Five Question Friday with @KenWeene, #author, #interview

Friday, May 17th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | No Comments

I would like to welcome author Kenneth Weene to Five Question Friday!

1.  Who’s my favorite character and why?

With five novels published, I have to admit that unlike the proverbial and dishonest parent, I don’t love all my children equally. Some of those characters are downright despicable and others seem like dear friends. But for shear literary power, my favorite is the unnamed narrator of Memoirs From the Asylum. He lets it all hang out. (No, not in that way you of dirty minds, that’s a different character.) His world is one filled with angst, doubt, helplessness, and stench; and he doesn’t shrink from it or from what he brings to it. Yeah, honesty, even when it’s wrapped in terror and psychosis: that’s the ticket for me.

Tags: Five Question Friday, Kenneth Weene

Five Question Friday with @TaraLain, #authorinterview, #excerpt, #glbt, #mm

Friday, May 10th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | 8 Comments

I would like to welcome Tara Lain to Five Question Friday! Tara will give away an e-copy of Hearts and Flour to one lucky person who comments on the post between Friday and end of day Sunday.

1. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

My new book, Hearts and Flour, is a quirky MM contemporary romance about the unlikely love of a vegan, raw-food fanatic for a cross-dressing cupcake baker. Yes, it’s not your everyday story! But I love the unexpected. I loved writing it because I’m a bit of a health food nut myself so it let me express some of my own idiosyncrasies while reminding me to love and accept other points-of-view!

2. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

I write primarily MM contemporary and paranormal fiction. I also have a series of MMF ménages. I fell in love with MM fiction quite by accident when I ordered a new book by a favorite author of mine and it turned out to be a gay romance. I was surprised, fascinated, and ultimately captivated. I love the lack of gender roles in MM fiction and the fluid way an author can play against stereotypes. I love being able to choose which character I’ll identify with versus being forced to relate to the heroine. I just love writing male characters.

3. What day jobs have you held? How have they impacted your writing?

My day job has totally impacted my writing in various ways. I am an ad/PR professional and now own my own agency. I do a ton of writing as a part of my job. For years that kept me from writing fiction, because more writing sounded like too much work! But now that I do both, it’s terrific because I love the variety. I don’t get bored with either kind of writing. And I get great ideas for books from all the information I get from my clients. Like the genetic sequencing in Genetic Attraction was an idea from a client.

4. For people who want to explore the theme of your book, where should they begin?

Hmm. The theme of my book is authenticity and self-worth so I guess everywhere in life there are lessons in those subjects. For those who want to explore MM romance, they have only to go to Amazon. There is a huge, thriving genre waiting to be explored, and the average reader of a MM romance is a woman between 30 and 60! Health food and cupcakes?  Hop on the Internet. There’s so much fun stuff to learn.

5. What are three things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?

I NEVER go out without lipstick (actually tinted natural lip gloss from the health food store! LOL) even if I’m going on a hike. I always have something to read either on my phone, Kindle or iPad. I stuff tissues in my pocket because I hate having a runny nose and no tissue. And not all the time, but a lot of the time I take my Papillon, Jolie.

Blurb:

To Micah Truveen, raw, vegan food is his religion. So when his devoted customers show up with white flour cupcakes, Micah could kill. Then Micah comes home to find his boyfriend, Dharamaram, in bed with someone else. He throws the rat out and agrees to go to his friend’s orgiastic anti-Valentines party where he meets a gorgeous cross-dressing guy who gives him a night to remember.

Southerner Quentin Darby wishes he could stop wearing women’s clothes. He so wants to live up to his grandmother’s glowing opinion of him, he’s never even told her he’s gay. And now there’s Micah who makes him wish he could just be who he is. But Micah finds out that Quentin is the baker responsible for the plague of cupcakes afflicting the community! And Dharmaram adds a little blackmail to the mix. Can two hearts rise above the flour?

Excerpt:

Gasping for breath, he stopped outside the store. Locked. Of course. It was only eight thirty in the morning. At least Dharmaram’s class didn’t start until nine. If only Quentin would come here to the shop right after he dropped off his grandmother. Or maybe even before. Oh God. What if he went in and Dharmaram confronted them together? No warning. Just a smack in the face. Maybe he should run to the yoga studio? He took two steps down the pavement—

“Micah?”

He turned back to see that beautiful face. A beautiful face and body—dressed in men’s clothes. He’d seen Quentin as Queen. He’d seen Quentin naked. But this was the first time seeing him as a man.

“Wow.”

Of course, that masculine image was slightly compromised by the fact that Quentin wore an apron over his jeans and T-shirt. An apron covered in flour and dough. Micah wanted to lick it off. The first processed food he’d had in years.

Quentin wiped his hands. “What did you want?”

His eyes wouldn’t focus. He just wanted to keep staring at that loveliness.

“Maybe I could get one of your raw cupcakes?”

“You came here before opening for a cupcake?”

Micah shook his head. “No. I have something to tell you. Something pretty awful.”

Quentin frowned. “Something more awful than you going back to your yoga teacher a few hours after we had sex?”

Micah breathed out hard. “It’s related to that. Where can we talk?”

“There’s people baking in the kitchen. You know, baking that poison I make and force on people?” He stood very upright.

“I’m truly sorry for that. Just, please, let me tell you what’s happened.”

“OK.” Quentin stepped aside and pointed to the back. Micah walked into the shop, assailed again by the sweetest of smells. No second sweetest, after Quentin.

Quentin walked through the door that led to the kitchen and Micah followed. He turned right and stepped into a small office with a desk, computer, and a filing cabinet. Quentin pointed to a straight-back chair across from the desk. He took the desk chair. “So what did you want to tell me?”

Whew. Face-to-face, this was tough duty. His heart beat so hard he could feel it in his toes. “I, uh, I really care about you.”

Who knew Quentin’s face could get that angry. “You sure have a unique way of showing it, sugah.”

“Wait. I’ve done a bunch of dumb things, and I’m not sure which is dumbest. First, I did that whole priggish song and dance about the cupcakes being poison when I should have been telling you how much I admire you and appreciate how you take care of your grandmother. And I really want to know why you created those raw cupcakes—” he held up a hand “—but first I have to tell you about my other idiot moves. The reason you saw me with Dharmaram is because he was blackmailing me. He figured out that the beautiful woman he saw me with is the grandson of his most proper southern lady student, and he threatened to tell Mary Beth about you if I didn’t take him back in. What you saw was him moving his stuff into my guest room. That’s guest room.”

Quentin’s mouth literally hung open. “But why did you do that? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Micah shrugged. “I knew if I told you, you’d immediately come out to your grandmother, and I didn’t want to force you to do something you didn’t want to do.”

“So you’ve been hosting that snake in the grass on account of me?” The blue eyes widened to saucer expanse.

Micah shifted in the chair. “I was. But that’s why I ran here so fast this morning. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I woke up this morning and he was climbing in bed with me. I threw him out again.”

“Good.”

“Not good, because he’s going to go straight to Mary Beth and—”

“Who’s going straight to me, darling?”

The soft southern voice came around the partly closed door followed by a curly head and blue eyes that sparkled just like her grandson’s.

