Irene Preston's Blog, page 13
November 23, 2013
What to Read – Young Adult Fantasy
Send to KindleConfession time – I’m a total cougar. Well, a book cougar. I love young adult fiction.
I’m not sure why these books appeal so much. Maybe it’s because when you are young, everything, everything is important. Earth-shatteringly, world-endingly important. Also, good books are good books. They appeal to every age. Why should I pass up a good read just because it’s shelved in the Young Adult section?
Here are the books at the top of my Young Adult TBR pile right now. I’m not picking a favorite – although if I did the edge might go to The Lair (because The Farm totally left me wanting more). No wait, Scorched (because, hello! Dragons!)…. no wait…The Burning Sky (did you not read my FanGirl rave on Sherry Thomas?)…no wait…..
Seriously, I can’t decide where to start!
By Emily McKay
This is the sequel to The Farm which totally captivated me because 1) Vampire Apocalypse 2) more twists and turns than you can count and 3) Kick-ass female protags. I could go on, but I suggest you just buy the books.
(If you really want to start at the beginning, Emily also has a short prequel, The Before, at a very attractive price).
Blurb:
NOTE: (If you haven’t read THE FARM, this blurb contains spoilers)
In the battle against the vampiric Ticks, humanity was slowly but certainly headed for extinction. For months, twin sisters Lily and Mel had been “quarantined” with thousands of other young people being harvested for their blood—food for the Ticks. Finally escaping with a few friends, the twins are separated—and must continue the fight on their own . . .
After making it to a resistance base camp in Utah, Lily learned to survive at all costs. But when a Tick attack decimates the fighters, Lily and her pregnant friend, McKenna, decide to make the hard trek north to Canada—and safety.
Meanwhile, Mel is being taught how to survive by the very vampire that turned her. Living without her sister is hard, but dealing with the fact that her autism was cured by the vampire bite is an even bigger challenge.
But when a monstrous betrayal places Lily in mortal danger, Mel must set out to find her, save her, and begin to unravel the empire of destruction that the Ticks have built.
By Mari Mancusi
“Find the girl. Destroy the egg. Save the world.”
If that doesn’t make you hit the BUY button, I can’t help you. I suppose I am a little prejudiced because I got a look at an early-early draft of the first chapter in a critique group some time back. The premise (and engaging writing) stuck in my mind and I’ve been waiting to read more. Plus, I’m a huge sucker for DRAGONS!
Blurb:
Trinity
Don’t leave me here…
When Trinity first hears the voice, she thinks she’s going crazy. It wouldn’t be a big surprise—her grandfather firmly believes he just brought a genuine dragon egg to their dusty little West Texas town.
Connor
He’s from a future scorched by dragonfire. His mission: Find the girl. Destroy the egg. Save the world.
Caleb
He’s everything his twin brother Connor hates: cocky, undisciplined, and obsessed with saving the dragons.
Trinity has no idea which brother to believe. All she has to go by is the voice in her head—a dragon who won’t be tamed…
This is Sherry’s first fantasy novel. I can’t wait to dive into a world entirely of her making.
Blurb:
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she’s been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of the Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.
Guided by his mother’s visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.
P.S. – For those of you who prefer your fantasy in a more adult format – that post is coming up!
November 20, 2013
What to Read – Historical Romance
Send to KindleStill adding to my TBR pile!
Here are some of my historical picks from fellow Austinites.
by Sherry Thomas
Right after I joined my local chapter of RWA Sherry Thomas’s first book was released. I wanted to get to know my chapter-mates and figured reading their books was the best place to start. Sherry’s first book, Private Arrangements, had just been released and sounded interesting. Since it was her first release, I figured she was sort of a ‘newbie’ like me. Hey, it was her first book. Probably not that great, right?
After reading I almost stopped writing. Seriously. I was completely intimidated. I still think if I can ever get one-tenth the amount of emotional impact in one of my own stories that Sherry packs into an opening paragraph I’ll die happy.
If you haven’t figured it out, that puts Sherry’s latest release at the top of my historical TBR pile.
Blurb:
Felix Rivendale, the Marquess of Wrenworth, is The Ideal Gentleman, a man all men want to be and all women want to possess. Even Felix himself almost believes this golden image. But underneath is a damaged soul soothed only by public adulation.
Louisa Cantwell needs to marry well to support her sisters. She does not, however, want Lord Wrenworth—though he seems inexplicably interested in her. She mistrusts his outward perfection, and the praise he garners everywhere he goes. Still, when he is the only man to propose at the end of the London season, she reluctantly accepts.
Louisa does not understand her husband’s mysterious purposes, but she cannot deny the pleasure her body takes in his touch. Nor can she deny the pull this magnetic man exerts upon her. But does she dare to fall in love with a man so full of dark secrets, any one of which could devastate her, if she were to get any closer?
Vivien Jackson’s Regency novella A Christmas Caroline also falls into this category – but I mentioned that in my last post.
FURTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS:
by Robyn DeHart
Okay, so the stories weren’t originally released this past two months, but this fantastic new bundle was. Three books for one low price! You get A Little Bit Wicked, A Little Bit Sinful and A Little Bit Scandalous. I call that a little bit awesome!
Blurb
Three unconventional women determined to live life on their own terms and the three men determined to possess them.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Victorian Society come three stories of forbidden love. Roguish Marcus Kincaid is hell-bent on seducing Vivian March, but what will he do when he discovers she’s a fallen woman? Prim and proper Clarissa Kincaid fancies herself in love with the perfect candidate for marriage, but then why does she keep falling into the wicked embrace of gaming hell owner, Justin Rodale? Mathematics prodigy Caroline Jellico uses her skills to best all the men in London, but when it comes to her guardian, Monroe Grisham, she just might lose her heart.
New Re-Releases from April Kihlstrom:
I’m a sucker for Regencies. The Scholar’s Daughter and Miss Redmond’s Folly were originally released in 1988 and 1989 and are now available again after being out of print for some time.
by April Kihlstrom
Waterloo, Wellington, what happens in France AFTER Waterloo, all of these play a role in Miss Redmond’s Folly.
Eleanor’s only fault is loving too easily. Taken in by the notorious Comte de Beauvais, Eleanor finds herself on the way to Brussels, taken under the wing of the kind Mrs. Milford and her brother Mr. Frederick Leverton. In the shadow of the Battle of Waterloo and travel from Brussels to Paris after Wellington’s victory, Eleanor must decide whether to continue to guard her heart from Mr. Leverton or to take the safest route of never loving again.
Originally published as a Signet Regency in 1988.
Calista’s father, in life, never wished to dispense with her services as his assistant. In death, however, he has contrived a plan to force her into marriage as quickly as possible. His will not only thus tries to dispose of her future, but Mr. Frederick Leverton’s as well. Unfortunately for his scheme, Mr. Leverton is already married but his friend, John Witton is not. When Mr. Witton agrees to accompany his friend to visit Leverton’s new wards, he has no notion he will fall in love with one of the daughters of the house. But is Calista the sweet young woman she seems or is she as scheming and manipulative as the woman he and Leverton both once loved?
Originally released as a Signet Regency in 1989
November 17, 2013
What to Read – Christmas Novellas
Send to KindleSeptember and October are incredibly busy for me. So busy, in fact, that I completely fail to keep up with anticipated book releases during those months.
This November, I emerged from the fog to find that I missed a huge pile of releases. Not just any releases, either. Apparently my friends haven’t been slacking off all year like I have and they produced some stunning new books.
I’ve been busy loading up my kindle and I recommend you do the same.
Over the next few days, I’ll share the newest books I’m excited about reading. I’m limiting these posts to books by local Austin authors (yes, the people I have to look in the eye and admit that I haven’t read their book yet, but I’m getting to it, really!).
First up, two holiday reads.
by Vivien Jackson and Christa Paige
Okay, I have actually read this one and I just adored it. This is a short and very sweet Regency Christmas offering. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘sweet’ – despite the lack of actual sexual content, the chemistry between Lady Carolyn and Doctor Avery is evident from the first page. Recommended!
Blurb:
Lady Caroline Selwyn’s world centers on her father, so when she receives dire news of his health—two days before Christmas, no less—her first thought is to weep. Her second is to make this Christmastide the best he’s ever known. She rummages in memory for festive traditions, plans charades, purchases bean cakes…and acquires an affianced husband. Oh, not a real one—what she does is convince Papa’s physician to pretend an engagement, for just a few weeks.
Doctor Samuel Avery can hardly credit his complicity in this madcap deception. Whatever was he thinking? But it does seem to improve the comfort of the earl, and his own sisters are in alt at the idea of his impending nuptials. And he has admired Caroline for so long, the role of her betrothed is easy to play. In fact, the scheme seems in every way perfect. Except that it is not true.
A Blush® Regency romance from Ellora’s Cave
by Jax Garren
Another Christmas novella. Jax excels at combining modern and mystical. Despite the storybook title, The Elf and the Ice Princess has a contemporary setting. I fell in love with Jax’s slightly-alternate now Underlight series and I expect this one to be just as intriguing. This book is at the very top of my holiday to-read list!
Blurb
A frozen heart…
Three years ago, amid grief and defeat, the man who once made Carrie Martin believe in happily-ever-afters deserted her on New Year’s Day. Ever since, she’s seen no reason for holiday joy amid the materialism and chaos of the most stressful time of year. So when a tipsy guy in a mall elf costume falls into her lap at happy hour and starts spouting poetry, it’s just one more reason to be disgusted at the season’s excess.
A man who’s more than he appears…
Brett Virtanen, part-time elf and a caterer in training, is smitten with Carrie’s strength and sass. Having faced down a painful past of his own, he’s determined to be the one to warm her frozen heart. But when Carrie’s job forces her to attend a gala hosted by her ex–and his new wife–it could take more magic than a costumed elf can conjure to make this ice princess once again believe in love.
July 7, 2013
INFAMOUS $1.99 Romance Sale on Amazon 250+ Titles
Send to KindleIt’s a SALE!
And a BIG sale at that. 200+ romance e-books on sale for under $2 at Amazon during the month of July.
It’s all part of Crimson Romance‘s big one year anniversary event.
As a launch title, INFAMOUS is included in the $1.99 pricing – that’s over 50% off – so hustle on over there before July whizzes by and you miss out.
Seriously CLICK HERE TO BUY INFAMOUS for only $1.99.
In case you want to stock up for the summer with the cheap pricing – Amazon is featuring some of the 250+ titles in some more manageable blocks!
Featured HOT and SPICY Romance for $1.99
Featured PARANORMAL Romance for $1.99
Featured ROMANTIC SUSPENSE for $1.99
Featured CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE for $1.99
Plus – here are some of MY picks.
6 $1.99 E-Books – These are $1.99 books that I enjoyed that you won’t find in the ‘features’ above
And finally – yes you can scroll through the whole 250+ sale books if you want!
Happy Summer Reading everyone!
// ]]>
Amazon.com Widgets
June 3, 2013
Free Short Story – Win a $50 Gift Card -1 Year Anniversary
Send to KindleHappy Birthday to…MY BOOK!
Infamous was released one year ago today along with 24 other awesome new titles as part of the brand new Crimson Romance Line.
This means that I get to share this special event with my fellow authors over at Crimson. We’ve put together a three week long blog hop with TWO Grand Prizes of $50 gift cards, individual prizes on almost all of the 24 stops, loads of tantalizing excerpts, and an exclusive FREE SHORT STORY written by myself and six other authors.
Ready to Get Started?
Click HERE to read the Full First Chapter of Infamous (Including a Steamy Love Scene)
Click HERE to READ THE FIRST CHAPTER of an exclusive collaborative short story written by seven Crimson Romance authors.
CHAPTER SIX of the short story is below.
3 WAYS TO WIN!! After you read this chapter, make sure to
Comment on the story so far OR the 1st Chapter of Infamous (leave your email and I’ll choose one commenter on June 26 to win a copy of Infamous)
ENTER the Rafflecopter drawing for 2 GRAND PRIZES of a $50 Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Make sure to visit all the blogs to get more entries!
Continue reading the short story – at the end of Chapter 7 , help us choose a TITLE. We’ll pick one of the suggestions after June 25. Whoever names the story will win 7 e-books (1 from each contributing author.)
Without further ado, here is
CHAPTER SIX
(or, click here to start at Chapter 1)
Blake looked down at Storm’s outstretched hands. Where earlier there had been deep gouges and angry welts, there was smooth flesh. He frowned, re-living the moments in Storm’s kitchen. He hadn’t thought about what he was doing, had only sensed her pain – both the immediate physical pain and the other, something deeper, hidden. Something that had nothing to do with a mare caught in a fence.
Without thinking, he reached out and took her hands in his. He rubbed his thumbs over the flesh, checking to make sure the wounds were truly gone. Her skin was warm from the sun, the skin soft, resilient. He remembered the feel of the dried blood flaking away under his fingers and his grip tightened convulsively.
“Blake?”
She was still waiting, he realized. And what was he going to answer?
Denial was the safest course, but from her tone she wasn’t going to buy it. He didn’t think he could do it anyway. He had sketched her in light — in the soft, filtered glow of sunshine on the porch. But when he touched the real Storm standing in front of him, he felt a darkness that reached out and touched his own shadows.
He had sketched her. As rough as the drawing was, it was the first thing he had created since Callie. He could see the finished painting. In his mind, it was as real as Storm standing in front of him. It was just waiting for him to bring it into this world.
“What really happened last night?” He turned aside her question with one of his own.
“I told you,” her voice was defensive. “There was a mare caught –“
“In the fence, yeah,” he interrupted. “That doesn’t explain how you wound up practically wrapped in barbed wire. The wounds were long and deep — jagged like you were struggling. You’ve lived out here all your life. If you got snagged, you would know to move as little as possible until you could work free. So, I’m asking again—what happened?”
He stared down at her, willing her to let him in, to tell him the truth. If she couldn’t be honest with him, how could he share his secrets with her?
“How do you know that?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She shook her head. “You can’t know that. You could only see my hands.”
“I just knew, Storm.” He remembered the pain clawing at him when he walked into her house. He could feel every scratch on her skin. Over it all was the migraine, a bright demon looming behind her eyes. The migraine was nothing to do with a fence and everything to do with…what? The answer hovered, out of reach in Storm’s silence.
“The way you looked, the way you moved, I just knew, Storm.” He stroked a hand down her cheek, softly the way he stroked Ari when she was hurt or scared. But touching Storm was nothing like touching Ari.
When she looked up, he could see she felt it, too. Her lips parted slightly. For just a second she leaned into his hand, looked up at him the way a woman looks at a man. Despite all his vows, in that moment he was just a man who wanted the woman in front of him.
Then she broke eye contact and stepped away.
“We can’t,” she said.
“Why?” His heart pounded when he realized what he had said. What he hadn’t said. Why hadn’t he said no?
“If I tell you…” She still wasn’t looking at him. She shifted away from him to the edge of the porch and stared off toward the fields behind the house.
He followed her. He didn’t want to push, but he needed to be near her. He stopped just behind her. To keep from touching her, he focused on the feel of the wood beneath his feet. He had just refinished the porch. The wood was smooth with a fresh coat of paint, but if he concentrated he imagined he could still feel the grain. He stretched his senses out into planks that still held the echo of live wood, then lower to the earth underneath until he felt steady, grounded.
He didn’t touch Storm. Still, she invaded the bubble of hyper-awareness he had created. She filled it up until there was nothing else. Nothing but the flowery scent of her shampoo, the sun glinting off the highlights in her hair, the slight tang of antiseptic that clung from her work at the clinic. He let her in, let her essence invade him. He felt her fierce protectiveness for her patients, her love of her family, her connection to the home she was building. Home. A place to be safe, to heal others and herself.
She was still half turned from him when she started talking.
“You don’t want me, Blake. There’s something wrong with me. I am seriously not okay.”
“Shh. Storm.” He reached for her, but she flinched away and stared out across the yard at the barn with haunted eyes.
“I don’t know what happened last night. Do you understand? I had a panic attack and lost time. It was… Something happened to me when I was younger. I was lost for days and I don’t know which of the things I remember are real and which aren’t. Sometimes I have flashbacks or nightmares.”
She stopped. He wanted to take her in his arms, to soothe her, to take away the pain. But some wounds had to be lanced to heal. With an effort he remained silent and after a minute she continued.
“When they found me, I was a mess. My clothes and skin were ripped. It was worse, way worse than last night and I couldn’t tell anyone what had happened. Sometimes when I see barbed wire….”
She finally turned to him. She was angry now, thank God, because he couldn’t stand to see her cowed, defeated. “So that’s it. I don’t know what happened, Blake. Are you happy? Because, now you know. Cheri was right, I’m bat-shit crazy.”
There were things she still wasn’t telling him, but right then he didn’t care. He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t protest when he lowered his lips to hers or when he picked her up and carried her into the house.
Inside, he sank onto the sofa with her in his arms. He was barely aware of anything but Storm. He pulled her shirt over her head and stroked his hands down bare skin. She was so beautiful. He traced his thumbs over the faint network of lines that marred her body. It was only skin, she would say. He knew better, but he also knew she was more than that and he wanted everything. As he touched her, the scars began to glow until lightening raced across her skin. At the last second he hesitated. He would be completely open. Was he ready to risk himself again? He pulled her closer and reached for the heart of Storm.
*
Storm was lost.
She knew she was with Blake, on the sofa, but the idea had no relevance to what was happening to her. At some point, she had lost track of where she stopped and Blake began. Hands, arms, lips. Words with no meaning. She had been absorbed. Blake was everywhere.
Almost everywhere. She was still bound.
She reached for Blake, craved the completion of their joining, the final merge of consciousness. The barbed wire tightened, ripping spirit the way it had torn fabric and flesh.
She screamed soundlessly, retreated from the pain, spiraled back toward physical awareness.
“No!” Blake’s thought. He was back with her, closer than thought, one person. She could feel the wire closing around him as it closed around her.
She struggled to push him away, to protect him from the sharp barbs.
“No.” It was a whisper this time. “Storm, Storm, trust me.”
She did. She fell into his words and the barbed wire fell away, dust in the desert.
Then there was only Blake. Blake, and light, and pleasure.
Storm opened her eyes, surprised to find herself back in a very ordinary den. Or not so ordinary. She was wrapped safe in strong arms and green eyes smiled down at her. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this good.
She wondered how long she had been here, lost in another world with Blake. She glanced over his shoulder at the window where the sun had disappeared beyond the horizon.
That was when she saw the lights.
She screamed.
Blake twisted to see what was happening. He cursed and jumped up, shoving her to the floor. He paused briefly to crouch next to her. “Stay here.”
Then he ran, buck naked, out the door toward the lights.
READ THE STUNNING CONCLUSION in Chapter 7 ->
Pick a Chapter:
Don’t forget to enter to the giveaways!
Comment on the story so far OR the 1st Chapter of Infamous (leave your email and I’ll choose one commenter on June 26 to win a copy of Infamous)
ENTER the Rafflecopter drawing below for 2 GRAND PRIZES of a $50 Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Make sure to visit all the blogs to get more entries!
Continue reading the short story – at the end of Chapter 7 , help us choose a TITLE. We’ll pick one of the suggestions after June 25. Whoever names the story will win 7 e-books (1 from each contributing author.)
Remember, the more you hop, the more chances you get to win!
Denyse Cohen | Amber T Smith | Peggy Bird | Pam B. Morris | Lola Karns | Becky Flade | Irene Preston | Liv Rancourt | Becky Lower | Morgan O’Neill | Lynn Cahoon | Leslie P. Garcia | Lynn Crandall | Andrea R. Cooper | Sharon Clare | Juli Page Morgan | Melinda Dozier | Nancy C. Weeks | Katie Kenyhercz | Nancy Loyan | Danica Winters | Barbara Barrett | Carol Ritten Smith | Amanda L. V. Shalaby
USE THIS RAFFLECOPTER TO REGISTER FOR THE GRAND PRIZE!
May 13, 2013
I Love Beauty and the Beast
I really do love Beauty and the Beast – not so much the Disney version, but the older, darker versions.
And I really, really love Jax Garren’s modern, steam-punk, not-quite-now, kick-ass B&B re-mix. Don’t tell Mr. Preston, but I might be secretly in love with Hauk despite his scars (and despite the fact that he only has eyes for Jolie).
The final book is on e-shelves today. I’m not going to say any more – just give you the blurb.
How Beauty Loved the Beast is on sale Now!
It’s all been leading to this.
Jolie Benoit has become a skilled agent of the Underlight, relying on her savvy to complete assignments while Sergeant Wesley Haukon was out of commission. But an unexpected clue to the Order of Ananke’s diabolical scheme rattles Jolie, and she turns to Hauk for comfort.
It’s been years since Hauk took comfort from the touch of another person, though his love for Jolie is deep and powerful. Uncomfortable in his skin, scarred by a terrible fire, he is unable to give in to the pleasures that Jolie so desperately wants to grant him.
Meanwhile, the Order is lurking in the shadows—and when they strike, the blow is swift and terrible. Hauk and Jolie scramble to fight for their community, but with the future of the Underlight threatened, no one is safe. And Hauk will never be the same…
Discover how it all began in How Beauty Met the Beast and How Beauty Saved the Beast.
Want to learn more?
Buy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
April 20, 2013
INFAMOUS GoodReads Giveaway
Want to win a physical copy of INFAMOUS?
I’m giving away a copy on GoodReads. Registration is super-easy and open (nearly) world-wide. Head on over and register today!
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/50423-infamous
”Simply fantastic! Infamous has everything I love in a romance: witty dialogue, steamy sex, and great characters. Preston has crafted a fun and flirty book that I couldn’t put down!” — Emily McKay, bestselling author of The Farm
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Infamous
by Irene Preston
Giveaway ends May 19, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
April 18, 2013
WriterSpace Chat and Book Giveaway
I’ll be over at WriterSpace Thursday April 19 (TONIGHT) chatting with a bunch of other Crimson Romance authors. And, hey look – we’ll be giving away over a dozen free books!
Come on over and join us for a chance to win!
Where: The Chat Room at WriterSpace
When: Thursday April 19, 9 PM ET
Who else will be there:
Elley Arden
Lynn Crandall
Bobbi Romans
Tara Mills
Terri Herman-Ponce
Traci Douglass
HJ Harley
Pam B. Morris
Heather Thurmeier
Lynn Cahoon
Elizabeth Boyce
Ellie Heller
Cary Morgan Frates/Morgan O’Neill
Juli Page Morgan
Carol Ritten Smith
Andrea R. Cooper
Leslie P. Garcia
Becky Lower
Stephanie Freeman
But you really wanted to meet me, right?
April 14, 2013
Cover Reveal – Carry Me Home by Alexa Bourne
Today I’m excited to have my good friend Alexa Bourne take over the blog. She’s helping launch the exciting new TEASE romance line over at Decadent Publishing. She’s sharing her beautiful cover for Carry Me Home and she’ll tell us a little bit about the new line.
Welcome to the blog, Alexa!
Carry Me Home by Alexa Bourne releases June 5, 2013.
Thank you to our lovely hostess for giving my new cover and me some time on the blog! Today marks the official, public beginning for an exciting time in Decadent Publishing’s history, and I’m so excited to be a part of it. We are unveiling a brand new series of books for you. The new Tease series is smart, sassy and short, and includes historical, paranormal and contemporary romances. All the stories are meant to be short reads for those times when a reader might want a quick, satisfying pick me up. You are promised a solid story with a happy ending, but the rest is up to the author.
I’m one of those authors and this is the cover to my first Tease, Carry Me Home. This story is a heart-warming story about a married couple, Jamie and Mary MacDougall, in the Highlands of Scotland. A horrible tragedy drove them apart and now Mary thinks she wants a divorce, but Jamie knows they’re meant to be together and he’s not willing to give up on them without a fight. This cover fits Mary and Jamie perfectly and I absolutely love it. Isn’t it gorgeous?
My book will be released June 5th, but you have plenty of Tease stories before then. To find out more, visit http://www.decadenttease.com/tease-affairs/ today! There you will be able to see more of the gorgeous Tease covers, be introduced to the people “behind the scenes” (including the 1st Tease authors), and find out more about the new series. AND you can be in the running for some GREAT prizes. So come join the party!
Carry Me Home Book Blurb:
After six months in the city, Mary MacDougall returns to the Scottish Highlands to finalize her divorce. Because of a past tragedy, she doubts her husband Jamie can possibly love her with the same unbridled passion as before and insists ending the marriage is best for both of them. But Jamie has other ideas….
Jamie MacDougall has no intention of letting his bonnie lass go. At least not without a fight. Aye, they’ve suffered heartache, and she may be ready to call it quits, but he refuses to throw away the partnership they’ve built since they were children. Instead, he’ll remind her they were meant to be together, forever.
Can this marriage survive pride and grief to allow love to carry them home?
Website: www.alexabourne.com
Blog: http://alexabourne.blogspot.com
Twitter: @AlexaBourne
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818611.Alexa_Bourne
December 3, 2012
Kindle Giveaway + 10 Free Books!
This contest is now closed. Congratulations to our Kindle winner Julie K and my additional book winner bn100!
Hello! Has it been 6 months since INFAMOUS was released!?! Holy cow! I believe it has.
Win a Kindle and 10 E-Books for the Holidays!
To celebrate this little anniversary, I’ve gotten together with nine other fabulous Crimson Romance authors who all debuted on that same day. We’ve put together a wee blog hop for your enjoyment. Since it’s the Holiday Season we’ve also come bearing gifts (really, you don’t have to get us anything in return). We’re giving away a Kindle loaded with 10 Romance E-Books (one from each author). Just click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link to enter. You can rack up extra entries for each blog on the tour that you visit, so make sure to check all 10 sites!
Today, I’m hosting my fellow Crimson Spicy author Peggy Bird. Peggy’s first book, Beginning Again, was released on June 4 and today she’s catching us up with what’s been happening with her sexy characters Liz and Collins.
All Liz Wants for Christmas It’s the six-month aniversary of the release of my debut book, “Beginning Again,” the story of Liz Fairchild, a Portland art gallery owner, and Collins, a sexy (and younger) sculptor who bulldozes his way into her gallery, her life and her bed with his talent, his charm, and his very special “to-do” list.
A lot’s happened since the June release of their story for me and my characters. “Loving Again,” the next book in my Second Chances series has been released. It’s about Amanda St. Claire, one of the artists Liz represents in her gallery, and Sam Richardson, the police detective who finds the evidence to prove Amanda innocent of the charge of murdering her boyfriend, Tom Webster. (Webster never rated high in Liz’s opinion after he was rude to her when she and Collins ate at his restaurant.)
It’s been busy for Liz and Collins, too. Thanks to success in the Portland art world, she’s moved to a larger space. Collins still does well with his sculpture but he’s only in his studio in the Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon two weeks of the month now. The other two weeks, he’s in Portland. For marketing, he says. Liz’s reaction? “Oh, is that what they call it now?”
This will be their first Christmas in their new home, a house they bought together on the Willamette River in southwest Portland. A studio/workshop for Collins is planned so he can finally move his work, as well as his life, to Portland.
So, what do Liz and Collins want for Christmas (other than a chance to have their story read by a lot more readers)? The list isn’t very long—they’d like a successful holiday season for her gallery and a good year ahead for his art. They hope their friends Sam and Amanda have a memorable first Christmas together.
Just two things they’d like some help with—Collins needs gift ideas for Liz. She has just about everything a woman could want—she has him, after all—but he wants something special for his amazing woman. Liz is looking for the perfect tree-topper. She’s not much into angels and a star is too ordinary. If you have any suggestions for them, put them in the comments along with your email address (for the raffle).
And make sure you visit the other posts (see list below) for more chances to enter the raffle.
Okay folks, let’s help Collins out with some suggestions. We have a lovely Father Christmas that graces the top of our tree. What do
Loving Again by Peggy Bird is available Now!
you think Liz would like? Leave a comment (and your email address). I’ll pick one commenter to win an e-copy of INFAMOUS. This will be in addition to the larger Kindle raffle.
Don’t forget to visit the following sites for more entries into the Kindle giveaway!
Diane Jewkes (Where you can find a holiday post-epilogue mini-read from Infamous)
D’Ann Lindun
Moriah Densley
Kristina Knight
Peggy Bird
Denyse Cohen
Micah Persell
Nancy Schuman
Lynn Cahoon
And make sure to check out Peggy’s latest release, Loving Again!
