Sunday 26 May 2013

Interview: Ani Alexander

What have you had published?
So far I have published two books on Amazon. Emotional Moments is collection of short stories, which eventually became Amazon bestseller and my first novel Highfall, which went live just few days ago.
What genre(s) of book do you write?
I write contemporary fiction. Many say that what I write is mostly for women. Romance and life stories are what I have written so far.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was just collection of stories I had written during many years, so it was basically combining them together. So the real first book may be considered Highfall. The novel is based on true story of my friends. You may say that her life inspired me to write Highfall.
How long did it take you to write “Highfall”?
I wrote for almost 9 months (not regularly though), then the text rested for a while and was edited and formatted in almost one month. Altogether it took about a year.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
I have not started my next book yet, but I already have the rough idea for it and the working title may be ‘’A Corporate Nightmare’’.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote my first poem when I was 15 and have been writing on and off since then. Why? Well I have no idea… there was something inside, which fought to come out and I could not rest before I’d released it.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
Since I am extremely impatient person I self publish.
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
I enjoy the process of writing books and the writing itself is not hard at all. The hardest for me is what has to be done after that – the editing, formatting, marketing, etc.
What do you do in your spare time?
I try to spend my spare time with my family. But I also spend lot of time reading as well as writing at my blog Life Probabilities.
Who is your favourite author?
Erich Maria Remarques, John Irving, Tony Parsons, Janusz Wisniewski
What’s your favourite genre to read?
I love contemporary fiction and romance. I also read non-fiction.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don’t wait for a permission to write. Don’t be afraid to share your writing with others. Don’t take criticism personal, since no one can write something, which everyone will like.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for the interview!

Wednesday 22 May 2013

"Danny" by Margo Anne Rhea


Title: Danny
Author: Margo Anne Rhea
Genre: Contemporary-Erotic Romance
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Length: 38 pgs

Release Date: May 20, 2013
Blurb:
Paige Warren is sure she’s come to terms with her impending divorce, until she wakes up in bed with her soon-to-be ex, Danny. Worse yet, the bed belongs to Stacey, the sexual surrogate Paige and Danny have been sleeping with for months -- and Stacey’s not there.

As much as Paige tries to deny it, she soon realizes she’s still in love with Danny. Now she’s torn between him and the woman who holds them together. Should she risk hurting Stacey to rekindle a monogamous relationship with the man she once thought she’d spend the rest of her life with, or should she learn from past experience?

Danny is a sensual, erotic novella following one woman's struggle between a love she thought was over and a relationship that's barely begun.


You can add Danny to your to-read list on Goodreads



You can find more about Danny on the Entranced site, you can also find the buy links here as soon as Danny is available

About the Author
Margo is a marketing specialist by day, and a writer of erotic romance by night. When she's not busy penning steamy fantasies, she can be found man-watching on the beach. She is a lover of shiny things and an avid collector of shoes, but her heart will always belong to books.


Danny is available from the following retailers:
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Interview with Margo Anne Rhea
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What have you had published?
DANNY will be my first published work. I have a few trunked pieces, but this is my first that made it past the editing stage. 
What genre(s) of book do you write?
I really enjoy writing romance and erotic romance, specifically contemporary, but I have a few ideas rolling around for other genres.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Well, the first book I ever tried to write was a junk piece about a teenage girl in mid-fifteenth century Ireland, who is married off to save the family farm. I’d been reading a series of nonfiction books about Ireland and started daydreaming about what it would be like to have lived in that era. I never finished the book, but maybe I will someday.
How long did it take you to write “Danny”?
From start to finish, Danny took about a week to write. Don’t worry, I’m not some crazy, stay-up-all-night, pull-my-hair-out-until-it’s-finished writer. Okay, maybe I am, but Danny isn’t very long. That’s the only reason it was done so quickly. Editing before I started querying, that took like a million years.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
As we speak, I’m putting the finishing touches on a book I’m calling AGAINST THE RULES
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always written-- stories, poetry, diaries, love letters to teenage heart throbs (when I was a teenager of course!).  But it wasn’t until I was in college that I decided to pursue it with any real seriousness.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency? 
Neither. I queried (and was accepted by) Entranced Publishing, who takes unagented submissions.
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
Finishing. I’m always coming up with new story ideas, and whenever a new idea comes to me, I have a hard time buckling down and finished my WIP before starting the new story.
What do you do in your spare time?
Procrastinate. Well, that and go to the beach. I like watching man-watching. I also enjoying karaoke, movies, girls’ nights out, and shoe shopping. I try to keep busy. 
Who is your favourite author?
Johanna Lindsey – I own every single one of her books.
What’s your favourite genre to read?
It’s a tie between historical romance and paranormal romance, depending on whether I’m feeling whimsical or kick-butt.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep at it and always be open to feedback. It’s hard to hear what might be wrong with our work, but you can take constructive criticism and use it to make your work stronger. And always keep writing, no matter how discouraging it may seem. Every ounce of feedback you get, every word you pen, makes you a stronger writer.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to add a great big thank you for having me on your blog. I’m so thrilled to be able to share my answers to these great questions!
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My Opinion of "Danny"
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I would not usually read this type of story. I prefer erotica between two people M/F, whereas, this is based around an F/M/F relationship. It was the cover that drew me towards this book more than anything else. And yes, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but in this case I’m glad I did.
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In just 38 pages Margo Anne Rhea has managed to create realistic characters that you can’t help but feel for and an original story line that not only keeps you hooked but also makes you read the story for a second and third time.
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Also, unlike many erotic short stories that I have read, the writing flows and it is written well.
I would highly recommend this story.
l
(4/5 Stars)

Friday 17 May 2013

Cover Reveal "Endre" by ST Bende


Endre
by ST Bende
Book II of The Elsker Saga


Title: Endre (Book II in the Elsker Saga)
Author: ST Bende
Release Date: September 23, 2013
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Genre: New Adult paranormal romance

Blurb: 
Sometimes, finding your destiny means doing the exact opposite of what The Fates have planned.

Winning the heart of an immortal assassin was a dream come true for Kristia Tostenson. Now she's knee deep in wedding plans, goddess lessons, and stolen kisses. But her decision to become immortal could end in heartbreak -- not only for Kristia, but for the god who loves her. Because while Ull would do anything to protect his bride, even the God of Winter is powerless against the Norse apocalypse. Ragnarok is coming. And the gods aren't even close to ready.



About the Author:
Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.

You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to stbende@gmail.com.

Author social media links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stbende or @stbende



ELSKER
by ST Bende
Book I of The Elsker Saga

Release Date: April 22, 2013
Length: 61,000 words
Publisher: Entranced Publishing, Blush
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Blurb:
Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest-to-goodness Norse God — an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms.
Her orderly life just got very messy.


Buy Links:


Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

Monday 6 May 2013

Four Star Review on "Baggage"

When Jess Cooper hears that her ex-boyfriend, the father of her child has been released from prison and is on his way to see them running off to the country seems like a good idea, however, perhaps things aren't that simple. It started off great! I usually know in the first chapter whether it is a good read or not. I was thrown into the story willing Jess out of the terror she seemed to be running from.

Jess can't stop her past from creeping into her future. She struggles with a child, and low income. I felt so bad for her and I wanted someone to give her a life. Well I got my wish and more! What happens when Jess finds a place and moves? Well the new beginning she hoped for is there, she needs a push to go get it. Jess and the other characters living together in this huge house were just so special. Each there for their own reasons and we get to see them all. I really liked the author giving more than one POV. Immediately Daniel was exposed as the silent, smart, mysterious man. Parts of Daniel's point of view were saddening He felt ignored and compared himself to Matt and others, not really as confident as he could be. So there was a lot of angst there.

While the title gives away the theme, it is an awesome theme! Each main character has some sort of baggage. We learned why Jess was running and how she wouldn't let her daughter be thrown into her turmoil. There is a wonderful point when Logan gets into the picture too. I won't go into it but I think it shows how great the character of Jess turns out to be.
The journey of Daniel, Jess and trips to Spain and New York show she wasn't the only person carrying baggage. Each chapter added more to Jess and her relationship to Daniel. I like dhow she wasn't too sure with Daniel but was still not pining away. The end if her Dad and who he is was a reveal worthy of big applauds!

What I really liked was the potential I saw. This could have been epic! While some may critique writing styles that are different between the UK and the US, that was not an issue. I think seeing someone spend dollars and pounds are no big deal. Looking at the big picture it was a good book, loaded with romance and life lessons in mothering!


Thanks Renee (www.readingrenee.com)

Friday 3 May 2013

Free Bank Holiday Monday Treat - "W is for Waitress"


W is for Waitress
Available from the following retailers:

Santana has been a waitress since she was sixteen and wanted a part time job. Now she’s twenty one and that part time job has become a permanent career. Santana likes her daily routine but recently something, or rather someone, is upsetting that routine.

David is a twenty three year old business man. He dropped into the restaurant where Santana works late one night on his way home and he’s been going there almost every night since. His routine is simple: he eats his meal, asks Santana out and then, when she rejects him, he slides a fifty pound tip into the pocket of her apron in hope that the next time he asks her out she’ll say yes.

This is the story of what happens when Santana says yes.

Review: "In My Dreams" by Lynn Davis

To start with I wasn’t too keen on the storyline because although it is a fiction story I believe that it should still be believable. A good writer can make even the most unbelievable things believable and for me this storyline just wasn’t realistic. However, the ending (which I’m not going to reveal so you’ll have to read the story) made me rethink the whole story and bumped this up from 3.5 stars to 4 stars.

The major problem with this story is the amount of errors it contains, from spelling errors to typing errors and quite often the same thing will be repeated twice (e.g. “He pulled the straps of her dress down”… half a page later “…reached for the straps of her dress, never taking her eyes off his as she pulled them down”). To me this looks like the story has been published way before it was ready to be released to the public and it’s a shame because there is great potential for this story if it had just had a little more time spent on it.

That said, I am still going to give this story 4 stars because of the descriptive writing and character development. Reading this story you can imagine the characters of Destiny and James and the situation they are in. It takes skill to bring characters to life but that’s a skill that Lynn Davis has.

(4/5 Stars)

Thursday 2 May 2013

"Trick or Treat?" FREE Now - 3rd May

Trick or Treat?
Available from the following retailers:

Casey has been watching Hugh from a distance for six months. The office Halloween party seems like the perfect chance to ‘get to know him better.’

For children Halloween is the day to dress up in scary costumes and go trick or treating, but for the women in the office where Casey works it usually turned into a contest of ‘who can dress the sluttiest.’

Can Casey get Hugh’s attention before the night ends?