Christa Simpson's Blog, page 28
October 5, 2013
After The Ashes by Cheryl Howe
This is my book review of After the Ashes, a western romance by Cheryl Howe.
Just to set the stage, Christopher Braddock is a bounty hunter, in search of Lorelei Sullivan’s brother, Corey, after a stage coach robbery turned deadly. I won’t tell you who has the gold but I will tell you that my mind changed on that topic a number of times while I was reading this story. You want to believe each of the characters, but they all make it so difficult for you to trust them.
I loved when Braddock first met Lorelei. I always know in an instant if the love connection is going to be realistic and whether I’ll enjoy the interaction between the MCs. Let me tell you, their chemistry was sparking. Ooh, and I loved when he called her “sweetheart”. It always seemed really sexy to me, or maybe that was just Braddock.
Lorelei set out to protect her brother, who I mostly wanted to strangle, but everyone pays a suitable punishment for their crimes in the end and I liked it like that.
Toward the last few chapters, I desperately wanted to skip ahead, because I was starting to wonder if it were possible for both of them to get their HEA. It felt like it took extra long to get there, but the end of the story resolved all of my hangups.
I have to admit, I tend to read contemporary romances and historical romantic suspense novels, with the occassional paranormal romance thrown in for flavour. I’ve read a cowboy story before, but I knew this book would take it a few steps further. It felt like this was my first true western romance and I absolutely loved it. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get into it (and I did hate all that dirt) but I did, no problem. All in all, a good read. 
5 Stars from me!!
You can see this and all my other reviews on Goodreads here.
October 4, 2013
I’m Still Here :)
I’ve been really busy lately, but I’m still here, in case you started to worry. 
Just yesterday I finished my first edit of A Twist of Fate, book 3 in The Twisted Trilogy!! Exciting, right? I thought so too, until I got to my epilogue, which I came to realize was only a small collection of thoughts and not written out at all. In other words, what I had planned out in my head, had never actually made it to paper and I found myself struggling to find the right words to make it as fabulous as I know it can be. I was even satisfied with it all when I was done putting it to paper, except for one very important issue that has been gnawing away at my progress.
When it came to the final words of the hero, the winner of the love triangle, being the very last line of The Twisted Trilogy, he wouldn’t spit out the right thing!! I’m even finding it difficult to get back to my imaginary movie theatre (aka dreamland) to find my muse and make him tell me the words he’s going to say. I’m not a very patient girl. :/ I threw something together and it’s pretty good, but I refuse to settle for pretty good!! This line has to been the best damn line he’s spewed throughout this entire story, if you ask me. I want it to be everything. I’m still working on that.
Anyways, so I tried to ask a good blogging friend of mine (Tanya – The Book Obsessed Momma) for help, and she did trigger some inspiration, but I refused to giveaway the ending to her (she didn’t want me to ruin it) and therefore none of her suggestions (even though they were awesome) would fit. Boo.
On the matter of word count, some of you who follow me on Facebook may recall that I started out with a hefty 150,000 before I started editing. Remind me to smack whoever’s idea it was to write freely and let the story do what it wanted. Oh yeah, that was me. Moving on… I set a goal to reduce the word count in this first round of editing. Significantly. I’m happy to report that I chopped it down to just under 120,000 words. Yes, I actually cut 30,000 + words. Woo!!! I can’t believe it myself. No worries though, those scenes have found a new home in my other 20ish WIPs.
Considering the fact that the first two books in the trilogy are only 98,000 words each, I was hoping to get book 3 closer to that number. Problem is, when I edit I typically end up adding rather than losing words. I also have to add a couple of scenes to round out the plot. I’m thinking about setting a reasonable goal: 120,000 words to completion. Does that sound reasonable to you?
I plan to, at least at this point, split the book into 2 parts (in one novel). There is a definite split in the storyline and I had already marked it as the end of part one. It ended up landing at exactly 50% into the book. Damn I’m good!!
If you’re wondering why such a heavy word count for a romance, let me tell you. (You obviously haven’t read Twisted, for one.) Being that this story is premised on a love triangle, there is a handful of characters and events that have to happen to satisfy readers, especially since I was so eager at the outset. Don’t ask me what the hell I was thinking, clearly I wasn’t. How do you feel about a romance being that long? Too long?
I can assure my readers now that you will get all of your answers in this third and final book. The secondary plot will come to a head and will only irritate the main plot further. **rubbing my hands together with a devious smirk on my face** Muahahahahaa!! :D
That’s all I can say for now, but let me remind you why you love Edwin so much. And if you haven’t already read Twisted, you should. It’s a measly $0.99 and is available wherever e-books are sold!! http://viewBook.at/Twisted
September 20, 2013
Sugar Baby Lies ~ Sexy Cover Reveal
Cover Reveal: Sugar Baby Lies by CS Janey
Expected Publication: Oct 29th, 2013
Cover Design by: James, GoOnWrite.com
Synopsis:
When Lucy met Bradley, their arrangement was simple: she’d be his companion and he’d compensate her for it.
Two years pass before Lucy finally admits to herself that she’s broken Rule #1: she’s gone and fallen in love with him.
Afraid of losing Bradley, she doesn’t dare declare her feelings; but soon, he is the one acting strange.
When Lucy finds out the past Bradley hides from the world, she begins questioning their whole relationship.
The revelations leave her wondering if she is the one with the most to lose or if he is…
Excerpt *language warning* (Unedited, subject to change, all rights reserved by C.S. Janey)
Something had changed in the last week – in the last twenty-four hours, actually – and I wanted to know what it was. I sat up abruptly, scowling right back at him.
“Don’t lie to me, Bradley. You may pay me to have sex with you, but I’m not stupid.”
His eyebrows rose at my words. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Before me, had you ever done this? Paid someone?”
Now he sat up, sighing as he tossed back the covers. Standing up, he walked over to the bar. “Do you want something to drink?”
“No,” I huffed. “I want you to answer me.”
He stiffened, his back straightening even as he poured a drink before replacing the cap. “I don’t like your tone. And I don’t like when you question me.”
“Well, too fucking bad.”
He whirled around, the drink in his hand sloshing over the rim a little, his face growing stormy. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I know you have perfect hearing.”
He took a drink, his eyes never looking away from me, but I saw the smirk on his face before he did so. I didn’t say anything else. I waited for him to answer me.
“No.” His sudden words startled me and I jumped at them. “When I met you, it was the first time.”
I cocked my head to the side, raising a brow at him. “Why?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s any of your business.”
I hopped out of the bed and started picking up my clothes. “I guess you won’t mind if I leave and go back home then.”
“What?” He sounded incredulous, but I didn’t look at him. “Lucy, stop.”
“No.” I began getting dressed, my back facing him. “I think leaving is a great idea.”
Add it on Goodreads now!! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18521522-sugar-baby-lies
VISIT THE AUTHOR:
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/csjaney
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/authorcsjaney
GOODREADS: smarturl.it/authorcsjaney
WEBSITE: http://authorcsjaney.wordpress.com
September 12, 2013
Can I Help You?
His gaze slipped casually down my body and, before I could tear my own eyes away, he struck me again with the most breathtaking blue eyes. ~ Twist & Turn by Christa Simpson. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E9H47GI ON SALE NOW!!
"Surrender To You" is ON SALE!
Reblogged from C.S. Janey, Author:
Hi All!
Just putting this up to let you know...
That "Surrender To You" is only 99 cents.
The sale will go from today through Monday the 16th!
Please reblog and share this!
Reviews:
"This is the BEST book I have read in a long time. Not many books are written so well that it can bring the reader to tears but this is one.
You must read this new author. Her book is now only $0.99 for a limited time. Don't miss out!!
September 4, 2013
A Secret Kind of Cruel. ;)
Okay…if you haven’t read Surrender To You yet, I suggest you get to it immediately.
September 3, 2013
Meet with Edwin Santora & Tanya – The Book Obsessed Momma on the beach
TANYA’S INTERVIEW:
After dousing myself in sunscreen and checking myself repeatedly in the mirror on the side of my car, I step onto the sand, scanning the beach for the man I’ve been dreaming about for the past two months. Edwin Santora. Oh my gosh! There he is! Squeeeee!!!
I string my bag over my shoulder and try not to stare as I walk toward him, ignoring the burn of the sand on my toes. Holy shit, this man is gorgeous. Christa Simpson did not exaggerate one bit. Edwin Santora is every bit as godly as she described.
When I reach Edwin, who’s stretched lazily on a full-length tanning chair, I clear my throat. What do you say to a man that looks like that? He instantly notices me and flexes every rippling muscle as he rolls to his feet and strikes me with the most breathtaking smile. He reaches his hand out to me and I want to take it. I never want to let go.
