Author: After the final chapters

That Boy

That Boy

That Boy is part of a series, usually when I am reviewing a book from a series I review all the books from the series so far. However, this time I am only going to review the first book, That Boy. When you read the review you will understand why. I will review the second book in a few weeks when you have had a chance to read this one!

They say a girl and a boy can never really be just friends. So when a Jaydn James Reynolds has two best friends and they are both boys, this couldn’t possibly be right! Could it?

Phillip MacKenzie and Jaydn have been best friends forever. Their parents are best friends so they have always been in each others lives. They are almost like brother and sister…almost. One day Jaydn looks out her window and see’s a new boy playing football .Danny Diamond. When she meets him she finds he doesn’t want to play with her, just Phillip, girls can’t play football he says. A comment he was soon regretting.

In no time at all the three of them are best friends, inseparable. They start growing up, meeting other boys and girls – getting jealous of other boys and girls. Danny leaves to play College Football and though they visit loads its back to just being Jaydn and Phillip. When Jaydn’s parents tragically die in a car accident she needs both her boys to get her through and they become closer than ever.

Soon Jayden and Phillip join Danny at College and they all live together in the house Jaydn has bought with inheritance money, and things start to get even more interesting.

I think Jilian Dodd says it best herself

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

I think it is hard to write a synopsis of this book without giving it away, so I would imagine I have failed miserably at it! I absolutely loved this book. It was real life, I love reading about things that can and often do actually happen, that aren’t far-fetched or to fantastical to believe. There are good times, not so good times and down right awful times. These are the bits that made me laugh and made me cry. There are parts of the book that have reminded me of great moments in my own life, bringing a smile to my face, and parts that reminded me of more horrific times that brought more than a tear to my eye. That’s what a good book should do isn’t it? Stir up the emotions and give you something to think about.

I think all of us who have read this book had a soft spot for one of the boys, be it Phillip or Danny. I think for me it was Danny. Why? I loved his cheeky sense of humour, and he didn’t look too shabby – well it’s all about the imagination isn’t it? Either way though, no matter who she had picked – she was laughing! Two amazing boys, surely its only right to test drive them both? Show me a girl who doesn’t like to have her cake and to eat it too! There is no point having cake if its only there for decoration.

The story starts at the end, I loved it, you knew it was going to end in a dramatic scene, but you didn’t know which boy was in that scene. Then it will transport you back to when they are little kids and you develop a relationship with each of them and have your own hopes and wishes for them. It’s always a sign of a great writer when you can transport yourself into the life of a character and feel what they feel. I loved this book, it was easy-going and it was no great effort to read it and with that I lost myself in it for hours. Jaydn fell in love with her best friend, the boy next door, but which one?

When I was finished I wanted more, good job No. 2 – That Weddingwas waiting for me.

There is no need to take my word for it either! Check out reviews on Goodreads

That Boy is available to buy on Kobo, Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble

Visit Jillian Dodd on her Website, Facebook page and Twitter

How lucky am I that the super busy Best Selling Author that is Jillian Dodd took time out to grant me an interview? Not ony that but it was returned less that 24 hours after I sent it! Someone up there likes this blog!

Jillian Dodd

Who is Jillian Dodd?

Jillian Dodd is a mom, a painter, and a dreamer. She makes up stories and loves to write.

I loved the 2 books in the That Boy series so far, when can we expect No. 3?

Probably more of the same. Some things that make you laugh. Some things that make you cry. Friendships that stand the test of time. That Baby will have something different in it though. There is something pretty sad that happens in the story, so instead of being told from Jadyn’s point of view, it’s told from Danny’s POV. And that part is sad, but also pretty cool, because it causes him to remember some major scenes in their lives and you get to understand what he was thinking then. The party in the cornfield. Prom. And the hammock. The decisions that he made had an effect on their lives. And it’s cool to hear why he did what he did.

Jaydn was best friends with 2 boys, which boy would you have chosen as your boy? (not giving anything away of course)

Well, I’d say that in real life, I chose a Phillip. And in real life, my best guy friend is more of a Danny personality. When we used to hang out in college, we tended to bring out the worst in each other. We had a whole lot of fun, but I’d say the whole opposites attract is very true. When someone isn’t just like you, you can balance each other out in good ways.

Did you get emotional in the writing of That Boy? I sure got emotional reading it.

My family laughs at me. My husband will come in my office and I’ll be at my computer in tears. Even when I’m editing. And he’s like why are you crying? You already know what happens! So yes, I’m emotional about my characters. My new series, The Keatyn Chronicles, the main character is younger and it makes me cry every time she does something that shows her growth. It makes me proud.

When you started writing did you know which boy would be ‘That’ boy?

Yes, That Boy started from three dreams I had with the same characters. The strip football scene at college. The party in the cornfield. The engagement party.

I loved how the ending was the beginning, was that always the plan or is that something that happened after?

That was always the plan.

Are you a big Football fan?

I am a huge football fan. I grew up in Nebraska, where there is not a professional team and only one major college. So I’ve been a Nebraska Husker fan for as long as I can remember and have fond memories of watching the games with my dad when I was a kid. We live about 10 hours away from there now, but we still have season tickets and I try to get to as many games as I can each fall. And any that I don’t attend, we have a watch party at our house.

Here in Ireland we really don’t get the whole College Football thing, is it as big a part of the culture in America as it seems?

I’d say football is a lot of fun. The tailgating. The eating. The spending time with your family and friends. College football is a really fun tradition.

At this point i had to email Jillian and ask the following question..

I have never understood. .. what is tailgating?

Tailgating is basically a party in the parking lot before the football game. Lots of people have pickup trucks. They have a tail gate that folds down that allows you to load stuff in and out of the back of the truck. Lots of people fold that down and sit on it. That’s where the term came from.
Now it’s a whole new level. People set up tents, tables, bring televisions, games, all sorts of food and drinks. Also at college football games, you can’t have alcoholic beverages in the stadium, so people eat and drink before the game.

People here tailgate before most sporting events. NASCAR, Professional Football, College football.

Do the names of any of you characters hold any special meaning to you?

Phillip’s last name is Mackenzie, which is my daughter’s first name. One of the boys Jadyn dated in college was named Jason O’Connor and my son’s name is Connor.

Do you find it difficult to name characters?

Not at all. I go through baby name sites and try to make them fit. All the character’s names, other than Jadyn’s are very basic, relatable, Midwestern names. In my new series, the characters have more unique names. Unique spellings.

What is you favourite TV Show?

Gossip Girl. But I also got addicted to Say Yes to the Dress and My Fair Wedding when planning That Wedding and I still watch them. I also love decorating shows on HGTV. But I really don’t have much time to watch television.

Who would play the roles of the lead characters in a movie?

I’m not really sure. I’m working with a small production company right now about the film options for That Boy, so it will be fun to see. I have dream cast boards on my website. They give you an idea of how I picture each character looking.

What is the best piece of advice you ever heard?

Both of my favorite pieces of advice from my own grandfather are in That Boy. He used to tell me, “Walk in the place like you own it, and people will think you do.” Which is all about confidence. If you look and act confident and like you belong. No one will question you. I tend to do this and am usually able to get in places that surprise people. My husband worked at a bank many years ago and his floor was “secure” I showed up in his office one day and he was like, How did you get up here? They didn’t call me. And I was like, I don’t know. I walked in the place like I owned it. No one stopped me. The other one, also from my grandfather, which is also in That Boy: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” And because of my creative mind, I’m fairly good at the bullshit side of things.

Anyone who knows me would agree this is a motto that i live by, i’m full of bullshit and can talk myself out of quite a bit!

What would you say to other authors chasing their dream?

Write. Keep writing. Don’t give up on your dream. Don’t wait around for someone to make it happen for you. Make it happen yourself.

If you have read That Boy, join us on our Facebook page to discuss it. Or just join us to talk about any book of your choice. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Tanya Farrell – WLR FM – The Big Breakfast Blaa Interview

It’s Tuesday February 19th 2013, 9.30am and a milestone has been reached. It was the first airing of my slot on WLRfm. It was just the introductory piece, where I was recommending a book for listeners to read for the next time. What did I recommend? Well it would have to be one of my all time top favourites, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Enjoy!

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Look who i bumped into today!

me and carmel

I had lunch today with none other than the wonderful Carmel Harrington. The lady kind enough to give me my first interview to go along with my review of Beyond Grace’s Rainbow, which you can find here.

I spoke to Carmel about what is happening with her at the moment. As you may remember she had just signed up with the Trace Literary Agency when i first blogged about her, and at the moment her agent is just starting to send Beyond Grace’s Rainbow out to publishers. I have no doubt that we will be seeing it on the shelves in the near future.

Carmel was also filling me in on her next book, which just sounds amazing. The title is a work in progress, she thinks she has it nailed down but just isn’t certain if maybe there isn’t a more perfect one out there, so I am not going to publish it and will give her a chance to think about it. Though that’s maybe an exclusive she would like to keep for her own blog anyway! The book is about a mother, with an AWOL husband, who has a special gift. Sarah is psychic and has visions about people around her and she needs to use these visions to try to change a particular course of events, without people thinking she has gone nuts. Carmel assures me that the book has lots of twists and turns and the unexpected is always around the corner.

The yet to named book is just awaiting the final edit and then will be sent off to Carmels agent. Naturally after the great success of her debut book Carmel is nervous that she is a ‘one hit wonder’. I have it on good authority that she has nothing to worry about, that this book may be even better that Beyond Grace’s Rainbow!

I cannot wait to see it on sale. Good luck Carmel, and I owe her a giant piece cake so we will have to do it all again!

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Hopeless

hopeless
Be not afraid, the title of this book could not be further than the truth in relation to the content of it. Hopeless spent 3 weeks in the No 1 spot of the New York Times Bestsellers! So, you don’t have to take my word for it – this book is Awesome!

There is something that sets Sky Davis back from the other 17-year-olds in her school. Senior year will be the first time she has gone to high school. Sky’s mother is a bit quirky. Well she is her adopted mother, but Sky would say she couldn’t have done better if she had picked her out herself. Sky has been home-schooled up until now but she wanted to have the experience of high school and get a taste of the real world before going off to college. She also has no cable television, mobile phone or access to the internet, meaning no Facebook, Twitter or Google. Of course she was meant to be experiencing senior year with her best friend and neighbour Six, only she has gone on a foreign exchange. This gig isn’t exactly going to plan! When she arrives at school she finds she had inherited Six’s reputation (well, you lay with dogs you come up with fleas, not that I’d ever dream of calling Six a dog but you get my drift). Lets just say Six is a bit on the loose side, if you know what i mean and while Sky has made out with plenty of guys she hasn’t gone there with any of them. The completely bore her truth be told but she is good at keeping up appearances.

Then she meets him, the guy that attracts her and repels her at the same time. She knows he is bad news, she knows she should run, he has a temper – she has seen that and the stories about him scare the hell clean out of her. There is just something about him though, she is intrigued, wants to know more – she can’t stay away! When a chance meeting has him become her running partner, with Karen’s (the mother) blessing there is no avoiding him.

She is drawn to Dean Holder like a moth to a flame. It seems the stories she has heard aren’t all true. Some are but have earned a fair bit of embellishment along the way. It seems when someone doesn’t know something or the story isn’t gritty enough they just make it up to suit themselves. There is something he isn’t saying though, he gets upset with her for reasons she can’t fathom. He tries to stay away from her, she tries to stay away from him but it just isn’t working. They are again pulled together.

The problem is that Holder knows a truth, a truth that Sky doesn’t know exists. She doesn’t know the truth exists because she doesn’t realise there is a lie. Not just one lie but a whole tally of them. When this truth starts to unravel Sky doesn’t know who she can trust, who she can turn to and where she can run. How is she going to get to the bottom of the mystery that is her life and who is still going to be around when she gets to the other side?

Wow, there is nothing that I write that can even begin to do this book justice, Colleen Hoover is quite simply amazing! The books screams intensity right from the front cover. Everything in it is gripping, front he story line to the characters and the ending – well you will just have to read the book to find that out for yourself. Again WOW

My poor children were seriously neglected the day I read Hopeless. Yes I do mean the day. I usually leave my reading until they are in bed, but I had started it late the night before and only got a chapter read, I couldn’t wait until the next night. I woke at 6am to get up to one of the kids and said to myself I would read a few pages to get myself back to sleep. Ya right, I couldn’t put it down until it was finished. Then I was disappointed cos it was gone, I felt bereft and wished I had savoured it. Imagine my excitement last night when I hear that we are going to get Holder’s version of the story! I can’t wait to find out what is going on inside his head!

I have read a lot of books already since the beginning of the year, I love intense books and just can’t get enough of them. Hopeless if firmly secured in my top three books this year alongside Rebecca Donovan’s Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing, which is on top? It depends on the day!

I will guarantee you, stake my reputation on it, if you read Hopeless you will be enthralled from the very first word and unable to put the book down. The bad thing about this book? There isn’t another one yet to dive straight in to!

You can buy Hopeless on Amazon, Kobo, iTunes and anywhere else you normally buy your eBooks.

Colleen Hoover, busy and all as she is was generous enough to answer my interview questions. I hope that you enjoy them!

Colleen Hoover

How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

Disorganized. Procrastinator. Ninja. Positive (despite being so disorganized). Happy.

How did it feel to see yourself as No 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers?

Surreal. I’m still in shock that the book hit number one and even more in shock that it stayed for three weeks in a row.

Do you have a preference to whether you write a series or a stand alone?

I don’t. It really just depends on the book. However, I will say that I’m not a fan of cliff-hangers, so I’ll try to never leave a book hanging.

I loved the ‘Butterfly effect’ in Point of Retreat. I often see reference to it on your Facebook page. Did you think it would stick?

Oh, I didn’t think anyone would read the book…much less did I think it would stick. I wrote Point of Retreat immediately after finishing SLAMMED, so I had no readers at that time. Once the books started taking off and I would see the references, it was really awesome.

Who were your easiest and hardest characters to write for?

Lake and Will’s relationship was the easiest and funnest. Holder was really hard to figure out. I wanted him to be an enigma to the reader, but he ended up being an enigma to me as well. I had to

Your favourite band, The Avett brothers featured quite a bit in the Slammed series, was it easy to fit the quotes in so well with the chapters?

It was hard, because they have so many great lyrics that fit. The hard part was picking which ones to cut.

Hopeless was AMAZING and it up there as one of my all time best reads, You think Griffin Petersen (yum) would make a great Holder, who do you think would make a great Sky?

I have no idea. I’ve had a lot of people say Jennifer Lawrence, but I never picture the characters in my head when I write. But after readers pointed out Griffin, he definitely fit what I could see as an image for Holder.

Far from being run of the mill Romance, your books have tackled heavy issues yet you managed not to make the reader feel weighted down, what was your inspiration behind both the Slammed series and Hopeless?

Entertainment is always my only inspiration. I don’t write to education, inform or impress. I just write to entertain and I feel that even with tackling heavy issues, the read should be given lighthearted, fun moments as well.

What can we expect next from you?

I never talk about what I’m writing next. I have started many books that never get finished, so I don’t want to give readers an idea that something is being released when there’s a good chance I’ll change my mind. I find it much easier to release when it’s all complete.

(Since giving this interview Colleen made a very excitement announcemet on her blog http://www.colleenhoover.com about what is coming next!)

Are you living the dream?

Absolutely.

Ok a few random questions now

If you could pick a random guy out of a book to have all for yourself who would it be?

Probably Lucas from Tammara Webber’s Easy.

You are only allowed 3 luxury items for the next month, what are they?

Cell phone, laptop, and a butler.

Do you prefer sweet or Savoury?

Sweet.

Tell us a joke

Two muffins were sitting in an oven. One muffin turns to the other muffin and says, “Man. It’s hot in here.” The other muffin screams, “ARGH!!!!! A Talking Muffin!”

What is the most important lesson you have learned in life?

Never regret.

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How the hell did we end up here?

A little under a year ago, I like a lot of the worlds female population (not to mention a few men) got swept up in the Fifty Shades of Grey frenzy. For a long time I heard people talking about it, saw jokes on Facebook and headlines in Newspapers. I had no interest in it, then my friends were reading it and women being women, they were talking about it. Jokes about cable ties, Red walls and lip biting were flying, and as they were they flew right over my head. I didn’t like it, not one bit. See if you know me you will know I like to talk. To be left out of every conversation was not good! I downloaded the Kobo app, bought the book. Then the next one and the one after that. They were so good I read all three in eight days – TWICE. My hubby remarked that there hadn’t been a thing done in the house in 2 weeks.

See I hadn’t read a book in quite a while and those that I had read previously were more your everyday Romance where the worst language used would have been a scorned woman screaming at her husband calling him a cheating bastard and sex was more often than not alluded to rather than being talked about in a blow by bow (pardon the pun) account. The FSoG trilogy opened up a whole new world of reading for me, and more like me. One friend mentioned how she had looked for books like this before and she couldn’t find one (days pre eReader) and now she can’t walk into Tesco without them slapping her in the face. Women are not only open to reading these books but talking about them aswell. And in great detail. While the women of the world are reading the men of the world are thankful. I have seen many posts on authors Facebook pages and Twitter accounts that say – ‘My husband says Thank You’, I have recommended many of these books to friends who have often thanked me (and I didn’t even write them) and told me ‘I owe you a drink’. Careful ladies I could do with a night out and i may collect!

While FSoG opened up this new world of reading to me, which I am rather enjoying, it is most certainly my eReader that facilitates it! I went for a Kobo myself but there are many of them out there. While I happily read on the bus, train, in a cafe, at the bus stop or in the college canteen I do so happy in the knowledge that no one has a clue what I am reading. I am rather shy you see (;)) and I would be mortified if anyone knew what was going on Behind my Coral book cover. Though I am sure I spare a few blushes that may just give me away! I couldn’t imagine reading Bared to You or Backstage Pass with the world knowing I was reading an erotic novel!

It’s not just the Erotic stories I am enjoying, it is the whole New Adult Genre. My top 3 are continuously switching and swapping with each other, depending on the day and the mood and of the following could be in my Number 1 spot:

Beautiful Disaster – Jamie McGuire
Hopeless – Colleen Hoover
Reason to Breathe / Barely Breathing – Rebecca Donovan ( I read these back to back and I honestly couldn’t choose between them)

It would be a pretty special book to knock any of these of the top 3, and I am enjoying my quest to find it!

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The Moreno Brothers series

The Moreno Brothers series is made up of 5 books, one for each of the brothers – Angel, Alex, Sal and their sister Sofia and one for their best friend Romero. The series begins with Angels story, Forever Mine.

Forever Mine

Forever mine

Poor Sarah, she has had to up sticks and move to a new city right at the beginning of senior year. Her mum is in prison for embezzlement and she has had to move to San Diego to live with her Aunt and her family. Her cousin Valerie is in the same year at school so at least she isn’t completely on the outer. Within minutes of being in school she is lost and while looking at the guide of the school she makes eye contact with a very handsome boy. The same boy she has had a crush on since she first laid eyes on him a couple of years before. Who is this boy? He is none other than Angel Moreno, of THE Moreno brothers. Really, did she really just make a fool of herself staring at him?

As it happens the attraction is mutual and the pair get together. She isn’t one of those girls though, she isn’t going to ‘hook up’ with him, star football player or not! Regardless, Angel manages to woo Sarah and the pair begin to date. The problem? Sarah is determined to move back and live with her best friend Sydney. Oh yeah, and the fact that the very intense and even more territorial Angel doesn’t believe a boy and a girl can just be friends! Yes that’s right, the best friend that Sarah can’t wait to get home to is a boy. She didn’t lie to him, not as such, he assumed Sydney was a girl she just hasn’t found the right time to tell him different.

She didn’t count on falling in love. She also didn’t count on being caught hugging Sydney. As for Angel he didn’t count on getting his heart-broken by the only girl he has ever like enough to be exclusive with. The semester is over, she turned 18, Angel hates her and it’s time to move home. Is there anything that can make her stay?

Always Been Mine

always been mine
Oh Alex, Alex, Alex (she says in a dreamy voice) you really screwed up didn’t you! During Angel and Sarah’s story we learned of Alex’s relationship with Sarah’s cousin Valerie. Though relationship is probably a stretch. They hooked up but they were never exclusive.

Now we have a whole book devoted to them, Yes I hear you – there is a God! So, fed up with this on again off again relationship where Alex is so sweet, loving (though he hasn’t told her he loves her), caring and intense for weeks at a time, then he disappears and nothing – not even a text for days or even weeks, she decided to follow him. She borrows her room-mate Isabel’s car and stakes out his home. That’s when her world comes crashing down, a scantily clad woman arrives and he lets her in. OK so she knew they weren’t exclusive but this is just the wake up call she needs, its time to get on with her life and that means leaving Alex Moreno in the past.

So a year later and fate throws them together. Isabel has coached her and she is ready to face him, she isn’t going back there – no way, she is so over Alex Moreno. Until they kiss, that one kiss is the undoing of her and she is right back to where she started. Knowing she can’t do this anymore she does the one thing guaranteed to make Alex leave her alone, she tells him she is with another man.

Alex didn’t even realise how much he missed Valerie. He has had an awful year. His College football came to an end through injury, and without his scholarship he has been really struggling. Now Valerie is back but she has another man. How did he not realise how much he missed her, how did he not realise he loved her. She should be his. How is he going to get her back? Because if he knows nothing else, he knows she has to be his!

She can’t do it, she can’t go back there. She needs to move on with her life and that means one thing, she needs to start dating. When the opportunity present itself she starts to date. She has a lot of commitments at the moment which mean she moves in the same circles as Alex, so when he see’s her with her new man he can’t handle it. Then he learns she may be in danger and he can’t walk away. He needs to get Isabel back and he needs to keep her safe.

Will she listen when he tries to tell her she was wrong about what she saw? Will she let him back in to her life? Can Alex protect her or no matter what he does will the threat to her prove to be too much?


Sweet Sofie
Sweet sofie
We first met Sofie as the 16 year old sister in Forever Mine. In this book we go back to when Sofie is a child and follow her into her young adulthood. Even then as a very young girl riding her tasselled bike up and down the road we see how protective her brothers are of her. This doesn’t get any better when she is growing up, especially when she is in her teens. And dare anyone do anything to upset her! And if you do, and you are a boy – well you may run for the hills. As if it isn’t bad enough that she has 3 older brothers – she also has Eric and Romero. Her brothers best friends and they are every bit as bad as they are. Especially Eric, he always keeps a special eye on her.

Sofie likes Eric, like really likes Eric. She is fairly sure Eric likes her too. She is also fairly sure her brothers would have his ass if he went there. The thing is though, Sofie is hell-bent on getting what she wants. A few stolen moments confirm what she already knows, he is so into her! They have to keep it a secret though, she isn’t allowed to date anyone until she is 17. Eric being 2 years older than her isn’t going to help with her brothers either.

A stolen kiss on New Years eve, which turns out not to be quite so stolen when Alex walks in, leads to all hell breaking lose. Eric is banished from the house and Sofia gets into a blazing row with her brothers. Under no circumstances is she to go anywhere near Eric and she isn’t to be alone with him – ever. So what can they do? They do wat any self-respecting teenagers do – they go behind their backs!

Sofie turn 17 and Eric ‘stakes his claim’. When Eric has to go away to work for the summer, it seems Sofie posses all the intensity as her brother and along with her fiery personality she sparks are sure to fly. Join Sofie and Eric and read about the highs, the lows and whether or not a girl and her first boyfriend can make it through all the trials, temptations and distance life has to throw at them.

Romero
Romero

Can you guess who this book is about?Ramon Romero (just don’t call him Ramon) is best friends to both Angel and Alex. Living just down the road from them they grew up together and have been friends since they were very young. Alex lives with his two uncles, the very loveable, very rough around the edges and potty mouthed Manny and Max. Two shady characters with the biggest hearts! When Romero’s father went to prison they vowed to change their ways and be good role models for the boy, and along with their mother – Romero’s grandmother they raised him. A pretty fine job they did too!

The only one of the group not to go to College, Romero had his own goals. He wanted to set up his own security company. He worked the door at his uncles’ bar and other clubs in the area to save the capital he needed and also do all the courses he needed to get certified. Eventually he gets to set up his own company and gets his Private Investigators Licence. Things really are on the up for Romero.

Romero is at a wedding shower when he meets Isabel Montenegro. She intrigued him from the very first time she opened her mouth. She is a refined educated lady, certainly not his type and he certainly isn’t hers. There is something there though, a spark – a connection. He needs to find out what that’s all about.

Isabel is a bit of a control freak, everything has a place and everything is in that place. You won’t find a thing out-of-place in her life. Romero has no place in her life, he just isn’t her type. He is a guy with a foul mouth and a short temper. Why is it then that she finds herself more and more drawn to him? Is she actually starting to fall in love with this guy?

Romero may not have gone to College but he is a good guy with a heart of gold, his family and friends are the most important people in the world to him and he is fiercely loyal. All this stuff doesn’t matter to Isabel’s family though, they are all about the College education and standing in society. You could be the biggest asshole on the planet but as long as you have a Masters or are a high-ranking army officer then that’s OK. Isabel is reluctant to tell her family about Romero and this ignites his fuse. He doesn’t understand why she doesn’t tell them, unless she is ashamed of him! When he finds out that she humoured her sister by going on a date that she had arranged it is the last straw. He walks out of the apartment leaving Isabel distraught. Romero goes home to his Uncles’ and hits the bottle, after a heart to heart he realises he hasn’t been honest either. He hasn’t introduced her to his family, but this time it is because she is afraid of what she would think about them!

As expected he isn’t good enough for her family. Isabel’s sister continues to try to come between them and meddling, creating situations where Isabel is with other men – often under Romero’s nose. One particular occasion causes Romero to flip and become extremely aggressive and violent. He stands to lose everything – the woman he loves, the career he was worked so hard to forge for himself, his freedom. Isabel’s family want her to have nothing to do with him any more and believe she is in danger. Will Isabel’s family convince her, is Romero just too rough around the edges? Is everything as it seems with Isabel’s family and is Romero really the bad guy in this situation?


