Thursday 30 April 2015

#HIFortnight - Guest Post by Rae Rivers

Today for #HIFortnight Rae Rivers talks about writing a series.



My Top 5 Tips for Writing a Series


I’ve frequently been asked what it’s like to write a series and if I have any tips on how to approach one.  Writing The Keepers series was my first attempt but two years later, I’ve written three books and I’m finalising the fourth book, The Keepers: Ethan.  Here’s a glimpse of what I’ve discovered through this incredible journey:

1.    Keep a series notebook
Keep a notebook specifically dedicated to the series that lists all the characters, their personalities, traits, clothing choices  and marks.  When writing about my three gorgeous Keepers, I often had to check whose tattoo was placed where, which cheek had the dimple, which arm had the scar etc.  It’s also important to keep track of all the mythology, rules, spells, back story and general plot outline  - this will differ between each series.  And keep it updated!  This helped me tremendously.  Many of my readers read my books in a few days but for me, the series was written over a much longer period.  It’s easy to forget the smaller details!

2.    Be prepared for a lot of characters
The Keepers are three warrior brothers (plus their sister Sarah Bennett) who protect a powerful modern day witch.  Starting the series, I had five characters with varied personalities, speech patterns, habits etc.  Even though each book focuses on one hero (a brother) and heroine at a time, there is still a lot of interaction between all the characters.  At times, when everyone’s in one room together, it’s crazy fun – and challenging to keep up with everyone.  I had to spend a lot of time thinking about my characters, getting to know each one and making them all unique in their own way. 

3.    Introduce different settings
My Keepers live in a small fictional town called Rapid Falls.  They own a wine estate farming in Ice Wine. In the first book, The Keepers: Archer, most of the story took place in Rapid Falls.  Many of my scenes occurred in their mansion, often the kitchen which is the local gathering place for the family.  (Don’t you just love the warmth of a kitchen?)  When writing The Keepers: Declan, I wanted fresh settings but also still wanted to revisit the familiar ones from the previous book (like the kitchen back home.)  So I brought in New Orleans and a Canadian mountain range which offered lots of exciting opportunities for magic and mayhem.  When writing the scenes in Rapid Falls, I did revisit the kitchen but also introduced a few new rooms at the Bennett mansion that I hadn’t mentioned before to give the reader a fresh glimpse of the estate.  Playing with new settings was fun, fresh and helped me to avoid repetition.  (And my Keepers got themselves a gorgeous indoor pool area too! J)

4.     Remember where you’ve been, know where you’re headed
This statement sounds so obvious but in truth, it took me a long time to write the four books so it’s so easy to forget things that needed to be addressed/avoided/considered in later books. Initially I planned a plot outline for the entire series and knew how the final book would end but there were often times I had to sit back, breathe and remind myself what’s been done and where I’m going with the series.  To keep my focus, I use Pinterest, pin boards, photographs, notebooks, white boards, post it notes – basically anything visual that will keep me on track.  I also tend to have a quick read through the previous books to make sure I’ve covered everything.

5.     Keep calm and write
For me, writing a series is HARD WORK.  My Keepers are all full length novels (besides The Keepers: Sienna which is shorter) so each book is fairly long and complex.  The first book was easy. The second book a little harder as I had to incorporate the back story of the first book.  The third book – even harder as I had to keep moving forward with a fresh story but still incorporate the back story of two books without bogging down the plot.  The fourth book, The Keepers: Ethan, was even more challenging.  I had to consider the back story of THREE books (think plot points, magic, spells, folklore, mythology, characters, and villains!) and tie up all the loose ends introduced in the first books.  I had several villains, six main characters, and a few secondary characters – and they all needed their own space in the book.  (A book can only be so long, you know?)  Yikes!  So yes, there were times when writing my series became a tad overwhelming and my brain felt a little short of fried but that was usually a sign that I needed to step away and play with my kids, have a glass of wine, and hug my husband.  A short break often put things back into perspective and revved me up for the next round.  Keep calm and keep writing!  
So, having said all that, will I write another series?  YES!  (A little differently, but definitely.)  I’ve discovered that I am a series writer and despite the challenges, I love everything about it.  I can’t wait to start my next one!

Thanks for reading,



Rae Rivers


About The Author



I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets. Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and chocolate. For more information about my books, or me, please visit www.raerivers.com

I can also be found here:




#HIFortnight - Guest Post by Zara Stoneley

Today for #HIFortnight I have a guest post by Zara Stoneley about writing steamy scenes in a book



Writing Steamy Scenes! By Zara Stoneley, who’s written one or two.

Ok, here goes, an admission, I love writing steamy, sexy scenes. There, I’ve said it. But I do, although I know a lot of authors dread them, which can be tricky when the story demands a bit of ramping up and rumpy pumpy! So, here goes with my top tips on writing sexy, steamy scenes.

When you’re writing any scene it’s essential that you’re there, in the moment, with the characters. You are the characters. You have to feel the pain, share in the happiness, see and smell the surroundings, know them inside and out. And if you don’t, then it shows. If I don’t buy into what my leading lady is doing, then the reader will probably go, pah, I don’t believe it (although admittedly some steamy situations are a bit difficult to believe – but believe me, if I’ve written it, you can do it! Moving on swiftly…)

But this, I think, is the really important thing to remember if you’re writing those sexy scenes. It’s not about you, the author, and what your mother, other half or friends might think. It’s about your characters, and what they will do, think and feel. You need to get in their heads, their bodies, and live it out with them – and if they’re not feeling hot and bothered, then the reader won’t either.

Okay, so how?

First you need to know that what you’re about to commit to paper is what your heroine and hero would actually do.  Just because you’re under pressure to ramp things up, don’t yank your characters too far out of their comfort zones (they won’t enjoy the experience, which rather defeats the object). Come on, if she’s sweet and innocent, is she really going to start screaming tie me up, smother me with chocolate and lick me all over, however hot he is? And if she never swears or curses except under extreme circumstances, she’s not going to be begging to be f**d (if you’ll pardon the language) is she? Same with your leading man, as a writer you know him well, so don’t make him pretend he’s someone he isn’t. Yes, your geek might decide to go wild and jump off the top of the wardrobe dressed like Tarzan, but if he does then it’s likely to end in laughter – which is fine, in fact humour in the hot bits is fab… and can lead to the smiles fading as things get serious…

Second the steamy bits have to be within reason and fit the tone of the rest of the story. If kisses involve tongues and clashing teeth, then you can probably get quite naughty. But please don’t shock your readers! If I buy a book called ‘Chocolates and Marshmallows at the Corner CafĂ©’ with a cupcake on the cover I’m not going to be ready for the type of scene I might find in a book called ‘Whip me’ that’s got handcuffs and a muscle bound topless man adorning the front.

Third right, that’s the foreplay over so get into character! You should always write using all 5 senses, but it’s even more important when things heat up. So, close your eyes and feel it…. (And remember it’s not you doing this, it’s your heroine, so it doesn’t matter what you get up to and what your mother will think!)

Sound – hear the beat of his heart, the whispered word in your ear that sends a shiver of need down your spine. The silence as you hold your breath, knowing that he’s going to touch you, that any moment now his hand will move... That moment of everything else disappearing as his lips get closer to yours. Suspense, waiting for his touch, waiting for his hand to drift further down your body as all you can hear is..?
Smell – his smell, unique to him, the fresh smell of shampoo, the earthy smell of his skin wrapping round you, teasing your senses, making your heart beat faster. The smell of need, want that makes you damp with need/sets your stomach somersaulting/makes you reach out…
Touch – his fingertips rough against your skin as he traces a line along your jaw, the warmth of his palm cradling your head, the rush of goosebumps as his teeth graze your ear, as his damp lips burn a trail down your neck… That moment when your heart seems to stop, when your stomach does a flip… The sensation sliding across your skin as his teeth tease at that sensitive spot on your neck. The heat of his body against yours. The cold metal of his belt buckle against the warmth of your stomach.
Taste – (now you can of course get very carried away here, but..) imagine the taste of his kiss, the lingering taste of coffee/wine, and the salty tang of his skin as you kiss his chest…as the tension heightens, as you know you want more.
Sight – his eyes darkening to black as he holds your gaze, the tremor in his muscles, the teasing arrow of hair that draws your gaze ever downwards. The scar that you want to touch with your fingers, parts of him you’ve never really seen before. And as you’re drawn to them, reach out, his body shudders, he grabs your hand, tells you not to touch as it’s too much…

Now you might be screaming, yeah, but how exactly do I write the damned scene? Well, that’s my point. Concentrate on the bits above. Not on the mechanics. Really lose yourself in in the experience, and the words should come. To write a good sexy scene you can’t be logical and distant. There are no rules, it’s all about emotional and physical reactions.

And as you’re imagining all this, forget the purple prose, think ‘real’. I’m sorry I really don’t want to know about a ‘hard rod’ or heaving mounds of anything (eurgh) – I would never ever touch those! And as for throbbing, have you ever seen body bits throbbing?! Okay, that might be how it might feel – so that’s what you write, the character feeling that pulsating, throbbing, building… but if I saw any throbbing, believe me I’d be in the next county before any man could get near my knickers!

Seriously though, if you’re floundering to find the right words then read some hot books, and find out what you like, and what you can relate to.  There are also books (and blog posts) out there that list words to use in steamy scenes – just search the net.

And my final tip? Save writing the sexy bits for when you’re alone. You really wouldn’t get hot and steamy with your man when the kids were asking what time tea will be ready, the cat is rubbing his furry back up your nose, and the pizza is in the oven would you? You would?? Really? J


About Zara -


Bestselling author Zara Stoneley lives in deepest Cheshire surrounded by horses, dogs, cats and amazing countryside. When she's not visiting wine bars, artisan markets or admiring the scenery in her sexy high heels or green wellies, she can be found in flip flops on the beach in Barcelona, or more likely sampling the tapas!

Zara writes hot romance and bonkbusters. Her latest novels, 'Stable Mates' and ‘Country Affairs’, are fun romps through the Cheshire countryside and combine some of her greatest loves - horses, dogs, hot men and strong women (and not forgetting champagne and fast cars)! 

She writes for Harper Collins and Accent Press.

Latest release – Country Affairs
'A great treat for readers who love their books jam-packed with sexy men and horses.' Bestselling author Fiona Walker


Welcome back to Tippermere for the wedding of the year…

Scatty but loveable Lottie Brinkley is famous throughout the village for her disorganised personality so when she steps up to plan the perfect wedding the only likely outcome is disaster.

And when her globetrotting, love cheat of an ex, Todd, literally crashes the wedding on a not-so-noble steed things definitely look set to take a turn for the scandalous! As rumours of why he’s back spread through the village quicker than the stable girl can drop her knickers, is Lottie's future with sexy eventer Rory Steel about to fall at the next fence?

With a wave of unexpected pregnancies, steamy shenanigans in the hay and a farrier with more than shoeing horses on his mind, will Lottie ever be ready to take on the coveted title of Lady of the Manor and restore the Estate to its former glory?

As the heart of the village, Tipping House Estate, makes its move into the 21st Century, pulses start to race in a novel packed full of charm, hunky stallions (the guys that is), and a daring plan that just has to succeed...


Buy links:


Foyles  Waterstones   iTunes    Google Play     Blackwells 


Find out more about Zara:
Website      Twitter        Facebook        Google+


Runaway and Interview with Laura Salters



What They Say

“Ignorance is bliss...until there’s blood involved”

Drenched in blood and sitting in the sweltering interview room of a Thai police station, Kayla Finch knows that Sam, the love of her life, is dead. It doesn't matter that there's no body. All that blood can only mean one thing.

It isn't the first time Kayla's had blood on her hands. After finding her brother dead by his own hand, she tried to outrun her grief by escaping to Thailand. Heart-broken, the last thing she expected was to find love on the smoggy streets of Bangkok. But everyone Kayla loves seems to wind up dead. 

Returning home to England, Kayla is left with a barely-functioning family, a string of gruesome nightmares and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems. And as she confronts her brother's suicide, she starts to suspect that something is very wrong.

Three months. Two tragedies. One connection: there's more to both cases than anyone is willing to admit. And Kayla’s determined to uncover the truth…no matter what the cost.

Interview with Laura Salters

Can you tell us about Run AWAY?
Sure! When Kayla’s brother commits suicide, she books onto a gap year scheme to Thailand to escape her grief—and to find herself. While she’s out there, she meets a funny, charming guy called Sam and pretty soon they fall in love. But three months later, he vanishes, and she collapses in a pool of his blood. She returns to England suffering from crippling nightmares and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems, and the narrative flits between past and present as the reader tries to figure out what happened alongside Kayla. 

It’s equal parts fun romance and dark suspense, with exotic locations, drunken antics and plenty of red herrings thrown in for good measure!

Can you tell us about your inspiration for the story?
I was intrigued by the up-and-coming New Adult genre (college age characters and mature themes) but most of what I was reading was contemporary romance. Which is awesome, but I wanted something a little different. So I thought, what if we could combine this sexy romance with something darker and more suspenseful? 

How old were you when you started writing?
I was around seven or eight when I started “writing” stories about magical caves and the like. But I was 22 when I decided to properly try my hand at fiction writing—that’s when RUN AWAY was born. I was 23 when I signed with my agent, and I’m 24 now, so it’s all happened pretty quickly!

Can you share with us who designs the gorgeous covers for your books?
The ultra talented team at HarperCollins!

Can you tell us about your writing process?
I used to just wing it and see where it ended up, but after RUN AWAY required some SERIOUS structural edits (the pacing was all over the place), I knew I needed more of a plan for the future. At the moment I’m using Larry Brooks’ Story Engineering format, and fleshing out the key scenes and plot lines before I start. It’s helped so much—I recently finished my first 95k word fantasy novel in three weeks.

What advice would you give to someone considering writing his or her debut novel?
Just. Finish. I’m serious. Finishing is the hardest part. Don’t talk yourself out of it when it gets hard 20,000 words in!

What is the worst advice you have ever received?
You should wait until you’re older and have more life experience to draw on when you’re writing. (No thanks.)

What items are on your desk/where you write?
A Jo Malone candle in Green Tomato Leaf (it’s amazing), fake sunflowers, cheesy inspirational quotes, COFFEE, a space heater because I’m always cold, and usually some form of chocolate.

Do you have a routine for your writing?  
Okay, I sleep a lot. So I’ll wake up around half eight after sleeping for about ten hours (yes, really), eat breakfast, drink coffee then get to work. On a writing day I shoot for 5,000 words (I’m a trained journalist so I’m naturally speedy), but in that time I try to get outside for some fresh air and a jog, or see a friend, or just go for a wander. I also run a query critique service, so I’ll spend a few hours a day on client work too. I’m usually writing on and off all day until about 10pm, but that’s just because I love it so much, not out of obligation or anything. What can I say—I love my job!

Do you like quiet when you are writing or do you need background noise? 
I love having instrumental music on in the background—8tracks is my favourite website for finding awesome playlists! But I can just as easily write in silence, or with the TV on. I wrote RUN AWAY while binge-watching Greys Anatomy. Not even kidding.

If one of your books was made into a film/TV series, who would you like as the leading lady/man?
I’d love Ellen Page as Kayla!


About The Author


Laura Salters is a YA/NA suspense author (represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media Inc) from Berwick-upon-Tweed, the northernmost town in England. Her debut novel, RUN AWAY, will be published by HarperCollins (Witness Impulse) on 05/05/15. When Laura isn't writing, reading or thinking about writing or reading, she's a music lover (and terrible singer), pet cuddler, beach-goer, runner (*cough* jogger), passionate foodie, caffeine addict, tennis player, lipstick wearer, Harry Potter fangirl (yes, still), housework dodger and relentless chatterbox. 





