Break Out Virtual Book Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway with Nina Croft

Posted 5 July, 2011 by Lori @ Romancing the Dark Side in Blog Tour, Giveaways, Guest Posts / 21 Comments

Today I’m joined by author Nina Croft who’s promoting her new release out today: Break Out. Check out the awesome guest post by the author herself, read a teaser excerpt and enter for a chance to win your own digital copy of Break Out!
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Why we love a kick ass heroine in our books…

I occasionally go back and read one of the books I absolutely loved when I was younger, and honestly, some of the heroines are positively feeble. They tended to be young, ravishingly beautiful, innocent, and in desperate need of some man to come along and save them. The closest they got to kick ass was feisty. Give me a heroine like that these days, and I’d probably throw the book across the room (or more likely delete it from my kindle).

No, these days, I like a good strong, kick ass heroine (my personal favorites are Anita Blake and Mercy Thompson). By that I don’t mean they always have to be ready to literally shoot down anyone who stands in their way (though I must admit I’m partial to the shooter types), but they must be able to deal with the crap life throws them without relying on someone else to sort things out.

So here’s why I think we love a kick ass heroine,

• When I read a book, especially a romance, I want to identify with the heroine. When I was little (a long time ago) I wanted to grow up to be an assassin, or a spy or an explorer… well you get the picture. So it stands to reason that I identify with tough women (even if in reality I turned out a bit of a wimp).

• And I want to fall in love with the hero. How can I fall in love with a man I don’t respect, and how can I respect a man who falls in love with a wimp, even if she is beautiful!

• I want the heroine to be worthy of the hero. If I can’t have him then it’s because some great woman who truly deserves him has captured his heart, not some whiny, too stupid to live, beautiful young thing, who has absolutely no clue how to shoot a laser pistol and protect her man.

• Long gone is the time when we were happy to wait for some man to come along and save us, or the world. These days, if there’s anything at all out there in need of saving, then we want to be the ones to do it.

• And finally, I love the moment when a really tough heroine shows her vulnerable side, the side that only the hero gets to see, and only after he’s proved he’s worthy.

BREAK OUT, is the first book in the Blood Hunter series, and is set in a future where man has fled to the stars and discovered the secret of immortality.

The heroine, Skylar, is about as kick ass as they come. She’s a soldier, working undercover, with a mission she’s determined to see through to the end, despite the distraction of Ricardo Sanchez, the super-sexy, stunningly gorgeous, vampire pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador.

Rico is attracted to Skylar’s toughness, but it’s actually her contradictions and the flashes of vulnerability he sees beneath her surface that make him fall in love with her.

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BLOOD HUNTER SERIES – Book One by Nina Croft
“An exciting roller coaster ride… Loads of fun!”
~ Julia Rachel Barrett, Award-winning author of Captured


Title: Break Out
Author: Nina Croft
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance/Vamps
Length: Novella
Release Date: July 5th, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-04-6
Irreverent. Irresponsible. Insatiable. Who says immortals can’t have any fun?

The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they’ve discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they’re called, rule the universe.

Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can’t resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective’s maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous–or so fun!



Excerpt:

“You might want to change your mind about that reward,” Tannis murmured from beside him. “This one looks like she might fight back.”

“I don’t mind a good fight,” Rico drawled. “As long as I win.”

He swung his chair around and followed the line of her sight, his gaze settling on the tall figure in the doorway. He wouldn’t have recognized her if he hadn’t known what to look for.

The silver dress was gone and a black jumpsuit now hugged her tall, toned body. She walked with the lithe grace of a predator, one hand resting on the pistol at her thigh. The long, blond hair, which had done a lot to soften her features, was also gone. In its place was a severely short, almost military cut that emphasized the sharp cheekbones, and the large, almost beaky nose. Her dark blue eyes were the same though, as was the wide, red mouth. He dropped his gaze. There was no disguising the lush curve of those breasts either, and his body tightened at the sight.

She’d come to a halt in front of them, and he raised his eyes from her breasts to her face to find her frowning at him.

“Skylar,” he said, kicking out a chair and patting the seat. “Take a seat.”

She regarded him suspiciously for a moment and then sat.

“Quite a disguise you had there.”

“Part of my training,” she replied.

“Your rebel training?”

She nodded.

“Tell me. Why were you with the rebels? You seem a little too…” He studied her, trying to think of the correct word. Normal maybe, but he had an idea that Skylar was far from normal.

“Human?” She supplied for him.

***

So who are your favorite kick ass heroines, and why do you love them? Leave a comment to win a digital copy of Break Out.
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About the Author:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina’s writing mixes romance with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

For more information on Nina Croft, visit her here:
Buy the book here:
Amazon | Entangled Publishing

Find the entire tour schedule here:
Break Out Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Here’s your chance to win an e-copy of Break Out!



Rules:
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
Giveaway ends July 10th, 11:59 pm EST.
Open internationally.
TO ENTER:
 Answer Nina Croft’s question in the comments and include an email address.

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21 Responses to “Break Out Virtual Book Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway with Nina Croft”

  2. Jennifer_After_Dark

    I was just on entangled publishing website yesterday and saw this book,,and was like hell yeah,,,sounds like a good,,and now I do follow Ms. Croft on blogger ,,,but to answer the question….it is a toss up between Rose Hathaway, in the Vampire Academy Series and Cathrine Cat Crawford,,both well for the obvious,,Dimitri and bones,,but both have a strong will and determination in them, they do have a sense of humor Cat more than Rose, but can kick ass when its due and will stand strong for the people that are most important to them and more importantly for the man they love..

    thanks for the opportunity,,,to win this book,,but dont worry if i dont win im gonna get it anyway,,hehe

    jennifer

    westtexasjen at gmail dot com

    Reply
  4. Jessica

    Break Out sounds like a great read! I love “kick ass” heroines, and there are so many great ones out there! I think if I really had to choose, it’d be a toss up between Elena from the Guild Hunters series or Cat Crawford. Not only are they both awesome, but they have Raphael and Bones!! 😉 Thanks for the giveaway~ jrosemergy@gmail.com

    Reply
  6. Nina Croft

    I love Buffy, but there’s a few here I don’t recognize – I may have to go book shopping!

    Aubrie – I never really liked Princess Leia – I think it was because she got Han Solo and I wanted him!

    Reply
  7. Library Lady

    There are so many I love! Rachel Morgan from The Hollows by Kim Harrison, Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs,and Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews are some of my faves. They can all kick butt especially with the help of a little magic and once they “adopt” you into their family they will keep you safe or die trying.

    Break Out sounds like a great read. I would love to win it!
    adsanders77 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  9. Lisa Kessler

    Great blog Nina!!!

    Congratulations on the new release!!! 🙂

    I love Selene from Underworld… She was always so calm and cool under pressure!

    And I wish I looked so good in a black latex catsuit! LOL

    Lisa

    Reply
  10. Anne

    I’m with you on Mercy Thompson and Anita Bklake, or at least Anita in the first 7 or 8 books. Just finished Hit List and Hamilton is starting to get back on track with Anita and her job as a Federal Agent (what I read for) and less on the smut (Now, I like me some smut as much as the next person, but it overwhelmed all other aspects of the series). I also like Kate Daniels, Charlie Madigan, Gin Blanco and so many others.

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply
  12. Denise Z

    I have recently heard of this title, but have never read it and it sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

    I love Anita Blake, Rachel Morgan, and Mercy Thompson – I have to give multiples because how do you possible choose between so many wonderful characters out there. I love that these women will get out there and kick ### and still have vulnerabilities that make them seem more real.

    I would love to read this book and perhaps find another to add to my list 🙂

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply
  13. BOOKWORM NATTIE

    Hi Nina, Love your blog and congrats on your release, my favorite would be Selene from Underworld. I wish you great success and I can’t wait to read it. I am hearing it’s pretty Kick Ass!!! 🙂
    nataliej0209@yahoo.ca
    Also big shout out from Naughty Nattie
    Sassy Street Siren 🙂

    Reply
  14. ~ Babs ~

    Nina congrats on your release, my favorite would be Selene from Underworld as well. I hope you have great success :).

    bhitwr at gmail dot com

    A big show out from Babs
    Sassy Street Siren 🙂

    Reply
  15. Jennifer@The Book Nympho

    Buffy is a classic and I loved the “old” Anita Blake you know before all the orgy stuff. LOL Cat Crawford from the Night Huntress series is great. But I’d have to say my current fave is Merit from the CV series. She kicks ass and has a great sense of humor. Plus you’ve got to love a kick with a sword.

    thebooknympho AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
  16. *yadkny*

    I totally agree with Jennifer@The Book Nympho about “old” Anita Blake… that girl knew how to fight and not care at all how dirty she got doing it. Recently I’ve discovered Piper from Piper’s Fury and have always enjoyed Cat from the Night Huntress Series. My ideal heroine doesn’t have to perfect… she can be flawed whether it be in looks or clumsiness, but she’s always gotta have a backbone and not be afraid of using weapons.

    CONGRATS Nina!!! Here’s wishing you much success! Definitely putting Break Out on my wishlist.

    *waves* to all of the Sassy Street Siren’s:)
    yadkny@hotmail.com

    Reply
  18. Crystal ♥

    Cat from Night Huntress, because she is strong, snarky, independent and will do anything to protect those she loves.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    readingbetweenthewines10 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  20. Sharon

    This book has got my name all over it! . My favorite is probably Kate Daniels. I just like the way that lady kicks ass and takes names and she gets Curran (hello!?) 😉

    Sassy Street Siren *waves*

    Reply

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