Source: Guest Author: Alicia Dean and the Escape to Africa Anthology
Author Archives: Alicia Dean
July’s Featured Books – #Romantic Suspense #Paranormal Romance #Contemporary Romance #Horror
Looking for something new and fabulous to read? Try these…
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Haunting of Hotel LaBelle by Sharon Buchbinder
$3.99
When hotel inspector, Tallulah Thompson, is called in along with her pug, Franny, to investigate renovation delays, she meets an extremely annoyed and dapper turn-of-the-century innkeeper. The only problem is he’s in limbo, neither dead nor alive, and Tallulah and the pug are the first to see him in a hundred years.
Cursed by a medicine woman, “Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Lucius” Stewart is stuck between worlds until he finds his true love and gives her his heart. When he first sees Tallulah, he doesn’t know what he’s feeling. Yet, her stunning beauty, and feisty attitude pull him in.
With the fate of Hotel LaBelle on the line, Tallulah with the help of a powerful medicine woman turns Lucius back into a flesh and blood man. She and Lucius team up to save the hotel, but Tallulah can’t help but wonder if he will ever let go of his past love and learn to love again.
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Saturday in Serendipity by Margo Hoornstra
$2.99
A Three Book Anthology
A twenty year high school reunion changes the lives of former classmates and leads to unexpected futures.
Three Strikes Thursday
Barry Carlson, a pro baseball success, could have any woman he wanted. Except one. Twenty years before, Barry won Amanda Marsh’s love, only to crush her heart. He’s returned to Serendipity, determined to win her back. Recently divorced, Amanda is happy—until Barry slides back into her life. Can they put aside old wounds and new misunderstandings to find a forever love?
Two On Tuesday
Blane Weston’s construction company needs the venture capital Matt Durand has. With his reputation for hostile takeovers, she wants no part of him. Mixing business with pleasure, she’s off to Serendipity to hook up with a former flame. Not used to being denied, Matt follows. How can Blane enjoy a journey to her past when Matt is determined to dictate her future?
One Fateful Friday
His high school reunion in Serendipity over, hospital CEO Jake Holbrook regrets his single state. When a special woman from his past tumbles back into his life—and his bed—he’s determined to keep her there. Family practitioner Bethany Thomas avoids an entanglement with her new boss, but unknowingly betrays him. As the holidays approach, can they overcome a lack of trust to find their Christmas miracle?
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Tale of the Sharp-Dressed Man by Jon M Michaels
$2.99
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn meets The Devil’s Advocate”
Thirteen-year-old Luke Morgan is living a charmed life on his Grandpa Theo’s farm, sheltered from the noise of the world by endless, rural beauty. But, his country innocence is quickly shattered one late afternoon as he watches an approaching thunderstorm with his grandfather at his side. Something other than churning clouds are in the sky that day. A twisting, black, mass of evil that his grandfather is not unfamiliar with.
Upon seeing the strange spectacle, Theo tells Luke that the two of them must travel to their neighbor’s home—and kill the entire family. Luke quickly learns there is much he doesn’t know about his kindly grandfather, as he is plunged into a nightmarish world of demons and human suffering.
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Fill the Stadium by K.M. Daughters
$5.99
Nikki Lambert’s husband purposely stalls his truck in the path of the midnight freight on the same day her eldest son, Jack, is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.
Injured NFL quarterback, Ramsey Delaney is benched from his starting position leaving him ample time for more hands-on involvement in The Good Sports Club, a community center he established where Nikki’s sons, Jack and Rocky are enrolled.
Jack’s deteriorating motor skills concern Ram’s employees who bar Jack from attending the club without Ram’s knowledge. Nikki wants nothing but normalcy for Jack and she heatedly confronts Ram for depriving her son of a beloved activity. Ram immediately reinstates Jack forging the fateful bond between Nikki and her boys’ number-one sports hero. Ram is instantly attracted to Nikki. He wants to win her heart more than he’s ever wanted to win a game. But after her husband’s terrible abandonment will Nikki trust Ram’s motives and open her heart to love again?
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Stone Fall by Min Edwards
$2.99
She’s running for her life. He’s vowed to save her, whether she wants him to or not.
Sandra Hastings has just lost the case of her career. Mob boss Silvestre Buonovenura is exonerated and now out to get her. And if that’s not enough, the New York DA’s office has politely asked her to take some time off… maybe a lot of time… maybe forever.
Nick McCullough is a little bored with tiny Stone Bay, Maine, and his new job as Chief of Police. He’s hopeful though that a weekend camping with the lovely Sandra Hastings might just be the answer to his prayers, get him back on track, lift his spirits. Now he has to make sure that the mob boss who’s put a hit out on her doesn’t get the chance to complete his plans. Maybe his little weekend away won’t be as restful as Nick had planned.
Filed under Author Blog Post, Ebook Deal, Promo Tips
“10 Moments That Changed My Life” by Elle at Home blogger Lacey Hill
Please help me welcome Lacey Hill, sharing…
10 Moments That Changed My Life – By Elle at Home blogger Lacey Hill
- Spending two years in Bahrain with my grandparents when my father was deployed to Egypt. We learned so much about middle eastern culture, and the experience will be in my heart forever. I will always remember the museums, learning about the pearl divers, and the appreciation that I gained for the entire culture.
- Discovering The Babysitter’s Club books when I was in elementary school. Reading quickly became my favorite escape and once I finished the entire BC series, I moved on to any and every book that I could get my hands on. To this day, I love to read and my knowledge has grown vastly thanks to my love for books.
- Moving with my father, sister, and brother to Alaska when I was 11. My father was in the Army and this was the furthest we had PCSed (Permanent Change of Station) away. We took a road trip with our grandparents in a huge King of the Road camper and experienced America and Canada in the most amazing cross country trip. Highlights: Yellowstone and the witnessing Aurora Borealis.
- When my father met my mother in Alaska. She is technically my step-mother, but she raised me since I was 11 and has been an amazing mother to me. Our family became whole when she brought my new sister and brother into our fold, making us a family of 7. Little did I know that 15 years later they would adopt my three youngest sisters, making us a family of 10!
- Moving to North Carolina where I spent my 4 high school years and met my future husband, who I’ve been with for 14 years. This was the longest that we stayed in one place during my school years and I am so grateful that I got the entire High School experience in one place! I still talk to friends from school and I remember those 4 years so fondly.
- My first year in college, where I started figuring out who I really was. I lived a fairly sheltered life, and I never got the freedom that many of my friends did. That’s probably for the best, since I stayed out of trouble for the most part. College was my first experience with people from all over the world and my first foray into FREEDOM. I learned a lot about my strengths, weaknesses, and loves when I got out on my own.
- Apartment hunting! When my husband and I searched for our first apartment, we had such a great experience with the Leasing Agent. She told me that they were hiring for another Leasing Agent and the rest is history! My career was started 9 years ago and since then I’ve been promoted three times to my current position. It’s changed our lives for the better and having a stable career is something that I’m so thankful for.
- Having my children. Becoming a mother changes everything about your life, and my experience was no exception. I’ve grown so much through the years and the births of my two children. I’m so grateful that I’ve been given the gift of motherhood and I know that my life is better because of my children.
- Reuniting with my sisters. I have two half-sisters who live on opposite sides of the country, and who I never thought that I would see or speak to again. When we were all grown, my sister and I and two half-sisters all found each other through Facebook and we are a solid foursome of female power. I had such a realistic and powerful dream about the four of us that I’m now writing a book about it.
- Discovering blogs through Pinterest. I’ve always loved writing but I never had an outlet before. When I was pregnant with my son, I discovered a mommy blog on Pinterest and I quickly became emerged in the world of parenting, style, beauty, and lifestyle blogs that helped me branch out my own tastes and hobbies and rally just further enriched my life. I started my own blog http://www.elleathome.com in 2016 and I’ve loved every minute of it.
Wow…those are some incredible moments! You’ve had an amazing life. Thank you so much for joing me today! I took a quick peek at your blog, and I plan to go back and spend more time. It’s fabulous!
Filed under 10 Moments that Changed My Life, New Release
A Plethora of #99Cent Ebooks!!! July 2017 #BargainBooks
Check out our monthly list of 99 cent reads. All different genres, all great bargains!
Hope you discover some excellent reads!
PLEASE CONFIRM BEFORE ORDERING!!! – We are not responsible if prices are no longer 99 cents
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Christmas Wolf (Paranormal Romance)
When Highland wolf Rhys MacGregor goes in search of the perfect tree-topper for Wolfsden Keep’s eighteen-foot-tall tree for the pack’s Christmas Eve ball, he ends up rescuing a cat who turns out to be more than he ever imagined.
Find Angelique Here: http://www.angeliquearmae.com
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Maggi Andersen
After a whirlwind courtship, Laura Parr marries Baron, Lord Nathaniel Lanyon, and he takes her to live in his ancient home in Southern England. Laura comes to Cornwall excited to begin life with the passionate man she has married. But secrets lurk in the shadows.
Find MAGGI ANDERSEN here: https://www.facebook.com/maggiandersenauthor
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Shereen Vedam
Amity’s last attempt at magically helping someone was a disaster. So she decides to give up her spell casting ways. Then one day she meets the perfect man. But only by casting another spell, will she have a chance to meet that captivating nobleman again.
Find Shereen Vedam here: https://www.facebook.com/ShereenVedam
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True Surrender by Tracey Cramer-Kelly (Military Romance)
When Major Aaron Bricewick is rescued from Afghanistan terrorists, he thinks the worst is over. But his biggest battle – the battle for his heart and soul – is just beginning. Which will he choose: Duty or Love?
Find Tracey Here: http://www.TraceyCramerKelly.com
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Sweet Spot by Amy Knupp (Contemporary romance)
After derailing her life to epic proportions, Kennedy Lowell takes refuge behind the bar, pouring drinks…until Hunter Clayborne becomes her new boss and has her both shaken AND stirred.
Find Amy here: http://www.amyknupp.com
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The Encore Bride by Denise Devine
Jenny Landon doesn’t believe in happy endings… The tragic death of her husband has convinced her that her dreams don’t last and she never wants to risk losing her happiness—or her heart ever again. She’s totally unprepared to fall in love a second time, but when she meets Luke McCarran at her sister’s engagement party, his ability to understand her pain suggests he isn’t like other men. Can she bury the past and learn to love again?
https://www.deniseannettedevine.com
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Pretending You’re Mine by Marie Higgins
Can she really make him love her if she’s pretending to be someone else?
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After The Loving by Marie Higgins
Who can she trust–or love–in these traitorous times?
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Wonderland by Night by Marie Higgins (Regency Romance Suspense)
How can they learn to trust each other when both are in hiding?
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Bad Boy, Big Heart by Andrea Downing (contemporary western romance)
Rodeo star and rancher Chay Ridgway has traded Wyoming for New York in order to be with his girlfriend, K.C. Daniels, while she completes an M.A. With Chay facing a tough ride in the big city, can K.C. keep a tight rein on this cowboy, or will the wide open spaces of Wyoming call his country heart home?
Find Andrea here: http://andreadowning.com
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Caribbean Caress by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Her touch is his greatest temptation “Grab a fan… this holiday romance is hot, hot, hot!” – LitReactor
Find Jenna Bayley-Burke on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jenna.bayleyburke/
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Caribbean Casanova by Jenna Bayley-Burke (contemporary romance)
A bad boy can be so very good… Caribbean Casanova has everything you want; a gratifying love story between two interesting characters, a beautiful tropical setting, witty dialog, and a surprise ending that will bring a tear to your eye and leave you satisfied. ~ Guilty Pleasures
Find Jenna Bayley-Burke on Twitter https://twitter.com/jennabb
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Forever Love by Mary Marvella Paranormal Romance
Nurse Sabrina Boyd’s life was just fine before Dr. Joe Walker, her cousin’s widower, returned home to South Georgia. Avoiding the handsome doctor who wants a romantic relationship with her isn’t her biggest problem. She has seen the Demon Cat, a harbinger of death for the Boyd family for centuries.
‘Find Mary Marvella at http://www.MaryMarvella.com
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Haunting Refrain by Mary Marvela Paranormal Romance
When Sarah Overby found ghosts in her attic she hesitated to tell her best friend, William McKeown. Telling him he lived a previous life as her husband would make him think she was crazy. William has adored Sarah forever, he just doesn’t realize this isn’t the first time he loved her.
‘Find Mary Marvella at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Marvella- Author/121044561311561
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Mission to Mahjundarby Veronica Scott (SciFi Romance)
His mission to search for survivors from a crashed spaceship doesn’t include saving the planet’s Princess of Shadows from an arranged marriage. Can he stand aside while she’s forced to marry someone else? Or will he risk his own mission’s success to rescue her?
Find Veronica Scott here: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/
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Catching A Cowboy-Roped Into Love
Have you ever dreamed of roping your own sexy cowboy? How about six stories by award-winning and best-selling Western Romance authors? These tales delight with romance, Wranglers and Stetsons.
Find Stephanie Berget here: https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Berget/e/B00CJYM8KK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_3
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BLACK GOLD by Augustine Sam (Literary /Interracial Romance)
He is black. She is white. They are young and carefree and broke. When they land two spectacular job offers within the first week of graduation, their bleak honeymoon is transformed into a dream. What they don’t know is that undisclosed details of the deal will entrap them in the place where dreams end and nightmares begin.
Find Augustine here: http://www.augustinesam.com/
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Tethered by Beth Caudill (Paranormal Romance)
She’s a landscape photographer who disguises her true nature as a falcon shifter. He’s a hard-headed park ranger who deals only in reality. But when his daughter is kidnapped by a mythical being, they must forge a bridge of trust to save the girl… and their own hearts.
Find Beth here: http://www.BethCaudill.net
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Elaine Cantrell (contemporary romance)
Two sisters find love at a haunted inn.
Find Elaine here: https://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Cantrell/e/B001K7V90M/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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Iris Blobel (Contemporary Romance)
When Beth meets Daniel, a fun-loving, spontaneous man from Ireland, she realises how much joy and passion are missing from her marriage, and consequently her life.
Find Iris Blobel here: http://www.irisblobel.com
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Whisper of Dreams, Book 2, Erotic Romance Trilogy
Yankees have taken over the town and there is only one man capable of smuggling her out of New Bern—Captain Elijah Fortune. He’s more than happy to accommodate her but the price has nothing to do with money.
Find Keta at her author home: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
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Scoundrel of Dreams, Book 3, Erotic Romance Trilogy
When Bridger Cantrell breaks into a study, he finds the man’s daughter rifling through her father’s desk drawers. Lydia Slayton is no longer the little bookworm he remembers from his past but a beguiling creature. And he intends to find out who she’s spying for.
Find Keta on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ketadiablo
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Stay by Ashlyn Mathews (contemporary romance)
He says we know one another. I swear I’ve never met him. When he reveals the unbelievable truth behind the story of how we’re connected, will I demand he takes a much-deserved hike? Or will I ask him… to stay?
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Luminescence by Ashlyn Mathews (paranormal romance)
She could be the devil disguised as an angel. But to get the answers to solving two personal cold cases, FBI agent Nick Campion is willing to sleep with the enemy. Yeah, call the situation like it is–improper, blurring the lines… inching closer toward a supernatural world he’s not prepared for.
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Her Gentle Heart by Reina Torres (Sweet Western Historical Romance)
He was a man that never asked for help. She gave him what he needed… Her Gentle Heart
Find Reina Torres here: http://www.facebook.com/ReinaTorresRomance/
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Always, Ransom by Reina Torres (Sweet Western Historical Romance)
The Pony Express brought them to the town of Three Rivers for a job… fate found them a woman who would become their everything.
Find Reina Torres here: https://www.amazon.com/Reina-Torres/e/B01GF5UIK0/
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Sixth Sense by Marilyn Baron (Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense)
Reluctant psychic Katherine Crystal, dubbed “Crystal Ball Kate,” and by-the-book Atlanta police detective Jack Hale, who harbors a deep-seated distrust of psychics, are drawn into the investigation of a mystery surrounding Kate’s birth and find murder and romance among a secret society of psychics in the quaint seaside spiritualist community of Casa Spirito, Florida.
Find Marilyn Baron here: http://www.marilynbaron.com/
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Loving a Cowboy by Anne Carrole (Contemporary Romance)
Broken hearts, splintered bones, and fences that need mending. For those who believe in second chances.
Find Anne Carrole here: http://www.annecarrole.com
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The Maverick Meets His Match by Anne Carrole (Contemporary Romance)
Fighting their attraction, fighting each other. Only one person felt they were a match.
Find Anne Carrole here: http://www.annecarrole.com
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The Rancher’s Heart by Anne Carrole (Contemporary Romance)
Families feuding, cattle missing, and two people falling in love. What could go wrong?
Find Anne Carrole here: http://www.annecarrole.com
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Blood Tide, Dolphin Shore Shifters book 1 by CJ Matthew (Romantic Fantasy)
The Santa Barbara Channel holds a closely guarded secret: a pod of Dolphins capable of shifting to human form and working through their corporation, Save Blue Water, they’ll do whatever it takes to protect their oceans.
Find CJ Matthew here: http://www.cjmatthew.com
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Key to Love by Judy Ann Davis (Romantic Suspense)
Lucas Fisher knows what he wants. It’s his best friend’s sister, a talented architect. But he’s on the East Coast and Elise Springer is on the West. Will they find their KEY TO LOVE as they search for the person who murdered his brother?
Find Judy Ann here: http://www.judyanndavis.blogspot.com
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A Witch’s Holiday Wedding by Tena Stetler (Paranormal Romance)
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. Wedding planning goes awry when the couple spends Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife, Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, and Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
Find Tena here: http://www.tenastetler.com
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His for the Weekend by Marie Tuhart (erotic romance)
Cassie has a problem and its name is Marcus DeLuca. The man is quite determined to have her–on his terms. Would one weekend be enough?
Find Marie here: http://www.marietuhart.com/
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Ruby Lynn
A lady farmer and a disgraced detective–will what starts as an arrangement turn into something more? Brought together by necessity, will Leigh and Cy find love or will their attempt to find lasting happiness meet with disaster?
Find Ruby Lynn here: https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Lynn/e/B073H8GKW1/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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Just Stay by Aria Grace (M/M Romance)
When Spencer agreed to help take down the leader of a Portland crime family, he didn’t realize he’d end the night with the bloodied body of an unknowing accomplice in his arms. His initial interest in Dylan was purely physical but when Dylan stepped in front of Topher’s gun and saved Spencer, the lust quickly turned into something more. Something he wasn’t sure he’d ever find in the fast-paced dot com world he was from.
Find Aria Here: Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ariagracebooks, Twitter—https://twitter.com/AriaGraceBooks, Website—http://ariagracebooks.com/
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Fourth of July at The Corral by Debra St. John (contemporary romance)
When United States Marine Tyler Collins is injured in the line of duty and sent home, the first thing he does is to go see the girl he left behind. He wants peace and to escape from the memories of violence and war. Instead, what he finds might change his life forever.
Find Debra here: http://www.debrastjohnromance.com
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When Lonely Hearts Meet by Linda Carroll-Bradd (contemporary romance)
Can online dating entice a divorced woman and a rancher to reveal the secrets of their lonely hearts? Clover isn’t even thinking about dating until she meets a sexy rancher in the paint aisle of all places. And then she receives a mysterious gingerbread cookie…
Find Linda Carroll-Bradd here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Carroll-Bradd-author/440814942635289
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Immortal Relations, Love and War by G. D. Ogan (Paranormal-Romance with Erotic Elements)
Who or what can be called upon when terrorism, war and an extinction level event are seemingly inevitable?
Find Guy here: http://immortalrelations.blogspot.com/
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Hot For The Uniform by Layla Chase (erotic romance)
Rikka Brendan has a thing for buff guys in uniform…especially fire captain Conor Malloy who questions her about her most recent mishap. When the attraction flames from sparks to 3-alarm lust, does Conor have any hope of convincing Rikki they have more than a sexy combustion?
Find Layla Chase here: https://www.facebook.com/layla.chase.52
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Immortal Relations Coming Out by G.D. Ogan (Paranormal-Romance with Erotic Elements)
Good vampires set up a new coven in Southern Canada to monitor a regime intent on changing America into a dictatorship.
Find Guy here: http://immortalrelations.blogspot.com/
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Sylvia Hubbard (Medical Suspense Romance)
Mistaken Identity Three: The Perfect Woman for them is a MFM series, where desire doubles in pleasure. Take a wild ride on the edge of the imagination of AwardWinning, Bestselling Author, Sylvia Hubbard.
Find Sylvia Hubbard here: http://www.sylviahubbard.com
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Beverley Eikli (Georgian-set mystery with romance)
A dissolute rake accepts a wager to ruin the reputation of the virtuous society beauty he believes destroyed his sister’s marital ambitions. But who is out to destroy whom?
Find Beverley here: http://www.beverleyoakley.com
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WILD AT HEART by Lara Archer (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Hollywood bad boy Nick Turner won’t touch indie film director Amber Wakeling; he won’t risk their artistic partnership for a few nights of mind-blowing sex. During a shoot on Colorado’s beautiful Wild Mountain, though, the rules of civilized life don’t seem to apply. Will stepping off the safe path lead to heartbreak—or to real and lasting love?
Find Lara Archer at http://laraarcher.com/
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Beverley Oakley (Regency romance laced with intrigue)
Two beautiful sisters – one an illegitimate governess, the other a celebrated debutante – compete for love amidst the scandal and intrigue of a Regency London Season.
Find Beverley here: http://www.beverleyoakley.com
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Dying for a Daiquiri by Cindy Sample (Humorous Romantic Mystery)
When Laurel McKay attends a Hawaiian wedding, her vacation soon becomes more deadly than the calorie count in her daiquiri. Laurel zip-lines and four-wheels her way through the island paradise unearthing long hidden secrets. Will ingenuity and pluck be enough? Or will this hula be her last?
Find Cindy Sample here http://www.cindysamplebooks.com
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Brenda Whiteside (romantic suspense)
Lacy Dahl never questioned her past until the deaths of her adoptive parents and her husband. A husband who wasn’t what he seemed. Sheriff Chance Meadowlark is still haunted by the murder of his wife and the revenge he unleashed in the name of justice. When he meets Lacy he is determined not to become involved, but their pasts may make that impossible. Will the truth destroy Lacy and Chance or will it be the answer that frees them?
Find Brenda here: http://www.brendawhiteside.com
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Her Survivor: A Black Eagle Ops Novel by Vonnie Davis
***99 cent sale begins 7/18
Welcome to Warrior Falls in this sizzling romantic suspense. Dustin, a broken hero meets a woman worth fighting for—and discovers the healing power of love. She learns she can trust him with her darkest secrets and he’ll protect her.
‘Find Vonnie Davis here:’ http://www.vonniedavis.com, https://www.amazon.com/Vonnie-Davis/e/B0059HUKMC/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0, https://www.facebook.com/VonnieWrites4Love/
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Perfectly Skeptical by Linda O’Connor (Romantic Comedy)
Improbable and uncertain, iffy and unlikely – the typical path to love. Perfectly Skeptical is one of 25 brand new sexy romances in the Tropical Tryst Boxed Set. Escape to the tropics with us!
Find the Tropical Tryst authors here: : http://www.tropicaltryst.com
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Stacy Juba
Ever wondered what those cheerful theme park princesses are really thinking? When twenty-five-year-old Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. 99 cents through the end of July
Find Stacy Juba here http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
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The Would-Be Mommy by Jacqueline Diamond (medical romance)
When a journalist stirs up trouble with his story about a hospital welcoming abandoned babies, he accidentally ignites a firestorm around public relations director Jennifer Serra. Now she faces losing her heart to a baby she can’t keep, and losing her job because of a scandalous secret.
Find Jacqueline here: http://www.jacquelinediamond.com
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Cindy and the Fella by Jacqueline Diamond (romantic comedy)
They both need a fairy godmother! Cindy McChad’s fiancé just dumped her. Hugh Bemling writes love poems in vain. Since Cindy’s clueless about flirting and Hugh has the the physique of a nerd, why not transform each other?
Find Jacqueline here: http://www.jacquelinediamond.com
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Stacy Juba
Personal trainer Cassidy Novak garners popularity and fame while starring in a hit reality show. After she catches the attention of a stalker, her well-ordered life turns topsy-turvy. Cassidy hates the bizarre rules in this guessing game, but when her stalker forces a showdown, she plays to win…
Find Stacy on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Juba/e/B002OXLSDE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
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Champion (Fairy Tale Robin Hood Romance)
All romance novel photographer Payton Fox really wants is a hero in her life. A man that is dashing and honorable… a man worthy of his own fairy tale! But he doesn’t belong in her time, and she needs to send him back.
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Of Slumber and Discord by Nicole Zoltack (twisted fairy tale)
What if there had been a very good reason for Sleeping Beauty to be cursed to sleep for a thousand years?
Find Nicole Zoltack here: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Zoltack/e/B00304YARW/
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The Christmas Honeymoon by Alicia Street (Sweet Contemporary Romance)
Quiet librarian Serena always loved Christmas, until she was jilted before her December wedding. A year later, while trying to rekindle her tarnished holiday spirit, she meets Damien, handsome daredevil—and a total Scrooge. Their unlikely mutual attraction brings on a challenge that leads to one very romantic Christmas.
Find Alicia here: https://www.amazon.com/author/aliciastreet
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Divine Fall by Kathryn Knight (YA Paranormal Romance)
As an outcast in both worlds, the last Nephilim will gladly risk his own life to seek his revenge…but will he risk hers? Forbidden first love and supernatural secrets collide in Divine Fall.
Find Kathryn Knight here: https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Knight/e/B00919ENJA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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A Leap of Faith (Sweet Contemporary Romance)
To finally move out of the Friend Zone with a man from her past, Sophia is desperately crash dieting. Too bad the one temptation she can’t resist is the new minister she keeps bumping into.
Find Nell Castle here: nellcastle.com
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Flawless by Jana Richards (World War Two Romantic Suspense)
French Resistance fighter Madeleine Bertrand believes jewel thief Hunter Smith was responsible for her husband’s death. Now the two must work together to steal a priceless diamond from the Nazis, posing as husband and wife. Madeleine finds herself falling in love, despite what she believes about Hunter. Will they live long enough to have a life together?
Find Jana Richards here: http://www.janarichards.com
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Step into My Parlor by Jan Hudson (Contemporary Romance)
Running for her life and down to her last few cents, Anne’s last hope lands her in a Houston pawnshop to hock her watch. When she meets the owner, Spider Webb, a rough-looking ex-football player who oozes sex appeal designed to blister any woman’s toenail polish, she’s ready to bolt. Then things become dreadfully more desperate. Can she trust this stranger to help her? Romance, suspense, humor. Sensual.
Find Jan here: <https//www.JanHudson.com>
Filed under Ebook Deal
“10 Moments That Changed My Life” by Marie Higgins Plus: PRETENDING YOU’RE MINE Historical Romance
Please help me welcome author Marie Higgins, sharing the…
“10 Moments That Changed My Life”
- Writing a skit for girl’s camp when I was 17 years old, and getting the award of ‘best written’. At this age, I didn’t even know I wanted to be a writer.
- Receiving awards for my skits in the community. When I was in my mid-twenties, I wrote skits for my community which were performed and judged. The awards I received were “Funniest” and “Best Written”.
- Reading my first romance book, A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E Woodiwiss. I was in my mid-twenties, and my step-mother-in-law brought me this book to read when I was very sick. I was so caught up in the story that I couldn’t put it down. After I finished this story, I searched for more books by this author, and then more historical romance books. That was the point in my life when I fell in love with historical romance.
- Watching a romance/suspense movie that had the worst ending! Yes, believe it or not, this did change my life, because I was so upset that the producer/writer of this movie made the audience fall in love with the hero and heroine and yet they didn’t end up together at the end. This was the very thing that pushed me to write my own happy endings!
- I’ve always had movie-like dreams. The day I watched that crappy movie, I had a dream that night about a happily-ever-after story. The next morning, I decided to write my dream. That’s all it took to kick-start my muse. The rest, they say, is history…
- Joining RWA (Romance Writers of America). Can you imagine how excited I was to join a group of other writers who loved romance as I did? The years I was with the Utah Chapter, I met so many great women (who are still my friends today), and I learned so much about writing. I realized if I was going to be a writer, I’d better learn how to do it the right way.
- Winning Second Place in a writing contest! I entered my story (which is now titled “Charmed By Knight”) into a RWA contest, and I won second place! I was shocked…and on cloud nine. It was exciting to think that readers actually enjoyed my story.
- Received my first email from an agent from my dream agency. She had read “Charmed by Knight”, and loved it…but she couldn’t fit it into her schedule to represent me. So although I never did get with this ‘dream agency’, it was a thrill knowing she enjoyed my story. I even kept the email. lol
- Getting my first publishing contract. In 2010, I had a publishing company offer to contract one of my stories (which is now titled “Her Own Fairy Godmother”). The editor told me how much fun she had reading this story, and how she couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately, this particular publishing company was one of the worst mistakes I made, but at the time, I was thrilled that a publisher wanted my stories!
- Discovering self-publishing! In 2011 I had heard so many great things about self-publishing, so I decided to give it a try. That was one of the BEST decisions I’d ever made. Many of my stories were in Amazon’s top 100 best sellers, and I received many 5-star reviews! Now, all these years—and 44 books—later, my stories are still making it to Amazon’s top 100 best sellers, and I’m still receiving many awesome 5-star reviews.
Wow, Marie, what an excellent, fun list! I can definitely relate to your Kathleen Woodiwiss moment, except mine was The Flame and the Flower – Brandon and Heather, I’ll never forget reading that and being completely swept away. Although, my first experience with passionate historical romances was Rosemary Rogers’ Sweet, Savage Love. I read it 8 times! But, enough about me, LOL. Tell us about your book…
HEROIC ROGUE SERIES (all ebooks 99 cents through the month of July).
PRETENDING YOU’RE MINE (book 1)
Mercedes Maxwell is devastated when her twin sister is driven to take her own life by none other than her husband, William Braxton. Determined to make her brother-in-law pay for the injustice, Mercedes travels to Dorchester, England to find him. She is shocked to find that William is unaware of his wife’s death, and when Mercedes is mistaken for her sister, she decides to pose as her twin to glean some answers. Mercedes embarks on an adventure she never dreamed of in hopes of bringing justice to her sister. Instead of justice, Mercedes uncovers a plethora of secrets and mystery. As she works to unravel the mystery and discovers who she can trust, Mercedes finds that all is not as it seems, and that William Braxton may be the one man she can trust.
EXCERPT :
Thundering hooves of a horse bore down upon them. Mercedes switched her attention to the man on the steed. The small crowd parted, and the man atop the animal dismounted. His horse had whipped up a cloud of dust in the dingy alley and she waved her hand in front of her face to keep from sneezing. The sight of the rider left her speechless and a bit weak at the knees.
His rugged appearance shocked her, his strength evident in his muscled arms and legs. Rather than the fancy clothes of the English gentry, the beige shirt and brown leather vest of a farmer’s attire stretched taut across his wide chest, and the black material of his trousers molded to his legs and fit snugly into his black knee-boots. But this man was no farmer. That much appeared evident by the way he carried himself as he strode toward her, his step too confident, too graceful.
When he neared and she gazed upon his face, her breath caught in her throat. The sun had turned his skin a light brown, and the sureness of his jaw bespoke authority. Chestnut hair tousled by the wind framed his head, and she had a sudden urge to swipe the unruly locks off his forehead.
He was quite handsome, if she dared admit, and he literally made her lungs stop working. Never had that happened to her from just admiring a man. Looking into his fiery hazel eyes, she swallowed hard.
He stopped mere inches away, towering over both Mercedes and the soldier like a dark cloud of doom. She leaned her head back to take in his height.
The handsome man met the soldier’s stare. “Sir, will you kindly remove your hands from my wife?”
Her jaw dropped. Wife?
“Correct me, Mr. Braxton, but was your wife not running from you?” The soldier shook his head. “A few hours ago, I had heard that you reported your wife missing. Now here she is caught running. There must be a reason for that.”
She sucked in her breath. Mr. Braxton? This handsome and very powerful man was William Braxton, her sister’s husband?
The pulse in her temple grew stronger. She couldn’t speak, and she couldn’t think. Telling him about Kat’s death was crucial, yet she didn’t want to do that in front of all of these spectators.
If only her mind would cooperate with her tongue and voice, perhaps she wouldn’t feel like a trapped animal. But more importantly, why did she find her brother-in-law dangerously attractive?
When the man in question settled his eyes on her, his expression softened and a smile touched his mouth. “Yes, my dear. Please inform the captain and all these good people why you were running from me.”
Purchase link to Amazon – http://a.co/aZ0bGdL
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s been with a Christian publisher since 2010. Between those and her others, she’s published over 40 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease”, because of all her twists and turns and unexpected endings.
Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – www.mariehiggins.com
Find her on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543
And Twitter – https://twitter.com/mariehigginsXOX
Author Interview with Mary Morgan ~ New Release: QUEST OF A WARRIOR
Today’s guest, Mary Morgan is sharing a new release, a giveaway, and a great interview!
Welcome, Mary! Thank you for joining me.
Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?
I always begin each story with a brand new journal. It has become a tradition to find the one that feels right. This is where I put all the pertinent character(s) information, settings, and any plot ideas. It’s also a form of reference material and word count. I start with a basic outline, but my characters always take me in another direction. I might begin as the “captain at the wheel,” but in the end, they are the ones guiding the tale.
What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?
Marketing my book! It can drain the creativity side tremendously. Yet, after three years, I have found the balance and strive to maintain time to write every day. When I don’t, I find I’m a cranky author. All these ideas/voices are sitting there, so I need to keep the wheels of creativity flowing.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word you think others might use to describe you?
Me: Passionate
Others: Supportive
What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?
“Hawaii” by James Michener. After reading his book as a young teen, I became fascinated with historical novels. His story launched me on a lifetime of adventures within history.
I was obsessed with the Nancy Drew books as a child. It was a delight to read about a girl solving mysteries. Devoured them all, so there’s no favorite. I consider the entire set as one. 🙂
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
There’s only one actor I’ve envisioned for Conn in “Quest of a Warrior,” and that’s Alexander Skarsgard. From the moment Conn stepped forth in my first book, “Dragon Knight’s Sword,” I saw this actor. It’s the way Alexander moves, and those eyes say it all.
What is your favorite quote?
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Thanks again, Mary. I enjoyed the interview. I love that quote. And, Alexander Skarsgard….sigh… 🙂
Check out Mary’s giveaway and her book…
Rafflecopter Giveaway June 30 – July 31 !!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MWUxYzRmNjRlNjU0ZmNkZWI5NTk1MmIwNjFiM2NkOjY=/?
Blurb:
“You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”
Fenian Warrior, Conn MacRoich has traveled the earth for thousands of years, guarding the realm between mortal and Fae. His deeds are legendary. Yet, one mistake will force him on a journey to fix a broken time-line. However, on Conn’s quest, he must face a human female who will eventually bring this ancient warrior to his knees.
When Ivy O’Callaghan inherits her uncle’s estate, she never imagines there will be more secrets to unravel, including the one she hides from the world. With the help of a mysterious stranger, she learns to trust and step out of the shadows. However, nothing prepares Ivy when she learns Conn’s true identity.
As the loom of fate weaves a thread around the lovers from two different worlds, will the sacrifices they make lead them to love? Or will their secrets destroy and separate them forever?
Excerpt:
Conn fought the bolt of desire spearing a path throughout his body. Her touch spoke volumes—an invitation to taste. Never had he longed to kiss a human like this wee lass. His heart beat loudly, and he found himself unable to move. She was a Goddess of the moonlight. It danced off her face and hair, and he trembled before her. Ivy’s fingers traced down his cheek and across his lips. He was helpless to contain the growl that escaped from his mouth.
The rush of passion overtook him, and Conn slammed the door on his mind. Grasping Ivy around the waist, he hoisted her up on top of the bridge. Her lips parted on a sigh, and he lowered his mouth to feast on something he dared not take. The first brush of her soft lips against his own ignited a hunger he could no longer contain. Taking her moan deep into him, Conn glorified in the sensation of her mouth—one filled with a honeyed sweetness.
The Fae warrior became just a man for the first time. Something primal burst within him. Emotions he had never felt left him dizzy, spiraling to a physical plane. He craved them all. His lips seared a course down her neck, to her throat, and then recaptured the velvet warmth of her mouth.
Buy Links:
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Warrior-Legends-Fenian-Warriors-ebook/dp/B072HPBMDM/
Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quest-of-a-warrior-mary-morgan/1126404360/
The Wild Rose: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5086-quest-of-a-warrior.html
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/quest-of-a-warrior
Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/quest-of-a-warrior/id1231868317?mt=11
Author Bio:
Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
Author Links:
WEBSITE: http://www.marymorganauthor.com
BLOG: http://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan
Filed under Author Blog Post, giveaway, New Release
EAGLE EYE – LIKE NO OTHER – BOOK 2 by Darcy Flynn
I am delighted to host today’s guest. Not only has she become one of my treasured author friends, her writing is fabulous!! Her romances are cute, passionate, and emotional, and this is one of my favorites. (And how yummy is the cover? I think girls DO make passes at guys who wear glasses… :))
Welcome, Darcy!
I had so much fun linking Jillian Jeffrey, a character from my first book, Keeper of My Heart, with the second book in my Like No Other Series. My readers wanted Jill’s story told and I’m happy they insisted.
Blurb:
Could one little mistake derail everything she’s worked for?
Undercover journalist, Cameron Phillips, is known for his forthright exposé articles uncovering scandals of New York City’s rich and famous. Using the pseudonym Eagle Eye to hide his identity, he is free to wield his finger pointing, no-holds-barred articles at leisure.
Jillian Jeffrey, teen fashion industry’s latest darling, has a heart for the less fortunate. Her goal is to raise enough money for fashion icon Anna Delany’s, Like No Other charity foundation. The donation will not only keep the charity afloat, but will place Jill in the running for a coveted position on LNO’s board of directors.
In a moment of weakness, at the charity gala, Jill reluctantly accepts a bet from her ex-boyfriend and uses a homeless man to raise twenty thousand dollars. Unknown to Jill, the homeless guy is the cynical, undercover journalist, and Jill has just become his latest exposé target.
In a twist of fate, Cameron is soon hired to shadow Jill as she volunteers with the charity. Shorthaired and clean-shaven, he looks nothing like the bearded, disheveled man Jill had encountered the night of the gala. During their time together, he not only discovers the noble reason behind the bet, but witnesses first hand his article’s negative impact on her business. Faced with the prospect of losing her, will Cameron come up with an antidote for Eagle Eye’s toxic exposé before Jill loses everything she’s worked for?
Excerpt:
“Okay. I admit it. I was having coffee in the bistro near the park when I spotted you. So, I followed you here.”
An incredulous expression crossed his face. “You do see the weirdness in this don’t you?”
“I felt badly for what Sandra said last week.”
“It was the truth, wasn’t it?”
“To a point, but—”
“Look. An abandoned subway is no place for a spoiled socialite. This place is dangerous.”
“You think I’m spoiled?”
“Yes and twenty thousand dollars richer.”
“The twenty thousand was for charity.”
“I guess that made what you did to me okay?”
“No. Of course not.” She sighed. “Look, I admit that I’ve done fairly well for myself. But it hasn’t always been that way.”
“You’re a Jeffrey. It’s always been that way, sweetheart.”
She pulled her hands away from the flame and clasped them to her chest. “What do you mean?”
“Wealthy, wrapped up in yourself, and according to the society pages, One of New York City’s wealthiest families back in town,” he mocked. “Everyone who’s anyone in this city knows about the Jeffrey girls of Scarsdale.”
“Girls?”
“Your sisters.”
“Oh, of course, them.” First Mark and now him. No wonder he had ill feelings toward her. He thought she was one of those Jeffreys.
“So, you think because of that you know me?”
“Not you personally, but…” He shrugged.
“When you’ve met one high society dame, you’ve met them all. Is that it?”
“Dame? Now there’s a word.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “First hobo and now dame. You and your friends should get out more.”
For one second, all she saw was his to-die-for half-smile. That along with his disheveled appearance was quite a package.
“Well, according to your earlier comment, my friends and I get out plenty.”
He gazed down at her. His crooked smile still played around his lips and his eyes held a sudden twinkle that disarmed her. But she couldn’t help notice the note of disdain behind that charming twinkle. She’d used him, coaxed him into a glamorous environment, then humiliated him. It probably wouldn’t make any difference as to what he thought of her, so let him think what he wanted.
Purchase at Amazon: http://a.co/acPSbpy
Purchase at B&N: http://bit.ly/2sserzd
To follow or find out more about Darcy check out the links below.
Website/Blog: http://www.darcyflynnromances.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcyflynn
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DarcyFlynnAuthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0077AG3ZM
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975929.Darcy_Flynn
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dflynnauthor/boards/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116563609469381811624/posts?tab=XX
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About the Author
Darcy Flynn is known for her heartwarming, sweet contemporary romances. Her refreshing storylines, irritatingly handsome heroes and feisty heroines will delight and entertain you from the first page to the last. Miss Flynn’s heroes and heroines have a tangible chemistry that is entertaining, humorous and competitive.
Darcy lives with her husband and a menagerie of other living creatures on her horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. She raises rare breed chickens, stargazes on warm summer nights and indulges daily in afternoon tea.
Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Griffin Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. Proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release
In Those Dazzling Days of Elvis by Josephine Rascoe Keenan
I’m so pleased to welcome back Josephine Rascoe Keenan. I am totally obsessed with the theme of her books. How could I not be? It’s Elvis!! 🙂 She received an excellent review from Kirkus. Check out Book 2 in her series…
Pen-L Publishing announced the release on June 12, 2017, of In Those Dazzling Days of Elvis, the second novel in the Days of Elvis series by Josephine Rascoe Keenan. The book tells a story of human anguish and betrayal, love and loss, recrimination and regret, and shows how choices, once made, can change one’s life forever. Ms. Keenan meticulously recreates the “golden days” of drive-in movies, screen wire petticoats, and flashy American cars, when the world seemed brighter and more innocent than today.
A secret rules the life of the main character.
In the days when Elvis Presley dazzled the nation, his “good luck charm,” Julie Morgan, a small town girl bound by the social code of the 1950s, makes a serious mistake in attempting to cope with her broken home. A seemingly innocent decision to attend a concert proves to be a misstep leading from one bad decision to another, another, and yet another, ultimately catapulting her into a terrible dilemma with no apparent way out. In desperation, Julie agrees to a scheme that Carmen, her lookalike, insists will save Julie from disaster. Their plan is risky, and Julie’s resolve wavers, but Elvis’s long-distance friendship and support give her strength. On the precipice of success, fate intervenes in this “perfect plan” to turn back time and restore her innocence, leaving Julie alone in the heap of rubble that was once her life, and struggling to escape from the tragic consequences of her choices.
Prestigious Kirkus Reviews writes that Keenan “~does an admirable job portraying the often inconceivable repercussions of now commonplace experiences in a small, Southern town in the ’50s. Carmen and Julie take turns narrating, and the dialogue toggles smoothly between their two distinct voices.” ~ “A convincing glimpse into the challenges of navigating small-town gossip, social pressure, and the inevitable difficulty of becoming an adult.”~ Kirkus Reviews
Of Keenan’s debut novel, In Those First Bright Days of Elvis, published in May of 2016, Kirkus Reviews wrote that it “~animates the social scene of small-town, 1950s Arkansas.”~ “As Julie navigates love, family, and friendships, she faces difficult decisions still applicable to teens today. While slang terms anchor the text firmly in the ’50s, the in crowd’s conversations about sex prove some things never change. Julie’s friendship with Elvis is a useful window into a broader national narrative. His letters and appearances provide a glimpse of the changing tastes in music and the impact of cultural touchstones such as The Ed Sullivan Show. Elvis’s letters also provide lighter moments that counter the somber themes of infidelity and unwanted pregnancy. The King of Rock and Roll presides over this tale of youthful loss and longing.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Josephine Rascoe Keenan was born and raised in El Dorado, Arkansas’s oil patch. She earned a B.A. Degree from the University Arkansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and an M.A. Degree from the University of Colorado. After working many years in theatre and film as a director and an actress, with membership in the professional unions, SAG-AFTRA, and Actors’ Equity Association, she expanded her writing efforts from diaries and journals, kept from age eleven, to novels and short stories for young people. Two of her stories were published in the teen magazine, Cricket, and her poem, A Ride on Grandpa’s Foot appeared in Modern Maturity magazine. Her plays have toured with Artreach Touring Theatre; and one was chosen as a winner of Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati’s New Play Contest.
Recently, Josephine participated in the Ohioana Library’s 2017 Book Festival, as well as Tongue and Groove, Sunset, and Authors Words and Wine, three literary salons in Cincinnati. She has had book signings at Blue Marble Bookstore in Ft. Thomas, KY, and at Village Lights Bookstore in Madison, IN. She expresses thanks to Alicia for posting an interview on her blog, as well as this new information.
Josephine wrote the books to tell today’s kids what life was like in the 50s, as well as to give older folks a time travel experience back to their youth. Although the books are not about Elvis Presley’s life, they are set during the time when his star was low on the horizon, before he became “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and changed our world forever.
When not writing, Josephine enjoys oil painting (The cover art for her books is her own work), square dancing, and cooking Southern dishes, such as hot water cornbread, little lady peas, and grandma’s peach cobbler for her husband Frank and their friends at the couple’s restored 1845 log house. Visit Josephine at www.keenannovels.com, and follow her on Facebook @ Josephine.Keenan1, and onTwitter@JRKeenan01
Her books can be ordered online from http://www.pen-.com/InThoseDazzlingDays.html, or from Amazon at: www.amazon.com/Those-Dazzling-Days-Elvis/dp/1683130774
Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release
Meet My Cousin Jon M Michaels and his “Tale of the Sharp-Dressed Man”
I am beyond thrilled to introduce today’s guest. Jon is actually my second cousin. His dad is my cousin, but Jon and I are close to the same age. My mother is next to the youngest of a dozen or so siblings, so myself and my siblings were closer in age to the children of our cousins rather than our cousins (if that makes any sense.)
(UPDATE: I learned from my friend, Darcy Flynn, in the comments, that he is actually my first cousin once removed, and I have been defining ‘second cousin’ incorrectly my entire life. I also read that a first cousin once removed is also a nephew or niece, so I think Jon should start calling me ‘Aunt Alicia’ – anyone else agree?)
But, moving on…I barely knew Jon growing up, although I’m not sure why since we lived in the same general vicinity. I reconnected with him a few years ago at a family reunion and learned he was writing a book and told him to let me know if I could do anything to help. (Since that time, I’ve gotten to know him and his fabulous wife better, and we have so much in common with our twisted sense of humor and taste in books and shows…it’s awesome! :)) He contacted me a little while after the reunion and asked me to read/edit it for him. I agreed, but I will say, I was a little anxous. What if it sucked? It was his FIRST book. How many people think they can sit down and write a book and it’s a disaster? Well, let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. I LOVED this novel! It’s witty and creepy and dark and funny with great, vivid characters who I felt like I knew. (much of it takes place in Wetumka, Oklahoma, an area I know well since my grandparents and much of my mom’s family lived in and around Wetumka, and I spent a lot of time in the area when I was growing up, which made it extra special). I have so enjoyed helping him polish and present his fabulous novel to the world.
Without further ado (I mean, that was more than enough ado, am I right?), meet Jon M Michaels…
Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
Well, I’m an Okie, born and raised. As a kid our family moved a lot, so I learned to adapt and make friends. That’s not to say it was easy, but I think it’s helped me to accept change. I’ve done a little bit of everything; private investigator, oil field pipe inspector, sales and some college sprinkled in there somewhere. I currently live in Oklahoma City with my wife and cat, with no plans to move.
Where did you get the idea for Tale of the Sharp-Dressed Man?
Good question. I guess the character, Sharp-Dressed Man, came to me before the story. It’s a character that’s a part of family lore. I sort of fleshed the story around that.
Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?
I like being freaked out by stories. Scary, and bizarre. Bentley Little has some good stuff along those lines. I read Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot when I was eleven years old, and that paved my way to horror. I also used to watch Dark Shadows as a kid. My mom thought I was in my room playing, but I was peeking around the corner at the television.
What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?
Getting to the end.
What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
Finding an ending that I liked.
What book have you read that you wish you had written?
Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.
What was your first job?
I worked in the kitchen at a nursing home. It was a summer job. It was interesting, and sometimes unnerving.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why?
That’s a toughie. But I’d have to say Salem’s Lot. Great characters and a truly evil villain.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Tale of the Sharp-Dressed Man?
That they were on an adventure, and made some friends along the way.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
Without a scant of hesitation, I’d have to say Willie Nelson would be great as Grandpa Theo. As for the rest, I don’t have any idea.
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
Hmm…, I guess I’d rather have a bad review, but that doesn’t mean I’d like it. At least someone was reading it.
What is your favorite quote?
Mark Twain’s quote, “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.”
If you could be a character in any of your books, who would you be?
Ruckus McGraw.
If you could spend time with a character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Again, Ruckus. We’d drive around listening to the Allman Brothers, while he indulged me with advice on women, sex and high-dollar whiskey. But, I’d have to throw Grandpa Theo in there as well. The three of us would have a high time.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
A little of both.
What do your friends and family think of your writing?
They are extremely supportive.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Buddy Wynn. He’s such a bastard.
Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
I drank bourbon with Barry Switzer once, and he signed his book “Bootlegger’s Boy.” He happens to be a very down to earth person.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Nothing specific.
How did your interest in writing originate?
Not sure, but it’s tied to my love of reading. I caught on to reading from the first time I learned of Dick, Jane and Spot. In the fifth grade, I wrote a short story about a woman who changed into a giant, black widow spider. The story was supposed to be punishment for something I did in science class (I don’t recall what the infraction was). I was to write a one-thousand-page essay on something related to science. I chose spiders. My teacher accepted my spin (pun intended) on the subject, but he scolded me and said it was not what he was wanting. He was wanting a scientific essay, but since I put the effort into it he’d accept it. However, I saw him passing the story around to the other teachers during lunch that day. They all seemed to enjoy it.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Stephen King. His characters are vivid and believable.
Tell us your favorite…
Movie – Apocalypse Now
Music – Kings of Leon
Place you’ve visited – San Diego
Place you’d like to visit – Tokyo
TV show from childhood – The Six Million Dollar Man
TV show from adulthood – Breaking Bad
Food – My wife’s spaghetti
Sports team – Sooners, Thunder
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Television
Thank you, Jon. Fun interview! Now, about your book…
Blurb:
Thirteen-year-old Luke Morgan was living a charmed life on his Grandpa Theo’s farm. sheltered from the noise of the world by endless, rural beauty. But, his country innocence is quickly shattered one late afternoon as he watches an approaching thunderstorm with his grandfather at his side. Something other than churning clouds were in the sky that day. A twisting, black, mass of evil that his grandfather is not unfamiliar with. Upon seeing the strange spectacle, Theo tells Luke that the two of them must travel to their neighbor’s home—and kill the entire family.
Luke quickly learns there is much he doesn’t know about his kindly grandfather, as he is plunged into a nightmarish world built of demons and human suffering.
Excerpt:
A sound nudged me back into awareness. My eyes opened to the same room, except it was darker. The antiseptic smells of the hospital swam with a lingering staleness, seeming sharper as I lay alone in the darkness. I noticed a pain in my left arm, a tube taped into place, dripping numbing concoctions into my body. A dim slash of light wandered in through the blinds in my room, probably from a street light. My head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton, and my sadness was still suffocating. I wanted to find sleep again. There was nothing in the world of reality that I wanted.
The shuffle of a shoe whispered from the darkened room, the rustle of clothes. “Who’s there?”
Footsteps, slow and easy, grew closer. A figure emerged from the shadows and stood at the foot of my bed. He was tall, dressed in a shining suit and wearing a top hat. He had long, black hair that glistened like a snake’s skin, and a face made for Hollywood. “Do you know who I am?”
“Yes.” My voice was a whisper. “You’re the devil.”
“Well, give the hillbilly a chicken dinner. You must be the genius in the family.”
The devil had a black cane topped with a small human skull, approximately the size of an infant’s. He leaned forward on the cane and smiled at me. His teeth were glazed pieces of coal. “I go by many names, but you can call me Nick. I’ve been called that for some time in these parts.”
Dreadfulness emanated from the devil, pushing against me with a smothering force. I scooted into my pillow and drew my legs tight.
Nick sighed and spun his cane with spider-like dexterity, walking in and out of the shadows, grinning. “Luke, Luke. You might have been an agent of spectacular ability. But, alas, you were protected by Him, which placed you beyond my influence. Your loss as much as it was mine.”
I was scared. More scared than I had ever been in my young life—which is a rather significant statement, considering the horrors I’d recently endured. Things slithered and bumped in the room. I heard raspy whispers speaking in a strange tongue. And the devil himself stood in front of me.
Scared shitless, I was.
Nick stopped the twirling and sat on the left side of the bed. “I don’t have much time to waste on you, so this will be brief. I just wanted to pop in for a chat. Is that fine?”
I nodded my head. I figured I didn’t have much choice in the matter.
“You’ve got pluck, boy. Not unlike good ole’ Theo.” The devil tapped his chin, thinking. “Yes, the dearly departed Theo.”
A jolt of anger filled my head with blood.
The devil laughed and stood up. He walked into the streaming light and tilted his head in a way that allowed me a brief look at his eyes. They were like black glass. “It seems all of your loved ones depart.”
The words were hurled razor blades, angering and wounding. Tears formed in my eyes, which angered me even more.
“Yes, your father and your mother. They too have departed.” He pointed the end of his cane at me. “I watched as they died. It was not a pleasant experience for either of them, I assure you.”
I didn’t know much of their death, only that they were murdered. I didn’t want to know anything else about it, and I didn’t want to hear it from the devil. “Why are you here? What do you want from me?”
“Just like ole gramps, you get straight to the point.” Nick reached inside his jacket and withdrew a pocket-watch. He hooked the chain with a claw from his pinky and suspended it in front of his face. “And that is a good thing, as I do tend to get rather long-winded, and I have plans to meet with someone in this very hospital. Yes, an old woman who happens to be a patient, or in your case, a hospital neighbor. This woman has earned my company, and I do not wish to disappoint.”
I closed my eyes, wishing he would reach the end of his say, or turn to smoke and disappear. He surely did enjoy the sound of his own voice.
“At any rate, it is a wonderful stroke of fate that this woman and you are in the same residence. I may now tell you, face to face, that your life from this moment on is going to be noteworthy. You’ve been marked, boy. Your grandfather was stolen from me. A debt is still owed.”
Words dipped in hate.
“But, the hayseed—your grand pappy—possessed a faith so strong it garnered him worthy of His protection, which was passed down to you.” Black spittle sprayed from his mouth. “So, I may not harm you.”
If I trusted him, those would have been relieving words. But, he was the devil.
Jon at his first book signing – June 17, 2017
About the Author:
Jon M Michaels was born and raised in Oklahoma, and has lived in various rural towns all of his life. His years spent as a private investigator, coupled with the local stories he grew up hearing, heavily influenced his writing this book. He currently lives with his wife in Oklahoma City, and their black cat, Lucy.
Find Jon here:
https://www.facebook.com/jonm.michaels
Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release
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