Tag Archives: usa today bestselling author

Happy Valentine’s Giveaway From J L Berg

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celebratevdayToday is Valentine’s Day, a day celebrating romance and flowers and chocolates. And J.L. Berg, a lover of all three, wants to celebrate with everyone! There’s a books-and-chocolate giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is open internationally! There’s five prize packs, two e-books for international winners and three print copy/Compartes chocolate prize packs for US/CA winners! The winners will have their choice of books from J.L. Berg!

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WTW iBooksAbout WITHIN THESE WALLS:

Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.

Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.

Add it to Goodreads here!

Read the first chapter here!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Excerpt:

With one pudding cup snug in my pocket, I was the epitome of stealth.

I slipped through the door quietly, ignoring the fact that I looked like a creepy stalker, and I stepped into the darkened room like I had a purpose.

I did work here, so there could be a dozen reasons for me entering a patient’s room.

Delivering a fudge snack pack was probably not one of them.

Like the many times before, I tried not to linger as I entered the room, but with each passing visit, it became more and more difficult.

The first night I’d decided to do this, I’d quickly done this drop-and-dash routine. I had gone in and out without a second glance.

But then, I’d met her. I’d come to her room and found myself face-to-face with the girl behind my late-night pudding runs. She was shy and timid, her gestures clumsy and unpracticed. She was so different from the polished and sophisticated girls I’d grown up with. Even her name was awkward. It sounded like the classic Eric Clapton song “Layla,” but hers was spelled all wrong.

She had made me curious. I’d suddenly wanted to know what else in this world would make her smile.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

Sign up for J.L. Berg’s newsletter here!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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5 Star Review: Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby & Giveaway

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I am so happy to be able to share Bette Lee Crosby’s latest novel, Passing Through Perfect.

I love this beautiful cover.

I am a huge fan of Bette Lee’s and I am eager to continue my Wyattsville journey.

I hope you will join me.

Add Me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

I would like to start with the cover. Bette Lee Crosby’s cover gives you a glimpse of the story inside. Her sweet, southern charm comes through the pages and wraps around me with loving arms. Passing Through Perfect brought forth so many emotions that I kept my tissues at my side. That is not unusual for a Bette Lee novel. With each novel in the Wyattsville series I say it is the best, but the best one is the next one.

The story includes chapters of the characters thoughts and feelings – Benjamin, Delia, Camella, Sidney and Martha’s. We get an up close and personal invitation to share their lives. The characters had me crying for them, yelling for them, wanting to protect and shelter them from all the harsh realities of life.

The story takes place in Grinders Corner, a small town in Alabama.

Benjamin Church came home from war, to see nothing had changed. Benjamin had thought of being a mechanic. He had learned to repair almost anything mechanical during his time in the service. This is a time in history where the shift was from working for yourself to working for someone else. But, he knew he would be a farmer like his father and his father before him. He is a sharecroppers son and the world did not look kindly on blacks in 1946.

The landowner, Sylvester Crane, is a sorry excuse for a human being.

Benjamen’s dad struggles after the loss of his wife. Sometimes when a mate dies, the other person is not far behind. Do they lose their will to live?

Everything in Grinders Corner is the same for Benjamin, until he lays eyes on Delia.
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Delia is a preachers daughter. Her father heads the New Unity Church. She has a zest for life and it was love at first sight for Benjamin. I guess we can see where this is going. He courted her in the proper manner, with courtesy and respect. Ben’s love is strong, gentle and true.

The preacher had a holier than thou attitude and looked down his nose at Benjamin. He didn’t think Benjamin was good enough for his Delia. Don’t a lot of parents think that way, even if their child is grown? Our kids are always our kids and we want the best for them. On the other hand, as kids, our parents are our heroes.

“You made your bed, now lie in it.” Have you ever heard those words?

Bette’s descriptions of the simplest things brings the times and people to life, their sorrow and pain, their joy and happiness. I can picture Benjamin standing in front of the deputy with his weather beaten straw hat in hand and his eyes looking down at the floor.

Bette talks about the sun and heat of the south. If you have not experienced it, you will find it hard to feel the intensity of the suns rays as they beat down on you, the thickness of the muggy air as you struggle to draw breath and the fact that you are soaked to the skin shortly after stepping outside. The heat builds during the day and it is not unusual for there to be afternoon rain.

In the 1940s, bigotry and racial hatred was in your face. Go to the back door. For Whites Only. No Coloreds.

I know it’s coming and I ruefully wait for the hammer to fall. And it does. Tragically.

People sometimes find themselves not really living, just getting through. There is heartwrenching sorrow and despair. Overriding guilt. Life isn’t fair! Is the grass greener on the other side?

