Monday, April 29, 2013

[Release Day] The Boy Next Door by Melinda Dozier #freebie



The Boy Next Door
by: ME!
Available TODAY (April 29, 2013) 

Prequel Novella to Time Changes Everything, released on May 13.

BLURB:

Dumped on Homecoming night, Amanda Larson assumes that her life is over. That is until Jake Edwards, her next-door neighbor and long time crush, has come to the rescue. Although he is visiting from college, Amanda can't help but hope that their night will lead into something bigger. Jake, on the other hand, knows that despite his attraction to little Mandy, he can't commit, not while he's away at college. Still, Amanda will never forget the kiss she shares with the boy next door.

LINK:


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Book Tour - Legally Undercover by Rachel Kall



Release: April 15, 2013
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Entranced Publishing

Blurb

Attorney Alex Popov’s dream of partnership is put to the test when she’s pulled into a top-secret investigation involving arms dealers and one of her clients, Rodrigues Capital. The only good part about her association with the secretive organization is her client contact, Pedro Martín. She’s drawn to him, but he’s hiding something.

When Jacob shows up as a new attorney at Alex’s firm, it’s clear Pedro isn’t the only one with secrets. As Alex tries to determine Jacob’s true identity, she’s drawn closer to Pedro and deeper into the mystery of Rodrigues Capital and its shadowy networks.

Everyone has an agenda. In a world of lies, where no one is what they seem, Alex puts everything — even her dreams of partnership — on the line for love.


About the Author



Rachel Kall writes romantic suspense. She enjoys writing spicy and suspenseful stories to keep readers guessing. She’s a lawyer by day and passionate about writing. Her favorite genres are romantic suspense and contemporary romance, but she’s always open to an amazing story in any genre. Rachel is a member of Romance Writers of America, KOD, and Georgia Romance Writers. She loves animals and is active in animal rescue. She enjoys adding lovable pets to her stories. She lives in Georgia with her husband and five furkids—two dogs and three cats.

Author links

Twitter: @rachelkall

Excerpt:

Don't worry. We'll start nice and easy. And rule number one is this: The connection between the man and the woman is more important than the steps. You could have the most amazing dance steps in the world, but if there's no connection between the man and the woman, then it's really not the salsa."
He positioned her left hand on his shoulder. Then he put his left hand into her right and placed his right hand gently on her back.
"The thing to remember about the salsa is you hold the one count and step on two. It'll be easier for you to follow me, but let me walk you through it once. Hold on one. On two, step back with your right foot. Step forward with your right foot. Then hold the beat. Step forward with your left. Step back onto your right. Step back on your left. And that's it."
Alex surprised herself as she caught onto the basic salsa steps. They started dancing to the music, and he began to improvise, adding additional steps. She kept up with him as well as she could, and she couldn't keep the smile off her face. With each additional
step she was drawn closer to him and could smell the scent of his light but masculine cologne. She couldn't miss that flash of heat in his eyes. But he still wasn't being pushy with her.
She officially felt like she was in the twilight zone. It almost seemed like they were on a real date. All of the stress and pressure of the past days melted off of her with every step and with each touch of his hand on her body. They finished dancing, and stood
laughing hand in hand.
"You've actually cheered me up, Pedro, much better than the wine and pizza therapy. I needed some salsa."
"You've got the perfect body for Latin dancing."
She felt her cheeks redden. "I have a few extra curves," she said, feeling a bit self-conscious.
"Your curves are just right the way they are." He cupped his hands on her face, and never dropping eye contact, pulled her to him. As his lips touched hers for the first time, she got lost in the moment. While she knew she should back away, she couldn't help but give in. Right then, she wanted him. It was undeniable.
Momentarily letting go of her doubts, she grabbed onto his shoulders and ran her hands lightly down his back. She strained, going up on her toes to get even closer to him because of their height difference. His lips were soft, and there was something so forbidden about what she was doing. He deepened the kiss and she allowed it to continue for a few minutes, savoring the way his lips felt against hers. All of her senses were heightened as his hands glided down to her waist. She wanted this to continue, but she had to get a grip. Reluctantly, she took a step back but still remained in his arms.
"Pedro, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm not sure this is a good idea." Even she didn't
believe the words as they came out of her mouth.
He leaned down and spoke quietly into her ear giving her chills. "Alex, I can be
very persistent…”



Book Trailer:



BUY LINKS:




Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Legally-Undercover/book-MpslotABh0WywBUpMxwBMg/page1.html?s=OwHo9DuIS0aXj68LPTgwRQ&r=1


Freebie

The prequel to Legally Undercover, Pure Deception is available for free from Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303717


GIVEAWAY:


Giveaway: 4 ebook copies of Legally Undercover. Tour wide Rafflecopter code:

Saturday, April 27, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Adorned: The Trinity of Souls Series by Georgeann Swiger

Super excited to have fellow Entranced Publishing author, Georgeann Swiger's cover reveal of Adorned: The Trinity of Souls Series. What an amazing cover! Don't you love it? 


