D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 85
February 28, 2016
A Kiss in the Shadows by Eve Kincaid & Lily Danes
Title: A Kiss in the Shadows
Author: Eve Kincaid and Lily Danes
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
~ Synopsis ~
Erin Grady is used to taking care of people. That’s why she’s thrilled to finally realize her dream of opening a clinic…and why she’s willing to overlook where the money came from—until a determined prosecutor comes sniffing around.
Will Patton is desperate to leave the small fogbound town of Lost Coast Harbor and build a real career for himself. But to do that, he’ll need to expose the dirty police chief—and betray the woman who makes him wonder if he’s leaving town too soon.
But the corruption in Lost Coast Harbor runs deep and wide—and exposing the truth will require Erin and Will to expose their hearts…no matter the risk.
Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Apple ~ Barnes & Noble
~ Excerpt ~
“I take care of myself. I don’t need someone to take care of me,” Erin said.
Will ran a thumb across her pouty bottom lip. He didn’t doubt that she believed it. That stubborn tilt to her jaw said she was independent and self-reliant. She was tough, and strong, and he wouldn’t want her any other way. But God, he just wanted to hold her and care for her for a change.
“Not tonight.”
Her eyes widened at the contact of his fingers along her cheek.
“No?” Her voice dropped to a husky whisper.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he whispered.
Her eyes widened and her lips parted in a small smile. “You are?”
He stroked her hair again, then through the strands until his hand was at the back of her neck.
“And then, I’m going to push that indecent dress up just a little higher, and see what you wore for me tonight,” he said, feeling her heart beat under his fingers.
She swallowed and started to reach for him, but he stilled her hand, covering it with his. He shifted so he could pull her closer.
“I know it’s something sexy,” he breathed into her neck, then pressed his lips against the soft skin below her ear. “Lace? Silk?”
Her breath escaped in a rush as he ran his hand down her body, over the curves that had been tempting him all night. His fingers played with the hem of the short dress and Erin shifted as his hand moved under the fabric and across soft, warm skin. His hands roamed higher, up the back of her legs, along the curve there and moving higher still.
His mouth went dry as he realized the lace and silk he was reaching for wasn’t there. Instead, his fingers brushed her soft, hot core, making her squirm against his hand.
“Jesus, Erin,” he breathed.
~ About the Authors ~
Like so many good ideas, Lost Coast Harbor was inspired by a few rounds of margaritas. One sunny afternoon, Lily Danes and Eve Kincaid went to a Mexican restaurant for snacks and tequila and left with the idea for a new series. Inspired by their love of noir movies and 1940s crime novels, they imagined a gritty small town full of crime and corruption, where intrigue and mystery can lead to love and passion.
Lost Coast Harbor ~ Lily Danes ~ Eve Kincaid
Eve Kincaid is a lapsed lawyer who decided that fictional crime was more fun than the real deal. When she’s not writing about mysterious women and the dangerous and sexy men who love them, she’s probably shopping for books, lipstick, or imported cheeses to complement a nice California pinot noir.
You can keep up with Eve’s new releases by signing up for her reader newsletter. She’d love to hear from you. Just don’t be creepy about it.
~ Giveaway ~
The authors will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Leap Into Cash $250 #Giveaway
Leap Into Cash $250 Giveaway – February 29th to March 20th
An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!!
We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com eGift Code!
Thanks to these awesome bloggers & authors for sponsoring this giveaway!!
~ Sponsor List ~
Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages
Bella Street Time Travel Romance
Bonnie Blythe Faith-Based Romance
~ Giveaway Details ~
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card
Ends 3/20/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or who can redeem an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
February 26, 2016
I have lived in many countries and traveled the world, but Istanbul is my first ‘expat’ experience
I’m a wanderer. I fancy I have gypsy blood in my mish mash of ethnic backgrounds. In fact, I often tell people I have gypsy roots. It’s not like they can call me a liar since it’s impossible to know what roots I have except some gray ones on top of my head.
Although I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I haven’t called the US my home in decades. My first experience living abroad was at the age of 17 when I was an exchange student in Germany. My next move to a foreign country also lead me to Germany. This time as a soldier stationed in Heidelberg. I met and fell in love with my Dutch husband there and, although we went back to the US for me to finish my duty to Uncle Sam and go to law school, we eventually ended up living in Haarlem. That’s the original Haarlem in the Netherlands and not the borough in New York City. After nearly a decade in the Netherlands, we moved to Germany (again!) because I wanted to start a Bed & Breakfast. Turns out I am not the type of person who should be running a B&B. When my husband got a job opportunity in Turkey, I packed the business up and flew out to Istanbul to live with him.
While I’ve lived in four countries (include my mother country), I have never considered myself an expat until we arrived in Turkey. But that can’t be right, can it? The standard definition of an expat is a person temporarily or permanently residing, as an immigrant, in a country other than that of their citizenship. Surely, I am not a citizen of all those countries. Well, actually, I am a citizen of two countries I’ve lived in: the US (natural born citizen the way the drafters of the constitution intended it) and the Netherlands. But surely I was an expat in Germany? And perhaps even in the Netherlands in the years before I gained citizenship?
In my (sometimes but not all the time) humble opinion, a person is not an expat just because she is living in a country in which she doesn’t have citizenship. No, my definition of an expat is more about the intention of the person. It boils down to three points:
Language – Although my German is definitely lacking (at some point I didn’t even try to figure out if it was der, die, das, etc.), my Turkish is practically non-existent. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit, I haven’t made much of an effort with the language. We’re not planning on staying here and putting down roots, so why bother? Which leads me to my second point…
Putting down roots – When we moved to Germany the last time, we bought a house and started a business because we were planning on staying there for a long time, maybe even forever (although I realize this is unrealistic as I get itchy feet after a while).
Integration – Making local friends, adapting to the local culture, and generally becoming part of the community are signs that you aren’t an ‘expat’.
I believe that an expat is someone who doesn’t plan on staying in the country in which they are living. Expats often hop from country to country taking new job opportunities. They usually don’t make attempts to learn the language and adapt to the culture. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in Istanbul. *cringes* Maybe it makes us horrible people, but – to be perfectly honest – we’re not staying. Although only a small body of water separates our location from ‘Europe’ proper, it feels as if we’re a million miles and light years away. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the culture. It’s an ongoing adventure living here, but it’s not somewhere I want to settle down and let roots grow. Because I haven’t learned the language and we’re not planning on staying, I haven’t made any attempts at integrating. And that, folks, is why I’m feeling like an expat for the first time in my life.
Slim Pickins’ In Fat Chance, Texas by @CeliaBonaduce
Title: Slim Pickins’ in Fat Chance, Texas
Series: Fat Chance, Texas Book 2
Author: Celia Bonaduce
Published: January 5th, 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Synopsis:
It’s been a year since an eccentric billionaire summoned seven strangers to the dilapidated, postage stamp-sized town of Fat Chance, Texas. To win a cash bequest, each was required to spend six months in the ghost town to see if they could transform it—and themselves—into something extraordinary. But by the time pastry chef Fernando Cruz arrives, several members of the original gang have already skedaddled…
Fernando’s hopes of starting a new life in Fat Chance are dashed when the town’s handful of ragtag residents—and a mysterious low-flying plane—show him just how weird the place actually is. His hopes of making over the town’s sole café into a BBQ restaurant for nearby ranchers threaten to turn to dust as a string of bizarre secrets are revealed. But just when the pickins’ couldn’t get any slimmer, the citizens of Fat Chance realize they might be able to build exactly the kind of hometown they all need—but never knew they wanted…
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads
~ Excerpt ~
Dymphna didn’t want Suzanna – or Suzanna’s sister Erinn, or their mother Virginia – worrying about her, so she tended to embellish how well things were going in town when she spoke to them. No harm done, until Suzanna sent an email to Dymphna, letting her know that the fabulous Fernando had sold his share of the B&B to his partner and was looking for a new place. Suzanna thought Fat Chance sounded like a ground floor opportunity and Fernando was very excited about checking it out. Without admitting to a pack of white lies, Dymphna convinced herself that he might actually like the place.
Fernando, Dymphna and Pappy turned towards the door as Thud, the enormous bloodhound that shared Dymphna’s farm, bounded into the room. Thud sensed the new blood and raced to welcome Fernando to town. The dog reared back, then jumped. He put his front paws on Fernando’s shoulders, knocking the chair over. Fernando and Thud landed on the floor, the dog looming over the man. Drool ensued. Dymphna hoped Fernando found this charming, but suspected by Fernando’s involuntary yowling that he was not a dog person.
Dymphna pulled the dog off him and Pappy righted his chair. Fernando wiped the dog slobber from his face, this time stuffing his no longer white handkerchief into his jeans.
“Tell him how great this place is, Pappy,” Dymphna said as she lugged Thud back outside.
“I won’t lie to you,” Pappy said, looking Fernando right in the eye. “Fat Chance is an acquired taste.”
They all thought of the place as a ghost town, but it was actually a study in “arrested decay.”The structures had been maintained, but only to the extent that they would not be allowed to fall over or otherwise deteriorate in a major way. That explained why the town was a mishmash of buildings from the turn of the twentieth century with electricity, running water, a few 1950’s appliances – and a faint internet signal.
“I have to get up to the farm,” Dymphna said to Fernando, as they all stood in front of the café. “I’ve got to shear my goats. Do you want to come up?”
“Less than anything on earth,” Fernando said.
“You go on,” Pappy said to Dymphna. “He’ll be fine here.”
Dymphna hesitated, but realized there was nothing she could say or do to make Fernando decide to stay. She and Thud headed up to the farm, the two men watching them until they were two small specks on the horizon. The speck that was Thud bounced all the way up the hill.
“Who maintained the buildings all these years?’ Fernando asked.
“I have,” Pappy said proudly. “Been here for more years than I can remember.”
“Why?” Fernando asked. “Why have you been here so long?”
“Can’t say,” Pappy said. “Probably same sort of reason you’re here.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” Fernando said.
“You might not stay,” Pappy shrugged. “But you could have gone anywhere. Back to Napa or Los Angeles. You could have gone to Chicago or New York. But you decided to check out Fat Chance. Not business as usual, you got to admit that. You were looking for something different. And you found it.”
~ Review ~
Based on the synopsis and the genre description of romantic comedy, I was expecting a funny romance about a crazy bunch of folks who all ended up staying in Fat Chance. That’s not exactly what I got. While there are some funny moments in the story, I wouldn’t label the book a comedy (then again that could be my own sense of humor holding me back). I also expected more romance, but the romance is a bit stunted. It’s almost as if the characters were from a different time with the slow and confusing manner in which the romances developed.
But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the story. It was an engaging read. Except for Dymphna, I liked the characters. And they were really all ‘characters’. At the start, I was a tad bit disappointed that certain characters who were in Fat Chance at the end of the first book, were long gone. My disappointment was somewhat alleviated by the introduction of Fernando. He was a great addition to this bunch of misfits.
The writing was good, but here and there a bit disjointed. Weeks would pass in a blink of an eye. And sometimes there were unnecessary descriptions, which I was tempted to skim over. In general, I found the writing in this second book of the series much smoother than the previous book. I also thought the book was uplifting (except for Dymphna’s suitor situation which I just found strange) and it left me with a smile on my face.
~ About the Author ~
Celia Bonaduce is an award-winning producer whose credits cover a lot of ground – everything from field-producing ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to writing for many of Nickelodeon’s animated series, including Hey, Arnold and Chalkzone. If Celia Bonaduce’s last name is any indication, she is proof that TV talent runs in the family.
