Blog Tour: On One Condition by Diane Alberts - Interview & Giveaway!

OCD kindergarten teacher Johanna hates Valentine’s Day. She hates romance, hates commercialism, and definitely hates her school’s annual charity date auction. She never expects her pre-auction night of drinking to land a sexy Brit in her bed. Or for that Brit to show up at the auction, bid thousands just to talk to her again, and get down on one knee in front of everyone and ask her to marry him. 

Viscount Damon Hayes has never met anyone like Johanna. She’s neurotic, fascinating, and fun. She also doesn’t care about his title and doesn’t want his money, which makes Johanna perfect to fulfill a surprise clause in his father’s will: marry within three months and remain married for a year, or lose his fortune. A relationship is out of the question, but when passions ignite and the two fall in love, their marriage of convenience becomes anything but.
From Goodreads.com
 (Disclaimer: This is an Adult book) 


I had so much fun reading this story! Johanna and Damon are fabulous characters and their chemistry is simply sizzling. Right of the bat, I like where the story was going. Johanna is a take charge kind of a character, but also one with a soft heart. Damon is a perfect reflection of perfection (even with all his problems) and hotness (*le sigh). I loved watching these two interact, okay, fight throughout the book. Even as they get married out of pure need to help each other out, their relationship develops in a beautiful and real way. This books is a fun read, that lets you gleam the aspect of human relationships while still keeping it entertaining.
Overall, the characters are fun and real. The plot is fast paced and exciting. I couldn't stop reading, needing to know what happened next. The only part of this book I didn't like is that it ended. 


Now I have a special treat for y'all! Diane was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. 

What inspired you to write?

I’ve always loved reading, and even as a child, I dreamed of one day becoming a writer. As I grew up, I convinced myself that I couldn’t possibly ever finish a book. I believed that, even as my husband encouraged me to try. I resisted writing because I thought I would be doomed to fail.

Then…I had a scene come in my head that I could not get out. I decided to write it down, just for fun. Well, lo and behold, soon I was writing a book. It wasn’t until I was more than halfway through the novel before I realized—hey, I can do this.

Why chose romance? 

Ah, I love happy endings. I love first kisses, first fights. I love to see love conquer all the evil in the world. I love the drama, the tears, and the gut-clenching desire. I actually didn’t plan on my first book to be a romance book, but it turned into one even so.

I’m destined to write romance…probably because I devour it in my free time. Ever since I was twelve, and I picked up a copy of Jude Deveraux’s Highland Velvet—I’ve been hooked. Historical, contemporary, suspense? I’ll take it all, as long as it has true love inside of it, and a happily ever after.

Who was the most fun character to write and why?

Oh, god. This is hard! Let me think…

I might have to say Damon, from my current release, On One Condition. He’s so charming, sweet, and has such a great sense of humor. And I loved watching him win over Johanna—even though she didn’t want anything to do with love.

Who was the hardest character to write and why?

My current book I’m writing, a historical romance, has a character named Winston that had some seriously horrible things happen to him. He’s having nightmares, trust issues, and consumed with guilt and self-hatred. Getting into his head is hard, and at times upsetting. But that is who he is, so who am I to fight it?

Do you find it harder to write shorter stories?

Easier, actually. I have gotten quite good at writing a full length story that is compressed into 25K and under. At first, it intimidated me. But once I tried it? Oh, man, I was hooked!

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?

Oh, there’s so many! Julia Quinn, Christina Dodd, Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux and all of my fellow authors at my publisher’s. Every single one of them inspires me to write better. To be better.

One thing you wish you knew before starting your career as a writer.

The waiting! As a writer, you’re always waiting. Waiting to finish the book. Waiting to revise it. Waiting to hear back from the agent. Waiting to hear back from the publisher. Waiting for your cover. Waiting for your edits…

You get the idea. I always tell people interested in writing that you better be good at waiting—or at least at pretending to be good!

Coffee or Tea:

Depends. At night I love some decaf Peach Tea. Mmmm. But during the day? Black coffee. All the way. I actually can’t write without coffee at my side. No lie!

Favorite Desert:

Chocolate cake. Decadent chocolate cake. Melt in your mouth chocolate cake, with the little shavings of chocolate on top. Mmm….

If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

On a warm, sunny beach where crystal blue water surrounded me. I love how blue the water is in the Caribbean and Hawaii. But if I had to choose one, I’d definitely say Hawaii! 

Diane Alberts lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her husband, four kids, and a bird. She lives in the mountains-but wishes it were the beach. Diane believes strongly in a happily-ever-after for everyone. She especially loves tortured heroes and heroines, as can be seen in her stories. She loves interacting with readers, so feel free to email her atdiane@dianealberts.com, or follow her on her various social networks. Her website address is:www.dianealberts.com. 

Connect with Diane at her website | Twitter | Facebook










a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading!


Valia

A Walk in the Park with Jennifer Archer & Giveaway!

Hello lovelies, 
So today I have a super special treat for y'all. Last year I won a book that I fell in love with on the spot. I read it in one sitting, with all of its spookiness, mystery, and fabulous characters. Not only that, the author of the book is now one of my favorite people and a friend. Today, we have the author of that book here with us. Jennifer Archer has shared some super awesome insides by answering a few questions! Let's take a walk! 

Fabulous cover!!

Every ghost has a story to tell.
The last place Tansy Piper wants to be is stuck in Cedar Canyon, Texas, in the middle of nowhere, with a bunch of small-town kids. But when her mother decides to move to the desolate West Texas town, Tansy has no choice but to go along. Once there, Tansy is immediately drawn to the turret of their rickety old house, a place she soon learns has a disturbing history. But it's the strange artifacts she finds in the cellar—a pocket watch, a journal of poetry, and a tiny crystal—that have the most chilling impact on her.
Tansy soon finds that through the lens of her camera, she can become part of a surreal black-and-white world where her life is intertwined with that of mysterious, troubled Henry, who lived in the same house and died decades earlier. It seems their lives are linked by fate and the artifacts she found, but as Tansy begins spending more and more time in the past, her present world starts to fade away. Tansy must untangle herself from Henry's dangerous reality—before she loses touch with her own life forever.
From Amazon.com

(By the way, the hardback of THROUGH HER EYES is on sale at Amazon for a limited time for only for $ 6.12 so now is a great time to get a copy if you haven't already. Here's the link to it on Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Through-Her-Eyes-Jennifer-Archer/dp/B006QS1P1I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330275964&sr=1-1 )

On Through Her Eyes:

What inspired the whole spooky aspect of the story? I can't pinpoint one specific thing or event that inspired the scarier parts of THROUGH HER EYES. For as long as I can remember, I've really loved books and movies with eerie themes. I'm sure those movies and books as a whole played into that aspect of my story. Also, as crazy as it sounds, the wind inspired the eerie tone of the book to a certain degree. I live in the the Texas Panhandle and my hometown of Amarillo was recently named as the second windiest city in the nation! Forty and fifty mph gusts are common here! Sometimes when the wind starts howling and rattling the rooftops, the sound can really be unsettling.   

Who was the most fun character to write and why? Bethyl Ann Pugh was definitely the most fun to write! Although Bethyl Ann is a junior in high school, she is a few years younger than her classmates. Because of her high I.Q. she's skipped a couple of grades. Bethyl Ann is a bit of an oddball -- a Shakespeare-spouting geek with a big heart who doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She is comfortable being herself, even if that means other kids make fun of her. And she's a loyal friend to Tansy, the main character in the story. What was really fun about Bethyl Ann was that I didn't plan her as a part of the story! She just showed up on her own in an early scene and took me by surprise! I love Bethyl Ann's sense of humor and her no-nonsense way of dealing with everything.

Who was the hardest character to write and why? Henry was the most difficult character to write. He is a complicated guy! Because he's so warped in his way of thinking, Henry is hard to warm up to. But I wanted readers to at least have compassion for him. When people in real life become really troubled, the reasons why aren't always clear. That's one reason that I didn't explain everything that had happened to Henry during his life that led to his distraught state of mind. I attempted to write him in such a way that readers would sense his lonliness, confusion, and feelings of isolation and draw their own conclusions about his upbringing and his past.

How much research did you have to do for the story? Since the main character, Tansy, is a photographer and I'm not, I had to do a bit of research on photography terminology, as well as on how to set up a darkroom and develop photographs in one. It was also necessary to research the clothing, music and teenage slang of the 1930's for the scenes that take place during Henry's lifetime. To help me develop the small Texas town of Cedar Canyon, I drove to two different towns nearby where I live that have roughly the same population as the fictional town in THROUGH HER EYES (just over 2000). In one of those towns -- Panhandle, Texas -- I sat in on classes at the high school, which was a lot of fun!

Check out this fabulous trailer: 

On Writing:

What inspired you in writing YA? I had written and published several novels for adults when I conceived the idea for THROUGH HER EYES. I was substitute teaching at the time, and one day at one of the schools where I was working I saw a copy of the classic novel A WRINKLE IN TIME in the classroom. During a break, I picked it up and started reading. I'd read the book when I was a lot younger but had forgotten how much I loved it -- and how much I loved YA fiction! A couple of days later, I mentioned that to my literary agent while talking to her on the phone, and she said she thought my "writer's voice" was well-suited to writing YA. That must've really inspired me, because I went to bed that night thinking about what she'd said and woke up the next morning with the character of Tansy in my head, as well as the bare bones plotline for THROUGH HER EYES. I thought, "What if a girl who takes pictures begins to see images from the past through her camera's viewfinder? And what if her photographs become a bridge into that past? And what if the more times she goes back, the more vivid the past becomes while her real life starts to fade away?"

One thing you wish you knew before becoming a writer. I wish I'd known how much time writers spend waiting! We wait to hear from agents and editors about book proposals we've sent. Then after the book sells we wait to do revisions. Once we've finished our part, we continue to wait while the publisher does everything they have to do to turn a manuscript into a book -- editing, layout, designing the cover, and more. We wait to see the cover art -- which is always SO exciting!Then the book is released and we wait for reviews, readers' reactions, and royalty checks! 

Favorite part of being an author. Two things, actually. I love it when I'm so in the zone that the story seems to be writing itself. That doesn't happen often enough, but when it does it's like magic! And I love hearing from readers who have enjoyed my stories. Nothing's more satisfying than hearing that something I've written has had a positive effect on someone's life, even if only in a very small way.

On Random Stuff:

If you had a time machine, where would you go? I'd love to go back to when I was in high school and have a talk with my teenaged self! I'd like to tell her to worry less, enjoy life more, and take more chances. I'd tell her to follow her own heart instead of doing what she thinks others want her to do. I'd tell her to always trust her intuition, be confident, and never try to be someone she's not or alter her beliefs just to please someone else. "Work hard at something you love," I'd tell her. Finally, I'd say that time passes really quickly, so enjoy every second of her high school and college years!

If you were a superhero, what power would you wish to have? Wow, that's a tough one! I think it would be cool to be able to put thoughts in other people's minds. That probably makes me sound like a control freak, but I promise my intentions are noble! (For the most part!) I could motivate people who need a little push. Give a boost of confidence to someone who's doubting herself. And, yeah, maybe I would do one selfish thing -- like implant the thought in a lot of readers's minds that they should read my books! 

If you could meet one person (dead or alive) who would it be? It's difficult to only choose one, but since you insist . . . I'll choose an author. :) I would love to meet Mary Shelley, who wrote FRANKENSTEIN in 1818. She was married to Percy Bysshe Shelley, who is one of my favorite poets. In fact, a quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley is in my novel THROUGH HER EYES  and I also included one of his poems in my next young adult novel, THE SHADOW GIRL, that will be released next year by Harper Teen. FRANKENSTEIN was Mary Shelley's first novel, and I've read different accounts as to how it found a publisher. One claimed that her husband told his publisher he had written it, presumably with his wife's blessing. Another said that Percy shopped it around for his wife, telling publishers it was written by "a friend." When the book was finally published, it was done so anonymously. All this leads me to believe that women authors were not well received, so Mary Shelley was willing to allow people to believe that someone other than herself (a man, perhaps even her husband) had written her now classic masterpiece. It would be so interesting to sit down with Mary Shelley and talk about her experience as a female author during her time. I would also enjoy learning about her writing process and her inspiration for FRANKENSTEIN, as well as her other novels.

