Showing posts with label Write Now. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Write Now. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

**Blog Tour Promo ~ Red Dirt Road & Lotus Blossom Lane ~ Annie Rose Welch**

Hey y'all! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Annie Welch's Red Dirt Road and Lotus Blossom Lane. I have excerpts from both books for y'all. Enjoy!

***
Red Dirt Road (Saving Angels, #2)
Red Dirt Road
(Saving Angels Series #2)
 Annie Rose Welch
Genre: Romance

Synopsis
The Saving Angels Series continues…

A new cast is introduced, while journeys already taken start to merge with the present, leading you down the old Red Dirt Road.

Death has always seemed just one step behind Layla Hill, taking almost everyone she’s ever loved. After she loses the love of her life, Layla vows to never love again—how could she, when she’s a death magnet?

Trying to outrun fate traveling with her uncle Willie and his band, Layla meets Michael Roberts, a beautiful Irish boxer as gentle on the piano as he is brutal in the ring. He proves as relentless in life, fighting for a place in her world even as she pushes him away, trying to protect him from her killer tendencies.

But neither foresees the sinister presence waiting for Layla at the end of the Red Dirt Road.




I walked to the back of the stage and moved the curtains. MoJoe was there waiting for me and handed me the sheet music. And entering the stage from the dim light of the bar was the mate who had come to accompany me on the piano. I stood, dazed for a moment, staring at him.

He wore a black fedora hat with his deep-brown, almost black hair sticking out from its edges. His scruffy facial hair thinly framed his face with deep-red whiskers. He wore a loose-fitting, black-and-white flannel shirt with worn-down jeans. I could tell from the outline of his shirt that his muscles were well filled out. He wasn’t large, but he wasn’t lanky, either. And the closer he moved toward me, the better I could make out the feature of his face.

His eyes, bright blue, the color of the ocean, were large and expressive, and they seemed a little worn down, like maybe he had seen a million battles and was keeping them locked somewhere deep inside. His nose was straight but wide. His face was perfectly designed, cut to pure perfection, like I imagined the rest of him to be, his strong cheekbones shadowing and increasing the intense curve of his jawline.

And there was something else—I strained to see, even though he was moving closer—a long, thin scar stretched across his face. But even so, he was beautiful. There was no other way of putting it. And that might even have been putting it lightly. He had the face of an angel with a renegade’s body.

Something inside of me started to burn.

***
Lotus Blossom Lane (Saving Angels, #3)
Lotus Blossom Lane
(Saving Angels Series #3)
Annie Rose Welch
Genre: Romance

Synopsis
Life after Yuma was blissful for Layla and Michael. After the turmoil of the old Red Dirt Road, their journey seemed to be moving them in the right direction, leading them to Ireland, Michael’s birthplace, where history runs deep and secrets run even deeper. As the road to happily-ever-after leads them down Lotus Blossom Lane, years of entombed history starts to emerge, changing the course of their lives forever. And the person waiting for them at the end of Lotus Blossom Lane, one of the biggest starts in the world, will bring them to the Crossroads of the Saving Angels Series.




“Can you believe this?” I closed my eyes, and the tiny specks felt like confetti falling delicately on my face.

He turned my face toward his. “Look into my eyes, Mrs. Roberts,” he whispered. “There’s nothing on this earth more gorgeous than you, in this moment. I refuse to take my eyes away from you.” He continued to search my eyes, just as if he was seeing me for the first time. “From this moment on, you’ll never be alone. Never, for as long as we fly together, will I ever let you fall.” He rested his forehead against mine.

“I love you,” I breathed onto his lips as the snow continued to fall around us, turning the earth bright white in the pitch-black darkness.



Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California). Her writing career began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightening bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn't stopped
writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soul mates, and things that are generally out of the norm.

When she's not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. She currently (still) resides in the big shake (although her southern roots are calling her home) with her husband, daughter, and their two peculiar dogs, Boudreaux and Tabasco (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent).

