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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Cover Reveal: The Right Chord by @radefranco

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cover reveal

covergifTitle: The Right Chord
Series: Brothers of Audubon Springs # 3
Author: RoseAnn DeFranco
Audience: Adult
Genre: Romance
Formats: E- Book & Paperback
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover by: Debbie Taylor
Editor: DJ Hendrickson
Pages: 258 pages
Expected Date of Publishing: August 6, 2014
 









 
blurb
Years in the cutthroat L.A. music industry have Kit Maggio yearning for love and acceptance in her hometown, Audubon Springs. Her position as a Theater Arts professor doesn't erase years of being shoved aside by her family. Her baby sister is getting married, and her high school sweetheart doesn't recognize her. Will she ever find what she needs?
Vince Iuliano never imagined he'd be a single dad. Vowing no woman will ever again break his daughter's heart, he focuses on providing a happy and stable home. But when the love of his life rents the house next door, can he take a chance on happiness?
Vince never forgot Kit. Setting out to earn her forgiveness, they fall back into the rhythm of love and heat, much like the songs they wrote as teens. When L.A. calls, will Kit go, or stay and write her greatest love song?


excerpt

Kit rubbed her eyes and swung the door open to find a bright-eyed Vince Iuliano holding a box of doughnuts.
“What are you doing ringing my doorbell?” She hissed and stepped through the door, pushing him out onto the porch in the process.
“I thought you ladies might need these.” He held up the box of doughnuts.
“Is it Advil?” Katelyn appeared at the door. “Isn’t that the guy you kissed last night?”
“No, it is not.” She shooed her away and shut the door.
“I think you forgot something at the bar,” Vince said.
“What’s that?”
“Your dignity?”
“Look, it was a dare! I had to kiss the next guy who walked through the door. I took one for the team.”
He stared for a long moment then reached out and touched her sticky hair. “The party continue here last night?”
“You have a lot of nerve ringing my doorbell when you know what kind of shape I’m in right now.” Vince smiled. “Jerk. Are those for me?” She nodded to the doughnuts.
“They might be.”
“If you’re here for an apology, forget it. I’m not going to apologize.”
“Good. Did it seem like I was complaining?”
A rush of heat on her skin against the brisk morning air caused goose bumps to rise on her skin. Dear God in heaven, he was flirting. “I’m not sure. I can’t remember.” It was a lie. Even through her drunken haze and fuzzy memory, she recalled with startling clarity the sizzling chemistry of that kiss. It was an experience she wanted to repeat over and over again but wouldn’t. “So, what, you tracked me down to bring me hangover doughnuts?”
“No, consider them a welcome to the neighborhood present.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m your landlord, and your soon to be neighbor.” He motioned to the house next door where several guys unloaded windows from a truck.
“You’re joking.”
“No, it needs some work before we move in, but it shouldn’t take too long.”
“I dealt with a woman for the lease to this house. Annie O’Malley.”
“Annie O’Malley Iuliano, my sister-in-law.”
She stared, mouth gaping. “Here you go.” He handed her the doughnuts. “I don’t know how many women are passed out inside, so if it’s not enough, just let us know and we’ll get you more. Oh, and the carpet is new so if there’s any damage, please take care of it right away. Management frowns on that stuff.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you at the wedding.” He flashed a smile, his dimples winking wickedly managed to make her throat grow dry.
“Figured that out, did you?”
“Just, make sure to save a dance for me.”
“In your dreams.”
 
 
ReturntoAudubonSprings_8071_750Title: Return To Audubon Springs
Series: Brothers of Audubon Springs # 1
Pages: 248 pages
ISNB: 978-1-62830-101-4 D
ASIN: B00FDSL792
Date Published: 3 January 2014


blurb

When Emma Grant returns to her family's Audubon Springs beach house to fulfill the stipulations of her father's will, she has every intention of forcing her former lover out of the house for good. She's never fit into her wealthy family and would prefer avoiding her past, but with her brother threatening to reveal her young daughter, she has no choice.
Rafe Iuliano has other plans. The wealthy Grants tried to bribe him out of Emma's life years ago, but he's determined to prove once and for all that a master carpenter is worthy of Emma and the house.
Their ridiculous and steamy battle for the house reignites the love and passion that bloomed between them years ago. But when Rafe discovers she's kept their daughter a secret for two years, can he overcome anger and pride to claim his family and the love of his life, or will the deception drive a final wedge between them?


book links
 
 
 
 
SecondhandRomance_w7433_750
Title: Secondhand Romance
Series: Brothers of Audubon Springs # 2
Pages: 248 pages
ISNB: 978-1-62830-173-1
ASIN: B00HKRNUE4
Date Published: 9 April 2014

blurb

Annie O'Malley's dream of owning a secondhand bookstore in tight-knit Audubon Springs is coming true. Still reeling from her parents' sudden deaths, she believes that signs or messages can be found within the pages of books. She loves her job and has made plenty of friends but longs for the acceptance only love and a family can provide.
Tony Iuliano is there to fix the wiring in her shop. He doesn't believe in fate, magic, or the power of a good book. All this combined with his sexy-as-sin presence and all-knowing attitude infuriates Annie. The quirky bookworm intrigues him enough to accept her bet to read a book from her shop. When he discovers a stack of fifty-year-old love letters in the book, he wants to leave the past alone, but seeing it as a sign, Annie challenges him to read the letters and search for the long-lost lovers or lose the bet.
While shaking the dust off several ill-fated romances and fighting their attraction at every turn, the pair soon become the town gossip daily special. If they can stop arguing long enough, they may just discover this particular sign was meant for them all along.

book links
 
 

about the author
clip_image008RoseAnn DeFranco grew up in upstate NY with her nose in a book and a song in her heart. Following the pursuit of a musical theatre career in NYC, she turned her creative energy to writing funny, steamy romance with heart. A NJ shore transplant, she enjoys time spent at the beach with her family and would love to one day live in a quaint shore town like the fictional town from her BROTHERS OF AUDUBON SPRINGS series. More information about these Humorous Contemporary Romances can be found at radefranco.com.
 




 

media links
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blogs reveal
Niecey Roy's Blog - http://www.nieceyroy.com/blog/
Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog - http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/
A One-click Addict's Book Blog -http://aone-clickaddictsbookblog.blogspot.com/
Bound 2 Escape - http://www.bound2escape.com
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! - http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
This Redhead LOVES Books - http://thisredheadlovesbooks.blogspot.com/
Our New Generation for Reading - http://jessica13bridgers.blogspot.com/
Angee's After Thoughts - http://www.angeesafterthoughts.com
Blushing Divas Book Reviews - http://www.blushingdivasbookreviews.com
Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom - http://bookyramblingsofaneuroticmom.blogspot.co.uk/
Clarissa Wild's Blog - http://clarissawild.blogspot.com
Portals to new Worlds - http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Book Blast & Top Ten: Sandstorm Heart by @LiviaOlteano

Sandstorm Heart Banner 450 x 169

 

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clip_image002Sandstorm Heart

Space Files R

Book 2

Liv Olteano

Genre: M/M Space Opera Erotic Romance / Erotica BDSM elements

Length: novella - approx 30k words

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Released: September 18th 2013

Book Description:

Ron Vid is a Celian soldier with some personal demons.

Hoping for respite, he deserts his squad and leaves his planet. Working as a mercenary on Asai, planet of sand and wind, he has a reprieve, until the Haffa named Zaoh joins the mercenaries. Celians and Haffas have a history of strife, but when Ron and Zaoh are paired on a mission, their chemistry crackles.

After they fight together for survival, it’s clear Zaoh wants Ron. Zaoh can be a fierce and dominant lover, but Ron’s secrets, and his fear that the Haffa might uncover them, could keep Zaoh from getting his man.

Add it to Your Goodreads Shelf

Purchase at: Dreamspinner Press Amazon BN ARe

excerpt

 

I got up, happy to finally have a reason to stop pretending to eat. Zaoh shot to his feet to block my way. My lungs squeezed tight as soon as I was face to face with the purple hell of his eyes.

“You weren’t dismissed, Vid. Sit back down.”

I gritted my teeth and turned in Ami’s direction. “We done here? I’ve got to pack my shit if I’m going out.”

“Go ahead, gorgeous. I’ll wait for you in the hangar.”

Stomping to my room, I tried to shake off the memory of those purple black holes. It was a bad thing to think about. Getting away from Asai would be pointless if I carried the mess with me out to space.

A second set of steps thudded behind. Decisive but not rushed, they sounded closer and closer, so I stopped. For some reason I couldn’t turn around.

“Commander Void.”

Blood rushed away from my extremities and into my head all at once. How did he know about that nickname? No way he’d just used it by chance. A cold sheen of sweat covered my palms. “I’m no commander anymore,” I gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Should I call you Deserter Vid, then? More fitting?”

Zaoh’s gravelly voice sounded vaguely amused, almost playful. Maybe Ami had told him. If I knew about him becoming a traitor to the Haffas, maybe he’d found out about me too. Only I had a reason to know about him. A personal reason. Perhaps he had one as well. Perhaps he knew it had been me commanding the troops that caught him and his sister…. My mind said to calm down, to rein in my pulse.

I turned around halfway, still not facing him. “So you’re Traitor Dem, then?”

Tense silence fell between us. It was a cheap shot. He wasn’t really a traitor while I was a deserter. It would have been better to turn around and leave. My feet refused to respond, though. They were glued to the floor. His simple presence messed with my wiring. I gravitated toward him so strongly it was a constant conscious effort to pull away. To what end, I didn’t have the vaguest—about both impulses.

“At least I didn’t leave my troops by choice,” he finally said.

No, he hadn’t. His sister had been killed in interrogation. After that, against all odds and beyond any possible logic, Zaoh Dem had escaped Celian incarceration. The reasonable conclusion was he’d sided with us. So Haffas declared him traitor and condemned him to death as soon as he returned to his base. Of course, the man escaped their captivity as well, maybe helped like he’d been to escape ours. He was resourceful like that. No way to get him under control unless he felt like playing nice. Ami was delighted to tell me and his other mercs that particular personality trait the evening he brought Zaoh in. A whole fucking universe at his disposal, and the bastard had to end up where I was. What were the odds?

I cleared my throat and stuffed my hands into the pockets of my khaki overalls. “Had something to say to me, other than that?” His heavy boots had a considerable distance between them. I imagined him standing there, tall and strong, sort of majestic. I didn’t dare to look at him as I waited for an answer.

He seemed to ponder on it, tapped the tip of his boot a few times. “Despise Haffas so much you won’t even look at me?”

I smiled tightly. “You’ve read me wrong. Buried my war with Haffas a long time ago.”

“Just despise me, then?”

“Not at all.”

He took one step closer, small but significant to my pulse—it skyrocketed. “Then look at me.”

I had to use all my willpower to find his eyes with mine. The brutal force of his gaze struck me worse than I’d expected, but I held strong. “Well? What is it? Wanted to get chummy?”

He snorted. “Don’t overestimate yourself. Just letting you know we’re on this mission together.”

No. That little azure bastard wouldn’t dare.

topten

Top ten foods Ron & Zaoh would want to play in bed with

  1. Frozen yogurt – face it, there are endless possibilities to have fun with it, plus it’s a healthy incecream alternative right? Mercs gotta watch their figure…
  2. Chocolate cream – not so healthy, but oh so good…
  3. Whipped cream – again, not too healthy, but damn good!
  4. Honey – really difficult to get off the sheets, and it makes everything SO very sticky, but loads of fun :D
  5. Cocoa butter – for smooth, awesomely aromatic reasons :D
  6. Lavender oil – because we love the scent and it’s definitely fun to play with!
  7. Fruity pudding – really fun texture to experiment with, plus it’s nice and cool without being frosty :D
  8. Grapes – because Ron loved feeding them and Zaoh love eating them… total serendipity here, right?
  9. Strawberries – despite Zaoh’s pigheadedness, they’re sexy…
  10. Milk – stop grinning, it’s fun, nutritious and good for your skin :p

Most important thing to keep in mind is however you play with food in bed, never, and we mean never, get it too near to your really private parts.

Have any suggestions for other cool foods to play with?

 

 

abouttheauthor

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Liv Olteano is a voracious reader, music lover, and coffee addict extraordinaire. And occasional geek. Okay, more than occasional.

She believes stories are the best kind of magic there is. And life would be horrible without magic. Her hobbies include losing herself in the minds and souls of characters, giving up countless nights of sleep to get to know said characters, and trying to introduce them to the world. Sometimes they appreciate her efforts. The process would probably go quicker if they’d bring her a cup of coffee now and then when stopping by. Characters—what can you do, right?

Liv has a penchant for quirky stories and is a reverent lover of diversity. She can be found loitering around the Internet at odd hours and being generally awkward and goofy at all times.

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Borrowed Promises by @judithingram20

Borrowed Promises Banner 851 x 315

 

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clip_image002Borrowed Promises

Moonseed Trilogy

Book 2

Judith Ingram

Genre: paranormal romance

Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, LLC

Date of Publication: May 31, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9890632-4-1

ASIN: B00JD0H2ZE

Number of pages: 249 pages

Word Count: 73,300 (approx.)

Cover Artist: Elaina Lee/For the Muse Designs

Book Description:

On the night of the new spring moon, a near-fatal accident propelled Victoria Reeves-Ashton over a century back in time to awaken in the body of Katherine Kamarov.

Now, after three months of pretending to be Katherine and laboring to repair relationships damaged by Katherine's brash and selfish personality, quiet and gentle Victoria finds that her heart is putting down roots in Katherine's world, in her family relationships, and especially in a deepening friendship with Katherine's winsome cousin Michael.

Hidden letters reveal the story of other moonseed-time travelers like herself-and Victoria realizes that she and Katherine will likely be returned to their own times the following spring. Tension mounts when a rich and handsome suitor applies to marry her, and Victoria must choose whether to accept him for Katherine's sake or to follow her own heart.

Ryan Ashton, the husband Victoria left behind, is baffled by the woman his wife has suddenly become. Unwilling to believe her story about an exchange in time, Ryan struggles to understand the stark transformation of his timid, remote wife into a sexually aggressive and captivating siren. Against his better judgment, he falls hard for this new woman who is a perplexing mixture of cruelty, sensuality, and tenderness, a woman who he suspects has the power to either break his heart or heal the aching loneliness he has lived with all his life.

Amazon paperback Amazon Kindle BN Kobo

Signed by the Author

excerpt

I bit my lip, wanting to avoid any subject that could ruin the easy camaraderie of our afternoons together. Michael had been friendly and funny, teasing me gently, treating me with the easy affection of an older brother. Once or twice I'd caught him watching me with a fierce intentness that made my heart skip. But then he'd grin or offer a quip that made us both laugh, and the uncomfortable moment would pass.

I enjoyed the lightness of our friendship, grateful for the reprieve. In the rose garden at Summerwood and later on the trip to San Francisco, I had felt the slow but persistent budding of a new feeling that both thrilled and frightened me. The lightest touch of Michael's hand pricked up hairs along my skin like electricity; his boyish grin twisted a slow, sweet pain deep into my body. His clean, male scent in close proximity could stun me with unexpected waves of need, often forcing me to look away so he wouldn't see the flame in my eyes.

I couldn't allow Michael to guess where my heart was taking me—because of Raymond.

Although many things were unclear to me, one fact seemed certain—Katherine must marry Raymond Delacroix and have at least one child with him. If I gave in to my new feelings for Michael, and if I were cruel enough to let him see them, then I risked both hurting him and ruining Katherine's chances with Raymond when she came back to her own time.

And Katherine would come back. I was convinced of it, all my desperate wishes to the contrary. She would marry Raymond, give birth to Elise, and secure a future that would eventually lead to her daughter painting a picture of Katherine and me at the bridge over Two Trees Creek. By the same token, I would return to life as a lingerie model and a cold marriage with Ryan Ashton. Ryan.

"What?" Michael's voice made me jump and turn my head.

"What?"

"You said 'Ryan' again."

"I did?"

Michael had removed his glasses, and he blinked at me from only a foot away. God, he has beautiful eyes, I thought. Soft gray-green depths that held me breathless, fighting a slow, aching pull to be in his arms.

"He's…nobody," I said.

Michael was studying me, his eyes so solemn and searching that I couldn't look away. He didn't speak, but in that moment my heart yearned toward him, and he saw it. His expression changed. His gaze moved slowly from my eyes to my mouth.

I turned my face away and shut my eyes over a sudden sting of tears.

"Kat?" he said softly.

His voice held a new, cautious note of intimacy. A moment later his thumb brushed my wet cheek, and the tenderness of his touch wrenched a low cry from me. I pushed his hand away and struggled to sit upright.

"Don't touch me!" Pain made my voice sharp. "You can't touch me, Michael!"

But his hand was already under my elbow, helping me to sit. He pushed a handkerchief into my hand.

"Here. Take it." He sounded bewildered and hurt. "Seems you'd rather do the job yourself."

He watched me wipe my eyes and blow my nose with his handkerchief. I couldn't look at him, and after a moment he reached for his glasses and slipped them on.

In a tight voice he asked, "Do you still want to visit Union Square?"

I pressed the soggy handkerchief to my lips and nodded.

Michael pushed himself to his feet and thrust out a hand to help me up. We folded the blanket between us, careful not to touch each other's fingers, and he picked up the hamper. As we crossed the grass in uneasy silence, a fresh roll of tears made me reach into my handbag for a clean handkerchief. A flash of copper tumbled into the grass.

I stopped quickly, but Michael was quicker. He scooped up the coin, examined it briefly, and gave it back to me.

"You still carrying that thing around?"

I looked up at him, my handkerchief arrested halfway to my face. "My coin? What do you know about my coin?"

He squinted at me and frowned. "You're kidding, right? I was with you when you paid a nickel for that worthless thing at the county fair. You said it was good luck, and you carried it around in your pocket for years." He stopped at my look. "What is it?"

"Michael, are you certain this is the same coin?"

I handed it back to him. His gaze lingered on my face, puzzled, before he examined the coin. He weighed it briefly on his palm, flipped it over, and gave it back to me.

"Of course I'm certain." He pointed his finger at the familiar nick in the rim. "There's where the wagon wheel ran over it, and you were so furious because you thought the magic was ruined." He screwed up his eyes against the sun and studied me. "What's the matter with you, Kat? You're looking at me like I've got two heads."

I shook my head in dazed wonder, suspended once again in that universe where Katherine's world and mine overlapped and where it made perfect sense that her lucky coin should have somehow come to me—twice.

Authorcage

When did you first consider yourself a "writer"?

When I was in first grade, I wrote a short story about a poodle, and the story made it into the school newsletter. My first published work! I don't recall a definitive moment when I decided I was a writer; I just always felt like one.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

My first book was a nonfiction Christian book entitled A Devotional Walk with Forgiveness. I completed the manuscript in December, and the following March I was offered a contract. The paperback was released seventeen months later.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

My publisher is Vinspire Publishing, operating out of Ladson, South Carolina. Dawn Carrington, editor-in-chief, and her staff support and encourage especially the new authors through the process of polishing and preparing a manuscript for publication. I was thrilled to have my work picked up by this talented team of publishing professionals!

What can we expect from you in the future? i.e., More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I am currently working on a new novel I would call contemporary women's fiction. A young woman who has just lost her mother to cancer and her husband to infidelity learns that she has a birth twin and determines to bring this stranger into her life. On my inspirational blog I post weekly devotionals on forgiveness, which I plan to pull together for a Christian inspirational nonfiction book.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

My favorite human character has to be Michael. He is so honest, tender and quirky, I enjoyed every scene I wrote for him. In so many ways he reflects my husband, whom I definitely adore! My favorite non-human character is Henry the cat. I love all things feline, and Henry is a perfect blend of lofty indifference to the world and endearing loyalty to Katherine's shy little brother, Robbie. Henry holds a few surprises for readers in Book 2 of the trilogy, Borrowed Promises.

How long have you been writing? and who or what inspired you to write?

My first efforts at writing call to mind my Aunt Elsie's old Underwood typewriter. In a way, that old typewriter was my first inspiration because I adored the physical process of slapping the keys through an ink ribbon and leaving a trail of neat type across a white page. It didn't matter what I typed; it just looked so cool to see those rows of type making sentences and then paragraphs and then chapters. Seated on two phonebooks at first and one as I got taller, I would peck away the afternoons while my sisters played under the leafy magnolia in my aunt's backyard. When I finished typing, I stapled the sheets together down one side to make a "book." I wish now I had kept even one of those "books" so I could peek into that child's mind and see what ideas were burgeoning.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Yes, I do read all the reviews I can find. Even though the harsh reviews hurt, I appreciate when people take the time to comment, and many times a criticism will point out a flaw that I need to fix in my writing. We can be so blind to our faults and need to be prodded out of our limited mindset to see the writing from someone else's perspective. The trick is to sift through a review for valuable feedback while dismissing groundless rants or viewpoints with which I flat out disagree.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I play with titles all through the process of writing. I change the title umpteen times. Until the book is finally published, I consider the title a working title, subject to change. Sometimes we get to the end of a project, and the product is very different from the idea we had at the outset. The title should reflect the final product, not necessarily the germinating idea.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

Like titles, I am always playing with names. I notice names in everyday conversations, in news media, in books I'm reading. I try first and last names together to see how they fit, what feelings they generate. However, once I settle on a character name, I rarely change it. The name is so important that my concept of the character roots itself in the name, and they become permanently bonded. Hard or soft consonants, the rhythm of syllables, the look of the name printed on a page all reflect the personality of the character I'm creating. I can't think of any character trait more significant or persuasive than a person's name. Place names are also very important, but I choose them to reflect the needs of the characters. For example, Summerwood Cottage—the little house Victoria loves and decides to restore—suggests the warm summer season when growing things flourish and ripen, much like her life in Katherine's world. Rosswood House has a more commanding sound to it, and as "Ross" is another word for "Russian," it reflects and personifies its arrogant builder, Katherine's father, Alexander Rostnova.

Do you decide on character traits (i.e., shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I know from the beginning what personality traits my characters will have. These traits play so strongly into the fundamental story conflicts that I can't leave them to whim. I get those ironed out as I'm hatching who is the protagonist, antagonist, etc. With all that said, characters do tend to correct me as I'm writing, and I need to listen to them. For example, when I began to write Moonseed, I had a clear idea of Victoria as my protagonist. I imagined Katherine to be merely her shadow side, essentially selfish and corrupt, necessary to the plot only to help tell Victoria's story. Katherine herself, however, had different ideas. She refused to let me write her as a mere shadow side of Victoria but revealed herself as a passionate and complex personality in her own right. As a result of Katherine's persistence, Moonseed evolved into a narrative of two complete and parallel stories told in three volumes: Bridge to the Past, Borrowed Promises, and Into the Mist.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books?

An underlying message in Moonseed says, When life opens a door, don't be afraid to walk through it. Adventure and fulfillment await those willing to take a risk and follow their hearts.

Which format of book do you prefer: e-book, hardback, or paperback?

I like hardcover best, even though some bigger books get heavy. I like to hold a book in my hands and smell the pages and browse through the front and back matter. When I read a book on my Kindle, I tend to forget the title and the author's name and later cannot recall where I saw a particular passage. That's so annoying when I want to go back and reread something or clarify a point.

Do you think that books transfer to movies well? Which is your favorite/worst book-to-movie transfer?

Yes, I am a big fan of movies, and I think the transfer can be done well. Star Wars is a good example of a movie that was actually better than the book. I thought Lord of the Rings did a good job of translation. That story is so big that the movie had to compromise on scenes and ended up combining concepts, but still it kept the mood and characterization right, and the essential story came across with beauty and strength that reflected well on Tolkien. When I think of poor translations, the 1940 Hitchcock rendition of Rebecca comes to mind, with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. The movie version of the story was twisted and stilted and left out so many essential details. The remake with Jeremy Brett and Joanna David was a little better. Perhaps I am not the best one to judge because I adore Daphne du Maurier, and reading her is such pleasure that probably no movie would satisfy me.

Your favorite food is?

A really good cheesecake. I don't think oatmeal would qualify as a favorite food, but I do have a bowl for breakfast nearly every day of my life.

Your favorite color is?

Blue, especially a soft ocean blue.

Your favorite Author is?

You guessed it! Daphne du Maurier. Her writing is exquisite, her stories compelling, and she is magnificent at creating atmosphere.

 

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  abouttheauthor

 clip_image006

  Judith Ingram weaves together her love of romance and her training as a counselor to create stories and characters for her novels. She also writes Christian nonfiction books and enjoys speaking to groups on a variety of inspirational topics. She lives with her husband in the San Francisco East Bay and makes frequent trips to California's beautiful Sonoma County, where most of her fiction characters reside. She confesses a love for chocolate, cheesecake, romantic suspense novels, and all things feline.

Website, blog & free weekly devotional: http://JudithIngram.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@judithingram20

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/judith-ingram/a/122/62

Book Blast & Giveaway: MASTERED: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender

TOUR BUTTON - Mastered Box Set Book Blast_thumb[1]

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Mastered #D cover_thumb[2]MASTERED: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender
Contributing Authors: Opal Carew, Portia Da Costa, Madelynne Ellis, Marie Harte, Joey Hill,
T.J. Michaels, Kate Pearce, Carrie Ann Ryan, Sasha White, Emily Ryan-Davis and Jennifer Leeland
ISBN-13: 9781928115014
ASIN: B00L1HYMSW
Publisher: Uncommonly Romantic Books
Publication Date: 7/21/2014
Print Length: 750 pages
AVAILABLE JULY 21 - PREORDER NOW:
Amazon UK -  http://bit.ly/mastereduk
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Three Secrets by New York Times and USA Today bestseller Opal CarewSharing secrets has never been so exhilarating...Nicole and Abel met in Paris and fell in love, but Nicole believes her secret lifestyle will drive Abel away. After the vacation ends, she decides to take a chance and share her secret, but little does she know he has a secret of his own.
His Secret by International and UK Sunday Times bestseller Portia Da Costa
Quiet storm…
Ben Chambers is the perfect handsome boyfriend. Sarah adores him, yet despite their delicious lovemaking and the fun they share, she senses he has a secret. But then, during a luxury weekend away, one casual pat to her bottom transforms everything, revealing Ben’s thrilling hidden dominance, and a world of decadent pleasure and deeper love.
Remastered by Multi-Award-Winner Madelynne Ellis
A bad experience with a former girlfriend caused Spook Mortensen to repress his sexual urges, but when sound engineer Allegra Hutton is called upon to remaster Black Halo's first album, there's only so much attitude and stubborn refusal to listen to the bands' wishes he can take before he's forced to break his self-imposed vow and take her in hand.
Working Out by USA Today bestseller Marie HarteWhen lust turns to love, who’s really on top?
An ex-Marine with a kink for dominance, Mac is Maggie’s boss. But Maggie doesn’t seem to realize he’s in charge…until he shows her that Sir is more than a title. It’s a lifestyle that could suit them both. That’s if Maggie sticks around long enough to wear his collar.
The Scientific Method by bestseller Joey Hill
Mastering her body was easy. Mastering her heart and soul will be an erotic science…In the vampire-servant relationship, the vampire holds all the power. Being Lord Brian’s research assistant as well as his servant, Debra accepts that, but she craves her Master’s heart. When Brian notices his servant’s unhappiness, he uses methods they both understand to prove just what belonging to him fully means.
Juicy by bestseller T.J. MichaelsTwilight Teahouse ~ Choose something decadent from our menu…Solie Shaw is a brilliant self-made woman. After managing a corporation by day, at night, all she wants is to not be in charge. The last man she’d gifted her heart to had smashed it to smithereens and then did the mambo on top of the pieces. Now, along comes the chance to get exactly what she needs. All Solie has to do…is choose.
No Limits by USA Today bestseller Kate PearceAll bets are off when there are no limits…
Dr. Julia Reed deals with life or death situations at a California ER. When British businessman Alex Logan offers her a sexual bargain, she gets to share her darkest fantasies; he gets the power to carry them out. But who is the real winner in this high stakes game, and is Alex even playing fair?
Ink Reunited by USA Today bestseller Carrie Ann Ryan
Only two men can give Sassy the happily ever after she craves.
Rafe, Ian and Sassy loved each other…until it all blew apart. Now both men are back for the woman they love. It will take more than apologies for these three to overcome their history. But once they take that step, the streets of New Orleans will never be the same.
Unfettered: An Overwatch Story by Sasha WhiteYou never forget your first love
Mechanic Ronnie Lang is tired of being "one of the guys". Chasing the fantasy of finding a dominant male to help her explore her sexuality she applies to Overwatch, a private BDSM club where her eyes are opened to a world that’s more than she ever imagined, and the man she’s never forgotten.
Bondage on 34th Street by Emily Ryan-Davis & Jennifer Leeland
In knots over love
After years of searching, Tasha Sears finally finds the Master of her heart …on his knees in front of intimidatingly sexy bondage enthusiast Noah Dreyfuss. As sparks flare between the three, Noah’s ropes will either bind them together or pull them apart.
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No Limits
copyright@Kate Pearce 2014

“I know what I like.”
 “Let me guess. You want a man to tie you up, spank your arse and make you call him Sir.”
“There’s nothing wrong with any of those things in a consensual relationship.”
“I agree, but I don’t play those kind of games.”
“I’m not sure I believe you. You said—“
He held up his hand. “I said I liked giving my lovers what they wanted.”
“So if I asked you to tie me up and flog me, you’d be okay with that?”
His eyes were cold. “I don’t play games.”
I studied his calm face. “Then what do you do?”
“If you really want to know I suggest you have dinner with me.”
“You’re relentless.”


2.

“A lot of people hate it when they achieve their dreams.”
“Not me.” I returned his stare. “Are you waiting for me to feel ashamed of myself or something?”
“I’d hate it if you did.”
“Good, because I’m not ashamed of a single thing.”
He clicked on the remote, and an image of me standing naked appeared on the screen.
“My ass looks big.” I commented.
“Your arse is fine. Why are women so critical of themselves? I don’t think a single man in that room was thinking that.”

Excerpt from Remastered by Madelynne Ellis

“I’ve been broken,” he replied, gently brushing stray threads of hair from her upturned face. “You might think I’m still broken given the sorts of things I like.”
“What kind of things?” She wished he’d be plainer spoken instead of so cryptic.
Spook moved his hand from her temple and instead splayed it across the front of her throat. Alle’s breath immediately hitched. She felt vulnerable with his palm covering her windpipe and his thumb and forefinger tucked against the ridge of her jaw, but at the same time, arousal bloomed inside of her, leaving her breasts feeling heavy and a mellow throb drumming between her thighs.
“Do you like pain, Alle? I do, I enjoy inflicting it. I like seeing women tied up. I like photographing their skin when it’s been reddened by numerous smacks.”
Dear God, had he really said that? Her mouth turned dry. It wasn’t what she’d expected. Hoped for, yes, but never anticipated.
“I like to wrap the strap from my guitar around their wrists and bind their hands behind their backs.”
She could picture him doing that to her, winding the long strap round and round, and then up between both hands. She’d be naked at the time, and on her knees, and oh so dreadfully aware of what came next.
“Do that to me,” she blurted.

An Excerpt from WORKING OUT, by Marie Harte

The knock came again.
“Hold on,” she called out and tossed off her blanket. She trudged to the floor in wool socks and peered through the peep hole. She froze. After a moment, she opened the door. “Yes?”
Mac Jameson stood in the communal hallway of the aging Victorian looking edible in jeans and a black leather jacket. In the hall lighting, his bright blue eyes glinted with some indefinable emotion.
“Here. These are for you.” He held out a bouquet of pink roses.
“Ah, what?”
The intensity on his face faded, and a smile took the place of his frown. “That is one ugly robe.”
“Hey!”
He stepped forward and would have trampled her if she hadn’t moved back. Before she knew it, he’d entered her apartment and closed and locked the door behind him.
“Nice trick.”
“It’s called being persuasive.” He put the flowers in her hand and closed her fingers over the smooth stems.
“You brought me flowers?” Mystified, she didn’t know what to think. Was this another part of his nonsexual dating technique?
“You want them or not?”
“Yes, yes.” She hugged them to her when he moved to take them back. Flowers. When was the last time a man had brought her roses? “Such an ungrateful gift giver. Thank you. I love them.”
She turned and left to rummage in the kitchen for a vase. After she’d arranged and watered them, she put them in the center of her dining table. “So pretty.” She glanced up to see Mac right in front of her. “Mac?”
“Yeah. So pretty,” he rumbled and tugged her to him using her belt.
Her robe parted just as he planted a warm, hungry kiss on her mouth. Maggie could only kiss him back, caught up in an inferno of unfulfilled desire. Everything inside her hungered for the magic of a man who didn’t hesitate to take what he wanted.
He broke the kiss and ran his mouth down her neck. “What are you wearing under this?”
“N-nothing.”
He tensed and pulled back. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I just took a shower.” She frowned, wondering what it took to break the man’s resolve.
“I am so screwed,” she thought she heard him mutter under his breath. In a louder voice, he said, “I came over to say hi. You’ve been avoiding me this week, and I wanted to make sure we were still good.”
“I was only keeping my distance from a crabby boss with control issues.”
“Yeah, about those issues… Thing is, I want to fuck you.”
“O-kay.” The man’s thoughts shifted like the wind. “And this makes you crabby because…?”
“Because what I want from you is a little different from what you’re probably used to. I want us to get to know each other better so you’ll feel okay about sleeping with me, my way.”
She caught her breath. “Spell it out. What exactly do you want me to do with you?”
“Everything I want, exactly the way I want it.” He tilted her chin up so that he could look straight into her eyes. “I want to play games with you. Ones where we need a safeword. Where you call me Sir and you obey me.” He kissed her again, and she felt her robe begin to open. Then his hands were inside, stroking her heated flesh. “I want to own your body in bed. Would you be willing to let me do that?”
“All this for some roses?” she replied while trying to make sense of her dreams suddenly meshing with reality.
He chuckled. “Nah. The roses were to show you I was thinking of you.” He cupped her breasts, and his eyes darkened. “But this is way more than I’d planned on asking for.” He fully parted her robe and stared down at her. Slowly, he bent his head and took a flushed, pert nipple in his mouth.
He sucked hard, and her knees buckled. She moaned and hung on to him for dear life.
Mac turned his attention to her other breast and teased and nipped until she teetered on an orgasm. She’d never been so sensitive before, but moisture coated the insides of her thighs.
“Yeah. This is what I want. You helpless in my arms.” He kissed her, his tongue penetrating while his hands moved down to cage her waist. “Maggie… fuck. I wanted to wait, but no more. I want you, but I’ll go easy with my demands.” He gripped her tight and kissed her again. “What do you think?”
She stared up at him when he pulled away. Her robe hung open, but he looked only at her eyes.
“I think… I think we should go back to my bedroom.” She tugged him with her, sure only that the time had come to finally have Mac Jameson. Tomorrow could take care of itself. Tonight belonged to her.
















































































Book Bast & Giveaway: KNIGHT AVENGED by @coreenecallahan

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KNIGHT AVENGED
Circe of Seven, #2
Released July 15

Alone in a world on the brink of war…two unlikely allies will discover a love greater than time.
Exiled from her home, powerful oracle Cosmina Cordei holds the key to uniting those protecting mankind from evil. But just as she makes her way into the holy city to perform an ancient rite, the enemy closes in for the kill.

Drawn by a destiny he won’t accept…elite assassin, Henrik Lazar, detests the mystical curse handed down by his mother. But when the sorcery in his blood is activated and past pain comes back to haunt him, his new abilities come into play and he must learn to control them.

Rescued by Henrik in the heat of battle, Cosmina must decide whether to trust the assassin who loathes the goddess she serves or face certain death on her own. Forced into an untenable position, Henrik is left with a terrible choice—protect the magical Order he despises, or deny destiny and lose the woman he loves forever.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Avenged-Circle-Seven-2-ebook/dp/B008H5VWVG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398342253&sr=8-1&keywords=knight+avenged

So pick up your copy today. And if you haven’t had a chance, grab the first book in the series, Knight Awakened, too and settle in for a wild, magic-filled ride.

BOOK TRAILER: http://youtu.be/o_KdxrTIIlU

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Circe of Seven, #1

In AD 1331, warlord Vladimir Barbu seizes control of Transylvania. But in spite of his bloody triumph, his claim to the throne remains out of reach. The king of Hungary opposes his rule, the Transylvanian people despise his brutal ways, and the high priestess needed to crown him has vanished without a trace. But Barbu hasn’t come this far only to be thwarted by a woman. He unleashes his best hunters to track her down and bring her to him — dead or alive. For Xavian Ramir, killing is the only life he has ever known. Torn from his family when he was a child, he was trained from an early age to be an elite assassin. But now he longs for something more, vowing to start anew after one last job. The bounty on his target’s head is enough to set him up for good — if he can resist the long-dead conscience that stirs to life when he meets his beautiful mark. Afina Lazar never wanted to become high priestess, but the brutal murders of her beloved mother and sister leave her no choice. Now she is running for her life, desperate to protect the magical amulet entrusted to her care. But when Barbu’s assassin comes for her, she realizes her only chance of stopping the warlord’s rise to power is to convince this enigmatic — and handsome — hunter that she is more valuable alive than dead. Dramatic and fast-paced, Knight Awakened is a stirring love story between two people searching for a second chance in a magical world of assassins, warlords, unearthly beasts, and nonstop adventure.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Awakened-Circle-Coreene-Callahan/dp/1455885908/ref=la_B006NAHH48_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1349251261&sr=1-4

 

 

 

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abouttheauthor

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As the only girl on all guys hockey teams from age six through her college years, Coreene Callahan knows a thing or two about tough guys and loves to write about them. Call it kismet. Call it payback after years of locker room talk and ice rink antics, but whatever you call it, the action better be heart stopping, the magic electric, and the story wicked, good fun.

After graduating with honors in psychology and working as an interior designer, she finally succumbed to her overactive imagination and returned to her first love: writing. And when she’s not writing, she’s dreaming of magical worlds full of dragon-shifters, elite assassins, and romance that’s too hot to handle. Callahan currently lives in Canada with her family and writing buddy, a fun-loving golden retriever.

 

 

 

Connect with Coreene:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

http://www.coreenecallahan.com/

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https://twitter.com/coreenecallahan

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321960.Coreene_Callahan