Title:  Desire by Design Author: Paula Altenburg

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I enjoyed Desire by Design and thought that the story had a lot to offer.  Eve is an extremely likable character who is struggling to come into her own after a disastrous marriage.  Her large, loud family is overbearing, and she clashes with her mother at every gathering.  She feels that she’s been nothing but a disappointment to her family, and she now has the dubious honor of being the only member to have been divorced.  Worse, her ill-fated marriage lasted only two weeks before she realized that she married a jealous, controlling, abusive man.  Vowing to focus only on herself and her career so she would avoid making another mistake, Eve dives into her position as a project manager with a gusto.  Her latest job is to oversee the construction of the new city hall building, and right from the get go, she is confronted with strife and personality conflicts – mostly with Bob, the  self-serving mayor.

When Matt Brison enters her construction trailer, Eve is in for an even larger challenge; Matt is a well-renowned architect from Toronto, and he’s been put in charge of designing the new building.  For his uncle.  You know, that annoying, self-serving mayor guy.  I loved the built in conflict here; Eve is fantasizing about how to bump him off, and now she’s stuck working with his fancy, well-paid nephew.  Matt wants to do his uncle proud for all of the support he’s given to him over the years.  Matt’s mother was a flake, and Bob tried hard to provide some stability while Matt was growing up.  Eve feels no loyalty toward the mayor and is upset about the thought of him railroading an ever increasing budget through to get his dream offices constructed.  For Eve, it’s a no-win situation.  Matt is accustomed to building nothing but the best,   and she’s getting a migraine just contemplating the budget woes she’ll have to face.  To stir things up even more between Eve and Matt, the mayor warns Matt away from Eve.  She’s nothing but a bully, he tells his nephew, and she’ll do nothing but run roughshod over him in order to get her way.  I loved how both Eve and Matt had to weave through the misconceptions people tossed in front of them about each other and make up their minds about each other. 

Just to keep Eve from resting easy, her abusive ex ends up back in town.  When Matt suspects that Eve is being threatened, he quickly dons his shining armor and offers to help her out.  Because Eve has both forgotten how to trust in others or to trust her own judgment, this is the story of her learning to believe again.  She needs to believe that others are decent and caring, and that she has the capacity to make the right decisions for herself.  Instead of reacting to her mother and her family, she needs to stop worrying about disappointing anyone and start living again.  When she finally learns to ask for help, and when she finally allows herself a second chance, I was right there cheering her on.  To make the journey even more enjoyable, Matt keeps making the worst impression possible on her parents, with hilarious results.  I really started feeling bad for the guy, because I didn’t see how anyone could ever live some of that stuff down.  It kept the story from being too angsty, and added a nice touch of humor. It made both Eve and Matt more sympathetic and gave them an added depth of character.

I picked up Desire by Design  completely on the spur of the moment. The first paragraph had me hooked, and I remained engaged in the story for the entire length.  I’m looking forward to reading more from the author, because this hit all the right buttons for me.

Grade:  B+

Review copy provided by publisher

Please welcome Paula Altenburg back to the virtual offices this morning! Paula is here to share her Top Ten Fave Travels!  She also has a copy of Desire by Design up for grabs!  Later today, please check back for my review of Desire by Design.

Top Ten List of Favourite Travels by Paula Altenburg

As an adult I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to do some traveling. But likewise, as a child, I was fortunate to spend a lot of time traveling through books. Therefore, I’m dividing my list into two – places I’ve traveled in fact, and the places I’ve gone to in fiction.

Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Narnia

Fiction. If you’ve been to Narnia for real, I want to meet you.

2. Greece

Fiction. I loved reading about the mythology and the ruins, and it’s on my bucket list.

3. Brussels

Fact. It’s full of history, and it’s the home of the European Parliament – the old city is gorgeous. I saw the best parade ever in this city, too. Gay Pride knows how to party.

4. Stonehenge

Fiction. I’d love to see it for real, but happy to see it through fiction.

5. Paris

Fact and fiction. Beautiful city, although its perspective of the French Revolution seemed a bit different than what I’d read about in A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlet Pimpernel. I also don’t believe Jean Valjean really wandered those sewers. The smell would have killed him.

6. Amsterdam

Fact. My husband’s a local. The Red Light District is pretty dull during the day.

7. Providenciales

Fact. My sister lived there for seven years. It has the most beautiful beaches in the world.

8. Middle-earth

Fiction. Damn it.

9. The Swiss Alps

Fiction. I loved Heidi and Heidi Grows Up when I was 6.

10. Africa

Fiction. King Solomon’s Mines, to be specific. I really, really want to be able to say I’ve been chased by cannibals.

Thank you, Paula!!

Giveaway Time!!

Ready for your chance to win a copy of Desire by Design?  Just will out the widget below:

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Didn’t win? You can purchase Desire by Design by clicking the links below:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desire-by-design-paula-altenburg/1115213925

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Desire-by-Design/book-7-GdWRrMZ02F9ccPKTjvgw/page1.html

About the book:

Please give a warm welcome to Tracy March! She’s visiting the virtual offices today to chat about her new release, Girl Three.  This is  romantic suspense , and it’s published under Entangled’s Select line.  After the interview, Tracy has an awesome giveaway that you have have to check out!

[Manga Maniac Café] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Tracy March] Smitten wife, travel and adventure lover, Washington Nationals baseball fan, The Bachelor watcher, Diet Coke addict, Cheez-It aficionado!

[Manga Maniac Café] Can you tell us a little about Girl Three?

[Tracy March] Dr. Jessica Croft finds out her sister’s suspicious death was classified as natural, but she suspects murder. Her sister was a beautiful lobbyist who worked in Washington, DC. Jessie heads to DC to pursue elite suspects who’d kill to keep their secrets buried. This leads her to irresistible security consultant Michael Gillette, who knows more about her sister than he’s willing to tell. Ultimately she reveals a controversial fertility scandal that involves the mysterious Girl Three, risking her career, her heart, and her life to expose the truth.

[Manga Maniac Café] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Tracy March] I read a book called The Baby Business by Harvard professor Debora Spar that reveals how money, science, and politics are involved in the fertility industry. I was fascinated and disturbed when I learned about the controversies surrounding stem cell research, surrogacy, egg swapping, and designer babies. After reading the book, so many “what-if” questions flooded my mind and gelled into the story and characters that ultimately became Girl Three.

[Manga Maniac Café] What three words best describe Jessie?

[Tracy March] Smart, cautious, and determined.

[Manga Maniac Café] If Michael had a theme song, what would it be?

[Tracy March] Skyfall by Adele

[Manga Maniac Café] Name one thing Jessie is never without.

[Tracy March] Suspicion. During the entire story of Girl Three, she never knows who to trust.

[Manga Maniac Café] What three things will you never find in Michael’s bathroom?

[Tracy March] Patterned towels, scented lotion, or a shower scrunchie.

[Manga Maniac Café] What is Jessie’s greatest regret?

[Tracy March] Jessie regrets that she allowed herself and her sister to grow apart for a couple of years before her sister was murdered. Her guilt over this is a large part of what drives her to solve the mystery of Girl Three despite the danger she faces.

[Manga Maniac Café] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Tracy March] I’m influenced by the stories, talent and voices of other authors—especially those of Sandra Brown and Tana French. I’m also influenced by news and current events that spark ideas for stories, and I’m always fascinated by what drives people to do the things they do.

[Manga Maniac Café] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Tracy March] Silence, Diet Coke, and duct tape for the mouth of my internal editor! ?

[Manga Maniac Café] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Tracy March] I am still completely smitten with Alma Katsu’s book The Taker which is the first in a trilogy about love and betrayal that transcends time and mortality. It’s a gothic historical with a modern twist and characters that will fascinate and haunt you. As if that wasn’t enough to captivate me, Alma writes like a provocative angel. If you haven’t read this epic tale, I recommend that you grab a copy—now! ?

[Manga Maniac Café] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Tracy March] The Scarlet Letter is my all-time favorite classic, featuring my all-time favorite heroine, Hester Prynne. I fell hard for the heady themes in the book, and that compelled me start reading more modern tales, looking for the same sort of feel.

[Manga Maniac Café] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Tracy March] I enjoy travel and adventure—like ziplining in the Swiss Alps and snowmobiling on the Continental Divide. I also like being active, riding my bike, and getting in a good workout where I squeeze in some reading while I’m on my elliptical trainer. I love Saturday date nights with my superhero husband that usually include pizza and a Dairy Queen Blizzard. *yum* And I’m a true-blue Washington Nationals baseball fan. I try to catch as many games as possible, although I have to ration myself when I’m on a deadline!

[Manga Maniac Café] How can readers connect with you?

[Tracy March] Readers can visit my website at www.TracyMarch.com where they can sign up for my newsletter and find my social media links. Here’s where I am on Twitter: @Tracy_March and Facebook: Tracy March. I look forward to connecting with everyone! ?

[Manga Maniac Café] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Ready for a chance to enter for a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite or one of the 5 rings that Tracy’s giving away? Just fill out the widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16100943-girl-three?ac=1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girl-three-tracy-march/1108930785?ean=9781620612897

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Girl-Three-Tracy-March/9781620612897

Link to trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3xFiy6Slfw

About the book:

About the author:

Award-winning author Tracy March writes romantic thrillers influenced by her career in the pharmaceutical field, and her interest in science and politics. She also writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after.

Always up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Nationals baseball, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day without Diet Coke and Cheez-Its.

Find Tracy March at:

Website: http://www.tracymarch.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575285.Tracy_March

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Tracy_March

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-March/151834621538910

TRAGIC:  Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage

**Does contain strong language

 

I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it’s my fault, I left it open. There’s nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He’s lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he’s shirtless.

And then I realize I’m naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It’s one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I’ve ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he’s blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I’m checking to see if you’re drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I’d come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I’ll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It’s quite hard not to notice that he’s got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."

 

Purchase your copy Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

 

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Ellie Heller is visiting the virtual offices to chat about her latest release, A Matter of Fate. Please give her a warm welcome.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Ellie Heller] Writer and mother, not-so-tall, not-so-young woman with happy, helpful outlook & unruly hair. Oh and dogs, and kids (teens!) and a cat and….

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about A Matter of Fate?

[Ellie Heller] Elves! Magic! Shifters! Marshmallows! Evildoer intent on killing the hero and heroine so they won’t stop his meglomaniac bid for power! Oh, and there’s a love story too. (note: one of these things isn’t in the story)

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Ellie Heller] This is a long, roundabout story but basically I wrote A Matter of Fate from an entirely different prospective and then rewrote it with Mona as the main character. The crux of the entire story came to me when I drove east along the Lake Erie shoreline and saw the wind turbines rising ever closer. When the highway swung by I wondered what would happen if one of the sets of blades came loose? In the story the turbines are much closer than they are in reality, close enough to hit the highway. Of course then I started wondering why and how and who would do that and whom they’d be aiming for. After that a large chunk of the opening action of the story was set along with many of the characters and their motivations.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Mona?

[Ellie Heller] Determined, practical, learning.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Cart had a theme song, what would it be?

[Ellie Heller] I had a very hard time with this one! I think maybe Krytonite by Three Doors Down, however it’s not quite right.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Mona is never without.

[Ellie Heller] Questions.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Cart’s bedroom?

[Ellie Heller]  A dog/pet, animal print anything, a skylight.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Mona’s greatest regret?

[Ellie Heller] That she didn’t pick up on the fact people were asking about her Folk heritage in college so she could have reconnected earlier.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Ellie Heller] Reading fantasy and sci-fi from an early age. Authors like Anne McCaffery, Patricia Wrede and Robin McKinley.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Ellie Heller] A chair with good back support, uninterrupted time (hard to come by!) and a beverage, usually iced tea.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Ellie Heller]  I haven’t been reading a lot of new stuff, but I recently re-read Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh, one of my favorite books.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Ellie Heller]  Encylopedia Brown, which is I think why I like a little bit of a puzzle in my stories.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Ellie Heller] I volunteer, I hang out with my dogs, and/or play board games with my kids.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Ellie Heller] Blog  http://www.elliewrites2.com/#!/elliewrites2

Website http://www.elliewrites2.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellie-Heller-Author/279665692092672

Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5762572.Ellie_Heller

Twitter @elliewrites2

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ellieheller/a-matter-of-fate/

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank  you!

Purchase links:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-matter-of-fate-ellie-heller/1115218123?ean=9781440566790

About the book:

You can also check out A Matter of Fate on Crimson Romance’s website here: http://www.crimsonromance.com/new-release-romance-ebook/a-matter-of-fate/

I spent most of the week trying to get my allergies and asthma under control, so I didn’t really get much accomplished.  This afternoon is another puppy play date, which always makes me feel better.  Pix next week!

Check out my current contests!  See the Contest Widget on the Sidebar to enter!

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews to share new additions to our library.  Click here to learn more about it.

New Arrivals at the Café:

Once We Were by Kat Zhang

Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning

Mortality by Kellie Sheridan (zombies!!)

Iron Kingdoms: In Thunder Forged by Ari Marmell

How to Love by Katie Cotugno

The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson

A great big thanks to the publishers for their continued support!

What did you get? Please leave links and share!

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[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Olivia Logan] I am strong willed and impulsive. To me ‘No’ means try harder. Life is an adventure and no opportunity should be turned down without a second look. I hate when it is too hot or too cold so Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons. Whilst I love high heels (what woman doesn’t!) I am more a bookaholic/ foodie then a clothes horse and can trawl for hours around a book shop or a deli than a clothes store. The two things that scare me the most are sharks and heights, so despite my impulsive nature the idea of sky diving/ parachuting/ bungee jumping/ swimming with sharks is a no-no!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Urgent: One Nanny Required?

[Olivia Logan] ‘Urgent: One Nanny Required’ is the story of Rania George who owns a sweetshop who one dark night spots a little boy outside alone. Not having had the best childhood growing up she empathises with him and lets him in prepared to call his parents and give them a piece of her mind only to find his single dad on the doorstep annoyed at her!

Nicholas Trenton knows what is son is like with nannies however he seems to be different with this woman. He has a shoot coming up in LA for 3 weeks and yes she seems angry at him but from the looks of her shop she could use all the financial help she can get. Why not ask her to come along and be his nanny since she clearly doesn’t think the other nannies he hired in the past up to scratch.

Question is what has Rania got to lose by saying yes?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Olivia Logan] I am very curious by nature and love to people watch and got the idea for my story just by passing an old fashioned sweet shop in London and found myself wondering about the lives of the people who worked there. That kind of started my idea for my heroine in ‘Urgent:One Nanny Required’.

The idea of a single dad was actually inspired by one of my favourite story books written by Roald Dahl ‘Danny, The Champion Of The World’. In this book Danny, our young hero lives with his dad who is loving and kind and dotes on him completely. Not exactly the same as the father in ‘Urgent’. But before I digress onto telling you the plot of that story which ends happily, as a romantic I was always left wondering about the father. Did he ever remarry? Would he ever be persuaded to remarry? Hence the idea of our hero being a single parent.

The Hollywood idea actually came from a friend of mine who works in film who always complained that none of the heroes in romances ever have ‘real’ jobs! Like a Hollywood director is a real job! But after much ear bending I decided to listen to their views and make my hero have a ‘real’ job in Hollywood and by that I mean a ‘behind the scenes’ guy as opposed to a film star.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Rania?

[Olivia Logan] Resourceful, Determined, Survivor

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Nick had a theme song, what would it be?

[Olivia Logan] Mmmm that’s tricky! I’d say it would have to be Eric Clapton’s ‘Layla’.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Rania is never without.

[Olivia Logan] Her kindle as she loves to read.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Nick’s bedroom?

[Olivia Logan] Male toiletries as he doesn’t have time for worrying about that stuff as a single working parent; a little black book of women’s numbers (see previous reason) ; More than 3 pairs of shoes as being practical he doesn’t see the need.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Rania’s greatest regret?

[Olivia Logan] Waiting so long to find and reconnect with her long lost father.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Olivia Logan] The first and foremost was my love of Greek and Roman myths that fuelled my passion for writing in the first place as I was saddened as a child to learn that after reading most of them I was running out so I tried to invent my own. The next was my class teacher when I was in (UK) year two who used to make up class stories with us which also made me think I could do it alone. And last but never forgotten my aunt who gave me my first romance book as a teenager(okay so I borrowed without asking) but which set me on my way to writing romance and I have never looked back since.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Olivia Logan] Twinings English Breakfast tea, my laptop for obvious reasons and a window to look out of so I can daydream if I hit a writers road block.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Olivia Logan] ‘The Book Of Lost Things’ by John Connolly.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Olivia Logan] Mmmm that is a tough one as my parents encouraged me to read from an early age and I’ve loved all kinds of stories and authors. If I had to pick one book I would say ‘Under the lilacs’ but Lousia M.Alcott because of the imagery.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Olivia Logan] I would love to say sleep but alas that isn’t true. I work full time so if I’m not writing I am working and if not that then running or hanging out with friends and family.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Olivia Logan] I’m around on twitter as @olivia_logan_ or on my website http://olivialoganromance.com where they can also email me from the ‘Contact Me’ page.

[Manga Maniac Cafe]  Thank you!

You can purchase Urgent: One Nanny Required from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the link below:

About the book:

Check out Crimson Romance’s Urgent: One Nanny Required page here: http://www.crimsonromance.com/new-release-romance-ebook/urgent-one-nanny-required/

Please welcome Katie O’Sullivan to the virtual offices! I was curious about Katie’s new book, Son of a Mermaid, so I asked her by to chat about the book.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Katie O’Sullivan] Katie O’Sullivan lives next to the ocean on Cape Cod, drinking too much coffee and inventing excuses not to dust. She writes YA and romantic suspense.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Son of a Mermaid?

[Katie O’Sullivan] This young adult book is aimed at advanced middle grade and beginner YA readers and makes a perfect young teen beach book for summer, filled with adventure, light romance and beautiful descriptions of life along the sandy shores – and beneath the waves.

Son of a Mermaid is the first book in a planned series about Shea MacNamara and the undersea world of mermaids and mermen that he discovers off the shores of Cape Cod. The blurb reads:

Shea MacNamara’s life just got complicated.

After a freak tornado devastates his Oklahoma farm, the fifteen-year-old orphan moves to Cape Cod to live with a grandmother he’s never met. Struggling to make sense of his new surroundings, he meets a girl along the shore who changes his life forever.

Kae belongs to an undersea world hidden from drylanders. The daughter of royal servants, she knows the planned marriage of her Princess to the foreign King should put an end to the war between the clans. Two things stand in the way of lasting peace: an ambitious Regent and rumors of a half-human child who will save the oceans.

Sparks fly when she meets Shea, but could the cute drylander really be the Son of a Mermaid?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Katie O’Sullivan] My kids and I have always liked mermaid stories. One day my son and I were walking the dogs on the beach and found a strange rock with a hole cut through the center. We started weaving a tale about the mermaid who lost it… and the book grew from there.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Shea?

[Katie O’Sullivan] Loyal, strong, insecure

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Kae had a theme song, what would it be?

[Katie O’Sullivan] Iris, by the Goo Goo Dolls

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Kae is never without.

[Katie O’Sullivan] Her transmutare medallion. Harvested from the heart of the ocean, the transmutare stones help mermaids channel and focus the ancient magick of the seas. Kae uses her medallion to help her transform her tail into human legs, to go ashore.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Shea’s bedroom?

[Katie O’Sullivan] Since he lost everything in the tornado, you won’t find much that is his own in Shea’s new bedroom. He didn’t bring much with him when he moved to Cape Cod, just what was in his backpack at school that day.

But things you’d never find? He’s a straight arrow kind of guy, so no alcohol or drugs, and he’s not into pop culture or fads, so no Pokemon or Homestuck stuff. He also has no photos of the mother who abandoned him as a baby – until he moves to his grandmother’s house and finds one. And recognizes her from his dreams.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Kae’s greatest regret?

[Katie O’Sullivan] Kae regrets being so constrained by the rules of her family and society, and wishes she had more freedom. She can’t wait to go away to school, where she thinks she’ll be able to have a fresh start. When she meets Shea, she starts bending those rules but finds that she’s not the only one with secrets, and that things aren’t always as they appear.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Katie O’Sullivan] For this book, living by the ocean was a big influence, lol. Like my character Shea, I walk my dogs along the beach at sunrise every morning, and spend that alone time working through stories in my head.

I’ve also been reading a lot of YA in the last few years – the genre has changed significantly over time and is one of the more exciting areas in publishing today.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Katie O’Sullivan] The 3 C’s: My computer, coffee, and chocolate.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Katie O’Sullivan] I’d have to say Death Lies Between Us, by Jody Kessler. Before that, it was The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern.

I read and enjoy a lot of books (a LOT of books), but love it when an author brings something really fresh to a book, something I haven’t read before.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Katie O’Sullivan] My mom was into mysteries and Agatha Christie, so she started me off with the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I read them all, but at the age of 10 read The Girl Who Owned a City, by O.T. Nelson and it changed the way I looked at books. Everything didn’t have to strictly “real” in the world of fiction, and grownups didn’t have all the answers.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Katie O’Sullivan] If I had my choice, I’d spend more time reading! But. I have three active, involved teens (over involved?) who keep me busy, as well as two big dogs who like to walk on the beach every chance they get. I watch a lot of soccer games and track meets, and go to a lot of concerts and plays starring my kids and their friends.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Katie O’Sullivan] My website: www.katie-osullivan.com

My blog: http://katieosullivan.blogspot.com

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatieOSullivan

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/OkatieO

Add Son of a Mermaid on your Goodreads list: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184560-son-of-a-mermaid

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

Purchase link:

GoodReads  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184560-son-of-a-mermaid

About the book:

About the Author:

Katie O’Sullivan lives with her family and big dogs next to the ocean on Cape Cod, drinking way too much coffee and inventing new excuses not to dust. She writes YA and romantic suspense novels, and has worked for the last four years as the editor of CapeWomenOnline.com magazine and writes “The Write Way” column for the magazine.

She hopes her debut YA novel, SON OF A MERMAID, will make a big splash this summer, engaging young readers with a Cape Cod tale of a boy who discovers both his roots and his destiny far below the waters of Nantucket Sound.

Title:  Coyote Winds

Author: Helen Sedwick

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I am fascinated with history, so when I was contacted to review Coyote Winds, I jumped at the chance.  The story is told through alternating POVs (including a coyote’s), and Myles is experiencing the Dust Bowl first hand.  His grandson, Andy, is desperately trying to understand his grandfather’s stories of life on the prairie.  Andy feels like he is nothing but a disappointment to his overachieving attorney parents, and he is struggling in school.  He can’t seem to connect with his peers or his classes.  After his grandfather’s death leaves a hole the size of the prairie in his heart, Andy attempts to reconcile his grandfather’s tales with what life on the prairie in the 1930s was really like.  Conflicting accounts his great aunt told his mother puzzle him, and for a boy who didn’t like reading, Andy was suddenly all about researching what his grandfather and his family endured on their homestead.  I loved how Andy kept insisting that it’s his story, too, and his mother’s story, after she shuts down and doesn’t want to talk about it anymore.

It took me a while to warm up to Andy and his segments of the story.  But before I knew it, I was invested in the lives of all of the characters in Coyote Winds.  By the end of the book, I shocked by how much I had come to like them.  The more I think about it, the more moved I am by this story.  It is raw and uncompromising at times, and Myles’ accounts of his childhood experiences are unflinchingly truthful.  From brutal rabbit hunts to disputes with the neighbor over proper farming techniques, Myles’ narrative POV is both unemotional and free of embellishment.  He’s just telling it like it is.  As he begins to realize how primitive life on the farm is, with no electricity or running water, he begins to question his father’s dedication to farming.  Is he just stubborn?  Can’t he see how difficult life in the middle of no where is, and how unhappy his mother and sister are?  While Myles loves the land, he longs for something more.

Ro, the coyote pup Myles rescues after a dust storm, also shares the story through his eyes. His point of view didn’t work as well for me, because I was so stressed that Bad Things would happen to him.  His chapters left me sad and depressed, because he kept longing for the things he would never have; a life among his own kind, and his brothers and sisters to play with.  His human pack didn’t understand him, and when Myles, in an effort to protect both his friend and Ro, chases him off, my heart broke for the little guy.

By the end of the book I was sobbing.  I don’t know why, other than each character had come to life for me, and had come to mean something to me.  Even the people I thought I couldn’t stand had shining moments of insight that made me understand their stance on farming and raising their families.  This is a book of broken dreams, but it’s also a story of  hope and the courage to attempt to make changes in your life.  While the farmland was harsh to Myles and his family, it was healing to Andy and his parents, and brought them closer together.

Grade:  B+

Review copy provided by the author

From Katie Reiter and David Fumarola:

We would like to let you and your readers know that from Friday, May 17th to Tuesday, May 21st we will be offering our debut novel, Skankenstein, for FREE in the Amazon Kindle Store. Interested readers can access the Kindle edition at http://www.amazon.com/Skankenstein-ebook/dp/B005UTD0KS.

About the book:

Sometimes the ugliest monsters come in the prettiest packages:

Victoria Frank is the picture of teen perfection – she’s talented, witty, and ruthless – but being queen of tiny Geneva, NY isn’t enough. Tired of merely designing the perfect outfit, she sets out to design the perfect person. But by the time she realizes beauty is only skin deep, she’s already unleashed her monster on the world. Now it’s a race against time to stop the vile creature from destroying her life, and she has to do it in the most evil place of all – high school.

After ditching her horrifying creation in L.A., all Victoria wants is the perfect senior year, but it becomes impossible when the dreaded beast shows up in her own backyard. Armed with a new body, a new attitude and a new name, M turns the school hierarchy on its head. But when M suffers the embarrassment of a lifetime and sets her sights on revenge, our queen bee finds herself pitted in a cat fight to the death where kid sisters, boyfriends and tiaras are all fair game. It’s a twist on Frankenstein unlike any before, with an ending so explosive it’ll leave your bowels quaking.

AUTHOR BIO

David Fumarola has been writing as long as he can remember, and getting the stories out of his head and onto the page is the only thing that gives him peace of mind. Katie Reiter enjoys writing in her spare time, as well as cheap wine, teen drama and hipster safaris. They met as teenagers interning at the Albany Times Union and have been writing together since 2009. Skankenstein is their debut novel.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

http://skankensteinbook.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Writings-of-Katie-Reiter-and-David-Fumarola/103917029640105?fref=ts

LINK TO PURCHASE

http://www.amazon.com/Skankenstein-ebook/dp/B005UTD0KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363206425&sr=8-1&keywords=skankenstein

EXCERPT (“Salted Wounds”)

“Ok,” I said, folding my arms and sitting back in the booth. “I get it; you’re a bad ass bitch. Now what the hell do you want?”

She set down her burger, ketchup and onions spilling out where she had taken a bite. The greasy graveyard on her plate made me want to vomit. I had spent a good portion of my life avoiding crap like that. Not only was I trying to stay skinny, but that stuff goes straight to your complexion.

“What’s the rush, Victoria? Believe me; we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on.”

“Yeah,” I snorted, “right.”

“And your tone! What would your mother say if she could hear you?”

“You don’t know crap about my mother!”

“Well, I know she raised a shallow, manipulative mess.”

I couldn’t keep my anger inside any longer. Still, I didn’t want to cause a big scene, even if we were in a trashy diner. I reached out and grabbed her plate, sliding it toward me. I grabbed the salt and twisted off the top. Then I flipped open the burger and dumped the contents of the entire jar onto the beef patty. I smiled and slid the plate back to her.

The wretch shook her head. “Now what was the point of that?”

“It made me feel better.” My smile turned into a grin.

She sighed and pushed the plate toward the edge of the table, where the waitress could collect it. “This conversation’s starting to bore me,” she said, “so I’ll cut to the chase.”

“Well?” I asked impatiently.

“I need your help.”

I scoffed. “You need a lot more help than I can give you.”

“You mean more than you already gave me,” she said, her eyes squinted in contempt.

“Exactly,” I said coldly. “If you need some help getting out of town, I’d be happy to oblige.”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m not going anywhere, Victoria. In fact, I think I’m going to settle in here.”

“Why?” I asked in disbelief.

“I’m sick of being alone,” she said, seemingly honest. “I just want friends. I want to be normal.”

“You’re never going to be normal, you freak.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true. That’s where you come in.”

“What do you mean?” I asked as the waitress grabbed the plate. She made a face at us when she saw the salt covered food, but she didn’t say anything about it.

“Are you ready for the check?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, shooing her away with my hand.

“You broke my heart, Victoria. So did Dr. Kunst. Why does everyone want to hurt me?”

“Not everything’s about you,” I told her. “Sometimes things just don’t work out.”

“You sound like Dr. Kunst,” she said harshly.

“He sounds like a smart man.”

“Not really,” she replied with a smile. “Like you, he underestimated me.”

“So what? You want revenge just because a couple of people didn’t have room for you in their lives?”

She gulped down the rest of her iced tea and then slammed the cup down on the table. Luckily it was plastic, so it didn’t break.

“Nobody understands. All of you have had such easy lives. My own parents didn’t love me; they had their own affairs to consume themselves with. You didn’t love me; you just wanted me to be your real-life Barbie doll. Dr. Kunst didn’t love me; he just wanted me to be his youthful distraction. I have no idea what it’s like to be loved. I want to know. I want to be like everyone else.”

“Wah wah,” I said, wiping the fake tears from my eyes. “So your life sucks. Get over it. It’s not going to get any better by complaining about it and getting back at the people who hurt you.”

“Oh, no?”

“No. If you want it to get better then you need to be proactive. You have to do something to change it.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” She smiled at me deviously.

“No. You’re bitching at me, thinking it will get me to feel sorry for you.”

“Well, I can see that it’s not working.”

“Wow, you’re so perceptive.”

“There’s no need to be facetious.”

“Wow, that’s a pretty big word for a chick with a second grade education.” I rolled my eyes.

“I told you, I’ve been catching up.”

“In more than one department.”

“Hey,” she said. “It’s not my fault if boys find me desirable. What am I supposed to do, turn them all down?”

“No, but you’re not supposed to screw all of them either. That’s what we kids today call a ho-bag.”

She laughed. “Just because you’re afraid to explore your sexuality doesn’t mean everyone else is.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, come on, Victoria. You don’t think I’ve figured out you’re a virgin by now?”

“Jesus, you say it like it’s a bad thing,” I said, looking around the diner. “And keep your voice down.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize it was such a touchy subject for you.”

“It’s not!” I insisted. “But unlike you, I don’t want the entire town to know about my sex life, or lack thereof.”

“Speaking of the entire town, that’s what I need your help with.”

The grumpy waitress brought the check to our table and walked away without saying a word. She didn’t go back to the counter. Instead, she went outside, and I could see her lighting a cigarette through the window.

“What do you mean you want help with the entire town?”

“Well, I told you I wanted to know what it feels like to be loved.”

“And you want to love the whole town? Ew, way to be gross.”

“No, you imbecile, I want the whole town to love me.”

I couldn’t help but burst out in a fit of laughter. It took several minutes for me to finally regain my composure. “And just how do you expect me to pull that off?”

“Well, there’s no greater sign of love than to be elected by the people.”

I looked at her sideways. “I’m not sure I follow you.”

“I want to be Prom Queen.”

Once again I was seized by an uncontrollable fit of giggles. “It will never happen,” I said through laughs. “I’m popular, not a miracle worker.”

“You underestimate yourself, Victoria.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Even if I could do it, there’s no way I’m helping you. Not after what you’ve done to my family.”

“You really don’t think it’s the right thing to do?”

“No!” I blurted out in amazement. “The right thing to do would be to kick your ass and send it back to the flames of hell from which you came.”
“That’s too bad,” she said in mock despair. “I was hoping you could be reasoned with.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“I guess that means I’m just going to have to resort to threats.”

I gulped. I wasn’t really scared of her, but I had seen the trouble she could cause. “What do you mean?”

“Well, just because your sister is gone doesn’t mean there aren’t other people for me to play with.”

My stomach felt hollow. I was glad I hadn’t eaten anything; otherwise I might have thrown up.

“Who should I start with? There’s Avery. She’s pretty eager to get away from you. Or maybe your dad? He’s been pretty lonely lately, too. Maybe he could use some company. Then there’s always Elliot…”

“Stay away from him!”

“Well, I’ll only have to concern myself with him if you make me…”

I sighed in frustration. “If I do this, if I help you, do you promise to leave me and my family alone?”

“If you help me win Prom Queen, and get the student body to respect and love me, then yes, I will leave you alone.”

I was running out of options. I didn’t know what to do. The police weren’t going to believe me. There was nothing I could do to her without getting arrested myself. I had to just do what she wanted and hope she would go away.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Then I’ll see you at school on Tuesday. I hope you make the most of that Monday. I’d hate to come back to those nasty Sloppy Joe insults.” My own personal demon slid out of the booth and stood up. “You made the right decision, Victoria. Elliot is too pretty to let something bad happen to him.”

She turned and walked out of the diner. I grabbed the check and clenched it in my hand. I was sick of paying for her mistakes.