Blog Tour - Book Review and Guest Post: Fierce and Fabulous (Sassy Boyz #1) by Elizabeth Varlet @kismetbt

About the Author:

Elizabeth Varlet is a nerd at heart and spends way too many hours binging on episodes of her favorite television shows. If you love Doctor Who, Supernatural, Stargate, Star Trek, Sherlock, or Firefly you are already her best friend.

She started writing stories in high school and hasn’t stopped. Now, her characters like to get frisky under the covers – or the stars, they’re not picky. She’s a thirty-something, newly married, world traveler who devours books like they were candy.

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How long did it take you to write Fierce and Fabulous? Did you have any stumbling or writer's block while writing?

Hello! And thank you for having me here on Read My Mind. I’m thrilled to tell you about my writing process and how long Fierce & Fabulous took from conception to finished product.

Fierce & Fabulous was actually my 2014 NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) novel so I managed to write most of it in one month (November). Though, I admit, the last few chapters took me longer mostly because I struggled with the deep emotions that the characters needed to work through towards the end of the novel.

I wouldn’t say I had writer’s block with this book. Ansel’s voice and motivations were so strong I always knew what was going to happen, but because of this I wanted to get his character right. It’s sometimes difficult to translate those imaginings & visceral emotions into text. In contrast, Dark & Dazzling was much more difficult for me to write and I did have a few instances where I stumbled because Z is quite mysterious and brooding.

I had a finished and polished draft of Fierce & Fabulous at the end of January 2015.

After that, I sent it to a handful of writer friends for critique. They gave me a lot of wonderful notes and I spent another several months editing. By March of 2015 I was ready to send the MS to agents. Anyone familiar with this process knows it’s basically a lot of waiting around and handling disappointment. This was no different. None of the agents I queried were prepared to sign me, so I moved on and began querying publishers directly.

This is where my luck changed. I got several offers, but the first and most enthusiastic was from Carina Press so I eventually signed with them for the first two books in the Sassy Boyz series and I could not be happier.







My Thoughts:

It took me a while to really like this book because I'm not a big fan of insta-lust/love, but what turned it around were the characters and their individual development, as well as the pacing and ending of the story. While I really couldn't say for sure if the characters were authentic or not, since I'm not a gay or bisexual man, they read as realistic and I could commiserate with their situations, despite not having experienced it personally. Both Ansel and Fitch had their flaws, which certainly makes it easier for me as a reader to empathize with who they are and why they do what they do. I really dislike reading about perfect characters with no problems because they aren't someone I can identify with, regardless of gender.

There's plenty of sex scenes in this book and author Varlet has managed to make them hot and sexy without going overboard. I liked how, even though Fitch was the one who was inexperienced in gay sex, he brought about a change in how Ansel connected with him during intimate moments, as compared to Ansel's past encounters with other men.

My only con with Fierce and Fabulous is the Gay For You (GFY) element because I'm not sure that I believe in GFY. I think that most people establish relationships with people based on attraction, and that Fitch clearly had just never encountered a male he was attracted to. But this doesn't equate to GFY, he's just a bisexual male who had only had relationships with women in the past. Fitch also seemed to adapt to having gay sex very easily for someone who had never participated in it before. I found that a little unbelievable, regardless of how attracted to Ansel he was.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading Fierce and Fabulous. This is a definite recommendation to readers who enjoy gay romance! The characters have an intense connection to each other despite their struggles and conflict.

Fierce and Fabulous has a Happy For Now (HFN) ending for Ansel and Fitch and I am eager to see how Varlet continues the series in book two. I'm hoping Ansel and Fitch are the focus of the second book as well because I'm interested in reading more about the progression of their relationship and to see more character development as their relationship proceeds.



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Fierce and Fabulous (Sassy Boyz #1)
New Adult Contemporary LGBTQ Romance
Expected Publication: 27 June 2016 by Carina Press

Fans of Heidi Cullinan will devour this scorching new male/male series by Elizabeth Varlet. Behind the Sassy Boyz's seductive smiles and sinful dance moves are desires that will leave readers breathless.

Fitch Donovan never thought a lap dance could change his life, but from the moment the gorgeous dancer's lips touch his, his world comes screeching to a halt. No matter how hard he tries, he can't shake the desire that rocks him to his core. He's longed for this passion all his life—he just never dreamed he'd find it with another man.

Sharing a soul-shaking kiss with a straight boy is the kind of drama Ansel Becke just doesn't need. Spotlights aren't made for two and Ansel prefers to keep things on a one-night-only basis. So when Fitch shows up asking for an encore, Ansel knows he should send his gorgeous ass packing.

Though Ansel tries to pretend that what's between him and Fitch is far from fabulous, there's something about the big, burly contractor that makes Ansel's world sparkle in a way no amount of glitter ever could. And Fitch will do whatever it takes to convince Ansel that when the thing you need most in the world falls right into your lap, you'd be a fool to let it go.

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Fierce and Fabulous (Sassy Boyz #1) Blog Tour Arranged By Kismet Book Tours.

Release Week Blast - Author Guest Post: Mimi Milan (A Rebel In Jericho, The Jericho Resistance #1) @thewritingmimi @Barclay_PR

About the Author:

Mimi Milan spent two decades scribbling away in notebooks before realizing that her life’s calling was to write. So she returned from Mexico and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Film. She currently resides in the suburbs of Charlotte, making time for God, family and imaginary friends.

