Spotlight Sunday - Caleigh Hernandez

Today the spotlight is on author Caleigh Hernandez! Caleigh is the author of the Truth About Love Series which includes Love Takes Your Breath Away and Love Turns With Twisted Fates. Both great reads! 

What happens after the happily ever after? Is that all there is? Marriage, career, kids, and you're set? 

Life, love and the pursuit of happiness doesn't stop at "'til death do us part." For Izzy & Diego it's just the beginning.

"Forever and ever, I do" is not as easy to accomplish as is saying it. In real life, there are ups and downs, ins and outs. Along with the good comes the bad. With health, there's sickness. Is love enough? Is it forever? Will it survive?

Our story starts with the proffered happily ever after moment: a bride in a dress, a groom in his tux, a best man, a maid of honor, vows of love and forever and Elvis. Like most fairy tales, Diego and I were still madly in love after saying, "I do." Hell, the man has turned loving me into an art form. Not a moment is wasted. With him there's a surprise at every turn, and just when I think he couldn't get any better, he takes my breath away.

 Amazon

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With passion and promise, his love took my breath away. Our story continues to be as storybook as they come. Or so I thought. We are living our happily every after. Well, not exactly. Life in a new home, in a new city, in a new country is full of surprises. This can’t be my reality. When we committed to ‘til death do us part, I wasn’t expecting this. We are the Beauty and the Saint, but can we survive our twisted fates?

Amazon

Stephanie: Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

Caleigh: If you asked me this after writing Love Takes Your Breath Away, I'd have come up with something simple like: I write on or with whatever it feels right at the moment. This is still true. Nothing really quirky. But with Love Turns With Twisted Fates done and in the midst of writing "Truth About Love" Book 3, I have found my quirky. 

Let me explain: With LTYBA, I had it fairly well outlined and there were very few surprises as I wrote the story. Every piece was written in order, aside from the prologue for it being pushed to the prologue of LTWTF. This was my small piece of quirky, I suppose. It just gets a little weirder with LTWTF. I had NO OUTLINE. I had a general idea of what I wanted to happen, but honestly, I was winging it. With the prologue written from LTYBA, I went with my gut. There were several times that certain scenes were begging to be written and it was long before I was at that part. I resisted and resisted, but then I caved to the scene. With Book 3, I have discovered the quirky. As I answer this question, I have 2 yellow legal pads flipped to the last page I've written on both: one is my outline summary, the other is my ramblings and ideas as they come. I also have a notebook with dialogues and chapter pieces I want to include. Then, as you visualize this paper mess in front of me, picture 25+ large index cards with chapter ideas written on each, some with more detail than others. 

Stephanie: What is the hardest part of writing?

Caleigh: The hardest part of writing? OMG...where do I start? LOL. I suppose the hardest part of writing, for me, is making sure my story lines up from chapter to chapter to book to book. If you haven't read LTYBA and LTWTF, my story goes back and forth in time. I'm paranoid that things might not line up or something I've already written doesn't work well with what I have planned in the current and/or future books. 

Stephanie: If Love Takes Your Breath Away and Love Turns With Twisted Fates were to be made into a movie, who would play Izzy and Diego?

Caleigh: Seriously? UGH! I don't think I can pick. LOL. Damn it! This isn't as easy as the previous questions and all I need to do is provide you with a couple of names. 

Izzy - Eliza Dushku (She's perfect.)
Diego - William Levy (I had no clue he was Cuban. With dark hair, he'd be perfect}

Stephanie: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Caleigh: Fuckin' Perfect by P!nk

Stephanie: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Caleigh: Slow down and/or stop time. There just isn't enough of it. 

Caleigh Hernandez is a not-so-perfect mom of 2 beautiful daughters, a terrible housekeeper, and sometimes, a doting wife in Silicon Valley, California. A few years ago, she decided to take life by the horns and throw caution to the wind. She went back to school, earning a degree in Web & Multimedia Design where her long-time passion for writing was reignited with a creative writing class. It was during her final term when she conceived a story she just had to tell.

When not buried in the ridiculousness of every day life, you can find Caleigh curled up with her Kindle devouring a book, watching crime dramas (she’s obsessed), screaming at the TV while watching her SJ Sharks, Oakland Raiders or Oakland A’s, getting cozy with a good superhero flick, or getting her adrenaline fix on a roller coaster. She hates cleaning and loathes laundry. She’s a shoe whore that lives in flip flops and loves to be barefoot.
In the immortal words of her husband, “Caleigh Hernandez is a bad ass bitch.”

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For a chance to win a Kindle copy of Love Takes Your Breath Away, comment below and tell me what kind of quirky habits you have? 

Spotlight Sunday - Kari March

Today the spotlight is on author Kari March! Kari is the author of the Always series. I highly recommend both of these books. They were both great reads!! Read on for info on the books, the spotlight interview and a giveaway! 

Blake Bentley had a rough upbringing, never fully believing he was good enough for anything or anyone. After being left with a broken heart by his only girlfriend, Blake swore off relationships for good and turned to the only two things that made him feel sufficient - sex and firefighting. 

Tessa Collins was brought up in the traditional 'perfect' family - loving parents, great sister, and amazing friends. After falling in love with Jared, her life was perfect - until he betrayed her. She has no idea that his betrayal could end up costing her more than just a shattered heart.

Blake and Tessa have been friends since high school. Never wanting to admit their attraction for each other, the two always remained close friends. Now, three years later, Blake and Tessa find themselves being pulled together by a force much greater than friendship.

Blake and Tessa have promised to be friends forever, but as fate pulls them together, they embark on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime. Will his self doubt and her insecurities keep them apart? Or will they be able to promise each other always?  

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Used.

That was the only word Cam Greer, the son of a wealthy media mogul, had ever associated with women. When he met Amber Murphy his senior year in high school, he felt like, for once, this girl loved him for him. When she pursued her dreams and left Cam behind, Amber not only crushed Cam's heart, she destroyed his future as well. He was left to start his life over, thinking the only woman that would ever truly love him was gone.

Cara Pratt has finally got her life on track. Ten years after watching her father literally walk out of her life, Cara has finally found happiness with a new stepfather and her high school boyfriend, Lance. Everything is going according to her plan, until a pregnancy test comes back positive. Once again, she finds herself watching the man she loves walk out of her life, taking her future along with him.

When Cam and Cara spot each other across the bar at Maggie’s Place four years later, neither of them are interested in starting a relationship. They're both a little unsure and completely untrusting. They try to fight the intense immediate attraction, realizing right off, the seriousness of their chemistry, but as hard as they try, they can't.

As fate pulls them together, will their mistrust push them apart? As the smoldering embers from their pasts come blazing to the surface, fears are uncovered that neither of them are ready to face.

Amazon

Stephanie: Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

Kari: Gummy Bears!! I have to have gummy bears or Brookside Chocolate when I write! I also love listening to playlist. 

Stephanie: What is the hardest part of writing?

Kari: Finding time to do it! With two young children and three other jobs, I have a hard time carving out time to sit and write. I spend lots of late nights on my novels! 

Stephanie: If Promise Me Always was made into a movie, who would play Blake and Tessa? 

Kari: Blake would for sure have to be Daniel Conn or Jesse Metcalfe. They are a bit older than Blake but they are who I envisioned when writing the story. Tessa would have to be Shelly Henning. She is perfect!

Stephanie: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Kari: Ummm, I do have a theme song! Is that not normal? Kiss My Country A$$ by Blake Shelton is by far my theme song! I FLOVE IT!

Stephanie:  If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Kari: Superpower would have to be Invisibility! I would love to be able to spy on people without them knowing.

I’m a wife, mother of 2 amazing kiddos, photographer and owner at K23 Photography & Design, graphic designer and cover designer at K23 Designs, as well as an avid reader and blogger at A Book Whores Obsession! I have been married since 2004 to the most amazing man ever and together we have two amazing children.

I was born in Aurora, CO and still reside their today with my amazing family. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. I have become accustom to bi-polar weather living here and I absolutely love getting all four seasons (although winters could be a bit shorter.)

I have a small obsession with Starbucks and gummy bears! They make the perfect writing snack! Wine helps a lot too especially with the late night writing sessions. I love the summer and everything that goes along with it, camping, swimming, boating, hiking, etc. I love to travel and Disneyland is one of my family’s favorite places to visit together. I have a dream of visiting so many places in the world such as Italy, Greece, Australia, Fiji, Bora Bora and New Zealand (just to name a few.)

