Monthly Archives: July 2013

Catching Up With Dianna Love-Interview and Giveaway

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Catching Up With Dianna Love-Interview and Giveaway

Dianna LoveThe Reading Cafe is thrilled to welcome back Dianna Love. Last week, Dianna released her 3rd book in her Slye Temp series, Honeymoon to Die For. On July 30th, Dianna and Sherrilyn Kenyon will release the 4th book in their Belador series, Rise of the Gryphon. She is here to discuss both books, as well as what else we may have to look forward to in 2013/2014

Before we start the interview, let’s refresh your memory about Dianna.

 

About The Author

Dianna Love was born in Sarasota, Florida and grew up in the Tampa Bay area. She fell out of the womb a portrait artist and soon realized she was right brain/left brain, because she loved mathematics and business as much as creating art. Leaning on her artistic background, she started hand painting signs and then moved on to scaling billboards, where she was the rare female artist who would go a hundred feet in the air to paint someone’s portrait 20’ tall. While going from that to building Olympic projects for companies like Coca-Cola, she was a voracious reader of everything from thrillers, romance, sci-fi and fantasy to memoirs and biographies. But fiction was always her first love in reading. She started entertaining herself during fifteen-hour days by making up stories.  After spending many years traveling across country to create unusual marketing projects for Fortune 500 company, she’s now released her energetic muse on creating high-octane romantic thriller stories and urban fantasy.

Her first book won the prestigious RITA® Award (as Dianna Love Snell) and she now has a new Slye Temp romantic thriller series in 2013 – LAST CHANCE TO RUN (available), NOWHERE SAFE(available), HONEYMOON TO DIE FOR (June/2013) and KISS THE ENEMY (fall). Dianna also co-writes the Belador urban fantasy series with #1 NYT best seller Sherrilyn Kenyon. RISE OF THE GRYPHON is the next Belador release (July/2013).

When not speaking at national and international events throughout the year, Dianna lives in the metro Atlanta area with her motorcycle-instructor husband and a tank full of unruly saltwater fish named after celebrities.

Now let’s talk to Dianna.

InterviewTRC: Hi Dianna.  Thank you for taking the time to visit us again at The Reading Cafe, and to give us an update on your two new releases, as well as what else you may have upcoming in 2013 or early 2014.

Dianna: Thank you for having me again. I love to visit The Reading Café (I always think what a great blog name that is).

TRC: This month, you have just released your third book in your Romance suspense series, Slye Temp.  Can you please tell us the premise of this series, for those who may not have read it?

Dianna: The idea for this series came to me when I was first writing Last Chance To Run (LCTR), which is why LCTR is the prequel novel. The Slye Temp series  is about an independent black ops team led by Sabrina Slye, one very deadly woman you wouldn’t want to cross. After a mission in the UK went bad two years back, she and her team dropped out of sight to heal their wounds.  When they resurfaced, Sabrina opened Slye Temp, an elite corporate security agency. At least, that’s what the public sees at street level. Below ground is where covert missions to protect national security are planned in the war room.  Every story is a stand-alone romantic thriller about one of the agents finding love in the most unexpected—and inconvenient--place, but there is also an over-arcing plot going on in the background that progresses with each book.  These are high-action stories with powerful romance at the center of each one.

Love-HoneymoontodieforTRC: Can you give a brief description of your new novel in the Slye Temp series, Honeymoon to Die For?

NOTE: If you haven’t read Nowhere Safe – skip this because it’s going to give away a spoiler.

Dianna: Ryder Van Dyke was introduced as a new Slye Temp agent in Nowhere Safe.  During that story, he did a favor for someone in his family, which ended with him being arrested for murder. At the opening of Honeymoon To Die For, he’s being held for trial, but he’s being held in a prison due to the nature of the charge and his Special Forces skills.

When something unexpected happens in the prison yard, the FBI sees the chance to coerce Ryder into gaining evidence they need to go after a man they believe is a traitor – Ryder’s father.  The deal requires Ryder and Special Agent Bianca Brady to team up, and it turns out nothing like either one expects.

 

Rise of the Gryphon
TRC: Rise of the Gryphon is your next book in the Belador series, which is expected to be released on July 30th.  Can you give us a brief description of this book? 

Dianna:  Rise of the Gryphon is a major turning point in the arc of the Belador series.  Evalle Kincaid meets her greatest challenge personally and on the battlefield. In this book, Evalle decides she’s ready to take her relationship with Storm to the next step, but things are never easy for her and this is no different.

At the same time, she has to turn her back on her beloved Beladors to save them.

 

Justifiable
TRC: Justifiable is the first book in your Riley Walker series.  Would you please give us a brief description of this series? Are you and Wes Sarginson planning on a new book soon?

Dianna: This series started as an idea that Wes had back when we first met. He’d filmed a special on me for television, and we hit it off. He kept calling to discuss this book idea and I would always explain how to develop the characters and plot, but he wanted me to co-write it with him.  I was hesitant only because I had so much on my plate at the time, but I finally gave in (Wes is very persuasive!).

This series is about a television news anchor who was at the top of his game (like Wes) when something very bad happened to destroy his reputation (not like Wes).  Riley moves to Philadelphia and takes a job with the lowest-ranked station in the city.  He gets a chance at a big story there, but it turns into his worst nightmare when he realizes there are parallels to the incident that cost him everything. But he can’t turn his back on the story because a child is in jeopardy and a killer is targeting innocent adults.  Book two is in the plotting stage and we hope to have it out next year. 
Link to our Justifiable review:

TRC: You also write a new series, The Red Moon series, as Micah Caida. What can you tell us about this series, and why you decided to use a pen name?

Dianna: Mary Buckham and I are collaborating on this series. We debated about using our names since we’ve been published for a while, but decided we wanted to keep the young adult series separate from our adult books.

Caida-Time Trap
Time Trap is book one of the four-book Red Moon series, all of which will be out by the end of 2014. This series is like nothing else out there, but the books target fans of The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy about Rayen, a seventeen-year-old girl who wakes up in a strange land (on Earth) and is being chased by a sentient beast.  She has no idea who she is or why everything seems unfamiliar, at first. She forms an unlikely alliance with a computer-savvy street punk and a gifted, oddball girl to save their world – and the future – which is how Rayen meets an unusual seventeen-year-old boy who is as deadly as he is attractive.

TRC: What are you currently working on now? Also, would you like to share with us what you may have upcoming in 2013 or early 2014.

Dianna: Right now, I’m working on the next Slye Temp novel – Kiss The Enemy– that will be out this fall (2013). The next YA book will be Time Return (Book two in the Micah Caida Red Moon series) that Mary and I plan to have out this winter.  In 2014, I’ll release two more Slye Temp books and the last two in the Red Moon Series, plus (we hope) the next Riley Walker and possibly a New Adult novel I have in mind.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Dianna: I would love to remind readers that they can get free, signed cover cards in the www.KeeperKase.com program. The glossy cards are 4 x 6, and will fit in any photo album or brag book.  I’m giving away the Keeper Cards, and the list of other authors offering cards is constantly growing. This is a program I created just for readers and am thrilled to see the response. If they read e-books, now they can collect the autographed cards to put on their Keeper Shelves the way we all used to keep autographed books, but all readers are welcome to get the cards, whether they read e-books or print books.

TRC: Thank you, Dianna for giving us an update on what we can look forward to in 2013/2014, and we wish you the best with both new releases.

Dianna: Thanks so much Barb.  It’s always a pleasure to visit with you here and catch up with what’s been happening.  I’ll be around to chat today if anyone has questions or comments. 

If you want to know more about Dianna, you can visit her at the following links:
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Dianna has graciously offered two lucky members of The Reading Cafe a signed copy of her lastest release, Honeymoon To Die For.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open to US Only

4.  Contests runs from July 10 to July 13, 2013

 

Rise Of The Gryphon
Belador Series
Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Links to order:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository 

Rise of the Gryphon

If dying is the cost of protecting those you love… bring it. 

An Alterant who fights trolls, demons, and other deadly creatures, Evalle is an outcast among the Beladors. But now she can change all that – and finally get answers about her origins. In her attempt to take down the Belador traitor and bring home a captured friend, she infiltrates the dangerous Medb coven where she discovers exactly what an Alterant really is…and the news is not good for the Beladors.

Meanwhile, Evalle’s best friends Tzader and Quinn face unthinkable choices, as relationships with the women they love grow twisted. Evalle’s relationship with the Skinwalker Storm takes a major step and becomes complicated when the witchdoctor he’s been hunting begins to stalk her. With death breathing down her neck, Evalle is forced to embrace her destiny . . . but at what price?

 

Honeymoon To Die For
Slye Temp Series
Dianna Love
Release Date: June 27,2013
Links to order:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Love-Honeymoontodiefor

She’s convinced he’s guilty. He knows he’s not.

Can they survive long enough to prove who’s right?

Former Slye agent RYDER VAN DYKE is facing conviction for a murder he didn’t commit. When his last hope for freedom disintegrates, the FBI offers a deal – a commuted sentence if Ryder helps them nail a deadly criminal … his father.

FBI analyst BIANCA BRADY wants justice for the death of her best friend. Now all she needs is proof that the Van Dyke patriarch is guilty of funding terrorist operations. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to make Van Dyke criminals pay, or so she thinks. But there’s a catch.

The only way to get an FBI agent inside the family compound and Van Dyke Enterprises is as Ryder’s legal wife. Ryder has his own plan – to prove his innocence or use his Special Forces skills to disappear. But deadly secrets, an international security threat and a killer with a vendetta force Ryder to make the ultimate choice – give up his freedom or risk the life of the woman who’s stolen his heart.

 

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Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love – a Review

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Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love – a Review

Rise of the Gryphon

Links to pre-order Rise of The Gryphon:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:

In the fourth novel of the bestselling Belador paranormal series, Evalle Kincaid must turn her back on the Beladors to protect those she loves, and the world, from annihilation.

To prevent genocide, Evalle is forced to embrace her destiny…but at what cost?

As an Alterant who fights everything from trolls to demons, Evalle has lived as an outcast among the Beladors, but can now change all that…and find answers to her origins as well. Those answers and a traitor hide within the Medb coven, an enemy poised to destroy the mortal world and all that Evalle holds dear. While her best friends Tzader and Quinn want to help, they have their own conflicts and face unthinkable choices as relationships with the women they love twist in unexpected directions. With time ticking down on a decision that will compel allies to become deadly enemies, Evalle turns to Storm and takes a major step that only complicates matters more when the witchdoctor he’s been hunting now stalks Evalle

 

Review:

Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love is the 4th book in their Belador series.  If you have followed my reviews, you will know I love this series.  I love Evalle, who is one of my favorite kickass heroines.

Throughout this series, we have suffered with Evalle, as the Goddess Macha continues to push her to the brink, not to mention Sen, who is always looking to destroy her. Evalle has always been loyal to the Beladors;  constantly putting her life on the line, and yet she is not fully appreciated.  Because she is an Alterant, she is always threatened to lose her freedom with imprisonment.  WILL EVALLE EVER BE TOTALLY FREE??  

If you do not know, or remember, an Alterant is half Belador and an unknown half, which allows them to shift into a huge fearful beast. VIPER forbids Evalle to ever shift, and if you read the previous book, you know what happened.  Since this is an early review, I will stay away from spoilers, but still try to give you an idea about this book.

In Rise of the Gryphon, Evalle is ordered by Macha to find Alterants and bring them to her before the Medb gets them, but she only has a few days.  Such love for someone who just saved them.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Storm, who I also have grown to love, is with Evalle, as they search for Tristan & the Alterants.  Storm makes himself perfectly clear to Evalle….he loves her.  He will do anything to protect and save Evalle.  Does he??   Only time will tell.

The evil Queen Flaevynn is still the major villain in this series, as she leads the Medb in a plot to destroy the Beladors.  Rivaling “Mommy Dearest”, Flaevynn treats her daughter Kizira worse then an enemy.  So much so, that you find yourself feeling sympathy for Kizira, who has been a thorn against the Beladors. But is Kizira truly bad, since she is being compelled by her mother to hurt the Beladors, or is she really in love with Quinn?

The focus of this story is can Evalle find Tristan and all the Alterants, before the Medb take them?  Evalle and Storm will travel to participate in the Achilles Beast Championship, which is a fight to the death; with the winners (all Alterants), then joining Medb, in an offer they cannot refuse.  It is up to Evalle to find a way to stop Medb, rescue the Alterants, and help save Brina and the Beladors. 

Every book in this series is great, but Rise of the Gryphon is the best one so far.  This was such an exciting adventure, filled with tension, bloody fights, various beasts, betrayals, danger, and so many moments you feared for your heroine.  Without giving any spoilers, there was a wonderful part that we have been waiting for…..Awesome. There was also another part of the book that had me very sad, surprisingly so.  When you read this book, you will know what I am talking about.

So many questions were answered:  Why is Evalle so wanted by the Medb?  Does Kizira really care about Quinn?  What kind of powers does Lanna have? Will Storm and Evalle finally come together?  Will we ever stop loving Feenix, our cute lovable gargoyle…….nah forget that, never happen.  I want more Feenix. 

But there are more questions still to come that we will have to wait until the next book.

Rise of the Gryphon was non stop action all the way.  The ending, another major battle, was totally awesome; you never knew what was coming next.  There were so many surprises and twists that I sat at the edge of my seat absorbing it all and then letting the shocks wear off. As I said earlier, so many questions were answered. and so many more new ones opened up.

I loved this book so much, that when the last page came, I kept looking for more, thinking there must be missing pages.  Sigh. Now I have to wait a year.  I will end by saying I love Evalle; love the Kenyon/Love duo; love love the Belador series.  Rise of the Gryphon is great. If you have not read this series, once again, what are you waiting for?

Reading order of the Belador series:
#1 –  Blood Trinity
#2 –  Alterant
#3 – The Curse
#4 – Rise of the Gryphon – Release date: July 30, 2013

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

 

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Honeymoon To Die For by Dianna Love – a Review

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Honeymoon To Die For by Dianna Love – a Review

Love-Honeymoon to Die For Cover 2 smallerLinks to order: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Review:

Honeymoon to Die For is the 3rd book in Dianna Love’s wonderful Slye Temp series. It seems with each book, this series gets better.  The minute I started this book, I could not put it down. It was so exciting, with wonderful characters; something that Dianna is known for.  If you have not read any of Dianna’s books, she has an uncanny ability of always creating wonderful characters that you care about, as well as the secondary characters. 

Ryder Van Dyke is our hero in Honeymoon To Die For, and what a hero he is.  It didn’t take me long to fall for Ryder, and I think our heroine, Bianca Brady started to fall for him quickly too.  The only difference is she thought he was the enemy, and fought hard to fight her attraction. Not me, I fell for him hook, line and sinker all the way.

The story starts with Ryder in prison for a crime he did not commit, and he has been there for 4 months.  He knows he has been framed, and Sabrina and the Slye Temp team has tried to help him to no avail. Ryder’s father is a billionaire business man, and Ryder suspects his father had a hand in framing him.  The FBI wants Ryder’s father badly, and he is offered a deal to help them get the information they need.  Enter Bianca, who is an FBI agent, who had a hand in sending Ryder to prison.  Bianca is an expert analyst, with special computer skills.  It is Ryder who insists that Bianca go with him back home to his father, to help find the information the FBI needs, as well as hoping to find out who framed him.

I will not give spoilers, but to tell you that this was such an exciting story from start to finish; another wonderful trademark for Dianna Love’s storytelling.  Honeymoon To Die For is a romance suspense thriller all the way.  As Ryder and Bianca worked together as a married couple, there were so many tense dangerous moments where both of them had their lives on the line, and us on the edge of our seat.  But the best of part of this book, was the buildup of their romance. I loved Ryder from the start, and how he falls hard for Bianca, giving him something he has never had….love.  It was a treasure to watch Bianca fight off her attraction to Ryder, as she has not had good experiences with men, only to fall hard.  This was such a beautiful romance, one of the best I have read this year.  I so enjoyed watching this unlikely couple fall in love, despite the dangers surrounding them.  The sexual chemistry between them was hot and steamy, and written so well by Dianna.  totally awesome. 

Honeymoon to Die For is a great book, that blew me away.  If you like romance and suspense thrillers, you must read this book.  Dianna Love is a wonderful writer, and I have become such a big fan of her work.  I suggest you read this series from the beginning, but Honeymoon To Die For is one not to be missed. I for one cannot wait for the next book in this series, Kiss The Enemy, coming in December.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author


Slye Temp Series

 slye temp 2

 

last chance to run
Last Chance To Run
Book # 1
Release Date: 2/2013

Links to order:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble/ The Book Depository

Description:

To an undercover agent, she’s a Person of Interest. He’s interested.

Escaping the compound of a deadly international felon–with a fortune in rare, stolen coins hidden on her body–elite athlete Angel Farentino has to make the most important run of her life. Literally. With her father in prison, where he belongs, and a prior undeserved conviction hanging over her head, she has nowhere to turn and no one to trust. Definitely not law enforcement who railroaded her through a judicial nightmare. One step ahead of lethal men and dogs on her trail, she runs into the arms of a dark stranger willing to help her if she’d let him. But that would only get the sexy pilot killed.

Between figuring out who’s sabotaging his undercover work for the DEA and trying to save his baby sister from herself, Zane Jackson has enough on his plate. The last thing he needs is to get entangled with a woman who’s treading on the wrong side of the law. But when the long-legged distraction races into the middle of his operation and stows away on his plane, a primal need to protect forces Zane to risk everything, starting with his heart.

 

Love-Nowhere Safe


Nowhere Safe
Book #2
Release Date: 2/2013

Links to order:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
He has nothing to lose until she gives him a reason to live.

Thanks to a traitor,Slye Temp agent Josh Carrington should have died during the blown UK mission, but he didn’t. Scars fade and nightmares can be managed, but he’ll never forget watching an innocent woman die because she trusted him. Tempted by the best, he sticks to Personal Rule Number One: Never mix business with pleasure.

Slye Temp sends Josh to uncover a leak in a DEA task force…a mole in league with the traitor who betrayed the UK team. A deadly shipment is bound for the US and nothing will stop Josh from taking down this mole, blocking the shipment, and nabbing the traitor. Not even Trish Jackson, hardheaded sister of his #1 DEA suspect.

A faceless stalker has turned Trish’s life into a living nightmare and threatens to kill anyone who helps her, including Josh, the new man on her brother’s task force who has planted both unwelcome feet in the middle of her world and refuses to leave. The closer Josh gets to the twisted truth, the more he struggles to keep Trish out of harm’s way–and his bed–but the sultry firecracker gets under his skin like no other woman, forcing him to question everything, starting with Rule Number One.

 

Love-Honeymoontodiefor
Honeymoon To Die For
Book #3
Release Date: June 27,2013

Links to order: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Description:
She’s convinced he’s guilty. He knows he’s not.
Can they survive long enough to prove who’s right?

Former Slye Temp agent Ryder Van Dyke is stuck in an Atlanta penitentiary facing the death penalty after being framed for murder. When his last hope for freedom disintegrates, Ryder is offered a commuted sentence – if he helps the FBI nail a deadly criminal … his father. But Ryder has his own plan to use this opportunity to prove his innocence, or tap his Special Forces skills to disappear because he is not going back in that cage.

FBI analyst Bianca Brady spent two long years substantiating that the head of Van Dyke Enterprises is guilty of funneling weapons to terrorists. Now all she needs is the proof. When her research leads to a potential murder conviction for Ryder Van Dyke, Bianca sees a clear path to take down Ryder’s father and to gain justice for her best friend who died at the hands of a terrorist.

Bianca’s the last person Ryder will trust after she led the charge to put him in prison, but when Ryder accepts the FBI offer there’s only one way to get an agent inside his father’s high-security family compound – as Ryder’s legal wife. The unlikely pair must navigate a minefield of deadly secrets, threats to national security, and a killer with a vendetta, to stay alive until they uncover the truth. But when Bianca becomes the killer’s next target, Ryder is forced to make a choice – give up his freedom or risk the life of the woman who’s stolen his heart.

Love-Kiss the Enemy
Coming Soon!

Kiss The Enemy
Book #4
Release Date: 12/2013

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Montana Mustangs Book Tour and Giveaway with Danica Winters

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Montana Mustangs Book Tour and Giveaway with Danica Winters

MONTANA MUSTANGS Tour Banner

Series Spotlight

The Nymph’s Labrynth
The Nymph Series #1
by Danica Winters
Release Date: December 31, 2012

The Nymphs Labrynth

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

A world shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the Sisterhood of Epione must not be exposed.

Shape-shifting nymph Ariadne Papadakis is tasked with keeping the truth of the group’s existence and their ancient mysteries far out of reach of the American archeologist, Beau Morris and his troublemaking son, Kaden. When forgotten and forbidden passions are awakened, Ariadne is forced make a choice—fall in line and continue to be overrun and pushed down by the sisterhood, or follow her heart and put Beau and Kaden’s lives in danger.

Can she have the man she loves or will the pressure and secrets of her past keep her from her heart’s desire?

••••••••••••••••••••••

Montana Mustangs
The Nymph Series #2
by Danica Winters
Release Date: May 2013

Montana Mustangs

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

A nymph: a woman with the ability to seduce at will, shift to protect, but cursed with the fate to have the man she falls in love with die a tragic death. As one of these ill-fated nymphs, Aura Montgarten has spent her lifetime drifting from one place to another hiding from love. Until she meets Dane.

When a body washes up on the shore of a rural Montana lake, police officer Dane Burke is faced with the task of finding the killer—even if it means he will be forced to put his life and heart at risk by working with a drifter. As the truth of Aura’s Mustang-shifting nymph ways are revealed, Dane learns exactly the amount of danger he and Aura are in, but can’t force himself to leave a case unsolved when the truth is just outside his grasp.

When the killer decides he needs to take another victim—Dane—Aura must choose between their forbidden love and her immortal life. Can there be life without love or is death her only choice?

About The author

Danica WintersDanica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic.  When she’s not working she can be found in the wilds of Montana working on her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery and painting are not her thing).  She always believe the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.

Website | Blog | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook |

 

Other Titles by Danica Winters:
Love Under the Christmas Tree
A Christmas Miracle
The Vampire’s Hope
Curse of the Wolf
An Angel’s Justice

Coming Soon from Danica Winters (2013):

Winter Swans, The Nymph Series #3 (Crimson Romance)

Blog tour Schedule

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour-June 20 to July 20, 2013

7/07- Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)
http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
7/08- Reading Between the Wines (series spotlight)
http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
7/09-  The Reading Café (series spotlight & reviews)
http://thereadingcafe.com/
7/10- Sassy Book Lovers (series spotlight)
http://sassybooklovers.blogspot.com/
7/11-  Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My! (Interviews & reviews)
http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/
7/12-  You Gotta Read Reviews (interview)
http://yougottaread.com/
7/13- Confessions of the Paranormal (series spotlight)
http://confessionsoftheparanormal.blogspot.com/
7/14- Page Flipperz (series spotlight)
http://pageflipperz.blogspot.com/
7/15- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interview)
http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com
7/16- Night Owl Reviews (guest post)
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Montana-Mustangs-by-Danica-Winters
7/16 – Riverina Romantics (series spotlight)
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/
7/17- Nette’s Bookshelf (series spotlight & reviews)
http://nettesbookshelf.blogspot.com/
7/18- Toot’s Book Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)
http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/
7/19- Cocktails and Books (series spotlight)
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
7/20- Mimmi’s Musings (series spotlight)
http://mimmismusings.blogspot.com/

Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Danica is giving away a the following prizes when her tour ends:

GRAND PRIZE:
$25.00 Amazon gift card

RUNNERS UP:
TWO runners-up will get a copy of An Angel’s Justice?

NOTE:  The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway.  If you have any questions, please contact the blog tour promoter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Joe Marvullo-Interview with the Cover Model

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Joe Marvullo-Interview with the Cover Model at The Reading Cafe

TRC: Hi Joe and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

FOLLOW Joe: Facebook / Twitter

Joe Marvullo 2Joe:  I grew up in a small town called Glenwood Landing on Long Island NY. I am the youngest of 3. I have two older sisters. So I am the baby boy… And I have a feeling it will always be that way 🙂 I grew up with 2 great parents that did everything they could to give me and my sisters what they could. My entire life sports played a huge role in giving me some self confidence, and a sense of belonging. I was a great athlete and used sports as an outlet for myself.

 
TRC:  Would you please tell us about your first tattoo and what was the decision behind the design? Do all of your tattoos have some significance to your life and struggle?

Joe:  The first tattoo I got was 2 weeks after my mother had passed away. It was a Japanese symbol for “Good Memory”. My decision to get this was driven off of guilt. I was feeling very guilty after my mother had passed because of the events that led up to that day. But I wanted something where I could have a constant reminder to remember the good, not the bad. Every one of my tattoos has significance. They all signify different points in my life where there was struggle and success.

TRC:  Many people, once they get their first inked artwork, are more likely to get another tattoo (body modification some call it) and some do not stop at one or two. Do you believe that getting multiple tattoos is another form of addiction?

Joe:  I don’t know if it’s another form of addiction, but I do know that there aren’t many people that I have met that can just stop after they get one. Once you get the creative juices flowing it’s hard to stop. You get one and love it, then think of another great idea, or you just like the overall design and you want to add to it. It’s weird to say, but when I look at someone with just one tattoo to me it looks a bit strange. I know that I am going to continue to get more and more. I don’t think I would fill my entire body, but I definitely want to add to what I have.

TRC:  Would you please tell us how you were ‘discovered’ and what was the precipitating factor behind your modeling career?

Joe Marvullo 5Joe:  I moved down to FL in the fall of 2007. I was working at an amazing restaurant in Dunedin FL. It was called Kellys For Just About Anything. It was there that I became friendly with a lot of the locals. There were 2 gentleman that owned a store in town called “Q”. Ron and Mark were regulars at the restaurant and had told me about a VIP party they were having for their best customers. They had asked if I would want to serve drinks and mingle with the ladies. I agreed and went to the event where I walked around shirtless and had a blast. There I met a fellow model and photographer named Edsras. He asked if he could shoot me and I agreed. I then went to Tampa and shot with him and his friends Daniel. That was the first shoot I ever did. In the past I NEVER wanted to model, but for some reason I decided to finally say yes.

From there I decided to see where it went and I started to communicate with a Miami based photographer named Luis Rafael. I set up a date and made my way to Miami. We did a 2 day shoot and it was the first time I ever felt “Alive” in front of the camera. He was, and to this day still is the best photographer I ever shot with. Not just because of the finished product, but because he was such a great person as well. He made me feel important, comfortable, and coached me through the entire shoot. Once we got the final images back it was then that I did my research and realized who Luis really was. One of the most well-known male photographers in the world. I decided to take the photos and put them on an on-line portfolio called ModelMayhem. It was then that I realized that I might be able to do something with all of this modeling. I might be able to go somewhere with it. Because of the great images I produced with Esdras, and the amazing images I produced with Luis, along with Luis’ name. I started to get a lot of offers to do shoots in the local market. Before I knew it people were recognizing me and my work, and it all just took off!

