Author: Skye McNeil

Sunrise Sunburn Sunset

July is nearly over in the great state of Iowa. I don’t know how your summer’s been, but mine’s been extremely busy. In case you didn’t know, book 2 of Collegiate Peaks series, St. Elmo, released on July 10, 2018. If you haven’t snagged that e-book yet, I’ll include the links at the end of this post.

St. Elmo Goodreads TBR

I had my first official web chat with my publisher, Hot Tree Publishing. She’s amazing FYI. During our chat, we discussed my up and coming books for the next year-ish. My initial debut of book 1 in the Atlas Series, Hearts Abroad, was announced recently.

Hearts Abroad Goodreads TBR

I’m very excited for this millionaire series and I hope you will be too. I have an end of August deadline that I gave myself for book 2 in the series. Currently regretting that, but I like deadlines–no, I need them–in order to stay on track with my writing. Right now, I have 3 books in mind for the series. I’m a bit fond of that number when it comes to books in a series.

During the chat, we also decided to make the release of Hearts Abroad a little longer, which is why the release date isn’t until February 2019. Hopefully, this will give us a chance to get in with some bigger reviewers with printed ARCs and allow for more publicity. Really crossing my fingers.

Current projects
1. Editing book 2 in the Atlas series. Kind of debating changing the name since I’ve deviated from the original story I penned. We shall see.
2. (Should be) Writing book 3 in the Collegiate Peaks series. It’s about 45% handwritten. I may have abandoned my MCs in the Colorado Rockies a few months ago. I wonder how they’re doing….
3. (Should be) Writing book 3 in the Mobster Files. Also, book 4, which is Rayna and Quinn’s story.

Upcoming Events
1. I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in West Des Moines this Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 11AM-2PM along with two of my writing buddies. Should be a good time.
2. Romance Rendezvous at Hilton Garden in Cedar Falls August 25, 2018 from 1-5PM. Tons of new romance authors to bond with 🙂

Well, that should wrap up my summer. I’m sure I’ll be busy this fall too. Right now, I see a Maroon 5 concert and trip to Disney World in the autumn months. I better get back to work or I won’t make that end of August deadline 😉

~Skye

St. Elmo Links
Amazon: St. Elmo ebook
B&N: St. Elmo ebook

2018 Sizzling Summer Reads

It’s summer! Okay, well maybe not officially, but in Iowa it’s pretty darn close. To celebrate, I’m participating in Sizzling Summer Reads. The event is from June 1, 1200am EST to June 30, 1159pm EST. There are over 100 authors involved and that means TONS of prizes and giveaways. Win-win situation all around. Be sure to check out their Facebook pages and websites as well as enter to win.

http://www.theromancereviews.com

All right, now for the hint for my Q&A. Here’s my blurb for Appointed By Fate. The answer is in here…

One of Iowa’s most prominent criminal attorneys, Joci Dorous is ruthless and devoid of emotion in the courtroom. It’s what makes her the best. Her most recent client allegedly committed murder and, despite a rocky start, Joci is determined to win Cameron Shearer’s case.

Since this is her first homicide, she has the support of a second-chair attorney—her ex who wants her back. To make things more complicated, her hunky cop of a booty call, Cameron’s arresting officer, isn’t quite ready to let her go either. Who knew being surrounded by three hot guys could be so deliciously exhausting?

As the mystery of the case unravels, she soon discovers the true reason behind Cameron’s impromptu visit to Iowa. It’s this knowledge that endangers all those she holds dear. Caught up in confusion, chaos, and criminal law, how will her heart survive the final verdict?

Hopefully, you find the answer & win!! Good luck!

Review of One Last Heist by Dahlia Donovan

A Memorial Day treat for you today. Many thanks to HTPubs for the opportunity to review an ARC of a superb novel by Dahlia Donovan. Review below.

Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: One Last Heist
Genre: Gay Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 26, 2018
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Soxsational Cover Art
Cover Model: Stuart Reardon
Photographer: FuriousFotog
Add to TBR
 On sale now for half price! 
All other links: books2read.com/last-heist
One last heist.
It should’ve been easy. Crack a safe, steal from a villain, and go on vacation. The last thing Mack and Toshiro expect is to descend into a nightmare of betrayal.
Mack Ueda-Easton loves three things: his husband, heists, and his odd family of friends. He lives life on the edge. The only cloud on his horizon is the degenerative disease stealing his sight.
Toshiro Ueda-Easton tries to juggle his husband, his autistic sister, his interfering mother, and all of their heists. He knows they’re spiraling out of control and the journey they’re travelling can’t last.
What neither of them expect is to get catapulted straight into a dangerous conspiracy. They’re now in a race to come out on top. If they fail, the consequences are unimaginable.

As a first time M/M romance reader, I was impressed.
This heist doesn’t go as planned. I won’t give too much away because it’s a ride that kept me flipping pages. Let’s just say, you don’t see the ending coming.
I adore the give and take of these characters. Tosh and Mack were made for each other in more ways than one. Their backstories are incredible and flow perfectly into the present day story. I also fell for Dom and Charlie. Those two are adorable, sass and all. Overall, these characters have depth and were well-written. Highly recommend. This was my first Dahlia Donovan novel and it certainly won’t be the last.

 On sale for half price! 
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

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Heart’s Prey by Natalina Reis

Author: Natalina Reis
Title: Heart’s Prey
Genre: Sci-fi
Release Date: May 19, 2018
Cover Designer: Deranged Doctor Design
Editor: Jen Chichester
Add to TBR
 Available now! 
Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA
Barnes & Noble | Kobo
The world Jia and Cees knew no longer exists. Amidst chaos and terror, they find each other and fall in love—a love that goes against all castes’s rules. As their civilization is ravaged by genetically-altered beasts, the caste system relied upon for ages crumbles. The privileged and wealthy are just as vulnerable to the onslaught as are the disadvantaged. 
Faced with impossible odds and unsettling secrets about their society, Jia and Cees must decide which part of their dying world to take with them and what they should leave behind. As they travel in search of a safe haven, they face unspeakable horrors, which shake deep-rooted beliefs and their old way of life. 

Will they look past prejudice and centuries-old traditions to join forces against annihilation? Or will they give in to society’s pressure and fight alone?

Jia came from behind the containers, and Cees stopped moving. Around her, wrapping her like a giant halo, was a bright red aura. It was the first time he had a glimpse of her aura, and it took him by storm. She was angry, very angry, but there was more to her feelings. They held a restless energy, a passion that gave him pause. He held his breath and watched her walk across the space toward him. Jia was a small woman, only reaching up to his chest. Slender and beautiful. Sure, it was not the first time he noticed, but her aura now beckoned him with an all-powerful pull.



Cees wanted to draw her so badly, his hands began shaking. He bent down to get his backpack and retrieve his pencils and notebook.


“What are you doing?” she asked curiously, her hand resting loosely on her waist.

He had slid down along the wall and was now sitting, his knees drawn up to support his notebook. “Drawing you.” His eyes studied her from top to bottom.
Jia looked uncomfortable. “Why?”
Cees bit the top of his pencil. “That’s what I do. You’re very pretty, you know?”
Her face turned scarlet. Funny, she didn’t seem the kind of girl who would be embarrassed by flattery.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram
Natalina wrote her first romance at the age of 13 in collaboration with her best friend, Susana. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes. She’s the author of seven romance novels that reflect the amazing diversity of humankind and the universal power of love.
After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she’s taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.
Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.

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Rescue Me Submissions

Exonerated with Love Release Day

Holy guacamole! It’s release day!! If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m obsessed with GIFs. Don’t judge. They’re awesome. If you know me, you realize why I had to use Adam 😉

via GIPHY

So, Exonerated with Love is LIVE!! That means, get your Kindles and Nooks out and start reading. Like the feel and smell of paperbacks better? It’s all good. We have those too.

With Cameron unable to break his ties to the mafia and a stranger emerging to threaten their already tumultuous relationship, will Joci and Cameron’s love be strong enough to survive? Find out in Exonerated with Love by Skye McNeil today!
➟Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ClKSEl

➟Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EJsSsQ

➟Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2ClJHoj

➟Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2ErjOFI

➟Kobo: http://bit.ly/Exonerated_Kobo

➟iTunes: https://apple.co/2Cnk3PX

➟Nook: http://bit.ly/2C31rt7

#mafiaromance #romanticsuspense
➡Book 1 is on sale for half price!
➟Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2w4UaSs

➟All links: books2read.com/fate

As promised, what release day feels like for an author. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!! Okay, there are sooooo many adjectives I could use to describe the feelings coursing through my body today. Here’s what happens. From the time you pry those eyelids open, your phone blows up the entire day (hasn’t happened since high school) and you pray to God your family hasn’t read the risqué scenes yet. Probably impossible, but hey, a girl can dream, right?

Next, you freak out when you see all the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Because who doesn’t love seeing how people feel about your book baby?! Some are good, some are meh, but they’re reviews and reviews are a book’s lifeline on release day. It allows new and potential readers know if the book is worth their purchase (it totally is, by the way). After I successfully drink 5 cups of coffee with something extra of course, I thank all the wonderful blogs and people who’re sharing the crap out of my book.

With hands shaky from all that caffeine, next I try to get some housework done because I realize the tomorrow is my daughter’s 8th birthday. (Hmm, did I wrap presents?) Anyways, more online chatting, stressing about reviews, and general nerding out and it’s time for LIVE videos. Dear God, I’m not much of a video person. I’ll be posting a few today, so if I have a deer in the headlights look, please know my stomach is flipping and I’m sweating. Yeah, nervous as hell.

FFWD to after the videos, clamoring fans, and second-guessing myself. Release day is over. Or is it? Never fear, the festivities last for about a week, so there’s plenty of time to soak it all in.

What I’m trying to tell you is, authors are normal people too. I’m one of the introverted ones, so I have a love-love-cringe-love feeling on all the attention, but I so adore my fans and readers that it’s worth getting out of my cozy bubble to make release day for Exonerated with Love a success.

Since the day could go a few different directions, I’ll leave you with this moving promise from Adam because I don’t have a GIF of Cameron Shearer….yet. Hey, Hollywood, let’s work on that 😉
~Skye~

via GIPHY

Exonerated with Love Release Week

The time has come….it’s RELEASE WEEK!!!!!! I’m throwing confetti, but you can’t see it.

via GIPHY

If you haven’t been following on Facebook (do it), I’ve been VERY busy this last week. My publisher, Hot Tree Publishing, had an Author Spotlight on me and there was a giveaway on my FB page. (See you should’ve been following me 😉 ) I also raced around the globe doing guest posts on blogs and general promotions. If you missed any of my articles, I’ve included the links below. Over the next few weeks, I’ll also be on several more blogs, so be on the lookout!

With release day being this Saturday, April 14, I’ll be online most of the day. Since you follow my blog, you’re the first to hear, I’ll also be doing a GIVEAWAY of a signed copy of Exonerated with Love aka the book that’s releasing. The catch? You have to watch my LIVE videos on Saturday and participate. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun 😉 My dogs will most likely take over because they’re adorable like that.

Ever wonder what release week feels like for an author? Basically, you’re a giant ball of anxiety, excitement, and panic. There’s a weird adrenaline rush you get on release day, though.

What does release day feel like? You’ll just have to check back on Saturday. I’ll fill you in 😉
~Skye~

Guest posts you don’t want to miss:

Bad Boys, Why They’re Redeemable https://www.hottreepublishing.com/so/bMAR00eP#/main

Love Triangles: Love Them or Hate Them? https://www.hottreepublishing.com/so/2MAADR5P?cid=cfcd7968-5553-4c04-9e3d-c55c0f41c1a6&region=8151a6be-ad23-4f6f-b6fa-8a28a1789083#/main

Creating A Character: Cameron Shearer https://fit-and-beautiful-heart-reads.blogspot.de/2018/04/guest-post-creating-character-cameron.html

Juggling Jobs https://heysaidrenee.blogspot.com/2018/04/juggling-jobs.html

Review: A Whole New Life by Sheri Velarde

 

Title: A Whole New Life
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 24, 2018
Cover Designer: Soxsational Cover Art
Add to TBR
On sale for 99c!
All other links: books2read.com/whole
A handsome deputy who’s not looking to settle down.
A mysterious woman who’s on the run.
When Deputy Henri Gunther realizes there’s so much more to waitress Jenna Trippleton, his simple small-town life explodes right open. With her safety and freedom at stake, Jenna must decide whether she can put her trust in the one man who’s promised to protect her.

 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Of course, I’m a sucker for anything mafia (if you hadn’t noticed from my own books) so this story piqued my interest. Being from Iowa and familiar with Pella, I was pleasantly surprised of how Sheri portrayed Iowans. Naturally, we have super hot cops like Henri. He was probably my favorite part of the story and I’ll share a pizza with anytime 😉 Overall, the story was well written and kept the reader engaged. Looking forward to more from this author.

Sheri Velarde lives in New Mexico with her husband and their two dogs.
Being an avid reader since an early age, Sheri wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been writing all her life, but only recently started to pursue her dream of writing for a living. Sheri specializes in all things paranormal and that go bump in the night. Her heart truly lies in exploring unknown worlds or adding the supernatural to our world. If it goes bump in the night or has magical connotations, Sheri writes about it. She writes everything from sweet romances to horror stories sure to scare you.
In her spare time Sheri is an artist, jewelry designer, independent comic writer/artist and freelance non-fiction writer. Hiking in the mountains, going to live concerts, art openings, museums, watching movies, playing games, and hosting intimate dinner parties.
Sheri is constantly putting out new material with various publishers, so it is best to keep up with her on her website www.authorsherivelarde.weebly.com.
Rescue Me Submissions

Exonerated with Love Cover Reveal & Pre-order

It’s the weekend!!!!!! Best part of the week in my opinion. Okay, so here’s the skinny: Exonerated with Love has a GORGEOUS cover. Oh, but wait, there’s more. It’s currently on pre-order for half price!! Yep, you read that right. Be sure to 1-click on Amazon, add to your Goodreads TBR pile, and share this good news so more readers can fall in love with Cameron and Joci. All the details are below. Go crazy 😉

Skye McNeil’s ‘Exonerated with Love’ releases April 14th. Preorder now for #halfprice!

Can second chances really exist for a bad boy mobster and the only woman to ever steal his heart?

There’s a hit out on Cameron Shearer’s life, his mafia ties dragging him down the path of darkness once more. After a harrowing meeting, he discovers no one ever stays dead when you’re in the mafia. Determined not to lose the only woman he’s loved, Cameron turns to the Del Rossi mob for one last favor. Unfortunately for him, the ending may not be as happy as he once hoped.

Joci Dorous has it all. She’s happy, engaged, and just started her own law firm with her best friend. Everything appears perfect, until she discovers a suspicious trail of money in her business accounts and her once dutiful fiancé suddenly turns as shady as his mob boss. When strangers clash amid mobs, Joci is left to decipher who her heart truly belongs to.

Amazon US: amzn.to/2ClKSEl
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2EJsSsQ
Amazon CA: amzn.to/2ClJHoj
Amazon AU: amzn.to/2ErjOFI
Kobo: bit.ly/Exonerated_Kobo
iTunes: apple.co/2Cnk3PX
Nook: bit.ly/2C31rt7

#Exonerated_Reveal #SkyeMcNeil #HTPubs #preorder
TBR: www.goodreads.com/book/show/37980892-exonerated-with-love

***PUBLISHING NEWS***

I have some exciting news for you all! Check out that image! Wow, so in love <3 Make sure you add Exonerated with Love to Goodreads!

After falling in love with Cameron in Appointed by Fate, we’re excited to announce he’ll be back in April 2018, in The Mobster Files book 2, Exonerated with Love by Skye McNeil.

Can second chances really exist for a bad boy mobster and the only woman to ever steal his heart?

TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/…/s…/37980892-exonerated-with-love

There’s a hit out on Cameron Shearer’s life, his mafia ties dragging him down the path of darkness once more. After a harrowing meeting, he discovers no one ever stays dead when you’re in the mafia. Determined not to lose the only woman he’s loved, Cameron turns to the Del Rossi mob for one last favor. Unfortunately for him, the ending may not be as happy as he once hoped.

Joci Dorous has it all. She’s happy, engaged, and just started her own law firm with her best friend. Everything appears perfect, until she discovers a suspicious trail of money in her business accounts and her once dutiful fiancé suddenly turns as shady as his mob boss. When strangers clash amid mobs, Joci is left to decipher who her heart truly belongs to.

Remember, Remember, it’s November

It’s my favorite time of the year again! From October to December, I love it! The hubbub, decorations, family gatherings, etc. It’s fabulous in my mind. Although, it could be because of my birthday too….. 😉
So, Appointed By Fate has been out and about for a little over a month. I’ve been to two author events (Beaverdale Books & Plain Talk Books & Coffee) and hope to sneak some more in before the end of the year. Reviews are trickling in on Amazon and Goodreads, so if you’ve read the book, but forgot to leave a review, DO IT (pretty please).
Thus far, I’ve had a plethora (yeah, that’s one of my catch phrases) of requests to spill the beans about Book 2 in The Mobster Files. Well, I can tell you this: it’s been submitted to Hot Tree Publishing and they’re reviewing it as we sip our coffee & avoid work on Monday 😉 That’s all I’m at liberty to say….right now…….

In other book news:
If you haven’t seen a calendar yet, it’s November! November means NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)!! Basically, the goal is to write a 50k novel in one month. Crazy, I know, but I absolutely LOVE it! It’s an adrenaline rush and a panic attack at the same time. I’m about 15k into my story As Londyn Falls. If you’d like a synopsis or stalk to my progress, check out my NaNo page https://nanowrimo.org/participants/skyemcneil . I’m very excited to see where this story takes me. It’s the first of a new series. Each book will be a standalone. There may be some cross-over, but nothing that will make the books impossible to read separately.

All right, well, I should stop procrastinating and begin typing my NaNoWriMo story to get my words in for the day. I’ll leave you with a sexy teaser from Appointed By Fate 😉
www.books2read.com/fate