Amber Garza's 'Head Above Water' Book Blitz: Interview & Giveaway

Head Above Water by Amber Garza
Publication date: February 28th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Sometimes all you need is someone to hold you up.

Harper Elliott knows what it feels like to drown. To be unable to breath, to feel the crushing weight of your lungs collapsing while waves crash over your head and the surface is just out of reach. The ocean has stolen way too much from her and her family. Even though she lives just miles from the beach she rarely ever steps foot on it, and never goes in the water.

Until she meets Tag Williams, the sexy lifeguard with the funny name, kind smile, genuine eyes and smoking hot body. He makes Harper want to do more than just stick her toes in to test the waters. He makes her want to jump in with both feet.

But if she does, can she trust Tag to keep her head above water?

Amazon | Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Amber Garza lives in California with her amazing husband and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years. 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Interview:

This or That?  

Coffee or Tea? Tea

Wine or Tequila? Wine

Book or Movie? Book

Water Ski or Snow Ski? Water ski

Beach or Lake? Beach

Chinese or Mexican? Mexican

Baked or Fried? Baked

Shaken or Stirred? Shaken

Go out or Stay in? Go out

Kindle or Paperback? Kindle

Contemporary or Paranormal? Contemporary right now. 

Are you a morning or night person?

Definitely a night person. 

What are you doing when you are not writing?

Running my kids around (they are 10 and 13) or spending time with my sweet husband. When I want to relax, you can find me reading a good book. I also sing professionally, so that keeps me busy too. 

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

Yes, I always sit in my office at my desktop and listen to music - usually it's the Civil Wars. They are so inspiring. However, lately I’ve been obsessed with the Neighbourhood. 

If you could invite three favorite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?

Oooh, I would totally invite Alice Hoffman, Cassandra Clare and Colleen Hoover. 

Marketing tip:

What I love about being an indie author is the connection I have with my fans. I love being contacted by them, meeting them on my facebook page, or reading a review on their blog. For me, the greatest thing is to interact with them. I think that's the heart of this business. So, I try to always take the time to respond and interact with my readers and fans.

Giveaway:

Prizes (US/CAN only) - all to 1 winner:

A signed paperback, a $25 amazon card and a coconut bath and body lotion.

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Anastasia Ryan's 'Heartbreak Ranch' Book Blitz

Heartbreak Ranch
by Anastasia Ryan
Release Date: 10/15/13
Publisher: Swoon Romance
New Adult 17+

Summary from Goodreads:
Recent college graduate, Graysen Beaufort, resigns herself to two weeks of boredom at a dude ranch honoring her parents’ wishes for one last family vacation.

She doesn't plan on meeting Colt McCord, an irresistible cowboy who threatens to bring disorder to Graysen's ordinarily ordered life.

Dodging an overprotective family, an unwelcome suitor, and certain heartbreak, Graysen struggles to break free of her limitations and submit her heart to Colt’s love. But learning to let go isn't easy, even with a man like Colt.

Colt McCord, White Pine Ranch’s head horse trainer, loves the busy, back-breaking work of a cattle ranch.

But when he meets a beautiful and spirited woman from Iowa, she makes him forget everything he'd known before, and he risks everything to be with her.

Colt is accustomed to breaking horses, but can he tame Graysen’s wild heart before it is too late?

On sale right now for only $.99!

About the Author

Anastasia Ryan is a native New Yorker, but lives in Iowa with her family. She loves the beautiful chaos of raising six children. She is her husband’s girlfriend, but is also quite smitten with the written word. As the daughter of teachers, she has had a love of both great literature and writing in her blood since she was a baby. At a very early age, you would have found her perched on her father’s lap as he typed out his Master’s thesis for English. She is addicted to great books she can get lost in, finds cooking relaxing, is a sometimes web geek, and loves spending time with family and friends. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Creative Writing.