Making You Mine
Making you mine

While we have seen Sal pop up in the previous books he is the character we know the least about. He is the oldest of the Moreno boys. Away at College doing a Business Masters so he could expand the family business he was less of a fixture than the others but now he is home and he has his own story to tell!

WIth the family business expanding and a lot of the experienced staff gone to get the new restaurant up and running Alex is left short-staffed in the restaurant. Sal is overseeing both restaurants and is taking care of the hiring – Alex is too soft and be tough enough with the interviewees – heaven knows what they would end up with!

Grace Zendejas is running late for her interview, great start. She is also wearing a pair of glasses she doesn’t need, and they are giving her a headache. Well she had to do something, everyone keeps telling her that she is too young, too inexperienced to work in their kitchen. They won’t even let her show them how good she is. If they would just let her show them, they would be blown away, but they all know better.

It turns out that the ass that interviewed her today was no better. He even had the cheek to offer her a job tending bar. She really needed that job too, she needs to find a place for her and her sister to live – they can’t keep living with a mother who couldn’t care less and a step father who seems to care a little too much, if you know what i mean. When she doesn’t hear anything after a few days she decides its time to swallow her pride, a job tending bar pays more than not having a job at all. When she goes back though Sal isn’t there, she meets Alex – a younger much more pleasant version of Sal. She finds out Sal knows she lied about her age – she swears she would have come clean, after he let her show what she could do. Alex gives her the job and she starts work right away. It turns out she is just as good behind the bar as she is in the Kitchen.

Sal walks into the restaurant and can’t believe what he is seeing. He hasn’t been able to get Grace out of his head for days, he doesn’t know what it is about her but she is haunting his every thought. Is he imagining her behind the bar or did Alex really go over his head and hire her? As the tension crackles between them for days Sal gets increasingly uncomfortable. Grace is feeling it to and finds it unnerving to be around him. The only thing more disappointing than him being at the restaurant when she turns up for work is when he isn’t there.

Sal is forced to show his hand when Oscar, his long time friend and staff member takes a shine to Grace and he tells her to back off. Oscar unwittingly lets slip to Grace about Sal’s feeling for her. They finally get over themselves and get it together and in true Moreno style it gets intense – fast. Though just like Alex, Sal screws up. Major league screws up. It seems he has gone off to Vegas, got drunk, slept with his stalker and got her pregnant. A fact the woman is only too happy to tell Grace – in a restaurant full of people!

How the hell could he do this to her? He was talking about forever. How could he betray her like this, and get someone pregnant? Grace vows that she will never speak to him again. She is heartbroken. So heartbroken she is making herself ill. She has been offered to make all her dreams come true with an investor who is looking for a bit more than business, unfortunately our Grace is a bit too naive to see that!

Sofie just can’t believe that Sal would do this to Grace, and whats more Sal has no recollection. She hires Romero To investigate the case, things just don’t add up to her.

Can Romero save Sal’s ass? Is this woman everything she claims to be? Can Sal stop Grace from making a big mistake with a guy who wants more than she wants to give? Is Sal going to be a daddy? Has heartbreak brought about a relapse of Grace’s childhood illness? Will Grace forgive Sal and can she ever trust him again?

A lot of questions, you will have to grab a copy to get the answers!

OK so I don’t think you need to ask me what I thought of these books. I loved them! 5 books were read in 6 days. How did I find the time? I put the children to bed and I sat on my backside and read for 6 straight hours a night. I also read on the bus, at my breaks in College and when the children entertained themselves. I even read sitting in the passenger side as my husband drove the car. I was hooked right from the very first story. I know there is a lot of reading in this review but after reading all of the books I didn’t think it would be fair to just review one.

I can’t recommend them highly enough to you. If you enjoy young adult and contemporary romance then you have to read these books. They don’t rely on a lot of highly erotic sex scenes to keep the reader entertained – it has a story for that. A really good story. If you enjoy books filled with angst, suspense, tension and drama – books like Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster and Tammara Webber’s Easy (Don’t worry that review is high on my to-do list) then you will really enjoy Elizabeth Reyes’ Moreno Brothers Series. There isn’t much more for me to say other than – go read them!!

Grab a copy of Forever Mine to start with, you will find the books on:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Mine-The-Moreno-Brothers/dp/1475244207/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359413984&sr=8-1&keywords=forever+mine+by+elizabeth+reyes
Right at this very moment it is free! How long that will last i do not know
Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Forever-Mine-The-Moreno-Brothers/book-aVXPyYOVzk2xRjCB2wHl4Q/page1.html?s=Au8tSZavsk-FVuukHC0_Gw&r=6
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forever-mine-elizabeth-reyes/1029126053
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ie/book/forever-mine-moreno-brothers/id445182195?mt=11

The following is the interview with Elizabeth Reyes, to date (with the exception of Carmel Harrington, Great friend and Author of Beyond Graces Rainbow another must read, just make sure the tissues are handy) is by far my favourite interview to have done. Even through email i get a sense of the type of person Elizabeth Reyes is. Honest, full of fun – maybe even a bit of devilment, and very grounded. A perfect dinner or drinking companion!

Elizabeth Reyes

Who is Elizabeth Reyes?

Elizabeth is a wife (19 years in a few weeks! eeks!) a soccer mom of two teens (one will be an adult in two weeks DOUBLE eeeeks!) with a passion for story telling.

How did you know you were a writer?

I didn’t. I just wrote because it’s what I’ve always loved doing. But I never once thought it would be something I’d be doing as a career. It was more of a hobby a secret passion I never even talked about. I never queried a story to a publisher because I honestly thought it was just something I would do for fun on the side. Then self publishing came along and I decided why not? Even if my books weren’t selling I know I’d still be writing because it’s what I’ve always done to relax.

If you couldn’t write what would you be doing?

Probably working in the same field I’ve always worked. Communications. I worked for one phone company or cell phone company in customer service and sales since I graduated from high school and I was good at it. But nothing beats getting up and going straight to my desk and seeing what my readers have to say today and what my characters are up to. =)

Do you think the advent of the ereader has been of benefit to authors trying to break through?

Absolutely. It’s changed the world of publishing for sure. Many of us who would’ve never considered trying to query publishers or even agents are now being queried by them. The tables have turned and its a very exciting time for us authors.

I miss the Moreno boys lol, Do you miss a character once you a finished with a book or series?

Every time. When I’m working on a book I eat breathe and sleep the characters for months. So when I’m finally done I feel we’ve broken up. I’m feeling that right now with Hector. =( As a matter of fact when I first wrote Forever Mine I didn’t intend to make it a series until I finished and missed all the characters so much I decided there needed to be more. I think this is why all my books tend to turn into series. I admit I cried when I finished Making You Mine.

Who was your favourite in the series?

I get asked this a lot and it’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. I love them all equally. I poured my heart in soul into each story so I really can’t choose a favorite. But I will always admit while Romero by far has been the most intense and him and his foul mouthed uncles were also the funnest to write.

You spend a lot of time writing, do you get to read much?

Sadly not as much as I wish I could. My mind is different now. It’s constantly in create mode so any free time I get I need to write. But I do still read just not nearly as much as I used to.

I haven’t yet read any of the 5th Street series, but i have read Fate, the first in the Fate series, a spin-off from the Moreno Brothers. Can i hazard a guess that Enzo (Lorenzo Moreno, Vincent’s brother) is next in line for his own story?

Enzo will get his own story but he is not the next. There are two other characters in the Moreno Brothers series who need their happy ending badly. Then we will see what I have in store for poor Lorenzo. 😉

For readers that have read the Moreno Brothers books, what can we expect from the other two series’? Always expect intense heroes who love very passionately, unexpected twists, and lots of drama. It’s what I love to experience in a read therefor love writing.

There is a lot of talk about food in the Moreno Brothers stories (I have never been so hungry while reading!), does this stem from a love of cooking or is it more about mexican tradition?

LOL I think both. Many of the dishes I speak of are dishes I love to make but there is always grubbing going on in our family gatherings so yeah both.

You are jumping between writing for the Fate series and the 5th Street series, are you trying to kill us?

No I’m not trying to kill you guys I promise! When I wrote the Moreno Brothers series I wrote them back to back straight through. By the time I was done I was SO ready for a change. So when I decided Vince and Rose would get their own story and that there would be a spin-off series I decided I’d space it out this time. Not just with the Fate series but any new series I start on from here on. One thing I do promise is I will never leave you hanging on what happens with a particular couple unless I plan on putting out their sequel very soon after.

I have a list of books that i am waiting on to come in the first half of this year, are there any books that you can’t wait to come out?

Yes I have a LOT so I’ll just name a few off the top of my head. Covet from Tracey Garvis-Graves, Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire, and Never Too Far from my critique partner Abbi Glines (luckily with Abbie I get to read all her books before anyone else. Not teasing! Not teasing! Just bragging! lol)

I know you enjoy baking, what is your favourite thing to bake?
Hands down my chicken enchilada casserole. The one Grace makes in Making You Mine. It’s a family favorite and what I’m asked to make at all the gatherings.

You love to sing but can you sing?

If you ask the sober me or my husband, not really but ask me after I’ve had a few and I’ll tell you I can put Mariah Carey to shame and then proceed to show you! So if you value your ears please don’t ever ask me then!

If you could go back in time would you change anything?

Maybe only a few small things about how I started off self publishing. I was really clueless and I made lot of newbie mistakes I wish I hadn’t but live and learn right? Other than that nope.

Angel, Alex, Sal, Eric & Romero, which you : Marry, Date, Friends with benefits, Snog and Best friends with?

Marry: Alex. I’m a sucker for BIG muscles and over protective men.
Date: Angel though I’m sure I’d fall in love and want more. =/
Friends with Benefits: Romero but that wouldn’t work as I’m sure he doesn’t do that and things would get ugly. =O
Snog and Best Friends: Eric. I love him to death but Sofie would kick my ass if I tried for anything else 😉

Sal: I’d probably just snog and be best friends with because I’m way too messy and unorganized for a guy like him to to even date! But snogging’s good. 😉  

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Sinners on tour!

Join Rock Group ‘Sinners’ on tour! Meet the 5 Rockers – Brian ‘Master’ Sinclair, Sedric Lionheart, Jace Seymour, Eric Sticks and Trey Mills.

Each book in the series follows one of the band members starting with Brian ‘Master’ Sinclair in Backstage Pass.
Backstage Pass

Dr. Myrna Evans is a ‘Sex Doctor’ presenting at a conference full of stuffed shirts that are boring the life out of her. On her way back to her room she spots a table of boisterous men in the bar, men who couldn’t look any more out of place. Men who look right up her street! She decides to approach them when realisation hits her, no way – it couldn’t be, could it? Myrna finds herself smack bang in the middle the rock band she idolizes, a group that she knows everything about. Fending off advances from all the members, there is only one she has her sights on – Brian ‘Master’ Sinclair.
It seems the two just can’t get enough of each other and as Myrna joins the band on tour for a month to do a study on what it is about Rock Stars that makes girls so promiscuous, we follow Myrna’s relationship with both sides of Brian Sinclair. Brian Sinclair and Master Sinclair, the man behind the make up and the performer on stage.
With more than one skeleton lurking in the cupboards in this relationship, can the pair make it?


Rock Hard
Rock hard

Sedric Lionheart is the Lead Singer of ‘Sinners’. The guy with the big onstage persona and an even bigger ego. Never mind a different girl every night – there are often several of them, and at the same time. A real use them, abuse them and chuck them aside when you are finished with them kind of guy. In Backstage Pass we got to know that guy and we all had our own opinions on him. Man whore, really. However, we were seeing Sed from others eyes, in Rock Hard we are seeing the world from Sed’s own point of view, and of course it’s just not as simple as that. The man had his heart-broken and has vowed that is never going to happen again. What he didn’t count on however is spying Jessica, the very girl who broke his heart working in a Vegas Strip Club. He loses the plot and a fight erupts. The subsequent events result in Jessica ending up on the Tour bus for the rest of the summer. Can Sed snap out of his perpetual asshole persona and make amends?, Does Jessica even care anymore? Who really was the wronged party? When tempers frey you can the passion flare, and there is only one place it is going to eruept…The bedroom. While they seem more than compatible between the sheets will they ever be able to settle their differences out of them?

Double Time
Double time

Trey Mills is the Bi-Sexual Rhythm Guitarist. He is harbouring a secret love for Brian, a love that not only isn’t reciprocated but Brian isn’t even aware of. His best friend, his confident, the man he loves – Brian is slowly slipping away from him as he settles into his new life and the roles that come with it. Trey is finding it hard to adjust. When Trey’s brother Dare, Lead guitarist with huge rock band ‘Exodus End’ asks him to sit in on auditions for a new Rhythm Guitarist he goes along, best friend Brian is caught up in his ‘new life’ and he has nothing better to do. When he listens to one of the blind auditions he is pole axed. He thinks they are playing games with him – he is listening to Brian play, Is Brian leaving Sinners? In a panic he bursts into the studio to find a girl playing, Reagan. Has he found Brian in the female form?

Reagan joins Sinners for the last leg of the present tour to get a taste of life on tour before beginning her first tour with Exodus End. A world apart from where she was a week ago, working in a coffee-house for a sleazy boss, she learns life on the road. Beginning a relationship with Trey, she really is living the dream. Can Trey be happy in a monogamous relationship? Can he really ignore the part of him that craves intimacy with a man? Reagan had been betrayed before when she found her ex, Ethan, with a man – so Trey believes there is no way he can be 100% honest with her.

Things take a sinister turn when Reagan starts getting threatening letters and has no idea who they are from. Luckily her best friend, who also happens to be the ex-boyfriend has been signed on as her body-guard. While he vows to get to the bottom of it he struggles with his attraction to Trey. Add this to the fact that it is a mutual attraction and that Ethan is STILL in love with Reagan and Trey is STILL in love with Brian, you can only wonder how the hell they are going to sort this one out!

Sweet Holy Divine!!
I have read the Fifty Shades Trilogy (who hasn’t, right?), Sylvia Day’s Bared to you and Reflected in you but nothing in this world would have prepared me for, or came close to Sinners on tour!

Close your mouth Tanya you are catching flies! Flies? My mouth was gaping so bloody wide I swear a bus could have driven in there! It’s not that I was shocked, no scratch that I WAS SHOCKED. I had never read anything like this, and I couldn’t get enough. Maybe I just live a sheltered life? Well I don’t mind telling you – I am happy to live vicariously through Olivia Cunning and her penmanship!

The books aren’t just sex though. Yes there is a lot of sex BUT there are amazing stories in there too. An insight into the lives and loves of famous rock stars, the people you think have it all. At the end of the day they are people too. While each book is centred on a particular band member it also tracks the other members so you get to keep up with what is going on or continue their journey after we have read their story. There are many layers to each of the characters in Olivia Cunning’s books, not just the band members themselves but to the girls they love (or boys!), the Roadies and the other important people in their lives.

The books are jam-packed with sex, not just your average sex either, but the type that is going to make you blush and look around to see who is watching you and wondering if they can read what is going on in your mind (God i hope not!), but also love, hurt, angst, fear, friendship and loyalty.

Yes this book is probably best described as erotic – but there is a hell of a story inside! If you are prudish, easily offended or just don’t like reading about kinky (and not just a little bit) sex, then it isn’t the book for you. You need an open mind, and if it’s a little bit in the gutter – well that will help too!

If any one would like a visual or to know a bit more about each of the characters visit http://www.sinnersontour.com

Less than 2 weeks until Hot Ticket is released, Bring it on! Only, a day later when the last page has been turned the wait will be on again!

Olivia Cunning was good enough to let me interview her – like she isn’t busy enough! I hope you enjoy her answers and a glimpse into what is to come!

olivia cunning

Who is Olivia Cunning?

The much cooler version of a shy, midwestern Army brat who is a bit of an adrenaline junkie and wanted to be a lead guitarist when she grew up. Writing books about lead guitarists and their bandmates is close enough to living that dream, especially since my fingers are too stubby to play the guitar well.

Sinners on Tour is based on a Rock band, is this the type of music you are interested in?

I listen almost exclusively to rock, mostly heavy metal. I don’t think your work can be really authentic if you don’t love what you write about.

What research did you have to carry out about life on the road, roadies and groupies?

Unfortunately it’s all been books, videos and rockumentary research. And I have a VERY vivid imagination.

Do you find since Fifty Shades of Grey women are more open to reading this type of book and do you think the demand has increased?

I had a decent following of dedicated fans before FSoG became popular, but since it became such a huge sensation, I would say yes, more women are open to reading erotic romance. From what I’ve been told, my books are more explicit than the FSoG series. I haven’t read them, so that statement is conjecture.

What genre would you label the books as?

Humorous rock star erotic romance, heavy on the erotic.


Do any of the characters names hold any special meaning to you?

I worked with a woman named Myrna who was pretty much the polar opposite of the Myrna in Backstage Pass, so the character isn’t based on her. I just stole her name. But other than Brian, who if you know who inspired that character, that name will make sense *wink* the names just come to me when I’m writing. And sometimes not right away. Sometimes a character is named Girl-1 or GuitaristDude for half the book, until the right name comes to me. No character went through as many name changes as did Reagan in Double Time. I think I changed her name about 10 times, but Reagan is the proper fit.

Who was your favourite character to write for?

Whichever one I’m working on at the moment. It changes with each book.

Snog, Marry, Date, One night stand, Best friends. Which of each of the 5 characters would YOU pick for each category?

Snog- Sed Lionheart (vocalist)

Marry- Brian Sinclair (lead guitarist)

Date- Jace Seymour (bassist)

One Night Stand- Trey Mills (rhythm guitarist)

Best Friends- Eric Sticks (drummer)

Dare has popped up quite a bit through out the first 3 books, might he get his own book?

That’s the plan, but I haven’t started working on it yet. I have started working on Logan’s book. He’s the bassist in Dare’s band, Exodus End.

A question from another reader: How will the timeline for the last 2 books work as it seems like the two remaining characters are already well into their own stories?

The books were released out of order, so the timeline stays true to the order I wrote them in. Hot Ticket occurs concurrently and after Rock Hard. Then Wicked Beat comes between Hot Ticket and Double Time. Double Time is the end of the series. The only thing that changed was that the publisher released them in the wrong order.

11. Hot Ticket is almost here! Personally i cant wait. Do you get nervous in the run up to a release date?

Not nervous really. There’s nothing you can do about the book once it’s released in the world. I do find I read my reviews right before a release. I try not to do that much after a book is out because all the conflicting opinions make me question my ability as an author.

If you were stranded on a Desert Island what things would you want to have with you?

Food, water, indoor plumbing and something to write on. And a Wilson volleyball to talk to.


Do you have a motto in life?

Get out of your own way. You never know what you can do, if you’re too afraid to try something new. (that rhymes! Sounds like something out of Dr. Seuss)

When is the last time you laughed / cried?

Yesterday, when I was writing. Yesterday, when I was writing. I’m an emotional wreck when I write. 🙂 After I finish answering my email messages, I’m going to go write, laugh and cry today too.

What is your greatest achievement?

That’s a difficult question. I’ve raised a great son on my own, completed a masters degree in an advanced science field, attained the career I wanted, and recently left that career to write full-time. So I guess my greatest achievement has been identifying my dreams, attempting to make them a reality, and sometimes succeeding.

What would you like to say to your fans?

You rock! I couldn’t have attained my dream of writing full-time without you. And yes, I know, I need to write faster.

Finally can i interview you again at the end of the series?

Probably.

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For Kicks

cover ForKicks_v2

Breeze Cohen is a workaholic. At only 26 years old she is on the fast track to becoming the youngest ever store manager at Mendelssohns Department Store. She won’t let anything get in her way. She didn’t, however, factor in falling into the arms (quite literally) of ex pro soccer star Logan Chandler. Logan is a live life in the moment for the moment kind of a guy, everything in Breeze’s life is planned and structured. There is an instant attraction and while Breeze fights to ignore it Logan decides he is going to fight too. Though his fight is different, he wants to fight for her and to show her there is much more to life than work, to convince Breeze that thing thing missing in her life is HIM. Problem is thought Breeze doesnt think there is anything missing in her life to begin with. Can he convince her to live, or will his fight be in vain?

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. While it may not set the world on fire I wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to recommend it. It has everything you look for in a book, with a good few steamy encounters thrown in for good measure. My only real criticism with this book is that it was over too soon. The end just crept up too quickly and I was left wanting more, not the worst thing in the world but I feel Jenna Bayley-Burke may have short-changed herself! I rated it as a 3* in goodreads but if it were longer I believe it would have been a 4* book.

Here I normally throw in where you can find out more about the Author and where you can get a copy of the book, but Jenna Bayley-Burke kindly did all that for me in her interview. Thanks Jenna 😉

I can’t wait to start the next one in my library! With such an extensive back catalogue I don’t know how I will choose!

I hope you enjoy the interview with Jenna, I really enjoyed reading her answers, so truthful and warm!

Jeanna Bayley-Burke

Who is Jenna Bayley-Burke?
An alarm clock, referee, short-order cook, stylist, chauffer, coffee enthusiast, writer, math tutor, amateur photographer, housekeeper, dog walker, gourmet chef, barber, and competitive Words with Friends player. You know, the typical mom/wife/friend combo.

You have quite an extensive back catalogue, how long have you been writing?
I started writing professionally in 2004, my first novel released in 2006.

You are a mother first, how do you fit writing around your hectic home life?
I write when the kids are asleep or in school. My princess is still wee, which means she naps. Thank goodness. I used to be able to start working after dinner, but now our boys are older and have activities of their own that push clear up til bedtime. It’s a balancing act.

I have just finished reading For Kicks, there is quite an extensive knowledge of retail management. Did you work in this area or did you have to do a huge amount of research? For Kicks was my post-retail therapy. I took training trips like the one Breeze wound up on, except David Beckham was not showing up at my hotel to help me relax. I might have stayed in retail if I had that kind of incentive!

What writers do you most admire?
Vicki Lewis Thompson. She’s amazing, and I tell her what a fan I am every time I see her. Well, except this last time because she remembered my name. Or read it off my name tag. Either way, it’s hard to be all fan-girl when someone knows your name.

Do you find there to be great support among authors?
Absoultely. Lucy Monroe is practically my writing therapist, Delilah Marvelle is determined to get me to promote myself, and Donna Alward is my own personal cheerleader. (pom pom swish)

How much easier do you think it has become to break into the industry with the advent of ereaders and erading apps on smart phones and tablets?
Okay, so this is going to seem counter-intuitive, but I think it’s harder. There are so many options available that people don’t know what will be best for their story and get tangled up in the possibilities. And readers are smarter about quality than ever before. Yes, more books are published, but readers are still demanding well-written, well-edited stories. Since there is so much out there, a single story that does not resonate with a reader can turn them off an author forever.

What is you favourite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I am waiting on a lot of books to come out in 2013, are there any books that you are impatiently waiting for?
Shelli Stevens Girl Gone Plaid, which isn’t even out until this summer. I love her stuff, and she had the best Tweets while she was writing it.

You are being stripped of all luxuries, what three things will you miss the most?
Okay, define luxury. Because I love my bed, a hot bath, and my lounge pants. Can’t live without. My husband thinks we bought this house so I could have an office, but it was the garden tub. Now, if you’re talking electronics then I’d miss the TV and Wii because they keep the kids entertained and we love family game nights with Fortune Street or bowling. And I have a special relationship with my Nespresso machine.

Do you think women are more open to reading books dubbed ‘mummy porn’ since the release of Fifty Shades of Grey?
I love any book that gets people reading more. Harry Potter did it, Edward Cohen, Christian Grey. People relate to strong characterization. (Yes, I do know Christian is a non-sparkley Edward.) People are looking for a consuming read regardless of the sensuality level. There is more curiosity about BDSM because of 50 Shades, but while it may have been the titillation factor that had people picking up book one, but it was the characterization that made people read the entire trilogy. In a weekend.

Fifty Shades was the first (but by no means last) of this type of book I read, have you noticed more of a demand for such books?
I know there were a glut of BDSM stories pitched to publishers in the wake of EL James sales numbers, but the industry is careful to select only the very best. Eden Bradley and Sylvia Day were both writing BDSM before 50 Shades, so their books were re-released and they wrote more because of the demand. But when it comes to new authors I think publishers are only looking for quality, like Lynda Aicher’s Wicked Play series.

What are your best and worst traits?
I am a procrastinator of the first order. Like, woah. And I have ADD, which is a blessing and a curse. I can do a lot of things at once, but usually because I can’t focus my attention on one thing at a time. I hope my best trait is how much I enjoy people. I really like being around happy people, which is why I love going to reader events. Romance readers are happier than the general population. True story.

What three things do you need to succeed in life?
Sleep, cuddles, and laughter

What is your favourite programme?
Grimm. Have you seen it? It’s this paranormal crime drama. So different from what I write, but it’s fantastic. And it films in my city.

Biggest turn on/off in a man?
Stank. Men should smell like men, not like a rotting onion. On the other side I love a man who smells good. My husband tried to change his body wash and I freaked out a little. The guy smells great, I don’t want that to change.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Oh…good one. Magazines come to mind first. I love the glossy pages and have way too many subscriptions. I have a nail polish obsession. I love the look of a manicure, but my nails are thin which leads to chipped polish. I found Incoco nail appliques during a trip to Las Vegas a few years ago, and I now buy them in one year batches. I’m not kidding. I love them that much.

Do you like to be interviewed?
Yes! It’s different each time. I can always find something to talk about, so an interveiw keeps me on track.

What would you like to say to your fans?
I always ask people who read Drive Me Crazy if they thought there was a ghost. Love hearing answers. And…if you ever see me at an event chat me up. I am actually painfully shy. But once I ‘know’ someone I warm right up. Find Jenna : Website:http://www.jennabayleyburke.com
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1218112.Jenna_Bayley_Burke
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/jenna.bayleyburke?fref=ts
Twitter:https://twitter.com/jennabb
Blog:http://jennabayley-burke.blogspot.ie/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jbayleyburke/

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