Thursday, January 31, 2013

Cover Reveal - Light In The Shadows by A. Meredith Walters



Blurb:


How do you keep going when you feel like your life is over?

Maggie never thought she’d see Clay again. So, she attempts to put her life back together after her heart has been shattered to pieces. Moving on and moving forward, just as Clay wanted her to.

Clay never stopped thinking of Maggie. Even after ripping their lives apart and leaving her behind to get the help he so desperately needed. He is healing...slowly. But his heart still belongs to the girl who tried to save him.

When a sudden tragedy brings Maggie and Clay face to face again, nothing is the same. Yet some things never change. Can the darkness that threatened to consume them be transformed into something else and finally give them what they always wanted? And can two people who fought so hard to be together, finally find their happiness? Or will their demons and fear drive them apart for good?

The thing about love, is even when it destroys you, it has a way of mending what is broken. And in the shadows, you can still see the light.


Expected Release Date:  March 26, 2013


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Blog Hop - Rebecca's Lost Journals - The Seduction by Lisa Renee Jones


Welcome to my stop on Lisa Renee Jones Blog Hop for The Seduction, the first release in Rebecca's Lost Journals serial.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question below for Lisa to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her blog hop giveaway via the Rafflecopter Link at the end of the post.


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Thanks so much for having me today!

I am super excited that I am releasing Rebecca’s Lost Journals and the Master Undone, the serials which lead into the Inside Out Trilogy.





Inspired by a real journal found in a storage unit during my eight years buying and selling units, the series embraces the dark sensuality of Shades of Grey and the intrigue with storage units that is Storage Wars in one spine tingling series packed with mystery and passion. And now, there is a five part serial connected to the trilogy being released beginning on January 28th and beginning with Rebecca’s Lost Journals: The Seduction. 


The serials offer readers an intimate look inside the journal writer’s life and her passions, while also being packed with clues to the series. You will find all kinds of hints about secrets in BEING ME!

I’m including a sexy excerpt from the first serial!






One day I was a high school teacher on summer break, leading a relatively uneventful but happy life. Or so I told myself. Later, I’d question that, as I would question pretty much everything I knew about me, my relationships, and my desires. It all began when my neighbor thrust a key to a storage unit at me. She’d bought it to make extra money after watching some storage auction show. Now she was on her way to the airport to elope with a man she barely knew, and she needed me to clear out the unit before the lease expired.

Soon, I was standing inside a small room that held the intimate details of another woman’s life, feeling uncomfortable, as if I was invading her privacy. Why had she let these items so neatly packed, possessions that she clearly cared about deeply, be lost at an auction? Driven to find out by some unnamed force, I began to dig, to discover this woman’s life, and yes, read her journals—-dark, erotic journals that I had no business reading. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I read on obsessively, living out fantasies through her words that I’d never dare experience on my own, compelled by the three men in her life, none of whom had names. I read onward until the last terrifying dark entry left me certain that something had happened to this woman. I had to find her and be sure she was okay.

Before long, I was taking her job for the summer at the art gallery, living her life, and she was nowhere to be found. I was becoming someone I didn’t know. I was becoming her.

The dark, passion it becomes…

Now, I am working at a prestigious gallery, where I have always dreamed of being, and I’ve been delivered to the doorstep of several men, all of which I envision as one I’ve read about in the journal. But there is one man that will call to me, that will awaken me in ways I never believed possible. That man is the ruggedly sexy artist, Chris Merit, who wants to paint me. He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.

All I know for certain is that he knows me like I don’t even know me, and he says I know him. Still, I keep asking myself — do I know him? Did he know her, the journal writer, and where is she? And why doesn’t it seem to matter anymore? There is just him and me, and the burn for more.


Excerpt: 

He motioned me inside and I stepped over the entryway. He shut the door behind me, but didn’t touch me. Instead he stepped in front of me again, and his gaze swept my scantily clad body, lingering on my tightly puckered nipples, male appreciation glowing from the depths of his gaze.

When his eyes lifted to mine again, he said, “Last chance to back out.”

I lifted my chin and met his stare. “I don’t want to back out.”

Satisfaction slid over his face.“Then there are rules.”

“Rules?” My knees were liquid, my body one big, eager nerve ending. I wanted his rules. I can’t explain why. I don’t understand why.

“Rules,” he confirmed. “To start, you don’t speak unless I ask a question.You don’t do anything I don’t tell you to do.You do exactly what I say you do. Normally, I would say I’ll also do anything I wish to you, but until we have an agreement with your limits, I’ll refrain from going places I might otherwise go.”

Some part of me rebelled. This isn’t me. I don’t get commanded by anyone but myself. But it was me.

“Understand?” he asked.

“Yes.” I couldn’t keep the tremble from my voice. 


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by Lisa Renee Jones
Print Release Date: March 12, 2013


Don't forget to leave a comment or question below for Lisa to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her blog hop giveaway at :

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTM5ZmRiNzY1NGRkZDU4MmQ1NjEyMjc0NmNhNDg4OjIw/


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Virtual Book Tour - Racing to Love: Jesse's Soul by Amy Gregory



Welcome to my stop on Amy Gregory's Virtual Book Tour for Jesse's Soul, Racing to Love Book 2.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question below for Amy to let her know you stopped by.  You can check out my reviews of Amy's book here.  


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Guest Post - My 10 Favorite Authors & Why … by Amy Gregory



This is going to be so difficult! I started reading young adult romances when I was probably younger than I should have been. The Sweet Dreams series hooked me and I’ve been a fan of the romance genre ever since.

In my early teens I found Danielle Steel. Again, probably younger than I should’ve been, but I devoured her books faster than they were published, re-reading several of them multiple times.

A few years ago I picked up a Nora Roberts book, Irish Dreams. Instantly I was drawn to her. I can’t read or watch anything suspenseful at all, so I shy away from her JD Robb books, but the others…I’ve read them all. I’m drawn to books involving dance or Ireland and she has both. Those books on my shelf are so worn, I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve read them.

Then I found Susan Mallery and Carly Phillips and my world was rocked again. Their writing styles are similar to my own. I love how Nora, Susan and Carly write in a series. I always feel like when the last page is turned, I’m a little let down because the story is so good I want to know more. I’ve become attached to the characters and I want their stories to continue, you can do that in a series. I love hot romance combined with great dialogue. These women have that and more.

My best friend is an avid reader as well, she raved about this author she had found. Following her advice I fell in love with Something Borrowed and its sequel Something Blue by Emily Griffin. I think I’ve now read them both roughly five times a piece!

When I began my journey into the writing industry I knew no one, had no contacts, and basically had no idea of what to do next after the stories were written. With the help of the Twitter world, I became friends with some ladies who, not only do I adore their work and devour their books the instant they hit the stands, but they’ve become treasured friends. Keri Ford, Renee Vincent, KE Saxon, Mari Carr and Jan Romes—these women are amazing. I think that has made them such special authors in my book. (No pun intended!) I can’t even count the number of times I’ve recommended their names to my friends. 


Now that I’m an author as well, it seems like even people I don’t know ask me all the time who I’d recommend. Especially in the erotic romance genre. That usually turns into a lengthy conversation as there are so many authors I adore in both the contemporary and erotic genres. I prefer stories that are fun, sassy and in the end the girl gets the guy. With these gals, I know I can trust I’ll be smiling when the last page is turned.

Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to sneak in an eleventh author to my list. This woman is a very dear friend and has done more for me and my career than I can ever repay her for. A.L. Jackson. On top of being an amazing friend and person, her books are spectacular! Gripping, moving and at times heart-wrenching, and in the end you feel like you’ve ridden a roller-coaster along with the characters.
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Jesse's Soul 
by Amy Gregory
Racing to Love, Book 2

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Release Date: December 30, 2012

Contemporary Romance

ASIN:B00AVBENRE

Buy Links:

Kindle         Amazon Print          Nook      B&N Print


Book Description:


Jesse Frost lived the life most men would have killed for. Fast bikes, fame, money and looks—from the outside looking in he had all, but the combination nearly broke him. He hadn’t thought
much about any of those things throughout his career, he was just an easy-going guy from a speck of a town in Texas that had always worked hard for everything he had gotten in life. He’d been the shy guy in school, so when the prom queen found him years later, he thought he had finally made it, winning her affection was the crown jewel. Her mirage however, left him empty and certain there was no one that wanted him just for the man inside.


Emery Kincaid has a last name that is revered in their world. A woman in a man’s world and succeeding, Irish through and through, she has the temper and sass to boot and a reputation that precedes her. She has remained strong because she’s had no other choice. The pain she masks runs deep and hiding it is the only way she can survive.


Thrown together because of circumstance and forced to be in each other’s space day in and day out, sparks start to fly—from chemistry and the brakes she tries desperately to throw on. Without a doubt in his mind, Jesse thinks he’s found her, but the girl that stole his heart has a stubborn streak a country mile wide.


In reality, what Jesse doesn’t know could break his heart. Hiding her true feelings for him is the only way for Emery to protect him and in turn—herself because her secret, her pain is just too big. She barely made it out the first time, if she let Jesse in, only to have him walk away…well, that’s a risk her heart can’t take.


Excerpt:  



Jesse had always had a sixth sense when it came to bad news. Anxiety would send a rush of heat from head to toe and his stomach would drop immediately. When he was little, he knew from the moment he hit the bus stop when his ass was in trouble for something. Plus, Jesse knew his manager and friend well enough to know the signals. Gripping the back of his neck like he was right now wasn’t a good sign. Their teasing was done and Reid was serious. Jesse had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what he was about to hear, and he had no doubt in his mind it was regarding Emery.

“Listen, Jess, I’ve always tried to be a man who looks at life like everything happens for a reason. I know it’s affected you with Shawn leaving, but I can’t say I’m all that upset about it. I needed her here. I need her here with me so I can watch over her. And she’s good too, huh?”

He had been right as rain. It was what Reid wasn’t saying that scared the hell out him. Sure, she was a mechanic and this could be a natural place for her to be as any, but she was a grown woman. Reid’s need to watch over her sent a shiver up Jesse’s spine.

“I’ll admit it, she is the best, like you said. I just wish she’d let me in.”

“I know, son.” Reid smiled. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. Give it time, it’ll—“

Cutting their conversation off, Emery came out in just a pair of straight-legged Levi’s and a simple white t-shirt. Still, Jesse’s jaw dropped open. He didn’t mean to stare so openly, especially in front of her father. There was just no way to help it. His brain was stuck on one thing—making sure he didn’t look like an idiot wasn’t it.

She’d been in her uniform all day, and the tight jeans and low-cut v-neck showed off her curves where the boxy polyester team shirt and shorts did nothing to flatter her. The messy bun she’d been wearing was gone. Instead her hair reached her shoulders in loose waves and curls that could only be natural. She had on very little makeup, from what he could tell, maybe just some mascara, but it made her big green eyes pop. She had added lip gloss, but that was it. Simple, not overdone. A classic beauty without even trying.

“Wow, Em. You look really pretty.”

She barely grinned, hiding it under the guise of sleepiness. But she couldn’t control the blushing. Whether it was because of the compliment or because it was said in front of her father, he couldn’t tell. She rolled her eyes—something Jesse was getting used to. An endearing part of her that tugged at his heart.

“Sorry, I didn’t pack anything but jeans and t-shirts. I had no intentions of going someplace where I’d need anything but my team shirts or something like this.” She motioned down at her attire.

“I think you look great. And you’ve got some color back in your face.”

She cocked her head to the side. Jesse read the silent warning not to start on her, particularly in front of her dad. He just didn’t care. That part of him that needed to protect her was too strong, too big to ignore, especially after the slip her father just let him in on. Reid may have not intended for it to happen, but after their conversation a moment before, albeit brief, Jesse now had confirmation she had a problem. He was going to help. Emery probably wouldn’t agree, but then again, he wasn’t asking.

There had been an instant attraction upon their introduction—chemical, hormonal, pheromones, whatever science wanted to break it down to. Jesse knew it wasn’t just lust and the fact he hadn’t had sex in way too many months. It wasn’t his d**k, as much as it was his heart, that had taken the lead in this thing between them and he could do nothing but follow.

“What? I’ve been worried, sue me.”

“I just might. You ready?”

She grabbed her fleece-lined jean jacket off the chair. “What?” she questioned as she glanced back over at him.

A true skeptic. Her curled lip and arched eyebrow made it harder than hell not to smile, but Jesse held it in the best he could.

He was playing with fire, but God she was beautiful. The chase she was sending him on was fueling the flame, making her all the more enticing.

With his tongue in his cheek, he answered, “Nothing.” 


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Author Bio


Amy Gregory leads an incredibly active lifestyle in Kansas City with her husband and their three fantastic kids who keep them running in three very different directions. When she’s not rushing her oldest daughter to tumbling, her youngest daughter to music lessons, or sitting track-side watching her son practice motocross, she’s taking the few minutes in between to scribble the next pages in her Racing to Love series.

When asked, “When do you have time to write?” Amy Gregory giggles. “In bits and pieces,” she says.

Amy is known for her snarky, off the cuff sense of humor, which you’ll find shining through in the characters she’s created. Her debut novel, Racing to Love, Carter’s Treasure, is set for release June 7, 2012.

I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and now I’ve finally found it. – Amy Gregory

Publisher Author Page

Blog

Twitter - @AmyGregory548

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Virtual Book Tour January 3 - February 3


January 3 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours- Meet and Greet
January 4 - What's on the Bookshelf - Review/Interview
January 5 - Love in a Book - Review/Guest Post
January 7 - TE Garden of Books - Review/Guest Post
January 9 - Crazy Four Books - Review
January 10 - Divergent Gryffindor - Review
January 12 - Tana Rae Reads - Review/Interview
January 13 - My Reading Addiction - Review
January 14 -Author Ever Leigh - Review
January 16 - Let's Get Booked - Review/Guest Post
January 17 - The Adventures Within - Review/Interview
January 18 - My Bookmark Blog - Review
January 21 - The Boyfriend Bookmark Blog - Review
January 23 - Cozie Corner - Review
January 24 - Debbie Jean's Blog - Review/Interview
January 25 - Jody's Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post
January 28 - Andi's Book Reviews - Review/Interview
January 29 - Queen of the Night - Review/Guest Post
February 1 - Always YA at Heart - Review
February 2 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review
February 3 - Weakling No. 14 - Review/GuestPost
February 3 -RABT Reviews - Review

Monday, January 28, 2013

Book Review - Racing to Love: Jesse's Soul by Amy Gregory




Jesse's Soul 
by Amy Gregory
Racing to Love, Book 2

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Release Date: December 30, 2012

Contemporary Romance

ASIN:B00AVBENRE

Buy Links:

Kindle         Amazon Print          Nook      B&N Print


Book Description:


Jesse Frost lived the life most men would have killed for. Fast bikes, fame, money and looks—from the outside looking in he had all, but the combination nearly broke him. He hadn’t thought
much about any of those things throughout his career, he was just an easy-going guy from a speck of a town in Texas that had always worked hard for everything he had gotten in life. He’d been the shy guy in school, so when the prom queen found him years later, he thought he had finally made it, winning her affection was the crown jewel. Her mirage however, left him empty and certain there was no one that wanted him just for the man inside.


Emery Kincaid has a last name that is revered in their world. A woman in a man’s world and succeeding, Irish through and through, she has the temper and sass to boot and a reputation that precedes her. She has remained strong because she’s had no other choice. The pain she masks runs deep and hiding it is the only way she can survive.


Thrown together because of circumstance and forced to be in each other’s space day in and day out, sparks start to fly—from chemistry and the brakes she tries desperately to throw on. Without a doubt in his mind, Jesse thinks he’s found her, but the girl that stole his heart has a stubborn streak a country mile wide.


In reality, what Jesse doesn’t know could break his heart. Hiding her true feelings for him is the only way for Emery to protect him and in turn—herself because her secret, her pain is just too big. She barely made it out the first time, if she let Jesse in, only to have him walk away…well, that’s a risk her heart can’t take.




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My Review 

Smooth, emotional and full of love, Jesse's Soul, the second book in the Racing to Love series by Amy Gregory, gives us the story of Jesse, a bike racer dealing with a broken heart, and Emery, a woman with a secret  succeeding in a man's world.  Well developed characters, good dialogue and plenty of emotional angst, make this second chance love story a captivating read.  


Recovering from an emotional hit from a former high school crush, motocross racing star Jesse Frost has sworn off women and is determined to win first place.  When circumstances force his regular mechanic to quit and go home, Jesse fears his season is destined for failure.  Reluctantly trusting his manager, Reid Kincaid, a legend in the business, Jesse finds himself agreeing to take on new mechanic.  He never imagined it would be Reid's daughter, or that he'd fall for her at first sight.

Trained to be a mechanic from childhood, Emery Kincaid is determined to make a name for herself in a man's world.  Sassy, fast tempered and with the reputation that she doesn't suffer fools, Emery hides a secret and puts on show of being independent and strong.  Only her blood relatives know the pain she hides on a daily basis.  Trusting a man with her heart would be a mistake, she just doesn't think Jesse will give her a chance to say no. 

The scenes between Jesse and Emery are fantastic! Their verbal and emotional chemistry is off the charts.    While both are leery of being hurt, Jesse knows Emery is "the one" from the start.  Convincing her to give him a chance will be his greatest challenge.  Ms. Gregory did a great job developing both Jesse and Emery's characters; it was easy to like them apart as individuals and together as a couple.  As the story moves along, we get glimpses into their past and it's easy to understand why trust is such an issue for both.  I really enjoyed watching as they learned to give each other a chance.

The secondary characters in this story are characters who've been introduced before in Carter's Treasure, the first book in the Racing to Love series.  It was really nice to connect with Reid, Molly and Carter, Eli and Brody.  Molly was not only Jesse's friend from the past, she becomes Emery's friend when she needs one the most.  Watching these two women bond as they make a life for themselves in man's world was great.

While a part of a series, this book can be read on it's own.  I really enjoyed reading Jesse's Soul and I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Gregory's work.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Stars




FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Name Before The Masses Tour & Giveaway - The Arrival by Nicole MacDonald



Welcome to my stop on Nicole MacDonald's Virtual Book Tour for The Arrival.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question below for Nicole to let her know you stopped by.  Nicole will be awarding a $50.00 gift card – Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winners choice, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. You can follow her tour stops here, the more often you comment, the better your odds of winning.


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Character Interview 



Interviewer: ‘Welcome to the show! Can you tell us your name and position, please?’

Ada: ‘Thank you! My name is Ada and I’m the newest fabricer at the castle in Elion.’

Interviewer: ‘Wow! That’s quite a position; can you explain to our audience what you do?’

Ada: ‘Sure, I have a gift which allows me to manipulate fabric with a thought. I can reweave the fabric and I use this gift to create clothing that a tradition tailor can’t. It means any piece I create is seamless and fits perfectly. I can also adjust the color within the fabrics.’

Interviewer: ‘That’s a really amazing gift, when did you first realize you could do this?’

Ada: *muffled giggle* ‘Ahhh… Well I didn’t actually realize it, it was normal to me, but my parents realized it when I fastened my little sister’s sleeves together when she wouldn’t stop hitting me.’

Interviewer: *laughing* ‘Really? How old were you?’

Ada: ‘Four. Edyna is two years younger than me and… well she can be a bit naughty at times.’

Interviewer: ‘You’re rather young to be in such a position at the castle, how did you get noticed? And if you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?’

Ada: ‘I’m eighteen. I was noticed by one of the Lady’s of the House Aly’dun and she mentioned it to the Archduchess who sent a personal invitation to me. I visited the castle and showed what I could do and the Archduchess employed me as the castle’s fabricer.’

Interviewer: ‘That must have been a daunting visit!’

Ada: ‘It was. My hands shook the whole time. But the piece I created turned out beautifully. I believe it’s now on display in the local town.’

Interviewer: ‘How wonderful! Now, there’s an interesting rumor abound that the Archduchess had the Griffon Guard collect four women from the North. Do you know anything about that?’

Ada: *blushing* ‘Ahhh… Well… I’m not sure what I’m entitled to say. But I can say I have met four new girls and they’re lovely.’
Interviewer: ‘Do you know why they’ve been summoned?’

Ada: *shakes head* ‘No. No, I don’t. I think they were lost.’
Interviewer: ‘Thank you for your time today, Ada, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I hope we get to see some more of your beautiful work soon!’


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The Arrival
by Nicole MacDonald
The BirthRight Trilogy, Book 1 

Publisher: Little Leo Reads
Release Date: December 22, 2010

Buy Links:  Free for a Period of Time at all of the Following Retailers

Amazon US          Amazon UK     iTunes US     iTunes UK 

Kobo     Sony     Smashwords 


Book Description:


Four friends in the midst of a man drought cast a love spell on a whim, unexpectedly landing them on another planet.

Oops.

On a foreign and often hostile world, love teeters on the horizon while the threat of civil war looms thanks to the girls' surprising gifts. Will the girls master these gifts in time to survive a war in which not only are they the ultimate weapons, but also the ultimate prize?



Excerpt:


The river

“The track quickly led to the river and I dropped my stuff near the edge. Kneeling, I dunked my top in the water and scrubbed it full of soap. I heard some splashes and smiled.

Audi’s such a water baby and as long as it was by choice, rather than me giving her a bath, she would swim anywhere. It sounds like she's having fun. I swished the top under the water, rinsing the soap out. The splashes sounded closer and I glanced up.

Alek stood in the middle of the river, the water lapping mid thigh on him.

I froze.

He was magnificent. The water cascaded down his taut, muscular body, his blue black hair shoved back out of his eyes and his white essentially see-through undergarment.

My jaw dropped. I don’t think I’d ever seen such a fantastic specimen in real life before.

Alek was surprised to see Catherine at the waters edge. He’d thought all the women would have slept for a few more hours, at least. About to call out a greeting, he stopped when he noticed her slack jawed expression.

It was at that point I could suddenly make out the rational voice in my head.

It was screaming; STOP STARING, HE’S LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU.

My eyes jerked up to dark blue ones, regarding me in amusement, one eyebrow arched.

OH MY GOD.

And in the manner of any intelligent, attractive, level headed, sensible female who had been caught out…

I promptly blushed beetroot, muttered something unintelligent, snatched my things and bolted for the tent. I hurtled past Daron who was headed toward the river. “


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Nicole MacDonald is the Independent author of The Arrival, and, Awakening, the first two books in the BirthRight Trilogy. Writing had never been a lifelong dream for her until she began The Arrival, but it now is an all-consuming passion.

A proud Kiwi (New Zealander) Nicole dreams that one day Peter Jackson will be in touch to option the film rights for the BirthRight Trilogy. When she's not daydreaming about that she's working on book three in the trilogy - Feel the Burn, available December 2012 - and planning future works. 




Blog: www.damselinadirtydress.com 


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheBirthRightTrilogy

Twitter: @DmslinaDrtyDrss

Youtube link to book trailer: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKcn9LMrK30&list=WL994280763A299228&feature=mh_lolz




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Don't forget to leave a comment or question below for Nicole to let her know you stopped by.  Nicole will be awarding a $50.00 gift card – Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winners choice, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. You can follow her tour stops here, the more often you comment, the better your odds of winning.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Virtual Book Tour - Just For Now by Rosalind James



Welcome to my stop on Rosalind James Virtual Book Tour for Just For Now.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question for Rosalind below to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.


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Guest Post - Creating Your Book Cover By Rosalind James


You can judge a book by its cover—and people do it all the time. Your cover has to convince YOUR target buyer that this is her type of book, and that it’s a good one. The tips below, gleaned from ten years in marketing for the publishing industry, helped me create my own covers. I pass them along in hopes that they help you too.


     1. Hire a professional. It isn’t as expensive as you may think. Three eBook covers cost me less than    $100 per book: A small investment that has already paid for itself many times over in book sales. 

     2. Choose the right professional. I did a web search to find designers in my genre (Romance), then looked at their websites and portfolios. Who designs covers that appeal to you and make you want to buy the book? When you’ve found somebody whose work you like, ask for a quote. 

     3. Know your market. Think about authors whose books resemble yours. Those authors have succeeded in attracting your market. Look at the covers of their books, and you’ll see trends. (Shirtless heroes? Flowers? An ornate font, or a simple one? Big, bold block letters on a red background, for a thriller?) Copy the links to your favorite covers. You’ll want to share them with your designer. 

     4. Define the effect you want to achieve. Your cover is your brand. Even if you only have one book out there now, you’ll want a “look” that people identify with your style. A good designer excels in translating “feelings” into art. This is the direction I gave my own designer: “I want a simple, tasteful, intelligent cover (no half-naked heroes!) Something that still says ‘romance,’ but not ‘embarrassing.’ The books are funny, playful, sexy, and occasionally tearjerking. Not completely frothy, a serious story in there too. I want to convey that--plus ‘exotic New Zealand locale.’” 

I also had three books, with a fourth to come, so I needed to tie the covers together. The designer achieved that with the use of color and layout. 

     5. Research stock art. You’ll get better results and help your designer if you take the time to find stock imagery that conveys the look you’re going for. I used Dreamstime. The designer used the image I found for my first book, Just This Once, but found different (better!) images for the other books, Just Good Friends and Just For Now

     6. Work the design, and get feedback. After you get the designer’s first pass, ask people who have read your book for their reactions, then evaluate the feedback and give ONE response to the designer. If it isn’t quite right, keep working. (It took me three or four rounds.) Don’t give the designer specific direction (“could you put the title under the picture?”) Instead, try to explain the “feeling” that isn’t quite right (“It doesn’t look playful enough”). 

     7. Admire your beautiful book cover! I hope it sells great!

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Just For Now(Escape to New Zealand #3)
by Rosalind James
Date Published: 8/30/2012


Contemporary Romance

Buy Links:

Amazon



There’s no place like home . . .

For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells “heartbreak” like finding her husband with somebody else–in her bed. Clearly, it’s time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she’s done just that. This isn’t really her home, though. Or her family, however much she wishes it were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

New Zealand rugby star Finn Douglas is just looking for a temporary nanny. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife. He can’t resist Jenna’s cooking, it’s true. Who knew that he’d have so much trouble resisting her? He wants to do what’s right for his kids. But waiting is so hard . . .


Excerpt:

“Hello,” she smiled up at the tall man who answered the door at her ring. “Mr. Douglas? I’m Jenna McKnight. I think you’re expecting me.”

“Come in. And call me Finn, please.” He took her umbrella from her with a raised brow. “You got pretty wet. Couldn’t you find a parking space?”

“No car. Shoes off?” she asked, glancing at his stockinged feet.

“If you don’t mind,” he agreed, and watched as she bent to pull off her boots. “You’ve learnt Kiwi ways, obviously.”

“I’m a permanent resident, actually. I may not sound like it, but I am pretty much a Kiwi at this point.”

“You do know that this job involves driving,” he commented as he led the way into a spacious lounge, its
original rimu flooring polished to a high russet gloss and covered by a large Oriental rug.

“I can drive,” she assured him. “And I have a clean record.”

“Yeh,” he said absently, gesturing her to a seat on the big leather couch and picking up her CV with a frown. “You have good qualifications. Six years teaching Year One. You’re not . . . exactly what I was hoping for, though. This is a temporary job, but it’s a serious one. You’d have a couple days off each week, but otherwise you’d be here with the kids.  Twenty-four hours a day some of the time, though there’s
additional help you could call in. I travel a fair bit, as I’m sure you know.”

“Did you say that on the phone? I don’t recall that. But of course it’s a serious job. It’s taking care of your children, after all, and that’s serious business. I wouldn’t have applied if I hadn’t been prepared to do that.” 

He didn’t seem to be warming to her. Was it the hair? She put her hand up to it again, then pulled it away quickly. Tried to project more calm than she was feeling.

“You don’t know who I am.” It was a statement, accompanied by a piercing stare from his light blue eyes.
“Should I know? Are you an actor or something?” She looked at him doubtfully. He was certainly striking, with his height and powerful build, but his features were much too rough-hewn to be called handsome. And that gravelly voice—he could play villains, she supposed. He must have some kind of lucrative career, anyway, to be able to afford this house, in its exclusive neighborhood. He looked young to
be a successful businessperson—early thirties, maybe.

“I’m a rugby player,” he answered briefly, still looking at her. “You didn’t know that?”

“No. I don’t follow sport.”

“You didn’t look me up online, before the interview? That isn’t why you’re here?”

“What?” She was staring at him now. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Look.” He sighed and set her CV down. “I’ve tried to do this discreetly, but somehow, most of the candidates have turned out to be attractive young women. I advertised because I needed a temporary nanny and housekeeper. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife.”

Jenna sat with her mouth open for a moment, then shut it with a snap. “And astonishingly enough, I came here today, on the bus, in the pouring rain, to interview for a job as a temporary nanny and housekeeper. Not to . . . what?  Audition to be your girlfriend? Sleep with you? Maybe you should look in the mirror. You aren’t that good-looking.”

She forced herself to stop before she said anything even ruder, and stood up to leave. All she’d lost was her time and some bus fare, she reminded herself, taking a couple calming breaths to prepare for a dignified exit.

As Finn rose to join her, those eyes even harder now, the front door banged and excited voices rose in the hallway.

“Daddy! We got so wet!”

Jenna turned in surprise as two familiar little figures rushed into the room, then skidded to a stop, staring at her.

“Jenna!” Harry rushed forward and gave her a hug that Jenna reflexively returned. “Why are you here? Did you come to visit us? Where’s Oscar?”

She smiled down at him and reached out to smooth his hair. “No Oscar today. I came to see your dad, but I was just leaving, buddy.”

“Hi, Jenna!” Sophie came forward for her own hug. “Did you come to talk to Dad about being our nanny?” she guessed. “He said he was going to talk to some ladies while we were gone. Are you going to stay with us? That would be so cool.”

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Author Bio:


Rosalind James is the author of the Kindle bestseller Just This Once and the three subsequent books in the Escape to New Zealand series. She is a former marketing executive who has lived all over the United States and in a number of other countries, traveling with her civil engineer husband. Most recently, she spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries.

Visit www.rosalindjames.com to listen to the songs from the books, follow the characters on their travels, watch funny and fascinating New Zealand and rugby videos, and learn about what's new!


Contact Links

Author website

Facebook

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Book Review - Just For Now by Rosalind James



Just For Now(Escape to New Zealand #3)
by Rosalind James
Date Published: 8/30/2012


Contemporary Romance

Buy Links:

Amazon



There’s no place like home . . .

For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells “heartbreak” like finding her husband with somebody else–in her bed. Clearly, it’s time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she’s done just that. This isn’t really her home, though. Or her family, however much she wishes it were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

New Zealand rugby star Finn Douglas is just looking for a temporary nanny. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife. He can’t resist Jenna’s cooking, it’s true. Who knew that he’d have so much trouble resisting her? He wants to do what’s right for his kids. But waiting is so hard . . .








My Review 

A transplanted American starting her life over, a professional rugby player who wants to be loved for himself and two precious children are the main characters in Rosalind James contemporary romance, Just for Now.  The third book in the Escape to New Zealand series, I found myself able to enjoy this book on it's own.  With likable characters, good dialogue and the beauty of her native country, Ms. James grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go.

Recovering from a divorce, primary teacher Jenna McKnight has been touring parts of New Zealand while trying to decide about her future.  Deciding on a course of action, Jenna applies for a job as a temporary nanny for the time being, while also putting in an application to teach full time when the new school term begins.  Not realizing the position she's applying for is at the home of a famous NZ athlete, Jenna finds herself making it clear she's only interested in a job to a man whose clearly full of himself.

Needing a temporary nanny for his children, professional Rugby player Finn Douglass, finds himself fending off women more interested in becoming his girlfriend.  When he meets Jenna McKnight for the first time he's under the assumption she's just like the rest and proceeds to make it abundantly clear he's not interested in a girlfriend - he realizes  too late she really was looking for a job and was his best candidate.  When circumstances give him a chance to beg her to reconsider, he finds himself having to remember she's not interested in a boyfriend.

The scenes between Jenna and Finn are well done;  they have great physical and verbal chemistry.  While Finn tends to jump to conclusions a bit faster than he should, he's a good father and a decent human being. For her part, Jenna is an excellent caretaker who has always wanted a family of her own and this opportunity gives her a chance to bond with Finn's children, Harry and Sophie.  Ms. James did an excellent job letting us get to know all four characters before they really got emotionally involved and became something more than just a nanny and her employers.   

The secondary characters in this book, from Finn's children Harry and Sophie, to Jenna's friends and Finn's teammates, helped move the story along and provide emotional support.  I especially liked Jenna's friends Natalie and Siobhan, and Finn's older sister Sarah; who not only befriends Jenna when she needs a friend the most, but who has no problems telling her younger brother when he's made a huge mistake.

Will Finn and Jenna be able to let go of their experiences in the past and have a real future together?  Will Harry and Sophie want Jenna to be more than just a temporary nanny? I encourage you to read Just for Now to find out.  While a part of a series, this book stands perfectly well on its own, the books are tied together through the Rugby team.  I just picked up the other books in the series and can't wait to read them.  

My Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars 
FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Author Spotlight - L.M. Pruitt



Welcome to my stop on the Author Spotlight for L.M. Pruitt.  Please make sure to leave a comment or question below to let L.M. know you stopped by.

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Guest Post - Mardi Gras—Letting the Good Times Roll by L.M. Pruitt 

Let’s face it—when most people think of New Orleans, they think of good food, Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras. Parades, throws, public displays of nudity—people like to think the city is one nonstop party from January 6th (Twelfth Night) until Fat Tuesday. And while to some extent it is, there’s a lot more going on than the general public seems to realize.

For one—there’s not nearly as much nudity as people like to think there is. I know, I know, this news makes you very sad. But the law doesn’t disappear just because it’s Mardi Gras season. If anything, you’re more likely to get arrested for showing the world your ta-tas—NOPD is out in full force and they won’t hesitate to slap cuffs on anybody. Even a person with a great rack.

Second, Mardi Gras parades are a serious business. I mean like big deal big deal. People bring couches, tricked out ladders, folding chairs, any and or all of the above attached/loaded up on vehicles… it gets more than a little hectic. And the competition for throws—which can range from beads to medals to everything in between—is FIERCE. Seriously—don’t reach for something, let it come to you. Unless you want to lose an arm.

Finally—the party does stop. Don’t believe me? Be on Bourbon Street at midnight on Fat Tuesday/Lent Wednesday. NOPD clears the streets in cars and on horses, bars and clubs shutter up (even if they’re still pouring drinks inside), and the city gets downright quiet. Come the next morning there are plenty of people doing penance in one of the local churches or praying to the porcelin god. For the next (roughly) six weeks, New Orleans is pretty sedate. I like to think of it as the break the city needs after hundreds of thousands of tourists.

So there you have it—a quick, brutal rundown of Mardi Gars. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an absolute blast. I’ve been twice and loved it each time: hangovers, bad decisions, blisters and sickness in all. If you get the chance to do it, do it. And if you don’t—find a chance. You won’t regret it.

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Shades of Blood
by L.M. Pruitt
Book 3 Jude Magdalyn Series 

Buy Links:

Kindle             Nook 

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Felipe, one of New Orleans's most infamous—and crazy--vampires is back in town. And to say he's unhappy is an understatement.

Duprees and Williams have to track down Felipe, fast, before he claims any more victims. If that means making a deal with the Devil--otherwise known as St. Germaine--and using an untrained dhampir, so be it.

If that wasn't enough, I've also got rebellious teenagers, feuding couples, and a suddenly full social calendar.

The more things change.... 


Excerpt


“I’m going to kill her.” I didn’t throw the phone across the room like I wanted to, but instead, set it down gently on the coffee table. I took a deep breath and held it for a long moment before releasing it. “I’ll just have to owe Williams another favor.”

“That would put you at owing him three times, which is three times too many.” Theo slid the phone out of my reach. I’d already thrown two phones this month, so I didn’t begrudge him the action. “What exactly did Danie do this time?”

It’d been almost a month since Williams had shown up in the foyer and left his niece—Hart’s daughter—in my care. Not that I really wanted her here or that she wanted to be here. Things were just getting back to normal after the terror of Halloween, after darting around the city trying to find Hart’s other psychopathic
brother. Having Hart’s daughter under my roof made me more than a little uneasy, even though he was still at the bottom of the Mississippi.

I’d argued with Williams. Danie had argued with Williams. Even Mickeal, Williams’s second-in-command and currently stationed at the Crossroads, had argued with Williams. He refused to budge. And my conscience wouldn’t let me throw her out without a definite place to go.

So Danie stayed. And did her best to make all our lives a living hell.

“Shoplifting. Again.” I drummed my fingers over my stomach, then stopped when one of the bumps kicked a little. Theo and I still called them the bumps, even though it was starting to look like I’d swallowed a small beach ball. At the rate I was going, I’d be as big as a cow by the time I delivered in May. “Down at that tourist shop.”

“Which one? There’s only half a million or so.” Theo made a little circle motion with his finger and I gave him my back. I always seemed to have a knot between my shoulder blades these days. Whether it was from Danie or from the bumps, I couldn’t begin to guess.

“Voodoo Blues. The owner recognized her, so instead of calling the police, he let her go and called me. I’ll send Elizabeth down tomorrow to take care of it.”

“Have you ever thought about letting her get picked up by the police? Seeing if having the law come down on her would actually make her see how stupid she’s being?” Theo pressed a kiss against my bare shoulder. I shrugged half-heartedly, tapping my fingers on my knee.

“Maybe it would work. Or maybe she’d go nuts on them and then we’d have a serious problem.” Restless
now, I stood up to pace in front of the fireplace. It was just now ten p.m. and most of the house had been up long enough to start getting into trouble. Any minute now, someone was going to knock on the parlor door and tell me they needed help with something.

I wasn’t psychic. It had happened often enough that it was a given.

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Shades of Desire
By L.M. Pruitt
Book 2 Jude Magdalyn Series 

Buy Links:

Kindle             Nook 


All I wanted was a little peace and quiet.

Instead, I've got dead Covenant members and a steady stream of letters from the new guy in town. His beverage of choice? A 2002 Merlot, with a shot or two of powerful virgin blood.

On top of that, I'm breaking in a new police liaison, failing at playing matchmaker, and fighting nausea like it's a full time job. All I wanted was a little peace and quiet.

Instead, I've got dead Covenant members and a steady stream of letters from the new guy in town. His beverage of choice? A 2002 Merlot, with a shot or two of powerful virgin blood.

On top of that, I'm breaking in a new police liaison, failing at playing matchmaker, and fighting nausea like it's a full time job.

Did I forget to mention that I've also got enough girls living at the Crossroads to start my own boarding school?

Peace and quiet? Out the window.


Excerpt: 


“If someone doesn’t get me a lemon in the next five minutes, everyone will suffer. A lot.”

“Jude, I love you. Which is why I can say you’re being just a little overdramatic.” One look at my face and Theo changed his tune. “But then again, you could say pregnancy is dramatic and you’re just getting into the groove.”

