Big Reveal... the cover art for ICED ROMANCE!

Drum roll, please!

The cover art for my new novel ICED ROMANCE is here and I am in love! I finished what is probably my last round of edits this weekend for it, and I have to admit, this book is great! Much, much better than my first one! I really think I have improved as a writer and and editee (is that a word?). My editor must like me alot more on this book because I get that she is a genius and just trying to make my book that much more fun and readable.

Anyway... back to the cover art! I need your help! We have it down to two covers... and I would love your thoughts between the two. They are exactly the same, except cover 1 has a different dress and shoes than cover 2.

What do you think?








Cover 1: Dress more understated and hesitant, less glam.


Cover 2: Fabulousness embodied in the dress and shoes.


 

 

So... which is your favourite? I prefer the second one...I think. But, of course, this changes on a daily basis. :) Hourly. Minutely. I love both.

Thoughts?

ICED ROMANCE will be out in February 2013! Here is a bit about it!

Kennedy Carter has the perfect life. It includes an engagement to an NHL celebrity All-star, a
Vera Wang wedding dress, and more money than she could ever spend. But when she learns that her fiance Todd is cheating on her, she decides to leave the glamour and glitz behind.

She escapes to Orlando, Florida with a plan to rebuild her life while staying hidden from a country obsessed with celebrity scandals. The real world however, is tougher than she expected.Suddenly Kennedy has to deal with cockroaches, creepy alarm salesmen, and waiting tables... along with a gorgeous new love interest, David.

But what happens when the past refuses to stay hidden? When the truth of Kennedy’s background catches up to her, she must finally decide who she is, what she wants and where she
really belongs.

Book Review - LOCKED WITHIN by Paul Anthony Shortt

LOCKED WITHIN by Paul Anthony Shortt is set for release in November 2012, and I cannot wait for it to come out! This was an absolute thriller and kept me glued to the pages until the end!

I'm not gonna lie... I started the book on a Sunday afternoon when my husband and baby were having a nap, and I figured I would read for a half hour or so. Um... yeah right. When I finally came up for air, it was three hours later and then I was hooked and had to keep reading until I finished. I'm a bit of an addict that way.

 

What I loved about this book was that it is set in present day New York. You can smell the smells of New York (yummy street vendors!) and really lose yourself in the realism of it. And then, out of nowhere, it becomes a supernatural world. Now, I'm not talking Twilight... this is much more of a Vampire Diaries type book... darker, more realistic and emotional. It deals with vampires, soul eaters, witches and necromancers without losing sight of what it is to be lonely or afraid or, simply put, mortal. The main character, Nathan, struggles to maintain a dying relationship while also coming into his own and dealing with family issues, friendships and betrayals and having to save NewYork City from certain ruin.

Nathan was a solid character to get behind. He had flaws, and yet he overcame them. He admitted his mistakes. He became someone stronger and better throughout the course of the novel. His girlfriend, best friend and even the villains were also absolutely believable, right to the very last scene.

This is a must-read for anyone who calls themselves a magical fantasy fan. A full 5 out of 5 stars and I an excited to read more from Shortt!

 

Cerulean Isle Book Review

Cerulean Isle by GM Browning is the best historical action novel I've read in years! Is that even a genre? Historical fiction doesn't seem to cut it because it is far too fast paced and exciting to be dubbed a 'history' book. It's not fantasy, even though there are a few elements of that. I don't even know what to call it. But it's basically a Pirates of the Caribbean  in book form, only with a ruthless, bloodthirsty captain instead of Johnny Depp. Yeah. It's that good.

So, what's it about?

Kidnapped as a boy and kept as a slave on a pirate ship, young Jacob dreams of freedom, and of discovering the fabled island of the Mer people. With fellow shipmate Grant, Jacob escapes and finds refuge in Granada. But stories of Cerulean Isle, land of the Merfolk, continue to haunt him. One day a stranger appears, forcing Jacob and Grant to confront their past. They must embark on a dangerous voyage to flee from the pirates that seek their lives. In the process, Jacob at last discovers the truth behind legendary Cerulean Isle.
I don't usually go out of my way to read books that aren't 'chick lit'... but I grabbed this one because it was written by a fellow author at the same publishing house that published my books. Author comraderie, you know? That's why I bought it and kept it on my shelf for a while as I read the latest Sophie Kinsella book instead. Then, one night when I couldn't sleep, I picked it up and started to read it, hoping that a chapter or two would put me out. Ha. Nice try. Instead, I was up until 1:00 am. I could not put it down. And now, I will recommend this book to the world. Check it out! Now! Do it! This book is awesome.

It is a bit bloody at times, as there is killing and death. But it's pirates, so that's expected, and the author does a fine job of making it realistic without being too detailed or gross. The language is clean yet not corny. You feel like you are there. The action is non stop, there are twists and turns all along that keep you turning pages. Basically, it deserves to be read.

5 out of 5 stars! Can't wait for the next one by Browning!

***

In other WiDo Publishing news, my new novel, due out in a few months, is going to the copy edit right away! I will keep you all posted as soon as I have a title and release date!

And, my current novel, Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It, has received yet another awesome review! Here it is:

This is the best, cute, fun, light read I have read in so long. Whitney Boyd's writing reminds me of a Canadian Sophie Kinsella, but with a smart, main character you can relate to and want to cheer for. Mikayla, the lead character, is from Calgary, Alberta and going to U of C (WAHOO for Calgary!) when she is discovered by an agent. Record deals and grammy nominations and a move to L.A. are now part of her life, but she doesn't have many people she can trust to love her for who she is instead of the fame. This is a girl who enjoys the lifestyle along with the spotlight, but also enjoys being REAL and wearing comfy sweat pants and being able to shop without the paparazzi. What more could a normal girl from Canada dream of? A Man.

I appreciate the authors basing the character out of Calgary, without making fun of uber Canadian-isms. She likes hockey, but doesn't get made fun of for her accent or mounties, or any other uncommon canadian jokes.

Honestly, I think this book was one of the best light hearted books I have read in a long time. Buy it now! You will thank me when you finish it.

 

Thanks, Brooke! If ya'll haven't read it, listen to Brooke... and read it now! :)