Book Tour: Gracie's Secret by Lorelie Rozzano @LorelieRozzano @VBTCafe #Giveaway

Gracie's Secret
by Lorelie Rozzano
Book Genre: Children's Ficton
Publisher: Edgewood Publishing
Release Date: July 29, 2014

Description:

Meet Grace. At nine years old she has a big secret. Grace knows first-hand that life can be difficult. Her parents aren't very happy. Their arguing is giving her a stomach ache. She spends a lot of time alone, worrying. Are her parents problems her fault? Had she done something wrong? Grace pretends everything is fine, but it's not. She feels helpless and has learned that making things up is easier than telling the truth. One big question haunts her every day. Will her family ever be happy again?

This book is perfect for a child with a difficult home life. Divorce, addiction, mental health issues and more can cause children to feel alone, anxious and afraid. Gracie's Secret addresses this by showing kids they aren't alone, and that they can feel better. With a workbook section for kids to understand their own issues and a message that talking to a safe person will help, Gracie's story can help kids cope.

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Excerpt:

"Grace wished she could take Cameron and run far away. She held him close and hummed, hoping to cover the noise of their parent's yelling so he could fall asleep.

Her stomach was hurting again.

The raised voices below them were joined by a crash. She plugged her ears.

Her bedroom was so dark she thought it might swallow her up.

Grace closed her eyes, trying to stay calm as she imagined what was going downstairs. Her eyes blinked back open, not able to stay closed. She remained upright in bed for most the night."

An Interview with Lorelie Rozzano

What inspired you to write Gracie's Secret?

I got the idea to write Gracie's Secret from my granddaughter Emma and some children I knew who had lost their mother. These kids wanted to talk about it. They mentioned that people got funny and changed the subject when they tried. They heard things like 'don't worry, she's still with you.' They drew pictures of their Mom and came to my door every morning to see how the book was progressing. It was very apparent that not only were these kids eager to talk about their feelings, they needed too in order to heal.

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I had fleeting thoughts of being a writer but never more than that. I couldn't imagine how one sat down and wrote a book! It wasn't until I finished Gracie's Secret that I knew I really could. After Gracie's Secret I wrote a series of books on addiction, Jagged Little Edges and Jagged Little Lies. I'm currently writing book three in this series now.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

I was five or six and it was The Bobbsie Twins. I loved it! It opened up a whole new world for me!

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I like many genres, mystery, thriller, medical mysteries. I also like auto-biographies and books about addiction.

What is your favorite book?

I don't have one favorite book. I have many favorites. The Stand, Odd Thomas and the series, Green Eggs and Ham and Jagged Little Edges are just a few.

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

I really don't have one favorite author, but there are some I like more than others. Harlan Coben, Jeff Abbot, Lindsay Barclay, Dean Koontz, Stephen King and James Patterson would be at the top of my list.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

I would travel back to me as a little girl. I would tell her all the things I've learned as a woman. I would let her know she was loveable and precious. But most importantly, I would tell her Gracie's Secret because then no matter what was happening around her, she would be okay.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

It's both. When I sit down to write I have an idea of what it will look like. However, that is often changed mid-stream. If I don't fight the process and allow the creative side of me to rule, it is so much easier!

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I do. I love animals! I have a pug, she is three years old. Her name is Maddy. She is a comical delight. There's nothing like coming home after a hard day's work to a bouncy, tail-wagging, excited little fur baby!

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

Hmm? There's a few! I am completely addicted to Chic Boom Pop popcorn. I love frozen yogurt. A slice of lemon loaf and a tall Starbucks, now that's to die for

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

I do. One of the things that kept me from starting my first book was I didn't know what it would look like, or say. I thought writing a book, was like reading a book. You had to know what was on the pages before sitting down to write them. Well that's not true. If you want to write a book just sit down and start. Write a sentence. Then write another one. Soon you'll have a paragraph and then a page. It doesn't matter if it's the first page or last page of the book. Just keep at it and eventually, if it's meant to happen, the story will start to write itself!

