The Interview with Cait Jarrod author of Breaking All Barriers

Posted on March 17, 2015 by S.J. Maylee

I’m super excited to have Cait Jarrod here today with her brand new release. Her cover for Breaking All Barriers is lovely. She’s brought all kinds of goodies, including a giveaway AND she’s answered a bunch of questions. There’s a special note for you from Cait below, too. Enjoy!

Breaking All Barriers
By Cait Jarrod
Release Date: March 13, 2015
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Can a single kiss change your life?

Businessman Cole Dunbar stays focused inventing the latest techno gadgets. When he learns of his deceased wife’s betrayal, he shuts the door on any personal relationships. There’s just one problem—the sexy Dina Wright who lives down the hall. He can’t keep her out of his thoughts and fantasies. When he sees her frightened on a New York City street, he tosses aside his reservations and reaches out to her.
Dina is high on life. Not only is she starting an advertising agency and her best friend is returning to NYC, an honest-to-God hunk is sending her spine-tingling looks. Despite past betrayals interfering, the budding romance picks up momentum, but Mother Nature spins her wrath. Amidst the chaos, Dina vanishes.

Like the book on Facebook

~THE INTERVIEW~

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for approximately five years. My first book released in February of 2013.

Can you tell us about some of the challenges or tough decisions you’ve had to make in publishing your books?

Picking a publisher that matches my needs the best was the hardest decision, especially with the release of my first book. I didn’t know what I needed or wanted.

I hear you there. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I certainly got lucky with Evernight. Can you tell us about a criticism you’ve received that pushed you into a better writing place?

Yes, I was fortunate to win a critique from Madeline Hunter. She tore it up, told me my scenes were too long, amongst other comments. It stung, but after a day or two of thinking about it, I went on a mission to learn more. Thanks to her, I’ve taken advance-writing classes and now feel I have a better grasp on some of my weaker areas.

That’s amazing. I know some of my biggest growth as a writer came after harsh criticism. Once I could see past the sting, I was able to really see where I needed to go. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?

*snickers* That I could write a novel and love it.

Lol! What is the one thing you do after finishing a story?

Smile.

😀 Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

I just sent my manuscript, Faith-a story in the Girl Code anthology, to my editor.

A little bit about Faith:

Selena Bodine returns to rural Pearl, Ohio, after receiving a frantic phone call from her father. Years had passed since she made her escape into the United States Air Force to leave behind the physical abandonment of her mother, the emotional neglect of her father, and the one man who she refused to let herself love.

Responsibility and honor are the traits former Secret Service agent, Cullen Wilson, lives by. When he finds himself going against his integrity for money to help his brother, his world flips on its axis. Still, the world flipping wasn’t the worst. Locating the woman who jilted him years ago sends him into a whirlwind of angst, love, and hope.

The question is, will Cullen have the strength and patience to wait for Selena to realize she does have Faith in him?

Currently, I’m working on the sequel to Faith, Matt’s story. He’s Cullen’s brother in Faith.

Hi readers!

I’m excited to be here. I hope everyone is staying warm and safe this winter.
From March 13-19, I’m having a Facebook party on Breaking All Barriers’ page, https://www.facebook.com/BreakingAllBarriersbyCaitJarrod. Each day, there will be a chance to win an autograph print book, ebooks, and more. Speaking of which, I have a raffle coinciding with the blog tour for an autograph copy of Breaking All Barriers. You can enter below. In addition, leave comments on the blogs with an email address and your name will be entered.

RAFFLE!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading!
A huge thank you to the blog host for having Breaking All Barriers and me!
~Cait

Excerpt:

A single gunshot echoed in the night.
An invisible death-grip tightened his throat. The road and buildings warped. Sound faded. Cole’s fear came to fruition, the worst moment of his life.
He needed eyes on Dina now!
Cole forced his legs to move faster into the darkness. The small amount of glow, seeping around the trailer from the junker’s headlights, gave him a visual to the only other intact car, parked next to the overturned truck.
The cloud pattern shifted and the moon brightened the darkened sky. Beyond the downed trailer, demolished truck, past the crinkled unmarked car, hope soared, clenching Cole’s heart and stealing his breath. He stopped and stared, not sure if he could believe his eyes.
The moon spotlighted Dina standing in the middle of the wreckage, staring at the road, her body shaking. Fright and pain visible in her profile felt like a bullet to his chest, forcing the wind out of his lungs and weakening his muscles.
Her gaze left whatever caught her attention and she peered over her shoulder. Their eyes locked. In that moment of time, no one else existed, not the swirling bright blue and red lights approaching or the loud sirens demanding attention.
Too afraid if he ran, his legs would give out from the overwhelming emotions, he walked toward her.
Not moving her gaze from his, she pulled her lips inward and wiped a hand across her face. She’d been through so much. Instinctively, he wanted to pull her to him, feel her warmth against his chest. Afraid sudden movement might scare her, he tempered his urge and stopped in front of her. “Awe, babe.” He stroked a finger down her cheek and searched her face.
Tears welled in her eyes, and something more frightening smeared across her skin—a reddish-brown color—blood

Buy it links:
Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Don’t miss Cait Jarrod’s other works:
girlcode-customdesign-jayAheer2015-smallpreview
Kidnapped Hearts – Band of Friend Series, Book 1
Mystic Hearts-Band of Friend Series, Book 2
Entangled Love
Girl Code anthology, releasing Spring 2015

About the Author:
From writing ‘every girl’s dream heroes’ to ‘strong, down-to-earth heroines,’ Cait Jarrod twists ‘cliff hanging plots’ and ‘clever, unpredictable sub-plots’. She loves diving into a good book as much as she loves writing one.
Mother of three gorgeous daughters, she’s married to her best friend, hangs out with the WWC—a great group of women, and loves a good glass of wine.
Cait’s debut novel, Kidnapped Hearts, won awards in the categories of Best Happily Ever After, Best Suspense, and Editor’s Choice. She also made the Amazon Best Sellers list.

