Cover Indecision

There’s a little bit of cover flutter going on in the Fox household these days. I have a happy announcement to make. My first novel, Slide Job (formerly Lion Tamers) is now available again. Yay!!

Which leads me to my next issue. If any of you out there have read it, please chime in. I do value your opinions. I love the shiny new cover. However, I’m not sure it accurately reflects the story.

Here’s the current cover with the white background.

Another issue with this cover, is that as a series, there seems to
be a derriere shortage. Who knew? There aren't enough different ones that fit the format correctly. I guess they could use the same
girl and change the colors, etc. but I'm not sure I like that idea.

And here’s the cover that I really like. But I’ve been told it’s not girlie enough. That romance readers won’t buy it. This is where you come in. Really?

My quandary is that I feel the current cover is a bit misleading in the way that having a half-dressed (although lovely) lady on the cover, would lead one to believe that there’s lots of hot sex. Well, there is some hot sex, but there’s more sexual tension and action, than sex. The title could be misleading also, Slide Job is a racing term, but I've had the occasional snicker that tells me people weren't thinking about racing when they looked at it. Not only that, the white makes me think of a light and airy story. If you've read it, you know it’s not. I don’t do light and airy. So again, I’m lead to the red one.

But ultimately, your opinion matters as well. What do you think? Red or white? Or do you even worry about the cover when you buy a book?

Traveling Romance

It's Monday, and I'm over at Through Heart-Shaped Glasses talking about travel and romance.

 

 

 

If you're looking for another way to procrastinate around the interwebs, come on over and check it out. Don't forget, every comment is entered in a monthly drawing to win some cool swag!

 

Bikers and Pearls by Vicki Wilkerson

Today (yes, Tuesday instead of Monday. Houseguests. Don't ask.) it's my pleasure to post my review of Bikers and Pearls by Vicky Wilkerson. It's a new release in Entangled Publishing's Bliss line and it's the best one I've read yet. Here's the blurb and my review!

Blurb:

Who said tempting a sweet Southern belle would be easy?

BUY IT HERE

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton gets tangled up with pastel-and-pearls-clad April Church, sparks fly. Sure, April would clearly rather work with anyone else, but if teaming up with Bull means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it.

April is baffled at how drawn she is to the leather-wearing, tattooed Bull—he just doesn’t fit with her simple, safe, country-club life. And as much as the handsomely rugged man tempts her, she still can’t shake the images of the tragic motorcycle accident from her past, which left her scarred and her father broken.

Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to resist her attraction to the wild side and keep her exploits hidden from her small town. Will they be able to navigate their differences and find a middle road to love?

My Review:

First and foremost, this is a heartwarming love story. If you love motorcycles you should read this book. If you hate motorcycles you should read this book. It reminds us of all there is to gain if we can find the courage to face not only our fears, but be willing to deal with our judgmental, self-righteous attitudes about other people for the greater good. Most everyone has valid reasons for the way they feel, but the willingness to be open to change is a beautiful thing.

Kudos to Ms. Wilkerson for writing a fabulous addition to the Bliss line. The conflict is very clear and believable as are the characters. The small town setting and the backdrop of everyone wanting to help a very sick little boy rounds out the story perfectly.

I can easily say this is the best Bliss book I’ve read yet. It’s a very sweet, very satisfying romance with a lovely HEA. I highly recommend it.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wishing you much success with this outstanding story, Vicki!

Ten Quickies with Maddie Burch

Welcome, everyone! Today I'm honored to share our Ten Quickies with Maddie Burch. She's the heroine of Ingrid Seymour's new release, The Guys Are Props Club.
 
There's awesome swag to be had on this blog tour, and my review is posted at the end, so read on!

BUY IT HERE

1. Mountains or Beaches?

Beaches. I grew up in Arizona and love the sun and the heat!

2. Early Morning or Late Night?

Early morning. I like going for a quick run

3. High Heels or Sneakers?

I'll have to go with sneakers. I walk a lot while I'm on shift at the hospital. I need something comfy.

4. Summer or Winter?

Again, I'll have to go with the sun and the heat: Summer. The sun just makes me feel alive.
5. Wine or Chocolate?

Chocolate. I love chocolate chip cookies, and I must admit that when I was still mourning David, I ate way too much chocolate ice cream

6. Pen or Laptop?

Pen. My laptop sucks. I can't afford a better one. It's slow. My pen is way more efficient!

7. Sports Car or Motorcycle?
I ride the bus. Don't own a car. If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with a Sports Car. A little safer. I'm a chicken.

8. Tea or Coffee?

Coffee for sure. I love those k-cups and spend way too much money on them :|

9. Appetizer or Dessert?

Dessert. Anything with chocolate in it. Yum!
10. Kindle or Paperback?

Still stuck in paperback. I want to feel the pages in my hands.

Here's the blurb:

During her senior year in high school, Maddie Burch promised herself not to ever fall for a cute guy – or any guy – again. Cute guys are players and not to be trusted, a fact she learned the hard way when her first boyfriend ran her heart through a paper shredder. Two years later, her promise is still intact, and she’s determined to make it through college without falling victim to another creep. She has her job, school and The Guys Are Props Club to keep her mind and hormones in check.

The club was founded by Jessica, Maddie’s best friend. It is a sisterhood of girls who have fallen prey to heartless jerks and who have vowed to turn the tables. Once a semester, Jessica requires members to “do onto others as they’ve done unto you.” Setting the example, Jessica’s next play is Sebastian Capello, a theater major with heartthrob looks and a flair for Latin dance, whose heart she plans to break the way hers was once broken.

What the friends don’t know is that Sebastian is different. Despite his perfect looks and popularity, he’s not a jerk. He doesn’t play games to get his way. Instead, he keeps it real and goes after what he wants with honest intentions. And what he wants is not a bombshell like Jessica, but a down-to-earth girl like Maddie – even if it causes a riff in the girl’s friendship. Even if it means getting Maddie to break her personal vow.

*** Due to language and sexual situations this book is recommended for ages 17 and older.

About the Author:  

 

Ingrid Seymour loves, loves, loves to write. Her favorite genres are Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Her debut novel “The Guys Are Props Club” is an NA contemporary romance which she immensely enjoyed writing. Her favorite outings involve a trip to the library or bookstore where she immediately gravitates toward the YA section. She’s an avid reader and fangirl of many amazing books. She’s sure that one day she’ll see one of her books made into a movie. She likes to dream big ;)

Website www.ingridseymour.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IngridSeymourAuthor
Twitter http://twitter.com/Ingrid_Seymour
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/IngridSeymour/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4052093.Ingrid_Seymour

 

Check out this awesome Tour-wide giveaway: 

Grand Prize: Kindle Fire (US/Can/UK only) with The GAP Club / Equivalent Amazon GC if INTL

Second Prize: signed paperback (INTL)

Here's the link to enter: Rafflecopter

And last but not least, here's my review:

 

I believe fans of this genre will really enjoy this story. It’s beautifully written and edited, and the characters are so lifelike you could say you’ve met people just like them.

Maddie Burch has been betrayed more than once by people who claim to love her. It’s no surprise that she’s not interested in relationships of any kind. But honestly, in a college environment can you ever escape relationships? Not really.

When she’s caught between her friend, Jessica, and the dreamy, Sebastian, sparks fly and things get quickly out of her control.

I think that’s what I loved about this story. When you have classes, roommates and friends you have to deal with them. It was a pleasure watching things spin out of control for Maddie, and then watching her grow to realize that as her own woman she could make things happen. Even though sometimes they were painful, she worked hard to move forward and make good choices.

If you love new adult romance, I’d highly recommend this book.

Thank you for taking the time to stop at Fox Tales. Wishing you much success with your book!