Sweet 'n Steamy Blog Tour: Guest Post by Kara Leigh Miller & Sharon Kleve

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

It's always fun to be able to host other awesome authors here! Be sure to say hello in the comments! :)

Author Relations

By

Kara Leigh Miller & Sharon Kleve

Okay, get your minds out of the gutters. When we say author relations, we most certainly don’t mean the sexually physical kind, so let’s get that out of the way right now ;)

Nope. We’re talking about the professional kind of relations.

Being an author is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world – and yes, it is a job, not a hobby. Writing is a lot of work, hard work. But, in the end, when you see your name in print and you get that first email from a fan (who isn’t your mom) gushing about how much they loved your book and your characters, you forget all about the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into the story. You simply enjoy the fruits of your labor. Being an author is also one of the oddest jobs in the world, too.

Think about it for a moment: your co-workers (a.k.a other authors), the people you’re competing with for readers & sales are also the first people you turn to when you need help and support.

Yeah, we know….odd. But somehow, it works!

The author community – especially the romance author community – is the kindest, most welcoming group of people we’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering. Your new book is being released and you need help promoting it? You bet your butt your author friends will be there to help. Your book has been nominated for an award? Guess who will form 90% of the line to sign up and vote? That’s right – your fellow authors. Got a really harsh review that makes you want to scream and draw blood? Bet you know who will be there to calm you down and tell you that everything will be okay, that the reviewer has no idea what he/she is talking about, and that your book is literary brilliance. That’s right – your group of new best friends!

Why, you ask, is the publishing world not filled with jealous, selfish people who want to be the best? Well, there are probably authors out there that look out for number one and to hell with everyone else. But, we’ve learned that’s a rare thing.

There are thousands upon thousands of books published each year. Could you imagine standing alone against all those competitors? We sure couldn’t. So, don’t be afraid to ask your author friends for help, and never be afraid to step up and offer your help to them. Remember, this is a two way street.

Bottom line: It’s nice to know that people have your back and the camaraderie found in this profession is unparalleled to anything you’ll find anywhere else – except maybe the armed forces, but that’s like comparing apples and bananas and one of the golden rules when writing is to never mix your metaphors.  

Book Title: Jilted
Author: Kara Leigh Miller
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 9.15.2013
Length: 49K
Heat Rating: Hot

Book Blurb:

Amy and Brett have been friends since they were kids; and their friendship has withstood the test of time. But can it withstand Brett's fiancée, Vanessa?

Brett Hudson has often wondered what it would be like to be more than Amy's friend, but when he's chosen as the newest professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, he meets Vanessa, one of the shows costume designers and it's a whirlwind romance that ends in a wedding proposal. As the big day draws closer, Brett begins to think that marrying Vanessa might be a bad idea. She wants him to give up Amy. Completely. Will he give up his best friend for the woman he's supposed to marry?

Amy King is heartbroken to learn that Brett is marrying another woman. But, when Brett is jilted at the altar, he begs Amy to go on his honeymoon with him. A week on a tropical island with her best friend, the man she's fantasized about for years is a dream come true for Amy. But when Brett suggests crossing the line from friends to lovers, Amy is reluctant. Will she risk years of friendship for one night of passion?

Buy Links:

Amazon: Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

"It's because you go for the wrong type of guy," Brett said matter-of-factly, pouring a third shot down his throat. "Those muscle bound jocks are all bark and no bite. They look good on the outside, but they're a mess on the inside."

Amy threw a piece of ice at him and laughed. "And the goody two shoes, school teacher types you date are much better?"

"Nope." He grinned. "Which is why we're both still single."

She sighed. "Yeah, so much for my dream of having kids."

"You're young. I'm sure you'll find someone." He drank his last shot and chased it with his beer.

"I'm thirty, Brett. By the time I find a man, date him, and get married, I'll be an old hag with no viable eggs."

The thought of Amy finding a man to marry and have kids with didn't sit well with him. He couldn't stomach the thought of losing her. "I'll tell you what." He leaned across the table and pointed at her. "Three years from now, if neither of us are married, I'll marry you and give you as many babies as you want." Brett's words were slurred. Yup. He was definitely drunk. He wouldn't have made that proposition otherwise.

"Yeah right." Amy rolled her eyes. "You and me? That would be like fucking my brother. Thanks, but no thanks."

He flinched at her words. "You think of me as your brother?" That bothered him a lot more than it should, especially considering he'd never once thought of her as a sister.

She shrugged. "We're best friends. How else would I think of you?" Amy glanced away, and then set her gaze on him again. "Why? How do you think of me?"

Oh shit! He hadn't expected the conversation to backfire on him like that. What was he supposed to tell her? That he thought of her as a best friend that he wanted to fuck? No, he definitely couldn't tell her that. "As a friend, I guess. I don't know. It's not like I sit around and think about how I should think of you. You're Amy."

"And you're drunk."

"Maybe a little." He grinned. "So, do we have a deal or what?"

Author Bio:

Kara is a multi-published romance author who dabbles in young adult, new adult, paranormal, and contemporary romances. However, her genre of choice will always be erotic romance. She's a member of the CNY Writers Haven and the Romance Writers of America. Writing is her passion and she loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with her fellow authors and her fans.

Today, Kara resides in Upstate New York with her husband, five kids, three cats, and two dogs. When she's not reading or writing, she's spending time with her family and friends.

Nothing excites Kara more than hearing from her fans. So, send her a note. She'll go total fan girl over it!

Social Media Links:

Website/Blog: www.karaleighmiller.com
Email: karaleighmiller@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaraLeighMiller
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KaraLeighMiller 

Book Title: Halo's Wish
Author: Sharon Kleve
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Christmas Romance
Release Date: 9.15.2013
Length: 11K
Heat Rating: Sweet

Book Blurb:

Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.

 Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted.

 Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.

 Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both for Christmas?

Buy Links:
Amazon: Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

She'd just placed another call through to Pemsky's office, which went straight to his voicemail, when the office door opened. Halo smiled and looked up into dreamy, gold-flecked green eyes, short sandy brown hair, a slight cleft chin, and full lips set in a hard line. Even with the stern look he had on his face, her hormones jumped into overdrive.

Mr. Dreamy cleared his throat—she must've been staring. In her most professional voice she said, "Good morning. How may I help you?"

He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and unfolded the sheet.

"I was parked in front of the Beacon Hill Ale House and my driver's side mirror was sideswiped by one of Pemsky's Security's SUV's Friday night."

Halo loved the Beacon Hill Ale House. Every Saturday night the Ale House allowed local bands to jam together. That's where she'd met her last loser boyfriend. She'd had a lot of loser boyfriends. She's currently on a hiatus from dating, but she wouldn't mind jumping back into the dating game for this dream-boat.

He handed her the piece of paper.

"I wasn't able to get a look at the driver, but I got the license plate number of the vehicle that hit my car and drove away."

He emphasized the last part.

"I'm very sorry about your car. I'm sure Mr. Pemsky will be happy to cover the damage." Halo checked the company log and Pemsky's name popped up as the driver—she gulped.

Author Bio:

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.

Sharon is a writer of paranormal and contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other's arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.

When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels.

Social Media Links:
Email: sharon.kleve@yahoo.com
Blog: http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonrkleve
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKleve
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5399389.Sharon_Kleve
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-kleve/56/ab/691/

Rafflecopter Giveaway Info:

Prizes:

• One (1) Winner will receive a $25 gift card to a book seller of their choice
• One (1) Winner will receive Kara Leigh Miller's complete backlist, which includes five novellas and two full-length books
• One (1) Winner will receive Sharon Kleve's complete backlist, which includes six books
• Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Kara Leigh Miller's, Death of a Waterfall
• Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Sharon Kleve's, Love Crazed

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- Contest Starts 00:01EST September 15, 2013 and Ends 12:59EST October 16, 2013 and open to International participants.

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