About the Author:

My name is Lorelie Rozzano and I'm a recovering addict. Seventeen years ago I took the most difficult walk of my life - through the doors of a local treatment centre. I found in recovery, what I'd been looking for in alcohol and drugs. Finally, my skin fit! I'm an author, mother, wife, grandmother, foster parent, sister, family counsellor and daughter. Growing up in an alcoholic home I understand first-hand, the importance of a healthy family. I began working at the Edgewood Treatment Centre for addiction in 1998 and have had the privilege of working with both patients and their families. I'm passionate about helping others whose lives like mine, have been affected by addiction. In the past few years I've created a blog, Jagged Little Edges - living in a world of hope, and written three fiction books: Gracie's Secret, Jagged Little Edges, and Jagged Little Lies. My hope is that the honesty found in my books and and on my blog, will help those dealing with unhealthy behaviours and addiction. After all, I truly believe if I can get clean, anyone can. I'm currently working on book three in the Jagged series

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Book Blitz: December Rain (August Fog #2) by A.L. Goulden @A_L_Goulden @XpressoReads #XpressoBookTours #Giveaway

December Rain by A.L. Goulden
(August Fog #2)
Publication date: November 25th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance

Synopsis:

Monica and Alex Waters have spent that last few months working to repair a broken marriage and rekindle their passion. Just as they start finding their spark, Quinn Matthews and his escalating career resurfaces, but this time Alex makes the decision to let Monica go.

The devastation of losing her high school sweetheart, her home, and even her dog twists Monica down a destructive path that alienates her from her closest friends and lands her on Quinn's couch. Despite her efforts to resist jumping into his arms again, the spark between them reignites and sweeps her away on a whirlwind holiday adventure. She finds that falling in love with Quinn's family and lifestyle is as easy as falling for his ocean colored eyes. The problem is that it's all too easy, and when she sees that Quinn's reinvented life has completely shifted towards her dreams, she starts to question whether he's too good to be true.

Quinn has a secret that was never meant to be kept this long, but will Monica be able to trust another man who's lied? And now that Quinn's got his happily ever after in sight, he's not about to let her go or share her with another man.

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Excerpt:
(Monica and her husband Alex run into Quinn very unexpectedly)

The outdoor style shopping mall is bustling with tourist and local art lovers. Rows of art galleries surround the courtyard where a stage welcomes a local reggae band. Monica settles into a groove and starts dancing with the crowd. Alex tries to hang in for a couple of songs before he starts feeling claustrophobic and looks to the galleries and shops around them.

"Go ahead," she says with a loving smile. "I'll meet you down there… after one more song."

He gives her a little kiss on the cheek and glides his hand across her behind before making his way out of the crowd. His attention is pulled by various pieces in gallery windows along the way. There's a large glass sea turtle in shades of green and gold followed by a painting of an autumn forest with heavy texture. He stands daydreaming for a minute until he's distracted by a reflection passing in the glass. It's so brief he's sure it's his imagination. He barely catches a glimpse down the mall as the backside of the man disappears into another gallery.

Alex follows the ghost, dodging through happy couples and pushy salespeople trying to get his attention. Before he can see inside the gallery, a painting that's prominently displayed on a front wall stops him. A cold washes over as he stands there staring at it. He slowly moves inside, mesmerized by the familiar vibrant paint strokes until he sees a few people gathered in the back. A man talking to two smiling women stills himself as Alex's eyes freeze on the back of his shaved head. No words were needed as the tropical air takes a chill. Even the women sense a showdown, and step back to give Quinn room.

Quinn turns. What do I say? Fuck! I thought that was him. I hoped it wasn't. Quinn moves very slowly towards Alex. Is he gonna hit me? I do deserve it. Might as well get it over with. "Hey." Quinn pauses near the center of the room waiting.

Alex swallows hard, his nostrils flaring and fist clenched. His jaw flexes as his breathing grows heavier, but the emotions just start to turn to mush. His eyes fill as thoughts of his new friend's betrayal wash over and the painting draws his eyes again.

"I'm sorry Alex," Quinn says quietly.

Monica nearly passes the gallery on her way to see their friends when Alex's shirt first catches her eye. She halts and shifts backwards until she sees the painting and stops. It's a female figure bent forward reaching for her toes. The abstract form of her body in swirls of orange and reds is cradled by a man swathed in blues and purple. Oh my God! That's me. That's us, stretching. It can't be. He's...

She struggles for air as the tears swell, and she can already feel him. As she stands there, not crossing the threshold, the two men watch her. When her eyes finally land on Quinn, electricity fills the room. She can only see him and the deep tan that backdrops the pale oceany eyes reaching for her. A warm drop gently slides down her cheekbone as her breathing syncs with his. His lips move slightly hinting at words that he can't find, and she struggles not to run into his arms.

Alex's discomfort is audible as he clears his clogged throat to rattle her attention to his worried eyes. She steps in and touches his hand briefly. "I'll be outside," she says, turning without another glance at Quinn.

Her feet move quick as her thoughts try to keep up. What are they doing? Alex is gonna hit him. I can't believe he's here. What are the odds? Did he know we'd be here? No. Maybe he moved here. That painting was him and I together. Would Alex know that? It's pretty abstract. Fuck! This can't be happening. Before she knows it, she's at the other end of the mall near the parking lot. She settles on a bench to wait for the world to stop crumbling around her.

An Interview With A.L. Goulden:

How did you come up with the story?

There is a little bit of real life in the story. I was laid up on the couch for a summer, forced to quit my job, because of three stress fractures in my ankle that wouldn't heal. I was reading a lot to pass the time and eventually started writing. There really was a sexy neighbor, he really is an artist, but there was never really an affair. Luckily I'm married to a man that finds my overactive imagination amusing and he never once thought it was autobiographic.

So many of the books I was reading had a similar heroine who was "damaged" as well as the same alpha males. I wanted to build characters that were realistic and flawed to see if I could make them sexy as well. People you would know. Your best friend or coworker. Real life is complicated and real love is even worse. I knew Monica wasn't always going to be likable. As much as we'd like to deny it, most of us aren't when we're going through life changes or stressful events. But that wasn't a reason not to connect to her or even understand her. I didn't want a woman who just callously throws away her life-long commitment because she needs to have sex. Monica loves her husband. He's her best friend. But she realizes that she wants more than a friend and Quinn reminds her that she's more than just this wife.

I struggled with the premise of an artist, because it's been done so many times and is a little cliche. But I know a lot of real artists, painters, sculptors, whose lives are very free and I wanted Quinn to have that. It's an element in Monica's past that she let go of and forgot about. So, I looked at it like another opportunity to take a cliche and make it more realistic. There are secrets behind him that will eventually test her ideas of freedom and trust. It's all about her growing into who she is supposed to be and finding out in her mid-thirties that she hasn't been honest with herself.

I set out to create a story that touches on the complications of love and commitment. It's been an adventure and I've learned so much. I never thought it would be a finished novel, much less multiple, but once I got into it I didn't want to stop. I know I still have a ton to hone and learn, but I'm finding that the challenges of writing are so addictive that I can't imagine ever quitting now. It's become my vice I guess. The reality is that I have another career still as a Production Designer and Art Director in film and television so writing does tend to be crammed into my nights and weekends or between shows.

What led you into writing? Was it a lifelong ambition, or the result of some type of turning point in your life?

I've been writing casually since I was in fifth grade. My first story was about five fifth grade boys and an escaped con. Stories were the biggest reason I got into the film and television industry, but as a visual person I ended up in the art department. It's only been the last few years that I was provoked to push myself to write novels.

About Cover Design?

I love designing my own book covers and graphics. I chose the titles of each book based on the literal and emotional condition in Monica Waters' life. The element that links all three book covers together is the eye and the predominantly white background. I wanted to reflect the voyeurism that runs through Monica's world, as well as the intense effect Quinn's blue eyes have one her. Instead of going dark, as erotic covers tend to be, I wanted to connect to the comfort she finds in a white blanket of fog. I was warned that a white cover might not attract the right readers, but I'm not one to shy away from doing things differently.

Through the series each cover slips into a new shade of oceany color that works with the accent images. August Fog was all about San Francisco and the fog that took over when the complicated affair began. December Rain reflects the tears shed and washing away of everything she knew before Quinn. I don't want to spoil April Snow's cover yet, but I'll say that it reflects springing into a new beginning and her growth. Hopefully readers will see the transformation and get the undertones of the story in just a glance.

What are you working on now?

I'm writing the final book in the August Fog series titled April Snow as well as a stand alone novel called Chasing Swells. I'm really excited about Chasing Swells because it's so different from this series, but it will be a little sad to say goodbye those characters.

What are some of your likes and dislikes?

Likes (or LOVES):
Chocolate - The darker the better!
Cooking - Anything I can do in a dutch oven or cast iron skillet.
Complicated characters with mystery. - Not all has to be unveiled to me.
Movies - I am a film-o-holic.
Laughter - Life is too short to live without it.

Dislikes:

Instant Love in romance novels. (Lust is okay though.)
Overreactions
Assumptions (I'm guilty unfortunately.)
Chardonnay (One bad night can spoil it forever.)
Mean spirited people. (A no brainer though right?)

Tell us one thing about yourself that we wouldn't know?

I love to build things. I built the decks in our backyard by myself. It started as a dare, but I did it.

If there was one thing you could tell your readers, what would it be?

Thank you. Thank you for giving some of your time to hang out with me and my characters.

About the Author:

I'm a designer, author, wife and dog-lover living in the South Pasadena area of California. I got my BFA in Film Production from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, but my love of a good story came way before college. I remember writing my first full story in fifth grade on a typewriter. I cut and pasted it into a book, complete with cardboard cover and taped binding. Things have changed a lot since then. With the magnificent digital age I can produce books and give them to the world without a sticky mess.

In college numerous instructors and peers praised my dialogue pushed me to hone my storytelling skills. Of course the need to cut and paste was still there, so I went into the world of Production Design and Art Direction for films and television. It gave me the ability to connect design to storytelling in a way that no other career can. The past 18 years have spun a unique perspective on visually emotional tales of relationships and the thread that ties all things together. Now I'm shifting focus on the driving force that brought me here... stories. I hope that I can share a unique perspective on life, love and the pursuit in all of the above.

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2 signed copied of December Rain

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Book Blitz: Moonlight in Winter Park by Samantha Chase @SamanthaChase3 @XpressoReads #XpressoBookTours #Giveaway

Moonlight in Winter Park
by Samantha Chase
Publication date: November 24th 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

"Moonlight in Winter Park" - A modern-day Beauty and the Beast style Christmas.

All Hope Cooper needed this year was to have the kind of Christmas her family always cherished. But with her parents gone and her only brother having to work, it doesn't look like it's going to work out for her. There's nothing she can do about her parents, but she most certainly can voice her annoyance at her brother's boss for making him work out of town all through the holidays.

Beckett James hates the holidays and everything that goes with them. They were important at one time, but now the only thing that mattered was his company and it's continued growth and anyone who worked for him better feel the same way. If not, then they could find employment elsewhere and good riddance. With a major expansion deal on the line, Beckett needs to focus. What he doesn't need is Hope to come barging into his mountain retreat demanding that her brother come home immediately due to an emergency.

Suddenly it's two alone in a snowstorm. Two alone for Christmas. And two alone to fight an attraction that had been there all along. Hope soon begins to realize she may have misjudged Beckett while he comes to see that there really is something special and magical about Christmas. But once they leave their private winter wonderland and return to their normal lives, will the magic still be there?

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Excerpt:

Hope couldn't believe it, but she readily reached out and put her hand in his. "Then I guess this place is aptly named."

Beckett carefully pulled her to her feet. "What do you mean?"

"I saw some of the signs as I was walking down the driveway earlier. This place used to be called Winter Park. If the view is how you described, I'm just saying that name is fitting."

Beckett didn't respond, but he did pull her in close. "You scared the hell out of me earlier, you know that right?" His arms slowly slid around her waist.

Hope's breath caught in her throat. "I didn't mean to scare you," she said softly, looking up into his dark eyes.

"I know. You meant to piss me off," he chuckled softly as one hand came up to caress her cheek. "I'm glad I found you."

"Me too. I can't even being to think what would have happened if you hadn't come when you did."

"That's not what I meant," he said quietly, and bent his head toward hers.

"Beckett…"

And then his lips touched hers and silenced her. Hope was too surprised to react at first. It was everything that she remembered - soft, exciting and very arousing. The man certainly knew how to kiss. As if they had a mind of their own, her arms came up and rested on Beckett's broad shoulders. They were pressed together from head to toe.

His lips were slowly sipping from hers as if he was giving her time to say no or to push him away. Hope knew this instinctively and raked a hand up into his hair and pulled him closer- making sure he couldn't misinterpret her decision.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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