We Have Our Winners!! Naughty After Dark Blog Hop

All winners chosen using Random.org

Winner of Blood Rose by Andrea Creamer or $10 Amazon Gift Card is...

#65 Ellie

Winner for a $10 Gift Certificate or $10 at the Book Depository

#6 Dawn M

Mancode:Exposed Book Bash - 3 Days Only

Why is today different than any other day?

It’s not, really. Maybe not for you. It’s just another day of spilled coffee, kids whining, and laundry to fold. Oh wait, that’s me.

However, today is a big deal for this chick, self-published author and social media consultant you may or may not have heard of, Rachel Thompson. People like to give her lots of nicknames, but mostly she goes by RachelintheOC, aka the Queen of Snark and oh, don’t forget BadRedhead. #asif

Here are a few facts about this fiery spitfire (and we’ll get to the BIG deal in a minute):

• Her first book, A Walk In The Snark, an essay collection based on her popular blog RachelintheOC.com, hit #1 on the Kindle Motherhood list last fall and has become a mainstay, beating out the likes of (ahem, celebrity blondies) Tori Spelling and Jenny McCarthy. This book covers men, women, and relationships, but also more poignant topics like loss and grief.

• Her second book, The Mancode: Exposed, released in December, hit #1 on multiple lists (Motherhood, Parenting and Family, Parenting and Relationships) as well as placing in the overall Amazon Top 100 in January – within its first month of release! This book is all-out humor: men (Mancode), women (Chickspeak), love, relationships, sex, and of course, chocolate.

• Rachel is a cofounder of the popular group, the Indie Book Collective. While no longer an active member, she volunteered her time helping hundreds of writers learn the ins and outs of book promotion and social media for over a year and cowrote Dollars and Sense: The Definitive Guide To Self-Publishing Success. Check it out.

• Her social media consulting group, BadRedhead Media, specializes in social media, particularly Twitter, helping authors learn how to brand themselves, and figure out the world of Amazon. Her clients are varied and cover all genres. Follow @BadRedheadMedia on Twitter for free tips or visit her site for fees and info.

So…what’s the BIG deal?

Starting today, for THREE DAYS ONLY, The Mancode: Exposed is 99cents! (Reg. price $2.99.) Yep, you read that right. That’s why THURSDAY - SATURDAY, is special. Only these three days so don’t wait!

No strings, no hoops. Simple click here (Amazon exclusive, no Kindle required) and purchase your discounted copy of this popular #1 bestselling humorous collection of essays on men, women, relationships, chocolate, and sex. (Adult content warning.)

Remember, no Kindle is required to download an Amazon eBook. But you already knew that, yes? Simply download their free Kindle apps for computer, tablet, or smartphone. Even cloud. It’s very easy.

Do you have questions for Rachel? Visit her site, Twitter, Facebook, or email her at RachelintheOC@gmail.com. She’s very friendly….after coffee. Especially if you send Nutella (we hear she’s a fan).

Finally, Rachel is happy (well, as happy as she gets) to eSign her eBooks for you (go to Kindlegraph.com) to request her signature. Again, no Kindle required. It kinda rocks.

Thanks for hanging and enjoy the discounted read!  

GFP Tour Stop & Giveaway - Odd by Leigh Ellwood

Leigh Ellwood is an award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance fiction. Following the release of her first novel, Truth or Dare, in 2004, Leigh has since written several novels, novella, and short stories. She is an EPIC Award winner and has been nominated for many reviewers awards for her works.

Web - http://www.leighellwood.com

Blog - http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/leighellwood

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/leighellwoodauthor

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a beverage? 


LE: Thanks for having me, that sounds lovely. I’ll take whatever is strong and smooth. I’m not driving today. 

Smooth, strong, and refreshing :). Now that we're all settled in my lair, I'm de-bite-fully glad you stopped in.


BK:  Please tell us a little bit about your current release...


LE: Odd is an erotic short in the M/M genre. It is one of the new releases available in the Perfect Strangers series by All Romance eBooks. It’s a fun little story that brings the heat with a bit of humor, and it’s my hope M/M fans will enjoy it.


BK:  What inspired this particular novel/book?


When I began writing this work, I had the initial concept in place: two strangers meet at a party and the sparks fly. It wasn’t my intention to write it for ARe, but when Lori James invited me to submit a story to their imprint I thought the timing was perfect. ARe is known for having one of the largest selection of romance and erotica eBooks on the Internet, so I knew I’d find an audience there. So, I pondered the theme of the line and crafted the story.


BK:  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I knew when I was very young, probably elementary school. I was always writing little, strange stories and articles. All through grade and high school, and on through college, I was always involved in something with a concentration in writing – class papers, literary journals, etc. I’m sure I was born with the desire.


BK:  How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?


I like to inject a bit of humor in my work. I wouldn’t say that I write romantic comedy, but I find readers like the way I write humorous dialogue. I believe that is one of my stronger points.


BK:  What was the hardest thing about writing this story?


For this story, I’d say the ending. I couldn’t decide whether to deliver an HEA or HFN. It took a while to get the end how I wanted it, so I hope readers won’t be disappointed.


BK:  What character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?


The lead, Greg, was especially fun to write. He’s sort of a fish out of water in this story, but he catches on quickly. He is written as a fun-loving person who enjoys life, somebody you’d want to come to your party.


BK:  Which was your favorite scene to write?


The beginning scenes of the story were fun. Joining the party with Greg will hopefully give readers his view of a most unusual evening.


BK:  Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?


For now, Odd will be a standalone story. I haven’t decided if I will further pursue stories with these characters. I have many sequels for other stories I still need to write!


BK:  Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?


Very hectic. I still have the day job, so that takes a good chunk of it. When that’s done, I have an hour to myself before picking up the kidlet. We check her homework, then after dinner I settle in my chair and write until bedtime.


BK:  What do you like to do when you're not writing?


I try to read, I don’t do enough of it anymore. I also like spending time with my little girl. Usually we will do something together on weekend, like bowling or shopping.


BK:  What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?


I love the Bee Gees. There, I said it.


BK:  What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?


I love mysteries, grew up with Nancy Drew. These days, however, I pick up Dick Francis, Carl Hiaasen, and James Ellroy. I also like reading history and biographies.


BK:  Please tell us one piece of advice you were given as an author that you carry with you when you write?


Don’t give up. That’s pretty much all there is to it.


BK:  What are you currently working on?


I have just completed a full-length M/M novel, part of my Dareville series. I plan to revise and self-edit before I start the submission process.


BK:  Where can readers connect with you? 


I am mainly on Twitter @LeighEllwood. I don’t auto-follow, but I do respond to DMs and @ responses. I also have a blog at http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com and the main site at http://www.leighellwood.com.

Part of the All Romance eBooks Perfect Strangers series

Greg Hargrove has a ticket to the hottest party in town: Drew Bradley's annual Odd Ball. Dressed for the theme as one half of a popular sitcom duo, Greg doesn't expect to meet his match and engage in a secret night of passion while the festivities rage on. When handsome Rick Wade falls on his radar, however, Greg decides to partake of more explicit party favors. Is Rick more than a one-night stand, though, or can Greg look forward to many passion-filled reruns?

Giveaway - One lucky commenter from Leigh's tour will win a $10 All Romance Ebooks Gift Card, plus reader's choice of 2 downloads from Leigh's backlist (visit her site). So follow...comment...WIN!

Follow Leigh's Tour HERE


Excerpt: 


In the ten years Drew Bradley hosted his annual Odd Ball, people knew to expect two events: sometime toward the end of the evening Drew would lose his pants, and the two winners of the Best Oscar and Best Felix costume awards would immediately hook up afterward and live happily ever after. That many of the happy couples continued to come to the big party as their chosen television personas stood testament to their host’s impeccable matchmaking—and entertaining—skills.


Greg Hargrove personally didn’t care if either happened on his watch. After years of watching siblings primp and prepare for the biggest bash in town, he’d finally reached the requisite legal drinking age and could now attend. Though he’d never seen the television show that inspired the theme of the party, he’d gleaned enough by living vicariously through older friends—and researching YouTube clips—to know the score.
On November fourteenth, Felix Unger was asked to his leave his apartment. This request came from his wife…


There was more to the prologue, he knew, but in his excitement Greg thought himself fortunate to recall his own name, much less those of characters from a TV show that ceased airing first run episodes long before he was a “glint in the mailman’s eye,” as his brothers liked to tease.


Greg adjusted his Yankees ball cap and smoothed a hand over his three-day-old stubble. It itched like hell, but he wanted to shoot for realism even if he didn’t win the grand costume prize. Would be nice, though, since neither of his older brothers had won before, and Greg had heard Drew didn’t skimp on the goods. Last year’s couple, he’d been told, won matching gold watches.


At the front door of Drew’s McMansion of a home, a wiry, unsmiling man with a long nose looked down at Greg over his John Lennon glasses. “Your invitation?” He held out a pale, almost wrinkleless palm.
“Sure.” Greg surrendered the requisite card given him by his brother Joe, who couldn’t make it this time. Joe hadn’t kidded him when he warned about the exclusivity of the event. What the hell went on here that required protection against crashers?


The butler-bouncer, for lack of a better description, peered down at the invitation for a long moment, as though determining its authenticity. Then, curling it in his bony hand, he addressed Greg. “You may access all designated party rooms with the exception of the VIP area, and you must stay in character. How everyone behaves throughout the evening will determine the final judging for the contest.”


“Got it.” Damn, people sure took this party seriously. At least, going as slovenly Oscar rather than uptight Felix, Greg believed he could blend in easily. Acting like a slob came naturally to him anyway.


“Good.” The man startled Greg with a warm smile that completely softened the landscape of his face. “Enjoy yourself.”

Naughty After Dark Blog Hop

Welcome to the Naughty After Dark Blog Hop! Thank you to our sponsors, Nikki from Close Encounters with the Night Kind and Natasha from Natasha Blackthorne Blog for setting up this wonderful event! Yes, I know I'm late posting but I got a little drunk last night partying with all the vampires and werewolves enjoying that Vampire Wine - yummo!

So here we are, hungover today and looking forward to seeing you all on this hop - hey it's great to meet you, but please just keep the noise level down :) Thanks. Don't forget to enter my other giveaways too - inSyte by Greg Kiser is a new paranormal thriller and you can win a print copy.

By visiting my little nest egg here, you have the chance to win one of the following:

or your book of choice valued up to $10 from Amazon

For International Users:

A book of choice valued up to $10 at

So you know the rules - follow the blog, like me on Facebook, catch me on Twitter (both in the right sidebar).                                                    --------------->>>>>

STALK ME BABY!

Leave me a comment with your email, and a separate comment for each task so it gets its own entry, and winner will be chosen using Random.org

VBT Pit Stop Give@w@y & At The Round Table with Greg Kiser - inSyte

Welcome to the Round Table at Immortality and Beyond Greg. We're so happy to have you with us. Greg is the author of a new paranormal thriller - inSyte.

Greg Kiser is happily married to a wonderful and inspirational wife, Serena, and has two beautiful children – Miller and Grace.
Greg graduated from Southern Polytechnic University in Atlanta with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Greg also earned his MBA from the University of South Florida. He is currently a Director at Cisco, a high tech fortune 50 multinational corporation.
Greg has written extensively for fortune 50 high tech firms in describing next generation networks and painting pictures of the true evolution of technology for the consumer.

Email – gkiser@cisco.com
Website - http://www.gkiser.com/gk/HOME.html
Blog - http://gregkiserinsyte.blogspot.com/

BK: Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

It’s Tampa Bay, Florida and the year is 2020. Ex-Navy SEAL Mitch “Double” Downing discovers how to tap into the internet with his mind. His new inSyte provides transparent access to the sum of all human knowledge recorded since hieroglyphics

If knowledge is power, Mitch just became the strongest man in the world.

But inSyte has ideas of its own as the software exposes a politician’s “divine” plan that will unwittingly slaughter millions of people. Is killing the man the only way to prevent Armageddon? The politician’s daughter would probably disagree. And she happens to be the love of Mitch’s life. Losing Kate would be too damn much collateral damage.

At the center of the conflict is a wolf-like killer who will stop at nothing to murder the ex-Navy SEAL. And Mitch must come to grips with inSyte’s dark side – a dominating addiction that soon controls his thoughts and places him on a steep slide to self destruction.

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

I was in a business meeting in 1999 and the customer asked me some questions and they weren’t quite important enough for me to fire up my laptop (which took about 5 min in those days) so I said I’d get back to him.

It struck me that it would be nice to have access to the info on that laptop unbeknownst to the customer. That would be sort of cool, make me seem pretty smart.

As time went on, I realized that’s really inevitable with the internet. There are glasses you can buy today - so called visual headgear – that let you watch content on your ipod. Maybe while you’re on a plane.

Obviously you can also view info on your smart phone. Let’s say voice recognition software improves and the glasses get smaller. Say the glasses become contact lenses. You get the picture. It’s just a matter of time before you can get online anytime, all the time, and you’re doing searches based on a question asked of you. Or just by thinking about something. So you would search the net the way you search your memory.

That’s the high concept and from there I developed the conflict to make the book (hopefully) interesting.

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing stories in about 3^rd grade. Silly stories that were funny and made the class laugh. Stories about my dog, ridiculous stuff I made up.

