Friday, July 26, 2013

Interview with LISA RENEE JONES


Let's Chat with Best Selling Author
LISA RENEE JONES

 lisarenee

AL:  New Adult is an up-and-coming genre in the ever-expanding realm of romance.  Do you consider yourself a New Adult author?

LRJ:  I write many genres but romantic suspense is my core genre and while there are sub-genres almost all my stories have that element. 

AL:  Being Me, the second book in the Inside Out Trilogy, once again delves into BDSM.  What is it that makes you want to tackle this side of sexual expression?


LRJ:  Well it’s a part of who these characters are and they decided to take me there. It’s hard to explain but with this series, BDSM is such a core part of discovery for the characters. For someone else it might be a completely different outlet. For these characters though BDSM is a part of how they cope and deal with challenges as well as express themselves, and even learn about themselves. I often don’t decide where I’m going to go. My characters do and in this series this is what worked for them and a part of what defines them. In another series, that BDSM element might be more play and fun. It’s much deeper in this series.


AL:  Many may consider the “club” aspect of BDSM to be less than romantic.  What challenges did you face in bringing this particular area of BDSM into an already difficult romantic journey between Chris and Sara?

LRJ:  Well Chris and Sara never spend time at the club in a romantic way at all. It’s not romantic in this series. The club is where deep conflict and pain takes place in both book 1 and book 2. Chris however, shows Sara how BDSM can be romantic and it becomes about trust and discovery for them.

AL:  Mark is the ultimate bad boy we all know we should stay away from, but we never do. Will readers be able to quench their thirst for their favorite Master? 

themasterundoneLRJ:  Master Undone is in Mark’s POV and you will see a side of him you didn’t know exists but I have long known. I’m excited to finally get to show what is beneath his surface. This story is in his POV and it’s the beginning of a new journey for Mark. It takes place the day after BEING ME ends. 









AL:  Revealing Me, the final installment of the Inside Out trilogy, is set to release on September 10th. Can we get a glimpse into what Chris and Sara encounter moving to Paris?

revealing usLRJ:  Actually it’s not the final book. Book 4 and 5 have always been planned but I was going to make them a spinoff. With the TV show it makes sense to keep them as INSIDE OUT. Book 4 is still in Sara’s POV.Book 5 is in Mark’s POV and it’s his story.

I can’t say if Sara even goes to Paris in book 3 without giving away spoilers:(
  





AL:  And you have yet another book set to release on July 22nd; Escaping Reality. How does this story differ from the journeys faced by Chris and Sara?

  LRJ:  It’s very different. Amy is much younger than Sara in life experience and age. Liam Stone is very different than Chris and Mark. He’s more well adjusted. He’s dealt with his demons to some extent already. It is a mystery but this is a New Adult. The sex is hot but there is no journal, no art, no BDSM. 
It’s a complete new mystery. But I do think it will appeal to my INSIDE OUT readers.





AL:  What “lessons learned” would you offer writers venturing into this crazy career?

LRJ:  Well that is hard because the industry has changed so much but I am proof that never giving up pays off. Don’t quit. Keep going! Keep writing. And treat this like the business that it is. It’s not a hobby. It’s about making money for publishers and you have to remember that. That can be hard when your books are so close to your heart.

AL:  You seem to write 24 hours a day; do you have time to read?  What are you reading (or have recently completed)?

LRJ:  I listen to audio at the gym. I’m a gym rat. I do write 7 days a week and I take very little time off right now. But I love what I do and it’s a blessing to write for a living. I am working on part 2 of The Secret Life of Amy Bensen and then I’ll go straight into book 4 of the Inside Out series. 

Thanks for your time, Lisa!  We wish you continued success!!



Thanks for having me!




Find out more about Lisa Renee Jones and her best-selling books on her website

Read my reviews of BEING ME and ESCAPING REALITY

To get your copy of BEING ME and ESCAPING REALITY,
click on the book cover above and follow the link.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

5 stars for ESCAPING REALITY

The Scoop on ESCAPING REALITY
By: Lisa Renee Jones

July 22, 2013 Release Date


XOXOXOXOXOXOX

The Tease

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard down, the ghost’s of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run. 

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Let's Dish

Non-stop, heart-pounding suspense, mystery, and (of course) sex! This book started out moving, and never stopped. There are so many intriguing story lines, but instead of it being overwhelmed by them, they are intricately woven together. Enough clues are dropped along the way, so the reader feels they are a part of the story, uncovering the past and solving the mysteries, instead of outside looking in.

Suspense, mystery, love...and steamy sex with an immensely hot but dark guy. Not to mention an indulgence in the "airport fantasy" I know we all have had! And wait until you get to the ending... You must read this book!!

    

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

5 star review: I BREATHE YOU

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2ND!!

I BREATHE YOU
By Lori L. Clark

Cover


XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The Tease

When a tragic accident leaves Rhane Evans -- lead vocalist for the rock band Fate's Crazy -- permanently unable to speak above a whisper and kills the love of her life, she moves across the state to pick up the pieces. Shattered, Rhane struggles to understand what happened the night of the accident, an accident everyone blames her for, even though she wasn't driving the car.

Enter Ian Callahan. He's the one person who may have a more tumultuous past than Rhane. Though they try hard to deny the sizzling attraction between them, it proves nearly impossible. When Ian's troubled past threatens to tear them apart, they begin to believe happiness isn't in their cards.

Because Fate's Crazy that way...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Let's Dish

The girl who has everything going for her - sensational singing voice, member of an up-and-coming band that is already making waves; sexy, understanding boyfriend...life is good for Rhane. Until it’s not.

I started this book and could not put it down until I was finished...then I was really mad that I didn't have a Book 2 waiting in the wings. I loved that this is not the usual "girl with a broken past - boy will fix it with mind-blowing sex" story. Rhane had to fight through some deep-seated issues, while dealing with some hidden demons, and a boat load of guilt. And I absolutely loved that she was the one that had to fix the problems in her own life.

Not that I don't think Ian was a major driving force (in more ways than one) in her road towards a potential recovery. But he had some issues of his own to take care of before he could deal with Rhane. Both characters brought past relationship drama to the mix. Again, in a shift from the norm, Rhane's issues with her previous love had more to do with her problems, and less to do with his. It was refreshing to stray away from the horrible ex syndrome!

I would love to see more of Ian's story (wink, wink). There is also the whole discussion on T, and his life...I really want him to find someone to love...and stop smoking.

Another great departure from the boilerplate love story, Lori L. Clark has put forth another must read that will have you begging more!!

    

THIS BOOK HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!
 BUY THIS BOOK ON AUGUST 2ND!!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Scoop on TRUE LOVE by Jude Deveraux

The Cover



XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

The Tease

Just as Alix Madsen is finishing up architectural school, Adelaide Kingsley dies and wills her, for one year, the use of a charming nineteenth-century Nantucket house. The elderly woman’s relationship to the Madsen family is a mystery to the spirited Alix—fresh from a romantic breakup—but for reasons of her own Alix accepts the quirky bequest, in part because it gives her time to plan her best friend’s storybook wedding.

But unseen forces move behind the scenes, creaking Kingsley House’s ancient floorboards. It seems that Adelaide Kingsley had a rather specific task for Alix: to solve the strange disappearance of one of the Kingsley women, Valentina, more than two hundred years ago. If that wasn’t troubling enough, Alix must deal with the arrogant (and extremely good-looking) architect Jared Montgomery, who is living in the property’s guesthouse.

Unbeknown to Alix, Jared has been charged with looking after her while she lives on the island—an easy task for him, considering the undeniable chemistry between the two. But Jared harbors secrets of his own, which, if revealed, may drive a wedge between the pair.


With a glorious Nantucket wedding on the horizon, sparks fly, and the ghosts of the past begin to reveal themselves—some of them literally. Finding their lives inextricably entwined with the turbulent fortunes of their ancestors, Alix and Jared discover that only by righting the wrongs of the past can they hope to be together.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Let's Dish

Sexy, rugged multi-millionaire who is good with his hands? Sign me up! I am on my way to Nantucket, if for no other reason than to eat at Downyflake! 

This love story is very sweet on its own; but throw in a secret past, a ghostly presence, and a deadline for the death of one – maybe two – characters…you have the makings of an intriguing book.  I loved the push-pull between Jared and Alix early on, and their respective struggles. Alix has a serious case of hero worship, and Jared is locked into a promise to avoid a romantic relationship with Alix. Deveraux does an excellent job of painting a picture of Nantucket, allowing the reader to be a long standing resident, sneer at the off-islanders, and roll eyes at the summer residents, without ever setting foot on the island. I was completely captivated by the characters, left wanting more of Alix and Jared, but totally fascinated by the tease of Toby’s story – past and present!


If you have ever wanted to know the definition of “made for each other,” it is illustrated in the relationship between Alix and Jared, as they move together seamlessly from the start. Take this book with you to the beach, and dream of being on Nantucket and meeting the Captain…


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Tease from STRANGERS


The door creaked open slowly, as the wedding planner peeked her head around, and Abby released her breath and started to leave the room.  Her father was asked to come out into the hall for a moment, leaving Abby to stand alone, in her white dress, with her white bouquet of flowers, and her red garter discreetly hidden away.  

Her father returned; a grim look on his face.  Even now, Abby struggled to recall exactly the words he spoke to her; only able to remember the rush of emotions that propelled her out the door, down the steps of the church to the white Rolls Royce limousine that made its way hastily to the emergency room.  She went to him, over the vehement objections of the doctors and nurses.  She grasped his hand, looked into his eyes, and demanded that he be okay.  Trevor returned her gaze, looked past her eyes, into her heart and settled in her soul. And he told her that he loved her, and then closed his eyes forever.

 

Want more? Watch for future teases from STRANGERS

Cover Reveal and Release Date coming soon!!!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Help Me Pick a Cover: Option 2

Here is the second option for the book cover.
Anyone...Anyone...



So, I realize this may be obvious, but this is my first time putting together a cover.  I am hoping to get some input, suggestions, where to go and how to get there...

Let me know what you think!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Help Me Pick A Cover

For the next few weeks, I will be posting cover ideas

OPTION A:


Looking for comments, critiques, ways to improve, thumbs up/thumbs down...


Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The Scoop on BEING ME by Lisa Renee Jones

The Cover:


XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The Tease:

I arch into him, drinking in his passion, instantly, willingly consumed by all that he is and could be to me. . . .

Sara McMillan is still searching for Rebecca, the mysterious woman whose dark, erotic journal entries both enthralled and frightened her. Tormented by a strong desire to indulge the demands of her new boss while also drawn deeper into her passionate bond with the troubled artist, Chris Merit, Sara must face a past as deeply haunting as Rebecca’s written words. In one man’s arms, Sara will find the safe haven to reveal her most intimate secrets and explore her darkest fantasies. But is safety just an illusion, when the truth about Rebecca has yet to be discovered?


XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX


Let’s Dish:

Okay, so I admittedly did not read the first book in this series (which will be rectified soon), however, it was not an issue. Ms. Jones provided enough of the back story from the first book, and I was able to follow along easily.   The story itself was intriguing, suspenseful, and had me begging for more.   The underlying mystery of “where’s Rebecca?” drew me in and kept me turning the pages until the end. Jones did a great job of dropping clues to Sara’s sordid past with her father and ex-boyfriend, and I cheered Chris’ handling of the revelation. I cried for Chris and Dylan, and truly felt the difficulty Sara was living through wanting to be supportive, and knowing it had to be from afar. And I know I’m supposed to hate Mark, and I was rooting for Chris and Sara all the way, but Mark is definitely a character that you love to hate, but would not mind ‘loving’…

This is a definite     

Monday, July 1, 2013

Welcome to the New Website!!!

LAUNCH DAY!!!

I am very excited to get the website up and running! It feels like a huge hurdle that I have propelled myself over. I have been struggling for some time with determining when I become an author versus just a writer.  I mean, I write all the time - every day!  But did that make me an author?

I have written short stories and some novel length works that sit in my word processor going through endless edits.  Now is the time to put up or shut up. They are either for my own personal enjoyment, or I need to put on my big girl panties, get them out there, and share them - which was the reason they were written. My characters voices were loud enough to get me to spend endless hours getting their stories onto paper (well, into the computer, anyway) - they deserve at least a chance to tell their stories to others.

So, I have decided - with some gentle prodding from people I trust - to accept both monikers.  I am a writer.  I am an author. I will be published - SOON!

So, here I am, launching my author website, and so excited to see where this new path leads me. I will still be providing book reviews - on this website and over at SheReadsNewAdult. I will also be posting excerpts of my stories, while introducing the characters. I have initially tried to give a taste of their personalities through a song, a picture, or a favorite place. If nothing else, you may find something you can add to your playlist, or pin on your board! 

I hope you will follow me, sign up for email updates, and check back often! New stuff will be happening all the time! 

Who says you can't get a taste of romance whenever you want?!?!