Casey Peeler's Blog, page 47

September 3, 2013

A VACATIONISTA style interview with Tara Simone


Vacationista by Tara Simone


A broken heart. A ticket to paradise. A resort full of honeymooners …

the last thing newly single Patience De La Rosa needs if she’s to find a candidate for a casual rebound.

Her luggage catching a flight to Mauritius instead of Maui doesn’t help matters and a maxed out credit

card doesn’t buy a girl a fresh pair of panties. Then there’s the annoying weird guy, the one who’s married

to his laptop, sitting beside her at the pool.


Odds for a fling improve when three single, sexy and willing candidates cross her path. Though

Patience’s luggage may be M.I.A., her breakup baggage crossed the Pacific with her. Will Patience cast it

aside, throw caution to the tropical winds and indulge in island debauchery? Or will a tea leaf reader’s

prediction about her romantic excursions come true in unexpected ways?


Wanna know a little bit about Tara Simone? We were lucky enough to get an interview!

1. What inspired you to write Vacationista?


A few years back, married friends invited me to join them at a swanky 5-star Maui resort. I was excited to go but upon arrival it was quite apparent that it was a couples place. I don’t usually feel uncomfortable when traveling alone but in that setting I did. I wanted the lead character, Patience, to be particularly uncomfortable on her post-breakup getaway. Setting it at a couples resort would really impede her ability to move on and hence, it leads to many comic moments.



2. Do you snack while you write? If so, what is your favorite?


Were you spying on me? I write entirely in restaurants, coffee shops and hotel rooms (with room service). A hotel is where I plot a new book, when I return home I write every day in a restaurant. I love being surrounded by the energy of the staff and patrons, yet I’m able to tune them out and focus. There is always coffee and finger foods, preferably something not greasy as it messes up the laptop. Vacationista was plotted in a San Diego Sheraton, started at The View Hotel in Monument Valley, Arizona and then completed in coffee shops near my home.



3. Who is your favorite book boyfriend?


Hah! I don’t have a book boyfriend. I am still dating in my real life, so my focus is on potential real boyfriends and it would be unfair to compare them to fictional men. Besides the real alpha males I come across are more than enough to grab my attention.



4. Where is your favorite place to vacation?


I travel a lot and there are two places that are a guaranteed good time – Las Vegas and Disneyland/World. You may think they are very different, but they both deliver the same emotional punch – the thrill of sensory overload in a fairytale land. In Disneyland I recommend the Grand California Hotel and in Vegas the Monte Carlo for its rooms, service and overall convenience, but the Bellagio for its pools and spa.



5. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?


In the book, Patience works at a high end shoe salon Sole Mates; her mentor is Gina, a couture shoe buyer. There is a real-life Gina and I’m lucky to know her. Just like in Vacationista, the real Gina flies to Italy and Paris every two months to looks at the new shoes from all the designers. I think it would be fun to travel with the real Gina on one of her buying excursions to Italy.



6. Who is your favorite actor?


I just returned from the most relaxing dude ranch vacation at the White Stallion Ranch in Arizona. I have a thing for smart, handsome, no-need to impress type men who know how to ride a horse. The actor Viggo Mortenson fits that bill. If you would you like to see Viggo in an excellent Western, rent Appaloosa which is based on a Robert Parker novel.



7. When you travel what is the one item you never leave home without?


In Vactionista, Patience’s travel companion is her new pair of Chanel espadrilles. That bit may have been inspired by my own pair of Chanels, which accompanied me everywhere this summer from Savannah to Tokyo to Vegas – they are comfy, go with casual or dressy outfits and are easy to slip off and on at airport security. They did not come to the dude ranch – a true Vacationista packs practically.



8. Do you prefer cookies or chips?


Whichever one is served with a martini. But seriously, American Airlines First Class is known for serving freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Of course you have to be sitting in First Class, which will be addressed in the next book in the Sole Mate series, currently titled Leg Room. Yes, First Class does have more leg room, but sometimes you might be willing to give it up if you fly coach with someone special. This will be Melody’s story.



9. What advice would you give someone that wants to write?


Two things – buy Stephen King’s Book “On Writing” and then write every day. I am a big believer in plotting before beginning. It’s like a road trip, you can jump in the car, drive without a map and you’ll eventually reach where your destination but it might take you a very long time. It’s much easier if you’ve mapped out where you are going before you hit the road.



10. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?


I would hack into American Airlines Advantage Miles program and fill my account with a zillion miles which I would then use to treat some lucky readers of Vacationista to an incredible vacation – First Class of course, so they could enjoy the warm chocolate chip cookies…and a martini.


Thanks Tara for stopping by today! Can’t wait to read your next release!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


“Vacationista is a sparkling romantic-comedy gem with one of the wittiest

heroines I have read in ages! Full of zingy one-liners, clever quips and

some of the best dialogue ever!” -NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely


Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000448_00020]


 


Excerpt from Vacationista by Tara Simone


The hotel phone rings and shakes me from my rage. Please let it be good news. Please let my luggage be here. I am so sick of wearing this peach tank top, what I wouldn’t do for a basic cotton tee. I cannot believe this shirt was ever my favorite. I answer the phone.


“Hello?”


“I need help,” a voice mumbles.


“Who is this?”


“The albino guy with the sunburn.”


“It’s six o’clock in the morning. How did you know I was awake?”


“I didn’t. I need help.”


Huey’s room is actually one of twelve cottages that sit on a small cliff beyond the pool area looking out over the ocean. I use the term cottage loosely. Each one looks to be twice the size of the cottage I shared with Dan in Encanto. Floor to ceiling walls of privacy glass provide an unobstructed view of the ocean. Under a faux thatched roof is a private lanai with hammocks and patio furniture straight from the pages of a design magazine. The door to his unit is unlocked just as he said it would be.


If the outside was impressive, the inside is jaw dropping amazing.


This is ridiculous.


The furniture is several notches above what was in Ted’s room. Really fluffy, deep cushioned cream colored sofas and chairs that I just want to jump onto and crawl up in.


“Huey?” I call out. “I’m here.”


His voice calls out from another area of the house. “I’m in the bathtub.”


Hmmm. Generally if a man calls me to the bathtub I know what to expect. But this is Huey, and even though he is calling me to the bathtub, I don’t expect him to have any ulterior motives. Because it’s Huey. He’s not manipulative. I walk past the living room and through the sliding pocket doors that lead to the bedroom. To my left, a door is half open. I approach it carefully and stand just outside it without looking in.


“What can I do to help?”


“Come in.”


“If you’re in the tub, I’d rather not.”


“Have you never seen a man naked? Or are you just afraid you’ll be so overwhelmed by my sex god physique that you will jump me.”


“The latter.”


“I thought so. That is why everything provocative is covered. You will be safe in my presence.”


I take him at his word and poke my head around the door. The tub is huge. HUGE. It’s one of those Jacuzzi tubs built for two. Huey is in it. His man parts are indeed covered from view by lots of bubbles and a tray that stretches across the width of the tub, on which sits his laptop. This is not surprising to me. What is surprising to me is that he is submerged in water and bubbles the color of dirt.


“Why is the water brown?”


“It’s tea.” He fishes around in the water and holds up three tea bags. “There are a hundred tea bags in here.”


“Why?”


“Because Google said so.”


“For the burn?”


“Yes.”


“Where’d you get the tea bags?”


“Room service.”


“So you called me because what? You need cream and sugar?”


“If I wasn’t in so much pain I’d laugh at your witty observation. But not right now.”


“Fair enough. How can I help?”


“I can’t type. My arms hurt too much to type any longer. And I have to get this done. I need you to type for me.”


“I’m not getting in the tub.”


“I wasn’t asking you to. Though now that you mentioned it, that could be interesting, the tub is built for two.”


“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.”


“Best you not get in, you won’t be able to keep your hands off me. You can sit there and type.” He points to an area of the bathroom out of my view. I step further inside the bathroom. There are two white chaises, just as fluffy as the sofa in the living room.


“There is a living room in your bathroom,” I say. “I can’t fit a towel rack in my bathroom. And you have chaises in your bathroom.”


“Technically, it’s not my bathroom. And if you help me I will buy you a towel rack that fits in your bathroom.”


“Okay, Huey, I’ll type for you under two conditions.”


“And they are?”


“One, I get to order breakfast.”


“For someone so thin, you do eat a lot. The room service menu is on the desk in the bedroom.”


“And two, I’m out of here at ten to sit by the pool.”


“Do you realize you continue to put yourself in grave danger?”


“Of what?”


“M-E-L-A-N-O-M-A”


“Wow. You can spell big words. Impressive.”


“I mean it. Why do you worship the sun? Don’t you know it’s bad for you?”


“I’m twenty-six. I am allowed a vice or two. You’re like thirty-two going on sixty. Would you relax a little?”


“I did relax. With you. In the pool. And look what happened.”


“Okay, if you’re trying to make me feel guilty −,”


“I am.”


“It’s working. I’m going to go order breakfast, want anything?”


“Orange juice.”


“Really or are you being facetious?”


“Orange juice and the buckwheat pancakes with chocolate chips and maple syrup, please.”


I don’t know why he makes me chuckle but he does. He’s so formal and offbeat at the same time. I’m fairly certain he would have been the kid in my high school who had been tormented by the cool crowd. If I had known him then, I probably would have dismissed him, just as I did the first day at the pool. But in his own odd way, he’s kind of cool and fun and funny.