An Interview with Muffy Wilson author of Memories and Kisses

Posted on January 20, 2015 by S.J. Maylee

It’s special treat day!! I finally got my amazing and talented friend, Muffy Wilson to stop by and chat with me. It’s my pleasure to help her promote her new book, Memories and Kisses. So fasten your seatbelts and grab your fan, we’re in for Muffy Wilson’s astonishing world of erotic fiction.

Welcome Muffy……..

SJ: I’m so glad you’re here. 🙂 Let’s dive right in. Could you reveal any personal juicy stories about you?

Muffy: Thank you, SJ, for opening your cyber-home to me. It is a pleasure to be here with you, my dear friend. Well, I was raised in a military family. My father was a USAF Colonel whose work took us to all points from Alaska to France. We moved every two or three years, so I don’t have what most would refer to as a traditional childhood, more like Leave it to Beaver meets the Jetsons. Many of my ‘firsts’ were in France as my formative years developing were north of Paris. So, my first kiss, my first taste of escargot, my first hot dog on a French baguette was at the top of the Eiffel Tower, my first bikini (I was thirteen) was on the French Riviera and I fell in love with a thirty-something lifeguard named Aldo. I thought my father was going straight to an early grave. My mother thought it charming and funny since I wound up looking like a blistered, crying lobster with the worst sun burn ever. No need to worry about Aldo. A few years later, my mother and I were shopping in Paris; it was the day she bought me an alligator handbag, a small one, with a bright red leather interior. I still have it. We were on the Champs Elysees on a corner and everyone was wailing and crying. It was 22 November 1963 and I was 14 years old. It was the day John F Kennedy was assassinated and I witnessed as the world was crushed and Camelot fell. I think I grew up a lot that day. We had to hurry home, 90 miles north. The Base was on lock-down and red alert. It was a day the world stood still yet was fiercely frantic beneath the surface.

SJ: I wasn’t yet born, but I get the chills every time I read about that day. Wow, Muffy. I know you’re a mother. I can only imagine how all those experiences have influenced you. Could you tell us about your role as a Mom?

Muffy: I met my husband in California, on a day that I was none too happy with men. I was working in San Francisco as a Sales Manager for Honeywell and my father had a heart attack in Georgia. I wanted to explore the possibilities of transferring to Georgia to be closer to the first man I ever loved. My boss, “The Silver Fox” made a pass at me and told me why bother as my dad wasn’t going to live forever. I was stunned and profoundly moved by a myriad of feelings. Funny that I should meet the two most important men in my life from that day forward on a day like that—my husband and his youngest son, then 13. It was the greatest gift. We got married three months later and the three of us honeymooned in Niagara Falls. My husband is from Buffalo, NY, and had been married twice before (his first wife died and the second, VJr’s mother ended in divorce when he was just 6). I had never been married, so they were my first. When I was very young, and in college, I got pregnant. He was my first lover and for all my worldly experience, I was still pretty naïve—even in the ‘70s. I had an abortion and dropped out of college. The gift of my husband and his son, my son, I felt was God’s way of forgiving me. So, my role as a Mom is one I cherish, given it was my second chance and my redemption. Life has been good to me because of them. He has enriched my life beyond measure.

SJ: I’m glad his risky statement paid off and that he’s been so good to you. Bless him. You have a very long list of projects consuming your time, but I would like to offer you the chance to show off and promote your writing career.

Muffy: I have three more books that will be released by March 2015, if I am lucky. Beyond that, I have a control list of about fifteen projects which will be concluded by mid-year and 25-30 projects that will require my attention. Only another Virgo will appreciate how organized I am about my work. Some refer to it as being obsessive compulsive. I can role with that.

SJ: Wow. As a Project Manager I can appreciate what it takes to manage each project. Bravo, Muffy. I knew there was a reason why I’m always so impressed by you. It’s all coming out. 🙂 When did you decide to write? And what genre and style did you prefer when you first started? What style and genre do you prefer to write currently?

Muffy: I have been in sales and marketing my entire business career. Writing was a necessity and I was good at presenting technical detail. English was a love and focus of mine throughout my education, but I only wrote proposals, technical material and project material. I really never thought about writing ‘personally’ until I met up with an old school chum, and old boyfriend. It was never a calling to me as it is for some writers. He wrote and it spurred me on. I slipped into the world of Erotica, not by choice or design, but quite by accident…and I loved it. Turns out I was pretty good at it, too, or so people commented. But, my style has changed, developed a lot since then.

SJ: That was a lucky slip for sure. You’re very good at it, Muffy. What genre, books, and authors do you like to read?

Muffy: I love crime, thrillers, edge-of-your-seat whodunits. I also love period pieces, non-fiction and autobiographies. When I was very young, when we lived in France and there was no television, I read everything, absolutely everything. I wanted to be a criminologist or a medical examiner. Or a veterinarian. As well an actress and Ella Fitzgerald! But, I do love to read good literotica. I am not a fan of jump-and-pump but a love story with great, eloquently involved sex is a real page turner for me.

SJ: Agreed. Give me the romance. Muffy, you’re so interesting. Do you have a person, real or fantasy, you would like to be?

Muffy: Barbra Streisand. I always wanted to sing. My aunt sang torch songs and played piano in smoke filled supper clubs and piano bars. I always wanted to do that.

SJ: You have experienced many adventures in your life and have lots of energy, but what would you like to do if you had any free time? Lol. If anyone can find free time, it’s Muffy.

Muffy: I would love to learn to play piano, learn Spanish and brush up on my French. But I am enjoying my life now. I work in Real Estate in SW Florida and try to find time to straighten my office. There’s that Virgo nag again.

SJ: I’d bet your office is already neatened. 🙂 Could you tell us about your new book, Memories and Kisses, and the story behind it?

Muffy: Old memories are like old red wine – all the richer for time passed. And the kisses taste sweeter too. Three romantic and very sexy stories take us back to things as they once were, and forward to the wonderful times to come. Memories & Kisses has three stories of old loves remembered; a grieving woman rescued from the sea, two childhood friends growing old friendship into passionate loving, and two long separated teenagers finding that time has mellowed them both and maturity has brought a passionate intensity they had never imagined. All three stories are of rekindled love that survived decades of longing and is now ready to burst into flame.

Blurb:

The Storm ~ a newly widowed woman unable to face the world alone and lonely, buries her husband. Overcome by grief, she walks into the rough, grinding pitiless surf in an effort to blend the gray in her heart with the gray on the horizon. She is saved from the crashing waves by a man, a bearded white haired man who brings her back to life and gives her a reason to live again.

The Park ~ two childhood friends, now adults, reunite on the eve of the dedication of their once favorite playground now slated to become a high-tech water park. The destruction of their favorite playground makes them melancholy; reliving their dreams as children in this park inspires them to greater, more passionate long buried desires they never responded to as teens, but knew existed but in their memories.

The Story of Us ~ high school friends, once nearly sweethearts, reconnect in their sixties. The Internet removes the veil of uncomfortable shyness. They are open and revealing in emails about their youthful teenaged desires for one another. They discover what we all hope is true: that love is eternal. Surviving decades, not only in the shadowed recesses of our memories, but in a kiss, a touch, a magnetic embrace love thrives.

Do you have memories of a love that once was?…of a love that was lost?…of, perhaps, a rekindled love that survived decades of longing? ……..Read More on my blog Muffy Wilson

SJ: Where can we purchase Memories and Kisses?

Muffy: Thank you for asking, I would be honored. If readers are interested, they can buy my work at:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/muffywilson

Ganxy: https://ganxy.com/i/97419/muffy-wilson/memories-kisses

XinXii: http://www.xinxii.com/en/memories-and-kisses-p-355588.html

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/memories-kisses

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/memories-and-kisses/id924012792

SJ: Do you have future writing projects you plan to publish?

Muffy: Tons. My brain explodes with ideas and always when I don’t have a pen or paper handy!

SJ: I bet! Please share your recent publications.

Released 3 October 2014:

Also featuring Muffy’s work in this anthology of of adult Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Once Upon a Menage: An Anthology of Fairy Tale Threesomes edited by Rachel Kenley (Ravenous Romance), Muffy has two erotic adaptations, The Prince, The Mermaid and The Siren (‘The Little Mermaid’) and The Prurient Puss (‘Puss and Boots’). They are sexy, just a little naughty and best of all, they are threesomes!!

Buy Link at Amazon

SJ: How may your fans contact you? Tell us the many links where you can find Muffy Wilson?

Bio:

Muffy, author of erotic, romantic stories about love, sex, hope and passion, was born in San Antonio, Texas, to traditional parents. With two older brothers, she was the youngest, the family “princess,” indulged and pampered. She adored her older brothers, following them everywhere and was surrounded by love, stimulation, and pets. Her father was a career Colonel and pilot in the U.S. Air Force which required the family to travel extensively. The family lived in most points between Alaska and France. Muffy spent her formative years in Europe and came of age in France.

Returning from France with her family, Muffy finished high school in Northern California and attended the University of California, Davis, and majored in Business Management. Muffy entered the work force, independent with a fierce work ethic, and retired at 39 from IBM as a Mid-West Regional Director in the Real Estate and Construction Division. She and her husband moved to a small Island in northern Wisconsin where they owned a historic tavern, restaurant and resort business which they since have sold. They now live a charmed life by the water in SW Florida. Muffy pretends to be a serious real estate business person but, in real life, indulges her private interest in writing sexy short stories and sensual literotica ~ Live, Laugh, Love with Passion.

Muffy: Thank you, XXXXXX, for hosting this wonderful interview. It was very kind and generous of you. I appreciate the time your fans and readers have spent with me, sharing my life, my family and work, sharing my inspirations and life.

SJ: It’s been my ultimate pleasure to have you here. I hope everyone will take some time to look at your newest release, Memories and Kisses, and all of your other books the next time they’re able to add to their TBR list. Thank you for spending some time with me today. I wish you much continued success.

(((hugs)))

Inside Look with Erin Nicholas author of Up by Five

Posted on April 7, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Up By Five

By: Erin Nicholas

Releasing: April 8^th, 2014

I’m so pleased to have Erin Nicholas here today and even more so because she’s been sweet enough to answer a bunch of questions. I love learning things about authors. We are a unique bunch. Plus, she’s brought two giveaways with her. Have fun! 🙂

Hi, Erin. Let’s start with some basics and tell us why did you start writing?

Hi! I’m Erin Nicholas, contemporary romance writer. I’ve published sixteen novels as of April 8^th and absolutely love my job 🙂 I started writing at a young age. My mom and dad tell stories of family vacations spent with my head bent over a spiral notebook writing stories instead of paying attention to the scenery around us 🙂 I started writing because I couldn’t not write. It’s always been like reading… something I had to do!

I know that feeling, Erin. It’s become a little joke in my family. What’s SJ doing now? Lol. When you are not writing what are your favorite hobbies?

I don’t have a lot of down time, seems there’s always another deadline looming—which is great! But during those quiet moments: Reading! 🙂 I also love movies and tv. Love to bake. And hanging out with my family—my husband and kids and I have a great time together. I also love to travel—near or far!

Love your list. It’s been a few years since I’ve traveled far. I need to plan something. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?

That the best moments, the best dialogue, the best scenes are often the unplanned ones. Sometimes they just happen and it’s like magic 🙂

How true. No matter how much I plot, my characters still give me surprises. I’ve learned it’s better to listen to them then to stick with my plan. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Oh, boy. I have sixteen published books with my latest, Up By Five. I love them all, of course, for different reasons. I guess if I had to pick at this very moment (and it could easily change two minutes from now :)) I would say Just for Fun. Mostly because that book surprised me as I wrote more than any other, I think.

Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in real life?

Conner Dixon. And I’m not just saying this since he’s my latest hero (well, okay, maybe that’s partly it :)) . Conner’s got such an interesting backstory and he’s such a character! He’d be fun to hang out and have a drink with.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Ooh, as in what do I spend money on that I shouldn’t? lol! Home décor probably! I love picture frames and lamps and tables and desks and thing to hang on the wall! I don’t count books, though I spend plenty on those too—but those are a necessity, not an extravagance, right?! 🙂

Absolutely. Books can’t count. We need those to breath. 🙂 What is your favorite music (genre/artist/album/song)?

Country music. I love lots of music, but that’s my favorite, always my fall back. I especially love the Zac Brown Band! 🙂

I’m listening to more and more country lately. I’ll have to check out the Zac Brown Band. What is the one thing you do after finishing a story?

Give a big WHOO HOO, uncork some wine and order a pizza! Then I spend a day or so dusting and scrubbing everything I’ve ignored for a few weeks, I take my family to a movie to make up for ignoring them for a few weeks 😉 and I read a couple of books to catch up on the TBR pile I’ve resisted for a few weeks. Then a dive right back into writing whatever is next!

I now know for sure we’d get along. Lol! Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.

There’s some fun with poker 🙂 and one my favorite guys from the Bradford series (oh, who am I kidding, they’re all my favorites…), Mac Gordon, shows up a lot in this book!

Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

I’m really excited to be working on a new series that I’m releasing this summer! The series is called Sapphire Falls and book one, Getting Out of Hand will be out in June! Getting Worked Up will be out in July and Getting Dirty will be out in August!

Thank you so much, Erin. That was a lot of fun. Congratulations on your 16th release! I wish you lots and lots of sales and years and years of writing.

Blurb:

He’s in the middle of the last thing he wanted… and the best thing to ever happen.

Ace paramedic Conner Dixon has sworn to never live with another woman after raising his four younger sisters. They have been giving him gray hair since they lost their father fifteen years ago. Now they’re all in love and Conner’s ready to retire– from worrying, fixing problems and cleaning up messes.

Of course, when his fellow paramedic, Gabrielle Evans, needs a place to stay after her apartment burns down, Conner can’t say no. But it’s no problem– Gabby’s just one of the guys.

Gabby’s penchant for poker and her ability to overhaul a transmission definitely make her different from Conner’s usual women. She also has no interest in getting involved with him. Conner’s crazy mix of family and friends is the last thing Gabby needs right now. She has her sights set on medical school in the fall and knows success depends on focus and commitment.

But within forty-eight hours of moving in, Gabby’s in the middle of a family crisis that could disprove all her I-don’t-need-anyone bluster and Conner’s in the middle of the last thing he wanted-a girl and all her stuff, all over his stuff. Still, the more she makes herself at home, the more he thinks that’s maybe exactly where her stuff should be. For good.

Warning: Contains a girl who thinks she wants to be just one of the guys, a guy who happily proves why that won’t work, and a very good reason to buy cinnamon roll icing-you know, other than for use on cinnamon rolls.

Tour Schedule:

4/1 I am, Indeed

4/1 Redheads Review it Better

4/2 Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears

4/4 Riverina Romantics

4/4 Delilah Devlin

4/7 S.J. Maylee

4/7 All I Want and More

4/9 Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories

4/9 All Things Romance

4/9 The Book Pushers

4/11 A Book Lovers Review

4/11 Ex Libris

4/15 Reading Between the Wines

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20526645-up-by-five

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Five-Counting-Love-Erin-Nicholas-ebook/dp/B00IYG08J0/

Author Bio:

I’ve been reading romance since my mom first let me into her book cupboard when I was about fourteen. LaVyrle Spencer, Julie Garwood, Debbie Macomber… they took my ‘happily ever after’ ideas from animated princesses to real people in the real world.

I’ve been writing romance almost as long. Many a family car trip was spent with my head bent over a spiral notebook in the back seat. I’ll confess that my very first attempts at fiction were fantasy and paranormals, influenced by my father’s love of the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the original Alice in Wonderland. If Harry Potter had been around, I’m sure he would have been on the bedtime story shelf as well.

But it wasn’t long until I started writing about true love and that’s where I’ve been ever since.

I’m so thrilled to be able to share these stories with you! I hope that they make you smile, sigh, maybe even choke up a little. Most of all, I hope that they help you believe in magical things like first kisses, the spark of passion, and the power of true love.

Website: http://www.erinnicholas.com/

Blog: http://erinnicholas.blogspot.com/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/ErinNicholasBooks

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinNicholas

Nine Naughty Novelists Blog: http://ninenaughtynovelists.blogspot.com/

NNN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the9NN

Giveaway:

Erin is doing two different giveaways. She is hosting a tour-wide giveaway of a $25 gift card from Amazon/Barnes & Noble. She’s also giving away one (1) copy of any of her backlist books. For the gift card giveaway, click on the rafflecopter link. For the backlist giveaway simply leave a comment on this post by April 14, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Inside Look with Alexa Bourne author of Dance Away, Danger

Posted on January 13, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

It’s special treat day. I have Alexa Bourne today with her brand new release, DANCE AWAY, DANGER. She didn’t come empty handed either. She brought the hero of her story with her, Matt Rylan for an INTERVIEW. Plus, below you’ll find the details on her prize pack GIVEAWAY.

