Wednesday, October 16, 2013

**Sweet 'n Steamy Blog Tour**


Welcome to my stop on the Sweet 'n Steamy Blog Tour, spotlighting one sweet book, Halo's Wish, and one steamy book, Jilted. My stop includes all the info for both books, excerpts for both books, an interview with both Sharon Kleve and Kara Leigh Miller, and a giveaway! Phew! ;)


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Halo's Wish by Sharon Kleve
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Christmas Romance
Release Date: 9.15.2013
Length: 11K
Heat Rating: Sweet

Book Blurb 
Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.

Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted. 

Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.

Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both for Christmas?




**Excerpt** 

She'd just placed another call through to Pemsky's office, which went straight to his voicemail, when the office door opened. Halo smiled and looked up into dreamy, gold-flecked green eyes, short sandy brown hair, a slight cleft chin, and full lips set in a hard line. Even with the stern look he had on his face, her hormones jumped into overdrive. 

Mr. Dreamy cleared his throat—she must've been staring. In her most professional voice she said, "Good morning. How may I help you?" 

He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and unfolded the sheet.

"I was parked in front of the Beacon Hill Ale House and my driver's side mirror was sideswiped by one of Pemsky's Security's SUV's Friday night." 

Halo loved the Beacon Hill Ale House. Every Saturday night the Ale House allowed local bands to jam together. That's where she'd met her last loser boyfriend. She'd had a lot of loser boyfriends. She's currently on a hiatus from dating, but she wouldn't mind jumping back into the dating game for this dream-boat.

He handed her the piece of paper.

"I wasn't able to get a look at the driver, but I got the license plate number of the vehicle that hit my car and drove away." 

He emphasized the last part.

"I'm very sorry about your car. I'm sure Mr. Pemsky will be happy to cover the damage." Halo checked the company log and Pemsky's name popped up as the driver—she gulped.


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Jilted by Kara Leigh Miller
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 9.15.2013
Length: 49K
Heat Rating: Hot

Book Blurb
Amy and Brett have been friends since they were kids; and their friendship has withstood the test of time. But can it withstand Brett's fiancĂ©e, Vanessa? 

Brett Hudson has often wondered what it would be like to be more than Amy's friend, but when he's chosen as the newest professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, he meets Vanessa, one of the shows costume designers and it's a whirlwind romance that ends in a wedding proposal. As the big day draws closer, Brett begins to think that marrying Vanessa might be a bad idea. She wants him to give up Amy. Completely. Will he give up his best friend for the woman he's supposed to marry?

Amy King is heartbroken to learn that Brett is marrying another woman. But, when Brett is jilted at the altar, he begs Amy to go on his honeymoon with him. A week on a tropical island with her best friend, the man she's fantasized about for years is a dream come true for Amy. But when Brett suggests crossing the line from friends to lovers, Amy is reluctant. Will she risk years of friendship for one night of passion? 




**Excerpt**

"It's because you go for the wrong type of guy," Brett said matter-of-factly, pouring a third shot down his throat. "Those muscle bound jocks are all bark and no bite. They look good on the outside, but they're a mess on the inside."

Amy threw a piece of ice at him and laughed. "And the goody two shoes, school teacher types you date are much better?"

"Nope." He grinned. "Which is why we're both still single."

She sighed. "Yeah, so much for my dream of having kids."

"You're young. I'm sure you'll find someone." He drank his last shot and chased it with his beer. 

"I'm thirty, Brett. By the time I find a man, date him, and get married, I'll be an old hag with no viable eggs."

The thought of Amy finding a man to marry and have kids with didn't sit well with him. He couldn't stomach the thought of losing her. "I'll tell you what." He leaned across the table and pointed at her. "Three years from now, if neither of us are married, I'll marry you and give you as many babies as you want." Brett's words were slurred. Yup. He was definitely drunk. He wouldn't have made that proposition otherwise. 

"Yeah right." Amy rolled her eyes. "You and me? That would be like fucking my brother. Thanks, but no thanks."

He flinched at her words. "You think of me as your brother?" That bothered him a lot more than it should, especially considering he'd never once thought of her as a sister. 

She shrugged. "We're best friends. How else would I think of you?" Amy glanced away, and then set her gaze on him again. "Why? How do you think of me?"

