Friday, September 13, 2013

Book Tour for High Octane Heroes Anthology (Review & GIVEAWAY)


Today gives you a glimpse of some super hot saviors in the High Octane Heroes anthology edited by Delilah Devlin.  Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book through my review and get to know one of the contributing authors through my interview with her.  Make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win some great prizes too!  So let's get to the fun and welcome Megan Mitcham (writing as Macy Man in the anthology)......


MM:  A million thanks to The Scarf Princess for hosting me and the fabulous High Octane Heroes Anthology today! You have questions. I have answers. So, I'll get right to it......
TSP:  Many kids want to be a police officer when they grow up.....what did you want to be when you grew up?
MM:  A horse cuddler. I mean, seriously, who wouldn't want to spend eight hours a day hugging a horse? Too bad it wasn't an actual profession because I'm fabulous at it!
TSP:  Where did you come up with the idea for your story in this anthology, and what do you want us to know about it beyond its synopsis?
MM:  I'll start with the later part of the question first, since it is also half of the seed that grew this story. My High Octane Heroes Anthology story, HEATED NEGOTIATION touts, not one, but TWO high octane heroes!
I knew from the start I wanted my heroine just as entrenched in the rough and tumble world of crime fighting as the hero. The story also had to be fresh, consequently eliminating the partner and boss to underling angles. Bring in the second half of the germ; the Discovery Channel and a documentary they aired on Detroit S.W.A.T. In it they show Motor City's Special Response Team doing crowd control for theForth of July fireworks event on the roof of the City County Building.
Add a little creative crazy to the mix and WHALLA; You have HEATED NEGOTIATIONS.
Paige Cline, Detroit’s lead negotiator, and Donovan Wolfe, Motor City’s Special Response Team captain, butt heads (and several other body parts) in an effort to determine who’s in charge.
TSP:  Why are readers drawn to heroic everyday men (like policemen or military men), what makes these kinds of heroes heroic?
MM:  Fantasy mixed with real world possibilities. Unlike legends and lords, high octane heroes are visible in our everyday lives.
A high octane hero is in a class all his own. He's not sitting behind a desk calling people to handle a situation. He's out there getting things done. Daunting though his tasks may be, iron will bolsters his spine and determination knits his brow. His lean muscles and sharp intellect ensure each mission's success. Bars and badges on his chest. Honor in his heart. That's a high octane hero. That's why we love them.
TSP:  Pretend you're putting together a policemen calendar, who would be some of your calendar boys?
MM:  Oooohhh, fun! Since most of my favorite book fiction police are women, I'll go with movie fiction.....January - Mark Wahlberg in Max Payne or Shooter, heavily armed and lightly clothed, February - Colin Farrell, S.W.A.T. shirtless on the beach, sweaty after a long run, March - The ultimate detective, Morgan Freeman a.k.a. Alex Cross in a crisp white shirt and tan trench coat, April - Mel Gibson, ala 1987 with a smidgen of those hot cheeks showing, May - Dwayne Johnson, Fast & Furious 6 with his shirtless muscles from any movie, he's that consistently fit, June - Every force has to have a little corruption; Denzel Washington - Training Day, July - Brad Pitt in Seven with the ripped muscles of Fight Club, August - Jamie Foxx, Miami Vice, September - Bad Boys, bad boys. What cha' gonna' do...Will Smith with his I am Legend muscles, October - I'll date myself and give myself a present on my birthday month...Heartthrob of my generation; Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed, but I fell in love with him in Romeo & Juliet, November - This is fiction...so, pretend Gerard Butler played a policeman in a movie, December - Something to keep you warm on those cold winter nights; Channing Tatum in 21 Jump Street or G.I. Joe.
TSP:  Of all the military branches, which one would you most want to be saved by and why?
MM:  Sorry, if this is boring, but none of the above. I like my fiction wracked with conflict and catastrophe. Everyday life, however, I like nice and peaceful.
They say turnabout is fair play. So, I have a question for all you blog readers. Answer it and you'll be entered into a drawing for your very own high octane heroes hunky calendar! Who do you think will come out 'on top,' Paige or Donovan?

