Thursday, October 31, 2013

Throwing Heat by Jennifer Seasons- Review, Guest post, & giveaway!






Throwing Heat

Diamonds and Dugouts #3

By: Jennifer Seasons

 

Blurb:

Nightclub manager Leslie Cutter has never been one to back down from a bet. So when Peter Kowalskin, pitcher for the Denver Rush baseball team, bets her that she can’t keep her hands off of him, she’s not about to let the arrogant, sexy playboy win. Especially when the prize could put her business on the map. She’s got this in the bag, just so long as she can stay out of his arms…and his bed.

Peter struck out once before with Leslie, but this bet is sure to be the second chance he’s been waiting for. Determined to stoke the passion he knows is there, he’ll do anything to win - even if it means playing a little dirty.

But as things heat up, this combustible pair will have to decide just how much they’re willing to wager on one another…and on a future that just might last forever.


Please welcome Jennifer Seasons to I am a book addict...and proud of it 

Thank you so much for having me!  I’m thrilled to be here today talking about my new release THROWING HEAT.  I knew when I wrote this novel that it was one of those stories that didn’t have much wiggle room or sloppy pacing—it was tight.  And I was right.  During edits there was only one big scene that got cut from the entire manuscript.  Although it was fun, it didn’t help move the story along. 

But, because it is fun I thought I’d share the deleted scene with you all here today.  I think you’ll like it. J

 

THROWING HEAT Deleted Scene:

 

A few days later, Leslie beckoned to Lorelei through the front door of Peter’s house and grinned conspiratorially. 

“Hey darlin’, thanks for coming.  I can’t wait for you to see what I found at a thrift shop in Boulder with Sonny last week.  It is the perfect Halloween costume.”

     She couldn’t believe her luck over it too.  On a whim she’d called up Sonny to see if the Secondhand Queen could recommend any good consignment or thrift stores, thinking they might be an undiscovered haven for cool costumes.  Rather than send her alone, Sonny had gone with her.  It had been a really fun time and Leslie had discovered her gem in the very back of a funny little thrift store on the edge of Pearl Street. 

     “No worries.  It was a great excuse to take a break from unpacking.  I need the breather.” The brunette didn’t even try to cover her yawn.  “Turns out this whole pregnancy thing is exhausting.  Who knew?” she finished with a sparkle in her eyes. 

     Leslie shut the door and ushered her upstairs.  “You’re loving it and you know it.”

     “I so am.” Lorelei said emphatically.

     Laughing, Leslie led the way to her room and pushed it wide, “Have a seat on the bed and relax.  I’ll put my costume on and be out in a minute.” She went to the walk-in closet and flipped on the light, saying over her shoulder.  “I appreciate the second opinion before I wear it to the club on Halloween tonight.”  She wanted to hear from someone else that it was lethal.

     Her sister-in-law flopped on the bed and shifted, propping herself up on her elbows.  “Sure thing.”

     Poking her head back out of the closet, Leslie said, “The Rush are in the World Series!  How are we not talking more about this?”

     Lorelei rolled onto her side and sat up.  “Because it’s awesome, but Mark’s spent the past few days talking of little else.”  She ran her hand over the grey comforter and made a face of surprise, changing the topic.  “This is really soft!”

     Leslie disappeared back into the closet, saying, “Peter doesn’t do things halfway.”  She wasn’t really sure if that a compliment.  But then again, if he could throw himself into loving someone the same way, then maybe it was a good thing.  Not that it mattered to her one way or the other. 

     It totally didn’t.  At all. 

     “Guess not.”  There was a moment of silence and then, “Hey, where’s the kitten?”

     Grabbing her costume and pulling it from the hanger, she slipped it on and called out, “She’s probably asleep in Peter’s closet.  For some reason that’s where I keep finding her.  It makes me wonder if she has a thing for smelly socks.”  Peter’s footwear was her favorite resting place.  That or the dirty clothes pile. 

     Just then they both heard a small, feline cry and Leslie poked her head out again in time to see Missy saunter into the room, fluffy tail straight in the air like a sail.  When she caught sight of somebody on the bed, the furry baby tried to climb the comforter like drapes to get up. 

     Lorelei helped her up and gave her a good pet, making the kitten fall on her side purring loudly.  “I bet she just likes his boy hormones and that’s why she’s always in there.”

     The kitten wasn’t the only one. 

     Leslie worked the last button on her costume and stood tall, ran a hand down her body to smooth the fabric and ignored the tremors in her heart that just the thought of him caused.    “Okay, are you ready?”

     Lorelei called back, “Whenever you are.”

     Taking a deep breath, she stepped out from the closet and did a big, slow, twirl.  “What do you think?”

     She looked up to find the brunette’s jaw slightly agape.  For a minute she just floundered there and then sputtered, “It’s perfect!”

     Leslie spun around, feeling the fabric twirl around her ankles.  She was so happy.  Just putting the thing on transported her.  “You think?”

     Lorelei leaned forward and nodded, “Absolutely.  The color is stunning with your complexion.” Then her smile turned wicked.  “Men are going to die.” 

     That’s what she’d thought too.  Or more specifically, that’s what she’d thought about one particular man.

     Giving her sister-in-law another runway twirl, she smiled to herself, already seeing the victory.  Only a few more days and it was over.  She had this bet in the bag.  And as a bonus this costume was going to drive Peter absolutely crazy.  Knowing that made her feel a little better about falling for him.

     Oh, how she loved Halloween.



 Review:

Throwing Heat definitely throws off a lot of heat while reading it! Lesley & Peter clash in a way that is fun and oh so hot. I really liked the "back & forth" between the two of them. Peter is trying oh so hard to force Lesley's hand, by placing them both in situations that bring them together. Meanwhile, Lesley is doing all she can to keep her distance...all of this to win a bet! Of course these situations bring out the best and yes sometimes the worst in both of them. Hey, it wouldn't be a good story without a bit of conflict now would it? I enjoyed Throwing Heat so much that I am off to check out the other two Diamond and Dugouts novels, Stealing Home & Playing the Field! I think you should too.


Buy Links:


 

Author Info:

Jennifer Seasons is a Colorado transplant. She lives with her husband and four children along the Front Range, where she enjoys breathtaking views of the mighty Rocky Mountains every day. A dog and two cats keep them company. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family outdoors, exploring her beautiful adopted home state.

 

Author Links:

 
 
 
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Link to follow tour:





Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Wicked Warriors Blog Hop-Lots of Giveaways



Welcome to my stop on the Wicked Warriors Blog Hop
 
hosted by Angela Knight & BTS E-magazine!
 
First let's discuss the fabulous Grand Prize offering:
 
1 Kindle Paperwhite and 5 autographed copies of Unbound
 
That's 6 winners in all! How awesome is that??
 
To enter please use the Rafflecopter below!
 
Yes, there are 2 Rafflecopter entry forms
1 for the Grand Prize
&
1 for my prize
Then click on a link in the linky list to hop on over to the next stop along this hop
 
 
Now let's talk about my stop here on the hop...
 
Who better to have stop by for a hop about Warriors, than the incredible author of many warrior type books..... Cindy Gerard!!!!

And I got put  her in the spotlight about her new book:



The Way Home
releasing 10/29/2013

Blurb:

Killed in Action – the most dreaded words imaginable for a soldier’s wife. Jess Albert has been living with them for four years, since the death of her husband in Afghanistan. Finding blessed numbness in routine, she doesn’t dare to look ahead, any more than she can bear to look back. Then Tyler Brown, a former special-ops warrior, shows up at her small general store in Minnesota North Woods, jarring her back to life. Jess knows better than to fall in love with another man who places duty to his country before love of his wife- but there’s no denying the longing and the hope for a future that Ty makes her feel.

A world away, a man ravaged by years of captivity and torture, a man with no memories, finally escapes- clinging to life and sanity in a hostile land. In his darkest hour, he awakes in a lantern-lit cave to find a woman at his side. Dark-haired and dark-eyes, her touch is caring, despite the resentment he hears in her voice and sees on her face. Rabia is bound by honor to save the lost American soldier in her keeping, this broken warrior from a war that has brought so much devastation to her land. But is it honor igniting her compassion for her enemy, or is it something more?

While a Black Ops team plans a daring rescue mission to bring the solider home, two women on opposite sides of the world walk a dangerous path between betrayal and honor, and must find for themselves where to draw the lines between duty and love.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I discovered Cindy Gerard’s books while posting a piece on Author, Lori Foster. One of the readers of that post told me that if I liked Lori’s books, I would love Cindy’s….and was she ever correct!
I checked out The Black Ops series first and purchased everyone available, then read them non-stop! Next I moved on to The Bodyguards series, and now the One-Eyed Jacks!
I am such a huge fangirl!
*jumps up & down squealing with delight*
So without further ado…
Drum roll please…….
I would like to welcome author extraordinaire, Cindy Gerard, to I am a book addict...and proud of it!

 

·         Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

           Pizza, chocolate and cheetos pretty much sums me up :o)  Seriously.  I power through most deadlines on all three so that’s more or less what I’m made of.  Other than that, I love animals – our 2 cats, 1 spoiled dog, 3 quarter horses and 3 aquariums tells that tale.  I love to read – when I have time, play on line scrabble – even when I don’t have time, travel, hang out with friends, watch good TV and spend time with family.  And occasionally, I like to be a daredevil – like when I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back (not for the faint of heart or foot), zip lined in New Zealand (OMG), White Water rafted the Colorado(OMG  X 2) , Rode a camel in Morocco (What was I thinking?) … you get the idea. :o)

 

·         Your books have characters making appearances throughout a series and they sometimes even crossover into another series, how do you keep all those characters and their specific traits and personalities straight when writing the latest book?

      










          Once I develop a character and go through a story with them or have a story planned for them, trust me I remember every detail :o)  When you live with these men and women every day you get to know them and love them (or hate them in the case of villains).  Sad to say, they all become very real to me – maybe that’s because I draw from real live heroes as well as imaginary on


·         Your heroes & heroines are so bold with such strong personalities and I feel like I get to know them personally as I read about them. Are any of your guys or gals based on real people?

 

          I should have read ahead :o)  There are bits and pieces of people I know, people I’d like to know and people who populate my head and demand to be written.  And thanks for the compliment.  I hate cardboard characters.  I love to create people who we can all identify with just as we can identify with their pain, their integrity, their wants and needs.



·         Your books are categorized as Romantic Suspense and they have a lot of military tactics & phrases, guns, ammo, explosions etc in them. I see the romance and feel the suspense with every line I read but, I am curious about these other things. Do you consult with someone about guns and explosions and tactics?

           I have several go to guys who help me with the guns and explosives and military tactics.  One in particular, however, never lets me down.  If I have a scene envisioned and I need to know if it will work or what I could do to make it better, I always run it past him.  He always has suggestions or corrections that make the scene as large as life.

 

·         I was so excited last January, when I heard about The One-Eyed Jacks series. I loved book #1 Killing Time! And now book #2 The Way Home is about to be released on 10/29. The Way Home is a bit different from your other books, can you give us an idea of the how & why this is?

 
        The Way Home turned out to be a very special story for me.  This book is a bonus book in the One-Eyed Jacks series that I hadn’t initially intended to write.  But my publisher – bless them – wanted a Christmas story featuring a military hero which to me said hearth and home and hope.  A story I never envisioned writing came to me shortly after and I knew it had to be the one.  The Way Home features dual stories (can’t tell you much more than that without spoiling it for you) but trust me when I say, it’s very romantic, emotional and explosive.  It’s everything I’ve written in my other books plus a little more.  I loved writing the story and I hope you love reading it too.  Here’s a link to an excerpt that will give you an idea of the emotional intensity of the story. 
 

 


·         What can we, your adoring fans, expect to see next from you?

       










      Adoring fans, huh?  I’m loving the sound of that :o)  I’m planning at least two more books in the One-Eyed Jacks series – Running Blind (Jamie Cooper’s story) and Taking Fire (Bobby Taggart’s story).  I don’t have publication dates for them yet but if anyone wants to sign up for my news letter, I’ll be sure to let you know when they’ll be released. 

     I’ll also be reissuing 4 of my older category romances in e-book format late winter or early spring.  These books haven’t been available for some time and I’m really enjoying bringing them up to date for readers who missed them the first time around.

 

·         I am a Mom to 4 two-legged kids and also a mommy to a couple of feline fur-baby rescues (and 1 Russian Tortoise with a face only a mother could love) and I know you are a huge animal rescue advocate. Could you tell us a little about it?

 
        
       We have a local shelter that is always in need of donations so I like to help out there.  We also have 2 fat lazy cats who came to us as skinny and sick strays along with a spoiled Brittany spaniel.  I’ve always loved animals and can’t imagine not helping when there is a need.  And there’s always a need.   You can click on this link every day and for no cost to you, help feed animals in shelters in the US

 

Thank you so much Cindy for the fantastic books you write and for stopping by the blog and putting up with my fangirl self,  squealing in your ear!
Thank you for being such an avid fan.  You have no idea how much that means to a writer and I’m no exception.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Phew!!!
 
 I made it through the interview without embarrassing myself (I think so anyway)!
I had the chance to read The Way Home a few weeks ago and posted my review here on the blog a few days ago.
 
Now I am offering you the chance to read it too!
My giveaway for this stop on the hop is a Kindle e-book of Cindy Gerard's latest release
The Way Home
by entering the Rafflecopter below
 
The Way Home Entry
Grand Prize Entry
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Revealing Us by Lisa Renee Jones-Review

Revealing Us
by Lisa Renee Jones

Blurb:



The third and final installment in the sexy Inside Out erotic romance trilogy—in the seductive tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

You’ve discovered Rebecca’s secrets. You’ve discovered Sara’s secrets. Now Sara will discover “his” deepest, darkest secrets…but will those secrets bind them together—or tear them apart?





Review:

When the opportunity arose to read & review Revealing Us, I jumped at the chance! This series has been in my TBR pile for awhile. So, I had to go back and read the first 2 books,
If I were you & Being Me, before starting this one. This is a trilogy, you really do need to read the first two books.

Chris & Sara move on to the next level in this book. They move to Paris to escape all that happened in SanFransisco, but, find more trouble awaits them there. Some questions have been answered but more have come to life. I spent 4 days reading these 3 books non-stop, There are mysteries, suspense, hot men, & even hotter lovin'! I was happy to finally figure some things out and even happier to find more mystery to look forward to in future stories.

I could not stop reading and look forward to what comes next!



The INSIDE OUT TRILOGY has been optioned to STARZ NETWORK for a cable television show!


Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES which has sold to more than twelve countries for translation with negotiations in process for more, and has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland).

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 30 books with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley and Elloras Cave, as well as crafting a successful indie career. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.





How this series came about:

Lisa Renee Jones and her fiance, Diego, used to buy and sell storage units (quite sometime before the reality show). In one of the units Diego found a journal, started reading from, and spent years convincing Lisa to write a story that revolved around a similar situation. From Diego’s consistent encouragement and Lisa’s creative talents — The Inside Out Series was born.
The Inside Out Series follows the life of Sara McMillan who comes into possession of some journals left in a storage unit. Unable to resist, she begins to uncover the dark, erotic secrets the pages hold. Entries that would fuel her fantasies and change her life in ways she could never imagine.

Jilted by Kara Leigh Miller-Spotlight & Giveaway!

 
Jilted
 by Kara Leigh Miller
 

Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: Scorching
Release Date: 9.15.2013
Length: 49K
Heat Rating: Hot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blurb:
Amy and Brett have been friends since they were kids; and their friendship has withstood the test of time. But can it withstand Brett's fiancée, Vanessa?
Brett Hudson has often wondered what it would be like to be more than Amy's friend, but when he's chosen as the newest professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, he meets Vanessa, one of the shows costume designers and it's a whirlwind romance that ends in a wedding proposal. As the big day draws closer, Brett begins to think that marrying Vanessa might be a bad idea. She wants him to give up Amy. Completely. Will he give up his best friend for the woman he's supposed to marry?
Amy King is heartbroken to learn that Brett is marrying another woman. But, when Brett is jilted at the altar, he begs Amy to go on his honeymoon with him. A week on a tropical island with her best friend, the man she's fantasized about for years is a dream come true for Amy. But when Brett suggests crossing the line from friends to lovers, Amy is reluctant. Will she risk years of friendship for one night of passion?
 
 
 Buy Links:
 
 
 
EXCERPT :
The way she said it, the look in her eyes, the tone of her voice, it made him ask the one question he knew he shouldn't. "Haven't you ever wondered...?"
            "Wondered what?"
            He turned to face her. "What it would be like between you and me if we ever... " He trailed off, unsure how, or even if he wanted to finish that thought.
            "If we ever what?" Amy held his gaze and he knew he'd have to answer her because she wouldn't give up until he did.
            The words caught in his throat. If he couldn't tell her, he'd show her. He reached out and lightly brushed his knuckles down her cheek before he cupped her face in his hand and leaned over. Hesitantly, he grazed his lips over hers, and then parted them with his tongue. He prepared himself for the possibility that she would push him away. In fact, he was so certain she would, he wasn't prepared when she welcomed his kiss.
            Amy's eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. That was all the permission he needed. Brett put his arms around her back and pulled her tight against his body. He deepened the kiss and nearly lost his mind when he heard her moan. Christ, he was kissing Amy. Amy! His best friend. He thought he should feel guilty about it as though it was wrong and inappropriate. But all he felt was her lithe body pressed against his, her lips working against his, her tongue dueling and twisting with his, and his raging desire for her. No, there was nothing wrong with what they were doing. It was good―too good. Any fears and doubts he had about it being awkward vanished the moment his lips touched hers.
            "That," he said, releasing her lips, but not her. "Have you ever wondered about that?"
 
Bio:
Kara is a multi-published romance author who dabbles in young adult, new adult, paranormal, and contemporary romances. However, her genre of choice will always be erotic romance. She's a member of the CNY Writers Haven and the Romance Writers of America. Writing is her passion and she loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with her fellow authors and her fans.
Today, Kara resides in Upstate New York with her husband, five kids, three cats, and two dogs. When she's not reading or writing, she's spending time with her family and friends.
Nothing excites Kara more than hearing from her fans. So, send her a note. She'll go total fan girl over it!
Social Media Links:
Email: karaleighmiller@yahoo.com


Tour long Giveaway:
Dates: 10/22 thru 10/24/2013
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Legal Information:

- Entering this contest means you have read, understood, and agree with all rules and regulations stated.- Entrants must be 18 or older (or age of majority in your country) to enter and to win.- No purchase necessary.- Void where prohibited.- All stated rules are subject to change without notification or reason given.- Chances of winning vary widely based on the number of entries received.- Prize is as stated. No substitutions or exchanges. Residence of the United States only.

- Contest host/organizer is not responsible to misrepresented/mis-typed email addresses, spam filters, mailer demons, and other internet wackiness that may crop up at the time of winner notification.

- Winners are final.- Contest Starts 00:01EST October 22, 2013 and Ends 12:59EST October 24, 2013 and open to US residence participants ONLY- Winners will be notified via email, twitter, or facebook no later than 12:00EST October 27, 2013 -Respond by date to collect prize is 14 days from notification date