Oh shit! He hadn't expected the conversation to backfire on him like that. What was he supposed to tell her? That he thought of her as a best friend that he wanted to fuck? No, he definitely couldn't tell her that. "As a friend, I guess. I don't know. It's not like I sit around and think about how I should think of you. You're Amy."

"And you're drunk."


"Maybe a little." He grinned. "So, do we have a deal or what?"




1) Can you tell us a little about yourself?

KARA: I'm a stay-at-home mom to five children, a husband, three cats, and two dogs. I spend my days writing and editing. When I'm not doing that, I'm spending time with my family and friends. Some of my favorite activities include reading, walking the dogs, watching movies, and playing cards with our friends. I really lead a very boring life. Lol. 

SHARON: I work full-time as a government contractor, no kids, one silly cat and a great husband. I say I write full-time because every free moment I'm either plotting or writing. 

I love to exercise, make bread, and hang out with my great friends. Oh, and I love gruesome, bloody horror flicks.

2) Why are readers going to love Jilted/Halo's Wish?

KARA: Jilted is an ultimate friends to lovers story and I really hope people love the relationship between Brett and Amy. The sex is really hot, too! 

SHARON: Halo's Wish is a sweet, Christmas Romance between a pet detective in-training and a Veterinarian. They both have a love of animals and a sense of humor.

3) Is there a particular scene that you enjoyed writing? Or a scene that was difficult to write?

KARA: There were so many scenes that I enjoyed writing, but the one that really stands out in my mind is the scene on the stairs when Amy is trying to decide whether or not to give into her physical desires. The most difficult scene to write was the one near the end when they're at the dance studio and Brett is trying to apologize to Amy for messing up – which he does a few times throughout the book. 

SHARON: There's a scene where Halo's being driven off a deserted road by a whacko. The sounds and feasibility of the crash were hard to write. I hope everyone enjoys it.

4) Do you have a favorite character from the book? Why?

KARA: Yes! I absolutely love Brett Hudson. He's sexy and funny and smart. In my mind, I see Brett being played as Chris Pine. Despite his faux pas, he's got a big heart that has Amy written all over it. Of course, it takes him a while to figure this out, but once he does, there's no stopping him.

SHARON: What animal lover wouldn’t love a Veterinarian with a big heart? Rich is sexy, nice and generous to a fault, but he can't cook.

5) What are you currently working on?

KARA: Several things, like usual. I'm finishing up the sequel to The Georgia Corbinswhich is slated for a July 2014 release. (Yay!) I'm also working on a novella length story loosely titled Carly's Curse, which is a modern day take on Cinderella. And I'm still working on Eternally Bound, which is an adult, erotic, paranormal romance. 

SHARON: Halo's Wish is book one in the Dreams Come True Series. I'm almost done with book two in the series and I'm feverishly working on book three. I'd like to have all of them released before Christmas.

6) Can you tell us a memorable moment you've had either as an author or a reader?

KARA: As a reader, my most memorable moment had to be when I got my signed copy of Ryan Winfield's, South of Bixby Bridge. I'm a huge fan of his and he's such an awesome writer and a great person in general. Any time I get an email from a fan is a memorable moment for me. I love hearing from my readers and I always personally respond. 

SHARON: As a reader, my most wonderful moment was when I got an email from my favorite author Janet Evanovich. Corny, in The Corny Myers Series is along the lines of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, with a psychic twist, she talks to animals. I emailed. It was an amazing experience that a hugely successful author still answers her fan's email.

Just for fun:

1) Are you a person who makes the bed every day or one who doesn't see the point?

KARA: I make the bed every day. I have to or else I feel like the house is messy. I know how crazy that sounds considering no one sees the bedroom. 

SHARON: I make it right before going to bed. It has to be perfectly made, all the corners tucked in tight, all the edges even on both sides. Weird ha?

2) Do you get road rage? What really makes you mad while driving?

KARA: Sometimes. It depends on my mood. But the one thing that really irritates me while driving is when people drive below the speed limit. I live in the country so the limit is typically 55 MPH on most roads and when I get behind someone who's doing 30 or 35, it really makes me angry. 

SHARON: I commute to work every day with my husband. He drops me off and picks me up so I don’t have a lot of opportunity to drive. But when I do, I expect everyone to stay in their lanes, drive the speed limit, and not talk on the cell. Really…is that too much to ask? So, yes I honk my horn occasionally… ha ha !

3) Is there anything that makes you screech and hide?

KARA: Snakes. God, I hate snakes! And Daddy Long Legs spiders. *shudders* 


SHARON: Not really.




Prizes:

• One (1) Winner will receive a $25 gift card to a book seller of their choice
• One (1) Winner will receive Kara Leigh Miller's complete backlist, which includes five novellas and two full-length books
• One (1) Winner will receive Sharon Kleve's complete backlist, which includes six books
• Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Kara Leigh Miller's, Death of a Waterfall
• Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Sharon Kleve's, Love Crazed

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Legal Information:
- Entering this contest means you have read, understood, and agree with all rules and regulations stated.
- Entrants must be 18 or older (or age of majority in your country) to enter and to win.
- No purchase necessary.
- Void where prohibited.
- All stated rules are subject to change without notification or reason given.
- Chances of winning vary widely based on the number of entries received.
- Prize is as stated. No substitutions or exchanges.
- Contest host/organizer is not responsible to misrepresented/mis-typed email addresses, spam filters, mailer demons, and other internet wackiness that may crop up at the time of winner notification.
- Winners are final.
- Contest Starts 00:01EST September 15, 2013 and Ends 12:59EST October 16, 2013 and open to International participants.
- Winners will be notified via email, Twitter, or Facebook no later than 12:00EST October 18, 2013 
-Respond by date to collect prize is 14 days from notification date.




Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.

Sharon is a writer of paranormal and contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other's arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.

When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels. 



Kara is a multi-published romance author who dabbles in young adult, new adult, 
paranormal, and contemporary romances. However, her genre of choice will always be
erotic romance. She's a member of the CNY Writers Haven and the Romance Writers of
America. Writing is her passion and she loves yo share her knowledge and enthusiasm with her fellow authors and her fans. 

Today, Kara resides in Upstate New York with her husband, five kids, three cats, and two dogs. When she's not reading or writing, she's spending time with her family and friends. 

Nothing excites Kara more than hearing from her fans. So, send her a note. She'll go total fan girl over it!



16 comments:

  1. Sweet and steamy? I love sweet and I love steamy. Love the excerpts and great interview =]

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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    Replies
    1. Hi Teresa,

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting today.

      Sharon

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    2. Yep, I like sweet and steamy too - especially together! ;) Thanks, Teresa!

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  2. Hi Bookworm Brandee,

    We really appreciate your support and interview.

    Sharon

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    1. My pleasure, Sharon! Thanks for doing the interview. That was fun! ;)

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  3. Mmm I'm really in the mood for something steamy today! And that excerpt alone is pretty steamy! And I love the excerpt for the sweet as well, but steamy...

    Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway, Brandee! *hugs*

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lexxie,

      Thanks for stopping by today.

      Sharon

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    2. Yeah, that steamy excerpt put me in the mood for some steamy too, Lexxie! I hope you got some sweet & steamy! ;)

      Good luck in the giveaway! *hugs*

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  4. the blurb and cover look awesome. I like it steamy with just a little sweetness. I would go to Ireland

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  5. Sweet n steamy sounds like a summary for Amy and Brett. Jilted sounds like a new twist on an old story.

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    Replies
    1. You're right, Tina! Thanks so much for stopping by. Good luck in the contest.

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  6. Thanks for doing the Giveaway.

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  7. Both of these books sound like keepers!

    Sweet or Steamy? Do I have to choose only one? Well, after thinking long and hard I decided I can't choose one over the other. I need both to satisfy my two halves ... the nice and the naughty.

    Cute pet story ... This past spring I got my Nyxie Nu fixed although what I got return to me wasn't my Nu Nu. I mean sure she looked like my Nu but she didn't act like my Nu. How you may ask? Well, I think they injected her with Canine DNA but after she was all healed up she just randomly starting chasing her tail like a dang dog! What cat does that? NONE that I know of. But I still keep her because she is too darn cute even if she now possesses genes from the enemy camp. Okay I hope you enjoyed my story and got a good chuckle too.

    As for my bucket list for places to visit the list is endless ... Greece, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, England, Australia and Serbia ... just to name a few.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry for being a day late :( My email and Twitter accounts were hacked so I feel like I've been chasing my tail trying to work it all out. lol.

    Brandee, thank you for having us on your blog. The interview questions were great and a lot of fun to answer.

    And a huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by. =)

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??