12 Days f Christmas

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Tour with Jane Lark.

After signing with publisher Harper Impulse, Jane, author of the smash-hit Marlow Intrigues series, has decided to end 2013 with a bang! She’s gathered together some of the industry’s best authors to create one enormous Christmas giveaway.

The huge prize is made up of more than 30 books, a combination of signed paperbacks and eBooks, and two gorgeous book bags. It’s the perfect early Christmas present for any bookworm and all you’ve got to do to win is feast your eyes on the details below and enter via the Rafflecopter . . .

To kick off the prizes, Jane is giving away copies of her much loved The Illicit Love of a Courtesan and its highly anticipated follow-up The Passionate Love of a Rake

 

Jane's books have been a huge hit with fans, leading to an ever-increasing fan base and comments such as:

"Jane Lark has an amazing talent to draw the reader in from the first page onwards."

- CosmoChickLitan

And to celebrate her upcoming December release of NA novel I Found You, you could also win a unique rucksack.

The book is already causing excitement among readers and looks set to be the must-read NA of 2014.

 

 

But that's not all folks! As if Jane's books weren't enough, check out the other amazing books included in the prize pot, you're sure to find one or two of your fav authors getting involved . . .

 

   

Entry to Jane Lark's 12 Days of Christmas giveaway extravaganza is easy, just follow the authors on Facebook or Twitter, plus maybe give the comp a shout-out tweet (or two) all via the Rafflecopter below and you're golden. But don't forget to keep your fingers crossed too!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please take a moment to read through the giveaway terms and conditions:

This is an international giveaway.

Signed paperbacks are to be sent from the authors themselves. Jane Lark, BestChickLit and/or any authors involved accept no responsibility for delivery failures. The winner must be open to accepting eBooks in any format i.e. Kindle copies and via iTunes voucher, from different sources. In the event of .mobi copies, the winner must have an Amazon Kindle account and be prepared to add selected addresses as approved emails on their Personal Document settings.

Some of the books involved in the giveaway contain adult and sexual content and this should be taken into consideration before reading. Jane Lark, BestChickLit, Harper Impulse and any of the participating authors are free to amend any of the giveaway details at any time.

Good luck!

BLOG HOP ALERT! BRING ON THE BAD BOYS!

Okay, so I did my usual. I poofed. I can't help it! I've got so much going on right now, new job, trying to write on book two, decisions to be made about my future ... but who wants to hear about all that boring stuff?

I know what I want to hear about.  BAD BOYS!  Oh hell yeah! Bad boys rock my socks whether they are the hero or villian ... or what about a hero villian? Either way ...

So, I got asked to participate in this seriously kick ass blog hop, and I quickly agreed. How could I not?? 

Oh you know you love them. Those "bad boys" of romance.

And now we're celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness.

Which "bad boy" revs your motor? Is he a hero? Villain? A secondary character?

Show those boys off June 7th-June 17th in the "Bad Boys" of Romance Giveaway Hop hosted by

herding cats & burning soup, Rantings of a Reading Addict and author Blue Remy!

Here's Blue's Fave Bad Boy
Interviewed by Tobi at Forget the Housework, I'm Reading.....

The strong scent of coffee was lingering in the kitchen as I stood in the middle of it, unable to put my finger on part of the missing piece of the puzzle. Something wasn’t right. I sent the hubby off with the kids, the coffee was brewing, and the crumble cake was on the table, as was the ash tray.

A quick glance at my reflection in the refrigerator told me that I was looking spot on. Make up was tight, hair was perfection, and clothes were fitting just right … “Crap!” I still had on my darn fuzzy slippers! A mad dash to the bedroom was the quick fix that would remedy that. Until I heard the knock.

I admit it. My. Heart. Stopped. What???? Duncan is hot!


Smoothing down my long-sleeved-tee, I strutted out like I was the Queen Bee. I’m not going to lie girls, he IS the dish. I saw him through the glass of my back door, his cowboy hat slung low over the brooding eyes, full lips that beg to be kissed … just makes a woman want to pucker up and get one.

What was he wearing? Oh, he was yummy. He pulled off the cowboy hat to reveal those blue green eyes that I SWEAR can see right to your soul, five o’clock shadow that dusted his chin and cheeks. And a smile that was crooked as the day is long. Did I forget to mention the tight t shirt and Wranglers? Dear Lord have mercy, ladies… When he turned to set his hat on the table and I got a full view of his butt .. Well, you get the idea.

I didn’t even bother to ask him if he wanted coffee, the poor guy looked worn out, so I just got him some. I gathered he took it black, and let me tell you, he was full of Southern hospitality.

Tobi H – You do take it black right?

Duncan O – Just like I like my women, with a bite. Thank you.

TH – [laughs] So I take it that Raven has a lot of bite then?

DO – That’s putting it mildly. [Slight smirk]

TH – [trying not to drool] How do you like working with the paranormal community?

DO – [sips coffee and sets it aside to light cigarette] That’s a loaded question, Tobi. Not fair. Play nice. I like working with them and I don’t like working with them. Try policing vampires who are PMS’ing twenty-four seven, or trying not to hurt the feelings of a faery because you might say the wrong thing. [he shrugs slightly, and leans back in his chair, running hand over his bald head] On the other hand, it’s an ideal job. I work with several people that would give me the shirt off of their back if I needed it, at the drop of the hat. I would take a bullet for any of them and not think twice.

TH – Valentino PMS’s? I can’t see that!

DO – [HUGE eye roll] He’s the worst of the bunch.

TH – He’s just … [unable to find the words]

DO – [groans] Please, don’t… I don’t want to lose my McGriddle.
TH – [bursts out laughing] Alright, you win. Tell us something about a few members of the Murder that no one knows.

DO – [scratches at the five o’clock shadow, eyes narrowing slightly] Hmm, good question. Tamerlane has a thing for old black and white movies. We’re talking old movies, Casablanca shit. Let’s see here. [pauses] Malestrom bites his nails when he is nervous.

TH – Pretty interesting stuff. I’d never have thought that Tamerlane was into movies like that or Malestrom being the nervous type. [I have to admit, I was trying not to stare at him or drool too much] So, what exactly is going on right now in the paranormal world? Rumor has it that Raven is up against some pretty terrifying stuff.

DO – If I tell you, I’d have to kill you. [said with a straight face….. then cracked a smile, that never met his eyes] We’re searching for a killer who is murdering her guardians of the Gates of the Yggdrasil. I didn’t believe this shit was real until I witnessed it, but it’s there, and this is one sick freak. Every time he kills a guardian, she is one step closer to death. I just pray to whoever is listening that we get to him before she dies, because God help him if she does.

TO – [somehow I knew he would do more than just kill the murderer if Raven were to die] I know you’re busy, I appreciate you dropping by. I hope we can do this again. Did you have anything else you might want to add?

DO – [He tossed the cup of coffee back and put out the cigarette.] I don’t want to leave her (Raven) alone for very long. [small smirk] Not like she can’t take care of herself, so she says. Anyway, we got your back, Tobi. Just give us a call if you need anything.



I watched him as he scooped up his hat, placed it on his head and pulled it low over his eyes. He swept out the door like he was on a mission, and disappeared into the daylight. I must admit I was left with some unanswered questions, but I am saving those for Tamerlane when he arrives. Yes, you read right. But, that’s another interview for another day.
I took this pic when Duncan wasn't expecting........
I'll probably hear about this later.......

You can win totally awesome goodies, including a new KINDLE!

And a copy of FROM HEL WITH LOVE by me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Been A While

I know, I know.  Don't shoot me, please.  It's been a while since I've been able to get on here, and it totally sucks.

I have excuses though!  I promise!

Life happens. We all know it. But between doing my last edits, trying to get to the gym and serious holiday traffic for the theatre, I have been physically and mentally exausted.  I think all of you can relate.

I have been busy though with one of my besties ... Tobi over at Forget The Housework has been rocking the world with Valentino and building the XIII Hour™ Street Team! 

Yes, you can become an Agent of RIPA and help us promote the series, do your own give-a-ways and just have a blast with the characters of the series, since they all have their own FACEBOOK!!!!

Be sure to look them up and have a blast.

Duncan O'Brien ; Raven Aquilus ; Annabel Lee ; Tamerlane Aquilus ; Essy Aquilus ; Maelstrom Jernhulte ; Valentino Pilate

Tell them Blue sent you.  See you on the flip side!

Better Than Cupcakes??

Everyone knows that I am a cupcake whore. I admit it. If they had a 12-step Program for Cupcake Addicts, I'd be the President. 

What's better than cupcakes? Valentino Pilate.

'nuff said.

Every author has a character that rocks their world, that they fall in love with; or in every essence, becomes their baby. Valentino is that for me. He is one of those characters that I spents months researching back history for, years perfecting timelines and stories for his history and getting his personality down to a "T". I have spent hours role playing him on line in AOL chat rooms, I have also played him in my own forums and have now moved him to my XIII Hour™ series as the Grima Blasa Konungr aka Vampire King.  He is sensual, dark, mysterious, animalistic, raw and dangerous. Everything about him screams, "Save me." And yet you know he doesn't need saving, does he?

To describe Tino is like describing a God or an Adonis. He is six foot four, sculpted and toned, caramel kissed skin, his chest is lightly peppered with hair to taunt and tease us with. His hair is dark brown with highlights of captured fire, his eyes tri-coloured silver, blessed by a Fae.

To find a picture of someone to represent Tino is like finding a needle in a haystack.  I am a very visual person. I like to see what I am describing at times. I tried to find a picture of someone, and I found Mikeal Kenta as inspiration... but I wanted someone real, someone that had personality... someone that could breathe life into Valentino.

I ended up becoming friends with an awesome guy on Facebook, Joe Quintanilla.  He was putting up pictures of some actors that he knows for a show that he runs called "Necronomicast". I spotted a black and white  photo of an actor and was like "Ohemgee!  he could pass as Maelstrom!" and commented on the picture.  Joe was polite and told me to PM him and we started talking about the actor.  I got to looking at other pictures of this actor, and my heart stopped.

I was staring at Valentino.

Before I knew it, Joe was introducing me to the amazing Clint Glenn Hummel.  He is perfect for Valentino. After telling him about the series and about the character, Clint gave me permission to use his likeness for Tino.

If I could have reached through the screen to kiss him, I would have. 

I am still walking on cloud nine. I can't stop smiling. AND if The XIII Hour™ ever does become a silver screen adaptation ... Yes, Clint WILL be cast as the ever so sensual Valentino Pilate.

Without further adieu, may I present Clint Glenn Hummel as Valentino Pilate:

 

 

Dance In The Graveyards

Yeah, I know. The title has nothing to do with this post, I just love the song by the Delta Rae Band. I do have it posted at the end, it just ROCKS!

I am using this post to VENT and perhaps get some fantabulous idea's from you guys. I get that pesky little thing called writers block from time to time and it bites major ass.  I hate it, and sometimes, what puts me into it, is the fact that I am blocking my creativity with the simple blockage of a darn title.

Like for book two.

Book two is written in my head, 1/2 penned out ... has a title that I do not like.  It's too long, too mushy and just does not fit the premise of the book the way I want it too. The littlest things like this are like doors slamming in my face. I cannot move on if I get book blocked!  UGH!

I've thought about putting together a little gift bag with like a t-shirt, magnet, bookmark, etc ... and have a contest on naming book two.  What do you guys think?  Let me know, I'm DYING HERE!!!!

On another note.... OHEMGEE!!!  I am loving this new Zombie Run app!  This rocks!  I am on Level 3 and I am actually looking forward to running from the zombies tonight.  I also started my liquid diet and am hoping to lose 30 lbs this month.  Wish me luck!

Now.. on with the amazing music!

Sugar Skull Cupcakes!

My favorite time of the year is upon us! I'm always so excited, carving of the jack-o-laterns, ghost hunting, ritual ... so much to do!

Guess what?

You get to join me in some of it!

But first off, I want to say welcome to my newest followers! It's awesome to have you on board, and I hope my hubby and I can keep you entertained.

Now, onto the fun stuff.  The XIII Hour™ Halloween Masque. Such fun!!  I am beyond nervous and excited about this.  It's not like anything I've ever done before. This is going to be a virtual birthday party put on by not only myself, but my good friend and book reviewer and blogger Tobi Helton over at Forget The Housework, I'm Reading. 

I encourage everyone to jump over to her blog on Halloween and see what's going on.  You'll get to meet the characters of the series and another good friend or two of mine and see what they are up to on their birthday and how they are celebrating.  You'll even be able to interact with them by leaving comments about what you read.

You know what's even better?  You can join us on Facebook RIGHT HERE to see what other fun activities we have going on as well!

Any questions, don't be afraid to ask. I love to answer them. Until next time, my eebil ones... <3

Part Deux!

Tonight was as if I was some sort of mad scientist testing the effects of torture on a poor helpless soul. Muahahahahaha.....Okay, so maybe it was just me pushing Blue through a great workout. Haha
So onto the update, Blue did fantastic! Of course if you ask her I'm sure she would gladly fill you in on the horror of how hard it was and how horrible she did. But she pushed herself through some strength training and even did some self motivated cardio. I am very proud of her for sticking with this and am sensing many great workouts to come.
I can already tell that she will accomplish her goals and then some. I am very excited to be guiding her through this journey.
That is all for now, there will be more to come!