April 28, 2014

FIVE STARS from Kame at The Book Queen!!!

The Book Queen said:

First book in the series and first from the author for me and I want more! I hope I get a glimpse of Tim and Erin in the next book and the remainder of the series...because I don't want my time with them to end.

Awesome review. Thanks so much, Kame. Even cooler is the fact that I was able to hook up the Book Queen with Melissa Bandera, my web designer. A new Book Queen website is now in the works! I'm excited.


April 22, 2014

USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman is in the House!

I want to welcome my dear friend and fellow author Robin Bielman to my blog! I haven't had a guest in so long, I hope she has a good time. Without further ado, here's Robin!

Hey everyone! I’m so happy to be celebrating my newest release with Kate’s newest release. (Love sharing book birthdays with my favorite people!) Thank you for having me here today Kate, and congratulations on ON THE SURFACE!

WILD ABOUT HER WINGMAN is the latest book in my Secret Wishes series from Entangled Publishing. It stars Erin Watters and Troy Streiber. The books take place in my fictional small coastal town of Cascade, Oregon. I had so much fun creating this little slice of life and so today I’m going to play tour guide and introduce you to some of my favorite spots. And guess what? I’m not alone. My very hunky hero, rescue paramedic Troy Streiber is here to help me.

Okay, so maybe I actually phoned in a 911 and hijacked him into coming along because, well, I really like hanging out with him. :D So here we go…

Me: I’m hungry. Troy, are you hungry?
Troy: Sure. I think I need another Crem’s fix.
Me: Another?
Troy: I was there earlier with Erin. ~he smiles~

Crem’s Bakery is on Main Street. It’s the spot everyone goes to for all their coffee and bakery needs. Meredith Crem, the owner, bakes the best everything and even went out of her comfort zone to make bachelor and bachelorette party cakes several months ago for Erin’s sister Vanessa and her fiancĂ©e at the time, Hayden. And let’s just say Mer’s sweet reputation might have tipped to the not-so-sweet scale after that. ;) As Troy and I walk down Main, we pass by the post office and the shoe repair and the Cascade Gazette offices – famous for spreading all the important town news first – and then we arrive at Crem’s.



(huffingtonpost.com)

Me: We’ll be right back, okay? We’re going to pop inside to grab something and then we’ll continue the tour… We’re back! And I brought you a chocolate chip cookie. *hands cookie through the internet* Gosh the sun is bright today.
Troy: Here. ~he gives me his sunglasses~
Me: Thanks.
Troy: No problem. Should we head toward Milt’s next?
Me: Definitely.

Milt is the crotchety, but lovable owner the Crown & Anchor Pub. It’s one of Cascade’s oldest and favorite restaurants, and pretty much anything that happens there doesn’t stay there.




Troy: The Crown & Anchor is where I first met Erin. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.
Me: Aww.
Troy: It was four months before I talked to her again.
Me: You came to her rescue after the fire at the pub actually.
Troy: You better not let her hear you say I rescued her. ~he playfully bumps my shoulder~
Me: Yeah, no one rescues her, right?
Troy: ~he grins down at me and I almost melt~ Right.

We turn off Main Street and walk past Watters Park. The park is filled with bright colored flowers and bright green grass. There are also tiny walkways and a gazebo smack dab in the center. It’s where all the holiday celebrations take place—the Fall Festival, the tree lighting ceremony in December, the Spring Fling, the 4th of July festivities.

Troy: Looks like Milt’s not open yet. ~he stops on the sidewalk just as we get there~
Me: Well, it is still morning.

The pub looks super inviting with its brick walls, slate roof, and dark green pillars and picnic tables out front. Ivy spills from urns. Inside there are plenty of tables and booths, dartboards, a bar, and a dance floor.

Troy: Erin and I eat here at least a couple of times a week. I think Milt has a crush on her.
Me: I think he’s had one since she was two.
Troy: ~laughs~ I think you’re right.
Me: How about we mosey toward the pier?
Troy: Sounds like a plan.

We walk for a few and take a detour through this tiny walkway before turning left and seeing the pier just ahead. Lou’s Ice Cream Shop is on the pier and she serves the best frozen desserts.


(houzz.com)

Troy: I never get tired of looking at the ocean.
Me: Me either. Have you been paddle boarding lately?
Troy: Just yesterday with Erin. She wore my favorite… ~he gets a roguish look on his face~
           Let’s just say I like to paddle behind her.
Me: Got it. So should end our tour here?
Troy: I think we’ve covered the best places.
Me: I think we have, too. Thanks, Kate for having us here today! Troy and I hope your readers enjoyed our little tour! And we’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment sharing one of your favorite places and you’ll be entered to win an eBook copy of any of my backlisted books.

Pick up a copy of WILD ABOUT HER WINGMAN on Amazon * B&N * iTunes


Robin loves to connect with readers. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter on her website. She can also be found online here: Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads 


April 19, 2014

Book Pushers: "This may be my new favorite hockey romance..."

I'm thrilled with the review from MinnChica for obvious reasons. My evidence is, once again, some tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face.

Here's a short excerpt from it:

All in all, I thought Willoughby’s first In the Zone book was absolutely incredible. The hero and heroine were both well developed characters that drew me in from the very start. The romance was so realistic and believable, and I loved the way these two built up from nothing to the solid relationship they had by the end. I can’t wait to see what Willoughby has in store next.

Woot. MinnChica, I have book two all ready for you, coming out in August.








April 16, 2014

Five Stars from Smitten with Reading!!!


Christi loved the book, hence, I love Christi. LOL

My favorite paragraph from her review:

There are several different layers of the story on this one, but my favorite aspect of it was Tim's little girl that died from leukemia. Of course, this has left lasting scars for Tim. He doesn't want kids ever again. He can't do that again. But Erin loves kids...she works in pediatrics. This is a huge thing between them and it really worked as a plot line in this story. It was heart-wrenching, but at the same time, you could totally see where he is coming from. The resolution to that part of the story was so perfect and unexpected. I loved it. 


April 15, 2014

FIVE STARS from Happily Ever After-Reads



I'll admit it. This review made me get teary. It's not just that she loved the book. It's that she GOT the story. She picked out all the same things that make this book my favorite so far.

Here is a quote from the review:

This is one of the best, most satisfying romances I’ve read in a long time...Tim, Erin and their romance was so well done, I couldn’t get enough. Theirs is the type of romance that was easy to fall into because they’re both so likeable, so easy to root for and if On The Surface is a sign of what’s to come in this new series by Kate Willougby, I can’t wait for more.

If you're a writer, you'll understand why reviews like this can stir up the emotions. If you're a parent, it's as if your child did something and people are coming up to you and saying, "Wow! That was amazing." It's heady stuff. The only thing that tops it are perhaps fan letters. Those are super cool too.

April 14, 2014

THE BIG DAY for On the Surface!


It's only seven a.m. and I'm exhausted! Thank goodness I had the foresight to take the day off from work so I could glue myself to the computer and shove my promo in everyone's face. And I mean everyone. LOL

So, On the Surface is officially available. FINALLY. The reviews have generally been stellar. Get it? Five stars...stellar? Okay. I know. If you have to explain a joke, it's probably a dud. But seriously, I'm thrilled with the positive response so far...

"There's plenty for sports fans to love."

"Everything about this book just worked." 

"On the Surface is one of the best books I have read this year..." 

"On the Surface seamlessly weaves together all the best characteristics with phenomenal dialogue, allowing this reader to fall in love alongside Erin and Tim." 

"I want more...because I don't want my time with them to end." 

"This is one of the best, most satisfying romances I've read in a long time..."

I'm appearing on blogs all over the web. For the current list with links, go to my Welcome page. I'm doing my best to keep it updated.

Question: Do you review books online? How stingy are you with your stars? Do reviews influence your book-buying habits?

Find On the Surface at Amazon * Amazon UK * B&N * iTunes * Google Play * Goodreads
Find me on * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest 

Photo credit: Skreened T-shirt Shop




April 11, 2014

Harlequin Junkie Review - FIVE STARS and a TOP PICK!!!



I cannot express how excited I am that Heather at Harlequin Junkie gave On the Surface five stars! Not only that, they chose it as an HJ Top Pick. Thank you, Heather. I'm so glad you're a Barracuda fan!

Here's the last line of the review:

"If you are a sport romance fan then I highly recommend this series. I’ll be on the Barracuda bench – cheering them on."

And check out the cool little banner she pasted on my book cover! I love it.





April 9, 2014

Lush Book Review: 5 STARS!!!

Lush Book Reviews
I'm super excited! Lush Book Reviews gave On the Surface five stars. Here is a juicy quote from the review.

"I have a thing for sports romance books and this one made the list of a must read. Tim and Erin are so right for each other. The love scenes in the book are hot! Kate Willoughby writes her men really well and the banter between his team and Tim were very enjoyable to read. I loved how Tim falls for Erin right away and doesn't hold back his feelings for her. I am excited to read the next book in the series!!

On the Surface is truly one of the best books I have read this year and it happens to be the first book in this new series. If you want a good contemporary romance this is the book for you!! A must buy!"

April 6, 2014

Carina Press Sports Week (plus a giveaway!)


My publisher, Carina Press, is releasing six sports romance titles on April 14 during their very first Sports Week! On the Surface, book one in my hockey romance series is one of the titles and I'm so excited that my book will be released with five other amazing sports romances.

The other Sports Week authors are extremely talented, generous, organized, creative and fun. I would work again with them in a heartbeat. It's been a wonderful experience and I hope Sports Week becomes an annual event at Carina.

So as not to play favorites, I'm going to list the books in alphabetical order according to the sport. If you're looking for romance and sexy athletes, check out these titles! And don't forget to check out how you can win a copy of all six books, plus a $20 gift certificate.


Baseball
The Ace by Rhonda Shaw

The Men of the Show series, written by Rhonda Shaw, follows the sexy and irresistible men on the Detroit Rockets baseball team. In the second book, THE ACE, a friends-with-bennies agreement quickly turns into long, romantic evenings. But denial is the name of the game…until a line drive to the forehead threatens to erase all that’s happened.

Meet Jerry’s teammate Chase Patton in The Changeup!



Follow Rhonda: Twitter | Facebook | Website


Meet gorgeous NFL linebacker Abraham Krasner in IMAGINARY LINES by Allison Parr. Tamar fell hopelessly in love with Abe at age twelve but knew he'd never see her as more than the girl-next-door. Years later she gets a sports journalist job covering Abe's team and the sparks fly.

Read more about the New York Leopards in Rush Me and Running Back!


Follow Allison: Twitter | Facebook | Blog


Mixed Martial Arts 
Tap Out by Michele Mannon

Michele Mannon’s second book, TAP OUT, in the Worth the Fight series, features an underwear model turned MMA superstar, and a reporter who just won’t take no for an answer.

Don’t miss book one, Knock Out!




Rugby
Playing It Close by Kat Latham

Kat Latham writes the London Legends series about the world’s hottest rugby team. Book two, PLAYING IT CLOSE, features the team captain and a scandalous woman with whom he spent one passionate night and never thought he’d see again—until she turns out to be his team’s newest sponsor.

Meet Liam’s teammate Spencer Bailey in Knowing the Score!




Tennis
Love in Straight Sets by Rebecca Crowley

In Rebecca Crowley’s LOVE IN STRAIGHT SETS, love and ambition go head-to-head. Professional tennis player Regan Hunter's temper is almost as notorious as her unstoppable serve, but her anger when player-turned-coach Ben Percy attempts to wrest control from her grasp is nothing compared to the sizzling attraction that instantly blazes between them.


Follow Rebecca: Twitter | Blog



As promised, here's the giveaway. Good luck!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway