Wednesday 31 July 2013

Taming Johnny by Kaylie Newell, Review

 


Blurb

He's got the temperament of a lion, and she's just the one to tame him.
Police records clerk Emma Beaumont has always played it safe, never taking many risks. Quiet, shy, and a little overweight, she's convinced herself that she's comfortable with the way her life is. That is until she lays eyes on incredibly sexy Lieutenant Johnny Street. But she's never met anyone with such a terrible attitude. He's a jerk. Everyone thinks so.

Little by little, Emma is forced to uncover a stronger, spunkier part of herself, one that isn't afraid to stand up to him. As she gets to know him, she starts seeing glimpses of a very different man. A man who has known great heartache, and as it turns out, has good reason for embracing such bitterness. Behind his sharp tongue and harsh demeanor, lies a young man who's desperately afraid of losing what's left of himself.

As Emma's intense desire for Johnny turns to love, she will have to ask herself how far she'll go to chip away at his frosty heart. And at what cost.

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and strong language

 

Excerpt

"So this is it, huh?"

Johnny could tell she was on the verge of tears.

"You're going to completely shut down, or whatever you do, and not acknowledge what happened between us."

"What's to acknowledge? I was drunk. End of story." Opening the door, he turned. "I don't know what you're hoping for, Beaumont, but I'm not it. Go find a nice accountant or something."

She pursed her lips until they practically disappeared. Her cheeks were on fire. "How dare you? How dare you treat me like that? We're not at work. I didn't have to come here, and you know it. I came here to do you a favor."

"You came here because you wanted to get laid."

She threw her hands in the air. "No wonder no one can stand you! You're unbelievable."

Maybe. But it was working. She'd leave him alone after this.

"They may not like me, but I've never pretended to be something I'm not. Unlike you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She was breathing heavily, her breasts straining underneath the sheer pink blouse that was just a little too tight for business attire. His throat was bone dry, and all of a sudden he wanted another beer. Anything to make whatever this was go away.

"It means that innocent act you put on is a load of crap." That was a lie. He knew damned well she didn't sleep around.

Her mouth hung open. "Excuse me?"

Time to move in for the kill. He leaned closer, ignoring how she smelled, ignoring how her pulse drummed at the hollow of her throat. Ignoring everything but the overwhelming instinct to push her away. "Let's just say I know I wouldn't be the first, Beaumont, or the last."

With cat-like quickness, she slapped him across the face. Hard. "Go to hell."

Before she could turn away, he clamped onto her wrist and yanked her back around.

"You're hurting me."

"Don't ever do that again." He pulled her close. She was rigid, furious. She tried pulling free, but he just tightened his grip. Let her go, Street. Now.

A long, honey colored strand of hair had fallen over one of her eyes, which were settled on him with such hostility that he almost did let her go. Almost. The skin on the inside of her wrist slid against the pad of his fingers like silk. He yanked her even closer, hating himself for being so rough, but not knowing how to be anything else. Her chest brushed up against his, her face only inches away.

"You know what I think?" he said.

Refusing to answer, she continued looking at him like she wanted to stick a knife between his ribs.

"I don't think you want me to let you go." He looked from her eyes, to her lips, to her chest, barely able to stand still next to her. "I think you like this."

She yanked her wrist free with surprising strength, but made no move to back away. "You make me sick."

"You wish I made you sick." As fast as she'd slapped him, he cupped the back of her head and crushed his lips to hers.

My Review

 

Who doesn’t love a tortured hero? And Johnny does a lot more than just tick the boxes! I found this story both sexy and sweet, and a page turner right to the end. Emma is a relatable character right from the beginning, the kind of girl who’s self-conscious and a little shy, but underneath it all she has a huge well of strength and determination.

To begin with Johnny doesn’t want to get involved with Emma, but has always held a bit of a flame for her. The chemistry between them is sizzling, and the push-pull of the relationship is perfectly written. Not only was I totally engrossed in the story but I actually got quite emotional when you get around to understanding why Johnny is the way he is.

