Category Archives: Giveaway

Happy Birthday!

Posted in Amie Louellen, Contest, Giveaway, My Posts by

To me! Yep. It’s my birthday. But to celebrate I’m giving away presents. A copy of Brodie’s Bride.–in print! Whoop! All you have to do to enter is leave me the answer to this question…

What’s your favorite birthday treat? (Mine’s brownies and ice cream.)

Now, pop over to my Facebook page and hit ‘Like”.

https://www.facebook.com/AmieLouellenAuthor

Did you do that? You’re entered!

Thanks for entering my birthday contest. And don’t forget to vote for “The Best Man” (details on the home page of my website).

Fine print: Contest ends October 1, 2012. Print book winners have to  reside in the US or Canada, But if you want to enter and live outside the US, you can instead receive an ebook copy of Brodie’s Bride. Thanks for your interest in my contest and good luck! :)

Rum Punch Regrets by Anne Kemp ~ A Review

Posted in Amie Louellen, Book review, Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Humor by

♥♥♥♥♥ You Gotta Read This Book! ♥♥♥♥♥

In just a few short weeks, thirty something Abby George has endured the death of her mother, was dumped by her fiancé, and got laid off from her job.

Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Caribbean to help with some mysterious personal business.

While assisting in the sale and repair of a bed-and-breakfast, Abby uncovers a few huge family secrets as she juggles an unexpected roommate, quirky locals, and nasty centipedes.

Abby’s world is further complicated when two potential suitors enter her life. Can Abby get beyond her own psycho drama long enough to open her heart to someone new? Or will she neurotically make her romantic life worse?

Packing nothing but her suitcases and a sense of humor, Abby George travels down an unfamiliar road, but it’s all she can do to hang on for the ride…

~*~*~*~ The Review ~*~*~*~

There are a few things about a book that (to me) make it worthwhile. I have to be able to smile, even laugh out loud from time to time. There has to be likable characters, even secondary characters, that I can identify with or recognize as being part of my life (if only for a time), and the ability to understand the story. And by that I mean, the story means something, it has a purpose, there is something happening that makes me want to find out what happens next. Rum Punch Regrets has all this and more. And more? You say. Yep–a beach, one of my favorite things in the world.

Abby George is real, she’s likable and easy to sympathize with, but (envy) she gets to hang out in the Caribbean. I have walked the beaches there, met up with characters like Abby encounters, and dealt with a few of the same issues. For those who have never spent time in the  Caribbean, Anne’s description of St Kitts is spot on for most of the islands. It takes some getting used to, but it happens. However Abby has a little more on her plate than how to survive on island time. She’s got a host of family and personal issues that are enough to drive a lesser woman out of  her mind. But Abby manages to pull it all together for the best of everyone involved.

Can’t take a vacation this year? Pick up Rum Punch Regrets. It’s the next best thing to a Caribbean vacation!

~*~*~*~ Author Bio ~*~*~*~

Anne Kemp is the author behind the Abby George Series, which includes her debut novella, All Fruits Ripe, and first novel, Rum Punch Regrets, which is available in print and as an eBook. She is also the columnist behind “Anne In Progress,” which appears monthly in the Frederick News-Post, a newspaper in the DC-Metro area. As a blogger, she was nominated for a 2012 Bloggers Choice Award for Best Humor Blog, and is known for penning “The Ultimate Late Bloomer.”

 Follow her on Twitter, @MissAnneKemp, or join her fans on Facebook for fun contests and giveaways. You can always find her at her website: www.annekemp.com.

A portion of Anne’s proceeds are donated to Lupus LA.

~*~*~*~ Anne On Tour ~*~*~*~

**Everyone who leaves a comment at http://www.clpblogtours.com/2012/07/rum-punch-regrets-by-anne-kemp.html

will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Rum Punch Regrets before September 3 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel ~ A Review & More

Posted in Book review, Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Interviews, self-published by

♥♥♥♥♥ You Gotta Read This! ♥♥♥♥♥

LIVE FROM MIAMI! The sensationalism shown on television can only be topped by the drama that happens behind the camera! After being fired from her job in Los Angeles, Charlene “Charley” Thomas moves to sizzling Miami and begins working as news director at a local television station. While getting used to her new gig, Charley wakes up to the fact that her station manager, Jonathan Lefton, is the boss from hell who will do anything for a story no matter who gets hurt in the process. When nude pictures of noon anchor, Miranda Andrews, are discovered in the men’s room of a Key West bar, all hell breaks loose. They end up on Lefton’s desk and he promotes her over the main anchor, sparking off a firestorm. Miranda’s quickly thrown into the mix and assigned special reports. Charley finds herself overseeing an investigation that could shine light on the guilt of a dirty cop. Real life begins to mimic the drama of broadcast news when station personalities face life and death all for rating and Emmys! VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern day “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”

~*~*~*~ The Review ~*~*~*~

I never know what’s in store for me when I crack open some of novels I’m asked to review.  It’s good for me to read outside my chosen genre of romance, and it feels fine to stretch my legs and test other waters. Next in line is chicklit (You know, books that are written by and targeted toward women). When I think of chicklit, I think of books like Bridget Jones Diary and other light-hearted and fun reads. But we all know that chicklit is more than that. It accounts for novels that cover more serious issues and problems with today’s world. Well, Viewer Discretion Advised fits right in the middle. It’s fun and  upbeat, but it’s more than that. Cindy Roesel takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of what it’s like behind the scenes in a newsroom. Fast-paced, smart and savvy, yet it deals with issues in the lives of the people who work at WCAR–drinking problems, low self-esteem, cheating husbands, fragile egos, and the problems that result with long distance relationships.