Title: Adorned (Book I in The Trinity of Souls series)
Author: Georgeann Swiger
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Length: 80k words
Release Date: November 4, 2013

Blurb:
When seventeen-year-old Anya finds out she’s actually an angel being trained to protect humanity, she discovers that becoming an angel has nothing to do with wings and haloes. For Anya, becoming an angel has to do with death—her death.
Micah, the angelic soldier ordered to protect her until she transitions from human to angel, promises her death will be a glorious experience as long as she follows his rules. But getting Anya through this life and to the next isn’t as simple as Micah expects. His job becomes even more difficult after he unwittingly performs a miracle that exposes Anya’s hidden angelic light. 
With her secret out, Hell’s legions begin targeting her. Unfortunately, Hell’s minions are the least of Micah’s worries. He’s more concerned about the forbidden human emotions he’s developed toward Anya.  Even more troubling, is she seems to love him too. And giving in to those feelings, could mean dire consequences for them both.
 
About the Author
Georgeann Swiger earned her degree in journalism from West Virginia University, and then spent five years as an anchor/reporter at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, WV.  After having children, she left television news to be a stay at home mom. During that time, she discovered creative writing was more fun than writing about real life tragedy.  Imagining interesting characters and having them come to life on the page is now her passion. When she’s not writing, she works as a substitute teacher.  She lives in Reedsville, West Virginia with her husband, two kids, a beagle dog and a temperamental cat who tries to rule the house.


[Cover Reveal] Awakenings by J.E. Shannon


Awakenings will be available August 26!




Evie Shepard's nightmare begins when she finds herself buried alive, with no idea how she got that way. As she struggles to remember what happened to her, she begins to notice changes about herself. Her senses are heightened, her movements are quicker, she is incredibly strong....her heartbeat has stopped. It's then she makes a disturbing discovery. She wasn't buried alive. She was murdered. Somehow she has come back...

And she wants revenge.


About the Author

J. E. Shannon currently lives in Florida, but is a Missouri native. She spends most of her time reading, writing, and taking care of her small child and two crazy dogs.

You can connect with her on Twitter (@JEShannonauthor), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-E-Shannon/433304970085317) or at her blog (http://jeshannonauthor.blogspot.com.au/).

Monday, April 22, 2013

In Stone by Louise D. Gornall - Kindle Giveaway



Title: In Stone
Author: Louise D. Gornall

IN STONE will be available July 29!

Beau Bailey is suffering from a post break-up meltdown when she happens across a knife in her local park and takes it home. Less than a week later the new boy in school has her trapped in an alley; he’s sprouted horns and is going to kill Beau unless she hands over the knife.

Until Eighteenth century gargoyle, Jack, shows up and saves her.

Jack has woken from a century long slumber to tell Beau that she’s accidentally been drafted into a power struggle between two immortal races; Demons and Gargoyles. The knife she picked up is the only one in existence capable of killing immortals and they’ll tear the world apart to get it back. To draw the warring immortals away from her home, Beau decides to go with Jack to Bulgaria in search of the mind-bending realm known as the Underworld, a place where they’ll hopefully be able to destroy the knife and prevent all hell from breaking loose. That is providing they can outrun the demons that are chasing them.

About the Author


Louise is a graduate of Garstang Community Academy, currently studying for a BA (Hons) in English language and literature with special emphasis on creative writing. YA aficionado. Brit bird. Film nerd. Identical twin. Junk food enthusiast. Rumoured pink Power Ranger. Zombie apocalypse 2012 survivor. Avid collector of book boyfriends.


Giveaway – Open Internationally

To celebrate her upcoming release, Louise is giving away an ecopy of IN STONE and a Kindle Fire to one lucky reader! One runner-up will also win an ecopy of IN STONE. UK and US residents are eligible to win the Kindle Fire. If you live outside the UK or US and your name is drawn, you will receive an Amazon gift card valued at £160 (GBP) instead. The winners will be announced July 29. Good luck!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

[Blitz Tour] Short Rides by Lorelei James & Giveaway



Blurb:

Short Rides is an anthology compilation of two novellas and one short story in the Rough Riders world. These are NOT meant to be read as standalone stories, but are a peek into favorite character’s lives after the happily ever after…

The stories included in the Short Rides anthology are:

King of Hearts* — Deputy Cam McKay deals with a murder/suicide case on Valentine’s Day.

Rough Road — Chassie, Trevor and Edgard Glanzer spend a romantic weekend away from the ranch and kids celebrating their anniversary…only to return home to face their biggest challenge yet.

All Knocked Up — Keely and Jack Donohue are having a baby. Given Keely’s raging pregnancy hormones, will Jack need to wear a cup in the delivery room?

*previously published in the Guns and Roses anthology in 2012

Excerpt from Rough Road:


“Mama, what’s a faggot?”
Chassie’s entire body seized up and she nearly dropped the bowl she was washing. She turned her head and met the startled eyes of her husband Trevor, who was packaging leftovers on the counter beside her. She managed to ask, “Where’d you hear that word?” in a steady voice.
“At school. A third-grader said my dads were faggots.”
She briefly closed her eyes. Living an unconventional lifestyle in a conservative rural area guaranteed this question would come up at some point—but she hadn’t expected it this soon. Their six-year-old son Westin had just started first grade a month ago.
Chassie rinsed and dried her hands before she turned around. “How about if we wait to talk about it until Papai is done giving Max his bath? You can stay up a little later tonight.”
Westin’s big blue eyes were somber, suspicious of the bribe. But he nodded and returned to his “homework”—an activity book they’d purchased after his disappointment at not having schoolwork every night in first grade.
Trevor came over and set his hands on her shoulders. He kissed her temple and whispered, “Come on, Chass. Baby, take a deep breath. We’ll get through this. That word doesn’t have the power to destroy what we’ve built unless we let it.”
She nuzzled his jaw. “I know that. It’s just...”
“Mama!” A little person slammed into the backs of her legs. She glanced down. A naked little person.
Two-year-old Max grinned at her, his brown eyes triumphant, his dark hair sopping wet.
Edgard sauntered into the kitchen, a bath towel draped over his forearm. “That boy is as slippery as an eel.” He wrapped the towel around Max like a straightjacket and hoisted him up amidst Max’s happy shrieks and giggles. “Kiss Mama and Daddy goodnight, little streaker. Then if we can wrassle your jammies on fast, we’ll have time for one book.”
“Two books!”
Chassie smooched both of Max’s chubby cheeks and smoothed her hand over his wet hair. “’Night, Max. Love you.”
Trevor kissed Max’s forehead. “Love you son, ’night.”
Edgard’s gaze winged between Chassie and Trevor. He mouthed, “Problem?”
“I’ll fill you in upstairs. I need to check on Sophia anyway,” Trevor said. He looked at Chassie. “I’ll tuck her in if she hasn’t already crashed.”
Four-year-old Sophia ran at such high speed all day that many nights she conked out while watching TV or playing in her room.
The guys disappeared upstairs.
Chassie finished cleaning the kitchen and headed to the basement to throw a load of clothes in the washer. Her mind had locked on Westin’s question. She knew one thing about her thoughtful son—the taunt hadn’t been tossed at him just today. Westin tried to figure things out on his own, so she worried he’d been dealing with defining the nasty word for longer than a day.
She leaned against the wall, fighting tears, fighting memories of the cruelty directed at her growing up. The jeers—lazy Indian, ugly squaw—still lingered years later. Back then she’d been so shy she hadn’t fought back. Her brother Dag might’ve gone after her tormentors, but he’d been fighting his own demons. No doubt he’d had the word faggot hurled at him.
What really caused that long ago hurt to deepen was the knowledge that if their father had known Dag’s sexual orientation, he would’ve flung that word at his son without hesitation.
When Chassie, Edgard and Trevor decided to add kids to their family, they all three worked every day to make sure their children knew they were loved. To make sure their children knew their parents loved each other. And to show them that love is what built and what sustained their lives. Especially when it was love that a lot of people didn’t understand.
Chassie held on to that thought as she scaled the stairs.
                                                ****
Trevor plugged in the nightlight and left the door open a crack before he headed down the hallway to the master bedroom.
He removed his long-sleeved shirt and T-shirt, tossing them in the hamper along with his dirty jeans. After washing his face and arms, he slipped on a pair of black sweatpants and a gray tank top. He’d need to channel his frustration after they talked to Westin, because guaranteed he’d wanna punch the shit out of something.
Faggots. Who taunted a kid—a kind, innocent little boy—with that term?
You would have.
Goddamn. Trevor didn’t want to think along those lines, to remember the judgmental asshole he’d been at one time. He’d been raised that way—as had Chassie and Edgard—which was why they were raising their kids differently.
He perched on the edge of their gigantic custom-made bed, forearms resting on his thighs, his face aimed at the carpet. Westin and Sophia were aware their family was different from the norm. But due to divorces and remarriages, didn’t most kids these days deal with multiple parents? How was it anyone’s business how they lived in their own home? Or how they loved each other? He’d bet the ranch very few traditional family units were as attuned to each other as theirs. They had to work harder at communication because of having a third partner. And he wouldn’t have it any other way—regardless of the societal repercussions.
Footsteps fell across the carpet. A pause. “Did you mean to leave the light on in Sophia’s room?” Edgard asked.
“No. Guess my mind was elsewhere.” Trevor glanced up. “Was she still awake?”
“Nah. She just yanked the covers over her head. I shut the light off.”
“Thanks. And Max?”
“Out. He didn’t last through one book, let alone two.” Edgard gave Trevor a once-over. “We working out tonight?”
“I’ll need to hit the heavy bag after...”
“After what?”
He sighed.
“Trev, what’s goin’ on?”
So Trevor told him.
Edgard didn’t say anything. Then he crouched in front of Trevor to get his attention. “That’s not all of what’s bugging you.”
The man knew him so well. Trevor reached out and ran the back of his knuckles along Edgard’s jaw. He hadn’t shaved for a day and Trevor had the sudden need to feel beard burn on the inside of his thighs. On his chest. Scraping on his cheeks and neck as he kissed Edgard senseless.
“Dangerous to keep lookin’ at me like that, meu amor. Burning me alive with those fiery eyes of yours won’t make me forget the issue at hand, as much as I’d like to.”
“I know.” Trevor dropped his hand. “I fuckin’ hate that I used to be that type of kid Westin is dealin’ with. Anything I didn’t understand, I belittled. I laughed when I made kids cry. Laughed. Jesus. How many people I bullied growing up would say I’m getting what I deserve? Seeing my son cry.” He exhaled. “I’m to the point I can handle what anyone calls us. But it breaks my damn heart that Westin is hearing that shit.”
“Hey. You’re not the same man you were. Thank God for that.” Edgard stood and held his hand out to Trevor. “Worrying about karma coming back to bite you in the ass won’t help us now.”
As soon as he was upright, Trevor tugged Edgard against his body and buried his face in Edgard’s neck. “I’m grateful every damn day that we have this life.”
“Me too. We knew goin’ into it, it wouldn’t be easy.”
“Some days I can’t believe we’ve all been together eight years. And other days, I feel like my life started when I met Chassie and you came back.” Trevor lifted his head. “Do you think we oughta cancel—”
Edgard covered his mouth with a brief kiss. “No. The three of us need the time together. Chassie will be relieved that we’d planned to keep Westin out of school tomorrow anyway.”
“So we’re all set?”
“Yep.”
Trevor grinned. “Chass is really gonna be surprised.”
“I was surprised. It was a sweet, romantic thing to plan, Trev.”
“What can I say? You and Chassie bring out the best in me.” Trevor kissed him, more than a soft peck but less than the tongue tangling soul kiss he preferred. “Let’s go talk to our son.”

BUY LINKS:

Amazon B&N


PRIZE Information:

Winner will be announced 4/27/13.
Grand Prize:  $100 Amazon, B&N or ARe Gift Card (winner's choice)

Enter via Rafflecopter below:



Release Blitz Schedulue
4/17/13





4/18/13






4/19/13





4/21/13




4/22/13





4/23/13



4/24/13








SR-Release-Blitz

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Book Tour - Spirit World by Krystalyn Drown


It's a pleasure to have Krystalyn Drown at my blog today! WELCOME!


Title: Spirit World
Author: Krystalyn Drown
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Entranced Publishing, Blush
Release Date: April 8, 2013

BLURB:

All Riesa Adair wants is a normal life. With the end of high school only months away and an outstanding GPA to bolster her college plans, that doesn't seem like too much to ask. Unfortunately, the voices screaming in her head keep getting in the way. Somewhere between her summer in a mental institution and her stepfather's attempt at an exorcism, she's learned to keep quiet about her situation. But, pretending to be normal hasn't prevented the spirit world from taking notice of her. Both sides of an ever-present war have focused in on her. Now she'll need all the help she can get to escape a powerful Spirit threatening to fulfill a prophecy that endangers the entire human world.

AUTHOR BIO:

Krystalyn spent thirteen years working at Walt Disney World in a variety of roles: entertainer, talent coordinator, and character captain. Her degree in theatre as well as many, many hours spent in a dance studio, helped with her job there.

Her various other day jobs have included working in zoology at Sea World, as an elementary teacher, and currently as a support technician for a website. In the evenings, she does mad writing challenges with her sister, who is also an author.

Krystalyn lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, a were cat, and a Yorkie with a Napoleon complex. Spirit World is her second novel. 

GUEST POST:

I recently attended a book signing where a number of authors were asked the question, “Why do you write YA?” Most of them answered something like, “I didn't know it was YA at the time. It was just the story that came to me.”

Afterward, I got to thinking what my answer would be to that question. I most certainly knew I was writing YA. It's what I enjoy reading, so I believe it's a natural extension of that. Like many YA authors, I'm stuck mentally somewhere between the ages of 12-17. Of course, I'm not that age anymore. I have a job, a kid, and a house, but I like to live vicariously through my characters. I allow them to do things I never had the guts to do. I allow them to speak loudly and make bad decisions and experience things for the first time. I think the teenage years are some of the most exciting years of a person's life, and while I wouldn’t want to repeat it for anything, I enjoy seeing how my characters deal with it.

Riesa, in particular, is interesting because she's right on that cusp of adulthood. She turns eighteen in the novel, and she has to make hard decisions that turn her from a kid into a person who can stand on her own.


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Another "Call" - New Book Contract with Crimson Romance



My novel, Breaking the Rules, will be published by Crimson Romance! Woo hoo! I’m still on a high!

This “baby” (a.k.a. Frequent Flyer) has been through the hoops – from winning a contest with Harlequin to receiving rejections from other publishers. But, it finally found its home with Crimson Romance and I couldn't be happier.

Breaking the Rules Unofficial Blurb:

A forbidden love affair in the past has led HOPE ROBINSON, a middle school principal, to Harbor Bay, where she commits herself to play by the rules. This can be difficult for a perpetual klutz, who - even strapped to a cast – has to uphold a competent attitude at all times.

Luckily, she has Dr. Colin Calaway on her side, a widower and father of a student, who is ready to give love another try. When Colin convinces Hope that they should explore the connection between them, a steamy romance develops – though it could destroy them both. They must decide if their jobs – and their hearts – are worth the risk.

How did I find Crimson? Well, I’ve been reading their awesome Contemporary Romance titles for a year now and I knew that one day I wanted to publish with them. It’s always great to have a goal! When I read that Crimson had a twitter pitch I went for it and I’m happy I did! Here’s the twitter pitch that got acquisitions editor, Jennifer Lawler’s attention:

Sparks fly with sexy widower Dr. Calaway. Too bad he's the father of Hope's student. She never breaks the rules…or does she?

I sent in my full manuscript and a week later I heard back from Jennifer with an offer.
 

The funny of my story is this…

As many of you have experienced, when a writer is waiting to hear any news about a manuscript, we tend to load – reload- load emails … Waiting for some good news. J  


Well, that’s what I did the entire week. Some of you know, I’m a middle school teacher, so I’m usually busy during the day. On this day, April 11, I happened to be beginning my Greek and Roman Myths unit with a video about the Greek gods. I sat down at my iPad and then I saw it… an email from Jennifer!

When I saw the email, I was like...

And then like...
 

I freaked. You know that feeling when you’re on a rollercoaster at the top of the hill and about to drop, but there’s that instant where you’re waiting, the seat suspended in the air. That’s what I felt.


Opening the email, I saw the offer! I actually screamed. Yes, squealed. Of course, this caught my students’ attention. So, I stopped the video and announced to my students that I received an offer on my book. They screeched, I shrieked… I’m sure my classroom sounded like a farm about to head off to the slaughter. All my students ran to me (21 kiddos!) and gave me a group hug. What a wonderful feeling!


So, after many questions and prodding from my students (there’s only so much I can say since I write steamy romance) I continued class – I don’t even remember what we did or how we did it, or how I even made it home.

Even Ryan is celebrating!

In the end, after reading over the contract and discussing terms with Jennifer, I am now officially signed with Crimson Romance. Another dream has come true!

Expect Breaking the Rules in July!