Interview with Diane Alberts

Hello Diane and welcome back! You’ve been VERY busy lately! Happy to see so many new and intriguing characters have been published for us readers to enjoy.

Thank you so much for inviting me here! And I’m happiest when I’m busy. ;)

What was your muse’s inspiration for Faking It? (Visuals are always welcomed ;-) )

Oh, in my head Derek was a slightly more exotic Benedict Cumberbatch. Kind of like he looks in the new Star Trek movie, only with a different accent. ;)

For Stephanie, I pictured Megan Fox. Sexy and smoldering.

And smoldering HOT she is too...dang!
Poor Stephanie has been working temp jobs for a while and barely making end meet. What is the draw for readers to the unfortunate ones, who are in situations like hers?

I think we all like heroines and heroes who don’t get everything handed to them on a silver platter. We can relate to their daily struggles. Their hopes and dreams. There’s something about their struggle to succeed that draws us to them. Makes us love them, sometimes even before they love themselves.

Then you have her complete opposite in Derek who has closed himself off to emotion and living life through his work. How hard was it for him to realize life isn’t about work, it’s about living and enjoying life too?

My editor and I struggled over making this happen. We wanted him hard and unfeeling in the beginning, then slowly but surely getting out of his shell and learning life can be unpredictable and fun—and still be able to continue on. It was a lot of work for him to open up like he does. He didn’t have the most loving childhood, after all.

When we meet Stephanie she is bidding for a job to gain investors, her employer is definitely sketchy and using her faults against her. She is put in a very precarious position with Derek. What made her “bite her tongue” and go with what her employer was playing at?

I think shock more so than anything! She got taken completely off-guard—especially when Derek, who she hardly knows, immediately jumps on board. She doesn’t know what to think or say!

Derek seemed perfectly Okay with playing the role, and he even begins to enjoy her company and zest for life, as he so nicely put it. Every time he feels like he’s getting a crack in his walls he clamps down. It took him a long time to truly discover himself under the businessman façade. Did breaking out scare him that much and how did his reactions shape how he dealt with Stephanie?

Yes, very much! His whole life, his father did his best to shut down any softness in Derek. It was his way of protecting him, in a way, because he wanted Derek to be strong and hard and resolute. Derek’s father saw his own love for his deceased wife as a weakness. One he didn’t want his son to have—so he killed all the goodness in his life with an iron fist.

Derek did his best to live up to his father’s expectations, but then Stephanie came along and crashed into Derek’s carefully arranged world.

Derek made a HUGE slip up near the end which truly got on Stephanie’s bad side!!! And only once he saw her anger did he realize his mistake and tried to fix it by doing things right. That ended up being a family event…LOL What did her Brother end up asking as payment for the favor?

You’ll have to read Aaron’s book to find out. But first—I have to write it! ;)

Ack! So cruel...but what a tease you are! I'm loving it, makes me want to read it for sure.

I really loved the ending and how Stephanie did her part to win over Derek. Didn’t take long for him to see what he’d be missing out on. What was his deciding factor in accepting her offer?

Love. He loved her, and her showing up was really all he needed. But when she told him she was willing to accept his help? That really sealed the deal. Knowing she would work with him and not yell at him for helping her showed him just how much she cared about him. And it made him be able to trust his heart in her hands.

Onto other related topics:

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m finishing editing up Love Me, the second book in the Take a Chance series (Tommy’s story), and I just sent my agent a full length contemporary romance book. It’s a great, fun book that I’m really excited about!

When not writing or knitting what activities can we find you doing?

Catching up on my DVR’ed shows! My favorites are Downton Abbey, Breaking Bad, New Girl, and Once Upon a Time.

I'm SOOO far behind on Once Upon a Time!!! I ned a DVR too! I've never even used hulu or anytihng to go back and catch up. Sad, eh?

Thoughts to share with aspiring writers?

Don’t ever, ever give up! Keep polishing those skills, writing those stories, and living the dream! Things can get tough in the writing world, but hang in there. It’s worth it.

Spoken like a true mentor!

Thanks so much for stopping in again Diane! I always love having authors come by and talk all things books and their characters!

Thanks for having me!!!!

About Diane

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Where to find Diane

Her Website
Her Blog
Twitter
Her Facebook Page

Fakin It by Diane Alberts

Derek Rory never meant to propose to his best friend’s little sister. But when her boss tells a family-oriented investor he’s Stephanie’s fiancé, Derek can either play along or let her get fired. He’s hardly one to turn away from a damsel in distress. If only that damsel wasn’t adorable and sexy with a laugh that could melt any cold business mogul’s heart.

When a business proposal becomes a marriage proposal, Stephanie Miller tries to keep it strictly boardroom. But when things get hot under the table, it’s all they can do to stay apart. As the tangle of lies drags them deeper into the underhanded world of business politics, Stephanie finds herself in over her head—not just with her job, but with her “fiancé.” His eyes are cold, but his kisses light her on fire. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up faking her way into a real romance.

Buy Links:
B & N | Amazon US | Amazon UK | iTunes | Kobo | Books on Board

About Diane

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Where to find Diane

Her Website
Her Blog
Twitter
Her Facebook Page

Review

We meet Stephanie Miller in a meeting with her boss in an attempt to gain a permanent job with her presently temporary employer. Her temp job term is almost up, but with this bid she could be in the big league. Her boss is the very definition of skeezy. He does whatever it takes to get ahead of everyone else and only cares about the money and commission he'd get. He knows that if he plays his cards right this deal will benefit him as well. Using her motivations against her, he tells her she might have to play dirty to get the offer from their investor. While it goes against her very morals to do so she really needs the job, and agrees to do whats needed.

While heading out to lunch to meet with her brother, Aaron, she gets caught in the rain without a umbrella. Fortunately for her she gets caught by the handsome and intelligent Derek Rory. While she attracted to him he acts somewhat like a deer caught in the headlights and fumbles for words, and even when they do come out she rambles. It's pleasantly funny to see her stumble. Derek follows her to the restaurant and she is ready to inside and send Derek on his way. She meets her brother who calls her out on her lack of umbrella... noticing Derek behind her she freezes as Aaron greets Derek...who is friends with Aaron!

She leaves lunch in such a rush she forgets her purse. Derek to the rescue! But wait... here comes the skeeze! And whats this!! He's with the investor. This only leads to trouble as he uses her being seen with Derek to start his plan for her downfall. He tells the investor that Derek is her fiancee! Derek seeing the position that Stephanie is put in thinks he's helping by playing the convincing part, but poor Stephanie is shocked to see him do so. In order to win over her investor they have to cozy up until the deal is sealed. Sounds easy right?

Derek knows that he's only in town for a week, mostly on business. However, he finds himself falling in love with Stephanie is a bad business and personal move. So every time his heart start to make its intentions know he tampers them down behind a barbed wire fence. He slowly is finding out life is not strictly about business, there is far more things to enjoy then working all day and sometimes into the night. As he tries to find the new Derek he finds its harder yet to win her over.

Stephanie knew he was only in town for a short while and sooner or later the charade would have to come to an end. But as she spends time with Derek and sees he's not all business her feelings turn from a fake cover to real love she struggles with being cared for at the level Derek does. Her stubborn tendencies to want to prove she can hold her own and fend for herself overrides her feelings and pushes him away.

There is a lot of tension between Derek and Stephanie through the book. With Stephanie trying to prove she can handle things on her own and Derek trying to tap down his more open fun side. Watching these two try and break down the others defenses is enjoyable as we see them grow together. The ending had me smiling as we see them come together with some outside help. You really do need to read how this ends as it was a pleasant break from the norm.

Diane has a true talent for making stories come to life and make then relate-able to readers. I can truly relate to Stephanie with being in a temp job and wanting nothing more then for the job to become permanent. Derek being the business mogul has his business sense and can help Stephanie in so many ways! They are a perfect pairing and to see them get their HEA was heart warming and enjoyable!

Giveaway

Diane is doing a giveaway along with the blog tour. Enter here for your chance to win the same diamond necklace that Derek gives Stephanie in the book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal - Hard As It Gets by Laura Kaye

Blurb:

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome-pure catnip to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

Where you can Pre-Order

Amazon US Kindle Pre-Order Link | Amazon Paperback Pre-Order Link | Nook Link (Pre-Order coming soon) | Add you Your TBR Shelf on Goodreads

About Laura Kaye

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Cover Reveal - Duality by ER Pierce

Cover Reveal

Blurb:

Cordelia Kelly is running from her tortured past. She's run from her destiny all her life, and now she's forced to stop running by events beyond her control. Cordelia is a dual-natured empath – meaning she is receptive to the emotional aura, positive and negative, of those around her. Dark and forbidden emotions call to Delia, the remorseless dark entity who shares her body. Cordelia struggles to create harmony between the light and dark sides of her existence. She's also an elemental, but her inherent powers are slowly manifesting with age and time. Now the scales of good versus evil are tilting in the wrong the direction. Will she succumb or evolve to fulfill her destiny?

Sol Winterborn is not your typical hero, if anything he’s an anti-hero. Moral indecision riddle his path to redemption, but the undeniable truth he holds dear, is his search for his lighthouse – his soul mate. When fate throws Cordelia in his path, he's unprepared but can't stay away. Her siren call sings a song he can't ignore. The internal battle she wages to blend her conflicting dual natures is reminiscent of his own struggles. He sees in her a kindred spirit, the one he’s searched long nights to find and she just might be the key to unlock his heart. When his own dark past catches up with him, will he risk his life for love?

About ER Pierce (from her Amazon Author Page)

My Newest book published on December 21st, called Hot or Cold (Hot Lunch #2) Samantha and Ryan are back and hotter than before.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story when I was in seventh grade--A first person account of an entire summer. I went through a massive teen angst poetry phase, and I have notebooks and binders filled with prose.

Over a year ago, Ceithin and Aurelia showed up in my head. They yapped incessantly, demanding I sit and tell their story. After a month or two of being woken up with harsh whispers, I started writing. They haven't stopped, and in fact, brought friends. Now my head is filled with stories, scenes, snippets and crazy people.

Cue Law and Order music here: dun, dun.

These are their stories.

I write with emotion, occasionally a temper and I let my words flow free. I dabble in paranormal, contemporary romance, erotic fiction and darker urban fantasy.

Night Demon by Lisa Kessler

Night Demon

Synopsis

Deep within the Yucatan jungle, a demon has awakened...

Gretchen Finch’s job would be much easier if she weren’t alone in the jungle with a brilliant recluse whose every glance sets her on fire. But the more she focuses on her work, the closer she gets to unlocking the mysteries of a terrible creature—the Night Demon—that threatens the world as she knows it. Though her scientific mind tells her it’s impossible, she’s beginning to believe the ancient Mayan tales as the sinister jungle comes alive around her.

Lukas Smith has spent hundreds of years searching for answers to his immortal Night Walker nature. As a series of ancient glyphs become clear, he’s about to find out more than he’d ever hoped, but the more he learns, the more his fate intertwines with the Night Demon, and the harder it becomes to hide his immortal secret from the beautiful, intelligent Gretchen.

Together, they must find a way to stop the inexplicable violence and mass destruction surging across the earth before the Night Demon destroys more than just mankind.

About Lisa Kessler

Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at Lisa's website

She loves hearing from readers - E-mail Lisa

Where to but Night Demon
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo

Review

The Guardian awakens, knowing his Demon has arising from her eternal resting place and is now free. Knowing that humanity is in danger he sends out his call to the four Night Walker Gods to help him put her back and save humanity from a deadly and bloody fate. Will they answer the call?? Read on to find out.

We meet Lukas Smith and Gretchen Finch as they are getting ever closer to uncovering the tale of the Night walkers and their history. As they get closer they realize that something is very amiss in the Yucatan jungle. The creatures are acting strangely and at times its so deadly quiet that Gretchen feels like she is being watched, or worse hunted. Lukas knows not what is roaming around the jungle, but knows that keeping her near is only putting her in danger. In an effort to spare her from finding out anything more about his world he sends her back home stateside. Gretchen is offended he would dismiss her that easily, especially given her unique qualifications which make her all that more important to his work.

Meanwhile in the areas near Brownsville,Texas the evil form the jungle hunts for what sustains in...human souls. As normal people suddenly experience feelings of uselessness and suffering a voice tells them that only their blood can set them free. At first a dozen or more are found dead, then the toll rises exponentially until its in the thousands. Gretchen too knows something is wrong when she too begins to feel doubt, and uselessness and feels empty. It unnerves her and knows this isn't how she normally is. She takes measures to fend off the evil voice in her head and succeeds.

Lukas arrives to confer with his Maker, who is defensive and wonders why he is here. As Lukas explains what is going on it alerts Calisto (Night Walker) that things are much worse then they thought. Calisto and Kate were visited by Murac, an ancient god and night walker, who tells them things they didn't know about their kind. But the proof is hard to deny. Lukas returns to find Gretchen and his fears are confirmed the Demon is out and its reach is only growing. He is left with no choice but to return to the jungle and continue his search for answers, and of course stubborn Gretchen is coming too.

In the Yucatan three of the Four Gods unite at the Mayan Pyramid to meet the Guardian and being their hunt for the reason for it's release, the Goddess of the Moon is resurrected. So many questions are left unanswered as they try to find answers and save the world from a gruesome fate. They soon find one of their own has far more sinister ideas and puts his own plans into action to try and prevent the others from putting the Demon back in her resting place.

You meet all the four Gods and see just how they came to put the Demon to rest more than a thousand years ago. There is plenty of conflict as betrayal and past choices come full circle for some. For one in particular the past can be a bitter pill to swallow as old feelings resurface and hurt come bubbling to the surface. The main story take shape and is played out underneath the romance between Lukas and Gretchen. Lukas and Gretchen are a well mached couple, but with Lukas always trying to keep Gretchen at arms length it takes a long time for Lukas to catch up to where Gretchen is in how he feels about her. She managed to break down his barriers and work her way into his heart and when things are finally out in the open they come off the pages.

Night Demon is a perfect continuation of the Night trilogy and we get to see our beloved Calisto, Kate, Kane and Rita in a new way as they all fight to save the world from the evil in the jungle!