Tag Archives: Family

Author Kara O’Neal ~ New Release: Destiny’s Secrets – #AHAgrp #Blog

Please help me welcome today’s guest, author friend, Kara O’Neal….

I’m so excited to introduce you to Andrew and Ben, mischief-making twins, who are private investigators and catch the case of their life. They must reunite sisters who were kidnapped and torn apart at ages 3 and 2.

I have to tell you that my fingers flew over the buttons of my laptop on this one. There was so much to write, so many characters to flesh out. And I absolutely adore that steadier, calmer, and quieter Andrew gets trail-blazing, pants-wearing, veterinarian, Jo Tatum as his lady love, while fun-loving, never serious, mischievous Ben ends up with Charlotte Ryan, a math wizard who has more courage in her pinky than you can shake a stick at.

These sisters don’t know each other, and Andrew and Ben must bring them together. It’s a story filled with joy, sorrow and bravery. I loved writing every word of it.

 

A long-ago murder, sisters separated as children, and two brothers, private investigators, who have caught the job of their lives…

Pike’s Run, Texas, 1882

Andrew and Ben Lonnigan, brothers and private investigators, have accepted an important case—to reunite the long-lost DuBois daughters with their rightful inheritance. Abducted from their childhood home in New Orleans when they were three and two-years-old, Jo and Charlotte were adopted by separate families.

Andrew heads north to find Josephine Tatum—a pants-wearing, spitfire veterinarian who challenges his mind and captures his heart. Ben travels south to find Charlotte Ryan—the financial mind behind her father’s ranch, with a sweet disposition and, unfortunately, a fiancé.

As the sisters journey toward destiny, Charlotte must guard her heart against Ben, a man too daring to ever return her love. And Andrew must hide his feelings from Jo, a woman determined to carve her own path. While the foursome battle feelings, they must also war with a villain from the sisters’ past, one with the will and the means to destroy everything the DuBois daughters hold dear.

Excerpt

“You aren’t gonna talk just because I won’t sleep in the tent with you?” Andrew asked.

Jo took a deep breath and glared at him, trying to rein in her temper.

“That’s more of a punishment for you than me,” he went on. “I’m not much for conversation. My brother is better at it. I prefer silence, but you sure seem ready to explode with things to say.”

He looked at her with such ease that her good sense left her. “I think it’s rude of you to tell me outright that you find me ugly.”

“When did I say that?” he replied.

“When you told me you weren’t going to sleep in the tent with me.”

He made a face. “No, I don’t think I said that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. You implied it.”

“No, you inferred it. I implied something altogether different.”

She sat ramrod straight. “What do you mean? What else could you have meant?”

He shrugged. “Maybe I can’t share that cramped space with you because I find you too damned attractive.”

She reared back.

“Maybe I’m trying to protect you from my inability to leave you be and not touch you.” He watched her carefully, his gaze direct and intent.

Her breath came more quickly. “Do you mean to tell me…that you…you find me desirable?”

“I do.”

She almost declared the ridiculousness of the statement. But it wasn’t. Not at all. It shouldn’t be. What was absurd was his honesty. And even more unbelievable…she tried the control of someone as disciplined as he.

Pleasure burst through her. She couldn’t help but grin at him.

He cursed.

The heat in his gaze made her pulse race, and she stood.

He shot to his feet.

And now she picked up on his nervousness. It was subtle, but she could tell he considered running away. He’d given her a powerful piece of information, and he didn’t even know if she found him attractive.

She walked the ten paces necessary to get to him.

He didn’t back away, but she could sense he steeled himself against whatever she planned.

“You can sleep in the tent with me. I’d like that very much.” She heard the husky note in her voice.

His brown eyes went warm, and her body melted. She refrained from leaning into him.

“We probably ought not to,” he ground out.

“Why?” she murmured, stepping even closer. Her breasts almost pressed against his chest. “I won’t tell anyone.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Have you done this before?”

“What?”

“Seduced a man.”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“Yes,” he clipped.

 

  Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bzeoKE

Bio  

Born and raised in Texas, I had to make the state the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

 

Website –  http://www.karaoneal.com

Bookbub –  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal

Amazon –  http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble –  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o’neal?_requestid=845025

Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

Twitter –  https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

Pinterest –  https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Goodreads –  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Blog — http://www.karaoneal.com/blog

Blog – The Story Continues — http://www.karaoneal.com/the-story-continues

13 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release

The Cowboy’s Embrace – Kara O’Neal

#AHAgrp  –  #Blog

Please help me welcome author Kara O’Neal and her new release, The Cowboy’s Embrace…

The Cowboy’s Embrace came about because, when I introduced Deacon in book three of the series, I fell in love with him. He was strong, steady and smart. Really smart. Because he was the only one in book three who knew that trickery was afoot!

I had to give him a book. He deserved a true love. But what would his story be?

I have to say I took some time developing his match. She had to be someone righteous, honest and unafraid. She had to be able to stand next to Deacon and be her own person. Enter Lily Spero…the girl he abandoned in a park in Houston.

Now, before you get confused, he had his reasons for leaving her. So don’t hate him. Read his story and learn how these two triumph over a great evil. If you read it, know that my favorite part is how Lily steals the walking cane from the villain on the white horse and what happens after it.

About The Cowboy’s Embrace…
Fate brings his greatest regret back into his life…

Lily Spero is searching for her stolen heritage, for a place in the world that is all her own. Sixteen years ago, she lost her parents and siblings to a villain on a white horse. Since, she’s hungered for family, for that love she’d once known. When she visits the Swinging A Ranch, her past collides with her present, opening wounds long buried and shockingly creating hope where none had been before.

Deacon Tolbert is the foreman and a contributing partner to the Swinging A Ranch. He’s carved a niche in the world all his own, finally feeling worthy of the goodness he’s found for himself. But when Lily Spero arrives, the girl he abandoned years ago, he’s forced to face the most gut-wrenching moment of his life.

Despite the pain, love surprises them and blossoms, bringing hope for the future. But the villain from the past comes to haunt them, to steal what they’re trying to build. Deacon and Lily must brave vile evil in order to stay together, and fight with all they have to keep the promises they made to each other.

Excerpt:
He would come back soon. He would. He wouldn’t leave her here.
Lily assessed the park with its strong oaks and maples and winding packed dirt paths. She bit her lip and worked hard not to cry. She was a big girl. She was eleven, and he’d asked her to be brave while he was gone.
As she hid in the shade, she sank down to the grass, huddled against a trunk and hoped no one noticed a frightened, stranded, black girl. Where was he? What was taking so long? He only went to find food for them.
Morning turned into noon. People came. Some to eat their lunches on blankets they spread on the ground. Others to walk the picturesque paths. She pulled her knees into her chest and buried her nose in her dirt-caked pinafore. It had been yellow once. A pretty color as bright as the sun.
As she rocked back and forth, she prayed. She repeated over and over the words her mother had taught her. With her eyes clamped shut and her lips moving without ceasing, she implored to Heaven for Deacon to return.
But hours passed. Faces swam before her, asking her questions, giving her food. She couldn’t answer the nice strangers. Just gazed down the path, hoping, waiting, her heart dying.
Where are you? Please come. Please come back.
She silently begged to see his familiar form, dressed in overalls and a threadbare work shirt, coming around the bend to carry her away. But he didn’t come. And the kind people didn’t leave. They took her home with them, and Lily didn’t argue, even though their pale skin struck uncertainty in her heart. She couldn’t think. Deacon, she grieved.
And his name was the pained whisper on her lips every night, the perpetual cold ache in her heart…that could never be filled.

Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/38RBRd

About Kara:

Born and raised in Texas, I had to make the state the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Website – http://www.karaoneal.com
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o’neal?_requestid=845025
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal
Blog — http://www.karaoneal.com/blog
Blog – The Story Continues — http://www.karaoneal.com/the-story-continues

 

12 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release

“10 Moments That Changed My Life” by Kara O’Neal ~ New Release on July 10th: The Cowboy’s Embrace, Book 10, Pike’s Run Series

#AHAgrp

Please help me welcome author friend Kara O’Neal with the moments that changed her life, and her new release, The Cowboy’s Embrace, Book 10, Pike’s Run Series…

10 Moments That Changed My Life by Kara O’Neal

  1. When I was in second grade, I read “Little Women”. The story enthralled me. I loved the close relationship between the sisters. But this is when I learned that “happily ever after” doesn’t always mean that everyone stays together. It was a sobering moment for a second grader!
  2. Let’s jump a decade to my senior year in high school. One of the many books I read that year had an ending that was highly disappointing. This had happened before, of course, but I was especially irritated by the way this story wrapped up. My sister told me to make up a better ending. Seemed like a good idea. I followed her orders, and thus began my love affair with crafting my own “happily ever afters”! (I credit my sister with my writing career. Alice in The Sheriff’s Gift is based off of her.)
  3. August 22, 1994 – This is the day I met my husband. I knew as soon as I saw him that he was my “happily ever after” guy. (He didn’t think I was his “happily ever after” girl until the next day.)
  4. July 18, 1998 – We got married! We will be married 20 years in a little over a week. Even though I knew he was the one for me right off the bat, I still can’t believe it’s been 20 years. Marriage is hard, but I’ve discovered that as long as you work to grow together, it absolutely can feel like a “happily ever after”.
  5. The summer of 2000 – I sat down and wrote my first book. The writing was pretty horrible. But, I didn’t let go of it. I couldn’t. I had found the work of my heart, and even if I never saw words of mine published, I was going to keep writing.
  6. November 14, 2000 – Our first child, a daughter, was born on this day. She is going to be a senior in high school this year. My heart can’t take it. Even so, I’m extremely excited to see what she does with her adult life. She is talented, bright, and a sweetheart. She NEVER gives up on anything. She is one of the bravest people I know, which has made her one of my heroes.
  7. November 17, 2002 – Our second child, a son, was born on this day. He is a carbon copy of his father – quiet, kind, talented, and as calm as the day is long. He’s a sturdy rock who is a friend to all. He will be a sophomore this year, and the world is absolutely his oyster. He can draw and sing and act. He does all of this with a kind smile and never a boastful attitude.
  8. September 16, 2006 – Our last child, a son, was born on this day and now our house is filled with laughter because of it. He’ll be in sixth grade this year. He is also very talented – he is a wonderful artist, but he has this sense of humor that keeps us in stitches. I don’t know where he gets it. Here’s a joke he made up when he was in the second grade: “Do you know why there are no male teachers? Because it’s teacher not teachim.”
  9. May of 2013 – I received the communication all writers want to hear. Resplendence Publishing wanted to publish my book. It had taken 13 years, but I finally got it right. Welcome Home, book 1 in the Pike’s Run Series, had been through many revisions. But all that sweat, blood, tears, tears and more tears paid off. And now I can’t stop!!! The Cowboy’s Embrace, book 10, will be released tomorrow, Destiny’s Secrets, book 11, is going through the critique process, and Pierce’s Hero, book 12, is finished and waiting its turn with my critique partners.
  10. November 22, 1998 – My grandpa gave me the best advice on this day. He told me that marriage is 100/100. Not 50/50. He asked me why I would ever only give half of myself to the person who would be my partner in life. It made so much sense. So, ever since then, regardless of what my husband does for me, I give him as much as I possibly can. Is it working? I think so. Am I always successful? NO. It’s hard, of course, but I don’t believe I’m here just to see what others can do for me. My helping hands and loving heart shouldn’t be contingent on what others do for me. I’m so grateful I got to spend time with my grandpa on that day. It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving of 1998. He died on Thanksgiving Day that year. His entire family was there. He’d been diagnosed with cancer in January. He was given 6 months. He lived for 11. I think of him every day.

 

Blurb:

Lily Spero is searching for her stolen heritage, for a place in the world that is all her own. Sixteen years ago, she lost her parents and siblings to a villain on a white horse. Since, she’s hungered for family, for that love she’d once known. When she visits the Swinging A Ranch, her past collides with her present, opening wounds long buried and shockingly creating hope where none had been before.

Deacon Tolbert is the foreman and a contributing partner to the Swinging A Ranch. He’s carved a niche in the world all his own, finally feeling worthy of the goodness he’s found for himself. But when Lily Spero arrives, the girl he abandoned years ago, he’s forced to face the most gut-wrenching moment of his life.

Despite the pain, love surprises them and blossoms, bringing hope for the future. But the villain from the past comes to haunt them, to steal what they’re trying to build. Deacon and Lily must brave vile evil in order to stay together, and fight with all they have to keep the promises they made to each other.

Excerpt:

“I thought you were dead.”

Deacon paused in restacking the woodpile outside his home. Lily.

His hand hovered over the cut tree, and it took every ounce of strength he had to remain upright. He swallowed. He should have realized she’d have enough courage to face him. She’d always been like her mother.

When her friend hadn’t shown this morning for her cowboy education, he’d thought the pair had gone home. He’d thought he’d been saved from confronting the worst moment of his life. But here she was. Lily.

He couldn’t tell her to go. And he wouldn’t pretend not to know who she was. Slowly, muscle by muscle, he straightened to full height.

“Or captured,” she continued.

He closed his eyes.

“I thought…no…I tortured myself with images of the ghost coming to get you.”

Ah, God. Pain tightened his chest. He couldn’t turn around.

Some beats passed, accompanied only by the noise of cicadas. “But…now…I fear you abandoned me of your own volition.” Tears thickened her tone. “Did you choose to leave me?”

He had. And the action had haunted him every day.

A groan of frustration came from her. “Are you going to stand there and say nothing? After all these years, after what we went through, you won’t talk to me? You can’t even look at me.” Her voice broke. “Was I that much of a problem? Did I cause you so much trouble I’d become a burden?”

Her questions lashed his skin, making past wounds crack open and run down his flesh. God, how he wished he’d been able to stop the villain on the white horse.

Another sob from her had him clenching his hands into fists. He could face her. He could. With slow movements, he turned.

And the beautiful creature before him proved that sixteen years had passed. His heart constricted that he had caused this beauty so much suffering. Guilt pressed on him, and he couldn’t move, couldn’t make his mouth work to speak.

She was Lily. He could see it. But she’d transformed into a picture of grace and strength he had no business being around. He’d added to her grief and owed her an explanation. If he could find his courage, he would apologize.

Her watery gaze glittered with gut-wrenching pain. Disbelief.

“God,” she choked out. “You’ve changed so much.”

He was a rough cowboy now. One who chose to avoid the sweeter side of life for reasons he refused to explore.

“I should know your face,” she accused, lifting her chin. “You should be as familiar to me as the backs of my hands. We were supposed to be together…to be each other’s family. You promised.”

 

Buy Links:

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cowboys-embrace-kara-oneal/1128974490?ean=2940161996683

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Embrace-Pikes-Run-Book-ebook/dp/B07F2NHCJB/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1530393747&sr=8-2&keywords=kara+o%27neal

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kara_O_Neal_The_Cowboy_s_Embrace?id=MTJiDwAAQBAJ

 

Contact Links and Social Media:

My website: www.karaoneal.com

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o’neal?_requestid=845025

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

 

12 Comments

Filed under 10 Moments that Changed My Life, Author Blog Post, New Release

Profit: Utopia the Conclusion (Book IV The Beckett Series) By Mary Martinez

Please help me welcome Mary Martinez…

Have you ready any of Mary’s books? If so, which one?

I haven’t yet, but this one looks like a winner!

Check out her giveaway below!

 

Blurb:

Matt Beckett is the Chief Financial officer for World Banking Association (WBA). Over a year ago an agency known as the HEAD group tried to take over the WBA. Matt’s sister, Reagan Beckett, a member of a Federal Special Task Force took out one of the key players, a serial killer known as the Headman. Now the founder of HEAD, Andrew Phillips, is back and ready to finish what he’d started with a new and dastardly key player from the Dark web.

Matt doesn’t have any desire to be involved in any cloak and dagger stuff. He’d rather leave that to the other law enforcement Beckett’s. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like he’ll have a choice.

Bryn Connelly is the Chief Audit Executive also for the WBA. She had been one of the Headman’s targets and thought her days of danger were over. However, she finds herself working with laid back Matt Beckett, much to her dismay.

Matt couldn’t be more delighted when Reagan informs him he’ll be working the lovely Bryn. He’s been trying to catch her eye for five years, now. However, their sleuthing quickly lands them in a precarious position.

It’s up to Matt and Bryn to finish what Reagan and her team started, but can he win the lovely Bryn and save the day? Or will he lose her forever if the WBA falls into the wrong hands?

Excerpt:

“No shop talk or you’re banned from Christmas dinner.”

“Ma, you can’t ban me from a home-cooked meal.” Matt looked down his body. “Look at me, I’m skin and bones, because I don’t have a good woman to cook for me.”

Martha gave him a light slug to the shoulder. “And whose fault is that, young man?”

“Yeah?” Reagan raised a brow at him and took another sip. “How’s the lovely Bryn?”

Martha gasped and looked at him. Damn Reagan. Now his mother was going to hound him.

“Who is Bryn?” Martha’s eyes twinkled in anticipation.

He shot Reagan a look that he hoped conveyed that she would pay. “Bryn is a woman I work with from time to time at WBA.”

“She works at DIG?” Referring to one of the five entities of WBA.

He sighed, he might as well get the Q & A over with since she’d just keep at him until he gave in anyway. His mother could be like a dog with a bone.

“No, she’s with Corporation of International Finance, or CIF, she’s their Chief Auditor Executive.” He glanced at his sister who stood sipping her drink innocently and glared. “She is a very nice person and no, before you ask, we are not seeing each other.”

“Not that he doesn’t want to see her, she just has better taste in men.” Reagan laughed.

“Reagan, any woman would be lucky to date your brother.”

Matt held in a groan. Man, he needed to get out of here. He looked to his brother, brothers-in-law, anyone to rescue him. But Reagan wasn’t going to let that happen.

“Ma, you’d love her. She has the most beautiful red hair, green eyes, and she speaks with this lovely Irish accent.”

“Gan, Gan!”

Matt looked down at his niece, Lucy, he wanted to give her a big kiss for interrupting. But the little one was currently pulling on Reagan’s jean clad leg. His sister set her glass on the side table and swung Lucy up above her head, her giggles drew the attention of everyone in the room.

Escape. Matt didn’t waste any time, while his mother and sister were occupied with the adorable dark haired cutie he raced toward his brothers and talk of football.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XP4SS17/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/profit-mary-martinez/1126011699?ean=9781544787978

Books A Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Profit-Book-Beckett-Series/Mary-Martinez/9781544787978?id=6218957261198

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781544787978

Bio:

Video Bio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISsOcM0kyzY

Just a bit about me:

Mary lives in Magna, a little town west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with her husband, she has six grown children, and six wonderful grandsons and five beautiful granddaughters. She loves to spend time with family and friends–she includes good books as friends!

Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing, and Italy for the wine. And most recently she discovered she was Irish and Scottish, of course they had to visit Ireland and Scotland. Mary fell in love with both, but the green hills of Ireland felt like home.  With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters. One of her favorite US destinations is New York/Brooklyn, where her beloved Beckett’s live. When she visits, she can wander their neighborhoods, favorite parks, and visit their favorite pub, Putnum’s.

They are avid concert ‘Ho’s’! Yes, they pretty much want to do them all. They love outdoor amphitheaters the best and attend as many during the warmer months as possible.

Mary writes mostly romantic suspense, romance, women’s fiction, and she has just begun to dabble in young adult mystery. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). During her writing career she has been a conference coordinator, workshop presenter, and chapter president for the Utah Chapter of RWA. In 2007 she was presented with the Utah RWA service award in acknowledgment and appreciation for outstanding service. Mary has also participated in numerous library panels on writing and co-presented a workshop on writing a series at the League of Utah Writers conference.

Mary and her husband are also enthusiastic college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.

GO UTES!

Goodreads giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/232210-profit-book-v-the-beckett-series-utopia-the-conclusion

Rafflecopter Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contact Links:

Web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/

Mary’s Garden Blog: http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/

The After Work Cook Blog: http://theafterworkcook.blogspot.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marylmartinez

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marylmartinez3/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MaryMartinez3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlmartinez3/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTww3B2ofa11UPFrSe0WGAg

Mary’s Book Group: Open a Book and embark on a new adventure! https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarysBookGroup/

Thank you, Alicia, for hosting me on your blog!

My pleasure…the book looks fantastic – LOVE the cover!

14 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, giveaway, New Release, Uncategorized

Author Interview with Kara O’Neal / New Release: The Editor’s Kisses

Please help me welcome Kara O’Neal, an author friend and fellow Authors Helping Authors member…

 

Hi Kara…Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

Hello there! My name is Kara O’Neal, and I was born and raised in Texas. I’ve put down roots here with my wonderful husband and three children. We’ve got a sweet – and very prissy – sheltie, named Stormy. She’s a doll.

I’m a middle school teacher, working with students who have special needs. I’ve been at the same campus for nineteen years, and I love it. The people I work with are dedicated and true servants to their profession.

Where did you get the idea for The Editor’s Kisses? Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share? What is the most difficult thing about writing a book? What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?

When I was a girl, I loved – and still love – the Little House series. While I enjoyed the events surrounding the Ingalls the most, any story about the town and its citizens was fun, too. I was an avid reader from four years old. I read everything from Shel Silverstein to Rudyard Kipling. However, I never fancied myself a writer.

My sister, who is the inspiration for the fabulous heroine in my second book, was the one who first turned my thoughts in that direction. I was a senior in high school when she sparked my interest. But, I didn’t write my first scene until I was a senior in college. It took a long time for me to be published, but in that waiting period, I wrote. The Pikes Run Series was born, and I would have to say that any story I write comes from the characters. While I have two main families, I also tell stories about a town and its citizens.

The Editor’s Kisses came to life because Stephen Dawson wanted to start Pikes Run’s first newspaper and Constance Forrester wanted to get women the vote and saw his paper as a way to help the process along. Their love story evolved as they worked through that.

The most difficult thing, for me, when writing a book is making sure the character comes across to the reader. I want each one to be different, to have different faults and quirks. I want them to be their own person. And sometimes that is hard to do.

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

Oh, heavens. Probably Anne of Green Gables.

Do you collect anything?

Castles and crosses! I love them. And my husband’s aunt makes the most gorgeous crosses from stained glass. They’re amazing.

What’s your favorite book of all time and why?

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time because Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Bennett are the most complex characters ever written. I was so caught up in the story that I can honestly say I was shocked beyond everything when Mr. Darcy…well…let me not spoil it in case someone hasn’t read it and wants to!

What’s your favorite childhood book?

Anne of Green Gables.

What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?

Colin O’Donoghue and Jennifer Morrison. They could play any characters they want from any of my books.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

A bad one.

What is your favorite quote?

From the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – “There are no perfect men in this world, only those with perfect intentions.”

Your most prized material possession?

I have a Texas flag that flew over the state capitol the day I graduated from high school. It’s a symbol of home for me.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

Four of my heroines, and one of my heroes, are based off people I know. Emma (Welcome Home) is based off my baby sister, Alice (The Sheriff’s Gift) is based off my middle sister, Angelique (The Cowboy’s Charms) is based off one of my best friends, Willa (Love’s Redemption) is based off another best friend, and last, Lonnie (Love’s Redemption) is based off my husband.

What is your favorite…

Movie – Pride and Prejudice

Music – Texas country or Red Dirt music

Place you’ve visited — England

Place you’d like to visit — Ireland

TV show from childhood – Little House and Golden Girls

TV show from adulthood – The Closer and Once Upon A Time

Food – Brisket and chips/salsa

Sports team – Texans and Astros

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Card games

 

Thank you, Kara. I enjoyed getting to know more about you. Please tell us about your book.

Blurb:

Constance Forrester has no intention of getting married. She is a suffragette and determined to change society. When Stephen Dawson, her school chum, starts a newspaper in their sleepy little town, Constance discovers an opportunity. With confidence and an unflinching will, she asks Stephen to take a risk and employ her as a journalist.

Stephen is stunned by Constance’s impossible proposal and immediately turns her down. But the small moments he’s spent with Constance have peeked someone’s curiosity, and Stephen finds himself sought after by the town princess, Madeline Talbut. Stephen has loved Madeline for years, and when the young lady finally shows an interest in him, he concocts a plan: enter into a fake courtship with Constance in order to make Madeline love him, and in return, Constance can be a journalist for his newspaper. Anonymously, of course.

It’s a chance Constance can’t pass up. So what if she has to attend parties and withstand Stephen’s heart-melting kisses? A suffragette must forge through barriers, break down walls and risk all for the sake of freedom. But Stephen changes the game, and Constance finds herself the object of the editor’s desire…

Excerpt:

“Constance,” he uttered. “I’m gonna kiss you.”

She flinched again.

“I won’t hurt you, I swear it. But if I don’t kiss you…they’ll all question us and our…attachment.” He was an ass. He was using their agreement to coax her into acquiescence, and while he knew it, and was ashamed of it, he continued. “It will only be for a second. I’ll just brush my lips with yours.”

In the darkness, he felt her slight nod against his chin. His heart pounded at her quiet surrender.

When she pulled back as far as the space would allow, and lifted her head to his, heat slashed through him. He’d never needed a kiss as much as he needed hers.

Madeline had kissed him. Once. Behind the schoolhouse when they were sixteen. And that moment hadn’t caused near the anticipation this one was.

He lowered his head and swallowed her gasp. It wasn’t a brush even though he only set his lips on hers. It was a fire. A shot of whiskey that whipped through him and pooled in his gut. He deepened the connection, and she let him, sighing and sinking into him despite already being as close to him as he could get her.

But there was a melting. A need to move to the ground and cover her, press her down and make her his. He used his tongue, tasting her. She capitulated instantly and opened her mouth under his. He took what she allowed without hesitation as his free hand came up to grip her waist.

The damn closet was too small. His left hand was wedged between her side and the slender door. But though he couldn’t get his arms around her, he didn’t stop the kiss. It went on and on, stealing his breath, tightening his chest, and making him doubt everything he’d ever known about his heart.

Bio:

I was born and raised in Texas. It is the fire in my blood that inspires me, and I had to make it the setting of my first series. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Buy link for The Editor’s Kisses: http://amzn.to/2nDLp04

Contact links:

My website: www.karaoneal.com.

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o’neal?_requestid=845025

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

 

12 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release

Meet Meet Racine Weston from No Luck At All by Julie Lence

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Julie Lence…

Hello Alicia. Thank You for having me as your guest today. It’s a pleasure connecting with you and your readers. No Luck At All was probably the easiest story for me to write. Racine spoke to me the entire way. Below, get to know her better and you’ll discover why she tugged at my heartstrings from beginning to end. 2 people will win a Kindle copy of No Luck At All just for leaving a comment. Hugs!  

My pleasure, Julie! I’m thrilled to have you and I look forward to meeting Racine. Thank you for the giveaway!  

Hello. I’m Racine, the youngest daughter of wealthy and respected Boston doctor, Donald Somerfield, and his socialite wife, Katherine. Mama hated me from the moment I was born. She had it in her mind that Papa wanted a son, and when I came out a fourth daughter, she blamed me for that mishap. She swore she would not jeopardize her figure and looks again to bear papa another child, moved into her own bedroom, and handed me and my care over to the servants.

My toddler years, I found it unbearable to not have Mama’s love and acceptance. My sisters, Valeen, Victoria and Valerie did. Mama would fuss over them, take them shopping and plan parties for them. She did none of that with me, which made me try all sorts of ways to gain her approval, none of which worked. I only earned her ‘rolling’ of the eyes, a stern lecture on how I was disobedient and very unladylike, and words of how no one would ever like me. I was unlovable.

I found that last part hard to believe. Papa loved me and spent as much time with me as his doctor duties allowed. Even the servants seemed to enjoy my company. Then one day, on a whim to make mama happy, I went to her flower garden to pick her some flowers. A stray dog leapt out from under the bushes and attacked me. His paw clawed my cheek and Papa had to stitch three deep cuts. When the bandages were removed, I had three long, red, ugly scars. Papa swore they would fade in time, But I knew that wasn’t true. Every year, they got bigger, more noticeable–this was proven when I overheard my sisters beg Mama to keep me hidden from their friends. They said I was hideous and would scare away the other girls.

After that, I took to spending a lot of time in my room, alone. The maids took pity on me and taught me how to sew. Sophie, our cook, taught me how to prepare delicious meals. My skills flourished under their guidance. Even Papa was impressed with the curtains I sewed for his den.

The years passed and I reached an age where Papa insisted I attend the dinner parties he held for his interns. I wanted nothing to do with socializing and retreated to my room on those occasions. One night, Papa ordered me to attend a dinner. Grudgingly, I did, and kept to the shadows most of the evening until one man asked me to dance. I wanted to decline his offer, but his warm smile drew me to him as his hand drew me out of the corner. I’m thankful I didn’t refuse him, for that night I met and fell in love with the most handsome, heavily muscled, kind-hearted man to ever exist―Creel Weston.

Creel courted me relentlessly. He took me to the park, to dinner, and for strolls around Mama’s flower gardens. He told me he loved me and wanted me to marry him. Part of me believed him. The other part was unsure, until he stood beside me at the altar, said his vows, and gave me a ring. I’ve never been so happy, and then that happiness disappeared as before my eyes Creel went from warm and caring to a cad on the eve of our wedding.

I don’t know what brought about the change in him, but I have a good idea. Somehow, he came to the conclusion he can’t bear looking at me and my hideous scars for the rest of his life. Though he’d never once commented on them, I gathered the preacher joining us together for all eternity sparked feelings in him he never knew existed. I can’t blame him―I am ugly. But I can hope for some semblance of comfort and accord between us. I thought I had found that after Creel and I hashed out some misunderstandings. But now, an old friend from Creel’s childhood claims he loves her. After replaying some events over and over in my mind, and pitting Amy’s beauty and refinement against my scars and lack of elegance, I fear she is right in that Creel loves her and not me.

 

No Luck At All is the 3rd book in the Weston Family series and available for purchase at Amazon:

www.amazon.com/dp/B0064R6NVI

noluckatall-aliciadeanblog

Excerpt from No Luck At All:

“A sassy mouth isn’t becoming of you.” He sat across from her.

“Ungratefulness doesn’t become you, either,” she rallied back.

“Butchering me like a side of beef does?” He raised a brow.

“I butcher you?” Disbelief shone in her eyes. “You butcher me. Most of the time you don’t talk to me and when you do, you’re mean.”

“Have a heart, Racine. I’m doing the best I can.”

“If this is your best, I’d hate to see your worst.” She fidgeted with the sash on her robe. “What’s bothering you, Creel? Why do you think the worst of me?”

“Because,” he barked and instantly regretted it. Fear sprang into her eyes and she sank back in her chair, her shoulders trembling. “I apologize,” he said quietly, leaning forward and resting his arms on his thighs before folding his hands together to conquer the churning in his gut. If he wanted any kind of normalcy with her, it was now or never.

 

memedium

BIO:

Julie was born and raised in upstate New York. She married her high school sweetheart and accompanied him on his twenty-year career with the United States Air Force. Presently, she resides in the Pikes Peak region, where she’s a stay-at-home mom enjoying a career writing western historical romance.

Throughout her school years, Julie enjoyed reading and writing. A friend introduced her to the romance genre in the late 80’s and she was instantly hooked, crediting Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey as her inspirations to pen her own novels. As she puts it, Ms. McNaught’s voice is flawless and Ms. Lindsey’s Malory family is endearing and addictive. Combining her fondness for horses, John Wayne and the television series, Dallas, Julie settled into writing about cowboys, outlaws and the ‘old west’ early in her career.

Julie self-publishes her work at Amazon.com. She also designs her covers. When she’s away from her computer, she enjoys taking care of her family and home, exploring the Rocky Mountains and meeting fans of the romance genre. To connect with her, visit her here:

Website: www.julielence.com

Facebook page: https://facebook.com/#!/JulieLence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julielence

 

19 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Author Interview with Marianne Rice + Her Contemporary Romance: Then Came You

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Marianne Rice. Let’s get to know her a bit before she tells us about her new release…

  1. Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?

I’ve been teaching high school English for nineteen years. Being a teacher was all I wanted to do until I got the writing itch about ten years ago. I never thought I wanted to do anything else until I got published last year. I’d love to be able to write full time now. Unfortunately, the bills must get paid.

  1. What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do?

I love to do crazy, dangerous, muddy obstacle courses. Kind of odd since I love getting dolled up and wearing snazzy heels. I’ve run the 12 mile Tough Mudder twice (designed by the British special ops) where I have to army crawl in mud under barbed wire, go down a slide through a tunnel of fire, run through dangling electrical wires and scale ten-foot walls. I won’t do a straight-up 5K or marathon; running is extremely boring. I live for the obstacles. And the mud.

  1. What’s your favorite book of all time and why?

My favorite piece of literature is The Great Gatsby. Oh, the symbols, the one-liners, the twisted love triangle. We actually just wrapped up our “Fall of the American Dream” unit in my American Lit classes. I love when students feel passionate about literature; it doesn’t happen enough these days.

  1. What do you want readers to come away with after they read Then Came You?

I don’t write love stories as complex as Gatsby. Instead, I write fun, light-hearted romances that involve complex issues, but are emotionally satisfying in the end. If I can make a reader smile, laugh, or cry, I’ve done my job. And if they’re itching to read the next Wilde sister’s story…even better!

  1. What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?

Check out my Pinterest board and you’ll see who I’d like to star in each of my books. Liam Hemsworth would make the perfect Grayson Montgomery. Grayson is loyal, serious, and business-minded, and too young for his polished personality. He’s followed his family’s pre-destined plan for him until he learns a five year-old orphaned girl is his daughter.

For spunky, sweet, adorable Thyme Wilde I picture Rachel McAdams. Oh, that permanent smile and dimples, just like Thyme. So sweet and a little sassy.

  1. What is your favorite quote?

“Cinderella and Dorothy are proof that a pair of shoes can change your life.”

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

Chris Hemsworth. He’s my everything. *sigh*

 

***Join my mailing list and you’ll automatically be entered to win a slew of prizes. Every newsletter I like to give a lucky subscriber something special. Just for being kind enough to follow me. http://www.mariannerice.com/connect.html

 

Wonderful interview, thank you! Chris Hemsworth is most definitely sigh-worthy. 🙂 And now, check out her contemporary romance, Then Came You…

 

THENCAMEYOU-3Dsmaller

BLURB: 

Thyme Wilde doesn’t make long-term decisions—until she falls in love with one…

Easily bored and quickly distracted, Thyme enjoys her freedom, so being a temp at her sister’s company is the perfect job. But when she takes a position as a nanny, she instantly falls in love with the five-year-old princess named Maddie—and just two months later, Maddie’s parents are killed in a plane crash, leaving Thyme in an unfamiliar role of responsibility.

Multi-millionaire architect Grayson Montgomery lives in the lap of luxury—but at a cost…

Being the sole heir of his family’s fashion empire and his father’s architectural firm, Grayson has never lacked for anything. But in return, he must stay subservient to the matriarch of his family—his grandmother—and date the heiress of their largest business partner. The only freedom Grayson has is his architectural designs, which are his true passion.

One day changes Grayson’s future forever…

A lawyer summons Grayson to Maine for the reading of the will of a woman he once knew. He doesn’t expect to be named the father of a five-year-old orphan. Then he meets his newly-discovered daughter—and her incredibly sexy nanny.

While acting as Maddie’s loyal nanny, Thyme develops feelings for her new employer that are more than professional. And after several passionate nights with Grayson, it’s clear the feeling is mutual.

When it’s made evident Grayson sees her as a convenient placeholder, Thyme must push aside her desires and put Maddie above herself—even if it means sacrificing her heart to do it.

 

EXCERPT:

“I kind of have this love-hate relationship with you.”

The look of shock on his face made her laugh. “Okay. Maybe not such strong emotions. How about like and dislike? One minute you’re sweet and kind and gorgeous and the next minute you’re too caught up in work and image but still working the gorgeous angle.”

“Is being gorgeous good or bad?”

“You seem to work it in no matter what you do. You can’t help it. You’re pretty.”

“Guys don’t want to be pretty.”

“Yeah. They do. But you’re hot, too. Pretty and hot.”

“Can’t you just call me pretty hot and call it good?”

“See, and then you throw in a dash of humor and I’m a goner.”

“Goner? Really?” Grayson set his hands on her waist and tugged her closer. She shivered from the heat, from the chill, from the anticipation.

“It was easier when I thought you were a jerk,” she whispered, her mouth dangerously close to his.

“Why is that?” he whispered back, his breath mingling with hers.

She swallowed, her throat tight and hoarse, and licked her lips. “Because then I wasn’t tempted to do this.” Thyme stood on her tiptoes and gently pressed her lips against his.

 Amazon buy page: bit.ly/thencameyou

MRICE

 

BIO:

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, relaxing with fancy drinks and romance books. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on her website at http://www.mariannerice.com

 

CONTACT LINKS:

http://www.mariannerice.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mariannericeauthor/

amazon.com/author/mariannerice

https://www.instagram.com/mariannericeauthor/

http://www.facebook.com/MarianneRiceaut

https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut

https://www.goodreads.com/MarianneRice

https://www.pinterest.com/mariannericeaut

 

 

10 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release

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.”

perf5.000x8.000.indd

*** 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

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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.

perf5.000x8.000.indd

 

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

 

2 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers

Five Authors from Oklahoma – Five Stories in One Boxed Set About a Cursed Doll and True Love

A while back, a group of Oklahoma authors came together to write a series of short stories with the recurring theme of a cursed Scrimshaw doll. The curse began in the late seventeenth century when a father feared his daughter’s betrothed would betray her. A gypsy attempted to hex the girl with this spell: All those who betray you will suffer. Only true love can break the curse. As luck (or bad luck) would have it, the girl was holding a Scrimshaw Doll her father had made for her, and the curse went into the doll instead, and therefore, it carried on for centuries. Our first installment picks up with the young woman’s daughter, who has inherited the doll. 

These stories, in various genres, all stand alones, were published with The Wild Rose Press as individual releases, but have now been released in two boxed sets, each containing five stories. The first set released today, and the second set, Betrayed, will release next Thursday, August 14th. Volume 2 contains stories from myself, Callie Hutton, Kathy L Wheeler, Tamrie Foxtail, and Anna Kittrell. 

*** ON SALE for a limited time for only 2.99. Click here to purchase… 

From Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Tales-Scrimshaw-Digital-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00MG8B940/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1407415923&sr=1-1&keywords=Cursed+tales+of+the+scrimshaw+doll

From The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=234&products_id=5783

 

CursedTalesoftheScrimshawDollVolume1_w9327_750

 

Be sure to check out next week’s post. In the meantime…take a look at the fun and exciting stories in Volume 1: 

 

Diana Layne, Pirate’s Proposal, Historical romance Novella 

The story that began it all…

Interesting Fact:

I love pirate romances and Italians and strong women heroines and was happy to find a way to combine the three!

A favorite line:

One pirate often looked like the other, sunburned and scruffy, but she was certain they’d never met.

 

pirate

Find Diana here:

Website: http://www.dianalayne.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/dianalaynebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianalaynebooks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dianalaynebooks/

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

Kae Elle Wheeler / The English Lily / Historical Novella

 A runaway heiress protecting her secrets is no match for a destitute viscount resolved to his fate—whatever the cost

Interesting Fact:

The English Lily was inspired from book iii of my Cinderella Series – The Surprising Enchantress, where Lady Esmeralda, Cinderella’s batty-eyed sister is jealous of the prim, very feminine, and definitely normal-fluttering-eyed miss. But Lady Kendra had her own secret, leading to her own story to tell.

 A favorite line:

She was happy to be his guinea pig, so to speak, although referring to herself as a pig of any sort seemed a bit extreme.

 

theenglishlily7366_300

Find Kae Elle here:

http://www.kathylwheeler.com

facebook.com/kathylwheeler

twitter: @kathylwheeler

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

Heidi Vanlandingham, Trail of Hope, Historical Novella

Can love and hope prevail on a deadly journey?

Interesting Fact:

I love genealogy and have always wanted to know where my ancestors came from, how they lived, and what they believed. What decisions they made that trickled down through time and created who I am today. I’m actually descended from one of Pocahontas’s sisters and my several greats cousin was Nathaniel Pryor who founded Pryor, Oklahoma. His fantastic story inspired my ideas behind Trail of Hope.

A favorite line:

Hunger pains gnawed at the inside of Sophia’s shrunken stomach. And she stunk. Her dirt wore dirt, and it stunk.

 

trailofhope400wide

Find Heidi here:

Website: http://heidivanlandingham.com/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.vanlandingham.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HVanlandingham

Email: heidivauthor@icloud.com

 

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

 Tamrie Foxtail, Fading Rose, Contemporary Romance Novella

Can a cursed doll and a miracle bring life and love to a dying woman?

Interesting Fact: 

A few years ago my husband was given a year to live unless he received a new kidney. We were seven months into that year when he received the kidney. Also, the parrot is modeled after a friend’s parrot.

A Favorite Line:

“When I called yesterday to ask you out, you could have said ‘I wish I could, but I have to go to dialysis.’ See how simple that would be? Short, sweet and to the point.”

 

FadingRose_w7859_750

 

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

Jessica Ferguson, The Last Daughter, Romantic Suspense Novella

A past more terrifying than she dares to imagine 

Fun Fact: 

I was living in Oklahoma when I learned that the Scrimshaw Doll series was being planned. When I sat down to pull together a proposal for submission, my characters and the house called Wounded Heart, appeared so incredibly real to me, it was as though they were alive and waiting for me to come into their lives to tell their story. Newspapers across the state were filled with stories of abuse so while my tale is dark, and has to do with that very unromantic subject, the theme is forgiveness. Hero Trent Jones and I learned a lot from our heroine, Rayna Guildbeau, and we’re amazed at her capacity to love and forgive.

A favorite line: 

“I know when I start finding clues, or relatives, there’ll be no turning back. My life will be different—for good or for bad.”

 

TheLastDaughter_w7831_750

Find Jessica Here:

Twitter: @jessyferguson

http://jessyferguson.blogspot.com

http://www.pinterest.com/jessyferguson/

https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRoachFerguson

https://www.facebook.com/jessica.ferguson.3557

Leave a comment

Filed under Entertainment, For Writers