Nazarea is teasing again.....

I have the lovely Nazarea Andrews here again today and she's sharing another great teaser from her latest release, THIS LOVE. Nazarea is also giving away two copies of THIS LOVE, check out the competition on Goodreads to be in with a chance!

Beautiful, huh? 

'Til next time! 
Sam :-) 
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The Sunshine Award......

The Sunshine Award is a lovely sunny flower that bloggers give to other “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere”. 

There are three simple rules to follow:

(1)     Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.

(2)     Do the Q&A below.

(3)     Pass on the award to 10 – 12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.

So, here we go! 

I was tagged for this great award by the lovely Ruchita Vasudeva. Check out her post here.  Thank you Ruchita. Mwah! 

Q & A's.

Favourite Colour: 

Purple. 

Favourite Animal: 

Hmm, I love all animals and am a dog owner. But I adore all kinds of whales. Would love to see them in the wild one day. 

Favourite Number:

Umm, I'm not really sure I have a favourite number? But I don't like odd numbers, I prefer to have things in even numbers :-) (A weird little oddity about me).

Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink:

I don't drink alcohol (Yes, you heard me! lol. Just don't like the stuff). So everything I drink is non-alcho. Probably coke/diet coke, chilled with ice and lemon. 

Facebook or Twitter:

I've always been a Facebook lover but recently I'm getting to grips with Twitter and enjoying it.

Your Passion: 

My family, my friends, my love of food, writing, reading, my list could go on. Life is my passion (even if that does sound cliche).

Giving or Getting Presents:

As Ruchita said, come on, I'm not going to lie, who doesn't like getting presents?! I love it! But equally I do love to give them and see people's faces light up. 

Favourite Day:

Friday. (Though any day that I'm not at the day is usually a favourite day too).

Favourite Flower: 

I love daffodils, tulips, blossom, all of the spring type flowers. They look so happy and cheer us all up after the dreary winter. 

So, here's to the next 10 special bloggers....

Faith Thomas 

Aurelia B. Rowl

Doris O'Connor

Raven McAllan

Tressa Messenger

Carmen Falcone

Michelle Elliot

Susie Medwell

Christy McKellen

Annie Seaton

'Til next time!

Sam :-)
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Blogging about what you know.....

I havent't personally blogged for a little while, so today I thought I would enlighten you all with my words of wisdom (well, something along those lines!) BUT when I sat down to put fingers to keys, I went blank. What should I blog about? What my current work in progress is? How far down the publishing line I am? Yeah, I guess I could but I've already done that and not too long ago. (As much as I am way over the top excited about being published, I don't want to bombard you all with it). So, back to the drawing board I went - actually my three year old's chalk board, but it worked....

Ding! The light bulb went off.

Why don't I write about what I know! And what do I know all about....what do I understand more than anything right at this moment in time? TWINS, of course!

For those of you who don't know, yep, I am a mother to twins (for my sins some say, but I'm sure they're just jealous....refer to point #3). Identical twin boys to be exact. One minute apart by c-section. Now, this blog topic may not be writing related but I am writing and that's good enough for me :-)

SO, I'm going to indulge you all in my list of all things twin-related.....here we go....

#1. As a parent of twins, I hate it when people send just one birthday/christmas card. Seriously? Why would you do that? You wouldn't send just one card to other siblings to share so why treat two kids who happen to have the same birthday, that way? Hmm. You can get cards for pennies now, there is no reason to send just one. (Rant over).

#2. Even if you are the most organised person and advance plan EVERYTHING, twins will put a stop to this. They WILL descend complete and utter chaos on to your life and put a stop to your 'perfectly arranged lists' (in an amazing way of course!)

#3. I was once in the supermarket carpark and getting the twins (who were about six months old at the time I reckon) out of the car and into their double buggy (Baby Jogger City Mini Double - if you are thinking of getting it - DON'T! It was useless!) The boys were crying and being a new first time mother I admittedly did often get myself into a flap. (You know, the whole, everyone is looking at me and judging me, I'm a terrible mum type feeling). Anyway, this guy who had parked next to me was loading his shopping to the boot of his car. He looked at me, laughed and said "I don't envy you. Rather you than me, love." Really? How I bit my tongue I will never know! I think some people come out with stupid comments because they are simply jealous.

#4. Two children = double the kisses, cuddles, smiles and good times!

#5. Twins have just the most amazing and beautiful connection. My two never want to be apart and look out for eachother. (That alone reassures me about them starting school! You mess with my bruv, you have me to deal wiv, capiche?)

#6. If you are expecting twins, I would advise you to get them in-sync with eachother. Get them to sleep at the same time, feed at the same time, etc. Otherwise you will forever be chasing your tail with one up, one asleep, one hungry, one not. A good routine is SO key!

#7. When I was pregnant, I had these lovely, idealic thoughts that I would be able to breastfeed the two. I tried. I really tried but after three days I stopped. I expressed for three more weeks and bottle fed them with a combo of that and formula. At first I was really upset with myself, I wanted to do the best for my children. It took me a while to realise that I was doing my best and I needed to ease up on myself.

#8. With weaning, you will only need ONE bowl and ONE spoon. I purchased several with the vision that I would have a set for each baby, feeding them in perfect unison. No, no. That's not quite how it goes down in my house. Bits of food all over the show and the dogs rushing to pick up whatever falls on the floor. I've only ever used one set. One spoonful for you and one spoonful for you....#Keeplifesimple.

#9. Twin language really is real! My two have always babbled away to each other and it is just the CUTEST thing ever. I have no idea what they mean but they understand eachother perfectly.

#10. Twins are certainly a gift. A very special one. Remember that when things get difficult.

# 11. Yes, you get double the amount of morning sickness but that's quickly out weighed by double the amount of special baby kicks when you're pregnant. 

Ooh, go on then, here's the final one....

#12. The scan when you find out that you are expecting twins will be one of (if not THE) best day of your life. Certainly is mine.

So, there you are folks. I hope you enjoyed my rollercoaster top 11...I mean 12 points of being a twin mummy.

'Til next time!

Sam :-)
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Nazarea Andrews is teasing us with a THIS LOVE teaser....

Nazarea Andrews has dropped by again to tease you all with a snippet from her new release, THIS LOVE. If you want to know more about THIS LOVE click on THIS post and see Nazarea had to say and reveal when she dropped by a couple of weeks ago....

Today we have a little bit from one of my favorite scenes—and it’s from Atticus’ POV. So without further ado—here IT IS.

***

 Something flickers in her eyes, and she looks away, playing with the straw to her tea. It’s so dejected, I pause and step over to her, tilting her chin up. Her breath catches. I have to force myself to let her go again. “Or,” I murmur, “you could come with me.” She inhales sharply, her chest rising under her thin shirt. “That’s a bad idea,” she murmurs. My fingers curve, catching in her hair. Its silky soft, and I can smell her shampoo, clean and floral. My thumb rests on her pulse point, the frantic beat jumping under my hand. “What are you doing?” she asks, breathlessly.

What do you think?? I’m so excited to share this book with y’all! Don’t forget to add it your shelf on Goodreads.

'Til next time!
Sam :-) 
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This Love by Nazarea Andrews - Cover Reveal.....

Today, we've got another fantastic author and even more fantastic cover to reveal....are you ready?? I'm handing you straight over to the lady herself, Nazarea Andrews....

***

This Love

By

Nazarea Andrews

Mel Stevens of The Illustrated Author created the cover art.

She wants a summer job and a ride to a wedding.
He wants an assistant and a distraction from the mess his life has become.
They didn't know they needed each other.

Avery Emili needs two grand. Two grand and a plane ticket--her sister is counting on her to get to Jamaica for the wedding. But the semester is over, and tutoring college freshman and high school students has dried up until the fall.
Atticus Grimes needs help--the messy split with his wife left the twenty-eight year old professor scrambling to keep things together as the semester winds down. Now he's got a research grant he has to actually do research for and all he wants to do is drown himself in a tall bottle of bourbon.
When Avery sees his ad for an assistant, all she's thinking is a summer job. But as they spend time together, in the office and out, both of them begin to realize something is there. Something that can't happen--he's a professor and she's a student. And both of them have histories, pasts that won’t let go. Can two broken people pulled apart by expectations find a way to be whole?

Coming JUNE 2013

Add it to your to-read list on Goodreads!

About the Author:

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Enter to win an ARC of This Love

'Til next time! 
Sam :-) 
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

A whirlwind couple of weeks....

I've been trying to get around to writing this post for the last couple of days but time has simply just run away with me. But anyway, I'm here now and I hope you can stick around. It's be a crazy few weeks, filled with much sadness and much happiness....

Some of you may already know but the last couple of months have been really tough for my family and I as my step dad, Gerry was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of March 2013. Untreatable, inoperable and aggressive were some of the words the doctor said. Sadly, he passed away at age 55 on the 27th April with his family around him. All I can say is, cancer is a BITCH. A real, nasty bitch. 

The Macmillan nurses were fantastic and we have set up a Macmillan cancer support tribute fund for Gerry. They work so hard and offer so much support to both the patient and the family. Here's the link for Gerry's tribute fund if you'd like to check it out at all. Thankfully we have a wonderful, supportive and loving family around us and we will get through this, slowly. I'd love to share a poem that we had at the funeral service this week, as it's just beautiful and deserves to be shared. I'm not a religious person, but I think the words are just perfect. 

Don't Grieve For Me For Now I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

On a happier note....I recently submitted my finished story, Revenge in Rio to a few different publishers. I was offered contracts with Evernight, Breathless Press and Beachwalk Press. I'm still so thrilled that editors took the time to read my work and over the moon that they wanted it! 

After a tough decision, I decided to go with the wonderful Beachwalk Press, signed on the dotted line and already it feels like home. It's early days but watch this space for promo and cover reveals in the future! We're looking at a release around October 2013! EEEEK! 

So, after a couple of weeks full of extreme ups and downs, I can't say we are out of it but we are learning to ride it. Time's a healer and all that, right?

For now, I can leave you with my Pinterest board for Revenge in Rio. Enjoy!

'Til next time! 

Sam :-)

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COVER REVEAL - Italian Affair by Annie Seaton....

We can finally share the GORGEOUS cover for Annie Seaton's new release, Italian Affair. It's just beautiful and I can see why Annie is head over heels in love with it......

Blurb:

Free-spirited sex therapist Brianna Ballantine has four days to find a fiancé so she can inherit her birth mother’s Italian villa. Commitment is not on the agenda. Writing her sex therapy book and signing legal papers are. And once all is said and done, she’ll return home to Australia.

For finance guru Tomas Richards, relationships have been a bad investment—give him stocks and shares any day. When Tomas offers a marriage of convenience to help Brianna secure her inheritance, the sizzle between the sheets promises an affair to remember, despite family complications at every turn.

But Tom must convince Brianna to stay, and make this Italian affair a lifelong commitment.



Release day 10th June but you can sign up to order here

'Til next time!

Sam :-)

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Carmen Falcone on Using Settings to Mirror Your Character’s Emotions....

Things are getting hot here today...I mean, Hawaii type H.O.T! I'm so pleased to welcome back the lovely, Carmen Falcone who is no stranger to my blog. She's here to chat about her latest release, Heating Up Hawaii and her love for beach locations! Leave a comment below and you could win a $10 Amazon Gift Card! 

***

Whether it’s summer or winter outside, I love to read about books set at the beach. Isn’t it funny how the dimensions of things change? For instance, we all hate humidity, right? And the blinding sun while we’re trying to find our car in the parking lot isn’t all that appealing, either.

However, if we’re reading a story set in the scorching swamps of Florida or the white sands of French Polynesia, we forget how geeky we look with those plastic personal fans hanging from our necks—you know, the kind that you buy for twenty bucks and only use once, like when you’re at a theme park or you just want to ruin your own reputation. Yes, the escapism romance novels provide just by being set in a lush location lets us forget how stinky our leather sandals get only a week after we buy them, or that stubborn trickle of sweat, sliding from our necks and down our spines, even if we’ve just showered.

Okay. I’m done with nasty references. Now, the journey begins… J

My latest release, Heating Up Hawaii, has Maui for a background. I chose that island in particular because it offers a plethora of activities and sightseeing opportunities, but also because each can evoke a different response—the lure of dormant volcanoes, the luxury of beachfront resorts, the environmental awareness surrounding rainforests.

All of these elements contribute to mirroring the character’s reactions, as I always use the setting to show a range of emotions.

The excerpt below refers to the POV of our heroine, Penny. She arrived in Maui for a work assignment, and has to work with Luc Leoni, the owner of the resort—and her first love.

“A week in, and the beachfront view from her balcony still arrested Penny whenever she glanced past the golden curtains that flowed all the way down to the high-thread carpeted floor.

Tall coconut trees and their long leaves framed the ocean's sparkling blue waters and the pristine beige sand. Most of the time, tourists crowded the beach. They sunbathed, maneuvered sleek speedboats or simply strolled along the sea.

Not today. Today, solitude had washed off any liveliness at the beach. Almost deserted. She remembered the silly questions her teenage friends had asked her during slumber parties. Who would you take on a desert island with you? She often named a singer from a boy band instead of the boy next door, who was the one she really had a crush on.

She chewed on her lower lip. Nowadays, who would she name?

Not Luc. Although their suites were side by side, she hadn't seen him much. He'd introduced her to Brad, the friendly resort manager, and had a couple of meetings with her about goals and expectations. However, Brad had usually participated in those.

She'd found out their suites actually adjoined, but of course only if both of them wanted, would a door in each room open and turn into a ridiculously enormous penthouse.

Every time she looked at that door, a strange sensation coursed through her. It bothered her that a simple grasp of the handle would unlock a world of sexual excitement and bittersweet memories. Sometimes, she could almost hear the click in her head.”

See how a seemingly innocent, empty beach can make someone think? I could have used the serenity of the beach to calm her nerves, but what I wanted in that scene was to inject tension and show the reader a couple of things about her. For instance, when she assumed she never told her childhood friends about the boy she really had a crush on, we learn that she has a high sense of self-preservation. That’s part of the core of her personality, which will later conflict with the possibility of rekindling a romance with a man who’s now her boss.

And the fact that she looked at the adjoining door and contemplated in her head the repercussions of opening it? She doesn’t know it, but a part of her has already turned the knob—or maybe she’s that close to opening it.

How about you? Do you have a preference for settings? 

***

Heating Up Hawaii
by Carmen Falcone

May 2013

After a long separation, will Penny and Luc's sizzling attraction be enough to surpass their startling secrets?

There is just one person standing between Penny Ashbrook's dream of opening her own PR business or being stuck at her job: the formidable Luc Leoni - her first lover, and the man who lets nothing and no-one get in his way. Seeing him after so long brings all the hidden emotions after a life altering break-up to surface. Pain, denial...and lust.

Luc has made many sacrifices for his career, including Penny Ashbrook, the woman who set his aspirations back a year. But now she has returned and is more alluring than ever. After all these years, he thought a self-made billionaire like himself could master everything, but to resist the strong pull toward the one woman he can't have is an impossible task.

When this unlikely pair is reunited they will have to face the many challenges set in their way, especially an attraction that has only heightened with time and a deadline quickly approaching. Can their new bond surpass old—and new—fears?

Bio

Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters and places beat doing Math homework any day. She traveled the world, achieved a B. in Tourism in her hometown in Brazil and was soon invited to work in the USA, where she met her Swiss husband. She'd always dreamed of becoming a published writer, and after her daughter was born, she revisited that dream of writing - this time, unwilling to give it up. She lives in Austin and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and three high energy pugs.

You can contact Carmen via here, here and here....

Author Website ∙ Goodreads ∙ Twitter ∙ Facebook ∙ Blog

'Til next time! 
Sam :-) 
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Raven McAllan's Acting on Impulse.....

I'm thrilled to have the lovely Raven here again and today she is chatting about her latest release, IMPULSE. (It goes without saying, the red carpet is ready and waiting). After a couple of lost emails, we're now sorted...remember to comment to be in with a chance to win giveaways! Now, over to the lady herself...

***

I've sent a post to Sam several times and It's gone and never arrived. Boo.

Perhaps it will work this way.

I've never thought I was one for acting on Impulse. But I was asked by Leona, my editor if I had anything that was paranormal and on Impulse suggested this story that needed a total rewrite. She was interested, so I rewrote it, and here we are. The story of Dylan and Mia, who acted on Impulse and gave me a story to write, send off and woo hoo now I have published.

Yes okay, it was not really at all like that. For a start the original story was written ages ago, and oh boy how my writing has changed. Then I knew it wasn't set in the Caribbean as I'd originally envisaged, but in the Indian Ocean. Then Mia told me things about her sister, and Dylan found out that... Oh no I won't go down that route. I daren't give it all away.

I'll give you the blurb and a teaser...

So blurb...

Isola Dei Sogni, where fantasies and dreams come true. Mia only went as a favor for her sister. Her fantasy was a good book and a bottle of wine. Until she met Dylan. Then her sense disappeared and fantasy took over. Was it all worth it?

Dylan has arrived at Isola Dei Sogni to help out—with reluctance and just as a favor. Then he meets Mia. If she's the person he's supposed to assist, then maybe the visit won't be the waste of time he thought after all. His attitude has changed, and when he hears Mia wants to give him his fantasy? Dylan is never one to disappoint a lady…he hopes.

However, fantasies and dreams are all well and good, but even here, reality creeps in. Can Mia and Dylan overcome that to reach their happily ever after?

And how about a teaser? Mia isn't sure whether she is in a fantasy, a dream or a nightmare...

Mia opened her mouth to scream, but barely managed a croak. That was a tiger—a bloody tiger, for fuck's sake—in her room. Spots danced in front of her eyes, and there was a roaring noise in her ears. She rubbed her eyes and shut them rapidly several times in a way she'd have giggled about in any other circumstances. When she looked up, the animal was still standing, unblinking and staring at her.

A deep rumble came from his throat and he swished his head from side to side. Mia decided it was a threat, not a hi-pleased-to-meet-you growl. Pleased to eat you, maybe.

Oh shit, surely I'm not going to faint. I'll be a tiger's dinner, no doubt about it. Oh shit.

 The tiger moved, and Mia experienced the surreal feeling of being lifted by the jaws of a big cat.  I bet not many people can say that and live to tell the tale. I hope I'm one of them. She shrieked as the room spun.

This has to be a nightmare. I'm in a fucking tiger's mouth and he's sodding carrying me. That's got to be bullshit, it can't be happening. It has to be those flipping mushrooms. And, oh bollocks, he's jumping outside. This is so not the fantasy I wanted. I don't like wildlife. Not even in a zoo. I didn't mean literally kidnapped by an animal. Not an animalanimal, I meant a hot-bod-six-pack animal, not a furry, four-pawed one. And I'm damned sure I didn't write that dream down anyway.

What do you think? Your comment might be the one to win...

you can buy Impulse here...

 http://authl.it/B00CLTRTF2

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Nosy links…

Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.

She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge.

A lover of reading, she appreciates the history inside a book, and the chance to peek into the lives of those from years ago. Raven admits that she enjoys the research for her books almost as much as the writing; so much so, that sometimes she realizes she's strayed way past the information she needs to know, and not a paragraph has been added to her WIP.

Her lovely long-suffering husband is learning to love the dust bunnies, work the Aga, and be on stand-by with a glass of wine.

You can find out more about Raven here…

http://www.ravenmcallan.com

http:/ /www.ravenmcallan.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/rmcallan        (my page)

https://www.facebook.com/ravenmcallan            (author page)

https://twitter.com/RavenMcAllan

Be sure to comment below for your chance to win a FREE copy of Impulse! Two winners will be chosen. Also head over to the Just Ink Press blog and leave a comment there with links to any shares you might have to be entered into their Grand Prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card!

At the end of the tour, the Grand Prize winner will be announced on the Just Ink Press blog.

How does the Grand Prize contest work?

Comment = 1 entry (multiple entries possible; one per blog and one on the Just Ink Press blog)

Shares:

Twitter = 2 entries (multiple entries possible, but must show links)

Facebook = 3 entries (multiple entries possible, but must show links - if on profile, it must be public)

Winners will be chosen using Random.org.

'Til next time!
Sam :-) 
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