Melissa Snark's Blog: The Snarkology, page 23

LEST YE BE JUDGED by Andrea Downing #Western #Romance @andidowning

There have been a number of tales of woe recently on the authors’ listservs about comments they’ve received from judges in writing competitions.  My sympathy goes to the authors concerned, completely.  I’ve been on both sides of contest submission, and the agony and frustration of nasty comments to which you cannot reply still leaves a bitter taste.

Loveland was my first book and, as such, I was constantly seeking guidance on how well I was doing, where I was going wrong, what were its good points and what I could ditch.  I had readers look at it, and what I subsequently ditched were its first 72 pages!  After that, I was dependent on competitions.  In one competition, I came in fourth, 3 judges loving the book and a fourth tearing it to shreds in the most unconstructive and unsupportive manner.  What use is it to a writer if a judge cracks snarky (Melissa, you must forgive me, please) remarks about your writing?  Criticism should be constructive, not sarcastic and biting.

As a judge, I have my pet hates as does every other reader.  I hate finding anachronisms in historical books.  I dislike reading a single book from a series when the author mentions characters and scenes from former books in the series, leaving me in a fog.  There are grammatical mistakes I can live with and those which drive me nuts, such as misplaced modifiers that make me go back and re-read a sentence several times in order to understand it.  The same goes for a plethora of “he”s or “she”s leaving me wondering to whom they refer.   And then there is just bad writing:  characters who act out of character such as having a heroine who would never ever fall for this hero, info dumping, sagging middles and so on.  When I was recently judging, I read a book with a build-up that made me think something important was about to happen; it didn’t, and the book fell completely flat.  And the same book had the heroine removing her shoes twice on the same page.

In judging, what there isn’t, is a need to tell an author all this in a caustic and mocking manner.  Judges are like doctors—they are doctors who help fix your writing, guide you in the right direction, just as your medic points out to you what pills to take or what tests should be run.  Who would return to a doctor who was derisive and disrespectful?

Yup, judge not lest ye be judged—it’s the perfect maxim to keep in mind when you sign up to consider the excellence of a book.  Happily for me, Loveland is now being re-released by Amazon Encore so I’m past the competition period.  Oh, but then, of course, there are reviews…

 

Genre:  western historical romance

When Lady Alexandra Calthorpe returns to the Loveland, Colorado, ranch owned by her father, the Duke, she has little idea of how the experience will alter her future. Headstrong and willful, Alex tries to overcome a disastrous marriage in England and be free of the strictures of Victorian society –and become independent of men. That is, until Jesse Makepeace saunters back into her life…

Hot-tempered and hot-blooded cowpuncher Jesse Makepeace can’t seem to accept that the child he once knew is now the ravishing yet determined woman before him. Fighting rustlers proves a whole lot easier than fighting Alex when he’s got to keep more than his temper under control.

Arguments abound as Alex pursues her career as an artist and Jesse faces the prejudice of the English social order. The question is, will Loveland live up to its name?

 

Buy Links for LOVELAND :
For the eBook, Amazon Encore
For the print book, The Wild Rose Press

 

Excerpt:

The light was failing and the birds were settling with their evening calls. Somewhere in the pasture a horse nickered. She sensed Jesse was there, watching, but she never turned as he stood at the fence. She heard him climb over and ease up behind her. He took the coiled rope from her in his left hand and slid his right hand over hers on the swing end, almost forcing her backward into his arms.

She thought of paintings and statues she had seen, imagining his naked arms now, how the muscles would form them into long oblique curves, how he probably had soft downy fair hair on his forearms, how his muscle would slightly bulge as he bent his arm. His voice was soft in her ear, and she could feel his breath on her neck like a whispered secret.

“Gentle-like, right to left, right to left to widen the noose, keep your eye on the post—are you watchin’ where we’re goin’?”

He made the throw and pulled in the rope to tighten the noose. Alex stood there, his hand still entwined with hers and, for a moment, she wished they could stand like that forever. Then she took her hand away and faced him. For a second he rested his chin on the top of her head, then straightened again and went to get the noose off the post while coiling in the rope. She looked up at him in the fading light and saw nothing but kindness in his face, simplicity and gentleness that was most inviting. A smile spread across her face as he handed her the coiled rope and sauntered away, turning once to look back at her before he opened the gate. Emptiness filled her like a poisoned vapor seeking every corner of her being, and she stood with the rope in her hand listening to the ring of his spurs as his footsteps retreated.

 

Bio:

Andrea Downing likes to say that when she decided to do a Masters Degree, she made the mistake of turning left out of New York, where she was born, instead of right to the west, and ended up in the UK.   She eventually married there, raising a beautiful daughter and staying for longer than she cares to admit.  Teaching, editing a poetry magazine, writing travel articles, and a short stint in Nigeria, as well as extensive travel throughout Europe, Africa and Latin America, filled those years.  She returned to NYC in 2008.  She now divides her time between the city and the shore, and often trades the canyons of New York for the wide open spaces of Wyoming.  Family vacations are frequently out west and, to date, she and her daughter have been to over 25 ranches throughout the west.  Loveland, her first book, was a finalist for Best American Historical at the 2013 RONE Awards and her three further novels and novellas have garnered several awards.

 

Links to social media/website/etc.:

WEBSITE AND BLOG:  http://andreadowning.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/writerAndreaDowning

Twitter:  @andidowning  https://twitter.com/AndiDowning

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446229.Andrea_Downing

Linkedin:  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=124888740&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Downing/e/B008MQ0NXS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

Review snippets:

“Andrea Downing has crafted a masterpiece with Loveland. Her fast-paced romantic western keep readers wondering how the story can ever be resolved…Downing is a strong writer who has written a worthy premiere novel. She handles romantic scenes with flair while showing the nitty-gritty of ranch life in the 1880s. Loveland is packed with action and emotion, leaving the reader wanting more. Loveland is one of those books I hated to have end. A hands-down five-star novel.”  Mary E. Trimble,  Captivating Stories from the American West to West Africa

 

“…Great storytelling! Even though the happy ending is a given, the journey was much more satisfying because of the snappy dialogue, the pivotal plotting, and the realistic progression of Alex and Jesse’s emotional connection. I’m happy to give this book Five Stars!

Lynda Coker, Between the Pages

“Andrea Downing does a very good job of depicting the hard life on a ranch in the late 1800´s as well as the struggles of a high-society woman to gain independence. I like the authors descriptive style and the pace throughout the book is very high, with one dramatic event after the other unfolding…The author does a good job in adding a lot of interesting historical detail and a fun group of supporting characters to give this classic romantic story more depth. I would recommend Loveland for lovers of romance and historical fiction enthusiasts.”

–Daniella, The TBR Pile

 

Tags:  western historical romance, cowboys, British aristocracy, Colorado ranches, Andrea Downing

A REAPER OF STONE by Mark Gelineau and Joe King (Contest) #Fantasy @Goddessfish

 

GENRE: Fantasy

NOTE: This book is FREE on Amazon for 5 days beginning the date of the book blast.

A Lady is dead. Her noble line ended. And the King’s Reaper has come to reclaim her land and her home. In the marches of Aedaron, only one thing is for certain. All keeps of the old world must fall.

Elinor struggles to find her place in the new world. She once dreamed of great things. Of becoming a hero in the ways of the old world. But now she is a Reaper. And her duty is clear. Destroy the old. Herald the new.

 

Available from Amazon

 

Excerpt:

The girl put a hand on his shoulder. Her voice was low. “Whatever happens next. You mustn’t move.”

And then the ground underneath the horse exploded upward and a pale white form the size of a wagon erupted into the air. The horse let out a scream that turned into a wet gurgle as white writhing tentacles enveloped the animal. The copper tang of blood filled the air and Conbert felt his stomach lurch.

He thought to go for the sword he carried at his side but he saw the girl’s eyes.

He held himself still as another of the creatures breached the drowning grass. It was a huge mass of rippling white flesh, except at the front where the mouth opened like an exposed wound. Massive tearing fangs lined the pink maw, and white tentacles writhed from the worm’s throat, seeking the remnants of the thrashing horse. The two monsters tore the horse apart in seconds, powerful tentacles flaying meat from bone with horrific efficiency.

As the rendworms began to slide across the ground in their direction, Con felt a terror urging him to run. He fought against it, trying to focus instead on the perfect stillness of the young girl. The huge worms slid past them.

And then as Con held his breath, the girl moved.

The young cadet was fast and sure as she darted forward. She struck out with the mace, swinging it with both hands, and smashing it into the rendworm’s side. There was a loud crack, and Con knew that somewhere inside the sinuous horror a bone had broken under the blow.

 

The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Mark and Joe have been writing and telling stories together for the last 25 years. They share a love for the classic fantasy tales of their childhood. Their Echoes of the Ascended series brings those old epic characters and worlds to new life.

Website: www.gelineauandking.com.

Facebook: facebook.com/gelineauandking.

Twitter: @gelineauandking.

 

For our latest releases, join our mailing list:  http://eepurl.com/bww_4j

Amazon author page:

Mark – http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Gelineau/e/B00I6TQUCE

Joe – http://www.amazon.com/Joe-King/e/B01460OK50

 

THE RETURN OF THE JERK by (Contest) Andrea Simonne #Romance @Goddessfish

 

Wedding cake baker Blair Thomas loves her life. Her business is thriving, her Seattle condo has a great view of the water, and her refurbished ‘65 convertible Mustang “Isadora” is the coolest car ever. She barely even thinks about that jerk she married five years ago. The one who abandoned her after four months of marriage. The one who left a note on her pillow saying, “See you later, babe.”

Seriously, who does that?

So what if she was once obsessively in love with him. He’s her best friend’s older brother and for years he barely even knew she was alive. He never loved her, and he only married her because of a drunken mistake. At least she’s over him.

Definitely over him.

The only problem is Blair never got around to divorcing him so technically they’re still married. And after five years of traveling the world—Nathan “Road” Church—has finally decided to come home. He arrived on Blair’s doorstep this morning, and now he’s in her bathroom taking a shower. The nerve of him! Oh, and did I mention he’s still hot? Blair doesn’t know what to do.

The jerk has returned.

Warning: Contains one sexy jerk, humorous situations, a heroine with obsessive compulsive disorder, cussing and swearing, steamy love scenes, and references to a part of the male anatomy that doesn’t crow like a rooster – but certainly rises in the early morning.

 

You can buy Return of the Jerk at:
Amazon

Excerpt:

“Is that Road?” Natalie and Ginger both ask when they see her headed toward the front. The bakery is worse than a sorority house sometimes, everybody knowing everybody else’s business.

Blair sighs. “Tall, blond, and straight-up hot?”

They both nod. “Very hot,” Natalie says with a grin.

“Yes, that’s him.”

Ginger gives her a look. “If that was my husband, I’m pretty sure I’d never divorce him. Maybe you guys should try and work it out.”

“Not this situation.” Blair doesn’t bother taking her white chef’s coat off. She wants Road to be reminded that she’s at work and doesn’t have time for any big discussions.

She heads out front and sees him right away, standing near their pastry case. Her insides do their usual flutter at the sight of him.

He nods. “Hey, princess.”

“I’m working, so I don’t have a lot of time.”

“Give me your hand.”

“Why?”

He reaches down and takes her hand. His are warm and dry, and his touch makes her breath catch. She feels him put something into hers.

“What’s this?” She looks down in surprise. He’s given her the Honda keys.

“Not planning to take much of your time. Just stopped by to get the keys to my car and give those back to you.”

Blair shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m not giving you Isadora’s keys.”

“Excuse me?”

“I think you heard me.”

Road goes silent, stares at her with his eyes laser focused. They narrow. “No, don’t think I did hear you correctly. Sounded like you just told me you’re keeping my car.”

“I believe I have a claim to her.”

“No, you don’t. Now hand over the keys.”

“I’ve spent thousands on her so, yes, I do have a claim.”

“Said I’d write you a check, remember?”

Blair doesn’t reply, just turns her head back toward the kitchen to indicate she needs to get back to work.

“Cut the shit, Blair. Give me the keys to my car. Now.”

She hesitates at the demand in his voice, but then remembers how Road abandoned Isadora, just left her sitting in the driveway. He didn’t care. I care, though.

“No,” Blair tells him.

Road is studying her. “So, this is how you want to play it?”

“I’m not giving you Isadora. Like I said, she’s mine.”

Road lets out a frustrated breath.

“Feel free to use the Honda for as long as you need it. I think that’s generous.” She holds the Honda’s keys out for Road, dangling them between two fingers.

He glances at them and steps closer to her, speaking in low growl. “You don’t want to tangle with me, babe. Trust me, you’ll lose.”

“We’ll see.”

The two of them stay that way. Blair sees the way he’s assessing her. She doesn’t back down, though. Instead, she meets his assessment head-on and, in fact, starts doing some assessing of her own. She already knows Road won’t back down if he thinks he’s right.

But I’m the one who’s right this time.

 

Andrea  will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Andrea Simonne grew up as an army brat and discovered she had a talent for creating personas at each new school. The most memorable was a surfer chick named “Ace” who never touched a surf board in her life, but had an impressive collection of puka shell necklaces. Eventually she turned her imagination towards writing. Andrea still enjoys creating personas, though these days they occupy her books. She currently makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons.

You can find Andrea at:

Website: http://www.andreasimonne.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AndreaSimonne

FB: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.simonne.author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8557240.Andrea_Simonne

 

 

Under the Covers by Claire Boston (Contest) @Goddessfish #Romance

 

What if the one time you didn’t want love was when you truly needed it?

Forced to flee her abusive ex, alone with no support, Elle is determined to rebuild her life and protect her five-year-old son. Not one to take the easy road, she opens a bookshop café, but opening day almost ends in disaster. In the midst of this chaos, the last thing she needs is a man as charming as George Jones getting in her way.

George has always been a sucker for a damsel in distress, and Elle ticks all the boxes. But Elle’s not interested in being rescued by anyone, especially not him. She knows her taste in men can’t be trusted, but fighting George’s charisma is harder than she expected. And George, who is not one to ignore an itch, has found there’s something about Elle that’s got under his skin.

When Elle’s ex turns up to cause trouble, George must overcome his boyish flirtatiousness if he’s to convince Elle to trust herself and let him into her life. But can Elle put her past behind her before it overwhelms her present?

 

Retailer Links

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

Kobo  

iBooks

 

Excerpt:

This is their first kiss. They’ve just come from an altercation with Elle’s ex and she’s angry that George stepped in because it made matters worse. George is trying to explain why he did what he did.

“I said we were friends, didn’t I? I wouldn’t let any of my friends – Piper, Imogen, Libby, Adrian, Chris – face what you’ve had to face alone. It’s not who I am.”

“But I asked you not to.”

He nodded. “I know and I’m sorry I made it worse. I couldn’t stand by and watch you face that bully by yourself. I care for you.” He brushed away the tear that had escaped her eye. “I should have trusted you had everything under control.”

Her anger deflated.

She squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want this, this kindness, this caring, these warm and contented feelings that were being stirred up inside her. She couldn’t trust those. She’d felt those with Dean and she’d been oh so wrong about them.

But, damn, she was tempted.

George stepped closer, gathering her into his arms, and she didn’t resist. How could she? She wanted to be able to lean on someone, even if only for a minute.

Giving in to the temptation, Elle wrapped her arms around his waist and felt him relax.

He was as uncertain as she was.

That made her smile.

George stroked her back, sending lovely, shimmery warmth everywhere. She gave herself a minute to enjoy it and then stepped back.

His eyes captured her; something in them said he would protect her, that he cared for her.

After five years of having no one she could turn to for help, the invitation was beyond enticing. She wanted someone she could rely on, someone she could talk her worries over with, someone to just be there.

But was she wanting too much?

George watched her, waiting. He was letting her make the choice. He was giving the power to her.

That was what made her decision for her.

She leaned forward and kissed him.

 

Claire will be awarding ebook copies of What Goes on Tour and All that Sparkles, the first two books in The Texan Quartet to two randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour, and 1 ebook copy of What Goes on Tour and All that Sparkles to a randomly drawn host.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Claire Boston is the best-selling author of The Texan Quartet. In 2014 she was nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Award as Favourite New Romance Author.

Her debut contemporary romance novel, What Goes on Tour caught the attention of Momentum’s Joel Naoum when her first scene was read aloud at the Romance Writers’ of Australia (RWA) conference in 2013. This led to a four book contract for The Texan Quartet series.

Claire is proactive in organising social gatherings and educational opportunities for local authors. She is an active volunteer for RWA, as a mentor for aspiring authors and the reader judge coordinator.

When Claire’s not writing she can be found in the garden attempting to grow vegetables, or racing around a vintage motocross track. If she can convince anyone to play with her, she also enjoys cards and board games.

Claire lives in Western Australia, just south of Perth, with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and her grubby, but adorable Australian bulldog.

Contact

Please email Claire with any questions claire@claireboston.com

Social Networks

Website:          http://www.claireboston.com

Blog:                http://www.claireboston.com/blog

Reader Newsletter:     http://eepurl.com/Z4-4z

Facebook:       http://www.facebook.com/clairebostonauthor

Twitter:            http://www.twitter.com/clairebauthor

Pinterest:         http://www.pinterest.com/clairebauthor

Goodreads:     http://www.goodreads.com/clairebostonauthor

YouTube:        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe9YKmz-ORDtYaNG17hM5BA

 

Published Works

2014                What Goes on Tour: The Texan Quartet #1                       Momentum

2015                All that Sparkles: The Texan Quartet #2                            Momentum

2015                Under the Covers: The Texan Quartet #3                          Momentum

2016                Into the Fire: The Texan Quartet #4                                 Momentum

 

Images

Headshot & Book Covers       http://www.claireboston.com/media/

PICTURE ME, A MYSTERY by Amy Schisler (Contest) #Mystery @Goddessfish

GENRE: mystery

Melissa Grant has escaped the clutches of death, not once, not twice, but three times. While she considers this to be divine intervention, her assailant is sure that her luck will run out, and the authorities are suspicious that Melissa isn’t as innocent as she seems. Implicated in the murders of two of her closest friends, and running from both a hit man and the law, Melissa does what is thought to be impossible in the 21st Century – she disappears. Julie Lawson has no family, no friends, and no past. She spends her days photographing the country and her nights tossing and turning as nightmares plague her sleep. While passing through the town of St. Brendan, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Julie finds some things she hasn’t had in a very long time – a home, friends, and love. For the first time in two years, Julie can see her future, but she can attain it only by surviving a predator from her past. Eric West has a past of his own that he is trying to forget. His return to his hometown keeps his demons away until he meets Julie, and she stirs up emotions in him that he hasn’t felt in a long time. As he slowly begins to let go of this past, Eric tries to break down the walls that Julie has so tightly built around herself. Gaining her trust one small act at a time, and hiring the best investigator in DC to dig for answers, Eric opens the Pandora’s Box to Julie’s past which threatens all of their futures.

 

Available on Amazon

 

Excerpt:

Julie hadn’t thought to bring a flashlight with her and now regretfully acknowledged one of the many pitfalls of no longer owning a smartphone. As darkness fell, she picked up her pace, unsure of how much farther she had to go until the end of the trail. Surely it was safe to be out here in the dark at night, right? This was a small town, after all. An owl hooted, and the hair on the back of Julie’s neck stood. Once again, she felt that familiar feeling that jump-started her heart to begin thumping in her chest. She was not alone.

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Amy will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amy MacWilliams Schisler, of Bozman, has been writing all of her life for fun and as a freelance writer. A graduate of University of Maryland College Park with a Masters of Library and Information Science, Amy has resided in Talbot County for 21 years. She was employed as a school library media specialist at White Marsh Elementary and Chapel District Elementary and a reference librarian at Chesapeake College. For the past eight years, she has operated her own computer tutoring service working primarily with senior citizens while spending as much time as possible writing. Amy was a contributing editor for the reference series Best Books For Libraries 2004 Edition and is included in Who’s Who Among American Women.

Schisler’s first children’s book, Crabbing With Granddad, is an autobiographical work about spending a day harvesting the Maryland Blue Crab and is available in local stores and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as well as on Amazon. Sarah Book Publishing released Schisler’s novel, A Place to Call Home, in August of 2014. A revised second edition was released in March 2015.

Picture Me, A Mystery was released on August 17, 2015. The book follows the plight of a young woman as she journeys across the country assuming one identity after another in order to stay alive. When she lands in a small port town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and meets the man of her dreams, she lets her guard down and puts her heart and her life in danger.

A former librarian and teacher, Amy now lives in Bozman, Maryland with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs where she is very involved in her local community. Amy is the leader of Girl Scout Troop 453, Director of Summer Roundup Girl Scout Camp, and active in her family’s church and school.

 

contact@amyschislerauthor.com

http://amyschislerauthor.com

http://amyschisler.wordpress.com

http://facebook.com/amyschislerauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/amyschisler

Twitter @AmySchislerAuth

Instagram: amyschisler

 

Amy has been featured on:

OmniMystery News

Noisetrade.com

Southern Maryland News

Tea at Trianon Blog

 

HELLKAT BY ROBYN ROZE (Contest) #Romance @Goddessfish

GENRE: Romance/Mystery/Suspense

Kat James likes her men in suits, not cowboy boots. Is it time for a different kind of man?

Saddle up for a story filled with passion, mystery, unrequited love, and family drama. Can Tucker Williams prove he’s the best man for Kat? Or will an old-flame win her back?

It won’t matter, if Kat doesn’t survive her family’s dangerous secret.

 

99 Cents Thru Sept. 15th
Available from Amazon

 

Excerpt:

She hadn’t been prepared for the heavy-handed smack to her face that dropped her on all fours and blurred her vision. Leveraged on the coffee table, Kat reoriented her balance, cheek throbbing, the taste of iron on her tongue. She steadied herself to meet her brother’s furious stare. She dabbed at the warm blood pooled at the corner of her mouth while her eyes roamed the pristine white canvas of his starched business shirt, the narrow silk tie hanging perfectly straight. She swirled and centered the metal flavor in her mouth, then launched the red spray at him. He jumped back in obvious disgust, gawking at the contamination splattered on his custom-tailored shirt. His eyes, filled with loathing, flicked back to her, her sentence easy to read in them.

But he still hadn’t used the gun …

“If you haven’t already killed Kyle, you will.” The words, hard to think let alone speak, stuck in her throat. She swallowed the knot of emotion. “So I’m not negotiating with you. And you won’t use me to bring anyone else here. This is between you and me. And if these are my final hours, then they’re happening on my terms, not yours.”

Courage propelled her to take a step toward him.

The bewilderment on his face at her bold move empowered her. “I will make this messy. And I will make sure it all points back to you. This will not go according to your plan.” She paused. Her jaw ticked, and her lips turned up at one corner. “It will go according to mine.”

(HellKat by Robyn Roze, copyright 2015)

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Robyn will award one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $10 Amazon/BN GC.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Robyn Roze lives amongst the cornfields of the Midwest and telecommutes as an accountant. Writing was a childhood dream of Robyn’s. She won creative writing awards as a girl and teachers encouraged her to pursue a writing career. But pragmatism won out, and she boxed the dream away on the maybe-someday shelf.

Maybe-someday came for Robyn in 2013 when she published the Keeper Series, a new adult romantic suspense story. Then she shifted gears and decided to pen a novel with a much more mature cast—Chain of Title was born, her bestselling title. Readers have been loud in their demand for a sequel, and Robyn is currently working on the next chapter of Shayna and Sean’s love story. And her latest book, HellKat, released in June 2015. All of Robyn’s stories contain one key element that her readers love: a strong, independent heroine.

When she’s not spending time with her fictional families, she loves to spend time with her real one: her high school sweetheart, their two moody teenagers, and a pampered rescue mutt.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Robyn-Roze/e/B00AZXCT5G/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Website: http://www.robynroze.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robynrozeauthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/robynroze

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobynRozeAuthor

HIDDEN by Amy McKinley (Contest) #Romance @Goddessfish

Cursed since birth, hunted by gods, and desperate for love—Jade never stood a chance.

Half-demon, half-goddess, Jade’s fate makes her a pawn in an epic battle among the gods. Hidden on Earth with her sisters, she successfully avoids the Oneiroi—the dream gods—bent on her destruction until the prophecy, long dormant, awakens a dark shadow within her.

Roen, a reclusive Worr demon known for his battles against the Oneiroi, is called to protect Jade. Together they must unlock their mysterious connection and find a way to beat back destiny. Can she outsmart the prophecy, change her fate, and find love—even when she learns who is connected to her destruction?

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Amy McKinley will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $20 Amazon/BN GC.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amy McKinley is a freelance writer and author. She lives in Illinois with her husband, their four talented teenagers, and three mischievous cats. Her debut novel, Hidden is the first in the Five Fates Series.

 

Connect with Amy

www.amymckinley.com

Twitter: Amy McKinley@amymckinley7

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymckinleyauthor

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amymckinley7

WordPress https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com

 

STRANDED WITH THE CYBORG by Cara Bristol #SciFi #Romance

 

The daughter of the Terran president, Penelope Aaron resented the restrictions imposed upon her, but that was no reason to take it out on the man assigned to protect her. She regrets how she got Agent Brock Mann booted from the security force. But now that she’s an interplanetary ambassador about to embark on her first diplomatic mission, she still doesn’t want him tagging along. Especially since he seems to be stronger, faster, more muscled, and sexier than she remembers. And pretending to be husband?  This mission couldn’t get more impossible!

 

Ten years ago Penelope Isabella Aaron had been a pain in Brock Mann’s you-know-what. Much has changed in a decade: “PIA” as he code-named her, has grown up and is about to attend her first Alliance of Planets summit conference, and Brock was transformed into a cyborg after a near-fatal attack. Now a secret agent with Cyber Operations, a covert paramilitary organization, Brock gets called in, not when the going gets tough, but when the going gets impossible. So when he’s unexpectedly assigned to escort Penelope to the summit meeting, he balks at babysitting a prissy ambassador. But after a terrorist bombing, a crash landing on a hostile planet, and a growing attraction to his protectee, Operation: PIA may become his most impossible assignment yet.

 

Excerpt:

For a cyberoperative to be called in to escort an ambassador to a summit meeting? Ridiculous.  A waste of manpower. That the protectee was Pia, made it impossible. So maybe Cy-Ops’s involvement made sense in a twisted way.

“Ten years has passed. Penelope is different now,” Carter said.

Brock doubted that. “Does she know about me?”

“That you’re a cyborg? Of course not. She hasn’t been told anything about the program or even that you’re the one who’s been assigned to her.”

“Yeah, spring it on her. That will go over well.” He could envision the tantrum, and after she calmed down, the scheme she would devise to circumvent the decision.  The last time he’d seen her, she’d been emerging from his quarters half dressed, a triumphant smile tilting her lips. Shortly, thereafter, two of his fellow agents had come to arrest him.

President Aaron had exonerated him; the transcripts from the investigation had been sealed; and he’d been offered a reassignment. Instead, he’d taken a position with an anti-terrorist investigative organization. His unit got attacked; his fellow operatives had died.  Carter, who’d been working with Cy-Ops all along, had swooped in and saved his ass.

“I’m not saying I’ll do it, but hypothetically if I had a computer meltdown and agreed, what would be my cover story? I couldn’t tag along as her bodyguard because that would unsettle the Xenians.”

Carter poured another shot of Cerinian brandy and downed it. He met Brock’s gaze dead-on. “You’d accompany the ambassador as her husband.”

“Oh, hell no!”

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Cara will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Multi-published, Cara Bristol is the author of more than 20 erotic romance titles. She writes science fiction romance, contemporary romance, paranormal, and spanking romance. No matter what the subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.

Links to include:

Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/9aRJj

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cara-Bristol-Erotic-Romance-Author/178661122147994

Author blog: http://www.carabristol.com

Author Amazon Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Cara-Bristol/e/B004D8KZTQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1440706448&sr=8-1

BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE by J. Lynn Rowan #Romance @Goddessfish #KindleUnlimited

Carmella Sannarelli just found out that her best friend, Sadie Miller, has broken her engagement and is eloping on St. Croix. Though Carmella agrees to act as the maid of honor, she’s determined to find out what went wrong between her friends.

But she’s not counting on coming face to face with Ryan Wutkowski (the jilted fiancé) on the plane, or with staying at his hotel during a two-day stopover in San Juan. They try to act like nothing’s changed. But Carmella’s totally flustered by the weird vibes Ryan sends her, as well as how tingly and off-kilter she feels every time he so much as looks at her.

Now Carmella can’t stop thinking about Ryan or his behavior, even though most of her time in St. Croix is taken up by pre-wedding activities and dodging advances from the womanizing best man. And she knows there’s more to the story behind Ryan and Sadie’s breakup than either of them will admit to her.

Especially after Ryan shows up at the rehearsal dinner and gets himself invited to the wedding…

 

Available via Kindle and Kindle Unlimited on Sept. 2nd:

Amazon

 

Excerpt:

Ryan’s silent for a second or two. “Maybe I’ll put the house up for sale and move to Savannah. I’d be closer to you if I did that.”

