Hot Reads

Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2015

F*R*E*E VIP Reader Goodies and a $25 Gift Card Giveaway




Happy Friday!
The year is winding down and everyone is busy shopping or preparing for the year ahead. I've been giving my VIP Readers a free sneak peek of Playing by the Rules, the Valentine's Day novella I'll be releasing...you guessed it...on Valentine's Day Weekend.
Playing by the Rules is the prequel novel to the Playing with Bad Boys series I'm launching in 2016. Each Friday through February I’m sharing a new installment with my VIP Readers, before the Valentine’s Day weekend release. Plus, I'm giving away a $25 Gift Card to your choice of Amazon, iTunes or Barnes & Noble as a thank you to one lucky VIP Reader for sharing meaningful feedback on the story. (Enter up to 12 times between now and February.)
To enter simply join my VIP Reader List. Each Friday that week's installment will be delivered to your inbox. You can catch up on past installments in my VIP Readers Lounge. (You'll get access when you join the list.)
About the Book
When Meredith “Merrie” Jane gets roped into attending her cousin Daphne’s naughty Valentine’s Day party for the decidedly unattached, she is shocked to find her ex’s elder brother Hunter in attendance. Stir in a few Valentine’s Day-themed cocktails and a very pushy relative, and they both discover that there is more than just friendship between them.
Hope to see you in the Lounge. Happy Reading!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A Funny Things Happened on the Way to My New Series

Detour courtesy of spiicy tuna
Several months ago I was here, excitedly chatting about a new series I'd planned. A series which several of you dear readers were kind enough to help me brainstorm a name for. Only a funny thing happened on the way to writing that series, I got side tracked by three other series.

Sounds crazy, I know.


After all, I'd already plotted six novels and two novellas for that small town series. And I was in the midst of writing one book. Two others had already been started.

But then I hit a wall. I was stuck in the Book 1 story. The wall I hit felt monumental. Like the Great Wall of China. So I took a step back to clear my head and cycle through the story to figure out where I'd gone wrong. That led me to work on another book I'd shifted to that small-town series, but was originally planned as part of my Bad Boys Gone Good series.

Somethings about that book (more than 70% completed) and those characters didn't want to wait their turn. Nor did they want to play nice and be part of the small town series.

Point taken.
Stacked Up and Defying Time courtesy of Susana Fernandez.

So instead this book will be the launch of a different series. I won't reveal the name of the series or the book, just yet. But if you'd like to be among the first to learn the new series details (and have opportunities to win goodies like gift cards, free books and much, much more, be sure to sign up for my periodic newsletter here. I'm planning fun giveaways each month until the launch of the series in September.

Now, it's back to the grind. I'm finishing up revisions of the book so it can go to my beta readers within the next week.

If you're interested in joining a group of select beta readers, complete the beta reader application here.

Happy Reading!








Detour courtesy of spiicy tuna. Stacked Up and Defying Time courtesy of Susana Fernandez.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Hot MAMA Hot Reads: With Special Guest, Sheryl Lister

Kianna, here, with the first in our 2015 Hot MAMA Hot Reads series, where each month, we'll feature a special guest author we love! We know that our readers are voracious, some of you have told me you can finish a good book in a single day. So in order to keep up with your amazing appetite for books, we'll be introducing you to some authors you may enjoy. After all, the nine of us can only write so fast :)

This week, our special guest is Kimani Romance author, Sheryl Lister. Here's her bio, via her website:

Sheryl Lister has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. After putting writing on the back burner for several years, she became serious about her craft in 2009. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. When she’s not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-sized desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife, mother of three and pediatric occupational therapist. She is a member of RWA, CIMRWA and is represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

 

Thanks for coming on, Sheryl, and welcome to Hot MAMA Land.

First, I'd like to say thank you for allowing me to hang out on the Hot M.A.M.A. blog.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember, but never thought I could make it a career. As a teen, I would often sit outside on the porch and write short stories. However, it wasn't until five years ago and I completed a full length novel that I knew for sure that it was something I wanted to do.
 
Name your top 6 favorite authors.

This is a tough one because I have so many. Beverly Jenkins, Francis Ray, Maureen Smith, Patricia Cornwell, Brenda Jackson, Leslie Esdaile. 

Describe your writing routine. Where do you write? What time of day? What are your writing tools/equipment of choice?

Because of my back, most of my writing is done on my bed using my laptop. I write in the morning and early afternoon before my daughter gets home and for two to three hours at night. Before I get started, I make sure to have my post it notepads, colored pens, R&B playlist, two bottles of water and raw almonds or plantain chips to snack on.

Tell us about your latest release, and where we can purchase it.



My latest release is All Of Me.

Declaring a “dating hiatus” was an easy decision for teacher Karen Morris. She intends to unwind and enjoy a luxurious Caribbean cruise without the presence of her cheating ex-boyfriend. But surprisingly all it takes is the deliciously sculpted form of chivalrous businessman Damian Bradshaw to turn Karen’s head and change her mind....

Damian’s friends are determined to save him from his widowerhood—and self-imposed celibacy. But no one is more shocked than Damian when Karen catches his attention and awakens his desire. Something about her ignites an insatiable need that neither of them can deny. The chemistry is inexplicable. But once back on dry land, real life awaits—along with their pasts. Will the promise of a bright future be enough to rehabilitate their reluctant hearts? 

It's available at AmazonBarnes & Noble and the Harlequin website.

Where can readers find you online?

I love to hear from readers. Feel free to contact me any time.


Twitter: @1slynne

Sheryl is graciously offering a $5 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter! For your chance to win, answer this question in the comments: Sheryl  mentioned that her favorite writing snacks are raw almonds and plantain chips. What are your favorite snacks when you're reading or writing?

Be sure to follow the blog, and check back often to see what we're up to. There's always something on the burner in Hot MAMA Land :)

-Kianna

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

My 9 Favorite Books of All Time

Hey, y'all, 

First off, let me wish all the veterans out there a very Happy Veteran's Day. I'm married to a veteran, and am also the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of several fine veterans, so I know firsthand the tradition of honor, valor, and service you all represent. My hat's off to you all!

Can you believe it's already halfway through November? 2014 seems to have flown by. I've done more traveling, more writing, more marketing, more studying the craft than I've ever done before- maybe that's why the year seemed to go by in a blur. Here are just a few of the places I've been this year( I've added pictures, in the case I could find any):


Richmond, VA for the premiere of Iris Bolling's The Heart TV Series



New Orleans, LA for Romance Slam Jam 


Winston-Salem, NC for the Women and Girl's Project Spring Fling

Lillington, NC @ Harnett County Library


Lake Beuna Vista, FLA for AC Authur's Season of Shifters event @ Walt Disney World


Greensboro, NC for the Book Clubs United event

And I still have at least two more events before the year is out. It's been an exciting year, and I've truly enjoyed meeting so many of my readers face to face. I'm really looking forward to meeting even more of you, and seeing some of you again, in 2015!


Now to the good stuff: my top 9 favorite books of all time. This list was hard to make, since I love reading so much, but here goes nothing. Because I love you and want you to be happy, I'm linking to these books on Amazon so you can check them out, if you so choose. (You'll have to page through the widget to see them all.) Keep in mind that I'm multifaceted: a mother and wife, a writer and a history nerd, and my list reflects the truth of who I am :)






That's all for now. It will be a minute before my turn to post comes around again, so let me go ahead and wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Be sure to come back this Friday, November 14 when Loretta will kick of our Hot MAMA Land Hot Holiday Giveaway Days celebration- you don't want to miss it!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Joneses Blog Tour:Featuring Shelia Goss, Plus a GIVEAWAY!




Hey, Y'all!

Not used to getting a new post on a Wednesday? I know. But today the MAMA's are happy to host multi-published author Shelia Goss, and her newest release- The Joneses.




Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.

On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control. 





EXCERPT

Avoiding Lexi hadn't been easy, and it seemed that it was all for naught. I heard her coming long before she made it to my office. I looked up toward the door awaiting her entrance.

Lexi stormed in my office enraged. "Royce, you can run, but you can't hide. You caused this problem and you're going to fix it. Now tell me how you plan on doing it, so I can deal with other things."

Lexi plopped down in front of my desk.

"Hello to you, too, my beautiful wife."

"Save the pleasantries for your customers." Lexi held her hand in the air and then looked around. "Snap! There are no customers."

"Calm down. If there were some, you would run them off with that mouth of yours."


"Calm? How can I be calm when according to you, we're going broke?"




Order your copy of THE JONESES from:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Shelia M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on several best sellers lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Book Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers so feel free to contact her via her website: www.sheliagoss.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheliagoss or Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.



THE JONESES GIVEAWAY

Lexi Jones, one of the main characters, from THE JONESES loves her handbags so it’s just befitting that the grand prize be a handbag.  Contest ends on February 25, 2014.

GRAND PRIZE:
One (1) random entrant will receive a small Coach handbag {Retail value: $188.00, 10 3/4″(L) x 7″(H) x 3 1/4″(W)} and Bath & Body Works miniatures (Retail value: $19.75)

RUNNER UP:
One (1) random entrant will receive an autographed copy of Montana’s Way.

10 ENTRANTS:
Ten (10) random entrants will receive the electronic version of the book Hollywood Deception.

Open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Void where prohibited by law.