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Hello everyone! Thank you so much for stopping by! Today, I'm a part of Author Piper Shelly's Her Game, His Rules Blog Tour, presented by Bewitching Tours. I'm so happy to have Piper here today, and you will see a Guest Post written by her, a Short Excerpt, and I read her lovely novel, so you'll see a Review as well! :)
Piper Shelly's Guest Post
(Thank you so much for sharing your Post!)
You’re a writer? Then
you better choose wisely!
Hello everyone, and
thanks to Marissa for giving me this little space today so I can talk to you.
I’ve given tons of interviews in the past few weeks, and it’s nice for a change
to just write free from the heart without answering why I chose to become an
author or what my weirdest writing quirks are. ;-)
For today, I picked
something from my everyday life with my husband. And that’s also why I went
with this strange title. In my case, I’ve chosen The Perfect.
Some of you are
ardent readers, who love to submerge in a book for days, without thought about
the rest of the world as it moves on without you. Some of you are writers, who,
like me, love to do the very same. Only, we spend way more time with the same
book than our readers do. While it takes you about two days to read an average
novel, we toil on it for a solid year. And not just an hour a day or two.
Nah-uh. I remember days in my life where I got up at five in the morning,
booted up my laptop, opened my WIP, and before I knew it, it was midnight, I
hadn’t had breakfast, and my hair still looked like I’d just climbed out of
bed. I’m sure my husband remembers those days too…
He’s a wonderful man,
a great father to our son, and very caring. He knows how to fix everything
around the house. He’s perfect. But there’s one more special reason why I love
him. He accepts me, the author, which is a very hard thing for most non-writers
to accept, when we tend to exist in an alternate world too. When we started
dating, I had no idea I was going to be an author one day. That wish came later
in our relationship, and it was a hard time for both of us to get used to as
there were days where I suddenly didn’t have much time for him anymore. I
changed. In the beginning—and I know that for a fact—he often wished I’d kick
my laptop out the window and become the person I used to be when we met. But that
wasn’t going to happen. Instead I worked on making him see just how important
writing was for me. There were days in my life where I curled up on the sofa,
crying, just because I thought I wasn’t good enough to ever get my book
published. I tend to get depressive when I can’t write because of this darn
thing called writer’s block. And when I have to take a mandatory break from
writing because we’re on vacation or anything like that, I start behaving like
a heavy smoker gone cold turkey. My novels are to me what drugs are to an
addict. And believe me it’s not easy to live with an addict. Basically—with any
writer. That I’m still married and my husband kisses me every morning before he
leaves for work just shows how tolerant he is. With any other guy, I know I
wouldn’t have lasted through the planning stages of my novel. But he hung in
there with me during the entire project, and I know I can rely in him, no
matter what lies ahead. Why? Because he knows me, and he chose to stay anyway.
I hope you understand
now why, for a writer, it is so important to choose the right partner. I told
you, I’ve chosen the best, even though I didn’t know it at that time. ;-)
And now, the promised
snipped from my everyday life.
It was Sunday
morning, and we had work to do in the garden. My husband got out of bed,
dressed, and walked downstairs. I promised to be there in a minute as well. But
then I found this blank spot on the wall where my eyes focused, and I began
daydreaming about my current novel. I went through the last scene I’d written
and let my mind wander, shaping the next chapter. Vaguely I noticed the noise
drifting up from our garden, where my husband was busy working. But as per
normal when I get submerged into my stories, the world outside me stopped to
exist. It just happens. For all my husband knew, I could have been up and preparing
breakfast, doing whatever someone does in the morning. But he knew better… He
didn’t even come back into the house to check. He just stood underneath our
bedroom window and shouted, “Honey, stop writing already and get out of bed!”
Cheers ;-)
Piper
HER GAME, HIS RULES
Piper Shelly
Genre: paranormal romance, upper YA
Publisher: Black Opal Books
ISBN: 978-1937329631
ASIN: B0096SDPD6
Number of pages: 306
Word Count: 103,000
Cover Artist: Jay Sabo with Piper Shelly
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Y7OkzI-WVOs
Book Description
She’s seventeen. She’s snarky. She’s trouble…
It wasn’t nicking an expressive watch or diamond bracelet that landed Jona Montiniere in the clutches of the police. It was just a darn sweater. After a spectacular, failed escapade, she is forced to return to a mother who spurned her. Jona is furious about the judge’s decision—until she meets her mother’s companion. Gorgeous, provocative, and mysterious, Julian is everything her lonely heart desires. But then he awakens her mother from the dead with a simple touch.
Hunting for the truth in a strange new home, Jona unearths broken promises and bitter secrets. Soon she realizes she’ll once again lose someone she loves…unless she gives him a reason to stay. But how the hell do you keep an angel earthbound?
It wasn’t nicking an expressive watch or diamond bracelet that landed Jona Montiniere in the clutches of the police. It was just a darn sweater. After a spectacular, failed escapade, she is forced to return to a mother who spurned her. Jona is furious about the judge’s decision—until she meets her mother’s companion. Gorgeous, provocative, and mysterious, Julian is everything her lonely heart desires. But then he awakens her mother from the dead with a simple touch.
Hunting for the truth in a strange new home, Jona unearths broken promises and bitter secrets. Soon she realizes she’ll once again lose someone she loves…unless she gives him a reason to stay. But how the hell do you keep an angel earthbound?
Short Excerpt
He was so infuriating, and I was absolutely not charmed…okay, maybe just a little…
“Hi,”
he said with a compassionate look that made me wish the traitor, Quinn, had
taken off those damn handcuffs so I wouldn’t look like a complete idiot.
Lips
pressed together, my fingers waggled in a feeble greeting. The mere sight of
him sent a quiver of excitement to my stomach.
He
nodded his chin at my tied hands. “They seem rather uncomfortable.”
And
they bloody well were, but I shrugged it off like it was nothing unusual. “The
latest fashion. You heard the judge, I wear them quite often.”
A
teasing smile played around his lips that spiked my blood pressure. “Shall we
take them off?” he said.
He
must be kidding. “Unless you’ve got teeth like a hacksaw, I don’t see how that
would work.”
Grin
widening, he pulled out a key-ring from his pocket. He squatted, leveled his
eyes with mine, and shook the ring in front of my face. The friendly jingle of
metal filled the high hallway.
My
mouth sagged open. “Where did you get these from?”
“Chief
Madison.”
“You
stole them from Quinn?” I pulled my hands reflexively out of his reach.
“Of
course not.” The blond god gave me a pointed look. “I asked for them.”
“Quinn
wouldn’t unshackle me when I asked him to.”
His
intense blue eyes locked with mine. “I had to solemnly swear to keep an eye on
you. Now hold still.” Cool fingers curled around my wrist to fix my hand while
he unlocked the first cuff. Sparks tingled on my skin, my hand trembled
slightly.
With a
click, the other cuff came off. I flexed my hands and rubbed my burning wrists.
“Better?”
He tilted his head and arched one beautiful brow.
My
head bobbed, but I found no breath to answer.
“Okay
then.” He used my knees to push himself up and stretched to his full height.
He
probably expected a thanks following
his selflessness. My gaze focused on the ripped hems of his jeans, my lips
remained sealed.
When
he turned on his heel and marched off to the left, I glanced up. “And now
you’re going where?” The words shot out before I could stop myself.
“Bathroom
break.” His arched brows dared me to object.
My
lower lip threatened to pop from between my teeth as I chewed on it. Don’t speak! “But you’re supposed to
keep an eye on me.”
After
studying me for a couple of seconds, his expression softened even more. “You’re
not going to get me into trouble.”
I let
him take another stride away from me. Two. Three. Four. “How can you be so
sure?” Shut the hell up, Jona. “After
everything you know about me, I’ll probably be gone when you get back.”
A
shrug of one shoulder and his beguiling smile struck me silent. “I trust you.”
