Changes for Whore Coming Soon!

It happened a lot sooner than I thought it would, but I am planning on moving Whore from iTunes, B&N, Kobo to Kindle Unlimited (Amazon) only. There are more changes coming soon for Whore—I will also be changing the cover and title soon. This took a lot of thought—I agonized over this when I first put it out. I went through a lot of names: Maison D'amour, House of Love, Out of the Ashes, Ashes, and one other kept lingering in my mind, but I went with what felt the strongest and most like what I wanted to say ... Whore. 

I talk a little bit about what inspired Whore at the back of my book and on another blogpost, but feel like I've explained the title a lot more during one-on-one time with readers. Why Whore? is what people ask before they read the book. Other authors love the title and I've gotten good feedback from readers about it too, but I've also seen a LOT of reviews saying, "Don't judge this book by the title!" And if I've kept someone from reading it because of that, I'd like to try again.

For me the word is exactly what Lilith feels about herself ... it's more than her profession, it's her lack of self-worth, her shame, and her weariness with the lot she's been given. It's the word that's been stamped across her chest and what she's carried her whole life. The word that I've never liked just felt right, but I get how people who can't see inside my head might not appreciate being blasted with the word. 

There's only one other title I can accept and that is ... Lilith. Because really, it's always been about her and I want to keep it that way. 

The original cover and title will always be available on my website. I plan to also do one with the original cover and titled Lilith. But soon an entirely new cover will be coming and I'm excited for you to see it.

For now, get it while you can!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2p9LTM1

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2FCjbh6

B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/2FR58TX

If you would like to take part in the announcement of the book's changes, please sign up here --->

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Graphic created by Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads

Chasing Sanity

This has been an eventful year so far! A trip to London for the RARE18 London signing, which was INCREDIBLE, my latest book has been out a while and I'm well into another one, the podcast has been so fun and is staying booked months out, my puppy keeps me on my toes, I have two teenagers now instead of one, my music world with my husband is busy and fulfilling ... life is wonderful and chaotic.

I thought I'd tell you five things I do to stay sane.

*EAT healthy food, typically vegetarian or once in a while pescetarian, and track it all on My Fitness Pal to make sure I'm getting the nutrition I need and staying within a certain caloric range.

*WALK as much as possible. Sometimes I forget to have my Fitbit on while doing it (or it's on but has been dead for days, ugh) but I love when it's working and I can track that too.

*SLEEP. If you follow me on Facebook, you know I've given up coffee, which was a heartbreaking decision to make. I'm still mourning the loss. I thought it might be the reason I never slept well and sadly, I was right. For the first time in over a decade, I sleep through the night. Life-changing.

*LAUGH my head off as much as possible. It's not hard with my son around.

*WRITE all the emotion out. If I've done all of the things above, it's easier for me to do that. I was stuck for a while and I think a lot of it was just exhaustion and being unhealthy.

I'd love to hear how you stay sane when your life is crazy.

Whore is LIVE!

I am so excited that Whore is finally LIVE! Get it now at the release price of $2.99 (prices will go up to $3.99 later this week). I hope you enjoy Lilith's story!

Make sure to also enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card - Good luck!

Advanced Praise for Whore:

This was one of those books I had no idea what to expect but was totally not prepared to be knocked off my feet. Stunning. Gripping. Amazing. I couldn't get enough of this incredible story. -A.L. Jackson, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author

In WHORE, Willow Aster forgoes the predictable, the pedestrian, and offers the exceptional. She unflinchingly wrestles with difficult themes and distinguishes herself as a master storyteller. I was riveted by this brave tale from the first page. An epic journey of unconditional love and unlikely redemption! - Kennedy Ryan, Top 100 Amazon Bestseller

If you look up the phrase ‘page turner’, you’ll find this book. The characters are incredibly relatable, the story is intriguing, tantalizing and impossible to put down. Get ready to pull an all-nighter for this one! - Claire Contreras NYT Best Seller

First she f*cks you slow and steady then she f*cks you hard and fast. Willow’s best book. Couldn't put it down. - Tarryn Fisher, NYT Bestselling Author

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2B0fsEe
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yY5D83
B&N: http://bit.ly/2iQYB1U
iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xx0EL8
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2yDAaHh

 

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 12: Michelle Warren

Today we welcome Michelle Warren to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: I love Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt or any of the older Christmas classics.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: I make a ton of cookies over the holiday, but my favorites are peanut butter cookies topped with a mini Reese Cup. Yum!