“It ain’t the preaching that makes a man godly, its the doing.”

tears photo c72fc8a1e4416e0159096ce3647a45b4.jpgI get to page 91 and tears form in my eyes, but I will not let them fall. SO SAD. We all handle grief and loss in our own way. I am reading through teary eyes, but I can’t stop. With Bette’s writing, I knew this would break my heart, but she will not leave me feeling lost. She will help me find my way. She will show me that people are more good than bad. They will give, even when they don’t have much of their own.

“I can’t be thinking of how much I lost, I gotta be thinking of how much I still got.”

Well, what can I say. I am pretty much teary eyed through the rest of the story.

“Sometimes life provided opportunities to reach out and make a difference, and when that happened a man worth his salt had to step up to the challenge.”

“Are we out brother’s keeper’s?”

The saying – It Takes A Village – answers that question.

“Folks don’t live in PERFECT, they just get to pass through every so often.” What a wonderful statement.

Amazing writing and it stuns me that this genre of book can affect me so deeply. I am more of the action, shoot ’em up, creatures chasing me variety.

Even though Bette’s books end happily, with a warm and comfortable feeling, there are bumps and jolts throughout. My feelings for Benjamin were anger and rage, sadness and despair, happiness and . He was a better person than I. He dealt with his responsibilities in an intelligent, loving and gentle way, sacrificing for others and doing the right thing. You can choose which you want to be – bigoted and angry or laughing and loving.

Very thought provoking and the book will stick with me long after reading it.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received a copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

 

SYNOPSIS

It’s 1946. The war is over. Millions of American soldiers are coming home and Benjamin Church is one of them. After four years of being away he thought things in Alabama would have changed, but they haven’t. Grinder’s Corner is as it’s always been—a hardscrabble burp in the road. It’s not much, but it’s home.

When Benjamin attends a harvest festival in Twin Pines, he catches sight of Delia. Before their first dance ends, he knows for certain she’s the one. They fall madly in love; happily, impatiently, imprudently, in love. It doesn’t matter that her daddy is staunchly opposed to the thought of his daughter marrying a cotton farmer, never mind a poor one.

It’s true Benjamin has little to offer; he’s a sharecropper who will spend his whole life sweating and slaving to do little more than put food on the table. But that’s how things are in Alabama. Benjamin is better off than most; he has a wife, a boy he adores, and a house that doesn’t leak rain. Yes, Benjamin considers himself a lucky man until the fateful night that changes everything.

BetteAuthor Bette Lee Crosby

Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby shares the storytelling charm of her Southern Mama in tales that are both heartrending and heartwarming. She is best known for her creation of characters that readers find unforgettable.

Passing through Perfect is Crosby’s tenth novel and the third book in the Wyattsville Series that began with the USA Today Bestseller Spare Change. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another twenty literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and the 2014 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Grab your Amazon* copy below:

GIVEAWAY

Betty is offering an ebook copy of Spare Change, which is book #1 in the series- or Jubilee’s Journey, which is the story that really leads into Passing Through Perfect. International. Please leave your email and answer the question:

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

Giveaway from 1/29 – 2/2/15.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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Exclusive Cover Reveal & Giveaway~ Devil To Pay by Renee Bernard

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VBT_TourBanner_DevilToPay

Welcome to my stop for Devil To Pay by Renee Bernard.

I love covers and am so excited that Renee is going to share her thoughts with us and she would LOVE it, if you shared your thoughts with her. So please, let’s show this USA Today Bestselling author some love and leave a comment on how covers affect you.

She has some questions below to help and she does reveal her humorous side. You don’t want to miss this!

Renee is also sharing an exclusive cover reveal of Devil May Care, the next story in her wickedly romantic comedy series.

I am honored, Renee.

GUEST POST

Ooh, let’s talk covers! I think it’s one of those wonderful make or break subjects that authors either love or dread (depending on the amount of control they have over those fateful images!) Every author has his/her favorite covers of their books but also a few they wish had never seen the light of day—much less hit their readers’ square between the eyes.

I had some great covers and was Very Lucky and I’m generally known for my historical romances but here is one of my old covers that makes me cry…

01_Ecstasy_Wears_Emeralds

I shouldn’t complain (everyone has the correct number of arms). Except that male model’s haircut is not even remotely close to being historically accurate for my hero. Sure, if he was a modern Navy S.E.A.L. but a doctor in the 1860’s… Let’s just say that the art department in NY let it slip that they’d dubbed this one the “Lucky Charms Cover” and let it go with that…but with traditional publishing, it’s so rare to have any power over what happens on your book cover. My editors would ask for physical character descriptions, suggestions, colors, you name it and I would have the illusion of having a voice/vote in the process but once they showed me what they had—the illusion ended. Small, tiny changes (hair color, etc.) were welcome but any hint of “why is she wearing a prom dress from the wrong century” was squashed.

