Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Blog Tour: Interview with Aubrianna Hunter + Giveaway!


WELCOME TO THE BLOG, AUBRIANNA! :)


I am often asked; who is Aubrianna Hunter?  And the truth is the answer isn't a simple one. Beyond being a dedicated wife and mother, I was raised by a Marine, and married into the Navy. 
 
Needless to say I can go toe to toe with the most sarcastic people you have met, and can dish insults and curse with the best of them.  I blurt wildly inappropriate things at precisely the moment when the room goes quiet, so much so that my co-author has nicknamed me Ted... Yes... After the bear in the movie. 
 
Recently my husband has replaced calling me crazy with calling me "Creative", but the tone he uses to do it makes me question his sincerity.  Though honestly, crazy is probably closer to reality.  I like my hectic life, in fact I thrive in the chaos and would have it no other way.


Where to Find Aubrianna:



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The_Book_Queen: Hi Aubrianna! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Aubrianna: Okay, so basic stats tell me that I am a wife and mother, and I love being both. I am also a gluten free vegan, I love yoga and meditation, I have recently started doing Brazilian Butt Lift and absolute LOVE it. I am kind of a hippie, preferring organics, homeopathic remedies, alternative medicines. I hope to someday make the wellness center (described in my book Siochain) a reality with my best friend, Melinda.



TBQ: Good luck! Nothing wrong with healthy living like that--I'll admit, I definitely need to start doing more things like that for my own health! :D
 
When did you know that you wanted to write? And when did you realize that romance was your genre of choice? :)

A: Oddly, while I have always written some things, always wished I could be an author, I never really thought it was possible. That rational part of my brain sort of ruled it. I finally decided to try my hand at writing a whole book when I had purchased and slogged my way through about eight or nine really horrible books in a row. I figured I liked the stories in my head better than the ones I was reading, so I may as well write them down. Romance was a no brainer... It's what I love to read, to imagine. Who wouldn't want a happy ending?


 
TBQ: HEAs make the world go round, in my opinion! :D
 
Your newest release, Hidden Depths, came out in January. And may I say that I LOVE the cover for it?! :D Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

A: Why readers are going to love it... Well, honestly, you almost have to love Gia. Either because you can relate to her, or maybe have some of her insecurities, or simply because she says all the things most of us only think! The book is steamy... Really steamy. I seem to push the boundaries a little more with each book I write. I love the back and forth between Josh and Gia. They are good to each other without being sappy at all. I personally am not much for sappy, hearts and flowers kind of romance. I like my guys a little dark, a little broken. Even when they seem to have it all together.



TBQ: I love a heroine that I can relate to, so Gia sounds like my kind of lady! :)
 
Are there other genres you would like to write about?

A: Paranormal... I am actually coauthoring a paranormal trilogy right now with author Jeremy Laszlo, called The Beyond series. Book one, Beyond the Mask is already out. We are talking about the possibility of a YA series afterward as well, although even that would have a little romance to it. Maybe a murder mystery? Pretty much anything except historical... I am not a history buff! I envy people who are. LOL.



TBQ: I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?

A: I like Lorelei James, for a more erotica style writing, I like Meg Silver. For mystery type books and even the YA series, I really like James Patterson and love Cassandra Clare Mortal Instruments series. My absolute favorite author though is Kresley Cole, Immortals After Dark series. She's just funny and sarcastic. I really enjoy reading her books.

 

TBQ: Sounds like we need to be book BFFs! :) With the exception of Silver, who I've never read, the others are on my favorites list, too! :)
 
We've all fallen for a hero (or two, or three, or....ahem).  Tell us one hero that you've fallen for—who is he and what drew you to him?

A: Rydstrom from Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole. And his brother, Cadeon... Oh, and Garreth MacRieve... All from Kresley Cole. Like I said, I really like that dark, damaged, alpha male... slightly damaged and broken. And they all have that in spades!



TBQ: Mmmm.. yes, you can never go wrong with one of Cole's heroes!
 
What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

A: Work in progress... That's actually harder than you'd think. I am currently working on several different projects actually. I have Hidden Desires, which will be book two of the Hidden series. It is Deb's story, and without offering too many spoilers, answers a few questions some readers had. I am working with Jeremy to complete book three of The Beyond trilogy. I want to get around to Nina's story, which will be the follow up to You Can't Go Home Again, but I also have another erotic romance started, potential title Written in Lust that may come before Nina. LOL. Deb's story needs to be told, so she takes priority for now and I am working to complete that book as soon as possible. (This just proves that authors are very busy--always another story (or two, or twenty) waiting to be told! :D Good luck with all of them, I look forward to reading them!)

 


 

SPEED ROUND:

 

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Spa... with no cell phone. (Agreed--what's the point of the relaxation of the spa if the phone is there to still distract you?)

 
Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Spicy - ALWAYS!!! (Not a thing wrong with that! *wink*)

 
Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
Oooohhh... Do I really have to pick one? (Greedy, huh? ;) Nothing wrong with that, either!)

 
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Out of those two, cold winter nights... However, ideally it would be hot summer nights!

 
Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
I would dream for one of each... to suit my mood at the moment. If forced to choose, mountain in the woods.

 
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
Hmmmm... Maybe the sixties? I would have loved to be at Woodstock.

 
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Has to be cover... Sometimes I don't even read the blurbs until I have already purchased the book. (I do this. All. The. Freaking. Time! :) LOL.)

 
Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)
Spicy... but slow build up. Not a fan of short stories personally... You don't have time to get attached to the characters. (Very true--there are a few excellent novellas I've read, but more often than not, they across as, you guessed it, too short.)

 
Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without?
Coffee... Is that a food? (This seems to be a common answer with all guests on the blog... :D)

 

And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

  • I was a drama geek in high school.
  • I was a lifeguard/swimmer/swim instructor for high school and college.
  • My favorite pajamas are fuzzy monkey pants.

 

 

 

The_Book_Queen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Aubrianna, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)

 

Aubrianna: I would love to hear readers input on their favorite/craziest ways to spice up a sex life that might be having a 'dull moment'... advice for all the married readers who might be missing the passion of new love.

 



 
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Hidden Depths by Aubrianna Hunter
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 23, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Erotica)
 
She is pierced, dyed and tattooed, born on the wrong side of the tracks. He is a traditional white knight born of the proverbial silver spoon. Their meeting was an accident, the fact that they became even the most tentative of friends, an anomaly. The only real thing they had in common... chemistry. Lots of chemistry. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough and Gia knew it. Now, if only she could convince her body...

 
Josh had always walked the line, lived the life he was expected to live. He had, by all accounts, the perfect life; a corporate lawyer, a beautiful home, a family empire to run, and the perfect fiancee. He was well on his way. The only question he had... was that really where he wanted to go? Plagued by dreams, Josh fought all his natural instincts, denying not only what he truly wanted but who he was deep down inside. Until one crazy night when he gave in to his desires...
 
Could these two polar opposites have more in common than even they realize?

 
 
 


Where to Buy*:
More Info:


Hidden Depths by Aubrianna Hunter
Excerpt


Everyone started peeling off clothes, slathering on sunscreen and racing into the water. Kicking off her sandals, Gia was one of the last, still putting her keys away and tucking her purse under the umbrella. She pulled off her shirt and shorts then turned, surprised to see Josh standing there with his shirt still on. Since they were the only two left on the sand, she felt she could speak freely. And, she knew why he wasn't in the water yet.

            "It's healed enough to go in, ya know. Make sure you coat it with a layer of sunscreen and wash it really well when you get home, but it's been over two weeks, you're fine to swim. Besides, it's too fuckin' hot not to."

            "Yeah, I'm not worried about that."

            "Then why are you still up here? Want to borrow my sunscreen?" Gia tossed it over to him then turned and reached for her hat. At his hiss of breath, she turned and looked at him. He looked... strange. He stared at her, his eyes roving over her, head to toe.

            "Okay, I know I'm not as skinny as they are, but I've never had any complaints, so quit staring at me. And I know it's not about the ink. You've seen most of it before, and now you have one of your own."

            "You're not fat, Gia, don't be stupid," he growled at her.

            "I'm not stupid, dumbass." All of a sudden it dawned on her why he was still standing there. She couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up at her realization. "You haven't told her, have you? Deb doesn't know you have a tat."

            Now he glared at her, no longer taking in her body, just staring straight into her eyes, all pissed off and pouting like a petulant child.

            "No, I haven't shown her yet."

            "Now, how the hell did you manage that. I mean, I know she has her own place still, but seriously, it's not a little tattoo, Josh. How could she not see it when you're doin' the nasty? Unless, wait, are you a shirt on kind of guy?"

            This time he didn't even bother with words, just growled at her, a low menacing sound. Which sent Gia off into fits of laughter.

            "So, that's a yes. I don't see why. Having recently seen that torso, I can easily attest to the fact that you have nothing to be shy about. Or maybe you guys are a lights off kind of couple. Nobody can see anything. Am I right?"

            His temper finally snapping, Josh stepped up to Gia, leaning over her in an obvious attempt to seem threatening. "I am not embarrassed, as I thought I'd already proven when I stripped in your shop. And I don't need the lights off. I like to see what I'm doing, where I'm touching. See the reactions I'm causing with my lips and my tongue. See everything, including the look of pleasure when I bury my cock inside her."

            Licking her suddenly dry lips, it took two tries before she could make her voice work. If she didn't know better, she would swear he was talking about her, not Deb. Standing up on her toes, bringing her face closer to level with his, she went nose to nose with him. She refused to be cowed, and she damn sure wouldn't let him know what his words were doing to her. "Well then, how is it that she hasn't seen it yet?"

            Josh's head snapped back. He took one step, then another backward, away from Gia. "Because, we haven't exactly done the 'nasty', as you put it, since I got the work done."

            Gia was shocked. Truly, completely stunned. There is no way she could keep her hands off a man like that for almost three full weeks. Three full hours seemed like too long. Three days... forget it.

            With a casual shrug and a wicked smirk, she said, "Well, that explains so much. You're sexually deprived. How long had it been before the tat? You know, sexual frustration can make you do some very foolish things. Oh, and I need to make sure to get Deb a really good BOB for her shower gift. If you're not taking care of business she definitely needs a battery operated boyfriend. There is no way I could go three weeks without rubbin' one out. I'm more of an everyday sort of girl."

            Leaving him standing there with his mouth hanging open, Gia strolled down to the water. She lifted one arm, pushing her hat further down on her head and added an extra little swing to her hips as she walked. Being hard up definitely explained the hard on a few weeks ago. Not to mention all the flirting he'd been doing. She figured the extra wiggle might be just exactly what he needed.

            As she waded out into the water she grinned, thinking of the fireworks about to start when Deb caught sight of the tattoo. When she heard splashing behind her she turned, just in time to see Josh diving at her in a full body tackle.

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As she came up sputtering, her hair hanging in wet strands sticking to her face, Josh felt infinitely better. He'd already been aroused just by the sight of her in a bikini. Her taunting and his little description of sex had made him hard as a damn fence post. A situation that was made worse by the visual he'd had of her 'rubbin' one out'. Since he knew there was no real way to hide the evidence of his desire, getting into the water as quickly as possible had seemed like a great idea. Taking her down a peg in the process had been even better.

            "Josh, damn you! Now I have sunscreen running into my eyes. And where's my hat?" She yelled all this as she frantically wiped beneath her eyes, trying to stop her makeup from running.

            Grinning from ear to ear, Josh scooped up her very wet hat, still full of water, and plopped it unceremoniously onto her head. "There you go, sweetheart, is that what you wanted?"



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Aubrianna will gift a Kindle copy of Hidden Depths to one lucky winner!



How to Enter:

  • Leave a comment on this post answering Aubrianna's question (or ask her one yourself).
  • Please leave some way for us to contact you if you win (email addy, Twitter name, GoodReads/Facebook name...something! No, it's not required, but it does make it easier to get prizes sent out!)


Giveaway ends May 8th. Winner will be announced (blog, Twitter and FB) on May 9th. Good Luck!


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Thanks for stopping by today, Aubrianna! :) Wow, what an excerpt--and cover! I started Hidden Depths yesterday, and I'm loving it already. Talk about steamy--between the sexy "dry humping" scenes (sounds crazy, but DAMN are they hot!), the orgasm on the dance floor, and the orgasm challenge...Yum!


Don't forget Aburianna's question!

I would love to hear readers input on their favorite/craziest ways to spice up a sex life that might be having a 'dull moment'... advice for all the married readers who might be missing the passion of new love.




My advice...I've got nothing. Sorry! Although I may be single, my life isn't exactly, ahem, wild right now. :)



Enjoy!   



Until Next Time,


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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

10 comments :

Lover Of Romance said...

Loved the excerpt--definitely made me laugh. The cover is just YUMMY!! I could gobble him up LOL

Wickedly Delicious said...

Love the excerpt and cover. My kind of read. Ok curious now about the 'dry humping' scenes and orgasm on the dance floor.

Answer: Have public sex. I have been married for 22 years and surprising my hubby with some public sexing or vice versa helps keeps the spark going for us. It brings back memories of when we first met and couldn't keep are hands off each other.
LOL!! TMI
wickedlydeliciousbookblog@gmail.com
Hope I win!!!
Wickedly Delicious Book Blog

Mary Preston said...

Just thinking about it makes me blush. Can't share!!

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

The_Book_Queen said...

I know--trust me though! *grabs ice*
Oooh, you naughty girl! *wink* But apparantly you're doing everything right, 22 years proves that! :D
Thanks for stopping by, good luck!
Enjoy,
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

:) Thanks for stopping by, good luck!
Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

I think you'd like this one, definitely put it on your list at least! :)
Good Luck!
Enjoy,
TBQ

Denise Z said...

I loved the excerpt and think Hidden Depths looks like a tasty read, definitely added to the TBR. Hubs and I have been married for twenty-eight years and sometimes it takes looking back and remembering those tender moments. Making a treat that he loves, a tender touch, and a pat in the appropriate places with the mysterious grin. Rekindling does not necessarily have to be shocking or out of the "norm" for a couple and can be just remembering the consideration of all the years of getting to know one another, our likes and pleasures, and taking the time and effort to push those buttons ;) of course a saucy maid's costume or new bullwhip doesn't hurt thrown into the mix LOL
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

Aubrianna Hunter said...

Wickedly Delicious,
Love, love, LOVE that advice! LOL. If you've read Hidden Depths, or any of my books actually, I do LOTS of teasing, tempting, and some downright pleasing in public!

Bree

Aubrianna Hunter said...

Denise,
After 28 years, all I have to say is whatever you're doing... it's working! Congrats and thanks for the pointers!


Bree

Aubrianna Hunter said...

Lover of Romance,
Thank you! Hope you enjoy the book as well as the excerpt and the cover! Oh, and I'm glad you liked it! It was the first cover I got to handpick the photo for! LOL.


Bree