Tawdra Kandle's Blog, page 42

The First One: Country Heartbreak

As we discussed last week, The One Trilogy is totally country. Sam was the fan in The Last One, but in The First One, both Ali and Flynn grew up in Burton, and both appreciate country music.

Their story was actually inspired by a country song. Years ago, when I heard Tim McGraw’s Everywhere, I told my daughter that there was a story in that song. In my mind, a young woman lived in a small town, and her high school boyfriend, who had left town without her when she changed her mind about leaving, returns home. I didn’t see all the details, but I knew the feelings.

While writing The Last One, I knew that Sam had a sister, but I thought she was simply a divorced mother. Imagine my surprise when Ali began telling Meghan her story. . .how she’d been in love, had a last-minute change of heart about leaving town with her lover and then discovered her pregnancy after he’d left. Everything clicked: Ali was the heroine of my Everywhere story, and Flynn was the high school boyfriend.

This playlist has some fun songs, too: Luke Bryan’s All My Friends Say tells about his raucous night at The Road Block when he’s both trying to forget Ali and trying to make sure she knows he’s over her. (He’s not, incidentally.)

Run over and check it out here.

Oh, and don’t forget . . . The Last One is free for a limited time and The Only One is coming in eight days! Preorder now. . .

Five From Olivia Hardin

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday!
Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers
from some of my favorite author friends.
I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.
Quickies from Olivia Hardin

I met my dear friend Olivia through a writer support group on Facebook, which eventually pared down to eight of us who formed Romantic Edge Books. We discovered we had a great deal in common, including a love of history, a inquisitive spirituality and a wickedly irreverent sense of humor. Because we also realized that both of us had somehow missed on certain cultural phenomenon others in group had experienced, we like to joke that we lived under the same rock. It’s a very funny, safe and educational rock, let me tell you. I’m blessed to have Olivia in my life, both as a friend and as a fellow author. Here are her five quickies. . .

Q: Your sweet dog Bonnie Sue is given the gift of speech for five minutes. What is she most likely to say to you?

A: That little dog is probably the “loving-est” animal I’ve ever seen.  In the mornings when we wake up she cuddles up and nuzzles our necks and whines and moans to us.  I always imagine she’s saying something like: “Good morning, mom.  Good morning, dad.  I love you. I love you.  Promise we’ll always be together.  Promise I’ll always be your baby.   Now can we get up and go outside?   I love you mom and dad.  Can we go outside now?  Do you love me too, mom?  Let’s go, let’s go!  Yes, scratch my ears just like that, daddy.  Its time to get up!  Come on!  Let’s go!”

Q: You win the HGTV Dream Home, which is in Martha’s Vineyard this year. Will you move there or sell it?

A: Uhm… I’m thinking I’d sell it.  I’m a Texas-gal.  I don’t see myself moving anywhere else.  Although, maybe I need a second home… 

Q:The zombie apocalypse is here, and you can only fit 3 books in your backpack (no Kindles). What books will make the cut?

A: Aztec by Gary Jennings, Glory Road by Robert Heinlein, and The Life and Times of the Thundergbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Q: You’re granted the ability to live in the world of a television show for one day. Which one will you choose?

A: Hmmm… Probably Downton Abbey… that’s my absolute favorite show.  The real question, is would I want to live upstairs or downstairs… decisions, decisions…

Q: Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) appears at your door and offers to cook you any meal. What’ll be on the menu?

A: Well… I like to try new things, so I probably would let her choose a meal for me… Probably something with chicken or beef (no fish), some kind of a exciting potato or vegetable side and then a dessert that hopefully includes chocolate… oooh… and some sort of exotic beverage too!

***

When Olivia Hardin started having movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long, the writing bug had bitten her, and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is, until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again.

A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie.

Follow Olivia here: Website/Newsletter/Twitter/Facebook/Youtube

 

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Coming March 31st

Kay Rawley has plans. She might be the second child of an earl, but she wants a life away from her father’s estate in New Durma. She wants a life apart from her family’s name. Becoming a lawyer was a bright, shiny object she just couldn’t resist grabbing. Her classes are complete, and all she has to do is pass the bar to get permanent employment at the Dallas law firm where she’s been interning for the past year. 

