The Wild Rose Press

Stone Heart's Woman Released

2012-01-30T14:25:00.004-05:00

Print version of this western historical romance was released last week. Ebook scheduled for release Feb. 17. First chapter can be read here. It's 1879 and the Northern Cheyenne have one last chance to escape the soldiers and go home to the land of the Yellowstone. Stone Heart and Aiden vow to help his people but there are barriers they must break through.

A Peek Into A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER with Author JM Stewart

2012-01-30T00:00:00.131-05:00

Joanne Stewart, a contemporary Champagne Rose author, is at A Bite of Reuben Sandwich today talking about her upcoming release, A Second Chance at Forever. We'd love to have you join us! http://www.abiteofreubensandwich.blogspot.com/

~ Alyson Reuben
author of A Beautiful Cage

I'm Visiting Kelly Moran's Blog Today

2012-01-18T13:35:00.001-05:00

Kelly Moran is graciously featuring my debut novel, "Finding You Again," on her blog today, Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The address is: www.kellymoranauthor.blogspot.com.

One person who leaves a comment will be chosen to receive a PDF of the book. So if anyone has a little time, hope you'll come over and visit.

Darcy

Website: www.darcylundeen.blogspot.com

Interview at KMN Books

2012-01-16T20:09:00.000-05:00

Hop on over to http://www.kmnbooks.blogspot.com/ where Karen is interviewing me about LETHAL REFUGE.

RELEASE DAY!

2012-01-11T14:59:00.003-05:00

For the past few months I seem to havebeen hogging this blog site, but I promise that this is the end of it for awhile. After today, I quietly move over and let others have their chance.

It’s just that at the moment I’mhaving a hard time containing myself because it’s finally official! My debut novel, “Finding You Again,” wasreleased at noon today. Frankly, havingsomething like that happen to you is both awesome and more than a little scary.

January 11, a day when some peoplewho partied too hearty on New Year’s Eve might still be trying to recover,though of course no one I know (wink, wink).

If anyone is interested innumerology, it’s also a date that adds up to 8 (1-11-2012 or 1+1+1+2+0+1+2=8). Not sure if that’s a good sign or not, butfor anyone who wants to investigate the subject, expert numerologist GlynisMcCants has a fun and very informative website at www.numberslady.com.

And if anybody who stops by wouldlike to have a brief sampling of the book, I’m posting some of it here.

The following excerpt takes placethe day after the hero, Eric Holt, and heroine Maggie Demarco have an encounterthat threatens to become too sexual, until Eric decides it’s a bad idea andquietly leaves without telling Maggie he’s changed his mind.

So here it is: an excerpt from“Finding You Again.”

EXCERPT:

“This from the man who left lastnight without saying goodbye,” she said, giving him her best youhypocritical-cad frown. But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, shecould have kicked herself for them. So he talked a good game without followingthe rules himself. A lot of people acted that way. It didn’t mean she had topoint it out to him.

And she knew she shouldn’t have.But somehow that damn unacceptable-modes-of-behavior comment had completelythrown her. Then she remembered the way she’d been when he left—almost naked,legs apart, and virtually clinging to the wall for support. Her face flamed atthe memory, and she shook off the hand he still had around her arm.

“Look, forget I said that,” shetold him as they reached the street. “In fact, let’s forget last night everhappened.”

She turned away, heading in theopposite direction, hopefully as far from him as she could get, but he caughther arm again and pulled her back.

“No, let’s not forget. Let’s talkabout it instead.”

“No,” she said, trying to retrieveher trapped arm and failing.

He let out a groaning sigh, asthough she was acting like an idiot putting up such a stupid fight.

“Into my car, Demarco,” he ordered,stopping at the corner beside a blue BMW that looked like it belonged to ajunior executive, not a Hell’s Angel.

Maggie stared at it. “If this is akidnapping, one good scream from me and the school guards will come running,”she warned.

He rolled his eyes, clear up to thetop of his head, where she hoped they’d stick. “This is an invitation to dinner.No kidnapping involved,” he explained. “And while we eat, we can talk.”

She shook her head as his eyesunfortunately righted themselves. “I’m not hungry.”

Taking a keychain from his pocket,he unlocked the driver’s-side door and yanked it open. “Then you can watch meeat.”

“Try not to take this the wrongway, but watching you masticate is not my idea of the best way to spend anevening.”

“Not even if I’m masticating...” Heleaned closer, almost in her face. “...grilled chicken and penne pasta withvodka sauce?”

Maggie stared at him. As dumb as itwas, for one brief moment her love of the meal made her start to reconsider.“Penne pasta with vodka sauce?”

He nodded. “There’s a wonderfullittle Italian restaurant downtown. Armando’s. Best pasta with vodka sauce inthe county. If you play your cards right, I’ll let you smell a forkful.”

The brief moment ended, and shesnorted at the offer as she tried to pull her arm free again. “Don’t do me anyfavors.”

“And if you stop fighting me, I’lllet you have a forkful of your own. Hell, I’ll let you have a whole platefulof your own, and they use the biggest plates you’ll ever see in any Italianrestaurant.”

Maggie shook her head. “No!”

“No is not an option,” he said ashe pushed her into the driver’s seat and got in after her, forcing her tosqueeze around the center console or else end up sharing the space with him,the last thing in the world she wanted to do.

Sliding into the passenger seat,Maggie bit her lip to keep from groaning. The death seat, she thought.And a perfectly apt image for the turn her life had taken.

“Goodbye,” she told him, reachingfor the door handle on her side.

“Not on your life,” he countered,pulling her hand away and trapping her against the backrest while he yanked at hershoulder harness. “God,” he muttered, shaking his head as he buckled her intoit. “You have turned into a major pain in the ass, you know that? Stopsquirming while I’m working on this.”

“I’m a pain in the ass?” she said,slapping at his hands. “Mister, have you got that backward. You’re theass pain. Not that that’s surprising. You were a pain in the ass in highschool, too.”

He stopped fiddling with hershoulder harness and looked at her, his voice deepening. “Except for that onenight.”

Maggie felt her body heat. Hedidn’t have to specify which night that was. The night she’d lost her mind, herinhibitions and her virginity to the guy with the dark, dark eyes and the handsthat seemed to be everywhere at once: him.

“Right,” she said peevishly. “Thatnight you were a pain all over me.”

He grinned. “And yet I didn’t hearyou complaining.”

“I was sixteen, for Christ’s sake.No girl complains when she’s sixteen. We’re all too busy trying to figure outwhy what we learned in sex education has nothing in common with what we’re goingthrough.”

He leaned closer. “I’ve gotten alot better since then.”

She leaned farther away. “In yourdreams.”

“Dreams have nothing to do with it.In the reality of every woman I’ve ever been with.”

“Go with a lot of demented females,do you?”

“Only the cream of the crop, andthey always act just the way you did that day, like they can’t get enough ofme.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes at him,astounded at how blithely he tossed the comment out at her. It was unfair andtotally out of bounds. That kind of overconfident bluster wasn’t just dredgingup an ancient memory. It was hitting below the belt, way below the belt. Grantedfor that one brief moment (all right, that one brief couple of hours) she’dlost it a little and been fairly wild. Well, fairly wild for a sexual-novicesixteen-year-old. It still didn’t mean he had to dig the whole thing up againand throw it in her face.

“Hey, don’t make it sound like itwas all my fault,” she said. “You’re the one who seduced me, remember?”

All right, now it was his turn tonarrow his eyes and look astounded.

Good,Maggie thought. He deserved it.

“I seduced you?” he said, eyesnarrowed, astounded expression firmly in place. “Are you insane or just havinga premature senior moment?”

Crap. Her turn again to descendinto astounded, eye-narrowed territory. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you have the memory of anamnesiac. Either that or you’re in complete denial. And if that’s the case, letme refresh all the most important moments of that day for you.”

With her finally buckled into the shoulderharness, he buckled his own harness and settled back comfortably in his seat asif they were in for a long and detailed recounting of Maggie’s first up-close-and-personalmeeting with the male body in all its wild-and-ready glory.

She watched him warily, knowing that onsome level, despite his put-upon, how-could-you-accuse-me-of-these-thingsexpression, he was enjoying himself...just a little too much for her comfort,too.

“Okay, here’s what reallyhappened,” he said, obviously warming to his version of the story. “We weredriving home after the school football game. Our team had won and we werereally pumped.”

Maggie nodded. So far, so good,she thought. “Right. And you stopped the car in a secluded place.”

He frowned at her. “What secludedplace? I stopped in the back parking lot of Gino’s Pizza Joint.”

“It was secluded at the time,” shepointed out victoriously. “Ours was the only car there.”

He sighed. “Of course it was. Afterthe game, that rainstorm began, so I stopped at Gino’s because it was saferthan driving through a downpour. By that time, all his customers had alreadyleft to get home. That’s why ours was the only car there.”

“And then you came on to me.”

He rolled his eyes. “And then I dida blow-by-blow reprise of the game. You slumped down next to me on thepassenger seat, frowned, said, ‘Borrriiinnngg!’ and I said, ‘Why? It was agreat game,’ and you said, ‘Yeah, but we just saw it, tell it to somebody whowasn’t there,’ and I said, ‘Okay, so what do you wanna talk about?’ and yousaid, ‘Dunno.’”

Maggie shook her head. “I neversaid, ‘Dunno.’ My mom was always into proper speech and grammar. She would’vekilled me if I said ‘Dunno.’ Hell, that’s why I ended up an English teacher.”

“And then after you said, ‘Dunno,’”he went on, ignoring her, “I was feeling sort of frustrated, so I looked downat you and frowned, and you looked up at me with this big grin on your face,and then...I don’t know...maybe you were amused by my frustration...”

Despite her annoyance with him fortrapping her here, she couldn’t help smiling at that. “You did a really good frustrationback then,” she said. Actually, he still did a really good frustration, and shewas loving it.

“Anyway, I said, ‘Hey, what’s sofunny?’” he continued. “And you said, ‘You,’ and grinned even more and...”

“You got right in my face,” Maggiemurmured.

He nodded. “Big mistake, that,because you looked so warm and giggly and...I don’t know... sweet.”

She slid lower in her seat, feelingsuddenly hot as the memories washed over her. Long-ago memories were rising upso powerfully that, against her will, she found herself reacting to them allover again. “And you said, ‘You have nice eyes,’” she said.

“Nice green eyes,” hecorrected. “Then I leaned over to kiss you, and then you jumped me. So how is thatseduction?”