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Elf. It has so many great one-liners!

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Spending time with my family and friends.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: All gifts are nice, even the lopsided hats and scarfs that may have been crocheted by my MIL.

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Decorating the tree with my hubs. He's kind of like Clark Griswold.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts? Both, of course!

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: Is it sad I can't think of one thing?! I need to have a little more fun this holiday. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Italy is always at the top of my list. Boun Natale!

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Milo Ventimiglia (team Jess 4eva!)

What's at the top of your list? A lot more kindness and empathy in this crazy-ass world. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Evan Wade. (There's a reason I wrote him into a book. Good guys rule!)

If Michelle Warren had a spirit animal, it would be a tiger in a pink tutu, riding a Harley through a ring of fire. She lives in Chicago, dreams of California but hails from Baltimore. She has a slight obsession with travel, sunshine, Milano cookies and writing novels. She didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. She spent over a decade as professional Illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. 

You can follow Michelle and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 11: Kate Stewart

Today we welcome Kate Stewart to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Oh Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Chocolate Ice box cake. My grandmother's recipe. 

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: The Grinch-Jim Carrey

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: When my mother sent me a cookbook of all our family recipes. It's my most prized possession.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Fiber optic teddy bear. No. Just no. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve feast. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon. Cheese Log, Crab dip, Shrimp, Shirley Temple's laced with cherries, music and family. It's better than Christmas Morning for me.. 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: I just love giving at this point honestly. It's more fun. So I guess seeing my husband's face light up when I got him just the right thing. 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When I was young, I used to get so excited on Christmas morning, I would throw up. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Some awesome cabin with tons of windows and snow falling. The ideal I guess. 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): And what would I be doing with this person? LOL. I've always wanted to hang out with Adam Sandler. I think he's amazing. 

What's at the top of your list? Lots of smiles, food and naps. I'm easy. Gift wise, I really can't think of anything. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Hmmmm, this year I have a few. If I have to choose it would be Theo from All In by Emma Scott.

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.

You can follow Kate and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 10: Kennedy Ryan

Today we welcome Kennedy Ryan to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: "All I Want for Christmas" - Mariah Carey

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Sweet potato pie

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: About A Boy

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Weekend away

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: socks - LOL

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: just dinner together on Christmas day

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Day!

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: playing Spades and other games with my family

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Australia

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Idris Elba

What's at the top of your list? a new charm for my Tiffany bracelet

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Grip James ;-)

Kennedy Ryan is a Southern girl gone Southern California. A Top 100 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy writes romance about remarkable women who find a way to thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Georgia families living with Autism, Kennedy has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other outlets as a voice for families living with autism.

You can follow Kennedy and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 9: Calia Read

Today we welcome Calia Read to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Christmas/ Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: This is like Sophie's Choice. It's impossible to pick one! lol. So I'll say they're all my favorite. 

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Elf! 

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Anything book related. :)

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Jewelry. I can't stand wearing it. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: It's torture for my kids, but I have them open their gifts one at a time (from oldest to youngest) so that I get the chance to see their expressions. :) 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day. 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: I honestly can't think of one. Mr. Read and I don't go to many holiday parties; that would get in the way of me being a complete hermit. ;) 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: Anywhere with snow. I desperately want a white Christmas! 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Armie Hammer. Not exactly the most charming name, but I'm willing to ignore that fact. 

What's at the top of your list? new iPad. Mine has seen better days. It looks like it's been dragged behind a semi. 

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Oh! This one's easy. My newest book boyfriend, Rhett Rabideaux from How to Date a Douchebag: The Learning Hours by Sarah Ney.

Calia Read lives in Texas with her husband and their five kids.

You can follow Calia and purchase her books below:

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Whore Excerpt Reveal

Whore is coming on December 26th and I can't wait to finally get it out to you! I am revealing an excerpt today on a bunch of blogs and doing a giveaway on my Facebook page HERE.

Enjoy the sneak peek below. Becca the Bibliophile also created a trailer for me which I am in love with! :)

SYNOPSIS

“I need a reason to exist.”

Beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong-willed, wealthy—Lilith Fontenot seems by all appearances, to have it all. But that’s not how the highest paid prostitute in New Orleans sees herself.

A stain on society. A scourge. A waste. Outsider. Prisoner…

Any idyllic dream of the normal life she may have once imagined, Lilith buried long ago. Her only plan now is survival.

But mob boss Nico Santelli and community center owner Soti Christos have not given up on Lilith. Each has his own very specific, very opposing, plans for her, and neither will rest until it becomes a reality.

WHORE is a singularly bracing take on an ancient tale of tireless love, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/WhoreGoodreads

EXCERPT

“I don’t need any money,” I tell him. “I can make enough in the next few hours to cover me for the week.”

He flinches and turns toward me. The expression on his face makes my gut cinch. His eyes are like copper in the sun. So bright I have to look away.

I swallow and my voice shakes when I speak. “Thank you for everything. I won’t forget this.”

I put the phone in my pocket and decide to go while we’re on the topic.

“Wait, take this, please.” He reaches in his pocket and gives me a crumpled up wad of cash. “It’s not as much as I’d like to give you, but it’s all I have right now.”

“Can I do anything for you?” I ask, stepping toward him.

“No. Not everyone sees you as a business transaction, Lili,” he says softly.

My face is heated as I take the money and shove it in my pocket. I turn around and rush to the door. Before I leave, I chance another look at his face, but when we make eye contact I’m even more unsettled.

I lift a hand, whisper my goodbye, and stumble out of there. My eyes burn as I walk down the stairs, and even though the community center is bustling at this time of day, I don’t notice anyone else. By the time I step outside, tears are streaming down my face. I don’t even know why. His kindness … it confuses me.

12 Days of Giveaways—Day 8: Cat Porter

Today we welcome Cat Porter to the blog as she tells us about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song:  “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: my Tiramisu in my big glass trifle bowl!

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” and “The Christmas Story” for a tie!

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Years ago my husband got me the most perfect jewelry box—a blue velvet box with garnet beading and gold wire trim from my one of my favorite stores in New York City, ABC Carpet & Home.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: when I gave my husband a huge pack of hangers which I’d gotten from a friend of mine who owns a clothing store. It truly was the perfect gift for him, because he really needed them and they were excellent quality, but they were still hangers. His face was priceless when he ripped open the wrapping paper. We had 3 small toddlers, I never got out of the house and there wasn’t much cash, so it was an efficient gift and at least he got to open something from me! LOL

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve is my birthday, so I grew up spending the day doing something special with my parents in New York—a museum trip, lunch at a special restaurant, shopping, wandering around the city, sometimes the theater. Then we’d go to church, have my birthday cake after, and stay up late and watch classic film favorites like “The Red Shoes” or “Rebecca.”

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: I grew up opening gifts on Christmas Eve night, but now we open my birthday presents and go out for dinner on Christmas Eve and then Santa delivers his presents when everyone’s sleeping and the kids open them Christmas morning.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When my sister-in-law thought she was whispering to me and her best friend - “I think I’m pregnant” - but she was actually talking really loudly over the music and her husband heard her and he flipped out.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: London! I went with my parents when we lived in Europe when I was ten, and it was perfection! Although now I think I’d like to do Scotland maybe…

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass?: artist & model William Tyler.

What's at the top of your list? This year it’s an essential oils diffuser. And silver jewelry. Always silver jewelry.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Ethan Blackstone, baby! (and Joe Callahan!)

Cat Porter was born and raised in New York City, but also spent a few years in Europe and Texas

along the way, which made her just as wanderlusty as her parents. As an introverted, only child, she had very big, but very secret dreams for herself. She graduated from Vassar College, was a struggling actress, an art gallery girl, special events planner, freelance writer, restaurant hostess and had all sorts of other crazy jobs all hours of the day and night to help make her dreams come true. She has two children’s books traditionally published under her maiden name. She now lives on a beach just outside of Athens, Greece with her husband and three children, and freaks out regularly and still daydreams way too much, and doesn’t give as much of AF. She is addicted to the History Channel, her iPhone, her husband’s homemade red wine, coffee, and a bunch of other stuff she’d rather not discuss. Writing keeps her somewhat sane, extremely happy, and a productive member of society. At least on the outside.

You can follow Cat and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 7: A.L. Jackson

Let's welcome A.L. Jackson to the blog today who will be sharing her favorite things with us.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: O Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Traditional frosted Christmas Cookies

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Christmas Vacation

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Jammies

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Candy

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Watching my kids dump out their stockings. I don't know what it is about it - I just love it.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Both 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: When my in-laws tree fell over. 

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: I always want to be at home for the holidays. 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Bahaha my husband says I'm allowed no free passes because I might actually try to make it happen ;) 

What's at the top of your list? This year, my Christmas present is remodeling my bathroom! Hopefully it will actually be done by Christmas.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? My Lyrik West from Where Lightning Strikes

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

You can follow A.L. and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 6: Kim Holden

Kim Holden is joining us on the blog today to tell us more about her favorite holiday things.

Favorite Christmas Song: Elvis singing "Blue Christmas" always does it for me. "Carol of the Bells" is probably my all-time favorite though.

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Dessert: I loved making cookies every Christmas with my mom when I was little. We had cookie cutters in the shape of a tree, a bell, and Santa, and we used red and green food coloring to dye the frosting. My mom always bought sprinkles too (that was a BIG deal). I was always overly generous with the frosting and a bit aggressive on the sprinkles.

Best Christmas Gift: Best Childhood Gift: When I was ten Santa brought a foosball table. I have no idea how many hours my dad and I racked up playing over the years, but I would wager it was several hundred. We wore the thing out.

Best Adulthood Gift: Our son, Phoenix, made us a snowman out of paper plates and construction paper when he was in preschool. It gets hung on our refrigerator every year at Christmas. It's my favorite, even though it's nine years old now and looking a little ragged. I'll keep it forever.

Best Christmas Tradition: Every Christmas Eve for the past seventeen years, my husband, son, and I go out for dinner. We always try to pick a restaurant where the servers work their butts off but probably don't make a killing in tips and would rather be home with their kids and families.
Waffle House has been our go-to the past few years. We enjoy our meal and chat with our server and when we get our check, we pay with cash and then leave them a holiday card and a one hundred dollar bill for the tip. We hurry out before they get to it and then watch inconspicuously from the car. More often than not, they cry. And more often than not, I cry. Because that, to me, is the spirit of Christmas - showing some love and helping a stranger. I read a book called The Christmas Jar years ago and got the idea from it. We save up our spare change all year in a jar and then cash it in just before Christmas and use that for the tip. I look forward to doing it all year long.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts: Always Christmas morning. It feels like cheating if anything gets opened on Christmas Eve.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: My grandma used to put carrots and raisons in her lime jelly, does that count?

Dream Christmas destination: Hawaii would be nice. I'm a Colorado girl, but I hate the cold. I would love to spend Christmas vacation somewhere warm and tropical just once.

What's at the top of your list? Honestly, there's nothing on my list this year. Just looking forward to spending the day with my husband and son and watching A Christmas Story on TV.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Easy peasy. Paul Hudson.

Some of my favorite things:

Reading (YA or New Adult), writing (especially on a productive day), the two coolest guys on the planet (my husband and son), my bicycle (hand built by my husband), Facebook (it’s an addiction at this point), iced coffee (hazelnut from McDonalds), and music (LOVE Sunset Sons, the 1975, Dredg, the xx, Balance and Composure, Teenage Bottlerocket, Manchester Orchestra, and 30 Seconds to Mars).

I also love dreaming. Big. Writing a few years ago was an elusive dream until I grabbed a hold of it with both hands and refused to let go. Keep chasing YOUR dreams …

You can follow Kim and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 5: Amy Harmon

Today, we welcome Amy Harmon to the blog!

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Oh Holy Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Thick frosted, soft sugar cookies

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: It's a Wonderful Life

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Husband bought me a new wedding ring two years ago. So beautiful.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: As a kid, I hated getting underwear. Now I don't mind. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve at Grandma's

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: I switched nametags with my sister on a present she knew was hers. Her face when I opened it . . . ha ha ha.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: No place like home for Christmas

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): Daniel Craig (James Bond)

What's at the top of your list? I don't want a single thing! I just want a few days of no work and long naps.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? I'm a little obsessed with my newest leading man, Dr. Noah Andelin, from THE SMALLEST PART.

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in seventeen different languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written eleven novels - the USA Today Bestsellers The Bird and The Sword, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as From Sand and Ash, The Law of Moses, The Song of David, Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her latest novel, The Queen and The Cure, book two in The Bird and The Sword Chronicles, was released May 9, 2017.

You can follow Amy and purchase her books below:

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 4: Mary Elizabeth

Today on the blog, we welcome Mary Elizabeth!

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Silent Night

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: I can basically eat pumpkin pie from the beginning of November through the New Year. I also have a soft spot for anything peppermint mocha.

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer give me the same cozy feelings they did when I was a kid. You know it’s Christmastime when  those movies are on TV.

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: My favorite gifts every Christmas are the ones my kids make me at school. We have a separate tree in our second living room dedicated to the ornaments and crafts they’ve made since preschool. It’s sentimental, and that’s what Christmas is all about.

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Those tins full of popcorn are pretty awful.

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Every Christmas Eve our entire family—brothers, sisters, and all of my nieces and nephews spend the night together so we can open our presents at the same time Christmas morning.

This is something we’ve done since before any of us had kids, so 15 years later, our tradition has definitely grown. 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Christmas Day.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: My husband and I were probably 20 years old. I was pregnant with our twins, so I couldn’t do much myself. Mr. Elizabeth was setting up a place for us to sleep at his parents house on Christmas Eve, like I mentioned above, our entire family spends the night together. So, Jason was carrying an inflated air mattress from one room to another when out of nowhere his younger brother literally karate kicked him. It sent my husband flying back until he fell with the mattress on top of him.

To this day that memory still gets to me. It was so unexpected, and I’ll never forget the way Mr. Elizabeth’s face looked when he was falling. I laughed all night. It’s such a happy memory.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: I was just telling my husband we should travel somewhere tropical for Christmas when our kids are grown and have their own families. Until then, I love being home for the holidays.

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): I’d love to hang out with Will Ferrel for Christmas, just to have him dress as the Elf and tell me jokes all night.

What's at the top of your list? I’d really love a new laptop this year!

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? This is an easy one! Jacob Grace from Heart-shaped Hole. 

Mary Elizabeth was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She's a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night. 

Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told. 

You can follow Mary Elizabeth and purchase her books below:

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First Annual PLN Author 21 Days of Giveaways

Tarryn and I go back to before we published books and before we even knew what this book world was like. I love her and would do anything for her. ❤️ I also love the way she gives back to people—whether it’s people in need or other authors. If you’re not part of the PLNs yet, come join the tribe HERE.

I am excited to be teaming up with 20 amazing PLN authors to give you our First Annual PLN Author Blog Hop!

For the next 21 days, there will be giveaways each day on the different author's pages. Stop by and visit all of us, look around, check out our books—you might find a new author that you want to follow :)

After you visit, make sure you enter the giveaway. We have signed paperbacks, ebooks, advanced copies, and gift cards too! The blog hop runs from December 4th - December 24th and winners will be picked and notified after the holidays, so be on the lookout.

You can follow along the blog hop below by clicking on the author's name. Have fun exploring, commenting on the different pages—we look forward to chatting with you!

Wishing you and your families a very happy holiday season!

XO

Author	Blog Hop Date
Daisy Allen	12/4
Nicole Loufas	12/5
TL Fisher	12/6
A.D. McCammon	12/7
Fabiola Francisco	12/8
Brandi Aga	12/9
Elizabeth Hayes	12/10
Heather Bentley	12/11
HM Sholander	12/12
K. Moore	12/13
J.R. Rogue	12/14
Willow Aster	12/15
Kat Savage	12/16
Rebecca Kate	12/17
Holly Hall	12/18
Dominique Laura	12/19
Juliet Dillon	12/20
V.P. Ortiz	12/21
M.M Clem	12/22
Leah Parker	12/23
Whitney Barbetti	12/24

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b26950fe9/?

 

12 Days of Giveaways—Day 3: Claire Contreras

Today on the blog, we have Claire Contreras telling us about her favorite things.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: Santa Baby

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Eggnog (does that count?)

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Home Alone

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: anything thoughtful

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: I don't have one lol. I appreciate everything. 

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: Waking up on Christmas morning and having coffee while the kids open presents

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Day. Growing up I opened everything on Christmas Eve, but I like the idea of waiting till morning. 

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: I can't think of one, but I'm sure there are plenty

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: I like being home for Christmas. I would love to be home somewhere cold and with a fireplace, though. That would be a dream for me :) 

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): LOL damn... Ryan Gosling. Idris Elba. 

What's at the top of your list? This year the Beachwaver is the only thing on my list lol

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? oh damn . . . Kellen Kyle.

Claire doesn’t like to talk about herself. Because of this, she asked a friend of hers to write her bio. This is what she got:

Claire is caring, smart, witty, and funny as heck. Despite being a New York Times Best Selling Author of a popular contemporary romance series, Claire doesn’t read many romance novels. However, when she sits down to write, those are the ones that pour from her fingers. Much to her displeasure, we like to say she’s a romantic at heart.

She is a breast cancer survivor who lives in Miami with her good looking husband, two adorable boys, three bulldogs, and two stray cats that she refuses to admit are hers (even though they live on her porch and she continues to feed them). When she’s not writing, she’s always lost in a book (the more suspenseful, the better).

You can follow Claire and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 2: Christine Brae

Today on the blog, we have Christine Brae and her favorite things!

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: NSync Merry Christmas when I’m dancing around the kitchen but anything Pentatonix especially Drummer Boy gets me in the Christmas spirit

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Can you believe, I don’t really eat dessert?

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie:  The Holiday!

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift:  When we were just starting out – An electric can opener

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift:  When we weren’t starting out anymore – DVR player

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition:  My family of five sitting around the fire, watching Netflix

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?:  Eve!

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment:  I won the dance contest after only three gin and tonics.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination:  Anywhere with my family

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas):  I just saw him

What's at the top of your list? Something blue, starts with a H and ends with a S

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? All of them

Christine was born and raised in the city of Makati, Philippines. She is a Certified Public Accountant with a degree in Economics and a Minor in Humanities. Christine is Executive Vice President of one one of the most respected advertising agencies in the country, and one of the largest agency networks in the world, with 85 offices and 9,000+ employees. (Multinational clients include Fiat, Samsung, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, Altria, Coca-Cola, GM, McDonald’s and Pfizer.)

After experiencing a great loss in her life, Christine decided that it was time to channel her feelings on paper and see where it would take her. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same stories to tell. With an established fan base and a dedicated following, Christine has published four books: The Light in the Wound (2013), His Wounded Light (2013), Insipid (2014)., and In This Life (2016). 

In development for film by Emmanuelle Chriqui and Adrian Bellani – IN THIS LIFE.
The deal was announced exclusively by Variety.com in November 2016, who had this to say about Christine Brae’s recently published romance-drama:

The book, written by Chicago-based author Christine Brae and the actors, who reside in Los Angeles, were connected via social media after Chriqui and Bellani discovered an early version of the book. Chriqui’s credits include “Entourage,” “Supertroopers 2” and “Shut Eye.” Bellani’s credits include “Moneyball,” “Person of Interest” and “Passions.”
 

You can follow Christine and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BOOKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

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12 Days of Giveaways—Day 1: Leylah Attar

Today is the first day of my 12 Days of Giveaways and I am happy to feature Leylah Attar on my blog. I asked the 12 authors participating to answer some fun holiday questions and here is what Leylah had to say.

Favorite Christmas Carol/Song: George Michael's 'Last Christmas'

Favorite Christmas Cookie/Holiday Dessert: Fruitcake. One time, my parents left me with my aunt for a week. I agreed, but only if they got me fruitcake. And only if I was allowed to keep it under my bed. I could survive a zombie apocalypse without them, but a kid needs to eat, you know? Fruitcake is rich and nutritionally dense. Plus you can throw it at people.

Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie: Home Alone

Best Christmas/Holiday Gift: Good Fruitcake

Worst Christmas/Holiday Gift: Bad fruitcake

Best Christmas/Holiday Tradition: It's not a tradition yet, but I'm working on it: getting someone else to do the dishes.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for gifts?: Since I get the gifts for everyone including myself, I'm usually ahead of the curve. Sometimes I open my gift in advance, like in August.

Funniest Christmas/Holiday party moment: A few years ago, I thought I'd found the perfect gift for my 8 year old niece: an air-swimming Nemo. It was this huge, remote-controlled helium balloon. When the time came to open gifts, hers came floating down the stairs towards her. She screamed and screamed, and was completely traumatized. It took us hours to calm her down. Obviously fish are meant to stay in the water, especially giant, shiny ones.

Dream Christmas/Holiday destination: So many! But some place warm, where you can't tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins.

Who is your Christmas/Holiday pass? (famous person you'd pick for Christmas): I refuse to choose, mostly because this changes every year. I am a fickle, fickle Christmas/Holiday Pass player.

What's at the top of your list? Duh. Fruitcake.

What book boyfriend would you want to kiss under the mistletoe? Christian Grey - not because I fancy being tied up in tinsel (okay, maybe a little mutual, contractual tangle), but because he's the one that got me back into books and reading.

Leylah Attar is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Best Selling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction.  She is the recipient of the 2017 Indie Reader Discovery Awards for fiction. Her books, which include  Mists of The Serengeti, The Paper Swan, 53 Letters for My Lover (#1) and From His Lips (a 53 Letters novella #1.5).

You can follow her and purchase her books below:

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest

BOOKS:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iBooks
Audible
Goodreads

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Black Friday SALE

I am having a Black Friday weekend sale starting today until Sunday 11/26. All of my published books are on sale for only $0.99!!! 

 

True Love Story

Sparrow Fisher is transforming. No longer dressed up in antiquated clothes and ideals, she is finally trying on her freedom.

Before she moves to New York City, she meets Ian Sterling, a musician Sparrow has dreamed about since she first saw him. The attraction is instant, but their relationship isn't so simple.

Over a five year span, Sparrow and Ian run into each other in unusual places. Each time, Sparrow has to decide if she can trust him, if he feels the same for her, and finally, if love is really enough.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jf8BOR

B&N: http://bit.ly/2jeT2uo

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2iHrBFJ

iBooks: http://apple.co/2Aw7IJR

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2iro2nQ

Maybe Maby

I’m having a meltdown. Not the put-her-in-the-loony-bin kind, but the rock-in-the-corner-so-I-can-breathe kind. Maybe they’re one and the same and I really do need to be put away, but I think I just need a little air. I’m bone tired. My eyes look like I haven’t slept in weeks. I’m eating my feelings and developing a pudge that isn’t gonna go anywhere if I keep binging on chocolate, nachos and wine.

I’m 28 and everyone has left me. I have no friends. My boyfriend left. My mom died, so technically she left me too. I hate my job.

I get this overwhelming 'oh my God, is this what my life is gonna be?' feeling and I want to die.

Curl up and die.

And since I don’t feel my heartbeat fading or my breathing getting even slightly faint, I panic that I’m gonna have to live.

Maybe Maby is a heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious story about coping with loss, finding love in New York, and learning to recognize hope in the middle of it all.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zXpzfh

B&N: http://bit.ly/2hqV7z9

iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zJDGC4

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2mB0wcg

In the Fields

1971—In the tiny, backward town of Tulma, Tennessee, optimistic, bookish Caroline Carson unwittingly finds herself in the middle of a forbidden romance. Severely neglected by her family and forced to flee Tulma to protect her secrets, Caroline’s young life comes crashing down around her. She finds refuge in a new town, but the past always has a way of stretching around time and stirring up trouble.

When a new love comes into her life, she has to decide if she can give her heart to someone else, or if she will always be tied to someone she can’t have.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iFuOq7

B&N: http://bit.ly/2iXhvAr

iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jrWn9j

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2j272E0

 

Fade to Red

Dancing in pop superstar Beckham Woods’ entourage was the last thing Roxie wanted. Her life with little Leo was blissfully ordinary; she didn’t have time for the drama that stirring up old memories would surely cause.

But when Roxie took a spot on an international tour with Woods and rock icon Ian Sterling, the lure of financial security and her passion for dance pulled her into an emotional storm that threatened to spin out of control and hurt the ones she loved most.

Just as she began to adjust to her new life, it became apparent that danger was in the shadows, waiting for a chance to move...

***Fade to Red is a standalone novel featuring characters from True Love Story.***

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zduNju

B&N: http://bit.ly/2zDTCbj

iTunes: http://apple.co/2yZTvHV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zWVJaS

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2j2UMTS

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

In this season of gratitude, I wanted to express my appreciation for YOU.

I will be doing a Black Friday weekend sale on all of my published books for $0.99 each. Be on the lookout for links tomorrow.

Thank you for reading my books and for all of your support. It means so much to me. XO

Whore Cover Reveal

I've been working on this book for a while now and it's ready. And I'm ready to finally share it with all of you. Whore is based on the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible—a story that has always fascinated me. God told Hosea to go marry a whore and he did. And while I used my creativity with this modern-day version, the common thread remains: this is a story of redemption and unconditional love.

I hope you enjoy it!

Synopsis

“I need a reason to exist.”

Beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong-willed, wealthy—Lilith Fontenot seems, by all appearances, to have it all. But that’s not how the highest paid prostitute in New Orleans sees herself.

A stain on society. A scourge. A waste. Outsider. Prisoner…

Any idyllic dream of the normal life she may have once imagined, Lilith buried long ago. Her only plan now is survival.

But mob boss Nico Santelli and community center owner Soti Christos have not given up on Lilith. Each has his own very specific, very opposing, plans for her, and neither will rest until it becomes a reality.

WHORE is a singularly bracing take on an ancient tale of tireless love, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/WhoreGoodread

Preorder Links:

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/WhoreAmazonUS

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/WhoreAmazonUK

Amazon CA: http://bit.ly/WhoreAmazonCA

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/WhoreAmazonAU

B&N: http://bit.ly/WhoreBN

iTunes: http://bit.ly/WhoreiBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/WhoreKobo

I'll be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card for this cover reveal celebration. To enter, go to my FB author page to comment, share the cover, and/or add Whore to your Goodreads TBR.

Thank you! 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/willowasterauthor/

One winner will be picked November 15th. Good luck!

XO, 

Willow