Giveaway – Page 48 – Read-Love-Blog

Dungeon Games by Lexi Blake eBook GIVEAWAY

Happy Weekend!

To start your weekend off right, I have FIVE kindle copies of Lexi Blake’s DUNGEON GAMES to give away! (if you don’t have a kindle, not to worry! You can download free Kindle reading apps HERE)
Enter to win in the rafflceopter below…the contest runs through midnight next Sunday and winners will be announced Monday, June 2.

Thanks for stopping by!

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Lexi for the 1,001 Dark Nights Monthly Newsletter. Here is a snippet:

You write your Masters of Ménage series with author Shayla Black and it has got to be fun writing with a great partner. Are there any writing shenanigans that have happened while working together that you can share?

We have a lot of fun with that series. We came up with the idea for it over margaritas. A couple of years back we would have lunch every Friday at a Mexican restaurant in Grapevine and we probably plotted the first three there. After awhile, the waitresses learned to seat us at the back, far away from anyone else because our work conversations involved how three dudes could please one woman. Yes, we got some stares…

What do you find most fascinating about the D/s relationship?

D/s takes sex seriously. Both partners are forced to talk, to really communicate about what they’re feeling and their needs sexually. So often we women push aside our sexual selves and label that part of lives as something meaningless when it’s important to who we are and how our relationships work. My husband and I are happier for finally learning how to talk about sex. For so many men, it’s the language of their love and women often won’t learn to speak it. Conversely, it forces the man to talk our language – words of love and affection to go along with the physical. But of course it all depends on how you practice. There are as many ways to practice D/s as there are people who practice it.

I adore your urban fantasy series, The Thieves. Do you find it’s hard to jump from two really diverse genres?

I love the change. I would get bored writing the same style of book all the time. Thieves is utterly different. Not only is it UF, it’s first person and there’s a different purpose in first person. It’s all about helping the reader to truly lose herself in the character. I get to do it, too. When I’m writing Thieves I become Z in a way I can’t with third person because there are so many voices. I have a second series coming out from another heroine’s POV. It’s set in the same world and it was so much fun to see the characters I had written about for five books from an outside POV.

All of your covers are amazing and my personal faves are the Masters and Mercenaries covers. They are delicious! How important are your covers to you and how much say do you have over the finished product?

I think covers are deeply important. They say something about the time and thought put inside the book especially for an indie author. I spend time and money to get those covers right. They need to convey what the book is about. For M&M it’s a James Bondy feel. I try to buy my images outright so I don’t see them on fifty different books. Photographers like Kim Killion and Jenn LeBlanc do amazing jobs.

Derek and Karina are smoking hot and have beautiful sexual tension. What made you choose them for your 1,001 Dark Nights novella?

Derek showed up in The Men with the Golden Cuffs and Karina in Love and Let Die, but I didn’t realize they were kind of sparking off each other until Unconditional. I really wanted a couple who could also have a suspenseful external story. With Derek being a cop and Karina a PI, they fit the bill. They’re an odd couple. Derek is by the book and a bit of an OCD clean freak and Karina flies by the seat of her pants and doesn’t mind a little mess. I think in the end they make each other better.

you can read the entire interview here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About 1,001 Dark Nights: 1001 Dark Nights is a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning. Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features 12 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution. In our versions, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

About the author:

Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

His Billion Dollar Baby by Lea Nolan…Tour Stop & Book Spotlight

Synopsis:

Can her love melt this CEO’s heart?
No-nonsense physical therapist Gwen Radley has scraped for everything she has, so she surprises even herself when she gives into the advances of a sexy ex-patient the night before he returns to Afghanistan. Then she learns she’s pregnant, just as the news arrives that her soldier has died.

Grieving over his brother’s death, billionaire Carter Anderson questions Gwen’s motives when he accidentally learns about her pregnancy. In his experience, women can’t be trusted, so he doubts Gwen’s insistence she has not interest in his family empire – especially after she moves in with his mother. When her therapy expertise has them collaborating on a lucrative business project, Carter sees her in a new light. But his suspicions persist, leading them both to wonder if he will ever embrace his brother’s baby – or the love that’s blooming between them.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Indulgence’s Links: Facebook Twitter: @IndulgenceBooks Steals and Deals

Giveaway:

Giveaway Extravaganza to maximize winners that includes: (2) $25 gift cards (winner picks either Barnes and Noble or Amazon); (3) green shamrock necklaces; (10) magnets with the cover image.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Lea Nolan writes books for young adults featuring bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She also pens smart, witty contemporary stories for adults filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance.

With a master’s degree in women’s studies and public policy, and an undergraduate degree in history, she spent twenty years as a health policy analyst and researcher, writing hundreds of fascinating reports and articles tens of people enjoyed. Today, she teaches graduate courses in health policy, law, and financing, and takes on the occasional consulting gig.

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, she resides in Maryland where she scarfs down crab cakes whenever she gets the chance.

Social Media Links:

www.leanolan.com

https://www.facebook.com/LeaNolanAuthor

https://twitter.com/Lea_Nolan

http://instagram.com/leanolanauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5560132.Lea_Nolan

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren…ARC Review & GIVEAWAY

Sweet Filthy Boy releases May 13

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Amazon UK

Synopsis:

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

My review:

Sweet Filthy Boy is the first book in a brand new series from author Christina Lauren (aka: the dynamic duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings). I have been a fan of these authors since their debut and didn’t think I could love them more after the finale of their last series, Beautiful Player…well, I was wrong. Sweet Filthy Boy was insanely amazing and as much as I would love to write the phrase “buy this book” fifty times in a row as my review, I will spare you from that.

Quick note: there’s a pretty significant event that happens early on and plays a BIG part in Ansel and Mia’s story that I won’t give away in my review (you know I don’t do spoilers) but just know that I am leaving something great out.

Former ballerina Mia Holland has just graduated college and is headed to sin city with her two best friends for a weekend away. A last hoorah of sorts. Once the fall comes, she’s headed to Boston for grad school and she knows this will probably be one of the last weekends of freedom before real life begins. Mia has already been through some rough times in life and is beyond thankful to be where she is today and, of course, is looking forward to the future but is also mourning the loss of her dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Life really sucked some times. However, the current view she has of the gorgeous guy across the bar totally doesn’t suck. Unfortunately, Mia isn’t a one-night stand kind of gal… but when the night is over and she finds out the handsome stranger is staying across the hall from her, Mia decides maybe fate is trying to intervene here. What’s the worst that could happen? A few drinks with this adorable, French accented cutie can’t hurt….right?

Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t exactly stay in Vegas. When their trip is over, not wanting to go home and face her hand-me-down future, and having met Ansel, Mia decides to throw caution to the wind. She decides to take this last summer and spend it with Ansel. In France. Hopefully the few weeks she has will scratch her itch and give her a lifetime of memories to talk about when she was old and grey. She has every intention of heading back to the US after her time is up. But you know what they say about the best intentions, right?

What starts out as a quick fling for Ansel and Mia quickly turns into so much more. Will they be able to let go when Mia’s time in France concludes?

Sometimes, when I’m reading a book that I really love, I get almost to the end, like a hundred pages away from finishing, and I just stop reading. I put the book down and I don’t want to pick it back up. Touch it or look at it. Why? Because I don’t want it to end. It won’t matter that I have 10 other books waiting for me to begin reading. It won’t matter that I have a review deadline. I just can’t bring myself to end it. This was one of those books.

Oh, how I just adored Ansel! He was exactly the embodiment of the title…a sweet and filthy boy. He is smart, kind, caring, impulsive, full of joy and happiness and has the art of dirty talk down pat. He lives life to the fullest and puts his all into everything. He went from melting my heart with his sweet and beautiful words to making my pulse race and my cheeks flame with his dirty talk. That dichotomy in his personality was so delicious and made him a character I will never forget. Mia was just as amazing. I mean, she packed up and went to a country she had never been to, knew no one and didn’t speak the language. I envied her that! Together Mia and Ansel are an amazing couple. They went through an uncomfortable and awkward stage that I know anyone who’s ever been in a relationship will be able to relate to. Especially if you’ve moved in together! Fortunately both Mia and Ansel want to try their best and make the most of the time they have. And oh how they do….

Of course, the ending had me a nervous, emotional, crying mess and I was so worried for these two! Don’t worry though. These authors know how to write some amazing endings and this was no exception. I was laughing and crying and loved each and every second of it!

So, I spared you from the fifty “buy this book”s in a row but really….buy this book. You will not be disappointed! Thank you, Christina and Lauren, for yet another truly awesome book!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the authors:

Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right) have been writing all kinds of stories together since 2009. Separated by the pesky state of Nevada, these co-author besties talk several times a day, agree that Ruby Pumps is the best nail polish color ever, and would, if given the choice, spend all day staring at the ocean from the San Clemente pier.

Lauren Billings Christina Hobbs
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. Married to the cutest boy in school, she has a thirteen year old daughter, is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter, and also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

You can follow their shenanigans at:

@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter. On Tumblr! where we post kissing gifs and writerly stuff and Wattpad for short stories and sneak peeks!

Hunter by Night by Elisabeth Staab…Signed ARC Giveaway

YAHOO!

I love when I have something really awesome to giveaway!

Today I have a signed paperback ARC of Elisabeth Staab’s HUNTER BY NIGHT to giveaway which doesn’t release until June 3! And it’s open INTERNATIONALLY!

I have loved this series and have been chomping at the bit for Lee’s story…. and how about that cover?!

Enter to win in the Rafflecopter below and thanks for stopping by!

Synopsis:

Lee protects his vampire race and hates humans as much as the wizard enemies he kills. Just as he’s assessing new recruits to join the vampire king’s army, all hell breaks loose. The estate’s security system fails, wizards are heading their way, and human-hating Lee is stuck protecting Alexia, the queen’s human best friend. But as dangerous obstacles force Alexia and Lee closer, an undeniable attractionis revealed, and the two must find a way to compromise

Goodreads

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:
Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Silent Bite by Tina Folsom eBook GIVEAWAY

Happy Weekend!

