Category Archives: For Writers

December 16, 2014 · 8:09 am

Constance Bretes with A Book of Love

New release from an author friend, check out A Book of Love…

BookOfLove_Small

A librarian, a mechanic, and a psychotic ex. What could go wrong?

When her marriage came to a devastating end, Janice Meyers moved to Montana to try to escape her past and get a fresh start. She’s sworn off men, but she didn’t anticipate meeting Chris.

After the death of his wife, Chris Jamisen focused all his time and energy on running his auto repair shop and raising his children. He’s not looking for love, and when he first meets Janice, the town’s new librarian, he never imagines they might embark on a relationship. Sure, he’ll admit he finds the smart, sexy blonde attractive, but the frustrating woman expects miracles from him. Her vehicle is practically beyond repair, but she insists he has to keep it running.

As Chris gets to know Janice, he begins to develop feelings for her, but he’s reluctant to pursue a relationship. He’s Native American, and he worries about the complications of a biracial relationship. He’s experienced prejudice first hand, so he knows how difficult it can be.

When Janice’s ex-husband shows up seeking revenge, things could reach a horrible end. Will Chris save Janice in time? And will he and Janice be able to set aside their painful pasts and give their relationship a chance?

Content Warning: contains some sexual content

EXCERPT:

Janice had butterflies in her stomach as five o’clock came and Chris arrived at the library.

“Hi, Chris,” Janice said.

“Hello. What’s this all about?” he asked pensively.

“I wanted to take you downstairs to the basement and show you something,” she said.

They walked down the stairs, Chris following Janice. When she turned on the light a rat slithered across the floor, and she let out a shriek. Chris looked around the room.

“We have all these books here,” Janice said. She lifted one of the old books and opened it to the pages and within where some were eaten away. “The vermin and bugs have been attacking these, and in some cases, the books have disintegrated. See here? This is a book about Colstrip back in the 1800s and we can’t even open the book to read it because it has totally disintegrated inside. Some of these books are real gems. This is one of a first edition, Samuel Clemens, do you know of him?”

“No.”

“His pen name is Mark Twain. He wrote Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.”

“Oh,” Chris replied.

“Look at his book. It’s totally destroyed, and it would have been worth a lot of money now, if it had survived.”

Janice went over to the ladder and stepped up on it to show Chris the books on the top shelf. The ladder gave way, and she came crashing down. Chris caught her before she fell to the floor.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his tone.

“Um, yeah, I think so.” She put her feet on the floor and turned, facing Chris, her breasts against his chest. His arms were around her waist, holding her tightly. His breath mingled with hers, and he was looking down at her lips.

Oh, she wanted him to kiss her. Please, please kiss me. The sweet, intoxicating musk of his body overwhelmed her. He bent slightly toward her, and his lips touched hers softly. She kissed him back, lingering, savoring every moment. She felt the kiss all the way through her body as she put her arms around him. A loud rustling noise broke their kiss with a start.

Chris looked around and saw that there were rats in the corner rattling paper. He turned back to her. “Are we finished here?”

“Yes, I think we are.” Janice hoped she had convinced him that there was work to be done in the basement.

When they went upstairs, he turned around and asked her huskily, “What was the purpose of our little meeting, Janice?”

Janice thought about how she should answer the question then said, “I submitted the request to the mayor’s office for several things, and I heard that you would probably be the one person that would oppose spending any money for the project I’m suggesting, so I wanted to show you the benefit of my proposal and the problems we are faced with currently.”

Chris had a gentle smile on his face as he looked at her. “Good persuasion, Janice. Does that include the kiss too?”

Janice looked down at her feet, embarrassed. “No, the kiss was not part of the persuasion. At least, not on my part.”

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Love-Constance-Bretes-ebook/dp/B00QYB16QQ/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book-of-love-constance-bretes/1120901348?ean=2940150079243

http://beachwalkpress.com/book-of-love/

constance

Constance Bretes, Author
http://conniebretes.weebly.com
https://facebook.constancebretes
http://twitter.conniebretes
email: cbretes@sbcglobal.net

Delayed Justice:
Can two former lovers set aside their differences and work together to bring a criminal to justice?

The Last Dig
Bones, Bodies and Love Rekindled                                                                                          

Love Songs                                                                                  

Separated by fame, reunited through music

Book of Love

A librarian, a mechanic, and a psychotic ex. What could go wrong?

 

 

 

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December 15, 2014 · 8:10 am

Katie O’Sullivan and her 99¢ Mermaid Books!!!

I am happy to introduce author, Katie O’Sullivan and her books about mermaids. Who doesn’t love mermaids???

Happy Holidays, and thanks for inviting me to your blog today, Alicia! I’m excited to share the news about a HUGE KINDLE SALE going on at my other publisher, Crescent Moon Press. Load up your Kindle with some great reads, or send them as holiday gifts! 

The first two books of my young adult paranormal series are available at this sale price until the end of December. SON OF A MERMAID introduces us to a secret world hidden beneath the waves… yes, I’m talking about mermaids! Here’s the cover and blurb:

 

KatieOSullivan_SonofaMermaid

 

About the Book: 

Shea MacNamara’s life just got complicated. 

After a freak tornado devastates his Oklahoma farm, the fifteen-year-old orphan moves to Cape Cod to live with a grandmother he’s never met. Struggling to make sense of his new surroundings, he meets a girl along the shore who changes his life forever. 

Kae belongs to an undersea world hidden from drylanders. The daughter of royal servants, she knows the planned marriage of her Princess to the foreign King should put an end to the war between the clans. Two things stand in the way of lasting peace: an ambitious Regent and rumors of a half-human child who will save the oceans. 

Sparks fly when she meets Shea, but could the cute drylander really be the Son of a Mermaid?

 

Buy it on AMAZON here : http://www.amazon.com/Son-Mermaid-Katie-OSullivan-ebook/dp/B00CRLSH9G/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1V8ZK9N5K662TN0TQ76K

 

The second book in the series is BLOOD OF A MERMAID, also part of this great Kindle 99 cent sale! The story picks up a few weeks after the first book ends. I absolutely love this cover art! 

BloodofaMermaid_cover

 

About the Book:

Mermaid blood.

When Shea MacNamara fell into the ocean for the first time, he found he could breathe underwater. The son of a mermaid, the sea is in his blood. Literally. The best part of Shea’s new life? His girlfriend Kae, who also happens to be a beautiful mermaid.

But darkness lurks under the sea. When evil mermen kidnap Kae, the king reminds Shea that having royal blood means making tough choices. 

An Arctic dungeon, a fiery plane crash, the legendary halls of Atlantis…and narwhals?

Having mermaid blood just got a lot more complicated.

 

Buy it on AMAZON here: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mermaid-Katie-OSullivan-ebook/dp/B00KAKMPV2/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400237013&sr=1-2&keywords=blood+of+a+mermaid

 

As a special holiday treat, here’s an excerpt from the first book. Enjoy – and don’t forget to download your copy before the sale runs out! 

Excerpt from Son of a Mermaid: 

Her body shivered under his touch, and he remembered why they’d come upstairs in the first place. “Are you still cold?” he asked as he put his arm around her and hugged her against him. She felt warm against him, her body radiating heat like a bonfire. Her hair smelled of salt air and sunshine.

“I’m not cold,” she whispered as she shivered again. “Just scared.”

He cupped her cheek with his hand and tipped her face upward, looking down into her wide eyes. “Don’t be,” he whispered back, and kissed her lightly. Her lips were soft and tasted of salt and sweetness, like the saltwater taffy they sold in the center of town. He wound his fingers through her golden locks, her hair silky and fine to his touch like spun sunshine, as he locked his lips more firmly to hers. His heart hammered within his chest, the blood pounding in his ears drowning out the world around them, he felt as though he were tumbling through space…until a sharp bark brought him back to the present and he opened his eyes. Lucky was standing next to the bed, prodding Kae with his black muzzle.

Kae drew away suddenly, her cheeks flaming red once again. “Oh,” she said, jumping to her feet. “Oh, I’m so sorry!”

“Sorry?” Shea stood slowly, his brow knotting with confusion. “What is there to be sorry about?”

“I… I… Maybe we’d better get going. My father will know what to do to help your mother.” She turned abruptly and walked into the hallway. He felt like all the heat had left the room with her, his heart still beat with a rapid, steady sharpness. Sorry? Why would she say that?

Lucky still stood next to Shea. He looked down at the dog and frowned. “Way to go, dog,” he muttered. “Rule number one? Never interrupt a first kiss.”

Lucky gave another sharp bark and wagged his tail.

 

About the Author: 

Katie O’Sullivan lives with her family and big dogs next to the ocean on Cape Cod, drinking way too much coffee and inventing new excuses not to dust. A recovering English major, she earned her degree at Colgate University and writes romance for young adults and the young at heart. Her editing column, “The Write Way,” appears in the Literary Women section of CapeWomenOnline magazine. 

Living next to the Atlantic influences everything she writes. Her YA mermaid series begins in Nantucket Sound with SON OF A MERMAID, and continues the undersea adventures with BLOOD OF A MERMAID, coming from Crescent Moon Press in May 2014. Her latest contemporary romance from The Wild Rose Press is MY KIND OF CRAZY, a Cape Cod story of second chances and starting over.

 

Website: www.katie-osullivan.com

Blog: http://katieosullivan.blogspot.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OkatieO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3326303.Katie_O_Sullivan

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/katieosullivan

 

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December 14, 2014 · 12:26 pm

The Wild Rose Press Lobster Cove Series – Enchantment, a Ghost, and Fun Answers

Two more stories to introduce from the Lobster Cove series. Check out these new releases and fantastic covers!

 

Nicci Carrera – Love Caters All, Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea? 

Yes, the food truck festival in my home town. There was a New England themed food truck featuring lobster and clam chowder. I love good food and was first in line. Then I knew I had to have a character who is a caterer. 

What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers?

Wonderful! I’ve never had so much fun in my writing career. I love collaborating with other authors. Everyone was helpful and the creativity flowing in our online group was inspiring. I loved sharing my bits that featured other authors’ characters because everyone was supportive. Then the help in getting the word out has been really wonderful, a huge boost. Publicity is the hardest part. So, thank you, Alicia! I really appreciate the chance to be on your blog. 

Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂

Yes, my husband is a pilot like Rick, and the town that Maya and Rick flew too in one of the scenes, is the same place we flew to when we were very early on in our dating. He wanted to see if I liked to fly! I found that out later. I passed with flying colors. *wink* Now, boating is another matter…I don’t do so well with that. 

Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why? 

Mama. She came to me fully realized. I just love her warmth. When writing her scenes, I felt like I was snuggling right up with a real mother. She is wise, devoted to her family, a great cook, non-judgmental, and has a great sense of humor.  

What do you love that most people would find odd?

 Airports 

What do you dislike that most people would find odd? 

Cruises.

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Blurb:

When hard-driving CEO Rick Nordan arrives in Lobster Cove under strict orders from the family doctor to take a break, he discovers the rental house comes with a family attached, including one sexy dynamo of a caterer. She’s nothing like his ex-fiancee who wouldn’t sign a pre-nup, but maybe that means she’s the real deal and not a gold digger.

Maya Cruz wants life for her widowed mother to get easier by renting out her house during the summer. But teaching Mama business means explaining Rick isn’t a “guest,” he’s a “customer.” And the first thing Mama does is invite Rick to join their family activities. Having Rick around wouldn’t be so bad if Maya didn’t find him so attractive. The last time she fell for a vacationing millionaire, she had her heart broken.

She swore off his type, and he’s not looking, but this might be a recipe for love. 

Excerpt:

“Doc made me unplug. Ordered me to read books. Even went so far as to write out a prescription.” Rick reached in his pocket.

She took the paper he’d retrieved and read it. Sure enough, their website and the words, No electronics, read a book were scrawled on an Rx sheet in Doc’s handwriting. She handed back the note. “I’d recognize Doc’s penmanship anywhere.”

“Penmanship!” Rick grinned. “You can see from Doc’s chicken scratch, if I had to rely on the Internet for entertainment I’d be out of luck. It’s old-fashioned bound-paper for me this week.”

“I love books. In our library, you’ll find the classics, westerns, and some spicy romance.” Maya thought she’d just toss the last genre in there to see how he’d react. He grinned. Her stomach fluttered. This man was nothing like the conceited ass she’d dated last summer. Both men might be rich, but they were so different. “History, biography, and a Bible.”

“Will there be a quiz?”

“Only on the romance.” His laugh was so sensuous she could roll in it.

“I really need to dry the floor. I’ll get a rag. Excuse me.”

Mama passed her at the hall closet. “We should invite Mr. Nordan to our party tomorrow.”

Oh no. Rick was going to meet the gorgeous twins before Maya even had a single date with him.

 

Buy links: Click Here for Amazon   Click Here for The Wild Rose Press

Social Media Links:

niccicarrera@blogspot.com

@niccicarrera

 

*********************************************

LJ Vickery – Storm Force

Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea? 

Living in a seaside town and spending much of my life on and around boats, I thought it was about time I wrote something ‘seaworthy’!  And I’ve always been fascinated and very curious about the station with its sleek fleet just a few miles from my home. 

Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂

I have been on the water with a storm approaching, and let me tell you, it is one scary prospect.  There is nothing kind about rough seas and  high winds. 

What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers? 

Working with the other writers on the Lobster Cove series was a delightful experience.  They are a wordy, prolific and giddy bunch!  Some days when I’d finally get to my in-box, it would be completely full of useful information and witty parlays.  I wouldn’t hesitate to work with a group again! 

Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why?

Since this is a short story, there aren’t many characters, but I will say that there might be a book in the offing about Ross’s sister Sinclair, better known as Sin. She’s feisty…and single. Two of my favorite elements in a female character! 

What do you love that most people would find odd?  

What do I love that is odd?  Editing!  The process that some authors hate, I tend to love.  For some reason, when I receive corrections from my editor, I feel like I’m playing the best video game ever as I ‘shoot down and replace’ my errors.  Weird, huh?

What do you dislike that most people would find odd?  

I guess, as much as I love my cat, I hate it that she constantly head-butts my ankles when I’m trying to write.  I’m torn between working and patting, and when I finally succumb to patting, she moves just out of reach.  Very cat-like!

 

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Blurb:

When heavy weather throws arrogant lobsterman Ross Bennson up against Coastguard Surfman Calla Hutchins, the storm raging outside has nothing on the internal tempest stirring between the two. She’s used to being in charge, and he’s not keen on taking orders. Can they calm the furies that set them against each other, or will their destinies be blown off course?

Excerpt:

 

***WARNING – Explicit language

Calla turned, expecting to maintain a calm and authoritative demeanor. Instead, the minute she looked at him she felt like she’d been sucker punched.

Ross stood six feet tall, his shoulders broad and muscled from what Calla figured was years of pulling traps. The hair she’d imagined curly now tickled his nape as it dried and showed appealing bits of gray at the temple that begged for fingers to comb it through. But what really held her, in a mouthwateringly heart-stopping way, was his face. Weather-beaten and tanned, there was nothing gentle in his look. His dark eyes, misshapen nose, and square chin all screamed hard and determined. This was one man who didn’t like being told what to do. Well, fuck him. As attractive as she found him, Calla had a job to do, and nobody screwed with protocol on her watch. First things first, he’d left the hatch behind him wide open.

She threw the blankets on one of the survivor seats and strode past him to close the QAWTD. “It’s called a water-tight door for a reason.”  Trying to regain her equilibrium, Calla gave her next order. “Now take off those clothes.”

Shit. Calla almost groaned out loud. She didn’t mean for the words to come out like that. She only meant that he needed to get warm…not naked. Hell, no! Where were her brains? Probably in her perky and attentive nipples, which were suddenly picturing him stripped to the skin and weren’t getting the memo to behave. But damn it, how could she back off now?

“Excuse me?” Ross’s imperious eyebrows rose.

Calla had the misfortune of meeting his gaze again and was nearly singed from the lustful heat in his slow appraisal of her, from head to foot.

“You heard me,” she blustered.

 

Click here to buy: Amazon  The Wild Rose Press

Find LJ Here:

LJ Vickery.com
 ljvickery.blogspot.com 
Find LJ Vickery on Facebook
Twitter @VickeryLJ

 

 

 

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December 13, 2014 · 8:22 am

Do You Believe in Ghosts? – Cait Jarrod with Mystic Hearts

I believe in them, although I think ghostly encounters are pretty rare and not every crazy who says they saw a ghost actually saw one. 🙂 I’ve had a few experiences in my life that lead me to believe the existence of spirits on Earth.

But this isn’t about that…it’s about my guest and her brand new release, Mystic Hearts. Welcome, Cait!

 

I’m so excited to be here. Thank you for having me.

Do you believe in ghosts?

In the romantic suspense Mystic Hearts, I touched on the idea that ghosts exist in Greenwood Manor in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Spotsylvania and the nearby city Fredericksburg are counties some of the Civil War battles were fought.

A sneak peek into the sightings mentioned in Mystic Hearts:—

The Madison Hand was a fictitious scare tactic by my oldest brother. He loved to scare and tease me. The Madison Hand, as I described in the book, was taken from one of the many things he invented to torment me. I can smile now with fond memories, but then…not so much.

As for the other item I mentioned, the white patch flowing through the sky was not another tactic constructed by my brother. Each time I saw the bizarre shape and movements, my brother wasn’t home, so I can’t blame or accuse him…

I’m not alone. Others have witnessed peculiar sightings in Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and the surrounding areas.

People either believe in ghosts or they don’t. Many rationalize the strange phenomena as a freak of nature or their eyes playing tricks on them for a brief moment. Others wholeheartedly trust their sight and know what they saw.

Whatever you believe, I hope you enjoy the websites I’ve listed below.

Spooky Fredericksburg Ghostly Tales and Haunts

Ghosts of America

Haunted American Tours-The battlefields

Mystic Hearts, The Band of Friends series, Book 2

Editor’s Pick!

MysticHearts-evernightpublishing-smallpreview

Print coming soon.

Buy on ebook:

Evernight Publishing

Amazon

caitjarrod.com

Nothing is as it seems….

Temptation landed at Special Agent Larry Newman’s feet—literally. Charlene Smith captured his heart after he rescued her from terrorists two months ago. A failed relationship and being an abused child have turned him into a loner and workaholic. The scars weigh heavy on him and keep him from pursuing her. So what’s a guy to do when the woman he pines for passes out in front of him while working a case?

Battling psychological wounds from abduction is easier than coming face to face with the sexy FBI agent she’s fantasized about for months. A single mother, avoiding the drama that dating would bring to her son’s life, she allows Larry close only in her dreams. Now, she’s second-guessing her decision. Should she have a relationship with this man who makes her feel alive just by being close?

 

Catch up with Cait:

Webpage: caitjarrod.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cait-Jarrod-Author/500705936640529?ref=hl

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/cait.jarrod

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaitJarrod

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966274.Cait_Jarrod

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+CaitJarrod/posts/p/pub

Email: cait.jarrod@aol.com

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

 

~Sign up for her quarterly newsletters or when a new release comes out at http://caitjarrod.com/contact-cait-andor-signup-for-news-from-cait-newsletter/

AuthorPic

Cait’s bio:

From writing ‘every girl’s dream heroes’ to ‘strong, down-to-earth heroines,’ Cait Jarrod twists ‘cliff hanging plots’ and ‘clever, unpredictable sub-plots’. She loves diving into a good book as much as she loves writing one.

Mother of three gorgeous daughters, she’s married to her best friend, hangs out with the WWC, a great group of women, and loves a good glass of wine.

 

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December 11, 2014 · 5:00 am

A Fun Interview and a New Shifter Romance by Abigail Owen

Introducing my guest, Abigail Owen, and her new release from The Wild Rose Press. Check out her fun interview and sexy cover!

 

  1. Where did you get the idea for Andromeda’s Fall?

This book came out of a single scene that popped into my head. A female cougar shifter up on a rock, clearly on patrol to keep her people safe. But she has something to prove and is being observed by a male cougar shifter above her. That’s it. From there I had to figure out who they were, how they got there, what she had to prove, and where they went from there. It got the idea when I was only about 2 books into writing my Svatura series and so had to wait until I finished those before I started on this. It was one of my favorites to write so far – especially because I my female lead is the kind of feisty heroine I like best!

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

I write the first draft very quickly (2-3 weeks) and then spend my more concentrated/targeted time on later drafts. Something about getting the bulk of the book on paper – even if I re-write all of it later – helps me get past the mental hurdle of writing a book. I love the drafting – figuring out what to fix, tighten, fill in, smooth out. It all comes together for me during that process.

  1. What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

Peanut butter. I can’t stand it. Gooey, mess of nastiness that just sticks to the roof of your mouth. Ugh! Just about anyone from the U.S. I tell this fact to can’t believe it and proceed to fondly remember all their peanut butter treats (as if that might change my mind LOL). However, every person from a country other than America I’ve talked to wholeheartedly agrees it’s terrible stuff. 🙂

  1. What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

I would LOVE to write historical romance, but I have very little patience for all the research involved (despite the fact that I minored in history in college). And I like multiple eras – Regency England, Ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Vikings, Wild West, WWII. The next project I plan to tackle is a bit of a steam-punk/time travel take on the American Wild West that hopefully will allow me to minimalize the research necessary.

  1. What is your favorite quote?

Anything from Dr. Seuss. The man had a wonderful take on life and I hope my children soak up some of that goodness. I just recently did a post on my favorites of his quotes on my blog!

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

My first instinct is to go with some really good looking male lead, but since we’re stranded, I need someone with skills and who doesn’t seem like a prima donna. So Bear Grylls would be perfect right? I’d be set in the survival department! I could also handle someone like Miranda Lambert – she knows how to hunt and can sing to keep us entertained. But muscle might be required, so I guess she could bring Blake Shelton (who’s also a hunter – skills again). But then I’d be very third wheel, so I’d either go with Kristin Bell (also outdoorsy and seems really nice) or with any one of my celebri-crushes who still fits my criteria of skills and no temper tantrums: Ewan McGregor, Rob Kazinsky, Hugh Jackman.

 

Question for the readers: Which do you like best…shifters or vampires? And why?

 

AndromedasFall_w9277_300_(1)

 

Blurb:

Andromeda Reynolds is being hunted. After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of a pack of wolf shifters, Andie has devoted her life to protecting her community of cougar shifters from a similar fate. But now, a greater threat lies within her own dare, and she must run. If she stays, Kyle Carstairs will force their mating, seeking the added political power their union would provide.

Andie would rather chew off her own foot than end up with Kyle. Though, knowing him, she won’t live long either way. Andie’s only hope of survival is to mate Jaxon Keller, the Alpha of the Keller Dare with which she is seeking asylum. But before she can get to him, Andie must first go through A.J., one of the Alpha’s Protectors.

What Andie doesn’t realize is that A.J. has secrets of his own. All Andie knows is that the incredibly frustrating shifter insists on challenging her story, her skills, her trust… and her heart.

Purchase Links

 

Excerpt:

He glanced down at her. “You really are a tiny thing, aren’t you?”

Andie scowled. “Don’t let my size fool you. I can pack a wallop when I want to. Even with a broken arm.”

A.J. laughed. “I’m sure you can.”

Andie stared straight ahead, her mouth thinning. She hated being patronized. Men were so dense sometimes. They never took her seriously until she showed them exactly why they should.

Keeping her left arm protected, Andie suddenly dropped. One leg shot out and she spun low to the ground, sweeping A.J.’s feet out from under him. As he landed on his back, she was on top of him, her knee on his windpipe—not crushing, just sending a message.

Before she could gloat too much, though, she was flying through the air. Andie tucked into a back flip, landed on her feet, and then spun and launched herself backwards in a one-handed back handspring. A.J. had just gotten on his feet when her legs wrapped around his neck. She used her momentum to drop him back to the floor.

Andie rolled and ended up in a crouch close by. A.J. held up his hands in surrender. “All right, wildcat. You’ve proved yourself.”

Andie glared at him. “Don’t doubt me. And don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you just lost either,” she said in a severe voice, made harsher, perhaps, by the fact that she’d just realized exactly how incredible his blue eyes were. They were a vibrant color made even more interesting by the black ring that rimmed the irises. And she was more than irritated with herself for having noticed that at all.

He levered himself up off the floor. “Fair enough.”

The only thing that kept her from proving her point more—because she could tell he’d held back—was the small amount of respect she could see in his eyes. With a brusque nod, she followed him down the hall.

 

Me

Bio

Award-winning author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.

Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

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December 7, 2014 · 3:10 pm

A Wild Rose Press New Release – Like a Bad Penny by Selena Fulton

I’m pleased to feature a new release by author Selena Fulton. I love bad boys, I love reunited lovers, and the cover is wonderful. Win, win, win. 🙂

 

Selena Fulton with Like A Bad Penny, Sweet Contemporary Romance Novel

Because you never forget your first love.

A few favorite lines:

She felt the blood drain from her face as she looked into the dark eyes of the man who had haunted her dreams for years. The very place she’d chosen to run away from her troubles only led her to more.

To him.

 

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Find the book here:

 
The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5957

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Like-Bad-Penny-Selena-Fulton-ebook/dp/B00P81LCSA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416501503&sr=8-1&keywords=like+a+bad+penny+selena+fulton

 
Find Selena Here:

 

https://twitter.com/SelenaFulton12

https://www.facebook.com/selena.fulton.9

http://selenafulton.wordpress.com/

 

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December 3, 2014 · 7:41 am

Cynthia Woolf and NELLIE, The Brides of San Franciso, Book 1

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Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

April 28, 1865

RAP! RAP! RAP!

If only she could fix her problems with a needle and thread she’d be set. Nellie looked up from the socks she was darning toward the knocking on the front door.

Who could that be? She set aside the socks, straightened her dress, checked her reflection in the mirror on the wall in the hall, patted her blond hair back into place and then answered the door.

“Mrs. Robert Wallace?” asked the soldier in dress uniform who stood at attention on her front porch.

Oh, God. No. Please. No. “Yes,” she said, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. “I…I’m Mrs. Wallace.”

The young soldier handed her an envelope. “I regret to have to inform you that Lieutenant Robert Wallace was killed at the Battle of Appomattox on April 8, 1865. I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Wallace.”

Nellie didn’t know what to say over the lump in her throat. She always knew this could happen—from the first moment Robert joined, to his last farewell eight months before Violet was born.

“I, uh, thank you, Officer…”

“Black, ma’am. Sergeant Black.”

“Thank you for letting me know, Sergeant.” Her grip tightened on the door knob. “I…I have to sit down now.”

“Of course, ma’am. Do you need help?”

Nellie shook her head. “No. Thank you. I’ll be alright.”

The man saluted her, turned and walked down the sidewalk to the waiting carriage.

How many of these calls did he have to make today? Was I the only one? I doubt it. Not in a city the size of New York.

She closed the door and leaned against the wall next to it, her legs no longer able to support her, she slid to the floor. Tears left salty trails on her face, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember crying. Screaming, cursing God, yes, but crying, no. Even though our marriage wasn’t what I’d dreamed it could have been when I was a child, I shall miss him. He had his good side, he was funny and could make her laugh. He was gentle every where except…no I will not think about that now. I endured and have two beautiful children.

How am I to tell Henry his father is dead? Violet was just a baby and didn’t know her daddy but Henry… Her son missed his father something fierce. Robert had doted on Henry. They spent so much time together that Henry cried for days when his father left the last time. And now I have to tell him his father is never coming home. How do I do that?

She wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands, took the hanky from her apron pocket and blew her nose.  No need to put it off. The task would be difficult enough, without waiting and making it harder. Perhaps she and Henry could grieve together. In any case, she needed to be strong for her son and daughter. She was all they had now.

Taking a deep breath, she mounted the stairs to the play room and her children.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00PFR7D9E

Apple:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nellie/id939609735?mt=11

Barnes & Noble:   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nellie-cynthia-woolf/1120722424?ean=2940150444119

Kobo:  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/nellie-2

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BIO

Cynthia Woolf’s first historical western romance Tame A Wild Heart, book one of the Tame series, was inspired by her parents first meeting on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Her second western series, Matchmaker & Co, is about mail order brides traveling to Golden, Colorado in the 1870’s. The most current series, The Brides of San Francisco, takes place in San Francisco in 1868. It’s the stories of women who become mail order brides and the men who are their match.

Books from her Tame series and the Matchmaker and Co. series have been finalists in the Romcon Readers Crown competition. She expects the Destiny in Deadwood series and The Brides of San Francisco series of books to be finalists as well.

Her Matchmaker & Co series was also the winner of the Paranormal Romance Guilds Best Reviewed Romance series for 2013. She is well on her way to having the same honor for her new Destiny in Deadwood series.

 

TITLES AVAILABLE

NELLIE (Book 1, The Brides of San Francisco series)

 

SEDUCED BY A SINNER (Book 3, Destiny in Deadwood series)    

HEALED BY A HEART (Book 2, Destiny in Deadwood series)

REDEEMED BY A REBEL (Book 1, Destiny in Deadwood series)

 

CAPITAL BRIDE (Book 1, Matchmaker & Co. series)

HEIRESS BRIDE (Book 2, Matchmaker & Co. series)

FIERY BRIDE (Book 3, Matchmaker & Co. series)

 

TAME A WILD HEART (Book 1, Tame series)

TAME A WILD WIND (Book 2, Tame series)

TAME A WILD BRIDE (Book 3, Tame series)

TAME A SUMMER HEART (short story, Tame series)

 

WEBSITE – www.cynthiawoolf.com

NEWSLETTER – http://bit.ly/1qBWhFQ

 

 

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December 2, 2014 · 6:55 am

Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane, and a Historical Romance from Velda Brotherton

I’m happy to introduce Velda Brotherton’s latest release from The Wild Rose Press and the fascinating facts she uncovered in her research…

 

Researching for this book, the second in The Victorian series, has been fun and somewhat surprising. I learned that a small sleepy town in Kansas was once the home of a large group of English/Scottish settlers who refused to embrace the western life, but rather brought their English life with them. From farm animals to lace for the tables, these people were determined not to leave their heritage behind.

I was raised in Kansas, but never knew the history of Victoria, Kansas until I visited my brother one summer. It so intrigued me that I knew I had to write not one, but three novels set there.

October, 1872 George Grant traveled by the Kansas Pacific railroad to Hays City. He was 50, with a vigorous six-foot frame, and carried himself with the grace and dignity of a king. He came to buy a large tract of land and form a colony of Englishmen. England was overcrowded. Worthy men could not make a living and young men had little future. He would name the colony for the queen, the Victoria Colony. 

Wild Bill Hickok was marshal of nearby Hays City and enforced the Colt law. He shot up a bunch of soldiers from the Seventh Cavalry and was run out of town. Buffalo Bill Cody killed buffalo and peddled the meat from door to door in Hays City. Calamity Jane came from the east and could swear, shoot and hold her liquor with the best of them. She was genial and immoral and well liked, starting trouble wherever she went. Shootings were so regular it was like one long fourth of July. Hays City was one wild place.

Trains ran irregularly and rarely at night for fear of Indian Attack. Beyond Hays City the prairies stretched smoothly as far as they could see. In the far distance the blue sky kissed their purple edges. Antelope and buffalo grazed on the short green grass. Tall crimson grasses waved along the creek banks and sunflowers grew along the RR tracks. .

Permanent residences in the new settlement were all to be of stone, the frame buildings being turned over to the hired help. There would be free schools, a church, a library and special train rates. He would keep a herd of high-blooded stock, cattle, horses and sheep, a supply of pure seeds, steam cultivators such as were in use in England. None of these things were available to homesteaders.

On April Fool’s day 30 English and Scottish began their journey to America and the prairies of Kansas aboard a steamship leaving Scotland to begin a trip that would take a year by ship, rail, boat, and often horse-drawn stages. Many came with the assurance that allowances varying from 50 to 200 dollars a month would be sent to them regularly. They were called remittance men and were, for the most part, unmarried and in their early twenties.

On May 17, 1873 Mr. Grant and his first colony arrived at Victoria. In the group were 38 men, women and children and several head of Black and Red Aberdeen Angus Bulls, some sheep, and supplies needed upon their arrival. The Bulls were later placed on his own ranch and used to cross breed the long horn cattle from the area. Victoria became the birth place of Aberdeen Breed in America. The settlement grew and flourished for ten years. A nearby German settlement finally took over as the English moved out. No stone castle remain. Today the site is the home of St. Fidelis Church.

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Blurb: Rowena’s Hellion- The Victorians —

Loving a man damaged by war is a challenge, but Rowena was captivated from the first time she laid eyes on the man her sister was supposed to marry. Something about his haunted eyes captured her nurturing heart. Building a life together proves difficult as she struggles to bring peace to Blair Prescott. 

He rode the Kansas prairie in the moonlight, wild to escape the visions of the dead who followed him from the battlefields. The woman Rowena haunted him as well, but he dared not follow his desires. He would only hurt her.

Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/mzkbqru

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Bio:

Velda Brotherton writes of romance in the old west with an authenticity that makes her many historical characters ring true. A knowledge of the rich history of our country comes through in both her fiction and nonfiction books, as well as in her writing workshops and speaking engagements.  She just as easily steps out of the past into contemporary settings to create novels about women with the ability to conquer life’s difficult challenges. Tough heroines, strong and gentle heroes, villains to die for, all live in the pages of her novels and books. Her writing lives up to her brand: Sexy, Dark, and Gritty.

She lives with her husband and writes from their home in the Ozarks of Arkansas. Her career spans nearly thirty years with close to that many books to her credit.

 

Links:

Website: http://www.veldabrotherton.com

Blog: http://www.veldabrotherton.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorveldabrotherton

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December 1, 2014 · 8:34 am

A Fun Christmas Trivia Game with Linda Andrews – Win a Free Ebook!

I’d like to welcome Linda Andrews, who is sharing her new Christmas release and a Christmas trivia game.

Find the answers at the end of the post and let us know the number you got correct in the comments to be entered in a drawing for an ebook copy of A Gift from St. Nick or The Christmas Ship.

  1. What was the first Christmas movie ever made?

a) Miracle on 34th Street

b) It’s a Wonderful Life

c) Santa Claus

d) Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

 

  1. Which novel was published earliest?

a) A Christmas Carol

b) Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas (The Night Before Christmas)

c) The Greatest Gift (It’s a Wonderful Life)

d) Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (editorial)

 

  1. Where were the first glass ornaments created?

a) Denmark

b) France

c) Germany

d) United States

 

  1. Before tinsel was used to decorate Christmas trees, it was used to decorate:

a) Sculptures

b) Lampposts

c) Ceilings and bannisters

d) Coaches

 

  1. Artificial Christmas trees were invented in the late 1800s. They were made of:

a)Tinsel

b) Plastic

c) Toilet Brushes

d) Feathers

 

  1. The Englishman, John Calcott Horsley, popularized the Christmas greeting card in:

a) 1820’s

b) 1830’s

c) 1840’s

d) 1850’s

 

  1. When did Christmas become an official American holiday?

a) 1870

b) 1871

c) 1872

d) 1873

 

  1. When did Coca-Cola introduce the iconic image of the friendly, jolly Santa Claus?

a) 1901

b) 1911

c) 1921

d) 1931

 

  1. Which Christmas Carol was written first?

a) Silent Night

b) Good King Wenceslas

c) Away in a Manger

d) Santa Claus is Coming to Town

 

  1. When did St. Nicholas’s Christmas ride first become pulled by reindeer?

a) 1802

b) 1812

c) 1821

d) 1823

 

AGiftfromStNick

Blurb:

Hans Lubeck lost his birthright to a woman’s deceitful games. Ten years later, he’s on the cusp of fulfilling his dream of captaining his own ship. And another woman could jeopardize everything.

Schoolteacher Lenore Kerrigan devotes her time to her pupils and good works. She has no use for a man or the damage he could do to her reputation.

But this holiday season, fate and an island of matchmakers have other plans. Will they accept the gift of a lifetime, or will the past steal away any chance at happiness?

Buy Link – Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gift-St-Nick-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B00P76LL3C/

Find Linda Here:

 

Answers to Trivia Questions:

 1. c, it was made in 1898 by British filmmaker George Albert Smith 2. b first published in 1823 3. c Germany is credited with creating the first glass ornaments in the late 1500s. 4. a. Sculptures. Tinsel was later added to trees to reflect the candlelights. 5. d. Feathers, although in the 1930’s a toilet brush company made an artificial tree using the same equipment as their brushes. 6.  b. 1830’s 7. a. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill on June 28th, 1870. 8. d. 1931, note Santa wasn’t always jolly or fat, but he usually wore a red suit. 9. a. Silent Night. The rest are in order. 10. c. 1821 in a booklet entitles, A new Year’s Present, but Washington Irving is the first known account to have Santa’s Sleigh/wagon fly in 1812.

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November 23, 2014 · 9:07 am

The Wild Rose Press New Release Spotlight – A Paranormal & a Christmas Story

Two brand new releases from The Wild Rose Press…

 

Darkness Unbound by Zoe Forward, Paranormal Romance Novel 

When something feels this right, you don’t let it go. 

Fun Fact: 

My Scimitar Magi series involves Egyptian Mythology…why? I’ve always been fascinated with ancient Egypt and its mythology. I’m not an expert. Creating a paranormal hero group the utilized Egyptian mythology and weaving that into a romance required a tad bit of fascination with the subject and a lot of research. To build this world I read a lot of very heavy books (they actually did weigh a few pounds each) and tried to get a handle on the vastness of the religion, the mythology, the lifestyle, and the magic. What I concluded was that there wasn’t always consensus on the meanings behind myths and symbols. Each expert has his or her own opinion on the surviving hieroglyphics found on tablets and papyri. Then there are the gods…oh my. Did you know there are over 700 Egyptian gods and goddesses? Some had three to five different names. Once you get beyond the sheer number of them they are an interesting bunch. They did a lot of kinky stuff from incest to revenge to killing to curses. Bottom line was after all this research my fascination persisted, but I ended up utterly confused.  So, what did I do? I let my imagination play around with the mythology. Use it, but bend it.  And focused on my heroes. 

A Favorite Line:

“They are gods. We are not. Let’s face it, they’re going to win.”

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*** ONLY $2.99 *** 

Buy links: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Unbound-Scimitar-Magi-Forward-ebook/dp/B00OQWXWOY/ref=la_B00AESQL24_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415536425&sr=1-4

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/zoe-forward

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/darkness-unbound-2

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/darkness-unbound/id933518298?mt=11

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-darknessunbound-1666876-143.html

Find Zoe Here: 

FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

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How My Heart Finds Christmas by Gail MacMillan, Contemporary Christmas Novella 

My heart finds Christmas in the warmth of memories and the recounting of these tales. 

Fun Fact: 

I had difficulty finding a title for this book until, suddenly, one day it came to me.  The stories I write about Christmases past awaken the spirit of the Yuletide in me, comforting and reassuring as the warmth and glow of a fire on the hearth. Some ancient cultures believed the heart to be the centre of the soul. Thus the title became instantly fitting.  

A Favorite Line(s): 

Undulating like mystic spirits gowned in green and white, the Northern Lights rose and rose, then doubled back on themselves to rise again. The heavens danced, alive with their essence.

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Buy Links:

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/how-my-heart-finds-christmas

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/how-my-heart-finds-christmas/id935076046?mt=11

Amazon:

http://amzn.com/B00OQFN3U4

http://amzn.ca/B00OQFN3U4

http://amzn.co.uk/B00OQFN3U4

Find Gail Here:

Twitter    tollerbeagle 44

Facebook     Gail MacMillan

Web Site     www.gailmacmillan.ca

 

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