Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Author, author.... Spotlight: Against the Wall by Andie DeVaux



AGAINST THE WALL
Andie Devaux
BLURB: When she sees red and blue lights flashing in her rearview mirror, Michelle Thomas fears her day is ruined. Sexy Officer Drake lets her go with a warning, but when she runs into him at a bar later that day, it feels a little like fate. Michelle isn’t interested in fate. She has two weeks until she starts grad school so she’s looking for one thing: fun. A no-holds-barred good time. What she doesn’t want is a relationship—that’s a distraction she can’t afford. Officer David Drake has never met a woman as sexually adventurous as he is, and when he senses a kindred spirit in Michelle, he isn’t willing to let her go easily. Especially when she proves to be feisty and smart. But will she decide the officer is worth risking her future plans? Against the Wall is a new adult erotic romance novelette. It is not intended for young readers due to mature content. Adults only. 8,800 words


Currently available at the following retailers: 



Against the Wall is a prequel novelette for the Officer Mine series. Next book coming soon! Excerpt: Great. Just flipping wonderful. Could her night get any better? Michelle Thomas eyed the flashing red and blue lights in her rearview mirror and carefully pulled off to the side of the road. It took all the self-control she could muster and a few deep breaths not to smack the steering wheel to vent some frustration while the motorcycle cop took his sweet time approaching the window of her little Honda. With her luck, she’d hit the horn and he’d take her to jail for being a jerk. Tonight just sucked. Not only had her ex-boyfriend Gavin shown up at her apartment—something she was on the edge of getting a restraining order to prevent in the future—but Kristy had called and changed their night out from a club near her house to some dive bar across town. At least, she assumed it was a dive bar. What other kind of bar could it be with a name like Tom’s Tavern? Now, not only had Gavin once again creeped her out, she couldn’t even properly drown her sorrows. She’d have to take an expensive cab home if she did. Although the price of a cab might be worth it after her week from hell. The cop tapping on her window wasn’t likely to give a crap about any of that. And she wouldn’t to grovel to avoid a ticket—that would just add insult to injury at this point. Begging out of a ticket had never worked for her anyway. “Can I help you?” she said in a sickly sweet fake voice. “License, registration and proof of insurance, please,” he said in a deep baritone, words so practiced he sounded bored. “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Yeah, right. Like she was going to offer up ideas and get herself who-knew-how-many tickets. “You had nothing better to do?” “I clocked you at seventeen miles per hour over the speed limit.” “Of course you did.” “Excuse me?” He leaned toward her window and pushed down his sunglasses. She caught a glimpse of a strong jaw and blue eyes against a dark head of hair that was mussed from his motorcycle helmet. “I said, of course you did. Because that’s just how shitty my day is going.” She knew she shouldn’t mouth off, but she just couldn’t seem to stop the flow of words. Something inside of her had hit a boiling point. “Figures I’d get pulled over, too.” Was it her imagination or did his mouth twitch just a bit at her comment? “Well, your day is going to get even worse if you don’t find your license, registration and proof of insurance.” She cursed under her breath and fished through her glove compartment. Three expired proofs of insurance later, she found the correct one. But her registration proved elusive. She handed him what she had and then peeked out the window. “I have my registration from”—she scanned the date—”two years ago.” “I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car while I check these.” Just her luck. Could the night get any worse? She exited the vehicle and then watched the police officer walk back to his motorcycle. The flashing lights to warn oncoming traffic of the potential hazard did nothing to distract her from the tight ass of the man walking away from her, nor from the powerful width of his shoulders. He was tall—over six feet. And built. The officer knew his way around a gym. She resisted the urge to lean back against her car while she waited for him to check her information. Dirt coated its surface from the last rainstorm. Washing it this week just hadn’t seemed important. She’d spent the week avoiding Gavin and doing what she could to enjoy her last summer of freedom. Two weeks until she started graduate school. Until then, her only responsibilities were entertaining herself and showing up somewhat on time for her part-time barista job that was less than a hop, skip and a jump from her new apartment just off campus. Most of the summer had disappeared far too quickly, sucked away by Gavin and his dramatics. What remained would be her one taste of real freedom from the constant stress of classes since she’d started college. Whoever thought you could graduate in four years without summer classes hadn’t double majored. But now she was done—free. For the first time in her twenty-three years. No parents to see on a daily basis. No classes to attend. No boyfriend to worry over or spend time with. “Are you aware that your copy of the registration is expired?” His gravelly tone sounded neither sympathetic nor annoyed. He could have been talking about the weather, for crying out loud. She was sick of this. This was her two weeks. Her time. This guy wasn’t taking any more of it, no matter how well his uniform fit and how freaking stunning his features were behind his dark Aviator sunglasses. “No shit, Sherlock,” she said. His jaw ticked, and her bravery faltered. “Look at my plates. There’s a sticker there.” “Those can be stolen.” “Doesn’t your system tell you that my plates are fine?” she bit out, taking a step toward him. She was so sick of bullies. This man wasn’t bullying her, too. Cop or no. “Yes.” Was it just her imagination or did a glimmer of amusement touch his lips? a Rafflecopter giveaway Author Bio: Andie writes sexy erotic romance and erotica stories that push boundaries. When she’s not writing (or reading!), she can usually be found daydreaming or attempting a new recipe. She thinks that life should require happily ever afters. And since she doesn’t make the rules of life, she instead applies this philosophy to the worlds she can control–the ones in her books.


