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Hero or Zero

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“Hero or Zero” by Julie Shackman

Blurb: When single mum Chloe Jones wins a magazine competition to have TV heartthrob Ethan Blake live with her for a month, she thinks her dreams have come true. And the presence of the handsome star in her home and small Scottish town certainly causes a stir. But when Chloe begins to see his true colours, will she find the courage to face him, and admit where her heart truly lies?

**Click HERE to buy “Hero or Zero” on Amazon!

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JulieShackmanPic**Contact Julie Shackman:

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Publisher: Not So Noble Books 

Heather Thurmeier

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HeatherThurmeier

About author, Heather Thurmeier:  Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in New York with her husband and kids where she’s become some kind of odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. When she’s not busy taking care of the kids and pets, Heather’s writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after. You can find out more about Heather and her books by checking out her website at: http://heatherthurmeier.com.

INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words:  Light-hearted, humorous, romantic, fast-paced, steamy…

People would be surprised to know that you…:  Think Hobbit feet are disgusting… No really, I do. And most people are surprised to find out that I have such an adverse reaction to them. But seriously, they’re huge, hairy and dirty. Ick. LOL. I have no idea how else to answer this question. I’m curious to know how other authors have answered this!

You knew you were a writer when…:  I first tried to write a novel. It didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped it would, but as soon as I started writing the first chapter, I knew I was hooked and there was nothing else I would rather do. If I didn’t write, I think I’d go crazy with all the characters and stories running wild in my mind.

What do you have with you at all times?  My phone. I can check my email for submission news, cover art, interviews. And if I think of something I for one of my books, then I can make a note of it, write out a scene or brainstorm. I never go anywhere without my phone!

How long does it take you write a complete MS?  The longest it’s ever taken was 10 months and that was for the very first book I ever wrote. Now if I’m motivated and have the time, I can write a full first draft of a book in 6-8 weeks. But I think I prefer to take a 3-4 months.

What do you want readers to take away from your books?  I just want readers to feel they got a satisfying happily ever after. I don’t expect readers to like every detail of the book or the characters because that be impossible. But I hope that they always walk away feeling satisfied that reading my books was time well spent.

Every good writer must have a…:  A great critique partner. I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t have someone read their work before they send it out to publishers or agents. I think you have to have a great person who you can trust to tell you the good and the bad about your book.

Who is/are your favorite author(s)?  I think I have too many to remember. I’ll share my favorite genres instead: romance (contemporary, paranormal), dystopian, post-apocalyptic, YA, and adventure.

What is the writing/editing/publishing process like for you?  I outline, write, set aside, edit, set aside again, reread, edit, beta/critique partner, edit, submit. Then I do whatever edits the publisher requests. I do a lot of editing. 🙂

Where do you see your writing career in five years?  I see myself doing more of the same: trying to write the best books I can and producing a few of them a year. Hopefully I’ll have made the NY Times best seller list by then, but if not, I’ll still be trying!

What do you do to celebrate after having a MS published?  After I finish a MS, I usually give myself permission to read all day while I should be writing. It’s a great break to read the words that someone else has painstakingly chosen.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?  I have a new book coming out with Entangled Publishing in 2014. I am also hoping to get working on the next books in the Falling Stars series. Maybe I’ll have a few of those done in not too long. After that, I’ll have to see what pops up in my mind!

Chapter One tease of “Lost Without You”

“Your first task is to find your site, set up camp with the gear provided, and survive your first night out in the wild. Tonight I’ll check in with each team to see how you’re doing. Teams, it’s time to get wild! The game officially begins now.”

Zoe watched quietly as the teams scrounged in their bags to find the maps that would lead them to their camps. A wave of relief came over her that this time she didn’t have to worry about strategy or getting along with the other contestants or any of the other things she’d had to worry about on the previous shows. This time, finally, she wouldn’t have to fear water challenges that threatened to remove her makeup in one splash. Sure, she’d always worn waterproof, but there was only so much it could withstand. She might have come across as calm and uncaring at the thought of going out on a canoe to grab a cache with Paige, Miles, and Ben, but on the inside, she’d been a quivering mess. At least this time all she had to do was show up, look pretty, smile, and read a few cue cards. No big deal.

“Ready to go?” Chip asked, motioning toward the trail all of the teams had now started down.

“Go where?”

“To the production camp.”

Zoe glanced around at the production trailers that looked pretty permanent by the park office. “Are the trailers going to meet us at the camp or are there some already waiting there?”

Just then a production person handed her a large backpack. The one she’d been told to pack. The one she thought she’d be unpacking soon into a nice chest of drawers in a cozy room somewhere.

Chip shook his head and looked worried for the first time ever in her memory. “Zoe, your job is to be near the contestants to host the show. The show takes place in the wilderness. The trees are too dense for the trailers and there are no nearby roads. I’m afraid the best you’re going to get for the next few weeks is a porta-potty and a private tent.”

Fear gripped Zoe. This couldn’t possibly be any worse. No bathroom with running water. No electricity. No cozy bed to curl up in each night.

“Let me guess,” she said through clenched teeth. It didn’t matter how cute Chip was, he could really be an annoying little shit when he wanted to be. “You’re staying here, right?” No way was Mr. Hot Shot Producer roughing it like she was being forced to.

“No, myself and a handful of other production people will be staying with you in a production base camp. We have tents and a little kitchen and even a couple of camping showers. Don’t worry, Zoe, you won’t be alone.”

“Oh, good, so there will be someone to hear me scream when I get eaten by a bear.” He laughed.

She didn’t.

LostWithoutYouCoverPic**Contact Heather:

Email:  heatherthurmeier@gmail.com

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Carol Cadoo

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Q & A with Carol Cadoo

Tell us about yourself by describing yourself in 5 words:  Saucy Irreverent Funny Tough and Mom

What is a typical day like for Carol Cadoo?  I live in a blender set on frappe.  My typical day is never typical but one thing is constant. I live out in the country so at 5am I am on my patio having coffee and getting my list of to do, for the day. Love a list because I love to mark things off the list, not necessarily to keep track.  I always write in the morning for 2 hours and at night for2 hours. The difference between a writer and someone who writes is that a writer writes daily, as a matter of self- discipline. Someone who writes gets to write whenever they want.  On MWF I write for an additional 8 hours. When I am in first draft or first rewrite mode.  I also have a busy life as a wedding planner and mom of one left at home with two adorable dog babies. I have an adult son living in Tulsa. Being the control freak I am; I also touch base to micro manage his life daily. I garden and work with others in creative projects.  My house tends to be the Kool-Aid house for artist, musicians and other writers. They always know there is good coffee and conversation in my garden.

What or who inspires you?  I tell you my sister inspires me she is a schizophrenic and has to work real hard to live a normal life.  Things that we take for granted are hard work for her.  She inspires me with her courage and steadfast desire to get better, in order to live a normal life.  She is funny and bright a special person in a mean world; she lives her life with dignity and hope.  I am awestruck by her courage. I always remind myself of that when I feel like I am having a bad day.  There are worse days for people, so my little minor problems seem just that…minor.  You know they say you can’t pick the path you walk.  But you can decide how you will walk it. Colette walks her path with grace.

How long did it take you to write your book, Déjà vu of Love?  Well I say 20 years because I started thinking about a book at 20 and actually wrote it at 40. Once I sat down to do it two weeks for a first draft.  I naively thought the process was done, oh no little grasshopper.  What I discovered was that writing the first draft just starts the process.  So I made a lot of mistakes and had to learn how to write a book with this one.  Got a few editorial critiques rewrote, restructured so my rewrite process with this book has been about 10 years.  There is much to learn before the book actually makes it to peoples Kindle.  I had to learn how the whole process of publishing worked.  So this book has been a journey.  The next two benefitted from all the learning, total time on each from first draft to publication about 18 months.

At what moment did you feel that you were a real author?  When one of my editors cried when she read a passage, another one laughed those were the moments that I said to myself okay, you are now an author.  I believe that writing is about putting the reader right smack dab in the middle of the story…living it.  If they read the book from one of the characters prospective you have done your job as a writer.

If your book were to be a movie, who would like to play your characters?  I would love for Bethany Frankel to play Jazz and Charlie Sheen as Gianni probably the guy who played Jack on Will and Grace for Patrick.

How did the idea come for Déjà vu of Love?  Like most of my ideas it came up while I was gardening and playing the, what if game.  I spend a lot of time growing 37 different sunflowers plus roses and lavender. After I come up with the basic story line I let the characters fill in the blanks.  I find the more I stay out of their dynamics the better it all flows.  So when I get into editing I really think it is more like channeling the characters. I have to go back and reread as I have no memory of writing anything.  It is a real bazaar thing.  If you have never experienced it, no one can explain it but weird is an understatement.

When writing, what are the 5 things you must have with you?  Cold Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pepsi, Jalapeno almonds, coffee and my laptop

Have do you deal with writer’s block?  I don’t believe in writers block, I think it is a myth. See here is the thing if you try and force your characters into dialogue or try and dictate how you want them to react; they plant their feet and go “no way”.  Writers block is just an author trying to force their views or agenda onto the characters the characters rebel.  That is why nothing works, it is best to walk away come back and write another day. Clean the house, play with your grandkids let thoughts of the book go away.  Let the characters sort everything out amongst them, then when you go back everything falls into place.  If you fight the characters nothing will happen.

What is your favorite part of the writing/editing/publishing process?  Why?  I love, love, love the rewrite process.  I love the angst, the suffering the whole deal.  It really makes me know I am a writer when I am knee deep in rewrite. Just love it fleshing out the details of the story line and really getting to know my characters.

Paper/hardback or eBooks?  Why?  Ebooks all the way.  Somewhere in a forest in the world a mother tree and her children are thanking me.  Somewhere in the world of the future, a mom will take her kids to a park to climb a tree.  It has to come, the time is now, and we can no longer waste our resources.  You know there will always be paper books.  I believe that is the future role of the library. I write very good fluff.  Not War and Peace but fun easy hammock, vacation, airplane and sick bed novels.  I write them well; they are entertainment. I believe Kindle will replace paper books like elevators replaced stairs, not at all. There is nothing that will replace the smell and feel of paper and ink. But again use our resources sparingly.

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, can you tell us anything?  Yes the second install of this standalone nightstand trilogy Inheritance of Love is in final rewrite scheduled release is Nov 15th ish. The third Journey to Love is scheduled for release Jan 15th it just finished in first draft. Waiting for the first edit.

Additional comments by Carol:  I hope everyone enjoy reading Déjà Vu of Love as much as I loved writing it.  Also if anyone wants to drop me a line I would love to hear from you.  They should always feel free to let other readers know what they think at Amazon by placing a review.  Thanks for having me and I wish everyone a great summer and one good read in a hammock.

**Contact Carol:

Email: carolcadoobookstore@gmail.com

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**Buy “Déjà vu of Love!”

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A Quick Update!

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It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged, so thank you to my loyal followers for being patient with me.  I hope I haven’t let any of you down.

  • First of all, can you believe summer is almost over?  Thank goodness, because it’s hot in Texas!
  • If you’ve been keeping up with my BOOK REVIEWS, TOURS and GUESTS pages, then you know I’ve been busy reading and getting to know a lot of wonderful and inspiring authors!
  • As far as edits on my two books, Redefined Dreams and The Right Design, things are going great!  I have two amazing editors who are helping me create two books that I’ve put my heart and soul into.
  • Happy Friday!
  • Oh, and I have a HUGE announcement coming on Monday, so stay tuned!

Monarch Beach

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Book review of “Monarch Beach”

“Monarch Beach,” by Anita Hughes

When a mom, Amanda Blick sees her sexy French chef husband, Andre, wrapped around his sous-chef, she’s heartbroken.  When her mother urges Amanda and her son, Max, to get a change of scenery with her at St. Regis Resort in Laguna Beach, she agrees to go to Laguna Beach.  She needed to get away from him for the summer and think about her future.  Instead of simply relaxing, doing her best to keep her mind off of Andre, Amanda meets a handsome older man who sweeps her away.  Also divorced, Edward teaches Amanda that there can be a life after Andre…until his loyalties are to be questioned.

There had been a lot of talk about “Monarch Beach,” so I put it on my to-read list.  When I was asked to review it I jumped at the chance.  From the first sentence to the last, “Monarch Beach” drew me into Amanda’s world.  Through her ups and downs with Andre and Edward, the book was very enjoyable.  With all the twists and turns — especially at the end, I literally couldn’t put this book down.  If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about planning my own getaway to the St. Regis Resort, hoping to create my own journey.  The characters were very likable, even Andre tried to fool me, but I loved Amanda.  She was a devoted mom who just wanted to do the best for her son after her marriage failed.  I  liked Amanda’s mom and thought that she played a very enjoyable and loving role.  Like Amanda’s character, I loved how she evolved, too.  The ending will leave you aching for more, (I’m really hoping for a continuation with these characters)!

Anita Hughes is a brilliant author who has written a book I loved!  “Monarch Beach” is a funny, heartwarming and sexy read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a delightful, addicting and fast-paced summer read.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with Anita Hughes!

Dreaming of Him

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Book Review for “Dreaming of Him”

“Dreaming of Him,” by Wendy Ely

While awake, Amber is a very lonely woman and her life is at a dead-end.  Nothing can make her feel better, not even a makeover, but it’s different when she’s asleep.  A man from her past, Trace, enters her dreams and sweeps her off her feet.  When Amber wakes up, she realizes that it was a dream (a very hot one), because she knows that Trace is dead.  He tries to communicate with Amber through her dreams and watches over her, wanting her to know just how much she meant to him before he died.  His spirit moves her keys so she won’t be late for work and turns off the lights when she comes home drunk, closing her eyes, aching to be with him.  Only in her dreams, can they fall in love with one another, but he won’t let her go out the easy way to be with him!  That’s when he saves her from making a big mistake…

Admit it, you can’t stop staring at the cover, can you?  Neither can I!  When I won this book, I was thrilled.  Wanting to take break from my normal reads one weekend, I began reading Dreaming of Him.  Right away, I was drawn into a whole new world.  Wendy Ely’s descriptions were written so clear, that I felt as if I were Amber, wanting to dream of Trace!  The storyline was believable, especially for a woman like Amber, who has very little confidence.  I loved Trace!  He was gentle and he didn’t give up on Amber.  While I wish this book wasn’t so short, I loved it because it wasn’t the typical romance book with spirits or ghosts — it’s a true love story!  If you’re looking for a sweet, spicy book over the summer, this is the book for you!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Buy the book!:

All Romance

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

**An interview with the author, Wendy Ely, is coming soon!

For the Love of Goals…

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The past few months have been so busy and I’ve neglected my blogging friends.  For this, I apologize, but I have two exciting things to share!  Before I explain, here’s what’s coming up:

  • Friday, June 22nd, I’ll post my review of “Dreaming of Him,” by Wendy Ely, a soon-to-be guest.
  • Saturday, June 23rd, I’ll post my review of “Now You See Her,” by James Patterson
  • Friday, June 29th, I’ll post my review of “Monarch Beach,” by Anita Hughes
  • Thursday, July 12th, Paula Tiberus will be a guest
  • Thursday, July 26th, I’ll post my review of “What A Texas Girl Wants” and interview with the author, Kristina Knight
  • Saturday, August 18th, I’ll post my review of “Viewer Discretion Advised,” by Cindy Roesel
  • Saturday, August 25, I’ll post my review of “Fatty Patty,” by Kathleen Paterka
  • Wednesday, September 12th, I’ll post my review of “Breaking the Rules” and interview with the author, Cat Lavoie
Exciting stuff, huh?  Well, be sure to check back daily, because you won’t want to miss anything!

Now, for the exciting news! 

Beginning the first week in September, I will be back to blogging six days a week!  I’ve started realizing that I’m now paying as much attention to my own books as I should.  Don’t get me wrong, I love reviewing, but I want to really focus on making my dream a reality.  I want to be an author!  I will still have guests and post reviews, but not as often — at least for the rest of the year.  **Note: If you’d like me to review something, please still don’t hesitate — I’m sure we can work out something.

Now, for some really, really exciting news, Chick Lit Goddess is getting a facelift, (and I’m not just talking a little Botox here or there — I’m talking about liposuction and a breast augmentation, to go along with a new personality).  I’m very excited about this adventure and hope you like/love the changes that will be made.

In the meantime, your well wishes are appreciated…

50 Shades of Grey

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As promised, here is my review of “50 Shades of Grey,” by E. L. James.

Out of curiosity and wanting to see what all the hype was about, I began this book in April.  Just this past Saturday, I finally finished it — WHEW!

Getting through the first 150 pages was so hard, which was one reason why it took so long to finish.  E.L. James has admitted that she’s not a good writer and I agree with her!  While not only is she not a good writer, neither did she have a good editor.  The editor could have done a better job, making the writing stronger, especially for such a popular book.  Isn’t that an editor’s job?

While the storyline was good, with very enjoyable characters, dominate Christian Grey and submissive, Anastasia Steele, I expected more from the so-called “mommy porn.”  In Megan Hart’s books, the sex scenes had me blushing, but as I was reading “50 Shades,” I kept rolling my eyes.  I’ve even written stuff more sexual!  The sex scenes were laughable, but I see why so many are rushing out to buy this book.  James has stated in multiple interviews that this book is written on her fantasies and I can see why; she’s a married mom of two.  This book is for moms who have traded whips and handcuffs for bottles and bibs.  As a married woman without children, I was more swept away with Christian’s dominance than with the sex.  It was Christian who had my toes curling, along with his mysterious ways…Damn, he’s a sexy Hero!

There is talk about “50 Shades” being a movie which I would be interested in, especially if they get my imagination of Christian right.  (Who do you recommend playing him?)

While I do plan on reading the other books, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, I’m really in no hurry to start them.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, based on the characters and plot, not the writing or the sex scenes.