Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Strangers



3 of 5 stars false
Bereaved bride Abby Clark is tortured by visions of the fatal crash that took her fiancée on their wedding day. She succumbs to a dark existence where loneliness, sadness and nightmares dwell; until handsome, brooding Bryce Holden walks through the door of her favorite coffee shop, wearing the same cloak of despair and grief. Abby discovers in Bryce someone who understands love and loss, and soon their close friendship grows into a deep love. But ghosts make strange bedfellows, and Abby is forced to battle the tormenting images that continue to haunt her, and confront the ethereal presence of a beloved wife to protect her future with Bryce. 

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I was given an ARC for my honest review****
Abby Clark is haunted by the memory of her wedding day. The day that was supposed to be one of a girl’s best days of her life, until she got the call her fiancé was in an accident and it all changed. Still struggling years later fate intervenes and she meets another lost soul in a coffee shop. Bryce Holden may have known he could lose his wife to cancer but it doesn't make his demons any less than Abby, or things any easier to deal with. Together though, they just may be able to move on.
This book was very realistic, full of heartbreak and second chances. I have to say I never felt that merge with this book though; I never got too attached to the characters or what happened. The writing felt choppy but was still entertaining enough. There is an adequate amount of development in the characters, and I think all the right parts are there it just wasn’t the book for me. The first chapter was catchy and had all the drama and back story to bring you in. This is the perfect book for any romance fans who love to see their characters fight their personal demons and get their happily ever after.




I am just starting in this crazy world of writing and publishing. Lately, however, there are just too many characters in my head begging me to tell their stories...so here I am. Writing, publishing, sharing and, hopefully, entertaining. I love a great love story, but really want to tell a story with an edge; characters who are imperfect, trying to find the perfect love.
Strangers is my debut novel, and will be released on September 6, 2013. I will have another novel, The Return, with an anticipated release date of November 1, 2013. I have been focusing mainly on short stories, but have felt a need to get to know the characters more in-depth, and in turn, tell more of their stories. I have some fairly interesting people living in my head!
I have my own blog (www.parkingitrighthere.blogspot.com), where I review books, and discuss my new projects. I also contribute to www.SheReadsNewAdult.com, dedicated to the emerging new adult romance genre. We have great fun over there...be sure to check us out!
I currently live outside Washington D.C. with my family. We spend many hours exploring the area and the deep history of this beautiful land, while experiencing as much of life's wonders as possible. I have traveled abroad and lived in almost every corner of the U.S., and hope my writing reflects various cultures, people, and places.



____________________________________________________



Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Hosted by GCRPromotions

Post by: 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Sisters In Love



Danica Snow has always been the smart, practical, and appropriate sister. As a therapist, she prides herself on making reasonable, conservative choices, even if a bit boring, and as part of the Big Sister Program, she has little time for anything more in her life. Blake Carter is a player. He never gets bored of conquering women, and with his sexy good looks and successful lifestyle, he has no trouble finding willing participants. When his friend and business partner dies in a tragic accident, he suddenly, desperately, wants to change his ways. The problem is, he doesn’t know how to stop doing what he does best. When Blake walks into Danica’s office, the attraction between them is white hot, but Danica isn't the type to give into the heat and risk her career. Danica’s desire sets her on a path of self-discovery, where she begins to question every decision she’s ever made. Just this once, Danica wants to indulge in the pleasures of life she’s been so willingly ignoring, but with her Little Sister in turmoil and her biological sister’s promiscuousness weighing heavily on her heart, she isn’t sure it’s the right time to set her desires free. SISTERS IN LOVE is a light, uplifting work of women's fiction and will resonate with readers who enjoy emotional journeys of the heart with strong heroines and sexy, lovable heroes. Readers of books by Jane Porter and Beth Kendrick will enjoy Danica and Blake's story.






Excerpt 
The line in the café went all the way to the door. Danica Snow wished she hadn’t taken her sister Kaylie’s phone call before getting her morning coffee. Living in an overcrowded tourist town could be a major inconvenience, but Danica loved that she could walk from her condo to her office, see a movie, have dinner, or even stop at a bookstore without ever sitting in a car. Every minute counted when you lived in Allure, Colorado, host to an odd mix of hippie and yuppie tourists in equal numbers. The ski slopes brought them in the winter, while art shows drew them in the summer. There was never a break. Every suit and Rasta child in town was standing right in front of her, waiting for their coffee or latte, and the guy ahead of her had shoulders so wide she couldn’t easily see around him. Danica tapped the toe of her efficient and comfortable Nine West heels, growing more impatient by the second.
What on earth was taking so long? In seven minutes they’d served only one person. The tables were pushed so close to the people standing in line that she couldn’t step to the side to see. She was gridlocked. Danica leaned to the right and peered around the massive shoulder ahead of her just as the owner of that shoulder turned to look out the door. Whack! He elbowed her right in the nose, knocking Danica’s head back.
Her hand flew to her bloody nose. “Ow! Geez!” She ducked in pain, covering her face and talking through her hands. “I think you broke my nose.” Each word sent pain across her nose and below her eyes.
“I’m so sorry. Let me get you a napkin,” a deep, worried voice said.
Two patrons rushed over and shoved napkins in her direction.
“Are you okay?” an older woman asked.
Tears sprang from the corners of Danica’s closed eyes. Damn it. Her entire day would now run late and she probably looked like a red-nosed, crying idiot. “This hurts so bad. Weren’t you looking where—” Danica flipped her unruly, brown hair from her face and opened her eyes. Her venom-filled glare locked on the man who had elbowed her—the most beautiful specimen of a human being she had ever seen. Oh shit. “I’m…What…?” Come on, girl. Get it together. He’s probably an egomaniac.
“I’m so sorry.” His voice was rich and smooth, laden with concern.
A thin blonde grabbed his arm and shoved a napkin into his hand. “Give this to her,” she said, blinking her eyelashes in a come-hither way.
The man held the woman’s hand a beat too long. “Thanks,” he said. His eyes trailed down the blonde’s blouse.
Really? I’m bleeding over here.
He turned toward Danica and handed her the napkin. His eyes were green and yellow, like field grass. His eyebrows drew together in a serious gaze, and Danica thought that maybe she’d been too quick to judge—until he stole a glance at the blonde as she walked out of the café.
Asshole. She felt the heat of anger spread up her chest and neck, along her cheeks, to the ridge of her high cheekbones. She snagged the napkin from his hand and wiped her throbbing nose. “It’s okay. I’m fine,” she lied. She could smell the minty freshness of his breath, and she wondered what it might taste like. Danica was not one to swoon—that was Kaylie’s job. Get a grip.
“Can I at least buy you a coffee?” He ran his hand through his thick, dark hair.
Yes! “No, thank you. It’s okay.” She had been a therapist long enough to know what kind of guy eyes another girl while she was tending to a bloody nose that he had caused. Danica fumbled for her purse, which she’d dropped when she was hit. She lowered her eyes to avoid looking into his. “I’m fine, really. Just look behind you next time.” Not for the first time, Danica wished she had Kaylie’s flirting skills and her ability to look past his wandering eyes. She would have had him buying her coffee, a Danish, and breakfast the next morning.
Danica was so confused, she wasn’t even sure what she wanted. She chanced another glance up at him. He was looking at her features so intently that she felt as though he were drinking her in, memorizing her. His eyes trailed slowly from hers, lowered to her nose, to her lips, and then settled on the beauty mark that she’d been self-conscious of her entire life. She felt like a Cindy Crawford wannabe. Danica pursed her lips. “Are you done?” she asked.
He blinked with the innocence of a young boy, clueless to her annoyance, which was in stark contrast to his confident, manly presence. He stood almost a foot taller than Danica’s impressive five foot seven stature. His chest muscles bulged beneath his way-too-small shirt, dark curls poking through the neckline. He probably bought it that way on purpose. She glanced down and tried not to notice his muscular thighs straining against his stonewashed denim jeans. Danica swallowed hard. All the air suddenly left her lungs. He was touching her shoulder, squinting, evaluating her face.
“I’m sorry. I was just making sure it didn’t look broken, which it doesn’t. I’m sure it’s painful.”
She couldn’t think past the heat of his hand, the breadth of it engulfing her shoulder. “It’s okay,” she managed, hating herself for being lost in his touch when he was clearly someone who ate women for breakfast. She checked her watch. She had three minutes to get her coffee and get back to her office before her next client showed up. Belinda. She’d love this guy.
The line progressed, and Adonis waved as he left the café. Danica reached into her purse to pay for her French vanilla coffee and found herself taking a last glance at him as he passed the front window.
The young barista pushed Danica’s money away. “No need, hon. Blake paid for yours.” She smiled, lifting her eyebrows.
“He did?” Blake.
“Yeah, he’s really sweet.” The barista leaned over the cash register. “Even if he is a player.”
Aha! I knew it. Danica thrust her shoulders back, feeling smart for resisting temptation.



"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge "What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Links: Website Facebook Twitter My Social Network For Women World Literary Cafe
Fostering Success Fanpage Facebook Gooreads 


 Tasty Book Tours

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Reckless (Renegades #1)

Reckless (Renegades, #1) 
 4 of 5 stars false 
A couture wedding dress designer to the rich and famous, Lexi LaCroix’s image means everything. But crossing paths with a sexier-than-sin, bad-boy biker makes Lexi realize how much living she’s sacrificed for her success and one touch is all it takes to threaten her carefully choreographed life. When that touch fills far more than just Lexi’s physical needs, she finds herself torn between the career she needs and the bad-boy she craves.
Jax Chamberlin gave up the superficial life of acting for the thrill of running his own stunt company years ago. But a recent betrayal proves he’s still too close to the limelight to find a woman who doesn’t plan to use him as a stepping-stone to success. When the charming and mysterious Lexi offers him a totally anonymous hook-up during an out of town trip, Jax accepts. Only Lexi is more sextacular than charming, and Jax wants more.
But Lexi’s got a major hang-up over his renegade lifestyle, and Jax isn’t willing to change his ways. Especially not when he discovers who she really is. Because if she finds out his connections could catapult her to the top of her career, he’s afraid the fantasy woman he’s falling for might just end up like all the other gold-diggers. And this time, it’s not just his bad-boy reputation at risk, but his heart, too.

Review

*****I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review****
Jax has since given up the limelight and paparazzi that went along with his acting career, in exchange for a higher thrills position as a stuntman. Running his own business, Renegades with a group of men he considers friends, he enjoys the adrenaline filled position. His personal life hasn't seen the success his business has. Somehow his life has turned into becoming a stepping stone for ambitious women who want to use him for his contacts and reputation. The latest bombshell to break his heart just cost him a contract, and makes him ready for a change. Taking the red eye into New York for another movie, an act of kindness followed by a text from an anonymous number leaves him doing exactly what he swore he was done doing, falling for a girl with connections to Hollywood. Lexi is on her way to New York to discuss the merge of her career. Coming from nothing, she has worked her way to the top with her wedding dress designs for the rich and famous. Her reputation is everything. The last thing she needs in her life is a tattooed bad boy that could ruin just that, but when she feels a spark for a stranger in an airport she can't help but have a little fun.
This is my first book from Skye Jordan aka Joan Swan. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed her writing, and have added her as an author to consider in the future. This book was fun, flirty and sweet. Jax was an amazing character that I couldn't get enough of. Sexy and realistic, I loved getting his point of view along with Lexi's. Lexi was a girl who could be stereotyped easily by her looks, but was so much more. I really connected with both of them on a level that when I put the books down I had to remind myself they weren't real. I also loved Rubi and Wes and have a feeling they'll be getting their own book in the future. 

Review by: 

Friday, September 6, 2013

Protecting His Witness (Red Stone Security #7)

Protecting His Witness (Red Stone Security, #7) 
 3 of 5 stars false 1/2
Seven years ago she broke his heart…
Leaving Vincent was the hardest thing Jordan Alvarado ever had to do, but she had no choice. Now she’s back and looking for forgiveness so she can move on with her life. She doesn’t expect the smoldering attraction between them to still be there, burning hotter than ever. After the way she hurt him she knows things will never be the same again and that in the end, she’s the one who will get her heart broken when he walks away.
He’s not letting her go again…
Former SEAL Vincent Hansen never got over Jordan and the way she up and left him without a trace. After she suddenly reappears and explains what happened, he’s even more furious. He doesn’t know what he wants from her, but when she’s targeted in a series of potentially deadly attacks, he realizes he can’t give her up again. He won’t. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and convince her that she was always meant to be his.

Review

****Katie Reus through NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review****
Vincent had his heart broken by Jordan and now seven years later she just show up out of nowhere, wanting to apologize, explain things and Vincent is livid. Jordan broke her own heart when she left Vincent to enter witness protection, but she knew it would kill his family to never see him again so she gave him up. Jordan doesn't expect to be forgiven and Vincent doesn't know if he could forgive her, the heat is still there, they go on a date and someone tries to hurt them. Vincent knows he will never let her go, he will he find out who is after her and keep her safe so that he can show she is the only one for him. This book was a fast hot read with a just a little bit of suspense thrown in. There wasn't a lot of time to get to know the two main characters, but what I did see I liked a lot. Jordan was a good woman who made a tough choice; she was heartbroken over it and didn't think that everything was going to be sunshine and rainbows just because she was back. Vincent was a stand-up guy, he really loved Jordan and despite his anger at the way things happened I think he understood why she made those choices. The book was short because it was short the storyline was rushed and the suspense angle didn't get to have that edge of your seat build up. It was a good read the sex scenes were need a cold shower material, the identity of the villain was an interesting twist and the love story was cute. This was the second book in the Red Stone Security Series; I will definitely be picking up the rest of the books in this series.
 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The Unraveling of Lady Fury