Against the Wall - Andie Devaux Banner

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tasty Tuesday & A Treat ~ Shiloh Saddler & Eva Lafoy



Every Tuesday we'll welcome an Author who will share a foodie type post with a recipe or two and some book promo !
 
Today please help me welcome Shiloh Saddler & Eva Lafoy...

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Barbeque and Cowboys

I love barbecue.  Unfortunately, I didn’t eat much barbecue growing up. We had a very old grill and my dad said it was a pain to clean. On a rare occasion I was treated with a barbecued hot dog, hamburger or even steak. I’m a country girl. It seems like everyone in my extended family barbecues and I was stuck with a dad who didn’t care for it.

Since barbecue meals were so far and few between I had to come up with something else I could make for myself. I just found the grill a little intimidating. And yes, the old thing really was a pain to clean. So I came across this no mess and no fuss recipe. I’m not too handy in the kitchen. In my opinion the slow cooker ground beef barbecue is no fail.

Do you want to snag your own cowboy? I suggest barbecue!

Is your mouth watering yet? No? Then scroll down and look at the two hunks on my cover. Now I know your mouth is watering. Here is my recipe to satisfy your barbecue craving. If you want a cowboy fix too you’ll have to buy Perfect Ride.
 

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Barbecue

Ingredients:

Recipe makes 20 servings (but you can easily adjust to the number of servings you want)

3 pounds lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

5 stalks celery, finely chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3 1/2 cups ketchup

 

Directions

Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook until brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 15 minutes. Drain excess grease.

Place the cooked meat, onion, garlic, celery, salt, black pepper, cider vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, and ketchup into a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Set the cooker on Low, and cook for 6 to 8 hours.

 

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Perfect Ride

 
 
Blurb:

Professional bull rider Garrett Anderson lives for the next town, the next trophy and his next ride. When he rolls into Sheridan, Wyoming, the last thing he expected was to meet a cowboy like Cole—a man who corrals his heart and leaves him aching for a love he never realized he’d been missing.

Surrounded by hate, Cole Richards wasn’t prepared for Garrett’s passion or the longing their night together leaves him with. But when he’s shot, and stuck in his hospital bed, Cole watches every second of Garrett’s disastrous ride, and is heartbroken when the battered and bruised bull rider leaves town.

Attacked again and knee-deep in trouble, Cole wants only Garett at his side. But can his bull rider trade fame and fortune for a lifetime with his one perfect ride?

 

Buy Links:  
 
 
 
Excerpt:

“There he is.” Cole put a foot up on the lower slat of the fence and rested his arms on the upper. “Take a good look at him while he’s standing still. You won’t see him like this in the ring.”

He eyed the bull with respect. He stood out from the rest of the top ten. Spitfire was big, over sixteen hundred pounds of pure, cream-colored power, topped with foot-and-a-half long horns. The way Spitfire eyed him and began to dig at the ground like he wanted to test the limits of the temporary fence sent a shiver up his spine. He’d have to be careful with this one. He gave Cole a sidelong look and studied the man as he watched his bull.

He liked the sandy-blond stubble dusting the man’s chin and cheek. Liked the way his lips were wide and meaty and showed a bit of wear at the edges, betraying either late-night trysts or the tendency to chew on them as he worried. Garrett voted for the latter. Oh, he could picture Cole bent over taking it from another man easily enough, but the thought made him instantly jealous, so he squelched the notion. With nowhere to set his still full plate, he perched it on the top of a post. “You keep a pretty close watch on him?”

Cole nodded. “He’s a rebellious one. An escape artist, too. A little too smart for his britches. Someday he’ll end up in the slaughterhouse if he’s not careful.”

Garrett laughed and slapped the dust off his thigh, the motion garnering Cole’s attention. The heat of Cole’s gaze flushed him warm all over. He couldn’t help but engage in a little appreciation of his own. His tongue wetted his lips as he took in the round curve of Cole’s ass, his narrow hips, up his wide, work-chiseled chest, and finally his face. The man’s gaze blazed hotter as Garrett brushed his hand closer to his groin. “That’d be a waste if you ask me.”

Cole swallowed and snapped his attention back up, his eyes shining. “Yes, it would be. A real shame.”

 

Eva Bio:
 
Eva Lefoy writes and reads all kinds of romance, and is a certified Trekkie.  She's also terribly addicted to chocolate, tea and hiking.  One of these days, she'll figure out the meaning of life, quit her job, and go travel the galaxy.  Until then, she's writing down all her dirty thoughts for the sake of future explorers.
 
Shiloh Bio:
Shiloh Saddler likes to do research for her steamy romances first hand.  She has invented a time machine and travels back to the 19th century on a regular basis.  There are experimental settings on her time machine which could propel her into the future and even other worlds.  She believes love and a good book makes anything possible.
 
Eva Social Media Links:
 
Shiloh Social Media Links:
 
 
 

Blitz: BEAR WITH ME by Miranda Stowe



When heat flooded her from head to toe, her sex cramped and went moist. He dropped his attention even lower to her breasts where they strained against her shirt, the nipples poking out the front of the pale cotton.   A hoarse groan left his throat. Lifting his hand slowly, he reached out a single digit and barely brushed the back of his index finger over the thin material. If he’d have licked her bare, straining nipple and then bitten it, Rhea didn’t think she would’ve felt the impact of his touch any more intensely than she did now. With a moan, she threw back her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Heat pulsed between her legs. She wanted him there. Right now. Inside her. Deep, so deep inside her.   As if reading her mind, Brick asked, “Have you ever wondered what my cock would feel like buried in your pussy?” His voice was low and raspy. It shot another sizzling current of electricity through her.   Meeting his gaze, she opened her mouth to tell him—beg, demand, whatever it took—to take off his clothes and get inside of her that very instant. But her mother’s voice at the top of the stairs made her jolt and wrench herself away from him.   He stepped back too and glanced away guiltily, just as Riley Griffin popped her head out of the stairwell and joined them in the den. “Rhea, dinner’s ready if you’re—oh! Brick, you’re already here. Good. You’re welcome to dinner too, dear.”   He cleared his throat and bowed his head. “Thanks, Mrs. G. I’d love some. Can’t feed a bear like me enough, you know.”

 “Well, both of you come on up.”   When Brick moved to follow her as Rhea’s mother started back up the stairs, Rhea hesitated, glancing at Brick’s perfect form. Now that he was all the way across the room, she didn’t want him quite as badly.   And it struck her what had just happened. Shit. Her mating heat really was starting.   “Mom?” she called, her voice trembling slightly. “I think...I think I should have my first injection now.”   Brick tensed and paused, but he didn’t turn to look at her.   Eyes wide with surprise, her mother did turn around, though. “Oh! Really? Damn, I wish females could smell another female’s heat. I would’ve already known that. I’m sorry, honey. Let’s get you taken care of, then.” As she came back down the steps, she glanced at Brick.   He refused to meet her gaze as he shrugged. “I must be too diluted of a shifter to notice it yet.”   Rhea knew he was lying; he’d definitely felt something. He’d been just as ready to get kinky as she’d been. She waited a second before her mother entered the back room before meeting Brick’s dark gaze and mouthing the word, “Liar.”   “I want to fuck you. Hard,” he mouthed right back, lifting his eyebrows in direct challenge.   For a moment, she was tempted. Two weeks of constant sex with Brick sounded pretty damn good right about now. She could almost feel his hands on her breasts, cupping her and squeezing, his hot open mouth on her throat and his cock shoved deep, pumping through her sex and bumping against her g-spot, over and over again, until—   “Rhea? Are you coming?” her mother called.


Buy links :
  Author Bio: Miranda lives with her wonderful, Brad-Pitt-lookalike husband (hey, they're both blond-haired and blue-eyed) and adorable still-needs-to-learn-the-meaning-of-NO toddler daughter on their spacious corn-field-and-cow-pasture-front property in Kansas. Librarian by day and author by night, she is also published in YA and contemporary mainstream romance under a different pen name.


Author Links : Website Twitter Goodreads


Bear With Me by Miranda Stowe

Monday, March 24, 2014

Cover Reveal: Love's Sorrow by Terri Rochenski

Love's Sorrow Means of Mercy #1
by Terri Rochenski Publisher: Roane Publishing Release Date: April 21, 2014 Keywords: Sweet, Historical, Romance LovesSorrow_cover
Back of the Book: Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed. Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow's unrelenting waves of grief.

* * * *

 
 
Tracey Hanlon PhotographyAbout Terri Rochenski: Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling. Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open. Website: http://terrirochenski.com



Friday, March 21, 2014

Author, author... Flawed Perfection by Cassandra Giovanni




 

Today we welcome the very handsome All-Star hockey player, Bobby Beckerson from Cassandra Giovanni’s Flawed Perfection.

Bobby: Thanks for having me!

So, you’re an all-star hockey player?

Bobby: I was but not anymore. A few years back this guy threw an illegal check and destroyed a few discs in my back. The doctors said I’d never play professionally again, and they were right.

That’s awful! What happened to the guy responsible?

Bobby: Let’s put it this way, he’s not playing either.

What do you do then?

Bobby: I’m the head coach for the hockey team at a local high school. The team does amazing; we’re the best team in New England.

You must be busy with coaching a lot of the time and training. How do you make time for a love life?

Bobby: I’m not much for relationships. I’ve kind of been waiting on my best friend to figure out I’m the one for a while.

How’s that going?

Bobby: I don’t get it. She’s pretty deeply infatuated with my kid brother, Adam. I keep trying to get her to see that I can make her happy, when he can’t.

How do you know he can’t?

Bobby (cracks knuckles and raises an eyebrow): He’s not me.

Are you guys a lot different?

Bobby: You could say that. He’s about five inches shorter and about 70 pounds less muscular. His hair’s a bit darker and his eyes…well, they aren’t blue like these. (Winks)

Are you guys similar in any way?

Bobby: Yeah, I’d say so. He’s a great guy—don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want River to see it, or him to realize she loves him.

Why?

Bobby: Cause he loves her too.

Sounds like there’s a bit of a rivalry over this River girl.

Bobby: You could say that, but I’ve never lost anything to Adam.

What happens if you lose?

Bobby: I won’t.

I guess you can’t argue with that confidence (Bobby gives a breath-stealing smile).

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Bobby Beckerson was the American All-Star hockey player--he was the spitting image of perfection to his family. Goofy, sweet and undeniably gorgeous, he had everything but the one girl he wanted: River Ahlers.
River Ahlers is successful in everything but love. She's been in love with Adam Beckerson since they were kids. Worst of all she's stuck right in the middle of the brother's dueling over everything and anything, and she doesn't even know she's the ultimate prize.
Adam Beckerson was a boy with a guitar, a smile that sunk girl's hearts and a stone wall around his own. He was anything but perfect, and no matter how hard he tried he was nothing compared to Bobby. Sweet, damaged, with boyish good-looks, nobody thought Adam loved anyone but himself.
Bobby loved River, River loved Adam and Adam only loved himself--or so everyone thought. Then one night everything changes, and as it threatens to destroy everyone involved a tragedy strikes that will break them all...





GENRE: New Adult Contemporary Romance




 
 
Paperback and Ebook
 
 
 
Ebook Only
 
 
 
Author Direct
 
 
 
 



Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and the Amazon bestselling thriller, Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra released her first New Adult novel, Love Exactly, which became an Amazon Bestseller overnight in June of 2013. She's currently working on her new New Adult Contemporary Romance, Beautifully Flawed. The first novel in the series, Flawed Perfection is scheduled to be published on March 7, 2014.

Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of
Gio Design Studios Photography and Gio Design Studios Publication Marketing . She is currently studying to receive a degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.
 
 








Author, author... A Wolf's Bane by Sherrie Henry @AuthorSHenry

 
 
A Wolf’s Bane by Sherrie Henry
 

Can a human and a werewolf overcome obvious obstacles to be together? Romy and Kai have been hiding their affair from Kai’s clan; it’s not only that Romy is human, but she’s also much older than Kai. Will Kai’s obligation to his clan and tradition tear them apart?
 
Kai, the eldest and only son and heir to the family’s clan, has fallen for the forbidden, Romy, a human. His father has plans for the clan that doesn’t involve Kai mating a human; these plans drive them apart. But can they ignore their feelings and buck tradition? Will Kai’s decision lead to his death?
Available in ebook format from:   Amazon.com   Smashwords.com   AllRomanceEbooks
 
Published: 2nd Edition 23 February 2014
ISBN: 9781311090485,  Word Count: 32,980
Cover design: Soxsational Cover Art,  Book design: Ashley Nemer
Editor: Shannon Boyce
 
Excerpt:
Kai pulled her into a tight hug. He tried to ignore the way his skin was crawling – he hated the way he felt before he changed. “I don’t want to live without you.”

Romy held onto him, clutching his shirt, her tears staining it. “Compared to you, I don’t have
much longer to live. Maybe 40, 50 years at the most, and you … your kind live for a couple hundred. We’d have to say good-bye eventually. Maybe it’s better to do it now.” Romy knew that her voice wasn’t very convincing, but she tried to be brave and hold back the tears as much she could.
 
Kai swallowed, burying his nose in her hair. He took in her unique scent…the scent he would go to his grave craving. “I will follow you to the next life. We never really talked about it, but … Romy, I love you. I consider you my mate. Mates die together.” 
His words took away any bravery that Romy had left. She felt the tears flow openly from her eyes. “But I’m not your mate. I can never be. You need …” Romy took in a shuddering breath. “You need to honor your father and produce an heir. Your clan needs you; they will need you long after I’m gone.”
“I don’t care what they need,” Kai whispered in her ear.
“I know. That’s what makes you so special.” Romy pulled away so she could look directly into his eyes. “I just ask one thing.”
“Anything. Anything in the universe.”
“Change here. Show me your wolf form.”
Kai’s eyes went wide. “Romy … I … I don’t turn into a wolf, exactly. I don’t look … natural.”
“You are beautiful to me no matter what form you take. Give me this one last night. Show me 
Kai nodded, but there was panic in his eyes. “If I agree, I have to stay here until morning. I can’t be on the streets.” 
“I know. I’m not afraid. Show me that part of you that you’ve never shared with another human before.” 
“I won’t be able to talk. It would just be us staring at each other.” 
“I don’t need words. I need you. Please … one last night. Protect me.” 
Kai couldn’t refuse her. Even though Romy lived in a very safe neighborhood, the animal instinct within him would protect his mate if she asked. “Okay. I will change here. I will show you the other part of me.”
Romy stepped back, wiping away the tears that had fallen from her eyes. She looked up at the clock. “It’s almost moonrise. What do you need?” She closed the blinds and dimmed the lights.
“Nothing really. I just need to take my clothes off…unless I want to rip them to shreds.”
“Allow me?” Romy stood in front of him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Kai remained still, silently noting that this moment would be extremely erotic if he wasn’t about to literally crawl out of his skin. She tossed his shirt on the couch, then kneeled down to his feet, helping him step out of his shoes and socks. Her shaking hands went to his belt next, sliding off his jeans, then his underwear.
“What’s next?”
Kai was having trouble concentrating. He tried to find his voice. Already he could feel bones crack as they started to lengthen in places and shorten in others. “Nothing … it’s starting. I … love you.”
He let his head fall back. A snarl came from his throat as his eyes turned black. Fine black hair sprouted all over his body, his nose elongated, his canines erupted. His heels separated from his feet, drawing upwards toward his knees, forcing him on his tiptoes, his palms lengthening, his nails turning to claws. Then it was over. He looked over at Romy, expecting to see horror in her eyes. To his surprise, she came to stand right in front of him, resting her hands on his mutated face.
“You are so beautiful. Why did you think I’d be frightened? I’m more concerned that it was painful for you.”
Kai shook his head, to tell her that it wasn’t as painful as it looked. He began to nuzzle her neck, but she jumped. He started to back away.
Romy grabbed at him. “No you don’t! Your nose is cold and wet. It’s just not something I’m used to feeling on my neck.” She smiled at him. It was a genuine smile, even with the tear tracks on her face. He tentatively moved toward her and let his tongue lick her face, tasting the salty tears.
“Come here, sit next to me.” Romy sat down on the couch, drawing her legs up underneath her. Kai ambled forward, unsteady on his legs so soon after the change. He crawled up on the couch and laid his head in her lap. She started to run her fingers through his fur, trying to comfort him. No other had been able to do to this to him. Whenever he changed, he was surrounded by other weres.  He knew that he would cherish this perfect moment for the rest of his living days.
They lay together on the couch, surrounded by their love for one another. When bedtime came around, they nestled in her bed, with his large form wrapped around her, protecting her just like he promised.
 

About the Author
 
Born and raised in Southern Indiana, this Hoosier transplanted herself to the Windy City after graduate school. Her passion is teaching, with writing come a close second and gaining momentum. She spends her days teaching in the physical education department at the College of DuPage and her evenings spinning tales to delight just about any reader.
 
Her first novel, “The Last of the Summer Tomatoes,” a Young Adult LGBT novel, was nominated for a 2013 Rainbow Award, run by Elisa Rolle and co-sponsored by the Rainbow Romance Writers of America. Her first short story, “Twenty-Four Hours,” a contemporary m/f romance story, was nominated as best short story by eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair, host of the 2013 Best of the Independent eBook Awards.
Her works have also been nominated for various bloggers’ book of the month awards.
Ms. Henry writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal and contemporary, concentrating on romance between main characters, regardless of gender. Love comes in all forms and that is reflected in her work.
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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Author, author... Win the Rings by K.D. Van Brunt

...read all about it !!!
 




Welcome KD, so great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in the great state of Maryland with my wife and dog.  During the day, I work in a law firm.  I’ve written a number of non-fiction works, but this is my first novel—now,I’ve been trying to write this first novel for what seems like forever, but perhaps like a good wine it just takes time to come together.
 

Do real life events find their way into your stories?

Yes, but I try not to be too obvious.  Also, real places I’ve visited or lived at.



Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?

Not family usually (they’re kind of boring, actually), but definitely some of the more colorful people I’ve met over the years can see a hint of themselves in some characters. Bu usually, I find myself drawing on great characters I loved in books I read. 

 
 
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?

There are some themes I enjoy reading, and so they tend to reappear.  I love underdogs.  I love redemption.  I love characters refusing to give up even in the face of hopeless situations and impossible odds. So, I want that stuff in my story.

 
 
When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?

A typical writing day for me begins at about 4:30am.  I’ll write until 7am or so and then go to work.  At work, I try to edit stuff I’ve already written at lunch, and then I’ll edit some more after work. So, my truly creative writing stage takes place in the early morning dark with a cup of coffee and a deadly silent house, interrupted only by the sound of my snoring dog who insists on sleeping at my feet wherever I am.  Sigh.

 
 
 
How do you feel about marketing your book?

Writing the book was like running a marathon—Just put one foot in front of the other and don't think about how many miles you still have to go.  Promoting it is beginning to feel like running a second marathon.  There’s so many millions of books clamoring for attention that it’s a real chore trying to be heard above the din. I thought I was social media savvy before, but there is a lot I didn’t know and have had to learn—mostly the hard way.  

You have to endure a ton of rejection getting a book published.  I knew that going in.  What I didn’t quite realize is that you have to endure another ton of rejection promoting your book too. 

 
 
 
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?

Definitely Twitter and blogs that focus on particular subgenres. You need to go where the people are at who are the  readers for you type of book. And chef Boyardee, it bit ain’t easy—and with that, I think we may have the start of the lyrics to a really bad country song.

 
 
 
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?

Final manuscript, definitely. 

 
 
 
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?

Yes, science fiction.  As a kid,I grew up hooked on the genre—I loved Andre Norton, Heinlein, Asimov, etc. One day I’m going to take the plunge myself. 

 
 
 
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?

I’m always the anti-hero/heroine.  The hero/heroine is always the person that made the right choices I didn’t make.

 
 
 
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1)      Favorite Male Actor  - Russell Crowe

2)      Favorite vehicle – Chevrolet Camaro (my car)

3)      Favorite way to relax – Listening to my playlists

4)      Favorite ice cream – The darkest chocolate available

5)      Favorite outfit – Plain, worn out jeans and a sweatshirt

And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)

I stay in the states, I like it here, but I’d probably go back to where I spent many years growing up–Seattle.

 
 
 
Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: kvbrunt@gmail.com

Twitter: @kdvanbrunt

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kdvanbrunt

Website/blog: www.kdvanbrunt.com


Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21395951-win-the-rings

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

 

My book WIN THE RINGS was published on March 7. You can read excerpts and bonus content and click through to Amazon to buy at my website (www.kdvanbrunt) or here (www.evernightteen.com).



Backcover:

Jace has been the property of the U.S. Army since they found out about her when she was five, and now she has become one of its most valuable weapons. But Jace is not the only one of her kind. Gray is one too, but with the help of his sister, he has spent most of his sixteen years hiding from the Army.

Now, the Army has found out about Gray and they cannot allow him to roam free. Operating on the theory that it takes one to catch one, Jace is send out with a special ops squad to hunt Gray down. But Jace is not the only one pursuing Gray, and the competition is after her too. What ensues is a desperate chase through city after city as duty and honor collide with love and sacrifice.

 Okay, one last thing before we let you leave us today.  Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share but it's totally up to you.

I love to cook too.  Here’s a favorite of mine:

Reisling Chicken

Ingredients:

 

1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

4 medium leeks, chopped

2 tablespoons shallot, chopped

4 medium carrots, chopped diagonally in one inch pieces

1-1/2 cups of a nice Alsatian Riesling (the rest of the bottle for the cook)

1 1/2 pound small red potatoes

2 tablespoons tarragon, chopped

1/2 cup crème fraîche or heavy cream

Fresh lemon juice to taste

 

Steps

*        Preheat oven to 350F with rack in middle.

*        Sprinkle Chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

*        Heat oil with 1 tablespoon butter in a wide 5-quart heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat and brown chicken. Transfer to a plate. Pour out the oil.

*        Cook leeks, shallot, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in remaining butter, covered, over medium-low heat until leeks are pale golden.

*        Add back chicken, skin sides up, with any juices from plate, carrots, and wine and boil until liquid is reduced by half.

*        Cover pot and braise chicken in oven until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. 

*        While chicken braises, peel potatoes, cover with cold water and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are just tender (15 minutes or so). Drain in a colander, then return to saucepan. Add tarragon and shake to coat.

*        Stir crème fraîche/heavy cream into chicken mixture and season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, then add potatoes.

 
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