I loved every second of this story, and I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll read it again, Johnny is addictive, and this is a romance that you can finish in a day and think about for weeks, so why don’t you pick up a copy and fall in love with him yourself? ;) Thank you Kaylie for another great story!

Buy Links



Tuesday 30 July 2013

Hindsight by Sarah Belle, Guest Post & Giveaway



 
 

Blurb

Humour, wit, and just a touch of humility: the swinging 60s as you’ve never seen them before!

The universe has sent Juliette a sign. She wishes it had been an email instead...

Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.

Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.

As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.

Link to Follow the Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/05/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_25.html



 

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hindsight-ebook/dp/B00D5G5614/ref=la_B00DCEP7K4_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371960576&sr=1-1

Escape: http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990587


 

Author Info

Sarah Belle started her professional life in the hospitality industry, working in some of the roughest hotels in Melbourne in the late Eighties, surrounded by drug dealers, prostitutes, pimps, and undercover police. Tiring of the inherent dangers of her working environment, Sarah completed a business degree and went on to work in the recruitment industry and the Department of Defence, where she met and married the man of her dreams: a dashing, Army Blackhawk pilot. They have four young sons and live on the beautiful Queensland coast, where Sarah's days are spent being a frazzled mum, writer, Bikram Yoga devotee and the only woman in a house of five males.


Guest Post

Let me ask you a question: what do you think of a new genre of Women’s Fiction called ‘Romagic Comedy’?

It’s my own invention – probably not a very good one, but it is better than the Chakra underpants I came up with (so the wearer can have a dedicated Chakra colour, but not necessarily on show – great for those of us who can’t wear Yellow or Orange). The were going to be called ‘Chundies’, so I think that Romagic is a vast improvement.

Like a lot of other writers, the hardest question for me to answer is, "What genre do you write?" There are gazillions of genres and cross-over genres now, so it can be quite daunting just to answer one simple question without babbling like a loon. Just where does HINDSIGHT fit in?

It’s funny. It’s sad. It involves the emotional growth of the protagonist. It’s got romance in it. It involves time travel. It’s set in both modern day and 1961. It could fit in to six different genres.

I am told that Chick Lit is dead – although I don’t believe it. I don’t write straight romance because, for me, the romantic element is secondary to the journey the protagonist takes. So, for all of us who write with a dash, a twist of something supernatural, what do we call our style?

Here’s my answer: I write Romantic Comedy with a dash of magic – Romagic Comedy. What do you think? Is it growing on you yet?

Romantic comedies with a dash of magic captivate me because the entire premise is exceptional – whether it be past or future time travel, hypnosis, waking up dead or in another’s body, being haunted, possessed, the subject of a spell or a wish that has gone wrong – it has me interested because automatically the protagonist is way out of her comfort zone. On top of that, she has to contend with all the conflict and emotional growth the author can throw at her!

I love coming up with a crazy situation, such as waking up in 1961, and then casting the character for whom this situation would create the most turmoil and conflict – a career maniac who is reliant on technology, designer wardrobes, a nanny and housekeeper and cafe lattes to help get her through the day. Enter Juliette Wilde, protagonist of HINDSIGHT. Thank goodness she still has her sense of humour to fall back on!

If you are after more authors of ‘Romagic’ ( I doubt it will ever be adopted by the Oxford Dictionary), you might like to look at the works of: Juliet Madison (fellow Escape Artist), Jenny Colgan, Marian Keyes, Melanie Rose and Kristy Greenwood.

Blurb -

The universe has sent Juliette a sign. She wishes it had been an email instead...
Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.

Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.

As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.

I love talking to readers because no matter what we read or write, we all have something in common – the ability to escape into another’s world for a little while, to live many life times within our own. If you’d like to say hi, you can find me:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Belle-Author/181235018692696?ref=hl

Twitter link https://twitter.com/SarahBelle44

Website : www.lovesarahbelle.com

Blog: www.sarahbelle.me

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Sarah-Belle44

Buy Link (publisher): http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990587

 


Giveaway

To win a digital copy of Hindsight (Amazon or ITunes), just leave your name and email address in the comments sections below!
 

Monday 29 July 2013

My Books on tour!


Hi everybody! I know, I know, it's been ages since I actually wrote a proper post but I have been super busy recently, and quite honestly, when I haven't been busy I've been enjoying the sun. Rare as that is in Wales I hope you'll forgive my being away from the keyboard :)
Anyway, I'll be making that up to you by taking over everybody else's blogs during August! Starting tomorrow I'm going to be touring at a whole load of lovely places that were kind enough to have me. Over the next couple of weeks Business and Pleasure and The Best of Both World will be getting some reviews, excited? Nervous? lol!
Fancy following the tour? Be my guest! Here is a list of all the places you'll be able to find me between 29th July and 16th August:

July 29th- Aimee Duffy- (Business and Pleasure)
July 31st- Paws and Print (Business and Pleasure)
Aug 1st- Paws and Print (The Best of Both Worlds)
Aug 2nd- Faerie Tale Books (Both)

Aug 5th- I am a Book Addict...and Proud of it (Both)
Aug 6th- Illustrious Illusions (Both)
Aug 7th- Storm Goddess Book Reviews (The Best of Both Worlds)
Aug 8th- A Tasty Read Book Reviews (Both)
Aug 9th- Falling In Fall (Business and Pleasure)
(Stop 2) Urban Girl (Business and Pleasure)

Aug 12th- Fab Fun and Tantalizing Reads- (Both)
Aug 13th- Readaholics Reviews (Business and Pleasure)
Aug 14th- Busy Moms Book Reviews (Both)
Aug 15th- Racing to Read (Both)
(Stop 2) Readaholics Reviews (The Best of Both Worlds)
Aug 16th- The Guardian's Hangout (Both)
(Stop 2) Urban Girl (The Best of Both Worlds)

I'll also be giving away a $15 Amazon Giftcard during this time so be sure to stop by and enter!

Thursday 25 July 2013

Wanted: Wife by Lacey Wolfe

 
 
 
 

Blurb


Help Wanted: A Wife
Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.


Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sensual love scenes

Buy Links:


 

Excerpt:

"I'm making coffee, want any?" Darcy called from the kitchen.

As Steven entered the kitchen he said, "I'd love a cup."

Steven leaned against the counter. Darcy poured water into the coffee maker and then scooped the coffee in. After she pressed the brew button, she turned and stared back at him.

"That wasn't so bad," he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, it was okay."

Steven laughed. "Your parents were kind." He reached his hand out toward her.

Darcy walked to him, taking his hand.

"Your dad gave us his blessing."

"I had no doubt he would. Your family is well known."

Steven wasn't sure what had come over him, maybe it was the scotch he'd shared with her dad, but he couldn't resist the beautiful woman in front of him. He tugged her to him, and her body molded against his perfectly. With his free hand, he pushed her hair behind her ear and then pressed his lips to hers. He expected resistance from her, but she opened up right away, wanting the kiss as much as he did.

Sliding his hand around her neck, he tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss. Her fingers danced around his waist and the little sensation went straight to his groin. Releasing her hand, he gripped her waist and pulled her into him. He was hard and it pressed into her and she didn't seem to mind. Damn this woman! She should be pushing away from him, reminding him they were to stay friends, but instead he kept hoping her hand would find its way lower.

Could they do this once and then pretend it never happened? His erection was telling him yes, but his brain was telling him no. He started to pull away from the kiss, but Darcy wouldn't let him.

God, he was turned on and wanted to touch her, taste her, explore her. He needed her!

"Stop, Darcy." He pushed her off him.

She stepped back, a shocked look on her face.

"I can't control myself. I want to take you to bed so bad."

"I want that too." She moved closer to him again and wrapped her arm around his neck and let her other hand dangle at his waistband. "Can't we have a little fun?"

Do it or not? Yes or no? His core ached and taunted him. Taking a deep breath, he decided to listen to the head below.
He lifted Darcy up and sat her on the counter. His lips were everywhere. Her neck, collarbone. His hands were greedy as they worked the buttons on her blouse. "Stop me now, Darcy."

She gazed into his eyes and then cupped his erection through his pants. "No."

"No turning back?"

"No turning back."


About Lacey Wolfe



Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true. 

Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

You can find Lacey at the following places:
Website / Facebook / Facebook Page / Twitter



 

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Interview with Zrinka Jelic

 

Blurb

Olivia Owen, a busy, single, high-functioning, corporate executive officer, is not afraid to die a spinster for the sake of her career. But in an alternate reality world, bridged by the angel of her Down’s syndrome sister, she meets Tom Medar, a dedicated, Croatian defense attorney who dreams of the right woman, but never has time to find her. Together they foil an adulterous murder plot while discovering there’s room for love and family in their busy lives—but not before they are separated again. When they awaken from their alternate world, will they be able to cross countries to find each other again?
 

Interview

 

Tell us about your story-

1. What was your inspiration for this story?
Many things, but mostly women I’ve encountered working in offices, those who stayed behind working away, long after everyone left for the day. In my snooping I discovered many of them devoted their lives to their careers and passed on the things such as love and families. Was this by choice or their lives just played out this way? I somehow don’t think any of them foresaw getting old and alone, looking after aging parent. I wanted to explore on the "what if" theory. If they were thrown into a different life, how would they fare?

2. Do you see a little bit of yourself in any of your characters?
I see a lot of myself in every of my characters, but they are not me. They are extensions of me. Or what I’d do if put into situations I put them in.

3. About how long did it take you to write the story?
From conception to the finished product, it takes about a year. I’m a member of critique loop and I upload my chapters for critique and while I’m waiting for others to work through my rough drafts, I either critique the work of others or work on the next chapter. Once the book is completed, I put together a synopsis and a query letter, then submit to various publishers. Sure, there are rejections, but there are also acceptances. So far, everything I wrote has been published.

4. Did you have any trouble writing it at all?
No, the story just poured out of my fingertips and took shape before my eyes.

 
Tell us a little bit about you as a writer-
5. Do you have any kind of writing schedule?
Working full time and taking care of my house and family and now promoting three books, leaves little time for writing. However, I try to squeeze at least an hour or two in the evening, after dinner has been taken care of. I don’t watch TV since there’s really nothing interesting on the program, so why not create stories?

6. What is your writing environment like?
As long as I can block away the outside noise, I can write anywhere. So a good pair of headphones and my music, laptop and imagination.

7. And what would your ideal writing environment be like?
A deserted island, a prison, a convent, someplace away from internet and all distractions.

8. If you’re ever stuck for an idea, how do you go about finding inspiration?
I usually read other books. Maybe watch a movie (on DVD), listen to music.

9. Did you always want to be a writer?
Not actually. I’ve liked making up stories since I was little, but never thought to write them down. It wasn’t until I read some book that was quite popular, that left me disappointed. So, I thought, I told better stories, why not try and resurrect them and come up with my own stuff. And little did I know, it just took off from there.

10. What’s the first thing you can remember writing? (it doesn’t have to be published)
Oh God, that was some sappy love story I wrote on a pages I tore out of my school work book. I wish I still have it to get a good laugh out of it.

11. Do you have any advice for new writers?
I’m sure by now they’ve heard it all. My advice is stick with it, learn the craft, it changes with times and what was acceptable (or not) years ago, it not today and vice versa.

Tell us a little bit about you as a person-
12. How do you spend your time when you’re not writing?
Work, housework and workout at the gym.

13. What’s the best way for you to unwind if you’ve had a hard day?
Just sit down with my work in progress and get lost in the story, live it with the characters.

14. What are you currently reading?
"The Wizard’s Heart" by S. R. Howen, it is a very intriguing story of betrayal and discovering the truth.

15. What was the last thing you watched?
My gym has treadmills with TVs in the consoles, so I flipped through the channels and landed on America’s Funniest Videos.

16. What, to you, would be a perfect day?
Spending a day in bed, making love, eating, reading books and sleeping.

17. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go, and why?
I’d travelled the globe. Each corner is unique and different with its wonders, people and their cultures.

18. And finally where can my readers find you?
Amazon
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
 

Monday 22 July 2013

Collared for a Night by Susan Arden




Blurb

All it takes is one mistake to be marked. One bite, she crosses a line...into forever.

Diana Hambre's body is blazing. For days this leopardess shifter has spun through a body-searing heat cycle. Alone. Her senses reel when Shawn Barclay, her boss, walks into her reserved room at the Downtown Den, a stud club for shifters. He gives Diana a choice: spend the evening with him, give into his every desire, and she'll find out what it means to quench her heat-crazed thirst—or try her luck with a stranger, one of the club bangers.

Shawn hates when his back is against the wall. One sip of Diana’s pheromone-laced scent is enough to force his alpha hand. The tables have turned and it's Diana's back he wants up against a wall or any other surface for that matter.

As the moon rises toward midnight, Shawn and Diana come to understand the difference between sex and bonding. For a night, neither of them resist their primal instincts, blindly giving into carnal desire. Her wild nature fights being subdued and she risks spontaneously shifting without warning.

Now, bearing Shawn's bite marks, she can’t simply walk away from him; not when he has the means to teach her to harness her leopardess nature. Shawn accepts the challenge of training Diana to control her untamed cravings. Employing every method available in and out of the bedroom, he discovers he's on the verge of ensnaring himself in the process.

Warning: Erotic scenes hot enough to peel paint
Link to Follow the Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/06/now-booking-release-day-tasty-book_19.html



 

Buy Links

Barnes & Noble

All Romance ebook

Amazon US

Amazon UK


Author Info



"I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes hot love stories across romance genres including contemporary erotic, Western, and fantasy/paranormal. She also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor. She currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake.
Author Links
Website /Twitter / FB / Playlist / Pinterest / Goodreads / Amazon / Crimson Romance


Giveaway

($25.00 Victoria’s Secret Gift Card)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

Excerpt


Explicit Content: For Adults Only

She teased and nipped at his sweet spot, underneath his head, licking and sucking, and pushed past his dominance.

"Suck me harder, sweetheart." Shawn’s voice was an inhuman, hoarse whisper. He stopped tonguing her pussy and held her head. He fucked her mouth, pumping and thrusting across her lips.

She adored the feel of his cock in her mouth and did as he instructed. Diana ran her claws across his flesh.

He followed suit, rasping the tips of his nails over her skin. Shivers broke out from the tiny pain-pleasure scratches over her skin. His muscles quivered around her. His scent filled her mouth and head. She could savor him without fear and, at this moment, had to taste his orgasm. A savage hunger tore into her.

Previously, her mouth had been a safe spot on her body where an alpha’s semen couldn’t cross her physical barrier. Yet now, her whole body convulsed and shifted, a sign of error in her judgment. This man was different. Her leopardess nature pushed outward. She told herself she must absorb his musky scent and taste if only to recognize his marking in the world beyond this room. He pulled out of her mouth and her leopardess mind quaked in frustration, on the edge of claiming her mate.

"No," she roared. Her pelt rippled and she shook, flexing feline muscles. Spontaneously she’d let go and shifted. The experience was more than exhilarating. On all fours, she crouched next to him on the futon. Her long tail slapped against the wall. Never had shifting felt this powerful. She licked his face, stared at him from behind twitching whiskers, and she flicked her tail, snapping his leg.

"Diana, reel in your leopardess nature. Come back to me." His whispered command eased her nature.

"Now, sweetheart." He rubbed his thumb on the ridge between her eyes, then petted the side of her cheek. She could feel his essence without responding to the content of his words. Deep within her, primitive instinct was a force that drove her, and she responded by purring and rubbing up against him, marking her scent over him.

Shawn’s voice lulled her. She calmed instantly. Acquiesced. Her animal and human forms flickered.

The scent she released as leopardess would be near impossible for him to resist. She dropped beside him, blinking, and lowered her lids. For him, she began the process of shifting back. She hissed, and then moaned, curling up next to him.

"I’m sorry," she said, opening her eyes and contemplating him. This was the first time she had shifted in front of an alpha male for over a year. Was Shawn taken back at her lack of control?

Her fur receded, emitting sparks of energy over the length of her skin, tightening and smoothing into her human form. Her claws got caught in the futon. She tugged each curved spike free, then focused and steadied her nature. "I understand if we shift during sex, things will get away from us."
 
 


Thursday 4 July 2013

A Love Like This by Kahlen Aymes, Interview






Blurb

Married and settled in New York City, Ryan and Julia Matthews seek to start their family and enjoy their idyllic newlywed life together. Julia’s high-profile job at Vogue and Ryan’s promising career in medicine will surely set them up for everything they could ever want, their only obstacle seems to be finding enough time to spend together.

When a scuffle at Ryan’s hospital puts his life in danger, a colleague steps in to save him but is critically injured in the process. In a heroic and unwavering effort, Ryan manages to save her, but her injuries irrevocably change her life forever.

Though Julia’s gratitude urges her to befriend the woman, she feels pushed aside when Ryan, feeling indebted and laden with guilt, befriends the woman during her recovery. Julia puts on a good front, but as time goes on her resolve vanishes as the friendship begins to infiltrate what little time the couple has together and she is reminded of how her own relationship with Ryan began.

In Ryan’s mind he is doing nothing more than supporting a friend’s healing and is angry at Julia’s apparent lack of trust, despite his attempts to console her. When events get too much for her, a heartbroken Julia flees without telling her husband her destination or even if she will return.

When grief pushes him beyond what’s humanly possible and he is on the verge of losing his mind, he is forced to decide how much he will pay for his new friendship and Julia, what she is willing to endure in order to spare herself the unspeakable pain of watching someone else try to replace her in Ryan’s heart.

Join Ryan and Julia in the heart-wrenching conclusion to the unforgettable story of an incredible love; worth every single sacrifice…

For there is nothing more sacred than… A Love Like This…





Author Info

Kahlen is an award-winning author of sizzling hot, deeply moving contemporary romance. Her stories are filled with intense love, passion, angst and emotion that breathes life into her characters and leaves her readers captivated. She lives near Omaha, Nebraska with her daughter, Olivia and their three dogs. Creative by nature, she enjoys the arts, music and theater... But the love of her life is writing!

Represented by Elizabeth Winick-Rubinstein of McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency, the first two books in her series; The Remembrance Trilogy are available now. Come and experience Ryan and Julia's mad, mad love.

Interview



Thank you, Emily. I appreciate that you are hosting me today. :)

Tell us about your story-


What was your inspiration for this story?
The original basis for this series was only going to be the first two books, but the readers wanted more of these characters. They are my real inspiration. I thought about it for a long time to come up with a new plot line that could keep the readers engaged, yet with enough elements of the first two books to make it cohesive.


Do you see a little bit of yourself in any of your characters? Tell us why/ why not?
Of course. Writers always draw from personal experience and personality. Julia cooks, she draws… Ryan plays the piano. That’s all stuff that I do. I don’t think you can write intelligently without real life knowledge or a lot of research. I’ve relied on both.
About how long did it take you to write the story?
I started this book awhile back, but only had three chapters. Then, publishing became time consuming and I couldn’t really work on it until the first two books were released. My mother got deathly ill, I worked a full time job and am a single parent, so writing time was scarce and I was only able to get two more chapters written (usually in the middle of the night). Finally, in February of 2013, I decided the book would be my focus. After February 10th, when I quit my job, I wrote 11 chapters by April 30.
Did you have any trouble writing it at all?
Some scenes were harder to write than others. There are always some that scream at me and I write them out of sequence and then work them into the story as I go. The ones that are hardest to write involve conflict between the characters or things they do that I really don’t want to make them do. I feel the same conflicts and feelings when writing, that I hope my readers feel while reading.

 

Tell us a little bit about you as a writer-
Do you have any kind of writing schedule?
I treat it like a job. 8 hour day minimum. I have to be disciplined. With social media, interviews, swag and other obligations, it’s really a full-time job now. I have to be focused or I wouldn’t have been able to finish those 11 chapters in such a short time. My readers had waited long enough… J
What is your writing environment like?
It’s a desk, a computer, a stereo, me and my two Golden Retrievers. Sometimes they’re noisy and I’d like to box their ears. But I play a lot of music when I write, too. I used to write in bed at night, now I keep the laptop chained to the desk. It’s more productive and a lot easier on me, personally.
And what would your ideal writing environment be like? J
I’ve made the environment as ideal as I can. It’s a part of my house that is specifically set up for writing. Aside from the distractions of my dogs and my daughter, it’s pretty ideal.
If you’re ever stuck for an idea, how do you go about finding inspiration?
I’m constantly thinking about my books, but I go for long walks with my iPod. That’s where I get a lot of it.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Not at all. I wrote a story so I could build a network for a business venture, but the love of writing soon morphed the business venture. It was fate, I think. J


What’s the first thing you can remember writing? (it doesn’t have to be published)
I grew up on a farm, and in elementary school I wrote a paper about an abandoned dog that was so emaciated when we found him, he couldn’t be saved. It was horrible and I cried. The teacher submitted it to the local newspaper and they printed it.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Keep writing and be true to your story. Others will tell you how they want it to go. Editors might want you to change something so major it completely changes the plot. Don’t do it. It’s your story to tell and only you can tell it the way it’s meant to be told. If you want to make it the best it can be, it has to come from your gut and your heart.

Tell us a little bit about you as a person-


How do you spend your time when you’re not writing?
I like to read (surprise). I go for long walks everyday. I spend time with my daughter, my dogs and music. I like to go to movies. I can’t stand shopping. I’d rather have my fingernails pulled out. LOL
What’s the best way for you to unwind if you’ve had a hard day?
I have a Jacuzzi bathtub. That works great with a glass of wine.
What are you currently reading?
I’m on the last one in S.C. Stephens Thoughtless Series.
What was the last thing you watched?
Arrow.

What, to you, would be a perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be one without any obligations. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted without having to run around someone else’s schedule. It would include writing and a walk. Always writing…


If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go, and why?

I’d love to tour Europe and I really want to visit Brazil and Australia. I have cool readers in those places and I’d like to meet them someday.
And finally where can my readers find you?
My blog: Kahlen-Aymes.blogspot.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/kahlen.aymes.author?ref=ts&fref=ts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kahlen.aymes?ref=tn_tnmn
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=✓&query=Kahlen+aymes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kahlen_Aymes (@kahlen_aymes)
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pcarrion/kahlen-aymes-the-remembrance-trilogy/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_F9YtcR5kg (Trilogy Trailer)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Kahlen+Aymes

 (My books are on all Amazon sites, worldwide)

 Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Kahlen-Aymes?store=allproducts&keyword=Kahlen+Aymes
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=Kahlen+Aymes
Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/search?keyword=Kahlen+Aymes
Also available on iTunes and allromancebooks.com.
Ryan Matthews Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/RyanMatthewsFanPage?fref=ts
@DrRyanMatthews on Twitter.

 

Giveaway








 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Monday 1 July 2013

Love On The Beach Blog Hop!


It's finally here! I'm so excited to be a part of Beachwalk Press's Love on the Beach Blog Hop! I have two books released with this amazing publisher and another coming in August, so here is my series spotlight:

Rags and Riches Series



Business and Pleasure
 
Can mixing business and pleasure ever result in a happy ending?When sexy, rich Lawrence Russo asks Mia to come and work for him in Italy for two weeks, she jumps at the chance. After all, it beats pole dancing, and the salary he offers her is practically obscene.
A relationship quickly begins to develop between the two, but Mia can't help but wonder if Lawrence's feelings for her are genuine or if he feels he's just paying for a service.
Even if their relationship is strong enough to survive her insecurities, what will happen when somebody from her past shows up and threatens to reveal her deepest, darkest secret?
Content Warning: explicit sex






The Best of Both Worlds
 
A choice between two men? If only it were that simple.
Melissa Morgan seems to have it all…her modeling career is taking off and she's engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors in London. But when she finds Jonathan cheating on her again, Melissa finds solace in the arms of Riley, a sexy bar owner trying to recover from the heartbreak of his last relationship. Melissa shouldn't even want Riley, but she can't seem to stay away, especially when she finds in him everything that's missing in her relationship with Jonathan.

Melissa knows she has to make a hard choice, and when it comes to choosing between the life she's always wanted and the man she's falling in love with, she might find out that she can't have the best of both worlds.
Content Warning: explicit sex and strong language


The Right Kind of Wrong


Maybe only someone who's been behind bars can understand how to set her free.
Fresh out of jail, Jamie Pierce is desperate to change his ways and become a better person. He wants to earn enough money to get out of London for good and live a quiet life somewhere in the country. But then he meets Harriet Jones, a beautiful young fashion designer who is plagued by self-doubt, and suddenly leaving doesn't seem so simple.

Harriet has spent years trying to win her father's affection, but time and time again she's been left feeling that she just isn't good enough. When she starts to fall for her rough-around-the-edges neighbor, she knows her father would never approve.
It was only meant to be a fling, but maybe the person who seems so wrong for her could be just the kind of person she needs. Can Jamie help Harriet learn to believe in herself, or will she remain trapped in her own prison of self-doubt?
Content Warning: explicit sex

Release date: August 19 2013

Beachwalk Press and Me

 

What attracted me to Beachwalk Press in the first place? I found Beachwalk Press before I even thought about publishing my stories with them. I liked a couple of authors that had books published here and soon found many more. I'd written a different version of the Rags and Riches series as a short story, but it was too long (and probably too naughty) to send out to magazines and I wanted to explore the characters more, so I wrote this version of Business and Pleasure (a lot messier back then) and started looking around for publishers. I probably dove in headfirst, which I do a lot, but I already loved this publisher and decided to take a risk.
A year later I can tell you that risk really paid off. I've learned so much, and not just from the publisher and my editor but from the other authors here too. We really are a family and there's always somebody around to help out and give advice, even if it's not writing related. I've loved every moment of being a Beachwalk Babe and hope to have many more books released with this publisher in the future :)

 

Spreading the love ;) Giveaway Time!

Now for the exciting part! During this blog hop there is a chance for you to win some amazing prizes!
 
The grand prize is a Kindle Paperlight!
And additionalprizes include:
* A beach tote bag filled with Beachwalk Press print books (winner's choice of 5 print titles)
* Two gift certificates of $25 each (winners' choice of GC from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks)
I'm also giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card, so to enter this amazing giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment below making sure you include your email address! Woop! You have until the 14th of July to enter, and remember to check out all the other author's who are participating, you can win prizes at every stop!
 

Follow the blog hop!

 

Please follow this link to find a complete list of all the participating authors http://beachwalkpress.com/2013/07/love-on-the-beach-blog-hop-July-1st-14th/ 
 
Thank you so much for stopping here! I hope you've enjoyed and good luck, hope you win something fabulous!