Tag Archives: giveaway

December 9, 2015 · 7:40 am

HUNTED (FBI Heat Book 1) by Marissa Garner AND a Giveaway

 

I am thrilled to share the latest release from my friend, Marissa Garner. Marissa and I ‘met’ years ago when I was coordinator for the Finally a Bride contest for unpublished authors. Marissa and I hit it off and remained in touch. She’s a fabulous author, and she has worked hard for many years to realize her dream of becoming a published author. I was editor for her debut novel, The Marriage Trap, through The Wild Rose Press. And now, she has a new book out wiht Grand Central Publishing, and it sounds amazing. Huge congratulations to Marissa!

GIVEAWAY:  Visit Facebook or website to enter $25 Amazon e-Gift Card giveaway 

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BLURB:

Hot agents on explosive cases in the FBI Heat series: For San Diego’s elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city’s most dangerous criminals—but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.   

Catching bad guys in San Diego’s underworld isn’t just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren’s job, it’s his life. He doesn’t have time for a serious relationship, doesn’t want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach…and maybe a hot fling.

But Amber is more than he bargained for. Hunted by an obsessed ex-boyfriend, the fiercely independent nurse chooses fight over flight for the chance at a future with her hot, blue-eyed neighbor. When she gets caught up in Ben’s plans to rescue five kidnapped women, their lives get entangled and their attraction flares into passion. But they’ll learn that in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, real love can save—or doom—them . . .

 

EXCERPT:

The man in the gray hoodie was watching her. Amber Jollett couldn’t see his face, but he was the right height and build. Even from the opposite street corner, the intensity of his stare bored into her. She shivered despite the sunny morning.

Her focus never wavered as she slid behind two people. The man’s head turned with her movement.

The traffic light changed, and the crowd surged forward. Amber’s hand dug into her purse until it gripped reassuring metal. Weaving between bodies, she moved to the outside edge to put as much distance as possible between her and the man before the other pedestrians passed on the street. With each step, her heart beat faster.

Halfway across, the man reached up, pulled back the hood…and smiled. Straight black hair. Almond-shaped eyes. Asian features.

Not him.

Amber’s knees went weak with relief.

Not him. Not this time.

A car horn blared. She jumped and spun around to find a taxi idling a few feet away, its driver gesturing impatiently for her to get out of the way. Waving an apology, she scurried across the street. She found a spot out of the pedestrian flow next to the corner of a building. She needed a moment to quiet her nerves.

She braced her hands on the knees of her pastel pink nurse’s scrubs, inhaled deep breaths, and released them slowly. Fear began to fade as calm returned.

Damn you, Jeremy Nelson. I want my life back.

Amber grimaced and closed her eyes. It was starting all over again. Two years had passed since she’d broken up with her obsessed boyfriend, but he continued to stalk her. Restraining orders and calls to law enforcement had proved useless. Now she alone was responsible for her safety. She’d lived in Coronado, across the bay from San Diego, for only two months. But two or three months was the amount of time it normally took for Jeremy to find her. From now on, she would have to be on constant alert. The worst part was imagining him wearing every hoodie, hiding in every shadow, or following in every vehicle. Usually, she didn’t wait for an actual sighting—that would be too late. No, she couldn’t hesitate. Once her instincts told her he was closing in, she had to move on. She cringed. How much longer will I be hunted?

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BUY LINKS: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PjQLGK

B&N: http://bit.ly/1OnacNA

iTunes: http://apple.co/1SpIDSJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/21m7Zao

 

BIO:

Marissa Garner is a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, she cut pictures of people out of her mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in her simple stories. Now she writes edgy romantic thrillers, steamy contemporary romance, and sexy paranormal romantic suspense. Her stories will titillate your mind as well as your libido. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, but enjoys traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and many locations in between. 

WHERE TO FIND MARISSA: 

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/1NTfT19

Website:  www.marissagarner.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MarissaGarnerAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/M_Garner_Author

Pinterest:  https://pinterest.com/garner1819/

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December 2, 2015 · 7:38 am

“10 Moments that Changed My Life” by Stacy Juba – PLUS, Fooling Around With Cinderella

Please welcome today’s guest, Stacy Juba. She’s sharing the moments that changed her life and her latest release, Fooling Around with Cinderella…

10 Moments That Changed My Life

  1. Receiving a telegram notifying me that I had won a competition and my young adult novel Face-Off would be published by a NY publisher. I was an 18-year-old college student. This success convinced me that I wanted to stick with writing, after a brief break from it.
  2. Accepting a job as editorial assistant at a newspaper where I soon met my future husband. (a sportswriter) One of my tasks was compiling 25 Years Ago Today items from the microfilm, which later inspired me to write my first mystery novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. This job also launched my reporting and freelance writing career.
  3. Going on the first date with my future husband. We went to see the movie Volcano and out to dinner, and talked until past 1 a.m.
  4. Saying yes when he proposed to me less than a year later on a trip to Disney World.
  5. The birth of my first child and becoming a mother. This was a huge, and wonderful, life change!
  6. The birth of my second child. Another wonderful moment!
  7. Receiving an offer for Twenty-Five Years Ago Today from Mainly Murder Press. This inspired me to launch a web site and jump full force into the publishing waters.
  8. Having my child diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 6. This changed the lives of everyone in our family, but we learned how strong we are.
  9. Getting a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which alarms for low and high blood sugars and shows whether blood sugar is steady or trending up or down. This was a diabetes game-changer – like flying with radar rather than flying blind.
  10. Going to a theme park and getting the idea for Fooling Around With Cinderella, and ultimately the Storybook Valley series. After years of writing mysteries and young adult, I branched out to chick lit and sweet romance.

Wow, interesting life you’ve led. I can’t imagine what it felt like to learn your child had such a disease. I love that you’ve written so many genres. I have never tried my hand at chick lit, but I think it would be fun. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

And now, check out Stacy’s book. Isn’t that cover fabulous? And, guess what? She’s giving away a free Smashwords or Audible copy of her mystery,  Sink or Swim. Winner will be drawn on December 12th. All you have to do to enter is answer this question from Stacy in the comments:

What is your favorite amusement park ride?

 

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Blurb – What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella’s toes? When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun. 

Excerpt  – Jaine Andersen couldn’t stop staring at the framed poster of Cinderella outside the castle. Cylindrical towers and turrets ascended into the sapphire sky, lofty mountains rising in the background. Her hand poised in an elegant wave, Cinderella beamed toward the camera. Ornate script flowed across the right side of the glossy photograph.

“Follow your heart, dream big, and you will find the magic.”
“Okay, Jaine, time to find the magic,” she mumbled, shifting in her seat.
“Interesting. What magic are you hoping to find?” a masculine voice asked behind her.
The kind that erases someone’s memory and lets you start over? Nice going, Jaine.

Squirming, Jaine clutched the black leather portfolio case in her lap as Dylan Callahan closed his office door. He sat down at a battered desk strewn with papers, her eyes tracking his every movement. Forget Cinderella’s stirring quote. Now Jaine couldn’t tear her gaze off the hot guy conducting her interview. The blond hair ruffled across his forehead made him resemble a Venice Beach surfer, not the general manager of a family theme park.

Winter sports seemed his thing though, considering the posters flanking Cinderella. In one, a skier whipped down a powdery slope while the other showed a snowboarder in mid-air. Inspirational words stretched across the bottom of each print: Goal-Setting for the skier and Persistence for the snowboarder.

To nail this interview, Jaine needed to demonstrate her prowess in both areas. And show that she wasn’t some weirdo who talked to herself.

She recovered her voice. “Actually, I’m hoping to help your company find some marketing magic. Uh, thank you for inviting me in.” Jaine toed her navy blue dress shoes into the industrial carpet, hoping he didn’t notice her fidgeting. When the receptionist had escorted her into the office to wait, she hadn’t expected such a good-looking man to join her.

Focus, Jaine. Focus.

To purchase Fooling Around with Cinderella, click here:

Fooling Around With Cinderella

Butch Adams

Bio: Stacy Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her new Storybook Valley chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. She has had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that spin and exotic hamburgers) Stacy helps writers to strengthen their manuscripts through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is currently writing the next book in the Storybook Valley Series, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.

 

Contact links: Website and blog: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2988212.Stacy_Juba

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Juba/e/B002OXLSDE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

 

 

 

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October 5, 2015 · 10:01 am

10 Moments that Changed Maureen Bonatch’s Life – And her new release, Grandma Must Die

I love the title and premise of this story. Can’t wait to read it. I also love the answers to Maureen’s ’10 Moments that Changed My Life.’ Check it out… (and isn’t it an adorable cover?) 

Grandma Must Die

A Touch of Magic Series Volume 1

Maureen L. Bonatch

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She’s a witch hunting a spell. He’s hunting witches and falling for her.

Blurb:

Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a friend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.

Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

Excerpt

…once she’d started Carman couldn’t stop,

the book beckoned. Pressing its spine against her palm, begging her to search within the pages to find the answers she’d unconsciously sought her entire life. As she lifted the book, her scalp tingled and her hair elevated like a halo.

“Whoa.” Dylan shielded himself with his hands. “Put it back, slowly, because this is reminding me too much of the incident with the chest. Having my apartment blown up from magic isn’t covered in my rent.”

The plastic evaporated in a puff of smoke in Carman’s hands and the book unsealed with a sigh. She smiled, the welcoming warmth emanating from within its pages against her palms. Why had Mother kept her from this? This is what she’d been waiting for.

As curiosity overtook his common sense, she detected Dylan’s cautious approach. He stood close enough to peer over her shoulder into her book, but far enough away to avoid touching her.

After the shockwave the last time their skin met, he probably worried he’d ruin another pair of pants. Carman closed her eyes, absorbing the power from the book. The delicious feeling evoked a sensation like melting chocolate, sweet and satisfying.

“I remember hearing about her, Esmeralda Wrath. I wonder if this was her book?” Dylan’s warm breath caressed her shoulder.

Carman opened her eyes and examined the page. To stare right at a photo of the most powerful witch of all time…her grandmother.

Ten Moments that Changed My Life

This was a challenging task. I could easily rattle off events occurring in my lifetime that rocked the world. I could dissect the many moments in my writing career that devastated or inspired me. Instead I chose to reflect upon little things that changed me and/or my outlook on the world.

  1. The first time I wore my contacts in junior high. Until then I’d assumed everyone saw the world the way I did. I had no idea how much I’d been missing. I discovered many things I’d assumed looked one way, actually looked very different. I walked around, mouth agape; staring at the world I’d only seen in a blur since I’d refused to wear the thick, black-framed dorky glasses.
  2. When I submitted my first essay in junior high. I was certain the teacher would love it and encourage me to devote my life to writing. She didn’t, and she wasn’t good at providing the encouragement I needed at that age.
  3. Using my first word processor. If anyone else remembers correction tape and a manual typewriter then you can certainly understand my glee.
  4. The introduction of mixed CD’s and ITunes: I love music and my IPod is set to shuffle all the time. To have the ability to choose songs without buying the whole CD or holding a tape player to the speaker (which the DJ always interrupted the song!) was exhilarating.
  5. The day I got married. A few weeks after it set in that I wasn’t playing house. This was now my home, and along with all the fun, came the responsibilities.
  6. Receiving my Masters degree. I hadn’t planned on college. I took business courses in high school. Earning a postgraduate degree made me realize I could achieve most anything I set my mind to.
  7. My first back injury. Made me realize I am not invincible and that health isn’t something to be taken for granted. Nor is the ability to roll over on your own. 😉
  8. The sonogram for my twins. Five months into the pregnancy of what we’d thought was a single child we discovered I was carrying twins. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
  9. 9/11. Not only because of the changes and fear it brought to the world, but also because my twins weren’t quite 2 weeks old. I feared what kind of world I’d brought them into. Also, it is my birthday and until this happened, no one apologized for my being born that day before.
  10. Being a parent. My life changed from the day I became pregnant and continues to change in a million different ways each year. The joys and frustrations make me question my competency for this role some days and reveal in the unexpected rewards on others.

So tell me, what little thing changed your life in a big way?

