Tour: The Christmas Dare by Joan Chandler (Amazon GC)

Hi everyone,

Today I would like to introduce you to a new book—The Christmas Dare—just in time for Christmas. Maybe there's still someone you need to buy a present for? 

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a gift card.

Joan will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card, winner's choice, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

The Christmas Dare

By Joan Chandler

Self-professed Christmas addict Gia Dixon, and by-the-book Ethan Castle have been best friends all their lives. When tragedy strikes Ethan’s family, Gia’s the rock he depends on to pull him through the darkest days. Then, a shared, long-forgotten memory leads to an unexpected yet tender kiss.  Can a simple Christmas dare help them find true love?

                                                                         

                                                                       EXCERPT

Funny how times had changed, Gia thought to herself. How was it possible to have gone all these years and not have thought of him romantically? Yet now all she wanted to do was steal a minute alone to kiss him again. Or more.

She saw headlights coming down the road and opened the door, preparing to walk out to meet him.

“No, ma’am,” she heard Ethan call out. He was already getting out of his Jeep and motioned for her to turn around and go back inside.

She was unsure what to make of it, but did as he asked. Then she heard the doorbell ring.  Slowly she opened the door, and saw his smiling face. She backed up a step to allow him to walk inside.

“We may be taking things slow, but I’m still going to do it the right way. When I ask you out on a date, I’ll park and come to your door. If this were seven years ago and you were living at home, your dad would have kicked my ass if he ever caught me letting you just walk out to the curb to get in my car.”

Gia could easily recall the many times her father had complained about that when other boys had done it to her.

“How right you are. My mistake.” She laughed. “From now on I’ll expect to be courted properly according to the Henry Dixon Dating Manual.”

“Besides, stealing a quick moment alone behind closed doors gives me the opportunity to do this.” He pulled her into his embrace to softly kiss her.

When their lips parted, she commented, “I don’t think Daddy had that in mind when he made up that particular rule. But you score extra points for showing initiative.” 

                                                               AUTHOR BIO

Joan Chandler is a Florida native who has lived in the Deep South all of her life. She is married with two children who are her pride and joy. She lives a double life of sorts, holding down a nine-to-five job during the day, and writing steamy romance at night—often with her black cat curled up in her arms as she types.

When she’s not spending her spare time working on her next novel, she loves to go camping, sharing girls’ night out with her friends, walking her two dogs, and watching football.

                                                            IMPORTANT LINKS

BLOG:  www.joanchandler.wordpress.com

Twitter account: @joanchandler1

Find author on facebook: Joan Chandler

Previously published works are Perfectly Imperfect, and No Regrets.  Both are available at:

Bookstrand.com:  http://www.bookstrand.com/joan-chandler

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=joan+chandler

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/joan-chandler?keyword=joan+chandler&store=allproducts

   
Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/11/virtual-super-book-blast-christmas-dare.html

Today's Free Book: Escape to the Country by Patsy Collins

Hi guys,

I just thought I'd let you know that Patsy's novel, Escape to the Country, is free today. Grab yourselves a copy and pass on the word. Enjoy. And don't forget to let the author know what you think.

Escape to the Country

Leah is accused of a crime she didn't commit. Dumped by Adam, the man she planned to marry, she escapes to Aunt Jayne's smallholding in the Kent village of Winkleigh Marsh. Heartbroken and homeless, she strives to clear her name and deal with her emotions. Jayne treats Leah's unhappiness with herbal remedies, cowslip wine and common sense in equal measure. In return Leah works hard for the delicious home-cooked meals they share. She wrestles with sheep, breaks nails and gets stuck in the mud - learning as much about herself as she does about farming. Soon Leah is happy milking cows, mucking out pigs and falling halfway in love with Duncan, a dishy tractor driver. Back in London, steps are being taken to investigate what's happened to the missing money. It looks as though the real embezzler must soon be unmasked and Leah will have to chose between resuming her old life or starting a new one. That's when her problems really start.

Download for free here: AMAZON

One Lovely Blogger Award

Gosh, how time flies. It's been a while since I posted about my life. I had so much to do in the last few weeks; university, work, editing next novel, moving into a new place. I officially hate moving. But hubby and I are settled now.I can breathe again.

Before I start posting more often, I'd like to thank my wonderful author friend, Debbie Brown, author of Amethyst Eyes, for awarding me with the One Lovely Blog award. I'm a bit late in receiving it, but better late than never, right?

Here are the requirements for the award:

1. Include the picture in the post

2.Thank the person who nominated you

3. Nominate at least 15 other blogs

4. Tell Nominees

5. Give 7 random things about yourself

* * *

My 7 Randomness's are:

I love to cry, when I feel stressed. I feel so much better afterwards. I intend to write a short post on that soon:-). I just think it's a great gift. Sleep too:-)

I hate it when people gossip about others. I do my best to stay away from such people. Who's to say they won't gossip about me as soon as I turn my back?

I feel claustrophobic when around too many people (this is no surprise, I guess. My home country, Namibia only has around 2 million people. Namibia is almost three times bigger than Germany, by the way. German population is 81,799,600.).

I don't have a sweet tooth; instead, I love salty, sour, and spicy food...yum.

I don't like coffee, tea, or any hot drinks (unless I have a terrible cold and am desperate)

The next language I want to learn, after improving my Spanish, is Chinese (Then I'll speak Oshiwambo, English, German, Spanish, and Chinese). I'm still working on my husband's mother tongue.

I enjoy watching funny children clips on Youtube (when I can spare a moment). Here's one to hopefully make you laugh.

  
My Nominees are:

Julia Hones

J.L. Campbell

David M. Brown

Teresa Ashby

Carol Riggs

Patsy Collins

bel

Lauren F. Boyd

Carol Riggs

Miss Kimberly Stardust   

Delinda Mccann 

Akoss 

Mysti Parker

Stacy Post

Thabitha Olson

Super Book Tour: Across the Winds of Time

Today I’m excited to introduce you to Across the Winds of Time by Bess McBride. Read the blurb, admire the cover (designed by Tamra Westberry, the same cover artist who designed both of mine), enjoy the excerpt, and decide if it’s just the book you’ve been waiting for. Oh, don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

While on a genealogical research journey through the Midwest, Molly Hamilton impulsively buys a 100-year-old Victorian house in the middle of a cornfield, and falls in love with the house’s owner...the original owner, that is. Can he be a ghost? The handsome, intriguing attorney certainly feels solid—and somehow her soul knows she has always loved him.

Darius Ferguson has no idea how he has come to present-day Iowa. The last thing he knew, the year was 1880, and he had just buried his fiancée, who happens to look exactly like Molly. He cannot separate the two women in his heart—to him, they are one.

In spite of being drawn to him, Molly thinks Darius is unhinged. Darius wonders if he has joined his fiancée in purgatory. If time travel is possible, will love be enough to build a future together?

EXCERPT

“I can take care of myself, Darius.  I’ve done it all my life.  I’ll take care of us.”

Darius stared at me for a moment, his eyes hardening.  He rose abruptly and went to stand by the railing, staring down the driveway to the road beyond. 

 “I am unmanned by the thought, Molly.  How will we go on then?  Will I cook and clean for you while you take care of me and buy my clothing, my toiletries, my food?”

The bitterness in his voice frightened me, and I fell silent—unsure what words might make the situation worse.

He turned to face me, bracing his palms on the railing behind him, a harsh set to his jaw. 

 “I could wish that I had never “appeared” here—in your time—but I cannot bear the thought of losing you again.  I love you, Molly.  I think I must set about proving my worth to you.  I will rebuild this house such that it will protect you from all harm.  I will take care of you so that you have the strength to provide for us.”  The break in his voice tore at my heart.  “I will tend to your every need as best I can given my limited means.  And if you should find me a burden, you have only to say the word, and I will be gone.  If nothing else, I now know how to leave.”  On that bitter note, Darius turned and strode down the length of the porch and around to the side of the house and out of sight.

AUTHOR BIO

Bess McBride made her first serious writing attempt when she was 14. She shut herself up in her bedroom one summer while obsessively working on a time travel/pirate novel set in the beloved Caribbean of her youth, but she wasn't able to hammer it out on a manual typewriter (oh yeah, she's that old) before it was time to go back to school. The draft of that novel has long since disappeared, but the story is still simmering within, and she will finish the adventure one day soon.

Bess was born in Aruba to American parents and lived in Venezuela until her family returned to the United States when she was 12. She couldn't fight the global travel bug within and joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 to "see the world." After 21 wonderful and fulfilling years traveling the world and gaining one beautiful daughter, she pursued her dream of finally getting a college education. With a license in mental health therapy, she worked with veterans and continues to work on behalf of veterans. She writes romantic suspense, contemporary, light paranormal/fantasy and time travel romances and currently has eight novels published. She can be contacted through her web site at http://www.bessmcbride.com.

Important Links

www.bessmcbride.com

http://willtravelforromance.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAYS

The author will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one random commenter during the tour. Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-blast-across-winds-of-time-by-bess.htmll

 

Distraction by J.L Campbell (Interview and Giveaways)

Today I would like to introduce you to another author and her books. I’d like to welcome J.L. Campbell and her novel, Distraction, to Novel Moments. J.L. has brought along a few giveaways. Don’t forget to enter.

J.L., please tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m Jamaican, a wife, mother, prolific writer and avid reader.

What keeps you writing?

I like making up stories and it never ceases to touch me when people ask me what I’m going to do about this or that character when they find out the book hasn’t been published. I find inspiration everywhere and that also keeps me churning out stories.

Tell us a little about your novel, Distraction?

Distraction is about choices and relationships. Three friends travel far off the beaten path because of their individual situation. The novel explores spousal abuse, infidelity and our ability to triumph over our challenges.

How did you come up with the title?

The title chose itself-because of their problems, Dionne, Kyra and Justine take their eyes off everything they value in their lives.

Is there a certain message you would like readers to get out of this novel?

I hope that readers can look beyond the problems the women face and examine the deeper issues in the story. We sometimes make the wrong choices, but most of us can and do decide to do the right thing. It takes my characters a while to move in the right direction, but that’s the nature of the story.

Do you experience writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Not at all. I’m able to write as necessary. I’m sure part of the reason I’ve never experienced writer’s block is because I write in phases. I go full speed ahead when I have a story to tell and there are times when I go for ages without writing. When I start feeling guilty, it’s usually time to get going again.

Are you a full time writer? If not, how do you make time to write?

I have a full-time job, but I’d love to be able to stay home and write all day, every day. Most of my novels were written between 2004 and 2009. Some of those are still not published, but during the time frame I mentioned, I wrote before work, during  my lunch time and after work. 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Three Jamaican women walk a tightrope of decisions when their lives are derailed by blackmail, deceit and infidelity.

JUSTINE CHARLES, sensible and self-contained, battles an addiction which could destroy her marriage, reputation, and relationship with her daughter.

DIONNE JONES, an aggressive go-getter, takes risks that cut a trail of devastation through her family and business.

KYRA MILLS, struggling single mother, is crippled by debt, bad judgment and destructive choices.

Can two of the long-time friends survive startling revelations 

Thanks so much, J.L, for being here today. I wish you lots of sales. 

Dear friends and followers, I invite you to download a complimentary copy of A Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Steps to Distraction from Smashwords. In this prequel, you’ll meet Dionne, Kyra and Justine a year before Distraction takes place. I hope you’ll like this taste of friendship and things Jamaican.

At the end of this Friendship tour, there’ll be a main prize of a Distraction note book & pen and a $10 Amazon gift card. The second prize is a paperback copy of Distraction. Sign up for that at the Rafflecopter here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican and the author of Contraband, Distraction, Dissolution, Don’t Get Mad…Get Even, Giving up the Dream and Hardware (pen name Jayda McTyson). Campbell is always on the lookout for story making material, loves company and can usually be found lollygagging on her blog at http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com

Important Links

J.L. Campbell on Amazon

J.L. Campbell on Facebook

J.L. Campbell on Goodreads

J.L. Campbell on Twitter