Author Interview & Giveaway: Copper Girl by Jennifer Allis Provost

Copper Girl
The Copper Legacy
Book One
Jennifer Allis Provost

Genre: urban fantasy
Publisher: Spence City
Date of Publication: June 25, 2013
Number of pages: 248
Cover Artist: Lisa Amowitz



Amazon | BN



Book Description:Sara had always been careful.
She never spoke of magic, never associated with those suspected of handling magic, never thought of magic, and never, ever, let anyone see her mark. After all, the last thing she wanted was to end up missing, like her father and brother.
Then, a silver elf pushed his way into Sara's dream, and her life became anything but ordinary.

Book Trailer

MRP is pleased to share author Jennifer Provost's blog with our readers:

Life Imitating Art

The girl in Copper Girl is Sara Corbeau, an Elemental marked by a copper raven emblazoned across her back. (Note the awesome cover image created by Lisa Amowitz, cover artist extraordinaire.) But, aside from being an Elemental, Sara also has an office job.

 Sara’s job puts the bore in boring, and then some. She works for a firm called Real Estate Evaluation Services that specializes in the acquisition and liquidation of commercial properties. (Stop yawning.) Her title is Quarterly Report Sorter, and, being that the reports in question are of a highly confidential nature, she doesn’t have clearance to read them. So she sits there, day after day, shuffling paper in alphabetical order. (I said stop yawning!)

 Sara’s only reprieve is her lunch break, when she escapes the oppressively frigid air conditioning and naps in her car. Only, someone is watching her sleep – Micah, an Elemental from the Otherworld, who just happens to be able to slip inside Sara’s dreams.

 If you’re wondering how I so expertly crafted such a desolate existence, it’s because I lived it. (Well, not the part with Micah.) While I will let the company remain nameless, I once worked at a job so boring I regularly fell asleep at my desk. In the winter, the heat was alternately completely off and trying to roast me alive, but in the summer the air conditioning was always attuned to a bone-chilling fifty degrees. And yes, I used to escape into summer’s heat on my lunch break, and wiggle the feeling back into my fingers and toes.

 My unexciting occupation contributed more than tedium and frigidity to Copper Girl. I always parked in the back corner lot, a nice shady spot on the edge of a small wooded area. After a few lunch breaks spent outside, I noticed quite the unusual tree: two red pines, each trunk at least a foot in diameter, wound around each other.

 I found that tree fascinating; after a few days spent staring at it, I wondered if it was a portal to the Otherworld. (Apparently, the endless monotony of my job was killing brain cells, as well.) That tree became the Lovers’ Pine, where Micah first brought Sara into the Otherworld.

 Was Sara’s occupation based on mine? Yes and no. We both did suffer hours of repetitious work with no end in sight, and oppressive corporate heating and cooling systems. We both became fascinated by a funky tree. But Sara got to escape into a land of magic and wonder, while I remained at my day job. Hey, at least I got to write about her. 

About the Author:

Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two birds, three cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.

Author Contacts:
Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website | Blog

Tour giveaway details:

A signed copy of Copper Girl, swag, and a necklace inspired by the token Micah gives Sara.

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Guest Blog & Book Spotlight: Like Honey by Liz Everly

LIKE HONEY
Saffron Nights Series
Book 3
by Liz Everly


Published by: e-Kensington

Expected Release April 3, 2014 Print Length: 203 pages


About the Book: Wanted: A Hot Honey of a Man

Love brought Jennifer D'Amico to Scotland, but it's honey that makes her stay. Her honey farm is all the beautiful widow has left of her brief marriage. All she needs is a master beekeeper to get the flailing business back on track. What she gets is Grayson McGhilly, a boldly sexy stranger who knows his honey--almost as well as he knows how to bring Jennifer to the brink of passion. . ..
From the moment Gray lays eyes on Jennifer, he's hooked, mind and body. But his mission isn't just to savor every succulent inch of her, but to keep her from harm. For Gray isn't just a beekeeper, but an undercover agent investigating criminal activity at her farm. And now he'll do just about anything to keep the sweet and oh-so-satisfying Jennifer safe in his arms. . ..

Amazon | B&N

MRP is thrilled to give you a Guest Post by author Liz Everly!