Jennifer's website -  www.jenniferarcher.net

                   blog - www.jenniferarcher.blogspot.com

Now for the giveaway! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway




I loved reading this story and I hope you take the time to enjoy it as well! Thank you Jennifer for sharing with us!!!


Happy reading,
Valia

In My Mailbox #30: The One Where I have Trouble Speaking

Hello lovlies,
Welcome to another In My Mailbox vlog! I know you're all excited you get an extra one from me this week!





Seriously, I think it took me five times to film Third Grave Dead Ahead because I kept laughing so hard. Why you ask? I have no idea, but the outtakes are hilarious. 


What is in your mailbox?


Happy reading, 


Valia 

Series Spotlight: The Watchers by Veronica Wolff

Is life offering fewer and fewer options? Then join the dead.

When Annelise meets dark and seductive Ronan, he promises her a new life-if she has the courage to chance the unknown. Now, she's whisked away to a mysterious island and pitted against other female recruits to become a Watcher-girls who are partnered with vampires and assist them in their missions. To survive and become a Watcher, Annelise has to beat out every other girl, but she's determined to do so, because to fail doesn't mean dishonor-it means death.

IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE PARTNERED WITH A VAMPIRE, YOU HAVE TO WORK THE NIGHT SHIFT.

By her wits, blood, and sacrifice, so far Drew has survived the intensive training on the Isle of Night. As a second-year Acari, her ultimate goal is to become a Watcher, and now she has a shot at her first mission. Except nothing is as it seems. The vampire Alcántara is as sinister as he is sexy, Ronan is more distant than ever, and it turns out there are other vampires out there. Bad ones.

Ancient, bloodthirsty, and powerful, these undead are really old school. They’ve captured one of the Watcher vamps and are torturing him for information. The only chance to save him is to infiltrate a major summit the baddies are holding on their own island. There will be mortals there, serving as butlers, maids, and various hired help. Drew had better brush up on her skills as a serving girl, because she’s about to go undercover…

But, when their vampire prisoner turns out to be a gorgeous bad boy, Drew’s first mission quickly turns into more than she bargained for… 
(From Goodreads.com)

I have to say that I’m in love with this series! Drew is such a strong character, who has to overcome the obstacles of her life. She’s a fighter and she keeps on fighting. I like her consistency throughout the book, struggling to free herself from the bullies of the world. She’s one of those characters that you can relate to, even though she’s part of a supernatural world. 

Ronan is...oh goodness...is...just perfect. I’m team Ronan all the way! I love the way Ronan and Drew’s relationship develops. It’s not love at first sight for them, they work at becoming something other than strangers. Sometimes I think that aspect is overlooked in books because we dive right into the romance aspects. But in this story, I was right there with Drew wondering if Ronan is more than just a protector, if they can be something other then Acari and Tracer. 

In the second book, everything I loved about book one is there but also, everything changes. New characters are introduced that throw a spin into the world that Drew is just beginning to understand. Both books are action packed and fast pasted. I love seeing Drew kick some serious butt. Her friends Emma and Yas are a great addition to the list of characters, and its fun watching them interact. 

I also enjoyed the aspect of vampires being the hungry monsters rather than teenage heartthrobs. Veronica went a little farther back in her vampire lore, creating a creature that is to be feared, but who also stays intriguing. 

Overall, this series requires a reading! If you enjoy action packed, relationship driven, mythology loving stories, The Watchers is a series for you. I’m dying to know what happens in book 3 (even as I’m terrified after some of the events in book 2). Vampire’s Kiss, book 2 in the Watchers series hits shelves March 6th! 

Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? 

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.
From Goodreads.com

Goddess Interrupted starts out at the end of summer vacation James and Kate took together. She's anxious to get back and see Henry, her husband. When she steps back into the palace she is transported to the Underworld and that's where the real fun starts.

This book takes off in a flury of action and emotional rollercoasters. Kate is desperate to have Henry show his love for her, while she feels like she shouldnt even be there. I liked seeing Kate's character develop into someone worthy of a wife and a Queen. Yes, in the first book she had to overcome tests deeming her worthy but in book two she realizes these things for herself. She stands up for what she believes, and she is willing to sacrifice herself for those she loves. Especially Henry.

Oh, Henry. I didn't feel like his presence was as evident in this book (which I honestly missed) except through Kate. We watch her struggles, yerning for his love, but we don't see much of his. At least not till page...*fans self* I shall leave you hanging on that one because you will just have to read it for yourself. Make no mistake, I am definetly a Henry supporter. We learn a bit more about him in book two and his story might break your heart.

Overall, I enjoyed all the characters and getting a bit of history on them. It was fun watching them interact. Kate and Henry's relationship is beautiful and heartbreaking and they fight to overcome obsticle before them with determination.

And that ending, oh goodness that ending will leave you weeping and begging for more. This story has truly touched my heart, and I can't wait to read what happens next!


Let me know what you think!


Happy reading, 
Valia

In My Mailbox #29: The One with Variety

Hello lovelies,
Welcome to In My Mailbox! I'm super excited about the books I have to share with you this week!





So what do you think? 


Special thanks to Rosanne @ Penguin Group


What is in your mailbox?


Happy reading, 
Valia

The One Where I Share My Heart on Classics

Hello darlings, 

How is everyone doing this fine day? So my coworkers and I were talking books last night, and as I drove home this morning I kept thinking about our conversation. We talked about how in school there were books we “had to” read but really enjoyed. While technically I should be sleeping right now, I can’t get these books out of my mind. 

You see I adore classics. Books by Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Alexander Dumas, Herman Melville, George Orwell (just to name a few) are all books that made a difference in my life. Sure, there were times when I was in a middle of a Christopher Pike mystery and had to put it down in order to read 1984, but once I did so, I was thankful. Books teach us important lessons. Lessons that sometimes movies, tv shows, music, and other forms of entertainment overlook. Sometimes in our society, it feels like we’re so focused on the entertainment part that we forget that stories are so much more. They’re life lessons, adventures, dreams, road maps to self discovery, security blankets, limit pushers, vocabulary teachers, history teachers, guides, and friends. I can go on and on talking about what books, good books, can mean to an individual, but to each of us, they are a different adventure. 

Personally, I loved how Jane Austen always taught me to look for the best in people, how looking past the obvious may let you glimpse the amazing. Alexander Dumas had taught me how not to be afraid to stand up for my friends, knowing that true friends will always stand with me. George Orwell showed me how a world can be, and how I can play a part in making it better. How I can be something other then what society wants me to be. Herman Melville showed how one man’s obsessive nature can ruin lives of so many, how a prideful heart can be a downfall, and how bravery is in all of us. 

Each story can be interpreted in so many different ways and this is why I love stories. For those of you who see classical literature as a daunting undertaking, I encourage you to find a story that fits you and read it.  These authors wrote with their hearts, and isn’t that what true literature is all about. Today we are encompassed by greatness on every side. I won’t start naming authors because I know I will overlook someone. But I think that the books off old still have some very important lessons to teach us and I encourage you to find those lessons and take them to heart. 

Yes, this is how I fell about books!

What’s one book that made a difference in your life? 

Much love, 

Valia

Happy Valentine's Day Gift to You!!! - In His Eyes Anthology

Hello darlings,

So, technically I'm not a big fan of Valentine's day, except for the fact where it's kind of my name :-) And I'm celebrating today as I celebrate all of the holiday's lately, by sleeping because I had a long night of crazy work. But I have a little special gift for you guys! Jessie Harrell shared this with me and I wanted to share it with you! 

Just in time for Valentines Day, The Indelibles bring you a one-of-a-kind young adult anthology! Sixteen original short stories, all from the point of view of our favorite male characters - some are old flames from our novels and some were dreamed up especially for this anthology. 

Let these imminently crushable, swoon-worthy guys show you what romance looks like – in his eyes. 

The contributors to In His Eyes include award winners, frequent “Top 100” placers, and hot 2011 debut authors. 

In His Eyes is FREE at Smashwords, and $0.99 at Amazon and Barnes&Noble - hopefully to go free there as well by our release date on February 14th for Valentines Day. Or you can add In His Eyes to your TBR list on Goodreads.

For more information about The Indelibles, check out our blog, facebook page, or follow us on Twitter. 

Stories included in the Anthology:

Surprise, Surprise by Stacey Wallace Benefiel, author of Glimpse: Half the women in Melody's family can see the future, which makes it nearly impossible for Raleigh to surprise her. What's a guy to do for Valentine's Day when his girlfriend is always one step ahead of him? 

First Kiss or First Kill? by C.K. Bryant, author of Bound: Love isn't always rainbows and kittens, sometimes it can be downright deadly. (A deleted chapter from Bound.) 

Shattered by Ali Cross, author of Become: James and Desi use each other in an effort to cling to the darkness in each of them, but in the end they discover that love changes you. (A chapter of Become from James’ POV.) 

Before by Jessie Harrell, author of Destined: When a younger Eros is exiled to a land that doesn't believe in the Greek gods, he finds the first love of his immortal life. Read Eros' first person account of his romance, and heartbreak, in the time before he met Psyche. 

The Qualm Before the Storm by Karen Amanda Hooper, author ofTangled Tides. Yara Jones doesn’t want to be a mermaid. Treygan doesn’t want to be the monster who turns her. You can’t always get what you want. (A short prequel to Tangled Tides.) 

Unspeakable by S.R. Johannes, author of Untraceable: When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and might not get out alive. 

In the Beginning by Katie Klein, author of Cross My Heart: Seth is falling hard for Genesis Green, but the guardian angel is determined not to interfere, until an accident changes the course of their lives forever. (A short prequel to The Guardian.) 

A Chance Encounter by Cheri Lasota, author of Artemis Rising: Finnian's eyes hide a terrible secret. But a girl on the train home, the girl in tears with a secret of her own...She sees right through him. A scene from the upcoming novel, Echoes in the Glass. 

Family Bonds by Heather McCorkle, author of The Secret of Spruce Knoll: A Halloween party filled with teens who can channel energy and use it to kill, what could go wrong? For Spruce Knoll fans who are dying to read more about Fane. 

Getting Closer by Lisa Nowak, author of Running Wide Open: Megan is smart, hot, and an upperclassman—in other words, way out of Cody’s league. So why did she choose him? (An excerpt of Getting Sideways.) 

The Almost Assassin by Laura Pauling, author of A Spy Like Me, releasing Spring 2012: Malcolm tries his hand at the family business but his conscience and a beautiful "spy" may be his downfall. 

Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn, author of Open Minds: Raf wants to take Kira—the only girl in school who doesn’t read minds—to the mindware Games, but his friends have other plans. (A short prequel to Open Minds.) 

By The Firelight by Elle Strauss, author of Clockwise: When Nate McKenzie asks an unpopular girl to dance on a dare, he's in for the time of his life. 

A Very Alien Valentine’s Day by Magan Vernon, author of How To Date An Alien: After surviving confinement and an intergalactic war for his human half, Alex, now he has to live through the biggest challenge of them all: Valentine's Day. 

Aligned by RaShelle Workman, author of Exiled: A half-Eternal boy and an Eternal girl must free millions of tortured souls from a creature whose been feasting on their pain and suffering.

Don't you love stories from the guys point of view? What are your plans for Valentines day? 


Much love, 
Valia