Elizabeth M. Lawrence's Blog, page 25

Blog Tour for new release A DIVINE LIFE by R.E. Hargrave

On August 6th, Renaissance Romance Publishing released A Divine Life, the sequel to R.E. Hargrave's To Serve is Divine. As part of Ms. Hargrave's blog tour to celebrate her new release, I'm happy to host her book. I encourage you to check out the summary and excerpt below!



Summary:
Over the past year of being Jayden Masterson’s collared submissive, Catherine O’Chancey has worked through the mental terrors left behind by her old Dom — she thinks. To celebrate their collar-ing anniversary, Jayden organizes a special day, during which her final limits and fantasies will be realized. Will it prove to be more than she can handle? Can she endure the erotic onslaught her mind and body will experience and survive unscathed?
While Catherine faces dark shadows and pleasurable highs, Jayden finds his own inner strength being tested. He has come to realize that, somewhere along the way, Catherine has taken possession of his heart, mind, and body. Now he faces his biggest challenge ever; he must let go of all his submissives but one: his jewel, Catherine. Can he leave his philandering ways behind? Has he made the ultimate mistake by putting his jewel into the hands of others?



Excerpt:
“So, how does that work? I mean, how does one draw the line between Master and husband?” Was such a complicated relationship possible? Could Jaydensee her that way? Just thinking his name caused a funny feeling in Catherine’s chest. Her thoughts continued, now on overdrive . . .
No. Master didn’t do personal relationships. He’d said as much when they’d first signed their con-tract together. They’d both agreed to the understanding that this was nothing more than a sexual relationship. Hell, he was fucking two other people besides her that she knew of. If there were a chance that he wanted something more with her, he wouldn’t have handed her over to complete strangers today. Would he? Oh, God. Sir Jonathan’s offer to take Catherine on repeated itself in her memory, along with the knowledge that she had more sessions today with an unknown number of Doms. Was that what today was? Had the ‘inspection’ Sir Jonathan performed not been part of the scene? Was Sir Jonathan looking her over as a potential acquisition? What about Miss K offering to take her on back in February? Catherine’s stomach soured again.
“No. No, please, no. I — I can’t,” Catherine mumbled and began to shake.
“Erin?”
Her world began crumbling around her, and panic took root. Catherine gasped for air, wrapping her arms around her mid-section.
“Erin! What’s wrong?”
Paige’s shriek snapped Catherine to attention, and she raised her watery eyes to meet her new friend’s.
“Paige,” Catherine started to cry. “He figured it out. I tried to be so good, so careful. He knows, and he’s going to get rid of me!” She thought she’d done so well at hiding her secret over the months, protecting her heart.
Paige had wrapped her arm around Catherine and was rubbing slow circles on her back. With a wince, Catherine became quite aware of every lash mark from Sir Jonathan’s whip. They now burned to her core when Paige’s soft hands brushed over them. Catherine flinched away from her.
“Shh, Erin,” she said in a calming voice. “Who knows what, sweetie? What are you talking about?”
Turning wide eyes on her, Catherine choked out, “Jay . . . Master. He knows I’ve fallen in — in love with him. I wasn’t supposed to. He found out, and now he’s interviewing me with strange Doms to get rid of me. I broke the rules and he —” she swallowed a sob, “he doesn’t want me anymore!”




Author Bio:
R.E. Hargrave lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX where she prides herself on being a domestic engineer. Married to her high school sweetheart, together they are raising three children from elementary age to college age. She is an avid reader, a sometimes quilter and now, a writer for Renaissance Romance Publishing.
Author Links:
Blog  FacebookTwitterGoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleAbout.mePinterestSmashwords
 

Tour Schedule:
August 6: Sapphire Kande –Review             N. Isabelle Blanco –Promo/Excerpt            Tamaria Soana –Promo/Excerpt August 7: Adrian Smith –Promo/ExcerptAugust 8: Matt Lutz –Guest Post Erzabet Bishop –Guest PostAugust 9: Jennifer Garcia –Promo/Excerpt and ReviewAugust 10: Kande –Promo/Excerpt            Nat Wood --ReviewAugust 11: The Hive –Review            Jennifer Hensley --ReviewAugust 12: Kaylyn Davis –ReviewAugust 13: Angela Glass --ReviewAugust 14: Sherri Hayes –InterviewS.A. Jones –InterviewAugust 15: Mich –Guest PostAugust 16: M.B. Feeney –InterviewAugust 17: Tbird London – Review            Anna Crosswell --ReviewAugust 18: J. C. Clarke --InterviewAugust 19: Donna –Guest Post            Elena M. Reyes --Interview

Guest Post from Donna Huber, Author of SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL BLOG TOUR

I am very pleased to host Donna Huber today. Donna is the author of Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour and an invaluable resource for authors. With the release of her book, she has gotten a taste of what it's like on the other side of the fence, and she discusses her experiences here. Please welcome her, check out her book, and make sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below, as well!

Being on the Author Side
I'm heading into the last week of my tour and I thought I would take a few minutes to talk about being on the author side of things. Maybe you want to know if the grass greener over here or any new insights I have now that I've walked a mile in author shoes.
As a blogger, I've had the privilege of hosting a number of wonderful authors. And as a tour organizer I've worked for some more awesome authors. I've gotten a pretty good glimpse at the life of an author when preparing for a tour. There haven't been any big surprises. The hardest part of being on the author side as I go through the tour is taking my own advice.
Getting the all the guest posts done has been a challenge. I knew this would be the most time consuming part of the tour. Between suggested topics and topics I had jotted down when I began thinking about touring, I had enough topics for all the stops that requested one. If you've read my book, Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour, you know I recommend making notes about possible topics well in advance of a tour. I did write down the topics, but I made the fatal flaw of thinking I'll remember why I thought it was a great topic. I should have made a few more notes.
I knew time would be tight. I still have a day job and freelance clients as well as my blog to keep up with. I started out well. I got all the interviews done and the Top 10 lists before the start of the tour. I was pushing to get the first week's worth of guest posts done. I recommend having tour posts sent to the blogger a week before their tour date. This last week I'm getting posts to authors around the 5 day mark. Not too bad, but I'm also having to write one every night.
You would think after the number of tours I've talked authors through, that I would not have had the nerves. I found myself having to give myself the pep talk I give to my clients. Thankfully I have a great support group of authors and bloggers who were able to reinforce that pep talk.
It has been interesting to go through the publishing process, which is something I haven't been totally privy to in the past. My clients are usually in the pre- or post-publication stage when they come to me.
Ever wonder how the number of pages are determined for a Kindle book on Amazon? Amazon estimates it for you. It's not something you add to the description when submitting it.
How many books are being sold for an author to appear on the best sellers list for their category at Amazon? It depends on the category. The really competitive categories like romance, you need to be selling several a day. For some of the business & marketing categories, maybe only 2 or 3. (Oh, and the author doesn't have a lot of control over the categories. I could make broad choices. Since marketing and advertising books fall under the Business and Investing category, some reason my book made the top 100 for accounting books.) For some categories, just 1 ebook sold for that day will have you in the Top 100. It also doesn't take many sales to raise the overall ebooks sale rank from the 300K range to breaking the 100K mark. Another thing I've learned - patience is necessary. There is a lot of waiting. You have to wait for the submission process to be complete once you click submit. You wait for reviews. You have to wait for the results of publicity efforts. Publishing is not instant gratification. Ok. I already knew that, but that doesn't mean the waiting is any easier.
Thankfully there haven't been too many surprises. I still prefer to be behind the scenes helping other authors, either as a publicist or blogger. Will I publish another book? Perhaps. 

Summary
Plan a successful blog tour while keeping your sanity.
From the publicist who introduced the world to Fifty Shades of Grey, Donna Huber is now revealing her secrets to successful blog tours. She shares tips and tricks learned through organizing over 30 tours, blasts, and promotional events for nearly 50 independently and traditionally published titles.
Secrets revealed in this quick read include:Planning stage decisionsDifferent types of toursRecruiting bloggers and keeping requests organizedBest practice communication tipsTricks to making a great guest appearanceHow to organize a fun (and legal) giveawayActions to take during the tourNext steps once the tour is completeVirtual tour and other promotional opportunitiesWhen to hire a professionalIn this easy to follow manual, Donna does not stop there. She spills even more of her blog tour secrets to help authors get the most out of their events by providing:
Tour checklistTour invite tipsStep-by-step guide to creating tour graphics10 broad guest post topics25 sample interview questions 

Biography

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the blogger behind Girl Who Reads where, in addition to book reviews and author appearances, she writes the popular blogging advice series, Tips on Thursday. She has worked as a freelance publicist since 2010 assisting publishers and authors with their marketing and publicity needs. Most notably, she was the publicist for The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House edition of Fifty Shakes of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James.
When she is not doling out blogging advice or promoting the next bestseller, she can be found spending time with family (particularly the four legged, furry members), rewatching Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, or trying to make a dent in her never ending to-be-read pile.
Social Media Links  
TwitterFacebookBlogGoodreads
Buy Links  
Amazon (US)Amazon (UK)SmashwordsKobo
Twitter Party  
August 15 at 8:00 p.m. eastern #GWRchat
Prizes (2): 5-9 stop tour; $20 Amazon Gift Card