For lagniappe (a little extra), a virtual cup of cafĂ© au lait and beignets, please visit Annie's website: www.annierosewelch.com

She can also be found on FacebookGoodreadsAmazon & Twitter


Thursday, May 15, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Return to Newport ~ A.L. Parks**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for A.L. Parks' Return to Newport. I have all the pertinent information for the book, some teasers, my review of both The Return and Return to Newport, and a giveaway.


***
The Return
Return to Me #1
Genre: Contemporary / Adult / Romance
Release Date: December 21, 2013
Source: I received an ecopy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
Eve Carlisle had a singular purpose - sell the rustic house nestled in the Colorado ski resort town. 

Tortured by her husband’s betrayal, the beautiful divorcee refused to give her heart to another man. But Jake had been a happy surprise, with his mesmerizing blue eyes, warm smile, strong but gentle nature – as well as being incredibly sexy.

She had convinced herself the relationship with Jake was nothing more than a fling. After all, she had a life in Newport, with society friends and a lucrative career as a family court judge. Still, Jake had a definitive hold over her, and she was finding it hard to think clearly where he was concerned. 

The demons of prior failed marriages haunt them both, and threaten to end things just as they are beginning. When Jake tells Eve he is falling in love with her, Eve refuses to believe it can last. Returning to Newport, the hollowness of her existence exposed, she must confront her fears before she loses Jake forever.







Return to Newport
Return to Me #2
Genre: Contemporary / Adult / Romance
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Source: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
Eve is ready for a clean slate. She nearly lost the love of her life in The Return. Now Eve must confront the people refusing to let her go quietly into her happily ever after with Jake. Returning to Newport to tie up loose ends may be the biggest mistake of her life.

Jake wants one thing – and one thing only – Eve. He is ready to build a life with her, and spend the rest of his days loving only her. But his surprise visit to Newport makes him question everything he thought he knew about her, including her love.

At the center of the turmoil is Eve’s ex-husband. Intrigued by the changes he sees in her, Brad is determined to sabotage Jake and Eve's relationship - and take Eve back.

Jake and Eve must face their demons, and battle the outside forces that seek to destroy their future. Can their love survive the Return to Newport?







The Return

Okay, I'm gonna admit that it makes me ridiculously happy to read a book with characters that are my age! :)

The Return is a wonderful story of two people barely living following nasty divorces - two people who come to life after meeting and get a second chance at love and happiness.

Eve is spending her holidays at her cabin in Colorado. She needs to make some decisions about keeping it. On her way from the airport, she ends up in a snow drift and one very handsome fire chief comes to her rescue. Jake, the fire chief, is immediately taken with Eve. As they begin to get to know one another, the pull between them is undeniable. 

Eve, a judge back in Newport, lacks confidence in her personal life. Her divorce sucked a lot out of her. Where she was once was so full of life - cooking and baking and making her children happy - she now eats microwavable dinners and barely speaks with her daughters. Jake is equally non-confident when it comes to having a personal life. He essentially avoids dating. He is involved with his daughter though. And I delighted in seeing that relationship. I felt the damage Eve has suffered as a result of her divorce was more focal. Her change in demeanor had even affected her relationship with her daughters. Jake's divorce mainly affected his ability to trust.

Eve and Jake are instantly smitten with one another. But they each have demons and insecurities that keep them from taking that leap. I truly enjoyed watching them get closer and how they brought out the joy and vivacity in one another, that had been missing since their divorces.

The Return tugged at my heartstrings and left me hopeful. It was a pleasant, feel-good read.

Return to Newport

Return to Newport sees Eve and Jake working towards their HEA. But it's not all sunshine and roses for the couple. Especially since Eve must travel back to Newport in order to tie up loose ends. This puts her and Jake in close proximity to all the reasons Eve loathes her life there. Namely one ex-husband who decides that maybe he made a mistake in leaving Eve in the first place. Newport forces Eve and Jake to face demons and try to figure out if love will be enough to keep them together.

I really enjoyed this installment. I liked that we got to meet Eve's daughter, Clarissa. That she and Jake began forging a relationship was a delight and I liked Ms. Parks' inclusion of Clarissa. I also liked the fact that Ms. Parks had Eve and Jake seek help in dealing with their issues. It was a nice, realistic touch. There are a few new plot twists thrown in that I'm eager to see play out.

I did miss Jake's daughter, Lauren, in this one. Even though we haven't 'met' her yet, she was an important part of The Return and I was sad to see her almost non-existent here. Also, I felt it odd that Eve's younger daughter, Amber, wasn't included in this part of the story. As a mom, I felt that Eve's making such life changing decisions shouldn't have been done without including her daughter.

In The Return, I felt the focus was primarily on Eve's demons and self-esteem uses. Though they are present in Return to Newport, it focuses more of Jake's. And they are heavily spotlighted while the couple are in Newport. I delighted in Ms. Parks' ability to convey the differences in mentality and culture between North Easterners and Westerners. I thought it was a realistic portrayal - at least according to my perception, as a Texan/Coloradan.

Overall, Return to Newport was a pleasure to read. And I look forward to seeing what life's roller coaster ride has in store for Eve and Jake next.

Both The Return and Return to Newport rated 4 Bookworms.





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Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains, A.L. Parks has spent the last 25 years moving all over the United States. Married to the Navy - well a man in the Navy - Parks has lived in various places throughout the United States. Now she resides in the Washington D.C area, and loves every minute. She has four children, and one spoiled German Shepard. 

2013 marked her debut in publishing. Her first novel, Strangers, released on her 45th birthday. She was amazed at how many people fell in love with a story about two people dealing with grief, and finding love again. Abby and Bryce were the perfect couple to introduce Parks as an up-and-coming author.

Her second novel, The Return, released in December 2013. A wonderful Christmas romance, it is the first book in the Return To Me series. Book two, Return To Newport, is set to release on April 29, 2014.



Friday, April 18, 2014

**Blog Tour Spotlight ~ Marigny Street ~ Annie Rose Welch**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Annie Rose Welch's Marigny Street. This is the first book in her Saving Angels series. I have all the important details about the book for y'all, an excerpt, and a giveaway.


***

Marigny Street by Annie Rose Welch
Saving Angels #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance w/Strong Paranormal Element

Synopsis
Do you believe in the power of dreams? 

Way down south on Marigny Street in the heart of New Orleans, the land of Catholic intercessions, purgatory, and supernatural superstitions, young Evangeline Chenier dreams of a radiant boy who saves her from a storm. 

She takes the dream seriously – in her family, dreams are sometimes more than dreams. Sometimes they foretell the future. Sometimes they create it. 

Years later, Eva is no longer the same wistful girl but a hardened woman who no longer believes in dreams. Losing faith in her gift, she becomes lost in a nightmare of emotion, mourning her son, separating from her husband, and stewing in a dead-end job. And then fate brings her an unlikely surprise: one of the most famous movie stars in the world, Gabriel Roberts. 

Caught by something in his eyes, Eva agrees to show him the real Big Easy on his last night in New Orleans—an evening that turns into four dreamy days spent recapturing lost faith and discovering a love neither expected. 

Realizing Gabriel is the boy from her childhood dream, Eva must leave everything behind—her husband, her family, her history, and the beautiful city she calls home—and gamble it all for the dream that has saved her on MARIGNY STREET.





I shook my head. “Tell me, Gabriel, what are your dreams about?”

“Nothing. I never dream.” He shrugged.

“Never?”

“I’ve never once in my life had a dream. And I never look in a mirror – or I try my hardest not to anyway.”

“Why?” How could you never dream? Or look in a mirror?

He sighed. “I believe the only things in this life that can truly show your reflection are the things you love the most in this world. And I don’t love myself enough to want to look in the mirror.” He laughed. “But when I look at you I can see myself perfectly. And even though I never dream, I do pray. Do you want to know what I prayed for before I met you?”

I nodded.

“I prayed for an angel – to save me. I asked for a little help from up above, and now you’re here. You are cake and ice cream; sugar and spice, and everything nice. And when you smile, you make me feel the way the world looks when the sun shines through a foggy day.”


All I could do was smile.




***What People Are Saying***

"This is a story that sings the particular otherworldly song that is the melange of New Orleans, with a character in Eva that is particularly well developed and easy to like. Gabriel is a breath of otherworldly fresh air, tangible in his emotional connection to Eva. New Orleans becomes a character to fall in love with as well: you will walk the streets with Eva and feel the city through her eyes, incorporating her memories."

