Book Blitz: Catching Liam by Sophia Bleu

It's here, it's here, it's here! Our very own Sophia Bleu's debut New Adult novel Catching Liam is available now!

As part of the Book Blitz, we have Liam's waffle recipe.

Liam’s “Caught You” Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups warm milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

Secret ingredient #1: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Secret ingredient #2: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions

This recipe will make about 10-12 waffles. The perfect amount to impress any roommates that straggle in, or to feast on if you’ve pulled an all-nighter.

1. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature. I like it really hot. I know, I know. That’s what she said. Now would be a good time to make sure you push the iron far enough back on the counter to avoid any burns through accidental contact of your hands...or other areas.

2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar, and I do mean sift. Don’t just throw it all in the bowl. You have to give it a little attention. Mix it up a little. Don’t just set it aside.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Here’s my trick. If your girl’s still sleeping, separate the eggs first. Whip the egg whites like they’ve been naughty until soft peaks form. Stir in the milk, yolks, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Mix together until combined, but don’t overdo it. Too much attention and they’ll come out tough instead of crisp and slightly chewy.

4. Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Don’t get burned. Cook the waffles until golden. Refrain from getting distracted with extra-culinary activities.

5. Serve before she or the waffles get cold. 

 Here's a reminder about the book:



Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint.

Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.
“One of the swoon-worthiest male leads to date, Catching Liam is a sexy and sweet romance that stayed with me long after I finished the book. Completely unexpected. Move over Cam, because Liam is to drool for.” Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"A hot, heartbreaking and hopeful story that had me from the first steamy chapter. I'll never think about waffles or kilts the same way again..." - Chelsea M. Cameron, New York Times Bestselling Author of MY FAVORITE MISTAKE

"CATCHING LIAM will delight anyone with a pulse. Bleu gives us a confident yet vulnerable heroine matched with the perfect hero in sexy Scot Liam, who made me believe, if only for the duration of the book, that perfect men really exist. The two of them crack and pop with chemistry, sweetness, and the kind of anticipation that kept me turning pages until I ran out." - Lyla Payne, USA Today Bestselling Author of BROKEN AT LOVE

"Funny, sexy, and page turning...Sophia Bleu knows how to write a smoldering hot and emotional love story. Liam will top book boyfriend charts for sure!" - Julie Cross, International Bestselling Author of The TEMPEST series

GET CATCHING LIAM NOW AT THE FOLLOWING RETAILERS:

Amazon

Kobo 

iBookstore: Link coming soon

Nook

Sugar Sundays: Part Three

Find Part One here: http://thenaturalauthors.blogspot.com/2013/06/sugar-sunday-inaugural-post.html

And Two here: http://thenaturalauthors.blogspot.com/2013/07/sugar-sundays-part-2.html

And I hope everyone had a delicious weekend!

xoxo,

Lucy

            Carolina. That was Thieving Neighbor’s name, according to the note Theresa found stuck to her door the following morning. She was invited out for a scotch tasting that evening. This was going to completely undermine her policy of declining invitations from strangers. Then again, if more of her neighbors were willing to ply her with scotch, perhaps that rule would not have been created.

            She considered the wisdom of attending such an event with an untrustworthy character such as her neighbor. Then again, it had been some time since she had gone out. Also, her entire social crowd consisted of about three people. Theresa decided to attend, but not to wear any valuable jewelry.

            And so that evening, she found herself in an Irish pub downtown. Carolina was regaling her with story after story about band life, sexual conquests (of which there were an impressive number), and her family. Theresa was charmed despite herself. It didn’t hurt that Sugar figured into a good many of her new friend’s anecdotes.

            Another entertaining thing was the tasting itself. She had attended wine events before, and taken great pleasure in making up fake snobby descriptors. Scotch aficionados, however, took tasting notes to a new level. Thus far, various malts had been described as tasting of “fruity seaweed”, “pencil shavings”, and “hospital corridor”.

            “But enough about me. What about you? I know absolutely nothing,” Carolina was saying as Theresa tuned back in.

            “Well. Not much to tell. I own a small business as a virtual assistant. I work from home. I like Earl Grey tea. I don’t like animals.”

            Carolina stared at her. “Is that your online dating profile? Good grief, girl. No wonder you don’t get out much.”

            Theresa frowned. It was true that was almost word for word her online dating profile, and she had felt it summed her up nicely. It was also true that she had yet to get a date out of it.

            “Then what do you want to know?”

            “Like what you do for fun, what are your favorite books, why you picked that job, how you like our complex, why you’re so ridiculously reserved, and who are your celebrity crushes. For starters.”