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Wednesday 29 April 2015

Cover Reveal It Started With a Snub by B.R Maycock

It Started With a Snub
by
Bernadette Maycock writing as B R Maycock

HEATHER GREEN is a fun loving, happy go lucky, twenty-six year old who has remained upright and beaming despite a few wobbles in life. She wears her heart on her sleeve and pins on her thoughts for good measure.

We meet Heather as she moves out of her family home to share with four guys, much to the dismay of her long suffering (by his own admission!) boyfriend Graham. We follow her housemates and watch their sometimes funny, sometimes-fraught relationships as they go about their daily lives.

Join Heather as she navigates the simple things in life, her inability to remember the code for the house alarm, odd driving habits, general musings on chick flicks, casualties in cooking, as well as her attempts to talk down the “mad farmer with the gun.” Experience comedy and drama as we get to know her family and housemates, and, as an unexpected event finally takes her down, learn what happens when the last people you expected to turn to are actually the ones you need the most.

About The Author


Bernadette Maycock (writing as B. R. Maycock) participates in a closed Facebook group called Image, Write, Inspire (IWI), led by the award-winning author Carmel Harrington (Beyond Grace’s Rainbow, The Life You Left) and has contributed to their three publications, “All I want for Christmas,” “Stop Waiting For Friday” and “The Love Anthology; A collection of short stories."

Bernadette has just started a book review blog (https://brmaycock.wordpress.com/) that is in complete infancy, reviewing books that are 'the lighter side of heavy TBR lists,' in particular chick lit (her first love!) and women's fiction.

She lives in Co. Westmeath, Ireland with her brilliantly out there husband, Keith, and four amazing children- Paul, Conor, Aidan and Brian. She can be found on twitter most days as @brmaycock. 

Wellies and Westies by Cressida McLaughlin


What They Say:
Hilarious, touching and fun, Primrose Terrace will appeal to dog lovers everywhere and fans of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Trisha Ashley.
Catherine ‘Cat’ Palmer realises, too late, that bringing an adorable puppy into work at the local nursery was a bad idea, especially after the ensuing chaos gets her the sack.
Determined to turn a negative into a positive, Cat decides this is the perfect opportunity to get her dog-walking business off the ground with the help of her flatmates, Polly and Joe. After all, Primrose Terrace where she lives, is full of home-alone hounds…
Wellies and Westies is the first part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.


What I Say:

I would like to thank publisher Harper Collins for approving me to read this on NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I will mention the covers of this series how could I not love them they have dogs on them and as soon as they were introduced to the world I knew I just had to read them.

When Cat decides to take a puppy into her job at a nursery it's not the best decision that she has ever made, especially has a boss is rather a stick in the mud and likes an ordered life.  She is immediately fired and has to decide what to do with her life, now she hasn’t got a job.  Having a bottle of wine with her best friend she decides the way forward is to set up a dog walking business.

Right from the start I couldn't help but like Cat, she is full of fun and really one of life’s dreamers but at least she tries.  I loved her flatmates Polly and Joe.  I wasn’t sure on Mark though, I get the feeling he is hiding something.  I love how the book is set around a terrace in a small town and how their lives intertwine with each others.

This is a lovely summer read, full of fun especially when Cat takes too many dogs for a walk.  When I got to the end of this novella I really couldn't wait to find out what happens next to the residents of Primrose Terrace and I really get the feeling it isn't going to be plain sailing.  A wonderful read and Cressida really draws you into the lives of the characters from page one.

5 out of 5 stars

About The Author


Cressy was born in South East London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. She studied English at the University of East Anglia and now lives in Norwich with her husband David.

Cressy’s favourite things include terrifying ghost stories, lava lamps and romantic heroes, though not necessarily at the same time. She doesn’t (yet) have a dog of her own, but feeds her love vicariously through friends’ pets, and was once chased around a field by a soaking wet, very mischievous Border Collie called Wags.

When she isn’t writing, Cressy spends her spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.





#HIFortnight - Guest Post by Sun Chara

Today for #HIFortnight I have an exclusive chapter from Sun Chara's Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella




Author: Sun Chara
Book Title: Manhattan Millionaire’s Cinderella – sexy, hip ’n fun contemporary romance
Book Cover: Attached
Publisher: HarperImpulse http://www.harperimpulseromance.com


What They Say:
Will their wedding night be a one-night stand or a merger for keeps?
Global real estate mogul, Cade Sloan should've listened to his own advice: trust no one, and never a woman…especially not his 24 hour bride gone AWOL with his millions. Nina, mousy secretary turned sexy vixen, will repay every penny with interest…

When Cade gears up for a takeover, there's sweet hell to pay. Nina owes her husband a wedding night and he’s hell bent on collecting… his way, his time, his pleasure.


About The Author:



Sun Chara, a multi-published, JABBIC winner Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella, keys sexy, hip 'n fun contemporary romance, high adventure historical romance, and any genre that knocks at her imagination. Globetrotting for lore while keeping tabs on Hollywood leads...she loves the challenge of creating stories for book and screen. Designer frappuccinos with whipping cream and sprinkles on top make everyday a celebration! - See more at: 


Twitter: @sunchara3

Purchase: Amazon US http://amzn.to/1ud1LL5           
                   Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1sUGsZd           
                   Amazon worldwide & all other e-retailers
                   *Now available in paperback http://amzn.to/XLsjoy
       *Buy direct from publisher harpercollins.co.uk http://bit.ly/Z8QJK6



EXCERPT: Manhattan Millionaire’s Cinderella

CHAPTER ONE
Cade Sloan—Manhattan’s hotshot bachelor on the brink of bankruptcy. 
Cade read the headline and hurled the newspaper into the trashcan, the
taunting words searing his brain.  Prowling to and fro his high-rise office, he paused in stride and zoned in on his secretary, sitting ramrod straight, her fingers flying across the computer keyboard. 
 “Ms. McLow—”  The words dissolved on his tongue, and he
scratched his head.  What was her name anyway?
“Ms. McLow—”  He cleared his throat and tried again.  “Ms.—”
“McLowsky.”  She lifted a shapely brow and tossed him a glance
through her coke-bottle thick lenses, a blush on her cheeks.  “Nina
McLowsky.”
Did she just click her tongue in disapproval?
Just his luck.  She came with attitude.
            “Of course.”  He swiped a finger around his shirt collar, and his chest tightened.  “Nina McLowsky.”  Scrambling to regroup, he seized the
Coffee-mate from the counter and filled a cup with coffee.
            She looked like she had walked out of a 1950’s Norman Rockwell painting, an epitome of diplomacy and efficiency.  He stroked his throat, and then shook his head, amazed.  He was actually flirting with the idea of a merger …with her.
            At least with her, there’d be no emotional tantrums. The thought had him breaking out in a sweat.  He never let any woman get close enough to
get a glimpse beneath the surface, to know what made him tick.  ‘Never trust
a woman’ was his motto.
            A cab horn blared amidst the congested traffic on Madison Avenue and ripped through his thoughts.  He flinched in annoyance. 
            He hadn’t felt this bridled since he was a boy, and, he had vowed
never to feel like this again.  But he was running out of options.  He had to score a mega hit or he was going to cave.  Fast.
            And that rankled his pride.
“Here you go.”  He plopped the coffee cup on her desk, and a huff of air burst from his mouth, ruffling a wisp at her temple. 
She squinted at the steaming brew, then up at him, her baby blues all innocence and perplexity.  “Thank you.”
His gut flexed.  He frowned and dismissed the unsettling feeling.
“Careful, it’s hot.” 
She peered at him above her thick lenses, a hint of a smile on her mouth, her fingers never missing a beat.  Maybe if he focused on the dimple
on her cheek, he could go through with the transaction.
“Take a moment, Ms. McLowsky.”  The smell of caffeine gave him a boost, and latching onto his own mug, he shot her his killer smile.
 “Sir?”
 “Well…uh…” he began, words sticking in his throat.  “Drink up.”
“Yes, sir.”  She picked up the steaming cup, blew on the liquid and took a sip, fixing her gaze on him over the rim. 
Was that a glint of amusement in her eyes? 
She blinked and it was gone.  “Is that it, sir?”  She set the cup on the desk.
“No.”  He lifted his mug to his lips, took a gulp of the black brew and scorched his tongue.  He swore, a muffled sound
She heard and raised that well-defined eyebrow again.
He tautened his abs iron-hard.
“There’s a new position in the company.”  He stepped closer and hitching up his jean-clad leg, propped his hip on the corner of her desk.  “You’re the best match.”
“What is it?”
“A merger of sorts.”
At thirty-three, Cade was not averse to a challenge, it was the coercion
tactic he abhorred.  His lifelong nemesis that he booted from the boardroom
tossed him a curve to the tune of three million—problem was—the deal included a stipulation to muzzle…er…marry him off.
Cade was under no illusions his uncle’s offer was iced with ulterior
motives, but in no position to refuse, he had to take the bait.  A pittance, but it’d swing him from the red into the black, and buy him some time.  He’d expand his global holdings, complete the mega development in Cyprus,
triple his profits andhis heart turned to stone—catch the hacker
embezzling company funds. 
The con was about to demolish Cade into a heap of rubble. 

…read more Ch 1 on wattpad  http://tinyurl.com/pw4sgcd


 To win a copy of this book please comment on this post or follow Sun on her Facebook page.






Tuesday 28 April 2015

A Furious Muse (The Golden Key Legacy #1) by AJ Nuest



What They Say:

Since the day of her birth, Princess Faedrah Austiere has been defined by her place within the kingdom. As the single heir to the half-blood gypsy king and his prophesied white queen, she is fiercely protected, shuttered inside an ivory castle and well-trained in the art of war. Yet neither her obligations as future queen nor the black infestation threatening her kingdom fail to hinder the mysterious pull of the antique armoire hidden in her parents’ bedchamber. And stealing the golden key for a leap through time is the only way to confront the dark lord haunting her dreams.

One face. The image of one defiant, relentless woman has been stuck in Rhys McEleod’s head ever since he was old enough paint her luscious curves on the canvas. But the day she walks into his life off the street—sexier than hell and itching for a fight—he’s not convinced she’s the same women he’s envisioned since childhood. That is, not until he spots the golden key around her neck—an object he’d never fully shown in any of his paintings.

Now if he could just persuade his lovely muse he’s not the enemy. Unless the elusive Faedrah Austiere learns to trust him, he’ll never have her in his bed—the one place he’s convinced she belongs.

What I Say:

I would like to thank Harper Impulse for approving me to read this on NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Since AJ announced she was writing a follow-up to The Golden Key Chronicles I have been dying to read these but as I knew once I started I would be dying to read them all I have been saving them until all the books have been released and what perfect time to post my reviews than #HIFortnight.

This first book is set twenty years after The Golden Key Chronicles and when we first meet Faedrah she is training to follow her mother into the Elite Palace guard. Faedrah has a lot to live up to as her mother is Rowena from the chronicles. In a way, I feel sorry for her as she has a lot to live up to and is trying too hard. Faedrah makes a rash decision to disobey her parents and jump through the time. Where she then meets Rhys and her life is turned upside down. Rhys is a very talented artist, but all his paintings are of Faedrah, so much so that everyone thinks he is mad. He isn't mad he's very hot, how can Faedrah resist him?

Faedrah struggles to make sense of her destiny and slowly she lets Rhys in. Together the make a formidable team just like Rowena and Caedmon before them. Rhys finds that he wants to protect her.

AJ teases us with what they are to face to prove their love and there is always a dark shadow looming in the background. This a really great beginning to Faedrah and Rhys story and I know from previous books of AJ’s they life won’t be plain sailing. AJ pulls the story along at a fast pace and ends with a cliffhanger, so of course I had to read the next one (I knew I would never have been able to wait for it to be originally published).

If you like a touch of fantasy and romance then these books are definitely for you.


5 out of 5 stars


About The Author



Multi-published, award winning author, AJ Nuest resides in a small farming community in NW Indiana. A wife, mother and freelance editor, she shares her home with a variety of spoiled-rotten pets. She and the cat are currently vying for dictatorship.