"That's the other thing about Eva. She was real. All the characters were real. The weather was real. New Orleans was a character herself. The story was alive to me. It was as if I lived the story as I read. There was a very surprising twist that wasn't expected and still has me reeling." 

"This book enchanted me from the quotes at the beginning. It is honestly a beautiful story. It pulls you in to a really quite magical place, yes, it's incredibly soppy (for my tastes) but it's undeniably beautiful."




a Rafflecopter giveaway


Enter the Goodreads giveaway for a win a signed copy by clicking here.




Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California). Her writing career began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightening bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn't stopped
writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soul mates, and things that are generally out of the norm.

When she's not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. She currently (still) resides in the big shake (although her southern roots are calling her home) with her husband, daughter, and their two peculiar dogs, Boudreaux and Tabasco (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent).

For lagniappe (a little extra), a virtual cup of cafĂ© au lait and beignets, please visit Annie's website: www.annierosewelch.com

She can also be found on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon & Twitter


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

**Cover Reveal ~ Return to Newport ~ A.L. Parks**


I'm thrilled to share the cover of A.L. Parks' Return to Newport! This is the second book in the Return to Me Series. The cover is simple, but I like it.

***
Return to Newport by A.L. Parks
Return to Me Series #2
Release Date:
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis
Eve is ready for a clean slate. She nearly lost the love of her life in The Return. Now Eve must confront the people refusing to let her go quietly into her happily ever after with Jake. Returning to Newport to tie up loose ends may be the biggest mistake of her life.

Jake wants one thing – and one thing only – Eve. He is ready to build a life with her, and spend the rest of his days loving only her. But his surprise visit to Newport makes him question everything he thought he knew about her, including her love.

At the center of the turmoil is Eve’s ex-husband. Intrigued by the changes he sees in her, Brad is determined to sabotage Jake and Eve’s relationship – and take Eve back.

Jake and Eve must face their demons, and battle the outside forces that seek to destroy their future. Can their love survive the Return to Newport?


Jake. It nagged at her that she had still not had a word from him. She walked into the kitchen to find some crackers to calm her now upset stomach. What the hell was going on? She heard the kitchen door open, but had already pressed the button for Jake’s phone, and she didn’t turn around. Clarissa’s voice filled the air around her.

“Hey, Mom, I have a surprise for you,” her voice sang.

“Hold on Clarissa, I’m on the phone. I haven’t heard from Jake all day,” she muttered more to herself than for Clarissa’s benefit. Jake’s voicemail picked up, and Eve shifted her weight as she heard the beep. “Jake, where the hell are you?”

“I’m right here, beautiful,” came the deep voice behind her.

Eve turned around, and her eyes met the most beautiful blue eyes that she had ever seen - the ones that held the deepest love - all for her.

“Jake,” she exhaled, and came towards him. Her arms went around his neck, and she launched herself at him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly against his body. She pressed her lips against his, tilting her head to the side, and slipping her tongue into his mouth. She was desperate for him, needed to feel him, make sure he was truly there.

“Geez, you two, get a room,” Clarissa’s voice giggled behind them. Eve placed her forehead against Jake’s, eyes closed, and breathed him in. All the worry, the fears - the demons - all of them melted away with the stroke of his hands across her back.

He exhaled, and pulled Eve tighter against his body, whispering in her ear, “Now everything feels right again.”



Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains, A.L. Parks has spent the last 25 years moving all over the United States. Married to the Navy - well a man in the Navy - Parks has lived in various places throughout the United States. Now she resides in the Washington D.C area, and loves every minute. She has four children, and one spoiled German Shepard. 

2013 marked her debut in publishing. Her first novel, Strangers, released on her 45th birthday. She was amazed at how many people fell in love with a story about two people dealing with grief, and finding love again. Abby and Bryce were the perfect couple to introduce Parks as an up-and-coming author.

Her second novel, The Return, released in December 2013. A wonderful Christmas romance, it is the first book in the Return To Me series. Book two, Return To Newport, is set to release on April 29, 2014.