THE QUEEN OF EMERALD FALLS is now available on Audible!  You can also find the audiobook version of my latest book on Amazon and iTunes!

You can hear a sample right here – just click the play button!

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Please welcome to the blog today a wonderful author, Nadia Braeckel!

Author Nadia Braeckel loves reading and writing romances with spice. The daughter of a Lebanese father and a German-American mother, Nadia sees the world through a unique lens and has a vivid imagination that gives life to her steamy romance characters. Taking inspiration from real-life scenarios, Nadia spins passionate, dramatic stories that leave readers breathless and wanting more, even as they root for the characters to get their happily-ever-after.

Torn Ties is Nadia’s first book, and she’s already busily at work on the second in the series. She resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and son.

Nadia’s first book is out today – that’s pretty cool, isn’t it?  Check it out:

How can a relationship that starts for all the wrong reasons feel so right?

That’s the question Natalya Zaher keeps asking herself. After all, her daily routine isn’t usually so dramatic…or so damn hot. By day, she works at a local men’s clinic, fending off advances from dirty old men and dealing with her boss’s angry tirades. By night, she sits at home, watching Twilight. Life has been remarkably routine—and lonely—until a chance encounter with a handsome man at the gym turns unexpectedly steamy. The only hang up? He’s already in a relationship. And Natalya wants more…much more.

Alex Bowman isn’t sure what he wants. His long-term relationship has been slowly losing its luster. The sex is dull, and he’s growing frustrated with feeling controlled and demeaned. So when he meets the alluring, radiant young Natalya at the gym, he’s intrigued by her charm and upbeat nature. And when he discovers her sexually adventurous nature, he can’t stop thinking about her…and just how right their relationship seems to be.

But Alex’s girlfriend  doesn’t intend to let her man go without a fight, and she’s certainly not going to play fair. Even worse, Alex has been keeping secrets that threaten not just to destroy two reputations…but threaten to break Natalya’s heart too.

Set in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Torn Ties is a roller-coaster ride of danger and desire that leaves the reader breathless to the last steamy page.

I’ve also got a great interview with Nadia:

Who is your favorite author? I like a bunch of different authors, but not because of their books because the respect I have for their accomplishments and effort they put into their books such as  Nicholas Sparks, E.L. James, Gillian Flynn, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Shari Lapena, James Patterson

How do you describe your writing style? ummm, I would say I’m very sporadic in my writing but I always know the “juice” of the book before I write, I just never know how it will end or begin.

Why should we read your books? Because I write them, keeping in mind, that it’s to entertain and take the reader away from reality and prediction

Have any of your characters been modelled after yourself? Yes

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why? I can’t answer that because so far I have only written one book.

What books have most influenced your life? The Bible

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why? Gone Girl, because my mind is twisted like that but I feel like it’s even more twisted.

Beatles or Monkees? Why? Beatles, I love their songs

Who should play you in a film of your life? Margo Robbie or Jennifer Lawrence

Nadia’s book is available for sale RIGHT NOW, so go and check it out!

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My new book, a romantic comedy called “The Queen of Emerald Falls” will be out next Tuesday (December 15th), and you can pre-order it right now!

She’s spontaneous, passionate and has a habit of mangling the English language.

He’s calm and controlled and always has the perfect thing to say in every situation.

If their differing personalities were the only obstacle, they’d probably have smooth sailing. Unfortunately, things aren’t that simple in the town of Emerald Falls, and life keeps throwing curveballs at Sheryl Jones and Dr. Jon Hardy.

If they’re going to find true love, they’ll have to deal with Sheryl’s archenemy trying to destroy her business, and Jon’s interfering brother showing up to try and ruin his life.  And then there’s the vindictive daughter of the richest man in town, not to mention a stolen vintage Rolls Royce.

Can this star-crossed couple fight their way past all the obstacles and make their way back to each other without losing their jobs, their sanity or going bankrupt in the meantime?

Romantic comedy fans will love this quirky mix of “How I Met Your Mother” and “General Hospital!”

Pre-order it now at:

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBookstore

Kobo

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With everyone stuck at home for at least the next few weeks, I went ahead and put all my books on sale for $0.99. That includes all the Dream Doctor Mysteries, all the Jane Barnaby Adventures, Mr. Smith and the Roach, and all my sweet romance novellas.

So if you’re looking for something to read, here are your great options:

FREE!
Dream Student (prequel for the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/DreamStudent

Betty & Howard’s Excellent Adventure (a fun vacation romance featuring characters from the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/BettyHoward

Dream Fragments (a collection of short stories from the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/DreamFragments

FREE TOMORROW FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED MEMBERS
A Reel Christmas in Romance (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/ReelRomance

Twice Blessed (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/TwiceBlessed

ON SALE FOR $0.99
Books 1-9 of the Dream Doctor Mysteries (a medical student discovers she can step into other people’s dreams, and nothing but trouble results) – start with Dream Doctor – www.books2read.com/DreamDoctor

All three Jane Barnaby Adventures (an American archaeology student gets mixed up in international intrigue) – start with Finders Keepers – www.books2read.com/FindersKeepers

Mr. Smith and the Roach (weird mystery; a retired New York cop and giant cockroach team up to solve a crime) – www.books2read.com/MrSmith

Finding Dori (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/FindingDori

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With everyone stuck at home for at least the next few weeks, I went ahead and put all my books on sale for $0.99. That includes all the Dream Doctor Mysteries, all the Jane Barnaby Adventures, Mr. Smith and the Roach, and all my sweet romance novellas.

So if you’re looking for something to read, here are your great options:

FREE!
Dream Student (prequel for the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/DreamStudent

Betty & Howard’s Excellent Adventure (a fun vacation romance featuring characters from the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/BettyHoward

Dream Fragments (a collection of short stories from the Dream Doctor Mysteries) – www.books2read.com/DreamFragments

FREE TOMORROW THROUGH SUNDAY FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED MEMBERS
A Reel Christmas in Romance (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/ReelRomance

Twice Blessed (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/TwiceBlessed

ON SALE FOR $0.99
Books 1-9 of the Dream Doctor Mysteries (a medical student discovers she can step into other people’s dreams, and nothing but trouble results) – start with Dream Doctor – www.books2read.com/DreamDoctor

All three Jane Barnaby Adventures (an American archaeology student gets mixed up in international intrigue) – start with Finders Keepers – www.books2read.com/FindersKeepers

Mr. Smith and the Roach (weird mystery; a retired New York cop and giant cockroach team up to solve a crime) – www.books2read.com/MrSmith

Finding Dori (sweet romance novella) – www.books2read.com/FindingDori

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Today’s the release date for the final book of the amazing BLESSINGS OF LOVE sweet romance novella series (my book is out this Friday).  Today, it’s BACKWARDS BLESSINGS, by Rachel A. Anderson.

First, a little about Rachael

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of Rachel Andersen’s favorite memories in college was when a music theory professor turned one of her exams back to her. With a twinkle in his eye, he said, “I can always tell that it’s your paper because you have a story written on the back.” She was just killing time after the ear training and aural skills portions of the test (where he played notes, and the students were to write down the interval or melody), but it hinted at a larger love. She loves stories. She loves reading them, she loves hearing them, she loves telling them, and she loves living them!

Growing up as the oldest of nine children, she used stories to make mundane (and sometimes disgusting) tasks fly by like when she quoted Disney movies for her youngest siblings while she changed diapers or got them dressed. Though the youngest sibling is a senior in high school, the quotes she pulled out of thin air are used as family jokes that rock the house with laughter.

Stories propelled her through difficult days in college. They sustained her through the stress of student teaching. They were her favorite time of day in elementary and early childhood classrooms.

Her only hope is that these stories bring you as much joy and pleasure as they bring her!

You can follow Rachel at her website, on Facebook and on her Amazon Author Page.

And now for the book!

Jake Littlefield hates Thanksgiving. So, naturally, his sister abandons him to spend the holiday in Blessings where the town starts celebrating a week early. The only thing keeping him from hopping onto the next plane to Miami is the promise his sister makes to leave his love life alone for a year if he’ll endure a week-long stay in Blessings. At least, that’s what he’s telling himself…

Teresa Rampton’s marriage and subsequent divorce has left her a little gun-shy in the romance department. Content to wrap her world around her young son Logan, she’s unprepared when her new guest comes in for a landing.

Now, if he’d just ask her to the Harvest Ball, things might go smoothly with the mysterious pilot taking control of her Thanksgiving.

You can buy it on Amazon RIGHT NOW!

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got a great interview with Rachel!

Who is your favorite author?

That’s such a tough question! The author I pick up almost without question is Rick Riordan though that may be more because I fell in love with his first characters and they’ve been woven into almost every series he’s written in one way or another.

How do you describe your writing style?

My writing style is sensitive to the delicate nature of relationships and emotions. I enjoy peeling back the curtain in the lives of men and women who face difficult challenges and come off conqueror in the hopes of inspiring readers to try to do the same.

Why should we read your books?

My books bring humor and compassion to relatable experiences. Though they are geared toward adults, they are safe enough that children and teens could read them without the questionable material to which they are so often exposed. While not overtly Christian, there are themes of redemption and healing in each of her stories.

Have any of your characters been modelled after yourself?

All of my characters have a piece of me in them. Teresa Rampton is probably the most like me. Though I’ve never been married, I know the walls she’s erected to protect herself intimately. Like her, I’m a good cook and a decent homemaker though I can come across intimidating and cold from time to time. I’m learning how to be a better advocate for myself and others as well, and I have a wonderful support network of people like Jake who help me learn how to do that for myself instead of trying to do that for me.

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?

Ooh! Interesting! I’ve always wanted to run a bed and breakfast, so I would probably switch places for Teresa for a day–especially if I could go to the Harvest Blessings festival with Logan! That kid cracks me up!

What books have most influenced your life?

While I was writing Backward Blessings, I got a book-craving for Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles. Reading Cinder and Scarlet helped me develop more vibrant descriptions which made it easier to finish the project. So, those books helped me most recently. C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series opened a new world of literary possibilities to me, followed closely by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Both series helped me to embrace my own quirks and trust that they would become strengths which could shape the world.

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?

I’ve had a desire to retell the Rapunzel fairy tale lately. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the moment of reunion with the prince where Rapunzel nurses him back to health after he’s blinded by the witch. At least one version of the fairy tale implied that Rapunzel and the prince had twins somewhere along the way, and I’d love to dig myself into some research. I’d love to peel back some of the emotion behind a reunion where the prince also discovered he was a father (or at least met his children) for the first time.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Ooh! Monkees because “I’m a Believer” is the anthem of romance authors everywhere!

Who should play you in a film of your life?

The only thing I know for sure is that whoever plays me has to have a ton of curly hair!

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Today’s the release date for my book in the excellent BLESSINGS OF LOVE sweet romance novella series!  It’s called TWICE BLESSED…

First, a little about me, in case you’re new here…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.J. DiBenedetto is the author of the Dream Series.  He lives in Arlington, Virginia with his lovely wife and Danny, a white cat who’s trained them both.  He’s originally from Yonkers, New York.  He loves the New York Giants, fondue, photography, travel, the opera and he’s a huge science-fiction and fantasy geek.

You can follow me pretty much all over the Internet:

You can follow him at:

My website

Twitter  

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads 

Smashwords

Audible 

And now for the book!

Allison is a widow who’s been raising her daughter alone for the last four years. Mike is a teacher who’s new to the town of Blessings. They only have one thing in common: Lucy – Allison’s daughter, Mike’s student, and a nine-year-old who’s watched “The Parent Trap” way too often.

Both Allison and Mike are onto Lucy’s scheme to play matchmaker, but will they fall for each other anyway?

You can buy it on Amazon RIGHT NOW!

As an interesting aside (well, interesting to me, anyway!), I cast all my books with movie or TV actors, and TWICE BLESSED is no exception.  For Allison, I picture Jill Wagner (star of several Hallmark Channel romances, and also a new Hallmark Mystery series, “Mystery 101”.  And for Mike, it’s Dylan Bruce, who’s also a Hallmark Channel veteran (he’s the star of one of my favorites, “A Novel Romance” alongside Amy Acker).

Last, but certainly not least, here’s an interview with me…

Who is your favorite author?

It’s so hard to pick just one.  I’d probably go with Alastair Reynolds right now – I love his writing style, and I’m a huge sci-fi fan, so it’s hard to go wrong with him.

How do you describe your writing style?

Conversational and engaging, with a lot of humor, for the most part.

Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your books?

Because they’ve got a little bit of everything: romance, mystery, humor and plenty of emotion.  and because there’s always a twist to them, to keep you guessing a little bit!

Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?

I created them all, so I have to say there’s at least a little piece of me in most of them.  But there’s nobody directly modeled after myself in any of my books (thankfully!)

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?

I’d have to pick Sam, the title character of my mystery, Mr. Smith and the Roach.  It’d be really interesting to live his life for one day!

What books have most influenced your life?

Too many to count!  But I can tell you the one book that directly led to my writing and publishing my books: Transpecial by Jennifer R. Povey.  Jenna’s a friend, and when she sold that novel to a publisher, it really made me sit up and think, “why can’t I do it, too?”  So I did (it’s also a really good book, so check it out!).

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?

I could pick a lot of books here.  But one that always really frustrated me was the Galactic Milieu  by Julian May.  The books are good, and I enjoyed them.  But she changed the ending because a lot of readers figured out one of the big twists and talked about it on the Internet (this was back in the old Usenet days).  I’d go and put back the original ending, if it were up to me.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Monkees!  I loved them as a kid (still do).  I remember very clearly that a Monkees album (yes, a record album, one of those big black discs that you put on a turntable!) was the very last Christmas gift I ever got that was from Santa Claus himself (at least, that’s what the tag on the gift said!).

Who should play you in a film of your life?

Well, it wouldn’t be the most exciting movie ever.  But how about Jack Black?  He’s a good match physically, and he can do socially awkward really well.

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Today’s the release date for book #4 of the wonderful BLESSINGS OF LOVE sweet romance novella series (my book is out this Friday).  Today, it’s ABUNDANTLY BLESSED, by Rachael Eliker.

First, a little about Rachael

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humor. Romance. Horses. Adventure. So much to write, so little time!

Sign up for Rachael’s newsletter to never miss a new release, giveaway, or promotion!
https://mailchi.mp/0710184dd68c/rachael-eliker-newsletter-sign-up

Rachael Eliker lives in Indiana with her husband and children on their own slice of paradise. When she’s not writing, she’s probably running lonely stretches of country road, riding her old horse, or working on a home improvement project. She enjoys reading just about anything, having a good laugh, and making memories with friends and family most of all.

You can follow Rachael all over the interwebs:

Her website

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Goodreads 

Bookbub 

And now for the book!

She’s determined to stay grounded while he can’t wait to leave.

Katie Holloway is content in Blessings, Kansas, the town that’s the only family she has ever known. When her best friend shows up with Will, the handsome older brother that Katie hasn’t seen in years, Katie is determined to prove to him that small-town living has its virtues.

After his father’s injury, Will Ryan reluctantly agrees to come back to help with the harvest but wants to get the job done sooner rather than later. When he sees Katie all grown up, he reconsiders his rush to leave. There’s just one problem: she’s his little sister’s best friend and that makes her off-limits.

With the harvest taking longer than anticipated, Katie puts Will to good use arranging a Thanksgiving meal for townsfolks who could use a place to go. As they grow closer, an opportunity presented to Will threatens to end it all before their love has a chance to blossom.

You can buy it on Amazon RIGHT NOW!

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got a great interview with Rachael!

Who is your favorite author?

Do I have to choose just one? If I stick to the romance genre, Becky Monson is definitely a favorite. I love her witty, funny, klutzy characters. I can’t help but sympathize with them and root for a happily ever after.

How do you describe your writing style?

Eclectic. I tend to write the way I read—I’ll read just about any genre (as long as it’s clean ). I do tend to include a lot of humor (I can’t take much of anything seriously), horses often make an appearance (they’re my favorite animal of all time), and I try really hard to capture the full spectrum of emotions people experience. When the characters and their dialogue are central to the plot, they feel like well-rounded, believable, delicious stories that I’d want to read.

Why should we read your books?

One of my f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e things as an author is getting a quick note from someone who read my books and enjoyed them. It’s an incredible act of vulnerability to me to allow someone to see something so personal to me. All I want as an author is to offer a bit of escapism, a little laughter, some happy sighs, and a feeling of satisfaction when all is said and done.

Have any of your characters been modelled after yourself?

All. The. Time. That’s another thing I think is really cool about writing—it gives me a chance to be introspective and discover parts about myself that I’d otherwise forgotten. I can embrace whatever is quirky or interesting about myself and bestow those traits to my characters. They always deliver it in a much more enjoyable way than I ever could because they have the benefit of me thinking it through before they do it.

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?

I’m not sure I could choose just one…each time I get to peek into the life of one of my characters, I’m thoroughly entertained. Yes, they are fictitious but it’s a reflection of real life. I did have to choose ONE, I think I’d like to be Ruby from When a Star Falls, my Pop Stars Series. She’s a regular gal with a knack for music and songwriting, who’s unexpectedly catapulted into stardom. As an introvert, it would be interesting to live that kind of extroverted lifestyle…just for a day.

What books have most influenced your life?

There are so many! Beyond the scriptures, I have loved and been impressed by classics like Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. Then there are more modern ones, like Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. Honestly, I can’t think of a book that didn’t have an influence on my life, even if it was only to entertain me for a few hours.

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?

Hmm…I haven’t thought much about redoing another’s work because I’m usually in awe of another person’s storytelling abilities and don’t feel like I could add to it. I will say, I would love to give Black Beauty a modern twist because, horses. Can’t ever have too many horse books as far as I’m concerned.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Monkees, ‘cause that’s what I remember my mom listening to, although my husband is a staunch Beatles supporter. I’m sort of stuck in the middle.

Who should play you in a film of your life?

If I could choose anyone, I’d be honored to have Audrey Hepburn portray me, not because I look anything like her, but because I think she’s a fascinating person with an incredible history. If we’re talking about looks alone, I’ve been told I look like Kirsten Dunst. I’d be alright with her, too.

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