Rae Rivers's Blog, page 4

Book News: Book 2 in the Striker Series has released!

The game kicked off on June 5th with the release of ‘Striker’, and now that game carries on with the release of ‘Extra Time’, the second book in Michelle Betham’s seductively wicked bonk buster trilogy.

Life’s moved on for professional soccer player Ryan Fisher, sports reporter Amber Sullivan and Jim Allen, the manager of Ryan’s club Newcastle Red Star. But the repercussions of just a few months ago still hang heavy. Who’s trying their best to play by the rules? And who’s still willing to break them…?

Delving into the lives of those who live and work within the so-called Beautiful Game, ‘Extra Time’ is a story of sex, secrets and the true cost of fame.

Footballers’ Wives meets Jackie Collins in this sizzling scorcher of a read!

‘Extra Time’ – the game continues…

Author Bio: 

I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember, so it stood to reason that, at some point, I’d start writing some of them down. I currently have ten novels in total to my name, ranging from the sweet to the really quite steamy – which is my favourite kind of romance! When I’m not creating hot heroes and sexy scenarios I like to read everything from erotica to horror. I’m also a bit of a TV addict with a penchant for “binge-watching”, I love football, darts and rock music, have a slight obsession with Timothy Olyphant, and I’m also an unashamed ‘Breaking Bad’ geek!

Contact Links: 

Blog
Facebook
Twitter - @michellebetham


 ‘Extra Time’ – Book #2 in the Striker Series – is available to download now from the following buy links:

Amazon UK | Amazon.com  | Kobo  | Barnes & Noble  | Sainsbury's| Google Play
Book #1 in the series – is also available to download, and ‘Final Score’ – the third and final book in the trilogy – is due for release in August. Paperback versions of all books in the series will be available later in the year.

Why my editor loves Declan!

"Dark-haired Keeper with a wry sense of humor, hot romance, stunning landscapes, epic fight scenes and a labor of love ..."

My editor, Emily, shares why she loves my new book so much! And apparently, I have a vivid imagination!  Check out the link below on HarperImpulse's website!

                   Declan is released today!

Release Day for The Keepers: Declan!

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It's release day for The Keepers: Declan!!
And we're celebrating in style with some of the best book bloggers and authors around hosting the event.
Tour giveaway:
Win 1 of 2 copies of Archer, book 1 in the series
Launch Tour 12th June
One More PageCrooks on Books After The Final Chapters BestChickLit Cosmochicklitan Comet Babe Books Laura's Little Book Blog Jera's Jamboree Jany's Book Blog The Girl Bookoholic Old Victorian Quill A Reading Nurse  Aaron Speca Aubrie Dionne Michelle Betham Vonnie Davis Susie MedwellEve Devon Angela Campbell Jane Linfoot AJ Nuest Lynn Marie Aimee Duffy 
[image error] a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneak Peak of The Keepers: Declan!

We've been counting down the days until the release of The Keepers: Declan and thanks to the help of some awesome book bloggers, authors, and readers - all enthusiastic Keeper fans - Declan's story will be launching tomorrow with a bang!  We have author interviews, blog tours, a Facebook launch party, a few giveaways and lots of excitement!

And for those of you who have been asking ... here's the blurb for this sexy new Keeper!  

“You lied to me, misled me, attacked me,” Declan murmured, dipping his head toward hers, “but what we had three months ago wasn’t fake, was it?” Kate's gaze faltered to his lips, heat pulsing between them. But she didn’t deny it.

Declan Bennett has zero tolerance for thieves. He and his brothers, the Keepers, are fiercely protective of their witch, Sienna, and their privacy. So when Kate Carrigan breaks into their estate, he'll be damned if he lets the little wildcat get away with it – especially after she seduced him three months ago, leaving him buck-naked in a New Orleans hotel. Declan wants payback – and some answers.

Before she was murdered, Kate's mother ingrained it in her not to trust anyone. Kate’s magical powers make her a pawn in the war between good and evil, a war she’s always avoided. Declan is everything she’s been taught to fear, even if she can’t forget the memory of his touch that one night…

Trouble is brewing as the powers of evil regroup - bolder and hungrier than ever - and Kate is forced to choose a side.

Hot romance, epic battles and action abound in Book 2 of The Keepers.

One more day to go!

Looking forward to sharing this with you.

Rae Rivers

Come Join the Romance Festival!

Are you attending the Romance Festival happening this weekend?  It's all about readers, authors, editors and publishers and the fabulous books that bring us all together! There are so many exciting events planned - blog posts, Twitter and Facebook chats, Google hangouts, giveaways, advice for aspiring writers ... the list is endless.

And best of all?  It's free AND you can attend it all from home.

There are so many incredible authors lined up and participating in various ways.  You'll also get to read Q&A's with your favourite authors throughout the weekend.  Want to know about MY most romantic moment?  Check it out here!

I'm super excited to be joining Gena Showalter, Darynda Jones, Helen Phifer and Angela Campbell to discuss all things Paranormal on Sunday —11 a.m. Pacific time; 2 p.m. Eastern U.S. time; 7 p.m. London time; and 8p.m. South African time.

So if you're a fan of Paranormal, you'll definitely want to meet up with this dynamic group of authors for a chat.  You'll find us on Facebook.

I look forward to seeing you there!

I've had a few readers asking me what's on my reading list this weekend, so here it is ... between devouring all this fabulous information at the festival, I'll also be reading Angela Campbell's fantastic paranormal romance, On the Scent, with Something Wicked next on my list.  Can't wait!


Wishing you all a happy weekend!  Have fun at the festival and if you see me lurking, please do come say hi!

Rae Rivers

Starting Ethan!

Now that Declan's done, my family and friends are surprised that I'm not taking a breather before starting Ethan. Truth is, I can't WAIT to start his story! And not only that, but it's reader messages like the one below that I received this week that give me all the creative fuel I need to get cracking!

"One of the best series I've read! And now I’m a huge fan of this paranormal book! I thought it really ended, but after reading/knowing about the black legend, another spark of interest lit in me. Their journey isn't done yet. I’m sure, the next book would be a lot more action, romance and magic!—and more addicting! I love the romance, the action, the full-blast magic (specially the climax part of the story) and it was like I was watching it on TV. For real. How I wish, one of the TV networks in US would discover this series. This’ll make a good movie. Smooth plot, keeps me more addicted as the pages goes by. The story has a good-run, best characters that really suit the story and of course the action parts. The writing was amazing, as well as the plot twists. Many, many thanks to you Ms.Rae for gifting me this book! Congratulations for this very wonderful story! 

PS. Can’t wait for what lies next in the next book!"

How's THAT for awesome?!  :)

Wish me luck!

Rae Rivers

Wedding talk with Samantha Birch!

Today, I'm welcoming the lovely Samantha Birch, author of The High Street Bride's Guide, a non-fiction book that offers any bride-to-be useful tips on wedding planning.  A bit different to the normal paranormal stuff readers usually see on my blog, but hey, I still love wedding talk too!

Brides-to-be, this one’s for you! You can say your vows in a catwalk gown so beautiful it reduces your mum to tears (and not because she paid for it). You can style a reception so stunning your guests won’t believe you didn't hire an A-list planner. And you can sprinkle the day with personal touches that make everyone feel like you gave them special attention before they even got there. Without spending a house deposit on it. Honest. Samantha Birch has written for GLAMOUR, Brides, You &Your Wedding and Cosmopolitan Bride. She knows a thing or two about planning a wedding on a budget, how much you can expect to pay for everything and where to go to get it for less. And she’s put it all down here.

Tell us more about yourself, Sam.

Well, when I’m not busy being a total word-obsessive, I’m a big fan of a quiet night in with my hubby or a meal out with my friends. I love New Girl and The Big Bang Theory. My favorite films are When Harry Met Sally and Notting Hill, even though they should be Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. I’m a nerd for computer games—my favorite is the old classic point-and-click Monkey Island, but I’ll also admit to loving Pokémon more than any 28-year-old woman should. I love to read, but I’m too choosy for my own good. My favorite writers are Terry Pratchett, Lewis Carroll, J.K. Rowling, Douglas Adams and Sharon Creech.

Your book is a non-fiction book about wedding planning. Tell us more about this. 

The High-Street Bride’s Guide is basically about how to plan a beautiful wedding on a tight budget—but I really wanted to make sure it was fun. There are so many boring wedding guides out there that are basically a collection of deadlines and bullet points, and then there are the ones that turn out to mostly be a memoir of the writer’s wedding. I wanted mine to be funny and honest and like having a laugh with your best friend, except that your best friend happens to know all the ways to save money on your big day and where to buy lovely things cheaply. So far people seem to be responding to that: brides tell me the book makes them feel more chilled as well as helping them save money—hooray!

What was your inspiration behind your book? 

I went with a budget wedding guide because me and my husband had to do our day on not much money, and I knew from working at the wedding magazines that I had ideas for how to do it that no-one was really talking about. I wanted to help other brides and grooms to have the big day they’re dreaming of without starting their married life in debt, or spending what could have been their house deposit on one day!

What is your idea of a perfect wedding?

Alright, here comes the corny bit: ours! We had 100 of our nearest and dearest for the ceremony and reception, and the day had a retro movies-meet-words theme, because my husband is a filmmaker and I’m a writer. It was a beautiful day, but the big things for us were the atmosphere, which was relaxed and fun, and the food, which was just perfect. We’re still getting compliments on both!

If you could offer a bride-to-be one important piece of advice, what would it be? 

You’ve got this. So many brides feel so much pressure to act a certain way and have their wedding a certain way, but your day is about you and your husband making your vows in front of people who already love you—be yourselves!

Where do you write?

In the spare room of our little two-bedroom flat. We have a couple of desks shoved up against the spare bed and I write at the one closest to the door—my little corner of solitude!

What is your writing routine?

I wish I had one! I’m still developing it. But I generally tend to get up, handle all the admin stuff like catching up on emails and social media and setting up tweets for the rest of the day, then I get onto the writing. Sometimes it won’t come—muses are fickle, I find!—so I’ll have to take a break. I’ll Google inspiring pictures or videos, and if that doesn't work I’ll decide it’s time to step away and do something that keeps me busy while freeing up my mind to solve the problem: probably a chore like washing the pots, or playing a quick round of an online game like Hearthstone.

Quick Q & A! 

TV series or movies?   Both! Sorry, can’t choose. I love When Harry Met Sally as much as New Girl and The Big Bang Theory!

Coffee or tea?   Tea. Decaf Earl Grey. I had to give up caffeine because it was making me a-a-anxious!

Sweets or savories?  Sweets. With the exception of cheese. Don’t get between me and a block of Cathedral City.

Sea or mountains?    Sea. I love the idea of mountains, but hiking’s not really my thing!

Dogs or cats?   Cats. We had five at one point growing up, and I really want a kitten but I couldn’t shut him/her up in the flat. Dachshunds are the only exception to this rule—I can’t see one and not smile!

Cocktails or wine?   Cocktails.

Wild night out or quiet night in?   Quiet night in.

Big wedding or elope?  Wedding with 100 people in the town where you live!

Beach holiday or snow holiday?   Snow holiday. We’re hoping to go to Iceland for our delayed honeymoon this year—we want to see the Northern lights and go whale-watching!

Author Bio 

So far I’m the author of one book: The High-Street Bride’s Guide. I've written about dresses, bridesmaids and cake toppers for Brides and You &Your Wedding, and regularly contribute to the likes of GLAMOUR and Love Baking – often while eating cake in my pajamas. I live with my husband in a chaotically untidy flat in Letchworth, which I pretend is an artfully unkempt writer’s loft in St. Albans.

For any wedding questions or more about Samantha:

Facebook
Twitter

Buy your copy of The High Street Bride's Guide here!

Thanks for the visit, Sam!

Rae Rivers

Look What I'm Reading!

My husband and I have spent a glorious weekend away (without our kiddies!) and between cocktails, sushi, dinner with friends, and enjoying the warm winter beauty of Cape Town, I spent many hours in the hotel room reading the final proof copy of The Keepers: Declan!

I must admit, I adore seeing my books at this stage ... we've completed the plotting, writing and editing and the final copy looks so neat and tidy.  Who would ever have thought a few weeks ago it resembled something similar to a Christmas tree during edits?  (But ssh, no one needs to know that!)

The cover looks fantastic and I still get giddy with excitement when I see MY name on it.  Wow.  What a fantasic journey this has been.

So, my lovely readers, tomorrow I will be sending this back to my editor with a lovely thank you note and nod of approval.  From there, Declan is sent to the production team and will be available to you at all eBook retailers from 12 June 2014.

And hopefully, you'll love Declan's story as much as I loved writing it.  He and Kate have been so much fun to create and I so enjoyed being with the brothers again.  Thankfully, we're not saying goodbye to either of them just yet and will see much more of them in Ethan's story.

Oh, and please remember, if you're a Keepers fan like me, you can keep up to date with all my news by submitting your email on the left hand bar of my blog (kept completely confidential!) or follow me on Facebook.

I can't wait to share with you!

Thanks for reading,
Rae Rivers

Declan News!

I'm afraid my lovely readers, the wait for The Keepers: Declan will be a little longer than the initial date I announced. After all my excitement at 29 May, my publishers have decided to move our publication date back by two weeks - so it's now 12 June 2014!
I know ... so sorry to delay the suspense but there were a few promotions we wanted to make the most of - and the later date made more sense.
I'm thrilled to share that the edits are done and the book has shaped up really well.  I can always see when I've been on a writing or editing deadline.  I'm sleep-deprived, my house is a disaster, the grocery cupboards are empty, my inbox is so huge that it's grown scary teeth, my to-do list is bigger than me, I have tons of reader messages to respond to, I'm long overdue for a manicure and my family and friends are surprised to see me step out of my office!
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of constant reading, editing, writing and brainstorming chats with my fantastic editor, Emily - who sprinkled a fabulous dusting of red marker magic all over my manuscript! (Thanks, Emily!)
BUT ... we've had so much fun!
And the result?
There are a lot of twists and turns in the book and we have a gorgeous Keeper (and his two equally gorgeous brothers!) itching to hit your eReaders soon!
I'm so thrilled with the way my book has turned out and I feel confident it'll be worth the wait! 
Can't wait to share!
Rae Rivers

The Keepers: Sienna Soars at Half a Million Reads!

This week marks a very exciting milestone for The Keepers: Sienna, the prequel to my Keepers series, as it reached over half a million reads on Wattpad alone!

What is Wattpad?

Wattpad is the world's largest online reading community that brings readers and writers together through their love of books.  It's a site that hosts mostly free reads which adds to its popularity.  Each user has a unique profile and is able to read and comment on other works on the site.


Why Wattpad?

Thanks to my publisher who introduced me to Wattpad, I joined shortly after the launch of Sienna as a way of connecting with more readers and authors.  The welcome and support I received was incredible and almost immediately, I received followers, read counts and a fabulous stream of steady comments that I treasure!

Copies of The Keepers: Archer up for grabs!

To celebrate Sienna's awesome milestone as well as the fabulous readers who have embraced my series with such enthusiasm, we're giving away five copies of The Keepers: Archer.  Head on over to the HarperImpulse blog for more on my experience of Wattpad and to enter the giveaway!

Thank you to every single reader who has picked up a copy of Sienna or Archer and thank you to the Wattpad community for welcoming my series and I the way you have!

Rae Rivers