Aimee Duffy's Blog, page 14
January 19, 2013
Happy Saturday!
Anyone else can't wait for January to be over? I'm done with the cold, and the yucky snow, and the dark. Bring on the spring!
If you're looking for a little something to heat up the freezing nights until then, Isle of Sensuality just went live on Amazon. The official release day is Monday and should be up on B&N, Kobo, etc then.
You can pick it up here:- Amazon UK, Amazon US
There's a few great reviews on Goodreads so far. Hope you enjoy.
Right, I'm off to get my gloves else I'll end up with frostbite.
XOXO
If you're looking for a little something to heat up the freezing nights until then, Isle of Sensuality just went live on Amazon. The official release day is Monday and should be up on B&N, Kobo, etc then.
You can pick it up here:- Amazon UK, Amazon US
There's a few great reviews on Goodreads so far. Hope you enjoy.
Right, I'm off to get my gloves else I'll end up with frostbite.
XOXO
January 17, 2013
Interview & Giveaway - Master of the Inn
I’ve nabbed Ella Jade to pick her brains about writing and her latest release. If you enter the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post you have the chance to win a copy of Master of the Inn. Great to have you here Ella, can you tell us about your new release.
Master of the Inn is the first book in the Pleasure Inn Series. In this novella, the reader meets Elyse and Logan. We get to see how Pleasure Inn came to be. Each story that follows will center on a new set of guests at the inn but we’ll continue to see Logan and Elyse’s relationship progress.
What traits does the hero posses that makes the heroine swoon?
Dominant, handy and caring. I could have stopped at dominant. LOL
Who is your favorite character from this book? (Can you include an excerpt involving this character?)
Logan. I’m a sucker for a hot, dominant hero. Here’s a little exchange between the two…
“Things happened between us so fast. When I came here, I never expected to find someone like you. I was looking for an escape. A way to forget my past. That first night we were together, I didn’t think it would be anything more than just sex.”“What’s between us is much more than sex. Do you want to know how I know that?” Logan asked.She nodded.“I’ve never had anything more than sex with anyone else. With you everything is different. We happened quickly, but it feels right.” Logan had never put himself out there for anyone, but he’d never experienced such intense feelings. “Can’t you feel it?”“I do,” she whispered.“Give me a chance to show you I’m not Phillip. The fact that you stayed with me without knowing me proves you want more. I want to give you more.” He’d give her the fucking moon if that’s what it took.“You’re a complicated man.”“I’m trying not to be.” With Elyse he wanted to be himself.“I don’t mean it in a bad way.” She trailed her fingers over the hard plains of his chest. “You’re take charge, especially in the bedroom.”“I thought you liked that.”“I do, but there is another side to you. You’re soft and tender. Sometimes I catch you looking at me and you look so sweet.”“Only with you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I like the games in the bedroom and it drives me nuts how receptive you are. You’re so willing to give up the control, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to…” He stopped. He wasn’t sure he should finish. Maybe Elyse wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say. She’d already been hurt. He didn’t want to rush her into the emotions he felt.“What, Logan? What do you wonder?”
I’m a sucker for your Doms too. :o)How did you get started?
I’ve been writing stories my whole life. The plots and characters have always played out in my head but I never knew what to do with them. Once I found the eBooks industry, I knew I’d find my creations a home.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next book in this series. It’s called Indulging the Professor. Marcus and Sophia will be guests at the inn. Logan and Elyse will find a way to make all of their fantasies a reality at Pleasure Inn.
Can you describe your daily writing routine?
Now that my kids are in school all day, writing has become my full-time job. I try to spend at least four days a week writing for six hours a day. In a perfect world that would be great, but there is editing, blogging and promo that needs to be done as well. So, sometimes my writing has to take a backseat.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I start out as a plotter but I let the characters guide me. If my initial plans for a book don’t feel right for a hero and heroine, I let it fly and see where I end up.
Where do your best ideas come from?
I hold whole conversations in my head. Often I can plan a book around just a few lines of dialog. My best ideas are born just before I drift off to sleep. I guess my mind is quiet then and I can let my imagination take over.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?
Don’t give up. No matter how many times your book is rejected. You’ll find it a home. You just need to be persistent and know your publishers and market.
Where can my readers find you?
I love connecting with readers. You can find me at http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com
Thanks Ella! Now for a little more about Master of the Inn.
Pleasure Inn… Where all of your fantasies become reality.
Executive chef Elyse Clapton has had it with city life. She’s spent the last few years building her cheating boyfriend’s trendy New York City restaurant into a success. When their relationship ends, so does her desire to be in his kitchen. She flees to a quaint inn she remembers visiting as a child. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets the sexy, reclusive inn keeper.
Handyman Logan Cole inherited Pleasure Inn against his wishes. Ever since he got caught up in a scandal involving another man’s wife, he keeps to himself – finding solace in a bottle. He didn’t realize how lonely he’d become until Elyse shows up on his porch. He’s instantly drawn to her and convinces her to stay at the Bed and Breakfast.
Elyse comes to town looking for a getaway. She never expects to fall for Logan. It doesn’t take her long to believe the inn’s motto. Logan’s dominance in the bedroom makes all of her fantasies a reality.
Excerpt: A light came on in an upstairs window indicating someone was there. Elyse walked up the front steps and tried the door, but it was locked. Just as she reached for the bell, the door flew open and a large, muscular figure appeared. The old screen door and the absence of lighting in the foyer concealed his face.
“Hi,” Elyse said. “I was driving by and wondered if you had any vacancies.”
“Here?”
“This is an inn, isn’t it?”
“It hasn’t been for over four years.” He turned on the porch light. “I thought everyone in this town knew that.”
His disheveled appearance made her think he wasn’t planning on entertaining visitors. His dark, thick hair looked as if he’d run his fingers through it causing it to stand on end. He hadn’t bothered to button his faded blue jeans or put on a shirt before answering the door. Elyse couldn’t help but notice how his well-defined abs disappeared into his waistband.
