#NewRelease ~ Romance author, Melinda Dozier, Author V Character

Today, I'm so pleased to have Melinda Dozier, fabulous romance author and my good friend, here for an interview to talk about her latest romance novel, Breaking the Rules (and a chance to win in her giveaway at the end of this post). Her sexy hero, Dr. Colin Calaway, has come along too!  First, lets check out her cover and the blurb for her book:

  

A forbidden love affair in the past has led Hope Robinson, a middle school principal, to Harbor Bay, Florida, where she commits herself to play by the rules. This can be difficult for a perpetual klutz, who—even strapped in a cast—has to uphold a competent attitude at all times.

Luckily, she has Dr. Colin Calaway on her side, a widower and father of a student, who is ready to give love another try. When Colin convinces Hope they should explore the connection between them, a steamy romance develops, though it could destroy them both. They must decide if their jobs—and their hearts—are worth the risk.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Amazon product link





Alright, this is probably no secret, but I loved Breaking The Rules, especially you, Dr. Calaway. I kept rooting for you to win Hope's heart. Okay, let's get to the good stuff and find what inspired this story. How did you and Melinda meet, Colin, and how long ago was it?

Colin: **sea-green eyes twinkle** I always like to say I was the inspiration behind Breaking the Rules. Melinda was just kind enough to listen to me as I screamed me and Hope's story at her. **smiles, two dimples set deep into his cheeks**

Melinda: Look at him! All he has to do is smile and he’s a big flirt. 

Hey, you can't fault him for that sexy smile. You created it. 

Melinda: **ahem** Yes, about a year ago, Colin wouldn’t leave me alone. He even talked to me in my sleep.

Colin: Hey, now. You have to clear that up or Hope will think we’ve got something else going on besides pencil and paper.

Melinda: Oh, Hope has nothing to worry about. I’ve never seen such a dedicated man before. It all basically started when I watched my own brother-in-law (who also lost his wife) begin dating. Then Colin’s stories came to me – in a manner of speaking. I knew I had to write for all those single dads out there to let them know there’s hope. **snort – get it? Hope**

Colin: **rolls his eyes** You’re a real jokester, Melinda. But seriously, getting back into the dating field is hard stuff. Luckily, I had Melinda to walk me through it. **wink**

Melinda: **sigh**

I laughed at your joke, Melinda. :-) Okay, what was your first impression of each other?

Colin: I have to admit that having someone follow your every move was quite disarming at first.

Melinda: Honestly, if I wasn’t married already, I would’ve tried to break some rules with Colin myself. Hope’s very lucky. He’s a catch!

I totally agree, but he has to have some bad qualities too. Melinda, what does Colin do that annoys you the most?

Melinda: Colin is one big flirt. I’m not sure if that’s a bad thing, but it can be annoying if done too much. Hope was lucky enough that Colin didn’t give up on flirting with her. Look where they’re at now.

Colin: **hand splayed across his heart** Me? A flirt? Nah! **leans in** You look beautiful today, by the way.

Melinda: See!

Chantel: **laughs** Let's reverse things. Colin, if you could say just one thing to Melinda, what would it be?

Colin: Thank you. Thank you for introducing me to the love of my life. You gave me Hope – in more ways than one.

Melinda: Geez, I think I’m going to cry. I take back my earlier comment. You don’t annoy me at all, Colin.

Colin: I knew I’d get through to you. **pulls his Yankees cap down** But really, I mean it. Thank you.

Awe, that's sweet... But, the story is sweet enough. Let's get to something less mushy. **grins evilly** What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened between you two?

Colin: Ah, hell. I don’t like to talk about embarrassing things. Can we skip this one?

Melinda: But it’s so fun!

Colin: Maybe for you, but I’m the one who endures it.

Melinda: Awww, don’t be a party pooper.

Chantel: Come on...tell us. Please.

Colin: **scratches his jaw** It is embarrassing to have a writer follow you through your most – ahem – intimate moments with someone. I mean, she even knows my every thought. **shakes head**

Melinda: **pushes Colin’s shoulder** It was kind of cute when you couldn’t stop imagining Hope naked – even in the principal’s office.

Colin: Crap. **pulls cap down over his eyes** This is what I mean. Next question?

Alright, we'll let you off the hook, even if you are cute when you're embarrassed. Melinda, what do you feel the worst about doing to Colin?

Melinda: Colin really handed his heart over to Hope, taking a huge risk after losing his wife and I went and had her break it off with him. **pats his back** Sorry about that, Yank.

Colin: Yeah, well – we ended up together so – 

Melinda: Thanks to Jason! That son of yours is a real heart-tugger.

Colin: I love that little man, too. I couldn’t be prouder. 

You should be proud. Jason is a great kid. So, do you think you two will meet again in the future?

Melinda: Colin might be surprised to know this, but yes, I suspect we’ll meet again. I have Colin’s best friend, Tim, sending me dream messages lately.

Colin: Has hell frozen over? Tim’s story? How can Tim, the loudmouth, make a good story?

Melinda: You forget he’s married to Hope’s best friend. They have a truly romantic story behind their marriage as well. Just you wait and see.

Colin: I can’t wait to give him as much shit as he’s given me. Perfect!

Well, I certainly look forward to Tim's story! It'll be fun to see more of Colin and Hope, too! Thank you both so much for being here today and taking the time to talk with me!

Melinda: Thanks Chantel for such a wonderful interview. It’s been so much fun to interact with Colin again. 

Colin: Yeah, it was fun. I don’t get to take too much time off away from the clinic or from my family, so it’s been great. Thanks for having us.

About Melinda:

Melinda Dozier lives in Guatemala, Central America, with her husband, three boys and German Shepherd.  She enjoys being the queen of her household and dreams of being pampered fully by her boys once they’re grown. Learn more about her at www.melindadozier.com.






Want to connect with Melinda?

Melinda's site: www.melindadozier.com
Blog: http://melindadozier.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelindaDozier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melindadoz?fref=ts

Want to buy Breaking The Rules?
AMAZON: http://goo.gl/o3Chm
B&N: http://goo.gl/xApGh
iTUNES: http://goo.gl/T94cX
KOBO: http://goo.gl/PtCZX
Crimson Website: http://www.crimsonromance.com/upcoming-releases-romance-ebook/breaking-the-rules/
Add it on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17997608-breaking-the-rules

Watch the Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A_ow8MRw1M

GIVEAWAY:

Melinda is giving away an ecopy of Breaking the Rules and winners choice of a Yankees or Red Sox baseball cap through her tour wide giveaway. Winners must enter via Rafflecopter and will be chosen on July 27.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#NewRelease ~ The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers

Book Title: The Hopfield Tales

Author:  Mike Evers

Release Date: June 17th

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Historical

Publisher:  GMTA Publishing, LLC

Presented by:  As You Wish Tours

BLURB

There's always more to a town than meets the eye. You just need to scratch the surface.  The quiet town of Hopfield is no exception. There are everyday people doing everyday things - just like where you live. But history has a way of coming back to find us. And the voices of the past can change our lives forever. 

Three fabulous fables for your delectation and delight:

The Spirit Archer

Campaign of the Gods

Mark of the Legion

BACKGROUND INFO

The Hopfield Tales is a trilogy of three novellas.  Each story is set in a town in present day Yorkshire and involves people who have encounters with characters from English history and legend.  The tales include the final, as yet unpublished story, Mark of the Legion.

The blurb for the unreleased novella, Mark of the Legion:

Bentham Cawley enjoys and quiet and humdrum life as a monk at the Brotherhood of the Resurrection in Hopfield, Yorkshire.  But this is all about to change - when he unwillingly embarks on the monastery's new friendship programme and meets remarkable octogenarian Ernest Teale.

Just how does Ernest know so much about the past, and how is he connected to the legendary but doomed Roman Ninth Legion? 

Some secrets wait centuries to be unlocked...

