Getting Rooted in New Zealand - Q&A and Giveaway

Getting Rooted in New Zealand

By Jamie Baywood

Craving change and lacking logic, at 26, Jamie, a cute and quirky Californian, impulsively moves to New Zealand to avoid dating after reading that the country's population has 100,000 fewer men. In her journal, she captures a hysterically honest look at herself, her past and her new wonderfully weird world filled with curious characters and slapstick situations in unbelievably bizarre jobs. It takes a zany jaunt to the end of the Earth and a serendipitous meeting with a fellow traveler before Jamie learns what it really means to get rooted.

Q&A With Jamie:

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I was very lucky in New Zealand to meet a lot of talented people. I had the opportunity to write and perform for Thomas Sainsbury the most prolific playwright in New Zealand. I performed a monologue about my jobs in the Basement Theatre in Auckland.  The funny thing about that experience was Tom kept me separated from the other performers until it was time to perform. I was under the impression that all the performers were foreigners giving their experiences in New Zealand.  All of the other performers were professional actors telling stories that weren’t their own. At first I was mortified, but the audience seemed to enjoy my “performance,” laughing their way through my monologue.  After the shows we would go out and mingle with the audience. People would ask me how long I had been acting. I would tell them, “I wasn’t acting; I have to go to work tomorrow and sit next to the girl wearing her dead dog’s collar.” No one believed I was telling the truth.

Where did you come up with the premise for this book?

While living in New Zealand, I had funny experiences that I had trouble believing were true. I wrote the stories down to stay sane. I wrote situations down that were happening around me and shared them with friends. Most of the book was written as the events happened; it just took me a few years to work up the nerve to publish. Publishing my book Getting Rooted in New Zealand was my way of transforming poison into medicine. I hope that it can help people that have had bad dating experiences or bad work experiences – make them laugh and not give up hope.

Describe your book in three words.

Funny travel memoir.

What can your readers expect next from you?

I plan to divide my books by the countries I've lived in.  I've lived in five countries; America, American Samoa, New Zealand, Scotland and now England.  My next book will be about attempting to settle in Scotland. 

About the Author: 

Jamie Baywood grew up in Petaluma, California. In 2010, she made the most impulsive decision of her life by moving to New Zealand. Getting Rooted in New Zealand is her first book about her experiences living there. Jamie is now married and living happily ever after in the United Kingdom. She is working on her second book.

Getting Rooted in New Zealand is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon  

Connect with Jamie at:

Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Goodreads * Amazon

Jamie is giving one lucky winner an e-copy of

Getting Rooted in New Zealand

Giveaway open internationally

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Rebound Pact by Eliza Knight

Review by Darcey Pickett

Attraction stands the test of time…

Holden has always had a crush on his best friend’s younger sister, Gabrielle and one fateful night she ended up in his bed, but much to his surprise it was not him she wanted to be with.

Embarrassed and scared her brother would find out, Gabrielle flees the country to train under a master chef in France, with the plan to never return home again.  Several years later, Gabrielle returns home and after a heartbreaking break up she finds her way to her childhood home and into the vineyard of the man she hoped to never see again.

Holden still has feelings for Gabrielle even after she broke his heart when she ran from the room to another country.  Here she stands before him in his vineyard.  They have both experienced a bad break up, is there a better way to forget an ex, than with a delicious rebound?  Can you have feelings for someone and have casual, no strings attached sex?

The book pulled me right in and held on tight.  I fell in lust with Holden, I had this image of him in my mind’s eye and Gabrielle could prepare me some of her delicious meals any day of the week.  I could not wait to find a quiet minute where I could devour this book the way Gabrielle and Holden were devouring each other.  I urge you to grab a glass of your favorite wine and enjoy this tasty little treat.  Eliza Knight, has this easy way of making me feel like I was in this story.

Eliza Knight is the award-winning, multi-published, Amazon best-selling author of sizzling historical romance and time travel erotic romance. She runs the award-winning blog, History Undressed. When not reading, writing and researching, she likes to cuddle up in front of a warm fire with her own knight in shining armor. 

Visit Eliza at:  

Website  History Undressed  Facebook  Twitter

Give Me Strength - Kate McCarthy

Quinn Salisbury doesn’t think she’s cut out for this whole living thing. Even as a young girl she struggled. Just when she thinks she’s found a way to leave her violent past behind her, the only thing that’s kept her going is ripped away, leaving her damaged and heartbroken.

Four years later, she is slowly rebuilding her life and lands a job as an assistant band manager to Jamieson, the hot new Australian act climbing their way to the top of the charts. There she meets Travis Valentine, the charismatic older brother of her boss, Mac.

From his commanding charm to his confidence and passion, Travis is everything Quinn believes is too good for her, and despite her apprehension, she finds their attraction undeniable and intense.

When her past resurfaces, it complicates their relationship. Instead of reaching out for help, Quinn pushes Travis away, until a staggering secret is revealed that leaves her fighting for her very life.

Torn between running and opening her heart to the man determined to have her, can Quinn find the strength within herself to fight for her future?

Purchase at:

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Coach E-Reader Case GIVEAWAY!!!

Who wants to win an authentic (yes, it's real and not bought on Canal Street in NYC) Coach e-reader case?  Included are the case, gift receipt (in case you need to exchange it), price tag, care card and gift box.

This gorgeous e-reader case zips all the way around.  Inside there is a business card slot on the left along with a pocket and on the right is where the e reader goes.  It's in the signature C brown jacquard with a silver button on the top that reads Coach est. 1941.

You like to look good and so should your e-reader :)  The giveaway is for blog members only.  If you are not a blog member you can still join and enter this amazing giveaway! The giveaway is open internationally!  I wanted to show equal love to all of my amazing blog members!  You will be able to enter daily until the giveaway ends, so be sure to stop by every day and enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Love By Design - Release Day Event & Giveaway

In Love by Design welcomes you back to Northfield, Minnesota and the life of Anabel Axelrod.

Its official--the sexy, blonde bookstore owner with a sassy attitude, a brain that never stops, and a reluctant penchant for helping her family and friends out of trouble has fallen madly in love.

Anabel doesn't get to prove what a fabulous girlfriend she'll make for more than eight hours before Luke disappears out of town. Instead of getting to enjoy being a girl passionately in love, Anabel’s shiny new feelings and trust in her boyfriend are immediately being tested.

Who is the darkly powerful and charismatic Luke Drake? What are his secrets? Does he really love Anabel, or has he been manipulating her to further an intricate plan of cold revenge in the making for over twenty years?

This third book in the series finds the confident Anabel desperately needing her sense of humor and all her understanding of human nature to deal with life. But Anabel soon learns the hard way she has even bigger issues to worry about than family problems and an incredibly hot, but very tricky boyfriend.

She’s made some bad enemies recently and someone wants her dead. After the first attempt on her life, Anabel and Luke team up to solve this mystery, but Anabel is beginning to wonder if she can trust her Dark Prince. Or Is this one fairy tale where love does not conquer all?

Meet Tracy Ellen…

For all of my life, I’ve always had a thing for shoes that make me say “Oh, yum!” and for reading romance novels written about hot, dangerously smart men and sassy, intelligent women. It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve avidly read everything I could get my greedy little hands on to find these jewels.

One day this past year or so, I realized that I spend more money on books now than I do on shoes--and I was stunned. Should I be ashamed of this fact or proud? Then an even stranger thing happened. It was like a switch turned off/on inside me. All of a sudden instead of wanting to read about diabolically sexy men, I wanted to write my own story of the building hot romance between a lippy, confident woman and a gorgeously mysterious man.

So began my budding writing career. Then I made another happy discovery—I absolutely love writing and still have a thing for shoes! Since then, my self-published books include A Date with Fate and Courted by Karma in The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod series. The third book in the series, In Love by Design will be released in September 2013. 

For those of you who may want to know some pertinent facts: I was born in Indiana to middle-class parents, the third out of five hellions. My mother wanted to go to work every day. I’ve always lived in the Midwest, except for six steamy months in Florida when I was nineteen. Currently, I reside in the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota with my family. The college town of Northfield featured in Anabel’s Adventures is just down the road a jaunt.

I love, love, love connecting with readers. Comments, posts, reviews, and emails are always welcome. Follow my blog or like me on Facebook to be aware of events and giveaways, or new books I’m publishing.

Thanks again for reading my books and supporting this indie author! 

Social Links:

FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | GOODREADS AUTHOR |TWITTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grooming Mr. Right by Tonya Kappes

Luvie Beiderman is blindsided when she is fired from her junior fashion design job in New York City and is forced to move back to her small town in Kentucky

. . . under her parent's roof.

Being home isn't so bad, after all, Luvie started Primp My Pet Mobile Pet Spa and is dating one of her client's owner, hunky Jase Nelson.

When Luvie is offered her dream design job in New York City, she is forced to make a decision between a career she's always dreamed of or the new life she has created in her hometown with the man she loves.

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tonya Kappes writes humorous cozy mystery and women’s fiction that involves quirky characters in quirky situations. Not only have her novels made the USA Today bestsellers list, but they are an Amazon Top 100 author, Amazon Movers and Shakers, and International bestsellers.

Splitsville.com, the first novel in the Olivia Davis Mystery Series, is a double finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Mystery and Humorous Categories.

Carpe Bead ‘em is 2012 winner in Amazon’s eFestival of Words in the Women’s Fiction Category.

A Charming Crime, the first novel in the Magical Cures, is the 2013 eFestival of Words in the Fantasy Category Winner.

A New Tradition the Indie Romance Convention 2013 novella of the year.

When not being the princess, queen, and jester of her family of three teenage boys, an adoring husband, and three fury kids, she travels to various writing groups as guest speaker on “How to Market and Promote Your Novels Effectively,” where she is known as a marketing guru.

Become a member of Tonya’s STREET TEAM! It’s a gathering place of readers who love Tonya Kappes novels and Tonya gives away monthly prizes! To sign up for Tonya’s STREET TEAM, newsletter, view book trailer, and upcoming news, check out Tonya’s website, Tonyakappes.com.

And be sure to stalk her on Facebook and Twitter!

Also by Tonya Kappes

Carpe Bead ‘em

The Perfect Ten Box Set

 An Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery

Splitsville.com

Color Me a Crime

Color Me Love Short Story

 Bluegrass Romance Series

Grooming Mr. Right

Grandberry Falls Series

The Ladybug Jinx

Happy New Life

A Superstitious Christmas

Never Tell Your Dreams

A Divorced Diva Mystery Series

A Bead of Doubt Short Story

Strung Out To Die

A Magical Cures Mystery

A Charming Crime

A Charming Cure

A Charming Potion Short Story

A Charming Wish

A Charming Spell

Small Town Romance Short Story Series

A New Tradition

The Dare Me Date

Non-Fiction

The Tricked-Out Toolbox~Promotional and Marketing Tools Every Writer Needs 

You can purchase her novels at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Createspace (print)

Google Books

Indiebound

Kobo

Smashwords

Cosmetic Heart Blog Tour & Giveaway

Cosmetic Heart

By: Kathy Bosman

Lisa works for a top South African magazine as the make-up artist, but writes articles on the quiet. When the chief editor, Daniel, asks for her help in posing as his ex-fiancée to save face with his family, Lisa agrees, hoping to obtain a promotion in return. She doesn’t expect to fall for the handsome editor nor to fit in with his family who love her unconditionally. But Lisa has more secrets, and she doesn’t believe in love and family. After Daniel finds out her secrets, will his forgiveness and determination be enough to cut through all the layers Lisa has put over her heart?

Buy Links:

Astraea Press

Amazon

All RomanceEbooks

Barnesand Noble

Follow Tour: 
http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/08/now-booking-tasty-blurb-tour-for.html

Excerpt:

It was Thursday, the 30th December, and Dan was rounding off some edits on an article for the February magazine. Kate, the feature editor, needed to come up with something more unique next time. It was too late to change the piece now — okay, maybe he was too tired to bother, and he had the next week to get through. He would worry about her story once the reunion was over.

Lisa still hadn’t had her hairdo. Would they have to lie about her drastically changing her hairstyle to outdated and unsuitable?

He sighed. She was proving to be quite interesting though. He’d rummaged through the bag of presents she’d wrapped and left in his office this afternoon before she knocked off. They were beautifully decorated with ribbons and cards, written neatly in her curly handwriting style. He’d opened the one card and read it, astounded at how she’d written the verse to a poem before a quick “happy Christmas” wish. The woman was into detail. Maybe his family would approve for once. They’d have to get used to the idea that the relationship would end eventually though.

Someone knocked on his office door. Lisa, at last.

“Come in. I thought you were finished work hours ago.”

She smiled at him and then propped her hands on her hips. “So?” She gave a sigh — loud and raspy. “Typical male!”

He gasped. “You had it done finally. Looks great!” Looks more than great. Wow, transformation.

“Thanks.” Her smile was genuine and soft. That was the first time he caught a glimpse into the real Lisa. Maybe she was starting to thaw. Finally.

“Come here.”

“Why?”

“Just listen.”

“Okay.”

“No, don’t get that employee-boss look in your eyes. Try to relax and pretend that we actually belong together.” He took her by her stiff shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

“It’s like hugging a statue,” he whispered into her ear. Her soft hair brushed against his tongue. He pulled the strands away gently with his finger and accidentally touched her cheek with his lip.

She stepped out of his grasp. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

She craned her neck around frantically at the doorway.

“Everyone’s gone home.”

“So?”

“You love that word.”

She giggled.

“Okay, if not a hug, let’s try a kiss.”

Her eyes were wild.

“Have you ever been kissed before?”

She nodded numbly.

“Too bad. You have to grin and bear it. I can’t be that bad.” He reached for her hands, pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. Sweetness flooded his being, spearing right into his inner core. What was inside this girl’s being that surged into his?

Even though her lips were unresponsive, he kissed her further. Then he pressed her chest against his. For a moment she stiffened, and then she relaxed, obviously realising there was no way out and she had to play along with it. But he wasn’t playing anymore. This was for real. He wouldn’t tell her that though. That would make her run a mile.

She pulled away and turned around, wiping her mouth with her hands.

“Not bad,” he teased.

“I’d better get going now. I’ll see you in the morning.” Her voice was shivery.

“Have you packed yet?”

She nodded, her back to him still.

“See you then.”

She was out the door without showing her face once. The back of her head was gorgeous. That hairdo did something to her whole demeanour. If only it would warm her up to him a little.

 Kathy loved reading and writing from early childhood, but her dream to write books was put aside until her kids were small, and she had little mental stimulation. The writing became a passion as well as her love for romance. She hasn’t looked back since writing her first romance novel in 2007. She homeschools her three children so in between deciphering algebraic problems for her teenage son (with little success), conducting science experiments, and tackling piles of laundry and dishes, she miraculously finds time to write books and read many others for fun.

Author Links

My website
Facebook page
Twitter

Enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway