R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 416

Less than 24 hours to TSID!

Reality is starting to sink in, meaning the emotional roller coaster ride is about to take off. I have no doubts I'll run the gamut over the next 48 hours – and beyond. I'm excited, nervous, scared, proud, anxious ... you get the idea. The countdown clock has begun to the official release of Book 1 in the Divine Trilogy: To Serve is Divine.

So I wanted to leave y'all with some reminders and information about what's going on and where you can find the goods!
The giveaway is still open over on Goodreads until midnight of the 27th. Run over and enter for your chance to win an autographed copy. It is open to ALL countries. ENTER HEREJoin me tomorrow, January 22 from 8-9 pm EST for the twitter release party. Amongst the prizes given out will be an autographed copy of the book. Get your questions for me ready and stop by using tweetchat.com and hashtag #RRPTSID  The more the merrier!The To Serve is Divine blog tour begins tomorrow and will run through February 5. I've been quite busy writing up guest posts on a wide range of topics and answering interview questions, so this is y'alls chance to get a deeper look inside my head!  I will be adding tour stop links over on the UPCOMING EVENTS tab as I get them. Speaking of tabs, be sure to keep your eye on the GET IT HERE tab because that's where I'll be adding the retail links as they go live.Lastly, I don't bite (unless you want me to) so feel free to visit me over on my Facebook page. I love to "meet" my readers and hear what y'all think. Pictures of you reading TSID would be awesome and I'll proudly share them here on my blog!To everyone that has taken this journey with me: THANK YOU from the bottom of my Texas-sized heart.

REVIEW: Second Chances

ORDER HERE $6.99 Kindle EditionORDER HERE from Smashwords for $6.99Anthology - 70,000 words

A Collection of male/male stories on finding love again.
Published 8/31/12 by Bottom Drawer Publications

Non-Negotiable by T. D. Green
****
Jacob Kerns is due a promotion, but his ambitions are at risk when he learns his next contract will be handled by Alexander Corey, his ex. Jake tries to put personal feelings aside to do his job, but Alex won't let him. Will they find love again or is the whole thing non-negotiable?

Heart of Glass by L. J. Harris
*****
When Zack Doherty comes to Australia on a working holiday, he is uncharacteristically forward in pushing Heath Connors, a man he barely knows, for a date. Heath, who has only recently begun to live life his way, wonders if Zack will be the one to mend his heart of glass.

Better Together by DaNay Smith
**
Greyson Welles followed Dominic Nash to Baltimore for his dream job, putting his own on hold. Dominic can see that Greyson's unhappy, but never expects him to turn down his proposal and return to New York. Will Greyson be gone forever or will he decide they're better together?

Dirty Martini by Bette Browne
*****
When Daniel Fletcher runs into his ex with the man he caught him in bed with, vodka seems like the answer. Nathan Smith is used to men drowning their sorrows at the bar he tends, so the connection he feels to one is unusual. Will a means to forget turn into something more?

Notice to Appear by C. C. Lorenz
*****
Josh Campbell is handed a notice to appear in court for a traffic offence, but his humiliation is complete when he comes face to face with his schoolboy crush, Carter Sullivan, in the court room. Could this be the start of something with Carter now that age is not an issue.

MY OVERALL RATING FOR COLLECTION: 4.2/5
Second Chances ~ An interesting concept to be given to write on. As a whole I think this anthology explored  the theme quite well.

Two of the five stories really stood out for me, Heart of Glass and Dirty Martini, because these authors took a different approach in addition to their tales being well written. Where the other stories took the angle of the "second chance" being a rekindling of old flames, these surprise you with two men who go on to establish better lives and find happiness with new love interests so the reader is given that experience of "first rush" as they get their "second chance" at love.

While Better Together had a great premise, I had to give this one such a low rating because as a reader I felt it difficult to keep track of who was who. It wasn't until near the end that it dawned on me why: the author does rapid POV shifts while using multiple names (Greyson/Grey and Dominic/Dom) and it gets confusing.

My favorite in the collection was easily the final story: Notice to Appear for the simple fact that it was the least angsty, and I'm a wimp. Notice to Appear was light-hearted and sweet. In addition, it was a happy medium between the situations I mentioned above – yes the main characters knew each other previously, but they are not rekindling an old relationship, just getting the chance at last to act on old, unspoken feelings.

All in all, the anthology as a whole was entertaining to read and I would definitely recommend it!

