Monthly Archives: April 2023

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Taki Kasai

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Taki Kasai

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hiiiii! My name is Taki Kasai. I write fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary Romance. Currently live in the St. Louis-ish area.

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

All of the books that follow. I set the bar with the first and feel like I have to keep raising it further while keeping the material fresh and new. Eek

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

I try to think of different ways to bring the world to focus and change up how the characters react to a situation. Per example I have an assassin, a crazy lady, and a hacker. They help keep things fresh haha

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

Do it at your pace. Don’t allow people to rush you, the story will come when it is supposed to.

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

I try to spend at least a couple hours. For the past few weeks it has only been about 45 mins or so though.

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

Addie Moya. She is a mysterious character, everything you have her figured out she changes things on you. She keeps it interesting and makes me want to get to her story even more.

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?

In the Mage War series I really want Michael Fassbender to play my main evil Lorcan. In my Genesis Trilogy. I would love to see Tom Hardy play my series killer.

What is your definition of success?

Being happy with the product you released and just being happy in general.

What are your social links?

FB: Facebook.com/takikasai
Ig: kasaitaki
TikTok: @authortakikasai

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.)

http://amazon.com/author/takikasai

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.

2nd Chance, Audio Book, MC, Trigger Warnings

#WOTR23 #MC #ChildAbuse #triggers #Audio #2ndChance #Dancer #SEAL – Turbo, Steel MC Montana Charter book 11 by Michel Prince and Wren McCabe

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Michel Prince is the attending author.

Turbo Book 11 of The Steel MC Montana Charter by [Michel Prince, Wren McCabe]

In book eleven of The Steel MC Montana Charter: Porsche ‘Turbo’ DeGrassa isn’t one to sit still. While she’s always up for a challenge or a new project, she tends to take them on without ever completing anything. Never in her life has she had a place become more than a pass through to the next adventure, and yet, she’s now five years into living with the Steels in Montana and itching to find something or someone to finally keep her from spinning like a top through life.

For months now, Michael ‘Bugs’ Hanover, has been wondering why his daughter had become distant. The ordinarily bubbly eight-year-old now is reserved and quiet. When he discovers the unthinkable at pick up, he snaps, sending his daughter and him on a cross-country trek to hide out with former SEAL Thomas ‘Hack’ Creek and regroup. His daughter’s safety and future are his only concern. While justified by all rights to the wrong he committed, the law may see it differently. The last thing he needs is a stunning woman connecting with his daughter and him when the stop was supposed to be a harbor in a storm.

A wild woman, much like his ex that didn’t keep his daughter safe, was now the one the little girl ran to for comfort. For Porsche, stepping in with a broken child cannot be a temporary project abandoned for the next fun opportunity. While Michael needs to move on, Turnabout Creek offers him a life after service if he can find a way to stay out of prison. Will he strive to stay one step ahead of the law? Or will he fight for what is right and the chance to be with the Turbo charged woman dancing her way into his life?

Trigger Warning : Child Sex Abuse Discussed

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given this book and audio book by the author for an honest review.

The narration is on point as usual for this series.  Kat does the best voices and I love listening to her story telling!!

GAH!!  This book!!  We have seen Porsche in several of the books as a back up character or a dancer at the Roadside.  In Dreamers book we got to KNOW her and her back story.  I was super excited to see her get a book and knowing it would be with one of Hack’s buddies, I knew it would be good!!

Mike, Bugs, finds out the worst news ever by accident when he is picking up his daughter.  He runs to his friend’s town knowing SEALS help SEALS.  Little does he know this group also helps abused women and children.

Porsche, Turbo, is loving her live dancing but maybe is wondering about more.  It seems more and more people are shacking up and getting knocked up so she fears drinking the water.  But Porsche loves her live.  She does have some trauma she doesn’t want to deal with annnnd she really hates to take her medication for her mental health, but she loves her.

She gets a hair brain scheme to help the town and Chief raise funds for a town firetruck which causes a lot of funny moments and scenes between the men and their women to count.

When Porsche meets Mike the chemistry is sizzling off the charts but when Mike’s daughter, Syd, begins to open up and trust this woman, Mike begins to want ot know more about her.

Guys the story about Syd is crushing but the story of her recovery, loyalty, trust, and Love is what makes this book.  The last 2 chapters…one had me in tears with laughter but the last has me in tears for heartbreak!!  I absolutely oved this story.  Porsche was one hell of a woman and I will enjoy rereading this story a lot.  If I wasn’t 110% team Baldy, Mike might have stolen my heart with what he did to claim his woman!!

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult, new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

“Ms Prince writing is like summer breeze caressing your body, slow and sultry.”-Amazon review of First and Ten.

“Michel Prince is a wonderful author with a real talent for writing.”-Amazon Review of Triple B Baking Co.

“Prince explores in her novels is interracial romance and friendships. Prince pokes fun at stereotypes, but never allows stereotypes to guide her plot. The focus is on creating two strong, independent characters who can stand on their own, but complement each other as a couple.”- Amazon Review of Silly Girl

“One Last Sunset is a well written story by the awesome Michel Prince that left me wanting to learn more about the rest of the Long family.”- Amazon Review for One Last Sunset.

“I could not put it down, and will definitely be looking for more from this Author.”-Amazon Review of Silly Girl.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at her son’s games in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis, a 2022 finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards for The Amalgam and was a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy

~~~~~~~~~~`

Wren grew up in the Northern part of the USA. She enjoys spending time with family, curling up with a good book, coloring in her adult books and driving motorcycles, big trucks and fast cars to relieve stress after a busy week.

Born in a large family she is all about family values and morals.

Wren’s friends and family will agree she is never far from a pen and paper as she finds so many things in the world peak her interest and can inspire an entire story.

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#WOTR23 #attendingauthor – Debbie Burns

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Debbie Burns

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Debbie Burns – best-selling author of eight heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction novels who writes happily ever afters for both her stories two- and four-legged stars.

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

Honestly, I think they are different challenges and awards for both the first and the rest in the series. The first takes longer, but it also allows for more freedom as you’re setting the story parameters. Also, looking back, a series bible is essential!!

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

My Rescue Me series has expanded to seven books. Since it’s set in St. Louis, I’ve had fun writing about different St. Louis neighborhoods, restaurants, and venues each story. Also, since my books are set in a fictional animal shelter, I also choose a different type of animal rescue (and dog breed) to highlight each story.

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

Take time for self care and fill your creativity well often. I love hiking, gardening, and going to yoga classes. All these leave me feeling restored and more in connection with my creativity. Also, when it comes to writing first drafts, I’ve found Stephen King’s adage of “Write with the door closed; edit with the door open” can’t be understated.

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

I probably average about three hours a day, though some days are longer and others, lighter.

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

No, I fall in love with the characters just as deeply with each story. I will say that it’s often the dogs in the stories whose connection I cherish the longest. Perhaps that’s because many of them have been based on real animal personalities that I’ve known.

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 any of my books were made into a movie, I’d want it to be Summer by the River, my stand-alone women’s fiction. Usually, I envision the stars of my books as a mashup of my imagination and real people; however, when I wrote that book, I 100% envisioned a young Gerard Butler as Carter O’Brien, the male lead. Now Gerard Butler would be too old to play Carter, but I’d hope they would find someone who’d be both charming and a good look alike!

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

Thank you!

What are your social links?

FB: @authordebbieburns

Insta: @_debbieburns

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.)

Buy links here: http://www.authordebbieburns.com/books.html

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debbie-Burns/author/B073LR24G3?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Debbie-Burns/B073LR24G3?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=HSZJPXAWH6VFW2N838QB&pageLoadId=UDKd5SeZHZ8c84XZ&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c

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, M/M, New Release, Part of a Series, Release Blitz, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #standalone Necessary Space by Kate Hawthorne

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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.

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90100758-necessary-space

Amazon https://amzn.to/41AMNS8

Review by Twinsie Dee

Hendrix is the grumpy older neighbor that was mysterious, and the littlest thing could set him off. Well Miles was the younger neighbor that when walking his date to his car from the night before, and as he was heading back to his house and spotted Hendrix and called him buddy. that was enough to set Hendrix off and be super annoyed with his younger but oh so sexy neighbor. Neither of them could keep the other out of their minds, and after one random knock on the door and a steamy kiss in Miles kitchen. This older sub and younger Dom have a hot, steamy, and all-night romp in the sheet, did these two find their other have the perfect sub to Miles ever so strong Dom side of himself. Will these two make their wants and needs to each other go and be happy together forever or they will make a few sneaks around the fence and into each other’s bedrooms. oh, this book was so good Miles snarky comebacks are just everything, and who doesn’t love a snarky strong Dom who cares if he’s gay or not it’s still very attractive.

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.

Audio Book, Dark, Dark Romance

#Audio #dark – Does it Hurt by H.D. Carlton, narration by Troy Duran and Michelle Sparks

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Does It Hurt?


Who am I?

I’ve forgotten the answer to that question long ago. Ever since I ran from that house, so desperate to escape, I left with only the clothes on my back and socks on my feet. After that day, I’ve only ever walked in stolen shoes.

Could I be a girl who is searching for the meaning of life in faceless men? They were all so forgettable. Until he came along. He took me under a waterfall and made me forget my name, and in return, I took his instead.

Enzo Vitale.

An enigmatic man that will only ever love the deep sea. Or rather the predators that inhabit it. Turns out, he’s not so different than the monsters he feeds. He lured me onto his boat like a fish in the ocean, seeking vengeance for my crime. Had I realized his intentions, and that a massive storm would leave us shipwrecked, I would’ve ran.

Now, I’m a girl who’s seeking refuge in a decrepit lighthouse with a man who loathes me almost as much as he craves me. He wants to hurt me, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions far more sinister.

It’s no longer a question of who I am, but rather, will I survive?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

 I received this audio book from the authors PR firm for an honest review.

Man there is so much to say before I get into the review for this book.  I read the Adeline duet like everyone and liked it a ton. So when this book initially was released I didn’t grab it because I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype in my head after Adeline.  I let it go for a bit and was getting ready to grab the book when her PR firm offered a review audio copy.  Audio is my JAM and I said yes!!  Troy and Michelle were amazing voices for the story and kept me fully invested.  I loved loved loved the audio so much with them telling the story.

Now when I jumped into the story I could SEE a similar vibe between Enzo/Sawyer and Adeline/Zade and I was ALLLL in.  However, the story changed directions and so did the characters.  Now I see a lot of Enzo hate because he isn’t Zade and I don’t think that is fair.  Enzo isn’t a great guy but yes he isn’t Zade.  But Enzo is a great anti hero initially.  He does some not nice things to Sawyer on the boat when he finds his “Little Thief”.  When the 2 are stranded on the island with creepy Sylvester the story changed its vibe again from an Adeline vide to a mystery/paranormal.  There were a lot of things going on but through it all, Sylvester was CREEPY!!  LOL 

I did enjoy the story and the twist of everything that was happening at the light house. I did enjoy the story of the survival and how Sawyer could change her life drastically.  I loved Enzo hating and then fully loving Sawyer.  I loved him pushing her and pushing her until she too was in love with him.  I absolutely loved the story for what it was…which is Sawyer and Enzo’s story.

What I didn’t care for …the sex filler.  Ya’ll I love me some sexy times but there were times I felt like oh hey lets just fill this chapter with sex and then move on.  I mean I skimmed a few sexy times because it didn’t move the story forward.  It was just filler.

So if you loved Adeline go into this with a different head space.  It isn’t as dark, there are dark themes, but understand Enzo and Sawyer are 2 different characters. Their story is nothing like Zade and Adeline.

 

About H. D. Carlton H. D. Carlton is an International and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid.