Thursday, May 14, 2015

Daydreams in Dixie - Interview and Giveaway


Blurb:
Southern talk show host and former pageant queen Annabelle Harper certainly knows a thing or two about romance. She is, in fact the local authority on love in Tuscaloosa Alabama as the host of her own radio talk show for the lovelorn: Saved By The Belle. With nearly 50 happy couples to her credit, no one could argue with her success. Annie has never been wrong about the heart of a person. Strange thing is, she can’t seem to get past five dates before the dreaded break-up in her own lovelife.  
That is until a new guy pops into town—and a Yankee at that! Sparks fly between Annie and Matt Brubaker – the mysterious stranger who has more than love on his mind.    His interests are focused on developing a new company in Tuscaloosa.   But his new business will put Annie’s best friend out of business, and place Annie smack dab in the middle of a hot southern mess!
Now Annie must choose -- the passion she feels for Matt and the love she has for her long-time friend.  The conflict reaches a boiling point and puts her in the middle of a major city-wide protest, with Annie at the microphone. Will she betray her BFF and fall in love with the wrong man? Or like the true southern belle that she is, will she keep guarding her best friends back till the bitter end—even if it means losing what could finally be the love of her life
Beth Albright is at her sassy best with this new Southern page-turner, filled with the Beth Albright brand we have come to love—Sexy romance, comedy and a shot of mystery. Think Steel Magnolias meets Sex In The City—this ride is passionate, sexy and full of love – both the romantic kind and the kind for the women who always have each other’s backside covered in a crisis. Grab your best girlfriends and hang on for this sassy southern beach read!

Purchase the book at:

“12 Things About Beth Albright”

1.    I started my soap opera career as a day player on The Young And The Restless. My very first scene ever as a paid actress I played a student in college. (I was in my late twenties—yes I was proud of that.) As many know—I am what I like to call a “chubbette”—a fancy word for round. I have always been a bit of a chubbette—even when I was younger, I was a size 10 back then I thought I was nearly anorexic since I could see my ribs if I sucked in really hard—nearly turning myself blue. Hollywood however still saw me as—round—er. I girdled myself into a full corsette, for this scene—wanting to make sure I was as impressive as I could be, and tied myself in as tight as the girdle would allow. My boob however had other plans. Just as the director yelled action—I walked around the corner and into the camera’s view when all of a sudden my left breast sprang for sweet freedom. And she was out. The girdle had snapped. Thank heavens my boob was still in my dress, just hanging down to my waistline while the right breast was still perked up high around my chin. Quick thinking saved me—I swung the armload of books I was carrying over my drooping left side and hid my escaped girl behind the prop. Whew!
2.     I played the drums in my high-school marching band—I was the only girl in the entire drum-line. That was the plan. Ahem…
3.    I was a radio-talk show host for 15 years before I ever became a writer. I interviewed a ton of celebrities! Mostly though, I loved chatting for hours with my audience about life.
4.    I interviewed Oprah in the late 80s. It took me forever to book her on my Birmingham Alabama radio show. About six months later I was in LA—doing that fabulous scene on The Young And The Restless I just described above. I went to dinner at the famous restaurant SPAGO. I saw a bunch of paparazzi outside, then found out Oprah was inside! I went all fan-girl and asked for the maĆ®tre D to ask her for her autograph for me. Oprah then found out it was me and—get this—she asked my husband and me to join her at her table for desserts. I nearly DIED. I was so nervous! She was so cool and lovely and paid for our dinner—we just had dessert first. With her! That moment still takes my breath away!
5.    I have been to two presidential inaugurations: George Bush Sr. where we saw Joan Rivers—and she had her tiny dog with her tucked under her leopard overcoat. And we saw Arnold Schwartzenegger too! We also were lucky enough to get rare tickets to the Obama inauguration. We were literally on the lawn of the Capitol! Me, my husband and my son, freezing in single digit temps, but it was an unbelievable moment in history we will never ever forget.
6.    My only child, my wonderful son who is graduating college this weekend, was a nationally ranked pairs figure-skater for the USFSA. That is where I began writing—sitting in a frozen ice-rink for six hours a day.
7.    My husband and I met in New York City interning in the broadcast field. We were both assignment desk interns for CNN New York. At the time it was located in the World Trade Center. I received my first real hug from him where I knew I would marry this man standing in the Lobby of Trade Tower Two—the first tower to fall on 9-11.
8.    I was raised by a single mother after my father died in a car accident when I was four years old. My brother was only two. My mother was a widow with two babies at 25 years old. My brother and I both graduated with college scholarships. My mother is my rock—and my role model for life. And the Sassiest Belle I know.
9.    I was the Deep South District Champion in Student congress two years in a row in high school. I was on the Speech and Debate team, competing in humorous and dramatic interp, Student Congress, and debate. I love public speaking to this day!
10.I was a principal character on the soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES in the early 90s. I still missed my radio show where I could just chat with my audience.
11.I had a stroke when I had my child so I only had one baby. One wonderful son. All the doctors I saw said—if you become pregnant again, please don’t come to me! I was warned it could have been much worse. My mom convinced me that my son needed a mother more than a sibling so I didn’t attempt having another baby—though I would have loved a house full of kiddos!
12.I owned a children’s theater and an acting school for seven years in a suburb of Houston, Texas. It was called Acting Up! We produced the all children’s productions and held summer camp—my life was covered up with funny, creative kids for many years—and I thought it such a blessing since I had only had one child. My son had constant friends and fun at the school all day long. We both miss that life profoundly to this day.
AND ONE MORE:
13.We are currently living in the San Francisco area. At the end of this month, we will be moving back to LA. I have lived there three times previously. I have been married for 30 years at the end of July. This next move will be our 30th address in 30 years of marriage. Either I am crazy—or crazy about the man I married to continue to follow him everywhere. Maybe a little of both!

