Tag Archives: books

Quick update…

Southern Discoveries…

everything but amazon is up and ready for preorder… and amazon will be released for sale on june 9th… so here are the buy links and a link to the first chapter… and a teasers…

annnnnnddddd…. here is the Excerpt of chapter one… as well as a couple teasers…

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I am planning to start a monthly Newsletter to send out important updates, new releases, giveaways, and other related book news… sign up HERE … and remember that I am giving away Free copies between now and June 9th *release day, to anyone interested in giving a quick review on one of their favorite retail/book sites… like amazon, goodreads, barnes&noble, kobo, etc… just comment and let me know that you are interested… I have copies available in Mobi (works on kindle), ePub, and PDF….

alright guys… I think that’s it for now…

Book Progress Update Day…

just days away from book two in the Finder’s Keepers series… I am spending today, hiding in the shade, covered in ice, and spraying myself in the face with water so that I can try to join Frist Friday on Main st… we will see if anyone wants to approach the woman drenched in sweat in order to buy a book… lol… fingers crossed everybody… it sounded like a good idea until I went out last Wednesday and felt the lovely (heavy sarcasm) 98 degree heat on my Multiple Sclerosis head…

anywho… take a look at these lovely covers for book one and two of Finder’s Keepers series, side by side… I love them…

Southern Discoveries comes out in ebook first (on June 9th)… and between now and then I am offering a free copy to anyone that is interested in doing a review (it doesn’t have to be long or involved, just a few lines somewhere like amazon or goodreads, one of the other retail sites) whatever you think (good or bad, I promise not to tell you if I cry) … Reviews are hard to come by and I appreciate each and every one…

alrighty… what else??? after getting some blog/book news updates done, I will be off to the writer’s cave… I have most of the third Finder’s Keepers rough draft finished, but before I finish that I want to focus on my Skymann series… Gone Writing Publish is looking over book one and said she is interested… I think I will work on the next few books myself, with editing help… I am just too dang impatient … lol… happy wordage everyone…

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Pre-Release… Get your copy for FREE

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After two nights in a row, staying up to the wee hours of the morning, and growling at my computer as I fought to figure out how to format Southern Discoveries into an ebook, the pain, sweet, and swearing finally paid off…. muhahaahahahahaha…. I did it… take that MS….

Okay, so thanks to Pronoun.com it was pretty easy… the difficult part had more to do with my uncooperative brain than my formatting task…

Sooooooo….. about three in the morning last night, I looked at my screen and realized I was ready to hit the publish button… the ebook version was ready to go… now I only had to wait for the woman that created my book covers to finish with the spine and back cover so that I could set up the paperback format on createspace.com … and this left me with an opportunity that I hadn’t thought of before…

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For the next week, I am offering FREE ecopies to anyone willing to leave a review… (Reviews really are the devil to get, but oh so important) … just drop me a line and I will make sure that you get your copy … even if it means I have to swear at my computer some more… 😛 … I already have the Mobi & Epub versions, and will have the PDF version later today…

And truthfully, it would be an enormous help if y’all could stop in at amazon, goodreads, or one of the other retailers, blogs, etc and drop a line or two one what you thought of Southern Discoveries… as the pre-order links go up, I will post them so that you know where to find the book in order to give a review, or you can wait until after it is out, and easy to find…

Most books are set up for pre-order months before the release date, but Southern Discoveries grew a mind of its own and took longer than I expected to finish… (and I might be a bit impatient) But its all good… because you guys get it now, and not months from now…. wooo whooo…

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and lastly, I decided to set up a newsletter… you can get Finder’s Keepers & Skymann (coming soon) series info delivered to your email… this email list will hopefully allow me to offer more pre-releases, monthly updates, and other book related goodies… just head HERE and leave your info…

I didn’t think I would need an email list, not when I could just use Facebook, Twitter, this blog, etc. to send out updates… but I’ve found that there are certain sites that ask you to use something along the lines of MailChimp …. sooo take a moment and sign up to get your Newsletter

happy wordage everyone, Tracey

woo who… backflips

I am happy to report… I reached my 50,000 word count goal yesterday… oh, yeah…

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I told mom, my version of a first draft is fast-and-dirty… lol… even if I plot out my story with a story board first, I am always surprised to see where it goes… because, if my first draft is fast-and-dirty, my rough drafts are nothing more than drive by quickies… lol…

when I start typing things up, I get little surprises that tackle me out of nowhere… and I go “omg… that will so work… I can see the ending now…” yep… I have no idea how it will end… in a broad sense I do, but it is really those little things that matter… I mean… they bad guys loses??? but how and where and what lead to that point… and my MCs get a Happily Ever After??? but why do they decided to take the chance, choose each other, what quirks lead from lust to love….

okay… I’m getting sidetracked…lol… my point was, I won camp NaNoWriMo last night.. buttttt…. because my first draft is fast and dirty, I only had 40k words when I reached that end of my story… now, when I go into edits I know that sucker will grow… I figure it will end up being 50-55k words… but instead of doing my first round of edits now, I opened up a new document so that I could start on the next novel… so my 50k is comprised of the first book and 10k words from the second…. that makes three books in the Skymann series… and now you see why I am doing cyber backflips…

Mary has book one of the Skymann Series, book two is in first draft stages, and book three??? I will continue writing and adding to my word count even though I have already reached my goal… my new goal is to get as much of book three typed up in first draft stages before the end of the month… sooooo yes, you can think it…. I am insane 😛

happy wordage, tracey

Watch me write…

like of the nano obsessed… Camp NaNoWriMo is almost halfway over… and this author is nearing 44k words, but hitting that 50k mark isn’t my goal… my goal is to finish both the novels I am working on… then I will have book two and three of the Skymann Series in the rough draft phase, book one (tentatively titled Artistic Beauty) is getting closer to being published… Mary from Gone Writing Publishing is looking it over as we speak…

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also… Finder’s Keepers book two, Southern Discoveries is getting closer to the finish line… I have a book cover, and am waiting on editor to get back to me… then I will have a publish date (as soon as figure out the self-publishing mechanics…) but the ebook version will be easy as pie to set up… Pronoun.com has a wonderful set up that is easy to use and understand… woo who… as soon as I have a publishing date set in stone, I will do a cover reveal… I love it… my first cover was awesome… but this second one might be even better… I cant wait to show everyone…

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the only other news I can think of at the moment is my awesome 25 foot walk at the neurologist… I already stuck this info up on my MS site, but I am so excited I decided to share it with you guys as well… 2 sec time… when I first got sick, my walk was 7+ seconds… each time I improve my time, I feel like I’ve just won a marathon…

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happy wordage, tracey

4-4-2016 #WritingPrompt – Drink

Day four of Camp NaNoWriMo… and today’s Prompt is Drink… immediately I think of mixed drinks… something yummy, and maybe a little strong… maybe your MC is a light weight, and embarrasses themselves… or a strong constitution and can drink anyone and everyone under the table… or maybe your MC is a hot bartender that can flip the bottles and mix up anything you want…

Drink could also mean that your MC is drinking someone in… totally drawn to someone… or they have a thirst that for adventure… or they are dang dehydrated from working or from being lost in the middle of nowhere without anything to drink…

a refreshing drink like iced tea, or lemonade is very important here in Kentucky… but you could also focus on an addiction to coffee or liquor…

this is a short one… here is your Pinterest writing Prompt… happy wordage… tracey

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4-1-2016 #WritingPrompt : Eggs

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all pics from pinterest.com

WooWho… It is time for Camp NaNoWriMo… for my writer peeps out there that have never participated in one of the NaNo events, it is easy to join in and definitely worth it… sometimes too worth it… lol… I have a tendency to push myself to reach 50K words during every Nano, which sounds like a good thing in theory… but that also means that I have more and more edits when I still need to finish work on previous projects… I did manage to use the last NaNo as editing time, and instead of creating something new, I worked to edit projects from my growing stack of novels and shorts.. Camp NaNo is great for beginners, as you can set your own goals… and if you happen to reach your goal, you can push the goal line back, and keep going… Go HERE to check out Camp NaNo and see if it is up your alley…

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Now lets hit the page with our first Prompt… (warning… I will be adding some Easter-like prompts even though Easter is over… as writers, it is always a good idea to pull information and ideas from our lives and the lives around us, and what better theme than Holidays… like, this Easter, My cousin (newly pregnant) went to her new in-laws and her new Aunt always decorates eggs with the names of those in her family… and she added an egg this year that said Baby Smith… how cute is that…

it is something that you could use to slip in info in your story… a new mother telling the father to be that way, or a code left on an egg in a spy novel… ooo… your code could only show up in black light, and the spy could be fighting to get some kid to give him the eggs they had collected… lol… or you could have a newbie trying to color eggs and they forget to hard boil them first…

