Kate Roth's Blog, page 14

Book Spotlight : Christina's Bear by Jane Wakely

Welcome my fellow Rebel Jane Wakely today as she shares a little about her new release, Christina's Bear.




Christina Mills’ loud, bubbly personality gains her numerous friends and dating opportunities. Unfortunately, being labeled a “party girl” and dating a lot can give people the wrong impression. When Christina’s dates learn the truth about her, they soon move on.
James “Bull” Johnson is a restless bear shifter ready to settle down. At the urging of his friend, he relocates to the mid-sized town of Chestnut Rock. Bull hopes the nearby forest and being near his best friend will help soothe his bear and cure some of his loneliness.
When Bull and Christina meet, he recognizes her as his mate. However, their first two encounters leave Bull thinking Christina is afraid of him and Christina is confused by her feelings toward the stranger. Both Bull and Christina have secrets and insecurities that keep them guarded, but if they can trust one another, they’ll discover they’re made for each other.



And now an excerpt...
James “Bull” Johnson sniffed outside the cave before lumbering inside and shifting back into his human form. Because he was new to the area, he had taken a long hike through the woods, checking for danger and hiding places in case he needed them.
Matt had told him that the town of Chestnut Rock, and the connecting forest, would sooth his restless bear, but he honestly hadn’t known what to think. With nothing to lose and very few belongings, he’d packed up his tiny apartment and moved to the mid-sized town.
Matt and Bull had met in college and when they quickly recognized the other as a shifter, they’d formed an unbreakable bond. After college, they each went their own way, traveling and exploring the country. They’d met up once or twice a year until Matt put down roots in Chestnut Rock. Bull had continued to look until he decided he didn’t want to look anymore. He was tired and he wanted a permanent place to call home. Matt constantly raved about his home and convinced Bull to make it his home, too.
Bull pulled his shirt, jeans and flip-flops out of the crevice in the cave wall where he’d stored them earlier. Being a bear shifter meant he needed to take precautions when he allowed himself to shift. If a wolf, bunny or deer was spotted near the hotel, most likely not much would happen. The wolf would be mistaken for a dog and the bunny and deer would charm people with their cuteness. A bear, however, brought a much different reaction—usually involving screaming and the loading of shotgun barrels.
Over time he’d learned to take safeguards against those types of situations.


Christina's Bear is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble Nook, and All Romance Ebooks

A little about author Jane Wakely...
Jane has always been a writer. Even when she took a break from it for a few years, she couldn’t keep the stories from filling her head. As an avid romance reader, she finally decided her stories needed to be free, and she started writing again. 
Reading and liking all genres of romance; it makes sense that she would write that way too. Her stories range from sweet to erotic, contemporary to paranormal, and a bunch in-between. She loves all romance genres, and all levels of spice.
Jane lives on the east coast of the United States with her loving husband, daughter and their Miniature Dachshund.
Find more about Jane on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads

Thanks so much for joining us, Jane! And best of luck with this new release!

Blog Tour : A Review of Between These Lines by Jennifer Murgia

Let me start by saying I am so thrilled to be a part of this blog tour in celebration of Jennifer Murgia's newest release, Between These Lines, from Playlist Fiction! Jennifer is a fantastic author and her talent in young adult fiction is one you should take note of. Check out my personal review of the book below....




When a class assignment brings quiet Chase Mitman and the stunning Evie Cunningham together, a mutual attraction ignites. There’s only one problem—Evie already has a boyfriend—one who practically OWNS Whitley Prep, and her.

Knowing their relationship comes at a price, Chase’s life collides with Evie’s, and after entrusting her with a tragic secret, the last thing he’d ever expect is to learn she keeps a few of her own.

An innocent prank turns ugly. An anonymous note changes everything. And lives at Whitley Prep will never be the same.


Chase is the quiet guy holding it all in and walking the halls of Whitley Prep feeling alone and invisible. His tragic past as well as his intellect keep him in the shadows of arrogant school-rulers like Shane. But Chase has his eye on Evie. The sweet but popular beauty who just happens to also be Shane's girlfriend. Chase's lucky day arrives when a teacher pairs him with Evie and her best friend Tara for a project. But little does he know...Evie's had her eye on him too.

Still new to Whitley Prep, Evie seems to have a charmed life on the outside. But behind her shy smile she's dealing with Shane, the controlling boyfriend who has recently been showing her just how dark his true colors are. Chase is the opposite of Shane and the idea of having the noble, caring guy at her side is all Evie can think about as their interactions become more frequent and they realize all they share in common.

When social standing no longer holds meaning and you aren't afraid of the scary things in each others past, what can keep two people apart?

Between These Lines was a complete roller coaster of emotions. A bittersweet love story told from both sides, this book delves into heavy topics and doesn't shy away from the dark and gritty. Evie and Chase's connection was believable and progressed in the natural way you would expect given the extended storyline. Every plot point had purpose and was dealt with carefully, from Evie's parents' crumbling marriage to Chase's ultimate revelation.

A fast read but full of deep conflict, this book would easily be enjoyed by a teen or adult reader. Murgia does a fantastic job of keeping you connected to the young lovers and rooting for love to conquer the halls of Whitley Prep School. With picturesque scenery from the movie Cruel Intentions flashing in my head I zoomed through to the ending that I was completely shocked by and was left feeling yet another stomach-dropping-wind-in-the-hair loop from the emotional roller coaster that was Between These Lines.


Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Smashwords

Find Jennifer on her website and be sure to enter the raffle for some awesome prizes!!


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Release Day Celebration : Three's A Crowd by Melissa Keir

The lovely and talented Melissa Keir has a new release from Rebel Ink Press out today! Have a look at Three's a Crowd is all about as well as an excerpt.



For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd.


Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family.


When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband?


Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after.

Buy it (and Melissa's other work) now on All Romance E-books, Barnes and Noble or Amazon



And now an excerpt...


Sipping a glass of ice water while I waited, I looked forward to seeing Chloe. We’d been co-workers and friends for years.
When Chloe walks in, I watch as all the men’s heads turn to stare as she approached our table. Her beauty always drew gazes and left me feeling like a weed planted next to a stunning flower.
After Chloe and I make a bit of small talk and order, I ask the question I’ve been dying to ask since I ended our phone call. “What is going on, Chloe? What can I do to help?”
“Mike’s quit his job at the college and decided to open his own catering business and the stress of having no money coming in is taking its toll on us. All we do is fight. I can’t stand that I have no say in how our money is spent. Would you believe he bought a delivery truck for his business but hasn’t even gotten the brakes fixed on my car?”
“I’m sorry, Chloe. What does Mike say when you talk to him about this?”
“He really doesn’t understand. He has stars in his eyes about what the future holds and can’t see what’s happening right in front of his face. My salary is the only thing paying the bills. With the way Mike’s spending money, it’s going out as fast as it’s coming in. You know, Lissa. You’re so lucky to have Alex. He’s a wonderful provider. What I wouldn’t give to have him back in my life.”
Ouch. Chloe’s words hurt. I knew Alex was a wonderful husband, but he was mine now. Was she really indicating she wanted him back?
“Alex is a fabulous husband, father, and friend. I’m lucky to be his wife.” Needing to establish my territory, I made sure to point out Alex was mine.
“Yes, he is. I’d give anything to have him back. Just to make it clear, if you ever hurt him or let him go, I’m going to be right there to pick up the pieces. After all, we have a child together. We’ll always be in each other’s lives.”
“Well, Alex is very happy and I’ll do anything to keep him that way.”
The rest of lunch passed in a blur. I couldn’t keep my mind off her ultimatum. Maybe Chloe was just reacting to all the problems in her own marriage by lashing out at me. I was willing to give her the benefit of doubt. However, all I wanted to do was to escape the original lunch from hell and get home to Alex to reassure myself of his love. For me.



A little about Melissa...



As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing.  She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC.  Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars.  She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.

Melissa doesn’t believe in down time.  She’s always keeping busy.  Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like The Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature “happy endings” and is often found plotting her next story.

This is what readers are saying about Melissa’s books:

Amazon 5 star review for Second Time’s the Charm- “Such a sweet and heart warming story. As I read it, and the details unfolded, I was engrossed to see if that I thought was going to happen, would really happen.” – Lacey Wolfe, Romance Author.

Barnes and Noble 5 star review for Protecting His Wolfe- “Great read. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters, especially Betsie and the Pigg brothers. A love story with suspense and surprise.” – Anonymous


Melissa loves hearing from readers so check her out!
www.melissakeir.com
Facebook Author Fan Page
Twitter
Congrats on the new release, Melissa! 

Rebel Ink Press' Earth Day Blog Hop

Today Rebel Ink Press is celebrating Earth Day with a lovely hop around their authors' blogs and they are even giving away some lovely prizes!


The e-book has revolutionized how the world reads. It makes purchasing books quick, easy and less expensive. But most importantly it is Eco-friendly. Though we all love the feel of a book in our hands, it's time we realize the impact print books have on our environment. E-books don't hurt a single tree! So today on Earth Day consider switching to an e-reader for the majority of your reading!


And now a little bit about my Rebel Ink Press title, The Low Notes...




When a chance meeting between high school teacher Kevin Reed and singer Nina Jordan ignites an instant spark, they must decide if it's more important to follow your heart or follow the rules.

After caring for his dying father, Kevin Reed, returns to his hometown of Wexley Falls, bereaved, unemployed and exhausted at the thought of starting a new life. After a failed blind date, Kevin meets young singer Nina Jordan who takes his breath away with the sound of her voice. The connection is instantaneous and mutual on their first date, but both are crestfallen when they discover days later, to their horror, Nina is Kevin's student at the local high school.

Deciphering between notions of love and lust, fate and coincidence, Kevin and Nina find themselves unable to turn their backs on what they can't deny is a once in a lifetime feeling. Told from both perspectives, The Low Notes explores a love that feels right even though it seems wrong.

You can purchase The Low Notes in e-book format for Kindle, Nook or other devices.

Be sure to follow the rest of the Rebel Hop here and enter to win lots of awesome prizes!
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Happy Anniversary Tears in the Rubble!

Today I'm welcoming my dear friend and fellow author, Britni Hill, to share with you her novel Tears in the Rubble which is one year old today! Congratulations Britni!

Dreams really do come true…
April 17, 2013 marks a year of one of my dreams coming true.  I became a published author.  To celebrate I’m sharing my first novel, Tears in the Rubble, with you for 99 cents.  It and its follow up, From the Rubble will be on sale for three days (April 17th, 18th, and 19th).
Can your first love be true unconditional love?
Layla Swanson grew up in the lazy, small town of Hollow Oaks and can’t wait to get out.  She has big dreams and big plans in the big city.  Layla has worked hard and her senior year is nearly at its end.  She can’t wait to go away to college.  And she’s one step closer to getting what she wants. Layla isn’t letting anyone get in her way. 
Taylor Scott may not be your typical country boy, but he doesn’t mind Hollow Oaks.  His dreams may not be marked on paper and set in stone, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have them. 
A chance meeting between the two childhood friends may have Layla second guessing her longtime plan. Their rekindled friendship is leading them down a path neither one could have foreseen.  But with Layla leaving for college, many challenges face them, especially when she so stubbornly sticks to her solo plan.
Is Taylor’s love enough to convince Layla to let him in?  Or when everything falls apart, will Layla run away?    


You can buy Tears in the Rubble and From the Rubble on Amazon.
To find out more about me visit my blog or like my Facebook fan page.  You can also follow me on Twitter
Thanks to Kate for having me today and helping me celebrate!!

Release Day & Author Interview : Lisa J. Hobman

Meet Lisa! She's got a new contemporary romance releasing today! 

Author, Lisa J. Hobman 
Tell us a little about yourself...Okay, where to start?  Well, I am a 40 year old mum of one.  I relocated to Scotland last year with my family and our two dogs.  I adore books and have a new found passion for reading since relocating!  I am crazy about music (I used to be a singer) and I love crafts too. 


Tell us about your debut novel (yay!)... Bridge Over the Atlantic is a contemporary romance novel for readers of adult age and is set between Yorkshire and the Scottish Highlands mainly.  It tells the story of Mallory, a curvy girl who is quite unlucky in love.  The only serious relationship she's had was with a guy who loved his car more than her!  Not a great romance :-)  Things change rapidly for her as you will discover.

What was the querying/agent/publisher search process like for you?It was quite stressful simply because I am a complete newbie!  I did a lot of internet searches and found places to submit to that way.  It was a learning curve, too.  The rejections were hard but I persevered and finally got my dream...a contract!!


Is there another genre you would like to try at some point?I have given this a great deal of thought and to be honest I am a romantic at heart so I think I may stick with contemporary romance.  Although who knows as things pr0gress...never say never!

Do you have a writing ritual or a certain way you like to get ready to write?Do you know what?  I think I must write most of the day!  I have a break to read at bedtime but my day is usually taken up with writing, writing, writing (and a bit of house cleaning in between...although not as much as I should do!)
 

Tell us about one of your characters you loved writing and why you are attached to them:My absolute favourite character is Mallory.  I wanted to write a story about a curvy girl (being one myself) and wanted to show her insecurities but also her beauty.  She is a little crazy but very sweet, too. I think she is the kind of girl I could be friends with.  She has had a rough time but still puts others first.  

Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? If so, what changed?I never wanted to give up as such but I did go through phases of doubting my abilities when I got a couple of rejections through.  I think what I tried to bear in mind is that publishers/lit agents get so many manuscripts a week that they can really only take on so many at one time.  Getting my contract was a huge boost and fueled the fire for more writing.  I think I will only give up now if I run out of ideas!

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?Stick with it.  Don't give up!  Get out there on social network sites and talk to people.  Listen to advice but most of all remember WHY you are writing.  For me writing is a passion - it's not about money - it's just about me doing something I love and hoping that others love what I write.  If that happens then you've achieved something amazing!

What are you working on now/what can we expect from you next?Oooh, well my second novel goes off this week for consideration so I am very nervous right now!  I am hoping and praying that it's contracted.  I am working on two others right now also.  They are all stand alone novels and all contemporary romance.  I'm hoping to maybe try my hand at a series at some point too!  So hopefully I will have other books out there soon!

What is your current obsession (absolutely anything)?Without a doubt it's writing!  I can't seem to stop!  And if I am not writing I usually have a book or my Kindle in my hand!

Readers can find more about Lisa on her website www.lisajhobman.co.uk , Twitter @LivingScottishD and Facebook 


And now a little bit about Bridge Over the Atlantic

Life can literally throw you off balance when you least expect it...
Mallory Westerman is a full-figured, successful, young business woman living in Yorkshire, England. Though very career minded, she is extremely self-conscious about her ample curves and so her love life tends to pay the price. Concentrating solely on her business, she has almost given up on finding someone to love.  That is until she literally trips into the arms of a stranger who becomes her Knight in shining armour.
The immediate sexual and romantic spark that blossoms into love and the events that follow, irrevocably change Mallory’s life-path and self-image forever, but only go to prove that the road to true love is never smooth and that things don’t always turn out how you expect…
Thanks for being here Lisa and congratulations on your release!!

What I've Been Reading

Recent Reads:
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
Fantastic book!! My warning would be don't read this book until you have time to devote to the entire series. I haven't yet indulged in More Tales of the City but I am dying to. This pesky TBR list is growing by the second. This book was an incredibly fast read and is a fun look at a group of misfits in 1970's San Fransisco.

In Flight and Mile High by RK Lilley
Books one of the three part series drew me in quick and had me clamoring for the second installment of this BDSM trilogy. But book two fell a little flat for me. I'm planning on finishing the series at some point but I am reading other books between now and then. These are quick reads for any erotic romance fan.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
No. Just...no.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I'm still in the middle of this one and it is beyond amazing! I cannot wait to finish and discuss with my book club! There isn't much you can say about this book without giving things away so I'll just say this...READ IT!


Next up:

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
It's been recommended to me time and time again and I finally need to get my hands on it!

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward
I recently had the opportunity to go and see JR Ward speak in Ohio and it reminded my what a dummy I am for not staying caught up in the series. My plan is to go back and re-read the first six books and then get caught up to her newest release Lover at Last!

Good Girl Gone Bad

You know her. She's sweet and innocent and pure as fresh-fallen snow...until something happens. Maybe it's a man, maybe it's a trauma, maybe it's a wild party that finally sets her free but the point is she makes a switch that shocks everyone. The 'good girl' goes 'bad'. Sometimes it's only for a night, sometimes it's just to catch the eye a man. Other times she makes the full switch, leaving behind her girlish ways for that of the vixen. If you can't quite picture it here's some examples....

Sandy trades in her bobby socks for skin-tight leather pants and stiletto heels because she thinks Danny wants her to be more like the Pink Ladies.

"Tell me about it, stud."
Alison Vernon-Williams gets a taste of bad-boy Cry-Baby and realizes she's not a square at heart


Anastasia Steele loses her meek and mild temper when she is thrust into the world of BDSM by Mr. Grey. (You could say the same for a lot of female characters in the ever-popular genre right now. I would choose Bianca Karlsson's good-girl-turned-bad arc as my current favorite in the Up In The Air series)



Even Nina Jordan of The Low Notes let's Halloween turn her into a bit of a minx....

I guess I can't really put my finger on why I like the idea of the GGGB so much but something about it always gets me. I love the transformation. I love seeing a female character gain ultimate control of her life and more importantly her sexuality. The story I'm working on now (not Reckless Radiance, something else) is all about a young woman's sexual and emotional awakening. She isn't really a GGGB but she certainly starts to embrace the bad-girl over the good.

Strong, kick-ass females are probably my favorite kind of character but a close second is the good-girl-gone-bad. Because she learns just ho awesome she is and that she can grab hold of it for herself.

Release Day : The Bliss by Jennifer Murgia

I'm so thrilled to have YA author Jennifer Murgia on my blog today! See what she has to say about her Angel Star series and today's release, The Bliss...

Tell us a little about yourself, Jennifer...
I write Young Adult fiction and have a crazy, vivid imagination. I live in eastern Pennsylvania with my husband, two children and my cat, Oscar, who is really more like a third child. I also have a strange obsession with the smell of lemons . . . just saying.


author Jennifer MurgiaWhat was the querying/agent/publisher search process like for you?I was very lucky to have my found my publisher, Lands Atlantic, without the help of an agent. It was one of those "in the right place at the right time" sort of scenarios. Ultimately, the sales of my first two books, Angel Star and Lemniscate, helped garner the interest of the agent representing me now -- the wonderful Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor Literary. The process of finding the best home for your work is one that requires patience and being thorough in your research. My agent/publisher search involved many hours of online homework to make sure I queried the right person, a very polished query letter via email, and then, weeks of waiting and trying not to check my email every day.




What inspired you to write the Angel Star series?Angel Star is a story that hit me over the head one evening. It involved the notion of a conditional love shared between a girl and a boy, only it had a catch -- that the boy was someone she couldn't be with, but was a constant presence in her life.
It's a story of love and loyalty and holds a great deal of symbolism. I started writing its sequel, Lemniscate, the day I sent Angel Star off to my editor.


Tell us about your upcoming release The Bliss:


The Bliss was a fun book to write! It's a petite (no lie, it's very tiny) prequel to Angel Star, and a fun marketing boost for the first two books. I wanted to give readers a sense of what came before the original story, so it's told from Hadrian's point of view and recounts Lucifer's fall from Heaven.
A fun little tidbit: I held a character contest a while back and have included two brand new angels in the story! Can't wait to share them! 



Would you say you enjoy writing the paranormal genre best?I do -- it fits me. I have a tendency to enjoy writing darker sides to people and love throwing in what could be considered as speculative.


Is there another genre you would like to try at some point?Funny you should ask that. I currently have a Historical Fantasy on submission, and a Middle Grade novel brewing in the back of my head.

Do you have a writing ritual or a certain way you like to get ready to write?
I write as soon as my kids get off to school. I grab that last cup of coffee and seat myself at my laptop, which is often at the dining room table. Not very glamorous but it works for me.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find a balance between work and your writing career?I'm a full time writer. Balancing work and family? That actually comes easy. I work while the rest of the clan is away and I'm off when they're home -- which includes weekends, unless I'm under a deadline crunch.What is your current obsession (absolutely anything...aside from lemons of course)?Coffee. Lots of it. And Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Chai.
Readers can find out more about Jennifer and where to purchase her novels at www.jennifermurgia.com, on Twitter and Facebook!

Thanks again for joining us Jennifer! And Happy Release Day!!!

First Glimpse : Reckless Radiance

Well here it is! Your first glimpse at what is almost finished and ready to submit, my new paranormal romance Reckless Radiance. Thanks to everyone who helped me reach my goal of 300 Facebook 'likes'. Now on to 400!! If you haven't already please like my author page on Facebook.
 
After losing her childhood love, Valerie Gilmore runs away from home for a fresh start but feels more alone than before until a mysterious stranger named Russell comes into her life and seems to see beyond her broken heart and into her very soul.
Note: this section has not been professionally edited and is subject to change in the final draft of the novel.

      The ceiling kept her attention and she let her thoughts continue to race. She thought of the moments leading up to the surprise of Russell being alive. She was terrified. Her stomach had been so twisted. She thought of every single day she’d spent with Henry and her stomach began to knot even more. Emotions fluttered inside of her and she let out a sniffle.
       She tried to muffle the sounds of her tears into her pillow. She tried to suppress all of the fear and anxiety that had been building inside of her. Russell shifted and suddenly he was standing next to her bed. She tried not to look up at him towering above her in the dark. Slowly, he pulled a corner of the covers back and climbed in next to her without saying a word. At first he was still, keeping his distance but remaining present. Tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the bed.
       Soon Russell’s hand reached out to smooth over her hair. He tenderly traced her tears away with his fingertip. For a moment it seemed suddenly brighter in the room. Valerie thought the water matting her eyelashes was letting the moonlight sparkle into her eyes. In a quiet moment with her new enigmatic ally, with his warmth near her and his gentle touch upon her face, she felt what she never thought she’d be able to feel on that horrifying day. Peace.
       Her eyes started to grow heavier as calm continued to wash over her. Thankful that sleep was on its way, a smile crept on her face and soon Russell’s fingers were sweeping over her cheek. Again there seemed to be a glimmer of brightness lighting up the room.
       “Russell?”
       “Yes,” he whispered.
       Her eyes sank shut and her voice came out as a breathy sigh. “What are you?”
       Twilight was upon her, she was on the verge of a dream but she heard his reply. She was sure she heard him clearly before she drifted off.
       “I’m yours.”

Reckless Radiance : Coming Soon!