Three and Out by Meghan Quinn! ~ Promo and Fun facts

Title: Three and Out ((Love and Sports, #3)

Author: Meghan Quinn

 

About Three and Out :

Piper was dead to him.

The minute she walked out the door on Mason, he was done.

D.O.N.E.

Now, three months later, he’s still trying to act like he doesn’t care. Like his heart hasn’t been torn into shreds and obliterated beyond recognition.

But it’s not working.

He’s broken and beyond repair.

Then Piper goes missing.

Mason tries to show the world he doesn’t care, but his world is flipped upside down.

A vulnerable Mason finds help in an unexpected place and it’s an offer he can’t refuse.

The knot that has been gripping Mason’s heart slowly starts to unravel and he’s starting to look into his future…

Three and Out runs through the lives of Mason and his friends while they struggle to find love and keep it in their hectic, crazy, drama twisted lives.

Not everyone is meant to be and not everyone who you think should be together, will end up together in the final installment of the Love and Sports series.

 

Amazon

Excerpt: 

“Woah, careful there.”

“Damn, wet floor. Like mopping is going to make it any better looking.”

Jax’s ears perked up at hearing a familiar voice. He lifted them both up so they were standing. The woman was brushing off her navy blue, hip-hugging skirt, so he couldn’t tell who it was, but when she looked up, Jax instantly knew why he recognized the woman’s voice.

“Brooke?”

Her eyes widened, and then recognition fell over her features.

“Jax. Wow, never thought I would ever cross paths with you again. How’s it going?”

“Alright, and yourself?”

As Brooke talked about her new clothing line and her little apartment in downtown Denver, Jax took her all in. Her hair was short now, just below chin length, and styled to frame her face. Her body was the same rocking figure he remembered from when he met her at the bar, that awkward night his boys and Jake Taylor all hung out before a pre-season game, and for some reason, her eyes were brighter than he remembered, as if she was breathing a new life.

 

 

Have a look at Book 1 and 2 of the Love and Sports series.

Fair Catch (Love and Sports, #1)

Training, playing ball and studying is Lexi’s life and it never seems to bother her until her friend, Parker Hill, points out to her that sweat pants on a Friday night while watching sappy romance movies isn’t really living up her last year in college. Lexi didn’t see the need to party since she didn’t know what the hell she was doing with her life after college but her friends wouldn’t take no for an answer. Little did she know going to the first party of the season was going to flip her world upside down.

Jake Taylor, starting quarterback for Cal U and campus heart throb spent his entire college career, partying, getting drunk and winning football games but it is all finally catching up to him. He is ready to throw in the towel of his partying days when he decides to have one more last fling. That is when he runs into the one person that could turn his life inside out.

Lexi wants nothing to do with Jake and his partying ways but after one bet gone wrong , she finds herself on a date with the annoyingly obnoxious, egotistical heart throb. Even though she wants nothing to do with him, she finds herself gravitating toward him and giving into his charm. They fall hard and fast for each other as they find love, comfort and a home. They live in their own littler world where nothing matters besides the love they share for each other.

But love isn’t enough for Lexi when she is trying to find her way after college. She slowly sinks into Jake’s shadow and finds herself clawing out of the Jake sized hole she buried herself in so she can find who she is, who she wants to be and what her future holds for her.

Fair Catch is a true love story that goes through the trials and tribulations of Jake and Lexi’s insecurities, jealousies, short comings and strong personalities. Love is one hell of a strong bond but sometimes, it’s not strong enough. Follow Jake and Lexi as they try to hold on to the love they share while they try to find themselves and find out what life is after graduation.

 

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

 

Double Coverage (Love and Sports, #2)

Unfortunate inconvenience, that is the way Piper describes her encounter with Mason Dashel. From the minute the alpha male interrupts her morning after hangover on the airplane, she can’t stand to be near the egotistical maniac with a booming voice and annoying sex appeal. But to her misfortune she finds herself not only having to spend time with him at their best friends’ wedding but she also can’t seem to shake the infuriating man in her everyday life.

Psychotic Una-bomber with the constant mensies is the way Mason describes his flying companion, Piper Shores. After a horrific break up with his now ex, Brooke, he finds himself being engulfed by the temperamental red head that just so happens to be the maid of honor to one of his best friends, Lexi. Even though she grates on his every nerve, he can’t help but want a piece of her.

The two are like oil and water, a science experiment ready to explode any second but they can’t help but be drawn to each other. The only problem is… there are other people they are involved with who not only prevent Mason and Piper from being together, but interrupt any chance they have at making a relationship work.

Goodreads // Amazon

 

About Meghan Quinn:

When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn’t take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, besides “The Notebook” I made time to read the heartbreaking novel.

It wasn’t until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books, I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven’t turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.

I am currently residing in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

 

 

 

 

Orchard got to ask Megan some questions………..

O ~ Hi…..going for fun fasts if thats ok?.

M ~ I’m ready for it!

*Been suspended from school? No, I was a goodie two shoes with the fear of disappointing my parents running through me bones. Thank you older brothers for setting an example.

*Experienced love at first sight? Nope, definitely not. My marriage was the opposite of love at first sight. More like dislike at first sight.

*Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes, public indecency is all I will say.

*
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes, grew up with two older brothers.

*
Rode a motorcycle? Yes, for work. Had to cling on to an old man with a beard. He rocked my world that day.

*Dumped someone? No, I’m a lover.

*
Ridden in a helicopter? No, but would love to one day. Maybe fly one two. A little flash of the boobs and I think I could get my way into the cockpit.

*Shaved your head? Sweet lord no, but I should have in middle school. I think my hair would have been prettier shaved back then. Tootsie roll bangs never look good on people….ever. 
Puked on amusement ride? No, I have some strong lady balls. 
Been in a band? If a one man band in the shower counts then yes.

*Been on TV? Yes, I played division one softball in college and I hit a homerun that was covered by the local sports channel and they played it during their news portion. My friend saw it and I’m pretty sure peed her pants.

*Skinny-dipped? No, I’m sad about that. 
Ridden a surfboard? No, but I have ridden a boogie board and paddle board. Do those count?

*Drank straight from a liquor bottle? No, I’m a lady. I pour it in a glass first, then hump your leg.

*Had surgery? Yes, four times…blah

*Been in handcuffs? Fuzzy ones? No comment.

 

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads

 

 

~R~

Blog Tour ~ A Clear Conscience by Frances Fyfield.

Title: A Clear Conscience: A Helen West Mystery (Helen West #5)
Author: Frances Fyfield
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Witness Impulse, an imprint of HarperCollins
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Helen West, Crown prosecutor in domestic violence court, is working up a good case of burnout: justice-by-the-book doesn’t seem to be working for the women she represents. Plus, Helen’s love affair with Police Superintendent Geoffrey Bailey is losing its fire. Things suddenly heat up when Helen learns that humble Cath, her cleaning woman, is being beaten by her husband. Cath has no family-her beautiful brother, Damien, has recently been brutally murdered-and needs all the help she can get. But as the truth of Cath’s young life, marriage, and her brother’s murder begin to take shape, help and justice seem hard to come by . . . and may prove forever beyond reach

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I grew up in rural Derbyshire, but my adult life has been spent mostly in London, with long intervals in Norfolk and Deal, all inspiring places. I was educated mostly in convent schools; then studied English and went on to qualify as a solicitor, working for what is now the Crown Prosecution Service, thus learning a bit about murder at second hand. Years later, writing became the real vocation, although the law and its ramifications still haunt me and inform many of my novels.
I’m a novelist, short story writer for magazines and radio, sometime Radio 4 contributor, (Front Row, Quote Unquote, Night Waves,) and presenter of Tales from the Stave. When I’m not working (which is as often as possible), I can be found in the nearest junk/charity shop or auction, looking for the kind of paintings which enhance my life. Otherwise, with a bit of luck, I’m relaxing by the sea with a bottle of wine and a friend or two.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE MYSTERY GENRE, OR DID IT CHOOSE YOU?

The mystery genre chose me rather than the other way round. Always wanted to write from the days of composing gloomy, teenage poetry and winning the essay prize in school, but it took a while to know what to write about. I became a criminal lawyer, with a wild ambition to write romance as an antidote to the daily diet of homicide, theft and lives of quiet desperation.
I came to write mystery fiction because I wanted to explore the unfinished, incomplete stories that unfold in a court room, where no one knows more than half of what really went on. Storytelling, the use of compassionate imagination, penetrates the darkness and squares the circle of half truth like nothing else.
It also allows for wit, humour, irony and romance, and you can always include the enduring power of love, in which I heartily believe. This genre is the best. What better to write about than Crime and Redemption?

WEBSITE | GOODREADS

Ten free downloads of A Clear Conscience. Winner must have access to Bluefire Reader and have an Adobe account to receive free download.

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This blog tour was organised and hosted by

Totally gutted that we couldn’t fit this book into our schedule because it is right up my street! Maybe I can squeeze it in in our Christmas break 😉

~Nicola~

Angel Omega: Imprisonment by Brandon Godbee.

After struggling for several long months, Jason and Sarah Wyatt are expecting a healthy baby boy. How could they have known that the young child growing in Sarah’s womb is the banished soul of the youngest archangel of heaven? His crime is so unspeakable that it seems unreal. The archangel Gabriel has sworn to watch over him, for he alone knows the truth about why the archangel Omega would defy his eldest brother, Michael, and bring the Antichrist before God. Could one act of kindness save the darkest of souls?

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | AMAZON UK 

Brandon Godbee resides in Houston, Texas with his family. After graduating from high school, Brandon’s creative spirit and love of singing drove him to major in music. Angel Omega: Imprisonment is Brandon’s first work in writing and he is currently working on Angel Omega: Shattered Soul the next installment in the series.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS AUTHOR 

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Thanks to the power of the Internet we were able to interview Brandon. Good job it wasn’t a face to face as I may have hit him with may frozen kindle!

What’s a typical day like?

Typical would have to be. Wake up, bother Nicola, go to the gym, come home, shower, go to work, slave for 8 hours, come home, shower again, and write!

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?

I don’t really know, I made a C in composition in college. I know this sounds cliché but I just sat down and started writing. I wasn’t really sure what I was writing but as the story grew in my head I felt each of my characters and they just came to life in my mind and in my dreams.

 Are there any authors or books that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?

I’m one of those strange authors that just doesn’t read!

 What do you do to prepare yourself before writing? Do you listen to music? Do you look at visual aids?

I use music while I write, something about listening to music while I write helps me see the characters I’m writing better!

What motivated you to write Angel Omega: Imprisonment

I don’t really know. I know that’s really hard for people to accept but I saw this story in my dreams and my overactive imagination just ran with it!

 Give us the 140 character TWEET description of Angel Omega: Imprisonment

Heaven is in turmoil over the banishment of one of their own, but do they know the truth?

What part of the writing process is the hardest for you, whether it’s first draft, rewriting, or editing?

The hardest part for me is the after editing read through to see if I missed anything, everything starts to run together.

 What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Chapter 12 has far been my absolute favorite chapter in book one. The correlation of RAWR emotion and characters is just simply beautiful.

 Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I am a vocal performance major and I’m told I have a beautiful voice.

Will you write other books after the (Book title) series is finished?

I have 5 books planned for the major part of the series involving all my characters. At the end of book 5 something is given to one of my more main characters and I plan on writing a novel devoted to it’s contents. After that novel is done I have shorter novels for almost all of my characters so I’ve got a lot of writing to do!

 Is your character based on a real person?

Seeing as my story is rather unique and no one character hold the spot light for long it was hard to associate any one character with any one person in my life. Some character’s names are anagrams, some are directly named after, but one character I can say his personality is mine Damien. 😊

 Do you enjoy the books genre?

My book falls into a genre that needs to be further subdivide away from stories of Amish farm girls, and the Left Behind series, so its very hard for me to say I “like” my genre! lol

 How did you think up the names of the different places in the story?

Well it wasn’t hard to name the places in my book cause they are real places!

 Did it take you long to write?

Since this was my first it took over a year to finish.

 When can we expect the next instalment of the Omega series?

Some time early next year, hopefully!

 What are your hopes for the Omega? Could you see it being more than just a book?

It’s very easy for me to see my book as a movie cause it plays like one in my head!

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~ By Nicola ~

We all know the story about Heaven and Hell. God, no matter which one you believe in rules Heaven and Lucifer rules Hell. With me not being an overly religious person this is as far as my knowledge goes. So when Brandon asked the club to review his book I was going to pass it along to one of the other girlies, I now want to slap my former self for even thinking that!!

This book was absolutely fantastic and totally wasn’t  what I was expecting. I was expecting over the top religious statements and if I’m honest, to be a bit bored with it. But what I got was mystery, plotting back stabbing and damn right evilness. Good Vs Bad at it’s very best!

To say that I’m shocked that this is Brandon’s first book is an understatement! The way he has wrote this book you would think that he would have dozens of titles under his name.

Each character is introduced slowly and you get to know the part they play within both the book and Heaven. My favorite character is Jophiel, the only daughter of God. She is witty, mischievous and can kick ass when needed. I can’t wait to see what else she brings to the story 🙂

At moments throughout the book poor Brandon had messages from me telling him he was “evil” & “mean” and my kindle ended up in the freezer a couple of times *Much to Brandon’s amusement*

The plot was very well thought out and no part was ever rushed. It’s fast paced and with twists and turns at every possible corner and the attention to detail was perfect. There were moments where I would “Noooo, he just wouldn’t do that!” Which resulted in another message to Brandon….His only reply “Just keep reading ;)” I can’t wait for the next instalment of the Omega series and you know I’ve already put my name down for that review 🙂

Brandon, if I could give you 6 golden apples I would but I can’t so 5 will have to do 😉

And Brandon would like to give one lucky reader a copy of Angel Omega: Imprisonment so enter below!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ODYxMGYzNjBiYjg5NzcwZDIwN2FhZjlmNWNjMjhlOjIx/

Release Day Event! Living Again by L.L. Collins.

Kayley Carson thought she had it all–married to the love of her life, a great job, and a baby on the way. Then one day, her life changes forever when she loses her husband in a tragic accident. No longer sure how to navigate life after her enormous loss, Kayley clings to her newborn baby, her family, and her friends to keep herself living.

When she meets someone that challenges her belief that she’s better off alone, she has to decide if she is capable of letting him in after swearing she was never going to love anyone the same way again.

She’s not the only one with a painful past. He is struggling with trust issues after a previous relationship went horribly wrong. After a terrible misunderstanding brings out both of their insecurities, will the painful memories of the past keep them both from living again?”

LL Collins is a 30-something teacher from Florida. She’s a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend. Her love of writing has found a home in the self-publishing world. Look for her debut novel, Living Again, coming October 4th to eBook and paperback, and her second novel, Reaching Rachel, in January 2014. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she finally decided to let the characters out and start writing and try to make her lifelong dreams of becoming an author come true. She has been a teacher for over ten years, a wife for 14, and a mom to two boys, 11 and 9.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS AUTHOR

BARNES & NOBLES | AMAZON | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | iBooks

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This release day event was organised and hosted by

~Nicola~

Blog Tour ~ The Mr Write Trilogy by Cassandra Lewis.

The day is finally here where I get to brag about a trio of books that I LOVED! Even though this Author had me crying on a packed train to London I totally adore her for it. So, without further ado I would like to introduce you to the world of Mr Write.

~ Blurb ~

Rosetta Alvez is a romance novelist….The problem is she’s a little short on romance of late.

Ten months ago, Rosie was dumped in spectacular fashion when she turned up to her own wedding minus a groom. A bad case of writer’s block leaves Rosie heartbroken and humiliated with her publishers bearing down on her and she has to get out. She’s needs inspiration and decides to look for it on the other side of the world.

With best friend Pippa in tow, Rosie sets off for three weeks in Thailand in search of sunshine, relaxation and inspiration. But she gets more than she bargained for when she runs into the arrogant Jackson James, a travel writer with a lust for life and beautiful women.

The perpetual bachelor, JJ refuses to get close enough to anyone to fall for them, but Rosie has him hooked from day one. He fights an internal battle daily between the growing feelings for the beautiful red head and his decision to never settle down.

Will Rosie ever find the inspiration that she’s looking for?
Will she get her man?
Only time will tell which side of Jackson will win.