But the word Egg can be used as to Prompt your story in other non-Easter ways… like a pregnant person … they have to drop an egg to get pregnant… did you MC want to be pregnant, are they just trying (or trying to trick someone into getting them pregnant) or maybe they just found out they don’t have any eggs…

another way to add eggs to your story is cooking… what can you cook with eggs… does your MC now how to cook… do they need to get the egg from the store or do they live on a farm… or maybe they are new to the farm and don’t know how to retrieve the eggs from the chicken coop… and if you want to combine cooking and Easter… I like the idea of deviled eggs and food coloring… the guests could freak out because the white part of the deviled egg on there plate is green… or some other color that automatically makes them think of food poisoning… lol

alright… time to wrap up our first writing prompt… and this time I decided to use Pinterest pics that I found under Writing Prompt to end my posts… enjoy and happy wordage, Tracey

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Camp Nano and Writing Prompts

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well just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be doing writing prompts for Camp Nano … I had planned to skip this one, but the dang things are addictive… lol

so I will be writing up prompts and editing… also hope to work on a new contemporary romance… a second in the Skymann series… if off to Mary at Gone Writing Publishing …

and that’s all I have to share right now… see you guys later…. happy wordage, tracey

#EggcerptExchange – Linda Nightingale

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Personally, I love horses… the few time I was lucky enough to ride (aka: full out run) were some of the happiest in my live… there is nothing like the feeling of flying over the land as the horse beneath you thighs cuts loose…

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there are a few things in life that I think everyone should experience at least once… ride a horse; feel the release of free-falling (on a theme park ride, cliff jumping, or for the really extreme – sky diving); and find one thing in life – something beautiful – that takes your breath away, or brings a tear to your eye… now it’s time to check out Linda Nightingale and her latest novel….

Gambler’s Choice
By Linda Nightingale
A novel about people who love horses…
From The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist:  Debbie Taylor
Editor: Mary Harmony

An English aristocrat and a Virginia socialite go head-to-head—and feet-to-feet—in a battle for ownership of a very special horse.

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  • Rating:  Spicy
  • Digital Price:  $4.99
    Print Price:  TBA

Blurb:

Becca McQuaid came to England to find the perfect horse but instead met a darkly mysterious challenge in Austen Heath, Baron of Hampton. She’s determined to buy Austen’s stallion Gambler’s Choice. He’s determined not to sell, but the rivals are thrown together by an accident that leaves Austen with a broken leg and the threat he’ll never ride again.

Austen Heath has the title, heritage and manor house…but not the fortune. Becca is wealthy. Her charms are irresistible, but he believes she’s shopping for a Ladyship to go with her money. He has another reason to hold the sexy blonde at arms’ length—the unexplained disappearance of an old friend everyone thinks was his lover. When her body is discovered on his property, he becomes a suspect in her murder.

Excerpt:

In a blood-stained white robe, Austen drove a knife down on a chopping board. What was he chopping in the middle of the night? Blood leaked from what appeared to be a heart. Sickness rolled in her stomach. Dane sat at his feet, watching his master. A noose of fear tightened around Becca’s neck. Did the heart he diced for the dog belong to the missing Julia? Her stomach flipped. Get a grip, Becca. Your imagination is running away with you. Her phobia didn’t listen. A chill slithered down her spine. She backed away from the door, collided with a table. The mastiff lurched to his feet, barking. Becca froze, unable to tear her gaze from the bloody knife.

Agonizingly slow, Austen turned on one crutch, knife in hand, the gory blade raised. “Stay, Dane. Ah, Becca. Come in. There’s something I’ve been meaning to show you.”

A shudder ploughed through Becca. Her voice shook. “What is that?”

“A beef heart. What did you think? Ah…” he whispered a laugh. “You thought I was dicing Julia’s heart to feed to the dog.” Gripping the knife, he paced her retreat. “I do believe you’re afraid of me.”

The belt slipped, and Austen’s robe parted to his waist. The man’s body would tempt a nun. She retreated. He advanced.

“I couldn’t sleep. That happens quite often. I decided to prepare Dane a special treat.” He tossed his hair out of his eyes, the cruel smile and the condescending tone returning. “Ah, Becca, Becca, you’re thinking I killed Julia because she was pregnant.”

“Yes. No. Put away the knife, please. I can’t think.” She labored for breath.

Austen flung the knife clattering to the floor. The startled dog leapt back. Trembling, Becca stood her ground. She’d chewed the inside of her jaw raw.

“There, Becca,” he snarled. “You can come in now.”

Blood smeared the polished oak floor and the horrible knife. Her stomach ached, and bile stung her throat. She forced herself to look at anything but the stained blade.

Austen halted, leaned against a wall. “I appreciate your confidence and trust. A month of living together has taught you nothing about me.”

Dane disobeyed the command to sit, returned to lick his master’s fingers.

“There, there, son.” Austen glanced at the dog. “I’ll soon finish your treat. First, I must convince Becca that I am not a murderer.”

Buy Link: 

Amazon

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About Linda:

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.  She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award.   She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and enjoys events with her car club.  Among her favorite things are her snazzy black convertible and her parlor grand piano.  She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Twitter

Facebook 

Web Site  – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.

Blog  – Lots of interesting guests & prizes

Goodreads

Pinterest

Book Video

Character Interview:

1.      Nickname:  Becca (short for Rebecca) McQuaid

2.    Currently residing in…Horse Country, Virginia, and a lovelier place you’ve never seen…except Somerset, England, perhaps

3.    Favorite type of pet – I wouldn’t really call a horse a pet, more like a friend and partner, but hands down, the horse.

4.    Most important goal – To own Gambler’s Choice, a beautiful bay stallion—a problematic dream, since his owner, the Baron of Hampton, refuses to sell—for any amount of money

5.    Wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between? I’m a rich girl, but that doesn’t guarantee I get everything I want…like Gambler’s Choice.

6.    Secret desire or fantasy – To get the Baron of Hampton between the sheets

#EggcerptExchange – Kryssie Forturn

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the Eggcerpt Exchange is almost over, but there are still a few more authors coming your way…

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soon we will be back to just my insanity… but for now, check you Kryssie’s novel while I head back to my edits.. 😛

Meet Viola Lightfoot, heroine of Kryssie Fortune’s book, To Seduce an Omega    #Eggcerpt Exchange

Hello. I’m Viola Lightfoot.
I’m a healer and I was born right here in Prowlerville. In the alpha’s residence, actually. For the first six years, I was my father’s pampered darling. Then he tossed me out like a bag of trash.
I live in a deserted shepherd’s hut deep in the forest, and while I’d like to visit Prowlerville more often, as the Rock Prowler’s Omega wolf, I’m not welcome. Unless someone needs my healing skills, of course.
I don’t have a significant other, but I’m certain I’m coming into my first heat. I know, that’s odd since I’m in my late twenties. She-wolves’ breeding seasons usually start at puberty, but since the beating that left me with a crippled knee killed my inner wolves, I never expected to have a season at all.
I’m terrified that my father sends his thugs to attack me again. They almost killed me before. A few years later, they burned down the only real home I’ve ever known, and my foster mother perished in the fire. I dream of leaving Rock Prowler territory and starting over. It’s not going to happen though. No pack would accept a crippled wolf like me

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Blurb
The Rock Prowler alpha condemns Viola for her inability to shift. Forced into poverty and isolation, she ekes out a meager existence as a healer. As the pack omega with a crippled knee, she’s forbidden to mate. Her first heat beckons, but no wolf will dare to bed her.

Titus, a wolf rejected by his true mate, overflows with violence and anger. The Lykae King sends him to take over the Rock Prowler pack. He condemns Viola for wanting payment before she treats her patients and threatens to bring in a new pack healer. With her crippled knee and no other income, she’d starve.

She-wolves from families who disagree with the alpha have vanished. When Titus investigates, the alpha’s allies imprison both him and Viola. To escape, he must seduce Viola—the she-wolf he insulted and reviled. If that’s not bad enough, she despises him for his seeming allegiance to the alpha. As he gets to know her, she steals his heart, but after all that’s happened, how can she accept him when even his fated mate refused him?

Buy links

Amazon US
Amazon UK

Amazon au
All romance books

Kobo

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Excerpt

After a quick assessment of Tansy’s injuries, Viola grabbed a knife and a packet of herbs from her dresser. “What happened to her?”

Titus’s expression softened as he stared at the injured woman. “I don’t have a clue. I heard a whimper from a thicket of murder thorns, and the poor woman was lying unconscious in the center. Elves’ blood, you’ve got your gold. Get a move on. Can’t you see she’s lost so much blood she’s going into shock?”

