Title:  Act Like You Love Me Author: Cindi Madsen

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

Once again, my favorite trope called to me and prompted me to read Act Like You Love Me.  This is actually a tough book for me to rate, because there is a lot about it to like.  I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and, yes, as I already mentioned, the second chance at love trope.  What knocked it down a few pegs?  Not enough physical contact, and that’s the bottom line.  This is a sweet, gentle story about finally embracing who you are, and accepting all of the oddities that make you unique.  After reading so many Brazen titles in the last few weeks, this one fell flat in the chemistry department, and the sexual tension earned only a low rating on the thermometer.  While it’s nice to have the protagonists engage in conversation before ripping their clothes off, the lack of pay-off was disappointing.  Sawyer is the most restrained male I’ve met in romance in a long time, and while I appreciate that he’s a gentleman, I like a little more rough and tumble (or at least a good wrestle on the couch) type of guy.

Brynn is a character I was immediately drawn to.  She was a nerd in school, uncomfortable with herself and awkward, and the target of jokes from her peers.  She has fought long and hard to move beyond her dork persona, and is finally happy with her life and herself.  She works at the family fishing and bait shop, acts in local stage productions, and finally feels comfortable in her own skin.  Sure, she’s still a bit of an oddball, and her unrestrained passion for plays and literature has chased off every guy she’s dated, but big whoop!  She’ll eventually meet the man of her dreams.  She hopes.

Into town strolls Sawyer, the guy she had a crush on in high school.  He is helping out his aunt by agreeing to direct the play that Brynn is acting in.  It’s a nightmare come true for her.  He first sees her while she’s struggling to change her shirt in her car, giving him a flash of skin and bra.  How embarrassing!  It’s like high school all over again.  She’s still trying to get over the most embarrassing moment of her life, when she had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction in front of the entire school!  More grating, though, is that Sawyer doesn’t even recognize her.  She had a crush on him forever, and he doesn’t even remember her! Talk about a major blow to her ego.  He doesn’t even remember her asking him to the prom!  Jerk!

Sawyer is dealing with two major issues.  First, he is still reeling from his father’s illness and eventual death when he was in high school.  Second, he is still trying to recover from a bad breakup with an actress in NY, and when he sees Brynn, all he can think is that she’s a carbon copy of his ex; self-absorbed, only interested in herself.  He makes so many false assumptions about her that I really wanted to slap him.  He is so self-righteous, he knows that he has to be right.  I guess he is carrying around so much emotional baggage that he can’t see around all of those weighty issues.

When Brynn follows some questionable dating advice from her brother, things get even more out of hand.  Instead of just being herself, she puts her acting skills to work and pretends to be someone else.  Someone less..overwhelming, I guess the word would be.  Then, before she realizes what’s happening, she is spinning so many half truths and outright falsehoods that she doesn’t know how to come clean with Sawyer.  She knows that she’s misjudged him and that she’s falling for him, but she doesn’t know how to explain the misperceptions that she’s allowed to continue and hasn’t bothered to correct because at first she just wanted him gone.  Oops!  There is this sense of dread through most of the book, because you know that Sawyer isn’t going to take it well when he learns that he’s been deceived, whether intentionally or not.

This is a quick read with both angst and humor, and the only thing holding it back for me was the lack of spice.  The heat level is non-existent, even for a Bliss book.  As stated previously, I just prefer a jalapeño or a habanero  to a mild green chili pepper, both in my cooking and in my reading.   Your mileage will vary.

Grade:  B-/C+

Review copy provided by publisher

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Sierra Fox] Always curious, gifted and cursed.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share a typical day in the life of Sierra Fox?

[Sierra Fox] A typical day in my life includes not getting enough sleep, staying up way too late, dealing with a variety of troublesome spooks, practicing spells and incantations, trying to spend as much time alone with Papan as I can, making sure my sister doesn’t get into the same kind of trouble I manage to attract, annoying Oren, and trying to outrun the Obscurus freaks.

You know, just trying to stay alive.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words come to mind when you think of Jason?

[Sierra Fox] Sexy. Kind. Loyal. Did I mention sexy?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you find most exasperating about him?

[Sierra Fox] His overprotectiveness when it comes to his wolf side. I wish he’d stop worrying about his wolf hurting me, he never will!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could change one thing you’ve done in your life, what would it be?

[Sierra Fox] I wouldn’t have let myself get swept up in the schoolgirl crush I had on Mace Clamber. Getting physically and personally involved with him years ago put me on a path that’s led to one troubled incident after another.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s one thing you won’t leave home without?

[Sierra Fox] Definitely can’t leave home without my trusty silver dagger.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t avoiding a premature death at the hands of demon-obsessed freaks?

[Sierra Fox] I enjoy spook catching, spending time with friends, learning new spells from Oren, hanging out with my favourite werewolf, getting to know my sister, and writing as much as I can in my grimoire. I really do try to stay away from trouble, but seem to attract it no matter what.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share your dreams for the future in five words or less.

[Sierra Fox] Normal. Happy. Working. Papan. Family.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

[Sierra Fox] Thanks for having me.

AUTHOR BIO:

Wife. Mother. Writer. Bibliophile. Dreamer. Animal lover. Intrigued by the supernatural. Horror freak. Zombie enthusiast. Movie & music fan. Slave to her muse.

Yolanda lives in Sydney, Australia with her awesome husband, lovely daughter, and cheeky cat.

MY LINKS:

Website: http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/yolandasfetsos

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/yolandasfetsos

BOOK BLURB:

ON PINS AND NEEDLES will be available from Samhain Publishing on June 18.

EXCERPT:

“Thank you.” Willow flashed a pretty smile and headed for the door. She stopped just outside, turned and said, “I’m really glad I found you. I’ve always wanted a sister and you’re even better than I imagined.”

I smiled back and felt a warm glow inside. She might come with a few otherworldly problems, but who didn’t have some kind of baggage nowadays? “I’ll see you tomorrow, Willow.”

She strolled out the door and I turned back to my office.

After picking up the folders and stacking them where they belonged, I decided there was no way I would get any work done now. Besides, it was almost time to meet Papan in the city.

I shut the window, put on my mostly-dry jacket and made sure my dagger was still secured between sock and boot. I loaded up with keys, wallet, and phone before heading for the door, wishing Oren would hurry up and teach me the incantation to make my pockets deeper than they really were.

After closing the door behind me, I made sure it was locked before rushing for the stairs. I might have walked into my office in a morose mood, but I was now filled with a sense of hopeful energy.

I’d helped poltergeists before without being able to see them. I could handle this for my sister.

Wow, it feels good to say sister.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, I smacked right into someone. When strong arms wrapped tightly around my midsection, I struggled to squirm out of the vice-like grip.

Oh crap, not again!

Purchase links:

Please welcome Cindi Masden back to the virtual offices!  Cindi’s here to chat about her latest release, Act Like You Love Me.  After, you can enter for a chance to win one of several awesome prizes!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Cindi Madsen]  Perky, fueled by MountainDew author

[Cindi Madsen] Former drama geek Brynn McAdams isn’t looking to be a Hollywood movie star, just have fun playing someone else from time to time, on the side of running the family bait and tackle shop with her brother. But when her high school crush takes over the play—the one who rejected her all those years ago and clearly doesn’t even recognize her—she pretends to be someone else. Sawyer’s only looking to be in town a little while, but he’s captivated by the lead actress, even though he knows going for her would be a bad idea. The closer they get, the more trouble they’re both in.

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

[Cindi Madsen] When I decided to turn Falling for Her Fiancé into a series, I wanted something that’d fit the fun mood of that book, but also be its own unique story. Several years ago I had a blip in my mind of an actress who was annoyed at her director and a backstage kiss she couldn’t quite deny had something to it. From there I started putting together other pieces of the plot puzzle.

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

[Cindi Madsen] Passionate

Unconventional

Caring

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

[Cindi Madsen] Harbor Lights by a Silent Film, with New York by Snow Patrol coming in a close second.

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

[Cindi Madsen] An arsenal of literature and play quotes to throw out at random. And a spare shirt. Just in case (This makes more sense once you read the book )

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

[Cindi Madsen] Girly stuff- curling irons, perfume, etc. A fuzzy toilet cover. A dirty sink.

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

[Cindi Madsen] That she wasn’t stronger in high school.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What were your biggest distractions when working on Act Like You Love Me?

[Cindi Madsen] My TBR pile is filled with so many good books that I wanted to take a break to read them, but I had to hurry, so I just had to ignore everything. Including cleaning my house, which was distracting when I tripped on stuff. Lol

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your must haves when working on a deadline?

[Cindi Madsen] Mountain Dew, M&Ms, and my music

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

[Cindi Madsen] Right after I finished this book, I rewarded myself with I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. It was the funny book I needed to unwind with, so it holds a special place in my heart. One Week Boyfriend was the last book that I could not put down.

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

[Cindi Madsen] Find new music, go to concerts, dance, play with my kids, go to movies

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

Http://cindimadsen.com

info@cindimadsen.com

https://twitter.com/CindiMadsen (I’m on there a LOT! Come find me ?)

https://www.facebook.com/CindiMadsenBooks

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1029223.Cindi_Madsen

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

Cindi is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card, a cute fish figurine, 2 e-copies of Falling for her Fiancé, 2 e-copies of All the Broken Pieces and 1 e-copy of Act Like You Love Me.

The fish figurine and gift card giveaway is US only but e-book giveaways are international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novelsAll the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, bestselling short romance Falling for Her Fiancé and the women’s fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME official Blurb:

ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME buy links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17884619-act-like-you-love-me

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115250847

FALLING FOR HER FIANCE Links:

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17209607-falling-for-her-fiance

Kobo:http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Falling-For-Her-Fiance/book-dUf017DfWkmD_D7bJA3_8g/page1.html

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/falling-for-her-fiance/id603611409

Amazon:

Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-for-her-fiance-cindi-madsen/1114137785

Additional links to Cindi’s pages:

Twitter:https://twitter.com/CindiMadsen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindi.madsen

Website:http://cindimadsen.com/

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

[Anne Cleeland] Mild-mannered lawyer and mother of four writes stories about ordinary people swept up in extraordinary events. Also likes chocolate.

[Manga Maniac Café] Can you tell us a little about Tainted Angel?

[Anne Cleeland] The heroine is an agent for the Crown, but her spymaster suspects she is “tainted”—a double agent working for Napoleon. Her love interest has his own dark secrets—unless his affection is feigned and he is actually setting a trap to reveal her own treason. There are twists and double-crosses as the attraction between the two spies becomes more powerful than their mutual distrust—and England’s future hangs in the balance.

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

[Anne Cleeland] The story is a Regency version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I loved that movie.

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

[Anne Cleeland] Beautiful, vulnerable, steely.

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

[Anne Cleeland] Let’s go with a James Bond theme, and say “The Spy Who Loved Me.”

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

[Anne Cleeland] The dagger she keeps in her garter. She learned a hard lesson, once.

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

[Anne Cleeland] A miniature portrait of his late wife, his signet ring, or state secrets. He learned a hard lesson once, too.

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

[Anne Cleeland] Gosh, I wish I was that deep! Mainly I just sit down with a laptop and try to keep up with the characters as they run around and say things. I love action movies and adventure stories, so I suppose that has been my greatest creative influence. There’s nothing like a book or a movie that starts out with a slightly ominous scene, and then allows things to get worse from there.

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

[Anne Cleeland] A laptop, a spiral notebook and a diet Dr. Pepper! It doesn’t matter where I am or what’s going on in the background; I’m lucky that way.

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

[Anne Cleeland] My good friend Laura Drake writes a great cowboy story—The Sweet Spot just came out.

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

[Anne Cleeland] Brace yourself; I loved Tarzan of the Apes and then I read everything Edgar Rice Burroughs ever wrote. Did I mention I love adventure stories?

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

[Anne Cleeland] I do a lot of lurking in blogs like this one. What did we do with ourselves before blogs? Or Goodreads? I could lurk around Goodreads all day.

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

[Anne Cleeland] I hope they do, I’d love to hear from them! My website is Annecleeland.com, and I have a Facebook page and a Goodreads page. For your readers who are mystery fans, I have a contemporary mystery series starting in August with Murder in Thrall. Then the second historical will come out in November—Daughter of the God-King. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself!

[Manga Maniac Café] Thank you!

Giveaway Time!!

To enter for a chance to win a copy of Tainted Angel, fill out the widget below.  US addresses only, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase links:

About the book:

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Bion Donkova] Right. Always Right. Never, ever wrong. Ms. Stevenson calls me arrogant. I believe she is ignorant of the world. But that is a given, she’s been raised with the narrow views of Victorian society.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share a typical day in the life of Bion Donkova?

[Bion Donkova] Dedication to duty. I set a goal to become a Navigator and it is something only achieved by the best. My skills in piloting an airship must be above excellent. Security is a chief concern, so Asian fighting skills are a must and they require daily training periods. Now I have the added duty of instructing Ms. Stevenson in the arts of being a Navigator. I do not mind mentoring her but she is stubborn.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words come to mind when you think of Sophia?

[Bion Donkova] Stubborn, Unfairly fortunate. She encountered a Root Ball, which transformed her sight. It’s something I have been working toward for years and she stumbled upon.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What was the first thing that you noticed about her?

[Bion Donkova] Madam, that is not fit for public discussion.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could change one thing you’ve done in your life, what would it be?

[Bion Donkova] Hummm, I believe that would involve the night that my good friend Sven and I went drinking at the Red Petticoat. I would decline the wager to seduce the madam who ran the upstairs establishment. Who might have guessed that so petite a woman might have leg irons secured so firmly to the sides of her bed?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s one thing you won’t leave home without?

[Bion Donkova] My integrity. Honor defines a man.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t saving Sophia from the forces of evil?

[Bion Donkova] Raising eyebrow. A gentleman never kisses and tells.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share your dreams for the future in five words or less.

[Bion Donkova] I could never confine a definition of my new wife to so few words. I expect mayhem but confess I have become addicted to it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase link:

About the book:

I received a press release for Debbie Macomber’s Fan Retreat, and because it sounds like fun, I wanted to share all of the deets.  Check it out:

Looking for an easy summer getaway? Grab your girlfriends and head to Nashville for a special weekend with fellow book lovers in one of the South’s most vibrant cities! Held at the exquisite Opryland Resort from August 9–11, Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat offers the perfect way to experience the tastes, sounds and Southern charms of Nashville.

Enjoy a weekend of fun without planning a thing

Book your hotel room and your Fan Retreat ticket covers the rest! Get ready for an all-inclusive weekend of entertainment: listen to a country music band under the Tennessee stars; hop on a bus tour of Nashville’s landmarks and celebrity homes; dance the night away with friends at the Sock Hop Dinner; and spend time with one of America’s favorite authors, Debbie Macomber.

Experience the famed Opryland Resort for less

Fan Retreat guests will enjoy Opryland Resort‘s many amenities—luxurious guest rooms, acres of beautiful indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, three pools to lounge by—all at an exclusive discount, making this the perfect weekend escape.

Exclusive perks at Fan Retreat

At Fan Retreat you’ll also walk away with tons of swag: early access to Debbie Macomber’s new novel, Rose Harbor in Bloom; and special giveaways from event partners including FitBit, Celestial Seasonings and local favorite, GooGoo Clusters. Plus a one year subscription to ALL YOU. To lighten the load, we’re including a Debbie Macomber tote bag to help bring everything home!

Win a Consultation with Publishing Professionals

Are you an aspiring writer? Sign up for the Fan Retreat between now and June 30th and your entered to win a consultation with a member from Debbie’s Random House publishing team. Meet with someone from editorial, marketing, or publicity to get an in-depth look at what goes on at a major publishing house and tips on how to navigate it all.

For more information on Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat and tickets, go to MacomberRetreat.com.

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

[P. J. Hoover] MG/YA SFF author. Prior Electrical Engineer. Solves the Rubik’s Cube. Practices Kung Fu. Plays Wizard101. SOLSTICE (Tor 2013) & TUT (Tor 2014)

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Solstice?

[P. J. Hoover] Sure! It’s a YA dystopian/mythology novel aimed at fans of Hunger Games and Percy Jackson. Solstice is set in Austin, in the future, when Global Warming is destroying the earth. It’s about this girl, Piper, who on her 18th birthday opens a mysterious present and all of a sudden this crazy world of mythology starts to explode around her. Her best friend almost dies, Piper has to travel to the Underworld to save her, and there are Greek gods.

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

[P. J. Hoover] I’ve always been a huge mythology buff, so I knew I wanted to do something with Greek mythology. The Persephone/Hades story was one of my favorites, but rather than writing a retelling, I wanted to do more of a “what happens after the myth” take on things. And so Solstice was born.

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

[P. J. Hoover] Rebellious, Overprotected, and Passionate

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

[P. J. Hoover] It’s the End of the World as We Know It – R.E.M.

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

[P. J. Hoover] Curiosity

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

[P. J. Hoover] Dead flowers, a heater, wool socks

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

[P. J. Hoover] Randy Conner’s death

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

[P. J. Hoover] J. R. R. Tolkien, Joseph Campbell, and Homer

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

[P. J. Hoover] Silence from my kids’ chatter, a computer, motivation

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

[P. J. Hoover] I just finished The Madman’s Daughter and loved the story, the characters, and the basis for the novel. I am totally going to watch the Dr. Moreau movie now to compare them.

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

[P. J. Hoover] The Cave of Time (a Choose your Own Adventure Book from my book fair back in elementary school)

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

[P. J. Hoover] Hang with my family, practice Kung Fu, play Wizard101, and spend time with friends

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

[P. J. Hoover] Thanks for asking! Readers can connect to me through the below places!

Website: http://www.pjhoover.com

Blog: http://pjhoover.blogspot.com

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorPJHoover

Facebook Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/pj.hoover1

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pj_hoover

Intagram: http://instagram.com/pj_hoover

Tumblr: http://pjhoover.tumblr.com

Email: http://www.pjhoover.com/contact.php

[Manga Maniac Café] Thank you!

About the author:

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing kung fu, solving Rubik’s cubes, and watching Star Trek. Her first novel for teens, Solstice (Tor Teen, June 18, 2013), takes place in a global warming future and explores the parallel world of mythology beside our own. Her middle grade novel, Tut (Tor Children’s, 2014), tells the story of a young immortal King Tut, who’s been stuck in middle school for over 3,000 years and must defeat an ancient enemy with the help of a dorky kid from school, a mysterious Egyptian princess, and a one-eyed cat. For more information about P. J. (Tricia) Hoover, please visit her website www.pjhoover.com.

Purchase link:

About the book:

Please welcome Cathy Perkins to the virtual offices this morning! Cathy is here to chat about her new release For Love or Money, and after the interview, she has an awesome giveaway for you to enter! Cathy  is offering a Kindle Paperwhite to one lucky winner as part of her For Love of Money Blog Tour celebration! Simply fill out the rafflecopter form provided below for your chance to be entered. ?

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

[Cathy Perkins] Oh wow, I’m so much better talking about someone else. Hmm, here’s my favorite descriptive tweet: Award-winning mystery writer, financial geek, thinks the best part of the Mediterranean diet is the wine. And the cheese. Maybe the olives

Whew – 2 characters to spare

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about For Love Or Money?

[Cathy Perkins] For Love or Money just released from Entangled Publishing. After writing several dark stories, I moved to the lighter end of the mystery/suspense spectrum with this new series. Written from Holly Price’s perspective, the mystery romps through eastern Washington State with its rivers, wineries, Native American casinos, and assorted farm animals. The relationship, some wicked fun chemistry between the CPA (Certified Pain in the Ass) amateur sleuth and a Franklin County detective, is a big part of the story. For Love or Money was huge fun to write and the advance reviews say readers like it!

Here’s the official blurb:

When Holly Price trips over a friend’s dead body while hiking, her life takes a nosedive into a world of intrigue and danger. The verdict is murder—and Holly is the prime suspect. Of course, the fact that the infinitely sexy—and very pissed off—cop threatening to arrest her is JC Dimitrak, who just happens to be Holly’s jilted ex-fiancé, doesn’t help matters.

To protect her future, her business…and her heart…the intrepid forensic accountant must use all her considerable investigative skills to follow the money through an intricate web of shadow companies, while staying one step ahead of her ex-fiancé. She better solve the case before the real killer decides CPA stands for Certified Pain in the Ass…and the next dead body found beside the river is Holly’s.

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

[Cathy Perkins] Most of my stories start with either a daydream or a “what if,” but inspiration can hit in the strangest places. My husband and I were hiking along the Snake River in a game management area called Big Flats (which happens to feature in For Love or Money) and had to push through some tangled foliage at the shoreline. Being a mystery writer whose mind can go all kinds of strange places, I glanced over my shoulder and said, “Wouldn’t this be a great place to find a body?”

That germ of an idea kept growing. Why would the heroine be out at Big Flats to stumble over the body? How did the body end up beside the river in the first place?

The characters evolved as the story progressed. At first, I had Holly & JC simply meeting and rejecting the mutual attraction for assorted reasons. The chemistry between them kept growing and I realized they knew each other “before.” While that earlier relationship ended badly, the attraction was very definitely still there. It was a lovely way to add to Holly’s relationship conflict – was JC using her to get information or was he really interested in her? After the disastrous first time, could she ever trust him?

Writing the mystery from Holly’s perspective put a different spin to the murder investigation. (It would’ve been a completely different story told from JC’s perspective or even if they shared the POV role.) At times, though, I had to write scenes from JC’s perspective to make sure I knew where his head was. Then I had to filter those thoughts and reactions through Holly’s POV to get it on the page. A lovely challenge! I’ll put the “JC scene” on my website under “extras.”

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

[Cathy Perkins] Smart; tenacious; witty

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

[Cathy Perkins] A theme song? JC has a theme song? Damn. He never shared that little detail. Then again, he does hold his cards close to his vest.

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

[Cathy Perkins] Holly is never without her phone. She’s constantly using it for notes, texts, calls… and maybe for rescue.

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

[Cathy Perkins] JC wouldn’t come close to qualifying as a metrosexual, so definitely no hair styling products. After a failed marriage, he’s not about to let another woman move in and set up even temporary residence (although he would definitely make an exception for Holly), so no women’s tampons. And no candles. The only thing he wants to smell is the unique fragrance that is all Holly.

I started to add a rubber duck to the list, but given there actually is a Duck Float on the Columbia River (huge fundraiser with yes, little rubber ducks ), he might’ve ended up with one. Or two. Hmm… I can use that in the sequel…

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

[Cathy Perkins] When Holly’s staring at the wrong end of the killer’s gun, she rather regrets she doesn’t have super-powers or at least a Kevlar vest. But the rest of the time, she regrets not giving JC a chance.

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

[Cathy Perkins] My laptop – or a pad of paper and a pen with endless ink. I don’t have to be at my desk or the counter in the kitchen. The location can be anywhere. I once wrote a scene on the back of my bank deposit slip while standing in line to vote. The only thing I need to write is a starting point – an idea or a direction to get the words flowing.

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

[Cathy Perkins] I recently read Tana French’s In the Woods and loved both her use of language and the characters.

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

[Cathy Perkins] I’ve read so many books, I’m struggling to pick just one. (I was the kid who was always lost in a story.) I read My Friend Flicka (did you know there was a sequel titled, Thunderhead?) when I was in elementary school. It’s the first time I remember actually writing myself into the story. Years later, the Anne McCaffrey novels had the same impact. Of course, I’d also have a dragon. I loved the world building and the characters became friends I couldn’t wait to hang out with.

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

[Cathy Perkins] Like most authors, I still have a day job that demands a lot of time. When I’m not doing that or writing, I’m usually at our place in the mountains. We bought land that was a complete mess – collapsed barns, miles of rusting barbed wire fence and acres of trees and grass that hadn’t been maintained any better than the barns and fencing! (We’ve become close personal friends with everyone who works at the local dump!) It’s coming together and I love sitting on our (new) deck with friends, sharing a glass of wine at the end of the day.

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

[Cathy Perkins] I’m active on Facebook and Twitter or you can check my website for the rest of the tour’s schedule or other updates about new releases.

Thanks so much for inviting me to the Cafe – it’s been fun chatting with you.

[Manga Maniac Café] Thank you!

Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Description:

Book Information

Title: For Love or Money
Author: Cathy Perkins
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 367 pages
Release Date: May 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-097-1
Imprint: Suspense

Buy Links:

Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-or-Money-ebook/dp/B00CK51J3U/

Purchase from Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-love-or-money-cathy-perkins/1115213927

About the  Author:

Author Website: http://cperkinswrites.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cperkinswrites

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5367341.Cathy_Perkins

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

Bio: Cathy Perkins is a member of the Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She writes predominantly financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationship aspect of her characters’ lives. Her suspense writing lurks behind a financial day-job, where she learned firsthand the camouflaged, hide in plain sight, skills employed by her villains.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the setting of FOR LOVE OR MONEY, with her work-a-holic husband, a 75-pound Lab who thinks she’s still a lap-puppy and a Wirehair puppy’s who’s intent on digging her way to China. You can learn more about Cathy on her website http://cperkinswrites.com.

I want a dragon!!!

In stores September 2013

What are you waiting on?

Please welcome Robin Covington, author of Playing the Part,  to the virtual offices this morning!  She’s here to tell about yummy men with ooey-gooey insides.  After, Robin has an amazing giveaway, with a $50 gift card for the grand prize!

Heroes are like Ghiradelli Chocolate squares.

You know the ones . . . they come in those square, metallic packets. All different colors depending on the filling . . . my favorite is the bronze colored ones that contain the milk chocolate filled with creamy caramel . . . excuse me while I wipe off the drool.

I love opening the wrapper and seeing the dark chocolate—creamy but also firm – strong enough to protect the softer inside. The first bite is eye-rollingly-good. The chocolate resisting just before it gives way and the sweet, sultry caramel spreads over my tongue.

My Ghardelli chocolate square is just like my favorite kind of hero: strong on the outside but when touched with the right pressure he gives into and allows the sweetness to ooze out. And I want my hero to only be that way for me —to everyone else he’s Fort Knox—but to me he caves like that chocolate square.

My all-time favorite tough guy character with the sweet gooey center?  Zsadist from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. This guy was all kinds of mean, closed off and covered from head-to-toe in Teflon. Only one woman had the chance to break through his armor—Bella—and he completed the circle with his daughter Nalla. But don’t think he’s a softie and a pushover, he will take you out in a heartbeat of you threaten them.

He is my ultimate Ghirardelli Chocolate Square . . . which hero is yours?

Excerpt –  Playing the Part by Robin Covington

She was only human.

Piper looked down on the gorgeous, tousled, sexy man sprawled under her in the front seat of this way-too-small car. Mick’s eyes were dark—intense and tracking every movement she made. His chest rose in time with the harsh pants erupting from his mouth, the breaths ragged and loud in the silence stretching between them. His hands clenched in fists at his side, his body radiating the tension ricocheting around this car—he was waiting on her signal.

She gave him one.

Bypassing the temptation of his mouth, she zeroed in on the delicious expanse of his neck. The bristly stubble of his five-o’clock shadow scraped the tender inner part of her lip as she dragged her mouth over his skin, tasting the musky sweetness, the sharp tang of his arousal. Unable to help herself, she zeroed in on the pulse pounding just under his skin and took a little nip. Nothing too hard. Nothing to leave a mark. But damn, it got the reaction she wanted.

Mick snaked one hand around her waist, anchoring her against the hard, muscled expanse of his chest and the even harder bulge in his jeans. He slid the other hand up her back, tracing her spine and leaving a trail of tingly shivers in its wake before he wove his fingers into the hair at her nape. A tug, perfectly balanced between pleasure and pain, brought her mouth within kissing distance.

If he had eased into his possession of her desire, she might have second-guessed the decision to indulge in this moment, but he offered no mercy, annihilating her common sense with the destructive focus of one of his action movie roles. He was a world-class kisser, the combination of soft lips, firm strokes of tongue, and the sharp edge of his teeth all living up to the fantasies of his millions of fans.

“Let’s take this inside,” Mick murmured against her mouth.

“No. Here.” Her naughty side was coming out. She’d already checked—Mick had pulled into one of the secluded parking spots. No one would see.

Mick ceased the fevered mapping of her body, stopping just shy of her aching breasts, and Piper groaned in protest. He pulled back, his eyes dark and glittering under the meager lamplight. Full of questions. She lifted up, bracing her arms against the backseat on either side of his head.

She didn’t need to think about this. She’d made her decision. No, she needed Mick to live up to his reputation—in and out, no strings, no problems. She lowered her head, intending to restart the party.

Mick had other ideas. “If I were a good boy,” he said, “I’d point out that we’re in public.”

“We both know you aren’t that good.”

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Robin’s Bio:

Robin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.

A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel earned 4.5 stars and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”. When she’s not exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Mangianello.

Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinCovingtonAuthor?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/robincovington

Website: http://robincovingtonromance.com/

Blog: http://robincovingtonromance.com/burning-up-the-sheets/

Playing the Part Buy Links:

Amazon:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/playing-the-part-robin-covington/1115250855?ean=9781622667833

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Playing-the-Part/book-uNZPlvPOAkGupT4jhNTJDw/page1.html?s=7RyFcfdYJEue8i5ul93wBA&r=2

Tour Schedule:

http://www.entangledinromance.com/2013/06/10/playing-the-part-blog-tour/

About Playing the Part: