imy santiago

I #amEditing finding Reese.

Posted on April 19, 2015 by imysantiago

Hello, everyone!

I’ve been working on self-edits on finding Reese hence my lack of activity as of late. I’m trying to get this manuscript as clean and concise as I possibly can before it lands in the hands of my editor who will make this baby shine.

As a new writer in the Indie community, the release that follows your debut is one of the hardest; either you swim, or you’ll sink. A follow-up defines you as a writer, and it’s no secret I’ve been a little nervous with this book for quite some time. I never intended on making SAFELIGHT a series; it was a screenplay I wrote as part of therapy during a terrible depression I went through back in 2013. I’m glad I did though, and I’ve been blessed with readership that has been demanding-quite ferociously might I add-for this book in particular.

As I was editing this scene, I knew the instant I re-read it I needed to share it with you all. I hope you enjoy it!

Oh… Release Day is coming sooner rather than later. I will be making an announcement very soon.

Love you madly,

-i

Stryder’s hands take hold of my neck, and his lips kiss mine with an intensity I haven’t quite felt before; love, affection, trust, and desire sealed into one amazingly perfect kiss.

“I love you, Catalina. I will think about you every day, dream of you at night, and look forward to having your skin wrapped around mine. I hope you understand no matter what happens I will love you unconditionally. I’m just scared of losing you.

“Sometimes I feel so unworthy of you because your soul is so heart-crushingly beautiful and I’m just−me. A part of me feels I went through that shit with Olivia because you were meant to walk into my life to help me realize why it never worked out with her or anyone else. It was because fate had you in store for me.”

His sincerity moves my soul, and now more than ever I understand why he’s been out of sorts after his phone call. My hands rise to his face to cup his jaw, and my eyes gaze into his which look greener than usual with the morning light filtering through the windowpane.

“Why do you say such beautiful things, Stryder? Like you, I feel undeserving of this love, but I guess that’s why God brought us together. I used to roll my eyes at those scenes in movies where the protagonists go over the top with their love declarations, but now I totally get it. It’s not cheesy when your heart knits feelings into words. I had it so wrong.”

Stryder kisses the tip of my nose and rises to stand. Extending his hand, he helps me up and brings me close to his chest, and declares, “You are everything to me.”

©Imy Santiago, 2015−ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

finding Reese. Update

Posted on April 18, 2015 by imysantiago

The countdown begins.

finding Reese.

a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2

Coming Soon.

❀.¸¸.✿.¸¸.❀COMING SOON ❀.¸¸.✿.¸¸.❀ finding Reese. .¸¸.❀by Imy Santiago❀.¸¸.✿.¸¸.❀

Posted on April 10, 2015 by imysantiago

Check out this lovely feature by the amazing folks at Indie Impressions for my upcoming novel finding Reese.

COVER REVEAL: Mr. Wright Now–an Erotic Romance by Alannah Carbonneau

Posted on April 7, 2015 by imysantiago

♥♥♥COVER REVEAL♥♥♥

Title: Mr. Wright Now

Author: Alannah Carbonneau

Genre: Erotic Romance

Date of Publication: April 7, 2015

Cover Design by Alannah Carbonneau

Add to Goodreads TBR here

♥♥♥About Mr. Wright Now♥♥♥

He was supposed to be the rebound…

After a pathetic reenactment of The Runaway Bride, the last thing Nelena Price needed was a man to swoop in and steal her heart. Good liquor, laughter, and great no-strings sex were the only options she wanted on her menu.

Kade Wright had every intention of savoring Nelena, never anticipating he would fall addicted to her taste.

But can the events of fourteen days in Vegas really be left in Vegas?

*Erotic Romance – Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen (18+).*

♥♥♥Mr. Right Now Pre-Order Links♥♥♥

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

♥♥♥Excerpt One♥♥♥

“I’m here,” I whispered, my eyes staring directly into his. In the distant recesses of my mind, I remembered my mother telling me never to stare directly into the sun – for it’s brilliance might blind me. I knew the risks, but for the life of me, I could not look away. Kade was my sun. He was the beauty that would condemn me to the darkness that came without sight. He was the brilliance that would inevitably blind me. I knew, that when my thirteen days were up, my heart would experience a devastation unlike anything I had ever known – but I couldn’t convince myself the burn wasn’t worth the beauty now.

“Are you mine, Nelena?”

My heart raced as my body quivered beneath his gaze. “Kade, I don’t…”

“Are you mine for the next thirteen days?” He demanded again. “If you’re going to walk – go. But if you choose to stay now, Nelena, then you’re here. You’re agreeing to give me thirteen days without the threat of you running every time I show you a little of who I am.”

“Who are you, Kade?”

“Are you mine?” His voice was so low – and I knew it was wrong of me to move toward him – to close the distance between us – but I did.

This man was the siren call to my soul.

“Yes.”

“Say it.”

“I’m yours.”

His mouth on mine was the seal that damned me to his darkness – binding me. For thirteen days – I was his. And I wanted nothing more.

♥♥♥Excerpt Two♥♥♥

The man turned toward me on the stool, and the corner of his lips had lifted into a half-cocked grin that made the blood in my veins rush almost painfully. “I assure you, Red, you’re not bad at flirting.”

My heart rate picked up as I leaned toward him. “Oh?”

“As a matter of fact,” he leaned closer and I felt his breath wash over my face. It was whiskey tainted and delicious. He really was a bad boy – he had to be. And I was a good girl. I should run from him. “You’re very good.”

To hell with running when he was looking at me with those eyes. “Am I?”

He nodded. “So good, I’m considering taking the job.”

“Of caring for me all night?”

“All night.” He whispered and I felt my core throb in a way I have never, ever, experienced. It was a feeling of sweet decadency I knew I could grow irrefutably addicted to if I were given the chance.

“Nelena.” I blurted, watching his brow furrow in confusion. “My name.” I shook my head as a stinging blush of red flooded my cheeks. “My name is Nelena.” He grinned. “It’s nice to meet you Nelena.”

Connect with Alannah Carbonneau

Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | tsu

Become a Fan on Goodreads | Follow on Amazon

About Alannah Carbonneau

I live in Alberta, Canada, where the weather is forever changing (without warning). I am engaged to be married in August 2015 to my high school sweetheart and love of my life. There are no children in my life as of right now, but we do have a handful of rambunctious cats (four) and a testy, rescued Shepard/Husky, who take up a lot of my time.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve adored the written word. English was always my favorite class and that may be biased because I can’t count to save my life, so math was a horror! I remember the very first novel I ever read, Shocking Pink by Erica Spindler. It was the most interesting of the covers on my mom’s bookshelf (probably because it was pink) and I was way too young to be reading that novel. But I fell in love. From there, I read almost everything from V.C. Andrews.

My writing started out as poetry, which then evolved to songs, and later into novels. I was never one for the short stories as I found it too difficult to pack everything I imagined into something so small. I now have multiple novels published independently. I write both novels for young adults and novels for adults – all romance.

Despite my favorite younger reading material, I now adore writing and reading all things romance.

For more details, please visit my website.

Cover Reveal: finding Reese.

Posted on March 17, 2015 by imysantiago

Cover Reveal

Title: finding Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2

Author: Imy Santiago

Genre: Contemporary Romance with Mature Content

Expected Date of Publication: May 2015

Cover Design by CoverMe, Darling

Add to Goodreads TBR here

About finding Reese.

Hope Breeds Life…

Sometimes destiny and fate have a weird way of reminding us of our inescapable vulnerability, but more importantly our inexorable humanity. Life is fleeting, and what little time we have left in this world, we must make do with what we have, and cherish those whom we love by our side.

Fresh back from the Jackson Reese Press Tour, sports journalist Catalina Pardo rushes back to British Columbia after receiving unexpected and distressing news. With the help of award winning photographer Stryder Martynus, Catalina is determined to prevent the news of tragedy and heartbreak from governing her life again.

Together they will embark on a new journey of introspection to overcome the ghosts and raw emotions of their pasts−on a long and unpredictable road full of complicated circumstances−to find healing, hope and salvation.

The smallest of gifts−like a friendship bracelet−have the power to save your life, and unlike fairy tales, happy endings are seldom guaranteed…

*Adult Contemporary Romance with Mature Content−Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.*

Connect with Imy Santiago

Become a Fan on Goodreads | Follow on Amazon

SAFELIGHT Series Playlist on Spotify

About Imy Santiago

I love to read stories about loss, heartache and redemption so it didn’t shock me when I ended up writing stories of my own revolving around those themes. I write with my heart, using my life experiences and emotions to dictate the tone and path in which my fictional characters embark. I believe in the power of friendship and to always have hope because life is always full of pleasant surprises. If you were to ask me if I consider myself an author, I would tell you no, I am not. I’m just a girl who loves to write a good story that makes you consider life choices and the darkness that envelopes a broken heart. My stories are about loss, friendship, hope and love.

I hope to continue writing more books in the not so distant future. It could be said that writing keeps me sane and brings a smile to my face. When I’m not writing Adult Contemporary Romance novels, I’m enjoying a quiet life with my family on Long Island New York.

For full bio, please visit my website.

COMING SOON: finding Reese. Cover Reveal

Posted on March 11, 2015 by imysantiago

March 21, 2015

12PM EDT

New York, NY

About finding Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2

Hope Breeds Life…

Sometimes destiny and fate have a weird way of reminding us of our inescapable vulnerability, but more importantly our inexorable humanity. Life is fleeting, and what little time we have left in this world, we must make do with what we have, and cherish those whom we love by our side.

The smallest of gifts−like a friendship bracelet−have the power to save your life, and unlike fairy tales, happy endings are seldom guaranteed…

Add finding Reese. to your Goodreads TBR here.

Join the Movement.

#findingReese #findingLife

chasing Reese. Signed Limited First Edition Paperbacks Now Available!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by imysantiago

Hello, readers!

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. I’ve been multitasking between writing finding Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2 and promoting chasing Reese. (vol. 1). Thank you for your unwavering support!

I’m pleased and thrilled to announce Signed LIMITED First Edition Paperbacks of chasing Reese. are now available for purchase via Direct Order HERE. To those who order signed paperbacks, as a thank you for your purchase you will receive a complimentary autographed bookmark and postcard. Also, if you want to acquire non-signed paperbacks, they are available at CreateSpace eStore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

I also want to extend you all the invitation to participate in my Ultimate Fan Giveaway, open exclusively to fans of my Facebook author page HERE. To see a video announcement along with prizes to be won, click HERE. Please read the instructions carefully as I will be selecting two (2) winners: one (1) Domestic and one (1) International. This is a giveaway you simply can’t miss!

If you haven’t read chasing Reese. it is also available in eFormat at these retailers: Amazon US , Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, and Barnes & Noble.

finding Reese. is coming along nicely with a SPRING 2015 release. I haven’t decided on a date yet, but as soon as I have gather that information, I will write a new post.

Also, I will be one of the authors in attendance at Bright Lights, Big City Presents: Halos & Horns Author Signing Event in New York City on Saturday, March 21, 2015. You can purchase your tickets HERE. For details of other authors in attendance as well as general information, please visit the event official website.

That is all I have for now. Thank you for your love and support. I couldn’t do it without you!

Love you madly,

-i

chasing Reese. Paperbacks Update

Posted on February 15, 2015 by imysantiago

I’m pleased to announce that after proofing the paperback edition of chasing Reese. for over a week, the process is now complete, and will be available for purchase for a limited time only on #Amazon and #CreateSpace E-Store within the next several days.

This will be a RARE and LIMITED First Edition, and includes a bonus poem written by the talented Ashley Heather.

Are you ready? 😉

#chasingReese #chasingDreams #FirstEdition

Chasing Reese a debut that pulls on the Heartstrings

Posted on January 13, 2015 by imysantiago

Thank you Smutty Book Friends for this lovely feature and review. 💗

Check out what reviewers are saying about chasing Reese.

Posted on December 28, 2014 by imysantiago

As a debut author, the moment you send out your first book to reviewers can be the most scariest and overwhelming experiences of your life. You sit on the edge of your seat, waiting with bated breath, until the moment you read your first review. I never expected these types of reviews, yet, I am utterly grateful for them. I have so much to give and I can only promise to grow writing-wise with each book.

Here are the thoughts of reviewers:

Nicola Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to be gifted an ARC of chasing Reese and WOW!! Where do I start?!?
Catalina Pardo is a journalist for a sports magazine, she is engaged and pregnant with her first child, life couldn’t get any better until a freak accident changes everything, her life as she knows it is turned upside down and nothing will ever be the same again. Fast forward four years and Catalina is sad, lonely and depressed. She is about to take off for 3 months well earned vacation time when she is forced to cover a story on Jackson Reese, the only problem is Reese is an Olympic champion snowboarder and Cat HATES the snow.
Catalina is assigned to work with Stryder Martynus, Jackson’s personal photographer.
Stryder is a freelance photographer, having had his heart shattered by his childhood sweetheart he now chooses to pick women up and have meaningless sex, never lasting more than one night and certainly with no prospect of ever having a relationship with any of them. All this is well and good but it doesn’t fill the void in his heart left when his ex fiancé betrayed him so badly.
Jackson Reese has it all! He is an A list celebrity and Olympic gold medalist but behind it all he struggles with his own personal issues.
When reporter Catalina Pardo shows up he feels an instant connection, he can’t explain it nor can he ignore it.
chasing Reese is a story of love, loss, friendship, hope and redemption. It is a beautifully written story and I cannot believe this is Imy Santiago’s debut book! It is so beautifully crafted it’s hard to believe it comes from a first time author.
5***** I can’t recommend this book enough!
Congratulations Imy, thank you for sharing such a wonderful and heart felt story. I’m now eagerly anticipating vol 2!

Ashley Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Wow wow wow and another shot of wow!!

This is a beautiful story and one that will stay with you.

Descriptive words to describe this novel would be – stunning, fabulous, emotional, flawless and amazing! 100% worth it.

I truly can’t believe this is a debut book by the author! *standing ovation for Ms Santiago*

Whenever I read a book I always find if that book makes me have feelings or think then it’s an awesome book!
Well with this one I felt it on every level and I also had so many questions in my head that I couldn’t keep up with them all.

I feel very blessed to have been lucky enough to receive an arc of this book.
I literally didn’t put this down from the moment I started reading and I actually read it in just over 24 hours, if it hadn’t been for the things in life like needing sleep and seeing to small children then I would have read through.

This book gripped me that much and had me on such an emotional roller coaster I really didn’t want to put it down. I wanted to continue reading through each new chapter that I came to because even though the ride may have been emotional it was a wonderful one.

Meet Catalina (Cat) – a woman that’s had so much heartache and personal loss throughout her life, that to just survive she builds these walls around not just herself, her heart too. After enduring yet another tragedy that robs her of her planned future, she recoils into herself and outwardly hides behind her image and her job as a journalist. Cat basically exists and doesn’t allow herself to actually live. That is until she gets sent on a new job assignment and encounters the gorgeous Stryder Martynus.
I love Cat and her sassy no nonsense attitude she gives yet underneath the shell she shows her soft vulnerable side you will want to hug her.

Meet Stryder – a man that at the age of 34 thought he would be living a different life to the one he is. Doesn’t the story normally go man meets woman, man marries woman, man and woman live happily ever after?! …hmm maybe in fairy tales. Nowhere is it written woman breaks mans heart. Stryder throws himself into his work as a photo journalist travelling around the world like a drifter of life. He disengages himself from people, from relationships, especially with women. His heart has been trampled once he has no desire to have it done a second time. That is until he meets stunning Catalina Pardo.
I love the go get it attitude Stryder gives when he sets his sights on something but he also has a sexy romantic side that you will find alluring.

From their first momentary encounter both Cat and Stryder feel the pull, the electricity that seems to draw them together even though their meeting is a fleeting episode. Then by a twist of fate they are brought back into each other’s lives. The common link for them both being Stryder’s best friend and Cats new job, Jackson Reese.

Meet Jackson – pro snowboarder with the world at his feet but Jax is also a troubled man that seems to have trust issues. He’s not the man the media portray. He should be wary of journalists yet he’s drawn to Cat like she’s some sort of an anchor in his crazy mixed up life. Cat and Jax seem to ‘get each other’ there’s an understanding, a bond, a beautiful friendship. Could having the two most important friendships in his life stop Jax from spiralling out of control before it’s too late?
I freaking love Jackson! He’s smooth, funny and adorable. He could charm the panties of you in a heartbeat 🙂

I absolutely love the real life element of this story, the plot could actually be anyone of our lives. The story is not just one of these boy meets girl, they fall in love novels. No not at all, not even close.
This is about relationships of people. Not only romantic relationships but friendships, understanding others and personal growth. The relationship between these three people cannot be defined as a love triangle in the romantic sense, for me I saw it as a triangle of interconnected souls.
I truly believe in soul mates of all varieties, a soulmate is anyone that touches your life in a positive, beautiful way either through romance or friendship. The connection and love you can have with someone can be amazing even when romance is not included.

The author brought this story alive by having a third perspective included because seeing the relationships of all three characters evolve and grow was mesmerising and simply quite beautiful to experience.

The emotional journey Cat and Stryder travel together is the roller coaster ride you as a reader will experience. It’s a very profound feeling to experience conflicting emotions at the same time but this book will make you feel frustrated for the characters at the same time as excited and sad.
The extra elements Jax brings is the icing on the cake, he has the perfect combination of being able to make you giggle and swoon at the same time 🙂
Two sexy hot males in one book – what more could a girl ask for?

All I can say is bravo and thank you to this fabulous author for bringing this story to my attention ……it’s one you DO NOT want to miss out on!!

I can’t wait for the sequel.

K.L. Shandwick rated it 5 of 5 stars

‘chasing Reese’ Imy Santiago ***AUTHOR!***
Some will know that I mentor Imy and as such, I was privileged with an ARC of this book and have been there as she shared some of the edits. With each excerpt she gave me I grew more and more confident that this DEBUT author was special. (Remember the DEBUT fact when you read it.)
I told her I would read and give my honest opinion and as she knows me, knows that I would only give her a rating based on my honest opinion and without bias no matter how personally invested. I’d never want to set anyone up to fail. I’ve just finished the final ARC as I write this and my head is…WOW! IMY SANTIAGO…remember the name. I enjoy reading books but THIS ONE is definitely something special. Last time I said that, the author had a publishing deal within days. This book has to be read.
The way ‘chasing Reese’ is written is just right and the scenes and actions of the characters are described in such as a way that it is almost directional in the characters observations. This creates a very vivid picture in the reader’s mind of the characters interactions and their observations of each other along with the emotional cues going on between them. I was totally there with the characters as the story drew me in.
The storyline is a modern day romance and Ms.Santiago’s flair for the use of extensive, but easy to understand language along with her choice of wording for each scene, brought multi layered non repetitive descriptive writing to the book. In my opinion these scenes were perfectly pitched to give the reader the maximum emotional investment in the story. The flow was seamless for me. Musicwise…”Voilin” Amos Lee…sigh. And, I loved the way the story was unhurried and the relationship developed at a believeable pace.
For me; a skiing fanatic, the ‘heli-skiing scene’ was cool and gave me sparks of an adrenaline rush, and recreated some of the feelings right before one hits the perfect virgin powder at high altitude and had me googling The *BSS site for the latest news *(British Ski and Snowboarding).
Now for the book, ‘chasing Reese’, it follows the story of Catalina, a journalist, who is a strong woman, but affected by past traumatic events. Stryder, an award winning photographer and close friend of their joint assignment, (Jackson Reese) are pulled together to document Reese’s story. I am not going to give any spoilers for this book. The only thing I will say is #oneclick.
‘chasing Reese’ is heart wrenching, humorous, touching and emotional with great dialogue. Ms. Santiago has managed to create likeable, strong characters that all have flaws as humans do and is written from mulitple POVs. If it doesn’t happen straight away Imy Santiago, this book will eventually float to the top. Well Done Ms. Santiago what a DEBUT. Almost everything was on point, so I know there is much more to come from you. After reading the special excerpt for the sequel can’t wait for ‘finding Reese.’

Rebecca Johnson Dye rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This story gets 5 amazing stars ! This is the debut book by Imy Santiago. The story opens with Catalina’s tragic car accident. Move forward 4 years and we join Cat as she still is working through her grief over Blake’s’ loss. She is working as a reporter for Xsports magazine. Her biggest fear of course is anything with snow, so when she gets the call to have to take over on a press tour for Olympic snowboarder Jackson Reese, she is not thrilled at all. Stryder Martynus is Jackson’s Best friend and literally like an older brother to him. He gets the call from Jax asking can he be the photographer on the press tour cause Xsports needs one for their reporter. Sure and the next morning on the plan a raven haired beauty sits next to him he is taking in by her beauty and something else. Cat running late finally boards her plane and gets a seat next to a HOT guy with a great smile. After a plane ride, SUV ride and finally checking in low and behold yep!! Their working together. Cat finally meets Jackson and they just click and their friendship blooms. Cat & Stryder feel a connection, chemistry that neither can explain to each other. Both, have a lot of baggage to sort through and if it’s up to their friend Jackson Reese they will see that they are perfect for each other. In this beautifully woven story we are taken in by the story of Jackson & Cat’s friendship that is a starting point for them both to heal from demons chasing them. We also get the story of Cat & Stryder learning that they can love again. to find out how this all happens, how love can come out of tragedy. Read Chasing Reese !!IT IS A MUST HAVE BOOK !!!!! I stand up and give Imy Santiago a round of applause for the incredible tale she has told in Chasing Reese. I can not wait for book 2 Finding Reese.

Terri Gostola rated it 5 of 5 stars

What sort of story made me want to skip Christmas parties so that I could stay home to read? What sort of story made me stay up late at night reading when I should have been resting for my work day in the morning? This story! “Chasing Reese” by Imy Santiago was a pleasurable journey from beginning to end, and I shall be racing to read the next book in the series!

I cared about the characters from the start and was swept up in their problems. Catalina Pardo is a sassy journalist who buries herself in overwork as she tries and fails to forget her painful past. Stryder Martynus is a hot, award winning photographer who attracts beautiful women with little more effort than flashing his sexy smile, but he has pain in his own past he is trying to outrun. When Catalina and Stryder cross paths, the sparks are immediate. But this isn’t a story that rushes the reader to the bedroom. The sexual tension was exquisite! I read faster and faster as the love story between these two delicious characters unfolded.

I was a very lucky woman to receive this book as an ARC before date of release. I shake my head in amazement. This is a debut novel? No way! The writing is descriptive and articulate. The sex scenes sizzle off the pages and almost fried my Kindle.

Remember this author’s name. We shall be hearing a lot more about her! A star is born.