Tag Archives: Upcoming

Calling All Indie/Self Published Authors!

Hi everyone! So you know that I love doing new things. I mentioned it a little bit ago, but finally I’ve got the comment form and ideally a few more things with the new site figured out. Accordingly, I’m doing a new blog feature starting in 2013.

A quarterly post where I spotlight an author who has self published. Either exclusively so, or whatever. I’m not picky. (And I want to be as inclusive as possible.)

I don’t know which to go by – Indie Author, Self Published, whatever. Frankly I think it’s for the person to decide what they prefer. As a non-author/writer, I don’t see one over the other as being preferable or “lesser.”

Anyway! If you’d like to participate, please email me. I’ve got that handy dandy contact form. šŸ˜€ And… I promise. You can call me Limecello. Really. I won’t mind. (I prefer that to “hey!” etc. Sidenote: I’ve got a lot going on, so I might not get to your email immediately. I ask that you have patience.)

But I’m excited about this and I hope you are too!

For those of you who are readers – anyone in particular you’d like to see spotlighted here? Any questions you’d want to ask them?

Not to spill the beans but >.> … the first personĀ  – the special author who will be kicking off this feature is none other than the awesome Bella Andre! Whee!!!

Upcoming x2!!!

First of all… next week? Massive Birthday Bash Blog Blowout Giveaway. At the last count, there are nearly 40 prizes up for grabs. Books, gift cards, and so on. (Well, okay, books and gift cards. Maybe some authors will include swag. I don’t know.)

I do know, however, that they’reĀ freaking awesome.

So awesome they deserve to be mentioned by name. In alphabetical order, they are… Bobbie (aka @mamaboo7907), Kira Brady, Portia Da Costa, Alyssa Day, Keri Ford, Angie Fox, Roberta J. Gordon, Lynn Raye Harris, Kate Hewitt, Kelly Jamieson, Carolyn Jewel. Beth Kery, Farrah Rochon, Jennifer Wilck, and Beth Williamson. (Mary Kirkland should go in there too, but I convinced her to save her prize for her future guest post. Bad me!) Ā And… not a person, SAMHAIN!!! Samhain Publishing has offeredĀ fourteen prizes. Seven print books, and seven e-books, of any of their current titles. Anything available, just no ARCs. I’m…. blown away by their generosity. All these people (and one publisher) are the best. EVER! <3

So you know… keep an eye out for that. I hope to have it scheduled for noon, next Thursday. Or noonish. You know me. >.>

NOW though – something else. Author Jeaniene Frost is going to be guesting here soon, and her assistant tells me Jeaniene is very busy, so she plans on answering questions. You know I only do the author interviews for my Guest Author & A Giveaway features… so I’m putting it to you! Do any of you read Jeaniene Frost, and/or have any questions for her?

Here’s your chance to get them answered! (And to help me out. See how everyone wins here?)

Um… otherwise, that’s about it! How has your day been going? [I’m trying to refresh myself on stuff I don’t particularly want to… with the Michael Fassbender version of Jane Eyre keeping me company. :D]

p.s. – If all the future giveaways aren’t enough… Carolyn Jewel has sharedĀ an entire chapter of her wonderful upcoming bookĀ Not Proper Enough and is giving away three copies. Really. You need to read that post. And the book. The post will tide you over for now though.

Happy June! It’s My Birthday Month!!!

So it hasn’t happened yet, but you’ll notice some “unusual” things. First of all, on Thursdays? There will be a Teaser Tuesday post. In fact, on every Thursday this month! There will be a special Guest Author & A Giveaway post each Tuesday as well. And to round it out, a reader post every Saturday.

Fun, right? It’s all to super-load the blog for my birthday. šŸ˜€

Something else might happen, but I don’t know. Some times I like things to be off the cuff … which is also good and balances my crazy blog schedule, you know? (Incidentally the GA&AG is scheduled through June 2014 now…)

Speaking of it being my birthday… the focus should be on ME right? *angelface* Aside from hitting up the liquor store, more should happen.

One way to do that? Join Swagbucks! (Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/limecello) If you follow me on twitter, every so often you’ll see a message like this one:

That’s actually me. And it’s legit. This is a screen cap of my gift cards page. There are actually too many for you to see them all. I’ve literally gotten hundreds of dollars in gift cards. (Rough count was right about $800.) That’s how I can manage to do prizes periodically. If you haven’t joined yet, send me a message – I have a code for you to enter at registration for an extra 70 swagbucks! I’m also asking Ā – if you haven’t signed up yet, just as a favor to me please? Because the blogger with the most referrals at the end of the month wins a prize!

Next…Ā  Julep is having a giveaway. You can enter here. See? ;P It’s not ALL about me. Julep is nail polish. They’re also giving away an ipad so… you know. One of those must be appealing to you, right?

As usual, am open to comments, suggestions, random discussion, and/or ranting. Have at it!!

Most Anticipated Books of 2012

Hi friends! I … well, I had played with posting this in early January, but then life was OMGWTF. And then I wanted to post it at the end of January. Because that’s what somehow made sense to me. So here we are. Anyway, I’m going with the post date and sticking to it!

This is a “tradition” I started way back in 2009. When everyone else was posting their “best books of the previous year” lists… I wanted to do something different. So I did. Now, we see more such lists as this one. I’m going to take credit. Because I can. And I’m feeling grouchy. [No seriously though – when I googled it in 2009 and wrote my first one I found not a thing. So you’re welcome, okay?!]

It’s also a bit flawed because some books, there simply is noĀ information out there, other than the title and author, and I’m not willing to make it a top 10 want/recommended book based only on that. Um, this system works, you know, cuz it’s a bit quirky, a bit flawed, and yet exciting. Like me! >.> … yeah.

šŸ˜€

This year… I’m also making a tentative pledge to not only read but also reviewĀ all ten books on this list. You’ll notice then there are no extras. Because… I want to set a goal I can actually accomplish. And now you guys can keep me accountable. (I’m already starting to think I might’ve made a mistake…)

Listed in nothing but chronological order… the books!

1. My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander

Evelyn Hadley-Attwater has it allā€”a genteel Victoria life replete with loving husband, ball gowns and elegant parties. No one, including the man she married, suspects that she was once ā€œEveā€, a spy for Englandā€™s most enigmatic intelligence agency. Summoned for one final assignment, the excitement of her former life and memories of her mysterious, flirtatious boss ā€œSirā€ prove too tempting . . .

Adrian Hadley Attwater is a respectable, dignified gentleman. But even the most proper gentlemen have secrets of their own. Secrets from the rest of the world, from their families, from their wives. Secrets that have a price. Now, as the veil of secrecy frays, a tantalizing game of cat and mouse will test the bounds of unfailing love . . .

What really won me over was the book excerpt. I also bought the book. Especially because the kindle cost wasn’t the same as the print!

Ā 2.Ā Secrets of an Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore

With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confessā€¦

It was a reckless wager, and one Max couldnā€™t resist: seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined heā€™d fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that a dangerously unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a Madman at his own twisted game-or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.

I mean… a duchess! And then how Olivia “surprises” them all and… yeah. Much want. I mean, read the excerpt. I dare you to finish it and not have some sort of “!!!” reaction. Mine was “Oh. My. God!” and a giggle. <3

Ā 3. Taking a ShotĀ by Jaci Burton

If you want to score, you have to get in the game…

The last thingĀ Jenna RileyĀ needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey studĀ Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jockā€”even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it allā€”including Ty…

You can also read an excerpt here. Which is what won me over overĀ the football book. You have to love a hero who just is a good guy, right? Especially when he’s a sports star. I don’t know why we give famous people so much more leeway (we can discuss that later) – but it’s still refreshing, especially in romances – to see them as “the good guy.”

Ā 4.Ā Taming an Impossible Rogue by Suzanne Enoch

One year ago, Lady Camille Pryce left her haughty fiancĆ© at the altarā€”for good reason. Not only was the marriage arranged before she could even walk, her betrothed was too smug to exert himself to meet her! Now, disowned, with no husband or family to support her, sheā€™s left with one option: go to work in the notorious Tantalus Clubā€¦

A gentlemanā€™s gaming house run by a woman, the Tantalus is no place for a proper lady; so, to save face, her jilted fiancĆ© must retrieve her. But banned from the club, heā€™s forced to employ his neā€™er-do-well cousin instead. A handsome, experienced rogue, Keating Blackwood is the perfect man to lure Camille away. But the moment they meet, Keating instead wants to save herā€¦for himself. Impossible? Perhaps. But if Camille can make the ultimate player lay his cards on the tableā€”and risk his heartā€”all bets are offā€¦

It’s just… we all have read the “bad boy” hero, yes? And even sometimes the “bad girl” heroine – but here, she appears to be something of a bad girl, yet… not. I like that interesting premise. And you know, it’s always nice to see a rake brought to his knees through love. I also enjoyed how the guys talked to each other based on what I read.

Ā 5. No Longer a GentlemanĀ by Mary Jo Putney

Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, never met a predicament he couldnā€™t charm his way out of. Then a tryst with a government officialā€™s wife during a bit of casual espionage in France condemns him a decade in a dungeon, leaving him a shadow of his former self. Yet his greatest challenge may be the enigmatic spy sent to free his bodyā€”the only woman who might heal his soul.

Half English and half French, Cassie Fox lost everything in the chaos of revolution, leaving only a determination to help destroy Napoleonā€™s empire through her perilous calling. Rescuing Grey is merely one more mission.Ā  She hadnā€™t counted on a man with the stark beauty of a ravaged angel, whose desperate courage and vulnerability touch her frozen heart as no one ever has.Ā  With Grey, she can become the passionate woman she has long denied.Ā  But a spy and a lord are divided by an impassable gulf even if they manage to survive one last, terrifying missionā€¦.

I found this excerpt here, and it’s nice to see even damaged, the hero is still kind. Even in the beginning. Not to mention the fascinating premise! For me it was a pdf that opened in my browser, just an fyi.

Ā 6. Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he’s about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he’s ever wanted-a family.

The blurb, the start of the excerpt, I mean this isn’t even normally my thing. But come on here. And even the cover! I guess it appeals to my teenage self, because you knowĀ it’ll be Angsty McAngst-town. And sometimes? You just want a little of that. In fiction.

Ā 7. Thief of ShadowsĀ by Elizabeth Hoyt

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day heā€™s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Gilesā€”protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when sheā€™s asked to tutor the Homeā€™s dour manager in the ways of societyā€”flirtation, double entendres, and scandalous liaisonsā€”Isabel canā€™t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiarā€”and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everythingā€”the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

I mean even the blurb just makes you [or at least me!] think “scandalous!” in a good way, of course. And I like how things just jump right in at the beginning. Always nice to find a half dead man on your doorstep… right?!

8. Ravishing the HeiressĀ by Sherry Thomas

Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl

Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriageā€”and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.

It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing moreā€¦ Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabelle, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wifeā€¦

As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendshipā€”or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?

This one was hard. Like. Really. I was so torn between this and Beguiling the BeautyĀ but… the premise of this one intrigued me more. Just watch me love the non-listed one more. It happened last year…Ā But the whole “love at first sight” line at the beginning gets me. When they’re kids it’s just so aaaaawwwweeeee. In books.

Ā 9. TartĀ by Lauren Dane

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family on the farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isnā€™t long before the former childhood friends play catch up in bed.

Thatā€™s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, heā€™s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trioā€™s scalding liaisons take them places theyā€™ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if sheā€™ll have a choice to make when she returns

Every so often, you just want a spicier book. I’ve enjoyed Lauren Dane’s contemporary novels, and she writes mĆ©nagesĀ so very well. Also, hello! Bakery. Also, Cal! Love it! Want! There’s no excerpt yet… but I’m [pretty sure] Ms. Dane has been tweeting random lines from it. And… yeah. That’s enough for me. Also, I’m not going to link where the excerpt willĀ go because it’s this weird pop-up-ey type and it like kills the website. Yeah I don’t know.

Ā 10. Exposed to YouĀ by Bethany Kane

HOLD UP. I know, you’re all thinking “Lime! That cover isn’t Exposed to YouĀ … that’sĀ Addicted to You! Your citrus brain has… fermented!” Well, no, it hasn’t actually. That’s a place holder, because Exposed to YouĀ isn’t even up on Amazon yet. There’s no cover of course. (For the previous two I had to snatch and grab from author websites, so … thank you, Picasa!)

Itā€™s not often youā€™re hired to paint a body tattooā€”and what a bodyā€”on a total stranger at a Hollywood film set. A reserved and careful art teacher, Joy would never forget it. In a rare fit of raw desire she gave herself completely, knowing sheā€™d never see him again, or ever repeat such a shameless, naked impulse.

Little did she know, the man with whom she shared that lightning bolt of lust was star Everett Hughes. For Everett, women and sex came as easily as fame. But how could he hope to convince the guarded Joy that beneath the hard body and sexy faƧade of celebrity was a real man who wanted only one, real woman?

In the heat of an intoxicating affair, Everett endeavors to break down her barriers, gain her trust, and expose himself as the real deal. But can Joy do the same, and reveal to him the vulnerable woman who longs to be loved, wanted, and desired forever?

I loved Addicted to You. And guess what? It’s only six dollars right now. I also loved Everett. And/so, if his book is anythingĀ like Rill and Katie’s? Yeah. I know it’ll be on my “favorites of the year” list.

There was a short list of about 16 books… with Sophia Nash, Manda Collins, Vicky Dreiling, Samantha Grace, Sarah MacLean, Jill Shalvis, Lisa Klyepas, Eloisa James and you know, others. Some didn’t make the list because they didn’t have book information up, so I couldn’t in good conscience put up a book I didn’t know enough about. Those authors I didn’t mention. Because, well, I’m not trying to call anyone out here.

There was a longer list of books to consider – about 30 or 40 of them. And… the way I did this? I did an advanced search at amazon looking at each month’s romance listings for 2012. I scrolled through about 5,000 titles. Yeah – that’s dedication. I also found some eye-bleachingly traumatic titles and covers, that in no wayĀ belonged in romance. I suffered for you.

So – what’s not here that is on yourĀ list? Generally I do an “honorable mentions” and all, but gotta keep it strictly to ten so I can reach my goal. šŸ™‚

Last Call and a Winner!

ā€œI hope you find something that just changes the entire notion of what it means to be human.ā€

-That’s actually a quote from Bones (the tv show) – Angela says it to Temperance before she goes to Indonesia. But I think it’s kinda great, and really fitting. Remember when I talked about the need at Pine Ridge Reservation? Also since it was National Make a Difference Day not so long ago.

So a quick update – a number of you said that you’d donate, or have been donating, which is incredibly heartwarming and amazing and generous. Thank you!!!

As for my little post… I know for sure we raised at least $675 for the organizations that help. (Some people didn’t leave or let me know numbers, which is of course, totally fine.) I’ve also got more Box Tops to send in – thing I’ll do that at the end of the year to mail a large pack of them.

Clothes, books, baby items – diapers, etc, are all needed and you can check the various pages listed for things needed.

This mini-drive ends on Thursday. So, hopefully we can get a little bit more by November 3rd. šŸ™‚

And now… remember when Paula Roe shared an excerpt with us? :X Sorry I’m a bit tardy with this. The winner is Diane Sallans! Please email Paula ([email protected]) to claim your prize! Enjoy!

And of course, just a little update, Vivian Arend is guesting today, on Thursday we’ve got Sarah Mayberry *squee* and on Saturday, debut author Joanna Chambers!

Destiny! The Carly Phillips Winners!

Courtesy of judicious selection, and then a plug into randomizer.org… the winners are Jennifer Wilson and Tricia! What on earth am I talking about? Well remember when Carly Phillips shared an exclusive excerpt of Serendipity? And then later contacted me that she had received ARCs of Destiny and would like to have a giveaway? Well the response was so great Ms. Phillips offered two signed ARCs! Whee! Thanks so much for your generosity, Ms. Carly! *ETA: Winners, please email me your addresses by Thursday to claim your prize!

Now if you didn’t win today, as usual there are any number of upcoming giveaways, but there’s one that started this very day – my special reader guest of the month, Eli, is generously offering a $10 gift card to book depository, so if you win and wanted to, you could pre-order Destiny!

Lastly, a question to all of you faithful who read my blog. Or at least allow me to believe you do ;). I know there’s the calendar here, but it only has the most basic/earliest blog features. Which would be the monthly “Guest Author & A Giveaway” as well as my “Reader Guest Posts.” Would you be interested in me posting a monthly thing of other random guests or giveaways I might be hosting on my blog? Generally I schedule pretty far in advance, but if something happens last minute I’d just edit the post to reflect changes. Say whatever Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday is closest to the first of the month?

Yea? Nay?

And how is everyone doing this fine weekend? My Buckeyes were able to pull it together and not be such Sadeyes, getting the win over Illinois. Thankfully. So today wasn’t that bad. I also made cake balls. Which were under appreciated. >:( So that made me grumpy. As usual, a mix in “Lime world.”

Yay Larissa!

She’s so generous! šŸ˜€ Although … >.> maybe I shouldn’t say that. You know, the whole moratorium on saying nice things to and about Larissa… šŸ˜› Anyway, what am I babbling about? Well, because there were so many comments, she said we should have two winners! And they are…

June M and Helena(@xSuprux)! Please email me your info so we can get your prizes out to you! (There’s that nice little contact form at the top…)

Remember, there are still giveaways going on from Ashley March, and Carly Phillips! And… *shameface* I know, I’m behind on posting the prizes for my Social Media for Social Good charity post. Believe me – next year I’m doing things differently.

Upcoming + A Number of Winners

So for my #songstalker game… I of course went to randomizer.org, and the author guest spot goes to Jeannie Lin. And for the book winners? Well, anyone who commented on the blog by noon (EDT) today – which is when I wrote this post- if you want one of the “new” LoveSwept books (they’re in electronic format), email me with the address you used to leave a comment at * to claim your prize. You get a code to redeem at RomanceAtRandom.

For the Unlocked by Courtney Milan giveaway… the luck winner is MichelleKCanada! You are to email me at * as well to get your kindle copy. šŸ™‚

All winners need to email me by midnight (EDT), Saturday, July 23, otherwise you forfeit your prize. A quick update on my “Team Lime” SEP group… we didn’t win. We were absolutely blown out of the water, sadly. Alas.

And most importantly, have you seen my post about the famine in Africa? I’ll be starting everything officially on Thursday, but if you’d like to be part of it, please let me know, thank you! (I’ve already got three people, Dana, Christine, and Melissa. I’m really hoping we can make it more!)

Dee Carney’s Winners!

Remember that great excerpt Dee shared with us? Well she announced the winners in her comment… but I know you guys have said you like new posts announcing stuff, so here goes!

Dana, Marika and Darcy

You are to email DeeĀ  (dee AT deecarney DOT com) with your email address and format preference.

And of course you see that Chloe Cole is visiting today! Whee!

And… I’ll be in NYC from the end of June to early July, as I said. I’ve been a number of times, but am always open and happy to hear new suggestions. Got a place or thing I should check out?

“News” + Winners

First, what you all care about… (I know!) is the winner of Bethany Kane’s giveaway! By the way? I’m insanely jealous. I wanted to rig it so I could win. One of these days… I need someone to take over this blog so I can win something sometime… šŸ˜‰ Ah well, it’s all about sharing the book love, right?

So hoping I dragged that out sufficiently… the winner is… Susan R! Susan, you have until Saturday to send me your info, otherwise a new winner will be drawn. And I’ll do it because I want someone to have this book!

Is it really sad if I’ve forgotten my news? šŸ˜› So, I finally wrote another Heroes & Heartbreakers post… and I’d really like it if you’d read it please. In it I share some of my most favorite quotes/books ever. Especially the first. Seriously. It’ll enrich your life. And I can talk up the post, because most of it is quotes, and not “me.” I’ll even do full text of the link! http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2011/06/i-never-asked-you-to-give-me-your-heart-the-quotes-that-slay-me#

Oh and “Smart Bitch” Sarah of SBTB, and Jane from DA have chosen another book in their “Save the Contemporary” campaign… and… it’s Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey! Sound familiar? Yeah because she just guested here. TODAY!

Otherwise… I’m going to be gone from June 26/27 until July 6/7. I’ll have posts scheduled *crosses fingers* but just, expect me to be pretty quiet. That’s all, for now!