Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Author Interview: USA Today Best Selling Author, Elizabeth Reyes

USA Today Best Selling Author, Elizabeth Reyes is here today.  Woot!  I can't even explain how excited I am to do this interview.  If you're a fan like me and want to follow all the hype surrounding ABEL, check out the tour schedule at As the Pages Turn..    And if you missed my review of ABEL, check it out here.  Please welcome Elizabeth Reyes!
Author Bio: USA Today Bestselling Author, Elizabeth Reyes continues to answer to her calling on a daily basis. Since releasing her debut novel Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers #1) in 2010 she has now published 9 full length novels total and fast at work on the next. The excitement her Moreno Brothers, 5th Street, and Fate series have garnered has far exceeded her wildest dreams. It is with as much excitement that she'll continue to put out books related to these series as well as introduce brand new ones very soon.

In 2014 she will take her next step in the exciting world of writing and publish her first traditionally published book with Simon & Schuster/Atria. But she will continue putting out self published books as well.


You can find Elizabeth Reyes at

Author Interview:

Mina B.:  Abel, from the 5th Street Series marks your 10th published book total and I believe 4th book in the 5th Street Series.   And WOW what a series.  I love the way you tie in the entire boxing angle.  Boxing is such a barbaric sport but somehow I’m a fan.  Where did you get the inspiration for this series?   

Elizabeth R.:  I say that because this is such a unique group of male characters. Growing up in the East Los Angeles area and my family being huge fans of Cesar Chavez, Marquez and of course De La Jolla fight nights were a big deal. We'd have big gatherings and the TV rooms would be packed with family and friends hooping and hollering. I was a young girl so I never saw the barbaric thing I just thought it was fun to cheer for the favorite and quite honestly had a crush on De La Jolla. So I thought writing a series about a group of these sexy fighters would be exciting and it sure has been! =)     

Mina B.:  In the series you tackle hot topics like cougar-dating.  The age difference with these characters is indeed a delicious topic.  What type of feedback if any have you received about the 8 year age difference in the two? 

Elizabeth R.:  I've some great feedback! Many from women who happen to be married to younger men and wanted to thank me for telling a story about how this can really happen and showing that age is just a number. I've also received feedback from many who said they were going to shy away from reading because of the topic but were very pleasantly surprised when they decided to read.
Mina B.:  We know you are a USA Today Best Selling Author among other great accomplishments.  Can you tell us what award, accolade or accomplishment you want that would be the ultimate feather in your cap? 

Elizabeth R.:  Hmm when I started writing and publishing I had NO aspirations of receiving awards or getting traditionally published. I just wanted my stories out there and having people read and enjoy. I love hearing reaction to my stories. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled when I signed with Simon & Schuster or that wouldn't love to become a NY Times best seller at some point in my career. I think deep inside all writers secretly wish for that but quite honestly I couldn't be happier with my writing career as it is. As long as the stories keep coming and I can continue doing what I LOVE for a living I'm a happy camper just the way things are now!
   
Mina B.:  Abel was such a tortured soul and we love that about him!  Which book have you enjoyed writing the most in the series? 


Elizabeth R.:  This is always a tough question because I've poured my heart and soul into every single book I've written. So it's hard to choose a favorite. But I will say Abel's has by far been my steamiest to date. So that was fun. ;)
  
Mina B.:  If you could be any character in one of your books, who would it be?  Me?  I’d be Valerie because I have a thing for Alex Moreno…*sigh* 

Elizabeth R.:  Another tough one but let's see. I think being around Manny and Max would be hilarious. I have quite of few of these in my family and it's always fun being around them so maybe Izzy. 
  
Mina B.: What is one aspect about writing that you absolutely love? 

Elizabeth R.:  I love when the books write themselves. When I'm sitting here minding my own business writing the story as I thought it was going to unfold then bam! Out of nowhere this twist comes and even I sit up straight. "No way!" and then my fingers start typing furiously. It's very exciting! =)

Mina B.:  Other than your wicked books, what do you think helped catapult your success? 

Elizabeth R.:  Well it didn't just happen overnight. I'm not one of these authors who wrote my first book and it skyrocketed to the top of the charts. It took some time to build the following of my awesome readers. So perseverance first and foremost and my tenacity and refusal to give up was a big part. In hindsight I'm glad it didn't happen overnight. Makes the journey all that more rewarding. =) But in the end, word of mouth I think is what ultimately has done it for me. So many of my wonderful readers have mentioned at some point getting their family and friends hooked on my books and I'm so incredibly grateful for that.
Mina B.:  Can you tell us what’s in store for the series?  

Elizabeth R.:  There is more to come. Many have asked for Felix's story and it will be coming but I do have something very different in store for his book. I can't share just yet what that will be but it'll be something I've yet to do with ANY of my stories. Stay tuned! ;)

Mina B.:  Can you tell the readers something new about your upcoming release, Abel? 

Elizabeth R.:  One thing I want to make clear is I've already done the age difference plot. So while Abel and Nellie's age difference will be mentioned it's not what the conflict in this story is about. Also while the blurb for the story mentions what these two will be dealing with that is also not the entire conflict. There will be other elements and story twists that will come into play. See my first answer to question number 6. This happened several times while writing Abel. So I'm hoping that like me, the readers will also sit up and say "No way!" =D      

About Abel (5th Street, Book #4), by Elizabeth Reyes -- New Adult Contemporary Romance

SYNOPSIS 
Coming off the worst divorce in the history of marriages, Nellie Gamboa’s looking to let loose and make up for years of neglect. When months of building sexual tension between her and the young hot boxing stud, Abel Ayala, finally peak, she makes him an offer no man would refuse. 

No promises. No demands. Just pure unrestrained passion.

Abel’s training for the biggest fight of his career. He has no time for a social life, much less a relationship. So this arrangement couldn't be more perfect. A beautiful woman asking him to help her alleviate her neglected desires—no strings attached. What more can he ask for?

As the lines between lust and something much deeper, begin to blur, Abel finds himself in an even bigger fight. 

The fight to regain control of his now demanding heart. 



Get your copy of Abel here:
Amazon  **  B&N  **  iBookstore

Giveaway



Elizabeth Reyes is offering up (10) winners, signed copies of their choice of book, from her backlist which includes Abel as well. The giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST 08/25/2013.


HUGE Thanks to Elizabeth for doing this interview and Ing from As the Pages Turn.  This has been awesome!!!! 
Mina B.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Book Review: Abel by Elizabeth Reyes

Get your ringside tickets to Abel, USA Today Best Selling Author, Elizabeth Reyes' fourth book in the 5th Street Series.  Reyes is by far one of the hottest new adult contemporary romance novelists right now.  She seriously is one of my top ten favorite authors.  Want to know what I think about, Abel?  In short...it's an absolute knockout!
Abel's Back Cover:  
Coming off the worst divorce in the history of marriages, Nellie Gamboa’s looking to let loose and make up for years of neglect. When months of building sexual tension between her and the young hot boxing stud, Abel Ayala, finally peak, she makes him an offer no man would refuse.

No promises. No demands. Just pure unrestrained passion.

Abel’s training for the biggest fight of his career. He has no time for a social life, much less a relationship. So this arrangement couldn't be more perfect. A beautiful woman asking him to help her alleviate her neglected desires—no strings attached. What more can he ask for?

As the lines between lust and something much deeper, begin to blur, Abel finds himself in an even bigger fight.


The fight to regain control of his now demanding heart.


Click here for an excerpt of Abel on GoodReads!  


My thoughts:  Abel Ayala is the rising boxing star, poised to take his heavyweight career to super stardom. All he needs to do is slake his lust for an older, sexy divorcee, Nellie Gamboa and bide his time before he can claim his heavyweight title. He's known as Aweless Ayala for his bold and unshakable demeanor and at this point, nothing will stop his rise to the top. Well a few things shake him, but nothing as much as the lovable Nellie.

If you know anything about the series, then you know by the time Abel and Nellie finally hooked up, it was like we all needed a cigarette. LOL! Interesting enough their "no-strings" relationship continues and goes from the intense hot affair to a budding relationship, broaching topics like trust, love, age and of course the relentless paparazzi. I've always been a fan of Reyes Moreno Brothers series. ALWAYS. So when she started the 5th Street Series, it wasn't a stretch for me to enjoy this series as well. But I have to be honest...Abel just might be my new favorite. It's that good.

Reyes opens a window into these character's lives that keeps you begging for more. If you like your new adult romance lit spiced with hot men, undying friendship, love and a whole lotta sexy, then bet all your money on Abel! Abel was a 5 for me.

Get your copy here:
Reyes will be here on August 21st for a Q&A with me.  *squeals with excitement*  Want to know more about the Abel and the 5th Street series...come back and bring your friends!

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY
Elizabeth is offering up (10) winners, signed copies of their choice of book, from her backlist which includes Abel as well. The giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST 08/25/2013.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whew! *fanning myself* Even blogging about Abel gets me hot! ;)

Mina B.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Cover Reveal: Mina Lobo's That Fatal Kiss

Goth babe, Mina Lobo, will be launching That Fatal Kiss this Fall, Tuesday, September 24!  Woot!  And from the looks of the cover...YOWZERS...this book is hot, Hot, HOT!  Go Mina!

Here's a brief synopsis of That Fatal Kiss by Mina Lobo: 


Feared by mortals for his inexorable power, and loathed by his fellow Greek gods for the same, Hades rules the Underworld alone. A stark eternity looms before him until he discovers Persephone. Struck by the youthful goddess’ beauty, kindness, and spirit, he must have her. But Hades believes Persephone could never love him, and so he conspires with his powerful brother, Zeus, to take her by force.

Persephone too seeks a mate but her possessive mother, the goddess Demeter, frustrates her husband hunting. Then Hades abducts Persephone, tearing her away from the Upperworld she loves to reign with him in the dank depths below. Though outraged, Persephone cannot deny the desire ignited within her by the dark lord’s touch. And even as she hopes that Demeter will unearth her, Persephone aches to surrender to the heat in Hades’ immortal soul.

That Fatal Kiss Excerpt:

“Enough,” Hades said, closing the distance between them. “I have taken you with your father’s consent, as custom allows. You are in my kingdom, under my rule, and if you have any care for your continued well-being, you will get into my bed. Now.” And with the removal of the pins that held together the black cloth about his waist, he stood naked before her.

The anger warming Persephone clashed with another fire that roared to life within her. She choked on a breath and turned her face from him. “Be warned; I will resist you with the full force of my being, through violent means, if necessary.”

His large, unyielding hands encircled the soft flesh of her upper arms as he said, “If you must. Though your surrender to me would prove more satisfying to us both.”



You can find Mina Lobo below:

Blog: Some Dark Romantic
Facebook: mina.lobo.1
Twitter: @GothMomLite
GothMomLite Will Tumblr For Ya

How beautiful is this book cover? Hot, huh? I know. The steam from the cover has to be from the pages, right? You know it!
Mina B.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

IWSG: Can you feel it?

Insecure Writers Support Group for August is here. Special thanks to Alex for creating and hosting this monthly meme.  I also want to thank Alex's co-hosts M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove.

Last month was a challenging one.  I'd like to have the month over to do a redo, please.  Can I borrow someone's time machine?  That would be great.  In short, my kids got lice of all things and gave it to me.  In the summer, no less!  Wahoo!  #goodtimes.  That left me mostly worrying about nit-combing, cleaning, washing multiple times until my hands were raw and my brain was addled.  By the end of week one, I felt like a Chimpanzee mother, fine-tooth-combing her young for bugs, much like the picture here.  You can't imagine what one goes through when lice happens.  If you want to read an informative and quite hilarious post about Lice, Lice, Lice, yeah (80's song reference) ...check out Elise Fallson's post.  With back to school on the horizon, you'll may want may find this post an invaluable resource.  I did. :)
  
So, you may be asking what does this have to with IWSG?  Well, nothing can derogate your writing mojo and security like a good case head lice.  *scratches head*  

Head lice aside, I finally got rid of those pesky bugs and just in time for our family vacation.  Yes, we writers have to have those every now and then.  We ended up heading to Orlando, which is a few hours away from me and took the kids to Universal.  One of the best parts of the trip was the Harry Potter experience.  In a word: awesome!  Hanging with the fam gave me fantastic memories and a great perspective that helped tamper down my insecurities for July.  As I was leaving HP land, I took a picture of this poster that Universal sported to cover up their construction mess.  When I read it, I spoke to me.  
Can you feel it too?
Be honest...did your head itch while reading this post?

Mina B.