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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Letter from Mimi Jean Pamfiloff with Excerpt and Giveaway

Votan, God of Death and War Gets a Makeover
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

That’s right. The God of Death and War is getting a sexy makeover. Why does he need one? Good question. He doesn’t! But what if you had the chance to waive a magic wand and make your dream man just a smidgeon dreamier, a tad more sizzling, and a hair more alpha-manlier?  Would you do it?  Why the hell not! That would be like saying no to those chocolate sprinkles on that sundae.

And hey, and let’s be honest, Votan was my first creation in the Accidentally Yours series. He’s original awesomeness—overbearing, hotter than an apple pie fresh from the oven, and nearly indestructible at seven feet. He’s super concentrated divine masculinity. But he did have one small handicap: me!

ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH…A GOD? was only the second novel I’d ever written (and my first if you count that the story is an adaptation of that initial stab at writing). Since its Indie debut in Jan. 2012, I’ve written several more, taking feedback from readers and writers along the way to improve. These final installments of the series (under Grand Central Publishing) had the added benefit of a fabulous editor, Latoya Smith. (Mimi! Get to the point!)
 
Getting there!

Point is, you’re never too old to change!  After about 100K e-copies sold, it was time for Votan (and Emma) to get a little professional makeover! (Insert applause for Latoya here.)

Yes, it’s still the same, quirky, crazy story, but I hope the readers will find Votan and Emma a little bit steamier. (I added an extra yummy scene!) Emma also got a tiny makeover (just as snarky as before, but less whiny). And Tommaso, well, he’s still the same sexy bad boy who confuses us.

I hope everyone enjoys that New & Improved, Mass Market paperback. My 1stever!!! (Insert image of Mimi disco dancing wildly next to Cimil here.)  For those who’ve got the ebook, I understand you’ll have the opportunity to also enjoy this revised edition.

HAPPY READING ALL!
Mimi
Learn more about Mimi here:
Goodreads


Excerpt from Accidentally in Love With…A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (10/29)

     With his golden face beaming, the man smiled as he stroked my sopping wet hair and cradled me against his warm, smooth chest. “I love this dream,” I said with a breathy voice, then stretched my arms above my head, gazing happily into the most striking set of luminescent, turquoise green eyes I’d ever seen.
     To boot, they belonged to a breathtaking, masculine face, a face one would expect to see on the cover of a magazine named something like, I’m Way Too Hot To Be Your Man, or In Your Dreams, Honey.
     Oh, yeah. Without a doubt, I’d topped myself this time. Sculpted cheekbones, thick dark lashes, chiseled jaw, and lips so full they had to be meant for kissing or eating something really juicy. He was way hotter than the specimen of perfection from my last dream, and bonus, he didn’t have that scary vibe. I reached up and ran my fingertip along the ridge of his hard-lined warrior nose.
    “Emma, what in the name of the gods’ creation are you doing?” he scorned. “We really don’t have time for your immature little fantasies. We’re in the middle of a crisis. Do you not remember?”
     I blinked and slowly moved my eyes from side to side.
     Jungle? I was in the jungle. And my clothes were wet. Come to think of it, for a dream, I didn’t feel so hot. My lungs burned, my body felt like it’d been chewed up, and my head was throbbing. So aside from the perfect man with long, damp, wavy black hair holding me in his arms, none of this felt like a dream. It felt—
     “Holy Mother!” I pushed myself away and rolled into the dirt, pointing in disbelief. “Wha—you—you—?”
     “Ah…so eloquent as always, my sweet. It is astounding—you actually have a college degree, yet cannot find better words.” He pushed himself up off the ground.
     As he rose, my heart stopped, started, and then went into overdrive. His legs and spine straightened into a towering mass of unforgiving muscles. With shoulders like a lumberjack and thick, powerful thighs, I didn’t know if I wanted to run away or climb him like a tree. He was utterly enormous. Jolly Green Giant enormous. Except, obviously, not green. More golden brown. He was a gorgeous, towering mass of golden brown perfection.
     No. Definitely not a cave-dwelling, wart-infested troll. Great. Just great. Now I knew I wasn’t crazy—Guy was definitely real—but now I also knew I was in way over my head. He was gorgeous.
     I stood in awe, my mouth gaping as my eyes attempted to register every rope of muscle, every capacious curve packed with power. Christ, he had to be at least seven feet tall.
     “Six nine, actually,” he said, guessing my thoughts.
     “This can’t be possible,” I whispered, my eyes continuing to dart up and down the length of his body, stopping right on dark trail of hair that started just below his navel and continued down, down, down to his enormous beast of a—“Oh! You’re naked.” I turned sharply, but only to stop myself from reaching out to touch it. No man could be that…that…endowed. Wow. “This can’t be happening.” I covered my face.
     “Emma,” he moved behind me, placing his powerful hands on my shoulders. A jolt shivered its way through my body.
     I was wrong about the vibe. Way wrong. This man, or whatever he was, radiated hazard. He should come equipped with a set of blinking lights or flares. He was—“Bad. Very, very, bad,” I mumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose.
     And pathetically, after everything that had happened, all I could think about was this naked, hard-bodied, glorious “man” who’d just permanently seared his image inside the storage compartments of my female DNA. All men, from this day forward, would have to survive a mental side-by-side comparison against him. They’d all lose.
     Then a part of my brain, which was now marinating in a pool of whatever hormonal overload he’d triggered, was trying to tell me something important. It wasn’t ready to capitulate and hand over the keys to the Emma kingdom.
     Ah…there it is. “Don’t touch me!” I swiveled sharply, pushing his hands from my body, pointing one angry finger in his face. “I asked you for one simple thing! One!”
     The corners of his delicious lips curled as he arrogantly flipped his dark, wet hair over his bronzed shoulder. “Exactly. You asked.” He took one bold step forward, well within my personal-space bubble. Clearly, he was trying to intimidate me with his endless ripples and naked body. How sad. It was totally working, which made me even madder.
     He bent down to meet my glare, his nose inches from mine. “But I didn’t agree. Did I? In fact, my exact words were, ‘I. Will. Not. Promise.’ Sharp emphasis given on the not, little girl.”
     He so had this coming. I lifted my knee, thrusting squarely in his groin. The almost-seven-foot brawny male fell to his knees cupping himself.
     “I am not a little girl. Emphasis on the not…


ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for TWO COPIES from Hachette:
PEN WORLDWIDE: Print for US or digital for Canada or International

* This contest is open worldwide - Print to US or digital to international.
* This contest will close midnight on November 15, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries by Rafflecopter.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after November 15, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Accidentally In Love With...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Fast paced - a little crazy but a fun read.
Accidentally In Love With...A God? 
(Accidentally Yours)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
  • File Size: 1217 KB
  • Print Length: 405 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455546925
  • Publisher: Forever (March 5, 2013)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • ASIN: B00BHHHQMU
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Trapped for decades, a powerful god seeks freedom . . . and revenge. But the only thing that can save him is the passion of a woman's touch . . . 

Emma Keane is your average city girl trying to get a date. There's just one thing holding her back: the disembodied male voice speaking to her through her mind. Sound kind of crazy? Maybe. But crazy turns downright deadly when the voice persuades her to travel to the wilds of the Mayan jungle. There she will free his body-his incredibly hot, muscled, naked body.

Humans are so frail, so undisciplined, so susceptible to love. And when this ancient being connects with Emma, the feelings she sparks drive him utterly mad. Protective, keep-her-close, never-let-her-go kind of mad. Which might not be such a bad thing because from the moment the beautiful, passionate Emma unshackles his body, they are hunted at every turn. Now he'll have to do everything in his power to keep her safe. But will it be enough?


Review:
Emma Keane is a young woman who would love to start some intimate dating. Problem is that she has trouble ignoring the very sexy male voice that speaks through her mind...especially when he tells her all the reasons not to encourage a guy. And darned if “Guy” in her head hasn’t been right such as warning her away from that handsome fellow who turned out to be a serial killer! Still he is an annoying distraction and needs to go.

It is really hard dealing with this man-voice, “Guy” as she has dubbed him, who was a friend when she was a child and an irritant as she has grown older. “Guy” convinces Emma that the only way to get rid of him is to travel to Mexico and free him where he has been trapped in a Mayan jungle. She agrees to the crazy idea with promises of explanations of how he was trapped and how he can talk to her.

Although Emma manages to free Guy, he isn’t too good about providing explanations. Other than learning that he is a gorgeous god – not The God but still ‘a god’ and isn’t that just wild? – she has learned little other than that he is irritatingly arrogant. Getting any more information out of him is frustrating so she begins to rely on others around her like the body guard assigned to protect her, Tommaso.

Guy has a special bond to Emma and has sworn to keep her safe, even from herself. He is entranced by her but knows that gods can’t mix with humans. He should let her go to live a free life but he can’t do that until he knows that she is safe... and even then... he doesn’t really want to let her go. And seeing her show interest in another man, especially Tommaso, is raising all sorts of ire for the god of death and war!

Emma can be a bit ditzy and irrational. I can excuse some of that on the confusion of having a man talking in your head most of your life. The mixed messages from Guy - sexy hot one minute and coldly indifferent the next - add to Emma’s unsteady emotions. There is danger posed by horrible, black, scabby, evil priests and an unknown god who seeks Emma for his own evil purposes. Not to mention a traitor in Guy’s secret, special guards.

There was a bit of sexual innuendo that I could skip and once or twice the shift from first person (Emma) to third (Guy’s chapters) was distracting. In spite of getting a bit frustrated with the on again, off again feelings and Emma’s tendency to rash emotions, I did enjoy this is fun, fast paced read.

I received this title from Hachette, through NetGalley, for an honest review, Blitz and Giveaway -- See next post!

About Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mimi spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas, but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she's not busy with kids, hubby, work, and life...or getting sucked into a juicy novel.

She hopes that someday leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh when you need it most.
Learn more about Mimi here:

Buy Links for ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH…A GOD?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Author Interview with Giveaway: Mary Burton Author of No Escape

MEET MARY BURTON...

       Mary Burton enjoys the hunt. This New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist, whose work has been compared to that of Steig Larson*, Lisa Gardner**, and Lisa Jackson***, has been intrigued by investigative work and the people who do it since Virginia, her home state, was stung by a string of serial killings that spanned more than twenty years. Not surprisingly, many of her suspense novels are fueled by the acts of multiple killers and the people who pursue them, as is NO ESCAPE, Mary's latest novel and the second in a trio of stories set in and around Austin. There she calls upon the people and resources of the state's lead investigative team, the Texas Rangers.

       NO ESCAPE's predecessor, THE SEVENTH VICTIM quickly became a USA Today bestseller. It was praised by reviewers, including Publishers Weekly, which says it "delivers action-packed suspense" and calls it "compelling.” Suspense Magazine hailed it as “an excellent thriller” and a “saga that readers will find unbelievably hard to put down.”
      Mary's admiration for the work of law enforcement and the skills, insights and tools necessary to do it, is evident even in her earliest forays into suspense, such as In Dark Waters, in which a romance evolves when the Sheriff's office is called upon to solve a murder in rural Virginia. Future plots explored arson investigation, flaws within a witness protection program, and the reopening of a cold case.
       Beginning with her novel I'm Watching You, Mary started connecting several cases and characters within the same department or agency. For I'm Watching You she invented a homicide unit for her hometown of Richmond, defined its strengths, weaknesses and resources, and kept those characters and elements in place through two additional stand-alone, but related, books, Dead Ringer and Dying Scream.
       The three-book arc provided numerous creative options, especially as regards character development. This larger canvas allowed her to incorporate more of the forensic and procedural detail that fascinates her and her readers, and created new opportunities to explore dynamics unique to investigators working together over time.
       Her other "connected" novels are Senseless, Merciless and Before She Dies, all set in Alexandria, and THE SEVENTH VICTIM, NO ESCAPE and YOU'RE NOT SAFE, which is being published in April 2014.
       Mary's research has led her to interview a wide range of law enforcement personnel, to attend forensic seminars and to handle weaponry at the firing range. She is a graduate of the Henrico County Citizens Police Academy and the Richmond FBI Citizen's Academy, and has attended Sisters in Crime's Forensic University program and the Writers Police Academy in Jamestown, North Carolina, where the focus was on undercover work, autopsies, and the theories behind why people kill.
       Despite her emphasis on hard facts related to the crimes she writes about, Mary's approach to each new novel is psychological. She backs away from details, whether it's forensic research or a plot point she's already fixating upon. To begin her story she needs answers to three questions about her killers: why do they kill, what demons drive them, and how do they choose their victims. The answers are critical to her plot, she says, just as they are for detectives solving a murder.
       A Richmond native whose family roots run as deep as the nation's, Mary has lived there for most of her life. She graduated from Virginia's Hollins University and worked in marketing before deciding to write full time. Her first manuscript, a historical romance, was published in 2000.
       Mary wrote several more romance novels and three novellas before embracing the dark world of suspense. She even managed to bring danger to her holiday novella, Christmas Past, which appears in the New York Times bestselling holiday anthology Silver Bells.
       The author of twenty published novels and four novellas, Mary is a member of Thriller Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, for which she is president of the Central Virginia chapter. She travels frequently for signings, speaking engagements and other appearances. She is a frequent speaker at conferences, book festivals, book stores and libraries regarding writing and genre fiction, and is frequently asked to present her "Unraveling Romantic Suspense" workshop or her day-long program "Writing Your Book...The First Step."
       An avid baker and an accomplished cook, Mary's discovered that the creativity of the kitchen entwines with her professional routine in unanticipated ways. It’s her ideal retreat when the writing hits a rough spot. Once there, she's working out dialogue, untangling plot lines and figuring out how to trap a killer before the oven has a chance to preheat.
       When not committing murder, Mary pursues her Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate at the University of Richmond's Culinary Arts Program, and continues her involvement and appearances on behalf of Coordinators2inc, a lifetime adoption resource organization. She and her husband spend time alternately enjoying and lamenting their newly empty nest and spoiling their miniature dachshunds Buddy and Bella.
       Mary is currently at work on her next novel, set in Nashville, and anticipating the November publication of her new Union Street Bakery novel, Sweet Expectations, written as Mary Ellen Taylor.

*Publishers Weekly, **Library Journal, ***Library Journal

www.maryburton.com    http://www.facebook.com/maryburtonfanpage   www.kensingtonbooks.com

NO ESCAPE by Mary Burton
Zebra Books/Mass Market Original/Fiction
November 2013/On Sale 10-29-13/$7.99 ($8.99 Canada)
978-1-4201-2506-1

I was pleased to ask Ms. Burton a few more questions about her writing:

Q1. What inspires you to write the different genres you write– Romantic Suspense, Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction? Do you have plans to write in any other genres?
MB:  I love to write and sometimes a story just fits into a certain genre.  Some are fast-paced mystery/thrillers and others are more introspective and emotional. If a story really excites me I’ll find a way to write it.
Q2. Is there a big transition in your writing style from one genre to another?
MB:  There is a huge difference between my suspense and my women’s fiction stories. The suspense novels are written as edgy page turners and have some real dark moments. The women’s fiction novels are a little slower paced and I can take more time to explore emotions.
Q3. Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?
MB:  They haunt me. I’m always thinking about the next story and, as they take form, the characters seem to get louder and louder. I know that sounds a little crazy but I think most writers will tell you that their characters are constantly tapping them on the shoulder and shouting for attention.
Q4. What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
MB:  Write every day. When you write every day your skills really sharpen and you don’t lose the thread of your story. When I take long breaks I lose the habit of writing so I’ve learned to keep the breaks short.
Q5. What is the single most important thing you've learned about managing your career?
MB:  Be a professional. Write the best stories you can but be mindful of your deadlines and be kind and polite to the folks you meet along the way.
Q6. What is the craziest thing you've done to research a story idea?
MB:  I attended a shallow grave seminar at the Writers’ Police Academy. It was a fascinating afternoon and it inspired NO ESCAPE.
Q7. What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
MB:  I want to pull them out of real life and take them on a great ride. My hope is that the story keeps them up way past their bedtime and maybe they forget to cook dinner or switch the laundry along the way.
I have to say that Ms. Burton succeeded in her goal by pulling me into NO ESCAPE!

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Print Copy from the publicist:

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Comment on the Author's bio or Interview.
For additional 3 Extra bonus entries, Comment on the Review Post. 

* This contest is open to those with US or Canada address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 8, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after November 8, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: No Escape by Mary Burton

This has all the elements I love in a romantic suspense: lots of action and suspense with good romantic tension.
No Escape (Texas Rangers)
Mary Burton

  • File Size: 1316 KB
  • Print Length: 384 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1420125060
  • Publisher: Zebra Books (October 29, 2013)
  • ASIN: B00DV1ISQI
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
He Was Taught How To Kill
Even behind bars, serial killer Harvey Day Smith exudes menace. Psychologist Jolene Granger has agreed to hear his dying confession, vowing not to let the monster inside her head. And Harvey has secrets to share—about bodies that were never found, and about the apprentice who is continuing his grisly work…

And Now He’ll Teach Them
He buries his victims alive the way his mentor Harvey did, relishing their final screams as the earth rains down. And as one last gift to the only father he knew, he’ll make the most perfect kill of all.

How To Die
Everything about this investigation is unnerving Jo, from Harvey’s fascination with her to the fact that she’s working alongside Texas Ranger Brody Winchester, her ex-husband. Harvey’s protégé is growing bolder and more vicious every day. And soon the trail of shallow graves will lead them to the last place Jo expected, and to the most terrifying truth of all…

Praise for Mary Burton’s The Seventh Victim
“Dark and disturbing, a well-written tale of obsession and murder.” —Kat Martin
“Burton delivers action-packed tension.” —Publishers Weekly


Review:
Dr. Jolene Granger is a strong minded young woman whose determination and drive for knowledge pushed her through to become a psychologist. Now Jo delves into criminal minds helping local police and even the Texas Rangers. Now Texas Ranger Brody Winchester has contacted her to take her to interview a serial killer, Harvey Smith, who is dying from cancer. Smith was captured by Brody and has confessed to some of his kills but has refused to give up the location of some of the girls.

Smith is known for burying his victims alive and he likes to play mind games. He has called Jo for a purpose. He is willing to tell her a new location of bodies but there is something else he will only hint at. And he knows the secret between Jo and Brody that few others know...they were married fourteen years before.

Brody goes into protective mode when it comes to Jo. She is cautious about all men, but especially about Brody. After all, they had a whirlwind romance but Brody was young and hot tempered. He joined the Marines in order to earn money to support them but in so doing he abandoned Jo when she needed him most.

Brody wants a chance to show Jo he is not the immature young man she knew before. But right now they are hunting a new killer – Robbie, the protégé that Smith has just revealed. A young woman in Jo’s community has gone missing and it seems that another psychopathic killer is stalking Jo. Brody might have a chance with Jo but only if he can keep her safe and away from the killing ‘son’ of a madman.

Ms. Burton does an excellent job of building suspense into this twisted plot. There are several men around Jo whom the reader can suspect might be dangerous, some more obvious than others. Paths and clues cross to keep the reader guessing. Meanwhile there is the underlying tension of the conflict of unresolved issues, and passion, between Jo and Brody. The writing is sharp, full of action and momentum that made me want to keep reading all night. I am very glad to have found this author to add to my ‘go-to’ list for wonderful romantic suspense. This is definitely a must read for those who enjoy good romantic suspense.

I received this from Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for an honest review, with author Interview and Giveaway - see next post!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Mailbox Monday 10/28/13

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.
For OCTOBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Gina @ Book Dragon’s Lair.
[Starting September, Bob of Beauty in Ruins will be the new back-up host for Mailbox Monday.]

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.


I received three ebooks and two audio titles for review.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Title

I received Sanctuary from BookBlast


Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden
Tour Review November 19
Post apocalyptic action thriller.





Shrouded from Coffee and Characters 
for tour review on 12/3/13:
Sci Fi


I also received from the author to review over the next month or so:


Unfinished Business An Angela Panther Novel 
(A Chick-lit Paranormal book)
by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
and



These two Audios received through AudioBook Jukebox.


Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
    UNABRIDGED
    by Jim Bernheimer
    Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer 



and




Five Million Dollar Cat: A Novella
    UNABRIDGED
    by Laura Lond
    Narrated by Tavia Gilbert




Won

NONE


Purchased



I saw this series at Savvy Verse & Wit blog and thought it interesting enough to try it out.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox (The Jenna Fox Chronicles)
 by Mary E. Pearson






Free

Love Gone to the Dogs (Second Chances) by Margaret Daley (Jul 5, 2012)





I also downloaded another 40 or so free Kindle Titles linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tayInspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.
I'm not sure I will ever get to read all the books I have. *Sigh*

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