Interview with novelist Ron Doades

Today I’m hosting Ron Doades as he tours his self-improvement book (written with Susan Sloate) Realizing You.

Ron will be awarding one $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a lucky commentor during the virtual tour. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Ron Doades is president of Ronald Doades & Company, a consulting firm that, since 1977, has helped the people of large and mid-size energy companies improve their individual and corporate performance results by learning from the best-practice experiences of others. A popular speaker on the topic of managing change for optimal results, he holds an MBA from Columbia University and an MS in Psychology from The New School in New York City. Visit him at www.realizingyoubook.com

Susan Sloate is the author of twenty published books, including Stealing Fire, a #2 Amazon bestseller and Quarter-Finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, and Forward to Camelot (authored with Kevin Finn), which in its first edition was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film by a Hollywood production company. She lives in Mount Pleasant, SC. Visit her online at http://susansloate.com.

Please tell us a little bit about Realizing You:

Meet Robby Aihn, the newest star in the self-help universe and author of the runaway bestseller, Realizing You, now struggling with his first taste of fame. Though his five principles for good living are changing other people’s lives, his own life is starting to fall apart. When Robby stages a lavish self-help conference in Dallas, he attracts others with their own secrets: his estranged wife and unhappy teenage daughter; the businessman pursuing his own agenda; the all-star pitcher facing the end of his career; and the shy co-author Robby never acknowledged, who is searching for meaning in her own life. Join Robby and the others on their journey toward understanding and fulfillment, in this truly novel approach to changing YOUR life.

Excerpt from Realizing You:

Liz had ordered forty cartons of shiny new hardcover copies of the book delivered for the signing, and guests had been told they were welcome to bring their own copies as well. Robby would sit in the ballroom where they’d had dinner and sign them. It was their opportunity to meet him personally, which for some people was the real reason they’d come, and the moment they’d been waiting for.

Liz, Robby, Marie, and Sophie waited until the ballroom cleared. Then the hotel staff assigned to the breakdown shut the doors and went to work. The staff had twenty minutes to clear the tables, roll them out of the way, and set up a signing table for Robby, who had done successful book signings all over the country. This would be a snap, even if all twelve hundred guests wanted their books autographed.

Liz watched the hotel staff efficiently clearing the tables and felt the tightly-wound spring inside her begin to loosen. “Just this one event left,” she said.

Robby beamed at her while avoiding Marie’s eyes. “It went well, didn’t it?”

“Perfect,” Liz told him, glancing from him to Marie. Marie wasn’t looking at him, either.

Liz sighed and looked discouraged.

Sophie noticed it, too. Her blue-eyed gaze traveled from her mother to her father and back again. Her smile dimmed and faded. She stared down at the ground, all her sparkle fizzled out.

“Excuse me,” said a shy voice coming from the slightly opened door behind them, and Liz turned to face what’s-her-name, the mousy woman who’d helped Robby—Maura? Jane?

“Hello, Ellen!” Marie’s greeting was extra-cordial and extra loud, as though to be sure Robby heard her. “Did you have fun at dinner?”

Ellen came toward them in a drab blue dress, but where yesterday her eyes had been wary, tonight they were bright, and she gave Marie a genuine smile.

“Oh, it was wonderful. I’ve never sat on a dais before.”

“I thought it was appropriate,” Marie said to Robby, not troubling to lower her voice, so the nearby hotel staff heard. “And Liz managed it all, even though we didn’t know Ellen was coming til yesterday. Liz took care of her hotel and tickets and everything. Thank you so much,” she said sweetly to Liz, who turned beet-red. Robby glared at Marie. “I only wish,” Marie went on, “that Ellen could sit next to you at the book signing.”

Everyone looked at Robby.

“Excuse me,” he said abruptly. “I forgot my—uh—gold pen—in my room. Better go get it before the signing.”

And he left, hardly glancing at Ellen, never acknowledging her presence, and pointedly ignoring Marie.

Sophie looked pleadingly at her mother. “Mom?”

“He’s impossible,” Marie said through her teeth. “I don’t know how we lasted this long.”

What is your favorite television show?

I don’t watch much TV, but I always make sure to watch Homeland. For me, it packages intrigue, romance, conflict, interesting characters, really good actors, fascinating relations, and a very important current topic, all into one series. I either watch or tape every episode, and excitedly look forward to watching and being absorbed in each one.

What is something you’ve lied about?

I lie occasionally about my age, mostly by omission, by letting people think I’m much younger than I am. I like feeling and acting much younger, so that type of lying is okay with me, as long I am not harming others in any way.

Who is the last person you hugged?

My son, who just left my apartment after sleeping over. I will be quick to add that I am a big-time hugger. I look for excuses to hug people, perhaps as a result of being raised in a rural community in Indiana, where the American gothic was too alive and well. No spontaneous touching and, certainly, no spontaneous hugging. So, I can’t get enough hugging. I even hug total strangers at sporting events. If you, the reader of this, were here in my presence, you had better keep your distance if you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a friendly and sincere hug.

What is the story of your first kiss?

I kissed the little girl I really liked in the first grade. It was just quick, hastily delivered kiss on the school playground. I had a crush on her all through the 12 years of school. But, I never got the opportunity to deliver another kiss. She had her first, and only, boyfriend in the eighth grade, ending up marrying him, and still staying married. My first kiss has mixed memories attached to it; but, we all went on to happy lives.

Do you have a crush on anyone?

Yes, I mentioned that crush in response to the last question. It hasn’t changed since that response. My grade school hoped-for girlfriend, who eluded even my smallest hopes—only another little hasty kiss. In reflection, I think I learned an important life lesson from that experience—vigorously pursue your dreams, but if you don’t realize them, move on with your life, and don’t look back with any regrets.

Thank you, Ron!

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Book excerpt for historical romance "Taming Jenna" by Charlene Raddon

Today is a book excerpt and blurb stop for the virtual tour of the historical romance novel Taming Jenna by Charlene Raddon.

During her tour, Charlene will be awarding an e-copy of one of her books from her backlist at each stop to a randomly drawn commenter, and a Grand Prize of a $30 gift card will be awarded to a randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour. So to be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below (and a way for Charlene to get in touch with you). To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Author bio:

Charlene Raddon began her fiction career in the third grade when she announced in Show and Tell that a baby sister she never had was killed by a black widow spider. She often penned stories featuring mistreated young girls whose mother accused of crimes her sister had actually committed. Her first serious attempt at writing fiction came in 1980 when she woke up from a vivid dream that compelled her to drag out a portable typewriter and begin writing. She’s been at it ever since. An early love for romance novels and the Wild West led her to choose the historical romance genre but she also writes contemporary romance. At present, she has five books published in paperback by Kensington Books (one under the pseudonym Rachel Summers), and four eBooks published by Tirgearr Publishing.

Charlene’s awards include: RWA Golden Heart Finalist, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award Nomination, Affair de Coeur Magazine Reader/Writer Poll for Best Historical of the Year. Her books have won or place in several contests.

Currently, Charlene is working on her next release.

Blurb:

THE WRONG MAN

Deserted by her father at the tender age of seven, Jenna Leigh-Whittington had taught herself to ride, shoot, brawl…and steer clear of the opposite sex. But now, in a lonely Utah canyon, the Pinkerton agent has drawn her gun on a rugged stranger—only to discover that, far from the dangerous outlaw she’d been tracking, he is Branch McCauley, hired gun…and the most irresistible rascal ever to tempt and torment a woman!

THE RIGHT WOMAN         

If there’s one thing McCauley trusts less than a female, it’s a female who packs a six-gun. But what a woman! Vowing to bring the sensuous hellcat to heel, McCauley has no inkling that their passionate battle of wills has just begun. Taming Jenna will be the most seductive—and satisfying—job he’s ever taken on.

Excerpt:

No sooner had they broken into the open than a volley of shots whizzed past their ears. They hugged their mounts' necks tighter and spurred them on. Jenna took out her gun and fired an occasional wild shot, knowing Branch was doing the same, though she could barely hear the blasts above the pounding hooves and her own thundering heartbeat. Once she thought she heard Mendoza shout in Spanish, a curse or a prayer. Perhaps both.

A bullet whizzed overhead, snapping a twig from a tree in her path.

"Come on, Gent," she urged the sorrel. "Get me out of here alive, and I'll give you a whole bucketful of oats." Hot fire bit into her side, like a hitch from too much running. Jenna kept riding. She risked a glance over her shoulder and saw that both men were still in their saddles, though Branch was farther behind than she liked. The realization that he was trying to protect her wrenched her heart. Damn fool. If he gets himself killed, I'll...

Bits of lather off of Gent's neck peppered Jenna's face. She could feel the sorrel's powerful muscles quiver beneath her and knew he was tiring. She kept up her words of encouragement and prayed they'd be able to stop before the horse faltered. She hated having to mistreat her animal.

Minutes passed like hours, yards like miles. It seemed as if they had splashed through the stream a hundred times. Branches lashed her face and arms and snagged her clothes. Her hat was gone. Her thick braid slapped against her back like a whip. Tendrils tom loose by the wind stung her eyes. Gradually the firing lessened. Finally Branch was beside her, signaling her to ease up.

"No sign of being followed," he shouted when they'd slowed to a lope. "Stick close to the stream; it'll give us more cover in case we need it."

Jenna nodded. The day had become horribly hot all of a sudden. Sweat dripped in her eyes and pooled between her breasts. She sat hunched against the painful hitch that refused to leave her side. To fight off the nausea, she dragged in great gulps of air.

Branch frowned as he studied her. "Are you all right? You're as white as a Christmas Sunday."

"I'm fine, just winded."

"Are you sure? I don't like the way you look."

"I'm not fond of your looks either, McCauley. You wanna stop for a picnic or are we gonna ride?"

She kicked her sorrel and once more took the lead. Branch's brows drew down over his troubled eyes as he watched her go. He'd seen pain in her eyes. Even her words were slurred. When Mendoza came alongside, clinging to his saddle horn with his bound hands, Branch told him to keep a close eye on her and yell out if there were a problem. Then Branch dropped behind again.

Where had the day gone? Jenna wondered. It couldn't be evening already. Yet the light was growing dim. They had turned into a shallow gorge that led southeastward out of the main canyon. The ascent slowed the horses to a fast walk. Then they were running again. Jenna didn't notice.

All she felt now was pain. White hot agony centered in her side. She struggled not to give in to it, but the nausea and the dizziness were becoming worse.

For a moment she thought she heard someone call her name as night descended with amazing speed. Then she heard nothing more; no hooves thudding over the uneven ground, no wind whistling past her ear, not even her own heartbeat or Gent's weary wheeze.

She sensed something was wrong as the reins slid from her hands. Too tired to care, she let them go.

Then she was sliding…drifting…sailing into the darkness…deeper, deeper into the pain.

Links:

Twitter | Website | Facebook | Blog | Goodreads

Interview with non-fiction humor writer Dawn Dais - 1st place winner of SYJ 2013 contest

Reviews and Interviews is a host to the winners of Shirley You Jest! Book Awards. SYJ! honors books by self-published and traditionally published indie authors who "deliver the funny" in the categories of fiction and non-fiction.

Today’s guest, Dawn Dais, is the winner of the non-fiction competition with her book, The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year.

Bio:

Dawn Dais is a freelance writer, designer, and filmmaker from Sacramento, CA. Her two previous books, The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women and The Noncyclist's Guide to the Century and Other Road Races, were published by Seal Press, have topped Amazon.com best-seller lists, and have been featured by countless TV and print media sources. Her uniquely sarcastic yet inspiring tone has entertained and guided an enthusiastic core of readers towards their various ridiculous athletic goals.

Dawn's most recent book The Sh!t No One Tells You is a funny and informational book about the joys (and cussing) of parenthood.

Dawn lives in Sacramento, CA, with her family.

Welcome, Dawn – and congratulations!

Thank you, I'm happy to be here.

Please tell us about your current release.

My current book, The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a humorous book that aims to help new parents navigate the first year with their first baby.

What inspired you to write this book?

The first year with my new baby was not the easiest of times, so I wanted to write something to let other parents know they are not along in their struggles.

Here is an excerpt from my Introduction, which pretty much sums up my inspiration for writing the book:

At some point during the first few weeks with their new bundle of joy, every parent will most likely utter/scream/sigh/cry out into the night, "I had no idea it was going to be this hard!" This is because a vast conspiracy exists to hide the truth from all whom have yet to bring home a baby, for fear that if the truth were to get out people would (1) stop having babies, or (2) stop bringing them home. I am here to end that silence. And replace it with a lot of bitching.

Before I had a baby I would see those Johnson & Johnson commercials where a mom is gleefully giving her perfect and beautiful smiling baby a bath in the sink. Splashing and giggles ensue. The tagline for the commercial is “Having a baby changes everything.” I used to well up with emotion when I watched that commercial, knowing that when I had a baby she would change everything too. And by “changes everything” I thought they meant “changes the things you clean in the sink.” Turns out by “everything,” they actually mean “everything, as in your entire life, we are not joking.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love my child deeper than I ever thought I had the capacity to, but it’s not all giggles and playful splashing. I actually think the most difficult part of new parenting is the conflicting emotions you feel, and your fear of even acknowledging those different emotions, let alone sharing them. I felt guilty that I wasn’t loving every second and that I didn’t look or feel anything like I thought an ecstatic new mother should.

Of course, I had expected it to be hard, but somehow not this hard. I blame my lack of information on my friends who had children before me. When I told them I was pregnant all I heard was, “Congrats!” and “Yippee!!” Never did any of them say, “Hold on to your f’n hat. Shit’s about to get real.” Sure, it would have been the first time any of them had ever said, “Shit’s about to get real,” but I feel like it would have been the perfect time to christen the phrase.

So that is what I’ve set out to do with this book. Warn you about all the shit no one is telling you. My intention is not to frighten you or to scare you off having children. My hope is to give you what I didn’t have: the ability to say, “I am not the only parent in the history of the planet to have their asses handed to them by something they could fit in a purse.” Knowing you are not alone actually helps a little. Trust me, misery does love company, especially during 3 a.m. feeding sessions.

So let’s head out on this parenting adventure together, shall we? There will be ups, downs, tears, and vomit. And that’s just the childbirth. Because, as I warned you before, shit’s about to get real . . .

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now I have a toddler and a four-month-old baby. The most exciting thing I’m working on is trying to get eight hours of sleep in a row. I am making notes about the wonder that is having two young children and will most likely write a follow up (Even More Sh!t) soon. I’m also hoping to finish that novel I’ve been rolling around in my head for years, but again, sleep is first and foremost on my list of things to do right now.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always considered myself a writer, since I was a little kid. I always knew I was pretty good at it because I could write my way out of pretty much any school assignment (except math, unfortunately). But I don’t think I really believed my writing was anything more than a hobby or something I did in notebooks that were never seen by anyone else.

Years ago, when I (the laziest person on the planet) started training for a marathon I also started writing humorous training updates that I sent out to friends and family. The updates were a big hit and eventually I took those updates and turned them into a whole book of marathon excitement (The Nonrunner’s Marathon Training Guide for Women). The fact that a publisher actually wanted to publish my pile of sarcastic words and in turn random strangers wanted to buy my pile of words made me finally believe that maybe I might be a real writer after all.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do not write full-time. I don’t do anything full-time really, I juggle a lot of different things. I’m a mom and I have my kids home most of the time. I have babysitters and grandparents to help watch them about half the time during the week while I work. I work from home as a freelance graphic designer to pay the bills and I write when I get the chance.

Unfortunately I don’t get to write as much or as often as I would like. I’m hoping as my kids get a bit older I’ll have more time to focus on my writing. I really enjoy writing and more than that I enjoy putting books out into the world. I love that words that I’ve come up with alone with my keyboard can somehow reach a person I’ve never met and make them laugh or help them in some small way. It’s a very cool feeling to have the chance to communicate with so many people that way, so I know I’ll continue to put out books in hopes of continuing that connection.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My writing diet is enough to make any dentist cringe in horror. It usually involves quite a bit of chocolate, perhaps some cotton candy, several Mountain Dews, and an unfortunate amount of fast food. Somehow, like a child, I have to keep myself motivate with treats. And the sugar high keeps my fingers moving fast.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lot of times kids want to grow up to be like the people they see in their lives. I had several career possibilities that I aspired to. I had the regular teacher and doctor on the list, but the one that entertains me most now is my dream of becoming a grocery store check-out girl. I guess the lady at the store really made an impression on me because I thought her job was the coolest ever. All that scanning and bagging looked like a bunch of fun to me. Sadly I never realized any of my childhood career dreams, but I always hold out hope that a grocery store may be in my future.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon 

Thanks, Dawn!

Interview with Christian non-fiction writer Sheldon Newton

Today is the kick-off for the virtual book tour for Be Ye Transformed by Sheldon Newton. It's a Christian non-fiction book that released in October from Zoe Life Publishing.

Bio:

Bishop Sheldon D. Newton was born again at the age of thirteen and filled with the Holy Spirit shortly thereafter. After receiving the Call of God into the ministry, he began teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of fifteen, and has been actively involved in ministry for over thirty years. His burning desire is to see believers established in the faith, rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus, living transformed lives through the application of timeless godly principles.

This Divine Calling continues to take him throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and around the world, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.

Bishop Newton is a pastor, teacher, and seminar lecturer. He is the noted author of various life-changing books, including: Humility and the Honor of God, The Sword of the Spirit, Diligence to the Things of God, Be Ye Transformed, How to Live for Christ As A Youth, My Name is Jealous, Practical Principles of Success, and Be Ye Transformed.

Bishop Newton is the senior pastor of Jesus Christ Centered Ministries International, in Nassau, Bahamas and also serves as overseer and advisor to various churches and ministries. His ministry’s motto is: “to feed the people of God with the Word of God, raising up effective leaders, living by the standard of His Word and the Utterance of His Voice, manifesting His power, setting others free.”

Bishop Newton resides in Nassau, Bahamas with his wife, Jennifer Monique and two children.

Welcome, Sheldon. Please tell us about your current release.

Be Ye Transformed is a handbook on Effective Christian Living. It shows the reader what it means to be a Christian, and how to grow and develop in Christ. Written in a practical manner, people will understand such vital subjects as:

1. What is a Christian
2. Man is a three-fold being
3. How to renew the mind, changing the way you think
4. How to break free from bad habits and make the body obey God
5. How to hear God’s Voice
6. How to walk in Divine love
7. How to get past your past, etc.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have been a Christian from the age of fifteen. I am now in my forties. One day, a Christian lady encouraged me to write a book that would show people how to live for Christ victoriously. So I did. I wrote it to share with others principles I have learned over these thirty years concerning successful and effective Christian living. I also wanted young people, and old alike, to realize that they can live saved.

Excerpt:

From Chapter 8: The Lack of Spiritual Growth and Development

There are several reasons why many Christians do not seem to grow up spiritually.

One reason is because they are not properly taught concerning the principles of Christian development. It really does matter which church you go to. You need to be in a church that feeds you the Word of God and that rightly divides it. This means that you need to read and study your Bible as well so that you can know if it being rightly divided. Do not just join a church because it is a church. Go somewhere where you are fed, and fed with God’s Word.

It is indeed amazing that some believers stay in a dead church that just gives them traditions and opinions of men. Even if they visit somewhere else and find out that they were not being given the pure milk and meat of the Word of God, they will go back, (I gather, thinking that the old wine of traditions, formalism and in many cases, error) is better.

Some will tell you that they cannot leave where they are because of their family navel string being buried in the church yard. They are tied to a dead work and refuse to go where they can be fed God’s Word. I am not teaching that you should just jump from church to church. That’s like a sheep continually jumping the fence and finding another shepherd. This is not what I am teaching you to do. To the contrary, you need a good church home, where you can grow and develop spiritually.

Some would say that one church is just as good as another. That is not true. Some churches are bad for your spiritual health. Did you know that?

You need to find a church home which will teach you who you are in Christ Jesus, what belongs to you in Christ Jesus and principles of love, faith, and truth. You need somewhere you can learn how to walk with God and discover and fulfill His plan and purpose for your life. You need a church home where they will teach you how to live holy, righteously and godly in this present world. And when you find such a church, settle down and learn all you can.

Aim to become a part of that work. Find out where you can work in that church and give the pastor your assistance. Support the work in every way that you can with your time, talents, and abilities, and also with your finances. Become a soul winner for Christ, inviting people to your church, so that they can be saved and so that the work of God can grow, prosper and flourish.

 

Another reason many people do not grow and develop in the things of God is because they do not do the things necessary to develop spiritually. They are in good and godly churches which feed them God’s Word. They hear how to grow in the Lord and the things God expects of them. But they do nothing with the information they hear. They slow down and hinder their own spiritual development by being a hearer of the Word but not a doer. In other words, they deceive themselves.

James 1:22

“But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

This is really sad and yet, nonetheless true. So many Christians, who by now should have been powerhouses for God, working with and for the Lord and making a marked difference for Him in the earth, are very ineffectual in their Christian witness, because they simply will not do the Word of God that is taught to them line upon line and precept upon precept.

Let us just be honest about it. Many of us are simply, spiritually lazy. Some believers are spiritual sluggards, who don’t want to press into God and do His Will. They are too busy living their own lives how they want to live it, in worldly pleasure, with little or no desire for spiritual things. They are having fun. They are doing things, that may not be sin in and of itself, but which take them away from studying the Word of God and take them away from prayer and by the way, fasting is out of the question to many. (Am I speaking about you)?

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am presently working on a book, written with Biblical principles, which will show people how to reach and accomplish their goals. I believe that many people have become discouraged because they make their plans, and set their goals, but rarely reach them. I will show them how to ensure that they reach their goals and experience their dreams. I trust that the book will be out before August 2014.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I always love writing. When my wife and I were courting, I wrote her a whole discourse on my future plans and her part in it. (She still has it). I really enjoy writing. I believe it is a gift from God. At first, I did not know if anyone would want to read what I write. This kept me back from releasing the first book I wrote. (I never released it). But finally decided to bite the bullet and publish the second manuscript that I finished. And now, I have presently written nine books so far, including my two new books, My Name is Jealous, and Be Ye Transformed.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I work as a pastor. So I have to make time to write. I write when my wife is watching a movie that does not interest me. Or I write when my wife and children go to bed. I also sometimes find time to write at the church when I have finished what I had to do that day, or any other spare time that I have. I believe when something is important to you, you will make time for it. So I make the time to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I would say that I have a habit of writing when I sense an urgency to write and finish a book. I have started varied manuscripts, but when I really sense that a boom really needs to come out, or that it can help people and transform lives, I find myself working more to ensure that I finish it. So I would say that I love being moved by an inspiration of purpose.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a minister and teach people how to live for Christ. I gave my life to Him at the age of thirteen and that became my dream ever since.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I want to help as many people as I can realize the enormous potential God has placed in them, and that, with Christ Jesus in their lives, they can walk in their true purpose for being and really live a satisfying, enjoyable and fulfilling life, filled with real joy and tranquility.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Ezine Articles

Feel free to visit my other tour stops with Write Now Literary through January 17.

Thank you for stopping here today, Sheldon.

Book blurb and excerpt from urban fantasy author C.M. Michaels

Welcome to today's promotional post for the urban fantasy novel Dangerous Waters by C.M. Michaels.

As part of his virtual book tour, C.M. will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) gift card to a lucky commenter. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too.

Blurb:

For Emily Waters, a nature-loving, small-town girl with an overprotective father, heading off to Boston University to study conservation biology is a dream come true—until a chance encounter catapults her into a mythical world she’d do anything to escape.

The latest victim in a rash of abductions near campus, Emily is brutally attacked before being rescued by a powerful new friend. She survives the ordeal, only to find herself held captive and presented with an impossible choice. While preparing for the unimaginable life she must now embrace clues soon emerge that Emily may not be entirely human, and her physical transformation awakens goddess-like powers that her new family cannot begin to explain. Dealing with her human first love, the not-so-platonic relationship with her coven “sister,” and her new vampire sort-of-boyfriend further complicates matters, not to mention being secretly hunted by the psychopaths who attacked her. And as the only known offspring of a once all-powerful race, the climactic battle is only the beginning of her journey.

Excerpt:

Fight or flight excerpt

“Would you stop already?” Teresa grumbled, glaring at her ever-pacing brother. “No one’s following us. Relax.”

Travis finished scanning Beacon Street and ducked back into the alleyway. “God damn it! Do you ever listen? I told you we had to cool it for a while. What the hell were you thinking?”

“The bitch spilled her drink on me.”

He sighed and tiredly rubbed his eyes. Arguing with her was like trying to reason with a bratty three-year-old grabbing candy in a grocery checkout line. “So we’re homeless because someone accidentally got diet coke on your shirt?”

“Quit being such a queen,” Teresa said with a huff. “You know Stefan thinks of us as his kids, which is totally weird by the way. All he’ll do is make us listen to his rules again. If you wouldn’t have talked me into running, we’d probably be watching TV by now.”

“If Stefan and Alexander just wanted to talk, they would’ve waited until we got back, not raided our feeding room like a two-man S.W.A.T. team. This is serious, Terr. If they find us, they’re going to kill us.”

For the first time in as long as he could remember, his snarky, narcissistic sister looked vulnerable. She crossed her arms to conceal her jittery hands and looked into his eyes. “So what do we do? I’m not living on the street again, or in the skuzzy-ass hotels we used to stay in.”

Travis placed a comforting hand on his baby sister’s shoulder. “Things aren’t like they used to be, sis. Even you have to admit that Stefan taught us a hell of a lot. Once we get out of town, we can trance a bank manager and get all the money we need. I thought we’d head south—you always wanted to see Orlando.”

Acting as if he hadn’t even spoken, Teresa shrugged off his hand and headed further down the dimly lit alley, veering around overflowing dumpsters and piles of loose garbage before slumping back against the brick wall behind her. “And what about the skank who started all this? We just leave her to her fairy-tale life, sipping wine in her mansion?”

Author bio and links:

C.M Michaels grew up in a small town in northern Michigan as the youngest child of a close-knit family of seven. He met his wife, Teresa, while attending Saginaw Valley State University. Together they’ve provided a loving home for several four-legged “kids”, including Sophie, their eternally young at heart, hopelessly spoiled Spaniel.

He has always enjoyed writing, and still has fond memories of reading his first book, a children’s novella, to local grade schools when he was 14. Dangerous Waters, the first book in the Sisters in Blood series, was published by Freya’s Bower on September 5th, 2013. C.M. is currently working on the second book in the Sisters in Blood series along with a fantasy romance.

When he’s not writing, C.M. can be found curled up with a good book, watching movies, or hitting the hiking trails with his wife. An avid reader since discovering Jim Kjelgaard novels in early childhood, his favorite authors include Kelley Armstrong, Peter V. Brett, Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine, Cassandra Claire, J.R. Ward, Laini Taylor, and Tessa Dawn.

C.M. currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Social media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Website | YouTube | Book trailer 

Buy links:

Freya’s Bower (Paperback) | Freya’s Bower (eBook) 

Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) 

Barnes and Noble (Paperback) | Barnes and Noble (Nook)

AllRomance eBooks 

Kobo 

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Interview with young adult romance author Mechelle Morrison

Today’s guest is Mechelle Morrison. She’s the author of the mature young adult novel, Painted Boots.

During her tour, Mechelle will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter and a unique, hand-crafted bookmark will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop. If you’d like to be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Bio:

As a child, Mechelle filled her journals with someday-my-prince-will-come fantasies. Then one day her prince arrived, driving a silver Tundra, and they adopted a fine daughter. Life got busy—work, family, daily cooking—but she still spends her evenings giving voice to the stories inside her head. Only now, instead of locking them away, she publishes them.

Welcome, Mechelle. Please tell us about your current release.

Painted Boots is all about what happens to Aspen Brand when she moves to Wyoming after her mama dies--and there meets the boy of her dreams.

What inspired you to write this book?

Two things: my grandmother’s life in Wyoming and Hunger Games. A weird combo, I’ll grant you. As I wrote Painted Boots I was incensed over how the theme of killing is so prevalent in dystopian stories, and in particular the theme of kids killing kids. I’ll digress here and grant that historically, killing-as-entertainment is nothing new; the Romans did it, medieval cultures did it, just to name a few. We like to think we’re past it but we’re not … we watch killing-as-entertainment all the time in movies and TV shows. And I’d argue many among us are not past it in real life: I remember my parents freaking out over how many ‘volunteers’ showed up the day the Utah State Prison executed [by shooting] a prisoner some years back. The volunteers were hoping to be able to shoot the guy. Creepy.

Long-story-short I took the idea of killing-as-entertainment and let it be what it is: upsetting and horrible. In Painted Boots, Aspen’s love story is sweet, but as the stakes for her life get higher, her relationship is intensified by what she faces to keep it.

Excerpt:

From Chapter Eight

A stray vampire wanders by and Dad asks, “You didn’t know to dress up today?”

“I am dressed up.” I smooth the black warmth of the wool dress I’m wearing. It’s a simple cut: straight and tight as Saran Wrap. The sleeves rest at my knuckles, the hem three inches below my knees, the deep scoop neck a perfect showcase for Mom’s looping strands of beads. I even painted the heels of my boots black, just for the occasion. It helps, I think, that I’ve been crying. My face is washed of color. My eyes feel too big.

“Lily Munster?” he asks.

“Who?”

“An old TV character.” Dad raises his eyebrows. “It was a guess.”

“I’m invisible,” I say. “You know. Nothing to draw attention. Get it?”

What exciting story are you working on next?

My next book is called Being. I love this story … it’s fabulous! It’s a different kind of ghost story about memory, the universe, and just how messed up things can get when love lasts forever.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Hmmm. For me, writing is ‘painting with words’. I’ve always viewed it that way, and I write for two hours at least, every day, in hopes of perfecting my craft. But I don’t know that I consider myself a ‘writer’ … yet.

Do you write full-time?

I wish!

What do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

During the day I’m a graphic designer, a mom, a wife. I write in the evening and on weekends.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

When it comes to writing everything about me has to be comfortable … jammies, slippers, my favorite throw-blanket, a cup of tea, a quiet house.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Happy! I was an intense kid, and a perfectionist. I had to learn that happiness has lots of flavors, and each one is worth enjoying.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

First, thanks for hosting Painted Boots! And to the readers, thanks for taking the time to find out a bit more about my work.

Links:

Goodreads | Website | Book trailer | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Thanks, Mechelle. Readers, don't forget to leave a comment if you'd like a chance to win either of the giveaways!

Interview with new adult mystery author Cristelle Comby

We’re starting off 2014 with new adult author Cristelle Comby. Her newest novel, Ruby Heart, the Neve & Egan Cases (Volume 2)

Cristelle will be awarding a signed paperback of Ruby Heart plus a signed copy of book 1, Russian Dolls, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US only) To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too! 

Bio:

Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, in Greater Geneva, where she still resides.

Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent.

She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.

Ruby Heart is her second new-adult novel, and she’s hard at work on the next titles in the Neve & Egan series.

Welcome, Cristelle. Please tell us about your current release.

It’s the second installment in my ongoing ‘Neve & Egan cases’ series. London: today’s time. Two PI have just opened their agency, clients are hard to find and bills keep piling up. They long for a real case and get it in the form of an elderly woman who's heirloom, a ruby heart necklace, is stolen for the second time in a period of sixty years.

Excerpt:

I close the lipstick, drop it in the door pocket, then look back at the rear-view mirror and check my blond wig one last time. ‘I wouldn’t want to be doing all this for nothing.’

Egan ignores my comment and asks, ‘What’s your plan?’

‘Well, Mrs Hayder said her husband has a type when it comes to women—’ I tug at the wig a little ‘—I’m doing my best to fit the description.’

‘Which is?’ he asks, and I don’t need to look at him to know he’s smiling.

‘Tall, blonde, sexy and exotic.’

‘Exotic?’ he asks.

I frown at my own reflexion. ‘I hope Italian will be exotic enough for him. I’m not sure I’m able to use any other accent convincingly.’

‘I’m looking forward to that part,’ Egan chuckles, tapping the little earpiece he’s wearing. ‘And you’re really certain he’ll want to have a drink with you?’

‘In this dress?’ I ask. ‘I assure you he most definitely will. I’m going to go all Monica Belluci on him — he won’t know what’s hit him.’

‘Monica Who?’ he asks.

‘She’s a well-known actress. She’s all curves and very popular with the male population… some of the females too.’

Egan chuckles as I open the door and step out.

‘Just don’t miss your cue,’ I say, closing the door behind me.

I walk the length of the car and cross the street. There’s a bar on the other side, snuggled in-between two large office buildings.

I wobble on my heels and have to force myself to take slow measured steps. Porca vacca, it’s easier to walk in a straight line after hitting your head against a wall, than when wearing ten-inch heels — trust me, I’ve tried it.

What inspired you to write this book?

I heard a song in German on the radio and it got me the idea about using Germany and WW2 as a sort of backdrop for this novel. The rest is all about Neve and Egan learning to work together, and trying to make it as PI.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The next title in the series, Danse Macabre. This one will be a bit darker; it’s coming up nicely.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The day I finished my first book.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I wish I could write full-time, but it’s not enough to pay the bills. I have a day-job in an office… for a company that design and installs kitchens and bathrooms. I’ve been with them for over 10 years now.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have this thing with punctuality… I can’t stand to be late, so I’m always early everywhere.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to become an actress. I studied stage acting, was in a few plays back in the days… Sadly my country doesn’t really have a movie industry. I’d have had to leave to follow that path.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Just wanted to say thank you for having me. And, if you read any of my books, please let me know what you thought of it: review.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Paperback | Kindle 

Thanks for kicking off the new year on my blog, Cristelle!