Naturally, readers blame the author and wonder why they don’t know the difference between Regency and Victorian eras…or why the book they picked up based on a cover isn’t at all what they expected. It’s never fun and I try not to 02_Lady_Fallsthink about it too much for fear of being that growly, complaining person I never want to sit next to at luncheons.

 

So, when I started self-publishing my new historical novels, it was all about falling in love again with the notion that a cover could really be an extension of an author’s vision for their baby. I wanted something striking, non-traditional, where the heroine was the centerpiece with an artistic sensibility and Cora Graphics came through and took my breath away! Love Cora. She lives in Italy and is very glamorous…which apparently helps.

 

See the difference? The entire trilogy is out (and all three covers are gorgeous!) but I just wanted to have an example of the potential differences. And now with my contemporary paranormal romantic comedy, DEVIL TO PAY, I can be light, completely not-serious and frankly, step away from traditional layouts to let every reader imagine how the players will look…

03_Devil_To_Pay_3D

Teresa Spreckelmeyer did the cover for DEVIL TO PAY and I don’t think I’m going to let her go…and just for you, Sherry, as a Fundinmental Exclusive, here is a sneak peek at the draft cover for DEVIL MAY CARE!

04_Devil_May_Care

I still believe that covers make a difference and that first impressions to readers can mean a lot and can make the difference between picking a book up to check out the synopsis/story and decide if it’s a purchase or making a quick pass based on an amateur/cheap looking image that hints that all might not be well starting with page one. Covers can be brand builders as books from one author all have a similar look and feel, or just to help distinguish from one series or another. If they are too similar though, readers can’t tell at a glance if they’ve read it already or not and may mistake a new release for an old one. It’s a very real challenge to find the fine line between new and striking and alluringly familiar.

But I’d love to hear from your followers on this one. Do covers matter? Do they make you pay attention or do you ignore them? If an author is new to you, does the cover hold more weight? Do you like the book on your shelves to “match” a bit? Or does it make no difference at all and you’d pick it up if it had dancing wallabies on there—so long as the story was good?

Thanks so much for the wonderful post, Renee.

I will share my thoughts. I know you want to hear them. :mrgreen:

I will admit, I am a cover “whore”. I can be bought. Sometimes I see the cover and that is all I need. I pick it up or not. I will pick up almost any book with water or a tree. I know I have missed some good books because of the cover ~ it’s usually a man’s abs with no head.  😳 You know what I’m talking about. I understand a lot of authors may not have the luxury of choosing their covers, but COME ON publishers. I am so over the abs.

Would I be telling you too much if I said dancing wallabies (?), I’d probably pick it up. LOL I like critters.

What do you think? Will you pick it up, just because it has abs 🙄 or are you like me and demand more?

 Inquiring minds want to know.

Cover_DevilToPay

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Devil To Pay by Renee Bernard

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BLURB

Workplace comedy is always fun but when the company in question in H.E.LLc (Hades Enterprises LLc) and your job is being Lucifer, let’s just say, there are some unique challenges beyond Casual Fridays and who keeps taking your lunch out of the break room. Even if Hell really is just a place where evil is tracked and analyzed in endless cubicles-no brimstone and not a human soul in sight-there’s no room for error. This Lucifer (who is the seventh unlucky archangel to get the position behind the black onyx desk) is about to have his entire world rattled when a very sweet and likable mortal woman crosses his path.

After all, angels can’t lie. And when Jayne Hamilton wants to know what he does for a living, all bets are off. Because “dating” isn’t exactly in the cosmic scheme of the Eternity Gambit, but Love… Well, Love is never really off the table.

Now, if Lucifer can just figure out how to win the girl and get himself fired, he’ll be one very very happy angel.

“Filled with sparkling wit and devilish charm, DEVIL TO PAY is a delightful visit to the Shangri-La of Hell!” — Erin Quinn, The Three Fates of Ryan Love, NYT Bestselling Author

“Only Renee Bernard could make dating Satan sexy as sin! Funny, fresh, irreverent and utterly adorable!” – Dakota Cassidy, National Bestselling Author

First book in the new Eternity Gambit series from USA Today bestselling author Renee Bernard. This is a romantic comedy series with an original paranormal twist that defies categorization and turns every notion of Heaven and Hell on its ear.

Amazon  /  Smashwords  /  B&N

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EXCERPT

“You’re mental, right?”

“I think if we were having this conversation in a basement decorated with torn out newspaper articles, black-light posters and me drooling about how I have conversations with dogs and wear tinfoil underwear, you might have a case.” Luke deliberately glanced around the room, silently pointing out the lack of “mental” revealed by his beautifully appointed modern office and furnishings. If it weren’t for the black onyx desk, it would be easy to mistake it for an extraordinary executive’s digs. “I think we can rule out insanity—on both sides of this argument.”

“Right, since I’m not the one proclaiming to be the Prince of Darkness,” she said with a touch of sarcasm she couldn’t prevent. After all, even pretending to take him seriously made her consider that she might not be firing on all cylinders. Her hands were shaking, so she pressed them together as firmly as she could. Were crazy people like bees? Could they smell fear?   “Is it possible you’re just a very wealthy man in need of medication?”

“Sure. Anything is possible,” he conceded, his open smile disarming her as he was obviously beginning to genuinely enjoy the debate. “Jayne, I could be an eccentric billionaire intent on impressing you by pretending to be Lucifer.   Stranger things have happened.”

“Name one thing stranger than this.”

“Besides the fashion of the 80’s and people who resemble their dogs?”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author_Pic_Devil_to_PayWhat in the world is a retired Navy chaplain’s daughter doing writing scorching hot historical romances and paranormal romantic comedies and even comic books? Renee Bernard is applying a great education from traveling all over the world to story telling and doing her best to keep her father proud. Truthfully, her father is her number one fan, even though he has sworn never to read a single word of her books (a vow he has kept to this day!) Nothing stops him from telling everyone he knows that his daughter is now a USA Today Bestselling author or from handing out bookmarks on the golf course. Love can make even a minister do strange things!

Renee Bernard is a freelance writer and host of “The Romance Bookmark” on Readers Entertainment, as well as a contributor to Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Renee currently lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. (Note an interesting proximity to great wineries!)

DEVIL TO PAY is available now online wherever books are sold and is coming soon to Audio! The Eternity Gambit series is a fun departure from her well-known Victorian set historical romances and creates a new world for readers unlike any other. DEVIL TO PAY is the first book in this new series and is gathering up 5-Star reviews and momentum as more readers discover that office politics can hit a whole new level of crazy when you work at Hades Enterprises, LLc (or H.E.LLc).

Website  /  Website  /  FaceBook  /   Twitter: @ReneeBernard

 

GIVEAWAY

 

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Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found by clicking on the banner below.

Goddess Fish Partner

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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Cover Reveal for 10 Full Length Killer Romance Novels

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~~COVER REVEAL~~
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Killer Romances
10 Dark, Deadly, and Delicious Novels 


I am so excited to be a part of this tour. I hope you enjoy all the authors and be sure to enter the Kindle giveaway at the end of the post.

Cover art done byhttp://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

Ten of today’s hottest romantic suspense authors have joined forces to bring you an amazing boxed set of ten full-length novels–all for one low price! Romance, mystery, and thrills abound in these dark, deadly, and delicious tales of lethally sexy heroes and the women who bring them to their knees. Love bad boys? We’ve got ’em. Love good guys? We’ve got them too! There’s something for everyone who picks up this red-hot bundle. Ready to dive in?

~~AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15, 2014~~
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Here are some buy links for you:
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~~TEN THRILLING NOVELS IN ONE SET~~
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Dana Delamar REVENGE (Blood and Honor, #1)
Website: http://www.danadelamar.com/ 

Amazon Bestselling Author Tallulah Grace Cliffs of Starsdale
Bestselling Author Sandy Loyd Deadly Misconceptions
Kristine Mason Shadow of Perception (Book 2 CORE Shadow Trilogy)
USA Today Bestselling Author Dale Mayer Haunted by Death (By Death Series Book 2)
USA Today Bestselling Author Nina Pierce Blind Her With Bliss, Book 1 of the Dangerous Affairs Series
Chantel Rhondeau Love & Deception (Agents in Love – Book 1)
Amazon Bestselling Author K.T. Roberts The Last Witness
Award-winning Author H.D. Thomson Shrouded in Darkness – Book 1
Award-winning Author Susan Vaughan Primal Obsession



Check out our talented cover artist!

 http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos

~~JOIN IN THE FUN AT OUR FACEBOOK PARTY~~
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Join the KILLER ROMANCES authors for their LAUNCH DAY PARTY! The authors and a slew of their sassy friends will be celebrating the release, September 15th, 16th, and 17th, 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM (EASTERN TIME).
One lucky winner will receive a KINDLE FIRE. Prizes Galore, Q&A, Authors, Readers, Books, and FUN! So what are you waiting for? Come join us and have a blast!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1492594170978938

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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