“Oh, come off it,” I scoff, but my voice quivers with tears.

“I can deliver cakes for Tess.”

He’s trying to joke about this? “Your career, your whole life is in Atlanta.”

“Maybe that’s not important enough to me anymore.”

I should protest, should tell him he’d be stupid to uproot himself because of all that’s happened. But my voice stops working, and I don’t know why. In the end, he wouldn’t really do it, even though he’s always professed a certain adoration for my adopted hometown. Ultimately, he would suck it up, maybe sell the house, but continue on as usual without complaining.

After a few minutes, the urge to wail like a thwarted baby passes, and I relax against him. He rests his chin on the top of my head, swaying to the unpredictable ebb and flow of the foaming breakers. The movement calms me, and I close my eyes with a grateful sigh. He gathers my hair and lifts the whole, tangled mass of it, resting his hand at the nape of my neck. His fingers caress, a touch so fleeting I barely notice it.

“Carmella.”

There’s a note in his voice I don’t understand, and my defenses flare. With a deep breath to steel myself, I push away from him, thankful the shadows hide both our faces.

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Lynn Rowan is awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lynn Rowan started writing stories as a small child, usually starring her favorite cartoon characters. Most of her work through middle and high school was filled with typical teenage angst and melodrama, and usually mirrored the books she loved to read. But eventually she found her own author’s voice and decided to seriously pursue a writing career.

Historical fiction remains J. Lynn’s “first love”, but she has enjoyed the journey to becoming an author of romance and chick lit. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Central New York Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. She is also a teacher who tries to instill a love of learning, reading, and writing in her students.

When she’s not writing, J. Lynn enjoys travelling, gardening poorly but enthusiastically, studying various topics in American history for her own expertise, and channeling Julia Child every time she steps into the kitchen.

A native of Oswego, NY, she now lives in Charlotte, NC, with her own Romantic Hero of a husband and the most adorable baby on the planet.

Website: http://jlynnrowanliterature.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JLynnRowan

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JLynnRowanLit

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jlynnrowan/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UClfsVyA4LQYMA0Cq7T1rb6w

 

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER by Bess George #Romance @Goddessfish #Kindle

Dallas ADA Kelsey Brackston survives a brutal attack but struggles with PTSD. When someone begins to stalk her, she relocates hoping for a new start. A person can’t be hurt if they can’t be found. Her logic seems flawed when someone tries to kill her—again.

This could be Bode Taggert’s last chance at being a cop after crawling out of a bottle. Focused on the job, he avoids personal commitments. Something within him resonates with the lady ADA. Maybe it’s her desire to move forward after a life altering event. Or not being able to move forward no matter how hard you try.

Despite his good intentions, Bode falls for the sexy lawyer. While he and the police concentrate on arresting her stalker, Kelsey vanishes. With his career—and heart—on the line, Bode will stop at nothing to find her. But will their newfound faith in one another be enough to save the day? Or will their inner demons destroy them both?

 

Available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited on Sept. 2nd:

Amazon

 

Excerpt:

The corners of her mouth twitched. “Okay, I’m impressed. What else do you do besides being super cop and community activist?”

A devilish smile made a shiver run down her back. “Well, lately I’ve been chasing a stubborn little gal who won’t let me catch her.”

She grunted. “You haven’t been chasing very hard.”

His eyes twinkled. “Are you complaining?”

“Hardly. I’m just stating the facts.”

“Well, the fact is, after our last meeting I got the idea you needed a little space from me trying to woo you.”

She choked on a swallow of wine. “Woo, me? What is that even supposed to mean?”

His hand patted her back making sure she could breathe. “You know, date you. I seem to have a knack for making you mad, so I decided to back off and give you some time to miss me. Did you?”

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Bess is awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Debut author Bess George lives in Texas with her hubby. Her novel, Happily Never After will be released by Soul Mate Publishing September 2, 2015. In 2014, she won third place in the Pages From the Heart Contest with this manuscript.

Even though Bess crunches numbers for a living, she’s managed to work in some unusual places over the years. The oil business, a gun range, and a golf course are a few jobs where she met all types of characters. She loves to hear stories about people finding the unexpected hero inside each of us.

http://facebook.com/authorbessgeorge

http://twitter.com/authorbgeorge

http://www.bessgeorge.com/