~ My Review ~

When I first started reading these books I felt like I had stolen 2 people’s diaries. All three books read from both Rosie and Jackson’s point of view, which by the way I loved! Only thing I would suggest is pay attention as the book doesn’t tell you when it switches from Rosie to Jackson, I had to go back a couple of times.

Rosie is a very loveable character. She’s a typical girlie girl who wants every relationship to be the most romantic thing it can be. But she has insecurities and trust issues, you find out a few things that cause this in book 1 but the whammy is kept for the other Books. That being said she’s a girl that speakers her mind, and if something pisses her off you WILL Know about it!

As for Jackson, I have a love hate relationship with this guy! In fact he’s kinda like Marmite, you’re  either going to love him or hate him! Me, I couldn’t make my mind up with him, I hated him more than I loved him in this book and I think for legit reasons. One minute he’s an ass and then next he’s breaking my heart with his sweetness (he knows how to pull the heart strings ladies) He’s everything that Rosie isn’t, you got it, he’s a typical lads lad, one night stands, different girl every night, call you later but never does!

This book had me laughing out loud, yelling WTF at quite a few moments and then sobbing my heart out, on a packed train to London might I add, thanks for that Cassie! It’s fun, sassy and kept me reading into the night. A recommended read to all.

~ Add Meeting Mr Write to your Goodreads shelf ~

~Purchase links ~

Amazon | Amazon UK

~ Blurb ~

After a whirlwind romance, Rosie & Jackson are finding their feet…the question is, where will their feet take them?

~ My Review ~

So, I have dried my tears from book 1 and couldn’t wait to get my mitts on book 2 and it picks up from where book 1 ended 🙂 All is right in the world of Rosie and Jackson…… Until these two characters do a total 180! Ok, so Rosie doesn’t turn into a bimbo over night (she’s not that kinda girl) but you see where I’m going.

As Rosie and Jackson get to know each other better they learn about what each other wants out of life and their relationship, or should that be what the DON’T want! Rosie wants the whole package, home, wedding family…….while Jackson wants to pick and choose what he wants and won’t budge on certain things.

Now out of the two books so far this was my favourite. I enjoyed the relationship drama, we have all been there and it seemed so real (even the petty little things) these two really have to work at their relationship and the things they have to go through just to be together is cringe worthy. Will it work out, Pfff! Like I’m going to ruin that!

~ Add Me & Mr Write to your Goodreads shelf ~

~Purchase links ~

Amazon | Amazon UK

~ Blurb ~

After a rocky few months of fighting to save her relationship, Rosie Alvez must fight for her life … What’s next for Rosie and Jackson? Will they make it through? Will they make it to the altar?

~ My Review ~

My reaction at the end of book 2, OMFG!  So, not giving a rats ass that I have to get up the next day for work I grab book 3 straight away, I mean come on, an ending like that….. I NEED to know what happens! And it picks right up where book 2 left us hanging.

This book, by far, is the best of the three and I only say that because it seems like Cassandra has saved all the OMFG moments for this book! There’s loads, in fact at 11pm I yelled YES! And my other half almost had an heart attack, was a total cat stuck to ceiling moment!

Surely there is nothing else that can test this couples love and dedication to each other, right? Wrong! And it comes in the form of a so called “friend” who quite frankly I wanted to slap soooo bad! And remember when I said about Rosie and her trust and insecurity issues? Ohhhh do we find out a lot about that.

Like I said, I loved this book the most, in fact I read it in a day. It pulls on your heart strings, has you asking why?! And makes you want to hit someone who isn’t even real lol. Cassandra pulled out all the stops on this one and if I’m honest I’m gutted that’s it’s the last Rosie and Jackson book 😦 fingers crossed we don’t have to wait too long for another book from her!

~ Add Marrying Mr Write to your Goodreads Shelf ~

~Purchase links ~

Amazon | Amazon UK

~ Meet the lovely Cassandra ~

I was born in Birmingham, UK in 1984, 1st June (same day as Marilyn Monroe!)
I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers, although 1 of my brother’s passed away in 1993. I have 3 nephews, 2 nieces and a perfectly healthy obsession with my dog Busby. I may or may not refer to him as my first born!
I love the faces of dogs, they bring me genuine joy. I love tattoos, loud music with a heavy bassline and alcohol … no shame!
Cassie x

~ You can follow Cassandra on the following sites ~

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS AUTHOR

**Below is an article I wrote for a website called Mums In The Know Birmingham about why I write.**

“For as long as I can remember, I have loved to read. I revel in the feeling of getting totally sucked into a story, imaging a place and experiencing the lives of the characters. But more than that, I have always been fascinated by language. I love the way that some of the brightest pictures are painted with only words.
Like every little girl I went through various dreams of what I wanted to be when I grew up, a prima ballerina, a nurse, a pop star. But the only hobby that interested me enough to occupy my free time even as a child was reading and writing.
I was a painfully shy child and before I discovered the joy of writing, the only activity that I could lose myself in was dancing. But once I knew that I could write and I was good at it, it was all that I wanted to do. Through writing, whether it was poetry, stories or ‘newspaper reports,’ I found an escape. My work was something that I could lose myself in. I could fully express my thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or reprimand.
As I became older, my creative writing skills were noticed in school and by my parents. My stories and poems were given high praise and this started to turn a hobby into a true passion, I began to believe it was my calling.
Spurred on by my Dad, who I’m sure truly believed that I was the most talented writer the world had ever known, my goal in life quickly became set in stone. I was going to be a writer.
Through my close relationship with Dad I started to find a love for sport, namely football, and was soon adamant that sports journalism was where I wanted to be. The only factor that I didn’t take into account was my debilitating shyness.
On completion of my GCSEs I applied to study English Literature and Media Studies at college, but quit within a month because I couldn’t bare trying to make friends and reading aloud.
I ignored my goal from then on, I even stopped reading. I continued to write poetry and some short stories but they have never seen the light of day. I started to study beauty therapy because my best friend at the time was doing so and then, possessed by something deep inside me, I applied to study performing arts. And it’s the best thing that I have ever done.
I quit the course after two days, but was convinced by a girl that I met on the first day (my now bridesmaid) that I would regret it, and she was right. So I stayed and over two years I learned that I could not only read aloud but I could dance, and sing and (attempt to) act. I read scripts, directed plays, wrote songs and choreographed dance routines. I organised charity showcases, recorded spoof music videos and learned to walk into a room with my head held high.
After that, I knew that I was meant for something bigger. I have tried my hand at so many jobs since finishing college but none have satisfied that burning desire within me to put pen to paper…or fingers to keys!
When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago, it shook my world to the ground. I spiralled into depression resulting in my job and my relationship going down the pan.
I moved home to work locally and a drive to achieve something once again started to grow. Dad was my best friend and my biggest supporter and my life’s goal turned into doing anything and everything that I could to make him proud of me. I have flirted with the idea of becoming a nurse, and a midwife. I started to plan weddings and dreamt of having my own business, and I even auditioned for the X Factor. But it wasn’t until my now fiancé bought me a Kindle for Christmas 2011 that I realised what I needed to do.
Until this point, I still hadn’t reconnected with my love of reading, and even writing had fallen by the wayside. But in August 2011, Dad had been told that he was terminal and had probably about a year, I needed an escape and I needed it fast.
So I read, and I kept reading and after finishing a well-known ‘loved amongst ladies’ trilogy in June 2012 I thought it was time, I could do that! Life wasn’t going to happen by itself, I had to take action.
So I started writing and before I knew it had happened I had the bare bones of a book. My life at the time was an endless circle of working, taking Dad to the doctors and to hospital appointments, taking Mom shopping and to visit Dad twice a day when he was admitted and I needed an escape. I needed Therapy.
As my characters and their story grew, I realised that for the time that I was in front of the laptop I didn’t have to think about ‘real life.’ I didn’t have a dying father or bills to pay, housework to do or family to visit. I was just a writer, lost in my own words, in my own world.
As Dad became more and more sick, I read and I wrote more. I would sit beside his bed while he slept, reading or tapping away on the laptop. It was calming and made the saddest time of my life almost bearable.
After Dad passed away in August 2012, I had to take some time away from my book to get my head around all that had happened. The old quitter in me almost walked away completely, but one look at a photograph of the old man and I knew that I couldn’t let him down.
I picked up my laptop and got to work, editing and researching publishing options. I learned that I could self-publish for Kindle through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing service. I bit the bullet and clicked publish, offering a free promotion and bombarding Twitter and Facebook with ‘FREE BOOK’ tweets. I had over 10,000 downloads in a week.
The story continued to grow and I found myself not only writing a second book but turning it into a trilogy. I started to write down ideas for about ten more books and soon found myself engrossed in a world of writers, reviewers, book bloggers and readers.
My life today, despite losing the most important person in it, is full, and I am happy.
I am going to continue to write. I have stories and characters floating around my head all day every day, just waiting to be given their chance, and they will.
My ultimate aim is to see my work on a shelf in a book shop, so I still have work to do to try and attract a literary agent and/or publisher, but I won’t give up. I may never be the next J.K Rowling or have the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, but I have achieved a goal for the first time in my life, and it has changed everything.
I can say now that I am an author, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Cassie x

Due to the wonder of technology we go to interview Cassie, hopefully in person next time 😉

1. What’s a typical day like?
Mundane! I get up early and try to do yoga before breakfast, I snuggle with my dog then feed him. I work full time as a technical web support officer for a technology company (zzz!!!) I write when nobody is looking and on my lunch break. When I get home I cook, then write a bit more. At the weekends, I lock myself aways upstairs and write all day, shower eat then read all night.

2. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
My Dad. He truly believed that I was the most talented writer that the world had ever known. I have always been fascinated by language though. I love the way that some of the brightest pictures are painted with only words and I had a passion for painting these pictures from a very early age. When Dad’s cancer was diagnosed as terminal I started writing after years of ignoring my desire to do so, because I wanted to make him proud…and I needed the distraction.

3. Are there any authors or books that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?
I read A LOT as a child. I used to read The Hobbit every night and my favourite books were Little Women and What Katy Did. Without realising it, I think these two books started my love for strong willed female characters (always expect those in my future works!)

4. What do you do to prepare yourself before writing? Do you listen to music?
Do you look at visual aids? I have a couple of processes for writing. One is very rough, an idea comes into my head and I just type and type. The other is when I plan to write. I select music dependant on who’e POV I’m writing from and what the mood of the chapter is, I make sure I have a drink then shut myself away and get lost in the words.

5. What motivated you to write Meeting Mr Write?
Mostly that I wanted a distraction. Also, I read a well known trilogy and at the end of it, I just though “I can do that!” It was a total eureka moment and I started writing that very day. It was called Lord Have Mercy at that point, Pippa was CoCo, Rosie was Mercy and Jackson James was Jackson Lord.

6. Give us the 140 character TWEET description of Meeting Mr Write
For the record, this question makes my head hurt! errrrm ….
Rosie Alvez is a hopeless romantic. Jackson James is the perpetual bachelor. After a chance meeting the 2 are drawn to each other but will they give in to love? 😦

7. What part of the writing process is the hardest for you, whether it’s first draft, rewriting, or editing?
Editing! You become so familiar with the text when you’re going over it day after day that you miss mistakes because they become normal to you. I am a perfectionist and I hate it when I find that I have missed spelling or grammatical errors.

8. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
My favourite part of book one to write (OOOH this is hard!) were chapters 25 – 29. There’s a part in 26 where Pippa shows just how protective she is of Rosie, I have always been really passionate that their relationship is as clear as day…we all need our girls!!

9. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
Hmm .. I am double jointed

10. Will you write other books after the series?
Yep … I have the plots of 9 other books drafted already    ***Me  ~ Ekkkkk!***

11. Are the characters based on anyone?
I think all of the characters are a mash up of people that I know as well as having attributes that I wish the people that I know had haha!

12. Is this your favourite genre to write?
I am finding my way as a writer so I haven’t yet tried my hand at any other genre. I’ve planned a couple of books with no romance whatsoever and a childrens book is floating around my head.

13. How did you think up the names of the different places in the story?
I usually go with the names that my fiance or mom veto for my future kids!

14. Did it take you long to write?
I wrote the trilogy in 10 months

15. When can we expect the next instalment?
I am writing a book now about Rafe and Michael, 2 of the side characters. Even though I created them, I get totally lost in their love for each other, so what was intended as a short story will now be a standalone novel.

16. What are your hopes for the Mr Write Trilogy? Could you see it being more than just a book?
When I started writing, I never imagined that my work would see the light of day so over 23,000 downloads in the 9 months since I published book one had already blown me away, but I would love to get an agent and a publishing deal. To hold my book in paperback or see it on a shelf in a shop would absolutely rock my world … and oh I think it would make an awesome TV series 😉

And Cassie is waaaaay ahead of the game, she’s already picked her dream cast for when and I must state if it gets turned into a TV series 😉

I would like to thank Cassandra for letting me review her books and I will read and commentate on your books any time 😉

Also big thanks to HEA book shelf for organising and hosting this fabulous blog tour.
http://heabookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=fb04b03d2b93b0d3

~Nicola~

Book Blitz ~Seductive Shadows by Marni Mann

Title: Seductive Shadows
Author: Marni Mann
Genre: Erotica/Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Booktrope (http://booktrope.com/)

 

Blurb ~

***This book is for mature audiences. It contains explicit language and sexual content***

Charlie is a passionate, sensually-inspired art student, desperately seeking an escape from the abusive past that haunts her and a tragic accident that emptied her heart. Scarred and unable to love, her yearning for physical pleasure leads her into a tantalizing, dangerous world of power and seduction. The anonymity of the deal offers security; the money brings financial freedom and the madam is the mother figure she longs for.

But the thrill of the mansion and its arousing dominance quickly fades when she meets renowned-yet-mysterious Cameron Hardy, whose intense baby blue eyes send a nervous flutter through her core. Cameron is sexy, and not in a subtle way. He stimulates Charlie’s art, her intellect and her desires. Just as he begins to break through her emotional boundaries, she discovers a devastating connection between her past and her scandalous work at the mansion, shattering everything she thought to be true.

Provocative, intoxicating and erotic, Seductive Shadows is the unforgettable tale of a young woman’s self-discovery as she learns to forgive, to love and be loved, and to find redemption amidst a remarkable journey that will captivate your mind and stimulate your soul.

Add Seductive Shadows to your Goodreads shelf ~

Get to know Marni ~

A New Englander at heart, Marni Mann, now a Floridian is inspired by the sandy beaches and hot pink sunsets of Sarasota. She taps a mainstream appeal and shakes worldwide taboos, taking her readers on a dark and breathtaking journey. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, she’s scouring for chocolate, traveling, reading, or walking her four-legged children.

You can follow Marni on the following sites ~

Facebook Page | Twitter | Goodreads Author

Excerpt from Seductive Shadows ~

He dipped his head, his lips stopping just above my earlobe. His fingers traced the skin below my jaw. I expected words to come out of his mouth, but instead it was a tiny moan. And then a breeze of cold air as he moved over to the bed. He sat on the edge, hands resting on the mattress, after he unknotted his tie.

“Come to me.”

I stepped past the pole and around the end of the bed. His commands and the way he expected to be obeyed enticed me. They weren’t cruel or threatening. His voice, his words, his whole persona was deliberate and inviting. The need from my other sexual partners had often been a turn off, but Jay’s tone was just the opposite.

“Slowly,” he said.

With my chin pointed down, hair falling over my cheeks, I looked up at him as though he were my master. If this was the role I needed to take on for tonight to impress Victoria and make her proud, I was ready to abide. Our eyes met, and his breath quickened. I bit my bottom lip and took a step forward. My toes danced over a broken slab of mirror, pausing for several seconds, and I took another. Landing just a foot from his lap, my fingers caressed the buttons of his shirt, and when I got to the bottom, I started back up.

“Take it off,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

I pushed his top button through the hole.

“No,” he said quickly. “Yours.”

Purchase links ~

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Interview with Marni ~

Writing ~

1. What’s a typical day like in the life of Marni Mann?
I usually wake up between 5:00-6:00a and with a very large cup of coffee I head straight to my computer. I enjoy writing really early in the morning because I’m not distracted by social media, phone calls, or email. The quietness usually lasts until about 8:00 and that’s when I shift to marketing. For the rest of the day, I alternate between writing, marketing and some form of communication, and that could continue into the evening or stop at around dinnertime. When the words are really flowing, I have a hard time switching them off.

2. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
It was an emotion that lived inside my chest – it still does – and it trickled down my arm, to my hand, and released through my fingers. When I was younger, the emotion only dulled when I held a pen. Now it’s satisfied when my fingers are resting on a keyboard. It’s very difficult to describe the feeling, but writing has just always felt right.

3. Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?
I believe I was five or six and it was a book about the dog I wanted. I even drew my own pictures. I can’t say my drawing has improved since then, but my writing definitely has. 😉

4. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?
Because every author has such a unique voice, I’m constantly inspired and influenced by their creations. There are authors I’ve been reading for most of my life – like Stephen King – and some I just found last month. I’m honestly a huge fan of the written word and I’m willing to read just about anything.

5. Where do you get your ideas from? Do they come to you or are they inspired by true events?
My books always start with the main character and all of my protagonists have come to me in dreams. Some of my books have been inspired by true events or have been triggered by certain images that I found and others have just come to me.

6. Do you work with an outline or just write?
I use an outline. It’s never too detailed, but it highlights the major points I need to hit. The filler between each point is completely organic.

7. Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you get out of the funk?
I have and it’s horrific. I reread the notes that readers have sent to me – I save every single one of them, even direct messages, emails, and social media shout outs – and I use their words as fuel.

8. What part of the writing process is the hardest for you, whether it’s first draft, rewriting or editing?
Editing is the most difficult step in the process because it’s lengthy, extremely detailed, and it’s when every point and thought needs to seamlessly blend together.

9. Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what do you listen to?
Music is a necessity. It has to be playing super loud, too, and it’s usually something a bit dark with heavy beats like dubstep or Swedish House Mafia. Something that gets me moving in my chair, but also triggers creativity.

Seductive Shadows ~

10. What inspired Seductive Shadows?
I was inspired by several images: the masks from Eyes Wide Shut, a mirrored floor, a few pieces of art, and the different emotional and physical layers of sex. The challenge was finding a way to weave these all together.

11. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? Hardest?
My favorite scene was the first kiss between Cameron and Charlie. It had been building for such a long time that the embrace was just a powerful moment to write. The hardest was the scenes between Charlie and her mother. They had such a broken relationship and her mom was just a horrible person. Emotional darkness can be really challenging to write because those moments are extra sensitive and extremely personal.

12. Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why? What would you say to that person?
I’d like to meet Cameron because he’s absolutely beautiful and who doesn’t want to admire that kind of hotness in person? I also believe he needs a good listener and he could benefit from a heavy emotional purge and that’s exactly what I would tell him.

13. What has been the toughest criticism you’ve been given as an author?
Someone once said that I didn’t give one of my books my full effort and I didn’t try hard enough. As authors, we have to understand that not everyone is going to like the stories we create, our characters, our voice, or even us as people. That’s life and the difference of opinion and we’re all entitled to form our own. But when I take on a project, the project completely owns me in every aspect and I put everything I have into my work.

14. What has been the best compliment?
It’s hard to pick a best because I’m just so honored that readers take the time to contact me, that they’re willing to share their emotions, how the book affected them, and what they loved about it. All compliments are truly cherished.

15. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Write as much as you can. Every writer has his or her own unique voice and it’s impossible to find that voice unless you experiment. My other piece of advice is read everything you can get your hands on because behind every great writer is a great reader.

EXCERPT FROM BOOK 2 – Seductive Secrecy ~

A gust of cold air burst through my body, tightening every muscle and clenching my lungs. The feeling was always the same, and it only came when I thought of that place…when the memories were thicker than the lessons I had learned by leaving there.

I set both brushes in a jar of water and walked across the hall to the apartment. Then I moved through the kitchen, my hands yanking at my sweater, lifting it over my head and releasing it once I got to the entryway of the bedroom. I peeled off my black skinny jeans until I reached my knee-high boots and dropped both along with my pants in front of the bathroom sinks. My panties and bra fell before I stepped into the shower and turned on the water.

The wall of glass that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom began to fog, and the marble under my feet turned warm. Windows spanned both sides, overlooking different sections of the Back Bay; below the ledges were niches that held our bottles of shampoo and body wash, and benches for us to sit on. The back wall was a mosaic, an abstract. Water shot out from every direction, spraying from all sides as well as the ceiling. There were even streams below that covered my feet.

My skin was sweating now. Drops of scalding water ran off my body. The places that were being hit directly by the jets had turned a bright red. But it couldn’t stop the chill that continued to spread beneath my flesh.
Six months had passed since I’d left the mansion. I didn’t think about it as much as I used to, but when something instigated those thoughts—something like the mirrored floor in the painting—I had a hard time calming them down again. I still wasn’t sure how I was supposed to process what I had done there, what I had allowed to happen and how much I had once enjoyed it. Part of me didn’t want to take it back; part of me could barely keep down the bile that threatened to rise when I remembered. But that time in my life had gotten me here. And I was here, unlike some of the girls I had shared that house with.

I moved closer to one of the shower heads and pressed my hands against the cold marble that tiled the wall, leaning into the stream of water. It massaged the top of my head.

Breathe.

The drops that filled my ears blocked any noise that was around me. I could taste the product that drizzled from my hair—the spray I had used to hold my curls and the oil that gave it shine. My eyes closed and I inhaled the steam, trying to find a place of relaxation.

A place where the images and the screams would quiet to a dull moan.

And just as I found it, just as my palms no longer kneaded against the stone and my back didn’t pump and arch to find that place of complete comfort, just as I had finally gotten used to the temperature of the water, his arms wrapped around my chest. His hands cupped each of my breasts, his thumbs grazing my nipples.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” he whispered into my neck. His lips followed his words to my skin, his tongue circling the spot just to the side of my throat. It didn’t matter how often he had roamed my body, or how many times, it still felt so new, so unexpected.

“You need your sleep…” I told him. As soon as he touched me, I completely lost my voice. All I had were my desires, and they consumed me.

“I need you more,” he breathed.

PRE-ORDER link for Seductive Secrecy* (available 10/24):

Amazon

Amazon UK

There will be 3 winners in the Seductive Shadows Tour Giveaway!

Grand Prize — Kindle Paperwhite & Seductive Shadows e-book
Runner-up — $25 Victoria’s Secret gift card & Seductive Shadows e-book
Third Runner-up — Seductive Shadows paperback

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d7ff14/

This book blitz was organised and hosted by The Novel Tease http://thenoveltease.com/

~Nicola~

Blog tour stop ~ Frontline by Alexandra Richland

Today is our stop on Alexandra Richland’s, Frontline, blog tour. We have reviews, excerpts, author inteview and much, much more! So let’s get this tour started!

Blurb ~

When nurse Sara Peters treats celebrity billionaire Trenton Merrick for a mysterious injury to his forehead, she is blindsided by what follows: A passionate exchange in the examination room, followed by an invitation to Trenton’s mansion the next night.

Trenton spins a web of deceit and seduction around Sara that both repels and attracts her. One part humanitarian, the other international financial mogul, his professional and public life are a curious contradiction. As Sara journeys deeper into her feelings for Trenton and begins unraveling the mystery behind his injury, she finds herself embroiled in a game of trust and betrayal, where the odds are stacked in Trenton’s favor, and the outcome for the loser is too terrifying to conceive.

Add Frontline to your Goodreads shelf ~

Purchase links ~

Amazon

Amazon UK

Get to know Alexandra ~

Alexandra Richland spends rotating twelve-hour shifts working as a registered nurse at a Toronto hospital, indulging in her love of science and medicine, and caring for patients with their own unique tales to tell. When she is not on duty, Alexandra escapes into her own imagination. Therein lies a fantasy world of thrilling adventure, gorgeous men, classic Hollywood glamour, exotic getaways, and a seductive dose of romance. Alexandra captures these stories in her popular novels, The Starlight Trilogy and Frontline, and her short story, Gilded Cage. Say hello to her on Facebook and on Twitter.

You can follow Alexandra on the following sites ~

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Author

Frontline excerpt ~

Mr. Merrick moves his face closer to mine. I hold my breath, thinking he’s going to kiss me. Just before our lips meet, he turns his head and grazes his nose across my cheek. The air rushes out of my lungs.

“I would never hurt you, Sara. You must trust me.”

He sounds sincere and I’m compelled to believe him.

With a sharp hiss, he drops his head to my shoulder and pulls our bodies together. “Tell me you change your mind.”

“I . . . I . . .” Words fail me as he moves my shirt collar aside and grazes his teeth across my skin.

“Tell me you’ll see me tonight.”

As he trails hot kisses down my throat, I throw my head back and melt into his arms,
succumbing to the pleasure that radiates throughout my body. I may have let my guard down, but this time I think I know exactly what I’m doing.

“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you tonight.”

Mr. Merrick removes his lips from my neck and plants his hands on my waist.

“You want me, don’t you?” He stares into my eyes, daring me to deny what he already knows.

I nod.

His fingers dig into my hips. “Say it.”

“Yes, I want you.”

Book Trailer ~

Nicola’s review ~

First, let me say how much I love this author! After reading and totally falling in love with her first Book, Starlight, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. That being said I struggled with it *hangs head in shame* it was so different from her first book and that I wasn’t expecting. But it’s not all bad, there’s a sex CEO, tin men (you will find out what I mean) , helicopters and shootings to keep you very entertained.

The story begins with Sara, a nurse working in ER and struggling her way through life. In walks hot, sexy and totally arrogant Trenton Merrick, who turns Sara’s life upside down, inside out and shaken all about…….literally! But there’s a pull between them that no one in their right mind would walk away from, even though you know deep down that you should. Can they survive the life that Merrick leads and should Sara run? Reading this book is the only way to find out 😉

Oh Alexandra please don’t hate me for this review 😦 this book took me ages to get into and just when the action started it stopped, obviously until the end then it was action packed.

Sara, god love her, at times I really wanted to shake her! Friends are there to tell you when you need to open your eyes and ditch the guy, In fact I’m surprised Kelly didn’t slap her on one occasion. As for Mr Merrick, take your head outta your ass man! Arrogant doesn’t even cover it with this guy…… But at least he isn’t damaged like the other CEO’s we have grown used too.

Although I struggled with this book I know some who will love it and just because it wasn’t my favourite read don’t let that put you off. Alexandra is a fantastic author and will always be one of my top five authors!

Interview with Alexandra ~

Before we start, I would like to say thank you to The Novel Tease for approaching me for this interview.

1. What does Alexandra Richland do when she’s not writing?
As a registered nurse, I spend a lot of my time at the hospital, caring for pediatric patients. I also enjoying running, reading, and traveling.

2. How does your writing process look? Do you tend to write a standard number of words in regular sittings, or does inspiration hit you sporadically?
It varies. Sometimes when I’m in my “writing zone” I can write many pages in one sitting. If I feel emotionally connected to the scene/chapter, the words will come easily, and I can read them back the next day and desire to change only minor things. On other occasions, the process is more difficult, which tends to happen when I’m pressed for time. When this occurs, I will step away from the computer and go for a run, or just busy myself with other tasks. If I feel inspired to write later on that day, I will. If not, I don’t push it. Or if the interest is semi-there, I’ll write as much as I can, even if I might think it sucks, and then rewrite it at another time. Editing and rewriting are the easiest parts of the writing process for me. As long as I have a foundation, even in point form, I’m confident I can turn out something I’m very proud of. The scenes that come easiest to me are the ones I can visualize like a movie. Music also helps inspire emotion and assists in the writing process.

3. What inspired you to write Frontline?
The Starlight Trilogy is a very detailed Hollywood romance set in the 1950s. When I finished all three novels, I wanted to write a book with an entirely opposite tone – a modern thrill ride that kept the reader turning the pages, unable to put it down, with a lot of sexual tension, action, adventure, romance, and intrigue. As I was in the midst of nursing school at the time, I thought of a crazy thing that could potentially happen to a nurse while on the job and expanded on the idea, pushing the boundaries of my writing as well as character behavior and development. I couldn’t be happier with the result.

4. If you could describe Frontline in 3 words, what would they be?
Sexy. Exciting. Suspenseful.

5. Which character speaks the loudest?
Though he was never supposed to play such a significant role, Randall really surprised me as the book progressed. I relied on him more and more, as did the other characters, for his wisdom, insight, loyalty, and mysteriousness. I just finished writing an origin tale for Randall, as I was as curious about his background. I hope Frontline readers will be interested in him, too, after they finish the story. I’m very happy to be able to include Randall’s tale as part of the bonus material in the appendix of Frontline when it’s published.

6. Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why?
My answer will depend on my mood. If I’m in the mood to shop, I can’t think of a better pair to hit the town with than Kelly and Denim. Kelly would know where to get all the best deals on the most stylish clothes, while Denim would supply the most laughs and energy during the expedition.

Chris and Sean are still very mysterious to me, but I’d definitely give them a call if I wanted people to go running with, or if I had a task that needed to be done requiring speed, efficiency, and stealth. They are men of many talents.

If my life was in some kind of crisis and I needed a friend to listen to me and help me get through it, Sara would be ideal.

As for Trenton, I don’t have as many scruples as Sara does, so he can pay off my student loan any day!

7. Will you have a new book coming out soon?
I have several. The second book in The Starlight Trilogy, Starbright, will most likely be out later this fall (2013), or very early next year (2014), with the third book in the trilogy, Stardust, following in the spring or summer of 2014. The Frontline sequel is already in the works. I’m also working on several short story collections to release in between my novels, as well as a brand new novel, separate from the Frontline series and The Starlight Trilogy, which I just started writing in recent weeks. I cannot say more at this time, but I’m very excited about it!

Laura’s review ~

OMFG! I absolutely freaking loved this book! Alexandra Richland has no doubt covered everything with this book. Frontline has seduction, a lot of smut, twists, violence and off course the sexy, but very arrogant Trenton Merrick!

Sara, a New York nurse, meets Trenton on her night shift when he arrives at the ER she is working at with a suspicious injury to his head. Trenton is a powerful, seductive and a sexy as hell billionaire and turns Sara’s life upside down as he takes her into a world of lies and deceit.

It didn’t take me long to read this book as I was hooked from the very first chapter. I loved the chemistry between Sara & Trenton and I so cannot wait for the next book 🙂

Giveaway ~

3 winners will receive e-book copies of Gilded Cage, Starlight and Frontline by Alexandra!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d7ff11/

This blog tour was organised and hosted by The Novel Tease http://thenoveltease.com/

~Nicola & Laura~

Cover Reveal, Interview and Giveaway!

Today we see the cover reveal for Searching for Tomorrow by Katie Mac.

Add to your shelf!

Blurb ~

What happens when you find the one person who completes you, and then life conspires against you? How do you set your grief and anguish aside? How do you pick up the shattered pieces,

put those pieces back together again, and try to move on?

 

Katie and Tripp met on the playground the first day of third grade when Tripp tried to rescue Katie from
Zack, her twin brother. A lifelong friendship that later blossomed into love began that day.

 

Broken beyond her own ability to repair, Katie boxes her grief up and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Katie relives her times with Tripp while struggling most days to even get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.

 

Zack is Katie’s twin brother and was Tripp’s best friend. Having lost his own love, he dedicates himself to
helping Katie put her life back together. Throw in a mother-in-law who torments at every turn and poor Katie can’t even find a chance to breathe, much less a desire to somehow search for tomorrow. 

 

 

Author Interview:

 

Tell us 5 surprising things about yourself.

• 1.
  I am a PK. If you know what that means, then you
  know what that means.
  2.
  I have always wanted to be a red head with long,
  beautiful corkscrew curls.
  3.
  No matter what I’m doing, I would rather be
  outside, day or night, hot or cold, rain or shine.
  4.
  I was awarded two separate scholarships when I
  graduated high school. One was a teaching fellowship and the other was for
  writing.
  5.
  I love to cook, almost as much as I like to eat.
  I spent a couple of years as a private cook for a local family and loved every
  minute of it

  What is your writing environment?

 

At the moment, I have a makeshift
office in my pantry! If need be, I can shut the door and cut off part of the
noise. I hope to have a more permanent space soon.

 

 

One of your favorite quotes.

 

                  To
whom much is given, much is required.          

 

 

Random things about my novel.

 

Just a bit of nonsense. I am Kathryn Ann and my two sisters are Rebekah Elizabeth and Sarah Margaret. My husband is Channing, and my son is Zachary. One of my daughters is Elizabeth, and I still have to work my daughter Brittany into the book. Highlands is my most favourite place in the world to go when my soul need refreshing. Last, but not least, I actually had a great-grandma Tiddy!

             

 

Flirting Questions

 

What does love feel like? 

 

Warm, fuzzy, secure, safe,sheltered

 

How did you meet your significant other? 

 

In the lobby of the bank that I worked in. I was on all fours under a Christmas tree tightening the screws in the base. What can I say? Baby got back!

 

If you could take a romantic trip, where would it be? 

 

Any trip I take with Hubs is romantic. One of his favorite things to do is to whisk me away to wine and dine me.

 

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

 

Absolutely! Ask me how I feel about my grandson Grayson!

 

 

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Bio

About this author If you are reading this, I think you should know that “About me” sounds so very pretentious to me. I guess that is what I am supposed to write about, so here it goes!

Katie Mac is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Katie likes to hike and go camping, and as a Girl Scout leader, she gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!

Katie was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can’t imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Katie doesn’t thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Katie loves flip flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she’s had a book in her hand. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she’s always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head (yes, be scared) and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!

 

Enter to Win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Nicola~

Choices of Fate by S. Simone Chavous

Today is our stop on the blog tour for S. Simone Chavous and her first in the Fate Series, Choices of Fate. It’s a Paranormal Romance which was released on 14th June 2013.

BLURB ~
On her own since the day she turned eighteen and left the group home where she grew up, twenty-five year old Alexa Ryan has made a comfortable life for herself. She has a great job, the perfect apartment, every material possession a girl her age could desire. Unfortunately, she also has an unusual condition that has forced her to keep everyone at a distance.
Ethan Kellar has spent his entire life running from destiny. When he was just a boy, a powerful seer prophesied his role in events that would determine the outcome of the secret war his people had been fighting for centuries. A role he was determined not to accept, leading him to avoid letting anyone get too close, until the night Alexa fell into his arms.
Drawn to her in a way that he has never experienced, Ethan decides to take the ultimate risk by trusting Alexa and revealing to her all that he truly is. Thinking she is an ordinary woman, he believes that she could be his key to preventing the prophecy from being fulfilled and allowing him to live the life he has always wanted, one that he chooses. Having been so consumed with the desire to determine the course of his own life he wants no less for Alexa and knows he must tell her everything, give her a choice. Before that happens they surrender to the intense physical attraction between them and he realizes too late that in trying so hard to change his fate, he may have set the events of the prophecy in motion.
In that moment, Ethan makes the most difficult decision of his life and does the only thing he can to save Alexa. He walks away.
Consumed by grief, Alexa falls into a deep depression until she learns that her brief encounter with love resulted in a child and somehow finds the strength to put herself back together for the sake of her baby Chloe.
Nearly two years after Ethan walked out Chloe develops an unexplained illness that sends Alexa in search of anything that can help. Her pursuit leads her back to Ethan and thrusts her into his dark and mysterious world, unlocking the secrets of her past and revealing threats to their future. Together, Alexa and Ethan fight to protect Chloe and their love, but there is one battle Ethan fights alone as he struggles to choose his own path and avoid the choices of fate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S. Simone Chavous spent seven years as a tax accountant before deciding to pursue her true passion as an author.
Choices of Fate, the first book in the Fate Trilogy, is her debut novel.
She lives in northern Indiana with her boyfriend, two beautiful daughters and their rambunctious vizsla, Lily.

You can connect with the author and keep up to date with all the news on here books on the following sites ~

Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/SSimoneChavous?fref=ts
Twitter ~ http://www.twitter.com/SSimoneChavous
Goodreads ~ Book ~ http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17191115-choices-of-fate?ac=1
Goodreads ~ Author ~ http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6872509.S_Simone_Chavous
Website ~ http://www.ssimonechavous.com/

EXCERPT
“I am sorry, Alexa. Please understand this is incredibly difficult for me.” He leaned in and placed his forehead against hers. “I want you so badly right now, in this moment, but I want you forever more. That is why we must wait.”
Well, shit. Hearing that just made her want him even more. Maybe it was all just a line of bullshit, some kind of reverse psychology to get her in bed, but it was working.
Forgetting her embarrassment she leaned her face up and pressed her mouth against his yet again, then pulled away and said, “Please, Ethan,” another kiss, “please, I want to be with you tonight.”
Before she could blink he was over the center console kissing her fervently as he pressed his knee between her legs sending a jolt of arousal through her.
And just like that he pulled back, hovering over her and looking into her eyes while she panted with desire.
“Alexa, I cannot come up with you tonight.” Her expression became one of hurt and confusion, until he continued, “But, I am going to make you cum with my mouth, I must taste you.”
His words and the hunger in his eyes were almost enough to send her over the edge.
And then he crushed his mouth against hers, sliding his tongue inside as a promise of what was to come when he moved between her legs.

You can purchase the book at the following places

Amazon ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DE3XL4

B&N ~ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choices-of-fate-s-simone-chavous/1115656583?ean=2940016797236&itm=1&usri=2940016797236

Interview with the lovely author ~

1. What’s a typical day like?
It varies throughout the week, Tuesday through Thursday are my big writing days when my little one goes to visit her grandma. We get up around 7, have breakfast and then make the 20 minute drive. I’m usually home around 9 and after a little time on Facebook, I get to work. I typically write for an hour, then take a break to do a little housework, then back to writing, depending on how inspired I feel. I really like to write, step back for a little while, then read over what I’ve done before continuing. I guess my brain needs time to marinate my ideas 🙂 The remaining days of the week, I’m usually limited to short writing breaks when the munchkin naps or is playing with her daddy.

2. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I think ultimately, it was my children. After my youngest was born, I knew I needed to make some major changes to spend more time at home. Writing gives me the flexibility to be there for them while still doing something I absolutely love. I can’t imagine anything that could make me happier.

3. Are there any authors or books that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?
Definitely, as a kid, Lord of the Rings. I used to read and write a ton when I was younger, and for about 10 years did almost nothing. The Sookie Stackhouse Novels, Twilight, and Fifty Shades of Grey got me reading again, but it was R.L. Mathewson’s work that got me thinking about writing my own story. She was the first indie author I ever read having stumbled upon Tall, Dark, and Lonely for $0.99 in the iBooks store. I read it in one sitting and was hooked. Within a couple of weeks I read everything she had published and have been reading mostly indie ever since.

4. What do you do to prepare yourself before writing? Do you listen to music? Do you look at visual aids?
At the beginning of a project I sometimes like to put together a short playlist that inspires me for the particular story I’m working on and I tend to add to it as the story progresses. Really it depends on my mood, some days I want silence, others I listen to my playlist, and sometimes I like to sit out on the front porch and listen to the birds and the trees when I write.

5. What motivated you to write Choices of fate?
Credit for that idea definitely goes to my baby, Izzy. I was sitting on the couch one day when she was around a year old and she was messing around with a scab that I had on my forearm from a scrape. All of a sudden she put her mouth on my arm trying to bite at it, and thus Chloe was born 🙂

6. Give us the 140 character TWEET description of Choices of fate:
Alexa lives a simple solitary life until she literally runs into Ethan, a dark handsome stranger who turns her world and heart upside down.

7. What part of the writing process is the hardest for you, whether it’s first draft, rewriting, or editing?
I would have to say the first draft because I tend to be so hard on myself that a lot of the rewriting/editing occurs as part of that draft.

8. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Definitely Alexa and Ethan’s first “date” and the following day. When I get immersed in writing, I get to live through my characters, and nothing is better than the excitement and anticipation of a new love. It made me draw on my memories of those first experiences for me and helps me to remember to appreciate that I have the love of my life beside me every night.

9. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I currently have 7 piercings and a tattoo, and my tongue used to be pierced.

10. Will you write other books after the Fate series?
Yes, I actually have two separate books already in the works. One is another paranormal romance, Paranormal Politics, the other is a contemporary romance, title TBD 🙂 I’m really excited about both projects.

11. Are the characters, Alexa and Ethan based on anyone 😉 ?
Haha, actually, I drew a lot of inspiration from my own life, some characters were straight from it, like the neighbors Jill & Jesse, they really do live next door to me and are very much as described! So I guess you could say Alexa is loosely based on me. Though I never lived in a group home, I was in foster care before I was adopted. I am still working very part-time as a tax accountant, though for a different firm than Alexa. I also had a very lovable Great Dane, but alas, no secret trust fund 😉 I definitely drew from my boyfriend for Ethan’s character, though he laughs about that and says it is a very loosely based interpretation.

