Valentine's DEAL!

Who loves a good deal? We ALL love a good deal! For me, there is nothing quite like a bit of downtime when I can read (okay, writing is even better, but still...a good read is where it's at!).

(Image by sattva, freedigitalphotos.net)

Kobo is offering a BUY 2 GET 1 FREE--FREE!--on several of their romance eBook titles this weekend, so hop on over and grab some great romance novels for a killer price (see links below).

And my novel BETWEEN NOW AND NEVER is one of them!

  Kobo, buy 2 get 1 FREE Valentine's Deal

Direct link to BETWEEN NOW AND NEVER on Kobo

Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll.

INFINITY + ONE by Amy Harmon Cover Reveal and Giveaway

I have read three of Amy's previous novels and loved--LOVED them, so I wasn't about to pass up on the opportunity to share the cover reveal of her upcoming novel, INFINITY + ONE! Here it is...

• Release Date: June 10, 2014
• Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance (standalone)
• Cover Design: Berto Designs
• Hosted by: Vilma’s Book Blog

Synopsis

When two unlikely allies become two unwitting outlaws, will two unforgettable lovers defy unbeatable odds?

Bonnie Rae Shelby is a superstar. She’s rich. She’s beautiful. She’s impossibly famous. And Bonnie Rae Shelby wants to die.

Finn Clyde is a nobody. He’s broken. He’s brilliant. He’s impossibly cynical. And all he wants is a chance at life.

One girl. One boy. An act of compassion. A bizarre set of circumstances. And a choice – turn your head and walk away, or reach out your hand and risk it all?

With that choice, the clock starts ticking on a man with a past and a girl who can’t face the future, counting down the seconds in an adventure riddled with heartbreak and humor, misunderstanding and revelation. With the world against them, two very different people take a journey that will not only change their lives, but may cost them their lives as well.

Infinity + One is a tale of shooting stars and fame and fortune, of gilded cages and iron bars, of finding a friend behind a stranger’s face, and discovering love in the oddest of places.

Excerpt

He bit back a curse and strode to his truck. Unlocking the door, he tossed his bags in the backseat, climbed in, and slammed the door. He turned the key and backed out resolutely, trying to ignore the fact that she had risen, her hands on her bags, and that her hood had slipped from her head. She didn’t move forward, didn’t call out to him to wait. She just stood there, watching him go. He shifted into drive and made it 100 feet before he let his eyes find her figure in the rear view mirror.

“Unbelievable,” Finn ground out, and slammed the wheel with the palm of his hand. He slowed to a stop. “UNBELIEVABLE!” he reprimanded himself even as he engaged the brake, pushed the door open and lurched out of the idling vehicle. Bonnie still stood with her two duffle bags in her hands, her grandma’s stolen purse on her shoulder, but now her lips were slightly parted, clearly stunned that he’d stopped.

And she wasn’t the only one. Finn felt like he was split right down the middle. The rational part of his brain, the side that ensured his survival and his sanity, was outraged, demanding that he keep driving, while the side of his brain that was connected to his heart and other parts of his body was breathing a sigh of relief that he hadn’t let her get away.

She didn’t move, as if she was sure that the moment she did he would change his mind, climb back in the Blazer, and drive away. So he walked back to her, battling with himself every step of the way. He walked until they were practically toe to toe, her dark eyes wide and lifted to his, his hands shoved into his pockets so he wouldn’t strangle her. But his pockets felt like manacles around his wrists and he yanked them free, fisting them in the front of Bonnie’s puffy pink coat and raising her up on her toes and into him until they weren’t toe to toe any longer but nose to nose. His emotions were a big tangled ball of anger, longing, and injustice all wrapped up in impatient outrage, and Finn couldn’t separate one feeling from another. So he did the only thing he could do. He kissed her.

It wasn’t a soft kiss or a sweet kiss. It was a ‘you-scared-me-and-messed-with-me-and-I’m-mad-and-relieved-and-unbelievably-frustrated’ kind of kiss. It was teeth and lips and nipping and bruising, and Finn couldn’t make himself stop, even when Bonnie’s teeth tugged at his lower lip and her hands pulled at his hair. Especially then. And when she wrapped her arms around his neck and stepped up onto his toes so that she could press herself flush against him, he decided revenge really was sweet, and enjoyed the feel of her face against his, the wet heat of her mouth making him forget he was standing in the middle of a Motel 6 parking lot with his ride rumbling behind him, the driver side door still hanging wide open. The rational part of his brain was stunned into peaceful silence…for all of ten seconds.

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About The Author

Amy Harmon knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story.

Amy Harmon has been a motivational speaker, a grade school teacher, a junior high teacher, a home school mom, and a member of the Grammy Award winning Saints Unified Voices Choir, directed by Gladys Knight. She released a Christian Blues CD in 2007 called “What I Know” – also available on Amazon and wherever digital music is sold. She has written five novels, Running Barefoot, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue, Making Faces, and coming in June, Infinity + One.

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Giveaway

Amy Harmon is giving away three pre-release ARC paperbacks to three lucky winners!

Open Internationally!

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The Keeper's Defiance Blog Tour and Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for Kelly Nelson's third book in The Keeper's Saga. Read more about The Keeper's Defiance below and enter to win a signed copy!

The scream of a dragon woke me. Wide-eyed, I scrambled to my knees, searching for a place to hide. Then it dawned on me--within the clutches of the enemy, I was perfectly safe from the dragons.--Chase Harper.

When Chase found the gold counter buried in a cave, he went back in time, setting in motion events that would change the course of his life and forever alter the destiny of the new world. After he and a small group of soldiers rescue his girlfriend Ellie from the Shuylians, they are overtaken during their race for the Algonian border. Chase falls into enemy hands, leaving Ellie to fend for herself. As time passes, he is believed dead--forever lost. So when Davy, Perception's Keeper, is charged with seeing to Ellie's safety, will his persuasions turn her heart away from Chase?

The Keeper's Defiance on:

Amazon

Goodreads

Facebook

Kelly Nelson was raised in Utah and now resides in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys life on a ten-acre horse property with her husband, four children, and of course lots of horses. Kelly has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and worked as a CPA for several years before opting to stay home and raise a family. As a young girl she was an avid reader and had a passion for creative writing. Her travels to England, France, Egypt, Israel, West Indies, Mexico and across the United States sparked a love of history, adventure and exotic places. This led to the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Keeper's Calling, Book 1 in The Keeper's Saga.

                              

 The Keeper's Calling (book #1) $2.99 on Amazon     The Keeper's Quest (book #2)

Kelly's Website

Kelly on Twitter

Kelly on Goodreads

Kelly's Amazon Page

The Keeper's Saga Facebook Page

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Keeper's Defiance! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other blog tour stops:

Monday - Britney Gulbrandsen's Blog and Bonnie Harris' Blog
Tuesday - Laura Johnston's Blog
Wednesday - Kylee Shield's Blog
Thursday - Rebecca Lamoreaux's Blog and Cami Checketts' Blog
Friday - Donna K. Weaver's Blog

Author Interview with Amy Harmon and Blog Tour Giveaway

Today I'm excited to have Amy Harmon, author of Making Faces, A Different Blue and other novels, on my blog. A friend recommended Making Faces to me on Goodreads (thank you, Holly!) and I ordered it on my Kindle right after the blurb sucked me in. I had a few other titles on my to-read, but this novel swept me away, and I finished in no time because I couldn't put it down! Read below for more of my thoughts on Making Faces as well as an author interview I did with Amy Harmon. Also, be sure to enter her awesome blog tour giveaway below!

Making Faces on Amazon

Making Faces on Goodreads

Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

My Review

A beautiful, heartrending story of finding love and seeing the true beauty within. MAKING FACES is an emotive, gripping read!