An avid reader, entering the world of books has always been a lifelong ambition. She is the author of the Venice Beach Romances, including The Merchant of Venice Beach, A Comedy of Erinn, and Much Ado About Mother. Her dream continues with a brand new series called Fat Chance, Texas. Book one, Welcome to Fat Chance, Texas, is available now! The series continues with book two, Slim Pickins’ in Fat Chance, Texas, on January 5th, 2016.
Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest | Instagram | website
~ Giveaway ~
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
A $25 Amazon gift card.
Giveaway is International.
Ends February 29th at 11:59 PM ET
February 25, 2016
Wickedly They Dream by @cathconstantine
Title: Wickedly They Dream
Series: The Wickedly Series, Book 2
Author: Cathrina Constantine
Published: Feb. 20th, 2016
Publisher: CHBB
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+
~ Synopsis ~
Evil never rests.
Jordan hoped her life would change after the fiery death of the devious sorcerer, Asa Trebane. She was wrong. The Black Order of the Cult is gearing up to select a new Supreme Leader, and Lucifer will be judge and jury.
The aberrant half-breeds scheme to impregnate an influential psychic to create a prodigious creature with exceptional powers to overthrow the Order. After her mom, Seeley, is possessed with an exponential curse, even the priests can’t find a solution to defeat the evil that is devouring her. Jordan is sick of delaying the inevitable and takes matters into her own hands. She must dig deeper into the Satanic realm and guardedly joins forces with an old friend and a wicked witch. Against Markus’s direct orders, Jordan offers herself, body and soul in a blood covenant to rescue Seeley from the clutches of hell.
Jordan knows her guardian angel will not leave her to fight alone. The formidable Markus always has her back. But a circumstance beyond her control drives her angel away. There’s trouble in paradise, and Markus has been reassigned.
Can Jordan defeat her internal and external demons to win him back? Or, this time, is he gone for good?
~ Excerpt ~
Slammed onto the altar with no regard for how much pain it caused her, Jordan’s arms and legs were spread and tied. She immediately searched for traces of awareness in her mom’s face. Even in the dimness, she spied a slash of blue peeping from Seeley’s half-closed lids. A cloaked person, appearing more like the grim reaper, breezed to the altar. The figure shoved Seeley aside and bowed over Jordan.
Shadowed by the figure, Jordan squinted, attempting to recognize him. Peering into the hooded black abyss, a bone-searing weakness overcame her, as if the thing was draining the life out of her body. Her heart revved to a phenomenal rate, like a Ferris wheel gone haywire. Then the pain came. She moaned. Her insides twisted like a rag mop. The grim reaper drew his cloaked arm over her. She recoiled as skeletal fingers splayed within inches of her heart.
~ About the Author ~
Cathrina resides in Western New York with her husband and five grown children. She has a penchant for too much coffee and chocolate. When not with her family or stationed at the computer, you’ll find her walking in the forest with her dog conjuring up a new tale.
Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Facebook | Twitter | Website
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
$10 Amazon gift card
Wickedly They Come ebook
Wickedly They Dream ebook
Giveaway is International.
Ends March 2nd at 11:59 PM ET.
February 23, 2016
If I Should Remember by @KDVanBrunt
Young Adult / YA Mystery
Date Published: February 2, 2016
Memories make us human. Are we still alive if we can’t remember?
Seventeen-year-old Zoe Laleigh has accepted that sometimes the only way to survive today is to wipe away the past. That’s what her loving parents and dedicated psychiatrist are helping her do—forget. What, she’s not entirely sure. All she knows is when an entire year of recollections goes missing, there’s definitely something wrong.
Sometimes the past isn’t so easily forgotten…
Through a flood of dreams, Zoe realizes something happened. Something terrible and tragic. Her lost year is a monster hiding in the shadow of her nightmares, taunting her, but unwilling to reveal itself. When her family relocates, she hopes a new town and new school will help her regain a sense of normalcy. If only it were that easy.
Strangely enough, only her dog, Rin, seems to understand her…
He is somehow connected to her lost year—connected to why she keeps doing things her mother calls reckless, foolish, and dangerous. And when she starts to hear voices and sees things no one else can, she is forced to question her own sanity.
