Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Friday, March 15, 2013
@KrystalShannan Interviews - NYT Best Selling Author Jayne Rylon #giveaway
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Saturday, March 2, 2013
Krystal Shannan Interviews - Lacey Wolfe #romance #erotic #sizzling
Please help me welcome Lacey Wolfe to the blog! I'm so thrilled to have her back again!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose to write romance?
I did always want to be an author. My original work is more suspense than romance. But then I started to read more romance and the next thing I knew, I was writing them also.
What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
I love being available to my kids when they need me. I was a stay at home mom for 7 years until the youngest went to school. I just couldn’t see going out and getting a 9-5 job and no longer being there. It was then I decided to take my love of writing and try to do something with it.
Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?
Opposites Attract is the 4th book in my Hot Bods series. I saved Francesca for last because I knew she had to change a lot as a character before readers would like her. From Fool Me Once to Opposites Attract, she is the character readers will see the most change in.
Here's a peek at Opposites Attract....
Randy cleared his throat, hoping to break the tension between him and Francesca. The way she was looking at him, he was worried she was about to pounce. It was taking everything in him to not walk over there and kiss her.
Picking up a work towel, he wiped his hands on it and then directed her toward the front office. She walked in front of him and it was his turn to devour her ass. And hot damn, the jeans she wore were tight and molded to her butt perfectly. Her pants hugged her legs all the way down. She wore black boots that came to her knees. He wasn't sure what shirt she wore, because his eyes had yet to make it past her luscious behind.
Once in the office, he stepped around her, getting a whiff of a very tempting smell. He quickly sat and scooted under the desk as far as he could. He was hard and didn't want her to see.
Francesca took a seat in front of him and he now noticed her pink tank top that was cut low enough he got a hint of cleavage. Inhaling again, he wondered what perfume she used. It really was igniting his senses.
"I spent some time looking at your car today. When was the last time you had an oil change?" he asked.
"It's been awhile."
"I can tell. And how long has the car been leaking oil?"
She shrugged. "Not sure. I wasn't concerned since it was just little drops here and there."
"Those little drops here and there add up. You almost had no oil in your car. And I hate to tell you, but you have torn up your engine."
"Well, can't you just pop a new one in and it'll be good as new?" she asked.
"I wish it was that simple. Here, look this over." He slid a sheet of paper across the desk. "The top portion has to be done, the middle is recommended, and the bottom is optional. The price is on there too."
Her eyes widened as she read over the paper. She then glanced up at him. "This can't be right."
"I'm afraid it is. You haven't taken very good care of the car."
"I get it washed and detailed all the time. I take very good care of it."
Randy shook his head. "There's a lot more to a vehicle than just its appearance. You've got to take care of the things people don't see too."
She was quiet for a moment and then finally spoke. "I don't know if I can afford this."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't you have some rich man who can pay for it?" He regretted saying it the moment it left his lips.
Francesca's mouth fell open and he could see the shock on her face.
"I'm so—" he started to apologize.
"I can't believe you would say that, Randall. You of all people," she snapped.
"Me of all people," he repeated. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? If I recall correctly, you dumped me because you wanted a rich man to take care of you. Tell me, how is that working out for you?"
Francesca stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward slightly. As much as he hated it, his focus darted in for a peek inside her shirt.
"I'll have you know that I'm not the gold digger you think I am," she argued.
"I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn't meet your standards. Tell me, why haven't you married one of them yet?"
"Why aren't you married? Can't find a girl who will have you as a husband?"
Randy stood and stepped around the desk. "I haven't found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could." He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. "Haven't you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?"
Picking up a work towel, he wiped his hands on it and then directed her toward the front office. She walked in front of him and it was his turn to devour her ass. And hot damn, the jeans she wore were tight and molded to her butt perfectly. Her pants hugged her legs all the way down. She wore black boots that came to her knees. He wasn't sure what shirt she wore, because his eyes had yet to make it past her luscious behind.
Once in the office, he stepped around her, getting a whiff of a very tempting smell. He quickly sat and scooted under the desk as far as he could. He was hard and didn't want her to see.
Francesca took a seat in front of him and he now noticed her pink tank top that was cut low enough he got a hint of cleavage. Inhaling again, he wondered what perfume she used. It really was igniting his senses.
"I spent some time looking at your car today. When was the last time you had an oil change?" he asked.
"It's been awhile."
"I can tell. And how long has the car been leaking oil?"
She shrugged. "Not sure. I wasn't concerned since it was just little drops here and there."
"Those little drops here and there add up. You almost had no oil in your car. And I hate to tell you, but you have torn up your engine."
"Well, can't you just pop a new one in and it'll be good as new?" she asked.
"I wish it was that simple. Here, look this over." He slid a sheet of paper across the desk. "The top portion has to be done, the middle is recommended, and the bottom is optional. The price is on there too."
Her eyes widened as she read over the paper. She then glanced up at him. "This can't be right."
"I'm afraid it is. You haven't taken very good care of the car."
"I get it washed and detailed all the time. I take very good care of it."
Randy shook his head. "There's a lot more to a vehicle than just its appearance. You've got to take care of the things people don't see too."
She was quiet for a moment and then finally spoke. "I don't know if I can afford this."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't you have some rich man who can pay for it?" He regretted saying it the moment it left his lips.
Francesca's mouth fell open and he could see the shock on her face.
"I'm so—" he started to apologize.
"I can't believe you would say that, Randall. You of all people," she snapped.
"Me of all people," he repeated. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? If I recall correctly, you dumped me because you wanted a rich man to take care of you. Tell me, how is that working out for you?"
Francesca stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward slightly. As much as he hated it, his focus darted in for a peek inside her shirt.
"I'll have you know that I'm not the gold digger you think I am," she argued.
"I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn't meet your standards. Tell me, why haven't you married one of them yet?"
"Why aren't you married? Can't find a girl who will have you as a husband?"
Randy stood and stepped around the desk. "I haven't found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could." He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. "Haven't you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?"
Do you plot and outline or do you just write? Plotter or Pantser?
Total panster. I couldn’t ever outline and stick to it. In fact I never start a story knowing where it’s going. Sometimes near the end I can sit down and outline where the story is going and what needs to happen so I can stay on track. But otherwise, its just my mind and fingers doing all the magic. Which might be why some days my word count isn’t great at all.
Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
My first published story was Amber’s Muse. I learned so much! When I sent the book out to its first publishers, it was a head-hopping machine! I had no idea the rules. Oh, the rejections taught me that. And finally it found its perfect home with Beachwalk Press.
What advice would you give new authors? What have you learned about the business?
Don’t give up and don’t sell yourself short. There are pubs out there who will take anything and will send you stuff out hardly edited, which is putting your worst foot forward. Get your story beta’d. Ask an author you like if they might be interested in giving feedback. Most of all, don’t give up.
Do you have another book in the works?
I recently sold a full-length sweet romance which I believe will be coming out this summer. I’m working it the second book in its series right now. (Love Strikes series)
What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
Spare time? Is that a foreign word? LOL. It would probably be shop. We bought a new home last June and I really haven’t been decorating much. I recently discovered pinterest and now want to decorate my new home like crazy.
Where do you dream of going on vacation?
Disney land or world. Never been and can’t wait to take my kids. We are hoping not this summer but next. They will be 7 and 9. Perfect ages I think.
Boxers or Briefs? Since boxer briefs aren’t an option, I’ll go with boxers.
Cookies or cake? Cookies. Totally addicted to them.
Pizza or hamburger? Pizza all the way. And if it’s cold, I can eat an entire one.
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Wine.
(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
Francesca: Randy was my ex from highschool. The one I dropped. Seeing him again, well it wasn’t easy. It stirred up a whole lot of memories.
Randy: Seeing Francesca again in the pouring rain gave me a boner. What?! Can’t I tell the truth. After I got over the hot blonde in the pouring down rain, I was kinda angry at her since she dumped me and just walked away.
What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
Francesca: He’s brought me down to earth and showed me paper plates are just as good as the most expensive china. It’s all about who you’re with that matters.
Randy: She’s hot. *Francesca pokes his rib.* She’s a strong woman and stands up for not only herself but her friends as well. She isn’t taking crap from anyone and letting anyone hurt someone she loves.
What are your plans for the near future?
Randy: She’s on a baby kick since everyone else is pregnant. I think we should wait.
Francesca: I’m in my 30’s. I’d like to have my kids soon.
Find Lacey @
Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.
www.facebook.com/AuthorLaceyWolfe (fan page)
www.facebook.com/WolfeLacey (Friend me)
March 2nd is Lacey's birthday! Be sure to wish her congrats!
She has generously offered a digital copy of her book Accidental Love to a randomly drawn commenter.
(no email = no entry)
Friday, February 8, 2013
Krystal Shannan - Heartbreaker Blog Event #HeartHop
Sometimes a hero will start out as a heartbreaker, but by the end of the story they are a heartthrob. Maybe they are a little too cocky in the beginning. Or they put their foot in their mouth. Or maybe they just don't have a clue about women. Growth is important. I want the heroes I read about to struggle with something and then work to overcome it. It's about the journey for me. The heroes in my books all have something they must overcome to find happiness with their leading lady.
Join me for a little peek at my newest release, CHASING SAM. The hero Chase Michaels is a seventy-five year old werewolf, who had pretty much given up on finding a mate when he stumbles into Sam at the airport. Sparks fly and he is left unable to tell which way is up and which way is down. 
SHORT EXCERPT: God,
he was smiling. A huge lolling sexy grin. Her heart melted into a puddle
and all she wanted to do was oblige her wolf, climb into his lap, and snuggle
against his broad chest.
Nicole laughed and Sam turned back
with a glare. “Out of the entire Vegas strip, soldier-boy hottie ends up one
table across from you in your favorite haunt.”
“Shhh… Nicole, don’t talk so loud.
He can hear you.” Her cheeks warmed and she took another quick sip of her Jack
and coke.
“Ooooh, this is the hottie from the
airport?” Hallie giggled.
Sam put her empty glass down and
looked up. All three of her sisters were smiling and waving at Chase and his
friend. If only she could disappear into the leather of the seat cushion.
“Nicole, wave them over here to our
booth. I want to meet the guy that finally made Sam turn her head twice.” Tess
snickered. “It’s not every day you get to see Samantha Demakis blush like a high
school freshman.”
“Shut up, Tess,” Sam hissed and
scowled at her little sister. She wanted nothing more than to talk to Chase
again, but not surrounded by her sisters or in front of whoever his friend
was.
Before she could object, Nicole had
hopped up from their booth and walked over to the pair. Sam stole another
glance and shivered with excitement when both men stood and followed Nicole
back to the table.
NOW FOR THE PRIZES!!!
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Be sure to comment and leave your email to enter to win the grand prizes. 1st and 2nd prize are US & International. Swag Pack is US ONLY.
I'm also giving away prizes! So be sure to enter the raffle copter below to be entered in my drawing!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
@KrystalShannan Interviews - Natalie Gibson #pnr
Please help me welcome the fabulous Natalie Gibson to the blog today. She is a wonderful storyteller and I just adore her Book of Sinnis Series.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I try to do something a little different, share something new with each one of these I do. I don't want to have the same author bio cut and pasted in a million different places, though I would love to have my name in a million places! I am Natalie Gibson, 34 years old, married, with one daughter. I have a regular 9-5 making home loans. I started writing Ishtar Bound during my maternity leave almost 5 years ago. It took me 2 years to write that first book. I have sped up the process since then. I wrote 3 books last year and 3 short stories. I plan to write 3 books and at least 5 short stories this year. I had a near obsession with paperbacks until my kindle took over. It's like any other addiction, I guess. It always escalates, moving to harder and harder stuff. I love the ease with which I can buy books on my kindle and the secrecy I can enjoy them in. No more bright pink or swarthy man laden covers being seen and judged by cashiers for this gal.
Did you always want to be an author?
I did not, but I always had a great love of reading. I was often found with my nose in a book between classes when others were flirting and primping. I am a performer at heart. I have a BFA from UT Austin with a specialization in classical acting. As a kid I was always putting on shows and just plain showing off. I did child versions of comedy stand-up where I told funny stories. I did write and had much encouragement to continue but it wasn't until later that I discovered my love of writing.
What made you choose to write romance?
Easy – Christine Feehan. I was going through a bad time in my life after college. My husband (now Ex for almost 10 years) had moved me for his job and I had no one and nothing. I went to a used book store and tripped over a display for her Dark Series. I bought one after another as they came out. I fell in love with paranormal romance with its grand adventure, passionate sex, and overwhelming need to be together and save the world from evil. It was just what I needed at the time. I read romance almost exclusively now. It is a great escape. I write it because it is what I like to read. I will admit to another reason for starting with it – volume. People who read romance read more books on average than lovers of other genres. Romance readers demand high volume. It is easier to get a following with romance, from what I have seen, though my historical horror is getting a bit of attention now.
What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
Writing. I am a god in the worlds I create. I create a world, a mythos, and then put people (who I also create) in that, bound by laws, subjected to extreme situations and desires, given great gifts or trials, and then see what they do. I love every second of it.
Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?
I actually have quite a few books. My Sinnis Series is my baby. Ishtar Bound is the first book I ever wrote (and the third, fourth and fifth with all of the total rewrites). All kinds of things inspire me to write: a daydream, a night dream, a memory, a good read, a bad read, a song...
The Sinnis Series is my first attempt to combine the elements I enjoy in a good read: action, adventure, magic, mystery, romance and racy sex. They are all for mature readers only. Please do not purchase or read if you are under 18 years of age.
The Daughters of Women is a secret order of magical adepts, each with abilities granted to them from their mother's bloodlines. Some will be, and some will give birth to Sinnis, a generation bound to an ancient race of men they call Guardians, the Nephilim. They are half men, half gods with mysterious abilities of their own. Their complex mental camouflage keeps them out of the thoughts of others, memory of their faces and names fading the moment they leave.
Veil of Ishtar, Book 5 of Sinns will be available on Amazon February 16th. Here is the blurb...
The Daughters of Women have all become pretty confident with the Nephilim living amongst them, if not comfortable. The days of being stunned and surprised by their nature and hungers are long gone. No one bats an eye when a new demi-god swoops in and claims Christy. Belial all but says she is his Sinnis, the woman he's been waiting for over ten thousand years. When Belial isn't muddling her mind with his allure, the one Christy really yearns for seems to be a real life monster. Imendand looks like an Akhkharu, a betrayer of his kind, a Nephilim who has drank the blood and feasted on the flesh of his brother.
Now the veil between this world and that of the gods of old has been torn and it looks like Christy is the only one who can repair it. Even if she knew how seal the portal, Imendand waits outside her shield for the second she drops her guard or steps over the line.
Does Belial love her or is he just using her? What interest does Imendand have in her? Will the Shinar come through the tear in the veil and consume all life on earth or can Christy, with no mentor, no training, and no help, do the impossible? How can she when the life of every human to come within ten feet of the tear is absorbed?
Forget everything you think you know about Nephilim and their Sinnis, grab a copy of this much anticipated installment, and get settled in. Book 5 of Sinnis will keep you guessing.
I can't wait!!!
Do you plot and outline or do you just write? Plotter or Pantser?
Oh goodness, I am such a list maker. I plan the hell out of a piece before I ever write a word. I use spreadsheets and old school outlines. I use a modified snowflake method that seems to work for me. My technique is always evolving but I am most definitely a Plotter.
Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
Ishtar Bound was rejected many times, as well it should have been, before I decided it was good enough to self publish. I sent it before it was ready and most publishers won't look a piece twice even if it has been totally rewritten and most don't want to see the second in a series, so I kinda screwed myself there. Self publishing has been wonderful, though slow going. Marketing is hard work and complicated to figure out. I struggle with getting my books in front of the right audience without the help of a publisher. I am currently going through the process of having all my works re-edited and redesigned.
What advice would you give new authors? What have you learned about the business?
Yikes, I am the last person to give advice. I write. I am very bad at the business part. They say to build a base, a platform, a market, before putting your book out there. Instead, I put 5 books and 3 short stories out in my first year before I even had a website or facebook page. Don't be like me is the advice I would offer.
Do you have another book in the works?
Always.
Book 5 of Sinnis, Veil of Ishtar, will be out on February 16th, so that is past the stage where I am actually working on it. It is in the hands of others in the design stage.
I just finished a Sinnis Short Story that will be put on my website as free content once that is up and running in March.
I am writing Wretched Blood, the second in the Carrier Trilogy, follow up to Hateful Burden. It is not romantic in the least, though Hateful Burden did start out that way. It grew into something else and I let it. Boy am I glad. It is a gaslight era horror/psychological thriller with a paranormal twist. I am quite proud of it and am having a blast writing the second. It will be available this summer.
The last and final Book of Sinnis is planned and waiting for me to get to it at the end of the year.
I have a stand alone vampire novel all planned out to be available by mid year.
I also have a few more Mount Haven Quickies planned for this year too.
What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
I don't have time for much else. My 4 year old daughter takes up what little time is left. We read and do crafts. I always have such grand craft ideas but they NEVER look as good in reality as they did in my mind. Luckily, 4 year olds don't care. They just want to make something and get messy doing it.
Where do you dream of going on vacation?
I do make time for vacation. We do something every year. I take mini vacations with my husband for romance. We live very close to Shreveport, LA and just took a birthday trip to the boats for a little gambling fun. At one point I hit 800, then 650 and 650! I was playing penny slots so it wasn't much money but that machine still jangled a whole helluva lot! We went to Walt Disney World last year for 11 days. It was my 13th WDW vacation, my daughter and husband's second. I freaking love that place and I start planning my next visit before I am home. I love to cruise. It is so simple and carefree. We want to go to Alaska. Dream Vacation: I want to pub crawl in London, ride the train across Europe, see the ruins of Rome, eat cheese and drink coffee on a sidewalk in Paris.
Boxers or Briefs?
Boxer briefs – you know the boy shorts kind that end in a straight line across the thigh but also highlight the package? I think I've said too much.
Cookies or cake?
CAKE! - cake is magical, liquid to solid with just a little heat, fluffy and moist and sweet. A little icing only. I scrape off most of it.
Pizza or hamburger?
Pizza
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?
Mixed drink. I like an ice cold Bloody Mary extra spicy and I'll take a Cosmopolitan any day of the week. I cannot stomach alcohol mixed with milk or cream at ALL. It makes me think of curdled milk and I always barf. If I am stuck I go with simple two ingredient drinks – i.e. vodka cranberry, screwdriver. I also enjoy a dark, dark, not too carbonated stout or porter if I have fries and curry ketchup to go with it.
Natalie is offering 1 ebook from her backlist to five lucky commenters. Enter in the raffle copter below. Be sure to leave an email so we can contact you.
Also, check out my review of Book 1-4 of Sinnis on Satin Sheets Romance Review!
Also, check out my review of Book 1-4 of Sinnis on Satin Sheets Romance Review!
Where to find you @
Contact
Email ishtarbooks@gmail.com
Friend page http://www.facebook.com/author.gibson
Website ishtarbooks.com and authornataliegibson.com
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Natalie-Gibson/e/B007UT880I
Review Blog http://satinsheetsromance.blogspot.com/
Monday, January 28, 2013
Krystal Shannan Interviews - Zrinka Jelic @Firetulip #romanceauthorinterview
Please Welcome Zrinka Jelic to the blog today!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Ontario, Canada, with my husband and two children. A member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic &Paranormal, as well as Savvy Authors, I write contemporary fiction—which leans toward the paranormal—and add a pinch of history. My characters come from all walks of life, and although I prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given my love for my native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, my characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that’s about the only break they get. “Alas, some rain must fall in everyone’s life.”
Did you always want to be an author?
No, becoming an author came as a surprise to me, and everyone else. I really didn’t have a clear direction in life, other than reading books.
What made you choose to write romance?
I love happily ever after endings. I guess after seeing “The Wedding Singer” for thousandth time I’ve decided to put some of my ideas to page. And slowly the story began to develop but I didn’t have readers for it. I’ve tried some online sites where unpublished authors post their work in progress and peers read it and rate it. But didn’t go over so well.
