Friday, January 31, 2014

Today's Book Promo is for Ever Hopeful. To learn more about this book read the Excerpt. Plus enter the Giveaway.



Ever_Hopeful__amazon_goodreads 





Synopsis

Combining heart-soaring contemporary romance with heart-pounding suspense is a trademark of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lori Ryan—and in her novel Ever Hopeful she delivers spectacularly on both counts. Two-months pregnant and trapped in a violent marriage, Laura Kensington realizes that her ruthless and powerful in-laws will never let her go, even after the strange sudden death of her abusive husband. Fleeing far away to the Texas ranch of Cade Bishop, a strong yet tender man who believes in second chances, Laura finds herself irresistibly drawn to Cade’s gentle passion and giving heart. But there is no escaping the shadows of her past and soon danger re-enters her world, pulling Laura into a deadly web of lies, betrayals, and murder. And only Cade Bishop’s quiet strength and unwavering love can set her free.

excerptnew

Laura smiled but Cade’s comment sent her thoughts in a completely different direction. She was suddenly painfully aware that she wanted him to see her as a woman. How totally inappropriate was that? She was pregnant with her dead husband’s child and running from his family. She might be a grown woman but the fact was, she’d never been independent. She’d always been tied to a man—first her father and then her husband. This was the time in her life when she needed to take charge, learn to support herself, and be independent. Yet, here she was thinking about how gorgeous the man sitting across from her was and wondering if he liked what he saw when he looked at her. Cade frowned at her. “What are you thinking? You seem like you took a little trip in your head for a minute.” If only you knew. Laura shook her head. She needed to figure out how she was going to take care of her baby when it came, how she would support them both. How she was going to get away from the Kensingtons and their powerful, seemingly endless reach. How she’d fight them if they tracked her down and tried to take the baby from her. The last thing she should be thinking was what it would be like to be in Cade’s arms, to touch him and feel his mouth on her skin.... “I was just thinking that I need to find a way to support myself and the baby. I can’t live off you guys forever.” “Try telling that to Mama. I think she’s planning to adopt you,” said Cade. Laura felt a sharp pain at his joke and had a feeling she probably grimaced. What would it have been like to be born to May Bishop? To have been raised in a place like this by someone who loved her? To receive the unconditional love that a parent is supposed to have for their child? Fairy tales…. She’d given up on things like that a long time ago. It wasn’t useful to sit and pity herself and cry about her circumstances. But, being so close to a family like the Bishops...made her want to go back in time and rewrite her story. If not rewrite who she was born to, at least change her decision to marry Patrick. “Well, I’ll have to come up with something,” Laura said, but in all honesty waiting tables was about the only thing she was qualified to do. She forced a smile. She may not have ever had a mother like May Bishop, but she’d make damn sure her child did. Her baby would know she was loved no matter what. That nothing could ever take her mother’s love away. If Laura was sure of one thing in her life, she was sure of that. She would love this child with all her heart and all that she was.

authorbionew

Lori Ryan is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romance with a twist of suspense. She lives with an extremely understanding husband, two wonderful children, two mostly-behaved dogs, and a lone little cat in Austin, Texas. It’s a bit of a zoo, but she wouldn’t change a thing. Lori published her first novel in April of 2013 and has written three more books since then. Each of Lori’s books have made their way to the Amazon bestseller list and she quickly climbed the Amazon bestselling author list, as well. In November, 2013, Lori and a group of romantic suspense authors landed on the USA Today and NY Times bestseller lists with an anthology only eight months after the release of Lori’s first book. Lori loves to connect with her readers. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to her blog. Oh, and if you’ve read Lori’s books and loved them, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com or with the retailer of your choice. Writers live and die by their reviews and Lori promises to do a happy dance around her office every time you write one!


purchasenew



Ever_Hopeful__amazon_goodreads
ONLY .99 CENTS FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS!

giveawaynew



bpbuttonfortours

This was one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year. 5 Star Review for Where the Wildflowers grow.



 Blurb
Sexual confusion and dysfunction cause the unraveling of the perfect American family in small town Georgia in 1960.

Rose Cassidy's fantasy life is a haunting reminder that she's living a lie. So when she has the opportunity to act on those fantasies, she dives in without any thought to consequences.

Rose's husband, Ryan, has fantasies of his own, and his actions cause unimaginable hurt [pain] to the very children he tries so hard to protect.

When the happiness each member of the Cassidy family seeks so desperately to find is shattered by shame, guilt, and ultimately murder, they must each face the truth that lies deep within their souls.



5 Star Review

I received the book from the touring host for an honest review.

This was on of the best books I have read for 2014. I struggled to put it down. This books complexities and many layers kept me at all hours. With fascinating characters that touch the heart, you could experience their struggles and confusion during a time that it was unacceptable to be yourself. Believable, I could connect with every character in this book. Written from all their points of views you learned firsthand their troubles and reasoning when making decisions that would alter their futures. 
With Rose, and her struggle with independence as she stepped out of a long time marriage, and her love for another woman. At first, we met her as a self-absorbed woman that reasoned like her counterparts during the early sixties. With her pretty dresses, stockings, hats, etc. When she met Heather for the first time, her world was turned up side down. She was introduced to a whole new lifestyle, wearing pants and enjoying life. Something she would have not done as a wife, mother and housewife.
With Ryan, in his search for something more then what life offered him, being bored with his marriage and finding short lived relief in the arms of others. Through many mistakes we got to learn this man, growing from self-centered to one who really cared for those he loved. Being the father in his old age that he was not in his younger years. Due to an unwanted baby, he was confronted with more than he bargained for. I really admired his growth and how he progressed as a respected man.
Lily, who experienced love to early in her teenage years was always seeking for that same love. A forbidden love that could never be, paying the sacrifice of a father's sin long into her adult life. Fluttering from relationships to different marriages to find happiness.
Dalton, who as a thirteen year old boy believed a few lies, doing what he had to, to protect his sister. His sense of understanding had lead him on several wrong paths, but at the end he turned out to be a well adjusted man. These struggles continued throughout his adult life, where he became a Priest and teacher.
Pierce, who had to pay the ultimate price dew to a father's sin, turned out to be the most likable from them all. His strong character out-shined the few mistakes he made. A independent young man that could be trusted as he stepped into the footsteps of his father. Fiercely dedicated to all he loved, knowing right from wrong.
Overall, a story that surpasses the dysfunctional, as you learn about hope, and the beauty of love within the pages of this book. Beautifully written and fast paced, you are taken back in a time where prejudiced ran rampantly, almost destroying the people involved but coming out stronger as human beings.
I book I can recommend to all women/ Southern Fiction readers. Even those who is willing to take a chance and read something different. You will not be disappointed in this book.



Thursday, January 30, 2014

Interview with the Twins and Excerpt from the book Bond of the Lycaon Concubine Blog Tour By Talon p.s. and Princess s.o. Proud Indy-Authors


Published January 29, 2013
January 27 – February 4
Book Promotions by Literary Nook


Synopsis
MF/MFM/ Paranormal Shifter/ Erotic Romance

 “So you think you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf? Think again—”
Raina grew up with the faint memories of her grandmother’s fairytales. Tales that told her she was a part of something far greater than her lonely nomadic life gave existence to. But, when she finds she’s been among the one thing she desired most, can she let go of her more human-raising to submit to it?
Tristan has had a wild hunger for the saucy minx ever since she started working at the Hell hound Tavern. When a close call with a rival pack meant risking exposing the beast he was to Raina, he wasn’t expecting her to submit to the beast as his mate. As the Beta to the pack Alpha, Tristan can’t keep a mate to himself, but the secret she holds says otherwise.
However, keeping a Lycaon Concubine might mean leaving the pack in order to protect his Alpha, who’s status has kept a pack, 500 strong, safe for generations.




Buy Links
 Also Available at: Diesel,  Apple/iTunes/iBooks  &  Gobo

Interview Questions:

1.      Where did the idea come from for the book?
Not a clue what sparked us on this one. Bond of the Lycaon Concubine literally started with the bar scene at the beginning, with having no other ideas at the time other than wanting a Lycaon story. The second scene we wrote out was the kiss at the fountain. It wasn’t until we created the shimmer under Raina’s arm band that we finally realized there was going to be a twist in it.
2.      What genre does your book fall under?
MF/MFM/ Paranormal Shifter/ Erotic Romance

3.      Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Wow, we had a hard enough time finding models to match what was in our heads, L Uhm… Billy Wirth (younger years} would make a great Tristan, a long haired Brad Pitt for Vashon and Raina is a toughy, So We’d have to say Jennifer Lawrence with a splash of Keira Knightley
4.      What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
“So you think you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf? Think again—”

 5.      Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
We are Proud Indy Authors, so yes, Bond of the Lycaon Concubine has been self-published
6.      How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Since we work on a number of different books all at once, it’s hard to give an accurate time period. But we worked on if over the span of one year, {not consistently, it sat when it was about 70% complete for a while}, when we got stumped over a few scenes that just weren’t flowing well in the story, and it wasn’t until we agreed to cut a scene that everything finally fit. Stories are funny that way.
7.      What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
For us, it was kinda like developing the non gothic Underworld of Lycaons. Book wise: somewhere between Madelaine Montague and Aline Hunter’s Alpha and Omega. And while I haven’t read them, one reader drew parallels with Sherrilyn Kenyon's WereHunters and early Anita Blakes by Laurell K Hamilton
:
8.      Who or What inspired you to write this book?
We both love paranormal and sci-fi. There are absolutely no limitations of where a story can go. The trick is making the reader believe it’s actually happening. We’d read a number of books with shifters, some awesome some not so much, and we just decided it was time to put our version out in the world.  
9.      What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
That sometimes you have to stop looking at things like a human in order to give in to thing that you want to be seduced by.
Oh and you are not going to believe the twists that comes later in the second book

~~Interview was filled out by Author Princess SO with Talon’s responses in mind, posthumous.~~



EXCERPT ONE:

“Got a penny?” Raina asked pointing to the fountain ahead of them.
Tristan gave her a skeptical glance, while he fished through his pocket for a penny, “You really want to make a wish?”
“Oh, yeah.” She gave him a daringly sultry look, “I’m thinking I do.”
Tristan blinked heavily at her, taking notice of her dark expression and tone. He passed the penny to her hand, “Okay, but so’s you know, you're scaring me.”
Raina stepped up to the fountain and closed her eyes for a moment.
Tristan watched the almost dreamy expression on her face. Damn, she looked good under the moon. He’d been falling for her for some time now, but watching her now, he believed he was helplessly captured.
Her hand went up, tossing the coin into the water with a slight plunk sound. She watched the ripple spread out on the water’s surface a moment taking a deep and fitful breath before turning to face him. Seemingly waiting for something.
“So what did you wish for?”
Raina rolled her lips in a nervous gesture, stepping closer, “A kiss.” And she pushed up on her toes, bringing her lips to his.
The first touch was light as a feather, like the kiss of a ghost and he found himself haunted by his wanting of it. He leaned down to her, cautiously allowing the contact of her soft lips. Soft and tender as she pressed against his and he felt a tender warmth flow through him.
Her lips parted, but only enough to allow him a taste of her breathlike the morning dew she was, and it was gone. His breath caught in his throat watching her step back. His head swayed, surprising him. No way a single kiss should feel so sensual, but it did. His breath deepening, his hand fumbling through his pockets and procured a handful of coins, which he held them out to her with a boyish grin.

Raina laughed, she wasn’t fooled by that look. For all his intentions of looking innocent just made him look all the more like a sexy bad boy. He reminded her of one the actors from that old 80’s movie, Lost Boys, the vampire bad boy with long black hair and just as drool worthy. Or perhaps, maybe more, because Tristan had one hell of a body hiding under his shirt.
“I think I got a fifty in my wallet. Will paper money work in the fountain as well?” He joked, then again, he’d offer damn near anything to feel that kiss again.
“Gee, I don’t know.” She toed the ground in front of her, “I mean, I’m concerned I might be hurting someone else’s feelings if I accept.”
“What do you mean?” This wasn’t good. Why would she dare to kiss him if she was involved with someone else? But that didn’t make any sense either; he’d worked with her enough days of the week to know she didn’t have a boyfriend or lover of any sort. He’d watched her too often to not know.
“Well, there’s this barback I work with and he’s pretty hot, except he wears these crazy
Tristan’s mouth was over hers before she could finish her sentence. The coins in his hand spilling to the ground around their feet as he reached around to her back to pull her to him.
His tongue parting her lips to open up for him, letting him into the warm cavern of her mouth. The taste of hot, sweet honey awaited him, drew him to probe deeper, his tongue tangling with hers. He had often fantasized what it would feel like to kiss her, to taste her, but he had not dreamed it would be like this. From the moment his lips took hers, he was lost in her. Pleasure spiraled around his nerves, hunger wrapping around him, it emanated from her and licked his body with burning flames.
God, her kiss was good. And he needed to have more of it.
He stepped into her, forcing her to walk back, pushing her towards the garden wall that circled around the fountain, his hands moving around to grasp her hips and lifted her up on the wall. He pressed between her legs and she broke away from his kiss, gasping with ragged breaths that fought for air. His own lungs heaving in his chest. He was already regretting the loss of her lips. A firm hand clasping around behind her neck to pull her back to him, connecting with her, pressing his forehead to hers. He would give her only a moment longera flicker of time to catch her breath.
“So how many coins was that, you had?” She managed to ask through her panting.
“Oh hell, I got a whole jar full at home I plan to use up.” He pulled her back to him. If she had regained her breath enough to talk, then she could take his kiss again.

Author Bios

ABOUT THE TWINS:
We Came— We Saw— and then we made it sexy.

And that's pretty much how the Twins came to write Erotic Romances and Dark Fantasies. Both Talon PS and Princess SO have been writing together since they were kids, always challenging and competing with each other, and always each other's biggest supporters. After a life time of gathering experiences, and honing their story telling skills, they have finally starting putting them to novel size tales. And so far have seen 8 titles published with three more already scheduled for next year’s releases, and still another 30 something projects in the works. So have those book moments ready, as Talon always says—

"I'm about to make you wet."  ~The Twins: Talon & Prin


Author Links –




Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Book Blast for Sisters of the Heart by Scarlett Rains. Plus Interview with this renown author. Enter for chance to win fun prizes!





Promises of the Heart
(Sisters of the Heart Series, Book One)
[Kindle Edition]
Scarlett Rains (Author)
Publication Date: December 25, 2013

Book Description
Fate Plays a Hand!
When Amelia Fitzailwyn, Duchess of Kensington, is orphaned at a very young age, she must leave home and travel to her new guardian's estate. She embarks on the journey with her beloved governess, Rachel: wishing all the while that her Uncle William would somehow rescue her. To her delight, he does! Uncle William is her new guardian...and he has two sons! Amelia happily settles in to life at Havenwood Manor with her new family.
The Stage is Set!
What are the servants whispering about? Have they noticed all those heated looks between Uncle and Rachel? Amelia sees mysteries everywhere...and would solve them all if her cousins would leave her alone long enough to do her research! She wishes John, the eldest, would keep his nose out of her affairs and poke it back in his theme book, How to be the Most Boring Personage in the Realm. And Alex, the skirt chasing hypocrite, irritates her even more: going on-and-on about her one little rendezvous with Simon.
Time Will Tell!
When it turns out Uncle, is not really her uncle, Amelia begins to see the irksome boys in a new light. In fact, she plans to marry one of them! Will John stop straining his steely grey eyes reading and see her for the woman she is? Or will Alex stop pulling the curl out of her hair long enough to notice the sheen of it as it wraps around his finger? Solve the mystery, dear reader, as you enjoy this delightful tale of a young woman's coming of age in Georgian England.


Review
5stars.pngfrom Nancy on  Goodreads:
"Promises of the Heart" is an eighteenth century tale of a young girl’s coming of age. The first thing I really liked about this book was the lovely graphics reflecting the time period in London, England. The reader is also pulled into the story at once with carefully crafted prose appealing to all five senses.

For example: watching the fluffy clouds lazily form shapes that quickly swirled into other shapes in the gentle breeze…a cacophony of sounds bombarded the weary coachman: the hue and cry of merchants and street people rose up above the clopping of the horses hooves in a relentlessly forlorn lament.

Scarlett Rains does a masterful job on style continuity throughout the entire novel. Somewhat like Charles Dickens, but more like the Victoria Holt novels I read profusely at one time in my life, "Promises of the Heart" resonates with cleverly woven intrigue surrounded by authentic characters of the day. Historical novels should inform about the life and times of the era—"Promises of the Heart" did not disappoint! The segue to her second novel "Seduction of a Bluestocking" was a perfect cliffhanger, enticing the reader to find out what happens next. Well done, Scarlett Rains! Five Stars!




About the author:
Scarlett Rains was raised in an orphanage, survived that and breast cancer! She considers all of it a blessing, refuses to let anything stop her; insisting that life is what you make it! Scarlett is a person who will spout optimistic 'truths' with her last breath! She is a busy grandma juggling a hectic schedule to try to balance her family's needs (including her insular cat's hissy-fits and her demanding dog's pathetic begging for belly rubs) and still manage a few minutes to write her stories. She often awakens from a sound sleep, jumps up, snatches a cup of coffee and hides in her office behind locked doors typing 18th century romance novels. Scarlett believes escaping her day-to-day responsibilities by living vicariously in the lives of the characters she creates keeps her out of trouble …and saves the cost of psychotherapy services. The author’s delightful Sisters of the Heart Series books are enjoyed by readers around the world. Scarlett loves receiving feedback and ideas from her readers.



Follow Scarlett Rains, Author:
Buy her books on





 Interview Questions for Scarlett Rains:

1.      Where did the idea come from for the book?
I actually was writing Betrayals of the Heart, the book I envisioned as the 3rd book in my Sisters of the Heart series, when all these ideas about Amelia as a teenager kept popping into my head.  I couldn’t seem to let go of it. The Finishing of Lady Amelia was a story demanding to be told.  In the telling of it, I drew largely from my experiences growing up in an orphanage.  Believe me, when you house 10-15 girls together they manage to get into all sorts of mischief.
2.      What genre does your book fall under?
Young adult, historical.
3.      Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I cannot think of one person that really fits my characters.  Jennifer Lawrence might be convincing as Lydia.
4.      What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Finishing of Lady Amelia is a delightful tale of mischief and mayhem as a sheltered young woman comes of age in Georgian England.
5.      Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Some of my books were first self-published, now all are represented by Artemis Books.
6.      How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I think it developed over about a 6 month period.
7.      What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I have been told that the story reminds readers of The Mallory Towers books.
8.      Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by Amelia’s personality in Promises of the Heart.  I had to know more about her as a teenager and I had to know that she persevered and became a person Rachel (her governess) would admire.  I was inspired to write about the type of young woman she is, and the characters she encounters at school, as a result of my own life experiences.  I believe strongly in supporting women in their endeavour to be valued as individuals.  I hope that message is clear in all of my stories.
9.      What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There is a lot of humour in the tale, I hope.  I laughed aloud when I was writing any scene involving Monsieur and the scene about the Fighting Women almost made me hurt myself laughing.  It gives me great pleasure to make someone laugh.  I believe we all need the healing of laughter.

Follow the Tour

Jan 27th
Jan 28th
Feb 8th
Feb 9th
Feb 10th
Clue Review
Feb 11th
The Rising Muse
Feb 12th
Feb 13th
 Feb 14th

Enter for chance to win fun prizes!






Thank you for your comment.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Book Tour for 'The Muse' by Kenya Wright. Excerpt, 5 Star Review and Giveaway. Available Now!



Synopsis –

On the first day of her nude modeling job, Elle deals  with a corpse, an eccentric dark artist, his sexy brother, and a grandmother that can see someone's future by just touching their hands. Although these crazy distractions shove her on edge, it's just what she needs to mend her battered heart and forget about her ex-boyfriend. Besides, she does get to live in their castle for the whole three months. 

Everything seems magical and perfect. Until more dead bodies are discovered.

There's something going on at night, right in the artist's garden. Under the moonlight, young women are being cut and sliced, and no one has a clue to who's doing it. And the more she's around the weird family in the castle, the more she realizes that they all are hiding secrets.




 Buy Links –




Excerpt

Prologue




We all came to watch her die.
We were distorted silhouettes against a moonlit sky like goblins or ghosts who came out at night, when the moon was full and welcomed wicked things to earth.
We surrounded her in a large circle, and she fluttered her eyelashes like an injured butterfly wagging its broken wings in a last attempt to fly. And similar to the insect falling to its demise, she lay on the wet ground in the midst of a garden, dying among growing things—carrots and cabbage, grass and fertile earth.
Stars glittered in the night. The moon glowed. A breeze kissed her flesh for the last time. It was beautiful in a way that was immorally wrong.
And then her expression froze into a picture, one discarded among forgotten things, except no one would ever forget her.
“I'll make sure they remember.” I took a strand of her hair.
Everyone nodded in silent agreement, and then one by one disappeared into the castle’s dark shadows where night met blackened air and creepy things whispered the most haunting words into the wind.



Author Bio -
Kenya Wright always knew she would be famous since the ripe old age of six when she sang the Michael Jackson thriller song in her bathroom mirror. She has tried her hand at many things from enlisting in the Navy for six years as a Persian-Farsi linguist to being a nude model at an art university.
However, writing has been the only constant love in her life. Will she succeed? Of course.
For she has been coined The Urban Fantasy Queen, the Super Iconic Writer of this Age, The Lyrical Genius of Our Generation. Granted, these are all terms coined by her, within the private walls of her bathroom as she still sings the Michael Jackson thriller song.
Kenya Wright currently resides in Miami with her three amazing, overactive children, a supportive, gorgeous husband, and three cool black cats that refuse to stop sleeping on Kenya’s head at night.

5 Star Review

I received this book from the Touring Host for an honest review.

This was definitely a different book than the normal Erotic Romance. Do not understand me wrong, this is an erotic romance but with a bizarre story line that I could not do nothing else but give it five stars. I loved the cover as well, it just says so much about the story itself.
The story was excellently planned and written with enough suspense to keep you baffled with the main characters till the very end.
When women started to die at a famous artist castle, suspicion ran rampant with Alvarez and Elle's minds. Who did it? Who could they trust? The mystery surrounding them mounted and everyone was a suspect. With a woman locked in the attic and an older woman seeking human blood and human organs for her sacrifices, you had a suspenseful time dissecting through all the twists and turns in the book.
Talking about Alvarez, oh my word, this man surpasses hot. His devotion to his family and all the artists gathering at the Castle was admirable. And romantic, good grief, it stirred everything in your imagination, he is that good. I loved his character the most, believable, protective, sincere, passionate, devoted and honest as he revealed his heart to one woman.
Elle, our heroin in the story was life personified, giving hope to the wary while trying to find herself after a long abusive relationship with Michael. A nude model for artist, she was known for her beauty and very long black hair. Men were mesmerized by her, artists fought about her but at the end she was a young woman who wanted what we all want. A man that would allow her to be herself and still love her unconditionally. 
Hex was definitely a fascinating character and caused for many speculations through out the book and at the end you are left speechless, not sure what to think of his ideas. 
The old woman, now this was a character I would not like to meet in real life. I think I will stop right there with her description just in case she gives me some tainted cheese.**smile**
A book that kept me glued to its pages as I was taken on the journey with the most interesting plot I have read in a while. With enough tension to make it enjoyable and enough romance to believe in happy endings. O snap, now I have given it away...just read the book, you will not be disappointed. 




Giveaway Information – 
$10 Amazon Gift Card and 3 ebooks from Kenya Wright’s Backlist.



Book Review: Juror Number Ten by Caroline Taylor

Genre: Thriller/romantic suspense Bio:  Caroline Taylor is a novelist and short-story writer who grew up in the mountain west and traveled...