The monster of her nightmares has returned, bringing with it the single question that plagues her at night…
What is there to remember?
Excerpt
Did I say how much I hate Dr. Bazely’s office? It starts with the reception area, which always has this citrusy smell. It’s like cheap perfume, and it gets into my hair and my clothes, so I smell it for days. Of course, there are magazines to read during the wait, and there’s always a wait no matter when you arrive, but the magazines come in two flavors: National Geographic and People. Right, gawk at animals or gawk at humans, your choice. Before we sit, we have to deal with Martha, the receptionist.
“Hello, Martha,” Mom says, as we approach her desk.
“Zoe,” Martha responds with faux pleasure. Her smile is like a Halloween mask she slides down over her face whenever she has to interact with clients. For some reason, they refer to us as clients, not patients. Whatever.
“Dr. Bazely will be with you momentarily,” Martha states, as she always does.
I sit next to Mom and scroll through the texts on my phone. Sara has texted me 10,000 times, Hannah and Tory only slightly less. According to Tory, she spent all first period this morning answering one of two questions: Does Zoe have a brain tumor? and Is Zoe rabid? I also have a text from Derek, but strangely nothing from Alex.
Hey, fox ninja warrior, the wildlife around here wants to know if it’s safe to come out, Derek texted.
I laugh out loud at this and text back, Tell the animals crazy girl is in Boston for the day.
He immediately replies. You looked kind of sexy holding that shoe, you know.
I roll my eyes. That’s what I was going for all right—the sexy, scared shitless look.
“The doctor will see you now,” Martha says, rising to lead me back to his office.
I stow my phone in my back pocket, and Mom gives my hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement. My sessions with Dr. Bazely are one-on-one. No Mom. No Dad. Bazely usually does confer with Mom after we’re done, but he’s made it clear to me many times he will not breach the confidentiality of our sessions with anyone. So even if it turns out I’m an axe murderer, my crimes will remain a secret from my mother.
Dr. Bazely’s office is like a nice den, all wood paneling, comfy, an overstuffed couch, and two wingback chairs. I sit in my usual chair and he sits in the other one halffacing me. A round table is strategically located between us. His shiny, bald head reflects the overhead light like a mirror. Dr. Bazely is never mean with me, but I resent him. He never tells me anything. He knows stuff about me, but he won’t share it with me.
About the Author
Young adult writer K.D. Van Brunt has authored four books, including the widely acclaimed Win the Rings. Residing in Rockville, Maryland, he loves all things dogs, the civil war and books.
Contact Links
Website
Purchase Links
Amazon
Limitless Publishing
Nobody’s Princess by @SarahHegger
Title: Nobody’s Princess
Author: Sarah Hegger
Genre: Contemporary Romance
~ Synopsis ~
Tiffany Desjardins has a plan. Well, she had a plan, until her past and all its complications came back to haunt her. Her not-quite-ex-husband, Luke, is missing, and suddenly everyone needs to find him–including Tiffany, if she wants to marry the true man of her dreams. Then there’s Thomas Hunter, Luke’s brawny friend, who won’t take “no road trip” for an answer–and who won’t stop showing up in her daydreams…
Thomas couldn’t care less about Luke’s personal life, but he needs to find him if he’s going to make his fledgling minerals and metals company a reality. And if that means following Tiffany, who’s taken off in Luke’s rare Lamborghini Miura, he’s more than willing–especially if there might be a chance to negotiate some of Tiffany’s lovely curves. As Tiffany and Thomas speed along without a map, the only destination that seems certain is being together…
~ Excerpt ~
Tiffany did a quick, happy two-step. He even had beautiful blue eyes. He might be a shade on the tall side, but they could fake that a bit. Not as young as she’d first thought, but makeup would fix that. Two vertical lines between his eyebrows gave off a sort of don’t mess with me vibe. She beamed at him. “You’re perfect.”
He raised an eyebrow, and returned her smile cautiously.
Oh, yes, yes, yes. He had one of those smiles, all innocent on the outside until you looked into those bad-boy eyes. Scrap the Botox, those laugh lines were smoking hot. She did a quick body scan. Nice. Very nice. If he looked as good out of that tight T-shirt as he did in it. Seriously, where had this boy been hiding himself?
Tiffany patted the sort of forearm that could be best friends with a jackhammer, and mentally forgave the casting agent. “Okay.” She stretched her fingers to capacity to grip his arm. Wow! And this from a girl who worked with wow every day. “We are going to have to hurry. Strip and let’s get you all pumped up.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Piers snarled. “Your call time was one thirty.”
Blondie opened his mouth to reply. Tiffany spun him toward makeup. No good arguing with Piers when he was on a tear. A waste of time they didn’t have. Things were turning around. The white boy was here, and he was gorgeous. The shoot would finish on time, and then she could deal with Lola. And still have time to prepare herself for the night.
~ About the Author ~
Born British and raised in South Africa, Sarah Hegger suffers from an incurable case of wanderlust. Her match? A hot Canadian engineer, whose marriage proposal she accepted six short weeks after they first met. Together they’ve made homes in seven different cities across three different continents (and back again once or twice). If only it made her multilingual, but the best she can manage is idiosyncratic English, fluent Afrikaans, conversant Russian, pigeon Portuguese, even worse Zulu and enough French to get herself into trouble.
Mimicking her globe trotting adventures, Sarah’s career path began as a gainfully employed actress, drifted into public relations, settled a moment in advertising, and eventually took root in the fertile soil of her first love, writing. She also moonlights as a wife and mother.
She currently lives in Littleton, Colorado, with her teenage daughters, two Golden Retrievers and aforementioned husband. Part footloose buccaneer, part quixotic observer of life, Sarah’s restless heart is most content when reading or writing books.
She loves to hear from readers and you can find her at any of the places below.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Instagram
~ Giveaway ~
5 x paperback copies of Nobody’s Princess
5 x ebook copies of Nobody’s Princess
1 x $50 Amazon Gift Cards
2 x $20 Amazon Gift Cards
3 x $10 Amazon Gift cards
February 21, 2016
How to have a successful blog tour of your book
I host book blog tours on a nearly daily basis on my Readsalot blog. As a blogger, I’m often disappointed in the writers who I’m trying to promote. The vast majority don’t bother to stop by the blog; let alone tweet my post or check out my Facebook post about their book. I’m sorry to disappoint but, if you want your blog tour to be a success, you’re going to have to put more work into it than just hiring a company to handle everything. And success doesn’t mean just selling books. A blog tour is the perfect opportunity to network and make some great connections in the book blogging world. I found almost all of the bloggers on my – admittedly short – list of reviewers during blog tours. I don’t need to remind anyone how important reviews are. Here are the minimum steps a writer should take when touring a book.
Visit all the blog stops and make a comment thanking the blogger. This is just common courtesy people. Also, I’m more likely to review a book from an author who has reached out to thank me during a blog tour. I sent out a review request to a blog that hosted my blog tour yesterday and received an immediate yes back. It works!
If the blogger has a Facebook page, make sure to stop by the post and like it as well as make some comment. As we all know, Facebook continues to dwindle the number of ‘likers’ who actually see our Facebook posts. I’ve noticed – although I have no empirical proof – that comments and likes increase the likelihood of a post being seen by more people. If you have a Facebook author page, this is also a means for readers to become acquainted with the page.
Stop by Twitter and like the post about your book. I don’t re-tweet all tweets of my book during a blog tour as I don’t want all my tweets to be about my book. No one likes a person shouting Look at my book! all day. I do make sure to re-tweet about any reviews because reviews sell books. I make sure to like all tweets and follow each blogger that takes the time to tweet about my book. Do a search for your book name on Twitter as well as many bloggers don’t include the author’s handle in the tweet.
Follow on Social Media. I follow each blogger on all social media platforms to increase my networking reach. I’m not on all social media sites, though, and stick to those platforms I actually use. I always make sure to find the blogger on Goodreads. Goodreads is one of the best networking platforms for writers and readers out there. But don’t abuse a blogger’s friendship by constantly sending all your “friends” PR about your book.
After the tour is over, I’ll go back to each blog post and check out who liked the post and made a comment. If a like or comment is from a book blogger, I’ll check out the blog to see if it’s a good fit for my book. If it is, I’ll shoot off a review request making sure to mention the original blog post.
You’re probably thinking this is a whole lot of work and you’re not wrong. But let’s face it – every Tom, Dick, and Harry is writing and publishing a book at the moment. How are you going to stand out?
I’d love to hear from writers or bloggers who have additional hints or advice.
Silver’s Captive by @lawallaceauthor
Title: Silver’s Captive
Author: Lee-Ann Wallace
Genre: Erotic Sci-Fi Romance
~ Synopsis ~
Determined to finish her studies and restart the search for her missing parents, Tarnee’s life is thrown into chaos when she is kidnapped by a silver eyed stranger. Held captive by the captain of a pirate ship, Tarnee finds herself drawn to him despite her need to get home.
Tor’Arr has been searching the universe for his one and only, the woman who will complete him and knows when their eyes clash across a busy space station that he has found her. He will allow nothing to stand in way of claiming her as his, not even his crew. Thrust into a dangerous world where she must rely on Tor’Arr to keep her safe Tarnee must decide if she’s prepared to give up her dreams to be with a man who can be anything she desires.
~ Excerpt ~
“Will you take me home?” I asked because I had to. It was too important to me just to let it go. I’d spent every waking hour since my parents disappeared, working towards the day when I could search for them and I was so close to my goal.
This man may make me feel things I’d never felt for another man, and we might have some strange kind of connection, but I’d never forget my parents. I’d never forget that they were out there somewhere.
Frustration crossed his face as I looked at him.
“I can’t do that, Tarnee. Now, even more than before. We’re already leaving your galaxy.”
A crushing sense of disappointment almost overwhelmed me. I turned away from him to look out the window behind me, lost in what I felt, my gaze lost in the endless expanse of space.
I heard movement behind me, the soft rustle of fabric as he moved, along with footsteps on the plush carpet.
“Is it so terrible that you can’t go home? Is staying here with me such a hardship, Tarnee?”
His voice had been close, so close. I looked over my shoulder to find him standing right behind me, between the two chairs that sat opposite the built-in couch.
“You don’t understand,” I replied.
“Then help me understand. Tell me why it’s so important to you that you go home. Tell me why you won’t even give us a chance.”
~ About the Author ~
Lee-Ann Wallace spends her days dreaming up sexy aliens to fill her stories with and drinking far to much coffee. She lives in a little house in Brisbane, Australia with her family and has set up shop at the dining table where she is surrounded by noise. When she’s not writing you can find her with her nose pressed to her phone reading a steamy romance.
~ Giveaway ~
Lee-Ann will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.
February 19, 2016
Cover Reveal ~ Caught Bread Handed by @BakeshopMystery
Welcome to the cover reveal of Caught Bread Handed by Ellie Alexander! This is the fourth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series and releases June 28 by St. Martin’s Press.
About the Book:
Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bakeshop where the oven is heating up as high as the body count…Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary… especially when murder is thrown into the mix.
When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town, and tracking the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading—with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent—for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start… and risk getting burned?
Goodreads | Amazon | Vintage Books
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About the Author:
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.
Twitter | Facebook
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GIVEAWAY:
Signed copies of the first 3 books in the series plus a signed cover flat of CAUGHT BREAD HANDED
Triple chocolate chip cookie mix
Oregon Chai
Dagoba (Ashland) chocolate chai
Dagoba chocolates
Spiced apple cider
Open to US addresses only
Ends March 23, 2016
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
