Blog Archives - 2 Girls & A Book

Realm of the Knights by Jenifer Anne Davis

7/26/2021

Title: Realm of Knights
Author: Jennifer Anne Davis
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Reign Publishing
Hosted by: Lady Amberâ€™s PR

Blurb:

Reid has spent her whole life pretending to be a man so she can inherit her fatherâ€™s estate, but when a chance encounter threatens to expose her lie, she is forced to risk everything.

In the kingdom of Marsden, women are subservient to men and land can only pass from father to son. So when Reid Ellington is born, the fifth daughter to one of the wealthiest landholders in the kingdom, itâ€™s announced that Reid is a boy.

Eighteen years later, Reid struggles to conceal the fact sheâ€™s actually a young woman. Every day, her secret becomes harder to keep. When one of Marsdenâ€™s princes sees her sparring with a sword, she is forced to accept his offer and lead her fatherâ€™s soldiers to the border. Along the way, she discovers a covert organization within the army known as the Knights of the Realm. If Reid wants to save her family from being arrested for treason and robbed of their inheritance, she will have to join the Knights and become a weapon for the crown.

To protect her family, Reid must fight like a man. To do that, sheâ€™ll need the courage of a woman.

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Jennifer Anne Davis graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She is currently a full-time writer and mother of three kids, one Weimaraner, and one German Shorthaired Pointer. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and lives in the San Diego area.

Jennifer is the recipient of the San Diego Book Awards Best Published Young Adult Novel (2013), winner of the Kindle Book Awards (2018), a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards (2014), and a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (2014).

Publishers Marketplace listed Jennifer as one of the best-selling indie authors in June 2017. She has also been ranked among the top 100 best-selling authors on Amazon.

The True Reign and Reign of Secrets series have sold over half a million copies.

Author Links:

Web | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | Bookbub

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Release Blitz ~ Sin Demons By Mila Young & Harper A. Brooks

7/26/2021

Title: Sin Demons
Author: Harper A. Brooks & Mila Young
Genre: Paranormal Reverse Harem
Editor: Dara Horcasitas
Publication Date: July 20^th, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

Demons are real.

Just before my eighteenth birthday, my soul was traded to three sin demons as payment for my foster-fatherâ€™s gambling debts. Little did I know that being with them would unleash my own desires and Hell on Earth. Literally. But these tempting devils arenâ€™t the only ones with ungodly powers because Iâ€™m no angel myself.

But my dark secret can end up destroying us all.

Sin Demons is a fiery paranormal romance series full of dominating hellions, gritty humor, underworld mystery, and a lost heroine embracing her faults to find her true power.

Part 1 includes books 1-3 in the series:

Playing with Hellfire

Hell in a Handbasket

All Shot to Hell

NOW AVAILABLE IN BOX SET!

Harper A. Brooks lives in a small town on the New Jersey shore. Even though classic authors have always filled her bookshelves, she finds her writing muse drawn to the dark, magical, and romantic. But when she isn't creating entire worlds with sexy shifters or legendary love stories, you can find her either with a good cup of coffee in hand or at home snuggling with her furry, four-legged son, Sammy.

She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

RONE Award Winner

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

International Bestselling Author

Author Links:

Amazon | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | Reader Group

Bestselling Author, Mila Young tackles everything with the zeal and bravado of the fairytale heroes she grew up reading about. She slays monsters, real and imaginary, like there's no tomorrow. By day she rocks a keyboard as a marketing extraordinaire. At night she battles with her mighty pen-sword, creating fairytale retellings, and sexy ever after tales. In her spare time, she loves pretending she's a mighty warrior, cuddling up with her cats, and devouring every fantasy tale she can get her pinkies on.

Author Links:

Facebook | ReaderGroup | Twitter | Instagram

Website | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon

NOW AVAILABLE IN BOX SET!

Release Blitz ~ Shaw by Apryl Baker

7/23/2021

Title: Shaw
Author: Apryl Baker
Genre: Sports Romance
Publication Date: July 23^rd, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amberâ€™s PR

Blurb:
Cora Stevens was on the verge of having it all before her life changed forever. She was betrayed by the one person she loved most in the world, and everything came crashing down around her, leaving her lost and vulnerable. When life dealt her another painful blow, she ran from Boston and its dark memories.

She wanted to start over, to forget her past and forge a new life. Only the past has a way of coming back to haunt you, and she ran headfirst into him when he came into her ER.

Now everythingâ€™s changed.

Four years ago, Shaw Chandler hurt the one person who meant more to him than anyone. Now he has the chance to set that hurt right and get back his best friend and the one woman he's never been able to forget. The woman he loves with everything in him.

Heâ€™s determined to win her back and earn her forgiveness.

But there are some things Shaw doesnâ€™t know, and itâ€™s possible Coraâ€™s secrets will tear them even further apart.

NOW LIVE & AVAILABLE ON KU!

So who am I?

Well, Iâ€™m the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesnâ€™t love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Now, I live in a small town in West Virginia where I entertain my niece and nephew and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierceâ€¦lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

Author Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Wattpad | Website | Instagram

Newsletter | Goodreads | Amazon | Bookbub | Blog | Reader Group

NOW LIVE & AVAILABLE ON KU!

It Might Be You by Tara September

7/22/2021

Author: Tara September
Narrator: Elizabeth Klett
Length: 58 minutes
Publisher: Plus it Up⎮2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release date: Jun. 18, 2021

A short story, originally appearing in From Florida with Love: Moonlight & Steamy Nights from Satin Romance.
Serina Spring is trading in her blossoming real estate career in Manhattan and an ex-boyfriend to start anew in Naples, Florida. But playing cards with her matchmaking grandmother was not exactly the exciting new life she had in mind.
So when Serina spies a handsome stranger at an Open House she thinks her luck just might be changing. Then again? Maybe not.
Fortunately, while on the white sandy beaches of Southwest Florida, Serina discovers that all is not what it seems if you just open yourself up to fate.
Buy Links
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

A Word From Tara September...

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
I loved working with Audiobook Empire. They took a sample of my manuscript, which they used for a script and provided me with six different auditions, all from talented narrators, so much so that it was hard to choose my favorite. Once I narrowed down my choices they handled the production and editing in less than a week. I couldn’t believe the quick turnaround and quality of the production.
Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
I was nervous about turning such a short story into an audiobook, but love the idea that people can listen to a complete tale while at the beach or by the pool.
Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
No, not for this one, so it’s been a delight to see it come together.
How did you select your narrator?
I liked all the auditions that I heard, but went with Elizabeth’s rendition because I enjoyed her delivery and that she was able to do the eldery voices featured in my story like Serina’s Nana. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
No, I didn’t have to. When it comes to narration I leave it to the voice professionals, which is definitely not me, lol. I simply supply the words to recite.

About the Author: Tara September
Tara September is an award-winning... and losing contemporary romance writer living in Southwest Florida.
Tara is proud to be the world's most okayest mom to clones (identical twin boys). When not writing out her daydreams, she blogs over at When Tara Met Blog @tarametblog, a lifestyle and parenting blog of 15 years.
Holding a master's degree in journalism from NYU, she previously was the Corporate Communications Manager at WWE and PR Manager for The Walt Disney Company, Consumer Products.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Elizabeth Klett
Elizabeth Klett is an English literature professor by day and an audiobook narrator by night. She has been a professional audiobook narrator since 2011 and has produced over 200 titles for ACX, Bee Audio, Findaway Voices, Spoken Realms, and Tantor Audio. She trained as an actor at Drew University and holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois. She loves reading (and teaching) fiction, drama, and poetry of all kinds, and delights in creating distinctive voices and accents for literary characters. An absolute Anglophile, Elizabeth has narrated dozens of books in a British accent, despite the fact that she's originally from New Jersey. Her expertise in analyzing and understanding literature makes her recordings particularly enjoyable for her listeners.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads

About the Producer: Audiobook Empire
At Audiobook Empire, audio reigns supreme, narrators are hailed as heroes, and headphones are worn with pride.
Marrying pomp and circumstance with quality you can count on, Audiobook Empire is a full-service production house that produces and promotes audiobooks with gusto.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

Into Neon by Matthew A. Goodwin

7/19/2021

Author: Matthew A. Goodwin
Narrator: Zachary Johnson
Length: 6 hours 15 minutes
Publisher: Matthew A. Goodwin⎮2021
Genre: Science Fiction; Cyberpunk
Series: A Cyberpunk Saga, Book 1
Release date: Jun. 15, 2021

“Star Wars Meets Blade Runner In An Awesome Adventure!” -Amazon Review (5 Stars)
Moss’ life is going nowhere until a mysterious woman knocks on his door and leaves him with the key to take down one of the world’s largest corporations. When he discovers a familial connection to the stranger, Moss leaves the comfort of his home with his best friend for the sprawling megacity.
There, he joins a group of ruffians dedicated to freeing people from the yoke of the evil companies. Police-for-hire, motorcycle gangs and betrayal threaten them at every turn.
Can Moss help this small group of rebels fight the power before it’s too late? Find out in Into Neon: A Cyberpunk Saga.
Buy Links
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮Kobo⎮Google⎮Nook

About the Author: Matthew A. Goodwin
Matthew A. Goodwin has been writing about spaceships, dragons and adventures since he was twelve years old. His passion for fantasy began when he discovered a box set of the Hobbit radio drama on cassette tape in his school’s library at the age of seven. He fell in love with fantasy worlds and soon discovered D&D and Warhammer miniatures.
Not wanting to be limited by worlds designed by others, he created Thutopia (now called the Thuton Empire), a fantasy world of his own which he still writes about to this day.
Like many kids with an affinity for fantasy, a love of science fiction soon followed. He loved sweeping space operas and gritty cyberpunk stories which asked questions about man’s relationship to technology. That led him to write his first published work, Into Neon: A Cyberpunk Saga, which takes place in a larger science fiction universe.
He has a passion for travel and wildlife and when he is not off trying to see the world, he lives in San Francisco with his wife and son.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Zachary Johnson
Lover of mathematics, devourer of science fiction, and connoisseur of the dad joke. When he's not doing math for business or fun, he's devouring science fiction and fantasy, reading up on scientific advancements, going for a jog, or, on all too rare occasions, taking a refreshing swim at the beach. At your service, you shall have an able storyteller and gifted conveyor of information. Experienced in narrating fiction, from the romantic to the post-apocalyptic, and nonfiction, from the historical to the corporate, and armed with the tools to make it all sound great, Zachary promises that, no matter the job, you'll be read-iculously pleased!
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

In Matthew A. Goodwin's Words...

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
- Audiobook Empire made the process so easy for me. The idea of setting up an audiobook was something I had wanted to do since publication, but actually putting it all together seemed daunting. Given how streamlined they made this for me, I am planning to release my entire series in audio format.
Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
- No, I think there is a place for all types of literature in audio format. I am as likely to listen to a six-hour murder mystery as I am a thirty-four-hour biography.
Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
- Not consciously. I did not even know if people would pick up my book when I first wrote Into Neon. I was mostly just writing a book that I wanted to read, and I have been thrilled with the positive response. An audiobook seemed almost like an impossible dream when I was first writing and so it is a dream come true that it is coming out now.
How did you select your narrator?
- This was a no brainer. Zach brought the perfect energy to the project, crafted the voices of the characters exactly right and, as an added bonus, is a huge fan of cyberpunk. Since I write in a somewhat niche genre, having a narrator who loves it is something I really appreciate.
How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
- We worked quite closely, and Zach worked hard to find the right voice for all the various characters in the book. There were only a few names of things that I had to make sure were right, but it turned out that he was already saying the words the way I wanted.
Were there any real-life inspirations behind your writing?
- The real world is the foundation on which all good cyberpunk is created. If you are going to envision a realistic near-future, you must understand the present as well. Looking at trends in technology and society certainly help to craft a science fiction setting that fells real.
How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
- Reading is the thing that seems to help break the log jams in my mind or get me excited again. Reading outside of my genre helps too. Sometimes I just need a break from the thing that I am thinking about all the time and escaping into the world of another author seems to do the trick.
Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
- Absolutely! Audiobooks were what taught me to love science fiction and fantasy when I was young. The Hobbit audiobook and the radio dramatization of The Empire Strikes Back were in my Walkman all the time! As I grew up, my passion for audiobooks never left. I still listen whenever I can and will never stop.
If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
- I am not sure that I would use the power since it pretty much ALWAYS goes wrong, but if I could go back and walk the streets of Ancient Rome, I would want to do it. I love history but that society, more than just about any other, fascinates me.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
- I would tell them that my series is available in paperback and hardcover as well! But really, in an era where people are more than happy to tell you that they “don’t read,” we should be celebrating anyone who is taking the time to consume books, regardless of how. If you are supporting authors and enjoying literature in any way, that is absolutely great!
How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?
- Into Neon was my first published novel so we had a big launch party when the book came out. I don’t really like being the center of attention but it was really nice to celebrate the accomplishment. Nowadays when I finish a book, I usually take a sip of coffee and think, “what’s next?

Release Blitz ~ Witness Protection by Paris Morgan

7/18/2021

Title: Witness Protection
Author: Paris Morgan
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Violence
Cover Designer: Cat Cover Designs
Editor: Rebel Edits
Publication Date: July 18^th, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amberâ€™s PR

Blurb:

When people say to kill them with kindness, I don't think they mean literally...

Witness to one murder in New York, I'd been relocated to Texas of all places. As I try to settle into a routine, I'm confronted with danger yet again when my friend is assaulted and her daughter needs be protected. The cops aren't on our side and running away isn't an option.

How can we stay alive when all of the secrets and lies threaten to overwhelm us?

Paris Morgan writes a gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing towards the last page only to realize nothing is as it seems. Witness Protection is the first book in the Secrets and Lies series where each book dishes up a spine-tingling twist that you won't see coming.

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Paris' passion for finding justice for victims came from working with several organizations that help those in need. Gaining knowledge from a police ride-along and her criminal justice class while in college, it brings an authentic flavor to her characters in her Psychological Thrillers and Suspense Novels. When she isn't trying to figure out way to save her characters from serial killers, she enjoys watching t.v. shows and reading from her TBR list.

She also writes spicy, steamy romances under the name Pepper Paris while fighting zombies under the penname Alathia Morgan.

Author Links:

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook

Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram | Website

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Release Blitz ~ Pirates of Serpent Sea by D. Fischer & Amanda K. Mann

7/16/2021

Title: Pirates of Serpent Sea
Author: D. Fischer & Amanda K. Mann
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy
Cover Designer: Jacqueline Sweet
Publication Date: July 16^th, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amberâ€™s PR

Blurb:

Remini Draven loved being a pirate. She enjoyed plundering villages and discovering legendary treasures just as much as the next guy on the Black Moon ship. But, when a deal was struck between the Captain of the Black Moon and a sniveling merchant, she walked away from life on the Black Moon.

The deal that was made was unforgivable. Genocide. The merchant wanted the Black Moon crew to steal an amulet that will destroy the sirens. Remi refused to be part of it. And now . . . now she has to find a way to save the sirens before the Black Moon reaches them, and the amulet.

Bestselling and award-winning author D. Fischer is a mother of two very busy boys, a wife to a wonderful husband, and an owner of two sock-loving German Shorthair Pointers. They also have a cat named Geralt, but since Geralt adopted them and not the other way around, the cat is more of a tenant who occasionally purr-purrs for his rent, if he's not too busy murdering nerf darts.

Together, these misfits live in Orange City, Iowa.

When D. Fischer isn't chasing after her children, she spends her time typing like a mad woman while consuming vast amounts of caffeine. Sometimes, if her husband can manage to remind her of the real world outside her office window, they hike!

Known for the darker side of imagination, she enjoys freeing her creativity through worlds that don't exist, no matter how much we wish they did.

Author Links:

Amazon | Website | Instagram | Facebook

Facebook Group | Bookbub | Twitter

Amanda K. Mann is from California, born and raised. Sheâ€™s the mother of two amazing children, both a son and a daughter, and a Marine wife, which means she moves to a new home every three years or so.

Besides being an animal lover and Supernatural addict, she spends most of her free time with her nose stuck in a book or typing away at some new idea that pops into her brain. Her blood type is caffeine, and she is a sucker for cute otter pics.

Author Links:

Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Goodreads

Amazon | Web | Twitter

Author Spotlight on Shae Coon

7/16/2021

Title: Controlling Assets (Marron House Romance Series Book 2)
Author: Shae Coon
Publisher: 4 Horseman Publications
Genre: Contemporay Romance
Release Date: July 15, 2021

Caleb Marron was only eight years old when his mother was taken from him.
He watched, helpless and weak, as his father and uncle fought to bring her back home. Since that day, he vowed to protect the ones he loves at all costs.

Now grown and CEO of Marron House Technology, Caleb plans to destroy the legacy of anyone who hurt his family. That is until a roadblock in the form of a golden-haired, blue-eyed beauty named Talia Stone stands in his way.

Fascinated by the golden goddess, Caleb offers Talia a chance to achieve her dream on a silver platter, but at the cost of her submission. Will Talia accept Caleb's proposition? Will she be able to submit, or will her demons keep her from the pleasure Caleb promises?

Other books in the series...

Available Now

PREORDER

Meet Shae Coon

I am a native Texan, wife, and mother. I started writing soon after my daughter was born in 2012 but only recently decided to publish my work. I hadn't been into any particular genre until I took on a well-known romance title and fell in love. Since then different scenes have played out in my head, and I couldn't help but jot down my ideas with any available scrap of paper. Never did I think I would actually take the leap to actually putting my work out there for all to see. It took me four years to finish my first manuscript because I kept putting it down and coming back to it later in life. But with the support of family and friends, I finished it and am now able to live my dream of taking others to a world of seduction and romance through my writing. Who knew that the stories playing out in my head would bring me to this point?

Stalk Shae!

Website: www.shaecoon.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792569221692017
IG: https://www.instagram.com/shae.coonauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20973171.Shae_Coon
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/Shae-Coon/e/B09582JXSK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoonShae
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shaecoon_author?

Heartmender by V Romas Burton

7/15/2021

Title : Heartmender
(Heartmender Book 1)
Author: V Romas Burton
Publisher: Monster Ivy
Genre: YA Fantasy

In the land of Barracks, the economy thrives on the barter of their citizens' most precious commodity—a human heart. Each year, the Heart Reign festival is thrown for those who have become of age to trade their hearts for their deepest desires.

And this year is Adelaide Tye's year to trade.

After despising Heart Reign for years, Addie endures her Extraction and discovers that her heart isn’t gray and dying, like all other hearts in Barracks, but bright red, alive, and teeming with power.

With a warning from the extractor of hearts, Addie rushes through Heart Reign to make her choice—trade her heart to Schism, the monster who took her brother years before, or go in search of the Mender—a mythical man said to purify hearts and save her own heart. Either decision will rip her away from the one man who has always been by her side.

Knowing there is only one real choice to make, Addie jumps through Schism’s red door and is thrust into a dark and dangerous realm where she is faced with making a trade she may not survive.

For fans of Stephanie Garber's Caraval and ABC's Once Upon a Time.

Review

5 Stars
Lynn Shaw

Heartmender has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. I was drawn to this book because of the cover. It’s beautiful and I needed it on my shelf. So there it sat looking all pretty and decorative but really had no other purpose. Then book 2 came out with an equally stunning cover. I had to own the series. My collection could not be incomplete, so I ordered the second book and placed it on my shelf. Prior to the third and final book releasing, a friend recommended I read the series. Easily swayed by this friend’s excellent taste in fiction, I dived into book 1, Heartmender.

Y’all… why didn’t more people tell me how great this book was? I was hooked from page 1. The characters were so detailed and alive. The story was well paced and intriguing. I loved how Ophidian’s challenges followed the seven deadly sins. Great tie in! If he offered me a lazy room filled with books and a comfy bed, Ophidian would have had me. The MC, Adelaide, was selfless, loving, caring, and smart. I couldn’t help but cheer her on through the seven doors.

I loved the way the author took religion and weaved it into a fantasy novel. The story was beautifully written. I can’t wait to continue the series.

Other books in the series...

PREORDER

Meet V Romas Burton

V. Romas Burton grew up bouncing up and down the East Coast where she wrote her first story about magical ponies at age seven. Years later, after studying government and earning an M.A. in Theological Studies, V. Romas Burton realized something even bigger was calling out to her--stories that contained great adventures and encouraging messages. Her debut novel, Heartmender, has won several awards including: First Place in Young Adult for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Second Place in Juvenile/ Young Adult for the 2021 Illumination Book Awards and tied for Third Place for Young Adult Fiction- Fantasy/ Sci- Fi in the 2020 Moonbeam Children's Awards. You can find future updates and news on her website: www.vromasburton.com

Love in the Wild By Emma Castle

7/15/2021

Author: Emma Castle
Narrators: Shane East, Lucy Rivers
Length: 9 hours 25 minutes
Publisher: Emma Castle Books⎮2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release date: Dec. 30, 2020

A sensual, powerful, and thought-provoking Tarzan retelling.
Eden Matthews stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime while photographing wildlife deep in the heart of Africa....
A gorgeous god of a man living in the wilds of the African jungle among a family of gorillas....
When he saves her life, she’s compelled to uncover the man’s tragic past and the fate that led him to grow up in the wild.
But Eden soon learns she can take man from the wild, but she can’t take the wild out of the man....
When her savage savior soon shows her just what he wants of her...her sensual surrender...she finds she can’t resist him teaching her how to love...in the wild.
Buy Links
Buy on Audible⎮iTunes⎮Google⎮Kobo⎮Chirp

Author Interview

How did you select your narrator?
I chose Shane East and Lucy Rivers as narrators for several reasons. They worked well together and they are incredibly wonderful and professional to work with on the author side. But the most important thing is that their voices fit the characters. Shane’s voice is deep, rich, decadently sensual and British, exactly like my “Tarzan” character Thorne. Lucy brings depth and heart to my heroine Eden (the “jane” character). I knew they would bring my story to life in the best possible way for listeners.
How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
I definitely gave Lucy and Shane tips on pronouncement of names since some of them were Ugandan and could be said a variety of ways. I also worked with them on expressing what I felt was most important about each character and how that might come out in their tones. For example with Thorne, I wanted Shane to make him sound deep and powerful, but also have a hint of innocence and natural wonder, almost-childlike. With Eden, I wanted someone who sounded not too young, nor too old, and i wanted her to sound gentle and yet strong. No whiny heroines here! Shane and Lucy performed perfectly!
Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
Love in the Wild is a Tarzan Retelling. I’ve always wanted to write a Tarzan story with a wild jungle hero but I felt it had to be truly inspired by the original story to fully do my book justice. In preparation, I re-read the three original Tarzan stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs so that i had a deep understanding of Tarzan and Jane as both characters and love interests. I wanted to make sure that my modern age version would have the same feel, that Thorne, my hero would be powerful and primal, while also innocent and devoted to his heroine. Burroughs always said of Tarzan that There would be no Tarzan without Jane and I wanted the readers to feel that more deeply than anything else. I choose to make him a virgin alpha male, a man who’d been raised by gorillas and living alone in so many ways before he finally finds his other true half. WHile the book is passionate and romantic and has open door sex scenes, I felt it was important to not write him as a sex-crazed creature who used a woman’s body for his pleasure. I wanted to show Thorne as a man who believes in true mates both of body and heart. I also heavily researched Ugandan culture and the places about which I wrote to show the beauty of the culture and the people who live there now. This isn’t simply a story of Eden and Thorne. It’s a story about the people who live in Uganda, it’s about the beautiful heart of the African people and the animals of the jungle such as the Gorillas and their world in the misty mountains. It’s a book that promotes conservation of the jungle and a unity between man and the wild world from which we came.
How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
Burn-out is a very real issue for all writers. I tend to produce 8 to 10 stories on average a year of various lengths from novels, mid-length novels to longer novels. One of the ways I keep it fresh is to change series and change ideas. I write both as Emma Castle and Lauren Smith for romance novels and I leap back and forth between contemporary, historical, paranormal and erotic romance in order to keep myself interested. I never try to write the same subgenre of romance in a row. If I don’t feel passionate about the stories, then my readers won’t either. I also watch a lot of tv and movies because I find inspiration in the strangest things for my stories! An example would be that the star wars trilogy movies 1-3 inspired an overarching plot line in one of my Lauren Smith pen name series The League of Rogues which is set in Regency England! Can you imagine, stars wars inspiring a jane austen plot line? Well it did! *wink

About the Author: Emma Castle
Emma Castle has always loved reading but didn’t know she loved romance until she was enduring the trials of law school. She discovered the dark and sexy world of romance novels and since then has never looked back! She loves writing about sexy, alpha male heroes who know just how to seduce women even if they are a bit naughty about it. When Emma’s not writing, she may be obsessing over her favorite show Supernatural where she’s a total Team Dean Winchester kind of girl!
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Amazon⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Shane East
Hailing from London, Shane's Brit accent frequently tops Audible’s bestseller list and is a favourite amongst romance’s top authors.
He's a multi Audie Awards nominee, Earphones winner, and has been crowned romance narrator of the year by Audiofile Magazine, The Romantic Times and SOVAS.
Fans enjoy his work so much they’ve even started a fan club called the Shaneiaks (on Facebook). When not recording you can find him in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
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About the Narrator: Lucy Rivers
Hailing from London, Shane's Brit accent frequently tops Audible’s bestseller list and is a favourite amongst romance’s top authors.
He's a multi Audie Awards nominee, Earphones winner, and has been crowned romance narrator of the year by Audiofile Magazine, The Romantic Times and SOVAS.
Fans enjoy his work so much they’ve even started a fan club called the Shaneiaks (on Facebook). When not recording you can find him in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
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