Interview and Giveaway with Jillian Leigh

Today I'd like to welcome author Jillian Leigh to My Book Chatter to talk about writing and her newest release, The Rules of Engagement. 
And thanks to Jillian's generosity I have 3 e-copies of her book to giveaway :) (see rafflecopter at the bottom of this post)

Why did you want to be a writer?
I don’t know whether you choose to write, or writing chooses you. That’s a trite answer, perhaps, but there is some truth to it. Like many people, I found I enjoyed it immensely when I started writing down stories bit by bit, creating scenes and people and relationships out of nothing but my imagination. I became hooked on it.

Where did the idea for THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT first come from?
The initial inspiration came from the movie Cactus Flower. For those people who aren’t familiar with it, it’s a sixties romantic comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Walther Matthau and Ingrid Bergman. When his girlfriend (Hawn) makes a dramatic attempt to get Matthau’s attention, he reluctantly agrees to divorce his wife. The trouble is, he’s been lying to his girlfriend—he’s not really married at all. So when she decides to seek out his non-existent wife, he has to enlist the help of his dental assistant (Bergman). You can guess how it ends …
I loved the idea of a charade causing the hero and heroine to discover their true feelings for each other. I also like to torture my heroes, have them hoist by their own petard—you know, live by the sword, die by the sword. My regency rake discovers that the more he tries to orchestrate himself out of trouble, the more he manages to get himself into it.
THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is the story of Hugh Trevalyn, who invented a mythical fiancée to fend off marriage-minded females. Now, after many happy years of sowing his wild oats, he has decided he wants to marry. But when the girl he’s chosen wants to make sure his ex-fiancée is happier now without him, Hugh has to find a woman to play the part. Luckily, his old friend Amelia just happens to be a woman—one who knows him inside and out. Of course, things don’t turn out as he plans!

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I fell in love with historical romance when I was a teenager (a while ago now :-) ). When I discovered Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt, not to mention Austen and the Bronte sisters, I was hooked. Over the years I’ve enjoyed a multitude of authors and a variety of settings. My favourite, though, right from the beginning, was the regency.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your books or getting them published that you would change?
I just wish I’d started writing seriously a bit sooner. It takes time to hone your craft.

In your experience, what are the best and worst things about being a writer? 
As an introvert (and most writers are), I love being able to immerse myself in my story, spend time with my characters. It’s a natural fit, really—an author and her imagination. The most nerve wracking thing about being a writer, on the other hand, is what happens when you send your ‘baby’ off into the world. You hope that others will enjoy it, and worry that they won’t. You try not to obsess about the variables you can’t control, but obsess anyway. Whether you’re published or unpublished, there’s always something to worry about.

Who are your ‘must read’ authors and who would we find on your bookshelves/e-reader?
Must read authors include: Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, Sophie Kinsella. In my e-reader at the moment: Karen Hawkins, Katharine Ashe, Eloisa James, Darcy Burke.

Fast Five
Favorite food… chocolate. In any form, with any additives. Or alone. Doesn’t matter.

Favourite movie… I have so many, but here are a few different types: Love Actually (romantic comedy), The Music Man (musical), To Kill A Mockingbird (drama), Rat Race (hilarious though totally stupid comedy).

Cat lover or Dog person… I have a soft spot for all sorts of animals, but I’ve always owned (i.e. been owned by) cats.

Celebrity crush… You mean, crushes, don’t you? Is it possible to have only one? Mine vary from time to time but George Clooney, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp and Michael Fassbender remain favourites.

If you weren’t a writer, you’d be… a world-famous actress, the toast of Hollywood and the critics (well, I can dream, can’t I?). To paraphrase Pride and Prejudice’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh, if I’d ever auditioned for a role, I would have been an Oscar contender.

Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed Jillian <3 
                                 

 
Title: The Rules of Engagement
Author: Jillian Leigh
Release Date: May 22nd 2013
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group  

Long ago, Hugh Trevalyn invented a fiancée to fend off marriage-minded females. Now he must procure the perfect girl to play the part.

Who better than Amelia Grant, his oldest and dearest friend? She alone might understand—and forgive—his moment of madness upon beholding the beautiful Lucy Meriwether, a moment that resulted in Hugh’s first real proposal of marriage and Lucy’s vow to meet his ex-fiancée in the flesh. However, as the proposed conversation snowballs into an elaborate charade involving Hugh’s rakish cousin, scandal, and inappropriate kisses, as Hugh risks Amelia’s friendship to win Lucy’s hand, a wise reader has to wonder: What exactly are the rules of engagement? And, after the battle, whose heart will be won?

Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Rules-of-Engagement-ebook/dp/B00CXT6WTO/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rules-of-engagement-jillian-leigh/1115446928?ean=2940044548886
BPG: http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/rules-engagement
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-therulesofengagement-1214498-160.html 

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/318553

Jillian Leigh is a writer of historical romance who has a particular fondness for the wit and elegance of the Regency period. She lives in Australia with her long-suffering husband, almost perfect son, and two cats with a terrible sense of entitlement. She enjoys Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, chocolate, old musicals, classic screwball comedies and TV shows that feature models or designers vying for domination.

Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

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Cover Reveal: Choices of Fate by S. Simone Chavous

Author S. Simone Chavous has updated her book cover for Choices of Fate, here it is...



Title: Choices of Fate
Author: S. Simone Chavous
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: June 16th 2013
Goodreads

Amazon

On her own since the day she turned eighteen and left the group home where she grew up, twenty-five year old Alexa Ryan has made a comfortable life for herself. She has a great job, the perfect apartment, every material possession a girl her age could desire. Unfortunately, she also has an unusual condition that has forced her to keep everyone at a distance.

Ethan Kellar has spent his entire life running from destiny. When he was just a boy, a powerful seer prophesied his role in events that would determine the outcome of the secret war his people had been fighting for centuries. A role he was determined not to accept, leading him to avoid letting anyone get too close, until the night Alexa fell into his arms.

Drawn to her in a way that he has never experienced, Ethan decides to take the ultimate risk by trusting Alexa and revealing to her all that he truly is. Thinking she is an ordinary woman, he believes that she could be his key to preventing the prophecy from being fulfilled and allowing him to live the life he has always wanted, one that he chooses. Having been so consumed with the desire to determine the course of his own life he wants no less for Alexa and knows he must tell her everything, give her a choice. Before that happens they surrender to the intense physical attraction between them and he realizes too late that in trying so hard to change his fate, he may have set the events of the prophecy in motion.

In that moment, Ethan makes the most difficult decision of his life and does the only thing he can to save Alexa. He walks away.

Consumed by grief, Alexa falls into a deep depression until she learns that her brief encounter with love resulted in a child and somehow finds the strength to put herself back together for the sake of her baby Chloe.

Nearly two years after Ethan walked out Chloe develops an unexplained illness that sends Alexa in search of anything that can help. Her pursuit leads her back to Ethan and thrusts her into his dark and mysterious world, unlocking the secrets of her past and revealing threats to their future. Together, Alexa and Ethan fight to protect Chloe and their love, but there is one battle Ethan fights alone as he struggles to choose his own path and avoid the choices of fate.

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S. Simone Chavous spent seven years as a tax accountant before deciding to pursue her true passion as an author.

Choices of Fate, the first book in the Fate Trilogy, is her debut novel.

She lives in northern Indiana with her boyfriend, two beautiful daughters and their rambunctious vizsla, Lily.

Interview With Author Venita Louise

It is my pleasure to welcome author Venita Louise to My Book Chatter today to talk about writing and her newest release, In Mysterious Ways

Why did you want to be a writer?
I really didn’t set out to become a writer. It happened about fifteen years ago. An idea kept running though my head. I would open my eyes in the morning and it would say, “oh good, you’re awake.” Then the idea would present itself all over again. I felt like I was being stalked. One day I sat down at my computer just to make a few notes. Nine months later, I had a novel.

Where did the idea for In Mysterious Ways first come from?
I have always been interested in unsolved mysteries. I was watching a documentary about crop circles on the Discovery Channel called, ‘Mysteries in the Fields’ and started applying ‘what if’ scenarios to what might happen to characters if they were exposed to crop circle energy. In Mysterious Ways was published in paperback in 2012.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I wish I could say I am disciplined enough to stick with one. My first novel was romance and I enjoyed writing it but it wasn’t my first published novel. I entered a novella contest for mystery writers in 2001. The guidelines said it had to be set in a time period before 1969. I chose 1946 because of my love for film noir. I can’t tell you how exciting it was to get a call from Vintage Romance Publishing saying they wanted to publish my work. Of course I had to withdraw from the contest but I happily did so. My first published book was, Initials For Murder, in e-book format. The editor who worked with me said she enjoyed the humor that I wove through the story and challenged me to write a comedy. I respectfully declined but ended up writing, Mixed Nuts, which was published in paperback in 2005 by Vintage Romance. In the meantime, I was writing a sequel to Initials for Murder and when I had finished Vintage had made the decision to discontinue offering e-books. I submitted, Dead on the Money, and they liked it so much they published it in paperback in 2007. Initials For Murder was included as a prequel.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your books or getting them published that you would change?
I wouldn’t change anything. I am just grateful that I am published. I am proud to announce that all three of my novels are now available in audio.

In your experience, what are the best and worst things about being a writer?
The best thing for me being a writer is that I am an introvert so spending long hours alone researching and writing is like being in heaven. The worst thing for me is marketing. Unfortunately, these days, writers are expected to spend as much time marketing as they do writing.

Who are your ‘must read’ authors and who would we find on your bookshelves/e-reader?
Well of course Stephen King, when I don’t mind bumps in the night. I also like research books, Deadly Doses by Serita Stevens and Ann Klarner is a must if you want to poison one of your characters. I adore Ann Roach, author of Stiff, Spook and Gulp, all three living in my bookcase. She is graphic in her writing but defuses the gruesomeness with her wonderful sense of humor.

Fast Five

Favorite food… Italian!

Favourite movie… Please don’t make me choose. There are way too many. My husband and I are movie buffs and often quiz each other with movie lines.

Cat lover or Dog person… I love all animals except reptiles. I find it hard to love a cold-blooded animal.

Celebrity crush… Don’t laugh…Danny DeVito. Check out his lips, you know he’s got to be a great kisser.
 
If you weren’t a writer, you’d be… Actually, I’m not just a writer. I was a portrait artist for many years and I sing lead in a cover band named Meridian with my husband. We also have an original band, White Smoke. We released our first CD last year and we are working on a second. I have also been a manager at a well-known musical instrument company for the last seventeen years.

Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed Venita <3

Title: In Mysterious Ways
Author: Venita Louise
Release Date: May 30th 2012 

When well-known California Artist, Lang Garret, takes a trip to Phoenix, he has more than his gallery appearance in mind. His plans include a little surprise for his fiancee, Amanda, who is traveling with him. Unfortunately, a twist of fate, a chance meeting, and a chain of unforseen obstacles throw all of Lang's intentions out the window.

Lang and Amanda accept an invitation to join a group visit to one of Arizona's energy vortexes that mysteriously contains a newly formed crop circle. It seems innocent enough, but what begins as a curious adventure for a group of six turns an expected pleasure into a predicament of terror.

The unfathomable energy of the circle has a different repercussion for each individual who enters it. It seems impossible that the gyre could produce a horror, the power to kill, a marvel, the power to heal, and a blessing all at once, but the supernatural occurrences caused by the circle continue to alter their lives long after leaving Arizona. Now Lang and Amanda writhe under the struggle to keep their relationship intact and prevent the energy from annihilating their love.

Purchase Links

Amazon (print)
Amazon (kindle) 

Through the years, Venita Louise has studied several avenues of creativity. Her first love was art, and she spent many years rendering portraits for the almost rich and famous.
In the year 2000, she discovered a new passion. Writing. She adores a mystery, a good romance and lots of action however she finds ways to thread humor throughout.

In addition to writing and art, she is also fulfilling her lifelong desire of performing music. She sings as lead vocalist in two bands, Meridian which covers classic rock, R & B, and pop tunes over several decades, and White Smoke, a band that formed between herself and BJ, her husband. In 2011, they released an eclectic compilation of original songs by White Smoke called Proper Introductions.

A friend once gave her a quote that has been on her refrigerator for twenty years. It says, "Use the talents that you possess; for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best."

Venita Louise lives by her philosophy that it's never to late to follow your dreams and it is better to fail than to regret that you didn't try.

 

Find Venita Louise here

Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Meridian (cover band)

Interview and Giveaway with Kylie Scott

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome author Kylie Scott 
to My Book Chatter today
*squeeees with fangirl excitement!!*

Kylie has very nicely agreed to be interviewed aannddd
she has an e-copy of her latest book LICK to giveaway!!
(see the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post)
 
So without further ado, here's my interview with the amazing Kylie Scott...

What has been your best and worst experience as a published author?
My best experience would have to be finally seeing my work get published. That was amazing. Worst is always going to be having someone slice and dicing one of my stories. A bad review sucks but it’s all part of the process.

When you’ve completed a book do you breathe a sigh of relief, or do you feel sad the experience has ended?
You know, usually it is a sigh of relief. I love working on a story, but there’s always a shiny new bright idea ready to be chased down once another is finished. Not that I don’t have fond memories of all my old fictional boyfriends. Ah, Daniel, Finn, Adam, Nick and Angus. I love them all really.

What do you believe are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer?
Ooh, okay. I think my strengths lie in the fields of humour and smut. My main weakness is probably emotion. Or, at least, that is the area I feel I have to consciously work at the most. There was a lot of layering involved to put the necessary angst into this story.

The Stage Dive series is about rock stars and the Flesh series is about zombies – how do you come up with your story ideas?
What I love about romance is the ability to move between sub-genres. People fall in love all over the place in every kind of situation. Whether it be with a werewolf on a beach or a space marine at the outer edge of the galaxy, it’s a beautiful thing. I have no idea where the different story ideas come from. We can probably just blame them on my over-active imagination.

If you had to go back and write it all over again, is there any aspect of LICK that you would change?
I’d plot more. I started out a pantser, but I’m finding with each book, plotting becomes more and more important.

Who are your ‘must read’ authors and what books would we find on your bookshelves/e-reader?
On my ereader … I’ve been going through a Kristen Ashley phase which has been fun. Love the big burly Alphas she’s got going on. Same with “Reaper’s Property” by Joanna Wylde and “Real” by Katy Evans. Horse and Remy, RAWR.

Is there one person - living or dead - that you would absolutely love to meet, and why?
Stephen King. I think he is amazing.

I find all your sex scenes to be very (hot) realistic, mutually satisfying, and respectful - especially the M/M/F sexploits in Flesh - what kind of research or preparation do you do (if any) before writing sexy scenes? *waggles eyebrows*
Haha, let’s put that one down to the over-active imagination again. My mind disgusts me.

What are your biggest sexual turn-ons and turn-offs, in the opposite sex?
I think one of the biggest sexual turn-ons is being with someone who is genuinely 110% into you. Sex can be mighty exposing, so you have to be able to trust them enough to let your guard down and have some fun. The biggest turn-off would be someone who was selfish and had no taste for the job to hand. Kick ‘em out of bed, ladies.

If your husband was to give you a (theoretical) ‘free pass’ who would you use it for?
This week … let’s go with Chris Hemsworth with long blond hair. Yum.

Thank you so much for answering my questions Kylie, and for being a good sport on the slightly risqué ones ;P

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Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.
Read my review here

Buy Links

http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/flesh/

Amazon US

About the Author:

Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Author Links
Web Page
Twitter
Facebook


Tour Stops:

July 1st- www.Twinsietalk.blogspot.com

July 2nd- www.joannawlkr.blogspot.ca/

July 3rd- www.kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com

July 4th- www.Selena-lost-in-thought.blogspot.com

July 5th- www.daydrmzzz.blogspot.com/

July 6th- www.mybookchatterchat.blogspot.com

July 7th- www.crystalsmanyreviews.blogspot.com/

July 8th- www.pageflipperz.blogspot.com

July 9th- www.rhyllbiest.com

July 10th- www.welovekink.com

July 11th- www.sugarandspiceandeverythingnaughty.blogspot.com/

July 12th- www.romfanreviews.com/

July 13th- www.thebookpushers.com

July 14th- www.stephaniesbookreports.blogspot.com  

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Book Review: The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk

Title: The Outcast Prince (Court of Annwyn #1)
Author: Shona Husk
Release Date: July 2nd 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley
Caspian Mort can feel the history in anything he touches, a gift he inherited from his father, the Crown Prince of Annwyn. Devastated over his ex-wife's infidelity, Caspian has withdrawn from human contact except when working as an antiques dealer.

While assessing the contents of the historic Callaway House he encounters the beautiful Lydia Callaway and senses that her home is haunted by a banished fairy. But what does the dangerous exile want? Unbeknownst to Lydia, she's the owner of the last remaining portal to Annwyn—a mirror hidden somewhere in the house. To keep Lydia safe, Caspian will have to divulge the secrets of his heritage, and risk losing his heart again.

My Thoughts

Many YA books of late have made this subject extremely popular so I was expecting a great deal more from this grown up version of a fairy tale.

The Outcast Prince has an interesting storyline, it's very well written and easy to read but I wasn’t overwhelmed with feelings for the main characters. I didn’t feel that they had a whole lot of depth. Sadly I just didn’t care for them as much as I probably should, especially Lydia; I found her to be boring and disingenuous.
I did enjoy Caspian’s strange gift of psychometrics, and the love hate relationship he had with it; especially when touching the antique beds; but beyond that, he also fell flat for me.

Overall I enjoyed the mystery aspect, liked the romance and found the fairy characters interesting, but I wasn’t moved beyond that to fall in love with this book.
To be honest, I really was hoping for a little more sizzle from this book; both beneath the sheets and otherwise.

An enjoyable and slightly more adult take on the world of fairy, The Outcast Prince gets 3.5 stars :]