Blog Tour Schedule  
July 29: Fresh Pot of TeaJuly 30: Sarah AislingJuly 31: Book Lover's OpinionAug. 1: What Shall We Blog About Today?Aug. 2: Jude OuvrardAug. 3: Jamie SheffieldAug. 4: From the Desk of... R.E. HargraveAug. 5: All That's Written... Aug. 6: Italian Brat's ObsessionsAug. 7: Author S.A. JonesAug. 8: Karen Pokras TozAug. 9: Lisa BilbreyAug. 10: Elizabeth Lawrence, Author & Professional OddityAug. 11: Aria Glazki WritesAug. 12: Rose & Beps BlogAug. 13: Cabin GoddessAug. 14: Killer ChicksAug. 15: Twitter Party @ 8:00 p.m. EST #GWRchatAug. 16: Library Girl Reads & Reviews
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Cover Reveal: Lisa Bilbrey's THE JOURNEY TO A NEW LIFE

On September 10th, Renaissance Romance Publishing will be releasing The Journey to a New Life, the fourth installment in Lisa Bilbrey's Journey Collection.

 
Summary :

Travis McCoy's journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest journey of all.


Author's Bio :

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.


Links :


GoodreadsFacebookTwitter Blog Amazon Barnes & NobleRenaissance Romance Publishing About.me

Interview with NJ Cole, Author of LANDSLIDE

As part of her blog tour, NJ Cole, author of Landslide, stopped by for an interview and shared a little bit about her new release. Q: Tell us a little bit about how the idea for this story got started. A: This story started out as a short story for a contest. One my friends read it and loved it. Months later, she found out she had cancer. To support her, many people donated stories to raise money for cancer. She asked me to participate, and when I asked her what she wanted me to write, she said that she wanted me to add more to this short story. I did and she loved it. She told me that she wanted me to finish the story. Sadly, I didn’t finish before she passed away, but I did finish. If you read it, you’ll notice I dedicated the book to her, Katalina. I also named the pizza restaurant after her, and Kat’s special was her favorite kind of pizza. I miss her, but I know she would have been proud of me for finishing. Q: What do you feel is the biggest lesson your main characters learn from their experiences in this story? A: Well, Kenzie learned that it was possible to get what she wanted, but no one was going to hand it to her. She’d have to work for it. Max learned that you need to follow your heart, and that you can change what’s most important to you. Q: How important was setting to the plot of the story? A: It really wasn’t. The three primary settings are San Francisco, London and Paris. Those could have been interchanged with say, Philadelphia, Dublin and Rome. It was much more about their interactions. Q: What is the significance of the title? What prompted you to choose it? A: In this case, Landslide is used in the geographical and political meanings. Of course Max won his election by a landslide, but there is more to the meaning. At one point in the story, he describes his relationship with Kenzie as being in a landslide…first for the better and then—when their happiness was threatened—for the worse.

I sat there stunned for a full minute after she left. For the past seven months, and even more so in the past week, I’d felt like I’d been in a landslide. The ground had been moving, but for the better. It was taking me to a brighter place, making me happier. Now I felt the opposite happening. It still felt like a landslide, but the ground was falling out from under me. I felt like I was being drug down, too, rocks crushing me as the dirt piled on thicker and thicker. I seriously wondered if I’d ever see the sun again.

Q: What do you think the elements of dominance and submission bring to the main characters’ relationship that might otherwise be absent? A: There are two types of dominance and submission relationships. I’m sure there are more, but in the simplest terms, there are the ones where the Dominant and submissive only have a relationship revolving around play. They would either meet at a club or another location for scenes. They are Dominant/submissive all the time. The far more common form of D/s relationships are just a part of a couple’s entire relationship. For example, while I am submissive to my husband in our bedroom, I am also his wife. I am not a submissive all of the time. In the case of Kenzie and Max, they started out as only D/s, but it evolved. Had that element not been present in the beginning of the story, they likely wouldn’t have gotten together. Q: What’s your secret geeky obsession? A: I don’t know. I like math! Q: Which secondary character was the most fun to write? A: I love Carter. I want to write an entire book about him and his love life. Q; What was your biggest challenge in writing and publishing this story? A: It was self publish…it turned out just getting it on Amazon for my release was the hardest part.

Q: What is your next planned project? What can you tell us about it? A: I am doing an anthology of short, erotic, forbidden stories! It will be out hopefully later in 2013. After that, the sequel to Midnight Caller. Q: And the most important question: chipmunks or squirrels? I don’t like either, but I’d have to say chipmunks. I was attacked by a squirrel as a kid. I’d tell you about it, but my therapist said I’m not ready for that yet.


