South of Surrender by Laura Kaye (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Today I would like to welcome back the fabulous romance author, Laura Kaye, who is joining us with her new release in the Hearts of Anemoi series - South of Surrender! You can check out or Wine Club review of this title here. Enjoy!

10 Reasons to Fall in Love with Laney Summerlyn

I’m always excited about a reason to come visit you all over here at Reading Between the Wines Book Club! Thanks so much to Crystal for having me back again! I’m am thrilled to be celebrating the release of my tenth novel. South of Surrender is the third book in my Greek-mythology-inspired Hearts of the Anemoi series and features Chrysander Notos as the hero. Chrys is the Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer who finds himself fighting a losing battle as the book opens. I really love Chrys and hope you will as well. But, today, I want to talk about the book’s heroine, Laney Summerlyn, and give you some reasons why you just might fall in love with her, too.

She loves horses. For me, this is a fun part of Laney’s character. I was one of those little girls who adored horses. In all their forms. I had a huge collection of horse, Pegasus, and unicorn figurines and stuffed animals. I admire that she got to grow up with them and knows them so well.

She battles through her fears. Laney has astraphobia – the fear of thunder and lightning, of thunderstorms, in general. Yet, in the first instance we meet her, she battles through her fear and goes out in a horrendous storm to make sure her horses are okay. And when she finds a creature that has no business in her barn, she stays out in the storm to help him.

She’s willing to be adventurous. Laney has a degenerative eye disease that has largely confined her to her home and farm. And though her ability to remain independent is based on knowing her surroundings, she has the courage to try new things and go new places. I admire her adventurous spirit. And, much to Chrysander’s surprise, she’s adventurous in the bedroom, too.

She’s courageous. She battles her fear. Defends and protects others. Stands up for herself and those she loves. All of that while dealing with a disability that seriously disadvantages her in a number of situations.

She refuses to be pushed around by the divine creatures she encounters. I love a strong heroine, especially one who can go toe to toe with a strong hero. And, in Laney’s case, the strong hero isn’t just a man, but an immortal god. Whether dealing with Chrys, his storm god father, or his brothers, Laney isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said or do what needs to be done.

She refuses to let life knock her down. Laney’s degenerative eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa, has left her nearly blind. Yet, it’s just one part of her character, not the defining part of her. I admire that she doesn’t let the disease keep her from living life and seizing love.

She loves Chrysander unconditionally. Laney’s blindness means she prizes her other senses all the more, including touch. Yet, Chrys has a fear of being touched. Laney accepts this unconditionally, without judging, psychoanalyzing, or trying to change him. I love that about her.

She stands up for Chrys. Laney stands by her man in more than one instance. There are times when Chrys stands alone, when his family disapproves of things he’s done in his fights with Eurus, and I just adore when Laney stands up for Chrys in these instances, in part because it absolutely slays him when she does.

She saves Chrys’s life. More than once. What’s not to love about this?

She’s willing to sacrifice for Chrys. I can’t say what the sacrifice is, but the choice and the sacrifice she makes is such a powerful thing in the book. Can’t wait for you to read it and tell me what you think.

For me, all of these add up to one relatable, strong, and even kick-ass heroine, and I hope you’ll agree that Laney’s completely lovable and totally worthy of Chryander, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer!

Would you like to know more about Laney? Post a question for her or her author lady, and we’d both be happy to chat with you! 

GIVEAWAY!: One commenter who leaves their email address will win an Anemoi Wines T-Shirt and corkscrew, courtesy of the very awesome Jennifer at Anemoi Wines! Give them a follow or a thank you shoutout on Twitter or Facebook! Open to international. (Please fill out the rafflecopter below.)

Also enter the Rafflecopter for a chance at the overall tour prizes to be picked on June 22!

Visit all the stops on the South of Surrender Blog Tour for more ways to win!

“A fast-paced thrill ride.” ~New York Journal of Books

"Sexy, emotional stories, powerful, evocative writing, a vivid and unique vision, and enough magic and mysticism to keep the most demanding reader satisfied, Laura Kaye delivers it all. I love this series!" ~Maggie Shayne, NYT Bestselling Author

She's the only one who can see through his golden boy façade to the broken god within...

Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer, is on a mission: save Eurus from his death sentence and prove his troubled brother can be redeemed. But Eurus fights back, triggering vicious storms that threaten the mortal realm and dangerously drain Chrys.

Laney Summerlyn refuses to give up her grandfather's horse farm, despite her deteriorating vision. More than ever, she needs the organized routine of her life at Summerlyn Stables, until a ferocious storm brings an impossible—and beautiful—creature crashing down from the heavens.

Injured while fighting Eurus, Chrys finds himself at the mercy of a mortal woman whose compassion and acceptance he can't resist. As they surrender to the passion flaring between them, immortal enemies close in, forcing Chrys to choose between his brother and the only woman who's ever loved the real him.

Buy your copy at Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Tour-wide Giveaway: 

A signed set of Hearts of the Anemoi paperbacks and 3 - $100 gift cards

*This is a giveaway sponsored & administered by the author and publisher. Please see RBtWBC's OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway:

As Laura mentioned above, she is giving away an Anemoi t-shirt and corkscrew from Anemoi Winery in Colorado to one reader. (Open Internationally, please see terms & conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter. ) Just leave a comment for Laura on this post and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway