Monday, September 30, 2013

Blurb Blitz Tour and Giveaway- Love Entwined, A Cardiff Novel, Book 2 by Danita Minnis


Love Entwined, A Cardiff Novel, Book 2

by Danita Minnis

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BLURB:
 
Run, little witch…

AMELIE LAURENT is on her way to the top of the jewelry designing world with no time for men. Her orderly life is about to come undone when playboy and jewelry tycoon ROMAN CARDIFF steals her away on assignment to a remote English estate. Roman wants Amelie all to himself but St. Clair Manor’s resident ghost has been waiting for her much longer than he has.

Run home…

An unseen gunman takes a shot at Roman and he blames a business rival. But Amelie and Roman are to blame, for falling in love 200 years before in a time neither of them remember.

From the heartbreak of pre-Revolutionary France to modern day corporate wars, Amelie and Roman uncover a history of blood jewels, lust and demons.

 Good witch, bad witch, you must decide…

When Amelie discovers her inner witch she learns the real reason she was summoned to St. Clair Manor. Il Dragone will kill to get her back. Amelie will kill if they do.

 
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Excerpt :

 “Amelie, I was just calling you. Harold wants to see you in his office.”

 Amelie came to an abrupt stop in front of the closed door and swiveled toward Suzie, who sat back in her chair and blinked.

 “Good, I want to see him, too.” Amelie pushed the door open, and walked right up to Harold’s desk.

 “I am sorry Harold, but I can’t do the Sweet Life…”

 “Amelie Laurent, may I introduce you to Roman Cardiff.” Harold gestured toward the Burberry divan in the corner.

Amelie closed her mouth and turned, hand extended. The apology died on her lips.

Dieu. He was a Greek god in a dark tailored suit. Very tall. Different in reality. Cooler than she expected. There was arrogance in his square jaw. His aquiline nose and thick, black brows made him look like a predator.

 His expression would have seemed harsh except for the warmth of the sky blue gaze traveling slowly up her body. The eyes gave his features a seraphim quality. They leisurely toured the peachy-pink lacquered toenails peeking through the front of her navy pumps, and then moved up the curve of her hips. She felt those eyes like a puff of warm breath when they grazed the swell of her breasts above the white silk blouse.

 She was an innocent doe being circled by a panther that was higher up on the food chain and more resourceful.

Clearly, he wanted to take a bite out of her. His imperial stance said it was his due. His nostrils flared as he inhaled her scent.

 Amelie looked down at the large hand holding hers. Warm, like a glove.

Finally, his gaze met hers.

She did not move, but something sinful shivered inside her. It was the part of her who knew this man. But these feelings weren’t hers—they belonged to that other woman. The one who waited for him at night in her bedroom.

 He is real. But he could not be her dream lover.

With an unholy smile, Mr. Cardiff lifted her hand. Full lips moved over her skin in a warm caress, and she was filled with craving.

Amelie jolted out of her reverie, tried to pull away, but he held her there. Her hand relaxed in his.

Stop this, you don’t know him!


Buy links:





AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 I should have known I would end up here...
 My sisters and I walked ten blocks to the library every Saturday morning and picked up books to read for the week.
When I was older, I spent a couple of hundred dollars at Barnes & Noble and my mother thought I was crazy. I couldn't deny it - I just had to read (but I became sort of a closet-book-buyer after that).  I started writing poems first.
 
 Song writing was next, when I realized I had a singing voice, then singing with local bands. It wasn't long before I just knew I was going to be the next singing sensation.
 
And now, here I am, a shower-singer (the enclosed tile room is almost as good as a studio mike) and happier than I’ve ever been, writing paranormal romance with a healthy portion of mystery, murder and reincarnation. It's romance through the ages.

 Links:
 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6154485.Danita_Minnis
Blog: http://blog.danitaminnis.com/

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series Spotlight and Giveaway



The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series 
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors.

"Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."

Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford
Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin
Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson
Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White
Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver
Book 6: Immersed in Love by Jennifer Griffith



Home Matters by Julie N. Ford

According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can't even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She's confident that her destiny is finally within reach.

When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.



Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin

Drew Westfall wants nothing more than to forget what he had to do in the name of "smart" business. Cutting off all ties with his parents—including handing over the entire contents of his trust fund to a charity—he takes off for Bridger, Colorado where his best friend has an extra room for him. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his business degree won’t do him much good in a town as small as Bridger, but he's broke and has nowhere else to go.

Eden Torresi has every reason to wallow. Not only did she lose her mother, but she had to drop out of nursing school and is in a relationship with a guy unwilling to commit. But Eden isn't the wallowing type. Instead, she chooses to spend most of her time taking care of the seniors at Silver Linings Nursing home. When she learns that her boyfriend's new roommate is down on his luck, her caring nature makes her want to reach out to him and offer what help she can. But the more time they spend together, the more complicated things get, especially when the seniors of Silver Linings decide to play matchmaker.



Righting a Wrong by Rachael Anderson

Seven years ago, Cambri Blaine fled her small hometown of Bridger, Colorado after her senior year ended in a fiasco. Only Jace Sutton knew the real reason why—that she was a spineless coward. Now, seven years later, her father's been in an accident and needs help, and Cambr has no choice but to return home. So with trepidation, she takes a leave of absence from the landscape architecture firm where she works and boards a plane, hoping against hope that Jace is no longer around and that the past can stay where it belongs—in the past.

If only life worked that way.

Jace never expected to see Cambri again. After she’d led him on, bruised his heart, and left town without a backward glance, he was forced to pick up the pieces and try not to hate her for it. Eventually, he put it behind him and moved on, creating a life for himself in his beloved hometown. But now that Cambri is back and looking more beautiful and sophisticated than ever, some of those old feelings resurface, and Jake instinctively knows, for the sake of his heart, that he needs to avoid her at all costs.

If only it were that easy.


Lost and Found by Karey White

Lydia was supposed to have an adventurous and exciting summer. Instead she's done nothing more than read and eat takeout. Now it's time to go home, and what does she have to show for it? A big fat nothing. Unless, of course, her trip to the airport somehow turns into something more than just a flight home.

Blake feels like he's been sent on a wild goose chase. While work is piling up back in Denver, he's on the other side of the country, hunting for some mysterious box that his grandfather left him. Well, no more. Nothing inside that box could possibly be more important than the opportunity to make it as the youngest partner at his firm. So he's going home, and that's that. But that's before he discovers his flight has been cancelled.

When these two strangers meet at the airport, they make a split-second decision to search for the box together. Maybe with both of them on the hunt, Lydia can have her adventure and Blake can find the box. And maybe, if they’re lucky, they’ll even find some romance.



Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver

Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough.

For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do.

Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain.


Immersed in Love by Jennifer Griffith

Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever.

But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.It works like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest.

Until… Erik.

Erik Gunnarsson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Even though he seems to have a secret and she swore she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—even if it means jeopardizing her career.



Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/31/13

Bloggers who put up a spotlight post about these books on their blog can enter to win an additional $25 gift card or paypal cash.  See details in the Rafflecopter.

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


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Movie Reviews - The Family and Prisoners

We have two movie reviews today, The Family and Prisoners!

The Family (R)
Action/Comedy/Crime
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, John D'Leo and Tommy Lee Jones

Movie Blurb:
The Manzoni family, a notorious mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France under the witness protection program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging as their old habits die hard.

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Review by Jo Ellen Eisaman, The Movie Appreciation Club

Here is a film that stars Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer. How can you go wrong? According to my club, sadly, they did. I feel it was lack of a really good script. Despite its many shortcomings, I liked this film. I wasn't gushing or anything but when Robert DeNiro plays in a comedy, especially with mafia undertones - well most fans will, sort-of, like it.

Giovanni Manzoni, cover name, Fred Blake, played by DeNiro is a federally protected witness. He ratted out his 'family' putting one of the big boys in prison. As many movies will show, when one is from the mafia, prison does not stop one's ability to get revenge. As Fred's wife, Maggie, Pfeiffer is a much beleaguered wife, tired of being on the lamb. There is a very little chemistry between the two making the distance between the two quite believable.

High jinx follows as the mafia closes in on the family currently placed in France. I did like the part where Fred decides to be, as his cover, a writer and discovers he does, indeed, have a story to tell. There are numerous sightings of mafia movie greats such as Jimmy Palumbo, Vincent Pastre, Jan Freda, Michael Panichelli, Jr and Paul Borghese. All they needed to do was show up with their fake guns. I doubt any of them have ever actually done anything but act like really bad guys, Usually, they are so good at it, though, a viewer would be unsure of their own safety should they actually meet one of these phenomenal actors in the non-celluloid world. Tommy Lee Jones was in this film as the agent in charge of protecting this family and, basically, he wasted his.time.

I gave this film a 6 out of 10, the club's average was 5.37, making it the third lowest scored film of the year.


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Prisoners (R)
Crime/Drama/Thriller
Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis
 
Movie Blurb:
 
When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?
 
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Review by Jo Ellen Eisaman, The Movie Appreciation Club
 
Intense. The recently released film "Prisoners" was so intense there were times during the viewing that one could, in fact, hear others breathing. People leaning forward. An occasional gasp heard. This was one of the best films of the year. 

 Two little girls vanish on Thanksgiving. One father, Keller Dover played by Hugh Jackman, ferociously protective of his family, breaks all the rules in order to get his daughter back. There are boundaries crossed. There were reactions experienced from this film's audience of sympathy, empathy and even horror at the lengths this father would go to rescue his daughter.  I totally understood his anguish and why he would do whatever he felt needed to be done to protect those he loves. The police detective, Loki, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, starts out as a hardened cop who has dealt with everything to a haunted man determined to find out what happened. The mother of one of the little girls, Grace Dover, played by Maria Bello, curls you into a fetal position so frantic over her baby girl that she is frozen and unable to deal with anything. As the proposed abductor, Alex James, Paul Dano performed with an uncanny, almost surreal, ability to make you hate him, feel sorry for him and never really understand his depths of depravity or inwardly focused pain. You actually find the more normal, if such a thing could be determined as normal, reactions of the other little girls parent's response to their daughter's loss as frustrating. You are torn, needing to accept their inability to respond in the same way you accept Dover's need to move heaven and earth to get his child.

 The seemingly absent details when the girls disappear come out so numerous, as the story progresses, you cannot believe they were missed. They are subtle and interwoven in everyday life. I, as well as several members of our movie appreciation club, look forward to seeing it a second time. We need to see what we missed and how we missed it.  I gave this edge-of-your-seat film a 9 out of 10 and our club gave it a score of 8.96.
 
 
 



Saturday, September 28, 2013

Author Interview and Giveaway - Templand & Permland by Jill Elaine Hughes

 
Amazon Buy Link



Templand Blurb:

The heroine, Melanie Evers, is a plucky young working-class woman from Akron, Ohio struggling to support herself in Chicago in the post-9-11 economy. TEMPLAND follows Melanie's journey through the temporary employment world from a college student on "just a summer job" to a 28-year-old woman with a lot of intelligence (and a heap of student loan debt to match) through multiple layoffs and a series of ever-more-wacky temp assignments, as she struggles not only to survive, but also to find romance and always remain true to the honest, working-class values instilled in her by her beloved grandfather.

In her long, solitary journey through Templand, Melanie encounters adventure and romance on her search for that always-elusive Permanent Job---which she finally gets, along with her man. TEMPLAND is a highly entertaining, wickedly funny social satire, contemporary romance, and mystery novel all rolled into one.

 
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Amazon Buy Link

Permland Blurb:
SEQUEL TO TEMPLAND. It’s the beginning of 2003, a few months after the end of TEMPLAND. Melanie Evers is back as she struggles under the insane demands of her long-sought Permanent Job.  Now a human resources executive at Marquette Bank, what started out as a cushy well-paid job turns into a nightmare when her company is bought out by a Dutch conglomerate.  Melanie gets sent on a new series of wacky adventures as she tries to keep her head above water while her crazy new boss Pietra controls her every move, the Iraq War begins, and her boyfriend Dave is called up by the Army reserves to fight overseas. Is permanent employment really all it’s cracked up to be?

