What it’s all about

Sex Snob is a spin-off of Pieces of Perfect but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Twenty-nine year old wild, carefree, and brutally sarcastic Amanda Bishop thought her three rules for dating would weed out unworthy suitors. And they did. Until she met Shane Reed, her smart-ass, sexy-as-sin CrossFit coach who pushes all her buttons. He’s the man she loves to hate. But when the hate begins to ebb away, and is replaced by feelings she can’t handle, Amanda hides behind her rules. Will the electric chemistry she feels with Shane allow her to get beyond a painful past, or will she push him away with her rules? Rules that make her the ultimate Sex Snob.

What Annie thought

Holy Wet Panties and Orgasmically Sexy Scenes. Sex Snob is an amazingly fun read. Elizabeth Hayley brings that all to the table and then some. Elizabeth Hayley is actually the coming together of two friends – Elizabeth and Hayley and they are my favourite Indie authors for the year. Without a doubt.

Amanda Bishop has been burned one too many times. She is not going to let it happen again. So she makes up rules. Her 3 rules to prevent her from heartache.

1) Have sex with a guy by the 4th date.

After all who wants to waste more time with someone if they are bad in bed.

2) The guy must earn as much or more than her.

Ever heard of a scrub. She is no one’s sugar momma, and some guys just can’t handle a more successful woman!

3) No kissing in bars…

… or in public at all. Who wants to see someone swallowing someone else’s face while trying to have a fun time? Gross!

Some rules are however meant to be broken. No one tests those rules more than Shane “The Best Dicking Ever” Reed. Shane is a personal trainer at CrossFit, and loves to make the ladies sweat in and out of the bedroom. He is a cocky, crazy douchebag with a rocking hot body.

Amanda and Shane love to hate each other. The problem is they hate to love each other too. They can fight hard and make up even harder.

I loved the storyline in this book. The girls did an incredible job. The characters were so real I had to remember that they, well weren’t. As for the humour- well it literally had me peeing my pants cos I was laughing so hard. No joke, I did actually pee my pants ;p

What is it all about?

Jane Black has written the breakup album of the century, earning her a Grammy, a huge legion of new fans, and the pressure to repeat her success. Sure, the heartbreak from her husband’s unconventional abandonment might have been her inspiration, but it hasn’t done her any favors in the dating department. So when Matthew Harrigan, the toughest music journalist out there, asks for an interview, Jane agrees—as long as her personal life is completely off-limits.

British, gorgeous, and way too tempting, Matthew’s the first guy Jane’s been attracted to since her husband. As she spends more time with him and their relationship heats up, though, so does her writer’s block. How can the queen of the break up pen the perfect follow-up when she’s seriously in love?

What I say
There is nothing quite like snuggling up on the couch on what may as well be a winters night with the fire blazing, something to much on and a good book. Even better when that book is from one of your absolute favourite authors and you have an advance copy. Yup thats right, ever since I read her first book, Caught Up In Us I just can’t get enough of Lauren Blakely and what have become known as ‘The Blakely Boys’.

This most recently Blakely Boy is no different, Matthew Harrigan is just as adorable and impossibly sexy, or should I say as ’eminently lickable’ as all those that came before him. Our leading lady is also just as fabulous. Jane Black, the woman who had her heart shredded and is fighting her way back.

As always I was totally hooked from the word go. Lauren Blakely always reels us in nice and quickly and we eat up the story. The only problem with that is that because we can’t get enough we read into the wee hours of the night, the story is over way too quickly and we are left with a book hangover. While that sucks as a reader I am sure it is music to an authors ears!

Far Too Tempting is also funny. While I always say I don’t ‘do’ comedy – this wasn’t comedy as such. It was witty. It was banter. It was very Lauren Blakely. If you have ever been lucky enough to have had interaction with Lauren you will know this book is all her. Even her emails are laced with it. It’s not forced humour or that she is trying to be funny, I’m guessing this is just Lauren’s personality and we are very lucky that it transpires into her books.

Basically what I am telling you is this book is awesome and you need to go and buy it.

Where?
Amazon: B&N: iBooks:

And just for a little teaser

Of all the interviews I have done on this blog two of them still receive hits on a daily basis. With only 10 hits between them I thought I would put it out there and see who you thought deserved to be labelled ‘Best interview of 2013’ in my end of year awards.

Did you know I was having an end of year awards? No? Me either I just decided about two lines ago 😉 The seed was actually planted back in August by the lady we all have to thank for me starting this blog, none other than Carmel Harrington.

So who do you think should win this (not so) coveted title?

The fabulous Neda from The SubClub Book Club, who just cannot fathomm that her interview was so popular! I mean, of course it was. She has one of the best blogs around for us readers that like it a bit hot 😉 To have a look at Neda’s Interview click HERE.

Mr Drake Stevenson, a character interview from The Rocker That Needs Me, by the super talented Terri Anne Browning. My first and so far only interview with a character from a book. I must admit – I was a bit skeptical but it was hugely enjoyable and well the figures speak for themselves. To read Drake’s Interview click HERE .

I can’t wait to see what you think.

So here I am, another blog tour and another genre that I don’t normally read but hey sometimes you just have to take a step out of your box, don’t you!

In Your Dreams

What it’s all about

Paranormal is generally a no go area for me. I however signed on for this blog tour before checking the genre. Right there and then when that thought struck me I just knew that it was going to be a paranormal book.

HOWEVER I have to say it wasn’t what I have in my head for a paranormal and it really was very enjoyable. And its funny because the only other paranormal I have ever read was the Jamie McGuire Providence series and to say I loved that is an understatement so I really don’t know where my reluctance to read them comes from.

I suppose it was the story itself and not the genre that was the positive aspect here. I do tend to jusge a book before reading it based on cover, genre etc. But I guess when the story is good as it was in this case then it doesn’t really matter what genre provides the base.

Anyhow, who is to say that this can’t happen. I do believe I have been passed messages in my sleep. So maybe that was another bonus point. Either way if you are a fan of paranormal this book is a must read and if you aren’t well maybe just maybe you might consider giving this one a chance 😉

About Gina Ardito

I think I’m getting the impression that Gina is funny gal!!

Non-Standard Bio
Gina Ardito
I kill houseplants. There. Now you know one of my greatest shames. I’m not boasting. I just figure that if you’re reading this, you’re looking for more than how wonderful life is as a writer. So here are a few more of my flaws:
I sing all the time. I sing in the car. In the shower. While I’m grocery shopping. And I headbop while I sing. When I’m not singing, I talk to myself. Just ignore me and move on. You get used to it after a while.
I don’t eat my vegetables. Seriously. I’d rather have a cookie.
I’m extremely fair-skinned and could burn under a 60-watt light bulb.
I can’t sleep without background noise. If it’s too dark and too quiet, all I have are my thoughts. And even *I* don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
Don’t ask me to Zumba, line dance, or march in the parade. I have absolutely no rhythm.
Regrets. I have more than a few.
My favorite activity is sleep. I don’t clock a lot of hours, but I powernap like a Persian cat and rejuvenate within ten minutes.
I consider shopping and dining out excellent therapy for anything wrong in my life.
My feet are always cold. Always. My husband claims it’s because I’m an alien sent to Earth to destroy him. (He might be right about that.)
Coming to my house for a visit? Unless you’ve given me plenty of advance notice, be prepared. My floor will not be vacuumed, there will be dishes in my sink, and I only make my bed when I change the sheets once a week (I’m climbing back into it ASAP. Why make it?) Housecleaning is not high on my priority list. Okay, to be totally honest, it’s not on the list at all.
I can resist anything…except ice cream.
Since this is our first date, I figure I’ve revealed enough secrets for now. But if you’ve read this bio and think I might be the author for you, pick up one of my books or stalk my website: http://www.ginaardito.com and my personal blog: http://ginaardito.blogspot.com.

….then today would be the day that we would be having a picnic.

Well I can smell lunch and I have just spied bubbles, courtesy of Carmel’s best friend Anne. So I suppose you could call it a picnic of sorts.

Just a classy one. Nothing else would do for my wonderful friend, Carmel Harrington, on this the publication day of Beyond Grace’s Rainbow with Harper Impulse, a digital imprint of Harper Collins.

Isn’t it pretty!

So here is what the book is about

Beyond Grace’s Rainbow is a poignant story about a young mother’s battle with cancer. Single mother Grace Devlin faces what will be the biggest fight of her life and the stakes are high. She cannot contemplate leaving her adorable little boy Jack all alone in the world. Unfortunately for Grace her best chance of survival is to receive a bone marrow transplant, so she embarks on a heart breaking search for her biological parents, as she was adopted when a small baby. This search will unravel a web of lies and deceit that has spanned over thirty years.

And just when she thinks life can get no more complicated, Jack’s father Liam is back in town full of remorse and he’s made it clear that he’s not leaving until he’s won her back. Liam was the love of Grace’s life but can she trust him ever again? Helping Grace muddle her way through her cancer treatment and complicated love life are her friends – Tara, Sean, Abby, Tom and Gerry. Tara is Grace’s cousin and is happily married to Sean but they are desperate for a baby of their own; Abby, Grace and Tara’s friend from college is single and looking for her one true love which is proving difficult, whilst Tom would be happy if his boyfriend Gerry for once didn’t max out their credit card! Beyond Grace’s Rainbow will bring the reader into Graces world where friendship, courage, loyalty, laughter and above all love are abundant. The story will bring you on an emotional journey with Grace and her friends that will have the reader both laughing and crying at the turn of a page.

This post isn’t a review, I did that a long time ago and you can check it here. I also interviewed Carmel and you will find that in the same post, though I will be interviewing her again in the coming weeks to talk about how things have changed since then.

What I am writing this post for is to tell everyone how absolutely delighted I am that Beyond Grace’s Rainbow and Carmel herself were signed under the Harper Collins umbrella. How delighted I am about how much more recognition the book is going to get, and the fact that Harper are also launching it along with the other Harper Impulse titles over in the United States. I am not going to say that this has made me proud of Carmel. Why? Because I was already proud of her. I was proud of her that she took the decision to self publish, to put herself out there. It’s a very brave thing to do. Without the backing of a publisher you could well be setting yourself up for a fall. I am also proud of her that she believed in herself. She would not back down and would not give in. I am proud of her that she didn’t get all negative when she faced rejection. She drew a line under that publisher and waited on word from the next one. I am proud of her because she worked for this. Because she put the work in and now she is seeing the fruits of her labour.

Today is Carmels day and I hope she enjoys every minute of it. She deserves this!

So here we are on day 2 of the bloggers feature. I have come to love following Victoria, of Victoria Loves Books on Twitter. To be honest I think she, along with Laura Lovelock are despairing of me and my lack of knowledge of HOT MEN!! Following them and their blogs has been an education!

Who is Victoria?

What a question! I’m a wife, a mum and I love books. I like to think I’m kind, honest and caring and hope i make my husband and children proud.

What made you start blogging about the books you were reading?

I’ve always read, it’s a huge part of my life. When I joined twitter I spoke books none stop! Kevin, of IHeartBooks told me I should start blogging, which set the wheels turning in my brain. I eventually set up my blog and I love it.

Do you find that on the whole authors are supportive of bloggers?

Oh from experience I can say absolutely. I’ve not come across an author who isn’t willing to help you out, wether it be interviews or writing pieces for your blog.

What is your favourite blog post and why?

Oooh that’s hard because I love them all, but I love my interview with Paige Toon.

What other blogs do you love to follow?

I follow SO many now,

Sharon Sant
Laura Reviews
Megan In The Sunshine
I_HeartChickLit
LeeLeeLoves
Loveofagoodbook

To name a few!

Mine is noticably absent 😮 lol

Do you feel that you have come a long way since you began reviewing?

I think so, I’m certainly getting more views and more requests to review books. I just like to be told, “I bought the book you reviewed.”
That feedback is so exciting, that because of my review someone has picked a book up.

I get a little thrill when the postman arrives with a book that I wasn’t expecting, is it the same for you?

Oh without doubt! My postman laughs at my excitement every time he knocks, and when he isn’t on duty and a I have a new one they say “ahh your the girl who squeals at the postman” haha

What is your favourite part of being a reviewer?

Sharing my love of books, or even finding that book that you have no expectations of that blows your mind. That you have to shout about it, to anyone that will listen!

But also more than that the little blogging family that I’ve become apart of. On the whole it’s brilliant, to have support of other Reviewers and also To be able to support them too, it makes reviewing even more fun.
Especially a few girls that have become brilliant friends and make me laugh more than anyone I’ve ever met.

Is there anything that annoys you about it?

Recently I’ve seen other bloggers begging anyone and everyone for free books or signed books. I think it’s disrespectful and rude. I don’t do my reviews for free books, I do it for my love of reading. I also buy a lot of my books i review myself. A few people seem to be doing it just for freebies. Which is just a shame.

Ok, so of all the books you have read what is your favourite? If you are like me you can pick a couple from different genres?

GOD that’s like asking my favourite child! Your Mean.
I have a few so here goes;

Harry Potter – JK Rowling
The Lady Of Hay – Barbara Erskine
The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffengger
One Day – David Nicholls
The Undomestic Goddess – Sophie Kinsella
I’ve Got You’re Number – Sophie Kinsella
The Girl You Left Behind – JoJo Moyes
The Cross Fire Series – Sylvia Day
Pictures Of Lily – Paige Toon
Tell No One – Harlan Coben
Six Years – Harlan Coben
The Bone Garden – Tess Gerritsen
The entire Rizzoli and Isles Series – Tess Gerritsen
One by One – Chris Carter
The Land Of The Living – Nicci French
Yours Truly – Kirsty Greenwood
I literally just read an advanced copy of The Memory Game – Sharon Sant

Oh that was a lot! I kind if got on a roll.

eBook versus paperback?

I only got and Ereader at Christmas and hardly used it, i hated the idea of them taking over paperbacks. But I have discovered a whole world of self published authors and adore my kindle now. Although as soon as an ebook is available on Paperback I instantly buy it.

Rough and hairy or clean cut and smooth?

Rough and ready! Oh sorry rough and hairy for sure. My husband is hairy and a bit rough looking, although really his a big softie.

What is your preferred genre?

I always loved crime and horror, but after discovering Chicklit last year and Sci-fi, YA and NA this year I’m open to anything at all.

What is did you last read, are you currently reading and plan to read next?

As I said above I just finished The Memory Game by Sharon Sant that I was lucky to read in advance. She is a lady to watch out for it was incredible.
I’m about to start S.E.C.E.R.T by L. Marie Adeline for my online book club.

What book last made you cry?

Again it was The Memory Game by Sharon Sant, it was ugly, snotty, howling tears too!

What book last had you fanning yourself?

Oh wow I’ve read some very good ones recently but that would be Down To You by M. Leighton

Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?

So tough I have about 30! It was recently Ben from Pictures Of Lily but it’s easily changed to Cash from Down To You. Although don’t tell Laura she will be after me 😉

Show us your favourite book boy picture?

He looks nothing like Cash in my head but that’s ok because he could be my anything 😉 it’s no surprise who it is either I’m sure, but I ACTUALLY LOVE HIM! In my head we are married and he reads to me every night, he bakes me cookies and washes my hair…..WOAH! I’m getting carried away now!

I have to tell you, this picture caused a storm lol. She told me it was a random guy when I asked her who it was. I was like, No he’s famous i’m sure of it. I went so far as to post this on twitter and ask for help. Mortified much…I did tell you they are despairing of me 😉

Wahey!!

The nominations for the blog awards came out today. I go over to Blog Awards Ireland for a little look and would you credit it, there I am. After the Final Chapters is nominated in the Best Arts and Culture blog. Little happy dance there for me! Thrilled to bits. As I am checking out the rest of the categories I scroll through the nominations for the best Lifestyle blog. There I find a name I recognise. Me again. This time though it is my other blog, Tales of a Synner following my long and only semi successful weight loss journey. What can I say – I love food.

So thanks to all of those who nominated me – I am tickled pink!

Sophie’s Turn is the first installment of the Rock Star Romance Trilogy. In this story Nicky Wells is taking Sophie Penhallighan, your regular girl next door and throwing her together with her hero. The man she had idolised since her teenage years. Now nearly 30 she can do all those things that she wouldn’t / couldn’t so with him when she had the chance all those years ago. Does she? Hell yes! The only problem with this is that she has a fiancé waiting at home for her! Whats a girl to do?

Sophie’s Turn is a really enjoyable story. I was thinking last night just before finishing it that if you took S.C Stephens Thoughtless and Olivia Cunnings Sinners on Tour and combined them and then took out the erotic then you would be along the right lines. That is no mean feat. I adore both those series of books.

It’s funny that when you are reading the book you can’t help rooting for the rockstar, Dan Hunter, and at the same time thinking the fiancé, Tim Renfrew, is a bit of a knob. It’s not that he does anything wrong as such but he is a bit of a bore. You want Sophie to throw caution to the wind and have the time of her life with her rock star – something the rest of us could only ever dream of. Ever fibre of your being knows she is wrong for doing it. You don’t screw around on your fiancé, but then if they were the right fit she wouldn’t entertain the idea in the first place. Or maybe she just needs to get the guy out of her system. Over and over again 😉 He had said to her “What goes on tour stays on tour” Then Dan only goes and proposes in the most romantic of ways and the most exquisite of rings.

So who does she choose? The rock star or the accountant? The glitz and glam of life on the road with Dan or a life spent with Tim moulding her into the perfect wife? She might even end up doing one of them a favour. I guess you will just have to read and find out!

As I said I really enjoyed reading Spohie’s Turn and I am glad her story isn’t even nearly over. I am lucky enough that I have the next two books in my possession and I cannot wait to see where else Nicky Wells is going to take her. I am literally counting the days until I can get stuck into Sophie’s choice, it will be burning a hole in my reader. Damn reading schedule!

I am delighted today to post an interview with Aimée Duffy. You will see Aimée has popped up a few times lately on the blog, between my review of Sinfully Summer and guest reviewing books from the Paranormal genre.

I hope you enjoy reading this one as much as I did.

Who is Aimee Duffy?

I’m not a fan of this question. Makes me feel like I’m at some kind of self-help meeting, standing up in front of strangers getting ready to confess every sin I’ve ever committed (because I get nervous and end up spilling it all). But I’m just me really. I work as a paralegal, write and other than having occasional quick wit I’m really very uninteresting.

Tell us a little about your books?

My books, if you start at The Monster of Fame and work your way along to What’s a Girl to Do?, are a journey of me shedding behind my embarrassment when writing the smexy stuff. Other than that, I like to keep it as fun as possible, throw in some emotion and hope to hook folks in.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

For as long as I can remember. I’ve always created stories, and the writing part of English was my favourite.

Did you ever feel like giving up?

Yup, and not just in the past either. There are so many hurdles in this gig and when you trip over a few it’s hard to get back up. But I can’t not get up, it’s in my blood and bones now. I’m so screwed.

Where does the inspiration come from for your books?

Anywhere and everywhere but mostly my bonkers imagination. I’ve been inspired by TV shows. The Price of Fame series is set around a reality singing competition not unlike the XFactor or the Voice. Plus celeb gossip magazines spur some ideas. Like the relationship with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison. I watched Twilight, and wondered what an off-screen relationship would be like with characters who were supposed to be in love on screen. That’s when Isle of Sensuality was born.

Your next book is from the Erotic genre, did to require much research 😉 ?

*Blushes*. Okay, maybe I’m not over that bit lol. Not for book 1, though I may have to for book 2 since it ups the kinky. Though my friends happily chat away about their 50 esq sex lives so shouldn’t be too hard to find out what it’s all like so I can get it right ;o)

Do you get embarrassed at the thought of your family reading an erotic book that you have written?

I used to. Not so much anymore. In fact, my mum gets very embarrassed but she can’t put them down, and I just have to tease her about that!

What is your favourite Genre to read?

It’s a toss-up between paranormal and horror. Both can terrify me, but that’s good for the soul isn’t it?

Do you have one book above all others that you love?

Well, yes. Every time I read a new book I feel that way. I’m drawn to deep emotional stories that make me feel, which is why I always go back to romance. My favourite storyteller is also a good friend. Michelle Smart’s books are real, dark, gritty, sexy and emotive. I honestly haven’t read one I could put down before the end.

Now I know you love Paranormal as you Guest Review them for me, what is it about the Paranormal books that you love so much?

There’s more escapism in paranormal worlds. Contemporary romance is great for whisking a reader away, but with paranormal I get the dark, the gritty, that fear I hate and love so much, and still get the swept away feeling. Though I prefer the darker books, where I’m dragged down into realities I couldn’t possibly dream up on my own. Like with Lindsay J. Pryor’s Blackthorn, or Pamela Palmers’ Vampire City.

When was the last time you were insulted?

As a writer, I try not to take criticism as insults. Or bad reviews. People are entitled to their opinions and if they didn’t like my book I don’t get offended anymore. Or try really hard not to. Instead I look at the criticism objectively and see if there is anything I can take from it moving forward.

If you were invisible for a day would you use the powers for good or evil?

Definitely evil. I’d be off to the local rugby club for some peeping Tom action (all in the name of research of course). Then I’d probably go and haunt my teenage brother, knowing if he had the chance he’d do the same to me. I know, I’m a big kid.

If you could be a fly on the wall ANYWHERE where would it be?

Hmmm, I’ve no idea. Invisibility covered the rugby club. Plus I’m a strong believer in not knowing too much, so going to 10 Downing Street to her what the big guy’s got planned is out. I’d probably worry myself sick after.

You could be with any man you wanted just for a night – who is it?

Just one (on the man and the night)? That’s not a fair question. Okay, I’d sneak into Incy Black’s home, steal Ian Somerhalder, and get the hell out of dodge.

What is the best advice you were ever given?

This wasn’t given directly to me, but Incy Black is a lady I’d call a friend (apart from the Ian-napping) and she is just a fountain of good advice. As well as being funny, the quote below is also very true. Publishing isn’t always pretty, and criticism can feel this bad, but she’s right, you have to survive. There’s nothing else for it.
“Bite down hard, and assume the position – because as sure as water’s wet, you are going to get your arse spanked with a nail studded paddle, and yes, it is going to hurt. Expect criticism, sometimes kind, sometimes downright cruel. Survive by taking what you want from the thrashing then, with all the dignity you can muster, pro-offer the other cheek.”

Quickfire

Bacon or Sausage (keep it clean lol)
Sausage ;o)
Potatoes or Chips
Tatties
Beer or Wine
Beer. One glass of wine and I’m anybody’s!
Night owl or Early bird
Both, which explains the dark circles concealer struggles to cover.
City or Country
City
And finally..
Top or Bottom
Depends how knackered I am

Aimée’s latest book – Sinfully Summer is on summer sale now for the ridiculous price of €0.99 on both Kindle and Kobo