“I’m sorry.” She moved away from the entrance. “I’m intruding.”
“No.” He stepped out onto the porch in his bare feet. “I just didn’t expect anyone out here at this time of the night.”
“I drove from the city. I thought I might stay the night. I used to come here as a kid.” She looked past his shoulder into the foyer. She saw a fresh stack of wood in the corner and several cans of paint. “Are you renovating?”
“Trying to.” He nodded. “It’s a work in progress.”
She caught a wave of alcohol on his breath.
“Are you just passing through?”
“I’m not sure. I just needed to get away and I remembered how perfect this place always was.”“Yeah,” he looked over his shoulder. “Not so much anymore.”
“What happened?”
“My uncle owned the place, but he couldn’t keep up with the maintenance. He and my aunt retired and left it to me. It’s just been sitting vacant since then. It needed a ton of work. I didn’t realize how much until I actually started ripping things out.”
“How long have you been renovating?”
“A little over six months.”
“Well, thanks for your time. Maybe I’ll visit when you’re finished,” She smiled encouragement, but disappointment filled Elyse’s heart at the thought of not staying there. “Good luck with the renovations.”
When she turned to leave, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Wait.”
When she turned, his ice blue eyes held her gaze. The intensity there made her stomach flutter. It should have been a warning sign to run fast and far, but her body responded in other ways. The sensation he created from just one touch coursed through her system, landing straight between her legs.
Oh my…
“For the past few months I’ve been renovating the third floor. If I’m going to live here and run this place, I wanted my rooms to be done first before I started on the rest of the inn. There are two bedrooms up there; both have private bathrooms. You could stay if you want.”
“That’s very nice of you, but—”
“Your room has a lock.”
As if that would keep you out. You have the keys.
“I’m not ready to have guests yet, so I wouldn’t charge you.”
“I couldn’t, but thank you.”
“You drove all this way to Pleasure Inn. There isn’t another place for miles. Spend the night and then you can leave in the morning.”
She wasn’t familiar with the surrounding area and the drive had made her tired. What if she couldn’t find another place to spend the night?
“I don’t blame you for being cautious.” He shrugged. “You do what your gut tells you: but you’re more than welcome to stay here.”
She stared into his deep eyes for a few moments. She’d left the city to get away and forget about the disaster of a relationship with Phillip. She’d done nothing but work for years. She hadn’t been to a restaurant or on a vacation in months. She was too busy cooking for others. Would one night in a beautiful Victorian inn be so bad? How could it be, especially when the inn keeper looked like a goddamned Calvin Klein model?
“I’ll stay on one condition.”
“Sure.”
“You have to tell me your name.”
“Oh.” He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled for the first time since greeting her. “Forgive my manners. I’m Logan Cole.” He extended his hand to her.
“Nice to meet you, Logan,” She said properly as she shook his hand. “I’m Elyse Clapton.”
“Welcome to Pleasure Inn, Ms. Clapton.” He dipped his head as he held the door open for her. “Where all of your fantasies become reality.”
About the Author:Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
Connect with the Author:Site Facebook Author Page Twitter
Giveaway:Ella is giving away a digital copy of her book during her Tour. For a chance to win please fill out the Raffle copter below.a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 12, 2013
Starting from scratch
This is the part of writing I love and hate equally. I have the idea, the characters, the plot, now it’s time to get into the zone and write. It’s hard saying goodbye to the last set of characters, and for me it doesn’t get any easier with time. It’s also difficult for me to get into the new characters’ heads when the last ones are fresh in my mind.
The buzz I get from finishing a story keeps me going well through the next. This time around I’m writing book 3 in The Price of Fame series, tentatively entitled Broken Rules. If you’ve read The Monster of Fame, you’ll be familiar with Jessica Hartley and Kevin Jones. Jess is Anna’s best friend, Kev was on an opposing team. The night they met forced Jess to break some personal rules and Kev to realised that not every woman wants to make a quick buck out of him. That night isn’t where the story starts, in fact it begins months later when they’re forced together again for the DYHWIT?Tour around the UK. But it is where I’ve started writing so I can get a good idea of what happened that night.
This is the first time I’ve started this way, and so far I’m discovering a lot of things I didn’t know about these two when I plotted their story. In fact, there are a few things that have come to the surface which surprised me, but made more sense than what I had. Even though I haven’t started writing the book, the words I already have are shaping the story I plan to write and what I thought at first was a waste of time is turning out to be eye opening.
Who knows, I may even have this story finished quicker than the second. Never Say Never took me a long time *cough*six-months *cough* to get it down. Hope Broken Rules flows more easily.
Hope you have a great weekend!
XOXO
The buzz I get from finishing a story keeps me going well through the next. This time around I’m writing book 3 in The Price of Fame series, tentatively entitled Broken Rules. If you’ve read The Monster of Fame, you’ll be familiar with Jessica Hartley and Kevin Jones. Jess is Anna’s best friend, Kev was on an opposing team. The night they met forced Jess to break some personal rules and Kev to realised that not every woman wants to make a quick buck out of him. That night isn’t where the story starts, in fact it begins months later when they’re forced together again for the DYHWIT?Tour around the UK. But it is where I’ve started writing so I can get a good idea of what happened that night.
This is the first time I’ve started this way, and so far I’m discovering a lot of things I didn’t know about these two when I plotted their story. In fact, there are a few things that have come to the surface which surprised me, but made more sense than what I had. Even though I haven’t started writing the book, the words I already have are shaping the story I plan to write and what I thought at first was a waste of time is turning out to be eye opening.
Who knows, I may even have this story finished quicker than the second. Never Say Never took me a long time *cough*six-months *cough* to get it down. Hope Broken Rules flows more easily.
Hope you have a great weekend!
