GUEST AUTHOR: Judith Ouvrard

Join me today in welcoming another new author to the Renaissance Romance Publishing family and friend, Judith Ouvrard. Her debut novella will be published as part of RenRom's Beach Reads collection this July.

Judith Ouvrard

Which is your most favorite book ever?

I have plenty of favorite books. I loved Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. I read it at least ten times. I enjoyed reading Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire. Travis Maddox is just too hot to be real. I also liked reading Thoughtless, Effortless and Reckless by S.C. Stephens. I can read about a sexy rock star anytime. I love romance. I will read anything as long as there is a love story.

Which is the best vacation you've ever had?

When I was 10 years old, I went to Cuba with my parents. It changed my life. I will always remember this trip. I met amazing friends. The beach, the food, the weather, the people, everything was so different. I hope I will be able to do that with my son someday.

Which is your favorite time of the day?

When I finally get to sit and write. It’s that simple. I love it. I need it, daily.

What kind of kid were you, naughty or nice?

I was too nice I think. I had pink hair and piercings at some point but other than that, I think I was a good kid. (Obviously!)

What kind of music do you like?

I like all kind of music. Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Chopin, Jeff Buckley,  Rihanna, Muse, Incubus. It depends on my mood. It also inspires me when I write. Music has an important place in my life.

If you were a t-shirt, what color would you be? Why?

I would probably be black or purple. Why? Black fits with everything and purple because I love it. I love t-shirts. I have tons.

If you were a cookie, which would you be?

Triple chocolate cookie. I love CHOCOLATE!

And now for a little 411 on Jude's upcoming novella Under the Sun:

Tracey had spent the last few years of her life taking care of her sick Grandmother, Beth. She loved her more than anything, and she put her own personal life on hold to give her better care.

Late spring, Beth passed away, leaving her granddaughter on a rollercoaster of emotion.

After weeks of grief and loneliness, Tracey decided to spend the summer at their cabin located in Wells Beach, Maine. The cabin was right on the beach, and offered a perfect view of the ocean.

Once she got to her destination, she met her new neighbor, Jackson Phillips. He had purchased the abandoned cabin next door. He gave her a great first impression, and she is captivated by the green of his eyes. He dazzled her by the end of their first encounter.

She had a lot on her plate; the cabin was covered in dust and the heat was overwhelming. Jackson invited her to come over to his place to have dinner. During that evening, she realized that it was now her time to live and enjoy life.

Jackson’s life experiences helped him to turn his life around. He had faced more obstacles already than most people ever have to face in their lifetime, and he shared his knowledge with Tracey in order to see her blossom.

Their attraction for each other was immediate, and love came soon after. There was nothing more romantic than the sun, the ocean and a convertible car.

Together they shared their love, their enthusiasm, and their life.

Author Bio:

Jude lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a four year old son, and has spent the last twelve years with her partner, Cedric. French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English. Besides working full time and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.

Find Jude Here:
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REVIEW: Mocked By Faith by Michele Richard

Mocked by Faith 

(Volume 2 of the Mocked Series)

by Michele Richard

Genre: Romance

Length: 250 pages

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Blurb: For Alexia Cross and Justin McNear, things are not what they seem. Both were born and raised in hidden, gated communities. A place where time virtually stands still and marriages are arranged by parents before a child’s 18th birthday. Alexia is destined to be her community’s first spinster. In a last ditch effort, a husband is found. The only complication? He has no idea he has been betrothed. Will his history of dating outsiders help or hinder his relationship with his future wife? Justin McNear searched outside his church for the woman of his dreams. Returning home after failing, he knows he needs to rectify his life and his faith. Can a woman he’s never met make him whole again? Will this couple end up mocked by their own faith? Follow Alexia and Justin through the trials and tribulations of finding, falling, and surviving each other's love. It’s never easy saying “I do” to someone you don’t know.

I have to admit that when I first started on Mocked by Faith, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew the story was a religious one, and that it wasn't a standard "popular" religion, and that was about it. Now I can honestly say I'm glad I gave it a chance despite my personal opinions on organized religion.

Alexia is likable at once while Justin, for me, takes a little getting used to. Even at the end of the book, I want to like him, but I can't quite do that yet. At times Justin comes across as immature and impulsive, but Alexia has her moments. Should I hold this against the characters? No, because they are only 18, and have been thrust into an awkward situation: Alexia, this is Justin. Justin, this is Alexia. Now say, "I do." Yeah, can you imagine! This is not a direct quote from the text, but the gist of the situation the reader is met with upon entering Richard's world of The Gates.

The Faith represented in Mocked by Faith is not quite spelled out, a good trick by the author to be sure; leaving the reader no choice but to continue reading the series for answers. (Not that this is a bad thing, mind you!) I detected elements of an Amish set-up, yet for Justin, Alexia, and all the others, their life is not as strict and regimented. They have modern amenities like electricity, nice cars, and hefty bank accounts at their disposal. However, their ways can be old-fashioned, and what some would consider antiquated. One such example is that their Council doctor has to approve any "modern medical treatment" like ultrasounds during pregnancy (there's a small hint for you).

Be prepared to follow the newly-wed McNears as they get to know one another on a personal level at the same time they start their life together. Justin brings a bit of a soiled past to the table, and Alexia offers up a plethora of young insecurity. I assure there is no shortage of emotional upheaval within the pages of this book. What can you say? Ah, young love . . .

I gave it 5 butterflies, what will you give it?

Here are the retail links for the remainder of the series:

Mocked by Destiny (Volume 1 of Mocked Series)

Mocked by Faith: Healing the Faith (Volume 3 of Mocked Series)

Mocked by Faith: Affirming the Faith (Volume 4 of Mocked Series)

GUEST AUTHOR: Jennifer Garcia

I'm excited about today's guest author; we all know her as "itlnbrt" or Jenn, and soon she will be making her publishing debut with Renaissance Romance Publishing! Please welcome her as she tells us a little about her upcoming projects, and of course, answers some of my random questions! 

Jennifer Garcia

What is your favorite daily wear attire?
I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. The beauty of jeans is you can dress them up with a nice shirt and heels or dress them down with a t-shirt and tennis shoes. My True Religion jeans are my favorite and most comfortable. 

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I own a lot. I love shoes, but lately I haven't been wearing my heels. I broke my leg right above my ankle a few years ago and it still hurts when I'm on it a lot. So I stick with flats and a really good pair of tennis shoes when I walk a lot. 

Do you like dogs or cats?
Dogs! I was raised in a household full of cats, but realized as an adult I'm much happier with dogs.

Do you speak with your dog?
Yes, I have two very special dogs. I have an 80 lb. German Shepherd and a 165 lb. Cane Corso. They are like children to me. Since my Corso keeps me company all the time, while I do homework or write, we tend to have long conversations. Of course, I'm the one doing all the talking, but he's such a great listener. 

Which is the best vacation you've ever had?
A few years ago, my husband took us to Italy for about two weeks. We stopped in London for a day or two then made our way to Venice and traveled down until we got to Rome. It was the best vacation ever and one I know we'll never forget. 

Which is your most favorite book ever?
Last year, I found a book while browsing the New York Times Best Seller's List, The Shoemaker's Wife. It is a historical novel loosely based on the life of the author's grandparents. It was about their life from children in Italy, how they met, when they came to America, and how they fell in love. It was beautifully written and extremely emotional. 

Author Bio:

Jennifer Garcia’s love of travel began when she traveled to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 2013.

Find Jennifer on:

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferGarciaAuthor

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4771509-jennifer-garcia

https://twitter.com/itlnbrt

http://jenniferfgarcia.com

A note from the author:

Stay tuned for my Beach Read, In My Mother's Footsteps, coming out July 2, 2013 and my novel, My Mr. Manny coming out in early August. 

Follow my blog and "Like" my Facebook page for updated info. 

REVIEW: Hunted by Lorenz Font

*I received an ARC copy of Hunted in exchange for an honest review.*

Hunted

by Lorenz Font

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 392 pages

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Fanged, red-eyed creatures with a thirst for human blood? Check.

Sensitivity to sunlight and unknown to most humans? Check.

An intricately woven plot line that is sure to enthrall young and old, boys and girls alike? Check!

However, let me begin this review with one crucial warning: Don’t pull back the cover of Hunted until you are clearheaded, and will be left alone until you finish. Interruptions will not be welcome!

Hunted makes you think. This isn't a ‘sit back and enjoy the ride’ type of read; no, this is a ‘grab the reader and make them participate’ type of read. With a large ensemble of characters and multiple subplots the reader needs to have their wits about them to keep up, especially since the POV shifts throughout the book.

Font has created a new vampire world where the mythical creatures of old have been – revamped. (Excuse the pun, but you can read Font’s guest post on why her vampires are different HERE). The predominant change is that her vamps are not immune to disease, and her male lead Harrow Gates is responsible. With this jumping point the author begins a gradual colliding and overlapping of four distinct paths: Harrow, Jordan, Demetrius and Goran, and the Tacks. There are a number of other characters, too, but for me these were the big ones.

Harrow lives with a certain degree of guilt, and is just trying to survive when we meet him. Jordan, on the other hand, is on a course of revenge for the wrongs done to her and her family, and is willing to take down anyone that gets in her way – at first. Goran and his son Demetrius have their own silent issues with each other, but on a grander scale represent the bad guys. Goran has a fixation for red-heads, and what do you know, Jordan happens to be one! The Tacks are where the humans are introduced into the story when Pritchard Tack, billionaire, sets up a secret facility to try to help the diseased vampires of the world find a cure. Why? Because his daughter Allison is one of them.

Tack Enterprises becomes the central hub for the good guys, and where Jordan and Harrow get a chance to know each other. What follows is a humorous yet tumultuous budding romance. He’s diseased, she’s not – so until a cure is found any physical declaration of their feelings for each other is considered a bad idea. You’ll have to read the book to find out if they decide to throw caution to the wind and risk it all for love.

"Yeah, I – have no idea how I got here in the first place." Jordan sighed again. Looking over the dark horizon in the moonlight, the shadow of the lit buildings cast an eerie glow, rendering the sight haunting – foreboding, even. Somewhere out there lived the man she was looking for, the one who had altered her life forever. Haste and impatient motivation would have to take a back seat if she wanted to find him and carry out her revenge. Careful planning was in order. Taking out a man as powerful as Goran without solid preparation was suicide at best.

. . . 

The thought of Harrow crept into her mind. The vision of his wounded expression never left her. It nibbled at the recesses of her subconscious, reminding her how hasty she had been and how far she had let her anger take her, when she'd dumped all her frustrations on him. She remembered with vivid clarity the wordless derision she'd felt and had manifested in her eyes; the timbre of her voice as she'd ordered him to stay away from her. Ignorance was bliss, and if she hadn't known what was wrong with him, she might still be able to keep herself aloof from the whole situation. Having learned from Allison and Pritchard what the disease was all about armed her with disgust for herself and took away the possibility of the detached approach she would rather have kept out of sheer self-preservation.


Hunted is only book one in The Gates Legacy, and so much is packed into it. I've touched just briefly on some of the many facets, but feel I should add that there’s something for everyone with this tale as long as the reader enjoys the paranormal: action packed fight scenes, tender romantic moments, bouts of humor that will leave you asking if that really just happened, questions answered and more created (it is a series after all), and for that final sweet awwww factor, there’s even an adorable, orphaned, little red-haired girl named Gail. She won the hearts of Harrow and Jordan, so I’ll bet she’ll win yours, too.

I'm a bit of a self-confessed vampire addict, and this book has trace elements that remind me of some of my favorites: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Anita Blake, and even a little Twilight. What are you waiting for? Get your copy of Hunted today (if you haven’t already!)

GUEST POST: Lorenz Font's HUNTED Blog Tour

I have two posts going up today as part of the Hunted Blog Tour, this one and my review of Font's debut novel which can be read HERE. I personally have a bit of a vampire fetish so when the opportunity presented itself to participate in this tour, I jumped on it and had to ask Font the question:

Vampire stories have been around for a long time. Can you tell us what drew you to write about them and have you created any new "legends" regarding the mythical creatures?


I’ve always been fascinated by vampire lore. I’ve read a few novels and seen some movies about them. I have to admit, there aren’t many new things we can write about vampires. It’s a monumental task to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. So what I have in Hunted are your typical vampires. They bleed, they feed from humans, they sport fangs and they are creatures of the dark. What sets Hunted apart in my humble opinion, is the plot, the story behind character’s struggles, their hopes and how they try to co-exist with humans. And I created a weapon unique to the story. If you would like to get a glimpse of the Kalimetal, please visit my blog or my website.

My take on these popular creatures spun from a conversation with a friend. He asked me what happens if a vampire has Aids.

I didn’t give an answer right away, but the question niggled at me. After a few days, I wrote the first chapter, but sat on it because I had other stories to write. After a few months, it got me thinking again. I’ve always fantasized about writing a novel, so I went ahead and took the first step in chasing my dream.

That’s when everything felt real and I began plotting the whole scenario about a diseased vampire. He is running from his own kind, who wants him dead.  Or should I say, deader? To make things easier for me, I went ahead and conceived a new disease. The excitement built up as soon as he partnered with a multi-billionaire who wanted to find the cure. The element of ‘new’ is captured in the weapons they used, the spread of the disease and the creation of a believable protagonist.

There’s more to Hunted that would make you yearn to read the next installment.  The ending will leave you wanting to find out about the characters’ efforts to gain freedom from a tyrannical leader. Then there’s the most important element in every story that I write—the romantic aspect that will keep you rooting for the hero and the heroine.

One thing is for certain, you won't be disappointed when you get your copy of Hunted and disappear into this new world of science and blood drinkers!  

Excerpt: 

   The loneliness gnawed at him hard. He had gone to visit his family several times over the course of the following years and had witnessed firsthand the sorrow in their faces when they thought they’d lost him. He watched his parents from the shadows and saw their hearts were broken, not knowing what had become of their son. Eventually, they passed away, and Harrow felt loneliness like a knife speared permanently in his heart.

   He was indeed a freak, as he’d been branded by Tor, but not for the reason Tor had concluded. Harrow was a vampire with a conscience, a disease, and a shaky future ahead of him. He was fucked — as fucked as he could get.

About the author:

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. Hunted, the first book of The Gates Legacy trilogy, is her debut novel. Written in forty-five days, the grueling writing schedule was a personal challenge, even though she thought it was madness at first.

She enjoys dabbling in different genres with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

She currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. Lorenz spends most of her free time writing while also working as a Business Office Manager for a skilled-rehabilitation hospital.

Where to find Lorenz Font:

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COVER REVEAL: The Journey of Champions

To Be Released by Renaissance Romance Publishing on April 9th!!

The Journey of Champions

Travis McCoy thought the journey home would be the hardest choice he ever had to make. It isn’t until he finds himself walking out the door and leaving his family behind that he realizes his journey is only just beginning. Now, with only a handful of weeks until Christmas, Travis tries to find his way back home. This time, he plans on staying forever.

The Journey of Champions is the second book 

in the Journey Collection. 

You can find the first book, The Journey Home, HERE

Lisa Bilbrey

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The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The Next Big Thing ~ Blog Hop 06 March 13~ THE NEXT BIG THING – BLOG HOP

What’s a blog hop? It’s a great way readers can discover new authors! Here, I tell you all about my upcoming novella due to come out this July. You’ll also get links below to other authors I’d like you to check out. I’d like to thank fellow author Lisa Bilbrey for inviting me to participate.

You can find her HERE

In this particular hop I’ve answered 10 questions, giving you a few exclusives and sneak peeks … I hope you enjoy!

1. What’s the title of your book? Haunted Raine

2. Where did the idea come from? My publishing house announced an open call for "beach read" stories for their Summer Heat anthology which will be released this July. The beach is one of my favorite places to go, so I wanted to participate – but I like to think outside the box. Assuming that most of the submissions for this anthology would include tropical islands and fruity umbrella drinks, I asked myself what kind of beach story could I write that would be different. The answer I came up with: ghosts.

3. What genre does your book come under? I'd call this one a YA contemporary paranormal romance. 

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Funny you should ask because I have a Pinterest story board for Haunted Raine with selections already made for three of my main characters: Raine, Rick, and Momma Faye.                                                                                            

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? In an attempt to deal with a case of empty-nest syndrome, Rick and Raine Morrissey buy a beach house to flip; what they don't realize is that the house is haunted.

6. Is your book published by an independent publisher? Yes, all of my books are available through Renaissance Romance Publishing (retail links can be found HERE). 

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I spent several weeks working on this novella although it is shorter than my last one (Sugar & Spice). I needed to get it just right, and because of the different subject matters I opted to incorporate, more time had to be spent doing research in addition to finding "just the right words."

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I haven't read them, but I imagine it would be along the lines of R.L.Stine's Goosebumps series... because I've kept it at a YA level, the sensual bits are fade to black, and the spooky parts might make you look over your shoulder, but aren't going to horrify you!

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? South Carolina has always held a special place in my heart, especially the beaches – I learned to swim at Myrtle Beach and Pawley's Island before I even knew how to walk. So when I knew I wanted to write a haunted beach story, one of the first things I thought of was all the ghost stories I used to read about the state, and I took it from there. 

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? What started off as a ghost story turned into so much more: it became a story of family, history, and roots. What's more was that I found myself immersed in the Gullah culture so prevalent in the Carolina low-country it wasn't a big leap to find myself adding elements of the Vodun culture as well. I assure you, this isn't your usual sand and sun tale. Here's an unedited excerpt:

The view out of the window was blurred by the haziness of a pre-sunrise fog that I knew would burn off as the day warmed up. Despite the limited visibility I still found my gaze being drawn to a clump of trees off to the left – and a structure. There had been no mention of any outbuildings when we’d bought the property. I became dizzy, and for the briefest moment thought I heard whispering.

Curious, I hurried back to the bedroom to get my shoes on, and then made my way outside, grabbing my purse as an afterthought while I rushed out the front door. Plotting a course toward the back of the lot, my feet carried me forward as my hand dipped into my purse to find my smokes. I came back empty-handed.

Coming to a standstill I dug deeper in my purse, but to no avail. Just as I began to worry that either Rick had found them or they’d somehow fallen out when we were out the night before, a loon cried out in the distance and my head snapped up. Through the haze I could just make out a worn, yellow shack.

Cigarettes forgotten I resumed walking, but the shack never got closer. By the time I reached the area where I could’ve sworn I’d seen it, I was standing in front of a charred foundation. A breeze picked up and the ends of my short ponytail blew across my neck. Wrapping my arms around my middle I shivered, and then gasped when my eyes landed on a red box poking up from between some bricks.

With a shaky hand I leaned over and tugged on it. Marlboros. At the sound of a cackling laugh I turned and ran back toward the house, and the car. There had to be an explanation. Something along the lines of prankster teenagers were using the spot to sneak smokes, and the laugh, well, it was a bird or some other wildlife. My mind was just conjuring craziness because I hadn’t slept well, it was early, and I needed coffee. Lots of coffee.

Hitting the edge of the house, I chanced a glance back over my shoulder and could make out the faint yellowed edges of the shack once again – this time a dark-skinned figure shrouded in white stood off to the side of it. Pain pierced my head.

Once, twice I blinked, and they were gone.

Thank you so much for joining me. I hope you go on to read the authors listed below next Wednesday for their post. Please visit and "like" my Facebook page for additional teasers and updates.

Below are the authors joining me in the Blog Hop, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark their sites and add them to your calendars for updates and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

1. Allan Dubon

2. K.I. Lynn

3. N. Isabelle Blanco

4. Sarah Hart

5. Sapphire Kande

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Wednesday!