Friday, September 21, 2012

Sweet romance ~ #Spotlight on Melinda Dozier

Here's another great author in my ongoing quest to introduce my fabulous critique partners!  Melinda Dozier writes contemporary romance, and she has the sweetest characters. You'll love them!

I 'met' Melinda through www.critiquecircle.com last winter.  We quickly realized we had a lot of the same likes and dislikes and similar habits; we definitely share a brainwave. Despite our personal similarities, she writes in a vastly different style than me and it's a lot of fun to swap critiques and reach each others' material, and she always has terrific advice for me.

Time Changes EverythingRight now, I'm super excited to announce that Melinda received a contract with Entranced Publishing, and her novel (which I've already been lucky enough to read) Time Changes Everything, will be released June 3, 2013! Wait to go, Melinda! I'm so excited for you!

Time Changes Everything is a great book about Amanda Larson, a girl who always had a crush on the 'boy next door.' She meets up with Jake Edwards seven years after their first and only date, and even though Amanda believes Jake will always think of her as the little "squirt" from next door, things are pretty explosive between them from the get go! However, there are problems on the horizon. Jake and Amanda will have to overcome a lot of obstacles if they are ever going to reach their 'happily ever after.'  Check out her cover! Beautiful!

To follow along with Melinda in her journey to publication, and also for the latest information on when you can catch a sneak peak of her work and other things, follow her blog http://melindadozier.blogspot.com/ and for a glimpse of her book blurb and links to snippets from her book, follow this link - Time Changes Everything. Romance lovers, you are going to want to watch out for this name. I've also read the first couple chapters of Melinda's current work in progress - all I can say is, I'm loving it! So much fun!

UPDATE: Time Changes Everything was bumped up! It will be available May 13, 2013! Yay!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

eeeChantelfff

P.S. Don't forget to check out today's stop on my blog tour for Always & Forever.  Christina McKnight has me over there for an interview, talking about my book and also a bit about my writing process http://christina-mcknight.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 17, 2012

#BookReview ~ Broken Build by @AyalaRachelle

New Romantic Suspense Technothriller

Rachelle Ayala's Broken Build. 
Broken Build
My rating: 4 stars

I read Broken Build as Rachelle worked it through the critique groups at www.critiquecircle.com. I then acted as one of her beta readers for the final product. Below is my Amazon and Goodreads review.

Fast paced and thrilling! This will keep you up long past your bedtime, chasing bad guys and falling in love.

Jen Jones has a terrible secret and when her past collides with her future, things heat up. Sexy Dave Jewell may just be the man to help her out, but he’s also the person who can destroy her.

Ayala has done it again in a book that, though much different from her last title (Michal’s Window), is every bit as entertaining. This book is a balance of tender romance and well-plotted action. The mystery is twisty and full of surprises, perfect for the person who likes a good challenge.

The writing is spot on and entertaining. There is technical talk dealing with Dave’s company, which can be a little confusing at times, but didn’t really detract from the story once I realized I wasn’t going to miss anything vital if I skimmed over the technical parts.

All in all, a great novel.


Link for Amazon product page

Happy reading, everyone! Don't forget about my blog tour while your roaming the bloggersphere. Today, Melinda Dozier is putting a book spotlight of Always & Forever on her blog. You should stop by and check it out, and also her other articles. She often posts jokes and video clips, says what books she's reading, participates in blog hops. Her blog is a lot of fun. Check it out!

Have a great week!

eeeChantelfff

Friday, September 14, 2012

Wonderful Descriptions ~ #Spotlight on Author Kimberly Sullivan

My next critique partner from www.critiquecircle.com to introduce is the fabulous, Kimberly Sullivan. Kimberly writes both novels and short stories (I always admire the ability to write short stories - I'm too long winded J).

Kimberly writes women's fiction, both first and third person, and her descriptions of the places her characters live is nothing short of amazing. You feel like you are in the remote town settled in the mountains of Italy. You see the way the people are dressed - even enjoy their food with them. She's fantastic!

Here is a link to her short-story, Caves: http://www.snovalleywrites.org/?page_id=518. She won the SnoValley Writes 2012 Writing Contest for the category of writer age 18 and older with this story. Talk about impressive! I'm in awe of her skill.

I'm not sure how long the following link will be good, but Kimberly also had a different short story, Holiday Bliss, accepted for publication in the WriteFrance Anthology. They are offering a free peak for a limited time. Kimberly's story appears on page 47. WriteFrance.com 

I've learned a lot from Kimberly about singular/singular agreement, awkward phrasing, and just overall everything. She is a great help and a wonderful inspiration to me as I work through my projects, and she spots my problems and offers up encouragement. I just finished critiquing a novel for her, In the shadow of the Apennines, and I'm excited that she is starting a new book. Soon, I hope she is able to publish a novel in the near future, and  I can share that happy news with all of you.

In the meantime, visit Kimberly's blog and follow her journey: http://kimberlysullivan.wordpress.com/ She does both a travel blog type post on Tuesdays (putting up beautiful pictures of places she's been and letting us armchair explore wonderful vacation spots) and also writing posts on Fridays. 

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

eeeChantelfff

P.S. Don't forget about my blog tour starting today - hop on over to Christina McKnight's blog and see her New Release post for Always & Forever http://christina-mcknight.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 13, 2012

#Sizzling Romance - My Blog Tour Starts Tomorrow!


Blog tour starts tomorrow for Always & Forever! Yay!

A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but ghosts she left behind refuse to die, threatening to destroy her happiness.
Lilly Price is desperate to escape public scrutiny once released from her incarceration. She moves to a lakeside community in hopes of remaining anonymous while rebuilding her tattered life.

Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find a new bride. He longs for a peaceful summer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s new assistant, Lilly.

When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm?  And when a man from the past returns to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and Zach protect the people they love?

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, mild language, sizzling love scenes.


Tomorrow officially kicks things off for the release of Always & Forever.

You can buy Always & Forever on:
Amazon Kindlehttp://amzn.to/UhlAfr
Amazon Paperbackhttp://amzn.to/RlqKsd
Barnes & Noble Nookhttp://bit.ly/PSKXUN
Or add it to your Goodreads TBR pile here: http://bit.ly/RwYulf

Check out the first two chapters of Always & Forever by clicking either here or the above tab that says Always & Forever. Don't forget to check out my blog tour schedule and visit the websites of all the great folks hosting me and see what they are up to.

My first stop will be tomorrow with Christina McKnight as she does a release post. Check her blog out at http://christina-mcknight.blogspot.com/. Also, check out the character interview between author Rachelle Ayala and Lilly Price on Saturday at http://www.rachelleayala.com/

For a bit of silly fun today, check out many authors' answers (mine included) to Rachelle Ayala's question:  Do you have to have great sex to write great love scenes? http://www.rachelleayala.com/2012/09/do-you-have-to-have-great-sex-to-write.html

Have a great weekend!

eeeChantelfff


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

#Spotlight on Author Jennifer Donohoe


Picture
Available at Amazon
http://amzn.com/1475033664


Today, Jennifer Donohoe agreed to stop by for a visit and tell us about her book. I just started reading, The Legend of the Travelers: Willow's Journey. So far, I really like it. Here's the blurb to tell you a little bit about it.


Left without a memory after a brutal attack, Willow struggles to remember what happened to her and who did it. Her mother is missing and Willow is the last traveler who can find the Four Jewels of legend. In a life filled with Celtic gods, Japanese legends, Native American folklore, and a guardian fairy that does more harm than good, Willow learns everyone she meets has a stake in the choice she will have to make. Surrounded by those who are torn between aiding her and killing her, she works to put the pieces together and figure out who she can trust. As the mystery unfolds into the ultimate betrayal, Willow has to decide if she can fulfill her destiny regardless of the consequences.


I’ve really enjoyed the first few chapters. Do you want to tell us a little bit about the book? Specifically, what is a Traveler?
A Traveler is someone who can travel to the past. They cannot change anything, but only observe it. The original Traveler hid the Tuatha de Danaan’s Four Jewels from impending invasion. Since that time, all Travelers who came after him have searched for them with no avail. An old witch placed a curse on the original Traveler adding to the treachery of finding the Four Jewels. They usually end up going insane and killing those they love. Willow, as far as she knows, is the last Traveler and the only one able to recover these talismans to give back to their rightful owners.

Wow! Sounds like a rough sort of life. I'm sure it must be hard on Willow to know this is her likely fate.

Who is your favorite character from the story and why?
I like Willow, but Saille is my favorite. She’s quite the character and has many secrets of her own. She doesn’t get along with many people and tries to help Willow, but often gets her into more trouble.

One of those situations where with friends like that, Willow doesn't need enemies.

What inspired you to write this story? Have you always loved the fantasy genre?
I’ve always enjoyed the fantasy genre, but I wanted something a little different out there. I read about the Celtic Legends and decided to add other myths like the Japanese legends of dragons and the Native American folklore of shape shifters. I tried to intertwine these legends into a story that is unique and different, but still teaches something to the reader. 

What do you love about writing? What do you hate?
I love writing in general. It allows me to create new and exciting places, people, and events. The process of creation has always inspired me. I grew up with a long line of writers and story-tellers. I guess it’s in my bones.

The one thing I dislike about writing is the grammar. I’m poor at it and have a hard time getting it right at times.

I think grammar's hard for all of us. That's what an editor is for, right? ;-)

What advice do you have for other aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. Always keep your hopes alive and be open to suggestions and honest feedback. It can only help make your story even better.

What’s next for you?
There are four more books to The Legend of the Travelers. The Dragon King should be out by late fall or early winter 2013. However, I do have an interim book I’ve written entitled, Fly Away. It’s an Urban Fantasy. Basically, it’s a combination of Dante’s Inferno and The Neverending Story. Some critters have called it the grown up version of The Neverending Story.

Awe - I loved The Neverending Story.  Sounds like your new book is interesting. Plus, I love that there are more books to the Travelers planned. I'm the kind of reader who finds an author I like and sticks to them.

Anything else you’d like to talk about?
Join a critique group. There are some great ones out there. The Internet Writing Workshop and Critique Circle have helped me tremendously.

Definitely! I suggest that to everyone I know too. Critique Circle has helped me learn a lot over the last year!

Thank you so much for being here today, Jennifer, and chatting with me! I wish you lots of success!


To connect with Jennifer, here are her links. 

Website: http://jenniferdonohoe.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferdonohoeauthor
Twitter: @DonohoeJennifer https://twitter.com/DonohoeJennifer
Author of: The Legend of the Travelers: Willow's Journey
Now available at: http://amzn.com/1475033664


Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a terrific week. Happy reading!

eeeChantelfff

Monday, September 10, 2012

#BookReview - After Ten by Michele Shriver



Michele Shriver's After Ten: 5/5 stars

After TenAfter Ten is an interesting story about the trials of growing up and how things aren't always what you think they'll be.  Michele Shriver does a great job in this book of showing us the lives of four friends from law school, ten years after they graduate.


I love seeing how things in their lives did (or didn't) go according to plan in the years since the women parted ways.  It all builds until we see their reunion with each other, none of them knowing whether friendship can be repaired after feelings that were hurt in the past.

I read this book in just three days once I started it. The beginning started out a little different, and it took me time to get used to going between present day and flashbacks, but overall it worked once I became accustomed to it.

I admire the way this author doesn't shy away from writing about tough issues. Terrific novel and I can't wait for Michele Shriver's next one.

After Ten Amazon Product Page

Thanks for stopping by, everyone! Happy reading!

eeeChantelfff

Saturday, September 8, 2012

#Romantic Suspense, Always & Forever, Available Now



A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but ghosts she left behind refuse to die, threatening to destroy her happiness.

Lilly Price is desperate to escape public scrutiny once released from her incarceration. She moves to a lakeside community in hopes of remaining anonymous while rebuilding her tattered life.

Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find a new bride. He longs for a peaceful summer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s new assistant, Lilly.

When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm?  And when a man from the past returns to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and Zach protect the people they love?

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, mild language, sizzling love scenes.

I chose September 14th as the official day to kick things off for the release of Always & Forever. However, since I finished it early and have had time to figure out how things work, I decided to do an announcement now before the blog tour kicks off.

You can buy Always & Forever on Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/UhlAfr
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/RlqKsd
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://bit.ly/PSKXUN
Or add it to your Goodreads TBR pile here: http://bit.ly/RwYulf

I'm very excited to have this book available. I hope you all enjoy it. I certainly enjoyed writing it.  You can check out the first two chapters by clicking either here or the above tab that says Always & Forever. Don't forget to check out my blog tour that starts on September 14th and visit the websites of all the great folks hosting me and see what they are up to.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend! I'll be very busy with the blog tour, but I'm excited about it. I'm also typing away on my current work in progress. Once the hubbub settles down about the release, I'll tell you more about Madeline and Donovan and give you a short snippet. They are having major problems in their little community. Murders, frame jobs, all sorts of issues going on there.

eeeChantelfff