Spring's Surprise by Cynthia Gail ~ Goddess Fish Tour ~ Giveaway ~ Excerpt ~

SPRING’S SURPRISE

by Cynthia Gail

Cynthia will award one $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter and a $15 Starbucks GC to another randomly drawn commenter. Be sure to stop by the other tour stops to increase your chances of winning. The other tour stops may be found here.....  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-blast-springs-surprise-by-cynthia.html
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BLURB:

Sara Michaels is single again. And she’s celebrating her thirtieth birthday with a complete spa makeover and a day of boutique shopping with her two best friends. After a ten-month battle for freedom, a long weekend in Nashville, Tennessee is just what she needs to erase the memories of a broken heart.

Jack Tanner is the soon-to-be new partner at Chester & Dorsey Development Firm. Jack’s love life has been on the back burner for years as he’s built a successful career. But the moment he meets Sara, he takes a hard look at his life and his priorities.

Sara steps out of her comfort zone and spends an unforgettable weekend with Jack. She’s never felt so carefree. Until she realizes too late that three days can change everything.

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EXCERPT: 

“Nothing?” Jenny couldn’t stop laughing. “A kiss the first night they meet. Breakfast planned for the next morning.” She turned to Beth. “At this rate, don’t be surprised if Sara doesn’t come home tomorrow night. Nick’s been staying at your house a lot, anyway, hasn’t he, Beth?”

“Don’t get too excited.” Embarrassment flooded through Sara as she remembered thinking the very same thing. She shouldn’t have, but she couldn’t stop her imagination from running wild. Jack made her tingle in places that hadn’t been alive in years. She hadn’t even realized how dormant she’d been until that first handshake. Her whole body had come alive like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.

“We’re only having breakfast. And we both leave on Tuesday. What can happen in just three days between two people who don’t even live in the same city? We’ll probably never see each other again after this weekend.”

“What can happen in three days? A lot!” Jenny said with a friendly jab. “Look what happened in one evening. And you just said you were going to be open-minded and take the weekend for what it is. If I were you, I’d enjoy every bit of Jack I could.”

Her friends continued talking about Nick, dinner, and the rest of their weekend plans. Sara tried to keep up, but her mind kept drifting back to Jack and that kiss. Enjoy every bit of Jack she could. That could be a lot of enjoyment if she was reading his signs correctly. She was definitely tempted.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our eighteen-year-old son and three dogs. When I’m not working or writing, I can be found with family and friends. I love to bake in the winter, grill in the summer, and on occasion, I sneak away from everyone and curl up with a good book.

I hope you enjoy my stories. Each one touches on modern day issues, fears, and challenges that women face every day. And each one illustrates that love is within reach if you let down those walls and allow your heart to open. Our lives and experiences are so much more meaningful when we have someone to share them with.

http://www.cynthiagail.com/

Amazon Purchase Link

Daddy's Girl by J.M. Kelley ~ Interview ~ Goddess Fish Blog Tour ~ Excerpt ~ Giveaway

DADDY'S GIRL

By

J.M. Kelley

J.M. will be awarding a gift basket of some of  her favorite things, including a $25 gift card from Amazon and a signed copy of the Foreign Affairs anthology from Turquoise Morning Press to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to stop by other stops on the  virtual tour to increase your chances of winning. You can find the other tour stops here...  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-daddys-girl-by-jm.html

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Interview:

Crystal: Today as part of the Goddess Fish Virtual Book tour, I have the opportunity to interview J.M. Kelly. Thank you so much for stopping by today. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

J.M. Kelley: I am a northern girl living in the South now, having moved in search of work after my desk job was rudely eliminated, and the jobs dried up in my hometown. Now, I have a blue collar job that occupies my days, and some nights, when my attention span allows, I write. I write romance, which is always a riot to me, because I can’t figure real men out, and will probably end up living alone with twenty cats to keep me company in my golden years. 


Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for Daddy's Girl?

J.M. Kelley:  Personal experience was definitely a factor in this story. I needed an outlet, in dealing with my father’s loss, and I wanted to do something to honor him, in the process. It was an idea that had bounced around in my head for some time, but I wasn’t emotionally ready for it right away. After my first novel, I knew it was time, and the story was finally put to paper. It’s entirely fictional, but absolutely inspired by my own experience as a primary caretaker as my father battled lung cancer. I think it’s a timely tale, as so many people in my age group are finding that they have to take a very active role in caring for their aging parents while trying to maintain a life of their own. It’s a difficult thing to do, and I think a lot of people can relate to the themes, on some level. 

Crystal: What are you currently working on?

J.M. Kelley:  Later this month, I will be releasing a paranormal romance entitled Almost Magic. It was a fun tale to weave, and I am looking forward to publication day. Once we finalize the manuscript, I will be returning to a contemporary romance entitled She Let Herself Go, which will be available early 2014.

Crystal: Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing? 

J.M. Kelley: I’m a sloppy, sloppy writer. I have a laptop that gets hauled to weird writing locations, and it’s full of potato chip crumbs. If an outline is ever formed, it won’t be created until the story is half written. I am a total pantser, and even though I have a specific idea when I start a story, it seldom stays on the path. But, that’s fun. I like the anticipation of finding out how it will actually end.


Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book or any other? If so do you have a fascinating fact that you have learned you would like to share with us?

J.M. Kelley:  I didn’t have to do much research, as I used a lot of my own experiences as a basis. However, without giving away plot, there are certain medical issues that I realized I don’t know squat about and am very grateful that my lovely editor was there to tell me, in very polite ways, that I’m an idiot about some stuff.

Crystal: Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?

J.M. Kelley: Stephen King, H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Sarah Addison Allen, and Charlaine Harris are among the usual suspects. I’m really enjoying World War Z by Max Brooks. He may become a new reading obsession.

Crystal:  Is there any genre you haven't written that you would like to try?

J.M. Kelley:  My next story, Almost Magic, dabbles in the paranormal. I consider it bearing a very light touch, because it’s not something I’ve really attempted before. I liked the idea of just a hint of the magical in the story. It would be fun, someday, to really cut loose and drum up some completely maniacal and fun paranormal tale, with a mind-blowing mythology and background. I’m not saying I could produce that, but boy, wouldn’t it be fun to get that ultimate plot bunny?

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BLURB:   

Sometimes, returning home isn’t about confronting your past; it’s about discovering your future. 

Janie McGee, the black sheep of her family, is free-spirited, uninhibited, and never one to stay in the same place for too long. When Janie learns her father, Joe, is gravely ill, she reluctantly returns home to rural Pennsylvania to care for him. Joe’s neighbor, David Harris, sports a pocket protector, collects coins, and is addicted to Antiques Roadshow. Everything about him rubs Janie the wrong way, from his nerdy wardrobe to his enviable friendship with Joe. And to make matters worse, her father thinks they’re perfect for each other, proof positive of how little Joe knows his own daughter…or so Janie thinks. 

A shared devotion to the elder McGee begins to close the gulf between Janie and David, but a burgeoning romance opens the door to new problems and unexpected consequences neither could foresee. Joe, however, remains steadfast in his resolve to show Janie that Daddy knows what’s best for his little girl. Can Janie finally open her heart to David while watching the first man she ever truly loved fade away? 

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EXCERPT:  

“Need help?” 

Janie turned around and grinned in spite of herself when David appeared from the living room. Her eyes lingered on the red sleeveless cardigan he wore over a crisp white work shirt. “Nice sweater vest,” she said. She held a crumpled bag out to him. 

“Thanks,” he said, too brightly to have read the sarcasm in her words, Janie figured. She rolled her eyes and followed him out into the kitchen. 

“So, what are you doing here?” She shed her coat and hung it over a chair. 

David started unpacking the bags. “Antiques Roadshow. Didn’t your father tell you?” 

Janie snorted. “Well, yeah, but I thought he was joking. You guys really sit around and watch that show?” 

David stepped aside to grant Janie access when she reached for the boxes of cereal. “It’s intriguing.” 

“Oh, yes.” The sarcasm was back. Janie carried her armload to the pantry. “I saw it once. They had an intriguing analysis of a step stool. I’ve never been so moved in all my life.” 

“You mock what you do not understand.” 

Laughing, Janie walked back to the kitchen table. “So what was the big item of the night?”

David scowled. “A pair of eyeglasses.” He paused. “They had reason to believe they could have belonged to Benjamin Franklin.” 

Janie made an O shape with her mouth and fanned her hand at her face. “Be still my heart. I think you should get permission from the doctor before you subject my father to such drama. What’s he doing, anyway?” 

Unfazed, David tossed a pear at her. “He’s asleep in his chair.” 

“Shocker.” She pulled a bowl from the cabinet and placed the pears inside. “Oh, by the way? I’m mocking what I do understand.” 

“Yeah, well, you have your shirt on backwards.” David grinned and folded his arms over his chest as Janie pulled the neck of her shirt out and peered at the tags. 

“Crap,” she whispered. 

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Three years ago, native Pennsylvanian J.M. Kelley packed her bags and moved south. Now, the wannabe Carolina Girl can’t speak a single sentence without adding the word y’all at the end of it, and regards a blast of snow flurries as a doomsday-level event.  When the day job allows, and when she can pull herself away from George Takei’s Facebook fanpage, she likes to go on writing jaunts to her favorite lake, or a local coffee shop with delicious shakes and questionable Wi-Fi connections.

J.M. Kelley is a proud recipient of a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary award, and is a member of The South Carolina Writers Workshop and Romance Writers of America (PAN). Readers interested in more information may visit her website at www.jmkelleywrites.com.


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LINKS:

Email: readers@jmkelleywrites.com
Website: http://www.jmkelleywrites.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JM-Kelley/108021242585994
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJMKelley


Daddy’s Girl purchase links:

Turquoise Morning Press: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/daddys-girl-by-j-m-kelley

Amazon: Daddy's Girl


Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daddys-girl-jm-kelley/1114255053?ean=2940015960969&isbn=2940015960969

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Daddys-Girl/book-KHCuDTSR9E2C7bbOEw-87A/page1.html?s=E-llxuUKm0m_cW4LB0jGNA&r=1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/279529

AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-daddy039sgirl-1049844-149.html

Omnilit: https://www.omnilit.com/product-daddy039sgirl-1049844-232.html?oid=19

The Esposito Series by J.M. Griffin ~ Goddess Fish Tour ~ Giveaway

The Esposito Series

by J.M. Griffin 

J.M. will be awarding Tea and Chip Nuts to three randomly drawn commenters (US/CANADA ONLY) during this tour and her Reviews Tour. Be sure to leave a comment along with your email address so you can be contacted if you win. Also visit the stops on the tour to increase your chances of winning. The other tour stops may be found here....http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-super-book-blast-tour-esposito.html

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BLURB:

The Esposito Series Box Set:

Now you can own the first three books in the sassy and suspenseful Vinnie Esposito Series by J.M. Griffin!

By day, Lavinia (Vinnie) Esposito is a criminal justice instructor at a college in Rhode Island. By night Vinnie is an amateur sleuth, solving murders while trying to avoid getting yelled at by her Italian father, her hunky protective boyfriend Marcus Richmond, and her sexy upstairs tenant, the mysterious Aaron Grant.

For Love of Livvy (Book 1)

Vinnie investigates the death of her beloved aunt, and a mysterious box is left on her doorstep.

Dirty Trouble (Book 2)

Someone is stalking Vinnie and that’s just the beginning of her troubles.

Dead Wrong (Book 3)

Vinnie is out to save her brother from being framed after a valuable painting is stolen. 


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EXCERPT:

The front door knocker rapped twice after the door bell rang. I hustled from the rear deck of the gargantuan house to answer the summons. Someone seemed impatient, and I was curious as to who it was. My watch read just after eight o’ clock. I swung the heavy door open to find my prospective visitor absent.

It was so quiet, the town ghostly in its seemingly deserted state. Sundays were always lazy days in Scituate, once church was over. With a glance up and down the street of the small historic Rhode Island village, neat colonial homes stretched along the sides of the road in both directions. No one came into view.

On the doorstep, a package addressed to my recently deceased Aunt Livvy sat wrapped in brown paper. Again, I gawked up and down the street, but only empty sidewalks and barren roadway appeared in the waning light. The idea of a jaunt along the main drag entered my mind. I figured it would be senseless since the street was visible for about two hundred yards in either direction. Whoever had left the package was gone, long gone.

An eternity passed, or so it seemed, while my gaze locked onto the square, little box. Reluctant to touch it, I decided to call the local fire company to come take a gander. Call me paranoid, but as a criminal justice instructor, a recent audit of a class on bomb components remained fresh in my mind.

I quickly stepped to the living room and grabbed the phone. I dialed the private number of the fire station up the street. A grunt came across the phone line that could only be Bill MacNert.

“Hey Nerd, its Vinnie,” I said. “A package was just left on my doorstep, could you come down and check it out for me?”

“Sure, you got a secret admirer or somethin’?” He cackled, as only senior men can.

“Not likely, but you never know. This package is addressed to Lavinia Ciano, not Lavinia Esposito and is wrapped in brown paper. Nobody’s here to accompany this little surprise either.”

“I’ll be right down, Vinnie, don’t touch it.” He warned.

“Okay.”

Anxious, I paced back and forth across gleaming hard wood floors in the spacious living room of my newly acquired colonial. My fingernails tapped the enamel on my teeth as I wandered to and fro. As irrational as it seemed, I finally leaned against the door jamb inside the entry to wait for MacNert to arrive.

It wasn’t long before the limber old guy came into view as he hot footed down the street with a stethoscope in his hand. This particular piece of equipment wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but then he wasn’t a bomb expert either.

When he arrived on the doorstep slightly out of breath, he glanced at the parcel, and then turned toward me.

“This was just delivered, you say?” MacNert squinted toward me with wizened brown eyes that twinkled all the time. It was as though there was a private joke going on inside his head.

“Yeah, someone knocked on the door, and when I got here to answer, there was nobody around. It didn’t seem prudent to mess with it, so I called you.”

“You just finished that bomb class, eh?” He chuckled and then sobered quickly. Since 9/11, everyone took stuff like this with a serious attitude. While he chuckled, I knew MacNert was no different.

The stethoscope ends plugged into his ears, Bill laid its diaphragm on top of the package. Removing it, he gingerly set it against the sides and listened again. I didn’t make a sound as he stood and glanced up.

“There’s no tickin’ but that doesn’t mean it’s not an explosive. You should probably call the state police barracks up the road. Have them send their bomb guys down for a lookie see, just to be on the safe side.”

“Geez, I hate to do that. I’ll feel stupid if it’s a joke,” I whined.

“It’s up to you, but if you were nervous enough to call me, then you should call them. It’s just my opinion, Vin.” He stepped over the box and wandered into the entryway. “Got anythin’ to eat? Wifey’s out of town visitin’ her sister and I’m starved.”

Bill didn’t seem over concerned, but then again, he hadn’t recently taken a bomb class either. My eyes never left the box as I answered him. “There’s food in the fridge, help yourself.”

I’d known the homely man and his family for years and respected his opinion. Tapping my fingers against my lips, I called after him, “You’re right. I’ll ring the state police now, but stick around okay?”

Unwilling to be nailed as over-dramatic by the staties, I reluctantly punched in the numbers. It was bad enough that the local cops had bugged the shit out of me for the first month after Aunt Livvy’s death. They still stopped by now and then, annoying me even more with stupid questions. Questions to which I had no answers.

After the trooper covering the desk answered, I explained what I’d found on the doorstep. He seemed unconcerned until I mentioned my name and address, and then he stated someone would be down momentarily. The swift change in his manner piqued my curiosity. I wondered why he’d suddenly capitulated when his initial response had been of disinterest.

In the living room, I paced while awaiting the arrival of the state police. Within minutes a sleek, grey Crown Victoria pulled up to the curb out front and a tall, lean trooper got out. Broad shouldered and well built, he walked with assurance and a certain amount of swagger. I stepped into the open door entry and watched him saunter through the front gate onto the walkway. He stared at the package and then at me.

“Did you call about this box, ma’am?” Keen hazel green eyes traveled over my face and down my body.

Craggy features, sculpted from granite, faced me and I felt my blood run hot as the breath caught in my throat. What was this about? I gazed at him admiring the neat package wrapped in the trim uniform.

“I did. Bill MacNert from the fire station thought it would be a good idea since it was mysteriously left on the doorstep. He checked to see if it was ticking, but it isn’t.”

“Are you Lavinia Ciano?” The trooper’s glance strayed from the name on the wrapper to me as his eyes showed a glint of humor and his mouth twitched.

Could that humor be over the name? I wondered, as I said, “No, my name is Esposito. Livvy was my aunt.” Our eyes held and my heart pounded. I licked my parched lips and then glanced away.

An oversized van idled up behind the patrol car and the trooper glanced back. Two men stepped from the vehicle dressed in heavy gear and acknowledged him. He turned to the lead man, mumbled a few words and then stared at me again. If this was an action film, I would have expected Bruce Willis to jump out of the truck announcing he was about to kick someone’s ass. This wasn’t an action film, but a real life situation instead.

The two guys angled through the front gate and hitched their gear as they hauled a peculiar looking lidded barrel toward the front door. By this time, a few neighbors had taken notice of the activities. Several people straggled along the sidewalk across the street to watch.

You’d think it was a freakin’ sideshow. I smiled and waved. Nobody responded, they just continued to gawk. A little excitement for them on an otherwise dull Sunday, I guessed. The trooper stood aside and watched the crowd, but said nothing.

The overdressed bomb guys corralled the box between them. With delicate finesse they lifted and stowed it into the metal container, loaded it into the truck and drove off. I stared in disbelief. Hell, I wanted to know what was in the package. I had a right to know, didn’t I?

The trooper turned to leave and I stepped forward.

“Uh, I’d like to know what’s in the box, if it’s not too much to ask.” My hand snuck up to my hip as my cocky Italian attitude slid into place.

Tall and Curious stiffened at my tone and turned to stare at me. It seemed he wasn’t used to being spoken to in this manner, which wasn’t any big surprise. Women tend to respond differently to men in uniform, especially a man such as this luscious creature. Well, not this chick. I teach guys like him all year long and the “I’m so wonderful” thing gets old fast.

“I’ll be sure to let you know, Miss Esposito. If we have any questions, you’ll hear from us right away.”

I gawked a moment and my eyes narrowed. His opened wide in contrast and he waited, his body tense. Maybe he thought I’d pitch myself off the steps onto his perfectly toned frame and pummel the daylights out of him or something. It was a thought, but I really wanted to know what was in the package. Besides, his muscles were bigger than mine.

In an effort to change tactics rather than be handcuffed and dragged off to jail, I smiled and spoke in as nice a manner as I could muster.

“I’d appreciate any information you could give me officer, since the package was left in such an alarming way. Should I call headquarters tomorrow?”

His look narrowed. I suspected he was unsure of where this was headed. There was a moment’s hesitation before he answered the question.

“Sure, that would be a good idea.” He gave a nod of the stiff brimmed campaign hat that covered cropped brown hair.

“All right then. I’ll call the colonel first thing.” My voice remained light and sweet, and the smile was charming, at least I hoped it was.

The colonel runs a strict police force and is a tough disciplinarian with an intense dislike for any impropriety, implied or otherwise. I’d gleaned that much from the cops in my criminal justice classes.

A tight lipped smile crossed his face. I figured he couldn’t decide whether I really knew the colonel or if this was a ploy. To be truthful, I lied by omission. I hadn’t said I knew the colonel, I just said I’d give him a call.

“That won’t be necessary ma’am. As soon as there’s any information, I’ll get in touch with you.” With a nod of his head, he turned and left.

Don’t you hate that ma’am thing? It makes me feel old. I know I’m thirty-something, but really.

Bill MacNert stood near the doorway sucking down a sandwich filled with sausage and peppers. My mother had sent the food home with me the day before. The smell of rich tomato sauce and fragrant sausage tantalized my taste buds.

“Guess it wasn’t that serious then?” Slurp noises preceded a sauce blob that dripped down his uniform shirt.

 I glanced at Bill’s shirt, snagged a tissue from my pocket and dabbed at the drip.

“I won’t know until tomorrow, but if I’m the town laughing stock you’re in for it and don’t forget it. By the way, did you leave me any food?” I chuckled at his expression.

Bill’s guilt ridden grin assured me that he hadn’t, but he swore that he had. He handed me the empty plate before he headed toward the fire station. I watched the stethoscope bob up and down from the back pocket of his pants. He trotted up the street, and I felt sure the story would make the rounds since Bill was an avid gossip.

The crowd had dispersed, and I was alone again. Livvy would have had a fit over the whole affair had she been alive, but I figured there was no sense in being stupid. I act that way often enough, thank you.

Mystery still surrounded Livvy’s non-violent death. While the police weren’t forthcoming with information, the state troopers’ attitude on the phone caused me to reconsider the promise to my father to not investigate on my own. I wandered through the house deep in thought over the situation.

Darkness had descended as I headed toward the bedroom. Changing into a t-shirt and boxer briefs, I climbed into bed with a notebook. The troopers’ attitude niggled at me. I leaned back against the pillows scribbling notes about the package delivery. Words ran across the page as the scene and the trooper came to mind. The trooper’s name wasn’t on his badge, but I remembered the badge number.

The pad propped against my knees, my mind drifted over the parcel and the officer’s attitude. Warm hazel green eyes along with the trooper’s cool manner had drawn my interest. It wasn’t really just his bearing that caught my attention either and it was a struggle to stay focused.

Intense eyes sat above a strong, chiseled nose and firm jaw. I sketched the features onto the pad of paper. His lips weren’t thin, not too wide, but just right for kissing. Wondering what it would be like to taste those lips, I gave myself a mental head slap. A cop is the last thing you want or need, my inner voice echoed. This voice always echoed dire warnings through my head. It had a bad habit of doing so at the worst possible moment. Just stay focused on Livvy, I lectured myself.

Snuggled under the lightweight blanket, thoughts about Livvy and our life played in my mind. Muscles relaxed, and I realized I needed to talk to her tomorrow. The graveyard was about two blocks away from the house. I often went to her grave for a conversation when I’d become involved in one issue or another. That’s what my life consisted of, one issue or another. Most of the time the issues were huge, never mundane, not ever.

I sighed, sniffed the sweet summer scents that wafted through the open window and wondered how this summer in Rhode Island would be. The pillow slipped lower and so did I as my mind wandered over life, the package and my aunt.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a humorous, cozy mystery writer, J.M. adds a touch of romance to every story. She believes in fairies, doesn't believe in coincidence, and feels life is what you make it. Believe in yourself and look at the positive, not the negative, to bring about success. AND. . .never stop trying.

J.M. lives in rural New England with her husband and two very mysterious cats

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JM-Griffin/246751368685078

Website: http://www.JMGriffin.net

Twitter: mycozymystery

Blog: http://mycozymysteries.blogspot.com


Buy Link:

http://www.lachesispublishing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=EspositoBoxSet1-3E

For Love of Livvy (Book 1) Amazon Buy Link

Amazon Buy link The Esposito Series Books Box Set

The Seduction of Esther by Jennifer Wilck ~ Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour ~Giveaway ~ Review ~ Excerpt

The Seduction of Esther

by Jennifer Wilck

Jennifer will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and chocolate to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (international giveaway). Be Sure to stop by the other tour stops to increase your chances of winning. You may find the list of tour stops here... http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-seduction-of-esther.html
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BLURB:
Samara Goldberg has a problem even the most beautiful singing voice can’t fix. She’s a walking disaster, especially when she’s around handsome men. To make matters worse, she’s in desperate need of someone to play the character of Mordecai for the Purim spiel she’s producing and the new congregant, Nathaniel Abramson, is a perfect fit. Nathaniel is a divorced dad who’s recovering from the biggest public scandal of his life. The last thing he needs is a relationship with the choir director at his new synagogue, who also happens to be playing the lead female role of Esther in the very play he’s been coerced into joining.

Woven around the Jewish holiday of Purim, The Seduction of Esther is a story of two people whose lives mirror the plot of the Purim story. Like Esther, who had to hide her Jewish identity from the King of Persia, Samara and Nathaniel are hiding key pieces of themselves. Evil Haman wanted to destroy the Jews, and the nasty Josh will do anything to keep Samara and Nathaniel apart. Will their love survive, like the Jewish people in Shushan, Persia, or will their fear keep them apart?

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EXCERPT: 

Samara whipped her head up as a deep voice interrupted her thoughts of baked potatoes au gratin.  A tanned hand reached for her wrist, its fingers long and square with clean nails.  They gripped enough for her to feel their warmth. Her gaze traveled up his arm. A light dusting of dark hair peeked from beneath the cuff of a starched, white shirt. Her eyes traveled up to biceps that filled out a sleeve. She continued across the broad expanse of chest, up a tanned throat, over a chiseled chin darkened by five o’clock shadow, past soft lips, around flared nostrils and into blue eyes. Slate-blue eyes twinkled at her. She yanked her arm out of his grasp.

“Let go of me, please!”

“Sorry. Didn’t want you to run me over.” 

She tilted her head. Did his eyes always twinkle this much? 

She was sure she’d never seen him before; his eyes alone would have been enough to spark a glimmer of recognition if they’d ever crossed paths. 

And his voice? His voice was unforgettable. A trace of a rasp, like a callused finger catching on a silk blouse; a hint of a Southern drawl stuck out even in the melting pot of New York accents; a satirical lilt, a promise of laughter to brighten the darkest days. 

No, she would never forget a voice like that. She could get lost in it for days. 

Goosebumps ran down her back, and she shivered. The sudden, uncontrollable movement jerked her out of her reverie and brought her back to the present. The glint in his eye told her he’d noticed her distraction, and her cheeks warmed. Embarrassed, she jerked her cart out of his way and ploughed into the display of russet potatoes. 

The table screeched against the linoleum floor and mounds of brown spuds wobbled after the impact. Samara closed her eyes in horror and yanked back her cart. She opened them and watched as one potato toppled onto the floor. Like a scout on a mission, it paved the way for the rest of the potatoes. The pile collapsed and poured around her feet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

When I was a little girl and couldn’t fall asleep, my mother would tell me to make up a story. Pretty soon, my head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Each character had a specific personality, a list of likes and dislikes, and sometimes, even a specific accent or dialect. Even as an adult, I think about the characters and stories at night before I fall asleep, or in the car on my way to or from one of my daughters’ numerous activities (hey, anything that will drown out their music is a good thing). 

One day, I started writing them down (it was either that or checking into the local mental hospital—the computer was way less scary) and five years later, I’ve gotten two book contracts from Whiskey Creek Press. A Heart of Little Faith came out in June; Skin Deep is coming out in November. 

In the real world, I’m the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men I know. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, traveling and watching TV. In between chauffeuring my daughters to after-school activities that require an Excel spreadsheet to be kept straight, I serve on our Temple Board, train the dog we adopted from a local shelter, and cook dinners that fit the needs of four very different appetites. I also write freelance articles for magazines, newspapers, and edit newsletters. 

When all of that gets overwhelming, I retreat to my computer, where I write stories that let me escape from reality. In my made-up world, the heroines are always smart, sassy and independent. The heroes are handsome and strong with just a touch of vulnerability. If I don’t like a character, I can delete him or her; if something doesn’t work, I can rewrite it. It’s very satisfying to be in control of at least one part of my life. My inspiration comes from watching the people around me and fantasizing about how I’d do things differently.

I can be reached at www.jenniferwilck.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wilck/201342863240160. I tweet at @JWilck, my blog (Fried Oreos) is www.jenniferwilck.wordpress.com and I contribute to Heroines With Hearts at www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com. 

My books can be purchased through Rebel Ink Press http://rebelinkpress.com/our-titles.html, 
Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com , Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Review: This is the first opportunity I have had to read a book by Jennifer Wilck and I really enjoyed it. She has a nice style of writing that kept me interested in the story from the first page until then end. There was enough drama going on that kept me wondering how things were going to work out for Samara & Nathaniel.

I really liked Samara Goldberg, even though she is a walking disaster waiting to happen. I actually liked that part about her because I have some of the same problems on occasion.  Samara's accident prone problems add some humor to the story as well. I always enjoy laughing while I am reading a story.  What is really sweet about Samara's accidents is they start to decrease as she gets more comfortable with Nat. 

Nathaniel Abramson is a man with a history that he does not want to repeat by any means. His ex-wife created problems for him that has left him really hesitant to enter into another relationship. He has an adorable daughter that is the light of his life. I really admired him for his commitment to his daughter. 

I really enjoyed reading Samara & Nathaniel's story and enjoyed watching them work through all the obstacles in their path to each other. There is some that doesn't want them together and does everything in their power to make things hard for Sam & Nat. 

I was very excited to receive a copy of this book to read and review for this blog tour. 

The Reunited by Shiloh Walker~The FBI Psychics #3~

It's a really good thing that when I really started reading this book I didn't have any other plans for the day. I don't think I would have been able to set it down for very long to get anything else done. I was so excited to be given a chance to read and review a book by Shiloh Walker, and I was not disappointed at all by her work.

FBI Agent Joss Crawford goes under cover into a very dangerous situation. He has a very special talent that is needed for this case. It is a total shock to him when he comes into contact with the woman he has a deep connection with. 

Drucella Chapman has gone undercover to bring down a horrible ring that is kidnapping and abusing women in the worst ways possible. She has found a way to get the attention the of the "boss" of the ring and goes through some horrible things in order to get the "goods" on these people to bring them down.  She is willing to do what ever it takes to make sure these people can not hurt anymore young ladies.

Both Joss & Drucella will do what ever it takes to end this horrible ring of terror. First they have to learn they are both on the same side and can trust each other.  I loved how they were able to communicate with each other and the special link they shared. 

The suspense in The Reunited had me clinging to the edge of my seat and turning the pages as quickly as possible. I could not wait to see how Joss, his team of FBI agents, and Dru were going to give these rotten people exactly what they deserved. Shiloh Walker has created some very fascinating, intriguing characters that I was completely captivated by. 

I have not had the pleasure of reading the first two books in The FBI Psychics series but I was able to keep up just fine by starting with this one. I enjoyed this book in the series so much though, I would love to read the rest of the series. 

Now that I have had the chance to read Shiloh Walker's work I know I would certainly enjoy reading more. 

Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne ~ Hope's Crossing #4

Currant Creek Valley was a lovely return visit to what has become one of my favorite little towns Hope's Crossing. I absolutely adore small town romance series and RaeAnne Thayne has become one of my favorite authors in the genre. She has created a charming little town full of fun dynamic characters that I look forward to visiting with each new release.

Alexandra McKnight thinks she has her life completely under control and everything is falling into place. She is about to get her dream come true, her own kitchen in the new restaurant in town. She only dates guys that don't plan on sticking around very long. So when  Sam Delgado is hired to finish her new kitchen sparks fly. A little flirting and friendly dates seem fine to Alex, until she finds out that Sam is going to stick around town. Alex has some issues from her past that makes her hesitate to enter into long term relationships. 

 Sam Delgado is one handsome, sweet guy that is raising an adorable little boy Ethan. I loved Sam's commitment to his son and wanting a nice life for both of them.  Sam also has some issues from that past that he wants to leave behind when he moves to Hope's Crossing. 

I truly enjoyed reading Alex & Sam's story. Of course while getting to know Alex and Sam a little better it was nice to catch up with the fine folks of Hope's Crossing that I met in the previous books in the series. I always feel like I am catching up with old friends. I have had the pleasure of reading the other three books in this series and I personally can not wait to get my hands on the next book If you are like me and just can not get enough of the small town romance series books, then I recommend you check this one out. If you haven't read the rest of the series, then by all means check those out as well.

FATAL EXPOSURE by Gail Barrett ~ Excerpt ~ Giveaway ~ Goddess Fish Tour

FATAL EXPOSURE

by Gail Barrett

Gail will be awarding a $25 Amazon / BN (or other bookstore of the winner's choice) GC to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her other Book Blast on June 21st. Be sure to stop by more of the tour stops to increase your chances of winning. The other stop sites may be found here   http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-blast-fatal-exposure-by-gail.html

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BLURB:

Cold-case detective Parker McCall has spent fifteen years trying to solve his brother’s murder.  Now a chance photo of the killer in the newspaper sets him hard on the woman’s trail.  A former teenaged runaway, reclusive, award-winning photojournalist B.K. Elliot chronicles the harsh reality of life on the streets -- until a photo in the paper reveals her identity, blowing the lid off her secret past.  With a powerful murderer now dogging her heels, and her police officer step-father determined to silence her permanently, the last person she can afford to trust is a cop.  So why does sexy police detective Parker McCall tempt her to break her silence and resurrect ideals she’d lost years ago?  As danger closes in, and with more than her own life at stake, Brynn must decide if the duty-bound cop will betray her...or heal her battered heart.
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EXCERPT:

His gaze swung back to hers. Several seconds ticked by. His scrutiny made her uneasy, the intensity in his eyes making it impossible to breathe.

And, suddenly, Brynn suspected he knew more than he’d let on—about her relationship to her stepfather, about her troubled childhood, about the horrific abuse that drove her from home. That he was simply biding his time—like the trained interrogator he was—waiting for her to confess the truth.

She couldn’t believe how tempted she was to do just that—to forget that he was a cop, to ignore the danger hounding her footsteps and tell him the unvarnished truth.


But then, Parker’s expression changed. His eyes were just as intense, but hotter, more hypnotic, like whirlpools dragging her under—in a decidedly sensual way.

Her pulse battered her throat. He pushed away from the truck and moved even closer, trapping her against the cab. And that insane attraction rippled between them, that unruly maelstrom of need.

Her breath backed up in her lungs. Her belly tightened, acute tremors of excitement tripping along her nerves. She tore her gaze from his jet black eyes to the black stubble shadowing his granite jaw, and stalled on his gripping mouth. Then he reached out and stroked his finger down her cheek, sending a torrent of pleasure streaming through her veins.

Was he going to kiss her?

His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest.

And for a wild moment she wondered if she should push him away—or pull him close.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


A former RITA® and Daphne finalist, Gail Barrett has received the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, The National Readers’ Choice Award, and numerous other awards.  She lives with her husband in Western Maryland.  Readers can contact her through her website: www.gailbarrett.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.barrett.961#!/gail.barrett.961

Links to buy the book:
Amazon Paperback: Fatal Exposure (Harlequin Romantic Suspense)


Kindle:Fatal Exposure (Buried Secrets)


Barnes and Noble paperback and Nook: 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fatal-exposure-gail-barrett/1113942081?ean=9780373278275