            “Um. For fun? I like my job. I work a lot. Sometimes I go out. I like live music. Uh… I run? That can be fun.” Carolina looked alarmed at her descriptions of fun, except for a brief grin at the live music mention. “I like reading biographies. The psychology of famous people is interesting. I just finished one on Marie Antoinette. That was really good. You can’t borrow it, though,” she added hastily. She wasn’t risking any more of her things. “The complex is fine. I’m reserved for the same reason I picked my job. I don’t really love interacting with people. And celebrity-wise, the obvious answer is Benedict Cumberbatch.”

            Carolina started laughing. Her laugh was slightly maniacal, something Theresa was also beginning to find endearing, although that could have been the scotch. “You need to seriously loosen up. More scotch, my good man!” she called to their server. “We are definitely hanging out more often. And I have many books you are allowed to borrow. You know, for a fellow fan of the Batch and all.”

            Sheepish, Theresa smiled back. Loosening up was something she could schedule in occasionally. She sipped from the new glass the server dropped off.

            “Chimney soot,” she proclaimed.

            “Old newspaper,” Carolina said.

            “Oil paint.”

            “Horse blankets.” Both of them collapsed into tipsy giggles.

Back at home, alone, Theresa felt marvelous. She had successfully made a new friend. And she was still floaty from the liquor and the laughter. Theresa did not laugh terribly often. She was certain her face would be sore in the morning. Buoyed by booze, she whipped out her cell and sent Sugar a text.

You can come over if you want.

Hmm. Perhaps she was lacking a few social niceties. When he hadn’t responded five minutes later, Theresa had convinced herself this was the case. And her vibrator’s batteries were dead from the recent overuse. She sighed and started to get ready for bed. She was brushing her teeth in her silk camisole and panties when she heard the quiet knock on her front door. Toothbrush still in hand, she peeked through the peephole to see Sugar standing on her porch.

She opened the door and he almost pushed her over getting in.

“Sorry, sorry. Didn’t want my sister to see.”

Theresa had nearly forgotten how tall he was. She rose onto her tiptoes to look into those shockingly green eyes and just like that he was kissing her. His lips were so soft, but the pressure was intense. His tongue ran over her mouth gently until she let it touch hers. She kissed him back hard and knew she was in trouble. Because tongues that could do that could also do all sorts of other wicked things.

Several minutes later, they came up for air. Sugar’s arms were wrapped around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder as she tried to shake the dizziness his kisses had inspired. She took a deep breath and smelled his faint scent of juniper, vanilla, and pot. It was nice. Very nice. She licked his neck. He used those magnificent arms to pick her up entirely. She clenched her legs around his waist. "I want you so bad," he whispered in her ear, and then started nibbling on it. She could tell how bad, could feel it through the thin fabric of her underwear.

He carried her to the couch, lowered her until he was on top, pinning Theresa’s arms down as they kissed. Their hips rocked together. He released one arm to slide his hand down to her breasts. “God, you are so soft,” he murmured in her ear as he gently rubbed her nipple through the silk of her shirt. Theresa, as a general rule, did not speak during sex, so she stayed silent. His hand trailed down her stomach and slid underneath the elastic of her panties. He stroked her gently, slipping one finger into her wetness. "I want to watch myself moving in and out of you. I want to look you in the eyes when I make you come," he said. And Theresa, who wasn’t into dirty talk, found herself so turned on that she came right then.

Sugar waited until her trembling had subsided before he touched her gently and softly again. When she moaned, he fisted the fabric of her underwear and ripped it off. While she was still stunned and blinking from the sheer manliness of the act, he pulled off his jeans and boxer-briefs. He produced a condom from somewhere and rolled it on.

He just barely entered her, and then pulled it out to slide up and down. Eventually, Theresa couldn’t take it anymore. She tried to pull him deeper, but he pulled back. “Not until you beg,” he whispered gruffly. She considered.

“Please?” That was all it took to break his self-control and he slammed into her. She grabbed a handful of his hair, he gripped her waist so hard she knew she’d have bruises the next day. It didn’t take long until she could feel another climax building. He moved up to sit back on his heels and watch as he thrust against her. The look of raw hunger on his face put her over the edge. As the orgasm ripped through her body, he bared his teeth, growled, and came with her.

He collapsed on top of her. "That was... wow. That was amazing," Sugar finally said when their breathing began to slow.

“Mm hmm,” Theresa agreed. They kissed slowly, tongues dancing together, for several minutes before he slid out of her.

“I told myself I wasn’t going to do that. At least, I was going to take you out first.” He said as he pulled his jeans back on. Theresa just smiled. Ouch. Her face wasn’t the only sore spot she’d have in the morning.

Release Event: Damaged 2 by H.M. Ward

Title: DAMAGED 2
Author: H.M. WARD
Publisher: Laree Bailey Press
Release date: June 24, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800786-damaged-2
Amazon: http://amzn.to/10vsuzh

Book Description:

The steamy sequel to the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling New Adult novel DAMAGED by H.M. Ward.

Home isn't supposed to be dangerous, but for Sidney it is. Returning home means that she has to face her past. It's not just the man who hurt Sidney that makes it horrible, but the family that didn't believe her. They were dead to her, but now that her mom is really dying things seem different. It's a chance to set things right.

What Sidney doesn't realize is that she's dragging Peter into a collision course with his past. Peter must deal with the demons haunting him if he wants to move forward with Sidney. He's willing to give up everything for her, even wade deeper into his past life to help her move forward. But, Peter isn't sure if he can get over what happened to him in New York.

Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: Novel, ~325 pgs
Sequel to the Bestselling phenomenon DAMAGED


About the Author
NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, & WALL STREET JOURNAL Bestselling author H.M. Ward recently appeared in FORBES. Ward was also featured in the Washington Post for her debut novel. Romance series by H.M. Ward include Secrets, Scandalous, The Arrangement, and The Secret Life of Trystan Scott.

Author social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHMWard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hmward ; @hmward
Blog: http://Blog.DemonKissed.com

Excerpt:



Tension lines Peter’s neck and shoulders. His jaw shifts from side to side, like the conversation he just had pissed him off. His eyes flick up from the floor and meet mine. “My brother’s an asshole.”

I smile at him. “So is mine.”

Peter watches me for a moment and sighs. He runs his hands through his hair and stretches. The anger that was there washes away, but it’s not totally gone. “I need to tell you something.” The way he says it makes my stomach dip. The tone, and the way he looks away from me, sends a shiver down my spine.

Peter takes my hands and pulls me over to the couch. At first we’re seated next to each other and he’s holding my hand, but it’s like he can’t sit still. Peter is up and on his feet a few moments later, pacing. Every few seconds he tries to tell me something, but can’t choose the right words.

Peter makes an aggravated sound in the back of his throat. When he turns and looks at me, I know there’s something wrong. His dark brows lift and bunch together as his lips part. He stares at me for a moment, and then manages, “I didn’t want to bring this up, not now, but you need to know something about me.” He swallows hard and looks away.

I push off the couch and walk over to him. “You can tell me anything.” When I touch his arm, Peter jumps. It makes me nervous. Why is he acting this way? I grin at him. “You’re not the one who put the squirrel outside the bathroom window, are you?”

Peter snorts a surprised laugh and looks over at me. He takes me in his arms and pulls me to his chest. It feels so good, so safe.

He kisses the top of my head and says, “Do you know anything about the Ferro family?”

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Cover Re-Reveal: CATCHING LIAM

      Sometimes in life things fall into place at the exact right moment. Other times they fall into place at the exact wrong moment. You know the one. The moment when you're pulling out your hair and screaming at the sky and telling serendipity to go f--- herself. Because if you think karma is a bitch, her sister serendipity is a know-it-all.
   
     When I was searching for the cover for Catching Liam, I looked at hundreds of stock images before I landed on the one you see pictured to your right (if you're reading this on posting day, if not, see previous statement about serendipity). I really loved that picture. It made a beautiful cover, but something about it never felt quite right. It looked very serious and deep and slightly dark, and while Liam has some heavier moments, the original cover never really captured the feel of the book.
   
     Earlier this week, I was buying stock for some promo ads and I stumbled across the perfect picture. Not only did it convey the feel of the book, but I thought it was actually Jillian and Liam in the photo. But I had a perfectly good cover that was up on goodreads and loaded into amazon and ... Serendipity.    

      So without further ado, the new cover of Catching Liam:

Cover Reveal: Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

THE APOLLO ACADEMY by Kimberly P. Chase
Launches: 8.6.13

Cover Art by Cliff Nielsen

ABOUT: As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

Early praise for The Apollo Academy:
"I am obsessed with this book! Suspenseful, sexy, and just a great read!" -Cora Carmack, New York Times Bestselling author of LOSING IT.

“Exquisite worldbuilding, thrilling suspense, and a sexy flight instructor! Chase’s exciting debut novel is one you don’t want to miss.” - K.A.Tucker, Author of Ten Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie
Add The Apollo Academy to your GoodReads Shelf!

AND WE'RE ALSO REVEALING THE BOOK TRAILER! 
About the author:

Kimberly P. Chase holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let's not forget—kissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, four-year-old son, and two dogs. 

website: www.kimberlypchase.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyPChase
twitter: https://twitter.com/kpchase817

WAIT! THERE'S EVEN MORE AWESOME....AN APOLLO ACADEMY SWAG BAG IS UP FOR GRABS! ENTER BELOW:

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Why is Canada So Sexy?

Is it the bacon? The snuggle weather? The maple syrup? The accent?

Well, since it's Canada Day, I thought I'd explore the crazy sexiness of Canada by interviewing one of its most luscious inhabitants: our own gorgeous Tamara Mataya.

Many of you might know her as Feaky Snucker. And you might even know that she's a kickass writer repped by Marisa Cleveland or that the poor dear is currently homeless and jobless because a flood wiped out her entire town, including the library where she worked. 

But let's get to the important stuff.

1) Feaky, why is sex hotter in Canada?

Because I'M here. *smacks own ass*

Good point. OK, the rest of the world might not realize how hot Canadians really are, but...

Born in Ontario

Born in British Columbia

2) So Choose two Canadians to be stuck in the hot tub with. (I call the Ryans. I'm not sharing. Well, maybe with you.)

Ooo! The two firemen who gave up their places on the forklift for my colleagues and I when rescuing us from the flood last Thursday. They could probably use a nice hot soak. I wouldn't even peek! Probably. Lies.

(She'd peek. I know her.)

3) Now concentrate. What is your favourite sexual position and why? (See, I made it Canadian by adding an extra letter to a word!)

Oh, Melanie. More 'u' is always delightful ;) The Sneaky Tractor.

(I will not tell you all how much time I spent googling the Sneaky Tractor. It is embarrassing.)

4) What is your favourite sexy book and why?

Any of the NAturals' books! But for non-biased, I'd say Karen Marie Moning's Fever series was hot as hell, but it also had plot. It's Urban Fantasy, and so far all books have held up in the series. No Second Book Syndrome. :)

I also loved Anais Nin's Diaries. Because they were REAL. It's hot that her fiction is remembered, but it's her LIFE that people really responded to. I know there was some tweaking, but you know what I mean.

5) What do you want people to know about Canada today?

Canada is sexy. No, really. We have more sex, and more adventurous sex than Americans, but with fewer teenage pregnancies and STD's. And that's hot.

Yes. Maybe even hotter than bacon.

Thank you, Tamara, for enlightening us on Canada Day! We are all thinking of you and hope you're able to get back in your home soon!

You can support Tamara by donating to Funds for Feaky in the sidebar. Being homeless, she can use all the kindness she can get. :)

sugar sundays- part 2

Happy Sunday, loves! I apologize for the brevity of this weekend's Sugar. Also for the lateness. My silly day job had me all tied up. I promise MOAR words next week, and also sexytimes.

If you missed the first installment, you can catch up here: http://thenaturalauthors.blogspot.com/2013/06/sugar-sunday-inaugural-post.html

Enjoy!

xoxo

Lucy

            Theresa was less than pleased. A client was paying her good money to revamp his website, but she found herself unable to concentrate. Each time she tried to think about graphics, she found her thoughts running towards the graphic. It had been a pleasant surprise to discover Sugar was not, in fact, a miscreant boyfriend. He was the brother the cake was intended for.

            He may have even had a name, but Theresa was not paying attention to anything beside the dimples.

            Except perhaps his arms. With biceps like those, what might his stomach look like? Or… further south? She slammed her laptop shut. This was a job for her vibrator. The graphics were not getting done today.

            Five embarrassingly short minutes later, the laptop was open again. Fonts. Something clean and classic, she thought. Like the font on Sugar’s t-shirt. It had stretched enticingly over his frame on the worn cotton. She could tell just how it would feel by looking at it. Warm, soft, a contrast to the cool skin beneath.

            Her hands would travel slowly beneath the hem, and over the ripples of abdominal muscle. As they moved upward, so would the shirt. She’d pull it off of him the rest of the way. She would only have a moment to gaze at his hard body before he’d pick her up with those wicked arms and ravage her against the wall of his sister’s house.

            The fonts were not getting done today.

            Theresa considered her options. She could take a cold shower. She could pull the vibrator out again. Perhaps a run, she thought. Surely just putting pants on would be a good start.

            Five impressively quick moments later, she was in workout gear and out the front door. As usual, running calmed Theresa down almost immediately. She settled into her rhythm. One foot after the other. A cool breeze blowing pleasantly across her sheen of perspiration. Another jogger on the sidewalk in front of her.

            A jogger with a gorgeously sculpted back. And really cool hair. Sugar. Sugar was jogging just in front of her. Theresa was no longer so calm. She sped up and passed him without glancing over. She was very impressed with herself.

            “Wait up!”

            She whipped her head back towards his voice. He put on a burst of speed and caught up to her.

            “You left so fast the other day. I was going to give you my number,” he said. Suddenly, Theresa’s breathlessness was no longer from her run.

            “I don’t have my phone on me,” she managed. He grinned at her, all dimples and mischief.

            “I was hoping I’d run into you soon, so I just wrote it down.” He slowed to a walk, reaching into his pocket to grab a folded piece of paper. She slowed long enough to grab it from his (rather large, she noted) hand before resuming her run, leaving Sugar behind. Yes, Theresa was feeling very impressed with herself.

            Which was why she didn’t feel bad when the vibrator made a second, and then third appearance at home later.