Review
(Thank you to the Author For The Review Copy!)
This was a wonderful story; I absolutely loved it! I believe Her Game, His Rules was very deep, meaning there were many emotions felt by the main character, Jona. We first meet her stealing a sweater with one of her not so trusted friends. Getting in trouble like this, is the norm for 17 year old Jona. This time when she goes to court (again, another norm for her) instead of spending time in jail, she is to spend the next six weeks with...her Mother. Now, since about the age of five, Jona has lived in an orphanage. She has had a huge distaste towards her Mother because she believes she was just left, abandoned, someone to not worry about ever again, so it's not a friendly reunion when Jona sees her Mom, Charlene, again. But, what Jona does see standing beside Charlene is a younger looking man, who seems to belong with Charlene in some peculiar way, so Jona is curious and intrigued by this guy, Julian, at the same time. Anyway, Jona is taken by Charlene and her...? hmmm well Julian and they go to France to stay with Jona's Aunt and Uncle, people, family she did not know she had; another reason to loathe Charlene. Jona knows it's going to be a tough 5-6 weeks, living with all these strangers, including her Mother, oh I mean Charlene, and she is just waiting for the perfect opportunity to run away, but for some reason, it's not Charlene's horrible illness that keeps Jona from staying...it's this close developing friendship between she and Julian, and she does not know what this...feeling could be...it's a feeling you are just going to have to read for yourself, and believe me, this is one Novel that I feel, must be read!
Now, I truly loved the writing. The Author did a wonderful job in writing the different characters because through their dialogue and given personality, they just seemed so believable. Jona, aww I really liked her. She has been through a tough young life, and the feelings of being abandoned, unloved, and more just really grabbed me so I felt for her. Those feelings can be relatable, and other feelings she experiences through the story, are sometimes new to her, so it was great to read the new experiences she faces. Julian...Oh my Words. He was written really well! I feel you just have to read this to get the feel of this hot, kind, but oh so mysterious Angel. He is definitely a catch, and he and Jona's hmm relationship... just felt natural and sweet, but you will also feel the angst at times, and I almost felt a couple tears threatening to come down, because there are some heart breaking moments, but it's all worth it, and you'll see when you read it. This is one Novel not to miss! :)
My Rating: 4.8/5
I say a Strong PG-13 Rating (Some Language 16-17+)
About The Author
Did you know that this word scares me more than
anything? About… Wherever you go,
people want you to tell what a cool life you lead just because you’re an
author. But really, there’s nothing special to say about me, except maybe that
I write a little more than others normally do. I married my teenage-love, we do
our best to raise our ten-year-old to a kind and caring young man, and my cat
loves to sleep in my bed, forcing me to bend to the strangest positions at
night, just so she can sprawl comfortably on the blanket. I like pizza. And
occasionally I talk to angels, but seriously, in these times, who doesn’t…?
So all in all, I dare say I’m leading a pretty
normal life.
Of course it will all change the day my book
follows the act of Harry Potter, and I’ll become richer than the Queen. I swear
I’ll never again clean my windows myself then. Yeah, one day, ha ha…
Buy Links
Thanks again, Marissa, for the chance to be here today! Your review was lovely. So glad you enjoyed the love story.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Piper
Thank you! I absolutely loved your story and I'm happy to host you, and your Guest Post was wonderful to read! :)
DeleteHi Piper
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Enjoyed the excerpt. You are so lucky to have such a supportive husband. Best of luck with book sales. Love the cover.
Hi Bev,
ReplyDeleteThanks. And believe me, I do know how lucky I am ;-) Makes writing so much easier... ha ha.
Piper
“Honey, stop writing already and get out of bed!”
ReplyDeleteLOL
Great post, Piper. I really enjoyed reading it. Congrats on getting published and (raises cyber champagne glass) here's to more books from you
Thank you for the cyber toast! LOL
DeleteI never had a real one since the book was out. Need to do that soon...I'm thinking maybe on Halloween ;-)