Interviews with Victoria: Austin from Ember's Secret by Catherine Peace

Victoria: Today I've got Austin from Ember's Secret in my chair. He's a professed foodie and now I'll regret not asking him what he likes to do with food. Thank you for swinging by, Austin. 

Now I won't keep readers in suspsense, let's jump right into the fire Would you rather be caught with your pants around your ankles or tied naked to a pole?

Austin: Uuuuuuuh……...pants around ankles. Definitely. Yeah. Ember doesn’t need any other ideas.

Victoria: Really? I'm curious as to what ideas she has, but instead I'll stick to my original questions.Are you a love at first sight or love is for suckers type of person?

Austin: I was the second type before I met Ember. I know, romantic and sweet and blegh. But true. She’s kind of amazing.

Victoria: All good women are, but you're right too romantic. When I say the word 'masticle' what do you think it means?

Austin: ...I know what a manacle is...and I know a couple different words that start with ‘mast,’ but that is a new one on me………...oh shit. Does that mean what I think it means? Like…..oh holy shit.

Victoria: *laughs* I believe I haven't seen that shade of pink before, and thanks to my flogger and my submissive I've seen lots of shades. On that note: What's the kinkiest thing sexually you've ever done?

Austin: Sure as hell nothing with a ‘masticle.’ But Em’s getting a lot more adventurous. She likes….using food in reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally interesting ways.

Victoria: *snaps fingers* I knew it. Chefs are definitely dangerous ones in the bedroom. Just imagine if she liked pain too. Mmmm... moving on. Last question for you: Tell readers in 1 sentence why your book is what they need?

Austin: Cuz I’m in it? Oh, that’s not a real reason. Because it’s full of everything you need--star-crossed lovers, secrets, an overprotective father (who I totally win over, by the way...well, sort of), and plenty of delicious food to go around. Nice pun, by the way.

Victoria: Thank you, and your book sounds absolutely delicious...*licks lips* For everyone else here's some more information on this tasty treat of a book.

Blurb: Ember only wants two things out of life: to be reunited with her sisters, and to see people come back to her café. Catering to people she never sees again, she experiences a loneliness that can’t be filled. As one of the last Whakamanu—a descendant of the Maori bird-god Tane—she has to hold on to the secrets of her tribe. Family first.

Gourmet TV personality Austin Garten, host of the popular show Back Road Eats, needs more in his life than Breadbasket America grilling. He’s tired of the safe routes, the easy and dependable foods that the Network loves to display. When his RV breaks down in Wyoming, and he learns about Kai, a Maori restaurant outside of Casper, his interest is piqued. Once he meets the proprietor, he realizes he’s wants more than just her food. He wants her.

Ember isn’t too sure. The Solstice, the Maori New Year, is fast approaching, and with the heat in her kitchen ratcheting up, she knows she can’t keep her secret for much longer. But will Austin be able to accept her? Or will her secret drive them apart?

Buy Links: Amazon ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

Author Bio:

Catherine Peace has been telling stories for as long as she could remember. She often blames two things for her forays into speculative fiction—Syfy (when it was SciFi) channel Sundays with her dad and The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells. She graduated in 2008 from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in English and is still chasing the dream of being super rich and famous, mostly so she can sit around in her PJs all day and write stories. When not being a slave to the people in her head, she’s a slave to two adorable dogs.

Where to find Cate: 

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog: Going from Nobody to Somebody ~ Blog: The Pen Punks ~  Reviewer for: Indie Books R Us ~ Founder of: Scream for the Cure 

Funday Monday: What's New, What's Not, and What's Coming

It's been a long time since a Funday Monday post. A looonnnngggg time.

So let's get started with:

What's New

1- New is my awesome With This Kilt, I Thee Bed short story anthology coming in October. The current plan is to release October 14th. This is a self-publishing venture and I'm navigating the piranha invested waters like a motor boat with a clogged motor. I will say that I'm confident I'll figure the majority of the 'need-to-know's' before release day. In the meantime look at the SHINY Cover! Thank you to the fantastical G. Pendergast for the work and the beautiful Jenn LeBlanc and Studio Smexy for the stock photo.

2- The Season for Romance is now Smitten by Books! Oh, yes. I loved reviewing for The Season and it's a little bittersweet at the name change because I'm a huge Historical Romance fan. Yet, change is good (something I'm slowly learning) and I look forward to the new site. There will still be as many awesome giveaways and reviews as before. Also, take a gander at the site banner and you may catch a glimpse of some sexy Highlanders. :) P.S. The website is still being worked on. In the meantime you can still see reviews over at Smitten by Books Blog.

What's Not

1- I'm still closed to reviews here on the blog. I've received multiple emails and I'm really honored that you want me to read your book. Unfortunately, there's no time in my schedule for reviewing like I used to do in the old days. 

2- In the meantime Indie Books R Us is still looking for self-published and small press published books to read. We've got open dates for October, November, and December... of this year. It's almost unheard of, but the slots are there. So I encourage you to checkout the submission guidelines and submit. 

What's Coming

1- A new website, a new blog, and so much more. Yep, I working on a few changes. Alright several new changes. As I get them finished I'll be sure to announce them right here. Don't want to keep anyone out of the loop. 

2- Scream! For a Cure Charity Auction. Do you like paranormal, erotic romance, horror, YA books in paranormal and urban fantasy. Then prepare the pocket books for this upcoming event hosted by my fellow Indie Books R Us Co-Founder, Catherine Peace.  I'll have a more detailed post about this event coming later in the week or you can click the link above to find out more. 

Top 5 Live Bands via Catherine Peace #ReleaseDay #Giveaway

This book is hawt, hawt, hawt! I won't say more then that because I could easily wax poetic about Cate's writing prowess and talents. For me this 1NS hits a lot of awesome spots for me.

What's Complete Me about? .

Best-selling romance author Claire Ergleston confines her passions to the pages of her books. When she receives a 1Night Stand date ‘to give her something to talk about in interviews,’ can she let herself be swept away?

A rock star who needs to let go….

The past has a chokehold on former rock star Ty Krause. Instead of killer tunes, he kills time writing passable songs for a British boy band and his nights wishing he had the balls to say goodbye. In a last ditch effort, he signs up for 1Night Stand, thinking that a night of no-strings-attached sex will help him break the leash of his past.

From the moment Claire and Ty meet, sparks fly—but can they overcome their pasts or will their potential love story end on a sour note? 

This book is all about the music and I'm a music lover something fierce. I'm rocking a few tunes from The Script right now. So I've asked the lovely Cate if she can some of her favorite live bands. Here's her top 5! 

Music lover that I am, I try to go to concerts whenever possible, and there are a few bands that always catch my eye when they’re anywhere near me. There’s something about being with a crowd, singing/shouting/screaming the lyrics to your favorite songs. Here the top five that I always catch whenever they’re nearby.

Chicago – I’d be remiss if I didn’t see Chicago any and every time I could, especially since so much of Complete Me revolves around the band. Definitely one of the best shows you can see.

Deftones—A bit different from Chicago, but one of my all-time favorites. Chino’s voice can be magical.

Motley Crue—Learning that one of the best rock bands of all time is retiring has broken my heart, but I’ve seen them twice and will see them again in October on their farewell tour. If you can catch them, GO.

Earth, Wind, and Fire—This is easily one of my favorite plans to see live. Every time, it’s a party. Vibrant, fun, amazing, and always well worth it.

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Avenged Sevenfold—I saw them for the first time last year, and I will try to go every time they’re remotely nearby. It’s 1 part M. Shadows’ Texas and 1 part the unbelievably awesome crowd participation.

Now that you've properly been introduced to copious amounts of good music you need to enter Cate's giveaway. To celebrate her newest release, Complete Me, she's got a Music Lover's Giveaway—$25 iTunes gift card, a free copy of the book, and a Complete Me-inspired t-shirt of your choice! 

Entry-Form

Release Day +Giveaway: What You Need by Landra Graf

I'm walking on sunshine. I'm exiting the atmosphere. I'm so excited I could burst. That's the feeling of release day. I won't dive into all the conceptualizing and the failed attempt of writing this story for the Tiffany Reisz Edited Anthology Felt Tips. I will say I can't thank Catherine Peace enough for turning me onto the 1Night Stand series and I only hope this book brings as much joy to others as it does to me.

OFFICIAL BLURB: 

A sexual submissive, Royce wants a woman who’ll make his fantasies come true. The last thing he expects on his 1Night Stand is to be paired with Victoria, his ex-best friend.  Haunted by their past, he refuses to deny his newfound attraction or his need for answers.  This time, he doesn’t plan to let her go.

Victoria has loved Royce forever, but the sting of his rejection is not so easily forgotten. No longer the naïve girl he knew, she’s matured into a sexual dominant. This domme demands a chance to restart their relationship—on her terms. Knowing that one night will never be enough, she plans a seduction that will last forever.    

To celebrate 2 Lucky Winners have a chance at a $25 Gift Card to PureRomance.com and a free copy of What You Need. To enter to win just comment on the post with your email address. 

On top of the giveaway bliss the celebration continues at several blogs hosting me on this awesome Tuesday. You can view my guest posts, extra content, and excerpts over at The Season, Lori Sizemore, Going from Nobody to Somebody, M.A. Dunham, and Amanda Romaine Lynch. 

Cover Reveal: Complete Me by Cate Peace

Check out this amazing cover from my buddy and fellow 1Night Stand author Cate Peace. This cover was made by another Decadent author Mina Carter. Tell us what you think.

Out of the dating game for five years, best-selling romance author Claire Ergleston is convinced that writing out the romances she’s always wanted is a lot safer than trying in real life. Then she receives the news that she’s been signed up for a 1Night Stand date “to give her something to talk about in interviews.” Nothing worse than a romance author with no romance to pick apart.

Former rock star Ty Krause has let his past rule him for almost a decade. Unable to let the former love of his life go for good, he spends his days writing passable songs for a British boy band and his nights wishing he had the balls to say goodbye. In a last ditch effort, he signs up for 1Night Stand, thinking that a night of no-strings-attached sex will help him cut the other strings holding him back.

When the two meet, their instant attraction and connection muddy the waters a little too much. Will past hurts hold them back from each other, or will they be able to move forward and live out their dreams together?

I can't wait to read this one and it should be out in the near future. :)