Meet Beth Albright:
Beth Albright is a Tuscaloosa native, former Days Of Our Lives actress, and former radio and TV talk show host. She is a graduate of the University Of Alabama School of Journalism. She is also a screenwriter, voice-over artist, wife of her college sweetheart, Ted and mother of her favorite person on earth, her brilliant handsome son, Brooks. A perpetually homesick Southern Belle and a major Alabama Crimson Tide fan, she splits her time between Los Angeles and, of course, Tuscaloosa.

Beth loves to connect with her readers.




Beth is giving 3 lucky winners a signed copy of her new book
Daydreams in Dixie along with some sassy gifts!
Open Internationally!

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

French Fry - 12 Things About Glynis & A Giveaway



Blurb:
Sydney Durand had finally achieved the perfect life she had always wanted. After a whirlwind romance with a charming Frenchman, she endured the three weddings it required to satisfy the members of the newly formed Bennett-Durand clan. All she had left to do was stroll into the sunset with Louis to enjoy their long-awaited happily ever after.

But everything changed when the stick turned blue. Suddenly, Sydney finds herself facing the daunting task of becoming a mother before she has even returned home from her honeymoon. Keeping a tenacious hold on her hard-won happiness, Sydney is determined not to give up without a fight – no matter what or who is thrown in her path…and that includes an overbearing mother-in-law, a know-it-all father and her own anxiety about having a baby.

Will she finally be able to tame her neuroses for the sake of her unborn child? Or will her hormone-induced panic cause a meltdown of epic proportions? One thing is clear: Sydney and Louis’ nerves are going to fry…

Purchase the book at:

“Twelve Things about Glynis”

1.    I cannot formulate a thought until I have my morning coffee. I was raised by tea drinkers, but I have somehow developed full-blown coffee dependence. I LOVE coffee. Especially the flavored variety. I highly recommend Donut House’s Chocolate Glazed Donut! It’s almost as good as an actual doughnut. (Who am I kidding?)


