Tag: author interview

Supernatural Spotlight: Lisa Oliver ‘Watching Out For Fangs (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

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Watching Out For Fangs (Cloverleah #7) by Lisa Oliver 
Release Date: October 17, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Oliver Group Publications
Cover Artist: Lisa Oliver

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Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Lisa Oliver, author of book 7 in the Cloverleah Pack, Watching Out For Fangs. Hi Lisa, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hello and thank you for hosting me here today. Some of your readers may know my books already – this is my 17th one. All of my books are M/M paranormal books – shifters, vampires and so much more to come. In this book, Josh, who is a newcomer to Cloverleah meets Vadim, his true mate. Unfortunately he is unconscious at the time, and Vadim heads home to Atlanta, convinced he doesn’t have what it takes to be a good mate. Of course, being one of my books, the men don’t stay apart for long thanks to a couple of interfering Fae, and that’s a good thing too, as the men of Cloverleah are under threat again – this time from a coven and a pack. It can be read as standalone.

  • Favorite thing about building your own world?

I get to make the rules! I have five different series going at the moment and while there are some rules that apply to all of them – no cheating, no cliff hangers and an HEA – there are subtle differences between all of the different “worlds” that I get to choose.  I’m a control freak and the first to admit it.

  • What inspired you to write your first book?

I’m going to qualify that with first “fiction” book as I have written non-fiction in the past as well.  I had always thought I couldn’t write fiction as dialogue was a real problem for me. Once I got older I decided I could do whatever I wanted to do, and things kinda snowballed from there.

  • Do you have a specific writing style?

I write the same way as I talk – so my books are my way of telling you a story. All of my books so far have been from a duel POV, although after getting told in my first book that I had blurred the lines a bit with that, I now make specific section breaks to show clearly who is thinking what and why.

  • Who are some of the authors that influenced you to write?

My favorite author list is huge – no kidding. I couldn’t pinpoint just one but I love stories in all forms, and just a few of my favorites include Sandrine Gasq Dion and Charlie Richards. I used to think I wanted to write just like them, but I have since learned there is a place for my style of books as well. But I still read everything they put out.

  • What are some jobs you’ve held? Have any of them impacted your writing? How?

I have had a varied career path.  I’ve worked in lawyer’s offices, in accounts, a hotel receptionist and a newspaper office.  But on the other side of the coin I have also been a full time bartender, a waitress (which I hated) and a taxi driver. I don’t think it is any specific job that impacts my writing, but more my belief that you can do anything you set your mind too and hopefully that comes through in my work.

Thanks, Lisa, for the wonderful interview.  Now lets take a closer look at Watching Out for Fangs.

RC

Blurb

Josh moved from the huge San Antonio pack to join the men at Cloverleah looking for a bit more adventure, and the chance to meet his mate. He’s quick to adapt to the much smaller pack, and even his status as one of the few beta wolves in a group full of Alphas. A chance visit from the Atlanta coven has him meeting the man he was waiting for. It was just a damn shame he was unconscious at the time.

Vadim D’Arcy should be the Regent of the Atlanta coven, but he gave up his position years before when a personal tragedy had him hiding away in his huge mansion. Forced into a situation where he had to escort a cursed vampire to Cloverleah, he realizes pretty quickly that Josh is his true match. The only problem is, he doesn’t want one.

However threats on the pack, and two interfering Fae soon nudge the two men back together. Fighting other wolves, and even vampires is becoming commonplace for the Cloverleah pack. But a dark magic user just might have the last laugh. Can Vadim fight his personal demons long enough to keep his mate safe, and will Josh be there for him when he does? Or will a combined attack from the coven and the pack in Atlanta bring the entire Cloverleah pack to its knees?

Warnings: This is an m/m erotic romance featuring a sweet but staunch beta wolf, an old as sin vampire and all your other favorites from Cloverleah. HEA and no cliff hangers guaranteed.