Maggie sat up straighter again.“Hey, if you hadn’t kissed me, none of it would have happened. I mean, all thatgroping and fondling and pulling off clothes and climbing into the backseat andeverything.”

“You climbed into thatbackseat first. Hell, honey, you vaulted over it like you were an Olympic goldmedal winner.”

She glared at him. “You vaultedover, too,” she reminded him indignantly.

He shrugged. “Had to, or else youwould’ve been back there in your panties and nothing else and I would’ve been upfront getting it on with the automatic transmission while wearing only a pairof socks.”

She made a face at the image. “Whatkind of person would think about making out with part of a car?”

“A seventeen-year-old guy who’dgotten so horny seeing you in your panties that he had to relieve the pressureon anything he could find.” He shrugged. “So I followed you over the backseat.And if your memory is finally coming back, you’ll recall you helped me over bygrabbing my arm...hell, by almost breaking it...when you pulled me across thebackrest

and onto you so we could continue what westarted.”

“Dumbest thing I ever did,” shesaid, remembering him all over her, her all over him, both of them doing a damnthorough job of it, too. Touching,testing, exploring. And without any shame, just a crazy sense of exhilarationand discovery.

But it wasn’t something she wantedto dwell on, especially not now when they were alone and sitting closetogether, almost as close as they’d been that rainy night in the car. Sheautomatically shifted away, not sure if she needed the buffer to protect herselffrom him or...she bit her lip, hating to admit it...or the other way around.

And a Happy 2012 to one and all!

www.darcylundeen.blogspot.com

Wild Rose Press Page: http://bit.ly/yTRLZR

Brief Preview

2011-12-17T19:42:00.000-05:00

My debut novel, "Finding You Again," will be officially released on January 11, 2012, but I thought I'd give a brief preview of it before that special day. So I'd like to post the book's blurb and short prologue. I know many people hate prologues and just want to get right into the main action of the story, but it really is a short prologue, just 239 words, and I thought that even though the subject isn't amusing, the way it was done still had a sort of light and breezy tone to it.

On release day, I plan to post a longer excerpt, part of a scene I particularly like. But for now, in case anyone has the time to do some random reading during these last, ultra-busy days before Christmas and the New Year, here they are: the blurb and prologue of "Finding You Again."

Blurb

Maggie Demarco thought she’d have the perfect wedding…until the groom backed out without even saying goodbye. So she packs a bag and flees to the town where she grew up to heal and prepare for the rest of her life.

Eric Holt is surprised when he learns that Maggie’s back in town. He’s never forgotten the hours he spent in high school introducing her to the joys of sex. Of course, he’s also never forgotten the pain of her rejection. But he’s still willing to help her recapture the sexual mojo she lost waiting for her AWOL groom, and he proposes a no-strings-attached affair to prove how desirable she still is.

Neither expect the unintended consequences, when old hurts resurface, new problems arise, and simple sex threatens to turn into the craziest complication of all: love.

Prologue

At one-thirty on a beautiful afternoon in early June, Maggie Demarco stood in the small anteroom at the rear of St. Athanasius Church, wearing a magnificent white gown and waiting for the moment when her father would walk her down the aisle and deliver her for all time into the tender arms of her groom, the love of her life.

At one forty-four, Maggie was still waiting.

At one fifty-nine, the entire assembled wedding party finally realized Maggie was still waiting. And so were they.

At two-twelve... That’s right. Still waiting.

At two-sixteen, calls, e-mails and instant messages began going out to the groom to alert him that he was, umm, just a wee bit late to his own wedding.

At two-twenty-seven, Maggie’s father, the wee-bit-late-groom’s father, the best man, and the ten groomsmen all set out in search of the love of Maggie Demarco’s life.

At two-forty-eight, it finally became evident that the groom hadn’t been in a horrible auto accident on his way to church. Nor had he suffered a near-fatal heart attack, been snatched by kidnappers, or developed a sudden case of amnesia. He had simply turned tail and left town for parts unknown without bothering to inform his bride that he’d experienced a last-minute change of heart about their happily-ever-after.

At three-o-five, belatedly admitting to herself that her perfect wedding was toast, and so was she, Maggie Demarco ripped the tiara veil off her head and ran from the church. Caught between cathartic tears and even more cathartic anger, she vowed, so help her God, that she would never marry anyone—no way, no how—and if she ever found her former beloved fiancé, she would whack the lily-livered louse senseless with what was left of her five-hundred-dollar bouquet.

And, of course, a Happy, Happy Holiday to all!

Darcy

http://www.darcylundeen.blogspot.com/

The Bedroom Door

2011-12-13T05:59:00.000-05:00

When it comes to love scenes in a romance novel, I am SUCH a voyeur. Shocking, but true. A voyeur. I never thought that term would apply to me, but it does. If a love scene takes place behind closed doors, I feel…cheated. I’ve invested time into this book, fallen in love with the hero right along with the heroine, and for what? To have the bedroom door slammed in my face? Noooo!

So I’m a voyeur, a ‘leave the bedroom door wide open, thank you very much’ kind of reader. I don’t want to use my imagination about what is going on in the bedroom. I want the details! Lots of details. So it would only make sense that this is how I write.

I write sizzling, dangerously sexy contemporary romance and romantic suspense—no intimacy hidden behind closed doors in my books. With me you get detailed, explicit love scenes. Heck, sometimes my heroes and heroines don’t make it to the bedroom at all. Instead they find themselves atop a desk, against a wall, or in front of a trio of mirrors…

~*~

“I’m not the type of woman men fall for.”

“I’ve fallen for you.”

Heat flooded her system. She forced herself to breathe, to keep her eyes locked with his. “No you haven’t. You …”

He pushed off the mantel and stepped in her direction. “I—what?”

“Never mind.”

“Finish the sentence, Isabeau.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then let me.” He closed the distance between them. “You were going to say I haven’t fallen for you, weren’t you? You actually believe him? That you’re nothing more to me than convenient?”

Her pulse throbbed thick and hard. Heat radiated off his body. The scent of him filled her head. She wanted, more than anything, to press herself against him and relive the pleasure of his mouth against hers. Instead, she lifted her chin.

“Maybe.”

He leaned in close. So close his breath brushed across her lips. “You believe him, but not me?”

“You are here only temporarily.”

“Yes.”

“And I am just down the street.”

“I suppose.”

She ran her tongue over her dry lips. “So the whole thing does seem rather—”

“Don’t say it.”

“—convenient.”

Something dangerous came and went in his eyes. “Now I’m getting angry.”

His hands skimmed down her sides, slipped under her shirt and settled on her lace-covered bottom. Her breath went uneven. Searing need swarmed her.

“You want something to believe, believe this.” He pulled her into the solid ridge of his erection. She lost her concentration. “There is nothing convenient about the way I feel about you.”

“I…no?”

“You think you’re not the type to draw a man’s attention, think again. I can’t stand in the same room as you without wanting to taste you. I can’t taste you without wanting to taste all of you.”

Oh, God. Her knees turned to jelly. A hot, wet pulse came to life between her legs.

“If you can’t see in yourself what it is that I see, feel what you do to me.” Taking hold of her wrist, he placed her hand in the center of his chest.

His heart was racing. She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes. Her bones began to liquefy.

“The way you’re looking at me,” she whispered.

“How am I looking at you?”

“Like I’m important.”

“You are.”

She swallowed hard, wanting to believe him. “Like I’m beautiful.”

His lips brushed across her temple and her eyes drifted shut. “I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. Then you would know how beautiful you are.”

Her eyes snapped open as he spun her in his arms. His hands settled on her shoulders, drawing her back against his chest. She gasped at their image reflected in the trio of mirrors that hung on her wall. When had this become a seduction?

Get your copy today from The Wild Rose Press!

Ground Rules releases today!

2011-11-30T13:21:00.003-05:00

My Christmas fantasy, Ground Rules, is now out with The Wild Rose Press! Yay! I love holiday stories, especially when they include a little Christmas magic, and a gorgeous snarky angel.

Here's the blurb:
Can a bad boy angel and a dispirited mortal find a Christmas miracle together?
Alice Garner scores a great contract to illustrate a children’s book by a famous author, but lack of inspiration forces her to cancel her holiday plans. Alone on Christmas to meet her looming deadline, Alice wishes on her Christmas tree angel for help.
Luke, newly promoted to Watcher Angel, is reluctant to take the assignment. Long ago, his fiancée broke his mortal heart on Christmas Eve, and even returning to Earth on his Harley won’t dull the sting. Good thing the ground rules forbid getting involved with an assignment—Alice is tempting, but he’d rather not stay on Earth.
But Luke brings Alice more than inspiration. He reawakens her heart. Now Alice has to convince him he’s her greatest wish. With a little Christmas magic, can she convince him to break the ground rules and stay?

The Phantom Paragrapher: VBT# Dating 911- Kathleen Grieve

2011-11-25T08:18:00.000-05:00

The Phantom Paragrapher: VBT# Dating 911- Kathleen Grieve: Today's VBT# is authoress Kathleen Grieve and her new novel Dating 911 . This tour is part of the blog Coffee Beans and Love Scenes. Syno...

Black Friday Sale on All TWRP Titles!

2011-11-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

Go get 'em while they're hot!

Taking A Moment To Introduce Myself

2011-11-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

I’m Darcy Lundeen, a romance writer, and I’m feeling totally psyched (okay, and just a little nervous, too) because my first novel, "Finding You Again," will be released in digital form in January by The Wild Rose Press.

I’m just checking in to say hello, and because I love my cover, I also can’t resist posting it. It was created by Kim Mendoza, an obviously magnificent artist who I think brilliantly captured the giddy romantic sensation of reconnecting with a past love.

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a safe, happy and blessed Thanksgiving with the people you love.

Darcy

New Review for "Across the Winds of Time" by Bess McBride

2011-11-19T15:51:00.000-05:00

I'm so pleased to share a lovely review of my latest release "Across the Winds of Time" with you by Robin at Romancing the Book at http://www.romancing-the-book.com/2011/11/review-across-winds-of-time-by-bess.html#more . Robin said it reminded her of "The Ghost and Mrs Muir." What a wonderful compliment!! Thank you, Robin.

Bess McBride

Adam's Treasure Proud to be an American Historical

2011-11-11T09:55:00.001-05:00

Excerpt:

Never, in her wildest dreams, did she imagine witnessing something like this. Seeing the four naked Indians toss Adam off the bank and into the river had frightened her beyond measure. When she saw that he could not swim, she had considered saving him, but the Indians had pushed past her.
In moments she realized that they had decided, for some unknown reason, to teach Adam Skelding to swim. The rest of the afternoon she sat under the oak trees and watched the antics of five very naked men.

Now, the man who captured her attention the most lay next to her. Water glistened on his olive skin. She couldn’t keep her gaze off the hills and valleys of the muscles across those broad shoulders, back, and tight rear end. He breathed hard, making everything ripple just slightly. Entrancing to witness.

With effort she focused on his face, but he had closed his eyes.

“Adam?”

“Mmmph?”

“Why did they do that?”

The Indians had also emerged from the water and donned their loincloths and moccasins once more. The eagle, which had remained perched in one of the trees nearby during most of the day, lifted from its leafy shelter and circled the group of Indians.

First one blue eye opened and then the other. Rolling on his side to face her, Adam propped his head on his hand, resting his elbow on the ground.

“Because I could not swim. Black Wolf and the others knew this.”

“How did they find out?” Marilla hoped he would confide in her enough to tell his story. Curiosity just about ate her up.

He sighed and rolled onto his back, totally distracting her once more. His manhood grew stiff…and big…and swollen, unlike the Indians. She swallowed hard. He appeared not to notice her interest and seemed very comfortable lying nude.

“During the war, my partner, Pamela, and I worked in Richmond. We discovered that the Confederates had built a secret weapon. We had to get that information to the North. But after learning about this weapon, Pamela disappeared. One of my agents saw her leaving town with a Confederate officer. I thought she had been kidnapped, so I rode to the rescue, fool that I was. In the struggle I ended up in the river. Black Wolf and his friends arrived in time to pull me out of the water.”

Sitting up, Adam reached for his shirt, which Marilla had spread to dry on the grassy bank, and started to dress. She found herself wishing he wouldn’t cover his magnificent body, but said nothing to stop him. The idea would be unseemly.

Adam turned away and headed toward the Indians, who had gathered around the wagon to feast again, feeding scraps to the bird on Black Wolf’s arm. Marilla watched him walk away. He had loved Pamela. His obvious pain said so.

A combination of guilt and self-doubt hit her hard. Her Carl was gone, too. It had hurt at the time to lose him in the war, but her grief had faded quickly…too quickly. Maybe she didn’t really know what love meant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Links to Buy Adam’s Treasure

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Adams-Treasure-Diane-Wylie/dp/1601547536/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275605869&sr=1-6

Barnes and Noble

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Adams-Treasure/Diane-Wylie/e/9781601547538/?itm=2&USRI=Diane+Wylie

TWRP ebook

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/adams-treasure-p-4051.html?zenid=1991f2359a47790200bf700f9f17bb0e

TWRP Print

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/adams-treasure-paperback-p-4064.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek!

Hugs,

Diane Wylie

http://www.dianewylie.com

The First Five Pages

2011-11-07T01:12:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year. The days are getting shorter, leaves are falling, and the holidays are just around the corner. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite celebrations. I began working at The Wild Rose Press around this time several years ago. My name is Anne Seymour, and I currently work as an editor on the Crimson Rose line. I always love a good mystery, especially when the hero is as hot as the suspense.

The one aspect, in my opinion, that marks the difference between just a manuscript and a GREAT MANUSCRIPT is THE FIRST FIVE PAGES. During this critical point in a story, the author must pull the reader in and hook their interest, or the reader will become apathetic toward the characters—and probably not finish reading the book.

Sounds shocking, right? How can an author open a grand story, introduce sympathetic characters and evil villains, begin the action and conflict, but yet confine all above mentioned aspects to a mere FIVE PAGES? An insurmountable task one might say, right? But maybe not; let’s discuss the basics now.

First, we must unlearn all that we have learned previously about writing. I studied all the great works in Literature during college. James Fennimore Cooper, Herman Melville, Henry James, etc. wrote stories in omniscient point of view employing the writing method of “telling” the action instead of “showing” it. This technique removes the reader from the action of the story instead of insisting the reader to take part with the characters in the act. A reader must be immersed in the action and emotionally involved with the characters by the end of the fifth page of a story. Make the reader unable to do anything but participate with your characters.

Next, find an opening line that will grab attention. For example, “Take it easy. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.” Sunny jerked her arms back hoping to slow the pace of the large-framed detective who continued to drag her from the bar with unwavering force. “Calm down, Wildcat. You’re only making it harder on yourself.” He didn’t slow his stride, or ease the firm grasp he had on her arm as he walked beside her.” In this example, (Some Like It In Handcuffs by Christine Warner—coming soon from The Wild Rose Press) the author introduces the hero and heroine within the first four sentences while adding humor and sexual tension. The reader is hooked now, determined to learn more and join the story.

Finally, make sure to include ONLY necessary information at this time. The first five pages are not for any of the following:

n Back-story: while back-story will be needed in any novel, it should never appear in the first five pages! Use back-story sparingly and only when needed throughout the novel, but never allow it to be longer than a few paragraphs at a time.

n Secondary Characters: Introduce these characters later in the story. Reserve the main characters (hero, heroine, & villain (if there is one)) for the beginning.

n Descriptive or Non-Action Scenes: Describe the setting later. The first five pages should not be filled with paragraphs of how beautiful the sky, trees and meadows are. Also, no Non-Action scenes! Start with a fight scene, a murder, etc. Grab attention.

While this is a brief overview, I hope I’ve mentioned good points to consider. If any are interested in another more in-depth discussion, please comment and let me know. I would be happy to offer another blog discussing this further. Until then, enjoy the season and keep writing!

Anne Seymour

Release day for Romancing the Hero!

2011-10-26T06:50:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited - release day's finally here! Today, The Wild Rose Press released Romancing the Hero, a contemporary fantasy, as part of its Faery Rose line. Romancing the Hero's a novella, but its 70 pages are packed with fun and romance. And oh yeah, I can't forget mayhem. It's nearly as much fun as the romance!

Here's the excerpt:

“Jody Feather?” The deep voice rushed at her like a hot breeze, reverberated through her, and stopped her where she stood.

“Ye—” Her gaze climbed the long legs clad in well-fitting jeans, pumped torso outlined through his tight tee, to the gorgeous model face. Someone might have stolen a cardboard cutout of the perfect hero and breathed life into it, and that’s who stood on her doorstep.

“Yowsa,” she said on an exhale.

He cocked a delighted brow. “Pardon?”

“May I help you?” Please say yes.

“I believe it’s the other way around.”

“Really?” Thankyouthankyouthankyou! “I mean… what do you mean?”

The timbre of his deep voice filled the space between them. “I’m here to help. Use me.”

Wait. This had to be a prank. “I get it. Mimi sent you.”

His brow furrowed. “Mimi? No.”

Patience waning, she heaved a sigh. “Who are you?”

“I think you know.” He leaned a ripped bicep against the doorjamb in a move that seemed scripted—by her.

“No. Tell me.”

“Jake? Ring a bell?”

She might have guessed. “Oh right. Jake Emerson?”

He clucked his tongue. “The one and only. I knew you’d recognize me anywhere.”

“Even at my own condo. Go figure. So why are you here? As a prop for the signing?” Damn, he fit the role perfectly, too. She couldn’t have picked a better actor. She jotted another note to ask Mimi if he could pose for the next cover. A cardboard cutout would be perfect for signings.

“Is that what you need?” he asked with a hint of disappointment.

She peered past him. “No bags?”

“I travel light.”

“Didn’t she tell you? There are several events. Dinner, the keynote, plus the signing itself. You might want a change of clothes.” Though if anyone could pull off wearing the same outfit every day, he could. She could claim it was Jake’s brand, his image, an intentional move to make him recognizable to conference attendees. Mimi always droned on about the brand, the brand.

Besides, who’d notice his clothes? They only wrapped the prize beneath. And what a yummy prize. She had to hand it to Mimi, the marketing genius.

Musing aloud, she murmured, “Where did they find you?”

“They didn’t. I’m Jake.”

“Right. And I’m Lara Croft.” Not even her Halloween costume could turn her into the sexy heroine.

He chuckled. “You’re better than that bimbo.”

Oh boy. “Let’s not get carried away, shall we? It’s temporary.”

“Why? Do you plan to kill me off?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve read the series.” All that and a reader to boot.

“I don’t need to read it. I live it.”

His devilish smile almost blocked out his words, which hit her like a slap.

Yikes. “Listen, Mr…” Rolling her hand, she prompted him to finish.

“Emerson.”

Method actor, apparently. She’d play along for now. “Sure. Mr. Emerson.”

A car horn sounded outside.

“The taxi.” And she hadn’t remembered whatever she’d forgotten. Too late now. “Give me two seconds.” She hurried to grab her jacket.

“Take all the time you need, baby.”

The endearment brought her to a screeching halt. “Hold on. I get that you’re ‘Jake Emerson’ but when we’re together, address me as Ms. Feather. I am not your baby.” Or anyone else’s, unfortunately. After this weekend, she’d change that.

His mouth curled down in a brief frown. “Pity.”

“Give it a rest.” She’d written this scene in the second novel, when Jake first meets that leading lady. How many scenes had he studied? Hopefully he wouldn’t reenact too many. Sure, she loved her work, but not so much she wanted to live it. Except for certain parts, like the shower scene in book three… You don’t have time for this.

After grabbing her bag, she said a quick goodbye to Frank. “It’s only for the weekend. See you Monday.” She glanced at the man waiting at her door. “Tuesday at the outside.” Never rule out any possibilities. Her parents taught her that. And she’d made it Jake’s motto, one of the reasons fans loved him. Time to make it her own motto as well.

The saying had given her the strength to leap from journalism into fiction. If they only knew what she considered leaping into now… well, she was old enough to face those consequences. And enjoy them while they lasted.

Holding a hand to his sculpted abs, he bowed. “May I carry your bag, Ms. Feather? Or are you too liberated for such a show of chivalry?”

Wiseass. He had that aspect of Jake down pat. “Please. Take it, with my gratitude.” It gave her a chance to follow him down the walkway, and admire his rippling biceps and tight end, made more luscious by his swagger. She paid particular attention. She had to, or she wouldn’t be able to describe it in all its vital deliciousness in a later novel.

Oh yeah, she loved being a writer.

Get your copy today from The Wild Rose Press!

For the love of a sweet romance...

2011-10-17T14:56:00.004-04:00

RT Book Reviews has a fascinating article in its November issue entitled "A Mild Ride: Why Sweet Romances -- Inspirational and Otherwise -- Are a Hit."

Think sweet romances are dead and erotica is all? Not so, according to the article by Faygie Levy and Elissa Petruzzi. Where can you get some satisfying sweet reads? At the Wild Rose Press, check out the Sweetheart Rose line, near and dear to my heart, as that is where my book, Movin' Up With J.J., can be found. Check it out. Then share it with your daughter, your mother, and your grandmother. This line is safe for all sensitivities. :-)

Characters Revealed: Noah Clark

2011-10-09T08:30:00.001-04:00

Dear Reader,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Noah Clark, the lead singer/songwriter for the rock band Black Phoenix. Perhaps you’ve heard of us. About ten years ago we topped the Billboard charts—a multi-platinum band whose last album was the most successful of its century. But that was before everything went to shit. Back before the sex, alcohol, and rock and roll took away my best friend and drummer, Danny Treybourne. Afterwards, I gave up the lifestyle, the world tours, hell, I gave up the band. I headed back home to London and committed myself to leading a normal life, one without music as its driving force.

For ten years, I was miserable.

So I’m back to making music. I crossed the pond, settled in a place called Auburn, California and began the preparations to reunite Black Phoenix. We hired a new drummer, set up a meeting with the record company, and I went in search of a private, reputable studio to record a demo. I found one in Long Island City, just up the road from a pub named Izzy’s Bar. Where one night, after midnight, I wandered in and set eyes on its namesake.

Damn…Isabeau Montgomery, child prodigy pianist, hiding behind a lie of her own making. She has the most pale, haunted eyes I’ve ever seen, and dark, golden skin. The first time she set those eyes on me and smiled, I was lost. I’m a songwriter, but the way she affected me, I haven’t words.

A detail about me you should know, I was born with a one track mind. I want something; I go out and get it. From the moment I first laid eyes on Isa I wanted her. I wanted to show her what she was missing, ignoring her music the way she did. I wanted to share with her everything I spent all those years figuring out: Denying who you are is nothing but a waste of time, time a person can never get back. Problem is my one track mind got me in trouble. I became so focused on saving her from herself, I didn’t see the whole picture. I pushed her too hard. And in the end, I pushed her away.

Hopefully, one day she’ll forgive me for being such an ass, because Isabeau…Isa completes me.

In a way even my music never could.

Reviews for AFTER MIDNIGHT:

"After Midnight was a compelling, sensual page-turner and I was sorry when it concluded."— 5 Bookies, Book Lovers, Inc

"Excellently written, memorable characters, a romance that builds until it erupts, and a pace that will keep the pages turning until the very end."— 5 Stars, Fire Pages

"After Midnight is a must read for anyone that enjoys contemporary romance stories."— 4 Stars, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

"This was a fantastic story, full of love and with the right amount of drama to make it interesting but not angsty. Ms. Grimm has a great voice and I can’t wait to read her next book, which hopefully will be Dominic’s. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and dreamy rock stars."— 4 Stars, Romance Around the Corner

Cherie Marks: RELEASE DAY FOR INTO THE FIRE!

2011-10-05T12:40:00.000-04:00

Cherie Marks: RELEASE DAY FOR INTO THE FIRE!: It's finally here: RELEASE DAY! Can you feel my excitement? I honestly wasn't sure it would ever really arrive, but here it is. Woot-woo...

Can't wait till Romancing the Hero releases!

2011-10-05T06:48:00.000-04:00

Romancing the Hero, my contemporary fantasy, is so much fun! I can't wait till October 26, when The Wild Rose Press will release it. And I can't thank my editor, Kelly Schaub, enough for her guidance and enthusiasm on this story. And wow, cover artist Diana Carlile outdid herself on this cover - I still swoon every time I see it, lol.

I just finished the book video:

Here's the story blurb:

For romance writer Jody Feather, love is wonderful—on the page. Her books are instant bestsellers and readers love her delectable hero, Jake Emerson. He’s the kind of man who knows exactly how to please a woman. The kind of man who doesn’t really exist. Or at least not for Jody—she’s too busy writing about delicious heroes to find one of her own.
When a man shows up on her doorstep claiming to be Jake Emerson, Jody’s hormones shoot sky high. This would-be hero is everything she imagined him to be, and when Jody takes him to her book signing, readers swoon. But Jake only has eyes—and compliments—for her. Before long, Jody stops doubting his story and starts doubting her sanity.
When Jake convinces her she is overdue for love, Jody begins to wonder—instead of just writing about adventures, has she conjured one?

And the excerpt:
“Jody Feather?” The deep voice rushed at her like a hot breeze, reverberated through her, and stopped her where she stood.
“Ye—” Her gaze climbed the long legs clad in well-fitting jeans, pumped torso outlined through his tight tee, to the gorgeous model face. Someone might have stolen a cardboard cutout of the perfect hero and breathed life into it, and that’s who stood on her doorstep.
“Yowsa,” she said on an exhale.
He cocked a delighted brow. “Pardon?”
“May I help you?” Please say yes.
“I believe it’s the other way around.”
“Really?” Thankyouthankyouthankyou! “I mean… what do you mean?”
The timbre of his deep voice filled the space between them. “I’m here to help. Use me.”
Wait. This had to be a prank. “I get it. Mimi sent you.”
His brow furrowed. “Mimi? No.”
Patience waning, she heaved a sigh. “Who are you?”
“I think you know.” He leaned a ripped bicep against the doorjamb in a move that seemed scripted—by her.
“No. Tell me.”
“Jake? Ring a bell?”
She might have guessed. “Oh right. Jake Emerson?”
He clucked his tongue. “The one and only. I knew you’d recognize me anywhere.”
“Even at my own condo. Go figure. So why are you here? As a prop for the signing?” Damn, he fit the role perfectly, too. She couldn’t have picked a better actor. She jotted another note to ask Mimi if he could pose for the next cover. A cardboard cutout would be perfect for signings.
“Is that what you need?” he asked with a hint of disappointment.
She peered past him. “No bags?”
“I travel light.”

Thanks for reading! Keep watch on my blog for news of release day giveaways, and more fun like Casting Call, my blog series showing who I imagined in these roles.

Reviews for "Across the Winds of Time"

2011-10-03T19:53:00.002-04:00

My newest release, "Across the Winds of Time," celebrates the last few years where I lived in the Midwest. Many of my ancestors are buried there.

Who wouldn't love to have a "helpless" nineteenth century man fall right into one's lap? I know I would!! If you can't "do," you write books. So, that's what I did...while I'm waiting for my nineteenth century man to travel forward in time for me.... :-) You can read the blurb and excerpt at the following link. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=4621

And here are the links to two very lovely reviews for "Across the Winds of Time!" Please follow the links for the full reviews...

"Ms. McBride writes with her usual flair and unique spin on time travel. The reader is genuinely satisfied with the quirks and awkwardness expected with the 100 year age time difference...." http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-across-winds-of-time-by-bess.html

I have to say that Ms. McBride has outdone herself yet again. I love her creative storylines and her well developed characters. She created such an engrossing story that I found myself hanging onto her every word and I eagerly couldn’t wait to see what happened next for Molly, Sara and Darius. http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Diana-Coyle-reviews-Across-The-Winds-Of-Time-by-Bess-Mcbride.aspx

Muddy Waters earns high praise from Siren's Song Reviews

2011-09-28T12:08:00.001-04:00

Great news arrived today. MUDDY WATERS, my latest romantic suspense, earned a smashing 5 Star review from Siren's Song Reviews. I'm over the moon about the review. Here it is:

Is someone watching her?

Roxie Whitaker is struggling to make her grandmother’s real estate business a success. When her coastal home is burglarized, her rosy worldview dims. Atlanta security expert Sloan Harding distracts her from her troubles, but is Mossy Bog’s former bad boy serious about her?

Never one to shy away from muddy waters, Sloan is determined to find his alleged missing inheritance. Sparks fly as he enters into a business arrangement with Roxie to oversee the restoration of his childhood home. With her help, Sloan resurrects old secrets while a dangerous predator stalks them.

My Notes: After reading the blurb I was interested to see about this lost treasure Sloan Harding was looking for. Is Sloan still the “bad boy” of the town? I had to find out.

Summary: Roxie is a real-estate broker in a small town in Georgia. The bad boy Sloan comes back to town to find his lost inheritance. A mysterious man from SC wants to buy Sloan’s home. Weird things start to happen once Sloan is back in town, things that might hurt Roxie in the long run. Who can she trust?

Review: I enjoyed this read for several reasons. The romance and the suspense worked well together. I was anxious to know about this lost treasure Sloan has always heard about, but never thought it really existed. I liked the banter between Roxie and Sloan—she kept him in his place.

At first they have a roller coaster relationship. They each find it hard to trust the other and misjudge a few things along the way. Sloan’s dog, Max, was cute as well. I loved the small town feel in Georgia. My mom is from a very small town in Georgia and I could relate to the charm and gossip.
I like the writing style of this author. I will be looking for more books by her. I enjoyed the story and really didn’t want it to end. This is another book I can add to my tiny “read again” stack.

See the review: http://sirenssongreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/muddy-waters-by-maggietoussaint.html?zx=9b68397a988172c9

Don't miss this book or my other fab titles from The Wild Rose Press, House of Lies (now bargain priced) and No Second Chance! See my author page at TWRP: http://tinyurl.com/64ys5wv

Maggie Toussaint

Mix a bad boy in with small town gossip and a lost inheritance and you’ve got MUDDY WATERS

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/muddy-waters-p-4271.html

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/ and http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/

Release Day: The Beast's Redemption

2011-09-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

I've always admired adaptions and inspired by stories - when they are done well. There's something about taking elements or an overall story and making it your own which inspires and challenges my creativity.

The Beast's Redemption is one of those stories. A modern retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. TBR is more of an "inspired" by story since it isn't a retelling, but contains elements from the original fairy tale.

One element I enjoyed playing with is the rose. Three roses appear and play an important part in The Beast's Redemption.

The Beast's Redemption by Angie Derek. A miniature rose from the Black Rose line.

Cursed shape shifter, Alexander Léandre, is resigned to his fate, but that doesn’t stop him from hunting down the descendants of the sorceress who bewitched him in hopes of obtaining a cure.