To start your weekend off right, I have FIVE kindle copies of Tina Folsom’s SILENT BITE to give away! (if you don’t have a kindle, not to worry! You can download free Kindle reading apps HERE)

Enter to win in the rafflceopter below…the contest runs through midnight next Sunday and winners will be announced Monday, April 21.

Thanks for stopping by!

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Tina for the 1,001 Dark Nights newsletter….here is a peek:

I adored Silent Bite and felt that while it was in fact a vampire story, it was easy for any young dating couple with strict parents to relate to. Did you draw on any experiences from your younger days when you were writing this story?

My parents weren’t very strict when it came to dating. I grew up in Germany, and things are a little bit more relaxed there than in the US. But I’ve met enough people on my travels to have seen the different levels of strictness and interference parents can levy on their children. I was lucky that I didn’t have to go through this myself.

I appreciated and enjoyed all of the Chinese customs and beliefs you included in this story. What are some other customs you find interesting and would like to incorporate into a storyline?

I really love all the traditions about using the red color for good luck. My critique partner, Grace Callaway, is Chinese, and I must credit her and her father for really giving me a bit of an insight into the Chinese culture. It was also interesting to find out that the names that Chinese parents give their children directly relate to their standing in society. That’s how I chose the names of Ursula’s parents.

What made you choose Ursula and Oliver for the characters for your 1, 001 Dark Nights novella?

I got many reader letters after Oliver’s Hunger came out asking why I didn’t have Oliver and Ursula bloodbond at the end of the book. The thing is, they were so young that I didn’t think it was realistic to do the “eternal love” thing. So I let a few months pass where they lived together and got to know each other and felt they were ready for this final step.

It’s truly amazing that you translate your books yourself into so many other languages. Do you translate each book as soon as you finish into each language or wait a bit?

Actually, I only translate into German myself. I’m not that talented! For French and Spanish I have translators, though I do read the French before it gets published. Yes, I do make a point of translating every book in German as soon as I finished it in English. My German fans are totally hounding me down for those books, so I can’t really let them wait too long. With French, we’re still behind with the translations, but we’re catching up. With Spanish, I’m taking a break, since sales are not sufficient yet to cover the cost of any more translations.

What is your favorite thing about starting a new book? Least favorite?

My favorite thing is that everything is possible. I can spin a story into whatever direction I like. It’s great creative freedom and that’s what makes writing so enjoyable. But my least favorite thing is staring with a blank page. It feel so daunting to try to fill those pages when you’re staring from nothing.

Is there any city you have visited in your travels that you’d like to write a book or series set in?

Venice, no doubt! And I actually set a series in Venice, Italy, right after my husband and I returned from a trip there in 2011. The Venice Vampyr series is, however, set in 1800 Venice, not in contemporary times. But I think Venice didn’t really look much different then than it looks now.

Speaking of your travels, what’s the one thing you cannot set out on a trip without?

You’re going to laugh, but I’m always traveling with teabags. I need to drink tea all day long, and I particularly like ginger and chamomile teas, so I always have tea bags with me.

You can read the entire interview HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About 1,001 Dark Nights:

1001 Dark Nights is a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning.

Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features 12 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution.

In our versions, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

About the author:

Tina Folsom was born in Germany and has been living in English speaking countries for over 20 years, the last 11 of them in San Francisco, where she’s married to an American.

Tina has always been a bit of a globe trotter: after living in Lausanne, Switzerland, she briefly worked on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, then lived a year in Munich, before moving to London. There, she became an accountant. But after 8 years she decided to move overseas.

In New York she studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, then moved to Los Angeles a year later to pursue studies in screenwriting. This is also where she met her husband, who she followed to San Francisco three months after first meeting him.

In San Francisco, Tina worked as a tax accountant and even opened her own firm, then went into real estate, however, she missed writing. In 2008 she wrote her first romance and never looked back.

She’s always loved vampires and decided that vampire and paranormal romance was her calling. She now has 15 novels in English and several in other languages (Spanish, German, and French) and continues to write, as well as have her existing novels translated.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Special Event…An Interview with Rebacca Yarros, author of Full Measures

Happy Thursday!

I am so very excited for this post!

I recently read (and LOVED) Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros and she has stopped by the blog today for a fun interview.

And I can’t go without some sort of giveaway….so, I have three ecopies of Full Measures to give away! (rafflecopter below)

Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY!

Synopsis:

Three knocks can change everything…

“She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.”

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

Interview with Rebecca:

First off, I can’t say thank you enough for having me on today!

1. What is one of the romance books you’ve read that inspired you to write?

– Ooh, I can devour some romance, and you want me to narrow it to one? That’s cruel. Okay, if we have to pick a favorite child here, let’s go with Karen Moning’s Dark Highlander. I’ve probably read that book a dozen times. But, if we can mention the other favorite ones, I love anything Karen Moning puts out, plus Gena Showalter, S.C. Stephens, Christine Feehan, or J.R. Ward. Wow. Now that I look at that, I really do lean paranormal.

2. You put so many real life military protocols in Full Measures when it came to the death of Ember’s father. How emotional was it to write? (because it sure was emotional to read)

– It was a doozy. Because I’m a military wife, that knock at the door is the worst fear I have. During my husband’s first deployment, he was seriously wounded, and I drew a lot on those emotions from that notification (which can in no way compare) to try to adequately portray the notification for a fallen soldier. I cried through writing both the first and second chapters. The second, because I drew on the memorial ceremonies we’ve sat though when we’ve lost our friends to war. It’s an intensely personal novel for me, and I can only hope some of that bled through to the page.

3. What has been the most profound reaction you’ve gotten from a reader to Full Measures?

– Besides hearing my mother comment on my sex scenes? (Yikes.) It actually came this morning, from a reader who told me I nailed that opening scene, that she had lived through her own knock at the door. It’s incredibly humbling, and reminds me just how blessed I am that I never lost my parents (who are both retired army officers), and that my husband has returned every time he’s deployed. We’re incredibly lucky.

4. Will we see more of Josh and Ember in the future?

– Man, nail me down with the question! LOL! Right now I’m working on Jagger’s story, and yes, Josh and Ember are definitely around. As to if they’ll come back for a little more of their own story? I guess I’ll have to ask them. 😉

5. How tough is balancing military wife/mommy/writer life?

– It’s kind of like being one of those insane plate spinners, except I’m on roller skates… and they’re on fire. But seriously, my husband has been home from this last tour in Afghanistan for about two months, so we’re still working on a schedule for our children, home and careers. Between our six kids, their hockey schedules, boy scouts and general shenanigans, I find myself writing mostly at night when they’re asleep and quiet. But I’m learning to say no to more outside commitments so I can focus on my imaginary friends… I mean, characters.

6. Besides Full Measures, is there any book you always recommend people read?

– 13 REASONS WHY by Jay Asher, every time. That book destroyed me. Especially if you have a high schooler, or you are a high schooler. It is a devastating example of a snowball effect, and how the smallest action on someone’s part might seem innocent, but the consequences can be crippling to another person. It’s beautiful, haunting, and if it doesn’t move you to anger and then just wreck you… well, nothing will.

That’s it for me! Thank you so much for having me on today! I absolutely adore you!

Thanks for being here, Rebecca! The adoration is mutual! XO ~Jillian

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ My Review

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She’s a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she’s not writing, she’s tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they’re currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Author Goodreads

Captured in Surrender by Liliana Hart ebook GIVEAWAY

Happy Weekend!

To start your weekend off right, I have FIVE kindle copies of Liliana Hart’s CAPTURED IN SURRENDER to give away! (if you don’t have a kindle, not to worry! You can download free Kindle reading apps HERE)

Enter to win in the rafflceopter below…the contest runs through midnight next Sunday and winners will be announced Monday, March 24.

Thanks for stopping by!

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Liliana for the 1,001 Dark Nights newsletter….here is a peek:

I love that all of your books have suspense in them. What are some of your favorite suspense films and have any inspired you to write?

I am a complete and total movie buff. It’s one of my favorite ways to let my brain recharge between books, so movies are definitely an inspiration to my books. All of the Mission Impossible movies, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, James Bond, The Last Crusade, all of the Jason Bourne movies, and pretty much anything that has lots of explosions and great fight scenes. Or Angelina Jolie. She kicks ass.

You currently write a few different series…how hard is it to keep track of what’s going to happen next in each series?

Oh, man. It’s getting harder and harder to keep them all straightened out, but it also helps that they’re all so different. I’m a mega-spazz when it comes to writing, which is why I have to change things up and write such different series. It keeps things fresh for me so I don’t get bored and I think it keeps it fresh for readers too.

Hmm, what’s going to happen next in each series? That’s a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one <g>. I get a lot of emails asking this exact question, because as you know, I like to leave my readers wanting more at the end of each book.

Everyone is waiting to see what happens with Shane MacKenzie in my MacKenzie series. I can tell you with absolute certainty that you’ll probably cry a little at his story. But I think you’re going to really like his heroine too, and you’ll be just as relieved as I am for him to finally get his happily-ever-after in SCORCH. That’s really all I can tell you <g>.

I also left Addison Holmes in a bit of a pickle with the whole pregnancy test thing. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in WHISKEY, YOU’RE THE DEVIL, because what fun would that be? Just know it will be a wild ride.

As far as the J.J. Graves Series, I can tell you that J.J. and Jack will be getting married in DOWN AND DIRTY. But they’ll be solving a doozy of a crime while trying to get down the aisle.

Your steamy scenes in Captured in Surrender are pretty amazing and delicious. What do you think the hardest part of writing a great sex scene is?

Should I admit that I love writing the sex scenes and they come pretty easy? No pun intended <g>. I’d say in general the hardest part of the sex scenes are making sure it’s not just body parts involved, but also emotions and dialogue. I think that’s what makes my sex scenes different. I love for my H/h to talk during sex.

Lane and Nayaare a great pair and I loved their story. What made you choose them for your novella?

Well, sometimes people just pop into my head for no reason. Naya was one of those people, and I couldn’t get rid of her. But at the same time I wasn’t sure what book she belonged in. (I’m seriously amazed every day that men in white coats don’t try to have me committed, because I know that sounds crazy). I also figured she’d be a great fit in the MacKenzie universe, but I knew she wasn’t the heroine for any of the MacKenzies. But I thought she’d be perfect for one of their friends, so Lane Greyson was born and they hit it off immediately in my head.

Lane and Nayaalso make one hell of a bad-guy-ass-kicking team. Will we see more of them in the MacKenzie Series?

It’s possible. I never know who’s going to show up when I start writing a MacKenzie book. They pretty much do and say what they want.

How much fun is it to work with police for you book research? Have there been any intense moments?

I love, love, love getting to do research for my books, and I’ve met a lot of great people who do very intense and dangerous jobs, and my respect for them is at the highest possible level. Many of them have also become good friends. I’ve gotten to do some pretty incredible things in the name of research, and these guys are greatat getting the adrenaline going whether in a dangerous situation or not. I love going to the range and shooting, but I also really enjoy sitting around a table with a bunch of cops and just listening to them talk. Most of my characters come from real life people.

You can find the entire interview HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About 1,001 Dark Nights:

1001 Dark Nights is a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning.

Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features 12 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution.

In our versions, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

About the author:

Liliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. She finally decided to hang up her hat and let someone else have all the fun. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).

Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can’t help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.

Since self-publishing in June of 2011, she’s sold more than 2 million ebooks all over the world, hit both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Liliana is addicted to reading, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

Masked Innocence by Alessandra Torre…Book Spotlight and GIVEAWAY

Happy Saturday! I have an amazing book to spotlight for you today (and one I currently have on my to-read list)…

Masked Innocence by Alessandra Torre

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The man was sinful. It wasn’t just the looks that made him dangerous, it was the cocky confidence that dominated every move, every touch. And the frustrating yet ecstatic fact about the whole package was that he could back it all up…

Julia Campbell never knows what to expect with win-at-all-costs Brad De Luca. And she’s starting to like it that way. She gave up safe, conventional relationships when she let the elite divorce attorney seduce her into his world. Now that he’s determined to strip her naked of every inhibition, she’s in danger of falling too deep and too fast.

But their affair begins to feel even more dangerous when a murder leaves a trail of suspicion that points straight to the mob…and Brad. Trusting a man with a bad reputation and a past full of secrets seems like a mistake. But when she’s forced to make a choice, the consequences will take her further than she could ever have imagined.

Q&A with Alessandra:

Tell us a little bit about your upcoming release, “Masked Innocence” the follow-up to your debut novel, “Blindfolded Innocence.”

Masked Innocence takes Brad and Julia’s courtship and takes it to the next level. Their relationship, and their sex life, dives further and deeper while a murder uncovers hidden secrets.

What book is on your next to-buy list?

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

What’s your go-to snack when you’re writing?

Nutty Bars or navel oranges

What was the first erotica book you ever read?

Fifty Shades of Grey

If you could be with any fictional character for one night, who would it be and why?

Thor. I’d like to see his hammer.

Where do you do most of your writing? Do you have a certain place that inspires you the most?

I have a big comfy chair that I like to settle into. It’s surrounded by windows and has plenty of room for my two dogs. If I need inspiration I set aside the computer and take the dogs for a walk.

What are the must have essentials in your purse for a night out on the town?

Chapstick, cash, my cell, and a peppermint.

What is the difference between erotica and romance books? What about erotic fiction vs. porn?

Erotica contains explicit descriptions of sex, while traditional romance novels contain more ‘fade to black’ love scenes. Erotic fiction versus porn – words versus actuality and actions.

What are some of your favorite adjectives to describe sex scenes?

Thick, intense, slick, fevered, hard

Why did you choose to self-publish?

What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? Control. Flexibility. The ability to change covers, blurbs, and price on my own, and to see and track my own sales.

How did you come up the characters Julia Campbell and Brad De Luca? Did you draw inspiration from characters in other books or movies?

Julia and Brad are loosely based on me and my husband and the situation surrounding our meeting/courtship. Once I created their roles, the characters sort of took lives of their own and ran wild.

In Masked Innocence, how did you maintain a perfect balance between the erotic parts and the suspense?

The plot wound its own path, there are times in the book when it is erotic-focused, times when it takes a more dramatic turn. There are places when it needed sex, or a lighter note, in order to keep the book from getting too dark.

Why did you start writing erotica?

I didn’t think that there was a market for plot-based stories with explicit sex – but after seeing Fifty Shades fever, it finally felt like the timing was right to dive into that genre.

Are you for or against books being turned into movies?

I am certainly for books being turned into movies. So many individuals don’t read, movies allow them to experience these great stories in a different way.

Who would you cast as your lead roles for “Masked Innocence”?

As far as my series, it is very difficult to cast this couple, but I would go with Minka Kelly and Joe Manganiello.

Who is your favorite indie erotica author?

CD Reiss or Pam Godwin

What is the best and worse advice you have heard authors give writers?

Best advice: don’t publish a book until it is ready. Prepare it properly, with a professional book cover and editing. Worst advice: get an agent, or wait until you have a traditional publishing deal in order to get your work out there.

What type of feedback do you get from your fans?

Everything. Some readers will love scene XYZ while another reader hates it. Readers write in with praise and criticism. The best thing is that they care enough to write. Any emotion, positive or negative, is better than no emotion.

Why do you write under a pen name and would you recommend it for other erotica authors?

I don’t see any reason to not write under a pen name. A pen name gives a degree of privacy to my everyday life. I would recommend it for other authors, but especially erotica authors.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m polishing up the final book in the Blindfolded Innocence trilogy. It releases on March 25^thand takes Brad and Julia’s relationship to the next stage.

Did you learn anything from writing your books?

I’ve learned a lot in my research, about different sexual fetishes, practices, and motivations. I’ve learned to be a lot more open minded and accepting.

Your first book was a #1 Ebook seller. Why do you think Erotica does so well in digital format?

Because of the ability to read erotica privately, without others knowing what smut you hide on your Kindle.

What advice would you give to a writer starting out on the self-publishing path?

Don’t put a book out there until it is ready. Pay an editor and cover designer. Prepare your skin, toughen it up.

What’s your favorite genre within erotica and why?

Erotic suspense. Alpha male.

What’s your biggest writing achievement?

Making the USA Today Bestseller List.

Giveaway:

I have one paperback copy of Masked Innocence to give away to one lucky winner! Simply comment on this blog post to be entered to win. I will be picking a winner a week from today, 3/15/14.

Thanks for stopping by!

About the author:

Alessandra Torre is an exciting new author who astonished the publishing world with the success of her first novel, Blindfolded Innocence. Initially self-published, the intriguing romance and erotica title quickly rose to the top of the charts on Kindle and Amazon where it attracted the interest of major publishing houses. Currently available on Kindle, iBookstore and Nook, Blindfolded Innocence will be available in print in through Harlequin Publishing on January 25, 2014.

Torre’s captivating story about a young intern’s sexual awakening has won praise and rave reviews from numerous critics, bloggers and book reviewers, including the acclaimed Dr. Laura Berman. In her recent article “35 to Read After 50″ in Everyday Health, Dr. Berman recommended Blindfolded as a must-read for book enthusiasts searching for a new fix after Fifty Shades of Grey. The book has also received high marks from readers on Goodreads and other literary web sites where fans frequently remark they can’t wait for a Blindfolded sequel.

Momentarily stunned by the book’s rapid success, Torre resumed her daily writing routine and published ‘The Girl in 6E’, an erotic thriller that explores the hidden fetishes men covet and the life of a female recluse who battles an overwhelming desire for murder. The Girl in 6E will be released in Summer 2014, as a hardcover novel, through Redhook, an imprint of Hachette.

From her home near the warm waters of the Emerald Coast in Florida, she devotes several hours each day to various writing projects and interacting with her fans on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Happily married to her “best friend” and with one son, she loves watching SEC football games, horseback riding, reading and watching movies.

Email her at: alessandratorre4@gmail.com
Like her on facebook
Follow her on twitter
Fan her at www.goodreads.com/AlessandraTorre
Follow her on pinterest

Vice, Virtue & Video: Captured by Bianca Giovanni….Cover Reveal, Character Interview & Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by today to see the gorgeous cover for

Vice, Virtue & Video: Captured by Bianca Giovanni!

I also have a fantastic “interview” with James from Vice, Virtue & Video, along with a photo of Bianca’s inspiration for James, the actor Jason Momoa.

And, I have an eCopy of the first book in the series, Vice, Virtue & Video: Revealed to give away. Just comment on this blog post to be entered. I will be picking a winner on Monday, 3/3.

Enjoy and be sure to get this delicious book on your list!

Synopsis:

Lifelong best friends James Laird and Lola Caraway are reunited when Lola moves to LA after college. Lola is starting her new life, new job, and a new romance with a successful lawyer–a relationship which forces James to question the nature of his feelings for Lola.

James has always been a master at pleasuring women, so it was an easy transition to play a Master on-screen in a series of BDSM videos which have brought him fame and the promise of a lucrative career.

The films have also brought him the attention of hardcore producer Eva Satana, who wants James to be a ruthless Dominant -for real- in her brutal and extreme BDSM scenes. James soon finds himself caught in a contract he cannot break and compelled by threats to the woman who’s stood by him through everything.

There’s no way out…unless James bends to Eva’s twisted demand: seduce his virginal best friend and capture it on tape for her depraved audience. Can their friendship survive desire, deception, and one pissed off dominatrix?

Their decisions will decide who will be free and who will be

CAPTURED.

James’ Interview:

What’s the difference between porn sex and real-life sex for you?

In real life, you don’t have to worry about camera angles and stuff. I can be more in the moment, and I can concentrate on the girl a lot more. Porn sex is really exaggerated, all about putting on a good show, so you can’t really connect with your partner in the same way you can in real life.

Most people would feel pretty self-conscious being naked in a crowded room, but that’s what you do for a living. What makes you embarrassed?

I remember when I was in school, Lola used to proof a lot of my papers. She was two grades under me, but she was super smart, and I was always a little embarrassed when she’d lecture me about how I should have paid more attention in class so I wouldn’t get such crappy grades.

Do you watch your own porn movies?

I’ll usually check them out when they’re released. Porn doesn’t really turn me on anymore, though, so I usually watch them like an athlete watches game footage. I want to see where I could improve, see how I could step my game up.

Do you ever find it difficult to “perform” on set?

Sometimes it’s harder than others—no pun intended. I find that picturing something really hot that I’ve done in my past works pretty well. Thankfully, I’ve had some pretty wild experiences, so I’ve got a lot to pull from.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Neapolitan. Gotta have some variety.

Boxers or briefs?

Commando, baby! Commando.

Sound or noise that you love?

It’s a tie. I love to hear a girl moaning my name, but I think my favorite sound might be Lola laughing.

Sound or noise that you hate?

Crying—particularly if it’s someone I love who’s doing the crying.

Blond or brunette?

I’m partial to brunettes, but honestly, hair color isn’t important. I don’t care what color your hair is if you have a sexy vibe.

Favorite position?

I’m a big fan of cowgirl, but missionary is a classic, so I love that one too.

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Lola. Without a doubt.

About the author:

Bianca Giovanni was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up with a single mother and Italian grandmother, who was an avid reader. She has had a love of writing since childhood, but self-published her first short stories in 2012. Bianca’s strong female characters and witty dialogue have struck a chord with readers and lead to her popularity on self-publishing platforms.

In 2013, Bianca signed with Omnific Publishing to bring the ‘Vice, Virtue & Video’ series to readers. The series contains First Dance (free introductory short story), Revealed (book #1), Letting Go (book #1.5), and four more novels to be released in 2014.

She currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she can often be found jotting down story ideas in a notebook.

For more information, visit biancagiovanni.com or follow Bianca on Facebook (BiancaGiovanniAuthor) and Twitter (@BiancaGiovanni)

The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros….ARC Review & Giveaway

The Darkest Joy releases February 18th

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

A sexy and poignant new adult novel from New York Times bestseller Marata Eros, about two lost souls who find each other in the wake of tragedy, only to learn that love may not be enough to heal the wounds of a dark and tortured past…

Twenty year-old Brooke Starr has escaped the aftermath of a brutal tragedy by abandoning her music studies and moving north to take a summer position as a part-time deck hand on a deep-sea fishing boat. When her survivor’s guilt becomes unbearable, Brooke realizes there’s only one thing she can do to finally erase the pain.

Deep sea fisherman, Chance Taylor, has just wrapped his guitar set at the local saloon when he sees the silhouette of a young woman in repose, the full moon highlighting her shadow as she plummets from a pier too high for diving… into water too cold to survive. Without thinking, he plunges in after her, saving Brooke from drowning.

As Chance works to save her from her own emotional fragility, Brooke finally begins to learn how to save herself. But when their chemistry begins to consume them, Brooke withdraws. She’s determined to be the master of her own destiny… until the past catches up with her in a cataclysmic plan so dark, so final… it threatens their love and their very lives.

My review:

The Darkest Joy is the newest work from author Marata Eros. This story pulled me in from the very first chapter and kept hold until the amazing ending.

Gifted and talented young pianist Brooke Starr is dealing with more grief than possibly imaginable. Her entire family has been brutally murdered and she is left with no one. It’s because of this loss that she decides to give up everything and head to her late aunt’s cabin in Alaska and try to make sense of things. Try to overcome the unimaginable pain and grief. Of course that is easier said than done and she finds herself slipping deeper into a dark depression. She has found work on a fishing charter as a deck hand and hopes that is the distraction she needs. It’s there that she meets Chance Taylor, the owner of the charter. Chance will prove to be more than a boss when he saves her from her lowest point and starts to breathe life back into her broken soul.

Chance Taylor has lived his life for the sea. It’s where he feels most at home and at peace. In small town Alaska, there isn’t much more to life and that is ok with him. Being a single guy, he didn’t need the hassle of love and relationships and loved the freedom the ocean gave him. That all changes when he meets the new deck hand he hired. Sure he knew it was a girl, but he never expected the broken and fragile beauty that walks into his office. There is a pain within her he can sense…and relate to. He had no idea when he first met her that her pain would affect them both and end up bringing them together and finally give Brooke a chance to heal.

Together, Brooke and Chance make their way through the choppy waters of grief and pain and find a safe haven from the storm in one another’s arms. But there’s still one problem lingering….her family’s unsolved murder and an investigation into a similar murder. Will the nightmare for Brooke ever come to an end?

This book started out with heartbreak and slowly grew into something beautiful. It was gut-wrenching to read Brooke’s attempt at healing and moving on. She is such a lost soul. I admired her attempt to pick up the pieces and find solace in Alaska. For a young woman, she had immense strength. I also admired her willingness to embrace life again after the death of her family. Yes, there were many dark moments and she didn’t have a whole lot of hope in the beginning of the story but she eventually snapped out of it and it wanted to hug her! Chance is amazing. He’s strong and understanding with an insight into Brooke’s heart that had me swooning. They work so well together and create a beautiful match.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the suspense of the murder investigation! We knew there was a possible serial killer out there but were really kept guessing until the very end. Ms. Eros did such a fabulous job with not giving out too many details and letting the reader draw their own ideas….until about the last 20 pages. Then puzzle pieces really start to fall into place and it was a huge “whoa” moment when we learn the killer’s identity. Really well done!

Overall, I really enjoyed all of the different emotional layers within this story and recommend to all you romance and mystery fans! Thank you, Marata, for a wonderful read!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

My name is Tamara Rose Blodgett and I write dark romantic erotica and new adult dark romantic suspense under the pen name Marata Eros, and new adult dark fantasy under my real name.

Reader feedback is important and I take it very seriously. I check my email each day. All questions about my dark erotica and romance should be directed to the above email address.

*As an aside, I just wanted to comment that: I am writing what I love to read. I enjoy dark paranormal and edgy romantic erotica with suspense and intrigue.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Crimson Twilight by Heather Graham eBook GIVEAWAY

Happy Weekend!

To start your weekend off right, I have FIVE kindle copies of Heather Graham’s CRIMSON TWILIGHT to give away! (if you don’t have a kindle, not to worry! You can download free Kindle reading apps HERE)

Enter to win in the rafflceopter below…the contest runs through midnight next Sunday and winners will be announced Monday, February 24th.

Thanks for stopping by!

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Heater for the 1,001 Dark Nights Newsletter…. here is a peek:

What has been your most satisfying book to finish, whether it was because you completely adored it or because it was frustrating and you were happy to finally type “The End”?

LOL. I’m never sure how I feel—insecure still, I think. But on every book, yes—the end is satisfying. Except that after “the end,” I sometimes go back because I think about it and worry that every thread wasn’t tied.

When you’re writing a series, do you already know how many books you’d like it to be before you begin or do you write and see where the series leads you?

I’ve done series that were planned as trilogies—but I don’t like to put “this is it” on anything—you never know what you’ll feel you should be doing in the future.

I truly admire your work with the USO and our wounded heroes. Can you give us one of your favorite recent moments while working with the organizations?

I had two exceptional moments. When I was in Kuwait with my incredible group of authors—Kathleen Antrim, F. Paul Wilson, Harlan Cobin, and Phillip Margulies—a serviceman came up to me and asked me to come with him. His girlfriend was on the phone and she loved my books. I thought it was so wonderful and touching that he’d be about to go “down range” into the war zones and he was thrilled to do something for her. (And she was lovely!) Another moment came when were at the hospital at Ramstadt. A soldier there was waiting for us with his notepad and pen—he plans on writing, fantasy, and he showed us his intended world and listened to every word we had to say. It was truly wonderful to feel that we could really help someone. Also, at the gala, we were privileged to walk the awards on stage—and I brought out the award for the Navy. My dad was Navy, and it just made it all the more special to me. All of our men and women in the service are incredible—hearing of the valor of the men and women honored was a time that made me both tremble—and find faith that yes, humanity can outweigh the bad in the world.

What horror/thriller movies from when you were younger made the biggest impact on your writing style?

Edgar Alan Poe and Hammer films! Richard Mathieson and the Twilight Zone. Also, loved H.P. Lovecraft and every gothic novel out there. Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Dorothy Eden . . . Rebecca!

What would be the ultimate place for you to be able to go ghost hunting?

I’m lucky; I’ve gotten to go many places already. Ah! Castle Leslie in Ireland—it’s a B&B and supposedly the most haunted castle in the area.

What made you choose Sloan and Jane for your 1,001 Dark Nights novella?

When I spoke with Liz and M.J., their names just popped into my head!

You can find the entire interview HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About 1,001 Dark Nights:

1001 Dark Nights is a collection of novellas that are breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic. Some are paranormal, some are erotic. Each and every one is compelling and page turning.

Inspired by the exotic tales of The Arabian Nights, 1001 Dark Nights features 12 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

In the original, Scheherazade desperately attempts to entertain her husband, the King of Persia, with nightly stories so that he will postpone her execution.

In our versions, month after month, each of our fabulous authors puts a unique spin on the premise and creates a tale that a new Scheherazade tells long into the dark, dark night.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

About the author:

Heather Graham New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare. She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages. She has been honored with awards from Walden Books, B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times and more. Heather has also become the proud recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television. The Unseen, The Unholy, The Unspoken and the Uninvited are available now. Let the Dead Sleep will be released in March, 2013. The Night is Watching, The Night is Alive and The Night is Forever will be released in Jne, August and October.

Blog ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads