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Review of Winter's Sweet Kiss

2/28/2015

To ward off the winter's chill, I decided to read a romance anthology. I love it when it's snowing out and the book actually fits the weather, and due to our little bits of snow here in MD, this fit perfectly.
I was actually familiar with a couple of the authors in the book, which I kind of loved. Two of them were even in Spooktacular Seductions. :)
I've been wanting to review this and since the weatherman is forecasting possible snow in the foreseeable future, this seemed the best time to do it.

My Review:

An Unexpected Wreath - Annabelle Blume

A woman goes to a lot for a Christmas tree and comes back with so much more...
This one had a really strong start--I thought it ended a little too soon, but isn't that what they say about good stories? They always end too soon? :)

Santa Bebe - Lily Carlyle

A lingerie sales woman, tests waters with a friend and deals with a troubled past...and how she'll let it effect her future.
This one, too, had a strong start, but midway through I figured out sort of how everything was going to happen. It was good, but I just knew that's how it was going to be.

Melt - Shaya Roy

Can anyone really find love in an arranged marriage?
This one was very good, start to finish. Part of that for me might be because it was foreign and a little different, and the whole arranged marriage thing was definitely something fun to think about. I enjoyed this one a lot.

One in a Million Snowflakes - Michelle Ziegler

Angela's picking her way through the bottom of the barrel when it comes to men, but what does it matter when the one she wants the most is the one she dare not have--at least if she wants to keep her best friend.
This one started out a little rough for me, but once I was in it, I loved it. It had some sexy scenes, and there were some really, horrible, awful dates, that just made me smile. This one was very good, and I loved some of the descriptions.

Beginning of Forever - Terri Rochenski

The loss of her husband nearly tore her down, but she had to stay strong for her son. How does one move on from the person you thought would be the one? How do you stop the guilt from rising up, every time you notice the sexy new stranger?
This one dealt with some very deep issues like loss and survivors guilt. This is one of those ones where you don't mind if you see the end coming, so long as you know it ends without ripping your heart out.

I enjoyed this anthology and give a four and a half stars. I'd curl up with this book and a mug of hot cocoa anytime.

Fight the winter chill with these heartwarming, romantic tales.

What better time than winter to find someone to cuddle up with? These sweet tales of winter romance are sure to warm your heart.

An Unexpected Wreath - Annabelle Blume
Santa Bebe - Lily Carlyle
Melt - Shaya Roy
One in a Million Snowflakes - Michelle Ziegler
Beginning of Forever - Terri Rochenski

Also available at these fine retailers:

Print Copies
Createspace (Print - Best Option)
Amazon (Print)
Diesel

eBook Copies
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Barnes and Noble
Apple (iTunes)
Diesel
Kobo
Smashwords
All Romance eBooks

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Spotlight: Sheryl Winters

2/20/2015

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Today on my blog, I have the lovely Sheryl Winters, author of Purr-fect Mating and Pixified. She's getting ready to celebrate her latest release Skydreamer, out March 30th. (There will be a big Facebook bash at midnight on March 30th to celebrate this. Join in on the fun! Click here.)
If you want to be a part of her blog tour, click here.
Big thanks for Sheryl Winters for taking the time to do an interview with me. Here's what I got out of her when we were alone, people.
And might I just say, I am heartily pissed that it is colder in Maryland than it is in Alaska. Just sayin'.

The Interview

1. Skydreamer is coming out March 30th how excited are you? Are you doing anything to prepare for the big day?

This book was a very long time coming so yes, I am very excited!~ I am in the process of scheduling a Facebook party for the big night. To help while the time away before the book comes out.

2. Do you think there are any similarities between Jaden and Fhina star of your little Lil' Genie Series first installment Purr-fect Mating?

Jaden and Fhina are two very dissimilar people. Jaden is painfully shy and allergic to water. She loves being inside, curled up with a good book. Though Fhina is a writer, she is also a tiger shifter and her true element is outside.

3. You live in Alaska. Since we're experiencing winter here in Maryland the cold, wet snow, the cold, the wind, the cold--tell us, what's this wintery misery like for you up in the deep dark north? That state far, far on the edge of the world... :)

Don’t shoot but it’s remarkably warm outside. The last few weeks have been like a mini spring. Usually, February is colder than this. Tis a warm breezy 30 out today. Normally though, January is our worst month, below zero (in the fifteen to twenty below range) for most of the month.

4. Do you ever like to incorporate things from you home state into your stories?

The old adage, write what you know, comes to mind. I’ve written one book entirely around the state of Alaska. I’m sure there will be more.

5. I know, Skydreamer has been in the works for months now, and it's larger than all of your previous works (a whopping 270 pages)--how do you feel this differs from your smaller works.

In a short story, a writer has a lot of constraints, a lot of parameters to fill. Word count, less character development, etc. In Skydreamer, I was able to take off the gloves so to speak. I incorporated more fun, more romance, and more laughter as well as a bit more tears.

6. You've told me that you, too, write of trolls. Will we see these trolls in publication any time soon? And in what stories do these trolls reside?

My trolls are real scary dudes. In Skydreamer, Jaden enters a contest and encounters four of them narrowly escaping with her life!

Want to Know More? Of Course You Do!

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Chapter Six--The Bastard

2/17/2015

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I learned a long time ago that the only way I was ever going to come up with a plot to keep me and my readers interested, was to fall ass-backwards into it by following my characters--in other words, if the plot feels right go with it.
Unfortunately, things don't always work out as I might like--like this danged chapter. Yes, I'm looking at you, Chapter Six.
You see, Chapter Six has had many beginnings--one was too dull, the second in character, solid writing, but it led to a big brick wall for me; and third, well, third isn't giving me a hell of a lot to work with in the feelings department--I sense lots of repetition, and I'm writing it suspect of where it's going to lead me. That's always a good frame of mind to be in while you're writing. NOT.
I don't mind spending a little time getting the words, so long as I get the right words. But I have to admit, it's getting itchy for me. I want to write! I want to write dang it, but when the right words aren't coming then it doesn't lead me anywhere.
So, Chapter Six, if you're going to play with me, then I'm going to play with you. That's right, I'm going to go there--I'm going to write something outlandish and I'm going to throw my all behind it to make it good.
Chapter Six--prepare to be written.

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Coming Soon: Raven By Dzintra Sullivan

2/16/2015

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☆•°*”*°☆COMING SOON☆•°*”*°☆
‪#‎Raven‬ (Halfway House Series book #2) by Author Dzintra Sullivan
Grab your copy of ‪#‎Arkadia‬ (Halfway House book #1) $1.99

Winner of 2015 ‪#‎MFEOTourney‬
for......Steamy Young Adult Couple of the Year..
(Arkadia and Bohdan)

Buy links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1p11oSU
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1tKBSma
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1wEEMGF

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Skydreamer ARC Giveaway!

2/16/2015

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Roane Publishing is giving away THREE ARCs of Skydreamer!

Skydreamer

Fantasy / Romance

by Sheryl Winters

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: March 30, 2015

For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle's house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check. When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for. But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see any of them again.

~~~oOo~~~

Roane Publishing is giving away THREE ARC copies to three lucky winners!

You don’t even have to be a blogger.

If you are willing to leave an honest review between the dates March 30th - April 1st, you are eligible to enter.

How? Simply fill out the form! You have until Midnight of March 7th when three winners will be chosen by random drawing.

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Cover Reveal!

2/16/2015

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Love Elixir Antidote
A Sonny the Scoundrel Novella
Romance /Fantasy (Satire / Humor)
By Sonny Zae
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: April 20, 2015
Keywords: Fantasy, Medieval, Satire, Humor, Fantasy Adventure, Romantic Comedy
Sonny the Scoundrel lives with Grandpap, the wizard in their rustic village of Sow's Teat. Sonny is dashing and handsome, but his reputation is widely known. When a former flame announces her marriage to a suitor from a distant city, he knows it will be a grand affair attended by visitors from far beyond their village—including young maidens who are unaware of his dubious reputation.

Since the visitors will include his favorite type of maidens—those he can romance and never see again, he nicks a love elixir from Grandpap in advance of a big wedding,. Sonny is confident he can charm any of the visiting maidens without need of the love elixir, but why work harder than necessary?

When he adds too much love elixir to a girl's cup, Sonny discovers making her fall out of love with him is much harder than he imagined. Unfortunately, there is no love elixir antidote and Sonny must use his wits to wriggle out of her clinging claws.
Image URL:

https://flic.kr/p/qVWjdfAbout Sonny Zae Sonny lives in a small town on the edge of reality. His only remarkable characteristic is imagination. He ignored his grade school teacher's repeated admonitions to stop daydreaming and get to work.

Sonny's book WIZARD SEEKING TROPHY BRIDE, is available on the Kindle. It is a story about the exceptional difficulties involved in finding love and happiness for an elderly and strange wizard, not to mention the difficulties of dealing with an elderly relative—an elderly relative who is also a wizard.

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Cover Reveal of Skydreamer by Sheryl Winters

2/9/2015

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Sheryl Winters, author of Purr-fect Mating and Pixified is now revealing the cover of her latest release, Skydreamer, set to come out March 30, 2015. This will be her longest work to date, available in both e-book and paperback, and I couldn't be more happy for her.
Big celebrations all around, for the beautiful Ms. Winters and her latest release. May you always write such good things and give us readers what we want--more. :)
Come check out this stunning cover, another home run from Roane.

Skydreamer
Fantasy / Romance
By Sheryl Winters
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: March 30, 2015
For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle's house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.

When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.

But an unexpected enemy threatens to end her dream come true and take it all away. When Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see her family again.

Image URL:

https://flic.kr/p/qKdKQF About Sheryl Winters

I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.

Links:

Website: http://sherylwinters.weebly.com/
Blog: http://sherylwinters.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheryl-Winters/684816784908158
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WintersSheryl

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Things Are Getting Interesting...

2/6/2015

2 Comments

Some very good things happened to me in the last few weeks. For instance, I started a street team. Yep, it’s called Under the Bridge and Through the Woods Into Echo’s World We Go. Go ahead and click on the link if you want to be part of the Under the Bridge gang—maybe be an Underpass Vixens? Street team Under the Bridge rules! (And I’m going to stop talking now. I love my cool fairytale-esque street name, but it gets a little tragic when shortened. Ah, what the hell. Underpass Vixens we shall be!)

I have some lovely members, just a whole lot of goodness in that pocket on the web. I feel so happy when I see it, I could just do a happy dance.

Also, was spotlighted on the lovely, JanetWalden-West’s blog “Urban Fantasy Gone Rural”, where I chatter on about my cool new street team.

I so enjoy what I’ve got coming the next few weeks. First off, I’ll be spotlighting the ever lovely Hywela Lyn, and maybe even an interview with this Janet I keep going on and on about. J I should also have something for a new anthology coming out, featuring a debut author I know and love. Combine it with one of those street team members and things could get interesting. See you in a bit!

2 Comments

Review of Accidental Valentine

2/6/2015

4 Comments

Review:

Valentine, My Valentine
Guiding Hearts by Claire Gillian
I enjoyed this story--it had a dash of mysticism and it actually dealt with a serious issue. It took some time for the characters to get to know each other, rather than the whirlwind romances I'm used too. The one problem I had is that I figured out the plot halfway through and got irritated that the heroine didn't do the same. Also, the mysticism had me questioning once or twice whether there was something missing or not. This did not stop it from being a favorite of my friend's, so the rating is purely my taste.
Better Latte Than Never by Katrina Sizemore
I always like a romance that builds off of something more, and the foundation of friendship is always best. It was sweet, touching, and sexy in parts. The touching storyline really got me. Mostly, because it was a secondary relationship between the heroine and her father. I loved this one and will have to look out for more by this author.
Dream Architect by S.L. Hughson
I enjoyed the tension in this story. It had the grounds of a solid friendship, but the romance...I feel if it had had more space, it could've been deeper. A really hot and spicy novella, maybe. That being said, it was definitely one of the sexier stories in the book and I really, really enjoyed it. One of my favorites.
One Hot Angel by Jaylee Austin
This story definitely crossed the "sweet" line we were toeing. It had everything a romance story demands--a beautiful model and a god come down to marry her. That being said, it wasn't fleshed out enough for me to be really invested. It had what I was looking for in most romance anthologies--a bedroom scene--and yet once I got there, I found the stories before it had more tension, chemistry, and were a bit more sexy. I think this author has a promising future, but with longer books where she can help her readers get a better feel for her characters.
Rock My Bones by Wendy Sparrow
I enjoyed this story. I like the somewhat intellectual hero and heroine, the little bit of backstory, and the tension. The writing was good, the story was good. It was fun. It was the perfect way to end the book.
Overall, I'm going to give it five stars. What stories I didn't fully appreciate, I still felt were very good, and the others were outstanding. Reading this book, I realized I will be on the lookout for any of these names later on, when I'm browsing the shelves. This is a great read and a wonderful collection of romances. I recommend it.

Blurb and Where to Find It Now:

Accidental Valentine
A Romance Anthology
by Various Authors

Release Date: February 13, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Short Stories)
Keywords: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Valentine's Day, Short Stories, Anthology, Sweet

Guiding Hearts by Claire Gillian
Description: Is a lonely woman's GPS sentient or is her subconscious taking her by the hand to help heal a scarred heart?

When Jemma Ernst's GPS malfunctions and sends her to the home of handsome and engaging Gabriel Nash, she writes it off as a fluke. But she can't seem to reprogram him out of her thoughts nor her GPS.

Better Latte Than Never by Katrina Sizemore
Description: Single and cold on Valentine’s Day, Hailey Merritt is not looking forward to working all day at the coffee shop while everyone around her is cheery with romance and she’s stuck trying to figure out her next step in life.

But, when a special bouquet arrives for her from a secret admirer, she decides to reserve judgment on this holiday and find whomever sent the flowers.

Maybe Cupid has a plan to make this her favorite Valentine’s Day ever.

Dream Architect by S.L. Hughson
Description: Taylor and Sons Custom Design keeps ASHLIN TAYLOR at arm’s length from her dream job. If only she were a son, she could follow her architectural dream. In the Taylor creed, girls get married and boys have careers. DYLAN CUTRIGHT focuses on finishing college and landing an architectural engineering job in a large firm. Minus emotional ties.

After their accidental encounter, their attraction is amplified during their work interaction. Unlike her family, Dylan encourages Ashlin to pursue her dream by enrolling in college. He even argues her case with Uncle Mike. All of this support confuses Ashlin because when she moves closer to him, he rebuffs her for reasons she can only speculate about.

Valentine’s Day might be the perfect opportunity for Ashlin to make him notice her. They are working together - alone - on the most romantic day of the year. Dylan builds her dream of career, but will he ever lower his walls and become more than just the man IN her dreams?

One Hot Angel by Jaylee Austin
Description: Oblivious to Tiffany Jenkins in three short weeks her life will end—unless she makes the perfect choice. Will she chose revenge and expose her ex-husband? Or chose love and surrender her heart to the only man who can save her?

Rock My Bones by Wendy Sparrow
Description: Jared has been eyeing the sexy mural painter from inside the museum’s paleontology lab, but she’s way out of his league. He can’t let her paint that obviously misplaced fern, though…even if it means initiating contact.

You could call her a paleontology groupie, but Shay Meyers is interested in a more modern specimen. An adult male Homo Sapien to be exact—one who needs to be dragged out of his lab for a practical course in mating rituals. If she’s lucky, this will be the Valentine’s Day she rocks his bones.

Print
Createspace
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Digital Edition
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Bookstrand
Smashwords
iTunes (Apple)
Goodreads

4 Comments

About Me?

2/3/2015

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I feel inadequate to blog. Isn’t that the strangest thing? What quiet reflection I have I like to turn toward my stories and in those few moments, I really and truly desire to blog, I find I feel completely…inadequate. The words aren’t right, and everything I want to say is hindered by my need to publish instantly, to share a little piece of myself unedited, but more personal, for me, as a person.

I don’t think there’s much about me that’s controversial. As a person, I spend most of my day working. Promoting on social media, writing, and trying to do all the things I did before that all became an issue.

That being said, my free time has been worn away with my need to be present, here, with my readers. Not on my blog, obviously, but on Facebook, Twitter, Tsu—even Goodreads. I spend most of my free time (if you can call it that) with my computer on my lap, splitting my attention between the things that demand I be present in the space I’m currently occupying and the work that demands I be present on the internet.

Blogging feels personal. It feels special, like a blank slate that I can transform into anything I wish if only I can think of how I want to do it.

I don’t know that a blog will give you a glimpse more of the person I am. Maybe a habit, or a thought, or even what I’m doing, but I have the most fun with my stories.

I’m not a traveler. I don’t go out and do all that much. But in my stories, I am brave. If a character goes somewhere, does something—I try to follow. I want my stories to be interesting, twisting. I want them to have that something special.

I hope you enjoy this space of mine, where I scribble on the walls and decorate it with covers and teasers of my books.

I feel inadequate to blog, but for you, dear reader, I will try. J

May your days be bright with sunshine and your nights filled with stars.

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