XOXO
January 10, 2013
Revisions, part two
Finally I sent back the revised story, Flirting With Trouble, to my editor at Mills & Boon. To ease the pain of the wait I’ve started another story, the third book in The Price of Fame. Not that it makes waiting easier. I’m still itching to refresh my inbox every five seconds.
I promised you all I’d share my experience revising a full manuscript, so here we go.
I’ll admit that I was daunted by the revisions and since the focus was on the beginning and the heroine and hero’s work relationship had to change, I thought I would need a total re-write from chapter four.
Instead of trawling through a few pages of emails time and time again, I got out my notepad and bulleted the points in the story that had to change. It looked something like this...· Alexa can’t be PA. Party organiser instead.
· Ric doesn’t own hotel or building site, but aspires to. · Keep it fun, flirty and RIVA throughout. · Show what she does for a living sooner. · Make Ric more alpha. · He’s adopted. · He’s an adrenaline junky.
This helped me focus on the main issues in a way I could remind myself what I needed to do easily. By the time I got to chapter three I realised I needed to delete a few scenes which focused on her PA duties and alter them to bring Ric & Alexa together as partners. Luckily the curve in my new scenes brought the story to the same point as the deleted ones and I was able to stick (for the most part) with what I had in terms of the time line.
The tricky part was managing to keep the threads in sync with my new changes. My bullet point list ended up covered in scribbles to remind me of all the amendments I’d made to the story.
So all in all, revisions are great for the story, but tricky too. The learning curve was priceless and even if I don’t succeed in selling this story to HMB, I’ll be forever grateful for this chance to revise a book with their help and expertise.
Happy to answer any questions about the process :o)
Till next time XOXO
January 5, 2013
On tour this month…
And next.
Yes, I’m at it again. I’m going on tour with Shades of Rose Marketing with Isle of Sensuality.
Here are the tour dates! January21st - The Ebook Reviewers - Guest Posts22nd - Susie Medwell - Guest Post
23rd - Lacey Wolfe - Interview
25th - Reading, Writing, and Roses - Spotlight
29th - Melissa Kendall - Spotlights
30th - Melisa Keir - Spotlights
31st - Tamaria Soana - Interview February 1st - New Age Mama - Spotlights
4th - Intriguing Reads - Spotlight
6th - Krista Ames - Spotlight
7th - Paulette's Papers - Spotlights
8th - All Things Book - SpotlightI’ll also be making an appearance at a few other blogs (more details to follow), doing giveaways and more. Until next time XOXO
January 4, 2013
Lemme be Scrooge, dammit
As you all know, I’m not a lover of ‘the season to be jolly’. I had my reasons, but 2012 made it so hard to hate December.
First, I was celebrating the release of my debut, The Monster of Fame. Indescribable buzz. And the reviews, emails, Facebook buddies and Tweeters who’ve taken time to read and comment made the whole of 2012 my best year so far. How could I get all grouchy come Christmas after that?Then, the Christmas anthology freebie I was part of had over 48,000 downloads in December. Couldn’t find a reason to be mopey and Scroogelike at all. And considering I’ve been in bed since Christmas Eve with the flu, it’s a miracle I haven’t moaned once. The one thing I do look forward to is the New Year and already 2013 is shaping up to be fantastic. With my first steamy-from-the-get-go category romance, Isle of Sensuality, out in just over two weeks, and the second book in The Price of Fame series due to be released in April, things are looking up. Plus I’ve finally finished my revisions for my SYTYCW entry, Flirting With Trouble. It’s on its way to Mills & Boon as we speak. I’m not holding my breath for a sale, but it feels like an accomplishment in itself. Next up, Revisions part two. Because the Revisions for Ric & Alexa’s story damn near killed me—or maybe that was the flu. Either way, they taught me so much and I’m dying to share! Laters baby.XOXO
First, I was celebrating the release of my debut, The Monster of Fame. Indescribable buzz. And the reviews, emails, Facebook buddies and Tweeters who’ve taken time to read and comment made the whole of 2012 my best year so far. How could I get all grouchy come Christmas after that?Then, the Christmas anthology freebie I was part of had over 48,000 downloads in December. Couldn’t find a reason to be mopey and Scroogelike at all. And considering I’ve been in bed since Christmas Eve with the flu, it’s a miracle I haven’t moaned once. The one thing I do look forward to is the New Year and already 2013 is shaping up to be fantastic. With my first steamy-from-the-get-go category romance, Isle of Sensuality, out in just over two weeks, and the second book in The Price of Fame series due to be released in April, things are looking up. Plus I’ve finally finished my revisions for my SYTYCW entry, Flirting With Trouble. It’s on its way to Mills & Boon as we speak. I’m not holding my breath for a sale, but it feels like an accomplishment in itself. Next up, Revisions part two. Because the Revisions for Ric & Alexa’s story damn near killed me—or maybe that was the flu. Either way, they taught me so much and I’m dying to share! Laters baby.XOXO
December 20, 2012
Interview with debut Breathless Press author, Aurelia B Rowl!
I’m thrilled to have Aurelia B Rowl on my blog. Today she is celebrating the release of her debut book, Christmas is Cancelled. In keeping with my nosey self, I’ve picked her brains about her favourite things about the holiday season. Read on to find out more about her fabulous debut with a teaser to get your juices flowing. What is your favourite thing about the holiday season?
I love the magic of Christmas and the light that shines in my children’s eyes (not to mention relying on Santa to get them to behave as end-of-term tiredness kicks in). And I love all things sparkly – and twinkly – so I’m in my element.
Are you like me and shop for all your gifts on Christmas Eve, or are you a bit more organised?
I am usually fairly organised, but this year it has all gone to pot and even now, I still have the majority of my shopping to do. Definitely nearing panic stations!
I hear ya! I'm doing mine tomorrow :) What kind of tree do you prefer?
I do love real trees, but not the needles sticking in my feet or remembering to water it. I stick to my lovely bushy artificial tree, in fact, in my entire life I’ve only ever had one real tree at home.
Do you do all your own baking from scratch, or do you prefer to pick up something from M&S? (I love all the goodies they have this time of year!)
I don’t really have to do baking over Christmas as we’re not Christmas cake or pudding eaters, and it’s much easier to buy vegetarian mince pies than mess about making my own. Plus the big day is spent with my lovely in-laws, and I get to relax.
Do you prefer a big family Christmas or a quiet day with your nearest and dearest?
My sister lives too far away for me to visit easily, what with the entourage we have to drag along, but I do love the big family Christmas. I am very much looking forward to spending the day with my husband’s family as usual, even though I generally end up as the designated driver.
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas morning?
Seeing my children’s excited little faces when they discover that Father Christmas has been. You can’t beat it!
What gave you the idea for Christmas is Cancelled?
I stared at the blank screen long enough for the ideas to start forming, thinking about what would make a really terrible start to Christmas. Once I had my opening scene, and my main characters, it all fell into place.
Can you sum it up in thirty words?
Nope, is thirty-two okay? LOL <Definitely!
Could Tilly's day get any worse? Even Christmas had been cancelled! Will Dean, her knight in shining armor, succumb to temptation as he endeavors to make Christmas better for both of them?
Dean sounds gorgeous. What’s your favourite quality about him?
He has every right to be bitter, twisted, and plain old miserable. Instead, he remains upbeat, most of the time at least, and strives to be the best he can be.
Is Tilly the kind of person you could be friends with, and why?
Yes, I do think I could be friends with Tilly; underneath her composed, almost dull, façade is a girl with a spark, and a lot of repressed energy that I would have to make it my mission to unleash.Now for the fun bit. Eggnog or wine? Wine – medium white if you’re offering JTurkey or chicken?Neither – I’ve been vegetarian for over 20 years.Chocolate cake or berries? Did somebody say chocolate? No question!!Santa hat or paper crowns? It just has to be the ridiculous paper crown out of the cracker that doesn’t seem to fit anybody.Dr Who or Eastenders? Neither – I’m really not much of a TV viewer but am partial to Christmas movies.
I'm a bit of a geek, so prefer Dr Who. It's all I watch Christmas day :)Now for a little more about Christmas is Cancelled and a juicy excerpt. Isn’t the cover fab?
Matilda 'Tilly' Carter didn't think her day could get any worse, but even Christmas had just been cancelled.The one girl Dean Watson has sworn never to have—never even expected to see again—just flared back into his life and into his home—his sanctuary—like she belonged there. Christmas would certainly be more bearable with Tilly around though…As the chinks in Dean's armor appear, Tilly seizes the chance to win her knight once and for all. She's not about to take no for answer—not this time—but Dean must resist, even as his heart rebels and temptation threatens to undermine his resolve.Win or lose? Love or honor? Which will Dean choose? Assuming he gets a choice…
Excerpt Tears welled in her eyes, clouding her vision. She turned and wandered blindly toward the exit as the first tear escaped, forging a track down her cheek for the rest to follow. Tilly took in a lungful of air and then another. Having made a spectacle of herself once already, she really didn't want to be the cause of yet another scene.
The crowds swarmed around her, with students and family members heading home for the holidays only adding to the usual rush-hour melee of commuters. They jostled past, threatening to swallow her whole, as they rushed en mass in the opposite direction, using their briefcases and suitcases as a battering ram.
It was suffocating. She had to get out of there. Breaking into a run, broken heel or not, she raced through the doors and out into the biting December chill. Her waterlogged eyes struggled to adjust to the dark, dreary sky after the bright station lights, but she didn't dare slow down, desperate to escape the throng of festivities and merriment.
Carol singers assembled outside burst into a jovial rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," full of joy and happiness. Didn't they know Christmas had just been cancelled?
"Ooof!" Tilly smacked her shin against the edge of a low bench, too dark to see as she tried to dodge the growing audience. She ended up sprawled across the bench, dropping the handle of her suitcase with a loud clatter.
At least the pain shooting down her leg gave her an excuse to be crying. Unfortunately, it meant she had to stop running too. Not good. Whenever things got too tough, too intimate, or too confrontational, you could rely on her to make a run for it. Running away was what she did best...
A tall figure loomed in the edge of her vision, something vaguely familiar about the man's loping gait. In an effort to see him more clearly, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, then cringed inwardly at the black streaks now etched all over them. Great. She could add impersonating a panda to her day from hell as well then.
The mascara stung her eyes, rendering her unable to focus properly. She blinked furiously as the man strode past her, talking into a mobile phone in a deep voice that resonated throughout her body and made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A surge of adrenaline rushed to her legs, numbing the pain as her subconscious told her to run. Now!The cloaked figure stopped mid-stride as if he'd heard her gasp. "Mike, I've gotta go," he barked into the phone, hanging up instantly. He backtracked until he was standing right in front of her, his tone changing from a growl to one of surprise. "Basmati?"
Great. She hadn't heard the nickname for years—nine years, four months and...sixteen days, to be exact—and even then, only one person had ever actually used it. She screwed her eyes tightly shut, shaking her head from side to side. No. No way. There was absolutely no way this could be happening to her. Not now. Not today of all days... Talk about kicking a girl when she was down.
Buy link: Breathless Press
About the Author
Aurelia B Rowl is a contemporary romance author but you can also find her masquerading as Allie A Burrow, her raunchier alter-ego.
She lives on the edge of the Peak District in the UK with her very understanding husband and their two fantastic children aged 5 and 3, along with their mad rescue mutt who doesn’t mind being used as a sounding post and source of inspiration. They are all used to her getting too caught up with her latest writing project... or five!... and she is guiltily counting down the months until she has both kids at school full-time.