I wrote a serious story about my brother who died in 2006. That was the first real story I wrote as an adult. It’s available for free at the following URL:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21508465/Did-They-Tell-You

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

Ahem – Long Answer Alert!

inSyte is different in that it has a well developed plot with lots of twists and turns.

But at it’s core, inSyte is a character driven novel. Each character’s motivations are always clear so the plot is easy to follow without being predictable. I also strive for nicely understated humor to break up the intensity.

You always know who’s head you’re in, ie the point of view in any chapter is quickly apparent. The perceptions of the characters are different for the same circumstances, which adds depth.

And I have a lot of dialogue. Dialogue speeds up pacing and is an important element in making a book read quickly. Dialogue also helps to illustrate the characters.

My characters are multi-dimensional and interesting. Even the smaller characters are well-drawn.

My novel is a thriller and there’s plenty of action and tension. I paid a lot of attention to the dialogue to add tension by inter-cutting, avoiding having people speak in complete paragraphs and even sentences. Showing the impatience, projecting a more natural flow.

More than just dialogue, there are a number of physical conflicts. Otherwise known as fight scenes. The various fight scenes have been described by reviewers as horrifying and terrific. This is not a novel about fighting, by any stretch, but there is physical conflict. Great fun.

My antagonist, Cheslov, was described by Kirkus Reviews as “Woven throughout a story with many finely crafted twists, turns and revelations is the charismatic, mysterious, murderous Cheslov Kirill. As a classic merciless political operator, Kirill is unforgettable and chillingly, complexly rendered, especially for a man who uses a school of sharks off the Florida coast for corpse disposal.”

Cheslov is an intense presence in the novel because whenever I have a chapter with Cheslov, you stay firmly in his point of view. You see what he feel, know what he knows. His thoughts are not very pleasant, but they are consistent and (mostly) fair. If not just a tad warped.

You see, Cheslov was born in 1900. And my novel takes place in 2020. Much of Cheslov’s memories are a blank. He remembers events leading up to World War I, then his memories pick up in New York at the turn of the 21^st century. Something happened in the woods of Rostov in 1918 but he doesn’t remember exactly what that was.

But the reader knows. So the reader realizes Cheslov is a paranormal character.

My protagonist, Mitch, is a hero and you find that out in chapter 1. Ex-Navy SEAL. So who possibly go into conflict with a literal monster like Cheslov? How about a Navy SEAL? Who do you think would win? And how?

Read the book to find out!

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

Creating the initial draft was the hardest. The initial overall idea of what your book is going to be about. Who are the characters, what’s the high concept, where will the conflict come from.

Once you get past that and start writing, it gets easier.

And once you get that initial draft completed – then it’s fun. Truly. From that point forward, you only need to polish. Just pick you’re your gem every few days and polish for a few minutes. Hear someone say something funny at the mall, consider a tree limb in a park and how you might describe it, smell a familiar smell and let your mind run – all of these ‘experiences’ … feel them and bring them back into your novel as you polish and make it shine and breathe life into it. That’s the best part. Oh, it’s so hard to get that gem established at first. But once you do, it’s your gem. And it may never sell, it may never make millions of dollars – but it’s your gem and you can publish it and you can get it in print and you can show your friends and one day your children and one day, many years from now, you’ll read that work as a different person, as an older person. You’ll wonder who wrote that? You’ll be amazed all over again.

BK: What character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

My favorite character is Cheslov who is an antagonist… but not necessarily THE antagonist. I struggled at times with dialogue and scene creation for other characters. But for some reason, it just flowed with Cheslov.

My book takes place in 2020. Cheslov is Russian, born around the turn of the century. Around 1900, that is. Somehow he ends up in Tampa in 2020 as hired muscle for the Mayor. How did he survive to 2020 if he was born in 1900?

Something happened in the woods of Rostov.

It’s like that with Cheslov, he’s just naturally creepy. I think Kirkus reviews put it pretty well when they wrote the following in their review of inSyte:

“Woven throughout a story with many finely crafted twists, turns and revelations is the charismatic, mysterious, murderous Cheslov Kirill. As a classic merciless political operator, Kirill is unforgettable and chillingly, complexly rendered, especially for a man who uses a school of sharks off the Florida coast for corpse disposal.”

But he’s also charming, likeable on some level. He is the character everyone who reads my novel seems to talk about. Some are darkly drawn to him. Most found him fascinating in his evilness. But he’s the one people remember. Me too.

BK: Which was your favorite scene to write?

Interesting question. I always had this notion, even as a young child. What would I do if I were in a fight with someone (hey, I’m not a fighter, but as a little kid I thought of these things and just never let this particular one go) and they were wearing some kind of a mask, say a Halloween mask or whatever.

I was beating them, had them beat and then the mask fell off. And I realized I was actually fighting a werewolf.

Would I freeze? Knowing I was stronger and I had won, would fear get the better of me? Sort of a silly thought, but that stuck with me and I knew I wanted to put it into my novel. That actually comes out in one of the crucial conflicts, a fight scene between an ex-Navy SEAL and my antagonist who is part wolf, mostly man, named Cheslov.

So that’s my favorite scene. Yeah, that fight scene.

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?

I might write a sequel. I have a lot of ideas about where to take it. But my wife is solidly opposed to the idea. She wants me to write something more romantic. We’ll see.

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?

My entire novel was written between 4:00am and 7:00am, before work. I am most definitely a morning person. Seems I’m able to tap into my subconscious somehow if I do so before I really wake up, before the rest of the world wakes up.

If I look over my monitor, I see a pool in my backyard and if I’m really lucky I’ll see my two kids swimming and my wife laying in the sun.

Of course, I don’t see them when I’m writing because they generally prefer to sleep instead of sunbathe at 7:00 in the morning ;).

So I’m a computer jockey. And when I’m not on my computer, I’ll take a break and play around on my ipad.

That’s a day in my life. Sad, I know.

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I’m neither writing nor working I like to do a lot of things. I like to build a marble maze with my 7 year old son or watch my 9 year old daughter cruise the sidewalks on her ripstick or lay in bed and let either kid read to me. Captain Underpants is particularly entertaining.

I also love to go out with my wife, listen to live music, sip cold beer(s). Like to play golf, hang with the boys and watch a big football game.

Just a normal guy ;).

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

I was on a Nuclear Cruiser in the Navy. That might surprise some people.

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

Stephen King and Thomas Harris. Gods.

BK: Please tell us one piece of advice you were given as an author that you carry with you when you write?

Never, ever use the word ‘suddenly’ in a novel. That advice came from an Elmore Leonard book on writing my wife gave me. There’s a lot in that simple mandate.

I take the point to be that you should show the reader what’s happening, draw them into the story so that they are surprised by an event, that an event seems to hit them ‘suddenly’ because their head is so totally in the story. Not because a narrator tells them that something is happening “suddenly”. It took me a while to understand that but I get it now. Keep it simple. Keep it direct. Keep it real.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

Just know that if you get in front of the keyboard at the right time of day for you, then you’ll write. Think about your characters, where the story is going to go. You don’t have to have it all planned out. It doesn’t have to be the next Da Vinci Code in terms of plot development. It just has to flow, to take on a life of it’s own.

Don’t start off thinking about how the hell you’re going to write a 300 page novel. Just start off and let the journey occur. Think about it and make your characters come alive and write their thoughts and lives and then let the interactions occur and you’ll be amazed and surprised and hopefully delighted by the results.

BK: What are you currently working on?

Nothing in particular. Thinking about a sequel. Always thinking about things. Trying to consider thoughts that I have that everyone else has but no one talks about. Occasionally I’ll think of something worth writing down. So I’m collecting things and one day, when the inspiration strikes, I’ll get in front of the keyboard and start writing and 50 pages later, I may realize I’m on my way to another novel.

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

www.gkiser.com

inSyte@gkiser.com

inSyte is a paranormal-thriller that according to Perry Crowe of Kirkus Reviews, is equal parts Crichton, Clancy and King.

It’s Tampa Bay and the year is 2020. Ex-Navy SEAL Mitch “Double” Downing discovers how to tap into the internet with his mind. His new inSyte provides transparent access to the sum of all human knowledge recorded since hieroglyphics. More than mere information – Mitch can see into men’s hearts and be all places at all times (easy in an ‘always on’ surveillance society with fourth generation tweets). Sort of like God.

If knowledge is power, Mitch just became the strongest man in the world.

But inSyte has ideas of its own as the software exposes a politician’s “divine” plan that will unwittingly slaughter millions of people. Is killing the man the only way to prevent Armageddon? The politician’s daughter would probably disagree. And she happens to be the love of Mitch’s life. Losing Kate would be too damn much collateral damage.

At the center of the conflict is a wolf-like killer who will stop at nothing to murder the ex-Navy SEAL. And Mitch must come to grips with inSyte’s dark side – a dominating addiction that soon controls his thoughts and places him on a steep slide to self destruction.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VBTC Pit Stop - Giveaway & At the Round Table with C.G. Powell - Spell Checked

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a beverage?   
 A zombie sounds fantastic...I’ll have two!

LOL. Here you go, enjoy!

Now that we're all settled in my lair, I'm de-bite-fully glad you stopped in.

As a teen C.G. Powell was selected as a member of her school's newspaper staff. After her first article the editor decided the darkroom was a more suitable place for her skills…or lack of. Since then, she has traveled everywhere—thanks to her innate curiosity about the world and the Navy. In her life time, she has learned: aviation electronics, CCNA networking, Gemology and how to get bloodstains out of the carpet (you never know when you might need that). But her latest, all-consuming, endeavor is storytelling. When asked why, her response was "I live to challenge myself; I like to be pushed outside of my comfort zone and writing is one of those things that pushes my boundaries. Besides it was the only way to share all of the crap bouncing around in my head!" C.G. Powell lives in Virginia with her husband and children. When she is not writing, you might find her watching hot guys jog past her front window, ordering the cabana boy to fix her another drink or abusing the local authorities…but that’s just hearsay. 

BK: Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

CG: Spell Checked is set in Ireland, at the beginning you get a little bit of a tour weaved into the story. My main character lives in the US and gets a bit of a surprise while on vacation. This book deals mainly with witches and vampires, but I plan to bring in other races in the next book.

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

CG: I always felt witches and vampires were not written the way I would have written them. So, I asked myself “Why not write a story the way you see it?”

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

CG: I haven’t...I consider myself a storyteller and not a writer. One day when I have the literary skills of word ninja, I might call myself a writer.

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

CG: I don’t really read much in the genre to begin with. I pretty much write whatever comes to mind and during the time periods that I’m writing, I stay away from books and TV. I don’t want them to influence my story.

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

CG: For me the hardest part was articulating the story into words. I always know what my characters are doing and what comes next, but penning it, particularly the descriptive, is a bit of a challenge for me... But, I’ve gotten a lot better about it.

BK: What character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

CG: I love writing Beck, he is such a geek and very antiquated. I always know what to expect from him.

BK: Which was your favorite scene to write?

CG: I would have to say the tango scene. I was the moment Mae and Beck connected, even if there was a little help from Aidan...LOL

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?

CG: This book is meant to be part of a trilogy. There was just too much story to write into one book. Book 2 is called Exile Bytes and Book 3 will be called Firewall. They are part of the Terra Stellar world and most likely the only trilogy. I have other books that will be written in this world as standalone books.

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?

CG: Crazy, loud, and random. I like to keep everyone around me on their toes. You never know what I might do or say...LOL

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

CG: I like spending time with my family. When the kids are at school I like to make jewelry or knit. But, lately I haven’t had much time to do either of those.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

CG: I spent 16 years in the Navy doing aviation electronics.

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

CG: I read Sci-fi/Fantasy and romance. My all-time favorite author is Marion Zimmer Bradley, I love her Darkover series. My favorite all time book is Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor.

BK: Please tell us one piece of advice you were given as an author that you carry with you when you write?

CG: Write every day. Once your mind gets accustom to writing frequently, you no longer have to think so much when you have a story bouncing around in your head.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

CG: Just sit yourself down and write...Don’t waste time on how everyone else does it, because honestly, until you have your words on paper, it’s nothing more than a dream. Make it a reality!!!

BK: What are you currently working on?

CG: I just finished “immortal Voyage” and it’s with the editor right now. This story is in the Terra Stellar world and is about Atlantis during the Neolithic time period. I hope to have this published by the end of next month. I’m currently writing a short story about a siren named Sarina which is part of an anthology called Cupid Painted Blind and should be out by the end of this month. I’m also writing book 2 of the No Uncertain Logic series, called Exile Bytes and will have the gang traveling to Tenerife and the Mongolian desert.

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

Facebook, my blog, website, or christinegpowell@gmail.com

Broken relationships were a constant in Mae’s life, causing her to swear off men forever. Unwittingly lured to Ireland, Mae finds herself knee-deep in a hidden world she never knew existed and head over heels for the very man that tricked her to coming there. His deception is complicated by his own feelings for the one person that holds the key to merging the ancient races that once ruled the ancient word.

Mae finds herself in an underground world of witches, and vampires, which are half-breeds of aliens long gone. She learns about her own unique parentage and powers, which she must study in order to control, before they consume her.

Beck and Helen’s love for one another spans across a millennium, her human soul reincarnated to match Beck’s own immortality. This time however the body she occupies is of a being that cannot be eclipsed by her return. After waiting two hundred years, Beck finds himself tormented by Helen’s inability to return and his growing love for her new host.

Some of the underworld creatures welcome her with open arms as a savior, while others seek to destroy the abomination they believe her to be. Will the knowledge of her existence cause a race war when the true power of her blood is discovered? Or will love become her ultimate downfall?   

Excerpt:

A tango started to play. Beck stood up and put his hand out to Mae. “Dance with me, Mae.”

“I can’t dance to this. I don’t know how to tango,” she said nervously.

“But I do. Just follow my lead and feel the music.” Beck pulled her chair out and she gave him her hand.

“I don’t want to look like a fool in front of all these people, Beck.” Mae said as they walked on to the dance floor. For some reason, she was finding it hard to tell him no.

He put his hand around her waist. “All you have to do is keep eye contact with me and feel the rhythm,” Beck reassured her.

The music surrounded them as they danced, flowing through them. Unaware of her own movements, each touch from Beck felt like a lover’s embrace. All she could sense was their closeness. Lost in his beautiful, ice-blue eyes, his fingers burned like a fire against her skin. Moving, spinning, touching, over and over again. Mae could not get enough of him. Pressing so close, she wanted to melt into him and become one, then being pulled away and yearning to be close again. In the pulsating rhythm, Beck’s hands traced down her body’s curves as her legs wrapped around him. She felt like she was looking into his soul; naked, touching, feeling. When the music died down, all Mae could feel was Beck’s warm breath on her neck and his heart beating wildly against her. “You are beautiful,” he whispered as clapping and cheering erupted from the crowd when they walked off the dance floor together.

As they headed back to the table, Aidan pulled Beck aside. He looked at Mae and said, “Could you give us a moment please?” in a concerned voice.

“Sure, see you back at the table.” She made her way to where Gemma was sitting and sat next to her, wondering what was going on between Aidan and Beck.

Aidan waited for Mae to be out of earshot when he finally shook his head at Beck. "Well my friend, that little sexual number was practically pornographic. You two were undressing each other with your eyes and Mae was projecting her emotions for everyone to feel. It was like raw animal lust took over the room. By the end of the dance, we all thought you two would be naked on the dance floor. Half-way through the dance, Gemma slipped her hand in my front pocket and well...Need I say more?"

Beck, stunned by his friend’s words, felt the dance had left him in an emotional turmoil. He was feeling completely vulnerable and did not like it at all. "I should not have let you charm her, now I cannot tell if any of this is real or just the charm."

GIVEAWAY:

For every person that leaves a comment here today, with your email address, you will receive a Smashwords coupon code in your inbox. So be sure to leave a comment to get your copy and just so you know, it's for TODAY ONLY!

For more chances to win, you can follow C.G.'s tour HERE.

Thank you so much for coming to the round table today CG. It was a blast and I wish you so much success in the future!

VBT Pit Stop At the Round Table & Kindle and E-book Giveaway with Sandra Bunino - Marooned in Miami

Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers. 


These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family. Living so close to the city affords her the best of both worlds and provides wonderful writing material. She occasionally pretends to be in a Sex in the City episode and has renamed her best girlfriends Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda which she blogs about often. 


Sandra’s first release is an erotic romance novella entitled Marooned in Miami and is currently hard at work on the sequel.  

http://sandrabunino.com/  

Twitter: @sandrabunino

BK: Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

Marooned in Miami is my erotic romance debut novella about two strangers caught in the perfect storm. It’s a story that begins with the hero and heroine sharing a lustful no strings attached night only to discover they cannot simply walk away from each other (Amazon or B&N).

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

The story was born last summer while I was traveling in the south on business. A raging storm was pounding the area and I was so relieved to finally reach my hotel. As I walked into the lobby a calm serenity took over my senses. The story sparked and grew as I entered the inviting lounge for a drink.

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I developed a love of writing while taking creative writing classes in high school. Like most writers, I love to people watch. I develop stories in my mind from everyday events that just unfold and beg to be written.

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

I greatly respect my fellow authors and am proud to be able to include them as mentors, colleagues and friends. My stories are erotic but also romantic. There is a lust to love development in each book. I love to progress my sexy scenes from flat out infatuation to intimacy as the characters become more emotionally attached. It’s all about the connection.

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

The hardest thing about writing this story was the dynamic between Stephanie and her ex-husband. As a long time happily married chick, I took great care when writing this dialog and interaction to ensure it was realistic to the situation.