“Hi, you must be Tanya,” he says.
“Haaa,” I sputter, unable to spit out a greeting, too taken aback by the gritty voice he’s wielding. “Hi.”
He chuckles, as he releases my hand and that only intrigues me that much more. “Here. I saved you a seat,” he suggests, indicating the other plastic beach chair laid out next to his.
In a matter of minutes, I was sharing an umbrella with Edwin Santora and witnessing the sexiest sheen of sweat covering his chest and abs.
“Um,” I stutter, “I thought Abby was going to be here today too,” I suggest, pretty excited about the change of plans.
“She’ll be here. She’s late to everything. But you, on the other hand, you are right on time.”
Oh. My. God.
He flashes me some teeth this time and I swear if he doesn’t cut it out I’m going to have to take a dip in the lake to cool my flaming panties.
Copyright 2013 Christa Simpson
Click here to read the entire interview: http://thebookobsessedmomma.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/character-interview-between-tanya-book.html
And don’t forget to give Tanya a like on Facebook!! https://www.facebook.com/TanyaTheBookObsessedMomma
August 28, 2013
I Still Love You
Have you read Twisted? How about Twist & Turn? If you haven’t already, then you’re in luck. Here are two giveaways you can enter for your chance to win an e-copy of each for free!!
And if you already like my author page on Facebook you can get a free entry!!
Chicks Controlled By Books 2000 LIKES Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/ChicksControlledByBooks/app_228910107186452
Author Danielle Taylor’s 2000 LIKES Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Danielle-Taylor/217716295040976?sk=app_228910107186452&app_data
Excerpt follows. See what you’re missing out on?!?
Twist & Turn by Christa Simpson.
August 21, 2013
Indie Author’s Dream ~ Book Cover By Design
If you are looking for a cover designer, look no further!! I discovered Kellie Dennis at Book Cover by Design through Facebook and was amazed by what I found.
Twist & Turn by Christa Simpson. Book 2 in The Twisted Trilogy. Cover Designer: Kellie Dennis of Book Cover By Design
Don’t suffer like I did, gawking at countless pre-made covers that were just missing the mark. Go check out her website now!!
http://www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk
When I did, I loved everything I saw. Her design style just works for me. I have always been terrified of the pricing when looking at web sites for custom cover artists, being that I’m an indie author, but Kellie’s prices were beyond reasonable. Her services range from a simple e-book cover to a trailer full of quality creativity.
I love how she offers that you can choose a couple of stock photos yourself, being that I am the pickiest person you could ever meet. It was the only way to go for me. So after searching the stock free photo sites for the perfect, shirtless, handsome man wearing a tie, with a beautiful, classy brunette in his arms, I put it into her hands and she turned it into exactly what I was looking for.
His eyes were brown. She made them blue. Her lips were pale. She made them pink. Kellie listened to my concerns and adjusted the cover until I was left with the image that had been playing out in my mind for months. Kellie did that. She turned my vision into a reality and brought my characters to life. She can do that for you too!!
Original design by Book Cover By Design. Those special effects make all the difference.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookcoverbydesign
Just take a look at her extensive collection of premade book covers that she adds to regularly. Then check out the affordability. $30.00 for an e-book cover, you just can’t beat that. Add to that, that she gets your final product to you in a matter of hours and that makes her an indie author’s dream.
August 19, 2013
Letting Go Cover Reveal
Congrats, Danielle!!
Letting Go by Danielle Taylor.
Synopsis:
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Violet Simon has spent her entire life preparing to take her father’s place at the head of their multi-billion dollar automotive parts company. Shortly before her twenty-fifth birthday, she decides to take a month-long vacation and do a few things well outside of her comfort zone.
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Morné Styger still isn’t over his wife’s death, but he’s attempting to make a fresh start in Los Angeles. When the enigmatic Violet calls hims up at Adventures Inc. seeking a month of thrills, he’s eager to impress his first high profile client. But with her violet eyes and innocence, Morné has a hard time trying to keep things professional.
Neither of them could have been prepared for the forceful attraction they shared, and neither will back down from their dreams. So where does that leave love?
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Add Letting go to your Goodreads shelves now!! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17791624-letting-go
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Let’s all check out Danielle’s cover and wish her good luck on her new release!!
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You can visit her here:
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Blog: http://authordtaylor.wordpress.com
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DTaylor_Author
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Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Danielle-Taylor
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