Happy Book-aversary, Britni Hill!

From the Rubble is turning 1 today!  To celebrate it will be .99 for the next 3 days!!  Thanks to Kate Roth for celebrating with me!

From the Rubble is a follow up novella to my full length novel Tears in the Rubble.

In the wake of a terrible betrayal, Taylor and Layla bury their feelings for the other, good and bad, just to get by day to day.  Forced together because of their daughter, Taylor struggles to forgive Layla so he falls into the role of fatherhood, naturally striving to be the best father he can be.

Layla’s guilt overwhelms her as she fights herself over her feelings for Taylor.  After all, she doesn’t believe she deserves another chance.  She’s already had too many. 

Making a family out of a broken relationship won’t be easy, but with both Taylor and Layla pushing forward, will they ever find a new normal?  Will they ever confront their feelings for one another?

And now an excerpt from the book...



“I wasn’t counting on you wearing those shoes.” Taylor laughed at the look on her face when she looked up at him.

Layla frowned and looked down at her small feet.

“I was just thinking how I’m always wearing the wrong shoes.” She met his gaze, her eyes bright in the streetlight as she shrugged and smiled up at him. Unable to help himself, Taylor pulled them to a stop. Taking a step forward, he crowded Layla knowing he was in her personal space. Still holding her hand, he placed his free hand on her waist and propelled her backwards into the red brick of the building next to them. Layla looked startled for a second but she recovered quickly and a seductive heat lit her hazel eyes. The tip of her pink tongue darted out and ran across her bottom lip leaving a sheen of wetness behind. Taylor dipped his head pushing his hips into her, pinning her to the wall. It dawned on him that for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t having the inner struggle over whether he should kiss her or not. He knew this was right, he knew what they had was real. He was excited but not nervous. His hand landed on the back of her neck, his fingers tangled in her hair and his thumb stroked her jaw just before his lips touched hers. As always the feeling was electric. Using his thumb, he tilted her head more and ran his tongue along her bottom lip. Layla shivered and opened her mouth. Her arms wound around his neck, her nails digging into the skin there as she pulled him closer. Layla’s tongue stroked his own before retreating into her mouth with his following. Taylor could feel the heat of her skin through the thin material of her dress and all he really wanted was to feel that heat against his own flesh. They broke apart, both of them breathing heavily.

“I don’t think I'll ever get tired of doing that,” Layla whispered in his ear.

Pressing his forehead against her shoulder, Taylor pulled back and searched her face.  Taylor watched Layla pull her bottom lip into her mouth and frown.

“Do you really think we can make this work? What I did…”

From the Rubble is available today through Oct 19^th for .99 on Amazon.

Britni is the author of Tears in the Rubble and From the Rubble which were both released in 2012.  She is a licensed cosmetologist and an admitted book addict. 

Britni’s inspirations come from the lively and interesting world around her.  Friends and family add to the stories in her head constantly.  Her love of music, movies, art, and people watching spark her ideas and help give them shape.  Britni uses real life to shape realistic characters and stories.  She is hard at work on her next release and counting down the days until she can share it with you.

Thanks for coming by to celebrate, Britni! Here is my review of the book!

After reading Tears in the Rubble, I felt like I had a good idea of where Taylor and Layla would end up but it's always nice to see more of characters that you love! If you were left wanting more after Tears in the Rubble this book will satisfy you without a doubt! From the Rubble was such a lovely ending to a tender story and it only makes me more anxious for something else from Britni Hill.

Visit Britni at www.britnihillbooks.com or like her on facebook at www.facebook.com/BritniHillAuthor.

Don’t forget to check out the giveaway with lots of great prizes including a signed copy of From the Rubble, a copy of the soundtrack, an Amazon gift card, and 2 ebook copies of From the Rubble.  Enter to win under the giveaway tab on my website www.britnihillbooks.com.

Book Spotlight : Love's Sweet Vengeance by Joanne C. Berroa

Welcome Joanne C. Berroa with her newest Rebel Ink Press release! See what Love's Sweet Vengeance is all about.

The Old West in 1866 spells romance and danger. Pair a smart and independent lady sheriff in New Mexico Territory with a virile bounty hunter and you get sizzling chemistry, even though they’re at odds with each other and their objectives.

Garrett Wade and Amanda Larson form a truce to work together to track down Clem Jones, the outlaw responsible for Garrett’s wife’s murder. But will the justice they’re after consist of Amanda’s way or Garrett’s?   Amanda, a lawman first and foremost, wants to bring Jones in for a fair trial, but Garrett wants only revenge--to put a bullet between the wretched outlaw’s eyes. 

Their quest leads them into mortal danger, while a powerful lust brings them together in ways neither bargained for. Can they survive the peril, exact justice, endure a gut-wrenching separation, and still nurture their lust into an abiding love?

You can buy Love's Sweet Vengeance on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and ARe 

 

And now an excerpt...

        Through the trees a gray wolf appeared, its fangs dripping with saliva. The wolf saw Amanda the same time she saw it. She leveled the gun in her hand and was about to release a warning shot to scare away the wolf.

“Fire that gun and you’ll alert Clem Jones you’re on his tail.”

She turned quickly to her left where a man in black attire sat atop a handsome stallion. On his head was a ten gallon hat with ties beneath his chin. She recognized the face as that of Garrett Wade.

“How’d you get out of jail?” she asked.

He removed his hat and flung it deftly in the wolf’s direction, sending the animal scurrying back into the woods. Garrett dismounted and retrieved his hat. Dusting it off on the side of his leg, he crossed to where Amanda was standing.

“Your deputy’s a good man, Sheriff,” he said. “We had a little chat. I explained to him if he let me go, I’d look out for you and make sure no harm came to you. He said he promised your pa he’d take care of you. He admitted he didn’t like you riding out alone after that sonofabitch Jones.”

“John let you go?” she said, her pretty blue eyes wide as saucers.

“Sometimes it takes a man like him and not a boy like you to know what’s right and what’s wrong. He shares the same code of honor as I do.”

She frowned. Had she heard him correctly? He thought she was a boy? “A boy?” she said incredulously. “Are you calling me a boy?” Her scowl showed her irritation.

“No offense. You look kinda young to be a man.”

“You are a fool, Mister Wade. I’m not a boy. I’m a woman. ”

Even in the waning light she could see his startled expression and it pleased her. The idiot couldn’t tell a woman from a boy.

He looked her over as if seeing her for the first time then a slow smile spread across his face. He laughed. “Well, I’ll be damned. A woman sheriff? What won’t they think of next?

***

Here's a little about Joanne in her own words...

 

I’ve been writing all my life and that’s a few years. Back in 1983, Dell published my novel, “The Barbary Coasters.”  It was set during the 1860’s in the Barbary Coast of San Francisco and was part of a series of books written by different authors called, “The Making of America.” My pseudonym was Lee Davis Willoughby.

I’ve written articles for several computer magazines over the last thirty years doing software and hardware reviews and ads.  I was also a photographer for cover art for two magazines back in the 80’s, and currently write profiles for businesses and professionals for Micromedia Publications, a local newspaper publisher.

Rebel Ink Press has released three of my historical romances thus far: My Life, My Heart – a time travel novel with a twist; On Angels’ Wings – a novel set during the turbulent years of World War II; and Love’s Sweet Vengeance – a novel of love and danger set in the old west in 1866 (my newest release).

When I’m not reading or writing, I teach piano and organ.

Find Joanne on her website and her blog.

Best of luck with your newest release, Joanne!

Jennifer Wilck : The Author Interview

Today I have fellow Rebel, Jennifer Wilck here answering some questions and sharing a little about her new release!

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m a New Jersey native, although I went to college in the Midwest (where I learned to flatten my accent, at least temporarily). I’m married with two girls (aged 11 and 14) and there is a LOT of drama in my house! I’ve been writing pretty much my entire life. Prior to writing romance, I was a magazine writer and editor and I did some freelance work for a while as well. I’ve published two contemporary romances and The Seduction of Esther is my third.

What was the querying/agent/publishing search process like for you?

It was a very long process originally. Like everyone else, I did a lot of research into agents and editors who were appropriate for me to query. I am a member of RWA, and I’ve taken many classes and about querying, etc. This time around, I spoke to my writer friends about their experiences with their publishers, and I heard such great things about Rebel Ink Press that I decided to go to them with this book.

What genre do you enjoy writing most? Is there another genre you would like to try at some point?

I love writing contemporary romance, but if I ever get brave enough, I might try historical. The research is what scares me though, because everything has to be exactly right. But I have a story in my head that one day I may try.

Do you have a writing ritual or a certain way you like to get ready to write?

Honestly, my time is so limited that I just sit down and start to write. Not that everything I write is any good, but I don’t have time for rituals. This past February, I participated in a 30K writing challenge, which meant I had to write approximately 1,000 words a day. For that, I made sure to write first thing in the morning so that I’d be sure to get my writing in each day, rather than get distracted by other things. The discipline was terrific!

Tell us about one of your characters you loved writing:

In The Seduction of Esther, the heroine is a klutz whenever she is around attractive men, and I had such a good time writing her! There’s one scene where Samara is getting ready for a date with the hero, Nathaniel, and first she gets the hiccups and then her hair gets caught on a button and, well, it was just a lot of fun getting her into troublesome situations and having to figure out a way to get her out.

Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? If so, what changed?

Oh my gosh, every time I get a rejection letter I am convinced that I’m horrible! But it’s forced me to at least pretend that I have a thick skin and eventually, I’m able to convince myself that I can do this. Writing is subjective; just because one person doesn’t like something, doesn’t mean everyone dislikes it.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write because you love it. Write because you can’t imagine not writing. Learn your grammar, but don’t get caught up in the millions of “rules” that everyone talks about. Use common sense and be professional. And don’t stop writing.

What is your current obsession (absolutely anything)?

You mean aside from shoes? Um, I’d have to say I have certain TV shows that I love—like Game of Thrones, Dr. Who and Criminal Minds. I don’t know if I’m obsessed with them, but I really enjoy watching them and look forward to them every week.

Tell us about one of your recent releases:

My newest release, which came out June 3, is The Seduction of Esther. It’s a contemporary romance around the Jewish holiday of Purim. Here’s the blurb:

Samara Goldberg has a problem even the most beautiful singing voice can’t fix. She’s a walking disaster, especially when she’s around handsome men. To make matters worse, she’s in desperate need of someone to play the character of Mordecai for the Purim spiel she’s producing and the new congregant, Nathaniel Abramson, is a perfect fit. Nathaniel is a divorced dad who’s recovering from the biggest public scandal of his life. The last thing he needs is a relationship with the choir director at his new synagogue, who also happens to be playing the lead female role of Esther in the very play he’s been coerced into joining.

Woven around the Jewish holiday of Purim, The Seduction of Esther is a story of two people whose lives mirror the plot of the Purim story. Like Esther, who had to hide her Jewish identity from the King of Persia, Samara and Nathaniel are hiding key pieces of themselves. Evil Haman wanted to destroy the Jews, and the nasty Josh will do anything to keep Samara and Nathaniel apart. Will their love survive, like the Jewish people in Shushan, Persia, or will their fear keep them apart?

Sounds fantastic, Jennifer! 

Find Jennifer on Facebook 

She in on Twitter @JWilck

Her website www.jenniferwilck.com and blog  www.jenniferwilck.wordpress.com

And on one other blog to which she contributes www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com

The Seduction of Esther is available at these retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and ARe

Here is an excerpt: 

           Samara stared at her reflection in the mirror, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The breath was supposed to relax her—to calm her nerves, lower her blood pressure and help her handle Nathaniel’s impending arrival. However, her body didn’t get the message, because all she achieved was a case of the hiccups. Terrific. Her stomach flopped and her hands trembled. She took another deep breath, opened her eyes and hiccupped.

            This was not happening. She could not go out on a date with Nathaniel with a case of the hiccups. No way, no how. She turned on the tap, filled a glass and took a sip of water. Hiccup. She brought the glass into the kitchen, put a spoon in it and took another sip. Hiccup. She drank from the opposite side of the glass. Hiccup. Moisture on her chest made her look down. Wonderful, now I’ve spilled on my blouse. She put the glass in the sink and raced back into her bedroom to change into a sweater. She undid enough buttons to fit her head through the opening and yanked.

            “Ow!”

            Her hair caught on a button. As she lowered the blouse, more hair got stuck. Now the blouse hung in front of her face, neither fully on nor fully off.

            “Argh!”

            She reached her arm in front of her, felt for the bed so she could sit and untangle her hair. As she floundered, the doorbell rang.

            “No!”

            Please, please, please don’t be Nathaniel. The three days since his phone call asking her out had made ketchup falling out of a Heinz bottle seem quick. Despite her manner on the phone with him, she’d been so excited for today. Her mind wandered to him at the most inopportune times, like when she sang, worked on the spiel, walked down the street. She examined every note she sang and wondered how he’d receive it; she contemplated, and refused, moving scenes around to give Esther more time with Mordecai; she examined every man she passed and compared him to Nathaniel.

            No matter how she hid it or reason it out, she could no longer deny her feelings for him. He made her laugh, he made her relax and he made her feel like the most important woman in the room. She could stare at his hands all day and watch the way they moved when he spoke. When they touched her, her whole body tingled. The air she breathed with him was fresher, filled with more oxygen. Time froze, yet at the same time, sped by. Her worries faded away; he made her feel invincible. If he were here now, he’d laugh and have her untangled in an instant. But she would be mortified. There was no way she could let him see her like this. There was nothing she could do—she’d have to skip the date and make up some excuse later. She held her breath as her stomach dropped with disappointment. She didn’t dare move, for fear of alerting him to her presence. The doorbell rang again, accompanied by a scratchy, jingly noise.