BK: What character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

I want to say Stephanie was my favorite because she is such a fashonista but, truthfully, Jason was my favorite character to write. Jason is very multi-faceted. He’s your typical Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome Alpha-male but we also see a vulnerable side that makes him very sexy.

BK: Which was your favorite scene to write?

Oh, that would have to be the elevator scene. This was an added scene to the original story. At first Jason and Stephanie met in the hotel lounge because Stephanie didn’t want to chance an elevator ride during the vicious storm. Later I decided to have them take a chance on the elevator only to, you guessed it, get stuck between floors. We learn a great deal about both characters during this scene, which sets the mood for the rest of the book.

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?

There will be a sequel to Marooned in Miami entitled Lusted in Las Vegas. I felt the story of Stephanie and Jason needed to develop and grow. Sin City is a great place to continue a tryst!

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, what is a day in your life like?

My life is extremely busy! I’m a wife and mother of an amazingly supportive family. Besides our kids, my husband and I have two dogs – a German Shepherd who thinks she’s a Maltipoo and a Maltipoo who in turns thinks he’s a German Shepherd.

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I enjoy photography and watching my son play lacrosse and football. I can usually be found on the sidelines of one of his games snapping pictures.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

I don’t think people would expect that I’ve worked in Corporate Finance and hold an MBA in business management. As far as I’m concerned the first rule in business is rules are just guidelines.

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I enjoy all different genres but I especially like to read romance and mystery. I love to read Nicolas Sparks, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and Lawrence Sanders’ McNally series. One of my favorite erotic romance writers is Lynda Chance. It was Lynda’s stories that encouraged me to follow my dream to become a published author.

BK: Please tell us one piece of advice you were given as an author that you carry with you when you write?

Stay true to your story and don’t pay too much attention to reviews, both good and bad.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

Don’t give up! Stay on course and continue to write. There are many publishing opportunities out there today.

BK: What are you currently working on?

I currently have three active WIP’s. The first is a sweet romance novel entitled Sara’s Smile. I am also writing the continuation of Stephanie and Jason’s story, Lusted in Las Vegas. My third is another novella in my “A Sensual Short Story” series tentatively entitled Captured in Cozumel about a modern day Spanish pirate.

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

Readers can contact me through my website www.sandrabunino.com and on Amazon Author Central. I am also on Twitter @sandrabunino (following is sexy!) and on Facebook.

Undeniable lust and a fierce Miami storm bring sexy strangers together at The Hotel Del Santos for a passion filled night. 


Stephanie, still reeling from a failed marriage, needs a break from the past. She decides to take her friends’ advice and finds a perfect stranger for a night of no-strings-attached, smoking hot sex. 


Jason, a wealthy Seattle builder has the worst luck with love. Swearing he would never allow another woman to get under his skin, Jason decides a life of casual sex is just fine with him. While watching Stephanie’s sexy stilettos click across the lobby floor he zeros in on his next conquest. 


Cut off from the outside world, the lives of these two strangers collide and burn with desire when stranded in the perfect storm. Both are content with the idea of sharing a glorious one-night stand together, that is, until they go their separate ways.

Excerpt:

“This is an interesting predicament we’re in,” she said softly as she strode to the sofa.

Jason couldn’t take his eyes off of her.  “How so?”

“Well, there’s no power or cell service, no way to contact the outside world, and there’s you and me. The way I see it, the night belongs to us and we can do with it whatever we want.”  She stood directly in front of him now.

Jason rose and took her face into his hands; his mouth was so close to hers that she felt his sweet breath on her lips. “What do you want, Stef? You need to tell me.”

Stephanie tried to clear the fog in her head. This wasn’t harmless flirting anymore; it was the real thing. Her failed relationship came to mind again. She and Gary never really had a good marriage, and it came to an abrupt end because of a circumstance similar to this. One night not too long ago, Gary admitted to having an affair with one of his coworkers. She kicked herself for wasting so much time with him. God, I’m thirty years old and have never had great, mind-blowing sex.

  Here she was with a random hottie in her arms, not to mention the fact that she was cut off from the rest of the world.  It was the perfect storm. This was an ideal opportunity to shed her insecurities and move on with her life. She lifted her eyes to meet his, licked her lips seductively and whispered one word, “You.”

Giveaway: 

One free copy of Marooned in Miami (winners choice of Kindle or Nook version) plus a Kindle giveaway for one random commenter at the end of the book tour.

Follow Sandra's Tour

For every comment you leave along Sandra's tour, you gain one entry into her grand prize giveaway for a Kindle. You can follow her tour HERE.