Zara Stoneley's Blog, page 2

Five New Paperbacks!

November has been another amazing month, not least because two of my books have been released as paperbacks - which means I've had an incredible 5 books come out in print this year!

'Stable Mates' came out as an e-book in September and just 2 months on I've got a lovely glossy paperback. This has to be one of my favourites out of all the books I've written. Partly because I was able to dedicate it to my wonderful Mum! As most of my previous releases have been erotic romances I've not let her read them, but Stable Mates is different. It's fun, packed with some great characters (and of course hot men!) and lots of Cheshire glamour. I'm already working on a follow up book, because I just can't bear to leave Tippermere!
If you like a bit of scandal, a few secrets, some laughs and a sprinkling of romance - grab a copy of Stable Mates!

'Let's Hear it For the Boys!' is an anthology that I am tremendously proud to be part of. My story is the last, and if you like a bit of Bridget Jones then this should make you smile. All proceeds from the book are being donated to the Movember charities. Want to find out more? Then click here. 
There are some great stories in here from some really talented authors and I'm proud to sit between the covers with them. I read the book in one sitting as soon as I grabbed my copy off the postman - I won't say any more but at least one made my well up, I had more than a few chuckles and some ooh's and aah's. It's like opening a selection box (an ideal Christmas stocking filler?!). And here are my other books that have come out in paperback this year. These 3 are all erotic romances - so if you like something on the sexy and steamy side, pick one of these! 
'Riding High' has been re-released in the US by SourceBooks, who designed this fab new cover that you may recognise. 
'Summer of Surrender' and 'Love is a Four Letter Word' are both HarperCollins releases, and are lovely small format books that you can slip in a handbag. If you're family with the handy size of Harlequin Mills & Boon then you'll know exactly what I mean.

And last but not least - look out for a great FREE read put together by myself and some of the other HarperImpulse authors, all initiated and co-ordinated by the wonderful and talented Lori Connelly. It's our Christmas gift to you! 
All 15 authors were given the same starting paragraph and from it we created 15 Christmas short stories... the anthology releases on December 1st, but you can pre-order your copy now  HERE

Happy reading!
Zara x

Book Signing & Blog Tour

I can't believe it's October tomorrow, and it's nearly a month since Stable Mates was published! I've got to apologise for not posting a news update lately, but I've had a chaotic couple of months.

On the 12th September I whizzed down to Leighton Buzzard for the day, for the Festival of Romantic Fiction (if you've never been, keep a look out next year as it's great fun). I shared a stall with my great friend, and fellow Harper Collins author, Jane Linfoot, and we had a fun day chatting to people and signing copies of our books. If you've not come across Jane's book before I can recommend them, check out her website here.

There was the added bonus of meeting up with lots of other author friends as well as wonderful bloggers and readers, and my wonderful editor Charlotte was there to share the bubbly with us at the end of a busy day.

Whilst I've not been posting here, I have been busy on a virtual book tour, so if you want to find out more here's some of the highlights -
Meet the Stable Mates men! - In Tippermere they work hard and play hard, in Kitterly Heath they’re rich and famous. Finding a fit man isn’t difficult…the trickiest part is knowing which one could be your perfect Stable Mate… 
In Praise of the Older Character - from teenagers to grandparents, the characters in Stable Mates span the generations. 
Pretty Feet - talking boots, bonkbusters and naughty ponies (a lot of those funny bits in the book are based on real life!)
Hump Day Hunk - why Rory is a perfect hero
Book Boyfriends/Hot men in books - what makes that man truly hot?!

(Plus check out the 'Tippermere' tab under 'Blogs' at the top of the page to find out about the inspiration for the people and places.)

Keep an eye out for the paperback version of Stable Mates, which is already up for pre-order, and will be published on 20th November. If you've already bought an e-copy, I'd love to know if you enjoyed it (reading lovely reviews is one of the nicest things about being an author), and if you'd like one of these gorgeous bookmarks for your paperback copy leave a comment with an email address so I can contact you, or send me a message on Facebook or Twitter, or email. I will send one to the first 10 people to contact me! I'm busy working on a follow up book at the moment, plus I've been working on a secret project (more news soon!) and have a Christmas story out in a HarperImpulse anthology - no rest for the wicked!

Thanks for reading,
Zara x

Written Fireside Blog Hop

Coming soon....!

Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon. - Georgia Beyers
Read a teaser of the story here on 28th and 29th August!


An InLinkz Link-up a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cariad Romance

Cariad means love, and Cariad Romance is Xcite books new imprint.... which means 'Spice It Up' has got a gorgeous new cover!

It's Book 9 in the 'Cariad Singles collection of spicy romances' - which seems pretty apt.

If you want to find out more about the collection then pop over to the new Facebook page, or you can buy a copy of my novella at a bargain price of 77p from Amazon.




Food critic Ellie Chiltern isn’t happy when she’s sent to review Pinchos tapas bar, the waiter is more Birmingham than Barcelona and the tapas are as lukewarm as her last relationship. She’s struggling to find a positive, until she’s confronted by the only authentic piece of Spain in the bar – Lucas.

When Lucas Martinez sees Ellie, he realises she could be the final nail in the coffin – or the ideal person to help turn the place and its image around. But persuading her to trust him isn’t easy – especially when there’s something burning between them that’s far spicier than the food ever was. 

Enjoy a hot and spicy summer!
Zara x

The Keepers: Declan - Rae Rivers Launch Tour + Giveaway!

 
The Keepers: Declan, the book fans have been eagerly awaiting, is finally here! We're celebrating the release of the second book in Rae Rivers' paranormal romance series today with a launch tour and giveaway. Find out all the details and be sure to get your entries in to win a copy of Archer, the first book of The Keepers.  What they say: '“You lied to me, misled me, attacked me,” Declan murmured, dipping his head toward hers, “but what we had three months ago wasn’t fake, was it?” Kate's gaze faltered to his lips, heat pulsing between them. But she didn’t deny it. Declan Bennett has zero tolerance for thieves. He and his brothers, the Keepers, are fiercely protective of their witch, Sienna, and their privacy. So when Kate Carrigan breaks into their estate, he'll be damned if he lets the little wildcat get away with it – especially after she seduced him three months ago, leaving him buck-naked in a New Orleans hotel. Declan wants payback – and some answers. Before she was murdered, Kate's mother ingrained it in her not to trust anyone. Kate’s magical powers make her a pawn in the war between good and evil, a war she’s always avoided. Declan is everything she’s been taught to fear, even if she can’t forget the memory of his touch that one night… Trouble is brewing as the powers of evil regroup - bolder and hungrier than ever - and Kate is forced to choose a side. Hot romance, epic battles and action abound in Book 2 of The Keepers.' Click Here To Buy The Book - UK Click Here To Buy The Book - US   Author Bio: I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets. Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and chocolate. For more information about my books, or me, please visit www.raerivers.com. I can also be found here:
Wattpad | Facebook | Goodreads| Pinterest | Twitter |Newsletter Sign-up 
If you haven't already had the pleasure of reading one of The Keepers' stories, you can find information on Archer, the first book, HERE and why not download the FREE prequel to the series, The Keepers: Sienna HERE.Otherwise, enter via the Rafflecopter below for the chance to win one of two copies of Archer*a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and Conditions*Giveaway copies of The Keepers: Archer will be gifted to the winners via Amazon. Rae Rivers and Candle Lit Author Services reserve the right to amend or cancel the giveaway at any time without prior notice to entrants. 

Romance Festival #Romance14 and Cover reveal!

I was busy over the weekend taking part in the FIRST EVER virtual romance festival. There was an amazing line up of over 100 authors who write for Harper Collins, Piatkus and Mills & Boon, plus several successful self-published ones. Plus, chats with agents, cover designers, bloggers and readers.

With Google hangouts, Twitter interviews and Facebook question and answer sessions, the two days were packed with information for readers and writers alike. And there were lots of useful articles, plus information about all the authors posted on the blog.

The festival was also totally free! If you missed it, but would like to find out more then you can check out interviews and chats on the Facebook page, and the Twitter stream (use @RomanceFestival and the hashtag #Romance14) or have a look at the blog.

But I must admit, it was extra special for me because the cover of my next book was revealed! If you missed it then you can read my post 'The Brilliance of the Bonkbuster: Essential Summer Reading', or just check it out below! I've always been a great fan of Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins and more recently Victoria Fox and Fiona Walker, and so when my editor asked if I fancied writing a bonkbuster of my own then I jumped at the chance!

More news will follow soon, but I can promise a fun, racy read that will be ideal for reading on the beach! I just love this story, and the fabulous cover, and I hope you will too.

Zara x

Winner! And a great weekend event...Romance Festival 2014!

Yay, I'm pleased to announce my winner of the 'Is It Summer Yet?' blog hop. And, it's.... Tina B! A copy of 'Summer of Surrender' is on its way to you. Enjoy!


And what am I up to this weekend? Well, I've just hit 'send' on my latest book, which is winging its way to my editor, and now I'm getting ready for a weekend of fun. It's the Romance Festival!

Have you signed up yet? Whether you just love reading romance, or you're an author, or would love to write then there is something for you! It's free, and it's online. And I'll be sharing some big news!!

So, if you want to find out more about this fabulous event you can sign up here - Sign Up! Just check out the amazing line up, and events that are going on, cover reveals, advice, author chats, giveaways...

Or, check out the blog here - Romance Festival

Have a great weekend!

Zara x

Guest Post - Welcome Eve Devon, Happy Birthday to 'The Waiting Game'!

Firsts… So The Waiting Game turns one year old today and as it was my debut book it got me thinking about all the firsts I experienced with its publication.This year has flown by, but I can still remember the flutter in my heart when I first saw ‘copyright by’ and the copyright symbol next to my name. And seeing my cover for the first time? I can admit that it took me a while to realize Big Ben was in the background—I was distracted by something in the foreground. Abs can say so much, don’t you think?!Then there was seeing my book appear on all the bookseller sites that I usually purchased books from. Typing in my name and having my book pop up to buy—yep, total rush!But as I raise my glass in celebration of The Waiting Game being out a year, the absolute icing on the cake was the first time a reader took the time to contact me and tell me how much they enjoyed my book. I think that’s why all the firsts surrounding the release of your debut book are so special. The fact that people are prepared to take a chance on a new voice and without any pre-judging dive right in for an adventure, well, it’s the greatest of compliments. It is also why writers write—to share a story.If you’ve been looking for the next adventure to dive right into, then consider the wait over! Here are all the details you need to immerse yourself in The Waiting Game:
Blurb: Five years ago a madman stalked her. Kidnapped her. Tattooed her. When security expert Cameron Dexter—the man Brooke Bennett once loved—appears unexpectedly at her door with terrifying news, the former musician discovers she can no longer hide from her past. After five years, her vicious kidnapper is out of prison and on the hunt—for Brooke. Now he’s returned to complete his art. Cam failed to protect Brooke once before. Now he’d rather die than let her be captured. With her life at stake, Cam vows to keep her hidden and safe. Brooke, however, is done with running. Unlike Cam, she wants to stand and fight. Emotions both old and new roil between them, but addressing their heated past must wait. Together they set a trap in London to catch a killer. But they soon discover the enemy wears many faces... And waiting is no longer an option.

Buy links: Amazon           Barnes and Noble      iTunes              KOBO

Bio: Growing up in locations like Botswana and Venezuela gave me quite the taste for adventure and my love for romances began when my mother shoved one into my hands in a desperate attempt to keep me quiet during TV coverage of the Wimbledon tennis finals! When I wasn’t consuming books by the bucketload, I could be found pretending to be a damsel in distress or running around solving mysteries and writing down my adventures. As a teenager, I wrote countless episodes of TV detective dramas so the hero and heroine would end up together every week. As an adult, I worked in a library to conveniently continue consuming books by the bucketload, until realising I was destined to write contemporary romance and romantic suspense myself. I live in leafy Surrey in the UK, a book-devouring, slightly melodramatic, romance-writing sassy heroine with my very own sexy hero husband!

Where you can find me:  WEBSITE      TWITTER       FACEBOOK

Is It Summer Yet? Blog Hop

What is the first thing I think about packing when I go away in the summer? A good book - well quite a few normally, how did we ever manage without kindles?

My favourite pool side (or beach) reading has got to be a good 'bonk-buster'. If I can grab a book by Jackie Collins, Jilly Cooper, Tilly Bagshawe, Fiona Walker or Victoria Fox then I'm happy. And the great thing, for me, about books like this is that the chapters are quite short so you can put them down and not lose the plot (so to speak), but they're also long enough to last me through a good chunk of my hols.  I want a good dose of escapism, with lots of character, action and heat!

I also download quite a few shorter reads though too - for the flight and to fill in those last couple of days!

My next release is, funnily enough, just this type of story (look out for more details in the next month if you're interested). At the moment it's a bit hush, hush, but if you like a good long racy read, with lots of scandal then I'm sure you'll love this one.

Meanwhile, let me know in the comments below (or via FB/twitter) what your summer reading list is like. I'll randomly select a winner from all the comments who will get a free e-copy of Summer of Surrender, a hot erotic romance to put you in the mood for some summer loving! Don't forget to leave an email address so I can contact you.

It's still pretty cool and rainy here - but I'm hoping for a long, hot summer...


Sex is the only thing they have in common. Total surrender the name of the game.

James had it all. Good education. City job and a wife he would have been willing to die for. Their motto had been work hard, play hard, but she’d pushed the boundaries too far and he’d walked. Became the man he felt he needed to be. Detached. In control.

Free spirit Kezia lives each day at a time; sharing, loving and giving are unconditional. And sex is part of the sharing.

When fate leaves James and Kezia trapped together for the summer, her openness is an invitation he just can’t resist. The attraction is instant, the sex all-consuming. And as their fantasies become reality, James begins to realise that willing surrender is a far different pleasure to forced submission…

BUY NOW FROM -
AMAZON (UK)     AMAZON (COM)
BARNES & NOBLE 
KOBO 
SAINSBURY'S 
GOOGLE PLAY 

Don't forget to check out all the other blogs participating in the hop! http://juliesbookreview.blogspot.com/

A Day in the Life...

Ever wondered what it looks like inside the offices of publisher Harper Collins (and what a group of authors get up to when they meet up!)?

Well, for starters, on the left is the awesome sight that meets you once you've got through the gates and the incredibly fast moving revolving doors (I wouldn't like to do it after a few too many glasses of prosecco!).

On Friday HarperImpulse was celebrating - it's one year since their first two titles hit the e-shelves. And what a year it has been for all of us who've shared it with them. So, being the lovely bunch of people they are, they invited their authors down to London to share in the celebrations.

After lunch and a glass of wine with amazing authors Mandy Baggot, Jane Linfoot, Eve Devon and Linn Halton (and plenty of gossip), we headed for HQ and were whisked up to the boardroom which is right at the top of those incredible stairs. After coffee, enormous cupcakes and more talk, we got on to discussing some of the exciting things HI have up their sleeve for later in this year (watch this space). Then it was time for an author update, some advice on marketing and popping of prosecco cork for a toast.


Check out the lovely photo (courtesy of author Wendy Jones) below, of just some of the fabulous authors that HI have signed this year, plus of course the lovely Kim and Charlotte who have worked hard to make this first year the incredible success it has been.
Check out my facebook page if you'd like to see more photos.

See you soon, 
Zara x