Karen Swart's Blog, page 20

Book Blast & Giveaway: Wicked Lustful Tales by @authormariacox

BOOK INFORMATION TITLE – Wicked Lustful Tales, Complete Collection SERIES – Wicked Lustful Tales AUTHOR – Maria Cox GENRE – Sensual Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 5/2014 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 53,724 words PUBLISHER – Melange Books COVER ARTIST – Lynsee Lauritsen BOOK SYNOPSIS **There are 6 short stories in this book.** Stranded During a group cycling vacation in the Caribbean Shana White learns that her boyfriend is moving to New York to further his career without her. With no intention of sulking Shana opts for a day excursion with former beau and fellow cyclist Nick Marino. After a biking accident leaves them stranded the rekindling of an old friendship and memories of their torrid past emerge leaving Shana to struggle with conflicting emotions. Now on the rebound can she afford to seek solace in Nick's arms and risk heartache all over again? The Charity Event With a career in photography about to take off Adam Baxter is at the top of his game. Office buddy Jennifer Silva has been a supportive friend from the start and the two have an easygoing platonic relationship. But when Adam's assistant Nellie singles out Adam's jealous behavior he's forced to analyze his true feelings for beautiful, caring Jennifer. Adam knows all too well that a romantic involvement can complicate matters. So, is Adam ready to put it all on the line and take their friendship to the next level? Snowed In When Nina Bates discloses her pregnancy she's soon shunned by her boyfriend and her mother. Alone and confused Nina turns to her grandmother who suggests she leave her hometown of Seattle and move to Alaska. In Anchorage, divorcee Dexter McIver hires Nina as live-in nanny to his son. An emotional bond develops between them and after Nina delivers her baby the smoldering attraction that existed for months threatens to boil over. With so much at stake should Nina and Dexter go out on a limb for a brief liaison? Phone Sex Advertising executive Gina Blanchard has her hands full with not only a busy conference schedule, but a difficult employee too. Fatigued, she calls her boyfriend Dylan Jessup. He encourages Gina to unwind and experiment with a one of a kind sexual experience. Summer Love Bryn Banks, a city girl at heart, travels to North Dakota for a summer program in rural Coleharbor, North Dakota. There, she works with biologist Kyle Norman, a small town guy. As they work closely together, the relationship becomes intimate. When the summer draws to a close, Bryn urges Kyle to come with her, but he resists. Married and in Lust After three weeks on the road, professional hockey player Ethan Lewis returns home for Thanksgiving. When he sees another man approach his wife Whitney as she waits for him, jealousy and desire take over. Ethan conjures a wild intimate encounter but is he able to persuade a reluctant Whitney to take part? BUY LINKS AMAZON US - AMAZON UK - AMAZON DE - AMAZON FR - AMAZON ES - AMAZON IT - AMAZON NL - AMAZON JP - AMAZON BR - AMAZON CA - AMAZON MX - AMAZON AU - AMAZON IN - SMASHWORDS EXCERPT Excerpt from Stranded:

“My sex life is none of your business.” It was a neutral answer, wasn’t it?

He pulled her toward him with a light tug. “That long, huh?” Nick said with a smug smile.

At that moment, all she wanted to do was to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off his face. Instead, she broke free of his hold and resumed her walk, desperate to reach the pond’s edge.

“I’ll have you know,” she explained, “That Lance and I…we have an intellectual bond.” “Right,” Nick interjected. “Translation, he’s a lousy lay.”

“I never said that!” she wailed and turned to face him.

He waited a second. “You’re not denying it either.”

Finally, the boiling point. “You know,” she said keeping her voice from shaking, “I happen to think on a higher plane than just the physical attraction.”

“Bullshit!” He laughed. “You sound to me like a woman whose well is dry.”

Shana was aghast. Dry well? Her well was fine and dandy thank you very much!

When Nick said nothing else, she stared at him, her eyes sending death rays his way. Inside she was crumbling, falling apart. She was tired, angry and spent, physically and emotionally, and at that moment, she teetered with what to do next, slap Nick across the face or throw herself in his arms.

“Pompous jerk!” Shana declared and stepped back intent on rushing to the edge even if it meant running. In her haste, she slipped on a mossy rock and her legs gave out. “What the…” In a split second, Nick was by her side holding her securely in his arms.

AUTHOR BIO Maria Cox has a degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Computer Applications. She also has an accreditation from the Project Management Institute. Maria has been writing stories since she was a young girl. She picked up her first romance novel when she was just eleven years old and has loved the genre ever since. Her first published novel, Wicked Lustful Tales, Vol. 1 was released in October 2013. Maria enjoys reading different genres but writes primarily sensual romance, stories that showcase characters that are funny, sassy, and sexy. When she’s not writing, Maria works a technical writer. She reads, exercises, and also volunteers. She lives in Queens, New York. Maria is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and a member of RWA-NYC & RWA Desert Rose. She is also is the past President of the Phoenix Writers Club. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – PINTEREST – GOODREADS GIVEAWAY eCopy of Jungle Fever by Maria Cox a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: The Recording Room by @iyanajenna

Presented by: Sparkle book Tours



The Recording Room by Iyana Jenna   Audience: Adult 18+ - Genre: MM Romance Horror - Format: e-book - Publisher: JMS Books - Cover by: Written Ink Designs - Editor: Willem Schutte - Pages: (17, 172 words) - ISBN: 9781611527643 - Date Published: April 5, 2015   Lucian Salvatore returns to Clover East after his grandmother calls him home to take care of the family's recording studio. This is a welcome trip after the tragic loss of his boyfriend.
Nate Lockwood is the man who practically runs the Salvatore studio. He suspects he’s going to be replaced once Lucian comes home to take over the business. But Nate doesn’t plan on leaving Clover East so soon, at least not before he solves the mystery that’s the real reason he came to the small town in the first place.
Will Nate be able to discover what happened to his aunt who disappeared in Clover East so many years ago? What does her disappearance have to do with Lucian’s family ... and the haunted recording room in the studio where they both work?

JMS Books / Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes and Noble          "You have family here? Clover East is such a small town. I don't visit often but I think I know who all the families are around here."
Nate was tempted to ask if Lucian knew Janette Madison, Nate's aunt, but he was afraid it would be too soon, too abrupt.
"Nah, I don't have family here," he said instead. "I had just thought one of my aunts stopped by this town, but I'm not so sure myself." There, he had said it.
"You haven't had any news from your aunt?"
"No."
"You mean she's missing or something?" Lucian frowned.
"Honestly, I don't know if she's missing or just doesn't want to be found."
"Did your family ask you to find her?"
Nate played with his bottle. He wouldn't look at Lucian. "No one asked me to locate her because there's no one else out there. She's the only family I have left. That's why I wanted to find her."
Neither spoke after that. When Nate lifted his head, he found Lucian staring blankly at a spot on the table. He wanted to ask about him instead but Nate couldn't bring himself to open his mouth. His mind was whirling with the thoughts that until now, years after he first came to this city, he still couldn't find Aunt Janette.
Nate,
I'm sorry about your loss and I'm very sorry I didn't come to the funeral. I was halfway around the continent and I was quite short of money. But don't worry about me. I met someone and he asked me to go live with him. I don't know if you've heard of Clover East, a small town in Illinois? I hadn't, before this. But I have a good feeling about this place, Nate. If you ever want to come to stay with me, you'll be more than welcome.
"No, she's definitely missing," he said suddenly.
"Excuse me?" Lucian looked startled. Nate didn't blame him.
"She sent me a letter, literally inviting me to be with her."
"What do you mean -- be with you?"
"She met a man who asked her to come to Clover East. She understood I had just lost everyone so she wanted me to stay with her. She sounded so happy at that time. There were no signs that she wanted to hide. Something bad must have happened to her."
"Did she mention any names?"
Nate shook his head, and practically jumped when Lucian clasped a hand over his. When did he get so close?
"You're not alone anymore. We'll search for your aunt and we're going to find her. Together."
Nate gawked, first at the hand that was warm against his skin and then up to Lucian’s soft green eyes. The man was nothing like the cold, arrogant one Nate had met earlier that morning. He was almost afraid at the sudden change.
"Uh, thank you, I guess?"
"Does my grandma know about this?"
"No, I never told her."
"Why didn't you?"
Nate had never thought about why it had not crossed his mind to talk to Helen about it. She had never asked him why he came to the town, thus, he didn't feel the need to mention it.
"I don't know," he said simply to Lucian.
Lucian pursed his lips. "I just thought it might help, you know. She's lived here all her life. She must notice when there's a newcomer in town, especially when the person suddenly disappears."
"I found it strange," Nate said slowly, "that no one seemed to hear or see anything about her. It's like she never set foot in this place."
"Are you sure she was really here?"
Nate said nothing and took out his cell-phone. He opened the picture albums and scrolled down until he found what he was looking for. He showed the picture to Lucian, who scrutinized it like a doctor checking on a patient on an operation table. Nate could almost see through Lucian's eyes his aunt smiling at the camera, her long black locks blown by the wind. She posed in Clover East's city square in front of a group of tables belonging to a café there.
"She was alone."
"Yeah." Nate knew exactly what Lucian was thinking. If she'd been with someone, they might have been able to recognize them.
"I wonder who took the picture."
"She could've simply asked a passerby to do it."
"You're right." Lucian gave him back the cell phone. "She only sent you that?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"So she was really here but we have no idea for how long and whom she met."
"I was worried about her." Nate sighed, and when he looked up, Lucian's eyes bored into his.
"We'll tell my grandma when she's home and start an extensive search."
Nate didn't know what to say. He felt as if he was drowning in Lucian's gaze.
"O-okay," he said finally, after he realized Lucian had cleared his throat several times, awaiting his response.
"Good." Lucian heaved a deep breath and stretched out, pulling his arms high above his head, and Nate was unable to keep his eyes off the scrumptious sight. "So, will you stay for dinner?"
 

 

Character Name: Lucian Salvatore

Character Bio: Heir of the richest woman in town, Lucian Salvatore is an early twenty-something young man with light blond hair and greenish brown eyes who gets called home to take care of the family’s radio station.

 

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

My best and worst quality. Let’s see. I’m a bit impatient but I’m also very passionate.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

I wish … everybody knew I liked Nate the moment I saw him there at my grandma’s office.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

Excuse me? I can’t tell you. It’s a secret, isn’t it?

What are you most afraid of?

After what happened to Payton, I’m so afraid of losing people. I just can’t imagine living without someone you love.

What do you want more than anything?

I have everything I’ve got right now. I don’t want anything else, thank you.

What is your relationship status?

(smile) I’m taken.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Having Helen Salvatore as your grandma certainly has some perks. You get to wear the best suits from world-famous designers.

How much of a rebel are you?

Not as much as my Uncle Frank, obviously.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

That will be to be Nate’s boyfriend.

What is your idea of happiness?

Lying on the beach, cuddling with your boyfriend, by the bluest ocean

What is your current state of mind?

What are you, Dr. Phil?

What is your most treasured possession?

I’m not sure what he’s going to say to be called ‘possession,’ but this time it’s definitely Nate.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m persistent, that’s it.

What is it that you, most dislike?

Being cheated on, being lied to.

Which living person do you, most despise?

My Uncle Frank, obviously.

What is your greatest regret?

My greatest regret… Oh no. Please, I don’t want to talk about it.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Tough. Like my grandma.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

James Bond

Which living person do you most admire?

My grandma

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Nothing. I know I have regrets but I believe things happen for a reason. I’m happy what I am and what I have right now.

What is your motto?

Do your best, or die trying.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Iyana writes M/M short stories and novellas. Her works have been published by Evernight Publishing, JMS Books, Books to Go Now, Torquere Press, Bitten Press, Leap of Faith Publishing, Breathless Press, and Alfie Dog Fiction.
Iyana lives in Jakarta, a city famous for its traffic jams, a lot of cars and motorcycles, and people selling stuff on the roads. You can spend two hours on the road going to a place you can reach in half an hour in a normal situation. Thanks to the traffic jams, though, Iyana can come up with a lot of stories, mostly shorties, as she prefers to spend the time during her trips writing into her cell phone rather than sleeping.
Another thing Iyana loves is kitties. Right now she has three of them. Their names are Cil, Horus, and Betsy, and one kitten. When she doesn’t write, she plays with them, or they would play with her when she writes.

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Book Blast–Secret Worlds Box Set by various bestselling authors

      Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

  Secret Worlds Box Set
Authors: A.J. Colby, Aimee Easterling, Angel Lawson, Caethes Faron, Catherine Stine, Conner Kressley Debbie Herbert, J.E. Taylor, Kate Corcino, Katie Salidas, Kyoko M., L.G. Castillo, Linsey Hall, Lisa Swallow, Lucy Leroux, Noree Cosper, Rachel McClellan, Rainy Kaye, Rebecca Hamilton, Samantha LaFantasie, Susan Stec   Audience: New Adult/Adult - Genre: Steamy/Hot Paranormal Romance - Format: e-book boxed set - Publisher: Bestselling Boxed Sets - Cover by: Rebecca Hamilton - Editor: Various - Pages: Over 5000 pages - ASIN: B00VOAGK0Y Expected Date of Publishing: Pre-Order Available now for special price guarantee ($0.99) will be delivered on release date of 6/29.       From Twenty-One USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Authors Secret Worlds - A Steamy Paranormal Romance Boxed Set
What's Inside   *COMPLETE, FULL-LENGTH BOOKS! NO CLIFFHANGERS!*
Professionally Edited and Formatted for Quality Assurance. Limited Edition. Sale Ends Soon!   SECRET WORLDS Secret Worlds, a best-selling boxed set of spicy paranormal reads, is brought to you by twenty-one USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Authors! With twenty-one stories and over a million enchanting words of fiction, this paranormal romance boxed set will keep you spellbound. Dive through Secret Worlds and into the arms of heroes who will steal your heart and leave you hot.   Ready to Turn Up the Heat? Whether you love paranormal romance that warms you up or sets you on fire, this boxed set will have something to entice your preternatural sensibilities. Supernaturally thrilling and engaging, this boxed set has it all: ghosts, vampires, mind-readers, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, werewolves, and more. For a limited, you can enjoy books from today's USA Today and Amazon Bestselling, including titles that are slated for the big screen! When purchased separately, these books cost over $50! But they are yours today for less than $1. Every selection in this rare, limited edition paranormal romance boxed set are full-length novels and novellas! Save over $50! This set is only available at this price for a limited time, so order your copy before it's gone!   Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks    
From USA Today Bestselling Authors Taken by the Beast by Conner Kressley and Rebecca Hamilton Women are going missing. Women who look a lot like Charisse. And the man this beauty is falling for may be the beast responsible. The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton Sophia's ancestor's body went missing during the Salem Witch Trials, and the only one able to help solve the mystery is a shapeshifter Sophia is afraid to trust. Summoned by Rainy Kaye Dimitri can't reveal the paranormal bond controlling him, and Syd won't tolerate his secrets. Purgatory by Susan Stec A sex-hungry myth with no name, no flesh, and no identity ...unless it wears one of you. The Pandora Principle by Noree Cosper As a descendant of Pandora, Cassi must discover if her lover is one of the evil spirits she hunts before all her friends die. Heart Song by Samantha LaFantasie When incredibly handsome Marren frees Relena, there's a catch.  
From Amazon Bestselling Authors Changeling by Debbie Herbert As a changeling and a witch work together to restore order in Fairy, they discover that love, like magic, casts its own spell of enchantment. Shiftless by Aimee Easterling After years of suppressing her inner predator, Terra meets a shifter who forces her to reclaim her wilder side. The Black Parade by Kyoko M. Poltergeist Michael is the key to saving Jordan's soul from hell, but can she handle the cost of her salvation? Haunting Echoes by Caethes Faron Will Amaia's vampire clan kill her ex-fiance before she learns whether he returned from the grave for love or revenge? Braving Fate by Linsey Hall Diana and Cadan fight demonic forces and a deadly passion that has lasted centuries. Trinity Rising by J.E. Taylor Damian and Naomi are desperate for victory against the devil, but one wrong step couldtrigger Armageddon. Moonlight by Katie Salidas Good girls don't wear fur, fight over men, or run around naked, howling at the moon. But Fallon's not a good girl. Lash by L.G. Castillo Lash, a fallen angel, must choose where to place his trust--in a home he fought so hard to regain or in a forbidden love he can't bear to lose. Between by Lisa Swallow Alek could kill Rose with a kiss. Finn, with a touch. Pulled into an intense affair with Alek, Rose discovers her connection to Finn threatens them all. The Devil's Fool by Rachel McClellan When vampire Boaz gives Eve the one thing she never had--love--she falls into a world of greed and seduction. Spark Rising by Kate Corcino A runaway Spark and the agent arresting her ignite a revolution to end their people's enslavement while resisting the electricity between them. Ruby's Fire by Catherine Stine On the run from a desert cult, Ruby must choose which handsome stranger to trust with her heart and her darkest secret: Armonk or Blane. Cursed by Lucy Leroux Governess Isobel Sterling has been hiding an uncanny ability her whole life--until she has to use it to save herself from a madman. Hunted by A.J. Colby With Agent Holbrook's help, Riley races time to stay ahead of a crazed werewolf killer. Vigilant by Angel Lawson Ari stumbles into a world of crime and vigilantism while discovering the one man that sets her heart on fire.  

Book Blast & Giveaway- Shattered by JL Drake

      SHATTERED
After witnessing the murder of her lover and the heartbreaking loss of their unborn child, Savannah wants to end it all.
Then she is given a second chance at love.
Sadly, even when life hands you second chances it doesn’t always follow that things will work out the way you want them to.
Some lies can just be too painful to move on from.
What’s worse than being Broken?   Shattered…
    Excerpt:   “I’m sorry for what happen to you, but I’ll never be sorry for tracking you down and failing in love with you.”

  Buy Links   US: http://amzn.to/1zxM2dB   UK: http://amzn.to/1IeiTqO CAN: http://amzn.to/1GXjJW2    
About this author


J.L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada and later moved to Southern California where she lives with her husband and two children.

She released her first novel "What Lurks in the Dark" in June 2014 but after the series got picked up by a publisher it was pulled. It will return late 2015. "Bunker 219" is found in the Unleash the Undead Anthology. Her "Broken" Trilogy is being released now, as well as, "All In," in the Second Chances anthology comes in June 2015.

Other places to find her,   www.facebook.com/JLDrakeauthor www.goodreads.com/JLDrake www.instagram.com/j.l.drake www.twitter.com/jodildrake_j     Book 1 Broken buy links: US: http://amzn.to/1zFF4mX UK: http://amzn.to/1GRiLIc CAN: http://amzn.to/1H1NKUp   Giveaway  Ebook of Broken or Shattered by J.L. Drake

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Ghost Love by Nelli Rees

 

 

Ghost Love

Nelli Rees

Genre: Romance (with a hint of the paranormal)

Publisher: Phaze

Date of Publication: 20th January 2015

ISBN: ISBN-13 978-1-60659-849-8

ASIN: B00SNYRXH8

Number of pages: 332

Word Count: 90,000

Cover Artist: Niki Browning

Book Description:

In the madcap, chaotic days when Communism crumbled in the USSR, Tonia meets and falls in love with Englishman, Peter Monroe. Despite the protests of her family and the more strenuous

objections of the KGB Tonia agrees to marry Peter only for him to mysteriously disappear.

Twenty years later a life-toughened Toni must revisit these bitter-sweet memories when she finds herself and her daughters endangered by the consequences of that love affair.

In her despair Toni comes to realise that true love really does conquer all … even death.

Available at Phaze Amazon BN ARe

Present Day: Dorset, England

Excitement being a kindred spirit to fear, Toni was undecided as to whether it was a trickle of fear she felt shivering down her spine or a trickle of excitement.

As she sat staring at the screen of her laptop, the darkness shrouding the room seemed to draw in on her: her head swam, her palms became clammy. Tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked them away, hoping that by doing so the message on her screen would disappear. It didn’t.

Peter Monroe wants to be friends on Facebook

Hesitantly she maneuvered the cursor over the ‘connect’ button and pressed ‘enter.’ The screen mutated to show the Facebook page for ‘Peter Monroe.’ It was Peter! She recognized the profile photograph instantly. She’d taken it. She remembered posing him in front of the bandstand in Gorki Park on that spring day back in 1990, remembered laughing at the stupid faces he pulled, remembered the way his long chestnut hair flopped over his forehead, remembered…

How could she forget? He had been her one true love.

Love. A word made empty by misuse…by overuse. She wondered how many had ever endured the touch of real love, that soul-eviscerating sensation that comes when you know you have found your soul-mate. Very few, she decided. Perhaps this was all for the good: true love brought anguish in equal measure to joy. As the last twenty years had taught her, finding true love was a bitter-sweet blessing. Her fingers trembled as she typed.

Is it really you, Peter?

The reply was instantaneous.

Yes…I’ve missed you, Tonia.

She couldn’t stop herself: the tears flowed down her cheeks.

But…

She paused, terrified that what she would type next might cause this marvelous mirage to vanish.

But I thought you were dead.

The seconds ticked by, then:

I am.

Character Name:

Hi, I’m Tonia Voronina, and I’m the lead character in Nelli Rees’ first novel “Ghost Love”.

Character Bio:

I was born in Moscow, USSR and grew up as a music-obsessed kid.  But a career as a concert pianist never quite happened so I opted to study English and Linguistics at the Moscow University of Linguistics. That’s where I am in October 1989 when “Ghost Love” begins, just when the USSR is in meltdown and things are getting very chaotic. Into the classroom walks the oh-so-handsome Peter Monroe, an English exchange student. Kismet! Unfortunately it’s a relationship that isn’t popular with my friends, the university or, more seriously, with the KGB …

A picture of me?

 If I could pick the star who would play me on the silver screen it would be Olga Kurylenko, you remember her best from her role in “Quantum of Solace” in 2008.

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

My worst quality: lack of confidence coupled with chronic shyness. It seems terrible to have to say this when I’m living in what is, after all, a Communist country but Orwell was right: all men (and women) might be equal but some are more equal than others. And after a lifetime being told you’re somehow second rate it’s difficult not to start believing it.

My best quality: grim determination. Despite everything I got into the best language university in the USSR … and had the most handsome man in the world fall in love with me.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

That Peter Monroe is my boyfriend.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

That Peter Monroe IS my boyfriend.

Before the English students came to the university I remember what Zoya Mikhailovna (my English professor) said:

‘You have been granted a special privilege because you are the top group in the University and are considered politically sound, true members of Komsomol. As a reward for your hard work and diligent study, a weekly lesson has been organized with the young visitors from the Capitalist world in order that you might perfect your spoken English. But I hope I do not need to make clear that you all must demonstrate vigilance during these classes, that you must not give in to any Capitalist incitements or succumb to their specious propaganda. Rather you must use these classes as an opportunity to prove to our British guests the superiority of the Soviet, socialist, way of life especially when compared to their rotting Capitalism. You must not accept any presents from them, not converse with them on any subject that might be construed as trivial or anti-socialist and above all, must not …’ Zoya Mikhailovna struggled with the nature of what she was about to suggest, ‘… enter into a personal relationship with them. To do so would be to put your place in this University at risk. Remember, you are ambassadors of your Socialist motherland and must justify the trust placed in you by the University’s Party organization.’

What are you most afraid of?

The KGB finding out I’m dating a foreigner.

What do you want more than anything?

To be with Peter. This will be difficult but there is hope. This is what Peter said to me:

‘The good news is that I think I’ve found a way of getting you a visa and when I get back to England I’ll finally be able to sort things out. I won’t lie to you: it’s going to be tricky and it’s going to take time especially as my father has been very difficult.’ A wry laugh. ‘That’s not your problem, Tonia, so I won’t burden you with it. What I’m trying to say is that though we might be apart for a few months you must never doubt me. I want you to know four things. First, that I love you.’

‘I love you too, Peter,’ echoed Tonia.

‘Second: I need you. I only feel complete when I’m with you, Tonia. You are my soul-mate and without you I am only half-alive.’

Tonia looked up into Peter’s face. His expression was serious and his eyes had become darker. He took her hands into his.

‘Third: I’ll come back to you. You must know that this might take a little while but I will come back. I promise.’

Tonia saw the anguish Peter was feeling. He was steeling himself – and her – for the troubles to come, troubles both with his family and with the Soviet and British authorities.

‘And last … you must always know that we will be together.’ He kissed Tonia again. ‘Those are the four things you must never forget: I love you, I need you, I’ll come back for you and we’ll always be together.’

What is your relationship status?

Single but hopelessly in love.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Terrible. I’m living on a student grant of 45 Roubles a month (that’s about $60) plus what I earn giving piano lessons, so as you might imagine there isn’t much left over for clothes … anyway there’s nothing worth buying in the shops. Most of my clothes I make myself. I have one special dress though, the black one Peter gave me to wear when I sing in ‘Mister Twister’ jazz club. It was made by a funny company called Armani. You can check me out (or rather my alter ego, Nelli) singing Marlene Dietrich’s ‘Falling In Love Again’ on youtube.

How much of a rebel are you?

That’s a funny question. I never thought of myself as a rebel but I suppose I am … a sort of sotto voce rebel. I always follow my heart no matter what obstacles are put in front of me and like I say I can be VERY determined. Yes, only a rebel would fall in love with an Englishman … only a rebel would defy the KGB and the Komsomol Committee.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Getting into the Moscow University of Linguistics. Everyone apart from me came from a school specializing in foreign languages … I did it the hard way through night school.

What is your idea of happiness?

Being free to follow my heart.

What is your current state of mind?

Confused: everything in the USSR is topsy-turvy at the moment. Communism is crumbling, capitalism is coming and all the old certainties are gone. It’s a country that wants to be free but hasn’t quite got the courage to be free. It’s a dangerous time.

What is your greatest regret?

Nothing. The past is past and what’s done is done.  I refuse to repine about that which I cannot repair. Like Edit Piaf sang, “Je ne regret de rien”.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Loyalty (and broad shoulders!)

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Loyalty

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Athos (from Dumas’s “The Three Musketeers”) – loyalty personified … and mean and moody with it.

Which living person do you most admire?

Margaret Thatcher.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Stop being so shy!

What is your motto?

Follow Your Heart.

 

 

 

Prize 1: "Pink Flowers" Necklace from Nelli’s "Jewelry for All Seasons" collection (handmade lampwork beads, sterling silver findings, crystals and hand dyed silk ribbon);

Prize 2: "Malachite Mystery" Pendant and earrings (handmade lampwork beads, sterling silver findings and chain, crystals);

Prize 3: "Tiger! Tiger!" Earrings (handmade lampwork beads, sterling silver findings, crystals);

Prizes 4-7: Bookmarks with glass bead ornamentation (handmade lampwork beads, crystals, steel dividers);

Prize 8: Signed paperback copy of 'Ghost Love';

Prize 9: Signed copy of Nelli’s book 'Glass Bead Jewelry Projects';

Prize 10 - 14: Signed promo copies of Nelli’s album 'Jazz Noir'.

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Nelli Rees, born in Moscow, trained as a linguist and a musician. With her future husband Englishman Rod she worked and travelled around Russia, finally coming to live in England in 1998. Nelli has had several successful careers: recording a critically acclaimed nu-jazz album “Jazz Noir”, becoming an award-winning jewellery maker, writing a book “Glass Bead Jewelry Projects”, and doing all this whilst being a mother and a wife. “Ghost Love” is Nelli’s first novel and draws heavily on her own experiences as a young woman in Soviet Russia and the obstacles she and her husband-to-be faced during those difficult times.

www.ghostlovebynellirees.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/nellirees.author

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/32558285-nelli-rees

Video of Nelli performing "Falling In Love Again":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2J5Phukc8Y

Cover Reveal–Returned by @MiaFoxBooks

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Returned SERIES – Romani Realms AUTHOR – Mia Fox GENRE – Paranormal Romance PUBLICATION DATE – June 13 PUBLISHER – Evatopia Press COVER ARTIST – Eden Crane

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Returning to the Romani Realms was the last thing they wanted...

Samantha defied death and returned home from the Romani Realms, but a piece of her heart remained. She never expected to find love in the forsaken purgatory, but meeting Daniel, a permanent resident of the Realms, was a salvation she cherished.

Charlotte wants nothing more than to make a life with Phineas, the demon gypsy who holds her heart dear. They have finally put past atrocities behind them, along with Phineas’ allegiance to his former lover, Raven. But their future depends on finding their way back to Shadow, the infant that will one day be born from their union, but for now resides as a young child in the Romani Realms.

As a genie, Suki has watched over Samantha and Charlotte, while James, her Shade and supernatural protector, has patiently supported her. But his duty to her and their entire relationship threatens to end when one Releasor is discovered to harbor corrupt wishes.

Each one has reasons to stay, but is equally justified in wanting to go back. Their choice may be an irrevocable one, but ultimately they decide to be...Returned.

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GOODREADS

EXCERPT

“Daniel, don’t take any stupid risks...not for me.”

“What do you mean? ‘Not for you’ I don’t offer these superior surroundings to just anybody.”

“Seriously, Daniel. I heard what you did. Be careful.” Raven looked him in the eye, and then, surprising both of them, tears started to slide down her cheeks. “Oh, not again. Damn I hate how this place wreaks havoc on one’s emotions. It...it doesn’t mean anything.”

Daniel reached a hand and ever so slowly wiped the tears off her cheek. But then, he was unable to just remove his hand. He couldn’t bring himself to break the contact with Raven. “It’s not true, you know.”

“What’s not true?” Raven punctuated the question with a hearty sniff and slurp of her tears.

Daniel chuckled at the lack of her normally reserved demeanor. Normally so in control of her emotions, Raven sobbed once more. “You’re crying because you care for me.”

AUTHOR BIO

Mia Fox is a Los Angeles-based novelist who writes across varied genres including Contemporary and Paranormal Romance, Chick Lit, and Satire. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from U.S.C.

Before writing full time, she worked as an entertainment publicist, a career she chronicles in her novel, “Alert the Media.” However, she is happy to leave that world behind her, preferring that any drama in her life is only that which she creates for her characters.

She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, three children, Casey, the Wonder Westie, and Bean, his brother. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE/BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ – PINTEREST – TUMBLR – GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY PRIZE

A signed copy of “Released,” the first book in this series.

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Featuring three filthy tales from K.I. Lynn, N. Isabelle Blanco, and Elena M. Reyes #giveaway

Featuring three filthy tales from K.I. Lynn, N. Isabelle Blanco, and Elena M. Reyes   Dirty Word by Elena M. Reyes
Summary:
***Mature Audience. Over 18+*** Devin Andrews had it all. Everything but the one woman he coveted. He wanted her in the sickest of ways—yearned for those dirty words she used to entice him, drive him mad with hunger...need.
Taken from his rib to create perfection, he found love and the one woman born to be his. How far will he go to take ownership of what’s always been his? To what cost? Once with her, how do you seduce a woman you've never met?
You don’t. You just take.


Tempt by K.I. Lynn
Summary:
Dean Sampson can’t stop fantasizing about his intern, Alyssa Lockley. He’s counting down they days until she’s gone and out of his life.  It’s not that he doesn't want her, but there’s more than one problem keeping him for taking her and being his intern isn't one of them.  First, his co-worker and best friend, Cooper, is her big brother. He’s going through a horrid divorce. Then add in that Alyssa is only nineteen and he’s thirty three, and it all spells disaster for Dean.  Will he take the apple from his Eve and succumb to her temptation?


Systematic Siege: Provocative Tendencies #1
Summary:
He was the player. The most popular guy in high school. In other words, the stereotypical heartbreaker that every girl died for.
She was one of the nerds. The outcast teased and shunned by the popular kids in school. In other words, him and his crew.
He always wanted her, she just never knew it . . .
In order to maintain his popularity, he buried those feelings deep, deep down in the pit of his miserable little soul.
That is, until one night he lost control.
They both did.
Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones that knew it. What his friends ended up doing with the knowledge would scar her for the next seven years of her life.
And leave him wrecked, dealing with years of agony because he’d lost her.
High School graduation came and went, and they never saw each other again.
Now, seven years later, Andrew’s stepped in and taken his father’s place as CEO of his family’s company, Drevlow Systems, Inc.
Along with the new position comes a host of perks . . . and a brand new systems genius working as the head of his company’s IT department.
An IT genius that just happens to be the one woman he never forgot.
She hasn't forgotten him or his reputation either and she wants nothing to do with him.
He’s determined to have her—she’s determined to see him burn in hell before that happens.
What ensues takes the term War of the Sexes to a whole new level.
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Book Blast & Interview: The Venetian Job by Sally Gould

 

 

 

 

The Venetian Job

The Max Books

Book 3

Sally Gould

Genre: Middle Grade Action & Adventure

Publisher: Orbis Media

Date of Publication: March 2015

ISBN: 9780994182746

ASIN: B00QY0ACJY

Number of pages: 108

Word Count: approx. 20,000 words

Cover Artist: Dane at eBook Launch

Book Description:

In 'Mafia Encounter', when Max is on a family holiday in Sicily, he and Charlie notice the mafia seem to be following them. Are they related to the mafia boss? Will they have to learn the business? Will their lives ever be the same?

In 'The Venetian Job', Max desperately wants bad guys and action, so he’ll have a good story to tell when he goes back to school. He and Charlie hang out with their policeman uncle, but there doesn’t seem to be a bad guy in Venice. Then in a Palace on the Grand Canal, Max notices something that doesn’t make sense. Will Max get bad guys and action after all?

Available at Amazon iTunes BN Kobo

Sharing a hotel with a mafia boss – even if he was a little old man – didn’t make me feel safe and warm inside. I could feel my stomach doing somersaults while we waited for the elevator. I wondered if Charlie was nervous too. He wouldn’t admit it, even if he were.

Eventually there was a ping and the doors of the elevator opened. It was empty. That was good. Well, it was good as long as no mafia guys got in before we got out.

“I think I’ll do fifty laps,” said Charlie, after the elevator doors closed.

“What about Marco Polo? I want to say we played Marco Polo in Italy.”

He looked at me like I was stupid. “Marco Polo came from Venice; Italy wasn’t a country back then.”

Trust him to turn something fun into a history lesson. “Yeah, whatever.”

The doors of the elevator opened and we followed the signs to the pool. It was an indoor pool, there were three lanes and it was probably about fifteen metres long – long enough for races. I knew as soon as I saw it that Charlie would want to race.

At first I didn’t see anyone in the pool, but then I noticed a figure push off from the edge. Geez, I wanted to have the whole pool to ourselves. Then I saw two men in black suits sitting at the side of the pool. The bad feeling in my gut came back. At first I didn’t recognize them because they weren’t wearing sunglasses. One of them got up and came over to us as Charlie and me were stripping down to our swimmers. I could barely take off my shorts, I was shaking so much.

The man in black was tall and he had big shoulders. He said something to us in Italian.

Charlie said, “Parla inglese?”

I knew that meant, Do you speak English? I hadn’t worked out how Charlie could say four English words in only two Italian words.

“Come back to swim later,” ordered the man in black.

“Sure,” I said and began to put my shorts back on. I wasn’t stupid. I knew from school that if someone three times bigger told me to do something, it was best to do it.

“We’re staying at the hotel. We’re allowed to use the pool.” Charlie folded his arms.

Was he crazy? “We can go back to our room and watch the wrestling,” I said to him. “Let’s go.”

The man in black leaned toward Charlie and said very softly, “Mr. Petruzzelli owns hotel.”

Mr. P must’ve been Mr. Mafia in the pool. That was good enough for me. I was out of here. If Charlie wanted to stay and get his head blown off, that was his business. Real casual, I began to walk back toward the elevator.

I heard a voice behind me. “Boy! You stop!”

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

No, as a child I loved reading. My parents used to worry because I was always reading and in their opinion I didn’t play outside enough. When I was young I wanted to be an astronomer, but then I ended up being a corporate lawyer. It was only some time after having my second son that I began writing.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

When I enrolled in a writing course and spent lots of time with other writers.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I signed a contract for my first book in 2005 and it was released in 2007. My agent had submitted it to publishers for several years before it was accepted, so it took a while. It is a picture book for 3 - 5 year olds titled, Charlotte and Me. My youngest son was in kindergarten and he was in love with a girl from Paris. She returned to Paris and he was very upset. He stomped his foot and said, “I’m going to catch a plane to Paris and I’m bringing her home.” My heart broke and many years later I wrote the story.

 

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

The Venetian Job is the third book in ‘The Max Books’. Max is on a family holiday in Italy and he gets his wish for bad guys and action.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

My next series is also for middle grade readers, however it’s science fiction. I love science fiction, but I’ve surprised myself by writing in that genre.

What genre would you place your books into?

All my books are for children and most are middle grade fiction. Sometimes I write picture books.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

As a mother, I spent a lot of time reading to my sons. My oldest son was a reluctant reader, so I made a big effort discovering books he loved. That led me to writing for reluctant boy readers.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

Max is definitely my favorite. When he gets up to mischief in a story it’s funny, whereas in real life it’s anything from annoying to He’s grounded for life!

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I enrolled in a writing course when my youngest son was in primary school. Fairly quickly, I realized that writing for children was for me and my sons provided much of the inspiration.

Where do you write?

I write in my study with the sun shining through the window. My dogs lie at my feet while I write, so it’s a nice environment.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Yes, if I’m aware of them I read them.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I write the book and then choose the title.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

In The Venetian Job the places are all real, so I didn’t have to invent them. The same applies to Outback Hero, the second Max Book, which is set in Outback Australia. With characters, I always choose names that I like.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

Most of my books are in paperback, but I love to read eBooks on my Kindle because it’s so light and the backlighting makes it so easy to read.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

Some do and some don’t. When you love a book, it’s such a relief when it works well as a movie. I love all the Harry Potter movies and more recently, I think ‘The Book Thief’ was a terrific adaptation.

 

 

Sally Gould loved books from a young age, but never considered writing them. While she was busy getting up to the mischief that teenagers get up to, she forgot about books all together. Then total insanity took hold and she became a corporate lawyer.

Fortunately, she had two sons and they inspired her to write stories for children. Of course, her oldest son is responsible, logical, studious, considerate, grateful and even makes his bed. The youngest one is only interested in having fun - lots of it. And, except for his teachers, he makes everyone laugh. Their antics have inspired many of Sally's stories. Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family and two dogs - Pebbles, who is sensible, and Jade, who just wants to have fun.

Website: www.sallygould.com.au

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/sallygould

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5010299.Sally_Gould

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

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: After Life Lessons by Laila Blake and L.C. Spoering

 

 

 

After Life Lessons

Book Two

Laila Blake and L.C. Spoering

Genre: post apocalyptic

Publisher: Lilt Literary

Date of Publication: April 28, 2015

Number of pages: 350

Word Count: 95.000

Cover Artist: Laila Blake

Book Description:

Years after the end of the world, the scattered survivors have begun to reconcile with their fate and are starting to build communities from the rubble. Life has been kind to Aaron and Emily, and maybe it is that infusion of hope that leads them on a winter trip to search for Aaron’s family. But the world outside their little haven has grown harsher, the conditions rough and dangerous.

Not everybody they meet on their journey allowed the grim realities to harden their hearts, however. Malachi and Kenzie - an easy-going drifter with a bum leg and amnesia, and a teenage girl who has lost everyone and everything - are on an ill-conceived mission to Mexico, while Iago and his band of nomads work to forge trading connections between the small settlements of the south.

All of them will discover new nightmares on the road, far surpassing the threat of the last rotting zombies still roaming the countryside. And now they must come together to fight for peace and justice in the world they trying to rebuild.

Warning: This novel contains language some might find offensive, some gore and situations of a sexual nature. Reader's discretion is advised.

It was in the symmetry, of course. In the fifteen shocks of hair that fluttered in the breeze, as it swept a few leaves across the square. In the thirty pairs of shoes, all pointing up at the grey sky.

Emily took another step closer. She could hear her blood sloshing in her head, like she was underwater and she moved back again, turned away to watch Song. Sparrow started to fuss: even she could tell something was wrong. Very, very wrong. For once, Emily had no interest to investigate, no need to see what they could scavenge. She just wanted to pack up her children and run.

“Aaron,” she hissed. He was walking down the line of corpses, his shoulders stiff with anger, or grief, or maybe shattered faith. “Aaron!”

For the first time since their first days together, Aaron was a wall. He didn’t turn back to her, not until she was almost stomping her feet and biting her lip to keep from screaming. His gaze was blank when he did.

“They were executed.” His voice sounded like it was coming from the bottom of a well.

A shiver ran down her spine, and she found herself reaching for him. Her hand stilled in mid-air as though she’d only just noticed that he was much too far away. The breeze stirred the hairs on her arm and she let it sink, cradled her hand around Sparrow’s tiny head in a vestigial instinct to shield her.

“How… how do you know?” she asked, voice hardly loud enough to travel across the square.

He breathed in so deep, she found herself worrying about his ribs, imagined them crackling under the strain. He shook his head, nodded towards the ground.

“Hands are bound with zip ties,” he said eventually. “Looks like they were beaten before…”

“Come back here,” Emily said again, more urgently this time. “Please, baby.”

She could have been watching a movie, or one of those terrible war reports she remembered on the news from Before, the ones she would switch off before Song had time to understand what they were about. It occurred to her, then, that Aaron could have been one of those soldiers in the reports she was lucky enough to switch away from, replace his face with Big Bird, with John Cleese.

“There’s more behind the house,” he said in a monotone. She didn’t follow his gaze. “Must have been the entire neighborhood.”

“But… why?” Emily shook her head at herself almost immediately. Annika had been right: she had gotten cocky. She had forgotten all the things she’d seen after the end, before Aaron had made her forget that humans could be a disease upon the world, far more dangerous than the dead.

She sent one long last glance at Song, then she stepped out of his line of sight, hurried to Aaron’s side as quietly, as quickly as she could. She reached for his hand, squeezed it tight.

Her eyes were drawn downward almost against her will. They hadn’t wasted bullets. She stared at a line of fifteen gaping slits in fifteen throats, like fifteen twisted smiles. “They haven’t been dead for long, have they?”  

He tipped his head back and seemed to peer directly into the bare late autumn sun before he looked back at the blood at their feet. “A week maybe,” he said. “Probably less. Hardly decomposed at all.”

She tightened her hold on his hand, tugged once.

“We can’t stay here.” She enunciated every word, slowly, quietly, trying to get through to him. They had slept peacefully, less than half an hour away from this spot. They’d had no idea. “Aaron. We can’t stay here.”

He didn’t respond right away, and it made her heart pound harder in her chest. There had been a night, years before, when he’d told her he’d never really talked about his time in the desert, that he’d never seen the point, and though she’d disagreed, they’d never spoken of it again. She wanted to kick herself now.

“Aaron,” she said, voice terse. “Song and Sparrow.” He finally stirred with those words.

“Get ‘em back in the trailer,” he instructed.

 

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

Laila Blake: I had some vague notions of studying medicine, but even then I wanted to write the kind of medical thrillers I enjoyed at the time on the side. I also found out that I hate hospitals and dealing with massive amounts of strangers every day. I studied to be a translator, in the end, but yeah, I always wanted to be a writer.

L.C. Spoering: I’ve said before it’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at, but it’s somewhat true. I’m an only child so, I think, since I was young it’s been my entertainment, and my main passion.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

LB: I think it was after I finished my first manuscript and realized that I could do it, conquer that beast, so to speak. But the actual confidence to say out loud came with time.

LCS: As above, I always have. It’s as natural to me as breathing.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

LB: Really fast actually. I was a total stroke of luck -- at least it appeared to be at the time. A new ebook imprint of an established publisher bought the rights to my first novel - By the Light of the Moon - about two or three months after I finished writing it. It turned out to be a mistake. It wasn’t really finished. I was just so excited I had a finished manuscript I wanted to send it out, see what would happen - impatient amateur mistake. When they took it, I expected content editing, but all I got was bad proofreading and then it was published with no pr at all. Unsurprisingly, it did not sell very well and they wanted me to take the series into a direction I wasn’t comfortable with. In the end, I asked for my rights back. I am still working with publishers, but I really like the freedom and the control indie-publishing gives me.

LCS: We decided to take the bull by the horns and do it ourselves. I’ve had interest in my books before, but I feel like indie publishing is a better choice for me at this time.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

LB: Yes, I’m also a translator. I work in an office part time, very early in the morning, and I translate press clippings for a media analysis firm. I also freelance sometimes.

LCS: I’m an administrative assistant in two different physician practices. I spend a lot of time learning about neurology while taking notes and making appointments with patients.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

LB: After Life Lessons: Book Two is the last installment of a dramatic post/apoc series with a women’s fiction bent and a romantic streak.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

LB: We self-publish together; our outfit is called Lilt Literary. I also work with Ladylit Publishing and have a number of short stories in Cleis Press anthologies.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

LB: That’s such a hard question, mainly because I almost never go from original idea straight to writing it. Not least because whenever I have a new idea I usually still have a project going on. I often let them marinate for a year before I ever start working on them. But from starting to write a novel (around 80k) to finishing it, I’d say around 3 months, longer if I derail myself or have several projects at once. And then there is editing and rewriting etc.

LCS: It depends on the book, definitely. Together, we once wrote a first draft in two weeks; I’ve gone a year writing one book before. Mostly, it takes me roughly 3-4 months to start from the first word to end on the last, but, as Laila said, it’s almost never a straight line, and rarely starts from the moment of idea.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

LB: In the near future, Lorrie and I will start publishing an Urban Fiction series, that - like After Life Lessons - takes a classic genre and mixes it with our own more character-driven flavor. I am also trying to conclude my fantasy series this year and then we’ll see what the future brings.

LCS: I’ve got several upmarket contemporary manuscripts in my stash that I’d like to release when the time is right. We’ll see when they find their way out.

What genre would you place your books into?

LB: I have a thing for speculative fiction - whether it goes all the way into fantasy, sci-fi -- like After Life Lessons -- or just a hint of magical realism. But I also publish some erotica.

LCS: Most of what I write strays close to lit fic, in that I like to play with structure and telling just as much as the plot. I’m also keen on YA a lot lately.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

LCS: In After Life Lessons, it’s a tie between Kenzie and Song. I have a soft spot for the young, and I loved seeing how their reactions differed from the adults around them.

LB: Kenzie, of course. But I also have a massive soft spot for Emily, the female protagonist.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

LCS: Over the years, I’ve found the optimal time for writing, for me, is first thing in the morning. It’s partially because I’m very busy throughout the day with my day job and kids and family obligations, but I also swear it’s because I don’t have enough wherewithal to be self-critical before my first cup of coffee.

LB: I wish I could stick to one, but to me routines are like drugs - they come with diminishing returns, so ever so often I come up with a new one. I also have a tendency to forget the best routines and when I remember, they sometimes work again, like they are brand new. Suffice to say, I tend to be a little all over the place.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

LCS: Most of them. I appreciate it when people take the time to review with thoughtfulness, even if they didn’t care for the story.

LB: Yes, definitely. It would be rude not to, I think. Plus, I’m way too curious and I want to know what my readers think, whether they love the same things I loved writing. That connection is really special and important to me.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

LCS: I’m terrible with titles! Almost all my working titles are a single aspect of the story (like “coffeeshop” and “car”) and I have a hell of a time naming them after. It’s like trying to name a twenty year old.

LB: I usually have a working title that I come up with either at the beginning or throughout the book. And most of the time, the final one comes together organically - but I’ve also stewed over word association clouds and mind maps to find one.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

LB: They can do, in the hands of a skilled team. Of course, the more flawless a book, the harder it is. Two of my all-time-favorites are Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, both directed by Joe Wright. I also think the Hunger Games trilogy works better as a movie series, because that forces a wider perspective, that I think fits the scope of the world.

On the less successful side… every attempt of turning The Neverending Story into a movie, and actually, Blade Runner. I know it’s a classic and all, and it’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. But the sheer chasm between the genius of the book and what the film ended up being is just staggering to me.

LCS: Agreed on a skilled team, including a writer who knows what works in a book doesn’t always work in a movie. William Goldman (whose The Princess Bride is one of the best book to movie adaptations out there) has done a lot of adapted screenplays, including Stephen King’s misery. I read that King was upset that he changed the scene of Annie cutting off Paul’s foot to simply crushing it with a sledgehammer, but Goldman advised he watch the movie and see why it worked better. In the end, King was grateful he made the change, and understood that such a graphic scene, while it was fantastic in the book, would have taken away too much from the story to see.

 

 

 

 

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Laila Blake is an author, linguist and translator. She writes character-driven love stories and blogs about writing, feminism and society. Her work has been featured in numerous anthologies. Keeping a balance between her different interests, Laila Blake’s body of work encompasses literary erotica, romance, and various fields in speculative fiction (dystopian/post-apocalypse, fantasy, paranormal romance and urban fantasy) and she adores finding ways to mix and match.

A self-proclaimed nerd, she lives in Cologne/Germany with her cat Liene, harbors a deep fondness for obscure folk singers and plays the guitar badly. She loves photography, science documentaries and classic literature as well as a number of popular TV-Shows.

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L.C. Spoering has a degree in English writing from University of Colorado, and a lesser degree in sarcasm earned from the days of yore on AOL. A storyteller since she started talking, she now spends her days writing, reading and contemplating the universe through various pop culture lenses.

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Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Vegas Miracle by @beerwencha2

 

 

 

Vegas Miracle

Liz Crowe

Release Date: May 5, 2015 (Re-release)

Genre: MMF Ménage Romance

Book Description:

Ryan and Grace Sullivan have all the outward indications of a happy life: money, success, an undeniable physical attraction that quickly evolved from whirlwind relationship to marriage. But lately, Ryan's become moody and distant. As their relationship starts to crumble, Ryan discovers something about himself he can't admit just as Grace realizes the young man she encounters at an invitation only party, Henri Christophe, a celebrity chef with the most successful restaurant in Las Vegas, is her husband's lover. But Henri holds a secret himself. He wants to be more to both of them.

As they attempt to make their unconventional arrangement work, Ryan's deep-seated fear of relationship failure continues to thwart everyone's happiness. When he finally walks away instead of confronting the emotional connection the trio shares, he returns to find their lives flipped inside out. A sought after hotel and resort consultant, Ryan has yet to meet a problem he couldn't solve. But when it comes to his own heart, he may be too late.

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Her skin prickled with exposure to the cool air as his strong hands moved slowly up both legs. Henri focused on her hips, kneading out tension she always held there. But the innocent nature of the moment was long gone. The sensation of his strong hands on her made her want to lift up and expose herself to him. If he didn’t watch it she was going to come right here against this silly massage table.

"Let’s turn you over," he said as he held the blanket up modestly, which made her chuckle. He'd been close enough to finger her a few minutes ago and she wouldn’t have stopped him either so why the sudden propriety now?

She lay on her back as he sat next to her and took her arm on his lap, working through her shoulder tightness. When her fingers brushed up against what was an unmistakable hard on under his shorts, she gasped and pulled her hand away.

"Sorry," she whispered, mortified.

"It’s okay."

Henri put her arm back in place so he could continue to work his way down to her hand, which he caressed finger by finger and into her palm in a way that caused her breathing to quicken.

When he closed his lips over her index finger and sucked, her entire body zinged in response. He paid the same careful attention to each digit and ended with a light lick to the center of her palm, nearly sending her over the edge.

She was panting by the time he switched over to her other arm. She left her hand in his lap and brushed her fingers ever so lightly across the silky fabric of his shorts, just to see how he’d react. He shifted closer to allow her more contact and she stroked his full length twice before he took that hand to give it the same thorough and firm caress. By the time he closed his lips over her finger again, nothing prepared her for the fire of emotion and pure need his lips and tongue ignited.

Henri placed her arms under the blanket and passed a very light hand over her nipples, now hard buds of flesh poking through the fabric. Her breath came in shaky gasps by the time he uncovered one leg and propped her foot against his naked chest. She gaped at his amazing muscle definition as he bent her knee to flex her hip. With each bend, his arm came in direct contact with her bare pussy.

Henri kneaded the flesh of her thigh before moving down to rub each toe, then the sole of her foot, which sent those same zinging, nerve rattling sensation straight up to the top her head. She stretched her hands over her head and allowed the blanket to fall away. Eyes closed, she reveled in the pure sensation of his touch. By the time he switched over to her other leg and placed her foot on his chest again, a low moaning sound had begun in in her throat and had to force herself not to grab him and pull him on top of her. He stretched her knee towards her chest.

"You're very flexible, yes?" His voice was hoarse.

"Yes," she breathed, tilting her hips up to make contact with his arm.

The last time he bent her knee she felt his tongue flick her nipple. She realized he was pulling the sheet off her completely and she gave no resistance. Raising her arms up over her head again, Grace stretched like a cat in the windowsill.

She heard him make a sound deep in his throat before he ran his strong hands from her shoulders down to her nipples and across her stomach. He stopped to knead her hips once more then kept moving down her thighs to her calves and then to her sensitized feet. She arched up and gasped as she felt his tongue again, this time right on her clit. He teased her flesh then sucked briefly before standing up.

Grace kept her eyes closed, her body was on fire, every nerve ending crying out for more. But he seemed to be done so she struggled up to a seated position.

""Would you like a bit more? An internal massage, perhaps?"

"Yes," she nearly yelled out then felt herself blush. “I mean…that’s sort of a lame line, though.”

He chuckled. “I’ll work on my lines a little, after this.” His low, accented voice made her shiver.

 

 

 

 

How long did it take to get your first book published?

Not too long but it was a novella and has since been pulled and the publisher has now gone out of business. I guess it was about a year, total. It took longer to get some of my longer books published.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

I am part owner of a craft brewery but no longer work actively in the daily business of it. I am a successful real estate agent, however which keeps me pretty darn busy.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say? Vegas Miracle: A smoking hot ménage romance with a realistic twist and a swoon-worthy happy ending.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

This book is published by Tri Destiny Publishing but I also self publish (The Love Brothers series, and more to come).

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre?

Books of a different genre? I have a really great thriller novel in revision now and will have book 4 of The Love Brothers Series (family saga with romantic elements) out late summer/early fall this year PLUS a hot RE Romance (Real Esate Romance) pair of novels: “APPRAISED” and “CONTINGENT” by the end of 2015.

What genre would you place your books into?

I like to call it “unconventional romance, worth the risk.” It’s unexpected and formula-free in most cases, although Vegas Miracle is probably the most “conventional” of my books.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books? Nope. I avoid them all unless they are specifically pointed out to me as “great.” I find it to be an exercise in frustration, ego-plumping and sometimes emotionally crushing that distracts me from just getting on with the next book or house sale. No author will please every reader and unfortunately in this day and age, some fans of other authors use “reviews” to bring down authors they perceive as competition. It’s crazy and I really think it’s well -avoided. It’s not going to keep me from writing after all so why torture myself with it?

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

I like them all and have, at various times, all 3 of them going at once! I’m a fan of my local library and read hardbacks of new books from there, paperbacks when they’re recommended to me and always have something going on my kindle app. I also ADORE audio books.

Your favorite food is?

Pizza followed closely by filet mignon.

Your favorite singer/group is?

I have so many….but I will listen to just about anything by the Avett Brothers.

Your favorite color is?

Yellow

Your favorite Author is?

I have too many to name but they include Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, Chris Moore, and Erica Jong.

 

 

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Amazon best-selling author, mom of three, Realtor, beer blogger, brewery marketing expert, and soccer fan, Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville currently living in Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse.

Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction hybrid, “Romance. Worth the Risk,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”).

With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and at times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Don’t ever ask her for anything “like a Budweiser” or risk bodily injury.

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