It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week will share with you the books we are reading, just finished reading and those books we are planning to read this week.

Finished:

Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum Series #18)Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving like JesusHoliday RushHot Chocolat

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter

Blank Slate Kate by Heather Wardell

Live Out Loud by Heather Wardell

Holiday Rush by Lisa Scott

Hot Chocolat by Judy Powell

Currently Reading:

Hot Summer

Hot Summer by Judy Powell

I had a very good week reading – I just needed to escape in a book.  How was your reading week?

Author Interview with Quinn Loftis

Please let us a bit about yourself and your book.

I’m a 31 year old wife and mother. I am a nurse two days a week, and although I like nursing it was never my dream to be one. Writing has always been a passion and something that came easily for me. Blood Rites Book 2 in the Grey Wolves Series. It is the continuation and conclusion of Fane and Jacque’s story. In Blood Rites readers will also get a chance to get to know other characters better and to see other possible romances evolving.

Why did you choose to write in the YA genre?

It’s the genre I enjoy the most to read. I am still very young at heart and much to my husband’s chagrin act like a 17 year old girl. Seriously though it’s such a fun genre to be a part of and so exciting. There are so many possibilities when you are 17, the world is huge and your whole life is a head of you. I think it’s on e of the most exciting genres to write about!

What have you learned about writing an YA book?  How do you identify with your readers?

I’ve learned that it is easier said than done! I’m learning that with YA books there is a balance and a fine line between the adult world and the YA world. You don’t want to write something so basic and “innocent” that it’s unrealistic or belittling but at the same time as an adult I have to remember that YA’s see the world differently than adults do. I think that’s a great thing. As adults we become jaded and see the glass as half empty more often than not. I think I identify with my readers by writing about things that actually happened to me…although I will never fess up to what parts of my books are true, sorry lol, I remember what it was like to be 17 and 18. I’m blessed enough to be married to a man that I am madly in love with after 12 years and so writing about being in love, deeply in love isn’t hard for me because I have that. I remember the first time I laid eyes on my husband and I remember how I felt. I use those emotions when I write. I think if I’m true to those emotions then readers will be able to feel what it is I’m trying to convey.

Who was your favorite character to write?

My favorite character has been Jen. What can I say, she is a character. Jen is the friend that every body loves and yet wants to duck tape her mouth closed most of the time. She is fiercely loyal, brutally honest and deep down very vulnerable.

Who was the most difficult?

In Blood Rites Jacque was the most difficult because as the heroine/damsel in distress it’s so easy to make the female lead either to wimpy or too butch. You want a heroine who is strong but vulnerable, out spoken but doesn’t come across as _itchy, and you don’t want her so weak that she isn’t redeemable. Jacque was a challenge because I wanted people to see her strength but also know that everyone has a limit as to what they can take and at some point in life everyone needs to be rescued.

Was there anything edited out that you really miss?

I can actually say that everything in Blood Rites is from the original version. Words may have been tweaked here or there but there was no major cutting.


Blood Rites
By Quinn Loftis
Genre: Paranormal YA

With the challenge complete and the corrupt Alpha of Coldspring defeated Fane is now free to complete the mate bond with Jacque and perform the Blood Rites. Although the challenge is done, the affects are far reaching. Once it is known that Vasile, one of the strongest Alphas in the world, is in America, specifically Coldspring, TX, there is one Alpha who cannot over look the significance of this.
An Alpha who happens to share Jacque’s DNA, but is this the one she needs to fear?
With her mom driving and her two best friends, Jen and Sally in tow, Jacque set off for her happily ever after. She will soon realize a plan has been put in motion that will change her course and possibly tear her from Fane’s grasp forever.
It will take a wolf pack, her mother’s love, her two best friend’s unrelenting determination, her own will to survive and the undying love of her mate to bring her home.
The question remains, if she fights, if she endures, who will she be, what will be left once she is back in her mates arms?
About the Author

Quinn is a 31 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order. She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound than the sound in the world than that of her little boy’s laughter.

www.quinnloftisbooks.com
@quinnloftis (twitter)

Author Guest Post – Louisa Bacio

Feeding the Fetish & 5 Fav. Books

Louisa Bacio

Lately, life gets in the way of my traditional reading time. It used to be that I could pour through an entire book in a single day … easily, or on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. I didn’t have a TBR pile because I simply read the books that I bought. These days, though, the stacks – physical and virtual on my Kindle – keep getting bigger and bigger, and I have to set aside special time to read.

It’s kind of like planning on when to have sex when you’re married. Many people assume that you’re living together, you’re in the same bed … sex happens, right? Well, what happens if your partner is a morning person and you’re a night person? Huh?

OK, bad analogy, but hopefully I got your attention. Sometimes, when I’m on a tight deadline I know I CAN’T start a book because I’ll get wrapped up and will want to finish it … and then what? I won’t have time to write.

And I feel guilty, either way.

Because almost as equal as that need to read is the need to write. And, I’m hoping that I’m writing books that are just as interesting to readers as I’ve enjoyed over the years.

Off the top of my head, here are five novels that have “stayed” with me:

Stephen KingBag of Bones: Extremely haunting tale, and thrilled it’s coming out as a mini series.

Kim HarrisonDead Witch Walking: First in Harrison’s Hallows series, and also supposedly coming to TV soon!

Anne RiceThe Witching Hour: Yes, I read all her Vampire Chronicles, too, but this one … sigh … such a dynamic family tree.

J.K. RowlingHarry Potter: Come on, when it comes to paranormal (cough: wizards), how can one not fall in love with the YA delight?

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night series: And you probably thought I was going to mention that other popular teen vampire series, right? Well, yes I read Twilight, too, but something about the realness and internal struggle that fledgling Zoey goes through in the first book Marked really resonates.

So tell me: When do you find time to read, especially around the busy holidays? What books have clung to you, long after you’ve read them?


The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver 
Book 2
By Louisa Bacio
Genre: Paranormal erotica

Adopted at birth, Silver Ashe discovers her blood-brother Trevor Pack is a werewolf, with a vampire and witch for lovers. All her teachings about the evils of the paranormal Others come into question. She runs to a family friend, Nick, for help.

Nick Stake takes his hobby as a vampire hunter personally. He strives to rid the world of evil bloodsuckers. When his best friend’s “kid” sister comes to him for advice, Nick discovers Silver’s more than grown up. He battles his growing desire for Silver and blindly holds true to his convictions.

Once Silver reaches her sexual maturity, she’ll inherit her full genetic heritage and turn into a werewolf. When death comes calling, Silver and Nick must face their darkest fears in order to break free from the chains that bind.

The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome
Book 1
By Louisa Bacio
Genre: Paranormal erotica

Blurb
Haunted by paranormal abilities that she can’t control, and plagued by nightmares about a demon that seeks her soul, Lily Anima travels to New Orleans in search of salvation.

In the French Quarter, Lily dives into the paranormal world and enlists the help of an unlikely couple: a vampire, Lawrence Justice, and a werewolf, Trevor Pack.

As the trio encounters ghosts, voodoo and unspeakable evil, will Trevor and Lawrence be able to help Lily turn her powers into a gift rather than a curse? And when Lily discovers that she needs to lose her virginity in order to embrace her powers and get the demon off her back, will the twosome be able to survive as a threesome?

About Louisa Bacio

Louisa Bacio enjoys soaking up the sun in Southern California, and spending time with her family.

Bacio’s work includes the Sex University series, with her debut novel Physical Education and the follow-up All-Girls Academy. Her story “Two’s Company” can be found in I Kissed a Girl: A Virgin Lesbian Anthology. Other short stories can be found in the Seducing the Myth anthology, and Rekindled: An Anthology of Reunited Lovers.

In addition to writing and editing, Bacio teaches college courses in English, journalism, film studies and popular culture.

Drop in for a visit

http://www.louisabacio.com
http://louisabacio.blogspot.com
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