 

Excerpt

“Everett was known as your favorite, yet you have set him free, compelled him to leave you and never return. You have met your true match, my son.” Not a question, but a statement of fact. Vadim opened his eyes, knowing he could never lie directly to his mother. He nodded instead, as his brain once again focused on Josh. What would the young wolf be feeling, knowing that Vadim had bonded with him without permission and then rejected him as a mate? Maybe some of the pain he was feeling was coming from his mate, even if they were separated by miles. That idea didn’t make him feel any better.

“The wolf you healed?” This time his persistent mother was asking a question so Vadim nodded again.

“And you didn’t think to stay and protect him?”

Letting out a deep breath in an effort to calm himself, Vadim said slowly, “I came here to protect him, from this coven and the Atlanta pack.”

“That didn’t work out too well for you now, did it?” Eloise had a small smile on her face as though a lot happier now she knew the reason behind the loss of Vadim’s fabled control. “What are you going to do?”

Vadim would have shrugged but that was a little hard to do with his arms strung up, so he was forced to speak instead. “Wait out my punishment. If I am released in time I will go home and sort out my affairs. Either way I anticipate it will all be over for me in six weeks as I haven’t fed for a while.”

In a strong flowing movement Eloise stood up, gliding over to where Vadim was chained, her gown settling around her feet in a soft mist. The finery of the pale blue looked incongruous against the dirty concrete floor.

“You would die rather than accept your true match? Why would you do such a cruel thing to your wolf? Is he that disfigured from the attack on him that you cannot look past it?” Vadim realized his mother was not only shocked, she was hurt as well, and damn it all, Vadim didn’t like it when the lovely woman was upset. So he answered as honestly as he knew how.

“Josh is beautiful, mother,” Vadim assured her softly, remembering all too well the lovely features of his mate’s face. They would be scorched in his brain until he took his last breath. “He is a loyal fighter, a beta wolf, with tanned skin and light hair that glows like a halo in the sun. There is nothing wrong with him at all.”

“Then why?” Easily asked, harder to answer.

“Because I made a promise, mother, surely you can understand.” Vadim’s voice hardened. “My true match, my mate, he’s a wolf and he deserves to be loved with an open heart. To be held and cared for, to be protected and cherished in the way of a wolf, not bonded forever to a vampire with no heart.”

Pages or Words: 270 pages/91,497 words
 Categories: Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

 

Buy the book:  Amazon |All Romance eBooks | Smash Words

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Meet the Author

Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.

When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), catch up on what’s happening at her blog (http://www.supernaturalsmut.com) or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

2-Nov: BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

3-Nov: MM Good Book Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews

4-Nov: Havan Fellows, Mikky’s World of Books

5-Nov: Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Happily Ever Chapter

6-Nov: Just Love Romance, Love Bytes, Bonkers About Books

9-Nov: Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Inked Rainbow Reads, Hearts on Fire

10-Nov: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

11-Nov: Open Skye Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books

12-Nov: Divine Magazine, Alpha Book Club

13-Nov: 3 Chicks After Dark, Bayou Book Junkie, Parker Williams

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 3 print copies of ‘Watching Out For Fangs’ by Lisa Oliver (3 winners).  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

 

 

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In the Book Spotlight: Steps to You (Fear #1) by Toni Griffin (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

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Steps to You (Fear #1) by Toni Griffin
Release Date: September 26, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Mischief Corner Books
Cover Artist: Freddy MacKay

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Sales Links: Mischief Corner Books | Amazon | ARe | Kobo | iTunes | Bookstrand | Smashwords

Our Toni Griffin Interview!

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Toni Griffin author of Steps to You.  Hi Toni, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

• What genre is your book and what drew you to this genre?

Steps to You is a M/M Contemporary story. Ever since I started I’ve been writing in the M/M genre. I love it. the authors and readers are amazing and I can’t think of another I would rather be a part of. I was initially drawn to the MM Genre after reading Bite by Sean Michael way back in 2008, I haven’t turned back since.

• How many days a week do you write?

It all depends. I try to find at least a little time to either write, edit, or work on something related to my writing every day. Some days I’m successful. Others, not so much. When I have a deadline looming I tend to be a little more strict.

• On average, how long does it take to write a book?

When working out averages I don’t think I’ll be including Steps to You in the formula. LOL. This book took me just shy of two years from the first words that I wrote to publication.A Very Holland Valentine was written in a week, when I went to visit my brother in Perth. My latest book, A Bear’s Bear took me between three and four weeks and that ended up at 42k. Depending on the length, it’s usually between one to two months as I can usually only write once my daughter is in bed.

• Do you have a trailer for your book?

If yes, give us the link. If not, do you think you’d like to have one done at some point? I don’t. You know, I’ve never actually had a trailer created for one of my books. I’d love to have one made.

• If I could be a character in a book, I would be _______?

Emma Donahoe. From the Dark Heavens series by Kyle Chan. I think it would be awesome to learn from and fall in love with the ancient Chinese God of War. Magic, martial arts and danger, what more could you want?

RC

Blurb

Is there something in life that you’re afraid of, like heart pounding, shortness of breath, Jesus Christ I’m going to pass out, scared? For Leo Harris that something is heights.

Why his nosy sister would gift him with a pass for the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is anybody’s guess, let alone expect Leo to make it through in one piece. If it wasn’t for the kindness of a sexy stranger he meets at orientation, Leo doubts he would have been able to step one foot onto the mammoth structure.

Ryan Anderson’s known as a workaholic, as he has no reason not to be, that all changes in one day when he meets Leo. Ryan quickly falls head over heels as he sets out to make Leo his.

Pages or Words: 55,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt

Leo leaned against the brick wall, desperately trying to gather his courage. All he needed to do was cross the street and enter the building opposite. Leo had never considered doing something like this in his life. Hell, he wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for the gift voucher his nosy sister and her equally pain-in-the-ass husband had given him.

“You need to get out of the house more, live a little,” his sister had berated him as he’d stared down at the piece of paper in his hands, unsure exactly what he was feeling.
“I get out plenty,” Leo tried defending himself.
“No you don’t, and you know it. You may physically leave the premises to go to work and do your grocery shopping, but you never go out and have any fun.” Teresa sighed, and Leo really felt the urge to clip her across the back of the head. “You don’t go out clubbing, very rarely go to restaurants, and you refuse point-blank to start a profile on a dating website.”
There was no way Leo was putting himself out there at the mercy of all those desperate men who were just looking for a quick hook-up. He was sure that scattered in amongst all those horny fellas, he might find one or two that seriously wanted a relationship, but he wasn’t willing to wade through all the toads in order to get to his prince charming. If the man existed—and that was a big if as far as Leo was concerned—he doubted they were fated to meet through an online dating service.
“Teresa, I like my life. I’m happy.” Once again he tried to placate his sister, to no avail. Just because she was happily married with two-point-three children didn’t mean everyone else had to be.
“No, Leo, you’re not.” Teresa waved her hand in his face when Leo started to object again. “I know you and I love you. Please just do this for me.” She fluttered her lashes at Leo.
He heaved a sigh, knowing he would give in to her, just like he always did. As annoying and meddling as his sister could be, he did love her dearly and couldn’t imagine a world without her in it. The snickering from across the room was not lost on Leo, but he decided to ignore Blake. After all, the man was just as bad as Leo when it came to giving into to Teresa’s demands.
Leo looked down once again at the piece of paper. “Seriously?”
Teresa laughed at him. “You’re going to love it.”
Somehow he doubted that.