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Writer with a Cause

Do you ever look around and think that a lot of senseless stuff goes on in the world? Let’s take for example, violence. Why does it have to exist? What? People can’t find better things to do with their time? How about poverty? Hunger? Why in the name of all that is holy is it too hot for me to stand outside for ten minutes on a Monday afternoon, then pouring buckets of rain on Tuesday?

It’s the tenth rainy day here in the Queen City (the kind of day that makes you think of Noah’s flood), and I’m trying to think of the best way to answer a question that has been posed to me… Where did the idea “Writer with a Cause” come from, and what does it mean to me?

The truth?

Maybe I did come up with the title, but I certainly didn’t invent the idea.

Long before I ever came to be, there existed a belief that certain injustices needed to be addressed; action required to abolish them. From sit-ins to marches, speeches and protests, voices have spoken against all forms of evil – slavery, child abuse, domestic violence and many more issues that have no place in a society as technologically advanced as ours.

That’s what I thought the day I decided to write A Rebel in Jericho.

I was living in Michoacán, Mexico at the time (fighting for a cause of my own) when I got quite ill with Typhus. I visited the local pharmacy which had a small doctor’s office in the back room. While waiting for my turn to be seen, I saw a newspaper on the table beside me. “Mujeres Sin Rostro” (Women Without Faces) was printed in big, bold letters across the front. I thought the article might have been about a new suspense movie coming out, or something else equally interesting. After all, I was a tourist blinded by all the beauty of a foreign country. So I flipped open the paper and started reading the most astounding stories about abducted women who had no control over their lives. Some forced into slavery, others choosing it after feeling they had no options, all the women were at the complete mercy of others.

I asked my husband about the article. Was it true? Could this kind of evil exist in such a beautiful place? Of course, my husband said, especially since you wouldn’t expect it.

As a former Guardian ad Litem and activist at heart, it made me angry to think that women (and even little girls) could be abused in such a way. That’s when I began doing research and came to learn that this wasn’t a Mexico problem. This was a world problem. In places big and small – even American cities you would least expect – there are rings of smugglers and pimps trafficking people every day for sex, drugs, sweat shops and even organs. I learned that even my hometown – a city praised for its medical, financial and technology contributions – was a hub for human trafficking.

I wanted to do something. I wanted to make a difference. However, the only thing I knew how to do was write stories.

That’s when Catalina came to life and I wrote the first book in the series, A Rebel in Jericho. I decided that I would pen books that could raise money for causes dear to me. Then I chose to write in the genre of inspirational romance because I believe that 1) people can do with a little hope that they don’t have to face their hardships alone, and 2) love really does conquer all – especially tragedies like modern day slavery.

Stamping out this kind of evil doesn’t occur overnight, though. I know it will take more than one book to raise awareness and really get people to care about this fight. So I created the series, The Jericho Resistance, because that’s what we need. Resistance. We need to resist the habit of looking the other way when injustice makes us uncomfortable. We need to resist the urge to quit the good fight when it seems like our army is too small. That’s what being a writer with a cause means to me… to join in the resistance.



Excerpt from A Rebel In Jericho (The Jericho Resistance #1):

“A penny for your thoughts?” Catalina regretted asking almost as soon as the words were out. The less she knew about him, the better. Right?

Continuing to lean against the side, Matthew gave her a once-over.

He decided to have a little fun with her.

“Only a penny? Is that what people are charging nowadays? Not me. My thoughts are worth a whole nickel.” The laughter in his tone danced in his playful eyes, their brilliance shining like blue gems. A slow, infectious grin spread across Matthew’s face. He looked like a mischievous little boy who was trying to buy his way out of trouble after being caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Catalina bit her lip in a desperate attempt to remain serious, but it was of little use.

Charmed by her softened features, Matthew took a slow step towards her. He raised a tentative hand and pushed back a curl that had worked its way loose.

Catalina’s breath stilled as the light touch of his fingers slowly trailed along her cheek. Her beautiful eyes and full mouth were almost irresistible, and he wondered if she tasted as sweet as she looked.

Unasked questions blazed from his eyes, making the cage that she was trying to construct around her heart unhinge. The sudden attraction hit her hard. She forced herself to look away and break the spell. Falling for her escort was not part of the plan.

“Look!” Catalina pointed towards the bank. “We’re just about there.”

“Then I guess we best get back to the car.” Disappointment laced his words. She didn’t have any romantic notions about him, so he best leave it at just friends.

No more goo-goo eyes.

“It shouldn’t take too long to get it started.” He picked up the conversation again as he paced back to the car with a determined step. “It’s warm out. So she doesn’t need to be cranked or anything.”

Catalina questioned his sudden change in mood. She was grateful at the flow of normal conversation between them. Still, it felt like something was suddenly missing. “Well, I suppose that’s a good thing.” She plodded along behind him, dissatisfied when they reached the Model T. He took her hand and helped her up and into the front seat. “Shouldn’t I ride in the—”

“You’ll get a better view of things while we’re driving from up here.” He cut her off, patting the hood of the car for emphasis – a friendly grin that promised an exciting ride. After all, it was a long trip to Nogales. “Besides, it’ll be more fun.”

More fun? Hmmm...more trouble maybe. Definitely more dangerous.



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A Rebel In Jericho (The Jericho Resistance #1)
Adult Historical Suspense
Published: 4 October 2015 by Eaton House

The first book in a new historical romance series, A REBEL IN JERICHO, is a suspenseful Wild West adventure with an abduction, border battles and Mexican saloons! Check out this novel from debut author Mimi Milan where two people learn that love, courage and faith are all they need to face the trials of the West.

After years of preparing for marriage, Catalina Santé is interested in little more than making a good match. And why not? She’s young, beautiful, educated… everything a wealthy man should want. However, a tragic accident will leave her with less than a marriage proposal—she’s fighting for her very life!

Matthew Martin spends most of his time just trying to fit into American society. It’s one of the reasons he became a deputy. Willing to risk it all in order to protect Catalina, he can’t imagine what that entails… until she’s abducted and sold to a Mexican saloon, where a border battle rages between two towns.

Can love and faith survive in such a harsh place? Will Matthew even be able to save Catalina?

Goodreads | Amazon


“Romance, intrigue and danger! It’s an exciting adventure as the reader joins Catalina on her perilous journey through the underbelly of Mexico’s dark side.”
– Patricia Highton

“A delightful blend of drama, romance, and self-discovery.”
– Tiffany Matus

A Rebel In Jericho (The Jericho Resistance #1) Release Week Blast Arranged By Barclay Publicity.

Blog Tour - Author Guest Post: Bad To The Bone by Wendy Byrne

About the Author:

Wendy lives in the Chicago area. She has a Masters in Social Work and worked in the child welfare field for twelve years before she decided to pursue her dream of writing.

Between teaching college classes, trying to get her morbidly obese cat to slim down and tempering the will of her five-year-old granddaughter, who's determined to become a witch when she turns six so she can fly on her broom to see the Eiffel Tower and put hexes on people--not necessarily in that order--somehow Wendy still manages to fit in writing. She spends the remainder of her days inflicting mayhem on her hero and heroine until they beg for mercy.

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My book, Bad to the Bone, is set in Key West. My heroine hates being there, not only because of the circumstances of her uncle’s arrest, but because she hates the heat and humidity. It got me thinking about settings for books and how sometimes they are an integral part of the story—like The Hunger Games or Divergent—where world building is involved. In those two titles there are places and situations the author has to describe in detail because they are foreign to us. We don’t have a frame of reference.

Often times the setting is secondary to the story and the main focus is on the characters. And sometimes there’s a combination of the two. When a story takes place in a small town the people are an important part of the setting. They bring color to the story. So even while they aren’t the sole focus, their interaction with the hero and heroine are typically an integral part of the story. Who’s the town busybody? Who’s the person in town who isn’t afraid to voice their opinion? Who’s the one who antagonizes the situation?

The setting in my story isn’t an integral piece, only an annoyance to Sammie. She hates the weather in Florida, but more than likely her dislike has more to do with the predicament her uncle is in and her frustration in her inability to solve it for him. Below is Sammie’s first meet with Enrique combined with the heat and humidity of Key West.

Sweat trickled down her back as the sun filtered through the windows. Wiping her brow, Sammie drew down a tap, filling another round for the men at the bar. Three ceiling fans, and the air-conditioning could not compete with the heat of the Florida sun and rocketing hormones raging inside her.

The gods of serendipity were knocking at her door, trying to tempt her. The devil on her shoulder tried to convince her how wonderful a walk on the wild side would be for her well-being—relieve stress, put a zing in her step, make her forget about her troubles. But the angel wagged her finger, then stomped her foot to ensure Sammie paid attention.

Now Sammie’s stuck in a situation that has little to do with Florida and more about her propensity for attracting men who are bad for her. Her last boyfriend ended up getting arresting for selling drugs and she didn’t wise up until the police came knocking on her door to see if she was involved as well. That’s been the story of her life. When she meets Enrique, she immediately jumps to the conclusion he’s just like all the rest.


I’ll be giving away several prizes during release week including: two hand-painted ‘Bad to the Bone’ wine glass, and three copies of my Entangled Indulgence Zodiac release, The Millionaire’s Deception. Enter rafflecopter to win.

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Bad To The Bone
Adult Contemporary Romantic Adventure
Published: 7 September 2015 by Entangled Publishing

When her Uncle Jack is arrested on drug charges, Sammie Murphy hops the first plane to Key West. Being rescued isn’t on her uncle’s to-do list, though. When he admits guilt and instructs her to go home, Sammie knows with 100% certainty something is seriously wrong.

Veteran DEA agent Enrique Santos knows when a bust is solid. So why is he allowing Jack Murphy’s niece to mess with his head? He’s been set-up and nearly killed by a woman like her before, and he’s not about to make that mistake again.

But then things at Murphy’s bar take a turn for the dangerous, leaving Sammie entangled in Enrique’s dark past. Forced to second-guess his convictions, Enrique has no choice but to kidnap the one woman who could destroy everything...including his heart.

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Entangled | Kobo | Amazon

Bad To The Bone Blog Tour Arranged By GCR Promotions.

Blog Tour - Author Guest Post: Kristi Hancock (Rock His World, Naughty By Nature #1)

About the Author:

Kristi Hancock became an author of erotica and erotic romance when the characters in her dirty mind demanded to come to life. Creating worlds ranging from the music underground of Seattle to the hot spots of colorful Key West to the vibrant streets of New York City (and the hotel rooms above them), she leads heroes and heroines through intense sexual experiences that transform people. Her racy stories are guaranteed to make you randy.

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Hello Lillie and Readers of Her Mind!

I haven’t been to Philly in years so I’m counting this as a visit. Thanks for having me today.

With Rock His World coming out this week, several friends have asked me, “Why did you choose Seattle?” This ultimately goes back to the songs that inspired the story. My mentor and I were talking about “Bad Girl” and “Good Boy” stories so that was floating around in my brain when one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs came up on my iTunes shuffle. “Young Lust.” It’s about a guy who’s new to town and wants a “Bad Girl” to show him around. Ding-ding-ding! I had a light bulb moment, and Rock His World was born.

I had a skeleton (or at least the beginning) of a plot, but I had to figure out who my characters were. Avery used to be a “Bad Boy.” The thing is, he was a bad boy in a small town which is very different from being a bad boy in a big city. On top of that, he turned into a total geek while he was in college and grad school. Definitely not a bad boy anymore. And definitely in over his head when he meets Sasha. So I have my “Good Guy,” a geek who used to be a bad boy. I needed a “Bad Girl.” What would she be like? Tough but still sexy. Definitely lots of tattoos. If only I could put her in a mosh pit...maybe in the home of the grunge scene...

Seattle! Then Sasha can be a punk rock girl, and Avery can be a software geek! Brilliant, eh? How did I pick their names? Sasha is exotic, not mainstream—just like her. As for Avery, my writing software has a Name Generator tool. You can pick the origin, click a button, and it gives you a list. I think I chose French, but I just knew that was his name when I saw it in the list.

Oops! I just shared my writing secrets. Ssh! Let’s keep them between us. I will, however, let you share my Rock His World playlist (Click HERE!). What’s a secret trick—it can be anything from household cleaners to makeup tips—that keeps your life (or job) running smoothly?



Excerpt from Rock His World:

“I’m Sasha.” The perky voice came from his right.

Of course she was. A woman who looked like that couldn’t not have an exotic name. Shorter than him with hazel eyes rimmed in onyx, she stared up from under a shaggy mop of blue-black hair. Small silver hoop earrings spanned the edge of her left ear from lobe to tip. Her off-the-shoulder black knit top showcased tattoos covering the length of her right arm. Black skinny jeans disappeared into her scuffed Doc Marten boots—the fashion version of what he purchased at the Army Surplus store. Her vibrant red lips practically begged him to nip at them, and his pulse thrummed with a mix of testosterone and adrenaline.

“I’m Avery.” He wondered how he missed the woman as she approached him. She studied his eyes. “You like punk?”

“Usually. I’ve never heard Schlong, but the club’s website said it was a bucket-list band.”

“Most of the shows here are memorable, but they’re one of my favorites.”

“Why?” A geek in a wanna-be modern James Dean facade, it was his favorite question.

“Hmmm. Their music is sort of like a punk -funk mix, plus the band really interacts with the crowd. The energy is infectious and great to dance to, but it’s not your typical mosh pit. It’s,” she paused, “happier.”

Avery hadn’t been able to hide his widening eyes at the term “mosh pit”—the white water rapids in a river of dancing bodies could suck you under and leave you fighting your way out of the turbulence. He had never been in one but with stories of lost footwear and bloodied noses, so the concept of a “happy” mosh pit lay beyond his comprehension.

The opening band had finished their set and was breaking down their gear. The countdown clock ticked on their conversation time.

Sasha continued, “Where are you from?”

“Portland.”

“Not so far away.”

“Maine.”

“Oh. Scratch that.”

“Technically, an hour outside of Portland.” Where he had been the biggest fish in their tiny pond of bad boys. And had absolutely nothing on the people in Seattle, including the woman beside him.

“What’s it like?”

“Cold. Very cold. I was thrilled to move here for the rain.”

“Seriously?”

“You have no idea. I would rather spend the rest of my life wet and in above freezing temperatures than to shovel snow one more winter.”

“I can’t imagine. This is the first place I’ve lived that didn’t have bikini weather. But I love it. The people are so real and accepting.”

Avery nodded politely since he hadn’t been in town long enough to tell.

Sasha tilted her head. “I think I might like you.” She reached up on her toes, gave him a peck on the lips, and traipsed off toward the stage where Schlong tuned their guitars and tested their bass and drums.



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Rock His World (Naughty By Nature #1)
Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Published: 10 August 2015 by Liquid Silver Books

Rock His World by Kristi Hancock is a scorching hot erotica that gives new meaning to the words, “Rock and Roll.” In this naughty tale of sexy nerd meets punk rocker, the bad girl and the good boy burn up the music sheets and turn up the volume—all the way to mind blowing. If Mari Carr’s Sugar and Spice was music to your ears, you’ll get rocked, HARD, by Rock His World.

Sasha Ford lives life her way. Tattooed, pierced, and professionally satisfied, the Seattle music-lover has found her groove. She’s living her dream as a free-spirited graphic artist, but the fearless vixen has grown bored with her booty-calls and is on the prowl for a new conquest. Her trademark black eyeliner and scarlet lips serve as both invitation and warning to any man she pursues.

Seven years of college transformed small-town bad boy Avery Kingston into a super-geek. New to the city with his shiny PhD, he struggles to find his social identity by connecting with his tough guy roots. Attempting to merge his past with his present in the counter-culture, he finds himself in over his head—especially when sexy Sasha drags him into her world of mosh-pits and after-parties.

Sasha only expects a one night stand, but their searing chemistry leads them in a direction she’s less than comfortable with. Confronted with the female version of who Avery thought he could be, Sasha’s sexual advances bring out a carnal need to give as good as he gets. Sasha believes she can't maintain her own identity if she’s in a serious relationship, but Avery wants more than sex from his hot rebel. He must convince her of his love and respect for her fierce independent streak or say goodbye to her forever. Is Avery strong enough to make Sasha break her own rules?

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Rock His World (Naughty By Nature #1) Blog Tour Arranged By Barclay Publicity.

Blog Tour - Playlist: The Billionaire's Intern (Forbidden #1) by Maisey Yates

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her backyard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

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Song representing the entire Forbidden Series: Gravity by Sarah Bareilles

Playlist for The Billionaire’s Intern:

Counting Stars by One Republic
Devil’s Backbone by The Civil Wars
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer
Dead in the Water by Ellie Goulding
Shake it Out by Florence + the Machine
Now That You’re Gone by Bebo Norman
Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri
Stand in the Rain by Superchick
Stranded by Plumb
Watch Me Burn (Part III) by Skylar Grey
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Coming Home (Part II) by Skylar Grey
Disarm by the Civil Wars


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The Forbidden Series is a trilogy of sexier reads with serialized release dates and a different author for each title! Each week a new part of these seductive reads will be released so be sure and follow along for some flirty fun!

For Logan Black, Jaiven Rodriguez and Zair al Ruyi, New York is spread out before them like the Garden of Eden…and no one knows the sweet taste of forbidden fruit better than America’s most ruthless billionaires! Jaded, cynical, with a darkness that threatens to consume them whole, they think they’ve seen it all. But temptation has something new in store for each of them…


The Billionaire's Intern (Forbidden #1)
Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance

When Addison Treffen finds herself working for Logan Black—the notorious billionaire who literally came back from the dead—she thinks it's a safe haven from the shocking scandal surrounding her family. Little did she know that she's about to get very personal with her billionaire boss!







Release Dates:
June 7: Part 1 is available for FREE! Barnes and Noble
June 9: Part 2 Barnes and Noble
June 11: Part 3 Barnes and Noble
June 14: Part 4 Barnes and Noble
June 17: Complete Book Barnes and Noble

Forbidden Series Blog Tour Arranged By Kismet Book Touring.

Blog Tour - Author Guest Post: Kristi Belcamino (Blessed Are Those Who Weep: Gabriella Giovanni Mystery #3)

About the Author:

Kristi Belcamino is a writer, photographer, and artist. In her former life as a newspaper crime reporter in California, she flew over Big Sur in an F/A-18 jet with the Blue Angels, raced a Dodge Viper at Laguna Seca, watched autopsies, and interviewed serial killers. She is now a journalist based in Minneapolis, and the Gabriella Giovanni mysteries are her first books. Find Kristi on Facebook or on Twitter.

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I Am Not Gabriella

One thing that has surprised me about being published is that people seem to have a hard time separating me from my main character.

Gabriella Giovanni is an Italian-American crime reporter living in San Francisco.

There are a few similarities:

I mean, yeah sure I'm Italian-American, brunette, and a former crime reporter, but really that's about it. But unlike my character, I’ve been with my husband for 24 years, life in Minneapolis, and have two kids. And that is just the tip of the iceberg for differences.

I write in first person present tense and I think this contributes to it.

But when people read my books and are completely immersed in Gabriella Giovanni's world - and frankly, in her head - they sometimes come away feeling like they know me intimately.

Well this is hard to swallow on many counts. I'm not my character. Thank goodness! My mom reads my books. My dad reads my books. I have violence. And sex scenes! If I were writing about myself, I'd die of embarrassment and never be able to write another word.

Gabriella Giovanni is a fictional character. Sure, she has some of me in her. But so does the serial killer and the cop and the little kid and the gangbanger on the corner. Every character has a tiny bit of me in him or her, after all, they came from my brain.

But I'm not my characters.

However, some people who read my books assume that I'm Gabriella.

In fact, one of my friends who read my book last summer was upset because Gabriella was sleeping around and I've been married 20 years.

"I'm not Gabriella," I told her, even though I really shouldn't have had to say that.

And yet.

It is by far, the most common question I'm asked in an interview: “Are you Gabriella?”

So much so, that I made myself take the Myers-Brigg personality test twice. Once as me and once as Gabriella. It was no surprise to me that we were polar opposites in every way.

I’m not Gabriella, but I sure do like spending time in her world and from what I’ve heard, my readers do, as well!


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Blessed Are Those Who Weep (Gabriella Giovanni Mystery #3)
Adult Contemporary Murder Mystery
Published: 7 April by Witness Impulse

San Francisco Bay Area reporter Gabriella Giovanni stumbles onto a horrific crime scene with only one survivor—a baby girl found crawling between the dead bodies of her family members. Reeling from the slaughter, Gabriella clings to the infant. When Social Services pries the little girl from her arms, the enormity of the tragedy hits home. Diving deep into a case that brings her buried past to the forefront, Gabriella is determined to hunt down the killer who left this helpless baby an orphan.

But one by one the clues all lead to a dead end, and Gabriella's obsession with finding justice pulls her into a dark, tortuous spiral that is set to destroy everything she loves …


“Tense, disturbing and smart....Belcamino is a writer to watch.” — Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls

“Truly first- rate.” — Bruce DeSilva

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | HarperCollins

Check out the rest of the Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series on Goodreads HERE.

Blessed Are Those Who Weep Blog Tour Arranged By Literati Author Services.

Cover Reveal: Only You by Stephanie Feagan (Mephisto Covenant series)

Thanks to Stephanie (Trinity) Feagan and GCR Promotions for this post today! Stephanie's series, formerly MEPHISTO COVENANT, has gotten a whole new makeover, with cover art, title, and even author pen name. ONLY YOU was previously known as THE MEPHISTO MARK, so if you've been waiting for this book, check out the updated version!

Don't forget to check out the AWESOME rafflecopter prize at the end of the post!


Blurb:
Orphaned at six and sent to live with abusive relatives in Bucharest, Mariah learned early in life to box up violent, agonizing memories and put them in permanent mental storage. Now almost nineteen, she has a paying job, a tiny apartment, and a plan to attend university. She loves her independence and is steadily overcoming her past, but when an enigmatic stranger walks into the pub where she works and the trajectory of her life changes yet again, she begins to wonder if she’ll run out of mental shelf space.

The only females unafraid of the Mephisto brothers are the extremely rare Anabo, born without Original Sin. Over one hundred years ago, Phoenix was first to find one, but he made a fatal mistake and she was murdered by his oldest brother and enemy, Eryx. Phoenix soldiered through the next century wrapped up in grief and guilt, his only outlet planning takedowns of those who pledged their souls to Eryx. When one of his brothers brings Mariah to Mephisto Mountain, he’s torn between his instinctive, powerful need to pursue her, and his certainty that he can never have her.

Drawn into the world of the Mephisto, Mariah sees the pain and misery Eryx unleashes on humanity, and the boxes in her mind begin to fly open, one by one. All that keeps her from slipping off the edge is her unlikely, sexually charged friendship with Phoenix. He’s incredibly screwed up; she’s completely broken. It would take a miracle for them to find happiness. Then Eryx brings the war for Hell to a whole new level, forcing Mariah and Phoenix to make a choice that will bind them together for all eternity, or rip them apart forever.

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Teaser:
I was nothing of the light he spoke of – I was dark, dirty, damaged. If he couldn’t love Miss Perfect, he’d never, ever love me.

A Word From The Author...

What Kind of Moron Changes Cover, Title and Author 3 Weeks After Release Day?

Me. I’m the moron. But maybe not as idiotic as it seems. When I decided to self-publish the third Mephisto book and make it New Adult with sexy times and more grown-up-y angst, I gave serious consideration to doing this to start with, but couldn’t decide, and so I asked author friends for their advice and they unequivocally said I should keep Trinity Faegen as the author, use the same font for the title, and the same general theme of the cover. Continue the package and branding.

So I did. And it’s beautiful – I love the cover of The Mephisto Mark. But most people have never heard of the Mephisto Covenant series, so they don’t know – or care – that this book is all matchy-matchy with the previous books. So no new readers are jumping on board. And readers of the first two assume this will be like those, but it’s not. Even the writing is different. Book 1 & 2 are in third person, alternating POV and this one is in first person alternating POV. This one has more language and adult themes and is not anything close to a YA. It’s New Adult – except not about somebody in college. Just college age. It’s a romance novel, pure and simple. It’s a sad story, a hopeful tale, a love story with a happy ending – like all romance novels.

The first two Mephistos were romances. Young Adult romance, but romances just the same. This book, the third Mephisto, with a new title and cover, written as Real Me, the romance writer, will hopefully find its place on the right bookshelf, and people who love romance novels will find it and enjoy it. Should I have done this to begin with? Well, yeah, but who knew? That’s the beauty of self-publishing! You can climb down off the horse in the middle of the stream and get on another horse. Or swim to shore and take a bus. Y’all come with me – read Only You and tell me what you think.


$100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Ricochet by Becca and Krista Richie

I'm giving JL from Avid Reader's Musings the spotlight today, because her blog handles books for a younger audience. But, this NA was too much for her to pass on being able to review.


Blurb:
As a sex addict, Lily Calloway must do the impossible. Stay celibate for 90 days.

Cravings and fantasies become her new routine, but while Loren Hale recovers from his alcohol addiction, Lily wonders if he’ll realize what a monster she really is. After all, her sexual compulsions begin to rule her life the longer she stays faithful to him.

Progress. That’s what Lily’s striving for. But by trying to become closer to her family—people who aren’t aware of her addiction—she creates larger obstacles. When she spends time with her youngest sister, she learns more about her than she ever imagined and senses an unsettling connection between Daisy and Ryke Meadows.

With Lily and Lo’s dysfunctional relationship teetering and unbalanced, they will need to find a way to reconnect from miles apart. But the inability to “touch” proves to be one of the hardest tests on their road to recovery. Some love brushes the surface. Some love is deeper than skin.

Lily and Lo have three months to discover just how deep their love really goes.

------
Includes the first chapter to the sequel Addicted for Now.

Companion to the Sequel: A full-length New Adult Romance that continues where Addicted to You left off. As a companion novel, it bridges the gap between the first and second book. It is highly recommended to be read before Addicted for Now.

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RICOCHET REVIEW TOUR HOSTED BY GCREADING


MY REVIEW:
Ricochet continues the story of Lily Calloway, a young woman who is addicted to sex. Her boyfriend, Loren (Lo) Hale has entered rehab for his alcohol addiction and she is left to fight her cravings for sex without him by her side.

For me, the best part of this installment in the Addicted series was the character of Ryke Meadows. He's honest to the point of being offensive, and pushes all the wrong buttons with Lily, but I thought the story wouldn't have been as good without him. Ryke plays a big part of keeping Lily in line, even though she resents the hell out of his presence. He's a great foil to Lily's character, especially since Lo is absent for the majority of the story.

I also liked how Lily's relationship with her sisters, as well as her past with Lo, was explored more in Ricochet. Through flashbacks, readers are able to experience events in Lily's and Lo's relationship that contributed and lead up to the point they are in the present. These flashbacks give insight into the dynamic between Lily and Lo, as well as their respective addictions. Lily has told her sister, Rose, about her problems and even with their sibling disagreements, it's obvious how close the two are. Rose is dedicated to helping Lily find a way to control herself and I liked how this strengthens the relationship between the two.

Daisy, Lily's youngest sister, and a model, also makes more of an appearance in Ricochet. Daisy is a complex character. Though only fifteen, she acts much older and hangs out with somewhat questionable model types, as shown in the beginning of the story. And her developing closeness with Ryke causes alarm with Lily.

Ricochet is an absorbing story about a young woman coming to terms with who she is and how she can change herself for the better. While there's not a lot of conventional action, Ricochet captivated me and kept me turning pages to the very end. I'm really looking forward to reading about Lily and Lo's continued relationship in the next book. I'm rooting for the both of them - that they are able to overcome both of their addictions and have a life together.


Thanks, JL! And thanks also to the author and GCR Promotions for the following giveaway! Just enter via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.


About The Author(s):
Becca Ritchie is a carnivore of pop culture, television, film and of course YA and NA books. While in college, she worked at The CW television network and put her vampiric knowledge to good use, blogging about hit series and swooning over actors’ abs. When she’s not blogging, she writes novels and has teamed up with her twin sister for their New Adult novel ADDICTED TO YOU. Available July of 2013.

Krista Ritchie is the mind behind popular trading website YA Book Exchange and created Nawanda Files, a book blog that also features books into movies news. When not pouring over entertainment news and the newest releases, she spends her time working in the science field. She’s happy to join forces with her sister, harnessing their twin powers to produce the first in a New Adult series.

Website | Krista Twitter | Becca Twitter | GoodReads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weather Witch Blog Tour: Why Philly...? by Shannon Delany

Read My Mind is super happy to be part of the WEATHER WITCH blog tour today! Thanks to Shannon Delany and The Author's Taproom, who is hosting the tour. This upcoming YA takes place in my current and home town residence, and I got a chance to ask Shannon Delany: Why use Philadelphia as the setting for a steampunky, historical paranormal?

About The Author:
Shannon Delany has always been surrounded by books! Her aunt was a head librarian and her father was always trying some new creative endeavor. She grew up with a fierce love of history and studied social studies education and foreign language and culture in college.

After substitute teaching in every grade level and subject area in Pennsylvania and Maryland she taught for five years in Florida and then moved back north to be around family.

With the birth of her son she decided to become serious about writing and worked freelance jobs until she landed a contract with St. Martin's Press for the 13 TO LIFE series--all because of a contest one critique partner warned her against!

Website | Goodreads


***

I have an absolute love of Philly. I grew up an hour outside of the city and got to visit it pretty frequently. I enjoy New York City, but Philly has a warmth and a colonial feel that seems to steep into even the tallest and most modern of buildings. From the waterfront to Society Hill, the Fabric District, South Street and Reading Terminal Market--there is truly something for everyone and yet it's not overwhelming. Philly doesn't try to crush you...

...Philly embraces you.

Philly is also a strong supporter of the arts and art education. I respect that so very much!

Philly has a rich and readily accessible and welcoming history which draws people in and makes me want to return and research more and more. And although the Philadelphia I use in the Weather Witch series is definitely fictitious (I mess with the geography and take certain liberties with the history I adore) there is still enough of Philadelphia there that I hope people are made curious about the city and want to learn more--and visit the City of Brotherly Love!

***


EXCERPT:

The young man no longer stuck to the shadows, no longer waited until nightfall to work his
magick--or mischief as those Grounded would claim. He was tall and broad of shoulder with
dark hair and gray eyes and a coolness about him that made people think of first frosts and
snowfalls. And with good reason.

Because Marion Kruse was a cold-hearted young man.

Truth be told, He wanted nothing more than to return to a simpler time. A time he didn't wander
the roads and towns doing small things to amuse himself and set others to wondering. He wanted
nothing more to be back at his mother's feet, reading books about pirates and scoundrels that
made her laugh and tell him and his brother to never grow up to be wicked--that goodness was its own reward.

He wanted nothing more than to grow fat on Chloe's generously proportioned biscuits and call
her "nanny" again. Nothing more than to go fox hunting with his father and friends (even that
frustrating pretty boy Rowen Burchette) and dance with an attractive girl.

He wanted nothing more than to go back to before he'd been Made.

But Marion had been taught that going back was nigh unto impossible.

Blurb:
In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

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Infinity Tour: Author Sedona Venez Talks Romance

Welcome to Read My Mind! Sedona Venez, the author of INFINITY is visiting today, courtesy of Good Choice Reading Promotions.

About The Author:
This is a pseudonym for T.L. Clarke.

Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven, #1) is her debut into Adult Fiction (paranormal romance). Expected release: January 2013

T.L. Clarke (TLC) is the author of Preteen/Teen Paranormal and Fantasy novels with an edgy twist. When not writing, TLC is watching bad movies, listening to music, and traveling.

Website (as TL Clarke) | Twitter (as TL Clarke) | Goodreads | Facebook


***

Sedona Venez’s Top Ten Things to Include on a Romantic Evening...

10. Be a flirt. Heighten expectations... touch and kiss during your romantic dinner.

9. Turn up the music. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and turn the lights down real low.

8. Get his sexy on. Buy him something sexy and leave it on the bed waiting for him.

7. Peak his arousal. Put drops of Lavender, ylang-ylang, or sandalwood on your sheets to kick-up desire.

6. Make it hot. Set the scene in the bedroom with lots of candles.

5. Make it wet. Prepare a romantic bath with rose petals. Don’t forget the sponges.

4. Make him hunt for it. Make him go on a sexy hunt for treasure…you waiting in the tub for him. Leave a note with all erotic clues leading to you.

3. Nibbling is always permitted. Feed each other strawberries, chocolate, and champagne in bed.

2. Incorporate playthings. Need I say more?

1. Be Inventive, make him find the honey. Blindfold him, put honey or chocolate on your body and dare him to find it. Make it fun, give him erotic clues.

Remember, it’s all about having fun. Make it a safe, sensual and romantic evening!

 ***

Thanks Sedona!

Want to find out more about INFINITY?

Blurb:
Infinity is a troubled 22-year-old superstar singer with the worst reputation for drugs and hard partying. Now, she is on the road to a comeback with her controversial tour. But everything about doing the concert feels wrong from missing employees, to anonymous threats to ruin her career. Things spiral further out of control as she wrestles control of her life and career from a relationship that crossed the fine line between love and obsession. She deals with a powerful corporation determined to kill her and everyone she loves.

Infinity knows too much, with no way out.

Now she must put her safety and trust in the hands of sexy, tattooed and delicious Torch Channing and Boulder Vigari, hired to keep her from getting killed. Boulder wants to make her his. He won't stop until he claims her. Torch struggles with his primal need to possess her and his hatred of everything she represents.

Infinity is determined to protect her heart while dealing with the pressure of pulling off another successful tour without spiraling into another mental meltdown.

Goodreads
NookBook | Amazon | Kindle



Check out the rest of the stops at the Tour Schedule Page

VBT: Fateful Waters by J.M. Anton (with giveaway)

Welcome J.M. Anton! As part of the VBT (Virtual Book Tour), organized by Goddess Fish Promotions and the author, Read My Mind is promoting FATEFUL WATERS today. This is a contemporary western that incorporates suspense, friendship and a hero/heroine HEA.

About The Author:
Jackie Anton is the author of Backyard Horse Tales: Sox 2nd Edition, recepient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. She makes her home in Northeastern Ohio.
Mother of two adult Children and a Grandmother she and her husband of forty-one years live on a small farm in Medina Township. As author of the family friendly series Backyard Horse Tales (readers age 8-adult) her adult novels are written under the pen name J.M. Anton.

An avid horseperson she and her husband continue to ride daily. She loves a good mystery as well as working out the day-to-day struggles and complexities of human relationships. Find out more about the author on her blog “Writing for readers in a .com world.

Website


Special or surprising information uncovered while researching “Fateful Waters.”
by J. M. Anton


One of the many surprises came as I was researching the use and function of GPS and smart phones. My daughter who lives in Virginia kept me straight on all the technological references, as well as pointing out blackouts on phones, and the limitations of GPS devices. The story required that the heroine and her sidekick be out of touch for periods of time.

Another area of research brought in the linguistic talents of my other daughter who lives in Texas. My heroine is inclined to periodically revert to her maternal grandmother’s German language. I did some research online and found that my German was extremely rusty, but I translated the phrases that I wanted for the book and sent the English and German translations to Houston. After checking her conjugation with her German Professor, my daughter returned my German phrases. That was indeed a special undertaking that unleashed a series of harrowing events for our heroine, Lexie.

My memories of the Texas Panhandle are several decades old. As fate would have it there are family and friends who still reside in Texas. The drought was so wide spread that is was not difficult to get first hand observations of living with the heat and lack of rain. I was in the middle of a rewrite when my daughter told me that she was traveling to Lubbock and catching a flight to California. “Please take some notes while you are there, pay attention to the airport and the view from the plane.” I pleaded.

As a result of the interview at the completion of my daughters business seminar, I was able to put Lexie on a plane and share the devastating landscape from a birds eye view. The view from the plane on landing in Cleveland was from my personal observations, but I feel that the view of the Texas Panhandle from in high had much more impact.

The following excerpt is of Lexie’s return home in Chapter 10 of “Fateful Waters:


***

Lexie carted her luggage out to the porch, then returned to her room to make one last sweep. She picked up her handbag and her laptop, before closing the door behind her. She made the long walk down the hall and closed the door on this chapter of her life. She breathed a huge sigh of relief when Booker arrived in the same long sleek black car. Her belongings loaded in the trunk, and securely belted in the passenger seat she said goodbye to the Rocking R. As she stared blankly at the parched landscape she began to envision green rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and the vast waters of Lake Erie. Ohio beckoned to her wounded soul.

Booker didn’t chauffeur her to the rental car dealer, but to Lubbock’s rendition of an International airport. Mel’s dad refused to let her make the long drive back home alone. Instead, he booked a first class ticket for her to Hopkins airport. She would have a short layover to catch a connecting flight home, but she didn’t mind a delay once she was well out of Texas. Mrs. Potter was to meet her in Cleveland.

Once she was safely in the air, tears flowed like the much prayed-for rain in this part of the country. Waves of heat rose from the tarmac as the small commuter plane took to the sky and circled the airport to head east. Lexie gazed through her veil of tears at the scarred and desolate view beneath her. The largest scars on the land below looked to be natural riverbeds, now bone dry, and the larger indents could have been man made quarries, but they were now barely discernible mud puddles.

***

Blurb:
Follow Melinda Potter and Alexandra Parker, across the country, as the friends travel from their home on the shores of Lake Erie to the drought-stricken state of Texas. After graduation from The Ohio State University, Melinda has a date with an online Romeo. Lexie, who is supposed exert a moderating influence on her impulsive friend, winds up in a hospital where she wakes to everyone calling her Mrs. Ross. She doesn’t have a clue how she got there, or who Mr. Ross is.

Goodreads
Dog Ear Publishing


DON'T FORGET! J.M. Anton is also giving away a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a random commenter during the course of the tour. Leave a comment at Read My Mind with a favorite Western romance to be entered.

Make sure you check out the other tour stops HERE