The arrow topped Viola’s priorities. Once she’d pulled a threadbare apron over her head, she poured alcohol over Tansy’s wound. If the archer had barbed the head, pulling the arrow out would tear the flesh from Tansy’s thigh. Given that this looked like a deliberate shooting, Viola prayed the bowman hadn’t poisoned the arrowhead.

Titus laid Tansy on the moss and sweet-herb pallet, his touch so gentle Viola wondered how it would feel if he laid her down with such care. Just once, she wanted someone to be gentle with her. That or teach her about orgasms and sex. I should be concentrating on Tansy, not drooling over Titus’s ass.

She swallowed hard and settled on the floor beside her patient, her bad leg extended in front of her. Getting up again would be hell, but Viola would manage somehow. She always did, but on bad days her knee ballooned to twice its normal size. Her gaze strayed back to Titus’s ass. She pictured herself running her hands over it or stroking it or rubbing up against him and breathing in his musky vanilla essence.

Her nipples ached, and she felt as though flames licked at her cunt—all that for one of Zebadiah’s personal army. Despite his gentle treatment of Tansy, Viola couldn’t trust Titus an inch. This stupid urge to wrap her body around his and run her fingers through his short-cropped hair would fade soon. It had to. Nothing good could come of her having a fling with a stranger, no matter how much he made her heart race.

Tansy moaned when Viola cut the remnants of her skirt and probed her wound.

Titus’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. “Do you enjoy hurting the helpless?”

Her? Hurt the helpless. Viola would have laughed if he didn’t make her so fluttery and hot. She stood on quicksand, and the only way to stay safe was to cling to Titus. Yeah, like he’d ever offer his hand.

Her chin rose. “I’m a healer. Only an idiot would think I meant to hurt Tansy. I needed to know if the arrow had struck bone. Fortunately, the head’s embedded in her thigh muscle, but we still need to push it through rather than just yank it out. Once I’ve poulticed the entry and exit wounds, I’ll clean up her scratches.”

“Then get a move on.” Titus’s fingernails turned into claws, and he bared his fangs. At her. She should be scared or even screaming. Instead, she almost came when she pictured those fangs sinking into her flesh as she orgasmed around his cock. No. Not feeling anything for him…really. Besides, who the hell does he think he is? Judging me as though he’s the Rock Prowler alpha.

Viola did her best with limited materials. The alpha refused to let her leave Rock Prowlers’ territory to train further even though that left the pack without a qualified healer. She’d lost her books in the fire that had destroyed her home, and she hated when she didn’t know enough to help.

If Elspeth hadn’t taken Viola in when her mother vanished and her father banished her from her home, she wouldn’t have survived. Twenty-two years later, survival was still a struggle.

Healing was all she had left. She understood difficult childbirths and kept a stock of herbal remedies for the rare occasions a wolf couldn’t heal himself by shifting. Sadly, nothing would fix her knee. Without her inner wolves, Viola would never be whole again.

She stole a quick glance at Titus, and her heart rate sped up again. His confidence and strength along with the way he took charge of a bad situation made her envy his mate—assuming he had one.

The bonded couples in town never left each other’s sides unless they had to, which made her wonder what Tansy had been doing out here alone. Jealousy hit Viola like a fiery arrow. The thought of Titus bonding with another woman turned her stomach sour. Not that she’d ever have children or a mate, but a she-wolf could dream.

#EggcerptExchange – Kim Kasch

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How many EGGcerpts have you guys got marked down on your TBR lists… I know I definitely found a few interesting finds over the past few weeks…and I swear, I will eventually get the time to read a few of them… just as soon as I get through a few more edits… lol… evil, evil edits… the month is flying by, and my edit-list is still pretty full…

I really like this next Exchange… it definitely sounds right up my TBR list alley… 😛 sooooo without further ado, here is Kim Kasch…. and her novel The Cats of Cullaby Creek….

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   I’m a writer who grew up in a family with 9 kids and only 1 t.v. so I spent my days reading and, later, writing. I love books. . .maybe because I never got to pick t.v. shows we watched. But I’d run home after school to catch the last fifteen minutes of Dark Shadows…

I still love to run…and read. My favorite romance novels are The Hunger Games…okay, I know, it’s a survival book but it’s really all about romance. Then there were the series: Twilight, Fifty Shades, and more but I also love paranormal, Horror and even light books like Dewey the Small Town Library Cat… Mainly, I just love to read. . . and write.

Sorry to be so long-winded but did I say I love to write? …and talk and…knit, and sew, and bake… I could go on but I’ll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop by and say “Hi”.

Thanks for listening.

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:

And join me on Twitter or stop by and see what I’m pinning on Pinterest and, if you’ve read Demon’s Ink and have a question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an email. I love connecting with readers.

THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK

Think The Animorphs” Grown Up

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RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2016

PUBLISHER: http://cleanreads.com/

ISBN: 978-1-62135-483-3

BOOK TRAILER: https://youtu.be/JOft7ED0z2Y

BOOK TEASER:

https://youtu.be/729o2HWEAuE

YOU CAN BUY KIM’S BOOKS HERE:

AMAZON & iBOOK

LOVE IS ALWAYS RISKY

BUT

IN CULLABY CREEK IT’S DANGEROUS

IS IT ALREADY TOO LATE FOR SAVANNAH?

FIND OUT IN THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK

TAG LINE:

Love is in the Air, something else is in the water

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EGG-CERPT:

Kelly and Kyle

These two shared some sort of history. And now I was in the middle of their story.

Sparks flew through the air. But, they didn’t seem to notice—or maybe they just didn’t care how uncomfortable they were making the rest of us.

I scanned the room. The terribly odd thing was that while they stood in the center of the cafeteria—arguing—everyone’s eyes were on me.

What is so interesting about me?

After a few seconds, I heard whispered accusations slammed back and forth, like a ping-pong ball. My name, muttered in odd and angry tones. No one seemed to mind staring at me, but only the bravest few were sneaking sideways glances over at Kelly and Kyle, hoping no one noticed.

This wasn’t what I needed on my first day at a new school. I hadn’t come here looking for instant enemies, but I knew I’d accidentally stirred a private pot and things were already starting to boil.

I needed to do something and quick. From the sounds floating around me, if they got into an actual argument, I was going to get the blame.

I spit out the first words I could think to say, “What’s a new kid to do, after school, around here… for fun?”

Kyle sighed and chuckled, “That depends on what you’re hoping to find and what you think is fun.” He stepped back away from Kelly for a moment. “You big city kids always think something needs to be going on. But in real life, in a small town, not much ever happens.”

“We could ask my Mom to drive us into Astoria to do some shopping,” I suggested. It was a little too obvious—even to me—Kelly wanted me out of the picture and was trying everything she could think of to keep me away from Kyle. I almost felt sorry for her—but only for a second.

“Or,” Kyle sat down and nodded for me to join him. I could feel a warm rush of air and his scent worked its way up inside my head. I barely heard him finish, “We could go for a run.”

“What?” Kelly demanded, clenching her hands into tight-balled fists at her side.

“Savannah,” Kyle lowered his voice and said my name slow, putting an emphasis on the last syllable, like it was a soft sigh, ‘ah’. And, for the first time in my life, I loved the sound of my own name. “Is a runner. And she’s fast. Aren’t ‘cha?” He nudged me and moved even closer. I could barely think. His smell overpowered my senses; it was the sweet woodsy scent of him that took me by surprise. I closed my eyes and drank it in.

When I opened them back up, Kelly’s eyes were shooting red flames of rage straight at me.

I gazed at Kyle and felt a warmth in my stomach again. It was working its way up into my chest. “That’s not what you said this morning,” I laughed then spun away.

“You two went running this morning?” Her voice came out in a squeak that broke into a high-pitched screech, like fingernails on a chalkboard.

“Yeah,” Kyle said casually, then back to me he added, “And, I’d like to see how fast you are.”

I wondered if everything he said was going to have a double meaning but I wasn’t ready to question his motives. He was my only real friend in this place, and it looked like I was going to need a few because I was making more than a few enemies, without even trying.

“I could use the exercise,” I nodded, looking around the table at the other kids’ faces and wondering why no one else had said a single word. “Plus, you could show me around the town.”

“No problem,” Kyle agreed, and I couldn’t help looking forward to it, even though I knew Kelly wasn’t going to be happy about my running off with Kyle. “But I only think it’s fair to warn you, there’s not much to see—so don’t get your hopes set too high.”

“Great—I mean about the exercise,” I smiled, and without even thinking how it might sound, I added, “Then it’s a date.”

Kelly only heard one word and it was like I’d pulled back a rubber band—hard—and snapped it against her forehead.

She wailed like a wounded animal, “Agghhh!” and spun around on her heels, stomping out of the room.

Kyle shrugged and started to walk toward the exit, then he twisted around to call out, “I’ll meet you out by the flag post after seventh period.” His lips curled softly, throwing me a quick backwards nod, “And, remember, it’s a date.” The last thing I saw was his warm, sensual grin, as he glanced around the room before he gave me an exaggerated wink—meant more for everyone else to see than for me, and then he disappeared out into the hall.

I wished he would have used a different word because he didn’t need to rub it in.

I shrugged. Who cares? I told myself, he’s been the nicest person in the entire school. If it weren’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t want to ever come back to Mist High.

The rest of the day dragged on and on. All I wanted was to see Kyle again, with his sleek body and powerful frame. But what I found fascinating was the casual way he had about himself. He said whatever he wanted, while I worried about everything I said, how it would be taken, and what people would think of me.

Somehow, Kyle was working his way into my system, like a powerful drug. And I was beginning to feel addicted. I couldn’t wait for our meeting out by the flag post.

Finally, after what seemed like absolutely for…ev…er, the bell rang.

I rushed out of class, down the hall, and out the front doors of the school to meet up with Kyle.

But as I got closer, my spine tingled. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Then I knew why.

Kyle wasn’t standing underneath the flagpole; someone else was there, waiting for me.

“Kelly,” I muttered under my breath.

She stood beneath the red, white, and blue banner with an enormous grin carved into her face, like a giant jack-o-lantern beaming up at me. But this look was way more sinister and gloating. My knees suddenly felt weak and my throat went dry.

This girl just kept surprising me.

BLURB:

When Savannah meets Kyle, its love at first sight. And why wouldn’t it be? He’s perfect, as far as she can tell. But Kyle appears whenever things go wrong. Maybe he isn’t everything she thought he was. It’s a complete mystery until she discovers the water in Cullaby Creek is being bottled and sold as vitamin “infused” water. Mistic Water promises the impossible. And then, like a magical elixir, it delivers. People who drink it feel younger, smarter, faster…healthier. But it doesn’t take long before side effects hit. Literally. The secret has to be in the water…or is it something more?

Author Links:

KIM’S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Goodreads

Website

YouTube

BlogSpot

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Pinterest

LinkedIn

#EggcerptExchange – Alina K. Field

less an a month left for the Eggcerpt exchanges… then blog life will slow down… HA…

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writing comes with a needed dose of mental illness, especially if the voices in our heads get too loud… 😛 I don’t know about the rest of my fellow authors, but my head is usually buzzing with activity… very loud activity… but from that insanity come entertainment… from my personal favorite in the romance genre – fantasy, paranormal, and contempory… to historical, regency, sci-fi, Christian, new adult, goth… the list goes on and on…

Alina K. Field has stopped by today to give us a taste of what happens when the voices start screaming about Regency Romance… I hope everyone enjoys her blurb, excerpt, and an author interview that will give you a peek inside the main character of…

Liliana’s Letters….

THE MATCHMAKER MEETS

THE MATCHBREAKER

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Liliana’s Letter

The Matchmaker

Lord Grigsby wants nothing more than to retreat to his study, but a promise to his long-dead sister has forced him back into society to broker the marriage of his nephew to the heiress whose money can save the young man’s estate. If only the young lady’s starchy hired companion would move out of the way.

The Matchbreaker

Hired to launch an heiress’s society debut, seemingly straitlaced spinster Liliana Ashford’s future as a professional chaperone depends on the girl’s successful marriage. But Liliana had her own close encounter with a scoundrel years ago, and she won’t let her charge be forced into marriage to the same kind of rogue, no matter how hard the man’s widowed uncle tries to woo Liliana around to the match.

Secrets and a Scandalous Murder

A shadow from Liliana’s past appears bearing an unfortunate letter she wrote long ago, and then the earl is murdered, evoking the scandal of the season. While she scrambles to make a respectable match for her charge before her own past can be exposed, Grigsby sets about finding his nephew’s killer—and Liliana’s secrets.

EXCERPT

“You clearly don’t approve of the match. Do you intend to openly oppose it?”

Her head whipped around, and she glared. “It’s not for me to approve or disapprove. Katie—Miss Mercer—will decide.”

Passion flashed in her eyes, sending an answering spark through him. She was magnificent, though so very mistaken. “Really? Then her father is more liberal than I expected.”

She looked him over more closely. “What do you know of this matter?”

I might ask you the same question. Her tone had been stiff, like the crystallized dome covering bubbling lava. He fixed her with his sternest glare, not entirely surprised at her cheek.

His glower didn’t impress her. She lifted her shoulders higher. Stood a little taller, proud, lovely, and filled with indignation.

Quite righteous indignation. He gave into an unmanly sigh, truly weary of his responsibility for Thomas. “I know a good deal, Miss Ashford. I have been negotiating for these nuptials. The arrangement is my doing as much as Mr. Mercer’s. Much more than it is my nephew’s. He is probably the least culpable, except for his abominable behavior.”

She clenched her hands tightly. “I see.”

“Thomas’s mother was my older sister. I made a promise to her that I would look after him.” Her gaze softened, and she bit her lip in a way that made him want to taste the part that she was nipping.

And where had that thought come from?

“And your nephew needs money and an heir.”

He nodded. As a woman of the ton, of course she would understand how marriage worked. Marriage wasn’t about love, or the bride’s approval, or a plump lower lip that begged to be kissed.

“He needs money most of all. He has a younger brother in the army who would make a far more dutiful earl.”

He covered his mouth with his hand. The words had rolled out, shocking him. He rarely spoke this frankly with any woman.

Very well, he never spoke this frankly with any woman.

She released a soft breath. “And there is the matter of the ore.”

His mouth gaped and he quickly closed it. Mr. Mercer had shared that information? Well. “That part of the county is rich with newly discovered veins of iron.”

That information brought her up straighter. She looked away, gazing intently at a thick, dark spot of foliage, making him want to pry into that sharp mind.

“I see,” she said. “I believe we should go back in now.”

Not yet. He tucked her hand over his arm but did not move.

Buy Links:

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

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/liliana-s-letter

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lilianas-letter/id1046400564?mt=11

Nook: http://bit.ly/1k81CX3

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Alina K. Field Bio and links:

Award winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she found her true passion in reading and writing romance. Though her roots are in the Midwest, after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California and hasn’t looked back. She shares a midcentury home with her husband and a blue-eyed cat who conned his way in for dinner one day and decided the food was too good to leave.

Her debut novella, Rosalyn’s Ring, was the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner in the novella category.

Visit her at:

http://alinakfield.com/

https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield

https://twitter.com/AlinaKField

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field

 

Interview with Liliana Ashford, heroine of Liliana’s Letter

Nickname

My brother and his friends always called me “Lil” as a nickname.

Job

Sadly, I was forced by circumstances to take employment as a companion to a wealthy young woman coming out into society. My job was to help her make a very good marriage.

Level of schooling, or self-taught

Like most of the girls of my class, I did not attend school. From time to time I had a governess or tutor, and I found solace, and much education, in books.

Birthdate

Must a lady as old as I am and still unmarried share her date of birth? No, I think not.

Most important goal

Before my marriage, my most important goal was to prevent my young lady from marrying Grigsby’s dreadful nephew. Now, I shall do my best to help my husband discover his nephew’s murderer.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Yes, we do have lotteries, but ladies do not generally participate. Still, if I could dream and find myself with a pot of money, I would establish a charity to help the young girls from the London rookeries into a better life.

 

#LittleThings Blog Hop – Freebies

Hey guys… I need help… and not mental… though that is definitely in question… I mean… what have I gotten myself into… Oh, not this hop… this is easy and fun… no I am talking about one of the book signings I will be at this year… one that I will be needed a costume for, for the costume ball… But I am getting ahead of myself… let me introduce the Hop and then Please, for the love of mud, help a girl out… 😛

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Little Things Blog Hop

Hi everyone Tracey Clark here and I am one of over 100 authors/bloggers/ on

the Little Things Blog Hop! This hop has over 200 chances to win prizes, the rafflecopter for the overall event has a ton of prizes just waiting to be won… and each of the 100+ blog stops will have their own give away…

My Giveaway

Make sure you visit each stop and enter the posted giveaway… for this stop, I am giving away an eBook copy of Shocking Finds (epub, pdf, or mobi)… to be entered to win, simply answer the follow:

—If you had to pick a book/movie character to dress up as, who would it be (description of outfit would be great)?

lol… sounds silly, but I am in serious need her peeps… I will be going to a costume ball at the Imaginarium Convention… I am already nervous about being on one of the panels (not sure what they want me to do) and being in front of a lot of people for any reason always throws my system into whack… I can see it now… sweating, red in the face, about to throw up, when I just kill over and pass out…. yep… that would so be my luck… to help me out… use the comment section below and give me some ideas… and be entered to win …

And not to worry… if you already have a copy of Shocking Finds, I will be sure to send you an Arc of Southern Discoveries (Book Two – Finder’s Keepers) when all the bugs are worked out…

And be sure to enter the amazing rafflecopter too which has a ton of prizes to be won!

