Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Spotlight – Desire and Deception

First off today, Tessa Marshal (heroine from Desire and Deception by Sahara Roberts) shares with us some really great Mexican recipes.  Enjoy!
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Hi, my name is Tessa Marshal. We met not so long ago on the pages of Desire and Deception. I hear some people out there aren’t familiar with Mexican food. You don’t know what you’re missing! Here’s a few of the dishes I enjoyed while I was in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Hopefully you can find a good Mexican restaurant in your area so you can have a taste.
Huachinango a la Veracruzana – Veracruz style red snapper
Yes, I’m still practicing how to say this in Spanish because it was so good. The red snapper is prepared with onion, tomato, capers, and green olives. I’m so glad Monica suggested that seafood restaurant by the hotel.
Chef was such a flirt…not that I should be saying that where Kris could read it.
Fajita tacos
I’ll be honest, these tacos are pork carnitas, but they’re the closest I could come to what I had. Every time I fix fajita tacos for a picture we end up eating them before I can think to pull out a phone or a camera. :/
Pan dulce – Sweet bread
Mexican style sweet bread isn’t really sweet. I found I liked the conchas Kris brought, especially when I had them with hot coffee. Though I’m still trying to decide which flavor I like best.
Coctel de camaron – Shrimp cocktail
Now this is a very different way of having shrimp cocktail. In Texas we dip shrimp in sauce. But after trying this tangy version, there’s no going back.

Chicharones
I saw Cruz out in the yard with one of these huge pork skins. I didn’t know they came in a jumbo size.
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Desire and Deception
By Sahara Roberts
Tagline: On the thin line between life and death lies…
Tessa Marshal has fulfilled her long awaited dream of homeownership. She celebrates by taking a vacation with a friend but gets more than she bargained for when her adventure becomes a terrifying ordeal.
Deep cover agent Kristopher “Kris” Harmon has spent years climbing the ranks within the Mexican cartel.  He walks a tight line between vicious drug runners with agendas of their own and working with the cartel leaders he’s trying to organize. Any distraction could prove fatal for him—and for the hundreds of undercover law enforcement officers his own cover protects.
Their worlds collide when Tessa is mistaken for a drug mule and taken captive. As time runs out for both of them, Tessa has to reach beyond her fears and trust a stranger while Kris must choose between his lifelong ambitions and saving Tessa’s life. If they want to survive, both must trust that there is more to the other than what meets the eye.
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Author Info:
Sahara Roberts caught the writing bug early in life. She enjoys writing Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance.  Her days are filled with international trade issues (the legal kind) and her evenings writing steamy romance.  When she’s not at her usual hangout, Savvy Authors, she enjoys socializing onFacebook,Twitter,Goodreads,Google+,Pinterest and herwebsite, or watching Castle, NCIS, Supernatural, and The Walking Dead (Following Daryl).
Sahara lives in South Texas with her husband and two very spoiled cats. She enjoys cooking, baking, and cake decorating, but she would certainly prefer to have someone else do the dishes.
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Giveaway:
$25 Amazon GC
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Click on the banner below to find more sites participating in the tour

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Guest Post - Brazen

This morning it is my pleasure to welcome Katherine Longshore as she answers a few questions and then gives us a look at her new book, Brazen.

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What do you like best about writing romances?

Kissing scenes!  Because kissing can be so intimate and tell us so much about the other person.  It engages all the senses and heightens most of them—smell, touch, taste.  But more than that, I love romantic tension, because it’s something so many of us can relate to.  Will he kiss me?  When?  How?  What will it feel like?  What if I hate it?  Should I kiss him first?  And then all the should-I-shouldn’t-I of forbidden romance.  I love being able to keep my characters a little bit on edge—wanting.  And then giving them a taste of it so they want more. 

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book. fact/fiction)?

I fell in love with A Room With a View when I was in high school—both the movie and the book.  Because…Italy.  And Edwardian dresses.  And forbidden love.  And a romantic heroine who feels bound by her class and society, but longs to break free and really be herself.  Because it includes art and music and philosophy and a terrifically romantic kiss in a meadow overlooking Florence.  Because there is humor and sadness and the happily ever after feels true.

If you could be any romantic heroine, who would it be and why?

I’d love to be Lucy Honeychurch from A Room With a View!  But I think even more, I’d like to be Scarlett O’Hara, just for a little while.  She may not always be entirely admirable, but you can’t deny that she’s strong, and that’s what I love about her most. 

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

In BRAZEN, I loved writing Madge Shelton.  She is one of Mary Howard (the narrator)’s closest friends, and the one who encourages her to find love and romance, whatever the cost.  Madge is irreverent and witty and completely at home with her sexuality.  Her spontaneity often helps her achieve what she thinks is her heart’s desire, but also occasionally gets her into trouble.  Most of all, she has heart, and is a loyal friend, especially when Mary needs her most.

If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be doing instead?


Something in travel.  Ideally a travel writer, but I think that falls under the writer category!  Perhaps a guidebook researcher or location scout for a tour company.  I love traveling to new places and discovering new restaurants and fun places to stay.  Or possibly a guest lecturer on cruise ships—though I’d have to know a lot about a variety of places, so I could always be going somewhere different.

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Title: BRAZEN
Author: Katherine Longshore
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pub. Date: June 12, 2014
Pages: 528


Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?

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About Katherine:

Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years and discovered history. She now lives in California with her husband, two children and a sun-worshiping dog.

Where you can find Katherine:

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Giveaway:

1 winner will receive all 3 books signed International
2 winners will receive signed copies of Brazen US Only


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Tour Schedule:

Week One
6/2/2014- Literary ExplorationReview
6/2/2014- The Anne Boleyn FilesGuest Post
6/3/2014- Romantic Reads and SuchInterview
6/4/2014- Page TurnersReview
6/5/2014- Magical Urban Fantasy ReadsGuest Post
6/6/2014- Parajunkee's ViewInterview

Week Two
6/9/2014- Gone With The WordsReview
6/10/2014- Tales of the Ravenous ReaderInterview
6/11/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Guest Post and Review
6/12/2014- Two Chicks on BooksGuest Post
6/13/2014- Mundie MomsReview
6/13/2014- FiktshunInterview

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Spotlight - Angel Kin

This morning we're going to start with a look at Tricia Skinner's newest, Angel Kin.

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Angel Kin
An Angel Assassins Novel
by Tricia Skinner

Genre: Paranormal Romance with Urban Fantasy elements

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Edge Imprint

Date of Publication: April 28, 2014

ISBN-13: 9781622664931
ASIN: B00JI09FIG

Number of pages: 268

Amazon    BN   iBooks  Kobo

Tagline: The thief will steal his heart...

Book Description:

While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.”

It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

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Excerpt:

First, Cain checked the room’s double window and the flimsy front door, then threw the motel blanket on the brown carpet. He smoothed his hands across the sheets and lifted the mattress. He let it go and unrolled his blanket, tucking the corners.

“Should be fine now.”

Her mind felt miles away. “Will it be? Fine?”

He removed his jacket and pulled one of his guns from the holster. The magazine shot into his hand before he slammed it back. “As soon as I find Abel your life will go back to normal.”
Katie huffed a half laugh. Normal sounded like a dream. “I—”
Cain paused his movements. “You what?”

“I wish I knew how to help you.”

“Well you can’t.”

She snapped her gaze to his stony face. “Would it hurt to pretend I just showed some compassion for you? You could at least act like you’d considered my words.”
“Let’s analyze your sweet wish, little burglar. I’m an assassin, which translates to I kill people.” The half angel folded his arms and left no doubt about the arrogance on his face. “Sorry if the facts sting, but you can’t fight like I can. You can’t do what needs to be done.”
Infuriating, arrogant, and stubborn was not a good look on him. Katie mimicked his posture and crossed her arms. “Tell me, Mr. Super Assassin, are you sure those legendary fighting skills you claim to have will work when you’re face-to-face with Abel?”
“You think I’ll run from the fight?” A growl slipped through his gritted teeth.
“That’s not what I meant. I want to know if you can”— she raised her fingers in air quotes— “do what needs to be done, when your opponent is your own brother?”
Cain pressed his lips together, and she dove into the void left by his hesitation.
“Family is about love, but it’s also about a shitload of pain.” Katie expelled a slow breath. “When you face off with your twin, the end result will stay with you.”
“Abel’s my blood, but he’s done wrong. I’ll deal.”
Katie tossed her hands up. “Say you’re standing near Abel and he’s got a gun pointed at some poor schmuck’s head. What are you going to do? You’d have to decide whether or not your brother is more important, or that innocent life.”
He clawed his fingers through his hair. “I’d never allow him to harm a soul in my presence. I will stop my brother, but don’t tell me my only option is to kill him.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Exhausted, she sank onto the edge of the mattress. “I truly do.”
“Ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath.
She shot up from the bed, ready to tell him exactly where he could shove his tough act, but Cain’s hand caught her wrist. They stared into each other’s eyes, but the emotions passing over his face cranked her heartbeat.
“Let. Go.” She jerked her arm, but his grip held.
“You should thank me for my honesty. An angel, even an impure abomination like me, could kill you before you could react. No more wishing you could help me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“So we’re clear, if I wasn’t dealing with mind-controlling giants, I could hold my own in a fight,” she said.
Cain’s expression darkened. “Could you? I wonder.”
The Nephilim brought her crashing down onto the mattress, and Katie yelped. She thrashed under his heavy weight.
“Overpowered by a body, not mind control,” he said as his breath fanned her skin. “Your nonassassin skills are sadly lacking.”
He pinned her wrists above her head, leaving her body flush against his. Katie wiggled and tugged, but Cain had the advantage of position and strength. She stopped her frantic movements. Only one option left—surprise.
She molded her lips over his, the pressure so heavy and intense she could only moan breathlessly into his mouth. The warmth of her tongue touched his, drawing her nerves guitar-string tight.
The grip on her wrists loosened, and Katie raised her hands until her fingers slid into the thickness of his hair. She arched her body and his wide palm cupped her back. Distracting Cain to throw him off took a back seat, replaced by instinctual need pounding deep within her belly and ricocheting between her legs.
Cain’s tongue continued a slow exploration of her mouth, lapping the depths, erotic as hell. Her trembling fingers brushed the expanse of his shoulders, his firm muscles jolting the tips as they passed over. Filled with untethered boldness, she ran light touches down the ridges of his firm pectorals. When her thumb flicked a pebble-hard nipple, her bodyguard growled.