Kay’s been on Audrick Van Buren’s radar since the day she walked into his classroom two years ago. That admiration only grew when she came to work for his firm. But if there’s anything he recognizes, it’s a woman who’s driven–and Kay is definitely one. It’s all he can do to keep his distance and allow her the chance to come into her own. What Van doesn’t know is that someone else is watching Kay, too, and if he doesn’t step between them, that person might not only derail her career but threaten her very life. 

Things aren’t always what they seem, and Kay’s about to learn that the best laid plans are so much better when they go astray. 

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Googleplay | Paperback

 

An Eventful Year (Part 1)

On April 11th, my ‘official’ season of book events will begin. The unofficial start was Coastal Magic in Daytona back in February, but since there’s a gap between that con and my others, it almost was like the end of the 2014 season.

This year, I’ll be in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Louisville, St. Louis, Orlando and Atlanta, beginning April 11th and finishing August 16th.

Why do some authors participate in events and others don’t? And what are the benefits to both author and reader? So glad you asked.

As a rule, we authors tend to be a tad bit hermit-like. We love writing about people and far away places, but we’re just as happy to stay home rather than interact with real people. That’s one reason the computer and the Internet has been such a boon to the authors of the world. We can appear to be social without taking off our pajamas. Win-win.

Some of us feel that events have sufficient intrinsic value to abandon our PJ’s and put on real clothes and meet real people. It’s scary, yes, and for most of us, it’s exhausting, but we force ourselves to do it because in the long run, it’s fun. We meet our readers. There is little as thrilling as having someone come up to my table and begin discussing my characters as though they are mutual friends. . .people who enjoy the voices in my head as much as I do!

There are other authors who prefer to save that time and money, and that’s okay, too. Viva la difference, right?

The benefits of events to an author, aside from talking to people who share our love for our books, is spending time with those who speak our language. My husband and kids, for instance, love me. I’m pretty sure, anyway. But they really don’t want to talk about plot lines, recalcitrant characters, editing, formatting, releases, promotion. . .at least, not as much as I’d like to. So plop me down in a room with others who know what I’m saying when I mention BookBub or KU or Facebook promotion, and I’m a happy girl.

I also get to meet bloggers who I might only know online. That’s always so much fun. I love when someone comes to my table or panel and introduces herself first as her name, and then adds the name of her blog. So exciting!

Of course, I enjoy meeting new readers, too, and telling them a little about what I write.

Speaking of readers, what do they get out of events? So much. First of all, if I’d been able to attend author events when I was younger, I would’ve been in hog heaven. All those authors to meet and talk with . . . and then there’s the swag, and the chance to have your books signed. . .to listen to authors on panels share about their processes and tips, aspects of writing and publishing–it’s really a gold mine of information and fun. If you haven’t attended one, you should plan to try.

Plus, you are almost 100% guaranteed to find at least one new author whose work you love. You have the chance to chat with them, check out their books and see what they’re all about. That’s a hidden bonus of author-reader events.

I have a few pointers to help you get your money’s worth out of attending these events:

–If you can do it, stay in the event hotel. First, you’re helping out the event, most of which have room blocks they must fill to meet their obligation to the hotel. Second, you’ll get interaction with authors that others don’t: riding up and down elevators, chatting over breakfast, hanging out at the pool or the workout room. . .

–Check out the author list a month or two before the event, and try to read at least one book from each author, if you have time. Most authors have at least one free book, so this isn’t as expensive as it sounds. I’ve loved to have readers come up and tell me they did this. . .such a great idea!

–Introduce yourself to your favorite authors when you meet, and tell her which of her books you’ve enjoyed. Do *not* tell her which of her books you don’t like or say anything like, “I found lots of typos in your book.” You won’t make a friend. Later, if you get to know the author well enough and it feels right, you can offer that information.

–Even if you’ve met the author before at another event, or even if you feel like you know her very well online, don’t expect her to recognize you. We don’t all look the same online, and some people are terrible at putting names and faces together. Assume she needs the intro and be pleasantly surprised if she interrupts with, “Of course I know you!”

–Plan to buy at least one or two books. Most authors sell their paperbacks for between $10-$15. It helps if you can buy one.

–Attend panels, if they offer them. At least attend one or two. You’ll enjoy them, I promise, and it will help both the authors and the organizers.

–Bring something for all the authors to sign. I’ve signed Kindle and/or Nook cases, bags, T-shirts, frames, special scrapbook pages, printed photo montages. . .you name it. It’s cool to have all the authors from one event sign in one place!

–At the signing, don’t just visit authors you know or recognize. At every event, there will be newer authors who need to talk to readers. Stop by their tables, ask them what they write and get to know them. You might find a new favorite!

–If you’re a writer attending an event as a reader, feel free to tell the signing authors that you write, too. But please don’t ask them for advice, help or information if there’s a crowd at their tables. I suggest offering your card or name, with your email address, and asking if you might contact them online with questions. Some, if they have time, might offer to meet you for coffee while at the event to have a longer discussion. But by giving them the option, you’ve been gracious and professional.

–Talk about the event online before, during and after. That’s promotion, and it’s appreciated!

So I hope I’ll see you in one of the cities listed above. For more details, click here to see when, where and how to meet me at some point in 2015.

See you around the con!

{Next week, I’ll talk about dos and don’ts for authors at events.}

I’m Reading The Deal by Elle Kennedy

All right, confession time: I’m really in a sort of reading slump. While I was wrapping up the writing of The Only One, I did my traditional ‘read good quickies as I fell asleep every night’ deal. This time, I happened to find some really good books, which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, I can’t find anything to read right now, when I’m in a writing vacation and need some juicy words!

I want to talk about four books I read during the last week: The Deal by Elle Kennedy, Confess by Colleen Hoover, When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill and The Distance Between Us by Kasie West.

My two favorites by far were The Deal and When Joss Met Matt. The Deal was another of the college-tutor-falls-for-jock-she’s-tutoring books. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes. I really enjoyed this book in particular, because the characters were so insanely well-drawn. Hannah and Garrett may become one of my favorite couples of all time: Hannah is a survivor, but her past trauma doesn’t define her. She’s gotten beyond it. And when hockey player Garrett pursues her because he desperately needs her help to pass a test, she doesn’t want to help him. How he convinces her to do it is original, funny and endearing. Her slow evolution to inclusion in his world–and his into hers–is realistic and sweet. I can’t for the follow up to this book.

When Joss Met Matt was a book I wasn’t sure I’d like. Remember a few weeks ago when I read The Way We Fall? I’d gotten burnt by flashbacks, and this book seemed chock full of them. However, I was pleasantly surprised, because this book did the backward looks very, very well. Set against the backdrop of one evening in the present, we learn how Joss met Matt, how they became each other’s Sorbet Sex partners–again, a cute idea–and how it worked out for them over the years. There’s nothing unpredictable here; as my daughter said when I described the books, it’s a little like Friends with Benefits. You know what’s coming. But the resolution was a slow and steady build-up to a satisfying and awww-inducing conclusion. I really enjoyed this one.

Close runners-up were Confess and The Distance Between Us. You know I’m still nursing a little resentment against Ms. Hoover after the hole Never, Never deal, but this was a decent story, a little dark and a little tragic, but a few little twists. I liked the resolution, but felt a tad heavy. TDBU is a YA, which I seldom read anymore, but it was well-written, even if the story was a teeeny bit trite and a lot of loose ends were left untied. Again, it was the characters who grabbed me; both were well-constructed and likable.

So I’m off now to the beach for the day, and I need a read. I’m bringing my Kindle. . .who can give me a good, well-written, light and funny romance? Mama needs a good love story!

I’ll report back next Wednesday.

The Only One. . .Teaser #1

It’s Teaser #Tuesday, and The Only One releases TWO weeks from today. . .on April 7th. . .I thought you might like a tiny teaser taste.

Oh. . .and how about a look at the long-awaited cover??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mason is the owner of The Road Block, a bar and club just outside Burton, Georgia. If you read The Last One and The First One, you’ll remember that Meghan and her friend Laura went to The Road Block for some fun the night Sam ended up rescuing them. And of course Ali and Flynn each tried to out-fun each other there when they were still pretending not to be in love.

In this scene, he’s about to meet Rilla, who’s been working for Sam at the stand, selling vegetables and setting up advertising and promotion. All of their mutual friends want Mason to hire Rilla, too, but at the same time. . .they’re a little worried about how the quiet, sheltered young woman will react to him.

Oh, and Mason’s holding his sleeping daughter Piper as this opens.

Enjoy your teaser!

***

“Speaking of which. . .that’s why I’m here. Sam says I need to meet this publicity guru and see about getting her to work for the bar, too.”

“Yeah, he told me you were coming by.” Meghan hesitated. “Mason, Rilla’s really shy. She’s not like Ali and me, you know?”

“You mean she’s not a ball buster?” I smirked.

“Hey!” She swatted my arm. “And watch your language in front of the little one.”

I shifted a little. “She’s out. I felt her snoring against my shoulder a few minutes ago. And she looks little, but when she’s asleep, she’s dead weight. So can you point me in the direction of this shy little girl both you and Alex seem to think I’m going to overwhelm? I promise, I’ll try to tone down my irresistible charm so she doesn’t faint when she sees me.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “Yeah, irresistible charm. It’s more that you’re just larger than life, Mase. And sometimes you tend to forget it.” She paused. “Alex said something to you about her, too?”

“Yeah. Actually, he said that exact thing. ‘Larger than life.’ Are y’all trying to say I need to lose weight?”

“God, no.” Meghan’s tone was fervent enough to make me grin again. “But you’re tall, and you’re built. And you just have this air. . .like you’d take someone over and. . .consume her.”

I frowned. “Really? I always thought I was just. . .you know, folksy. Friendly.”

“You are, Mason. Totally. You’re a good guy and a good friend, and I’m glad to know you. I’d happily introduce you to any woman I know, but Rilla’s so different. It’s taken her weeks to open to me even a little, but when guys are around, she kind of freezes. She can handle herself with customers, and she seems to have gotten used to Sam and Flynn. But anyone else and she just stops talking and kind of shrinks.”

“You’re not making a good case for me hiring this chick, Meghan. An advertising expert who doesn’t like people? Yeah, that doesn’t sound like it’s gonna fly.”

“It’s not like that, Mason. First of all, most of the work she does is online, so she’s not even dealing with people. Second, like I said, she pulls it together for work. Rilla’s good at what she does. And you know Sam. Even if he wanted to help her out, he’d never recommend her to you if she wasn’t good.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “But the more important thing right now is letting me meet her, so I can get this kid back to the car and home. She’s drooling, and it’s going down my back.”

Meghan threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, that’s precious. C’mon, big guy. Follow me.”

The Last One. . .It’s a Little Bit Country

I was raised on an eclectic mix of music, mostly popular, but with a dash of just about everything else. The most country we got though was probably Glen Campbell or Dolly Parton.

When I moved to Wisconsin in 1992, we discovered we were in the heart of country music territory. And it was a good time for country music, too: the Judds had just retired, but everyone else was exploding. It was the heyday of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Reba Jackson.

Although my attention to the country music industry has waxed and waned over the years, I’ve stayed loyal to a few of my favorites, including Brad Paisley. I was deep in the writing process for The Last One last summer when I went to see Brad’s show with my daughter. I already knew Sam and Meghan’s playlist was country, and I’d chosen most of the songs, two I heard that night became for me the epitome of Sam and Meghan’s story. The first was Trouble Is by opening act Charlie Worsham. It so perfectly captured how Sam felts about Meghan that it gave me shivers. The second was Beat This Summer  by Brad himself. I fell in love with that song. It’s about summer, and a summer love that might not make it to autumn.

The playlist for The Last One is one of my favorites. When I listen to it, I’m transported to the summer of 2014 and the town of Burton, Georgia.

Check it out here. OH–and don’t forget, right now The Last One is free on all venues. Grab it up now before The Only One comes out April 7th.

Five From Rochelle Paige

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday!
Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers
from some of my favorite author friends.
I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.
Quickies from Rochelle Paige

I was lucky enough to meet Rochelle last year at Indie BookFest and then again at Indie MashUp Tampa. I fell in love with her Blythe College series–fun New Adult romance. Rochelle also has a writer son. . .it’s all in the family. Let’s see what she has to share with us today. . .

Q: Easter is coming! What’s your favorite Easter candy?

 A: Jelly Belly jelly beans

Q: A terrible spell has been cast on the world: only ONE song will play, 24/7, for eternity. You get to choose the song. What will it be?

A: Now that’s just evil! Hmmm… I think I’d go old school and pick Hotel California by the Eagles. 

Q: Your fairy godmother is going to bring one of your characters to reality for one day. Which one will you choose?

A: But… but… but… that’s like picking my favorite child! Okay… fine! If I had to pick just one, then I think I’d choose Faith Quinn. I’m planning to release her & Dillon Montgomery’s story in late May or early June and it’s near and dear to me because it touches upon organ donation and transplants. 

Q: Which romantic couple in literature absolutely makes you swoon?

A: This is a tough question because there are so many amazing romantic couples from which to choose. I think I’ll have to say Buttercup and Westley from The Princess Bride. Westley loved Buttercup all of his life and was willing to endure any kind of pain for her, while Buttercup was willing to give herself to a loveless marriage in order to save his life.

Q:You just typed the magical words THE END on your latest MS. What’ll you do to celebrate?

A: My favorite way to celebrate the completion or release of a book is with a bottle of Moscato and a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.

Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of the Blythe College, Bachelorette Party and Black River Pack series. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She believes in insta-love, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

Follow Rochelle here: Facebook/Twitter

Meet the Tate brothers… and the mates fate has in store for them.

Crying Wolf

Grace Shaw is on the run from her crazy ex-boyfriend who refuses to believe their relationship is over. He’s a cop and is willing to use police resources to track her down. So Grace comes up with a plan and tricks his fellow brothers in blue into thinking he is crying wolf a couple of times when he’s reported her missing. Little does she know she’ll go running into the arms of a real wolf when she finally makes her escape for real.

She just wants to be left alone, but then she meets Hunter Tate – the alpha of the Black River Pack. Grace tries to hold Hunter at arm’s length, but there’s just no reasoning with an alpha male werewolf who insists she’s his mate.

Shoot for the Moon

Eliza Reve knows that her ability to dream of future events sets her apart from others. Her gift became a curse when she wasn’t able to save her mother or the alpha’s son and she found herself exiled – a lone wolf. When she joins the Black River Pack, Eliza vows never to reveal her talent to anyone. Not even the man who has walked in her dreams for years.

Spencer Tate is her mate, but her visions have told her that he will renounce her. When he doesn’t recognize her as his mate, she agrees to the no-strings-attached affair he offers because she thinks it’s the most she can hope for. Although her heart breaks as she falls deeper in love with him, she wants to spend as many days with Spencer as possible before he kicks her out of his life.

When Spencer finally comes to his senses, he has his work cut out for him to convince Eliza that he wants her forever. When another she-wolf insists she’s his mate instead, things get even more complicated. But Spencer isn’t the alpha’s second and enforcer because he isn’t willing to fight for what’s his, and he refuses to settle for anything less than Eliza as his marked and claimed mate.

Thrown to the Wolves

Annora Channing’s entire world changes the moment she discovers she’s a bear shifter. With mated wolves for parents, she should have been a wolf also. When the man she grew up thinking was her father realizes she isn’t his daughter, he devises a plan to use her existence to his advantage in a way that will get her out from under his roof.

When her situation goes from bad to worse, Annora escapes but is badly injured in the process. Luckily, Elias Reve comes to her rescue while on his way to Wolf’s Point and the daughter he lost years ago. With nowhere else to go and nobody to turn to, Annora joins him on his journey and ends up running smack-dab into the arms of her mate.

Parker Tate knows Annora is his the moment he lays eyes on her. When he manages to mate and mark her within hours of when they meet, he considers himself lucky. Then the trouble nipping at Annora’s heels finds her and Parker realizes the path to claiming his mate won’t be as easy as he thought – especially not with the bears involved.

Pre-order here at the special price of 99 cents!

Two Sides of the Amazon Coin

(Full disclosure: I’m at a crucial point in finishing a book under deadline. I’ve hardly moved from my computer all day, and every creative impulse has been sapped out of me. So I dug into my old post pile and found this one from April 2012. Guess what? It still applies today. Enjoy, and I’ll be back next Thursday with a fresh and shiny This Author’s Life.)

For the last several months, most of my posts here have been about book promotion–and that is how it should be, since for the last several months, my life has been about book promotion.

Today we’re going to veer off that topic just a little.  I’d like to talk about Amazon.

I’ve spoken with quite a few people who work in different parts of the publishing world. There are some who believe that Amazon’s very existence is threatening small business, state governments, the future of publishing and the very fabric of life itself. There are others who see Amazon as the wave of the future, the only possible solution to the challenges that have confronted the ever-changing world of business in general and book publishing specifically.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll remind you that my books are epublished and sold through Amazon.  I clearly have a business relationship with them.

I am grateful that Amazon exists.  The company has not only opened wide the doors of publishing for the independent author, it has for all intents and purposes held our hands as we walked through. Indie publishing is that easy through Amazon.

But I see the bigger picture as well.  I know that Amazon’s existence and ease of use has made us lazy and demanding consumers.  When we want something, we simply go to the Amazon page, search for it. . .order it. . .and usually it arrives within a few days, at a price that it is at least competitive if not better than that of our local source.

I know too that many consider Amazon’s open door to publishing to be a death knoll of quality books, that without the traditional gatekeepers of agents and editors fighting off the specter of bad writing and poor stories, we’re all doomed.

I don’t agree. Visit your local bookstore, pick up about ten books randomly.  Some of them will be great; well-edited, well-written stories that deserve their spot on the shelf.  But some of them are the equivalent of literary garbage, poorly written drivel that slips through because of the perceived demands of the reading public. (“We need MORE VAMPIRE BOOKS!!  I don’t care if there’s a story. . just GIVE ME VAMPIRES!!”)

Here’s the truth, folks:  Amazon isn’t the devil.  It’s not going to usher in the end of days. But it’s not the savior either; it’s merely a vehicle that’s helping to take us from point A–our old way of doing things–to point B, whatever the future might hold. Change is never easy, but it’s constant. Let’s hold on and see where we end up.

In the meantime, I’m happy to marching right through that door.

I’m Reading #Nerd, #Hater, #Player

The indie community is not without its drama, and last fall, some of it involved two authors who apparently were both writing books with a similar main idea. I don’t know details, I don’t know people involved; I only heard buzzings here and there. For some reason, the topic in question stuck in my head.

So when I saw the titles of Cambria Hebert’s series, it rang a bell. I might’ve just slid past it, but the blurb of the first book (#Nerd) struck a chord, and I downloaded it.

I’ve said before that I find some New Adult books somewhat formulaic. It doesn’t bother me, necessarily, as long as the characters are strong and the storyline doesn’t take itself too seriously. A few extra twists never hurt anyone, either.

#Nerd definitely has the formula element. The nerd is the girl, Rimmel (and it’s never addressed where her name came from. . .which I found interesting and a little maddening. If I knew a girl named Rimmel, the first thing I’d ask is where she got her name). She’s not only a nerd, she’s actually a very shy, withdrawn, almost-hermit girl, who dresses in clothes five sizes too big, wears her hair around her face and keeps everyone at arm’s length.  As a matter of fact, in my school days, she wouldn’t have been termed a nerd, necessarily, as much as just ignored. In Buffy-lore, Rimmel would’ve gone invisible long before our story begins. But I digress.

She’s at a college in Maryland on scholarship, and of course part of that scholarship is the requirement to tutor her less-academically-minded students. And to whom is she assigned as a tutor? You guessed it. Hot, rich, popular football player, with heavy emphasis on PLAYER. Dude gets around. During their first study session in the library, he slinks off with a random chick and our poor little nerd spies him getting some action in the stacks.

(Side note to girls in college: if popular literature is accurate, get yourself on staff as a tutor to meet the man of your dreams. Apparently it never fails. You’re welcome.)

But our player, Roman, aka Romeo (and it’s a testament to how much I really liked his character, because I had a hard time taking him seriously with that nickname) turns out to have a heart of gold. He sees the sweet vulnerability in Rimmel, and something in him harkens to something in her. Deep cries unto deep, one might say.

Unfortunately, before this can really develop, there’s a complication in the form of a fraternity rushing initiation. Although this is not a belabored point, thankfully, it does play into both the rest of this book and the second one. There’s the twist, see?

I gobbled up all three books in about three days, so you can tell I enjoyed them. The characters were compelling, well-written and likable. The plot wasn’t shocking or earth-shattering, but it was viable and interesting. The use of the fictional college’s BuzzFeed, a texting gossip network work that uses way too many hashtags, was cute and added to the background.

If I had any reservations about these books, it would be the speed with which Rimmel transforms from hermit-girl to girlfriend of popular dude. We find out why she’s hiding under all those clothes fairly quickly after she and Romeo begin dating, and while I am all for the theory of love-cures-all, I needed her to be a little more real in her reservations. Then again, maybe in real life, any girl who was full-court-press pursued by our man Romeo would cave fast, too.

A fourth book is coming out in May, about one of the side characters. I really enjoyed the supporting cast in these books, including Romeo’s parents. I like this new trend in NA of letting the parents play a bigger role. It feels more realistic to me.

So if you enjoy New Adult romance with a little humor, some heaty heat (oh, yeah!) and some intense love. . .if you liked Beautiful Disaster, for instance. . .check out Cambria Hebert’s Hashtag series.

I’m off to skulk for something else to read. Oh, yeah. . .and write the book that’s under deadline right now.

The Only One Tease Part 1

Today you’re getting a twofer teaser: a little bite of The Last One, because we’re celebrating it being free now on all venues! And then a tantalizing sneak peek of The Only One, which releases three weeks from today on April 7th.

First. . .The Last One. Sam and Meghan’s meeting alongside a dark highway in Georgia. . .

“Okay, let’s get you on your way.” I stood in the open driver’s side door. “Why don’t you shove her a little more my way, and I’ll just carry her to the car?”

“You sure?” Laura’s eyebrow rose.

“Yep, it’ll be easier all around. Here.” I handed her the Chevette keys. “Go open it up, and I’ll bring her over.”

I slid my left hand beneath Meghan’s knees and at the same time wrapped my right arm around her back and tugged her toward me. She moaned as I lifted her off the seat, settling her against my chest.

Wide green eyes, clouded with confusion, stared up at me. She struggled to free her arm where it was pinned between her side and my stomach. When she could move it, she reached up and touched my face.

I couldn’t jerk back, even though the feel of her fingers on my jaw, coupled with the tantalizing view of cleavage I was getting from this vantage point, sent unsettling feelings down my body.

“It’s you,” she murmured, and the whisper only added to my arousal. Her lips curved into a smile before her eyes shut again.

I stood rooted to the ground for a minute. I couldn’t remember where I was supposed to go or what I was supposed to be doing.

“Hey, are you all right?” Laura had opened the passenger side of the Chevette, but now she walked over to me. “She’s okay, isn’t she?”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I was just making sure I had a grip so I didn’t drop her.” I strode over to the car and eased Meghan onto the seat. She made a small sound, almost like a kitten, and her hand trailed down my chest on its way to settle in her lap. The jean skirt had hitched up until I could almost see her—

“Thanks, I’ll get her buckled in.”

And now. . .The Only One. Mason and Rilla are meeting at his bar to discuss her proposal for some promotions work.

“Did you come from a funeral?”

She frowned, her light brows drawing together. “Excuse me?”

“You’re all in black. In the middle of the day. I thought maybe someone died.”

Rilla looked down at herself as though surprised. “No. I didn’t come from a funeral. This is business attire. I’m here to discuss advertising and

promotion, and I’m dressed as I should be when meeting a client.”

I shook my head. “Darlin’, you’re at a bar. Well—” I hurried to amend what I’d said before she turned tail and ran. “A restaurant. But a casual one. You could’ve worn jeans. I still would’ve taken you just as seriously. Maybe more so than looking like you’re playing dress up in your mama’s clothes.”

Her mouth dropped open for a heartbeat before she shut it with a snap. Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not playing dress-up. I’m sorry if you’re not used to dealing with people who know how to dress for the occasion, but I won’t apologize for doing what I know is right.” She glanced off to the side before she added, “Besides, I don’t own a pair of jeans. Even if I did, I wouldn’t have worn them here today. I understand you’re more used to women who dress in micro-mini skirts and tight ripped jeans—”

“Whoa, whoa there, darlin’. I’m not used to women who dress that way. What the hell gave you that idea?”

Her face turned an intriguing shade of pink, and yep, there went the thumb to her lips. “I’m just making an assumption based on what people wear to bars like this. And please don’t swear. I don’t like it. A gentleman doesn’t swear in front of a lady.”

Holy shit, was this chick from some kind of time warp? I tried to remember the last time a woman other than my mother had scolded me for cursing in front of her. I couldn’t. But here stood Miss Prim and Proper in my bar trying to tell me how to talk.

Darcy rounded the corner in time to hear her last words. The waitress glanced from Rilla to me, and a slow grin grew on her face. “She’s right, Mason. A gentleman doesn’t use those kinds of words in mixed company. If you were my son, I’d slap you upside the head.”

My eyes widened. This from Darcy, who could out-swear the worst of us when the challenged? I opened my mouth to say as much, but she folded her arms over her chest and stared me down, one eyebrow raised, until I finally shook my head and sighed.

“Okay, fine. No swearing.” I ran my hand over my face. “Darcy, we’re going to sit at number twelve. Can you tell Suze?”

“Sure.” She pivoted to face Rilla. “I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m Darcy Hade, and I head up the wait staff here.”

“Hi, Darcy, nice to meet you.” Rilla stuck out her hand. “Rilla Grant. I’m going to be handling advertising and promotion for The Road Block.”

“No sh—no kidding.” Darcy didn’t even blink at her near-slip, and neither did Rilla, I noticed. “That’s cool.”

“If I decide to hire you.” I felt the need to reassert my control of this situation.

“Oh, you’re going to hire me.” Rilla turned her head and for the very first time, she smiled at me, full on, without a hint of shyness or self-doubt. My breath caught and my stomach felt as though I’d just stepped off a rollercoaster. What the hell. . .

 

The Only One releases on April 7th, but you can preorder it here! Don’t wait. . .

Amazon/iBooks/BN

Mason Wallace left his hometown to live his dream: he had the perfect career, a gorgeous wife and a beautiful baby girl. He was on top of the world, until it all shattered with the sudden death of his wife. Now he’s back in Georgia, running his bar and trying to take care of his family. And he needs all the help he can get.

Rilla Grant’s never been farther than twenty miles from her family’s farm. Her overprotective father wants her to marry their church’s youth pastor and settle down into the life he’s chosen for her, but she’s not sure that’s what she wants anymore. Rilla’s chafing to make her own choices, and that includes starting her own PR business and maybe even moving off the farm, no matter how much her dad hates it.

When Mason asks Rilla to work on some promotion for his bar, she’s both excited and terrified. Excited, because it’s just the opportunity she’s wanted, and terrified because Mason, with his electric blue eyes and drool-worthy body, is the kind of guy who makes her knees weak and her heart pound. He’s the only one who’s ever tempted Rilla to defy her family, and when she does just that by moving in to help take care of his daughter, they’re both forced to make a decision that’ll change their lives forever.

Sometimes love isn’t the easy choice. Sometimes it’s the only one.