 The Unraveling of Lady Fury 
 3 of 5 stars false
Genoa 1820
Rule One: There will be no kissing. Rule two: You will be fully clothed at all times…
Widowed Lady Fury Shelton hasn’t lost everything—yet. As long as she produces the heir to the Beaumont dukedom, she just might be able to keep her position. And her secrets. But when the callously irresistible Captain James “Flint” Blackmoore sails back into her life, Lady Fury panics. She must find a way to protect herself—and her future—from the man she’d rather see rotting in hell than sleeping in her bed. If she must bed him to keep her secrets, so be it. But she doesn’t have to like it. A set of firm rules for the bedroom will ensure that nothing goes awry. Because above all else, she must stop herself from wanting the one thing that Flint can never give her. His heart.
Ex-privateer Flint Blackmoore has never been good at following the rules. Now, once again embroiled in a situation with the aptly named Lady Fury, he has no idea why he doesn’t simply do the wise thing and walk away. He knows he’s playing with fire, and that getting involved with her again is more dangerous than anything on the high seas. But he can’t understand why she’s so determined to hate him. He isn’t sure if the secret she keeps will make things harder—or easier—for him, but as the battle in the bedroom heats up, he knows at least one thing. Those silly rules of hers will have to go…

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I was given a copy for my honest review****
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I loved Captain James “Flint” Blackmoore and enjoyed the story but spent half the time confused even by the sex scenes. It was so hard to understand what was going on, half the time I had to re-read facts or I wouldn't even know they had sex until it was done. It just felt like there was too much worry going into the historical aspect of it rather than the facts or story dev elopement. There was a part where Flint revealed something to Fury and you understood that Fury reacted to it but you didn't understand what "it" was until further in the book when it was brought up again. Another issue I had was that there would be a few lines that would pop up here and there that felt completely out of the era. I probably could have overlooked a lot of those issues if it wasn't for Lady Fury. There was nothing that I could connect to with her, she was so wishy washy and manipulative it drove me insane. The thing that saved the book for me and kept the 3 stars was Flint. I loved him, granted he kept his own feelings secret out of self preservation and I wanted to throttle him at times, but I just loved his character. He was funny, sexy, and contained more redeeming qualities than I gave him credit for in the beginning. The book wasn't bad, I just couldn't connect to it.  
 Tasty Book Tours 

Post by:

Dragon Boy and the Witches of Galza

In a tiny village nestled between a haunted forest and a magic mountain, lives an old woodcutter named Aijou. Shunned by the other villagers, he mourns the death of his cherished wife and spends his lonely days going about his work in nearly total isolation. He never dreams that in a flash his life will change completely, and that his courage and strength will be profoundly tested. It all begins innocently enough when Aijou loses his way in the enchanted forest. Desperately seeking the path back home, he suddenly encounters two tiny fairies engaged in battle with fire-breathing she-dragon. Against all odds, the fairies prevail and with its last breath, the dying dragon assumes her human form. She begs Aijou to adopt her baby boy. Aijou agrees not knowing that the infant is actually a dragon. From that moment on, Aijou¹s life will never be the same. Filled with determination, he tries to escape the haunted forest. But in order to return home, Aijou must obtain permission from the evil Witches of Galza. With two fairy guides, Aijou and the dragon baby set off to find the wicked sisters. When they finally meet, the Witches offer Aijou a terrible bargain and he must decide whether he will accept.










Interview with A.A. Bukhatir
1. How did the concept of Dragon Boy come into being??
It was a combination of several factors. Since childhood, I loved the idea of wizards, sorcerers, witches, dragons, fairies, monsters, and the supernatural world. I also used to dream about being able to fly. I dreamed that I had large white wings and could fly across the continents. I was also fascinated by fantasy movies and their special effects. Somehow all of these elements combined and, one night, as I was driving with a friend, the idea of Dragon Boy came into my head. As this idea took shape, I knew I had to write it down and the book came into being.
2. Why do you enjoy writing fantasy fiction?
I liked using my imagination and longings from childhood, and constructing a world in which a boy can fly. Dragon Boy embodies my subconscious idea of being a dragon. Fantasy fiction has allowed me to create my own world, my own characters, and my own storyline. I pictured a special world in my mind, put it on paper, and now people everywhere can read and enjoy it.
 3. Why did you write a Young Adult book?
Children have the best and wildest imaginations. They are ready to accept things that adults find "impossible." They understand that alternate universes exist and that there are things that don't appear in normal everyday life that could exist. The possibilities are endless when you are a child and you don't have the boundaries that adults have. My children actually helped create Dragon Boy's story because they helped me imagine different scenarios. When I had doubts about certain ideas, they gave me their opinions which were amazing. 
4. DRAGON BOY AND THE WITCHES OF GALZA is the first book in a series. How many more books are in the series?
As of today, I have written the first two of the series. There will be a third, perhaps more. It all depends on the story. I don't want it to become boring, so when the time is right, the series will end. 
5. What insight can you share with us about Dragon Boy himself?
I had to imagine what a boy would go through as a child and a teenager. I created him coming from a supernatural world filled with monsters and evil people. Then I placed him in a world full of normal humans who lived their lives like regular people - loving, caring, hating and fighting. 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

City of the Fallen (Dark Tides #1)

Links:Tour  Goodreads Amazon 

City of the Fallen (Dark Tides, #1)
 3 of 5 stars false
Five years ago, vampires came out of hiding and took over the world. It was meant to be a quick enslavement but it turned into a bloody battle that brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
Isabelle Bryant is one of the “lucky” survivors, now living in hiding, scavenging for food through deserted towns.
And she’s tired of it.
So she’s devised a plan: find the king of the vampires and drive a stake through his heart.
Except that wickedly sensual king Marcus is nothing like the monster she expected. And while landing on his bed was part of the plan all along, discovering that he might hold the key to humanity’s survival certainly wasn’t. The catch? Saving humanity also means ensuring vampire survival. It means giving up hope for a return to a human-ruled world.
As sparks fly and hate becomes heat, Isabelle must pick a side -- before the darkness devours them all.

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I was given copy for my honest review****
The world isn't what it used to be. Five years ago the vampires that the world had long since dismissed as folklore and legends took over the world and caused the human race to almost become extinct, along with what remains to scatter to shelters and scavenge for food and supplies. Isabelle is determined to do something about it. Watching family friends and the general human population starve, die off from illness, or worse get attacked and drained by vampires has her taking action. She comes up with a goal, to surrender to the king, become his pet, and kill him to send chaos into the ranks long enough for the humans to do something. However, things aren't always what they seem and the king may not be the monster she planned on.
This book was so hard to rate for me, I almost want to give it two different ratings. The first half was a 2-2 1/2 stars and I was really thinking this may be a dreaded DNF. However, once we got rolling in to the second half it became a 3 1/2 star and I was completely ready to dive into the next one had it been available. I think there are some repetitive phrasing and facts in the first half that bothered me, as well as the fact that there are quite a few Twilight similarities. While I understand this was NOT the intention of the author, as someone who has read the book, I couldn't help make the connection whether I truly wanted to or not. Thankfully these calmed down as the book got going and it took a life of it's own. The concept and synopsis had me itching for it so I'm very happy it started to deliver. I realize the first book in a series can be the hardest with the world building and character development, but I have a feeling as this series progresses this is going to be a great set of books. The characters really helped with that. Diana Bocco has created strong characters that stick with you, display strength as well as a "human side, and a great plot that keeps you guessing.   
 Tasty Book Tours 

Post by: 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

The Hobbes Family


Welcome to the seventh day of the Hobbes Family blog tour. It will run until September 2nd and will feature excerpts and new author interviews each day. But first, here is the obligatory blurb about the novel to settle you into this strange world:

The world had ended abruptly and without warning. How will a family navigate a world that seems bent on destroying them? Follow them in this exciting new serial adventure.


A few questions for the author:


Tell us about your most recent release.

Hobbes Family is the first chapter in a serial that I hope to put out for many months to come. The idea behind it is to combine an episodic ensemble like Lost and Walking Dead in digital novella form. This story follows the Hobbes family from the first throes of the apocalypse through the darkness of a world bathed in darkness.


What else do you have coming out?

A few books and many, many more serials in the B-Sides series that starts with this story. Water is the next novella that introduces more of the ensemble cast as they navigate the first week of the apocalypse.


Is there anything you want to make sure potential readers know?

I write a lot of different stories in a lot of different genres. Definitely follow the blog to learn about what I have coming out. I have a tendency to create gray-washed characters in terms of morality, and often ask much of the reader. 


Here be an excerpt for your enjoyment:






An on-ramp had been painted over with long strokes of graffiti, hopefully. A few cars sat off to the side, heavy skid marks from where they had pushed aside from larger vehicles. There was a narrow chute through which a car might fit. 

Michael chanced it. 

He knew that staying in a city meant certain doom. 

Without the amenities, the basics of civilization would soon crumble. This thought worried him deeply. A regression to the mean, to the horror that lay at the depths and darkness of every living being, was something that hid when the beauty of children were introduced into the world. 

Being a father had put that darkness at bay. 

There was something life-affirming in being the caretaker and guide for a being, to be there in moments of despair and happiness, all the while being at the mercy of chance and probability. 

The sun dipped below the horizon. 

Michael’s heart dropped. 

Turning his lights on would draw attention to them. 

Highway 99 was slow going. 

A lot of the cars had been abandoned. Looming to the east and west was a silent darkness from which they would not escape until the sun kissed the sky once more. Susanna remained silent, eyes forward as she watched the darkness. 

Clara hummed softly. Reflex caused Michael to reach for the radio, but he stopped himself. If he wasn’t willing to turn on the lights, the radio would have to wait until they were out of town. Even though night had arrived, there was enough light to drive slowly through the thickening maze of the mechanical graveyard. 

Something bumped into the front of the car, but Michael kept the vehicle going. As they moved on, the whine of fingers on glass as a groaner reached out for the Subaru made Clara scream. Dead eyes and diseased flesh watched the little girl. Head titled and mouth agape, it gnashed angrily as it struggled to get past the window. 

Susanna was in the back seat like a slithering serpent, her feet kicking the rearview mirror as she hugged her daughter, surrounding her completely. Michael swerved a bit, giving the groaner a bump. 

It was enough. 

The highway was littered with the carcasses of machine and man alike. As they neared the next turn-off, the small family watched a staggering horde move just ahead, waiting for a moment as if expecting the stop light to suddenly come alive and grant them passage. 

The mass of groaners was not what made his heart drop. 

Heavy floodlights atop the overpass made Susanna squeak. Groaner-fearing folk would never be bold enough to flash about in the darkness; a point made all the more prominent by the sudden but inevitable gravity of attention from the groaners waiting for the turn signal. 

The floodlights disappeared for a moment and Michael allowed his quick pulse a reprieve; this, however, did not last. The roar of the diesel engine was accompanied by the bouncing will-o-wisps of electricity as they circled around the off-ramp going south. 

Michael turned on the lights to the Subaru and gunned it. The engine ratcheted up, squealing for a moment as the RPMs matched his urgency. The road no longer seemed calm. As the headlights danced over the asphalt mausoleum, heads rose with varying degrees of decay. 

Abandoning the slow crawl, Michael veered right, driving right toward the on-ramp and the disabled street lights. The mob of groaners had moved onto the overpass, chasing the floodlights. 

For a moment, Michael breathed easy. Maybe the truck hadn’t seen them. Maybe they weren’t Children. As he looked into the rearview mirror, he knew how this would end as he saw the heavy lights of the truck in pursuit.




Bio: A psychologist, author, editor, philosopher, martial artist, and skeptic, he has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Path of the Fallen, The Portent, and Cerulean Dreams. Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com. He recently started a consultation business. You can find more information about it here: http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/.




All of his books are only 99 cents on Kindle right now!


Download Hobbes Family for free on Kindle from 8/28 until 9/1!


Would you like to win a Kindle Fire?

Visit http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/ and follow the blog for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!


Saturday, August 31, 2013

Lori Foster / L.L. Foster

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette and Samhain. She is currently with Berkley/Jove. Lori believes it’s important to give back to the community as much as possible, and for that reason she ran special contests in conjunction with a publisher, facilitating many first sales for new authors. She routinely organizes events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations. Along with her good friend, Duffy Brown, Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home. In 2007, Lori put together The Write Ingredients a cookbook of recipes donated by popular authors. Proceeds from the cookbook go toward Lori’s ongoing “Troop project” of collecting and mailing fun, and sometimes necessary, items to our troops. In 2008, Lori coordinated with other authors of her choosing, and through Berkley, arranged for the publication of The Power of Love, a special romance anthology of novellas about empowering women. All author and agent proceeds from the anthology go to the Hamilton Co YWCA Battered women’s shelter. In 2009, Tails of Love, another romance anthology with Lori and other contributing authors, was published through Berkley with all agent and author proceeds to benefit The Animal Adoption Foundation. In 2010, The Gift of Love romance anthology, with Lori and other contributing authors, was published with proceeds to benefit The Conductive Learning Center, a school for children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida. In 2011, The Promise of Love, a romance anthology with Lori and other contributing authors, will be published with proceeds to benefit the One Way Farm, a home for abused and abandoned children. In 2012, Love Bites, a romance anthology with Lori and other contributing authors, was published with all agent and author proceeds to benefit The Animal Adoption Foundation. Lori has received many prestigious awards, including: Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for: Series Romantic Fantasy Contemporary Romance Walendenbooks: Say No To Joe – second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” Borders Group Inc.: The Secret Life of Bryan – “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title Jude’s Law – “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title Back in Black – “Bestselling Romantic Suspense” romance title Lori Foster has been both a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle and the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle. Lori enjoys visiting with readers on her Facebook Fan page, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

 Interview
1. We talked about this a little on twitter, how do you manage to turn the men in your books from what seems like them being a-holes to sweethearts?
Well, I don't think they're ever a-holes to begin with. :-) I think strong men lead, and that can irritate some people. It can also be misleading if someone doesn't have all the facts. But my heroes always try to do what is best for everyone. They have methods that, to our heroine, can seem too pushy and controlling until she gets to know him better. But the reader, once she's given his POV and knows what he's thinking and feeling and why he does what he does, maybe even the emotional conflict he suffers for having to do things a certain way, can see his altruistic motives and his innate honor and caring.

2. Going over your FAQs page one of your do not ask questions , "What do you do with your whole day, since all you do is write books?" since I am an at home mom and get pretty much the same question I was offended for you. How do you deal with people who seem to have no boundaries or realize that their questions are just plain rude?
Overall I understand that 99.9% of the questions are asked innocently. It is a very difficult concept to understand. To so many, the process seems easy. To ME the process seems far easier and more palatable than many, many other jobs. lol. So I get it! But the time suck... my word, I spend SO much time on this business. It is never just the writing that consumes my time. It's everything that goes with it - like answering this interview, answering reader questions on FB and Twitter and in my email. Doing promo with my publisher and the publicist they hire. Sometimes two publicists. It's giving cover approval and going over the back cover copy and contracts and negotiations. It is an endless supply of "busy work" that could easily take over my life.
I try very hard to "finish up" my work day by 6pm so I can chill some with my hubby. Sometimes I'm still answering random emails, but I try not to get super involved after that. And I try (try is always the magic word here) to keep my Sundays free for "family day." That's when our sons and their families know that we'll be around and we're happy for them to visit. We cook, hang out, chat and get caught up, etc... The boys make almost every Sunday, but it's a no-pressure deal. If they're free and can visit, we try to make ourselves available. But if they have other commitments, then we understand and it's all good. So far that system has *mostly* worked with my insane schedule.

When the occasional reader question comes along that is deliberately rude and condescending - which again, is rare - I most often just wish the reader luck in finding another author she enjoys. Getting into a back and forth exchange with a disgruntled reader is just another time suck - but without any benefits.


3. What are some of the perks of being a grandmother vs. being a mother? (I am curious my mother always says it's being able to do the fun stuff without having to worry about buying school clothes)
Ha! Well off the top of my head, more sleep! I love seeing my grandsons (2 of them, with a 3rd on the way) and I'm about as proud as any grandma can be. The oldest, almost 8, is just a little genius and so clever and funny. The "going on 2 yo" grandson is a hoot. He loves to dance and if you just knock on wood twice, he gets started. :-) They're both precious. (The 3rd will also be a boy. lol. I don't think the Fosters produce girl children.)
It's also nice to go to school functions without all the prep work. As a grandma, I just get to show up and see the fun, not all the work that went into it.
Best of all, I get to spoil them. One of my favorite pastimes is shopping for my grandsons. I admit, I go overboard. As a mother I never had as big a budget for the "fun" stuff.


4. What is the first thing you do when you have finished a book?
Collapse, rest a day or two (and by rest, I mean I do all the work *except* writing on a book, which usually entails getting caught up on other things) and then get started on the next book. As a writer, I haven't taken a "real" vacation since... well, since before I published. I'm always on deadline, so even while away I tweak and keep notes and answer reader emails, etc...
But there's something about finishing a book that just totally exhausts me. I think I take that big breath and just drop.


5. Are you already planning the 10th Annual Reader and Author Get Together? What donations are you looking for and where can they be sent?
We start planning the next event even before the current event is wrapped up! So yes, lots of preparations already under way.
This year we're eliminating paper products from the goody bags. Our volunteers were just too overworked trying to stuff a gazillion and one little things into the 500+ goody bags.
The only thing I'm looking for right now is sponsors. There's a difference between sponsors and contributors.
Contributors donate things like the goody bags, the name tags, lanyards, etc... Most of those are already taken by contributors but for anything else we need, I'll put out a query later, when I'm ready for it.
Sponsors, however, donate significant cash - $1000 or more - and are given one of our 8 boardrooms in exchange to use during the event. Anyone wishing to be a sponsor should contact me with the amount he/she wishes to give as a sponsorship, along with details of how he/she would use the boardroom. Because I'm insistent on the event staying friendly to all regardless of what subgenre of romance readers enjoy (contemporary, suspense, erotica, historical, YA, etc...) there are limitations on what can be done in the boardrooms.
If anyone is interested, please submit a proposal of $ donation and planned activities for the boardrooms.
And just so you know, this year (2013) we maxed out our space literally in days. Over 500 people (our max) registered in hours! It was awesomely insane. After I got things sorted, we had a very lengthy waitlist. I got *most* of the people off the waitlist and into the event because of last minute cancellations/conflicts/family illness, etc...
More info is here: http://lorifoster.com/connect-with-lori-online/readerauthor-get-together/ Details for 2014 will go up on the site in Jan, and registration will open in March on a specific day that'll be announced in my newsletter.


6. Getting Rowdy comes out September 24th, I absolutely loved it and can't wait for Dash of Peril. Cannon was my favorite character - he really was a sweet little hottie. You mentioned he would be the first in a new series. Can you give us any hints on what this new series will be about?
Absolutely! First though, I love that you called Cannon a "sweet little hottie," but let's make sure readers know he's not little. lol. The young man has blue black hair, light blue eyes, a shredded body, and is 6'2" tall.
Cannon is a fighter in the early stages of his career. He also works at Rowdy's bar, and enjoys playing protective vigilante for his neighborhood. Between the time you meet him in Rowdy's book, and get to know him better in Dash's book, he gets a little older so that when he's presented as the hero in the first book of a new series, he'll be a little more mature than his current 23 years. His career as an MMA style fighter will also have developed and that's the direction I'm going with the new series. Ala my last fighter series, with "Causing Havoc," "Simon Says," "Hard to Handle," and the others, the books won't be about fighting. They'll be about very disciplined, highly capable fighters fitting a romance into their rigid routines. Of course there will be suspense, and action, and lots of sexy romance.
Rowdy's story, "Getting Rowdy," comes out Sept 24th.
Dash's story, "Dash of Peril," will be out April 2014.
So the first book of the new series will be sometime around Sept/Oct 2014. A long way off, but we're already working on facets of it. Such is the writing industry!


7. What are your favorite sweets to eat when you are having a bad day?
As often as not, I'll want something salty on a bad day, like Ritz crackers or Pretzel Crisps. Yummy. But when I do want sweets, it's something gooey and doughy. Glazed donuts, lemon pie, Sugar Babies (candies) and occasionally chocolate caramels.
I'm a grazer, so I pretty much snack all the time. I try to eat healthier stuff like baby carrots or grapes, but yeah... I wouldn't be 20lbs overweight if I stuck with the healthy stuff. lol.



Thank you for the terrific interview!
Books
**Note I think I have all of Fosters books below, lack of sleep due to a restless child made things blend together a bit and I might have missed one or two. If I missed something please let me know and I will get it added. Thank You to Lori for the interview you're the best doll!**
Lover Undercover Series
 Run the Risk Bare It AllGetting RowdyDash of Peril
        Amazon                Amazon                 Amazon

Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Series
  The Guy Next DoorWhen You DareTrace of FeverSavor the DangerA Perfect Storm
 Amazon                       Amazon               Amazon                  Amazon                 Amazon

 What Chris WantsBare It All
       Amazon                Amazon

PI & Men To The Rescue Series
BeguiledWantonCaught in the ActTreat Her RightMr. November
      Amazon                 Amazon                 Amazon                 Amazon                Amazon

 Enticing
      Amazon

The Winstron Brothers & Visitation Series
  Fantasy (Visitation 0.5)Hot Chocolate (included: Winston Brothers, #1)Charmed (Harmony #0.5 included; Winston Brothers #2 included)Wild (Winston Brothers, #4)Say No To Joe? (Visitation, North Carolina, #1)
 Amazon                             Amazon                Amazon                  Amazon               Amazon

  The Secret Life Of Bryan (Visitation, North Carolina, #2)When Bruce Met Cyn (Visitation, North Carolina, #3)Just a Hint - Clint (Visitation, North Carolina, #4)Jamie (Visitation, North Carolina, #5)
      Amazon                         Amazon                    Amazon               Amazon

Desire & Duets Mixed Series
  Little Miss Innocent?Annie Get Your Guy & Messing Around with Max
Amazon- Tempted: Includes Little Miss Innocent?\Annie, Get Your Guy\Messing Around with Max 

The Buckhorn Brother Series
  Sawyer (Buckhorn Brothers, #1)Morgan (Buckhorn Brothers, #2)Gabe (Buckhorn Brothers, #3)Jordan (Buckhorn Brothers, #4)The Buckhorn Legacy
           Amazon                 Amazon                  Amazon                   Amazon                Amazon

Animal Attraction (Includes: Buckhorn Brothers, #6)











Amazon


The Brava Brothers Series
 Too Much TemptationNever Too MuchI’m Your Santa
Amazon                          Amazon               Amazon


The Brava Girlfriends Series 
  All Through The NightI Love Bad BoysI Brake for Bad Boys
        Amazon                Amazon                  Amazon

The Watson Brothers Series
  Bad Boys on BoardBad Boys to GoBad Boys in Black Tie
           Amazon               Amazon               Amazon


Bad Boys of Summer Series
  Bad Boys of SummerA Very Merry Christmas
         Amazon                     Amazon

 Jude's Law & Murphey's Law Series
Jude’s LawMurphy’s Law
      Amazon                Amazon

Harlequin Men Of Courage Series
 Men of CourageRileyThe Truth About Cats and Dogs
      Amazon                  Amazon                  Amazon 


Fighter Series
 Causing HavocSimon SaysHard to HandleDouble the PleasureMy Man, Michael
        Amazon               Amazon              Amazon                  Amazon                 Amazon
Double the HeatBack in BlackTails of Love
     Amazon                 Amazon                  Amazon


The Carlisles Series
Love BitesTurn Up the Heat
      Amazon                  Amazon

Standalone
  UnexpectedImpetuous
       Amazon                 Amazon


L.L. Foster Books
Servant Series
  Servant: The Awakening (Servant, #1)Servant: The Acceptance (Servant, #2)Servant: The Kindred (Servant, #3)
      Amazon                     Amazon                     Amazon




Post by: