{Blog Tour} Ashes and Wine by Taryn Elliott. Interview plus #Giveaway

Welcome to my stop for Taryn Elliott’s Ashes and Wine Blog Tour!

I’m very excited to be a part of this tour, as I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Ashes and Wine from Entangled Publishing, and enjoyed it immensely. You can check out my review HERE! But stick around first, because I have a giveaway coming up, right after this author interview with Taryn:

~~~~~~~

Hi Taryn, what can you tell us about the book that the blurb doesn’t tell us? Preferably without giving the entire plot away?

That family plays a vital role in the story. As important as the romance is between Tessa and Royal, the Andreas family is a major part of the novella. The family dynamic is my favourite thing to write and this story allows me play with that.

It showed, for sure. What about the characters? What three words best describe your MC? How about the supporting cast?

The characters tumbled out of my brain so fast I didn’t have much time to think about why they did what they did. But oddly enough, the names came VERY easily. Tessa has been rattling around my brain in different incarnations for a few years and finally found her fit here. Royal’s name came from a good laugh with a baby names book. And yet, it totally seemed to fit.

3 words for Royal: Stubborn, Loyal, Heartbroken

3 words for Tessa: Relentless, Loving, Strong

3 words for my Supporting Cast: Supportive, individual, surprising

If you were to write yourself into this book, what kind of role would you play in it?

I think I’d like to be the kickass chick that can hold her own with Royal’s brother, Rafe. I had a lot of fun writing him. He’s all sarcastic and charming on the outside, but as a middle brother he’s got a few demons to work out. How to live up to his older brother, how to make his place in the winery, how to make his mark in a family of overachievers. I think he’s a really interesting character personally. Totally the kind of man that would capture my heart. I hope I get the chance to write him soon.

I hope you do, too. I’d very much like to read that. Which character from your story would you most like to meet?

Mercy Benedict. She was my favourite surprise while writing this book. I knew Tessa inside and out by the end of that book, but Mercy was a delightful character that appeared out of nowhere. I’d love to hang out with her for an entire day. Heck, a week.

Yeah, I imagine she’d be fun. Are you working on another title at the moment? Can you tell us about it?

Yes, I’m working on two. I’m finishing up edits on my Christmas story, Holiday Sparks, which will be out from Ellora’s Cave in December. It’s a sexy and funny story set in a department store outside of Boston MA. My main character, Darcy, hates Christmas thanks to a lifetime in retail. Her tenant in her duplex, Ben, loves everything about it. When an angry customer takes out the Christmas display two days before Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, she knows of only one man that can save the day—and her job. She learns about hope, love and passion along the way.

And a winter story from Loose Id that’s tentatively titled Suspended. (Though I’m sure it will be changed. LOL I never get to keep my original titles. I’m really not all that good at naming my books for some reason.) That one will be out in January. It’s a roadtrip story about two strangers, Kendall and Shane, thrown together by circumstance and opposing goals. That’s the best time to fall in love right? Of course it is.

And now for some randomness:

Pizza toppings: the entire works … or the plainer the better?

Plainer the better with lots of cheese.

Coastal walks … or extreme sports?

Coastal walks—DEFINITELY.

Hehe, me, too. Cats or dogs?

Dogs. (sitting right next to me at the moment)

Mine, too! E-book or print?

Ebook (Kindle-nation baby)

And finally … in no more than three sentences, tell us why we should read your story? What about it will grip us by the shirt scruffs and drag us along for the ride?

Royal has locked his emotions away to deal with the heavy responsibility of taking over the family business and the impending loss of his father, but in a moment of weakness he lets Tessa in only to slam the door all over again. Tessa comes to the realization that the only way she’s going to find her happily ever after is to fight for it. And he’s so very worth the fight.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog and your lovely review of Tessa and Royal’s story. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. It’s been an absolute pleasure.

~~~~~~~

So, who would like a chance to get their hands on this awesome read then?

Cool! Because it’s …

Yep, Ms Elliott & Entangled are kindly donating one E-copy of Ashes and Wine for one lucky winner.

Take a look at the prize:

Before Tessa met Royal Andreas, her bookstore was on the verge of sinking. And before Tessa met Royal Andreas, she didn’t mind being single. But Royal brings in business with monthly wine tastings featuring his family’s signature vintages–and brings Tessa’s heart to a standstill with intense gray eyes that look on her with nothing but cool indifference.

Yet one searing kiss between the stacks gives Tessa a glimpse of the passion smoldering beneath–and a secret pain further revealed when Royal fills in as the musician at a tasting event. Every note of Spanish guitar tells a story of family tragedy, loss, and ongoing suffering that’s made Royal afraid to lean on anyone…even if he needs Tessa’s sweet flavor more than the richest wine. Only her strength can save him when his world crumbles to ashes. But has Royal learned trust too late to claim Tessa as his own?

Purchase Links: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble 

This book is a seriously great read, and you will not want to miss up this chance. Trust me when I say it is not your regular ole insta-love, but a story that runs so much deeper than that.

So, if I’ve convinced you, here’s how you can enter:

Taryn has requested that you comment answering the following question:

What makes you pick up (or click on) a book? The cover or the back copy, or is it word of mouth? 

You have until midnight of Friday November 16th to leave your comment. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Please do not leave your email address within the comment; if you ensure it’s correctly inserted into the comment form then you can trust me to find it. Winner will be contacted within three days of the draw being made, and prize will be delivered directly by the publisher.

But that’s not all!

Nope. Taryn is also running a tour giveaway of her own, where she is offering up a Graphics Package including a: Facebook banner, icon, Twitter background, and Website topper. Giveaway is open to everyone and will end November 16th.

Here’s the link:

Rafflecopter giveaway

Go enter!

Oh, and Good Luck!

Taryn Elliott is from the great state of New York—upstate NY, thank you very much. Her family consists of a brother who takes care of keeping the snarky side of her alive and a dog that is more spoiled child than mutt. She counts her writer-friends as the glue that keeps her crazy ideas more in the sane category, and her non-writerly friends as the reason she’s not a complete hermit.

She can’t go a day without laughing, and falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she’s writing their book. Music is life and every story has its own soundtrack.

Taryn is shamelessly addicted to the internet and adores hearing from readers. You can email her at taryn@tarynelliott.com or find her on most social media outlets via her website.

Author Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Please note: clicking on the tour badge at the top of the page will take you to the list of stops for this tour. Please take a moment to check them out.

Author Interview: Steve McHugh {Crimes Against Magic}

Today on my blog, I’m excited to welcome Steve McHugh, debut author of new urban fantasy Crimes Against Magic. Before we go on, let’s take a quick look at the goods:

It’s been almost ten years since Nathan Garrett woke on a cold warehouse floor with nothing but a gun, a sword, and no idea of who he was or how he got there. His only clue … a piece of paper with his name on it. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his abilities to work as a thief for hire. But he’s never stopped hunting for his true identity, but those who erased his memory have never stopped hunting for him. When the barrier holding his past captive begins to crumble, Nathan swears to protect a young girl who is key to his enemy’s plans. But with his enemies closing in, and everyone he cares about becoming a target for their wrath, Nathan is forced to choose between the life he’s built for himself and the one buried deep inside him.

Crimes Against Magic is an Urban Fantasy set in modern day London with Historical flashbacks to early fifteenth century France. It’s the first in a series of books called the Hellequin Chronicles, which shows the life of Nathan (Nate) Garrett, a sixteen-hundred year old sorcerer.

I dunno about you, but I think Crimes Against Magic sounds pretty cool and I’ll deffo be sticking it up on my to-read list (clicking on the image will take you to the book’s Goodreads page if you want to do the same). And I LOVE the dude on the cover. I’m looking forward to learning more about him.

So why don’t we learn a little more about the author. 

Hey, Steve, and welcome to my blog. Congratulations on the new release. What can you tell us about the book that the blurb doesn’t tell us? Preferably without giving the entire plot away?

Crimes Against Magic is an action-packed, fantasy adventure that mixes the present day with flashbacks to fifteenth century France, in a story that sees Nate fighting against an enemy he can’t remember, but one who will stop at nothing to destroy the man he’s hated for millennia.

How about the characters? What three words best describe your MC? 

The three best words to describe, Nate? There’s a sentence in the book which sums up Nate pretty well. What monsters fear.

Sounds like my kinda guy. How about one of the supporting cast? 

I’d go with Dani. She’s the sixteen year old daughter of his neighbour and someone who looks up to Nate as an escape from her crappy home life. She probably has the biggest transformation throughout the book too.

Love that kind of character development.

What inspired you to write this specific storyline?

I love mythology, and always have done. And I’m a big fan of history too. So, I always wanted to do something that included them both. I also wanted to write a book which I would buy, something I’d enjoy reading myself. Crimes Against Magic fits that.

Yeah, a book’s first love always has to come from the author, right? Do you have plans for future books? Will this title be part of a series?

Crimes Against Magic is the start of a series called the Hellequin Chronicles. I have notes for about a dozen books, and ideas for a lot more. Book 2: Born of Hatred, is almost finished and then I’ll be doing book 3: With Silent Screams.

Sounds great. Folk love finding out there’s more to come for character’s they fall in love with reading about.

How did you come up with the idea for the cover?

There’s a part in the book where Nate walks out of a building with a whip of fire trailing down from each hand. I thought the image was striking, and wanted something like it for the cover. Fortunately, I have an excellent artist for a friend in Eamon O’Donoghue who agreed to do it for me.

Excellent artist indeed. And I don’t know about others, but I love when I hit a scene in a book that the cover art allows a visual for.

If you were to write yourself into this book, what kind of role would you play in it?

Somewhere as far away from Nate as possible.

Hahahaha.

He has a tendency to get those around him in trouble, so I’d quite like not to be there when that happened.

Stick giggling, hehehe. Okay, which character from your book would you most like to meet?

That’s a really hard question.

And that’s a really intriguing non-answer, lol.

And now for a little bit of randomness about you:

Favourite spot to write?

My office. I can write anywhere, but that’s my favourite.

What book(s) are you reading now?

Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick. It’s an excellent fantasy book, about a spy who’s trying to prevent a war between rival gangs. It reminds me a lot of Joe Abercrombie.

Steak: rare or well-done—how do you like your meat?

Medium-well done. A little pink is fine, but I don’t want it mooing as it lands on my plate.

Pizza toppings: the entire works … or the plainer the better?

I like pepperoni on my pizza and a bit of extra cheese, but that’s enough. Although, if I’m honest I’ll eat any pizza so long as it doesn’t have pineapple or olives on it.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs. One day I might get my own. Just have to convince my wife. Which will probably take many years.

And finally … in no more than three sentences, tell us why we should buy your book? What about it will grip us by the shirt scruffs and drag us along for the ride?

You should buy it because, underneath the monsters and magic, the action and humour, this is a story about one man who will go to any lengths to protect those he cares about. Even if that means the loss of who he is.

Okay, I think I may be sold. How about you. Crimes Against Magic will be available through Amazon UK & US from 30th April 2012. Be sure to check it out.

And if you want to know more about the author, you can stalk him here:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Although originally from a small village in South-Yorkshire, Steve McHugh lives in Southampton, England with his wife and two (soon to be three) daughters. Crimes Against Magic will be his first published work, although he’s been writing since he was at school.