Giveaway! I Thought I Knew You by Kate Moretti

Thought I Knew You

by Kate Moretti

Claire Barnes is shattered when her husband, Greg, goes on a business trip and never returns.

Unwilling to just wait for the police to find him, Claire conducts her own investigation. Her best friend Drew helps her look for answers, but all she finds are troubling questions.

With every clue, she discovers that Greg may not be the man she thought she married.

While battling her growing feelings for Drew and raising her two young children, Claire must learn to live with the knowledge that the truth behind Greg’s disappearance may never be revealed.

Kate Moretti lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and a dog. She's worked in the pharmaceutical industry for ten years as a scientist, and has been an avid fiction reader her entire life. She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn't get to do those things as much as she'd like. Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.

Kate, is running a Book Club Giveaway with Red Adept Publishing from March 1- March 15th. The prize pack is up to 5 hard copies, and up to 20 ecopies of the novel and a Skype session with the author at the winning book club's meeting. 

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Book Blast: Starseed by Liz Gruder

Tour Schedule

Starseed

Author: Liz Gruder

ISBN: 978-1937178291

Publisher: WiDo Publishing

Published: February 2013


SUMMARY




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Starseed concerns a sixteen-year-old girl who falls in love with a starseed boy who reveals that she, too, is half extraterrestrial, and is forced to choose her allegiance between Earth and her star family.

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Kaila Guidry has always known she is different. When she meets Jordyn Stryker at school, she finds out just how different.



Jordyn was born and raised far from Earth, a starseed, one of six new students sent to Louisiana's Bush High to learn human ways. But Jordyn didn't count on meeting someone like Kaila.



When Kaila is pushed to her limit by high school bullying and cruelty, Jordyn awakens her to a new reality—and to love. But to prove herself, Kaila must look the other way as the real purposes of the starseeds unfold.



As the horrific plan behind the starseed visit to Earth moves inexorably forward, Kaila and Jordan, caught in an impossible love, must determine where their true loyalties lie.





Praise





"After reading Starseed, my faith in YA sci-fi has been restored! ... I didn't want to put it down ... it had enough mystery and suspense to keep me going, page after page. Superb job 4.5 out of 5!"

-- The Forbidden Library Book Reviews



"I would recommend this book to all sci-fi lovers and, to those who aren't into it, take a chance. Who knows? You may love this book just as much as I did! Liz Gruder is definitely an author you should keep a look out for as she has great talent in writing and a huge imagination. Starseed was a wonderful read and very different from other books I've read. It was a very nice change from what I usually read and kept me enticed all the way."

--Starlight Book Reviews



"Interesting read. A lot like Roswell, but different. Gruder does a great job building the dark mystery of what the aliens are really up to on earth."

--Charity Bradford, sci-fi author, "The Magic Wakes"



“The story caught me off guard and won me over after the first chapter. The main conflict is a personal one for Kalia. Will she embrace her alien side or continue life as a human?”

--Pixie Dust Book Reviews



Starseed is a fun sci-fi read with romance. It brings light to the cliques of high school, and challenges the main character, Kaila, to be herself, instead of how others expect her to be.

--Kerri Cuevas, YA Author "Deadly Kisses"



"Liz Gruder's characters come alive through youthful, spunky narrative, and her headstrong heroine, Kaila Guidry, elicits a reader's encouragement from the first page. Fans of P.C. Cast will find themselves similarly transported into Gruder's exploration of the dark sides of faith, love, higher dimensions, and, of course, high school."

-- Jadie Jones, YA author "Moonlit"

Purchase

Publisher * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle

Author Liz Gruder



As a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. An avid reader, she used to hide under her covers and read with a flashlight. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license and a yoga certification. After going through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Liz realized how short life is and is now slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids (totally awesome and thought provoking) and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction. Starseed is her debut novel.

Goodreads * Twitter * Website * Blog * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/10/13



Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.







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PROMO Blitz: Russian Dolls by Cristelle Comby

Russian Dolls

By Cristelle Comby

New Adult - Mystery&Detective

Date Published:3/13/2013

Alexandra Neve is a student at University College London whose world suddenly falls apart. When her best friend jumps from the university’s rooftop, she can’t stop herself from asking, ‘Why?’ The police rule her friend’s death a suicide and for them the case is closed — so whom can she turn to for help?

