Hi everyone! Today I am pleased to welcome author Shayla Mist to the blog for the first time.  Shayla is here to talk to use more about her new book, Love Rivals, which is being released this week from Less Than Three Press. Shayla has also brought a copy of the book to give away, so be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post to enter.  Welcome Shayla!

Why I Love Enemies to Lovers Stories

Hello everyone! It’s my first promo blog tour ever, so please excuse my nervousness. It manifests through a lot of rambling and generally chaotic writing.

I’m Shayla Mist and today I’ll be introducing you to the subject of my new novella, published by Less Than Three Press, and titled Love Rivals, which is going to be released on the 10^th of July 2013 (stay tuned!).

I don’t think it’s hard to guess what’s the subject of my book. Obviously, it’s about rivals in love, for short, love rivals. Why love rivals? Simple. Because everyone loves them, and I am not an exception.

Ever since childhood, I’ve always loved books and movies that started with hate between characters first, to later develop into romance. It feels much more realistic to me and much more intriguing. Because you know they’ll end up together. Everyone knows and everyone anxiously expects it. But how will it happen? Through how much turmoil will the characters have to go in order to finally accept the inevitable: that they’ve fallen in love with someone they thought they despised? And, moreover, how will their feelings change so dramatically? What happens to change their mind? Was it because the person they thought they hated was just a façade, and all the while, there was someone else entirely behind that mask?

I’m sure it happened to everyone at least once to fall for someone they never expected to find anything in common with. It’s something so surprising and exhilarating about discovering a person, truly getting to know them. Especially when you thought nothing of them. That moment when you realize your first, or second, or even third or tenth impression was/were entirely wrong, and you find that your own prejudices were the ones that kept you from truly getting to know said person, that one is quite an epic moment.

You see, that’s what I love most about enemies to lovers stories. Magic happens. Somehow, somewhere along the way, inside the character’s psych something shifts and transforms the character. A magic called love.

Hope I was able to give a taste of that through my book. Point is, I had a lot of fun writing it and I’m sure it shows through.

If you love enemies to lovers stories just as much as I do, I hope this book is for you. For a chance to win a copy, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address.

Thank you, Jay, for having me here. Xoxo

Blurb

Aiden has a crush on Shawn, but there are two problems in the way of the happily ever after he knows they’re meant to have. The first is Shawn’s new boyfriend, Noah. The second is Jordan, Shawn’s best friend and Aiden’s long-standing rival for his affections. So how’s a man to overcome such obstacles?

Not by accidentally sleeping with his rival. And not by going on the camping trip from hell, where Aiden swiftly loses track of what it is he really wants.

Bio

Shayla made her debut in the writing world during elementary school with a heart-breaking story about how her grandma’s chicks died from an unknown disease. It was published in the school newspaper, spurring a significant amount of pitiful looks directed her way. Being a stubborn Aquarius, she kept on striving, publishing cheesy love poetry, an endeavor that thankfully proved to be far more successful. Her writing life changed dramatically when she read her first yaoi manga and discovered her real calling. Imagining guys together has become her favorite pastime. Aside from writing, daydreaming about men and devouring any M/M book she can get her hands on and, she also loves manga, kpop, jrock, classical music, crafts and art. An earnest romantic, she’s always been convinced there’s a soulmate out there, searching for her. It appears he’s been lost. Maybe word hasn’t gotten to him that cars are faster than white horses. In case you’ve seen a prince on a white horse (though a sports car would be preferable), Shayla would very much appreciate if you let her know. Contact her at shayla.mist@gmail.com or on her blog shaylamist.blogspot.com.

Giveaway

Shayla has been kind enough to bring along a copy of Love Rivals to give away to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment below.  The contest ends on Thursday, July 11th at 11:59 pm EST.  

• By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
• Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
• If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
• Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
• Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
• By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
• Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
• Void where prohibited by law.