by Angela Smith | Jul 15, 2014 | Guests
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Three randomly drawn commenters will each received a prize pack of eight autographed paperbacks. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Do YOU Believe in the Pants?
Each summer, thousands secretly flock to a tiny yet charming hole-in-the-wall known as The Happy Pants Café. And what are they searching for? It’s not coffee. And it’s not pants. It’s true love, and they find it!
So what’s with the quirky name and what, exactly, is the café’s big secret? Harper Branton, a columnist for the San Francisco Tribune, who’d sooner believe in unicorns than in true love, is about to find out. And it’s the perfect story to save her train wreck of a career.
Too bad she’s got competition. He’s sexy, he’s arrogant, and he thinks she’s crazy. What kind of person doesn’t believe in love? And this coming from a dude!
When these two rivals go head to head, it’s more like a WWF smackdown. A shared history binds them in wonderful, terrible ways quickly making their duel about more than just a news story. Will they tear each other apart for the win or end up as two new satisfied Happy Pants customers?
For an excerpt, as well as a look at the characters and places from the story, visit the author’s website.
About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author, Host of The Man Candy Show
When San Francisco native, Mimi Jean, went on an adventure as an exchange student to Mexico City, she never imagined the journey would lead to writing Romance. But one Mexican MBA, one sexy Mexican husband, and two rowdy kids later, Mimi would trade in corporate life for vampires, deities, and snarky humor. She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback (for men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most. She also enjoys interacting with her fans (especially if they’re batshit crazy). You can always find her chatting away on Facebook, Twitter, or saying many naughty words on her show MAN CANDY on Radioslot.com.
www.MimiJean.net
http://radioslot.com/
https://twitter.com/MimiJeanRomance
https://www.facebook.com/MimiJeanPamfiloff
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by Angela Smith | May 23, 2014 | Guests
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marta will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Some secrets can’t stay hidden, especially when they involve murder…
Liz Farrell is still reeling over the murder of her mother almost a year earlier at the hands of her father, Leo Bauer, when she receives the startling news that she’s inherited her estranged father’s sizable estate. Unable to come to terms with her father’s unspeakable legacy, Liz and her grandmother, Kate Stanton, visit Leo’s property in Benedict Canyon, desperately hoping to find closure. Instead, they find a bunker hidden under an old hunting lodge that had been used by Leo at one time to hold Liz’s mother captive. Horrified by the discovery, Liz immediately orders the bunker filled and the lodge destroyed but the ensuing demolition quickly comes to a grinding halt after a man’s remains are discovered in a shallow grave at the base of the old lodge. Once the press get wind of the gruesome discovery, rumors quickly surface, linking the remains to a murder spree that took place at the same address almost half a century earlier; a murder spree conveniently covered up by the governor at the time who also happened to be Leo Bauer’s stepbrother. Liz and Kate’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the murders are soon hampered by family secrets and a killer who’s intent on finishing the job started almost fifty years ago.
Enjoy this excerpt:
I need to escape him. I need to escape the man who is both my lover and my captor, but there is nowhere to run.
With a firm grip on my good arm, he pulls me along after him through the crush of humanity, toward the converging crowds gathering at Pandora’s Box on the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights. The closer we get to our destination, the louder and more boisterous the crowds of protestors and police seem to become. I cry out in pain as my body is jostled, hurting my dislocated left shoulder, which is supported only by the flimsy sling he has fashioned for me. However, he doesn’t hear me cry out because he’s too busy trying to keep up with his two friends.
For a second, I actually toy with the idea of wrenching my arm out of his grip and making a run for it, but almost immediately, I’m overcome by a fear so paralyzing that I’m barely able to breathe. He’s already given me a nasty taste of what he will do to me if I ever try leaving him. He’s promised to stop at nothing—and spare no one—until he finds me, even if it means killing every member of my family. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living with this monster, it’s to always take his threats seriously. With a sinking heart, I realize I am nothing more than a pawn to him; valuable when needed, but as with everything in his life, sadly expendable once I’ve served my purpose in his pursuit of his master plan. He has very few displays of human emotion, so it’s difficult to figure out what he’s thinking at any given time. One thing I am sure of, though, is that he trusts no one, least of all me.
About the Author:
By the time Marta Tandori reached fifth grade, she was an avid reader and writer with a stack of short stories collecting dust in a box under her bed but it wasn’t until she began studying acting in her early twenties at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York that Marta realized acting wasn’t really her passion – writing fiction was. What followed was years of writing workshops as well as correspondence courses in writing for children through the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut. She credits the award winning author, Troon Harrison, as the instructor who helped her find her literary voice. Marta’s first work of middle-grade fiction, BEING SAM, NO MATTER WHAT was published in 2005, followed by EVERY WHICH WAY BUT KUKU! in 2006. With her more recent endeavors, Marta has shifted her writing focus to mysteries and suspense having “strong female protagonists with closets full of nasty skeletons and the odd murder or two to complicate their already complicated lives”. To learn more about Marta, please visit her website at http://martatandori.com, her Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/MartaTandoriAuthor, or
by Angela Smith | May 8, 2014 | Books, Guests
Welcome to today’s tour and review of Ultimate Kill, by Kristine Mason. Kristine will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift card to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Be sure to make a comment, and click on the link to follow the tour for more chances to win!
Blurb:
When the past collides with the present, the only way to ensure the future lies in the ultimate kill…
Naomi McCall is a woman of many secrets. Her family has been murdered and she’s been forced into hiding. No one knows her past or her real name, not even the man she loves.
Jake Tyler, former Marine and the newest recruit to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, has been in love with a woman who never existed. When he learns about the lies Naomi has weaved, he’s ready to leave her—until an obsessed madman begins sending her explosive messages every hour on the hour.
Innocent people are dying. With their deaths, Naomi’s secrets are revealed and the truth is thrust into the open. All but one. Naomi’s not sure if Jake can handle a truth that will change their lives. But she is certain of one thing—the only way to stop the killer before he takes more lives is to make herself his next victim.
Excerpt:
Naomi’s heart raced. Her mouth went dry. An uncontrollable shiver ran through her body.
The past five years suddenly disintegrated. As if she’d just woken from a disjointed nightmare, the months of running, of searching for the perfect place to hide in plain sight, the lonely days and even lonelier nights faded into a blur.
Jake.
Tears welled in her eyes. For the lost years, the lost love, for the future they could never have. She quickly blinked them away and opened the car door. Her legs weak, her stomach somersaulting with embarrassment, excitement and regret, she placed a shaky hand on the door for support. A small part of her wanted to climb back into the car, drive off and pretend Jake had never come to Woodbine. But a large part of her, the part that had never stopped loving him, that had never allowed the memories of what they’d had together die, wanted to run to him. Throw her arms around his neck and kiss him.
“Jake,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. He looked so damned good. Tan, lean, muscular, his big toned arms showing from beneath his short sleeve golf shirt, his dark hair no longer in his trademark military crew cut.
Chin trembling, hand still clinging to the opened car door, she took a small, tentative step forward. “Jake,” she said louder, firmer.
He pushed off the SUV and slowly approached, his gaze never wavering from hers. Lightheaded, she stayed put, kept her hand on the door for fear she might crumble to the asphalt. She’d dreamed of seeing him again, had imagined what she might say, the excuses she could give him. But anything she’d ever come up with had sounded terrible, selfish and ridiculous. Even if what she’d tell him was the truth.
Now that he was less than five feet away from her, she had no idea what to say or do. A million questions buzzed through her mind. Was he married? Did he have children? Fresh tears filled her eyes. God, she really was a selfish bitch. She wanted him happy, had always prayed he’d find someone to love, but deep down she’d hated the thought of him loving someone else. Making love to another woman. Creating a child. A future that hadn’t included her.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice rough, raw. He blinked, looked to the ground and took a couple of more steps until he stood within arm’s reach. When he met her gaze, she expected anger and resentment, instead she found anguish, longing and heat in his dark eyes.
She pressed her lips together to stop her chin from trembling and swiped at an errant tear. She’d hurt him. Because she’d loved him so much, she had no choice but to run from him.
Until the bastard who’d murdered her family and forced her into this self-imposed exile was rotting in Hell, she’d keep running. Otherwise, Jake would end up like everyone else she’d loved.
Dead.
My Review:
I don’t know where to start with my review, so I’ll start with the beginning. The beginning drew me in and I longed to know more about the reunited lovers, Jake and Naomi. I confess to skipping ahead through repetitive thoughts once they were reunited, because I couldn’t wait to read more about the villains! Honey Badger, Ric, Santiago, Vlad … the brothers. They were all interesting characters and the villain was one of the best, and scariest, villains I’ve read in a long time. Those scenes were very well written and Naomi’s conflict with reuniting with Jake was very well understood. Her “stalker” as she called him was super super super villainous and believable. Well written, action-oriented scenes. A clever plot with interesting twists. I highly recommend you pick up a copy and start reading today!
Author Bio and Links:
I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good came from writing it. I realized my passion and found a career I love.
When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.
I’VE BEEN RUNNING A “CONTEST” ON MY WEBSITE. JOIN MY NEWSLETTER AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A $50 AMAZON GC.
LINKS:
Website: www.kristinemason.net
Email: authorkristinemason@gmail.com,
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kristinemasonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristineMason7
Books available on:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kristine-Mason/e/B00BSER7LM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1396891734&sr=1-1
B & N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kristine-mason
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/kristine-mason/id623655646?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Search?query=Kristine%20Mason&fcsearchfield=Author
by Angela Smith | Mar 6, 2014 | Books, Guests
Welcome to today’s Virtual Blurb Blitz Tour!
The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
So be sure to comment, and click the banner to follow the tour for more chances to win!
Blurb:
Thirteen-year-old Derek’s cool snowboard adventure does a dangerous rewind, because his Burton Hero board holds the key to an unsolved crime.
Two Degrees From Zero is a story that opens up the world of snowboarding and surviving hazardous winter conditions in Keystone, Colorado.
Derek, his mom, and teen friend Janae (The Clan) are invited on a snowboarding vacation by his mom’s new romance Thomas. A blizzard hits during a sleigh ride and dinner at an isolated yurt miles from Keystone. The Clan accepts an offer from two arrogant snowmobilers for a way home. But to The Clan’s dismay instead of going home, they are abandoned in a creepy backwoods cabin.
Derek and Janae sneak out of the old cabin and make a dangerous trek across a white wilderness to find help while the snowmobilers are on the loose. Just as the teens find temporary shelter in an old car, another blizzard rages all night, leaving them hopelessly stranded. And their adventure has only begun.
Derek and Janae must escape the frozen ravages of the blizzard. Derek’s determination to save The Clan while outwitting the thieves is unstoppable. And the thieves are just as determined to find Derek’s snowboard because of the valuable information hidden on the board.
Excerpt…
“You know we’re missing an ultimate powder rush, because we have to ride in this goofy sleigh,” Derek said to Janae.
“Here you go,” Janae said. “Ruining this amazing experience because of your grumpiness.”
“Not grumpy on the slopes today,” Derek said. “Thomas spent lots of bucks on this trip, but I wish he’d stop acting like my dad, or really my Fake Dad.”
“Be nicer to your mom’s friend.”
“Easy for you to say,” Derek retorted. “Want to do the rails with me tomorrow?”
“Maybe. You were so full of yourself ripping through the pow,” Janae teased. “You’re a hucker, and you’ll try whatever trick you see another guy doing. You charge fast, fly through the air, and sometimes you even land upright.”
“I’m not a hucker. Wish I could lay down some cool tricks like the pros do,” Derek said.
“I saw you rolling down the windows a couple of times,” Janae said. “I’ll stick to the jumps.”
“Guess you’ll do anything to catch your balance. I like my cool Burton board I got at the rental shop. Except the left strap gave me trouble,” Derek complained.
“So that’s your excuse for not landing tricks,” Janae said.
Author Bio:
M.J. Stewart is a Colorado author and lives in Colorado Springs. Her love for the outdoors has provided many exciting adventures and include downhill skiing, biking, hiking, camping, and nature photography.
I’m on facebook at: martha.lancaster@facebook.com
I’m on twitter at: @hike4ski
Amazon.com buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Degrees-Zero-Snowboarding-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00GODMSJS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1385687435
by Angela Smith | Mar 3, 2014 | Guests
Knockout! by Emma Calin is free at Amazon this week only!
Emma will be awarding an autographed copy of Shannon’s Law to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click banner or follow here!
Blurb:
A Mafia conspiracy. A female undercover cop. Her target: international sportsman and playboy Freddie La Salle.
Can she fake it? Can she nail the gangsters before her cover is blown? What happens when his charm kicks in, passion takes control and she falls for this charismatic suspect?
KNOCKOUT! The No 1 Kindle Bestseller from Emma Calin
Interpol cop, Anna Leyton, spirals down into a hopeless vortex of sexual and emotional turmoil as she fights to keep her professional cool. But who is deceiving who in this fast moving ride across continents? What motivates the art loving prize-bull of a lover Freddie La Salle?
An action-filled pulse-pounding adventure novel. A tense and erotic romantic affair. Can a relationship survive when it is founded on deceit? Can she prove her man is innocent? Can she escape with her life and her love?
The power of love and trust stands against greed and crime as conflicting forces grapple for that KNOCKOUT punch.
Authors note: This book is quite ‘strongly flavoured’ and features uninhibited, but straightforward steamy sexual scenes between consenting adults and true-to-life street language that would occur in high-stress situations.
Excerpt:
He looked at her with a caress in his brown eyes. The cab was at Hyde Park Corner, just a short way from the Hilton. Her heart hammered. Soon he would step out into the night and never see her again. It had to be that way. You could dream but your story was your story. Better just accept and live it out any way you could.
“You have to sell boats tonight?”
“No… but…”
“So sell me one over a drink at my hotel!” he urged leaning forward, “Surely you want to close on a deal like this?”
She tried to pull herself together. This was fantasy trash with an impossible guy – but what was she afraid of? She could handle this smooth operator, maybe even rough him up a bit.
“But I – I don’t have any brochures with me…”
“Then you can tell me… I’d rather look at you in any case!”
Anna gulped as the cab pulled up. This was pure snake oil and she had a juicy apple in her pocket. He looked at her with questioning eyes that ran between her and the opened door. She followed, feeling as if she had gone into free fall from a plane rather than stepping out of a taxi into the busy swirl of Park Lane.
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Author Bio:
Novelist, philosopher, blogger, poet, would be master chef. A woman pedaling between Peckham & Pigalle, in search of passion & enduring romance.
Emma Calin writes romance novels and gritty short stories about love and survival in the 21st century. She has published a number digital and paperback books which are available from Amazon worldwide.
She blogs about her dual life in St-Savinien sur Charente in South West France and Romsey, a market town in England. She feels extremely lucky to be able to experience the world and life through these two, very different, lenses. She spends any time she can, when not writng, on her tandem exploring the countryside.
Emma also records and produces audio books and plays the trombone (although not at the same time).
Find Emma Calin online:
Mailing list for latest launch news: http://eepurl.com/Jfhxr
Blog: http://www.emmacalin.blogspot.com
Website: http://www.emmacalin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.calin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaCalin
Amazon UK page: http://astore.amazon.co.uk/realifaccto02-21
Amazon USA page: http://astore.amazon.com/realifaccto09-20
About.me: http://about.me/emmacalin