Title: LandslideAuthor: NJ ColeRelease Date: August 4, 2013Cover Designer: T.m. Franklin





Blurb:

Senator Maxwell Joseph has it all—money, power, and good looks—the trifecta when it comes to attracting the ladies. He even has women willing to be tied up, spanked, and completely at his mercy, all while calling him Daddy, fulfilling his secret fantasy. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday, Max finds a goddess waiting for him in his hotel room. She is beautiful, sexy, and very willing, yet the fruit she offers is very forbidden. Not only is she barely legal at nineteen, but she also happens to be the daughter of his best friend and political advisor.
Mackenzie Wade has had a crush on the senator for years. When an overheard phone call affords her the opportunity she needs to make her fantasies a reality, Kenzie jumps at the chance, offering herself as a birthday gift.
Throwing caution to the wind, Max gives in to temptation and gives them both what they have been yearning for—a night filled with ropes, floggers, and toe-curling sex. Although satiated, one night of passion isn’t enough for either of them, and they begin a clandestine affair.  
For Maxwell, the solid ground on which he’s built his career starts to shift as his hopes and dreams for the future begin to change. In what can only be described as a landslide, Max holds on tight to the only thing that he can—Kenzie. He goes on the ride of his life, knowing all along that in the end, he may have to make a gut-wrenching decision between the woman of his dreams and a path to the White House.


About the Author:

NJ Cole is a witty, mid-western girl with a kinky side. She works by day and writes by night, all while being a mother to her wonderful boys and serving her Sir. Unlike many of today’s authors, she chooses to write in first person, allowing the readers to experience life through the eyes of the unique characters that live in her head. Her love of those characters and respect for their stories come through loud and clear in her writing. With over two million reads of her online work in the past six months, NJ Cole is clearly an up and coming author.


Links:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7077804.N_J_Cole

www.njcoledls.blogspot.com

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/njcoleauthor


Excerpt:
Opening the door to the suite, I found a beautiful creature in my bed with the hottest body I’d ever seen. She was wearing white thigh highs, a short plaid skirt, and a white top. It was a classic school girl outfit and I loved it. Everything about her was perfect, but everything about her was wrong. “Mackenzie! What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m giving you your birthday present, Senator Joseph.”

The way she said my name made my dick rock hard again.

“Mackenzie, this is completely inappropriate.”

“Who gives a fuck if it’s appropriate or not,” she said, rubbing her thighs together. “And I know you want me. I saw how you were looking at me earlier. I even know what you’re into.”

My stomach dropped. Could she mean she knew about my sexual preferences? “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I know. I overheard my father talking once.” She got off the bed and walked over to me, her eyes never leaving mine as she crossed the room. She grabbed hold of my tie and began running her fingers over it. “I know exactly what you are into, Senator Joseph.”

“Mackenzie, you’re what…sixteen years old?” I questioned, grabbing her wrist and removing her hand from my tie.

“Sixteen? You sent me a graduation present last year,” she laughed. “I’m nineteen. My birthday was just last week.”

She was legal. I’m sure she said more, but all I heard was that she was nineteen. I had also caught something else she said a moment ago. She’d mentioned that she knew what I was “into,” and I needed to know what she meant.

“What is it you think I’m into?” I asked with more authority than I felt at that moment.

“You like to tie up little girls and fuck them. Isn’t that right, Senator?”

Her words made my dick twitch. The summary wasn’t exactly accurate; I didn’t like actual little girls, just women in their early twenties who were willing to dress up for my fantasies. What I gathered from her statement, though, was that she wasn’t repulsed; she sounded excited at the thought.

There were a million reasons I shouldn’t do this. She was barely legal. She was the daughter of my top advisor…and best friend. I wasn’t prepared. We didn’t have any sort of contract. I had no clue what her limits were. It just seemed wrong, yet all of that flew out the window when she looked up at me and licked her lips.

“Don’t you wanna tie me up and fuck me, Senator Joseph?”

Consequences be damned. I wasn’t thinking with my head, I was thinking with my dick. And my dick wanted her. “On your knees, little girl,” I commanded harshly.

She dropped to the floor instantly; when she did, I walked around her and pulled her hands behind her back. “So you want to be tied up? To offer yourself to me? To please me?”

“Yes,” she panted.

“Yes, what?” I asked, removing my tie.

“Yes, Sir,” she moaned.

“Yes, Daddy,” I corrected.

“Yes, Daddy.”

Mega Rafflecopter Giveaway by Bex 'n' Books

Bex 'n' Books is having an amazing giveaway to celebrate reaching 3,000 followers on Facebook! I have joined twenty-seven other authors in donating prizes. All this weekend, They have various giveaways going on over on thier page, plus this mega rafflecopter giveaway.
The rafflecopter asks for Facebook follows - just another way that you can support the fabulous book community. Please be sure to enter, follow all of the wonderful authors and bookies who have supported this giveaway, and be sure to come back for the daily shares. The giveaway will last for one week.

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Interview with Jane Reinhart, Author of "Peeking Through Wooden Blinds"

Jane Reinhart's debut release, "Peeking Through Wooden Blinds," is part of the Heat Wave Anthology, Book Two of the Summer Beach Reads from Renaissance Romance Publishing. I got the chance to interview Jane and learn a little bit about her and the story itself.



1) Tell us a little bit about how the idea for this story got started.
Often I have heard the questions: "Why do people continue to stay in abusive relationships? Why don't they just leave?" Endless talk shows feature victimized guests who are advised by counselors to escape their emotional prison, the news reports violent results of those that didn't, and most of us know someone who is in a dysfunctional relationship. Yet they stay. Are they gluttons for punishment? I think not. I decided to combine a love story with the complexity of this issue with the hope of providing insight and courage to those struggling to free themselves from unbearable situations.
2) What do you feel is the biggest lesson your main characters learn from their experiences in this story?
Paige - She learned from her impulsive decisions that one small act of ignorance can be life-changing.  Through reflection of her mistakes, she discovered that life was worth living and ultimately developed the ability to regain her self worth. Joey - He learned that failing to express one's feelings and emotions is tempting fate. He also realized it's never too late to right a wrong.Nick - Well, he probably never learned. Failing to cherish the important things in life, his quest for freedom came with a high price.
3) How important was the setting to the plot of the story?
When my story began in 1960, I wanted to create the image of a quaint village where the locals led a simple life and the teenagers hung out by the scenic Hudson River of New York's Hudson Valley. The river provided a romantic overtone as well as an ominous one in one particular scene. The village was in close proximity to larger surrounding cities, which became important as time progressed and the main character found it necessary to embark on a mobile covert mission.
4) What is the significance of the title? What prompted you to choose it?
The title reflects the crescendo of the plot when the main character was in the throngs of a nightly torment. I wanted the title to be foreboding like the cover, thereby creating an interest in its possible meaning.
5) What element of the romantic relationship between your main characters did you enjoy bringing to life most?
The moment when Paige and Joey, two virgin lovers, experienced their first lovemaking session. The scene was set with innocence and humor.
6) Which secondary character was the most fun to write?
Paige's father, Curtis. Although stern, he was a lovable character and I enjoyed writing a humorous scene about him. I was laughing while I wrote.
7) What was your biggest challenge in writing and publishing this story?
Writing was the easy part, except when I suffered writer's block and had to drive around the neighborhood to clear my head and jumpstart my thoughts. Since this is my first published book, I found the editing phase to be challenging, but I was fortunate to have wonderful, mentoring editors.
8) What is your next planned project? What can you tell us about it?
I am writing a romantic paranormal, Beyond the Last Door. The plot takes the main character, Emily, on a journey where she struggles between good and evil. From a early age, the angelic child possessed a "gift" - she could see and speak with deceased spirits. As Emily grew, she discovered her ability to foretell the future. Enter Satan, who vied for her precious soul and used her weakness to make his case when Emily began to lose faith in mankind. She was privy to many visions in a strange, recurring dream until she learned their ultimate meaning. Emily married a wonderful man, but he denied the existence of heaven or hell. Could she make a believer out of him?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for my interview.Jane Reinhart

Summary of "Peeking Through Wooden Blinds"

Paige Henderson and Joey Novak are planning their wedding. But a devastating and mysterious phone call leads Paige onto a path of self-destruction and into the arms of the wrong man. Her ensuing marriage to Nick Bruska becomes a nightmare and she struggles to regain self-worth. Joey has never forgotten Paige. Will he ever see her again? Only then could they discover the terrible mistake that changed the course of their lives.  Thanks to Jane for stopping by and sharing her thoughts about "Peeking Through Wooden Blinds." If you'd like to learn more about Jane and her books, please see the following links.
Jane Reinhart, author and poet, resides in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and three dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and cooking. FacebookGoodreadsTwitter

It's That Time Again!

So. Birthday post. What shall we talk about?

Over the past year, I published two short stories: My Apple Tree and Wishing Cotton. Exciting stuff. I’ve discovered through this process that I am more self-conscious of my writing than I’d actually realized. Nothing strikes terror in my breast like putting my work out there for people who don’t owe me favors, loyalty, or money to critique. That fear has always been a challenge I’ve struggled to overcome. The biggest source of pride for me is that I’ve published at all; I’ve left the safety of my computer files and journals and opened myself up for criticism. Even if no one ever reads my books, releasing them into the wild is a pretty big accomplishment all by itself.




I’ve also started edits on my first full-length novel, The Truth Seekers. It’s an historical romance, most likely my one and only. I’m planning to settle down after this. I’m getting too old to bounce around from style to style, so it’s time to commit. All the same, I’ve done a ridiculous amount of work on this book, so it would feel wrong not to share it in a final display of sowing my wild oats. I only hope it doesn’t suck, but that’s a question to answer in my NEXT birthday post.
Just lie and tell me it's brilliant.
My older son finished his freshman year of high school, making it onto the second honors roll despite all the nay-sayers who said that an autistic kid would never make it in a challenging, private college-prep school. 
Captain, my captain.
So nyah-nyah. It wasn’t easy, but as people are discovering about me, I would fight to the death for my kids. I don’t let anyone place limits on my boys – even themselves. Still, I have to admit that his next milestone fills my soul with dread. It’s time for him to learn to drive. Pray to your gods, people. This will be interesting.
"Please, don't let him see a squirrel..."

His little brother, Shorty, finished third grade in one piece. We have some concerns with his development, but that’s a battle we’ll start fighting again once school is back in session this autumn. Shorty is now having a blast at theater camp, and really, what’s the point of being a child if you can’t enjoy it? We’ll cross the appropriate bridges when we come to them. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to his first public performance next week.
The venue will be slightly less glamorous than this.
I became an aunt for the first time, which was really lovely. Although we haven’t met Minna in person yet, we are planning to spoil her like mad. Being an only child, I have always wondered if I would get the opportunity to be someone’s “cool aunt.” Here’s my chance!
Okay, not THAT cool. Probably more like this.
I got a tattoo on my last birthday, and while I’m not doing that again this year, I did enjoy waiting for my parents to notice. They were just two weeks shy of going a full year. 
Way to miss the obvious.
They have dealt with this heavy blow by never mentioning it and pretending it never happened. I think I’ll give them a year off before I do something that upsets their worldview again.
Not exactly subtle, either.
I have gotten sucked into the world of crowd-funded projects this year. Many of you have seen my posts about The Minister of Chance, which began life as a sonic adventure and is now morphing into a film. The initial reason I loved this project so much was that it reminded me of the days when my father would play tapes of the old radio shows he listened to as a child. The imagination and imagery that went into some of those early productions has been amplified by the Minister of Chance cast and crew. Even without taking into account that this was a crowd-funded operation (and therefore wasn’t making anyone rich), what they have accomplished is really remarkable. The six episodes of the sonic series are available for free download on iTunes or the Minister of Chance website. I can’t recommend it enough. The talent that has come together to bring the Minister’s world to life is astounding, and the people working on this project are just lovely, dedicated, welcoming, and brilliant (as well as stunningly good looking).
Tell your friends! Hell, tell your enemies! We're not picky!
This year, I’ve reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and seen more of the amazing, screwy, wonderful, and insane place we call Planet Earth. I’ve been bowled over by beauty, heartbroken by cruelty, frustrated by ignorance, and frightened by risks.
I still have so much left to do. My husband tells me that I really need to learn to cook eventually, and he wouldn’t mind if I actually folded the laundry now and then. I need to learn the fine art of self-promotion without incorporating an apology for my mediocrity at every opportunity. My computer and I need to have more time apart, because there are some lovely people in my life, and I should take more time to enjoy and appreciate them. My health needs to be a bit more than an afterthought as I chug my eighth cup of coffee, too.
All the same, I’m proud of how I spent this year. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t easy, but it took me further on my path. If I had to sum up the theme of my fortieth year, I would say it was this:
Make the scary choice.

Interview: Jude Ouvrard, Author of "Under the Sun"

Jude Ouvrard's debut release, "Under the Sun," is part of the Heat Wave anthology, Book Two of the Summer Beach Reads from Renaissance Romance Publishing. I got the chance to interview Jude and learn a little bit about her and the story itself. Q: Tell us a little bit about how the idea for this story got started.A: Well, I knew it had to be a summer/beach romance. I went to Cuba a few times and I also spent my childhood vacations in Wells Beach, Maine. I decided to go with Wells Beach, Maine because I know the area well and I am actually missing this place. Both of my characters have a rough past and I just wanted to tell my readers that sometimes life is not easy, you have to remain strong and get through it. You even learn form it and grow as a human.Q: What do you feel is the biggest lesson your main characters learn from their experiences in this story?A: Tracey learns that it's okay to be sad and emotional after the lost of a love one. It wouldn't be normal if she wasn't. She also learns that she has to let go and start living her life again. I don't think it was easy for her and Jackson was there for her. He went through hell with his life prior to meet Tracey. His pregnant fiancee was killed tragically and he lost everything. He started over, worked really hard and became a successful businessman. Nothing is impossible!Q: How important was setting to the plot of the story?A: There is no drama or tragic event during the story. It is a smooth story to read. There are happy, sad and steamy moments. I just had to get everything in order. I had to work with the evolution of Tracey's journey. I wanted the story to be believable too. Q: What is the significance of the title? What prompted you to choose it?
A: It wasn't my first choice but now, I'm glad I had to change the title. Under the sun because there isn't a biggest place you can be on Earth. When you are meant to meet someone, there is nothing you can do about it. I also liked that since it's a Beach Read, Under the Sun seemed to fit well too.

Q: What element of the romantic relationship between your main characters did you enjoy bringing to life most?A: Their attractions for each other. It's immediate. He remembers her from few years back. He remembers how pretty she was but he now sees how beautiful she became. I just loved writing about their interactions. How much he cares about her and how willing he is to help her out. I liked writing their little make out session too! Ha! Ha!Q: Which secondary character was the most fun to write?A: His little niece. She doesn't play a big part in the book but it was my first time writing a young character. There aren't many secondary characters in the book. There is only one paragraph, I think, where Tracey and Jackson shares their spotlight with other characters. Q: What was your biggest challenge in writing and publishing this story?A: My English. I'm learning something new every day. I'm a French Canadian and writing in English is a very big deal for me. It's exciting. I love it. I don't think I would have as much fun if I was writing in French.I'm very happy that my publisher gave me the opportunity to publish my novella. It means a lot to me. I will forever be thankful.Q: What is your next planned project? What can you tell us about it?A: My next project will be out in October 2013. It's part of a Fall Anthology. It's a M/M romance. I incorporated poetry in the story. It was my first time writing poems in English and I think I did well. Well, I hope I did. It's called Wonderland and I can't wait to share it with you.I'm also working on my first novel. I'm half way through the writing process. It's called Body, Ink, and Soul. It's a new adult story. The main character is a girl named Nix. She is living in an apartment with her best friends and for the first time in her life, she isn't living under her mother's strict rules. The story is about Nix finding her way, falling in love and learning to live with the consequence of her decisions.I'm at the very early stage of writing my third novella. Lia is the main character. She is in her twenties and has lost her parents in a tragic car accident. Her father was a well known classical pianist and he taught her everything he knew. She is trying to get used to her new life as well as finishing writing her father's symphony.

Summary of "Under the Sun"

Tracey Howard has put her life on hold for years to care for her grandmother. Now that her grandmother is gone, Tracey decides to spend summer at the beach and reflect on where she wants life to take her next. Jackson Phillips is her new neighbor, and he dazzles her from the first moment they meet. Will Jackson be able to show Tracey how to let go of old pain and embrace future happiness?  Thanks to Jude for stopping by and sharing her thoughts about "Under the Sun." If you'd like to learn more about Jude and her books, please see the following links.



Jude lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful four year old son, and has spent the last twelve years with her partner, Cedric. French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English. Besides working full time for a title insurance company and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.  FacebookFacebook Author ProfileTwitterTwitter Author Profile WebsiteGoodreadsAbout.MeFacebook Authors Group 

Interview with M.B. Feeney, Author of "Just Like in the Movies"

M.B. Feeney's new release, "Just Like in the Movies," is part of the Summer Heat Anthology, Book One of the Summer Beach Reads from Renaissance Romance Publishing. I recently got the chance to interview her about the book and learn a little more about it.


Q: Tell us a little bit about how the idea for this story got started.

A: I had just sat and watched Letters to Juliet and got to thinking about how many romance films and books follow certain formulas. Guy meets girl, girl hates guy (or vice versa), then they spend time away which makes them realise they actually love each other and bada boom. (Obviously, this is the reader’s Digest version of one formula). I wanted to know if I could follow that formula in a story. Tada.
Q: Your main character goes through a lot of life changes in this story. What do you feel is the biggest lesson she learned from these experiences?
A: Ava fundamentally is unhappy in the book, but hides it behind a mask of contentment and habit. I think this causes her to learn that not everything is black and white in life and that risks need to be taken in order to find out the life that she didn’t know she wanted until she’d experienced it was the right one for her (I think I kind of lost my way with that sentence) 
Q: You portray a close relationship between your main character and her friend. What insight can you give readers into the dynamics of that relationship? Why are these women such good friends? What elements do they bring to each other’s lives that might otherwise be lacking?
A: I loved writing the interaction between Ava and her friend Erica because they remind me so much of myself and my BFF. I think they complement each other with not only their differences, but their similarities. Ava’s the sensible one where as you never know what Erica will do next (like sleep with a toyboy surfer), but Ava isn’t boring or weak. She gives as good as she gets and is able to stand up for herself if and when she needs to. 
I think that is why they have been friends for so long. They support each other yet know when to back off without being asked (such as Erica does whilst they re in the Isle of Wight). As for the elements they bring to the other’s lives, they are simply the best friend either woman has had, and they need each other.
Q: The settings in the story are a central aspect of the plot. What real life locations did you draw from to describe the areas your character visits over the course of the story?
A: I spent my formative years living in London, so that is one of the min settings, but I tried to keep it fairly vague as to exactly what part so reader’s couldn’t tell me I’d gotten details wrong – I’m a lazy researcher.
I chose the Isle of Wight because My parents had friends who lived in Cowes (I believe) and from photos, I know it’s a gorgeous place. Plus, I didn’t want my characters to go abroad, otherwise the character of Morgan may have been a very different character.
Q: What is the significance of the title? What prompted you to choose it?
A: Again, I drew upon the whole romance movie thing for the title. Ava daydreams of being swept off her feet like heroines in films and about living a life that’s “Just Like in the Movies”.
Q: What element of the romantic relationship between your main characters did you enjoy bringing to life most?
A: The initial meetings between them was fun because I actually spoke the words aloud as I wrote them to ensure they came across right. I wanted there to be a hint of rudeness, caused by a defense mechanism, but overall, I wanted to show Ava as someone that won’t let anyone walk all over her. Also, I just like having characters that are able to bounce off each other and bring sarcasm to the surface (or at least I try to). I feel there should be more sarcastic characters in books.
Q: Which secondary character was the most fun to write?
A: Liam, the toyboy surfer. When we first see him, he’s cheeky without being annoying, but it shows off his confidence due to his age and good looks, but in the end, turns into a really nice guy. 
Q: For each of your primary characters, which Doctor from the modern series would be their favorite? From the classic series?
A: Ava – Christopher Eccleston because of the hint of seriousness he brings and his dark humour/Tom Baker cause he’s Tom Baker Erica – David Tenant because she’s shallow and would think he’s pretty/Peter Davidson for the same reason Morgan – David Tenant because of the emotion and humanity he brings to the role/No idea about classic, he’d be a newbie whovian 

Q: Would you consider rewriting the story to make it take place in Broadchurch so that David Tennant could be paired up with one of your characters? Which character would make a good love interest for him? Or would you just write me into the story and let me take it from there?
A: I’d be scared to set the story in Broadchurch, simply because people die… but I think Ava would be able to handle his character as a love interest because she wouldn’t take his temper tantrums. And yes, you could take over my story and ravage him.
Q: What is your next planned project? What can you tell us about it? 
A: I am working on an anthology called ‘Honour’, comprising of 5 short stories that are in some way military themed. I’m considering self publishing it as the idea originally started with just one short story that no publisher would consider because of the length, but I felt it wasn’t enough on its own. I’m really nervous about it, but excited at the same time. I’m aiming for a November release to coincide with Remembrance Sunday here in the UK. 
Thanks to M.B. Feeney for stopping by and indulging my love of Doctor Who! Be sure to check out "Just Like in the Movies," which is on sale now!
Summary  Ava Jones has settled for a life that she’s not sure she wants anymore, but won’t admit it. Her best friend, Erica Davidson talks her into taking a break on the Isle of Wight. Her days on the island are spent thinking things through, and arguing with Morgan whom she hates on principal.
Is it so wrong for her to want a life that follows the script of a honest to God romance film?

  Author Bio
M. B. Feeney is an army brat who finally settled down in Birmingham, UK with her other half, 2 kids and a dog.  She's also a student teacher, a doodler and a chocoholic.  Writing has been her one true love since she could spell, and publishing is the culmination of her hard work and ambition. 
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Cover Reveal: Jennifer Garcia's My Mr. Manny

On August 27th, Renaissance Romance Publishing will release Jennifer Garcia's new novel, My Mr. Manny.   Summary
Mia Balducci misses her childhood days and yearns for the big, Italian family that she left behind in small town Massachusetts. At the tender age of sixteen, Mia moves with her bachelor father to Los Angeles, but no matter how many years pass, it never becomes home to her. The years spent living with her father aren’t easy, especially since she can’t stop thinking about what she once had. Her enrollment in the University of Southern California promises to bring exciting changes to her life, but Mia winds up with big problems instead. When she runs into an old friend from her old hometown of Winthrop, she gets swept up in nostalgia, and she soon loses herself in a quickly-progressing romance. When the fantasy falls apart, she is left to raise her precious little girl, Lucia, on her own. The demands of Mia’s work schedule and Lucia’s needs increase, and their lives become increasingly hectic. It is soon clear to Mia that she needs help. Luckily, her life-saving cousin saves the day and brings the mother and daughter a male nanny – their new “manny.” 
After losing his high-pressure job on Wall Street, Dominic Roberts wants to follow his dreams to have a family. He’s Will Lucia like the new man in her mother's life? Will Mia? And will this new trio discover the happily ever after they all so desperately seek?

Author Bio
Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she traveled to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 2013.
Find Jennifer on:FacebookGoodreads--Forbes ArnoneGoodreads--Jennifer GarciaTwitterBlogAbout.meAuthorsdb