Interview-Giveaway-Guest Post-ACHOO!

I know, I know, after that big jumble of a title, you just feel like saying "Bless you!" huh?

That's why I added the "achoo" sneeze at the end. Plus, my kid gets a kick out fake sneezes these days, so I've been slipping in an "a...a...a...CHOO!" at the end of everything I say to make her laugh (she's giggling right now, in fact)!

So I have four places to send you to on my "THE BEST MISTAKE" countdown today (It releases a week from today, remember?).

The Interview:

1. Yesterday, I was interviewed over at The Book Wenches Review Site. I talked about the latest WIP I completed and how that story is probably way-too emotionally close to me!

Giveaways:

2. Today, a copy of "The Best Mistake" will be given away to one commenter who visits the Reading Between the Wines Blog.

3. There is a contest going on over at The Romance Review where, I'm giving away three copies of "The Best Mistake." It ends March 14th.

The Guest Post:

4. And it's my regularly scheduled day to post over at The Writers Vineyard today, so I'm over there as well, talking about setting and, mmm, frosting.

***

After next Wednesday, I think I'll be done with all the interviews, countdown guest posts, and giveaways for a while.

But until then, I hope you're not too annoyed to be chasing me all over the internet! You needed the exercise, right? Yeah, I thought so!

Happy Wednesday to you!

Interview with DEVIN MONAGHAM, Hero in Ivy Bateman's "Between the Lines"

She felt herself grow hot—she knew she was blushing, and she should at least acknowledge his presence, but she couldn't. Devin...she'd completely forgotten the unbelievably sexy Irish writer was one of the seven authors launching a book tonight!

For some time now, she had been hoping to meet him and, had she remembered Devin was part of the book launch, she would have steeled herself for this moment. Ever since Isaac introduced her to Devin's work, she had developed a crazy, high-school crush on him. She loved his rough-around-the-edges good looks and often gazed hungrily at his author photo on the back cover of his books—cigarette in hand, sometimes smiling, sometimes not. Lara usually found smoking to be a turn off, but this didn't seem to be the case when it came to Devin. He had beautiful hands and sexy eyes. When he held a cigarette, it looked as though he was making love to it. Lara found him irresistible.

She snuck a glance at him in the reflective elevator wall. He was lovelier than his publicity photos had ever captured. He was looking at the floor and grinning slightly, a dimple adorably apparent on his right cheek. He ran his hand through his mop of dark brown hair. It gleamed in the light, begging to be touched. Lara immediately pictured his head working its way down her body, her hands tugging at his locks, maybe pushing it to go even lower...

Lara quickly stopped her imagination from running wild and was about to look away when he looked up and met her eyes in the glass. He smiled at her; a shy, slightly knowing smile...one that told her he knew what she was thinking. That was ridiculous. How could he know?

She returned his smile, or hoped she did. She may have just let her jaw drop. She started to attempt a sentence when the door chimed and opened into the lobby. For a moment, neither of them moved; they stood in the elevator looking at each other in their reflections on the wall.

"After you, Ms. Munroe," he quietly lilted.


********************BLURB********************
You just read an excerpt from:
BETWEEN THE LINES
by
Ivy Bateman

Buy Link: Breathless Press
********************************************* Linda Kage: Today, we have political writer, Devin Monagham here with us. Devin is the hero in IVY BATEMAN's debut erotic romance novella, Between the Lines, which released last month from Breathless Press. So, put your hands together for Devin! Hey handsome! The burning question in all our minds this morning is...Who IS Devin Monaghan? Could you please describe yourself in 100 words or less?

Devin: Who is Devin Monaghan, well that isn't exactly an easy question to answer. How does one talk about one's self without coming across as a bit of a narcissist? Okay, I suppose I could be described as humorous, devilishly handsome (laughs), and I enjoy quiet evenings at home with my books, my wine and if I'm lucky, with a lovely and intelligent woman who will read to me while in state of very little dress…Perhaps that's too much information…but there you have it: me in a shallow nutshell.

Kage: Give us a peek into your head. What is one happy memory you have?

Devin: Pretty sure I gave you a peak into my head in question one! But, okay happy memory… the first time someone said, well my editor said "They’d like to publish your book and here’s a sizable advance!" If truth be told, it was the advance part that really brought out the elation. However, I was both happy and horrified: happy because finally I arrived a time where I could make a decent living doing what I love, writing and horrified because I would now have to enter the world of serious deadlines.

Kage: Okay, now let’s skip to the stuff I want to hear about…this is a romance writer’s blog, after all! Before going into this story, what was your romance life like?

Devin: Romance life…I wouldn’t call it a “life” so much as “moments”. I don’t have time right now to have romance as a regularly scheduled part of my day. One day maybe, but for now, I cherish the moments which are divine, heavenly…better than I’ve experienced before and I’m pretty sure I don’t quite deserve.

Kage: I've heard rumors about you and some erotic romance author. Lara something or the other? Oh, yeah. I've heard of her! So what’s going on there, and why isn't your relationship with her like it's been with every other woman you've dated before?

Devin: Well, my goodness…someone has done their sneaky research! You are clearly referring to the lovely Lara Munroe. Our relationship…yes it is different, far different than I’ve had with anyone else. The why though…that’s what you want to know. I think it’s because she’s so free, so uninhibited and not just…you know…in a certain room…She loves her career, her writing, her fans. She loves to laugh and has a brain behind those blazing green eyes. People are drawn to her. She has an inner fire you can’t ignore and in my case, have trouble doing without. The romantic “moments” we share, well…I hope they will become more than moments before too long.

Kage: What do you like most about her? And what do you like least?

Devin: Well, what I like the most is that when I talk, she really listens to me. She understands me. A lot of women I’ve been with only nod along, and have no real interest in the world I write about. We can have deep conversations about all sorts of topics and on the nights where wine is involved, we can solve all the world’s problems while we’re at it! (smiles) But what I like least…I know I should say “Oh nothing! She’s perfect!” but, and well it’s only a small thing…she’s very chatty first thing in the morning. I have trouble remembering what brand of animal I am when my alarm goes off and Lara, she loves to have full conversations immediately. I’m just not cerebrally capable first thing in the morning..

Kage: How do you intend to handle this situation with her?

Devin: Well, I usually just mumble at her and say that if we’re going to converse when I only have four brain cells working, could she please bring me some coffee? Sometimes she does, sometimes she throws a pillow at me and heads to the shower and…sometimes…she wakes me up in a much more personal manner…I tell you…that kind of thing will get a man talking! Maybe not in complete sentences, but it’s a good warm up!

Kage: Thanks for stopping by and gracing us with some eye candy--I mean, with your presence. Was there anything else you'd like to add before getting along on your way?

Devin: Eye candy indeed…no, no…Lara’s the one who’s worth looking at! But thank-you for saying so and for the interview; it’s been lovely meeting you. Cheers!

*********************************************


If you're curious about Devin's author, here are other places to find IVY BATEMAN on the web:

Blog: http://ivybmisbehavin.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IvyBateman

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003227535431


Publisher: Breathless Press

The Best Countdown or Biggest Mistake EVER!

Okay, I doubt this will be the best countdown OR the biggest mistake, but it IS the beginning of my countdown for The Best Mistake!

The Best Mistake is coming out in two weeks but I'm already tired of all the promoting. I should be at the top of my game, but I just want to curl into a ball somewhere quiet and read.

I've reached that mood where I think, Honestly, who cares? There are so many good books out there, so many great authors, so many...everything. One little, insignificant me shouldn't even bother. I mean, what if I'm more like an annoying little fly, buzzing around the room, simply irritating people.

This is the point in an author's career when they're supposed to be flying high and going on and on about how much they love their story that's about to release. Which I do! I really do (of course, I do because it's mine! LOL). It's my first Linda Kage novella and my first true romantic comedy. I was so proud of it. The heroine was perfect (in my head at least): quirky, lovable, clumsy just enough to make it slightly unrealistic but really entertaining with a sad background she hides with her upbeat attitude. The hero was boy-next-door sweet yet sexy enough to be devastating.

But sigh...after contacting so many people to set up interviews and guest posts and proof-reads for reviews, I just don't feel so vibrant and excited anymore. I just feel exhausted.

Reviews so far are all over the place. Some people love it, some people hate it.

The main issue I have, though, is that I feel like I keep shouting over and over again at the same exact people about my upcoming releases. The interviews and guest posts and reviewers were my attempt to branch out, but I can't tell if any of that is helping or hurting.

I know I should start working on my next newsletter to send out too but, again, that feels like another invasion of everyone else's free time, and to me, free time is so precious these days. Besides, I'm still totally embarrassed about that last one i sent. I found so many spelling errors in it, I'm still ducking my head in shame!

Everywhere I go, I hear how important it is to self promote. But promoting myself is frankly unnatural for me. I don't want to be the center of attention. I just want people to be able to sit back, read my stories and find a couple hours of relaxation, entertainment, and a satisfying happily ever after.

If you can't tell, I think I might possible be stressing myself out and over-thinking things just a tad bit, worrying, wondering, praying what the right path to take is.

The good news is, I'll work through it somehow, release day will come and pass, and whatever was going to happen will have happened. So honestly, there's no need for me to stress about anything. I should simply do the best I can and the rest is...que sera sera (what will be will be). Which reminds me of my favorite Doris Day song....




Ahh...That hit the spot. Made me begin to feel better already!

What kind of strange thoughts swirl through your head when the release of your book approaches?