Saturday, May 24, 2014

Summer lovin'

     Each morning I open my windows and my senses are pleasantly overwhelmed. The early morning birds singing are a joy to my ears after a silent winter. Seeing the early light dance on the tree's leaves and glisten off of the still dewy grass pulls me further into a hypnotic trance, drawing me outside. And then there are the scents. Fresh cut grass, sweet honeysuckle, floral lilacs in bloom, and I swear even the sunshine smells wonderful, or maybe it just makes everything smell better. And finally feeling the warm air caress my newly tanned skin makes me want to spend my day poolside with a good book.

     A book is as essential as sunscreen is to my summer bag and if you run into me, you can bet you will find me with at least one book in my possession. There is something magical about getting lost in another world, getting carried away in a dram, getting swept up in a new romance, or better yet finding a book that allows you to experience each of these all at once. By now you should know I am an avid paranormal reader. Sure I spend some time with a good dystopian, and even once and a while a nice contemporary or a slutty erotica tale, but what all my favorite reads have in common is at least a touch of romance.

     What is it about summer that causes flings to sizzle and as fall approaches those hot rendezvous start to fizzle? Does the heat make us crazy? Or make us lose our inhibitions? You know what- I don't care why, it's fun. Summer flings are long gone for me, but my husband and I started dating in July (12 years ago) and married a year later so maybe I love summer romances because mine turned into the love of my life.

     With summer quickly approaching make sure to throw a paperback or two in with your picnic lunch and your beach bag so you too can fall in love all over again. Here are a few of my favorite books (series) you may want to check out over the next few months.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (also in this series: Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows, and Darkest Mercy)

Need by Carrie Jones (also in this series: Captivate, Entice, and Endure)

Balefire by Cate Tiernan (series all in one collection)

and then of course there is this one- must say it is brilliant... as a part of this blog hop one lucky person who leaves a comment AND either follows me on twitter (@gretch_roberts) or likes my author page on facebook facebook.com/gretchenroberts.author will receive an e-copy of Illuminated to kick off their summer library. (US only)

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Madison Sevier, come on down!

     When I decided to start blogging it was a complete stranger who happened to be with the same amazing publisher I am with that answered my distress call and walked me through the basics. I have been grateful ever since and tonight I can finally thank her in my own small way by sharing her newest release LONG OVERDUE, RIVER JEWEL RESORT, BOOK 3 , I still owe you a drink, LOL. Please welcome the lovely Miss Madison Sevier while she visits with me. 

Maybe we should open with some get to know you Q & A , I for one love learning interesting tid-bits about my favorite authors so hopefully these are some new ones that you all haven't seen before a hundred times...

     Q: So Madison, what is your favorite genre to read? To write?

     MS: My favorite to read consists of a lot. I love Rom-Com, Cozy Mysteries, Erotic Romance and Paranormal-Erotic Romance. And I enjoy writing all of the same genres.

Q: When did you first know you wanted to write?

MS: I first knew I wanted to write when I was in kindergarten. I wanted to "make the books".

Q: What is the strangest thing to inspire you or your writing?

MS: The strangest thing to ever inspire me was actually a personal thing in my past.

Q: Do you ever include real life events or people in any of your books?

MS: Real people or events? Maybe--but I'll never tell. LOL.

Q: If you could collaborate with any other author, living or dead, who would it be and why?

MS: One person to collaborate with---VC Andrews or Dakota Cassidy. Because their writing has inspired me and filled my mind for years.

Q: Do you have any unique rituals when you are writing?

MS: Rituals--none really. I eat a lot of tiny gummy bears that's about it. I'm pretty easy LOL.

So let's find out more about LONG OVERDUE, RIVER JEWEL RESORT, BOOK 3...

After fifteen years of serving the campus library, a scandal with one of its students leaves Olivia Milan unemployed. When her best friend leaves town for the weekend, Olivia takes the opportunity to head to the River Jewel Resort in search of a new job. However, what she finds when she arrives proves life can be stranger than fiction. Romance author, Matt Osgood, has been in love with the same woman for a very long time, but he knows she’ll never return his feelings. Years of going to the River Jewel Resort have allowed him to live out his every fantasy. Still, he aches for a real emotional connection to the woman he loves. Can the River Jewel Resort make fantasy become a reality for Olivia and Matt? Or will they run in opposite directions when confronted with the truth?

Want to read an excerpt? It's pretty tasty...

“I’ve only been going up there for a few months now, but I’ve seen incredible things.” “Such as?” Olivia shivered as a breeze blew across her back. “You’ll think I’m crazy.” Matt turned away, and took a giant breath. “I could never think you were crazy. You should know me better than that.” He paused a moment and seemed to be gauging his next words carefully. “Olivia, I wish I could explain it to you.” He shook his head. “It’s something you have to see for yourself. All I know is, a lot of miserable people go through those doors and only happy people come back out. Everything people have been saying about it is true.” “Don’t tell me you believe the hype?” Matt shrugged. “I’ve seen things even you wouldn’t believe. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to make sure the stories were true.” “Oh? What kind of stories?” Matt reached for her hand and led her down the cement boat launch that led to the floating dock. After they were seated on the aged, wooden planks, he started trying to verbalize his experiences. “Olivia, that place is magical. That’s the only way I can think of to describe it.” She had never seen such an enthralled look in Matt’s eyes before. There was something new and lively about him when he spoke of the River Jewel Resort. In fact, his eyes reminded her of the hot, summer nights when moonlight would dance across the small waves of the Ohio, glittering like a million floating diamonds. “Well, it must be something special if you, an incredibly talented romance author can’t think of anything better than ‘magical’. I can see it in your eyes. It’s just a resort. I’m sure with the kind of money they charge, they must have one helluva spa and massage salon, but magic? Really? And if everyone is so happy when they leave, why haven’t you found anyone who makes you happy yet?” Matt laughed. “Yeah, the salon is amazing and what makes you think I haven’t found my happiness? I can sit on the gambling boat and have my pick of any available woman. In fact, it’s become my favorite place lately. When I walk on that boat, it’s almost as if they are there to serve me and only me.” “Oh, wow!” Olivia tossed her head back laughing “You, my friend are hot, but I think you might be getting a bit of a big head.” Matt wiggled his eyebrows and nudged her with his elbow. “I know how it sounds, but I’m serious. You have to experience it for yourself.” She ruffled Matt’s already unruly brown hair and looped her arm through his. “I’m glad you’re having a great time, Matt. You deserve it.” “What about you? If anyone needs to find happiness, it’s you. You’ve been alone for too long, Olivia. You have a huge heart, you’re smart, beautiful and kind. Instead of wasting all of that on temporary lovers you should be married to someone fabulous and having lots of smart, beautiful babies. Someone who truly loves you for you.” Olivia knew he meant well, but she just wasn’t ready. Besides, who would want her now? Star of the latest town scandal, plus being officially unemployed, her reputation didn’t exactly scream, “Pick me! I’ll rock your world!” Besides, if she couldn’t find the nerve to tell the man she truly loved that she loved him, what was the point of looking for anyone else? “Sometime.” “You always say that. I love you and I feel it’s my duty to be honest with you. Get over it. Ever since Randy died, you’ve had a wall up and all you’ve done is float from guy to guy, mostly at the library.” “So? They need my help. Besides, I’m good at what I do.” “Sweetheart, it’s time to let go of the past and open up your heart. Make your own happy ending. Every guy out there isn’t worthless. Yes, you’ve met a few assholes, and yes, you’ve been hurt. But I think you do it to yourself. Don’t be angry. I understand, I really do. The pain you’ve been feeling, the emptiness, it means you’re alive. I get it. This bravado you show to the world isn’t a flaw. You’ve had a lot to cope with, but it’s time to find that one in a million soulmate instead of hooking up with people you have no intention of ever loving, for random quickies on campus. Whether you admit it or not, you know I’m right. Now, let’s get you home so you can clean your house. Again.” He rolled his eyes and Matt’s lips slid into that mischievous grin that filled her with a longing to kiss him senseless. They laughed, falling into step with each other as Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Olivia sent up a silent prayer that someday he’d want her by his side forever.



Still want to know more about Madison?

Romance author, Madison Sevier began her writing career at Secret Cravings Publishing in 2002. Her days are spent homeschooling her daughter and doing the bookkeeping for her husband's business. at night, she gets to become someone else, creating characters who work their way into the hearts and minds of romance readers everywhere.

Being a Gemini, Madison is known for doing whatever strikes her fancy at any given moment. Some of her favorite hobbies include; hiking, animal rescue, writing, reading, baking, horseback riding, coffee tasting, and she's a huge NASCAR fan.

Living in what everyone calls 'Kentuckiana' she's found the perfect paradise to allow her stories to come to life. Against the backdrop of the Ohio River and surrounding hillsides, she never knows where a new romance will come from. But you can be sure you're going to hear about it.

She loves hearing from her readers and meeting new ones. Feel free to contact Madison at madisonsevier@yahoo.com or through her blog http://madisonsevier.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonsevier12

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonSevierAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadisonSevier

Blog: http://madisonsevier.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7011658.Madison_Sevier

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/113626781991778172262

Sulia: http://sulia.com/madisonsevier/

Booklikes: http://madisonsevier.booklikes.com/

The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.com/mypageprofile.php?location=madisonsevier

Secret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=products_all&filter_author=197&zenid=a32f1d4a7c9c20ad74cd9bf76916fb90

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Madison-Sevier/e/B00BDWM3DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1397515846&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Madison-Sevier/e/B00BDWM3DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1397516513&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/madison-sevier

Are: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html




Monday, May 12, 2014

When will I ever learn?

     Falling in love is magical. Those first days, weeks, months getting to know someone new. Learning their likes and dislikes, how to go from being two me's to one us, even finding their quirks and flaws somehow cute. Some relationships flourish while others fade and whither leaving "we" to figure out what went wrong and start all over becoming "me"  until they find another someone new. Such is the cycle of love.

     But every once in awhile you fall in love with someone new and you're already in love. You don't mean for it to happen, it just does. You can't help it. Sparks fly. You don't stop loving the person you are already involved with and yet the prospect of the new flame isn't extinguished either. You begin to thing, I can have the best of both worlds, I can have my cake and eat it too. And  you know what? You aren't a bad person. You are not a cheater. You have a book boyfriend.

    Now, I have an amazing husband. He is smart, strong, sexy, the kind of man who would do any cover justice. (Don't believe me? Check out my facebook page!) A real man. I have no desire to look elsewhere, ever. But. But every once in a while I read a book and with each page turn I find myself falling. Edward. Eric. Louis. Astley. Keenan. Peeta. Damon. And on and on and on. Oh, and I can't forget the ones I've created, Trajen and Declan from Illuminated and my newest creation you will all be falling for soon enough, Bael.

    Having the reality and the fantasy is pretty damned amazing I must say. But why do I do it? Falling for others when I'm already happy is safe. No risk of a broken heart or home. No messy divorce, fighting, or pain all while experiencing the fun emotions, the rush of endorphins, every pleasurable sensation that is associated with love. I get to imagine myself in the heroine's place and go through everything she does including each and every aspect of her romantic life. The initial uncertainty of a burgeoning interest, a casual touch- or was it intentional? And then finally, the moment we all wait for with nervous anticipation, holding our breaths, knowing what is coming in the next few sentences. Our hearts skip a beat, our stomachs knot and fill with butterflies, we begin to shake slightly, and our pulses race as we await the big moment. The first of what we hope to be many kisses.

     And the only thing better than falling in love with the character someone else created is falling in love with one you have created yourself. When I began describing Declan and Trajen for my first novel it was as if I could craft the perfect guys, my perfect guys. They are opposite in so many ways but both good. I realized I could put every quality I adored in a man or teenager into each of them and add a few flaws to make them real. They both have a bit of my husband, Jamie, in each of them, Declan has Jamie's athleticism, boyish charm, his bravery. Trajen embodies his intelligence, his mannerisms, his loyalty and strength. They both have some of his physical features but neither are totally Jamie, just bits and pieces of the man I love mixed with other traits, attributes, and characteristics that became two impressive book boyfriends that I had to share with the rest of you.

     When it was time to come up with a leading man for my newest work in progress I went back to the theoretical drawing board. Inspiration for him came from all over. I began researching men, beautiful men, who would captivate women. Actors, cowboys, models, firefighters, singers, policemen, artists, chefs, athletes, business men, construction workers, soldiers, and everyone in between inspired my newest fantasy. The only thing missing was his name. He had a dark side so any old name wouldn't do. When I found the name Bael I knew it was his. Bael is sexy, gorgeous, mysterious, and when he meets Grayson they bring each other back to life. There's just one problem left to overcome, his past. His darkness. Who isn't drawn to a bad boy? After all, a healthy does of danger is a major turn on, especially when you are completely secure in a marriage where the riskiest thing one might face is having a quickie without the kids catching you.

     I don't know why everyone else falls for their book boyfriends but for me it is the same as my husband watching a naughty movie- it fulfills a fantasy, fuels my passions, and keeps inspiration flowing. I cherish the memories of when I first started dating Jamie, of our first kiss, of the first time he told me he loved me. When I think back to those moments I still get a lovely ache in my naughty bits, err the warm fuzzies. Yeah, that's better. Either way, I doubt I will ever have another first kiss, another first date, another first anything but in my books I get to experience it right along with the characters and fall in love with them. For me, that's the next best thing.

 http://harperabrooks.wordpress.com 

 www.tfwalsh.com/blog 

https://www.facebook.com/gretchenroberts.author

I'm giving away an e-copy of Illuminated for this blog hop. For a chance to win you must comment on this post and like my facebook page or follow me on twitter. If you have already liked my page (or followed me) then you only need to comment on this post. Make sure you include which social media format you chose in your comment. Follow me @gretch_roberts. Deadline to enter is May 18th at midnight. Winner will be chosen at random after May 19th and will be notified by social media format listed. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my twisted reality.