Even now two weeks later, Leo still didn’t like this idea any more than he had when Teresa had given him the voucher for his birthday.
Leo checked his watch and sighed as he realised that if he didn’t get a move on, he would be late. He heaved himself off the brick wall and crossed the road. Leo’s stomach roiled and he hoped to Christ he wasn’t going to be sick.
The large glass doors whooshed open and Leo stepped inside, heading in the direction of the register. As he waited in the line, Leo looked all around him. Men and women perused the shelves filled with jumpers, magnets, trinkets, and stuffed bears all containing the Sydney BridgeClimb logo. His eyes settled on a square column with signed photographs of famous people who had completed the climb.
Before Leo knew it, he was being called to the desk. “Morning,” the cheerful girl behind the counter said.
“Morning,” Leo replied, more than a little subdued. He handed over the voucher and waited. He was asked to confirm he didn’t have any medical problems that would prevent him from completing the climb today, and Leo thought seriously about lying, then reluctantly shook his head.
“Brilliant, you’ll love it up there.”
Leo smiled but was’ sure it ‘came out more like a grimace.
“Here’s your ticket.” She handed Leo a thin rectangle. “And this is your voucher for your photos.”
“Photos?” Leo asked in confusion.
“Yes, when the ticket was booked, three photos were also purchased. You will be able to choose upon your return from a selection the guide will take of you while you’re up on the bridge.”
Crap, Teresa probably wants proof that I actually followed through. “Thank you,” Leo said as he took hold of the photo voucher.
“You’re most welcome.” She pointed to her left. “If you would go up those stairs, your climb should be starting in roughly five minutes.”
Leo nodded and stepped to the side, allowing the next person in line to move forward. He followed the instructions and walked up the large staircase, bypassing all the shelves of tourist memorabilia. If he really wanted something else to commemorate this foolhardy trip, he could always pick it up on the way out.
Upstairs was just a small balcony. Roughly three metres in front of him was a wall with three doors, two on the left side and one nearly in front of him. To his right, there was another square pillar with signed photos along with three touchscreen computer monitors.
Leo headed to the left where there was a large round seating area currently occupied by several people. They were all watching a television screen hung up by the farthest door, which showed people getting ready for the climb through the various stages and gave them an idea of what to expect.
He sat on a small piece of available sofa and watched the screen with rapt attention. Leo was so engrossed in what was going on he nearly missed it when some of the people around him stood. Leo looked around, startled, and noticed one of the doors open with a young man standing in it collecting tickets from those going inside.
Leo checked the clock on the wall and noticed it read the start time of his climb. He quickly stood and made his way over.
“Morning,” Leo greeted as he handed over his ticket.
“Good morning.”
The man gave Leo back the ticket, less the stub, and motioned him inside. The room wasn’t overly large and wasn’t well lit either. A large horseshoe-shaped seating area ran down the sides and back of the room. People sat with clipboards on their laps busily filling out paperwork.
Leo made his way to a vacant space, picked up the board, and unclipped the pen. Just as he was about to start writing, he was distracted as he noticed another person walk through the door. Leo nearly caught his breath at just how gorgeous the guy was. Broad shoulders, a trim waist, and enough height that Leo wanted to climb the man like a squirrel climbs a tree. Short dark brown hair, trimmed on the sides with just a little length on top, his expression was one part kind, three parts sexy, and had Leo wanting to swallow his damn tongue.
The man wore a tank top and a pair of footy shorts, but Leo could see the bike shorts clearly underneath. They hugged his thighs like no one’s business, and Leo wished he was that article of clothing more than anything. His gaze travelled all the way down. The man’s dark curly leg hair covered well-defined thighs and calves, and had Leo wanting to groan. Socks and sneakers completed the outfit.
Leo knew his perusal of the man had only taken seconds, but it felt like he had been staring at the guy for an entire lifetime. When the man headed in Leo’s direction, he found himself hard pressed to pull his gaze away and concentrate on what he was supposed to be doing. Leo wanted to curse his luck when the man took the empty seat on Leo’s left.

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About The Author

Meet & Follow the author:

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.

Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.

For more information about Toni’s work, please visit:

Website: http://tonigriffin.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/toni.griffin.author

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 2 e-book copies of ‘Steps to You’ and 2 $5 Amazon Gift Cards.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
Rafflecopter Code:
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Final

Tour Dates & Stops:
28-Sep:Parker Williams: http://parkerwilliamsauthor.com/wordpress/toni-griffins-fear-series-steps-to-you/

29-Sep:Divine Magazine: http://divinemagazine.net/book-stuff/steps-to-you-by-toni-griffin-blog-tour

30-Sep:Three Books Over The Rainbow: https://threebooksovertherainbow.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/blog-tour-steps-to-you-by-toni-griffin/

