Giveaway & Author Interview with Kristin Miller! Spotlight on "Last Vamp Standing"

Welcome Kristin Miller 

to the Brunette Librarian's Blog! 

Today we are talking about her 

BRAND SPANKING NEW BOOK

"Last Vamp Standing"

 

Tortured by demonic voices, Dante’s soul is as black as they come. But when he meets Ariana—an innocent vampire fighting demons of her own—he second-guesses everything he’s ever known about sacrifice, passion, and soul-scorching love.

Before Dante wages war against Crimson Bay’s greatest threat, he must make a choice: love Ariana the way she deserves, risking her life in the process—or fight to protect her, unleashing the monster he’s determined to bury.

About the Author    

    Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in Small Town USA, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures.
     After graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in psychology, Kristin realized there is no scarier place than the warped human psyche. Wanting to combine her love of writing with her desire to paint twisted villains, Kristin wound up in the unlikeliest of places—the classroom. She taught high school and middle school English before giving in to the desire to create her own world, where villains can be sympathetic and heroes can be devilishly good.
      She is represented by Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates Ltd. and writes dark paranormal romances and toe curling romantic suspense.

Find Kristin @

Website: http://www.kristinmiller.net/

Twitter      Facebook    Goodreads 

 

A word with Kristin...

BL: Hi Kristin! We are soooo thrilled to have you here. 

Thanks so much for having me on the blog today! 

BL: I have really enjoyed "Last Vamp Standing." The story is so much fun and the characters are phenomenal! What was your motivation?
You’re too sweet. My goal was to create a story in a far-away place that was still set in present times. I wanted to take a hero with a blackened soul and pair him with an innocent elder. I wrote every single day, and was determined to finish the book in five months. I met that goal ahead of schedule, and I honestly think the story reads more seamlessly for it. 

BL: Dante is one hot vampire! Who or what was his inspiration? Anyone in real life?
There is a little bit of my husband in every hero, though he wouldn’t want me to say that. I don’t write characters based on anyone in particular, but if there’s a certain fight scene and Dante takes charge, kicking ass without fear…yeah, that’s my husband. Honestly, Dante is my favorite kind of hero to read and write. He’s dark to a fault, brash, and protective over the heroine, but what I love most is he’s willing to fight for what (and who) he loves. 

BL: Are you a plotter or a write as you go kind of gal?
I’m usually a pantser and fly by the seat of my pants when I write. I have a few key points in mind—usually two turning points and the climax. However, for this book, I had to switch up my usual routine and plot the hell out of it. Since Last Vamp Standing is the third book in the Vampires of Crimson Bay series, there were a lot of carry-over threads that had to be woven into this story. I didn’t want to leave something hanging or not do a character justice. 

BL: What do you think is the most important quality for a heroine to have?
Oh, boy. Great question. I think the ability to forgive is a crucial quality for a hero and heroine to have. I spend so much time creating conflict, tying emotions into knots, that if a hero or heroine refuses to budge and gets so hurt that they internalize those feelings into hatred, rage, or resentment, we wouldn’t have a happy ever after. No matter what happens in a story, no matter how much the hero or heroine messes up, love has to conquer all. Whether the hero has to forgive the heroine, or himself (or vice-versa), it doesn’t matter. To reach that ending, the ability to forgive has to play a part.

Awesome Purchase links for 
"Last Vamp Standing"

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/QYDl3k

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Op3Mj5

A word from the Librarian

     A wild take on the paranormal, I really enjoyed "Last Vamp Standing."  Besides a super yummy cover, Dante is an amazing hero. As Kristin said, Dante is incredibly protective and deliciously dark. The action is fast paced and I will admit, I do think you would be a tad confused if you haven't read the rest of the series. Not bad confused, but after reading "Last Vamp Standing," you will definitely run out to find the other books. Fun and wonderfully romantic, "Last Vamp Standing" is unlike any other vampire romance I've ever read before. 

Wanna win a cool prize?

Two random commenters from the entire tour will win their choice of either a Kindle or Nook format eBook of Last Vamp Standing. Please leave a comment along with your broken up email addy.

Contest is open the duration of the tour (August 20 - September 7) and Internationally. Winner will be randomly selected and notified via email.

Additional tour stops can be found at:

http://events.litconnect.com/last-vamp-standing-by-kristin-miller

    

Book Blitz & Giveaway! "Sugar Walls" By: Mysti Holliday

Today we are spotlighting

"Sugar Walls" By: Mysti Holiday

When Emilie is dumped by her boyfriend, best friend Jack Voss offers a shoulder and a place to live--the other side of his duplex. He’s always there, fixing her problems, her car, her sink. Emilie doesn’t know what she’d do without him, or with the feelings she’s having for him. His shoulder doesn’t just offer comfort anymore; his touch is a turn-on. Their shared wall is the only thing keeping them from sharing a bedroom—and fanning the flames might risk breaking something that Jack can’t fix.

Excerpt

Emilie hadn’t lied about the leak in her pipes. Just like she hadn’t broken her dishwasher, or the leg off her couch, or the alternator in her car on purpose. But, to be honest, it was almost a relief when those things happened, because they gave her an excuse to see Jack.

She’d called him first thing this morning when running water for her coffee had resulted in puddles beneath the sink. He’d come over the first chance he’d had and now he was on his hands and knees on the linoleum looking at the pipe that oozed moisture, oblivious to the woman behind him who was also soaking wet, albeit for an entirely different reason.

His ass looked good enough to take a big bite out of. Emilie couldn’t help herself; it was right there, sticking out from under her kitchen sink, and she had to clench her hands into tight fists to keep from grabbing it.

About the Author

Mysti Holiday is the pseudonym of a very busy SAHM who dreams of warm climes and hot bodies.  Most people know she writes, but not what she writes about:  sexy men and the wanton women who love them.

She's married to a wonderful man who happily sacrifices himself for research, and she spends most of her days dreaming of interesting and unusual situations in which to place her characters.  But most of all, she's a sucker for a happy ending.

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Website: http://www.menagerieauthors.com/

Blog: http://www.menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/

My Thoughts

      “Sugar Walls” starts out as Emilie finds herself breaking up with her current boyfriend. Jack, her landlord and ex-boyfriends friend, surprises her when he sides with her in the break up. Months later when Emilie is ready to find that special someone, she finds herself looking at Jack more and more; not as a friend but as potential boyfriend material.
     Mysti Holiday does a great job of writing a scorching hot story with full character development in a short story format. Fun, flirty, and quick, Emilie and Jack’s story unfolds to their happily ever after. Sure they are different, but life is dealing with those differences. It makes us unique and that’s exactly what this story is!

What can you win?

Mysti Holiday will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one random commenter. Leave a comment with your e-mail and maybe you'll get lucky?? 

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Check out the rest of the tour dates

My Odd Little World

Christine Young Romance Writer

 The Muse Unleashed 

 Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

  Black Velvet Seductions Blog

  Maria-Claire Payne

Wendi Zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race

  Mark of the Stars

  Wickedly Wanton Tales

 Guilty Indulgence

  Vintage Vonnie

  The New Sensuality

  United By Books

Wicked Readings By Tawania

  Romance with an Attitude

  The Bunny's Review

  Of Kink, Romance, and Writing

  Live To Read ~Krystal

  The Brunette Librarian

  Mimmi's Musing's 

  One World Singles Magazine Blog

  Wickedly Sexy Writers

  CS Maxwell ~ Where's My Muse

  Rachel Leigh - Erotic Romance

Erzabet's Enchantments

 Ella Jade 

Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews

  Delighted Reader Book Reviews

  The Steamy Side

 Wake Up Your Wild Side

Roz Lee Contemporary Erotic Romance Author

  Kerrific

  For The Love of Reading

  Erotic Interludes

 Sexy Lady

 Queen of the Night Reviews

 Wild Wild Women

 Desiree Holt Tells All

 Bodice Ripper Novels

 Sugarbeat's Books

Shewanda Pugh

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

I try not to post too much personal stuff on here, since no one is super interested in it anyway. But...I couldn't help myself this week - Can you guess where I was? I spent my weekend at the Illinois State Fair (about 4 hours from my house) in Springfield, IL! 

Incredible, aren't I??

Beyond getting my picture taken with the "Incredible Edible Egg," I spent my Saturday night with thousands of fans and Miranda Lambert! 

If you have never seen Miranda in concert, you definitely should. This was my second time seeing her this year and each time was incredible!

"Fastest girl in Town"

What I read this week...

"Tall, Dark & Lonely"
By: R.L. Mathewson

Things are finally looking up for Madison. After years of scraping just to get by she lands her dream job and finally has a decent down payment for a house so she can move her brother and sister into a real home. It's too bad nothing ever goes the way it's supposed to. When the mother that abandoned them years ago suddenly shows up and moves them to New Hampshire Madison has no choice but to go or lose her brother and sister. Shoving her dreams aside yet again, Madison tries to make things work, it's really cold, her fifteen year old sister acts like a hooker in training, men act funny around her, her boss is a real jerk, she feels like an outsider, her best friend turns out to be a sixteen year old punk, and the incredibly handsome guy renting the room adjoining hers not only hogs the bathroom, taking three showers a day and leaving her with cold water, but he also has a secret. A secret that she becomes a bit obsessed with and can't let go no matter how many times she's warned off.

Detective Ephraim Williams learned long ago not to show any emotion or allow himself to get attached to humans. What was the point? They came and went and he remained. This time wouldn't be any different or so he thought. When his landlady told him her grandchildren were moving in he didn't expect much, well other than to be left alone. What he didn't expect was to have to fight bloodlust every time he so much as caught a whiff of his delectable neighbor's scent or her bombarding him with questions every time she cornered him. If that's not bad enough a Master from his past has found him once again and is demanding his blood and is willing to do anything to get it, even using the exasperating neighbor that makes him feel more than pain for the first time in centuries. 

"Mate Claimed"

By: Jennifer Ashley

Eric Warden knows that half-Shifter wildcat Iona is passing for human, living without a Collar in the human world. He also knows that if she does not acknowledge her Shifter nature and her mating hunger, it could kill her. Iona finds the mysterious and dangerous Eric, a wildcat and leader of his Shiftertown, haunting her dreams, but she vows never to "come out" and take the Collar, fearing backlash against her mother and sister for hiding the fact that she's Shifter. But Eric is a compelling Shifter male, and Iona's hunger calls to him.

"Anything He Wants" 

By: Sara Fawkes

Lucy Delacourt's temp position isn't quite her dream job but it pays the bills...barely. The highlight of her day is riding the elevator in the mornings: she always manages to time it so that she sees the handsome stranger every day. He's fuel for her fantasies and way out of her league, but a girl can look, right? 

"Anything He Wants 2"

By: Sara Fawkes

Jeremiah isn't interested in forcing Lucy to obey a simple contract. He knows exactly what he wants: his new assistant's complete surrender. A man used to getting his own way, Jeremiah won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to sway his assistant and Lucy finds, to her horror, that the price she has to pay might be something she secretly craves.

"Hard Mated"

By: Jennifer Ashley

Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What's more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise. 

Myka, who'd been raised by an abusive stepfather, is not sure that a wild fighter named Spike is the best man to bring up the cute little jaguar cub. She goes to Shiftertown to check out Spike, and finds that the man behind the name is a lonely Shifter who's lost most of his family and is a fierce caretaker to those he has left. 

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. He starts to like the sassy Myka, a horse trainer who's not afraid of working with animals, even if they're wildcats who turn into humans. 

When Spike's job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he's pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he's come to love.

"Sugar Walls"

By: Mysti Holiday

When Emilie is dumped by her boyfriend, best friend Jack Voss offers a shoulder and a place to live--the other side of his duplex. He’s always there, fixing her problems, her car, her sink. Emilie doesn’t know what she’d do without him, or with the feelings she’s having for him. His shoulder doesn’t just offer comfort anymore; his touch is a turn-on. Their shared wall is the only thing keeping them from sharing a bedroom—and fanning the flames might risk breaking something that Jack can’t fix.



"Perfection: A Neighbor from Hell Novel"
By: R.L. Mathewson
Zoe is used to taking care of herself and has long ago accepted that if anything bad was going to happen, it was going to happen to her. So when she loses her job over something most bosses would probably be happy with and her life starts going down hill from there she doesn't expect it to get any better. She certainly didn't expect any help from the loud jerk next door, but then again she has nothing to lose so puts her trust in him and hopes for the best. What she didn't expect was the once in a lifetime opportunity that he offers her through an arrangement where they both benefit and no one is supposed to get hurt, but she should have known better because her luck has never been that good.

Like most Bradfords, Trevor has a soft spot for food, but that's about all. He leads a pretty straightforward life and likes to keep things simple and that includes his relationships. He wants the perfect woman and knows exactly what she'll be like. So when he discovers much to his horror that he's thinking about his frumpy little neighbor he decides the best way to get his head straight is by working her out of his system. He'll keep her around, but only until he finds perfection


"Playing for Keeps"
By: R.L. Mathewson
Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to change starting with the aggravating neighbor who has too much charm and not enough restraint. What she didn't expect was to sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget just what the bad boy next door is capable of. The last thing Jason expected was for his little shy neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers. After he decides to take her under his wing he can't help but that notice that she fits very nicely in his life. Now the only left is to convince her that this is anything but a game.

I don't know what I'm going to read next...I'm kind of in a funk. 
How about you?

"The Officer Says I Do" By: Jeannette Murray Review

"The Officer Says I Do"

By: Jeanette Murray

Synopsis from Goodreads:

He's a Marine...she grew up on a commune.

He always puts duty first...she's a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.

He loves routine and order...she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.

They're going to balance each other perfectly--or drive each other completely, utterly insane...

On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O'Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined...

 My Thoughts:

     I think the tagline on this book says it all, “He’s a Marine...She grew up on a commune.” An incredibly cute, funny romance that will make you smile, “The Officer Says I Do” was an easy read to finish my weekend out.
     Timothy O’Shay is getting ready to be shipped overseas, so he and his two buddies end up for a weekend in Las Vegas. Wanting to go a little wild, O’Shay starts gambling and drinking. Suddenly, he looks up and sees Skye McDermott, a free-spirited restaurant manager who works in Vegas. As always with these kinds of Vegas books, as the night progresses, they decide it would be a great idea to get married.
     A definite case of two wildly different people coming together, Skye and Timothy are polar opposites. Timothy is regimented, sedate, and the ultimate military man. Skye is a wild child, burning incense, hating schedules and pretty willing to go with the flow in almost any situation.
     I know it sounds a little cliched, but I really enjoyed this book. I thought the author did a great job of showing how Skye wanted to fit in with the military world and had her changing, but also striking that delicate balance of being true to your self and having people accept you for you. Timothy was a great hero; honest, fun, and very alpha. The story never seemed over the top or beyond belief, it was really fun and seemed like a quick read. Definitely a great first book in wonderful new series by Jeanette Murray!

Book Details

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Date of Publication: July 1, 2012

# of Pages: 352

ISBN: 978-1402265402 

Follow Friday

FEATURE AND FOLLOW FRIDAY IS A BLOG HOP PUT TOGETHER BY TWO HOSTS: PARAJUNKEE AND ALISON CAN READ AS A WAY TO HELP BLOGGERS BECOME AWARE OF OTHER BLOGS AND BLOGGERS. 

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MAKE NEW BLOGGER FRIENDS.

What is the worst cover of a book you have read and loved?

Ugh! I love this book so much, Tina Fey is a genius. Hilarious and so on point its insane. Yet...I absolutely hate this cover. It doesn't make any sense at all and it makes her look absolutely terrible. I know its goal was to look cute but it fails on so many levels!

What is your favorite worst cover/awesome story combo?

"The Ugly Duchess" By: Eloisa James Review

"The Ugly Duchess" 

By: Eloisa James

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion.

Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime…until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry. Society was shocked by their wedding; it's scandalized by their separation.

Now James faces the battle of his lifetime, convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan.

And Theo will quickly find that for a man with the soul of a pirate, All's Fair in Love—or War.

My Thoughts:

    Eloisa James has done it again! By taking the premise of a fairy tale, two completely different characters, a dash of romance, and a pirate, “The Ugly Duchess” enchants, entertains, and entrances. Never disappointed, I think her newest work may be one of my favorite James romance yet.
    Theadora and James had known each other since they were children. At the beginning of the tale, James finds out that his father has been embezzling money from Theadora’s dowry. He must marry Theo to protect both her money and his father’s reputation. Theo is enchanted by James after their first kiss and becomes devastated when she overhears his father dismiss her looks and reveal what he has done with her money.
      Embarrassed and ashamed, James leaves Theo for a number of years. When he finally returns to England after a number of years, both James and Theo have changed dramatically. James has become a privateer (Ha! more like a pirate) and a commander of men while Theo has become a “swan.” She is fashionable, confident, and independent while also staying true to her feisty nature.
     When I first read this was going to be a take on The ugly Duckling, I was intrigued. It could so easily have become one of those cliche romances, yet it never becomes that. The story flows excellently and you come to truly cherish the characters. Theadora is different from most romance heroines. She isn’t pretty, she isn’t considered particularly feminine, and she isn’t embarrassed about being smart. I loved her!
    James, who I adored at the end of the book, wasn’t my favorite character at the beginning. He seems easily pushed around, yet I don’t think he could have been any different. His time away from Theo allowed him to grow, become a man, and come into his own really. As James the pirate, he’s dominating, knows what he wants, and understands Theadora on an entirely different level. It’s very appealing, truly.
     A strange little love story that really works, “The Ugly Duchess” will appeal to fans of Eloisa James and all those who love a great romance. A wonderful fairy tale, a fabulous romance, and just an all around fun story, I would recommend this to one and all. Be sure to check out Eloisa’s other fairy tales, “A Kiss at Midnight,” “When Beauty Tamed the Beast,” and “The Duke is Mine.” I can’t wait to find out what’s next!
   

I received “The Ugly Duchess” from Edelweiss in return for an honest review.

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: August 28, 2012

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0062021737

Blog Tour: "Cowboy Lust" By: Deliah Devlin

"Cowboy Lust"

By: Delilah Devlin

  

There's a reason Western romance novels never go out of fashion. The cowboy is an iconic figure embodying the dichotomy of the fiercely independent, earthy alpha male juxtaposed with the male as a nurturer and protector. Cowboys take care of their women in every possible way. Wild and wayward women are gentled by the scent of horse and cow and the sight of sun-kissed skin, the feel of work-hardened thighs and arms, and the sound of a deep-voiced Texas drawl. Contributors at the top of the Western romance genre, including Charlene Teglia, Randi Alexander, and Cat Johnson, have corralled here strong and memorable characters ranging from a rodeo star and a cop on horseback to a feisty female gunslinger. Traversing romantic settings from Montana, Texas, California, Mexico, and the Outback of Australia, the stories in Cowboy Lust are risky and risqué, full of studs in spurs hot enough to send you to a vacation on a dude ranch!

My Thoughts:
     Let’s just take a minute to enjoy that cover, shall we? Hmmmm...Oh! Where was I!? A huge fan of Delilah Devlin, romance, and cowboy heroes, when I was given the chance to read her new anthology, I absolutely jumped at the opportunity.
    Devlin does a great job of bringing together a wide variety of authors and stories that can go with the theme of “cowboys” in many different forms. We have historical fiction, contemporary, stories taking place here in the U.S. and across the pond in other countries. Each story takes readers to different places and times, while also keeping with the naughty aspects of the anthology. I think part of the magic of this anthology, is the differences in each tale. As you read through each short story (roughly 10-15 pages each), the common theme is apparent and utterly satisfying. There isn't a single story that I disliked, but I think perhaps Delilah Devlin’s addition the anthology spoke the most to me.
      Beyond the awesome theme and fun storytelling within this novel, I want to speak a minute on the foreword by Lorelei James. A huge fan of James, I loved her ideology on cowboy culture. “In traditional western fiction, the cowboy is the embodiment of all that is good, honest, and true. Not only is the cowboy the guy you’d want at your side or watching your back during a gunfight, or a bar fight, but he’s the stand-up guy other men look up to and ladies moon over. A cowboy’s values are at the core of who he is”
     Definitely a great book for this summer, “Cowboy Lust” will appeal to fans of Fifty Shades, Lorelei James, and Delilah Devlin. A fast read, very fun, and a great way to spend a summer evening!

Book Details 

Publisher: Cleis Press 

Date of Publication: August 14, 2012 

# of Pages: 244 

ISBN: 978-1573448147

Be sure to check out all of the other tour stops for a chance to win prizes from each author and a $50 Amazon Gift Card Grand Prize!

August 13:  All I want and more

August 14:  Delighted Reader Book Reviews

August 15:  Reviews by Molly 

August 16:  Novel Reflections

August 16:  Queen of the Night Reviews

August 17:  Ramblings From This Chick

August 20:  The Menagerie Authors

August 21:  Wickedly Wanton Tales

August 21:  The Brunette Librarian

August 22:  Seductive Musings

August 23:  Love to Read Romance

August 24:  Erzabet's Enchantments 

GIVEAWAY & Blog Tour: "Florida Heat" By: Jody Vitek

Welcome to the first stop 

on the "Florida Heat" Book Tour!

I am so stinkin' excited, can you tell? 

Awesome cover, amazing story, and a wonderful author. 

Scarred by her ordeal, Maggie Carlisle leaves her ex-husband’s drug life back in Texas. A man from her past seeks revenge, just as she meets and falls in love with Trent Randall.

Trent Randall, owner of a horse ranch and powerboat driver, loses focus of his life when Maggie shows up. After an accident, he wonders if she's worth the danger. However, his heart leads the way when he finds out she’s in trouble.

A word from our Author: Jodi Vitek

     Thank you so much for having me here at The Brunette Librarian and kicking off my Goddess Fish tour. My debut book, Florida Heat released in July and I couldn’t be more excited.

   You and many of my friends have asked where I get my ideas from and how I come up with these stories. Either an event happens, I hear something, read a headline, or see something. For Florida Heat, I was fortunate enough to travel with my girlfriend to Siesta Key, Florida and stay across the street from the Siesta Key public beach. It was the week prior to the Fourth of July and Sarasota was holding their offshore powerboat racing event. Here’s a link to a promotional video for the 2011 Suncoast Super Boat Festival in Sarasota, Florida. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3kORRVBolE

     Never having heard of powerboat racing, when I saw these beautiful powerful machines racing on the water I wanted to know more about them and the sport. Right away I knew I wanted to include the sport somehow in a book and began researching upon my return home. It was unfortunate I did not get up close to the boats or get to know their drivers at the time I was in Florida.

     The internet is a wonderful tool for writers. I was able to find information for offshore powerboat racing and learned that my local state, Minnesota, has their own powerboat association. Living in Minnesota for my entire life, I never knew we had racing events in and around the state. I contacted the local organization and was able to get a few questions answered, but the boats they race in are smaller and the waters they race on are different. Finding someone to talk within the offshore powerboat associate was more of challenge. Again, a few questions were answered but some remained unanswered.

     Contacting racing team owners and/or drivers proved to be unsuccessful until after a rough draft had been written. My luck changed when a team driver helped me out and told me to watch for videos coming to their team website. These videos put me into the cockpit of one of these massive machines. The adrenaline rush is amazing! Not that I would want to be race in one of these beautiful boats because I think they’re crazy. Since getting my book published, I learned from the team driver that the team had to stop racing and they sold the boat. He misses racing a great deal and plans to someday get back on the water and race again. I guess once you’ve had a taste it never goes away. He has fuel and oil running through his veins.

     The rest of the story flowed together after brainstorming with fellow writers. People around you can hold the knowledge you seek if you ask. I was fortunate enough to have several of these friends around me willing to answer my questions about horses, nursing, cuts and scars, and law enforcement.

     The setting for the book was simple with my love for Siesta Key. Who doesn’t love a beach and the ocean? Florida Heat isn’t the first book I’ve written, and like the others, I’ve written the settings loosely in locations I have visited. There is a house on the beach in Siesta Key, which I fell in love with and I had to have Maggie live in the house. Later I learned the house was a rental with two separate living units. But in my world, it’s one lavish beachfront house.

As a reader do you look for different events in book, such as offshore powerboat racing, that you’ve never heard of know little about? Do you like to read a story where the location is new to you? Are there events or settings you’re tired of authors writing about?

     Please feel free to ask any other question(s) you’d like. As a thank you for visiting me today at The Brunette Librarian, I will be giving away, to one lucky random person who leaves a comment, a small gift of scented items, which are tied to the story.

     All commenter’s from my Goddess Fish tour will also be entered into an overall commenter drawing. This gift includes a CD, again tied to the book, with scented items.

If any visitors today would like a bookmark, they can email info@jodyvitek.com with their mailing information.

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Jodi for stopping by today. 

     I really looooved "Florida Heat," especially the characters. Maggie had a really bad string of bad luck and a terrible love life. When she finally meets Trent (and can I say a BIG YUM!), you just root for them to be happy. Its wonderful to just be swept into this world and carried away by this really great (and hot) story. It sounds silly but this is simply a super fun romance to read and give you hope in the world. Love triumphs in even the most difficult of circumstances. Go Maggie!

What can you win by commenting??

Jody will be awarding a small gift of scented bath items, which are tied to the story, to a random commenter at each stop. Comment and win!

Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

August 20:  The Brunette Librarian

August 21:  Welcome to My World of Dreams

August 22:  Enjoying the Unique Flavors of Life

August 23:  Cocktails and Books

August 24:  Love to Read Romance

August 24:  Reviews by Molly