Giveaway & Excerpt from Finding Justice by Rachel Brimble

Book Blurb ~

Old friends, new secrets…

Sergeant Cat Forrester lives by her own set of rules. When her childhood friend is murdered, Cat's world is thrown into chaos. Especially because Jay Garrett-a man from her past-is a suspect, and he needs her help to prove he's innocent. After all they once shared, how can she say no?

The attraction flares between them, and getting involved with a suspect is a huge risk. But the more time Cat spends with Jay, the stronger the tug on her heart. He is the same caring, irresistible man she remembers. Yet she can't let her emotions interfere with the case-solving it is top priority. And as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult situations and language and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Publisher: Harlequin SuperRomance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: Paperback, ebook
Release Date: February 1, 2013

Buying Links:  ARe   Barnes & Noble   Amazon   Harlequin

Blog Tour Schedule: http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/02/vbt-finding-justice-by-rachel-brimble.html

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About the author:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. She started writing short stories about eight years ago but once her children were at school, she embarked on her first novel. It was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses as well as securing her first contract with Harlequin Superromance in May 2012.

Represented by US agent Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family.  Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…

Find Rachel online:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

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Excerpt

“I need your help, Cat. I’m in trouble. Big trouble.”

The timbre of despair in his voice alerted her to grief. Loss. She heard it loud and clear. It didn’t matter whether the speaker was male or female, young or old. When you lost someone before you should, it always sounded the same. She was trained to recognize it--personally and professionally. To listen and help. To alleviate others’ pain and hide her own. She stopped pacing and tightened her grip on the receiver.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Sarah.”

Her mind whirled back seven years ago to the last time she and her family took their annual holiday to Templeton Cove. A picturesque town situated amongst the spectacular “English Riviera” region of South West England. The place Jay and his family had lived for generations.

“Sarah? Is she okay?” Cold dread seeped into Cat’s blood, making goose bumps erupt on her arms. “Jay?”

“She’s dead, Cat. Murdered.”

She sucked in a breath as a lump of stone dropped into her abdomen. “What?”

“You need to come to the Cove. Investigate her death. The police here aren’t getting anywhere.” His shaky breath rasped down the line. “I’m a suspect, Cat. You have to help me. You have to help me show them--”

“Wait. You’re a suspect?” How could good, kind-hearted Jay Garrett be a suspect in a murder investigation? The Jay she remembered always smiled, laughed and kissed with lips that could lead a girl into all sorts of trouble…

“Please tell me you’re the detective you always swore you would be. You have to help me. I need you.”

He needs me. After all this time. “Jay, listen to me. If you’re a suspect, what happened? Cops do not go around accusing people--”

“The cops are walking around like their bloody heads are cut off.  Sarah’s parents are waiting for them to release her body while the police point the finger at me rather than the real killer. I feel trapped, Cat. You’ve got to come to the Cove.”

   

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Giveaway Info:

 
The prize is 5 signed paperback copies of "Finding Justice" (1 each to 5 winners). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Feb 25. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Mystery Author G. Jay & Giveaway

I have debut author G. Jay visiting today. He kindly took the time to answer some questions for us. A communications graduate of the City Universities of New York, and after twenty-nine years as a human resources administrator, he decided to apply his understanding of the complexities and foibles of the human character in a more creative way.

Like his main character, Ryan Kinkaid, he is a gay man who believes in love and commitment. He and his husband have been together for over thirty years and live on the West coast of Florida with their two cats. A transplant from New York, he continues to travel regularly to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to connect with the New England life which he so loves. 

Online links for G. Jay and Tribute Books:

G. Jay's web site:
http://www.gjayb.com/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Summer Spirit blog tour site:
http://summerspiritmystery.blogspot.com/

Bea: Please tell us about your current release.

G: Summer Spirit, A Ryan Kinkaid Mystery, is the first in my series of at least four books about a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer. This story starts with Ryan realizing he has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Although he has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71^st Street, one very important thing is missing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. He takes a four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren in hopes of gaining a new perspective on life.

Renting a house built in 1810, a kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this story of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Bea: Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your book?

G: On a recent trip to the South of France, my husband and I met a successful romance novelist who, over a dinner at a restaurant in Marseille, suggested that I try my hand at gay erotica. She said her gay friends told her she should write some books for that genre because they felt there weren’t any decent ones out on the market. However, since she’s straight and it wasn’t her genre, she wasn’t interested. That suggestion stayed with me and, after a few months, I acted on it.

In the past few years I have had in the back of my mind the idea of writing a book. Granted whatever story I thought was there was not based on gay erotica. But none the less, it was there.

My professional career for the last 30 years has been in the field of human resources. It afforded me the ability to see the various sides of people. For example, how they handle change and have an unending desire to hold on to the anger of past hurts and disappointments. Two issues I address in my book. I’ve since ended my career in human resources, focusing on writing the next book in the series.

Bea: Can you tell us about the story behind your book cover?

G: The main graphic on the cover is a male figure. This figure can represent one of two male characters in the book, Ryan Kinkaid or Nicholas Walsh. In each case, the characters are unfulfilled until this certain summer where love and contentment gives life and color, uplifting their spirits.

Bea: What approaches have you taken to marketing your book?

G: Writing and publishing is all new territory for me. Marketing the book is something I am still working on. My publisher helped by setting up my website and I’m telling everyone I know and come in contact with about my book. 

Bea: What book on the market does yours compare to? How is your book different?

G: I think my book is unique in that if you take away the sexual aspect of it, there would still be a decent story there. Many books on the market that I have read in this genre are based solely on sex acts, which meet the needs of a large percentage of their readership.

Bea: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

G: I don’t know if it’s a quirk, but I do not outline the book beforehand. I let the story happen as I write it.

Bea: Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

G: Ryan, Lauren and Jason are traveling from Manhattan to Portsmouth for the weekend. On the way they stop at a rest area in Connecticut to use the facilities and Jason takes care of someone else’s business (if you catch my drift) along with his own.

Bea: Do you plan any subsequent books?

G: Yes, this is the first in a series of at least four. The next book will be a continuation of the story between Ryan and Ty and is called Autumn Reveal.

Bea: Tell us what you’re reading at the moment and what you think of it.

G: I’m not reading anything at the moment. I am focusing on writing Autumn Reveal. However, when I do, I’m sure it will be one of the more popular fiction books on the market. I doubt it will be gay erotica because I don’t want to influence my writing by how another author depicts sex in their story.

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Thanks to G. Jay and Tribute Books, I have one ebook copy of "Summer Spirit" to give away. Please read my giveaway policy. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.  

 Book Blurb ~

Ryan Kinkaid, a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Ryan has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71st Street. However, at age forty-one he discovers he is lacking one very important thing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. A four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren was the answer.
Renting a house built in 1810, kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this tale of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Publisher: Publish Green
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Paranormal
Format: ebook
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Buying Links:  MyBookOrders.com  iBookstore  Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Review: Knitted Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael

• Publisher: Abrams, Harry N., Inc.
• Format Read: Hardcover
• Publication date: April 1, 2007
• Buying Links: Barnes & Noble Amazon White Lies Designs
•  

Blurb: 

The only knitting book focused on lingerie and lingerie-inspired designs

Underwear has come out. Once kept demurely concealed, lingerie now pervades every fashion category, inspiring designs for day looks, loungewear, evening clothes, and accessories. Slips have become dresses unto themselves. Bra straps are meant to peek out from under tank tops. Camisoles are worn on their own or as layers over or under other clothes. Now, with Knitting Lingerie Style, designer Joan McGowan-Michael interprets this undeniable fashion trend for the knitter and, along the way, shares fascinating stories about lingerie history. Did you know that it was airplane magnate Howard Hughes who masterminded the underwire bra? 

McGowan-Michael's 30-plus designs, stunningly photographed by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, range from the truly functional-knitted bras, slips, corsets, camisoles, and stockings-to the purely fun. The brassiere inspires a curvature-enhancing twinset. The baby doll negligee is the basis for a lacy little gown and a matching thong set that's both luxurious and (slightly) notorious. And a ribbed, laced-front sweater is an updated-and much more comfortable!-take on the classic corset. 

The only book of its kind on the market, Knitting Lingerie Style includes projects that are bold and sexy, daring us all to bare a little skin, as well as more understated and demure, with sizes ranging from petite to plus.

The yarn I've got to make this camisole. Not finished yet, but it's been fun working on it.

Jax's thoughts:

I've had this book for a bit, lingering over the lingerie while trying to decide which piece to make. The directions are easy enough to follow, though I don't think I'd recommend some of the patterns for newbies. I like the charts. I've tried some other patterns from this designer, and loved the results. She's got great insights in how to fit things for curvy women. (Also, you can actually reach her on ravelry.com if you have questions.)The textures of both the designs and the yarns she uses are just beautiful. She's got an excellent range of sizes represented, so as long as you know your measurements, it's really easy to figure out which set of instructions you need to follow. 

One of the things I love best about her work is the classy aspect to what she does. There is a time and place for some of the more racy lingerie out there, but I love the slightly vintage look/feel to her work. It takes you back to a time when it was sexy to not show it all. Some patterns are meant to leave you basically bare, but some have a more Victorian take on things. There's a good balance.  

I bought/own this book, as well as several of her other patterns, which you can find on her website, White Lies Designs.