Showing posts with label Welcome To Sugartown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welcome To Sugartown. Show all posts

Sunday, November 3, 2013

CARMEN JENNER - WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN - INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SELF PUBLISHED - AUSSIE AUTHOR ROAD TRIP - DAY 3


Day 3 : WeeeEEee the wind is blowing in my hair. I have driven back around to Carmen's place, sat down had a nice cool drink and had a chat with her. She is throwing in a digital copy of Welcome To Sugartown for some lucky person to win. I loved this book. Elijah is drool worthy and little Sammy will make you laugh. A lot. 

Carmen has entered the writing world with a BANG with this New Adult Contemporary Romance. 





Happy Release Day Carmen!

Check out  my review HERE and have a sing-a-long down below.

Goodreads also has a pile of ARC reviews up.

Welcome Carmen.


AUTHOR BIO: 


Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something author, doctor, pilot and CIA agent.

She's also a compulsive, flagrant prevaricator who gets to make things up for a living.

While Sugartown may not technically exist, Carmen grew up in a small Australian town just like it, and just like her characters, she always longed for something more. They didn't have an Elijah Cade, though. If they did, you can be sure she would have never left.


6 QUICK THINGS


A quote that means something to you.


"The only way to get something done is to begin." 


My partner says this to me at least a billion times a day and yet I still manage to fit in eight hours of procrastination on face book.



A song that describes you.


Hella Good by No Doubt





Who is your book boyfriend? 

Elijah Cade by ... er ... alright, alright! I'll choose a fictional boy that I didn't make up.


Dex Foray from the Experiment in Terror series by Karina Halle. Because I like my book boys hot, dripping with sarcasm, twisted, and 50 shades of F**ked up!

Who is your book girlfriend? 


Perry Palomino from the same series. Because I like my heroine's ballsy, hilarious, hot, dripping with sarcasm, twisted and also 50 shades of f**ked up! 


Author that inspired you and why?


There's too many to count. Karina Halle for writing AMAZING, damaged characters that I'd sell my soul to make real. Anne Rice for writing so much awesome that I couldn't possibly list it all! CJ Roberts for making me fall in love with erotica again and Stephanie Meyer for writing a series that made reading cool again! ;)



Will you be attending the Indie Author Down Under Gold Coast event 22nd March 2014?


Facebook Link



Yes, and I'm so freaking excited! 

I'm'a be fan girling like a crazy person! ;)





Title of Book : Welcome to Sugartown
Author: Carmen Jenner
State: New South Wales
Series Title: Sugartown
Published By : Self Published
Release : Novemeber 3rd 2013
Genre : New Adult Contemporary Romance


Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust.

Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past.

But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have.

Nineteen year-old virgin Ana is about to discover that’s not quite true because a six foot three, hotter than hell, tattooed, Aussie sex god just rode into town. He’s had a taste of her pie and he wants more– no really, Ana bakes pies for a living, get your mind out of the gutter.

She’d be willing to hand over everything tied up in a big red bow, there’s just one problem; Elijah has secrets dirtier than last week’s underwear. Secrets that won't just break Ana’s heart, but put her life at risk, too. When those secrets come to light, their relationship is pushed to breaking point.

Add to that a psychotic nympho best friend, an overbearing father, a cuter than humanly possible kid brother, a wanton womanizing cousin, the ex from hell, and more pies than you could poke a ... err ... stick ... at.

And you thought small towns were boring.

Welcome to Sugartown.

*Content Warning. Intended for a mature 18+ audience. Contains explicit sex, oodles of profanity and a crap-tonne of AWKWARD.




EXCERPTS













Q & A Sesh with Carmen:




Michelle:  What five words describe Carmen Jenner the AUTHOR?

Carmen: Neurotic, neurotic, neurotic, neurotic and neurotic.



Michelle:  What five words describe the person behind the writer?



Carmen: Equally as insane! That’s only three but you get the gist.



Michelle: Welcome To Sugartown is your debut NA Contemporary Romance. If you were to walk up to somebody in the street and tell them about your book. What would you say in a paragraph that is deeper than your blurb.



Carmen: Welcome to Sugartown is a dark, sexy New Adult Contemporary novel set in a fictional Australian town. It's funny, angsty, emotional, frightening (at times) and heartbreaking. It also contains tattooed bikers, spunky heroines, drama out the wazoo and pies. Yes, pies.



Michelle:  ELijah. WeeeEEeeeee! He is a gorgeous character. What ten words would Ana use to describe Elijah?

Carmen: Cocky, gorgeous, damaged, and a bit of a mess, really. 

Michelle:  SAMMY!!! He is the most adorable little guy. What ten words would he use to describe Elijah?

Carmen: I think Sammy would use just one word to sum up Elijah: AWESTHOME!

Michelle:  What would be the name and flavour pie Ana could make for Sammy?

Carmen: His absolute favourite is the Chocolate Banana Cream Ana Cabana Surprise Pie and try as Ana might to get him to eat something other than this, he just won’t. And they wonder why he’s so hyper! ;) 

Michelle:  What ten words would Elijah use to describe Ana and Sammy?

Carmen: Ana - FUCKING PERFECT! THE FUCKING END!

Sammy - The coolest kid I know, who happens to have the worst timing ever! 

Michelle:  What ten words would Jackson use to describe Holly?

Carmen: Stubborn, annoying, pain in my arse but an incredible lay.

Michelle: What is your favourite quote out of the whole book and why?

Carmen: Don’t make me choose! *cries* Oh wait, now I sound conceited. Okay, I’m going with this: 

“We can’t go five minutes without wanting to tear one another apart,” she whispers, and her eyes dare me to deny it. I don’t. It’s the truth.

“So we’ll tear one another apart and put each other back together, piece by piece.”

That pretty much sums up Ana and Elijah perfectly. They hurt one another constantly, they’re all wrong for one another and yet neither one can walk away. 

Michelle:  Where were you and what were you doing when you finally decided to pull on the big girl panties and start to write your own book?

Carmen: In my kitchen, about five years ago, ranting and raving to my partner about a rather popular Vampire series I’d just read. I went on and on about how I love this and that but how I wished the author had done some things differently. He suggested I write my own, to which of course, I replied, “No way, I could never do that!” He ended up giving me one of those looks (the ones that say, don’t be a freaking idiot) and an entire year later I’d churned out a story that I loved, but that will sadly probably never be fit for consumption. 

Michelle: What has been the best advice you have received from anyone in regards to your writing?

Carmen: “Not everyone will love your book and that’s okay.” This came from a very good friend of mine when she read Welcome to Sugartown in its very early stages and she gently—and by gently I mean: she bitch slaps me upside the head with it— reminds me of this every time I start to freak out. It’s weird but for me there’s a heck of a lot of power in that sentence. You can’t please everyone and if you write to try to please everyone else you’re going to wind up with a book you hate. 

Michelle:  As bloggers we have read and reviewed a gazillion books. How does it feel being on the other side now?

Carmen: Great! Surreal! A little scary and sometimes downright weird! But mostly I think it’s just humbling to see that people are really enjoying something that I created.

Michelle: I know your book is only releasing today so it has only received ARC reviews. Do you think having been a reviewer yourself it prepared you more for the reality of the big global world of peoples opinions and thoughts?

Carmen:  Ha! Not at all! ;) Actually, I’ve been really very lucky in that the people reading and reviewing Welcome to Sugartown so far are enjoying it. That being said, I’m sure WtS will have its fair share of bad reviews, just like every book, but I’ll more than likely buy shares in Cadbury, eat chocolate until I throw up and then pick my sooky la la butt up again. 

Michelle: What have you learnt from the blogging world that came in very handy when you turned your hand to writing?

Carmen: I think the toughest part about being an indie author is the amount of time you have to spend promoting your work and your brand, and blogging completely prepared me for that. It also made me realise the importance of a well written, polite review request! You’d be amazed how many authors just write “Read my book! Please?” ;)

Michelle: OOo Yes! I get requests that are polite and some that I go hmmm and raise one eyebrow to. I am the busiest beaver behind the scenes and those requests I gotta say, don't endear me. LOL! I mean dudes, there are soooo many authors wanting their book reviewed. You gotta word it right! When you are requesting it with me, I already am jammed up for a few months. I slide people in when the request has had time spent on it. Hint! I am your free vessel for promotion. I am as busy as the next person. Reading a book takes hours and hours and lots of my sleep time away from me. So word it right. Word it polite! Oh, and another hint, don't badger the blogger for the review to be posted up. Truly , if we could we would. Sometimes we need some 'me' head space time. Bloggers work their butts off behind the scenes.

Michelle:  If your life at this point in time could be described in a pie flavour, what flavour would it be and what would it be called?

Carmen: The name would more than likely be: Holy crap I’m about to release a book!!! Say Whaaaaaaaat?!!! and the flavour would be sheer terror with a dash of sweaty, day-old pyjamas.

Now doesn’t that just sound like something you want to put in your mouth? ;)

Michelle: What song did you listen to the most when writing Welcome To Sugartown? If you didn’t listen to one, then what song would describe your book or Elijah and Ana’s relationship the best.

Carmen: Yes. I had a whole playlist consisting of about seventy songs, but if I could pick a song that sums up Elijah and Ana perfectly it would be Gimme Love by Ed Sheeran.


I love the desperation in both the music and the vocal: he’s literally a man who is broken, who has just pulled his beating heart from his chest and is offering it up to the woman he loves though he knows he’s not really worthy of having her accept it. I don’t think there could be a more fitting song for their story.


Thank You Carmen J

xx


Thanks so much for having me Michelle! J







Social Media Links:









Welcome to Sugartown Website:



The Undead Revolution Website: http://theundeadrevolution.blogspot.com.au/


Signing 2014: 


Carmen will be on the panel at UtopYA Con 2014: http://utopyacon.com/



GIVEAWAY TIME


One e-copy of Welcome to Sugartown

 open internationally



a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tomorrow , I have South Australian author Sean Williams dropping by on the Allen & Unwin Australian Blog Tour for a Q & A sesh and my review of Jump,  his Young Adult Sci-Fi - Dystopian.

Friday, November 1, 2013

WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN by CARMEN JENNER - ARC BOOK REVIEW - SUGARTOWN # 1 - NA CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SELF PUBLISHED - AUSSIE AUTHOR ROAD TRIP - DAY 1



Day 1 is still cracking along nicely and now I have my review of the awesome debut book by Carmen Jenner, Welcome To Sugartown. Elijah is rather rawrrrrr... and there is pie :) 

Throw this one onto your TBR piles. I LOVED it! I highly recommend. I think the book trailer is pretty awesome too.

Welcome To Sugartown releases , 3rd November 2013.

WeeEEeeeee!



By: Carmen Jenner
Published By: Carmen Jenner
Released : 3rd November 2013
Details: ARC digital copy, for honest review.

RATING: 5 EDIBLE ELIJAH STARS

Blurb: Goodreads

Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust.

Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past.

But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have.

Nineteen year-old virgin Ana is about to discover that’s not quite true because a six foot three, hotter than hell, tattooed, Aussie sex god just rode into town. He’s had a taste of her pie and he wants more– no really, Ana bakes pies for a living, get your mind out of the gutter.

She’d be willing to hand over everything tied up in a big red bow, there’s just one problem; Elijah has secrets dirtier than last week’s underwear. Secrets that won't just break Ana’s heart, but put her life at risk, too. When those secrets come to light, their relationship is pushed to breaking point.

Add to that a psychotic nympho best friend, an overbearing father, a cuter than humanly possible kid brother, a wanton womanizing cousin, the ex from hell, and more pies than you could poke a ... err ... stick ... at.

And you thought small towns were boring.

Welcome to Sugartown.

*Content Warning. Intended for a mature 18+ audience. Contains explicit sex, oodles of profanity and a crap-tonne of AWKWARD.






BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:


Carmen Jenner is in da house!

Welcome To Sugartown , is Aussie author Carmen Jenner’s debut new adult contemporary romance.

Giddy Up!

The title may be sweet but the story is a fast paced, emotion filled ride set against an Australian backdrop.

It is the story about twenty three year old Elijah Cade, a gorgeous tattooed ex-con, who happens to ride an awesome motorbike, and a small town pie baking gal named Ana Belle, who is more of a Vespa girl. 

Ana is nineteen years old and is stuck in Sugartown with a dragon for a step mum and a little brother that will make you laugh. 

Hard. 

Now, don’t even for a second think this is an uncomplicated story about boy meets girl. Oh no it is complicated and full of heart breaking moments. It has the recipe that makes for an awesome angst filled...oh, dear lord was I clutching my ereader and muttering things, read.

I even threw in a NOOooOOOooooOOoo * hands over eyes *

The first half of this book we are watching two people getting to know each other, we are drooling over Elijah, we are laughing at Sammy, and Holly the bff is being all kinds of neurotic, but loveable, and the town biatch makes herself known.


“You came strutting in here all cocky, with your dimples and your tattoos and your big brown eyes and expected us to swoon.”

“Baby girl, if that’s all it takes to make you swoon then you just wait ‘til you see what I do with my hands.”


THEN...

I don’t know what’s going through his head but his dark eyes bore into me as he gently strokes the side of my face. For a split second I think I see him grimace, like he is in pain, but it passes quickly and then his mouth is on mine and he’s kissing me deep and slow, and the fire in my belly is so distracting I can think of nothing else. After a minute Elijah pulls back and whispers, “It’s never just a kiss, Ana.”


THEN...

Shiz goes down.

Like whahhhh!!!!

Bring on the ANGST and ...!!!!!!!

AND... the skeletons that will fall out of the closet.


“This isn’t a relationship , it was a mistake.”

“Baby, this is the furthest thing from a mistake.”


I’ve played this game too many times to count. The players are different, but the rules never change. Until now. Until her. All the rules are different now, and I’d do anything not to fuck it up.


I am left curious about Elijah’s past that still has the ability to raise its ugly, deadly face. I did feel like some blanks were left there in my mind, but I was totally left satisfied with his present.

Carmen will sock it to her characters. They won’t get an easy ride. I personally think if you like Abbi Glines’s writing where she knows how to write a brilliant male lead, throw in the angst, you will like this book.

Abbi Glines gave us the Vincent Boys, Beau & Sawyer and the gorgeous Rush. 

Carmen will give you Elijah Cade.

Yes, maam!


“Ah, fuck!” I rub at my chest to ease the burn in my heart. “This is bullshit, baby girl. The way I feel about you, the way you feel about me, that shit doesn’t just up and go away.”


Carmen really does write Elijah very, very well. We get to be in his head for half of this book and I loved being in his head. He has the best inner monologue when he is thinking about Ana. Guys have such a way with words when they are thinking about getting down and dirty with a woman. His emotions will spill over and I just wanted to hug the lad.

Like, come to mamma.


The truth is, without Ana I have no home.


But there were times... * raises one eyebrow *


This book has really good sub characters. Sammy the little bro absolutely steals the limelight when he opens his mouth on whatever page he pops up on. He has a lisp. HA! 

He is the ultimate side kick.

“Ith OK I liketh being thuck wif you, Ana Cabana.” He beams, and it’s so hard not to pick him up and squeeze him until his adorable little guts squish out.

“Aw, thanks, brat. I liketh being thuck wif you, too.”



“Daddy, why ith Ana thucking on Elijah’s face?”

"I'm asking myself the same thing, Kid.”



Holly, Ana’s bff, is a little neurotic, but bottom line she is a keeper. She is loyal to the core and she will have your back. She brings her own blend of character that I am looking forward to reading more about.

I can see Jackson is going to be an awesome character to get inside of too.


“If she says she’s broken, you get out your fucking araldite and you glue that shit back together.”



Holly may want to stab Jackson.J

Ana’s dad Bob, grew on me. I liked watching him with Elijah. Dragon lady seemed to fade to black in the story line. 

Carmen has made a spectacular entrance with her debut story. This book will not disappoint. I really was a thucker for it.

 Bring on # 2, Enjoy Your Stay.


Michelle


Tomorrow the Kombi stops at Pepper Winters