For those of you don’t already know me, I am the author of Shocking Finds (A Finder’s Keepers Novel), I plan to be attending three book signings this year (Wild in West Virginia – June in Charleston, WV; Imaginarium Convention – Oct in Louisville, ky; & Rebels and Readers RARAE – Nov in Huntington, WV) And I am working to get two more novels ready for the signings… and as stated above, I will be attending the Imaginarium Costume Ball (EKK) I hope to see you all there…

Now… let’s keep this Hop hopping…

Next name on the list: PJ Fiala’s Little Things

Rafflecoptor Link : a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join the Little Things Blog Hop Event for more fun https://www.facebook.com/events/562506680576207/

Link to all the Blog Hop spots: http://theclubbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/02/LittleThingsBlogHop.html

Thank you for hopping by! Happy Wordage, Tracey

Winner (s) will be chosen by random and announced on this page and on the Little Things Event Page by April 6th.

FB is not in any way responsible or affiliated with this giveaway or the Little Things Blog Hop

 

 

#EggcerptExchange – Mary E. Thompson

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I know I’ve already used this GIF, but come on… lol.. this is great… poor kid… WATCH OUT FOR SWINGING HIPS… 😛

we have hit the midway point on our second month of excerpts… the bookish egg hunt is almost at a close… I have had a lot of fun getting to see all the ideas and responses from my fellow authors… a nice diversion from all the edits… but soon I will have my first contemporary romance back from the beta reader…. and that means??? yep…. more edits… lol… but I love my Skymanns and know that they deserve the best… 

this Eggcerpt also falls in the contemporary romance genre… with a Plump and Pretty MC to show that love comes in all sizes… 😛

#EggcerptExchange

Plump & Pretty

Big & Beautiful series, book 6

by Mary E. Thompson

New Release – will be available March 15 (preorder links are live)

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Blurb:

Riley is a quiet woman. She likes to read, hides behind her books. She doesnt date much and thinks no one would be interested in the quiet, plump girl with her nose in a book.

Connor was the high school hottie. Riley knew of him, but never knew him. So when he approaches her at a wedding shes baffled that he knows she exists let alone knows her name.

Then he disappears, only to show back up a few days later, right when she needs someone to talk to.

Not someone to kiss though.

When everything Rileys ever wanted seems almost within her reach she starts to wonder if its possible, or if it was just a dream all along.

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Excerpt:

I looked down at his large hand circling my smaller wrist. I’d never felt small next to a man, but seeing his fingers wrapped all the way around my arm, the tips resting against his palm as though I was a normal sized woman and not big, made me feel small. I looked over him again, taking my time with my appraisal, enjoying the view of his long, thick legs encased in denim, the drape of his wool coat covering his hips and upper body. His other hand gripped the arm of the chair as though restraining himself.

His blue eyes begged me to reconsider, to take his words at face value then dig deeper into the heart of what he was saying. His lips were parted, poised to continue his argument if I didn’t give him the answer he wanted. Out darted his pink tongue covering the edge of his lip before vanishing again. For some reason with the appearance of his tongue my brain stalled, forgetting momentarily what we were talking about.

“Riley?” he asked, his rich deep voice pulling me from my blankness.

“Sorry. Um, are you for real?”

A glimmer lit his eyes, a spark of a challenge. He looked like the Connor Lee I remembered from high school, the one who never turned down a dare and who always got what he wanted.

He stood slowly, his hand still wrapped around my wrist. At his full height he towered over my 5’10″ height by the eight inches I knew he was taller than me. Broad shoulders dwarfed mine with arms that were almost the size of my legs. Connor Lee hadn’t lost any of the definition or size he had in high school. It looked as though he’d perhaps gained even more size.

“Riley, I like you. I know we don’t know each other well, or really at all, but when I saw you, I knew I had to try to get to know you.”

“Why? I mean, really?” I stammered, not really sure what the hell was going on.

His free hand lifted and approached my cheek. I flinched, wondering what the hell he was doing. He looked into my eyes, peering close, then lifted his arm slowly, as though I was an animal that was spooked. I guess I was.

His palm touched my cheek and I brushed against it like a greedy cat wanting more. He stepped closer, the blue of his eyes darkening to a navy. The hand on my wrist glided up my arm, pausing at my shoulder before ducking under my hair and cupping the back of my neck.

Completely under his control my head tipped back, giving him full access to me. As his head lowered, my eyes drifted closed, a replay of our motions at the wedding. His lips got closer, my breath coming out in hurried puffs as I felt his breath on my face. A heavy pause filled the space, disappointment filling me as I realized he wasn’t going to kiss me like I thought.

“Riley,” he said, making my eyes open. His face was right in front of me, level with mine. His navy eyes bore straight through my body. I’ve never known a feeling of being devoured by a man’s eyes until that moment. He glanced down over me, my flesh heating with every flicker of his eyes. When they met mine again I knew I’d do anything he asked, and that one day he’d crush me.

“Riley? Can I kiss you?” he whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.

Buy Links:

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BL2V3EW

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/plump-pretty-mary-e-thompson/1123387585?ean=2940152613407

Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/plump-pretty

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/614174

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Author Bio:

Mary E Thompson grew up loving to read, spending many nights hiding under the covers with a flashlight to finish a book. As an adult she still stays up too late, but doesnt need a flashlight anymore thanks to her ereader. When Marys not reading shes playing with her two kids or living out her real life romance with her hubby. She has a weakness for chocolate, Buffalo sports teams, and wine, lots of wine.

Author Links:

Website – http://maryethompson.com

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

Goodreads – http://goodreads.com/maryethompson

Twitter – http://twitter.com/authormet

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/metdaisy7

Conversational interview: (after the book)

Interviewer: Thanks for being here today, Riley. Its pretty exciting to hear you just got READ. How are you feeling?

Riley (laughs): Im great. This is the best day of my life. I never thought READ would actually be mine.

Interviewer: It sounds like a pretty interesting story. Do you want to share it with us?

Riley: Well, some of it is private, but Ill just say I have the best fiancé ever.

Interviewer: Connor Lee, right? You two grew up together?

Riley (nods): Yeah, we did. We went to high school together, but we didnt really know each other. He was dating a girl whose locker was next to mine.

Interviewer: So how did you get together?

Riley (smiles and gets a dreamy look in her eyes): He approached me at my friends wedding. I didnt know he even knew my name, but he knew a lot more than that. He surprised me at every step, right up until the end when he asked me to marry him.

Interviewer: Does he like to read as much as you do?

Riley (laughs): I dont think anyone likes to read as much as I do, but Connor does read. More now than before though.

Interviewer: How did you get into owning a book store?

Riley: I always loved to read. I was forever that girl with her head in a book. I knew I wanted to work with books so I got a degree in Library Sciences. When I was going through school I wanted to work though, so I got a part time job at READ. By the time I finished my degree I loved it so much I couldnt bear to leave.

Interviewer (smiling): It sounds like you really love it there?

Riley (nods): Its my favorite place in the world. Connor laughs, but when he talks about taking a vacation I talk about how many books I could buy with the money.

Interviewer (laughing): Books are pretty important to you. What else matters?

Riley: Family and friends, without a doubt.

Interviewer: Your friends are like a second family, arent they?

Riley: Definitely. I worry about them as much as I worry about my sisters.

Interviewer: What do you worry about?

Riley: That they wont be happy. That they wont find someone to share their lives with. My friends are mostly paired off, but Carrie and Charlie are still single. I worry about Carrie the most though because all shes ever wanted was to be a mom. Shes starting to think it wont happen.

Interviewer: Do you want kids?

Riley (shrugs): Eventually. Were not there yet. Id like to get married first.

Interviewer: When is the wedding?

Riley (smiling): April 21. We dont want to wait.

Interviewer (eyes wide): Wow, thats soon. Have you always dreamed of your wedding day?

Riley (shakes head): No. Strangely enough I barely thought of my wedding at all until Connor proposed. Thats another reason were doing it so soon. Were keeping it small and are pretty laid back with what were planning.

Interviewer: If you never dreamed of your wedding, what did you dream of?

Riley: The last few years I dreamed of owning READ.

Interviewer: You have that so whats your big dream now?

Riley (shrugs): Im not sure I have one. Im happy. I have everything I could have ever wanted. A fabulous job, an amazing man, and great family and friends. What more could you ask for?

Interviewer: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

#EggcerptExchange – Traci Sanders

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Traci Sanders is dropping by today to join the Eggcerpt fun, but she has decided to change things up a little… this exchange is more of an interview of all things Traci…

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She is here to bust open communication lines with her author secrets…

I’m excited to be part of the Egg-cerpt tour, and I’d like to thank Tina Gayle for creating it!

Instead of offering character interviews, excerpts of my books, or a boring bio, I decided to offer a bit of insight on the driving forces behind my work. I hope you enjoy!

9 Things to Know about Traci Sanders

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Who is Traci Sanders?

First and foremost, I am a mom of three great kids: boy 18; boy 16; and girl 10. Being a mom is the best job I’ve ever had. I’m also married to my high-school sweetheart. We’ve been together for about twenty-four years. My family is my inspiration for most of my books … with just a bit of embellishment here and there.

What genre do you write?

My first published book was a potty-training guide for parents. Then I published my first children’s book and two more parenting books. Six months into publishing, I released my first adult fiction piece, and I was hooked on the romance genre. So, even though I will continue to write and publish children’s books (because I have eight more already written), I mostly write adult romance. It’s my favorite!

What do you like most about writing?

Writing has always been there for me. Also, there is no prerequisite to satisfy. Writing shows no prejudice. You don’t have to have a college degree, or be the smartest or most popular kid in school; you simply have to possess a passion for words. For me, growing up in a family of six girls and one boy, writing was many things – an escape from chaos and noise, a friend who understood what I was feeling, and an outlet to pour my emotions into. It has helped me get through some tough times.

 

Who has been your biggest influence in your life?

I doubt she even realizes it, but my mother has always been a huge inspiration for my writing. As a young girl, I watched her play the piano and write songs for church. I once found her journal and read some of her songs, which inspired me to write my own. I also wrote poetry and short stories from the time I was in third grade. Writing was my gift, and I realized this at an early age. As I got older, I wrote and sang songs in church. People told me I had an “anointing” from God—a power to heal with my words and my voice. That was a pretty powerful thing to hear at my age, so I took it seriously. And, while my books are not Christian-based, my upbringing does play a part in my writing.

Who are your favorite Indie authors?

Gosh, having read more than forty books last year, I’ve experienced a plethora of great ones. But, to name a few: Beth Hale, Bethany Turner, Stephen Geez, Beem Weeks, Elizabeth Horton-Newton, Emma Scott, Anita Kovacevik, and Michelle Abbott. And recently, I’ve added Kim Cox and Allaina Daniels to this list because they write such quirky, intriguing characters that are fun to read about!

What is your ultimate reward as an author?

My ultimate reward as a writer is when someone says to me, “your book helped me” or “your words touched my heart.” That is when I feel the most successful and fulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoy seeing my sales go up; but my biggest payoff is when I get that feeling I had as a little girl—hearing those same words from people in my church or teachers at my school. In a way, it was validation for me. It made me feel as if could change someone’s life through my words, whether it is true or notJ

Name a classic author who has influenced your writing.

I am not usually a dark-natured person; however, in middle school and high school, I was drawn to Edgar Allan Poe. The desperate tone in his writing and rhythmic flow of his words fascinated me. I don’t enjoy horror stories or films, but I remember listening to The Tell- Tale Heart on a tape recorder in class (wow, I’m telling my age now) and being drawn in to the story. It was powerful, and I wanted to have the same effect on readers with my writing.

What is your biggest fear?

Of course I could say it would involve losing a loved one, but that’s a given. So, if I’m being totally honest otherwise, I’d have to say losing my mind is my greatest fear. If I ever lost a limb or an organ, I would find a way to survive and manage from day to day. But if I lost my mind—my ability to think and create—I would soon wither away inside. Therefore, I plan to use my words to entertain, inform, and heal others for as long as I am able.

What is your biggest pet peeve about books?

I can overlook a few grammatical errors if the story is compelling enough; but a major pet peeve of mine is when authors repeatedly misuse simple words such as then, than, your, and you’re. It just drives me crazy. If you ever see that in one of my books, trust me, I DID NOT purposefully put it there!
Thanks so much for having me today and for letting me share a little bit about my writing journey.

Please subscribe to my blog at www.awordwithtraci.com where you will find samples of my poems and stories, excerpts from my books, and daily tips on all aspects of the writing industry (publishing, marketing, writing, etc.) in my new segment for 2016 called “365 Days to Write Right.”

Here is a link to the trailer for my newest release…Unsevered

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Buy links for “Unsevered”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/20zBXtw

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1nUdy0y

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Buy links for “When Darkness Breaks”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TKCG5H

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1SAb7gD

Connect with me:
Blog:
www.awordwithtraci.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWordWithTraci/?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmsanders2014

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tsanders2014/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7508333.Traci_M_Sanders

#EggcerptExchange – Maryann Miller

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ooo… Maryann’s blurb is excellent… you have intrigue, a woman wrongly accused, and mob bosses…

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Will the sheriff get his man??? or maybe his girl??? in more ways than one, Maryann seems to pulling in drama lovers… it sounds like everyone will be walking along a slippery slope… hmmmm….

#EggcerptExchange Boxes For Beds by Maryann Miller

BLURB

The 1960s were a time of peace and love in California, but not so in Hot Springs, Arkansas where the mob still ruled. In Boxes For Beds, babies are being kidnapped, and the local sheriff has to put this case to bed before the bosses come down from Chicago for a big meeting. They don’t need the heat of an open investigation that could interest the Feds, and they have the local sheriff under their control. He thinks it’s a good move to arrest Leslie Richards, the new woman in town, even though there’s only thin circumstantial evidence against her. Better for it to be a stranger taking those babies and not one of their own. Leslie has left New York with her ten-year-old daughter, Mandy, hoping to escape from her past and the ruins of a relationship, only to discover that there is little peace for her in Pine Hollow, Arkansas.

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EXCERPT

January 1936

“Hush little baby, don’t you cry … ” The plaintive melody whispered in the otherwise resounding silence.

One small candle flickered atop the dust-encrusted chest of drawers, the feeble light unable to dispel the gloom born of the murky darkness. The yellow flame wafted in a sudden draft, casting macabre patterns on a precarious stack of old boxes supported by an intricate network of cobwebs. The pale light briefly touched a figure hunched over an open trunk.

The figure loomed more like a shadow than a real person and reached out a hand to lightly trace the features of the tiny bundle nestled within the trunk’s musty interior.

“Would you listen to me? Singing to a doll-baby just like you was real.”

Wide, unblinking eyes stared back.

“Sometimes I wish … but no. It’s better this way. If you was real, then I’d have to tell you to hush for sure. The Man don’t let me play with no real babies. Says I might hurt ’em. But he don’t know. I can be real gentle. Ain’t my fault those others broke. You ain’t gonna do that are you?”

Silence.

March 6, 1961

Leslie Richards sat on the ground, idly picking at the strands of dry grass beside her. No sign of green yet, not even in Pine Hollow, Arkansas. Not that she really expected it. Early March is still winter whether in Arkansas or New York, but at least the breeze blew a little warmer here. She definitely wouldn’t be sitting on the ground if she were still in New York.

Easing herself against the thick trunk of the old oak, which stretched leafless branches high into a shimmering blue sky, Leslie thought of how her agent had reacted to the news of her impending move. Merrill had stolen the response Leslie had expected from her parents.

“What on earth do you want to leave New York for?” Merrill rolled a well-chewed pencil between her slim fingers, staring at Leslie in frank astonishment.

“You’re the one who keeps telling me a writer should be well-traveled. Let’s just say I’m broadening my horizons.”

“Some podunk town in the South is hardly what I had in mind.”

“That ‘podunk town’, as you so colorfully put it, is part of my heritage. My grandmother was raised there. I can reconnect with my roots.”

“Right. Like that’s been a burning issue in your life.” Merrill flashed one of her lopsided smiles. “I think you’re holding out on me, kid.”

“Oh, Merrill,” The tears Leslie had vowed not to burden her friend with welled in her eyes and spilled unbidden down her cheeks. “Everything’s such a mess. Since Ronald … I can’t think. I can’t work.”

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AUTHOR BIO

Maryann Miller is a best-selling author of books, screenplays and stage plays. Boxes for Beds is her first indie release. Her previous books include a police-procedural mystery, Open Season, which is the first in a new series that features two women homicide detectives. Think “Lethal Weapon” set in Dallas with female leads. Miller has won numerous awards for her screenplays and short fiction, including the Page Edwards Short Fiction Award, the New York Library Best Books for Teens Award, and first place in the screenwriting competition at the Houston Writer’s Conference.

BUY LINK – Boxes for Beds is available in paper, electronic, and audio. Links to all formats are on Maryann’s Book Page on her website:

http://maryannwrites.com/books/boxes-for-beds/

AUTHOR LINKS – Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Maryann-Miller/e/B001JP7Y1S/

Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/Maryann-Miller-176896965725974/

Author Website http://maryannwrites.com/

Character Questions:

What would I do if I won the lottery? What a great question. We all fantasize about that, don’t we? First, I’d endow the Winnsboro Center For the Arts where I have been the theatre director for many years. WCA offers live concerts, theatre, exhibits, classes and workshops in all areas of creativity, and it has brought so much cultural enrichment and joy to the people in this rural area where I live. Then I would gift my church and my children. Lest I sound too altruistic, I would buy myself a bigger ranch and hire some people full-time to help with the animals.

What is my favorite place to visit? I find it interesting that that will change for me depending on the day and my mood. At the top of the list is visiting my family. The bonds I have with siblings, children, grandchildren are strong, and those bonds pull us together. I also love to go to nearby lakes and sit quietly, just absorbing the beauty around me. Sounds sappy, I know. But, hey, I live in a place where Mother Nature has done some of her best work. I also must mention how much I enjoyed visiting the Bath Houses in Hot Springs. We writers do have to suffer for our research. (smile)

Level of Education or self-taught? While I have gone to college, it was not for classes related to writing, although I did audit a Master’s Class in creative writing. My area of study was psychology and sociology, which certainly has helped me in understanding human nature – as much as anyone can understand. I have taken many writing workshops, including a six-week class with Joe Camp on screenwriting. Things that I learned there helped with acting and directing, in addition to what I learned about writing. On stage, or on screen, you don’t always need words. Next time you watch a movie, focus on what an actor can convey with a look or a gesture. I find it challenging, and interesting, to try to translate that into narrative fiction.

 

#EggcerptExchange – Elaine Cantrell

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Check out Elaine’s world of royalty…. princes and princesses…. ooo…. and arranged marriage…

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I have not read The Enchanted yet, but I want to remind you all that after you read any book, be sure to place a review on Goodreads or Amazon… or heck… do both… lol… we writers need time, and appreciate the time you take to tell us what you think… and now off to Elaine’s post…

Elaine Cantrell’s

The Enchanted

Blurb:

Forced by his father into a marriage he didn’t want, Prince Alan soon finds that his bride isn’t the sweet, submissive creature he expected. Morgane has the heart of a dragon and beauty beyond compare, but she isn’t thrilled about the marriage either. When black treachery threatens the kingdom, Morgane and Alan embark on a perilous journey that has an excellent chance of ending in failure and death for them and all of their people.

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Excerpt:
“Do you see anyone?” Alan whispered. “We must hurry, Morgane. The afternoon grows late.”

“I see no one.”

They eased into the deserted street, but no one appeared to molest them. “Go quickly,” Alan hissed.

They set off at a trot, making good time even though the slap of their feet on the broken sidewalks sounded as loud as thunder to Morgane. One of the cannibal’s arms came free from Nerian s tunic and struck Alan with every step they took, but they dared not stop. The Pool of Lodane had just come into view when Nerian’s grandmother revived.

“She is awake!” Nerian cried as the creature rolled its eyes at him.

Morgane turned around in time to see the thing jerk Alan s handkerchief from its mouth. It wailed and screeched like a soul in torment. Answering howls filled the late afternoon with horror. “Run!” Alan roared.

They ran. Morgane s breath came in gasps. Her chest burned, as did her calves. All of our efforts are doomed! Behind her she heard Nerian scream. From the corner of her eye, she saw him vanish beneath a writhing mass of green, but neither she nor Alan paused in their sprint for life.

Cannibals poured from every building and street. So many of them! The streets were painted in putrid green. Their only hope was to reach the pool.

Alan growled low in his chest, breezing past Morgane as if she were not even moving. With only steps to go, he dove into the pool, with the old cannibal still slung across his shoulders.

Morgane threw herself to the ground with a scream as a huge clap of thunder filled the air. It rolled and echoed across the entire world. Her hands flew up to cover her ears. Would it never stop? Black clouds roiled and churned, turning the sky an inky black.

The pool screamed. Horrible shrieks joined the cacophony of the skies. Green smoke billowed into the air as if the very water had caught fire. Waves almost as tall as her father s castle shot upward from the pool.

The wave expelled Alan and the cannibal from the water. Morgane screamed until her throat felt raw. “Draw a circle!” Alan roared as he jumped into the pool again, his arms still locked around the old sorceress.

Draw a circle? Draw a circle with the cannibals almost within touching distance? The prophecy! Frantically she used her foot to draw a circle in the dirt and stepped inside. Perhaps it would provide some protection from the cannibals.

In the end, she needed no protection. The cannibals stood as if rooted in place. Nothing about them moved. The wind had picked up to gale force. It took all her strength to remain inside the circle, but not even the cannibals’ hair moved in the wind.

Alan shoved the grandmother out of the pool and promptly jerked her back in.

The minute she entered the water for the third time, the sky cleared. A lovely pink and blue sunset shone above them. The green fog disappeared, and the water in which Alan stood became a beautiful, calm blue.

Morgane blinked, and in that brief moment the cannibals dissolved into sand.

Purchase Links:
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itunes
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Elaine Cantrell’s Biography

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Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds a master’s degree in personnel services from Clemson University. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators and is also a member of Romance Writers of America. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments.

Author Links:

Blog
Book Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Character Interview Princess Morgane from The Enchanted:

… Greetings, kind readers. I am Madame de Barra, and I have been granted the honor of an interview with the Princess Morgane. I am rather nervous even though I am an experienced interviewer. I have read Madame Cantrell’s tale The Enchanted and must confess that I am all atwitter at the thought of meeting the princess. Oh! She comes now.

Madame de Barra scrambles to her feet and bows deeply. “My princess.”

Princess Morgane inclines her head to Madame de Barra. “Please, take a seat, Madame. It is my honor to meet you.”

They both sit in comfortable twin chairs covered in red velvet with an eagle embroidered on the back.

Madame de Barra: “Thank you for granting me an interview, Princess Morgane.”

Princess Morgane: “I am grateful for your interest in my story.”

  1. Madame de Barra: “The entire kingdom is interested in your story. For the benefit of anyone who has not met you, would you introduce yourself and tell us your occupation?”

“I am the Princess Morgane, daughter of King Maccus, wife of Prince Alan who is heir to his father King Bowdyn. My occupation? I am a princess.”

2. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?

“Beyond the shadow of a doubt, it is my husband Prince Alan. Our love story did not begin the way most do. Our fathers arranged a marriage for the two of us even though we had never met. I did not expect to even like him, but I grew to love him almost immediately. How could I not? He is everything a man should be. He is kind, generous, clever, protective, and he is fair to look upon.”

3. What is your greatest fear?

Princess Morgane bites her lip. “I fear that one day I might lose the prince. We live in a dangerous world. He promises to take care of himself, but I am still fearful.”

4. “What is your most important goal?”

“I have long been concerned over the lack of opportunities for women. I am doing research to see what can be done about it. I myself have been victimized by men, and I long to live in a world where men and women are treated the same.”

5.”What is your favorite food?”

The princess laughs. “I am overly fond of chocolate. It is so costly that even the king cannot often have it, but he did serve chocolate truffles at the banquet honoring Madame Cantrell. In fact, the entire kingdom honors Madame for her marvelous book The Enchanted.”

Madame deBarra nods her head. “As a representative of the press, I covered the release party that the king gave for Madame Cantrell. If my readers are interested, they can find my coverage of the party at RELEASE DAY: The Enchanted Thank you, Princess Morgane for your time. I have greatly enjoyed meeting you.”

#EggcerptExchange – Tina Gayle

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Alrighty… I am welcoming Tina Gayle to the blog today, the lady behind this egg-tastic exchange…. she herded us all together to share and exchange blog posts… I especially liked her idea to add in character/author interviews… I chose to do two different character interviews, and send them out at random… so that each person I exchange with didn’t have the exact same post… after the exchange is over, I plan to post my interviews for anyone that missed out…

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for now, here is a peek at Tina’s romance novel… and yummy cover… 😛 enjoy

Marketing Exec’s Widow #99cent
Tina Gayle’s #EggcerptExchange

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author of heartwarming romance novels for romance readers.

Four women…
One fatal car wreck…
Everyone’s lives changed…

Marketing Exec’s Widow

Letting go and rebuilding a life comes at a price.

Having come to terms with losing her husband, Jennifer is ready to move on with her life, but she faces opposition from her friends, in-laws, and brother-in-law, who see himself as her future husband. None of them know of Jen’s marital problems and she is afraid of their reaction when they learn she has a date for Friday night?
Hagan Chaney is not anything like Craig. He tempts Jen into the future but is she willing to give love another chance after the heartache she faced the 1st time around.

Excerpt –

“God, you must think I’m awful.”

“Not even in the ballpark as to what I think about you. Because I know you would never have said yes to a night out with me if you’d been happy in your marriage.”

His words hit her like a fist to the face and her head snapped backward, striking the wooden partition between the booths. Wow, how could he have guessed the truth when so many people who knew her hadn’t?

She closed her eyes and searched for an answer. For so long, she’d kept her emotions bottled inside, not allowing anyone to see the loneliness or heartache her unhappy marriage had caused. What now? Lie, or admit the truth?

The vinyl cushion squeaked, and a hand touched her shoulder, pulling her from her stupor. Hagan slipped in beside her, his thigh bumped hers and his arm slid along the back of the seat. In the space of a few seconds, his large athletic body blocked her escape from the confining booth.

Nerves pulsed in an agitated rhythm. She couldn’t sit still, and opened her mouth to tell him to back off, but the thin lines of concern marring his brow killed the comment.

“Hey, there’s no reason to get upset.” He cupped a hand over her shoulder and drew her close. “I’m happy you said yes.”

Jolted by his sudden nearness, she exhaled, and then fought to draw air back into her lungs. His crisp, masculine scent acted like a seductive lure, and she had to fight the urge to bury her nose in the curve of his neck.

Read the 1st chapter of any of my books at www.tinagayle.net

Purchase Links

Marketing Exec’s Widow is available at Amazon,

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Tina’s Bio –
Tina Gayle loves writing and is currently working on finishing her Family Tree series, a contemporary paranormal suspense series.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with my family and traveling around the country. She hasn’t hit every state, but she hopes to someday. You might also catch her on the golf course with her husband of 30 years.

Also, you can read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website or download an exclusive story “My Future Step Brother” and join her special friend’s list. All on her website http://www.tinagayle.net

Home – http://www.tinagayle.net
Blog – http://www.tinagayle.blogspot.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorTinaGayle
Goodread – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1641826.Tina_Gayle
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/tina.gayle

Character Questions – Pick 5 you want to use.

1. Nickname – Jen
2. Job – realtor
3. Level of schooling, or self-taught – some college
4. Birthdate – August 8
5. Birthplace – Omaha, NE
6. Currently residing in… Elkhorn, NE
7. Favorite type of pet – dog –
8. Favorite place to visit
9. Significant other – Craig but he was killed in a car wreck
10. Most important goal – to be independent
11. Worst fear or nightmare – spending my live alone
12. Favorite food – all
13. Wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between? wealthy now
14. Secret desire or fantasy – to have children15. What would you do if you won the lottery? I won the lottery when Craig died. I now have more money than I’ll ever need but sadly it hasn’t made me happier.

Thanks for hosting me on your blog,
Tina

#LittleThings – Join the Explosion

Little Things Blog Hop Use Me

Personally, I will be giving away an eBook copy of Shocking Finds, or for those that have already read Shocking Finds, you can choose to wait for an ARC copy of Southern Discoveries: Book Two – Finder’s Keepers and read before it comes out to buy…

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If you want to be on the blogger list, or maybe you have a read of your own to enter into this blog-fest, be sure to head to the following link to enter the fun… you have until March 11th to sign up… check out the 70+ list of blog sites already listed to participate, and join the explosion… just click the ‘click here’ button below…

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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

#EggcerptExchange – Diana Rubino

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Another lovely Eggcerpt… Diana Rubino is here to take back into our past… remember that horrible day that JFK was murdered??? well, what else was going on??

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Diana has the answer, as her characters fight for answers in the background of that tragedy …pretty coolll…. enjoy her excerpt and other fun details… and keep your eyes peeled for each twist and turn… muhahahahaha

The End of Camelot by Diana Rubino

November 22, 1963, a day that changed America forever. Who killed President Kennedy?

I’ve been a HUGE JFK assassination buff since that very day. Everyone who was alive on November 22, 1963 knew exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. I was in my first grade classroom. The teacher got a call on the classroom phone and told us ‘the president was shot.’ A collective gasp went around the room. I was 6 years old and in first grade. It was ten years before I saw the footage of Ruby shooting Oswald, on an anniversary documentary.
But it was my grandmother who got me interested in the biggest mystery since ‘who killed the princes in the Tower?’ (I’m a Ricardian; that’s for another post).  She got me embroiled right along with her.
She listened to all the radio talk shows (those who lived in the New York area might remember Long John Nebel, on WOR, WNBC, and WMCA, all on AM radio (FM was really ‘out there’ at that time).
She recorded all the radio talk shows. She bought whatever books came out over the years, along with the Warren Commission Report, which I couldn’t lift at the time, it was so heavy. But my interest never waned in the 51 years that followed.
In 2000, I began the third book of my New York Saga, set in 1963. The heroine is Vikki McGlory Ward, daughter of Billy McGlory, hero of the second book, BOOTLEG BROADWAY, set during Prohibition. This was my opportunity to write a novel showcasing all my current theories, and continue the saga. It took a minimum of research, since I remember all the 60’s brands, (Bosco, Yum Berry, Mr. Bubble…), the fashions, the songs, and I even included a scene set on that unforgettable night when the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964.

About THE END OF CAMELOT

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The third in the New York Saga, The End of Camelot centers on Billy McGlory’s daughter Vikki, whose husband is murdered trying to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Vikki uses her detective skills to trace the conspiracy, from New York to New Orleans to Dallas, and at the same time, tricks her husband’s murderer into a confession. A romance with her bodyguard makes her life complete.

November 22, 1963: The assassination of a president devastates America. But a phone call brings even more tragic news to Vikki Ward—her TV reporter husband was found dead in his Dallas hotel room that morning.

Finding his notes, Vikki realizes her husband was embroiled in the plot to kill JFK—but his mission was to prevent it. When the Dallas police rule his death accidental, Vikki vows to find out who was behind the murders of JFK and her husband. With the help of her father and godfather, she sets out to uncover the truth.

Aldobrandi Po , the bodyguard hired to protect Vikki, falls in love with her almost as soon as he sets eyes on her. But he’s engaged to be married, and she’s still mourning her husband. Can they ever hope to find happiness in the wake of all this tragedy?

Purchase THE END OF CAMELOT on Amazon

Excerpt:

It was New Year’s Eve, they were alone, and he was harmless. So far. So she took the necessary two paces over to him and placed the honey ball between his custom-made choppers.

He closed his eyes, and she watched him savoring the sweetness. She didn’t dare say another word as she ran her index finger over a glob of cream on the cannoli plate, raised it to her lips and licked. “Mmmm,” she voiced, wishing she hadn’t.

Their eyes met and locked. Faster than lightning, they came together like magnets. Their lips met, sweet and sticky and hot. She didn’t want him to stop, but her inner voice screamed how wrong it was—It’s forbidden!—echoing the nuns in Saint Gustina’s. She shooed it away like an annoying fly. Leave me alone, I’m not a kid anymore. Her arms circled his neck, and his hands slid down to the curve of her back. Dare she move in closer, pelvis to pelvis, an unthinkable act three seconds ago? Her body was betraying her, betraying Jack, taking on a will of its own as she crushed herself to him. The kiss intensified. She tasted cannoli, and her fogged mind told her he’d been sampling them all day. She breathed in his cologne, so foreign it repelled her, so new it aroused her even further. Her tiara slipped off her head. She caught it just as he pulled away.

He held her at arm’s length as in a tango. “Oh, cara mia,” he growled—and if he said another word in Italian, she knew she’d explode. A passion long dormant stirred inside her.

My favorite passage from the book:

Billy came down the stairs for a nightcap and glanced into the living room. He noticed the glow in the fireplace, Vikki’s eyeglasses and the anisette bottle on the table. The couch faced the other way, but nobody was sitting on it. “Where’d they go?” Then he realized they hadn’t gone anywhere—and they were on the couch, but not sitting. Before he got out of their way, he placed a long-playing record on the phonograph. Jackie Gleason’s “For Lovers Only.”

About Me

dianarubino

My passion for history and travel has taken me to every locale of my books, and short stories, set in Medieval and Renaissance England, Egypt, the Mediterranean, colonial Virginia, New England, and New York. My urban fantasy romance, FAKIN’ IT, won a Top Pick award from Romantic Times. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III Society and the Aaron Burr Association. I live on Cape Cod with my husband Chris. In my spare time, I bicycle, golf, play my piano and devour books of any genre.

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