***Review and Interview*** Change of Hart by M.E. Carter

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1xg0iEp

BLURB

My name is Jason Hart.

As the best defensive lineman in the country, I eat, sleep and breathe football. And I like it that way. I’ve only got a few more years before I’ll have to retire, so expending energy on anything other than football seems like a waste of time.

That is, until I have a random meeting with a little boy who just lost his father. We have more in common than you might think and it creates an unlikely bond. As our friendship grows, so do my feelings for his mother.

I know Addison, as a recent widow, isn’t ready to date again. But I want to get to know her better, in spite of all her rejections.

Is it possible that I, a self-proclaimed bachelor, could be having a Change of Hart?

Sandy B's Review

M.E. Carter is a newbie author which is my favorite kind.  It’s a kick to “read” as they grow and mature in their writing. 

Jason Hart is a nice guy.  A nice guy that lives and breathes football. 

“I have a very small window of time to be a professional football player.  Especially since my job was to tackle people. Regularly.” “That left me with about six more years playing the game I loved.”

So when this adorable little boy named Jaxon and his curvy, gorgeous mom (Addison) with a mega watt smile comes into Jason’s life – he’s knocked for a loop.  The attraction is there, unfortunately, Addison is a recent widow, so the timing couldn’t be worse. 

“That perfect woman I had not been looking for had indeed fallen right into my lap.”

Suddenly, the solitary life doesn’t seem so appealing to Jason.  The attraction is there and these two are torn for various reason about how to move forward.  Addison doesn’t want to get hurt and more importantly she doesn’t want her son broken hearted.  Jason cares for Jaxon deeply and by this point, Addison invades his thoughts all the time.  Ultimately, they decide to tread lightly and attempt to have a relationship.  The media is voracious about wanting to find out everything they can about Addison. Truth is she’s not exactly the grieving widow.  Is she willing to put everything on the line?  Can she trust Jason with her heart?  Jason is sure about what he feels for Addison but can he convince her?   

If you’re looking for a heavy erotica where every other word starts with F – then this is not the book for you.  Change of Hart is more along the lines of Nicholas Sparks and I love Nicholas Sparks.  Or the perfect beach read.  It is sexy, it is sweet and it is angsty.  Jason and Addison’s story made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, in the best way possible.  It is perfect?  No, but perfection is subjective, right? Different strokes…..  In my humble opinion, it was a very pleasant way for me to sit back, put up my feet and spend the afternoon.

INTERVIEW WITH M.E. CARTER

What made you decide to write a book?  Was it always something you wanted to do?

I actually never wanted to write a book before.  It wasn't necessarily out of the question.  It's just never been a dream of mine.  My brain runs on hyper drive all the time, so I guess I just assumed I wouldn't have the patience to sit down and write an entire book.  And I was kind of right.  It was the hardest thing I've ever done!  I wouldn't even be finished typing out one chapter and my brain would already be thinking about the next one.  It was quite the challenge to stay focused in the moment and trust myself to remember where the story was going.

Are you surprised by the success of your debut effort?

That is the understatement of my lifetime.  When I sat down and started typing, my goal was to write at a 3-star book that made people happy and I could give my mom for Christmas.  Maybe, just maybe, I'd get lucky and be able to reimburse myself for my expenses.  I never, ever expected it to get all the way to #83 on Amazon!!  Especially as a complete unknown!  But I can't take all the credit.  Sure, the book is making people smile, but I had a FABULOUS team working with me and making sure it was as good as it could be.  Their support and ideas and banter is what got us to this point.  I am so, so blessed and I never want to forget that.

Have you read a bad review yet?  What did you think?

I have to be in a certain mindset when I get criticism because I tend to be on the sensitive side if I'm blindsided.  A couple days after CoH released, I was in the correct mindset and decided to finally venture onto a certain site that shall remain nameless.  There were a couple negative reviews which bothered me when I first saw them.  Until I read what they had to say.  They were actually really interesting and gave me some ideas on how to do things better next time.  One of them in particular, though, was questioning the validity of the football in the book and saying how unrealistic it was.  I wanted so bad to reply because every single thing that happens on the football field in CoH happened while I was watching football this year on TV.  I don't know football well enough to make up stats and plays on my own.  Of course I had to use real games as "inspiration"!

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

Not necessarily.  Addison and Lindsay were both names we were toying with when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter.  But other than that, most of the last names are random names that popped up on my Facebook feed while I was writing.  So if you're friends with me on Facebook and your name is in my book, chances are you were online at the right time!

Your inspiration for Change of Hart?

I'm not sure inspiration is the right word.  It was more like a couple of seeds that were planted in my brain that spiraled into a story in my head.  This isn't actually unusual for me.  Stories spin in my head all the time.  Anyway, a local pro football player visited an elementary school a couple years ago and the media found out about it before he showed up.  Being that it was supposed to be a surprise appearance, he was pretty ticked.  It was all over the news.  Around the same time, I was working with our local PTA to try and get some professional soccer players to come visit our elementary school for a pep rally.  That got me thinking about how our kids would react and what would happen if that kid didn't have a dad, etc, etc.  So at first the storywas a soccer story.  But THEN a friend of mine went to a football game where she had 50 yard line tickets on the field.  She took a video of the above mentioned local football player as he stood just 10 feet away from her during warm ups.  I saw it when she posted it on Facebook and for whatever reason, it was one of the sexiest things I had ever seen in my life.  At that point, the story that was already spinning turned into a story about a football player and took on a life of its own!

What’s next?

I have a couple of different stories in progress.  But I think we're going back to the Hart family again.  I'm excited to see how their story continues, but I'm a little nervous, too.  Things are going to be rough for a while and I know it's going to make some readers mad!  (Don't worry.  It's not a cheating story.  That would just crush me.)

Lastly, can you give me a one line philosophy that resonates with you? 

I'm not sure I have any particular philosophy or quote that helps me out.  However, I was raised in an extremely devote Christian family and one verse I learned at church camp stuck with me.  It's Phillipians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Whenever I'm going through a hard time, that verse runs through my head.  It gives me that extra boost to get through whatever is going on and reminds me that I can get the finish line...wherever that finish line may be for me.

***Blog Tour Stop with Interview and Giveaway*** Wrapped in Shadows by Lisa Eugene

Praise for Lisa Eugene

“Suspense filled, evocative and heart pounding.” - Book Addict Mumma

“Lisa Eugene is one of my top 10 authors. She writes some wicked good mystery-suspense-erotica that I LOVE! Gah it's so good!”  - Taryn Lee’s Book Blog

"From the moment I picked it up until the very last word was read, Wrapped In Shadows held me captive- I just couldn't put it down!" - Kris Walker, Goodreads

WRAPPED IN SHADOWS

One night of shadows. One night of bliss. One night of when it all falls apart.

Katherine Regina Vandercamp has everything. Wealth. Beauty. Social standing. She’s the heiress to the Vandercamp fortune and engaged to the man of her dreams. One night it all shatters…

Finding her fiancé with another woman, she is distraught and makes a reckless decision to go with a friend to a sex club. Needing total anonymity, she has sex with a stranger in a room of total darkness, a sensuous cocoon of silky shadows. She has no idea who this man is or what he looks like. But it is in the shadows she finds solace. In the shadows she finds bliss.

She can’t forget this stranger’s touch, his taste, his scent. He infiltrates her dreams and holds her thoughts and body captive. But has she made a false assumption about her fiancé? Was he truly unfaithful? She regrets her hasty actions and is tormented by guilt. She is determined to marry the man she loves and forget her stranger.

Sinister events unfolded at the sex club. There was a gruesome murder and her stranger has been charged with the crime. Katie knows he’s innocent because she was with him at the time of the murder. She is more shocked to find that he’s not a stranger after all. What will she do? Will she reveal her horrible secret? Will she besmirch the Vandercamp name? Will she risk losing the man who has her heart to save the man who’s touched her soul?

Her life is in turmoil. All because of that one night.

A night that was wrapped in shadows...

Excerpt

You can still change your mind.

Ms. Carmen stood patiently, seeming to await instruction, and I had no idea how to request what I wanted. It was most likely because I had no clue what it was I wanted, and as time passed, doubt started to pierce my resolve.

What if someone recognized me? What if word did get out?

What about the reputation of the Vandercamp Foundation? What was I doing here?

Some of the emotions that had pressed in on me earlier surfaced. My imagined future with Josh was gone. My hopes and dreams had withered to dust back at his apartment. My heart was breaking to pieces because the man I was to spend the rest of my life with had betrayed me. Would this really help me feel better? Michelle must have sensed my detour in mood because her

expression sobered and she whispered something in Ms. Carmen’s ear. The older lady nodded and indicated for us to follow her from the room. I fell into step behind her, but I grabbed Michelle’s wrist, and pulled her to me.

“What did you say to her?” I whispered. “Where are we going? What’s your ploy now—some weird bat cave?”

Michelle smirked and laced our fingers together. “Trust me.”

Butterfly wings fluttered in my belly, but as much as Michelle enjoyed teasing me, I knew I could trust my friend. “I’m nervous,” I confessed on the next breath.

“You can still change your mind.”

I shook my head firmly, netting the butterflies. “I need total anonymity,” I rushed out. “I don’t want to know who he is. I just want to…do it.”

Michelle squeezed my hand reassuringly and spoke a few more words to Ms. Carmen, who nodded and showed us to a small waiting parlor. She closed the door behind her as she left.

“Try not to be so nervous. Just enjoy yourself, Ivanna.” Michelle dissolved into laughter when we were alone.

I rolled my eyes. “Eddie is officially on my shit-list. Just letting you know.”

“He’s just having a little fun!” Michelle dismissed my comment with a wave of her hand. “You will have a great time. I promise. The men here are trained to please women. I hear to get the job they have to measure up to standard.” She grinned widely. “Get it? Measure up?”

I scoffed at her pun, but couldn’t help chuckling. Michelle could always make me laugh no matter how nerve-wracking the circumstance. The wait for Ms. Carmen’s return seemed endless.

Finally she entered the room and requested that we follow her. She brought us to a stop outside a nondescript door and I had to take a deep breath.

“Wait in here. All will be arranged,” she said, pushing open the door for me to enter. I suppressed the urge to turn my neck and look behind me. Was she talking to me? I heard the theme song to the Twighlight Zone as I stepped across the threshold.

I turned back to Michelle and she shot me a reassuring wink and a tiny wave goodbye. 

Sandy B's Review

Wrapped in Delicious Mystery & Hawtness!

Lisa Eugene's best one yet. She brings the sexy and the funny, woven through with a tantalizing murder mystery. WIS starts out with a bang. Thanks to a very hefty trust fund, our well to do heroine (Katie) is trying to storm out of her fiancé's (Josh) apartment after catching him sitting on the couch with his ex-girlfriend (Carol). Why is that a big deal? Well, Carol is sitting there wearing nothing but Josh's t-shirt and a smirk that speaks volumes.

Katie goes running into the arms of her BFF (Michelle). Michelle and her boyfriend are on their way to a sex club. Katie invites herself along and therein, is where things begin to unravel in Katie's life. She has amazing sex with a stranger in a dark room. Except that he turns out not to be a stranger. There is a murder and its anybody's guess as to whodunit and why. Can Katie resist the pull of her mystery lover? Or will she give in to pressure from her parents to marry their golden boy Josh? Is Josh the innocent victim of a manipulating ex? Can Michelle stay neutral when she would love her BFF to LIVE a little on the wild side inside of being white bread/vanilla the rest of her life.

(Mysterious Stranger) - "The pleasure was unbelievable, the heat of his mouth and the glide of his tongue. I slipped into a passionate euphoria that quickly enveloped by body. You taste so f*cking good, the voice whispered passionately. I want to eat you up."

(Katie) - Oh, sh*t...breathe...breathe...you know...that thing you do with your lungs so you don't die! In...out...in...out"

There is also an element of humor here. Don't think it's all dark gloom and doom. Towards the end Lisa Eugene does a good job of pacing the revelations so the betrayals starts coming fast and furious. It all leads to a satisfying ending. It's that time of year so I could say this is a great beach read. Summer or not, honestly, it was just a great way to while away the afternoon. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Sandy's Interview with Lisa Eugene!!

1.      Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child. I’ve always created stories in my head, now I can release them into my computer. I was the strange person walking around talking to myself. I had tons of imaginary friends—still do :)

2.       Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

The names are not important, but they have to fit the character’s personality I have in my head.

3.    Your upcoming release is called Wrapped in Shadows. Tell us about it? 

   I love this book! It was a very different project for me. It was my first non-medical romance. I also love the strength of my heroine, Katie. She’s from a wealthy family and seems to have it all, but what she lacks is love and affection. She’s destitute in the things that matter. She makes one reckless decision that changes her entire life. Fortunately, this decision leads her on a path to true love. I love my hero, Luke. He is the type of man I’d want for myself (lol…don’t tell my husband. He’s already jealous of my book boyfriends!). Luke has been hurt in the past, but Katie helps him to live again. He’s sensitive, yet strong and protective. He’s also hot and good in bed—which is a definite plus :)

4.       Wrapped in Shadows is your 4th book, what would you say has been your biggest lesson from Book 1 (Steal my Heart) to now?

Hmmm…lessons. I’ve learned many. Number one is to listen to my readers. I get a lot of feedback about my books, and thank God most of it has been positive. I write books that I would want to read. I listen to comments and feedback from readers, and think of what they would want when I’m writing a scene or a character.

5.    How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

Bad review? What’s that? Lol. Every writer gets them! They used to really upset me…like need a glass of wine, want to hide in a closet, eat ice cream and chocolate—kind of upset. But, I’ve learned to turn every criticism into something I can use to make my work better.

6.       Lisa, give us some personal insight into you - do you have a life philosophy or quote which is meaningful to you. 

“Life is too short for bullshit” lol. I know it sounds cliché, but seriously, life is fleeting. I try to enjoy every day and am thankful for all the great things in my life. My husband, kids, health, friends, fans, freedom. I feel so blessed and I try not to sweat the ‘bullshit’ or small stuff  because there’s so much to be thankful for :)

Being a fan and admirer of Lisa's work, I am thrilled to be a part of this tour.  Thank you!

Sandy Roman Borrero

The Book Blog

About Lisa Eugene

Lisa Eugene began writing as a way to mentally escape from the hectic medical world where she has been a practicing nurse for over twenty years. After publishing her first novel, STRICTLY BUSINESS, she quickly learned that readers couldn't get enough of the world she created and now she lives out her wildest fantasies by writing steamy romantic suspense for her fan-favorite Washington Memorial Hospital series.

When she's not plotting her next dangerous, fast-paced, sexy adventure, you can find her juggling a full time job, playing soccer mom, or curled up reading a good romance. Lisa loves hearing from fans; be sure to connect with her on Twitter at @lisaeugene43 or at lisaeugene43@gmail.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

GIVEAWAY!!

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Sandy B's Review of Nikolai (A Dark Light Novella) by S.L. Jennings - with Interview

Two centuries ago, I clawed my way into a world of immorality, filth and destruction. A world seething with secrets and lies, both mortal and immortal.

Complete and utter Darkness. 

I know we’re supposed to be inherently evil, but something inside me refuses to fully believe our legends. Something that calls out for more…calls out for her. 

But there are rules. Rules that control the balance of nature. And if broken, it could destroy everything I’ve ever known. It could destroyme.

I am Nikolai Skotos, son of Stavros and Delia, and brother of Dorian, the heir of the Dark throne. I am one of the most powerful Dark forces to have ever walked this earth.

And I once was lost.
Now, I’m about to give it all up for the girl that found me.


*This is a PREQUEL NOVELLA for the Dark Light Series, NOT Book 3, to be read AFTER reading Dark Light & The Dark Prince*

Sandy B's Review

I very rarely give out 5 stars ratings - especially for a novella.  HOWEVER, Nikolai is special.   As is S.L. Jenning’s writing.  The depth of emotion expressed in this short read went beyond words to me.  Personally, I loved Niko – to me – he is an anti-hero.  Kind of like Mel Gibson's character Porter in the movie Payback.  Haven't seen it?  You should check it out then.  Anyway, I digress.  Nikolai is a prequel to the Dark Light Series.  If you haven’t read them – get on it!  Totally worth your time and money.  It tells us more about Niko – we met him in The Dark Prince. 

This is Nikolai BA (Before Amelie) - “Humans are weak. You tell them to stay away.  You tell them not to touch the flame because it will burn.  Yet they still come to sate their licentious needs, getting off on the forbidden fruit dangled in front of their dumbstruck faces.  They know it’s wrong; they know that bright red apple is rotten to the core, festered with maggots and disease. But they want it. And I give it to them. I’d be a fool not to. F*cking humans.”– Nikolai

This is Nikolai AA (After Amelie) - “I want to erase all the confusion and anger that has haunted me my entire life. Never good enough…always the black sheep. I need to find a substitute for the turmoil brewing inside my hollow chest, bubbling over until it feel like acid singing my throat. I wan to end it all and forget what I am. WHO I am.”- Nikolai

Niko knows from the moment he lays eyes on this “girl” he knows she is different.  He knows that she will change his life.  He knows that she SEES him – the good, bad, ugly, selfish, killer, lover – he is all those things and she knows each and every single one intimately – much to his surprise. 

Usually, I put the my fave blurbs before the review.  In this case, those two blurbs are critical because they how the metamorphosis of Nikolai.  Those statements are very clear indications of where his head and his heart are at that moment.  Clear indication of who he is!  S.L. Jennings has a way of pulling emotion out of you.  Every single time she makes me FEEL.  Whether she’s writing in the contemporary new adult genre or the paranormal.  Nikolai will make you want to go back and re-read the Dark Light Series.  Nikolai will make you want more and we will be getting more when Book #3 is released.  Unfortunately, she’s keeping that date under her hat for now.  Don’t worry people, I nag, I mean, gently attempt to persuade her every day to give up the goods.  Dive in and get a taste of Niko – he just might ruin you too.   

In case you missed the Dark Light series – the links are below:

Dark Light - http://amzn.to/1aCJxXz

The Dark Prince - http://amzn.to/1ji0zw2

Nikolai: a Dark Light Novella - http://amzn.to/1cOdzf7

Interview with S.L. Jennings!!

SANDY B:  Did you always want to be a writer?

S.L.:  Yes & no. I knew I always wanted to be an artist whether it was writing or music. I wasn't cut out to do anything else.

SANDY B:  How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

S.L.:  It used to really affect me but, honestly, I don't check them anymore. Most people will send me a link of their review if they'd like me to see it. Otherwise, I make it a point to stay away. Takes me out of my groove.

SANDY B:  Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

S.L.:  Yes. I'm a name person. Each is selected very carefully.

SANDY B:  Your fans know that your latest - Nikolai - is actually a prequel to the Dark Light Series.  Why do a prequel?  Was it by fan request?  Or did you feel that the dark delicious bad/good guy with the hidden tender heart otherwise known as Niko deserved his own novella?  Phew! That was a mouthful.

S.L.:  It was totally for the readers - 100%. People wanted more of him. And in order to set up Light Shadows, we had to go back a bit. Everything is connected. No one lives - or dies - out of sheer coincidence.

SANDY B:  Personally, I loved Niko - he's the anti-hero.  Loved him in the same way that I loved Mel Gibson's character Porter in the movie Payback.  Haven't seen it?  You should check it out then.

S.L.:  I haven't, unfortunately. But I agree- Niko is the anti-hero. I think his flaws are what make him lovable. It's what makes him human.

SANDY B:  Inquiring minds want to know what’s next for you?  The inquiring mind being MINE of course.

S.L.:  Light Shadows, of course.  And Taint! Really excited for that one.

SANDY B:  New project Date?  TBA?

S.L.:  TBA. It's a secret.