R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 407

Landslide by NJ Cole BLOG TOUR

Landslideby NJ ColeRelease Date: 8/4/2013Erotica novella
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 fucked all while calling him Daddy, fulfilling his secret fantasy. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday he 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 at nineteen is she barely legal, but she is the daughter of his best friend and political advisor. Mackenzie Wade has had a crush on the senator for years, and when an overheard phone call affords her the opportunity she needs to make her fantasies a reality, she jumps on 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 wasn’t enough for either of them, and they began a clandestine affair of the solid ground on which he’d built his career now began to shift as his wants and dreams for the future began to change. In what he can only describe as a landslide, Max hold on tight to the only thing that he can, Kenzie, and goes on the ride of his life, knowing all along that in the end, he may have to make a choice between the woman of his fantasies and his career.

cover designer: T.M. Franklin 
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.”

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.
Facebook I Goodreads I Blog

#ADivineLife RELEASE DAY FAQ

Wow, it's finally here. I can't begin to explain what I've gone through to get here, either! For everyone that has followed along the way and are excited about today: THANK YOU.
So, y'all know me, I like things structured and organized so this will be my FAQ post with regards to all things A Divine Life


First, where can you get your hands on A Divine Life?  GET IT HERE Seriously, anytime I get updated retail links for any of my titles, they go here.
It's a good page to know.

Charms include a wine glass, a 4 leaf clover, a high heel, a horse, C/J, "TRUST", and pearls

If you buy a copy between today and August 13, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a handmade Divine Charm Braclet

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How are we celebrating? With a party of course! 
PARTY HERE Join R.E. Hargrave and Renaissance Romance Publishing as we celebrate the release of book two of The Divine Trilogy with lots of games, teasers, prizes (naughty and nice) and fun! 
*Please note that this is an erotica series, 18 or older to participate based on US regulations.
time zones:Pacific: 3-5 pmMountain: 4-6 pmCentral: 5-7 pmEastern: 6-8 pmUK: 11 pm-1 amAUS: 8-10 am (Wed, Aug 7) World Clock - Check YOUR Timezone Here




And last, but certainly not least, the launch tour. Several bloggers have signed on to help spread the word and share their reviews of A Divine Life through August 19th. To the right, on the sidebar, you'll find the tour schedule hyperlinked. I've done interviews and some interesting guest posts, so I hope to see lots of people along the tour! 
In case you missed it, there is now a A Divine Life trailer:

Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour by Donna Huber BLOG TOUR

  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 decisions
Different types of tours
Recruiting bloggers and keeping requests organized
Best practice communication tips
Tricks to making a great guest appearance
How to organize a fun (and legal) giveaway
Actions to take during the tour
Next steps once the tour is complete
Virtual tour and other promotional opportunities
When to hire a professional

In 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
Buy Links:Amazon US / Amazon UKSmashwordsKobo
Join the Twitter Release Party on  August 15 at 8:00 pm eastern  with hashtag #GWRchat
Prizes (2): 5 - 9 stop tour; $20 Amazon Gift Card SEE RAFFLECOPTER LINK AT BOTTOM

Since Ms. Huber was coming by to tell us about her new book, I invited her to have some fun with my random interview questions. Shall we see which ones she chose to answer?
What is your favorite daily wear attire?
For the most part, I'm a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. I also like dressing up: wearing cute dresses and frilly tops. I dress professionally for work most days. I work in an academic lab so I could wear jeans every day if I wanted. When I started working there, I didn't look much older than the students and would be mistaken as the student worker if I was in jeans. I tend to wear more slacks and dresses to the office.

Do you like dogs or cats?
I'm a cat person. Growing up I wanted to be a zoo keeper and work with tigers. The subject of my dissertation was the Florida panther. I had a sister pair for almost 20 years, and now I have a mom/daughter pair.

Do you speak with your dog?
Given that I'm a cat person, I never thought I would have a dog of my own. We had large dogs growing up, but they belonged to my mom or sister. Yet, a year after I moved out I became the reluctant parent of a shih tzu/Jack Russell terrier mix. I was just suppose to foster her, but she chose me. I got her a playmate about a year later - a schnauzer rescued from a puppy mill. 

I live alone with just my four pets; so yes, I talk to them.

Tell me how many hats you have in your house?
I LOVE hats, and I have a bunch of them - maybe 15 or so. The first stop of the tour featured my hat collection, if you want to take a peak HERE
My favorite is probably the one I bought at the Holiday Bazaar at Grand Central Station a few years while visiting New York City. Sometimes I wish we still in the era when woman wearing hats was customary.

Which is your most favorite book ever?
It is so difficult to come up with my most favorite book. For classics, I love A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I would have to say my most favorite YA series is Harry Potter, but The Gateaway Chronicles by K. B. Hoyle is a real close second (the fifth book comes out this fall so there's still a chance it will become my favorite series). The Hitwoman series by J. B. Lynn is my favorite of new books. I absolutely loved The Hitwoman Gets Lucky (I laugh just thinking about the lizard in the bra scene).

Which is the best vacation you've ever had?
You might think that my trip to Europe would be my best vacation. It was pretty spectacular in that once in a lifetime kind of way (though I hope to see more of Europe in the future). 

I LOVE cruises and it is the absolute best way to vacation. Once you are there there's no more thinking about anything. Hungry - there's food always available. Want some entertainment - shows and excursions are provided. There's sun and a lot of lounging about. Yeah, that's my ideal vacation. I've been on two and if I could find a travel partner I would go on many more.

What kind of kid were you, naughty or nice?
I think I was a pretty good kid. I'm the youngest of three girls and I'm much younger than my sisters so I learned what not to do from watching them. But I do remember a conversation about how my name was suppose to be Donna Jean so they could call me mean Donna Jean. So maybe I wasn't as nice as I remember.

If given complete freedom to start afresh, what profession would you choose and why?
I often think about this question. Being on a college campus and seeing all the changes, I ask myself if I could go back to do it over again would I have chosen I different direction. I still think I would have chosen to study biology. I did fulfill my dream of being a zookeeper. And though I only did it for a little more than a year and I didn't get to work with tigers, I wouldn't exchange that experience for anything. 

In a lot of ways I am choosing a new profession. In 2010, I started working for a publishing house start up heading up their marketing department. I thought it was just a short term gig where I got to help out some authors achieve their dream. I quickly realized two things: one, I was good at it, and, two, I really enjoyed it. I would have loved to have known 10 years ago that this was a passion, but then again 10 years ago many of the doors now open were not even available.

Are you a morning person or a night person?
Unfortunately, I'm a morning person. It wasn't so bad in college. I would get up a few hours before everyone else on Saturday and get my laundry done - no waiting for washers and dryers. Now, it's not so great. I took my vacation at the beginning of July and it took the entire week for me to sleep until 7:30 am. I so wish I could sleep in.

Which is your most favorite place in this earth?
Last summer I participated in a daily photo challenge and one day the subject was favorite place. My favorite place is home. I would like to be a recluse and never leave my house. 




If you were stranded on a lonely beach, what are the five things that you would want to survive?

Being stranded on a lonely beach would be great. I would just need indoor plumbing, access to the internet, my Nook, my pets, and sunscreen. 




About the Author: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 Shades 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:Twitter I Facebook I Blog I Goodreads


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Follow the blog tour:
Schedule:
July 29 Fresh Pot of Tea http://alisondeluca.blogspot.com/ Review & Guest Post
July 30 Sarah Aisling www.sarahaisling.com Guest Post
July 31 1 Book Lover's Opinion www.1bookloversopinion.com Guest Post
Aug. 1 What Shall We Blog About Today? http://kenowinsky.blogspot.com Review & TOp 10 List
Aug. 2 Jude Ouvrard Www.judeouvrard.com Interview
Aug. 3 Jamie Sheffield Www.jamiesheffield.com Interview
Aug. 4 From the desk of . . . R.E. Hargrave www.rehargrave.com Interview
Aug. 5 All That's Written ... http://lucypireel.wordpress.com/ Top 10 List
Aug. 6 Italian Brat's Obsessions http://itlnbrt.com Review & Guest Post
Aug. 7 Author S.A. Jones www.authorsajones.com Review & Book Promo
Aug. 8 Karen Pokras Toz http://kptoz.blogspot.com Guest Post
Aug. 9 Lisa Bilbrey Www.lisabilbrey.blogspot.com Guest Post
Aug. 10 Elizabeth Lawrence, Author & Professional Oddity http://elizabeth-lawrence-author.blog... Guest Post
Aug. 11 Aria Glazki Writes ariaglazki.blogspot.com Guest Post
Aug. 12 Rose & Beps Blog http://rosebeps.blogspot.it/ Guest Post
Aug. 13 Cabin Goddess http://cabingoddess.com/ Review
Aug. 14 Killer Chicks http://www.killerchicks.org/ Interview
Aug. 15 Twitter Party 8 pm eastern #GWRchat
Aug. 16 Library Girl Reads & Reviews http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com Review & Top 10 List

The Howling Heart by April Bostic BLOG TOUR

The Howling Heart on GoodreadsRelease Date: August 8th, 2013Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Summary:
Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River. Soon she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv—wolves descended from 12th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack. Now she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.
About the Author:
April Bostic is a New Jersey-based romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled "A Rose to the Fallen". Her first short story, "Right Here, Right Now", released in January 2012 is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled "Eros, My Love", and a sexy romantic comedy entitled "Love Addiction". After five years, she will release her second novel "The Howling Heart" in August 2013, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods.
Contact Info:
Website I Goodreads I Amazon
Follow the Tour:
Aug 1st
Fandom Fanatic – Review
Christine's Blog – Review
Lindsey Gray ~ Author & Reviewer - Review
Musings from an addicted reader - Review
Escape Into A Book - Review
Butterfly on a Broomstick  - Promo
Simply Sensational Book Fanatics - Promo
Jein's Journey - Promo
Proserpine Craving Books - Review
A.R. Von DreamZ of Dragons - Review


Aug 2
The Boyfriend Bookmark - Review
Candy coated book blog - Review
The Fantastical World of Wonders - Review
Cover Reveals – Promo
From the desk of . . . R.E. Hargrave - Promo
Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews - Promo
Rose & Beps Blog - Promo


Aug 3
Faerie Tale Books – Review
New Adult Addiction – Review
Books, Authors, Blogs – Promo
C.W. Book Reviews – Review
Paranormal Opinion - Review
The Hive - Review
The Book Diaries - Review
Feeding My Lovely Addiction - Review
Romance Schmomance - Review

Undescribable by Shantel Tessier BLOG TOUR/GIVEAWAY

ON SALE NOW: AMAZON

Book Synopsis :Samantha Hall needs a fresh start.

Broken hearted and alone in a new city, Samantha begins to build a new life for herself while working as a bartender. Focusing on her new friends and rebuilding her broken life, Samantha is content.

Until she meets him – attorney by day and a cocky, foul mouth playboy by night.
All girls want Slade Long, but not one has ever been able to keep his attention for long. Having a different woman in his bed every night is how he prefers it-no emotion, no connection.

Until he meets her - an angel with the sweetest voice he has ever heard and the most enticing green eyes. Samantha makes him second guess his actions and has him wanting something he didn’t know existed. How can a man who has never been in love, be so sure? Can real love happen this fast?

Burned by her past, Samantha struggles to keep up with the overwhelming passion she feels for Slade. She knows that he will be nothing but trouble to her already fragile heart, but how long can she continue to deny the love that she feels for him?
Will Samantha let Slade prove his love is real, or will she push him away?

She thought she knew love…… He thought he never wanted love….. Together they will show each other what they can’t live without.





About the Author: Shantel is a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, and their three year old little princess. She considers herself extremely lucky to be a stay at home wife and mother. When she's not reading or writing, she spends her time with family and friends.
 
Find more about Shantel! Twitter @Shantel_Tessier I Facebook I Goodreads a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ADivineLife~One Week to Go!

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A Divine Life is on Goodreads!


2 Hour Facebook Release Party!
Join R.E. Hargrave and Renaissance Romance Publishing as we celebrate the release of book two of The Divine Trilogy with lots of games, teasers, prizes and fun! 
*Please note that this is an erotica series, 18 or older to participate based on US regulations.
time zones:Pacific: 3-5 pmMountain: 4-6 pmCentral: 5-7 pmEastern: 6-8 pmUK: 11 pm-1 amAUS: 8-10 am (Wed, Aug 7)CLICK here to figure out YOUR time zone

Elizabeth M. Lawrence: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR

Please welcome Elizabeth M. Lawrence today. She is the author of Wishing Cotton, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave.

Blurb:
Throw a penny in a well, wish on a star, find a four-leaf clover . . . No matter which rituals people follow, none ever seem to work. But what if there were a way to make wishes come true? For best friends Olive Alexander and Blair Adams, a beach holiday provides the perfect opportunity to see if they can find the secret. Could fellow vacationer Peter Keyes hold the key to solving this puzzle?
Excerpt:
Pulling a piece of cotton candy from its cone, Olive rolled it around in her fingers, letting it get sticky and matted. She glowered down at the mess she was making without really seeing it and thought, “All I want is a man who will love me for who I am. Someone I can talk to and laugh with and be friends with. I just wish I could fall in love and know that it was real and true and forever. A man I can grow old with and go exploring with and just . . .”
“Hello.”
Olive jumped about half a foot. The unexpected greeting came from her left, where a man of about thirty sat grinning at her. She was certain he had not been there a minute ago. Even in her funk, she would have noticed the kind, dark brown eyes, expressive eyebrows, and generous lower lip that gave her some rather interesting ideas about potential nibbling. His hair looked almost as though he had been electrocuted, sticking up in all directions in a way that should have been a disaster, but he managed to pull it off somehow. It suited him.
She attempted to regain her composure, but her heart was still hammering in a rather determined manner. “Um . . . Hi.” Brilliant. Someone should give her the Pulitzer.
“So,” her new acquaintance continued in a smooth British accent, “are you having some sort of existential crisis, or are you just not a fan of funfairs in general? You looked quite cross when I sat down.”
“I suppose I did,” she agreed, not really wanting to tell this man that she’d been indulging in a bit of a pity party.


It's always a delight to hear from Ms. Lawrence, and today is no exception. I asked her to share three things with us that might surprise people. Here's what she had to say . . . 
        I’m not sure that there is anything genuinely surprising about me, but I’ll give it a shot. To be honest, I have a tendency to over-share that makes keeping things hidden rather difficult. One must also consider what sorts of things would be surprising: my writing life or my “real” life. Let’s see what I come up with. Back when I knew nothing about the publishing world or the reality of a writer’s life, I used to envision published authors as boldly striding towers of self-confidence. To be fair, it’s difficult to picture Shakespeare or Tolstoy or Byron or whomever having fits of insecurity. But they must have done. Every writer I have spoken to has said the same thing. Seeing your words in print is exciting, of course, but it also feels like you have left the house in your unmentionables and not much else. It exposes you in a way that is unique to the creative world. Many people have been surprised that I experience this as well. Since I serve as lead editor for Renaissance Romance Publishing, there is an expectation of self-confidence that goes along with the job. Sure, I am confident when I’m slicing into someone else’s baby. My own stories, on the other hand… Even a cover reveal or an announcement of an upcoming release fills my soul with dread. There are moments when I want to take it back and tell the publisher I was just kidding. It’s pitiful. Still, I do manage to control those insecure impulses and carry on with my work.  Another thing about me that might surprise people is that I am not an especially emotional person. Romance novels, by definition, deal with deep and often turbulent emotions, and the characters need to reveal their feelings through their words and actions. In real life, I am much more buttoned down. Both sides of my family shy away from emotional displays, so I suppose I just grew up in a less demonstrative environment. It seems strange to some people who know me in real life that a person like me would find romance an appealing genre, but it’s a mistake to equate lack of public expression with lack of comprehension. I do feel things very deeply, and I understand human emotion. All the same, it can be difficult to reconcile the real-life persona with the written word, and I think people who know me through my writing are surprised when they actually speak to me and find out I’m a much different person than the characters in my books. I don’t know if this counts as “surprising,” but I have background knowledge in a very hodgepodge collection of subjects. Over the years, I have received at least rudimentary training in ballet, violin, piano, voice, drawing, Egyptian funereal art, theater, British literature, art history, business management, various areas of law, gothic architecture, Catholicism, Judaism, Methodism, Norse mythology, middle English verse, pottery, literary theory, American and British history, archeoastronomy, etymology, and Native American spirituality. All of this means that at any given moment, I may spit out a completely random fact on an obscure subject. My husband treats me like a walking Encyclopedia Britannica. To balance this out, I am completely useless at the most basic tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Friends have commented from time to time that I know more than they do, but I still envy all of them their ability to boil an egg without setting their homes on fire.  So that’s it – the three most surprising things about me I can think of! Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll also read and enjoy my story “Wishing Cotton,” which is being released July 23, 2013, as part of the Heat Wave anthology from Renaissance Romance Publishing.

About the Author:
Elizabeth M. Lawrence is the author of both contemporary and period romances. Each book incorporates its own unique blend of humor and reverence, the paranormal and the mundane, innocence and insanity. In addition to her novels, Elizabeth serves as Editor-in-Chief for Renaissance Romance Publishing. A lifelong writer and former paralegal, Elizabeth divides her free time between her husband and two sons, her three cats, her collection of cozy murder mysteries, her slight Doctor Who obsession, and her mildly severe caffeine addiction. A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Elizabeth now works from her home in Cleveland, Ohio.
Where to find Ms. Lawrence:
Facebook I Twitter I Blog I Goodreads I Amazon I About.me
Elizabeth M. Lawrence Tour Schedule:
7/23: Promo/excerpt: Kim7/24: Guest Posts: Nat Wood7/25: Interview: Cait Jarrod7/26: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/30: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave7/31: Guest Post: Mich8/1: Review: Lorenz Font8/2: Review: Rose Caceres8/3: Review: The Hive 8/4: Guest Post: Matt Lutz

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Jude Ouvrard: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR

Please welcome Jude Ouvrard today. She is the author of Under the Sun, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave.

Blurb:
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?
Excerpt:
It might have been my imagination, but when our eyes met, I felt something stirring inside me. I stared at her, wondering what had just happened, and I could still feel the tingling warmth on my skin. There was something between us, but I didn’t know quite what. Everything felt right, like we were supposed to be together.
Tracey looked away, breaking our connection. “Do you need help with anything?”
“Nope. Everything's ready.” Even though I could have stared at her all night, I didn’t want to ruin the evening. So I turned my attention to our dinner and got the bruschetta and the garlic bread on the table.
“Mmm, it looks delicious, chef.” Tracey laughed. She had quite the spirit, and unlike so many women, she didn’t appear to be complicated. When I placed the shrimp Alfredo linguini on the table, Tracey literally licked her lips. “I think I might join you for dinner every night. It smells so good.”
“I would love that,” I replied. “The company would be nice.”

Since this is Ms. Ouvrard's DEBUT PUBLICATION, I asked her if she'd share how she feels about the whole thing and if she faced any hurdles getting here. Here's what she had to say . . .
It feels GREAT. It is amazing. I don't think there is a word powerful enough to express how I truly feel. It is something that I've always wanted.  I've been counting the days since March 2013. I am not a patient person so yes. It feels absolutely wonderful to be a published author. I don't think I’ll be able to erase that smile on my face anytime soon.
 I’m happy and proud but I am also anxious to see the reactions from the readers. Will they like it or not? I know it's impossible to please everyone but I truly wish I could. I don't think I faced any hurdle with this novella. I honestly think I got lucky. It was my first time trying to get published and it worked. I wrote the story within two weeks, I sent it and they agreed to publish it. I still believe I’m dreaming sometimes. It's a good feeling. 
The only hurdle I can think of...The language. I know I keep repeating myself but English is only my second language and sometimes it is a struggle. I want my writing to be at the same level as any other English writers. This is something that I need to work on. If I look back a year ago, I’ve improved, I’ve learned and I will still be learning tomorrow. I think it's something I can be proud of.. 
I'm truly happy to have this amazing opportunity. I know there are a lot of writers out there. I'm going to keep writing and learn as much as I can. This is only my first book, I plan on publishing many more. I’m currently working on a new adult novel.

About the Author:
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.
Where to find Ms. Ouvrard:
Facebook Page I Facebook Profile I Facebook Group@authorjude_o I @JudeOuvrardBlog I Goodreads I About.me
Jude Ouvrard Tour Schedule:
7/23: Review: Rose Caceres7/24: Promo/Excerpt: Cremona Cotovelea7/25: Interview: Kim7/26: Guest Post: Nat Wood7/26: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave7/27: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/31: Promo/Excerpt: Martini Times Romance Book Reviews7/31: Promo/Excerpt: Tbird London7/31: Guest Post: Mich8/1: Promo/Excerpt: Jody Joy8/3: Guest Post: S.A. Jones8/5: Promo/Excerpt: Brandy Dorsh

Jane Reinhart: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR

Please welcome Jane Reinhart today. She is the author of Peeking Through Wooden Blinds, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave

Blurb:
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.
Excerpt:
 The invitation list included Bob and Maura, a couple who also grew up with Nick. While Paige was mingling with guests in the living room, Nick and Maura were in the basement playroom watching television. Bob walked downstairs to inform his wife it was time to go. All of a sudden, the irate husband came storming upstairs to confront Paige.
 "Do you know what your husband is doing?" Bob screamed.
 Paige was dazed and uncertain.
 "He is lying on the couch with my wife, and he has his arms wrapped around her!"
 While Paige was trying to create a suitable excuse for Nick's behavior, Maura ran upstairs to explain her innocence. After a brief scolding from her husband, she directed her comments to Paige.
 "Don't listen to Bob," Maura said. "He has a bad temper. You know Nick and I have been close for a long time, and he wasn't doing anything wrong."
 Bob and Maura left while the other guests were still trying to close their mouths.
 Paige knew Maura spoke the truth. Nick took all aspects of his personality to the limit, especially his affectionate nature, but she gave him an impending warning.
 "NIck," she started, "one day your over-friendless is going to get you into a lot of trouble."
 Nick agreed, but didn't absorb her warning.
 Insisting that it was "nice to be nice," the sociable husband assured his wife that he knew where to draw the line. For instance, Nick confessed that, once, when a young woman offered him her phone number after an evening of pinball challenge, he declined and told the girl he was married. With a gallant air, he shared the story now to prove his fidelity. Paige reminded him that if he spent hours cavorting with female competitors, he was already straddling the fence. Furthermore, she argued that women on the prowl always checked a man's hand to see if he was sporting a wedding ring. That was something Nick refused to do; explaining that, since he was a tradesman, wearing one presented the dangerous risk of getting the ring caught in machinery. He added that when he retired, he would wear the band of gold with pride.
 Trust regained its stronghold, and another obvious wave of the red flag was ignored.


Since Ms. Reinhart was coming by, I asked her to tell us what inspired Peeking Through Wooden Blinds. Here's what she had to say . . .

Everyone remembers their first love. Sigh. That impassioned experience is seared into our memory, and then we continue our quest to find that special someone who completes us.  I believe in the existence of soul mates. While emotions can betray our hearts and alter our intended destiny, is it possible that soul mates can transcend the normal scope of love and find each other in spite of insuperable odds and passage of time? I drew inspiration from the power of love and how it can affect our lives in so many ways.
In this story, the main character found her true love but relinquished him. The consequences of her unwise choices are explored when she finds herself in a destructive relationship. She is taken on an emotional journey where she uncovers truths about herself and others. Learning from her past mistakes, she is finally able to transform her weakness into strength in order to regain her self worth and emerge a survivor. 
There are times when we all struggle through unbearable situations, and I am always inspired by the fortitude of the human spirit to overcome difficult challenges. While Peeking Through Wooden Blinds is a touching love story, it is also a testament to enduring hope, courage, and the value of human dignity.

About the Author:
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. 
Where to find Ms. Reinhart: Facebook I Goodreads I Twitter
Jane Reinhart Tour Schedule:
7/23: Promo/Excerpt: Stephenie Philipsen7/24: Guest Post: Nat Wood7/25: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave7/26: Promo/Excerpt: Tracy Riva7/27: Review: Rose Caceres7/28: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia7/29: Promo/Excerpt: S.A. Jones7/31: guest Post: Mich8/1: Review: Tbird London 8/1: Promo/Excerpt: Kim