Month: April 2016

Mr. Perfect by JA Huss – Cover Reveal

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

First, a housekeeping note. My writer, book related blog will move here May 1st.

Stay here for all travel-related blog posts. 

Mr. Perfect
J.A. Huss
Publication date: April 27th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Wanting the perfect man doesn’t make me crazy. I just know what I like.

A powerful billionaire in a suit wasn’t even my first choice. Mcallister Stonewall was never on my radar, I didn’t even know he existed.

But I do now.

His hands are all over me at work. The heat of his chest pressing against my bare back as he bends me over the desk is the only thing on my mind.

He is my most forbidden desires unleashed. He is my new secret obsession. He is my Mr. Perfect.

Until the moment I realize… There’s no such thing as perfect.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

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Author Bio:

JA Huss is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her kick-ass romance blog, New Adult Addiction (www.newadultaddiction.com).

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

Website / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

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O – Shannon O’Connor #atozchallenge

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

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My goal this month was to show the diversity in sports romances. Not just in the characters, but in the sports, too.  Here is my tribute to water sports.

Welcome Shannon O’Connor.

 

1.     What is it about the sport in your romance that inspired you to write about it?
I wanted to write about the city I live in which is Huntington Beach. It’s also called Surf City so I chose the hero to be a professional surfer, so it was kind of a given. Originally, I didn’t set out to make it a Sports Romance–it was always about these two people that meet and how love evolves through challenges. 
 
2.     Is your sports hero based on a real sports figure? If so, who and why?
Not really based on a real person, but I wanted him to be and act as close to a real pro-surfer as I could write him. There is some significance to his last name. It happens to be Slater which is associated with surfing because of the famous Kelly Slater. What many people don’t know is my last name is Slater, so when I started writing him–the name Chad Slater fit him so well, that when I decided to publish the book I had to come up with a pen name for myself, which is my birth name.
 
3.     What kind of research did you do for the sport in your romance?
Already knew a good amount, but I researched which competition boards were most popular with the pros. I also watched and took notes while watching US Open of Surfing and other competitions around the world. I followed the schedules mapped out on the internet so that the surfers in my books had real places they would be flying to. Plus, asked my husband things since he used to surf quite a lot.
 
4.     Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance?
Really know the sport you want to write. It needs to be something you can relate to or the readers won’t be able to relate along with your writing. Only write it if it feels right. 
 
5.     What sports romance are you working on next?
In the future I will spin off surfers met in The Waves Trilogy. I’m also thinking of co-writing with my author friends someday, if it works out. 

Shannon is giving away an ebook combo pack of her Red Waves-book one & White Waves-book two. Tell her about a water adventure, real or bucket list. 

26802390Readers can follow me on Twitter & Instagram @thewavestrilogy. Website: www.AuthorShannonOConnor.com and FB page is www.facebook.com/AuthorShannonOConnor 

What to Pack for a trip to Costa Rica?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

I am super excited. A new addition to the bucket list. I had no idea about Costa Rica. I mean, yeah, it’s a country in the tiny narrow section of Central America. It has great beaches. It’s like any other Central America country. Right? Nope. I was so wrong and am moving Costa Rica up to the top of the list. I am just a plane ticket and one perfectly packed suitcase away from this “Rich Coast” vacation.

El Ocotal, Costa Rica

Located on the north-east coast, El Ocotal, Costa Rica is small beach town with a large beach resort on Ocotal Bay. To enjoy the beauty of this country, I will definitely pack my bathing suit. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches and none are more beautiful than the ones on the Pacific Ocean side of the Spanish-influenced country.

Fortuna, Costa Rica

The interior of Costa Rica is just as fascinating. It’s full of rich tropical rain forest, mountains, and waterfalls. I packed my hiking shoes to traverse the forest and find one of these pockets of tranquility in Fortuna, Costa Rica. Fortuna borders the Volcan Arenal National Park. The 29,000-acre park is two volcanos side by side, both dormant for several thousand years. The park offers several hiking trails carved in the lava fields and forest of the park.

 

Volcan Arenal – Image courtesy of Cindy Baker via Trover.com

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Further down the west coast is another beautiful beach town called Tamarindo, Costa. The city is a popular tourist destination for Costa Ricans on holiday. I need to pack my surfboard for my visit to Tamarindo. It has some of the best waves on the West coast. Waves reach up to 12 feet in November and December. Once I wear myself out from a day of surfing, I can’t wait to sit back on my surfboard, relax, and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

Tamarindo Beach – Image courtesy of Garrett Britton via Trover.com

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is a national park near the urban area of Quepos. The scenery is some of the most breath-taking in the world. The 682 hectares is home to several birds, wildlife, and plants, but its most interesting residences are the three different species of monkeys. The beach is considered one of the top 25 beaches in the world, so I will make sure and pack my sunscreen. I’ll be spending a lot of time hanging out on the white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio Park.

 

Image provided by Erika Calvert via Trover.com.

Papagayo, Costa Rica

Located on a peninsula that jets out into the Gulf of Papagayo is Papagayo, Costa Rico. This area of Costa Rica has some of the most amazing resorts. The rich and romantic seek out Papagoya Peninsula for their getaways. I packed my riding boots because I want to see this part of Costa Rica on horseback. Guided tours wind through the hills and valleys and if I’m lucky, I find one of those beautiful waterfalls the country is known for.

Have you been to Costa Rica? 

 

L – Elizabeth Lee

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

Allow me to introduce you to Elizabeth Lee. L

 

1.     What is it about the sport in your romance that inspired you to write about it?  I think there’s something very sexy about a man (or a woman) that uses their bodies and minds to achieve success. Add in the unique settings that sports arenas provide and I think it’s a no-brainer. For the Wild Riders series, in particular, the adrenaline that accompanies the job and the high stakes drew me in.

2.     Is your sports hero based on a real sports figure? If so, who and why?  There are always some elements of real life in my writing. My husband used to race motocross and we are avid fans of today’s riders. I follow a lot of them on social media, along with their spouses, which gave me a small glimpse into their lives off the track. There are a lot of people who contributed to my heroes and heroines.

3.     What kind of research did you do for the sport in your romance? Google is a girl’s best friend! I spent a lot of time watching videos and reading articles about the sport and riders. Nothing beats heading out to the track to watch a race, though!

4.     Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance? I think you have to really love a sport to write about it, especially when it’s for a series. If you’re going to write about something for an extended amount of time, you should be a fan.

5.     What sports romance are you working on next? I have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment. My next planned release isn’t a sports romance, but there is an element of adventure that I think will satisfy all of the Wild Riders fans.

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Keep up with Elizabeth Lee on her website.

Have a motocross questions, leave it in the comments. I’ll pick a comment at random to win a copy of the Wild Riders Novel set. 

 

J – J. Sterling

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

J. Sterling writes about baseball and characters with emotion and heart.I love this book. J

1.     What is it about the sport in your romance that inspired you to write about it?
Baseball has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised on Dodger baseball and I played softball for 12 years. But mostly,  this story is based on some very real things that happened to me, so I kept it real with the sport as well.

2.     Is your sports hero based on a real sports figure? If so, who and why?
There is a very real Jack F’n Carter. I don’t know what to say about him that I haven’t already said before… he’s just…  he’s a loveable screw-up.

3.     What kind of research did you do for the sport in your romance?
I did minimal research since I knew that majority of what I wanted to write about already.  I did reach out to a couple of baseball wives to make sure a couple things that I was writing were accurate (for The Perfect Game, but for The Game Changer especially) and they did not disappoint.

4.     Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance?
Know what you’re talking about. This goes for anything that you’re referencing- do your research and make it accurate.

5.     What sports romance are you working on next?
I’m not writing a sports romance at the moment-  but Jack & Cassie did have a couple of kids, so…….

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J. is giving away an ecopy of The Perfect Game to start your Jack and Cassie journey. In the comments, name your favorite sports romance. 

Stalk J. Sterling: