Friday, August 30, 2019

Blog Tour: About Face


 

Title: About Face (Love in the Suburbs #1) 
Author: D.E. Haggerty 
Genre:Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: August 29, 2019 
Cover Designer: Jeroen E. Spaan - Geared Training 



My grandma is trying to hook me up. To be painfully specific, my seventy-five-year-old grandmother thinks a little hanky-panky would cheer me up. Direct quote. Since I’m currently living with her, I can’t escape the endless line of grandchildren of friends who keep ‘dropping by’ for dinner. Literally, I can’t escape. I can barely manage the trek to the dining room at this point. While Grandma’s determined to find me a husband, I’m determined to learn how to walk again so I can walk away from her matchmaking skills. Spoiler alert: She has no matchmaking skills. But then I get a brilliant idea. I can fake date my physical therapist. Only he wants a real date. Gulp. A real date with me? Is he for real? I’m no longer the stylish girl with the glamorous job. Now, I’m a woman with a shattered leg and a scarred face. If I’m going to learn to live with my new reality and give love a chance, my attitude needs to do an about face. Easier said than done.




Tweet: #BlogTour About Face (Love in the Suburbs #1) By @dehaggerty #AvailableNow #Books2Read https://ctt.ec/Ea21P+ #ContemporaryRomance #BAPpr @BuoniAmiciPress



“Now, young man.” I chuckle. Bert is not young by anyone’s measure except Grandma’s. Based on his receding hairline and the gray tinting his beard, I’m guessing he’s somewhere in his late thirties if not older. “What’s this about you having a girlfriend?” Bert, who just stuffed a huge portion of pork chop into his mouth, chokes but holds his hand up when Grandma stands and pulls her arm back as if to whack him on the back. He takes a drink of water and manages to swallow his food. “My grandmother Alma doesn’t approve of my relationship.” “Why not?” Grandma asks as she sits down. “Are you a homosexual? Do you need me to talk to Alma? She should know better in this day and age than to discriminate against you gays.” Bert starts choking all over again. This time on mere air. When he gets control of himself, he shakes his head. “Um, no. I’m not gay. I have a girlfriend,” he explains making sure to emphasize ‘girl’. “Why doesn’t she approve of your relationship?” I ask before Grandma can start on some other inane theory. “My girlfriend is in prison.” My eyes widen at his answer. I can honestly admit of the dozen scenarios running through my head – drug dealer, too young, single mother – ‘girlfriend in prison’ never entered the realm of possibilities. “What’s she in for?” His lips turn down at my question. “What? Is it not proper etiquette to ask?” Like I care. I will find out what crimes his girlfriend committed. He shrugs. “I guess I can tell you as you’ll probably never meet Shayla. She was arrested for intention to distribute drugs.” My mouth gapes open. “Your girlfriend is a drug dealer?” Bert’s eyes narrow on me. “No, she is not. She has a problem with addiction for which she’s being treated.” Sure, she’s not. “Does she get treatment in prison?” “She’s going to NA.” I nod. NA is better than nothing I guess, although I wouldn’t be surprised if she was ordered to attend NA as part of her sentence. Wow. These blind dates are making me cynical. I take a bite of pork chop as I consider my next question. “How did you two meet?” “Online.” “Like online dating before she went to prison or…” I trail off when I see him shaking his head. “No, I met her on this website for dating prisoners.” There’s a website for dating prisoners? People who are not in prison purposefully choose to find a prisoner to date? Fascinating. I have to find this website. Maybe his girlfriend is still listed on there. “But you have met her in person, right?” “Of course.” Bert smiles. “I drive down to the prison about once a month to visit her.” I lean forward and whisper. “Can you like touch each other and kiss and stuff when you visit?” Is it rude to ask someone if they can have sex with their prisoner girlfriend at the dinner table? I sneak a peek at Grandma whose mouth is hanging open as she stares at Bert. Okay, probably not best to ask about sex then. Bert’s face goes nuclear red. Even the tips of his ears are red. It’s kind of adorable. “Not really. But she’s out soon…” The implication is clear. He can’t wait to do the horizontal mumbo jumbo with his prisoner girlfriend. Grandma clears her throat and stops any further questions of which I have about a gazillion. I’ve never met anyone who dated a prisoner before. I don’t think I even know anyone who’s been to jail, let alone prison. It’s fascinating. “What about in the meantime?” Grandma asks. “In the meantime? What do you mean?” Bert asks, but I have a sneaking suspicious where Grandma is going with this line of inquiry and I don’t like it one bit. “Don’t you need some female companionship since your girl is … um …. unavailable?” Oh my god! Is my grandma trying to pimp me out?
 