Blurb:

Sensible dance instructor Tessa Gage likes her life organized, risk-free and on her own terms. When her cop brother goes missing, his crooked partner tries to kill her, and a handsome stranger claims he’s come to protect her, she’s forced to leave her comfort zone. With more dance and business sense than survival skills and no idea who to trust, Tessa has no choice but to rely on this man who’d rather be anywhere but by her side.

When carefree carpenter Matt Rylan gets a late night call from an Army buddy who once saved his life, he finds himself where he never again wanted to be—responsible for someone else. Honor demands Matt cooperate, but he never expects his simple babysitting job to test the limits of his self-control. Nor does he expect it to explode into a race against time for his very freedom.

As Tessa and Matt get closer to the truth, and to each other, Tessa learns to step outside the safety of her world to help set the wheels of justice in motion. For Matt, supporting this courageous woman suddenly becomes everything to him. Yet, his biggest challenge remains sharing his closed-off heart with her before the danger silences them both forever.

Bio:

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her stories with readers everywhere.

When she’s not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV, and thinking about exercising. Okay, she also spends way too much time interacting with readers and writers on social media sites. But don’t tell her editors! Find out more about her and her books on her website, www.alexabourne.com.

Hello! Thanks for joining us today and thank you to SJ Maylee for inviting us to hang out here. Who is ‘us’, you ask? I’m Alexa and today I’m interviewing the hero from my latest romantic suspense book, DANCE AWAY, DANGER. Matt is a very low-key guy, very calm under pressure and quick to make an assessment about any situation. He was best friends with the heroine’s brother a while back, which causes some…issues in the story. Ready to learn more about this awesome guy? Let’s get started!

Alexa: What sound or noise do you love?

Matt: I’m not allowed to tell you on here since this a G-rated site, so I’ll tell you my second favorite sound: Tessa’s laugh when she’s happy and relaxed.

Alexa: Speaking of Tessa, what do you love most about her?

Matt: She’s a happy, upbeat person who always tries to see the good in people.

Alexa: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

Matt: I’d travel back to when my father was alive and I’d stop him from dying.

Alexa: Yeah, I’m sorry I had to write the story that way. What do you do to unwind and relax?

Matt: I really like sanding the stuff I make.

Alexa: Folks, for those of you who don’t know Matt is a contractor and a carpenter. What one thing about Tessa drives you crazy?

Matt: I may be a simple kind of guy, but I’m not stupid. I plead the fifth.

Thank you to Matt for answering my questions and to SJ for inviting us! I hope you’ll follow me this coming week. I’m touring several blogs and sharing something different about Dance Away, Danger each day. If you leave comments anywhere along the way, you’ll be in the running for a Dance Away, Danger prize pack!

1/7-8- Just Romantic Suspense http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/
1/9- Get Lost in a Story http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com
1/10- RomCon http://www.romcon.com/blog-romantic-suspense-thriller
1/11- JF Ridgely’s Blog http://rpridepublishing.wordpress.com/
1/12- Happily Ever After Thoughts http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.com/
1/13-SJ Maylee’s Blog <– You’re Here 🙂
1/14- Gretchen Rix’s Blog http://gretchenrix.com/
1/15- All Romance Ebooks http://www.arecafe.com/

Alexa@alexabourne.com
http://www.alexabourne.com
http://alexabourne.com/cuan-macdougall-pub/
https://twitter.com/AlexaBourne
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818611.Alexa_Bourne

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Away-Danger-Hanover-Haven-ebook/dp/B00HPAWYSY/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dance-away-danger-alexa-bourne/1117971061

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-danceawaydanger-1389725-149.html

Interview and Giveaway: Altered Frequency by Joya Fields

Posted on June 19, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Please help me welcome Joya Fields. She’s here today with the details on her latest release, Altered Frequency. She’s answered a bunch of questions from me, she’s so interesting. Plus, she’s kindly offered two GIVEAWAYS. See it all below. 🙂

Altered Frequency
Hauntings at Inner Harbor #2

by Joya Fields

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: 137 pages

Released: May 17th 2013

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Blurb:

After losing her father and brother in the line of duty, Missy Prescott vows never to get involved with anyone who has a dangerous job. Blessed with a golden voice, she takes a job as a disc jockey with her own late-night lovelorn dedication show on a popular radio station in Baltimore.

Blake Decker has never had a family. He has come to count on the only family he knows—his brothers on the police force. He’s a one-night-stand kind of guy when it comes to relationships.

Betty McAllister, the caring woman who used to live in Missy’s apartment, is now a ghost. She refuses to cross over until Blake—whom she viewed as her own son—is happily in love. She thinks Missy is the perfect girl for him.

Missy and Blake need to keep each other at a distance as they work together to help Betty find a way to cross over. But when danger lurks, will Missy and Blake lose everything?

Interview:

What was the first book to make a lasting impression on you?

What a great question. I read lots of books growing up, but I think the book that made the most lasting impression on me was the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series. I think it was Little House in the Big Woods. I just loved reading about Laura Ingalls and her Pa. Their family endured so much hardship, but Laura sure had a can-do attitude.

Laura Ingalls, that brings back some fabulous reading memories of my own. Which one of your characters would you NOT like to meet in real life?

Well, I would certainly NOT want to meet the evil presence from Hereafter (Hauntings at Inner Harbor, Book 1). It’s dark, scary…and wants to hurt the heroine. Heck, I watch horror movies from behind my hands. I definitely don’t want to meet a scary paranormal being.

Good choice, no thank you, lol. Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in real life?

While book one in the series has some scary paranormal activity, Altered Frequency (Hauntings at Inner Harbor, Book 2), has a very different tone because of a matchmaking ghost. I pictured someone like Betty White. So I would love to meet Betty McAlister, the ghost, because I think she’d be a hoot. I’d sure like to meet Betty White in person, too.

I would too. She’s fabulous inspiration for a character, love it. What turns you on creatively?

Injustice. I know that sounds strange, but when I hear about an injustice, or view one, I want to highlight it and bring it to people’s attention through a fictional story. Often, my characters have a disability, or something that makes them have to work harder at abilities the rest of us take for granted.

That’s very admirable. What quality do you most admire in a friend?

Good listening skills. Sometimes you don’t want opinions or suggestions, you know? You just want someone to listen. So I think a good friend knows when to sit quietly and let you vent. Lots of my characters are good listeners.

I totally agree. Allowing someone to vent and know that’s all they need is a venerable quality. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Farming. I love being outside, admire the hard work it takes to raise crops and livestock, and enjoy seeing progress when I work. My kids were in 4-H when they were kids, and I think I had more fun than they did raising pigs and chickens and growing vegetables.

I too admire their hard work and I’ve heard many good things about 4-H. I’d love to spend all day in my yard tending my gardens. What is your greatest extravagance?

A bubble bath with candles. Sooooo relaxing.

I haven’t had the opportunity for a nice long bath in a long time. Calgon take me away, lol. What is your motto?

I like borrowing Henry Ford’s motto and I have it taped near my computer. “Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”

That’s a great quote of Henry Ford’s. He also wrote another of my favorites: Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a writer?

Another great question. I seem to be able to write books pretty quickly, but it’s the revisions that take me a while to complete. Lucky for me, I have great critique partners who step in and help me make the stories the best they can be. Other than that, I’ve been very lucky and haven’t faced too many writing challenges.

Revisions can be tough, especially when you realize a large change is needed. I often stumble at this point, but once I let the change soak in and get over the shock at face value, it often isn’t as horrible as I originally made it out to be, lol. What is the one thing you do after finishing a story?

High five our pug, Peanut! And then we go for a celebratory walk. Since I work from home, she’s the only one around, and she gets very excited when I say “the end!” Or…on second thought, maybe she gets excited about the part where I say, “want to go for a walk?” haha. Then, I get back to writing.

That’s awesome. Peanut is such a cute name for a pug. Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

Thanks very much for asking! I just received a contract for book 3 in the Hauntings at Inner Harbor series, so we’ll be working on those edits soon. My work-in-progress is a farm trilogy. Hot, sexy, muscular guys who are working hard to keep their family farm in business. I’m having a lot of fun visiting local farms in Maryland for the research on these books.

Author Bio:

Joya Fields has had over 100 stories and articles published in local and national magazines. Her debut novel, a romantic suspense, was a NJRW GOLDEN LEAF WINNER FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2012 and was nominated for RT Book Reviews 2012 Indie Press/Self-Published Contemporary Romance award. She’s since released three more books.

Over the years, Joya has taught arts and crafts, worked in public relations, owned a daycare center, helped her children raise prize-winning 4-H livestock, competed in three marathons, and even spent a year as a Baltimore Colts cheerleader. Joya loves spending time with her high school sweetheart/husband of over twenty-five years, two very supportive children, and a pug who follows her everywhere. www.joyafields.com

Find Joya:

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=joya+fields

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5395700.Joya_Fields

Twitter: @joyafields https://twitter.com/JoyaFields

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/JoyaFieldsAuthor

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Frequency-Hauntings-Harbor-ebook/dp/B00CSXJ2GU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369272959&sr=8-1&keywords=altered+frequency+joya

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/altered-frequency-joya-fields/1115318179?ean=2940016586243

Decadent Publishing: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=778&osCsid=6v09v6em02ct5d9r6t7k212767

AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-alteredfrequency-1211906-149.html

GIVEAWAYS

#1 – One lucky commentor will receive trading cards for the book. I’ll number the comments in the order they were received and utilize random.org to select a winner on the morning of Friday, June 21st.

#2 – GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to one winner
a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Interview and then some with Elodie Parkes author of The Last Time

Posted on May 22, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

I have a special guest in the Maylee ehouse today. Elodie Parkes is here to tell us a little bit about herself and her latest release. She’s brought the trailer and a giveaway. Plus, she’s brought one of the character’s with her. Please give her a warm welcome. Take it away, Elodie.

Thank you for inviting me to the blog for the release of The Last Time, my latest contemporary, erotic romance.

The Last Time

by Elodie Parkes

Release Date: May 1, 2013

Length: 44000 words

Publisher: Eternal Press

Genre: Erotic Romance

Just a little about me to let your readers know who I am.

I live in rural England, United Kingdom and I work in an antiques shop as well as writing. I have two dogs that keep me fit with their need for walks. Love the countryside and the coast.

I write romance, contemporary, and erotic with a twist of mystery, suspense, or the paranormal, now and then. I like to make the story unusual in some way, by a quirk in the tale.

I started writing when I was seventeen. Life intervened in my writing time and I stopped serious writing for some time. I started writing again seriously a couple of years ago, because I had so many stories in my head.

Blurb:

Actor Seth Carbery swears he will never fall in love again, that is until he meets private detective Bethany Snow.

Something strange is going on. Seth and other members of the movie cast and crew are receiving threatening letters, but no threat has ever been carried out… yet. Bethany Snow is sent on location by the Black Agency to investigate, and guard Seth Carbery against danger.

The case is not what it first seems and even when Bethany thinks it could be over, a new twist means she becomes a target.

Seth and Bethany find they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Who is sending the letters and why? Does Seth have a secret admirer or stalker?

With steamy romance, graphic love scenes, and a quirky story of what people do for love this erotic romance is for adults only.

Thanks, Elodie. Now for some inside scoop, I’d like to welcome Bethany, the heroine from The Last Time.

Tell us about yourself and the book you star in.

The book is ‘The Last Time’ and it’s probably the last time you’ll read anything with me in it. It’s a romance and set on a movie location. I get to have lots of yummy sex with someone who shall remain nameless, as that might be a spoiler. It’s a fun book although a little thread of suspense and mystery run through it.

