Friday, January 31, 2014

Author, author.... Fighting Love by Abby Niles



Fighting Love
Abby Niles
Talk about kicking a fighter while he’s down. 
Former Middleweight champion and confirmed bachelor Tommy “Lightning” Sparks has lost it all: his belt, his career, and now his home. After the devastating fire, he moves in with his drama-free best friend, Julie. One encounter changes everything and Julie is no longer the girl he’s spent his life protecting but a desirable woman he wants to take to his bed. Knowing his reputation, he’s determined to protect Julie more than ever—from himself.

Veterinarian Julie Rogers has been in love with Tommy since she was ten, but would love to get over the man. She’s quiet nights at home and a glass of wine. He’s clubbing all night and shots of tequila. As friends they work great. As a couple? No way in hell. She just can’t get her heart to agree. When she starts spending time with another fighter, the man who’s always treated her like a sister is suddenly not being very brotherly and enflames her body like never before.
Can two childhood friends make a relationship work, or will they lose everything because they stopped FIGHTING LOVE.

Author Bio:  Abby Niles has always loved to read. After having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. She didn’t plan for writing to become an obsession, but it did. Today, she juggles work, home life, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy? When Abby’s not writing, you can find her playing ‘Just Dance’ with her kids or trying to catch up on her never-ending to-be-read list.


Giveaway:
The author is giving away a $50 Visa gift card.

Author, author... Cupid's Promise by Kimberly Quinton




Please welcome Kimberly Quinton !!
So great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I never know what to put here! J I grew up in several small towns all around Texas and Arizona and then went to college in the south and married a boy from New Orleans—so I feel like I’m a hybrid southerner-westerner. I started writing romance as an escape from a job that stressed me out and then when I had a baby and quit that stressful job to be a full-time mom (a whole other level of stress!) I decided that maybe the writing thing would be my new thing and I got serious about it. My babies are now in elementary school, and thanks to a very supportive superhero of my own, I get to write full-time!
 
 

Do real life events find their way into your stories?

In subtle ways. I did visit Boston and fell in love with New England. I worked in a medical center for years so I feel like I “know” doctors and my hero in Her Wish Before Christmas was a physician. We’ve all had pain or heartache or fallen in love and can remember what that feels like, even if we didn’t experience exactly the same scenario in the book. I’m a people watcher and I think a lot of my characters are drawn from that.
 
 

Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
I have and not realized it until re-reading later… And I use names of people I know or little quirky things friends do. Not intentionally, but it happens.




Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
 
I love pinterest! I have a whole “Hero Inspiration” board and I’ve started boards for my stories. I love to find pics that resemble the heroes and heroines in my head and since this series is centered around holidays—I have holiday themed pins that get me in the mood.



When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?
 
I write when my kids are at school and in the evenings if I have a deadline or am behind. I am trying to write on my new WIP every day, before editing, blogging, and social media… But it’s so hard not to check email first!
 
 
 

How do you feel about marketing your book?

I like blogging and I love it when someone leaves a comment or interacts on twitter or facebook, but I don’t think I could do it every day. I’m not a shy person, more of a hermit because I’m too lazy to go out, but once I am out, I usually don’t want to leave the party. I’m also a watcher or lurker on a lot of sites. I have to get better at commenting and interacting myself!
 
 
 

What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?

I like twitter and facebook for their instant gratification. I like blogs for actual information. For marketing and what actually works- I have no idea. I get most of my book recommendations from word of mouth, friend’s lists on Goodreads, reviews or if I like the author as a person.




Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
 
 I’m still a newbie, so I have to write the full manuscript and get it accepted. I’m not in a “sell-on-proposal” kind of relationship with an editor or publisher. Hopefully one day, but I feel like I still have so much to learn it’s not my time for that yet.




Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?   If so, what is it?
 
 I have story ideas for every genre in romance plus a mystery/thriller and several cozies. I have enough to keep me busy for years and new ideas come every day!




Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
 
I don’t, but I do “feel” like him or her when I am writing in their point of view. I’ve brought myself to tears and scared the dickens out of myself when I’m in the zone. Those are my favorite days.

 

Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1)      Favorite Male Actor  - Do I have to have one favorite? I have categories, but I will watch anything with John Cusack…I’m an eighties girl after all.

2)      Favorite vehicle – DeLorean from Back to the Future.

3)      Favorite way to relax – Ummm… Reading and wine…Movies and wine…Girls night out and wine… There’s a theme there.

4)      Favorite ice cream – Anything with lots of chunks of stuff- Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked is awesome.

5)      Favorite outfit – Yoga pants, tee-shirt and flip flops is my indoors uniform. If I have to go out, it’s jeans and tee. But, I do like to dress up for dates and such as I have a large collection of fun heels.

And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
 
Since I dream of winning the lottery (Don’t we all?) I have given this some thought and I would have to have a winter place and a summer place. Winter in Tahiti and Summer in Switzerland sounds good to me.

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: Kim@KimberlyQuinton.com                        


 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
 
 
Cupid’s Promise
Holiday Hearts Book 2
By
Kimberly Quinton
A sweet contemporary Holiday romance with a touch of paranormal
Shot through the heart...
 
Cupid’s Promise
Cupid's Secret promises to set Laurel Cove on its ear with a sexy new boutique that answers what a woman desires. When the owner ends up in the hospital it's up to Lena Ridgeway to make sure this heart-stopping opening goes off without a hitch, but she finds her every idea challenged by a no-nonsense businessman.
Capitalizing on a feeling...
Marcus Blackwell is a bottom-line kind of guy and he knows that sex and hearts sell. When he arrives to find his latest venture in chaos, his partner injured, and a model- turned-manager in charge, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in. If only he could keep his mind-and hands - off the sultry model with her whimsical faith in a fake holiday.
Can't fight this fortune...
Lena can't help teasing the straight-laced, business-only boss who keeps sneaking into her dreams. One passionate kiss has her believing he may be the one she's waited for all her life, but she'll need every arrow in Cupid's arsenal to prove she is his true Valentine....
 
Buy links:     Decadent Publishing    Amazon    B&N   ARe
Rafflecopter Giveaway:
A $25 gift card to Amazon
An ebook copy of Her Wish Before Christmas
 
*   *   *   *   *   *   * 
 

 

One last thing before we let you leave us today.  Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.

I’ve had this recipe for years and it’s from an old cookbook that I no longer have and I can’t remember what it was! Maybe a Pillsbury something. But, I make this around Thanksgiving or Christmas and everyone loves it.

Zucchini Orange Bread

This recipe makes 2 loaves

4 eggs

1 1/2 C sugar

3/4 C Oil

2/3 C Orange Juice

2 C Shredded unpeeled zucchini

3 1/4 C All Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

2 tsp grated orange peel

1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)

Glaze

1 C powdered sugar

2 to 3 tsp orange juice

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour bottoms of two 8x4 or 9x5 loaf pans. In large bowl, beat eggs until thick and lemon colored; gradually beat in sugar. Stir in oil, 2/3 c orange juice, and zucchini. Stir in remaining bread ingredients; mix well. Pour batter in pans.

Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool slightly

In small bowls, blend glaze ingredients, adding enough orange juice until desired spreading consistency. Spread over warm loaves. Cool completely, Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator,

 

 

Happy 1st Birthday Evernight Teen !!!





EVERNIGHT TEEN turns one this month and we’re helping them celebrate during their 1st Birthday Blog Hop!  It’s EVERNIGHT TEEN’s birthday, but you get the presents. Enter below for a chance to win a $100 iTunes gift card!

 

EVERNIGHT TEEN books feature fresh teen fiction that’s raw, gritty and real. Whether paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi or suspense, EVERNIGHT TEEN stories are about real issues and pack a strong emotional punch. You’ll find cutting edge fiction that today’s young adults can relate to and will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Upper Young Adult titles, include…

 

Incarnation by Susan Nolan

Katherine Blair has no idea she possesses supernatural abilities. Not until Richard St. James, an intriguing and mysterious classmate with powerful skills of his own, initiates her into his world. Wanting to explore her newfound shape-shifting powers, she spends time getting to know Richard, only to find herself increasingly drawn to him as time goes by.

Haunted by dreams of ancient times, she is caught in a desperate struggle against past injustice. The link to this unknown past experience sends her own life plummeting into the dark realms of revenge and murder, as she attempts to reconcile her feelings for the young man she’s come to rely on to protect her and keep their shared secret.

Will Katherine and Richard be able to break the spell that has held her captive through the years, before it consumes her? Can their budding young love survive tragedy, or will they be torn apart?

14+ for brief violence

 

Incarnation by Susan Nolan is now 25% off at Evernight Teen until January 31st!

Leave a comment about Incarnation below for a chance to win an Evernight Teen eBook of your choice. Then follow the Rafflecopter to enter the grand prize of a $100 iTunes gift certificate.