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Let's meet the author:
 
What sparked your interest in becoming a romance writer? 
I think it was because I always loved reading romance, from Jane Austen up to modern erotica. I’m always a sucker for a good love story.  Even if I already know how it will end, I love the wild ride!


What was the first romance novel you read that made an impression on you?
Probably Austen’s Pride& Prejudice, which I read in college.  I’d read scores of romances prior to that, both modern-day and from the literary canon, but that one really stuck with me and I always remember it.  I think it sets the bar for the whole genre. I’m also a sucker for Jane Eyre and anything by Jennifer Weiner.

Tell us 5 surprising things about yourself.
·       I’m an Irish-Catholic who converted to Buddhism.  And I’m married to a Chinese guy who was born and raised Buddhist but converted to Catholicism. Weird, huh?
·       I hate mashed potatoes.
·       I’m dangerously allergic to bee stings.
·       I have naturally curly hair.
·       I’m a triathlete.

What is your writing environment. 
I write full-time (I’m a freelance journalist as well as a novelist) and the entire third floor of my house is my writing studio.

One of your favorite quotes.
“If you got paid to write something, and you paid the light bill with the money, then I consider you talented.”---Stephen King

Who is your perfect hero? And why?
I like heroes who are strong and successful, yet mysterious.  I like them to have some kind of dark past that involves deep personal flaws that they have overcome at least somewhat, but still contribute some quirkiness to their character.  This is what intrigues readers and also keeps me engaged when writing.

Which authors have caught your interest lately? Why?
There are too many to name! Of late I’ve liked Avery Aster’s MANHATTANITES series with Ellora’s Cave, J.L. Mac’s WRECK ME series, anything by Sylvia Day, and of course EL James!

What type of book have you always wanted to write?
I have written almost 20 books, of many different types and subgenres, so there aren’t many types I haven’t written yet.  But I DO want to eventually write a New York Times bestseller!

Who are your dream dinner party guests? All authors! (and a little eye candy) 
EL James, Jane Austen, Jennifer Weiner, Sara Gruen, D.H. Lawrence, and Charlie Hunnam!

What’s the last movie you watched and loved?
Probably FLIGHT, with Denzel Washington.  Good film with a good message. Plus you get to see Denzel naked, so there’s that.

Most __nerdy_ in high school. (popular, nerdy, sporty…) Why?
I was senior class valedictorian.

Top three things on your bucket list.
Go to India.
Go to Ireland.
Go to Africa.

Flirting Questions

Which actor or book character do you have a crush on? Hugh Jackman, Colin Firth, and Mr. Darcy.

What’s your favorite body part of the opposite sex?
Aside from the obvious (snark), eyes.

What does love feel like?
Knowing that you want to spend the rest of your life with that person.

Hey, baby! What’s your sign?
Aquarius

When was your last kiss?
This morning.

What’s an absolute no-no in a relationship?
Cheating, lying, and violence.

How did you meet your significant other?
We actually met online!

What’s your idea of a perfect date?
Dinner and a movie without the kids!

If you could take a romantic trip, where would it be?
I’ve traveled a lot already, but I’ve always wanted to spend a week in Hawaii. Preferably on Maui or Kauai, they are more secluded.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
Yes


 
Flirting Quickies:

 
Boxers or Briefs? Boxers

Facial hair or clean shaven? Stubble
 
Alpha or Beta?  Alpha

Planner or Panster? Panster

White wine or red? Red
 
Coffee or tea? Tea

Vanilla or chocolate? Vanilla
 
Sweet or salty? Both, at the same time!

Sleep in or get up early? Sleep in

Laptop or desktop? laptop
 
Beach or mountains? Mountains
Winter or summer? Winter
Cat or dog? Dog
Twilight or Fifty Shades? Definitely Fifty Shades!
Spotlight or In the Shadows?  Spotlight
City or Country? City
Clubbing or candlelight dinner? Candelight dinner
Backpacking or luxury hotel? Hotel
Morning or night person? Night
Christmas or Halloween? Halloween
Optimist or pessimist? optimist

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Author Links

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Friday, September 27, 2013

Excerpt Tour and Giveaway - Special Offers and Special Rewards by M.L. Ryan


 
 
SPECIAL OFFERS and SPECIAL REWARDS
 
 by M.L. Ryan
 
 
 
BLURB:  

Meet Hailey - possessed by an otherworldly being who was trapped in her Kindle.

Hailey Parrish was quick-witted, irreverent, and hadn’t had a date in three years. She only wanted an eBook reader because her collection of paperbacks threatened to take over her small living space. Little did she know that the "special offers" that prompted the purchase included much more than a reduced price in exchange for a few ads. The device came pre-loaded with the essence of Sebastian Kess, an erudite womanizer with magical abilities from a parallel dimension. When she inadvertently releases him and he inhabits her body, she finally has a man inside her, just not in the way she imagined. And soon her predicament introduces her to yet another supernatural, the handsome could-be-the-man-of-her-dreams Alex Sunderland. Can Alex and Hailey find a way to return Sebastian to his own body, stay one step ahead of the criminals who want to keep him where he is, and not lose their sense of humor?

Special Offers, the first book of the Coursodon Dimension Series, combines paranormal romance, urban fantasy, a bit of science fiction and a healthy dose of quirky humor.

  

EXCERPT:  

 “Again.”

The harsh voice taunted me from above.  I lay flat on my back on the desert floor, rocks digging into my flesh, and forced myself to look up into the cold, grey eyes of my tormenter.  There was nothing there, no normal human feelings, only indifference.  My legs, one of which had twisted awkwardly underneath me when I collapsed, seemed oddly disconnected as if no longer a part of my body.  The pain that pulsed through the rest of me was agonizing; so much so, I wasn't certain what little I had eaten would remain in my stomach.  Serve the bastard right if I puked all over his fancy, Italian leather shoes. Sweat poured down my face, forming wet rivulets through the salty, crusted residue that dried from the many hours of agony already endured.  I tried to lick my lips, but my tongue was like sandpaper across my parched mouth.  I needed water badly.  I was sure I wouldn’t be getting any.

Having long since shifted from wondering if death was near, to hoping it was, I used my last bit of energy to sputter, “Just kill me now and get it over with, you son of a bitch.”  I was so tired, so utterly defeated. I just wanted the torture to end.

He grinned.  It was pure evil. He must have enjoyed my anguish, because for the first time today his smile engaged his entire face and not just his lips. The bastard poked me with his foot and repeated his earlier command.

“Again.  You have to learn to control your magic even when you are exhausted,” he barked.  “And stop your histrionics.”

I had just finished my second five-mile run of the afternoon on three hours of sleep in the past two days.  And now Sebastian wanted me to do five more.  “I can’t do it again,” I moaned pitifully.  Lifting myself so I was sitting, I hoped this new position would make my lungs burn less and the dizziness go away.  Unfortunately, it didn’t relieve my discomfort. 
“Get up.  Now.”

I couldn’t see his face because my head was now buried between my knees, but I knew from the tone in his voice that he meant business. 

“This is beyond cruel and inhumane.  Don’t you extra-dimensionals have some form of the Geneva Convention?  Can’t you just water-board me instead?”

 AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 
M.L. Ryan is a profes­sional woman – not that she gave up her amateur status, but rather that she is over-educated with a job in which she spends a lot of time writing dry, science non-Fiction. In an effort to strength­en the less logi­cal side of her brain, she decided to write some of the many stories rolling around in her head.  She lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband, son, four cats, two dogs and an adopt­ed Desert

Tortoise.

 
 
 
eBook Formats:  SPECIAL OFFERS

            Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Smashwords ~ iTunes ~ Kobo 


Trade Paperback: SPECIAL OFFERS


 eBook Formats:  SPECIAL REWARDS


 
 

Website: http://www.CoursodonDimension.com

Blog: http://CoursodonDimension.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CoursodonDimension

Twitter: @MLRyan1

 
 

 M.L. will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.  Please comment here and follow the tour and comment, the more you comment, the more chances you have to win!
 
Follow the tour HERE.