Review samples for The Spirit Archer and Campaign of the Gods:

"This is a novella that is entertaining, informative and imaginative. It's a wonderful story that put a smile on my face."  (The Spirit Archer; Ann Werner, Amazon)

"This is a good fun read which I really enjoyed. I particularly liked the way the scenes cut back to the gods and their fated board game and the effect that had on our world of 'Midgard'. A great, light-hearted bit of fun."  (Campaign of the Gods; Ignite, Amazon)

The voices of the past can change our lives forever…

EXCERPT

From The Spirit Archer:

The boy checked his voice recorder was still running and the story emerged through the mists of time:

I estimated by the moon that it was the middle of the night.  Pembroke had reckoned on the moment when the French were in their deepest slumbers as the best time to attack. And we had all agreed with him. My Welsh archers were in the trees near a lake, nearly six thousand good men and horses ahead of us. High to our left lay the massive ramparts of Château Gaillard, its portals dimly glimmering in the still, chilly night. Approximately a hundred score yards, or so, in the distance were the French lines.  Philip’s men were stationed all the way to the castle walls, and concentrated near the river.  You had to admire them – they had replaced the ruined crossing with their own bridge made of boats.  We could even see strange wooden towers floating near the bridge, their torches acting as beacons as to moths. The mighty French siege force slumbered away, oblivious to our threat.

     We had been assured that a fleet of nigh on seventy Anglo-Norman ships were heading up the river to deal a hammer blow to Philip’s crossing - at the very moment of our land assault.  King John’s tactical master stroke was sure to win the day.  We were poised to attack.

Jamie listened intently; his breath held in anticipation.

     And then the attack began.  A horn was sounded and we swarmed out of the forest.  The infantry, led by sturdy men at arms, marched steadily onwards towards the French encampment, and the mighty cavalry units cantered around in a great arc to deliver a flanking blow. On we went.  My archers jogged behind the infantry until we reached our position, and we readied our bows to fire. The minutes seemed like hours. We fired our first volley, and then another. We could only assume we were hitting our targets at that point.  We could not tell in the mingled shouts and screams ahead of us. A few volleys later, a great thunder of hooves announced the arrival of the horsemen and a shift of the lines as a huge hole was punched in the side of the French.  What a noise - such terrible sounds.

     I sensed the French retreating and I signalled my men forward.  We were near the river by now.  I ordered more shots, and my men replied the best way they knew how: dense clouds of arrows fell upon the enemy - wounding and slaying. Never had I seen anything like it.  We sensed victory was near and I felt my elation growing – as saddened as I am to say so.

Robin sighed.

     But the ships never came.  They were stuck down the river – the tides, currents and winds against them – the foolish had foundered on their folly.

“But - you were about to win, weren’t you? It sounded like you would,” said Jamie.

 “Never assume anything in war, young man,” replied the archer.

AUTHOR BIO

Mike often taps out stuff on his keyboard in the fantasy, urban fantasy and paranormal genres: a habit which his wife finds fairly amusing - and sometimes a little bit strange.

So far he has published two novellas - The Spirit Archer and Campaign of the Gods - with GMTA Publishing. Along with Mark of the Legion, the novellas are due to be published as The Hopfield Tales in summer 2013.

Mike's debut novel, The Chaosifier, is also available on Amazon, where it is ambushing unsuspecting fans of contemporary fantasy with its general mischief and mayhem.
Mike's educational background is in History, International Conflict Analysis and Education. He is qualified as a teacher in ESOL and Adult Literacy, and lives and works in West Yorkshire. He's married to a long-suffering wife, Joanne, and they have a young son called Joseph.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

AmazonAuthor

Goodreads

Barnes & Noble

BOOK LINKS

AmazonKindle – The Hopfield Tales

AmazonPaperback – The Hopfield Tales

B&N– The Hopfield Tales

Smashwords – The HopfieldTales

Amazon– The Spirit Archer

Amazon– Campaign of the Gods

Amazon– The Chaosifier

B&N

Smashwords

Trailer – Campaign of theGods

Trailer – The Chaosifier

http://asyouwishtours.com/

Paranormal Mystery Series ~ Author versus Character interview

I'm so excited to welcome Mary E. Merrell to my blog today and, more exciting, she brought along the heroine from The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series, Rosemary Fernandes, for another author versus character interview. You all know how much I love these interviews! First, let's check out the cover and blurb for the newest book in the series, which will be released any day now!

Soul in Present Condition (The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series #3) 

Author: Mary E. Merrell

Character: Rosemary Fernandes

Website: www.maryemerrell.com

Divorced. Check. Ghost Whisperer. Check. Human Servant. Check. Great. Check

Real estate agent Rosemary Fernandes never expected to inherit the ability to communicate with spirits, and she certainly didn’t expect her gift to attract the undead as well. Now Rosemary finds herself ghost whisperer to the lost souls stuck at their haunts and human servant to a gorgeous but aloof vampire Marcus Lyons.

