Tawdra Kandle

Five From Sarah Ross

February 27, 2015 No Comments

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday! Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers from some of my favorite author friends. I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.

Quickies from Sarah Ross

Welcome to Sarah Ross, author of YA and NA paranormal, contemporary and thriller novels. She’s releasing her next book, Never Gonna Tell, next month. Check out her Q and A. . .

Q: You’re sitting at a bar, waiting for a friend. What’re you drinking?

A: Amaretto Sours. It’s been a favorite of mine since college. I’m not a big drinker, but I do like sweet drinks.

And if they don’t have that, Red Sangria. You can’t go wrong with wine and fruit!

Q: What was the first book that made you cry?

A: I am not a big fan of books or movies that make me cry. I’ve never read John Greene or Nicholas Sparks for that reason. I want a HEA with the emphasis on the Happily!

There was this book I read in middle school called “A Summer to Die” by Lois Lowry. Bawled my eyes out. I think after that book, I decided no more sad stories. I went on to read IT by Stephen King. I cried for a whole other reason reading that! (Scared the beJesus out of me!)

Q: What song always makes you turn it up and sing along when it comes on the radio?

A: If you ever have the displeasure of pulling up next to me at a red light, you’ll see me jamming out to something. There are soo many songs I love to sing in the car- and for the ears and listening pleasure of the outside world, I do it with my windows rolled up.

I think some of my classic favorites are Bohemian Rhapsody, Summer of ’69, Jack & Diane, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Don’t Stop Believin, Livin on a Prayer. And newer ones like Take me to Church, All About that Bass, any Ed Sheeran or Mumford & Sons.
Q:It’s February. What’s your favorite cold-weather activity?

Curled up on the couch under fuzzy blankets with my Kindle and hot chocolate. That’s all. No, seriously, that’s it. I abhor the cold. It’s the number one reason I moved from Pittsburgh to Florida. I couldn’t stand the cold. Anytime it’s too cold for flip flops, it’s too cold for me!
Q: What television show, past or present, would be top on your list of must-see TV?

A: When I was a kid, my favorite TV show was I Love Lucy. They would show reruns of it on TVLand at like six in the morning. I would get up early, even in the summer, just to watch a few episodes before school started. It’s one of the all-time best TV shows ever made, so that has to top my list.

***

Sarah started her obsession with reading at an early age, often sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class. She would read any book she could get her hands on. Her love of reading quickly evolved into a love of writing and stories began to pour out of her.

She grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English, and taught eighth graders to love reading as much as she does for several years. Sarah will always be a proud member of the Steelers’ Nation, but couldn’t take the cold and moved her frozen tush to Florida where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and two cats. You will find her now with her trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

Sarah’s debut novel, AWAKEN, released in January, 2012. Other novels include AVENGE, ATONE, ECHO OF AN EARTH ANGEL, INHALE EXHALE, and NEVER GONNA TELL (Releasing March, 2015).

Follow Sarah here: Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram

My name is Reagan Wilcox: high school senior by day, kick-ass investigative journalist by night. I’ve always loved observing people—especially when they think no one is paying attention.

I thought I was ready to cover any story. Work any angle.

Nothing could have prepared me for what happened that night. I wasn’t ready for what I saw. And I certainly wasn’t ready for him.

I always knew I’d write the headlines. Now, I just might become one.

NEVER GONNA TELL

March 17th Preorder here

This Author's Life Thursday

Addicted to Ahhhhs

February 26, 2015 No Comments

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “What made you start writing books?” I have a standard answer: I always wrote, from childhood on. I was always a storyteller. And one day circumstances were such that I had the time, incentive and energy. . blah, blah, blah.

Oh, it’s the truth. But there’s actually a much deeper, much simpler motivation for why I write. I’m addicted to ahhhhs.

You know what the ahhhs are, right? It’s that feeling you get when you’re reading a book, particularly (for me) a romance. You hit a certain point in the story, and suddenly, you’re captivated. The male lead does something or says something. . .or there’s a moment between the two love interests. . .or some element of the story just grips you so totally that you’re completely invested in this world, in these characters and you think. . .ahhhhhhh.

I’ve been an addict for a very long time. I’m not sure if it began with Laura and Almanzo in These Happy Golden Years or Scarlett and Rhett in Gone With The Wind or Celia and Luke in Celia Garth. But once I discovered this feeling, like any other addict, I needed that fix. Once a book ended, I was on the prowl for yet another.

Finally, one day, I realized that just reading the stories wasn’t cutting it. I needed something. . .more. Something that was within my control, particularly when it came to timing. I wanted to give the characters lurking within my own mind their ahhhhs. And that’s when I began seriously writing.

My first personally-written ahhhhh moment came during the first chapter I wrote about Tasmyn and Michael. It was the scene of their first kiss, on the beach of a lake in central Florida. I wrote it first, before anything else in Fearless, and it fed the need, at least for a little while:

“Tasmyn, trust me. I won’t hurt you, ever, and if it’s in my power, I won’t let anyone else hurt you either. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. May I kiss you. . .please?”

