Blog Tour - Till Death Us Do Part by Cristina Slough

Book Title: Till Death Us Do Part 

Author: Cristina Slough 

Genre: Military/Romance Suspense 

Release Date: December 29, 2015 

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

The fateful day Mimi Marcus has dreaded begins with a phone call...

The wife of a U.S. Marine, Mimi spent countless nights worried that her husband Joel would fall in the line of duty. He had fought valiantly and served his country with honor. That’s exactly what they tell her when they deliver the news—Joel was taken by the enemy in Afghanistan. Her husband is dead.

In desperate need of closure, Mimi travels to the one place Joel still has ties—The Marcus Ranch in Texas, inherited by his handsome younger brother Austin.

New beginnings are only an illusion...

The closer Mimi grows to the Marcus family, the more she considers it home. But when suspicions of Joel’s past surface, Austin refuses to disclose family secrets—even to his brother’s widow. It’s only by accident she uncovers evidence of Joel’s tainted past. Devastated by his lies and betrayal, she slowly opens up to Austin, and together they unfold layers of pain and grief.

Mimi is sure she’ll never love again, but is Austin the man to prove her wrong? Then the unthinkable happens…

Just as Mimi finds new hope in a future with Austin, Joel returns home from war. Enraged, traumatized, and teetering on the edge of insanity, Joel confesses to a history of deception, revealing yet another secret—this one too terrible to forgive.

In an awful twist of fate, Joel proves marriage vows are made to be honored.
No matter what.

Q&A with Cristina Slough

Getting to Know Cristina

Five Fun Facts

1. I love writing to music, it sets by mood and puts me in the zone.
2. When I was little, I believed one day I would really fly just like Supergirl!
3. I have jumped out of a plane, by choice!
4. I know the words off by heart to over 20 movies, but I can never remember song lyrics!
5. I love the water but I can’t swim.

Top Three Writing Essentials

1. Google is essential, so I must have internet (I’m a writer not a serial killer!)
2. Music (I cannot write without it.)
3. A notebook and pen (I have to write down ideas immediately.)

Best Piece of Advice for Aspiring Writers

If you are going to invest hours, weeks and months writing a book, make sure that you are deeply connected to it. Don’t write about zombies and vampires just because that is where the market is right now, if you really want to write a World War love story. Writing is a very personal art. If you don’t believe in your own story, how can you expect others to?

If your aim is to be a published author, don’t expect an easy ride. Even famous authors have had rejections, just remember that failure only exists if you quit!

About TILL DEATH US DO PART

Q: That ending....Many Readers didn't see it ending as it did. How much of that ending was you and how much was you letting the characters take the wheel?

A: That ending was all them. I didn’t even know what was going to happen until my fingers typed the final words. Suddenly, my mind raced right back to the opening chapter of the book where Mimi was dreaming about Joel; his body, bloody and wet. All of the feelings and emotions I had throughout the story came together in the final scene. The best way to describe it would be—putting a needle and thread throughout the book and stitching it all together. Truly, it felt like I was right there with them. The ending resulted in showing readers what I saw…even I was shocked!

Q: Favorite Scene of TILL DEATH US DO PART?

There were quite a few scenes that I loved writing. If I had to make a firm choice then it would have to be Chapter 30 titled: Joel. This is where my emotional investment to the story hit its highest level. It is the moment that my voice was no longer my own. It was all theirs.

Q: Team Joel or Team Austin?

Ultimately, Team Austin. But I loved writing about Joel, he was very complex, there was far more about him than meets the eye.

Q: Who is your celebrity dream cast for TILL DEATH?

Scott Eastwood would make the perfect Austin. I’d love to see Zac Efron play Joel, although he would have to be more rough around the edges.

Looks wise, Shay Mitchell would fit Mimi perfectly but I have no idea if she could pull off a British accent!

I think that Julianne Hough would also fit the physical profile of Meg, but again, she’d have to be able to pull off being a Brit.

Q: If you can pick one song that encompasses the whole story, what would that song be?

