Reader’s Edyn

I always felt like I could do something more than just read. Finally, I have found both a creative outlet and a chance to do something meaningful with my reading. This blog was created in appreciation of and tribute to all of the authors who have brought me joy through their books. These reviews are my way of giving back to authors and providing recognition for the hard work that each one completes every day!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Alexa Bourne

Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Alexa Bourne




Whoot whoot! Second post for the day and my feature post. Today I have a fun interview to share with you as well as a fantastic book. This book is brought to us via Decadent Publishing, which is one of my go-to publishers. Very rarely do I experience disappointment with these reads. Therefore, I share everything I can from this publisher. I was intrigued by this book because the MCs are already married. The idea is to dissolve the marriage, but hubby has other ideas. I love the idea of a married couple with one part of the couple willing to sort out the problems and show his other half that she completes him. *Le sigh* I hope you enjoy your time spent here. And be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win the tour wide giveaway from Ms. Bourne. You don't want to miss this! Please allow me to introduce to the blog:



**ALEXA BOURNE**


**BIO**

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her love of Great Britain with readers everywhere.

When she's not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV and thinking about exercising. She loves to interact with readers, so visit her web page, hang out at her blog, follow her on Twitter or drop her a note!

You can find out more about Ms. Bourne in the following places:




**CARRY ME HOME**
 
Decadent Publishing TEASE line


**BLURB**

After six months in the city, Mary MacDougall returns to the Scottish Highlands to finalize her divorce. Because of a past tragedy, she doubts her husband Jamie can possibly love her with the same unbridled passion as before and insists ending the marriage is best for both of them. But Jamie has other ideas….

Jamie MacDougall has no intention of letting his bonnie lass go. At least not without a fight. Aye, they’ve suffered heartache, and she may be ready to call it quits, but he refuses to throw away the partnership they’ve built since they were children. Instead, he’ll remind her they were meant to be together, forever.

Can this marriage survive pride and grief to allow love to carry them home?

Buy Links


 

**REVIEWS**

Deeply moving…this is a must read!”~ Jan Hudson


I started reading Alexa's books last year. I like that they are all set in the UK - and yet they are contemporary. Which tends to be rare in romance. This book was a short - sweet - happy ending type of book that was just perfect to read before bedtime! The thing that I liked most about the book was that the author did not make the characters daft to other's feelings or situations. She threw them together and had them work it out. I like smart books with smart characters that don't run around 50...more”This book was a short - sweet - happy ending type of book that was just perfect to read before bedtime! “Cheryl Rae on Goodreads rated it 5 of 5 stars

The story came to life on the first page. It tugged at my heart and never let go…If you want a story filled with passionate moments, a beautiful setting, and heartfelt emotion, Carry Me Home is a must read.” 5 out of 5 stars- By Kathleen Gallagher


 

**INTERVIEW**

How has your life changed since becoming published?
LOL! It’s a LOT busier!

LOL. What is your typical day like?
Um, there’s no such thing as a typical day. I have a full-time job, I teach online classes for authors, and I occasionally do freelance editing. Some days I write, some days I do promotion, some days I do neither. It all depends on what’s needed when.

That can be nice. Never the exact same day. Tell us a little about your current release Carry Me Home.
After six months in the city, Mary MacDougall returns to the Scottish Highlands to finalize her divorce. Because of a past tragedy, she doubts her husband Jamie can possibly love her with the same unbridled passion as before and insists ending the marriage is best for both of them. But Jamie has other ideas….

Jamie MacDougall has no intention of letting his bonnie lass go. At least not without a fight. Aye, they’ve suffered heartache, and she may be ready to call it quits, but he refuses to throw away the partnership they’ve built since they were children. Instead, he’ll remind her they were meant to be together, forever.

Can this marriage survive pride and grief to allow love to carry them home?

Sounds fabulous! Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?
I’m currently working on a completely new project, a full length suspense. I’m very excited about it!

Great to know! How do you keep in contact with your readers?
I spend more time on Facebook and Twitter than I should.

Don't we all?!?! What is your favorite thing about this book?
That Jamie understands there are problems in his marriage to Mary, but he refuses to give up or let her give up on them.

I think I love him already! What’s next for Alexa?
My 2nd Tease, Silent Surrender, came out earlier this month. This one has Jamie’s little sister, Meggie, as the heroine. Also, I’m waiting to hear if my publisher wants my 3rd Tease story, which has Jamie and Meggie’s brother Ewan as the hero. Wish me luck!

Luck! Any special quirks or habits when writing?
I write my rough drafts by hand and then type them up.

Old school … Love it! How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?
LOL! It depends on how hard the book was to write! Most of the time I’ll celebrate with some time off to read someone else’s books, or I might go to the movies, or have a cupcake, or have a margarita.

I think you need to celebrate harder. Writing a book no matter what is hard work. I couldn't do it. What are you reading now? Any favorites you tend to go back to?
At the moment, I’m reading Can’t Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas. I just started reading her books about 6 months ago and I’m loving them! My favorite authors, the ones I always know I’ll get a good story from, are Jill Shalvis and Laura Griffin. (I’m thinking I might be adding Jodi to that list soon!) I don’t usually reread books.

I have both Shavis and Griffin and haven't had a chance to read them yet! ACK! Was there something in particular that gave you the idea for this book/series?
Well, the hero and heroine were secondary characters in my 1st book, Her Highland Champion. While writing that story, Jamie and Mary had so much life in them I knew I’d eventually write their story too. Decadent Tease gave me the perfect opportunity to do that!

Fabulous! If you could travel back in time, where would you go and who would you meet?
I would like to go back to the 1940s in England to meet my grandparents as young adults. I listened to all their stories when they were alive and I’d love the chance to be friends with them.

That would rock! Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides writing?
I love watching sports, especially soccer. I also LOVE to travel and explore other cultures.

Nice! What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!

One of my faves as well! Favorite place you have ever visited?
Highlands of Scotland.

*Eyes glaze* So jealous right now! M&M’s or Skittles?
M&Ms (ESPECIALLY Peanut M&Ms!!!!)

Peanut Butter here, although I am growing fonder of the pretzel ones. Oh! Have you tried the coconut ones? YUM! E-reader or Paperback?
Both. I love the convenience of an E-reader when traveling, but I love holding a book in my hands while I sit out back in the sun.

Thank! You! You totally get it! Who is your favorite fictional character ever?
Jason Bourne

He is pretty bad ass. DH loves him. Any chance there is a name bias? *Grins* Flowers or chocolate?
Chocolate, of course!

As it should be! Do you have any phobias or fears?
I do, but I can’t tell you what they are because then someone might use them against me!

Well played! Are you a night person or morning person?
Night

Now how about a little taste of CARRY ME HOME?


 

**EXCERPT**
By reading any further you are stating you are at least 18 years of age.
If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary for you to exit this site.

“What do you want, Jamie?” She’d not get caught up in his soulful amber eyes. No, she would not.
You’ve had your bit of fun, but I want you to come home.” He tilted his head to one side and drifted his fingertips along her bare arm.
She yanked away. “I’ve come to get my papers from you, to say good-bye to those I love, and to move on with my life.” She stepped around him and continued down the path to the center of Glenhalish. “I’ll be at the Kierlain House until Sunday. Please bring the forms and leave them with the front office.”
I don’t have them.” He nearly shouted with glee. “I tossed them out.”
I thought you might say that.” Smiling on the heels of another small victory, she fished through her handbag and pulled out another copy of the divorce papers. She’d come armed with a half-dozen copies just in case he chose to be difficult. She strode back to him with her chin held high and slapped the papers against his chest. “Here.”

Jamie stared at the lass’s fine arse strutting away from him. Her hair had been cut, straightened and the summer dress with the flowery print accentuated all the curves he’d fallen for so many years ago, the curves he knew so intimately. And those heels, for the love of St. Bridget, Mary hadn’t worn high heels like that since she left school. They’d brought her closer to his height, yet she still only reached his shoulders.
She’d left Glenhalish in January, a cold, distant housewife, and come back this alluring woman. For a moment, panic set inside his gut. He’d intended to convince her to come home so they could face their grief and move on together, but seeing how much happier, sexier, and sophisticated she was, perhaps Edinburgh was good for her, better than he could be.
But he wanted her back, wanted to get through this rough patch they’d strayed onto after the lad’s death, and return to the partnership they’d shared since primary school. They had too many years left. She couldn’t leave him. He wouldn’t survive without her.
The lass may have plans to leave him forever, but Jamie MacDougall wouldn’t give her up without a fight.



**GIVEAWAY**

One commenter from my entire blog tour will win an e-copy of Carry Me Home as well as a British surprise from me!
~ Alexa Bourne




**AUTHOR QUESTION**
Have you ever read a book with a secondary character you really wanted to read more about?



So there is obviously a bit of sadness to this story, but I think that it could add the right amount of conflict to the story. These kinds of tragedies in stories can be off-putting for me and I tend to steer away from them. But given my history with this publisher, I would still give the story a try. And it is nice to have a bit of knowledge without getting blind-sided by it. I still really love the idea of the premise of this story. I would love to hear what you all have to say. Your feedback is always welcome. Feel free to comment on the post and be sure to answer Ms. Bourne's question for a chance to win! You have nothing to lose except a chance to win. Why not give it a shot?

I want to thank Ms. Bourne for spending some time with us today and for taking the time to answer the interview questions. I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. If you were hooked by this story today, please consider supporting this author the best way you can by buying a copy of the book for yourself. I wish everyone a fantastic day! Best of luck to all who enter the contest. I will see you all very soon. Until then ...
HAPPY READING!!!




5 comments:

  1. Wow, thank you so much! I had a great time answering these questions. And just so you and the readers know, Carry Me Home is one of my favorite of my stories.

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    1. That is awesome to know! And you are more than welcome. I had so much fun creating the post. Feel free to come back anytime. And best of luck on the release!

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  2. Thanks for hosting Alexa today!

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  3. Thanks for hosting Alexa today!

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I lurve comments! Say whatever is on your mind; just keep it respectful. I am always game for a conversation. :)