Beyond the Mind Maze

Category: Romance

  • Checked by Jennifer Jamelli

    We all call our little fixations a case of OCD, but actually living with it? Well, Callie does, performing about a million different rituals just to be able to function and get by. Get to know Callie and her quirks in Checked, a comedic NA romance brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours. This is a juicy post with a book excerpt plus sample blog posts by Jennifer Jamelli, the writer, who has received treatment for OCD herself. A very unique suggestion!

    Book & Author Details:

    Checked by Jennifer Jamelli
    (Checked #1)
    Publication date: December 17th 2013
    Genres: Comedy, New Adult, Romance

    Synopsis:
    Checked is the first book in a new trilogy.

    Callie spends countless hours staring at appliances to make sure they are really unplugged. She wastes obscene amounts of time checking for murderers in various corners of her house and entire sleepless nights performing pointless checking rituals. Then every spare minute is filled with inspecting doorknobs, chairs, floors, etc. for minuscule traces of germs. Oh, and she does all of this as she counts to three over and over again in her head. She does this every day. Without fail. Dr. Blake just doesn’t fit into her schedule. Until he does. Until Callie begins to trust him. Until she starts to need him. And want him. And . . .

    Excerpt

    “Calista.” That quiet voice pulls me around yet again.

    I freeze. He’s looking at me. Sorrowful eyes…heavy…inconsolable. A tragedy in blue.

    I can’t look away. I begin to feel a dull ache in my left side. {Damien Rice fills my head with “The Blower’s Daughter.”}

    His eyes hold mine. They are relentless. The sharpening pain in my side weighs me down, cementing my shoes to their place on the floor. My lips part slightly as my body tries to remember to breathe.

    In slow motion almost, he releases me, closing his eyes and clenching them shut. The blue eyes that open back up to me are hard, stony.

    He swiftly spins his chair to grab the box of tissues on his bookshelf. Without meeting my eyes, he turns back around and holds the box out to me.

    “To help you out of here,” he says in an almost inaudible voice. What?

    “Th-thank you,” I stammer. I clutch my purse and take six slow steps toward his desk. Three steps at a time. One two three. One two three.

    He stares past me, blankly looking at the door. I pull three white tissues from the box he’s holding and turn back to his point of focus. When I get to the silver doorknob, I quickly cover it with the three tissues spread out in my left hand.

    And I’m out.

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20261875-checked?ac=1

    Purchase:
    Amazon
    Barnes and Noble

    AUTHOR BIO
    Jennifer Jamelli has spent most of her life reading and writing; she holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English, and she is an 8th grade English teacher.

    She also directs a musical production each school year. Her most recent show was Beauty and the Beast.

    Jennifer lives with her husband and her four-year-old son.

    She, like the main character in her debut novel, has a rather hopeless case of OCD.

    Author links:
    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7692031.Jennifer_Jamelli
    https://www.facebook.com/jamellijennifer
    http://jenniferjamelli.com/

    Jennifer Jamelli Blog Posts

    Blog #1

    I would like to take a moment to reflect upon the power of the following:  Zoloft, various cleaning products, and a mother’s love for a child.

    Last night, my son threw up everywhere – on me, all over the couch, all over a blanket, on the hallway/living room carpet, on a bathroom mat, etc.  The items listed above are what carried me through this.

    To be more specific, here is what got me through this predicament:

    • ½ of a bottle of carpet/fabric cleaner
    • ¾ of a can of Lysol wipes
    • 1 ½ bottles of Febreze
    • 1 bottle of carpet refresher
    • 1 package of baby wipes
    • 2 showers for me
    • 2 showers for my son
    • Several cups of laundry detergent
    • Lots of shower gel/bath soap
    • 1 regular daily dose of Zoloft
    • Most importantly, 1 happy, healthy smile on my son’s face this morning as he told me that he was feeling better

    Now, there have been some casualties.

    1.) The white blanket I normally have on the couch – it was my favorite … but it had to go.

    2.) Two bath poufs

    The fate of a bath mat, a stuffed animal, and a few pairs of clothes has not yet been determined.

    Blog #2

    All right . . . now that Checked has been out for a bit and more and more people are reading it (thank you!), I am getting more and more questions.

    Do you do exactly what Callie does?  How much of this is true?