Belle Beaumont is used to men never looking past her curvy figure and pretty face. She dutifully agrees to befriend Alexander in order to protect her father’s herbal company.

A single touch changes all. Passions flare. When Belle discovers what Alexander is truly after and why, will she accept him for what he is? And will her love and family knowledge be enough to break a hundred-year-old curse?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4632

"Across the Winds of Time"

2011-09-23T23:28:00.005-04:00

While on a genealogical research journey through the Midwest, Molly Hamilton impulsively buys a 100-year-old Victorian house in the middle of a cornfield, and falls in love with the house’s owner...the original owner, that is. Can he be a ghost? The handsome, intriguing attorney certainly feels solid—and somehow her soul knows she has always loved him.

Darius Ferguson has no idea how he has come to present-day Iowa. The last thing he knew, the year was 1880, and he had just buried his fiancée, who happens to look exactly like Molly. He cannot separate the two women in his heart—to him, they are one.

In spite of being drawn to him, Molly thinks Darius is unhinged. Darius wonders if he has joined his fiancée in purgatory. If time travel is possible, will love be enough to build a future together?

(Time Travel)
Rating: Sweet
Page Count: 308
Word Count: 89994
Print ISBN: 1-60154-970-9

Excerpt:

“Molly, wait!”

I froze in place for a moment. It was definitely a man under the tree though I couldn’t see his face...and he knew my name.

“Do I know you?” I called in an unsteady voice. It seemed, though, as if my words were taken by the wind. Who was this man? And how did he know my name?

He moved away from the tree with a tentative step. His clothing was formal—a dark suit and white shirt—as if he had just been to a funeral. I hadn’t remembered seeing a canopy for a funeral on the grounds, but I wasn’t about to take my eyes off the stranger for one instant to confirm that suspicion.

I thought I saw a flash of white teeth from under his dark mustache, but he was still some distance away. Golden highlights in his chestnut hair caught the sunlight, and my mouth dropped open. He was undoubtedly one of the most handsome men I had ever seen in my life. My stomach rolled over at the sight of him, though not exclusively with admiration of his good looks. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I put my hand to my mouth as if to hold back the morning’s breakfast...if I’d had any.

For here—in the flesh—was the man of my dreams. Not just any dreams. More specifically, my dreams of the previous evening. Yet I couldn’t for the life of me remember ever seeing him before until this moment.

“Be careful what you wish for,” I muttered behind the hand that covered my convulsing mouth.

“Molly, do not be frightened. I can see that you are. I do not want to scare you.” He took another step forward and held his hands up palms out...as if to show me he wasn’t armed, I thought hysterically, or to calm me down. Either way, it wasn’t working.

Buy link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=4621

NOT WITHOUT RISK Wins Silver!

2011-09-03T07:55:00.000-04:00

He has a killer to find and doesn't need a leggy brunette clouding his investigation. She wants to know who murdered her friend. As Paige and Justin try to stay one step ahead of a madman, love comes...
Not Without Risk.

NOT WITHOUT RISK has been awarded the Silver 2011 Readers Favorite Award in romantic suspense! I'm absolutely thrilled because this is the first book I ever wrote from Chapter One to The End!

Check here for more details on the win.

http://readersfavorite.com/2011-award-contest-winners.htm#Romance-Suspense-a

BLURB:

Six agonizing months after a slug collapsed his lung, Sergeant Justin Harrison manages to return to the one place where he shines—the San Diego homicide division. Nothing will stand in the way of proving he is fit for active duty. Especially not the long-legged brunette who just stumbled into his crime scene.

Photographer Paige Conroy spent years hiding from her past. Then a late night telephone call brings it crashing back. An old friend is in town and needs her help. When she arrives at his hotel room four hours later, he's dead. Suddenly, she's the target of a madman, and Paige must turn to Sergeant Harrison for protection.

But who is the bigger threat to her... the faceless assailant she fears will steal her life or the dark-eyed detective she knows could steal her heart?

Thanks for reading!
Sarah Grimm

The Wild Rose Press and Marines in Afghanistan

2011-07-27T11:06:00.000-04:00

How neat is that? The two guys on either end are my sons' best friends who served in Afghanistan last year with the U.S. Marine Corps. Their Unit spent over 9 months fighting for our country in some pretty nasty conditions but thankfully they are both home safe and sound and enjoying a much easier summer. While they were gone, my family sent a package over every week of goodies and at one point they told me if I sent TWRP t-shirts in large sizes they'd pose in them for me.

So here they are - some of our country's toughest guys in pink t-shirts promoting The Wild Rose Press a world away from home and family. Is it only me or would they make some pretty amazing book covers?

To all of you who have loved ones still overseas my prayers go with you and with them. The sacrifices our servicemen and women make is unbelievable and the unsung sacrifice of the families they leave behind is sometimes even tougher.

Seduced By History: Dr. Susan Anderson

2011-07-19T15:42:00.000-04:00

Seduced By History: Dr. Susan Anderson: "By Anna Kathryn Lanier" Join me at Seduced by History for my monthly blog on a real "Pioneering Woma of the West."

Stone Heart's Woman Book Cover

2011-07-07T16:15:00.008-04:00

Because this will be my first e-book publication, I'm really excited about getting a copy of my cover. It depicts beautifully the area in which the story takes place.

Fort Robinson, Nebraska once known as Camp Robinson, is a huge military outpost. There a few bedraggled remnants of the great Northern Cheyenne, known as the Beautiful People, are being held hostage. They have been pursued for 1500 miles as they escaped from the Indian Nation and headed for their home in Montana.

Stone Heart is the son of George Armstrong Custer and White Dove, a Northern Cheyenne. His hatred of his father drives him to rebuke his white heritage and swear never to speak the white-man's language again. Until he meets Aiden Connor, a red-haired Irish lass abandoned in the remote town of Benson by the man she loved.

Their meeting in a shack on the high plains is less than charmed. Stone Heart is recovering from wounds received during the final breakout at Fort Robinson when Aiden stumbles onto the sod house:

A shuffling of feet, movement of some kind, startled him fully awake. He had no idea how

long he had slept, but someone was coming. Tilting his head, he listened. Not an animal, nor a

big man. Someone small, weary. Even with his wounds, he would have no trouble overpowering

this one and slitting its throat. The musket lay in the dark corner, for he had not yet loaded it. He

hoped this was a white man approaching, for he desperately desired to count coup, repay the

slaughter of the day before. Ignoring the lancing of pain, he crept toward the door, waited out of

sight until his prey entered. The only light filtered into the gloom through that opening, and he

could be upon the enemy without ever being seen.

The fur-shrouded figure that stepped into sight radiated fire about its head, rays of sun

brilliant in long strands of tangled red hair. Already in motion, his arm clamped about its throat,

cut off a high scream.

A woman. A white woman.

The robe slipped from her shoulders when she clawed the air and kicked furiously with

both feet, her full weight swinging on his forearm. One pointed boot toe struck his shin, another

cracked his knee painfully. Gritting his teeth against passing out, he leaned against the wall and

hung on, pressed the blade of his knife hard against her mid-section.

Hissed in her ear, “Stop fighting or I’ll gut you.”

The galleys came last week and I've finished editing them. What a great book this is! Talk about Blatant Self Promotion. Well, I've always believed if we didn't like our own work no one else would either.

I don't have a release date yet, but it will be sometime within six months, I'm told. I'll celebrate with something special for my readers. Time will tell what that will be. I once gave away and silver and turquoise ring from New Mexico to a lucky reader. I'll come up with something.

Hot Authors! Free Reads! Contests! Prizes! Fun! Laughs!

2011-07-07T13:01:00.002-04:00

Set Your Summer on Fire

at Our Smoldering Summer Love-In!

* Hot Free Reads * Sizzling Excerpts *

* Fun Contests * Laughs * e-Book Giveaways *

Come Chat With Us Thursday, July 14th!

One Lucky Person Will Win $25 eBucks from ARe.

All You Have to Do Is Join Our Chat…And Chat!

We'll Pick One Name @ 8PM Eastern Time

As The Lucky Winner!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SummerLove-In/

Fun!

All Romance e-Books, Ayersbooks, Extasy Books,

Loose Id, Phaze, Passion in Print,

Pink Petal Books, Siren-BookStrand,

and The Wild Rose Press.

Passion, heat, and adventure await! Don't miss it!

Michele Hart

Paranormal/Sci-Fi Romance Author
~ Walk Another World ~ http://www.ILoveShapeShifters.com/

What do you do when you can't throw someone down a flight of stairs? Write a story about it.
The Wild Rose Press * NO FUNNY STUFF! * All Romance e-Books * ZERO-G

Siren-BookStrand * VIGILANT * GANGBUSTERS coming soon
Siren-BookStrand * LUMINOUS NIGHTS-a 2011 Golden Quill Contest finalist/Best Sci-Fi!
Siren-BookStrand * LOOKS ARE DECEIVING * MIND-BLOWN

Win a Kindle

2011-07-04T21:30:00.004-04:00

Digi Books Cafe and authors of the Wild Rose Press are giving you three chances to win Kindles!

Enter the Win a Kindle Summer Hunt
3 months; 3 hunts; 3 Kindle eReaders
2 easy ways to win.
Visit Digi Books Cafe for Details.

http://www.digibookscafe.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=9

Release Day! GIFTS GONE ASTRAY, Regency comedy

2011-06-29T05:01:00.001-04:00

Today is the release day for my latest Regency comedy novella, Gifts Gone Astray.

BLURB:
A gift is a wonderful surprise. Or maybe not.

At the Earl of Langley's family gathering, everyone receives a gift, including the servants. Tutor Stephen Fairfax expects a small token, but the present from family member Mrs. Anne Copely, the widow who's caught his eye, is a dream come true.

Until he opens it. What a gift! How did that demure lady acquire such a book? And she wants to "study" it with him? If he accepts her offer, tempting as it is, he could lose his job.

Anne has no idea why Mr. Fairfax is in such a flutter. Her present is a simple book of illustrations. The subject interests them both, and she would like nothing better than to examine the book--and Mr. Fairfax--more closely.

EXCERPT:
She glanced at the mantel clock. "Oh, look at the time! I must return to the drawing room. So much to do before the family party tonight. But, before I leave..." She swallowed. "We had some trouble with the gifts today. Yours went missing. I apologize—"

"But I received a gift. Someone left it outside my door."

"Thank the stars." She pressed her hand to her bosom.