I was shaking ever so slightly as I nodded my head, barely. A smile spread over his face as he brought his other hand to my neck and gently tilted my head back. His lips brushed mine, and it was so tender and innocent that I felt tears spring to my eyes.

Of course, pretty soon I needed another fix. And that’s why there are four books in the King Series, and why I went on to write about more ahhhhs.

I was thinking of this last night. I finished a book I’d had mixed feelings about; the storyline was a little iffy, some of the editing and grammar could’ve used work. But I connected with the characters, so I stuck with it. In the end, I enjoyed the book, even though it had some rough areas. Why did I keep reading? Because it had killer ahhhh moments.

Now it’s time for me to get back to my current story. Sometimes my own characters amaze me with the depth of their connection, with the twists and turns. . .and let me tell you, in The Only One, I think there are more ahhhhhhhs than in any of my other books to date. Mason and Rilla are setting the bar high.

What can I say? I just need one more hit. . .yeah, just one. . .

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading Never, Never

February 25, 2015 1 Comment

This week, I’ve just finished reading Never, Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher.
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I discovered Colleen Hoover a few years ago, when a friend recommended Slammed. I enjoyed it, and then Point of No Return. . .and of course, Hopeless. Her more recent books have been even better. So when I saw this one, I was excited. I didn’t read the blurb or any reviews, I just dove right in.

From the beginning, it was. . .different. A little confusing, but I was willing to bear with it. And before too long, I was hooked. The premise is intriguing: both of the main characters, Charlie and Silas, apparently have an odd form of amnesia. Neither can remember anything that happened before 11 o’clock on the morning the book begins. How they cope–and what they learn–begins to paint a troubling picture.

Just when I was drawn in, wrapped up and ready to find out just what happens next. . .the three worst words appeared on the page.

To Be Continued

I came closer to throwing my Kindle across the room than I ever have. What?! I went back to Amazon, and I saw the truth. It’s a novella, the first in a series. When does the next one come out? May 17th. Do you how many days away that is? Like, 100. Okay, 88. But close enough.

I still do recommend you read it, but if you want to save yourself some angst, wait and read it on May 15th.

Until then, come back next week and we’ll see what I’m up to then.

Teaser Tuesday

Best Teased Cold

February 24, 2015 No Comments

This teaser Tuesday is also a throwback Tuesday–I’m sharing a little piece of Best Served Cold, the first book in the Perfect Dish series. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re in luck; it’s free right now for just another week. Grab it while you can!

Julia is a college junior whose boyfriend Liam broke up with her very publicly and with a heaping side of humiliation. She’s determined to get payback by making him fall for her all over again and then turning the tables to mortify him in front of their friends. The plan’s humming along until Julia meets Jesse, a grad student with curly brown hair and dimples. The deeper she falls for him, the less important her revenge plans seem.

In this scene, Julia and Jesse are on their second date, at Jesse’s apartment; Julia’s cooking after they enjoy a movie together. They’ve discovered a mutual love for Joss Whedon, so the movie Jess chooses is a no-brainer. I loved this particular interchange, because it plays very close to my own love for all things Joss and for superhero movies. Yes, The Avengers is one of my all-time favorites. I watch it every time it comes on. Who can blame me?

I sat on the sofa, and Jesse picked up a remote before he joined me, sitting close enough that our legs touched. He clicked on the television and draped an arm over the back of the couch behind me.

“So what did you decide on?” I shifted a little closer.

“A stroke of genius. We both love Joss, and we need an action movie. Well, I needed an action movie. So. . .” He hit the play button. “The Avengers.”

I grinned. “One of my favorites. You couldn’t have done any better.”

“Huh.” He fast-forwarded through the previews. “Do I rock or what? But seriously, you’re okay with this one?”

“Umm, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jeremy Renner? Are you kidding?”

Jesse shook his head. “Nice. Way to make me feel secure in my manliness. So later when I kiss you, you’re going to be imagining I’m Thor? Or Hawkeye?”

“Thor? Really?” I raised one eyebrow in mock skepticism.

“Okay, I see how it is.” He settled back as the movie began. “Don’t forget Scarlett Johansson is in this, too. Black Widow is smokin’.”

I snuggled down as he curved his arm around me. “I’m very secure. It wasn’t Scarlett you had hot on the counter five minutes ago.”

He lifted my chin with one finger, turning my eyes toward him. “I had you hot?”

“Shhh, I like the beginning.”

***

“How badass was Iron Man in that movie?” I dug through a drawer in the kitchen. “Hey, do you have measuring spoons?”

Jesse shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe? Sarah put the bare essentials in here. I don’t cook, so who knows?”

I gave up. “I’ll make do. Can you grab me the cream from the fridge?”

“That I can do.” Jesse pushed off the counter where he’d been leaning to watch me cook and retrieve the container. He set it down next the stove. “So you really think Ironman is the leader of the Avengers?”

I nodded. “No question. I mean, Hulk, he’s got the brute strength, but not so much with the reasoning skills, right? Captain America is hot in a clean-cut retro way, but he’s still getting up to speed on the twenty-first century stuff. Thor’s just a visitor. He’s not from earth. And Hawkeye and Black Widow. . .well, they have potential, but not the whole package. Yet.” I eyeballed what I hoped was a tablespoon of tomato paste and added it to the pan.

“You’ve obviously given this a lot of thought.” Jesse stood with his arms crossed on his chest.

I grinned at him. “I never thought I was a geek. I don’t love comic books or anything, but I have to admit, I’m a sucker for superhero movies.”

“What about Spiderman?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Oh, yeah.”

“Which one? New or old?”

I checked the pasta. The penne was still a little too al dente. “New. I don’t have anything against Toby, but Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone?” I fanned myself. “Yeah. Definite chemistry.”

Best Served Cold is Book 1 in the Perfect Dish series. You can find it at Amazon, BN and iBooks. There are currently two more books available in this series, Just Desserts and I Choose You; the final book, Just Roll With It, will be released June, 2015.

Friday Free For All

Five From Jesi Lea Ryan

February 20, 2015 No Comments

Welcome to Five From Friends Friday!

Each week, I’ll share with you

five quick and quirky questions and answers

from some of my favorite author friends.

I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.

Quickies from Jesi Lea Ryan

{Note from Tawdra: Jesi Lea is one of my favorite authors. We ‘met’ through a book blog a few years back, and I fell in love with her book Arcadia’s Gift. . . and then I was blessed to be able to edit the second two books in the trilogy as well as her current release, which is a fast-paced, engaging and definitely *not* YA paranormal thriller. I can’t wait to read more. In so-called real life, Jesi Lea and I got to hang out a bit last year at RT in NOLA. Enjoy her quickies!)

Q: You are gifted the services of a maid for one year. However, she’s only allowed to perform one chore for you daily (same one every day). What will you assign her?

A: Clean the bathroom! I have three of them, and they drive me crazy.

Q: Your cat SeBastard is known for his dastardly ways. If he could write it, what would be the title of his autobiography?

A: I Didn’t Do Nuffing!

Q: You’re on a cruise with every living author in the world. (It’s a big ship.) Which four will you choose to sit at dinner with you?

A: This is a hard question! I’m not big on hero-worshipping other authors, so I’m going to go with who would make for an entertaining table. John Green (I have a thing for sexy nerds), Alan Cumming (my future best friend) and Dan Savage.

Q: Your (okay, my) favorite of your characters is Cane, from the Arcadia books. You’re given the ability to talk to him for one minute. What would you tell him?

A:I think I’d like to tell him that I’m proud of him for making mature decisions. He’s a guy who has been through a lot in his young life. His mother was weak, his step-dad was emotionally abusive, he suffered a devastating loss when his high school girlfriend was killed, etc. But I feel like he has come through the worst and will be okay now. Okay, and I would tell him to stop by your house to see you. Maybe you could talk him into mowing your lawn or something so you can ogle him.

Q: Your fairy godmother will whisk you anywhere in the world for dinner tonight. Where will you go?

A: I’ve never been to Russia, but I’m not sure how I’d like their food. I guess I’d pick Marrakesh. I like Moroccan food, and I’ve always wanted to visit there.

***

Jesi Lea Ryan grew up in the Mississippi River town of Dubuque, IA. She holds bachelor degrees in creative writing and literature and a masters degree in business. She considers herself a well-rounded nerd who can spend hours on the internet researching things like British history, anthropology of ancient people, geography of random parts of the world, bad tattoos and the paranormal. She currently lives in Madison, WI with her husband and two exceptionally naughty kitties.

Follow Jesi Lea here: Website/Newsletter/Twitter/Facebook

Just A Little Nudge

Marley Sexton never aspired to be a stripper. She even chose the stage name Misty Showers as a joke, thinking she’d make a few quick bucks and move on to greener pastures. Three years later, Marley’s still stripping. It’s the only job she can land that will put a dent in her mother’s mounting medical bills.

It’s also the only job where she feels justified parting fools from their money with a little talent she calls nudging.

As psychic powers go, nudging isn’t impressive. Marley can’t get people to do anything they’re not already inclined to do. Useful for making a seedy customer grab a larger bill from his wallet, but not strong enough to ditch a drug cartel that’s on her tail.

Marley is in over her head. She’s not big on trusting people, especially a strange man with a gun, a badge, and a story that doesn’t quite add up. JC Moreno figures out that Marley may have taken the nudge a little too far. But how? Whoever the guy actually works for, one thing’s for certain. He has a history with the cartel and an agenda of his own. Although the suspicion between Marley and JC runs both ways, maybe they can work together to both get what they want…if they don’t get killed in the process.

Buy the book: Amazon US/Amazon UK/Kobo/Smashwords/Nook/iBooks/Goodreads

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