What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
Everything, from starting that opening chapter, through the middle of the book, to writing “the end” to sending my work out to publishers, and yes, even the rejections.
Tell us a little about your book.
The last thing Captain Sirena expected to find on a desolate island was...him!
When Carmen Ventura takes up her post as commander of the Strega, she becomes the new Captain Sirena, the legendary pirate most people think is just a myth created to scare children. Her first quest is to search for the “treasured chest” hidden by her predecessor. But before she can even begin the hunt, she runs into Marko Lucin, captain of the Levant and Carmen’s most insane adventure yet.
How can the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen be a bloody pirate?
Never one to pass up an adventure, especially where pretty women are concerned, Marko finds his ultimate challenge in Carmen. Not only does he fall for her courage, spunk, and intelligence, but the lady pirate can also help him get what he wants—the famous treasure everyone whispers about. His only problem—how long can he play the charming captain before she discovers his true intentions?
What inspired you to write it?
At first this was supposed to be a short story for a pirate anthology, but then I’ve learned that writing a short story is a whole different game from writing a full length novel. So I decided to develop it into a longer story, a novella perhaps, but the plot kept on going and 19 chapter plus an epilogue later, it was completed.
Do you plot and outline or do you just write?
I jot down a quick synopsis when I get hit with an idea for a story, but don’t refer back to it. Often I just let my muse take the reins and guide me and I have to confess, I get surprised where she takes me.
Plotter or Pantser?
From the above you can conclude I’m a panster and write from the seat of my pants.
Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
I entered an online open pitch to an editor from Black Opal Books on SavvyAuthors. I kept checking to see if there’s any new developing happening on the page, but for about two weeks didn’t see anything new so I kind of forgot about it. Then when I remembered to check again and saw she’s requesting first three chapters of my manuscript and a synopsis. My heart just thudded but I read the chapters one more time to check for the last minute typos or what not, got the synopsis in order and fired it off. In about three weeks there was an email from the editor asking to see the rest of the novel, so I put that together and sent if to her, but didn’t expect to find another email with a publishing offer.
What advice would you give new authors?
Never give up, you don’t know what you have until you finish the manuscript and get it out there.
What have you learned about the business?
It’s very competitive, it’s harder to find people willing to read your book than it is to write it and publish it.
Do you have another book in the works?
Always. My work in project is titled “Love Remains” and it’s a story of what if. When a single, career oriented woman returns home from a business trip and finds a husband and two kids, she discovers there’s more to life than the promotion and raise in her pay.
What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
I like to work out at the gym, go for walks, bike rides, scour the shopping malls for deals.
Where do you dream of going on vacation?
Anywhere on the Dalmatian coast, like Dubrovnik or island of Korčula, a birth place of Marco Polo.
Boxers or Briefs? I’m partial to either it’s what’s inside that counts.
Cookies or cake? Cake for sure
Pizza or hamburger? Burger in summer on occasion.
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Not much of a drinker but if I have to choose, then a light beer or a fruity wine.
(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
Carmen/Sirena “I didn’t trust Marko at first. Of course, I was a pirate then with a hefty price on my head. But he proved worth keeping around.”
Marko “When I saw her for the first time, standing on the deck of the enemy ship, I thought ‘that’s a woman for me’ but had to devise a clever plan to get to her without her slashing my throat. Which she nearly done, during our sword match.”
What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
“He’s still a little boy who likes to be scalded.” Whispers “Boys will be boys.”
“She has that truth extracting stare I’m powerless against.”
What are your plans for the near future? “Raise our crop of kids.”
Be sure to leave a comment for Zrinka to enter to win a copy of Treasured Chest!
Where to find Zrinka
Twitter https://twitter.com/Firetulip
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Krystal Shannan's Stop/New Years Event! Huge GIVE@WAY #2013
Happy
New
Year!
I'm so excited to be ringing in the new year with all of you fabulous readers and writers. I promise my hubby and I drank some bubbly and watched the ball drop, but other than that we spent a fun evening at home together *wink*. Neither of us are much for crowds.
