Eye Spy by Jenna Mattison - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna will be awarding one digital copy of Eye Spy to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When Liza Radley realizes it’s cheatin’ season and no self-respecting detective’s gonna spy on her husband for the $800 and change she has hidden in a plastic soap dish, she does what any normal transplanted Georgia Peach would do--she becomes a private eye. While downing her fourth maple-glazed curbside, Liza discovers “Eye Spy”, a shop for the self-motivated sleuth in the heart of Boston. Inspiration strikes and she enters the world of Jack Parella, the owner/operator who talks like Humphrey Bogart but with a Southie accent and is more than willing to train Liza in the ways of amateur sleuthing, while simultaneously infuriating and titillating her. Though Liza starts the journey intending to rebuild her crumbling suburban life, she finds herself thrust into a fiery mystery as head of "Crimes of the Heart Detective Agency" with Parella by her side. Thus our dynamic duo is primed for their next adventure.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

All men cheat. At least that’s what I’d always heard but I never believed a word of it.

Until today.

I’m Liza Radley, I live in a two story gunmetal grey house near the end of a cul-de-sac. Bernie and I couldn’t afford actual cul-de-sac status six years ago when he started his practice here in Andover. Since then we’ve built our lives together brick by brick but now I find myself rifling thru his underwear drawer on a Thursday morning wondering if some young wolfette is trying to blow our house down.

Or blow my Bernie for that matter.

I mean, it’s not like I actually suspect him of the big A, but over breakfast my three best friends staged the suburban version of an intervention and now that the dirty little thought is lurking I can’t resist committing cardinal sin #1 from the Bad Wife Handbook. Snooping. Plus I want to prove the girls wrong and show them that my Berns and I are still in happily wedded bliss. Okay maybe not bliss…but I don’t know if bliss is even possible after 10 years of marriage so let’s just say we’re content in a frozen-lasagna-sex-once-a-month-with-the-lights-off sort of way.

Mattison started her career in Chicago appearing on television and radio. She founded founded Cheshire Smile Productions, bringing to life and penning her first feature film FISH WITHOUT A BICYCLE, a festival winning coming of age comedy which was directed by Brian Austin Green. “Fish” is now available on Netflix. Mattison also wrote Cheshire’s second release THE THIRD WISH now available at Blockbuster and distributed by the Hallmark Channel.

Lionsgate’s FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY, based on a true story of Jewish gangsters set in the 1970’s starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Edward Furlong and Jeffrey Tambor was also produced and written by Mattison. Most recently Jenna has written a TV movie called COMMITTED, which wrapped production this spring to premiere on television this fall. Her novel The Tree Of Jesse is a romantic religious thriller and will be released this spring, available worldwide. Mattison next novel is Eye Spy the first in a comedic romantic suspense series available this summer.

Website: http://jennamattison.net/

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Radley-Housewife-Detective-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00DUMWK4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373460775&sr=1-1&keywords=eye+spy+jenna+mattison

You're Busting My Nuptials by Ann Everett - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Ann Everett on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the humorous romantic mystery, "You're Busting My Nuptials".

Ann will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during her tour, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I consider my genre to be humor, but my publisher considers it mystery. I think that’s because the humor genre is mostly joke books. I’d say my novels are romantic comedies with a light mystery, but I only write the mystery and romance in order to write the humor, so…humor it is! My reason for writing comedy books is because that’s what I enjoy reading the most. When I read, I want to be entertained. I want to laugh. I want to read about silly, ridiculous situations that could possibly happen to me. Some actually have.

Name one thing you learned from your heroine.

My main character, Tizzy, has a four-year-old daughter and I think I’ve learned to be more patient with my grandchildren by writing about Tizzy and Gracie. Many of the things Gracie says are taken straight from conversations I’ve had with my six and seven-year-old granddaughters. They come up with the best dialogue, and that makes writing Gracie easy-peasy.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions? 

I walk backwards to my chair, turn around three times, do two sides straddle hops, then sit down…KIDDING! I don’t have any quirks, habits or superstitions when it comes to writing. At least I don’t think I do. I’ve been tempted to wear a crown. I may try that in the New Year just to see if the bling helps my brain! I prefer to write with the house quiet and I do best when I’m alone. That way, I don’t have to worry about interruptions happening at any time.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’ve been both. With LAID OUT AND CANDLE LIT, I just sat down and wrote and let it come to me as I went. With YOU’RE BUSTING MY NUPTIALS, I outlined and it worked much better for me. I’ll outline from now on. It saves me lots of time when it comes to the editing phase.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Oh Lord. I can see into the kitchen and one the counter there’s a Rubbermaid container full of left-over sugar cookies, pecan tassies, and brownies from a party I had at my house last night. I’ll have to stop now and eat a cookie. Totally your fault!!