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Author Info:

Tricia Skinner writes urban fantasy with twist of passion. She’s a former journalist who discovered her inspiration to write fiction as an escape from “real life.” Her reading tastes include fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history.

When she’s not writing, Tricia is a newbie “green” practitioner, fitness procrastinator, and a technology geek. Her family includes a patient husband, a demigod son, and two Great Danes. She’s active in several writing communities and enjoys interacting with readers.






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Giveaway:

One $25 gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes. Not open to international entries.


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Tour Schedule:

May 12 Guest blog
Jill Archer

May 13 Spotlight and review
Penny For Them...

May 14 review
Eden Ashe 

May 15 Spotlight
Writing from Corsets to Bustiers

May 16 Spotlight
Book Purses & Reviews

May 19 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm

May 20 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt

May 21 Guest blog
Ebook Escapes

May 21 Spotlight
Diane’s Book Blog

May 22 Spotlight
Share My Destiny

May 23 Guest Post 
Preternatura

May 26 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

May 27 Interview and review
Dark Side of Romance

May 28 Guest Blog
Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind  

May 28 Spotlight
Cover Reveals 

May 29 Guest blog
Tynga's Reviews 

May 30 Spotlight
Fang-tastic Books

June 2 Interview
Author Karen Swart

June 3 Spotlight
Romantic Reads and Such

June 4 Spoltight
Inner Goddess 

June 5 Interview
Darkest Cravings

June 6 Character Interview
Eclipse Reviews

June 6 Review
Corazones Literarios 

June 9 Spotlight
Booklover Sue 

June 9 Review
Sapphyria's Book Reviews



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Monday, June 2, 2014

Interview - Zara Keane

I'm so thrilled to welcome Zara Keane this morning as she answers some questions and gives us a look at her current book (and what she has in store for us in the future).

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Would you tell us about yourself? Where are you from?

I was born in Ireland and grew up in Dublin. Due to the long Irish school holidays (two months for primary school kids and three months secondary school!), I spent my summers with family in the southwest of Ireland. Ballybeg, the fictional town in which I set my contemporary romances, is loosely based on some of the places I spent those childhood summers.

Eight years ago, I moved to Switzerland. I live in a small village with my husband and kids. The language, landscape and culture are totally different to Ireland, but I love having the opportunity to experience these differences and learn new languages.

What are your favorite genres to read and write?

I read romance and crime fiction with a smattering of fantasy thrown in for variety. My fave romance subgenres are contemporary and romantic suspense. While I now write contemporary romance, I have an Irish historical and an urban fantasy lurking somewhere in my pile of discarded manuscripts.

What book are you currently reading?

Just this Once by Rosalind James. It’s the first book in her Escape to New Zealand series. So far, I’m really enjoying it. I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand. When I saw the book was set there, I snapped it up.

When it comes to writing, are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a plotter-pantser hybrid. Before I start writing a new story, I write a one-line summary for each of the major plot turning points. I also fill in character interviews for each of my main characters. Once I start writing, I don’t look at my outline notes unless I get stuck. I usually take stock after I’ve reached 25% of my word-count goal. At this point, my story and characters bear very little resemblance to the original plan. So I re-do the plan and keep writing until I hit the midway mark. Then it’s lather, rinse, and repeat until I reach the end.

In truth, I would love to be a real plotter. Knowing exactly what happens in each scene before I wrote it would certainly save time at the revision stage. On the other hand, every single one of my better plot and character ideas come to me while I’m writing, not during brainstorming sessions. I need the security of knowing I have some sort of plan before I begin, followed by the freedom to go with the flow.

Why did you decide to write the Ballybeg series?

Short answer: I didn’t! When I wrote a very early draft of Love and Shenanigans in 2010, I thought it would be a stand-alone contemporary romance. After I finished it, I found myself missing the town and the people, as daft as that sounds. :D Plus I knew two of the secondary characters would be perfect for one another. So I wrote a sequel! To date, I’ve written five romances set in Ballybeg. The first three will be released this year.

Can you tell us a bit about your debut romance, Love and Shenanigans?

I can indeed! Here’s the blurb:

Vows in Vegas…

Three days before leaving Ireland on the adventure of a lifetime, Fiona Byrne returns to her small Irish hometown to attend the family wedding from hell. When she discovers the drunken vows she exchanged with the groom during a wild Las Vegas trip eight years previously mean they’re legally married, her future plans ricochet out of control. Can she untangle herself from the man who broke her heart so long ago? Does she even want to?

…True Love in Ballybeg.
Gavin Maguire’s life is low on drama, high on stability, and free of pets. But Gavin hadn’t reckoned on Fiona blasting back into his life and crashing his wedding. In the space of twenty-four hours, he loses a fiancĂ©e and a job, and gains a wife and a labradoodle. Can he salvage his bland-but-stable life? More importantly, can he resist losing his heart to Fiona all over again?

WARNING: This book features a crashed wedding, a labradoodle with attitude, sexy times, and love and laughter, Irish-style.

What are you working on now?

I’m revising Love and Leprechauns for my editor (due out in November). Once that’s done, I need to finish incorporating the line edits for Love and Blarney (due out in September) and send it to the proofreader.

Where can we visit you online?

I have an author website at zarakeane.net. I’m also active on Twitter (@zara_keane), Facebook, and Goodreads.

Thank you so much for having me on Romantic Reads and Such!


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BIO:

Zara Keane grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but spent her summers in a small town very similar to Ballybeg, the fictitious town in which she sets her Irish contemporary romance series.

She currently lives in Switzerland with her family. When she’s not writing or wrestling small people, she drinks far too much coffee, and tries—with occasional success—to resist the siren call of Swiss chocolate.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Kobo

All Romance (ARe)

Apple

Google Play

Barnes & Noble (NOOK)

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Spotlight - The Queen's Wings

To start off the week we're going to take a look at Jamie K. Schmidt's newest, The Queen's Wings - a sexy new paranormal romance, following the new trend of dragons, which I find intriguing.  I love the fact that we are getting outside of just vampires and werewolves ... although those are still sexy too!

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Book Title: The Queen’s Wings

Author: Jamie K. Schmidt

Release Date: 5/27/14

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Blurb:

Long ago, the Cult of Humanity sacrificed the Dragon Queen, crippling the breeding process.  But now Carolyn hears the voice of that long dead queen telling her that she holds the key to breaking the spell that will free all the female dragons.

FBI dragon Reed’s disdain for humans can’t mask the magnetic attraction he has for Carolyn, but when she tells him she’s going to shift into a dragon he thinks she’s crazy. A female hasn’t been hatched, or shape shifted, in over a thousand years.

He’s proven wrong after Carolyn shifts and is named the new Queen on the block. A never-ending line of suitors forms, but she only wants Reed. Too bad he doesn’t want in on the competition. But when the Cult kidnaps Carolyn to sacrifice her in an effort to make the curse against the female dragons permanent, Reed must face his fears—and feelings, racing to save the woman he realizes he can’t live without.

Tagline: Save the Dragons.

Amazon Buy Link: http://bit.ly/QueensWingsAM

Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://bit.ly/QueensWingsBN

Entangled Page: http://bit.ly/QueensWingsEP

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Author Info:

Jamie Kleinkauf-Schmidt has over thirty short stories published in small press and ezines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English, which is a fancy way of saying she went to college to teach high school English. When that didn’t pan out, she worked as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major conglomerate company. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA), serving as the PRO liaison for her local chapter Connecticut Romance Writers of America (CTRWA).

When not writing, Jamie relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry. She sells her handcrafted items at The Dudley Farm during the summer. A voracious reader, Jamie has a Kindle and is not afraid to use it.

Author Website: http://www.jkschmidt.com/

Author Blog: http://jamiekswriter.livejournal.com/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamiekswriter

Author Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamie.k.schmidt.1

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jamiekswriter

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Giveaway:

Jamie is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a pair of earrings!

Terms & Conditions:

By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

2 winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive each of the prizes

This giveaway begins May 26 and ends on June 6.

Winners will be contacted via email on June 7, 2014.

Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!


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