How Cindy managed to pack all that in under 300 pages is a mystery to me, but it’s all there. The reader can’t help but root for Charley. There’s something inherently likable about her. Everyone around her can sense it as well. This also means that we love the people she loves by way of association.  The reader wants her to end up with Oz, needs Rori to get help, and Charley to succeed in the cut-throat world she has landed in. But Charley knows her stuff (As does Cindy) and with odds like that she has to succeed. And the same goes for Cindy Roesel and Viewer Discretion Advised as well.

And one thing is certain: I’ll never look at the news the same way again.

~*~*~*~ Author Bio~*~*~*~

CINDY ROESEL is an Emmy Award winning television broadcast journalist. After working for twenty years in newsrooms filled with ambitious backbiting adrenalin junkies, she’s turning her experiences into novels.  Cindy lives in Miami with her shih tzu, Sassy.

~*~*~*~ The Interview ~*~*~*~

Amie: Where did the story idea come from/how did it come about? 

Cindy: It’s often said, “write what you know.” Well. I’ve wanted to write a novel since I was a little girl and the majority of my first career has been as a TV news anchor and reporter and that includes writing, so it makes sense that my first book should be about a broadcast journalist.  VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a suspenseful, romantic thriller set in Miami, Florida, which features news director, Charlize “Charley” Thomas.  It’s a mix of the new HBO hit show “The Newsroom” meets “Sex and the City.”

Amie: One thing you want the reader to walk away with after reading this book.

Cindy: It’s important that readers walk away knowing that if you work hard you can accomplish anything.  That may sound hokey, but I believe in the dream.  I was the first one in my family to graduate from college, go into a profession and I won an Emmy Award for my hard work in Broadcasting.  Charley comes up against quite a few obstacles, but she doesn’t give up and she never looks for the easy way to get something done.  It’s really important young women on their career path find a mentor they believe in that they can trust.  It’s important to me that readers of VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED see Charley as a positive professional woman.

Amie: Why did you choose your genre?

Cindy: I always knew my first attempt at writing would be fiction. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED evolved into a suspenseful, romantic, thriller as I wrote it.  I really didn’t plan it that way.  Actually, I thought it was going to be a chick-lit romance, but then the story and the characters took over.  There comes a point when the writer, in this case, me, stops resisting and follows their lead so the project is organic.

Amie: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Cindy: There are many challenges for a writer, especially one who wants to write well.  Writers have to not only write, but they must read, and that includes reading everything, not only what they enjoy.  It’s important to surround yourself with other writers in real life and on the Internet.  I write book reviews for a blog called Chick Lit Central and I’ve made a lot of friends over the web, some of whom I’ve met in person.  We read one another’s work, and help proof each other.  I’m constantly taking classes and going to author readings at my local bookstores.  The bottom line is you must always be working at your craft.

Another challenge is getting my butt in the chair to actually write, but once I’m there, you practically have to peel me out.  There are so many other things vying for my attention, and I’m easily distracted.  Let’s face it, once we’re on the computer there’s Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, ChickLitPlus, your Blog, mine, Chick Lit Central…. all screaming our name….  so I guess what the big challenge comes down to for me is to FOCUS!

Amie: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Cindy: The first thing I’d tell writers who are just starting out is, “Congratulations!  You’ve entered a very special club.  What you’re going to do is honorable work and the people you’re going to surround yourself with are unique, life as you know it has changed.  Number one rule:  There are no rules, except this one.  Don’t fall in love with your first drafts.  The final project never looks like what you first put down on paper.  Remember, writing is rewriting.  Have fun!”

Amie: Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?    

Cindy: No, I don’t believe in writer’s block.  When I have to write something or I have a deadline, I do it.  It may not be my best work, but I fulfill my obligations.

Amie: What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?   

Cindy: A comfy writing environment, a dictionary, thesaurus, EB White’s, “The Elements of Style,” a full pot of coffee and lots of writer and non-writer friends!  I also happen to love having plenty of plain M&Ms on hand…. yummy!

Thank you so much Amie for inviting me and VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED to visit you and your wonderful blog and Facebook site.

Thanks for coming, Cindy. Readers, you’re all  invited to contact Cindy anytime if you have questions or comments about anything here or in her novel.

And…**Everyone who leaves a comment at http://www.clpblogtours.com/2012/05/viewer-discretion-advised-by-cindy.html will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Viewer Discretion Advised before August 20 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Whoop!

~*~*~*~ Connect with Cindy ~*~*~*~

www.cindyroesel.com

~*~*~*~ Buy the Book ~*~*~*~
AMAZON.COM
 B&N.com

~*~*~*~  Cindy On Tour ~*~*~*~

CLP Blog Tours

Title Please?

Posted in Amie Louellen, Cowboy, Giveaway, Humor, My Posts, Romance, The Wild Rose Press by

As you may or may not know, I’m working on a novella for the Wild Rose Press’s Honky Tonk Hearts series. I  won’t bore you with all the ins and outs writing a series, but the main criteria is that the story has to have at least one scene that takes place in the Lonesome Steer, a roadhouse just outside of Amarillo and located on old Route 66.

Those of you who know me well know that I L-O-V-E Amarillo. Ten Reasons Not to Date a Cop is set in Amarillo. But I digress.

So I’m working on this short and getting ready to submit it to the editors in charge of the line/series, and I realize that the title doesn’t fit the story anymore.

If you read author’s posts at all, I’m sure you’ve heard all about the quandaries of titles. They  are next to impossible to come up  with, yet the story has to have one. So as authors we agonize over the title, only to have the editors change it. Well, a lot of the time. But in any case, a writer can’t submit a story without a title.

And this is where you come in. I need your help coming up with a title for my novella. Here’s the unofficial blurb–

Shelby Patterson has worked hard her entire life to achieve the dignity and decorum others enjoy. With an unconventional mother and an unknown father, Shelby is proud to be engaged to a man with political aspirations. Her fiancé will lend her the respectability she so desperately desires. Well, he will just as soon as she gets a divorce from her first husband.

Ritt McCoy married Shelby in high-school right after they found out they were having a baby. It was the honorable thing to do. But honor flew out the door when she lost the baby and his parents paid her mother to take her away from Texas.

Now, seven years later, Shelby’s back in Randall demanding her freedom. But Ritt’s not ready to let her go. He’s certainly not ready to see her walk down the aisle with another man. He loved her like crazy then and still does. Now that she’s back, he’ll do everything in his power to show her that they are meant to be together. But can he convince her that she’ still in love with him before she flies to coop again?

The original title was Two Weeks in Texas. But as I started writing, I realized Shelby wouldn’t be able to stay in Texas for two whole weeks. She’s only there for five days.  Five Days in Texas doesn’t have the same ring to it. Or does it? Well, let’s add it to the list for good measure.

Here are some titles I came up with. Please vote for your favorite. Or, heck, come up with a new one. Just help me decide what to call this book so I can submit it to the editors!

It’ll be a while before it comes out (taking for granted I’ll contract it. Pleasepleaseplease let me contract it!) but I’ll hold a drawing for everyone who votes and make sure you get a copy of the story.

Here’s what I have so far–

Five Days in Texas

Back in Love

Her Texas Husband

All My Exes

Just like a Texan

Lone-star Bride

Blame it on Texas

Just Can’t Get Enough

As I write this, My favorite is Blame it on Texas. But tell me what you think. Please and thanks!

The Way by Kristen Wolf ~ A Review

Posted in Book review, Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Historical by

 ♥♥♥♥♥An Astounding Read ♥♥♥♥♥

Anna is a fiery tomboy living in ancient Palestine whose androgynous appearance provokes ridicule from the people around her and doubt within her own heart. When tragedy strikes her family, and Anna’s father—disguising her as a boy—sells her to a band of shepherds, she is captured by a mystical and secret society of women hiding in the desert. At first Anna is tempted to escape, but she soon finds that the sisterhood’s teachings and healing abilities, wrapped in an ancient philosophy they call “The Way,” have unleashed an unexpected power within her.

When danger befalls the caves in which the sisters have made their home, Anna embarks on a hazardous mission to preserve the wisdom of her mentors by proclaiming it among ordinary people. Her daring quest and newfound destiny reveal, at last, the full truth of her identity—a shocking revelation that will spark as much controversy as it does celebration.

Anna’s story is one of transformation, betrayal, love, loss, deception, and above all, redemption. Readers will cheer for this unforgettable protagonist—and for debut novelist Kristen Wolf, whose beautifully written book both provokes and inspires. A compelling mix of history, myth, and fantasy, The Way is a fascinating exploration of the foundations and possibilities of human spirituality.

~*~*~*~ The Review ~*~*~*~

I pride myself on being able to find some fine and good quality about each book I read, but it’s not often that I’m blow away. This was one of those rare times. Kristen Wolf takes a story that most of us knows by heart and puts a new spin on it–the story of Jesus. In the same vein as The Last Temptation of Christ and The DaVinci Code, Kristen weaves an amazing tale of what might have been. I say The Last Temptation because her book gives us a different look into the familiar stories and shows  us a  possibility that borders on speculative fiction. I mention The Da Vinci Code because there is much historical and Biblical fact woven throughout.

This book is effortless and easy to read despite the heavy content. The descriptions are near poetry and play out like a movie unfolding in the mind’s eye. The Way will suck you in and not let you go until the last page. Ever read a book, then hate when you get to the end, knowing it’s over? This is that book.