In the beginning the driving force behind my modeling was purely to see where it went. I was proud that I had worked so hard on my insides that I looked healthy on the outside. I worked hard in the gym, not just to achieve a nice body, but it was a form of therapy for me. At one point in my life when I was active I was so unhealthy that I looked sick and really unhealthy. I felt if I took pictures that I could be proud of all the hard work that I had put into myself as a whole.

TRC:  How did you become involved in the romance cover industry and do you remember your first cover?

Joe:  I had been contacted by a few authors in my past about doing some covers but never really had any interest. I was contacted by an author named Bonnie, and we discussed the possibility of doing a cover. That was the first time I had put any real thought into it. From there I had one of my close friends Kris Adams contact me that she knew someone that was interested in using me for her covers. Kimberly Knight and I were in touch soon after where we worked together to do our first cover. We did a remake of “Where I need to Be”. That was my first cover I ever did.

WantedTRC:  Do you know the number of ‘romance covers’ on which your image currently appears?

Joe:  As of right now I am on 2 covers for Kimberly Knight, “Where I Need to Be” & “Wanted” we are currently working on some more. I am on “Private Message” by Danielle Torella. And soon to be on a cover for author Maria DeSouza.

TRC:  There is a stigma in the cover model industry especially as it pertains to romance covers. The romance novel industry has dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years. Do you think the cover illustrations and ‘hero depictions’ have pushed the industry in such a way, that the reader’s imaginations can be fueled by the representation on the cover?

Joe:  I never was into reading in general, but I have noticed a huge increase in the popularity of romance novels. I think it is becoming more socially acceptable to share ones interest in that specific type of novel. I think that the ability to pick and choose someone that fits your character has given the ability for many authors to “brand” their novels. I think that if someone finds that a specific model has a certain type of following it can definitely help get more readers for the authors. To me it is still very strange that people think of me, and or fantasize in any way about my pictures coming to life.

Where I need to BeTRC: Nudity in the modeling industry can be very controversial. Photographs can range from sensual and sexual to bordering on pornographic. What advice would you give to young and up and coming models in the industry about nude photography?

Joe:  Nudity is one of the biggest issues in the modeling industry. Male or female models all go through struggles with photographers and industry professionals trying to get them to take nude photos. My advice would be to stay away from anyone that wants to shoot you nude. It is not worth it whether it be lots of money, or promises of fame. Stay close to the people that treat you with respect.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties have you faced in the modeling industry?

Joe:  Most of the challenges I have faced in the industry is the fact that I started so late in life. So mainly my age, but also my tattoos. I have been stuck between two worlds in modeling. High fashion and fitness. Most of the time its either or, not both. My tattoos have stopped me from getting some jobs, but helped me with others.

TRC:  When you are not modeling, what do you do for excitement? Relaxation?

Joe:  Excitement, I love to travel, go out with friends to lounges, and definitely anything outdoors. I enjoy sporting events, concerts, and spending time with my family.

Relaxation, I love movies, cooking, playing with anything electronic. I would say I am def a computer nerd.

Joe Marvullo 3TRC:  Do you have a second career when you are not modeling?

Joe:  I have always, and always will have a full time “Professional” career while modeling. I recently have resigned from a job as a pharmaceutical rep for a skincare company. I am currently looking for a new job in Sales, Management, Business Development.

TRC:  What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Joe:  A lot of people that first meet me think that I am going to be the complete opposite of who I really am. They think I am going to be vain, superficial, materialistic etc…. No one knows the struggles I have gone through and what my true purpose really is. Most would think I am selfish and egotistical, when I would say I am selfless, and humble.

TRC:  What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Joseph Marvullo 1Joe:
Start my own business again.
Get married.
Have kids
Start a foundation.
Most importantly travel the world and have my story be heard!

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Joe:  Currently I am working on a few project for some new magazines, I am working on a bunch of novel covers, editorials, fashion shows, music videos, TV commercials, and soon to be breaking into the Acting world some more.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food:
Soup!! I love any kind of Soups… My sister always makes it for me when I go to her house. But if I had to choose a “type” I would have to say Italian.

Favorite Dessert:
Cannolis!!!

Favorite TV Show:
Rediculousness/Fantasy Factory

Last Movie You Saw:
Mr. Nobody

Dark or Milk Chocolate:
Neither

Iron Man or Thor
Thor

Dream Car:
White 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo

Last Vacation Destination:
Puerto Rico

TRC:  Thank you Joe for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your recent cover appearances. We wish you all the best.

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The Georgia Corbins by Kara Leigh Miller-A Review and Interview with the Author

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The Georgia Corbins by Kara Leigh Miller-a review and interview with the author

The Georgia Corbins

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO/ Smashwords

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Release Date June 10, 2013

Ali Philips never thought anything could be more devastating than the day Levi and Tucker Corbin, her two best friends—her only friends—moved away. Three years passed without a single phone call, text message, or email from them and she’s resolved to the fact that she will probably never see them again. Until one morning when she comes face-to-face with Levi Corbin in physics class.

Little does she know, the Corbins have returned to Haldeen with only one thing on their minds: winning Ali’s heart. Ali soon finds herself in the middle of a love triangle she doesn’t want any part of. As she tries to reclaim the friendships she’s lost and to adjust to the unfamiliar feelings she’s having, she struggles with making the one decision that will forever change their lives: Levi or Tucker Corbin?

She’s always had a special bond with Tucker and feels most comfortable when she’s with him. But Levi brings her to life in a way she didn’t think was possible and makes her feel things she didn’t think she would ever feel. Torn between the two, Ali is certain of only one thing–by the time it’s over, she’ll lose one of her best friends.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: When you are young the friendships you make sometimes stay with you forever – that is – at least until they are taken from you. Ali Philips is a beautiful young girl from small town Haldeen, Georgia. Growing up here had been hard for Ali, she had always been picked on and had always been “one of the boys.” She did however have two best friends – her only friends – twins – Tucker and Levi Corbin. They were as close as any three friends could possibly be. Spending their summer days at Old Man Potter’s swimming hole, climbing trees and hanging out in the hay loft of the old abandoned barn. Life was simple and their friendships were forever. That is until Levi and Tucker abruptly announced that they were moving. Tearing Ali’s world apart – she was left with no one. No friends, no one to protect her. Life did continue – and Ali weathered the storm.