    Are you having some sort of relationship with one of your doctors (seriously – heard that one!!)?  No!!

    Okay . . . the book is a piece of fiction.  Callie’s life experiences and relationships are not mine.  I’m not Callie.

    I’m not Callie, but . . .

    I do spend a lot of time doing routines (much less since I’ve been treated, though).

    I do check air vents and alarm clocks and door locks and stoves and curling irons and water faucets and, well, a lot of things.

    I do like things to be clean.

    I do count in my head.

    I often take a few baths a day.

    I am afraid of some cleaning products.

    I do have music constantly running in my head.

    I do throw things out if I find them dirty.

    I did study English in college and in grad school (and I did spend hours and hours in college reading novels and writing papers).

    I do fall asleep with the television on every night (but I have ESPN on – not a cooking channel).

    I do at times check for murderers before I go to bed.

    I do have a really supportive family  (We don’t have Girls’ Night, though.  Perhaps we should!).

    I do hate blood . . . and needles (HATE them.  I pass out during blood tests – they have to put me in a special chair in a special room with special cartoon decorations that must be intended for two-year-olds!).

    Okay . . . so Callie and I have a lot in common.  Same quirks.  Similar fears.  Alike minds.

    Different lives, though!  Seriously!

    Blog #3

    Well, it’s Wednesday night, and I’m just about ready to go to sleep.  I just went through my house a few times, worked my way through my evening rituals . . . holding my fingers under every faucet to ensure that no water was running, inspecting every air vent for any blockages, putting my hand in the oven and on the stove to make sure they weren’t on (and if you are asking yourself whether I even used the oven or stove today, the answer is no) . . . and the list goes on.  And on.  And on.  And that’s only my night routine.  Not the one I do in the morning.  Not the one I do every time I leave the house.

    But we aren’t here to talk about me or my routines; we’re supposed to be talking about Callie, the main character in Checked.  And Callie is in much, MUCH worse shape than I am in right now (I’ve been under treatment for OCD for about seven years – Callie is just starting).

    Callie’s routines are very structured, very complicated, and VERY long.  She vacuums, dusts, straightens, and organizes.  She checks appliances, faucets, locks – everything in her house – over and over.   Every task she does, she has to do in a specific order.  If she messes up or is interrupted, she has to start all over again.

    Her life is exhausting.  And frustrating.  And overwhelming.

    What makes all of this even worse?  Callie knows that what she is doing is ridiculous.  She’s also embarrassed by it.  But she can’t help it.  She has to keep doing each task, going through with each routine.  Otherwise she won’t be able to sleep, or eat, or work, or do anything at all – she’ll just drown in worries that something horrible will happen because of her negligence.

    There’s much more to say about this – about Callie and her condition – but I’ll save that for future blog entries.  I also will soon tell you a little more about her obsession with Dr. Blake . . .

    For now, though, I’m going to sleep.  I’m going to post this tomorrow, because I’m already in bed . . . and if I get up now to get my laptop (I’m writing in a notebook), I’ll have to start my night routine again . . .

     

  • The Lady of the Pier – The Ebb by Effrosyni Moschoudi (ABNA Q-Finalist)


    LOVE WILL GO ON FOREVER, SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE.

     

    BRIGHTON, 1937
    Laura Mayfield leaves London with her mother Ruth in order to pursue a new life in Brighton. She finds employment at the West
    Pier Pavilion and soon falls in love with Christian Searle, one of the stagehands at the theatre. Laura aspires to a life of riches but this annoys and frightens the proud and insecure Christian, causing rows between them. When she is offered the chance to perform at the theatre, her love for Christian is put to the ultimate test. Charles Willard, a wealthy and arrogant aristocrat becomes fascinated by her and pursues her relentlessly, causing Christian to become enraged. Will Laura’s desire for wealth throw her in the arms of Charles or will her feelings for Christian prevail?

     

    CORFU, 1987
    Sofia Aspioti, a Greek student from Athens, arrives in Corfu for her annual summer holidays at her grandparents’ house, relieved to escape her overprotective parents’ care for a while. She takes on a job at the local water sports pier and when Danny Markson, a larger-than-life British tourist flirts with her, she is initially worried that his advances will cause her trouble with her strict family. Yet, by the time she realises that she’s desperately in love, she finds she no longer cares. When Danny returns home to a village near Brighton, Sofia becomes haunted by a series of dreams about the West Pier and a woman dressed in black. As if cast by a spell, she takes to writing poems about a love that won’t let go. Who is the grieving woman in her dreams and how is her sorrow related to her own feelings for Danny?

