Wicked Wednesday – Amanda McIntyre

25 Blogs in 25 days…the TORTURED tour!

August 19, 2009
Day sixteen of the blog tour

TORTURED by Amanda McIntyre
An erotic medieval from Harlequin Spice
Available August 2009

In a time of chaos, darkness, and violence, it is better to live only in the moment, lest your memories eat you alive. A young woman blessed with “sight seeks vengeance against a tyrannical lord responsible for her mother’s murder. Forced to become an executioner’s apprentice, she encounters a Roman prisoner who offers her a way to escape her prison and find a future. Torn between desire, duty, and the chance for revenge, her choice to live or die leaves her TORTURED. (Available now, Harlequin Spice, Aug. ’09)

I’ve been touring the highways and byways of the Internet roads this past week and have found some wonderful sites along the way. I was so excited when I given the opportunity to stop by my friend, Caridad’s site! You can tell by the site that this woman is a mover and shaker in this business and has the deserved success that she does by virtue of her amazing digs ! I stand in awe. For one more second. Okay, on with the tour! 😉

So this summer I had the good fortune to spend some time with my family on a little road trip I like to call the “Americana tour!” We began on the Fourth of July in Chicago and wound up in Washington DC by way of; Niagara Falls, Cooperstown and Philadelphia. In addition, we spent five days hiking over hill and dale the great city of Washington DC and the beautiful areas in Virginia the other side of the Potomac. I attended my first ever RWA convention the following week and so too, my first Harlequin party (double amazing and add ten percent!;))

On Saturday, we headed back home to the Midwest, via Cleveland Ohio, with one more stop to make before heading back home. As some of you may have picked up, I love the Great Lakes. My husband swears I must be a lighthouse keeper on the lakes in another life. So when we pulled into downtown Cleveland around eleven PM, you can’t see a whole lot. When I pulled back the curtains of our seventh floor room the next morning I was in seventh heaven! There before me stretched Lake Erie, already dotted with sailboats and fishing boats. Within walking distance, perched right on the edge of the water is a glass Pyramid—“The House that Rock Built”™—The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wow, now even if you didn’t love music the way I do, you could not possibly walk through this place and not come away affected. It is a Mecca to Rock and Roll, a history of its roots and how it has virtually become very much a part of who we are. And it reaches farther than America—it goes across the pond to the British invasion and the powerful influence it had on our music.

Pristine in cleanliness and understandably strict about no cameras in the exhibit halls, you begin on the bottom floor of the “pyramid” and work your way to the top. It boasts four floors of museum displays that track music history, offer insight, and background to some of the musicians-singers, songwriters, radio and television personalities that have left forever their musical mark on our lives.

My head was on a swivel and one day I have to go back to see it again and spend more time there. Everywhere you turn every snippet of a song you hear playing in the various exhibits takes you back to a certain time in your life.

I stared for the longest time at a pair of Michael Jackson’s loafers- noting the worn heels, the creases in the leather-how utterly simple they looked and remembered the time I saw he and his brothers perform at our State fair, when he was eleven and I was thirteen. I stood in awe in front of an upright piano, candle wax still dripped down the front and thought of the talent that was once John Lennon.
From Motown to the Beatles, Herman Hermits to Woodstock, the Rolling Stones to Elvis Presley—a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an experience you will not soon forget! My kudos to the people of Cleveland and to the beautiful little city on the shores of Lake Erie!

There is little I can relate directly to my book TORTURED today, but I hope you had a good time reading about my visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! LOL Maybe to some-parents come to mind off the bat—the music we listened to was …um, TORTURE for them;)

Leave me a comment about a special song that holds special meaning fro you personally! One winner will be chosen at random from those leaving comments! Thanks again to Caridad for her gracious hospitality!! Okay I have to do some more snooping around here!

Anyone who leaves a comment on this blog by midnight EST will be eligible to win a SINS OF THE FLESH t-shirt! Those who know the secret word and win today’s contest will also take home a SINS OF THE FLESH Lunch bag. How do you get to know the secret word? Click here to subscribe to my quarterly newsletter to get exclusive member-only news and information.

Tortured by Amanda McIntyre

95 Replies to “Wicked Wednesday – Amanda McIntyre”

  1. love the new blog, and please enter me for shirt and box

    tortured seeems very interesting! 😛

  2. A Song thats really special to me is Mama by Spice Girls because that song makes me realize how lucky I am to have a mom who is so great.

    1. what a cool sentiment! Thank you so much for sharing your son with us! I’ll have to put that one on my “check out” list;)

      A.M.

  3. Hello Amanda,

    Were you tortured or tormented by a particular scene or character during your writing of the book?

    Michelle B. 😛

    1. Michelle, I can honestly say that there were many scenes I was Tortured by 😉

      I’ve never written anything so dark and yet my goal was to see if love could survive in such darkness. I can remember sending the scene where she loses her mother to my writing buds and saying, ” can I do this?” In my heart I knew it would stay, it was so needed to create the overview of her character
      but it was very difficult to write as were a number of other scenes.
      But am I pleased and proud of how the story unfolded? Yes, I truly am.

      great question, thanks for asking!

      A.M.

  4. The blog tour for TORTURED was so much fun. 😀 Thanks for having it. I can’t wait to get my copy of the book. I would love to win the t-shirt and the lunch box would be great too.

  5. Congrats on Your Book “Tortured”looks like a great book.Sounds like you had a great trip this summer and seen lots of great place .I wish I could travle all over the place sounds fun.
    [email protected]

    1. Hey Stacey
      we’ve been talking about this literally for years-seriously. now we have two years until we become empty nesters–and decided we best be getting this done, so the saving began and we just did it.

      It was worth every penny spent! LOL

      A.M.

  6. Hi Amanda,
    Congrats on the new release. TORTURED sounds like an awesome book. The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” was sort of my anthem because I was getting ready to graduate and wasn’t sure what I was going to do as I entered the job market.

    1. Hey Cyclops8, I wonder how many others listened and though the same! 😉

      thank you for stopping in! I’ll have to hunt down a lot of these songs!

      A.M.

  7. OH my, I wish I had known you were going to be in cleveland as I would have had you stop by for lunch or dinner. I live in Conneaut about an hour east of the city.

    I love the new look for the site, and the book sounds great. I will have to put it down on my list to buy…LOL.

    As far as what music I “TORTURED” my parents with it was “Yellow Submarine” I got it as a 45 for Christmas. On the flip side was “Elenor Rigby”. I played it until it wore out at full blast and would sing at the top ove my voice right along with it…LOL.

    Thanks for hving me think of a good memory.

    1. Thanks Terry for stopping in to Caridad’s new diggs! They are awesome!

      Lucky you to live soe close the House That Rock Built!

      A.M.

  8. This looks like a great book. I just enjoy all the fun from books to blogs and been reading up a storm. ha susan L.

    1. HI Susan! Im so glad you’re enjoying the tour!

      Thank you for stopping by!

      A.M.

  9. I’m TORTURED because I don’t have a lunch bag and t-shirt to match, lol.

    Sounds very intense and interesting.

  10. hi , I just signed up for ypur newsletter and read your blog
    , and DAMN but it sounds like you had a BLAST , I would just about
    fainted to have to climb all that way but I would have cause music of
    any type is my second love (wanta guess my first lol ) I’m alot like
    you I way around when the “oldies were the newbies ” & and picking any
    one or two artist would be IMPOSSABLE still is , tho I loved alot of
    Janis , Dylyn , and even Grateful Dead tho Ino deadhead lol , and most
    of the Beatles stuff , and Michel Jacksons eraler stuff after he left
    the group I still listen to all the stuff ,my son (he’s 29 ) even
    likes it . I hope I did this right and in on time tbe able to enter
    your contest , here’sto crossing fingers and toes lol

    1. Thanks for stopping by Helena (gorgeous name!) Ive collected soe many wonderful names to use on this tour! LOL

      you just never know where the muse is going to hit! thanks for stopping at the House of Muse!

      Anyone else interested can find my blog at http://www.amandamcintyre.net

      and it will take you to my blog site!

      thanks for stopping by!

      A.M.

  11. Amanda…Tortured sounds like my kind of read. I’ve put it on my TBB 😆

    Like others, I listen to songs according to mood and I can’t pick just one. These are some that are meaningful to me because they’ve been shared with somebody special in my life:

    Tumbling Dice by Rolling Stones

    O Brother Where Art Thou? (soundtrack from film)

    The Essential Bob Dylan (entire album)

    Here We Go Again – Norah Jones/Ray Charles w/Norah Jones and Do I Ever Cross Your Mind – Bonnie Rait/Ray Charles- from Genius Loves Company album

    An album just for me that I listen to frequently:

    Pure Blues (2001) with various artist

    Oh, and another I truly love…Ravel’s Bolero.

    Good stuff about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 😀

    1. Hey Nancy! those are great songs! I love the O Brother Where Art though soundtrack! If you like that, you might enjoy the Crossroads CD as well!

      oh yeah, everyone should try to go to see the House That Rock Built (TM) just once!

      A.M.

  12. Would love to read “Tortured”. Sounds like an awesome book!!! Good luck with the blog tour.
    I woul have to say “Let it Be” by the Beatles holds a special place in my heart. Who doesn’t love the Beatles? Reminds me of a friend I’ve known now for like 32 yrs, met when we were like 13.

    1. absoultely I love the Beatles! did you see paul McCartney singing on top of the Ed Sullivan theater (now the Late Show with David Lettermen?) that was awesome!
      thanks Vicki for stopping by!

      A.M.

  13. Can’t wait to read TORTURED! Man, there are some great songs that have special meaning to me: You Give Love A Bad Name – BonJovi – was my volleyball team’s theme song my Freshman year; My Place In This World – Michael W Smith – helped me choose my major in college; Broken Wing – Martina McBride – will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. Music is my therapy – listening, playing, or singing – I can get through almost anything!

  14. I would love to go to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It sure sounded interesting. I really enjoyed the trailer for “tortured”. I have so many favorite songs, it would be hard to pick just one:)

  15. Hello Amanda,

    Your book looks wonderful. I’m still trying to win a copy. I promise I’m not stalking you. LOL

    The song I love the most is The Dance by Garth Brooks. Have a great day.

    1. HI , but Im not sure who this is!!
      send me another comment with your name so I make sure its in the hat!

      A.M.

  16. Wow look at all the people that showed up! Your TORTURED tour is popular! The more I read about this book, the more I want to read it… very interesting idea for the novel!
    I have different songs that are favs depending on my mood… Have fun on the rest of your tour!!! 😀

  17. Hi Amanda,

    I’m still fascinated by your idea of having a female executioner and the ‘torchured’ reasons for being in that kind of situation in life. Also enjoyed your road trip vicariously.

    I have so many favorite songs. Hmmm, I’ll go with an oldie by the Beetles, Here Comes the Sun.” Just hearing that song makes me feel happy.
    😀
    Julie

    Caridad, thanks for having Amanda today.

  18. I too went to a rock ‘n roll hall of fame, but in Orlando, Fl. I think I had some of the same feelings that you did when you visited the one in Ohio. I might just have to check that one out as I live nearby in Michigan. I can also relate to the boats on the water=I just love looking out over one of the great lakes and seeing all the boats out there, except when I’m on the water and they are crowding us out.lol My favorite song, that just tugs on my heart strings is sung by many-but my favorite singer is Dolly Parton and is called his is alive. It reminds me of the soul of God being tortured as he died for our sings. 😆

    1. Carolyn

      I love Michigan LOL cause its so close to the Lakes!
      If you are that close, yes you should plan the trip, its so worth it!

      thanks for coming by!
      A.M.

  19. Sounds like you are really seeing alot of the this great Country. I cannot wait to read the rest of “TORTURED” I am being TORTURED to have to wait! Keep up the excellent writing! ROCK & ROLL FOREVER!

    1. Hey Juanita!
      thank you for stopping by! I dont think I realized until I walked through the R & R museum, just how much music has affected so much of my life!

      It was an eye-opeing experience! and the gift shop is like the Mecca of music–just about any CD or DVD relating to music is there. Amazing.

      A.M.

  20. Tortured sound like a great book. I will be on the look-out for it. I have two favorite songs: Memories by Elvis and If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks.The Gaarth Brooks song because my husband had that played for me just before he passed away. His vocal cord was paralized so this was his way to tell me how he felt. The Elvis song for just what the title says, memories. Have a great day every one and hugs. Almost time for SINS.

    1. Oh my Fannie, that is a beautiful story about that song! One of my favos too, btw.

      thank you for taking the time to stop in!

      A.M.

  21. Hi, Amanda,

    Enjoyed the descriptions of your book,
    TORTURED, and of your tour of the Rock
    & Roll Hall of Fame! Makes me want to
    visit the Hall and read your book!

    Caridad, exciting new site!

    Pat Cochran

    1. Thanks Pat for stopping in!
      I would love to go back one day and spend more than one day there. But I am a big support of music education in our schools as well–its fantastic and well worth the trip!

      and what a nice city Cleveland is!

      A.M.

  22. I’m tortured by the new cover of your book….what a hottie and what a pose!And just like one of my favorite songs by Aerosmith, I don’t wanta miss a thing

    1. HI Johann
      I LOVE Aerosmith and that song has fueled more stories for me than you can imagine!

      thanks for stopping in!

      A.M.

  23. My favorite is Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen. Not only is it a fantastic song, I think of the Highlands, Scotsmen and eternity, life and death as I listen to it. A very moving song.

    I’ve loved the blog tour and reading about your trip.

    orelukjp0 at gmail dot com

    1. Hi Gayle
      Now im a Queen fan (my kids were tuaght Bohemians Rhapsody when they were toddlers riding in the car…true story.

      anyway, Im not sure Ive really listened to this one before. Willneed to check it out!

      thanks!

      A.M.

  24. 🙄 I would love to win this.I also love Fancy by Reba. This was a great post. Thanks April

  25. 😛 Wow Great post. The book sounds really great. I like the video as well.

    *as a side note, Caridad, I tried signing up for your newsletter and for the contest on your website and both take you to a page that says “sorry this page is not found” so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong on that.*

    Back to Amanda, great sounding book, I’ve enjoyed the blog tour and can’t wait to read this one.
    hugs,
    WendyK
    highlandlovesong at yahoo dot com

    1. HI Wendy! thanks for stopping in!!

      this is really a gorgeous site, isn’t it?

      A.M.

  26. I’d rather be TORTURED than have to go a full day without a great book, and this one looks like it’ll make the list!

    1. Thanks Angi! I have your name in the hat!

      Boy you all dont know how much I would love to give each of you nice people a copy of this book, alas I think my publisher would have a cow.(*midwestern slang for hissy fit)

      there can be only one!;)

      A.M.

  27. Hi Amanda. Thanks for sharing about your trip with us. Tortured sounds so good. I love the cover.

  28. I can’t wait to read TORTURED! It sounds like an incredible romance. I’ll have to go buy it! Of course, that will be so hard to do. LOL

    As for a song that has meaning for me, it’s more a piece of music. I have always loved Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue. It’s so moving and beautiful and I always feel so alive when I listen to it. 🙂

    1. Hi Jamieson, I LOVE gershwin!!

      and I confess I ma a huge movie soundtrack fan as well. soemthing new I was introduced to while on vacay this year was the “Video Game Live concert in Washington DC (Wolff Trapp Performing Arts in Va.) the music that goes with some video games(which I am not into but my sons most defintely are)_ is just amazing! the gregorian chant at the beginning of the orioginal Halo is gorgeous!

      thank you for stopping by!

      A.M.

  29. 😉 Your vacation sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. I was actually TORTURED to miss out on an experience like that. My favorite song is Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler, but also have too many favorites to list from the fifties and sixties. Hoping to read more of your books soon.

  30. The trailer is great and I look forward to reading TORTURED. I have very eclectic musical tastes and it is hard to pin to one favorite but I would have to say Rock Me Amadeus by Falco is my all-time favorite happy song! 😉

    1. I love that song as well! And like you my yaste in reading and music is very eclectic!

      I was on a Beatles kick yesterday LOL
      I think thats why I thought the Rock and Roll Museum was so fascinating-because it encompassess so many types/eras of popular music.

      thanks for stopping in!

      A.M.

  31. WOW! I can’t wait to read TORTURED. In the little YouTube video it looks to be an awesome story. Waiting to read it is like torture itself!!!

    1. Thanks Leah for stopping in! I love that trailer! Sometime just search YouTube for Circle of Seven book trailers and be entertained!
      they are phenominal!

      A.M.

  32. I’m TORTURED by the fact I don’t have a special song. While I enjoy listening to the radio in the car during my communte, I didn’t listen to music much when I was growing up. None of us in a family of 6 liked the same music, so the radio stayed off.

    1. Hey Anne
      one of my fav things to listen to on a long road trip is baseball. Dont ask me why–I think it goes back to my childhood and family vacays. My dad was an avid Cardinals fan!

      thanks for stopping by!

      A.M.

  33. There just ain’t much better than being TORTURED by medieval erotica. 😉

    Sounds like you had a great vacay, Amanda. I guess I don’t have to tell you that I’m totally jealous. LOL

    Deidre

    1. HI Deidre
      that vacay was a LONG time in the making;) I wanted my kids to see some of these things, you know?

      I love the way so many of you used the word TORTURED in your comments! This is the first blog where that has happened so consistently! LOL

      A.M.

  34. NOW I find the little COMMENTS symbol after I’d already sent you a CONTACT. I do appreciate your writing talent and look forward to reading TORTURED.

    Healthy Happy!

    Ronda 🙂

  35. Tortured sounds amazing. What a great post. My favorite song is Closing Time by Leonard Cohen.

    1. HI Ellie, thank you for your kind words and thanks for coming by and sharing your fav song..

      I think I knowe this one, but I’ll have to check it out on youtube!

      A.M.

  36. 😀 Really spicy and since l love spicy food, l can’t wait to dig in when tortured comes out.

    I love ‘Think Twice’ by Celine Dion. It connotes all sorts to me.

    Catherine Summers.

    1. thanks Catherine (pretty name, btw) I love your Spicey references! LOL

      Thanks for coming by!

      A.M.

  37. Can’t wait to read this book. How strange you should bring up lighthouses. I have been collecting lighthouse postcards for about 10 years. I have never seen one in person, but I’m fascinated by them. A song I particularly love is Broken Road by Rascal Flatts, it’s my daughter and son-in-law’s special song. I’m Tortured at times by other songs.

    Linda Henderson

    1. Oh Linda, you must make the effort! Im about as landlocked as a body can get, but its like all the weight off my shoulders just leaves me when Im looking over the Great Lakes..
      I do so love Broken Road..a beautiful song…

      thanks for stopping in!
      A.M.

  38. Hey, I can’t wait to read “Tortured”
    My fav song is “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger its a song that struck a chord with this “coming of age” girl graduating High School. I loved to “torture” my brothers by playing this song over and over again.

    1. I love that song too, Audra!

      anyone here at John Hughs fan as well?
      (Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club..Sixteen Candles?

      thanks for stopping by!

      A.M.

  39. I love the TORTURED cover.

    You Can’t Stop Love by S – K – O. It’s copies my parents story.

    1. HI Annette
      I’ll have to look that song up , but I love your thoughts on this!

      thanks for stopping in !

      A.M.

    1. Wait no more Cynthia! Its out now!!

      I just found out that its gone audio and will be made available in Italian as well!

      thanks for coming by!

      A.M.

  40. i am so inept when it comes to “blogging” and stuff, it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to leave a comment. i guess you could say i was ‘tortured’ by my stupidity.

    1. dont feel bad Sue, evey blog system is different so I have discovered on my sojourn!
      thanks for being tenacious and getting through!

      A.M.

  41. I loved reading about your roap trip. The cover for TORTURED is spicy! 😎

    My favorite song is Forever and For Always by Shania Twain. It is my husband’s and my song. It is special because my husband heard it when it first came out and declared it our song.

    clbstitch at yahoo dot com

  42. Can’t wait to read Tortured!

    My favorite song is Fancy by Reba McIntyre. It’s what I walked my daughter to when she was colicky and always reminds me of when she was tiny.

    1. Ive always thought that was such a great song too. one of the few that tells a story completely. I loved the video with Reba too!
      thanks for stopping by!

      A.M.

    1. Thanks Ellen! didnt Circle of Seven do a fantastic job!
      so who is your fav hottie…the villian or the hero? seems to be a big debate;)

      A.M.

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