Friday, January 31, 2014

Heating things up with Jason Aaron Baca's Interview

Jason Aaron Baca whip3376 by jasonaaronbacaJason Aaron Baca feb12 14 by jasonaaronbaca    Jason Aaron Baca feb12 5 by jasonaaronbaca                      Displaying jasonbaca8.jpg 

Naughty Author Chicks has a special treat today! Welcome the delicious male cover model
Jason Aaron Baca.
Thanks for letting me interview you, Jason! ~ Casey Crow

1. How did you get into modeling in general and more specifically, book covers?
 
Jason - Well, Casey, a long time ago I was on location for the movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer" where I was a double for one of the main actors. The photographer that was on the location had asked me if he could take a few sample photos of me while there. I agreed. He, of course, was hired on my the production company of the movie so he was a very high end photographer. It turned out to be my first photo shoot and big deal to me.   
 
Fast forward 10 years later, I'm walking into a book store where I happened to glance over at a romance novel featuring a guy that looked similar to me. It dawned on me that this was an avenue that I'd never pursued before. One that I became completely fascinated by. I'd never really known much about romance books other than Fabio was on a lot of them. After contacting many publishers of these romance books I was able to get my first book cover job within a month. From there, things really fell into place.

2. I understand you have stock photos available for self-published authors. Can you give us more information about using your photos?
 
Jason - Yes I do... From these shoots I do, I get a number of them to make available to cover artists, indie authors or small publishers. The photos can be found at http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com  The directions to purchasing the photos is on the journal section of the page. I also have a large number of photos that I keep off of the internet. So if an author or artist has a particular type of shot they want, I may have it put aside just waiting for them.

3. Readers always seem to be interest in the person behind the book or in your case, the hot guy ON the book. So tell us a little about yourself. Do you have any wishes?
 
Jason - Well I'm a person that likes to dream big. Just like I have big wishes which I have learned much about. There are those that wish for something and then sit back. They possibly expect that wish to come to them which I consider "wishful thinking." 

Making wishes and then going after them is not about perfection or victory. It's about absolute vulnerability! 
 
 There are those that make a wish, they dream about it, they go after it.... Let's say something doesn't quite go their way... Do they give up, say forget it? Or do they try a different approach?  
 
This business of being on book covers is not easy. You've got everyone and their brother wanting to get on a cover but I know if you believe strongly enough that your wish will come true... you gotta make a big impression.. gotta like what you do..
 
On the inside, I am very down to earth also extremely passive, keep to myself. I am not one to be the life of the party. I consider myself a private person. I've been told I'm shy with a confident attitude. I'm a person that takes good proper care of himself. I go to great lengths to moisturize, exfoliate, rejuvenate and condition my sometimes thirsty skin. I'm constantly applying a vitamin packed masque so that my skin stays youthful & radiant. 
 
For exercise, I take my workouts to a new level sometimes.. I want that definition to come out, those muscles to pop out so when a potential reader is walking by the romance section they can't help but reach for the book with my photo. I know how hard our authors work on these books. This takes some serious dedication to go and sit down and concentrate on writing a novel. The creativity they have blows my mind!  Therefore, it is only fair to them that their cover model put their best foot forward too..

4. What's the best and worst part of a photo shoot?
 
Jason - The best and worst part is when the shoot comes to an end. It's the best because you can take a break from all the dieting for a couple days. You can eat a cheeseburger & fries with lots of ketchup.  The worst part of it is that all the hard work I did in the gym is temporarily over. I enjoy what I do and can't wait for the next shoot often times. The other worst part is when they cut my head off on the book covers. I don't know why, but yea... 

5. Obviously cover models must be in shape. Any good tips to help others?
 
Jason - Well, one secret I learned from all this is you can workout like a wildman in the gym and be an animal with your workouts but it won't do any good unless you have proper diet too. I look at photos they took 10 years ago and I wasn't in as good a shape as today. I worked out harder too back then! It's because I had no clue about diet. Once I educated myself about how sticking to lean clean foods like skinless chicken, salmon, tuna, and cottage cheese, things improved with the body.
 
I learned that McDonalds is not good for you and gives you pimples. That eating a tub of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia will not make you look more handsome and no... Reese's peanut butter cups don't rid your face of signs of aging.

6. Readers get swept away in a story, often visualizing the gorgeous cover model in their heads. What is it like being one of those guys?
 
Jason - Well it's an honor I must say! Being the hero on these books is a very big ego boost for a lot of models.

7. How can fans and authors contact you?

Very simple, through my website http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com
 
8. What do you like best about your current work?
 
Jason- Well, I enjoy the exercising part of it. I have a goal to reach with all of this that I have not yet achieved. When I get there great! But I believe its the journey that brings us happiness... not the destination. 
 
9. Is your family supportive about you being on all these book covers?
 
Jason - Well, I will say this in regards to this question, in this world there are people that will tell you what to do or what they feel is good for you. They don't want you to find the answers out on your own, they just want you to believe in theirs.

****
Thanks again, Jason, for stopping by Naughty Author Chicks! Check out Jason some more at http://www.pinterest.com/mfrworg/cover-model-jason-baca/

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What's your guilty pleasure?

Okay, I admit it. I love cinnamon buns.

I'm eating one as I write this, my guilty pleasure when you need some sweetness in your life. I'm working on a new proposal and somehow it just makes the writing go better.

So what's your guilty pleasure?



© Tiffany Dahle | Dreamstime.com

Sweet or sour? Creamy or crunchy?

I promise I won't tell...

Jina

PS -- Yes, you're right, that's not a picture of a cinnamon bun. I ate it before I could snap a photo. Cupcakes are also a fave of mine and these look so delish, I figured you wouldn't mind.

PPS -- update! Here's an Instagram Video of my post:



www.jinabacarr.com  
www.facebook.com/JinaBacarr.author
https://twitter.com/JinaBacarr
http://www.pinterest.com/jbacarr

Friday, January 24, 2014

Hubby and I are Officially Dopey!



Okay, hubby and I are officially "Dopey!"

4 Disney Parks
4 Days
48.6 Miles
Pics with Mushu, Football Goofy, Santa's Reindeer, Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, Sally and Jack, and Dopey!
18 Hours of Sleep
6 Medals - Pluto, Minnie, Donald, Mickey, Goofy and Dopey!
And lots of fun!

#WDWMarathon #DopeyChallenge

*hugs*
Paige 

Hunky Heroes, Kickbutt Heroines, Unforgettable Romance!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Guest Blogger Jocelyn Dex, Excerpt and Giveaway!

Series: Sempire Seductions, Book 3
Author: Jocelyn Dex
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Length: 39,637 words
ISBN: 9781419948367





Fin’s Fantasy Blurb
Navine is suffering Incubus addiction--a death sentence for any Sempire. When the search for a cure turns up only one rumor, Navine is horrified to learn the mutant Fin might be her only chance to live. Fearing the taint of the mutant more than fearing death, she continues to push him away as she tries to deny how his touch inflames her desire.

Fin was captivated by Navine the first moment their gazes locked but when she realized what he was--a male Sempire, a mutant, an abomination to the species--she’d rejected him. Burning with the need to touch her, taste her, he’ll do almost anything to save her even though she belittles him at every turn.

With time running out, passion must overcome prejudice to save Navine’s life and to grant Fin’s fantasy.

Guest Blog
Thanks for having me here for the release of the third book, Fin’s Fantasy, in my Sempire Seductions series! 

After the first book in the series, Araya’s Addiction, readers requested Fin’s Story. Because he played such a small part in book one, I was surprised so many people were interested in him but I was totally thrilled! I’d always intended for Fin to get his own HEA but Valia’s story, book two, had to be told before Fin’s.

One of my favorite scenes in Fin’s Fantasy involves a very drunk heroine. Her name’s Navine. She’s confused about what she’s feeling, she gets totally loaded and then pops in on an unsuspecting Fin. She says some whacky stuff and it still cracks me up when I read it. My hope is that readers will get a kick out of it too.

Of course, in addition to a little humor, Fin and Navine’s story has plenty of hot sex. There’s even a ball… No, I can’t tell you that part. You’ll have to read it. It was one of those moments that even surprised me and I was the one writing it!  

If you read paranormal romance, I’m hoping you’ll enjoy Fin’s Fantasy which is standalone but it’s highly recommended to read book one and book two before reading Fin’s story because so many of the characters from books one and two appear in Fin’s Fantasy. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Fin’s Fantasy Quickie Excerpt

Navine growled and stomped her foot like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Fin almost laughed at the sight. She tried to slam the door in his face but he wasn’t having it and pushed his way inside. 

“Get out!” Navine screeched. “Let me die in peace. I don’t need some mutant abomination following me around like a puppy.”

That was it. Fin snapped. He kicked the door shut behind him and grabbed her shoulders. She tried to jerk free but strong as she was, he was stronger. 

“Why are you so rude, so nasty, so hateful? I’ve done nothing but feed you fruit and try to save your life and you continue to spit venom in my face. Look at me, Navine. I’m not some vile being. I am a male who wants to help you like no other can.”

Her wide eyes glinted with anger, fear and disgust. Damn it. Why must she find him so disgusting?

“Why?” she asked frantically. “Why do you want to help me?”

Because your beauty astounds me, takes my breath away. Because I’ve never craved another female as much as I crave you. “Because I’m the only chance you have and my family is counting on me, as is your brother.”

Author Bio
Jocelyn was born in Iowa and currently resides in hot-as-hell Texas. She shares her home with her very own 6'4" alpha male and varying numbers of spoiled cats and dogs. Teaching one of her dogs to file his nails is one of her all-time favorite accomplishments. 

She thinks dragonflies are awesome, spiders are creepy and it’s rumored that she sleeps with a machete by her bed in case zombies attack in the middle of the night. 

Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

Here’s where you can find Jocelyn on the web

Here’s where you can buy Fin’s Fantasy

Giveaway (US and International)
2 winners, each winner will have a choice between an ebook copy of Araya’s Addiction or an ebook copy of Valia’s Villain

Rafflecopter Code
OR
Link to Rafflecopter on Jocelyn Dex Blog 

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

It's LRC Voting Time Again

Quite unedpectedly, I've been nominated in Love Romances Cafe's annual award poll in 2 categories--Best Author and Best Series for the Gaslight Chronicles! If you enjoy my work, I'd sure appreciate your votes. Voting is now through jan. 24. You can vote on either their Yahoo Group~ https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LoveRomancesCafe  or the LRC Facebook Group~ https://www.facebook.com/groups/296632580438555/ You do have to be a member to vote.


A lot of great authors and firends are nominated in all the categories, so be sure to let your opinion be heard!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Afton Locke is Back Again!

Welcome back, Afton Locke! Oh man, look at that cover. Be sure to read all about her new release, including the spicy excerpt and the contest. -DD

Stripper With Spice



Thank you for hosting me today. I’m excited to talk about the spice GARLIC, and my latest release, Stripper With Spice, a contemporary erotic romance.  

Guardian Garlic

Everyone has heard of garlic. It’s been around since ancient times as both a food and a medicine and has antiseptic properties. In addition to warding off infections, it can repel vampires. Very handy if you’re in Transylvania. I recently read the vampire classic. The doctor prescribed a necklace of vampire “flowers” to keep the vampires away. The strong smell alone will keep people at a distance too.

When I studied in France, the dorm required we put our room keys in a key room when we exited the building. Each room number had its own cubbyhole sort of like an old-fashioned hotel. One of the nuns had a desk in there and watched over the keys. She never said much, but she didn’t have to tell us she consumed large quantities of garlic. The smell of her and the entire room told us. It was so strong we practically had to hold our noses before venturing in there. Maybe it was a deterrent for leaving the building. “Ail!” we used to mutter, the French word for garlic.