Benito Cruz died with a dangerous secret, a secret that connects a gang to Rosemary. Can Rosemary send the spirit to his final resting place before his past catches up with her, and can she convince the vampire helping spirits like Benito is her destiny?

When real estate and the supernatural come together it is murder.

Alright, ladies, let's get to it! How did you two meet and how long ago was it?

Rosemary: About ten years ago, Mary E. Merrell was previewing an old vacant home for one of her clients. She’s a real scaredy-cat, thought there might be a ghost. Turns out, there wasn’t, but that didn’t stop her from creating one and me, Rosemary Fernandes.

Well, inspiration strikes when it strikes. So, what was your first impression of each other? 

Mary: When I first met Rosemary Fernandes, she seemed kind of weak and scared, but determined to succeed in her career of choice. As her story progresses, I realized she is stubborn, kind, brave, and a bit goofy. Just ask any of the other agents in the office. She’s always coming in with her clothes dirty or destroyed, and her hair needs some kind of style. She is shy but friendly, and will go out of her way to help someone. 

Rosemary: Mary E. Merrell thinks she’s so clever, always putting me in awkward situations as she sits behind her desk, safe and sound while I’m fighting for my life. She’s scared to death of ghosts, but that doesn’t stop her from sending me into homes where the lost souls are stuck. Ghosts aren’t always cooperative, believe me. She wants me to save them...the ghosts and the vampires...she lives vicariously through me. Didn’t think I knew, huh, Mary. She doesn’t even do real estate anymore. Too scared, I guess. 

Well, in fairness, Rosemary, we authors often live through our characters, so you have to be more brave than we are. Not to start any arguments or anything, but I really want to know - Mary, what does Rosemary do that annoys you the most? 

Mary: Rosemary is always getting herself and her friends in trouble, deadly trouble. Usually with serial killers or ghosts or vampires, doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. She’s got this smok’n hot boyfriend I personally picked out for her, and she’s still got it bad for that vampire, her master, Marcus Lyons. Sure he’s gorgeous, but he’s kind of a jerk. I just don’t get it.

Rosemary: Me get in trouble? Not on my own. Mary E. Merrell is always putting me in these ridiculous situations. Like at the strip club. A big, stupid guy threw me on stage, for goodness sakes, and I got kissed by a girl. Still not over that. I help lost souls find peace; it’s what I do, when I’m not selling real estate. No matter how frightened Mary is, I deal with the spirits. I send them on. 

Sounds exciting, really. Rosemary, if you could say just one thing to Mary, what would it be? 

Rosemary: Please, please, give me more than a couple weeks between lost souls. Send me somewhere with Frank so the two of us can be alone without ghosts or vampires, or difficult clients. Even a few days alone would be nice. That man is so...yum. He’s my flesh and blood anchor to the world when my life goes crazy. And he’s a good guy too. I think...I love him, but I haven’t actually told him yet. 

Seems like a reasonable request. We all need some down time with the one we love. Let's see...what’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened between you two? 

Rosemary: Mary, remember that house I took my first clients too? The one with the missing key, and when I looked through the window two agents were doing it on the kitchen table. That is burned into my brain forever. I don’t think I ever thanked you for that visual. Not pretty.

Yikes! On that note, Mary, what do you feel the worst about doing to Rosemary? 

Mary: Rosemary, I do feel badly about the whole intercourse on the table episode. Rosemary’s clients thought it was pretty funny, and so did the ghost, Keith Laumer, who was following her around. But what I feel worst about doing to Rosemary is sending the vampire hunter after her. He was a real jerk.

Rosemary certainly has lived an exciting life in your books! Do you think you two will meet again in the future? 

Mary: Definitely. Soul Pending, Book 4 in the Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series is due out next spring. Or maybe earlier.

Sounds great! I really do appreciate your time and glad you ladies could stop by. I'd better let you get back to writing, Mary, so Rosemary can help those ghosts! 

Author Bio: 

Mary E. Merrell writes Paranormal Mysteries and Young Adult Urban Fantasy. She has worked many jobs, but always had stories in her head. It wasn’t until she went into real estate and walked into that old, vacant home that The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series came to life. Fortunately, nothing spooky happened at the furniture store, or the first book might have been, “The Haunted Sofa". 

Mary E. Merrell’s plots are smooth and slightly dark, and her characters sinfully sweet. Try a little guilty pleasure with House Haunting, the first book in The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series. One reviewer called it “A good start to a new series”.

Mary E. Merrell lives in the Central Valley of California with her husband, two dogs, and four cats. She has two grown sons. When she’s not writing, she’s gardening or playing soccer.

Want to connect with Mary?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10227711-mary-merrell

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/#!/mary.merrell.5

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/MaryMerrell7

Amazon:      http://www.amazon.com/Mary-E.-Merrell/e/B00CF66HS6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Want to read The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series? Get caught up with the first two books so you are ready when the third releases soon! Here are their links for Kindle:

House Haunting: http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Estate-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0054N7CTA

Curve Appeal: http://www.amazon.com/Appeal-Estate-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B006NOR7GM/

These books sound great! Mysteries, ghosts, and a strong heroine, I can't wait to check them out. Happy reading, my friends!

~~ Chantel ~~

Interview with Melissa Mayberry - Author of Mellifica

Today, I'm pleased to interview an author I have participated in different Facebook groups with and met over at Critique Circle, but have never really gotten a chance to know, Melissa Mayberry. I'm excited to talk about her life and her Mature YA Romance book, Mellifica: Devastating First Love. First, let's check out the book cover and description!

At sixteen years old, Melissa has already found her Prince Charming. Sandy, the school’s most popular boy, graces her with a dream-like romance. However, a bold and dominating stranger named Arien quickly enters the picture and steals the girl’s heart while at summer camp. 

What seems like a promising new relationship eventually becomes a downward spiral into heartbreak, leading Melissa down a path to depression, anorexia, and revenge. Trapped by her own impulsive affections and misplaced trust, Melissa struggles to find happiness in love without losing herself, her friends, or her sense of freedom. 

In this coming-of-age story, Mayberry’s well-meaning yet tragically flawed characters trace the thin line between young love and obsession.

Amazon Product Link

Alright, thanks for being here, Melissa. Let's get right to it. How would you describe your book in 20 words or less without using the blurb?

As most authors, I get “What’s your book about?” a lot. In person, they usually get to know the ironic ending to book two, followed by a google search to prove it really happened. For the record, we’ll go with this:

My high school sweetheart dumped me for a teacher’s widow. It humiliated me, but I found a way to survive.

Poor girl. From this and the blurb, it sounds like it was rough. Let's find out a little bit about you. Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

I travel as a nurse to various places across the United States. Every time I return to my home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, I’m awestruck. This is where I want to be.

What’s your current guilty pleasure?

The main male character in my book, Mellifica, drinks strawberry soda so much that his kiss tastes like it. I love Sandy, and have developed a strawberry soda habit of my own. My husband even buys it for me (but I haven’t told him why …)

Haha - well, if your kissing start tasting like strawberry, hopefully your husband just enjoys it too! Did you have support at the beginning and/or during your writing?

I’ve done so many different things in my lifetime. When I started writing again, I got the eye-roll. As a matter of fact, my husband hasn’t even read Mellifica. If I have one regret about that, it’s that I haven’t told my parents that I’ve been published. If you’ve read Mellifica, you’d understand the relationship and why my success is a secret.

So this is part fiction, but part autobiography? That has to be hard. 

The main character, Mel, is me twenty years ago. The struggle there was relating to myself, not as I am now, but how I was then. I took everything personally then, now I look back and think I might have been crazy.

I think we are all super sensitive at that age. It is hard. What is it you love most about writing? What's the hardest part of writing for you?

Mellifica is written in first person and as a personal account of a humiliating break-up. The biggest hurdle was remembering the torment and putting it in writing. Subsequently, writing this book has become therapy for me.

Therapy through writing. I completely understand that. I do the same thing. Where do you get your inspiration?

I wrote an entire article to answer this question. I’ll try to make it brief here. 1. The story had to be written. 2. My character’s made me love them and keep going 3. My critiquing partners. Without them, I would have quit after chapter two.

Sounds like you have a good support system to keep you going. That's great. Which genres do you prefer to read?

I love romance, and I love YA. I have a teenage daughter and it’s so much more fun to read when I can talk to her about the story. I usually read it first (I’m the one with the money) and when she reads it she’s comes to me and says, “Mom, like OMG …”

I say, “I know with the …”

She says “Yes! And then they …”

Then I say: “I told you so!” And my husband stares at us and blinks. 

That's awesome that you can share with her that way! Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?

I’m a Facebook Junkie!

If I give you a time machine, what time period and in what place would you travel to? 

I would go to England during the early 1900’s. Oddly enough I love Steam punk, but I don’t think I know enough to write it. 

Are you writing something else at the moment?

I am working on two new books, while Mellifica 2 is in editing. We hope to have it out by early winter, but I haven’t come up with a subtitle yet! 

Wow! Sounds like you are busy! I appreciate you stopping by today and chatting with me!

About Melissa

Melissa Mayberry believes in living a full life. As a wife, mother of four, full time nurse, and grad student, a story presented itself to her in such a way that she had to become a writer as well. 

SOCIAL MEDIAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH MELISSA:

Website: MelissaMayberry.com

Blog: MelissaMayberry.com

Facebook: Melissa Mayberry / Mellifica

Twitter: @MayberryMelissa

Email: Mayberrymelissa@rocketmail.com

LINKS TO BUY MELLIFICA:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mellifica-Devastating-First-Love-ebook/dp/B00AV76F2Y/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1373159521&sr=8-1&keywords=Mellifica

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mellifica-melissa-mayberry/1114052533?ean=2940016164502

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/270016 

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

The party fell quiet while we waited. A blue Dodge Caravan stopped at the edge of the beach. Oh yeah, Chad said he’d come. Even though the van was a brand new 1992 model, my cousin looked like a dork driving a minivan. “It’s okay. It’s my cousin, but keep the liquor in your bag, Shanna.”

“Aww, is Chad some kind of nark?” she asked.

I nodded. “Most likely.”

Chad stepped out, but to my surprise the passenger door opened too. Why would he bring a date to my birthday party? Asshole. It’d be better without him here, and definitely better without one of those girls he hung out with.

A stranger stepped out of the van, and his eyes fell right to mine. From a distance, he didn’t appear to be the geeky type of friend Chad always made. He wore a loose black tank top with Khaki shorts. His clothes seemed pretty normal, especially compared to Chad’s; my cousin wore a Henley tucked into his cargo shorts. The strange guy stared, and I couldn’t turn away.

 He came over with Chad, king of the geeks. Where did he get the confidence to stare at me? They walked closer, and even though the beach was dim, his onyx eyes struck me intensely. My chest tightened, and my heart raced. As if this guy gave him confidence, Chad walked a little straighter than usual.

“Hello, Melissa. Happy birthday,” Chad said.

I nodded, glanced at Chad for a second and then back to his guest.

“Oh, this is Arien, my best friend.” Chad gestured toward his tall, muscular friend. “And this is Melissa, my cousin.”

Arien nodded. “Hey.”

When did Chad get a best friend? I would have seen him before.  Something wasn’t right about this guy or his sudden appearance.

Sandy wrapped both arms around me and leaned closer to my ear. “Want to go for a walk?”

Sandy’s voice startled me. This suspicious stranger had my brain working overtime.  “Um, I do, but Chad just got here. I can’t be rude.” I turned to the new arrivals. “Food and drinks are on the table. Get a plate and come back to join us.”

            Why haven’t I met this guy? They returned from the table. Both had soda, but neither was eating. Chad turned toward the river where some people still played. “Who’s here?”

            I didn’t pay attention to Chad.

“Melissa, I asked you a question,” Chad said louder.

“Hmm?”

Everyone turned to me as I dropped my stare from Arien. A flame went through my body, and I wanted to run to the river’s edge. Arien smirked. He had been staring back, as if he had a chance with me. Huge ego—he must be Chad’s best friend.

I had to play the situation off as mere curiosity, so I squared my shoulders and cleared my throat. “So, Arien, if you and Chad are best friends, why haven’t we met?”

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “I guess we just missed each other.”  The warm gaze in his eyes made me think his words carried a double meaning. His wavy blond hair caught the sea breeze, and the firelight danced across his face.

I leaned against Sandy to ensure we all understood this stranger didn’t have a chance with me. 

Promotional Event - Secret of the Shielded (Book 2) - Ann Snizek

Book Title:  Secret of the Shielded

Author:  Ann Snizek

Release Date:  March 9, 2013

Genre:  YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Length:  Over 75,000 Words

Publisher:  Snow Flower Enterprises

Presented by:  As You Wish Tours

BLURB

This brave band of spectacular friends must go on a horrendous journey to remove all threats to the newly reclaimed throne. They will discover amazing new truths and face heart wrenching choices. Who are the Philo birds singing about? How will their song play out in the lives of these young people? Will it all be for nothing??

Song of the Philo birds:

Twelve companions all will travel
Eleven this song try to unravel
Ten don’t know which is the way
Nine are going to have to pay
Eight are wondering what they will find
Seven speak with mouth and mind
Six shall get a brand new name
Five will never be the same
Four the enemy will take
Three have choices they must make
Two have powers they must use
Or, One friend in death will lose.

EXCERPT

Krissa sat up, instantly wide-awake. She gasped to catch her breath. This was not a

good thing. There were only two lines that stood out at the time was that one of her

friends could die on their quest!

What about all the other stuff? She would have to tell them all about it. Looking

over at the clock, she realized that breakfast would be ready before long, so she decided

to go ahead and get up. There wasn't enough time to get back to sleep anyway.

The palace held onto the night's stillness. Only a few servants and guards were

moving around as Krissa left her room. Normally she wouldn't consider herself a

"morning person", but the song she heard in her dream made it impossible to sit still. She

repeated it as she wandered about the palace without any goal.

"Twelve companions all will travel, Eleven this song try to unravel, Ten don't know

which is the way, Nine are going to have to pay," she mumbled as she turned a corner.

"Eight are wondering what they will find, Seven speak with mouth and mind, Six shall

get a brand new name, Five will never be the same…" She stepped out onto the rooftop

garden. It was so peaceful in the early morning light. "Four the enemy will take; Three

have choices they must make," she sighed. At least she wasn't the only one that would

have to make a decision. "Two have powers they must use or one friend in death will

lose." Krissa shuddered. Were they truly ready for all they were getting themselves into?

She walked over and sat on a bench. Well, obviously Krissa wouldn't figure this one out

on her own. She sighed again.

AUTHOR BIO

I grew up in Vermont mostly and now live in Virginia with my family (those still at home). My husband and I have a blended family of seven kids. My childhood was spent moving around a lot. (non-military) About five years ago, we started home-schooling our youngest children. Now there are only two remaining in home-school. I have tried to nurture the love of books in our children and now our grandchildren -- always nurturing their imaginations. Recently, I have become active in our community with literacy, starting a local (and online) creative writing club and volunteer tutoring at the Adult Learning Center.

I struggle with Fibromyalgia and PTSD. So, have to be careful not to overdo things... I don't always listen to my own advice. I have a dry, sarcastic and corny sense of humor and always try to look at things optimistically. (again not always successful) However, I feel that if I don't give up -- for long -- then things will work out for the best eventually.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook

Jewel of Nirel TourFacebook Event

Twitter

Website

Snow Flower Enterprises

AmazonAuthor

Goodreads

BOOK LINKS

AmazonKindle

AmazonPaperback

B&N

Goodreads

Smashwords

http://asyouwishtours.blogspot.com/

Always & Forever ~ Sizzling Summer Blog Hop

http://www.theromancetroupe.com/

Welcome to my contribution to the Sizzling Summer Blog Hop, organized by The Romance Troupe. So, for this hop, the participants are all picking their favorite sizzling scene from either their own books or a book they've read and loved. 

I had a hard time deciding which sizzling scene to choose, but I finally decided to give you Zach and Lilly's first kiss from my first novel, Always & Forever.  Enjoy!

Excerpt from Always & Forever

Copyright Chantel Rhondeau 2012

He leaned into her, testing her limits. She didn’t back away. “I could go to the store. What do you need?”

She smiled at him—the first time since dinner. “All you need is an appetite. I’ll do the shopping. I’m not sure you’d know what to buy to make salad.”

“Hey.” He grasped her hand and put it over his heart. “Words hurt, you know?”

“I think you’re tough enough to handle it.” She leaned into him and placed a quick peck on his cheek. Her soft hair brushed across his face, swirling her scent around him.

That wouldn’t do it for him. He needed more. Zach leaned toward her.

She opened her door and slipped out of the car. “Goodnight, Zach. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He sat, stunned, watching as she closed the door and walked toward her house. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to happen. Not twice in a row.

Zach jumped out of the car and ran up the walk, intercepting her on the porch as she unlocked the front door. “Invite me in for a nightcap?” He grasped her hand, praying she wouldn’t disappear into the house again.

Several emotions flitted across the surface of her face before she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have work tomorrow.”

“Come on, pumpkin.” He grinned and pulled her gently toward him, inhaling her sweet fragrance when she moved. “It’s not that late.”

“Yes, cupcake, but you have a busy day of writing ahead of you.” She pulled her hand free from his.

“It is our second date. Haven’t you thought about this at all?” he tried again, stepping into her personal space. “I’ve been dreaming of it every night since I met you.”

He closed the remaining distance between them, placing his palm across her back and pulling her body into his. He loved the feel of her small breasts pressing snuggly against him, the fabric of her shirt moving in and out as her breath quickened.

Zach framed her face in his hands and tilted her head upward, loosing himself in the sparkling depths of her eyes. He ran his fingers through her soft, waterfall of hair, and stroked her gently arched back.

“Zach?” Her voice quavered and she touched his lips with the tip of her finger. “What are you doing?”

He closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her hesitant touch. “Isn’t it obvious?” he asked, when she moved her hand away.

He brushed his mouth against hers. As their lips touched, a delicious shudder went through Lilly’s body. He sensed her fragility, knew he had to move slowly. He didn’t want to scare her. A light, closed-mouthed kiss was all she could handle. Satisfied she did feel something for him, Zach pulled away.

Lilly’s arms snaked around him, pulling him back to her, and her lips pressed against his with more purpose. She opened her mouth, and her tongue flicked out to touch his lips. A groan ripped from him. He needed no further encouragement to deepen the kiss.

He ran his hand against her side and gently palmed her breast. Her nipple tightened under the light silk as his thumb grazed across it. Lilly made a soft noise of feminine desire that drove him wild.

The intoxicating smell of lavender filled his nostrils and blotted out any other scent. That flowery fragrance was all Lilly, and she smelled so sweet. He was unable to hide his arousal as her lithe body brushed against him.

Her hand strayed from his neck and came agonizingly close to his beltline before she ran it up his shirt.

He slid his mouth off hers to find the sweet, sensitive skin below her earlobe. She uttered a small, urgent moan as he kissed the area, sucking lightly, not quite hard enough to mark her.

Lilly’s hot kisses brushed across his neck, and her hands found their way under his shirt. She stroked his abs with a gentle touch, breaking down the control Zach tried to maintain.

“Let’s take this inside.” His voice sounded ragged in his own ears.

The movement of her hands stilled. As though his words broke the spell, she stepped away from him. “What am I thinking?” She shook her head frantically. “This can’t happen. Not now.”

Want to read more? Check out links to buy either of my books at the Books by Chantel tab.

In addition to the fabulous prizes you can win through the hop itself as grand prizes, I'm also offering a $10 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner's choice) for one lucky person who comments below! Just leave me your email address in the comment and you'll be entered. Winner will be chosen at random after the hop ends. Good luck. 

Thanks for reading my post. For more super sizzling scenes, check out the other participants of the hop. Don't forget to comment on their blogs with your email address for more entries into the main giveaway! Happy reading and thanks for stopping by! 

Winners will be chosen using Random.org

A winning blog will be chosen via random.org for each prize and then another number will be drawn to determine the winning commenter. Only comments with email addresses will be considered valid entries for the prizes. This process will be repeated for all prizes. The Romance Troupe will not retain any contributions past the date of the event. All monies collected will be distributed as prizes for the event.

Wondering what the grand prizes are? You could win......

An iPAD MINI

(US ONLY)

(Alternate prize for international winner)

OR

Grand Prize #2

$50 Amazon/B&N Gift Card

+ Several Surprise Digital Books

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #1

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #2

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

We can't wait to meet you!

Follow all Hop announcements via

www.theromancetroupe.com

and on Twitter hashtag

#SizzlingHop

http://www.theromancetroupe.com/p/romance-troupe-4th-of-july-bash.html