DONNA AUGUSTINE

AUTHOR, DREAMER, DESTROYER OF WORLDS

Author: Donna Augustine (page 17 of 19)

Winter Warmers Giveaway Hop

Winter Warmers Giveaway HopIn the culinary world, there is a thing called the amuse-bouche, a single bite.  I often get single random scenes that play through my head. For this giveaway, I’ve decided to share one, a sort of literary amuse-bouche.

 

We stood mere inches apart, just close enough for a deep breath to cause my shirt to graze his chest. I’d wanted him since I was a young girl of fourteen. Now, at twenty-six, he’d finally taken notice of me.

Now was too late, but bad my body disagreed with me. Back arched, lips parted and ragged breaths, every signal contradicted my next words to him.

“We can’t do this. I’ve got a life you don’t fit into.”

He moved a hair closer and I stepped back until I felt the wall behind me. He bent his head closer to me, hands on either side. So close but not close enough.

You can’t do this,” he said, a playful smile on his face and a gleam of anticipation in his intense grey eyes. “I can do anything I want.”

His left hand ran along my neck, his thumb pressing my chin upward. I should tell him to stop. I would before it got any further. His lips teasingly touched mine. His tongue darted into my mouth, inviting me to play, just as my reserve started to give way.

This man was my kryptonite.

I’m giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to help fill your kindle with romance!

10-amazon

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I’d like to thank Felicity Heaton and Indie Romance Books for hosting this blog hop! Their links are below if you would like to visit them.
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/ http://www.indieromancebooks.com/blog/

Don’t stop here! There is a list of sites below, all with their own giveaways : )


Alchemy Series Book Tour

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GRAND PRIZE:  a signed paperback set of THE ALCHEMY series & a Gift Card to Amazon (international winner will get eBooks instead of paperbacks)

RUNNERS-UP:  3 runners up will receive an eBook of choice from THE ALCHEMY series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

12/9 Coffee Talk Writers (Series Spotlight)

http://www.coffeetalkwriters.com

 

12/9 Literal Addiction (Series Spotlight)

http://www.literaladdiction.com/book-blasts-and-more.php

 

12/10 Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (series spotlight)

http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/

 

12/10 Romance Junkies (Interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

 

12/10 You Gotta Read Reviews (series spotlight)

http://yougottaread.com

 

12/11 Salacious Reads (Series Spotlight)

http://www.salaciousreads.com

 

12/11 Eclipse Reviews (series spotlight)

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

 

12/12 KT Book Reviews (Guest Post)

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

 

12/12 Night Owl Reviews (Series Spotlight)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/The-Alchemy-Series-Tour-by-Donna-Augustine

 

12/13 Darkest Addictions Reviews (Series Spotlight)

http://darkestaddictions.blogspot.com

 

12/13 Paranormal Romance Fans for Life (Series Spotlight)

http://www.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com

 

12/16 I Smell Sheep (Review)

http://www.ismellsheep.com/

 

12/17 Book Pages and Dripping Ink (series spotlight)

http://bookpagesanddrippingink.blogspot.com


12/20 Mythical Books (Series Spotlight)

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

 

12/21 Diane’s Book Blog (Interview)

http://dianelynchbookreviews.blogspot.com/

 

12/22 Why I Can’t Stop Reading (Interview)

http://whyicantstopreading.wordpress.com

 

12/23 Deal Sharing Aunt (series spotlight)

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

 

12/26  Charlene Blogs Highlighted Author

http://highlightedauthor.com/

 

12/27 Offbeat Vagabond (Spotlight)

http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

 

12/29 Dalene’s Book Reviews (Interview)

http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Breakthrough Authors Blog Hop

Breakthrough Authors blog hop

 

Writing From the Heart

 

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” ― Ernest Hemingway

 

When I began my writing journey, I had very romantic notions. Wow, was I a blithering idiot. The thing I was least prepared for is how emotionally draining it could be.

 

I guess if you write about nothing but happy things, it might be more pleasant. Unfortunately for me, that’s not my style. That doesn’t mean I don’t love a happy ending. Those are my favorite. But, what is a happy ending without some heartache to make you appreciate it better? That’s where the real fun is and makes me think of Ernest Hemingway’s brilliant words, quoted above.

 

In my opinion, the only way to write realistically about something is to dig up your own memories. Have I gone through anything as horrific as my characters? Thankfully no, but like most people, I’ve had my share of heartbreak and tragedy. These are the painful memories I use to relate to how my characters are feeling. I’d never realized how useful they would be one day. I’m still not happy I had them, but at least now they are useful, instead of just clogging up my psyche.

 

So my advice to anyone that’s thinking of writing is, be prepared to go digging for skeletons. It’s the past wounds that you endured that will make your stories sing, or cry depending on the book.

 

thekeepersnewtext2Two days ago, Jo Davids was a waitress by night and a college kid by day, with the unnerving problem of objects floating around her.

 

One Day ago, Jo’s sexy boss, Cormac, noticed her for all the wrong reasons when she witnessed a man transform into a monster in the basement of his casino.

 

Today, Cormac ordered her shot.

 

If he’s real lucky, she won’t die. Because if she does, all hope is lost.

 

The first five chapters are available here.

  Grand Prize

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Interview and Giveaway with Dawna Raver

Today, we are joined by Dawna Raver, author of The Colour Wielders Series.

 

What made you decide to write fantasy? I love the freedom you have with fantasy. You’re not confined to the possible. Plus, magic is just cool. 🙂

Your books aren’t easily categorized. If you could create a genre that fit them perfectly, what would it be called and why?

I guess romantic, new adult, fantasy. All of my stories center around main characters who are between 21-28 years old.

What made you start writing?

I was recovering from surgery and was bored out if my skull. So, I sat down and started making notes about an old memory. Four years later, Colour Wielders was complete.

What type of books do you read? Do you have time to read anymore?

The only way I’m able to keep up with reading is because of audiobooks. I adore them. Without them, I’d be way behind. I love urban fantasy, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and erotica. Right now, I’m listening to Real by Katy Evans. Loving it so far.

What authors were your biggest influence?

JK Rowling, Karen Moning, Jim Butcher, and JR Ward.

What was the last book that blew your socks off?

I’d have to say Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. That book busted me up!
 

New release by Dawna Raver. Severed Colours, Book 2, A Colour Wielders Novel.

 

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The epic continues…

Quinn Sinclair trusted Arik Morgaine until he betrayed her. Scared and alone, she finds herself delivered into the hands of the evil Morgana le Fay. When Quinn discovers Morgana’s plans are beyond demented and seriously depraved—making life with the Changeling seem like a day at the beach—she wonders if death is a better option?

Arik Morgaine vowed he’d save Quinn no matter the price. When his well thought out plans go terribly awry, a desperate and heartbroken Arik is forced to beg the cruel Triarchia for help. Unwilling to go on without his Älskling, he answers a question that irrevocably alters their lives.

Can Arik and Quinn find a way back to each other, or will the price of saving her rip them apart forever?

New Adult. Recommended for 18 and above. Mature themes, sexual situations, and profanity.

Purchase at Amazon now!

 

Colour-Wielders

In celebration of Severed Colours’ release, Colour Wielders will be on sale from November 18-20 for $.99. Purchase it at Amazon now.

 

 

 

 

 

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Home for the Holidays Hop

Home-for-the-holidays-hop-button

Home for the holidays hop

November 13th – November 18th

 

 

 

Grand Prize Shopping Spree: $450+ Gift Card or

 Paypal Cash

Second Place Grand Prize: (1) E-Book from every

 participating Author

To enter, comment on the homepage of the blog hop here. Comment on this blog with your email address for an additional entry.

As a huge cheesecake fan, I make one for every holiday. This is my favorite recipe

New York Cheesecake

Crust

  1. 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan
  2. 12 graham crackers 
  3. 1/4 cup sugar
  4. 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Filling

  1. 2 1/2 pounds bar cream cheese, room temperature (I always use Philadelphia) 
  2. 1 1/2 cups sugar
  3. 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. (I cheat on this and skip the lemon zest. You can also use vanilla instead of lemon.)
  4. 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  5. 4 large eggs, room temperature
  6. 1 cup sour cream, room temperature

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make crust: Butter a 9-by-3-inch springform pan. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs form; add melted butter, sugar, and salt, and pulse to combine. Press crumb mixture into bottom and about 1 inch up side of pan. Bake until set, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven to 325 degrees.