He would have smiled but fear seemed to have frozen him solid. What could they say? All he could do was follow Quentin’s lead.

~~~~~~~~~

Tara Lain’s first erotic romance novel was published in January of 2011. She’s now on book 17. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series of 2011, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm, and she carries her promotional instincts into her writing career as well. She lives with her soul-mate husband in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

Tara would love it if you stalked on her on the web…

E-mail:                   tara@taralain.com

Website:              http://www.taralain.com

Author blog:       http://taralain.blogspot.com

Book blog:           http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com

Goodreads:        http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Pinterest:            http://pinterest.com/taralain/

Twitter:               http://twitter.com/taralain

Facebook:           http://www.facebook.com/people/Tara-Lain/100001514105686

FB Page:               http://www.facebook.com/taralain

Amazon:              http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Lain/e/B004U1W5QC/

B&N                       http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Tara-Lain?keyword=Tara+Lain&store=book

ARe        http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Tara+Lain

Tags: Five Question Friday, Tara Lain

Five Question Friday with @Massim0Marin0, #authorinterview, #excerpt, #freebook

Friday, April 26th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday | 3 Comments

I would like to welcome Massimo Marino to Five Question Friday. Massimo will give away an e-copy of Daimones to one lucky person who comments on the blog.

1. Who is your favorite character from the book and why?

Dan, the main character. He struggles continuously but he fights back. He can fall on his knees 100 times but he always stands up one more time.

2.  What can your readers expect from you in the future?

To keep writing and becoming better at it with every book. I’m writing the sequel to “Daimones”, the trilogy is all in my mind and it can’t wait to come out.

3. Is there an author you would really like to meet? Why?

Arthur C. Clark. Why, because if I meet him in the future it means there is continuation and afterlife will be even more interesting.

4. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Usually during the day. In the afternoon I review, edit, and change things a bit. Wherever I am, my two cats are nearby. I write, they sleep.

5. What did you enjoy most about writing this book? 

Realizing that the story was already there. I’m the first reader of my stories. They simmer, boil, and then I cannot contain them anymore. Then it’s just a matter of brushing the keys on my computer and I can read it. It’s as if a channel opens up, I get lost in the story and I become its storyteller. Time bends.

Blurb:

 Excerpt:

Before leaving the shop, I checked every visible area from there with the binoculars, one more time. Nothing.

“C’mon, boy, time to go home. Our ladies are waiting and a bit nervous.”

We left and returned to the car as swiftly as possible. I decided to head back home right away, but not before Taxi stopped to empty his bladder against a tree. Actually, I did the same; both of us marking territory. Crows started to gather on trees for the evening to come. I did not remember having ever seen so many in one place before. Flying high, a hawk screeched.

Nature would not take long to reclaim Geneva. In a few years, things will deteriorate fast. Repeated cycles of freezing and warming will widen cracks between slabs of sidewalks, pipes will explode, and pavement separate and split with even more cracks. Weeds will be poking from the asphalt and building walls, and lichen seeds will sprout.

Fires will occur, maybe set by lightning to a wooden roof in the old town and move on to burn other buildings. Wild vegetation will cover streets and squares; the city sewage system will collapse and rain water collect into puddles. Small flows from the higher districts to the lowest will appear to then finally reach the lake. Cities will soon be a tough and harsh place to live or spend time.

For a moment, buildings became walls of stone; the streets, chasms and fissures in the earth; ravines and boulders, a crib for humanity. With all these images lingering in my mind, I put Taxi in the back seat and drove home.

**********

Massimo would love it if you stalked him on the web….

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6463529.Massimo_Marino

Twitter: @Massim0Marin0

Tags: Five Question Friday, Massimo Marino

Five Question Friday with Melissa Blue, @mel_thegreat, #authorinterview, #excerpt, #freebook, #contemporary

Friday, April 19th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | 2 Comments

I would like to welcome my buddy Melissa Blue to Five Question Friday. Melissa will be giving away an e-copy of the entire box set of her See Her Fall series to one lucky reader who comments on the blog.

1.            What can your readers expect from you in the future?

Next month I’ll be releasing Everything He Dreamed. I love this book. Like, love this book. Tony Creed was featured in Everything You Need. He’s the hero’s brother in that story and had very little page time, but I swear everyone who read it wanted Tony’s story. He was charming, sarcastic and he just loved to give his brother crap. I wanted the perfect heroine who would not only keep up with him, but have him chasing her instead. In walks Phoenix. She’s smart, just as charming, has high standards and has a heartbreaking past. He was so toast from page one. I really believe people are going to connect with these characters and this story. It deals with the heavy and serious subject domestic violence, but I think the lightness and the romance balances out the story. Did I mention I love this book?

After that I have three other for sure, for sure releases. It’s a contemporary romance series that deals with my take on modern fairy tales. Three best friends: Emma, Abigail and Sasha. I had so much fun writing these stories, matching them up with heroes and seeing how their friendship changed over the course of three books. And, of course, questioning my own beliefs about Happily Ever After and what that means.

2.            Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?  If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

I fell into the contemporary romance genre. How Much You Want to Bet? was the fun book I was playing with while I built up a career writing romantic suspense titles. It is tough to make romance believable, poignant, funny and fresh in a contemporary setting. The world has to be current but not dated. The characters have to fall in love in a realistic way. There’s no dead bodies or fated-to-mate plot points to help you. But, I loved the challenge. I love being able to take two people and find out why they fall in love , despite everything.

So, to keep myself from going stir crazy, I dip into paranormal worlds. I’m hoping to have at least one release this year that’s a paranormal. I think writing outside of contemporaries is what keeps me balanced.

3.            What do you like to read in your free time?

Historical romances are my go-to. I’m tough on contemporaries because I write them so it’s hard to turn off my internal editor. But, put me in a historical setting and I can immerse myself into the world. I also love mysteries. Hard-boiled private detectives or paranormal who-done-its like the early Dresden Files. Or anything that catches my eye when I’m on a reading binge.

4.            If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

Bette Milder, Prince and Betty White. Or, Oprah, Tom Hanks and Shonda Rhimes(sp?). I think I’d have one hell of a time with either set of folks. Smart, funny and genius. I don’t think I’d freak out as much because why would I want to get off an island with these people? Needless to say I’m a huge fan of all of them. Yes, even Bette Midler. The Divine Ms. M. Have you ever seen her perform live? Particularly Stay With Me? Yeah. I’m good with either set.

5.            Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? Why?

Brenda Jackson. I was lucky enough to have a very short and insightful chat with Francis Ray when I first started writing. (Back when I wrote romantic suspense.)  I still own the original copy and battered copy of Fallen Angel. When I think of the authors who first inspired me to write romance, she’s in the top three.

So, I’d go with Jackson because I’d want to gems and I because I admire the hell out of this woman. She writes multi-cultural romance in a business that makes it hard to be successful writing MC romance. There’s no denying she’s successful and that she can write.

Blurb:

Nathan Craine eats small businesses for breakfast. There’s one store he is dying to buy, but this time it is for very personal reasons. He’s certain the owner will hand over the store; it’s only the matter of naming a price. To his surprise, Lynne Kelley refuses to sell, now or ever… In this battle, someone has to lose. And the cost of winning might be far more than either is willing to pay.

Excerpt:

“I’ve done this again and again. I’m guessing you didn’t look me up. You really should so you know what you’re up against. I can read your tells. I can almost smell a competitor’s uncertainty, their desperation. I’ve never named a price that someone wouldn’t take.”

“As I recall…” A corner of her lip turned upward into a crooked smile. “I shot yours down.”

Her hand was steady as she took a sip of scotch. She made a sound of appreciation, and placed the glass back on her thigh. Lynne’s tongue ran over her top lip, catching the stray liquid before it trailed down her mouth.

Nate knew she hadn’t done that on purpose. Nor that sound. The unconscious actions became that much more sensual.

He wanted to know how she tasted with scotch on her lips. The thought should have made him sit back out of reflex.

Awareness flickered in her gaze; not of what she’d done and his reaction to it, but of him as a man. As someone who could be, and should be, desired. She cleared her throat, but neither of them moved.

All he had to do was drag her down and lean forward. God, it was the stupidest thought he’d had since…Shit. Since ever, but despite that, Nate rose and leaned forward.

The ice in the glass had cooled her lips, but they warmed at his touch. He gripped the cup in his hand like it was a hold on his sanity, but then she parted her lips on a sigh, granting him entrance to her dark and wet depths.

Need, not curiosity, got the better of him. He parted those creamy thighs that had taunted him moments before. He nestled there and in her mouth like he belonged, like he had somehow found home.

See Lynne Chased is available NOW! Get your copy here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please stalk my friend Melissa on the web…

Website: http://melissablue.weebly.com
Blog: http://melthegreatest.blogspot.com
Twitter: @mel_thegreat
To friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/themelissablue.author
To Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorofSMR

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tags: Five Question Friday, Melissa Blue

Five Question Friday with @CornellThomas, #authorinterview, #ebook, #excerpt, #nonfic

Friday, April 12th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | 2 Comments

I would like to welcome author Cornell Thomas to Five Question Friday.

1.  Is there any author you’d like to meet and why?

Malcolm Gladwell. He can find inspiration from things that no one else can see. He somehow made me fascinated about why they’re so many different brands of Mustard and only one brand of Ketchup. His works provoke thought and that’s what writing should be about.

2.  What book are you currently reading?

I’m reading, “What the Dog Saw” by Malcolm Gladwell and “Quiet” by Susan Cain.

3.  Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Where I write is usually at home, the when is where it gets a little weird. Every morning I make a motivational quote to post on twitter, face book etc. Sometimes I wake up inspired at 3am, sometimes it’s at 6am. When I write my blog it’s usually late at night. Having insomnia does have its benefits. (short term)

4.  Why did you choose your field? If you write more than one how do you balance them?

My book is a motivational quote book. It’s filled with the quotes I’ve made over the last two years. I have also included some of my blog excerpts as well. I feel that there’s not enough positivity in the world. We forget that our happiness is the key to having a great life. So hopefully my words can encourage others to pursue what they love and look at the bright side of things. My next book is going to be an autobiography so I should be able to balance the two with no problem.

5.  What did you enjoy about writing this book?

I enjoyed knowing that if one person buys it or one million people do my words might have helped someone get through a tough time in their life. Giving back is my purpose in life and this book is part of my giving.

~~~~~~~

Cornell’s newest release: The Power Of Positivity is coming soon!

Cornell would love it if you stalked him on the web…

Website: www.powerofpositivity.net

Blog: www.powerofpositivity.net

Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornell-Thomas/303035436471954].

Twitter: @cornellthomas

Tags: Cornell Thomas, Five Question Friday

Five Question Friday with @Jennah_Scott, #author, #interview, #excerpt, #freebookop

Friday, April 5th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | No Comments

I would like to welcome Jennah Scott to Five Question Friday! Jennah will be giving away an e-copy of Making His Mark to one lucky visitor who comments on the blog.

1.  Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? 

I love the trials and rewards of falling in love. So writing romance was an easy choice. The erotic side came when I tried writing it for fun and realized how much the sensual side of a relationship could add to the romance.

2.  Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I prefer to write at night on the couch. My husband turns on TV shows I would never watch and they serve as white noise for me.

3.  Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?

Ireland. It’s so green and rich with history and stories.

4.  What do you like to read in your free time?

Pretty much anything. I usually switch between urban fantasy and contemporary romance.

5.   An actor or a book character you have a crush on?

There are a few! Most recently is Jesse from Racing to Love Jesse’s Soul by Amy Gregory. My long-term crush is Shane from the WVMP series by Jeri Smith-Ready.

Blurb:

One kiss is all it took for Alexis Catori’s world to turn upside down. One kiss with a man she thinks can help her move beyond her past.

Bo Nantan has one rule when it comes to tattooing: he refuses to ink his friends. Until Alexis asks him to do her work.

Bo tries to refuse, but decides maybe there is a compromise that will work. Together they discover their compromise is about more than just art, it’s facing the past so they can move on with the future.

Excerpt:

“Who’s analyzing what?” Bo chimed as he walked through Matt’s door.

Holy hell.

Alexis had her legs stretched out, her feet rested on the coffee table. She wore jean shorts that showed off her long, golden brown legs.  No girl should be able to taunt him the way she did, especially since they didn’t even get along. The tight purple t-shirt she wore rode up to show an inch of smooth stomach.  Bo licked his lips in an attempt to wipe away the desire pumping through his veins.

“Oh goody, Slut Boy has arrived. We can stop the Dr. Phil show and start the fun. Nice of you to show up half an hour late rather than a full hour.” Alexis focused on the forty-three inch plasma TV at the front of the room.

“You know what they say about teasing someone, right?” Bo asked.

“Don’t care, but you’re going to tell us anyway aren’t you?”

“The harder you tease, the more you like them.”

“Yep that’s it. Oh Bo,” she started in a sing-song voice, “I love you so much. You’re all I ever think about. Please, please let me kiss your feet.”

Bo climbed over Matt’s legs then fell down on top of her. She tensed beneath him, her hands propped against his shoulders. He ignored her attempt to shove him away and leaned his head back next to her ear. “Ask nicely and I’ll let you kiss more than my feet.”

“Ugh. You disgust me. Get off, before I kiss your balls with my knee.”

With a chuckle, he slid to her side and got comfortable. Alexis had a killer body, one he’d wanted from the day she joined their little group.  She could hardly stand to be in the same room with him though, at least that’s the way he felt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennah would absolutely love it if you stalked her on the web…

Website: www.jennahscott.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjennahscott

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6820280.Jennah_Scott

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennah_scott

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jennahscott/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tags: Five Question Friday, Jennah Scott

Five Question Friday with @ClariceWynter, #author, #interview, #ebook, #contest, #excerpt, #romance

Friday, March 29th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | 1 Comment

I would like to welcome Clarice Wynter to Five Question Friday. Clarice will give away an e-copy of Jilted in January to one lucky winner who comments.

1.  Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

I have to admit my favorite character from JILTED IN JANUARY is Audrey Desmond. She’s the best friend of the heroine, Harper. As much as I like Harper and enjoyed being able to empower her to make the best of her circumstances, I knew Audrey would be a lot of fun. She stars in FIXED UP IN FEBRUARY, the second book in the series and she also has a bit of a reputation that has a lot of the men in Spring River Valley just a little bit afraid of her. I won’t spoil it by telling you why, but I’ll just say, Audrey takes no prisoners and she doesn’t put up with any bull from anyone.

2.  Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I do most of my writing at the dining room table. I do have a cute little home office, with a tiny fridge and a door that leads out to a small private deck, but I very rarely work there. In fact JILTED IN JANUARY is one of the few stories I wrote in its entirety in my office. You can usually find me downstairs with my laptop on the dining room table and a cat trying to sleep on my keyboard.

3.  Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?  If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

I’ve been a fan of a number of genres and always wanted to try my hand at all of the ones I love. When I first started writing I wrote strictly science fiction adventure. Years later, as part of a challenge to myself, I decided I would try my hand at something with a historical flare, a story with a horror theme and then a romance. Once I wrote the romance, I never looked back. I’ve since written paranormal, sci-fi, historical and contemporary under various pen names. Balancing them for me is mostly a matter of following the muse who’s in charge at the moment. Right now my contemporary muse has the reigns.

4.  What was the hardest part of writing this book?

To be honest, the hardest part of writing this book has been keeping the momentum to complete the series. I was on fire when I began writing JILTED IN JANUARY, but each subsequent book in the series has taken a little longer to write – because I want to do justice to all of the characters I’ve created and keep readers interested from the beginning of the first story to the end of the last one.

5.  What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

The best part of writing JILTED IN JANUARY was having all the possibilities in front of me. I was thrilled with the idea of a series and excited by the prospect of creating a large cast of interconnected characters. It was a daunting task that I’d created for myself, but I was raring to go. Now, more than a year after I started the project, I’m looking forward to the sense of accomplishment I’ll feel when the final story is ready for publication.

Blurb:

Harper Shaw is certain she’ll never live down her reputation as the jilted bride after her fiance’ bails on the wedding and decides to go on the honeymoon by himself.

Grant Addison’s career depends on saving the failing catering hall where Harper’s wedding was supposed to be held. He can’t return her deposit money to her, but his business proposal could help them both stay out of the red.

Their unlikely partnership heats up the cold winter nights in Spring River Valley, and leads them to discover January just might be hottest month of the year.

Jilted in January is Book One of the Spring River Valley Series. All novellas in the series are standalone, but it is recommended to read them in order.

Excerpt:

JILTED IN JANUARY is currently an Amazon KDP Select title. You can read an except here:

http://www.amazon.com/Jilted-January-Spring-Valley-ebook/dp/B00AOOW8HK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359162594&sr=8-1&keywords=jilted+in+january#reader_B00AOOW8HK

Clarice would love it if you stalked on here the web…

Website: www.claricewynter.com

Blog: http://claricewynter.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @ClariceWynter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tags: Clarice Wynter, Five Question Friday

Five Question Friday with Debra Hartman, #authorinterview, #excerpt, @fateseriesauth

Friday, March 22nd, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday | 2 Comments

I would like to welcome author Debra Hartman to my blog today for Five Question Friday.

1.  What can your readers expect from you in the future?

Truth in fiction.  The Twisted Fate series will be a compilation of fiction stories based on real life experiences.  Bad luck, good luck, crap that happens to people for no good reason that everyone can identify with in their own histories.

2.  Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

When no one else is home, on my couch in front of the fireplace with a movie playing over and over in the background for noise and sometimes in the middle of the night while everyone is sleeping

3.  Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

I think writers write what they know or imagine and in that way, what we write chooses us.  I also write professional materials, book reviews, articles, contracts, resumes, methods and procedures for big corporations, etc. and that to date has been more lucrative than writing fiction.  I balance between the two – no I don’t.  I write what comes out, sometimes it’s the novel for days at a time and then work stuff and sometimes I switch between the two daily, depends on the mood.

4.  What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Getting the hillbilly accent to come through in the spoken quotes!

5.  What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Knowing that somewhere, some woman will read it that needed the reality check to get out of an abusive relationship and actually does without going back to him!

Blurb

“A troubled sixteen year old girl moves away from home, her parents unwilling to tolerate her not complying with their devout religious beliefs as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Finally free of the strict rules and isolated lifestyle she had known her whole life, she is faced with making her own decisions and choices about her future for the first time. On the first day in town, she falls under the spell of a man ten years older and finds herself blinded by love. Fate is a member of a very dangerous bike club and while he gives her love and family like she has never known he confuses and entraps her with abuse and torturous experiences that she is made to believe are normal for a biker’s ole lady, as life inside a motorcycle gang is explored and exposed. Her strength carries her through the unthought-of abuses and twisted existence until a surprising ending that will shock and awe the reader while revealing the survival instincts that no woman should ever have to fall back on. This book is to be the first in a series that will continue to open the reader’s eyes to the ups and downs of the biker lifestyle, the ins and outs of loving the wrong men and the strength that all women possess to rise above anything and everything that diminishes or strips them of respect for themselves and love and happiness.”

Excerpt from the book, Fate is thinking about the first date:

She had hesitated about being alone with him and then about getting too close to him.  He liked that, if he saw that from her all the time he might not have those jealous feelings with her.  He hated those jealous feelings; they got in the way of having fun, of making money, of keeping his shit under control. 

He usually got into trouble when those jealous feelings got loose.  His ex-wife could do that to him from the moment he met her until this very day if he let her.  She had a way of acting slutty if she was just picking up toilet paper at the convenience store that drove him totally crazy with jealousy.  He would try to adjust her malfunction and she would have him arrested so he couldn’t pay the child support. Next thing, he’d be in prison for stealing so he could pay her so he wouldn’t go to jail.  If he had to go, it needed to be prison, you could get better drugs in there and still maintain control of your business on the outside if you were smart enough and he was.  Prison was more respectable too; jail was for junkies and wanna-be hard asses.

She would do just fine, he thought while he was leading her back into the main rooms and on out the door to take her back to her little high school girl world.  She sure could kiss and he bet she knew so little that he would have to show her how to move her hips in rhythm with his when the time came.  That time was coming very soon.  He didn’t think she would hold out past the third date, maybe the second and if so he would know she would do what ever he told her to.  He had learned so much from her tonight too, the shy ways about her told him that it wasn’t just first date jitters either, she really was shy.  In a very sexy way he mused, raising his awareness again as he tried to use both feet to navigate the little stick shift car to the nearest pay phone after he dropped her off.

There was a phone at the BBQ place where they had eaten earlier and he would call her so he could work on getting in her head some more while the physical distractions weren’t there.

~*****~*****~

Debra would love it if you stalked her on the web…

Website: www.twistedfatebook.webs.com
Blog: join my website to blog with me or just to see what I have been doing
Facebook: debral.hartmann.3
Goodreads: @fateseriesauth
Twitter: @fateseriesauth

Tags: Debra Hartman, Five Question Friday

Five Question Friday with @KarenRoseSmith, #authorinterview, #contest, #ebook, #romance

Friday, March 8th, 2013 | Book Pimpage, Five Question Friday, Writing | 3 Comments

I would like to welcome Karen Rose Smith to Five Question Friday! Karen will be giving away an e-copy of Toys and Baby Wishes to one lucky winner who comments on this post.

1.  Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I’m not sure my hobbies and talents are unique. I love animals. We have three cats, all rescues. The most recent Zoie Joy adopted us by arriving at a bush in our backyard in June. I’m often outside because in January I begin seed planting for the season with geraniums, petunias and impatiens. I also start heirloom tomato plants from seed. We plant about 25 and the rest we give to friends and family. Those tomatoes come in handy fresh or frozen when I want to cook up a recipe for my mystery series.

2. What can your readers expect from you in the future?

My readers can expect relationship novels from me in the future in many forms. This spring I’ll be adding to my SEARCH FOR LOVE ebook series with a woman’s fiction novel. This summer and fall, Harlequin will release two of my romances. The late summer book will be the first in my MOMMY CLUB series. The second is a Montana Mavericks release. Then in December my first mystery STAGED TO DEATH will be on print shelves and ebook readers. My sleuth is a home stager who takes in stray animals, comes from a big Italian family and loves to cook!

3. Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?

Some day I would like to visit Carmel and Big Sur. When I take a trip, I like to go to a place of power for me. In the past that has been the Grand Canyon and Sedona, Santa Fe and Taos area. Because of my background—both of my maternal and paternal grandparents were immigrants—I’d like to see Florence, Naples and Assisi.

4. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?  If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

I began writing romance because from a young age I read for those types of relationships. They fascinated me. So it was natural when I started my first book that I wanted the central theme to be romance. Now writing romance, woman’s fiction and mystery, I don’t find it difficult to balance because all of my books are based on family relationships. Each has a unique challenge that keeps me fresh. In romance, it’s the healing power of love for two people who can find happily-ever-after. In woman’s fiction, the relationships with mother and daughter, father and daughter, sister and brother to siblings propels the plot. And in mystery…  I love the puzzle aspect and fitting it all together. But central to my plots are the relationships that universally motivate everyone.

5. What do you like to read in your free time?

In my free time, which seems to be getting more scarce, I listen to audiobooks—mainly thrillers, mysteries and suspense. They keep me sharp, inform me, and constantly teach me about plot. Audiobooks give my eyes a rest and a way to quiet down after too much time spent at the computer. Maybe that’s why I’ve grown such an interest in developing many of my titles into audio. One, TOYS AND BABY WISHES is now live on Amazon, Audible and ITunes. I have five more in production. It’s another phase of my career that has intrigued me.

Blurb:

Joshua Flannigan owns successful toy stores and is protective of the aunt who raised him. When he returns from a backpacking trip to find his aunt’s new “friend” Alexandra Kittredge helping her make major life changes, he’s suspicious of Lexa’s motives.  After all, she looks more like a model than a job counselor!

Soon Josh realizes Lexa’s sincerity and compassion for others runs her life. Protective oher younger sister who is pregnant, Lexa intends to adopt her baby. But is that really the right move for both of them? Is her compassion blinding her to her sister’s actual needs? And what is the secret Lexa is keeping that will affect her life as well as Josh’s?

Josh falls in love with Lexa but is she truly in love with him? He needs her to put their relations and future first. Yet in a stress-filled moment after his proposal, he doesn’t believe she can. When Lexa finally gets her priorities straight she doesn’t know if she’s come to her senses too late. On Christmas Eve, she plans a strategy to show Josh she loves him, not knowing if her attempts to find forgiveness will succeed or backfire?

A lifetime of happiness could be a jingle bell away!

Excerpt:

“What in blazes is going on here?”

Lexa Kittredge almost dropped the porcelain figurine she’d lifted from Clare Flannigan’s bookshelf.  Before she could answer, Clare slipped from behind the desk she’d been dusting.

“Josh!  You’re back!”  She pushed her blue glasses farther up her nose.  “Lexa, this is my nephew, Josh Flannigan.  Josh, meet Alexandra Kittredge.”

Lexa only had time to nod before Clare rushed on, “So how was Colorado, Josh?  You deserved that long vacation.  Anything exciting happen?  Meet any bears?”

Lexa suppressed a smile, recognizing Clare’s attempt to turn the focus of the conversation on her nephew, rather than the disordered state of her apartment.

“Aunt Clare, what’s going on?”

His question was directed at Clare but his gaze was on Lexa.  Suddenly she wished they’d opened a window.  She hadn’t noticed it before, but the heat in Clare’s apartment was stifling.  Her sweatshirt was sticking uncomfortably to her shoulders.  It wasn’t supposed to be this hot in Pennsylvania in October, Indian summer or not.  Or did the sudden rise in temperature have something to do with Josh Flannigan’s piercing blue eyes, the same startling blue as Clare’s?

“I’m moving.”

Josh’s attention flew to his aunt.  “You’re what?”

Clare climbed onto the step stool to remove books from the top shelf of the bookcase.  “I’m moving.  Some friends and I have invested in a lovely old house,” she explained airily as if she did something like this at least once a week.

Josh’s fingers dashed through his shaggy black hair.  “Have you taken leave of your senses?”

Lexa set the figurine back on the shelf and took a step forward, deciding it might be time to help Clare explain the situation to her nephew.  She offered her hand.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Flannigan.  Clare’s told me so much about you.”

Josh’s gaze switched back to her.  “And just who are you?”

“Joshua, don’t be rude!” Clare scolded.

He took Lexa’s hand but also took the time to give her a more thorough looking-over.  She didn’t have to guess at what he saw.  Sweatshirt and jeans.  Curly blonde hair that probably looked as if she’d just escaped a stiff wind.  Shiny face.  “I’m a friend of Clare’s.”

He dropped her hand.  “Since when?”

“Josh…”

“It’s all right, Clare.  About two months ago Clare came to a workshop I was giving,” Lexa explained.

“About?”  Josh looked at Clare as if she’d been bitten by some strange bug.

“Senior citizens developing second careers.”

“Oh, great.  Just what Clare needs when she’s finally retired.”

“You don’t know what I need.”  Clare’s tone matched the fiery hue of her red hair.

“Mr. Flannigan, your aunt has acted very responsibly.”

“Where did you get the money?” Josh asked his aunt.

“I had money saved.”

Josh’s hand slashed through the air.  “But that was your nest egg.  I don’t believe you’ve done something so… impulsive.”

Clare exploded. “It’s about time I’m impulsive if I want to be impulsive.”

Lexa took a deep breath.  She had to do something to prevent a full-blown fight.  “I’ve directed Clare to an experienced financial advisor.”

Josh shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Clare, you can’t be serious about moving.  You’ve lived in this apartment all your life.  I’ve lived here much of mine.  The rent’s always been reasonable, you don’t have to worry about mowing grass or shoveling snow.”  He looked around the room at the chaos.  “My God!  I go away for six weeks and when I come back, you’re packing boxes.”

Clare shrugged and took Lexa’s place at the bookshelves.  She reached to the top shelf for two volumes of poetry.  “I’m doing the right thing.  Ask Lexa.”

Acting as a buffer wasn’t Lexa’s favorite position.  She’d had to do it too many times between her younger sister and their stepmother.  But at least she’d had practice.  “I think you’re doing what you want to do.  That makes it right.”

Striding toward Clare, Josh took the books from her hand and dumped them into an open carton.  His denim jacket emphasized the width of his shoulders, and the snug fitting jeans encased long legs and muscular thighs.  He wasn’t drop-dead handsome, but even with the beard stubble, he’d certainly do.  Do for what?  Lexa asked herself, then pushed every possible answer out of her head.

“I want to know where you got this crazy idea,” Josh was saying.  “Do you know the work you’re letting yourself in for?  The hassles?”

Clare’s eyes threw rebellious darts.  “What about the joy?  The challenge?  The thrill of a new adventure?  Just because I’m over sixty, Joshua Flannigan, is no reason to put me out to pasture.  I’m still alive and kicking more than ever.  Thirty-five years of teaching English to teenagers is not enough to wear me out or put me in a rocking chair.”

She pointed her finger at him.  “You thought I’d be happy retired, you thought I’d be happy living a life of leisure.  Well, if it wasn’t for the senior center this past year, I’d have gone crazy!  Lexa thinks this is a magnificent idea and I expected more support from you.”

Josh pushed his jacket flaps aside and stuffed his hands in his back pockets as if he were considering the best way to reason with his aunt.  “Don’t you thing you’re acting recklessly?”

Lexa squared her shoulders.  This was going to be more difficult than she’d expected.  “Mr. Flannigan, your aunt came to talk to me because she was bored, because she was feeling useless, because sitting here by herself was making her feel ancient.”

Josh’s blue eyes were steady and concerned as they swung back to Clare.  “Aunt Clare, all you have to do is call me.  I can spend more time with you.”

“What nonsense!”  Clare planted her hands on her hips.

“You’re thirty-four, You have your own life to live and so do I.”

Realizing her presence increased the tension, Lexa stepped forward.  “Clare, it might be better if I wait in the other room.”

“Don’t let Josh chase you out.”

Lexa crossed the room.  “He’s not.  I think you two need to hash this out on your own.  I’ll take down the wall decorations in the living room.”

Josh moved aside to let Lexa pass, wondering how to keep his aunt from making the biggest mistake of her life.  He cared about her too much to let her put herself in financial jeopardy, let alone create more work for herself than she needed.

Lexa’s delicate perfume lingered, teasing him.  After weeks of smelling only damp earth and woods, the scent affected him.  Or maybe it was her seeming fragility–the big brown eyes, that fluffy blond hair.  She certainly looked harmless.  So what was she doing meddling in Clare’s life?

Josh turned toward his aunt, his black brows pulling together in an effort to concentrate on her problem.  “Is a rambling old house going to give you a new life?  I think it’s going to give you headaches.  Think of the money you’ll waste on repairs.  Something always needs to be fixed in old houses.  Who’s going to pay for that?”

Clare’s tone was defensive.  “Lexa says it doesn’t need many repairs.  The door frames need a fresh coat of paint.  That’s all.”

The last thing he wanted to do was dismiss or hurt Clare’s feelings.  She had given him a home since he was twelve and he loved her dearly.  But the idea of her giving up her nest egg worried him.  If Alexandra Kittredge had influenced Clare unduly, there’d be hell to pay.

©2013 Karen Rose Smith

Toys and Baby Wishes is available NOW in ebook and audiobook!!

Get your copy here.

Karen would love it if you stalked her on the web….

Websites:

http://www.karenrosesmith.com

http://www.karenrosesmithmysteries.com

Blog: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Rose-Smith/113599841764?ref=hl

Newsletter: http://karenrosesmith-ezine.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/karosm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenrosesmith

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21863.Karen_Rose_Smith

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tags: Five Question Friday, Karen Rose Smith

NEW RELEASE ~ VINDICATION by Lyric James, #excerpt, #ebook, #bdsm, #erotica

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 | Book Pimpage, New Release | No Comments

Blurb:

Warning: This book contains a submissive ready to embrace her dark side…a Dom unwilling to dominate the woman he loves…and a killer with a dangerous secret to hide.

Private Investigator Karyn Harris’ sister was killed in the line of duty and branded a rogue cop. She’s spent the last year grieving and wishing she could find the one clue that will vindicate her sister. Zechariah Washington, an ex-cop and law student, is there to help ease her pain, but he wants to be more than a shoulder to cry on. After a mid-afternoon booty call, an unexpected phone call sends Karyn and Zechariah to the last place her sister was seen alive…the BDSM club, Twine.

Karyn finds out more than she bargained for about the last few months of her sister’s life and realizes the only way to find her killer is to follow in her footsteps, become a member of the club and enlists Zechariah to go under cover with her.

Before too long, Karyn realizes she’s going down the same path. When the dark fantasies of voyeurism, spankings and group sex become her own, finding her sister’s killer no longer drives her desire to return to the club again and again, but her erotic need for Zechariah’s dominance. Will she come to her senses before it’s too late or will Karyn and Zechariah fall victim to the same people who murdered her sister?

Excerpt:

Zechariah glanced across the front seat of his car at Karyn. As close as they’d been to fucking in front of a crowd of people only minutes ago, as responsive as they’d been to the sinfully wicked scene that happened right in front of them, she was someplace else now, quiet as a mouse.

And he didn’t like it one fucking bit.

She was the one who’d dragged them into that goddamn den of wickedness.

Was she feeling guilty about giving him a blow job and jerking him off in front of a room full of people?  How did she feel now that she’d watched a woman willingly be gang-banged in front of a licentious crowd?

Hell, how did he feel?

It had been as if a real-life porno had been acted out right in front of him. It took him back to an experience he didn’t want to remember.

Zechariah had nearly swallowed his tongue when the woman appeared in front of all of them buck-assed naked. She’d had a gorgeously lush body with curves in all the right places, a tiny waist and a shaved, puffy pink mound he wanted to put his mouth on.

He’d been hard instantly and had felt awkward because the woman he loved had been sitting right next to him. But even more ill at ease when he’d glanced at her and realized she was just as turned on as he was.

If they hadn’t been witnessing it all with a room full of people, he would have sunk his cock into her and stayed until the morning.

He squirmed in his seat.

“Pull over,” she whispered.

“What?”

They were on a dark, narrow road and nothing but woods surrounded them. Even though the club had stayed open and the people around them had dispersed to other rooms to fuck and who knows what else, he’d pulled Karyn up by the arm and hightailed it out of there, unable to take any more.

There were no lights in front or behind them, and the bright lights of his car were like beacons in the night. The car tires grunted over the gravel road.

“Pull over,” she insisted.

They came to a dirt road on the right and he pulled on to it and braked before putting the car in park. “What?”

Karyn straddled his lap and slid her tongue in his mouth, going all out for a hot and greedy kiss. The hunger already roaring through his belly turned into pure starvation.

“Karyn,” he hissed as her mouth found his throat. What the hell was happening to her? To them? One night spent with a bunch of sexual deviants and she was willing to fuck him on the side of the road. And he wanted to do it.

She nipped at his earlobe. “Don’t talk. Don’t think. You can’t tell me you don’t want this.”

~*****~*****~

Download your copy today!

Amazon / B&N / Smashwords / ARe

Tags: New Release, Twine, Vindication