Book Tour: Shattered Circle by Linda Robertson Interview & Giveaway

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Pocket Books

ISBN-10: 1451648936

ISBN-13: 978-1451648935

Blurb:

JUST YOUR AVERAGE MEGA-WITCH. . . .

It’s tough being a modern woman, but Persephone Alcmedi has it worse than most. Being the prophesied Lustrata has kicked her career as a witch into high gear, and juggling a wærewolf boyfriend who is about to become king of his kind and a seductive vampire who bears her magical Mark isn’t easy either.

Still, Seph’s beloved foster daughter, Beverley, is causing more trouble than these two men put together. The young girl’s been playing with a magical artifact that’s far more dangerous than she realizes. Now Seph must summon help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him . . . and the cost of his aid may be more than she’s willing to pay. Seph, Johnny, and Menessos face threats from all sides—and a few from within. Will the forces of destiny cement their tenuous supernatural union, or shatter it forever?

Simon and Schuster   Amazon  BN   BooksaMillion    IndieBound

Interview:

    Where did you get the idea for the novel?

 I was in the New Orleans airport waiting for my flight home. I had worked up a character sketch of this guy named Johnny, front man for a rock n roll band and also a waerewolf...I started thinking about who his ideal woman would be thinking that once I had her figured out I'd know the story. I started the sketch of Persephone Alcmedi and she took over. I blame the shrimp po-boy I was eating.

    Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?

 I have had many title changes. The first book VICIOUS CIRCLE was originally submitted as Full Circle. The second, HALLOWED CIRCLE stayed the same. The third is listed in the inside cover of the first book as Dead Circle, but was released as FATAL CIRCLE. The fourth, ARCANE CIRCLE stayed the same throughout. The fifth was submitted as Malefic Circle, but was changed to WICKED CIRCLE. Since I had only truly named every other book, I gave the editor a list of 3 words for the sixth book. We talked about them and picked SHATTERED CIRCLE.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

 The novel. The story always comes first for me. Titles are secondary. They should reflect the story and I can’t write “to” a title.

What was the very first book you wrote (very first, not published)?

 When I was eight, I wrote a 'Harlequin' romance for my mom because she read so many of them. I illustrated it and even put the little symbol on it if I remember correctly. It was about a princess who hated skirts and dresses, who was getting married to a prince. Someone shot him at the wedding so she and all her friends went off on a spaceship to catch the bad guy, and had some pizza at a space station. There was no mention of the prince dying, nor was an ambulance called. I think he survived, but I cannot prove it.

    Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

 At Dragoncon in Atlanta, I got to be on a panel with Jim Butcher in front of ... probably a thousand or fifteen hundred people. VERY cool. And the other day I was at a local ice cream shop and this lady next to me asks very softly, "Are you that author?" That was pretty cool, too.

    What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

 Rogue Warrior by Richard Marcinko with John Weisman.

    What is your writing process?

 A character is developed followed by a plot to suit them, or vice versa. There are so many fun quirks you can give to a character, or to their story. Then work out a way to have that be the thing that saves the day--or loses the day, and then you get to watch how they deal with it. It's the creativity of the whole thing that I love.

    Who are your favorite authors of all time?

 I will always love both: Ellen Kushner's "The Fall of the Kings" and Jennifer Roberson's "Sword Dancer."

At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say?

 I have little things pertinent to each story that I tuck into the signing, but I am not stuck on that. If the person getting the book signed has chatted with me on facebook or at other cons, I may reference that to make it more personal. I want them to know there was a connection, and I remembered, you know?

    What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

 My IQ is two standard deviations above average, my college GPA was 3.59, and I hate sappy chick-flicks.

    How do you react to a bad review?

 Meh. If the bad review is written in a "this book is utter shit" way (which I did see once…it was a newer review of the first book that I found shortly after the fourth book had been released, and it happened to be on my birthday...) then I will simply read the review. Those kind of tones indicate to me that the book was not something that person would have liked no matter what. However, if the tone is critical without the sense of anger or mean-spiritedness, I will read it and consider the reviewers points. Sometimes I agree with the weakness they shine that spotlight on. I add that point to my list of 'don't do that’s' and try to improve the next time around. (It's a big list, by the way. Learning from mistakes, and not repeating them, is my mantra.) Sometimes, I think the reviewer simply doesn't look at the big picture of the series like I do. The Persephone Alcmedi books aren't meant to be stand-alone installments, and if the reviewer is pretty clearly lost or assuming that the story leaves some things unfinished and sees that as a bad thing, then they just aren't getting the unit is a part of the whole.

