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!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Guest Post & GIVEAWAY with author Misty Dietz

Guest Post & GIVEAWAY with author Misty Dietz




Hey everyone! Welcome back. This in one of the last catch up posts following my illness. I am super ticked off that I was sick and missed this one because it is so much dang fun! I was laughing my ass off as I posted the guest post. WARNING! Do not take a drink while reading the guest post. You will spew! #TruthYo In any case, I know you are going to have a blast even though I have posted late. If Ms. Dietz is new to you as she is for me, I am sure you will become a fan of this talented, snarky, awesome individual in no time flat. OH! And I didn't miss the GIVEAWAY cutoff date! You still have one day left so be sure to enter for a chance to WIN fabulous swag before you hop out today! I will get started so you have time to enter! I am thrilled to introduce to the blog:



**MISTY DIETZ**


**BIO**

Misty’s love affair with words started in middle school when she penned dark stories set in exotic locales she knew nothing about. In college, her boy-angst spilled over into disturbing reams of poetry. After grad school, real life hit, and the writing went into hibernation until she found her own happily-ever-after with an ultra linear man who is the long-suffering counter-balance to her zig-zagging tendencies. Now, she spends her days writing emotionally complex, adrenaline-fueled stories, teaching Zumba, and praying her children don’t come home with math homework.

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



**COME HELL OR HIGH DESIRE**

Publication Date: August 12, 2013
Published by Entangled Publishing - Suspense Imprint


**BLURB**

Torn between dangerous desires…

Framed for a series of brutal murders, rebel-turned-CEO Zack Goldman must go to ground. When he discovers that sexy boutique owner Sloane Swift has a shocking gift—terrifying visions that connect her to his mentor’s missing daughter—he can’t believe her refusal to help him. Nor can he believe he’s actually falling for the frustrating woman.

Their chemistry will either find its perfect equation…

Helping an accused killer ranks low on Sloane’s to-do list, no matter how hot the attraction burns between them. But putting to rest her overwhelming guilt over the missing girl’s fate proves more difficult than she ever imagined…that is, until her heart and conscience begin to align.

or detonate everything in its path.

As the real killer locks in on Sloane, Zack will stop at nothing to keep her safe. And as they earn each other’s trust—with danger in hot pursuit—they may just lose their hearts in the process…


Buy Links





**GUEST POST**
**Hook Me Up, Sloane!
Hot Decorating Tips for Every Budget**

Hey gang, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to join me on Reader’s Edyn, and a big thanks to Kendra for hosting me on my tour of COME HELL OR HIGH DESIRE! 
 
Okay, before you re-check your URL, wondering if you stumbled upon some HGTV site, you really ARE on NAME OF BLOG. And I’m pumped to be here with you today!

Vicariously living through well-drawn characters is, hands down, one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading. So when the time came for me to think about an occupation for my own heroine, I felt as though I was floating in a drunken haze for like a week. I mean—wow—I can be anyone I want through her! There were several occupations I wanted to explore, but Sloane ultimately became a boutique owner with a strong flair for decorating. 
 
She and her hero, Zack, meet for the first time when she’s up on a ladder in her store, Skinny Dipping. I won’t tell you what happens, but Zack is overwhelmed first by the sensory overload of such a lush store…and then by the woman herself. Yum-yummy!

But I digress! 
 
Like Sloane, I’ve poured over home decorating and design magazines for so many years I should have an honorary PhD in the discipline by now. And just because we don’t have bottomless pockets (or a sugar daddy, lol), doesn’t mean we can’t have fantastic digs at home.
Here are a few of Sloane’s (and my) favorite budget-friendly decorating ideas:
  1. Pillows—Rugs—Blankets—Lamps
I get tired of the same-old, same-old when it comes to rooms. So not only am I a serial re-arranger, I am constantly hitting up the sale and clearance racks of both brick-and-mortar as well as online stores for new throw pillows, funky rugs, and cozy blankets. Here’s where you can play up fun pops of color and trendy items that make your more timeless furniture pieces (which you generally spend much more on) take on a whole new attitude.
This is seriously one of the easiest ways to change your decor without making your credit cards flip you the bird shortly before shriveling up and dying.
  1. Repurpose furniture and wall hangings in different rooms
Sick of how your bathroom looks, but don’t think there’s much you can do without busting the bank at Bed Bath and Beyond? How would one of the pictures from your living room look in there? What about setting that floral arrangement from your bedroom next to the sink? Get out of the box and re-visualize your old stuff in new places.
And when repurposing furniture, don’t overlook the kitchen! I have two beautiful wooden storage pieces in my kitchen that are waist high. My husband bought them for my birthday one year, and they not only serve a practical purpose, but they elevate the sophistication of my humble kitchen as well.
  1. Craigslist, baby!
Yep, this site is not only good for seedy story ideas, it’s a virtual, kick ass home decorating mecca masquerading as a glorified pawn shop until you recognize its POTENTIAL.
One of my favorite pieces of furniture EVER is an armoire I bought for $50. When I first arrived at the owner’s house I was disgusted with myself for having driven to the north end of town for what appeared to be an ugly—and I mean hideous—excuse for early 1980s furniture. But as I checked the drawers and shelving, I started to wonder if I couldn’t transform it.
Oh, hell yeah. I brought it home, grabbed my daughter, and we sanded, painted, and then roughed it up with more sandpaper and the claw-end of a hammer so it looks like some of that funky junk antique stuff that goes for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
My total expense for the project: less than $65. You can even change the hardware if you don’t like that either.
Bonus decorating tips:
  • Group plants together on varying height platforms for a chic display. This also creates a micro-climate for them whereby each plant benefits from its own damp compost and the moisture emitted from its neighbor’s damp compost.
  • Pretty baskets for clutter! Fill them with books, toys, or craft supplies and put them on shelves. Or on the floor with toss pillows and rolled up throw blankets.
  • Get funky frames and frame your kids’/grandkids’ artwork in a grouping. Again, don’t forget about the kitchen since everyone tends to gather there.

I hope that helps get your creative juices flowing! What are some of YOUR best home decorating tips?

At the end of my blog tour we’ll be drawing the name of two commenters from all of the blogs to gift not one, but two fantastic prize winners. See below for details, and thanks for being here!


~ xo, misty ;)




**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.

Her fingernails suddenly raked at her skull. “Lord! I almost forgot. We have to go back to Ann’s. She has a diary!”
He swerved into an empty parking lot and swiveled to face her, blood pounding in his ears. “What are you talking about?”
Ann keeps a diary. We have to find it.”
You’re just telling me this now? You should have goddamn said something right away!”
Don’t you dare curse at me like that, you seismic jackass!”
He had to get out. He flung the truck door open and strode onto the cracked asphalt. Her door slammed shut moments later, and within seconds she was wagging a finger in his face. “And don’t you walk away from me, either!”
Then don’t be such a damn shrew.”
Color flooded over her cheekbones seconds before she punched him in the gut. Hard. An ancient fire lit up his nerve circuits and adrenaline had him widening his stance. His heart gunned.
His groin tightened.
And she was still shrill.
I’m not a shrew! How am I supposed to act in a situation like this? You think I’m enjoying this? I hate it! But unfortunately I have a conscience which would haunt me for the rest of my life if I don’t follow this through until we have some answers. You came to me and wanted to rule out the church first. Then with everything that happened, I forgot about the diary until right now. That clear enough for you, you—”
Clear enough, honey.
He vised her head between his palms and kissed her. He hadn’t meant to, but the moment her mouth opened to his, he was lost. Not breaking contact with her mouth, he wrapped one arm around her, his hand splaying across her ass, locking her hips against him. Her hands were in his hair, her hips grinding, driving him crazy. They feasted on each other’s mouth, tongues dueling, daring, seeking. He felt her fingers between their bodies, slipping underneath the waistband of his jeans, pulling at the hem of his shirt. Her fingernail scraped his abs and he groaned. She leaned away from his mouth, her eyes dead sexy. Liquid brown. He was gonna—
A car horn blew, jerking him back to life. Back to the parking lot. He looked over to see a man in a black minivan at a stoplight giving them the thumbs up. He honked twice more, waved, and drove on.
Sloane burst into a fit of laughter that quickly dissolved into tears.
And that clinched it. He’d woken up this morning in some creepy-assed Twilight Zone.



**QUESTION**
What are some of YOUR best home decorating tips?


**GIVEAWAY**
GRAND PRIZE: I'd Rather Be Reading t-shirt, super cute cadet hat that my herione sells in her boutique and wears in the book, a ball point pen & a $25 Amazon gift card
SECOND PRIZE: t-shirt, pen, and cadet hat




Oh! My! God! I am seriously laughing so hard I am crying! I am in love! You know from the very beginning of the post, with a bio like that, that this author is going to be made of awesome! There wasn't one part of this post that I didn't seriously enjoy. All I can say is ~ Can I get some pictures to go with those fabulous decorating tips? And Craigslist? Hell to the yeah! I love it and have found some truly wonderful items there! It can be a bargain hunter's paradise for sure! Don't forget to answer Ms. Dietz's question: What are some of your best home decorating tips?

I want to thank Ms. Dietz for being here today and for creating such a fabulous post for us! It truly had a blast! I hope that you all did as well! If you were caught by what you experienced here today, please consider purchasing a copy of this book for yourself. It is, after all, the best way to show your support toward these terrific authors who bring us so much reading pleasure! And do not forget to enter the GIVEAWAY! It rocks. Plus, you have nothing to lose except your chance to WIN so give it a shot! Bu HURRY! You probably only have around 12 hours left to enter. I wish all who enter the best of luck. Have an awesome rest of your day and I will be seeing you all soon! Until then...


HAPPY READING!!!


6 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, hi!!! I didn't even know this post was up until I got a google alert this morning! Thanks so much for having me Kendra! I'm late to my own party, but if anyone wants to chat I'd love it! I'm at the lake and my reception is horrible, but I'll check back as often as I can!! Looking forward to hearing from you! :)

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    1. No worries! I am the one that is late. I was very sick so the post just went up last night. But I had a blast! You were so much fun! I can't wait to have you again on the blog. Please feel free to come back anytime!

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    2. I'll take you up on that! I hope you're feeling better! :)

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  2. Thanks for the decorating tips! I can use all the help I can get.

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    1. Hi Theresa, glad it was helpful! Have fun and thanks so much for commenting! :)

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    2. I am so glad you enjoyed the post Theresa! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending some time with us! Have a wonderful weekend!

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