“Nice save.” I tried to sit up again. Halfway through the upward movement greasy waves of nausea rolled over me and I eased back down onto the pillow. Strands of black hair clung to my sweaty face and I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. “Not as nice as that lemon would be right now, but nice.”

“Elizabeth will be here in a moment. No doubt she’ll have a lemon. And tea. And toast.” Theo turned over to face me, laying one hand over my still mostly flat stomach. If you looked close, you could see the smallest of bumps.

I know, because I checked. Every other day or so.

If anybody told me three months ago, that the week before Halloween, I’d be lying in bed with a man who absolutely adored me—even the crazy parts—I’d have asked them what the hell they were smoking. If they’d thrown in being pregnant, I would have punched them in their jaw. Then gone to the store and bought a dozen pregnancy tests and prayed for them all to be negative.

But that was before the Covenant.

In two weeks, I’d gone from being an orphan raised by nuns, to the latest in a long line of only daughters. Women charged with the protection and well-being of hundreds of people with unique powers. Some made flame burn for hours, while others called the wind to knock you flat on your ass. They were a group of people who came together over two-hundred years ago, bound by a prophecy. One with no past, lost in the present, will bring in the future, through gifts of both this world and the next.

And lucky me, I’d passed the job interview.

I’d sent Hart to a muddy, watery grave-literally. Unless something went crazy wrong, he’d stay under the Mississippi until the Final Judgment. Williams ruled the vampires of the city now and kept his distance as much as possible.

And I, Jude Magdalyn Henries, led the Covenant. Maybe I wasn’t terrific at it. But Gillian would be proud.

All things considered, I think I came out with a pretty good deal.

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Shades of Gray 
By L.M. Pruitt
Book 1 Jude Magdalyn Series 


Buy  Links

Amazon Print     Kindle          Nook       B&N Print 



Jude Magdalyn Henries lives what many would call an unconventional life.

Orphaned at birth, raised by nuns, a teenage runaway living on the streets... she now earns a living at odd jobs, including one as a fake tarot card reader. Very little about Jude's life appears normal, by any scale.

When she accepts a gig to do a private reading, unconventional takes on an entirely new meaning. Life as she knows it ends when she's thrust into a world she never knew existed-one filled with magic, vampires, and her beloved New Orleans on the verge of an underground war.

To make matters worse, she's got two men in her life vying for attention, Williams and Theo. Both call to a different part of her, but one scares her just a little bit.

Can she step up to the challenges set before her and make the right choices for the greater good?


Excerpt:


The moment I sat at the head of the table and took a good, long look at the three people making up the private party, I knew takingthis job was a mistake. They looked like nice, normal, sane people. I’dlearned many years ago when people look that normal, they usually aren’t, not by a long shot.

My employer for the evening, Mrs. “Just Call Me Bee” Talanger, clapped her hands together like a little girl and twittered excitedly. If one could imagine a child in the surgically over enhanced body of a fifty something year old woman. It might have been the twitter, the heavily perfumed room, or the look of hungry anticipation, but the feeling of I really shouldn’t be here got stronger. I started to stand, and the woman on my right raised a groomed eyebrow.

“Sister Henries, don’t tell us you plan to leave already? Bee assured Hart and myself you’d have a vision, answer some questions for us.” She shivered, as if the thought was both frightening and delicious. The look in her eyes was one I’d learned at a tender age meant they would find it delicious if you were frightened.

In answer, I arched my left eyebrow, making the tiny pinprick mole on the outside corner wink up. A handy, often impressive, trick.  It was like a tiny exclamation point at the top of my face, an easier and less time consuming accent for my pale gray eyes than makeup.  “Mrs. Talanger misunderstood my area of expertise. I read cards, I don’t have visions. I am not… gifted in such a manner.”

Thank God. It was difficult enough acting like a disgraced nun with a talent for tarot. Pretending to have visions would have been too difficult a con to pull off. Even for me.

“Are we to assume you have limited gifts then, Sister Henries?”  The pale blond man on my left asked the question, a small smirk creeping across his face. I let my own face go blank, the type of blank usually reserved for when a person’s thoughts are far too wrong to be allowed to be seen. The smirk died away.

“That would be a very correct assumption.” I leaned against the high back of the chair, slouching despite the rigid frame. The movement loosened up the sloppy bun I’d thrown my hair in and strands of dark, almost black hair teased my bare shoulders. The outfit for this evening’s debacle was fortune teller, which also happened to be boho chic – the long, flowing skirts, loose, baggy shirts. The sort of style you can put together in under five minutes if you walk into a decent thrift store.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you all seem to have forgotten you’re sitting in a dining room in New Orleans, one of, if not the most, haunted cities in America. Not all of those spirits are friendly neighborhood ghosts. I would be most distressed if my attempts to foresee the future were thwarted by one of them.”
Mrs. Talanger exclaimed her lack of thought on the issue.  I refrained from rolling my eyes in disgust because I hadn’t been paid yet. If it looked like I wasn’t, I’d indulge in some displays of annoyance, until then I’d be polite. I’d try – I didn’t know if I’d succeed.

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Hole in the Wall (#0.5) 
by L.M. Pruitt
a Jude Magdalyn free Kindle Short Prequel

Kindle



Before Jude could throw fire...Before she could heal...Before she chose between two men...

She was a bartender.

Find out what Jude was up to the night before her world went nuts.

Hole in the Wall is available as an exclusive ebook to celebrate the release of the second edition of Shades of Gray.







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About the Author:

L.M. Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. She is the author of the Jude Magdalyn Series as well as New Moon Rising, featuring Cari Gravier, and Taken, featuring Frankie Post. She is currently at work on the next book in the Moon Rising series, Harvest Moon Rising, due out April 2012. Ms. Pruitt makes her home in Florida with two cats--one smart, the other not so much.