Friday, 6 June 2014

Forever Love by Deborah Armstrong: Interview + Giveaway

Forever Love
by Deborah Armstrong
"Does love at first sight really happen? Is there a difference between love at first sight and obsession?

Davina Stuart, farmer and bestselling author of Second Harvest, shares a flight to Los Angeles with Hollywood's latest heartthrob, Quinn Thomas. Three hours of in-flight speed dating and Quinn's in love. Davina is not so sure. She's older and wiser. She'll settle for a one-night stand but he wants more. Davina's cows and her children are her life. She's not so sure about Hollywood and its glamour. Blue jeans, cowboy boots and her pickup truck are more her style. Quinn is tired of the plastic starlets, his empty bed and his lonely heart. He’d give up everything, including his career, for the love of a woman, his woman. Forever Love follows their whirlwind romance as the widow of two years, who thought her time for romance was over, finds love with a man who has to have her in his life, to love her forever.
 
Hardcover, 326 pages
Published April 1st 2012 by Xlibris Corporation

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Deborah Armstrong is a firm believer in genetics. She attributes her love of the English language, reading and writing to her parents. She is thrilled to have passed on her love of books (with the help of her husband, also an avid reader) to her children. Armstrong lives with her husband, three children, two cats and five hundred cows on their dairy farm in Ontario, Canada. When she’s not writing or working on the farm, she enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies and spending time with her family and friends. Armstrong enjoys strong coffee, chocolate milk and single malt scotch in no particular order.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deboraharmstrongauthorofromance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debdee99

Website: http://www.deboraharmstrong.ca/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6467157.Deborah_Armstrong


Q & A with Deborah Armstrong


Q:  Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A: 
My heroine is Davina Stuart. She's 45 years of age, she has three adult children and she's been a widow for two years. Her husband died of a brain aneurism, leaving her to run the family farm. In order to deal with her grief she wrote a journal which her best friend convinced her to have published. It became a best seller and the movie rights were sold. The story begins with her flying out to LA to meet the cast of the movie.

Davi, as her friends call her, is smart, sexy and independent. She's comfortable in her own skin, friendly and charismatic. Those around her are immediately drawn to her. The tall brunette loves to wear faded jeans, T-shirt and cowboy boots and she drives a pickup truck she calls, Buddy. Davi doesn't need a man to complete her. Thinking that she's had her chance at love, she's not looking for a new love, although she won't say no to a fantasy filled night with a Hollywood heartthrob.

Quinn Thomas is the 30 year old Hollywood heartthrob who is tired of the plastic starlets who are eager to share his bed. He's looking for the woman who haunts his dreams, the woman he knows holds the key to his heart. He's got it all - a six-foot-three-inch frame with broad shoulders and a rock hard body, thick dark shaggy hair that hangs to his shoulders, blue bedroom eyes and lips that beg to be kissed.

Quinn has the seat next to Davi on the flight to LA. The moody and reclusive star is immediately smitten by her. He's convinced it's love at first sight. He knows Davi from his dreams. He's willing to be her fantasy for four hours, one night, or one weekend to convince her that they belong together.

Q:  Who designs the covers for your books and what is that process like for you as an author?
A: 
My first cover was provided by the publisher. I thought it was a good reflection of the farm setting of my book. My readers gave me feedback and suggested a hotter, more sexual cover for the sequels. I asked a friend, Katherine Auty, who is a graphic artist if she wanted to do my book covers. I told her what I was looking for and together we came up with the design for Love's Promises. I had two more stories in various stages of development and I decided to have their covers done to act as an incentive to get the stories written. They are part of my story boards - available for anyone to check out on Pinterest.

Picking the right cover for a book is crucial. The cover grabs the readers' attention and it should convey something of the story. Forever Love shows that the story has a farm setting to it, although it doesn't convey the hot and spicy romance aspect to the story. To me, the Love's Promises cover conveys the intimacy between lovers and their promises. My third book, Love's Games, shows a man being touched by two women. Is it man in the middle or something else?

Q:  What is the best advice you have been given?
A: 
The best advice I was given was from my manuscript evaluator. She said to always use word search. I have a post it note on my board that reads, "Have you done your word search today?" I run it when I'm rereading my work to make sure I'm not repeating the same adverbs and adjectives. You may have noticed in Fifty Shades of Grey, Christian only looks at Anastasia in one way - intently. It's also a great way to make sure I've spelled me characters' names the same way all through the book and that I've used the correct words. Sometimes I find American and British spelling of the same words sneak by me. Forever Love was written using American English spelling. My other books are written in British English.

Q:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: 
As a child, I dreamed about becoming a teacher for special needs children. When I was in highschool, my focus turned to psychology. During first year university, I realized that I didn't want to become a psychologist. I graduated with a degree in English and History. I found work as a computer operator and programmer. Today, I am the office manager for our family farm, I do volunteer work for a few local charities, and I write when time allows.

As a child, I loved reading. I don't recall writing stories. I read all through highschool and university and wrote more essays than I can remember. I never dreamed of becoming a writer. Writing evolved one summer when I read quite a few of my youngest daughter's romance novels and the idea came to me that I could write a story, too. I wrote Forever Love and Love's Promises with my daughters support.

Q:  If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A: 
If I had a superpower, I would magically make an 8th day of the week appear just for me. I would reserve it for writing and only that. No Facebook, no emails, no laundry or cooking, just writing.

Q:  Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?
A: 
Paperbacks over ebooks. I love the feel of a book in my hand. I like the ability to jump ahead to find out what happens next (not all the time!) or to pick up a book I've read and start at a favourite chapter or paragraph. Every one in our house reads and leaves paperbacks in almost every room of the house. It's a great feeling to pick up a book and open it to any page and start reading, whether it's a new story or one that's familiar. I reread my books several times (the good ones) because of the connection I made with the characters. That being said, I have both Kindle and Kobo on my desktop, laptop and cellphone. I always have a book at my finger tips.

Q:  What book are you reading now?
A: 
I am reading two books right now. Gina X. Grant's, Scythe Does Matter (book 2 of the Reluctant Reaper trilogy) and Cynthia Sax's, Flashes of Me. I am a fan of Gina X. Grant's writing. She's a great story teller with an awesome sense of humour. Cynthia Sax has an amazing talent in writing erotica. I met both of these authors through the Toronto Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

  


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Thursday, 5 June 2014

Reclaiming Souls by Arielle Caldwell: Interview + Giveaway

 

Reclaiming Souls
by Arielle Caldwell 
Paperback, 338 pages
Published February 27th 2014
 
Life doesn't end at death.
When a person dies, sometimes, they are given judgment and sent straight to heaven or hell. Most sit in purgatory while a select few are given a second chance at life. If they screw up and awaken the monster that sleeps dormant inside us all, it’s my job to reclaim their soul and set the balance of nature right again. My name is Devalynn Rose. After my death, I have been tasked as a Soul Collector.
*** 
Kale swept into my afterlife when he got his second chance. While watching his judgment, I cannot unlock my eyes from his. I am left stunned with feelings of déjà vu.
Kellin is also a Collector. We connect on a deeper level and I can’t help the feelings that overwhelm me for him.
*** 
Reclaiming souls is a faulty system that desperately needs repair. I am left with two options...to lose my memory and reform the system or keep my memory and nothing changes. With time ticking away, I need to make a choice...but which one?
 
Follow Devalynn as she fights her way through her afterlife and tries to save those that mean the most to her.  
It didn’t take long for my heart to stop beating. My eyes closed for the last time and death became me...but it wasn’t the end of my life. ~Devalynn


Excerpt

I followed him to the edge of everything, where the stars began and the pavement ended. I stopped, frozen to the spot.

“It’s okay, you won’t fall. Nothing is going to happen to you,” he reached out for my hand as he jumped out and onto a star. I landed on one behind him and he was right. I didn’t fall.

“This is beautiful,” I huffed out as I followed behind him and jumped from star to star.

“Just wait, it gets better,” he yelled back to me.

I jumped onto a small one, my foot barely fitting on it. I wobbled and put my hands out to balance me. We did this for a while. Before I knew it, we were completely surrounded by nothingness. There were some planets around us and we sat on one of the moons as it circled around. For the first time all day, I felt relaxed and completely calm.

“So, do you like it?” he cocked his head to the side, gauging my answer as he rested back on his elbows.

“I love it. Thank you for bringing me here. I needed this. No one around, nothing to bother me; I don’t have to think about working.” I laid back on the ground of the small moon and watched the stars swirl around above us. I counted three shooting stars within just seconds of each other. “Do you like it up here?”

“It beats being down there, that’s for sure. Why?”

“I don’t know, just wondering. I want to remember earth and what it was like to be alive but I can’t.”

“Dev, you have to stop beating yourself up over it.”

“I know.” He laid down next to me and held my hand. There we were; two unbeating hearts, two souls, two people just floating around the solar system. I never wanted to leave that moment. 

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Buy Links

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00IOVUVY2

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1496022106

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reclaiming-souls-arielle-caldwell/1118861165?ean=2940045729031

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/413251
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Arielle Caldwell is a 28 year old mother of 2 little boys, wife of 6 years, proud U.S. Navy Veteran, poet, author, photographer, scrapbooker,and knitter. She began writing at an early age but never pursued it until recently. Starting with poetry, she progressed to books. She lives in Pensacola, FL with her family.

Arielle Caldwell participated in NaNoWriMo in November 2013. Reclaiming Souls is the finished product. It’s a New Adult Paranormal novel. Make sure to follow her on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with upcoming release dates! Also, be sure to check out her website or reach her through email.
 
Q & A with Arielle Caldwell


Q:  Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A:  Devalynn was murdered and had no memory of who she was before. She's strong, curious, brave, full of life in the afterlife. She loves with her whole heart and is willing to help those she doesn't even know. So much so, that she's willing to trade what little memories she has to save them.
Kellin is wow oh wow so hot. He's protective of Devalynn and falls for her. He gets jealous but tries to stay away from her and let her make her own choice but that pesky thing called love won't let him stay away for long. He is insightful, sultry, can't keep his house cleaned to save his soul.

Lexie is Devalynn's best friend. She's got a smart mouth, crazy, outgoing, fun, and drives Dev absolutely crazy but they're best friends...that's what they do.

Q:  Where did you get the idea for your story?
A:  I wanted to write a story for NaNoWriMo that hadn't been told before. Everyone has their views on what's in the afterlife and I wanted to put the way I imagine it. I think I dreamt about it and decided the story needed to be told.

Q:  Who designs the covers for your books and what is that process like for you as an author?
A:  This cover was made by Mae I Design. I have worked with several cover artists and have had great experiences and horrible ones. Marya has by far been the best. She owns Strong Image Editing and will create whatever I see in my head. The process isn't that bad for me. I just say what I want and they do it. :)

Q:  What is the best advice you have been given?
A:  Don't let the success of others impact your own self worth and don't compare your writings to that of others.

Q:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A:  Everything. It changed almost weekly, lol! I wanted to be a school teacher for awhile then a psychologist, and ended up in the military.

Q:  If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A:  Being a time lord or teleportation...Yes, I watch a little too much Doctor Who. ;)

Q:  Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?
A:  All three...I don't discriminate!

Q:  What book are you reading now?
A:  School books...seriously. Just finished a semester and starting another one. I don't have much time for reading lately. Oh! Cyanide and Happiness has a book...it's a picture book...seriously funny stuff and makes my day so much better. :)

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Sunday, 1 June 2014

Cutlass Anne by H.L. Wampler: Interview + Giveaway

 
Cutlass Anne
by H.L. Wampler


After setting out to save her sister, Anne Crowley finds herself face-to-face with the notorious John Jacks, the son of a ruthless pirate captain. John Jacks thwarts Anne’s every move yet she finds herself attracted to the infuriating pirate.

Determined to find her sister, and resist the charming John Jacks, Anne and her band of pirates must search the high seas for clues to finding her missing sister before she’s lost forever.


Add Cutlass Anne to your Goodreads shelf


Or buy it on Amazon 

H. L. is a lover of almost all things written. She grew up never knowing that she wanted to be a writer. It came about one rainy afternoon while she was home with her twin boys. Bored while the kids she picked up her laptop and set about writing her first manuscript. Five years later Rebel Ink took their chances with the crazy sports girl from the steel city.

H. L. lives in the magnificent city of steel and bridges with her husband, twins sons, very fat cat, and very bad dog.

Her stories tend to write themselves. She never knows just where they're going or what's going to happen. On more than one occasion the characters have surprised even H. L. There are times though when she has to tell the crazy personalities that form on her laptop to chill out, but she has fun with them.


Q & A with H.L. Wampler

Q:  Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A: 
Anne is a stubborn woman who refuses to just listen to the men in her life. She forges her own destiny. Flynn is the hardworking first mate on his father's merchant ship unaware of the dark secret that so many around him are hiding. Over the course of the story they end up falling madly in love.

  Q:  What is your favorite part about being an author?
A: 
Creating new worlds for people to get lost in. Bringing new people to life that you can fall in love with and route for.

  Q:  Who designs the covers for your books and what is that process like for you as an author?
A: 
The publishing house has an amazing cover artist who designed my cover. The first time I saw the cover for Cutlass Anne I absolutely loved it. I knew it was perfect. It was like he crawled into my mind and was able to create my vision. With Soul Mate I have some say. There's a cover art sheet we complete and they go from there.

Q:  What is the best advice you have been given?
A: 
Keep writing. Even after you finish the book you keep on writing.

Q:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: 
A veterinarian.

Q:  If you could be on one reality TV show, what would it be?
A: 
No.

  Q:  Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?
A: 
Right now it's only in eBook format.

Q:  What book are you reading now?
A: 
I'm about to start the Cousins' War series by Philippa Gregory orrrr maybe finally start A Game of Thrones



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