Prize: One free ecopy of Grandma Must Die from a random comment drawn by Alicia Dean on October 7, 2015 (release day)

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Bio:

Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Maureen-L.-Bonatch/e/B00KHY1KK8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbonatch

Blog: http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Website: http://www.maureenbonatch.com

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/1AV4L

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maureenbonatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenlbonatch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3103486.Maureen_L_Bonatch

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October 1, 2015 · 11:29 am

The Sheriff Meets His Match By Jacquie Biggar – Giveaway!

Please help me welcome today’s guest and her new release…

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Blurb:

When a jaded sheriff is drawn to an exasperating woman in trouble, anything can happen

Laurel Thomas has always experienced life from the outside looking in. She likes the warm welcome she’s received in Tidal Falls and wants to make a home in this friendly little town, far away from her egocentric family. But then her uncle arrives and she learns the past has a way of catching up to her.

Jack Garrett is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He has a good job as the sheriff of his hometown, a nice home, and a beautiful teenage daughter. So why is he struggling against his attraction for the disorganized new hire at the department, Laurel Thomas? She threatens everything he’s worked so hard to avoid—like falling in love.

Can two people with enough emotional baggage to sink a ship find a way to give each other a chance, or is this match doomed to drown?

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Excerpt: 

Jack hesitated with his hand fisted to knock on Laurel’s pumpkin-colored door. His aunt had this thing about brightly painted doors being good luck, or some such hogwash. The murmur of a voice from within told him Laurel had company. Male company. He tapped the file in his other hand against his thigh and glared a hole through the door.

“Guess it can wait ’til morning,” he grumbled, turning to step gingerly down the snow-covered stairs. Whoever-the-asshat-was, he could have at least shoveled them off for her. Just as he reached the sidewalk an angry shout coming from inside the house startled him. Jack grabbed for his service revolver and jumped for the door. He missed the stairs entirely and dropped the file, allowing it to fall unheeded into the snowbank. The papers from within tobogganed down the slope.

He rammed a fist against the wood. “Sheriff’s department, open the door.” His heart thundered in his chest and there was a ringing in his ears. Was he having a frigging heart attack for crying out loud? He’d never reacted like this before, not even when he’d chased after a murderer a few months ago. But the thought of someone hurting…

“Laur…el,” he shouted, panic clawing the back of his throat. Jack tried the knob but it was locked. He took a step back, angled himself sideways, and prepared to slam his shoulder into the wood. He started forward, slipping a little on the icy deck boards. Good thing, because it slowed him down just enough to narrowly avoid ploughing Laurel over when she pulled the door open.

“Hello?”

When she saw him barrelling toward her with a gun in hand her beautiful eyes took over her face. “Yee…ahh,” she cried, tumbling backward and smacking her head against the now swinging door.

Fuuuck.

Jack tried backpedalling, but the slippery footing beneath his cowboy boots—dumb choice of footwear—had him sailing right into her already off-balanced body.

“Laurel, holy shit.” His hand reached out to grip her shoulder, conscious of the soft womanly feel of her plastered against his rapidly hardening body. Great. “I’m sorry, honey. Are you okay?”

Buy Link:

http://authl.it/3qq

INTERVIEW:

What inspired your latest book?

I’ve wanted to write a holiday romance for some time now and with the Christmas season fast approaching within my series, Wounded Hearts, it seemed like a perfect fit.

What is your typical day like?

First things, first; Coffee 🙂

Then I usually open my blog, check for comments that need answering, do the SM trail, and end with my emails. That takes up most of my day, then it’s family time. Around nine or ten at night the house gets quiet and I can work on my newest project, a paranormal romance. I do that until midnight or so, go to bed, read a couple of chapters, and start the whole process over the next day. I know, exciting hey?

How much time do you spend promoting your books?  What works best for you?

Probably not as much as I should be, it’s hard to promote without making people tune you out. You need to be inventive. Meme’s are great and easy to set up; I use Canva.com for mine. Paying for ads can help, just don’t let it eat up all of your budget; a couple that I’ve found good are Choosey Bookworm and The Ereader Cafe

Other than that I think it’s key to make friends with likeminded writers. There’s nothing better than having a large group of supporters guarding your back.

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

I’m happy I decided to go the self-publishing route. It’s enabled me to be my own boss. That being said, there’s no one else to blame if I don’t succeed. There’s a lot of work involved in becoming an indie author. And that’s after writing the best novel the world’s ever seen. You need to be willing to take on all aspects of the business, because that is what being self-pubbed is; a business. From cover design, to formatting and uploading, to book-keeping and promoting. Writing is a full-time job.

Do you have critique partners?

Yes, I do. Critique partners are crucial to the writing process. They are your beta readers, editors, critics, and biggest supporters all rolled up into one neat package. I belong to a fantastic group called Lethal Ladies, which is a part of RWA’s Kiss of Death chapter-specializing in the romantic suspense genre. I also belong to a group of four wonderful ladies from my local group, Vancouver Island Romance Writers, who I cherish for their kindness and generosity.

Give us an elevator pitch for your book.

When a jaded sheriff is drawn to an exasperating woman in trouble, anything can happen

Jack Garrett is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He has a good job as the sheriff of his hometown, a nice home, and a beautiful teenage daughter. Jack struggles against his attraction for the disorganized new hire at the department, Laurel Thomas. She threatens everything he’s worked so hard to avoid—like falling in love.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I generally look to romantic suspense novels for my reading pleasure. I like the tension and the fight to overcome evil that is the mark of a good suspense book. The hero/heroine have to fight tremendous odds to get their happy ever after. It makes the reader gain empathy and keeps those pages turning 🙂

*****************

If you would like to win an e-copy edition of The Sheriff Meets His Match, tell me your favorite go-to author and why you like them so much. I’ll draw a name out of the hat Oct 2.

Thank you for having me as a guest today, Alicia, and remember—it’s all about the romance 🙂

My pleasure, Jacquie, thank you for joining me!

jbiggar 3

Author’s Bio:

Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her family. She loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. She spoils her German Shepherd, Annie, Calico cat, Harley, and swears she can’t function without coffee.

Learn about upcoming news, contests, recipes, and more from my newsletter.

