Saturday, June 29, 2013

Branded Release Sale

Branded is LIVE!!!! And it is on SALE!!! I am so excited this book is finally out so that now everyone can know the awesomeness that is BRANDED.

 

Message from Abi and Missy:

We are so excited to share Branded with you. We know some of you will love it, like it, think it's okay and some won't like it at all. We understand that this novel won't be for everyone, but we do want to thank you for taking the time to read Branded...and of course for supporting us as Indie Authors. 

www.abiandmissy.com

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402117-branded

Twitter @abiandmissy 

https://www.facebook.com/AbiandMissy

 

You Can Read My Review Here

Branded Review

Synopsis from Amazon

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.



My Review

I’m not going to lie, this is not my usual type of book that I read, but the synopsis sounded very interesting. Dystopian has never really been something I was interested in. Even so, I gave it a try and I am so glad that I did. I loved Branded! I was instantly hooked. Not only does it have romance, it also has the right amount of suspense. There is no predicting what is just around the corner. The twists and turns in this story are amazing! Especially near the end. My mind was BLOWN! I would have never been able to guess that surprise.
Abi and Missy’s writing is so descriptive. It is amazing how their writing sucks you in and you feel every bit of the story. I felt so many emotions while reading this story.
You can’t help but fall in love with the characters. I loved the relationship between Cole and Lexi. Even though it started under horrible circumstances, you could see how Cole tried so hard to fight his feelings. It was so sweet how protective he was over Lexi. Then there was Zeus. I love him so much! He is so adorable and funny. You just have to meet him.
Besides being able to feel so much emotion in the story, one of my favorite things about this story is that there isn’t a cliffhanger. It is the beginning of a series, but it has a happy ending for now. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I’m so anxious to find out what happens next.
 

Grab Your Copy Here ----> Branded for Kindle

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Between the Raindrops Cover Reveal

If you have not had the pleasure of reading K. Pinson's work, I am here to tell you that you are missing out. This woman is BRILLIANT! Today is the cover reveal for her upcoming book Between the Raindrops. I am on pins and needles waiting for this book to be released.
 
 
 
Between the Raindrops by K. Pinson
Release Date: TBA
Cover Design: MGbookcover Designs

You can find K. Pinson at
You can find MGbookcover Designs at
 

Synopsis for Between the Raindrops

Nevaeh Daniels isn't like your typical twenty-four year old. She doesn't have life all figured out and frankly, she just doesn't give a damn. 

She parties too hard, cusses too much and has no true direction in life.

Her parents gave up on her long before and focus solely on her identical twin sister, perfection at it's finest, Heaven Daniels. Well at least they did... until she commits suicide and puts the reputation of her family and herself at stake. Her parents refuse to go back to a life of squalor, so they devise a plan. A plan to give Nevaeh a life she never thought she'd have; fortune, fame and the love of fellow Hollywood hottie, Tate Monahugh. But he isn't the only one interested in getting inside her head and discovering her true being. 

Are the lifestyles of the rich and famous all they are really cracked up to be or will Nevaeh succumb to her old life of solitude and forget-it-all attitude?



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Summer Book Crush Sale

 
Hot sun, hot sand, cool drinks, dark tans. Ahhhh. But your summer won’t be complete until you land a new BOOK BOYFRIEND, right? Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered!

 
color banner
 

SUMMER BOOK CRUSH offers 50+ titles in many genres. This means 50+ chances to (fictitiously) fall in love. And the best part? Each of these gems is only 99¢, but for a limited time only. The SUMMER BOOK CRUSH event starts on June 26th and ends (yes, even the best things in life end at some point) on June 28th. So don't wait up! Mingle with our BOOK BOYFRIENDS and invite all your friends to participate too. There are plenty of BOOK BOYS to share!
 
 
Button_who is your book crush
 

Find your summer’s fling between the pages of a book. And don't stop on one - after all we have many BOOK BOYFRIENDS for you to mingle with.
* HAPPY READING * HAPPY SUMMER *

Monday, June 24, 2013

Whisky On My Mind Review

Synopsis from Amazon

Life for Whisky McKenna is no longer hanging in limbo. She’s now part owner of her father’s Bar and Grill and back in college finishing her degree. With Sawyer Riley; all six feet of brooding denim and leather at her side, life should be getting easier…but loving Sawyer was never going to be an easy choice; not when he came with a motorcycle club as a third wheel in their relationship.
Added to that, a new threat has emerged bringing with it a complication in the form of her old lover, Caleb Santiago.
Past secrets and old hurts are forced to the surface as Whisky struggles to adjust to her life as Sawyer’s old lady while trying not to lose everything she’s worked so hard for in the process.
Can she love Sawyer and accept his life without letting go of everything that was once important to her? Or will sharing him with the club be too big a sacrifice?
 

My Review

As predicted, I loved Whisky On My Mind. I may have enjoyed it more than the first book in the series. I was able to welcome most of my favorite characters back and sit back and watch the drama unfold. We are talking about major drama, but I absolutely loved how the drama was handled and dealt with. Ah! It is so hard not to dive right in and spill the beans about what was sooooo great about this book. However, I won’t. I will just touch the tip of the ice berg and leave the rest for you to find out on your own.
Anyways, moving on so I don’t say too much. Sawyer. Oh so wonderful Sawyer. Tattooed hottie that sings, Sawyer. Yes, he is oh-so-yummy.  There was a brief moment in the book that I hated him and wished a very horrific and painful death, but he made up for it. I guess I was just a bit too emotional at that point. I eventually came to my senses and forgave him. He did pretty dang good at making up for it, by the way. Just like I knew he would. Okay so I had my doubts for a few minutes; you would have too, don’t judge. Ha ha. When I started reading this book, I only thought Sawyer was near perfect. I was so wrong! By the end of the book, Sawyer had completely surprised me and won my heart 110%.
I really liked how we were able to see more of Whisky’s and Bella’s relationship; even when Bella was being a total brat. It was enjoyable seeing how they were together rather than just over the phone. Bella is the best friend most of us wish we had.
I may have almost thrown my Kindle against the wall. Slutty, conniving waitresses just make me angry. I wanted to reach through the Kindle and rip Kiki’s hair out. She should have had a lot more done to her. She got off too easy, in my opinion. I’m sure Bella and I could take out some good revenge if we put our minds together. Ha ha ha ha!
I loved how the book had so much drama. It really keeps you on your toes. It was a roller coaster of emotions. So many ups and downs, it was awesome. If you know me then you would know that the more a book makes me feel emotion, the more I LOVE the book. Especially if it makes me cry. Those end up being my favorite books. Whisky On My Mind had me crying. Both good and bad tears. It was amazing.
If you have not read these books yet, what are you waiting for? You will thank me forever after you meet Sawyer. Trust me ;)
 

Grab Book 1 ----> Whisky State of Mind for Kindle

Grab Your Copy Now ----> Whisky On My Mind for Kindle

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Whisky State of Mind Review

Synopsis from Amazon


Whisky “Sky” McKenna, daughter of a once notorious motorcycle club president, just wants to live her own life, without her father’s baggage, without her grandparents’ controlling rules, and preferably without stabbing her obnoxious employer with a fork.

For months, the only thing that kept Sky dragging herself out of bed and off to her job was the brief few moments she got to stand behind her mystery guy at the coffee shop. She didn’t know his name—she didn’t care, all she knew was that those precious few moments each day she spent fantasizing about having his babies was the highlight of her pathetically, mundane life.

Then he walked back into her life. Sawyer Riley; six feet of broody denim and leather with a demand that would turn her life upside down.

Suddenly mundane was beginning to look pretty darn good.

Holding onto her newly found freedom was proving difficult when everyone seemed hell bent on taking it away. How was she supposed to have a future when her past kept getting in the way?
 

My Review


I loved Whisky State of Mind. It is such a sweet and funny story. Add in just the right amount of mystery, a childhood crush turned hot biker, and a strong and independent lead character and I was hooked and completely lost in this story. Although the story had some serious subject matter, it was still humorous and very enjoyable.
I found the main characters to be very entertaining. Whisky was very strong and independent, knew what she wanted for her life, and worked hard to get it.
Whisky’s best friend, Bella, was very delightful; she had me cracking up. I loved how she knew Whisky so well and how she always told her how it was. Whisky couldn’t hide anything from Bella. Bella was the perfect person for Whisky to go to when she needed to talk something out.
Johnny, Whisky’s father, is the president of the Black Mustangs biker gang. He may have a tough exterior, but underneath the surface he is a teddy bear and so wise. My favorite quote from him in this book is, “There’s no such thing as failure if you’re still dreaming”. He has many wise words in the book, but that is my absolute favorite.
Sawyer is Whisky’s childhood crush/hero. Now, Sawyer is a hot and yummy biker in the Black Mustangs. I loved his connection with Whisky. You could tell from the beginning that he had a heart of gold. He is so stinkin’ sweet and caring. I loved how he was so protective of Whisky. He had a good head on his shoulders and was a real go-getter. If it had to be done, he would make sure it would get done, and get done right. He would do anything he had to do to take care of Whisky. I just couldn’t get enough of Sawyer. Luckily, I don’t have to yet. I’m starting the second book in the series, Whisky On My Mind.
 

Grab Your Copy Here ----> Whisky State of Mind for Kindle



Love, Carry My Bags Review

Synopsis from Amazon

Camryn Johnson’s world is turned upside down when long lost love, Reese Dahlgren, re-enters her life at a pivotal point in her already challenging marriage. She faces an excruciating predicament: choose between a broken home for her daughter or a broken life for herself.

After her parents' divorce, Camryn first meets high school basketball star, Reese, at the Harvard Milk Day Festival bed races. Reese hides baggage of his own…until Camryn melts his heart and learns secrets entrusted only to her. Still, the weight is too much to bear. Unable to cope, Reese unwittingly backs Camryn into a corner during his air force enlistment—love him from afar, or leave him.

Enter aerospace engineering student, Glenn Conroy. Persistent and savvy, he woos Camryn during her junior year of college and wins her heart. Or does he? When Reese re-enters her life, further disrupting her tenuous marriage, Camryn turns to best friend, Megan, for advice, but refuses to believe Megan’s suggestion that she’s caught in a “simple” love triangle.

Camryn unveils hidden mysteries and secrets as she embarks on a life-changing journey of revelation and forgiveness, transcending doormat qualities inherited from her mother, and in the process finds what life's struggles are really all about.

C.R. Everett's heart-wrenching debut novel takes the reader on an emotion-packed journey that lingers long after the last page is turned.

My Review

Love, Carry My Bags is a heartwarming and emotional story. I was going through a pretty hard time when I read this book, and this book touched so close to home and taught me so much. Following Camryn through her life’s ups and downs, I learned so much about myself.
This is a wonderful coming of age story. It was different than any other New Adult coming of age story that I have read. To me, the story was much deeper and more complex than your average run-of-the-mill coming of age story. It felt genuine. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought this was a non-fiction story 100%. I was able to connect to this story on many levels.
I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with the characters like they were part of my family. This is a story that touched my heart and will remain there for a very long time.
 

Grab Your Copy Here ----> Love, Carry My Bags for Kindle



In Spades Sale

Wondrous book for only 99 cents! If you haven't already, run and buy this book. I recommend buying it in ebook and paperback formats.  :)


My Review for In Spades

 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Let Love Stay Cover Reveal

Say hello to the second book in The Love series by Melissa Collins. Look at that baby. Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't that cover just scream, "Read me! Read me!" ? Come on, you know you want to. It's okay, my fellow book lovers. I know that feeling all too well. Wanting and needing that book you have waited for, for what feels like forever and a day. We only have to wait just a little bit longer. Let Love Stay will be released on July 31.


*Synopsis*


If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love.  But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears?  What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future? 

Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love.  Then life happened.  Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light. 

Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need to heal on their own before they can ever be together again.  They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love. 

They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay. 
Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
 

*Excerpt*

I get out of the truck and walk over towards the two of them.  Maddy’s back is to me as I approach her and her date, so she doesn’t see me right away.  But once the guy sees me, she spins around to look at what has caught his eye. 
Her face is shocked and when our eyes lock, my heart skips a beat.  There’s a pull between us.  As much as I hate to admit it, she owns me.  Her eyes are magical.  They dance with light and passion and when she looks at me, they are filled with love. 
The love and passion that are sparkling in her emerald green eyes evaporate when she realizes the scene that I’ve just stumbled upon.  I can only imagine what’s going through her mind, but I’m sure the images of me kicking Logan’s ass are flashing vividly through her mind. 
I’m no more than a few feet from them when the guy pushes Maddy behind him to protect her from what he perceives as a threat.  He’s not very far from the truth, but she’s not the one who needs protecting. 
Menacingly close now, he pipes up.  “Who the fuck are you?  What do you want?”  Okay, I’ll give the prick a little bit of credit for trying to stand up to me, but he has no clue what he’s competing against here. 
The caveman in me wants to deck this guy and drag Maddy into a bed – any bed – and claim her, repeatedly, until she understands that she’s mine and no one else’s.  I’m going to do that anyway, but hopefully I can refrain from knocking this guy on his ass.  I’d like to have the use of my hands tonight. 
My eyes never leave Maddy’s, but my words are directed at him.  “Me?  I’m the boyfriend, asshole.”  Maddy’s eyes widen slightly as I say “boyfriend.”  Did she really think we ever broke up? 
I avert my gaze from Maddy for a minute to stare this douchebag down.  “And who the fuck do you think you are?”  He falters, not enough that most people would notice, but I’m in predator mode.  I see his throat work hard to swallow past the newly formed fear.  His pupils dilate slightly and the pulse beating in his neck picks up as adrenaline surges through him.  If he thinks he’s going to win this battle, he is wrong – so fucking wrong. 
He puffs out his chest as he says, “I’m Maddy’s date for tonight.”  He snickers lightly as he says, “You know?  She never mentioned a boyfriend when I asked her out.  Must not be much of a boyfriend if she doesn’t even mention you.”  He swells with pride at his snarky little quip.  In the split second he looks away from me to gauge Maddy’s approval, I lay him flat on the ground as I drop my shoulder into his gut and take his legs out from underneath him with one of my own.  I freaking love my takedown skills.  I didn’t even have to bust up my hands.  I’m definitely going to need them in a little bit. 
I straddle over him and pull him up by the collar.  “Whether she mentioned me or not, she’s mine, so lay the fuck off.  Got it?”
Maddy still hasn’t said a word and I haven’t actually spoken directly to her.  I’m pretty sure she understands my actions though.  Wordlessly, I reach my hand out to her.  This is her chance.  If she still wants me, then she’ll come with me.  This is who I am, who I’ve always been.  If she can’t understand that I love her, that I want her more than anything, then it’s not because I haven’t tried as hard as I possibly could to prove it to her.
Hand still outstretched, I look her directly in the eyes, as I try to convey everything that I’m thinking, that I’m feeling.  In what feels like an act of God, she understands me and laces her hand in mine. 
 

Let Love In (Love Series #1)

 
 

*About Melissa Collins*

I’ve always been an avid reader.  Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer.  Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer.  I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it.  When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity.  My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there.  I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. 
 

*Links*

Twitter - @mcollinsauthor


Monday, June 10, 2013

The Little Red Book of Romance Release

The Little Red Book of Romance is now available and is at the amazing price of FREE!!!

SYNOPSIS:

The Little Red Book of Romance brings together all the early writings of author T.H. Dillon in one convenient volume, plus an entirely NEW short-story exclusive to this book! Complete with introductions from Thomas himself, each story now comes to you in a newly revised and updated format. Included are all eight of Thomas Hunter Dillon’s works from The Little Purple Book of Passions, and all four of his works from The Little Black Book of Paranormal Passions. The Little Red Book of Romance brings you an array of sexy and sensual offerings from the erotic and daring, to the paranormal and bold. These are the unique styling's that launched the career of Thomas Hunter Dillon.

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thomas Hunter Dillon is a Midwestern writer living in the great state of Wisconsin. After being born and raised in the Madison area, his life has taken him around the entire state on some great and unique adventures that he strives to share in his writing. Erotic and sensual writing began as a hobby for him in his early 20’s and has recently become the foundation for his identity as T.H. Dillon. He writes in other genres as well, under other names. When not working on a current writing project, he enjoys passing time with good movies, sports, and classic cars. He also enjoys receiving messages and feedback from his readers, and tries to respond to them whenever possible.

 
LINKS:



EXCERPT: (from the all-new story "FANtasy")
 
After pressing the button for the 53rd floor, Zach quickly flashed a glance over at the mystery beauty and acknowledged her with a polite smile and a calm “You’re welcome”. Once he had done so, he tried to avert his eyes to avoid making her feel uncomfortable. Zach looked up at the ceiling of the elevator….mirrors. Then he glanced over at the back wall of the elevator….mirrors. But what he saw in them was the reflection of a beautiful stranger with a stare planted firmly on him. He finally dropped his head to pretend he was looking at the floor of the elevator, only there was a problem with that….more mirrors! Now if he stared too long at the floor of the elevator, he could be accused of trying to peep up the slinky black dress of his guest in the elevator. There was simply no way he could avoid looking at her.

Her petite voice pierced the awkward silence once more. “72nd floor?” she questioned.

Zach was hoping to be there soon, so he could avoid any more awkward conversation. He glanced up at the digital floor-counter above the elevator doors. 9th floor! This awkward conversation was just beginning. With that he turned his attention to the mystery beauty opposite him in the elevator.

“Yep, that’s me!” he said shyly as he met her eyes with his.

“Isn’t everything above the 70th floor a suite or a penthouse?” she curiously mused.

“I honestly have no idea miss. This is my first time ever staying here.”

Her curiosity began to grow more now. She started to eye Zach up and down to get a good look at him. Zach suddenly became uneasy because he knew how this always ended for him. Or at least he thought he did. As he expected her too, the mysterious woman ceased to relent with her questioning.

“Say….you must be someone important if you’re staying on the 72nd floor,” she pondered out loud.

“Or have a good night at the blackjack tables!” he quickly joked.

The momentary laughter their shared over that statement served to ease Zach’s tension for only a matter of minutes. Zach didn’t know what to say next and neither did the mystery beauty. He glanced up again at the floor-counter above the doors, thinking he had successfully dodged a bullet. 14thfloor! This elevator was quickly becoming a prison of sorts and Zach’s anxiety grew. He wondered the likelihood of them making it to the 53rd floor before the inevitable happened. Probably not he thought to himself. He glanced back over at his co-pilot on this magic carpet ride and found her still intently fixated on him with her stare.

“So Mr. Lucky-at-blackjack…..what’s your name?” she politely asked.

“Zach,” he responded.

“That’s funny,” she noted. “I drove up today for a book-signing at the book shop on the other side of the resort. The author’s name was Zachary Disdain,” she smirked.

“You don’t say?” Zach said with a twinge of sarcasm.

“Yeah, you know the romance author, Zachary Disdain?”

“No ma’am….can’t say as I know him.”

“I suppose not,” the mystery woman suggested. “Most men don’t read romance novels anyways.”


“You can say that again!” Zach quickly joked.

Friday, June 7, 2013

No Brainer Blog Stop

 
 

Blurb

 

Two weeks before junior year, Darcy hops a plane to Orlando for a little R&R with her best friend Dylan and his family. Fresh off the heels of solving three murders in Valley, you'd think she'd sit back and enjoy the vacation capital of the world … maybe if you're a noun. Darcy Walker, however, is nothing but verb. 
Before her feet hit the Orlando soil, she's meddling in the disappearance of a five-year-old boy who vanished six months earlier. 
With authorities still no closer to solving the case, Darcy is shanghaied by her impulsivity and runs headlong into that proverbial burning building, convinced she can bring him home. 
She travels down a road that not only follows this missing child but branches off into the corrupt and sinister world of mob activity when she tampers in a case on which Dylan's detective grandfather is working.
After a near disastrous midnight meeting in a warehouse and a date with a mechanical bull, Darcy realizes she might've bitten off more than she can chew. Add the boiling flirtationship with her best friend and the appearance of his romantic rival, and she is in over her head. 
Will she survive a life of flirting with death too easily? Or will her flirtationship with Dylan become the actual death of her instead? 
For a girl with a habit of finding dead bodies, No Brainer gives Darcy Walker more of the same…surprising twists and turns…and running for her life.
 