To find out more about Aurelia, or to check out what projects she's working on right now, you can visit her website www.aureliabrowl.com
You can also find her hanging out on:Blog – blogspot.aureliabrowl.comFacebook – www.facebook.com/aurelia.b.rowlTwitter – @AureliaBRowlGoogle+ – +AureliaBRowlPinterest – www.pinterest.com/aureliabrowlGoodreads – www.goodreads.com/aureliabrowlThank you for coming by my blog today, Aurelia. I wish you all the best with your debut!
XOXO
I love the magic of Christmas and the light that shines in my children’s eyes (not to mention relying on Santa to get them to behave as end-of-term tiredness kicks in). And I love all things sparkly – and twinkly – so I’m in my element.
Are you like me and shop for all your gifts on Christmas Eve, or are you a bit more organised?
I am usually fairly organised, but this year it has all gone to pot and even now, I still have the majority of my shopping to do. Definitely nearing panic stations!
I hear ya! I'm doing mine tomorrow :) What kind of tree do you prefer?
I do love real trees, but not the needles sticking in my feet or remembering to water it. I stick to my lovely bushy artificial tree, in fact, in my entire life I’ve only ever had one real tree at home.
Do you do all your own baking from scratch, or do you prefer to pick up something from M&S? (I love all the goodies they have this time of year!)
I don’t really have to do baking over Christmas as we’re not Christmas cake or pudding eaters, and it’s much easier to buy vegetarian mince pies than mess about making my own. Plus the big day is spent with my lovely in-laws, and I get to relax.
Do you prefer a big family Christmas or a quiet day with your nearest and dearest?
My sister lives too far away for me to visit easily, what with the entourage we have to drag along, but I do love the big family Christmas. I am very much looking forward to spending the day with my husband’s family as usual, even though I generally end up as the designated driver.
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas morning?
Seeing my children’s excited little faces when they discover that Father Christmas has been. You can’t beat it!
What gave you the idea for Christmas is Cancelled?
I stared at the blank screen long enough for the ideas to start forming, thinking about what would make a really terrible start to Christmas. Once I had my opening scene, and my main characters, it all fell into place.
Can you sum it up in thirty words?
Nope, is thirty-two okay? LOL <Definitely!
Could Tilly's day get any worse? Even Christmas had been cancelled! Will Dean, her knight in shining armor, succumb to temptation as he endeavors to make Christmas better for both of them?
Dean sounds gorgeous. What’s your favourite quality about him?
He has every right to be bitter, twisted, and plain old miserable. Instead, he remains upbeat, most of the time at least, and strives to be the best he can be.
Is Tilly the kind of person you could be friends with, and why?
Yes, I do think I could be friends with Tilly; underneath her composed, almost dull, façade is a girl with a spark, and a lot of repressed energy that I would have to make it my mission to unleash.Now for the fun bit. Eggnog or wine? Wine – medium white if you’re offering JTurkey or chicken?Neither – I’ve been vegetarian for over 20 years.Chocolate cake or berries? Did somebody say chocolate? No question!!Santa hat or paper crowns? It just has to be the ridiculous paper crown out of the cracker that doesn’t seem to fit anybody.Dr Who or Eastenders? Neither – I’m really not much of a TV viewer but am partial to Christmas movies.
I'm a bit of a geek, so prefer Dr Who. It's all I watch Christmas day :)Now for a little more about Christmas is Cancelled and a juicy excerpt. Isn’t the cover fab?
Matilda 'Tilly' Carter didn't think her day could get any worse, but even Christmas had just been cancelled.The one girl Dean Watson has sworn never to have—never even expected to see again—just flared back into his life and into his home—his sanctuary—like she belonged there. Christmas would certainly be more bearable with Tilly around though…As the chinks in Dean's armor appear, Tilly seizes the chance to win her knight once and for all. She's not about to take no for answer—not this time—but Dean must resist, even as his heart rebels and temptation threatens to undermine his resolve.Win or lose? Love or honor? Which will Dean choose? Assuming he gets a choice…Excerpt Tears welled in her eyes, clouding her vision. She turned and wandered blindly toward the exit as the first tear escaped, forging a track down her cheek for the rest to follow. Tilly took in a lungful of air and then another. Having made a spectacle of herself once already, she really didn't want to be the cause of yet another scene.
The crowds swarmed around her, with students and family members heading home for the holidays only adding to the usual rush-hour melee of commuters. They jostled past, threatening to swallow her whole, as they rushed en mass in the opposite direction, using their briefcases and suitcases as a battering ram.
It was suffocating. She had to get out of there. Breaking into a run, broken heel or not, she raced through the doors and out into the biting December chill. Her waterlogged eyes struggled to adjust to the dark, dreary sky after the bright station lights, but she didn't dare slow down, desperate to escape the throng of festivities and merriment.
Carol singers assembled outside burst into a jovial rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," full of joy and happiness. Didn't they know Christmas had just been cancelled?
"Ooof!" Tilly smacked her shin against the edge of a low bench, too dark to see as she tried to dodge the growing audience. She ended up sprawled across the bench, dropping the handle of her suitcase with a loud clatter.
At least the pain shooting down her leg gave her an excuse to be crying. Unfortunately, it meant she had to stop running too. Not good. Whenever things got too tough, too intimate, or too confrontational, you could rely on her to make a run for it. Running away was what she did best...
A tall figure loomed in the edge of her vision, something vaguely familiar about the man's loping gait. In an effort to see him more clearly, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, then cringed inwardly at the black streaks now etched all over them. Great. She could add impersonating a panda to her day from hell as well then.
The mascara stung her eyes, rendering her unable to focus properly. She blinked furiously as the man strode past her, talking into a mobile phone in a deep voice that resonated throughout her body and made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A surge of adrenaline rushed to her legs, numbing the pain as her subconscious told her to run. Now!The cloaked figure stopped mid-stride as if he'd heard her gasp. "Mike, I've gotta go," he barked into the phone, hanging up instantly. He backtracked until he was standing right in front of her, his tone changing from a growl to one of surprise. "Basmati?"