12. How did you think up the names of the different places in the story?
This was another instance of drawing from my own life, I live in Indiana, so most of the story occurs there, though I’ve only visited Indianapolis a few times.

13. Did it take you long to write?
Once I really got going, it took me about 5 months from outline to hitting the publish button.

14. When can we expect the next instalment of The Fate series?
I’m shooting for the end of August, maybe a little sooner 🙂

15. What are your hopes for the Fate series? Could you see it being more than just a book?
Oh, I’m a TV & movie nut, so in my heart of hearts I would love to see my stories hit the screen someday, but I’m also realistic. There are so many incredibly talented authors out there and so much depends on luck and connections, but one can dream 🙂

GIVEAWAY

Winners Choices of ONE: Kindle Paperwhite, $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 Barnes and Noble Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This blog tour was organised by the lovely Ashley at http://www.lookinforabookin.com/

~Nicola~

Orchard Girlies Interviewed by Maggie Thom

Interview with Nicola Higgins from The Orchard Book Club
May 29th 2013
A Book Blogger’s Journey through Reading – Maggie Thom – http://www.maggiethom.com

Today I am really excited to introduce to you one of eight women who started the Orchard Book Club, approximately six months ago. I am going to be doing a series over the next couple of months so that you can meet all of them. If you haven’t checked out their blog, you need to. They do a lot to help authors, not only by reading and writing good, honest reviews but they help authors by hosting interviews and getting the word out about their books. What I really like is that often two or three of the ladies will leave their review on the same book. Very cool idea. They’re pretty funny ladies as well. I ‘met’ them when I sent them Tainted Waters to review. I have been chatting with them on Twitter and I have to say they make my day when I do. I pretty much always have a smile after our talks.

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I’d like you to meet: Nicola Higgins
Book Blogger’s Bio:Books ripe for the picking
Orchard Book Club Book Reviewer Website:https://orchardbookclub.wordpress.com/

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1. When did you start reading?
I have always enjoyed reading, but when I was younger it had to be something I wanted to read and not something I was forced too. I remember at school we were asked to read Jane Eyre for English, I could have cried! It wasn’t my kind of book and if I’m honest I only skimmed the book….. But don’t tell my English teacher that!

2. What was the first book you remember reading?
Urm…….. I think it was called Forever. It was a little bit naughty (not like the smut today) but I did have to hide it from my Mum.

3. What attracted you to or got you started reading?
My Mother-In-Law lent me a Karin Slaughter book for one of my holiday’s, since then I have been hooked. Not only on Karin’s books but reading in general.

4. What was the first book that had a real ‘wow‘ factor for you?
It has to be the Harry Potter books. I just loved the whole idea of going off to Hogwarts, the magic and the mischief that they got up too………… And let’s admit we all want to ride the Hogwarts express!

5. What genres have you read? Was there any progression to the genres you‘ve read over the
years? Did you start in one genre and then discover others the older you got? i.e. sci-fi and
then romance, then paranormal, then espionage….
Since starting Orchard Book Club I have read every genre there is but I’m a sucker for the Thrillers. I lent a friend a couple of them, he returned them unread saying I was twisted for likening them!

6. Who are your favorite authors and when did you start following them?
I love Karin Slaughter ( i have every one of her books) Val Mcdermid and Feye Kellerman, I have followed them for years. But I also have a few favourites from our review authors, Darcia Helle – her books just grab me! Maria Savva, Daniel Diehl and Thomas Meyers.

7. What genre(s) do you read today?
Anything, if it has words on the page I will read it.

8. What do you like in a story? What does it have to have to grab you?
The story has to flow for me, I can’t do with if flipping from one thing to another then back to where it started. And detail, I love a book with detail. I don’t want to spend all my time googling something because of the lack of detail.

9. What got you started with reviewing books and posting online? And how long have you been doing this?
Our so called “reviews” started just over 6 months ago with us girlies chatting on twitter about Sylvain Reynard’s book, Gabriel’s Inferno (that’s where our name came from) then one of us suggested we started a facebook page where others could join in. It took off rather well so I suggested we open a twitter and blog part and since then things have been crazy……. But the good kind of crazy it’s strange in a way, out of the 8 of us that run Orchard only 4 of us knew each other, now we are as thick as thieves

10. How many books do you read on average, in a year?
Before the club I’d say about 10 over the year (and that’s pushing it) Now I’d say anywhere up to 50!!

11. Anything else you’d like to share?
Me personally I would like to thank our authors, without them we wouldn’t have our club and without knowing it I love being a part of it, so thank you for sticking with us……. It really means a lot.

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How and where to connect with this book blogger:
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads
Orchard Book Club Blog

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Thank you Nicola. Awesome interview. I loved it! I too had to hide a few books from my mom but they were nothing like what’s in the books today. I am a sucker for thrillers, also. Thank you for sharing your journey. And thank you for helping authors. You truly help to make a difference.
Aren’t these golden apples awesome? That’s what The Orchard Book Club use for their rating system for their review of books. Pretty cool hey? I think it’s very unique and classy.

Orchard Book Club – Meet Rachel
June 24th 2013
A Book Blogger’s Journey through Reading – Orchard Book Club – Maggie Thom – http://www.maggiethom.com

I am truly excited today to introduce you to another one of the eight ladies who make up Orchard Book Club. They read and review books, posting on their blog. If you haven’t checked them out, you need to. Classy, funny ladies who write honest reviews and give their honest opinion. To say thank you for what they do, because they don’t get paid, and because I have a lot of respect for what they do, I asked to interview them.

Orchard Book Club: https://orchardbookclub.wordpress.com/

Today I welcome Rachel to my blog. Here is her journey through reading.

1. When did you start reading?- I started reading from a young age but more so in my late teens.

2. What was the first book you remember reading? – Charlottes web and the B.F.G god I’m going back a bit!

3. What attracted you to or got you started reading? – My parents always read to me so I suppose I grew up with books.

4. What was the first book that had a real ‘wow’ factor for you? – Phew hard question, over the years so many but at the beginning I suppose Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then Harry Potter right into present day when now I want to meet a CEO!

5. What genres have you read? Was there any progression to the genres you’ve read over the years? Did you start in one genre and then discover others the older you got? i.e. sci-fi and then romance, then paranormal, then espionage….

– I read all sorts…I don’t like autobiographies or nonfiction….I like escapism when I read I started reading Paranormal, wizards and vampires, which I still like now, also read a lot of Romance and Chick lit and Erotica.

6. Who are your favorite authors and when did you start following them? – This is a tricky question as I like to interact with all the authors that I read and I do get a huge smile when they tweet or message back, have become friends with many. Love Freya North (even got my name in one of her books ) Got all of Sylvia days books, Maree ward-russell, Cameron Lincoln and Racheal Wade I chat with and follow on twitter, plus so many more!

7. What genre(s) do you read today? – Anything and Everything now I review!

8. What do you like in a story? What does it have to have to grab you? – There has to be a flow to the story. Love twists that I never saw coming, heart stopping moments where I have to read faster to see what happens, being  so gripped I’m reading until the early hours, parts where I have to tell someone about the book, and books that give me a “book hangover” where I cannot start another book as still living in the last one.

See I’m a book nerd!

9. What got you started with reviewing books and posting online? And how long have you been doing this? -Only started reviewing a short while ago about 8 months I would say. It all started on twitter I jumped into a conversation between Nicola and Tina about a book and we just clicked, shared the same love of books and fictional males lol. It grew from there, we started the Orchard Book Club page on facebook and had a good response so we progressed to other social sites and I love it! We have some fabulous followers and authors.

10. How many books do you read on average, in a year? Looking like I could reach 40-50 this year!

11. Anything else you’d like to share? I’d like to say ‘‘thank you” to you for having me do this interview, and thank you to the amazing authors who have shared their books with us and to our followers who make it fun. Lastly, I was lucky to find 7 amazing, beautiful and slightly crazy girlies they make me smile every day, friends for life I hope x

How and where to connect with this book blogger :

Facebook

Twitter

GoodReads

Orchard Book Club Blog

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Awesome interview Rachel. Thank you. Getting your name in a book, pretty cool. I too love books that give me a hangover and won’t let me read another one for a while.