Guest Post & Giveaway: "Remedy Maker" by Sheri Fredricks

I like to welcome Sheri Fredricks to my blog today for a guest blog and a great giveaway to a lucky commenter. Welcome Sheri!

Hi everyone!

Thank you to Danielle for hosting me today.

I have a prize for one lucky commenter, so don't forget to leave your email address! Among other goodies, your name will go into the grand prize drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card at the end of my book tour.

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Not too long ago I was reading a blog that asked if you could predict your driving behavior.

The scenario:

The light turns green, but the car in front doesn't move. Twelve seconds go by. Do you think you'd be more likely to honk if the car was an old Ford, or if it was a brand new Porsche?

2012 Porsche Boxster

The surprising overall answer came back that the majority of people would honk at the Porsche over the Ford.

Thinking about the study, as it might apply to books, I began to wonder . . .

If a book were published by a traditional publisher (ie: Kensington, Avon, Harlequin, etc.), presented to the reader with an eye-catching cover, and written by a NYT bestselling author . . . .

Would that give a reader extra enthusiasm over another author who worked equally as hard, published by a relatively young ePublisher, had the sharp cover, but didn't yet have the aforementioned exposure?

Let's use JR Ward's books as an example because I'm a huge fan of hers. Her book jackets are only a tease to what you'll read between the front and back covers. And once you open the first page, you're automatically transported to another realm — into a world where vampire warriors are huge, sexy, and love their mates.

The main character in Remedy Maker is enormous — larger than life. He's a centaur . . . and in human years, he's old. I gave him a strong persona, some real major head-trips, and a sworn duty that must be performed.

A part of his moral fiber is commitment to see things through to completion. When he agrees to help the heroine if she helps him in return, their story begins.

Here's a quick excerpt:

Patience brought a slender foot to the blue rug. Each tiny provocative toe aroused his possessive Centaur half, demanding that he take what he wanted. He couldn’t pull his gaze away. Typical of the sex-starved dog he was, he followed the sensual assault.

". . . so I’m good, thanks.”

His mouth closed with a distinctive click, and he snapped his gaze to her face. He caught himself leaning forward in his seat, his mug resting on the rocker’s arm. Rolling his shoulders and plastering a bored expression on his face, Rhycious made a show of slouching further back into the chair and rested his black boot over a knee.

"Good, that’s . . . good. I’m glad you’re much better.” Oh gods, he blabbered like an adolescent scenting his first spring heat.

Concentrate on your duty. He’d just come out and say it, get the damn ball to roll into her court.

 “You want to find your sister. I’m in a position to help.”

Disbelief crossed her face, turning into surprise, and finally tears welled to overflow. They gushed from her eyes to stream down both peachy cheeks. Well, that certainly cooled his ardor. She hung her head and sniffed, wiping a finger under each eye.

"That’s so cool of you. I wasn’t sure what I would to do.” Her watery smile wavered, lips trembling. “Don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

He caught himself before the lewd suggestion popped out of his dirty mouth and got him in trouble.

***

Lately, I've read many great books by brand-new authors. More times than not, I've come away from the story feeling like I've found the next NYT bestseller.

Recommendations and posted reviews are the best ways to show love to your favorite authors. Do you give an equal chance to a writer who is new to you?

Here's where you can find me on the internet:

Website:    www.sherifredricks.com

Blogsite:    www.sherifredricks.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SheriFredricks

Twitter:      http://twitter.com/Sheri_Fredricks

Google+:   http://gplus.to/Sheri Fredricks

Thank you for your hospitality, Danielle.

And don't forget to leave your comments!

Sheri is generously giving away a surprise gift to one lucky commenter don't forget to leave your email address.  

Among other goodies, your name will go into the grand prize drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card at the end of her book tour.