I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.





Thursday, August 29, 2019

Release Blitz: About Face



Title: About Face (Love in the Suburbs #1) 
Author: D.E. Haggerty 
Genre:Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: August 29, 2019 Cover Designer: Jeroen E. Spaan - Geared Training 



My grandma is trying to hook me up. To be painfully specific, my seventy-five-year-old grandmother thinks a little hanky-panky would cheer me up. Direct quote. Since I’m currently living with her, I can’t escape the endless line of grandchildren of friends who keep ‘dropping by’ for dinner. Literally, I can’t escape. I can barely manage the trek to the dining room at this point. While Grandma’s determined to find me a husband, I’m determined to learn how to walk again so I can walk away from her matchmaking skills. Spoiler alert: She has no matchmaking skills. But then I get a brilliant idea. I can fake date my physical therapist. Only he wants a real date. Gulp. A real date with me? Is he for real? I’m no longer the stylish girl with the glamorous job. Now, I’m a woman with a shattered leg and a scarred face. If I’m going to learn to live with my new reality and give love a chance, my attitude needs to do an about face. Easier said than done.


Tweet: #ReleaseBlitz About Face (Love in the Suburbs #1) By @dehaggerty #AvailableNow #Books2Read https://ctt.ec/cqfrS+ #ContemporaryRomance #BAPpr @BuoniAmiciPress



I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.





Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Book Blast: Finally Home


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L. Simpson will be awarding $10 Boroughs Bucks to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

HEART AND SOUL

Ben McTavish is besotted when he sees a vixen in striped leggings own a cringe-worthy moment and turn it into a hilarious bit. He can’t stop thinking about her even though he puts his foot in his mouth every time he tries to get to know her. Ben would love to spend some time with this woman who has captivated him, but he needs to get his farm established before the bank takes back the land.

Kate Bloomington is all about whipping her life into shape, including getting to know her grandmother who she is now caring for. When she meets Ben, also known as Saint McT since he helps all comers, she pushes him away. Somehow, he shows up at every inopportune moment, mortifying her and enticing her at the same time. She learns that he needs help as much as she does, and together they create a love that is unbreakable.

Read an Excerpt

True to his word, Ben was at my door right before eight in the morning. I was running a little late because I was struggling to focus. My emotions were a tumble, and while I was unable to deny my excitement at seeing him despite the fact he was Saint McT and I was a hot mess, I was still trying to bury the events of Friday night. Images of Frank would pop up, and I questioned my decision to do nothing. But the system wasn’t fair. I needed to move on. I had just started to get my life back, to feel like I belonged, and after being alone for so long, I simply couldn’t go back. It wasn’t right, but I couldn’t see any other option.

“Do we have time for coffee?” he asked as I got into his truck.

“Of course,” I said trying not to turn into mush as I took him in. He was dressed casually again, and while I missed the suit I’d caught a glimpse of, his navy woolen jumper and fitted, faded jeans had my mouth watering.

“Great,” he said and drove us straight to the bakery. While we ordered coffees, every local in the place stared at us. Their gazes sharpened when Ben put his hand on the small of my back as we walked out. I wanted to tell them all he was just being Saint McT, but it was hard to concentrate because my body came alive at his touch and I was within smelling distance. Yes. That’s right. The pastries held no sway now. I was all about Ben and his sexy, fresh soap smell. This trip was going to be a nightmare. Would it be easier or harder on the back of his bike?

“Do you not ride your bike often?” I found myself asking, trying not to sound hopeful.

“Not as often as I’d like. I didn’t think you’d appreciate it in that skirt,” he said grinning wickedly at me. I blushed.

“Have you ever been on one?”

“No way, my mother forbade them.”

“Well, anytime you want a ride…” he trailed off and I laughed, blushing.