Men have their own form of garlic. When they’re closed off and don’t want a woman to get too close, they raise walls. Maybe they don’t talk about themselves or don’t call when they should, or they might hit the road the minute things get too deep. I’ve dated a few of these. At first, things seem promising, but as time passes, it’s clear things are hopeless. There was a guy in college like that. We were friends at first. Then he launched a slow, potent seduction that made me develop feelings for him. I even met his family, but beyond the fun, I realized there was no emotion or feeling on his end. Just a blank wall. He eventually admitted he’d been deeply involved with a girl who had hurt him very badly. It was clear he wasn’t going to risk it again, so I left him with his garlicky self.

In my story, Janice is the one with walls. She’s had a very tough time financially, and she’s in no mood to get loved and left. Because Carlos is a younger man, she assumes the worst. Trusting is not easy for her, so Carlos coaxes her into it, one sexy moment at a time. How much garlic can a man handle before he gives up on love?


Publisher:  Ellora's Cave Publishing
Release Date:  10 January 2014
eBook ISBN #:  978-14199-49050
Stay tuned for reviews and more: http://www.aftonlocke.com/spice.html

Watch the Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/cYIzIyett4Y

Blurb
Getting back on her feet after unemployment, Janice treats herself to an erotic-romance convention. After winning a two-hour fantasy date with Carlos Aguilar, a young stripper, she decides to have a one-time fantasy fling.

When Carlos entices her back to the bedroom—and a few public places—for more sizzling sex, he unleashes her passions, including a secret desire to be a chef. Janice learns there’s more to this heartthrob than a hot body, but job security comes first.

To convince her he’s more than a fantasy, Carlos teaches her trust with his body. But when that trust is finally tested to the limit, she’ll be torn between clinging to safety and taking a chance on a whole new life.

Excerpt (explicit)
Stripper With Spice - Copyright © AFTON LOCKE, 2014 - All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

I chose you.

He looks and sounds so serious and honest, how can I not be completely convinced? His words echo inside my head as he grips both sides of my face and lowers his mouth to mine in slow motion. The thrill bubbles return to my bloodstream as if the elevator cable has just snapped, dropping us to the basement.

Unlike last night’s, this kiss is slow and full of promise. He samples my mouth as if we have all the time in the world. A flash of mint-flavored tongue pierces my soul, tearing a moan from my throat. With one hand still on the button, I raise my other to his shoulder. Feeling the bare, hot skin there fuels my desire, pushing me dangerously close to the edge of self-control.

“Do you want this as much as I do, Janice?”

God, yes. I need more…all of you.

I reply by sliding my hand across the tiger-striped fabric over his back. The warm satin, with muscles moving under it, is just as sexy as bare skin. His hips dance against mine—rubbing, thrusting and teasing. My fingers move to the worn waistband of his jeans at his side, wanting to pull them off. My body throbs, needing him as I’ve never needed anything before.

When he pulls my finger off the close-door button, the door opens to reveal an annoyed looking family of five waiting to get on. The parents, obviously noticing Carlos’ wild vest and our heavy breathing, exchange a disgusted look.

Carlos takes my hand and leads me off the elevator. My heart races as we walk down the corridor. Luckily, the carpet absorbs the trembling in my legs so it doesn’t make a sound.

He stops at one of the doors. I fixate on the way he slides his keycard from his back pocket and inserts it into the door reader. It’s something I’ve done myself a million times without thinking, but this is different. This is foreplay.

The door responds with a little click and a flashing green light. I guess we just got the green light for wild, hot sex. My heart accelerates even more. If it goes any faster, he’ll have to call a paramedic. I can read the headline now.

Boring financial analyst dies from anticipating sex with a hot cover model.

I check my watch. Fifteen minutes have passed.

“We still have plenty of time.” He ushers me inside and closes the door behind me.

The room is completely dark because the drapes are drawn. It’s as if we’ve entered a private cave, hidden from the world. This is it, I think as Carlos flips on a dim lamp. We’re really going to do this. We’re going to have sex.

“Come in and make yourself comfortable,” he says.

I stay where I am but gaze around the room, noticing with approval how neat he is. His clothes hang in the closet and his toiletries are laid out on one corner of the sink. The smoky-brown bottle probably contains the mysterious mesquite scent. I wish he were a slob so I could tell myself it would never work between us.

It doesn’t take long for my attention to stumble across the centerpiece of the room, the large bed. Is it another stage? Is the perfectly pressed red cover the curtain? Unlike the platforms we shared for the photo shoot and lap dance, this one is completely private.

What if he doesn’t like my performance?

Coming Soon

Rock My Boat

Workaholic CEO Rhonda Simms embarks on a Caribbean cruise to create an ad campaign for a big maritime freight client. She finds it impossible to concentrate, however, when Simon Mann, a blue marlin shifter, sets his sights on her. From a private, hands-on safety briefing to a wild ride in the ocean, he rocks her ordered world.

Simon drowned years ago in a shipwreck caused by Rhonda’s client, and he’ll do anything to be a normal man again. As his mate, Rhonda is the only person who can help him.

Tired of being so responsible, Rhonda is ready to let loose with a shipboard fling. Mating with Simon could cost a lot more than her virginity, however. Will she stick to her present course or will she let this sexy alpha rock her boat?

This story will be part of the Tall, Dark & Alpha boxed set, which will release 10 March 2014.



Where readers can find me


Facebook


Newsletter - The Love Chronicle: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelovechronicle/


Contest

This post is part of the Stripper With Spice Blog Tour
The grand prize for the tour is the winner's choice of a wall-mountable black scroll spice rack or The Spice Lover's Guide to Herbs and Spices book (U.S. shipping address only).
To be eligible, COMMENT on this post. The comment MUST relate to the spice I’m posting about in at least ONE of these ways:
 1) How you cook with it or use it in food OR
 2) How you use it as a natural remedy OR
 3) How it reminds you of a particular man or intimate encounter


The tour winner will be announced at http://www.aftonlocke.com/SpiceTour.html on January 18th.


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The ticking clock and finishing your story...

© | Dreamstime.com

Tick tock...tick tock...

The clock is ticking...

How many words did you write today? Why haven't you finish that book yet?

We all torment ourselves with these phrases and then blame our lack of productivity on...

Twitter...Facebook...Instagram...kids...family...the Internet...not enough coffee.

It's all about focus.

And finding that beautiful space in our minds where we can run free and create and write and write and write.

It can be as elusive as a butterfly.

But well worth going after, no matter what gets in our way.

According to experts, interruptions can put a big damper on our concentration and it can take about ten minutes to get the writing flowing again.

So the next time an email pops into your Inbox, or the phone rings, or someone yells, "Hey, Mom, are you busy?" know that it's not your fault if it takes a few minutes to get back into the moment.

Then let the butterfly in your mind run free...

Best,
Jina

www.jinabacarr.com  
www.facebook.com/JinaBacarr.author
https://twitter.com/JinaBacarr
http://www.pinterest.com/jbacarr

Friday, January 10, 2014

New Release - PROTECTIVE CUSTODY!

I have a re-release that might be new to some of you, my bestselling sexy erotic romantic suspense PROTECTIVE CUSTODY! If you're familiar with my other books, it's probably no surprise that I love to write about strong, sexy, alpha males, and Gray Beckham, the hero in the book, is about as strong, sexy and alpha as they come, which makes him the perfect romance book hunk to curl up with on those cold, winter nights!

Hope you'll pick it up!



Author's Note: If you love a guy who comes with his own handcuffs and knows how to use them, then you're going to fall hard and fast for Police Inspector Gray Beckham.

Paisley McCoy is a sexy reporter who writes about the San Francisco club scene for a local magazine. Having a dad on the force has led to one hard and fast rule – she doesn’t date cops. She likes her men sensitive and intellectual, two qualities in short supply in any cop she’s ever met. But now she’s stuck with this standard-issue cop – aggressive, opinionated, and sure he’s always right. In short, the complete opposite of the kind of man she usually goes for.

Gray Beckham is a no-nonsense cop who's peeved about being taken off a major burglary investigation to babysit the captain’s bratty daughter, even if she is gorgeous. To make it even more annoying, she acts like the whole thing is a joke and insists she doesn’t need his protection. And while she might be sexy as hell, there’s no way he’s going anywhere near the captain’s daughter.

Despite their differences, though, Paisley and Gray can’t deny the chemistry between them. But as that connection turns into romance, they find out the stalker is a far greater threat than they had originally thought. And that if he can’t have her, no one will.


Excerpt:

They didn’t talk much on the way to her apartment, and when they got there, Gray caught her arm before she could go inside.

“Let me take a look around first,” he said.

She lifted a brow. “You’re joking, right?"

He pinned her with steely eyes. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

She shook her head. “Fine. Whatever.”

Paisley knew she should be grateful Inspector Beckham took his job seriously, but this was a little ridiculous. The only thing she was in danger of was getting smothered by her overprotective father. When Beckham didn’t come back out, she walked inside and headed into the kitchen to open her mail. That earned her a dark scowl from the inspector when he came out of the bedroom several minutes later. Paisley pretended not to notice.

“I’ve been on a stakeout for a couple of days,” he said after declaring the apartment clear. “Do you mind if I use your shower?”

She glanced up from the Victoria’s Secret catalog she’d been flipping through. “No, go ahead.”

“Thanks.” He picked up his overnight bag from the floor where he’d left it. “I won’t be long. Keep the door locked and don’t open it to anyone.”

Yeah, yeah. She went back to flipping through the catalog, only to pause when she heard the shower turn on a few minutes later. She’d been looking for a way to give Beckham the slip ever since they’d walked out of the police station and she wasn’t going to get a better opportunity than right now.
Tossing the catalog on the counter, Paisley hurried out of the kitchen and into her bedroom. Knowing she wouldn’t have enough time to do more than pack a few things before Gray came out, she decided to forget about the basics and instead just grab a dress and a pair of high heels to wear that night. Everything else she could borrow from whichever friend she stayed with. At least until it was safe to come back to her place. By safe she meant when there wasn’t some cop hanging around it. Shoving the dress into an evening purse, Paisley picked up her shoes in her free hand and darted from the room. She’d barely made it past the bathroom when the door opened.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Beckham demanded from behind her.

Paisley stopped in her tracks at the commanding tone in his voice. Crap. She’d hoped to slip out before he finished taking his shower. It just wasn’t fair that guys could clean up so fast. Squaring her shoulders, she whirled around to face him. And blinked. Though he had put on jeans, he hadn’t bothered with a shirt, and all she could do was stare at him in feminine appreciation. She’d known he was built, but she hadn’t realized just how well. Broad shoulders, chiseled pecs, and rock-hard abs. Daaaaammmn! He had a body that just wouldn’t quit.

Gray crossed his arms over his chest. “Well?” he prompted when she said nothing.

Paisley tore her gaze from his perfectly sculpted arms to look up at him. She hadn’t realized he was so tall. Even in heels, she was still almost a head shorter than he was.

She lifted her chin. “Out.”

His golden brown eyes narrowed. “Not without me, you’re not.”

She let out a sigh. “Look. Like I told you before, this isn’t going to work. I’m going to stay with some friends until this whole thing blows over. You can just tell my dad that I gave you the slip. He won’t hold it against you.”

“I don’t think so.”

She clenched her jaw. “I wasn’t asking for your permission, Inspector. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

Paisley didn’t wait for an answer as she whirled around and started for the door. She didn’t even make it halfway there before Gray caught her arm and turned her back around.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

She glared up at him. “Oh, really? And just how are you going to stop me? Handcuff me to the bed?”

Her words hung in the air between them for a long moment before his mouth finally quirked. “Though I’ll admit that’s tempting. I have something more effective in mind.”

Before she could ask what he meant by that, Gray led her over to the couch. What was he going to do, sit her down and lecture her?

To her surprise, Gray didn’t sit her down at all, but instead took a seat himself. Totally perplexed, she started to ask what he was doing when a tug on her arm sent her sprawling over his knee. She had to drop the purse and shoes just so she could put her hands on the floor to keep herself balanced. For a moment, Paisley was so stunned she just lay there. She recovered quickly enough, though, and when she did, she immediately tried to push herself upright. But a strong hand on her back held her firmly in place. Furious at being manhandled, she glared at him over her shoulder.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

He returned her glower with one of his own. “Teaching you a lesson.”

Paisley opened her mouth to retort, only to let out a startled little gasp when she felt him smack her upturned bottom. He did not just spank her!


Buy it at Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Protective-Custody-Paige-Tyler-ebook/dp/B00HNYHZEK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388805586&sr=1-1&keywords=Paige+Tyler+Protective+Custody

Buy it at B&N!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protective-custody-paige-tyler/1017476901?ean=2940149064663

Buy it at ARe!
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-protectivecustody-1388729-149.html

*hugs*
Paige

Hunky Heroes, Kickbutt Heroines, Unforgettable Romance!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Interviews with Spot: Meet Seb Brown



Hello, folks. Spot, here--the gargoyle companion of author Cindy Spencer Pape. From time to time, I like to take a more active role, so today I’m interviewing the main characters of Cindy’s newest book, Ashes & Alchemy. I’ve got Seb on this blog, and you can find Minnie’s answers over at Here be Magic. Don’t forget you can enter the contest below from either of these locations. Cindy’s also talking about something else, over at the Carina Press blog today.  So here we go!

Spot: Hullo, Seb. First of all, what’s your full name and how old are you?

Seb: Detective Inspector Sebastian Brown. Formerly Captain Brown, of her Majesty’s Army. I’m forty, not that it’s any of your business, gargoyle.

Spot: Well, that answers my next question. You work for Scotland Yard. You’re a copper.

Seb: I am. Used to be in India, and while I didn’t mind soldiering, it’s good to be back in England.

Spot: You live in London, right? What part? Oh, and when, if you don’t mind me asking.

Seb: Just a quiet little neighborhood, in a small brownstone. Nothing special, but it’s comfortable enough. The year is 1860—thirty years into the reign of Queen Victoria.

Spot: You don’t look too comfortable, if you don’t mind me saying so.

Seb: (Grunts) I’m usually the one asking the questions.

Spot: Got it. You’re not much of a talker. Tough rocks, Copper. Tell me how it feels to live in an age of both steam powered technology and magick.

Seb: (Shrugs) I’m used to it. Magick isn’t all that common, but my father was a member of the Order of the Round Table, so it was normal in our house. The mechanical dogs and computing machines, I’m still getting used to.

Spot: Before you met Minnie at the beginning of Ashes & Alchemy, had you ever been in love before?

Seb: Not really. I’d been engaged to marry, during the Siege of Lucknow on the subcontinent, but she died. More lives were lost to disease than to wounds. (He rubs his own hip as if remembering an injury.)

Spot: What would you say is the single most important thing in your life?

Seb: Helping others. Saving lives when I can. Since I know about magick, I can help the Yard with cases other coppers might not want to handle.

Spot: Sounds reasonable. Now how did you meet Minerva Shaw?

Seb: She literally blew onto my doorstep one horribly cold and windy night. I thought she was just a bundle of rags, at first. She was trying to reach the doctor next store, but landed on my stoop instead. Then there was a murder and her daughter was nearly kidnapped. With one thing and another, we had to stay together.

Spot: Ah. And your first impression of her?

Seb: (His eyes light up.) Brave. Deceptively frail. Determined. And a very loving mother.

Spot: So now that you know her better, what is her most distinguishing characteristic?

Seb: Her ability to love, and to persevere against all obstacles.

Spot: What about you? What makes you unique?

Seb: Well, like many born into Order families, I have a little gift. I can almost always tell if someone is lying. Very handy trait in police work.

Spot: I’ll bet. Maybe not so good in a relationship. So now that you’re together, how do you think you and Minnie will get along?

Seb: (smiles like a dope) Not without ups and downs, I’m sure. My Minerva is a strong-minded woman, and I’m not going to be easy to domesticate. But I do love her, and her daughter—our—daughter, Ivy. So we’ll enjoy the ups, and get over the downs.

Spot: Sounds good to me. So, if you could say one thing to Mrs. Pape, the writer of your tale, what would it be?

Seb: Thank you for Minnie and Ivy.

Spot: Well, there you have it. I got the quiet man to talk. Now here’s a little more about Seb and Minnie’s story, Ashes & Alchemy.


Ashes & Alchemy

London, 1860
Police inspector Sebastian Brown served Queen and country in India before returning to England to investigate supernatural crimes alongside the Order of the Round Table. If his wifeless, childless life feels a little empty sometimes, that's not too great a price to pay in the name of duty.

Minerva Shaw is desperately seeking a doctor when she mistakenly lands on Sebastian's doorstep. Her daughter Ivy has fallen gravely ill with a mysterious illness—the same illness, it seems, that's responsible for taking the lives of many of Ivy's classmates.

Seb sniffs a case, and taking in Minnie and Ivy seems the only way to protect them while he solves it. But as mother and daughter work their way into his heart and Seb uses every magickal and technological resource he can muster to uncover the source of the deadly plague, it's he who will need protecting—from emotions he'd thought buried long ago.
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Contest: a Rafflecopter giveaway Enter to win a fabulous piece of Steampunk Jewelry or a Pocket Watch from The Spectra Nova
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Cindy Spencer Pape firmly believes in happily-ever-after and brings that to her writing. Award-winning author of 18 novels and more than 30 shorter works, Cindy lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, two sons and a houseful of pets. When not hard at work writing she can be found dressing up for steampunk parties and Renaissance fairs, or with her nose buried in a book.
Newsletter group: http://yhoo.it/ni7PHo   

Friday, January 3, 2014

A Fresh Start

 
 
Have you set your goals for 2014? I think this is a little different from a New Year's Resolution. The later is the means toward that goal. So have you set your goals yet? Big ones, small ones, SMART ones? 
 
S – Specific (or Significant). M – Measurable (or Meaningful). A – Attainable (or Action-Oriented).  – Relevant (or Rewarding). T – Time-bound (or Trackable)
 
 Did you write them down? I confess I hadn't until my good friend and romance cover model Billy Freda called me last week and made me feel guilty for not writing out my goals. He had, of course, but in my defense, I had jotted down my book goals on my calendar (um...deadlines, LOL) but I'd only "thought" about my personal goals. So know I'm trying a different tactic for 2014. I've written out both professional and personal goals. I've put them in place where I'll constantly be reminded of them. I'm determined that will keep me motivated and 2014 will be the most successful year yet!
 
What are your goals? Here's to a fantastic fresh start!
 
Southern Smiles,
Casey Crow
   

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year!! 2014 is the Year of...

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The Year of what? you're probably asking.

Hope, passion, love, success. The year of 2014 is whatever you want it to be. And that's what makes it so exciting.

So start your engines, ladies, and let's make it happen!!

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I couldn't resist adding a video to my post for this new year. If you've waited to ride the Cosmo wave of Red-Hot Reads, then wait no more!

Until January 9th, you can get 4 Red-Hot Reads for the price of 3!

Check out my video for all the info.


Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin Box Set from Jina Bacarr on Vimeo.

Happy New Year!!


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Hugs,
Jina