“Hello,” I say into the room phone, “I’d like to place an order please.”


“Yes, Mrs. Anders, what can we get you?”


Why does everyone here think I’m married? Oh, right, because everyone here except me is part of a couple.


I hate this place.


http://tarasimone.com/


https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTaraSimone


https://twitter.com/TaraSimone1


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18134833-vacationista


profilewebsite



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 03, 2013 02:10

September 2, 2013

——-> Temptation Series by S.M. Donaldson


LWTPreview


Lying with Temptation Book Description:


Gabby Lewis is your all American girl, she’s athletic, smart, and gorgeous and doesn’t have a clue that she is. She’s always been a very loyal friend and popular by association, until the end of her high school senior year when her best friend and the guy she thinks she’s in love with betray her. The worse part of it is that her business and embarrassment become the talk of the entire small town she lives in. She takes an early admission to college along with her best guy friend Cade; she’s going to turn over a new leaf in life.


Linc Addison is a star athlete and one of the most sought out quarter backs in the Southeastern United States. He’s the boy next door, who feels like his entire life he’s been used for his talents mainly by his father. The only person he’s ever really been able to count on is his cousin Russ. His high school girlfriend, cheated on him constantly, but wanted to keep him around so she could keep the correct social status. Now that he’s rid his life of her, he’s moved on to welcome the college life.


The day Linc walked in his coed dorm room and saw Gabby unpacking he felt like he’d won the lottery and lost his ability to make complete sentences. She turned around to see one of the most gorgeous creatures she thinks God has ever put on this Earth. Can they break down each others walls, and find the peace they seek with each other; can they take on all of the temptations and obstacles that come their way?


This is the first book in the Temptation Series…


Buy Lying with Temptation on Amazon


AOT_Preview


Acting on Temptation Book Description:


Anna Lewis is just tired. She’s tired of being predictable. She’s tired of khaki skirts, sweater sets and pearls. She’s tired of her overbearing mother trying to push the Perfect boyfriend on her. She wants to stand up for herself do normal things kids her age do. She’s eighteen not thirty-eight. With her mother still on her case, an ex-boyfriend who’s an ass that won’t leave her alone, it’s not going to be easy. She was ready to move on with her life, leave the step-ford wife her mother was trying to turn her into behind. The only way she sees of doing that is going off to college. She’s always admired the strength that her sister Gabby radiates and wishes she could be more like her. After Gabby asks her to come to college with her and live in the house with her and her roommates how can she turn it down?

Russ Addison has pretty much always been a football star. Going to college with that status could get him any girl he wants, with no strings attached. That is until he was introduced to her. He was in pure awe over the angel he met last year, Anna Lewis. He was both excited and scared about the possibility of living with her. Her sister and everyone else in the house had threatened him and his balls to stay clear of anything romantic with Anna. He would just have to stay away from her in the romantic sense and be her friend…Her best damn friend. Because he knows he’ll never be good enough to be anything more to her.

After everyone is moved in and ready to start the fall semester, Russ starts to figure out that everything may not be what it seems with Anna. He also realizes that he can’t stay away from her no matter how much he tries. Anna knows she can’t seem to have enough time with Russ and she can’t help but wonder why he thinks so little of himself. Will they be able to stay away from each other or will they have to act on the temptation of each other.


Buy Acting on Temptation on Amazon


Excerpt:


It is also intended for mature audiences 17+

***********************************************************


Linc


I’ve got to get up and go take a freakin cold shower so I can go to sleep…I can hear her breathing . It’s taking everything I have in me not to crawl over there. I get in the shower and I smell her soap, her shampoo, jeez this girl…I think I’m going to have to move out just so I can date her. After a LONG COLD shower I walk back and climb into bed.


The next morning I wake up to a blood curdling scream. I look over and I don’t see Gabby in the bed. I run out in my boxers about that time Cade is coming out of her bedroom in his boxers. Gabby is in the bathroom screaming, we can hear stuff being thrown around in there, I’m scared someone has came in and is hurting her in there. Cade and I try to open the door but it’s locked… Cade yell’s at her, “Gabby what’s wrong open the damn door!” She still screaming, I look at Cade and he looks at me we both throw our shoulders into the door breaking the frame so we can get in. We both stop suddenly as we bust in. Cade looks at Gabby, “Fuck Really Gabby! A damn mouse you had me and Linc break the door for a fucking mouse!”


I was about to be pissed too until I saw her up on the vanity in nothing but a towel.


She’s mad, “Cade get it out of here, you know I hate those things.”


Cade rubs his head, “I should leave you in here with it Gabby, why didn’t you just run out of the bathroom?”


“Well because it was blocking the door.”


a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the Author


SMDonaldson pic


Photos by Shelly Sale


S.M. Donaldson is a wife and mother based on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle. She’s funny, sarcastic and has been known to have a potty mouth. She’s worked in many different fields in her life but, she has always dreamed of writing short stories and books. She recently penned her first series of novels Sam’s Choice and Sam’s Fight for Freedom. She is currently working on The Temptation Series.


To learn more about S.M. Donaldson visit her at:


www.smdonaldson.com


www.facebook.com/S.M.Donaldson.Author


www.goodreads.com/AuthorSMDonaldson


Twitter: @ SMDonaldson1


profilewebsite



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 02, 2013 23:00

September 1, 2013

Consequences + Truth = CONVICTED by Aleatha Romig

Convicted750

CONVICTED (Consequences 3)
Aleatha Romig
Self-published
Release Date: October 8, 2013
Psychological Thriller/Contemporary Dark Romance

Synopsis:

There were still lessons to learn and consequences for the truth!
When Claire Nichols met Anthony Rawlings, she didn’t know they had a past,or that he had plans for her future. Over time, the role of teacher changed—games became reality—and domination turned to desire. Despite an insurmountable history, Claire and Tony found their way back to one another.
Just when they seemed to have it all—love, respect, and the promise of a family—the game master exposed the truth. Claire’s world once again spunout of control. Unwilling to allow her child to suffer the consequences of an old vendetta, Claire fled…
At one time, Claire was held captive in an opulent mansion—then herincarceration was a cell inside a state penitentiary. Was her new prison—atropical island—truly less lonely? Perhaps that was the game master’s plan, all along?
Who will save Claire from her oldest nightmare and her newest reality? Willit be Tony? Can he forgive her for leaving him—again? Harry? Will he utilizepreviously unknown connections to save the woman who infiltrates his thoughts? Maybe Phil? Will his devotion in keeping Claire and her child safebe rewarded?
As the cards are played—sins of the past, innocent victims, and truths are revealed. With compartmentalization no longer an option, is the reality too much? Could there be an even worse isolation?
With the game master dealing from a stacked deck, can this new high-stakesgame possibly be won?
When it’s all over and their cards are on the table—SOME will discover their bets were too high—they have nothing left to lose—ALL will learn the cruciallesson—the most important rule—there are CONSEQUENCES for the TRUTH!

Aleatha Romig’s CONVICTED!



Consequences_Series
Series Links:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/series/88623-consequences
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aleatha-Romig/e/B009SYSSE4
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/aleatha-romig?store=allproducts&keyword=aleatha+romig
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=aleatha+romig
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=Aleatha+romig

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
aleatha pic

Aleatha Romig is a bestselling author, who has been voted #1 “New Author to Read” on Goodreads July 2012 – Present! She was also #9 most followed author on Goodreads – July / August 2013.


Aleatha has lived most of her life in Indiana growing-up in Mishawaka, graduating from Indiana University, and currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of twenty six years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include exercising, reading and creating heros/ anti-heros who haunt your dreams!


Aleatha enjoys traveling, especially when there is a beach involved. In 2011 she had the opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia to visit her daughter studying at the University of Wollongong. Her dream is to travel to places in her novels and around the world.


CONSEQUENCES, her first novel, was released August 2011 by Xlibris Publishing. October 2012 Ms. Romig rereleased CONSEQUENCES as an Indie author. TRUTH, the sequel, was released October 30, 2012 and CONVICTED, the final installment of the Consequences Series, is scheduled for release in October of 2013!


Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Brown and Miller Literary Associates.





AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AleathaRomig
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5131072.Aleatha_Romig
Twitter @AleathaRomig: http://www.twitter.com/AleathaRomig
Website: http://www.aleatharomig.blogspot.com/

profilewebsite

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 01, 2013 05:00

August 30, 2013

Fun Friday with the FABULOUS Tiffany King!

      Today on the Fun Friday, Hardcover Therapy is PROUD to have one of our favs… Tiffany King!  Tiffany King stole my ;)  So without further a due, an interview with Tiffany King!

1. Did you always want to be a writer?  


Being a writer has always been my dream. It just took a while to build up the courage to start. There are so many great authors and books out there. I was always afraid no one would want to read anything I had written. I feel absolutely blessed now at this point in my life. I have met many friends, readers and fellow authors throughout this journey, and I am thankful for their support. I wake everyday with a smile on face.


 


2.  When did you start writing?


It wasn’t until my daughter started developing an interest in reading novels that I began thinking seriously about writing. I decided to try and write something for her that I thought she would enjoy. It became this on again off again project over the next couple of years, but eventually turned into Meant to Be, the first book in my Saving Angels Series.


3. Which is easier to write: paranormal, romance, or YA contemporary?  Why?


For me, paranormal is the most difficult to write. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun to write about made up worlds and creatures and super-human powers, but it requires more outlining and planning to maintain consistency throughout the story. Paranormal or not, there still has to be some sense of logic to the story to be relatable to a reader.


 


4. If you could be a superhero, what power would you choose and why?


He’s not a superhero, but I am a huge Harry Potter fan. Give me a wand and some magical ability and I’ll be good. Provided I get to attend Hogwarts to study of course.


 


5.  Who is your favorite hero/ heroines?


I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Red Hill by Jamie McGuire. I love the main character, Scarlet. She is badass and without giving away any spoilers…wow on the ending! And the honorable mention goes to Harry Potter because I love him.


 


6. Ice cream or chocolate?


Chocolate. Always chocolate.


 


7. Favorite book boyfriend?


Fane from the Grey Wolves Series by Quinn Loftis. He is caring, sensitive and puts Jacque’s needs above his own. That is what any good guy would do.


 


8. What inspired you to write Miss Me Not?


Adolescence is a rough time during everyone’s lives. It is that time when a young person is trying to find their identity while dealing with the pressure of expectations. Expectations from school, parents, and friends. Some kids are better equipped to handle the pressure. My intent with Miss Me Not was to write a story that provided inspiration. To show there is always hope in any situation.


 


9. What is your favorite book?


Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. As I have already stated, I am a huge fan of the series, but this is the book that ties up many of the plot twists from the previous books. We learn about Voldemort’s past and his connection to Harry, and what Harry must do in the final book to defeat Voldemort. Plus, the ending in Half Blood Prince still makes me cry every time.


 


10.  Do you prefer to travel by airplane or car?


Car. I’m actually a little scared of flying, but unfortunately it is unavoidable for the type of travel I do.


 


11.  What advice can you give to new writers?


Believe in yourself. Writing is subjective. For everyone that hates your writing, and there will be those that do, there will be others that love it. Just keep writing and always work to improve yourself.


 


12.  What person has influenced your life the most?


My family influences everything that I do. My husband and two children are my number one support crew.


Tiffany, I can’t say thank your enough for your time to stop by Hardcover Therapy!   We Miss Me Not, No Attachments, Unlikely Allies Jordyn, Jordyn #2 , & Wishing for Someday Soon.


About the Author:


Tiff_profile_pic


Tiffany King is the author of The Saving Angels Series, Wishing for Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel book one. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy.


She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.


Twitter@AuthorTiffany


FacebookTiffany King


PintrestTiffany King


Blogauthortiffanyjking.blogspot.com


GoodreadsTiffany King



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 30, 2013 06:37

Finding Home —->Cover Reveal #YA

1013-Finding-Home_1400


Synopsis:


Moody, atmospheric, and just a little bit punk, Finding Home takes contemporary YA to a new level of grit…


When Amy’s mum dies, the last thing she expects is to be kicked off her dad’s music tour all the way to her Aunt Lou in a depressing hole of a seaside town. But it’s okay — Amy learned how to cope with the best, and soon finds a hard-drinking, party-loving crowd to help ease the pain.


The only solace is her music class, but even there she can’t seem to keep it together, sabotaging her grade and her one chance at a meaningful relationship. It takes a hard truth from her only friend before Amy realises that she has to come to terms with her past, before she destroys her future.


Finding Home, Lauren K McKellar’s debut novel, is coming October 1, 2013. Add it to goodreads today.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Excerpt:



 



‘Look, I have to go. Can we talk about this later?’ Dad was asking Mum. Joe had shut the door behind him, and it was a good thing he did too, because when Dad had finished speaking, Mum picked up an empty bottle of Grey Goose vodka and threw it at his head. She missed, missed by a mile, but that didn’t stop the bottle hitting the wall behind him and shattering into thousands of tiny pieces.


‘Jesus!’ Dad exclaimed. He turned around, surveying the damage.


‘Oh, look what I did! Can’t have clean-cut Stevie D trashing the green room. People might talk!’ Mum’s voice dripped with sarcasm. It sounded hoarse, no doubt a result of the hours she’d spent alternating between crying and screaming up until now.



 


‘Even if this was our bloody lounge room, I would still be furious! You can’t just throw s**t like that.’


 



‘I’ll throw whatever I want to throw!’ Mum yelled. ‘You’re so uptight.’ She walked up to Dad and put her hands on his shoulders, shaking them. ‘Give up this stupid dream already.’


‘And do what? I can’t afford your habits any other way. If I don’t sing, you have to get a job.’ Dad shook his head.


I inched around behind them and started to pick up the pieces of glass. They were all different sizes, and some had gotten stuck in the carpet. They required a bit of twisting to retrieve, but the others I could pick up with ease and place in my hand.


‘What do you want me to do? I don’t have any skills. And there’s clearly only one thing you think I’m good at these days,’ Mum said, leering. She pulled at her top, exposing her décolletage.


I focused on the glass again. I counted each piece in my hand. Thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight. On the fortieth piece, a shard broke through my skin, spilling bright red blood. Funny. I hadn’t thought my skin would be so thin.


‘Amy, you’re hurt!’ Mum pushed past Dad and came to kneel next to me. ‘What are you doing?’ She knocked my hand with her own, and the pieces of glass flew up into the air and landed back on the floor.


All my efforts — ruined.


‘Let me see,’ Dad said.



 


‘Get the hell away from her!’ Mum yelled, raising her voice again.


 





 



‘Do we have to do this in front of Amy?’ Dad asked. I felt them turn to look at me. Did they think I hadn’t heard? That the fights they’d been having all day in the adjacent hotel room hadn’t resonated with a hatred that travelled through walls?


‘Please don’t,’ was all I could say. But it was enough. Dad left the room, and Mum tended to my hand, spilling some vodka to cleanse it before wrapping it in a spare t-shirt.


‘I’m sorry, baby,’ Mum whispered to me. ‘I promise, things are going to get better.’


Only they didn’t. They got much, much worse.



 



Find Lauren McKellar:


laurenkmckellar


Website: http://laurenkmckellar.com/


Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenkmckellar


Facebook: https://facebook.com/laurenkatemckellar


profilewebsite



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 30, 2013 05:00

August 29, 2013

Liar! Liar!









Hazel is a freshman at Coastal Carolina and looking forward to making new friends. When she meets Roman, she’s head over heels for him. There’s one problem, though: he’s still hung up on Hazel’s roommate, Cheyanne. But Cheyanne has a secret, one that has the potential to ruin her life in college. When Hazel learns the secret, she’s determined to use it against Cheyanne to win over Roman. She never imagines her plan could backfire, leaving her as a pariah among her new circle of friends.


The BFF series follows the lives of new adults, Hazel, Miranda, Cheyanne, Destiny, Audric, Nolan, Andre, and Roman. Follow their stories as the first season of novellas are released once a week from September to March.










Release date: September 17, 2013













a Rafflecopter giveaway




 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 29, 2013 22:15

Cover Reveal —–> Faithless by Amanda Bennett

FaithlessecoverReveal


FAITHLESS By Amanda Bennett

Due out Sept/Oct 2013


SYNOPSIS:

Sometimes in the darkness, we find the light. At least the fortunate ones do. For those who don’t want to find the light are sometimes forced into it. What do you do when a stranger in the darkness ends up being your savior?

Riley Turner never expected or wanted to see her twenty-first birthday, and she planned not to. Feeling lost and alone her entire life with no one to love or support her, there was never a reason to exist. That was until the stranger who saves her, becomes the one person to show her what life is really about. Riley finds her world being turned upside down and for the first time ever, finds herself wanting to live.

Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason doesn’t always make sense, especially when life hasn’t always been so kind. Will Riley be able to over come her fears and finally find a reason to live her life, or will she see just how cruel life really can be after believing and taking a chance?


*WARNING this book contains mature content, language and sensitive situations


Check out Amanda Bennett on her Blog


Facebook


Twitter


Goodreads


FaithlessjacketReveal



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 29, 2013 07:25

August 28, 2013

Temporary Bliss is LIVE!

temp bliss


Title: TEMPORARY BLISS (Bliss # 1, New Erotic Romance Series)


Author: BJ Harvey


Book Release date: August 29th


Add to Goodreads:


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670591-temporary-bliss


 


Synopsis:


Makenna Lewis cringes at any mention of the word commitment. She doesn’t want or need a relationship, but she does like sex (who doesn’t).


That explains Noah, Sean, and Zander, her three ‘friends with benefits’.


They know the score, they know they’re not the only one, and each of them provide her with a different physical need that she craves and enjoys.


Until a late night encounter with the delicious Daniel Winters turns her preconceived notion of no-commitment completely on its head.


Soon she finds herself feeling things she vowed never to feel again, and when Daniel pushes for more than she’s willing to give, she falters.


What do you do when something that you’ve known to be so wrong in the past feels so damn right?


If you’re Mac, you run and hide.


But is Daniel the type of man who takes no for an answer?


Excerpt:


We reach the park about fifteen minutes later, our progress hindered by my sky high boots that my feet are now complaining to me about…a lot! Pier Park closed early for the night, scuttling our plans to take a few rides on the Ferris wheel. “Are your feet sore? Do you want to just take a slow walk around the pier?”


“Sounds good, but I’m gonna take these torture devices off my feet,” I say as I find a park bench and sit down, bending over to pull them off.


“Let me.”


He gets down on one knee and holds my ankle, unzipping the boots and sliding the first one off. He then starts rubbing his hands into my feet, kneading them firmly. I can’t stifle the moan that escapes me as I lean back against the bench and enjoy the blissful foot rub I’m currently being given.


“That feels so good,” I groan as he continues his massage. He then turns his attention to my other foot, his touch on my skin so light, yet his heat burns through me in a direct line to my now aching core. This is the most drawn out foreplay I’ve ever experienced, and I almost don’t want it to end.


Once he’s finished, he stands back on his feet, my super pretty boots in one hand while he pulls me up with the other. “Better?” he asks, kissing my temple.


“Much. You better watch out, though. I might have to keep you stashed in the corner of my bedroom as my personal foot massage slave,” I say with a laugh.


His eyes grow dark, full of hunger and desire. “You wouldn’t have to force me to stay in your bedroom, Mac.”


“The idea of it makes me hot,” I reply with a wink.


 tempbliss


Author Bio:


I’m 31 years old and live in New Zealand, the most beautiful country in the world.


I love reading, and started writing my first novel, Lost in Distraction in December 2012. Before that I’d written business and website articles professionally but never fiction. I love the indie community, authors, bloggers and readers alike and have met so many awesome people that I now call dear friends.


I’m a huge music lover as well. I REALLY love music. If there isn’t music playing, something is wrong. And it’s a wide range of music too, I might surprise you with my eclectic tastes.


I’m also a wife, mother of two gorgeous girls and currently working for myself as well as studying full time to become an accountant of all things. I also have a Bachelor of Communications.


My author inspirations are: Michelle Leighton, Barbara Elsborg and Kristen Ashley.


Bj Harvey Picture


Author Links:


Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/BJ-Harvey/e/B00C7DWYH0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1


GR Author Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6886702.B_J_Harvey


Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bjharveyauthor


FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BJ-Harvey/471226826268697


Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjharveyauthor


Book Preview: Video made by Kristy Louise by Book Addict Mumma



Purchase Links:


Amazon and B&N to follow


Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/350886 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 28, 2013 23:52

Is Love Worth Putting Your <3 on the Line? Crossing Paths is LIVE!

CP_Amazon_GR_SW
Synopsis:

The crossing paths of friendship, family, love, and loss are often complicated.


June Deckert and Caroline Smith sparked a friendship in college that carried them through graduation. Although they are complete opposites in every way, they have spent the last four years inseparable.


That is, until now.


June finds herself falling for a man who seems unattainable. As she works side by side with him on a new media campaign, their feelings for each other come alive. But when his actions start to speak louder than words, she wonders if she’s missing something.


Meanwhile, Caroline is fighting against her feelings for a recent acquaintance, and she decides to keep her new love interest a secret from June. Overwhelmed by these new emotions, her moods change swiftly, swinging up and down like a yo-yo.


While June and Caroline try to maneuver their way through new relationships, Caroline starts lying to June to protect her from a truth that threatens to break her heart and tear them apart.


In the end, Caroline’s deceit will test their friendship, and June will have to decide if her chance at love is worth putting her heart on the line.


Excerpt:

I’m not sure why I did it, but I got up two hours early, took an extra long shower, made sure my hair cooperated, and put on my good makeup. Okay, that’s a lie. I know exactly why I put so much effort into getting ready. Today, I am supposed to see Cohen. Not only am I supposed to see Cohen, but we also have plans to go out to dinner. Once again, I’m unsure about what he wants to discuss, but this time, I’m trying not to make any assumptions. Also on the agenda, I hope to not injure him or myself while we’re spending time together.


I walk into the office with my chin up and a big smile on my face. If he is already here, I want to look like I’ve been fine. I sure as hell don’t want him thinking that I’ve been moping around and pining away for him since last Friday morning. Making my way through the maze of cubicles toward my office, I see no sign of him. I let out a sigh as I step through my door. I place my workbag next to the desk, and I turn to glance at the clock.


Something moves in my peripheral vision. It scares me enough to make me jump back, causing me to fall into my large potted plant-tree-thing in the corner. To avoid hitting the ground, I sit cockeyed in the pot. My face is covered in limbs and large green leaves. Peeking through the human-eating plant, I can see Cohen sitting on the comfortable sofa with one hand held over his mouth. I don’t hear any sounds, but from the looks of it, he’s laughing. For some reason, my usual standoffish self takes a holiday. I launch myself up from my seat in the pot holding the plant, and I take brisk steps toward him.


“What are you doing in my office? Do you enjoy scaring the crap out of women and causing near catastrophes? Or is it just when you see me?”


His eyes grow wide, and those sexy wrinkles beside his eyes fade. Thank God. I don’t think I could hold on to my angry attitude if he kept smiling.


“Mr. Hargrove wanted me to tell you that we’ll be meeting in the conference room at eight thirty. I have to leave by the end of the week, so we need to get started on the rest of our project. I came to tell you, but you weren’t here yet, so I made myself comfortable. I’m sorry if I scared you.”


“Right. Okay. Well, you can go now. I’ll see you at the meeting,” I say, turning toward my desk.


With my shoulders back and head held high, I walk over to my desk chair and sit. Looking back at Cohen, I give him the meanest stare I can muster.


“See you there.” He stands to leave, but then hesitates as if he wants to say something else. His mouth is open, but then he bites down on his bottom lip, holding back.


“Did you need something else?”


“Actually, I was just going to tell you that unless you enjoy the feel of sitting on bark, you should probably find a mirror and wipe off your skirt.”


You have got to be kidding me!


He walks out of the office with the wrinkles by his eyes reappearing.



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author Bio:

Melanie_Stinnett_author_photo


I have enjoyed reading and writing since I was very young. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are of spending time with my mom or grandma reading a good book. Over the years, it never crossed my mind that writing my own novel would be an attainable goal. After reading several independently published novels by Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and others, I decided I needed to give that dream a chance.
When I’m not reading and writing, I enjoy spending time with my three favorite guys: my husband and my two little boys.





Find Melanie Stinnett:





Twitter – https://twitter.com/melstinnett_

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieStinnett


Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6884041.Melanie_Stinnett



Website/Blog – http://melaniestinnett.com/

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00071]

profilewebsite







 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 28, 2013 23:04

August 27, 2013

Ready for Girl on Tour? It’s LIVE!

Girl on Tour, the highly anticipated sequel to Girl with Guitar, is AVAILABLE NOW!


at the following retailers:
 
AMAZONBARNES & NOBLE KOBO
Synopsis:

An up and comer trying to make a name for herself…





KYLIE never expected to be stuck on a tour bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend’s ex.





A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career…






TRACE thought he was finally getting to do things his way. Until the label added co-headliner Gretchen Gibson, the only person in country music with more issues than him, to his No Apologies tour.





Surrounded by tabloid rumors and people they can’t trust, Kylie and Trace need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything.





Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don’t always lead you to the same place…


Excerpt:

He pulled out her chair and she sat, watching his every move as he made his way to his own seat. “I hope this is okay. This is the most private table they have.”


“It’s perfect.” She tried to breathe normally and ignore the strange feeling in her stomach.

Trace grinned, revealing the boyish dimples that framed his perfect mouth.


“They have the best steak here. Seriously. You better order one for yourself because you’re not getting any of mine.”


At that, she laughed and her nerves eased up a bit. “Oh, I bet you’d give me a bite if I asked nicely.”


He eyed her from over the top of his menu. “Do you ask for things nicely? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that before.”


With her stomach clenching from the heat in his stare, Kylie put her menu aside. “Maybe you’ve never had anything I wanted badly enough to ask nicely for.”

He raised a brow and opened his mouth to respond. But at that same moment, a waitress appeared and asked for their drink order. Kylie didn’t miss how flustered the girl became when she got an eyeful of Trace. It would’ve been irritating, but really, with the way he looked tonight, Kylie couldn’t blame her. She was still trying to get a handle on her own self.


When the waitress left, Trace leaned across the table. “Actually, I take that back. I’ve heard you ask nicely a time or two. Matter of fact, it bordered on begging. I think it went something like, ‘Oh God, yes, please. Trace, please.’”


Heat crawled over her skin at his imitation of her. Barely keeping the grin of embarrassment from her face, she shook her head. “You’re not right. What kind of thing is that to say to a girl on a first date?”

He grinned back, the promise of something dark gleaming in his eyes.


“Considering this date is going to end with that dress on my bedroom floor and your legs wrapped around my neck, I think it’s a perfectly acceptable thing to say.”

Good Lord. What was she going to do with this man? Oh yeah. Exactly what he’d just described.



Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author



Normal

0


false

false

false


EN-US

JA

X-NONE




/* Style Definitions */

table.MsoNormalTable

{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;

mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;

mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;

mso-style-noshow:yes;

mso-style-priority:99;

mso-style-parent:”";

mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;

mso-para-margin:0in;

mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;

font-size:12.0pt;

font-family:Cambria;

mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;

mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;

mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;

mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}



Caisey Quinn lives in

Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She

is the author of several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls

finding love in unexpected places. She is currently working on Girl in Love, the third and final book

in the Kylie Ryans series. You can find her online at

http://www.caiseyquinnwrites.com. 




You can also find her on: Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads







profilewebsite


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 27, 2013 01:42