However, I’m sure this book will spur controversy to those who are steeped in the tales as told in the Good Book. I like to think that I’m opened minded for a Christian. Did the story of Jesus happen like in Kristen’s tale? I don’t know. Do  I believe it happened this way? Uhum…not sure about that either. But what The Way will do is make you stop and think. And I believe that just what Kristen wants for us.

So I  applaud her for the fabulous book and the success of making us stop and examine the truth as we know it. Hats off to you, Kristen Wolf.

~*~*~*~ Meet Kristen ~*~*~*~


 
Kristen Wolf, 43, is a mother and writer living in the Rocky Mountains. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Georgetown University and holds an M.A. in creative writing and film from Hollins College where she was awarded a full scholarship.
As a child, Wolf grew up in a heavily forested suburb outside New York City with her parents, a younger brother, and an ever-changing menagerie of pet animals.
Both Wolf’s parents and grandparents passed onto her an avid love and respect for nature which explains the photos of Wolf posing with an ever-widening array of pets, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, quail, two raccoons, chickens, even a squirrel that lived in her bedroom! Needless to say, hers wasn’t the average American family.
Later, Wolf’s family purchased land in upstate New York and on weekends and summers lived like a regular Swiss Family Robinson, clearing the land, building fences, barns and, eventually, raising and tending cattle, horses, pigs, goats, chickens etc. This led to a very unique life for Wolf and her brother as they lived like farmers on the weekends and students in a suburban public school during the week.
Wolf credits her unique childhood for providing her with keen powers of observation, a passion for living things, unlimited curiosity, and a strong independent streak.
As an adult, Wolf has worked primarily as filmmaker and writer.
THE WAY is her first novel.

~*~*~*~  Connect with Kristen ~*~*~*~

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops! **Everyone who leaves a comment on Kristen’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Way before August 20 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips ~ A Review &More

Posted in Book review, Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Guest Post, Humor, Romance, self-published by

♥♥♥♥♥ YOU HAVE SO GOT TO READ THIS BOOK! ♥♥♥♥♥

Adopted!

In the Deep South, one of the first questions asked when meeting someone new in a small town is, “Who’s your daddy?” The answer defines you as a person. Not knowing is disheartening.

Sara McLaughlin never knew she was adopted and is stunned to realize that if she wants to find out the questions burning in her brain as to the ‘why’ she was given up at birth, and who her father might be, she has to live in her birth mother’s apartment for the next six weeks.

Grant St. Romain, attorney, is supposed to be helping, but the hunky dimpled devil is making her mind think of other things.

Can she find the truth? Or will she break her heart trying to find out the answers in Boggy Bayou, where many secrets are hidden?

~*~*~*~ The Review ~*~*~*~

Imagine getting a letter from an attorney telling you that he’s settling your mother’s estate, but the name of the deceased is not your mother.  That’s exactly what happens to Sara McLaughlin.  Like any rational human being, she goes to investigate, but as with most small towns, rationality is checked at the city limits sign.  It’s a good thing for Sara that the attorney is so darn good looking. And it’s a good thing for Grant (the attorney) that he has great dimples.

As the terms of Maudie’s will are revealed, Sara must stay in Boggy Bayou and run her antique shop in order to inherit the estate. Or she can walk away and everything will be sold and the moneys donated to charity. Sara decides to stay and what follows is a hilarious,  sexy tale about two people who were meant to be together, but never knew it until now.

This zany story is laugh-out loud funny, squirm in your seat sexy, and so much fun to read. No, I’m not going to tell you who Sara’s daddy is. That would spoil all the fun. I will tell you that I would love to taste one of Sara’s lemon cookies and visit Maudie’s antique shop. Boggy Bayou, despite its secrets and quirks, is my sort of town!

~*~*~*~ & More (aka, A Guest Post) ~*~*~*~

Self-Publishing…Why I Love It and Why I Hate It

Love it because:

I can write the story I want to tell without trying to fit it in a certain sized box.

I can write in different genres.

I can see how many copies I sell in a day.

I’m not limited to a certain amount of books in a year.

I can set my own deadlines.

I can choose my own editors.

I can select a cover that depicts my book the way I want it to, and can also change that cover if it isn’t working.

I can control the inside design either by myself or hire someone to do it.

I can make it ‘free’ if I want.

I can make a soft cover book if I choose.

I have all the rights, just in case Hollywood comes knocking or a TV series.

I can make corrections easily.

The book will always be available for sale.

I can promote it out the wahzoo for as long as I want.

NYT’s is now listing self-published authors on the Best-Seller’s List.

Agents and Publishers are now contacting authors for representation.

Hate it because:

All the promotion depends on me.  Oh wait, most publishers want the author to do their own promotion as well.

Needless to say, I LOVE self-publishing!

~*~*~*~ Author Bio ~*~*~*~

Pepper Phillips wrote her first play in the seventh grade. But before that she read every book in her age group at the small local library. An only child, she entertained herself in the worlds she created in her mind. She’s still pretty mindless in some respects, but her writing world is where she is the happiest. She ventured into self-publishing in 2011.