Author Interview

Amy's Website

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Amy on Twitter

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Amy's Amazon Author Page

Welcome, Amy! Tell us a little about your start as a writer and what inspired you to write.

I've always been a writer. Ask my mom. But I really decided to jump off the proverbial cliff about three years ago after my fourth child was born. I wasn't working so I could stay home with the kiddos, my oldest son was really struggling with his health, and my husband worked out of town all week long and came home on the weekends. We were exhausted and broke, and I knew something had to change. I'd already written Running Barefoot and I researched self-publishing, decided I had nothing to lose, and just went for it.

How did you come up with the premise for Making Faces?

My brother joined the National Guard with a few of his friends and they went to Iraq together on their first tour. It made me start thinking...what if? Also, my youngest son was born with a port wine stain on half of his face. (see recent blog post on goodreads) We've gotten used to the stares and the comments, but it made it easy to write about facial disfigurement. There are so many elements that go into a story, that it wasn't just one idea, but the building of ideas as I continued to craft scenes and flesh out my characters.

I love hearing about how stories start out. Thank you for sharing! Making Faces was packed with emotion; you put so much into this novel and the characters. Fern, Ambros, Bailey and all of your characters are so rich and unique; I felt like they were real people. Each character has so much heart and personality. Can you share some of your tips on crafting unforgettable characters?

For me, a good book is all about the characters. Some writers are great with plots, some fabulous with description and setting, but for me the characters tell the story. I work long and hard on my characters, and they are never entirely the way they start out. I like to do a free write describing the main characters. As I describe them, I ask myself questions. Okay...she's a redhead. How does she feel about red hair? She likes romance novels...but why does she like romance novels. etc. As the characters are developed, the story line emerges.

Great thoughts. Do you typically write with an outline or just see where the story goes? Which method works best for you and why?

I start with the character development free write. Then I branch off with ideas and write a general synopsis - almost like a book blurb. The Making Faces book blurb was written before I was even a third into the book. But a blurb isn't a story, so it gives direction without nailing me down. Then I write scenes.

As I said before, that blurb was what initially sold me on your story. I bought it right away! What was the hardest part about writing Making Faces?

The hardest part was writing about Ambrose's injuries. I wanted to be accurate, and it was very difficult to find good information about facial injuries in Iraq, even though so many soldiers have suffered through them. Also, some of the final scenes with Bailey...incredibly difficult making the chain of events effective, realistic and meaningful.

What books/authors inspire your writing?

So many. Honestly, I can't name just a few. I have been reading so long and so voraciously, that I have a million writers who have gone before me who I owe a great deal to. And truthfully, I really love Stephenie Meyer. I truly believed when I read the Twilight books that if she could do it, I could to.

There are many profound messages in this novel, including true beauty, love, friendship and more. The emotional journey this story took me on was incredible! What message, above all, do you hope readers grasp from Making Faces?

I just want them to feel better about the world. People are good and life is sweet, even when it's difficult. I want people to have hope.

Which scene from Making Faces was you favorite to write?

I adore love scenes. I know. People who've read the book will say "what love scenes?" because there isn't any sex in the book. But love scenes are different than sex scenes. Sex scenes can be love scenes...but they aren't always. I like scenes that make me melt and that make me, as a reader, fall in love right along with my characters. I also really love funny dialogue. Bailey was a hoot in this book, and I literally laughed until I had tears at certain parts. I'm convinced you have to be a little crazy to be a good writer.

Those types of love scenes are my favorite, and you had some great ones! And you're right, Bailey was a hoot. :) Thank you, Amy, for taking the time to be on my blog today.

Don't forget to check out Amy's books and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

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The Book Thief Read Along FINAL DISCUSSION

Today's discussion is hosted by Kathy on her blog, Read This Instead. I love her blog so be sure to check it out!


1. How did you feel when Max had to leave the Hubermanns? What did you expect would happen to him?
Sad. Scared. I feel Hans' regret for him. And I can't imagine how the Hubermanns must have felt when the soldiers didn't punish them further for Hans' actions with the bread. Max could have stayed!

2. Why do you think Liesel ran out to Max when they finally did cross paths, even after she had seen what happened to Hans earlier in the book?
Okay, am I the only one who wonders if Liesel and Max get married? I know she loves him like a brother in a lot of ways, but is there a special connection that runs deeper? The age difference isn't all that crazy. I know from losing my dad at a young age that it means a lot to me that my husband knew my dad. There is something special about being with someone who knows where you've come from, and Max definitely knows where Liesel has come from. Could Liesel move on after such a tragic youth and start over completely, or would part of her always want to hold on to those memories from Himmel Street? Does Liesel love Max more than a brother!? I'm dying to ask the author this.

3. What did you think of Death spoiling the ending a couple chapters before it actually happened? Did the warning make it easier to handle?
I do think it made the ending a little easier to handle, in a way, but I still cried!

4. Which death impacted you the most?
Honestly, Max's death would have. That's why the ending was still so sweet (in a very small way) for me. I'm not sure why his character intrigued me so much. I think it has to do with the greatness I see within his character, the greatness that was squelched due to circumstance. I doubt he lived to his full potential as he could have had he been born during a different era. He could have been a great boxer! He could have done so many wonderful things.

Rudy's death was super sad. I loved Rudy! Why couldn't Liesel have just kissed him!? Hans' death definitely wrenched my heart out the most though!

5. How did your view of Ilsa Herman change over the course of the book? 
Ilsa definitely grew on me. I loved it when she left cookies for Liesel and Rudy, and I loved how she gave Liesel the black book/journal.

6. The power of words is such a big theme throughout the book. Which instances of powerful words stuck out to you? Or, which quotes from the book stuck out to you?

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”

“He does something to me, that boy. Every time. It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry.”  (Death)

“She leaned down and looked at his lifeless face and Leisel kissed her best friend, Rudy Steiner, soft and true on his lips. He tasted dusty and sweet. He tasted like regret in the shadows of trees and in the glow of the anarchist's suit collection. She kissed him long and soft, and when she pulled herself away, she touched his mouth with her fingers...She did not say goodbye. She was incapable, and after a few more minutes at his side, she was able to tear herself from the ground. It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on...” 

“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it."

“His soul sat up. It met me. Those kinds of souls always do - the best ones."

And SO many more!

7. In this post Markus Zusak says:
In many ways I felt that the book is about Liesel’s different kind of loves - for Hans, for Rosa, for Rudy and Max, and for books and living in general.
Which of those loves resonated with you most?

Her love for Max and Hans.

8. Thoughts on Liesel and Death finally meeting? 
I wanted more of that scene! It ended too quickly. They shared so many experiences, in a way, with each other. It's like they were old friends reminiscing endearingly painful memories together.

9. If this was your first time reading The Book Thief, is it what you expected?
If it was a reread, what did you notice this time around?
This was my first time. I think the narration was the most surprising aspect of this novel. I quickly fell in love with it though. This book was amazing. The story was so intriguing, so emotionally intense. Everything from the point of view to the characters and the way the story was told made this novel unique. The characters felt real to me. Their story is deep, tender and painful. I laughed, I cried. The Book Thief is a story I will remember.

10. Will you see the movie?
YES!

The Book Thief Read Along Discussion #2: Parts 4-6

All right, Rosa has some redeeming qualities. I'm actually starting to like her. She's protecting and caring for a Jew! And when she shows up at Liesel's school with crazy hair going off on Liesel about taking her hair brush, all to secretly inform Liesel that Max is awake? Loved her.

Today's read-along discussion is hosted by Kami, so be sure to check out her awesome blog!

1.    What emotions have you felt while reading? Are they strong emotions?

Above all, sadness. I know what is coming and I can't help my mind from imagining what these character's lives could have been like had they been born in different times. Would Max have become a champion boxer? Famous instead of hiding in a basement? And Liesel?

2.    Several characters mention similarities between Max and Liesel. What similarities have you noticed, and why do you think the author made these characters relate to each other?

They both have dreams that haunt them. I think Death is so intrigued with these two individuals because they share a deep-rooted fear of him (don't we all?). They are also very strong individuals, however, who are determined to defy Death. They both hate the Fuhrer. They both long for the world to be different. They have both come close to Death many times.

3.    What do you think of The Standover Man aka the book Max wrote for Liesel.

Very sweet.

4.    How do you feel about knowing who is going to die in the end and what are some of your predictions?

Death's foreshadowing and even blatant revealing of the future of these characters certainly makes for a different type of story. It is odd, because this naturally strips some of the tension and suspense from the novel, yet I am so intrigued with this story. It sucks me in!

5.    What do you think of Rudy's rebellious attitude? 

Honestly, I love the kid.

6.    Is Rosa growing on you?

I concede. Yes, she is!

Rosa Hubermann stood in the doorway. One or two gasped at the sight--a small wardrobe of a woman with a lipstick sneer and chlorine eyes. This. Was the legend. She was wearing her best clothes, but her hair was a mess, and it was a towel of elastic gray strands...

Great part!

7.    What do you think of the relationship between Max and Liesel?

I keep wondering whose death will/would be more devastating to Liesel: her real brother's, or Max's. Their trials and circumstances have drawn them incredibly close, and I really like both of their characters.

8.    Why do you think Liesel is so determined to steal from the Mayor's library?

Revenge is the first thing to come to mind. I also think she misunderstands the Mayor's wife. Perhaps she despises Ilsa for having so much. She doesn't think Ilsa's sadness is justified. Liesel's pride (from the bottom looking up) and her hatred drive her to steal from their library.

9.    What really stands out to you in the story and why?

Max. Especially in this section of the book. His fire, his determination, his humility and his love for Liesel have endeared me to his character.

One of my favorite excerpts:

They fought like champions.

For a minute.

Just when it was getting interesting, both boys were hauled away by their collars. A watchful parent.

A trickle of blood was dripping from Max's mouth.

He tasted it, and it tasted good.

I instantly liked the guy!

10.    If you were in Hans' position, would you have helped/hid Max?

Yes. I know this is a ridiculously hard decision to make, but I really think I would. (Okay, so I have kids. After reading Britney's thoughts, I have to admit that I'm really not sure at all. I'd like to think I would, but then again, what position would that be placing my children in? What would I really do?). Tough question!!

Author Interview With Jennette Green, and a GIVEAWAY!

I recently had a 24-hour obsession with a book. Couldn't put it down! The Commander's Desire by Jennette Green totally sucked me in. I started it at 8:00 pm the other night thinking I'd read one chapter and then get on with the night, go to bed early, etc... Well, I was over halfway into the novel before I finally turned out the lights at 1:00 am!

The romantic tension took me by surprise, blew me away. SO good. I appreciated that this novel was a clean romance while also being so gripping. The plot, characters and vivid writing all drew me in and held me there! I finished the book the next day. Captivating!

Today I'm excited to have Jennette here on my blog for an author interview! And don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY below to win an eBook copy of The Commander's Desire! 

First of all, let's introduce Jennette and The Commander's Desire:

Princess Elwytha wants revenge on the monster who murdered her brother. In a false exchange for peace, she offers herself in marriage to the enemy Prince. The plan? Kill the Prince's battle-scarred Commander-the man who ended King Thor's life with one filthy sword thrust through the back. To her horror, the Commander agrees to take Elwytha as his bride. Worse, the wedding date will be sooner than expected. Not all is lost, however. Now she has more opportunity to be alone with him-and exact justice. But the deed becomes difficult to carry out. Fighting her innate sense of honor, she begins to see the ironclad integrity of the man behind the scars. And with this knowledge comes doubt. Did he slay her brother? What exactly is the new king's plan? Whom can she trust? Elwytha must decide well, for more than her life is at stake. Soon she must betray either allegiance to her kingdom-or the man who is quickly claiming her heart.

Jennette Green

Jennette's Website

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The Commander's Desire on Amazon

The Commander's Desire on Goodreads

Welcome, Jennette! Thank you for taking the time to interview on my blog. What books inspire your writing? Can you share with us your five favorite novels?

I love romance novels by Lisa Kleypas--she writes absolutely fantastic attraction/sexual tension between characters. They can be a bit steamy, however! I prefer to write clean romances that my older teenaged daughter can read. I also love the witty dialogue of Julia Quinn’s books, and the warmth of books by Debbie Macomber and Betty Neels. Five of my very favorite romance novels are:

1. Devil in Winter, by Lisa Kleypas

2. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheevers, by Julia Quinn

3. Here Comes Trouble, by Debbie Macomber

4. Husband Next Door, by Anne Ha

5. The Silver Thaw, by Betty Neels

I love book recommendations. Thank you! I will add them to my Goodreads. Jennette, your book drew me in and wouldn’t let go! You play with your reader’s emotions very well, keeping them hooked. Can you share your tips on writing captivating romance?

I like to place my characters in an emotionally charged dilemma; one that compels me to write and figure out exactly what will happen, and how they will resolve their difficult situation. I hope if I’m intrigued, then the reader will be, too. Sometimes, the premise for a novel just comes to me, out of the blue. Others, it’s as a result of watching several movies, or television shows. Typically, a few small things in the shows catch my imagination. From there, the ideas gel in my mind and the plot is born.

How did you come up with the premise for The Commander’s Desire? Where did the idea start?

Believe it or not, I think (it’s been about eight years ago now) the main idea for The Commander’s Desire came from a medieval movie I watched. I think it was Tristan and Isolde. One of the characters in that movie just appealed to me on some strange level. I don’t remember his name, but he was a big, hulking guy. His character, combined with aspects of Marke’s (Rufus Sewell), unrequited love for Isolde, somehow mixed together in my mind, and the character of the Commander was born. The premise of the book came at the same time.  

How awesome! I love hearing about how novels took shape. I remember watching the 2006 version of Tristan and Isolde and really enjoyed it. I am intrigued with the historical setting of your novel. I want to see Scotland someday! What kind of research did you have to do while writing this story? What was the hardest part?

I did a ton of research for the book. The hardest part was finding historical data for the time period around 715 A.D., when the book takes place. Very little information could be found, although what I did find was fascinating. King Osred of Northumbria was a debauched young man, and petty kings did fight amongst each other in Galwyddel and in other areas of Scotland at that time. It was all very intriguing!

Are any of the characters in The Commander’s Desire modeled after someone you know?

No, not really, although in some ways, Elwytha is a little like myself--a little too good at protecting her heart. :)

The Commander totally won me over. At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d think about him (like Elwytha!). By the end? Major hunk. Honestly, I can see your book as a movie. If it were to be made into a movie, would you have casting suggestions? Which actor would be your dream choice to play the Commander? Elwytha? The Prince? Elwytha’s brother, Richard? Any others?

Thank you so much for your kind words about the Commander! Over the years, I’ve been surprised and thrilled to discover that he has touched the hearts of quite a few people. A few years ago, he won a “Readers’ Favorite Hero” of the year award, which was awesome.

It’s funny that you ask about a movie, and actors who might play the parts. Back in 2009 two wonderful fans of the book, Miranda Hetherington and Clancy Fraser in Australia made a fan video trailer of the book, by putting together music and movie clips. It can be found here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIW0upII0zM

They chose great actors to play the parts of Elwytha (Keira Knightly), the Commander (Clive Owen), the Prince (Dougrey Scott), and Richard (Rufus Sewell (from a different movie--not Tristan and Isolde)). They did a fantastic job, and I feel forever grateful and blessed that they took the time to make this video trailer. It’s really something special to me.

Clive Owen                          Keira Knightley             Dougrey Scott

Congratulations on the "Readers' Favorite Hero" of the year! I'm not surprised at all. That is fantastic and well deserved. And what a neat video! I just watched it. I can totally picture those actors in those roles. Clive Owen would be perfect as well as the others. I hear you have some exciting news about The Commander’s Desire being made into an audio book. Can you tell us more?

Yes!  Currently Christy Lynn of www.CLVO.net is narrating the book--and, may I add, doing a fabulous job!!! She is really talented. The Commander’s Desire will be available as an audio book at Audible and iTunes in late September/early October 2013. 

That is great news. Thanks for sharing. Last of all, please tell me there is a sequel!

I do have notes and a few scenes for a sequel! However, they have sat on my computer for a number of years now. I’m still waiting for that special idea to gel, and bring the whole storyline together. I love Rex, and I want his story to be something unique and special. One day I do hope to flesh out the manuscript and write the sequel. 

Right now, I don’t have much time to think about that book, though, for I have about nine writing projects going on, concurrently. LOL. Crazy, I know. Most are fully written, although two are in the works. Then there are edits, etc. Now that the kids are back in school, I’m buckling down to get more books out there, which is what readers have been asking for. Currently, I’m writing the long promised sequel to Ice Baron, a science fiction romance. Besides that book, I have a historical romance, several Christian romances, including a new adult romance, and a paranormal series that has been on my heart for many, many years, and which is close to being ready to be published. It seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day. :)

Ditto on not enough hours in the day. Your passion for storytelling is evident in your writing, Jennette. Thank you for providing such a fabulous book to read and for interviewing on my blog today!

Now. GIVEAWAY time! Get as many points as you can by following the directions on Rafflecopter below. The giveaway will end Monday, September 9th, at midnight (Eastern Time). Best of luck!

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Some of Jenette's other books:

                                    Her Reluctant Bodyguard          Ice Baron

TIMESPELL Blog Tour, and a GIVEAWAY!

Guys! Seriously, I'm way excited about this post. I'm lucky to be a part of Diana Paz's blog tour for her novel, TIMESPELL. Isn't the cover GORGEOUS?! And just wait until you read the book. If you are at all tempted to buy this book (and you will be after this post), do it. I have so many great things to say about it.

Rich with conflict and captivating characters, TIMESPELL is a YA novel I won't soon forget. Great pacing. Vivid writing. Distinctive, larger-than-life characters. Humor sprinkled throughout. I loved this fresh take on everything magic. I didn't want to put it down for anything! Oh, and super-cute character Ethan? Diana, please write an entire novel about him. TIMESPELL begs for a sequel. And I will be downloading it onto my Kindle as soon as it comes out.

Magic, romance, time travel and adventure...this novel will sweep you away.

So, let's introduce TIMESPELL and author Diana Paz.

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In TIMESPELL, the brash and impulsive Julia must team up with her sweet and straight-laced best friend, Angie, and the malicious and power-hungry Kaitlyn in order to keep the witch-like powers of her inheritance. But these powers come at a cost. The girls are bound to serve the Fates, and their first mission sends them back in time to Marie Antoinette’s Paris and eventually, into the chaos and war of the French Revolution.

Julia Corona and her best friend Angie are Daughters of Fate, destined to travel through time to battle the creatures of Mythos. It takes three Daughters to keep the creatures at bay, but when they discover the third Daughter is Kaitlyn, the bullying bad girl who tried to steal Angie’s boyfriend, suddenly a world ruled by demons doesn’t sounds so bad.

Julia is ready to kiss the magic goodbye until she meets Ethan, an intense young man who seems to know Julia better than she knows herself. Before she gets a chance to solve the mystery, the creatures of Mythos strike in Revolutionary France. The Daughters of Fate must set aside their differences and band together with Ethan to travel back in time. They have to stop the creatures, but someone close to them will betray them, making their task nearly impossible. The history books are changing, and it may already be too late.

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Diana Paz writes books about magic, adventure, and romance. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she’s a beach bum. Diana graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a highly sweetened iced coffee.

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@dianapazwrites

Interview with Author Diana Paz

Welcome, Diana! How did you come up with the idea for Timespell?

The idea came when I thought up a scene about a pair of time-crossed lovers, and the scene wouldn’t leave my thoughts. I wrote it down, and from there everything started falling into place. The idea of two best friends, completely excited about having magic so they could travel through time to fulfill their destiny, only to realize they can only keep their power if they join with the most evil girl in school? That was too much fun not to write.

I just finished the book, Diana, and those time-crossed lovers won't leave my thoughts either! Do any of the characters personalities resemble your own, or people you know?

Even though I created the main characters as their own people, I can’t help but infuse pieces of myself, and the experiences I’ve had, in every character I write. Because of this, I would say that I can relate to each of them.

That's probably why they felt so real, so original and distinctive to me. Your characters blew me away. The main characters in Timespell have the ability to time travel. If you could time travel, would you go into the past or into the future?

Oh, that’s so tough… as much as I adore history, I’m too curious for my own good, and I would choose the future.

Gosh, I've been sitting here at my computer trying to figure out how I would answer that question myself and I still don't know. It is a tough one. Okay, so like I said above, Timespell begs for a sequel. Is Timespell a stand-alone novel or is it planned as part of a series?

Timespell can definitely be read on its own, but I wrote it with the idea of a series in mind. I’m currently working on the next book, in which the girls will be sent on a mission back in time to the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. I’m thrilled to be joining Julia, Angie, and Kaitlyn in another adventure, especially one involving sword fights and treasure.

Hooray! You've made my day. I will be watching for that sequel. Thank you, Diana, for introducing us to your novel today.

Be sure to check out this excerpt from TIMESPELL and also enter the eBook GIVEAWAY below!

TIMESPELL excerpt

Julia

Julia didn’t know whether she was running from Brian or toward Ethan. Maybe it was both. She couldn’t get her head straight, and slowed to a stop in the dim corridor.

Yellowed wall sconces struggled to give light. The flowery carpet and glossy wood walls seemed to go on forever. How far had she gone? Did it matter? She wanted as much space between her and the ballroom as she could get before Ethan found her. She had no doubt that his protector antennae would send him her way.

The mark on her arm grew warm and she rubbed it. That must be him. Should she try to find him and get this inevitable meeting over with? It wasn’t as if she could wait in this spot forever.

She pushed herself off the wall, wondering which way to go. The long hallway stretched like a mirror image in either direction. She shivered, deciding to go left. This whole ship reminded her a little too much of the Titanic. Her stomach tightened as she headed toward one of the openings that might be stairs or might be a lounge. Or might be where some eighteenth century ghost waits for stupid girls who wander ships alone.

She glanced behind her as she gnawed on her lip, unable to help the tremor of fear in her chest. Everything she had ever heard about the steamship Queen Mary raced through her mind; that it was bigger and faster than the Titanic had been, that it had crossed the Atlantic over a thousand times before retiring... that almost seventy people died onboard. Wasn’t this ship supposed to be haunted? Where is the ballroom? I want to go back!

A figure appeared at the end of the corridor. She tripped backward, banging her head against the wall.

He stepped into the gloomy yellow light and she exhaled in relief. It was only Ethan. His eyes remained darkened by shadows, a mess of black hair falling into them.

She swallowed beneath the intensity of his stare as he moved closer.

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