You can follow me on:

http://jacquiebiggar.com

http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar

http://Twitter.com/jacqbiggar

And don’t forget to check out my blog: http://jacqbiggar

I have many giveaways that run each and every month from myself, The Authors’ Billboard, and Sisters of Suspense, so you don’t want to miss out!

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September 10, 2015 · 10:18 am

Must Love Cats ~ Elysa Hendricks ~ ON SALE 99¢ ~ Giveaway

Welcome today’s guest…Elysa Hendricks and her latest release… MUST LOVE CATS – The Nine Lives of Thomas Cash Riley – Book I

Elysa

Blurb:

Thomas Cash (TC) Riley is mad, bad and –dead. Killed in a one car wreck the twenty-nine-year old playboy is given one last chance to redeem himself for living a selfish, unfulfilled life and to determine his soul’s final destination.

To help his young daughter recover from the loss of her mother, Daniel Bishop, a widower who dislikes the country and is allergic to anything with fur, has moved back to his wife’s rural hometown to be close to her large family.

Katherine Sinclair, the local veterinarian and the single mother of an adventurous ten-year old son, is wary of the handsome newcomer. Once before she’d given her heart to a wealthy, charming man and she’d ended up pregnant and alone.

With the help of a lonely little girl and a brash young boy, can TC find a way to bring these two damaged people together? Can he remember his past and save his soul in the allotted time?

And can he do it all as a cat?

Excerpt:

Daniel stood by the counter with a can of beer in his hand. He glanced at me then at the untouched cat food on the floor. “Not hungry?”

I walked over to the disgusting stuff and gave it a whack with my paw. The bowl flipped, spilling the congealed lump onto the floor with a wet splat.

“Guess you don’t care for that brand.” Daniel grinned down at me then grabbed some paper towel, wiped the mess away and tossed it in the trash. “Can’t say I blame you. I wonder why cat food is so . . . aromatic. You cats are supposed to have a more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and I think the stuff stinks.”

Maybe there was hope for a decent meal yet.

“Maybe you’d like some of the dry stuff better?” He pulled a bag out of the pantry and started to open it.

I butted my head against his leg with enough force to knock him slightly off balance.

He looked down in surprise. “Easy there, tiger. You’ll get fed.”

“Not with that crap,” I yowled and grabbed his ankle with the tips of my claws.

He jumped. The bag tipped and fell off the counter. Cat kibble spilled over the floor. I sat on my hunches and glared at the offensive stuff.

“Damn cat!” Muttering under his breath he swept up the kibble then grabbed up his beer. “Now you’ll just have to wait until I have a drink. It’s been a long, hot, difficult day.”

Condensation beaded on the can. I watched as he lifted the can to open it. My mouth watered at the thought of an ice-cold beer sliding down my parched throat.

Remembering my frustration from earlier, I couldn’t keep myself from grinning.

He lowered the can and regarded me curiously. “Well, not all of it was bad. Kat’s a great woman. Beautiful. Caring. Funny. Smart. After the scare with Alana we all had fun. I can relax and be myself with her in a way I never thought possible.” He pressed the can against his forehead. “I just don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship yet. It’s been less than a year since Hannah died. It feels disloyal to consider being with another woman. And that’s if she’d even have me.”

He leaned back against the counter. “Which do you think is more selfish? Pursuing Kat? Or keeping the status quo? Alana likes her. A girl needs a mother. But do I need a woman complicating my life?”

In order to accomplish my mission, I knew I needed to help him find the answers to his questions, but even as a man I doubted I’d have had the right words, the right answers. As a cat I couldn’t begin to offer advice. I ground my teeth is frustration.

He shook his head. “Look at me. Talking to a damned cat.”

“Cat?” I mewed in affronted protest. All the sympathy I felt for the man evaporated. I waited.

He popped the tab. The eruption was just what I’d hoped for. Beer spewed upward, drenching his face and chest. My satisfaction was short-lived. He jerked the can out from his body and beer cascaded down over me. With a squawk I bolted up, but not before I was covered in sticky foam.

On Sale for .99 at Amazon through September:

http://www.amazon.com/Must-Love-Lives-Thomas-Riley-ebook/dp/B00FXCWTHW

Giveaway:

Print copy of STAR CRASH and a mystery gift. (Shipping to US only. If the winner lives outside the US an ebook version will be substituted.) (Comment to enter)

And now, let’s get to know Elysa…

What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?

Writing MUST LOVE CATS – Book I of The Nine Lives of Thomas Cash Riley was so much fun I barely remember the usual angst I suffer when writing a book. I got to put myself not only into the mind of a man; I also delved into what it would be like to be a cat.

I’ve been an animal lover all my life. I’ve owned or been owned by all variety of furred, feathered, and scaled creatures. Cats are a particular favorite. People who are not owned by a cat might find cats aloof, but we feline-loving folk know better. While dogs bound into our lives and hearts, giving us their love and devotion with fearless abandon, cats are more selective. We have to earn their trust and respect before they allow us to be their support staff.

I’ve always said that if I come back after I die I want to do so as someone’s pampered pussy cat. MUST LOVE CATS is my take on what it would be like.

MUST LOVE CATS is a contemporary fantasy about a man who, in order to redeem his soul, is reincarnated as a cat and tasked with helping two damaged people find love.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?

In my bio I describe myself as a writer, a wife, a mother, and a daughter. Over the years I’ve worked many jobs, store clerk, insurance underwriter, video store owner, textbook buyer, writing instructor, daycare provider, and the list goes on. In each of these occupations I found things I enjoyed, but none of them excite me and fill me with joy the way writing does.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

I’d love for my readers to experience along with the hero and heroine the emotions of falling in love. I want them to laugh and cry, and at the end to close the book with a satisfied sigh eager to pick up my next book and do it all over again.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

Though of course a good review is always better than a bad review, any review that explains why the book was (in the reader’s opinion) good or bad is appreciated. One of my favorite reviews for my sexy sci-fi romance STAR CRASH called the book “bad porn.” My question is: How much porn do you have to read to tell the difference between good porn and bad porn. My husband’s answer: There’s no such thing as bad porn. As you can tell, hubby and I have a twisted sense of humor. Amazingly, after that review posted, sales on STAR CRASH went up.

What is your favorite quote?

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” Somerset Maugham

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

An unlimited supply of dark chocolate, paper, and pencils.

What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?

Bear Grylls from Man Vs Wild, for two reasons. He’d take care of the survival part and he’s cute. But, even though he’s not much of an outdoorsman, I’d rather be stranded with my husband.

Your favorite…

Movie – It’s a tie between White Christmas and the original The Day The Earth Stood Still

Music – My favorite song is Margaritaville

Place you’ve visited – Hawaii

Place you’d like to visit (again) – Hawaii

TV show from childhood – Bewitched

TV show from adulthood – Any of the Star Trek series

Food – Dark chocolate

Sports team – Sports? You’ve got to be kidding.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? TV

To enter the giveaway, in the comment section answer:

Do you love cats? Why or why not? (Loving cats is not mandatory to win.) Winner will be chosen at random on 9/30/15 from all commenters.

Thank you for joining me, Elysa…I enjoyed the interview. Bewitched was one of my favorite childhood tv shows too! I still enjoy reruns when I can catch them. 🙂

About Elysa:

Elys pic

Bio:
Elysa Hendricks is 5’6” tall. She has brown eyes and curly hair. She’s a writer, a wife, a mother, and a daughter. Everything else is subject to change without notice.

Contact Info:
Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elysa-Hendricks-Author/137316289643103

Web Site:

http://www.elysahendricks.com

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May 27, 2015 · 7:48 am

“My Life as a Sperm” by Darrah Whitaker – Interview and GIVEAWAY!!!

I met Darrah Whitaker in April when myself and two of my editor friends, Cindy Davis and Barbara Wilson, presented workshops at the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference. It was a fantastic conference, an awesome group of people, and Darrah did a spectacular job as coordinator. He was also lots of fun! But you know what is even more fun? His book! It’s called My Life as a Sperm. How could I NOT want to read it? I am not very far into the book, but I’m hooked. It’s engaging and very, very funny. I don’t often laugh out loud while reading, but I have while reading his book. Here’s a peek at some of the funny snippets: 

From a scene where the protagonist, Buddy Price, goes to see a wealthy TV evangelist at his compound/church.  

A waterfall added a melodic refrain as it cascaded over rocks into a shallow pool. Unseen birds chirped. I might have converted then and there, but I caught sight of speakers hidden behind the bushes.

AND

He sat at his desk. “How about I give you the real story. Truth is always better than fiction.”

I nodded, although I bet Oliver stone would likely disagree with that assessment. 

Haha, love it! Can’t wait to read more! There are also some funny scenes with his not-so-bright assistant, Stacey.

*** Darrah is offering a free copy of My Life as a Sperm to one lucky winner. Two ways to enter: 

  1. Follow his blog here: http://wdarrahwhitaker.com/blog/ 
  2. Comment on this blog below. 

(You can will gain an entry for each if you do both)  Winner will be announced Saturday. Please be sure to provide your email with your comment.

Also, please like his Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/wdarrahwhitaker

Now, it’s Darrah’s turn to tell you about his book.  🙂

BookCover

Blurb

BUDDY PRICE, a Hollywood agent, dies in a car crash and finds himself in Heaven. There, he discovers God’s had enough with people and will pull the plug if we can’t learn to get along – a ‘love thy neighbor or else’ sort of message. An unlikely hero as there ever was, Buddy convinces God to let him fix things and gets a second chance. From the first few lines of the book, we know that he’s probably the last person we’d want to depend on to save the world, but God’s got his plan. Our fate rests in Buddy’s hands… or, who knows, maybe he’s just crazy and needs lithium or something. 

Excerpt

On top of Hedgins’ glass desktop, skinny, white legs belonging to CFO Manor wishboned like a V for victory (or vagina, I suppose) toward the ceiling while Reverend Hedgins, with pants around the ankles, pounded away at her lady bits. Hedgins didn’t see me, his backside conveniently pointed in my direction, and, if their position had been reversed, he still wouldn’t have noticed since his head was kicked up as if looking for an attaboy from on high. CFO Manor let loose with a couple of ‘Thank you, Jesuses’ before she caught sight of me standing in the office doorway.

Interview:

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

This thing called “making a living”. It really cramps my style.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read My Life as a Sperm?

A greater sense of self-awareness. Maybe that’s all that matters. Everything else that follows should then fall into place. Oh, and also an overwhelming desire to seek out and purchase the sequel.

What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie? 

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, but mostly because I would like to just hang out after a hard day of shooting and share a few beers.

What is your favorite quote?

“I’m a toaster” – Alan Arkin from the movie “Simon”

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be? 

A good book, a flashlight, and a time machine (for obvious reasons).

Your most prized material possession? Why?

I thought long and hard on this one and finally realized I don’t really have a most prized material possession. I tried to imagine a fire where I lost everything and what I would miss most. Honestly, there was nothing. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a prized possession. It just so happens that those possessions are digital in nature. From the software systems I’ve developed over the past twenty years to the books and stories I’ve written and the photographs I’ve saved of loved ones and past experiences. Funny, huh? Maybe I’m simply a creature of these times.

Your favorite…

Movie – Blade Runner, hands down.

Music – 70’s R & B

Place you’ve visited – actually, it’s not the place, but the journey. Caribbean cruise!

Place you’d like to visit – I want to say the Moon, but given the current state of NASA, I’ll settle for Antarctica.

TV show from childhood – Gilligan’s Island (I had a huge crush on Mary Ann)

TV show from adulthood – X-Files (I had a huge crush on Agent Scully)

Food – Lasagna and ice cream, not necessarily in that order.

Sports team – War Eagle!

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?  The way I see it, it’s not as important what you’re doing, but who you’re doing it with.

Thank you, Darrah. I enjoyed getting to know you better.  I also loved Gilligan’s Island, and I agree, Mary Ann was hot! 🙂

For those who have read My Life as a Sperm,  what was your favorite part?

Buy Links

Paperback    http://www.amzn.com/0986268100

Kindle            http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PVL6430

Contact Info                 

Email: darrah@wdarrahwhitaker.com

Website: www.wdarrahwhitaker.com

Buddy Price Website:  www.buddyprice-agent.com

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Bio

Darrah Whitaker is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and holds two Master degrees (MA-Film/MBA) from the University of Texas. He has written five screenplays, one which was produced and another optioned. His short stories have been published in the Writers Bloc III, IV, and V anthologies. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers as well as the Henderson Writers Group in Las Vegas, Nevada serving as Conference Coordinator on their Board of Directors. His first novel, My Life as a Sperm, takes on notions of God and destiny in a most unusual way. He lives in Las Vegas where, despite the myriad temptations, he still finds time to write.

 

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January 8, 2015 · 1:00 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 29 – Elvis’ 80th Birthday – End of Lonely Street – An Awesome Giveaway

*** I’m posting my weekly Elvis blog on Thursday instead of Friday this week ***

As everyone in the free world and beyond knows, today would have been Elvis Presley’s 80th birthday. He was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He’s been gone for 38 years, but his legacy is thriving. Never has another entertainer had such a profound and lasting impact on the world. I often wonder, what would Elvis be like today had he lived? His hairdresser, friend, and mentor, Larry Geller, stated that, in the months preceding his death, Elvis spoke of turning his life around. He wanted to get healthy, he wanted to rid his life of some of the people around him who weren’t good for him, and among other things, he wanted to focus on making serious movies. I fervently wish he’d had that opportunity. While I would not have wanted him to stop touring (and I don’t believe he could have done so completely, he loved it too much), I would have loved to see what kind of new chapter he could have begun.

I have loved Elvis my entire life. He’s as much a part of me as breathing. I saw him in concert three times, I own all of his movies on DVD, my car stereo permanently remains on Sirius XM Elvis Radio, I named my son Presley, and my first ever romance, which I wrote at age eleven, was titled ‘Just Pretend,’ and my hero, who looked like Elvis, was named Lonnie Beal (after Elvis’ character in Tickle Me :)).

Today, in honor of Elvis’ 80th birthday, I am pleased to announce the release of ‘End of Lonely Street’, a Vintage Romance Short Story set in 1957, in the era when Elvis first burst on the scene. I have over twenty published titles, and I mention Elvis in almost every one of them, but this story is even more Elvis-oriented. It was so much fun to write it, and I hope it’s as much fun to read.

Who can tell me where the title of my story comes from? 🙂

Check out End of Lonely Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…

GIVEAWAY: – Entries accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015

Three prizes –

  • Elvis Gift Basket including DVD, CD, plus more
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card
  • $10 Amazon Gift Card

First place winner has first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner receives remaining prize.

Click here to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 *** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely Street will go to

The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation http://www.graceland.com/epcf/  ***

EndofLonelyStreet_w9180_FINAL

Blurb:

Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future? 

All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her escape from everything wrong in her life. 

Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her back, she can‘t seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her fear that she will be just like her mother. 

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

 

Excerpt:

After work that night, Toby wasn’t ready to go home, so she sat in her car in the parking lot of Winstead’s, listening to the radio. “Love Me” by Elvis came on, and she cranked the volume.

Nothing else calmed her and lightened her heart like listening to him. She could escape into his music and all the bad just…faded away. When Elvis sang, there was no drunken mother, no failed dreams, no dying Miss Murdock. Toby didn’t only listen to his music, she felt it. It seemed to vibrate through her blood.

Although she was embarrassed to admit it, sometimes listening to him, watching him on television, made her all squirmy and hot—just like Noah made her feel. Especially that one night, when they had almost gone all the way.

Toby had been a senior in high school, and he’d graduated the year before. He picked her up and they drove out to the bluff, known as Make Out Row, overlooking downtown Mapleton.

The town was shrouded in darkness, but scattered lights shone, as though a starry sky were laid out below them. There were other cars around, but closed up in their cocoon, it was as though they were the only two people on Earth. Noah had kissed her, deep and long, whispering love words, telling her she was special, beautiful. She’d fallen in love with him at that very moment—wanted to be with him forever. He’d been  the one to halt their make out session. She would have willingly gone all the way that night. She was helplessly under his spell…the feel of his lips on hers, his hand covering her breast through her thin blouse…

A tapping sound on the window made  her jump. She looked through the glass to find Noah standing outside the car. Was he real, or just part of the fantasy world she’d drifted to? When another tap came, she blinked away the memories. He was definitely real.

 **** Bonus Giveaway 

I will draw one name from those who comment, and the winner will receive…

  • A free ebook of End of Lonely Street
  • Their choice of any other Alicia Dean title in their choice of any available format
  • A $10 Amazon Gift Card

(Winner will be drawn on Sunday, January 11th. My books can be found on this page: http://atomic-temporary-24849064.wpcomstaging.com/books/ – Only residents of the U.S. are eligible to receive print books. Non U.S. residents must choose an ebook format)

Purchase End of Lonely Street Ebook for only $1.99

(If you do not have a Kindle, you can download a FREE Kindle App for your PC or other devices. Click Here: Kindle App)

Amazon (Kindle) Buy Link

Barnes and Noble (Nook) Buy Link

The Wild Rose Press Buy Link 

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October 30, 2014 · 5:00 am

Linda Andrews – Unmask My Heart

Linda Andrews is my guest today, and she’s unmasking a Halloween story…let’s get to know a little more about her and her latest release, Unmask My Heart.

Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?

I have a playlist for every story I write. The current book I’m finishing up is a Christmas Story. You’d think I would be listening to Christmas music, but I’m not. It has Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, Grenade by Bruno Mars, Meanwhile back at Mama’s by Tim McGraw, Chicken Fried by ZBB, I’m not the only One by Sam Smith, Roller Coaster and Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan, and Centuries by Fall Out Boy, plus the 4 song album by Meghan Trainor. It’s just something about the lyrics and the beat of the music that puts me right in the mood.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?

By day I don my lab coat and goggles and act like an organic chemist. Okay, I actually perform extractions followed by analysis on a very expensive GC. I love bench work and my job, most of the time. But there are days when I think it would be nice to just be able to write all the time without cramming it into my off hours.