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m trying hard to write the final installment of my Tizzy/Ridge trilogy, but not having much luck. I don’t even have a good start and many of my readers are already asking me to not stop with a third book. They want more of Tizzy and Ridge and that’s a good thing.

To clear my mind, I’ve put them aside for a bit hoping a break will give me renewed interest. I’ve been working on a romance novel. Actually, it was the first novel I ever wrote. I re-wrote it about a year ago and now I’m re-writing it for a second time. TELL ME A SECRET, starts out as a sweet love story, then gains a little steam toward the middle, then turns more dramatic at the end. It has an element of humor, but not like LAID OUT AND CANDLE LIT or YOU’RE BUSTING MY NUPTIALS.

However, I love the characters in TMAS, so I’m hoping to make it good enough to publish.

I’m also working on a cookbook as a companion to LAID OUT and NUPTIALS. Since Sweet Thangs Bakery plays an important part in the books, owners, Pattiecake and Sugarpie thought a cookbook would be a good idea. I blame them for the ten pounds I’ve gained.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Not a question, but a request. I’m having a contest to name the third book in the Tizzy/Ridge Trilogy and I’d love for your readers to enter. There’s not a big prize, but they will get credit in the book, if their title wins. They’ll also receive the trilogy signed by me. AND, if I’m ever in their area doing a book event, I’d love to have the winner join me.

They can go to my website and enter by way of comment to a blog OR they can enter by emailing me. ann.everett@rocketmail.com

After almost five years, widow and single mother, Tizzy Donovan finally met the man of her dreams in Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper. But when he fails to show up for their wedding, she’s determined to find out why.

Enlisting the help of first cousin Jinx Monroe, and best friends, Rayann Tatum and Synola Harper, it’s not long until they’re dealing with clowns, yard gnomes, a missing stripper, and a Baptist deacon.

After a car chase and gun fight, head-strong Tizzy is more committed than ever to claim her happily-ever-after. All she needs is a séance with an old witch and a little help from Positive Jesus.

Once on the road, with the plan in place, Rayann dug in her purse and pulled out a piece of paper.

“Hey, I thought it would be fun to give ourselves some stripper names. I found this chart online where you take letters from your name and match them with suggested performance names,” she said, unable to hide her excitement. “According to the website, I’ll be Sugar Candy. Tizzy, you’ll be Velvet Blaze and Synola, you’re now Cinnamon Dream. Don’t you love ‘em?”

“You’re kidding,” Tizzy said.

“No. If we want to work as strippers, we need stripper names,” Rayann said, and looked over her shoulder. “Right, Jinx?”

Jinx smiled. “She has a point.”

“See, Tizzy. Jinx likes the plan”.

Tizzy nodded. “Okay, we’ll do it. I’m Velveeta, you’re Sugar, Synola is Cinnamon.”

“VELVET, not Vel-vee-ta.”

“Oh, sorry. I got confused since the two of you are in a food group, I thought I was too.”

Ann Everett is a Texas girl from her big-bar-hair down to her bare toes. For many years she did stand-up comedy for businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations.

Creator of the White Trash Facelift, halter tops, and beer bling bracelets, Ann embraces her small town upbringing and thinks Texans are the funniest people on earth.

She’s an award winning author and active member of Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization where she serves as director of their twenty-seventh annual writers’ conference.

When Ann’s not writing, she spends her days listening in on people’s conversations at the local Wal-Mart, beauty shop, Dollar Store, and numerous other gathering spots. She draws from that research to pen her romantic comedies, full of southern sass and Texas twang.

www.anneverett.com
Twitter.com/Talkin’Twang
Ann Everett author page/Facebook
http://amazon.com/author/ann.everett

Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: Karen Mueller Bryson

Today we're welcoming author Karen Mueller Bryson to the blog on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for her contemporary romantic comedies, "One Last Class" and "Twyla's Last Trip" (we reviewed this last one here).

The author is giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. So comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner over there on the left, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a GC!

Karen was kind enough to answer all my questions... thanks, Karen!

I would imagine writing romantic comedy can be difficult. Why did you choose the genre?

I write in several different genres but romantic comedy is one of my favorites and it seems to come most naturally to me. I like entertaining people and making them laugh. I also enjoy creating humorous characters and placing them in funny situations. I also try to find the humor in most life situations, when possible.

Do you have any habits or rituals to get you in the mood to write?

Because I work full time as a university professor, I use most of my free time for writing. I don’t often have the luxury of writing rituals to “get me in the mood.” I have to use what little time I have to put words on the page! One thing I must have when writing is silence. I don’t like listening to music when I write and I don’t like to be distracted by any noise, if possible.

Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

My best ideas for stories and characters usually come when I’m in the shower or in the car and I don’t have the ability to write my ideas down! I have to memorize them until I’m out of the shower or I pull over (when driving). I’m always grateful for ideas whenever they come but they never seem to come that quickly and easily when I have a pad and pen handy.

What's a typical day for you?

I have an unusual work schedule at my full time job, so days are not typical. When I teach in the evenings, I try to spend time in the morning writing and marketing my work. When I’m not teaching at night, I do my writing and marketing in the evenings. I generally get more writing done on the weekends, when I have blocks of free time available to write.

Who is your favorite character in literature? Why?

I have two literary favorites, Alice (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) and Dorothy (from the Wonderful Wizard of Oz). Both are strong female characters, who have become cultural icons, and both take journeys in which they meet a host of interesting characters. My first two romantic comedies, Hey Dorothy You’re Not in Kansas Anymore and Where is Wonderland Anyway, were inspired by Dorothy’s and Alice’s incredible adventures.

Anything new coming up you'd like to share?

My company, Short on Time Books, fast-paced and fun novels for readers on the go, will be releasing its first Young Adult romantic comedy called Retro Geeks, and I’m incredibly excited about it! I have also been hired to write a biography of sports legend, Cindy McCoy, who was a Rookie Roller Derby Queen. That’s what’s on my plate for the next few months!

Anything you'd like to ask our readers?

I would love to know what some of their favorite romantic comedies are and why they like them so much.

In the romantic comedy, Twyla’s Last Trip, twenty eight-year old, Lucinda Starr is an uptight research psychologist, whose deadline to complete her doctoral dissertation is completely derailed by her estranged mother, Twyla Starr's sudden death. Lucinda must take her mother's ashes on a road trip on Route 66, in order to fulfill the requirements of her will and inherit her fortune. To make matters worse, Lucinda finds herself forced to travel across the country with her mother's easygoing country lawyer, T.J. Yates, who drives her crazy, and his drooling bloodhound, Dakota, who Lucinda finds revolting.

In the romantic comedy, One Last Class, thirty-two year old, Zak Spencer, is a washed-up teen idol, who decides to rebuild his life by returning to college in Arizona. Trouble ensues when Zak falls in love with the young professor, Amy Campbell, who teaches the one class he needs to complete his degree.

Karen Mueller Bryson is an award-winning screenwriter, produced playwright and published novelist. She has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books! Karen is thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife creator of Short on Time Books, a series of fast-paced and fun novels for readers on the go. When she’s not at her computer creating new stories, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Website: http://www.ahorsewithnoname.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenmuellerbryson
Twitter: http://twitter.com/karenmbryson
Blog: http://shortontimebooks.tumblr.com/
Short on Time Books: http://www.shortontimebooks.com

Review: Twyla's Last Trip by Karen Mueller Bryson

(A short contemporary romantic comedy from Short On Time Books)

In the romantic comedy, Twyla’s Last Trip, twenty eight-year old, Lucinda Starr is an uptight research psychologist, whose deadline to complete her doctoral dissertation is completely derailed by her estranged mother, Twyla Starr's sudden death. Lucinda must take her mother's ashes on a road trip on Route 66, in order to fulfill the requirements of her will and inherit her fortune. To make matters worse, Lucinda finds herself forced to travel across the country with her mother's easygoing country lawyer, T.J. Yates, who drives her crazy, and his drooling bloodhound, Dakota, who Lucinda finds revolting.


This is a really fun short story. This would be great company for you on your lunch break or in a waiting room. This story is about very uptight, rigid, unlikeable Lucinda. In order to inherit her mother’s millions, she must take an eight day trip on Route 66. This trip is made with laid-back, funny, A.J., her mother’s attorney, along with his drooling bloodhound, Dakota.

Lucinda refers to this trip as a trip from utter hell. A.J. refers to it as the most exciting adventure of his life. In addition to everything else, she is rock and roll, and he is country. You can only imagine the fun this causes on the trip.
There is much confusion, relationship problems and unexpected happenings as they visit the places on the list her mother has laid out.

The author doesn't miss a chance to make her readers laugh. I smiled and giggled through this entire story. It's fun and sweet and very readable with a sigh-worthy, very Happy Every After. I loved it.

4.5/5 Flowers



FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this story from the author and Goddess Fish Promotions in exchange for my honest opinion.