NEW RELEASE

Just Desserts by Tawdra Kandle 

I would like to welcome Tawdra Kandle to my blog.  Her book Just Desserts has been released this week, so I took some time out of my schedule to ask Tawrda a few questions about the book and what it's like being a writer.

Q: Just Desserts is a sequel to Best Served Cold. Tell us how the story is set up.

A: Well. . .in Best Served Cold, Julia is seeking payback for the way her jerk of a (now ex) boyfriend treated her—particularly how he initiated their breakup. She’s trying to make him jealous by dating a series of guys, so that he will want her back and then she can ditch him. In the middle of that story, we learn that Liam, the dastardly ex, made a pass at Julia’s roommate and best friend, Ava. And in the epilogue to the first book, it seems that Ava may have more feelings on the situation than Julia had guessed.

Just Desserts begins at the point that Liam came on to Ava—but this time, we see it from a different point of view. The story follows what happened after that, and the developing relationship between Ava and Liam.

Q: Was making a character most readers hated into an appealing male lead difficult?

A: It was a challenge. Liam was based on someone I knew a long time ago, and while writing Best Served Cold, it was easy to fall into the trap of making him a one-dimensional villain. Believe me, no one was more surprised than me when I realized there was something between Ava and Liam. I was a little bitter when I realized he might have some motivation for his actions.

His story unfolded for me after I finished writing BSC, and the more I wrote him, the more I liked him. So the answer is. . .yes, it was hard, but I think Liam has grown into a someone swoon-worthy by the end of JD.

Q: The Perfect Dish Duo novels were your first books not set in Florida. Why did you choose New Jersey as a setting?

A: The King Series, The Posse, and parts of The Serendipity Duet were all set in Florida, which is where I live now. But when I began to write Best Served Cold, I realized it was taking place in a colder climate. I also realized that the story felt most comfortable being set in a college town very much like the one I lived near growing up. Part of my life was spent in a small town in South Jersey that was adjacent to Glassboro, home of Glassboro State College (which is now Rowan University). I could see Birch College there, and so that’s where it ended up.

Ava’s hometown is closer to the shore, but again, it is a place very near and dear to my heart.

Q: You’ve written young adult and adult romance in addition to new adult. Which is your favorite? Why?

A: I really enjoy adult and new adult. There is a freedom that in those genres that I have embraced. Though I never say never, I don’t see myself writing young adult again. The King Series will always have a special place in my heart, and those characters may go on, but they will be in different genres.

Q: Do you plan any more books in this world, with these characters?

A: I haven’t planned any more, but I think there could be some more books set at Birch College. I’d like to see where Julia, Jesse, Liam and Ava go. . .and Giff and Jeff, too! Maybe Rachel the annoying freshman might even get her own book. Who can say?

Q: Do you listen to any special kind of music when you write?

A: It depends on the book. Each book has its own musical style: Best Served Cold had all revenge songs, and Just Desserts was all big band, particularly Frank Sinatra. The book I’m working on now is totally country music. So I get to listen to a wide range of tunes.

Q: So what are you working on now?

A: I’m writing The Last One, which is a new adult contemporary spin-off of my adult book The Posse. It’s Jude’s daughter Meghan’s story. I’m really enjoying it. Next after that is the first book in my adult paramystery series Recipe for Death; it’s called Death Fricassee. I’m so excited about those books!

Flash Questions:

--Writing food?  Peanut M&Ms and chips with onion dip, accompanied by seltzer water with lemon and lime.

--Favorite dessert? Depends on my mood, but mint chocolate chip ice cream is always welcome. Also chocolate chip cookies and milk.

--Summer or winter? Summer, although I like a little winter around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

--Beaches or mountains? Beaches. I don’t do heights or windy roads. 

--Flats or heels? Flats, usually flip flops. I’m a Florida girl! Heels on special occasions.

--Reading now? I’m reading a new adult book by Chelsea Cameron called Sweet Surrending. I loved her book For Real, and I’m enjoying this one, too. 

Just Desserts - about the book:

When her friend Julia needed help forming a revenge plan against her ex-boyfriend, Ava was happy to lend a hand. She never expected that in the course of making Liam pay, she'd be the one to fall hard. . .for the one person who was absolutely off-limits. Crushing on the guy who humiliated her best friend is definitely against the girl code.

Besides, Ava has goals. Her life is all about graduating with honors and landing the perfect job. And Liam Bailey—sweet-talking, complicated son of a well-known local politician—isn't part of those plans.

But Liam doesn't give up easily. And he doesn't intend to let their friends' opinions, his parents' disapproval or Ava's past get in the way of what he wants—Ava's heart.

Buy it today:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Itunes 

Best Served Cold

And don't miss Book 1 of A Perfect Dish Duo. Best Served Cold. On sale for a limited time only!

Visit Tawdra at her website
Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram 
And sign up for her special events newsletter 

Tawdra Kandle has been a writer since the invention of the pen. Her first published work appeared in Child's Life magazine when she was 13. After a brief, thirty-year hiatus, she published a young adult quartet, The King Series. More recently, she's released contemporary and paranormal romances in both the adult and New Adult genres. Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband and children, of both skin and fur types. And yes, she has purple hair.

