Krista Ames's Blog, page 78
October 22, 2014
Author, author... Shari Green with Following Chelsea and a #giveaway
...read all about it !!
It’s All About the Author…
1) Please tell us 5 interesting facts about yourself that readers might not know about you …
I’m a total Harry Potter geek. I never get tired of the books or the movies, and I once came close to totally losing it in church when we were asked to turn to page 394.I have “maskaphobia” – clowns, mascots, and anyone wearing a Halloween mask all freak me out. No full-blown panic attacks, fortunately, but some serious discomfort for sure. *shudders*For three years, I lived in a tiny mining camp in the middle of the Yukon…and loved it. The first time I saw the Northern Lights was about three weeks after moving there. I was walking alone on the way home from midnight Christmas Eve service at the tiny church, when the Lights danced through the stars above the dark valley. No wonder I love that place….I’ve held a human heart in my hands. And a brain. And a spleen. (I used to work as an autopsy assistant. The pathologist I worked with was a great teacher, so I learned tons. Fascinating stuff, if you don’t mind the clean-up.)I lovelovelove the beach. I have jars of sea-glass and piles of stones and shells tucked into little corners around my home. Sea air makes me happy, and salt water mends my soul. It’s magic.
2) What do you like to do in your spare time?
Read, play the piano or guitar, watch hockey on TV or catch up on any Doctor Who episodes I’ve missed, bake cookies, eat cookies, walk on the beach.
3) Is there one book that you love to read over and over again? If so, what is it and what is it that keeps you coming back to it?
There aren’t many books I re-read, because my TBR pile is so immense. But every year I’ll re-read one or two books from the Harry Potter series, because I love them so much—the pacing, the plotting, the characters…all so compelling. J
4) How did you get started writing and have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but no, I didn’t always want to be an author. I’ve kept journals since I was a teen, and I wrote songs way back when (mostly pretty awful ones). I also dabbled in non-fiction for several years when my kids were little. I jumped into fiction-writing by taking part in 2005 NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), because…what the heck, right? Turned out, I got totally hooked on writing fiction during that mad month of words. Still writing!
5) If you for some reason couldn’t be an author, what would your other choice be?
I work as a Practical Nurse on a surgical unit, and I love my job. If I couldn’t be an author, I’d still write, but I’d also probably dedicate more time to hospital work.
6) Did you like school? Were you a good student?
I didn’t mind school (high school, I mean…in later years when I went to college, I loved it). I was one of those perfectionist, must-get-100%-or-I’ll-be-mad-at-myself people, and I was, for the most part, a pretty responsible kid, so yeah, I was a good student. ;)
7) When you write, is there a specific way you have to write, ie: certain room, noise or quiet, computer or paper etc… Nope! When I first got serious about writing, I had four little kids and all the noise and chaos (albeit happy noise and chaos) that comes with that. So, I’m used to getting words down in noisy little snatches of time, just about anywhere. That’s not to say I like it that way – I like to be at my desk, working on my laptop, headphones on with my WIP’s playlist softly playing. But life isn’t always ideal, so I try to make use of the whenever-wherever method I started with.
8) If you could write a collaboration with another author, do you have one in mind and what would you write?
I’ve never considered that, but with the right person, it could be a blast! I’ll have to think on it…
9) How do you come up with your story ideas?
Usually a setting or a character will drift into my mind, and I’ll spend a lot of time mulling, adding other little wisps of things, before a story idea actually begins to take shape. (All these little bits go in my journal, of course, because who knows when they might be needed! So many weird little “seeds” in my writing notebooks…)
10) Do titles stump you or do they come easy? When do you pick a title, before the story is written or when it’s done?
All of the above? Ha! The title for FOLLOWING CHELSEA was there very early in the writing process. It never changed. That’s definitely not always the case, but I do like to have a working title that feels right before I’m very far into a project. It just helps, somehow.
11) Do you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?
I have notebooks in my purse, car, at my bedside… Oddly, I never take anything to write with when I go walking, and yet walking is prime sorting-out-plot-problems time for me. Go figure.
12) If you write a series, do you re-read your previous books before you begin the new one?
All my stories so far have been stand-alones.
13) How does your family feel about your writing?
They’re very supportive! They probably think I’m a bit (a lot?) obsessed with words and stories, and more than a little odd, but they accept that that’s just who I am. They’re exceptionally loving, and very
Thanks for sharing “you as an author” with us ! We hope you’ll come back and visit again soon!
Thank you so much for having me here!
*****
Following Chelsea
Shari Green
Evernight Teen Contemporary Romance
48.5k words, released Oct. 17
Walking in the footsteps of a dead girl isn't easy...
After her social life flatlines, seventeen-year-old Anna Richards wants nothing more than to lie low at her new school. But it seems Anna looks an awful lot like Chelsea, the sweet and popular girl who recently died, and Anna finds herself stepping into the void created by Chelsea's absence.
Anna is determined to make the awkward situation work in her favor, though, because Chelsea didn't just leave a spot open with the in-crowd; she also left a gorgeous—and now available—boyfriend. But it turns out that following Chelsea might be a lot more complicated than Anna anticipated.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Excerpt:
“Can I have my knife back?”
I’m sitting across from Principal Feinstadt in her office. My knife is on the desk between us, partially hidden from my view by an I Heart My Cat mug stuffed with pens. That knife cost me thirty bucks, so she’d better give it back.
“No, Anna,” she says. “Why would you even bring it to school in the first place?”
It goes everywhere with me. Without it, I never would’ve been able to get through the heavy-duty packaging of my new graphing calculator this morning. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t have been able to slash The Leech’s tires last week, either. That’s not going to help my case here, though, so I just say, “I use it to open stuff.”
She seems to be waiting for more of an answer.
“It’s got a screwdriver, too,” I say. “You never know when you’re going to have to screw something.” Mrs. Feinstadt’s mouth twitches. “And there’s a bottle opener.” Tucking my overgrown bangs behind one ear, I reach forward to demonstrate the wonders of my knife, but she covers it with her hand and slides it closer to her side of the desk. “Not that I personally need a bottle opener,” I say, slouching back in my chair, “but it comes in handy when my mom’s on a bender.”
Mrs. Feinstadt raises a hand to interrupt me. “This is serious. It’s a potential weapon, Anna. You can’t bring a potential weapon onto school property.”
“It’s not exactly a switchblade.”
Her arms folded across her chest, she glares across the desk at me.
“Oh, come on,” I say. “You think I’m going to pull a knife on one of my ever-so-charming fellow students?” I look down and pick at the chipped blue polish on my thumbnail. Trust me—if I ever pull a knife on someone, it’ll be you.
Mrs. Feinstadt’s hand smacks the intercom button and she hollers for someone to get in hereright now. Stink. Did I say that last bit out loud? Must’ve, because before I know it, both the secretary and old Mr. Jasper have moved into place for backup. Great.
“This student just threatened me with physical violence,” Feinstadt says. Suddenly I’m not Anna anymore. I’m this student. The secretary knows the drill. She calls the police. She calls my mother. And, thanks to this year’s new safety policies, she initiates a lockdown of the whole freaking school.
As Feinstadt deposits my knife in the Drawer of Doom, into which many students’ belongings have entered and from which none has ever returned, I try to explain. “I said if I ever pull a knife, which I wouldn’t. It was hypothetical.”
“It was a threat,” Feinstadt says. When the cops arrive, they naturally take her side and I get the total third degree. After the officers finish impressing upon me the seriousness of my offense, Feinstadt exerts her principalian authority and suspends me for two weeks … until right before finals.
I don’t get my knife back.
Bio:Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction and occasionally masquerades as a poet.
When she’s not glued to her laptop, she can often be found wandering in a blissful daze on the beach near her home on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
In her non-writing life, Shari works as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She’s married to her high-school sweetheart and has four children.
Links:Website: http://www.sharigreen.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/sharigreen
Giveaway: Following Chelsea ebook and “book of your choice” from Book Depository.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It’s All About the Author…
1) Please tell us 5 interesting facts about yourself that readers might not know about you …
I’m a total Harry Potter geek. I never get tired of the books or the movies, and I once came close to totally losing it in church when we were asked to turn to page 394.I have “maskaphobia” – clowns, mascots, and anyone wearing a Halloween mask all freak me out. No full-blown panic attacks, fortunately, but some serious discomfort for sure. *shudders*For three years, I lived in a tiny mining camp in the middle of the Yukon…and loved it. The first time I saw the Northern Lights was about three weeks after moving there. I was walking alone on the way home from midnight Christmas Eve service at the tiny church, when the Lights danced through the stars above the dark valley. No wonder I love that place….I’ve held a human heart in my hands. And a brain. And a spleen. (I used to work as an autopsy assistant. The pathologist I worked with was a great teacher, so I learned tons. Fascinating stuff, if you don’t mind the clean-up.)I lovelovelove the beach. I have jars of sea-glass and piles of stones and shells tucked into little corners around my home. Sea air makes me happy, and salt water mends my soul. It’s magic.
2) What do you like to do in your spare time?
Read, play the piano or guitar, watch hockey on TV or catch up on any Doctor Who episodes I’ve missed, bake cookies, eat cookies, walk on the beach.
3) Is there one book that you love to read over and over again? If so, what is it and what is it that keeps you coming back to it?
There aren’t many books I re-read, because my TBR pile is so immense. But every year I’ll re-read one or two books from the Harry Potter series, because I love them so much—the pacing, the plotting, the characters…all so compelling. J
4) How did you get started writing and have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but no, I didn’t always want to be an author. I’ve kept journals since I was a teen, and I wrote songs way back when (mostly pretty awful ones). I also dabbled in non-fiction for several years when my kids were little. I jumped into fiction-writing by taking part in 2005 NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), because…what the heck, right? Turned out, I got totally hooked on writing fiction during that mad month of words. Still writing!
5) If you for some reason couldn’t be an author, what would your other choice be?
I work as a Practical Nurse on a surgical unit, and I love my job. If I couldn’t be an author, I’d still write, but I’d also probably dedicate more time to hospital work.
6) Did you like school? Were you a good student?
I didn’t mind school (high school, I mean…in later years when I went to college, I loved it). I was one of those perfectionist, must-get-100%-or-I’ll-be-mad-at-myself people, and I was, for the most part, a pretty responsible kid, so yeah, I was a good student. ;)
7) When you write, is there a specific way you have to write, ie: certain room, noise or quiet, computer or paper etc… Nope! When I first got serious about writing, I had four little kids and all the noise and chaos (albeit happy noise and chaos) that comes with that. So, I’m used to getting words down in noisy little snatches of time, just about anywhere. That’s not to say I like it that way – I like to be at my desk, working on my laptop, headphones on with my WIP’s playlist softly playing. But life isn’t always ideal, so I try to make use of the whenever-wherever method I started with.
8) If you could write a collaboration with another author, do you have one in mind and what would you write?
I’ve never considered that, but with the right person, it could be a blast! I’ll have to think on it…
9) How do you come up with your story ideas?
Usually a setting or a character will drift into my mind, and I’ll spend a lot of time mulling, adding other little wisps of things, before a story idea actually begins to take shape. (All these little bits go in my journal, of course, because who knows when they might be needed! So many weird little “seeds” in my writing notebooks…)
10) Do titles stump you or do they come easy? When do you pick a title, before the story is written or when it’s done?
All of the above? Ha! The title for FOLLOWING CHELSEA was there very early in the writing process. It never changed. That’s definitely not always the case, but I do like to have a working title that feels right before I’m very far into a project. It just helps, somehow.
11) Do you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?
I have notebooks in my purse, car, at my bedside… Oddly, I never take anything to write with when I go walking, and yet walking is prime sorting-out-plot-problems time for me. Go figure.
12) If you write a series, do you re-read your previous books before you begin the new one?
All my stories so far have been stand-alones.
13) How does your family feel about your writing?
They’re very supportive! They probably think I’m a bit (a lot?) obsessed with words and stories, and more than a little odd, but they accept that that’s just who I am. They’re exceptionally loving, and very
Thanks for sharing “you as an author” with us ! We hope you’ll come back and visit again soon!
Thank you so much for having me here!
*****
Following Chelsea
Shari Green
Evernight Teen Contemporary Romance
48.5k words, released Oct. 17
Walking in the footsteps of a dead girl isn't easy... After her social life flatlines, seventeen-year-old Anna Richards wants nothing more than to lie low at her new school. But it seems Anna looks an awful lot like Chelsea, the sweet and popular girl who recently died, and Anna finds herself stepping into the void created by Chelsea's absence.
Anna is determined to make the awkward situation work in her favor, though, because Chelsea didn't just leave a spot open with the in-crowd; she also left a gorgeous—and now available—boyfriend. But it turns out that following Chelsea might be a lot more complicated than Anna anticipated.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Excerpt:
“Can I have my knife back?”
I’m sitting across from Principal Feinstadt in her office. My knife is on the desk between us, partially hidden from my view by an I Heart My Cat mug stuffed with pens. That knife cost me thirty bucks, so she’d better give it back.
“No, Anna,” she says. “Why would you even bring it to school in the first place?”
It goes everywhere with me. Without it, I never would’ve been able to get through the heavy-duty packaging of my new graphing calculator this morning. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t have been able to slash The Leech’s tires last week, either. That’s not going to help my case here, though, so I just say, “I use it to open stuff.”
She seems to be waiting for more of an answer.
“It’s got a screwdriver, too,” I say. “You never know when you’re going to have to screw something.” Mrs. Feinstadt’s mouth twitches. “And there’s a bottle opener.” Tucking my overgrown bangs behind one ear, I reach forward to demonstrate the wonders of my knife, but she covers it with her hand and slides it closer to her side of the desk. “Not that I personally need a bottle opener,” I say, slouching back in my chair, “but it comes in handy when my mom’s on a bender.”
Mrs. Feinstadt raises a hand to interrupt me. “This is serious. It’s a potential weapon, Anna. You can’t bring a potential weapon onto school property.”
“It’s not exactly a switchblade.”
Her arms folded across her chest, she glares across the desk at me.
“Oh, come on,” I say. “You think I’m going to pull a knife on one of my ever-so-charming fellow students?” I look down and pick at the chipped blue polish on my thumbnail. Trust me—if I ever pull a knife on someone, it’ll be you.
Mrs. Feinstadt’s hand smacks the intercom button and she hollers for someone to get in hereright now. Stink. Did I say that last bit out loud? Must’ve, because before I know it, both the secretary and old Mr. Jasper have moved into place for backup. Great.
“This student just threatened me with physical violence,” Feinstadt says. Suddenly I’m not Anna anymore. I’m this student. The secretary knows the drill. She calls the police. She calls my mother. And, thanks to this year’s new safety policies, she initiates a lockdown of the whole freaking school.
As Feinstadt deposits my knife in the Drawer of Doom, into which many students’ belongings have entered and from which none has ever returned, I try to explain. “I said if I ever pull a knife, which I wouldn’t. It was hypothetical.”
“It was a threat,” Feinstadt says. When the cops arrive, they naturally take her side and I get the total third degree. After the officers finish impressing upon me the seriousness of my offense, Feinstadt exerts her principalian authority and suspends me for two weeks … until right before finals.
I don’t get my knife back.
Bio:Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction and occasionally masquerades as a poet. When she’s not glued to her laptop, she can often be found wandering in a blissful daze on the beach near her home on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
In her non-writing life, Shari works as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She’s married to her high-school sweetheart and has four children.
Links:Website: http://www.sharigreen.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/sharigreen
Giveaway: Following Chelsea ebook and “book of your choice” from Book Depository.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 21, 2014
Blitz: Dream Across Time by C.R. Moss
Dream Across TimeC.R. MOSS
Raritan Manor Ranch, 1
A woman in love. A ghost in need. A man possessed.
Evelyn Sheridan is in love with Raritan Manor Ranch’s resident ghost, Quinn, but can only experience his embrace in her dreams.
Quinn VanAlder, who doesn’t realize he’s a ghost, loves Eve and wishes she’d stop saying they can’t be together.
While at the ranch, Alex VanAlder arrives for a visit, and Evelyn’s hopes rise. Perhaps she will be able to have a real relationship after all. Alex, though, has no interest in Evelyn. Yet, every time the house cat, Myrddin, comes around, Alex feels like a man possessed and wants Eve with a passion.
Caught between loving a ghost and putting up with a man who can’t make up his mind, Evelyn is at a loss. Can the magic of the ranch help Evelyn to stop being caught between two worlds?
Buy Links: ARe Bookstrand Evernight Publishing Amazon Find C.R. Moss on Barnes & Noble
Dream Across Time by C.R. Moss Series: Raritan Manor Ranch, Book 1Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genres: Paranormal, Time Travel, Erotic RomanceHeat Level: 3 ~ Word Count: 32, 880ISBN: 978-1-77233-067-0Editor: Tricia Kristufek ~ Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Excerpt:A deep, warm laugh rumbled from him.“You think it’s funny that I’m going nuts?” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him over the horse’s back.Quinn moved around the horse. “You are not going insane.”As Quinn took another step toward her, she took a step back. “That’s what Julie says. I’m not convinced, though.”With every step she took, Quinn matched it. In a deep, sultry voice he uttered, “My beautiful, intelligent Evelyn, your mind is very sound.”Her butt hit the building. Standing in a pile of broken hay stalks, her gaze fixed on Quinn’s eyes, and her breaths came in short rasps. Her mind didn’t feel sound at all, neither did her body. Pulse racing, heart pounding against her chest, she seemed in the midst of losing control. All her senses heightened until colors were brighter. She looked past Quinn at the gentle slopes of the mountain range nearby and the deep blue sky.He stood an inch before her. She breathed in his musky, masculine scent. Her clothes tightened and scratched against her sensitive skin. Though under a warm sun, a shiver raked her body. How could a man rob her of control, of her senses?Quinn placed his hands on the building, trapping her between his arms. “Tell me,” his husky voice whispered in her ear. “What has gotten you so bothered you think you are going crazy?”The heat radiating between their close bodies sent ripples of desire through her. She shuddered.“Well?”“You,” she whispered in return, not meeting his gaze. “These dreams. They’re interrupting my life. I’m letting my relationship with you interfere with everything I do when I’m awake. Any good psychiatrist would have a field day with me.” Evelyn paused, took a deep breath to calm her excited body.Since he towered over her by at least a foot, she talked to his chest. The white shirt, pulled taut over his front, showed the outlines of his well-defined muscles. She wanted to touch them. Evelyn clenched her fists at her sides, taking in another deep breath, and looked up. “It’s gotten to the point where Julie thinks I’m in love—”“Are you?” Quinn interrupted, a hint of pleading tainted his voice.His question caught her off guard. She hadn’t thought about the possibility of love, of discussing their feelings for each other. She didn’t answer, and her lack of response brought an expression of sadness to Quinn’s features. She cared for him, but love? How could she love someone who wasn’t real, someone who existed before her birth? Someone who’s a ghost?Quinn turned his back to her. “I thought… never mind.”The misery in his voice pinged at her soul. “Quinn.” She put a hand on his shoulder to halt him from leaving. “I’m sorry. I can’t love you. You’re not real.”His body tensed beneath her fingers. Quinn turned back to her and her hand fell to his chest. He held it there. “Damn it, Evelyn. Stop talking nonsense. I am real.”She couldn’t deny that fact. His hands were warm. His heart beat strong and steady. Her eyes widened and she gazed up into his passion-filled gaze. She wished she wasn’t dreaming.“Let me show you how real I am.” His lips descended onto hers.All the blood rushed from her head and her knees weakened. She leaned into his body for support. His arms wrapped around her. Every nerve fired at his touch. His lips parted and his tongue coaxed her mouth open.Too dazed to resist, she copied his motions, and the gentle kiss blazed into a raging fire. Their mouths, hot and hungry, moved against each other’s in perfect harmony. Evelyn’s arousal gained momentum. She swirled her tongue against his in wild abandon, learning the sweet taste of him. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she held on to the moment for dear life.
Author Bio:
An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers Worlds of Possibilities.More about C.R. Moss: So what does she write? She writes stories from the light and sweet to the dark and deadly with varying degrees of sexual heat. Writing as C.R. Moss gives her and her muses the freedom to explore worlds of possibilities when it comes to love. And where does the tag line “Love & Lust in the Wild West” fit in? Well, for one, she lives in NV. Two, her stories take place, either in part or in full, in and around the Las Vegas area. In fact, even this website sports “a look of home.” The background picture was taken in an area just a few miles west of Las Vegas and happens to be the inspiration for the setting of the Double D Ranch Tales saga.She also has a passion for penning dark fiction. Writing under the name Casey Moss allows her to slate other stories under Horror ~ Paranormal ~ Suspense ~ Thriller ~ Urban Fantasy. Visit: http://caseymossbooks.com/
Author Links:~ Website: http://crmoss.com~ Blog: http://crmoss.blogspot.com/~ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRMoss.author~ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRMoss~ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CRMoss~ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/crmoss/
Come see C. Moss & other wonderful authors at http://www.hotmojaveknights.comOctober 2015!
Giveaway: signed PDF, reader's choice, of one of my Wild West stories, either Wild West Weekend, Wild West Hauntings or Wild West Promise.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 16, 2014
Author, author... Entangled by Maddie James #giveaway
Please welcome a guest post from the fabulous author Maddie James
The series, Soul Mates: The Legend of Blackbeard’s Chalice, possesses the paranormal element of time travel, the belief of reincarnation, and the spiritual elements of fated spirit mates, or soul mates, if you well. Then, of course, there is the curse. And, a curse spurted out by a spinning, severed head of a legendary pirate. Blackbeard. For you see, once the real Blackbeard was beheaded (back in 1718), it was important to secure his skull to take back to the authorities as proof of his death. Pirate lore says, however, that it was hung from the bowsprit of a ship, and then lost forever.But not in my book. See?
From Entranced:The eyes opened, yellow and glaring. The tongue slipped back into place. Claire shivered as she registered the deep belly laugh she’d heard so many times before as it exited the disembodied head’s mouth. She clutched at Jack, her heart vaulting in her chest, tremors traveling the length of her spine, fear gripping at her stomach in waves. The wind still thrashed about them. Jack wrapped his arms protectively around her, both of them mesmerized by the happenings before them.Then the thing in Rick’s hand spoke.Very slowly at first, building to a roar that echoed across the beach and into the ocean itself.“Be cursed, the two of ye! I place the loss of me head on your shoulders. Until me head is returned to my rightful time, yer love will be damned to reside in separate centuries! And may the curse rest with ye and yer offspring throughout eternity!”And with that, Rick’s body disintegrated, the throbbing slowed, the lights flickered.But the head of Blackbeard remained intact until the end, suspended, until the last bit of flesh and blood and tissue melted from it, leaving only the bare and sinister skull suspended in mid-air above the stone.And then it, too, disappeared.
The Soul Mates Series Maddie James weaves a five book series that combines romance, paranormal, and spiritual elements—within historical and contemporary worlds—in a family’s quest not only to break a legendary pirate’s curse, but also to bring the entire family together again. Full circle. The characters trip through time from 1718 to the future, and through spiritual worlds, to reconnect with their fated spirit mates.
Entangled Book Three, Soul MatesCan souls touch through dreams and find their way home again?
***
Jackson Porter seeks to fulfill his mother, Claire Porter’s, dying request, and find answers about the imaginary lover who haunts his nights. His future, he learns, is in a place called Ohio, miles and centuries away from his barrier island home in 1745. The land, his dying mother tells him, is his legacy. She urges him to claim it.In the year 2038, Kari Upton is driven to fight federal sanctions to save her land and her valuable poppy crops. Her upcoming marriage is one of convenience. Marrying Tye Gentry will save her Ohio farmland. There is no other way to gain power than to marry him and ride on his father’s political coattails to the state legislature.
And all would be perfect if it weren’t for those erotic dreams of a man with long dark hair who haunts her day and night....
Entangled Buy Links:AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | IBOOKS| KOBO| SMASHWORDS |
***About Maddie James
Whether writing traditional contemporary romance or building paranormal worlds, bestselling romance author, Maddie James, pens stories that frequently cross a variety of romantic sub-genres. Sweet or spicy, suspense or comedy, western or time-travel, her heroes and heroines always chase one thing—the happily-ever-after—whether they realize it or not!Maddie has over 40 titles in ebook and trade paperback print published worldwide, with foreign editions in French, German, Dutch, Russian, Spanish, and more. Her books have received numerous 5 Star and Top Pick reviews and have landed on various retailer top-selling lists. She has been listed as a Top 100 Most Popular Contemporary Romance Author at Amazon. ***Thank you for hosting me! Please visit my website at www.maddiejames.com, where you can find out how to connect with me in all of my other places! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, because that’s where you get the goodies. Thank you!
October 15, 2014
Author, author... Foreign Exchange by Denise Jaden
...read all about her !!