Why will we not read anything else with you starring in there Bethany, that sounds intriguing?

I can’t say without giving away the end of the book, but let’s just say it’s a happy reason.

Most of us want to be different, so what is the one thing you wish the author had done differently with you?

I would have liked to give my point of view a little more often, in the love scenes, just because sex is different for a woman. I think that the author wanted to show the great relationship that the three central characters developed, me being one of them, but I didn’t have much influence over that either.

If you could have added something to the story, and the author would have let you, what would that have been?

I would have liked more physical action perhaps, to show off my martial arts abilities.

What do you think of the author?

I think she tries to give everyone a fair chance in the limelight. She gives characters their dignity too. She tries to make the sex scenes about the love people feel for each other. She’s okay. I guess she’ll be reading this interview.

You get the chance to have the author change your name what will it be?

I actually like my name although that would have been a hoot if suddenly someone had shortened my name, and I’d been with Seth, another main character, because it would have been Seth and Beth.

Give up three of your deepest, darkest secrets.

You’re kidding. Why would I do that? They’re secrets. Okay I’ll tell you a couple of things. I hate thong underwear, will not wear it, detest it, so when the author tried to get me in some I had a meltdown.

I’m a coffee addict…drink it almost nonstop, but then doesn’t everybody? All the authors I know do, well except my author, she drinks tea.

What else? I don’t really have secrets you know…they’re not healthy. I sort of spill my guts about sex and men in the book so there’s not much to say here.

What do you love best about yourself?

My hair if it’s a physical thing, and if not, then my compassionate nature.

What do you like least?

The author gave me smaller breasts than I would have liked. No really, I don’t mind that. (laughing) I suppose I quite like myself the way she’s written me.

How do you feel about the book you’re in?

It’s fun, sexy. It’s supposed to show a little of what people do for love and when they think they are losing love, or are in love and it’s the most important thing to them. We can be vulnerable and stupid, but if it’s right then it’s the best thing ever.

Can you share one of your favorite parts of the book without giving too much away and tell us why you chose it?

Okay it’s probably not what you expect given the amount of sex in the book, but here you go,

Seth was still sleeping. He looked gorgeous and Bethany stood in the doorway watching him for a moment or two. Suddenly his cell phone, which was on his bedside unit, began chirping. Like a flock of birds, the chirping filled the bedroom, and Seth sat up and looked around as if startled.

Bethany watched him suddenly realize it was his cell phone, reach for it, and shut off the alarm call.

He looked at her and smiled.

“Bethany you made me sleep properly for the first time in months.”

I chose it because that’s so cool to have helped someone like that. Have you ever been unable to sleep? It’s horrible.

How do you see your future? Without giving anything away.

Like I said in the beginning, you’ll not see any more of me. The other characters…well that could be a different story. Mine ends with this book.

Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

I truly hope there’s no movie of this book because I have no idea who I’d want to play me, and they more than likely would want Seth to play himself since he’s an actor. I think that would be horrible, watching him on the big screen getting naked with someone else.

Anything else you would like to tell us?

It’s been fun being here and not having the author, editor, cover artist, proof reader, beta readers watching everything I do. Thank you for inviting me and try not to let the author read this.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the rafflecopter draw to win $25 US, or £25 GB Amazon gift card and an ebook basket, of all five of Elodie’s erotic romance books released to date.

Millie Reinvented, Two of them,The Horoscope Writer, A Celtic Tapestry in which Elodie has a short, The Picnic, and The Last Time.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Elodie online:

http://elodieparkes.blogspot.com <~~ where you can read lots of snippets from my erotic romance novels, meet other authors and read snippets from their books.
http://www.facebook.com/ElodieParkes
http://www.goodreads.com/elodieparkes
https://twitter.com/ElodieParkes
http://www.manicreaders.com/ElodieParkes/
http://www.theromancereviews.com/EllieP
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114681167004175190514/posts

Find Elodie’s books:
http://www.amazon.com/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.com/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Horoscope-Writer-ebook/dp/B0094JIIVQ
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094JIIVQ

http://www.amazon.com/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.amazon.ca/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/A-Celtic-Tapestry/book-BJ_406GiXEebWjWdV6dWag/page1.html

Amazon | Bookiejar | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | KOBO

A Chat with Shannan Albright author of Beloved Wizard

Posted on April 17, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Shannan and I are sitting down today for a relaxing chat. Pull up your lawn chair, your favorite drink and join us. I also have all the details on the first release in her Knights of Excalibur series.

Title: Beloved Wizard

by: Shannan Albright

Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Length: 70 Pages
Sub-Genres: Romance

Blurb:

Merci Tramaine is not happy to be called back into service by her old boss Arthur, especially when she is charged to find her missing ex-lover. Drake Monroe is Merlin reincarnated. With his powers bound by the Goddess Nimue, he has become a skilled fighter, but is no match for Nimue who kidnapped him, determined to destroy him forever.

The bloodline of Morgan Le Fey taints Merci, keeping her on the edge between light and dark. The goddess’s wicked trap springs shut, leaving both Drake and Merci racing against the clock. Passions ignite once again, but are they too late to plan a future or will they be torn from each other?

This time for eternity.

Shannan lets dig right in with a hard question, lol. Picture your favorite place in the world. Now, can you tell us a little bit about the place you’ve pictured?

A pristine white beach at low tide, the waves lapping up to shore in lazy surges, the fizzing sound of sea meeting land lulling, encouraging you to relax and leave the stress of the world behind. Here there are no deadlines, micro-management or responsibilities. Here there is only a complete state of being in the moment, one with nature around you. The breeze is warm, not over heated. Just a pleasant caress against the skin the scents of sea and land with a floral undertone of Gardenia’s and Jasmine. If this place doesn’t exists, it should so I can go there. Lol!

And so I can go there too. You relaxed me with your favorite place. What was the last book you read that made a lasting impression on you?

Easy since I just read it. JR Ward’s Lover at Last. I have read quite a bit of M/M and never have I found such dimension within the struggles to be in love with the same sex. She covers all the bases and with such sensitivity and passion I was sad to have finished it.

I’ve heard wonderful things about Lover at Last. I’m very much looking forward to reading an experiencing it. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Lol, Got a few years? I started writing in 1980 and hit every brick wall there was and then some new ones. I decided to go a different way with my writing after illustrating a children’s book and started putting together a graphic novel…, which is still unfinished. Along the way I got back into writing, became an RWA member and spent a few years just taking workshops. When a new e-publisher was looking for short stories I figured what the hell, I’ll just add to my pile of rejections and submitted for their Christmas anthology. I was accepted and boy, it took a while for the shock to wear off on that one. The rest, as they say is history.

Persistence paid off, I’m so glad to read that. Can you tell us about a criticism you’ve received that pushed you into a better writing place?

I got a rejection letter from a big New York publisher that told me to give it up. I didn’t have the talent and was wasting both there’s and my time. Well after I licked my wounds I got mad. Even if they never knew, I would be a published author. When someone tells me no I have a tendency to dig in and prove them wrong. Good and bad this is my nature. Guess the Cajun stubbornness in me won’t let things die, or take a person’s words as the truth.

Brilliant. You ignored the negativity, took the challenge, and you won. I love it. Which one of your characters would you NOT like to meet in real life?

I really, really wouldn’t like to run across Mordred. I may have to hurt him just for breathing. I’m not a violent person, but his superior snotty, entitled attitude drove me nuts even when I wrote him in I had to grit my teeth to get through it.

Lol. That’s awesome. Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in real life?

Viviane, Lady of the Lake would be a cool character to meet. She is so not what one expects of a goddess. A cross between Goth girl meets Anime, she would be a hoot to share an afternoon with.

I bet. You should write a blog post one day detailing an afternoon with her. I’m thinking, it would be a fun read. What turns you on creatively?

Oh this is easy. Oil painting or illustrating.

Cool. My mother and grandfather are painters. I love watching them create. What is your greatest fear?

Bad health. I think I can successfully meet any challenge but that. To have no control of your body as it shuts down? Way too scary for a control freak like me.

Agreed. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I would like to finish my graphic book and be a graphic artist. Okay, it’s sort of like the same thing, but with more art so it’s different. Lol!

Yes. That would bring your two interests together. Neat. What is your greatest extravagance?

It’s coming up in September. I’m taking my first cruise to the Bahamas. This is the first time I’m going out of the United States and I’m so stoked.

You are going to have a fabulous time. I’m back thinking on your first answer. J What is your favorite music (genre/artist/album/song)?

Nickleback followed by Maroon 5 and Train. And I can’t tell you what my fave is since I love all of their songs.

Rock-n-Roll with pop, I love it. What is your motto?

I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train.

What are you working on now?

I am finishing a novella on my other series The Dark Breed Enforcers, plus the next full length book in the series. At the same time I am working on a Historical paranormal about Dragon shifters and I working two other first books in a series. One is tentatively called The Summoning: Rise of the Sentinels about angels called Watchers pitted against the bad guys called The Dark Guard. The other is called Demon Bewitched: A Cast Wars Novel. This deals with witches, demons and angels. That’s what’s on my plate for this year.J I hate to be idle as you can tell.

Thank you for having me on your blog. I had so much fun answering your questions.

That was a lot of fun, Shannan. Thanks for playing along.

Excerpt:

“I have no wish to be the next greatest anything. I like me just the way I am. I mind my own business and no one gets into my shit. Nice, quiet and uncomplicated.”

Color rose on Nimue’s fair complexion. Merci knew she’d just crossed the line, but couldn’t seem to care, even if the goddess could squash her like a bug. The only thing that mattered to her was Drake’s tall form moving ever closer toward them.

Nimue grabbed her upper arm in a punishing grip, whirled her around to face Drake. Nimue flung her hand out and Drake flew back like a puppet on a string, crashing into the far wall of the warehouse with a sickening flesh-meet-cinderblock thud. He lay crumpled amidst the debris like a broken doll.

Something snapped within Merci. Her blood scalded her veins. The taste of ash filled the back of her throat. Rage, cold and biting, filled her, coloring her vision in a red haze. Drawing energy from the earth, she channeled it up through her body, willing it to form. Her hands glowed, magic as hot as a stream of lava engulfed her. Her skin stung like the bite of a thousand fire ants as a small burst of electricity arched over her arms, snapping with pent up energy. The stench of ozone, hanging like a heavy cloud in the still air, filled the area. The force arched into Nimue, dropped her to the floor. Merci offered a feral smile while Nimue wreathed in pain against her magic. She bent down close enough for Nimue to hear her. “Since you don’t know me, I will explain this to you. You don’t fuck with what is mine. Drake, is mine.”

Buy Links:

Extasybooks.com | Amazon.com | Bookstrand.com | Sony E-book | Barnes and Noble

About The Author:

Growing up she was the dreamer in her family, something not always thought of as a positive thing. As a child she would draw and build stories around her pictures, so writing was a natural extension for her. Recently a family member told her that from now on she would encourage those dreamers she knew. Stating with hard work and focus dreams can come true. Shannan Albright is proof that dreaming can be a positive thing.

When not writing she spends her time between oil painting and reading. She loves writing paranormal, urban fantasy, historical and fantasy romances because of the world building and rich characters she finds. She loves dark, edgy heroes and heroines overcoming impossible odds internal and external.

She is a “hopeful” Romantic who believes a healthy relationship built on respect and a strong partnership is the key to a happy ever after.

Shannan Albright

@ShannanAlbright