Author Interview, Review & Giveaway: Construction Beauty Queen by Sara Daniels

Today I welcome Sara Daniel, author of Construction Beauty Queen, a delightful contemporary romance centered around the construction industry (one of my favorites since my own hubby is an electrician) :)  So grab your favorite cuppa and learn a little more about Sara and Construction Beauty Queen.  Then check out my review and you have a chance to win a copy of this charming novel.

Welcome Sara!

What three things do you need in order to write?

·         A keyboard -- I use a pen and paper for brainstorming, but for actual writing I need to type.

·         A window – If I can’t be outside, I need to stare at the trees and sky to really get my creative juices flowing.

·         Coffee -- self-explanatory!

What's your favorite season?

I love warm weather, so summer is my favorite season.  But I especially adore those warm fall days that still feel like summer, the leaves are in full color on the trees, and the ones on the ground crunch under my feet.

If you could write in any other genre besides romance what would it be?

To amuse myself (and my kids), I’ve been playing with some middle grade stories about quirky squirrels and also tween books about boys who go auto racing. Ultimately, I love to tell happily-ever-after stories about family and characters who long for a better life, regardless of the genre.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Living in a landlocked suburb, I am a complete sucker for the waves crashing on the sand or rocks, so Hawaii is my dream destination, but really any body of water that I can walk along in at least semi-warm weather will do. A perfect day would start with a morning stroll along the beach, hours writing in sight of the water, a nice long hike in the woods, more hours of writing, and then capped off with a sunset walk along the beach with my hubby. Ahh, perfection!

What's the first sentence of Construction Beauty Queen?

The checkered destination flag on the GPS screen waved over the entrance to the most desolate trailer park Veronica Jamison had ever seen.

Where did the idea for Construction Beauty Queen come from?

Growing up in a small town where my parents have a small business was a big inspiration for me. I love stories where everyone is always in everyone’s business, helping the hero and heroine get to happily-ever-after or stirring up to trouble to make the path more difficult. I love reading small-town stories, and I loved writing this one!

Tell us what is Construction Beauty Queen about.

Chicago socialite Veronica Jamison is determined to shake off her sheltered lifestyle and overbearing parents. She heads to her grandfather’s small town of Kortville, ready to roll up her sleeves and work for the family construction business. She’ll prove her worth, even if it means answering to the company’s ruggedly handsome co-owner, Matt.

Matt Shaw just wants to run his business, spend time with the niece he’s raising on his own, and give back to the townspeople who have stood by him. Managing a spoiled-rotten princess he knows he’ll never be good enough for? Not part of his plan. But as he gets to know Veronica, he learns there’s more to her than her beautiful looks and designer clothes. She’s got a heart as rich as her background.

With the quirky townspeople rallying against Veronica inheriting her grandfather’s business, it’s up to Matt to try to drive her out of town. But how can he, when instead she’s driving her way into his heart?

Dish, who’s your favorite character?

I really enjoyed writing the quirky townspeople. Barney, who runs the convenience store, was constantly plying Veronica with so-called “welcome” gifts. And Pauline, who owns the diner, has a serious espresso fetish—the more bizarre the flavor, the better! Of course, I love Veronica and Matt, but Barney and Pauline were so much fun to write.

How did you feel when you finished Construction Beauty Queen?

I felt a really strong sense of accomplishment. I made a lot of revisions on this story, and I’m so proud of the result. Construction Beauty Queen is lighter in tone and more humorous than any of my other books, and I’m looking forward to writing more books in this vein.

For all of us impatient readers, what is up next for you?

I’ve been spending a lot of time editing various “finished” projects this fall, and I am definitely looking forward to starting something new. I have an idea for a book with a couple characters who appeared in Construction Beauty Queen, so hopefully that will soon be my new project.

Thanks Sara!

Thanks for having me. I love to connect with my readers!

http://www.SaraDaniel.com

http://saradanielromance.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/SaraDanielSaraShafer

http://www.facebook.com/SaraShaferDaniel

http://www.twitter.com/SSaraDaniel

My Review:
Construction Beauty Queen is such a fun novel.  It has one of my favorite things in a contemporary romance, the small-town theme where the small-town becomes a character itself.  I fell in love with Kortville and it's residents right alongside of falling in love with Matt and Veronica.  Yes they are tough on Veronica in the beginning but it's very typical of small town so I understood, but as she worms her way into their hearts and Matt's heart, the real story starts.

The characters are great.  You have the spoiled rich girl who really wants to make it on her own.  Right there you have a character I like.  She traded her graduation present car in for an old beater to pay her school loans and while she still has the designer wardrobe she is a generous and sweet soul that you can't help but love.  And she has a spine.  Does she slink away when Kortville and it's residents throw every curveball her way.  Heck no!  Veronica is amazing.  The only place she is unsure is with her heart and with Matt.  She doesn't want to rely on anyone any more, she is sure she wants to do it on her own and I admire that about her.  But there is Matt who is oh so attractive and a good man to boot.  But Matt has his hang ups.  While he is firmly entrenched in the small town life now raising his niece.  He hasn't always been there in Kortville and he has been burned which makes him very wary of rich-girl Veronica.  I like Matt, he's loyal, he loves Kortville and his niece.  He's loyal to his brother's memory, but is it time to let go and really live his own life?  Veronica and Matt really need each other to grow and I love that.  The chemistry works, the romance grows and both of their hearts are good which makes the story and romance easy to believe.

As far as plot, the town and it's residents really helped push this along for me. At the beginning it was what would they do to Veronica next.  And then it was how would they react and grow to love her next.  I love how the various townfolk grow and change during the book as well.  Also I love how Veronica comes into her own with her business as the plot moves.  Then there is the romance, can't have a romance without that.  And Construction Beauty Queen has that.  From the first kiss to the end, the romance had me sighing in a good way.  And it left me smiling and happy.

Construction Beauty Queen is a great read for these cool fall days, it makes you feel all warm inside with the way that people can be good to each other. And that there are happy endings out there.  I loved Matt and Veronica and fully enjoyed this book.  I laughed and cried, it kept me entertained and it was hard to put down.  If you are looking for a quick romance read, then grab this one.  If you love small town romances, then this is right up your alley.  If you just love a good romance then rush and get it.  I can't say enough that this is one wonderful book.  Entangled Publishing you have done it again, please keep it up, you find wonderful authors with great stories to tell!

My Rating:  5.0/5.0

Giveaway:
Thanks to the publicist with Entangled Publishing I have one ebook copy (PDF or epub) available to one winner.  Open international, ends 11/6.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Win the Marriage to a Billionaire Series by Jennifer Probst

Thanks to Gallery Books I have a second great giveaway for you today.  The hot new trilogy by Jennifer Probst, Marriage to a Billionaire is up for grabs.  I have two sets featuring The Marriage Bargain, The Marriage Trap and The Marriage Mistake.  All you have to do is enter.  I'll draw the winners and the publisher will send out the books.  I want these books so I am jealous.  So enter and good luck!  Open to US/Canada, ends 11/2.


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50th Anniversary To Kill A Mockingbird Giveaway!

You’ve read the book…now see it come to life on movie screens nationwide!

For one day only on Thursday, November 15^th, select movie theaters nationwide will show the award-winning film version of Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, in an event in honor of its 50^th anniversary. In partnership with Fathom Events, Harper Perennial is offering YOU a chance to win 2 tickets for this event, plus a copy of the book!

PRIZE PACK: 2 tickets to the event at the movie theater nearest you and a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird

 

TO PARTICIPATE:

First: Click here for a list of participating theaters to confirm there is a screening of the event near you.

Second: Comment on this post and share it with your friends on your own blog/Facebook/Twitter! 

**A winner will be selected at random by end of day Sunday, October 28^th.
**To participate, first CONFIRM there is a movie theater in your area.

Author Interview & Giveaway: Rachel Astor (Sugar Rush)

Today I welcome Rachel Astor, author of Sugar Rush, a new romance available from Entangled Publishing's Bliss line.  So grab your favorite cuppa and come learn about Rachel and Sugar Rush then enter to win a copy or if you are impatient go buy this wonderful romance (it's just $2.99)!

What three things do you need in order to write?

Silence, coffee, and a notebook with an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie.

What's your favorite season?

Definitely spring. I live in a climate where the winters are long and very cold, so spring is such a welcome change, it’s almost like a whole new world.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

It’s funny, because of our winters, you’d think I’d be all over going to somewhere hot, and I certainly wouldn’t turn that down, but lately, I’ve been more curious about several European destinations like Ireland, Britain, and Italy. I just love older architecture and the history of all those countries.

What your favorite chocolate confection/treat?

Ooh, that’s a tough one, there are so many to choose from. For chocolate, the Lindt White Chocolate Truffles are my favorite, and for other treats, authentic Baklava in Greece is pretty much to die for, and a little closer to home, well, let’s just say my husband hated cooked apples until he tried my Grandma’s apple pie.

What's the first sentence of Sugar Rush?

Dulcie Carter checked the time on her phone yet again. (This is pretty fitting since Dulcie is ALWAYS short on time.)

Tell us what is Sugar Rush about.

Sugar Rush is light and fun (like a decadent gourmet almond macaroon), centered around a gourmet chocolate competition involving two long-time enemies, the owners of competing candy shops in the same quaint tourist town.

Dish, who’s your favorite character?

I particularly loved to write the scenes with Grams in them. She’s Dulcie’s spitfire grandmother, very loosely inspired by one of my grandmothers.

How did you feel when you finished Sugar Rush?

Finishing a book is always bitter sweet (no pun intended). It’s exhilarating to be done, though you kind of feel like you’re going to miss all the characters a bit too.

What can we expect next from you?

Most people would probably be surprised to hear that I am hard at work revising a children’s novel, and as far as for my grown up readers, there might just be something along the lines of a romantic mystery in the works. ;)  

Thanks Rachel!

Thanks so much for having me!

Buy Sugar Rush at Amazon

Buy Sugar Rush at B&N.com

About Sugar Rush:

There’s nothing quite like your first bite.

Dulcie Carter has been running her family’s homemade sweet shop, Candy Land Confections, on her own since her mom passed away. But business is slow and rent is high, so Dulcie knows if she wants to keep her mom’s dream alive, she’ll need a miracle. Winning the annual Assembly of Chocolatiers competition will change everything, if only she can overcome her fears and bring herself to create something new for the first time in a long time.

Then she meets Nick, a molten-hot guy with a sexy smirk and chocolate brown eyes. The attraction is stronger than any sugar rush—until she discovers he’s set to inherit his family’s big-box candy shop in town, which is her strongest competitor for first prize. Nick’s got his own reasons for needing the win, but then being around Dulcie is proving addictive.

As the competition heats up, so do the sparks between them. Can they keep their sights on winning, when love might be the sweetest prize of all

Giveaway:

Thanks to the publicist, I have one ebook copy (epub or PDF) to giveaway.  The copy will be sent directly from the publicist.  Open internationally.  Ends 11/1.  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Sound Giveaway Game

To celebrate the release of the 3^rd book of the SOLID series,
Shelley Workinger has put together a giveaway game!

EVERY ENTRANT who COMPLETES the task will win
ebooks of BOTH “Solid” (Solid #1) AND “Settling” (Solid #2).

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will win SIGNED COPIES of ALL 3 BOOKS,
including “Sound” (Solid #3) just as it hits the shelves on Nov. 1^st!

The rules are simple:

1. Visit each blog on the list

2. Leave a quick comment to show you were there

3. Copy the image fragment and paste it into a Word .doc

There are 18 stops to visit, comment on, and collect pieces from;
once you’ve hit all 18 stops and assembled* all of the pieces to complete the image,
email your entry to the author at: SolidNovel@gmail.com.

4. Visit the author’s blog: But What Are They Eating?
and leave a comment letting her know you’ve sent in your completed entry.

ALL 4 STEPS are important because she will choose the Grand Prize Winner
from her blog comments (using Random.org) and then check her email to verify the entry.

*Don’t worry; the pieces are in order, so if you follow the list, it’ll be easy. :)

The Game runs from Oct. 25^th through Oct. 31^st;
last day to enter is Oct. 31^st and winner will be chosen Nov. 1^st.

Good luck and get gathering!

Here’s my piece:

And the rest of the stops:

1.  Books Devoured

2.  I’d So Rather Be Reading

3.  Paromantasy

4.  Book Lovers Inc.

5.  Magic of Reading

6.  Paranormal Indulgence

7.  Katie’s Book Blog

8.  One Book at a Time

9.  To Read or Not To Read

10. Wanted Readers

11. The Itzel Library

12. My Reading Room

13. Reading Teen

14. Confessions of a Bookaholic

15. Royal Reviews

16. Books with Bite

17. Skyla 11377

18. Me, My Shelf & I

THANKS FOR PLAYING!

Book Review: Commencement by Paige Cuccaro (Hellsbane #0.5)

Commencement by Paige Cuccaro
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publish Date: September 27, 2012
ebook, 56 pages
Hellsbane #0.5
My rating: 5.0/5.0


My Review:

Commencement is a good introduction to the Hellsbane series and the characters of Emma Jane and I hope Mihir. It's short, but it leaves you anxious to start the series which I think is just the point of this novella.

Even though it is short, it is action-packed which I think leads the way for a very interesting series. I also like the brief glimpse into Emma Jane and Mihir who I think will be great characters. Both are snarky, smart and fun. Emma Jane being the main character and older and Mihir is the side-kick geeky one who can provide the information and of course the crush on Emma as well. They have a fun friendship that I think will be great for the books that is why I am hopeful he will continue to be in the novels. The story in this novella provides both the interesting character development I look for (within the limited format) and the action-packed plot. It was a fast-paced read that had me flipping the pages on my Kindle non-stop until the end and then wanting the next book as soon as it was over.

If you want a great introduction to a new paranormal/urban fantasy new adult series, then this is it. I cannot wait for the first book in this series and to learn more about Emma Jane, her powers and what evils she will face.

Buy Commencement at Amazon
Buy Commencement at B&N.com
About the Book:
Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn for frat guys…

Emma Jane Hellsbane knows something evil is worming its way through her college campus—she can feel it. Literally. Her freakish ability to feel other people’s emotions as though they were her own has always been monumentally awkward, and it’s easier for her to just pretend it doesn’t exist. But this time her paranormal ability just might help her save lives.

Emma Jane’s fairly certain that whatever the hateful, egomaniacal, Godlike thing is, it’s set up shop inside her boyfriend, the frat boy/soccer star Justin. And if she doesn’t figure a way to get it out of him soon, Justin’s soul will be the appetizer to the main course—the whole student body. Problem is, the big baddy is granting sinister wishes, and with each one the risks grow higher and the phrase Be careful what you wish for becomes a real-life dire warning. Of course for Emma, what feels like it could be the end is in fact just the beginning…

About the Author (from Goodreads.com)
I live in Ohio, with my husband, three daughters, three dogs, and three cats, in an ever shrinking house. When I'm not writing I'm doing the mom thing with a book in one hand and a notepad and pen in the other. Ideas come without warning and for me, the best way to stimulate my imagination is to enjoy the imagination of someone else.  

Paige's webpage
Paige on Twitter
Paige on Facebook

 

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Book Review: Conjure by Lea Nolan

Conjure by Lea Nolan
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publish Date: October 23, 2012
Paperback, 314 pages
Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
The Hoodoo Apprentice #1
My rating: 4.75/5.0

My Review:
Hoodoo, South Carolina Low Country, a cute love story, pirates of a sort, a curse, what is there not to love about this book?

I was drawn in by the setting. I spent my first visit to Charleston last weekend but didn't get to do much traveling around because it was a Boy Scout visit to the USS Yorktown. That was a wonderful trip, but I must admit I was intrigued by the low country because my parents visited Charleston the year before and brought us back some spices from the market from the Gullah women. I honestly had not heard of the Gullah before that. History does not teach you about them personally (maybe SC history does). But I was intrigued by this group of people and these women that still cling to their heritage proudly. So when I saw Conjure used them as a backdrop, I jumped. And then add in hoodoo, white magic and I was more in love.

I loved the characters, they behaved as teenagers, typical 14 and 15-year-olds on summer vacation. I liked Emma and Cooper especially and Jack too, though sometimes he irritated me with his attitude but i understood the attitude and whining at the same time. Emma loves Cooper and looks forward to her summers with her father so she and Jack can spend time with Cooper who is there best friend. But when the mysterious bottle appears and the mysterious girl things take a turn for the worse and the plot begins to move along quickly. I also loved "the grannie" who takes Emma on as a hoodoo apprentice. She is everything I would expect her to be and so much more. I loved the scenes she was involved in, her language, her actions and how she loves what she does and how she can help no matter what. I also enjoyed the light romance between Cooper and Emma. Cooper is a great character. He is a privileged boy, but he doesn't act it, in fact if anything he seems to want to escape his upbringing and I really like him for that. I like Emma also for her just being who she is and not trying to be different for him. They work and I like how they work. It's just cute.

The plot moves quickly from the very first page. The characters are established, the bottle and curse are introduced and then it's a non-stop thrill ride to find a way to remove the curse and save Jack and Cooper before it's too late. As new people and things are introduced I think Ms. Nolan does a great job of weaving them into the story without being to wordy or weighing the story down wiht extraneous things. The story keeps moving at a brisk pace and kept me wondering what would happen next and how things would end up. I found the ending to be very satisfactory while leaving some things open for a second book that I will be eagerly awaiting.

Ms. Nolan has created a fresh new setting for a book that has me wanting more and anxious for the next book. Her characters feel real, the elements of the paranormal exciting and believable. Conjure really works for me as an enjoyable read and I will anxiously await book #2 in this series.

About the Book:
Be careful what you search for...

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.

When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.

About the Author (from Goodreads.com):
 
Believe it or not, I couldn’t read until I was in the thrid grade. After a lot of hard work I finally got the hang of it, and quickly learned the best way to get out of doing chores was to tell my parents I was reading. Soon I was hooked, devouring books by Roald Dal, E.B. White, Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, and anything I could find with a shiny Newberry Award sticker on the cover. Books provided a portal to enchanted lands where anything was possible and characters relied on their wits to wiggle out of sticky situations. Today, even though I'm all grown up, I write the kinds of stories I sought as a teen -- smart paranormal with bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. I've got an undergraduate degree in history and a master's in public policy and women's studies, which believe it or not help a lot in my fiction writing. I live in Maryland with my heroically supportive husband and three clever children, who’ve figured out how to get out of doing their chores.

Lea Nolan's Website 
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***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***