Cover Reveal and Giveaway - Good Wood by LG Pace III and Michelle Pace

Synopsis

"It’s the sign of a true artisan when he can create beauty from what others consider trash. It takes heart to use a twisted bit of scrap and make something from it as if it were good wood.”

Somehow Joe survived the unlivable, and now he's just going through the motions. An endless string of one night stands does little to dull the ache from all he's lost. Even though he distracts himself daily with back-breaking work, his violent rage still simmers just under the surface.

Then along comes Molly, the feisty baby sister of his two best friends. Joe hasn’t seen her in years, and he's unprepared for his reaction to her when she falls out of the food truck and into his arms. Molly is still as mouthy ever, and now she's as delicious as the food she's serving up. It's totally against "The Bro Code", but he just can't seem to keep his hands off of her.

Molly has come back home to Austin to mend fences and feed a whole new crowd. Dealing with Joe's demons doesn't figure into her business model. Something is very different about him and she craves the ‘Old Joe’ she used to have a crush on.

Still, the broody carpenter's swagger is damn near irresistible. And all work and no play makes Molly a cranky girl.

Excerpt

“Where were we?” I asked, pulling him to me by his front belt loop.

His movements were stilted, at first, like he was trying to buy some time to figure out an exit strategy. Then, as if in slow motion, his mouth dropped to my neck and the way his stubble scratched against my flesh made me shudder. “We were about to make a huge mistake.”

“What makes you say that?” I sighed. My fingers gripped his hair as if they had a mind of their own.

He nipped my earlobe as his fingertips skimmed along my outer thighs, lifting the hem of my dress a few inches before dropping it again. When he whispered in my ear, I broke out in gooseflesh. “I’m not the kind of guy you’re looking for. I don’t date.”

“What a coincidence. Neither do I. Guess that makes you exactly the kind of guy I’m looking for.” His wet lips continued to toy with me and I could feel my knees threatening to buckle. Then his mouth was on mine and our ferocious kisses made me dizzy. Before I was aware it was happening, he lowered me onto the couch. The delicious weight of him against me was practically unbearable and my hands roamed his firm body, frustrated at the layers of clothing between us. Demandingly, I reached between his legs. Years of pent up frustration were boiling over inside me. The massive bulge I found waiting for me exceeded my wildest expectations.

He pulled his lips from mine and pushed back from me slightly. I was so frustrated I nearly cried out in alarm. By the faint light of the lamp, his intense green gaze locked on me. “This’ll only be a one-time thing. If you’re smart you’ll ask me to go. Now.”

“No one ever accused me of being smart.” I purred. He exhaled slowly, and his thumb caressed my bottom lip. I nipped at it playfully, trying my best to maintain some control over him…since I’d lost all control of myself.

“Molly.” My name had never sounded so fucking good.

“Yeah, Joe?” I reached out for the top button of his shirt and I could feel his heart pounding as I struggled to undo it.

“Don’t ask me to go.”

About The Authors

L.G.Pace III has spent several decades pouring creative energy into other things besides writing. He began his current journey by telling his two daughters bedtime stories about a magical realm and a hero named Terel. Though that story is still sitting unfinished in the electronic universe he has managed to bring two other stories out of the dark maelstrom of his mind for others to enjoy.

He dwells in the great state of Texas with his wife, novelist Michelle Pace and their children.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Michelle Pace lives in north Texas with her husband, Les, who is also a novelist. An Iowan native, she is the mother of two lovely daughters, Holly and Bridgette, and one uber-charismatic son, Kai. A former singer and actress, Michelle has always enjoyed entertaining people and is excited to continue to do so as a writer.

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Other titles by Michelle Pace

Fury (Sound Wave Series #1)

Rage (Sound Wave Series #2)

The Perpetual Quest for the Perfect Life (Jefferson Point #1)

Something’s Come Up

Crazy Love

Giveaway

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The Middle Finger, Justice Crew and Singing (and rapping) for your Supper (and Weenuses)

Last night was a fairly unusual affair.     Dinner wasn't the regular meal where there is often a lot of yelling (Mr Xbox) crying (me - because I've spent "all day"(last half hour) cooking this (vaguely) "nutritious" meal for the family to "enjoy"(shut up and eat).   Mr Comedy usually looks at it and says he's full which roughly translates to 'not eating this shit'.   Mr Maker thinks that the more he talks, the more we won't realise it's a ruse to not having eaten anything, and Mr Paleo manages to spread his food around the plate to make it look like he eaten more than he has.

Anyway the first surprise of the day was that everyone was enjoying the food - probably because we were all eating different things: Fried rice with leftover roast for myself and Mr Xbox.   Mr Paleo and Mr Maker were finishing off the tuna casserole that they actually liked from the other night, and Mr Comedy wanted his new favourite pasta, meat ravioli - usually plain but this time he had the gross wonderful idea of pouring half a bottle of sweet chilli sauce on it in some sort of italian / asian fusion dish.   At least he ate it.

But the weirder stuff was the conversation.

A lengthy discussion about the Middle Finger led to the decision that it will be banned from this house (to go with the previous banning of the words: stupid, idiot, moron, hate, loser, fat as well as the usual swear words).  However it was decided that in the event of a demon killing two people and then attempting to steal your burger, the middle finger is appropriate in this case.   Thanks Mr Maker!

Mr Paleo challenges Mr Xbox and myself to sing if he  'lays down some phat beats'.   We both refuse because neither of us can sing, we can't be bothered, it is dinner time.

Mr Maker is all about Justice Crew at the moment, so I'm not so subtly dropping hints about dance classes.  No go at this stage.  He's more interested the video for 'Everybody' where they teleport to the party from their work.   Mr Xbox is just confused because he still thinks the song 'Everybody' belongs to The Backstreet Boys.

  Personally, I prefer the video for 'Boom Boom', particularly from about 3.05 onwards. Wink wink.

Anyway, Mr Maker launches into song which prompts Mr Comedy to do the same as some sort of sing-off.  You both win, seriously.    I'm not Will.i.am so cannot really say if it's good or bad.

Giving up on the song,  Mr Maker decides to go the rapping route where he rhymes cool, rule and drool as in "I'm so cool, so I rule, but I don't drool" or something.  And then rhymes 'awesome' with 'possum' which strangely seems to work.

Not wishing to be left out, Mr Paleo announces "I'm slowly rubbing my weenus."  Look it up, it's not as creepy as it sounds.

Then Mr Maker starts singing a song about a Rock 'n' Roll Spleen while playing air bass guitar.

Mr Comedy has actually been a little quiet but goes over to Mr Xbox to tell him something.   Mr Maker then proceeds to interrupt just to tell Mr Comedy that "it's rude to interrupt and could he please stop doing it."

So that concludes our slightly more unusual dinner.    And now back to our regular program.

Book Spotlight - Between Heartbreak and Happiness by Sarka-Jonae Miller

The new book from Sárka-Jonae Miller, MARSocial Author of the Year, runner-up,  is out. Between Heartbreak and Happiness is the third book in the Between Boyfriends series of romantic comedies. The first book, Between Boyfriends, is a #3 Amazon best seller. Between Heartbreak and Happiness completes the trilogy set in San Diego with trips to Bangkok, Sydney, Los Angeles, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Manhattan.

Between Heartbreak and Happiness 

Jan Weston is heading to the land Down Under to meet her long-lost grandfather, leaving the man she thinks is the love of her life back in Los Angeles. Instead of a pretentious gentleman with a didgeridoo up his bum, Jan is greeted by a Hawaiian shirt wearing surfie to whom she couldn’t possibly be related. 

Jan gets to know her grandfather Brady while experiencing everything Sydney has to offer, from hanging out at Bodhi Beach to visiting local spas (if she happens to find ideas to steal for a future business, even better). The final pieces of her family’s puzzling past are revealed and for the first time, Jan feels connected to a blood relation, but her need to return to Pan is a constant pull. 

When the lovebirds are reunited, they realize neither have a solution for what to do when Pan’s job ends and he must fly home to Thailand. If she could make her spa a reality, maybe there’d be a place for him there, and with her, forever? But Jan’s life is never easy. As she questions her lover’s commitment, her ability to run a business, and her sanity, Jan realizes that all the things she never considered might be exactly what she needs. BETWEEN HEARTBREAK AND HAPPINESS is an inspirational story of love, family, taking risks, and following your heart.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes (coming soon)

And don't forget to check out the first book in the series, Between Boyfriends

At first glance, twenty-one-year-old Jan Weston has it all: a gorgeous boyfriend, fun friends, and wealthy parents who take care of all those pesky credit card bills. 

Then her boyfriend dumps her, her friendships fall apart, and her parents cut her off. Suddenly without money, without a man, and without a plan, it's time for Jan to grow up. 

Determined to get her life back on track, Jan decides it's time to make it on her own. Can she find her way as a single lady in San Diego? Can she fix her friendships, her job prospects, and her hair? And can she keep her vow that she'll never date again, even after she meets a guy who just might be perfect for her? BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is a sexy, hilarious story of living life, finding love, and growing up... but not necessarily in that order.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes 

Book Spotlight / Excerpt / 99 cent Sale - Is This All There Is by Patricia Mann (Last Days!!!)

My friend and fellow Booktrope author, Patricia Mann's wonderful novel is currently on sale for 99 cents.   Get it now on Amazon and check out my review when I joined Patricia's blog tour last year.

In the meantime, please enjoy this fabulous excerpt and small peek into Patricia's life.

Is This All There Is? 

Beth Thomas’ seemingly perfect life is about to take a detour. At thirty-five, she’s married to her college sweetheart, has two adorable kids, and finds fulfillment teaching part time at the local university.

But when a friend persuades her to go dancing on a rare night out, a chance meeting with a handsome former student changes the course of her life. Loud music, too much to drink, and the thrill of feeling young again lead to an unforgettable kiss that was never supposed to happen. Beth feels wanted again, listened to, cared for, but she knows it’s wrong.

She tries to put the memory behind her, but he pursues her, drawing Beth back to temptation. As she travels deeper into Dave’s world, Beth struggles to choose between what her mind says is right and what she truly craves.

Introduction to the excerpt:

This excerpt is loosely based on my real life, with a bit of exaggeration thrown in for fun. Many years ago, when my first son was little, I took him to mommy and me classes at Gymboree. With my second son, we switched to the YMCA, which offered a similar but more affordable option.

The description of Beth and Jack at their mommy and me class in chapter four was inspired by my Gymboree experience. Living in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the moms were quite an eclectic mix of characters and I never really felt I fit in. Don’t get me wrong, they were all perfectly nice, but for some reason I wasn’t comfortable with them. Looking back I realize that maybe it was more because I was a young, insecure, new mom more than anything else.

Please don’t judge me for the less than flattering descriptions of the Gymboree moms. Hyperbole makes for good fiction, don’t you think? And Mandy is based on the real teacher, whose actual name was Candy, if you can believe that. Candy was so pretty and thin even though she had four kids, which made me feel like even more of a pathetic, exhausted, chubby schlub than I would have without her. But the real Mandy/Candy was kind and very knowledgeable about all things baby-related so the way she’s portrayed in the Q&A scene here is a complete fabrication. I think because I’m always trying to be so nice to everyone, somehow a little bit of “mean girl” crept out of me for this part of the book. Better in writing than reality, right?

Excerpt:
Chapter 4: Distracted Mommy

All I could think about was how many hours were left until my dinner with Shelly as I sang “The Wheels on the Bus.” Jack tried to escape but I reeled him back in to serve out the rest of his circle time sentence. Our teacher Mandy was too alert and too skinny to be the mother of four, as she claimed. Someone once told me that her husband was a Hollywood film producer so I figured she must have a nanny for each child. Her bony hands danced above her head as she sang “The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout,” and I wondered how much she paid for the eye surgery that gave her that permanently astonished look.
“So what questions do you have for me this week?” she asked when we finished singing.
Several hands shot up.
“Well, Tyler had this weird red spot on his left earlobe so of course we rushed him to the ER and they said…” I debated whether two glasses of wine with dinner would be enough or if I’d have to order a third. Yeah, three. Definitely three. I’ll need that much to relax and open up.
Mandy called on the mom with fake boobs who drove the white Lexus SUV and was always replenishing the stack of business cards they allowed her to leave on the front counter. I never bothered to read one of them, needing no confirmation that the word “realtor” would undoubtedly appear beneath her name. Her question had something to do with how long it’s acceptable to leave your baby in a playpen while you work out, shower, and talk to clients on the phone.
I jiggled a big ring of fake yellow and blue keys in front of Jack’s face to keep him from trying to flee again. It seemed unfair, with all that tempting gymnastic equipment just inches away. Like all of us, Jack just wanted more free-play time, time to roam, and explore without restrictions. I tried to tune into the next question. “When I need Hunter to skip his nap so he’ll go to bed early, I put a little of my espresso in his bottle but then…” I wondered how often Shelly and Max were having sex. We could never talk about that with the kids around. I hoped I’d find an appropriate opening in the conversation to ask her, but reminding myself that the wine would be flowing, I figured I’d probably just blurt it out in the middle of some unrelated subject.

***

Finally, at the very end of question time, with visible reluctance, Mandy called on the mom with black-rimmed glasses, hair the exact same color, and a UCLA sweatshirt. Her hand had been raised the entire time.
“I read on the internet that disposable diapers can cause infertility in boys. I’m really worried about this but I can’t afford a cloth diaper service.”
Mandy rolled her eyes and laughed. “Well that’s just ridiculous. I’ve never heard anything about that.”
“No, really, a number of scientists claim that the plastic in the diapers heats up boys’ testicles to such a high degree that the cells supporting sperm production don’t develop properly.”
Mandy waved a chiseled arm in the air and shook her head back and forth.
“What will they come up with next? I tell you, those scientists should be focusing on something important, like curing cancer.”
I tried to make eye contact with the UCLA mom, wanting her to know that someone did understand her concerns. But she didn’t see me. She was focused on Mandy, who had turned away from her to look at the giant clown clock on the wall.
“Well that’s all the time we have for questions today, is everybody ready for the bye-bye song? Bye bye Harrington, bye bye Serenity, bye bye Precious, we’ll see you again next week. Bye bye Jack, bye bye…”
When the class was over and all the mothers stood in line to sign up for the next month, I quietly slipped out the back door.

Submissions, Signs and Signatures AKA I've just signed with Booktrope!

It's funny how something you don't think about too much, that you just do on a whim, can lead you into a whole new direction.

Booktrope are a publishing company based in Seattle who have pioneered a concept called Team Publishing.    You get many of the benefits of self-publishing but with the support of a traditional publisher.

It started when a post from Sarka-Jonae Miller (Book Spotlight coming soon)  arrived on my newsfeed asking for  self-published authors looking for a book deal.     I have really only submitted my work a handful of times, not actively seeking deals (and of course having no luck)  but figured there was nothing to lose so put Flirting with Magick through.

This was my mindset throughout the experience:

Day 1-6

Submitted book.   Not really thinking too much about it at this stage.    Would be nice to get through but plans are already in place and nothing will change if nothing happens.   Have received some info but of course I don't want to get too involved.  They might not take it and I don't want to get myself all worked up!

Day 7

Sarka replies saying she enjoyed it (Yay!) and would be happy to refer it.   (Yes please).   It's great that it got past that first screening.   But I'm not going to think too much about it.

Day 8-9

Still not going to think too much about it, but having been reading all about it and it sounds pretty good.

Day 10

Get an email from Jesse James Freeman, the Community Manager, after Sarka e-introduced us.   He gives me more information which I'm trying not to think about nor get too excited about because really, it's fine if they don't take my book.    I ask some questions but they are pretty lame, and contact Facebook friends and booktrope authors Patricia Mann (excerpt and guest post coming up)  and Meredith Schorr who have also both recently featured on my blog (that's a sign, right?) They both tell me that Booktrope is wonderful!


Day 14

Haven't heard for a few days.     I consult some free tarot readings and psychic signs to see if it tells me anything.

Day 15

Get an email from Jesse apologising as he has been away but that my manuscript is still being reviewed.  (Arrgh) That's cool.   I'm not fussed.   (Yeah, ok, I'm a little anxious)   But I do ask a few more (better) questions.    Do another online psychic reading, even though I really don't care. Really. OK, I do.  A little bit.   I haven't done tarot or readings in years!  They're fun.

Day 16

Wake up to an email and it's the answers to my questions.    Jesse is sounding very positive but I don't want to read into it.  Read email to my husband and friends to see if they can overanalyse as well as I can.  (They can)


Day 17

Wake to an email asking about my full name.  I squee but hold it in and send back a very formal and cool reply like 'yes, that is correct.'  Because it's still not a yes and might be very simply a formalised 'no', possibly.

Later that day:

Receive an email asking if I would accept a contract.    I sit on it for a bit, as though  the chances are there that I might not and I get asked this all the time.   Then I accept, a contract is sent through, and I sign it.

The End

Actually that is just the beginning!    Sarka will be my book manager and I will select a team to help with the re-release of Flirting with Magick!    Well tell you more soon.  

Blog Tour - On Grace by Susie Orman Schnall

Description

Grace May is truly excited about turning 40 in a few months. And now that her boys are both in school and she has a stimulating new writing job, the next chapter in her life can finally begin. She can’t wait to rediscover the intelligent and interesting woman deeply buried under the layers of mother and wife. But when Grace loses her job and gets unexpected news from her husband and her best friend, life suddenly gets complicated. Grace stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. But by her 40th birthday party, Grace will realize who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace..

About Susie Orman Schnall

 

Originally from Los Angeles, Susie Orman Schnall graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Schnall has written for national and local publications about parenting and health. She lives in New York with her husband and their three young boys. ON GRACE is her debut novel.  

http://www.susieschnall.com/

https://twitter.com/susieschnall

https://www.facebook.com/SusieOrmanSchnall?fref=ts

My review

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this story, not least because I'm also careening towards the big four-oh,  a stay at home mother with boys of similar age, and am constantly questioning my role in life and family.    Grace was a relatable character, with a lot of inner conversation and it was nice to see she wasn't perfect.    The people in Grace's life and those she meets were familiar as everyday people, although I did feel as though I only got a glimpse into many of them.  No one was over the top or unrealistic.   It was easy to understand many of the challenges and decisions she had to make.    I felt like I was getting a peek into a neighbour or friend's personal life, behind closed doors.

I would definitely recommend this novel and look forward to reading Susie's next.

February or Forever - New Release by Juliet Madison. (Book Spotlight and Excerpt)

I recently read Juliet's 'romagic' debut "Fast Forward" and absolutely loved it so was very happy to offer a new release post for the second book in her Tarrin's Bay series, February or Forever.   I haven't started this series yet, but being a small town girl myself, I'm looking forward to it.   Read on for an excerpt and where to buy.

FEBRUARY OR FOREVER by Juliet Madison

Genre: Contemporary coastal romance, women’s fiction.

Available worldwide from all ebook retailers 1st February.

Published by Escape Publishing.

In this heartwarming coastal romance, Escape bestselling author Juliet Madison asks, what if your favourite celebrity fell in love with you?

Yoga teacher and single mother, Chrissie Burns has a plan: move into the rundown beach house left to her by her deceased aunt, renovate it, sell it, and move on. The scene of a terrible accident years ago, the house needs to get out of Chrissie's hands as soon as possible.

But Tarrin's Bay, where the house stands, has more to offer than bad memories. The town is lovely, the people friendly, and even Chrissie's young son finds friends and begins coming out of his shell. Employed at Serendipity Retreat as a yoga instructor, Chrissie is shocked to be given the role of private teacher to Drew Williams, Australia’s top singer/songwriter for the month.

Relationships between instructors and clients are strictly forbidden, but Drew draws happiness out of Chrissie with his down-to-earth nature and sense of humour. Days of stretching and bending may bring Chrissie unexpected peace and strength, but she knows that this interlude must end, and there's no pose or position to aid her when Drew walks away and leaves her broken-hearted. 

Excerpt:

A stronger breeze rose in the air and Chrissie shivered. ‘I should have brought a cardi.’

‘Me too. I mean, not a cardi, a male version of such an item, a...’

Chrissie raised her eyebrows. ‘Lost for words?’

‘I’ve gone blank! What’s that thing, you know, that covers your arms and keeps you warm?’

‘I’m not helping you out, I want to watch you struggle.’ She placed her hands on her hips in amusement.

‘Oh man, this jet lag must have frozen my brain.’ He twirled his finger in the air as though trying to summon the correct word. ‘Jacket! A jacket! Geez, it must be past my bedtime.’

Chrissie laughed.

Drew glanced at her arms as she rubbed them. ‘If I had a jacket, I’d do the gentlemanly thing and wrap it around you.’ His voice was softer now, more genuine.

‘Like they do in the movies, huh?’

He nodded.

‘Oh well, what a shame. I’ll survive.’ Chrissie held her arms close to her body and continued watching the fireworks, when a pair of arms slid around her from behind, superimposing themselves on top of hers and spreading warmth across her skin.

‘Will these do instead?’ Drew asked gently. ‘I’ll be a human jacket.’

A soft smile floated onto Chrissie’s lips. ‘Even better,’ she whispered. ‘I mean, body heat and all that.’

His arms covered hers, pushing more warmth into her skin and sending fireworks of her own off in her belly. The way he held her from behind was so natural, so effortless, so...perfect. They fit together, like a lock and a key, like a piece of timber slotting into the groove in another piece of timber, forming a strong supportive structure. They stood like that, gazing at the explosions that had nothing on the ones going off inside, until a smoky grey blackness hung in the sky.

The display might be over, but whatever was happening between them was not.    

Buy Now: Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon Aus / iTunes / Kobo / B&N Nook / GooglePlay / All Romance / Ebooks.Com / Booktopia / JB Hi-Fi / Big W / Escape Publishing

Watch the Book Video Trailer:  http://youtu.be/TI3adsN70VQ

Visit Juliet online: website, blog, facebook, Goodreads, and twitter.