2013
Wow! This year is looking fantastic. I can't wait to share the new books I have planned for all of you. A brand new shifter series called VEGAS MATES will debut in February and Book 2 in the Pool of Souls series will closely follow it. You know you want to find out what Aphrodite and Ares are up to now!!!
I promise there are many more in the works in addition to those. If you haven't read Open House: Pool of Souls Book 1, the introduction the series, be sure to check it out!
A little snark, a little sweet, and a whole lot of spicy!
Intrinsically woven into the fabric of human existence, Aphrodite, Titan Goddess of Love and Passion, dedicates herself to matching soul mates.
Rebecca Carol and Robert Corvin missed their original chance to bond when Ares, God of War, took control of Robert's career ten years ago. Their souls have naturally pulled them back together for a second chance at love, but...How far will the gods go to get their own way?
Will divine influence create another perfect match or will it tear them apart forever?
Will divine influence create another perfect match or will it tear them apart forever?
Find it Now
~ Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance ~Kobo
~ Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance ~Kobo
"I absolutely LOVED this book! It’s a short beautiful, satisfying read that is fun, funny and exciting with a perfect sensual and paranormal touch that any romance and paranormal reader (18 and over) will love!" - Ava Vongiebel (GoodReads.com)
"They say there is a thin line between love and hate. When two strong willed gods clash, everyone needs to watch out! If you're into Clash of the Titans and love Harlequin Romances then I would recommend this one for you." - Kristen (www.mommysreading.com)
"They say there is a thin line between love and hate. When two strong willed gods clash, everyone needs to watch out! If you're into Clash of the Titans and love Harlequin Romances then I would recommend this one for you." - Kristen (www.mommysreading.com)
Be sure to enter my RAFFLECOPTER below for a chance to win two prizes. A $10 BestBuy GiftCard and a $10 Starbucks GiftCard!
(US ONLY, no email = no entry)
But that's not all....
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
(Prizes except for swag pack is open to international winners, but again, no email = no entry)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, December 17, 2012
Krystal Shannan Interviews - Jerrie Alexander - The Green-Eyed Doll - Give@way
Please help me welcome Jerrie Alexander to the blog today! I'm super excited to hear about her new release.
Krystal! Thank you for inviting me to hang out with you and your readers today. I appreciate the opportunity.
So glad to have you, Jerrie. Tell us a little about yourself.
A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children. A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.
But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.
Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose to write romance?
I discovered journalism back in high school, but the more I wrote, the more I wanted to embellish the story, which of course wasn't allowed. So I switched to creative writing. Life and work took me on a different path for a while, but writing was never far away.
I'll share a secret with you. I still have the stories I turned in for grades. They moved with us from Texas, to California, Arkansas, Georgia and back to Texas. No one will ever see them but they are that important to me.
What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
Entertaining people. Nothing pleases me more than taking them out of their everyday life and into a world of danger, love, and suspense.
When a reader finishes one of my books, I hope they feel as if they personally knew the characters, that they loved the conflicts and romance. If that happens with every book, then I'll have achieved my goal!
Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?
Research! I was studying FBI profiler files on serial killers, looking at the different triggers or events that cause a person to snap. In the middle of a discussion on what I'd read and the direction I'd picked, my daughter named the book.
BLURB:
Catherine McCoy is
running from her past. She's been on the move for a year, hiding the secret and
guilt in her heart. When she lands in small-town Texas and meets Sheriff Matt
Ballard, he ignites a flame she thought lost forever.
Matt has scars of his
own. He left the big city after an undercover operation went bad and his
partner was killed. Now, as Matt hunts for a serial killer who paints his
victims like porcelain dolls, Catherine becomes a safe haven for him. Two
tortured souls finding comfort in each other's arms—until he uncovers her
secret, and their bond of trust is broken.
When Catherine
disappears, Matt races to find her, fearing the murderer has found his next
green-eyed doll. But the killer has a surprise coming. Catherine will fight to
the death before she'll be a victim. But will her determination be enough?
Here's a sneak peek at THE GREEN-EYED DOLL!
Catherine paced and argued with herself. Should she stay or go home? She’d told Matt he’d need a friend after the first woman went missing and now this. She couldn’t imagine the pressure he must be under. Her plan was to have a hot supper waiting for him. She’d basted and basted until the roast withered and fell apart. The once firm potatoes? Mush. The gravy was a light brown paste.
Benedict Arnold stood and trotted to the back door before Catherine heard Matt’s pickup. The dog was glad to know Matt was home, too. She leaned back against the kitchen counter and waited.
“Hey.” A lame greeting, but seeing him stunned her speechless.
Dark circles and cold, weary, blue eyes marred his Michelangelo face. His black hair fell in disarray and looked like he’d raked his fingers through a number of times today. His chiseled jaw and chin were dark with a long day’s stubble. With a couple of long strides, he pinned her between him and the counter. He framed her face with his hands, closed his eyes, and lowered his forehead to hers. They stood in silence for a long time, unmoving, their bodies not touching. Fear for the missing woman radiated off him.
His anguish, more than she’d planned for, hit her hard. His dedication and concern, traits she admired, shook her conviction that no man could be trusted. His tenderness, something she’d never had, touched a long-neglected place in her soul.
Do you plot and outline or do you just write? Plotter or Pantser?
Plot? I can hear my critique partner if she reads this. She'll roll around on the floor laughing. She's worked diligently and demonstrated an amazing amount of patience to teach me to plot. I know how, just can't make myself. I do a full blown character profile on and the players before I start writing. I get to know them in depth, point them toward a disaster and let them take over. I guess you could call me a plotster.
Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
Can you say rejection? They're not fun but for me it was part of the learning process. I didn't keep them, but I tried to learn from each one. I rewrote, tweaked, and rewrote some more until I got it right.
What advice would you give new authors? What have you learned about the business?
First thing that came to mind was to never give up on your dream, but I have to add research. Know what you want to write. What makes you happy? I tried straight contemporary at first, but that genre wasn't a good fit for me. I love romantic suspense and things started to click when I swapped genres.
This business is tough, and requires hard work. You have to keep writing, and writing, and writing!
SO TRUE! Don't ever let the stories stop :-)
Do you have another book in the works?
I do! THE LAST EXECUTION is waiting release. And HELL or HIGH WATER, the first book in the LOST and FOUND, Inc. series is waiting for a release date. They may have dates by this time.
My current work in process, His to Lose, is the second book in the series.
What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
I love to hang out with family and friends. I paint a little and love to bake. There's usually a cake, or brownies, or pie in my kitchen.
Where do you dream of going on vacation?
Anywhere the ocean is clear, the water is warm, and the snorkeling is stellar. Australia is a long flight but snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef would make the trip worth every minute.
Boxers or Briefs? Briefs
Cookies or cake? I have to choose? Okay...cake
Pizza or hamburger? Pizza
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? If I can't have coffee, bring me a bloody mary. :)
(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
Catherine McCoy: The last thing I need was to be pulled over by a nosey sheriff who I thought was going to give me a ticket for an illegal u-turn. I mean, really? No way could I spare that kind of money. Behind his aviator sunglasses was a gorgeous pair if blue eyes that apparently saw my predicament. He gave me a warning.
Sheriff Matt Ballard: First impression? Hmm...for a routine stop, I thought she was a bit too nervous. She damn near knocked me down with her car door. She broke my sunglasses and blinded me with her wildfire red hair and green eyes.
What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
Catherine: His honesty and truthfulness. He's dedicated to defend and protect those who can't protect themselves.
Matt: She's the most determined, hardheaded woman I've met. She refuses help of any kind. It's frustrating sometimes, but I respect her desire to be self-sufficient.
What are your plans for the near future?
I hope to have, SOMEONE to WATCH OVER ME, a short story sold soon. And finishing HIS to LOSE is a priority. Plus we're celebrating the release of THE GREEN-EYED DOLL!
Jerrie will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn commenter at the end of each week, and a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter from all comments during the tour, awarded at the end of the tour. Be sure to leave your name and email, remember no email = no entry.
(She's also awarding a Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn host...... so please leave me lots of great comments so I can win too!!!! Hugs!)
Be sure to visit Jerrie@
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