Lisa Bilbrey's Blog, page 80

COVER REVEAL: Finding West

Today, I am presenting the stunning cover for Finding West by June Gray.






Kat Hollister is a tomboy who lives in t-shirts and dirty jeans and doesn’t give a shit what the world thinks. She lives alone in a small town in Alaska and closes everyone out, with only her dog Josie by her side. For Kat, love and relationships are for the weak, and she is anything but.

Until one cold night when she finds a stranger stumbling on the side of a dark road, a man who has no idea where or even who he is.

She gives him temporary shelter against the snowstorm, but what she doesn’t count on is the friendship that blooms. This stranger without an identity starts to teach her things about herself she never knew, and she begins to wonder if maybe she'd been wrong about love and trust all along.

Finding West is a 60,000 word erotic romance. For readers 18 and up.

Release date August 21, 2013.



June Gray is a writer who likes to titillate and enrage, who revels in breaking the reader's heart and putting it back together again. She sucks at writing author profiles and is a loyal fan of Joss Whedon.
Follow me on my blog at: authorjunegray.blogspot.com/I'm also on Facebook at: facebook.com/AuthorJuneGray

COVER REVEAL: The Journey to a New Life

I am so excited about this release! The Journey to a New Life is my favorite of all my Journey books, and this is my favorite cover!

 

Summary—Travis McCoy’s journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest journey of all.
The Journey to a New Life will be available for purchase on September 10, 2013Authors Bio—Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996.
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley. 
Links—GoodreadsFacebookTwitter Blog  Amazon Barnes & Noble
Renaissance Romance Publishing About.me 

GUEST POST: Secrets to Successful Blog Tour by Donna Huber

Today, I am truly honored to have Donna Huber on my blog. She is such an inspirtaion to many of us who are just getting out feet wet in both the writing game, but the blogging game, as well. In celebration of her new book "Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour" I have asked Donna to discuss the advantages to authors who blog.









Advantages to Blogging
I highly recommend authors to blog. The usual response to that recommendation: I don't know what to blog about. Or the other popular form - I don't have anything to say. I assure you that you have things to say. But if you are in this camp, today I have some tips for you.
First, it's important to understand why it is advantageous for an author to blog. An author needs to get their name out there. A paid media campaign is not usually in the budget for unestablished authors. By blogging, in some ways you are providing your own media coverage.
Fans seek out their favorite authors because they want to make a personal connection with the author. Think about an author, actor, or musician you really like. Do you watch their interviews on television or pick up the magazine when they are featured in it? Why do you do it? While it may be hard to wrap your mind around this, but your readers have that same motivation in wanting to get to know you.
Second, blogging does not have to be in long form nor does it have to be time consuming. Many people microblog, but they don't call it that. Instead it is called tweeting or Facebooking. If you are already comfortable on these platforms, start there and optimize your postings. Remember the goal is to make a personal connection with your readers. Now if you are microblogging, then you are going to want to post frequently. Maybe even several times a day.
If you are blogging in long form, perhaps on a Wordpress or Blogger site or even tumblr your posts can be less frequent. Yet, again, you do not have to be long-winded. Sometimes just a picture or maybe a paragraph will suffice. Your blog can serve as your website and you will want it to rank high in the search engines. In order to do this you need to create new content about 3 times a week. I know that can sound time consuming to an author who is already struggling to find time to work on their next book. I can usually type up a post in about 20 minutes depending on the topic (and the amount of distractions).
Third, you do not have to get too personal or share your life story with your fans. A lot of people equate blogging with journaling a while there are a number of personal blogs out there, your author blog does not have to tell your private life. There are millions of topics you can write on that will satisfy your readers curiosity and desire for a personal connection.
In my book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour, I provide 10 topics for authors to write about. While my book is focused on creating content for guest posts, these topics can be used on your blog as well. However, those topics usually require a bit more time and effort. For quick posts on your blog to create content several times a week, I have 5 suggestions.

What are you working on this week? Right before or right after a writing session put together a post about what you hope to accomplish or did accomplish. The bonus to this topic is that it can be cryptic and pique the reader's curiosity. Theme song of the day or new band you discovered - music is a great way to bond with your readers and find common ground.Book reviews and/or recommendations - some authors are shy about critiquing other authors' work, but that doesn't mean you can't talk about your favorite books or authors. Often authors write the type of books they like to read. By mentioning what you are reading can bring new readers to you because they've also read the same books. Movies are another great conversation starter. Share snippets of your life. Again, it doesn't have to be very personal. Perhaps your child is starting school this fall. Sharing how it feels and perhaps a funny story or two will help make a personal connection. If you don't want to talk about your family, then share a photo from the walk you took at the local park.

Finally, if you haven't started blogging, or have been unsuccessful, I urge you to give it a try. Start small: a goal of posting once a week can help establish a routine. Try different things. Your post does not always have to be text. You know what they say - a photo is worth a 1000 words. If your fans send you pictures or fan art, ask permission to post them on your blog. Don't stress about it. If you can't post for a few weeks while meeting deadlines or taking a vacation, just let your readers know and get back when you can.
******
Thank you again, Donna, for such sage advice! For those who are interested in her book, you can find it on Amazon!

Landslide by NJ Cole

Title: LandslideAuthor: NJ ColeRelease Date: August 4, 2013Cover Designer: T.m. Franklin

Blurb:
Senator Maxwell Joseph has it all—money, power, and good looks—the trifecta when it comes to attracting the ladies. He even has women willing to be tied up, spanked, and completely at his mercy, all while calling him Daddy, fulfilling his secret fantasy. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday, Max finds a goddess waiting for him in his hotel room. She is beautiful, sexy, and very willing, yet the fruit she offers is very forbidden. Not only is she barely legal at nineteen, but she also happens to be the daughter of his best friend and political advisor.
Mackenzie Wade has had a crush on the senator for years. When an overheard phone call affords her the opportunity she needs to make her fantasies a reality, Kenzie jumps at the chance, offering herself as a birthday gift.
Throwing caution to the wind, Max gives in to temptation and gives them both what they have been yearning for—a night filled with ropes, floggers, and toe-curling sex. Although satiated, one night of passion isn’t enough for either of them, and they begin a clandestine affair.  
For Maxwell, the solid ground on which he’s built his career starts to shift as his hopes and dreams for the future begin to change. In what can only be described as a landslide, Max holds on tight to the only thing that he can—Kenzie. He goes on the ride of his life, knowing all along that in the end, he may have to make a gut-wrenching decision between the woman of his dreams and a path to the White House.








Excerpt:Opening the door to the suite, I found a beautiful creature in my bed with the hottest body I’d ever seen. She was wearing white thigh highs, a short plaid skirt, and a white top. It was a classic school girl outfit and I loved it. Everything about her was perfect, but everything about her was wrong. “Mackenzie! What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m giving you your birthday present, Senator Joseph.”
The way she said my name made my dick rock hard again.
“Mackenzie, this is completely inappropriate.”
“Who gives a fuck if it’s appropriate or not,” she said, rubbing her thighs together. “And I know you want me. I saw how you were looking at me earlier. I even know what you’re into.”
My stomach dropped. Could she mean she knew about my sexual preferences? “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I know. I overheard my father talking once.” She got off the bed and walked over to me, her eyes never leaving mine as she crossed the room. She grabbed hold of my tie and began running her fingers over it. “I know exactly what you are into, Senator Joseph.”
“Mackenzie, you’re what…sixteen years old?” I questioned, grabbing her wrist and removing her hand from my tie.
“Sixteen? You sent me a graduation present last year,” she laughed. “I’m nineteen. My birthday was just last week.”
She was legal. I’m sure she said more, but all I heard was that she was nineteen. I had also caught something else she said a moment ago. She’d mentioned that she knew what I was “into,” and I needed to know what she meant.
“What is it you think I’m into?” I asked with more authority than I felt at that moment.
“You like to tie up little girls and fuck them. Isn’t that right, Senator?”
Her words made my dick twitch. The summary wasn’t exactly accurate; I didn’t like actual little girls, just women in their early twenties who were willing to dress up for my fantasies. What I gathered from her statement, though, was that she wasn’t repulsed; she sounded excited at the thought.
There were a million reasons I shouldn’t do this. She was barely legal. She was the daughter of my top advisor…and best friend. I wasn’t prepared. We didn’t have any sort of contract. I had no clue what her limits were. It just seemed wrong, yet all of that flew out the window when she looked up at me and licked her lips.
“Don’t you wanna tie me up and fuck me, Senator Joseph?”
Consequences be damned. I wasn’t thinking with my head, I was thinking with my dick. And my dick wanted her. “On your knees, little girl,” I commanded harshly.
She dropped to the floor instantly; when she did, I walked around her and pulled her hands behind her back. “So you want to be tied up? To offer yourself to me? To please me?”
“Yes,” she panted.
“Yes, what?” I asked, removing my tie.
“Yes, Sir,” she moaned.
“Yes, Daddy,” I corrected.
“Yes, Daddy.”

About the Author:
NJ Cole is a witty, mid-western girl with a kinky side. She works by day and writes by night, all while being a mother to her wonderful boys and serving her Sir. Unlike many of today’s authors, she chooses to write in first person, allowing the readers to experience life through the eyes of the unique characters that live in her head. Her love of those characters and respect for their stories come through loud and clear in her writing. With over two million reads of her online work in the past six months, NJ Cole is clearly an up and coming author.

Links:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7077804.N_J_Cole
www.njcoledls.blogspot.com
on facebook https://www.facebook.com/njcoleauthor

GIVEAWAY: "3000 Facebook Followers Giveaway"

 Enter for your chance to win some really amazing prizes!

The rafflecopter asks for Facebook follows - just another way that we can support the fabulous book community. Please be sure to enter, follow all of the wonderful authors and bookies who have supported this giveaway and be sure to come back for the daily shares. The giveaway will last for one week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL: A Tattered Love

Riley Miller wants nothing more than to leave her past behind and never speak of it again. The damage of what’s happened has made her build walls to keep people out. Starting over isn't easy. After a move to Cape Cod to escape the dark and haunting secrets, she meets Abby and Evan, who instantly become her best friends. Riley is shy and quiet, trying to break out of her shell with her friend’s help. Just when life settles into a comfortable routine, Riley meets Evan's friend Dustin and life as she knows it will never be the same. Looking for love is the last thing on Dustin’s to do list, if it’s even on there at all. Living with some pretty big secrets of his own, Dustin tries to keep from getting in too deep with anyone. But, he finds himself drawn to the timid but stunning Riley. Can they accept the past and develop a relationship? Or will the skeletons in their closet keep them from ever moving on?

AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 3RD!

~Nickie Seidler
Author of A Lucky Second Chance 
Find more out about Nickie at her website 
Connect with her on FACEBOOK, GOODREADS, and TWITTER

Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Blog Hop!

 

  A young man stands on the beach. Warm salt-water washes over his bare feet, while a cool breeze flows off the water. Tinkling laughter echos from behind him and he turns, finding the woman he'd been waiting for standing behind him. Her long, dark hair is flowing behind her and the sun-kissed tint to her skin is a reminder of the day they'd spent together in the sun. Without a word, they walk toward each other and embrace. Their lips met in a sizzling, fiery kiss that leave them panting with need.

Sounds like the synopsis for a steamy summer book, right? Perhaps, but it's also the basis for every summer romance that has been dreamed of on cold, winter nights. Love, being wooed, having someone tend to our darkest, neediest desires is something that we all yearn for, something we all need. So I ask you: what's your ideal summer romance?

GIVEAWAY!!!
For everyone who answers my question stated in the post above, will be entered in for a chance to win an ebook of their chance! So don't wait!
Grand Prizes:
We have two grand prizes. #1 is a Kindle Fire. #2 is a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.
Hop will end at 11:59 PM on July 21st.

ARDOR: Guest Post by Author Elena M. Reyes

I asked Ms. Reyes about how she finds a balance between her writing and real life. This is what she had to say:





How do I handle the struggle of trying to balance my writing and real life? To be completely honest, I don’t ‘handle it.’ I’ve never felt that there has ever been a struggle for me.
I balance myself by taking on what I can handle ━ not what everyone expects ━ and by never pressuring myself to write. For me, I’ve found that if you put that kind of pressure on yourself, then you are only blocking your creativity. You can ask anyone who has ever worked with me on a writing project and they will attest to that fact.
I write when I want; not on anyone’s schedule.
My family always comes first and if that means that I am only able to devote thirty minutes, versus a full day, to writing, then so be it. I believe that it isn’t the quantity of words you put down onto paper or into a doc, but the quality of those words. Forcing the words to come out, for me, has been proven to backfire. So, if my son has a therapy session or the husband needs me to help him out on a jobsite, I do. I’m sure most writers are thinking, “Is she insane?” Truth is, maybe I am, but this method of ‘easy goes it’ works for me.
Also, I must admit to having one hell of a support system around me. I have been married for thirteen years now, and we are each others biggest supporters. We know when to step in if the other needs to take a step back. If I need to hole myself up and go on a crazy writing binge, he steps in and makes sure everything is handled; there’s a hot meal on the table at the end of the night. It might be picked up on his way home or he might come in early and cook, but the end is always the same.
He takes care of me.
My son is also very helpful when I need to lock myself away in my office and loose myself in my characters . . . lol. At only twelve years old, he tells his father that I’m at work and shouldn’t be disturbed, with the seriousness of a full grown man. Both my husband and son help around the house, cook, and clean.
When my mom is over for visit, she watches us all chip in and get things in order, and says that “My boys are trained well.” While some would find that weird, we don’t, because its how we have always run things.
We help each other out in every way.
At the end of the day, my success is theirs, too. Just like when my husband began his company while we were both in our early twenties and I supported him, helped him out with anything that I could, he now does the same for me.
So, really there is no struggle ━ just timing it right so you spend time with the ones you love; making sure that they know you love them before you go to sleep; and then writing when the mood strikes or inspiration hits.