Fast forward three years later – Ali is a stunningly beautiful junior in high school. She has a group of friends that she is comfortable with and a life that she is secure in. Until she walks into Physics class and sees Levi Corbin. The Corbin Boys are back. After three years – three years of no contact – no phone calls, no emails, no letters. They just disappeared from her life – and here they are – back again in Haldeen. Ali is unsure of what the future holds now, but one thing is clear – the Corbin boys are all grown up and better looking than she remembers. The question is – will their friendships go back to the way they were and does Ali even want them to?

I found this book very heart-warming and well rounded. I immediately enjoyed the character of Ali Philips and her small town. I found the author’s knowledge of small town living and being a teenager growing up there was spot on. While I am years gone from being a teenager – I found myself remembering and reminiscing about my teenage years while reading this book. There is an abundance of teenage angst – which lets admit it – what teenager’s life isn’t filled with angst. But there is also an amazing amount of true friendship and loyalty, love and understanding. The relationships that Ali begins to explore with Levi and Tucker were very emotional and I could feel the pain that Ali felt. And I will admit to shedding a few tears here and there for the decisions she had to make. The characters of Levi and Tucker Corbin were almost real to me – at least I wished they were. Handsome, adorable, charming Southern boys – who could ask for or want anything more. I thoroughly loved this story – the only thing that I can complain about is (without revealing too much) – while I understand Ali’s choice – I do not agree with it. And I am praying to the book gods that there are more books in the works that will elaborate and continue the lives of these three characters. If you love a good, down home, Southern love story that grips your emotions and tears at your soul then I highly recommend this book.

Copy supplied by the publicist

Reviewed by Erin K.

About The Author beige

About the Author:

Born and raised in the small town of Mexico, New York, Kara was an only child who was forced to find ways to entertain herself. Playing make believe with her Barbie dolls and stuffed animals was her first real taste of storytelling before she became old enough to develop a love affair with the written word. In early 2010, Kara picked up her very first erotic romance novel, and she was instantly hooked. She loves to write contemporary romance, erotica, and young adult romance. Currently she has several full-length novels in the works, a series of novellas, and a handful of short stories. Kara is an active member of the CNY Creative Writers Café and the CNY Romance Writers. Today, Kara resides in New Haven, New York with her husband, five kids, and three cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s thinking about reading and writing. And when she’s not doing that, she’s spending time with her family and friends.

FOLLOW Kara: Goodreads / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Add to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17669136-the-georgia-corbins

 Interview beige

TRC: Hi Kara and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of The Georgia Corbins.

Kara: Thank you! And thanks so much for letting me stop by. I’m excited to be here.

Kara Leigh MillerTRC: We would like to start with some background information, would you please tell us something about yourself?

Kara: Well, I’m a full time stay-at-home mom to five children – four girls and one boy. I was an only child growing up and I hated it, which is why I opted to have more than one child. lol. Writing really is a passion for me and it started out as just something to occupy my time while my kids were in school, but then I realized I was kind of good at it and I decided to try getting published. As they say, the rest is history.

TRC: What difficulties or challenges have you faced as an author?

Kara: There are a lot of difficulties and challenges. The first is finding enough time to write all the stories that are rumbling around in my mind. The second is finding a good balance between writing time and marketing. Trying to get my books in the hands of the readers is a huge challenge, especially when there are so many great authors out there looking to do the same.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Kara: Thankfully, I have a great network of friends and authors I can bounce ideas off, but my go to people are Giovanni Valentino and Nikki Lynn Vale. Not only are they close, personal friends, but they are members of my weekly writers group. Then I have a super awesome beta reader, Louise D. Gornall, whose insights are always spot on and tremendously helpful. I’d be lost without them.

The Georgia Corbins

TRC: The Georgia Corbins is the June 2013 release in your new Young Adult series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO/ Smashwords

Kara: It’s the ultimate love triangle — fraternal twin brothers fighting over their childhood best friend. As if the teen years aren’t hard enough, throw in the need to make an impossible choice and you’ve got a story ripe with tension.

 

 

Ali and the Corbin BoysTRC: Ali and The Corbin Boys is a free download from Smashwords. Should the readers grab a copy before reading The Georgia Corbins?

Click HERE for you free prequel

Kara: I hope they do! I mean, it’s free! Why wouldn’t they? Seriously though, The Georgia Corbins can be read without first reading Ali and The Corbin Boys. This free download gives the history between Ali and the Corbins. It shows how they became friends and the tumultuous relationship between Ali and Shelby, who is the closest thing to a villain in this story. I think it adds another layer to the book and helps to give a better understanding to the complex relationships among these characters.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Kara: It was rather easy to do with this story. From the beginning its pretty clear who Ali wants to choose, but a series of events and realizations lead her to make the opposite choice. From the reviews and feedback I’ve already received, it was something readers didn’t see coming. They’re in for a lot more surprises in book two!

TRC: What difficulties did you encounter (logistical, research, etc) outlining and writing this particular novel?

Kara: The dialect. This takes place in the Deep South and the way of speaking down there differs from how we speak here in NY. I spent some time researching the dialect and the accents, listening to clips of it on YouTube. Then I incorporated all of that into the story only to be told it was too “heavy” and that it made it difficult to read. So, I had to go back and start over. At least now I know for next time. Lol.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters, which actors or models would best represent your ideal image?

Kara: The only one I ever had a real image for was Tucker and that was a young Chris Hemsworth.

TRC: How many books do you plan for the series and will the characters and storylines overlap?

Kara: Right now I’m planning on three books. This first book was the story of all three of them and Ali’s choice. The second and third books will focus on each Corbin boy individually, because I can tell you now, things don’t stay happy for the three of them for very long. I’ve considered writing a fourth book that would take place ten years in the future, at their high school reunion, but I’m still letting that idea toss around in my brain a little more. And yes, all of the characters and storylines will overlap. Even though it’s three separate books, it’s one long, continuous story.

TRC: How thoroughly do you plan out your characters and story before you begin the first draft?

Kara: Not much at all. I’m a panster to a fault. Typically I’ll jot down some character names with a physical description and maybe a plot idea or two, but that’s about it.

TRC: Do your characters direct the storyline or do you have a semblance of control?

Kara: I’d like to think I’m in control, but that’s not always the case. I guide them in a certain direction, and then my characters take over. It’s more fun that way.

TRC: You are a writer of several different genres. Do you prefer writing one over another? Which do you find easier?

Kara: Yes, I am a multi-genre writer. I hate to be confined to just one. My favorite genre to write is erotic romance because I feel like I have a lot more freedom with my characters. I don’t have to censor them as much.

TRC: If you could become a contestant on a television reality program, which show would you prefer and why?

Kara: Dancing With the Stars – for several reasons: (1) I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance; (2) I would LOVE to meet Derrick Hough; (3) I wouldn’t have to eat anything nasty like bugs; (4) I could, hopefully, finally lose these few last pounds that just won’t seem to go away; (5) Hello? Have you seen the pretty costumes they get to wear??

TRC: How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of deadlines?