About the Author: As a girl growing up in Australia, Laura was lost in the world of Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. During high school, volleyball dominated her life. There had to be something positive about being 6’1” with red hair. Representing Australia from a young age she eventually took a scholarship at the University of Iowa. Living in America and being a full time athlete in a college town was an eye-opening experience and lots of fun (from what she can remember). #gohawkeyes

Returning from the States, her career took a different turn as she started working at the Red Cross and completed her Masters of Law in Human Rights. As one of the few non-lawyers in the class, her essays were far more floral than the rest, something that caused the discerning professors to shake their heads. Through working and studying, she realised there are other ways to win hearts and minds.

While she’s spent the last 14 years as an advocate against poverty and homelessness, the desire to change the world through storytelling has only got stronger. She now lives in the Alpine Valleys of North East Victoria, Australia with her husband, daughter, son, two dogs and seven chooks. When she’s not doing the whole mum thing, working at a homelessness agency, renovating her farmhouse, or trying to do laundry bleary-eyed at midnight, she is writing.

Say G’day to Laura:

website: http://www.lsimpsonauthor.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/l.simpson.romance
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lsimpsonauthor
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lsimpsonauthor
linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-simpson-47278971

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Home-Alpine-Valleys-Simpson/dp/1951055020/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 26, 2019

Release Blitz: The Aussie Next Door

The Aussie Next Door, an all-new standalone romantic comedy by USA Today Bestselling author Stefanie London is LIVE!


American Angie Donovan has never wanted much. When you grow up getting bounced from foster home to foster home, you learn not to become attached to anything, anyone, or any place. But it only took her two days to fall in love with Australia. With her visa clock ticking, surely she can fall in love with an Australian—and get hitched—in two months. Especially if he’s as hot and funny as her next-door neighbor…
Jace Walters has never wanted much––except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. He’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in a few months...
Except now she’s determined to find her perfect match by checking out every eligible male in the town, and her choices are even more distracting. So why does it suddenly feel like he—and his obnoxious tight-knit family, and even these two wayward dogs—could be exactly what she needs?


Download your copy today!



About Stefanie:

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance with humour, heat and heart. Also llamas.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia Stefanie now lives in Toronto, Canada with her wonderful husband. She loves to read, collect lipsticks, watch zombie movies, and drink coffee.

Her bestselling book, Pretend It's Love, is a 2016 Romantic Book of the Year finalist with the Romance Writers of Australia.


Connect with Stefanie:

Sign up for Stefanie's newsletter and get a copy of A Kiss in Kite Harbour: http://stefanie-london.com/

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2DYVVHb
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2DYXBjX
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/StefanieLondon

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Sunday Post #28: What Do You Think? 3



I don't claim to have any talent in drawing. I draw partly because I find it calming. However, I do enjoy hearing the what people see or feel when they see my drawings. What do you think?


The trees are suppose to be coconut trees.


The shape of the window is suppose to be one that was on my sister's house.

Post Rewind

📌23rd =Release Blitz: Immortal Devotion


Moolt Cartoon of the Week

No cartoon this week

"Heads Up" - Upcoming Posts

🔼 28th = Book Blast: Finally Home

🔼 29th = Release Blitz: About Face

🔼 30th = Blog Tour: About Face


Goodreads

📚 Never Have I Ever With a Duke (by Darcy Burke) = moved to "read" shelf

Currently Reading

📖 Rescue Me (by: Valerie Twombly) = 6%

📖Leopard's Fury (by: Christine Feehan) = page 20

*** If you don't know what to say on this week's Sunday Post topic, you can comment on any other part of the post or just say "hi".

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba Caffeinated Book Reviewer



Friday, August 23, 2019

Release Blitz: Immortal Devotion

Immortal Devotion, an all-new standalone Vampire Mates Paranormal Romance by Gwen Knight is NOW LIVE!

Synopsis:
It’s an undead blood feud… 

And it’ll be the death of me.

We’ve all heard the stories about eternal creatures whose bite can condemn your ever-loving soul. Except, I know they’re more than just stories, even if no one believes me.

How do I know?

Hard to deny the truth when it runs through my veins. There’s nothing quite like learning about your vampiric heritage to make a girl question her very existence. 

I need answers—a need that’s led me clear across the world, and straight into his path. Kristian is everything I never wanted: dangerous, broody, and, oh yeah, a vampire. But my heart’s never been one to listen to reason. 

Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding him, not when he’s the only one with answers. And in exchange for that information, I have to help him track down and destroy his mortal enemy. 

I never meant to get tangled up in an undead blood feud, but for Kristian, I’d do anything, even if it means risking both my heart and soul…

Download Immortal Devotion Now!
Add it to your TBR - http://bit.ly/2GiJPts



About Gwen Knight
USA Today Bestselling author, Gwen Knight, started writing at a young age when the monsters became more interesting than scary. From werewolves and vampires to elves and magical realms, she enjoys writing in all genres, so long as a little love can be sprinkled in. Gwen lives in Alberta with her husband, cat, and collie who loves to play in the snow. 
A hybrid author, Gwen publishes both traditionally and independently. If books centered on alpha werewolves, vampires, and necromancers (oh, my) bring you hours of pleasure, check out her books page, and sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive releases, updates, and giveaways.

Follow Gwen Knight


Sunday, August 18, 2019

Sunday Post # 27: A Bare Tree


This was just a five minute (completely) free-hand drawing. Out of what I drew so far, I found the bare tree to be the most calming. I may add to it, or just draw a new version of it. Your thoughts?


Post Rewind

📌12th = double post day
- Book Blast: Persistence of Memory
- Blog Tour: The Road to Reality

📌 14th = Cover Reveal: The Hardest Hit

Moolt Cartoon of the Week

No cartoon this week

"Heads Up" - Upcoming Posts

No Scheduled Posts


Goodreads

📚 note: I am very behind on this year's Goodreads challenge

Currently Reading

📖 Rescue Me (by: Valerie Twombly) = 6%

*** If you don't know what to say on this week's Sunday Post topic, you can comment on any other part of the post or just say "hi".

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Cover Reveal: The Hardest Hit


The Hardest Hit, an all-new emotional, single dad standalone from A.S. Teague is coming September 5th and we have the gorgeous cover! 


My friends used to tell me ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’ Clearly they lied, because there was no way the chemistry I had with Mel could ever be left behind.

However, my children, her career, and nine hundred miles between us meant that for seven years, Melanie Holstein was the one who got away.

I was Aiden Shaw, first-round draft pick turned the best quarterback the league had ever seen. I worked hard to secure my position in football history while balancing life as a single dad. Through it all, my Vegas spitfire was never far from my mind.

And considering her best friend was now with my best friend, it was pure and utter torture.

When my career took a devastating turn, Mel was the first person at my side. I was broken and defeated, but that stubborn woman was determined to piece me back together.

I liked to pretend Mel and I were destined for greatness, but Lady Luck had never been on our side. And the tragedy that followed might have been the hardest hit of all.

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/32iNWiz

Cover Designed by Jay Aheer 




About A.S. Teague 

A.S. Teague enjoys the warmth of South Carolina with her husband and two daughters. The stereotypes about peach cobbler and sweet tea are not overstated. After years in the medical field, she is now enjoying every minute of being a stay-at-home mom. She loves wine, the beach, wine on the beach, and crying at Disney movies. When she doesn't have a book in her hand, she can be found pestering her husband with pictures of animals she wants to rescue, as well as debating whether to exercise or take a nap.

Connect with A.S. Teague
Stay up to date by joining A.S. Teague’s mailing list today: http://bit.ly/2HcdeH

Monday, August 12, 2019

Blog Tour: The Road to Reality



GENRE: Non-fiction

BLURB:
Get ready to laugh. Get ready to cry. Get ready for a whirlwind of an adventure. Settle in for a powerful, poignant story of inner strength and courage-and get a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Survivor, the world's most popular reality show.

Spinning their mutual love of exotic adventure into gold, Dianne Burnett and her former husband, TV producer Mark Burnett, co-created Eco-Challenge, an expedition-length racing event televised on Discovery Channel that catapulted them into the arena of reality TV and set the stage for Survivor-a modern-day Robinson Crusoe with a million-dollar prize. But Dianne and Mark's fairytale marriage did not survive their Hollywood success . . . she found herself left behind, her contributions unrecognized. She lost her partner in life and began to lose her identity. In that experience, she found an opportunity to grow.

A fascinating, fast-paced, heart-warming "page-turner," The Road to Reality takes readers on a roller-coaster ride-complete with a zesty romance, as well as the ups and downs of going for your dreams-while it imparts the lessons learned as Dianne discovers what really matters in life is something beyond fortune and fame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Excerpt :

Dianne Burnett: What I learned writing The Road to Reality

I couldn’t be quiet anymore. That would have been the polite thing to do; zipping it was the societally-preferred course of action. Just smile and take it. For years I did just that. 

We do, after all, have two wonderful sons. I didn’t want them to feel torn in what was happening between me and my husband, Mark Burnett. I smiled at dinner parties, showing up with guy friends, explaining my husband was “on location” with Survivor or attending another awards dinner in New York. I explained to the boys that Daddy had a new clubhouse where they could play and where he could work.

The impact of an absent husband no longer living at home, however, sent my world into new orbit. I went from “Does not compute” to the realization I had to find my own path again. The one I’d been on before I met Mark—who, like me, came from a modest background, but who took me gallivanting around the world--the handsome Brit with whom I had a synergy and shared a belief that we were unstoppable. And we were. 

We had no background in doing what we were doing, no fancy degrees, no connections. We had nothing but sheer will, and the willingness to research, put together proposals and run through our pitches again and again. But we did it—first with Eco-Challenge, the world’s premiere endurance-adventure race. And then with the idea for a TV show, that was a modern-day Robin Crusoe story. I gave the name to the program that would catapult reality TV into new directions. “Survivor.” And my handsome hubby finessed the concept, developed it, and pitched it.

Nobody bit. Ever single network gave it a red light. But Mark kept honing his pitches and I kept coaching him and encouraging him—“Honey, I know it will fly!” 

And it did.

But winning at the lottery machine of life destroyed our marriage. Nobody preps you for success, for the way your credit cards suddenly don’t have limits, and you cause a sensation walking into a room. We went from “aspiring” to “golden” in six months time. And after another year, the union that had defined me for over a decade was seriously unraveling.

The truth is I didn’t know my marriage was effectively over until radio host Howard Stern announced it to the 18-34 male listening demographic. As calls came flooding in from friends asking if Mark and I were divorcing I took it calmly, still believing we’d get back together, that our trial separation wasn’t permanent. But then, as another year, then another went by, with Mark and I both dating other people, I understood that I had to get back on my own road. I didn’t want to be defined by my relationships any more. I wanted to have my own life again. 

It wasn’t easy.  At first, I felt like Chevy Chase in Vacation, caught on the roundabout, trying to forge my own way, trying to find my road again. I could see where I wanted to be but I wasn’t yet there. Writing this book proved to be the ideal exit.

I began writing it when I realized that I couldn’t get to where I was going until I understood where I’d been. So I went back and traveled my past, back to Commack, Long Island and the talent shows we put on at the swimming pools, back when I dreamed of entering showbiz. I relived my life discovering a tale of making one own way, with a love story at the heart, and a lot of adventure in between. 

I understood finally that it wasn’t the destination that mattered, it’s the journey. And as I wrote the last words of The Road to Reality on a balmy, palm-breezy evening in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, I turned off the computer, walked into the night and felt like at last I’d found my road again


AUTHOR

Bio and Links:

Dianne Burnett is an author, producer, and actor of stage and screen. She is also a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Dianne and her ex-husband, Mark Burnett, joined their creative forces to invent Eco-Challenge, the impetus for Survivor, which kickstarted America’s reality-television show craze and went on to become the longest-running and most lucrative reality TV series of all time.

Following the success of Survivor, Dianne produced and acted in the stage play Beyond Therapy at the Santa Monica Playhouse, served as Executive Producer of the indie film Jam (which won Best Narrative Feature at the Santa Fe Film Festival), and acted in Everybody Loves Raymond. In memory of her mother, Joan, who lost her battle with esophageal cancer in 2010, Dianne formed Joan Valentine—A Foundation for Natural Cures, a nonprofit organization that serves as a resource for those seeking alternatives to traditional medicine.

She also recently launched a multimedia platform and social network: called theotherside.com, it explores alternative views on everything from relationships to health. Formerly of New York, Dianne now lives in Malibu, California, with her family.