Mia Hoddell's Blog, page 8

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Gail Wagner

Hi everyone!  I'm Gail Wagner.  I'm so excited to be here!  Thanks to Mia for hosting this amazing event.  :)  I have several projects currently going (including one that I'm putting up on Wattpad as I go, called Spell, Book, and Candle!).

My newest novel is Let Her Sleep.

In it, the three main characters are all hiding some pretty important secrets.  And though I don't want to give away the best bits of the story, I thought it would be fun to maybe learn about some of their other secrets they might not be telling.
Cordy Jameson
Junk Food Addict.  She will stuff oatmeal cream pies, ding dongs, and nutty bars anywhere she thinks her housekeeper won't find them.  Sadly for her, her father is a health nut and insists she eat super healthy all the time, hence her sneaky ways.  She ends up stashing and tossing a lot of her meals at home.Musical Theater Buff.  Though she would never (EVER) be on stage, she adores a good musical and she's actually not a bad singer herself.  Her favorite movies are ones she can sing along to.Name Hater:  She hates her full name.  The only one who ever called her Cordelia was her mother and after she died, no one was allowed to use it.  So, Cordy it is.
Reid Shaw
Pop Culture Lover:  With his crazy busy schedule, he never gets a real chance to indulge in it, but he has seen all of the Star Wars movies (actually, they're the only ones he's ever seen).  He would love to immerse himself into the various other fandoms but it's a little hard when you spend your days training and your nights fighting off dream demons.  Maybe someday....Rebel At Heart:  He may do what he's told like a well trained soldier, but inside, he's rebelling at every step and rolls his eyes at a lot of it.  He doesn't believe everything he's been taught but trusts the adults in his life enough to do what he's supposed to....at least for now.Not A Food Critic:  He wouldn't know a gourmet meal if it hit him in the face.  He's been raised on frozen meals since he was old enough to stick them in the microwave.  Cordy just can't understand how he can eat the cafeteria food at school and he doesn't know how to explain it's a step up from what he's used to.
Noelle Daven
Green-eyed Monster:  She does her best to hide it, but she hates how poor her family is...even though they really aren't.  It can be hard when your best friend lives in a mansion and has everything you don't.  Spending every second of free time there and pretending it's yours is almost as good as having it yourself...right?A++ Actress:  She's the drama club star.  She's also pretty good at lying to people...except Cordy.  They've been friends too long.  She'll need all her skills in the weeks to come.Biggest Flirt:  Okay, maybe this isn't a huge secret, but she really knows how to appreciate a good looking guy.  He may only be the flavor of the week but hey, might as well enjoy while she can.  She may be the life of the party but she's always on the lookout for the next conquest...or the perfect guy for her best friend.
If you'd like to learn more about me or my work you can visit my website: gailwagnerbooks.com.You can also find me here:Facebook: www.facebook.com/gailwagnerbooksTwitter: @WagnerGailWattpad:  Gail Wagner

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Ottilie Weber

Character interview ~ Riley Nolan
1. What made you join the Marines?I grew up in that life, and like it. The idea that I'm part of a bigger picture, that my job is protect others.

2. Do you think the scars have changed you?Yes, I've been told I'm grouchy, but I figured I lived through an explosion I can act however I want.

3. What did you do to keep yourself busy in the hospital?I mostly kept to myself, didn't talk to many. Occasionally though I would mess with the nurses like drop things on the ground for them to have to pick up. I pretended to be asleep then scare them.

4. You spend time with your niece and nephew, what do you like doing with them?I would do anything for those two. They are the loves of my life. I love reading with them as they curl up with me. I've gone to the movies with them, I've taught them how to play mini golf. I have played games with Madison since she is older. I will let you in on a little secret, but I have played dress up and Barbies with my niece as well.

5. Genevieve likes to tell jokes, what was your favorite when you were little?I preferred playing jokes on others than to tell them. I'm lucky to have survived my teens with my sister.

6. Chocolate or vanilla?Chocolate, no doubt.

7. Do you have any hidden talents?Other than my wit? I'd say, I can wiggle my ears.

8. You're a single guy who lives alone, what is your favorite meal to cook for yourself?
Anything quick, I've become lazy when I realized that it was going to be an everyday thing. Spaghetti has been a recent favorite, when I'm feeling ambitious I make meatballs too.

9. What do you look for a woman?
Someone who isn't a ditz, and has a good heart. I want what my sister has, a family. I need someone who has a good heart and will not only be a good mother, but can still look at my face. Being beautiful wouldn't hurt either.

10. Are we likely to hear more from you?
Hopefully, we just need to make sure Ottilie keeps moving.

Find out more about Riley in Beneath the Scars November 2, 2013
292 pages

Corporal Riley Nolan is back home and out of the hospital after sustaining severe injuries in a skirmish overseas. His physical injuries may be healed, though he is left with horrible scars all over his body. His mind is still healing, and he has almost no contact with the world outside his small dark apartment.

After the death of her parents and being forced to sell their house and move into an apartment in a new town, Eponine is left picking up the pieces while trying to maintain a normal life for her little sister, Genevieve.

Can these new neighbors help each other heal, finding the light and laughter in the world again? Most importantly, can Eponine help Riley see he's not the monster he believes himself to be beneath the scars?
About the Author Ottilie Weber grew up in Wall, New Jersey, not far from the beach. She always has a book in her hands or nearby, despite her dyslexia. She graduated from The College of New Jersey, earning a degree in History Secondary Education. Ottilie has a passion for writing, where she is ready to take on the next project. Her family and close friends are there to help her take on the bumps or potholes in the road.

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Rebecca Hamilton

Thank you to Mia Hoddell from http://miahoddell.blogspot.com/ for including me in her current event! 
 
The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton  
Now Optioned for Film with Witten Pictures. (Witten helped produce Chernobyl Diaries, Vanilla Sky, Mission Impossible 3, Transformers, The Wedding Singer, American History X, and Final Destination.) 
A Cult. A Murder. A Curse. At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her.Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous. One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him.
Buy on Amazon ORRead Free with Kindle Unlimited! Also Available in Audiobook Format!Listen to a First Chapter preview NOW!http://beccahamiltonbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/One.mp3 HarperCollins wrote..."I was really drawn in by the writing from the first instance. The voice is clear and easy-to-read; it's rare to see such natural flow and tempo from a debut author." authonomy.com/books/15535/the-forever... 
Carl Logan of THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, wrote..."The Forever Girl is an enticing read of Wiccan fiction, very much recommended reading." midwestbookreview.com/rbw/sep_12.htm 
VOTED ONE OF SUSPENSE MAGAZINE'S BEST BOOKS OF 2012! 
VOTED READER'S CHOICE ON UNDERGROUND BOOK REVIEWS! 
Listen for FREE when you join Audible today! 
 

I'm often asked what some of the best things are that have happened to me as an author. While I still have big dreams yet to be realized, I've had a few key moments that really stand out to me. One is being selected for publication by a German imprint of HARLEQUIN. And the awesome cover and banner and advertisements they made for me. And yes, I'm guilty of translating the German reviews to see if people there like it as much as they do here, and it makes me really happy when I can see the appeal cross continents like that!Do you Read German? Check out The Forever Girl HERE.

 
10 Facts About The Forever Girl1) It was originally written as a young adult novel but was rewritten as New Adult to fit the tone, mood, and content of the story better. It was one of the first books ever to be published in the New Adult Category (ya know, before the romance crowd turned it "College Romance" instead *wink*)
2) The "series" started off as a standalone novel, but one of the side character took over the story, delaying some of the original planned events (such as the death of one of the most beloved characters--no spoilers here) thus turning the story into a Trilogy. Shortly after that, however, I realized the world was bigger than I'd originally realized, and the trilogy became a seven-book series with a few planned novellas to glimpse into the life of some of the smaller characters.
3) Many "insignificant" characters and moments in the story play a larger role. Pay close attention because the devil's in the details! Some things that seem to have no importance end up being crucial hints to what is to come later in the story. Here's a hint: Even what plays on the television in the background of a conversation might actually be foreshadowing the series conclusion!
4) Books 1, 4, and 7 follow Sophia, but books 2, 3, 5, and 6 each follow a different Forever Girl. Each story reveals a new facet to this world in greater depth.
5) It's not secret that some of the creatures in my mythology are based on ones you might already be familiar with. Forever Girls are loosely based on fictionally-depicted witches (with a little honest homage to Wicca thrown in), while "Cruor" are like Vampires and "Strigoi" are like Shape-shifters. But I have TWO species based on fae! The Chibold--much like fire sprites--and the Ankou, our Grim Reaper type of fae.
6) Book 1, 4, and 7 actually show Sophia's progression as a Witch from Maiden, to Mother, to Crone. But this is never stated outright in any of the stories.
7) Although Charles was intended to be the main 'hottie' in the story, myself and many other readers have fallen in love with Adrian. He seems to keep making cameos in all the other books in the series, too. I am not sure what readers want more--to get in head or get in his bed! We might get a glimpse of both in one of the upcoming bonus novellas!
8) Not all books in the series are set in Modern Day. Some date back to the Salem Witch Trials (1600's) while others will take place in a distance future.
9) Good luck pigeon-holing this series into one genre! How does the paranormal-fantasy-romance-historical-modern-mystery-thriller-horror genre sound to you?
10) I'm NOT Wiccan! Due to writing Wicca so honestly and the MC's pro-religious-freedom stance throughout the story, many people ASSUME I must be Wiccan. Nope. Not Wiccan, or Pagan, or anything else. Just happened to write a really convincing character :) 
What IS a Forever Girl, Anyway?Well, you'll have to read the book to find out, but on some level, they exist in all of us.  


Come back tomorrow for a post by Gail Wagner

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Romy Sommer

Christmas in Westerwald
I love Christmas. I love the carols, the food, the decorations, the Hallmark movies, the gifts, the excuse for a week at home with the family without having to take leave days.
But if you’re anything like me, you’re also Christmassed-out long before the Big Day finally arrives. By then the decorations in the stores have been up for more than two months and you feel like throwing up if you have to see one more advert trying to sell Christmas shampoo or toothbrushes decorated with red ribbon. No, that’s just me?

So to keep my sense of humor, in this post I’m going to imagine I’m spending Christmas in the fictional nation of Westerwald, where the characters of my books get to have the kind of Christmas my dreams are made of.

Image courtesy of Creative MarketIt’s a couple of weeks before Christmas and it’s snowing…
In the capital town of Neustadt, the market stalls line the banks of the Wester River, their lights reflecting in the water. Wrapped up warmly against the winter weather, Christian and Teresa browse between the stalls, hand-in-hand. They stop for hot chocolate and lebkuchen biscuits, and watch as a street performer juggles fiery torches.

A few blocks away, the young Archduke Max and his fiancée Phoenix attend a Carols by Candlelight concert, where a choir of angel voices sings accompanied by a full orchestra. In a moment Max will switch on the main street Christmas lights, an annual tradition that massive crowds have turned out to watch.

Max’s brother Fredrik is all the way across the ocean in the Caribbean. Though it’s sunny and warm, there’s a festive spirit here too, as Rik and Kenzie have thrown open the doors of the royal villa for the underprivileged children of Los Pajaros. There’s a Christmas tree decorated with lights and shiny baubles in the double volume entrance hall, and Rik is dressed as Santa, handing out gifts to the children.

It’s the night before Christmas, and it’s still snowing…

The family have gathered together in the royal apartments at the medieval castle of Waldburg. The apartments aren’t as impressive as an outsider might expect, nor is the Christmas tree. It’s a real tree, cut down just a few days earlier in the forest outside of town. The decorations on the branches are family heirlooms, some made by princes and princesses of generations past. The castle’s steward, Claus, is busy lighting the candles on the tree.

Breathless from the excitement of building a snowman in the old jousting yard outside, and from the snowball fight that followed, the family head indoors, stripping off their scarves and hats and coats. Claus’ wife Rebekah has made a pot of glühwein, and the scent of mulled wine and spices hangs rich in the air.

Tonight they will enjoy a private family dinner and exchange gifts, because tomorrow will be a busy day.

Colmar Christmas MarketMax and Phoenix will walk down to the town’s cathedral and attend the Christmas service. There will be press to pose for, crowds of well-wishers to greet, then they’ll tour the local children’s homes. At the end of the day, Max will go live on television from the castle with the traditional Archduke’s Christmas broadcast.

Teresa and Christian, Rik and Kenzie, are headed back to Neustadt where they’ll be preparing Christmas dinner for the homeless at the monastery soup kitchen.

And Claus and Rebekah will be curled up on their sofa in front of the television, in their pajamas and wearing the new Christmas sweaters that were gifts from her mother, feeling very grateful that they aren’t royal and have nowhere else to be but home.

I’d love to hear your ideal place to spend Christmas. Do you have a family tradition that means a great deal to you? And what is your favorite Christmas food?

The image of Colmar Christmas market comes courtesy of GlobalGrasshopper.com. Check out their post on Europe’s Top 10 Christmas markets.



The third book in Romy Sommer’s Westerwald trilogy, To Catch a Star, is available now.

Set in the winter wonderland of the city of Neustadt, this is the story of Teresa, the ultimate Ice Princess, and heartthrob movie star Christian, who is way too used to getting everything he wants.

To Catch a Star is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play and AllRomance eBooks.



Come back tomorrow for a post by Rebecca Hamilton

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Lorraine Wilson

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Last year I spent Christmas in Switzerland for the first time. I've often spent the run up to the festivities there, visiting the Christmas markets and enjoying walks in deep powdery snow but staying through to New Year was truly special. I loved having a white Christmas (see photos) and drinking hot chocolate in rustic alpine bars. Not to mention being able to actually visit the places I was writing about.


This year I can't go but am spending two weeks holed up in a Dartmoor cottage instead. But I’ll be finishing my sixth Chalet Girl novella so I'll be there in spirit. I doubt we'll have a white Christmas in Devon but that's one of the beauties of writing - I get to play God with the weather and can conjure up thick white flakes of swirling snow whenever I feel like it ;-)


Santa Baby: 5 Sexy Reads For Cold Winter Nights
'Santa Baby: 5 Sexy Reads For Cold Winter Nights' is published on 11th December by HarperImpulse and contains the first two installments of Lorraine Wilson's Chalet Girl series. Click here to find out more

Blurb
A 5 book festive collection of steamy romance tales. Perfect for snuggling up on those long, cold winter nights . . .

Kiss Me on this Cold December Night, Charlotte Phillips
The third novella in the deliciously sensual Do Not Disturb series, and Ella Scott is bumping into the ghosts of one night stands past…

Santa Wore Leathers, Vonnie Davis
There’s only one thing on Becca Sinclair’s Christmas list this holiday season – her very own column in the local paper. Enter Dan ‘Wolf’ Wolford, a Navy SEAL turned commander of the Florida Marine Rescue Unit, and the new star of Becca’s popular, post-divorce blog about men. It isn’t long before Becca finds herself the target of Wolf’s irresistible attentions…

All Wrapped Up In You, Sun Chara
When Ellie hooked up with world renowned neurosurgeon, Peter Medeci, aka 'Prince Charming’, she thought her dreams had come true. But the demands of being the model wife isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and she decides to ditch the 'royal' life until he sees her as more than his bedroom playmate…

Secrets of a Chalet Girl, Lorraine Wilson
Set in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier, the winter playground of the rich and famous, Secrets of a Chalet Girl is the second book in Lorraine Wilson’s fabulous Ski Season series.

Confessions of a Chalet Girl, Lorraine Wilson
The first sexy novella in the Chalet Girl series. Pack your salopettes and pour another shot of Jägermeister, it’s time to hit the slopes!

www.harperimpulseromance.com/authors/lorraine-wilson

www.facebook.com/LorraineWilsonWriter
Read on for a post by Romy Sommer

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Emma L. Adams

Which experiences in your novels are taken from real life?
The Darkworld series is set at a fictional university, and a few people have asked me if anything is taken from real life, as I actually graduated from university last year. The truth is: yes and no. Writers often borrow details from the world they observe, and as I was deeply in the often bizarre world of student life, I absorbed a lot of details – some of which I included, some which I didn’t.
Firstly, I never base my characters on real people, so any parallels are completely unintentional. Secondly, the area of England I set the books in is close to the place I went to university, but the town and university itself is fictional. Thirdly, no, I’ve never seen a demon. ;) The demon is actually based on a monster I created for another series entirely, and it was only when I thought of this idea that I realised I could get more out of it if I used a university setting.
But there are a few things that have crept in that do have some basis in personal experience. Ash’s fear of interviews, for one thing. I had a horrendously embarrassing interview at a university which ultimately ended up rejecting me. My mind went blank when they asked me what I liked to read, and I ended up babbling nonsense, concluding with, ‘Um…so…um…I…like, um, reading.’ Not my best day. The good news is, after practice, I can now speak coherently in an interview. So there is hope!
I’ve lived the student life – although I spent more time writing novels than clubbing – so inevitably some of the more bizarre events have a basis in reality, mainly because, as my friends put it, ‘you can’t make this stuff up’! Such as: a guy in a lion onesie purchasing beer in the middle of the day is completely normal. The Role-Playing Society walk past dressed in medieval armour, and you barely notice. You hear bizarre noises from a flatmate’s room sounding like an alien communicating with his mother ship…and just shrug. It happens. You get stranded overnight in the Lake District after the hiking minibus gets stuck on a hill…well, that was a one-off, and a rather traumatic experience! I nearly froze to death. Unfortunately, unlike Ash, I hate cold weather…
But other than that one event (which became a Hiking Club legend!), none of the others are based on reality. The one thing I wanted to convey was the feeling of being a ‘new adult’, of taking the first steps on the way to making your own life. That’s what university meant to me, and although it could be baffling and confusing, it was also liberating. I hope readers enjoy experiencing university life along with Ash – with all its insanity!


Darkness Watching (Darkworld #1)

Amazon    Barnes and Noble

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone  - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...
 
Add on Goodreads
Read Chapter One.

Reviews

“In the vein of Buffy and Supernatural, DARKNESS WATCHING found that perfect balance between the freaky and the fun.” - YA author Jen Estes

"Demons, Sorcerers, evil, and secrets. Could you ask for a better supernatural suspense set-up? From the first page, this book had me hooked." - Rose at Desert Rose Reviews

"A suspenseful first part to an intriguing new fantasy series." - Sharon Stevenson, supernatural author

“The story is extremely well-written with effortless, flowing prose, and the original magic-user mythology and Darkworld creatures are very entertaining. The author took what might have been over-done premise and twisted it into something very fresh and exciting.” - Lexa Cain, author of Soul Cutter

"This is a wildly different story than any I have read about demons...I loved it!" - Kathy at Bookmarks, Spoilers, and Happily-Ever-Afters




Walking Shadow (Darkworld #2)


When you have a connection to the Darkworld, nowhere is truly safe.

Ashlyn has found a new home in Blackstone, but when a spate of grave robberies across the country spark fears that someone is practicing illegal sorcery, she comes under the radar of the Venantium, the protectors of the Barrier between her world and the Darkworld, who are suspicious of any sorcerer unaware of their origins.

The trouble is, what Ash does know might just get her killed.

Sufferers of the dangerous condition known as the vampire’s curse are being brutally killed, and the latest victim is Leo’s guardian, the ex-head of the Venantium. Ash determines to help Leo find out what’s really going on, but it isn’t long before events are spiralling out of control. The dead are rising from their graves, and the barriers around Blackstone are threatened by a demon which looks exactly like Ash herself…

Add on Goodreads!


Fear's Touch: A Darkworld Novella 

Amazon

This is a standalone novella, intended as a prequel to the Darkworld series. As it takes place one year before the events of Darkness Watching, it doesn’t contain any spoilers (although it does hint at things which will come into play later in the series).


Freakish powers and staring demon eyes aren’t part of Claudia’s plans for the future – and neither is ending up stuck at the gloomy, isolated University of Blackstone. But bad life decisions are the least of her problems, when a split-second decision to help out another magic-user puts her in the crossfire of both the shadow-beasts and the creepy organisation which hunt them down.

Claudia’s never had to worry about making the right choice before, but every decision matters when you have a Darkworld connection. Soon, she’s going to have to make a choice: turn her back on the crazy and try to live a normal life, or take the monsters down.

But in a world where everyone seems to have secrets, can she really trust her fellow magic-users – or even herself?
Goodreads


Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing bizarre, fantastical stories. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also entertained her creative writing group and baffled her tutors by submitting strange fantasy tales featuring dragons and supernatural monsters to workshops. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).

Now a reluctant graduate, Emma refuses to settle down and be normal. When not embarking on wild excursions, she edits and proofreads novels for various publishing houses and reads an insane number of books. At the age of 21, she signed a publishing contract with Curiosity Quills Press for the first book in her creepy urban fantasy Darkworld series. DARKNESS WATCHING was published in October 2013, the first in a five-book series. Emma’s books tend to contain monsters, magic, and wildly inappropriate humour.

Website: http://emmaladams.weebly.com/Blog: http://throughthegateway.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELAdams12
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ELAdams12
Goodreads profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6563991.Emma_L_Adams
Newsletter: http://weebly.us7.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=1446e15bfe2cb4635fca33970&id=3f4c83dcfa
Come back tomorrow for a post by Lorraine Wilson

12 Days of Christmas ~ Meet Erica Ridley

I want a Kissing Ball for Christmas!
What the heck is a kissing ball?
A kissing ball is the 19th century equivalent of hanging a sprig of mistletoe beneath a doorframe in the hopes of surprising an unsuspecting passer-by with a kiss!

How did that happen??
Kissing balls began as "pomanders" in the Middle Ages—aromatic balls filled with ambergris or other fragrances—and were originally religious keepsakes. Over the centuries, it lost its religious connotation, and in the 1800s was reborn as a holiday decoration with an extra spice: grounds to steal a kiss!

Mmm, sounds naughty!
In The Viscount's Christmas Temptation, spinster Amelia Pembroke finds herself beneath just such a bough of holly with rakish bad-boy Viscount Sheffield. (And it is dee-lish!)
But is he kissing her because they're caught beneath the ball of holly? Or does he want something more than a brief touch of his lips against hers?
FREE: Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | Google

How can I make my own kissing ball?Every parlor, house, or apartment definitely needs one of these for the holidays. I mean, what if Johnny Depp drops by??
Here's what to do:
Create a simple frame by bending wire or connecting a few wire circles.Wrap ivy or other greenery (artificial is fine) around the frame.Decorate with bright red berries, spritz with perfume, and hang with a festive ribbon.Smooch!!! ;-)

Erica Ridley is a USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series, the Dukes of War, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.
Get freebies: www.EricaRidley.com/club99
Find Erica on:



Dec 1-5: Grab my new release for just 99¢!
Oliver York returns from war to find his father dead, his finances in arrears, and himself the new Earl of Carlisle. If he doesn't marry an heiress—and fast!—he and his tenants are going to be pitching tents down by the Thames. He definitely shouldn't be trading kisses with a penniless debutante... no matter how captivating she is!
99¢: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play





Read on for a post by Emma L. Adams

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Want to win a load of books in time for Christmas?

The authors who are taking part in my event, 12 Days of Christmas, have kindly donated two great bundles of prizes that you guys can win. The best thing is that there is something for everyone as there is a US only giveaway and an INT one!

Get entering everyone, and sharing!

US Only


a Rafflecopter giveaway
INT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seasons of Change Box Set Release Day + Giveaway

Seasons of Change Box Set
Books 1-4 + Exclusive Bonus Stories
by Mia Hoddell

Genre: YA Romance
Release date: November 27th 2014

Blurb:
You can now get all four Amazon best-selling novellas in the Seasons of Change series, plus two exclusive short stories, in one box set.

These feel-good contemporary romances follow the seasons as characters change for the better, find themselves, and overcome fears.

All of the novellas are standalone reads, but can be enjoyed as a series because characters overlap. This box set includes:

Summer Demons: Jenna Shaw jumped on a plane and flew to Portugal to try and forget her past. However, forced to deal with her memories due to an ill-timed joke, Jenna’s holiday is derailed by the charismatic Ethan Brooks. She sees him as an annoyance; he sees her as a challenge. And when all of his usual tricks only serve to push her away, Ethan has to work harder than ever if he wants to win over and help his mysterious girl.

Winter Angel: When Amy’s suggestion of a beach holiday is overruled in favour of skiing she couldn’t have predicted it might make her break the one, and only, rule she has: not to commit to a serious relationship again. The minute she sees Luke, she knows something’s wrong, and her desire to fix people means she wants to be the one to help him. However, she didn’t go on holiday to fall for someone, and whether or not she can move past her insecurities will depend on whether Luke can face his biggest fear.

Autumn Ghosts: Only one person knows what truly lies in Ellie Jeffords’ heart, and that’s herself. Hating the course she is studying, Ellie is failing and when a friend’s cousin, Justin, offers to tutor her, she jumps at the chance. However, as the pressure of exams starts to break Ellie, Justin wants her to confide in him. The only problem is that he can’t persuade her to talk without revealing his own dark secret, and forcing Ellie to choose between her parents’ dreams and her own will cost her something she loves.

Spring Knight: Kayleigh Barrow is most comfortable on stage where she can pretend she’s someone else, but when auditions for the latest production are opened up to the entire university, the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur. Thrown together with renowned player, Aiden Hanson, she can’t longer hide her feelings for him. However, he’s never had a serious relationship and Kayleigh refuses to be another conquest. When her acting starts to become real and she can no longer hide behind her character, Kayleigh must decide whether Aiden’s worth the risk, or if he will end up breaking her heart.

Plus 2 exclusive short stories:
Summer Revenge: Jenna promised she’d get Ethan back for his prank, and it’s time to cash in. Read about what happened after the couple left Portugal.
Season of Love: There’s beach fun, flirting, and mischief as all of the Seasons of Change couples take part in a beach competition.




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Spring Knight ExcerptBlack. It was the only colour she could see as she stood on top of the platform. Her vision had tunnelled with the waves of vertigo that hit her body, allowing only the dark colour into her eye line. With the strength of a gale force wind, it pounded on her chest, causing her to stumble back as its icy hold sent a shiver along her spine. The break from seeing the ground wasn’t enough, though. She couldn’t go far enough to feel safe. If she moved more than one step in any direction she would fall.She felt dizzy ... lightheaded.It was the worst possible time to find out she was scared of heights, but maybe it was the thought of jumping rather than the actual distance. Not only did she feel faint, but also sick. Kayleigh didn’t even know how those two actions could combine, but she let out a nervous giggle and hoped another type of blackness would capture her mind before she made a complete fool of herself. It probably made her sound insane, but she couldn’t stop the sound.No longer could she find the answer to why she was on a platform, willing herself to fall. It had seemed logical and easy on the climb up, but now she suddenly felt as if she was standing on top of a building, rather than a few metres in the air. Her heart was pounding in her chest; the rhythm frantic as she urged herself to peer over the edge once more. Palms slick with sweat, her fingers slipping over each other, she twitched nervously as she strained her neck to catch a glimpse of the floor.“I can do this. Just lean back and it will all be over,” she muttered to herself, only adding to the crazy image she had going on.People were shuffling anxiously on the ground, unsettled by her actions. “Block them out, Kayleigh. You can do this,” she chanted ritually under her breath before she inhaled sharply. Slowly counting, she exhaled with a deep sigh when she reached twenty. Her whole body relaxed with the action and Kayleigh closed her eyes, trying to find a sense of peace and stillness. Unfortunately, all it did was make her knees weaker. Reopening her eyes, Kayleigh kept her head up and her chin parallel with the floor. If she didn’t look down, what she was about to do couldn’t scare her … at least that’s what she told herself.Block it out. Everything. Focus on your breathing. It’ll be over in seconds.Taking one last deep breath, her gaze hardened and she picked a spot across the room to focus on. She shuffled to the edge, her bare toes skimming the lip of the platform.She was just about to turn around when something interrupted her focus. A door slammed hard, and into the room walked the last person she expected to see. His cool, blue eyes found hers instantly, holding multiple questions as to why she was doing what she was. Yet Kayleigh didn’t stop to think any further. The last thing she needed was to appear weak in front of him, and she’d only just calmed herself down.Turning, Kayleigh edged back so that only her toes were balanced on the edge, her heels hanging off. She felt like a diver, but with worse balance since her legs had started to shake.She couldn’t hold the position long.“Ready!” she shouted, loud enough to silence the room. Normally she hated being the centre of attention, and wanted to shrink into the darkest corner possible. However, today she would kill anyone who wasn’t focused on her. Today she needed all eyes to be on her or everything was going to end badly.She heard counting below. “Three ... Two ... One ...” As they reached the final number Kayleigh pushed all thoughts from her mind and leaned back, her arms crossed over her chest tightly.
Displacing her weight, her body fell.

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Big News!

Sooo ...

If you've been following my Twitter or Facebook, you'll probably know that I had some great news recently, but I haven't been allowed to reveal it.

It's been killing me to keep it a secret for 2 weeks, but finally I've had the okay and am allowed to tell you because everything has been finalised.

So here's my big news:

On Friday, I signed a contract with Limitless Publishing!!

On November 4th I woke up to an email where they wanted the full manuscript. Obviously, being an insecure author, I sent it off with hope, but told myself nothing would come of it. However, then on November 14th, I woke up to another email saying they would like to offer me a contract.

I don't think I have ever gotten out of bed so quickly! It was the best way to wake up and I seriously couldn't believe it. I will still re-reading the email 6 hours later to check that I hadn't read it wrong, or that it had somehow changed.

Anyway, they have acquired my new urban fantasy thriller and I'm ecstatic to be working with them!

I haven't said much about this book throughout writing and editing, but it's different from my latest work. I've gone back to a darker story and there is also no romance. I can't wait to tell you all more about it!

Happy reading!
Mia
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