Category Archives: Author Blog Post

January 23, 2016 · 9:20 am

“10 Moments that Changed My Life” by Sharleen Scott – PLUS, her new release, TANGLES

Please welcome today’s guest, Sharleen Scott…

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  1. On May 18, 1980 Mt St Helens erupted and my hometown was directly in the ash trajectory. I worked for the local newspaper and was one of the few people allowed in the downtown area following the eruption. The ash turned day to night and no one knew what damage it would do. We still find ash in the flowerbeds.
  2. My roommate and I had a housewarming party and she invited a friend who…
  3. I married eighteen months later.
  4. Our son was born. I’d been working as a travel agent for eleven years and started my own home-based agency so my son wouldn’t go to daycare.
  5. My daughter’s birth turned the agency into “Nap-Time Travel” until the two kids decided naps weren’t going to happen. I chased kids while booking cruises and airline tickets.
  6. September 11 brought changes to the world and directly affected my small travel agency. Within three years, I sold my office.
  7. To fill the void after losing my beloved travel career, I began writing and studying the craft of writing. The first attempt will stay in the back of a desk drawer. The second and third (the start of a romantic suspense series) received great comments from beta readers and made me think I had a chance at this whole writing thing.
  8. Then my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and my father-in-law with inoperable prostate cancer. We became caregivers.
  9. I continued writing as a way to deal with the situation and wrote my third novel, Tangles.
  10. I published Caught in Cross Seas and Caught in the Spin in 2014 and Tangles in 2015. I’m currently writing book three in the Caught series. I doubt my life will be the same again.

Thank you for sharing, Sharleen. Very interesting. I’m sorry about your mother-in-law and father-in-law. My best friend’s mother passed away from Alzheimer’s last year. It’s a horrible, horrible disease. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Check out Sharleen’s book…sounds like a moving and compelling read…

 

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Blurb:

While faced with the challenge of his mother’s escalating Alzheimer’s disease, Logan McKinnon discovers secret journals that leave him questioning everything he knows about his family. With no one to ask, Logan must find a man mentioned in the journals to discover a truth he may not want to know.

Excerpt: (This excerpt follows the life changing moments theme of the blog.)

Logan exhausted the file cabinets by 9:00 p.m. and still hadn’t located the insurance policies. Thinking there could be more files in the closets, he poked around until he found a locked box marked Personal in the top of the guest room closet. It was heavy and locked. He didn’t find a key, but rather than give up, he jimmied it open with a screwdriver. Hoping to find file folders, he was disappointed when the contents were books and notebooks, all numbered and dated.

He sat on the floor and selected a white book marked Number One. He opened it to the first page and was stunned by what he found. The first entry, with its childish scrawl and misspelled words, made him smile.

April 1936

Dear Jurnal, My name is Lois and I am six. Mama says girls like to rite stuff so she gave you to me. I hope we can be frends and I can tell you my secrets. Love, Lois

July 1936

Dear Jurnal, Larry called me a bad name today. I dumped mud on his head. Daddy spanked me. It hurt. Big brothers are icky, and I hate him. Don’t tell anyone. Love, Lois

Logan doubled over with laughter as he read his mother’s diary. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t stop. The entries were short but telling of Lois’ early life, and he found himself engrossed. Hours passed as he read the entries detailing her fights with her older brother, Larry, stories of her cat named Puffpuff, a dog named Hunter though he was gun shy to the point of terror, and he sniffled when he read about the day she stopped hating Larry.

April 1939

Dear friend, my grandpa died today and I’m sad. When Mama told me, I ran to the barn and cried until my stomach hurt. Puffpuff tried to make me feel better but it didn’t help. Larry found me and I yelled at him to leave me alone. He said he was sad, too, and wanted to cry with me where no one would see him. Boys aren’t supposed to cry. He held my hand and we cried together. I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone he cried. I think Larry is an okay brother after all, but don’t tell anyone I said that. Love, Lois

Logan placed the journal in the box and closed the lid. He stared at it, debating if he should return it to the closet where it belonged and leave it alone. His curiosity won, and he shoved the box in a corner and covered it with a blanket. The late hour caught up with him, and he stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed. Blissful sleep came quickly.

 

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Bio:

Sharleen Scott lives in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Brett, two college kids, and two spoiled cats.

http://www.sharleenscott.com

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle and Paperback: http://amzn.com/0991589041

Nook: http://tinyurl.com/kvoc797

Apple:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id990513887

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/tangles-2

 

 

 

 

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January 22, 2016 · 7:45 am

Deja Vu All Over Again & A Fun Interview with Ashantay Peters PLUS a GIVEAWAY

I am extremely pleased to introduce today’s guest. Ashantay Peters is a fantastic author, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with on several stories as her editor at The Wild Rose Press.

Today, I am interviewing Ashantay, and she is sharing her new release. Enjoy… 

 

Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?

Do you mean other than sitting down at the keyboard and typing? Actually, come to think on it, I assemble jigsaw puzzles or make bead jewelry when I’m stuck on a plot point. Those two activities activate a different part of my brain, I guess, and I stop worrying about what’s not working in the book. When the weather is nice, I walk with a voice recorder, and more often than not, new ideas will pop up. Not from the bushes on the side of the road luckily–that would be scary!

What book have you read that you wish you had written?

Oh, way too many to list. I do have to end this post sometime, yes?  So instead of listing just one book, I’ll say I’d like to write like Jayne Ann Krentz! Both the novels written under that name and as Amanda Quick. Her books pull me in quick and keep me turning pages faster than a squirrel darting after peanut nuggets.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read Deja Vu All Over Again?

I write several different genres, but the one thing all my books have in common is humor. Our world is too filled with negativity, so my mission (and I did care to accept it, no “should” about it) is to give readers relief from stress in the form of laughter. I love to share smiles.

What genre have you never written that you ‘d like to write?

There are two genres I appreciate. First, Regency romance for the historical escape and second, science fiction/fantasy for the world building. I enjoy reading both genres, but understand I’m not ready to write either.  Doggone it. Maybe next year.

What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?

Carlos Santana. Yes, my tie-dyed hippie roots are showing.  I’d like to meet him because he holds fascinating spiritual beliefs. His life experiences run the gamut from growing up poor to traveling the world and meeting all kinds of other famous people. I think our conversations would be wide-ranging, and when we tired of talking, I’d be happy to listen to him play and sing!

Thank you for the fun interview, Ashantay. Hmmm, I keep hearing about Jayne Ann Krentz and I don’t think I’ve read her. I guess I need to remedy that.

Now, Ashantay has a question for you and she’s giving away a copy of her awesome book!

***GIVEAWAY!!!***

Who would you like to be stranded with – on an island, stuck in an elevator, in a desolate cabin during a snow storm – you choose! Or make up your own scenario. I want to hear names…fantasies…and what’s said here stays, well, on the Internet, so use discretion if you choose. But it’s more fun to let loose once in a while, isn’t it? I’ll be sending an electronic copy of my latest release, Déjà vu All Over Again, to a commenter.

 

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BLURB:

Rock star Jack Reed has secrets. He’s kept his first marriage to a girl he met at Woodstock, and their son, under wraps for decades. Now his child has tracked him down wanting answers.

Former hippie Sally Ford never fully recovered from Jack’s betrayal of their family. She believes he put his career first then and will again, leading to another shattered ending.

Jack and Sally’s first meeting is combustible. Can they confront their past and overcome a history of deceit and manipulation to find peace and love?

EXCERPT

         “And how is Sally, uh, I mean, your mother?” He wasn’t sure why he’d asked about a woman who’d torn out his heart, but too late to call back the words.

         “I call her Sally in public, Mom in private. Can’t remember how that got started but it works for us. She’s fine.”

         “She didn’t have a problem with us meeting?”

         “No, no, she’s fine.”

         Jack knew bullshit when someone spun it, and Carlos wove a blanket. He raised his eyebrows. “Really? I figured she’d fight this get-together.”

         “Nope.” Carlos chuckled. “Okay, she didn’t look happy, more resigned. Maybe a little scared.”

         She doesn’t want me around. I can get down with that feeling.

          “You’re not pissed with me or her, are you? For keeping quiet about my identity? The band hit crazy big on that first tour. She, we thought you’d be better off out of the spotlight.”

         Carlos tilted his head to the side, and Jack recognized Sally in the gesture. “I haven’t had time to digest the information. I guess you both had a good reason for the charade, and even though I’m not pressing now, I’ll want answers.”

         Icy fingers gripped his gut. “So my leaving did piss you off.”

         “Not totally.”

         Jack held on to his coffee cup with both hands, happy his son hadn’t walked out yet. Sure, he’d signed away his rights to Carlos, but Sally had been impossible to find after she’d left. She’d made it clear—through lawyers—that he’d only screw up their son, and he’d believed her.

        Then his actions had proved her right. 

Find the book at: The Wild Rose Press   Amazon 

About the Author

 ashantay

Ashantay Peters lives in the North Carolina mountains, the perfect location to escape into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth.

Besides this sequel to Pipe Dreams, Ashantay has four romantic-suspense/mystery releases with The Wild Rose Press: Death Stretch, Death Under the Mistletoe, Death Rub, and Dickens of a Death.  She is at work on another book with an older heroine.

She loves to hear from readers and promises not to stalk anyone who contacts her.

Contact Links

Web site –www.ashantay.com

Email – ashantay.peters@gmail.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ashantay.peters

https://www.amazon.com/author/ashantaypeters

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January 14, 2016 · 10:22 am

New Release Spotlight – Sandra Dailey “Close Enemy” from The Wild Rose Press – PLUS a Giveaway!

Check out this new release from Sandra Dailey. I LOVE the cover. Sounds like an awesome read!

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Blurb – Caleb McCrae is a powerful man with a broken soul. In six years, Leah was the only person to help him forget the painful memories, but only for one night. Now she seems to have disappeared. A mysterious letter arrives, and she’s in trouble…in more ways than one.

Leah Fletcher’s life is complicated. To care for her drug and alcohol addicted mother she works at a sleazy men’s club…until she finds out she’s pregnant and is framed for a crime that lands her in jail. When a stranger visits, she learns her troubles have just begun.

Bogdan Petrov has waited eleven years to get back the money Leah’s father stole from him. Despite her denials, he knows she’s hiding it. He’s arranged to infiltrate every part of her life until he gets what he wants, but soon realizes that an unknown person is doing the same to him.

Excerpt – Caleb sat in a plastic chair in front of a glass window with a telephone mounted on each side at his right. The chair across from him was empty. After five more minutes an inmate was led to the door. When she came into view through a large window, his heart skipped a beat. It was her, Leah.

Her dark ringlets had grown to barely brush her shoulders and looked dull. Her face was pale and sad, but he was sure she was the girl who’d written.

She raised her handcuffs to be checked. The orange scrub top was so big on her the shoulder seams fell several inches down her thin upper arms. There was a chain attached to the cuffs that would be hooked to a belt around her waist. Her feet were probably shackled too. Didn’t they know she was harmless? Caleb rubbed his temples to ward off a gnawing ache. The man on the phone had said seven months. Almost the entire time he’d looked for her, she’d been right here…serving a jail sentence. How had this happened to such a gentle soul? She couldn’t be the woman he’d thought her to be.

When the door opened, she shuffled to the chair across from him. The chains from her wrists and between her feet probably weighed as much as she did. There wasn’t a belt at her waist, though. It hung around her hips…under her basketball-sized belly. Caleb’s stomach twisted and he felt a little lightheaded. She was, without a doubt, pregnant.

 

Question – Have you ever seen someone after a long period of time and found that they’d drastically changed?

Prize – Tell us about it in a comment for a chance to win a copy of the first book, Common Enemy, for you Kindle or Nook. Be sure to include your email address. I’ll choose my favorite answer on Saturday, January 16, 2016. Return to this post or my Facebook page that afternoon to see who won.

 

Bio – Sandra Dailey lives with her husband and mother in a small town in North Florida, far from the maddening crowds. Her children and grandchildren all live close and keep her ridiculously busy and active. Her passions are reading, writing, and crafts. Her addictions are coffee, chocolate, and football. Her aversions are cooking, housework and negative people. She loves to hear from fellow readers and writers, so get in touch.

Website/Blog: http://www.sandradailey.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandradailey.author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sdaileyauthor

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sandradailey

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6551048.Sandra_Dailey

 

 

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January 13, 2016 · 7:33 am

“10 Moments that Changed My Life” by Mary Morgan – PLUS, Dragon Knight’s Shield

Please welcome today’s guest, Mary Morgan. She’s sharing the moments that changed her life and her latest release, Dragon Knight’s Shield from The Wild Rose Press…

 

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  1. My first airplane ride at 13 years. A fascination with traveling started on that first trip. Afterwards, I viewed airports as gateways to the world.
  2. The birth of my daughter at 16 years. Becoming a teenage mom turned my world upside down. I did not know it at the time, but she would be a powerful force in my life. I am grateful every day for this beautiful soul.
  3. Meeting my future husband on my first job interview. I took a leap of faith by going on this interview. The moment I stepped through those doors, the stars exploded. Yes, I believe in love at first sight. It happened with both of us!
  4. Planting my first garden twenty-two years ago. Gardening gave me such joy and a sense of peace. To this day, I still get excited over the first new tomato or rose.
  5. The birth of my first grandchild. The joy of becoming a grandmother was beyond my expectations. I learned to play in a completely different way than I did with my children.
  6. Taking a position as a bookseller with Borders Books. Previously, I worked for banks, advertising agencies, and in escrow. Yet, this was the most rewarding job ever. In addition, I met so many great people.
  7. My first trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England. I will never forget when my feet touched the ground in these countries. It was a déjà-vu moment. I left a piece of my soul in each of these places. Also, my ideas for the Dragon Knights started on a boulder in the Highlands.
  8. Turning 50! I truly came into my own as a woman. I loved each new decade I entered, but when I turned 50, the world opened up for me. I will be forever learning, but I’m more at ease with life.
  9. Finishing my first book. It was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
  10. Getting my first contract with The Wild Rose Press. I knew with each rejection letter I received, the right “fit” for a publisher would come my way. I never gave up.

Love this! What joyful moments.  Thank you so much for sharing with us.

And now, check out Mary’s book…

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Blurb:

Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him. 

Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.

Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Excerpt:

His look was predatory, lustful, inviting, and she took a step backward. Words failed her as she took another step back.

He arched a brow and his smile became seductive. “Do I frighten ye?”

“No!” she lied. Like hell you do! You’re as gorgeous as sin standing there, and I want to rip your clothes from your body.

Pushing off from the wall, he stepped into the room and silently closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving hers. His hair hung in soft waves past his shoulders, and her fingers itched to twine within them. Her body ached in places so deep—longing for even the slightest touch. 

“Are ye unwell, my lady?”

The burr of his voice so low—so sexy, she could only stare at him until his words resonated in her mind. “No,” she replied softly, feeling the flames of desire heat not only her face, but also her entire body.

This time when he took another step closer, Deirdre didn’t back away. Now he stood so close she could feel the warmth of his breath across her face—a mix of wine and pure male.

She watched mesmerized as he reached for a lock of her hair, twining it around his finger. “So verra soft.”