Kara: With lots and lots of chocolate! I always try to break things down into smaller portions because if I look at the big picture, all seems hopeless. If I know I have to write 20K words in a week, I’ll break that down to 3K a day until it’s finished, which is doable with all my other responsibilities. If I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed, I’ll take some time for myself to decompress. I’ll take my dogs for a walk or take a nice hot bubble bath.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Kara: Lots of fun things! The sequel to The Georgia Corbins; the sequel to my contemporary NA romance, Death of a Waterfall; and an erotic paranormal romance.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kara: Thank you to everyone who has bought and read my books. Your support means the world to me. Thank you to The Reading Café for inviting me to stop by to chat. And to all YA, erotica, and/or romance authors out there: I would love to work on a project with you. Contact me if you’re looking for a co-writer or a contributor to an anthology.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Chicken Alfredo with broccoli

Favorite Dessert – Cheesecake with fresh strawberries

Favorite TV Show – The Vampire Diaries

Last Movie You Saw – Iron Man 3

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk Chocolate

Favorite Flower — Orchids

TRC: Thank you Kara for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of your new novel.

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Behind The Author – An Interview with Cassondra Murray

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Behind The Author – An Interview with Cassondra Murray

Behind the Authors

It has been awhile since we took a look at what goes on behind the scenes to help an author write, promote and publish their books.

Today we will learn how valuable an Assistant to an Author is, and what their job entails.

 

 

Cassondra B&WThe Reading Café would like to welcome Cassondra Murray, who is an assistant extraordinaire for a busy and successful author.   Cassondra, who is also a writer herself, is here to give us a look at what an assistant does behind the scenes in helping the author. 

I can personally vouch for Cassondra, as she is a fantastic person to work with.

Let’s meet Cassondra.

 
Interview-RED

TRC: Cassondra, we are happy to have you here today.

Cassondra: Hi Barb, it’s so nice of you to invite me.  I can’t think of anything more fun than hanging out in a café, talking about books and writing.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Cassondra:  I’ve been writing one thing or another since I was eleven years old, and I started proofreading for a small newspaper at about that same age.  I love barns, cows and tractors–all things country.  I stare at the rows of corn across from my house, listen to the frogs on the pond at night, watch lightning bugs flicker in the field, and read books with happy endings because that’s what feeds my soul and makes me want to write. 

TRC:  Being a writer yourself, can you please tell us how you decided to become an assistant?

Cassondra:  I never set out to be one.    I  met Dianna Love in (I think) 2003 when she spoke to the Nashville chapter of Romance Writers of America.  We became fast friends and I started reading her manuscripts as a beta reader.

Flash forward to 2009. I was in a horrible job, but afraid to quit.  Pushed into a corner one evening, I finally turned in my notice.  The next morning I sent emails to my network of friends.  I typed, “I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I’ve quit.  Here are my skills… and I’m looking.”

Two minutes later the phone rang.  Seriously..two minutes.  It was Dianna.  She said, “Be my assistant.”  I was overwhelmed, but at first I said no, because even though I needed a job, I was not willing to risk my friendship with her for anything.  She said, “We’re both strong women.  We can be honest with one another.  We’ll work it out.”

And so far, we have.  

TRC:  How would you describe your job as an assistant to an Author?

Cassondra:  It’s crazy, nutso, balls-to-the-wall project work (when she’s releasing a book)  with a little bit of routine busy work in between. The non-schedule and the crazy are actually the parts I thrive on.  But the truth is that Dianna Love is the most organized person I know.   She does fine without an assistant, and she watches my back as much as I watch hers to keep the train rolling down the tracks on schedule, so although I send her “don’t forget” reminders sometimes, I really don’t play the typical “assistant” role in that way.  Basically I do some reading/editing for her, and I try to take some of the busy work so she can have a little more time to write.  I figure my job is to care as much as she does about her career, her readers, and the quality of the books she releases.   Whatever that entails, if I can do it, I’m there.

TRC:  If you were to take us through the steps you do on a daily basis, what is a day in the life of Cassondra Murray like?

Cassondra:  Every day is different, which is good. I’d rather dig my eye out with a spoon than do the same thing every day. Dianna gets up at  4 in the morning — that’s about when I go to sleep because  I’m a vampire by nature.  So I get up mid-late morning, mainline coffee to wake up my brain, and check email.  I’ll have several from Dianna since she’s been up for hours already.  I start working through the emails, deal with whatever she needs from me first, then emails coming in from other people, and then move to spreadsheets or ads.  

BUT…If I’m working on a read or an edit for Dianna, I roll out of bed and go straight to the manuscript.  I’m a slow reader, so when I’m reading for her, anything that’s not bleeding to death gets put off ‘til later, and I read straight though, long hours (that’s totally my choice, btw. It’s just how I like to work—by staying completely immersed in the story without getting distracted). Dianna gives me plenty of time for the read, and never has gotten used to how I stay up all night reading.  It bothers her when I do it. Even after all this time, I think she still worries that I might be an alien.

TRC:  Are you a beta reader for your author?  If so, when you read the finished novel, do you make recommendations, help with editing or changes/suggestions?

Cassondra:  Once Dianna gets a draft of the story where she believes it’s close, she gives it to me and I read.  I make notes if I see parts of the story that I think she needs to look at again.  She takes those notes and uses those as she does her next revision, then it will go out to her fantastic team of beta readers.

Once she gets the story the way she wants it, I do a last read for continuity errors (think eye color, height of characters, age, name spelling etc).  Then she makes her final edits.

TRC:  Are you involved in the promotion aspect of the author’s book?  We know you work with sites like ours, but do you work with the publishing house in helping with the promotions?

Cassondra: Dianna coordinates everything with her publisher and all promotions that happen through them.  I try to take as much as possible of the “outside” promotions—once again with the goal of giving her time to write.   

TRC:  Do you have to travel a lot, or can you do most of your job virtually or on the telephone? 

Cassondra:  I’m in Kentucky and she’s in the Atlanta area, so a lot of my work is via email, but we talk on the phone a lot.  Once or twice a year I travel to her and we spend a few days just planning the upcoming months of writing schedule, travel, and promotions.  But Dianna takes me with her on a lot of trips, and we use that time for face-to-face work too.

TRC:  What do you feel are the challenges in assisting the author in preparing & finalizing their book?

Cassondra:  For me, there are two main challenges. 

The first is reading and editing for her without touching what writers call her “author voice.”  Real people don’t speak or think in perfect English, so her characters won’t either. The rules of grammar have to be fudged, and every now and then just tossed out the window.  When to do that–and when not–is a strange mix of editing science and writing art, sort of.  All authors get so immersed in the story that they sometimes can’t tell if a point is confusing.  If that happens, I have to suggest edits that make sure the meaning is clear and understandable for the reader, hopefully without affecting Dianna’s “style” of telling a story. That style—that “voice” is what makes a Dianna Love book unique.  My aim is to allow her to use my notes and suggestions as she polishes to make the story better, because that’s always her ultimate goal.  Make the story the best it can be.

Second challenge?  I  get really bad “story brain”.  When I work on my stories, I get buried in my characters and their world, and I live there. I turn into Zombie Assistant. I lose track of time. I forget things.  This is when Dianna watches my back too, so hopefully everything gets done.

TRC:  What is the best part of being an assistant to an author?

Cassondra:  I get to work with one of my closest friends, doing something I truly enjoy, and I actually feel like my work has  a positive impact on the final result—more great books for readers. 

I have to earn a paycheck so I can pay bills, but if I didn’t, I would still work with Dianna for free if she’d let me.

TRC:  On a personal note, as the writer Cassondra, are you working on anything you would like to tell us about?

Cassondra:  I am! I’ll be releasing my debut romantic suspense late this year, and I’m very excited about that.   It’s the first in a series about undercover operatives and the love that can bring an abandoned, tortured heart back to life.

TRC:  Do you feel working as an assistant to an author helps you with ideas for your own writing?

Cassondra: Not ideas per se, because I have more ideas than I could write in three lifetimes.  But the opportunity to work with a writer at NYT Bestseller level, to learn her philosophy of storytelling and her approach to her readers, to have her feedback on my stories and on how to work at the business of publishing–Oh… and to call her for help when I’m stuck—there is no dollar amount a writer could place on that.    The most valuable part of it is her constant encouragement.

TRC:  How do you feel the rise of e-books will effect the author in publishing their books. Is this something you feel will enhance your author’s ability to sell more books? 

Cassondra:  It’s an exciting, scary time in publishing, that’s for certain.  In spite of the challenges, I think it’s a fantastic thing for authors, and for readers.  And the bottom line is yes, with the advent of eBooks, Dianna is able to publish more books faster on her own than the publisher can manage.  That means more Dianna Love stories for the readers.

TRC:  Besides the author you work for, who are your favorite authors or series?

Cassondra:  My best friends are all writers.  I’m not scared of much, but no way am I brave enough to answer that question. *grin*

TRC:  Is there anything else you would like to add and share with us? 

Cassondra:  Y’all can usually find me hanging out in the lair at Romance Bandits, and I blog there at least once a month about lightning bugs, fence rows, truck nuts, or whatever else strikes me as interesting. It’s a fun, easygoing place where we all love happy endings.  Come on over and ‘set a spell’.  Links to my old blogs are in my Bandit Writing Cave.   You can also find me on facebook as Author Cassondra Murray.

TRC:  Thank you, Cassondra, for taking the time to talk to us.  This was fun, as it gives everyone a chance to see what is behind the author and meet them personally.

Cassondra:  I had a great time!  Thanks again for the invitation!   I’ll hang out to answer questions if anybody wants to chat.  You can ask me pretty much anything.

 

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Cassondra is graciously offering one lucky member of The Reading Cafe a giveaway. “I’ve got a big box of books here.  Leave a comment to be entered. I’ll mail a surprise grab bag to one of you.  Two books (both romance),  I’ll grab at random out of my box of new, unread conference giveaway books, and I’ll mail them to you if you live in the Continental US.”

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. You must leave a comment.

3.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

4.  Giveaway open to US Only

5.  Contests runs from July 8 to July 11, 2013

 

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Forever Freed by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal and Promotion

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Forever Freed by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal and Promotion

Forever Freed

About Forever Freed:

A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient guilt and grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.

But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear–talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and tempting the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can…

NJRW GOLDEN LEAF WINNER FOR BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE OF 2011
NJRW GOLDEN LEAF FINALIST FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2011

GDRWA BOOKSELLERS’ BEST CONTEST FINALIST FOR BEST PARANORMAL 2012
GDRWA BOOKSELLERS’ BEST CONTEST FINALIST FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2012

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSP7AA2

Amazon Paperback http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Freed-Laura-Kaye/dp/0989465055/ref=sr_ob_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373061492&sr=1-1

B&N (coming soon)

Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Forever-Freed/book-1TEdUDv6TkqoHmsHK40wow/page1.html

Other stores to follow!

Excerpt 3

Excerpt (Adult):

Lucien DeMarcoThe bedroom door had barely clicked behind me when Samantha grabbed and shoved me toward the bed. I fell backward, and she was on top of me, clawing at my clothes and ripping off her own. Whatever had been going on with her all day was now clearly finding a release.

“Sam?”

She kissed me roughly and shoved her tongue into my mouth. I groaned and pushed her back.

Though we french kissed all the time, I generally kept her out of my mouth.

“Sam?”

Finally, she stilled. With her hands braced on my shoulders, her eyes burned down into mine. Her anger squeezed my chest. Her voice was strained. “Lucien, we’ll talk later. I promise. But right now I want you, and I need you. And I need you to know it, feel it.” Her words clarified little, but I nodded.

She unleashed herself on me, kissing and licking and roughly nipping at my upper body all while maintaining eye contact. I thrust my hips into her when she lingered over my Blood Mark. I finally had to grab her hair and tug her attention away from it.

Samantha SuttonWith a groan, she reached a hand down between her legs and worked herself as she devoured me. When I realized what she was doing, I moaned and gripped her shoulders and rolled on top of her.

I grabbed her hand and pulled it to my mouth, then noisily sucked on her wet fingers. I groaned at the sweet nectar of her arousal.

“You see what you do to me, Lucien? What only you do to me?” she rasped. “Take me, Lucien. I’m yours,” she offered as she planted her feet flat on the mattress and pushed herself up forcefully against my erection.

Her aggression spurred mine, and I grunted. “You want me?” I asked as I ground myself against

her wetness. She ran a hand over the bedspread and found the packet she’d apparently laid out earlier. She slid herself against me as she opened it and then rolled on the condom. “God, yes,” she whimpered.

I plunged forward and filled her in one hard stroke. She screamed and wrapped herself around

me. Hard breaths and grunts and strained curses in two languages filled the room as we battled through Samantha’s emotions with our bodies. She kissed me roughly and dug her nails into my flesh. The physical pain mingled with her radiating pleasure to coax what I was sure was going to be one of the most intense orgasms I’d ever experienced.

She came in a frenzy of screams and muscle contractions. And then bit against the taut skin at the base of my neck. Hard.

Ollie SuttonMy fangs and release shot out at the same time. I growled and in a blur turned my head in search of my biceps. I missed the tender skin of her shoulder by a hair as the urge to bite down became irresistible.

Finally, I willed my fangs to retract and licked at the wound I’d made on my arm, then slid down a little and laid my head on her heaving breasts.

“I love you,” I whispered breathlessly.

She hugged my shoulders and combed her fingers through my hair. “I love you, too.” We lay together, panting, for a long time. “Lucien?” I lifted my head off her chest to look at her. “I’m ready to talk now.”

About The Author

Laura Kaye-About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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