It’s All About the Author…
1) Please tell us 5 interesting facts about yourself that readers might not know about you …In my spare time, I dance with a professional Polynesian dance troupe.My son and I do extra work for TV and the movies when we get called.My husband is a personal trainer, and I used to enter fitness and strength competitions.My favorite treats are sour candies or guacamole.I’m extremely far-sighted, and while I can probably drive without my glasses/contacts, there’s no way I could read—even with large print.
2) What do you like to do in your spare time?As above, I dance, teach dance, workout at the gym, and homeschool my son. I also teach a fast-drafting writing class for homeschooled kids.
3) Is there one book that you love to read over and over again? If so, what is it and what is it that keeps you coming back to it?I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins about once per year. I love the voice and the humor, plus the romance makes it a quick page-turner.
4) How did you get started writing and have you always wanted to be an author?I got into writing by accident. I blame it on hormones, since I first started when I was pregnant with my son (he’s ten now). I started by journaling, but because I’ve never been a journaler and I was afraid of people reading what I wrote, I used character names. Soon the writing took on a life of it’s own and was no longer about whatever I was going through personally. I eventually found critique partners to help me make my writing readable, and they eventually encouraged me to submit it to agents and publishers.
5) If you for some reason couldn’t be an author, what would your other choice be?I think I’ll always write stories, whether I make money from doing it or not. I also enjoy doing extra work for movies and TV shows, so if I wasn’t writing, I may spend more time at that (though I’d probably still write on set.)
6) Did you like school? Were you a good student?No, I hated school, and that is one of my main reasons for homeschooling my son. Both my husband and I love learning now, and we hope it’ll rub off on our son. I was not a very good student, and mostly just did what I had to in order to pass.
7) When you write, is there a specific way you have to write, ie: certain room, noise or quiet, computer or paper etc…I prefer to write at our kitchen table, on my computer, with no one home, for no less than an hour at a time. In reality, I can write in five minute bursts, surrounded by chaos, on my phone or scraps of paper if I have to.
8) If you could write a collaboration with another author, do you have one in mind and what would you write?There are lots of authors I would LOVE to write a book with in order to learn from them, but honestly, I would probably be constantly intimidated and afraid my writing wouldn’t measure up. I’m always intrigued when I see other authors collaborate, but I’ve never gotten to the stage that I’ve actually wanted to pursue it for myself.
9) How do you come up with your story ideas? My story ideas come from all over the place. Sometimes from personal experiences, or from stories I hear from friends. Sometimes from the newspaper. With Foreign Exchange, the first spark of an idea came when I was watching the movie Life As We Know It. I was immediately interested in writing a responsible character who had to team up with an untrustworthy (but sexy) playboy in order to solve a problem.
10) Do titles stump you or do they come easy? When do you pick a title, before the story is written or when it’s done?With my first novel, the title Losing Faithcame quite easily, and both my agent and editor loved it. My second novel was originally called Appetite for Beauty, but during edits, the sales team at Simon Pulse felt it sounded too adult. I brainstormed about a million ideas, but in the end, my editor came up with another title I loved, Never Enough. Foreign Exchange has been through many titles, including Cover Me and Dangerous Translation.
11) Do you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?I take notes on my phone almost constantly. I used to keep a notepad, but I’d find I’d leave it somewhere and forget, and then start a new one. I still have half full notebooks all around the house that I’ve never gone back to.
12) How does your family feel about your writing?My family has had to warm up to the idea of me writing. Writing, publishing, and promoting all take a lot of time, and my family wasn’t crazy about it when I skipped out on making dinner or doing laundry because I was trying to write a novel in thirty days or some such goal. I’ve learned to make my writing less of an inconvenience to others over the years and they’ve learned to be more supportive.
Thanks for sharing “you as an author” with us ! We hope you’ll come back and visit again soon!
*****
Foreign ExchangeDenise JadenEvernight Teen Contemporary/Mystery
Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets.
As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Trailer: http://youtu.be/-v1h14XD6G4
Excerpt:Hi,” I say when I find Sawyer at his locker. My face is beaming like someone plugged me into a wall socket.“Jamie.” He smiles back, but his eyes are rimmed with red like he's really tired. “Have you heard from my sister again?”Not exactly the topic of conversation I'd hoped for. I nod. “I got another email. She got to Milan fine and is settling in.”Sawyer pulls out his phone. He looks at me, then at his phone, then back at me again. “She's...everything's okay with the exchange program?” he asks. His words are tentative. “Tristan's fine, Sawyer. She says the schoolwork is going to be harder than expected because of not speaking Italian, but otherwise she's great. She loves Europe.” He looks at his phone again. I put my hand out. “Here, you want me to show you the email?”He hands me his phone. It takes me a minute to figure out how to log in through his browser, but I hope I can put his mind at rest. My email is coming up on the screen when the first bell rings. I have English first class and my teacher's a real stickler about tardiness. I glance down the hall toward my locker.“You go,” Sawyer says, his palm open for his phone. “I'll look it over and see you in class later. Okay?” “I—” I’m not sure what to say. Tristan’s been talking about finding my dad in her emails. It’s our big secret and she’d been adamant about not sharing it with anybody. But I think I can trust Sawyer. And, after all, it is my secret to keep. If I’m making a mistake it’ll only hurt me. “Okay,” I say, finally, passing his phone back to him. Our fingers brush against each other, but we don’t have time to let them linger.By the time I get to English, I'm thinking of another problem. Tristan hadn't wanted me to tell anyone about her modeling over there. I’ll have to tell Sawyer not to mention it.When I dash into class later, Sawyer’s already seated in his usual seat with his head down. He's flipping through something on his phone, and again I think about signing him into my email earlier. Instead of feeling nervous, after having some time to think about it, trusting him makes me feel closer to him. Like we share our private emails with each other all the time.“Hey.” I sit down beside him. He finishes typing something, and then shoves his phone away before Mr. Echols catches sight of it. “Hey,” he says finally, smiling over at me. He still looks really tired.“Everything okay?” I ask.He blinks a few times, looking down, and I wonder if he isn't okay. Is something really wrong? “Do you...” he trails off and seems to rethink what he's saying. “Do you think with the program... do you think everything's okay about that? I don't know what's going on, but maybe...I mean, I think maybe Tristan’s over there trying to model.”I swallow hard. This is the moment of truth, where I have to decide how much I can trust him. But his pause is barely long enough for me to open my mouth. “I need to get on that class trip, Jamie. I need to stop my sister from doing anything stupid.”A host of emotions rush through me. Fear, anger, betrayal. “Wait, what?” I ask him. “You're going to try to get on the class trip so you can interfere with Tristan's dream?” Tristan’s told me how jealous he can be. How he’s done this before.Sawyer looks over at me with wide eyes, like he can't believe I'm calling him out on it.Mr. Echols interrupts us, starting class, but I'm too upset to pay attention to a single word he's saying. Sawyer passes me a note halfway through class.I’m seriously worried about my sister, Jamie. I have to tell you more about the program. Just hear me out. Please?I keep my eyes from Sawyer for the rest of class. I'm sure he knows I'm angry, but he doesn't try to talk to me again, at least for now. I'm even angry at myself for getting so caught up in my feelings for him and not noticing all the things that Tristan's warned me about.
“Foreign Exchange is a fresh contemporary YA that will keep readers compulsively turning pages until the very end. Combining international intrigue with a steamy forbidden romance makes for a can’t miss read.” - Eileen Cook Author of Year of Mistaken Discoveries.
“Great contemporary/mystery combo!”Shanyn Day, Book Blogger, Chickloveslit.com
“A pitch perfect voice and delicious chemistry between the characters kept me turning those pages!”Tara Kelly, author of Amplified and Encore
Foreign Exchange is heart pounding and suspenseful...the teenage dream of escaping the boredom of suburbia by travelling Europe and spending quality time with a hot guy shifts into a dangerous nightmare.
D.R. Graham, author of Rank and the Noir et Bleu MC series.
Author Denise Jaden
Denise Jaden’s novels have been shortlisted or received awards through the Romance Writers of America, Inspy, and SCBWI. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith (Simon & Schuster), was written in 21 days during NaNoWriMo 2007 and she loves talking with writers and students alike about her Just-Get-To-The-End fast-drafting process. Jaden’s other young adult novels include Never Enough (Simon & Schuster) and Foreign Exchange (Evernight Teen, 2014).
Her first non-fiction book for writers, Writing with a Heavy Heart: Using Grief and Loss to Stretch Your Fiction, includes a variety of clear guidance and practical exercises to help writers get to the heart of their stories. Her second non-fiction book, Fast Fiction (New World Library) includes tips on constructing a story plan that works, as well as daily inspiration to keep writers writing, regardless of when the mood strikes.
Find out more about Denise and her books at www.DeniseJaden.com or on Twitter @denisejaden.
Praise for Denise Jaden’s Wriing:"In her sophomore novel, Jaden (Losing Faith) offers an intimate and enlightened rendering of anorexia and bulimia...Loann's fight against forces that might be beyond her control is both harrowing and inspiring. While Jaden does not provide simple answers for the problems presented, she dramatically illustrates the importance of speaking out and reaching out."
- Publishers Weekly“A poignant, important book, Never Enough tackles self-esteem and body image issues while always
remaining true to its three-dimensional characters. Denise Jaden has created a cliché-free zone filled with
hurt, heart, and personal strength. Jaden's tender sympathy for her characters and dedication to honest
storytelling shine through every page.”
—C.K. Kelly Martin, author of I Know It’s Over“This thoughtful first novel explores early grief and shows how it can tear at the structure of a family that
cannot mourn together…. [R]eaders are taken on a ride through a secret world of religious zeal gone
haywire….With pitch-perfect portrayals of high school social life and a nuanced view into a variety of Christian experiences of faith, this first novel gives readers much to think about.”
-School Library Journal“Losing Faith is a remarkable first novel.”
-CM Magazine
Giveaway: $25 Evernight Teen Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It’s All About the Author…
1) Please tell us 5 interesting facts about yourself that readers might not know about you …In my spare time, I dance with a professional Polynesian dance troupe.My son and I do extra work for TV and the movies when we get called.My husband is a personal trainer, and I used to enter fitness and strength competitions.My favorite treats are sour candies or guacamole.I’m extremely far-sighted, and while I can probably drive without my glasses/contacts, there’s no way I could read—even with large print.
2) What do you like to do in your spare time?As above, I dance, teach dance, workout at the gym, and homeschool my son. I also teach a fast-drafting writing class for homeschooled kids.
3) Is there one book that you love to read over and over again? If so, what is it and what is it that keeps you coming back to it?I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins about once per year. I love the voice and the humor, plus the romance makes it a quick page-turner.
4) How did you get started writing and have you always wanted to be an author?I got into writing by accident. I blame it on hormones, since I first started when I was pregnant with my son (he’s ten now). I started by journaling, but because I’ve never been a journaler and I was afraid of people reading what I wrote, I used character names. Soon the writing took on a life of it’s own and was no longer about whatever I was going through personally. I eventually found critique partners to help me make my writing readable, and they eventually encouraged me to submit it to agents and publishers.
5) If you for some reason couldn’t be an author, what would your other choice be?I think I’ll always write stories, whether I make money from doing it or not. I also enjoy doing extra work for movies and TV shows, so if I wasn’t writing, I may spend more time at that (though I’d probably still write on set.)
6) Did you like school? Were you a good student?No, I hated school, and that is one of my main reasons for homeschooling my son. Both my husband and I love learning now, and we hope it’ll rub off on our son. I was not a very good student, and mostly just did what I had to in order to pass.
7) When you write, is there a specific way you have to write, ie: certain room, noise or quiet, computer or paper etc…I prefer to write at our kitchen table, on my computer, with no one home, for no less than an hour at a time. In reality, I can write in five minute bursts, surrounded by chaos, on my phone or scraps of paper if I have to.
8) If you could write a collaboration with another author, do you have one in mind and what would you write?There are lots of authors I would LOVE to write a book with in order to learn from them, but honestly, I would probably be constantly intimidated and afraid my writing wouldn’t measure up. I’m always intrigued when I see other authors collaborate, but I’ve never gotten to the stage that I’ve actually wanted to pursue it for myself.
9) How do you come up with your story ideas? My story ideas come from all over the place. Sometimes from personal experiences, or from stories I hear from friends. Sometimes from the newspaper. With Foreign Exchange, the first spark of an idea came when I was watching the movie Life As We Know It. I was immediately interested in writing a responsible character who had to team up with an untrustworthy (but sexy) playboy in order to solve a problem.
10) Do titles stump you or do they come easy? When do you pick a title, before the story is written or when it’s done?With my first novel, the title Losing Faithcame quite easily, and both my agent and editor loved it. My second novel was originally called Appetite for Beauty, but during edits, the sales team at Simon Pulse felt it sounded too adult. I brainstormed about a million ideas, but in the end, my editor came up with another title I loved, Never Enough. Foreign Exchange has been through many titles, including Cover Me and Dangerous Translation.
11) Do you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?I take notes on my phone almost constantly. I used to keep a notepad, but I’d find I’d leave it somewhere and forget, and then start a new one. I still have half full notebooks all around the house that I’ve never gone back to.
12) How does your family feel about your writing?My family has had to warm up to the idea of me writing. Writing, publishing, and promoting all take a lot of time, and my family wasn’t crazy about it when I skipped out on making dinner or doing laundry because I was trying to write a novel in thirty days or some such goal. I’ve learned to make my writing less of an inconvenience to others over the years and they’ve learned to be more supportive.
Thanks for sharing “you as an author” with us ! We hope you’ll come back and visit again soon!
*****
Foreign ExchangeDenise JadenEvernight Teen Contemporary/Mystery
Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets.As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer.
Buy Links: Evernight Teen Amazon
Trailer: http://youtu.be/-v1h14XD6G4
Excerpt:Hi,” I say when I find Sawyer at his locker. My face is beaming like someone plugged me into a wall socket.“Jamie.” He smiles back, but his eyes are rimmed with red like he's really tired. “Have you heard from my sister again?”Not exactly the topic of conversation I'd hoped for. I nod. “I got another email. She got to Milan fine and is settling in.”Sawyer pulls out his phone. He looks at me, then at his phone, then back at me again. “She's...everything's okay with the exchange program?” he asks. His words are tentative. “Tristan's fine, Sawyer. She says the schoolwork is going to be harder than expected because of not speaking Italian, but otherwise she's great. She loves Europe.” He looks at his phone again. I put my hand out. “Here, you want me to show you the email?”He hands me his phone. It takes me a minute to figure out how to log in through his browser, but I hope I can put his mind at rest. My email is coming up on the screen when the first bell rings. I have English first class and my teacher's a real stickler about tardiness. I glance down the hall toward my locker.“You go,” Sawyer says, his palm open for his phone. “I'll look it over and see you in class later. Okay?” “I—” I’m not sure what to say. Tristan’s been talking about finding my dad in her emails. It’s our big secret and she’d been adamant about not sharing it with anybody. But I think I can trust Sawyer. And, after all, it is my secret to keep. If I’m making a mistake it’ll only hurt me. “Okay,” I say, finally, passing his phone back to him. Our fingers brush against each other, but we don’t have time to let them linger.By the time I get to English, I'm thinking of another problem. Tristan hadn't wanted me to tell anyone about her modeling over there. I’ll have to tell Sawyer not to mention it.When I dash into class later, Sawyer’s already seated in his usual seat with his head down. He's flipping through something on his phone, and again I think about signing him into my email earlier. Instead of feeling nervous, after having some time to think about it, trusting him makes me feel closer to him. Like we share our private emails with each other all the time.“Hey.” I sit down beside him. He finishes typing something, and then shoves his phone away before Mr. Echols catches sight of it. “Hey,” he says finally, smiling over at me. He still looks really tired.“Everything okay?” I ask.He blinks a few times, looking down, and I wonder if he isn't okay. Is something really wrong? “Do you...” he trails off and seems to rethink what he's saying. “Do you think with the program... do you think everything's okay about that? I don't know what's going on, but maybe...I mean, I think maybe Tristan’s over there trying to model.”I swallow hard. This is the moment of truth, where I have to decide how much I can trust him. But his pause is barely long enough for me to open my mouth. “I need to get on that class trip, Jamie. I need to stop my sister from doing anything stupid.”A host of emotions rush through me. Fear, anger, betrayal. “Wait, what?” I ask him. “You're going to try to get on the class trip so you can interfere with Tristan's dream?” Tristan’s told me how jealous he can be. How he’s done this before.Sawyer looks over at me with wide eyes, like he can't believe I'm calling him out on it.Mr. Echols interrupts us, starting class, but I'm too upset to pay attention to a single word he's saying. Sawyer passes me a note halfway through class.I’m seriously worried about my sister, Jamie. I have to tell you more about the program. Just hear me out. Please?I keep my eyes from Sawyer for the rest of class. I'm sure he knows I'm angry, but he doesn't try to talk to me again, at least for now. I'm even angry at myself for getting so caught up in my feelings for him and not noticing all the things that Tristan's warned me about.
“Foreign Exchange is a fresh contemporary YA that will keep readers compulsively turning pages until the very end. Combining international intrigue with a steamy forbidden romance makes for a can’t miss read.” - Eileen Cook Author of Year of Mistaken Discoveries.
“Great contemporary/mystery combo!”Shanyn Day, Book Blogger, Chickloveslit.com
“A pitch perfect voice and delicious chemistry between the characters kept me turning those pages!”Tara Kelly, author of Amplified and Encore
Foreign Exchange is heart pounding and suspenseful...the teenage dream of escaping the boredom of suburbia by travelling Europe and spending quality time with a hot guy shifts into a dangerous nightmare.
D.R. Graham, author of Rank and the Noir et Bleu MC series.
Author Denise Jaden
Denise Jaden’s novels have been shortlisted or received awards through the Romance Writers of America, Inspy, and SCBWI. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith (Simon & Schuster), was written in 21 days during NaNoWriMo 2007 and she loves talking with writers and students alike about her Just-Get-To-The-End fast-drafting process. Jaden’s other young adult novels include Never Enough (Simon & Schuster) and Foreign Exchange (Evernight Teen, 2014).Her first non-fiction book for writers, Writing with a Heavy Heart: Using Grief and Loss to Stretch Your Fiction, includes a variety of clear guidance and practical exercises to help writers get to the heart of their stories. Her second non-fiction book, Fast Fiction (New World Library) includes tips on constructing a story plan that works, as well as daily inspiration to keep writers writing, regardless of when the mood strikes.
Find out more about Denise and her books at www.DeniseJaden.com or on Twitter @denisejaden.
Praise for Denise Jaden’s Wriing:"In her sophomore novel, Jaden (Losing Faith) offers an intimate and enlightened rendering of anorexia and bulimia...Loann's fight against forces that might be beyond her control is both harrowing and inspiring. While Jaden does not provide simple answers for the problems presented, she dramatically illustrates the importance of speaking out and reaching out."
- Publishers Weekly“A poignant, important book, Never Enough tackles self-esteem and body image issues while always
remaining true to its three-dimensional characters. Denise Jaden has created a cliché-free zone filled with
hurt, heart, and personal strength. Jaden's tender sympathy for her characters and dedication to honest
storytelling shine through every page.”
—C.K. Kelly Martin, author of I Know It’s Over“This thoughtful first novel explores early grief and shows how it can tear at the structure of a family that
cannot mourn together…. [R]eaders are taken on a ride through a secret world of religious zeal gone
haywire….With pitch-perfect portrayals of high school social life and a nuanced view into a variety of Christian experiences of faith, this first novel gives readers much to think about.”
-School Library Journal“Losing Faith is a remarkable first novel.”
-CM Magazine
Giveaway: $25 Evernight Teen Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 10, 2014
Author, author... Sasha Hibbs and BLACK ATONEMENT
...read all about it !!
Welcome to A Passion for Romance! So great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thanks for having me today! I work as a behavioral health nurse during the day, and I’m a writer by night. I have two beautiful little girls, a wonderful husband, love HBO (although I’m on boycott after True Blood *shakes fists angrily*), the beach, and of course books!
APFR) Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Hmm…I would have to say that real life situations have inspired me and through me, my writing.
APFR) Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
Sure. There are some strong characteristics I’ve ran across and implemented into some of my own characters.
APFR) Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
A mixture of things inspire me: music, a certain place, a certain time…Black Atonement was interesting for me. While I planned this pair out, I hadn’t quite planned on them having their own book. But a real-life situation occurred and inspired me to write more about these characters and how happiness can somehow rise up from the deepest despair.
APFR) When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Whenever the opportunity presents itself. I try to balance out working a full time job, having children and writing. It can be…interesting :)
APFR) How do you feel about marketing your book?
It’s essential to market your book/s, otherwise, how will anyone know it’s out there? With that said, I think it’s imperative to not overdo it and take a humble approach to soliciting your novel. I love a blog hop, that’s a fun way to meet other authors/bloggers/reviewers while showcasing yourself as a writer and others. I’ve found that the author community is awesome. Sharing and giving feedback, great advice, etc.
APFR) What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
Facebook would have to be a huge outlet. Twitter works well for connecting with readers and other writers. I also really like Goodreads.
APFR) 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?
Oh, I definitely wait until I have the completed proofed, formatted, and polished manuscript before even thinking about submission!
APFR) Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
Over the last year I’ve become fond of Dystopian. I think it would be interesting to try dabbling in that genre.
APFR) Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
No. I like to write them sure enough, but none of them have been a reflection of myself.
APFR) Just for fun, I have a few personal questions,
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Clark Gable 2) Favorite vehicle –Subaru 3) Favorite way to relax –Reading and drinking a fresh cup of coffee J4) Favorite ice cream –Ben and Jerry’s-Cherry Garcia 5) Favorite outfit –I wear too much black, so anything I guess in that color and preferably corduroy
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)
I’ve always been fascinated by New Zealand…so probably there :)
Where can our readers find you?? Twitter: @SashaHibbsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-...Website/blog: http://sashahibbs.blogspot.com/Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Sasha-Hibbs/e/B...Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
My third novel, Black Atonement. I’m super excited about book 3 in the Vulcan Legacies series. It’s a bit of a departure from the first two where I switch up the leading female. Of course she’s been in the first two books, but my main character comes with a different set of issues.
Goodreads ~ Amazon
Book description:
The burden of Dave’s girlfriend’s death pushes Brandi, the Seraph of Love, to abduct David Howels in hopes of protecting Dave from his murderous father. Will Brandi be able to show Dave that all in life is not lost in death? Twists and turns abound as Brandi discovers her own shocking revelation—that Dave has been her soul mate all along.
Separating Dave and herself from their allies on the threshold of the apocalypse, Brandi turns to an old friend for help—a witch—to aid her in her quest to prepare Dave to face his worst fears and her own. Filled with curses, and secrets that threaten to destroy everything, Brandi must find forgiveness from within before she can find love. In the past, healing a broken heart would’ve been easy, but now faced with the task of healing Dave’s broken heart while not exposing her own, Brandi learns why love is truly the greatest gift of all.
Excerpt from BLACK ATONEMENT:
She began walking towards Dave and stopped. It occurred to her to bolt from the room. She knew Abraham cast a spell on Dave, that he wouldn’t remember anything from tonight. But she would. What would he think of her? God! It had never occurred to Brandi before, in all her vanity, would Dave even think she was pretty? Doubts surfaced in her mind. She’d never had to deal with these kinds of emotions before. She was Brandi, the Seraph of Love. She was gorgeous. Every mortal wanted her. But Dave wasn’t mortal. Dave wasn’t everyone.
Brandi turned to leave, but stopped dead in her tracks as Dave turned at the same moment. His blue eyes caught hers, a glass of punch up to his lips, him stopping as though stunned at what he was looking at. Brandi looked behind her. Did something else capture his attention? She turned her gaze back around. Dave kept his gaze fixed on hers while setting his drink down. His mouth formed a perfect O. Brandi’s heart leapt into her throat. He started walking towards Brandi, his pace slow, as though time stood still.
Dave stopped inches from her, almost as though unsure of himself. He wore a black tuxedo, a matching black mask covering his face. He slowly removed his mask as though it was obstructing a clear view of her.
They stood there together in a timeless moment just taking each other in. Brandi felt like a timid rabbit, too scared to move. Finally Dave took the first step.
“Would you like to dance with me?” Dave asked, his voice so different. It was the same, but it was the Dave she knew before he had lost so much, before he had been thrust into a supernatural world he knew nothing of, before he lost his soul mate. This Dave was untainted by the stains of loving and losing.
Brandi’s voice was jammed in her throat, a first for her. She had never been so nervous before, never had a reason to care what anyone thought of her. “Yes….”
Brandi extended her hand, her gaze locked onto Dave’s. He put his mask back on. Dave brought her up close to him, one hand holding hers up and the other going to the small of her back. He spun her around in circles and all Brandi could do was stare into his blue eyes. She was mesmerized, lost.
She had never been this close to him. If there was something about the Dave spinning her around now, he seemed surer of himself, more confident. Brandi would hold this moment close to her for the rest of her days.
The room was buzzing with music, men and women swirling in symmetrical patterns, the lights casting shadows on the walls, but to Brandi there was only one girl, one boy.
It was only her and Dave in the ballroom, dancing close together, the only melody heard in the great room was the sound of their hearts beating wildly. Brandi gave up on love a long time ago, but staring into Dave’s blue eyes was the closest she came to renewing her faith that something beyond her own self torment existed. She could see a paradise in his gaze, one she wanted to live in.
In this moment with him, Brandi realized a surge of truths. Dave had been the most carefree-vibrant-full-of-life boy she’d ever encountered, a sense of humor so bright it would light up the darkest days. He was everything Brandi wasn’t. And she loved him for it. Brandi Frasier, aka the Seraph of Love, was in love with Dave, aka the man-child whose heart had been shattered by the death of his soul mate, whose mind was currently under the care of a witch, and who right now, this very precious second, was looking at Brandi as no one in the world ever had. Dave looked down on Brandi as though he felt the same way Brandi did.
“What’s your name?” Dave asked, his voice a breathy whisper.
“Brandi.”
“You look stunning,” Dave said, his voice low.
“Thank you,” Brandi said nervously.
“Would you think I’m crazy if I told you it felt as though we’ve met before?” Dave asked, his voice warm.
“Not at all,” Brandi said, her gaze still locked with his. She couldn’t steal her eyes away from his.
“Do I know you?” Dave asked, the corners of his lips turning up into a smile.
“Perhaps in a previous life we knew each other,” Brandi said, the truth painful.
“What were we in our previous lives?” Dave asked.
“Hmm…I don’t know,” Brandi said leaning in closer to Dave.
“I know,” Dave said, twirling her out and then bringing her in closer and closer. “I was a composer and you were a ballerina, my little dancer.”
“A ballerina?” Brandi said, arching a brow and smiling at him unconvinced.
“Sure. I wrote music, not just any music, but I strung together sounds and melodies so great, they would have matched Amadeus, and they were written just for you. I can see you, a dress as elegant as the lines of your body. You’re in the distance, a soft spotlight framing your tiny figure, you gliding across the stage gracefully…a little ballerina. My little ballerina,” Dave said, his voice dropping an octave.
“Was I happy dancing for you?” Brandi asked breathlessly, his presence closing in on her.
“Yes, and I was happy writing music for you, watching you dance. But in our previous lives, I always watched from afar, never brave enough to ask you to dance with me, as you are now,” Dave said.
“Well,” Brandi said, her gaze lowered to his lips, “it’s good we have our chance.”
Dave lowered his head, resting his brow on hers. Brandi’s heart jumped into her throat. She had never craved anything more. David Lee Howels, her soul mate, the greatest love of her life, only discovered weeks ago, was seconds away from kissing her and she felt like the most fragile girl in the world, her sanity hanging by threads.
Dave cupped her face, tilting her head so she was looking into his eyes.
“My beautiful little ballerina,” he said, and then he kissed her softly, his lips moving gently across hers.
Brandi melted in his arms, leaning into his kiss in complete rapture, her guard down, her heart wide open, the walls protecting that muscle now down. She tangled her fingers up in his red hair, pulling him down on her. She was dizzy, the music playing softly, the moment more perfect than she’d ever dared hope.
GiveawaySasha is giving away a $25 Evernight GCa Rafflecopter giveaway
* * * * *
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.
Yes. I love Buffalo Chicken Dip.
2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup Ranch Dressing 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot)1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.
Sasha thanks so much for visiting with us today ! I love the cover of Black Atonement and am looking forward to reading this series. And, let me just tell you that Buffalo Chicken Dip is my FAVORITE !!!
Please feel free to stop back any time !!
~Krista
Welcome to A Passion for Romance! So great to have you here with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thanks for having me today! I work as a behavioral health nurse during the day, and I’m a writer by night. I have two beautiful little girls, a wonderful husband, love HBO (although I’m on boycott after True Blood *shakes fists angrily*), the beach, and of course books!
APFR) Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Hmm…I would have to say that real life situations have inspired me and through me, my writing.
APFR) Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
Sure. There are some strong characteristics I’ve ran across and implemented into some of my own characters.
APFR) Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
A mixture of things inspire me: music, a certain place, a certain time…Black Atonement was interesting for me. While I planned this pair out, I hadn’t quite planned on them having their own book. But a real-life situation occurred and inspired me to write more about these characters and how happiness can somehow rise up from the deepest despair.
APFR) When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
Whenever the opportunity presents itself. I try to balance out working a full time job, having children and writing. It can be…interesting :)
APFR) How do you feel about marketing your book?
It’s essential to market your book/s, otherwise, how will anyone know it’s out there? With that said, I think it’s imperative to not overdo it and take a humble approach to soliciting your novel. I love a blog hop, that’s a fun way to meet other authors/bloggers/reviewers while showcasing yourself as a writer and others. I’ve found that the author community is awesome. Sharing and giving feedback, great advice, etc.
APFR) What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
Facebook would have to be a huge outlet. Twitter works well for connecting with readers and other writers. I also really like Goodreads.
APFR) 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?
Oh, I definitely wait until I have the completed proofed, formatted, and polished manuscript before even thinking about submission!
APFR) Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing? If so, what is it?
Over the last year I’ve become fond of Dystopian. I think it would be interesting to try dabbling in that genre.
APFR) Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
No. I like to write them sure enough, but none of them have been a reflection of myself.
APFR) Just for fun, I have a few personal questions,
Favorite 5
1) Favorite Male Actor - Clark Gable 2) Favorite vehicle –Subaru 3) Favorite way to relax –Reading and drinking a fresh cup of coffee J4) Favorite ice cream –Ben and Jerry’s-Cherry Garcia 5) Favorite outfit –I wear too much black, so anything I guess in that color and preferably corduroy
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)
I’ve always been fascinated by New Zealand…so probably there :)
Where can our readers find you?? Twitter: @SashaHibbsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-...Website/blog: http://sashahibbs.blogspot.com/Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Sasha-Hibbs/e/B...Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
My third novel, Black Atonement. I’m super excited about book 3 in the Vulcan Legacies series. It’s a bit of a departure from the first two where I switch up the leading female. Of course she’s been in the first two books, but my main character comes with a different set of issues.
Goodreads ~ Amazon
Book description:
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The burden of Dave’s girlfriend’s death pushes Brandi, the Seraph of Love, to abduct David Howels in hopes of protecting Dave from his murderous father. Will Brandi be able to show Dave that all in life is not lost in death? Twists and turns abound as Brandi discovers her own shocking revelation—that Dave has been her soul mate all along.Separating Dave and herself from their allies on the threshold of the apocalypse, Brandi turns to an old friend for help—a witch—to aid her in her quest to prepare Dave to face his worst fears and her own. Filled with curses, and secrets that threaten to destroy everything, Brandi must find forgiveness from within before she can find love. In the past, healing a broken heart would’ve been easy, but now faced with the task of healing Dave’s broken heart while not exposing her own, Brandi learns why love is truly the greatest gift of all.
Excerpt from BLACK ATONEMENT:
She began walking towards Dave and stopped. It occurred to her to bolt from the room. She knew Abraham cast a spell on Dave, that he wouldn’t remember anything from tonight. But she would. What would he think of her? God! It had never occurred to Brandi before, in all her vanity, would Dave even think she was pretty? Doubts surfaced in her mind. She’d never had to deal with these kinds of emotions before. She was Brandi, the Seraph of Love. She was gorgeous. Every mortal wanted her. But Dave wasn’t mortal. Dave wasn’t everyone.
Brandi turned to leave, but stopped dead in her tracks as Dave turned at the same moment. His blue eyes caught hers, a glass of punch up to his lips, him stopping as though stunned at what he was looking at. Brandi looked behind her. Did something else capture his attention? She turned her gaze back around. Dave kept his gaze fixed on hers while setting his drink down. His mouth formed a perfect O. Brandi’s heart leapt into her throat. He started walking towards Brandi, his pace slow, as though time stood still.
Dave stopped inches from her, almost as though unsure of himself. He wore a black tuxedo, a matching black mask covering his face. He slowly removed his mask as though it was obstructing a clear view of her.
They stood there together in a timeless moment just taking each other in. Brandi felt like a timid rabbit, too scared to move. Finally Dave took the first step.
“Would you like to dance with me?” Dave asked, his voice so different. It was the same, but it was the Dave she knew before he had lost so much, before he had been thrust into a supernatural world he knew nothing of, before he lost his soul mate. This Dave was untainted by the stains of loving and losing.
Brandi’s voice was jammed in her throat, a first for her. She had never been so nervous before, never had a reason to care what anyone thought of her. “Yes….”
Brandi extended her hand, her gaze locked onto Dave’s. He put his mask back on. Dave brought her up close to him, one hand holding hers up and the other going to the small of her back. He spun her around in circles and all Brandi could do was stare into his blue eyes. She was mesmerized, lost.
She had never been this close to him. If there was something about the Dave spinning her around now, he seemed surer of himself, more confident. Brandi would hold this moment close to her for the rest of her days.
The room was buzzing with music, men and women swirling in symmetrical patterns, the lights casting shadows on the walls, but to Brandi there was only one girl, one boy.
It was only her and Dave in the ballroom, dancing close together, the only melody heard in the great room was the sound of their hearts beating wildly. Brandi gave up on love a long time ago, but staring into Dave’s blue eyes was the closest she came to renewing her faith that something beyond her own self torment existed. She could see a paradise in his gaze, one she wanted to live in.
In this moment with him, Brandi realized a surge of truths. Dave had been the most carefree-vibrant-full-of-life boy she’d ever encountered, a sense of humor so bright it would light up the darkest days. He was everything Brandi wasn’t. And she loved him for it. Brandi Frasier, aka the Seraph of Love, was in love with Dave, aka the man-child whose heart had been shattered by the death of his soul mate, whose mind was currently under the care of a witch, and who right now, this very precious second, was looking at Brandi as no one in the world ever had. Dave looked down on Brandi as though he felt the same way Brandi did.
“What’s your name?” Dave asked, his voice a breathy whisper.
“Brandi.”
“You look stunning,” Dave said, his voice low.
“Thank you,” Brandi said nervously.
“Would you think I’m crazy if I told you it felt as though we’ve met before?” Dave asked, his voice warm.
“Not at all,” Brandi said, her gaze still locked with his. She couldn’t steal her eyes away from his.
“Do I know you?” Dave asked, the corners of his lips turning up into a smile.
“Perhaps in a previous life we knew each other,” Brandi said, the truth painful.
“What were we in our previous lives?” Dave asked.
“Hmm…I don’t know,” Brandi said leaning in closer to Dave.
“I know,” Dave said, twirling her out and then bringing her in closer and closer. “I was a composer and you were a ballerina, my little dancer.”
“A ballerina?” Brandi said, arching a brow and smiling at him unconvinced.
“Sure. I wrote music, not just any music, but I strung together sounds and melodies so great, they would have matched Amadeus, and they were written just for you. I can see you, a dress as elegant as the lines of your body. You’re in the distance, a soft spotlight framing your tiny figure, you gliding across the stage gracefully…a little ballerina. My little ballerina,” Dave said, his voice dropping an octave.
“Was I happy dancing for you?” Brandi asked breathlessly, his presence closing in on her.
“Yes, and I was happy writing music for you, watching you dance. But in our previous lives, I always watched from afar, never brave enough to ask you to dance with me, as you are now,” Dave said.
“Well,” Brandi said, her gaze lowered to his lips, “it’s good we have our chance.”
Dave lowered his head, resting his brow on hers. Brandi’s heart jumped into her throat. She had never craved anything more. David Lee Howels, her soul mate, the greatest love of her life, only discovered weeks ago, was seconds away from kissing her and she felt like the most fragile girl in the world, her sanity hanging by threads.
Dave cupped her face, tilting her head so she was looking into his eyes.
“My beautiful little ballerina,” he said, and then he kissed her softly, his lips moving gently across hers.
Brandi melted in his arms, leaning into his kiss in complete rapture, her guard down, her heart wide open, the walls protecting that muscle now down. She tangled her fingers up in his red hair, pulling him down on her. She was dizzy, the music playing softly, the moment more perfect than she’d ever dared hope.
GiveawaySasha is giving away a $25 Evernight GCa Rafflecopter giveaway
* * * * *
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.
Yes. I love Buffalo Chicken Dip.
2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup Ranch Dressing 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot)1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.
Sasha thanks so much for visiting with us today ! I love the cover of Black Atonement and am looking forward to reading this series. And, let me just tell you that Buffalo Chicken Dip is my FAVORITE !!!
Please feel free to stop back any time !!
~Krista
October 5, 2014
Author, author... The Gladiator's Bride by Nhys Glover
The Gladiator’s BrideNhys GloverRelease Date: November 1stGenre: Historical Romance
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Crippled by shyness, shunned for being not-right-in-the-head, gifted artist and Roman noblewoman, Marcia Mica, has only two people in the world who truly love her – her teacher, Daedalus, and her childhood friend, Asterion, both slaves in her father’s household. But when forbidden love blooms between the unlikely friends, only disaster can come of it. That disaster leaves Marcia horribly scarred and Asterion sold into the arena as a gladiator. Years later, Daedalus brings a broken Marcia to Britannia, and Sabrina, the healer who saved his life when he was a boy, works miracles on the scarred girl. However, not all scars are physical and those Sabrina has no ability to heal.
When Sabrina and Marcia are kidnapped by a Celtic leader bent on revenge, Asterion must depend on the dreams of a Celtic Seer to find the love of his life and help foil a revolt that threatens the fragile peace in Roman Britannia. But even if he and his friends succeed, can scars that are more than just physical ever really be healed and can those whose lives are owned by others ever truly be free to follow their hearts?
Author bio:
After a lifetime of teaching others to appreciate the written word, Aussie author Nhys Glover finally decided to make the most of the Indie Book Revolution to get her own written word out to the world. Now, with almost 100,000 of her ebooks downloaded internationally and a winner of 2013 SFR Galaxy Award for 'The Titan Drowns', Nhys finds her words, too, are being appreciated.
At home in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales of England, Nhys these days spends most of her time "living the dream" by looking out over the moors as she writes the kind of novels she loves to read: The ones that are a little bit steamy, a little bit different and wholly romantic.
Author and Buy Links: http://www.nhysglover.com http://www.facebook.com/nhysgloverauthor http://www.twitter.com/nhysglover http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS48TCC
Excerpt:
As he took the shortcut through the forest, heading for home, a shadow flitted through the trees and appeared at his side. He was so shocked by her sudden appearance that he dropped the sack of flour.
‘Marcie, what are you doing here?’ he demanded as he tried to get his heartbeat under control again. ‘You shouldn’t be out here alone.’
‘You were with her again, weren’t you?’ Her delicately beautiful face was twisted in fury, honey-brown eyes flashing fire at him.
‘What? Who? What are you talking about? Don’t come up on me like that. I might have hurt you.’
‘That widow. The one the boys all talk about. I heard them. They think I don’t understand, but I do. You go to her house and do things to her!’ Her accusations stung and he felt guilt morph instantly into fury.
‘Mind your own business. It’s nothing to do with you!’ He slung the flour-sack onto his back again and stomped off down the narrow trail.
‘Don’t you talk to me like that, Asterion! You’re my slave and I have the right to know what you’re doing with your time. You aren’t free to go where you like, see who you like!’ she snarled at him.
He stopped and looked down at her in shock. In the last year he’d grown taller by almost a head than she was. Now, the year’s difference in their age seemed insignificant. In fact, after spending time with the widow, he felt much older and more worldly-wise than she was. Marcie was still a child, even though her sixteen-year-old body said otherwise. This little display of temper only went to prove it.
‘Oh sorry, mistress, I forgot my place for a moment. Of course you have the right to know that I’ve been sharing the widow’s bed. Do you want the details? How I make her scream and pant? How she sucked my cock until I came in her mouth?’ He knew he was stepping over the line, but so had she.
Their relative stations in life had always been ignored by mutual, unspoken agreement. They’d always been equals. But now, by throwing his servitude in his face, she’d crossed the line. She’d showed him how she really saw him. How beneath her he really was.
Marcie’s mouth dropped open and he was immediately aware of the seductive draw of it. Those red lips were so full and sweet, covering perfect white teeth that looked just like rows of pearls. By brushing back a stray tendril of glossy brown hair, she drew his eye to the seductive softness of it, made him itch to bury his fingers in its lengths.
But honey-brown eyes that were usually filled with warmth when they gazed at him were now wide with astonishment and pain. And he suddenly realised what he’d done.
In that moment, he wanted to call back the words and go back in time to do this all again.
‘She sucked what?’ she gasped, her cheeks flaming red.
‘Nothing. Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything. You just made me mad. Let’s get home. Daedalus will be wondering what happened to you.’
‘He’s gone to the coast to check on our cargo. Pater went with him,’ she said absently, clearly not focused on the information she was imparting.
‘Then it’s me who has to get back. I’ll be in trouble if I’m much later.’
‘You wouldn’t be, if you hadn’t gone to her. How could you? How…How could you?’ Her eyes filled with tears and his heart felt sick in his chest. In that moment, he wanted to cut off his cock for making him cause her this pain.
‘Marcie, don’t. You don’t understand. I’m a man now. I…I have needs I can’t control. The widow helps me. Haven’t you noticed the difference in me the last few months?’ He was almost pleading with her for forgiveness. And that was stupid. What had he done wrong except take an hour a week for himself? He deserved that, didn’t he?
‘Yes, I’ve noticed. You look so smug and cocky, swaggering around the place. The boys say you’ve got too big for your own sandals now. They say that the widow has played with more than your prick. She’s played with your head. Made you think you’re better than them.’
‘I am better than them. And it didn’t take the widow to make me know it. What do you want from me Marcie? Tell me – ’
She launched herself at him so fast that he again dropped the sack of flour. Her tightly closed lips butted against his in a fiercely innocent kiss. It smashed her teeth into his, cutting his lip, and it felt nothing like the soft, seductive caresses the widow gave him.
But it was like putting a naked flame to tinder. Like a lightning strike to a tree. The very fact that her lips were sealed to his blew every thought from his head and brought his cock to instant, painful attention. Blood pounded in his ears, his legs grew weak. Air evaporated from his lungs.
Fighting for control, he pushed her away. ‘What are you doing? Stop!’
‘You don’t have to go to her. If kissing is what you want, I can give you that. You don’t have to go to her!’
‘Yes I do!’
‘Why? Aren’t I good enough for you?’
He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her in fury. His head felt ready to explode.
‘I need more than kisses! Don’t you get it? We aren’t children anymore. And I need more than friendship and kisses. And you can’t give me what I need. You’re the little mistress and I’m the slave. They’d cut off my balls if I so much as looked at you the wrong way!’
Her eyes filled with tears again and she sobbed so hard it felt like her searing pain came from his own chest. Looking at her hurt too much, so he dragged her into his arms and pressed her to his aching heart.
October 3, 2014
Book Blitz: SEAN"S SWEETHEART by Allie Kincheloe
Sean’s Sweetheart By Allie Kincheloe
Sean has spent five years cleaning up his life. He’s shoved his past behind him and built a profitable business in the town’s most popular dance club. Falling in love with a college sophomore wasn’t in his plans. But, from the moment he rescued Talia, she brings out his every protective instinct. He tries to resist getting involved on a personal level. Talia’s persistence, however, is stronger than his will. Despite just ending an abusive relationship, Talia finds an instant connection with a man unlike any she’s dated before. Older, tattooed, and totally inappropriate for her, Talia couldn’t keep Sean off her mind, especially once he calls her “sweetheart” in that deep drawl of his.
When Talia is in danger, they discover just how strong their relationship is. Can Sean and his sweetheart make things last when horrors from their pasts come back to haunt them and family seems determined to keep them apart?
Buy links:Secret Cravings All Romance Ebooks Amazon
Excerpt: Sean let Talia clasp his hand in her small soft one as she led him across the parking lot. He shouldn’t encourage her like this, but he couldn’t bear to dim her eyes with disappointment whenever he pulled his hand away. Her brother and father stood looking over the loaded pickup. They caught the tail end of an argument between Zane and his dad as they walked up. Her father grunted. “That couch is damn heavy and once we go up and down those stairs twenty times with all those little boxes, we’re gonna be too tired to carry that couch upstairs. I swear the darn thing is made of lead.” Releasing his hand, Talia wrapped her arms around her dad from behind in greeting. “Would it make you feel better if I said I brought someone to help with the heavy lifting, Daddy?” The older man glared in response as Sean shook hands with Zane. He reminded the older man of his name and stuck his hand out in greeting. Her dad’s eyebrow rose, but didn’t offer his own hand in return. Well, alrighty then. Would it kill him to be polite? The older man scowled at him and said simply, “Sam Richmond.” The overprotective father crap was getting old. Zane broke the tension. “Okay, Dad, we will do it your way. Sean, you think you can handle one end of the couch while Dad and I get the other? It’s really heavy. I didn’t realize how heavy, until Dad and I were loading it by ourselves. I, for one, am glad you are here.” He nodded and the three of them pulled the couch off the truck. Talia tried to help, but Sean told her to just grab a box, he didn’t need her underfoot when they went up the stairs. Zane snickered at the glare on her face, but didn’t comment on it until Talia stomped up the stairs ahead of them. “You are a brave man, Sean. Brave, I say. You haven’t seen her temper yet, have you? She acts all sweet and shy, but she’s a little hellion when you piss her off. And I think you may have done just that.” Sam chuckled at Zane’s words, but didn’t say anything as they carried the weighty couch up, pausing at each landing to angle it around the support posts in the breezeway. Once they got it to the landing of the third floor, Sean could see Talia standing with her arms crossed outside the locked door of her brother’s apartment. She looked angry. Crap, Zane was right. He was in trouble. Where’d that spirit go when she was dating that asshat? They eased the couch down next to the door and Zane dug the keys out of his pocket to unlock the door. Shoving past her brother, Talia snatched up her box and stomped inside. Sam laughed out loud. “Yup, she’s mad.” Sean sighed and shook his head. Well, at least he’d made her dad laugh even if it was because he’d pissed Talia off. The heavy couch put up a hell of a fight going through the door. They finally battled it through and had to take a minute to catch their breath. The crashes and bangs coming from the kitchen made Sam and Zane both snicker. Zane elbowed Sean, mock-whispering, “Good luck.” When the other men started back down the stairs to get more boxes, Sean followed the noise to Talia. With her back to him, he watched as she slammed the cabinet door with such force it rattled. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you out there,” he murmured. As he laid his hand on the small of her back, she tensed at his touch. “You said I was in your way. Do I look like a child? Or maybe you think I am too stupid to get out of the way?” Her eyes flashed in anger as she spun to face him. “Now, I never said that. I just didn’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.” “I thought you were different, Sean. Caleb always treated me like I was too stupid to breathe on my own, and I won’t go through that again. I can’t.” “I really didn’t mean it like that. I should have phrased it differently, I can see that now. I’m sorry.” He didn’t get how he’d called her stupid, but he enjoyed seeing this side of her. He’d have to piss her off more often if she’d look at him like that. It was a heck of a turn-on for her to be confident enough to stand up to him. He liked his women to have some spunk. Damn, she’s gorgeous when all worked up. He wondered if her eyes filled with such fire when she made love. He moved closer and she retreated in response until she bumped into the counter. Tilting forward and placing his hands on the granite next to her hips, he surrounded Talia with his arms. He whispered low in her ear, “Anyone ever tell you how stunning you are when you are mad? Your eyes are sparkling and so damn expressive. Sweetheart, you’re really making me forget that we need to be just friends.” He nuzzled her throat, inhaling her sweet scent. Her hands reached up to fiddle with the button placket on his shirt. When she leaned toward him, he knew she’d forgiven him. She shuddered and he pulled back to look at her. When she licked her lips, he couldn’t take it anymore. Fuck being just friends. He needed to taste her again. Groaning, he bent his head toward hers. A mere second before his lips touched hers Zane kicked the door open and walked in with another box. Biggest cock-block ever.
Authors Bio: As a busy mother of five, Allie sneaks time to write between breakfast and tickles. Always a Kentucky girl at heart, she currently makes her home near Nashville. Visit her at www.alliekincheloe.com
October 2, 2014
Spotlight: IMPACTED by Alyne Roberts
Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) by Alyne Roberts Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
When a meteor hits the ground, it leaves a crater. The earth is forever impacted from the collision. Everyone has a past. Everyone has a future. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The aftermath can leave you impacted. Forever changed. Ryder and Kallie's story continues as they struggle to overcome the consequences of the choices they've made.Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MT4CDDCiBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/impacted/id910760336?ls=1&mt=11Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/468764B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jolted-alyne-roberts/1119618673?ean=2940045966122Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/jolted
Amazon ~ iBooks ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ Smashword
Ryder
Kallie worked on her laptop while I browsed through the billion channels she had. I doubted she had time to even look through all of them, let alone watch them. I tried to stop glancing at her ankle. The swelling went down a little, but it was turning purple and blue. I wished she would get it checked it out, but she wasn't going to do that. I listened to her tap away at the keyboard and finally settled on a Batman movie. She clicked and typed away, texting on her phone and going through files of papers.
Since I've seen this movie a hundred times, I got restless and took the time to swap out Kallie's "ice pack". I put the broccoli back in the freezer and brought in a bag of carrots. She thanked me and I nodded back in response. We didn't have much to say to each other. Most of the long drive up here was in silence. I had so much I wanted to say, but didn't want to at the same time.
I walked around the apartment, giving myself a tour. It was modern with lots of black and white, clean lines and minimal decoration. It had an open and modern style to it. The only photos on the wall were black and white landscapes. She didn't even have any photos of friends or family hanging. Scarlett's room was plastered with candid photos and little souvenirs. Kallie had nothing.
The sun was starting to set and I approached the windows that spanned the entire wall facing Lake Erie. The apartment was on the top floor, giving a clear view of the lake and some city lights. I stood, staring at the water as far as you could see, tinted with purple and pink. I turned back around when I heard movement to find Kallie standing by the couch.
"Wow," Kallie said with wide eyes, looking over the same sunset I was.
"You live here. You've probably seen it a thousand times," I laughed.
"I haven't," she admitted in a small voice. "I never pay attention."
I shook my head at her. "Well, you've been busy." I didn't hide the hardness in my voice.
"I hate it here," she said in a dead voice that scared me a little. "I hate it all. It kills me. It eats me alive and sucks the life out of me. I have nothing left. I lost you, lost my mind." If it weren’t for the trembling I could see in her body, I would have seen no emotion. Her voice was calm and her face was neutral. In a swift movement, she bent and flipped the coffee table over. Glass shattered everywhere. She stepped over the broken shards and swiped the photos off the wall. They fell to the floor breaking before she moved over to the built-in entertainment stand.
When she started to rip cords out of the wall, I broke out of my frozen state and rushed to her. Grabbing her arms from behind, I lifted her off the ground. Kallie kicked and squirmed in my arms as I backed us into the kitchen.
"Kallie, calm down," I said in her ear. She snapped and I wasn't sure how to get her back.
I wasn't sure if there was anything that could be said to make it better. She was right, in a way. She lived a different life, one that I wasn't convinced she wanted or fit into. I held my arms around her body, keeping her feet off the ground until she grew tired and went limp. She was still shaking and started to cry.
I sank down to my knees, taking her with me and situating her in my lap. Part of me knew I shouldn't be comforting her when she was so upset and vulnerable, but I couldn't just let her breakdown alone. I promised we could be friends and this is what a friend would do. Although, I am sure Scarlett would be better in this situation.
Kallie's body stopped convulsing and a little while later, she stopped crying and sniffled a few times. Her wet blue eyes looked up at me and I swear my heart ripped in half. I hated seeing her hurt. She gave me a sad smile before pushing off of me and she scooted a few feet away on the floor.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled while wiping the tears off her face.
"It's okay." It's not.
"I never meant for all this to happen," she gestured around her. "I never meant to ignore you. I never meant to make you think that I didn't love you."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I shook my head at her and closed my eyes. I wanted to believer her more than anything. She probably even believed herself, but I couldn't risk that she wouldn't hurt me like that again. After being deemed not good enough for my own mother, I never allowed myself to rely on someone else's love and approval again. Until Kallie.
We sat in silence on the tile floor. She didn't apologize again and I didn't have to push her away again. I wondered how we would get through the upcoming weeks and play nice for the wedding. It was becoming obvious that both us wanted what we had, but going back to that wasn't as easy as it sounded.
A knock came at the door and Kallie called for them to come in. The door opened and Kallie's Dad Junior stood in the doorway, taking in the sight of the trashed living room.
"What happened here? Are you okay?" he asked as he rushed over to Kallie's side.
"It's fine," she said, brushing him off and glaring until he backed away. She used the counter to pull herself up. "I lost my temper."
"What did you do to her?" he growled at me. I raised my eyebrows, almost impressed. Yesterday, this guy looked like he couldn't get aggressive with a kitten. He seemed genuinely pissed at me now.
"I didn't do shit," I said in a warning voice as I stood up.
"Ivan," Kallie said, to get his attention. When he looked at her, she limped into the living room, moved a chunk of glass from the table and handed him a thick file. "Pandora and Gala."
"Why are you limping?" he asked her.
"I hurt my ankle yesterday. Here are all the contracts. I sent you the electronic copies as well. The product list and pricing is in here. Here are all the Gala plans I have so far. It's pretty much done already. I suggest Amanda to finish this up. She's pretty creative and planned the Christmas party. She's good."
Ivan held the files in his hands and stared blankly at her. Kallie stood up straight and didn't retract her arm when he made no effort to take the work. She looked completely serious, and it was sexy as hell. The prick finally sighed and accepted the papers.
"Kallie, I can't do all this without you," he whispered, probably hoping I didn't hear.
We both waited for her response in suspense. I wanted to shove him out the door and tell him fuck off, but I needed her to do that. She had to make the choice. This was her chance to give in and stay where she was, or stand her ground and tell him no. Kallie needed to do it for herself, not for me and not for Ivan.
I never wanted for her to turn her back on her family and life for me. I wanted her to be happy and to do what it took to get there. When she fell into her old ways, I wasn't upset just because she basically forgot about me. I was upset because I knew she was doing something she didn't want to.
"Yes, you can," she finally told him. "Amanda will do great with the planning. Pandora is pretty much in the bag. My dad hired you for a reason."
"He wanted you," he insisted, almost sounding pitiful.
"I'm family. He hired you because of your skills, education and all that," she explained gently.
"You'll do fine."
She sounded so sure, so confident. I realized that although this guy looked like a pansy, he was educated and had a future ahead of me. He probably went to a fancy college like Kallie did. I had my diploma and a future in car repair, if I'm lucky, classic restoration. Ivan already had her father's approval. I paled in comparison to him, but she still wanted me.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked her, like it was secret. He probably thought I was holding her against her will.
"I'm fine," she huffed. "I just can't do this anymore. Any of it. I want to go my own way. I need to."
He nodded. "Good for you."
Ivan turned and walked to the door, pausing before pulling it open. He looked right at me before saying, "Take care of her."
With that, he walked out the door and left us alone. I stared at Kallie, taking in her calm and strong composure. She meant what she said, I was never so proud of her. I just hoped she stayed strong enough. I doubted they would let her go so easy. I was the only idiot that would let her go without a fight.
I crossed the distance between us in just a few steps. Kallie's blue eyes locked on mine as I cupped her checks and leaned down to press a hard kiss to her lips. Her tongue quickly slipped between my lips and I closed my teeth on it gently. Pulling away, I dragged my teeth on her tongue, pulling a deep moan from her.
My blood caught on fire and I gripped the back of her head, pulling her closer. Her body pressed against mine, instantly driving the want of feeling her skin on mine. I grabbed her hips and slammed myself into her, letting her feel how much I needed this. She grabbed my shoulders and dug her nails into my skin.
My hands slid down to her thighs and lifted. She wrapped her legs around me as I spun to set her on the counter. I kissed her frantically while rubbing up her stomach and under her shirt, grazing the underwire of her bra. When she tugged at the hem of my shirt, I backed away to let her pull it over my head.
Once topless, my lips and tongue continued running over the tender skin of her neck. Her breathing was quick and I could feel her chest meeting mine with every pant. Kallie was as frantic as I was. Her moans filled my ears and I couldn't feel close enough to her.
"Bedroom," she panted against my neck, leaving a trail of heat behind her breath.
I make homemade wine, and drink it.I love watermelon and anything flavored or scented watermelon.I have a dog and a cat. They are my kids.I have 5 tattoos and need more.I’m a Mac person, I have no idea how to use anything Windows.If I could live in any state it would be Georgia.I am scared of spiders and big fish.On the first day of sixth grade, I walked into the boys bathroom. Most embarrassing moment.My favorite candy is skittles.I never eat breakfast in the morning, but can eat if for dinner everyday of the week.I have ridiculously naturally long nails.I collected clowns when I was a kid. I have over 100 in my bedroom. No one wanted to come over for sleepovers.My sister and my husband are my best friends.If I won the lottery, I would own every Mustang model ever made.I have never had stiches or broken a bone in my life [knock on wood]Unless you count the time I knocked out both my front teeth. [They are fixed now]I am a famous singer, in my shower.I used to have a motorcycle until I dropped it. I traded it in for a 4-wheeler. I guess I’m too small to hold up a bike.I choose Coke over Pepsi and Miller Light over Bud Light.
Alyne lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. Working full time in an office all day, she spends her nights reading, writing or watching TV marathons. She loves coffee, animals and country music.Author Central Amazon amazon.com/author/alyneroberts Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7866185.Alyne_Roberts Blog http://alyneroberts.blogspot.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlyneRoberts Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AlyneRoberts
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TOUR HOST~
September 30, 2014
Author, author... Darlene Fredette with LAW OF ATTRACTION
Please welcome a guest post from Law of Attraction author... Darlene Fredette !!
Hopes and DreamsBy Darlene Fredette
Law of Attraction was the very first story I wrote, over sixteen years ago. I was an aspiring writer with hopes and dreams of publication. I had the stories in my head and wrote them on paper, unfortunately, I lacked the ‘craft’ of writing. My hopes and dreams plummeted with my first rejection, then another, and another. I lost faith in my writing and placed that story on the shelf where it collected dust over the next several years. Life continued, my career blossomed, and I had a baby. Through those busy years, I continued to write—and this time—I learned the craft of how to write. There’s so much more than putting words on paper. It’s about crafting those words into a story that will captivate readers.I can’t explain the excitement I felt when I received a contract for another novel I wrote, and then another. I then picked up Law of Attraction off that shelf, dusted it off, and polished it until it sparkled. Receiving that email, offering me a publication contract for Law of Attraction, was well worth the wait. I learned a lot over those sixteen years, and I’m still learning, but that’s the fun of writing.Never let go of your hopes and dreams because someday they just might find you! * * * * *
Law of AttractionByDarlene Fredette
Sweet Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: October 01, 2014Publisher: The Wild Rose PressSweetheart Rose Line
Determined to win back Christina, Steven will take the law into his own hands...even if he has to play dirty.
Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough? Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again. During their first meeting, she can't deny a connection still exists. Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the court room, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation. Six years ago Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away. Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back...even if he has to play dirty.
Excerpt: Heart pounding in her chest, she closed the door behind him. Wearing her best business face, she returned to this disastrous meeting and sat. Christina drew in a deep breath, and a measure of control was restored. She picked up her pen and flipped open the case file. “So, according to these documents, your client is contesting the divorce?”Steven reached across the table and snatched the pen from her hand. “What’s the rush, Christina? We haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a lot of catching up to do.”She clenched her teeth together, barely parting her lips as she spoke. “We have nothing but this case to discuss.”“Come on, don’t be like that.” He leaned back in his chair, frowning. “You’re not still holding a grudge, are you? What happened was so long ago. I hoped we could start fresh, as friends.”“Are you freaking serious?” She glared an icy stare. Forget a slow death by high heel. She’d get more pleasure strangling him with her bare hands. “You accused me of misconduct, had me fired, and now you want to be friends?” Her heart thumped a rapid beat in her ears. “You’re out of your mind.”
Bio: An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. She writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When Darlene isn’t writing, editing, or reading, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab.
Contact links: Web Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLFTwitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DarleneLF
The Wild Rose Press Purchase Link: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1186
Giveaway Draw:
Be sure to drop by my web site during the month of October to enter an awesome giveaway to celebrate the release of Law of Attraction!
Hopes and DreamsBy Darlene Fredette
Law of Attraction was the very first story I wrote, over sixteen years ago. I was an aspiring writer with hopes and dreams of publication. I had the stories in my head and wrote them on paper, unfortunately, I lacked the ‘craft’ of writing. My hopes and dreams plummeted with my first rejection, then another, and another. I lost faith in my writing and placed that story on the shelf where it collected dust over the next several years. Life continued, my career blossomed, and I had a baby. Through those busy years, I continued to write—and this time—I learned the craft of how to write. There’s so much more than putting words on paper. It’s about crafting those words into a story that will captivate readers.I can’t explain the excitement I felt when I received a contract for another novel I wrote, and then another. I then picked up Law of Attraction off that shelf, dusted it off, and polished it until it sparkled. Receiving that email, offering me a publication contract for Law of Attraction, was well worth the wait. I learned a lot over those sixteen years, and I’m still learning, but that’s the fun of writing.Never let go of your hopes and dreams because someday they just might find you! * * * * *
Law of AttractionByDarlene Fredette
Sweet Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: October 01, 2014Publisher: The Wild Rose PressSweetheart Rose Line
Determined to win back Christina, Steven will take the law into his own hands...even if he has to play dirty.
Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough? Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again. During their first meeting, she can't deny a connection still exists. Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the court room, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation. Six years ago Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away. Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back...even if he has to play dirty.Excerpt: Heart pounding in her chest, she closed the door behind him. Wearing her best business face, she returned to this disastrous meeting and sat. Christina drew in a deep breath, and a measure of control was restored. She picked up her pen and flipped open the case file. “So, according to these documents, your client is contesting the divorce?”Steven reached across the table and snatched the pen from her hand. “What’s the rush, Christina? We haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a lot of catching up to do.”She clenched her teeth together, barely parting her lips as she spoke. “We have nothing but this case to discuss.”“Come on, don’t be like that.” He leaned back in his chair, frowning. “You’re not still holding a grudge, are you? What happened was so long ago. I hoped we could start fresh, as friends.”“Are you freaking serious?” She glared an icy stare. Forget a slow death by high heel. She’d get more pleasure strangling him with her bare hands. “You accused me of misconduct, had me fired, and now you want to be friends?” Her heart thumped a rapid beat in her ears. “You’re out of your mind.”
Bio: An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. She writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When Darlene isn’t writing, editing, or reading, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab.
Contact links: Web Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLFTwitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DarleneLF
The Wild Rose Press Purchase Link: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1186
Giveaway Draw:
Be sure to drop by my web site during the month of October to enter an awesome giveaway to celebrate the release of Law of Attraction!
Spotlight: Wicked Hot Reads and a Giveaway !!
Wicked Hot Reads: Ten Paranormal Romances
by Shoshanna Evers, Cathryn Fox, Sarah Mäkelä, A.C. James, Jan Springer,Milly Taiden, Lisa Hughey, Jessie Donovan, Titania Ladley, and Mina Carter
GIVEAWAY ($100 Giftcard & MORE): https://gleam.io/LiAl9/wicked-hot-reads-blog-tour-giveaway Genre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Kissa Press LLCDate of Publication: October 7, 2014
Available NOW for preorder from:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Hot-Reads-Paranormal-Romances-ebook/dp/B00MU9YRD0/ Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wicked-Hot-Reads-Paranormal-Romances-ebook/dp/B00MU9YRD0/Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicked-hot-reads-shoshanna-evers/1120165197?ean=2940046263138 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/wicked-hot-reads-nine-paranormal-romances iBooks:GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=eGNNBAAAQBAJ
Book Description:
WICKED HOT READS: Ten Paranormal Romances
Indulge in ten sexy paranormal romance novels, written by New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance authors. With shifters, vampires, demons, and otherworldly creatures all looking for their own forever-loves... This box set bundle will get you in the mood for a sensual Halloween!
The books in Wicked Hot Reads: 10 Paranormal Romances would cost over $30 to buy individually. Save $29 by getting the bundle for just 99c for a limited time!
Featuring:
Beauty and the Beast (an erotic re-imagining) by NYT & USA Today bestseller Shoshanna Evers: The Beast can’t let his little Beauty go free, not while there’s still hope that she might be the one to end his decade-long curse…
Knocking on Demon's Door by NYT & USA Today bestseller Cathryn Fox: When Michelle discovers what's really going on at the resort, will her trust in a demon turn her in to one of the missing, or will he save her from the real monsters?
The Wolf Who Played With Fire by NYT& USA Today bestseller Sarah Mäkelä: Mia’s mistakes have forever changed the lives of those close to her, but when her soldier boyfriend, Ethan, goes missing on duty, she harness every magic power she possesses to get him safely back…
Fallen Ever After by NYT & USA Today bestseller A.C. James: Arie wanted Holly from the very first moment he met her, but the long-standing feud between the faeries that run the Chicago Crew puts Holly and other fledgling vampires in danger. Can they stop a vampire-fae war that’s been brewing for nearly a century?
Bared to Him by NYT & USA Todaybestseller Jan Springer: Human by day, and a tentacle shapeshifter by night, sexy Gray Wagner, is the last male that Miranda Bolton dreams of falling in love with, until she begins to fantasize about all the naughty things he can do to her…
A Mate's Bite by USA Todaybestseller Milly Taiden: After an explosive night of passion, Karla is sure she’s a one-night stand for the man she’s wanted for years, but Nate has marked Karla. Only true love and a wolf's promise can hold together a relationship created with a bite and a hope for tomorrow.
Archangel Rafe by Lisa Hughey: Angelina’s only respite from her overwhelming life is in her dreams with a stunningly hot angel, but when an unexpected threat puts both the Angelic Realm and Earth in jeopardy, Angelina will need to accept her destiny before it’s too late...
Blaze of Secrets by Jessie Donovan: Rescued from a prison for magic users, Kiarra is now a wanted criminal and must rely on a mysterious Brit to help her evade capture. Before long, her handsome rescuer becomes much more than just her trainer…
Mark of the Serapath by Titania Ladley: After a catastrophe unleashes Josie’s Serapathian witch magic, she suspects her sexy, mysterious lover is a Kynthian vampire ordered to kill all Serapaths. Despite the risks, passion explodes between them, threatening the future of the entire world.
Dragon’s Honor by Mina Carter: Bodyguard duty. Undercover. As human. Simple. Until shadow-dragon Baron realizes the woman they’re protecting is his mate. Add in a crazy warlock…and Baron might have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her.
About the Authors:
Shoshanna EversNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shoshanna Evers has written dozens of sexy stories. She is best known for The Enslaved Trilogy, The Tycoon's Convenient Bride...and Baby, Overheated, Make Me, and How to Write Hot Sex. Evers is also the cofounder of SelfPubBookCovers.com, the largest selection of premade book covers in the world.
Reviewers have called Shoshanna’s writing “sensuous, delightful, and sizzling” with stories where “the plot is fresh and the pacing excellent, the emotions…real and poignant.” Shoshanna used to work as a syndicated advice columnist and a registered nurse, but now she’s a full-time romance writer and a home-schooling mom. She lives with her family and three big dogs in Northern Idaho, and loves to connect with readers!
To learn more, visit ShoshannaEvers.com,
Shoshanna wants to stay in touch!Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases first, and read excerpts you won't find in the sample pages! ShoshannaEvers.com/newsletter
Email: ShoshannaEvers@gmail.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoshannaEvers Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoshanna.evers
Cathryn FoxNew York Times and USA Todaybestselling author, Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.
Visit Cathryn at www.cathrynfox.comTwitter: @writercatfoxFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCathrynFox
Wicked Writers: https://www.facebook.com/#!/TheWickedWritersAllure Author: https://www.facebook.com/AllureAuthors?ref=hl
Sarah Mäkelä New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she’s written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy...even a sweet contemporary romance!
A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night-light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.
Website: http://www.sarahmakela.comNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/ed_DzTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/sarahmakelaFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorsarahmakelaGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/sarahmakela
A.C. JamesNew York Times and USA Todaybestselling author A.C. James writes paranormal romance and erotica, including Eternal Ever After which was featured in the bestselling Spice Box anthology. She pounds out sexy scenes at her keyboard where romance is laced with horror in hot stories of vampires and bad boy werewolves. Her stories feature strong heroines and alpha heroes, with plenty of action, twists, and turns that will keep you turning pages.
A.C. resides in northeast Pennsylvania where she entertains her husband with her imaginative yarns and quirky sense of humor. She spends her time drinking large vats of coffee while taming two toddlers by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta tester and tech geek who grew-up going to cons and watching SmackDown. There's probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of her dressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don't tell anyone.
She loves to hear from readers on her website www.acjames.com. Please subscribe to her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ApQ7z
Jan SpringerNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jan Springer writes in scenic cottage country, Ontario Canada. Hobbies include hiking, gardening, canning preserves, painting ceramics and dodging mosquitoes in the spring, summer and fall. Her best friend is an electric snow shovel in winter. She's a member of RWA, Passionate Ink and the Author's Union of Canada.
She loves hearing from her readers. Visit her site at http://www.janspringer.com
Milly TaidenHi! I'm Milly Taiden (AKA April Angel). I love to write sexy stories. They're usually either paranormal or contemporary with a large dose of heat. My paranormal stories can be anything from wolf-shifters (my favorites) to witches, demons and anything in between.
I was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, I live in New York City with my hubby, the bossy kiddo and our little dog "Needy Speedy". Don't ask.
I am addicted to shoe shopping, chocolate (but who isn't, right?) and Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
Come on over and visit me! I love to meet new readers!
Like my books? Want to stay on top of all things Milly? Sign up for my newsletter at http://mad.ly/signups/87477/join
There’s a giveaways to all the emails signed up to get the latest news on my releases.
Find out more about Milly Taiden here: Email: millytaiden@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.millytaiden.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenpageFacebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/milly.taidenTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden
Lisa Hughey Lisa Hughey has been writing romance since the fourth grade, which was also about the time she began her love affair with spies. Harriet and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys later gave way to James Bond and Lara Croft and Jason Bourne.
Exploring the complex nature of a profession that requires subterfuge and lies fascinates her. She loves combining her two passions into fiction. As evidenced by her Black Cipher Files series.
Archangel Rafe was her first foray into the paranormal but after spending time in the Angelic Realm, it won't be her last. At their heart, the Seven novels are about the dynamics of family relationships. But the really hot Archangels don't hurt.
And recently she's been immersed in the Stone Family novellas, four stories about a blended family of brothers and sister who have a lot more in common than they realize. But of course she couldn't just write about family and romance. There are complex plots, bad guys, and suspense too.
Lisa loves to hear from readers and has various places you can connect with her, although, shh, Twitter is her favorite.
Follow Lisa on Twitter www.twitter.com/lisahugheyVisit Lisa on the Web www.lisahughey.comHer Group Blog, the Pens Fatales www.pensfatales.comEmail Lisa lisahughey@pacbell.netBe Lisa's Friend on Goodreads www.goodreads/lisahughey
Jessie DonovanJessie Donovan wrote her first story at age five, and after discovering the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey in junior high, realized that people actually wanted to read stories like those floating around inside her head. From there on out, she was determined to tap into her over-active imagination and write a book someday.
After living abroad for five years and earning degrees in Japanese, Anthropology, and Secondary Education, she buckled down and finally wrote her first full-length book. While that story will never see the light of day, it laid the world-building groundwork of what would become her debut paranormal romance, Blaze of Secrets.
Jessie loves to interact with readers. When not reading a book or traipsing around some foreign country on a shoestring, can often be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Join Jessie's newsletter here: http://bit.ly/19FmZbtor visit her website for information at: www.jessiedonovan.com
Titania Ladley
Bestselling author Titania Ladley is a registered nurse and erotic romance author living in Wisconsin, USA. She is published with Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, and Red Sage. Her erotic romance genres and sub-genres include menage M/M/F, menage M/F/M, lesbian, gay, paranormal, historical, contemporary, vampire, and many more including light bondage BDSM. Keep up-to-date on Titania's website or join her newsletter for news, contests, and fun extras.
She also writes under the pseudonym Roxana Blaze.
Enjoy Titania's (aka Roxana's) books! http://www.TitaniaLadley.com Subscribe to Titania's newsletter - http://bit.ly/1gLtR7LTwitter: https://twitter.com/TitaniaLadleyFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/titania.ladleyPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/titanial/
Mina Carter
Mina Carter is a bestselling, multi-genre author, a prolific digital artist, and a photographer. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter and a bossy cat who prefers to sleep on her desk rather than his bed.
Connect with Mina online at:http://mina-carter.com https://www.facebook.com/minacarterauthorhttp://twitter.com/minacarter http://www.pinterest.com/minacarter77http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2920063.Mina_Carter
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