It's that time of year again. Yep. Superbowl. I actually don't mind watching. I enjoy American Football and better yet, it takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana this year, my home state. But, like many people, the commercials are what it's all about. Have you seen any sneak peeks yet? Well, I've caught sight of a few and their are some funny (and yummy) sights to be seen. Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride.
I love this "Brotherhood" commercial. It practically had me in tears. Bravo, Budweiser people! 1:13 minute commercial that touches the heart and pulls at the YUMMY factor all tied into one.
Bravery. It's what defines us. AWESOME! Audi.
No words needed. Calvin Klein
Oh, and in memorandum...David.
Hope you have a great weekend watching the game... and the commercials!
It's a pleasure to feature ST Bende and her debut novel, Elsker. ST is one of the nicest author friends I know, and her Elsker saga sounds fascinating. It's at the top of my TBR list in May! I advise you to add it to yours.
TITLE: Elsker, Book One
AUTHOR: ST Bende
PUBLISHER: Entranced Publishing
GENRE: Contemporary Young Adult Paranormal Romance
RELEASE DATE: April 22, 2013
The Elsker Saga:
The Elsker Saga follows twenty-year-old Kristia Tostenson as she
meets and falls in love with Norse God of Winter, Ull Myhr. TUR, the
ELSKER prequel, will be available as a FREE download in April of 2013, from
Amazon and Barnes & Noble. ELSKER, Book One, will be released in May
of 2013. ENDRE, Book Two, will follow in September of 2013. The
third book, TRO, is in progress.
ELSKER Book Blurb:
You don’t win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a
few enemies along the way.
Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs
to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff
University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend
isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest to goodness Norse
God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to
destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that
can save their realms. Her orderly life just got very messy.
With the fate of the cosmos in Kristia’s inexperienced hands,
she’s submerged in a world she never knew existed. Kristia has to learn
to control an onslaught of prophetic premonitions, convince Ull’s thunderous
stepdad Thor to make her a god, and stop Ull from giving up his immortality in
a misguided attempt to save her. In choosing Ull Kristia risks losing
everything, including her love… and her life.
Check out this fabulous book trailer!
Author Info:
Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in
Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she
became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian
culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER
series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day
pastries will be considered a health food.
Today marks the last Six Sentence Sunday. I've truly enjoyed reading other people's stories and have met some amazing writers.
Today's sentences come from my current WIP, New York Minute. Veronica and Diego decide to get to know one another in a fun way.
She
held her shoulders back, flipped her hair over one shoulder and lowered her
lids. “Let’s make this fun.”
He
raised his eyebrows, a gleam in his eyes. “Already, I’m intrigued.”
She
scooted closer to him, not allowing any space in between them. “For every
question we ask, we take something off.” She tugged his t-shirt away from his
chest and let go, with a snap.
He
laughed. “I like this idea. We learn and play at the same time.” He put his
hands behind his head and leaned back. “Me first.”
Part of my author exposure has come from participating in blog tours. What are blog tours? It is a way for an author to promote their books from blog to blog (rather than store to store.) Blog tours can feature a book spotlight, question and answers, book review and book giveaways. During the blog tour there are a set number of stops (average is 10 - 20 stops) and takes place between a few weeks to a month. Blog tours can be set up by publicists for a particular publisher or by specific companies/coordinators.
How did I get started? First, I featured my personal writing friends. This led to exposure to their friends and then even more authors. Later, I found several blog tour coordinators on the web and signed up to work for them. See a list below for the particular groups I participate with:
You can also click these links if you are looking for help with organizing blog tours. They have many popular romance bloggers signed up with them.
What do I get out of it? Exposure! I get more visits to my blog, more followers and make new connections with others. It has been great. I also feel great helping out other authors around the world. It's worth it!
Please visit the other links below to have more Writer's Words of Wisdom:
I'm pleased to feature Rachelle Ayala's newest novel, Hidden Under Her Heart. Rachelle was one of my many excellent critique partners for Time Changes Everything. It's a pleasure to have her book spotlighted here.
HIDDEN UNDER
HER HEART (A Story of
Abortion & Courage) by Rachelle Ayala
Maryanne Torres
is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships. After a string of losers,
she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man.
Lucas Knight, a
law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon.
He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their
relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport. Seeking consolation in
the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where
she is raped.