I won’t give up by Jason Mraz. I wrote the end scene to this song. It could have been from either Joel or Austin’s POV.

Q: Do you have plans to write more with the characters from TILL DEATH?

No. I truly feel like my journey with the characters has ended. That being said, they will forever be a part of me.

Q: What is in the works now?

I am working on a new standalone novel about a woman that fakes her own death to escape from her abusive husband. Some of my research is being carried out by working with a lady who has been a victim of domestic violence. She has offered to share her experiences with me. It is not based on her life, however she is helping me to understand what some women may be feeling that are or have been in an abusive relationship. This one is going to be emotional for sure.

Novelist, movie addict, and animal lover, Cristina Slough is the author of:

Till Death Us Do Part, her debut novel.

Cristina has always been a bookworm, rarely seen without a pen and paper in her hand, she loves delving into a literacy fictional world of her own.

At the age of 11, her junior school teacher told her mother that she would be wasting her life if she didn’t become an author. Throughout her teenage years and beyond, her parents spurred her on to keep writing. She later began a career in commercial real estate, working in London’s West End, a corporate bubble where she was unable to fuel her passion to write.

It was on her Californian honeymoon in 2012 that the bug to write was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. After visiting Yosemite National Park she was inspired by the natural beauty of the land that surrounded her. Holding a special place in her heart, Yosemite would later be written into her debut novel.

She finally gave up the ‘big smoke’ when her son, Lucas, was born in October 2013.

When Lucas was a newborn, Cristina was told to sleep when the baby sleeps. She never could. There was a calling inside her to write. After getting to grips with her new role as a mother, she began working a psychological thriller, but she couldn’t fully connect to the characters she created. She ditched the manuscript and started Till Death Us Do Part(Limitless Publishing, 2015).

Cristina is married to Adam, who runs a successful business; together they share their Bedfordshire home with their son, crazy white German Shepherd and three spoiled cats. They can be found trekking through woodlands, or around the many shops Cristina loves to explore. As a family, they love to travel frequently, the United States being a firm favourite.

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Virtual Book Tour - Brody (The Bang Shift Series) By Mandy Harbin

Title: Brody (The Bang Shift Series)

By Mandy Harbin

Genre: Military, Romantic Suspense

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Synopsis:

Brody “Brutus” Jackson isn’t your average small-town mechanic. The shop where he spends his days doubles as the headquarters for the mercenary group he works with. They jokingly call themselves the Bang Shift because the government contracts they take are the less savory ones, and they’re all just shady enough to do what’s necessary to get the jobs done. As far as Brody’s concerned, it’s the perfect arrangement for a man with no memory of his past, and no hope for the future.

Under FBI protection, Alexandria Collins and her son have been in hiding for ten years. When it’s time to move again, her piece of crap car breaks down and the man giving her a tow is the biggest, hottest guy she’s ever seen. She is determined to ignore the need her long-neglected body hungers for. After all, the last man she showed interest in put a gun to her head. 

Brody thinks the skittish Xan is sexy as hell, but it’s not her hot body that has him rocked to his core. He knows her from somewhere, and in his line of work, that’s a dangerous thing. Following orders have never been this hard, but he will protect her at all costs … even if what she needs protection from is him.

Excerpt:

They walked up to an opened fence and Xan silently thanked the heavens for small favors. The garage looked as if it was open. They walked through the gate and into the old building with several antique and late-model cars out front. Walking through the front door, she braced herself for the blast of cold air to hit her face, relishing the thrill of the artificial air she was about to gloriously encounter.

She was sorely disappointed. It was hotter in here than it was outside. How was that even possible? Her wet clothes clung to her sweaty body, leaving nothing to the imagination. Didn’t matter. She was past humility at this point. She’d have a teenage moment and flash her boobs, sweat and all if necessary, to get someone to help them out.

“May I help you?” a man with a gravelly voice asked as he walked into the makeshift lobby next to the bays, wiping his hands on a grease rag. He looked to be middle-aged, though she wasn’t sure since he was bald. No gray hair to help her out with that assessment.

She looked at his nametag sewn into his shirt. “Yes, Colonel, is it?” At his smile and nod, she said, “Our car broke down a couple miles down the road.”

A metal crash and very masculine curses mixed with raucous taunting and laughter startled her. Scott snickered at the colorful words coming from the bays. He’d heard them plenty of times, though Xan tried not to talk like that. Really, she did try to deny her sailor-mouth tendencies. She just wasn’t very good at restraining herself all the time.

“Sorry,” Colonel mumbled. “Those are my mechanics, trying to catch up on some work. I took over this garage after I realized being retired was boring, and we stay pretty busy. Seems like I’m constantly hiring more help, but we stay behind.”

The ruckus from the bays was finding its way into the lobby. Several guys walked into the room, and Xan felt a slight panic attack coming on. She not only lacked a love life, but she tended to avoid large groups of men. She didn’t have anything against the male population, but after marrying into the mafia at a young age, dodging copious amounts of testosterone seemed like a good self-preservation tactic to live by. So she did, and when she wasn’t prepared to interact with schools of men, her stomach took a nosedive when thrust into that very situation.

Taking a covert calming breath so she wouldn’t look like some skittish girl, she tried to pay closer attention to each of the men as they came near. If she identified them individually, she could pretend she wasn’t dealing with a mob of men.

A mob of seemingly beautiful, large, masculine men, looking to be around her age.

Oh shit. She so did not need this. Her nerves and sense of self-preservation took on a whole new meaning. She’d rather deal with certain fear than possible attraction.

As she surveyed the crowd, she noticed their looks were as various as the candy selection at the last gas station she’d stopped at. Male sweetness was not better than chocolate. She just had to remind herself of that as she stared at the variety before her. One guy had black hair, another blond, spiked all crazy. The two next to the hot version of Billy Idol had long dark-brown hair and curly light-brown hair. There was another bald guy bringing up the rear, but that one had a goatee with green eyes. Colonel had brown eyes and was definitely older than this group that’d just come in.

“Where’s Brutus?” Colonel asked the guys.

The dude with the spiky blond hair chuckled. “He’s cleaning up his mess.”

“It wasn’t his mess, asshole. You’re the one who knocked the tray over,” Mr. Black Hair said with a snarl. Xan instinctively took a step back.

“Easy, Roc,” Colonel said and looked at her. “This is Roc.” He pointed to the cranky man with black hair. “Blade,” he gestured toward the spiky blond guy. His name made sense. His hair looked sharp enough to hurt if he were to head-butt someone.

“I’m Hunter,” the man with long brown hair said, and then he pointed to the guy with curly brown hair. “That’s Gage. He’s not as mean as Roc, but don’t get too close to him.” He chuckled.

“Fuck off, Hunter,” Gage growled.

“See?” Hunter snickered. “And that guy over there—”

“I’m Bear, and Hunter’s a dick.” He ducked his head and glanced at Scott. “Oh sorry. He’s, er, I mean he’s a punk.”

Scott laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve heard it all. You should hear my mom talk. She has the biggest potty mouth.”

Xan gasped. “I do not.”

“Wow, he’s your kid?” Blade asked. “Did you have him at twelve?” He laughed but with sincerity twinkling in his eyes.

“Just about,” she murmured.

After a few of the guys laughed, she immediately relaxed. Sure, they were all very handsome. None looked to be shorter than six feet, and each had a body to die for, though each had a unique look all his own. But she didn’t feel any sparks, so she felt relieved. Maybe her libido was broken. If so, she was fine by that. She didn’t need any man drama in her life.

Why did that make her feel a little depressed? She shook off that thought. She couldn’t get caught up with any man, so there really was no need dwelling on the things she couldn’t have, like love, companionship, trust and sex. God, she’d love to have sex again.

Maybe in another life.

Focusing her attention back on the problem at hand, she looked at the assembled group of men. “Look. We need our car towed and a ride to a car rental company. Can you help us?” Xan asked the guys in general so as not to single anyone out.

Blade’s eyebrows shot up. “I’d love to give you a ride, doll.” Even though his tone was clearly teasing, she stiffened. Flirting was definitely not her forte.

Hunter whistled while shaking his head in exasperation. “Back off, Blade.” He looked at Xan. “Sorry about Rico Suave over here. One of us would be glad to help you out. But you’d have to drive up to Conway or back to the Little Rock area for a rental. Best to call around first before making the drive.”

“I’ll call Bill and see if he can drive one out here,” Colonel said to Hunter, then looked at her. “He owns the rental company in Conway. If they have something he’ll bring it out here and save you a trip. You’ll be limited on your options, though.”

“Oh, whatever it is will be a step up from my old hatchback. I’m not choosy.”

Colonel nodded and looked at the guys expectantly. “Which one of you is available to help her out?”

“Bear and I aren’t finished with the tranny that’s supposed to be ready tomorrow,” Roc barked and turned to leave. He obviously wasn’t volunteering. Xan was okay with that. She didn’t like the vibe coming off him, anyway.

“Sorry.” Bear smiled to her as he followed Roc.

“Gage and I have to finish puttin’ tires on Ms. Carson’s minivan, then do Joe’s,” Blade told Colonel before turning to Xan. “I’d be happy to help you if you stick around, doll. It shouldn’t take us more than an hour.”

“Get to work,” Colonel snapped, and Blade winked at her as he and Gage headed back to the bays.

“I have one more oil change to do, so I can do it in fifteen,” Hunter said with a crooked smile, “but Brutus just finished up on Mr. Jackson’s ’56 Chevy. He’s been pickin’ up the tools that Blade knocked over after Blade called him a pussy.”

Oh, right. She’d forgotten there was another one around here. Brutus it seemed. What was with these names? Must be a man thing, not that she’d know. Or could even begin to understand the inner workings of the male brain, ego, or whatever it was that fueled their behavior. Oh, once upon a time, she knew one part of the male anatomy that tended to lead in the decision-making process, but she’d long ago fell out of practice with that too.

Hunter glanced at Scott, remembering there was an impressionable young man in his midst, looking contrite and shaking his head. “Sorry, man.”

“Go,” Colonel told him. “Brutus!”

Hunter left, but his departure barely registered. Just as he was walking toward the bay area, a man with long blonde hair and built like a freaking bodybuilder walked her way. With each step, his muscles rippled and his hair—what wasn’t sticking to his sweaty brow—flowed in waves behind him.

She should not find this man attractive. She didn’t care for bulky men, and she definitely preferred short hair on the opposite sex. Long hair belonged on women, like she used to have, but she wasn’t dredging that memory up now.

So why was her body doing things she hardly recognized. Hardly recognized, not didn’t recognize. She knew what that tingling sensation in her pussy meant. The tightening of her nipples? Yeah, she knew what that meant too. Images filled her mind of this behemoth of a man coming over her in bed and doing very naughty things to her. She stifled a moan. Yeah, she shouldn’t find him attractive because he didn’t fit any description of her ideal type. But there was no mistaking the fact that her body didn’t get that memo.

So much for not being attracted to any of the mechanics here.

As Mister Hold-Me-Down-and-Fuck-Me-Good walked up, his pupils dilated, turning his dark-blue eyes black as his nostrils flared, his gaze zeroing in on the tight buds of her nipples before locking with her own heated eyes. Good thing she was already wet from sweat because her panties just got wetter.

She shut her eyes to break the connection her body was trying to make with this man. She had to be smart and remember all the reasons men were not a part of her life. She could use him as masturbating material. Nothing more, dammit.

She wasn’t going to break her abstinence streak for anyone, especially not a man who could quite possibly fight off every one of the other mechanics singlehandedly. She didn’t know him from Adam, and the last—the only—relationship she’d ever had was abusive. Hell, Marco tried to kill her in the end. She had to find the strength to avoid any and all temptation this sex god presented.

And she would. She was just strong enough to resist a man built like he could break her face.

Because if she didn’t, she knew she was just weak enough to let him break her heart.

About The Author:

Mandy Harbin, Author

Mandy Harbin is an award-winning, bestselling author of several books across multiple romance genres ranging from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. She is also the number one bestselling author in teen romance under the pen name M.W. Muse with her popular Goddess Series. She is a Superstar Award recipient, Reader’s Crown and RWA Passionate Plume finalist, and has received Night Owl Reviews Top Pick distinction many times. She studied writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, earned several degrees, and even pursued an MBA until she realized becoming an author did not have to remain an unfulfilled dream. Mandy is a PAN member of the RWA and lives in a small Arkansas town with her non-traditional family, and although she is a direct descendant of British royalty, they refuse to call her princess. When she’s not penning her latest book, you can find her hanging out online where she loves to connect with fellow readers or stalking Mickey Mouse at Disney World.

Fun Facts About the Author:

I’ve mentioned before how much I love to watch movies. I also love television. Because of my hectic writing schedule, I don’t get to spend too much time indulging this medium of storytelling (and because I am an avid reader and would almost always pick a book over watching TV!), but there are some things that I set the DVR so that I can play catch-up when I have time. Here are some shows and movies I totally love.

1. Outlander. OMG Jamie. That’s all I have to say about that!
2. The Big Bang Theory. I will not miss when Sheldon and Amy get down to vertical business.
3. The Homicide Hunter. Okay, yeah, I have a serious Investigative Discovery Channel problem.
4. Tosh.0. I miiiight have had a naughty dream about Daniel Tosh.
5. The Princess Bride. That’s not inconceivable. (snorts)
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My ring tone is “It’s a cake!” Seriously.
7. Pretty Woman. First movie I ever watched that I rewound the tape and played immediately again.
8. When Harry Met Sally. This makes me happy sigh.
9. The Nanny. Yes, if it’s on TV and I’m in a rare moment of channel surfing, I stop. Always.
10. Modern Family. It’s just a great show about diverse families. And it’s hilarious.

Mandy Harbin's Media Links:

Web: http://www.mandyharbin.com

Blog: http://mandyharbinblog.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.MandyHarbin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mandy_Harbin

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MandyHarbin

Newsletter: http://www.mandyharbin.com/newsletter.html

Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430523227019475/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mandymharbin/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AuthorMandyHarbin

Book Blast Tour: When Ice Melts by Al Tonya Washington

Book Blast and Giveaway. Author is giving away $10.00 Amazon Gift Card, One signed autograph copy and one ebook copy of When Ice Melts.

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Paperback: 294 pages

Publisher: Al Tonya Washington (January 3, 2014)

ISBN-10: 0989145557

ISBN-13: 978-0989145558

Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Women Fiction

Age group: Adult 18+

About The Book

Icia Graham’s love affair with Rakim Transou had the makings of a fairy tale romance with the happily ever after ending, until the night of Rakim’s college graduation party. For Icia, it was the night her life was forever changed. So desperate to escape the horrific memories she’d suddenly been saddled with, Icia left school and the man she loved. The years passed and; in that time, both Rakim and Icia reached goals that carried them to the heights of success. For Rakim it was a powerful advertising agency that brought him a respected and revered name in the business. Icia’s accomplishment was a bit darker, but no less revered and she had no desire to revisit the past and be tortured by thoughts of love lost with the only man she’d ever wanted. A series of events however, would bring Icia right back to where she swore she’d never return. Once more Rakim Transou was back in her life and she was simultaneously overjoyed and distraught. How could she start anew with the man who still meant everything to her, when there were so many secrets between them? When the need for vengeance on those; who were still very much a part of Rakim’s life, still raged so viciously inside her?

About The Author

Al Tonya Washington, Author

Al Tonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. In addition to being an author, AlTonya also works as a college Reference Librarian. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013.

Her newest title with Harlequin Kimani is "Provocative Passion" nominated for an AMB Ovation Award for Outstanding Interracial Romance and the sequel to the January 2013 release "Provocative Territory". In November she will release "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga.

Buy Links

Amazon ebook: http://amzn.to/1luSPdn

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1i7KQ1z

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dUKRdK

Social Links

Email: altonya@lovealtonya.com

Website: http://www.lovealtonya.com

Website: www.alsreaders.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/altonyaw

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Ramseysgirl

Tour Hosted by WNL Book Tour: www.wnlbooktours.com

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Excerpt

Houston, Texas~

"Here you go, Val," Rakim Transou was saying to his assistant as he signed the last of the three contracts on his desk. "I don't have time, man," he grumbled to his Vice President.

Charles 'Cory" Henderson shook his head at his boss and best friend, before perching his lean body on the edge of the desk. "You need to think about this, Kimm."

"Is that it, Valerie?" Rakim sighed, pleased to see his mound of work slowly dissolving.

Val scanned the documents and smiled. "That's it," she sang and headed out of the office.

"Kimm, what's the point of owning this place if you're not gonna have fun runnin' it?" Cory asked, once Val was gone.

Rakim ran both hands over his soft, close-cut hair. "The last thing I need to do is waste my day looking at pictures."

"Of models," Cory pointed out, smiling devilishly. "Do you know how stress-relieving that can be?"

Rakim groaned. "Here we go," he said, leaning back in his leather swivel chair. "You know I get tired of you telling me how sad my life is. If I hadn't been focused on business all these years, you wouldn't be working for one of the most successful ad agencies in the country."

Cory nodded, familiar with the speech. He cleared his throat and braced his hands on top of the polished cherry wood desk. "And given that you own one of the most successful agencies in the country, why can't you have some fun?"

Rakim leaned forward to pin Cory with his deep, obsidian stare. "I don't want one of the most successful agencies. I want the most successful agency, period."

Cory slapped a hand against his bald head. "Man, thinking like that'll never get you a steady woman."

"I can live with that," Rakim easily replied, focusing his attention on the appointment book lying open on the desk.

"I give up," Cory mumbled and walked out of the plush, twentieth floor office.

Alone, Rakim allowed the facade to fade. He massaged the bridge of his nose, then opened the bottom desk drawer and pulled a tattered envelope from the back. The expression was fixed, intense on his handsome, dark-chocolate face. His midnight gaze was riveted on the contents of the note he knew by heart.

Rakim, I'm so sorry I couldn’t be there today. Something's happened and I have to leave. I'll be changing schools. Don't try to find me. My parents won't tell you anything. I hate doing this to you, but I can't see you again.  I just can't. I do love you-so much. It's really better like this. I love you, but if you hate me now, I understand.  Coco.

            As usual, once Rakim finished reading the letter, he pressed the page to his nose. He swore he could still smell her perfume clinging to it.

The relationship they shared had been so right. She was everything to him and he trusted her with his life. When he walked into his bedroom the afternoon of the graduation, his entire world changed. He found the note lying in the center of the bed. Icia Graham had taken anything else that would have reminded him of her-including all the pictures. The brief letter provided no answers. It was most effective; however, in helping him lose his temper. Rakim grunted as he remembered the way he demolished the house. Cory and Fred had been so spooked by his mood that they left him alone for a week.

Just then, Cory's earlier comments filtered his mind. He had completely buried himself in work after Icia left. He took the job he'd been offered in Richmond and worked there while obtaining his Masters degree. Afterwards, he went back home to Houston and put everything he had into building his company. Now, The Transou Agency was respected by its competitors and clients alike.

Of course, Rakim acknowledged that his private life may have suffered. Not that there weren't women. There had been several. Unfortunately, he only had to be in the relationship for a matter of months, before he began to compare his companion to Icia. Not even that flaw could keep the women away, though. Rakim Transou's good looks seem to intensify with age. He stood well over six feet and had been blessed with a flawless deep chocolate complexion and the type of lean, muscular frame that flattered everything he wore. The thick, curly afro he used to sport had been trimmed to a close-cut fade. The style only enhanced his pitch, deep-set eyes and sleek brows. His wide mouth was made more enticing by the set of double dimples which appeared whenever he spoke or smiled.