Congrats to the two winners of Shawna Hill giveaway:
booklover0226 winner of Between Lies
&
shadow_kohler winner of Intimate Illusions
Congrats to both of you!!!
**emails have gone out, please respond by 7/03**
A MATERIAL BOY IN A NON-MATERIAL WORLD
By Minnette Meador
It is hard enough to create believable living humans in a book. I just had to take it one step further. I had to create a veritable mob of non-living beings and make them believable. Hundreds of ghosts, a demon, a succubus, a couple of angels and two living humans all had to have three things to make them real; personality, unique quirks, and recognizable flaws.
Keenan was pretty easy. He’s the quiet shy artist type with lots of foibles, including a lack of confidence, a healthy libido, and, of course, the skill for seeing ghosts. Mix into that a quirky love for old movies, microbrew, and the ability to zap out streetlights when he’s upset, and you’re pretty much there. He also has a heart of gold and a deep desire to save the world, even though he complains about it.
The ghosts are another matter altogether. En masse they are a formidable foil for Keenan; they call him names, flip him off, moon him whenever they get a chance, pee on his curtains, play tricks on him, terrorize people, animals, and anything else living that walks through Keenan’s door, and turn Keenan’s world inside out on a daily basis. But there are two that are very close to our hero; Constance, his ghost mentor, if you will, and one of my favorites, Reggie, Keenan’s best friend.
Reggie is the definition of suave. He is very British, smokes long brown cigarettes continuously, has a distinct troublemaker side that is irresistible, loves the ladies, and is uncannily knowledgeable. He is a charmer from his custom-made caveat to the stylist 18th century boots. He has personality coming out the wazoo, many quirks (for example, he likes to spy on beautiful women, cause mayhem whenever he can, and executes practical jokes that are second to none).
Constance, Keenan's mentor, is protective to a flaw, thinks she’s psychic when she’s not, and has a loving, "in your face" attitude that drives Keenan crazy from time to time.
Isabella, our lovely leading lady, is gorgeous, funny, aggressive, yet feminine, but has a rather mysterious past, a healthy appetite, and a quirky sense of humor. She talks with her hands, twists her hair, and bites her nails.
So I guess that’s how you make characters believable, you make them perfect then you rough them up a little with quirks, flaws, and a little bit of attitude. Kind of like me.
Keenan Swanson is your typical, everyday graphic designer. Well, except for the hundreds of pesky, prank-loving poltergeists that make his life interesting (in a Chinese curse sort of way). He finds his situation precarious yet manageable—until witty, smoking-hot coworker Isabella enters the scene and Keenan decides he wants her all for himself. With a horny succubus who has other ideas, a burly city cop determined to lock Keenan away, and an evil entity who’s hell-bent on using Keenan’s seed to create a living demon, the reluctant psychic realizes he just might not come out of this alive—or with heart intact.
EXCERPT
Keenan headed down Thirty-second Street, turned left onto Hawthorn, and ran like an antelope with a lion biting his tail.
When he hit the crowd outside Taps at full speed, he came to a crashing halt and sailed to the ground, taking down two brawny beer drinkers, their respective girlfriends, and an innocent table that was sitting there minding its own business. Four obviously filled pints of stout flew through the air and the contents rained down on the struggling quintet in a dark brown shower, soaking all of them. Two of the empty pints hit Keenan squarely on the back of the head, one after the other.
The tangled pile of human beings and beer began to disentangle itself, but Keenan’s head was spinning wildly. So wildly, in fact, that he didn’t feel himself roughly yanked to his feet and then off of them, or see the swollen fist appear out of thin air until it was too late. All he heard was a distant son of a bitch and the sound of meaty flesh striking cheekbone.
The sparklers that gleamed in front of his eyes reminded him of the Fourth of July on the coast. He found himself down on the ground again.
“…you stupid prick!” The words soaked into his stupor and he squinted up to see six-foot-six of angry male mountain, a pleading red head attached to the man’s arm.
Not that it would have stopped another blow, but Keenan forced his hands into the submissive position and tried to find his voice. “Oh, man…” he said to the mountain. “I’m really sorry. Are you all right?”
***GIVEAWAY***
Minnette will be giving away a Kindle at the end of her promotions campaign and anyone who comments on her tour, or on her blog, will be entered into that drawing. One randomly drawn commenter from the tour itself, as well as the tour host with the most comments, will– in addition– win a $100 Amazon gift certificate so the more you comment, the better your chances.
Minnette will be giving away a Kindle at the end of her promotions campaign and anyone who comments on her tour, or on her blog, will be entered into that drawing. One randomly drawn commenter from the tour itself, as well as the tour host with the most comments, will– in addition– win a $100 Amazon gift certificate so the more you comment, the better your chances.
- So leave a comment on this post to enter!!
- Contest ends 07/20
Today I would like to welcome author PJ Jones. She is here celebrating with her Virtual Book Tour for her debut novel, ROMANCE NOVEL, a romance parody. So please give her a warm welcome and don't forget to enter the contest.
Do you really need to research parody?
An old adage among my vast circle of romance writers has always been to ‘Write what you know.’ Though I’ve known authors who’ve spent countless hours researching mannerisms, dress, culture of the Jane Austen era (guilty as charged), it certainly is easier to sit down and write a book whose only research requires picking your own brain.
Writing ROMANCE NOVEL was easy. The humor came to me like second nature. Then again, I was very sick when I wrote it and could easily identify with the desperation of so many of my novel’s characters. Strife for me, has always translated to comedy. Laughter has always been a part of me, and how I’ve been able to overcome life’s obstacles.
As far as the research part goes, well, like most romance readers and writers, I’ve read thousands of books, starting with the very first romance that I snuck out of my parent’s collection at age 12 (PLEASE don’t tell my Mommy!). By my late teens, I was captivated by my mom’s Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey collection. I majored in English literature in college, and, though I was forced to sit through the droll of James Fennimore Cooper and Daniel Defoe (really, Moll Flanders, just close your legs already!) I devoured every Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and George Elliot.
After college, I remained an avid reader of romance. Some of my favorites have been Donna Grant, CL Wilson and Paula Quinn. Of course, I was so captivated by Twilight, I read the entire series in ten days.
I suppose ROMANCE NOVEL is a culmination of my many years of reading, reading, reading, and then at last, making fun of the books I’ve read. My biggest fear before publishing ROMANCE NOVEL was that other readers and writers of romance wouldn’t get it. But, surprise! So far, most readers have given ROMANCE NOVEL great reviews, even if it is trashier than the bargain bin at a trailer park yard sale.
Smella Rosepetal must find a millionaire husband to finance her baby’s heart transplant. She flies home to her deputy father’s ranch in Pitchforks, Texas, where she falls in love with Deadward Forest, a wealthy environmentalist vampire.
When a deranged murderer is on the loose in Pitchforks, killing romance heroines, Deadward assumes Smella would be safer without him. Smella turns to her childhood friend, Snake Long, for comfort. But Snake doesn’t have the money to save her baby, so Smella places herself in peril in a desperate hunt for a rich husband.
Time is running out for Smella’s baby, and she must escape the Australian Outback, then face down Flabio, an overweight and disgruntled, aspiring cover model, plus enraged vampire wives and their homosexual, vampire, cowboy husbands, a jealous were-gerbil, James Bond, a drunk rodeo clown and Smella’s strange boyfriend who wants to drain her blood, yet is repulsed by her smell.
EXCERPT
“Snake,” Smella cooed while trailing her fingertip along his bulging biceps. “There’s something I need to ask you.”
His eyes widened, and he looked at her with a goofy, hopeful gleam in his eyes. “You want me to be the father of your illegitimate child?”
“Don’t be silly.” She swatted his shoulder while rolling her eyes. “I was wondering if you knew anything about Deadward Forest.”
Snake winced, a gleam of anger flashing across his features. “Why do you want to know about pasty face?”
“That’s not very nice, Snake,” she scolded. “Maybe he’s allergic to Vitamin D.”
“Are you joking?” He spat. “Deadward is a bloodsucker, just like the rest of his family.”
Mouth agape, Smella stared at Snake. His body was large, strong and warm. She could get lost in his liquid molten gaze. Oh, if only he was rich and white. But now was not the time to be distracted by secondary heroes. She needed a man who could save little Wally.
“Do you have the money to pay for my baby’s heart surgery?” she rasped.
“No,” he said on an exhale, as if his chest had been crushed with the admission.
“Besides,” she confessed, “even though I don’t know much about Deadward, I’m already irrevocably and unconditionally in love with him.”
PJ Jones began writing Romance Novel in the spring of 2009 when she was seriously ill, thinking that this book would be her last dying legacy for mankind. After you read this book, you will probably wonder if she was trying to seal her fate in hell. Who knows? But PJ Jones has conquered her illness and is much better now. But you probably don't care, as long as her writing is funny. PJ Jones is also an avid reader of real romance novels. So why does she poke fun of them? Consider it comic relief.
***GIVEAWAY***
PJ will be giving away a $15 Starbucks or Amazon.com gift card to one randomly drawn commenter !
Contest ends 07/01
Open to all
Today I would like to welcome Author of In Between Lies and Intimate Illusions Shawna Hill. She is here to celebrate her Intimate Betrayals Book Blog Tour! Also today Shawna is @ Passion Reads... at http://passionreads.com so don't forget to stop by and say hi and enter to win.
How to create In Between Lies and Intimate Illusions:
One helping of Savannah Summers.
She is a professional VP of a Production company. She’s been jilted before and harbors some real doubts about love and is resistant and hesitant to the thought of being romantically involved again.
One serving of Jasmine.
“Jazzy” is Savannahs’ quick witted best friend. She’s a bit on the wild side, no nonsense, and not afraid to be the sexual creature that she is.
Then toss in one Kevin Styles.
The charming, tall, dark and handsome Meteorologist and club owner can have just about any woman he wants…and has had his share. He is a ladies man; a self proclaimed semi-retired player that is now seemingly ready to settle down.
And a sprinkling…no, a flooding of Naomi Saunders!
The blast from the past, back to reclaim what she lost. Naomi redefines sexy and allure, along with nerves of steel and determination when it comes to what she wants. She is definitely a force that cannot be ignored!
These books are filled with drama, drama, and more drama…then throw in some romance and suspense, a few other characters with issues…while topping it all off with hot, steamy sex! All of these ingredients mixed together result in In Between Lies and Intimate Illusions…and more twists and turns than your body can handle. If you are looking for a fast paced page turner, look no further, you have just found it!
Excerpt:
“Excuse me ladies. Are you waiting on anyone else to join you here tonight?” he asked.
Her speech in her throat, Savannah was not able to answer so Jasmine advised him that they weren’t.
“Would you mind if they joined you then?” he inquired.
“No problem,” Jasmine answered. “Don’t I know you?” she asked.
Kevin smiled. “I don’t think so. Let me introduce myself to you and your friend.” He held out his hand and grasped Savannah’s as the couple pulled up their chairs to sit. “Kevin Styles, and it’s nice to meet you.” His breath teasingly brushed against her hand as he lightly kissed it, sending tingling shocks racing through her, threatening to consume her. Startled by her quick bodily response to his touch, Savannah hastily pulled her hand away and awkwardly announced her name.
“Nice,” he smiled, instantly recognizing her from the park earlier in the week. Well Ms. Savannah, he thought, very nice. “And you are?” he asked Jasmine as she extended her hand expecting the same introduction as her friend. He reached across the table and firmly grasped her hand, squeezed and shook it, then let it go while still drinking in the sight of Savannah.
Caught up in the instant charm that he threw at her, her insides twisted. She squirmed to comfort the gnawing sensation that pulled at her stomach. It had seemed like a million years since she had remotely felt instantly attracted to anyone…and the thought scared her. Letting go of Jasmine’s hand, Kevin offered to shower the table with drinks…on the house, of course.
As he was leaving their view, Savannah felt her rushed blood slow to a calm pace.
“What the hell was all that about?” Jasmine spit out, jealous that she hadn’t gotten the same attention as Savannah had. The couple that sat with them had already turned their chairs towards the jazz band that was currently playing a selection from the late Ramsey Lewis. Absorbed in the ambiance, they paid little attention to Jasmine’s random outburst.
“Who is he?” Savannah asked.
“I think I see him on TV all the time….isn’t he the weatherman on channel 17?” Jasmine continued before Savannah could answer, “Yeah, he is. I never forget a face and a body like that! Did you see how he was wearing that suit? Girl, I bet he got it going on underneath all those clothes.”
“Sex, sex, sex! Is that all you think about?” Savannah smiled, “Oh, I forgot who I was talking to…Ms. Drop-it-like-its hot.”
“Quit hatin’. Cuz you could do the same cuz you choose to drop it like it’s not. You need to take some lessons and start dropping some nooky and some game too. You’d feel better, get out more and you’d be relaxed as hell all the time. You know I got a man for every occasion….”
Books available @
***GIVEAWAY***
Shawna is giving away two ebooks, one copy of In Between Lies and one copy of Intimate Illusions to two lucky winners.
So leave a comment to Shawna to enter!
Open to all
Winner chosen 6/25
(extra points) become a follower of Shawna's blog and come back and leave me another post for two extra entries!
Shawna is giving away two ebooks, one copy of In Between Lies and one copy of Intimate Illusions to two lucky winners.
So leave a comment to Shawna to enter!
Open to all
Winner chosen 6/25
(extra points) become a follower of Shawna's blog and come back and leave me another post for two extra entries!
I would like to welcome today guest author Lynn Reynolds, who is making Book Junkie her first stop in her Virtual Book Tour for newest release. A fun summer read, Love, Capri Style, a contemporary romance released by The Wild Rose Press
A Few Things I Didn’t Know About Becoming a Published Author
1. I didn’t know how many weird and annoying things people can say to you at a book signing. Things like: “Oh, you write romance?” (said with a sneer and/or shudder) or “This looks interesting, I’ll have to go check it out of the library.” (It is not necessary to remind the author that you aren’t going to buy the book!) or “Do you make a lot of money from writing?” or (the most frequent comment at book signings) “Excuse me, where’s the bathroom?”
2. Just because you sell one book, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to sell another. Publishing companies come and go very quickly these days and the pressure to increase sales even at small companies is enormous. I know many writers who signed contracts for their first book and thought they had it made – then discovered the publisher wasn’t interested in another book by them.
3. Once you get published, the hard stuff begins. You then have to spend time doing things like blogging, tweeting, and scheduling book signings – while still finding time to plot and write that next book. And you have to do all that while also doing all your usual duties as a wife, mom and human being!
4. I didn’t know my family and friends would be so supportive it was embarrassing. One friend bought a Kindle just so she could read my latest book, Love Capri Style. I don’t even have a Kindle. And she doesn’t even like romance novels – or so she says ;-)
5. And another thing about Kindles – who knew that was going to happen?! And so darned fast too. Within the publishing industry, there has been much talk about digital books for years. When I first joined Romance Writers of America about five years ago, the only people reading e-books were those interested in erotica. The Sony Reader and a few lesser-known models were the only ones available, and frankly they struck me as kind of klunky and hard-to-use. Enter Kindles and Nooks and iPads and now I expect that soon only freakish weirdos will be reading books on papers. This has definitely made massive changes in publishing options for authors and given us lots of new markets to consider.
6. Last, but definitely not least –
I didn’t know how many great new friends I would make in the writing world! When I finished my first (and fortunately never published) novel, I joined Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. I know, I know -- I got a little carried away. But thanks to those organizations, online writing loops and in-person meetings at writers’ conferences, I’ve made many friends.
While there are a number of things about being a published author that came as a shock to me, meeting so many people who also love storytelling has been the best surprise of all. In fact, it’s probably one of the neatest and most unexpected benefits of becoming a published author. But you don’t really have to be published to enjoy this benefit. Groups like RWA and Sisters in Crime are very warm, friendly organizations that welcome aspiring authors and even those who just write for fun. I definitely recommend them to every writer I meet.
That’s about it for the things I didn’t expect about becoming a published author. I did expect that I’d have to keep coming up with new story ideas – so please excuse me while I do just that!
Amanda Jackson only took the job with Fame magazine to get closer to her estranged father, billionaire publisher Peter Tate. Instead of welcoming her, Dad sends her out of the country, to cover a music festival on the magnificent isle of Capri. There Amanda finds herself up close and personal with her dad’s leading competitor – dashing British playboy Eric Greyford. Can she get an exclusive on Eric’s hectic love life, or will she wind up as just another item on the gossip pages of his newspaper?
EXCERPT
Eric drew himself to his full height and flipped off his sunglasses. "I'm sorry if we both took the moment too seriously last night, Amanda. The sex was incredible, but that's all it was. Finding out who you are is a reminder of why this should end when we both leave Capri."I’m a writer, a wife and a mom - although not necessarily in that order. I’m a city girl trapped in Green Acres.
Her mouth fell open. He longed to stop it with a million kisses, but he remained rooted to his little corner of the terrace. If he moved any closer, he might smell that soapy lavender scent and he'd be undone by her again.
Amanda advanced on him.
"The best I've ever had, you said to me." She pointed a finger at his chest. "Now who was lying to whom?"
"I wasn't lying, I –"
She tilted her head up in angry triumph. "No. I may not be as worldly as you are, but I know you weren't lying then. You're lying now. I'll tell you what your problem is, shall I?"
He poked his tongue in his cheek and glared down at her. "Oh, please do."
"You're afraid again. You're afraid of what you feel when you look at me. It might mess up the brilliant new life you have planned. Loving me might take time away from building Greyford Publishing into a media empire to rival my father's. Loving me might require you to occasionally put that business on the back burner. Loving me might mean you'd have to be loyal to one woman for the rest of your life, and gosh, wouldn't that be boring?"
No. He almost said it out loud. No, it wouldn't be boring, if that one woman were you.
Visit my website at http://www.lynnreynolds.com
I'm on Facebook way too much of the time. Friend me there at https://www.facebook.com/authorlynnreynolds
I don't blog often, but I am a regular contributor to the PopCultureDivas blog at http://www.thepopculturedivas.com/
My own blog can be found at http://lynnreynolds.blogspot.com/
In my other life as a journalist, my feature articles have appeared in major daily and weekly newspapers. Remember those? My short stories and poetry have been published in a few obscure literary mags that you've never heard of. At various times in my life, I've also been a child model, an actress, a stagehand, a secretary, a seller of ladies' lingerie and - in a brief fit of practicality, a computer programmer. My secret ambition is to be a wench at the Renaissance Faire.
I write romances because I truly do believe in Happily Ever After.
***GIVEAWAY***
She will give away a $15 Amazon gift card along with a copy of Colbie Caillat's CD Coco, featuring the song "Capri"
Contest ends 07/01
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Fight for Love
Authors usually tell you why you should buy their books, but I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t buy my latest release, Fight for Love. I don’t want anyone to purchase a copy, only to find out it’s not what they want to read, so I’m providing a warning ahead of time.
Don’t buy my book if the following apply to you:
1. You don’t like hot Latin men. Maybe you like green men. Or purple men. Or maybe you’re not into men at all. In that case, don’t get this book. Rafael Lopez is a six-foot-three tanned Mexican with an accent that would cause shivers to rush down your spine.
2. You don’t like happy endings. If you’re looking for a tear-jerker, then this isn’t for you. I write romance. By definition, despite the hell I put my hero and heroine through, they will end up together in the end.
3. You think sex is overrated. First of all, I’m sorry you feel that way. Do you have any idea what you’re missing? Second, this is not a clean romance. Rebekah may be conservative, but she likes sex, and she likes it with Rafael. The chemistry between these two is sizzling, so if that doesn’t appeal to you, you should pass.
4. These words could actually leave your lips: “I prefer literary prose, as opposed to commercial fiction.” (said with a nasal, British accent) This isn’t literary prose. It’s fiction. It’s commercial. And it’s entertaining. You will not unearth the secrets of the universe in this story. However, if you’d like to unearth the secrets of the universe, an explanation of black holes, theoretical cosmology and quantum gravity, I suggest you do a search for books by Stephen Hawking.
5. You like books that are predictable, boring, and would lull you to sleep. The last thing you need is a story that would keep you up all night when you have to work in the morning. Sorry I can’t oblige, because this book will have you turning the digital pages just as fast as your eyes can travel over them—burning the midnight oil, if you will. Should you find yourself up all night reading this story, I suggest you drink some Red Bull for breakfast and lunch to get you through the day until you can get home and go to bed.
If none of these apply to you, then be sure to pick up a copy of my new release, Fight for Love today.
BLURB
Science teacher Rebekah Jamison lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Atlanta. Devastated by a tabloid scandal nine years ago, she ended her marriage to the man her parents never approved of. Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “Sexiest Athlete Alive,” regrets the lapse in judgment that caused him to lose his wife. He shows up unannounced one day with some startling news, but he gets a surprise of his own. He finds out he’s a father. To get to know his son, he whisks him and Rebekah off to his home in the Hollywood Hills for the summer. Warning: Get ready for a sensual battle of wills as a conservative teacher lowers her inhibitions and is reminded of why she fell in love with a sexy bad boy wrestler in the first place.
EXCERPT
After Rafael finds out he’s a father, he surprises Rebekeah when he tells her the reason for his visit is to inform her they’re still married. The following is taken from a scene right after that where Rebekah throws the tabloid scandal in his face.
He stepped angrily toward her, but this time, she didn’t retreat. She stood her ground, almost eye to eye with him on the bottom stair. The only indication she was even the least bit disturbed was in the almost unnoticeable tightening of her hand on the balustrade.
“You always could make my blood boil,” he ground out. In more ways than one.
He lowered his gaze to take in the rise and fall of her breasts beneath the pink top. The provocative protrusion of her nipples against the material tortured him mercilessly. The shallow inhalation of her soft breaths teased his senses and stoked the flame of arousal in his loins.
He could clearly see in her face that she was not any more immune to him than he was to her. Without thinking, he reached up to stroke her face, and was rewarded when her hand swatted his away.
“Don’t you dare touch me,” she whispered fiercely, her eyes darkening in anger. Had he imagined the desire he saw smoldering there? “Don’t think for one minute that because of an unfortunate twist of fate that kept us married you have any right to touch me. You gave up that right years ago.”
“I suppose you’ve had plenty of opportunity for exploration since then.” He shouldn’t have mentioned it, but he couldn’t help himself. His stomach muscles tensed as if in preparation for a punch.
“I suppose it’s none of your business,” Rebekah replied with a defiant tilt to her chin.
The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him. Over the years, he’d used other women to help him get over losing her, yet here he was, torn apart by jealousy at the thought that any other man had touched what was his.
Rebekah took a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.” She marched up the stairs.
Rafael followed more slowly. He took in the view from a few feet behind her, the curve of her bottom and the shapely brown thighs in a pair of cut-off denim shorts. Thighs he wished he could now slide between and ease this voracious craving for her.
Emblazoned in his mind was the image of her beneath him in their bed, his fingers entwined in the tangled disarray of her long hair as she moaned her encouragement. He could still hear the sweet words. Mmm…yes, I like that…please…don’t stop…ahh…Rafe…Yes! Yes!
He had been her first. Every chauvinistic bone in his body rebelled against the thought that others had been in her bed and now knew the truth beneath her reserved exterior—that she was a passionate, giving lover. That even though he had prided himself on being her teacher, the exuberance of her responses and sweetness of her touch had wielded substantial power over him.
More than she even realized.
Website and blog: http://delaneydiamond.com/
Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond
Fight for Love trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfst5BAlqXM&feature=player_embedded
Delaney Diamond writes sweet and sensual romance novels with multicultural characters. Free reads are available on her website.
Check out my interview with author T. Harrison ! She is giving away to 1 winner on her tour..... a Kindle to one randomly drawn commenter !!!!!!!!!!!
Today I would like to welcome author Tory Richards
today. She is here to celebrate her release from Liquid Silver Books, a sexy and heartfelt romance that will pull on your heartstrings and make you laugh and cry at the same time. THE PROMISE is filled with hope and fear. Hope for a new love, a new life, a new future and fear that letting go of the past will erase it forever, with that the amount of guilt for both Shannon and Ryan that will either tear them apart or solidfy their love forever. Letting go and moving on their will be challenaged at every turn.
Tory Richards has spent her life writing when she could find the time. A hobby that became therapy for her as the years went by. Yearning to become a published author seemed an unattainable goal as real life often got in the way. Until her family gave her the encouragement she needed to pursue her dreams, and she’s never looked back.
Can you tell us a little about your newest release THE PROMISE that isn't in the blurb? The Hayes family is huge! And every year beginning with Thanksgiving they all gather at their mother’s farm where they remain until the New Year. On Christmas Eve before the adults allow the children to open their gifts each married couple presents a special gift to the whole family.
What was your inspiration behind the creation of THE PROMISE?
A couple things put the idea in my head. I came from a small family (one sister) and hubby came from a large family (9 siblings). I had the opportunity over the years to observe the chaos and interactions between them, and their spouses and children. During the holidays we always got together and there was never a dull moment
What was your favorite scene to write in THE PROMISE?
The bar scene.
What accent is sure to make you swoon?
An alpha male with a slow, southern drawl.
What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?
Ok, I might get a lot of flack for saying this but I don’t do all that much research. That’s too much like school and I hated school. I have two research books that I might open once in a blue moon. A book on Point of View and a romance phrase book.
Please share with us something that readers would be surprised to learn about you.
I was on a plane the morning of 9-11, heading for Oklahoma. Never made our destination that day and it took us five days to find our way back to Florida.
How can the readers stay in touch with you online?
That’s easy! My email addy is: tory.richards@yahoo.com, and they can also leave comments on my blog at: http://www.debbiewallace.blogspot.com/
Favorites List… fill in the blank
1. Favorite City is St. Augustine Florida
2. Favorite Romance book of all time (your go to book you can read over and over again) The Wolf and the Dove
3. Favorite type of hero is ... the alpha male in charge.
4. Favorite Quote is: It’s never too late.
If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
Do you believe there’s life out there? Meaning space, of course.............Thank you and Happy Reading
Shannon Hayes’ husband David was killed in Iraq nearly a year ago, and now she
must face her first holiday season without him. With a toddler in tow, she travels to the
Vermont farm where the rest of the family has gathered for the holidays. There she comes
face to face with the man who was with him when he died, and her destiny, his older
brother Ryan.
For the first time in years, Ryan returns home to keep a promise he made to David—
to take care of Shannon and their daughter. It’s a pledge Ryan is reluctant to keep
because he’s been secretly in love with Shannon since first setting eyes on her. Their
attraction to each other is instant, intense and soon the promise isn’t the only thing
between them.
ECERPT
“Damn it to hell!” Ryan swore under his breath, after Shannon took off. The kitchen
door was still swinging back and forth and he could hear her running up the stairs. He
should have known she’d be there. After all, she was part of the family. And always
would be now that she had Alivia.
Why the hell had he come home? He knew the answer to that the minute the thought
materialized. Because of the vow he’d made to David. But that was only the half of it.
He dropped his fork, made a tight fist, anxious to hit someone. If flying shrapnel
hadn’t wounded him, and he didn’t have a leg on the mend he probably wouldn’t have
come back. He could have remained on base during the holidays. Only the thought of
staying there alone hadn’t been very appealing. And maybe deep down he’d wanted to
see Shannon again. Wanted to see if he still found her as attractive as he had the first time
he’d laid his eyes on her.
It was worse than he remembered. The years he’d remained away had been for
nothing, he could see that now. What he’d thought had diminished over time had sprung
to life the moment he’d opened the front door and fell headfirst into her cat-like eyes.
Every time he made the mistake of looking at her sensuous mouth all he wanted to do
was grab her and kiss her breathless.
Maybe he was being punished for all the lives he’d taken. Slowly being driven
insane by a woman he couldn’t have. Everyone had to pay penance for their sins but did
it have to come in the way of his dead brother’s wife? The only thing he could hope for
was that Shannon never realized how he felt. And the only way that could happen was to
stay the hell away from her.
Releasing an angry breath he got to his feet, taking his plate to the fridge, his appetite
gone now. He might as well get a shower and turn in, and pray for a night of relief. As he
limped through the house, he flipped off the lights, and grabbed his duffel bag before
heading up stairs. The heat from the shower would do his leg good.
His bedroom was the first one at the top of the stairs. It was only natural to open the
door without knocking. He had no reason to believe he’d find anyone in there. But as the
door swung open the first thing his gaze landed on was that his bed had been turned
down, the playpen and then the huge suitcase on the floor next to it.
The second thing he noticed was humming coming from the bathroom...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A little about Tory Richards…Tory is a multi-published, best-selling author who was born in Maine but lives in Florida with three crazy cats. She likes to travel, preferably by cruise ship, and doesn’t like to fly but she will if she has to. She collects antiques and art, loves chocolate (who doesn’t?) and good coffee.
Tory has wanted to be a writer since she was a kid, but life got in the way of her dreams. A few years ago, with the support and encouragement of her family, she decided to get serious. Her romances are laced with humor and filled with suspense and sizzling sex.
WEBSITE: http://www.toryrichards.com/,
***GIVEAWAY***
Tory is giving away a $15 gift card to Bath and Body to one randomly drawn commenter !
HOW TO ENTER: Answer Tory's question above and leave your e-mail so she can contact the winner!!
Open to all and contest ends 06/14!!
Bruised and battered by the Hollywood life Lexie is hiding out for a couple weeks to gather her mental strength and get her bearings on her life before she heads back to the shark tank. And Kyle, a washed up NFL star now bar owner is just what she needs. The attraction between the two is instant and on fire. But what really, with the best of intentions from both, is meant to me casual sex turns into something so much more.
Kyle is on guard with Lexie and although he is really actually sweet to her there is something niggling in the back of his head. He learns about her heard life, it hasn't been all Hollywood parties. She has an abusive family, a mother and father who don't physically abuse her but emotionally. Taking from her her pride and her money they have used their daughter to their own benefit with no expense to her emotional state or a care in the world to what they were actually asking of their own daughter by thrusting her into a life she never would have chosen for herself. And now they are threatening to force her little sister into the same world for their own gain.
What happens between to the two is simple, step by step, kiss by kiss and day by day they open up more and more to each other, breaking down the walls their both build for so long. But there are still obstacles that they will have to face jealousy and the wicket world of the tabloids. Only their love and trust in each other will pull them through to the very end. But the fight is in the journey, that is where all the juicy bits are, and both Kyle and Lexie will have to fight for what their heart tells them is true if they want any chance at a feature together.
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.
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