Guest Author and Giveaway with author Tina Donahue

Today I would like to welcome one of my favorite authors to Book Junkie...... author Tina Donahue! She is here celebrating her newest release from Ellora's Cave, a hot, sexy and fun new Contemporary Romance.... TAKE ME AWAY!!! Don't miss this delicious summer read to kick off your holiday weekend, you won't be sorry.

When a Man Loves a Woman

In romance, we know how most guys fight the inevitable HEA. Emotionally, they go kicking and screaming into a relationship, trying to convince themselves that it wouldn’t work out or they simply don’t want to be burdened by love.
And then they fall. Hard. Fast. Hopelessly. And we smile for them. Because we know they’re goners. We also know they’ll keep pulling away. At least for a little while.
But that makes the romantic journey exciting, right?
It does for me. In Take Me Away my newest erotic romance, Kyle craves Lexi from the get-go, but for many reasons tries to keep his distance. That works well, for about a minute. Here’s a blurb and an excerpt to show you what I mean.

Blurb:

She’s everything he escaped…and all that he desires

Three years ago, Kyle turned his back on a pro-football career and being the target of tabloids or gold-digging groupies. Craving privacy, he gets it at his roadhouse in Northern California until Lexi Sands invades his life. Indulged and surely phony, she’s exactly what Kyle fled.

An actress since childhood, Lexi’s fresh out of an anger management program, court-ordered when she lashed out at a badgering paparazzo. Weary of the press’s harsh scrutiny, she sees Kyle’s secluded cabin as the ideal place to hide out and him as a damn-near perfect alpha male. Deliciously virile. Protective. Principled. She offers him serious cash to let her stay for two weeks, assuring there will be no complications or touching.

Yeah, right. Passion flares, along with tenderness. Kyle recognizes how lonely Lexi really is, while she’s falling hard. Through intimate days and impassioned nights, they explore their most shameless needs, until a cruel betrayal exposes their growing love, forcing a choice neither anticipated.

Excerpt:

He liked her, and not only because a lot of his feelings were clouded by lust. The hunger was there, he wouldn’t deny it, but he also really liked her. Far too much for his own good. In her gaze, there wasn’t the starry-eyed look that he’d seen from the models and actresses he’d dated in the past, those who were just getting started in the business. Nor was there the predatory expression of those who knew the score and wanted to use him to further their careers.

There was simply Lexi, another human being who’d been battered by fame and celebrity, who wanted a shred of solace, to be loved genuinely, unconditionally, if only for a little while.

With that being more than Kyle could give. He wasn’t ready to offer his heart to another woman and certainly not to one he’d just met, who was going to be here one day and gone the next. The fact that he was even thinking about such nonsense proved he’d lost his mind.

They’d had great sex, period. It wouldn’t be repeated. No way was he returning to the cabin. He’d bury himself in work at the roadhouse and wait until Pete arrived a few hours from now. He’d corner his friend and tell him in no uncertain terms to call Fiona and get Lexi out of here, fast.

Kyle didn’t want her around. He wasn’t even going to watch her TV show with Buddy Baby. It would just complicate matters and by god, he’d had a bellyful of that in the past.

All he craved now was some freaking peace.

His mind and heart wouldn’t allow it.

The moment he pushed away from the tree to go to the roadhouse, he sagged against the trunk again, wondering where Lexi could go once she left here. Where she’d be safe from the prying press.

Head lowered, his mind racing, Kyle thought hard about the people he knew that might be able to help her, of the connections he still had in the NFL.

I remember. I’ll never forget anything so important.

At her promise, he smiled, then lost it, thinking that he could call his former agent. They’d parted amicably. More than a few times the man had advised Kyle how to stay out of the spotlight. Maybe Lexi could crash in the guestroom at his house.

If he said no, Kyle figured he could sweeten the deal with some cash. And if that didn’t work, he’d just call someone else until he found her a place to—

His thoughts halted at the crunching sounds coming from the left, reminding him of the noise twigs and pine needles make when crushed beneath someone’s feet.

Pete? Had he arrived earlier than usual, seen Kyle headed here and decided to bother him?

Or was it Jacqueline come to pay him another surprise visit as she had last night in his office.

Please god, not that.

Head cocked and holding his breath, Kyle listened, hearing more sounds that told him something was disturbing the debris on the path or near one of the countless bushes. Maybe it was an animal. Could be it was a visitor to this area, a hiker who’d lost his or her way.

Hoping for the unknown animal or hiker, Kyle glanced up and stared. Instantly, his heart tripped on several beats then went into overdrive.

Lexi approached, moving in and out of splashes of sunlight.

The beams caught and accentuated the reddish highlights in her hair, combed now, the glossy strands bobbing on her naked shoulders.

Kyle’s mouth went dry. His gaze dropped lower.

With each of her steps, needles or twigs crackled and her bare breasts bounced.

The sight of her shimmying flesh set his ears to ringing and made his knees weak. Luckily, the tree supported him, its bark biting into his shoulders and ass. He tried to swallow and managed it after a few attempts as he watched the curve of her belly vibrating slightly, since she wasn’t wearing anything there either.

An errant sunbeam broke through a canopy of leaves and touched the curls between her legs, turning their light brown color a dark blonde with just a hint of red to complement her other hair and milky skin.

There was a lot of it to look at. Too fucking much. Except for her cowgirl boots, she was gloriously nude.

And holding a cup, her slender fingers hugging it, showing him she’d removed the black polish from her nails. Wisps of steam drifted up from the freshly brewed coffee, its rich scent reaching Kyle before she did, the delectable aroma carried by the coolish breeze.

“Hey,” she said, her eyes on Kyle as they had been since she first spotted him, all while he’d been leering at every other part of her. “Morning. I brought you some coffee.”

She stopped just shy of his tree and offered him the steaming cup.

He stared at her puckered nipples, then her bottom lip.

Snaking out her tongue, she licked it.

The muscles in Kyle’s chest tightened at the sparkle of moisture she’d left. His eyes jumped to hers. “You brought me coffee?”
She nodded.
In the coming pages she brings Kyle a whole lot more, including everything his needy heart requires.

Take Me Away is Available Now!

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9333-take-me-away.aspx

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com

Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

***GIVEAWAY***

To celebrate the release of Take Me Away, Tina is offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following ebooks**:

1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT

2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT

3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award

4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT

5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT

** Winner chosen at random.



Giveaway and Interview with Author of IN HER CLOSET, T.Harrison!!

Today I have author T.Harrison on Book Junkie! She is here to celebrate her release of IN HER CLOSET! Please give her a warm welcome and enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter the contest to win a KINDLE!!!

I am a fly on your wall today, what would I see in the day of T. Harrison's ?
I’m a mom of two smallish men, one 13 and the other 9, so the first thing I do in the morning is get them up and ready for school. I get them to school by 7:30 am and after that I usually walk the biggish pup for about an hour.
When I get home, I put on a pot of coffee--yes, a pot and I drink it all. They have yet to invent a way to mainline caffeine so until they do, I must ingest it as quickly as possible in 12 oz doses.
After the coffee has brewed (and I’ve procrastinated by checking my email, twitter, facebook and blogger) I sit behind my desk and write. I usually get about six to seven hours in before the kids get home. I’m more productive when the house is quiet. There really isn’t any time afterschool as both the smallish men have busy afterschool schedules and the day tends to sped toward bedtime like it’s on meth.

Can you tell us a little about your newest release In Her Closet that isn't in the blurb?
If you’re looking for a typical romance or heroine you won’t find it in In Her Closet. My main character, Yves Santiago is brash, confrontational and flawed and she may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re open to untraditional romances, flawed heroines and alpha heroes that can make the baddest chick straighten up her act then In Her Closet is for you!

What was your favorite scene to write?
I really enjoyed the dialogue in the scenes between Yves and her best friend Ava. Ava is funny and feisty and isn’t afraid to put Yves in her place.

What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?
My stories are mostly character driven so they rarely require more than a Google search. Oh the wonders of technology!

What do you qualities are a must when creating your hero?
My hero checklist goes a little something like this:
Tall, dark and handsome
Loving
Romantic
Emotionally available
Loyal
And of course he must be sexy and be able to handle his business in the bedroom, if you know what I’m saying *wink*

Did you ever draw your characters from the personalities in your life?
Like Dave Chappelle, I plead da fif.

What are you currently working on?
Right now I’m editing Having it Both ways, another erotic novel that will round out the Yves Santiago Stories. After that, I plan to start a paranormal.

What is the worst pick-up line a man ever used on you, and did it work?
Him: “You like to work out, huh?”
Me: *glancing down at my sweaty t-shirt and running shoes* “Uh, yeah.”
Would this line have worked on anyone?

If you could trade places with one of your characters, would you want to?
Nah, my life is pretty awesome right now and honestly, most of my characters have too many issues.

What accent is guaranteed to make you do naughty things?
Probably French or Spanish but, I’ve been known to swoon over an Irishmen. (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, need I say more?

What was the first romance book you read and how did it effect you?
Danielle Steel’s Star. I read it in middle school and remember loving that book though I’ve never read any of Steel’s books since.

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
What type of romance stories are you particularly tired of reading?

Fresh off of a night of anonymous sex we join Yves Santiago on the curb for a cigarette. Yves is a self-proclaimed slut who vows to live her life as carelessly as a man and make no apologies for any of it--though her meddling mother and ex-fiancé seem intent on making it difficult for her to do so. She’s determined to avoid anything that looks even remotely like love and escapes most encounters with her heart and her pride intact.

Then she meets Elijah Weinstein…

Elijah saunters in like a dream proclaiming to be the next great love of her life--a declaration that Yves finds ridiculous, though it doesn't make him any less enticing. With his mossy green eyes, broad, sun-kissed shoulders and a mouth so sensual that it should have an NC-17 rating, Elijah Weinstein is damn near irresistible. She willingly accepts his challenge, certain she will be able to get what she wants without relinquishing her heart.

EXCERPT

I dress casually for my evening at the Erotic Literary Salon. I’m excited about this meeting with Elijah Weinstein but, I don’t want to make too big a deal of it. I don’t believe in fairy tales, romantic or otherwise, so I’m always careful not to get my hopes too high. So in my favorite Bob Marley t-shirt and yummy ripped jeans, I sit down at my usual table and settle in to listen to the poets and wordsmiths until it’s my turn to take the stage.


I have no idea what Elijah Weinstein looks like. He told me that he would be wearing a green polo shirt. I scan the room but, I don’t see a Jewish guy in a green polo shirt. He’s late or maybe he just changed his mind all together.

“Now calling the poet Yves Santiago.”

I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans and make my way to the stage. Reading my poetry in front of a crowd still makes me nervous even though I’ve been doing it for years.

“Good evening,” My voice bounces off the back wall and I hate the way it sounds when it makes its way back to me. Any other time I fancy that it sounds deep and sultry but, up here it sounds high and nervous.

“This is more of a ramble than a poem. I call it ‘Sleek and Tawny’.”

I clear my throat, close my eyes and take a deep cleansing breath.

“She’s lost all the parts of her that were pretty.

Her shine and nubile beauty wore off long ago.

Rubbed off--rubbed raw by men.

She’s nothing sweet anymore.

She’s something feral,

something wild.

Sleek and tawny, un animal.

Something constantly in search of something--

someone to devour.

She sees her prey and when he passes her way

the scent of him enlivens her.

She pursues him because in this moment, he

is what she needs.

What she hungers for.

That tender morsel she draws across her teeth

hungrily…

But when her passion is spent

she remains discontent

until a hint of some other succulent scent

rattles her cage.”

I open my eyes. A wave of satisfaction washes over me from the appreciative smiles of the crowd. “Thank you,” I murmur, backing away from the microphone to a chorus of whoops and applause.

A man approaches me as I walk back to my table. Mmm, tasty, I think as he offers me a smile.

“Yves Santiago?”

“Yes?”

“I’m Elijah Weinstein.”

I can barely able to keep my mouth from dropping open. This is Elijah Weinstein? Elijah Weinstein is gorgeous. Fuck gorgeous. He is damn fine. He reaches for my hand and shakes it, holding on for far longer than is necessary for a greeting. Our hands sway gently between us--a frizzle of friction forming between our palms.

“Nice to meet you,” I sigh, trying my best to keep from licking my lips.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

T. Harrison is an erotic romance author currently living in the south with her impish husband, two smallish men and one smallish boxer pup. She can often be found with her nose pressed to the screen of her Kindle, reading red hot erotica, nail biting thrillers or bone chilling horror and paranormals by the small halo of illumination created by her book light. She writes stave off the boredom of living in a small town. Her stories generally fluctuate from urban/contemporary to paranormal romance but, are always dirty.

Website: http://www.dirtyscribbler.com/

Twitter: @dirtyscribbler

***GIVEAWAY***

T. Harrison is giving away to 1 winner on her tou..... a Kindle to one randomly drawn commenter (limited to participants in the continental US)

End 06/10/2011 

Giveaway and Guest Author: Their Lady Gloriana by Starla Kaye

Today I would like to welcome author Starla Kaye to Book Junkie. She is celebrating her release this month of THEIR LADY GLARIANA, a historical menage story from Black Velvet Seductions

What do you do when your Muse won’t speak to you?

A Muse is often an impish spirit, a guiding spirit and source of inspiration…and yet at times wanting to tease and play instead of being helpful. When my personal Muse is in the mood, the two of us can kick ass at a keyboard. We can whip out a chapter or two in a day. We can create characters, loosely plot a story line, and determine complications to delay the characters from reaching their Happily Ever After. Sometimes my Muse and I even work on one story and think about another one in the back of our minds.

Other times my Muse decides enough is enough, that all work without some play isn’t for her right now. That is when no matter what words I put on paper (in my computer) they aren’t going to tell the story I need to tell. I’m going to end up deleting all of them. Or I’m going to sit there staring at the monitor with no real clue about what will work in the story line at this point.

Eventually I give in to my playful, bored Muse friend/enemy. I take a break from actual writing and drift off into the world beyond my computer. There are always household chores to be done, but those I fit in when I need short breaks while I’m writing. Those don’t interest me now. I seek other sources to revive my creative streak. Maybe I will go to a movie (or two or three) or attack that almost daunting stack of “To Be Read” books. Maybe I will dive into a craft project, like a quilt art project, that has been curing slowly in the back of my mind while I write, like a fine wine aging. Or I might attempt to make friends with the plants in the garden I’ve been letting live the best they could with lack of attention.

If my Muse refuses to get back to work for longer than a day…or maybe is demanding a complete change of environment, I will travel somewhere. I will go anywhere by car, by train, by ship, or by plane. I love having the chance to see new things, have new experiences, view different cultures, and observe people. All of this gets stored in my head for possible use in some story I will one day write.

Once my Muse is satisfied and ready to get back to work I’m ready as well. Bring it on difficult characters, challenging plot.

Think medieval times when honorable men must do what is required of them. Thomas Lancaster, a widower with bad memories of marriage and a young son he barely knows, is a hardened knight loyal to his king. In reward for his efforts fighting in the Crusades, King Edward gives him Middlemound Castle to hold for the crown. But he must marry the beautiful young widow of the castle’s previous lord.

Lady Gloriana Stewart suffered brutally in her first marriage and has no desire to marry again. She has no choice and must protect her people and obey her king. All she wants is for her new husband to give her a baby. Thomas refuses to even consider it.

Complicating the situation is Sir Rowan Montgomery, Thomas’s first knight, friend, and lover. Complicating the problem even more, Gloriana has feelings for both her new husband and for Rowan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Starla Kaye has worn many hats professionally and as a writer. She works part-time with her husband (who believes he is the model example for each of her heroes, “yes, honey, of course you are”) in an accounting firm. A gerontologist by degree, she volunteers in the community with a very active group of senior adults, who provide her with story ideas for senior adult romances she occasionally likes to write for fun. She is a multi-published author on-line in e-book and Print-On-Demand book form, writing as both Starla Kaye and S. K. Fero for Black Velvet Seductions, Blushing Books, Decadent Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

Starla Kaye’s website: http://starlakaye.com/ 

Black Velvet Seductions: http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com/

***GIVEAWAY***

Starla Kaye will be giving away a piece of medieval-style jewelry to one randomly drawn commenter !!

Giveaway ends 5/31

Winner: When You Dare by Lori Foster!

Congrats to .....................

WINNIE !!! The winner of When You Dare by Lori Foster!

WINNERS: Desperate Desires by Terri Wolffe

CONGRATS TO MY TWO WINNERS OF Desperate Desires BY Terri Wolffe

booklover0226

JUNE M

Enjoy!!!

PROTECTIVE CUSTODY by Wynter Daniels

What would you do if you watched a gruesome and brutal murder? From your office winter late at night, is it the dark of night and All Hallows Eve playing tricks on your brain? And more important did the murderer see you watching their deadly crime? Now think about this..... you tell the cops and they truly believe this girl just might be off her rocker. Why you ask, well there is no body to speak of! These are all the alarming real problems for Megan Jackson in Wynter Daniel's new release from Carina Press, PROTECTIVE CUSTODY.

Bone chilling and downright scary as hell to think about a cold deadly fear for her own life is what sparks Megan's next step. Will, Will McCoy her ex lover might just be her only hope.

Talk about eating some crow, with a rough breakup behind them, Megan and Will both are still pretty raw from the not so idyllic parting of the ways. But Will is one hell of an upstanding guy, and it helps that he is still madly in love with Megan. But putting his heart on the line once again isn't in his plans when he whisks her away for her own protection.

Running and hiding from a ruthless murderer and only having Will to turn to, especially when he is the only one on her side isn't exactly what Megan had in mind either. There is a dark and haunting time ahead not knowing if she is safe or if she is next to die.

With a story that will keep you guessing creating unforgettable and richly persuasive characters that crawl under you skin leaving behind the chills. Wynter Daniels conjures up vivid images, haunting images that are full of danger, suspense and at times so full of love and forgiveness that you will be left gasping for air from holding your breath just trying to read fast enough to absorb all the words on the page. Sometimes disturbing and terrifying, sometimes gentle and capturing your heart.

Hold on to your hats, your in for one heck of a ride!

Witness to a murder, but no one will believe her...

Shocked by the brutal crime she witnesses through the window of her small office, Megan Jackson calls the police and is devastated when they question the truth of her story. With no body and no evidence of a crime, she's written off as a nutcase.

Megan suspects the killer saw her face. Terrified, she calls the only person she can trust—her ex-boyfriend and former police officer, Will McCoy.

Despite a devastating breakup, Will jumps at the chance to help the woman who broke his heart. When the killer ramps up the stakes, Will is forced to take her into hiding—where the passion they once shared reignites, deeper and hotter than ever. But can Will keep Megan alive long enough to win back her heart?

Guest Author and Giveaway with Wynter Daniels

Today I am thrilled to have guest author Wynter Daniels, who is here today to celebrate her release today from Carina Press.......
PROTECTIVE CUSTODY!!

So, enjoy the interview and don't forget to answer Wynter's question below for a chance to win a ebook copy of Protective Custody. My review will be up tomorrow, so don't forget to come back here and comment for extra points!


If someone were writing a story about Wynter Daniels what would your blurb say?

After quitting a dead-end job, Wynter jumped head first into the world of romance writing armed with only a computer and a file full of story ideas. She worked night and day to crank out book after book, all while juggling her duties as a house wench. After twenty plus releases, she still hadn't come close to her goals of fame and fortune. Will she prevail? You'll have to read the book (all of them;-) to find out.

Can you tell us a little about your newest release, Protective Custody that isn't in the blurb?
Protective Custody is a story with a lot going on. Not only is there a hot romance and a suspense plot line, but there are also subplots involving human trafficking, family obligations and class differences.

What was your inspiration behind the creation of Protective Custody?
When I was growing up, my sisters and I always imagined someone was breaking into our house while our parents were out. Any noise became suspect and we even went so far as to call the police once. Well, we got a reputation for sounding false alarms until one day, our house really was broken into when our folks were out. We weren't hurt and everything came out okay, but the neighbors thought we were just imagining things again -- at first! That frustration of knowing something bad had happened and no one believing you was the inspiration behind this story.

What was your favorite scene to write in Protective Custody?
My favorite scenes to write are always the first, when I'm setting up everything that comes after, then the last when I am wrapping it all up with a big bow!

What accent is sure to make you swoon?
Definitely Australian. Absolutely love me some Aussie.

What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?
Believe it or not, the hardest thing was to research gourmet recipes when I was writing a book about two chefs. I was on a super strict diet at the time and my mouth was watering as I wrote about pastries and rich sauces and the like.

Please share with us something that readers would be surprised to learn about you.
Although I write pretty spicy books with and use some very naughty words and phrases, you would never hear those words and phrases come out of my mouth. I was once asked to do a reading from one of my books and they wanted me to read a very erotic scene. I barely got though it and I'm sure my face was beet-red by time I'd finished!

How can the readers stay in touch with you online?
Many, many ways. My website, blog, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, my Harlequin Author Blog, or group blogs - Naughty Author Chicks or Not Your Usual Suspects or sign up for my Yahoo newsletter group.

Favorites List… fill in the blank
Favorite City - Charleston, SC. Love all the history and ambiance.
Favorite Romance book of all time (your go to book you can read over and over again) - Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway. I'm a sucker for a chick lit style light paranormal romance.
Favorite type of hero - Tough question. I'd have to say Alpha, although I do enjoy some sensitive Beta heroes too.
Favorite Quote - I love so many by Mae West. Probably my favorite is "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before."

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
I'd want to know what they love most in a book. There's nothing more satisfying for an author than to give readers what they want and for them to tell you how much they loved it.

Thanks for having me here today - this was fun!

***GIVEAWAY***

Open to all

Just answer Wynter's question above

Contest ends 5/12

Guest Author and Giveaway with Tibby Armstrong

Today I would like to welcome to Book Junkie author Tibby Armstrong! She is here to celebrate her latest release NO APOLOGIES from Loose Id. Please give Tibby a warm welcome and enjoy her Guest Post. Also, don't forget to enter the contest.

SEARCH FOR A STORY AND FIND YOURSELF

In the Summer of 2010 I published a novel called Sheet Music—a fun romp about an edgy, enigmatic musician and a reporter determined to get his life story at any cost. I wanted to follow it up with something equally glamorous and came up with a story about two screenwriters—a woman desperate to get her career off the ground, and a man whose Oscar winning career was on a fast-track to nowhere.

                                                                                                                                                                                      

As I wrote the story the character of Greg Falkner was born. He was everything I’d envisioned—sardonic, edgy, sexy, and brilliant. His back story blossomed in my hands effortlessly, and his best friend, Aaron Blake, virtually wrote himself onto the page. 25,000 words into the novel, however, the story simply stopped. I had an outline. I knew exactly what needed to happen next, but the words wouldn’t come. My critique partner suggested since the scenes with Aaron and Greg flowed the best, perhaps I needed to look at their friendship more closely. What if I explored their time in school together?

 

Thinking I was researching Aaron and Greg’s back story, I blithely tripped into my new novel with the words, “Your roommates’s a freak.” I remember sitting back, absorbing the animosity the secondary character had for Greg, and thinking, Why do you hate him so much? I put those words into Aaron’s mouth, and the story blindsided me with crystal clarity. Greg wasn’t in love with my heroine. He was in love with his best friend. From that moment of recognition, No Apologies was born.

 

For someone used to writing and reading heterosexual romance, this was quite a departure from my everyday fare. I felt excited and a little betrayed. After all, these were my characters. How come I couldn’t control their story? As I wrote about Aaron and Greg discovering themselves as two gay men in a rigid world, I realized that my psyche had labeled them as a couple long before my conscious mind recognized them as such.

 

I went through my own struggles for sexual identity in high school. At a Baptist Christian school and in public school, I faced many of the same degrading comments and some of the frightening physical reactions from people who didn’t understand the relationship I had with my best friend. I know I didn’t understand it—didn’t recognize the physical intimacy we tried desperately to hide as anything other than a need to connect with someone during some very turbulent life events at home. I rationalized my feelings for this person every way I could, reluctant to admit the truth to myself or anyone: I was in love for the first time.

 

First love is tumultuous enough without adding in all of the other things I and my friend were going through at home and school. We fought like banshees, often hurting one another as much as we helped each other muddle through. Much of the push and pull I wrote into Aaron and Greg’s story was the same dynamic we experienced, at least from my perspective. The joy was there too—the thrill of that first touch, first kiss. The moments burned into your brain forever because they’re so beautiful and so alien.

 

Every time I read No Apologies, I identify another layer of myself in Aaron and Greg. It’s not always pretty, but it’s forever enlightening. As a writer, it was at once the most difficult and yet the most easy thing I’ve ever written. I believe any time we approach fiction, whether as a reader or a writer, we are unconsciously searching to connect with a piece of ourselves. When it happens, it’s pure magic. I am lucky to be able to share that magic with readers in No Apologies.

Tibby's bio:

Romance and Urban Fantasy author Tibby Armstrong has a lust for books and a love of travel.
When she’s not writing, Tibby works toward defying librarian stereotypes; yet, she lives with four cats, two computers, and enough books to collapse a poorly engineered house.
You can find Tibby on Facebook as Tibby Armstrong and on Twitter as TibbyArmstrong. Or, email her directly at Tibby@TibbyArmstrong.com.

Cheerful and friendly, Aaron Blake has never met a puzzle that intrigues him more than brooding Greg Falkner. He wants to get to know his roommate, but it seems the only way past his shell is through it. When a reluctant friendship turns into a budding romance, can the two keep their feelings secret from their classmates? Or will their newfound love destroy them both?
Or so goes the story screenwriter Greg Falkner spins for audiences and his longtime partner, Aaron Blake, in No Apologies. Loosely based on their lives together, the film rocks Hollywood with its blatant portrayal of two teenagers falling in love and coming of age in a world that struggles to accept them, while they in turn struggle to accept themselves.
At the end of the evening, will Greg’s risky venture break a relationship that’s already foundering? Or will the real-life Greg and Aaron also find their happily ever after with No Apologies?

 

***GIVEAWAY***

One e-pub version of NO APOLOGIES, in the format of the winner's choosing !!!
Just leave a comment on this post to enter to win!
Winner Chosen May 12th
Open to all!!!