Monthly Archives: March 2023

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Jamie A. Waters

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Jamie A. Waters

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jamie A. Waters is an award-winning fantasy romance author and dragon enthusiast. Weaving together magic, intrigue, and some delicious romance, she creates memorable and immersive worlds that provide the perfect escape. Her books features strong, capable heroines and their swoon-worthy heroes who will stop at nothing to save the day.

Jamie currently resides in Florida with two neurotic dogs who enjoy stealing socks. When she’s not writing, she’s usually trying to learn new and interesting random things (like how to pick locks or use the self-cleaning feature of the oven without setting off the fire alarm). In her downtime, she enjoys reading, playing computer games, painting, or acting as a referee between the dragons and fairies currently at war inside her closet.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I probably have a harder time with the later books in the series. I write a lot of fast-paced fantasy, so worldbuilding and intricate plots that unfold throughout the series is key. In the first book of a new series, I’m still learning about the world and the characters. The longer the series progresses, the more hurdles the characters have to overcome. Things can get pretty dicey before they reach their Happily Ever After.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I’m the queen of plot twists! I’m mostly a pantser (writing by the seat of my pants). A lot of times I don’t know what’s going to happen until I write it. There have been countless times that I’ve just stared at my screen and thought, “Where the heck did THAT come from?”

When I’m not writing and need to refill my creative well, I’m either reading or playing video games. I love to learn and experience new things. Inspiration finds me in the strangest of places. I’ll be playing a game, and a thought will come to me almost out of the blue. I’ll run out of the room to go type up a new chapter really quick. I like to think that each of our brains are supercomputers. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and I’m just along for the ride.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Self-care and make sure to recharge the well! I think we all started writing because we have a passion and love for amazing stories. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of publishing dreams. But it’s important to remember to take time for yourself and focus on why you want to take this journey. Find out what types of things inspire YOU, and when you become discouraged, hold onto that inspiration tightly. It’ll let you continue to soar.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

Sometimes, several hours. Other days, I’ll write only a sentence. I try to open my current manuscript every day, but I don’t force the words. Sometimes “writing” is simply sitting outside and drinking a cup of tea while I think about my characters, or wonder if dragons ever suffer from motion sickness.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Blossom, the mischievous and adorable pixie from The Dragon Portal series. (Ahem, who let the goat loose in the dwarven embassy this time?) She wasn’t a planned character, but I can’t imagine the series without her. Her antics keep me laughing, and I love writing scenes with her in them.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

Um… I’m terrible at naming actors and actresses. For leading ladies, I always thought Mila Kunis looked a bit like Kayla from Beneath the Fallen City. She also happens to be from the Ukraine, and that series draws a lot of inspiration from Slavic folklore.

And I’d have to say Scarlett Johansson as Sabine for The Dragon Portal series. There’s just something about her mannerisms and a little of her appearance (minus the pointy ears and glowing skin markings, of course).

What is your definition of success?

I write because I love getting lost in stories. I publish because I want to share them with others. To me, success means that I have the ability to pursue my dreams while also uplifting and providing joy to others. Every time I receive an email or message from a reader telling me they love my books and the escape they provide, I know I’ve succeeded.

What are your social links?

https://linktr.ee/booksbyjamiewaters

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Website: https://www.jamieawaters.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-A.-Waters/e/B00JXT4VTK/
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/author/jamie-a-waters/id831846900
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Jamie+A.+Waters
Books2Read: books2read.com/booksbyjamiewaters

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Robyn Peterman

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Robyn Peterman

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

NYT and USA Today best selling author, Robyn Peterman writes because the people inside her head won’t leave her alone until she gives them life on paper. She writes snarky, sexy, funny paranormal and snarky, sexy, funny contemporaries.
Her addictions include laughing really hard with friends, shoes (the expensive kind), Target, Coke (the drink, not the drug LOL) with extra ice in a Yeti cup, bejeweled reading glasses, her kids, her super-hot hubby and collecting stray animals.
A former professional actress, with Broadway, film and T.V. credits, she now lives in the south with her family and too many animals to count. Writing gives her peace and makes her whole, plus having a job where she can work in her sweatpants works really well for her.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

All books are hard. All books are easy. LOL I pants so I have to feel it. To me, they’re each like a child—beautiful in their own ways. So, to answer the question, none are harder or easier than others. They’re all their own special, wonderful, hilarious nightmares. 

 When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I have no idea. If a story speaks to me and makes me happy, I can only hope a reader will enjoy it. My characters live in my head and when one is talking really loudly, I write that book. 

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

I don’t find the writing emotionally draining, it’s the rest of the stuff I have to do that wears me out. Writing stories is my passion. However, I do walk and exercise to keep my head clear and to make sure my ass doesn’t become one with my office chair. If you’re stressed find an outlet to destress— yoga, meditation, walking, a writing group.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

Umm… a shitload. LOL I pretty much work all the time. I’m going for better work/life balance this year. Wish me luck. 

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Don’t tell the others, but I have great fondness for Satan aka Blade Inferno aka Uncle Fucker. He’s just so hilariously wrong, he’s all kinds of right.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

The Good to the Last Death Series has been optioned. I refuse to say who I would like in the roles. It’s bad luck. LOL 

What is your definition of success?

A happy family, great friends… and lots of pets. 

What are your social links?

Website
 
Robyn Peterman Facebook Page
 
Twitter 
 
Instagram 

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Amazon Author Page
 
Goodreads
 
Book Bub

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Measha Stone

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Measha Stone

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Measha Stone. I write dirty stories. Shocking!! 😆 More specifically I write Alpha heroes and their feisty leading ladies. I write a variety of flavors of romance: BDSM Romance, Daddy Dom romance, Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, OMG TOO dark don’t read that romance, and am still adding to my palette.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The others after it. Mostly because I’m a disorganized pantser, and trying to keep all the characters in the world straight as more books enter the series can get hard because I have to go back into books to find information.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I try to use new tropes with each book so that they don’t end up being more of the same. It helps keep the stories fun for me to write as well.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Just do it. Don’t think so much about it, just sit down and write. And when you’re not writing, read!

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

1-2 hours.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Yes! Ashland Titon in Beast. He’s the first dark alpha male character I wrote. He’s unbearably hot, insanely protective, and has no mercy for both his lady and his enemies. I just love him.

What is your definition of success?

Being able to write books while supporting my family and raising my kids.

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/authormeashastone

https://www.tiktok.com/@meashastoneauthor

https://www.instagram.com/meashastone/

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

M/M, Military, Review, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR23 – #Review – Echoes of a Dream (Echoes #1) by BT Urruela

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Echoes of a Dream (Echoes Trilogy Book 1) by [BT Urruela, Kim BookJunkie]

Dylan Correia has always had a special gift. At first he thought he was having a bad trip, hallucinations. By eighteen, he realized it was something different. Something powerful. It began as a wave of prickly heat sweeping over his body, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end and his eyes to slam shut. He’d see things—terrible things—in his head, and like the echoes of a lucid dream, the thoughts would stay with him for days, torturing him.

He continued ignoring the power, lying to himself, until the day he saw it on the news—a Chevy Malibu flipped upside down and burning. The same one he’d seen in his visions the night before.

After a few years away at college, unburdened by these visions through frequent alcohol abuse, Dylan reaches graduation having already started a successful vinyl and comic book store with his best friend. Everything runs smoothly until a mysterious run-in with a stranger from a top-secret government agency threatens to flip his world on its end.

There’s a new program and Dylan’s a perfect fit.

Will Dylan take the stranger up on his generous, but vaguely described, offer? Does he have what it takes to pass the rigorous training if he does choose to join the program? And at what cost to him?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

The cover and the blurb drew me in immediately. I was definitely intrigued. You go on this journey with Dylan, present day, talking about his past and the trouble he had with his first run in with drugs and the “hallucinations” and further continues on to how he was approached for a top secret opportunity clear through his training. Imagine that? Top secret opportunity that will leave a lot of conspiracy theories in your brain as you continue on Dylan’s journey. That’s what! Other people in the program would, very literally, just disappear. Others were beat down to become very obedient soldiers. But what more would you expect when you accept a very vague job offer? There were times that I forgot that Dylan was basically narrating the story, but he would pop back in at the perfect times with just enough clarification of how he wished things were different before you dove right back into the story again with another twist and turn. There is an M/M romance happening however, it does not overshadow the story at all. If M/M is not your jam, you will still enjoy the story. This is definitely a conspiracy theorists’ wet dream! Full of suspense and will leave you with more questions than answers. A huge cliffhanger! I am anxiously awaiting the next in the trilogy and hoping to get to some much needed answers. Great start to what is sure to be an excellent series!

Author Logo

BT Urruela is a combat wounded amputee, purple heart recipient, contemporary author who has written both independent and traditionally published books. He is a RARE under 40 award recipient, Rockwood Summit High School and Rockwood School District Hall of Fame inductee, Co-founder and Brand Ambassador for VETSports, Ambassador for Tampa Sports Academy, People Magazine Tribute for Heroes winner, Cover Model, Motivational Speaker and Philanthropist.

At an early age he began writing short stories having been inspired by reading books authored by RL Stein. His maternal grandmother’s bookshelf was filled with literature that inspired his young mind and cultivated his vivid imagination.

Upon graduation from high school his desire to have a 20-year military career was cut drastically short by an improvised explosive device. Taking the life of his commander, and leaving the remaining four team members badly wounded.

After careful consideration and multiple surgeries, he along with the guidance of his doctors made the decision to amputate. It was the only surgery he ever left with a smile on his face, as if a weight had been lifted. He struggled for two more years through 4-5 hours of physical therapy a day, five days a week to get adapted to his new prosthetic. He medically retired from the Army with high hopes. His focus on restoring his physical shape being the most eminent battle caused him to neglect his psychological state.

Meeting people was difficult and there were very few options for veterans to utilize that would stimulate friendship, and ultimately, allow communication barriers to be breached. After moving to Tampa, Florida, he co-founded the veteran community sports nonprofit, VETSports, with two other combat wounded veterans. It was their mission to change the way veterans transitioned back to civilian life through organized team sports, community involvement, and leadership opportunities.

After being invited to attend a photoshoot with acclaimed photographer Michael Stokes, he flew to California in December of 2014, with incredible excitement. His photos were so widely publicized that he soon gained exposure to the literary world like he’d always dreamed of. That opportunity launched him into his present writing career. He co-wrote the novel ‘A Lover’s Lament with author KL Grayson. The following year he released first solo novel, ‘Into the Nothing’ and will be releasing Wicked Little Words with author Stevie J. Cole. He is now writing full-time.

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Sage Young

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Sage Young

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi I’m Sage Young and I write Dark, Suspense and Contemporary Romance

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

Definitely the ones that come after the first one.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I try to keep it fresh. I recently entered the world of dark romances so it’s new for me and my readers

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

When I’m writing and if gets too stressful or emotional I listen to music. It helps to center me

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

approximately two hours

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

I love all my characters. They all bring a different perspective in the books

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

If I had to choose one book it would be Choices We Make, the first book in the Moretti Brothers Series. I loved Victoria and Dominic’s love story. The actors: Celestine Rae would play Victoria Hart and Giulio Berruti as Dominic Moretti

What is your definition of success?

For me success would be readers that will one click my book regardless of the Title. Readers loving my story telling skills. And of course having a bestselling novel.

Do you have anything you want to share that didn’t fit on one of these questions?

I love writing. I have several crazy ides in my head and it’s fun to flush them out and create stories.

What are your social links?

BookBub: https://bit.ly/3bUr177
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3gYHl8P
IG: https://bit.ly/3QsUiVn
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3PyoVHW
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/378FhTI
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sageyoungauthor
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Aq8QzH
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/3BMPJA3
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3hOPGg6
Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3nrkYJF

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Here’s the link to my Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3nrkYJF

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Dystopian, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

#Review – Isle of Pieces: Episode One (Isle of Pieces YA Episodic Series) by Chrisina L. Rozelle

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Isle of Pieces: Episode One (Isle of Pieces YA Episodic Series Book 1)

Join Flick and Tinsley in their icy quest for truth amidst the raging fury of a post-apocalyptic ice age.

What secrets lie buried in the snow?

Will they make it to Gaia’s Gate, the last environmentally encapsulated place on Earth, or will they freeze to death at the doorstep?

As I sit here writing now, the sounds of distress and fear on repeat, the naivety of our boyish selves is apparent. We were led here by the promise that leads everyone else as close as they can get to the Great Gaia. The promise that someday, if we work hard enough, sacrifice enough, and of course, get lucky enough, we will be granted Asylum. That we’ll see the sunshine from the last environmentally encapsulated space on the planet. That we’ll know what it’s like to lie in green grass, to smell flowers and taste the Earth. We all want to believe that we won’t just die here in the cold.
-Lt. M. Flick

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is a thrilling first episode in a dystopian world that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. There are two teens from completely different areas. One stuck in a frozen landscape just trying to make it to Gaia’s Gate. The place where everything is supposed to be better. The other, leading a completely different life going to pageants and what not. Nothing is what it seems. I have a feeling that when they end up where they are meant to be and meet, things are going to explode! It is a quick read that will suck you right in and keep you wanting more.

Author Logo

Christina L. Rozelle is the author of the bestselling YA Dystopian Scifi series, The Treemakers Trilogy, which includes her groundbreaking debut, “The Treemakers,” and its sequels, “The Soultakers,” and “The Seeker’s Keys.” Hailed for its strong, believable, and relatable characters, original and complex plotting, and phenomenal world-building, The Treemakers Trilogy appeals to lovers of dystopian literature who are looking for something refreshing and new.

Rozelle’s writing roots sprouted with poetry and prose in countless journals in her early years, continuing through her tumultuous teenage years, and well into her turbulent young adult life. Though her younger self dreamed of scribing non-fiction and poetry someday, when she discovered the magic in creating fiction she never looked back. Overcoming countless obstacles of her own, the wisdom gained along her personal path through healing breathes life into her beautifully dark, yet hopeful tales of triumph. Filled with an array of emotional triggers, not many topics are off limits in her works. Rozelle’s exceptional storytelling dives deep into the survival and growth journeys of diverse, broken characters and unlikely heroes. Authentic, gritty, intricate, and wildly imaginative, her stories also offer hope—a light in the dark—as her characters discover their own inner strengths and worth in the midst of debilitating adversity.

If you’ve enjoyed any of her books, you can thank Christina by leaving an honest review of any length on Amazon.

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Jenna Jacob

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Jenna Jacob

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jenna Jacob – I write steamy, panty-melting BDSM, Rock Star, Cowboy, and contemporary romance. I’m a mom of four, grandma of six, and I live in Kansas with my hunky-hubby, Sean, and two fur babies. I’ve been writing for ten years and currently working on my thirty-fifth book. WOOT!

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

Definitely the first because you inevitably set something in stone you wish you hadn’t and have to plot around it. LOL

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I like coming up with unique and sometimes quirky characters. Nobody wants to read a rinse and repeat of your previous hero or heroine.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Never give up. Even if you have to rip out chapter after chapter – don’t give up.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

Between writing and handling administrative stuff, about ten to twelve hours.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Wow – that’s like trying to pick out your favorite child. Impossible. I love them all for different reasons.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

Tempting My Billionaire Daddy. I’d go with Anna Kendrick as Blair and Michele Marrone as Dalton (Sir Ink) **I love the way he say’s “Baby girl”. ~Whimper!*

What is your definition of success?

When a reader tells me they loved my story.

What are your social links?

Website: www.jennajacob.com
E Mail: jenna@jennajacob.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorjennajacob
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_jacob_author/
TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennawriteshawtromance
Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1GvwNnn
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/JennaNewsletter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenna-jacob
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lZagNE
Jezebels Party Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jennajacobsjezebels

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1GvwNnn

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Age Gap, Blog Tour, Book Blitz, M/M, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #standalone Necessary Space by Kate Hawthorne

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NECESSARY SPACE

by Kate Hawthorne

Blog Tour

Release Date: March 8, 2023

Cover Design: Samantha Santana @Amai Designs

Genre: M/M Romance
Trope: Annoyances to lovers, age-gap, older submissive/arrogant young dominant

Synopsis

Hendrix

What’s the only thing more annoying than my years-too-young neighbor?
The way I want him more than air.

There are plenty of things I don’t like about my new home in California, and my neighbor, Miles, is at the top of the list. He’s smug and arrogant, he speaks out of turn. And even though I should have learned my lesson about fast-talking, younger, dominant men when I broke up with my ex, I want him. For better or worse, Miles and I are on the same page and that’s why we decide there’s no harm in taking things between us someplace a little more private.

Good thing it’s only a physical connection between us because I could never be with a man like him for the long term…

Miles

Can I tease my well-dressed and thick-thighed older neighbor into bed?
I’m not sure, but there’s no harm in trying.

There’s never been a man who twists me up inside the way Hendrix does, and from the very first time he tells me yes, I know I’m going to demand a thousand more agreements out of his gorgeous mouth before I’m anywhere close to being done with him. He says he only wants me for my body, but it’s not long before things between us feel anything but casual. Hendrix thinks I can’t tell he’s being cautious with me, that I don’t know his worries about the past repeating itself are a constant threat in his head.

Joke’s on him, though. Hendrix makes me want to be a better man and I’m not going to stop until I prove that I’m worthy of a partner like him, even if I stumble more than once along the way.

What’s the only thing scarier than falling in love with the older man who’s determined not to trust me? Giving him the space to discover he can.

—

Necessary Space is a 76,000 word age gap romance where coffee is a love language, annoying neighbors become lovers, kneeling is so much more than an act of submission, and love can be found all in good time.

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK


Purchase Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/xkeiZQ


Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

ENTER HERE

About the Author

With over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.

Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.

Enemies to Lovers, Fairy Tales, Pre-Order

#CoverReveal #Preorder #EnemyToLovers #FairyTales-Protect Me Not, Tangled Web Series by Danielle Keil

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At Fairview-Teller High, light mixes with dark. Good with evil. And heroes with villains. But there’s a reason the students call it Fairy Tale High. They’ll get their happily ever after, even if they have to fight for it.

What would you do if the guy you hated moved into your house?

Queen bee Jessa had it all—money, beauty, happiness, popularity.

At least, she did, until the school’s bad boy– the guy she can’t stand– became her live-in problem.

Adam had his own demons to deal with and didn’t need Jessa’s stuck-up rich girl drama added to it.

They tried to stay away from each other. But the more Jessa learns about Adam, the more she loses her grip on her hatred of him.

When her best friends and the rest of the student body suddenly blacklist her, Adam is the last person Jessa thought she’d turn to.

He can’t stop himself from wanting her. But his problems are just beginning.

Not even fate can save these two from their curses….

Protect Me Not is a young adult, enemies to lovers, forced proximity contemporary fairy tale retelling mash up of Aladdin/ Beauty and the Beast.

Goodreads

Danielle Keil grew up in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.

Danielle has been happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Her love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.

The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Learn more at www.authordaniellekeil.com

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Melonie Johnson

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Melonie Johnson

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Melonie Johnson, aka #thewritinglush – I’m a former high school English and Theatre teacher turned full time fiction peddler. My main genres are contemporary romance and romantic comedies, and I’ve recently branched out into “seasoned romance” (featuring main characters in their 40s and up). I’ve always been a bookworm, and my love of reading definitely plays into every story I write. I’ve lived in the Chicago area all my life, growing up in the northern suburbs, attending college in the city, and raising a family here as well. I’m a Shakespeare geek and a Star Wars nerd, and have been dreaming up meet cutes ever since Han and Leia first kissed.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I think this changes depending on so many factors. The most recent book I finished was the second in the series and the hardest I’ve ever written, but in general, I’d say the first book in a series is harder because you’re starting from scratch and building this world and creating characters out of nothing, and that takes a lot of mental energy and time!

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I am constantly jotting down ideas for both current and future projects. The notes app on my phone is bursting with little snippets of stuff to incorporate into my stories, details absorbed from the world around me. It could be a song or a conversation, a news story or an article I read, or just an idea while in the shower or on a walk – inspiration comes from everywhere and as long as I continur to be inspired, things will continue to be fresh!

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

This is a tough one, because I’m not great about following my own advice – but it’s very important to make time to refill the well. Step away from the manuscript and spend time with family and friends. Take a mental break from your own story to enjoy other stories via books, movies, TV, etc. Get moving – and get outside when/if you can – I find that to be one of the best ways to relieve stress. Publishing can be a brutal business, I recently contributed to the book, WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN, a collection of essays from writers meant to inspire other writers, and the focus of my advice was to encourage aspiring authors to “find their island” by connecting with a group of authors who support and encourage each other. It can make such a difference when navigating the challenges of being a writer to have a safe space to decompress, as well as having people who understand what you are going through be there to celebrate the highs and commiserate during the lows.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

In an ideal world, when everything went according to plan, in a typical day I’d spend about four hours of solid writing, with another two dedicated to “author business” such as connecting with readers on my socials, putting together newsletters, updating my website, etc. Unfortunately, as much as I try to create a regular schedule, I am a “feast or famine” type of author, which means there are days I won’t get any words at all, and then others when I’m on the laptop for sixteen to twenty hours, pounding out chapter after chapter.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Such a hard question! I’m going to have to go with a fan favorite — Theo Wharton – the hero from my second published book, SMITTEN BY THE BRIT. He’s charming and dashing, but also incredibly loyal and kind hearted. From Darcy to Prince Eric, Theo is many of my fictional crushes rolled into one. He is, quite honestly, irresistible.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

This is always a fun concept to think about. I think all my books would make great movies, of course, but my first book, GETTING HOT WITH THE SCOT, would make such a fun film. I can already picture that opening scene at Edinburgh Castle. Logan, the hero, would of course have to be played by a Scot, and I think Richard Madden would be a perfect fit. As for the brown-haired, brown-eyed heroine, Cassie, Zoey Deutch would do nicely.

What is your definition of success?

On the surface, this is something that is constantly changing, the bar always rising higher: more books, more sales, more money, more awards, more recognition… but when I dig down and think about what I truly think success means to me as an author, I’d have to say it is finding a healthy work/life balance that is productive but not exhausting. Writing books I enjoy for an audience who craves them – that is my definition of success.

Do you have anything you want to share that didn’t fit on one of these questions?

As the Writing Lush, I like to say that books and booze are my brand, and while it’s true I love the combination of a great book with a great cocktail, it’s more about embracing a lush life and treating yourself by indulging in life’s little pleasures – escaping into another world through books is definitely one of those, especially when you can do it while relaxing on the beach (or even on the couch) – it’s about carving out time for yourself and savoring experiences.

What are your social links?

List of links to all my socials: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qkl2YzpE5Vq_46bdxwWlaPPt9UxSb6e35CsHJM2E42c/edit?usp=sharing

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Amazon Author Home Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/meloniejohnson
Macmillan Author Home Page: https://us.macmillan.com/author/meloniejohnson
Audible Home Page: https://www.audible.com/author/Melonie-Johnson/B07GTF5CFL

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.