TSID Twitter Release Party

Join Renaissance Romance Publishing and R.E. Hargrave on Twitter to celebrate the release her newest book, To Serve is Divine! 
The best, and easiest, way to attend a twitter party is to go to Tweetchat.com. Log in with your twitter name and authorize the app. Once you're back on tweetchat, put the hashtag, #RRPTSID, in the box at the top. All of the tweets that are using that hashtag will be filtered through Tweetchat. Get your questions ready and have fun! We have a lot of great prizes to give away including e-books and a signed paperback from me, R.E. Hargrave!

Guest Post from Michele Richards for Affirming the Faith Blog Tour

I'm excited to participate for the first time as a Blog Tour host with an official Jitterbug PR book release tour! Please welcome Michele Richard as she tells us a little about her new book Affirming The Faith and what it's been like bringing the Mocked By series to life.


Unlike with most series, the Mocked by series is divided by titles. The characters you meet in Mocked by Destiny have no connection to those characters in the Mocked by Faith Trilogy or the up-coming Mocked by Fate. They can be read independently without losing any information.
Even my up-coming Mocked by Silence, which is a spinoff from Mocked by Faith, will be independent, so readers will find out all the details around one specific character without having to read the trilogy to connect. 
I absolutely adored writing all the Mocked by series. Having each couple struggling with different parts of their lives mocking them has been so free from having to stay in one grouping. From teen pregnancy to a faith, everyone feels like something is mocking them, I just put it in a book for all to read.
I’ve been told by other authors this is a unique concept. Who knew when I started it with different circumstances it would become such an unheard of concept? Not me that’s for sure. To me it made perfect sense.
Research has been very insightful for this series. Each title has its own needs and required knowledge.  
Honestly, it’s been a little sad for me to say goodbye to the characters from Mocked by Faith. I love them so. But their time had come to be set free. Originally Mocked by Faith was planned to be one book. Next thing I knew there were two, then three. They’ll forever be part of me, though now, they’re free to fly.
In a way, I’m thrilled that their story has finally been told to its completion. It now opens up my time to finish a few more works that are already started. Okay so maybe there are ten new works already started. What can I say: sleep is highly overrated. 
So you may be wondering: what’s next in the Mocked by series? As I have mentioned earlier, Mocked by Silence is in its starter stages, and so is Mocked by Destiny ~Joshua’s Journey. The idea for Mocked by Fate is still brewing, but will hopefully be started soon.
Synopsis for Mocked by Faith: Affirming the Faith by Michele Richard
The time has come for Alexia and Justin McNear to move out of their beloved home at The Gates, a hidden gated community where time doesn’t change the way of life. It's time for a new start with the birth of a new community, and children to raise in the faith they cherish. Alexia and Justin’s challenges are far from a thing of the past. Life’s not always perfect. This is a fact these two know all too well. Together they’ll have to remind each other nothing is ever perfect.

Alexia has grown to accept her husband and her role in life, but now, new issues will arise, and force her to fight to keep her family together and safe. Her days of insecurities may be behind her, but she’ll be tested to see if she’s really ready to be a minister’s wife.

Justin has learned the error of his ways and will stop at nothing to protect his family and faith. Now a minister, he must show his parishioners he’s more than capable of leading them. There are no challenges or disabilities too great to overcome.

Together they’ll have to select the perfect spouses to contract for their children and lead L’île d’anges, the new community left in their trust to build. In a world of arranged marriages and dominating husbands, things are not always as they seem. Even with the small progresses their faith has made, they’ll cling to the ways of the past generations.

They’re in for an uphill battle when Mother Nature sets her eye upon them. Locked away from anyone to help them, they’ll have to rely on each other and their faith to see them through.

Is history repeating itself? When one son has no match, what then? Can they beat the clock before it’s too late?

About the author: Michele Richard


Michele Richard lives in a suburb of Boston, Mass. She’s the mother of two pre-teen daughters and the wife.

Michele Richard has created the Mocked series. From Mocked by Destiny to the trilogy Mocked by Faith, she writes what comes from the heart. A wife and the mother of two preteen girls, she spends her days spinning tales about what happens when what you believe in mocks your every turn.

When she’s not writing, her days are filled with her family, her bunny Geneva, and friends. Her greatest passions are learning new languages and traveling. She currently resides in the Northeastern part of the United States however; her family members live down the east coast as far as North Carolina.

She’s currently learning French and Spanish, and one day hopes to be fluent in both. Learning new things is always something she enjoys.


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ENTER TO WIN: To Serve is Divine

ENTER TO WIN


Starting today through midnight EST of January 27th, I am running a giveaway over on Goodreads for 1 paperback copy of To Serve is Divine to be autographed by me!This giveaway is open to ALL countries so run over and enter for your chance to win!
ENTER TO WIN

Affirming the Faith Twitter Release Party

Join us on Tuesday by signing into tweetchat.com and using hashtag #RRPATF to celebrate the release of the final installment of the Mocked By series: Affirming the Faith.Michele will be on hand to answer questions and great prizes will be given out.
To learn more about Michele Richard and the other books in the series, please visit her website 
HERE

At last!

Well, I finally was able to sit down and read all of Sugarplum Dreams. Though I co-authored the book with three other ladies, I'd only read mine and Right Click, Love (before it went to editing), so it was a pleasure to check out the other talent! In my humble opinion, each story is worthy of standing on its own, but it would be more economic to just go ahead and get the full collection (links on the Get It Here tab) I assure you that you'll enjoy every tale.

Through Jan. 11th you can ENTER TO WIN a paperback copy of Sugarplum Dreams autographed by Michele Richard on Goodreads!
Allow me to share my personal reviews:

 ***** I finally got a chance to sit down and read this novella, and I have to say I was sucked in from the first page. What followed was a tale of love that runs much deeper than lust as the main characters were childhood friends first. From two completely different backgrounds and upbringings, Natalie and Riley still find a connection that transcends years and as the reader you find yourself rooting for them. I won't deny that some parts were tear jerkers, but shouldn't a well told story make you feel? So grab a warm drink, your favorite snuggy, and curl up in your favorite spot for a story of survival and true love.





*****     This was a fun present day story about the ups and downs of dating life. While that seems like a common enough plot, where this story differs is in the telling. Feeney has a way with words that will suck you in and have you feeling like you're right there in Jodie and Lou's shoes, living their lives. What's even better are the surprises that wait as they strive to find Mr. Right. 
Looking forward to more great stuff from this author!! 


*****       "Wearing a sympathetic smile, the women's clinic doctor said the one thing Daphne didn't want to hear: "You're pregnant, Ms. Hobbs." 

This is the opening line to The Roommates and the pace doesn't stop from there. Daphne is instantly likable, and the Sweet brothers? Well, Richard pulls you along and lets you first learn to like them, then love them right alongside Daphne.  

So get cozy, grab a couple of tissues -there are some mushy moments- and settle in for a sweet tale of fighting for love. 

Are You Ready for TSID?

Summary:
 Catherine O’Chancey is a reserved, demure, and graceful submissive. All traits she trained hard to enhance when she discovered the world of Dominance and submission in college. In an attempt to start fresh after the unexpected death of her last Dom, Catherine moves to Dallas, TX to escape the shroud of darkness he left behind in her life. She has tried to fight the need that resides deep within her to submit, but finally has to admit she can’t for it is not a choice, but part of who she truly is. After months of mental preparation, she ventures back into the lifestyle by attending a coveted open-night event at Dungeons and Dreams, an exclusive BDSM club.
 Is it fate or coincidence that Catherine garners the attention of one of the club’s board members who happens to be on the hunt for the perfect sub – a partner who enjoys receiving pain and pleasure as much as he enjoys doling it out?
 Jayden Masterson is many things: a firm Dom, a shrewd businessman, and a gentleman. What he isn’t, is someone who partakes in relationships outside of contractual ones with his multiple, uncollared, regular submissives. While he likes rough sex, he is not an animal, and can find pleasure only if it is consensual. What his harem is missing is a pain slut, could there be one in his future?
 Upon meeting Catherine, Jayden feels an instantaneous spark inside him that has him wanting to know not just her body, but her mind. He wants to unravel her mysteries and discover her secrets. Through pain can they find the pleasure they seek? Can part-time pain lovers find full-time fulfillment when it’s not in their contract?
Coming January 22, 2013

Stay tuned for Twitter release party details on the Upcoming Events tab. The To Serve Is Divine blog tour will be taking place January 22 - February 5 (If you would like to be a host blogger for this tour, please see details HERE

Author Links Facebook * Author Website * Twitter* Goodreads * Amazon* Barnes & Noble

Happy New Year!!

Do you have a blog or website? Are you interested in participating as a host in the To Serve Is Divine blog tour?  If so, the tour, which will run from January 22 through February 5 is now open to sign ups!
SIGN UP HERE

Goodreads Giveaway

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