Title: ArdorGenre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica Expected Publication: 7/23/2013Blurb: Gregory Thomas has always had an easy life. When it came to his profession, he excelled, gaining himself the position of manager to one of the nation’s biggest wholesale retailers.  He was amazing at everything; except when it came to love. The night he found his ex-wife in bed with her gay best friend was the night he decided it wasn’t worth it. He was better off just focusing on his career, and nothing more.
He became content with just being. That is, until Jasmine Velez, his new employee, walked into his store.
Blunt, and honest to a fault, the woman captivates him against his will. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s the first woman that doesn’t chase him around. Something that makes ignoring her that much harder. The last thing he wants to do is try to have a relationship with a woman again, and he knows that if he allows Jasmine in, that’s exactly what he’s going to go for.
Except, then he’s faced with the possibility of Jasmine being with someone else, and the choice is taken from him. He’s left with only one option: He needs to make her his. But that might prove harder than he originally expected.
How the hell does a man seduce a feisty woman who’s gotten tired of waiting for him and is hell bent on not giving into him?



Excerpt: I pushed her forward with a gentle hand, removing that luscious ass from dangerous territory.  We both needed a minute to cool down. Jasmine’s breathing was harsh, and her body trembled as she stood facing away from me. I could hear her faint mumbling while she attempted to right herself. Was she regretting this? A blush overtook her cheeks, and I almost pulled her back into my front. The color looked so beautiful on her sun kissed skin that I needed to see more.“Turn around,” I commanded, but she stood as still as a statue, shaking her head from side to side.Please don’t shut down on me, baby . . . please give yourself to me. “Turn around, Jasmine.” She jumped from the force of my tone and diligently complied. Good girl.“I’m sorry, Mr. T.” she sputtered, and then continued to blush under my unwavering stare. “I don’t know what came over me . . . please . . . please, don’t fire me.”“Oh, sweet Jasmine, I’m not going to fire you. We both reacted to our natural instincts. I believe it would be for the best if we put this incident behind us, and never speak of it again.” At that she looked disappointed.Perfect.“Um, sure, Sir,” my coquettish clerk whispered. “If that’s what you wish.”“For now, it is.” Her eyes snapped up and searched mine. The following thirty minutes were spent participating in the dirtiest foreplay session I’d ever been subjected to.Inside my office, Jasmine made a direct bee-line for the small leather couch I had against the wall and made herself at home. When the smell of the specialty blend coffee saturated the space she moaned out and declared, “Fuck, that’s the good shit,” in the most sinful tone I’d ever heard from her.I growled at her, but that only served to entice her further. The little minx let her eyes roll to the back of her head, and then arched her back so that her breasts pushed against her red polo.  Jasmine’s nipples pebbled while my eyes devoured her breasts. They were encased in what looked to be a flimsy piece of lace, judging by the pattern that could be seen in the taut fabric.My feet began to carry me over to where she sat; in my hands I held a tray of guava and cheese filled pastries. I wanted to watch her lick the sweet concoction from her fingers, lips, and if possible, off my cock.“Jasmine,” I growled low, and she trembled. I knew my face was showing her just how sinister I could be . . . how nasty. I felt the sneer on my face. “Care for a pastry or something else to entice those soft, plump lips?”“Jesus, please . . . yes,” she mewled.Placing the tray beside her on the small couch, I crouched down to her level. My fingers reached out to place a stray piece of her black hair behind her ear, all while my eyes were devouring the lust and want her caramel eyes were throwing back at me.Perfect.“Jasmine, tell me . . . what do you want?”Nothing. Not a sound came from her in response. “Answer me, sweetheart, or this ends now.”Still I was met with silence.“Now!” I yelled.Her pouty lips crashed onto mine before my brain could process another thought. Sweet, succulent, and soft; they were giving me what I needed by yielding to mine.



Author Bio: Elena M. Reyes was born and raised in Miami Florida. She is the epitome of a Floridian and if she could live in her beloved flip-flops, she would.
As a small child, she was always intrigued with all forms of art—whether it was dancing to island rhythms, or painting with any medium she could get her hands on. Her first taste of writing came to her during her fifth grade year when her class was prompted to participate in the D. A. R. E. Program and write an essay on what they’d learned.
Her passion for reading over the years has amassed her with hours of pleasure. It wasn't until she stumbled upon fanfiction that her thirst to write overtook her world. She now resides in Central Florida with her husband and son, spending all her down time letting her creativity flow and letting her characters grow.




Facebook

Malfunction Erotica

Twitter

Summer Heat Blog Tour!

 In My Mother’s Footsteps by Forbes Arnone

Anela Alborn’s life is a lie. After growing up without the love of a father, her mother reveals his identity. Tragedy strikes and she sets off on an adventure that leads to more than she could ever imagine. Bumping into Christian Sivers distracts her from the real man of her dreams, her father. Will he live up to her dreams? And does she follow in her mother’s footsteps?
Excerpt—
My brown, wooden, antiquated cottage sat on top of a hill in Sausalito. The shingles were bleached out from exposure to the sun’s rays. A beautiful, naturally-worn deck wound around the small chalet and gave me one of the best views in town. The bold, red peaks of the Golden Gate Bridge were visible through the light haze of fog over the ocean. With the hot sun working overtime to clear the sky, the fog always seemed to linger around the tops of the bridge. To my left, I could look down and see the rocky shore that the tourists often frequented. The slick brown and black seals liked to sunbathe on the boulders at the water’s edge. People would gather to take pictures or have lunch in one of the quaint restaurants that overlooked the choppy, aqua-blue ocean.I had grown up in Sausalito my entire life. With the exception of when I went to Berkley, I hadn’t adventured into the city much. Sometimes, I'd take the ferry to Angel Island with my mountain bike and take leisurely rides or run the hills. I hadn't done that since I ran out of my mother's house, either.Now that I had packed up all of her belongings — with the exception a few things I wanted to keep — I was exhausted. As I sat on the deck of my small cottage and stared out into the vast ocean, I felt anxious about the file that sat on my lap. Lennie had given it to me at his office three days before and I had yet to open it. The fear at what I'd find seeped in and turned my stomach.Focusing my attention, I looked down at the folder and decided the time had come to face whatever was inside. My hands trembled as I lifted the two metal prongs and opened the flap. I tipped the folder upside down to empty the contents, finding the usual white sheets of paper that were full of legal jargon. How I wished I didn't know what they meant. Sifting through it all, I found a copy of the deed to the house, which stated that it had been transferred to my name. Also, there was the pink slip to my mother's car to be filled out and mailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and a small envelope with my mother's messy, artsy script on the front. One word had been written on it: Anela.

Author Bio--
Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she traveled to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 2013.
Find Jennifer on:FacebookGoodreads--Forbes ArnoneGoodreads--Jennifer GarciaTwitterBlogAbout.meAuthorsdb

Just Like in the Movies by M.B. Feeney
Ava Jones has settled for a life that she’s not sure she wants anymore, but won’t admit it. Her best friend, Erica Davidson talks her into taking a break on the Isle of Wight. Her days on the island are spent thinking things through, and arguing with Morgan whom she hates on principal.
Is it so wrong for her to want a life that follows the script of a honest to God romance film?
Excerpt—
I’d met Marcus Tripp not long after joining Wilson Insurance. Although I’d never really fancied him, he was persistent. Our friendship had grown, and we’d fallen into a routine that suited both of us. I was happy with the attention, and the sex . . . yeah, it was okay. As time passed, the earth rarely moved when we were intimate; more often than not, it was pretty much over before it began. Still, we stayed together, more out of habit and familiarity than anything else. We did love each other. I just wasn’t sure that it was enough.In the evenings I spent alone, I would daydream about living the life of a lead in a Hollywood chick flick, but then reality would slap some sense into me. My life was as good as it was going to get. I wasn’t about to be swept off my feet any time soon. Marcus and I were comfortable, and that was enough — for me, at least. I was too scared to ask Marcus what he felt.We tried for a couple of years to have children, but it never happened. After many serious discussions, we decided to give up on the idea altogether. That was when we bought our first fur baby: a beautiful Collie cross called Rhea. She was our little girl, and we both doted on her. We assuaged our guilt over our mutual neglect by caring for Rhea, devoting our attention to another living being rather than to each other. The puppies, Remus and Romulus, soon joined her, and our “family” was complete.For as long as I’d known him, Marcus had played Sunday League football, which was followed by an afternoon with his teammates at the very pub I was now approaching. Coupled with training one evening a week, his evenings out gave me more than enough time to spend with Erica or at home with the dogs.“Have you thought any more about that holiday I mentioned?” Erica asked while we claimed our usual table. Our customary bottle of red wine was already ready and waiting for us.“I have . . .” My words drifted away when I thought back to her idea of a girlie getaway on the Isle of Wight. Just as its name suggested, the top-class Lakeside Hotel with attached spa was located right next to a beautiful lake. Bliss.“And? Why the hesitation?” Erica pushed like she always did, her blue eyes flashing once more as she looked into my brown ones. The idea of a real getaway made the blonde hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I tried to rein in my excitement. “I don’t know. It sounds amazing, and Lord knows I could do with some time away.”“Do it, then.” I knew I had enough holiday time available at work. Screw it.“Let’s do it.”



Author Bio--
M. B. Feeney is an army brat who finally settled down in Birmingham, UK with her other half, 2 kids and a dog.  She's also a student teacher, a doodler and a chocoholic.  Writing has been her one true love since she could spell, and publishing is the culmination of her hard work and ambition.
Her BlogTwitterFacebookAmazonB&N
Haunted Raine by R.E. Hargrave


Distracted by the everyday routine of raising children, being a wife, and keeping a home, Lorraine Morrissey let life pass her by. Her wakeup call comes when she realizes that with their children gone, her husband Richard is rarely home, and she’s filling her solitary days with trivial tasks. A crazy idea to save her marriage leads to a summer beach vacation unlike any she’s ever taken; one that involves unknowingly buying a haunted house.
Excerpt:
The fast approaching ground disappeared, replaced by an old, worn, wooden floor.I shook my head to try and clear it of the cobweb fuzziness I felt. Raising myhands in front of me, I didn’t recognize them. They were dark brown, dry, andthe skin was cracked in places. They didn’t feel connected to my body either. My words got stuck in my throat when I tried to ask what was going on. Swallowingto clear the blockage, I surveyed the room. Before me burned a dwindling fireinside an old-fashioned stone hearth, and to my right, old shuttered windowswere thrown open, letting the cooling night air in.
“Girl!”
The hoarse male voice startled me. I spun around, becoming aware of heavy skirtstangling in my legs.
“Yes, sir.” The voice, thick with a low country accent, wasn’t mine either, butthe sound had passed through my lips. What the . . .
“How many sacks of cotton did you pick today?”
A tremor settled into my arms as panic tightened my chest. Tall and wide, thewhite man advanced on me. I skittered back toward the hearth at the look ofhatred on his face.
“None, sir. I’s sorry, but my momma –”
“There are no excuses, Jesse. Rain or shine, y’alls task is at least two sacks aday while the cotton’s a blooming.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did your momma get her two sacks picked?”
Beyond my control, my head shook side to side, and I curled in on myself morewhile taking another subtle step back. Warning sirens were going off, but it wasobvious, I had no say over my faculties, nor did I have any idea what was goingon. “She’s got the sick, sir.”
In slow motion, his hand rose, and I took in every detail: thinning, greasybrown hair slicked back from a shiny forehead, a narrow beak of a nose stretcheddown the length of his long face to a thin pair of pale pursed lips. His greeneyes were bloodshot with the drink that wafted from his mouth. The yellowinglinen shirt he wore was opened down to his mid-chest, exposing pale, untonedflesh. Proof that he relied on others to get the work done.
“‘She’s got the sick, sir,’” he sing-songed, mocking me. “Not my problem, girl.What is my problem is that you owe me four sacks’ worth of cotton, and havenothing to pay with.”
At his words, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. I didn’t like where thiswas going and took another step back, bringing me a little closer to the fireand the iron tools I could see in my peripheral vision.
“But I can think of another way that you can start paying up.”
When he came at me, I spun to grab the poker. Before I could reach the tool,arms enveloped me from behind, yanking me back until I collided with a hardchest.


Author Bio--
R.E. Hargrave is a fledgling author who has always been a lover of books and now looks forward to the chance to give something back to the literary community. She lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX with her husband and three children.
Links:BlogFacebookGoodreadsTwitterAmazonAbout.meLibbooAuthorsdb
M.B. Feeney’s Tour Schedule:
7/2-Interveiw: Kim7/3-Promo/excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/4-Interview: Tilly Currer7/5-Interview: Lorenz Font7/6-Review: Rose Caceres7/7-Review: Nat Wood7/8- Promo/Excerpt: Lisa Bilbrey7/10- Guest Post: Matt Lutz7/12-Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave
R.E. Hargrave’s Tour Schedule:
7/1-Guest Post: Kim7/2-Promo/excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/2-Review: Philomena Callan7/3-Review: Nat Wood7/4-Guest Post: Lorenz Font7/5-Promo/Excerpt: Jody Joy7/6- Review: Ena and Fawn7/7-Interview: Elena M. Reyes7/7-Guest Post: Kathy Wheeler7/8-Review: For the Love of The Writer7/9-Review: Mandy Anderson7/10-Promo/excerpt: Jude Ouvrard7/11-Review: Rose Caceres7/12-Review: Tracy Riva7-12-Guest Post: Ali7/13-Promo/excerpt: Sapphire Kande7/14-Promo/Excerpt: Brandy Dorsh
Forbes Arnone’s Tour Schedule:
7/1-Promo/excerpt: Laurynne7/1-Guest Post: Annamaria7/1-Promo/excerpt: Emily Birch7/1-Interview: Tilly Currer7/1-Review: Wyndy Dee7/2-Promo/Excerpt: Ashley/Melissa7/2-Review: Sarah Aisling7/3-Review: Sandi Layne7/3-Review: N. Isabelle Blanco7/4-Promo/Excerpt: Jude Ouvrard7/4-Review: Rose Caceres7/5-Review: Nat Wood7/5-Review: For the Love of The Writer7/5-Guest Post: Fandom Fanatic7/6-Promo/excerpt: Peggy7/7-Review Susanne Ziegelhofer7/7-Guest Post: Anna Crosswell7/8-Promo/Excerpt: Lorenz Font7/8-Promo/Excerpt: Cremona Cotovelea7/9-Review: Gillian7/9-Interview:  Kim7/10-Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave7/11-Guest Post: Katya Armock7/12-Promo/excerpt: Shannon Patel7/13-Interview: Steve K. Smy7/14-Review: Sydney Logan7/14-Guest Post: Pearls

COVER REVEAL: My Mr. Manny

Mia Balducci misses her childhood days and yearns for the big, Italian family that she left behind in small town Massachusetts. At the tender age of sixteen, Mia moves with her bachelor father to Los Angeles, but no matter how many years pass, it never becomes home to her. The years spent living with her father aren’t easy, especially since she can’t stop thinking about what she once had. Her enrollment in the University of Southern California promises to bring exciting changes to her life, but Mia winds up with big problems instead. When she runs into an old friend from her old hometown of Winthrop, she gets swept up in nostalgia, and she soon loses herself in a quickly-progressing romance. When the fantasy falls apart, she is left to raise her precious little girl, Lucia, on her own. The demands of Mia’s work schedule and Lucia’s needs increase, and their lives become increasingly hectic. It is soon clear to Mia that she needs help. Luckily, her life-saving cousin saves the day and brings the mother and daughter a male nanny – their new “manny.”
After losing his high-pressure job on Wall Street, Dominic Roberts wants to follow his dreams to have a family. He’s already one fiancée down, and there are no likely prospects for another. In order to find the family he so desperately wants, he finds himself getting into the manny business. Since he is fully qualified to provide child care and is eager to leave New York City behind, his sister-in-law is able to land him a job in California working for his first client – the beautiful and intriguing Mia Balducci.   Will Lucia like the new man in her mother's life? Will Mia? And will this new trio discover the happily ever after they all so desperately seek?





Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she traveled to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 2013.
Find Jennifer on:
FacebookGoodreads--Forbes ArnoneGoodreads--Jennifer GarciaTwitterBlogAbout.meAuthorsdb