What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

I dislike reality TV shows that views have to vote for or against people and feature really folks being nasty to each other. That said, I do love forensic shows and history documentaries. My daughter points out these are reality shows. And I often counter that these things end well, the criminal is caught and the rest of us rose above the baddies in history. I don’t believe in being mean for entertainment purposes; there are enough jerk faces in the world that we shouldn’t encourage everyone else to believe this is how a society should function.

What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

I’ve never written a mystery series and would love to write one eventually, but I think there’ll be ghosts in it and it’ll be a romance, so um, not really a mystery. I love mysteries and perhaps, there are just some genres we as writers should always enjoy but never ruin our love of them by writing them. 🙂

What is your favorite quote?

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” by Albert Einstein

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

An iPad with keyboard and unlimited power (solar of course), an axe, and a knife. Yeah, I’m that practical. 🙂

Your favorite…

Movie Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Music I find something I love in every kind of music 🙂

Place you’ve visited  Home

Favorite Halloween Costume  Some epic gold grillz

Place you’d like to visit Cornwall in England

TV show from childhood Scooby Doo

TV show from adulthood  Masterpiece Theatre on PBS

Food Anything Mexican

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Board games and Uno

To be entered in the drawing for some Halloween bling, please let me know  your favorite Halloween memory and why.

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Below is a scene from my Halloween novella. My heroine wanted to look her best when she reunited with her first love. Fate had other plans. 🙂

UnmaskMyHeart

Her heart faltered and stumbled to find its usual rhythm. The list of supplies slipped from her numb fingers. The neat rows of printing winked at her as the scrap of paper drifted to the ground.

Gabriel Stephens was back.

No one had warned her. No one. On her milk and egg delivery route this morning, she had seen six people and talked to each of them. Yet they had said nothing. It was a small island! The butcher, the baker, and the blacksmith all lived within a stone’s throw of the pier. They had to have known.

“I apologize for my appearance.” Gabe tucked his arms through the sleeves of his woolen jacket. A fancy white label flashed along the sleek lining before he slipped it over his broad chest.

No homemade clothing for him. Phoebe’s mouth opened and closed. Her knees trembled. She was no longer a child. She no longer had a crush on him. Her heart didn’t seem to be listening.

“Now, what can I do—” Adjusting the lapels of his suit, Gabe looked up. He blinked once. “Phoebe?”

Her reply stuck in her dry throat so she nodded.

A dimple winked in his left cheek. The one he always said came out to play just for her. His gray-blue eyes shifted into sapphire as his gaze traveled from her black hair to her muddy boots. “You are looking more beautiful than I remember.”

Blurb:

Her heart can’t give him up. Her head can’t trust him. 

Everyone Phoebe Monpetit has ever loved eventually abandoned her. Even Gabriel Stephens, the man she thought she’d marry. For the last twelve years, she’s muddled through alone, cobbling a life together. 

Gabriel took the first opportunity to escape his family’s constant fighting and rarely looked back. When war explodes across Europe, he learns what his cowardice has really cost him. 

This Halloween, he’ll use every trick he can to win back Phoebe’s heart. 

Will she keep her true feelings covered, or will she let Gabe unmask her heart? 

Available Only on Amazon: Click Here

 

About Linda:

Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: “What else would she write? She’s never been normal.”

All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion. So just how did a scientist start to write paranormal romances? What other option is there when you’re married to romantic man and live in a haunted house?

If you’ve enjoyed her stories or want to share your own paranormal experience feel free to email the author at lindaandrews at lindaandrews dot net She’d love to hear from you.

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October 29, 2014 · 5:00 am

Nancy Fraser’s Latest, Home is Where the Hunk is, PLUS, a Great Giveaway!

Help me welcome the wonderful and prolific Nancy Fraser to my blog today. She has a brand new release, and it looks like a winner!

 

Thank you for joining me, Nancy. My readers and I would like to get to know you a little better, so I thought I’d ask you a few questions…

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

My heroine in Home is Where the Hunk is was based on a real-life person. I meet this woman through a friend. We were talking about our favorite themes for romance novels and I commented that I loved secret baby books but, unfortunately, there was not a lot of variation in the main plot. She laughed and said, “I’ve got a variation for you.” And … the rest is history. I found her selfless act so inspiring, I couldn’t wait to turn it into a romance.

What book have you read that you wish you would have written?

If I were thinking money, I’d say the Harry Potter books. However, if I was staying strictly in the romance genre, it would have to be my favorite category romance, Chain Lightning, by Elizabeth Lowell. I wouldn’t have make me rich, but it would definitely have made me a better writer, sooner.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

The necessary evil … social media. As much as I love connecting with readers through Facebook and Twitter, if you’re not careful you can waste valuable creative time and energy wading through cat videos (no offence intended cat lovers), or forwarding comic memes. I do consciously shut down my social media when it’s time to write. However, the temptation is always there.

If you could change something about one of your books that’s already released, what would it be?

There are a couple of my novellas that I would add to. I’ve gotten some great reviews but, quite often, I get the comment … I wish this were longer. I love writing novellas and, like all authors, I do my best to tell a complete story within the shorter time frame. I just think some stories beg for longer versions. The secret is to know which ones … before they’re released.

Your favorite…

Movie: While You Were Sleeping (the perfect chick-flick, romance)

Music: I’m a lover of old rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s (the only three stations preset on my satellite radio)

Place you’ve visited: Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (the most beautiful place on earth)

Place you’d like to visit: Australia

TV show from childhood: Probably Mickey Mouse Club

TV show from adulthood: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Food: Homemade anything (but I’m partial to my D-i-L’s Mandarin Pork Roast)

Sports team: The Detroit Red Wings

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?: Poker if I’m in Vegas, or a good drama on television (I’m currently loving Forever).

Wow, some great answers! I love that your heroine is based on a real person you met. Very cool. And, I have to agree with many of your responses, such as the one about some reviewers saying they wish your story was longer. I’ve had that happen a few times. While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite movies too. 🙂

Nancy would like to know…what is your favorite romance novel and/or chick flick movie? Please tell us in the comments.

Nancy is holding an awesome giveaway, so be sure to click on this link to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, about this new release of yours…(Fantastic cover, by the way!)

16HomeIsWhereTheHunkIs

About the Book:

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.

Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.

Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Excerpt:

Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears filled her eyes, making them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form in his own throat. She blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious effort to hide her emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge to take Ali in his arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face against his chest, preferably without the argument that followed.

In the very back of his over-used imagination, he could see her coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the heat of her tears against his chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him in equal measure. He didn’t want to feel this way about her, especially when he knew she wouldn’t stay.

“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing Evan’s attention from her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d been fighting back so tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to spill forth at any second.

Evan moved away from the tree, inching his way around Cody and close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and caught the first tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry, yet knowing he selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.

“When I left South America, the only thing I could think of was coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass beneath my bare feet and to smell the fresh, clean air.”

“I don’t care what made you decide to come home. You’re here now and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her into his arms, he held her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips until their gazes met.

At the first touch of his lips to hers, Evan tasted the cinnamon and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning his kiss with one of her own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done when Ali’s trembling voice broke through his consciousness.

“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.” Pressing her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have backed away, she clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We can’t . . .” she warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.

“Ali, it was only a kiss.”

She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and Evan knew if he didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both regret. Gently, he grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip she’d taken on his shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then released her completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back toward the damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed, he realized, to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.

Click here to purchase: Amazon Buy Link

Author Bio: 

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people. She invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes. 

Media: 

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Blog: http://nancyfraser.ca/wordpress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

 

 

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October 27, 2014 · 8:00 am

Read ’em and Reap Blog Hop – Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

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Vampires and shifters get all of the love. What about reapers? They need love too. In honor of Halloween, please join us for the Read ‘Em & Reap Blog Hop Oct. 26-31.

 

Participate in the Rafflecopter by sharing/liking/following and visiting each of the reaper writers below for your chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Every time you participate you earn another chance to win! 

And, for a chance to win an additional prize of a $10 Amazon Gift card – Please answer in the comment section.

What is your favorite Supernatural creature and why? (Feel free to name a particular movie or tv role or actor/actress that you especially love as a Supe)

 

A winner will be chosen on October 31st.

 

And now, I invite you to take a peek into my Reaper World….

Reapers of Boon Series 

 

What first piqued your interest in writing about reapers?

I wanted something different from the standard fare of Vampires, Shifters, Witches, and Werewolves. I’ve always been fascinated/creeped out by the idea of Grim Reapers. And, if something creeps me out, I love it! 🙂

What makes your reapers different?

My Reapers exist along with humans, but more or less on a different plane. They can watch over humans, and they are supposed to take them when it is ‘their time.’ However, there are a select few humans who have a ‘reaper sense’ and, if they have a near death experience where they come in contact with reapers, they will be able to communicate with them, to see them from then on. My books are set in Boon Springs, Oklahoma, which is a town with more than its share of tragedy, so the town contains a higher number of reapers than most other locations.

Are your reapers Heroes or Villains?

Yes. 🙂 One thing that I found so much fun about writing this first book was that my hero is a Grim Reaper, and my villain is as well. My villain does not follow reaper rules; he takes people who are in jeopardy, even if it isn’t their time.

SoulSeducer_CVR_XSML

She spent her entire life fighting death. Now she’s falling in love with him…

Audra Grayson became a nurse in order to help save lives. But one night after a brutal beating, she almost loses her own. The near-death experience opens a door between the world of the living and the world beyond. Two Grim Reapers invade her life. One is charming, with the angelic blonde looks of a saint and the black soul of a psychopath. The other is dark, dangerously attractive and, in spite of her distaste for his reaper duties, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.

When Audra’s patients begin to die unexpectedly and her loved ones are threatened, she will risk her life—even her soul—to save them. But can she risk her heart to an inhuman being whose very purpose is to take those she is trying to save?

Excerpt:

A crash and a scream sounded over the noise of the crowd.

Audra shot to her feet and stared in the direction of the commotion. At a Gyro stand near where Jaxon stood, a small group of people had started to move frantically, some in one direction some in the other. Between the sea of bodies, Audra glimpsed a toppled chair and the prone figure of a man.

A male voice shouted, “Give him room, people. Back off. Someone call 9-1-1.”

Jaxon rushed over to the source of the uproar, and Audra grabbed their belongings, heading to join him as quickly as she could, although her progress was slowed by her limp and the rush of people. Several had vacated their seats and were also moving toward the action, trying to get a glimpse of what was taking place.

Keeping an eye on her target, Audra was pushing her way closer to Jaxon and the hubbub when she spotted the blond ghost. She halted, her breath stalling in her lungs. What the hell?

He was closer to whatever was happening than Audra was. She peered through the mob and, just as she feared, the dark stranger was there, too. He moved through the crowd easily, which was no surprise. After all, ghosts weren’t hindered by mere solid objects. Anger contorted his face, his dark brows drawn over his piercing blue eyes. Forgetting the potential victim for a moment, Audra changed her course and headed toward the dark man, who was nearer to her than the blond. Once and for all, she would get some answers.

When she was within earshot, she shouted, “Hey, you!”

He whirled at the sound of her voice, his eyes momentarily widening in surprise, then he turned away and continued his course.

“Stop!”

Some of the people nearby cast her puzzled glances, probably wondering who she spoke to, but most of them were focused on the drama unfolding next to the Gyro stand.

She was almost upon the man now. “I said stop. You have some explaining to do.”

He barely spared her a glance. “I can’t talk now,” he bit out, still striding toward where Jaxon was administering aid to the ill man.

Before he’d covered half the distance, he came to a sudden halt, his fists clenching next to his sides. “Son of a bitch!”

Audra followed his gaze, and her brow creased in confusion. Through an opening in the crowd, she saw Jaxon crouched next to the fallen man, giving him chest compressions. The blond stood just behind Jaxon, his arms outstretched. Even from this distance, Audra could see an expression of complete rapture on his handsome face.

She looked back at her companion. Unlike the blond’s, his expression held abject despair, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered again.

“Someone,” Audra whispered next to him, “had better tell me what the hell’s going on.”

**************************************************

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Coming in 2015, Soul Embracer, Reapers of Boon Book 2

 

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