun anyway. Gwyn Snow needs Rafe Charming to help retrieve her research from the Paragon Pharmaceuticals lab, also known as Zombie Central. Believing she can yet save the world, Gwyn makes Rafe question what’s right and what’s worth the fight. CONTENT WARNING: Prince Charming, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before. A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance | Once Upon Buy Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hero-Hire-Tales-Beyond-ebook/dp/B00FF7IFFK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1380125620&sr=1-1&keywords=merissa+mccain iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hero-for-hire/id677147662?mt=11
Link to Follow Tour:
http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_24.html
Author Info Merissa McCain My name is Merissa McCain. I grew up in the African bush, without T.V, and often without electricity. I now live in the deep South, with my very own superhero, and my three minons. Together, we attempt to take over the world. When not otherwise occupied with planning world domination, I love to read, write, drink strong coffee and eat dark chocolate--not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. I'm a voracious reader, and will devour any type of good fiction I can get my hands on, but I'm particularly partial to happy endings. I write with a partner (Margaret Madigan) and on my own. We love to hear from our readers, so please shoot us an email at Merissa.mccain@gmail.comor mmadiganauthor@gmail.com.*** Margaret Madigan Hi. I'm Margaret Madigan. Or M.K.D. Bail, depending on what literary genre we're talking about. I live in the vast Northern Plains where it’s quiet and mostly empty, and very conducive to letting my imagination run wild. As a result, I have difficulty focusing on just one genre of storytelling. Of course, I love romance, so I write a lot of that, but I also write science fiction, a bit of horror, and dabble in other genres just for the fun of it.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course enjoying time with my family. Rafflecopter Giveaway (Five Digital Copies of HERO FOR HIRE & Two $10.00 Amazon, B&N or iTunes Gift Cards)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for joining us today. We have a guest post from the authors of Hero for Hire.
The Authors’ Top Ten Reads for the Doom Shelter
Okay, so there are two of us. And getting ten picks a piece seemed a bit like cheating, especially since we’re counting series’ as one pick. So, I talked Margaret down to five picks, and limited myself to five picks as well. These are of course, the things we’d grab if we had proper warning of the apocalypse, but I’ll admit that if we had no warning I’d read cereal boxes and statistics manuals if it came down to that. And without further ceremony, here are my top five picks.
--Merissa
Okay. I know it’s cheating, but I’m counting books in a series as one read, since with Margaret getting five of the ten picks I’m limited on space. Here are my top five reads for my doom shelter, in no particular order—because they are all equally important for varied reasons…
1. Hunger Games, the entire series. For inspiration and moral support. Because if Katniss can survive with grace and style, and still manage to have two boys drooling after her, I can do it too. (Probably not with grace or boys, but I can do it.)
2. Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. Because it’s awesome. Also, it is set in a world that ends up degenerating into a fae induced post apocalyptic hell. So I could read the series and not feel quite as alone. Plus, there are really sexy fae, really sexy highlanders, and most importantly, there is Barrons. Sigh.
3. Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series. These historical mysteries stories are incredibly well written, abound with details of another time and a different, more genteel way of life. In other words, they’re perfect for when I need to forget about the zombie apocalypse outside, and recharge by losing myself in a story or five.
4. Jennifer Armentrout’s Covenant series. I adore this young adult series. It has forbidden love, teenage angst, a kick ass heroine, two, yes, two super hot super hero love interests, and an amazingly well drawn paranormal world filled with the decendants of greek Gods and Goddesses. And sometimes, the Gods and Goddesses pop in for kicks. This series I’d be sure to bring along just because I adore it. That is all.
5. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Because come war, come the promise of losing everything--even each other, come what may, Jamie and Claire never, never, never ever give up. They fight with their conscience, regardless of the fact that they know they probably won’t win. They hold tight to each other, and to choosing the way they think is right regardless of difficulty. I adore them, I adore this series, and I need them in my Doom shelter.
And now for Margaret:
I wanted to do Top Ten, but Merissa insists we can share the books on our lists, and since we’re kind of cheating and counting series as one entry on the list, regardless of how many volumes it contains, I guess I can go with that.
So, if we knew that the end was coming and had enough time after collecting non-perishables, clothes, medications, and other supplies, these are the books I’d insist were in the doom shelter with us:
1. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King.
You’d think in the midst of a zombie apocalypse the last thing I’d want to read was a seven-volume epic about apocalypse. But this series has always been my all time favorite and I wouldn’t want to live the rest of my life anywhere without being able to reread it. Besides, we might just learn something about survival from the Roland’s ka-tet.
2. No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
This book is amazing on so many levels and every time I read it, I discover some new subtle element I missed before. It’s bloody, violent, and starkly prophetic, but I love it.
3. The Dragonfire series of paranormal romance by Deborah Cooke.
This series counters all the gloom and doom of King and McCarthy. It’s all about love, loyalty, and honor, and sexy dragon shapeshifters who find their true loves among human women. Cooke has managed to build a compelling mythology around her dragon men that makes me want to keep going back for each new story.
4. The Percy Jackson series.
Because it’s rip-roaring fun.
5. Harry Potter series
What doom shelter would be complete without Harry Potter?
There you have it folks. What would you choose to bring to your doom shelter? And would you allow series in your list?Now these great ladies are doing a tour wide giveaway for 5 digital copies of Hero for Hire and (2) $10 Amazon, B&N or iTunes gift cards and you'll find that rafflecopter below.So first let's find out more about ...
Hero for Hire Tales from Beyond the End #1 By: Merissa McCain & Margaret Madigan Lyrical Press
Blurb One day her prince would come…disguised as a zombie-killer.
Having been disgraced and tossed out by her own scientific community, Gwyn is convinced she can develop a cure for a SuperVirus that has turned the Infected into zombies. By pure luck and determination, she has survived on her own for years, but while out scavenging, a clash with the local zombies leaves her potentially infected. Now, running out of time, she needs help and takes a chance on a hero for hire. Rafe loves the apocalypse. Since the world went to hell, everything’s come up roses for him. Having procured a mansion in the Hollywood hills, adopted a slew of homeless boys and one cantankerous but useful Doc, Mr. Charming is benefiting from the nasty zombie infestation. His job? Killing the bastards, which he considers fun anyway. Gwyn Snow needs Rafe Charming to help retrieve her research from the Paragon Pharmaceuticals lab, also known as Zombie Central. Believing she can yet save the world, Gwyn makes Rafe question what’s right and what’s worth the fight. CONTENT WARNING: Prince Charming, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before. A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance | Once Upon Buy Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hero-Hire-Tales-Beyond-ebook/dp/B00FF7IFFK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1380125620&sr=1-1&keywords=merissa+mccain iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hero-for-hire/id677147662?mt=11
Link to Follow Tour:
http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/07/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_24.html
Author Info Merissa McCain My name is Merissa McCain. I grew up in the African bush, without T.V, and often without electricity. I now live in the deep South, with my very own superhero, and my three minons. Together, we attempt to take over the world. When not otherwise occupied with planning world domination, I love to read, write, drink strong coffee and eat dark chocolate--not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. I'm a voracious reader, and will devour any type of good fiction I can get my hands on, but I'm particularly partial to happy endings. I write with a partner (Margaret Madigan) and on my own. We love to hear from our readers, so please shoot us an email at Merissa.mccain@gmail.comor mmadiganauthor@gmail.com.*** Margaret Madigan Hi. I'm Margaret Madigan. Or M.K.D. Bail, depending on what literary genre we're talking about. I live in the vast Northern Plains where it’s quiet and mostly empty, and very conducive to letting my imagination run wild. As a result, I have difficulty focusing on just one genre of storytelling. Of course, I love romance, so I write a lot of that, but I also write science fiction, a bit of horror, and dabble in other genres just for the fun of it.When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course enjoying time with my family. Rafflecopter Giveaway (Five Digital Copies of HERO FOR HIRE & Two $10.00 Amazon, B&N or iTunes Gift Cards)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