Maryanne is
pregnant from the rape and plans to abort. But the identity of her rapist is
hidden in her baby's DNA. Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges
to support her through the pregnancy. When Lucas becomes the prime suspect,
Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision.
The rapist has
other ideas. In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal
offshore abortion. With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and
her baby. However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart
forever.
A 99,000-word
women's fiction, HIDDEN UNDER HER HEART deals with the consequences of rape and
abortion.
From the Author
Hidden Under Her
Heart is an emotional and hard-hitting story about a young woman facing a
heart-wrenching decision. We’ve heard the rhetoric, maybe even argued over the
issue of abortion and rape. But behind the debates are real people—women and
men with real problems and feelings. My story is not meant to be preachy, but
compassionate, especially for post-abortive parents seeking closure. I think
people on both sides of the fence will find meaning in the changes that both
Maryanne and Lucas go through. Ultimately, it is an uplifting story, and my
hope is that it will be a help to you.
About the Author
I am the author
of three novels: Michal’s Window, a
historical romance between King David and his first wife, the princess Michal, Broken Build, a romantic suspense
thriller set in a Silicon Valley startup, and Hidden Under Her Heart, a story about a nurse wrestling with her
decision to abort. My stories tend to be dramatic and emotional, crossing
genres and cultures. I like to dive deep and live through my characters’ eyes.
Each of them are passionate but flawed women paired with conflicted men with
good hearts. I hope you enjoy the emotional journey I take you on. I love to
hear from readers. Please contact me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RachelleAyalaWriter
or my blog: http://www.rachelleayala.com
I was sad to hear that Six Sentence Sunday will be coming to an end on January 27. So, I thought I'd participate in the last #sixsunday's with my current WIP. Six Sentence Sunday is a day where published or non published authors share six sentences from their work. I will share my first six sentences from my newest WIP, New York Minute. I will pick up where I left off last week.
They walked another block and Chloe stopped in front of the Aria Lounge. “Here it is.” Other women grouped up in the entrance, pretty women, dressed for success ... or sex. Veronica looked down at her simple black dress and green fitted jacket with a swooshy scarf around her neck, and wished she wore something else. All these other ladies had low cut blouses, too-tight pants, or short skirts that didn’t leave too much to the imagination. Veronica looked -- blah.
The Happy Endings Giveaway Hop was organized by Reading Romances!
My happy ending story is simple... 2013 a dream comes true! My debut novel, Time Changes Everything, will be published from Entranced Publishing. Look for it in May this year.
Book Blurb:
Amanda Larson has dedicated herself to her job and doesn't want any interference – from a man or her bossy mother. That is until she meets up with her childhood crush, Jake Edwards, now a sexy big-shot lawyer in New York City.
Jake Edwards enjoys the bachelor life and believes commitment is not in his blood, thanks to his dead-beat father. But, when Jake sees his little Mandy again, he realizes he might just be wrong.And of course it has a happy ending! Giveaway: For this giveaway hop, I will be giving away a Audible.com Book of your choice from the list below. All books have a HEA!
One of the first parts of a novel that I have to plan is the location. Although I think characters are the key to a story, location can add to that character's life, emotional development, and romantic story line.
In my upcoming novel, Time Changes Everything, I didn't even have to think twice about where the novel would take place.... immediately I knew. It had to be in NEW YORK CITY!
Five New York City Activities in Time Changes Everything:
A beautiful nighttime boat ride on the Hudson, with the Lady Liberty in the background.
A run through Central Park.
Great food including a fast lunch with Nathan's Hot Dogs and a New York Bagels breakfast.
Macy's Thanksgiving parade
A top-of-the-line fashion show, headed by my heroine.
You have to wait for my release for more specifics!
Now, believe it or not, I have never been to New York! My father-in-law is a New Yorker, grown up in Brooklyn, and hubby lived there for a few months as a baby and teen. So, they've given me the scoop. My goal this year.... a romantic trip with my hubby to NYC!
So, what should we do on our trip? What are your favorite romantic things about New York City? Please leave a comment!
Now, as a giveaway, I'd like to giveaway a book I just finished that takes place in New York!
Is she his worst nightmare…
No relationships, that’s billionaire Garth Solen’s rule—especially not with a woman like his new employee Melissa Bencher, who thinks with her heart and not her head. But all bets are off when Melissa tries to make her jerk ex-boyfriend jealous by suggesting that she’s dating her gorgeous boss. How could she have imagined all the trouble one impulsive act could cause?
Want to meet the modern writing wonder woman? What a pleasure to have fellow Entranced Author, Nicole Camp, with us today. Nicole has written 3 books which will be published between March and June with Entranced Publishing and all of them sound amazing. Check each one out below:
Shadow’s Rising : release date March 2013
For nearly two hundred years the city of Aria has been under siege.
Salcon reigns supreme and rules all he touches with a heart of darkness, seeking to conquer the last Navean city free of his control.
Enslaved to Salcon’s will and struggling to find hope in a life without any - one brother will give everything he has to save the other, and his sacrifice will change our world forever.
Shadow’s Born : release date April 2013
Eighteen year old Raffin has tried to blend in on Earth, even though he’s not completely human.
Getting the girl of his dreams would have been enough adventure for Raffin, saving a race wasn't part of the plan. But now, he’s face to face with a truth right out of his nightmares.
Created for vengeance, Raffin becomes aware of the fact that he was meant to end humanity. Being influenced by his Sire’s memories, and caught up by the allure of power, Raffin struggles to remain true to himself.
Taken to a world away from his own, unlike any place he's ever known, a dark threat from his family’s past emerges there. Equally matched with the enemy, when only one will live, Raffin must win or die trying. The fate of two worlds depends on him.
And here is the book trailer!
Magic&Meru: release date June 2013
Dream or reality, seventeen year old Bethany Song doesn’t know, and she doesn’t want to. The last thing she remembers is shattering her Aunt’s mirror and falling through the pieces, tumbling down into a hay cart.
Unconscious or not, now she’s trapped in the last place she ever wanted to be, a land full of magic and dragons, fairytales have nothing on this place.
In the land of Ipsum there’s an evil Prince, a good witch and wizard, and she’s followed by baby dragon Parump. Most irritating of all is the dark and mysterious, Persk, who wants to rescue her - when she doesn’t need his help at all.
Bethany hopes she’ll just wake up from this nightmare, but until then, this modern girl will have to follow a dangerous quest, to get home.
About Nicole Camp:
I am a rabid writer, sometimes artist, and ice cream lover who lives in Arizona with my family and two pets. I am always tirelessly scribbling down ideas for my next book or writing project. When not writing, I am exploring the world through amateur photography, happily and randomly snapping pictures of my surroundings.
Even better, here is Nicole Camp's Author Introduction on the Entranced Publishing Youtube Site.
Be sure to add these books to your TBR list! You don't want to miss them!
I love to hear from my readers. Let me know what you think about Nicole's books by commenting below.
I was sad to hear that Six Sentence Sunday will be coming to an end on January 27. So, I thought I'd participate in the last three #sixsunday's with my current WIP. Six Sentence Sunday is a day where published or non published authors share six sentences from their work. I will share my first six sentences from my newest WIP, New York Minute.
Every
time Veronica’s friend concocted some ridiculous scheme on how to meet men, she
blackmailed Veronica to partake in it. This particular plan was over-the-top.
Chloe should know that Veronica was an on-the-border agoraphobic. In fact, just
thinking about meeting men in this way practically gave her hives.
“I
can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Veronica groaned.
Chloe
looped her hand through Veronica’s elbow to keep her from escaping. “It’ll be
fun. Maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams.”
I love to hear comments, so please tell me what you think! Thanks for stopping by,
I am so happy to take part in fellow Entranced Publishing author, Ana Blaze's debut novel, The Best Man cover reveal! Isn't it gorgeous!
Book Blurb:
Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry
about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a
man, she wouldn't be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man
Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn't possibly cause
a fuss at his own brother’s wedding. He’s clearly never met the man in
question. Snarky, sexy and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final
obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs to make partner.
Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night she has no
idea that he’s only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior.
Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he
convince her that he’s the best man to share her happy ever after?
To keep on
top of news about The Best Man and other books from Ana Blaze and for the
chance to WIN a $10 E-Gift Card for Amazon.com, make sure to Like Ana Blaze’s Facebook Page.
About Ana:
Ana lives just outside Washington DC
with her very supportive husband and three rather demanding cats. She loves the
ocean, Indian food, Ikea, and cooking. Ana admits to watching too much
television and she swears that someday she’s going to learn how to play the
guitar resting on the bookshelf in her office.
Promoting yourself takes time, so why not have fun while doing it? One way I promote my blog and myself as an author is to participate in Blog Hops. Where and how do you do that? Here is a list of places to find specific types of blog hops: Carrie Ann Ryan Blog Hops - http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ Hops are focused on romance. She is very organized and there are many participants. You can't go wrong with this one! Also, there is a facebook group to help with the organization: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarrieAnnBlogHops/
The Blog Hop Spot- http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ Only a few a year, but worth checking out. Also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/367868446563993/?fref=ts
Under the Covers Book Reviews - http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/current-giveaways/upcoming-blog-hops Adult-centered blog hops. Upcoming hops include Naughty New Years Blog Hop and Fools for Luv Blog Hop.
Romance Reviews- http://www.theromancereviews.com/romancehop.php Upcoming Romance Hop and Erotica Romance Hop Reading Romances - http://reading-romances.com/ You can also friend this blog on Goodreads and get updates of upcoming blog hops. I am a Reader, Not a Writer - http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com Although I am a writer, I know other writers do participated in these hops. Family friendly and lots of YA book hops coming up!
How does it work? Usually the hosting website has a linky sign up. You enter your blog address and name. Then you will be added to the list. Next, the hosting site will send an email with instructions, if there are any special materials or directions. Write your blog post. Schedule it to be posted early that morning. Most bloghops have a giveaway. This is an ideal time to giveaway a copy of your book!If you have a giveaway, use rafflectopter or another useful tool. See my previous post on Rafflecopter use. Promote the blog hop on twitter or facebook. Warning: Don't overpromote! You want people to visit your blog, not throw it out the window. If you know of other blog hop hosting sites, please let us know in the comments below!
It's that easy!
Visit other Writer's Words of Wisdom authors for great advice!
Today we are happy to kick off the Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories Blog Tour! Below you will find a description of the books, author bios and a guest blog from Tigris Eden, one of the authors. Don't forget to read all the way to the bottom for the giveaway! Check out the fabulous, hot covers of the series!
Romantic Tales:
Bedtime Stories - Season One
Romantic Tales:
Bedtime Stories - Season 1 has a little of everything. From your everyday
contemporary romance with Riley Ross’ The Getaway, to Ty Langston’s
rockers-turned-werewolves in Crave, and Tigris Eden’s Sci-Fi/Paranormal, The
Genesis Project, these three stories in these three different genres are
guaranteed to have you turning the page.
“Each episode built
on the one before, just like watching your favorite weekly television shows.
I highly recommend
you pick up the Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories Episodes, you will be happy that
you did!!”
4 Stars from Jenny
Metcalf
Crave from Ty
Langston
As a reporter for
the Wakefield Post, Harper Erkstine has seen everything. From murders to
robberies, all of her recent stories have ended with tragic consequences so
great, that she began to question if she made the right career choice for
herself. In the middle of working on a missing persons story that has rocked
her town to the core, Harper decides as a favor to her friend and colleague to
do a feature on local an up and coming rock band, called ‘Crave.’
The feature was a
break from her routine, but Harper soon discovers that this band and its
enigmatic lead singer, Cass St. Marie, may have ties to the missing persons
case she’s working. Not only does she question why, but she also finds there is
more to this band than just their music.
The Getaway from
Riley Ross
Mike and Juliet have
been dating for about four months. Juliet is madly in love with him but has
never shared her feelings. Mike hasn’t said those three magical words so she
doesn’t even know if they are on the same page when it comes to their
relationship.
Mike takes Juliet on
a two week vacation, so she can escape her family drama and stresses from her
job. He has romantic surprises planned and there are several unexpected
surprises for them both. How well do Mike and Juliet really know each other
especially when an explosive secret from his past is revealed?
The Genesis Project
from Tigris Eden
Biologically
engineered in a lab, Genesis Blackmore has always been different. Her father
has told her it’s due to her enhancements, the Federated Council sees her as a
genetic mutation; and her fellow peers see her as the shiny new toy. Gen has
had better days.
Xander Treegold sees
something in Genesis that he can’t explain. Is it her oddity that captures him
or her innocence? Xander’s never taken no for an answer when it comes to
getting what he wants and at every opportunity that is given to him Xander
seems to fail miserably. That is until he pulls Genesis into a dark alcove in
the Great Hall where others are preparing for their journey back to New Earth
for Luna.
Will Genesis succumb
to his attentions or will she once again deny him the only thing he’s ever
truly wanted…her.
Gen watched with shock and curiosity as limbs
connected, arms groped, and caresses were exchanged. Since going to the Academy
she’d learned a few things. The tasting was a carnal act. Intimate. It was
seductive. The sound of her heart pounding roared in her ears at a decibel that
would hurt any normal Pars hearing. Vaggo told her not to go, and as confusion
and something else she didn’t understand settled warmly over her skin, Gen
found herself taking cautious steps back toward the door. She couldn’t handle
something of this magnitude. It was too much for her self-preservation. What
else could be happening to her? It festered deep beneath her skin, hot and
dangerous.
She could hear the sounds of her class mates,
long sighs and breathy moans. Somewhere in the heated tangled mess of bodies
was Xander, she was sure of it. Her insides wound into tiny knots, pulling
imaginary strings inside tighter and tighter, until strangulation consumed
those knots to death. The sound she made was desperate and lost. It escaped
before she could force it back down. She was angry and hurt, she’d never had to
deal with this type of emotion before; not when it came to other living things.
In the lab, she’d experienced disappointment at something not coming out the
way she expected, not with real living breathing things. Her specimens in the
lab didn’t cause physical inability to breathe or pain so deep, it sawed
through her rib cage and ripped into her heart.
As if she’d mentally willed him from the tangled
limbs, he appeared. Xander walked straight through the throng of bodies,
stepping over some and skirting others. He was wearing a sweater the same color
as his long platinum hair and a pair of black pants; they were glossy, and she
knew it was the gel leather that the elitist wore. The material was smoother
than any animal’s flesh and molded to the skin that filled it. The pants
showcased an enormous part of his body she didn’t want to look at, but couldn’t
keep her eyes from dropping to.
Authors:
Ty Langston
As a child, multi-published
author Ty Langston loved to read about dragons and knights so much that one
day, her grandmother told her to “just write about them.”
So she did.
From that day forward, she
never left home without her pen, a notebook, and some kind of music playing in
the background. Her love of reading expanded from fantasy into science fiction,
and eventually into paranormal romance and erotica.
She enjoys different works
from George Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, and Jackie Collins. But some
of Ty’s favorite writers are from the world of TV and film: namely, Tudors
creator Michael Hirst, and the late John Hughes.
Ty has a certificate in
Broadcast Journalism along with a degree in Business Administration.
She is single and enjoys
spending time with friends and family.
To date I haven’t published anything yet but I
love to write wrestling fan fiction, romance and light erotica. I will be
married for fifteen years this month to my best friend and Prince Charming all
rolled into one. I am mommy to two Siberian Huskies.
There is really not much to
say... I love to write, read, and listen to music. My attempt at a music career
sadly ended at the Apollo one warm night in May! LOL (Side note: I was not
booed just outdone by two munchkins rapping to Biggy Smalls but they were
good!)
Military brat
extraordinaire; have traveled to a lot of interesting places.
The very first time I put
pen to paper in story fashion, was in 6th grade. It was called The Case of the
Missing Pepperoni.
It was a cute mystery where
all the ingredients and shop appliances came to life when the store owner
closed up for the evening.
Music is a big part of my writing. It sets the mood for many of my character's actions or attitude. So I wanted to share with you some of the songs that I currently have on my player. I find that I love a lot of soundtracks, but my tastes are very eclectic. So I hope you enjoy the music I've picked out for today's post.
Last but not least is FINK! I love this guy! Can't wait to see him in concert! Who Says
Hope you enjoyed my mini track list. I have literally tens of thousands of music in my track list. The last song Who Say's is actually a very big part of my upcoming Book Burned In Shadows book two in the Shadow Unit Series, release date is still to be determined as I've had some personal items come up that has put the release on hold, but its coming in 2013. Enslaved In Shadow's the Author's cut will be available Jan 29th 2013.
Thanks, Tigris!
Giveaway:
Enter via the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win the following prizes:
1 winner will receive a signed copy by all the authors. (Us only)
3 winners will recieve an ebook (open to everyone)
1 winner will receive a 25$ Gift Card to Amazon/Barnes their choice.
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![All He Ever Desired | [Shannon Stacey]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xp2q-89AL._SL175_.jpg)
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