Guest Post & Review ~*~ A Touch of Lilly by Nina Pierce

Yeah!!  We are super excited to welcome Nina Pierce to the blog today!!

We've been reading various books by Nina for several years and have enjoyed each and every one! Let's see what kind of interesting things she has for us today . . . 

Thanks so much for letting me come over and hang with you for the day. It’s always nice to get out and stretch my legs in another corner of the Internet. Since this is my first visit, how about I tell you a few things about myself your readers may not know. Oh … and how about we turn this into a game for your visitors?

Sounds like fun Nina . . . I'm sure I've got the smartest visitors, at least in this corner of the Internet . . . Bring it on!!

Below are listed 9 facts about me. Some of you may know these things, others … maybe not. But buried in this list of 10 is one totally made up thing that isn’t true. Yep, just like Sesame Street (and I’m showing my age here), one of these just doesn’t belong.

 Some Facts About Nina

Can you guess which one of these things is NOT true?

1. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from college as one of three valedictorians

See this one also goes with the fact that when I do something I like to be the best or come in first. (Competitive much, Nina?) I owe this to being the middle of 5 children and always looking to both please and garner some attention. (Which totally backfired in high school when my straight A’s never got my parent’s attention, but my brother’s D’s always did. Nope, not bitter about that one at all!)

2. I’ve flown into the Grand Canyon in a helicopter

Yes, this was very cool. But the Grand Canyon has its name for a reason … it’s grand. When you land inside the canyon you get to see only a very small portion of its beauty. I still want to go back and see it from the rim. However, having the bragging rights to say I had a champagne lunch in the canyon and then our pilot got permission to buzz the Las Vegas strip, isn’t something everyone’s done.

3. I’m a licensed pilot

One of those crazy things that was just on my bucket list. I was given flying lessons as a high school graduation gift and had my license before the end of my freshman year in college. I love the freedom of being up among the clouds! My solo flight was down the New England coast … beautiful! Of course airplane rental (because who owns a plane these days), fuel costs, and failing health make taking trips cost prohibitive.

4. I’ve had no less than 50 jobs so far in my life

Really, this is one of those things people just don’t believe. But I’ve written them down. I started babysitting when I was 11, progressed to McDonald’s and then to a jean retailer. Through college I worked as an RA, a girl’s dormitory janitor *gag*, admin at a real estate office and a tutor. I’ve harvested potatoes, framed pictures, run a gift shop and worked for the local paper. But the best gig I’ve had—by far—is making up stories to entertain people!

5. I have a degree in Marine Biology

I grew up on the Maine coast and always loved the ocean. I think salt water runs through my veins. Nothing soothes my soul like the sound of calling gulls and the rhythmic swish of the waves. Of course I never did get to travel with Jacques Cousteau … which had always been my dream. But I did get to use my degree to teach. 

6. I’ve been skydiving

You’d think I’d tell you this was terrifying, but it was nothing short of thrilling. I spent a day training with a good friend and the following day about a dozen of us went up in a small piper cub and solo jumped. (Someday I’d like to do this tandem.) Of course our chutes were tethered to the plane and deployed when we stepped off the airplane strut. No one trusts a first time jumper to actually pull the ripcord! It’s easily one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.

7. I have 3 kids, 3 cats, owned 2 houses, 2 cars, have 1 son-in-law, 1 grandson and only 1 husband. ‘Nuf said.

8. I have Multiple Sclerosis

It’s an ugly disease that frustrates the living $%&^ out of me! Mostly because my particular variation can’t be treated, so it progresses without any way to slow the debilitation. But I was diagnosed when my children were just babies and I’m still on my feet and my hands and eyes still work so I try not to complain too often. (And like I tell people … crying about it only gets you puffy eyes and blotchy cheeks, so I persevere.)

9. I have a great uncle who was in the CIA

He’s nearly 90 now, so definitely retired. But he spent his adult life working for an airline company. Little did we know he was actually secretly helping to shuttle people who worked for the government and often times political prisoners to destinations throughout the world. We’re just now finding out the details of what he did for some forty years.

10. I’ve flown in a hotair balloon

As you can see I’m really a thrill seeker. And this one was definitely a thrill ride. Breathtaking. Majestic. Completely serene. I loved every minute of being in the balloon, even the bumpy landing! I would go up every weekend if I could!

So what do you think? Which one of these isn’t a fact about me?

Well Nina, you've made this difficult but interesting . . . I still have faith in my visitors that they can spot the non~fact!  Everyone, Leave a comment and let's show Nina just how bright you are ;-) Ohhh and you can win a prize from her!  Or just leave a comment and thank Nina for her time in visiting us!!

Blurb ~*~

Ex-Chicago detective LILLY D’ANGELO has a secret she doesn’t share with anyone. A master of the one night stand, she’s given up ever finding a soul mate and thrown herself head first into her career. That is, until she captures the wrong alien. Kidnapped and sold into the sex slave trade, she’s shipped into deep space. Barely escaping with her life, Lilly now travels the galaxy working as a bounty hunter using her secret talents to bring down criminals and seeking revenge on the one male who ruined her life.

Agent DALLAS SAWYER works for deep space’s version of the FBI. After a disastrous mission that left several of his team members murdered, a president executed, and Dallas near death, he’s determined to take down the assassin targeting government officials. When a sexy human female gets between him and his goal, Dallas and his alien partner find themselves on the receiving end of a passionate night they won’t soon forget and a proposition that may very well blow up in their faces.

Because in deep space … true love can happen with just a touch.


Excerpt ~*~

(from Chapter One)

Lilly D’Angelo wasn’t expecting a trip down memory lane when she sauntered into the dingy tavern, but the acrid stench and gruff hum of the Friday night crowd carried her back to one of the seedier establishments on Chicago’s south side nonetheless. Except for the clientele, the owner had managed to replicate nearly every detail right down to the blue haze of cigarette smoke and the soft crooning of a jazz band on the corner stage.

Pushing the sour thoughts of home from her mind and focusing on the job at hand, Lilly morphed her features into her sexiest vixen pout and moved gracefully toward the long bar on the other side of the room. Her voluptuous breasts, spilling temptingly from her silk blouse, led the way. The eyes watching her leather-clad ass sashay around the battered tables were clustered on various life forms—none of them human.

Yeah, definitely not Chicago. Hell, this wasn’t even Earth for goodness sake.

“Regent’s ale, straight up, hold the brenic.” Lilly ordered the local brew in English, hoping the two-headed alien behind the bar had a cochlear translator in one of those eight holes that passed for ears. Satisfied when one head nodded, she settled on a stool, making sure her fur jacket and blouse parted just enough to offer a seductive view of her cleavage. She shifted, allowing the black leather skirt to ride up her thigh and expose a little more silky real estate. The reflection she saw in the mirror behind the liquor bottles was every inch a working woman on the prowl. She wasn’t trying to attract anyone in particular, just hoping to mislead the locals into thinking she was some female making a living with her body—which was true—just not as the human streetwalker she impersonated.

Buy Links ~*~

Amazon   |   B&N   |   Smashwords   |   Kobo

4 Star Review ~*~
A Touch of Lilly was a read that was different for me but I had to check out Nina Pierce's ventures into more of a sci-fi realm than I am used to.  Happily, I wasn't disappointed with this story either!

A Touch of Lilly has a little menage action, hot and seXy just the way we like it . . . It also has a great sci-fi story line with interesting characters and a plot that is suspenseful, action packed, and sweet all rolled together in a nice package.  It flows very well and you'll finish it before you even realize time has passed ~ it just sucks you in and leaves you with a great feeling after.

Meet up with Lilly and Dallas and their friends for some fun.  If you like a romance with spice, a little sci~fi added in then this is your story.  If you aren't a sci~fi fan, don't let that scare you away.  The story feels like a futuristic romance with some paranormal elements thrown in for good measure.  I loved reading about Nina's vision of what could be!

Besides, A Touch of Lilly is on sale for 99 pennies right now!  Take a chance on something new from a fantastic author!


Author Bio & Links ~*~

USA Today Bestselling author, Nina Pierce, grew up in a house full of readers. Nina's discovered the passionate side of romance with her sexy stories. For her, it's all about the sweet scent of seduction mixed with the heartwarming aroma of romance.

Nina resides in New England with her high school sweetheart and soul mate of twenty-eight years and several very spoiled cats who consider her "staff". When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her three grown children, one love-sick son-in-law and a heart-melting grandson.

You can keep up with her new books at her website (http://www.NinaPierce.com) or by following her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nina.pierce) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ninapierce)


Giveaway ~*~
Nina will be awarding A print copy of HEALER’S GARDEN and author swag (Shipping to US winner only. International winner will receive a $25 Amazon OR BN Gift Card in lieu of print book and swag) to a random commenter during the tour!

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-book-tour-touch-of-lilly-by.html