Either way, it's not going to ruin my day or make me cry. It's a review. It's an opinion. Everybody has one. Not everybody's is like mine. I'm okay with that.

    How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

 I took my fella to a fancy dinner and I paid.

About the Author

Linda Robertson is the mother of four wonderful boys, owns three electric guitars, and is followed around by a big dog named after Bela Lugosi. Once upon a time she was a lead guitarist in a heavy metal cover band and has worked as a graphic artist. She still composes and creates art, when time permits. Linda currently writes and rocks in northeast Ohio. Visit her at AuthorLindaRobertson.com and @authorLinda

http://www.authorlindarobertson.com/

http://www.facebook.com/authorlindarobertson

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour: Vanilla On Top by CJ Ellisson Interview & Giveaway

Vanilla on Top

By CJ Ellisson

Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free…

Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won’t desire the real person she’s desperate to hide.

Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event…and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he’s ever encountered—until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.

Interview:

1.     Where did you get the idea for the novel?

The novel started brewing with the growing rise in popularity for BDSM novels. I couldn’t relate to the hard-core ones, but thought I could relate to a more “vanilla” approach. Perhaps one that focused on a couple’s joint discovery of testing their boundaries and trying new things.

When I didn’t find anything like what I’d envisioned, I decided to write it.

2.     Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?

Originally the title was Vanilla Dom (my own creation) and I had planned to self-pub the book. My best friend, Boone Brux, only had good things to say about her publisher, Entangled, so I thought I’d check out their new steamy Brazen line and see if my light BDSM book might be a good fit. At first I was really worried it would be too much for them. I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn’t! They got some initial negative feedback on the title and decided to switch it. I was thrilled they came up with a compromise that remained true to the original concept.

3.     Which came first, the title or the novel? 

The title. For me, it was all about concept. This concept and the “vanilla” aspects of approaching experimentation with BDSM are what initially spoke to me.

4.     Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

Honest to God, it was being in a short TV interview where I answered three questions and spoke for a total of perhaps 60 seconds. The moment was over way too fast, but it was still a stomach-clenching experience!

5.     What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

I’m reading Faith Hunter’s first Jane Yellowrock book, titled Skinwalker. Excellent read so far!

6.     What was your first book that you ever wrote (very first one you wrote, not published)?

The very first book I ever wrote is published. It’s Vampire Vacation. I wish I could change some things about the book now, but what’s done is done.

7.     What is your writing process?

Get an idea, discuss concept with my husband, let the idea percolate, write the concept down, then loosely outline the entire book. Next I start writing. Sometimes I veer off the outline, but overall it helps me to stay on track.

8.     Who are your favorite authors of all time?

Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, Illona Andrews, and Emma Holly. They will all be auto-buys for me. Well, unless their latest eBook is $14.99, like Mr. Butcher’s was. Then I will resist until the price comes down.

9.     At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say? 

I write a note. If I know them from FB I will usually make a reference to that. If we’re at a convention, likewise. I thank them for trying my work and I wish them happy reading. Sometimes I ramble, but none of them have complained so far ;-)

10.   What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have no formal training in writing and everything I learned about the craft and the industry I discovered on my own or through crit partners. I’m proof positive that if I can become a published author, that with enough hard work, anyone can.

11.   How do you react to a bad review?

I read it over several times. I try to discern if it’s more a personal opinion, a personal attack, or a valid criticism. Then I call my best friend, who tells me to ignore the reviews, stop reading them, and get back to work.

12.   How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

Interesting question because my first book never actually sold. My agent couldn’t get a deal within six months, so I started my own company to publish Vampire Vacation. This was back in 2010 when self-pubbing was still considered gauche, so lots of my peers looked down their nose at me. I’m pretty sure my husband bought me roses and took me out to dinner. That was also the month I had to go to a new specialist who turned my whole world upside down with pills and more tests, so it was a pretty restrained celebration.

Thanks for having me here today, Alisia! You asked some terrific questions!

Excerpt:

His eyes glide over me, a slight spark of what I hope is interest in their depths. A flare of awareness ignites in my chest. The man’s charming grin remains in place. A good sign so far. Right as he opens his kissable mouth to speak, his phone rings. His relaxed expression turns into a grimace as he digs in his pocket to retrieve the offending device.

“Sorry,” he mumbles my way before answering. He turns slightly in his seat, angling himself away. “Yes?” He barks into the phone. “No, I won’t be back in tonight. The instructions are in the email I sent.”

At least I had the decency to turn off my phone before I came in. Hell, unless you’re a doctor on call, I doubt there’s anything that important requiring your phone to stay on for two hours. He looks into the distance and I feel a twinge of annoyance.

“No,” his tone grinds out, authoritative and powerful. “You need to listen to me, Brian. The directions are in the email. You follow them precisely and the deal will close. Call me again and I’m going to be really pissed.”

He clicks his phone shut and closes his eyes. Tension spills off him and I hesitate to break the silence. What could be so important that he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders? He takes a deep breath and opens them again, staring straight into my eyes.

“I’m sorry, that was rude of me.” He angles toward me. I nod my reassurance that it’s okay, but inside I can’t help but think I’ve lost even more of my precious allotted time with this desirable stranger. He really is way out of my league.

“You know what I want more than anything?” he says with a touch of longing. “I want someone else to take control for a while. I’m really sick of being the guy in charge all the time.”

I smile, not particularly sure I can relate, but willing to appear understanding. His phone rings again and sharp anger stabs my gut.

“Turn it off,” I say, with a challenge in my tone. I sit up straighter and stare into the depths of his caramel eyes. “You want someone to tell you what to do?” He nods, his calculating gaze on me as the phone continues to ring. “Turn off that damn phone,” I bite out, pretending I’m issuing a command. “Now.”

Shock registers across his expression, but he hides it quickly. I raise an eyebrow and feel the sparks fly across the table between us. He returns my stare and smiles, the first real one I’ve seen on him since he came into the restaurant. It’s kind of lopsided and lazy, curling my toes at the devilment it promises. The phone rings a third time and I break our standoff and glance away, tilting my chin an inch higher, showing my displeasure in his lack of action. He fumbles for the phone on the table between us and shuts it off.

About the Author:

C.J. Ellisson writes erotica and urban fantasy. Her vampire series, The V V Inn, mixes a heavy dose of erotic elements with suspense, action, a little bit of mystery and some light humor. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze.

To learn more about C.J.'s books (where you can read half of the novels for free), please visit her website at www.cjellisson.com

http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage

Giveaway:

 CJ is offering one eBook and signed swag pack giveaway.

Just leave a comment with your email to be entered!!

Book Tour: See Me by Natalie Nicole Bates Giveaway

See Me by Natalie Nicole Bates 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

BLURB:

Carly Anders is hearing voices in her head. Another one of her kind is trying to contact her. She knows of the malevolent freaks—others who are eternal like her and seek out the weak to inflict pain upon. For years, Carly has held up huge protective walls to keep herself and her secrets safe. Now, physically and mentally exhausted, Carly needs protection and rest.

She accepts the invitation to visit an internet friend who needs help appraising a collection of antique photographs.  The situation is not ideal, but Carly hopes a male presence in her life will deter the determined suitor who haunts her thoughts and dreams.

Daniel Tremont is not what Carly is expecting.

The former funeral director has a secret of his own. Not only is he eternal like Carly, he is her creation from all those years before—her abomination she thought she killed.

Daniel has been searching for Carly for years. He knows she is the piece of his life that he has been missing for so long. Now that he has found her, he has no intentions of letting her go.

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

EXCERPT:

A flicker of life ignited in her eyes. Her hands came up to his face, and to Daniel’s surprise, tears bubbled from his own eyes. He was releasing the pain and fear he had absorbed from his beloved.

  

“I’m so sorry, Daniel, so sorry,” she murmured.

  

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, my love. It’s over. It’s time to move forward now.”

  

“You don’t understand what I am, Daniel.”

   

“I do understand, Carly. I am what you are. See me for what I am.”

In his mind, he could see the moving clockwork gears of her thoughts once again as she tried to process what he was telling her to be true.

“Just accept it, and let’s move forward.”

  

She drew his face to hers and her lips parted beneath his. Time blurred and he drank in the essence of his Carly. Her soft, barely covered curves molded themselves against his the hard planes of his body. Her hands were under his t-shirt, her fingers stroking him.

 

If he pressed on, he knew she wouldn’t refuse him. But in her vulnerable state, he wouldn’t let anything progress further that night. Carly needed time to process everything that happened. There was plenty of time to pursue a physical relationship. They weren’t going any where…he hoped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Visit Natalie online at www.natalienicolebates.com

Buy link for SEE ME:

http://leapoffaithpublishing.com/#ecwid:category=2613677&mode=product&product=15767325

Social media links for Natalie-Nicole Bates

Twitter: BatesNatalie

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/natalienicole.bates

Blog: www.natalienicolebates.com 

GIVEAWAY:

Natalie be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-see-me-by.html