BLOG TOUR STOP~SWEET CONTRADICTION by Peggy Martinez

TITLE: A SWEET CONTRADICTION

AUTHOR: PEGGY MARTINEZ

GENRE: NA ROMANCE

             TOUR ORGANIZER: B³ Tours 

                             

          SYNOPSIS:

When Beth Michaels high tailed it out of the hole-in-the-road town she grew up in, she only had two goals. 

One—get as far away as quickly as possible, and two—never set foot in her parent’s home again. But when she receives a heart breaking call from her childhood best friend, Jen, she has no choice but to turn her ’56 Ford pickup back in the direction of Salem, Missouri to attend a funeral.

There’s a new local in town when Beth arrives, and suddenly, it isn't all that easy for her to remember her rules for dating. 

#1. Cookie-cutter-perfect guys ain't her type.

 #2. Tie wearin’ and church frequentin’ is an automatic dismissal.

 #3. Most importantly, never date anyone from small minded, conservative, Bible-thumping towns like Salem. Unfortunately, Matthew Wright breaks all her rules and then some.

Matt might be from a small town and have small town values, but that does not mean he fits into a little slot of Beth’s preconceived notions. After all, ever so often good guys are good. Now if he could just convince Beth to let go of her past and give him a chance, he’s pretty sure there’s a whole lotta sweet under that prickly exterior. His own … Sweet Contradiction.

EXCERPT

CHARACTER BIO:

REVIEW

I am so happy that I picked up this book, it's one that will defiantly stay with me and I took away a great deal. 

Let me say that this book will not be for everyone and it should be read with  an open mind. 

Beth grew up in cold cruel home where  her parents used religion to dominatate  and emotionally abuse her. Growing up she had to hide her true personality, hopes and dreams. But she voved to leave that life. Beth did just that at the age of 18. 

However four years later she is forced to texture when tragedy befalls the only people in Salem she loves and cares about. 

Upon her return Beth meets handsome Matt. When she learns he is the preachers son and everything she has ran away from and avoided for the past four yeas. 

Matt is determined to fine real true love and passion. From the moment he met Beth  he is certain that he has foun his soul mate and that all consuming love. 

Matt will have a battle on his hands to convince Beth they belong together. 

Beth wil have to face her past and open her eyes to what is right in front if her if they are to stand a chance if having a future.  

This book title was very appropriately titled because it was sweet indeed and contradiction because the subject matter is a very emotional not one you would consider sweet. 

Sweet contradiction is well written, captivating, real and emotive. 

A deserving 4 star from me. 

AUTHOR BIO:

Peggy Martinez is a home-schooling mum of boy and four girls.

  Married to her soul mate, Omar, since January 2000. She enjoys reading, writing, soap making, all things aromatherapy, and Twizzlers- lots of Twizzlers.

 She dreams of one day owning a small homestead, raising some chickens along with her children, growing a large garden, and eventually taking a dream vacation to Greece. 

It isn't too far fetched to think you could happen upon her and her husband having a conversation about religion, political conspiracies, a zombie apocalypse, or gangster movies.

LINKS:for

Peggy on Facebook

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INTERVIEW WITH PEGGY

SBB~ Congratulations on publishing your first Novel

Thanks so much. Sweet Contradiction is actually my 3rd novel, but my first NA Contemporary novel.

SBB~What made you decide to become an Author?

Writing is something I've always done in different forms, whether through journals, sketching, or poetry, it has always been a part of who I am.

SBB~ What made you decide to venture out and write a NA Contemporary novel?

The outline for Sweet Contradiction had been in the back of my mind for some time, but I was torn about what kind of story it should become. Lucky for me, my characters took over and made it their own. 

SBB~I have never read any of your work before now. What types of books did you write before and how long did it take to complete your very first Novel?

My first two novels are YA time travel novels. Contingency is the first novel in the Sage Hannigan Time Warper series and Relativity is the second book. I also have a novelette 2.2 out in that series, Brevity. It took me just about 4-6 weeks to finish the first draft of Contingency in 2012.

SBB~Wow sounds cool I will defiantly have to check those out. What is the best advice you have been given so far?

Probably to try and build up an audience and fan/friend base ahead of time. Writing a book isn't enough, hiring an editor and cover designer isn't enough ... you have to let people know you are writing, let them catch glimpses of your work and get excited WITH you before you ever hit the publish button.

SBB~ that is sound advice. Where did the Idea for Sweet Contradiction come from?!?

I wanted to write a contemporary story with a main character who was emotionally abused by religious fanatics as a child. Originally the story was supposed to be a Christian Fiction novel, but the more I wrote, the more I knew the book wouldn't and shouldn't be classified as "Christian" but it definitely has some inspirational spots throughout it.

SBB~I'm glad you mentioned the Christian element because that leads to my next questions. I loved the incorporation of religion, but I was a little skeptical about how it might be received by your American readers because they are much more into religion than your readers across the pond (UK). What made you take that risk of showcasing two extremes?

I was so nervous at first for this exact reason. I knew Sweet Contradiction wouldn't fit into the "Christian" genre because it didn't follow certain guidelines and didn't "end" the way most people who read a Christian novel would expect the novel to end. There is also some language, intimate scenes, and other small things I knew would cause "issues" if I chose to promo the book as "Christian". BUT I wanted to stay true to my characters and I think that by doing that and allowing Beth to tell her story and Matt and his family to tell theirs, I was able to pull off a book that dealt with heavy, religious and emotional issues without it really BEING a "Christian" novel. Some novels have characters with extreme sexual abuse in their past, some deal with extreme physical abuse or drug abuse in their past ... mine just happens to deal with emotional abuse at the hands of parents who use religion as their excuse to harm others. I hope my US readers will have as much as an open mind as my UK and other readers. So far they have been completely supportive and are as much in love with my characters and their struggles as I am.

SBB~I'm happy for you that it's been received well I hope that countries to be be case because Beth and Matt's story deserve to be heard and understood.
Do you know anyone who has been or grown up in the same kind of environment Beth did?

I don't. But, I have seen and known of more subtle cases of this exact thing. I find even the subtle emotional abuse I've seen in religious circles to be beyond emotionally damaging, especially to young women. There is nothing worse than people abusing their power over children by lacing it with half-truths, Bible verses, and whispers that God expects them to change who they are and how they feel or they aren't "right with God" or aren't "Godly" enough.

SBB~Amen you are preaching to the choir sister. I know exactly what you are talking about and I am very happy and glad that you took the risk to bring this issue into the limelight, something u just said also clicked something for me personally. Thank you for that. 
Matt and Beth fell in love pretty quick. Do you fall in love quickly?!?

Yes, I think anyone can fall in love quickly. I met my husband and was automatically drawn to him, but we didn't date until a few months later. Once we began dating though, we were married within 8 months and have been for 13 years now. Falling in love is easy ... it's nurturing each other and that love every single day that can be difficult.

SBB~ I love Jen her and Beth have an amazing best friends sister relationship. What can you tell us about her upcoming book with Hinter?!?

Hunter, Hunter, Hunter. 
Hunter is in big trouble with Jen and they will be seeing each other again very early in Perfect Contradiction. Of course, sparks will fly, but so will some accusations. I loved writing about Jen and Hunter in Sweet Contradiction and I am extremely excited to tell Jen's story. It's going to be an emotional roller coaster ride and I'm already gearing up for it.

SBB~Ohhhh you have me so excited now I really can't wait.i really want to probe further but I know it's all Top Secret at the moment...one more little teaser by any chance?!?

oh man ... hmmm let's just say the book will begin with a much anticipated event from Sweet Contradiction, but there will be some major jaw dropping moments early on in Perfect Contradiction.

 

SBB~Ok I'm satisfied...for now. What is your favorite quote or phrase from from SC and why?!?

one of my favorite quotes is:
“I’m not looking for perfect, I’m looking for real. I’m looking for passion and love, Babe.” 
It just shows how much Matt is in love with Beth and how much he's willing to work through their problems. But, I have lots of favorite quotes. 

SBB~what other projects are you wiring on apart from Jen and hunter story.

I am writing Book #3 in my YA Time Warper series, EVENTUALITY. I'm writing a YA Djinni (Genie) Book, ENTRANCED. & I am also writing an adult book under a pen name (E. L. Lea), HER LIBERATION. & I also have a couple other things in the works. *phew*

SBB~that a lot I look forward to reading more of your work. The last question, what message are you hoping readers take away from sweet Contradiction?!?

P~

Love can be enough, but not without your eyes being wide open to your own weaknesses, no one is perfect and the world would be a dull place indeed if we all were. 

SBB~ thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us.