Book Tour Giveaway ~ RUN TO YOU Series by Clara Kensie

RUN TO YOU PART ONE: FIRST SIGHT

(available February 1, 2014)

Part One in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Sarah Spencer has a secret: her real name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from. As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can’t even tell him her real name. But Tristan won’t be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19193494-run-to-you-part-one

RUN TO YOU PART TWO: SECOND GLANCE

(available February 8, 2014)

Part Two in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Tessa Carson has unlocked her heart and her secrets to Tristan Walker—but Tristan has secrets of his own, and his might just mean the end of Tessa’s family. Unaware, Tessa embraces falling in love and being herself for the first time since she was attacked when she was only eight years old. But secrets can’t be run from forever, and sometimes love is too good to be true…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19193489-run-to-you-part-two

RUN TO YOU PART THREE: THIRD CHARM

(available February 15, 2014)

Part Three in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Betrayed, heartbroken, and determined to save her family, Tessa Carson refuses to give in to Tristan Walker’s pleas for forgiveness. But her own awakening psychic gift won’t let her rest until she uncovers the truth about her family and her past. And Tristan is the only one who can help her sift through the secrets to find the truth hidden in all the lies…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19193490-run-to-you-part-three

Buy Links:

Amazon B&N iBooks

Google Play Books

Harlequin Kobo Indigo Sony Indiebound

About the Author

Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago, reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries. She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she’s swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional, but otherwise she hasn’t changed one bit.

Clara Kensie – What Inspired Me

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but being an author was never something I set out to do as a career. I read a lot, though, and some characters I loved so much that I never wanted the book to end. But all books end, even if they are seven-book series like Harry Potter.

A few years ago, I realized that the only way that I’d never have to say goodbye to a character would be to write a book myself. I could develop characters I love, and write and write and write their stories. I could then spend years with my characters, instead of just a few days. A perfect plan, right?

Inspired by the idea that I could spend years with beloved characters of my own, I sat down at my computer and brainstormed a list of all of my favorite elements to include in the book. Here is a copy-and-paste of that actual list: 

• Young adult
• Realistic heroine - not perfect, but relatable
• Devoted hero - mysterious and hot
• Sweet but strong romance
• Dark plot – Danger – Scary villain
• Psychic powers
• Big plot twists

I had a vague idea that it would be cool if the characters had secret identities. And that’s as far as it went. I was stuck.

A few weeks later on a cloudy November day, I was pulling out of a parking spot at the grocery store when I was hit with a “what if:” What if there was a teenage girl who was the only member of her family without a psychic power? And what if they moved around from place to place because they were being hunted by a killer—and that killer had psychic powers too? And what if that girl met a boy…”

It went on from there. I went home and wrote the story, being sure to include my brainstormed list of favorite elements. It took me only a few weeks to write, but it took me years to revise. Which meant I’ve been able to spend years with the characters I love so much. I’m thrilled that others are reading RUN TO YOU now, and loving the characters as much as I do.

Author Links:

Website Twitter Goodreads

Facebook Tumblr Instagram

***GIVEAWAY***

3 winners will receive a package of Harlequin TEEN books which includes: 

• PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry (print)
• INDIGO AWAKENING by Jordan Dane (print)
• a SOUL SCREAMERS volume by Rachel Vincent (print)
• All three parts of RUN TO YOU Book One (ebooks)
• Part One: First Sight
• Part Two: Second Glance
• Part Three: Third Charm

 RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 18 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond  or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

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YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour Giveaway ~ EKHO by Marie D. Jones

EKHO by Marie D. Jones

Ten-year-old Elvis Jones is tired of being picked on, taunted, and teased by the bullies at his elementary school, so he does what any smart, technologically brilliant kid his age would do: he creates EKHO, the Evil Kid Hunting Organization, a sophisticated network of kid spies and secret agents that utilize a variety of cool gadgets to stay one step ahead of the enemy – the bullies. They hire kids, make them swear allegiance to the organization, and train them as Commandos, Privates, and Elite Spies. As kids rise through the ranks, the missions, posted on an encrypted EKHO website, require more smarts and skill, especially when the bullies form their own counterspy group called DEKE (Destroy EKHO Kids Everywhere).