2.    My middle name is Marit. Growing up with the first name Glynis in a world filled with Amys, Jennifers and Melissas wasn’t easy, but having such a unique middle name made things much worse. (The nicknames were brutal!)

3.    I must eat chocolate once a day. If I don’t, I feel like something is missing.

4.    I never imagined I would become a writer. I planned to become the Vice President of a Human Resources Department in a large corporation. Somehow, my path changed!

5.    My cat, Tyler, sits in my lap while I write. It’s much harder to reach the keys with a furry visitor in the way, and my arm sometimes falls asleep when she leans her head on it, but her presence is very comforting. Sometimes our other cat, Storm, joins in for an added challenge!



6.    I hate exercising. I force myself to go to the gym, since a) doing cardio gives me time to read, b) my mind feels much clearer if I put in my requisite four visits to the gym per week and most importantly, c) exercising allows me to counteract my overwhelming addiction to baked goods.

7.    I would live at the beach if I could. Nothing makes me happier than spending the day in the sunshine with my toes in the sand and my eyes taking in the sparkling water. My family, however, doesn’t agree with this idea, so we live in the New York City area. Brrrr.

8.    I have a small Yoda obsession. My knowledge of the Star Wars franchise is passable (nowhere near my son’s level of expertise), but I just love the little green guy. He is wise, patient, insightful and awesome! In short, he makes me happy.



9.    I’m a total TV junkie. Sure, I love to read books, but I spend WAY too much time on Hulu and Netflix. (Jayne the Virgin, Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs…the list is long.) Perhaps I need to rethink my priorities?

10.I could live on fondue. (Cheese AND chocolate, of course.) I curb my desire as much as possible, since too many dips in the pot will only lead to more exercise.

11.I lack any sort of video game prowess. I’m an extreme disappointment to my sons in this capacity. 

12.I have mad cake decorating skills. Who knows? Maybe I have a future career in a bakery!

About the Author:
Glynis never expected in her wildest dreams to be a writer. After thirteen years in the Human Resources Industry, she decided to stay at home with her two amazing sons. Ever in search of a project, she was inspired to write the story of how she met and married her wonderfully romantic French husband, Sebastien, in six short months. The end result became her first novel, French Twist. As this was just the beginning of their epic love story, Glynis continued to chronicle their adventures in the sequel, French Toast and the final installment in the series, French Fry.

When Glynis is not writing, she is trying to keep the peace amongst the three men and two cats in her life, finding missing body parts (Lego pieces are small!), supervising a myriad of homework assignments and keeping a tenuous hold on her sanity by consuming whatever chocolate is in the vicinity.

Connect with the author at:

Grand Prize: 
$25 amazon gift card & ebook set of the French Twist series
Two 2nd Prizes: 
e-book sets of the French Twist series.
US Only


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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan - Blurb, Interview & Giveaway


Blurb:

Thirty-four year old, Mimi Finnegan is the third of four daughters and in her eyes, by far, the most unremarkable. She has no singular accomplishment that can stand up to any of her sisters. And if that isn’t enough, she is the only single sibling in her family.
Mimi’s sisters decide that it’s time she gets serious about husband hunting, so they begin a campaign to find Mr. Right for her. Considering her most recent dating encounters include a night club owner who stuffs bratwurst in his pants and a WASPy trust fund baby, living happily under his mother’s thumb, Mimi is more than ready to meet THE ONE. Enter celebrated British novelist Elliot Fielding.
Sexual tension and anger heat up between the duo and it isn’t until Mimi discovers that Elliot is almost engaged to another that she realizes she is head-over-heels in love with him.
The journey will make you laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out from frustration! Mimi eventually learns that she is quite remarkable in her own right and never needed to worry that she lived in her sister’s shadows.
The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for any woman who has ever felt that she wasn’t good enough.

Excerpt:

            Elliot pushes his chair out and stands. His eyes slide up and down the length of my body and he smirks as he raises his left eyebrow in a supercilious question mark. I have no idea what that’s all about so I simply extend my hand and smile, “It’s very nice to meet you Elliot.”
            Instead of extending me the same courtesy, he tilts his head to the side, nods it once and declares, “Indeed.” Like, “Indeed, you should be happy to meet me.”
           Well that settles it. I don’t care if he was well over six-two or his slightly receding strawberry blonde hair is the most gorgeous color ever or I find him immensely attractive. He’s ruined it for himself. I am not going to marry Elliot Fielding.
            I rush to lower my extended hand back to my side, where it obviously belongs, when at the last moment he chooses to take it. I try to pull away as if to indicate he has had his chance and the offer is now withdrawn. I’m so peeved by his arrogance that I yank my fingers from his, setting into motion a domino effect I’m sure RenĆ©e will later claim ruined Camille’s party.
            Elliot bends at the waist and gently touches his lips to my reluctant appendage in what I’m sure he assumes is a display of superior English manners, yet my whole body responds in an angry shudder. How dare he think he can “indeed” me and then put his mouth on my person. I yank my hand back, upsetting my very delicate balance, at the same time Elliot takes the hint and
releases me. He does not attempt to aid me in any way as I fall backwards, straight into the pool.

Purchase the book at:

“12 Things About Whitney Dineen”

1.    I’m a giant! Seriously, I’m 6’1”.
2.    I’m 87% vegetarian. If bacon was a vegetable, I’d be 92% vegetarian.
3.    I was a plus-size model for over 20 years, working in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
4.    My hair has been going gray since I was 24 years old. I’m currently 46 and have no idea how old I’d look in my natural state. Probably close to 72.
5.    I make cookies and candies for a celebrity clientele in Los Angeles. I’m doing my damndest to beef them up a bit.
6.    I wore kilts, glasses and braids in high school. That’s right, I was HOT (not.)
7.    I had my daughters when I was 40 and 42. WILD ride!
8.    I’ve become an organic gardener in pursuit of feeding my family the best quality food that I can. Of course, we also have free range chickens and we harvest their poop for the gardens. I talk about manure WAY more than most.
9.    French fries are my weakness. I lurve them!
10.I’ve been married for 24 years. At this point, I nearly have him broken in.
11.I have watched every Doris Day movie multiple times. I don’t care if Rock preferred men, he’s “IT!”
12.I’m a HUGE DEVO fan!

“12 Things About Mimi Finnegan”

1.    I am one of four sisters. We’re all a year a part, talk about drama.
2.    I have a bunion. There, I’ve said it. Her name is Edith Bunker.
3.    The last man that propositioned me (before this book) had a bratwurst in his pants.
4.    My last serious relationship broke up with me to marry his distant cousin.
5.    I am a proud member of Weight Watchers. I am trying to lose ten pounds so Edith Bunker will hit the road.
6.    My car has been known to drive to Burger City without my knowledge. Yes, I’m in the car. It just has a mind of its own. I would trade it in but I’m too loyal for that.
7.    I refused to watch Sex and the City when it first came out. I used to think it was about a bunch floozies banging their way into spinsterhood. How wrong I was! It’s my favorite television show, EVER.
8.    My mother feeds the fairies in the backyard her homemade soda bread. So, I’m from sane people.
9.    I used to have a huge identity crisis. So I reinvented myself and watch out, I’m on fire!
10.I am in the midst of a pretty crazy love triangle. Who would have thought?
11.I have an insecurity complex as far as my family is concerned. Try having a supermodel, a professional tennis player and a Rhodes Scholar for sisters.
12.I have never successfully high-protein dieted. Hand me the French fries, please.

About the Author:
While attending the University of Illinois in Chicago, Whitney Dineen was discovered by a local modeling agent and began an unexpected career as a plus-size Ford model. She modeled in New York City before moving to Los Angeles with her husband.

When she wasn’t modeling, she was in the kitchen, baking delights to share with friends. Soon, her friends began asking her to send baskets of her wonderful candies and cookies to business associates, agents and production studios. Word spread like wildfire, and the rest, as they say, is history. Whitney’s sensational creations are still in great demand by her loyal celebrity clientele (www.WhitneysGoodies.com).

During “The Hollywood Years,” Whitney was bitten by the writing bug and started creating characters that are inspired by strong women with a great sense of humor.

In addition to her love of chick-lit, Whitney has also written a series of adventure books for middle readers. The first of which, Wilhelmina and the Willamette Wig Factory, is nearing completion.

Whitney and her husband, Jimmy, have recently relocated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to raise their children, chickens and organic vegetables.

Connect with Whitney at:

 Whitney is giving 2 lucky winners a print copy of
The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan
US Only please

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Monday, May 11, 2015

Mary Kay Andrews - Goody Bag Giveaway

Mary Kay Andrews' SAVE THE DATE is now available in trade paperback and SUMMER RENTAL in mass market paperback.  To celebrate, we are giving away an amazing Mary Kay Andrews Goody Bag.  The bag comes complete with two books and chock full of other swag.


Here's a list of what all will be in the fabulous goody bag:
  • Copy of SAVE THE DATE in trade paperback
  • Copy of SUMMER RENTAL in mass market paperback
  • Two different Mary Kay Andrews bookmarks
  • Set of 3 SAVE THE DATE recipe cards
  • SAVE THE DATE magnet
  • MKA Summer Rental sticker
  • BEACH TOWN lip balm with SPF 15
What better way to start off the warm weather months than with this amazing goody bag?

Purchase Summer Rental at:


Purchase Save The Date at:



About the Author:
Mary Kay Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Fixer Upper, Savannah Breeze and Blue Christmas, as well as Deep Dish,Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies and Savannah Blues.

She also wrote ten critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series, under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. Her mysteries have been nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Awards.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida (and a diplomate of the Maas Bros. Department Store School of Charm), Trocheck earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia in 1976 (Go Dawgs!). She started her professional journalism career in Savannah, Georgia, where she covered the real-life murder trials which were the basis ofMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. She left journalism after a ten-year stint as a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

She is a frequent lecturer and writing teacher at workshops including Emory University, The University of Georgia’s Harriette Austin Writer’s Workshop, the Tennessee Mountain Writer’s Workshop, and the Antioch Writer’s Workshop.

As a lifelong “junker” the author claims to know the location of every promising thrift store, flea market and junkpile in the southeastern United States, plus many parts of Ohio.

Married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mother of two grown children and a proud grandmother. After a brief hiatus in Raleigh, NC, she and her husband moved back to their old neighborhood in Atlanta, where they live in a restored 1926 Craftsman bungalow. She divides her time between Atlanta and her restored beach cottage on Tybee Island, GA.

Connect with the author at:
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Friday, May 8, 2015

The Guest Cottage - Review, 12 Things About Nancy & A Giveaway

Review by KT Sullivan
Sophie Anderson has decided to take her teenage children Lacey and Jonah to Nantucket for the summer after husband, Zach, has announces that he loves another woman and wants a divorce. However, the woman who owns the cottage didn't realize that her cousin had already rented the cottage to Trevor Black for that same time. 

Trevor Black and his four year old son Leo are dealing with the sudden death of their wife/mother. They decide to head to Nantucket and rent a house.  When Trevor and Sophie find out about the mix-up, they figure, the house is huge and decide to share. 

There’s a music room with a piano. Sophie’s childhood was spent playing at recitals. After one horrible experience, she never touched the piano again. But now, it soothes her to play. 

Thankfully, the children get along well and, at the same time, Trevor and Sophie's attraction starts to develop. They welcome visitors, her friends, his friends, and family. Each group adds to the budding relationship. During this time, Lacey makes a friend and her father starts showing interest in Sophie. She’s not used to so much male attention. After one kiss witnessed by Jonah, Sophie comes clean about the state of her marriage to her children. Both of them knew about it. Jonah had actually followed his father to his mistress’ house. Turns out, Sophie is the one out of the loop.                                                                                                                                              
I liked Sophie and was rooting for her happiness, but the most interesting character is Leo. He starts out as a timid little boy, but his exposure to the Anderson family brings his life back. He begins to accept his mother's passing and fit in. To me, that was the most uplifting part of the story.

Purchase the book at:

“12 Things about Nancy Thayer”

I eat chocolate when I’m writing.  Also when I’m not writing.

I fell in love with Charley when I first met him, but was afraid to marry him because he’s six years younger than I am.

Charley and I have been married for thirty years.

Charley likes chocolates, too.

All of my 28 novels center on family. I’m sure that if I write long enough, I’ll understand my own family.  Maybe.

I consider animals a part of my family.  Our cat Regina, loved to eat apples.  I think eccentricity in animals is easier to deal with than eccentricity in people.

I’ve lived on Nantucket for thirty years.  Most of my novels are set here.  Winter is the best time for writing, especially when I can’t get off the island.

 This is my first step in going to a mall or eating at Burger King or Dairy Queen.

Honestly, I couldn’t exist without a library nearby.

I keep diaries and I’m glad.  When my son Josh was 5, he said, “Mommy, I don’t love you because you won’t let me say fart!”  I enjoy reminding him of this now that he’s 42.

My daughter, Samantha Wilde, has published two novels: This Little Mommy Stayed Home and I’ll Take What She Has.  She has all Jen Lancaster’s books.

I consider “Beach Books” the chocolate truffles in the book box—delicious, sensual, and compelling.

I can’t count.


About the Author:
Nancy Thayer is the author of twenty-three novels, including Summer House, The Hot Flash Club, Beachcombers, Heat Wave, Summer Breeze, and Island Girls.

Her books concern the mysteries and romance of families and relationships: marriage and friendships, divorce and love, custody and step parenting, family secrets and private self-affirmation, the quest for independence and the normal human hunger for personal connections.

Nancy Thayer’s work has been translated into many languages, including German, Finnish, Hebrew, Russian, Turkish, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Serbo-Croatian, Swedish, Danish, and Polish. Her novels have been condensed or excerpted in several literary reviews and magazines, including Redbook and Good Housekeeping, England’s Cosmopolitan, Holland’s Viva, and South Africa’s Personality.

Nancy Thayer has a B.A. and M.A. in English literature from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She was a Fellow at the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for twenty-eight years with her husband Charley Walters. Her daughter is the novelist Samantha Wilde

Connect with the author at:
Website * Facebook * Twitter

Random House is giving 2 lucky winners
print copies of
The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer
Open Internationally

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Thursday, May 7, 2015

No One Like You - Blurb & Giveaway


No One Like You
Barefoot William # 4
By: Kate Angell
Releasing April 28th, 2015
Zebra

Blurb

No One Expects a Curveball

For Rylan Cates, the gloriously sunny beachside town of Barefoot William may be home, but the pro baseball player needs to focus on spring training. Hiring a personal assistant to keep him and his four dogs organized for the next eight weeks is the first step—and Beth Avery is the perfect pinch hitter. 

Beth is still looking for her place in the world, and a couple months caring for Rylan’s two dachshunds, his golden retriever, and a Great Dane named Atlas should shore up her finances before she moves on. Except it’s Atlas who won’t budge, pushing her toward tanned, scruffy, sexy Rylan every chance he gets. One more strike and she’s calling the dog out—unless she and Rylan admit that the attraction they’re feeling is a game-winning grand slam…

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo | Publisher

About the Author:
National bestselling author Kate Angell lives in Naples, Florida. She’s an animal lover, avid reader, and sports fan. Bookstores are her second home. She takes coffee breaks at Starbucks. Her philosophy: Out of chaos comes calmness. Enjoy the peace.

Author Links:    Website | Facebook  | Goodreads

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Print Copies of NO ONE LIKE YOU

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