Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Temptation in a Bottle by Shona Husk

This blitz is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more blitz information and links.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the blitz!
It is my pleasure to present Temptation in a Bottle and Shona Husk.
About the Author:

Three time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she writes about heroes who are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold—sometimes literally.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Sourcebooks.

You can find out more at www.shonahusk.com
 



Book Description:

His only wish is to be free…

For centuries Gage has existed only to fulfill the most intimate desires of the woman who holds his bottle. Now Gage has a wish of his own—to be a real man and a have a real life even though he knows it’s an impossible dream. This time he plans to take his bottle and break it just to see what will happen.

Paramedic Sasha Watts has seen the damage falling in love does to people and she has no intention of being another of Cupid’s victims. She accidentally frees Gage without knowing what he is. After one kiss he walks away and she never expects to see him again, but the goddess Inanna has other ideas.

As punishment for breaking his bottle she erases Gage’s memory of everything but Sasha. Only Sasha can give him the life he longs for and only Gage can be the man she’s always dreamed of, but first she’ll have to open her heart and he’ll have to finish the job Inanna gave him. If he fails, he’ll cease to exist.

Excerpt:
Sasha glanced away before she became trapped in his beautiful wild eyes. Her heart pounded like she’d received a shot of adrenaline. Either she walked away and went home, regretting not giving him a chance, or she gave him a chance and regretted giving him the opportunity to hurt her. “You’re making this hard. I should be leaving.” The clock was ticking to the start of her shift.

“We’re just getting started.”

He tipped her chin for another kiss. This one was almost chaste, a brush of lips that heated her blood and sent it scorching around her body at speeds that made her dizzy. She reached up for more, but he pulled away.

She caught herself before she begged for more. He was addictive. She glanced around, looking for Logan to save her, but he’d been sidetracked by Evie. Gage still held her. Without thought, her fingers traced along his jaw, his golden stubble rough on her skin. He couldn’t hurt her if she didn’t let him. Sex was easy; lust was good. Love was for idiots who believed in happily-ever-afters.

Yet she wanted more than one night. She wanted to know who he was. Could she find out without her heart getting trampled?

“What do you do, Gage, when you’re not riding mechanical bulls and chatting up girls at a party?”

He blinked as if surprised. “I do most of the running around on the farm.”

Sasha gave him another once-over, taking in his boots, jeans and shirt and the hint of a silver chain around neck. “What type of farm?”

“Cattle.”

“You’re a real cowboy?” Of all the men she could’ve kissed at the party, she’d picked him, as if she’d known there was something different and he didn’t belong.

“Yes, ma’am.”
A little shimmer of attraction ran down her back. But she wasn’t going to let him off that easy. “How come you’re in the city?”

“I had a few things to do. And what do you do when you’re not talking to strange men?”

“Paramedic. I have an early start tomorrow.”

“And you’re brushing me off.” He gave her a rueful smile.

Was she? He’d be gone in a few days. What did it matter what she did with him? Maybe they should complete his dare. Her skin warmed at the thought of getting naked with Gage. It had been a long time since a man had sparked this much interest, and he wouldn’t be hanging around. He had a time limit. Neither of them would have the chance to get too involved. He was her idea of a perfect date, yet she was standing here, gazing into his eyes instead of getting in his jeans. What was stopping her?

“I’m wondering how far you want to take that dare,” she finally said.

His eyes narrowed a fraction. “What do you mean?”

“We could find somewhere quieter…” She held her breath. Was she being too forward?

“Where did you have in mind?” Gage took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Sasha let out a sigh, while lust danced through her blood. She hadn’t planned on finding anyone tonight, but Gage was making it hard to think. Being alone with him seemed like a really good idea. Lust and excitement mixed with nerves that weren’t usually there. For half a second she didn’t want to be his easy city girl. But that was who she was…but not who she’d be when she moved.

“This music is giving me a headache.” A smile graced his lips.

Was he playing, knowing she’d jump to the wrong conclusion? Well, she could play too. Her mind skipped through the possibilities. The music filled the house and the back yard. She wanted something a little private…but not too private. “I know just the place.” She took Gage’s hand and led him into the house, through the mass of bodies singing into a karaoke game and down the hallway at the front of the house.

She opened the door that led into Evie’s study. The modem blinked at her, but the computer was off. She drew Gage in, and he gave the door a nudge so it almost closed. The sliver of light cast the room in shadows that pulsed with the music, but the edge was gone and they could speak in soft tones.

“Quiet enough?”

“I think so.” He pulled her into his arms. “I can actually hear you.”

“What were you doing before, lip-reading?”

“You do have lovely lips.” He brushed his mouth over hers in a kiss that was a promise of what could happen if she wanted it to go further.


My thoughts:
This was my first genie in a bottle story and I loved it.  Although it's a short and fast read, the story is compelling and the characters wonderful.  I enjoyed every word.  There is a bit of role reversal, traditionally it's the man looking for the one night stand.  It was refreshing to find Gage struggle to be more than that.  It's a read in one sitting kind of story and I hope there is more to come.

Giveaway:

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Blog Tour: Lisa Mondello ~ Dakota Heart Series

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more information.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature Lisa Mondello and the Dakota Heart series.

About the Author:

USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen.

Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill. Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.

In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and The More I See. Writing as LA Mondello, her romantic suspense, MATERIAL WITNESS, book 1 of her Heroes of Providence series made the USA TODAY Bestsellers List.

You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at lisamondello.blogspot.com

@LisaMondello



Her Dakota Man (Dakota Hearts Book 1)
Lisa Mondello

Book Description:
She needed to risk the truth to get a second chance...

Poppy Erickson had spent the year wondering how all their lives might have been different after hearing the deathbed confession of her childhood friend. She'd left South Dakota years ago because she couldn't bear to watch the man she loved loving another woman. But now she knows the truth. She'll keep the promise she made to a friend, but will Logan understand when he learns the truth? More important, can they again recapture the passion that had been between them all those years ago?

He needed to face the past to get the love of a woman he thought he'd lost…

Everyone knows that the Dakotas didn't get the name Badlands for nothing. Harsh weather and rough living are a way of life. But single dad, Logan McKinnon, had seen more than his share of bad times after the death of his wife a year ago. The last thing he needs is Poppy Erickson, an old flame and his late wife's best friend, showing up unannounced to help after devastating floods nearly washed away their hometown. With no place to stay in town, he has no choice but to offer her a bed at his house.

But can he live under the same roof with a woman he'd once loved passionately without feeling he's betraying his late wife?

Click HERE to see My Thoughts on Her Dakota Man.

Badland Bride (Dakota Hearts Book 2)
Lisa Mondello
Amazon    BN   iTunes Kobo   Smashwords

Book Description:
She'd spent a lifetime packing armor around her heart...

Raised an Army brat, Regis Simpson was used to calling new towns home, learning to quickly make friends but never letting anyone get too close. When devastating floods tear through the Badlands of South Dakota, she thinks Rudolph is just another town that needs to be rebuilt. Nothing more. The sooner she gets her work done, the sooner the people of Rudolph can heal and she can move on to the next town in need. She never counted on the sexy town doctor, Keith "Hawk" McKinnon or his determination to break down walls she'd spent a lifetime building, making it impossible for her to leave.

He's determined to break down her walls and give her a reason to stay...

Nothing pained Hawk McKinnon more than seeing people he'd known his whole life hurting. He traded a high-paying salary at a city hospital to come back to Rudolph and make a difference where he'd dug his roots. When the beautiful Regis Simpson comes to town offering help, he's immediately drawn to her even though she's spent a lifetime believing that everyone she loves leaves. Now she does the leaving and once her work is done, she'll be leaving again. He's determined to do everything possible to make her stay.


My Thoughts on Badland Bride: Loved it!  Once again - fantastic characters that you fall for on the first pages, set in a story that steals your heart.  A fast, wonderful read.  The story is filled with family, friends and love.  Make sure to check it out.

Dakota Heat (Dakota Hearts Book 3)
Lisa Mondello

Book Description:
Hotshot Sam McKinnon was always leaving town, chasing another fire until his own hometown became vulnerable during the fire season after a devastating winter flood left debris and destruction in its path. He didn't expect out of town dispatcher, Summer Bigelow, to catch his eye or his heart.

It hadn't been Summer's idea to move from Providence to South Dakota, but when a serial murderer suddenly turns his attention on Summer, her boss insists she leave town...at least until the heat dies down. She's dealt with high tension, life or death situations many times in her job. It isn’t until she meets Sam McKinnon and falls for the sexy Hotshot that she really begins to know fear. The fear of losing someone she loves.

My Thoughts on Dakota Heat: Lisa Mondello continues to write fantastic stories about incredible - yet so real - characters.  You know when you start reading that you are going to love the story and that the people in it will seem real.  The pages turn almost on their own as the story unfolds and then comes to a satisfying, yet unwanted end ~leaving you wondering when you will have the chance to read the next one.  

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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Hearts on Fire Valentines Hop

Go to Close Encounters of the Night Kind for more information.
Go to Read Between the Lines for more information.
Click on either above link to go to the full linky list of giveaways!
Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop in the hop!
I am stop #94.
Welcome to the 2nd ANNUAL HEARTS ON FIRE Blog Hop.
Here’s how to hop…
1.) Kym, Eve, and Victoria have supplied the first nine items on the list of Top Ten Favorite Valentines/Romantic movies and Top Ten Favorite “pick up lines”. YOU provide #10. Comment with your answers and email to enter for the site prize.  My site prize is a heavy canvas Black Swan messenger bag in yellow.

2.) Then go to the next hop site on the list below and repeat.
(20 carat lab ruby, signed paperback series of Immortals of New Orleans – Kym Grosso, and signed paperback series of Black Swan - Victoria Danann, plus a fabulous SWAG bag from Eve Langlais.) http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTVjN2Q1MGI3NjJkMGNiZTA0OGU5OGUwYjdhODRmOjIx/
TOP TEN FAV VALENTINES/ROMANTIC MOVIES
1. The Princess Bride – Eve (because I love a giggle with my romantic fairy tales)
2. Pretty Woman – Eve (gotta love a poor girl/rich guy flick)
3. Warm Bodies – Eve (Zombies can be sexy, lol)
4. Sabrina - Kym
5. The Proposal – Kym
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Kym
7. A Walk in the Clouds – Victoria
8. The Notebook – Victoria
9. Made in Heaven – Victoria
10. _______________________ What’s yours?
TOP TEN FAV “PICK UP” LINES
1. Eve’s Corny p/u lines: Did you sit in a puddle of maple syrup? Because you have a swe-e-e-t ass.
2. Eve: Do you live in a corn field? Because I’m stalking you.
3. Eve: Your lips look so lonely. Would they like to meet mine?
Note from Eve: Funny how most pickup lines are from guys to girls, and have to do with sex. lol. Then again, can you imagine a woman going up to a guy and saying “Hey gorgeous, I brought along my ten inch ruler because I’ve got a feeling you’ll measure up.” Hehehe.
4. Kym’s Corny p/u lines from movies: “Do you wash your pants in Windex? Because I can see myself in them.” ~Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,
5. Kym: “You know, it’s dangerous for you to be here in the frozen food section… Because you could melt all this stuff.” ~My Blue Heaven
6. Kym: “I couldn’t help but notice that you look a lot like my next girlfriend.” ~Hitch
7. Victoria’s fav lines that actually worked on me: (The lifeguard.) “You all might as well go home because this storm isn’t going away. (looks at me) Except you. You stay and we’ll go swimming.”
8. Victoria: “Have you seen Jeff?” “Who’s Jeff?” “Who cares? What’s yourname?”
9. Victoria: “You’re my pick for student body president. Run and I’ll make sure you get elected.”
10. ___________________ What’s yours?

Stop # 95: J.R. Pearce Nelson
Stop # 96: Bookworm Bridgette
Stop # 97: Elizabeth Lawrence

My Giveaway:
Signed Swag Pack

C.J. Ellisson
Click HERE to go to her site.
Swag pack will go to one randomly chosen commenter - please include email address.
Domestic US only.

Grand Prize:


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K. Bromberg Giveaway!


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Friday, February 7, 2014

Cover Reveal: Rain by Christie Cote


Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop for the cover reveal!

BIO
Christie Cote resides in Vermont with her Husband and their dog. When she isn’t reading, writing, or dreaming up her next story, she can be found shooting targets with her bow, drawing or baking.
Rain is her first book.

Christie writes Young Adult Realistic Fiction, Fiction, and New Adult novels.

Find Christie:


Rain blurb:
Taylor Sullivan took her life for granted until she received news that would change her life forever. In a state of denial she met Kyle, who didn’t end up being what she expected. She wasn’t able to escape her new reality, but with his friendship, just maybe she could survive it.
Book Release date: Tuesday, May 6, 2014



Want an autographed Rain bookmark?  Click HERE to get one!


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Blog Tour: If I Speak True by Jessica L. Brooks

This virtual book tour is presented by Kate Tilton.
 Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature Jessica L. Brooks and If I Speak True.


Jessica has stopped by for an interview:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
As an adult, it was after I’d read the Twilight series--my first “official” introduction into the world of YA literature. I was thirty. I had a dream about a guy showing up out of the blue and reacting to this girl, and her reaction was so crazy and so real, even in the dream, that I began to write about it. That’s pretty much how my writing career started! 

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
Not many. In high school I “chopped cotton” a couple of summers (chopping cotton doesn’t really mean you chop cotton at all; you actually walk fields of cotton, covering miles upon miles per day, hoe in hand, removing any weeds you come across that might inhibit the growth of the cotton).

Then, I worked as a secretary/receptionist at a couple of places, including my husband’s family construction business (the latter of which I still do part-time). At times, when we’ve been short-handed, I’ve also had to run equipment (like a compactor, for instance--which makes me nervous), and once in a while, I have to help with traffic control. (Which is mostly fun, aside from triple-digit heat in the summer and the occasional oblivious driver not paying attention.)

Oh! Also, for a few years, when my girls were younger, I sold Avon.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Hmm. Probably the writing out of order thing. I’ll have pages and pages of just a few sentences--key words, gestures, reactions to things, phrases. Then I have to go back and write around them so that they’ll work in the storyline.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
Personality-wise, they usually come at me, but sometimes I’m inspired by other books or movies. A lot of times, if I don’t specifically already know what a character looks like, I search Tumblr, or Pinterest, or IMDB or other websites until I find the perfect inspiration. (And then I make a Pinterest board for it, of course! Here’s If I Speak True’s: http://www.pinterest.com/coffeelvnmom/if-i-speak-true-flora-1-available-12714/)

? How do you decide what you want to write about?
Well, I usually start writing when a scene pops into my head. I end up with quite a few scenes, usually, before I begin to try to narrow down specifics of characters’ appearances and things like that. So basically, I guess I don’t decide--the stories decide for me.

? What are you reading right now?
Austenland by Shannon Hale J

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read. And connect with people online. And hang out with my family. And of course, drink coffee.

? What is your favorite comfort food?
Chocolate. Any form, really--cake, frosting, ice cream, candy--I’m not picky.

? What do you think makes a good story?
Well-written characters, tension, mystery, and humor. Whether it’s slow or fast-paced, with a male MC, female MC, or both, I think all of those make a good story.

Fun random questions: 
·        dogs or cats? Cats. Though I have two dogs as well (German shepherd and longhaired Dachshund), cats are my favorite. We actually only have one outdoor cat at the moment, but mainly because she is wild. Years ago, at a job site, my husband almost ran her over with the backhoe! She was timid, and emaciated, and too young to know what to do or how to defend herself. He brought her home and we fattened her up. Though she’ll still wild, she stays in the yard, always, and comes every night to the porch to receive her dinner. J
·        Coffee or tea? Coffee. Yes sir’ee.
·        Dark or milk chocolate? Milk. Unless it’s dark chocolate with sea salt. Yum.
·        Rocks or flowers? Flowers--my favorite are tulips!
·        Night or day? I used to say night, but now that my girls are older and are night owls too, I say day, because that’s when they’re at school. I can get more writing done that way! ;)
·        Favorite color? I never have an answer to this question. L I’d say black, but only because it’s a slimming color to wear. It just depends on what the item is!
·        Crayons or markers? Markers.
·        Pens or pencils? Pens.







 
More About Jessica Brooks:

Jessica L. Brooks resides with her husband of over sixteen years, three awesome daughters, and a plethora of pets in Central California, where fog, frost, triple-digit heat and various items of produce arrive bountifully, depending on the season. She has an affinity for both coffee and owls, and loves to connect with fellow readers and writers on most social networks like Goodreads,Twitter and Pinterest. You can also connect with her on her blog, Let Me Tell You A Story.

IF I SPEAK TRUE, the first in the Flora series. PITY ISN’T AN OPTION (Cozenage, #1) is her debut novel.

About If I Speak True:
Dahlia Kennedy's sixteenth birthday marks a decade of mysterious dahlias arriving and strange, lonely dreams of being in a forest. The only difference this birthday, however, is that for the first time, someone is there with her. And he's practically from a whole other era.

The more often Dahlia visits Rowan in his land of Ambrosia, the stronger their connection grows. But... is Ambrosia real? Is he real? What is going on between the two of them, exactly, and why does he insist that she keep it to herself?

As secrets usually go, however, it's only a matter of time before everything comes out. And when Dahlia finds out the truth of who Rowan is, who she is, and how he really feels -- it’s beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Pages: 456 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1494308926
Publisher: Jessica L. Brooks
Release Date: 1/27/14
Age: Young Adult
Genre: magical realism, romance, fantasy

Formats Available: Paperback, ebook (.mobi [Kindle], .epub [Nook], PDF)

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