Anastasia Ryan's debut new adult novel HEARTBREAK RANCH will be released by Swoon Romance in the Fall of 2013. 

Author Links:

   

Book Blitz Organized by:

Cover Re-Reveal: 'Accidental Sex Goddess' by Lexi Ryan with Excerpt

Accidental Sex Goddess by Lexi Ryan
Publication date: January 14th 2013
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

From the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of Unbreak Me

FAKING IT NEVER FELT SO GOOD...

Promotions director Reese Regan isn’t a sex goddess and doesn’t want to be. But when she's offered a job with Sex Goddess, Inc., she must complete the company's wildly popular Sex Goddess 101 program. Trying only to avoid the unemployment line, not to become Chicago’s next seductress, she never expected the infamous “steps” might work.

Reese’s sexy, off-limits best friend Ben Hawk helps her “fake” her way through lingerie shopping, phone sex, and seduction lessons. The passion that flares between them might be hotter than their friendship can withstand. And the idea that he only wants the “new” her? That's definitely more than her heart can stand.

Will faking something so important cost her a chance at something real?

Goodreads | Paperback | Amazon | iBooks | Smashwords | AllRomance Books | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebookor Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics. 

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Email: writerlexiryan@gmail.com 

Excerpt: 

“Good morning!” a sing-songy voice called from Ben’s front door.

Ben stood in the middle of his kitchen, sipping coffee and attempting to unglue his eyelids.

Reese strode into the room, her presence kicking his brain into gear better than a whole pot of coffee.

She wore a white tank, yoga pants that clung to the curve of her ass, and a smile way too sunny for a Monday morning.

Not for the first time, Ben imagined she wasn’t joining him fresh from her car but that she was joining him from his bed. She wouldn’t be wearing workout clothes but maybe one of his old t-shirts. She’d pad toward him in bare feet, cotton brushing the tops of her thighs, and she’d wrap her arms around his neck with the smile of a recently satisfied woman. He would slide his hands under her shirt and cup an ass cheek in each hand as he put his mouth on hers. Then they’d get a whole different kind of workout.

A dangerous fantasy. In the real world, Reese smacked a kiss to his cheek like she was greeting her little brother. To add insult to injury, she stole his mug out of his hands and took a gulp of his coffee. The soft moan of pleasure that escaped her lips played all too well into the images flashing through his mind. So did the way she closed her eyes and tilted her head back, pleasure running across her face.

Jesus. Ben tried to get a handle on himself, but, hell, he was only human, and Reese enjoyed a sip of coffee in a way that made a man think of slow, sweaty,thorough sex.

How was he supposed to avoid imagining the expression on her face as he teased her breasts? What sounds would she make when he ran his tongue across a hardened nipple? And when he ran his mouth down her stomach and tasted her between her legs, what sounds would she make then? Would she quietly open her legs for him? Or would she cry out in pleasure, tug on his hair?

She cocked her head, studying him but not seeing him. Reese saw a friend when she looked at him, not a man. And maybe for a while he’d only seen a friend when he’d looked at her. That was all he’d let himself see. But at some point he’d let his guard down, and now when he looked at Reese he didn’t just see. Hewanted.

“Have a lot on your mind this morning?” she asked.

He nodded slowly, let his fingers brush over hers as he took his mug back. “You could say that.” He slugged back the rest of his coffee and headed toward the basement without preamble. Reese followed, humming softly under her breath, a sound low enough to slingshot his mind straight back to his fantasy, to the idea of her body under his hands. His mouth.

“Hey, grumpy,” she said when they reached the bottom of the stairs. She tugged on his shoulder until he turned to face her. “Anything I can do to improve your mood this morning?”

“I can think of a few things.” He couldn’t help himself. He let his gaze travel slowly down her body, lingering at her curves. His gaze traveled so slowly back to her face, he had enough time to picture every inch of her bare, exposed, ready for him. It was an image that was half fantasy and half memory.

When he returned his eyes to her face, a deep red blush stained her cheeks. “Ben!” She landed a soft punch to his solar plexus.

Ben lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “You asked.”

“When was the last time you got laid?”

He knew down to the day, but he wasn’t about to share the truth with Reese—not when the date was just as significant in her life. “A few months.”

“Well, you need to do something about that.”

“You volunteering?”

Cover Reveal: 'One Broke Girl' by Rhonda Helms

One Broke Girl by Rhonda Helms
(Edgewood Falls #1)
Publication date: April 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Anna Parker’s life disintegrates with one phone call. Her dad’s selling their ritzy New York City condo because her Wall Street banker mom emptied their bank account and ran off with another man. Which means Anna has to drop out of her elite college and move with Dad back to their small Ohio hometown. Anna’s determined to reclaim her life ASAP, so she’ll use the next few months to save money, help Dad get back on his feet, and find and confront her mom.

But Anna doesn’t anticipate things going so wrong. The only job she can get is working as a lunch lady in an elementary school. Their money-pit duplex is falling apart around their feet. And her dad is depressed without her mom, who’s proving hard to find.

One bright spot in the chaos is Gavin Metcalf, a kindergarten teacher she dated when they were young teens. With his easy wit and sexy smiles, he makes her forget her stresses—and the fact that her boyfriend Steven back in New York doesn’t know the truth yet about her dire circumstances. When past and present collide, Anna has to decide where her future lies…

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Rhonda Helms started writing several years ago. She has a Master's degree in English and a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. She also edits for Carina Press (an imprint of Harlequin Publishing) and freelance edits.

When she isn't writing, she likes to do amateur photography, dig her toes into the sand, read for hours at a time, and eat scads of cheese. WAY too much cheese.

Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Cover Reveal: 'Bending the Rules' by L.K. Lewis

Bending the Rules by L.K. Lewis
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

“Drake isn’t just someone I love, he’s the one I love the most in this world. He’s my best friend, my breath, my everything.  I realize in this moment that the true reason I’m on this journey to find Drake is not just because I miss him and want him back, I’m also missing a huge part of me. Until we’re together again, my life isn’t complete. Without him I’m not whole.”-Morgan

“… I’m so sorry I couldn’t go to you. It was nearly impossible not to but Morgan we wouldn’t be standing here right now if I had. You found me Baby. When you met me on your first day at Baylor what seems like a lifetime ago you found me. Only this time I’m not letting you go.”-Drake

Struggling to get her life back on track after being left suddenly and inexplicably by (secret) boyfriend –not- boyfriend and boss Drake Baylor Jr., Morgan Lane searches the globe to find Drake knowing that the only way to truly live the life she’s worked so hard for is with him by her side.

Banished to Zurich, Switzerland by his father after being caught Breaking the Rules, Drake has nine months to get the European Division of Baylor Industries back on track. Again, he must obey the rules so that he can hopefully return to his life with Morgan and take the helm of Baylor Industries.

Everything is going according to plan as usual for Adrian Thompson who has just gotten Drake banished to Switzerland as part of his plan to get Morgan (his college sweetheart and hopefully future trophy wife) back in his life for good. With a little help from Lana Lane, Morgan’s mother, Adrian is hoping to have Morgan wearing his ring by New Year’s Eve.

After a few months of being wooed by old flame and now boss Adrian, and without so much as a word from Drake, Morgan hesitantly accepts Adrian’s invitation to join him for New Year’s Eve in St.Moritz Switzerland. Foiling Adrian’s plan, a “chance encounter” finds Morgan back in Drake’s arms.

Will Drake and Morgan be able to overcome the distance and time that is now between them along with a few of the hurdles that life has thrown their way? Morgan and Drake are once again faced with figuring out how to start their new future together- this time not Breaking the Rules, only Bending them.

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

LK Lewis lives in Northern Michigan with her Husband and 3 year old son.
Born and raised in Michigan, LK spent her early twenties chasing the man of her dreams (now husband of 8 years) around the country, residing in both New York, and Portland, Oregon. While living in Portland, LK attended East West College of the Healing Arts, and is now a Massage Therapist, Makeup Artist, and Spa/ Boutique Owner.

When LK isn’t working, writing, or chasing her son around, she enjoys boat days, playing in the sunshine, and giggling with her husband.  You may also find her on twitter most days, especially live tweeting when The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is on.  Check her out, you may enjoy her colorful commentary!

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: 'Rescued' by Priscilla West

Rescued by Priscilla West

(Wrecked #2)

Publication Date: February 24, 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Reviewed By: Christina Mock

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Buy Book 1, Wrecked, for $0.99: Amazon

Goodreads

Synopsis:

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.”

The conclusion to USA Today bestselling author Priscilla West’s New Adult Novel Wrecked.

Wrecked should be read before this book.

Lorrie’s semester started off hopeful but ended in disaster. Now, she’s even more lost and confused than she was at the beginning of the year. As Lorrie flees to the only family she has left, she has to come to terms with how things ended with Hunter.

Hunter has fought for so long to keep the truth from Lorrie in an effort to protect her, but that has only caused more heartache and pain.

Realizing his mistake, Hunter has made a vow to get Lorrie back, but is it too late?

Will Hunter be able to overcome his own demons and help Lorrie through her pain, or are they destined to keep hurting each other?

WRECKED (WRECKED Book One: Available Now)
RESCUED (WRECKED Book Two: Available February 24th, 2014) 


Review:

Rescued picks up right where Wrecked left off. Lorrie has fled Arrowheart and has moved back in with her aunt and uncle. Hunter has nearly recovered from the big fight that nearly took his life and he has now followed Lorrie back to Indiana, ready to fight for their relationship. 

Sometimes, things happen to us that we never understand and we worry we’ll never get back to normal. But there is no normal, Lorrie. All we can do is move past the pain and hope that we have someone to stand next to us. 

Rescued is a very different book than Wrecked. WhileWrecked was about the burgeoning romance between Hunter and Lorrie, Rescued seemed far darker and explored just what Hunter and Lorrie were up against in order to make their relationship work. They were facing obstacles left and right. From Lorrie’s demons of the past to Hunter’s medical condition, it just seemed as though the stars were aligned against them. This book didn’t have nearly the amount of heat that the first possessed, but you could sense that their relationship was becoming deeper and more meaningful. Like there was definitely more at stake than simply losing a boyfriend or girlfriend, we’re talking soul mate status. 

I’m never gonna understand why I have this disease and I’m never gonna know what the future holds for me. For a long time I was scared of that. But I’m not scared anymore. 

I love the banter between Hunter and Lorrie. Little things, like Hunter calling Lorrie “Snorrie” when she’d been sleeping just made him a very endearing character to me. It is little touches like that that really gave the characters life. I appreciated that Ms. West allowed Hunter’s maturity of his situation shine. Having been given a life-changing diagnosis myself, I am far too familiar with working with the reality of a “new normal”. Thankfully I’m older and in a far more established relationship, but Hunter’s reaction to everything really puts everything into perspective.

In summary, I give Rescued 4 ½ stars. The pacing seemed to be a bit slower than the first book and I found myself not quite as emotionally invested as I was in the first. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good book, it absolutely was, but it just didn’t give me the butterflies in the stomach like Wrecked did. I have to admit too that it was really starting to look like Hunter and Lorrie weren’t going to get their HEA, but in the Epilogue to end all Epilogues, everything was right with the world. I was truly happy to see these two characters, whom I have come to care about, finally get what they deserved, not just for themselves, but also from each other.

Review: 'Lean On Me' by Nicola Haken

Lean On Me by Nicola Haken

(Take My Hand #3)

Publication Date: January 21, 2014

Genre: New Adult Romance

Reviewed By: Christina Mock

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Buy Links: Nook | Kindle

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Rachel Mason oozes confidence. She’s outgoing, adventurous and would chop off her right arm before caring what other people think of her or her disability.

Right?

Jared Mattheson on the other hand, is more than a little goofy and a whole lot of carefree. He’s happy living the bachelor life on his father’s credit card, takes nothing seriously and wouldn’t know difficulty if it slapped him in the face.

Right?

With Emily and Dexter away in the States, Rachel and Jared are left behind to keep each other company. They share the same sense of fun, their personalities bounce off one another perfectly and perhaps inevitably, they become best friends. But what happens when the lines of friendship start to blur? How will they cope when the sides of themselves they’ve kept hidden from the world for so long begin to show?

Their journey together may have started with fun, games and alcohol – but it seems the future has other ideas.

Turns out, even the strongest of people need someone to lean on sometimes.

(Not suitable for under 18’s due to adult language and sexual content)

Review:

The Take My Hand series has been one of my favorite series I’ve come across in my short time reviewing books, and in the latest volume, Lean On Me, I am not disappointed in the least. In fact, I think this has been my favorite book to date.

Lean On Me takes place during the same span of time as Hold My Hand, however this is the story of Jared and Rachel, and what went on back in England while Emily and Dexter were back in the States dealing with the death of Dexter’s mom.

Rachel, as we have come to know, is quite literally, hell on wheels. She doesn’t let the fact that she is in a wheelchair stop her from saying and doing whatever it is she wants to do. What we quickly come to realize though, is that Rachel’s over the top personality hides a lot of the self-doubt she carries with her. She constantly feels like she has to prove herself and that she is not worthy of the love and attention that Jared is willing to so freely give her. She puts up a tough girl veneer, not letting anyone, especially someone with such a capacity to break her heart, close to her.

Jared recognizes that wall that Rachel has put up around her because he too is suffering from an affliction that makes him “different”. While not a visible disability, like Rachel’s wheelchair, Jared has a condition that could lead others to pity him or treat him differently.

I absolutely love Jared and Rachel together as a couple! The witty banter back and forth between the two never gets old and I found myself laughing out loud several times because the two were so ridiculous towards each other, it truly made them endearing characters. I love the friends become lovers trope as it is very near and dear to my heart, considering I married my best friend. These types of relationships to me are so much more “real” than the instalove we see in a lot of NA novels.

I like the message that is being sent in the inclusion of a character like Rachel. Even though someone may have a disability, it IS possible for them to lead a normal life. Yes, there needs to be adaptations along the way, and those adaptations may lead to unconventional methods, but just because you have a disability does not mean you need to rely on others. I also loved that we see Jared asking some really stupid, but well-meaning questions along the way. As someone with a disability myself, I can tell you I don’t know how many times I have had to shake my head and keep from laughing at some of the misconceptions people have about my condition. I understand people just want to help, and that they care, but sometimes we just want to prove that we can do it ourselves. Disability robs us of so many things, self-reliance being the major one, however the longer we can hold on to what little grasp we have, the better.

Lean On Me was another five star read for me. Again, this is definitely the best of the series because I really love these characters. Their relationship is very real to me, and I can see it only get stronger as time goes by. I can’t wait for the next installment of the series, Never Let Go, which will hopefully be out this spring! We’ll finally learn what Chris is hiding, and see if there will be happily ever afters to go around. Thank you, Ms. Haken, for artfully bringing these characters to life, not just as people in a book, but as friends we’ve come to care about.

Blog Tour: N.L. Echeverria's 'Evil of Love' with Giveaway

Warning: This book is for mature audience only due to sex, language and violence.

“I can’t take it! I’ve been craving you ever since I saw you the other day. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you disappeared ten years ago! I need you Steph. I’m sorry…” -Eric Sutherland

Stephanie Wilcox never saw it coming after giving up that life ten years ago of constantly being verbally and emotionally abused by her drunken father. She didn’t run, but when she left, she never looked back. Forced by her abusive father to live with her Aunt Elizabeth, she had to leave behind the one person that had shown her true love. In her mind, Eric Sutherland, deserved so much more and being with her would only bring him down. She never stopped loving the sun-kissed boy who held her hand and touched her kindly.

It was years later when Stephanie met Travis Barnes, a young self-made billionaire who swooped in and helped mend some of her loneliness. However, after marrying Travis, he began to show who he really was and he was the type of man she was accustomed to, after growing up with an abusive father, and regardless of his flaws she still loves him. After all, why would she deserve any better?

Eric broke, his kindness, his pure heart, it all fell apart that day Stephanie left. He did all he could to reach her, but it was hopeless. All the sadness, anger, and sorrow built up inside him over time and no one could replace the love he had for Stephanie. Fighting has been his outlet and now as a well-known UFC undefeated fighter, his career is all he has, but no matter how hard he tries to forget her, he can’t.

Ten years later he comes face to face with those large brown eyes that belong to the one girl he’s always loved and everything changes. This time he won’t let her get away. 

There are many versions of ME. I'm a wife of an amazingly supportive husband, a mother of three beautiful boys that inspire me every day, a friend, a dedicated worker always looking to succeed, an author with characters and stories always on my mind and then there is Me. The woman that loves to stay up late and sleep in, takes ten minutes every morning before the kids are up to sit and have a quiet cup of coffee. The woman that loves staying up late with a good book and getting lost in the words. Enjoying a glass of wine with dinner to wind down from my long days. A person who is still a girl at heart, loving to smile, laugh and have fun whenever the opportunity arises. My favorite place is still the beach because nothing is more peaceful then listening to the sounds of the ocean against the shore. This is all a part of who I am and I LOVE being me! 

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E.J. Shortall's 'Silver Lining' Release Day Blitz

Title: Silver Lining

Author: EJ  Shortall

Released Date: 21st February

Synopsis

Amber Merchant had it all. Living with and engaged to her teenage sweetheart, nice house and job of her dreams.
Not anymore.
Following a devastating revelation from her Fiancé, Amber finds herself single once again and vows to never entrust her heart and soul to another.
After a bad experience on a rare night out to celebrate her newly single life, a chance encounter with a tall, dark and handsome stranger leaves Amber’s head reeling. Intrigued by her draw to him but scared for her heart she flees.
Twenty nine year old Craig Silver has been fighting demons of his own. Intent on a life of meaningless affairs and one night stands, he isn’t prepared for the overwhelming and immediate attraction, and desire to protect the striking blonde on the dance floor.
At first it seems the attraction is mutual… until she runs. Bewildered and frustrated Craig wonders if he will ever see her again.
Sometimes the roads to our future are paved with many trials. Will Amber take the right path and find the silver lining to the happiness she deserves?

Teasers



About the Author

E.J. lives in West London, England, with her partner, son and two cats. Yes, the cats are important. One provides a great source of comfort in those moments when all train of thought is lost and the words just won’t come. The other often halts the writing process with his incessant meowing. But they are her babies.

She has always enjoyed reading, but found it was mostly just a holiday extravagance. Then she discovered a certain worldwide best seller, and that was it, she was hooked.

Friends and family started telling her she should give writing a go and she persistently brushed off their ridiculous suggestions. Then one morning an idea for a story formed in her head. That idea became a paragraph, the paragraph became a chapter, and a chapter became the twenty-four you see in Silver Lining.

 E.J. is on one amazing roller coaster at the moment, meeting new and wonderful people, discovering new music gems to integrate into her stories, and learning new skills. She is excited to see where this journey takes her.

If you would like to join E.J. on this journey, please follow or contact her. She would love to hear from you!

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