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Happy Release Day to Unforgettable Heroes!!! @turquoisemorn


I can't tell you how excited I am to own this set!





Several of Turquoise Morning Press’ award-winning and bestselling authors share their favorite contemporary romance heroes—all boxed up for you in one sexy and irresistible package! From a sexy carpenter to magnetic CEO, a rough-and-ready cowboy to a homeless man, a classic car buff, a starving artist, a Latin-style dancer, and an FBI agent—each unique hero has his own story to tell, and a heroine who just can’t forget him. Ever.

With an introductory promotional price of $0.99, how can you resist this unforgettable boxed set, either?

UNFORGETTABLE HEROES
Eight Contemporary Romance Novels

WILL WORK FOR LOVE by Amie Denman, EPIC Award and Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence finalist. When a hurricane sweeps across St. Thomas, Whitney Oliver turns to a sexy carpenter whose secret life forces him to work for her love.

THIS MAGIC MOMENT by Bobbye Terry (writing as Daryn Cross), award winning author of contemporary, historical and fantasy romance.Zack Graham, CEO of Scrumbles Snack Cakes, is energetic, magnetic, and a workaholic who refuses to let a woman make a fool out of him again.

HER HIRED MAN by Cat Shaffer, Golden Heart finalist and award-winning writer..
Hot nights, a double sleeping bag and a stranger for a husband…how much can one city girl take?

SINS OF THE FATHER by Janet Eaves, Amazon bestselling author of the Ladies of Legend contemporary romance series. Just like the Princess in the classic tale Sleeping Beauty, Aurora’s life doesn’t really begin until her heart is awakened by a handsome struggling artist.

HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO by Jennifer Johnson, who writes comedic romances so entertaining even guys read them. Author of the TMP top-selling Rescuing RileyAbigail Benton is a bum magnet, according to her dad. When she becomes attracted to a homeless man at the community center, she wonders if what her dad says is true.

RAWHIDE AND ROSES by Maddie James,Amazon bestselling author of contemporary and western romance. Kim Martin is hardly equipped for a Colorado camping trip, especially when her mountain guide is a rough-edged cowboy who is as untamed as the wilderness.

LONG DISTANCE LOVE by Margaret Ethridge, contemporary romance fan favorite and TMP top-selling author of Commitment. Sometimes the distance between two hearts can be measured in frequent flier miles.

SILENT PARTNER by Renee Vincent, award winning author of historical and contemporary romance.

Grayson Anders is a talented Latin-style dancer; Chloe LaRoche is a talented artist. When the two indulge in a passionate, out-of-control, one night stand, they wake the next morning consumed with inspiration. 

Release date:  January 30, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-62237-258-4
Format: Ebook only
Retailer Availability:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, All Romance Ebooks, and more
Promotional Price: $0.99    Retail Price: $4.99 (April, 2014)
Publisher: 
Turquoise Morning Press

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Review: Taking Chances by SJ Maylee

Taking Chances

by: S.J. Maylee


Blurb: Lydia's father walked away from her when she was eight. She's struggled to not let him affect her, but fears she wasn't loveable enough to make him stay. Jake wants to love one woman, but after scaring the last woman he met outside of the club, he doubts he deserves the right. She protects her heart by sticking with her fantasies and he lives by a set of rules that excludes women who choose a vanilla lifestyle.

The two will be kept in a conference room working together until their special project is complete. If Lydia and Jake hold tight to their bland lives, they'll always yearn for love that is out of reach. Together they find common ground, passion, and a reason to take chances. Once they discover the grand possibilities of the love they desire, they find themselves in the very place they tried never to be again, facing unguaranteed loved.

Buy Links:  Amazon    B&N     Evernight Publishing  


My Review:   I'm a firm believer in Taking Chances.  Sometimes it's plainly a necessity in life.  However, with that said, I would have done the shrinking violet in my chair the same way Lydia did in the board room, especially if I were trying to not be noticed by the guy I'd been having fantasies about. 

Now as for Jake, he's just a yummy character and I found it very endearing that for as strong and domineering a person as he is, he's just as nervous as she is to be in the same room together.  Alone. I'm sure you can just imagine the things going through both their minds :)

The discovery of getting to know someone is very much taking a chance.  These two complex characters did a stellar job of focusing on the task at hand while they multi-tasked at keeping their fantasies and cravings on the back burner.  At least for as long as they could.  At some point would human nature and desire take over?  Make sure you get your copy and find out !

I seriously loved this story, craved the next paragraph, and the next.  I couldn't put it down.  It was a quick read but it packed a powerful punch in those few pages.   Excellent writing SJ Maylee!!!




S.J. MAYLEE BIO:

S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She's finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.

When she's not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband's music. She's a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.

As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.

Blog:  http://SJMaylee.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SJMaylee
Facebook Page:  https: / /www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Maylee/339463696094996
Google+  https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SJMaylee
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7224328.S_J_Maylee
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/sjmaylee/

Monday, January 27, 2014

Bring on the Heat Anthology


(Review pending)

Bring on the Heat
A scorching collection from ten of today's hottest authors


  Authors: Eden Bradley, Cassandra Carr, Stephanie Julian, Amber Kallyn, Keira Kohl, Adriana Kraft, Emma Lai, Anh Leod, Ann Mayburn, Cari Quinn

Genre: Erotic romance Length: Approx 275k words Release date: January 6, 2014

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/BringOnTheHeat



Breaking Skye by  Eden Bradley:  
When power play becomes more than just a game…BDSM. Submission. Spanking. Skye thought one night with the perfect Dominant might purge these dark desires from her system. But Adam has other ideas…and soon all he can think of is breaking Skye-and keeping her for himself.

Caught by  Cassandra Carr: 
Given a second chance, can a Dom overcome his fears and claim his one-true submissive forever? Callie left her Dominant, Jack, three years ago, believing he'd never love her. Yet when their paths cross, she agrees to submit to him and is drawn deep into Jack's world once more. This time, Jack knows he needs to overcome his fears and claim Callie forever or lose everything.

An Indecent Proposition Parts I & II by  Stephanie Julian: 
One woman. Two men. Half a million dollars. One very indecent proposition...


Burned, Dragos Book 1 by  Amber Kallyn :
What happens when a dragon falls in love with a fireman? Someone's bound to get burned. When Calla, a dragon shifter, heads to a sleepy mountain town to investigate their arson outbreak, she doesn't expect to find the dark dragon who killed her mother, or her destined mate.

Firefighter Scott O'Neil can't fight their burning attraction, even after he finds out what she is, and the shocking secret of his own past.



Cherry Tune Up by  Adriana Kraft:
A twenty three year old virgin, a dirt track racecar driver, and one very special assignment.


Laundry Day by  Keira Kohl: 
Who knew doing laundry could be so much fun?
Carmela Keyes runs an apartment complex with fun and sex games. Despite her curious nature she never partakes in the Keyes Manor Saturday night key parties. She's got her sights set on Declan McLean to join her own private laundry day party. Clothing prohibited.


Riding Rodeo by  Emma Lai:
Rodeo's back in town and willing to do anything to convince Amanda to forgive him...including inviting another cowboy along for the ride.
The last person Amanda Goodson expected to walk into her bakery was Sean Cassidy, the bareback bronc rider who rode her hard one night and left without a good-bye the next day.

A nasty hang up ended Sean's career and left him with nothing but time to contemplate his past sins--the most damning one being walking out on Amanda, the one woman he couldn't forget once outside the bedroom.
Searching out Amanda to right the biggest mistake of his life, he finds he has competition. Never one to back down from a challenge, he offers to fulfill her fantasy of riding two cowboys. At the end of the night, will Amanda decide riding Rodeo is worth the risk to her heart?

Clockwork Captive by  Anh Leod:
Rescuing his captive lover…Enslaved in a gentlemen's club by a fiendish clockwork device, Liza knows she has few options...until the night she recognizes Brace. Though he has no idea they share a secret, he must possess her, and replace her scars with sexual healing. Rescuing the captive will make her his forever.

First Kiss by  Ann Mayburn:  
He'll do anything to earn one more night with his reluctant Dominatrix. Ryan will never forgot that night in high school when he kissed Emma and lost his heart to her forever. Years later he finds Emma, but now she's a pro-Domme that refuses to fall in love. Ryan begins a campaign to win her reluctant heart, one night at a time.


Jingle Ball, More the Merrier Book 1 by  Cari Quinn:
This year, rocking the office holiday party has taken on a whole new meaning.
All receptionist Wendy Stanton wants for Christmas is a chance for a relationship with her sexy, dominant boss outside the boardroom. But his secrets-and hot encounters including her other boss-are complications she never expected.

Buy link:   Amazon

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Release Day Blast: CUPID'S PROMISE by Kimberly Quinton + **GIVEAWAY**




Cupid’s Promise

Holiday Hearts Book 2

By

Kimberly Quinton

A sweet contemporary Holiday romance with a touch of paranormal

 
 
 
 Shot through the heart...

Cupid’s Promise

Cupid's Secret promises to set Laurel Cove on its ear with a sexy new boutique that answers what a woman desires. When the owner ends up in the hospital it's up to Lena Ridgeway to make sure this heart-stopping opening goes off without a hitch, but she finds her every idea challenged by a no-nonsense businessman.

Capitalizing on a feeling...

Marcus Blackwell is a bottom-line kind of guy and he knows that sex and hearts sell. When he arrives to find his latest venture in chaos, his partner injured, and a model- turned-manager in charge, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in. If only he could keep his mind-and hands - off the sultry model with her whimsical faith in a fake holiday.

Can't fight this fortune...

Lena can't help teasing the straight-laced, business-only boss who keeps sneaking into her dreams. One passionate kiss has her believing he may be the one she's waited for all her life, but she'll need every arrow in Cupid's arsenal to prove she is his true Valentine....

 

Buy links: 





 


Excerpt:

You’re firing me because I didn’t sell enough chocolate?” Lena had never been fired before. She shouldn’t be so pissed. It wasn’t like she had wanted to be a clerk in the first place.

“No. I’m letting you know your obligation to your friend is fulfilled. We have a manager who can take over—one who’s interested in the bottom line and ready to do what it takes to make this store a success—therefore, you no longer need to inconvenience yourself with filling in.” If he could have been more condescending, she wasn’t sure how.

“But who will coordinate the seminars and special guests we have coming in next week? Julie can’t run the store and do that, too.” Why was she arguing? If the part owner said he didn’t need her, then he didn’t need her. She could get to her planned reunion with James.

“I’ll be coordinating the week of activities and specials. Like I said, everything is under control and you are free to go.” He began the closing routine as if there was no need for further discussion. She was, for the first time she could remember, speechless.

Lena paced through the shop to the florist counter where her purse was secured in a cabinet. Pulling the over-sized boho bag out, she bit her tongue before saying anything else. She had known her time there was temporary while they found other staff, but she had enjoyed the work and done well, despite what Marcus thought. Maybe she should take his dismissal as a sign to move on.

Turning, she almost swallowed her sore tongue. Holy heck. Boss from hell had loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar. Suddenly Mr. Tight Ass looked more bedroom than boardroom. He ran a hand over his face, pinched the bridge of his nose for a breath, then smoothed through his just-longer-than-short locks. The natural wave kept the tousled-yet-put-together style with ease. Transfixed, she couldn’t look away as his long fingers deftly and purposefully unbuttoned one sleeve and then the other before rolling them up to reveal the sun-kissed color of his hands also extended up strong forearms. Her lips closed around the soft pant of her breath. Her thoughts really needed to start flowing in a different direction.

His gaze caught hers and heat singed her cheeks at his cocky half-grin. “You don’t need to help close up. I can manage.”

Clearing her throat, she wiped at the handprint her heated skin had left on the glass counter. “Sure thing.” I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

Lena wrestled one arm into her coat. Her palms itched to either smack him or caress him to see what he would do. Neither choice was in her best interest. He moved behind her to hold up her coat. His hand brushed her shoulder, turning her toward him. The small touch sent a thrill straight to her core. Peeking up at him, she searched for an answering attraction in the depths of his warm autumn flecked-green eyes but he moved away quickly. “Night, then. Good luck.” And once again, she’d been dismissed.

Stupid candy. From this night on, she never wanted to see chocolate again. Okay, maybe not until after Valentine’s.

 

About the Author:

Since a teen, she’s loved romances and believes we can all live our happily-ever-after. Always a people watcher, it wasn’t until Kimberly shucked her Accounting major for Anthropology that her interest in people and cultures was nurtured. Kimberly has combined her natural curiosity (nosiness) with her love of romance for the sake of bringing the movies in her head to life on the page.

 

A wife and mother of two, Kimberly spends her days chasing chores, wrangling active kids, and writing. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, great wine and sharing a laugh with friends and family.


You can usually find her on Facebook or Twitter. Stop by for a chat.

 

Contact Details:







 

 


 

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
A $25 gift card to Amazon
An ebook copy of Her Wish Before Christmas