What is it about heroes like Superman, Iron Man or Thor that revs our engines like no other? Is it the suit? The manly physique? Or is it the courage they display, wading in where others fear to go, to save the damsel, the city, the Earth? Are there real-life heroes who inspire the same lustful fascination? Kickass iconic heroes who enter danger zones in the name of duty, honor, country—or maybe love—who conjure images of hard, chiseled bodies, deadly glares and camouflaged features?
High Octane Heroes will satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that “super alpha” man. Imagine the Navy SEAL sent on a suicide mission; the damaged Army Ranger home from war; the para rescue team member jumping into frigid waters; a SWAT team member entering a human trafficker’s den… military members and based in far-flung places around the world or the smoke-jumper living next door. Then imagine the romantic possibilities of being held against that massively muscled chest by a man whose mission is to protect and serve…

EXCERPT:

Paige clutched a fistful of Abercrombie-style button down and pivoted. The college boy, who smelled of cheep whiskey, completed his decent head first to the concrete without taking her along for the ride. Bobbing around his friends, who all looked as cute and as wasted, she continued winding through the crowd. While most around her craned their necks toward the sky mouths agape at the colorful spectacle of friendly little bombs, she kept her target in view. The Fourth of July crush of one million warm Detroit bodies wasn’t enough to deter her lust for vengeance. It had been twenty-four hours since she’d been royally screwed and reaped no pleasure from the experience. Tonight she would get a release.
The security guard working the door of the City-County Building nodded at Paige’s badge and she rushed through the lobby. Up the elevator and down a corridor of cubicle sized offices, Paige saw the door labeled 'Roof Access' in the distance. After two ground eating strides in its direction the door swung wide with a metal smack and two Special Response Team members in full tact gear walked into the hallway.    
At the sight of the blacked-out commandos, their faces obscured by balaclavas and bodies loaded with Kevlar and weaponry, adrenalin shot through her veins like a bullet from a gun. All thoughts of fatigue, from lack of sleep over the past forty-eight hours or the hour-and-a-half it took warring the crowd to get here, vanished. Shoulders back and chin up she stopped directly in front of the two men. 
“Donovan Wolfe?”
Two sets of eyes before her went wide followed by head shaking. The tallest of the two hitched a thumb toward the access door. Paige inclined her head, a small gesture of thanks, and pushed past them.
One of the men, no way to know which since she wasn’t looking, cleared his throat. “Sergeant Cline, should we call an ambulance?”
The corners of her mouth turned up when she replied. “No. Call the medical examiner.”

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Delilah Devlin has again brought together a talented group of authors depicting a varied group of men (and a few women) who risk their lives for love.  Like most anthologies, some of the stories were more satisfying than others but each was creative with characters that jumped off the page.  There was a nice flow from one story to the next where nothing felt repetitive with heat levels that offered something for everyone.  None of the stories got too kinky though so those that like their romances warm instead of scorching will find themselves satisfied.  While each story had a definitive conclusion, some offered a clear HEA whereas others offered a HFN.  Some felt a bit rushed (Painted by Leah Ridgewood) while others had surprising depth (The Star by Tahira Iqbal). The one theme that was incorporated throughout was the dominant nature of the men.  A sense of protectiveness and surety radiated off of each hero that will make any reader swoon.  

When it came to to-die-for heroes I especially fell for Matt in Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol.  He put his life on the line to save the woman he's been infatuated with since his teens.  To make his rescue of her even more difficult is the fact that he's missing a hand and lost his prosthesis while racing to reach her.  His disability was dealt with in a realistic and tasteful way with his feelings of inadequacy believably addressed.  As a disabled person myself I greatly appreciate an unconventional hero and wish this story could've been expanded upon.

From start to finish this anthology made for an entertaining read.  I discovered some new authors and was again reminded of other tried-and-true author's talents.  There was a little something for every kind of reader and I look forward to Ms. Devlin's next anthology.

My rating for this is a B+

*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Megan was born and raised among the live oaks and shrimp boats of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her enormous family still calls home. She attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a bachelor’s degree in curriculum, instruction, and special education. For several years Megan worked as a teacher in Mississippi. She married and moved to South Carolina and began working for an international non-profit organization as an instructor and co-director.
It wasn’t until nearly a year after her son was born that Megan fell in love with books. Until then, books had been a source for research or the topic of tests. But one morning while her son was taking one of his several naps, at the time, she picked up the book Mercy by Julie Garwood that her neighbor had dropped by the day before. During the time her son napped that day she finished the book. And Oh Mercy, she was hooked!
Megan currently lives in Southern Arkansas where she is completing a romantic thriller novel series and building a career as an author.
Fierce Wild, Wild at Heart Anthology

**********GIVEAWAY**********

One randomly drawn commenter will win the grand prize package of: $50 Amazon GC, signed copies of Cowboy Lust and Smokin’ Hot Firemen from Delilah, a Tiara from Sabrina York, and a print copy of Under His Skin and a So Inked mug from Sidney Bristol.  Another commenter visiting my blog will have the chance to win a “hot high-octane guy” calendar courtesy of Megan Mitcham.

-GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO US ONLY!
-To be entered, LEAVE A COMMENT ANSWERING MEGAN'S QUESTION AT THE END OF HER INTERVIEW), along with your email addy (no email=no entry).
-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 9/13.

29 comments:

  1. I think Paige will come out on top and I loved the excerpt and interview bibbiesparks@yahoo.com

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  2. I love when there is not just a strong hero, but a strong heroine as well. Also, just have to say that I want that policemen calendar. That needs to be created, like now. :D (jagclub_50@hotmail.com)

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  3. Many thanks to The Scarf Princess for hosting me and High Octane Heroes! Thanks also to Goddess Fish Promotions for organizing this wonderful tour!

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    1. Thank YOU for being here Megan! And since I read the book, I know who comes out on top......or is it who gets to BE on top.....

      The Scarf Princess

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  4. Thanks for stopping by and answering my question, Bibbie!!

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  5. Jamie, I love a heroine who can hold her own in most any situation. Glad you do too!

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  6. I enjoyed the interview and excerpt, thank you.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Hi, Megan! Great interview and excerpt! Gotta love a well-matched couple, which it definitely sounds to be true of Paige and Donovan! I'm guessing that there'll definitely be jostling for dominance, so to speak, and several changes of possession ;) Ultimately, I'm not sure who'll end up on top, but I'm sure a good time will be had by all :D Can't wait to read for myself! Thanks for the post today!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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    1. How right you are!! They're torn from the same cloth as they say. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Thanks for another great excerpt and interview. I can't wait to read this. I think they are pretty evenly matched and it'll be close but in the very end Paige will come out on top. :)
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  9. I think Paige will come out on top. Thanks for sharing the excerpt.Enjoyed reading the interview.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  10. Paige, the woman always comes out on top although the man may know realize it. Thanks for sharing the interview and giveaway. Sounds like a great book. evamillien at gmail dot com

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    1. LOVE it, Eva!! Illusions and delusions! It is a great book. I'm only slightly partial. :)

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  11. I agree...Paige will come out on top. If Donovan is a REAL High Octane Hero, he won't have to be on top. He can let Paige be on top and still be the hero.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  12. Donovan

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  13. I've really, really enjoyed the tour! It's been awesome
    :-)
    My best,
    Chelsea.

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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    1. I'm so glad, Chelsea! It's been fun for us all. Great having you!!

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  14. Great getting to know you Megan, loved your story!

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Emily!! I loved writing it and reading the other great stories in the collection!

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  15. What a tour! I know the book will be amazing...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. THe book will be soooo great and looking forward to reading it!!!!!!

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  17. Congratulations Catherine!! You have twelve high octane hotties headed your way!!

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