~*~*~*~ Connect with Pepper ~*~*~*~


Pepper Phillips Website

Amazon - Smashwords - Nook

Twitter:  Pepper_Phillips

Facebook
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Pepper’s Tour Page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of The Devil Has Dimples before June 11 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**

http://www.clpblogtours.com/2012/03/devil-has-dimples-by-pepper-phillips.html

~*~*~*~ Pepper On Tour ~*~*~*~

Thanks for stopping by (again), Pepper! And thanks to the readers as well!

Lots of <3–Amie!

Special Guest Dara Young ~ author of The Cancan Dancer and the Duke

Posted in Amie Louellen, Giveaway, Guest Post, Regency, The Wild Rose Press by

“Toot, toot” that’s me blowing a party horn, because today I have a special guest. Dara Young is here with me today talking about her novella The Cancan Dancer and the Duke. What a title! I love it. So sit back and let Dara tell you…

The Long and the Short of It

I was talking to my mom the other day, and she was complaining about how short the majority of books are these days in romance. First off, yes my mother reads everything I write. She really got me started reading romance as a young adult. My first adult romances came right off her bookshelf. She had titles by authors Mary Renault, Judith McNaught, and Johanna Lindsay. So, I totally blame her for my addiction. J

As I was saying, she asked me about book lengths. She is an old school romance reader from the days of 3-400 page books. That is what she prefers. Me, I like both. It depends on the story. Some tales just don’t need 400 pages. Others need all of that to be able to show the characters growth and development until they fall in love.

The Cancan Dancer and the Duke was originally intended to be a full length novel. But, then I realized that it just didn’t need all those pages. It occurred to me that I would simply be adding stupid plot elements to string the journey out and that did not sit well with me. The truth is, Charise and Ethan’s story is one of a quick, intense fall.

I suppose I could have stretched out the discovery of her secret, but really why? Some relationships are a slow simmering burn, others are a quick, intense conflagration. And, there are a  million options in between. Short of having external plot devices keeping the lovers apart, a conflagration generally winds up a novella for me.

How about you? Do you have a preference for story length? How do you feel about short stories under 15K words?

Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with me and remember to comment on each post during the blog tour for more chances to win! (Not sure what I’m talking about? Click here.)

 

The Cancan Dancer and The Duke
The Wild Rose Press

Can a lady on the lam and a duke on the make find love at the Moulin Rouge?

Cathedrals and museums are not Lady Charise Colton’s idea of European adventure. Turn-of-the-century Paris beckons, and she wants to grab it while she can…or rather, cancan. Flirting with fate and half of Paris, Charise eludes her chaperones and joins the cancan revue at the Moulin Rouge.

Ethan Greer, Duke of Lofton, is in Paris to settle some estate business. Chafing under his responsibilities, he discovers an enchanting distraction at the Moulin Rouge, a flirtatious dancer who stirs his lust and something more. He must have her—even if it means offering carte blanche.

Terrified of discovery, Charise tries to hold her persistent suitor at bay, though her heart has already surrendered. Will she lose him if he learns the truth, or is love enough to bind the cancan dancer and the duke?

Excerpt:

The singular sound was a soft whisper at first. The audience strained forward to catch even a note of the eerie melody carried on the fetid air of the cafe. As the song picked up, her voice grew stronger, the words more clear. Ethan relaxed into his seat and let the warm rich alto caress him. His body grew warm with the promises carried by the witch’s husky tones.

He remained unaware of anything in the room except the siren walking toward him. Each steady, unhurried step she took further drew him in. His gaze feasted on the curve of her hip, the swell of her breast. Ethan rode the knife’s edge between lust and propriety.

The song described, in lurid detail, two lovers in the throes of passion. Upon reaching him, the dancer propped the toe of her boot onto the edge of his seat—square between his thighs. The luscious creature presented impossibly sheer bloomers which hid everything and yet nothing, causing him to let out the breath he, until now, unknowingly held. His cock grew rigid, the uncomfortable throbbing causing him to shift. The desire to haul her into his arms and demonstrate every action she described with the most sensuous mouth he’d ever seen rode him hard. Her full lower lip begged for his kiss. Ethan wanted to see it slick and glowing pink from his attentions.

The wanton dancer continued to taunt him, but his good breeding won out. Forcing himself to stay seated, his fists balled and his jaw grew rigid with frustration, but his raging lusts remained leashed. The song ended, sending her into the nether regions of the cafe in a swirl of skirts.

Add it to my shelf at: GoodReads

Website

Facebook

GoodReads

Klout

Lady Jane’s Salon San Diego

LinkedIn

Pintrest

Twitloss

Twitter

Thanks so much, Dara for being my guest today! This one’s definitely going on my TBR list. And thanks to everyone for stopping by. Don’t forget to leave a comment in order to be included in the giveaway. How do I feel about short romantic fiction? I love romances of any length! :)

Lots of <3–Amie

Amber Eyes by Jolyn Palliata ~ A Review

Posted in Book review, Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, self-published, Young Adult by

♥♥♥♥♥ IT’S A KEEPER!  ♥♥♥♥♥

After an accident, one she shouldn’t have walked away from, Lexi’s life finally begins. She meets Dez, a new student with the most beautiful eyes she’s ever seen. And since gazing into them, Lexi has had vivid waking dreams that pull her back through time, and into the warm embrace of a mysterious stranger—a stranger who becomes all too familiar. When offering an explanation for her detailed visions, Dez changes her world forever with two simple words: Soul mates. For the first time in her life, Lexi feels safe and complete. But lingering in the shadows is the embodiment of evil, coveting the light within her. He’s a threat to Lexi’s very existence, and to a love that has transcended time.

~*~*~*~*~ The Review ~*~*~*~*~

High school student, Lexi Young’s life changes after a terrible automobile accident kills her best friend. An accident that she shouldn’t have survived. The survivor’s guilt pushes Lexi even further into her protective case, until the dream she has of her deceased friend. Ryan tells her that it’s time to move on, to start to live again. Then she meets Dez. He is the perfect guy for her, the one guy who actually holds her interest. But she starts to question his perfection when she has night dreams and day dreams about different times. As she starts trying to piece together the hows and whys of the mysterious dreams, she realizes that perhaps Dez isn’t all that he seems and maybe he’s hiding something from her–something really important. Something that holds the key to her mind’s wanderings.

Jolyn does a great job prolonging the suspense and raising the questions that makes the reader keep turning pages. If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know that I hate spoilers. So this is all you’re going to get from me. Amber Eyes is a book worth reading. An enjoyable journey into a love that all of us wish we had—and maybe we do, we just don’t know it yet. Amber Eyes is filled with fabulous descriptions and plenty of well-placed clues to lead the readers down the path toward discovery. When you get to the end,, you’ll be sad that there’s no more. Yet…. Can’t wait until Book Two, Crimson Eyes! Amber Eyes is a definite keeper.

~*~*~*~*~ Author Bio ~*~*~*~*~

 Jolyn’s writing career began in 2009 when she looked across the sea of cubicles at work, and thought, “I was meant for something more than this.” That thought was immediately followed by, “I wonder if I can write a novel.” Four novels and one novella later, that question has been answered. She started with Amber Eyes (Entwined Souls Trilogy – Book One), a young adult paranormal romance. They always say, with the first book, you write about what you know. And she certainly did! Drawing off her teenage years in Oshkosh, WI, Jolyn incorporated her high school and favorite haunts. She even pulled out her favorite music from back then to help recapture the teenager within.

Jolyn has absolutely no qualifications whatsoever to be a writer, other than a knack and a passion. The knack she worked hard for through betas, critique partners, writer sites, editors, etc, but the passion she’s had since she was in middle school.

Being married, and mother to one very precocious six-year-old, doesn’t leave her with a whole heckofalot of time to write – not to mention working full-time – but that is where lack of sleep comes in very handy. Jolyn has a gift of functioning on minimal sleep when totally absorbed by a writing project…although she crashes like dead weight when it’s fully completed/edited (usually 2-3 months later).

Her current listing of published books includes:

·      Amber Eyes (Entwined Souls Trilogy – Book One) – young adult paranormal romance

·      Connected (Twists of Fate #1) – paranormal romance

·      A Modern Love Story – contemporary / romantic suspense

Random information and quirks about Jolyn (because everyone has them):

·      She likes to listen to loud music. Period. But especially when she has a headache (helps to drown it out).

·      When she’s overtired, she gets slaphappy. (Heaven help those around her.)

·      She titles a book before she writes it, because she’s anal enough to where that would bother her.

·      She can’t walk into a Barnes and Noble without buying a book. Even if she has a pile of unread books at home (which she does), it just doesn’t feel right to leave empty-handed.

~*~*~*~*~ Links to Jolyn’s world ~*~*~*~*~

Website

Amazon (full store listing)

Twitter

Facebook

FB – Entwined Souls Trilogy

FB – Twists of Fate series

Goodreads

Thanks for stopping by readers. This is a giveaway post so be sure to leave a comment. One lucky visitor will win an ecopy of Amber Eyes. 

Lots of <3–Amie

Jolyn Palliata ~ Author of Amber Eyes

Posted in Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Guest Post, self-published by

Today I have author Jolyn Palliata here talking about her book Amber Eyes. Amber Eyes is the first book in the Entwined Souls Trilogy. Let me tell you, once you read this one you’ll be glad it’s a trilogy and sad there’s not more than three books. Here’s the blurb and cover to help you understand Jolyn’s post better.

~*~*~*~*~ The Blurb ~*~*~*~

Amber Eyes

After an accident, one she shouldn’t have walked away from, Lexi’s life finally begins. She meets Dez, a new student with the most beautiful eyes she’s ever seen. And since gazing into them, Lexi has had vivid waking dreams that pull her back through time, and into the warm embrace of a mysterious stranger—a stranger who becomes all too familiar. When offering an explanation for her detailed visions, Dez changes her world forever with two simple words: Soul mates. For the first time in her life, Lexi feels safe and complete. But lingering in the shadows is the embodiment of evil, coveting the light within her. He’s a threat to Lexi’s very existence, and to a love that has transcended time.

~*~*~*~ From Jolyn ~*~*~*~

As you know from the book description, Amber Eyes (Entwined Souls Trilogy – Book One), centers around the concept of soul mates and past lives. I honestly haven’t made a “real life” determination as to what I believe regarding reincarnation, so everything I wrote about in the book was strictly for entertainment/storyline purposes. But believe me, it was fun exploring the various religious beliefs out there (and “what if’s”) that were built into the book. A total blast!

One tiny aspect the book lightly explores how our past lives imprinted on our souls to affect who we are in this one. Meaning, all our past experiences carry forward into our next life as passions and fears. Maybe this is why some of us have a deep-seeded need to write, or to sing, or anything else you may be passionate about in life. On the other side of the coin, that may be why some of us have unnatural fears and phobias of various types.

Let’s think about this…

I have a passion for writing. Does that mean I was an author in a previous life? Or maybe I was an avid reader who aspired to write? I also love rock music—I thrive on it!—but I don’t have a musical bone in my body. So what could that mean? What affected me so profoundly in my past life that draws me to it, but not be a part of it?

Though I want to shy away from it, let’s look at fears. I’m ashamed to admit that even at 37-years-old, a part of me is still afraid of the dark. Why? A number of things could have happened in relation to the dark, so who knows. But another thing I don’t like is anything around my neck—a wrapped scarf, a tight collar, a turtle-neck. That paints a more specific scenario, doesn’t it? (I shudder to think!!)

What about personality? I’m a strange combination of an introvert and extrovert, depending upon the situation. I’m both self-conscious and confident in the world. And outgoing and shy when meeting new people. I love joking around, but have a deep-thinking side at the same time. What caused all these contradictions in me?

It’s kind of crazy to think about—to just let your mind go and ponder all the possibilities. ;)

How about you? What passions and fears to you have? And assuming my imaginary world is real, what could have created them? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by to chat. And thank you, Amie, for having me!

Thanks for sharing Jolyn! And everyone else, don’t forget to come by tomorrow when I’ll have a review for you on Jolyn’s first book in the Entwined Souls Trilogy, Amber Eyes. Here’s a hint to hold you over…it’s FABULOUS! But that’s all you’re getting outta me today! Until then, may you have lots of <3–Amie

~*~*~*~ Author Bio ~*~*~*~ 

 Jolyn’s writing career began in 2009 when she looked across the sea of cubicles at work, and thought, “I was meant for something more than this.” That thought was immediately followed by, “I wonder if I can write a novel.” Four novels and one novella later, that question has been answered. She started with Amber Eyes (Entwined Souls Trilogy – Book One), a young adult paranormal romance. They always say, with the first book, you write about what you know. And she certainly did! Drawing off her teenage years in Oshkosh, WI, Jolyn incorporated her high school and favorite haunts. She even pulled out her favorite music from back then to help recapture the teenager within.

Jolyn has absolutely no qualifications whatsoever to be a writer, other than a knack and a passion. The knack she worked hard for through betas, critique partners, writer sites, editors, etc, but the passion she’s had since she was in middle school.

Being married, and mother to one very precocious six-year-old, doesn’t leave her with a whole heckofalot of time to write – not to mention working full-time – but that is where lack of sleep comes in very handy. Jolyn has a gift of functioning on minimal sleep when totally absorbed by a writing project…although she crashes like dead weight when it’s fully completed/edited (usually 2-3 months later).

Her current listing of published books includes:

·      Amber Eyes (Entwined Souls Trilogy – Book One) – young adult paranormal romance

·      Connected (Twists of Fate #1) – paranormal romance

·      A Modern Love Story – contemporary / romantic suspense

Random information and quirks about Jolyn (because everyone has them):

·      She likes to listen to loud music. Period. But especially when she has a headache (helps to drown it out).

·      When she’s overtired, she gets slaphappy. (Heaven help those around her.)

·      She titles a book before she writes it, because she’s anal enough to where that would bother her.

·      She can’t walk into a Barnes and Noble without buying a book. Even if she has a pile of unread books at home (which she does), it just doesn’t feel right to leave empty-handed.

~*~*~*~ Links to Jolyn’s world ~*~*~*~

Website

Amazon (full store listing)

Twitter

Facebook

FB – Entwined Souls Trilogy

FB – Twists of Fate series

Goodreads

A side note–If you make a comment on this post, you’ll be entered to win a copy of Amber Eyes. Oh, and make sure I have your email addy. And believe me, you want this book. So one lucky winner will walk away happy today. But don’t despair if you don’t win. I’ll be giving away a copy of Amber Eyes myself tomorrow when I post my review. How cool! Two chances to win. So don’t forget to leave a comment today. And don’t forget to come back tomorrow! <3 ya! Ames

Heather Hummel ~ The Interview

Posted in Chick Lit Plus, Chicklit, Giveaway, Guest Post, Interviews by

As promised, I managed to wrangle Heather Hummel (You may remember Heather from yesterday’s review of Write From the Heart) into coming on my blog again today! I know, right? And she was even gracious enough to answer a few questions about her book and writing and stuff like that. So welcome her again–Heather Hummel.

Amie:  So, Heather, tell us, where did the story idea for Write From the Heart come from and how did it come about?

Heather: I hear from a lot of people that they want to “quit their day job” to become a writer. I chose to do it on my 40th birthday…walking away from my gig as a high school teacher. Samantha in Write from the Heart is a fictional character who shows readers just how powerful the use of words be they spoken or thoughts can be, and that changing our “mantras” from negative to positive can change our lives. In addition, because I’m an avid journal writer, I wanted to create a character who proactively changed her life through the use of journal writing, and making her a novelist who quit her day job as an office manager made her relatable to a lot of readers who wanted to do the same thing. Now, I’m not suggesting people do this! This is fiction, after all. But, I am a strong believer in the power of words and believe that how we use them has a great impact on the outcome of our lives.

Amie:  So true! One thing you want the reader to walk away with after reading this book?

Heather: The message delivered in Write from the Heart is focused on the power of thoughts. I have had readers be inspired to go out and buy their own “Positive Journal” like Samantha did…and that’s exactly the “walk away” I wanted…that they walk, run, drive, skateboard even, to the nearest store and buy a positive journal of their own.

Amie: It certainly worked for me. I got mine today! (no lie) Who did your edits and how many reads did you have before you said, “it’s time.”?

Heather: Each book was different. For my first book deal, Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008), I worked closely with the editor at McGraw-Hill. That was a wonderful experience. We were on the same page, pun intended, about everything. For my first novel, Whispers from the Heart, that was run through a writing group. I gained a lot of feedback and edits from several vantage points and readers. When it came to Write from the Heart, I used and editor friend of mine.

I know “it’s time” when I let out a big sigh, sit back in my chair, pat my dogs’ heads, and feel a huge sense of relief!

Amie: Abso-lutely! How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

Heather: The Journals from the Heart series was inspired by a publisher who coached me on creating series. For Whispers from the Heart, because it dealt with issues such as teen suicide and emotional abuse, I felt that these were subjects often “whispered” about behind closed doors, and alternatively, I wanted to bring them forth in this novel as sensitive subjects that needed to be explored. Write from the Heart was a natural title for Samantha’s journey as a budding novelist who counts on the power of the pen and journal writing to get through challenging times. The forthcoming Wisdom from the Heart, rounding out the series, introduces Jamie, who gains wisdom in her teens when she learns she’s adopted. It alternates between her being 14 and 40, a time when wisdom is on her side.

Amie: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Heather: I love answering this question because my answer is never what people expect to hear. I tend to follow the lead of George Martin, the Beatles producer, who discourages artists from entering the field of music. When asked why he would discourage aspiring musicians, he simply responds, “Because if you can be discouraged, you should be discouraged.” Those words say a lot. We all have obstacles to overcome, but only those who persevere will make it and what that means in terms of a threshold is different for each individual. So, I discourage them from being a writer…because if they can be, they should be. After that, it’s all research, instinct and great writing.

Amie: I know for me there’s no choice at all. I write because I *have* to. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Heather: I’ve never experienced writer’s block…mostly because I usually have one or two of my own books as works in progress, and a client or two as well. I don’t have time for writer’s block! And with a variety of projects to work on, I always have something to say and write. For me, cycling and photography are my muses, and they help contribute to the creative flow. I’ve had many ideas for books, chapters, and characters come to mind while I’m pedaling down the road. In fact, my book GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe is about all of the license plates that I’d see on my bike rides. Naturally, it was on a bike ride that I thought I needed to record them and put them into a book. Most of the best ideas come when you’re not facing the blank screen!

Amie: So true! What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

Heather: The perfect toolbox for every writer would have: passion, patience, persistence, and a dose of pride.

Thank you so much for having me as a guest!

And thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us. For those of you who missed yesterday’s post (go back and read it. I mean seriously! :) ) Here’s Heather’s Bio–

Heather Hummel is a “Photonovelist” who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. Her published works include:
Journals from the Heart Series:
Whispers from the Heart (2011)
Write from the Heart (2011)
Nonfiction
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe (2011)
Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008),
Essays:
Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006)
Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown
Awards:
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award
2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention

Heather’s books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.

Visit Heather’s website at http://www.heatherhummel.net/
Like Heather’s Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/heatherhummelfanpage
Follow Heather on Twitter @HeatherHummel
http://twitter.com/HeatherHummel

Thanks again for stopping by. Don’t forget to leave a comment on Heather’s Blog Tour page at Chicklit Plus to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card. For details–

http://www.clpblogtours.com/2011/12/write-from-heart-by-heather-hummel.html

To catch Heather on other stops on her blog tour–

Lots of <3–Amie