Guest Author: Juliana Stone & Giveaway!!

Juliana

I’m so excited to be hosting Juliana Stone on the blog today!  Juliana writes fantastically sexy and emotional contemporary romance, and also paranomal romance and YA fiction.  She’s just an enormously talented and cool person.  And it’s even more exciting that she has a new book out in a brand new series!  The book is called Tucker, and it kicks of The Family Simon Series.

Here’s the blurb for Tucker:

When all hope is gone, can love still will find a way?

Tucker Simon has given up on love. After a tragedy, it’s just not in the cards for him, and he wishes his family would get off his back. He’s fine—or at least he thought he was–until a family wedding forces him to address a few things, namely his date, Abby Mathews. She’s been put in the ‘friend’ category, mostly because she deserves so much more than what he can give. But the more time that he spends with her, Tucker begins to think that maybe there is a chance for love after all…

Abby Mathews has been in love with Tucker Simon since he walked into her family’s bar nearly a year ago. But he’s got baggage and heartache a plenty. His one-night-stands isn’t going to lessen that no matter what he thinks. Tucker needs a friend, but Abby wants to give him more, and as they navigate their way through a weekend in Florida, their attraction can’t be ignored. Abby has to make a choice. Does she cherish their friendship and take what she can get? Or does she go after what she really wants, which is Tucker’s heart…

Tucker_final_600x900

And here’s an exclusive excerpt from the book:

The smell of coffee woke Abby. A roasted blend and something else…caramel?

Or was it the smell of clean, fresh soap?

Whatever it was, it was nice, and she sighed, sinking deeper into the mattress. Inhaling that lovely scent once more, she relaxed for a moment as whatever the heck smelled so good infiltrated her nose and wove its way through her body. She was warm, heavy from sleep and content.

A noise sounded, something that didn’t belong—waves?—and she rolled over, nearly falling out of bed. For a moment, she had no idea where she was.

Pushing a tangle of hair from her eyes, her vision slowly came into focus, and when it did, her mouth went dry. It went so dry that she couldn’t swallow. Her insides quaked and fire raced across her skin.

She’d been right about the coffee. Yep. There it was, right in front of her. Great big honkin’ mug of java.

But it was attached to a hand, and that hand was attached to a muscular arm that glistened with drops of water as if fresh from the shower. Of course, there was an accompanying wide expanse of flesh and since she was weak—and let’s not forget confused—it drew her eye.

And—holy hell—suddenly, she was wide awake.

A hot thrust of lust (sheesh, was she a poet now?) had her girlie parts singing Hallelujah—shouting, praise the Lord and whispering God bless Tucker Simon.

Hot Damn, she had a freaking Baptist Choir going crazy inside her body, and Abby glanced away from his bare chest—from all that hard, damp, and defined muscle—pushing away the image of her tongue on those picture-perfect abs.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she held her breath as her mind scrambled to catch up to what her eyes had just seen. Sure, she was used to waking up with Tucker on the brain but never…never so up close and personal.

She froze. Wait. Was she still dreaming?

Cracking an eye open a smidge, Abby angled a peek and everything inside her went squirrely.

Nope. That there was one hundred percent, tanned, toned, and freaking hot Tucker Simon—prime, USA Grade Tucker Simon—and he was looking down at her with an amused look on his face.

“Morning sunshine. I’m done in the shower if you want to take a turn.”

God, he was only wearing a towel.

Slowly reality sank in, and she remembered where she was. Why she was here.

Tucker wasn’t all naked and wet and yummy because they’d spend a hot, passionate night together. Nope. That so didn’t happen. (At least not outside of her head).

Tucker was up and at ‘em because—

“We tee off in an hour so you better get your butt in gear.”

Wait. What?

“Tee off?” She sat up fully and accepted the cup of coffee, hoping the scowl she felt didn’t show. If she had her choice, she’d bury herself beneath the covers and drift off into a world of Tucker Simon dreams.

She watched him warily. Guess that wasn’t going to happen.

He leaned his hip against the table beside the bed, long wisps of gauzy material floating around him as a fresh breeze rolled in from outside. Any other guy would look like an idiot but he didn’t. If anything, the soft white texture of the material that fell from the ceiling only helped to showcase just how hard and masculine Tucker was.

Dragging her eyes from his, she took a sip of coffee and nearly choked as she forced it down.

“You need to put some clothes on.”

Shit. Did she really say that out loud? What the hell is wrong with me?

“Sure thing, darlin’. Do I make you nervous?” His tone was light—teasing even—but Abby wasn’t in the mood for it. About one second after she’d caught sight of his nearly naked ass, she’d realized that this was a mistake. There was no way she should have come to Florida with Tucker, because she was going to make a fool out of herself.

She could feel it.

And that scared the crap out of her.

“It’s not you that makes me nervous,” she retorted, trying to get her shit together. “It’s that damn towel. In case you’re not aware, it’s loose and I sure as hell don’t want to catch sight of your…”

His eyebrow shot up.

She swallowed hard. And then cleared her throat.

“Your…thingy.”

Oh. My. God.

If the floor opened up and she fell through all the way to hell she wouldn’t care. In fact, she wished it would open up and suck her into another realm, because she did not just say–

“My thingy,” Tucker said, his grin huge, his eyes practically dancing.

Abby’s scowl deepened as she slipped off the bed and moved past him, careful to make sure she wasn’t anywhere near his—

My thingy?” he repeated.

“Well, I don’t know you well enough to call it Hank.”

See what I mean?  Juliana’s books are awesome!  And for my readers today, she’s running a great giveaway.  You could win either a kindle copy of her Barker Triplets 3 book boxed set, or print copies of off Offside, Collide, and Conceal.  The Kindle anthology is open for international giveaway; the three print copies are US and Canada only.  So everyone has a chance to win!  To be eligible, just tell us what you think about the tortured hero–does this type of hero appeal to you?  Who are some tortured heroes that you love?  One person will win either the boxed set or the print books!

 


Juliana Stone Boxed Set 99 Cent Special!!

Barket Triplets

My blog followers know that I enjoy calling attention to some of my favorite romance authors, and to dynamite reading deals.  Well, here’s a really great one by the talented Juliana Stone.  I think Juliana writes some of the best contemporary romance on the shelves today.  Her books are sexy, emotional, tender, and feature bad-boy heroes to die for.  And for a limited time, The Barker Tripletsher series about three sisters with a knack for trouble–is on sale for only 99 cents.  Here are the details:

Book One: OFFSIDE

When hockey phenom Billie-Jo Barker returns home and decides to play in the local Friday night hockey league, all hell breaks loose. Not because Billie’s talent is in question, but because Billie is a woman. And though these are modern times, some of the local guys still have a problem letting a girl into their ‘men’s club.’

Soon, Billie is at the center of a small town battle of the sexes, with everyone choosing sides. Her sisters. The townsfolk. Her friends. And yet, the only person whose opinion she cares about doesn’t seem to care that much at all. Logan Forest, the man who broke her heart when she was eighteen and the man she shares the bench with every Friday night.

She’s got a lot to prove and though Billie-Jo Barker scores on the ice, will this girl ever score with the man of her dreams?

Book Two:  COLLIDE

Bobbi-Jo Barker has been in love with the wrong man for years. A man who doesn’t fit into the perfect, controlled life she’s created.A man who,once, not only broke her heart but nearly destroyed her. So the fact that he’s back in town shouldn’t matter because he’s all wrong for her, or so she thinks…

Offside

Shane Gallagher, prodigal son and all around hellion, has returned to the small town of New Waterford not only to mend fences, but to get his life back together. What he doesn’t count on are the feelings he still has for the one woman who can break him–the one who still holds his heart–the one woman who is totally wrong for him.

And yet, as Bobbi and Shane are thrown together and begin to navigate a life with each other in it, neither can deny the attraction they feel, or the emotions that come with it–the good and the bad. And so the question becomes… can these two damaged souls survive a second chance at love?

Book Three:  CONCEAL

Black sheep and all around trouble maker, Betty Jo Barker is back home and hoping for a do-over. Things are finally looking up until Beau Simon comes to town. The man pushes every button she owns and manages to awaken long dead emotions she’d rather leave buried. Beneath the surface she knows she’s a wreck-her scars run deep-and she can’t help but wonder, is Beau Simon the one who can fix her?

Beau Simon, the brightest star in Hollywood has come to New Waterford for one reason only. He’s determined to have Betty Jo Barker star in his next film. He knows she’s perfect for the part, but a past encounter might prove more than a little difficult to overcome. As Beau turns on the charm, hoping to win over this complicated woman, he realizes it won’t be easy.

Only time will tell if what lies beneath can ever be overcome. Or if love can heal all…

They sound great, don’t they?  The Barker Triplets Boxed Set is on sale until Nov. 9th.  It’s available on Amazon, Nook, iTunes, Kobo, and other e-retailers.  So, hop on over and dowload your copy of these three wonderful, full-length books for only 99 cents!

 


Guest Author: Juliana Stone & Giveaway!!

I’m thrilled to have my pal Juliana Stone on the blog today.  Juliana writes in several genres, including critically acclaimed paranormal romance and young adult.  But she also writes fantastic contemporary romance that’s sexy, entertaining, and also incredibly emotional.  Her new book, The Summer He Came Home, just came out.  It garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was also named one of their top ten picks of Spring 2013.

Let’s have a little chat with Juliana, shall we?

You write both paranormal romance, YA, and contemporary romance.  Did you find it difficult to switch between genres?  Do you prefer one over the other?

Good question, Vanessa!  For me, this is something I don’t have a problem doing and that’s probably because I have a lot of voices and ideas in my head that need to get out! LOL.  That being said, not every writer can write in multiple genres; you have to have the voice to make it work, but fortunately for me, I was able to get it done.

As to whether I prefer one genre over another, it’s hard to say. They’re different beasts for sure.  I find that paranormal can be a little exhausting. The world building is incredibly intricate, so at the moment I’m finding writing contempt are somewhat soothing to the soul and when I dive back into the paranormal world, I’ll be really excited to do so.

You’ve called your new book, THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME, the book of your heart.  Why is that and what can you tell us about the story?

The Summer He Came Home is a book that I’d been dreaming of writing.  It features a hero who is a rocker, and I had so many people tell me I’d never sell a romance with that kind of guy, that I was determined to make it work.  I love everything about my hero, Cain Black.  He’s a combination of my love of Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx, and because music is such a huge influence in my life, when I found out I’d sold this series I was over the moon!

This book is about family, healing, redemption and the power of love.

You’ve got another contemporary romance coming out in May, and other projects on the burner.  How do you manage to be so productive and not go insane?

Oh my God, I am busy but I love it.  I think it’s more the question of, how keeping busy keeps me sane.  I have so many stories inside me, that I’m grateful to be able to get them out there for my readers.  The Barker Triplets have been a blast to write, and the third book, CONCEAL releases in late May.  Along with the YA and my Bad Boys books, those voices and stories in my head are getting some mileage!

What’s up next in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake world?

Book 2 in the series, THE CHRISTMAS HE LOVED HER, will be out October 1, 2013. It features Jake Edwards, brother to the twin whose funeral in book 1 was the catalyst for all the boys returning home to Crystal Lake. He’s dealing with a lot of demons and boy does he need an HEA!  The third book will be released in April 2014!

We’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!  Readers, Juliana is graciously giving away one of her books today – one commenter will win either a digital copy of one of Juliana’s Barker Boys books, or a signed copy of The Christmas He Loved Her when it comes out in October.  Just tell us what you love about contemporary romance – or what you don’t love – for a chance to win.

 


SIGN UP AND RECEIVE A FREE SHORT STORY!