I tell ya, some days it’s hard to be me. Days like today when I’m sitting here writing a post about an absolutely beautiful man I’ve “met” thanks to Kimberly Knight, author of Where I Need to Be and the anticipated sequel, Wanted. But when I say he’s beautiful, I’m not talking about perfect definition to his six-pack abs (not a huge fan of the six packs that look like they’re literally cans under the skin because they’re so deep), his broad shoulders and narrow waist or his classic features. Okay, so I am, but not really.

The greatest thing about Joe Marvullo, cover model for Wanted, is what lies beneath the surface. Until this article in InkSpired Magazine, I will admit, without an ounce of shame, that Joe was in my top five for man candy.

While waiting for Kimberly to show us the cover for Wanted, I asked if it would be okay for me to sit down with Joe for a little bit of getting to know you time. Like I said, it’s a rough job, but someone has to do it. Luckily, Joe’s so flipping wonderful that he said sure!

Is Wanted your first book cover? If so, what made you make the jump to do it (besides the fact that Kimberly is awesome)?

Wanted is my first book cover ever, I have thought about it in the past and I am possibly working with another author down the road. I have done so many other things when it comes to the modeling world; editorials, acting, videos etc… I thought it was time to do something different. My pictures have been all over the internet, in ads, and on websites. I was thinking it would be a nice change to be on the cover of a novel that would sit on someone’s shelf for a long time.

Have you seen any differences between your other modeling jobs and being the cover model for a hot, steamy romance novel?

I am seeing a big difference between the two at the moment. I am getting a lot more attention, and more fans than I’ve ever had. Before I was introduced to Kimberly by a mutual friend of ours, Kris Adams, I didn’t have a fan page. Only a modeling site that people could see my photos, and I would occasionally post some pictures to my personal FB page. Since then I have created a FB fan page, and with the help of Kimberly and Kris, I have started to gain quite a following.

What I like about working with Kimberly is that in an upcoming book (not Wanted),I am her Muse, I try and help her where I can with some of the details inside the book. It’s really cool to know that I have an influence on what she writes, and how she writes it. She has asked me to help a little with Wanted but the book we came up with together is strictly what we came up with together.

For those who haven’t read the story in Inkedspired Magazine, can you give us the Cliff Notes version of your story? (do they even print Cliff Notes anymore? Am I dating myself?)

Hahaha, Cliff Notes were my best friend in middle school, and high school. In fact the funny thing is I even was too lazy to read them at the time…..

For those who have not read my story, it is plain and simple…. I am a recovering Alcoholic and Drug Addict. I have been diagnosed with some mental issues as well and I shouldn’t be alive today! I shouldn’t be alive for many reasons. Thirteen failed suicide attempts that I know of, the amount of drugs and alcohol I have ingested, and all the insane situations I got myself into. It is only by a miracle that I am here writing this today.

I have gone through so many situations in my life from my childhood, up until this point. I have failed miserably at different points in my life, and I have overcome what most would call impossible. Ever since I got sober six and a half years ago my life has changed so much, but that’s not to say that everything has been easy since.

I have worked really, really hard on myself to get to where I am at today. The major point of my story that I told in Inkispired Magazine was that we all have a choice everyday. Even though I never asked for most of the things that happened to me in life, I always had a choice in how it would affect me, and how I would deal with it.

Life is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions all the time, its not what happens to us that defines who we are, its how we carry ourselves on a daily basis that does. I am a liar, a cheater, a master manipulator, I am self centered, self righteous, and down right selfish. I say that because I will always be those “Things”. Over time I have been able to manage all of that. I have been able to keep it all under control to the best of my ability.

Today I sit here as a humble man, admitting fully that I am far from perfect. But that is exactly my point, when people meet me, or see my pictures, they would never know what kind of soul I have––what is inside my mind. The kind of person that I am so proud to be today. I was there when my mother passed away ten years ago. I heard her last breath leave her lungs, and when all that happened I was high and drunk at the time. That sound haunted me for years, it made my life spiral out of control to places I could have never imagined. There was one word to describe the person I once was, “Animal”.

Through years of hard work and dedication to something greater than myself, I have been able to still hear that sound multiple times a day that same sound is what inspires me to become a better man.

To that end, the reason that I model today is because I have worked so hard on changing my insides, that I am now healthy on the outside. I use my modeling as a way to express myself, to celebrate life and all of my achievements and failures. Everything that has made me who I am today. I do it so that I can reach a broader audience, to share my successes and failures with others so they don’t feel as lost, or alone. We are never alone if we make ourselves vulnerable, and reach out to the ones closest to us.

My story isn’t just about drugs and alcohol. Its about life, its about feelings, emotions, we all experience that, not everyone will be able to relate to my story, but hopefully they can relate to what I have felt. I know that every day that I live I beat the “Odds”. I have a disease that tells me I am worthless, I am useless, and I don’t deserve anything. But I prove that wrong, and live everyday to try and better myself so I can pass the same message along to someone else.

How hard was it to make the call to your dad that it was time to go to recovery? What advice can you give to others who need to make that call?

The actual day that I made that call, honestly it really wasn’t very hard at all. It was everything that lead up to that day that was so hard. I wanted to make that call so many times, but was ashamed of myself on so many levels. My father has been sober for almost twenty three years now. I knew that he was waiting for the day when I would make that call. But like I have learned, and heard it a million times. “YOU” have to be ready to change your life, not for anyone else but you. No one can do this for us, we all have many reasons why we would want to change our lives, but it all has to start within.

So my advice to anyone that is struggling, as hard as it might seem to reach out and ask for help, do it! Risk something for a good cause. When we suffer from addiction, we risk so many things on a daily basis without even knowing it. Risk opening yourself up to someone and being honest with yourself, and them. Talk to someone close to you that you trust, or even talk to a complete stranger. The key is to talk about it or write it down. Once you do those words you write or speak become reality. In order to survive, we as human beings must constantly be changing. When I think of change I think of the definition of insanity. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result. To that end I always follow the following statement. If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done…..

In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of us are addicted to our hot, tattooed men. Your article in Inked mentions that many of your tattoos are based on struggles or milestones in your sobriety. Which one holds the most significance?

The tattoo that holds the most significance to me has to be the rose that I have on my right forearm. Any of the tattoos that have to do with my mother who passed are all in color. The rest are in black. Color for my mother to stand out amongst the rest, because that is who she is and was. Someone who stood out and always will. The rose signified my love for her first and foremost. The way I came about thinking of getting it was because I was having horrible nightmares for a very long time, and the one that I remembered the most was when I was putting the final rose on her casket before they lowered her into the ground. I would have that same nightmare over and over, until one day I decided to get the tattoo, once I did as crazy as it sounds I never had that nightmare again.

Is there a song, quote, or anything else that helps you get through the tough times?

I am not very religious, but I am very spiritual. Every night I pray before I go to sleep, and every morning I pray when I wake up. So prayer is very important to me, it keeps me humble and puts things in perspective everyday. One specific prayer I read often is the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, I also have the beginning of this prayer tattooed on my right forearm. The significance of this prayer, and what it does for me is simple, its about being selfless. I realize that I was “saved” for a reason, and I can’t take that for granted. So my job is to give back and help others. We can’t help others if we are selfish. So this is what I read almost on a daily basis.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Want to know if Joe’s single or not? Who he’d want to be stuck on a deserted island with and more? Stop by for Kimberly’s cover reveal and you’ll get that and then some!

I’ve never been the type to get googly eyes over celebrities. I blame my father. He taught me from an early age that celebrities are people just like everyone else. He never said anything about book celebrities. That means I can get all goofy over them without fear of my dad popping me across the back of the head. Yes, I’m 35 and know without a doubt that he would. Then again, he’ll probably do it anyway because I have crushes on fictional characters.

Kellan Kyle

Kellan Kyle, head Douchebag (if you haven’t read the book, read it before you complain about me using that word), is right at the top of my list. He holds this place for multiple reasons. First, S.C. Stephens’ book, Thoughtless, was one of the first books I read by an independent author that I became obsessed with. In a way, she was the one who opened my eyes to a whole new world. But back to Kellan…

He really wants to make it onto my jerks list but he won’t. I know he’s got issues but deep down, he’s a sensitive guy. If he was as bad as he likes to think he is, he would have gone after Kiera without thinking twice about Denny. But he didn’t. He tried to do the right thing, even if it meant breaking his own heart.

Three things that made me fall in love with Kellan happened in Effortless while he was visiting Kiera for Christmas. I love a guy who screws with his girl’s head. Yes, that sounds bad, but I swear, I don’t mean it that way. Kellan texting her saying he coudn’t make it for Christmas when he was right behind her… priceless! It’s the type of thing my friends would do. Second, the boy climbed out a second story window, barefoot, in the snow so Kiera’s dad wouldn’t know he spent the night. THAT is love. (okay, make it four things because he was awesome and bought her eggnog) But the best… he’s this up and coming rockstar who’s out on tour and the best gift he got was a matchbox car. I could see the innocent joy on his face when he opened that little car.

Jake Wethers

Have you ever met two amazing men and had to pick between them? Yeah, that’s me with Jake and Kellan. If I hadn’t met Kellan first, Jake would be the only rocker for me. Yes, he’s royally screwed up at the beginning of the book, but I think he’s one of the best book boyfriends out there.

The lead singer of The Mighty Storm is certainly screwed up. You would be too if you were dealing with the pressures of fame combined with a screwed up childhood and the death of your best friend. But even with all of that, he has a mind like a steel trap. I fell in love with him the moment he and Tru pulled up to Pizza Hut. Not where you’d expect a famous rockstar to take a girl to dinner but there was so much sentimental meaning that he melted me.

With the exception of his coke binge, I can’t think of anything he did in the book that made me hate him. Start to finish, I fell in love with Jake and can’t wait for Wethering the Storm to come out!

Micha Scott

Okay, so he’s not a big time rocker yet, but there are big things on this boy’s horizon! The Secret of Ella and Micha sat in my Kindle, unread, for a long time. After reading it, I wish I had read it sooner. Micha is the epitome of the loyal, determined young man. He had to deal with Ella leaving and not telling anyone where she was. He spent the time she was gone trying to find her. Most kids his age would have moved on to the next conquest, but he knew she was what he wanted.

When Ella came home and tried to push him away, he didn’t give up. He knew the demons she dealt with in her life and wanted to help her grow past them. Sure, it was a little creepy when he crawled into her bed right after she blew him off but even that wound up being sweet. When did I know for sure that I would follow Micha anywhere? The very last pages of the book. What he did to show Ella that she is his top priority was awesome! I’m stalking Jessica Sorenson’s blog for information on when the sequel will be released.

As much as I love reading, there is one thing I hate. Endings. It doesn’t matter if the book has an epilogue or not, when I read a book that draws me in I don’t want it to end. Well developed characters draw the reader into the story. By the time the book ends, you have a relationship with the characters and want to know more about their story. I think this is especially true in romance, where the entire premise is reading about people falling in love.

Love Left Behind by SH Kolee is a book that I don’t want a sequel to. Jackson and Emma are in a good place right now and I don’t want them to suffer any more than they already have. On the other hand, I would love to see the stories of their friends, with them popping in as supporting characters so we can know what’s going on with them now.

I’ll admit there were times I wasn’t 100% sold on the story, but Jackson and Emma were lovable and you just know that they’re going to work well together. I even fell in love with Sean, just a little bit. I’ll have to write up a full review on this one, you know, because then I obviously would have to read it again!

The Delta Series by Kristi Gold is a Harlequin Super Romance trilogy that visits “the six pack,” a group of high school friends who all wind up back in town. I can’t really pick out a favorite couple from the series. Sam and Savanah have the whole angst thing going for them in The One She Left Behind.

Chase and Jessica’s story is a bit cliche with a one night stand that results in them having a son together, one that Chase didn’t know was his. The draw with The Son He Never Knew is the fact that Jessica’s facing charges for whacking her ex-husband over the head and Chase is a deputy in town. Not exactly a match made in heaven!

The Only Man For Her isn’t your average romance. After all, how many novels start with the main characters getting a divorce? Matt and Rachel have been torn apart by tragedy and this book follows them as they try to see if they can fix their marriage.

Thoughtless and Effortless by SC Stephens introduced me to Kellan and Kiera. Now, I’m not to the point of trying to cast the movie version of these books, but that’s not because they aren’t good. It’s because sometimes movies do a disservice to the books. I’m not sure this series has any characters that I wouldn’t like to read more about. There is a third book coming in the series and it will be interesting to see where Kiera and Kellan go as a couple since they already seemed to have their happily ever after.

Personally, I’d love to see a Matt and Rachel or Evan and Jenny spinoff of this one. Or hey, how about take it a whole new direction and tell us about Kate and Justin! You know, because I may or may not have an addiction to these characters.

 

I was introduced to Bared to You by Sylvia Day when I’d finished the 50 Shades books and needed a fix. While I’m thankful for the recommendation, the two series are like night and day. Not only was I able to fall in love with Eva and Gideon, but I was able to form a connection with the secondary characters as well.

In Reflected in You, Eva is able to work through some of her demons and the couple manages to be intact by the end of the book. I wasn’t sure the flame would stay alive through a trilogy for two characters who are so broken but so far, so good! Now, I’m praying that the third book will be moved back up from the May 2013 release date.

One thing that makes me respect Sylvia Day is she’s not saying that the third book will definitely be the last. She’s said several times that if she’s not able to resolve Gideon’s issues and give the couple their HEA, she will write a fourth installment. There’s something exciting about knowing that, if necessary, the next book isn’t the last!

As I sat here trying to figure out which stories I didn’t want to end, I realized I could probably go on for days. The truth is, I always want to know what happens after the back cover closes!

There was a time when I would have said that audio books were a waste of money. A few months ago, I signed up for a free trial of Audible so I could listen to a book series I was addicted to to the point where it was interfering with my work. Now, I’ve found a balance between reading, working and taking care of the house and I’m more addicted to audio books than ever before.

I’ve started buying as many books as possible in both e-book format as well as audio format. When I get done reading, I download the audio and experience the book again. That may seem like a waste of money to some, but to someone who is trying to take in as many books as possible and learn something from them, there’s a logical reason to do this.

You use different parts of your brain for different senses. That means that you will pick up and retain different information when you read something and when you listen. Every time I listen to a book on Audible, I pick up on things that my mind had glossed over when I was reading.

The jarring thing about listening to audio books is the voices. The first few books (and the majority that I’ve listened to) are narrated by women. Listening to a woman try to do a man’s voice can incite giggles. However, I’ve decided that listening to a male narrator do women’s and kids’ voices is just downright ridiculous. Luckily, whether it’s a man or a woman narrating, you will eventually stop noticing it as much.

What format do you prefer for reading?