Friday, December 27, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Frenched by Melanie Harlow #giveaway

COVER REVEAL
FRENCHED
By Melanie Harlow



New Adult/Adult Sexy Contemporary Romance
Releasing March 4, 2014
Cover designed by Tom Barnes

Mia Devine plans over-the-top weddings for a living. So when it comes to her own nuptials, she spares no expense—hand engraved invitations, Vera Wang gown, luxury honeymoon in France. And since her fiancĂ© is Tucker Branch, playboy heir and notorious flirt, local media is obsessed with every little detail. Which is why it really sucks when he jilts her a week before the wedding.

Mortified, Mia wants nothing more than to crawl under her newly monogrammed sheets and plan a funeral for her dignity, right after blabbing to the world how fitting it is that Tucker will inherit a bolt and screw company, because that’s all he wants to do—screw, and bolt. And he doesn’t do either with much finesse. When her friends convince her that bitter tastes better when it’s drowned in Bordeaux, she grits her teeth and packs her bags, determined to make the best of a week in Paris alone. She never planned on meeting Lucas Fournier. The free-spirited musician’s scruffy good looks and less-than-sympathetic ear annoy her at first, but when she takes him up on his offer to show her around the city, she discovers that the romance of Paris isn’t just a myth. Nor is the simultaneous O. The last thing Mia needs is another doomed love affair, but since she only has a week, she figures she might as well enjoy La Vie en O with Lucas while she can.

Goodreads Button photo goodreads-badge-add-plus_zps5d68ec23.pngBut each day—and night—with him is better than the last, and suddenly her heart is telling her this is more than a rebound fling. Is it just the seduction of Paris…or could this be the real thing?

About the Author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. She's a 20th century fanatic and gets her kicks from historical fiction and TV series like Boardwalk Empire, Magic City, Deadwood, Mad Men, and Downtown Abbey (although she wishes it were more HBO and less PBS). Her debut novel, Speak Easy, was inspired by Detroit's fascinating Prohibition-era history. Blog | Facebook | Twitter  photo AToMRTourslogo_zps3d9025b5.jpg

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

[Book Tour] Sweetest Mistake by Candis Terry #giveaway #guestpost



Sweetest Mistake
Sweet Texas Series #2
By: Candis Terry
Releasing December 31st, 2013

Blurb

When friends become lovers . . .

Firefighter and former Marine Jackson Wilder has tough guy down to an art, but he’s learned the hard way that promises were made to be broken. Abigail Morgan was once his best friend, his first kiss, his first love, his first everything. He’d just forgotten to mention all that to her and she blew out of his life. Five years later, she’s back and he’s battling a load of mistrust for her disappearing act. But for some reason he just can’t keep his lips—or his hands—to himself.

It can lead to disaster or . . .

When her stint as a trophy wife abruptly ends, Abby returns home to Sweet, Texas, and comes face-to-face with Jackson—her biggest and sexiest mistake. Time and distance did nothing to squash her love for the act-first-think-later stubborn hunk of a man, and when he suggests they renew their old just-friends vow, Abby realizes she wants more. She’d cut and run once. Could she do it again? Or could she tempt him enough to break his promise?

REVIEW:

I love love love the Wilder family! What makes the Sweetest Mistake even better is the whole idea of friends turns lovers theme. I'm a sucker for those types of stories. Abby and Jackson have secretly been in love with each other since their childhood. When they separate and move on with their lives, the still can't stop thinking about each other. Abby marries the wrong man for the wrong reasons. Jackson joins the army, marries Fiona for the right reasons (a baby girl!) but they just weren't for eachother. After divorcing and moving on in his life, Jackson tries to move on, but Abby is still in his heart. I love Jackson! He's a big bad fire fighter, but a softy at heart. When Abby returns back to her home town, the two hook up again, just as friends, but soon they can't hold back the attraction (with lots of help from the Wilder brothers). Abby's tough, agressive behavior with Jackson is a nice change from the regular heroine who just sits back and lets the guy do the work. Abby takes charge and doesn't let Jackson give up. FIVE STARS!!!

Buy Links


Author Info

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She’s experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to chasing down wayward steers. Only one thing has remained the same: her passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after.

Author Links
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4935263.Candis_Terry


Thank you so much for letting me stop by today! While Christmas Day may be over, there’s still a lot of partying left to do. Out-of-town guests are still hanging around. And there are always mouths to feed. Just ask Jana Wilder, mother of the infamous Wilder Brothers of Sweet, Texas! Raising five strapping sons taught Jana she always had to have plenty snacks in the house or she’d hear lots of complaining. She thought you might like a little reprieve from kitchen snack duty and decided to share her recipe for one of the boys’ favorites. Just be careful you make plenty—a tangle of tough Texas boys fighting for the last handful can get mighty messy!

JANA WILDER’S TEXAS TRASH
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1¼ teaspoons seasoning salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 cup Cheerios toasted oat cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups Corn Chex
1 cup pretzel
1 cup nuts (preferably Texas grown, pecans, walnuts, or almonds)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. In a big old bowl (preferably with a spout if you’ve got one) mix butter, celery salt, garlic salt, seasoning salt, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and Tabasco.
3. Mix dry ingredients (Cheerios, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, Corn Chex, pretzels, and nuts) in a baking pan.
4. Pour butter and seasonings mix over the dry mix. Stir until each piece is evenly coated.
5. Bake for 1 hour. For even browning, stir every 15 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool.
7. Store in an airtight container or plastic Ziplock bag.

Do you have a favorite holiday snack? Please share!


Rafflecopter Giveaway (The Ultimate SWEETEST MISTAKE Prize Pack: Including SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK, ANYTHING BUT LOVE, a Sweet TX Mug, Houstan TX Firefighters 2014 Calendar, and My <3 Belongs to a Firefighter Pendant NecklaceIt's the ultimate Candis Terry/ SWEETEST MISTAKE Prize Pack! It includes: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK, ANYTHING BUT SWEET, Sweet TX Mug, Houston Fire Fighters 2014 Calendar, and a “My <3 Belongs To A Fireman” Pendant necklaceIt's the ultimate Candis Terry/ SWEETEST MISTAKE Prize Pack! It includes: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK, ANYTHING BUT SWEET, Sweet TX Mug, Houston Fire Fighters 2014 Calendar, and a “My <3 Belongs To A Fireman” Pendant necklaceIt's the ultimate Candis Terry/ SWEETEST MISTAKE Prize Pack! It includes: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK, ANYTHING BUT SWEET, Sweet TX Mug, Houston Fire Fighters 2014 Calendar, and a “My <3 Belongs To A Fireman” Pendant necklace ) It's the ultimate Candis Terry/ SWEETEST MISTAKE Prize Pack! It includes: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK, ANYTHING BUT SWEET, Sweet TX Mug, Houston Fire Fighters 2014 Calendar, and a “My <3 Belongs To A Fireman” Pendant necklace


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

[12 Days of Romance] Love and Other Games #giveaway #Olympics

Title: Love and Other Games (Collection)
Author:
Melinda Dozier, Ana Blaze, Aria Kane, Kara Leigh Miller
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Format: eBook
Love and Other Games 
LOVE AND OTHER GAMES is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and  Kara Leigh Miller.

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze
Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running. Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier
US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.  Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way.  A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult.  Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane
Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts. “Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia. The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need. 

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller
Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process.
Social Media
Melinda Dozer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelindaDozier
Aria Kane on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aria_Kane
Kara Leigh Miller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1
Swoon Romance (publisher) site: http://www.myswoonromance.com/



Monday, December 23, 2013

[12 Days of Romance] Bells Will Be Ringing by @MonicaTillery, Carolynn Carey, Diana Jean, Angelita Gill


Bells Will Be Ringing Blurb:
’Tis the season . . . to fall in love! In this quartet of holiday tales, mistletoe magic sweeps from a Philadelphia candy company to the ballrooms of Regency England, across the shores of a Hawaiian island, and to a snow-struck cabin in Colorado.

HER SECRET SANTA by Monica Tillery
Neighbors and coworkers at Morgan Confectioners, Rebecca Sinclair and Ben Redding, have been best friends since grad school. Will they be able to get past their fears of ruining their friendship when their feelings turn more than friendly? A holiday gift exchange might just bring the best present of all - Christmas love.

MERRY’S WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT by Carolynn Carey
The winter holidays used to be Miss Merry Damonson’s favorite time of year . . . until her almost-fiancĂ© Edward Everton abandoned her two days before Christmas. Now he’s returned to their country village, but is it too late to reignite old flames? A holiday ball might just offer these unlucky lovers a second chance.

HIS HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS by Diana Jean
Humbug in Hawaii? When Clara O’Fallen gets a promotion to paradise, she can’t help feeling homesick for her Wisconsin winters, complete with real snow, family traditions, and Christmas festivities. But smiling surfer Kai Schmitt might just show this scrooge how to hang loose and catch the spirit of the season - the aloha spirit!

GAVIN FEVER by Angelita Gill
A sudden snowstorm unexpectedly strands Julia Winthrop with her ex, reality TV star Gavin Beckett, at a cozy mountain cabin for the holidays. Trapped till the weather lets up, their attraction resurfaces. It’s not long before they realize their fling might’ve been the real thing, and this surprise reunion might just be a Christmas miracle.

Author BIO

Monica Tillery has been a social worker and a massage therapist, but is now living her dream as a romance novelist.  She loves nothing more than to get lost in a beautiful love story, holding her breath as the hero and heroine fight their way through obstacles to get to their happily ever after.  Monica lives in Texas with her own real-life romance hero, her husband of over a dozen years, and two wonderful sons.  When she’s not reading and writing romance, Monica loves playing bunco and bingo, hanging out with friends, and wasting time online.  She loves hearing from and connecting with readers.  Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/monicatilleryauthor, on Twitter @monicatillery, or visit her website www.monicatillery.com.  Monica maintains her website on her own, so she warns you that it’s very basic and rarely changes, but all the pertinent information is updated.


RECIPE:
Oreo Truffles
I didn't create this recipe, but I use it every Christmas.
You need:
1 package of Oreos, crushed in a food processor, use mint if you're feeling fancy
1 block of cream cheese, softened
package of melting chocolate, white or milk or whatever you like
Mix the softened cream cheese with your Oreo crumbs and form into truffle-sized balls. Place them on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Refrigerate at least one hour. They should be firm when you take them out, which makes them easier to work with.
Melt your chocolate in a large container. Coat truffles in the chocolate. You can do it easily by dropping them into the melted chocolate and using a fork to move them around so they're covered. Pull them out one by one with the fork and let excess chocolate drip back into the container.
Place the chocolate-covered truffles on the prepared cookie sheet to set. Store them in a tightly covered container in the fridge. Enjoy!





Sunday, December 22, 2013

[12 Days of Romance] The Santa Next Door by Stephanie Cage #giveaway #interview




Sue Edmonds swore off men after her feckless husband left her struggling to care for their four-year-old daughter Trudi and maintain their ramshackle Victorian home. But her mysterious neighbor might tempt her to change her mind. 

Bryn Thomas once found peace and happiness in music but that was before his heart was broken. Now it stirs up painful memories and provides little comfort. That is until he finds himself sharing Christmas carols with his young neighbor and her beautiful mother. 

As Sue sees Bryn playing Santa, she is touched to discover his gentler side. Can she hope for a Christmas miracle and the fulfillment of Trudi's Christmas wish for a dad?

AUTHOR BIO:
Having been born and educated in the South of England, including a degree in English Literature at Oxford University and an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, Stephanie Cage now lives and writes in the beautiful county of Yorkshire. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association with three published e-books to date: The Santa Next Door and Desperate Bid from The Wild Rose Press and Perfect Partners from Crimson Romance.  Perfect Partners is now out in paperback too, so she finally feels like a 'proper' writer!  When she is not writing, she also enjoys dance and musical theatre and is a frequent guest on Book It, a literary show on local radio.


RECIPE
Mulled grape juice
This is a great drink to serve at parties for the people who have to drive home!  It has the flavour of Christmas but without the alcoholic content of mulled wine.  Take a carton of red grape juice and a carton of orange juice (around a liter of each).  Mix them in a saucepan along with a few cinnamon sticks, a sprinkling of grated nutmeg and ginger, and a couple of halved satsumas or clementines.  Simmer gently for around half an hour, until the spices have thoroughly infused.  Strain and serve while still steaming hot. 

1)    What inspired you to write a holiday romance story?
The Santa Next Door was inspired by a very bad drawing I made in the snow.  I had the idea of drawing a snow devil instead of a snow angel, and then I started to imagine a hero who saw Christmas and all its trappings very differently from other people, and to imagine what might have happened to dampen his view of Christmas, and what it might take to make him happy again.  That’s how Bryn, Sue and her adorable four-year-old, Trudi came into being, and then I just wanted to tell their story.  

2)    What has been your favorite holiday-themed romance to read?
I don’t know!  My favourite book is mostly the one I’m reading at the time, and right now that’s Vonnie Davis’ Santa Wore Leathers.  It’s feisty and funny, and I’m enjoying the exotic feel of Christmas in Florida – for a Brit used to the holiday season being damp grey with the occasional flake of snow, sunshine is something of a novelty.

3)    Do you have any special holiday traditions?
Our best tradition when I was growing up was always having steak and chips on Christmas day because my family weren’t huge fans of turkey.  Then, for a while, I always went to the pub and then to the midnight carol service with one of my old school friends, to see in Christmas, but that one seems to have fallen by the wayside too.  Maybe it’s time to start a new holiday tradition... if that’s not a contradiction in terms! 

4)    What was your favorite childhood toy?
My computer. I was such a geek!  

5)    What do you do on a holiday eve?
A Christmas movie and mulled wine.  And a frantic tidy-up before the family come over on Christmas day!
QUICKIES
Snow ball fight or Snow Angels?
Snowball fight – or snow devils!
Sleigh Ride or Skiing?
Sleigh ride – I’d probably break my leg if I tried skiing. 
Hot Apple Cider or Eggnog?
I usually go for mulled wine, but failing that, hot apple cider.
Fave Holiday Song
Santa Baby – it’s cute, funny, great to dance to, and has been recorded by singers from Eartha Kitt and Mae West to Madonna and Kylie. 
Fave Holiday Dish
Christmas pudding with custard.
Fave Holiday Movie
Can I have two? Arthur Christmas and Olive, The Other Reindeer.
Fave Holiday Decoration

A bauble decorated with a picture of Sydney Opera House.