 
 
 

 

Excerpt 

CATFIGHT
Guilt consumed me.
     Should I even try to count up all of my offenses? If tapping into government property were frowned upon, walking into OBT would make a preacher swear. I was literally a victim of my own impulsivity. But I was 15 years old, and at this point, I’d learned to embrace my dysfunction. Maybe that was step-one to recovery, or maybe I’d learned to employ rationalization at its finest. Either way, the universe didn’t take too kindly when you rationalized. Right when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, life cut me off at the knees with another dose of how-low-can-you-go.
     Yankee pranced inside the back pool entrance and was now an albino blonde. She’d either dumped a bottle of peroxide on her head or her hair aged fifty years overnight. My stomach burned and twisted, and it felt like I’d scarfed a jar of habanero peppers.
“Greetings, ladies,” she smirked. That statement felt as fake as her hair. She slinked over the black pavers in a barely-there red bikini, worming her way directly between Sydney and me who lay totally horizontal on chaise lounges. Today was convection-oven sweltering, and I'd been drinking everything in sight like a camel in the desert. I’d chugged two bottles of water, a can of Coke, and half a glass of iced tea and hadn’t had the need to tinkle once. Wearing my skimpiest of white bikinis, for me that meant the string part stretched two inches instead of one. For Sydney, it meant a pink piece of thread her mother made the sign of the cross over. They argued, but Sydney laughed and hiked it up higher.
     “Where’s Dylan?” Yankee asked snootily.
     “Out,” Sydney interrupted. Not true. Dylan had just swam two-dozen laps and stepped inside to watch a ballgame.
     But guess what, Darcy’s lips were sealed.
     Yankee lifted her chin in a pout. “I’ll wait.”
     Whatever, I thought. And I hope you drop dead in the process.

Quote

“I’d be destroyed if you were suddenly got from my life,” he whispered. Dylan Taylor, No Brainer

Author Interview

What made you decide to start writing?     I majored in English and Journalism in college, so I always liked to write, but I pictured myself more as an investigative journalist, than author, though. Writing the Darcy Walker Series is as surprising to me as anyone else!!
Where do you get the inspiration for your stories and characters?     I get inspiration for my characters from past experiences, so if I ever run across you and you strike me as interesting, you just might make it onto the page. As far as stories, my inspiration comes from pop culture and the daily news. I read about 10 online magazines and newspapers a day. I’m sort of nosy that way…LOL. I HAVE to know what is going on around me.
What is your writing process like?    Every night I outline what I’d like to accomplish the next day. Most of the days that outline is completed, but sometimes characters will take you down paths and mess up what you intended. A lot of the times I do not write scenes in sequence. I’ll get hung up on some aspect of the story, and the characters in that scene won’t shut up until I finish it in the fashion they approve of. I have ten-plus books outlined for the Darcy Walker Series with certain scenes written in all of them. Let’s just say I know what is going to happen to Darcy, how it’s going to happen, who it’s going to happen with, and at what age. Details may be surprising, but I know how the whole thing is going to end.
Which character of yours is your favorite and why?   Obviously, I love Darcy, but in No Brainer, I’m very fond of Dylan Taylor, Darcy’s best friend. All of the books in the series are written in the first person point of view of Darcy, but as the author, I have the benefit of knowing what goes on in every character’s thoughts and hearts. There will probably be one other book that is a joint POV between Darcy and another character, but that won’t happen until books eight or nine.
Do you have a specific writing style?    I try to write to the characters and the plot about the same, but if I err in one direction, I’ll mostly write toward the character.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?    I want them to realize that even if life dealt you a hand that isn’t particularly fair (believe me, I understand unfair) then I don’t want anyone to ever give up. Cry for as long as you need to cry, but then get up and try again. Failure, or what you may perceive as failure, is only an example of what not to do or what to do better. Don’t throw in the towel. Embrace what you have, be glad that you’re unique, then go at what you want like a Pit Bull on a bone.  I believe the universe rewards hard work. Does that mean you will reach every goal that you have for yourself? Maybe not, but I wholeheartedly believe if that’s the case, then something else will materialize along your journey that you might be better at.
Who are your favorite authors?    JR Ward, Karen Marie Moning, Janet Evanovich, Stephenie Meyer, Lara Adrian, M. Leighton come to the top of my mind.
What books have most influenced your life most?    The book that has influenced me the most, bar none, is the Bible. The authors that have influenced me the most are JR Ward, Karen Marie Moning, and Janet Evanovich. They write action, suspense, and romance the way I like to read it. Plus, they infuse tons of humor and raw, gritty language and plots like I like to use. I’m never going to write boring. You’re not just going to see a dead body…you’re going to know what it looks like and how it makes the characters feel. Darcy is kind of like Nancy Drew…on STEROIDS.
What book are you reading now?    Nothing right now, but I just finished an advanced copy of “The Search” by my indie author and friend, Kelley Grealis, and I loved it!!
Who designs your book covers?    My book covers are designed by the geniuses of ’68 Zombie Comics, Mark Kidwell and Jay Fotos. Girrrrrlllll, I feel honored to have them do my covers!  I pinch myself every time I look at what they do. I went to high school with Mark, and he and I will have a conversation and then he’ll shoot me off a pencil drawing of what he envisions. Not once have I wanted to change anything…I think I changed some fingernail lengths, but that’s it. He’s that good at what he does. And Jay will color them and make them look three-dimensional. How he does what he does is a gift. He makes pictures have “light.”
What was the hardest part of writing your book?    When I first started doing this, I wanted to inflict my desires on the characters. That didn’t fly at all. Characters will wake you up at night and tell you that you are going down a wrong path and that you are a flaming idiot. I’m glad I have that type of relationship with them (I know that sounds schizophrenic), but it’s true. They keep me in check and let me know if I’m doing something that is totally out of line with their characterization.
What was your favorite part of your book(s)?    Jeez, the comedy. In the words of Forest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” I find if I can laugh, then the bad times aren’t so paralyzing.
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?    Everything that goes on in my books is based on real life. Granted, I don’t find dead bodies on a regular basis, but the things that happen to the characters in my book are experiences I’ve drawn upon.
How do you come up with the titles for your books?    Heck, if I know. They just sort of pop into my mind.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?    I’m a mom, so I shuttle my kids everywhere! But when it’s just my husband and me, we like to go to movies and out to dinner with friends. Also, we’re rabid hometown sports fans so we like to watch the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals. I’m sort of a jock like that.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?    I have two. Jesus…just so he could tell me face-to-face I’m not the eternal screw up that I fear that I am…LOL. And any of my favorite authors. I drool at all of their books, and I’d love to have conversations with them about their writing processes. Plus, I like Ronald Reagan…yeah, my inner journalist thinks he would be a really, really cool interview.
Do you have any upcoming projects?    No Brainer is obviously now out, and 100 Proof Stud (book three in the Darcy Walker Series) is coming out at the end of the year.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?    Thank you, thank you, thank you for welcoming Darcy Walker into your life. I’d be nowhere without you taking a chance on me, and not a day goes by that I don’t realize how lucky I am to have met you. I take nothing for granted…nothing. I’ve been at the bottom, and I’ve been at the top. And I’ve had a whole lot of oh-crap situations in between. I pray I’ve created a character that shows you that tenacity and the iron will to never quit is what will get you up in the morning when your days is not so stellar. That’s who Darcy is to me.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About AJ Lape

AKA - Ada Miracle Lape

 

1. I can dislocate my left shoulder on command.
2. I started running high school track when I was in the sixth grade.
3. I would’ve been a police officer or journalist if life didn’t land me where I am.
4. My favorite movie is It’s a Wonderful Life…cry like a baby when George Bailey starts yelling, “I want to live again…I want to live again.”
5. I had an academic scholarship.
6. I like to shoot 9mm guns (dying to shoot an Uzi) in my spare time…look out Target World, every once in a while you have to walk your inner hillbilly
7. I’m like Rain Man when it comes to fractions.
8. I used to write and record songs. I won Honorable Mentions in the John Lennon Song Writing Contest and Music City Song Festival.
9. I’m a notorious sleepwalker.
10. I’ve cliff-dived off a 40-foot cliff into a lake…wouldn’t recommend it…painful.
 
-Links
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Giveaway


 

8 winners chosen on 16thto allow a few last min. entries.
Be sure to drop by each stop of the tour to gain more entries plus the chance of a daily Ebook of No Brainer!! These Ebook winners will chosen from pooling that days comments left on your blogs and picked by Random. Org . Be sure to post the blog list to allow your readers a chance to visit each days blog stops. 

 1- $30 Amazon gift card, 1- autographed copy of No Brainer, 4- Ebooks (either Grade A Stupid or No Brainer - winner's choice), and 2- SWAG pack winners (SWAG includes signed Iniquity Engineer bookmark, signed postcard of both books, and refrigerator magnet of both book covers)




 

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