Great. She hadn't heard the nickname for years—nine years, four months and...sixteen days, to be exact—and even then, only one person had ever actually used it. She screwed her eyes tightly shut, shaking her head from side to side. No. No way. There was absolutely no way this could be happening to her. Not now. Not today of all days... Talk about kicking a girl when she was down.
Buy link: Breathless Press
About the Author
Aurelia B Rowl is a contemporary romance author but you can also find her masquerading as Allie A Burrow, her raunchier alter-ego. She lives on the edge of the Peak District in the UK with her very understanding husband and their two fantastic children aged 5 and 3, along with their mad rescue mutt who doesn’t mind being used as a sounding post and source of inspiration. They are all used to her getting too caught up with her latest writing project... or five!... and she is guiltily counting down the months until she has both kids at school full-time.
To find out more about Aurelia, or to check out what projects she's working on right now, you can visit her website www.aureliabrowl.com
You can also find her hanging out on:Blog – blogspot.aureliabrowl.comFacebook – www.facebook.com/aurelia.b.rowlTwitter – @AureliaBRowlGoogle+ – +AureliaBRowlPinterest – www.pinterest.com/aureliabrowlGoodreads – www.goodreads.com/aureliabrowlThank you for coming by my blog today, Aurelia. I wish you all the best with your debut!
XOXO
December 18, 2012
And the winner is...
I believe Carrie Ann will contact the winner of the grand prizes separately, but the winner of The Monster of Fame is... Kim C! I'll email you the ebook shortly. Thank you to everyone who commented. It was lovely to hear what you all love most about the season. As it isn't snowing here yet, it still doesn't feel like Christmas (though the frost is out full force!). Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year! XOXO
Meet Emily Wood, debut Beachwalk Babe!
I’ve snagged debut Beachwalk Press author, Emily Wood, for an interview. Business and Pleasure is out now and you can find it via the link below. Here’s a little more about Book one in the Rags and Riches Series.
Business and Pleasure by Emily Wood
Can mixing business and pleasure ever result in a happy ending?When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene.A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service. Even if their relationship is strong enough to survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from her past shows up and threatens to reveal her deepest, darkest secret?Here’s a cheeky excerpt to get your juices flowing…Lucy looked around nervously. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I…don't know," Mia admitted. Perhaps she was just being paranoid.
"Mia." She heard a familiar drawl coming from the shadows. Her heart raced in anticipation as she turned to see the speaker. He walked out of the shadows and toward them like a jaguar stalking his prey, but Mia didn't feel intimidated, only excited by his presence.
"You shouldn't go sneaking around in the darkness. You could give a girl a fright." Mia laughed.
"I could leave, if that would please you," he purred. She loved the way he emphasized please. He gave no indication that he was going to leave. Mia was glad.
"Er, maybe I'll just go wait around the corner," Lucy said awkwardly. Mia nodded to acknowledge her, feeling a little guilty, because she had actually forgotten Lucy was still there.
"So, what are you doing here?" Mia tried to seem nonchalant, despite the fact that her body was having some kind of chemical reaction to his presence.
As if from nowhere, the handsome man produced the bottle of champagne he had purchased earlier that night. "I do believe we have plans to share this." He took a step closer to her.
"Oh. I would, it's just we aren't supposed to socialize with the clients outside of the club," Mia said teasingly, although it was technically true.
"Tell me, Mia, do you always do what you're supposed to do?" It seemed as though he had expected her reaction.
"No, I guess not."
"I've been watching you, Mia."
"I've noticed." She took a step in his direction and looked challengingly into his dark eyes. "So, do you like what you see?"
They were close enough to touch, and Mia's every nerve was tingling, hoping to feel his fingers on her skin. He swayed forward and, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, but he leaned toward her ear instead. "I have a business proposition for you," he breathed, sending a shiver through her body before he pulled away from her.
It took Mia a moment to compose herself, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, no doubt he was enjoying her confusion. "Business…a business proposition?" Mia attempted to sound as casual as she possibly could.
"I'm returning to my home in Tuscany tomorrow," he announced.
Mia felt her heart sink, but was determined not to let it show. "Oh, it must be beautiful in Italy this time of year. But what does that have to do with me?"
"I was hoping you would accompany me."
Beachwalk Press Buy Link
Interview:
1. Tell us about your new release.
Business and Pleasure is the first in a series, Rags and Riches. Mia works as a pole dancer in a club in London until sexy, rich Lawrence Russo offers her a chance to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, but as a relationship begins to develop between them Mia worries that he feels he’s just paying for a service, even if their relationship can survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from Mia’s past turns up and threatens to expose her deepest, darkest secret?
2. Can’t wait to find out! What was your inspiration for this story?
Well the idea for the series as a whole came originally from a short story that I wrote, but I knew I just had to go into more detail and write about all the characters individually. The main characters in this story had been in my head for a while, but I wanted to create the kind of atmosphere where the relationship was quite intense and they were seeing each other all the time, which is why I decided to set it in Italy as a two week set-up.
3. How long have you been writing with the hopes of publication?
I suppose I started really studying the market and writing seriously a couple of years ago but I only had the guts to start submitting to publishers about a year ago.
4. I hear you. Hitting send for the first time is terrifying. What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?
Contemporary romance and I’m just beginning a historical romance. I love contemporary because of the freedom you have when creating the plot and the characters, you can look at anything around you and usually create a story from it. I love historical because I love looking at some of the great events that have taken place in the past and knowing that it isn’t just a story, people lived and loved through those things, and anything you might write might not really be that far from the truth.
5. What are you working on now?
I’m working on the rest of the ‘Rags and Riches’ series, all in different stages of completion. As previously mentioned I’m also working on a historical romance. I feel it’s got a really strong love story which is most important, but I’m also really committed to getting the facts right, so a lot of research is going into this.
6. Can you describe your daily writing routine?
I wish I had one! I live the most hectic lifestyle right now, so I have to fit writing in whenever I can. I do always try to do a minimum of an hour a day, sometimes I do a lot more. I think my resolution for the New Year will definitely be to try and organize my time a bit better so I get to write more every day.
7. I hear you! Squeezing in the time to write is a nightmare, but a necessity :) What genres do you enjoy reading?
Well I obviously enjoy romance :) contemporary and historical being my favorite. But to be honest I love reading most things. Whenever I read something truly amazing I make sure that the next book I read is of a completely different genre, because otherwise I compare things too much to enjoy it properly. By doing this, I’ve found myself enjoying things I never would have expected to read.
8. Where do your best ideas come from?
Probably from people watching, which I do a lot. I love it when you hear a snippet of conversation which leaves you wondering what on earth they were talking about, my imagination runs wild and a lot of characters are born this way. Sometimes ideas just come from seeing a picture, or hearing something on the news.
9. Where can my readers find you?
You can follow me on twitter @EmilyWoodAuthor or you can follow my blog here http://emilywoodauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
10.Where can my readers find your books?
http://beachwalkpress.com/ Emily is on tour this month with Shades of Rose Marketing. Click on the tour banner to see a list of her other stops.
About the Author:
I have always believed that the best stories are the ones that you can't put down, the ones that transport you to a different place and make you believe in the characters. This is exactly why I write… I have always loved the escapism that reading and writing provides, and there is nothing more exciting than imagining your own set of characters, and then letting them practically write the story for you. Writing has always been a dream of mine, and I'm lucky to have the kind of people around me that have always nurtured and encouraged my passion.
I live a cozy little life in Wales, and when I'm not writing I'm taking care of my young family, studying for a degree in Classical Studies, and training to become a nail technician. I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new things…it's all great inspiration for my books! Site
Business and Pleasure by Emily Wood
Can mixing business and pleasure ever result in a happy ending?When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene.A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service. Even if their relationship is strong enough to survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from her past shows up and threatens to reveal her deepest, darkest secret?Here’s a cheeky excerpt to get your juices flowing…Lucy looked around nervously. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I…don't know," Mia admitted. Perhaps she was just being paranoid.
"Mia." She heard a familiar drawl coming from the shadows. Her heart raced in anticipation as she turned to see the speaker. He walked out of the shadows and toward them like a jaguar stalking his prey, but Mia didn't feel intimidated, only excited by his presence.
"You shouldn't go sneaking around in the darkness. You could give a girl a fright." Mia laughed.
"I could leave, if that would please you," he purred. She loved the way he emphasized please. He gave no indication that he was going to leave. Mia was glad.
"Er, maybe I'll just go wait around the corner," Lucy said awkwardly. Mia nodded to acknowledge her, feeling a little guilty, because she had actually forgotten Lucy was still there.
"So, what are you doing here?" Mia tried to seem nonchalant, despite the fact that her body was having some kind of chemical reaction to his presence.
As if from nowhere, the handsome man produced the bottle of champagne he had purchased earlier that night. "I do believe we have plans to share this." He took a step closer to her.
"Oh. I would, it's just we aren't supposed to socialize with the clients outside of the club," Mia said teasingly, although it was technically true.
"Tell me, Mia, do you always do what you're supposed to do?" It seemed as though he had expected her reaction.
"No, I guess not."
"I've been watching you, Mia."
"I've noticed." She took a step in his direction and looked challengingly into his dark eyes. "So, do you like what you see?"
They were close enough to touch, and Mia's every nerve was tingling, hoping to feel his fingers on her skin. He swayed forward and, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, but he leaned toward her ear instead. "I have a business proposition for you," he breathed, sending a shiver through her body before he pulled away from her.
It took Mia a moment to compose herself, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, no doubt he was enjoying her confusion. "Business…a business proposition?" Mia attempted to sound as casual as she possibly could.
"I'm returning to my home in Tuscany tomorrow," he announced.
Mia felt her heart sink, but was determined not to let it show. "Oh, it must be beautiful in Italy this time of year. But what does that have to do with me?"
"I was hoping you would accompany me."
Beachwalk Press Buy Link
Interview:
1. Tell us about your new release.
Business and Pleasure is the first in a series, Rags and Riches. Mia works as a pole dancer in a club in London until sexy, rich Lawrence Russo offers her a chance to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, but as a relationship begins to develop between them Mia worries that he feels he’s just paying for a service, even if their relationship can survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from Mia’s past turns up and threatens to expose her deepest, darkest secret?
2. Can’t wait to find out! What was your inspiration for this story?
Well the idea for the series as a whole came originally from a short story that I wrote, but I knew I just had to go into more detail and write about all the characters individually. The main characters in this story had been in my head for a while, but I wanted to create the kind of atmosphere where the relationship was quite intense and they were seeing each other all the time, which is why I decided to set it in Italy as a two week set-up.
3. How long have you been writing with the hopes of publication?
I suppose I started really studying the market and writing seriously a couple of years ago but I only had the guts to start submitting to publishers about a year ago.
4. I hear you. Hitting send for the first time is terrifying. What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?
Contemporary romance and I’m just beginning a historical romance. I love contemporary because of the freedom you have when creating the plot and the characters, you can look at anything around you and usually create a story from it. I love historical because I love looking at some of the great events that have taken place in the past and knowing that it isn’t just a story, people lived and loved through those things, and anything you might write might not really be that far from the truth.
5. What are you working on now?
I’m working on the rest of the ‘Rags and Riches’ series, all in different stages of completion. As previously mentioned I’m also working on a historical romance. I feel it’s got a really strong love story which is most important, but I’m also really committed to getting the facts right, so a lot of research is going into this.
6. Can you describe your daily writing routine?
I wish I had one! I live the most hectic lifestyle right now, so I have to fit writing in whenever I can. I do always try to do a minimum of an hour a day, sometimes I do a lot more. I think my resolution for the New Year will definitely be to try and organize my time a bit better so I get to write more every day.
7. I hear you! Squeezing in the time to write is a nightmare, but a necessity :) What genres do you enjoy reading?
Well I obviously enjoy romance :) contemporary and historical being my favorite. But to be honest I love reading most things. Whenever I read something truly amazing I make sure that the next book I read is of a completely different genre, because otherwise I compare things too much to enjoy it properly. By doing this, I’ve found myself enjoying things I never would have expected to read.
8. Where do your best ideas come from?
Probably from people watching, which I do a lot. I love it when you hear a snippet of conversation which leaves you wondering what on earth they were talking about, my imagination runs wild and a lot of characters are born this way. Sometimes ideas just come from seeing a picture, or hearing something on the news.
9. Where can my readers find you?
You can follow me on twitter @EmilyWoodAuthor or you can follow my blog here http://emilywoodauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
10.Where can my readers find your books?
http://beachwalkpress.com/ Emily is on tour this month with Shades of Rose Marketing. Click on the tour banner to see a list of her other stops.
About the Author:I have always believed that the best stories are the ones that you can't put down, the ones that transport you to a different place and make you believe in the characters. This is exactly why I write… I have always loved the escapism that reading and writing provides, and there is nothing more exciting than imagining your own set of characters, and then letting them practically write the story for you. Writing has always been a dream of mine, and I'm lucky to have the kind of people around me that have always nurtured and encouraged my passion.
I live a cozy little life in Wales, and when I'm not writing I'm taking care of my young family, studying for a degree in Classical Studies, and training to become a nail technician. I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new things…it's all great inspiration for my books! Site
December 14, 2012
#holidaylove Blog Hop. Win a Kindle Fire!
It's a Happy Holiday from your favourite Authors and Bloggers. While we know everyone celebrates a different way, we wanted to make sure that you guys knew how much we treasure you all. So from Dec 14th to Dec 17th, all 200 or so of us will be blogging about the holidays and what they mean to us. We may talk about our favourite holiday traditions, recipes, gifts, reads, heroes, and so much more. We want to hear about what you do for the holidays, what you read, and who you'll spend it with. We hope to see you here and happy hopping!
And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.
But that's not all....
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!*
*Please note Swag Pack is for US Citizens only.
I’ll be the first to admit I’m cynical when it comes to “the season to be jolly” but I think that’s more to do with where I live than the season itself. Cold isn’t for me.
That said there’s something romantic about the snow falling, blanketing the ground in a thin layer of white. Definitely prettier than drab grey. The trees morph from ugly skeletal structures to another surface to harbour the soft, white powder. The need to catch a quick thrill sledging or building a snowman draws people out into the artic weather all wrapped up. And even I can’t deny the way some houses and gardens are decorated with lights, Christmas trees and other decorations are beautiful.And let’s not forget it gives us a chance to curl up with that special someone in front of a warm fire with a glass of wine and a good book. The Christmas themed romances released this month are magical, uplifting and even make an old cynic like me smile. There’s something about December that brings hope, and you can see it everywhere you go. Couples and families shopping for their loved ones, all the Christmas parties, good food and eggnog galore. Maybe the thing I actually dislike most about the holidays is the fact they end. When the decorations come down, the snow melts and January looms, it’s like walking out of a dream into cold reality. Even so, I have to say this year I’m not looking at the holidays with the same cynical eye and with two books already scheduled for release early next year, I’m actually excited for January to come. I'm giving away a copy of The Monster of Fame in your preferred format. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favourite thing about the holidays with a note of your email address (and the format you would prefer). More info is in 'The Price of Fame' tab above.
To be in for a chance to win one of the grand prizes, do the same (favourite thing about the holidays, leave your email address) but also leave a note of your country of residence (this is because the Swag Pack is only for US Citizens).
The winner will be announced on 18th December. Good luck. Happy Holidays!
XOXOOh and don’t forget to pop by these other blogs for a chance to win some really cool stuff and get even more entries for your chance to win one of the grand prizes.
And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.
But that's not all....
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!*
*Please note Swag Pack is for US Citizens only.
I’ll be the first to admit I’m cynical when it comes to “the season to be jolly” but I think that’s more to do with where I live than the season itself. Cold isn’t for me.
That said there’s something romantic about the snow falling, blanketing the ground in a thin layer of white. Definitely prettier than drab grey. The trees morph from ugly skeletal structures to another surface to harbour the soft, white powder. The need to catch a quick thrill sledging or building a snowman draws people out into the artic weather all wrapped up. And even I can’t deny the way some houses and gardens are decorated with lights, Christmas trees and other decorations are beautiful.And let’s not forget it gives us a chance to curl up with that special someone in front of a warm fire with a glass of wine and a good book. The Christmas themed romances released this month are magical, uplifting and even make an old cynic like me smile. There’s something about December that brings hope, and you can see it everywhere you go. Couples and families shopping for their loved ones, all the Christmas parties, good food and eggnog galore. Maybe the thing I actually dislike most about the holidays is the fact they end. When the decorations come down, the snow melts and January looms, it’s like walking out of a dream into cold reality. Even so, I have to say this year I’m not looking at the holidays with the same cynical eye and with two books already scheduled for release early next year, I’m actually excited for January to come. I'm giving away a copy of The Monster of Fame in your preferred format. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favourite thing about the holidays with a note of your email address (and the format you would prefer). More info is in 'The Price of Fame' tab above.
To be in for a chance to win one of the grand prizes, do the same (favourite thing about the holidays, leave your email address) but also leave a note of your country of residence (this is because the Swag Pack is only for US Citizens).
The winner will be announced on 18th December. Good luck. Happy Holidays!
XOXOOh and don’t forget to pop by these other blogs for a chance to win some really cool stuff and get even more entries for your chance to win one of the grand prizes.