Sometimes the person you need the most is the one you least expect to find, and in this case it’s none other than Ashford Egan, a blind middle-aged history professor, who’s more willing than most to listen to what she has to say. 

Neve and Egan are as different as they come. She’s restless, careless at times, and fearless when the need arises, while he’s almost the complete opposite: a deep thinker with an analytical mind, a highly rational and collected individual.

As they enter the violent world of the Russian mafia, they must overcome their differences and learn to work together. It’s their only chance if they want to survive.

EXCERPT

I don’t find much more information on Anthony Anderson and eventually stop researching for lack of interesting leads. I spend Monday morning tailing him, instead. I leave the flat at the crack of dawn in my mother’s old blue Fiat Punto and drive all the way up to the Andersons’, my camera on the passenger seat.

I park a little farther up the road, turn off the engine and check the camera. Mr Anderson’s dark Mercedes passes me, at six thirty. I snap two pictures, before turning on the ignition and following him at a reasonable distance.

He goes straight to work and disappears in an underground car park that requires an ID card.

I open the car door and move to the boot. I reach down for one of my short winter duffle jackets and a black cap. I shrug both on and then grab a small parcel, before closing the boot and walking to the Credit Suisse building.

I force myself to walk in as casually as I can, and approach the reception with a look I hope is confident.

‘Morning,’ I say to the young man at the desk. ‘Urgent delivery for Anthony Anderson.’

The young lad narrows his eyes on the parcel and then looks me up and down. I square my jaw. Time to see whether my plan’s going to work.

I pinned a badge on my chest. I made it up on my laptop, with a fake logistic company name and logo, and my name and picture. The cap on my head bears the same logo. It’s actually one of my old white caps that I craftily hand-painted last night.

‘Sure,’ the man says with an easy smile. ‘Leave it here; I’ll see that it’s delivered with the morning mail.’

‘Sorry, but it’s hand delivery only.’ I shrug apologetically.

‘Fine.’ The man motions to one of the men minding the elevator. ‘He’ll escort you.’

That’s not what I had planned. I smile nonetheless and follow the bulky man through the lobby.

The elevator doors close after us and I stand immobile in a corner. Porca vacca, Lexa! Why didn’t you think it through? I’ve been too hasty again. How could I think that they would just let me wander the hallways on my own? My cover will be blown if Anderson catches sight of me, and there I am, being escorted straight to him. Way to go, Lexa!

My escort takes me to an office and we stop in front of a secretary.

‘Parcel for Mr Anderson,’ I tell her, fighting hard to prevent my voice from quivering.

He has to be here, just behind the large wooden doors that bear his name. She’s going to call him and he’ll come right out and see me and then it’ll be goodnight Vienna!

Cristelle Comby

Author Bio:

Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, somewhere between Geneva and Lausanne, where she still resides.Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent.She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.Russian Dolls is her first new-adult novel, and she’s hard at work on the next titles in the series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Book Blast: To Love or Die in a Steamy-Reamy World by Emily White

To Love or Die in a Steamy-Reamy World

10 Tales of Steampunk Silliness and Spookery

In the cozy seaside village of Steamville, New Hampshire, an unfaithful zombie, out of control werebots, succubi in corsets, and more wreak havoc in this short story collection from the author of Elemental.

Purchase

Just .99 cents

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise
"Well written and very fast paced. You won’t get bored or find your mind wandering. I’d love to see a sequel to this collection and see what happens next. I give this book five out of five donuts."

"This book starts off dipping its toe right into the heart of the story, not unlike Ms. White's YA novel Elemental, and the story never really slows down to a lazy pace; making it a very easy and fast read."

"Ms. White wonderfully succeeded in instilling humor into ten short stories about vampires, zombies, ghosts, and one mad scientist. Each story is brilliantly linked. The Victorian era setting delightfully adds to the humor."

"This is a wonderful mix of Steampunk and Horror written in Emily White's unmistakable brilliance and style. Does it get any better than that?"

About Author Emily White
Emily White lives in NY, wedged between two of the Great Lakes and a few feet of snow and ice. She's spent most of her life running away from the cold, and even spent a year in Iraq, but now contents herself with writing her characters into warm, exotic places in faraway galaxies. When not tapping away at her computer keys, she can be found reading, reading, and reading some more. And when she's not doing that, she's usually playing video games with her husband, peek-a-boo with her kids, or walking through her garden, wondering why the bugs insist on eating all her vegetables.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Also by Emily White

elemental

Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/24/13





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Book Review: Shadow of the Wolf by S.M Pace

Virtual Book Tour of Shadow of the Wolf, March 2 - March 23, presented by Reading Addiction Blog Tours. 

Virtual Book Tour March 2 - March 23

March 2 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet

March 3 - Known to Read - Review/Guest Post

March 6 - Must Read Faster - Review

March 7 - Tiffany Reads - Review/Guest Post

March 9 - Lisa is a Bookworm - Review

March 10 - Becky's Barmy Book Blog - Review

March 11 - Pixie Dust Reviews-  Review/Interview

March 12 - Books and Needlepoint - Review

March 13 - The Kooky Bookworm - Review/Interview

March 15 -  Author Ever Leigh - Review

March 17 -  My Reading Addiction - Review

March 18 - Confortable Read - Review

March 19 - Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books - Review/Guest Post

March 20 - Cozie Corner - Review

March 21 - Intriguing Reads - Review/Guest Post

March 23 - RABT Reviews-  Review

Title: Shadow of the Wolf
Author: S.M. Pace

About the Book: Toby has always felt like an outcast in his village, but he thought winning a game at the Summer Fair was the answer to making friends. The local boys disagreed and literally threw Toby to the wolves. Stranded in enemy territory with a broken leg, he’s offered two options by the resident werewolves; death or permanent exile from his race.

Although Toby longs to return to his family, he chooses to live. But the werewolf children torment him just like the boys and girls back home. When he fights back and discovers he can wield magic, a crime in his old kingdom, he realizes he’s safer with the werewolves than he ever was amongst his own kind. He even finds happiness and acceptance, until his real sister contacts him with her own forbidden magic. 

Fearing for her safety, Toby must decide where his loyalties lie; with the family he grew up with or the werewolves who took him in when his own people discarded him?

Buy Links

~AMAZON~

Review by Tori:  I found the book interesting.  It did seem to drag in places, but the information that was given in these places was important to the overall understanding of the story. 

 Even though Toby seemed wise beyond his years with the humans, he grew from an effeminate boy to a masculine young man once he was exiled.  He had never felt comfortable with the humans and wasn't able to reach his potential until he was forced to cross a line and live amongst the werewolves.  He should have been more of an outcast with them, as they differed greatly in appearance, but he had never felt more accepted. 

I can't wait to see what further adventures await Toby, Ora and Ocham!

~I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the author: Stephanie Pace is an avid reader of every genre, though fantasy is her favorite.  She started writing at fifteen, and never looked back.  She currently works as a pre-K teacher by day, and a determined self-publisher by night.  When she's not distracting herself with conlanging and world-building, she loves to do cross stitch or escape to the outdoors when the weather is nice.  She lives in central Virginia with her boyfriend, and the rest of her crazy, amazingly supportive family close by.

Connect with Stephanie:  

Word by Word (blog)

Threads of Magic (Book's Website)

Twitter

Facebook

Please enjoy this excerpt from Shadow of the Wolf:

Intro to excerpt, if needed: Toby’s sister Ora goes searching for her brother, and discovers what the village bullies have done to him.

They couldn’t have. The words echoed inside her head. She reached out quivering hands to brace them on a tree trunk, and squinted into the darkness of the forest. All black, with only the smallest hints of lighter gray. Toby was down there; she could sense him. Beyond the slope, just a few yards away, but it might as well have been miles.

Ora screamed, a ragged, broken sound.

Yellow eyes materialized in the darkness, like candle lights flaring to life. Starlight glinted off its sharp teeth.
It growled at her, a warning.

Ora gasped, but stiffened her legs rather than back away. "Give me my brother. Please."

The werewolf snorted, shaking its head like a dog shaking off fleas. Or perhaps giving her an answer. With another growl, it disappeared. If she followed, she wouldn't get far. Tears pricked her eyes.
Noah, that monster. He had fed Toby to the werewolves.

