Round Two!

SURRENDER TO LOVE is on tour this Monday morning, hosted by Tasty Book Tours!

There will be excerpts, spotlights, a giveaway and more.

Make sure to stop by each blog and say hello :)

Nov 25th-CS Maxwell~ Where's My Muse?- Spotlight
(Stop 2) Renee Entress Blog

Nov 26th- Busy Moms Book Reviews
(Stop 2) Toots Book Reviews

Nov 27th- Tattooed Book Review
(Stop 2) Tiffany Talks Books

Nov 28th- Romance Addict Book Blog
(Stop 2) I am a Book Addict...and Proud of it

Nov 29th- Sam's Book Basket
(Stop 2) Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

Dec 2nd- For the Love of Bookends

Dec 3rd- Craves the Angst

Dec 4th- A Novel Affair
(Stop 2) Romance Bookworm

Dec 5th- Cocktails and Books

Dec 6th- Sharon's Book Nook
(Stop 2) J&M Book Diaries

What I'm Thankful For

As the holiday approaches, I see posts everywhere about what people are thankful for, and it got me thinking. What am I thankful for? There are so many things, but today I will start with sharing one.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be an author.

I know this probably doesn't sound like much, but to me it really is. I've been writing for years, but I've never really considered myself to be a writer, author, or teller of lies, what have you ;) To be honest, I never really thought I was that good at it, and I certainly never thought I would be successful.

That all changed when I wrote a book entitled That First Kiss and it suddenly took off. Now people know my name, they come to tell me that they enjoyed my work. And I'm like...

Okay, maybe it's not love, but a girl can dream.

It's such a gift to hear those words. They're so simple, but they mean so much to an author. You just don't know. It's affirmation that I am at least somewhat good at what I do, and it gives me incentive to keep doing it.

I am also thankful that this is a paying gig. It didn't used to be, and while some days are better than others, I am thrilled to bits that I can pay my bills and clothe my children and have a little wiggle room to do whatever the hell pleases me from time to time. Being an author has meant seriously changes in my family's life, and all for the better. I really am thankful for that, and I am thankful for all of you!

Are You Ready...

....To Surrender to Love?

Street Team Info!

 

Do you love books?

Do you find yourself thinking about what you're going to read next before you've even finished the one your on?

Do you find it impossible not to shout to anyone and everyone you meet the latest news about your favorite authors?

If you're answer was:

 "You got that right" or "Darn tootin'" or "Absopsitivolutely!" 

then you're perfect for my street team! 

Maybe you haven't heard of a street team before. As a Street Team member you'll do just about everything you did before as a reader. You'll get the opportunity to read ARC's and post reviews, host giveaways and tour dates, tweet about my books, and generally share what you love about them. Basically, you'll lend your support in any way that you can.

In return you'll get:

--ARCs of each new title BEFORE everyone else!
--Special prizes & giveaways exclusive to Street Team members!
--Swag!
--Active members will be mentioned in the "Acknowledgements" section of my future books. 

Ready to sign up?

Great! 

Click here and ask to join!

An author's rant

Reblogged from :

That’s it I quit. As authors we say this quite often.  Not because of the writing aspect, not even because of the editing issues, heck we even can get through the rejection letters like pros. Some find them a cheap alternative to wallpaper. While others find it a mark of a real author to be rejected. Whatever your poison it’s not the writing that makes us want to quit.

Read more… 659 more words

I think every author out there can relate to this!! My favorite line:  "Readers please do me a favor, if you read a book and enjoy it, tell at least two people, because your opinion is the best marketing in the world."

Writing News!

It's been such a busy week, but I have been working on a new project that I am really excited about. It's not the project I had originally planned, but as all authors will tell you, sometimes (okay, most times) writing takes on a mind of its own. 

So what is this new project you ask? It's called KNOCKOUT, and as you probably already guessed, it's about boxing, or more specifically, MMA fighting. Check out the description! 

From the wrong side of the tracks…

Growing up Alyson Blake was no stranger to drugs and violence. She learned early on that the only person she could depend on was herself. The only light in her shadowy world was the crush she harbored for a boy who everyone agreed was destined for a future behind bars—her savior, her first kiss, and the only person to ever set her soul on fire. The day the police dragged him away in handcuffs was the day everything changed. Since then she’s managed to lead a quiet, trouble-free life, but when a friend asks her to attend an event where violence and mayhem abound, trouble finally catches up with her.

The one person she can’t forget...

James Weston is the kind of guy dads load up their shotguns for—the kind with tattoos, a bad attitude, and a rap sheet as long as his arm. Known by his fans as “The Judge,” Jamison’s hot temper, lethal fists, and cocky attitude have earned him a reputation both inside the ring and out. He thought he left his past behind when he entered the ring, burying it with women and fighting, but that was before Little Alyson Blake reappeared in his life.

Two paths collide…

After years of separation, Alyson can’t help feeling that this is the perfect opportunity to explore the man who’s never been far from her thoughts. But for Jamison, Alyson is a distraction he doesn’t need, not when everything in his life is finally headed in the right direction. Determined to have him, Alyson does everything she knows how to get him, but when she uncovers a secret behind Jamison’s success that goes beyond his skills behind the ropes, will she be able to accept the truth, or will it be enough to tear them apart for good?

 

Also, don't forget that Surrender to Love is only 1 1/2 months away, so if you haven't already done so, get your pre-order in today. (P.S. It's on sale!)

Pre-order your copy of Surrender to Love (Night Calls, 3) by J.C. Valentine and lock it in at a special pre-order #sale price of only $2.99! Get it now before the price goes up!

Blurb:
After finding herself out of luck and out of love, Patricia Jacobs has written off the male species. No one but her father has ever given her the love and devotion she knows she deserves, and she’s sick and tired of it. Until she collides, literally, with a man whose devastating smile and seductive charm that should be considered illegal, destroys her plans. He’s everything she’s ever dreamed of in a man: handsome, intelligent, successful, they share a love of cars and best of all; he looks at her like she’s his light in the dark. What more could a girl ask for?

Jonathon Bradshaw, destroyed by a past that has haunted his every waking moment for the last five years, isn’t looking for a serious relationship, until he meets Patricia. Sweet, saucy and as hot as the summer is long, Jon can’t deny the draw he has toward her. For the first time, he has hope. Determined to shake the ghosts of his past, Jon focuses on forging a future with Patti, but he’s always been a master at standing in his own way.

When Jon’s past refuses to be forgotten, will Patti be able to live with the truth about the man who’s stolen her heart?

 
Pre-order Surrender to Love (Night Calls, 3) at:
B&N: http://bit.ly/1gCe8ow
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1drDWnC

Buy Stranded (Night Calls, 1):
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1aN9qDC
B&N: http://bit.ly/14lMmu1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/16hpE31

Buy That First Kiss (Night Calls, 2):
Amazon: http://amzn.to/142YGli
B&N: http://bit.ly/19gx9dz
Kobo: http://bit.ly/19gx9dz

 

**As always, you can stay up-to-date with all the latest writing news on my webpage: http://jcvalentine.weebly.com/

Cut! They Cast Who?

Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you've already heard the news: Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele have finally, FINALLY, been chosen for the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movie. 

Meet Christian & Ana!

(Charlie Hunnam & Dakota Johnson)

Some people are royally pissed at the choices that have been made. Some are absolutely ecstatic, at least when it comes to the choice for Christian. Most people, however, seem to be in agreement that the choice for Ana just doesn't seem right. I don't know, I see a lot of her mother, Melanie, in that face. This could get creepy. 

But it got me to thinking. Every time I finish a book and send it out to be read and reviewed, I get the inevitable question "Who is your__?" I don't normally write with an idea of WHO my characters resemble. It's sort of an after-the-fact kind of deal. You ask, and I scrounge around the web for the next hour and a half trying to find someone, ANYONE, who will fit the bill. Well, I was proactive this time around. So here are my choices for Jonathon Bradshaw and Patricia Jacobs from Surrender to Love. 

Meet Jon (Henry Cavill)                    &               Patricia (Yvonne Strhovski)

Now, for those of you who have read the Night Calls series, I am interested to know, who is your Poppy and Felix, or Piper and Tate, or Jon and Patti? I'd love to hear your choices!

Update on the Writing Front

Hey all!

So, you're probably wondering where the heck I ran off to. Well, long story short, I burned myself out! After a wave of giveaways and blog hops mixed with writing and promoting and family and other daily responsibilities, I had to step back for a much needed break.

For those of you who might have missed it, here is the final cover for Surrender to Love, due out November 12, 2013! 

Here's what happened while I was away:

1. Surrender to Love is done! It has gone through two beta readers and the third just finished it today. With her notes, I will make any necessary final adjustments, do one last read-through, and then it will be heading out to reviewers.

2. I have taken the first steps toward getting this baby off the ground and running! Currently, Tasty Book Tours is gathering a group of wonderful bloggers to feature Surrender to Love from November 25- December 6th. The spots are filling up fast, but there are a couple openings as of right now. So if you are interested, you can sign up HERE.

3. I am also teaming up with Book Monster Promotions. They will be taking care of Surrender to Love's release week from November 12- 22nd. They will also be helping me put together a street team. So if you are interested in that, please leave a comment or contact me directly at branflake3083@gmail.com so I know how to contact you when the time comes.

4. Finally, I've just finished creating a book trailer for Surrender to Love.

  

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the video and I hope to have you on my street team. Have a safe an joyous Labor Day weekend!

Sinful Summer Blog Hop

Thank you for participating in the Sinful Summer Blog Hop 

The hop runs July 24-31 so you have plenty of time to visit everyone!
***

The best part of summer is enjoying a nice steamy read.

The Night Calls series by J.C. Valentine is guaranteed to steam up your Kindle. Whether you enjoy long, hot, and angsty, or short, tantalizing, and full of passion, I have two books that are perfect for you! Stranded: a short story/novella

Burned, Felix Sinclair has all but vowed never to get seriously involved with another woman as long as he lives. After a long day's work, Felix is looking forward to getting back to his luxury apartment in the city. When he detours onto a road less traveled in order to shave off some travel time, the last thing he expects is to wind up stranded in a roadside ditch in the middle of a downpour-or to fall into the arms of a beautiful woman.

Recently divorced, jobless, friendless and utterly alone, Poppy Montgomery is struggling to convince herself that single life is what she wants-needs. Then a handsome stranger staggers into her life and sparks fly. Riding out the storm together, their instant connection seems like the perfect opportunity to explore a night of passion, but will one night be enough to satisfy their craving for one another?

That First Kiss (a full length novel)

Mercurial and charming, Tate Larson is a rising author and playboy who has a different woman on his arm every night of the week. Focused on his work, Tate has no plans to settle down any time soon. That is until he meets his pretty new assistant, Piper Donovan.

Desperate to escape the promise of backwater living, Piper ditched her Alabama hometown and never looked back. That was almost two years ago. Now that she is out of a job and her bank account is running on fumes, she’s desperate to find a job, fast. She finds the break she is searching for when she lands a position at Bookish Temptations. A little dancing and a lot of drinks with the girls seem the perfect way to celebrate. After a brief but explosive encounter with a man she was never supposed to see again turns out to be the same man she will be bending over backwards to please, her every instinct tells her to run. But when running means leaving the life she has struggled so hard to create, Piper decides her only option is to continue working for the devastatingly sexy Tate Larson...even if it kills her.

Unable to deny their growing attraction, they struggle to keep their distance in a relationship that requires anything but.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter the Sinful Summer Grand Prize Rafflecopter! 

Don't forget to visit these other great bloggers!

Sizzling Summer Blog Hop

The Romance Troupe is hosting its first annual 

Sizzling Summer Blog Hop!

July 4th - July 7th

Please join over 40 authors and bloggers as we celebrate summer with some fabulous romantic tales. 
Each blog will feature a SIZZLING excerpt from one of the author's own books or from one of their favorite reads.

Here is mine from That First Kiss by J.C. Valentine! 

THAT FIRST KISS 
(NIGHT CALLS SERIES, book 2)

 

BLURB: Mercurial and charming, Tate Larson is a rising author and playboy who has a different woman on his arm every night of the week. Focused on his work, Tate has no plans to settle down any time soon. That is until he meets his pretty new assistant, Piper Donovan.

Desperate to escape the promise of backwater living, Piper ditched her Alabama hometown and never looked back. That was almost two years ago. Now that she is out of a job and her bank account is running on fumes, she’s desperate to find a job, fast. She finds the break she is searching for when she lands a position at Bookish Temptations. A little dancing and a lot of drinks with the girls seem the perfect way to celebrate. After a brief but explosive encounter with a man she was never supposed to see again turns out to be the same man she will be bending over backwards to please, her every instinct tells her to run. But when running means leaving the life she has struggled so hard to create, Piper decides her only option is to continue working for the devastatingly sexy Tate Larson...even if it kills her.

Unable to deny their growing attraction, they struggle to keep their distance in a relationship that requires anything but.

EXCERPT: 

“I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”

            “Nah, don’t worry about it.” Tate waved her off.

            “What do you mean, don’t worry about it?” Piper stood there holding the empty pot in one hand and a bag of fresh grounds in the other. “Half an hour ago you were yelling at me because you ran out. Now you don’t want any?”

            “First of all,” Tate said, leaning inside the refrigerator. Piper tried and failed not to appreciate the view. “I didn’t yell. Second, I reserve the right to change my mind.” He selected the jug of orange juice and began pouring a glass.

            “To be clear, you were yelling,” Piper informed him. She just couldn’t resist poking the beast.

            Tate stepped closer, setting his glass on the counter. Unsure what he was up to, Piper held her ground. She nearly sighed when he lifted his hand to brush the back of his knuckles across her cheek. “Did I scare you?”

            For a moment, Piper got lost in the warmth of his eyes. At his touch, her body flamed, acutely aware of his potent masculinity. It was the second time that day he had managed to tilt her world on its axis. “I should get home. It’s late.” She purposely ignored his question and stepped back, putting much needed distance between them. Her shaking legs barely made it to the front door and she was just slipping her purse over her shoulder when Tate’s smooth voice stopped her.

            “You didn’t answer my question.”

            “What question was that?”

            He spun her around and her eyes widened as he backed her up against the door. He leaned forward and, bracing his hands on either side of her head, hovered over her. “Did I scare you?” His face was so close; she felt the whisper of his lips against hers as he spoke.
            “You don’t scare me,” she said breathlessly. Piper was shocked at the kind of responses this man could evoke from her, how readily her body responded to him. She shouldn’t have been responding to him at all. He made her so angry, the only thing she should be feeling for him was hatred and resentment, but every time he looked at her a certain way or spoke her name in a certain tone, her traitorous body melted for him. It was humiliating.

            “You look scared,” he observed, the corners of his mouth twisting slightly.

            “What are you doing?” Piper flattened herself against the door as Tate tilted his head toward her.

            “Thinking,” he said, distracted.

            “About what?” Her heart pounded and she was finding it harder to breathe.

            His lips whispered across hers. “Kissing you.” He dragged his lips down the slope of her jaw to her neck. “Tasting you.” When he reached the curve of her shoulder his hand dipped between her legs and cupped her throbbing mound. “Fucking you,” he whispered, placing a succulent kiss to her heated flesh.

Currently on sale for only $.99! 

Amazon US * Amazon UK

***

Sizzling Summer Blog Hop 

You could win......

Grand Prize #1

An iPAD MINI

(US ONLY)

(Alternate prize for international winner)

OR

Grand Prize #2

$50 Amazon/B&N Gift Card

+ Several Surprise Digital Books

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #1

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #2

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

Follow all Hop announcements via

www.theromancetroupe.com

and on Twitter hashtag

#SizzlingHop

Comment on this page and hop to each stop on the list below and comment to win. REMEMBER, you must leave your email addy in your comment for it to be counted as a valid entry. Each blog you visit raises your chances of winning!

If you follow the Romance Troupe Blog by email. TELL THEM! They will put your name in the hat an extra time!!!

Good Luck and Happy Hopping!

Winners will be chosen using Random.org

A winning blog will be chosen via random.org for each prize and then another number will be drawn to determine the winning commenter. Only comments with email addresses will be considered valid entries for the prizes. This process will be repeated for all prizes. The Romance Troupe will not retain any contributions past the date of the event. All monies collected will be distributed as prizes for the event.

For my part on the hop, I am giving away a copy of That First Kiss by J.C. Valentine!  

It's simple and easy. 

Just enter the Punchtab!

---

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Remember to check out all the great blogs on this hop listed on The Romance Troupe's page!

The Romance Troupe's Sizzling Summer Blog Hop is Almost Here!

Please join over 40 authors and bloggers as we celebrate summer with some fabulous romantic tales. 

Each blog will feature a SIZZLING excerpt from one of the author's own books or from one of their favorite reads.

Dive into the fun on July 4th as we kick off our shoes, 

find our favorite lounge chair, 

put on our big straw hat (so we can see our eReader, of course), 

and enjoy the summer sun.

You could win......

An iPAD MINI

(US ONLY)

(Alternate prize for international winner)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #1

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #2

+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC

+ Several surprise digital books

(US ONLY for Swag)

We can't wait to meet you!

Follow all Hop announcements via

www.theromancetroupe.com

and on Twitter hashtag

#SizzlingHop

"Bad Boys" of Romance Giveaway Hop

Oh you know you love them. Those "bad boys" of romance. 

And now we're celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness. 

The "Bad Boys" of Romance Giveaway Hop runs from June 7th-June 17th and is hosted by

herding cats & burning soup, Rantings of a Reading Addict and author Blue Remy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For my part, I am giving away (2) ebook copies of "That First Kiss" featuring the loveable bad boy Tate Larson to two lucky winners! This will giveaway is INTERNATIONAL as all prizes will be awarded via email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TGIF: Friday Faves

So the weekend is finally here...almost, and I realized, what kind of author would I be if I didn't make sure that my peeps had something fantastic to read to get them through the weekend?! In light of this revelation, I have come up with three (3) books that I absolutely adore for you to check out.


1. Down to You by M. Leighton
One girl. Twin brothers. An uncommon triangle.
When college student Olivia Townsend returned home to help her father run his business, she never imagined a complication like Cash and Nash Davenport—twin brothers different in so many ways but with one thing in common: an uncontrollable desire for Olivia.
Cash is dangerous, sexy, and bad to the bone—a man whose kisses make Olivia forget she is playing with fire. Nash is successful, reliable and intensely passionate—and already taken. But all it takes is one soft stroke to make Olivia forget he belongs to someone else.
However, Olivia is in for a surprise. These boys have a secret that should make her run away as far and as fast as she can. If only it wasn’t too late. A sensual game between three players has begun, and it’s about to spin deliriously out of control.

 2. The Ex Who Wouldn't Die by Sally Berneathy 

When Amanda's lying, cheating, scam-artist husband, Charley, saves her life in a near-fatal motorcycle accident, she can almost forgive him for dragging his feet on their divorce. Then she discovers he'd been dead for several hours at the time she thought he rescued her. And not just dead…murdered.

On the good side, at least they are no longer married.

But she's the primary suspect in Charley's murder and, as if that isn't bad enough, Charley's ghost shows up in her apartment. He was rejected, kicked back, not allowed to go into the light. The situation was bad enough when he was alive and trying to charm his way back into her life, but now he claims to be unable to go more than a few yards away from her. She can't even be certain he isn't peeking when she undresses for bed.

Even death did not them part.

As Amanda puts her life in danger in an effort to bring Charley's murderer to justice and send him into the light or the dark or anywhere away from her, she learns her knowledge of Charley's misdeeds is only the tip of a toxic iceberg. Charley blackmailed his murderer, blackmailed Amanda's father, lied about his family being dead when he is actually related to half the town of Silver Creek, Texas, and, with his treachery, has stirred up secrets that will change Amanda's life.


3. Find You in the Dark by A. Meredith Walters 

Maggie Young had the market on normal. Normal friends, normal parents, normal grades...normal life.

Until him.

Clayton Reed was running from his past and an army of personal demons that threatened to take him down. He never thought he had a chance at happiness.

Until her.

Maggie thought their love could overcome anything. Clay thought she was all he needed to fix his messy life.

That together, they could face the world.

But the darkness is always waiting.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle to true love is within yourself.


Now that you're properly set up and I can rest easy that you have everything you need to ensure a great weekend, I wish you a safe, happy and healthy Memorial Day!