    My Review

    After reading the enchanting fantasy tale of The Necklace of Goddess Athena, I marked this author as one whose books I won’t miss. The fact that this second attempt of Effrosyni Moschoudi cleared the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest is a further testament to the writer’s talent.

    Emancipated Laura finds love and her star shines brightly in Brighton in the ‘30s. Insecure Sophia finds love and a modicum of independence from her overbearing parents in Corfu in the ‘80s. Different places, different eras. But what binds the two girls in a common fate? And who is the lady of the pier?

    As with Effrosyni’s previous book, I found myself immersed and mesmerized. The writer has an undisputed talent for creating vivid imagery through her amazing descriptive skills that managed to stay with me long after I’d put the book down. No, this was not one of the books that I speedread, needing to devour the story. Here, I needed to savor. I found myself rereading parts just to refuel a scene’s energy to keep it running in my mind longer, and I got withdrawal symptoms when I finally ended it.

    It’s not just the two enticing stories, the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, the authenticity of the characters or the heart-warming dialogue; it’s what reigns over these. An inner glow, an inherent purity that emanates from the pages to create a sense of completeness, like a dream you don’t want to wake up from.

    I’m so glad I’ll get to live the dream again in the book’s sequel, The Lady of the Pier—The Flow!

    Highly recommended!

    For an exciting excerpt of The Lady of the Pier, head over to my complementary excerpts’ blog by clicking here.

    What other readers said about the book:
    (Excerpts from posted reviews on Amazon.com)
     
    “A passionate pearl”
     
    “Addictively mesmerizing”
     
    “I defy you to put this book down after the first chapter”
     
    “I got withdrawal symptoms when I ended it”
     
    “The writer has an undisputed talent for creating vivid imagery”
     
    “A fantastic read. This author has the ability to draw you into the story”
     
    “If you enjoy romance, take heed: The Ebb makes a perfect summer read!”
     
    “A heartfelt story drawing you in and not letting (you) go until the last page. Fantastic!”
     
    “The book has the same charm and nostalgic character as the Necklace of Goddess Athena, despite the genre difference. The author’s amazing descriptive talents shine throughout the book”
     
    “It’s not just the two enticing stories, the breathtaking beauty of the landscape,
    the authenticity of the characters or the heart-warming dialogue; it’s what reigns over these. An inner glow, an inherent purity that emanates from the pages to create a sense of completeness, like a dream you don’t want to wake up from.”

     

    Purchase Links for The Lady of the Pier-The Ebb

     

    BIO

    frosso pic1 (1)Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She has a BSc in Computer Science and has worked for large companies for twenty years, mainly in the hotel and airline business. She’s been writing since childhood and lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with her husband Andy and a naughty cat called Felix. She’s passionate about books and movies and dedicates sufficient time on her weekends to enjoy a bit of both.

    Effrosyni’s debut novel, “The Necklace of Goddess Athena”, is a fantasy adventure of Greek myths and time travel that’s suitable for all ages. It’s been described as a “Rare Gem” by the Fantasy & Sci-fi Network and has reached Amazon’s #1 in Mythology and #2 in Fairy Tales. The novel also made the shortlist in 2014 for the “50 Best Self-Published Books Worth Reading” from Indie Author Land.
    Effrosyni’s second novel, “The Lady of the Pier – The Ebb”, follows the lives and loves of two young girls who’ve never met but are connected in a mysterious way. The novel is an ABNA quarter-finalist. It’s the first part of a paranormal romance that’s set in Brighton (England) in the 1930’s and in Corfu (Greece) in the 1980’s. Effrosyni is currently penning the second part of the series (“The Flow”), which she plans to publish in 2015.

    To write “The Lady of the Pier-The Ebb”, the author drew heavily on her experiences as a youngster, holidaying in her grandparents’ house during the summer months in the Corfiot village of Moraitika. To see pictures of the locales that inspired the story, visit this link to Effrosyni’s Blog: http://dld.bz/dmHQp
    In Goodreads.com, you will find downloadable free excerpts from both published novels by this author.

    On her blog, Effrosyni presents the works of fellow indie authors with spotlights, interviews, and book reviews. She also posts her own content of various subjects, such as travel articles, inspiring personal accounts, tips for authors, and even some Greek recipes.

    Connect with Effrosyni

    Purchase Links for The Necklace of Goddess Athena

     

  • Game Changer by Collette West (NA Romance) Cover Reveal

    A cover reveal of an exciting, fresh and sporty New Adult romance brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours. Check the cover out. Perfect branding! I also loved the Author Bio. Original and very readable!

    BOOK & AUTHOR INFO

    Game Changer by Collette West
    Publication date: July 25th 2014
    Genres: New Adult, Romance

    Synopsis:
    Young, rich, and unaware of how seriously hot he is, Brooks Davison is tearing it up as the latest shortstop for the New York Kings, despite his tendency to blush whenever girls scream his name.

    When a health scare forces his best friend, Kyle Roberts, off the team, no one can stomach the thought of replacing him, especially so close to the playoffs.

    Until Kyle’s sister, Sasha, steps in, convincing management to let her take his place. The idea of signing the first female player in Major League history proves too tempting for the Kings to resist.

    Nevertheless, Brooks doesn’t want any part of it. Sasha is Kyle’s little sister, not some sideshow.

    Yet when Kyle takes a turn for the worse, Brooks promises to do everything in his power to help Sasha win a championship for him. Because there’s no way he’s letting either of them down. Not now, not ever.

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22464513-game-changer

    AUTHOR BIO

    Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette’s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

    Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

    Author links:

    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7539982.Collette_West
    https://twitter.com/Collette_West

  • Whitney Gracia Williams – WIP interview

    Update: Reasonable Doubt – Volume 3 is now out on Amazon! And here’s my Goodreads review.

    It’s the middle of the summer, the temperature is rising so I thought I’d raise it further by inviting a writer who brought scorching summer heat in early spring with her Reasonable Doubt erotic romance series. Back in March, I needed to cleanse my palate from a bunch of excellent but quite dark and serious books I’d reviewed, so I picked up the first episode of the series, Reasonable Doubt #1, and found myself reading something delectably decadent instead. Although the type of foul-mouthed anti-hero is not my cuppa, I loved how fleshed-out and genuine Andrew was but especially the feisty heroine who gave him a run for his money. (You can read my Goodreads review here.) Heeding the writer’s “call to action” to reviewers to connect, I emailed Whitney and, although the series was becoming a huge success (a New York Times bestseller), she not only responded to a fan but was willing to do an interview with me! My reaction wasn’t what you’d call mature; even my four-year old quirked a brow at my bouncing on the bed. So ladies (and gents, why not?) I present to you the amazing Whitney G!

    Hola readers! My name is Whitney G. and I am the author of the “Mid Life Love” series and the recent New York Times bestselling series “Reasonable Doubt.”

    Whitney, I’m in awe as, despite your busy schedule, you honored this little blog.  You recently published a very uplifting Facebook post where you wrote how after the mediocre reception of your first fiction efforts, you never thought that “thinking BIG” applied to you and then Reasonable Doubt happened. Sure, this one was an erotic romance, and this genre’s audience is known to turn what it likes viral, but hundreds get published each month! What was the golden recipe here?

    I honestly have no idea…I seriously did not expect Reasonable Doubt to do as well as it’s done so far. I wanted to use it as a way to improve my writing before I finished my current WIP. I was happy with the small success I’d attained before Reasonable Doubt came along, and I’d told myself that one day “bigger success” could happen to me and one of my books. (Yearsss down the line, of course…) But, since I was struggling with the aforementioned WIP, I decided to take a break and pen something short that would allow me to work on banter, scene building, and sexual tension. (I even had a post-it taped to my laptop that read, “If this is the last book you ever write, write it ten times better than anything you’ve written before…”) It definitely paid off, but I don’t know if there’s a “golden recipe” for a successful book. (Trust me, if I find it, I’ll report back and give it away to everyone *smiley face*)

    You do that!! Also I now know how I will promote this interview. “How writer’s block can make you a best-selling author!” Before we talk about your WIP, why don’t you tell us a few things about yourself?  

    Hmmm. Let’s make a list: 1) I have a serious addiction to candy and Starbucks. 2) I curse a lot more than I should. 3) I have a tendency to “fall off the face of the earth” (i.e. avoid social media) whenever I’m deep into a project. 4) Have I mentioned the Starbucks addiction already? 5) When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading an indie book, stalking John Grisham (and Beyonce), or staring into space…

    What are you working on right now?

    Reasonable Doubt 3… You know what’s crazy? I’d originally planned to have the whole series out in April. What the hell was I thinking back then?

    And you suffered serious backlash! I couldn’t believe the angry comments about how you didn’t make the dates you had initially announced. Thankfully, compared to the love you got, those were a drop in the bucket. So, are you happy with the pace of your work? Do you aim at a specific word count each day?

    No, I’m never happy with the pacing of my work. I always want to do more or write faster, but I think that’s a good thing. I never want to feel content. As far as a daily word count goes, most definitely. I aim for five to seven thousand a day.

    Plotter, pantser or both?

    BOTH! I change my mind too many times to stick to an outline, but I *have* to know the ending of a story before I can even begin.

    What’s your worst enemy in getting that first draft finished?

    Myself, of course.

    Have you ever experienced lack of inspiration or drive to write? If so, how do you motivate yourself?

    Absolutely. All the time. There are days when I don’t *feel* like writing, days when I’d much rather stay in bed and watch Netflix. However, I think about where I want to be ten years from now and that always makes me get up and get to work.

    Could we take a look at your workspace? Is there a particular place you find inspiring for writing?

    I’ve attached it. I wake up every morning and write at Starbucks.

    Wow! If these chairs get occupied, it means you’re writing in serious company! Now your photo is “pinned” on my Featured Writers’ Workspace Board on Pinterest. Apart from Word and Google, do you use any other writing or research tools and apps?

    Not really, but I always read Joan Didion’s “Goodbye to All That” essay before I begin any WIP. She’s one of the best writers in the world, and simply reading a small snippet of her magic inspires me like no other.

    That one goes at the top of my TBR list. How do you intend to celebrate writing “The End” on your draft?

    I’m going to take one, huge EPIC nap!

    Which book publishing processes are you going to outsource and which are you confident enough to undertake yourself?

    I now outsource everything (book covers, formatting, graphics, etc.), but at one point in time I was doing everything myself because I was nervous about handing over the reins to someone else…

    Do you have any marketing tips or favorite promotional sites you’d like to share?

    I have marketing tips for DAYS, but in a nutshell I’d like to say that authors should treat their books like movies. You should be promoting long before the book comes out. There’s a reason why Hollywood invests so much in advertising. They want people to know all about their movies before they come out and they want as many people as possible to watch and enjoy them opening week. Promotional sites I’ve used are Bookbub, E-reader News Today, and I’ll be starting my own writer’s blog soon to share even more. (It’s going to be called “The Delusional Indie Author” and it’ll launch late summer)

    Can’t wait to follow that blog! Is erotic romance the genre you will brand yourself with from now on or do you see yourself branching out in the future?

    Definitely not branding myself at all. LOL. Although, I do have a standalone erotic romance coming out later this year. I’m still trying to find myself as an author and I want to explore more genres.

    Would you like to share with us links where we can find you and your work?

    Sure! When I’m not hiding from the world, I can be found here: whitneygracia.com, and if you want to find my books, you can find them all here: http://www.amazon.com/Whitney-Gracia-Williams/e/B0054OUT30/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

    Thank you, Whitney, and best of luck with with Reasonable Doubt #3! I can’t wait to find out what made Andrew turn into a hardcore cynic, and how he will turn things around after the mess he’s made with Aubrey!! (Update: I did and it explains so much! Great way to end this fun-tastic story!)

     

  • One, Two, Three… by Elodie Nowodazkij (Book Blitz)

     

    Shattered dreams and learning to love especially one’s own self is what the story of One, Two, Three… by Elodie Nowodazkij brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours delivers. Scroll down for “Choosing my own magic” a guest post by Elodie, an interview and fun facts where the author talks about being French, living in Germany and writing in English, and don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway (US & Canada only) to win goodies!

     

    Book & Author Details:
    One, Two, Three… by Elodie Nowodazkij
    Publication date: June 26th 2014
    Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

     

    Synopsis:

    When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love.

    Last year, Natalya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

    But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

    At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present, and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell.

    But when upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio’s own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

    Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20656288-one-two-three?ac=1

    Purchase Links:
    —B&N
    —iTunes
    —Kobo
    —-
     
    AUTHOR BIO

    Elodie Nowodazkij was raised in a tiny village in France, where she could always be found a book in hand. At nineteen, she moved to the US, where she learned she’d never lose her French accent. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Modern Language & Linguistics, and later earned master’s degrees in German Cultural Studies and European Studies. Unbeknownst to her professors, she sometimes drafted stories in class. Now she lives in Germany with her husband and their cat (who doesn’t seem to realize he’s not human), and uses her commuting time to write the stories swirling in her head. She’s also a serial smiley user.

    Author links:

    Newsletter: Sign up here

     

    Guest post – Choosing my own magic

    ONE, TWO, THREE isn’t the first book I wrote but it’s the first one I felt like I wanted to share with the world (scary) and that was getting so many lovely reviews by the ones who read it. I got very close to getting picked up by a literary agent several times, I received great feedback from beta readers, critique partners and through contests but…the magic door stayed close. In the past months, I read a lot of books that I know would do so well with readers but for x or y reason haven´t hit the shelves yet. That´s when I realized that I could choose my own magic.

    That doesn’t mean I didn’t have to work hard on my book, or that it didn’t have to go through several editing rounds, copy editing, proofreading…That doesn’t mean I am guaranteed for my book to do well.

    It would be a lie to say I´m not scared because I totally am. People are going to read my book(s). People are not going to read my book(s). People may hate my characters. Others may love them.

    But mainly I´m excited. And happy. And looking forward.

    Yep, lots of emotions. Luckily I have a very patient and supportive husband 🙂

    I cannot wait for you all to get to know Antonio and Natalya!

    Four questions to Elodie Nowodazki

    1.  You’re French and live in Germany…but you write in English. How come?

    I lived in the United States, in Maryland, for quite a few years, first as an “au pair” and then as a university student. I’m a proud Retriever and a proud Terps J, having received a BA from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County and my first Master’s from the University of Maryland at College Park. Writing in English just seems to be more “natural” for me. But maybe one day, I’ll write a novel in French too.

    2.  What was your inspiration for ONE, TWO, THREE?

    I used to love dancing ballet as a kid, and I won a writing contest to go see the Opera de Paris. We saw the dancers train, it was magical. Those moments stayed with me.

    Then, one day, I was talking about the movie Center Stage on Twitter and Natalya’s voice came into my head. At first, all I knew was that she was seventeen and an accident had killed her hope of becoming a professional ballerina…The accident turned into a car crash that also took her father’s life.

    Natalya’s voice was sad and broken, but full of want.

    From there on, it became her story.

    3.  The family from Natalya, the main character in your novel, originally comes from Russia. How did you do your research?

    The name of my main character was actually inspired from my mother-in-law, who moved to Germany from Russia about 20 years ago. My husband, who was born in the Ukraine, still speaks Russian with her, and I learned a lot from them. His family is the one who taught me there’s a Russian proverb for every situation, and some of Natalya’s favorite food is also mine.

    4.  Can we expect more books to come with Natalya & Tonio?

    Yes. But I’m not planning a sequel. There will be at least two companion novels to One, Two, Three. The first one will be published in November 2014. It will focus on Emilia, Nata’s friend at the School of Performing Arts. It’s entitled ALWAYS SECOND BEST, and you can already find it on Goodreads. The second companion novel will be focusing on Becca, Nata’s best friend. Publication will be in early 2015.

    Little facts about One, Two, Three & Elodie Nowodazkij

    1. Little fact: I wrote this book (mostly in the train) in 6 months back in 2012. And it has gone through several revisions since.
    2. Little fact: Like Natalya, I love pelmeni – but my favorite Russian dish is stuffed blinchiki (mostly with mushroom and mashed potatoes) yum!
    3. Little fact: I got the inspiration of my main character’s name – Natalya – from my mother-in-law
    4. Little fact: Like Natalya’s father, my favorite composer is Chopin.
    5. Little fact: My book is officially coming out on June 26th 2014 because it’s my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary
    Blitz-wide giveaway
    Open to US/CAN – Ends July 8th
    -1 signed copy + $50 to either Amazon or B&N + $25 donation to the literacy project of their choice in donor.org

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Just Another Maniac Monday by Jennie Marts (Blog Tour)

    Just Another Manic Monday

    Who said that the sight of a man making a woman’s pulse race is age specific? Meet Edna who might be way past her prime, but she can’t deny the effect John has on her although he was supposed to be dead for decades and comes back threatening more than her heart. This blog tour is brought to you by the fabulous Wendy Ewurum and Fabulosity Reads Book Promotion.

    Book Synopsis

    Is finding your long-lost love worth losing your life?

    Edna Allen’s Monday goes from mundane to murderous when she opens the front door to find the love of her life standing there. A man she thought had died years ago… after being accused of murder.

    John Collins is back, bringing with him a charming smile, a dog named Havoc, a second chance at love…and a threat of death. Danger surrounds this former bad-boy, and even after a lifetime apart, he still ignites a spark in Edna. A spark she thought she’d buried decades earlier.

    As Edna relives their summer romance, where more than the weather was hot and steamy, she falls in love all over again and evokes memories filled with drama, passion, action, and murder. Now these soul-mates must face the truth about what happened in the past and find the killer hunting them in the present. And Edna, with her sarcastic wit, a pocket stun-gun, and a few hare-brained schemes, is ready to fight for the man who still makes her pulse race.

    But does she dare risk her heart again to now protect the man whom she couldn’t save back then?

    —————————————————-

    A Word From The Author

    Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog today! I am excited to introduce you to the Page Turners Book Club.

     

    I write romantic comedy and my series is set in the small town of Pleasant Valley, Colorado. It’s centered around a wonderful group of women in a book club. The women range from their teen years to their eighties and each book features a different woman and her story.

     

    Every book has romance, friendship and mystery because in Pleasant Valley, dating can be deadly. These women are easy to fall in love with as they search for romance and clues while eating really great desserts!

     

    Just Another Maniac Monday- Book 3 in the Page Turners series released this week. It’s Edna’s story and this character is a funny, sassy eighty-year-old who considers herself an expert on murder due to her extensive knowledge of CSI and crime-show television episodes. She gets the surprise of her life when her Monday morning game shows are interrupted by the arrival of John Collins, the love of her life…a man she thought had died years ago after being accused of murder.

     

    John Collins is back, bringing with him a charming smile, a dog named Havoc, a second chance at love…and a threat of death. Danger surrounds this former bad-boy, and even after a lifetime apart, he still ignites a spark in Edna. A spark she thought she’d buried decades earlier.

     

    This book flashes back to the sultry summer of 1955 as Edna tells the love story of her and Johnny and more than the weather gets hot and steamy. But the past has a way of catching up to you and a deadly threat has followed John to Edna’s door. Edna, with her sarcastic wit, a pocket stun-gun, and a few hare-brained schemes, is ready to fight for the man who still makes her pulse race.

     

    Falling in love all over again, Edna must choose to risk it all to save the man she loves. But is finding your long lost love worth losing your life?

     

    You can find Just Another Maniac Monday and all of the Page Turners books on Amazon:
    I am so excited to share an Edna’s story with you.

    —————————————————-

    Profile Pic Reading book -croppedJennie Marts loves to make readers laugh as she weaves stories filled with love, friendship and intrigue. She writes for Entangled Publishing and is the Kindle Bestselling author of the Page Turners series, which includes the romantic comedies: Another Saturday Night & I Ain’t Got No Body, Easy Like Sunday Mourning, and Just Another Maniac Monday. Reviewers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and full of great characters that are “endearing and relatable.” She writes from the mountains of Colorado where she lives with her husband, two sons, a golden retriever named Cooper and a Sheltie puppy named Maggie. Jennie enjoys being a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Colorado Indie Authors, and Pikes Peak Writers. Jennie is addicted to Diet Coke and adores Cheetos. She loves playing volleyball and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes or friends. Jennie loves to hear from readers.

    Follow her on:

    Fabulosity Reads Book Promotions is a book touring website that promotes authors and their precious works to an extensive audience using blogs, twitter, Facebook and other Social Media, with the aim of introducing them to an appreciative readership.
    They offer a diverse range of both complimentary and affordable products to help the reach of your book go that much further.

  • Crossing The Line by Nicola Marsh (Book Blitz)

     

    If you enjoy romance with an athletic background, Crossing the Line by Nicola Marsh aces it! (Yes, that’s a tennis metaphor). Scroll down for enticing content served to you (yep, I’m on a roll!) by Xpresso Book Tours and go grab a copy! But before you do, read Nicola’s guest post on Fantasies, and let some steam by writing your own (clean one!) in the comments below.

     

    Book & Author Details:
    Crossing the Line by Nicola Marsh
    (World Apart #1)
    Publication date: May 8th 2014
    Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

     

    Synopsis:

    Laying it all on the line for love…

    Mia Cresswell is tired of being good.
    Achieving geek status at college doesn’t equate with fun. So when she heads home to her dad’s tennis academy in Santa Monica on spring break, she’s determined to be bad. And hot Aussie tennis star Kye Sheldon is just the guy to help her do it.

    However, Kye’s troubled past continues to dog him and attending the Cresswell Tennis Academy is his last chance at the big time. He can’t afford to screw up…by screwing the boss’s daughter.
    But Mia and Kye’s relationship is much more than a vacation fling.
    Will it be game, set, match, when the truth is revealed?
    Or will Mia and Kye have a real shot at love all?

    FIVE FOR FIVE WITH KYE SHELDON

    1. Sydney or Santa Monica?

    Sydney: sun, surf, sand. Though considering Mia’s a native Californian, Santa Monica sure does hold some appeal.

    1. Vegemite or peanut butter and jelly?

    Please, there’s no comparison, Vegemite every time. In Australia, jelly is a wobbly dessert, not jam. And we don’t mix peanut butter with jam, ever.

    1. Nadal or Federer?

    The Fed is my idol. Though if I could play half as well as the top 10 seeded players I’d be happy.

    1. Clay court or grass?

    Neither. I don’t mind faking it when it comes to an artificial surface. More predictable.

    1. Backhand or forehand?

    I have a more lethal forehand but if I had my way, I’d prefer both my hands free for Mia. Go on, ask her. She’ll agree.

     
    AUTHOR BIO

     

    USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair for adults and spooky, supernatural fiction for young adults.

    She has published 45 books with Harlequin, Entangled Publishing and indie, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

    Her first mainstream contemporary romance, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD (Entangled Publishing) released to rave reviews, including a nomination for RWA’s RBY, Romantic Book of the Year 2012.
    Her first indie-pubbed contemporary romance CRAZY LOVE released September 2012, is a Barnes & Noble bestseller, and was nominated for a 2012 ARRA award.

    Her young adult debut, BANISH, a supernatural thriller featuring Wicca, spirits and murder, released August 2013 with Harlequin Teen. Her young adult fantasy series with Month9Books launched November 2013 with SCION OF THE SUN.

    Her debut new adult novel BEFORE was released in December 2013.

    She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers’ Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

     

    Author links:

    FANTASIES

    Why do I love writing so much? Because I get to live in a fantasy world.

    I’m lucky that my characters take me to some pretty wild places and do some equally wild things…

    But I’m also an avid reader.  I devour books; have ever since I was a kid.

    I read widely, across genres and could happily spend a day/week/month curled up with my nose in a book.

    For me, part of the appeal of reading is getting engrossed in another world, being so absorbed in the characters’ lives that I’m almost there alongside them, laughing and crying and feeling their pain.

    It’s sheer pleasure to be swept up in the fantasy as I turn the pages, eager to reach the end yet reluctant to do so because I love the story so much.

    In CROSSING THE LINE, Mia gets to live out one of her fantasies: geek girl turns bad. And thanks to Kye, the sexy Aussie bad boy, the fantasy just gets better and better!

    Embracing fantasies can be liberating and exciting. But it’s those deeper fantasies, the emotional ones we crave like security and love and recognition that can be the most challenging of all.

    At least, that’s what Mia and Kye discover…

    Now it’s over to you.

    Share a fantasy (keep it clean, please!) in the comments.  It could be a fantasy date, fantasy dinner, fantasy destination, fantasy celebrity. 

    Go ahead, use your imagination. J