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop (Mar 8 - 13)

2nd Annual

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop

March 8th to 13th

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookworm Lisa

This hop features books with paranormal, supernatural, science fiction or space travel element or books that have something to do with the moon or have a moon on their cover.

I am going to give away a Kindle version of A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest.

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake. A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood. 

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine. An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince. 

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

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Blog Tour: In My Sights by L.J. Garland and Debbie Gould

Blog Tour of In My Sights by L.J. Garland and Debbie Gould is hosted by Sizzling PR.

Tour Schedule: Mar 1 - 31

Mar 4 - Melissa Kendall (Spotlight)

Mar 5 - Delphina Reads Too Much (Guest Post & Extended Excerpt)

6 - Bea's Book Nook (Extended Excerpt)

7 - Books and Needlepoint (Spotlight and Extended Excerpt)

8 - Books-N-Kisses (Interview)

11 - Jezebel Jorge - (Spotlight)

12 - Erotica For All - (Guest Post)

13 - Simply Ali - (Guest Post)

14 - The TBR Pile - (Guest Post)

15 - Lindsay's Scribblings (Spotlight)

18 - A Passion for Romance (Extended Excerpt)

20 - The Jeep Diva (Guest Post)

22 - Bookin' It Reviews (Spotlight)

25 - Mark of the Stars (Guest Post)

26 - To Be Read (Guest Post)

27 - CS Maxwell's ~ Where's My Muse (Spotlight & Extended Excerpt)

In My Sights

A 1Night Stand Story

Pararescuemen Series – Book 2

Six months ago, Siobhan Cantrell’s world was changed forever by a sniper’s bullet. The incident transformed her from a secure confident woman to a recluse, afraid to leave her own home. When her friends urge her to re-enter the world of the living, they suggest Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand dating service. Nervous, she signs up and learns the company is renown for in-depth background checks and safe encounters. So, how dangerous could it be?

Sergeant Bobby Martin has witnessed Madame Eve’s magic firsthand. His teammate found true love through her service. Still a skeptic but giving in to peer pressure, the Air Force Pararescueman signs himself up. When he meets Siobhan, his doubts fly out the window—unfortunately bullets start flying in them. Determined to protect her from a sniper that won’t give up, Bobby vows to keep her safe. As their chemistry ramps up, so does the sniper’s attempts.

Can Bobby keep Siobhan alive, or will the killer catch them in his sights?

Purchase: 

~AMAZON~        ~ARe~          ~SMASHWORDS~          ~BARNES & NOBLE~

Siobhan entered the large suite and glanced around. She’d used every ounce of strength she possessed to walk through the front doors of the hotel and into the dining room. But with Bobby standing behind her, the fine hairs on the back of her neck that had irritated her all evening, eased.
She strode through the room, flipping on lights, checking the bathroom. When she slid the shower curtain back, she stopped herself. What the hell am I doing?
Turning, she caught her reflection in the mirror, the scar on her temple a permanent reminder of everything she’d lost. The sniper had taken so much from her. But did that mean she had to lose her future, too?
By talking her into contacting Madame Eve, her friends had given her a second chance at getting some semblance of control again. And what am I doing? Looking over my shoulder, watching the balcony for shooters, and checking the bathtub for the damn bogeyman while a hot-blooded, gorgeous man is waiting in the bedroom.
And damn it, she wanted to quit hiding in the shadows. If she could survive that day six months ago, then she was damn well done cowering in fear. Hadn’t the bastard taken enough from her? In the past, she’d never shied away from her sexual side. She’d embraced it.
The past six months had been damn lonely. Time to take control again. Starting with the sexy Bobby Martin.
She turned to leave the bathroom and came smack up against a hard male body. He reached out to steady her as she stumbled.
“You okay?”
She pressed her palms on his chest in an attempt to recover her equilibrium—and what a chest. All hard, sculpted muscle. “Uh, yeah, I was just––”
“Looking for the bad guy?” He chuckled.
Heat rushed up her neck and claimed her face. “That obvious, huh?”
Taking her hands in his, he led her into the bedroom. “It’s what I do. If I can’t recognize someone clearing a room, I have no business in Special Ops.”
He tugged her against him, and she had to stop herself from swooning. The men she used to date were nothing close to Bobby. Sure, they’d been fit, but not like this man. He radiated strength and unadulterated male. Something that couldn’t be bottled if you tried. Pure down-and-dirty sex—she tilted her head and eyed him—yet something more.
He gave the impression he actually cared. After listening to her story downstairs, he’d understood immediately how uncomfortable she’d been, sitting in the open dining room, and had gotten her the heck out of there.
She could get used to a man like him. Except tonight would be a one-night stand—something she intended to take full advantage of. Slipping her hands under his shirt, she let her fingers glide up the rock hard abs and sculpted chest until her fingers brushed over his nipples.
His grip tightened on her arms, and his gaze darkened with lust. “Damn.”
A thrill shot through her at the reaction she’d produced, and as she stared up at him, desire coiled low in her body.
“Look, I’m not gonna lie to you.” He loosened his hold on her while he perused her face, settling on her mouth. “I wasn’t sure about this one-night thing to start with, but after seeing you…well, I can definitely follow through. No problem.” He shifted his attention to her eyes, the naked heat swirling in his baby blues causing her breath to catch. “But after what all you told me, I want you to know I get it. We can play this thing any way you want. Fast. Slow. Or I can just hold you.” He trailed his fingers up and down her arms, sending delicious tingles along her skin. “Though I’ll admit, that’s not my first choice.”
She stared at him. God, he was such a gentleman. Without hesitating, she lifted onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, crushed her mouth against his, and…holy crap, what a kiss! Her pulse jumped, her head spun. A fire sparked deep inside her, and her breath caught at the passion winding through her. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting exactly, but not anything like this.
Before she melted into a puddle at his feet, she broke the kiss and gazed up at him. “Does that answer your question?”
A sexy grin curved his lips. “Yes, ma’am.”

Novella Review: The Valentine Challenge by Marisa Cleveland (and Giveaway)

The Valentine Challenge Blog Tour by Marisa Cleveland is being hosted by Entangled Publishing.

Tour Schedule: Feb 26 - March 15

February 26 – Reading Between the Wines
February 27 – Arianne Cruz
February 28 – Sparkles and Lightning
March 01 – My Life With Books
March 04 – Ren’s Rambles
March 05 – My Reading Room

March 06 - Books and Needlepoint
March 07 – Janna Shay
March 08 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
March 11 – Waves of Fiction
March 14 – Stuck in Books
March 15 – Ramblings from this Chick

Title: The Valentine Challenge

Author: Marisa Cleveland

Publisher: Entangled Publishing/Flirt

About the novella: Stacey Bradford believes in love, but when her hot boss, Marshall Royce, decides to close her best friend's flower shop - days before Valentine's Day! - Stacey declares war.

Intrigued by Stacey's devotion to her friend, the hearts and flowers holiday, and belief in true love, Marsh issues a challenge - prove love exists or deliver the closing documents to her friend herself.

Stacey never could resist a challenge, but when Marsh makes Valentine's Day the deadline for their deal, Stacey must decide how far she's willing to go for love. 

My Thoughts: Cute story - quick read.  Stacey overhears the HR director plugging her credentials to Marsh for his assistant position.  He is quick to say he isn't interested - but not for the usual reasons.  He doesn't want another young, pretty assistant.  Seems they tend to make a play for him and he refuses to date coworkers.  Stacey is desperate for the job and is intent on proving him wrong.  

In order to help save her friend's business, Stacey has fallen into an unlikely wager with Marsh.  She must prove true love exists and that he will fall in love.  Marsh is challenged by Stacey because she doesn't back down and doesn't fawn all over him like past assistants.  Even though her friend's business isn't as close to the chopping block that Stacey thinks it is, he decides to go along with the bet as well.  

Cute one for around Valentine's Day.  Could easily be expanded into a book, flesh out the characters some more - have Stacey and Marsh have a few more misunderstandings.  I like the combination of humor and desire - makes your pulse race.

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Book Review: Just for Fun by Rosalind James

Title: Just for Fun
Author: Rosalind James

About the book: What if the person who broke your heart turned out to be the only one who could mend it? 

Nic Wilkinson is a responsible, organized, disciplined rugby player at the top of his game. Emma Martens is a sometimes-scattered, often-emotional, and always-broke would-be designer with a big chip on her shoulder where Nic's concerned. 

They have no history together, except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore, except the most important thing of all. Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.

My thoughts:  I enjoyed reading this book and it taught me a little about rugby as well!  Nic and Emma met on an airplane, under not the best of circumstances.  Emma had just been jilted at the altar and was on her way to Fiji, for what was supposed to have been her honeymoon.  She was young, emotional, and suddenly single.  Nic was young, on a holiday from rugby, and when Emma fell in his lap  - literally - there was nothing stopping them from having some fun.   Unfortunately, that week of fun left some complications, namely, a son.

Emma tried for months to reach Nic, but was shot down by the team publicist every time.  When she finally contacted a lawyer, he didn't even believe her story, so she admitted defeat and gave up.  When Nic shows up years later, at a rugby practice of her son's, fate takes its course.

I loved the chemistry between Emma and Nic - and the way the author made it feel genuine - and not one of those "oh, nice to see you again, let's hop back into bed."  They had to learn to trust each other, and Emma had to believe that it was the right thing for her - their - son.  

If you are looking for a good romance to enjoy (on a snowy day if you are here in the midwest), then get yourself a copy of Just For Fun!  Purchase links are below, or you can get a chance to win a copy at Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

~I received a complimentary Ecopy of Just For Fun from Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Purchase

~AMAZON~

Please enjoy this interview with Rosalind James, provided by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

Your series is called “Escape to New Zealand.” Why New Zealand?

I spent 15 wonderful months living and working in New Zealand, and fell in love with the country. The beauty and diversity of the landscape (not to mention the seascapes), the Maori culture and its integration into the country’s life, and, perhaps more than anything, the people: modest, good-humored, unfailingly polite and hospitable, and so very funny.  I think everyone would like to escape to New Zealand—I know I did!

On the same note, why did you decide on rugby players as heroes?

In New Zealand, being an All Black (a member of the rugby team that represents the country in play against other nations) is the absolute pinnacle of achievement—what every boy longs to be. But what’s different is that the players are expected to be model citizens off the field as well. These young men face so much pressure and are under such a spotlight—it’s a completely different environment from the U.S. sports world. The combination of superb athletic achievement and celebrity with the expectation that you’re still a “regular Kiwi joker” or a “good bloke” makes for fascinating hero material.

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I’ve just finished my fourth book, Just for Fun. They are all my favorites while I’m writing them! Here’s how they fall out for me:

Most cathartic to write/favorite hero: Just This Once

Snarkiest banter/most interesting research (Maori hero): Just Good Friends

Funniest/easiest to write: Just for Now

Sexiest/most heart-tugging: Just for Fun

Do you see yourself in your heroines? Which of them is most like you?

There’s something of me in all my heroines. Most like me: absolutely Hannah, in Just This Once. People say “write what you know,” so I did! That book has a fair amount of autobiography in it. The funny thing is that some reviewers haven’t liked her as well as my other heroines (I try not to take it personally!). They’ve thought her emotional issues should be resolved once she meets our wonderful hero. If only life worked that way, huh?

Least like me: Kate, from Just Good Friends. I wish I were that confident and tough.

What surprises your friends about your books?

That they’re so steamy! J

When did you begin writing?

I’d been a marketing writer for 10 years, but I never had a thought of writing fiction.
I was on holiday in New Zealand with my husband almost exactly one year ago, and I had a story unfolding in my head as I so often do. For some reason, instead of telling myself to stop daydreaming, I let the story continue for days. I asked my husband, "Do you think I could write a book?" and being the great guy he is, he said, "Of course!" So I had him stop the car in Te Kuiti and bought a notebook, paper, and a pen. It was Oh So Scary to write the first sentence of “Just This Once.” But within two weeks, I was writing six hours a day on top of my regular job, and I knew this was all I wanted to do.

How long did it take to complete your first book?

Six weeks, while working at my “real job.” (I finished the book and quit the job.) I think up/write/edit a book in about three months, but that's because I've been a professional writer working to deadline for so long--writing my own stories is so much more fun, it's just a matter of keeping up on paper with what's in my head.

I notice that you’re self-published. Did you try the traditional publishing route first? Any advice for other writers considering self-publishing?

I queried agents for about 3 months with "Just This Once," and got requests for more of the book from a few agents and one publisher. One day in June, I heard back from a very prominent agent, who'd requested the full manuscript, that she really enjoyed the story, but that "New Zealand rugby" would be too tough of a hook. An hour earlier, I'd heard from my doctor, who said, "I'm referring you to the oncologist, because we can't tell what your tumor is." My first thought was, thank God my children are grown. And my second was, thank God I have had the chance to find out what I wanted to do in life, and to do it. The one thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want to die without publishing my books.

And the other thing I knew for sure was that "New Zealand rugby" was a GREAT hook! I finished writing "Just for Now" two days before going into the hospital and started editing again seven days after surgery. I decided that I still didn't want to die without publishing my books, so within a month, I’d published all three! And by the way: I’m not dying anytime soon, unless I get hit by a truck—lots more time, I hope, to write lots more books!

We’re living in a wonderful time when you can see for yourself if your book has “sales appeal” or not. Why not give it a try and see? The risk and cost are low--professional editing and cover design, an author website. The dream, of course, is to get that lucrative publishing contract—but whether or not that happens, doing it this way is working great for me so far, and I’m so very thankful to have the opportunity to share my work with so many people.

What have you learned from writing and publishing your books?

Life is all about taking risks. Anything that’s worth doing is going to be scary. The trick is to feel the fear and go ahead and do it anyway. Fall in love, write a book, pursue your dreams. That’s the underlying theme of my books, and my life.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. – Helen Keller

You can connect with Rosalind at the following sites: 

Website/Blog: http://www.rosalindjames.com

Twitter: @RosalindJames5  (https://twitter.com/RosalindJames5)

Facebook: rosalindjamesbooks (https://www.facebook.com/rosalindjamesbooks)

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rosalindjames/rosalind-james/

Book Blast: Death and Kisses by Clover Autrey (w/ Giveaway!)

Death and Kisses
“My only thought was for Aden. I ran to him, kicking up water and called out his name. He turned and my heart skidded, crumbled and dropped to my feet. Not Aden, but Brad. Then where was . . .?

I looked down to where Brad’s gaze had been focused, down, down, in the murky water towards the center of the pond. No. Noooo! I shouldn’t be able to see him through the stirred-up sediment, but I did. Pascual was drowning Aden just as he had drowned Brad.”

One night changed Kasey’s life forever. The star football player drowned and everyone at school blames her. And oh, yeah, since that night, she can see ghosts. Not that she’s afraid of them. Much. She’s more concerned with staying under the radar as the school’s once-popular, now outcast loner freak. Until the boy she supposedly killed shows up wanting revenge.

Regardless of Kasey’s outcast status, the hot new guy in school, Aden, wants to help her figure out how to get the angry ghost to leave her alone. So what if he also wants to contact his dead brother? And why are all the ghosts suddenly following Aden around?

Purchase

Kindle * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Clover Autrey 

Clover Autrey’s books have been referred to as “Romance in the Safety Zone.” The pages are chock full of adventure, attraction, fantasy and love, safe enough to read with your daughter or your grandmother, yet not so sweet it will put you in a sugar coma.

Inspired by her love of Louis L'Amour heroes, Clover (yeah, that's her real name), packed up and moved to Texas where she found a real live Texan of her own. She's been there ever since where she and Pat (who else would a Clover marry but a Patrick?), and their three boys, listen to the coyotes howl at the trains each evening.

Links

Blog * Website * Twitter 

 Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

Praise for Clover Autrey

~Great Expectations Finalist 2012~

Ms. Autrey is a dynamic storyteller. I was enthralled from the very first page. ~~ Dark Angel Reviews

You will find yourself rooting that these two brave characters are able to find a way through every obstacle thrown in their way. ~~ TwoLips Reviews

…has excitement and danger, intrigue and adventure. The love that grows is but one facet of this story… ~~ The Romance Studio

It really left me speechless, it was so wonderful. Not only is it unlike anything you’ll ever read, but it really pulls you through so many emotions as you read it. ~~Rogues and Romance






BookBlast $100 Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/17/13



Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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