**Star Struck**~ by Amber Garza

Book Title: Star Struck

Author: Amber Garza

Release Date: June 15th

Length: 300 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance / New Adult

Publisher: Amber Garza

Presented by: As You Wish Tours

Tour Banner by: Candy Smith

The Greatest Teachers I’ve Never Met

The greatest teachers I’ve had through my writing journey are people I’ve never met. Their names are: Alice Hoffman, Ted Dekker, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Frank Perretti, Jennifer McMahon, Cassandra Clare, Stephanie Meyer,and many more…. These are all authors I’ve read over the years who have influenced my writing. I guess I should take one out – I have met Jodi Picoult, but I doubt she would remember my face from the hundreds who were at her book signing that night.

Reading is pretty much my favorite thing to do. I read all the time. For many years it was just for fun, but ever since I started writing, I have had to learn to read through the eyes of a writer. A mistake I made early on in my writing was trying to emulate my favorite authors. It’s no secret that if I could be any writer it would be Alice Hoffman. I think her writing is beyond beautiful. But every time I’ve tried to write like her it’s been disastrous. I’ve learned that my style of writing is not like hers and I’ve had to give up the idea of sounding like her. I have my own writing voice and I’ve learned to embrace that.

Reading is pretty much my favorite thing to do. I read all the time. For many years it was just for fun, but ever since I started writing, I have had to learn to read through the eyes of a writer. A mistake I made early on in my writing was trying to emulate my favorite authors. It’s no secret that if I could be any writer it would be Alice Hoffman. I think her writing is beyond beautiful. But every time I’ve tried to write like her it’s been disastrous. I’ve learned that my style of writing is not like hers and I’ve had to give up the idea of sounding like her. I have my own writing voice and I’ve learned to embrace that.

In the past year or two I’ve been trying to analyze why it is that I love certain books over others. Take for instance my latest obsession – the Mortal Instruments Series and Infernal Devices Series. I can’t get enough of these books. I seriously am addicted and would read anything written about these characters. So, that brings me to the question – what did Clare do in these books that can help me in my own writing? Her books remind me of the way I felt when reading Twilight (yes, I am a Twi-hard and I’m proud of it). What I’ve realized is that I’m a sucker for a good romance. I’ve realized that if an author writes a love story in a way that I can experience falling in love passionately with the characters, than I’m sucked in. Also, if the author can write a hero that I fall in love with than I’m hooked (case in point – Jace from MI – my book boyfriend *swoon).

Also, I have to be invested in the characters and in the romance or I won’t care enough to keep reading. I think about Hunger Games and Divergent. Both books I completely loved, however, both of them were a little disturbing. The thing that kept me reading both of them were – Peeta and Four. I loved these guys and wanted to read more about them. I could even overlook the senseless killing and scenes that had me biting my nails to the quick. All because I cared about the characters.

I take all these revelations into my writing. I hope that I’m doing my “teachers” proud. I work hard to create characters that readers can believe in. I also write swoon worthy heroes and slowly unfold the romance.

So, thank you to all my teachers whom I’ve never met. Thank you for writing characters for me to fall in love with and storylines I can escape to. I appreciate it!

BLURB

I don’t go for bad boys, or rockers. And I don’t believe in love at first sight. And things only get worse when I hear him sing. The problem is that he wants nothing to do with me. And I know I should stay away from him. Until I see Beckett. There is no one like him. It’s the smart thing to do. Only when it comes to Beckett I don’t want to do the smart thing. He makes me want to take a risk. I just hope he decides to take a risk on me too.

AUTHOR BIO

Amber Garza is the author of Young Adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has had a passion for writing since she was a little girl, making books out of notebook paper and staples. Amber lives in California with her amazing husband and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Amazon Author

Goodreads

B&N

Smashwords

BOOK LINKS

Amazon

B&N

Goodreads

Smashwords

Trailer

Link button to http://asyouwishtours.com

Azyea's Gift by Amanda R. Holden~ Children's Book

This books is describes what some children go through. Don't know what to get their parents for gift. Azyea's Gift is just that way. Azyea isn't sure what to get her mom for Mother's Day. She doesn't think flowers are good enough,doesn't think the scarf is good enough or the card she made. In the end she really learns what makes her mom happy. I feel this is a must read for all young children especially around birthdays and holidays. Amanda thank you for an wonderful children's book.

Get your copy here on AMAZON

In My Riding School A-Z by Ken Wickenden

I received this book for an honest review. The illustration in this book is really good. I love horses and to see a children's book with horses and using the alphabet to tell the story. Each page had a different letter but if you look at the bottom of each page it tells the story using the previous pages. I really love the last page that has a cute little poem to it. I really enjoyed this book and I know my grandchildren will too. The book was illustrated by Emily Clarke.

***THE LITTLE RED BOOK OF ROMANCE***

Title: The Little Red Book of Romance

Author: Thomas Hunter Dillon

Genre: Adult Romance

Release: Monday, June 10th, 2013

Availability: Paperback & Kindle, on Amazon

Content: Some ADULT content. Not suitable for YA audiences. Prices: Paperback ~ $9.69, Kindle ebook ~ $0.99


Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DB53O40/ref=r_soa_w_d


Promotions: FREE to download for Kindle from 6/11-6/15

Autographed Copy: Thomas Hunter Dillon will be selling copies directly for $15 (U.S. orders), or $20 (International orders).

Shipping and handling is included in both prices.

To place an order directly,

please send the appropriate amount (price x # of copies) via Paypal at: authorthdillon@gmail.com
SYNOPSIS: The Little Red Book of Romance brings together all the early writings of author T.H. Dillon in one convenient volume, plus an entirely NEW short-story exclusive to this book! Complete with introductions from Thomas himself, each story now comes to you in a newly revised and updated format. Included are all eight of Thomas Hunter Dillon’s works from The Little Purple Book of Passions, and all four of his works from The Little Black Book of Paranormal Passions. The Little Red Book of Romance brings you an array of sexy and sensual offerings from the erotic and daring, to the paranormal and bold. These are the unique stylings that launched the career of Thomas Hunter Dillon.

EXCERPT: (from the all-new story "FANtasy") After pressing the button for the 53rd floor, Zach quickly flashed a glance over at the mystery beauty and acknowledged her with a polite smile and a calm “You’re welcome”. Once he had done so, he tried to avert his eyes to avoid making her feel uncomfortable. Zach looked up at the ceiling of the elevator….mirrors. Then he glanced over at the back wall of the elevator….mirrors. But what he saw in them was the reflection of a beautiful stranger with a stare planted firmly on him. He finally dropped his head to pretend he was looking at the floor of the elevator, only there was a problem with that….more mirrors! Now if he stared too long at the floor of the elevator, he could be accused of trying to peep up the slinky black dress of his guest in the elevator. There was simply no way he could avoid looking at her. Her petite voice pierced the awkward silence once more. “72nd floor?” she questioned. Zach was hoping to be there soon, so he could avoid any more awkward conversation. He glanced up at the digital floor-counter above the elevator doors. 9th floor! This awkward conversation was just beginning. With that he turned his attention to the mystery beauty opposite him in the elevator. “Yep, that’s me!” he said shyly as he met her eyes with his. “Isn’t everything above the 70th floor a suite or a penthouse?” she curiously mused. “I honestly have no idea miss. This is my first time ever staying here.” Her curiosity began to grow more now. She started to eye Zach up and down to get a good look at him. Zach suddenly became uneasy because he knew how this always ended for him. Or at least he thought he did. As he expected her too, the mysterious woman ceased to relent with her questioning. “Say….you must be someone important if you’re staying on the 72nd floor,” she pondered out loud. “Or have a good night at the blackjack tables!” he quickly joked. The momentary laughter their shared over that statement served to ease Zach’s tension for only a matter of minutes. Zach didn’t know what to say next and neither did the mystery beauty. He glanced up again at the floor-counter above the doors, thinking he had successfully dodged a bullet. 14th floor! This elevator was quickly becoming a prison of sorts and Zach’s anxiety grew. He wondered the likelihood of them making it to the 53rd floor before the inevitable happened. Probably not he thought to himself. He glanced back over at his co-pilot on this magic carpet ride and found her still intently fixated on him with her stare. “So Mr. Lucky-at-blackjack…..what’s your name?” she politely asked. “Zach,” he responded. “That’s funny,” she noted. “I drove up today for a book-signing at the book shop on the other side of the resort. The author’s name was Zachary Disdain,” she smirked. “You don’t say?” Zach said with a twinge of sarcasm. “Yeah, you know the romance author, Zachary Disdain?” “No ma’am….can’t say as I know him.” “I suppose not,” the mystery woman suggested. “Most men don’t read romance novels anyways.” “You can say that again!” Zach quickly joked.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas Hunter Dillon is a Midwestern writer living in the great state of Wisconsin. After being born and raised in the Madison area, his life has taken him around the entire state on some great and unique adventures that he strives to share in his writing. Erotic and sensual writing began as a hobby for him in his early 20’s and has recently become the foundation for his identity as T.H. Dillon. He writes in other genres as well, under other names. When not working on a current writing project, he enjoys passing time with good movies, sports, and classic cars. He also enjoys receiving messages and feedback from his readers, and tries to respond to them whenever possible.
LINKS: Amazon ♥ Facebook ♥ Goodreads ♥ Twitter *****I know the title of the books is Little Red Book of Romance and my blog is Little Red's Book Reviews they are in no way relation. Just happened to have the Little Red in common. THANKS Kim*****