Sunlounger 2 Launch

Sunlounger 2 - Launch Party

Sunlounger 2 book cover

Yesterday I took some time out to attend the Sunlounger 2 book launch.

Sunlounger is the brainchild of women's fiction writer Belinda Jones.  She has published over ten books set in fabulous locations such as Las Vegas, Capri, Tahiti and Greece.  Her characters are funny, heartfelt and engaging, and the stories keep you hooked to the end.

Last year Belinda released an ebook called Sunlounger.  It contained fourty-four stories written by some of the hottest writers in women's fiction. It was a fantastic book for summer, perfect for reading on the beach, by the pool or in the  garden whilst sipping a sneaky cocktail.  Every story took the reader to a different country, Austraila, Thailand and Jamaica to name a few.  Reading it felt like you were travelling the world without having to get onto a plane and I absolutely loved it.

I was excited to hear that there would be a Sunlounger 2, and was lucky to get an invite to the launch yesterday at Trader Vic's London.  It was great to catch up with bloggers, contributing writers and of course, Belinda herself.

Chrissie Parker and Belinda Jones

Despite the inclement weather, the day had a fantastic holiday feel to it. Summer dresses in bright colours were out in force, accompanied by flip flops, sandals and sunglasses.  Writers wore flower garlands, Mai-Tai's brimmed with fruit, and Tracy's T-Cakes provided some of the most beautifully decorated cakes I've ever seen!  

Cakes by Tracy's T Cakes

I can't wait to read Sunlounger 2 this summer, it's going to be another fantastic holiday read, and I'm really looking forward to getting my copy, putting my feet up and getting stuck in.  If, however, you can't wait that long, Belinda's latest book The Travelling Tea Shop, set in New York and along the East Coast of the USA, was released yesterday.  

The Travelling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones

For updates on Sunlounger 2 go to Belinda Jones Travel Club on Facebook.  To follow Belinda on twitter go to @belindatravels.

Cover reveal by Andrea Buginsky

I'd like to welcome Andrea Buginsky to my blog. She's revealing the beautiful  new cover for her book. 

Nature’s Unbalance: The Chosen, book 2.

Finally re-releasing with a beautiful new cover!

Synopsis:

During a time of celebration for The Chosen, a mysterious force appears on Phantasma, threatening to destroy Nature and all of her creatures. Will The Chosen find and defeat this force and save Nature before it’s too late?

Excerpt:

Suddenly, as if someone had cast a freeze spell, everything stopped. As everyone looked around, they saw the shamans and druids gather together nervously and look up at the sky. Everyone else’s eyes focused upwards to see what was going on; chatter and screams could be heard as the sky suddenly darkened out of nowhere. Day became night in an instant. Now in a near panic, everyone shouted out assumptions.

“It’s Gastle! He’s back!”

“That’s impossible! This must be a new monster.”

“Perhaps it’s Gastle’s descendants seeking revenge for his death.”

“Or an old enemy trying to replace him on the throne.”

“Everyone, please, stay calm,” Striker spoke up. As the head of The Chosen, he normally took command, and it was accepted by those around him. “Let’s try to get some answers before we make assumptions.” He turned to the druids and shamans, who talked animatedly with each other while they pointed to the dark sky. “Red, any idea what this is?”

“It’s definitely not Gastle, or any other creature in Phantasma. There’s something off with the elements. Whatever caused this is a natural entity, and comes directly from Nature herself. There is a definite shift, and it’s unbalanced. We can all sense it.”

“Any idea what it could be?”

“No, but the strongest feelings we received are coming from the North, in the Polard region. We need to go there and see the situation for ourselves.”

Halli glanced at Queen Laurali who stood nearby and listened to the conversation between Striker and Red. The queen came toward the group, and Halli knew what she would say.

“I know this is a day of great celebration,” the Queen said, “but under the circumstances, I think it would be best if The Chosen headed out at once to seek some answers.” She turned toward the bride and groom. “Halli and Silvor, I will send a replacement healer and mage, of course, so you two can start your honeymoon. Until we know more, there’s no reason for you to cancel your plans.” But Halli and Silvor wouldn’t hear of it.

“We go with our family,” Silvor said. Halli nodded in agreement. “We can celebrate our honeymoon once we know what’s happened.”

Queen Laurali bowed her respect to them.

“Very well,” she said. “The Chosen, in its entirety, will head out right away toward Polard to see what you can find out. You may change in my tower while your horses are prepared.”

Coming soon from Amazon

Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. The Chosen, a middle-grade fantasy novelette was her first book, and was followed by My Open Heart, an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. Andrea released Destiny, the first book of her New Avalon series, in 2013. She is currently working on more books in both series. You can find Andrea on her website. Her books are available at Amazon. Remember to sign up for Andrea’s newsletter to stay up-to-date on all of her exciting events.