Set a kettle of water to boil. Make filling: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium until fluffy, scraping down side of bowl. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in lemon zest and juice, and salt. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down side of bowl after each addition. Beat in sour cream.

Wrap bottom half of pan in foil. Pour in filling; place in a roasting pan. Pour in boiling water to come halfway up side of springform. Bake until just set in center, about 1 3/4 hours. Remove pan from water; let cool 20 minutes. Run a paring knife around edge; let cool completely. Cover; chill overnight before serving.

This is a recipe from Martha Stewart. I’d like to add that I think the most important part of making a cheesecake is not overcooking it. If it starts to crack, it’s over cooking. The surface should remain level. I typically check to whether my cheesecake is cooked by tapping on the pan. You want the inner 2-3″ in diameter to still jiggle when you stop cooking.

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My ebook contribution is an ecopy of the keepers.

thekeepersnewtext2

Two days ago, Jo Davids was a waitress by night and a college kid by day, with the unnerving problem of objects floating around her.

 

One Day ago, Jo’s sexy boss, Cormac, noticed her for all the wrong reasons when she witnessed a man transform into a monster in the basement of his casino.

 

Today, Cormac ordered her shot.

 

If he’s real lucky, she won’t die. Because if she does, all hope is lost.

Check out the rest of the participating sites and gain extra entries.

 

 

 

AUTHORS

 

 

 

1. Krystal Shannan   |    2. Elyse Grant    |    3. Jennifer Kacey

4. Daryl Devore    |  5. Victoria Adams |   6. Jessica E. Subject

7. Liza O’Connor    |    8. Andrea Cooper    |    9. Regina Morris

10. N. L. Greene    |    11. Angela Rose    |    12. Jerrie Alexander

13. Harper A. Brooks    |    14. Lori King    |    15. K’Anne Meinel 

16. A. J. Williams   |   17. Tara Lain   |   18. Ginger Ring

19. Malia Mallory   |   20. Jennifer Lowery   |   21. T. F. Walsh

22. Heather Long   |   23. Sophia Renny   |   24. Susan Edwards

25. Anna Wells   |   26. Anne Lange   |   27. Catherine Wolffe

28. Ann Marie Oakes   |   29. Ella Sheridan   |  30. Amber Lea Easton

31. Tory Richards   |   32. Morgan K Wyatt   |   33. Dani Wade

34. Kim Headlee   |   35. Mary Wehr   |   36. Dariel Raye

37. Donna Steele   |   38. Nhys Glover   |   39. Renea Mason

40. Jennie Marsland   |    41. Kellie Kamryn   |   42. Jinni James

43. Carol A. Strickland   |   44. Krista Ames  |   45. Sandra Schwab

46. Justine Elvira   |   47. Suzan Tisdale   |   48. Zoe Dawson

49. Harlie Williams   |   50. Lynda K. Frazier   |   51.  Kathryn Edgar

52. Natalie Gibson (Satin Sheets Romance)   |   53. Dakota Trace

54. Draven St. James   |   55. Jodi Vaughn   |   56. Donna Augustine

57. Cait Jarrod   |   58. Tracy Lee   |   59. Laura Howard

60. A. L. Jambor   |   61. Lynn Richards   |   62. Hennessee Andrews

63. Christy Dilg   |   64. Angela Peach   |   65. Holly Roberts

66. Nikki Barrett   |   67. Alexandra Anthony   |   68. Tracy Lee

69. Paige Tyler   |   70. Lynn Lawler   |   71. Tabitha Short

72. Dawn Martinez   |   73. Madison Johns 

74. Mary Moriarty   75. M. J. Summers

PDF GRAB BAG BOOKS for SECOND GRAND PRIZE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

more covers coming…

 

 

 

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