Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Book Spotlight - Between Boyfriends by Sarka-Jonae Miller

Between Boyfriends is available for purchase on Amazon and Amazon UK. Take advantage of our JANuary sale through 1/31 and get the novel for only $0.99.



Book Description 
Jan Weston has always been boy crazy, but when "the one" breaks her heart she vows to change. Jan quits dating and takes a hard look at herself, discovering that she does not like the flawed woman she sees in the mirror. 

Thus begins Jan's hilarious adventure of trying to find her way as a single lady, a journey that begins with her mother discovering she dropped out of San Diego State University to attend massage school. Mrs. Weston is furious at being lied to and cuts Jan off. Now Jan is without a guy, her American Express card, and a way to pay for school. Instead of merely nursing a broken heart, she now has to deal with rejection from her parents and the joys that come along with working for a living. 

But maybe that is exactly what she needs. She is forced to change how she treats people and to reconsider her values. She starts to lean on her friends and discovers who really cares. She also accepts help from the last place she expected: Juan, the hot guy at her massage school who she had written off as a joke. But can Jan really change or is she just between boyfriends?

 Excerpt
-->
“So, what happened with Mike? Are you OK? Did you get dumped again?”
Jan knew it was obvious. She might as well go down the street to a tattoo parlor and have “reject” permanently etched into her forehead.
“Yes, but I’m over all that. I’ve given up dating. I’m focusing on . . . ” Oh no, I have to say something, “ . . . school. And my health. I’ve started working out.” Jan hated lying to Raven but rationalized that it was already tomorrow somewhere.
Raven cocked her head to the right like a curious puppy. “You’ve given up on dating?”
“Well, I’ve just realized that dating is a ridiculous concept and is better left to people without hearts.”
“Like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz?”
Jan took a drink of her iced tea. It tasted delicious after she had spiked it with three Splenda packets she had kept in her purse.
“No,” Jan answered. She began to feel confused again. She just didn’t know how to explain her logic. “It’s just that most relationships end in either breakup or divorce. So why bother? A lot of girls seem to jump into them even when it’s obvious that it’s not going to work out.”
Raven nodded. “Yeah, I know a lot of girls like that. Some guys too. They want someone to tell them they’re attractive, take them out, and to keep on reserve for weddings and parties. Sometimes, it’s worse though. They need a guy to give them an identity. If they aren’t someone’s girlfriend they feel lost because they don’t know who they are.”
I wonder if she ever thought that about me? Jan fidgeted with her straw.
“It’s weird isn’t it?” she agreed. She thought back on times she had panicked because she couldn’t find a date for a social event. “If you believe in soul mates then there’s only one person out there for you, so why stay with someone once it was clear they weren’t ‘the One?'”
“Well, define ‘clear,’” Raven challenged kindly. Jan couldn’t. “Besides, if a girl doesn’t know who she is then she won’t know what she wants out of a relationship. I hear things all the time in the salon from girls who date guys that never take them out, flirt with their best friends, blow them off consistently, and forget their birthdays or anniversaries. But these girls make up excuses instead of seeing the obvious truth that their boys just aren’t that into them.”
Jan opened her mouth to rant about what jerks those men were, but Raven cut her off.
“But it isn’t only the guys’ faults. These girls let them get away with it. They may verbalize to their guy that it’s not OK, but they stay with him no matter how many times he screws up. Their actions say it’s all right so why would the guy change?”
Jan was stunned. It had never occurred to her that men may notice her actions and draw assumptions. She counted on people to listen to her words and forgive her tone, body language and actions inconsistent with what she said.
“But shouldn’t guys be considerate and loving to their girlfriends irregardless?”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “Why would you date a guy that wasn’t considerate to begin with? Why agree to become his girlfriend when his actions say that he doesn’t love you?”
Jan’s perception jumped to a new height. She felt like someone had switched on a spotlight and an iceberg had appeared in front of her. She choked on the emotions, ideas, and opinions clambering for attention. She’d never really considered having a choice in becoming someone’s girlfriend, or that there should be a prerequisite for monogamy. Obtaining a boyfriend was the point of dating, wasn’t it? Why bother otherwise, and why take it slow if it is what you wanted? Then again, she had to admit that a lot of the guys she had dated had been jerks, some from the moment she had met them. So, why had she pursued them?
“I guess that makes sense,” Jan answered. “I’m not sure that people care so much about finding a great person that treats them well as they do about finding someone who’s attractive and willing to spend time with them.”
Raven shrugged. “Personally, I’m much happier spending time with my friends, male or female, that make me feel good rather than with a boyfriend that brings me down.”
Jan couldn’t help but wonder, Is there any other kind?

Author Bio
Sárka-Jonae is a novelist and a health blogger from San Diego. She has a BS in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and writes for many popular websites. Before writing full-time, Sárka-Jonae was a personal fitness trainer and massage therapist. 
Sárka-Jonae practices yoga and kung fu. She is an animal love and an avid traveler, having visited Costa Rica, Canada, England, Mexico, and Paradise Island. She has also been to France and Thailand researching her next books.




Author Links

Monday, January 28, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Author Interview - Louise Wise

For my new regular feature, Author Interviews, I would like to introduce Louise Wise, author of The Fall of the Misanthrope: I bitch, therefore I am, a slightly darker take on the chicklit genre.   

Read on for Louise's interesting and entertaining answers and an excerpt from her book.


Tell me about your latest book:
The Fall of the Misanthrope: I  bitch, therefore I am is a darker than normal chick lit book. I like realism in my books, and wanted to write about someone who is seriously flawed and my character Valerie Anthrope is struggling to cope with her depression by ignoring it completely.

What inspired you to write this story?
Initially, it was through the movie The Devil Wears Prada, it didn’t focus too deeply on Miranda Priestly and I felt she was very unhappy and wanted to know more about her character than the actual main one! I also thought Andrea Sachs was weak for letting her walk all over her, and so wanted someone to stand up to Valerie Anthrope.


Tell me a little about your Works in Progress:
The draft has just been finished for my forth book. Still in a chick lit theme, but I have an older character who ends up back in time in the 70s, and able to change where she felt it all went wrong in her life. Researching that era is so nostalgic!


For any new readers who would like to read your work, please tell me a little about your past books. 
A Proper Charlie: UK - http://amzn.to/Qxv3w6  USA -  http://amzn.to/PHLrL8 is a typically chick lit book, but with the added ingredient of realism. Here, my character Charlie Wallis is a girl who wants the two C’s: commitment (from her boyfriend) and a career (she’s the office gofer), and decides to do something about it. It’s a fun-feel book.

Eden: UK -  http://amzn.to/QT4X7e USA -  http://amzn.to/UCxHly is my first published novel, and one of my best-sellers. It’s a sci-fi romance, and definitely for the over 18s! It has just four characters, and three of them are astronauts chosen to explore a newly discovered planet (Eden). But things go wrong and the female of the crew (Jenny) is left behind. On the planet is the only survivor of an alien spaceship, who isn’t happy to see their arrival. It’s a story of survival, acceptance and romance. Reviewers have described it as ‘Beauty and the Beast’ or ‘Adam and Eve’.


Do you have a favourite writing snack?
No, I try and only eat at mealtimes, because one I start, I don’t stop! I drink coffee or tea throughout the day, though.


If a movie was made about your book, who would be in your ideal cast?
Misanthrope is a British book, so I’d like all Brits to star. Julie Andrews, with her cut-glass English accent could play my older character, Ellen.

Catherine Zeta Jones would play the damaged Valerie, and for my male lead I need someone who’s flirty, arrogant, playboyish, er, Brendan Fraser? I know he’s not British, but I’ll make an exception for him!

Do you have a character you’ve enjoyed writing the most?
Bossy Ellen (Julie Andrews) was fun. I had to cut many scenes with her because she just took over. I had a matronly woman in mind when I wrote her, a mumsy type who just wanted to mother everyone, whether they wanted it or not!


What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?
I like watching reality TV (great for characterisation!) and I’m a bit of a foodie, so enjoy visiting restaurants with friends.

What sort of books do you like to read?
Chick-lit, or romance with a sub-genre. I enjoy Dean Koontz’s sci-fi thrillers, as well. I also like to read a lot of non-fiction.


Do you have any advice for people wanting to write their own book?
My advice is controversial: Do not publish your first book. Write several books before you even think about publishing.


What parts of the writing process do you love and hate the most?
Love: Meeting other writers, and unbelievably, marketing!
Hate: Not having the time to sit and write. You know, when real life gets in the way. Grrr

Thank you Louise! 


 Where to find Louise:  Blog   Facebook   Twitter    Pinterest    Amazon Author


 

The Fall of The Misanthrope: I bitch, therefore I am



 

I thought you were the type of man who could handle a one-night stand.'

The Fall of the Misanthrope is a hilarious tale of one woman's handling of the modern world. Snowed under with work, drinking espressos and popping energy pills to keep her awake at night to avoid a recurring nightmare, she plays with her health when she realises the depression, which caused her mother to kill herself, has caught her.

Bossy Ellen Semple thinks she has the answer: maternal love and cream cakes. 

But Valerie begins dating playboy Lex Kendal, unaware that he's Ellen's nephew and the very reason why her brokerage has taken 'exceptionally good business lately'. Ellen believes his 'bed 'em and leave 'em' ethos will damage Valerie even more but Lex rubbishes her fears.

But it's Lex who falls for Valerie and she dumps him. Then Valerie has a nightmare that turns everything she's ever known the right way up. She'd been walking on a time-bomb. Or is she losing her mind?


Short Excerpt:


T
here was no need for words. Once inside, I walked straight upstairs, my body already aflame. Lex followed, his body so close, every time I took a step up, I brushed against him. We were removing one another’s clothes before the bedroom door had closed behind us. Our mouths seeking one another’s, our hands exploring unfelt flesh.
We didn’t make the bed at first. Lex lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. We made love against my dresser, and again in the bed. I was angry at Ellen’s betrayal. Somehow she’d set out for me and her to meet, and obviously Lex too. But my anger had turned to lust. I wanted Lex or Alex Kendal, and I was going to use him to my advantage.
Revenge was going to be so sweet.

  Buy The Fall of The Misanthrope: I bitch, therefore I am

 The Fall of the Misanthrope is ONLY 77p/$1.24 while on promotion
 


Saturday, January 19, 2013

Author Kate Mathias - Cover Reveal and Review

Check out the fabulous cover for Kate Mathias'  second book in the Silver Oaks Series, Hiding in Plain Sight, created by Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations.     If you haven't read the first book, Worlds Apart, check out my review below and links to buy.


Graham Reynolds has always taken on the role of the protector in his family.  He’s a hard working DEA agent but he has a secret that he’s been keeping his whole life — he can jump to a parallel universe. It’s on one of these jumps that he faces an impossible dilemma. Will he make it in time to save his half sister from the wrath of a mad man? Will Graham be able to deal with the consequences of his actions? 
Lily Bennett is the girl next door that Graham remembers as the shy, quiet childhood friend. All grown up, Lily is now a powerful CFO of her family's business.  Graham saved Lily once when they were children but now Lily may be the only one who can save Graham from his past. Will she be able to pull him out of his darkness and back to her or will he be forever hiding in plain sight?

About the Author 

Kate Mathias is former elementary teacher and real estate agent. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.  

Follow Kate on Twitter @ katemathias  

Add Hiding in Plain Sight to your TBR at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16150824-hiding-in-plain-sight  

 My Review of Worlds Apart (Book 1 in the Silver Oaks Series)

5 Stars.

I really enjoyed this book.

I loved the premise. It was unique, not something I'd read before and it was interesting how both Pip and Piper managed to accept and incorporate each other and each other's lives into their own.

The characters were all likable and easy to think of as the same person, yet not quite. I had no trouble understanding the switch between worlds and the characters were all written so well they all had their individual quirks and personalities so you knew who was who in the different universes.

The storyline was suspenseful, the pacing was great, kept me reading and no spoilers here but the ending surprised me and left me wanting more.

Looking forward to Kate's next book Hiding in Plain Sight.  

Monday, January 14, 2013

Pimp The Indie #1 - Tiffany King

Introducing a new section to the blog - Pimp the Indie!

Every week I'll be promoting an indie author's wonderful book. 

First up we have Tiffany King with her book, Miss Me Not.   It sounds great and has had some fabulous reviews! 

Miss Me Not

Check it out and buy here: http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Me-Not-ebook/dp/B00ABRGUCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357736832&sr=8-1&keywords=miss+me+not

Add the book to your Goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16078992-miss-me-not

And go here for Tiffany's Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tiffany-King/143978505670098?fref=ts