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Five From Jesi Lea Ryan

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

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{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.

***

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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 nJust a Nudge - D2ever 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

 

 

 

I’m Reading. . .Until There Was You.

This week, I’m reading Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins.

For me, word of mouth is the best way to find new books and new authors. I count on a small group of people who know my taste and preferences. Last fall, my friend Amanda recommended KH to me. I began with her Blue Heron series, and I was hooked fast. As is typical for me, I went on to devour everything of hers I could find.

I’m now down to her earliest books, and I’m still enjoying them. She has a way of writing strong yet flawed women who are surrounded by amusing–yet all too real–supporting characters, family members and always a dog. I’ve yet to get through one of her books where I haven’t a) laughed out loud (usually in the middle of the night, to the annoyance of my sleeping husband) b) cried real tears–and sometimes ugly cried with sobs and c) sighed at the lovely romance of it all.

These books are more than just love stories. They border on chick-lit, but the very best of that genre–not so much on the angsty, more on the real and amusing. The women have good jobs, they have strong support networks, and they’re close to their families. The men tend to be slightly less-well developed; we’re definitely seeing the world through the female perspective, but it doesn’t make me like the guys any less.

The heat is on in KH’s books, but there’s no detailed sex. It’s fade to black, but I never feel that lack–there’s no doubt that she delivers the sizzle. But if reading the nitty-gritty makes you queasy, no worries here.

If I were you, I’d begin with The Best Man (on sale right now for 99 cents at the ‘zon), Book 1 in the Blue Heron series. And then be prepared to sail through her entire back list–I’m betting you’ll be hooked.

My favorites so far as Catch of the Day and Too Good To Be True. Be sure to come back and tell me what you think. . .or stop in to my Facebook page and let me know. We can chat all things KH!

Until next Wednesday. . .

EASY BAKE COVEN Review Blast

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Hungry-Hungry-Hoodoo

Hungry, Hungry, Hoodoo

One simple revelation about her past turns Selene Warren’s life upside down. Determined not to let her elf half ruin her future, she fights for the love she’s found at Cheney’s side, despite her increasing doubts about the bond they share.

However, when her studio burns down, a new enemy emerges and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. To save one of her friends from a gruesome death, she must expose who she was and put more than just her life on the line. Her only hope is deciphering her past in time to save them all, but the more she learns, the less she can trust anyone.

Pre-Order Hungry, Hungry, Hoodoo on Amazon.

Easy Bake CovenEasy Bake Coven

For Selene Warren being a witch is no big deal. She dabbles in harmless magic with her friends and never thinks much about it. However, when a stranger who seems to know her shows up at her studio and her grandmother is brutally attacked, her simple life becomes complicated.

A world of elves, half-elves, fae—and one peculiar Sekhmet named Femi open up to her. She will discover that fairy tales are real, politics are ugly in any world, and there is a lot more to her life than she ever dreamed possible.

This new reality threatens swallow Selene whole, but with a forgotten past beating down her door, she will have to dive in to save her future.

Purchase Easy Bake Coven on Amazon.

 

 

My review:  I was latecomer to the Guardian series; actually, I read the third book first and then went back and devoured this other two. So this time I was determined to get in on Liz Schulte’s new series from the very beginning.

And I am so glad I did! EASY BAKE COVEN is an amazing mix of fun, romance and intrigue.  Selene is a likable, engaging heroine, and her group of friends bring to mind Robin Hood’s Merry Men. They are supportive and encouraging as they accompany her on the wild ride that her life becomes.  

But really, for me, true focus of the story is Cheney, the elf prince who is by turns tender and intense. His role in Selene’s life is  murky at first, but of course, we all know that his intentions are honorable and pure. At least, I hope they are. . .

An added bonus is the appearance of several of our favorite characters from the Guardian series. I won’t spoil it and say who; suffice it to say that EASY BAKE COVEN gives us another look at the fascinating Abyss. 

I devoured this book whole and was immediately ready for more. There was enough humor and lightness to offset the intensity, as well as appealing characters whose stories stayed with me for weeks.  

Don’t miss this series. Now that the second book, HUNGRY HUNGRY HOO DOO, is out, you can enjoy both without the pesky wait that I endured.

Consider yourself lucky! Run! Go get these books NOW!

About Author Liz Schulte

Many authors claim to have known their calling from a young age. Liz Schulte, however, didn’t always want to be an author. In fact, she had no clue. Liz wanted to be a veterinarian, then she wanted to be a lawyer, then she wanted to be a criminal profiler. In a valiant effort to keep from becoming Walter Mitty, Liz put pen to paper and began writing her first novel. It was at that moment she realized this is what she was meant to do. As a scribe she could be all of those things and so much more.

When Liz isn’t writing or on social networks she is inflicting movie quotes and trivia on people, reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. Liz is a Midwest girl through and through, though she would be perfectly happy never having to shovel her driveway again. She has a love for all things spooky, supernatural, and snarky. Her favorite authors range from Edgar Allen Poe to Joseph Heller to Jane Austen to Jim Butcher and everything in between.

Follow Liz Schulte:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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