1-Oct:Inked Rainbow Reads: http://wp.me/p5PC5u-1×5

Unquietly Me: https://unquietlyme.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/new-release-steps-to-you-by-toni-griffin-interview-giveaway/

 2-Oct:   Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Jessie G. Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

5-Oct: Just Love Romance, Happily Ever Chapter, Havan Fellows

6-Oct: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Bike Book Reviews

7-Oct: Bayou Book Junkie, Love Bytes

 8-Oct: Molly Lolly, BFD Book Blog

9-Oct: MM Good Book Reviews, The Jena Wade

WillPride

 

In the Spotlight: Falling (Fall or Break #1) by Barbara Elsborg (author interview and contest)

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Falling (Fall or Break #1) by Barbara Elsborg
Samhain Publishing

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Author Barbara Elsborg is here today to talk about her book, Falling, and the Fall or Break series.  Check out our interview below and the book details  that follow.

Contest: Enter to win a eBook from Barbara Elsborg’s library.  Leave a comment below, along with an email address where you can be contacted.  And also click on the Rafflecopter link below as well.  Contest ends midnight, April 21st (2 weeks from today):
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

An Interview with Barbara Elsborg on “Falling”….

1. What prompted you to write Falling?

I hate the idea of someone being put in prison for something they didn’t do. I hate the idea of someone being accused of something they didn’t do! It made me think how awful it must be to be in prison and be constantly encouraged to admit your guilt and how hard it must be to stand against that pressure. It used to be the case that if you didn’t admit your guilt you spent more of your sentence behind bars. That’s not really true now BUT since a parole board has to agree to your early release, if you haven’t accepted your guilt it can be a reason to deny you the chance of life outside on license. I had to do a lot of research to check I had my facts right!

2. Where do you draw your inspiration?

Everywhere. Things I’m told, things I read or see. An addiction to Google! Another inspiration for Falling was when a friend told me of a young man she knew who was a teacher in Scotland – accused of abuse by a pupil. He was innocent. The accusation was withdrawn but the damage was done and he left teaching. I think in these days of political correctness, you have to be so careful what you say and do and in a way, it’s a shame. We need a better balance.

3. Falling is the first in the Fall or Break series. Will you continue with the couple in Falling or will each subsequent book feature a different set of MCs?

The next book Breaking – features Conrad – a minor character out of Falling. It’s a stand alone book but it does help to know who Conrad used to be with. Malachi and Harper have a little part in Breaking – out in July. I prefer writing books that tell the story of one couple, and end it rather than let it run to several books.

4. Or will the series chart the progression of the relationship?

So no – LOL – the series will be about different MCs!

5. Were you a prolific reader as a child?

Huge reader. I used to be trouble with the local library because I took books back to change them for new ones before they’d filed the cards for the ones I’d taken out. (that dates me!) I read very fast. 80 pages in 30 minutes of a paperback – often even quicker. I also read up to 3 books at the same time – not actually at the same time but I have 3 by the side of the bed now, all part read, plus the one on my Kindle. I read according to mood! I’m not always in the mood for romance. I like suspense and thrillers.

6. If so, what book or author made a impact on you as a child reader?

That’s really hard. I think I might pick the Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I loved the idea of another land up a tree!I was scared of heights though so I never climbed trees.

7. And has that impact continued into adulthood, as a reader and writer?

No. Enid Blyton was of her time. Some stories like the Magic Faraway Tree can be read now, but the others are dated. I didn’t have a favourite author. I just read anything. Once I was in my teens I was addicted to James Bond books. Then I branched out to the classics. There aren’t many genres I won’t try. The one I have the most difficulties with is hard core sci fi. It’s too technical for me.

8. Who do you consider your influences as an author today?

Impossible to say. I’ve read so much and loved so much- Adele Parks, Jennifer Crusie, Fiona Walker, Freya North – but I love thriller and suspense writers like Mark Billingham, Tom Wood, Karin Slaughter, Harlan Coben, Mo Hayder – so many. I also love regency romances – Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn… too many to mention. I think any good author that you read has to have some influence if only to encourage you to write better.

9. What drives you to write? And have you always written?

What drives me? The love of telling a story, the need for a happy ending, a belief in love, an interest in what makes people tick. I have always written. I started with fan fiction as a teenager for TV shows and wrote my first novel in my early twenties. I found writing was a way to escape a not very happy time at school. I could dive into my own world, make myself the heroine and give myself a HEA.

10. What’s next for Barbara Elsborg?
I have an MM called The Demon You Know out in April. An MMF called Talking Trouble out in May. Breaking out in July and I’ve just finished writing an MM tentatively called Give Yourself Away. It’s going to be a year of many releases!! But on a personal note, I’m going to be at RT in Dallas if anyone would like to meet me!

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About Falling…

Falling is easy. Landing without breaking your heart? Impossible.

Harper is no longer behind bars, but it doesn’t feel like it. Ten years serving time for a crime he didn’t commit have left him shut down, numb, and a frozen wreck over the simplest of choices.

He’s acutely aware of the dark-haired young man checking him out in the supermarket, but he’s too deep in panic mode to even meet the guy’s gaze. Afraid the slightest move will trigger a fall that will never stop.

Fresh off a long-term relationship with a controlling man, Malachi is stuck living with relatives who think he’s a waste of oxygen. The tall guy in the long, gray coat is the first bright spot he’s glimpsed in a long time…though the man’s unblinking stare at a bottle of shower gel is a touch alarming.

Hard experience tells both of them to turn away before lust turns to hopeless attraction, and inevitably to disaster. But once their sparks connect, the arc of electricity is too strong to deny. Even if the cost is too much to bear.

Warning: Contains an ex-con with disaster written all over him, a boy toy who’s trouble with a capital T, a damp old British house, compulsive meddling, and enough hot sex to cure the severe case of nervous babbling.  Read an excerpt here at Samhain.

Sales Links:  Samhain Publishing           Amazon       Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 282 pages
Published March 24th 2015 by Samhain Publishing
original titleFalling,ASINB00Q33IKYG
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.barbaraelsborg.com/book/falling/
seriesFall or Break #1

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Barbara Elsborg:

Barbara Elsborg lives in West Yorkshire in the north of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Vulcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.

After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.

Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.

Contact/follow Barbara at her blog/website:  http://www.barbaraelsborg.com/

VBT: Lilah Suzanne’s Pivot and Slip Tour, Interview and Contest!

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Lilah Suzanne has stopped by today on her Pivot and Slip Book Tour to take a moment to answer some questions and talk a little about her latest release, Pivot and Slip.  Along with a terrific contest with multiple winners outlined below, there’s an excerpt to read to pull you into the story!  Read on……


Contest: Lilah will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Barnes and Noble GC and a print edition of Pivot and Slip (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. A free download of an Interlude Press eBook title or an author/book swag pack (US ONLY) will be awarded to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter at each stop during the tour. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter,  To enter the contest and for more details, use this Rafflecopter link!

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Now on to my interview with Lilah Suzanne…magnifying glass and focus

STRW:  What was your inspiration for the story?

Lilah: I was intrigued by the sort of opposites attract idea of a boxer falling for a yoga instructor, but as I wrote it I really wanted to explore this idea of dreams and failure and what that means, as well as finding someone who wants to stick by you during the hard stuff.

STRW:  Do you have a muse?

Lilah:  I don’t think so, but I usually have a cat or two hanging out at my desk so maybe they’re my muses and I just don’t know it.

STRW:  Do you work on one project at a time or many?

Lilah:  I do tend to have a few things going at once, I guess I’ve gotten used to juggling multiple things and now I can’t stop!

STRW:  Hero or Antihero?  Who would you chose and why?

Lilah:  Hero. I like writing about people making difficult choices and doing the right thing even when it’s not easy. Though there is something to be said for trying to figure out why someone would do the wrong thing and how it may not seem that way to them.

STRW:  People say write what you know.  Do you think that is right or even important?

Lilah:  I think there will always be parts a writer in a story, even if they try to make it the total opposite of what they know. So in that sense, yes it’s important because it lends itself to authenticity. But only sticking to characters who are like you and to experiences like yours is boring and won’t get you very far. As long as I can find the core of a character and a sense of understanding I feel like I can go a lot places. I may not know what it’s like to be a boxer, for example, but I do know what it’s like to watch a dream slip from my fingers.

STRW:  What is the first book you read that really meant something to you?

Lilah:  “A Wrinkle In Time” is probably the first book that I remember just being really astounded by and I felt changed after I’d finished it.

STRW:  What do you find sexy in a person?

Lilah:  It’s a cliche, but in a man or a woman I really find a sense of humor and kindness and the type of confidence where someone is just genuine and honest about who they are really attractive. Physically I’m a sucker for tattoos and pretty eyes.

STRW:  What’s next up for you?

Lilah:  I’m actually just starting the process of editing my second book, “Spice” a romantic comedy about a sex advice columnist who is struggling a bit with his own love life and searching for his happy ending. That will be coming out early next year so stay tuned!

Cover_PivotAndSlipPivot and Slip
by Lilah Suzanne
Publisher:  Interlude Press
Buy Link:   Interlude Press

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Blurb:

Former Olympic hopeful Jack Douglas traded competitive swimming for professional yoga and never looked back. When handsome pro boxer Felix Montero mistakenly registers for his Yoga for Seniors class, Jack takes an active interest both in Felix’s struggles to manage stress and in his heart, and discovers along the way that he may have healing of his own to do.

Faced with the ghosts of his athletic aspirations, can Jack return to his old dream or carve out a new path, and will their budding romance survive the test of Felix’s next bout in the ring?

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Excerpt:

Felix settled his hands on Jack’s shoulders, positioning him directly in front of the punching bag. “Now, plant your feet, like that, yeah. And bend your knees.” Felix’s hands slid from Jack’s shoulders and down his arms as he moved in closer, speaking into Jack’s ear from behind. “Keep your arms tucked in. You always want to remember to be defensive and not just go in for the attack. Keep your guard up.”

Jack bent his arms in front of his face and tried bouncing on his toes, though he imagined the effect was more Tigger than Tyson. Felix chuckled, his warm breath puffing against Jack’s neck and spreading heat across his skin.

“Focus on using your shoulders and legs for strength.” Felix’s hands trailed back up, from shoulder to shoulder, then fleetingly touched Jack’s thighs. “You have really strong shoulders. I always admired that about swimmers.” He lips brushed Jack’s ear. “Always had a thing for blonds, too.”

Jack shivered with the touch but narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on sending energy to his core, on breathing deeply, on trying not to think about the heat of Felix’s body; the tremors left in the wake of his hands; the heady scent of him, inviting and inebriating; his voice murmuring low in Jack’s ear, breath hot against the shell. “Excellent focus. Now, Jack.”

He hit the bag one-two, one-two, one-two, the blows reverberating through the gloves and his skin and humming in his bones.

“Good, right?”

Jack turned, his eyes finding Felix’s hopeful and searching.

“Yeah,” Jack replied. “That was… pretty intense.”

Felix circled around him and reached out to remove the gloves from Jack’s tingling hands.

“That was power. Strength. The only time I ever felt safe was when I was fighting, as strange as that sounds.” Felix tucked the gloves under one arm, opening and closing one dangling strap with a harsh rip of velcro.

“It makes sense,” Jack shrugged. “Like you said, you have to keep your guard up.”

Felix offered a half-smile. “Maybe I could try letting it down a little.”

Jack’s heart gave a little flutter in his chest. “Well in that case, I solemnly swear that I will not knock you out.”

Felix tipped his head, eyes low, lips softly curved.

“I think it may be a little too late for that, Jack.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:VBT_PivotAndSlip_CoverBanner

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer, she has also authored a children’s book and has a devoted following in the fan fiction community.
lilahsuzanne.com

Contact Lilah Suzanne at:

  • Website : lilahsuzanne.com
  • Twitter: @lilahsuzanne
  • Pinterest: pinterest.com/lilahsuzanne
  • Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Lilah-Suzanne/653282624749516
  • Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/8281044.Lilah_Suzanne

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