It’s all in good fun, until the kids of EKHO must put their pretend skills to use for far more serious, and dangerous, missions. As field agents come across evidence of more sinister forces, they now have to deal with the strange, weird, and the unknown as they look for the truth about the bizarre and creepy threats to their school, their families, and their own lives. They experience betrayal, intrigue, infiltration and counter-espionage as well as teachers and adults who act more mysterious with each passing day, which leaves Elvis and his EKHO team wondering: who can you trust when the person standing next to you might not be entirely human?

Chapter One

Outside, Elvis and Levi took refuge under the massive jungle gym, sitting on semi-wet bark chips while all around them kids played and screamed. Baseball games, dodge ball, handball, basketball, tetherball, jump rope, tag; too many physical activities going on. But Elvis wasn’t up to competing with kids who could outrun and out jump him. It never worked out well.

Good at hitting the ball, he could even hold his own in kick ball, which they often played against the teachers and staff. But he couldn’t run or move fast. His talents were more the brainy and technical type. He could hack the Pentagon, but he couldn’t get down court and throw a decent three-pointer.

“We can’t hide all year, you know,” Levi said, although somewhat halfheartedly.

“Why not? It worked last year,” Elvis mumbled back.

Somebody ran by and kicked bark into Levi’s face. He spit out a woodchip and gave Elvis a “See what I mean?” look.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * The Book Depository

Tour Schedule

Author Marie D. Jones

Marie D. Jones is a best-selling author with an extensive background in unknown mysteries, metaphysics, science, and the paranormal. She has been featured multiple times on the History Channel in Ancient Aliens and Nostradamus Effect. Marie also served as a special UFO/abduction consultant for the 2009 Universal Pictures movie, The Fourth Kind. She is a staff writer for FATE Magazine and Intrepid Magazine and a regular contributor to Paranoia Magazine and New Dawn Magazine. Marie has been interviewed on hundreds of radio talk shows all over the world, including Coast to Coast AM, and has been featured in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and online publications, internationally. She has lectured widely at major paranormal, new science, and self-empowerment events, and is the screenwriter and co-producer of 19 Hz, a paranormal thriller in development with Bruce Lucas Films.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/28/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Book Tour Giveaway ~ Life's Journey with the Occasional Alien by Roy Donovan

This story follows the tumultuous lives of Bobby and Jack, two seemingly ordinary lads with the usual goals you’d expect from young men: chatting up girls and visiting the pub as often as possible. But these aren’t your average young men, for Bobby and Jack have discovered the power of astral projection, leading them to make some memorable alien friends, and some they’d rather forget.

As the lads’ everyday and astral lives collide, their alien encounters spark off a dramatic chain of events that will change their lives forever. Prepare for murder, violence, fraud, deception, financial crisis and a whole host of other problems as these two young men discover what it means to get their lives in order. This fast-paced novel will take you on an unforgettable journey with a cast of characters (both human and non) that will make you laugh and cry, but all on the edge of your seat.

Book Details

Book Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

GoodReads

Chapter One

Well one time Bobby had gotten out of his body, and he was approached whilst in this state of astral projection by an alien who appeared friendly. Let me tell you the tale as he told it to Jack.

“This alien, although looking mighty different, was not grey or green with weird eyes etc.; in fact he was on the tall side with a bluish colour and covered in a darker blue outfit. His face was not unfriendly, but it was dark with white eyes, the part that should be blue or brown was white. The ears were quite small with a more normal nose; the chin was straight from bottom lip to chin. But he didn’t talk like us. He could tell telepathically what I was thinking and saying in my mind, and likewise I could tell what he was saying to me. He did not smile, but somehow conveyed friendliness.

He said, well conveyed to me, that his race of aliens (he said that there were many others in his race and also other races and cultures) his race could usually only contact with humans via what humans called astral projection, when their minds were out of their physical body. I asked him his name, and he said “For now, call me ZMM”, it sounded like Zum or Zim. He knew already that my name was Bobby, which was a bit frightening to me, but he said “Do not worry; we do not intend to harm you. We only come via a similar thing to your astral projection, that is how both you and I can travel millions of miles in seconds”.

Zum said “There are not many of us who would harm you; we have progressed through a mixture of biology, physics and other sciences together with a universal religion. We do not have people like your priests and vicars, although we do have some teachers. I am one of the teachers.”

I said to Zum “What about God then?”

He said “God is in the cosmos and the eternal universe which covers many galaxies, hence your bible states in one place: ‘In my house there are many mansions’.”

“What do you eat and drink?” I said.

He made a noise not unlike the start of a laugh and said “We have made light years of progress and no longer need to eat and drink like you do now; we use a slow release of a nutrient biological cocktail that lasts us over a year of your earthly time. In space time is different, but I will tell you about it on another occasion, because I am going to meet my great-great-great grandson at a point which is now imminent, though not in your time.”

“I will, however, warn you against one of our race who, although she will not harm you permanently or hurt you, she will drain you for days on end of your testosterone.”

I spluttered “Good God! How can I stop her?”

“You can’t,” Zum said. “Don’t worry. You won’t feel pain, or experience sex the same as on Earth. She picked up a virus on another planet and she always finds a male who is in the astral plane. She swoops down and immobilises you or sometimes take you to one of our spaceships, some of which are invisible.”

“Can she get me if I’m not doing my astral projection and am not out of my body?” I asked.

“Not usually,” he said. “I will go now Bobby” he pronounced although I could not hear him; I knew what he meant.”

About the Author

Roy Donovan has always had a fascination for all things paranormal, particularly the incredible experiences of those who believe they have traveled on the astral plane. He turned his hand from writing health and well-being books to creating realistic British paranormal dramas, beginning with the adventure: 'Life's Journey With The Occasional Alien' in 2013. Roy is a keen animal lover and hopes to be able to donate to local charities in his hometown with some of the proceeds from his books.

Author Links:

Official website:http://roydonovanbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roydonovan

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7475504.Roy_Donovan

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Cover Reveal for Milayna by Michelle K. Pickett

Milayna

by Michelle K. Pickett

Release Date: 12/02/14

Spencer Hill Press

Summary from Goodreads:

From the bestselling author of PODs comes an unforgettable tale of action, intrigue, and following your heart in the midst of betrayal.
It’s hard being good all the time. Everyone needs to be bad once in a while. But for seventeen-year-old Milayna, being good isn’t a choice. It’s a job requirement. And it’s a job she can’t quit. Born a demi-angel, Milayna steps in when danger and demons threaten the people around her, but being half angel isn’t all halos and happiness. Azazel, Hell’s demon, wants Milayna’s power and he’ll do anything to get it. But he only has until her eighteenth birthday, after which she becomes untouchable.

With the help of other demi-angels, Milayna thwarts the trouble Azazel sends her way. Fighting with her is Chay. He’s a demi-angel who's sinfully gorgeous and Milayna falls hard. But is Chay her true love...or her nemesis in disguise?

Because when she learns of a traitor in her group, there’s no one she can trust…not even the one she loves.

Buy Links for Milayna:

Amazon ׀ Barnes&Noble ׀ The Book Depository


ARCs: If you’d like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer form on our website. ARCs will ship several months before the release date.

About the Author:

I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order.  I write young adult urban fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances and have recently started dabbling in young adult contemporary romance. Reading was one of my earliest passions, writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.

I’m addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write, have an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, I love a swoon-worthy ending that will give me butterflies for days.

I wrote my debut young adult novel, PODs, in 2011. PODs, a science/fiction, post-apocalyptic romance, will be released June 4, 2013 through the amazing Spencer Hill Press.  My second young adult title, Milayna, a paranormal romance, will release through Spencer Hill Press beginning in March 2014. Milayna is a standalone, with series potential. It’s meant to be a trilogy. The Infected, a PODs novel, will release November 2014. It is the second, and last, book in the PODs series.

I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan.  I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a snooty cat.

Keep up-to-date with my current, future projects, appearances, and fun giveaways at www.michelle-pickett.com.

I always love to hear from readers, bloggers and other authors!

Find me here:

Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Goodreads

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Giveaway & Book Blast for Three Minutes to Happiness by Sally Clements

Three Minutes To Happiness

The Logan Series Book 2Photographer Valentine Jones doesn’t believe in love, but when her romantic friend Maggie drags her along to a speed dating event, she finds herself reluctantly attracted to architect Finn Logan. Against her better instincts, she ticks yes on her scorecard to seeing him again. He never calls.

 Finn shouldn’t have flirted with Val at the speed dating event. He was there to chaperone his wayward niece, not find another girlfriend – he has two already. When he meets Val again at his cousin’s wedding, he tries to explain, and ends up kissing her instead.

Finn’s company need a photographer to nail an important contract, and Val needs the job. Before long, Finn has dissolved his harem, and persuaded Val into his bed. She’s all for a quick fling, but nothing more – a ruined marriage has taught her that love is an illusion. But Finn’s ruthless pursuit is making her change her mind, until the party at his parents’ house that changes everything…

Pre-Order Links will be available soon. Until then, make sure to add this title to your Goodreads To Be Read shelf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sally Clements writes fun, sexy and real contemporary romance, partnering hot heros with heroines that know what they want, and go for it! She’s a voracious reader, and considers writing for a living the perfect job—the only downside is saying goodbye to her characters at book’s end!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SallyClementsAuthor

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4209647.Sally_Clements

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Sallywriter

 

1 Winner will get a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card + an eBook of RUNAWAY GROOM (The Logan Series #1)

4 Winners will each get an eBook of RUNAWAY GROOM (The Logan Series #1)

Must be 13 + to enter | Open Internationally 

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Blog Tour Giveaway ~ Beholden To You by Carlie Sexton

Beholden To You by: Carlie Sexton

Blog Tour

Hosted by: Fi’s Fiery Reads

February 3^rd – February 9^th

Beholden To You Synopsis:

On the heels of tragic loss, the stunning and innocent Natalie Mason, meets handsome business mogul Mac Carter. As Natalie attempts to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, circumstances beyond her control draw her and Mac into a situation she wants kept secret. The two are a matched set having both experienced immense loss in their lives. Uncertain of what she should do, she decides to give fate a chance, opening her heart to Mac, who just wants to love her. But the past, who often times takes no prisoners, rears its ugly head in a double dose. Mac’s ex-girlfriend cannot accept that their love affair is over and takes drastic measures through deception and blackmail to ensure that Mac will be hers. Natalie, on the other hand, has to face the one responsible for her sister’s death. As her journey begins to bring justice and closure, the past transports to her feet an unexpected surprise—a long lost love desiring to posses her as his once again. Will Mac and Natalie’s newly blossoming love be able to endure what the past has delivered or will the victors of their hearts be the old flames who are staking their claim?

Author Bio:

I have always had a passion for reading my entire life. I love it so that I dedicated my life to educating children. As a teacher, I have had the profound pleasure of teaching children to read and explore their imaginations through a good book. Just recently I decided to write a story that had been on my mind. Now I have several that I want to turn into additional books. Writing has become a passion that I dearly love. I live with my handsome husband in Southern California. We enjoy the relaxed lifestyle that California provides. We have two beautiful dogs, but on children.

20 Fun Facts About Carlie Sexton:

1. I was born in Louisiana. Still consider myself a Southern Belle, even though I have lived in California longer.
2. I never eat lima beans because they remind me of stink bugs.
3. In high school, my favorite sport in P.E. was archery.
4. My toes are always painted.
5. I lived in Hawaii from 5-9 years old. Learned to hula then.
6. I’m technically challenged and didn’t send my first text until August~2013.
7. I met my hubby at a church singles group.
8. When writing the Killer Next Door series, I watched all of the Dexter episodes in about a month!
9. My favorite color is purple, but I only have 2 purple items in my closet.
10. I have 2 dogs. One whines and one groans to get my attention.
11. My hubby is complicated and I modeled Neil after his assertive side and Mac after his perceptive, nurturing side.
12. My favorite super hero is Wonder Woman.
13. I’m addicted to mint chocolate chip ice cream.
14. I became a teacher at 35.
15. My hair is naturally curly, but I straighten it.
16. My favorite wine is Moscato.
17. I never played Scrabble until I was in my 30’s.
18. In college I drove a Camaro.
19. I love decorating and my home has an Italian flare to it.
20. I eat an apple and a pear every day.

Meet the Characters:

Excerpt 1:

Closing the door behind me, I was grateful to be back in my own room. Peeling out of my clothes, I quickly got into the shower. It felt like an oasis, the water caressing my body. Thoughts of Mac and I in bed were coming back to me like rapid fire from a machine gun. These thoughts startled me as my body began to respond to the pictures in my mind. Mac knew his way around a female’s body and it certainly felt as though he had pulled out all the stops with me. When I closed my eyes I could visualize his head between my legs. The memory of it made my insides clench down deep. Then I remembered the culmination of his efforts and my body’s response in a tantalizing orgasm. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I had to push those thoughts out of my head because the whole situation was crazy. We got married, and he didn’t seem to be taken aback by it. In fact, he was calm about the whole thing. Strange reaction for a guy. I felt kind of bad for running out of there like I did, but when I fell on him, things became real—too real. I began remembering in that moment our intimate interaction, and for a split second, I thought about surrendering to my desire for him. Again. Willingly. While sober. If I had, we’d be in bed together, and he’d be doing…

Excerpt 2:

She looked so open and carefree, that all I wanted to do was scoop her into my arms and kiss her. “I’m going to lay my cards on the table, no pun intended. I like you. I have from the moment you walked into the Statton’s kitchen. I’d like for us to get to know each other better and I want to start dating you when we return to San Diego. How do you feel about that?” Natalie looked down at her hands for a moment. When she looked up at me she had a coy smile on her face. “I’d like that.” I was so happy I acted on impulse. I leaned in and kissed her, gently at first, but then I couldn’t hold back and I invaded her mouth with my tongue, stroking hers in an erotic dance. My hands found her waist and I pulled her toward me, positioning her on top of me, her legs straddling my hips. She kissed me back with a passion I hadn’t experienced before, like she had been dying to be kissed and I was the cure. I untied her robe and slid my hands around her ribs. She was wearing a tank top and boxers. I debated running my hands over her breasts, but in light of her inexperience, I didn’t want to move too fast. So I just continued kissing her, pulling her body close to mine as she moaned in my mouth, causing my blood to overheat. I wanted her and I wanted her bad.

Excerpt 3:

Natalie went to shower, and after getting dressed, I went to place our order with Trina. When breakfast was ready and Natalie had still not come up, I decided to check on her. As I approached the bathroom, I heard sobs coming from within. “Baby, are you okay?” She just cried more. “Can I come in?” “Okay,” her trembling voice answered. I could see her gorgeous body shaking through the clear shower door. I grabbed the towel off the rack, opened the door, and took her by the hand. Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped both the towel and my arms around her. Continuing to cry, she choked out, “I’m sorry.” “Shh. There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s only natural for you to be sad.” “I just miss her, Mac. So much.” “I know, baby, I know.”

Social Media Links:

Website: www.carliesextonromance.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carliesextonromance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarlieSexton4

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6901016.Carlie_Sexton

Book Trailer Links:

Trailer FFY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IhEU9YBk2Y&feature=youtu.be

Trailer TBY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P05VA9_Zrk

Trailer GTY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7g2zvHp3cA

Buy Links:

BTY Amazon Global Link: http://myBook.to/btyamazon

BTY Barnes & Nobel Global Link: http://bit.ly/1dDoVyo

The Killer Next Door Series

FFY Amazon Global Link: ‪http://myBook.to/ffyamazon

TBY Amazon Global Link: ‪http://myBook.to/tbyamazon

GTY Amazon Global Link: ‪http://myBook.to/gtyamazon

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Interview with The Spider Catchers by Marilynn Larew

The Spider Catchers
by Marilynn Larew

The Spider Catchers by Marilynn Larew

Genre: Thriller – 300 pages

“A solid introduction to a new thriller series.” Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis

Sex, money, and terrorism

What do the violent takeover of Fez brothels and a new stream of terrorist funding have to do with the disappearance of Alicia Harmon from the Fez office of Femme Aid Maroc? When CIA analyst Lee Carruthers tries to find out, she is swept into a tangled web of dirty money and human trafficking, and people will kill to find out what Alicia knew. If only Lee knew. She’s working blind, and in this case, ignorance is death. Her search takes her through the slums of the Fez medina to the high-rises of the new city and finally to a terrorist camp in the Algerian desert.

The Spider Catchers

Lee Carruthers #1

Available in both Trade Paperback and eBook

Order from Amazon

Order a Signed copy from the author

About The Author

Marilynn Larew was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and after a living in a number of places, including the Philippines and Japan, she finally settled in southern Pennsylvania, where she and her husband live in an 150 year old farmhouse. She has taught courses about the Vietnamese War and terrorism at the University of Maryland and travelled extensively in Europe and Asia. She likes to write about places she has been or places she would like to go. She has published non-fiction about local history, Vietnamese history, and terrorism. This is her first novel.

Interview

What is one book everyone should read?

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to books everybody should read. I think they should at least be divided by gender and possibly by age. The one book I think all women should read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. For women of a certain age, her book was nothing less than an eye opener. She studied the restlessness felt by middle-class housewives and diagnosed it as lack of fulfillment. Society, advertising, scholarship, Freud all defined women’s highest role in society as being a wife and mother, In those days, career women were defined as perpetual spinsters. Some school districts even made woman teachers who married resign.

After working in many fields during World War II, many women resented being cast back into a domestic role they found unfulfilling. She was talking to me, and before the week was out, I had registered in college to finish my BA. I went on to acquire a PhD in history and taught for a number of years in the University of Maryland system. Friedan n’s book helped me to stand in the sun and be, Or begin to be, for learning to be is a lifetime project. Standing on your own feet without leaning on anybody else is terrifying and liberating act.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I’m not sure any one thing made me a writer. I’ve always been a reader. I love books. I need them the way a druggie needs a fix. Somewhere along the line, I decided I wanted to make them, to build a story into a novel that other people would want to read. It was not until I retired that I was able to sit down and learn to write something other than the non-fiction I had written as a scholar. Writing fiction became my job. I’m a writer. And with the publication of The Spider Catchers, I’m an author.

What is your favorite Quote?

This is Margaret Atwood’s take on writing:

“Nobody is making you do this:

You chose it, so don’t whine.”

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I’d love to live in Istanbul. I can’t quite say why, but when I visited it for the first time it felt right, as if it were embracing me. I’ve been to other cities. Hong Kong is a close second to Istanbul. It’s a vital city, a city that never sleeps. I love Paris and London, too, but they’re places I visit. Istanbul feels like home.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a nun, but I grew out of that, and went on to want to be a nurse. You can see that both of these ambitions are careers. Unlike many girls, I never planned to be a mommy. I didn’t play with dolls for very long after I entered grade school. I never wanted a dollhouse, that model the middle class home with a mommy and daddy and two children and a kitty and a doggie. You remember them. They had little furniture that you could move around; the kitchen even had little dishes and pots and pans. What I really wanted was a cap pistol, so perhaps you can see why I invented Lee Carruthers, of the CIA. She doesn’t carry a cap pistolistol; she carries a Glock.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

The Carruthers #2, Dubai Gold, is already underway. In it, Lee promises Cynthia Branson to find her husband. George. Lee already knows where George is. He’s dead in Dubai, but why did he wash up on the shore there carrying a false passport? And what did the key he sent his to his wife from Iatanbul open?

Charlie McGee will be #3. In it, Lee will help Charlie McGee search for his dead father’s Vietnamese family in the mountains west of Khe Sanh I can finally use the pictures I took on my trip to Khe Sanh.

What is the best book that you've read recently?

I’m actually working two books at the moment. One is nonfiction and the other is fiction. The nonfiction book is The History of the Vietnamese, by Keith Taylor. It is a superb work written by a man who spent nearly 50 years studying Vietnamese history. It covers Vietnamese history from the beginning to the day before yesterday. It’s the book I needed when I was teaching Vietnamese history, and it will remain the standard work in English for many years to come. I consider that he conferred immortality on me by putting me in his bibliography and by quoting me.

For fiction, I’m rereading Dead Man’s Chest, by Kerry Greenwood, featuring Phyne Fisher, Greenwood’s aristocratic Melbourne flapper and private detective. Greenwood has a light and airy style, and a laugh out loud sense of humor, but this masks the seriousness of the topics she addresses – murder ,blackmail, piracy in the South China Sea, incest, human trafficking. These are not funny topics, and Phryne, with her usual mordant wit, treats them with the seriousness they deserve. I often reread Kerry Greenwood books because I like to visit with Phryne Fisher and the vibrant characters Greenwood creates.
Author Links

Website: www.marilynnlarew.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilynn.larew

Twitter: @marilynn_larew

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18739502-the-spider-catchers

A Beautiful Idea Blog Tour

My fingers were raking through his hair and I was kissing his neck but Ryder was full of surprises because he pulled me away and said, “Get on your knees, sweetheart.”

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for ages 17+ due to language and sexual content.

Isabelle Clark always had ideas, but that's all they ever were . . . until now.

She grew up in a world filled with poverty and hatred from the person who gave birth to her and had decided she would finally make her ideas a reality. After moving away to college as a junior she ran into the University of Maryland's walking one-night stand. Literally.

Ryder Mitchell was every girl's wet dream all in one muscled, tattooed, pierced, baseball playing package.

He thought he had the life: going to school, tattooing people by day, and giving girls the best orgasms of their life by night. When he found out that Financial Aid didn't fully cover Isabelle's room and board Ryder had an idea: Isabelle should move in with him. On the outside everybody sees Isabelle as a quiet bookworm and Ryder as a player, both on and off the baseball diamond. They soon learn who the other truly is.

Either way, they're about to realize this idea was a beautiful one...

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Wild Sparks Blog Tour & Giveaway



In the follow up to “Chasing the Wild Sparks,” Hadley Beckett’s quest for wedded bliss perseveres…

What would you do if the love of your life were closer to making your dreams come true?

Riding high in her relationship with her sportscaster/local daredevil boyfriend, Finn Wilder, Hadley Beckett makes plans concerning her future with Finn. Big plans.

Spending time with Finn at his parents’ house for Easter, Hadley can’t wait to share some of her ideas with him, hoping he will go along. She knows she has an uphill climb ahead of her, but she’s optimistic that after what they recently went through, Finn will be receptive to what she has to say.

Infamously anti-marriage, Finn promised Hadley he’d consider taking her to the altar if she gives him more time. Diving headfirst and with encouragement from her best friend Morgan, Hadley devises a backup plan if Finn can’t make a decision soon. However, her other close friend, Rod, disagrees with Morgan’s advice, partly to just oppose her in spite, but also having actual valid points of his own. Feeling conflicted, Hadley takes both of their suggestions and blends them together, formulating her own way to handle Finn.

On the other hand, unbeknownst to Hadley, Finn has plans of his own as well.

Hadley is determined to succeed, yet is she unwittingly destined to fail?

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Daring the wild sparks

ren alexander

 

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Excerpt

 He buries his lips against my neck and purrs, “I’m sorry, baby. How can I make it up to you?”

     “I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”

     “I can think of something.”

     “No way. I get to decide, not you.”

     He drags his lips up and down my skin, and closing my eyes, I swallow when he asks, “Are you going to tease me all day?”

     I squeak, “I might.” He lifts his head from me and tries to turn me around, but I grab onto the fence, preventing him from doing so.

     “Is this how you’re going to be?” I hear the ambiguous grin in his voice, causing me to smile more.

     “Maybe.”

     I eye him from over my shoulder, his lips dangerously close to mine as he asks, “What am I going to have to do to get my kiss?” His eyes are marginally pleading and he rolls his lower lip under his teeth, surely tempting me. Gripping the fence tighter, I viciously resist those full, glistening lips of his, and kissing him with wild unrestraint.

     Wickedly smirking at him, I whisper, “Work for it, Wilder.”

     Turning, I walk along the fence and around the corner, finding another sign to distract me. Stopping, I glance at Finn through the white metal as a few women walk past him, furtively checking him out and giggling as they walk by. Unless they watch him online, I doubt they’re Finnatics since we’re far from Richmond. No, they were staring at my boyfriend because of how scrumptious he is.

     It’s positively the mood-ring hair.

     Wait. On second thought, it has to be his scorchingly carnal, dark-chocolate eyes that melt your soul with just one look.

     Still in the same spot I left him, Finn transiently angles his head to see where the laughter is coming from. Not being able to help himself, he gives the women a polite nod accompanied by a crooked, shameless grin. Instantly, their mouths drop and they stop blinking as they bump into each other, caught in his magical allure. He must be recruiting new Finnatics.

     It’s definitely his sexy smile.

     I should be pissed at his flirting, like I was at the race, but I’m used to seeing him flash that smile on TV to his Finnatics, making them hot and bothered. I trust him. I’m okay with him innocently acknowledging other women—it’s part of his public persona. However, when they’re all over him, touching him in places that only I should be, that’s when I can’t take it.

     Finn Wilder is mine.

     Finished with his apparent networking, he looks back at me and I give him a flirty smile, obviously gawking at him myself. He rolls his eyes and looks away from me. Is he chagrined that I caught him checking out other women or is he proud of himself checking out other women in front of me? Putting his hands on his hips, he laughs and shakes his head.

     Finn embarrassed? Never.

     He languidly starts walking to me, looking thoughtfully around him, as if he’s formulating a plan. I watch him approaching as he passes by the metal rails, the view of him alternatingly obscured by the vertical bars. He turns the corner and I shift my stare to the sign in front of me. Every molecule of my being is on high alert, eagerly anticipating his closeness.

     With the hair on the back of my neck on end, he’s once again behind me, and for a second time, he puts his arms around my waist and his lips against my neck. My body is singing for his touch. He discreetly flicks his tongue as his lips close over my skin, doing this up to my ear. He then nips at my earlobe, causing me to harshly inhale. He repeats biting my ear several times, driving me crazy. As I continue to stare at the sign in front of me, I strive to not be too affected, since we’re openly in public. Unexpectedly, he tersely breathes into my ear, huffing in short bursts, simulating his panting during sex. I gasp and reach up to hold onto the fence.

     Grasping the fence on either side of me, his lips graze my ear as he brusquely whispers, “Do you want to kiss me now, Becks?”

     I swallow and wheeze, “Nope.” Be strong.

     I feel his smile against me. Finn Wilder lives for one thing in life: a challenge he refuses to lose.

     He pants and groans into my ear. “Oh, Hadley, baby, you’re so sexy. I want you. I don’t care who watches. I’m going to come so hard inside you.” My knees nearly buckle. I quietly whimper and close my eyes.

     I’m supposed to be showing him other ways than sex to be close to me. My plan is backfiring, big time. Damn it!

     He whispers, “What about now?”

     I nod and hoarsely say, “Yes.”

     He whispers, “Good.” He slides his teeth over my ear. “Because two can play at this game.”

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Chasing the wild sparks 

Book #1

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What would you do if the love of your life doesn’t want the same life you do?
Hadley Beckett has failed in not only her career, but as a daughter, friend, and girlfriend.

Hadley’s longtime boyfriend, Finn Wilder, who is Richmond, Virginia’s local daredevil and favorite sportscaster, isn’t afraid of anything…except for LASIK surgery, dancing, marriage, and kids—the last two being what Hadley desperately wants with him. Finn leads a very public life; however, he leaves Hadley in the dark about most of it. Despite his public persona, Finn is viciously protective of his private life. Excluding their families, his best friend and Hadley’s friends, nobody knows he has been dating her for three years. Finn loves Hadley and he knows she wants to get married. Nevertheless, he has his own reasons for not wanting to marry her.

Fearing at 33 that she will soon be too old to have kids, Hadley wants Finn to change his mind and marry her, yet her insecurities about his seemingly charismatic personality and his constant rebuffs have her questioning her aspirations. With conflicting advice from her friends, Hadley concludes she should take things into her own hands.
Would he change his mind then?

Finn pressures Hadley into moving in with him, but being traditional, she wants to be married first and she wants to stick to her beliefs, just as he clings to his own. Finn has tolerated Hadley’s stubbornness long enough and he’s reaching his breaking point.
Finn Wilder has his own story to tell.

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about the author

Ren Alexander was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, but grew up in a nearby tiny, historical, college town in the Northern Panhandle of the state. She graduated from West Liberty University, where she received a B.S. in criminal justice. Although interested in that field, her true passion was reading and writing.

She currently lives in Detroit, Michigan with her husband, two daughters and two cats.

"Chasing the Wild Sparks" is Ren's first novel.

 

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