Thank You! Giveaway

Hello and welcome!

I thought it was time to have a Thank You! Giveaway again to those who are joining my chats regularly. Thank you for your continued support and hope you will visit with me in the future too XOXO

My latest book adventure was in September at the Ignite Your Soul Event in London, Ontario, hosted by authors Crystal St. Clair & J.M. Walker, the proceeds went to a great cause, Wounded Warrior of Canada and was proud to be able to contribute in a small way, adding stuff to the registration bags, also delivered 2 big baskets for the raffle, one from M. A. Abraham and one from Sharon Hamilton.

Blew my budget out of the water, but can’t help myself, books are my drug of choice 😉 Loved meeting all the new authors. Finally got to meet Felicity Kates in person YAY and seeing the ones I met before, Zoe York, Kali Willows, Kayleigh Malcolm,  Kacey Hammell, Freya Baker, Tricia Daniels.

I am hoping I will be able to attend next year too, the event will be hosted by authors Crystal St. Clair and Erin Cristofoli but have a few already scheduled on my calendar, so will have to see.

Are you signed up to my blog? I hope you are, there is a giveaway every time and you get to meet my fave authors, my book boyfriends & girlfriends and the voices that give them life.

I collect dragons and owls and when I found these, I thought you might like them too. Adding the cup that will make you think of me when you use it and hopefully make you smile 😉

I have one too 😀 CHEERS

I raided my boxes and there will be signed books, notebooks, t-shirts, totes, pens, magnets and lots of other swag I collected from authors with you in mind. I took pictures of the contents, but then I thought I am keeping it a surprise…

call me EBIL… bwahaha evil grin I promise you will love everything that is in the bags.

Which bag would you choose if Sexy Mr. Random picked you? Which if any of the previous chats you liked the best? Is there an author, narrator or a book boyfriend you would like to see me chatting with? Let me know in your comment.

Sexy Mr. Random will pick two names after 3 pm EST, Monday, October 31, 2016. GOOD LUCK!!!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Meet King Liessen

Hello and welcome!

May I present King Liessen? One of my book boyfriends from the Elven Chronicles by M. A. Abraham.

He is the King of the Dark Elves, an Elven Wizard … and playboy of the Empire… well… that was before he met his Life Mate, Aredhel 😉

I had him for a chat back in 2014? Worth rereading and if you missed it, you have to check it out here.

Source

Mary Ann and I had fun choosing him from hundreds of pictures, even though our eyes were crossed by the end. Cora from Cora Graphics did an amazing job as usual.

His story is told in Book 6 of the series, where he meets his Life Mate, Aredhel.

King’s Daughter

A flicker of eye contact is all King Liessen needs to know he has met his Life Mate and he realizes he knows her, not personally but through prior missions they have completed together. The biggest surprise comes with the knowledge that she is Garoldth’s daughter. The second surprise comes when he finds she is waking emotions he thought himself incapable of feeling. In the past, he laughed at the possessiveness of male Life Mates, but he quickly realized they were mild in comparison and how close he wants to keep his.

Aredhel didn’t notice the Dark King Liessen standing beside Daroth. She has always held men in contempt, only willing to acknowledge them if they deserved it. So why is this male different? Why does he make her heart skip a beat whenever he comes near? She doesn’t have time for this. She needs to stay focused. She is on a mission and it doesn’t include an Elf with a bad reputation.

He makes an appearance throughout the series, so hope you will check it out.

Get the eBook : Smashwords • Amazon US • Amazon CA • iTunes US • iTunes CA • Barnes and Noble • Kobo

Get the paperback :  Createspace

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

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My Chat with Reece Butler

Hello and welcome!

Today I have one of my fave authors I had the honor meeting in person last year at Romancing the Capital event in Ottawa. She is a riot 😀

Please welcome Reece Butler!

Reece Butler writes character-rich ménage romance featuring hot Montana cowboys and 16th century Highland Scots.

A geeky bookworm who loved reading science fiction, she headed to university for a science degree. Discovering she disliked calculus and physics, she switched to arts. That allowed her to spend a semester in London, England (in Camden Town) before marriage and children, and a science editor day job, took over her life.

She never read a romance until she found the right antidepressant and discovered there could be a Happy Now, as well as a Happily Ever After. The first romance book she picked up, “Nobody’s Baby But Mine” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, changed her life. She invaded the local library and read romance voraciously for a year until challenged to write one herself.

When she attended her first Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference she discovered there were crazy people just like her, and she hasn’t looked back. She believes there’s no such thing as too many books, bookshelves make the perfect wallpaper, and dark chocolate is a food group.

Reece writes erotic menage stories featuring Montana cowboys and Highland Scots. She does lots of research, in person, on paper, and online. Three weeks driving 1,000 miles in Highland Scotland provided a rich background to craft her hot new historical series featuring the 16 men of Clan MacDougal. Two weeks visiting Montana ghost towns and a month working on Montana guest ranches did the same for her Bride Train and Climax, Montana cowboy series.

Do you have a nickname?
No, the name Reece Butler is pretty short already. So am I, according to my six-foot-plus brothers and sons.

What one word best describes you?
I would like to say “joyful”, since I try to find joy in my life and to share it with others, in real life and in my books. The word that fits best is ‘bookaholic’ since I am not comfortable without a book nearby, or a paper and pen to work on one.

What makes you laugh out loud?
Intelligent wit. Also dancing wild and crazy with a tall cowboy, especially if it scandalizes those watching.

What is your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
The scent that flows from a warm ocean breeze. It reminds me of days boogie boarding with my young sons in Australia while camping there for months. A boogie board is a short surfboard you lie down on, so far easier than surfing.

Favourite place to spend time in.
All-time favourite is inside a wonderfully crafted book. If you’re talking physically, it would be a warm tropical beach, building sand castles and snorkeling. I really, really dislike being cold, which happens often as I have low blood pressure.

Is there a genre that you refuse to read?
Horror and ‘dark’ books. I am very sensitive, which is a good thing in an author as I can feel and so describe what my characters might in the. The downside is that I also sink into well-crafted books as it becomes real to me. I’ve never enjoyed being frightened, perhaps due to being worried for most of my life.

Writing! What started it?
I’ve been writing since I was six, though non-fiction, as in letters to my grandmother, essays, and work reports. I never even read a romance novel until I found the right anti-depressant. Seriously — if I couldn’t believe in being happy now, how could I believe in Happily Ever After? My life changed once my brain chemistry was balanced. I devoured romance paperbacks from the library, this was long before e-books and, after a year, was challenged to write one.

If you could choose another career what would it be?
Perpetual student. I’d love to spend my time researching whatever takes my fancy, delving into rabbit holes and skipping over what doesn’t interest me. There would be wonderful discussions with interesting people, in interesting places. Time to think, to ask questions, and to have them asked of me. This would, of course, require me to be independently wealthy.

Audiobooks! Any plans to have any of your books in audio format?
I would love it, and have approved the possibility, though the decisions are up to my publisher. I laugh here as I do not have an aural memory so would never listen to an audiobook. I’d forget what had been said two sentences later.
I love audiobooks!

Does your work convey a specific emotion or message?
I would like readers to think it is possible for them to find joy in their lives, no matter how difficult their past or present. It takes great courage to not only love and believe in yourself, but to realize others could love you as you really are. It’s especially difficult to love yourself if you were raised to believe you weren’t good enough, or weren’t worthy of being loved.

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your books?
My main audience is thinking women who enjoy falling in love with complex characters who, discovering they are truly loved, find the courage to face their demons.

Many of my heroes and heroines learned early that what they thought was love often brought pain, and so fear it. Yet that love was not true — it came with conditions that could not be met. Believing they are flawed, these heroes and heroines think they do not deserve to be cherished. By the end they have helped each other find the courage to accept and give unconditional love, and so discover a life of joy.

I hope readers may find a touch of that courage from reading my books, and so take steps to change their own lives. Unconditional love means being loved for yourself alone, not what you do or provide. You are loved just for being you.

What is next in your writing?
I am working toward finishing the 6th Climax, Montana (contemporary cowboy) novel, and many more in that series are planned.

I also have three sets of 16th century MacDougal brothers to complete the Highland Ménage series. I’d love to take another trip to Scotland for further research…
Can I come too? 😀

Thank you Reece for taking time to chat with me. Looking forward to reading more of your yummy stories.

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Thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoyed the chat.

If you missed my chat with two of her hunks, Jet and Roger, check it out.

Check out the spotlight on Ms. Reece at one of my fave blogs, Mary’s Menages Reviews.

To keep in touch with Reece Butler and check out all her yummy books, follow the links below and if you chat with her, tell her I said hi 😉

website • Facebook •  Goodreads • Bookstrand • Amazon • B&N • iTunes

To start you on the journey into her book world, one lucky reader, chosen by Sexy Mr. Random from the comments, will get an e-book from the Climax, Montana series, winner’s choice, courtesy of Ms. Butler. The contest is open until 3 pm EST, Monday, October 17, 2016. GOOD LUCK!!!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Eileen

Hello and welcome!

Today I have a good friend from the blogging world whose opinion I respect. Her reviews of books and audio books are amazing, in-depth that give you a real insight without spoilers. What attracts me the most to her blog is her way with words that pull me in and keep me engaged.

Please welcome Eileen from BOOKTALK WITH EILEEN !

Eniko, thank you for having me on your blog. I know you’re always chatting with an author, a narrator or a character.   I’m not an author, although I love to meet and get to know them.  I’m not a character in a book, but I’ve been one thousands of times.  Today, I present myself as a reader firstly and then a reviewer.

When we spoke earlier you said you’d like to talk about POV (point of view) of a reader.  What did you mean?
I stop to read blogs about reviews, the importance of a review to an author.  I want to hear what authors have to say about reviewers.

Today, however, I’d like to talk about what readers have to say about reviews? I’ve been reading quite avidly for the last 15 years.  I read, so therefore I’m a reader.

What prompts you to read a certain book?
The cover, along with the title, are the first two items to catch my attention. It doesn’t, necessarily, keep my attention. I quickly read the synopsis on the back cover, or publisher’s summary available on Goodreads, Amazon, Noble and Barnes and the author’s website. Am I still interested?

I, then, look at genre. I’m partial to historical romance, if any of your readers who have stopped by my blog, Booktalk with Eileen or my page on FB, have seen I also like fantasy, paranormal, mysteries, time travel, and stories which are contemporary in a small town setting. I will venture outside my likes, but there are so many wonderful books to read in my chosen genres, I almost don’t have time!

You do a lot of reading. I see that from your blog.
I’m driven, or mayhap, I live to read. To live those lives I can’t live myself. That’s the beauty of finding a gifted author that does this for me. So writing style is very important. I’ll latch onto some authors and whatever they write I’ll read. Style and plot, additionally description need to transcend me outside myself, if you will.

As a reader, I must be drawn into the story, not just standing on the side. I must be emotionally connected to the characters, either with compassion, or disgust. I love to be so emotionally impacted I end up crying. And when the author makes me fall in love with her/his world they have created a fan and a forever reader. For example, I’ve followed Christine Feehan and read some of her books three or four times. She always takes me to her world over and over again, no matter how many times I’ve read the book. It is never boring. Others that come to mind: Kathryn Le Veque, Mary Morgan, Amy Jarecki, Cynthia Wright, Deborah Cooke, aka Claire DelaCroix, Diana Cosby, Lucinda Brant, Sharon Cullen, to name just a few. I’m sure as I continue exploring new authors I will add to the forever fan reads.

I get that, because I’m a reader, too. But what about reviews? Let’s say you love the book, how do you write a review?
Okay, I read a book which has me totally engaged. I think it’s terrific. My review should express my enthusiasm for the read. Perhaps mention a quote which captures a feeling of a particular character. The excerpt also helps the reader see the writing style of the author. I don’t, generally, quote a long excerpt. I like to talk about the characters, not so much tell the story, but something of the characters’ flaws, challenges and connections to each other.

But what about the elements of a great book? Things like pacing, scene structure, internal dialog, arc? Shouldn’t they be talked about?
You know, I think it’s nice to add some of that. As I read more and more about how to craft a novel, I’m learning the terminology and as I read, I will identify these parts. But are they so important in a review? But you may ask, if you don’t like a story and can identify why, shouldn’t you tell the review reader?

In this case, I would mention it. For example, I’ll mention the story didn’t totally engage me from the first page because there was little action I could react to. If the story does pick up and I’m connected, I’ll add that to. If dialog feels contrived, I’ll mention it is a bit stiff, or if I can’t stop reading – the book won’t let me put it down—I’ll mention that. Certainly, these feelings are due to the skill of crafting a story. If the author has a sluggish story, that is a question of pacing, it hampers the overall like of the book. Consequently, my gushing moment of excitement in the review will not be there.

But, as a reader of a review, I, personally, am not really interested in knowing the craft elements that make the reviewer like something, just that the book was awesome and why or conversely why not.

Now, maybe some of the readers of your blog could comment on what I just said.

I think my mission in writing a review is either to make the reader of my review say, yes, I’ve GOT to read this book or maybe this isn’t the book for me to read, because I don’t like, for example, plenty of violence, or scenes to make your toes curl, or weak women!

I don’t like to read a review which only says the book was great, or a fantastic read. It isn’t enough to capture my attention. It doesn’t clarify anything about the book.

So there you have it, Eniko, my POV as a reader and a reviewer. I’d love to have a discussion take place on this subject. I’d also like to know if a reader of a review on a blog doesn’t see a star review, does this make a difference to her/him?

May I ask a few more questions?
Certainly.

What is the first book you read that started your love of reading?
I loved reading from the first words I could read. (chuckling) I remember running around the house and reading my Dick and Jane book. I’d read it over and over to anyone who would listen.

By age 12, I would borrow during the summer month from the school library 40 books or so and read. I probably am the person I am through the experiencing those stories.

What started your journey in blogging/reviewing books?

I love technology, because I grew up learning to type on one of those old Underwood typewriters with round keys. I lived technology, from electric typewriters, to word processors, to my Commodore, and now desktops, laptops, iPads, smartphones, coupled with cyberspace. I’m excited to be able to live in this day and age, enjoying how quickly it all changes.

When we returned to the states in 2011 after our last 8 years in living in Lebanon and I decided to learn about blogging. I kept hearing the word. While living in Lebanon I read a lot. It was how I entertained myself. Coupled with my love of reading, I started a blog to review what I read.

But I want to take this question of yours further. I’d like to use my blog, eventually, to share what I am writing. Yes, I have the writing bug. Reviewing allows me to express myself, but personally I want more. I took the NaNoWriMo challenge back in November 2013 and wrote my first draft of my first novel. I laughed. I cried. I talked about the characters to my hubby ad nauseum, and couldn’t seem to stop. (He thought me mad.) To those authors out there, I get it when you talk about your writing. I know the elation of creating the microcosm of reality, for indeed it is your reality.
That is great! I hope I get to read what you wrote one day.

What is your advice to the readers who think they are not good at writing reviews?
My advice is what I would tell anyone who wants to learn a craft or skill. Practice, practice, practice. Learn what a good review consists of, what to avoid discussing, how to delicately parse what you don’t like, and how to express your delight in a good read. I find taking notes while reading helps me remember some moment of irony, poetic justice, a down and out calamity, a gut-wrenching moment, etc. This makes it easier to formulate your thoughts in the review process. I strongly urge you to find your creative voice, yes, even writing a review. Reviewing, as when writing a novel, painting, singing, running, etc., it’s also about you, your expression of how you react to the story experience.

Do you have a nickname?
Well, I guess I’d say yes. I lived in the Middle East close to 18 years. My name is not common there so they tended to pronounce it wrong. I took the last of my name, ‘leen’, and made a nickname, spelled Lina. It is a common name in the Middle East. I still have people from that part of the world use my nickname and I answer to it, as well.

What is one word best describes you?
Diligent.

What makes you laugh out loud?
Comical, eye-rolling situations where the initiator of a situation tries to fix it and only makes it worse! Or if I get tickled!

What is your favourite dessert?
I love dark chocolate candy, the kind that melts on your palette and is rich, creamy and smooth.

What is your favourite drink?
Red wine in winter, white in summer.

What is your favourite colour?
Teal.

What is the perfect romantic date?
Ha! I’m not sure what a date is any longer, let alone romantic. But if I were younger… I’d say dinner for two at a restaurant with plenty of ambiance. Perhaps afterwards go to a piano bar, talk and dance.

Thank you Eniko, for having me on your blog. It has been a genuine pleasure to share what I enjoy and who I am.

Eileen, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for chatting with me.

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Thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoyed the chat and get a little insight into the blogging world and writing reviews.

Let us know your opinion about reviews, why you write them, or why not. Maybe answers some of the questions Eillen asked.

I urge you to subscribe to Eileen’s blog, if you haven’t done so. You will discover many new books, as I did.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Cover release: Beyond the Myth by M. A. Abraham

Hello and welcome!

Check out this beauty, Cora Graphics has done it again!

Coming December 21, 2016 from M. A. Abraham

Darlene and Derek Stanton are top-notch archaeologists, born and raised in the field. They are sought out for their expertise, along with the prestige they bring to each job they do, which is why they were hired to check out a myth that led to a buried city.

Darlene hides her vulnerabilities behind a wall of ice, where she feels safe from the rest of the world. Her twin, Derek, on the other hand, is quite the opposite, adventurous and easygoing. What they find in the buried city, and experience soon after, sends her into a state of shock.

Ripped from her home planet, forced into a relationship, and lifestyle that is totally alien to everything she knows, Darlene fights to regain some form of stability in her life. Derek doesn’t have the same problem, as he settles into their new lifestyles without a problem. It doesn’t help when the handsome man who now owns her is so charismatic that she can barely keep her hands off of him. How is she to face the reality of the life she has found, beyond the myth?

Atl is the eldest son of the leader on a space ship. He wants nothing more than to marry his childhood sweetheart, until he meets Darlene. She is beautiful, spirited, and nearly more than he can handle. Will he be able to connect with her heart or will he lose her forever?

Add it to your Goodreads shelf and I will give an update when the pre-order links will be available.

Source: Cover release: Beyond the Myth