Thursday, June 12, 2014

Blog Tour {Giveaway} How to Save a Life by Amber Nation


Synopsis

Mike Jameson’s world came crashing down around him and he has refused to let anyone else in since. Running through the daily motions of life he keeps himself busy, whether it was being the drummer for The Nation’s Capital, working on vehicles, or being a paramedic. His one goal in life has been to save lives, but he has no idea that it's his life that needs saving.

Sheridan Nichols makes an unexpected appearance in Brown County on her way out of the nightmare she was living. One fateful night, she is hit by a drunk driver and left injured and stuck in a strange town now without a car. Mike steps up to the plate and volunteers to let her stay at his house, and in the process, volunteers his heart as well. 

Friendships form and chemistry ignites and after one passionate night Mike thought things between the two of them were about to change. But Sheridan hides a secret, one which is ultimately a game-changer. When her past catches up with her, will she have to rely on herself or will explanations and apologies be enough to salvage things? In the end, will they discover that by being together they save each other's life?

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“Oh my God!” talk about a delayed reaction, you would think my spidey senses would be on hyper alert after my past situations, but I felt so safe with Mike. How could I be so stupid?

I’m sure I had a horrified expression on my face, because Mike pushed himself off the counter and began advancing on me.

“What’s wrong, Sheridan? Is it your foot?” He genuinely sounded concerned, which was a pleasant change from him being a pompous asshole.

“Well, my foot is aching, but I’ve dealt with much worse. I just realized why you are being such a fucking douche to me!” 

His brows pierced together as if he were challenging me to confront him.

“You are going to murder me in my sleep!” His jaw dropped open and he looked like he had a million and one things to say, but it seemed as if I had stunned him speechless. I continued on, placing a hand on my hip. “No, seriously, that’s why you were so adamant about me coming with you.”

Finally, he seemed to come unglued as he threw his head back and let out a barreling laugh that came from deep within his gut.

Seeing him release such a hearty belly laugh at my concern should have royally pissed me off, but instead it did the complete opposite, it turned me on. A rush of wetness flooded from my core, instantly soaking my panties.

It had been so long since a man had invoked such a positive and sexual reaction from me. 

I had to tamp down my lust and remember that he was a cocky jerk and things would be just dandy.

“You actually think that I brought you here to kill you in your sleep? Chop you up into tiny little pieces and shove you down my garbage disposal? You are delusional, maybe your concussion is affecting you more than you initially thought.”

My hand was still placed on my hip while my other was balled tightly into a fist and I tapped my good foot mercilessly on the floor. He technically hadn’t answered me and I wasn’t going to stand down until I was thoroughly convinced. His explanation seemed a little too well thought out if it was just a spur of the moment.

“That’s not the reason I brought you here, Sheridan. And besides, my house doesn’t even have a garbage disposal, which, therefore, makes my plan void.” He shrugged as if I was the absurd one.

I relaxed just a fraction, but that didn’t answer my question of why. “Then why did you volunteer to bring me here?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest, which showcased a white bandage taped on my forearm, covering the biggest abrasion from the flying shards of glass.

He came a beat closer, quickly closing in the bit of distance between us. I instinctively took a step back, trying to widen that gap. I couldn’t risk him getting closer to me, if I were to get a better whiff of his spicy scent, I would sure be a goner, and I needed to stand my ground.

“Sweetheart, I haven’t a clue, but when you’ve hatched another ridiculous theory, be sure to fill me in.” He said in a low, cocky and condescending tone.

I really thought he liked provoking me. He wanted to see fire, well he was about to get a taste of his own rudeness and go up in flames. 

“The name is Sheridan, not sweetheart. I’m not now, nor will I ever be your sweetheart. Now, please do me a solid and point me in the direction of my room for the night. I’ll be out of your way first thing in the morning.” I may have looked strong on the outside, but on the inside I was shaking like a flimsy leaf getting ready to be blown into the wind. I would never be able to hold my own in a fight, it was too scary and intimidating. No wonder why I always submitted to Pate... Stop thinking about him.

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MeetTheAuthor



I am a wife, mother of two beautiful girlies, an avid reader, and a new Romance and New Adult author.

I was born and raised in Southern Indiana, but resided in Texas for five years while my husband was in the US Army. It was definitely a journey, but I am so glad to be back in my home state.

Whenever I'm not doing my motherly duties or at the soccer field I absolutely love to read whenever I have a moment to spare. My kindle is never far from my side.

My love of reading increased about a year ago and due to my love of books I decided to try my hand at writing. Already having a set of characters screaming to get out, my story took over and came to life.








 

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Blog Tour {Interview & Giveaway} Dirty Blood Series by Heather Hildenbrand



Book One

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And Two, I was born to kill them.


 



Book Two

Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process.

At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea. So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming committee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here?


 


Book Three
Hybrids.

If I had to choose one word to sum up all of my problems, this would be it.
Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to watch my best friend slowly becoming a monster. Without hybrids, I could let go of the mentality “hunt or be hunted.” CHAS wouldn’t be scouring the Earth, intent on slaughtering and using Alex to do it. Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to be on guard that losing my temper meant losing my shape. There would be no monster inside me, struggling to get out.

Then again, without hybrids, I wouldn’t have Wesley St. John.


 




 


About the Author
Heather Hildenbrand

Heather Hildenbrand was born and raised in a small town in northern Virginia where she was homeschooled through high school. Since 2011, she’s published more than eight YA & NA novels including the bestselling Dirty Blood series. She splits her time between coastal Virginia and the island of Guam and loves having a mobile career and outrageous lifestyle of living in two places. 

Heather is also a publishing and success coach bent on equipping and educating artists who call themselves authors. She loves teaching fellow writers how to create the same freedom-based lifestyle she enjoys. For more information visit www.phoenixauthorink.com and find out how to create your own OutRAGEous Life. 
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Interview
What is your favorite part of the Dirty Blood Series?
Probably in book 1 when Tara arms herself with the only thing she can find in the moment: a plunger. I just love that part!

How long did it take you to write Dirty Blood?
I wrote the draft for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November, so 30 days. A really crazy 30 days!

If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?
Well, all of my heroines are some parts of me put to page. So, I wouldn't necessarily be friends with them since I am them, sort of. I would have to say Obadiah from Imitation. He's a great friend, the perfect blend of adventurous and sweet. I would say Cambria from the Dirty Blood series but honestly, sometimes she scares me.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My kids. Wanting to make up stories with them was our way of spending time together.

What's your favorite book-turned movie?
Hmm. Is The Little Rascals a book? Because that is a GREAT movie. No? Okay, probably Divergent. Great book. Great movie.  Also, What to Expect When you're Expecting was pretty hilarious!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
THANK YOU!!! My readers rock so hard!!! You guys keep me going!

And also, thanks for being patient. This latest project has prevented me from sharing like I usually do with whatever I'm currently working on, but very soon, I will have epic news. Thanks for hanging in there!
Giveaway

Book Tour [Interview & Giveaway} Maltipoos are Murder by Jacqui Lane



Published by (Entangled Ignite)
Cozy Mystery – 320 Pages
Release Date: 5/27
Synopsis

Can a murder investigation keep these opposites from attracting?

Cara Rogers wants a fresh start after a slew of bad luck in Washington DC. Moving to Virginia to help her aunt run La Maison de Chien, a doggie spa, is just the peace of mind she needs. No stress. Just her aunt, the dogs, and wide-open country.

But when she finds Aunt Marian floating in the doggie swimming pool, the rest she so desperately needs flies out the window. The only witness to the death is Rex, an apricot maltipoo, and while he may not be able to talk, he’s communicating the only way he knows how—one paw at a time. And Rex’s clues lead to murder.Can Cara keep the doggie spa afloat, convince Middleburg homicide detective Cole Sampson that Aunt Marian’s death was no accident, and keep Rex from the killer’s clutches before they all end up as dead as dogs?

About This Author

Jacqueline Corcoran and Lane Stone have teamed up to write about some of their favorite topics – dogs, mysteries, and Middleburg, Virginia, which is known as the nation’s horse and hunt capital. MALTIPOOS ARE MURDER is the first in their doggie day spa romantic suspense series.

Jacqueline Corcoran lives in Arlington, Virginia with her rescue animals, husband, and two children. She holds a Ph.D. in social work and is on faculty at the Virginia Commonwealth University. She has published numerous professional academic articles and fourteen books in her field.  Her mysteries include Maiming of the Shrew (Cozy Cat Press), A Month of Sundays (Whimsical Publications), Backlit (Etopia Press), and Memoir of Death (Etopia Press). See her website at http://www.jacquelinecorcoran.com/

Lane Stone and her husband, Larry Korb, divide their time between Sugar Hill, Georgia and Alexandria, Virginia.  She’s the author of the Tiara Investigations Mystery series.  When not writing, she’s usually playing golf.   Her volunteer work includes raising money for women political candidates and conducting home visits for A Forever Home, a dog foster organization.  She is on the Political Science Advisory Board for Georgia State University, and she serves on Sugar Hill’s 75th Anniversary Planning Committee.  www.LaneStoneBooks.com


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Purchase Links
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Interview

How did you come up with the title of your book?
In the cozy genre, the titles can be really cute, so we were intent on finding titles with alliteration and that also included a breed of dogs.

Who designed the cover of your book?
Fiona Jayde, and we love it.

How long did it take you to write this book?
This book has been a process.  We originally wrote the first three chapters as a cozy mystery.  This might have taken a month or so to write.  Then we revised the chapters to be a cozy mystery romance.  This might have taken another month or so.  After we had a contract with Entangled, Lane Stone wrote the first couple of drafts in about three months, and then Jacqueline Corcoran did another draft in about a month.  Despite the way we’ve broken it down here, this process stretched over a couple of years.

How do you cope with writer’s block?
Jacqueline is regularly afflicted with writer’s block and doesn’t cope with it well.  Lane has more of a handle on this.  She tries to prevent writer’s block by writing almost every day.  That way, the characters “stay in her head,” telling her what trouble they want to get into next.  As a result, if she misses days writing, she has to “find” the characters.  She is also a big outliner.  For the times when she’s not able to stay a step ahead of writer’s block, she seeks out issues to research.  For instance, in book three of the series (Alsatians and Assassins) Cara is asked about stem cell therapy for dogs.  Some day soon, Lane will be delving into that.

Do you have a favorite line or quote in this book?
“John Kennedy was not the target.”

“Huh?”

“Jacqueline Kennedy was. And one, or a group, of those teenage girls was the shooter.”

I felt like I was going right over a cliff. Why had J.D.done this to me? “Why?”

What inspired you to write this book?
A literary agent that was representing us originally suggested that there needed to be a cozy mystery series on a doggie day spa series, so we decided to do that.  The concept has evolved over time though to include romance.

Describe the cover in 10 words or less.
The cover invites you to come on in!

If you could sum your main character into five words, what would they be?
Focusing on the main character at the start of the book, Smart, ambitious, frustrated, guilt-ridden, caring.

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, which actors would you like to see playing your characters?
For Cara, we would choose Lane’s niece, actress, Amber Chaney. (Hunger Games, Devils’ Knot, Walking Dead.) 

What are you working on right now?
“Jacqui Lane” has three upcoming novels in the Doggie Day Spa series, Dachsunds and Death, Assassins and Alsations and The Schnauzer Sting.

Jacqueline is finishing a middle grade historical paranormal inspired by Agatha Christie and writing a romantic suspense set in Paris that involves a Surrealist artist.

Lane is writing a nonfiction book about nuns in Poland who saved the lives of Jewish girls during the Holocaust and is completing the third book in the Tiara Investigations series.

Who are your favorite characters?
Some of the supporting characters are, if we do say so ourselves, very funny.

There’s royal watcher Emma; the self-promoting, and paranoid Reverend McInerney; and my favorite, Cara’s attorney, conspiracy theorist, Michael Pritchett.

Giveaway

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Blog Tour {Excerpt/Spotlight & Giveaway} Moccasin Trace by Hawk MacKinney


Book Info
Title- Moccasin Trace
By- Hawk MacKinney
Genre- Historical Romance
Published By- ArcheBooks Publishing
Publication Date- March 2014

Blurb

… it was about the land…a tale of love and loss and hope…

Hamilton Ingram looked out across the fertile Georgia bottomlands that were Moccasin Hollows, seeing holdings it had taken generations of Ingrams to build.  No drop of slave sweat ever shed in its creation.  It was about the land…his trust, his duty to preserve it for the generation of Ingrams to come…

It is July of 1859, a month of sweltering dog days and feverish emotional bombast.  Life is good for widower Rundell Ingram and his Hazel-eyed, roan-haired son, Hamilton.  Between the two of them, they take care of Moccasin Hollows, their rustic dogtrot ancestral home, a sprawling non-slave plantation in the rolling farming country outside Queensborough Towne in east Georgia.  Adjoining Ingram lands is Wisteria Bend, the vast slave-holding plantation of Andrew and Corinthia Greer, their daughter Sarah, and son Benjamin.

Both families share generations of long-accepted traditions, and childhood playmates are no longer children.  The rangy, even-tempered Norman-Scottish young Hamilton is smitten with Sarah, who has become an enticing capricious beauty—the young lovers more in love with each passing day, and only pleasant times ahead of them.

But a blood tide of war is sweeping across the South, a tide that might be impossible to stand before.


Excerpt
 
He took special care to have quiet times for Sarah, 'specially since night before last. He got real excited when she told him she might be with child again.  She hadn't been sleeping well, often wanted him to rub her aching back.  Now he knew why.
            Threadbare clothes and unshorn hair gave Hamilton Bothington Graeme Ingram the look of a run-down, unkempt derelict instead of heir to one of the largest non-slave plantations in Saint George Parish.  He ducked under what was left of the split-rail fence with its crooked corner post.  Rails and most posts had long gone up in the smoke of hoards of campfires.
            "Step wide."  He reached back to help her through.  "I don't want the mother of our children to step on a canebrake rattler catchin' sun on this fine day."
            "Lord have mercy."  Sarah clutched her bonnet in her hand so as not to get it snagged in the coiled tangle of wire.  "I suppose it's up to me to get used to your hoverin' over me again."
            "Yep," he grinned.  "Reckon my favorite sweetheart will have to do just that."
            "Your favorite sweetheart?"  She giggled, wrinkled her nose at him.  "Just listen to you and your Ingram fiddle-faddled talk."
            He grinned as she brushed back strands of the golden hair Hamilton loved to run his fingers through.  She gathered her mended skirt, slipped her hand into his, and quickly stepped wide over the fallen post.
            "C'mon..."  Her voice lilted soft, and she squeezed her grip on his hand.  "Let's hurry."
            Her singular tenderness refused to let the devastation around them blight their few alone-times.  In the spoliation around them, such times when they managed to make it just the two of them held a more-than-special meaning.

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About the Author

With postgraduate degrees and faculty appointments in several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem. In addition to professional articles and texts on chordate neuroembryology, Hawk has authored several works of fiction.

Hawk began writing mysteries for his school newspaper. His works of fiction, historical love stories, science fiction and mystery-thrillers are not genre-centered, but plot-character driven, and reflect his southwest upbringing in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction, the IPPY, and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his serial protagonist in the Craige Ingram Mystery Series… murder and mayhem with a touch of romance. Vault of Secrets, the first book in the Ingram series, was followed by Nymrod Resurrection, Blood and Gold, and The Lady of Corpsewood Manor. All have received national attention.  Walking the Pet is Hawk’s latest release in the Ingram series with another mystery-thriller work scheduled for release in 2014. The Bleikovat Event, the first volume in The Cairns of Sainctuarie science fiction series, was released in 2012. Its sequel, The Missing Planets, will be released late 2014.

Links



Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
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