Deirdre couldn’t breathe, as he let the curl unravel and cupped her face in his hands. “Ye confuse me. Ye torment me in my dreams,” he whispered against her cheek, sending a wave of pleasure down her spine.

Without thought, she groaned and leaned into him—his beard grazing her cheek. She no longer battled her mind for the man. “Kiss me, Angus.”

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MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  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.

You can find more information about Mary Morgan here:

WEBSITE  http://www.marymorganauthor.com

BLOG  http://www.marymorganromancewriter.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor

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/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Knights-Shield-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B018MESJ12/

Barnes&Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-knights-shield-mary-morgan/1123094798?ean=2940157846695

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/dragon-knight-s-shield

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6584

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January 7, 2016 · 7:46 am

A Candy Hearts Romance – Forget Me Not by Maureen Bonatch – Plus, a $20 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

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A fun new series from The Wild Rose Press is out and I have one of the debut stories on my blog today. The Candy Hearts Romances are short, fun, flirty stories in various genres. Each are titled with a different Candy Hearts saying. Cute idea, right? Check out FORGET ME NOT by Maureen Bonatch…

 

Forget Me Not

A Candy Hearts Romance

 by

Maureen L. Bonatch

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Blurb:

The car accident totaled Sabrina Post’s convertible and reinvented her memories. She can’t recall dumping Cole Dawson ten years ago. What her new clairvoyant visions tell Sabrina is he’s her husband. Any practical girl would question her sanity. But if Sabrina wants to make this imaginary future a reality, she’ll have to regain Cole’s trust and eliminate her rival, the coffee shop waitress who’s pegged Cole as husband #4. To prove she’s foreseen their destiny, Sabrina stirs Cole’s interest by revealing specifics about him she couldn’t have otherwise known. Unfortunately, the one detail he vividly remembers is the pain when she left him and their “rinky-dink” town in her rearview mirror.

If Cole can’t believe she’s a changed woman, can Sabrina accept the only second chance she has at love exists in her memories?

Excerpt:

Sabrina’s laugh faded at his unspoken words. Despite being born and raised in Rosewood, she wasn’t considered a local anymore since she’d moved and shunned the small town way of life they loved. She’d have to earn their respect, or forever be considered an outsider.

“How do you know what my New Year’s resolution is?” Sabrina tensed, wondering if Cole experienced the same unusual visions.

Cole shrugged. “It’s the same one you made every year. You were never successful with it then, either. You insisted you were no—”

“Quitter.” Sabrina finished the sentence.

“Yeah.” Cole cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I have to get back to the store. My lunch break is over.” His gaze lingered on Sabrina. “Perhaps you’ll tell me your story…another time.”

He rose, bracing his arms on the table. The muscles in his biceps bulged. The group at the table behind them fell silent, straining to detect every word exchanged. “Somewhere a little more private.”

The happiness warming her at his closeness made her want to drown in the depths of his emerald eyes and seek the answers to the mystery of her muddled memories. The emotions welling inside her made no sense—love never did—especially since she loved a man she didn’t even know. God, she was crazy. Did she stand a chance of making her memories of Cole a reality? She licked her unbearably dry lips. “Yeah, perhaps.”

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Forget-Not-Candy-Hearts-Romance-ebook/dp/B018L3GFAG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1448985548&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=forget+me+not+maureen+l+bonatc

The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6581

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forget-me-not-maureen-l-bonatch/1123082907?ean=2940157816650

 Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/forget-me-not-93

IBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forget-me-not/id1067612795?mt=11

***Click here to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a $20 Amazon Gift Card (contest runs from January 6th until January 27th)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

maureenbonatch

About the Author:

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

 

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Maureen-L.-Bonatch/e/B00KHY1KK8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=658

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbonatch

Blog: http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Website: http://www.maureenbonatch.com

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/1AV4L

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/maureenbonatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenlbonatch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3103486.Maureen_L_Bonatch

 

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December 21, 2015 · 5:00 am

“Ten Moments that Changed My Life” by Diane Burton – PLUS, her new release: “The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé”

I am pleased to host my  author friend, the awesome, talented Diane Burton, on today’s blog.  Diane is sharing the 10 moments that changed her life, as well as  her latest release. Please help me welcome Diane, and be sure to check out her fabulous book, “The Case of the Fabulous Fiance,” an excellent blend of humor and mystery.

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Thanks for having me here today, Alicia. Preparing for this post, I took many trips down Memory Lane. Side trips, too. Things I hadn’t thought of in years came forward. So many events to choose from. Here’s my top ten.

  1. Accepting my friend’s offer to fix me up with a guy. That blind date led to . . .
  2. . . . marrying the man I loved who became my best friend and the father of . . .
  3. . . . our children. Our daughter, who was an easy baby, came first, followed 13 months later by her brother, who wasn’t (undiagnosed asthma and other health problems).
  4. Hubs’ job changes and moves. At first adventurous, then upsetting, always stressful. But the moves gave us all new opportunities and new friends. A lot of lemonade out of those lemons.
  5. Our daughter’s, very traditional, brought a loving son into our family. Our son’s, on a beach, gave us a wonderful daughter. Those unions gave us . . .
  6. The best de-stressor in the world is rocking a snuggling newborn. No worries about household chores or writing deadlines when visiting. Having fun with them is more important. Teaching them our skills, learning from them.
  7. The release of my first book in 2001. Seeing my name on the cover of a book was such a high. Only to come crashing down with the Twin Towers two weeks later.
  8. Self-publishing. Wow, I actually got money for my books. Every month.
  9. Lingering deaths. Our parents. A blessing when they died. Each time more difficult, until you realize you’re the oldest in the family. Sad that our grandchildren will never know them except through stories and pictures.
  10. Freedom to do what we want, go where and when we want. Realizing that penny pinching paid off.

In my latest release, The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé, the heroine’s top two moments are 1) when The Pops turned over the detective agency to her and 2) the return of her old flame, Nick Palzetti.

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Blurb:

Alex O’Hara wants to take her detective agency in a new direction—background checks for potential spouses. She hopes this new case will do the trick when a high-powered executive asks for info on her new boyfriend. Is the man she met on a cruise her Mr. Right or is he too good to be true? On the same day, Alex gets another case—finding a deadbeat dad. And both women want to double her rates so she’ll give them highest priority. She can’t believe her luck. Her finances are on the upswing. If only Nick Palzetti were around to share her good news. He disappeared on Christmas Eve, and she hasn’t heard from him in almost three months. Then no internet and glitchy phones bring everything to a screeching halt.

Excerpt:

I read somewhere that men think about sex ninety-four percent of the time, maybe more. Women were more evolved and thought about other things. Around Nick Palzetti, my evolution took a nose dive. I remembered how good things had been between us. Not my doing, of course. When it came to lovemaking, he was the pro. I still had amateur status. And if I didn’t watch my step, I’d make a fool of myself again.

“Why are you back, Nick? Did you really think I would fall into your arms?” As if I hadn’t done just that.

He perched on the corner of my desk, again, then swung his foot in a lazy manner. “I’d hoped so.”

“Why? I’m not some bimbo you can jump into bed with and then say ‘I’ll be right back’. Right back does not mean no word for over two frelling months.”

I’d just done a “Farscape” marathon, for the third time, so frelling was my word of choice when I really wanted to say the other F-word.

His foot stopped swinging. Every muscle in his body tightened. The effect was fascinating and a little scary. His lips, which had been soft and caressing moments ago, thinned. His face became all sharp edges.

“What do you mean no word?” he asked in a voice that was too soft. Like I said, a little scary.

 

The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé is available at:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B0195K8F6G

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-case-of-the-fabulous-fiance-an-alex-o-hara-novel

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/case-fabulous-fiance-alex/id1066537800?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-case-of-the-fabulous-fiance-diane-burton/1123120297?ean=2940157702533

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/599181

DianeBurton

Author Info:

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense, and The Case of the Bygone Brother, a PI mystery. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and three grandchildren.

For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com

Connect with Diane Burton online

Blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor

Goodreads: Diane Burton Author

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/

Sign up for Diane’s new release alert: http://eepurl.com/bdHtYf

 

 

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December 17, 2015 · 10:35 am

A Fun Party for Two – Monique DeVere’s New Release and Giveaway!

I am thrilled to share the latest release from my gorgeous and talented friend, Monique DeVere. Monique excels at romantic comedy, especially the romance part. Her heroes will make you swoon! And, she’s giving away a FREE copy of Party for Two to one lucky commenter!

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ONLY  $1.99 – BUY HERE

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Her sexy weekend fling.

Ex-lawyer turned pregnancy model Danielle Hampton has one simple rule; never date an attorney, even if he’s so deliciously hot she’s nicknamed him His Hotness Esquire. When her father asks her to strap on her silicone bump and pretend to be Casey Lowe’s pregnant fiancée in order to pull her family’s law firm out of trouble, her first answer is a resounding no! But she owes Casey for wrecking his pool.

Civil Rights Attorney Casey Lowe lives by a code of practice: never date his boss’s daughter, but he’ll do just about anything to make partner at the top law firm—even if it means violating his personal code. He hasn’t bargained on the fierce desire that burns hotter than the Mojave Desert and combusts every time he gets his boss’s daughter alone. She may drive him to distraction and melt in his arms, but will this party girl hang around long enough for him to convince her that all the best parties… are for two?

Excerpt

Copyright © Monique DeVere 2015

Crystal Swan Publications

All Rights Reserved

Then there was that neatly trimmed and maintained stubble that gave him a manly, distinguished look. Yep, she couldn’t dismiss the truth, Casey Lowe was captivating on a whole new level, and those electric blue eyes could lure a woman to his bedroom and make her lose her panties before she even knew what was happening. Until it was too late, because Lowe had heartbreaker written all over his tantalizing body.

“Yes, I sleep.” She cast a glance at the chaos her friends had made of his pool. “I just didn’t want to leave this in such a mess.” Once she repaired all the damage, she’d do everything in her power to never cross paths with Lowe again. He was way too tempting and too off-limits for her not to keep her distance.

“Go home, Dani, you’re keeping me awake, and I have court in the morning.”

Just like that, he dismissed her, turned, strolled back into his bedroom, and slid the patio door shut behind him. Less than a minute later all of the lights went out, leaving Dani gawping after him in the dark.

Well, how do you like that? Dissed and dismissed.

 

MoniqueDeVere2

Author Bio

Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.

You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.

 

Book Purchase Link: http://buff.ly/1OHUHRf

 

Where to Find Monique:

Website | Blog | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook Fanpage | LinkedIn | Wattpad | Pinterest |

 

 

 

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December 10, 2015 · 1:00 am

A Plethora of Holiday Stories for 99¢ Each! – Plus, a $20 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

I’m happy to share several holiday stories that are on sale for only 99 cents. With TWENTY-SIX 99 cent books, you get enough reading material to take you all the way through the cold, holiday season. AND, some of these bargains are multi-story sets. So, settle in, get cozy, shop, and enjoy!

**** The first 5 commenters will win their choice of any 3 of these holiday stories!!

As a little bonus, I am giving away a $20 gift card. All you have to do to enter is sign up for the Novel Notes Authors Newsletter. It’s a multi-author newsletter, from myself, Kathy L Wheeler, Diane Burton, and Leah St. James, with great bargains, fun articles, and book recommendations. Each month we give away a $25 gift card. Click on the image to be taken to the sign up page. Once you receive your ‘Please confirm your subscription’ email, forward it to me at AliciaMDean@aol.com and I will enter you in the contest. (I will verify that the winner actually confirmed their subscription)  Winner will be drawn on December 17th. 

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Now, for the holiday bargain books: (Click on the covers to be taken to the Amazon buy page. Make sure they are actually 99 cents…I cannot guarantee they will be)

 

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An anthology of 8 Christmas Romantic Suspense stories. My story is The Twelfth Day:

A decade ago, she was the lone survivor of a serial killer attack on her family. Now, two weeks before Christmas, someone is sending her threatening messages related to the 12 Days of Christmas. Is her new love behind the twisted countdown to Christmas day?

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Being dumped by your gorgeous fiancé is bad enough no matter when it happens, but he did it at Christmas time! Marley thinks she’ll never get over it, but Rob Travers disagrees. He sets out to win Marley’s heart, well aware that when she finds out about his past, she may turn her back on him forever.

Find Elaine Cantrell here: http://www.elainecantrell.com

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Are you on the Naughty List? Thirteen Naughty Holiday stories to warm up
your winter. Including paranormal, historical, sci-fi, and contemporary
romance from bestselling authors!

Find the Naughty Literati here: http://naughtyliterati.com/

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Naughty Chances: Take A Chance On Romance. Seven naughty winter stories
including Fantasy, Futuristic, Historical, Holiday, M/M, M/M/F,
Military, Paranormal, and Shapeshifter romance from bestselling authors!

Find the Naughty Literati here: http://naughtyliterati.com/

Upon-A-Ghostly-Yule-Ebook
When spirited Victorian debutante Felicity Reginald masquerades as the ghost of a willful 18th-century beauty at a Christmas house party, she never imagines the danger and romance that will follow–and neither does dashing, obstinate Sir James Darrington.
Find Amanda here: www.amandadewees.com

 

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While waiting to purchase another house for her Christmas Village collection Sara falls and hits her head. Transported to a fantasy world she falls in love with a man in her dream. Is she willing to give up real life to be with him? Or should she trust that he’ll be there when she wakes up?
Find Elysa Hendricks here: http://www.elysahendricks.com
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It’s beginning to look at lot like Romance in this charming story of an unlikely minister, the woman he loved but left behind, a special child and a town that might finally bring them all home.

Find Annie Jones here: https://www.facebook.com/anniejones.author

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On Christmas Eve, a snow storm, a little boy, and a kitten bring together two lonely, damaged people.

Find Elysa Hendricks here: http//:www.elysahendricks.com

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When the holidays get you frazzled, relax with a bit of murder and assorted mayhem in 13 cozy holiday mysteries from bestselling and award-winning mystery authors Lois Winston, Joanna Campbell Slan, Neil Plakcy, Annie Adams, Jenna Bennett, Nancy Warren, Sara Rosett, Camille Minichino (also known as Ada Madison, Margaret Grace, and Jean Flowers,) Nancy Jill Thames, Linda Gordon Hengerer, Joyce and Jim Lavene, and Teresa Trent. Includes link for free bonus material crammed with recipes, craft tips, projects, and more.www.loiswinston.com
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As the eldest daughter, Lady Estella must protect her sisters so that they will marry well. When a strange knight arrives demanding a wife, Estella has to step up. Even though he has a hidden agenda, is she smart to risk her heart as well?
 
Find Dana Here: www.dana-dangelo.com/ 
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Seventy years ago, a collie mix brings two hearts together in war torn Italy. Will their story help their grandson find his own Christmas love? 
 
Find Aubrey Wynne here: Aubrey Wynne

 

PerfectGift
It’s the season of second chances in this heartwarming, contemporary holiday romance where two single parents find each other—and another chance at love—in the most unexpected of places!

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It is the event of the season—on Twelfth Night, the Dunsmuirs have invited the cream of London society to celebrate the marriage of Lady Claire and Andrew Malvern. Captain Ian Hollys brings his fiancée Alice Chalmers to London to attend and to meet his family—people who cannot see past her flight boots to the woman who stands by his side as an equal.
 

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When a happy-go-lucky reindeer-liberator is stranded, half-frozen, at Three River Ranch, the lonely sheriff who arrests, er, rescues her finds his quiet Christmas hijacked by a blizzard, a crackling fire, candles, carols, and an irresistible stranger…who might be a felon.

Find Roxanne Snopek on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RoxanneSnopekAuthor
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Heartbroken and confused, Brinn Bartoli returns to her hometown to run her family’s bakery. Tyler Emerson’s ex-wife left him and their daughter for a big-city life and another man. Can Christmas Magic help Brinn & Tyler find their way to a forever love?
Find Maggie Here: www.maggiemarr.net
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Valerian Caine leaps at the chance to take on his human form, even though he’ll be transported ahead a hundred years–after the duel that killed him. He has until Christmas Day to end the family feud he launched and ensure the happiness of the Caine and Sevaric descendants.. But standing between him and his goal is the obstinately unhappy and acerbic Gwen Sevaric–and his surprising desire to be forever the one who makes her smile. 

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Jasmine Landers is about to be married for the first time to the man of her dreams. Handsome groom Monte Davis is on a business trip in the northeast. Guests have arrived and food has been prepared, but will Monte make it in time for his Christmas Eve wedding?
Find Jamie Jones here:  http://jamiejonesauthor.com/
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Jasmine & Monte Davis have built a home together as well begun building a life, but the illness of Jasmine’s only living relative has cast pallor over the season. Will Jasmine’s Christmas spirit be broken? Or will the true meaning of giving touch their lives?
Find Jamie Jones at: http://jamiejonesauthor.com/
 3. A Knight Before Christmas 10.19.10
A prodigal son’s trip home for Christmas leads to the discovery of startling family secrets, someone in need of his protection, and the realization that he never stopped loving his best friend’s widow.
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Marti Bell is facing the prospect of a very unmerry Christmas. Reluctantly, leaving her married lover she travels toward ice, snow, and judgmental family until a magic Santa sends her to a surprise destination in the warm waters of the Caribbean.
 
Find Amber Polo Here: http://amberpolo.com/ 

Christmas Charm.indd

Gemma and Chris were childhood best friends until their lives took separate paths, both leading to heartache. Fifteen years later, a surprise reunion at Christmastime offers them a second chance at happiness.

Find Susan here: www.susanrhughes.weebly.com

Laura_CC_Christmas300dpi2400x3840

During a raging snowstorm, ER doc Jake Whitloch finds a woman consumes his thoughts despite that two carat diamond sitting on her ring finger.

Find Laura Haley-McNeil here: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHaleyMcNeil/

ACHRISTMASFLINGbyBethBarany_updated-2015

Dahlia, a Santa’s Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. Will their Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart, and will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn Liam’s life upside down? 

Find Beth Barany here: http://author.bethbarany.com/

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On a cold December day Bethany Miller and her son arrive in Riverton. She hopes the Miller family will be a Christmas blessing for Michael. She’s less hopeful about what this homecoming will be for her. Then she sees Luke Kalli and wishes she hadn’t come here at all.

Find Alice here: http://www.aliceorrbooks.com

MerryChristmasDarling_Cover_KindleUSAToday

A desperate bachelor enlists his neighbor to pose as his wife to appease his mother, whose dying wish is to see her son married—and producing grandchildren. At first, his plan appears to be a success. That is, until he discovers Mother has a few deceptive plans of her own…

Find author here:  www.deniseannettedevine.com

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She escaped to the mountains to avoid Christmas and the memories of her ex-boyfriend. What she didn’t expect was the danger lurking outside her log cabin, or the sexy landlord who would become her savior. As the danger increases, will she survive the season and allow love to restore her holiday spirit?
 

There you have it…a humdinger of a bargain…grab them while they’re on sale. And Have a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

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December 9, 2015 · 7:40 am

HUNTED (FBI Heat Book 1) by Marissa Garner AND a Giveaway

 

I am thrilled to share the latest release from my friend, Marissa Garner. Marissa and I ‘met’ years ago when I was coordinator for the Finally a Bride contest for unpublished authors. Marissa and I hit it off and remained in touch. She’s a fabulous author, and she has worked hard for many years to realize her dream of becoming a published author. I was editor for her debut novel, The Marriage Trap, through The Wild Rose Press. And now, she has a new book out wiht Grand Central Publishing, and it sounds amazing. Huge congratulations to Marissa!

GIVEAWAY:  Visit Facebook or website to enter $25 Amazon e-Gift Card giveaway 

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BLURB:

Hot agents on explosive cases in the FBI Heat series: For San Diego’s elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city’s most dangerous criminals—but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.   

Catching bad guys in San Diego’s underworld isn’t just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren’s job, it’s his life. He doesn’t have time for a serious relationship, doesn’t want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach…and maybe a hot fling.

But Amber is more than he bargained for. Hunted by an obsessed ex-boyfriend, the fiercely independent nurse chooses fight over flight for the chance at a future with her hot, blue-eyed neighbor. When she gets caught up in Ben’s plans to rescue five kidnapped women, their lives get entangled and their attraction flares into passion. But they’ll learn that in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, real love can save—or doom—them . . .

 

EXCERPT:

The man in the gray hoodie was watching her. Amber Jollett couldn’t see his face, but he was the right height and build. Even from the opposite street corner, the intensity of his stare bored into her. She shivered despite the sunny morning.

Her focus never wavered as she slid behind two people. The man’s head turned with her movement.

The traffic light changed, and the crowd surged forward. Amber’s hand dug into her purse until it gripped reassuring metal. Weaving between bodies, she moved to the outside edge to put as much distance as possible between her and the man before the other pedestrians passed on the street. With each step, her heart beat faster.

Halfway across, the man reached up, pulled back the hood…and smiled. Straight black hair. Almond-shaped eyes. Asian features.

Not him.

Amber’s knees went weak with relief.

Not him. Not this time.

A car horn blared. She jumped and spun around to find a taxi idling a few feet away, its driver gesturing impatiently for her to get out of the way. Waving an apology, she scurried across the street. She found a spot out of the pedestrian flow next to the corner of a building. She needed a moment to quiet her nerves.

She braced her hands on the knees of her pastel pink nurse’s scrubs, inhaled deep breaths, and released them slowly. Fear began to fade as calm returned.

Damn you, Jeremy Nelson. I want my life back.

Amber grimaced and closed her eyes. It was starting all over again. Two years had passed since she’d broken up with her obsessed boyfriend, but he continued to stalk her. Restraining orders and calls to law enforcement had proved useless. Now she alone was responsible for her safety. She’d lived in Coronado, across the bay from San Diego, for only two months. But two or three months was the amount of time it normally took for Jeremy to find her. From now on, she would have to be on constant alert. The worst part was imagining him wearing every hoodie, hiding in every shadow, or following in every vehicle. Usually, she didn’t wait for an actual sighting—that would be too late. No, she couldn’t hesitate. Once her instincts told her he was closing in, she had to move on. She cringed. How much longer will I be hunted?

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BUY LINKS: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PjQLGK

B&N: http://bit.ly/1OnacNA

iTunes: http://apple.co/1SpIDSJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/21m7Zao

 

BIO:

Marissa Garner is a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, she cut pictures of people out of her mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in her simple stories. Now she writes edgy romantic thrillers, steamy contemporary romance, and sexy paranormal romantic suspense. Her stories will titillate your mind as well as your libido. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, but enjoys traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and many locations in between. 

WHERE TO FIND MARISSA: 

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/1NTfT19

Website:  www.marissagarner.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MarissaGarnerAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/M_Garner_Author

Pinterest:  https://pinterest.com/garner1819/

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December 3, 2015 · 7:29 am

Christmas at the Corral – TWRP Spotlight with Debra St. John

I’m pleased to welcome Debra St. John with her Christmas novella, Christmas at The Corral…ONLY $1.99. And, I bet it’s a great read, because Debra’s One Great Night won FIRST place in the 2015 International Digital Awards Contemporary Romance category….way to go, Debra!

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You’re never too old to believe.

Maggie Pearson has no time in her busy life for love, but an immediate attraction draws her to a mysterious stranger at The Corral, a local bar. However, any romantic feelings are ruthlessly squashed when he accuses her of having an affair with his brother.

As a divorce lawyer, Van Rawlings has seen the ugly side of marriage too many times to believe in love. But having gotten off on the wrong foot with Maggie, and genuinely contrite over his faux pas, he offers to help her with an upcoming Christmas charity dinner. The more time they spend together, the more he realizes he’s never met anyone like Maggie, who gives so generously of her time. If you have ever had to take care of a divorce and were blessed enough to have a friend like mine (who works for a law firm as a divorce lawyer Mesa AZ) – you know what a benefit that could be in an otherwise negative situation.

Can Maggie and the magic of the season help Van believe again? In Christmas and in love.

Interesting Tidbit:

After finishing the third (and final) book in my Corral series, I found I wasn’t ready to let The Corral go. I loved the setting I’d created so much I decided I wanted to visit it again. So, I created a spin-off series: Holidays at The Corral. The original characters have mentions, but we don’t ‘see’ them in the stories. The set will have five stories in it. Christmas at The Corral is first. Valentine’s Day at The Corral is coming this winter, and I just submitted the Fourth of July story. Halloween and New Year’s Eve stories will complete the set.

Debra’s Favorite Lines from the story:

He eased her closer and meshed his hips with hers. “Breaking Texas Penal Code Title 9 Section 43.01 line 5 is always interesting.”

“What is Title 9 Section…whatever you said?”

“In a nutshell? Having sex in a public place is an offense against public order and decency.”

Order the book here:

TWRP – http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_175_133&products_id=6478

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Corral-Holidays-Debra-John-ebook/dp/B0165OFHDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448827675&sr=8-1&keywords=Debra+St.+John

Find Debra here:

Website: http://www.debrastjohnromance.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debra.s.john.1

Blog: http://heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com/

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