I have met so many amazing people in this journey so far and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. xoxo <3 Kari

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For a chance to win a Kindle copy of either Promise Me Always or Always Yours, comment below and tell me what your theme song would be, if you had one. Winner will be picked on Friday, June 5th.

Spotlight Sunday - Cora Cade

Today the spotlight is on author Cora Cade! If you're looking for hot, sexy military heroes, then you definitely want to check out Cora's A Day Of Pleasure series.  Being a sucker for military heroes, I absolutely loved them! Read on for info on the books, the spotlight interview and a giveaway from Cora! 

His toughest battle is ahead—the battle for one woman’s heart.


A Day of Pleasure, Book 1

During Noah Harper’s ten years as an Army Ranger, Tennyson Sharpe’s letters were his lifeline. With each mail call, the bright and vibrant girl of his youth slowly became the woman of his dreams.

Now he’s home—and he’s in hell. The problem? Tenn is his little brother’s best friend. Claiming her risks all kinds of collateral damage.

Tenn is getting nervous. Since Noah came home, they’ve been circling each other, neither willing to risk the status quo. It’s time to kick things up a notch and make a play for the man she’s loved since she was sixteen—before someone else does.

Dressing to impress works better than she could have dreamed. After a scorching interlude leads to a steamy morning wrapped in each other’s arms, reality comes crashing down. Shining a devastating light on Tenn’s deepest fears…and forcing Noah into scramble mode to convince her forever was always on his mind.


Warning: This book contains some serious foreplay in the great outdoors; stand-up sex with a hot, stand-up guy; and a wounded Army Ranger who’s determined to leave no heart behind—especially the one belonging to the girl of his dreams.

 Amazon| Samhain | B&N | iBooks

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When it comes to hand-to-heart combat, no hold is barred.


A Day of Pleasure, Book 2

Molly Ryan survived one attack, and she’s not about to be a sitting duck for another. With her attacker harassing her from his jail cell, she packs up her life in Chicago, follows her Delta Force brother to North Carolina and gets work in a pub.

Men in uniform are definitely off her menu, but her boss’s friend, Army Ranger Callum Eversman, is one hot hunk she’d like to sample.

Home on a two-week furlough, Cal has agreed to watch over Molly as a favor to fellow Ranger Noah Harper. Accomplishing his mission without her noticing? That’s going to be tough, as any idiot can see their sparks of attraction from a mile away.

Despite her hands-off-military-men policy, Molly is tempted to indulge, just this once, in a no-strings-attached fling. No dating, no kissy face, no hearts involved. But when her past threatens her future, there’s only one man to turn to. The one who’ll risk everything—body, heart, and soul—to protect her.


Warning: Contains an Army Ranger with a gruff exterior and heart of gold, a heroine with a sassy attitude, and some hot borderline-public sex.

Amazon| Samhain| B&N | iBooks

Stephanie: Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

Cora: Oh, I have quirks.  Whether or not they are interesting remains to be seen.  My main quirk would be music.  I have to find the right tone for what I'm writing that day.  Sometimes it can just be a specific album, a playlist, or even just one song on repeat until that scene is completed.  You would be appalled at how long I can listen to one song on repeat.  I listen to a lot of Joshua Radin, older Joe Purdy, and right now I'm on a huge Sam Hunt kick while I write book three in the series. 

Stephanie: What is the hardest part of writing?

Cora: A little something I call "author flail".  It's kind of a catch all for the trials and tribulations of being a writer.  Typically I author flail at least once a month.  For me it usually is in direct relation to feeling confident.  I'm always questioning if my manuscript is working, if my characters are believable, if.... Well, the list never ends.  Thankfully, my author flail never lasts long and I've got a great cast of supporting people in my life.  

Stephanie: If Morning Light was made into a movie, who would play Noah and Tennyson? 

Cora: Well, prepare to swoon, ladies. I already have this mapped out, since Chris Hemsworth (pre-bulked up for Thor) was my muse for Noah from the minute he popped into my head.  Any version of Hemsworth is worthy, but I like the short buzz and military look he carried prior to signing on for Thor.  Noah is an Army Ranger, so that looked work well with him.  And Tennyson is a plus sized beauty, and it's near impossible to find an actress that fits that mold.  I used a model named Tara Lynn who is gorgeous, but if I had to settle on an actual actress I might go with Kat Dennings.  I don't consider her plus size, but she's got the right vibe for our Tenn.

Stephanie: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Cora: I adore this question!  Music plays a huge part of my daily life and every book has it's own theme song, but it's much harder to pick a personal theme song.  But, that being said, I immediately thought of one particular Ben Howard song. It's 'Keep Your Head Up' and you can find it here (http://bit.ly/1QTVaxO) on Spotify.  The main thing to take away from this song is the refrain: "Keep your head up, keep your heart strong."  I may be known to jam out out this loudly while driving with the windows down.

Stephanie:  If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Cora: Even though this might out me as a total comic book nerd, I'd want the same kind of mutant superpowers as Sara Rainmaker from Gen 13.  She can manipulate local weather systems, even using air currents to fly, and can move water with just a flick of a wrist.  There's more to her character, but that's the basics of what she can do.  Gen 13 is one of my all time favorite non-Batman comics ever.

Nestled away in a small town in Ohio, I spend my days adding delicious books to my library, snuggling with my four rotten dogs, and debating the finer points of life with the dear husband.

When I'm not tucked away with a book you can be find me tapping away at my laptop.   With coffee.  And my iPod.

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Cora is awesome enough to give me two copies of Morning Light to give away to two of my readers. Comment below and tell us what your superpower would be and I will pick two winners on Friday, May 29th! 

Spotlight Sunday - Mandi Beck

Welcome to Spotlight Sunday, a new feature on the blog where I spotlight authors, bloggers, and more each week. 

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Today the spotlight is on author Mandi Beck! Mandi released her debut novel, Love Hurts, in January. Love Hurts features an MMA fighter and the woman he would do anything for. 

Be sure to read on and check out the spotlight interview and giveaway! 

Even when she won’t fight for us, I’ll go to war for her…

Inside the Octagon, I have no fear. I’m at home, in my element, inflicting pain onto men trained to hurt me just as badly. Making them submit, knocking them out, maiming them, because it’s them or me. And I choose them.

Outside the Octagon, my only weakness is a five-foot-two, classy as f*ck woman that I’ve loved for most of my life. She’s the one that brings me to my knees, fills my arms, my heart, and one day soon, my bed. She makes me reckless. Volatile. I drink too much and try too hard to f*ck my way out of feeling—all because of her.

Frankie De Rosa is my girl, my best friend. I haven’t earned her yet, but I won’t stand by and let anyone take her from me. She will be the greatest fight of my life, but she’s worth the battle.

Love hurts, but anything worth having does, right?

I’m Deacon “The Hitman” Love—Welcome to the Cage.

Amazon| Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads

Stephanie: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

Mandi: I don’t know about interesting but I have to have music on and it has to be in headphones only. I can’t concentrate if it’s playing out loud on the speakers. Also I don’t write in chronological order. I write in scenes and piece it all together and then fill in the missing pieces.

Stephanie: What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

Mandi: Finding the time! Between my classes and my boys my day doesn’t start until midnight most days.

Stephanie: If your book was made into a movie, who would play your Deacon and Frankie? 

Mandi: Ohhh, I don’t know! It’s so hard because no one is really the right Frankie or Deac for me but I think if you were to ask my readers they would say either Brock O’Hurn or Jason Momoa as Deacon and Julianne Hough for Frankie.

Stephanie: If you had a theme song, what would it be? 

Mandi: My theme song? I’m not sure but I know that it would be something sassy and a little bad assy!

Stephanie: If you had a superpower, what would it be? 

Mandi: Time travel! No mind reading! No time travel. Or maybe flying. Lol I might be a little indecisive tonight.

Mandi Beck has been an avid reader all of her life. A deep love for books always had her jotting down little stories on napkins, notebooks, and her hand. As an adult she was further submerged into the book world through book clubs and the epicness of social media. It was then that she graduated to writing her stories on her phone and then finally on a proper computer.

A nursing student, mother to two rambunctious and somewhat rotten boys, and stepmom to two great girls away at college, she shares her time with her husband in Chicago where she was born and raised. Mandi is a diehard hockey fan and blames the Blackhawks when her deadlines are not met.

Love Hurts is her debut novel and she is currently working on the next in the series along with whatever other voices are clamoring for attention in her mind.

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I've got a signed copy of Love Hurts and a bookmark for one lucky reader! Comment below with your email address and tell me what your favorite type of hero is--sports hero, businessman, rockstar, etc. Winner will be picked on Friday, May 22nd.