Just One Month from Today
DREAM VACATION, book #8 of the Dream Series, will be available in just a month from today – it launches October 31st.
But you can get a jump on everyone else and pre-order it right now on Amazon!
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Book Tour! Melinda Curtis and “The Christmas Promise”
I’ve got another great author for you this morning, with a book that’s right up my alley, with the Christmas season being, by far, my favorite time of year. She’s Melinda Curtis, and her book is “The Christmas Promise”
Melinda Curtis is an award winning, USA Today recommended, Amazon best selling author. She writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet and emotional romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line (book 4 coming 3/2015). Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”. Melinda also writes independently published, steamy and fun romances as Mel Curtis (a new novella out 10/22). Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood’s Golden Age except a lot hotter.”
Website: www.MelindaCurtis.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor
Twitter: @MelCurtisAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/melcurtisauthor/
And here’s the book…
They used to call her the Bon-Bon Heiress…Tiffany Bonander (of Bon-Bon Chocolates) grew up in New York with a silver spoon, a heart of gold, and a lifelong supply of sweets. But now her life is falling apart. Recent changes in cocoa supply are threatening the quality of the family’s chocolate and sales are down. Add to that Tiff’s penchant for falling in love quickly and breaking engagements at the last minute…Now they call her the Bon-Voyage Bride. Can this socialite turn around a cocoa plantation in South America?
Jackson Hardaway is trekking through the Andes in Ecuador as a tribute to a fallen comrade. This wounded warrior didn’t expect to meet a beautiful damsel in distress and her three fairy godmothers…er, trio of meddlesome nuns…on his journey. But everything in Ecuador is bigger – the trees, the snakes, the attraction. Is this love? Or just another case made to label Tiff a runaway bride? Find out in The Wedding Promise (part Runaway Bride/part Romancing the Stone).
The Christmas Promise is available in the Sweet Christmas Kisses anthology (14 sweet holiday stories for 99¢ available now!).
Buy Links for Sweet Christmas Kisses:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/Zd6FuJ
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1lVUtc2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/ZgZ2mZ
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1nbyOgR
Special Offers/Freebies:
Join the authors of Sweet Christmas Kisses for a Facebook release party with prizes, freebies, and fun on 9/30. Guest authors include RaeAnn Thayne, Brenda Novak, and Jayne Ann Krentz. Join the party at 3pm Eastern: https://www.facebook.com/SweetRomanceReads
Readers of the Writing Dreams blog will be emailed a FREE fun, sweet novella set within the Hollywood Rules world by signing up for Melinda’s book release email newsletter. Link: http://www.melindacurtis.net/join-melinda-s-mailing-list
Here’s an excerpt…
It was raining. Again.
Tiffany Bonander tried humming a few bars of White Christmas. It was, after all, December 23. Cheer was called for.
But the incessant beat of fat raindrops on the tangled foliage of the Ecuadorian rainforest and on her pink rain slicker, drowned out her cheer.
Or maybe she was just drowning under the pressure of heavy responsibilities.
Ankle-deep water rushed down the steep, muddy road toward Tiff and her precious cargo–thirty pounds of cocoa beans. She couldn’t lose the beans. They were the answer to all her troubles.
Thunder boomed. And boomed again. The downpour increased to a deluge.
Tightening her grip on the wheelbarrow handles, Tiff tried to find purchase with her rain boots, tried to make it to the next rise before the road turned into a river. Tried…and failed. Somewhere above her the river had risen high enough to crest a bank. Water surged toward her.
Tiff’s father claimed they’d abandoned this cocoa plantation years ago for drainage reasons. He should have used the F-word: flood.
Tiff stumbled to her knees, and water rushed into her boots–cute, pink-flowered plastic ones which quickly filled with water and felt as heavy as cement shoes. If not for her grip on the wheelbarrow, she might have been swept downhill. Just last week, she’d heard about a woman who’d been carried away by the cresting river and smashed into a tree. Smashed as in: to pieces. Dead.
That would be worse than being broke and the laughing-stock of the civilized world.
This was karma, plain and simple. She shouldn’t have jilted Chad at their engagement party or left Malcolm at the altar.
And here’s a great interview with Melinda…
Who is your favorite author?
Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle. Her writing style is crisp, with plot twists and humor – whether she writes contemporary, paranormal, or historical. The Hot Zone is her latest and any book that starts out with humor gets me (The dust bunny was back.).
How do you describe your writing style?
One of my Harlequin editors once told me I handle emotional issues with a light touch (meaning humor).
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
If you like romantic comedies along the lines of Romancing the Stone and Runaway Bride, you’ll like The Christmas Promise.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
I think it’s hard for any author not to put pieces of themselves into characters. They all have my slightly wry, twisted view of the world. However, they aren’t me.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?
In this book, I might want to be Tiff when she was living the high society life in New York. I wouldn’t like to move to Ecuador, give up the internet, and always be on the lookout for jaguars and spiders and snakes (oh, my!).
What books have most influenced your life?
This probably sounds hokey, but I loved The Secret. It really solidified the power of positive thinking for me and that I needed to shed the negative – negative thoughts, negative actions, and negative people.
If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?
This question seems laden with potholes – I could hurt someone’s feelings!
Beatles or Monkees? Why?
Monkees. They were just out for a good time.
Who should play you in a film of your life?
Julia Roberts, because she’s quick to laugh at life or herself. And let’s face it: she ages well.
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Cover Reveal – Ella Sheridan and “Teach Me”
I’m happy to be hosting the cover reveal for Ella Sheridan’s new novel, “Teach Me.” First things first, let’s meet Ella…
Ella grew up in the Deep South, where books provided adventures, friends, and her first taste of romance. Now she writes her own romantic adventures, with plenty of hot alpha men and the women who love and challenge them. With a day job, a husband, two active teenagers, and two not so active cats, Ella is always busy, but getting the voices in her head down on paper is a top priority. Connect with Ella at www.ellasheridanauthor.com .
Author Website: www.ellasheridanauthor.com
Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/IJkRf
Author E-mail: ellasheridan.writer@gmail.com
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/ellasheridan
Facebook Author Page https://facebook.com/ellasheridanauthor
Twitter (@AuthorESheridan) https://twitter.com/AuthorESheridan
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350508.Ella_Sheridan
You can find her books on sale…
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Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/genres/series/secrets-to-hide.html
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Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Ella-Sheridan/e/B00G3BYYN4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=series&qString=Secrets+to+Hide
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Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=ella+sheridan
Dirty Little Secret (Book One)
Naughty Little Christmas (Book Two)
Just a Little More (Book Three)
and here’s the book…
A woman determined to heal…
Shy researcher Jess Kingston spent the last eight weeks recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack. Body healed, she’s ready to put her life back together—except her ex isn’t ready to let go. She won’t cower in a corner while Brit tortures her, but she’s powerless to fight back.
A man determined to resist…
Ex-military security specialist Conlan James avoids commitment like the plague. His job, his Harley, and the occasional one-night stand are all he needs, until the day he rescues Jess from a tense situation and realizes he can’t get her off his mind. He can teach her to protect herself, but protecting his heart is another matter.
A madman determined to win…
As the deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Brit heats up, so does the hunger between Con and Jess. Safety might be found in numbers, but in bed, all bets are off—and the wrong move could lead to heartbreak. Or death.
You can find it online (available now for preorder!) at:
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-teachme-1635417-149.html
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teach-me-11
Ella’s given us a great excerpt…
What the hell are you doing here?
This wasn’t the first time in the last five minutes that Conlan had asked himself the same question. Maybe if he had an answer, the revolving door in his brain would stop spinning, but that didn’t seem likely. Not anytime soon. Not with the beautiful brunette he’d come to see sitting close enough that, if he let himself look, he could detect the light dusting of freckles across her nose. But he wasn’t looking, and he shouldn’t be here, so how had he ended up standing in line behind the thirtysomething latte league? It sure as hell wasn’t for the coffee.
Legs braced wide, he shifted from one hip to the other, the creak of his motorcycle chaps reminding him he could be enjoying a few extra minutes on the Harley before work instead of spending that precious time here, mooning over a woman. Doe Eyes. The first time he’d seen her all those months ago, he’d thought her eyes reminded him of sweet Georgia pecans and skittish does. The name stuck, as had the memory of her eyes—and a hundred other glimpses he shouldn’t have taken.
Another name called, another latte dispensed, another shuffle forward.
He hadn’t seen those eyes in eight weeks, and yet still he’d shown up every Monday, like clockwork, hoping for one more glimpse and calling himself an idiot. Wasn’t like he planned on asking her out. So why the hell did he torture himself with these weekly forays into enemy territory?
Sex. Or sex appeal, at least.
Another step closer to the counter. The move didn’t ease the constriction behind the zipper of his jeans. This was what she did to him, thinking about her. Especially now, after so long apart.
The thought had a snort escaping. Ahead of him, Mr. Suit and Tie startled and glanced over a shoulder, but Conlan ignored the look. He was too busy figuring out when “this” had become enough like a relationship in his head that he would think things like “after so long apart.” Doe Eyes might appear prominently in his thoughts from time to time—especially certain times—but he’d never seen her outside of this coffee shop. And he wouldn’t. A quick roll in the hay was one thing, but Doe Eyes wasn’t the kind of woman who had one-night stands. He could tell that much just by looking at her. She was a relationship kind of woman, and he was a relationship-phobic kind of guy. Which meant he seriously needed to get a grip—and not on the part of him growing even harder at the idea.
Idiot was right.
He should be at work. Southern summer heat brought out the crazies almost as well as full moons did, and JCL Security was feeling the impact, juggling cases like they had eight arms, which they didn’t. Too many sleepless nights had been spent at his office, especially with the Bennett case coming up. Just a couple more weeks before Thea Bennett had her bastard of a husband before a judge and hopefully out of her life, but the paper- and prep work to get the high-profile bastard there had been a bitch. He seriously needed to—
“Conlan, hey!”
For a passing moment he was convinced the voice belonged to the woman filling his thoughts. But when the high, candied voice called again, he realized it was coming from the counter. The cashier. Tonya, Tammy? Tracy? He couldn’t remember. She was blonde with a deep tan he would’ve deemed impossible in a landlocked city like Atlanta, the shade a stark contrast to her white smile. Stepping up, he threw her a grin. “Hey.”
She batted long lashes, almost hiding the way her glance slid down to the crotch of his jeans, framed in his leather chaps. “Long time, no see.”
He winked automatically. “It’s a long wait between Mondays.”
The girl giggled. “Your usual?”
“That’s right. Thanks,” he said, passing over a ten-dollar bill.
She made change, certain to caress his hand as she laid the money in his palm. Conlan was more interested in the dark Colombian roast another employee was walking toward them. High-octane all the way. The sight of the near-black brew had him salivating for something other than Doe Eyes for the first time that morning.
He reached the condiment counter just as his phone buzzed in his back pocket. Probably Jack. Retrieving the cell confirmed his suspicion.
Where the hell are you? his partner had texted.
Piss off, Con replied, a grin tugging at his lips. The irony that he’d spent too much time asking himself the very same question didn’t escape him. In a half hour he’d be at the office and they could both stop wondering.
With a little back-and-forth he managed to cram the phone back in his tight jeans. He glanced around absently, and his gaze snagged on a pair of amber-brown eyes that suddenly met his.
He froze.
Doe Eyes dropped her chin and shifted over the slightest bit, enough that her friend’s position blocked her from view, but not before he caught the blush coloring her creamy cheeks.
His cock banged against his zipper as if begging to be let out. The bite of pain caught his breath in his throat. Jesus, what the hell was he—
Don’t! Ask. Again. He knew what the hell he was doing here, and he needed to go; he really did. He needed to stop letting his dick run this show, grab his coffee, and get back to reality.
He was restless, that was all. He was a man who needed action. Needed to be doing something, anything, not sitting behind a desk like he’d been for weeks while prepping Thea’s case. Usually he worked off his frustration in a way that involved cool silk sheets and bare skin and satisfaction on both sides, but there’d been no damn time. Just his hand and the additional chafing it provided, which wasn’t near as effective—or satisfying. That had to be the reason he couldn’t stop thinking about his mystery woman.
Of course. That had to be it.
Popping the lid off his cardboard cup released the rich aroma of ground coffee beans into the air. He lifted his cup and blew across the hot liquid, the sound almost a sigh of relief. He was already reaching for the packets of sugar when black squiggles caught his eye. There. On the part of the paper sleeve now facing him, he could see a name and number were clearly written: Tiffany. A 470 area-code phone number.
So that was her name. Sounded like an eighties pop star. A glance over his shoulder found the cashier leaning across the bar where drinks were picked up, her mounded breasts shelved there, on display. Come back soon, she mouthed, her shoulders doing a little wiggle. On reflex, he threw her a grin, but her seemingly seductive move couldn’t pull his glance downward. His dick didn’t even twitch. Apparently only one thing could trigger his runaway libido this morning.
He added the sugar, trying to ignore the panic in his gut and his one-track mind. The latter was impossible. He wanted to know Doe Eyes’ name, her phone number. Were her breasts as full as they looked beneath that starched white button-down? Was her hair as soft as he swore it would be when he fisted it between his fingers?
He stirred a bit too vigorously, and coffee sloshed over the side of the cup.
Don’t look. Don’t. He realized he’d closed his eyes. A sigh escaped as he rubbed a thumb and finger against them, but as soon as the lids popped open, he searched for her. Had to see her. Felt his heartbeat pick up knowing she might meet his eyes.
He was so screwed—and smart enough to admit it. He let go, let the conflict and the churning in his gut and the tension cramping his muscles go. And then he looked toward her table.
It was empty.
“Well shit.”
He stood for a moment, cursing himself, the coffee, and everything else he could think of. When another customer stepped up behind him and cleared his throat, wanting access to the counter, Con grabbed his cup and headed out the door. On his way, he chucked the coffee in the trash without a single sip.
And finally, I’ve got a great interview with Ella…
Who is your favorite author?
It’s hard to narrow it down to one! I have several: J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cherise Sinclair, Linda Howard. There are so many good books out there, so many authors doing a fantastic job drawing their readers in. It’s a feast for readers right now, and I take advantage of it as often as I can!
How do you describe your writing style?
Dark and emotional. For me, the emotion is the basis of the story. It’s the emotion of the characters that drives them forward, so if the emotion isn’t there, I get disconnected from the story. I always make sure my readers get the emotion they need to be invested in the story.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
Teach Me is a fantastic romantic suspense that will keep you rooting for Conlan and Jess at every turn. If you love danger, mystery, and hot, hot romance, this is the book for you!
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
I think every author leaves a piece of themselves—or the self they wish they could be—in their characters. Even characters who, on the surface, are nothing like ourselves have a bit of us in them. But I’m not telling what parts—I have to keep some secrets!
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?
There’s actually a secondary character in Teach Me that I would trade places with in a heartbeat: Lori. She’s the secretary at Conlan’s security company, and she spends all day surrounded by these tough alpha males—and bossing them around. What woman wouldn’t want to take her place? 🙂
What books have most influenced your life?
The first writer I remember as an inspiration is Phyllis A. Whitney. She was prolific, and she had that dark, Gothic edge to her suspense that just fascinated me. I loved her—still do!
If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?
In my day job, I’m an editor, so I see a lot of books I think are interesting but that I might write a little bit differently. Thankfully I can keep that information to myself and push the author to make it their best story instead! But really, that’s what makes books interesting to read, isn’t it? That they aren’t how you would write them is often what can take us out of our own world and into the one the author has created. I like that about books, so I’ll stick to my stories for my voice and enjoy other authors in theirs. 🙂
Beatles or Monkees? Why?
Monkees. Because I’m too young to remember ever seeing the Beatles perform, but I still remember the Monkees TV show (or at least the opening theme song).
Who should play you in a film of your life?
I have no idea! I’m an introvert—I can’t imagine any actress taking on the awkwardness that is me when I’m not writing, lol!
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Book Tour! “Troianne” by Crystal Miles Gauthier
Title: Troianne
Author:
Crystal Miles Gauthier
Release Date: August 3,
2014
Blog Tour: September 26th-30th
Hosted By: Author Sandra
Love
He
said all the right things…
Then
left her alone.
Troianne
Shelden is your everyday, intelligent student. With a love for history and
stunning figure, she’s a catch for any guy. But after a night of passion with a
handsome stranger, introduced to her by their mutual friends, she finds herself
pregnant with nowhere to turn for advice.
Her
parents passed away long ago and, soon after Troianne finds out she’s pregnant,
her grandmother passes, too. Left with a large inheritance, she looks forward
to life with her new baby.
Fate
takes the wheel when she goes into labor. On her way to the hospital, she
passes out from intense pain and wakes up in a very different place…
The
next thing she knows, she’s hearing carriage wheels and voice shouting for
help. Lightning illuminates the inside of what was, only moments before, the
back of a taxi cab. When the door opens, she’s greeted by a handsome man
dressed like he stepped out of the past.
In
shock, she realizes that she’s somehow traveled back in time–
…and
she has no idea how to return.
said all the right things…
Then
left her alone.
Troianne
Shelden is your everyday, intelligent student. With a love for history and
stunning figure, she’s a catch for any guy. But after a night of passion with a
handsome stranger, introduced to her by their mutual friends, she finds herself
pregnant with nowhere to turn for advice.
Her
parents passed away long ago and, soon after Troianne finds out she’s pregnant,
her grandmother passes, too. Left with a large inheritance, she looks forward
to life with her new baby.
Fate
takes the wheel when she goes into labor. On her way to the hospital, she
passes out from intense pain and wakes up in a very different place…
The
next thing she knows, she’s hearing carriage wheels and voice shouting for
help. Lightning illuminates the inside of what was, only moments before, the
back of a taxi cab. When the door opens, she’s greeted by a handsome man
dressed like he stepped out of the past.
In
shock, she realizes that she’s somehow traveled back in time–
…and
she has no idea how to return.
http://www.amazon.com/Troianne-Time-Travel-Society-Book-ebook/dp/B00ME04M4E
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Troianne-Time-Travel-Society-Book-ebook/dp/B00ME04M4E
.jpg)
Crystal Miles Gauthier lives with her husband, Joe, and her two lively cats in the lovely city of Lansing, Michigan. A mother of five children and thirteen grandchildren, Crystal enjoys reading, crocheting, writing, traveling, and is a supporter of saving wolves and sea turtles. My very first book was Angel Unaware by Dale Evans. I usually write sitting with my laptop in my recliner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/crystalmilesgauthierauthor,
Twitter: @cubbymom0403
Email: authormom4033@gmail.com
Pinterest: Crysmisty9133
Instagram: Crysmisty9133
Short Link: www.amzn.to/VwhUw7
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Indie Author Spotlight – A Guest Post from Kristy Tate
Dreamy Thoughts from Indie author Kristy Tate, today’s guest on the blog…
Thank you, James, for inviting me to your blog. I’ve always been fascinated with dreams. In fact, last night I was plagued with nightmares. I don’t know why. I’m blaming it on the chocolate bunny I ate. That way, if I ever come across another chocolate bunny in September, I’ll remember my night of terror. In reality, the bunny probably had nothing to do with my series of scary dreams, but it seems like an effective dieting ploy and I’m going with it.
The other day I came home after being gone for several hours, let the dog in the house and went upstairs. Grendel, my dog, followed. At this point, things turned strange. Grendel, usually mild mannered, became a lunatic. She was sure there was an intruder/creature/monster in Miranda’s room. Having read more than my fair share of murder mysteries, I armed myself with one of my husband’s crutches (to keep the unseen fiend at bay) and a can of aerosol hairspray (to blind fiend.) Grendel and I entered the room. I slowly circled, hairspray aloft and crutch extended, while Grendel continued her Schnauzer-gone-crazy yipping. I refused to look under the bed, or in the closet, or leave the house. I closed the door, tied Grendel up next to the door, so should the intruder/creature/monster be silly enough to leave via the hall the dog would sound an alarm, and I took my computer to the furthest corner of the house and sat down to write. After a few minutes I forgot the intruder/creature/monster.
This is a parable to real life and especially to the life of an artist. When we are afraid, we’re a lot like Grendel—barking for little reason, making ourselves crazy with doubt. Eventually someone ties us up until we can be sane.
Usually, we tie our own knots. It’s easy to get tangled up in fears and doubts. And the justifications for stepping away from art are legion: I’m not any good. The critics are mean. I’m wasting my time and money. That one star review really hurt. I should become a nurse, trash collector, teacher, or janitor and engage in something that makes a contribution to the world.
You can read about this in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic, The Secret Garden. (If you aren’t familiar with this story, then you need to stop reading this blog and go and read everything by Frances Hodgson Burnett.)
“So long as Colin shut himself up in his room and thought only of his fears and weakness and his detestation of people who looked at him and reflected hourly on humps and early death, he was a hysterical half-crazy little hypochondriac who knew nothing of the sunshine and the spring and also did not know that he could get well and could stand upon his feet if he tried to do it. When new beautiful thoughts began to push out the old hideous ones, life began to come back to him, his blood ran healthily through his veins and strength poured into him like a flood.” Colin is told, ‘Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.’
If we (I) continue to nurture our (my) fears and doubts, books won’t be written and we run the risk of becoming like Colin, a hysterical half-crazy little hypochondriac… or maybe just a chocolate eating bunny person prone to nightmares.
And about Kristy…
Kristy is the mom of six incredibly brilliant and beautiful children, and the author of many not quite as brilliant and beautiful novels, although several have been Amazon bestsellers (the books, not the kids.) Kristy studied English literature at Brigham Young University and at BYU’s International Center in London. Although a long time resident of Orange County, California where she lives with her family, Kristy’s heart belongs in her hometown of Arlington, Washington, AKA Rose Arbor–the fictional setting of her popular Rose Arbor series.
Kristy’s Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent, a teen time traveling romance and an I Heart Indie’s Contest finalist, is only .99 cents for a limited time. You can buy it here, http://amzn.to/1tVRZeU
What’s it about?
When Petra Baron goes into the fortuneteller’s tent at a Renaissance fair, she expects to leave with a date to prom. Instead, she walks out into Elizabethan England, where she meets gypsies, a demon dog and a kindred spirit in Emory Ravenswood.
Emory must thwart the plans of religious zealots. His mission is dangerous, his enemies are fanatical, and Petra Baron is a complication that Heaven only knows he does not need. Or does he? Although Emory is on Heaven’s errand, he learned long ago that Heaven does not always play fair.
As Petra slowly falls for Emory, she wonders if he really is who he seems, or if he is just as lost as she is. How can they have a future while trapped in the past? Or is anything possible Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent?
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Indie Author Spotlight – Carmen DeSousa and “Engangled Dreams”
I’ve got another great author to tell you about, with a fantastic free book this morning. She’s Carmen DeSousa, and her book is “Entangled Dreams”
When Alexandra was eight years old, she thought she was a princess in a fairytale, but she didn’t know she was one tragedy away from reality.
Now twenty-two, disaster strikes again and she’s determined to change her life. Unfortunately, one night of indiscretion propels Alexandra into a situation that will force her to make choices that will eventually endanger her life.
It’ll all come down to two men, one decision, and a final encounter that will change their lives forever.Genre: Romantic SuspenseRating: A mature PG13 (Nothing explicit or graphic)
Find it at: http://ow.ly/hHQUn
And here’s an interview with Carmen…
Who is your favorite author? Sidney Sheldon
How do you describe your writing style? Pantser… Sometimes I’ll go days or weeks, waiting for the scene to hit me, and I refuse to move on until it does. If the characters don’t tell me their next move, I move on to a different story and come back when they’re ready to cooperate. 🙂
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book? Although I write escapism, I write about real people, in real situations, knowing that somewhere, someone will be able to relate and dream of their happily ever after.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself? Ummm…yes…but…sorry, I refuse to tell you which one. 😛
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day, which character would you choose and why? Hmmm…that’s a tough one. I think maybe Victoria from Creatus Rogue. She’s tough as nails, but has a wonderful heart. Oh, and she’s like Superwoman in the flesh.
What books have most influenced your life? Again…a tough one. I’ve been reading as long as I could hold a book, and often I read based on my moods. I’ve read everything from the original Beauty and the Beast to The Godfather. I don’t think reading influences me…I think my moods influence what I read. Often, I read two to three books at a time, mostly romantic suspense, magical realism, mysteries, and even chick lit, so depending on how I happen to feel, I’ll just pick up where I left off.
If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why? That’s an easy one. Without a doubt, Twilight! If Twilight had been written in third person, and from Edward’s POV.
Beatles or Monkees? Why? Hmmm…as far as the entire band, neither. BUT…I love John Lennon and Paul McCartney when they were solo. I do love Daydream Believer by the Monkees, though.
Who should play you in a film of your life? Another toughie…who is most like me… Hmmm… Overall, based on the attitude in most of her films, not so much looks, probably Meg Ryan. I’m very tomboyish, very laid-back, and somewhat sassy when I want to be.
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What I Watch
This isn’t related to my books, or to anything else particularly on this blog, but I imagine that many/most of the people who visit here are also fans (as I am) of the various Marvel Comics movies. So, appropos of nothing, here’s my list from best to worst, of all of the Marvel movies to date…
The Very Best
Guardians of the Galaxy
Captain America: The First Avenger
The Incredible Hulk (especially the first half hour or so while Bruce is in Brazil; that might be the best 30 minutes of any of these movies)
(I group these three together because it’s tough to pick between them, but I think they stand above the rest of the films)
The Really Good
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Iron Man
The Avengers
The Pretty Good
Iron Man 2 (the ending kind of craps out; it’s very solid up to that point)
Thor
The Mediocre
Iron Man 3
Thor 2: The Dark World
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Fall Into Romance!
Welcome to my stop on the Fall into Romance Blog Hop (follow the other fantastic authors participating by clicking right here: FALL INTO ROMANCE)
As for me, fall and romance both play a part in the Dream Series books. Two of them take place in the fall – DREAM FAMILY takes place in early September, and DREAM REUNION in mid-October.
DREAM REUNION is the more romantic of the two books – it features a look back at how and where Sara & Brian first met, way back in college. And it also features something that comes up throughout the series – having “the talk” about the birds and the bees. In this book, though, Sara finds herself having to give that talk not to one of her children, but to a friend her own age (33 years old at this point in the series):
Janet keeps hold of my arm and pulls me away and back towards the Botanical Gardens. I follow her down the path into the Gardens, wondering how far in she’s going to go before she feels that it’s sufficiently private.
The answer is, pretty far. There’s definitely no one anywhere near us when she decides it’s safe and sits down on a wooden bench underneath a bare tree. I take her hands in mine – they’re shaking – and I ask, “Janet, what’s going on?”
She opens and closes her mouth several times before she’s able to get a sentence out. “I don’t know how to ask this, Sara. I – you have no idea how hard this is. But I need – I have to ask someone.” Her face is as red as her hair now.
“Janet, it can’t be that bad,” I say, in my most soothing voice. It doesn’t help one bit.
“Yes, it is! I’m – I don’t know what to do! I don’t know anything!”
I know she hasn’t had much of a love life, but this reaction is still bizarre. “Janet, I told you yesterday. You’re a doctor, you’ve handled everything life has thrown at you, and you’d be a great catch for any man. What’s the problem?”
She doesn’t answer for a while. She sits there, letting me hold her hands, staring at me with terrified eyes. Finally, she takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, opens them, and says, “He – he’s going to want me to come back to his apartment with him tonight. I know he is.” I knew that already. I still don’t understand her terror. “I – Sara, I – I haven’t – I – I’ve never – I…”
No. That’s not possible. She’s my age. She’s thirty-three years old. She can’t be saying what I think she’s saying. Even if it does explain her nerves, and the dreams, perfectly. “Janet?”
“Sara, I’m – I’m a – I’ve never…”
As with all the books in the series, Sara figures out what to say (read the book to find out what she does say!), but, of course, this moment is only practice for what will come in later books, when she has to grapple with the impending love lives of her teenage children…
Thanks for stopping by, and if you leave a comment on this post, you’ll be entered in a giveaway for an audiobook copy of any of the Dream Series books that are available on Audible (the first five novels, and a short story, so far).
And enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win the big Blog Hop grand prize, too! (just click directly below!)
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Cover Reveal: “Phoenix’s Fate” by Dawn Sullivan
Title:
Phoenix’s Fate
Phoenix’s Fate
By:
Dawn Sullivan
Dawn Sullivan
Cover
Reveal: September 20th, 2014
Reveal: September 20th, 2014
Release
Day: September 30th, 2014
Day: September 30th, 2014
Hosted
By: Author Sandra Love
By: Author Sandra Love
Synopsis:
RARE: Rescue and Retrieval Extractions
-they took on the missions that
no one else wanted and did not
stop until the job was done
After a long stint in the military, Phoenix hooked up with
RARE so he could continue to do what he did best…..Rescuing people and
dispensing punishment to those who deserved it.
However, lately he had been feeling like something was missing in his
life.
RARE so he could continue to do what he did best…..Rescuing people and
dispensing punishment to those who deserved it.
However, lately he had been feeling like something was missing in his
life.
Serenity had been running for several years from her pack
who wanted to use her for her special healing abilities, and from a psychotic
wolf shifter who insisted she was his mate.
She had not realized there were worse things to be running from until
she was kidnapped by the General’s men.
After several months of being held in captivity, a rescue attempt was
made by RARE at the facility where she and several other women were being
held. During the chaos, Serenity and one
of the RARE team members were taken by the General. Once Phoenix finds out Serenity is his mate,
nothing will stop him from finding her and freeing her.
who wanted to use her for her special healing abilities, and from a psychotic
wolf shifter who insisted she was his mate.
She had not realized there were worse things to be running from until
she was kidnapped by the General’s men.
After several months of being held in captivity, a rescue attempt was
made by RARE at the facility where she and several other women were being
held. During the chaos, Serenity and one
of the RARE team members were taken by the General. Once Phoenix finds out Serenity is his mate,
nothing will stop him from finding her and freeing her.
When Serenity’s demons from her past come back to haunt
her, Phoenix must keep her safe not only from the General, but also from her
past if they want a future together.
her, Phoenix must keep her safe not only from the General, but also from her
past if they want a future together.
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Author Bio:
I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful
children. I enjoy spending time with all
of them which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks,
watching movies, and of course reading.
children. I enjoy spending time with all
of them which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks,
watching movies, and of course reading.
My passion for reading began at a very young age and only
grew over time. Whether I was bringing
home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom’s romance novels and
reading by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I
always had a book.
grew over time. Whether I was bringing
home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom’s romance novels and
reading by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I
always had a book.
I read several different genres and subgenres, but
Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense have always been my favorites. I read anything by Katie Reus, Lora Leigh,
J.R. Ward and Rebecca Zanetti.
Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense have always been my favorites. I read anything by Katie Reus, Lora Leigh,
J.R. Ward and Rebecca Zanetti.
I have always made up my own stories, and have just
recently decided to start sharing them.
I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
recently decided to start sharing them.
I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
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Indie Author Spotlight: Jennifer McDonald and “Across the Blood-Red River”
I’ve got another fantastic indie author for you to meet today. Say hello to Jennifer McDonald!
Jennifer R. McDonald resides in Canada with her husband, two children, and three cats. Urban Fantasy is her favorite genre to write but she enjoys reading Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and anything with great antiheroes, cunning villains, and flawed characters.
Jennifer’s first YA Urban Fantasy series, The Veilwalker Trilogy follows the misadventures of a young witch with the power to separate her soul from her body and cross into the land of the dead. After its completion, Jennifer began work on a spin-off series. The first installment of The Helios Chronicles (still untitled) will take a darker turn and feature Echo Lightkeeper, a teenage witch raised within the treacherous warlock royal palace.
When not writing, Jennifer loves to read, paint, create music, and watch old horror movies.
Follow Jennifer at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/veilmagic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-R-McDonald/267324800143774?ref=tn_tnmn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22877248-across-the-blood-red-river
And here’s her book…
Across the Blood Red River (Veilwalker Trilogy, #3)
To lost souls, the veil is a cold, tragic existence. But for Lyric Yama, the living world is so much worse.
Lyric has finally uncovered the truth of her mother’s brutal murder. Now her hands are stained and her mind is plagued with the bitterness of regret.
Soon she will have bigger problems. A grieving warlock is closing in. He’ll stop at nothing to reap vengeance on the young witch.
As the consequences of her past march closer, and the illusion of safety is abandoned, Lyric must decide whether to run or stand and fight.
But when the full power of a veilwalker’s magic is unleashed, no one—living or dead—will ever be safe again.
You can find it, right now, at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_6?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=veilwalker&sprefix=veilwa%2Caps%2C189
Jennifer has provided us with a great excerpt:
I smirked at the melancholy in her sigh, and tossed in a twenty to kick off the betting. “Tell us about yourself, Ray-Anne. I barely know anything about old souls. Or incubi and empaths for that matter.”
Sure, I’d heard rumors like everyone else—the unfair and untrue reputations tacked to each race in a blanket stereotype. Veilwalkers were spies, conjurors thieves, and werewolves were mindless beasts. Succubi were sluts while seers were nothing but trouble. But I hadn’t heard much about empaths or old-souls, good or bad.
“What would you like to know?” She draped her arm over the back of her chair, watching me with eyes that held far too much knowledge.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Do you look the same in every life? Are you always a girl?”
“Heavens, no. I’ve been born into families of every skin color on every continent, and though I’m usually female, I’ve spent four lives as a boy.” She grinned as if conveying top secret information. “Being a boy is amazingly fun, Lyric. A hundred years ago, women couldn’t do anything without everyone getting a bug up their asses. But men? Opium and orgies were expected of men. I can’t begin to tell you how many fresh young maids I defiled…”
“Whoa!”
And she’s also given us a fantastic interview…
Who is your favorite author?
There are far too many! Short list: Stephen King, Rachel Caine, Anne Rice, David Wong, Edgar Allan Poe.
How do you describe your writing style?
Fast paced.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
The Veilwalker Trilogy is a YA Urban Fantasy about a witch whose life is turned upside down when she’s caught between rival covens in a blood feud. My favorite scenes are during her trips to purgatory (the veil) where she’s faced with ghostly environments and the tragic victims who reside there.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
No. They’d be terribly boring if they were.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?
It would have to be Lilah the siren. If someone was handing out superpowers, I’d definitely want the power of persuasion.
What books have most influenced your life?
Stephen King’s Dolores Claiborne and Misery. They were the two books that fed my appetite to read as a young teen.
Beatles or Monkees? Why?
Beatles. I think it is fairly obvious why:)
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