Get To Know: Sherilee Gray + GIVEAWAY

NV:  Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

SHERILEE:  The first romance novel I ever read was by Sherrilyn Kenyon. That novel started my passion for paranormal romance. There are many, many other amazing authors who have influenced me, but Sherrilyn Kenyon was my first!

NV:  What is the one thing your readers would be the most surprised to learn about you?

SHERILEE:  Before I started writing I used to paint. I didn’t suck at it either, and sold quite a few of my paintings. I haven’t picked up a paint brush since I started writing.

 NV:  What is one of your guilty pleasures?

 SHERILEE:  I have an unhealthy addiction to Cadbury’s Rocky Road chocolate.

 NV:  Where do your ideas/characters come from?

 SHERILEE:  Often songs, sometimes movies. And then sometimes a character or idea will just pop into my head and won’t go away!

 NV:  What do you do when hit a roadblock in your writing to help get those creative juices flowing?

 SHERILEE:  Sometimes, I’ll step away for a bit, do some reading or talk over what’s bothering me with one of my writer friends. I’ve struggled at times, but I’m lucky that I haven’t had any major problems…yet *knocks on wood*

 NV:  What was one of the first things you did to celebrate when you found out you were going to be a published author?

 SHERILEE:  I called my family and friends and squealed in their ears down the phone.

 NV:  Describe how you felt when you read your first review of Lone Wolf’s Captive?

 SHERILEE:  Relieved would be the biggest thing I felt. I was positive no one would like it. I mean, it’s just me writing down all the crazy things going on in my head. So far I’ve been thrilled with the response to my scarred alpha wolf Fletch and his feisty mate Delaney.

 NV:  Is promoting your book and getting your name out there harder or easier than you thought it would be?

 SHERILEE:  I am terrible at promoting myself! At this point, my goal is to just write the best book I can, and hope it’s something readers will enjoy. I think that’s the best promotion you can do for yourself.

 NV:  What advice would you give to new upcoming authors?

 SHERILEE:  Don’t give up. I don’t know who said this, but I’ve heard it many times. “The difference between a published writer and an unpublished one is that the published writer didn’t give up.”

 NV:  What are you working on now?

 SHERILEE:  I have a few things going on at the moment, but my main goal is to get A Wolf’s Deception edited. The hero is Gabe, a character who helped Fletch out near the end of Lone Wolf’s Captive. Hopefully, my publisher will like it and you’ll get to read his story!

Enter to win your own e-copy of Lone Wolf’s Captive here:  GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY: Reaper’s Legacy by Joanna Wylde

Looking for a little romance outside the norm?  Why not try Joanna Wylde’s series Reaper’s Motorcycle Club!  Here’s your chance to get a copy of Joanna Wylde’s Reaper’s Legacy…all you have to do is enter to win!

Blurb for Reaper’s Legacy:  Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart—and her virginity—to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn’t have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach’s step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he’s never forgotten.  She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious—her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach’s a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah’s only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands—with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club—to give them a better life.  Living with outlaw bikers wasn’t Sophie’s plan for her son, but Ruger isn’t giving her a choice. He’ll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she’ll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way… 

GIVEAWAY

Toni Aleo’s Awesome Giveaway Contest

As most of you know, I am a huge fan of Toni Aleo – so I really want to share this awesome giveaway with all of you!  Enter to win, and you could be in her next Assassin’s book!  A dream come true for readers!!  Follow the link below to learn more on how to enter to win this awesome giveaway!

Toni Aleo Giveaway Contest

FaceBook Like Giveaway

We’ve had a great influx of Facebook likes recently, and in honor of that we are hosting a giveaway!  I have looked through my stash of books and have found a signed copy of BURN by Maya Banks.  Enter to win here – Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

Get to Know JAMI DENISE + Giveaway!

Recently I had the wonderful privilege of reading See Jayne Play – which was another one of those just fabulous, ground-breaking titles that made a huge impression on me!  I am definitely a fan of this series, and I will continue to read more by this author – whether it’s in connection with the Jayne series or something new.  But she is also one of the nicest author’s I have come across, and I jumped at the opportunity to ask her a few questions…so, please read on and get to know this wonderful author – I’m sure we’ll be hearing her name more and more often in the near future!

The Naughty Vixen:  Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

Jami Denise:  I have so many influences. It’s really hard to pin it down to one person, but I have always been inspired by Judy Blume as an author.  I think she will always be the reason I wanted to write books.

The Naughty Vixen:  Jayne is a high priced call girl who comes from the underground crime world in Las Vegas -Where you nervous about readers connecting with See Jayne Play because of that?

Jami Denise:  I was. There is a certain stigma that goes along with anyone working in the sex industry.  She’s independent and can come off a bit hard, but as strong as she is, I hope the reader can appreciate that she is also a human being with feelings, even when she’s hiding them. A lot of women that find themselves involved with prostitution lose, or have lost, a part of themselves, and they put up defenses to protect themselves from those that use them, and or hurt or will hurt them. Jayne is an escort by choice, she’s made hard decisions, and that was the road she took. It’s just run it’s course and taken it’s toll and she’s trying to figure out who she is. I hope readers understand that confusion and accept the way she works through who she is.

The Naughty Vixen: If we could only take away one thing to inspire us about Jayne’s character, what would it be?

Jami Denise:  I think the very fact that she let down walls she’d built up her entire life to allow a bit of actual happiness is inspiring. In the midst of madness, and in the ugly world she comes from, she’s still got a beating heart and a tender soul. I think that’s inspiring.

The Naughty Vixen:   What was your reaction to the first “official” review of your book?

Jami Denise:  Surprise. Lol.  I told myself I wasn’t going to read any reviews, but that was just stupid. The blogs that were a part of the release tour were amazing. I was surprised, and then I was sort of proud. It’s always nice when someone doesn’t think you suck 😉

The Naughty Vixen:  Why do you think Flynn became so fascinated by Jayne?

Jami Denise:  I think when he saw her as a child, she stood out. She was unique, and something about her captured his attention.  Flynn’s odd, as anyone that reads will find out, so with him, I think he fixated on her and then when she continued to disappear, he was intrigued.  And of course, he’s a man and men are visual animals. She was pretty and he liked pretty.

The Naughty Vixen:  Does any of the characters have traits that you yourself wish you had and if so, what traits would those be?

Jami Denise:  I guess if I had to choose one trait from one character, it would be Vince’s patience.

The Naughty Vixen:  What is the one thing your readers would be the most surprised to know about you?

Jami Denise:  Hmmm. I guess that I am incredibly shy. Pretty much socially backward.

The Naughty Vixen:  What has been the hardest part of the writing process for you?

Jami Denise:  The hardest part of writing is focus for me. It’s a challenge to just sit and make myself write.

The Naughty Vixen:  Has promoting your book been harder than you thought, and what would you recommend to other authors that are trying to get their names out there?

Jami Denise:  It has been harder than I thought.  Selling books is mostly word of mouth, and getting it out there for others to see is a challenge.  I find it really hard to put myself out there (see above) so that’s been the hardest part, asking strangers to read my book.  But, I have met some incredibly supportive and awesome new friends, and hopefully new supporters for future books/projects.

My advice to other authors would be to be a planner.  I so am not a planner. I am forever doing things last minute.  

The Naughty Vixen –  I understand that you are working on the next installment of the Jayne series, See Jayne Run.  What is one fact that you can reveal to us now that would get us even more hyped up for the next book?

Jami Denise:  The one thing I can reveal about See Jayne Run is that readers are in for more surprises.  See Jayne Play ended with a cliffhanger, and everything they thought they knew will be twisted again. Nothing is as it seems.

Enter now to win a copy of See Jayne Play

Hyped Up…. PLUS Giveaway

I have noticed two books continuously making the rounds on social media, and getting rave reviews from readers.  I am curious to see what all the hype is about!….What can I say, my interest has been piqued!  I plan on reading both of these titles, but I am so excited about starting them that I have decided to do a giveaway!  Featured here you can find blurbs for both titles:  A Beautiful Mess by T.K Leigh and Night Owl by M. Pierce.  Winner of the giveaway gets the choice of which book they want!  Even better – and in case you’re ahead of me and you’ve already read both of these titles – you can instead choose your own title (any title from Amazon listed at under $5 at the time of the giveaway)!  How can you go wrong?

NIGHT OWL 

Love is unstoppable…At twenty-eight, Matt Sky has the perfect life. He has a beautiful girlfriend, a massive inheritance, and four national bestsellers — all penned under his airtight alias, M. Pierce.  At twenty-seven, Hannah Catalano has a train wreck. Her boyfriend is a deadbeat and her job is abysmal.  Matt and Hannah meet online as writing partners. Their relationship is safe, anonymous, and innocent…Until Matt sees a picture of Hannah.Hannah’s picture sparks an attraction Matt is powerless to ignore. When circumstance brings Matt and Hannah together, the strangers begin a love story that’s passionate, poignant, unforgettable, and unstoppable.

A BEAUTIFUL MESS

What happens when you lose everyone that promised they would always be there for you? How can you protect the few pieces of your shattered heart that remain?  Olivia Adler is a woman with a troubled past. After losing her parents at the young age of six and being raised by an uncle who she lost years later, she refuses to get attached to anyone, including friends. For the past decade, she has been able to remain unattached to any man, too worried about losing someone to get too close. Until Alexander Burnham walks into her life one night and changes everything. But he has issues of his own. And he’s keeping a secret that could turn her world upside-down. Will Olivia let Alexander in enough for him to get close and protect her from a force threatening her very existence, or will she push him away, scared of letting Alexander in, in order to protect her heart?  A Beautiful Mess is the first installment of a three part series sure to captivate the heart with a story of secrets, courage, and love.

RECOMMENDED FOR READERS 18 AND UP DUE TO STRONG LANGUAGE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, AND MILD VIOLENCE.

Enter the Giveaway!  Night Owl or A Beautiful Mess

This Week’s Most Anticipated Release(s) + Giveaway

This week was a bit disappointing week for me.  One of my most anticipated books, Blue Lines by Toni Aleo has been set back – and is now not due out until December 9th!  😦  But there are a few glimmers of silver lining amidst the clouds!  First off, I know anything by Aleo will be AWESOME, so I know the wait will be worth it!  Another plus – her new novel Let It Be Me will be releasing October 2nd!  It’s not for another week, but we need something to look forward to, right?  Check out the new book trailer for this title below!

As an incentive to pick up a copy, 10% of the proceeds of the first month’s sales goes to The Joyful Heart Foundation – so you can satisfy your reading habit and donate to a good cause at the same time!

PLUS – there is a giveaway running from now until October 1st where you can enter to win e-books, signed copies of the author’s works, gift cards, and swag packs!  Enter to win!  Visit the rafflecopter link here: Aleo Giveaway

In the meantime, here is a blurb for Let It Be Me:  Do you see that woman there? The one with long, wavy blond hair and blue eyes that used to sparkle? That’s me, Violet Moore. Do you see those men over there? One is my husband, Rob. A man who claimed he loved me, but proved his fist loved me more. The other is Tucker McCloud, my savior and confidant. I’m torn between what’s right and my own fear. But not anymore. I’m taking my life back now. I will fight back. I will be happy.