Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Blog Tour: Deer In Headlights by Staci Hart {Review + Author Interview}



Series: Good Gods Book 1
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Publication Date: February 13th 2013
Format: Ebook provided by author for review





What do the Greek gods do when they're bored? Because they're always bored, so humans are the perfect players in their games. Aphrodite owns love; she hasn't lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia. Apollo is on a mission to win. He's counting on it to finally get the one woman he's never been able to have. The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can't get them together before the clock runs out, Apollo will get his way. And Aphrodite couldn't have that. Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don't know it yet. Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star. Lex is always with a man, but she'll never fully give herself up. Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can't make it work, no one can. The gods have their own drama. Apollo killed Aprhodite's mortal love - they've got beef that's been dragging on for thousands of years. Ares, the douchebag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed. And Persephone, Aphrodite's best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with. Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.


My Take:

I absolutely adore the cover for this book. It's so fun and eye catching which fits the story perfectly!

So what happens when the Gods get bored? They fuck with the humans, which most days of my life seem to be a giant joke anyway so right away I can get behind this story idea lol! Aphrodite the Goddess of Love has a "Contest" going on with Apollo. She believes she can get a couple to fall in love and he thinks he can stop that from happening. Aphrodite or "Dita" for short, holds a grudge against Apollo because she thinks he killed her lover Adonis, while Apollo holds a grudge against Dita for locking away his beloved in a penis tree. (Seriously you have to read this book, it's hilarious!) You heard me right, Apollo is in love with Daphne whose father is Peneus {Insert laughter here} There is a whole shitload of drama that goes down with these Gods and it makes me wonder who the fuck is REALLY in charge lol!

SO getting back to this contest we have Alexis and Dean who both have serious commitment issues. Dean's mother was a Nympho ho-bag who couldn't stop riding the white ninja and Lexi's father ran off like a punk bitch leaving her mother to grieve his loss for all time. See why they have issues? Anyway Dean is the lead singer of a band and is the token man whore. When he bangs the drummer's girl that brings him right into the path of Lexi. See Lexi is dating Travis who becomes the band's new drummer. Lexi and Travis don't really love each other but their relationship is comfortable so they stick with it. When Lexi and Dean meet for the first time it's lightening in a bottle and Dean's best friend Roe (who is already pissed they lost a drummer over Dean's BS) is nervous because he sees the spark.

The chapters seesaw between what the Gods are doing in between the bet and what is happening with the human players in the game. Dita spends most of her time pinning for Adonis' dead ass and Apollo (who gets visions or prophecies) is trying his best to win so he can get his darling Daphne back from her Dickhead father. There is a whole back story on that whole Dram Fest that will have you in stitches with a naked man with wings, some effective arrows and cursing. Trust me it's gold! Anyway so Apollo gets a vision of Lexi and Travis' relationship but he tries to use it against Lexi about Dean hoping it will keep them apart. Little does he know that there is a reason nobody wins against Aphrodite. I mean come on, she IS the goddess of Love right? When Apollo finds a loophole in the form of a freaky chick with Tarot cards his plan seems to be taking root and both Lexi and Dean are miserable. When Dita figures out his tricks she sends a hot brunette into the picture to handle some business. Or should I say Someones business *WINK*

I always loved Greek mythology but I feel asleep in class 90% of the time because it was never told to me like this! This book was fun, upbeat and hilarious with a larger than life cast of characters. There were some moments where the tension was amped up but overall it was a really light hearted book that will leave you feeling happy and most of all giggly. I really enjoyed the relationship between Lexi and Dean and it became a beautiful little love story in between the fuckery of the Gods. It was fun watching these rulers of the universe act like regular people with drama and bullshit like humans go through. During one scene both Dita and her bestie Persephone or "Perry" are watching a couple try to get busy with each other and their clumsiness causes these two gods to crackup while they eat popcorn no less. That freaks me out to think there is a big freak sitting on a red velvet couch eating popcorn while I take a shit. Can you imagine the life of a God?

I loved the the way the author wrote out these characters. Even though they are Gods they still walked, talked and acted like regular people. The comedic timing in the delivery of the one liners was brilliant. Several of the characters have funny lines that had me cracking up at the absurdity. You wouldn't think a God has a sense of humor but in this book they absolutely do. 

There is a little bit of hotness going on this book which surprised me honestly. I wasn't expecting things to get intense between the couples but that little tidbit was like getting two toys in your happy meal *Suck it McDonald's* One particular scene had a character getting inventive with a condom and her mouth which sounds gross but was actually kinda hot IMO. I guess I'm just deprived but it worked for me. I loved that despite their differences, the Gods worked out their issues and seemed to get along for now. By the end of the book you will be wondering what happens next. I can't even imagine what hilarity is in store for us in the next installment but like in poker I'm "all In"





Quotes:

"Full disclosure." Kevin pushed his glasses up his nose. "There have been...let's call them 'Issues' of the carnal nature between our dear professor panty-dropper and girlfriends of drummers past." Loc. 645

"He's just so...I mean, you've seen him." "I have. His panty moistening skills are off the charts." "Gross." Lex side-eyed Kara, deadpan. "Seriously, Lex - Does he light a fire of desire in your lady cave?" Loc. 1217

"Okay, okay. I give. Uncle. You're relentless, how many days have you been begging now? This has to be some kind of record for me." "Peer pressure works. I need a T-shirt that says that. See you at nine. I'll pick you up. Maybe I'll even bring you flowers." "Overachiever." Loc. 2636

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Author Interview:

First, tell us a little about yourself and your writing...

Hi Amanda and Gloria! Thanks for having me :)
I'm a mom of three and graphic designer living in Colorado. I've always been an avid reader, and a natural talker (lol), so writing was an easy transition.
I write funny, fun, steamy romance novels with a mythology twist. There are no hoity toity stiff neck gods in my Olympus. My gods are hip, hilarious, and very human...other than the fact that they're immortal and have powers.


Have you always wanted to be an author, or did you envision something else in your future?

When I was a kid, I wanted to write. I tried writing a mystery when I was in the third grade. It was about thirteen pages long, and I was so disappointed with myself that I didn't go back into writing until High School. I was in a creative writing class my Junior and Senior year. I wrote a lot of bad poetry into my 20's, but never intended to make a living off of it. At one point, I thought I was going to be an elementary school teacher with a reading specialization. Then I started graphic design and loved it. Now, all I want to do is write!


Tell us about your unusual hobby? 

I *love* to play video games! Favorite games are Uncharted (all of them) and Skyrim.

What do you dislike about failure? What can you learn from it? 

The worst part about failure is feeling like you made some mistake that brought you to where you are. It's the worrying about what you did right, or did wrong, or what you could have changed. But the learning comes from those feelings. When you figure out what you think you did right or wrong, you can make the change the next time you encounter the situation. Failure sucks, but learning from it is the silver lining.


Favorite Quote:
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.” 
― Kurt Vonnegut, Player Piano


Where did you grow up? 

Houston, Texas. I am the polar opposite of a cowgirl, though some people say I resemble Deborah Winger as Sissy in Urban Cowboy.

What is the best/worst book you've ever read?

This question is evil. That's like asking me to pick a favorite child. I'll say that in the last year, the best book that I read was Storm of Swords by George RR Martin (book three of the Song of Ice and Fire series/Game of Thrones). Martin is hands down the best character writer I've ever read. That book threw everything you thought you knew on its ass.


What is One of your biggest pet peeves that authors do?

I have to pick one? HA! I guess it would be pacing. I can't stand when there are loads of narrative or infodumps in books. Like Diana Gabaldon - I LOVE the Outlander books, but that woman can go on and on.

If they made a movie of your life who would play you?

Zooey Deschanel with a less interesting wardrobe and a filthier mouth.


What are you currently working on and what can we expect from you in the future?

Currently working on Snake in the Grass, Book 2 of the Good Gods series. I'm in final edits, and it will be released July 30!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom; she has three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife; even though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f, ends with k, and there a uc in there. Just saying. From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics. But let's be honest, she's mostly writing.



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7 comments:

  1. I like the quotes. Glad you enjoyed this one!

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  2. This sounds hilarious. That cover really cracks me up!

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  3. LOL - you review made me holla :) Between penis trees, pining for dead ass gods, and nympho ho-bag mom's riding white ninjas, I mean how could you go wrong :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  4. This book looks very interesting!! & funny.
    Great review.
    I follow via email

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  5. Nympho ho-bag? penis tree? two toys in a Micky-D happy meal? your reviews are always hilarious.

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  6. This book looks very interesting!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!

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