Author's Blog Tour...A New Approach

Mackenzie Crowne tagged me in this blog tour, which is a spin-off of the Writing Process blog tour.
I'm honoured she asked me to be a part of this as she is one of my very favourite authors. She writes wonderful true-to-life characters and delves deep into what makes a character tick...and what ticks them off! Expect fireworks between the hero and heroine in Mac's books - in all the very best of ways *waggles brows* If you haven't read her yet, I highly recommend that you do! My favourites so far? An arm-wrestle between A Song for Sophie and Gift of the Realm.

Wife, mother and really young grandmother, Mackenzie Crowne lives with her high school sweet heart husband, a neurotic Pomeranian, and a blind cat. She calls Phoenix home because the southwest feeds her soul. Though her friends claim she’s a princess, she disagrees. After all, one can’t raise two rambunctious boys to wonderful men without getting a little dirt under their nails. ESPN and dirtbikes are the order around her house, and life at the “Testosterone Ranch” more closely resembles one of today’s wacky reality shows than yesterday’s “Leave it to Beaver.”
A lover of the romance genre, her resolve to share her stories with others was sharpened by a bout with breast cancer. Today she is an award-winning, multi-published author and seven year survivor, living the dream.

Here are Mac’s questions for me:

If you were beginning your writing career today, what would you do differently?

Definitely get started in all aspects of social media sooner! When I first started writing, it was all about the story. Little did I know that when you become published, things change. It's no longer just you and the story anymore. If you're lucky, there might be some folks who'd like to know a little more about the person who wrote the story they've just read and chat to them about it. I know I get a special thrill when some of my favourite authors chat back to me through social media, and the idea that someone feels the same way about little old me - well, that's just magic!

What’s the one thing about you that might surprise readers?

In my early twenties, I seriously contemplated joining the police force. I HATE running any kind of long distance with a passion (anything over 1km is lo-o-o-ng to me) but I would run every day trying to do the required distance within the required time allowed. I joined two policemen during a night-shift to get a feel for what the role required and had an absolute blast racing around in the squad car, going to domestic disputes, checking out the police headquarters and even watching them input the paperwork. It sure didn't hurt that they were both tall, muscular and very good-looking boys...sigh. Is it any wonder I love to write my heroes as cops? :)

Tell us a little about your main characters in your latest book. 
Nate, a cop, sees life in black and white - and to his detriment, this includes people. His emotions and reactions to situations are coloured by tragic events in his past - and the guilt he carries for it. 
Kelly is not your average heroine. Tall and strong, she is the equal - and sometimes better - to most men. She tries hard to hide the obvious flame she holds for her partner, Nate, especially since he makes it clear hes not the romancing kind. Brought up in a close and loving family, she is the polar opposite to his dark, morose personality - and the very best thing to happen to him if only he'd let her in.

What are some of your favorites…

Color? 

Green. I love the fresh, clean feel of the colour. It makes me feel refreshed and happy. :)

Food 

My favourite all-time food would be a well selected antipasto platter. Mmmm...goes so well with wine! But really - I'm easy. Anything I don't have to cook myself is delicious!

Place 

If its not in New Zealand, I'd have to choose County Kerry, Ireland where I have family. I fell in love with that area - and they serve the best Guiness there!

If it was a place in NZ, I'd go with Wainui Falls where my family and I have recently holidayed. Gorgeous scenery, wonderful eateries, and relative solitude.

Now I am tagging three authors. (Click on their names to find out more)

First up is Kelly Matsuura, who also writes under the pen-name of Kelly Noro.
Kelly is Australian but currently lives in America with her lovely Japanese husband, whose work seems to take them all over the globe. 
Kelly's writing is gorgeous! Almost lyrical in style, she has a gift of taking you on a journey, as if you were sitting right there on her character's shoulder. And what worlds does she take you too! A range of genre's, one thing Kelly's stories have in common - you won't want to stop reading until the very last delicious word.

Next, I introduce you to Catherine Mede.
Catherine is a fellow New Zealander and has one of the most incredible imaginations I've ever come across in a person. Full of fantastic and (and sometimes fantastical) ideas, I'm thrilled to celebrate with her as she unleashes her debut novel, Cursed Love, out into the world!

And finally, meet my lovely writing buddy and author of amazing contemporary romance, Serena Clarke. Not only is Serena's work so page-turningly fantastic, but she is the most loveliest of people too and we get along like a house on fire. We finally get to meet in person next year, and I for one can't wait!


Thanks for visiting everyone :-)

Cover Reveal - Risking It All by JM Stewart

COVER REVEAL!! 

I adore doing cover reveals - especially when those authors are my friends - and even more so when their covers are absolutely gorgeous! Take a look at this, would you?! 

Title: Risking It All

Author: JM Stewart

Publisher: Penguin Intermix

Date published: Sept 16, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Word count: 80,000

AISN: B00FFFSZB6

ISBN: 9780698147980

Originally published in a shorter form as Staking His Claim

Blurb:

She’s everything he wants…

For years, Kyle Morgan has hidden his true feelings from the gorgeous girl next door that he grew up loving and protecting. But when she shows up at his apartment in the middle of the night, desperately needing comfort and support, his iron will begins to waver…

…and the only thing he can’t bear to lose.

Kyle was always the big brother Cecelia Anton never had, but suddenly her goofy best friend has become a sexy man she can’t keep her thoughts—or hands—off of. As their deep connection melts into uncontrollable desire, Ceci is willing to put it all on the line for a shot at true love. Only Kyle is keeping a terrible secret about Ceci’s past that could destroy not only their lifelong friendship but their happily-ever-after…

 Trailer:

In case you have trouble getting the trailer to play, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpzuxkFy_6I

Nice, huh?! JM's books are packed full of emotion. By the time you've finished one of her books, you'll feel like a wrung-out cloth - but oh! the satisfaction you'll get is like nothing else. To find out more about her and her books, follow the links below. Enjoy!

Purchase links:

Amazon

Barns and Noble

iTunes

Books-a-million

About the author:

JM writes passionate, heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.

You can find out more about JM or her books here: Website /Blog /Twitter /Facebook

Vintage Vonnie : Broken Promise by Paisley Kirkpatrck

Reblogging Vonnie Davis.

Happy release day, Paisley!




Vintage Vonnie : Broken Promise by Paisley Kirkpatrck:
 My online buddy, Paisley Kirkpatrick, is living both a dream AND a nightmare. On the day she and her husband closed on their property in Wi...

Cover Reveal - Hard to Come By - Laura Kaye

We are extremely excited to bring you the cover reveal for Laura Kaye’s HARD TO COME BY! Published by Avon Impulse, an imprint of HarperCollins, HARD TO COME BY is a thrilling Romantic Suspense novel in Laura’s Hard Ink Series. It is the third full-length novel in the series and is due to be released on November 25th!!

 

ABOUT HARD TO COME BY: Caught between desire and loyalty… Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there. When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust. As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…  

Pre-Order at Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes

Hard to Come By on Goodreads

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

Hard As It Gets

Hard As You Can

Hard to Hold On To(8/19/14)

Praise for the Hard Ink Series: For Hard As You Can:

"TOP PICK! There is a sinister and desperate edge to this tale that will keep readers glued to their seats. Kaye has dark romantic suspense nailed!" ~ RT Book Reviews Magazine

"Hard As You Can is another five star read. The characters Ms. Kaye has created are wonderfully broken and the drama is gritty, but the burgeoning romance and the tight-knitted relationship of the team leaves you with a sense of redemption. A must read series!" ~San Francisco Book Review 

For Hard As It Gets: "Edgy, sexy and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!" ~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.R. Ward

"Sizzling romance... The intriguing tattoo parlor and military background will appeal to fans of Suzanne Brockmann and Lindsay McKenna." ~Publishers Weekly Review

"Kaye's depiction of sexual tension and her sex scenes are masterful and this will appeal to fans of Maya Banks' KGI and Julia Ann Walker's Black Knight's series." ~Booklist

  

ABOUT LAURA KAYE: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.      

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp Hard to Hold On To on Goodreads Hard to Come By on Goodreads

Procrastination with Pinterest

So, I was just playing around on Pinterest, perving doing some research on my current WIP and found this great new widget thingie there. I can share any of my boards on Pinterest. This is my favourite. If you've ever wondered what my heroes look like, these guys are the ones that are in my head.

Follow LaVerne's board WIP Hero Inspiration on Pinterest.

If you followed the link, you're welcome :)

Right, time to go and spend some quality writing time with one of them. And if you were wondering, the chocolate guy is my current hero, Grayson. I know. Yummy right? I love chocolate ;)

Cover reveal - Hard to Hold On To

Holy Guacamole guys!

Surely by now, we all know that the incredibly talented and lovely Laura Kaye is not only an amazing author, but is also blessed by the Book cover Gods. Each of her books have the most incredible covers that encapsulate the story beautifully, but THIS one - the latest, is nothing short of gorgeous! Get a gander at this one......

Laura Kaye is thrilled to share with you the cover to her next Hard Ink book, Hard to Hold On To which releases on August 19, 2014! Check it out:

Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves--which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago. Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel--and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude. As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.

Pre-Order at Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes

Hard to Hold On To on Goodreads

And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

Hard As It Gets

Hard As You Can

A Note from Laura:

Hey guys! I am so excited about Easy’s book that I can hardly wait for August to get here! Easy’s character was a total surprise to me. When I initially plotted out the series, there were four surviving members of the Army Special Forces team and therefore I planned for and sold four book in the series. But then, when I sat down to write Hard As It Gets, all of a sudden the story demanded there were actually five guys, and Edward “Easy” Cantrell was born. And I’m so glad! Because Easy’s character is a totally tortured hero, which I adore writing! So I’m super happy that we added his story and this novella into the series, and I can’t wait for you to learn about Easy in Hard to Hold On To! Is it August yet??? xo, Laura

Praise for the Hard Ink Series: For Hard As You Can:
"TOP PICK! There is a sinister and desperate edge to this tale that will keep readers glued to their seats. Kaye has dark romantic suspense nailed!" ~ RT Book Reviews Magazine

"Hard As You Can is another five star read. The characters Ms. Kaye has created are wonderfully broken and the drama is gritty, but the burgeoning romance and the tight-knitted relationship of the team leaves you with a sense of redemption. A must read series!" ~San Francisco Book Review

For Hard As It Gets:
"Edgy, sexy and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!" ~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.R. Ward

"Sizzling romance... The intriguing tattoo parlor and military background will appeal to fans of Suzanne Brockmann and Lindsay McKenna." ~Publishers Weekly Review

"Kaye's depiction of sexual tension and her sex scenes are masterful and this will appeal to fans of Maya Banks' KGI and Julia Ann Walker's Black Knight's series." ~Booklist

 

About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.  

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

     

Spotlighting Favourites and Giveaway!

My publisher, The Wild Rose Press is holding a Rafflecopter Giveaway this week. There are lots of ways to increase your chances of winning a $10 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press, so make sure to enter. Each week there will be a new code to find a new winner, which I will endeavour to post for you. Surely, you all know by now that I can be a bit slack in the posting of blogs department, so feel free to give me a prod in the ribs, or a 'hey, you!' comment if I've forgotten :)

But before that, I wanted to spotlight a couple of my all-time favourite titles from TWRP. The authors are also both a couple of my favourite people in the world. Hugely talented, they are also both so supportive and giving in everything they do. It's no wonder they write such amazing stories.

First up, Out of the Darkness by Lilly Gayle.
I'm not usually a huge fan of vampires, but Lilly's take on this genre was so fresh, intelligent and exciting. And the hero is to die for! I've been a firm fan of hers since devouring this book.

Her research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first.

Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience searching for a cure to his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper. While researching xeroderm pigmentosum, a light sensitivity disorder, Dr.Harper discovered a link to vampirism and she could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard's death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.

When researcher Dr. Megan Harper meets Vincent Maxwell, she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, Megan offers friendship and access to her research files hoping he will offer her a position in his company. But they soon become more than friends and Megan learns the horrifying truth. She's entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.
(Pages 278) Hot

Excerpt:

Vincent didn't spare her a second glance as he opened the basement door and stepped down. The sound of his boot heel striking wood echoed up the steps as he disappeared into the darkness.
"But--" Megan switched on the light and hurried after him.
"The first thing you need down here is a table and some chairs," he said when he saw the stacks of unorganized data and reams of paper scattered across the floor. "Do you mind if I bring the ones down from the kitchen?"
"No." She turned back toward the stairs. "I'll help you bring them down." It would give her something to do while she sorted through the confused thoughts and emotions tumbling around inside her head.
Vincent touched her arm and heat shot straight to her belly, turning her insides all warm and fuzzy.
Warm and fuzzy was not good.
Warm and fuzzy made her think of more than just heated sex. It made her think of cozy evenings snuggled up under a blanket and shared feelings. It made her long for an emotional connection she couldn't risk. Not with Vincent. Not with a man who could potentially die a slow, lingering death.
"I'll get it." He let go of her arm and stepped back. "You start going through those papers and find that report you wrote comparing XP to vampire myths and legends. I'd be interested in seeing if you still have it."
He turned to go back up the stairs and Megan shivered. Why had Steve mentioned the vampire report to Vincent? And why was Vincent so interested in seeing it?
Vincent the Vampire.

Pssst - Embrace the Darkness is the next book in this series and features the gorgeous Gerard who you get to meet in the first book. HIGHLY recommended reading too :) 

The other book is one I'd bought and had on my kindle for a long, loooong time before I finally had the chance to sit down and read it. Once I started, I wanted to kick myself for not getting to it sooner! It has everything I love in a romance book. Amazing believable chemistry, engaging writing and paranormal/fantasy elements with a contemporary heroine. PLUS, it is set in Ireland, the land of my ancestors.

Beneath the fairie mound of Dunhaven's Door, two dreamers meet their destiny…

After a decade of trying to outrun her debilitating dreams, Keely returns to Ireland to face the ancient ring of stones and the man haunting them. Within the stones, she embraces her fairie heritage and her mystical gifts. But can she trust the handsome Halfling who shares her dreams and holds her heart?

When Keely reappears in his life, Colin's fairie blood threatens to gain the upper hand. Compelled to assist the lovely Halfling, he agrees to help her break the three-hundred-year-old curse on their families, but he'll do it on his terms—as a black wolf.
Together, two Halflings can stand against any power, but only love can break the bonds of bitterness. Will Colin’s arrogant plan to outwit the King of the Fairies doom Keely for eternity? Or is their love enough to break the curse?

Rating: Sensual
Page Count: 148
Word Count: 38394
978-1-61217-154-8 Digital

Excerpt:
“They were real, Colin. Saraid and Owein were real, not just fictional characters from a heartbreaking legend.”
“So it would seem.”
“They’re your ancestors.”
“And yours,” he reminded her. “You’re a descendant of Saraid and Owein, too.”
“I didn’t miss that detail.”
“Yes, but has it occurred to you what that means?” At her blank look, he added, “We carry Owein’s blood, Keely, as well as Saraid’s.”
She stared at him for a moment. Her disbelieving laughter took care of the residual tightness in her belly. “Fairie blood?” she scoffed. “Please!” A lifted brow was his only response. “That’s as ridiculous as it is impossible.”
“As ridiculous and impossible as sharing your dreams with a handsome Irishman for a decade?”
She narrowed her eyes at his taunting grin, but had to admit, he had a point. Fairie blood. Good God! How was she supposed to feel about that? She had no clue. She was going to need some time to come to grips with all she’d learned in the past few hours—if coming to grips with the unbelievable was even possible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SALE! SALE! SALE!!

Beyond the Shadows is on SALE!

BTS was chosen as Book of the Month from one of my groups on Goodreads. I was shocked and honoured that they chose it, so wanted to give whoever hasn't got it yet a chance to nab it at a great price. Thanks so much, ladies and enjoy! :)

So - grab it while it's hot and Happy Valentine's Day! 

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B00E51L2PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374744219&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-shadows-laverne-clark/1117478120?ean=2940148884651

All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-beyondtheshadows-1349023-143.html

The Wild Rose Press - http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=5369

Short story competition time for NZers!

The Nelson chapter of Romance Writers of New Zealand run a bi-annual short story competition to encourage and foster new and aspiring writers to get their stuff out there. The fact there are some amazing goodies up for grabs from our generous sponsors for the prize winners sure don't hurt anyone either! 

Check it out - and get busy writing! We can't wait to read your submissions. 

Good luck!

*Permission granted and appreciated to share with interested parties*

What a Girl Wants - Jennifer Snow

Please help me welcome Jennifer Snow to Novel Natterings. I met the lovely Jennifer online and was immediately struck by her effervescent personality and warmth. A perfect fit for Harlequin Heartwarming!

Its lovely to have you here, Jennifer! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am originally from Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada, but now I live in Edmonton, Alberta with my husband and three year old son. I write contemporary romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, Secret Cravings Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press.

When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

I don’t understand the question. LOLJ

LOL. Silly me! You've got a bit on your plate there, for sure! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

At age four, but I seriously started submitting books to publishers at sixteen…a couple of years later, here I am lol.

Yep. Being eighteen was not THAT long ago, surely? Sure doesn't seem that way. I blame having children for making time fly! :) Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

Honestly, my first divorce (I say first, because I tend to make a habit of them lol j/k). The inspiration for my heroine’s character Madison Grey from Mistletoe Bachelors was me. I was annoyed with men, my ex in particular and a story about a woman jaded in love, with an aversion to men felt like a good story to write at the time. Luckily, it wasn’t published until seven years later and many revisions lol.

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

I was working when Victoria Curran, Senior Editor at Heartwarming called so of course I missed the call and it went to voicemail, but it actually turned out to be a good thing, because then I had a recording to listen to over and over again, and share with family and friends, and strangers at the bank lol. I was thrilled. I had targeted my story for that line because I feel my stories belong there, and I couldn’t be happier.

Good choice! What drew you to write your chosen genre?

I know nothing about history or  paranormal, scary, suspenseful stories creep me out and I can’t write a love scene to save my life lol, so that left sweet contemporary lolJ

If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?

At one time or other in my life, I’ve been a part of all of them. As noted above, Madison’s heartache was based on my own. Molly’s lack of funds and independent streak to do everything on her own without help in Mistletoe and Molly was me at age 24, Piper’s crazy dating scenarios in Mistletoe Fever-yep, those were mine…and Victoria Mason in my November Heartwarming release-The Trouble With Mistletoe probably represents my what if moments in life.

Ahh...those what if's. Great fodder for the imagination! What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

None of it is easy, but the most challenging is not writing-I need to write everyday, otherwise I get agitated and annoyed.

Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

I think the basis of most of my stories comes from something inspired from real world events. For example, the top secret screenplay that my mom and I are writing stemmed from a real life what if moment for me. I was waiting to turn left at a stop light and a big transport truck sat waiting across from me, and I couldn’t see around him, so at one point, he indicated that it was okay for me to turn, so I did. And immediately, I realized how much faith I had put in a complete stranger. What if the coast hadn’t been clear…and that’s where our movie starts.

Ooo! Keep us posted about your screenplay! It sounds great. Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

I will always love Mistletoe and Molly just because it’s such a fun story.

What are you working on right now?

Books three and four in the Brookhollow series that are set to release in Sept and Nov. And a few other side projects.

My goodness you're a busy lady! But I bet your readers are pleased about that! Latest news?

I’m happy to say that an article I wrote about being a romance writer and real life love will appear in Edmonton’s coolest magazine this month-Avenue!! Very excited for that.

Where can we find you and your books?

www.jennifersnowauthor.com  www.jennifersnowbooks.com  http://brookhollowseries.blogspot.ca  @jennifersnow18

And the books are sold at any of the e-retailers and at Harlequin.com. Print books will be on store shelves in the UK and Australia this year, but not North America at this time.

Check out the cover for Jennifer's latest release and have a read of an excerpt. 

Ethan snatched the phone away before Jim could answer the text, which he knew he was aching to do, and slid it into his shirt pocket. He pulled the truck to the side of the highway behind an old, rusted red Volkswagen Jetta and jumped down onto the gravel. He positioned two traffic cones in the inside lane, forcing the oncoming traffic to take the outside lane, as Bailey’s tow truck pulled in front of the Jetta and she climbed out, clipboard in hand.

“I’ll be here if you need me,” Jim called from inside the truck, reclining the seat and shutting his eyes.

“You’re not even going to get out of the truck?”

“It’s a simple backup call. I only came along to get out of clinic duty.”

Ethan shook his head as he closed the truck door. It amazed him how their work ethic differed so drastically. Jim was four years older, yet he’d never shown any interest in advancing his rank at the fire hall. Ethan had worked hard, proving himself to his senior coworkers and landing  the position of captain by the time he was twenty-four.

He approached Bailey at the front of the vehicle where she spoke to a short, frazzled-looking bald man. “I’ll just need your driver’s license and your credit card…and I’ll have you hooked up and ready to go in just a few minutes. Feel free to sit in the truck to wait. The air-conditioning is on and it’s much cooler in there.”

The man disappeared inside the cab of the tow truck and Ethan waited until he was out of earshot before saying, “This car has to be at least thirty years old.” He leaned against the bumper to watch her work and the metal frame creaked in protest.

“That thing looks about to fall off,” she warned as she put the tow dolly’s coupler in open position by lowering the locking lever all the way down and inserting the locking pin to secure it in place.

Good point, he thought as he stood. “So, before I forget, we’re holding Luke’s bachelor party at the fire hall tonight—poker, darts, beer, the baseball game.… If you’re not doing anything, stop by.” Bailey was a regular at their weekly poker games, much to the dismay of the other guys, whose wallets she emptied.

“Stop by? To Luke’s bachelor party—the ultimate boys night?” She sounded incredulous as she inserted the electrical plug from the dolly into the switch on the back of the tow truck. That way the brake lights and turning signals on the dolly would work while en route to the shop.

“Yeah, why not?” He knew Luke wouldn’t mind. Bailey had always been like a third, less-annoying sister to the groom to be, and she kept his ancient, rusted-out truck on the road.

“I have Victoria’s bachelorette party tonight. A wine and cheese  in the backyard of the Brookhollow Inn.” She crisscrossed the chains and connected them to the eyelets on the bumper of the car.

“That sounds awful.”

“You’re telling me.”

Book Tour and Giveaway - Ron Doades

Today, I'm taking part in a virtual book tour for one of the most unique and interesting books I've ever heard of. What I thought was a straight self-help book actually isn't. Its more clever than that - and by far more entertaining! I've got an excerpt after the end of this interview so you can judge for yourself. Enjoy!

And don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to be in to win this fabulous prize:

One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card

To increase your chances of winning, follow the rest of the tour. Dates and sites are listed here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-book-tour-realizing-you-by-ron.html

Tell us about your latest release.

 I am working on two ideas, neither of which I am able to reveal. All I can reveal is the I intend to continue the new genre for self-help fiction books, all with the subtitle theme, “a novel approach to changing your life.” I can say that I trying to figure out how to establish a still different genre for this type of book, something along the lines of “self-discovery adventure.” All I have to do is to get Amazon to think outside of its conventional box on this one. I am at least trying. Wish me luck.

Good luck! :) What have you got coming soon for us to look out for?

 Nothing yet. I’m still in the early stages of development of my next book project. This much I can promise: It will not take three years to write/produce, as it did Realizing You. I need to reduce that time to one year.

What song would you choose for Karaoke?

 In staying with the Theme of Realizing You, I would try “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash. It may be a little too slow for Karaoke, but I’m willing to risk it for something I can really have my heart lead my body in dancing to. I feel like I’m dancing toward the stars when I hear, “It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day.

Which Star Trek or Star Wars character are you most like?

 I’m going to take a pass on this question. I could never get my head into sci-fi.

Who would you most like to be stranded on a desert island with?  Least?  Why?

 For a long period of time, I would choose Sandra Bullock. She seems like a very interesting, adventuresome and self-sufficient woman. And, I don’t want to forget, sexy and alluring. The person I would least like to be stuck with would be Jay Leno. I don’t like his style or humor. And, I have doubts about his depth of character. By the way, I never got over the retirement of Johnny Carson, so I may be “little” closed minded in my opinion of Jay Leno.

BLURB:  

Meet Robby Aihn, the newest star in the self-help universe and author of the runaway bestseller, Realizing You, now struggling with his first taste of fame. Though his five principles for good living are changing other people’s lives, his own life is starting to fall apart. When Robby stages a lavish self-help conference in Dallas, he attracts others with their own secrets: his estranged wife and unhappy teenage daughter; the businessman pursuing his own agenda; the all-star pitcher facing the end of his career; and the shy co-author Robby never acknowledged, who is searching for meaning in her own life. Join Robby and the others on their journey toward understanding and fulfillment, in this truly novel approach to changing YOUR life.

Excerpt

Sophie was the last one awake. She lay tensely in the queen-size bed next to her mother’s until she heard Marie’s soft, even breathing. Certain that her mother was deeply asleep, she slipped out of bed, tiptoed to her suitcase, and took out the little pink and red bag. Inside nestled a print scarf and a multi-colored beaded bracelet. Both items still bore their price tags. She’d snipped the tag off only the tortoiseshell hair comb so she could wear it today. She took it from the nightstand, looked at all three items, shook out and stroked the glossy material of the scarf, then quietly tucked all of them back in the bag, which she pushed deep into her suitcase. She wouldn’t take them out again until she left Dallas. She’d never wear that stupid hair comb again. She told herself it wasn’t as pretty as she’d thought when she first saw it in the store. The stern little voice inside her head told her that wasn’t the reason.

Sophie refused to allow herself to know what the real reason was.

She hadn’t left Colorado with those items in her suitcase. Her mother didn’t know she had them. She couldn’t explain where she’d gotten them.

But taking them had made her feel better. Everybody did it, at least once or twice. No big deal. She took a deep relaxing breath, thinking about how the act of lifting them from the counter made her feel, and realized she was finally getting drowsy. She crawled into bed, turned over, and was deeply asleep in three minutes.

RON DOADES is president of Ronald Doades & Company, a consulting firm that, since 1977, has helped the people of large and mid-size energy companies improve their individual and corporate performance results by learning from the best-practice experiences of others. A popular speaker on the topic of managing change for optimal results, he holds an MBA from Columbia University and an MS in Psychology from The New School in New York City. Visit him at www.realizingyoubook.com

SUSAN SLOATE is the author of twenty published books, including STEALING FIRE, a #2 Amazon bestseller and Quarter-Finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, and FORWARD TO CAMELOT (authored with Kevin Finn), which in its first edition was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film by a Hollywood production company. She lives in Mount Pleasant, SC. Visit her online at http://susansloate.com. 

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Cover Reveal! Melissa Snark

BATTLE CRY by Melissa Snark

A Victoria Storm novel

#3 Loki's Wolves series

Genre:  Paranormal/urban fantasy

Coming in June 2014  * * *  Add to your Goodreads Shelf

"We meet Valkyrie Victoria Storm in the middle of a blood bath, and we did continue on from there. I must say Melissa Snark has all the makings of an awesome story teller."

Gloria Lakritz

Sr. Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild

"A definite must read for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy."

Lisa Lester

Fight For Your Write Blog

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

Blurb:

War with human hunters has devastated the werewolf pack of Sierra Pines. Only Valkyrie Victoria Storm and a handful of female wolves still live. With her mate dead, there is no one to protect her or her unborn child. An unwelcome attraction to a hunter complicates her life even further.  She reluctantly agrees to attend peace talks with Jake Barrett, the notorious Hunter King, a man who believes she murdered his son.

Hunter Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria Storm for so long, he doesn't know whether he loves her or hates her.  Desperate to end the war he started, he's willing to take chances with everything but his heart, but he harbors a deadly secret he's determined to keep. 

When peace talks fail, Victoria does the only reasonable thing an angry Valkyrie can do: she kidnaps her worst enemy and makes her escape in a fire engine red convertible muscle car. All along an ancient evil plots the destruction of wolves and hunters alike.

Add BATTLE CRY to your Goodreads Shelf

How gorgeous is that?! I love the sound of this book too. Definitely on my to-read shelf. Thanks for sharing Melissa! :)

Melissa Snark is a paranormal and romance author with a particular interest in werewolf and Norse mythology. Her Loki's Wolves series combines elements of both in a contemporary fantasy setting. She lives in Northern California with her husband, three children and glaring of cats.

Connect with Melissa

Website 

The Snarkology

Email:  melissasnark at gmail dot com

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Twitter: @MelissaSnark

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