LIKE HONEY is the third book in SAFFRON NIGHTS, my erotic romantic suspense series. After setting 
my first book (SAFFRON NIGHTS) all over the world, and my second (CRAVINGS) in Ecuador and St.
Lucia, I decided on a Scotland honey farm for my the next book. Unfortunately I didn’t travel to Scotland to write the story. My research for LIKE HONEY consisted of reading books,websites, and interviewing a beekeeper in Scotland. One of my favorite books out of all that I read was "Robbing the Bees: A Biography of Honey--The Sweet Liquid Gold that Seduced the World" written by a non-fiction writer, Holley Bishop, who became obsessed enough to get her own bees. 
For my romance, I didn’t need to go into in-depth descriptions about how hives are built and hive-society works, and so on. But reading as much as I can about it helped to inform the story. For example, in doing this research, I've become enamored with skeps, those round straw-built hives and gave one of my character’s a little antique collection of them. These little details are one of many that helped to give characters depth. And I needed a more than a basic understanding about honey—after all the story is set around large honey business in Scotland.
My main female lead, Jennifer, inherits a country farm in Scotland. At first I thought I might set it in France. But France, with its perfect climate and upscale culinary appetite, was a bit too easy for my beekeeping adventure. Scotland is fraught with weather adventures that challenge beekeepers. The more challenge the better. So Scotland it is. And while France has a sex-appeal, Scotland is much more alluring and more sexy to me. Something about those highlands and the rugged wild nature of parts of Scotland that just makes my insides sit up and take notice. So to speak. 
My lead male character, Gray, is American by birth, but has deep Scottish roots. He’s an undercover operative, hired to keep an eye on Jennifer’s farm. But as far as she knows, he’s just a master beekeeper—and a sexy one at that.
 I dug around a bit about Scottish country living and have even picked the kind of house Jennifer lives in. 
(If you follow me on Pinterest, I've got a research board full of gorgeous photos of Scotland.) I also have a friend who lives in Scotland. She's filled me in on things like the weather, how long the daylight hours are, and just how difficult it would be to have sex outdoors in most places in Scotland. Grin. 
The important stuff, dontchya know.
One of these days, I hope to be able to travel to the places I write about. The few times I’ve actually done 
that have turned out well. But, for now, I rely on personal connections, books, interviews, and the Internet. 
What kind of setting do you like to read about?
About the Author:

Liz Everly writes, plays, and cooks in a tiny house with a big garden. She writes under a pen name to escape expectations and to embrace all possibilities. Author Contacts: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

GRAND PRIZE: $30 gift card to Amazon or B & N

3 RUNNERS UP: will each receive a copy of the ebook

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Guest Blog: Helmut Saves the World by Matt Sheehan

Helmut Saves the World
Matt Sheehan

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication:  3/10/14
Number of pages: 120.




Book Description:
My name is Helmut Haase and I'm one half of the Fog City Detective Agency--specifically, the half that pays all the bills. My partner, Shamus O'Sheehan, mostly drinks beer and naps. I keep him around because he's my friend, but also because he's a Druid. I'm just a detective, and there are plenty of those in Wudong, the Confederacy of Hesperia. There's not another Druid for miles.
We had it pretty good until the day we met Alek Pallas. He hired us to track down a thieving employee, and even though something was off, his big fat check was too much to pass up. But the man we found wasn't what we were led to believe, and neither was Alek.
I'm talking shape-shifters, fallen angels and a conspiracy involving the vicious Cretan Empire. At least we didn't die. Hope that doesn't ruin the story.
Why am I telling you all this? Someday I'd like some credit for saving the world. Maybe not the entire world, and maybe not alone, but I still deserve a medal. And perhaps a cash prize.

Carina Press | Amazon

Interview with Helmut Haase: 

Michelle: I’m thrilled to be here today with Helmut Haase, one half of The Fog City Detective Agency. Helmut, thank you for agreeing to this interview. (Helmut is a shade over two meters with broad shoulders and close-cropped hair. For the interview, he wore a pair of stylish slacks and a white, open-collared shirt. The standard detective uniform of fedora and trench coat were spotted hanging on the coat rack.)
Helmut: The pleasure is all mine Michelle. I’m a big fan of your work. And let me just say, the photo they use next to your column doesn’t do you justice.
Michelle: That’s sweet of you to say. I think most of our readers know about you from your commercial, but for those who have no seen it - can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
Helmut: I’d be happy to Michelle. Shamus and I run a private detective agency, and we take cases big and small. Our fees may be a bit steeper then the competition, but there’s a reason for that. First off, I’m the best detective in the city. Probably in all of Hespera, but I don’t like to brag. (He was smiling a very charming smile when he said this, so I’m not sure if it was bragging or if he was just having a bit of fun with me.)
Second, and least important, my business partner Shamus is an honest-to gods Druid. On rare occasions, his skills come in hands.
Michelle: Speaking of Shamus, he is a big part of what makes your business so different from your competitors. Please tell my readers what it is like to work with and an actual Eirish Druid.
Helmut: Well, it’s mostly a pain in the (butt). He’s terribly lazy. I mean, he doesn’t even get out of bed until noon most days. I just do most of the work myself. It’s usually easier to do that then to try and motivate him. If I’m really stuck and have no alternative, I have to make sure I catch him in the proper mood. When he’s well fed and has just had his coffee is the best time.
Michelle: I see. But it must be interesting, some of the abilities he has. Is it true he can find someone just by touching an abject that was theirs?
Helmut: Sure. The more personal the object, the more accurate his readings are. He’s quite talented, but instead of honing his craft he spends his time doing things like teaching his dog Willie to (urinate) on my tires or bury my shoes. By the way, I see your left hand is free of hardware. Perhaps we can continue this 
interview over dinner at my place. I’m an excellent cook. 

(The formal interview ended there loyal readers, but let me tell you, Michelle swears he is an excellent cook - among other things.)

About the Author:

Moody and sarcastic at the best of times, the author should not be conversed with prior to his morning cup of coffee.  He excels at sitting with his feet up and drinking coffee or beer while reading, but has yet to find someone willing to pay for that service.  He has always been, and will always be, his mother’s favorite child.  Has been known to dangle participles.  Dreams of someday moving to a deserted island that supports coffee beans and hop vines.

Author Contacts:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Guest Blog: Through his Eyes by Deborah Camp

Through His Eyes
Deborah Camp
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Number of pages: 392
Cover Artist: Patricia Schmitt



Book Description:
Two psychics – one serial killer.
Someone is stalking women and murdering them in Key West.
Levi Wolfe and Trudy Tucker join forces to help identify the murderer and stop him. Levi can channel the deceased victims and Trudy can tap into the mind of the killer. As a psychic detective team, they’re formidable. As lovers, they discover that they’re insatiable.
But if Trudy can see through the killer’s eyes, can the killer see her?


Many thank to Deborah Camp for joining us and sharing some of her wisdom. 

Authors Who Have Inspired Me

Hello. It’s great to be here and blog with you. Thanks for the opportunity.

Since we all love to read, I thought I’d share with you whose books inspired me to be a writer, to be a better writer, and to be brave enough to write what was in my heart.

The #1 position is held by Mary Stewart. When I read “The Moonspinners” I was entranced. I read it about six or seven times. It was that book that made me want to write stories for other people to read – specifically to write love stories. I was in eighth grade. I had written things before, but I’d never thought about making a living doing it until then.

I couldn’t make a list of authors I admire without including Margaret Mitchell. Her “Gone with the Wind” is the essence of historical romances. The sweeping, all-encompassing history and historical facts in her book are staggering. Yes, there is no HEA, but the ending still stands for all time as one of the best. Readers could write their own sequel (until the actual one came out…but it doesn’t count because Margaret didn’t write it).

Truman Capote inspired me to never stop learning how to write better and to go at your own pace. I love the story of how he and Ernest Hemingway were in a hotel room writing one day. They started in mid-morning and in the late afternoon Hemingway pushed aside his typewriter and suggested they call it a day and head to the bar for drinks. He glowered at Truman and said, “I’ve typed three whole pages of my novel and you’ve sat there all damn day and typed one word!” Truman smiled and said, “Yes, but it’s the right word.”

LaVyrle Spencer inspired me to write historical romances. I had written only contemporary stories until I read her books. “Hummingbird,” “Twice Loved,” “Vows,” “The Gamble, and “The Endearment,” along with all her others, brought joy to me and made me want to step back in time. She is a beautiful writer. Of late, I read a book that reminded me of LaVyrle’s touching characters and storylines – “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan. It’s simply wonderful and I’m a big fan of hers now.

Finally, I must give a bow to E.L. James. Yes, yes, I’ve read all the criticism of her writing. Hey, folks, I’ve read a lot worse that made bestseller lists, so chill. Besides, if you’re reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” and you’re all wrapped up in bad sentence structure or weak word choices, then you just don’t get it anyway. People don’t enjoy those books because of the writing style. (wink, wink) I was totally wrapped up in Christian’s character. I thought he was fascinating and I loved all three books. They inspired me to write what was in my heart – what I’d wanted to write for 10 years, but had been afraid to branch off into a new direction with it.

There are many other authors I love, but these are touchstones for me.

Thank you so much, Deborah!

About the Author:

Author of more than 50 novels, Deborah lives in Oklahoma. She has been a full-time writer since she graduated from the University of Tulsa. Her background as a reporter for newspapers helped her to write fast and enjoy research. After she sold her first few books, she quit newspaper work to become a freelance writer and novelist.
Deborah's first novel was published in the late 1970s and her books have been published by Jove, New American Library, Harlequin, Silhouette, and Avon. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Authors Hall of Fame and she is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of the Author's Guild. She was the first recipient of the Janet Dailey Award.
Through His Eyes (April, 2012) is her first romantic suspense book. It has paranormal elements and is erotic. She plans at least two more books featuring Levi Wolfe and Trudy Tucker.
Also widely published in non-fiction, she and writes and edits for a magazine focused on small businesses. Deborah taught fiction writing for more than 10 years at a community college. She has been a guest speaker at numerous writers’ conferences, including Romance Writers of America (RWA), Writers, Inc., and the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. She has served as a judge in numerous writing contests throughout the United States and has judged manuscripts in RWA’s Golden Heart Awards and RITA Awards. She is currently working on her next historical romance set in the wild, wonderful west.
In 2012 her books were re-issued on Amazon for Kindle Direct and have attracted tens of thousands of new fans.

Author Contacts:
Website | Facebook  | Blog | Goodreads 

Author Interview & Giveaway: Baltic Mist by Jennifer Lohr

Baltic Mist
A Timeless Saga
Jennifer Lohr

Genre:  Cultural Heritage, Legends, Mythology
Publisher:  An Ancient Approach
Number of pages:  113
Cover Artist: Jennifer Lohr

Sellfly | Kindle | Nook

Book Description:
Baltic Mist - A Timeless Saga is Jen Lohr's next big creation.
It all began when she came across Egil’s Saga, written in the mid11th century, chronicling the life of Egil Skallagrimsson. The history surrounding the Viking awakened within Jen an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of the Norse culture. A story was soon born, seen through the eyes of a young woman named Helga, originating from a character in Egil's Saga.
Baltic Mist begins on a farm Norway, and takes the reader through the epic adventures of Helga's enchanting life. Beginning in Book One, her tale falls against the backdrop of Scandinavia's conversion to Christianity.  The saga continues in Books two and three to a finale that no one, even Helga herself, could have ever imagined!


Book Trailer

More Romance Please would like to extend a warm welcome to Jennifer Lohr, author of Baltic Mist.  
Jen, first, thank you for dropping by. Please tell us where you are from and who or what most influenced you to become a writer? 
When I was a young child, my Canadian grandmother (whose parents were from Lithuania & Poland) would tell me the most fantastical nap-time stories…it actually became very difficult to fall asleep as my mind went over her elaborate tales!  I later found out my grandma ‘Vicky’ (from her true name ‘Hedwig’) was at one time an author, herself, published in periodicals such as Cosmopolitan Magazine.  It became a relief to know that I, too, could envision some stories of my own; and I soon discovered that when I wrote down what my mind ‘pictured,’ I now had:  a story.  What a wonderful outlet for a child with an active imagination such as myself!  I began writing my own short stories in grade school, and from there – nothing but the sky has been my limit.

If you were to be left alone on an island, what three books would you take with you? 

The Eyes of the Dragon by Steven King, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe (or any compilation by this master of words and emotion), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

What are your most and least favorite movie genres?  

This is a difficult question to answer, as it’ not the genre that’s the turn-on / off – rather the plot predictability & character development.

If you could choose any man for your next book cover, who would he be?  

My husband, actually, is the model for Book Two (…coming soon!)

When you are on a deadline, what aspect of your ‘regular’ life suffers most? 

My sleep...oh, and laundry.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?  

Do not be intimidated, always stick it out, believe in yourself, the phrase “I can’t ----“does not exist, and EVERYONE starts somewhere.

What advice would you give seasoned writers?  

Remember the humble beginnings from which you once came, and the phrase “I cannot ----“does not exist.

When reading for pleasure, do you prefer a physical or electronic book? 

Always physical, but electronic tends to be less expensive & more convenient.

From the first stroke of a pen (or laptop), how long did it take you get published? 

A little over a year, once I completed Book One. (I was first published when I was fifteen years old.)

Did you ever feel like calling it quits?  

Yes, I admit, after my dear grandfather passed on in late June, 2013…but after almost two weeks, it eventually gave me a greater sense of purpose to complete my project, & if nothing else: in memoriam to him (in addition to all of my ancestors, as odd as that may sound)…regardless, it motivated me to push on and complete my piece!

What did you do when you got your first contract? 

I was elated to know that I did it, on my own, and as the proprietor – having been published before without owning my own content was something I did not want to happen again, so I now own 100 % of my own work…I made it happen!

What wonderful questions and thank you so very much for this opportunity!

You're welcome, Jen, and thank you so much for joining us today. We really enjoyed the insights. Good luck with Baltic Mist. 

About the Author:

Jen was first published when she was a sophomore in High School, and has been writing short stories ever since. The Baltic Mist series is her fictional novel debut. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and their four children.

About the Author:
Website | Blog | Articles | Facebook

Tour Giveaway:

$25.00 Amazon Gift Card

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Cover Reveal: One Lucky Night Anthology

One Lucky Night 

One night can change everything…

About the Anthology: 

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

Lucky Break by Aria Kane

Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague

When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she's in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze

When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips

As a bartender, Sean Whalen meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier

A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

One Lucky Night will be available in print and at all major ebook retailers on May 7th. For now, you can add it to Goodreads!

About the Authors:

Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. As a military brat, she grew up all over the country, but now lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Grace Teague lives in Pittsburgh with her spouse, children and a cat named Mr. Sushi.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Ana Blaze lives near Washington DC with her charming husband and three cats who firmly believe they are royalty. Ana is a member of Romance Writers of America.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tumblr

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tumblr

Melinda Dozier teaches English to middle schoolers by day and writes at night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with her college sweetheart and three sons.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway:

The authors are giving away four print copies of One Lucky Night before you can buy it! Enter here.

Book Review & Giveaway: Wilde Riders by Savannah Young

Wilde Riders
Old Town Country Romance
Book One
Savannah Young

Genre:   Contemporary Romance
Publisher:  Short on Time Books
Date of Publication:  February 11, 2014
Number of pages: 186 pages
Cover Artist:  Tony Bryson

Amazon

Book Description:
Four Wilde Brothers...One Wilde country band.

Wilde Riders is the first novel in a spicy new contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Cooper Wilde spent his entire adolescence counting the days until he could escape rural northwest New Jersey. Now at 26, he can't believe he's coming back. But his late father's bar, Haymakers, is in financial trouble and his older brother, Jake, has asked for Cooper's help.
Riley Smith, 25, is fresh out of her Ivy League MBA program and wants to make an impression on her employer, H & C Bank. Her first solo assignment is a fraud investigation on a business loan they made to Haymakers.
Even though Old Town is less than 90 minutes from New York City, Riley feels like she's stepped into another world in this remote, one-bar town. Riley can't wait to do her business and get back to the city as quickly as her sports car will take her...until she meets Cooper Wilde. He's not like the other guys in this rural town and Riley feels inexplicably attracted to him.

My Review:

This story is a charmer, and funny, and chock full of hunky males. It is also well worth the read.

Not only is small town charm lost on Wall Street up-and-comer Riley Smith, it represents the epitome of all that is dull and backward in the world. She can’t believe her bad luck when she has to venture into the backwoods of New Jersey to investigate a possible case of insurance fraud. Another Wall Street mover, Cooper Wilde, couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, and despite his efforts to hide the fact, this particular small town is his home town. When they run into each other, the attraction is immediate, but too little truth and too much snobbery risk to derail their future.

I enjoyed this story right from the start, and it just got better and better after that. Very well done.

-Cary Morgan Frates

About the Author:

Romance novelist Savannah Young grew up in rural northwest New Jersey in a place very similar to the fictional Old Town, which is featured in her books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories, Savannah is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Author Contacts:
Blog |  Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter 

Tour Giveaway:

$10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway