Since its inception, Coffee Time Romance & More has made its mission clear. We're all about bringing readers together with their favorite publishers and authors. Whether it's through online chat sessions, cover reveals, blog parties, or reviews; bringing people together has always been the goal.
With that in mind, we've got a terrific event in the works for this upcoming December 2015. We're planning our very first Winter Wonderland Forum Hop, and we'd love it if you participated! This is a terrific opportunity to leverage interest in your books in a market that is sometimes overlooked or forgotten. Additionally, since Coffee Time Romance holds the reigns, you can expect this event to be run with the same professionalism and class that you've come to know in our eleven year history.
So... what exactly IS a forum hop? I'm glad you asked!
Each author or publisher starts a thread in their Coffee Time Romance Forums for the event. Readers then get to hop around the forum replying to each of the threads. This gets a lively conversation going since you can post whatever you'd like! Be it new and upcoming releases, contests of your own that you'd like to host, or just a general "Chat with Ms. Author" type post.
As each post is numbered, we can then run random.org to pick a random post number for winners. What's the incentive for readers to do this?
In addition to the draw of interacting with some of their favorite authors and publishers, Coffee Time Romance is offering a brand new tablet to one lucky winner. We'd also love to offer some free e-books or gift certificates. As such; we're asking for small donations, and that's where you folks come in!
It's not just the readers that will have prizes up for grabs. We'll be giving away a few prizes to authors and publishers as well:
Prize 1 - Authors: 3 authors will win one month of book cover advertising. You can use it now or later...whatever works for you.
Prize 2 - Publishers: 3 spots (based on availability) book cover space on the front page of our site called New This Month.
If you're interested in participating, all we need right now is to know you are participating and an idea of what you'd like to donate. Please fill out this form. There's no need to send anything to us at this time. http://goo.gl/forms/rwAOjrZhmF
We'll be sending out a ton of reminders as the time gets closer, so no worries!
It has been a while and my forum is behind. How do I go about updating it?
Karennelyn is ready and able to update your areas. eMail her (please not the day before the event) so she can get your changes done here:
karennelyn@coffeetimeromance.com |
A Blog for people of all colors, ages (18+) religions, ethnicities, and lifestyles. Bringing you informative articles and advice on dating, romance, love, relationships, featured romance authors, virtual book tours, interviews, events, movie trailers, and so much more.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Winter Wonderland Forum Hop - December 1 - December 15, 2015
Monday, November 09, 2015
Virtual Book Tour - Deeper Than Perfect by Afton Locke
Deeper Than Perfect
by Afton Locke
Genre: Time Travel (1970's) Interracial
Desi Warner is ready to end her life after an accident disfigures her face and destroys her modeling career. Instead, she goes back in time to 1974 to meet her destiny—R&B superstar Bernie Benson. Although her scars vanish, she and Bernie only have one month before a car accident will supposedly claim their lives.
The enigmatic singer ignites her senses, but her restored beauty is an illusion she can’t trust. Abandoned by his mother in childhood, Bernie has his own trust issues. Obsessed with completing his album, he’s just as hooked on his perfect singing career as Desi is to modeling.
Although they open each other’s eyes to different paths, change is not easy. When the fated day of the crash arrives,they must choose between life and perfection. A love that is deeper than perfect may be their only key to survival.
Afton Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who prefers romantic fantasies to everyday reality. Fantasies take her to different times, races, places, and beyond. She lives with her husband, dog, several unnamed dust bunnies, and a black cat that can be scary or cuddly, depending on the current book. When she’s not writing, Afton enjoys hiking, cooking, crafts, and reading.
Author Media Links
Monday, November 02, 2015
Virtual Book Blast - THE ADVENTURES OF ANABEL AXELROD by Tracy Ellen
GENRE: Contemporary romantic suspense
BLURB
This eBook boxed set of The
Adventures of Anabel Axelrod (Volumes I-V Special Holiday Collection) is
available for purchase November/December 2015 only and contains the full-length
books: A Date with Fate, Courted by Karma, In Love by Design, Adieu to Destiny,
and Family & Fortune.
####
Excerpt
“Look, Luke, if I break my rule about being picked
up can you promise not to dismember me on our first date or worse yet, bore
me?”
Pushing the door open, Luke casually shrugged a
shoulder. “Anabel, I never make promises I can’t keep. You may prove
irritating.”
I blinked in disbelief. By the time I recovered to
retort, I was talking to the screen door. Stunned, I realized Luke really had
left. After a moment of taking this in, I started laughing in rare enjoyment.
Our first date could prove very interesting indeed.
####
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Tracy
Ellen is happily married and lives with her family in the suburbs of St
Paul , Minnesota Tracy
Twitter
Handle: TracyEllen01
####
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Book Blitz Tour - A Gathering of Butterflies by Sean C. Wright
ABOUT THE BOOK
Tales of steely but vulnerable women of color will melt your heart while lifting your spirits… A fierce grandmother keeps her grandson from the clutches of Old Scratch in Devil Does Dallas. An alien abduction transforms a large, miserable woman in Hazel Hogan. A country girl meets a city girl on her birthday, and struggles to decide if the girl’s heart is dark or light in Bubble Bath Twelve. And methodical Genie forms an unlikely relationship in Heaven’s Halfway House while in a coma.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 |
| Sean C. Wright, Author |
Sean C. Wright is native to Dallas, TX, and earned a degree in English from University of North Texas. She is the author of the short story collection A Gathering of Butterflies, the novella Honey Riley. Actress Jessica Biel directed a short film based on her winning essay in 2010: Sodales (18 minutes). For more information about her writing skills and how she can assist you with yours–for business or consumer needs–visit http://www.iwrightaway.com/.
EXCERPT
Devil Does Dallas
One, two, three
The devil’s after me.
Four, five, six
He started throwing sticks.
Seven, eight, nine
He missed me every time.
Hallelujah, hallelujah. Amen!
-- Children’s song
“It’s time again,” Lucifer said aloud, “to remind them that I’m still here. “
Pay It Forward with Kindness, Oprah’s Angel Network, Feed the Hungry, Save a Tree, Adopt a Child from a Third World Country, Live Greener. And the Debauchery Report was pitiful. Murder was down fifteen percent, lying twenty-five. Adultery numbers plummeted a whopping forty percent.
Lucifer’s cloven feet clopped on the hot, stone floor as he strolled to the cages that held his three pet snakes -- Slither, Hiss and Fangs.
“Daddy’s going away for a little while, babies. You be. . .bad.”
Saddam Hussein caught sight of Lucifer walking out of Hell.
“Where are you going, Boss?”
“Up there to recruit,” Lucifer told him, “Keep the fires burning until I get back.”
Lucifer liked Saddam. He reminded Lucifer of himself when he was expelled from Heaven. Whenever Lucifer’s internal fires dimmed, he recalled the incident. It helped him keep his venom.
God frowned when Lucifer rolled around Heaven on roller skates.
God shook his head when Lucifer tie-dyed his white frock.
God scowled when Lucifer got the rebel angels together and played what would later be labeled The Devil’s Music – Rock ‘n Roll and jazz. Not everybody wanted to hear harps’ incessant plink, plink, plink.
“Lucifer,” God had said, pursing his lips, when he got called into the office, “It’s just not working out.”
“What?” he had asked.
“Souls are here for peace and serenity. You and the other angels you associate with are disruptive.”
“But, God, not all people lived their earthly lives the same, so why should everyone live the afterlife the same?
“Son, please give me your wings,” God retorted, his voice keeping its even cadence. His voice hadn’t wavered, but Lucifer saw God’s face had That Look. It was the look He had when someone begged Him to help, but He couldn’t because the person’s prayers weren’t destiny. Then God’s sad face became His omniscient one.
“You think I’m trouble,” Lucifer had growled.
“I didn’t say that—“
“You didn’t have to, God. I’ve known you an eternity!”
And with that, he had removed his wings from his back, thrown them in God’s face, and stormed out of Heaven. Lucifer had even scared himself with the sudden display of temper, but he felt happier and freer than he had ever felt in his afterlife. But Lucifer hadn’t wanted to steal God’s glory. He only wanted fun.
Lucifer treaded the murk to Earth’s portals, his scaly lips curling in annoyance. Recruiting would be so much easier if it weren’t for the rules. He could only stay on Earth each time in terms of 6 – 6 years, 6 months, and 6 days; 6 months, 6 days, and six hours, and so on. Lucifer could not make anyone do anything. He could only tempt, that is, dangle the bait and collect those souls that bit. Once a person realized who he was, he had to leave Earth – even if his term of sixes had not been finished.
His anger had pushed aside his focus. Where was Lucifer going on Earth? Did it really matter? Potential sinners were everywhere. Here was as good a place as any. Lucifer rose from the earth, taking gentle care to brush off the grub worms and beetles that clung to him; he had a soft spot for creepy, crawly things in decaying matter. He scanned the sable of night until he found the pot of bubbling decadence. A city. Pin points of candy-colored lights, tall buildings, and the faint roar of car motors.
He was so excited that he did not even take note of the sign: WELCOME TO DALLAS.
Lucifer stood under a lamp post in the thick of downtown. Sometimes a small child or a dog spotted him, but there was no chance of that here.
Lucifer zeroed in on a Latina, waiting for the bus. Esperanza. She was twenty-eight. Esperanza was the oldest of six children. Growing up, her mother had given her slaps and ugly words when her younger siblings got into mischief or she burned the food. A hole. She had lost her father at seventeen. The hole widened. After her father’s death, Esperanza spent her adult life helping her thankless mother, who never learned to speak English. When the lack of love and validation yielded self-loathing, she swallowed a whole bottle of pills at twenty-one. Esperanza spent four months in a mental hospital. When her mother had died of a stroke two years ago, she had thought, “Madre, may you eat a burnt dinner with el diablo every night.” She was single and worked as a maid cleaning warehouses in downtown Dallas. Esperanza did nothing more exciting than eat Hot Pockets and watch American Idol and Spanish soap operas at home.
Lucifer could hardly wait to see what came next. But just before he could get more information, Esperanza reached into the neck of her blouse, pulled out a rope of beads. She fingered the charm on the end of the necklace absentmindedly. Let it dangle, exposed. Lucifer recoiled. A crucifix. Damn, Esperanza’s name meant hope and she had the faith!
Her bus came. Esperanza climbed on and it pulled away. Lucifer looked after her, his beady eyes glazed with disgust.
But the night was yet a baby.
###
At a low point in my Clark Kent career, I
decided to try my hand at freelance writing. Starry-eyed, I imagined
creating my land of milk and honey with writing, my life blood. There
would be gratifying assignments, like crafting crisp business proposals; or fun
ones, like assisting a grade-school child with his or her English paper.
I’d collect my fee, go on my merry way and await the next awesome project.
Oh, how ignorant I was about The Freelance
Writing Dance! Sometimes you get dipped without warning. People
suddenly want you to pirouette with no preparation. And sometimes you’re
dancing with someone who has two left feet.
You may be well-aware of the potential chaos
within the choreography. But if you were like me and did not, here are
some tips before you put on your Freelance Writing Dance shoes:
Establish rules on the dance floor
beforehand.
You write for a client, they pay you and that’s the end of the story,
right? That’s the way it should be but it sometimes isn’t. I had
clients avoid me like a bad date once I did the writing and it was time to
pay. Infuriating. Others said they had no problem paying but could
they meet me in a business parking lot at midnight and bring the
funds? Inconvenient and creepy. These experiences taught me a
valuable lesson: let people know what they can expect from you before you
start writing for them. And in turn, what you expect from them.
Just like maids stated that they “didn’t do windows” back in the day before
they were hired, we, unfortunately must do the same. I drew up a short
and sweet document letting clients know up front when payment is expected,
payment options, etc. If the client doesn’t agree to my policies, that’s
fine. At least it saved me from heartache down the road. If they do
agree but deviate from the terms later, I’m somewhat protected.
Dance like you really mean it. This tip piggybacks on the first
one. When I first decided to freelance full-time, I didn’t count on the
possibility of having projects overlapping on occasion. I was going crazy. I
knew I had to do something when my passion for writing began to wane.
Fortunately, the solution was simple: get organized. I overhauled my
study, eradicating clutter and got an updated computer. I also make great
use of my dry erase calendar. It’s comforting to have deadlines sprawled
out for an entire month right at my fingertips. I know different
organizational systems work for different writers but you need one
nonetheless. Nothing is more dismaying to a writer than missing a
deadline. My experience has been there is no half-stepping in
freelancing; you must mind your business like a business.
Play nice in the ballroom. This may seem like the most logical
tip but it’s a shame how rarely it’s practiced. True story:
About 3 years ago, I exchanged business cards with a woman I met at a
creative career mixer. I included her on my email distribution list for
informative emails about events and other things I thought were helpful.
Imagine my surprise when she replied to my email one day, telling me to “stop
spamming” her! I apologized and removed her from my email
address book. Well, imagine my surprise again when she emailed me months
later with some of the same “spam,” an event she was promoting.
Fortunately, I took the high road. I replied, politely reminding her
about the inflammatory email she sent me months earlier. And oh, would she
please remove me from her distribution list,
too? My point with this cautionary tale is that people in the creative
industry, such as writers, run in tight circles. I describe what that
woman had as The Cinderella Syndrome. She was unfriendly to someone who
she felt had no value to her at the time but found that the person did
later. I’ve found it really pays off to cultivate positive relationships
whenever possible. Playing nice has effortlessly led me to some fabulous
referrals.
The Freelance Writing Dance sometimes threw
me for a loop but I am figuring it out and learning the complicated
steps. When you make writing and business tango partners, it’s not always
easy but the challenge is exhilarating. I am recovering from the sudden
dips and pirouettes with much more grace.
####
Monday, October 26, 2015
Engaging in a Secret Affair - Right or Wrong? By Miss Know It All
 |
| Miss Know It All |
A poster on one of the social networks, of which I
am member, had asked the following question: My friend is planning a secret affair and wanted my advice. What is the
best way to conduct a secret affair? Are there any good tips to avoid getting
caught, like hiding text messages, apps and emails, etc? I said, “Get another
secret pay as you go phone.” Do you have any other ideas?
Anonymous
When I read the question, I made the following comment:
“Once two people participate in an affair, it's no longer a secret” and left it
at that. But I was stunned by some of the comments posted, which have been
paraphrased for clarity:
Your wife
or girlfriend will always find out. We women just have a way of finding out
about secret affairs. Now that does not mean every women will not accept her
husband for having a secret affair, if she is having the same too.
The best
way to keep an affair a secret is to always meet at a hotel in another city, at
least 100-miles from your home. But in today’s world, with everyone using the
same DAMN iPhone, it becomes very hard to keep your calls and messages a secret.
I think
meeting in different places, and a secret mobile phone kept in the car. Tell
nobody about it, although best friends can cover. 100 miles mean more time away;
so that might not work. With an iPhone, it is best to switch off GPS . What
about smelling of perfume?
Well, if
she or he gets a whiff of the secret mobile phone kept in the car, then that is
the ultimate giveaway.
Don't
know, I’m asking how to cover your tracks.
The best way to have a secret affair is in your head! The
truth always comes out, as one lie always leads to the next and bigger lie,
until it all gets exposed. Since there is more technology to use, it also
leaves more evidence to be discovered. When a woman wants to find out, she will...
and she will pick up on the slightest bit of guilt your friend may have. Any
change in his ways, she will pick up on. Women have a way to sniff stuff out...it’s
a gift.
Now mind you, I am not one to judge anyone who decides
to cheat on their spouse, because what is done in the dark will sooner or later
come to light, which may have dire consequences.
We would like to know what your take is on the question,
and how would you answer this person if the question was put to you? Post your
answers in the comment box.
####
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Book Blitz Tour - TEMPTED TO TOUCH BY NIGERIA LOCKLEY
ISBN: 978-0-9964687-0-1
Publisher: Inheritance Books
Pages: 130
Genre(s): Christian Fiction, African-American, Contemporary, Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 10/25/15
Plot Summary
Kira Seagram is frustrated by her husband Mason’s zeal for the Lord, so she pours all of her attention into her work and reserves her soprano singing skills for the shower. Kira would rather not use them if she get can’t the adoration and recognition she feels she deserves and doubts she’ll find singing lead for Mason’s choir. When a routine drop off at her son, Nate’s private school turns into a ten-year reunion with her ex-boyfriend, Quincy McAdams, Kira isn’t interested in Mason's half-hearted affection or willing to keep her voice to herself. With a firm offer from Quincy
Book Links
Inheritance Books is currently running a pre-order special on all paperback versions. You can pre-order the paperback version of Tempted to Touch at 20% and receive an autographed copy.
Author Bio
 |
| Nigeria Lockley, Author |
Nigeria Lockley possesses two Master's degrees, one in English Secondary Education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second Master's degree is in Creative Writing. Born at Dawn is Nigeria Nigeria Church of God Nigeria New York Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Join her online at www.NigeriaLockley.com
Why the Author Wrote Tempted to Touch
I just wanted to write this story that was in my head. A passion project. At least that was what I thought. About a month after I started writing Tempted… I kept hearing the protagonist’s voice directly—like she wanted to tell the story herself. But I didn’t want her to. I found myself fighting with the first person.
I share just about everything I do. I’m a reality t.v. star without a show. However, I do have a blog. When I found myself at a writing halt I voiced my struggle my blog, The Neophyte Author and tried to run away from the first person narrator even after my sister-author-friend, Unoma Nwankwor told me I could do it. The running stopped once I received a phone call from the one and only Michelle Stimpson—author, educator, and my unofficial mentor (I dubbed her my mentor in head, but that’s another story). She’s written over twenty books and more than half of them are in first person. Michelle was kind enough to walk me through her decision to write her first novel, Boaz Brown in first person. It was very natural and easy f her during that instance because she and the protagonist of Boaz Brown shared a lot of the same issues.
Instantly I knew why I no longer had a passion for my passion project. Kira was me and I was Kira. Married and in trouble. When I began Tempted to Touch my husband and I were in this awful and icky place that is usually filled with cussing and drink throwing on reality t.v. Since I’m Christian it was filled with a lot of “Satan I rebuke you” and “The devil is a liar”. I realized then that I would be writing my unhappiness. That wasn’t something I felt comfortable with at the same time I knew that Tempted to Touch was a story that needed to be told. Of course, to keep things on the up and up between my husband and I embellished a bit and gave the characters issues to fight about that were slightly different from ours. Regardless of the changes, I believe that I’ve found healing in certain areas of my marriage and I know that God will use this story to help other women find some healing in their marriage.
####
© 2015 Diverse Book Tours
Monday, October 19, 2015
SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS - Award-Winning Venue for All Occasions
Three-Deck Yacht Offers Memorable Experience for Any Group Big or Small. From weddings and holiday parties to groups and corporate meetings, the SOLARIS yacht is an award-winning venue featuring event planners and executive chefs.
As the only dining and entertainment yacht in Northwest Florida , SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS offers a memorable venue on the water for all occasions and any size group. The SOLARIS is a 125-foot, 3-deck yacht featuring an open-air sky deck, covered outdoor seating, a full-service mahogany bar and spacious indoor spaces with panoramic windows. The yacht allows for versatile seating arrangements for up to 150 guests and unlimited options for menus and décor.
“To truly experience what our area has to offer, you have to get on the water. The sky’s the limit for what our experienced team can accomplish on the SOLARIS,” stated James Murray, General Manager for SOLARIS. “Our guests enjoy a luxurious yacht experience at a tremendous value with an unforgettable, all-inclusive experience.”
All events include full services from the SunQuest Cruises’ team of event planners, executive chefs and staff that coordinate events on a weekly basis from start to finish for people who are local or across the country. The team has earned a variety of review-based awards for SOLARIS events and weddings, including the Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award for six consecutive years, the Knot’s Wedding “Hall of Fame”, Wedding Wire, Best of the Emerald Coast
This month, the SOLARIS was voted “Best Wedding and Reception Venue” and “Best Wedding Planner Company” by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine for the sixth consecutive year. The SOLARIS was built specifically for weddings by the Murray
A recipient of the 2014 Tripadvisor.com Certificate of Excellence Award, the SOLARIS cruises year-round for weekly dinner and dancing cruises with live entertainment and chef-prepared coastal cuisines. After taking in the coastal breezes and panoramic landscapes and toasting to the sunset on the sky deck, guests indulge in a four-course meal freshly prepared on-board, featuring the freshest seafood and prime steaks. While cruising the local bay, guests can dance under the moonlight to live music and enjoy a fireworks show during the summer. The SOLARIS dinner cruise appeals to all ages, from vacationing families to couples or groups celebrating a birthday, anniversary or engagement.
Groups can host a semi-private event on one deck of the SOLARIS or a private event on the entire yacht. The versatile spaces of the SOLARIS lend to any occasion from corporate receptions and social gatherings on the open-air sky deck to banquets, holiday parties or classroom-style seating for meetings on the main deck. The chefs and event planners can accommodate all requests including buffets, plated dinners, passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, A/V equipment, live entertainment and décor.
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