Stephen's gaze followed her hand down and his throat dried.

"I worried your present was lost."

She worried about me. Capital! He tore his eager gaze from her breasts and lifted his head. "I have not yet unwrapped it. A book, I take it?"

"Yes. The volume belonged to my husband. He was a scholar, and that book was one of his favorites. Mine, too. We spent many happy hours enjoying it." Another dazzling smile curved her lips. "I selected it with you in mind."

His pulse thumped. I have a chance. "You flatter me with your consideration."

"My pleasure." She flashed another of her heart-stopping smiles. "As much as I long to, I will not ruin the surprise by telling you what the book is." She smoothed her face into a blank stare, but her glorious chocolate eyes twinkled.

So, she wanted to play games. He gave an inward smirk. He would love to play games of a different sort. But he would settle for a guessing game. For now.

Available at:

The Wild Rose Press

Note, depending where you are, the links might not yet be active.

Thank you all,
Linda
Linda Banche
Welcome to My World of Historical Hilarity!
http://www.lindabanche.com

New Zealand bush - Lethal Refuge

2011-06-09T00:03:00.000-04:00

My romantic suspense (Lethal Refuge) that I'm doing final edits for now, is set in the Auckland area of New Zealand. I've downloaded a couple of images of the area where it takes place. It's called the Waitakeres i.e. the Waitakere Hills outside Auckland. Okay, hard to say, huh? It's a Maori word that's pronounced "Whytackuray." That's the closest, as a European, I can get.

In Arthur Lydiard's coaching days (the great runner coach), good runners used the Waitakere Hills as an exacting weekend run. Hills like you wouldn't believe, not too much traffic if you start early enough, and bushland as far as the eye can see, dotted here and there with houses. That bushland is very, very thick. It's not like the Australian bush for example where you can see through sparse groups of gum trees. No, it's more like Canadian bushland. Believe me, you can easily get lost in bushland in New Zealand.

In LETHAL REFUGE, Celie runs away to evade a killer and ends up going round in circles in the Waitakere bushland. She comes very close to being killed there; in fact someone is killed, but it's not Celie.

FOREVER FREED Release Day & Giveaway & Reviews!

2011-05-21T02:33:00.000-04:00

It's release day for my debut paranormal romance, FOREVER FREED! I'm so excited because this was the first novel I wrote and the first I sold, and it's so scary and thrilling to have it out there in the world!

And quite a release day it is!

I'm doing a giveaway over at My Eclectic Books, and my appearance is part of their month-long Author Extravaganza!
Forever Freed has already received four excellent reviews!
For the third day in a row, the Kindle ebook of Forever Freed has held a place on the Paid Kindle > Books > Gothic list! It's #80 right now, but has been as high as #49!
As per the picture above, my box of books arrived in the mail today so I actually got to HOLD my book (and smell!) on release day! *grins* Truly thrilling!

To buy Forever Freed, with a discount no less!, just go here:

The Wild Rose Press: Available from TWRP in PRINT or EBOOK! + get 25% off through 5/31 on all formats/titles! Use code 18b632d0b0 (those are zeroes)!

BLURB:

A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.

But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear or reservation—talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and calling to the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can…

Thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye

Regency Ladies and Double-Barrel Flintlocks

2011-05-13T19:04:00.004-04:00

In my Regency Romance, The Guise of a Gentleman, my Regency lady was faced with a group of bad guys. Since I'd done my research, I knew if she were to defend the man and boy they were trying to kill, she'd only be able to get off one shot because of the time and difficulty loading guns. So, I'd decided to either have her ride with two loaded guns or have a groom riding with her. Then I found just what I needed: a double-barrel flintlock which could fire two shots, without having to reload. Huzzah!!!

Most Flintlock pistols were from 10 to 16 inches long, from butt to barrel muzzle. They would weigh from one to four pounds, depending on the caliber and the number of barrels. There were a number of double-barreled pistols during the Regency, but they were generally big and heavy. There were two types, the over and under, with a revolving lower barrel, but only one hammer, so that the pan had to be primed before firing again. Ladies’ pistols were generally six to eight inches long. Here is a small example that was only eight inches long, making one of the smallest of it’s kind and close to a ladies’ pistol.A bullet would be no wider than this: / /.

The real problem was that the flint, amount of powder, and mechanisms has to be smaller, which made them firing them successfully more difficult.

Here's a picture of small or woman’s pistol. It's is six inches long. You can see that too small to hold a ramrod. The ladies’ pistols weighed between 12 oz to one and a half pounds.

Here's a shotgun, circa 1798 to 1804. Overall length is 44 1/2", barrel length is 29", and the gun weighs 7.3 pounds.

It has a side-by-side barrel, like a double-barreled shotgun . And like the shotgun, it has two hammers, though you can't see the second one behind the first. It also has two triggers, one for each barrel. It's a .54 cal. and the damascus barrel is nine inches long and weights close to three pounds.

This Double-Barrel Flintlock Pistol of Napoleon is a replica of the original of this side-by-side double-barreled flintlock pistol from Napoleon's private armory and bears his insignia on both sides of the grip. Made by Gribeauval, Napoleon's personal gun maker, the pistol originated in the French unmaking center of St. Etienne in 1806. Unusual for its day, the double-barrel configuration provided a decided advantage over its single-barreled counterpart, given the notoriously slow reloading procedure for flintlocks. The barrel is just under eight inches long and it weighs about 2 pounds .

Even though ladies’ pistols and double-barreled pistols look different, they were loaded the same way as all flintlocks. Most all flintlocks were smoothbores. Some were rifles, with spiral rifling in the barrels. They were difficult to load because the bullet had to be seated against the rifling groves to actually spin the ball, so it was hard to ram home. Cloth or leather was wrapped around the ball, and the cloth against the rifling was easier to get down the barrel.

So, if you wondered what Elise used to save the hero and the boy from the cutthroats about to kill them, here you are, proof and everything.

The Guise of a Gentleman, winner of the Golden Quill Award

"Combining Jane Austen with swashbuckling adventure, The Guise of a Gentleman is a fine specimen of pirate romance!" NY Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley

The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret.

But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared’s past…or still love him when the truth is revealed.

Forbidden love and Champagne

2011-05-11T11:24:00.000-04:00

I'm giving away a copy of my novella, Let's Misbehave, over at Minxes of Romance today. Stop by and leave a comment on today's blog post to win: http://minxesofromance.blogspot.com

This Vintage Rose novella is the tale of a forbidden love, set against the backdrop of London in the Jazz Age, when champagne flowed, jazz music played, and girls with bobbed hair danced the Charleston.

You can read more about Let's Misbehave here, including reviews and excerpts.

The winner of this ebook will be announced at the end of the week.
Good luck!

apology from Lynnette Baughman

2011-05-07T09:38:00.002-04:00

I'm trying to post to my OWN blog -- I haven't done it for a LONG time. And apparently, I accidentally did all this work -- and it went to The Wild Rose Press blog instead. I apologize. (And I don't know how to move it!!!)
Lynnette Baughman

WHAT "Rainshadow"??

2011-05-07T08:59:00.004-04:00

May 7, 2011. First, I'm not complaining about our weather. No, no. Not when I turn on the TV and see the Mississippi River flooding and Texas dry as tinder (the part that hasn't burned yet, that is), and utter, horrible tornado devastation over so much of the southeast. No, our weather in the northwest is beautiful. But the name of this blog, and our famous weather pattern, is "rainshadow." Port Angeles, only 15 miles to our west, gets substantially more rain than we do. Well, that has changed this winter/spring. The Olympic Mountains (always snow covered, including glaciers at the center) have almost 200% of average snowpack now. Sequim (often called Sunny Sequim, as if that's our town's full name) has a little more than 8 inches of rain so far this year, and Port Angeles has a litle LESS than 8 inches. Strange.
Sequim's usual is 12-15 inches per year, 12 last year. And even though it seems very wet so far, a dry summer might bring us closer to the average. It has been chilly, though. Crops and flowers are coming in late. But hey -- at least they're coming in! Look at poor Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, etc.
My rhododendrons haven't bloomed yet, but I'll post a picture from last May. The dog is Bailey, our mostly black Lab. She's a sweet girl. We rescued her in September 2009. We figure she'll be 5 in September this year.

Enter the HEARTS IN DARKNESS Sizzling Read Giveaway!

2011-05-04T11:34:00.001-04:00

HEARTS IN DARKNESS won the distinction of Sizzling Read of the Month over at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews!

I'm beside myself with excitement!!!!!!!!

Look for me all month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews:

May 3: Bag of Hearts Giveaway Announcement

May 6: Hearts in Darkness Book Feature

May 13: Author Interview

May 22: Caden Grayson Character Interview

May 27: Hearts & Heroes Guest Blog (meet all of Laura's romantic heroes!)

May 31: Author Feature & Giveaway Winner Announcement!!!

Here's how the giveaway will work, quoted from the Sizzling page:

Laura Kaye is giving away a bag of Hearts in Darkness stuff from her Cafe Press store, and print copy of Hearts of Darkness. The contest will last until May 31st since we are spotlighting Hearts of Darkness for the month of May.

Contest is only open to US and Canada residents.

To be entered to win you must fill out this FORM.

Extra entries:
+2 for being a follower of Sizzling Hot Books site
+2 for being a follower of Sizzling Hot Books on Facebook
+1 for filling out the form
+1 entries for tweeting about this contest, blogging about it, etc.

Visit Sizzling Hot Book Reviews to enter, and participate in all the fun!

PLUS, follow my blog--I broke 10,000 site visitors today and I'm doing a special giveaway tonight at 8 p.m. in appreciation, and all blog followers are eligible!

Thanks for reading,

Laura

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

2011-05-03T11:12:00.000-04:00

THE FIRST REVIEW IS IN!
JEZEBEL'S WISH RECEIVES FOUR STARS!
And in celebration, Tattered Pages is hosting its first ever...
MAY-HEM CONTEST!
(see details below)

Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3

Jezebel has returned home from Chicago to heal, not from a physical trauma, but from a mental one. Hiding the true depths of her trauma is a task that seems beyond her capability. Compounding her distress is the fact that her mother recently sold the family home and moved to a small ranch. Jezzy doesn’t like the situation at all and is afraid of horses. As if that wasn’t enough, her mother is trying to fix her up with the local vet, Matty.

Matty sees Jezzy as a puzzle to unravel. His teasing pushes her out of her comfort zone, into bonding with one of the horses and into a relationship that is so supportive and unwavering that she cannot avoid comparing it with her previous one. Ms. Nuest does a great job showing that Matty and Jezzy are a perfect match.

It was somewhat hard to like Jezzy at first because she was so hurt and angry with herself. I liked the way she pushed back against Matty’s teasing and the wonderful way she opened her heart to the beautiful horse who befriended her. I especially liked Jezzy for wanting to know for sure what her deceased fiancé was up to before she closed off that part of her life, even though Matty, the sweetest hero ever, offered Jezzy a way to completely forget.

Ms. Nuest does a great job of handling a heroine who is both deeply depressed as well as determined to recover her life, even if she avoids reaching out for help at first. Matty is a great classic hero, steadfast and willing to stand by Jezzy no matter what she decides.

MAY-HEM CONTEST PARTICIPATION AND RULES

Contest runs through May 31st.

Each time you enter, increases your chances of winning!

Friend or Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, comment on this blog, write me a review!

Each time your name will be entered into the drawing where you will have the chance to win a

GIFT BASKET FULL OF FABULOUS PRISES!

(Candles, bath accessories, chocolate, books, jewelry

and a bottle of bubbly to share with your significant other!)

All entries count, but the more you do, the better your chances of winning:
Comment on blog - 1 Entry
Like or Friend me on Facebook - 1 Entry
Tweet me - 1 Entry
Review Jezebel's Wish - 5 Entries
Purchase a copy of Jezebel's Wish in either print or e-book format - 10 entries
No limit to the amount of times you enter!

Keep track of your entries and email me before June 1st at: ajnuest@yahoo.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajnuest
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466
The Wild Rose Press: http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3
Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/3b89ogb

LET THE MAY-HEM BEGIN!

The Wild Rose Press Turns 5!!

2011-04-22T18:03:00.001-04:00

Join us for a celebration! April 27 - May 1, 2011

5 Days and $500.00 worth of prizes!

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewildrosepress

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewilderroses

Hearts in Darkness, by Laura Kaye - Release, Reviews & Giveaway

2011-04-19T22:17:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to announce the release of HEARTS IN DARKNESS, my debut contemporary romance. Just as exciting, HEARTS has already garnered two great reviews:

4/5 stars from Ashlie at Bookish Novelties
5/5 hearts from Marissa at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

So, in celebration of all this good news, I'm offering a giveaway of a totally cute Hearts-inspired heart-wing charm on a silver bracelet!

To enter, simply email your purchase receipt to laurakayepromotions@gmail.com. When I receive 50 receipts, I will draw one lucky winner to win one of a handful of HEARTS IN DARKNESS - inspired charm bracelets! I'll do this for the first 250 receipts I receive (in increments of 50, 100, 100 receipts; 1 entry per person), giving away a total of three bracelets!

HEARTS BLURB:

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

HEARTS BOOK TRAILER:

So, don't forget! Buy, then enter to win!

So proud to be a Rose! And let me offer a special big thank you shout-out to my editor, Eilidh Mackenzie!

Laura Kaye

Find Laura on the interwebz:

Website: http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com
Blog: http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/laurakayeauthor
Twitter: @laurakayeauthor
TWRP Website: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=800
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3703867

Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life: Sarah’s Review: The Kiss of the Silver Wolf by Sharon Buchbinder

2011-04-07T09:05:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life: Sarah’s Review: The Kiss of the Silver Wolf by Sharon Buchbinder: "It does all make for an interesting read and the ending is really good."

Embarrassment is Power by Clover Autrey

2011-03-29T10:36:00.000-04:00

Embarrassment is Power by Clover Autrey Yep, I'm a bad mommy. Guest post over at the 4badmommies blog. They're a fun group of gals.

Possessive is out today!

2011-03-23T12:07:00.002-04:00

I'm celebrating the release of Possessive, my first ever ghost story. This is my seventh book with The Wild Rose Press and I couldn't be happier with my editors and my publisher.

Here is a blurb and excerpt for you to enjoy.

Possessive by Best Selling Author Catherine Bybee
Paranormal Romance Novella
Available NOW from The Wild Rose Press

http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=4438

Grief counselor Lauren Trousdale has no choice but to take her work home with her. A near-death experience left her with the ability to not only see, but also communicate with ghosts. The gift isn't one she dares reveal to anyone—certainly not to Dr. Ethan Bailey, the man she can't stop dreaming about. The ghosts are mostly kind, lost souls, but when a lovely, erotic dream about Ethan turns into a nightmare, Lauren wakes to an ice-cold room and the fear that she’s not alone.

Ethan's attraction to Lauren blooms the first time he sees her. As they grow closer, he realizes she is hiding something, but never expects her secret to be a ghostly stalker. Ethan’s only concern is protecting Lauren, but when the ghost becomes violent, Ethan must risk everything to save her. Can Lauren let him take that risk alone?

Excerpt

He moved closer and pretended to remove a piece of lint from her shoulder. Her emerald green eyes left his and glanced at her clothing. When she rounded her gaze on him again, he stood near enough to enjoy the heat of her skin. His fingers itched to touch the copper strand of hair that had escaped its binding. Lauren sucked in a breath and licked her lips, while staring at his. There it was again, desire bouncing off her and whacking him upside the head.

“Go out with me.” It really wasn’t a question. More like, “Let’s get this electrifying thing we both want to explore going,” but he left that part unstated.

“What?” She still stared at his lips. It took all his restraint not to lean down and respond to what he hoped was an unconscious plea for a kiss.

“Dinner, tonight, after your shift.” The words slid from his lips in a soft easy flow. Her response didn’t take long.

“Okay,” she whispered. Her one word caught in his gut and moved lower into a tight knot of excitement.
He lowered his chin and waited for her response. Lauren pushed closer to him, the slight curve of her breasts brushed against his chest, the sweet scent of her floral perfume shot through his system. Sweet Jesus, who’s being derailed now?

He stayed there hovering over her lips. “Good,” he finally said before shifting back on his heels.

“Good.” Lauren stepped back. Her chest rose and fell with each deep breath letting him know she was as affected as he was.

Check out Catherine Bybee’s website at: www.catherinebybee.com

A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE Reviews

2011-03-07T20:16:00.000-05:00

My novella A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE has received two great reviews in the past few days.

The Romance Studio has given the story 5 hearts. Brenda Talley said, "I highly recommend this book...."

Seriously Reviewed said, "I did not want to stop reading, and ended up staying up until after midnight because I just had to finish it" and rated the story at 19 out of 20.

Blurb:

Arriving home for Christmas, the last thing Jacob Scott expects in his house is a sexy, shotgun-toting stranger. Worse, his attraction to her bothers him even more than the gun. Still reeling from the deception of his long-time girlfriend, he’s not looking for romance.

Tessa Jones has learned one hard lesson—when everyone in your life has failed you the only one you can trust is yourself. Facing the whispers of the townsfolk and an arson charge, Tessa unexpectedly finds herself trusting Jacob with more than her legal troubles.

Struggling between the promise of the present and the hurts of the past, can these two lost souls overcome their pain long enough to discover a gift beyond all measure?

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
http://www.aklanier.com/
http://www.annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

Wild about Ebooks

2011-02-22T15:06:00.003-05:00

For a good long while my goal has been to be published in Ebooks. So when I met Rhonda Penders at our super conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas known as Ozark Creative Writers, I was thrilled when she asked me to submit two of my manuscripts.

For the past few years my work has all been in nonfiction, but along the way that old love, writing fiction, often reared its head and I would work on something. The problem is, my reach exceeds practicality. Concentrate on one genre, we're often told, but that never appealed to me. A Jane of all trades, I wrote in a wide range.

Having been published the traditional route in the 90s, I'd settled into the western historical romance genre, and had one novel, Stone Heart's Woman, ready. Then I leaped to paranormal, Wolf Song, but still western oriented, a story about the gray wolf restoration in Wyoming at Yellowstone National Park. Going to the dark side, out came A Savage Grace. Oh, was I ever ready to submit when it became evident that Ebooks were the coming place to be.

Knowing all this, my next step was to buy a Kindle, for how could I pursue Epublishing without a way to read Ebooks? Fell in love immediately with the concept of downloading books and carrying so many around in my purse. A tiny, light weight thing I could hold up easily while reading in bed.

Then came the news that The Wild Rose Press wanted to publish Stone Heart's Woman, really liked Wolf Song but didn't find enough romance there to fit.

I can already see that this is a great place to be, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next steps in seeing my book Epublished.

Have found some great writing helps on Digital Book World and this helpful site.

Valentine's Month Blog Tour - Week Four!

2011-02-22T09:32:00.004-05:00

The final week of the month-long blog tour. Commenters this week are up for a weekly prize worth $40 and/or a Grand Prize worth over $50! Topic this week - Developing Unique Characters

Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at
http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at
http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at
www.jilljameswrites.com

Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at
http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

Forget-Me-Not Is Available!

2011-02-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

My new romantic suspense, Forget-Me-Not, is now available! Here's a new excerpt in honor of release day. It takes place at night at heroine's remote wilderness cabin, as she and the hero are returning from a day in town. They come home just in time to surprise an intruder:

The intruder bolted through the woods, snapping on a flashlight, the beam bouncing as he ran. Jacob plunged after him, tripping and swearing as branches caught at his clothes. In the clearings, some moonlight filtered through the clouds, but here amid the towering pines, the darkness was total except for the pinpoint of the intruder's flashlight. "Stop, or I'll fire!" Jacob shouted. He wouldn't fire unless he had to do so to protect his life or Lara's, but whoever he was chasing didn't know that. The intruder whirled, and the flashlight fell to the ground. Wisely, he’d decided to stumble through the dark rather than signal his location so clearly.

Jacob stood for a moment, listening carefully, trying to get his bearings in the now total darkness. From behind him, a rustling sound set his senses on edge. Awareness prickled the back of his neck. He swiveled his head, trying to locate the direction of the sound. Was there another intruder he hadn't been away of?

"Jacob?" A tremulous voice came from the same direction as the rustling. Relief seared through him as he recognized Lara's voice, followed quickly by frustration. Damn if the woman hadn't followed him into the woods!

"Didn't I tell you to stay under the porch?" he hissed, pivoting to find her silhouette behind him.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you?"

"I was too scared," she admitted, fear plain in her voice. He felt some of his anger ease.

"Lie low, and don't move," he ordered her. Jacob listened, struggling to sense the location of his quarry by sound. He was straining so hard that when it exploded, the report of the pistol sounded like a cannon in the quiet woods. He ducked, only to hear the bullet strike the trunk of a nearby tree. A splinter from the impact struck him in the cheek, grazing his skin.

Buy Forget-Me-Not.

Blog Tour Week Three

2011-02-16T09:09:00.004-05:00

Don't miss out on some great blogs as TWRP authors talk about meeting
significant others. Comment for a chance at gift certificates worth $30
this week and/or a Grand Prize worth over $50!

Meet author Amy Corwin at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at
http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at
http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at
http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at
http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
www.jilljameswrites.com

Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance
at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Meet author AJ Nuest at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

Meet author Lynne Roberts at www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

Valentine's Month Blog Tour - Week Three!

2011-02-13T08:51:00.006-05:00

The Month-long blog tour continues! On Wednesday, February 16th look for the new topic: Meeting Your Significant Other. Come meet some fantastic The Wild Rose Press authors and leave a comment to have a chance to win this week's prizes worth $30 or be entered into the Grand Prize drawing worth over $50!

Meet author Amy Corwin at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at
http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at
http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at
http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
www.jilljameswrites.com

Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Meet author AJ Nuest at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

Meet author Lynne Roberts at www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

See you there!

Valentine's Month Blog Tour

2011-02-06T11:12:00.007-05:00

Last week's winner was Marci J. 10 other commenters are entered for the Grand Prize worth over $50 at the end of the month. One lucky commenter is entered twice for the Grand Prize because she commented on multiple blogs. This week's prize is $25 in gift cards to TWRP. Set your alarms for Wednesday, Feb 9 for the next segment of the TWRP Valentine's Month Blog Tour:

Wednesday, February 9th - Blog Topic - Where Creative Ideas Come From

Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at 
http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at 
http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
www.jilljameswrites.com

Meet author AJ Nuest at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

Meet author Amy Corwin at www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

Valentine's Month Blog Tour

2011-01-28T09:01:00.004-05:00

The Wild Rose Press Valentine's Month Blog Tour

Eleven TWRP authors have tag-teamed up for a blog tour of themes from the heart of writing. Meet some of the authors from TWRP and discover how their personal stories influenced their writing. Leave a comment on any of the blogs to enter to win a weekly prize. One commenter will be chosen from each blog each week. One random winner will be chosen from these 11 for a weekly double-or-nothing prize. Weekly chosen commenters who don't win the weekly prize will automatically be entered for a triple-or-nothing grand prize at the end of the tour. Winners will be posted on all the blogs. The more blogs you comment on, the better your chances of winning because you could be chosen more than once each week! Prizes start at $20 and increase each week to a grand prize worth over $50!

Blog Tour Itinerary

Wednesday, February 2nd - Blog Topic - The Significance of First Lines

Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at
http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

Meet contemporary, paranormal, and historical romance author

Caroline Clemmons at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary
romance at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com

Meet author Lynne Roberts at www.jilljameswrites.com

Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at
http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/

Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at
www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com


While you're there visiting, bookmark all the blogs for easy access all month:

Wednesday, February 9th - Blog Topic - Where Creative Ideas Come From

Wednesday, February 16th - Blog Topic - Meeting Your Significant Other

Wednesday, February 23rd - Blog Topic - Developing Unique Characters

Contest!

2011-01-18T18:34:00.001-05:00

I thought it was about time I did a contest. I haven't done one for ages and so what a better way to start a new year?

So, to win a ebook pdf copy of my modern romance, Hooked on You, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog - http://annewhitfield.blogspot.com/ and your name will be put into a hat. I'll ask a member of my family to pull out a winner's name on February 1st.

I'm also giving away a second prize, a ebook pdf copy of my short story, Avenue of Dreams to the second name picked, as a consolation prize.

A bit about both stories;-

Hooked On You

Katie Edwards is 28, single, and living the life - or so she thinks. After leaving a groping boss, who enjoyed putting the personal in personal assistant, Katie lands a job as an assistant for Liam Kennedy, a sports freak.
She hates sports, and not only is Liam a sports fanatic, but he's good at everything. The last thing Katie expects is to fall in love. But he’s simply sex on legs. And the longer they're working together, the more she wants him.
Working for a sexy man sounded fabulous, but she should have been careful what she wished for, because gorgeous employers are a hazard to the heart. Now, Katie’s in lust and he thinks she’s a dizzy chick who only knows how to party.
How can she be professional when all she wants is to hop into his bed?
Will he ever take her seriously enough to see how perfect they'd be for each other? Or is she doomed to be hooked on him forever?
Hooked On You is available to purchase in digital and paperback from various outlets. The Book Depository UK (free delivery worldwide)
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
and The Wild Rose Press website

Avenue of Dreams

New Release!

2011-01-05T15:04:00.001-05:00

It's here! Release day for my Faery Rosette with The Wild Rose Press, Through Hell and High Water! Happy day!

Blurb:

What if your life is nothing but a spell full of lies…?

When Melaina attends her friend’s Halloween party she never expects to be thrust into a surreal world. But she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a broad-shouldered stranger who somehow knows her name. When one of the guests disappears in flames, the sexy hunk whisks her away…and spins a fantastic tale.

Oren knows Melaina is a real-life water nymph under a faery’s memory spell. Melaina is his soul mate and their betrothal restored power to the naiad people--until a demon decided he'd rather have Melaina for himself. Now, the demon has tracked her down and Oren must find a way to restore Melaina's memory before it is too late.

Melaina is astonished. Naiads? Faeries? Demons? But she can't ignore her attraction to Oren--or the way his touch is making her body remember things her brain can't...

Excerpt:
A plan had just begun to take shape in my head when I saw “him” across the room.

He stood tall and broad shouldered, his pale skin practically glowing in the light. His blond hair, slightly darker than my own, barely skimmed his shoulders and framed the most handsome face I think I’d ever seen. High, sculpted cheekbones melded into a solid jaw set with determination. His shirt stretched across a muscular chest, and the blue fabric matched my own costume.

My breath caught as my eyes committed each minute detail of him to memory. My mouth watered as my eyes eagerly drank him in. He had the bottom of his shirt tucked into the narrow waistband of black leather pants that hugged a pair of firm thighs like an embrace.

When my gaze returned to his face from the little visual vacation it took over his perfect body, I found him staring at me with a pair of ocean-blue eyes I thought of drowning in. Something about his eyes reminded me of the ones that stared back at me from the mirror each day. That fact I noted with a start. Whoa.
I stood mesmerized as he walked towards me. He moved with a grace unlike any man I’d ever seen, gliding across the room with fluid and deliberate strides.

He stopped in front of me, his eyes even more striking and blue up close, and they were intently studying me. I looked down for a moment, confusion clouding my brain. I realized we were standing in the middle of the room. Apparently, my feet had a mind of their own and decided to meet him halfway, because I had no memory at all of giving them the command to move.

Available now in digital formats from The Wild Rose Press!

"Flawless" is Released Today!

2011-01-05T00:01:00.006-05:00

Release day has finally arrived! I'm very happy to announce that "Flawless", my historical romantic suspense, is now available from The Wild Rose Press, as part of the Jewels of the Night series. Here's a blurb:

France, 1942. The world is at war. The Nazis have stolen the infamous blue diamond, Le Coeur Bleu, intending to barter it for weapons that will destroy the Allies. Jewel thief Hunter Smith is given a choice; help the French Resistance steal back the diamond and avenge the death of his best friend, or stay locked up in an English prison. He chooses revenge.

Resistance fighter Madeleine Bertrand’s husband died when he was betrayed by Hunter Smith. How can she now pretend to be married to the arrogant American? How can she betray Jean Philippe’s memory by her passionate response to Hunter’s kisses? Neither is prepared for the maelstrom of attraction that erupts between them. To survive they must uncover the mysteries of the past and conquer the dangers of the present. But first Madeleine must decide if her loyalties lie with her dead husband and the Resistance or with the greatest love of her life.

Excerpt:

“I said in the letter that you had not worked as a gardener before, so he is not expecting you to know the difference between a delphinium and a dianthus.” Monsieur Gagnon poured milk onto his porridge. “But he is expecting you to work hard. If you don’t, you could be fired, or your cover could be blown.”

“I can manage.”

“The job might require a little more than sticking a shovel in the ground occasionally and spreading a bit of manure,” Madeleine said. The others turned to stare at her.

She immediately regretted her sarcastic remark, regretted throwing his words in his face. She shouldn’t let this man get to her, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. They needed to work together for the sake of the mission. But she hated him. After what he’d done to Jean Philippe…

Hunter’s gaze locked with hers, and the heat of his anger scorched her clear across the room. She refused to back down from the challenge in his stare. She’d be damned if she’d let him intimidate her.

“Madeleine, enough.” Monsieur Gagnon spoke sharply. “Regardless of your feelings, we need him. He is our only hope for getting the diamond out of the hands of the Nazis.”

He was right. If they couldn’t steal Le Coeur Bleu, Jean Philippe would have died for nothing. She couldn’t let that happen.

She inhaled deeply and looked away. “All right. We’ll work together.”

Please drop by my website at www.janarichards.net to see the stops on my Virtual Book Tour. I hope you'll stop and say hello! To purchase a copy of "Flawless", click here.

Montana Belle Is Here!

2010-12-30T16:41:00.001-05:00

I'm proud to announce that Montana Belle, my western Rosette, is now available!

Sent to Boston for a proper education after her mother's death, Augusta Springer loves her cultured life there, helping the headmistress and planning a teaching career. But when her brother dies unexpectedly, she is summoned home by her headstrong father and ordered to marry the only man for whom she has ever cared— Joshua Bradley.

Joshua has planned for years to win Augusta's heart. Building a life to share with her has been his ultimate goal, but she has learned to despise ranch life and all that goes with it. Can he persuade this independent woman to stay and share the dreams he has for both of them?

Buy it here:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/montana-belle-p-4353.html

Free Cookbook - Only TWO DAYS LEFT

2010-12-29T21:49:00.000-05:00

There's only two days left to get your FREE copy of A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE COOKBOOK. 27 mouth-watering recipes....available through December 31, 2010.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
http://www.aklanier.com/
http://www.annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

Beth Caudill - Author blog: Time Flies - 2011 Goals

2010-12-16T09:37:00.000-05:00

Beth Caudill - Author blog: Time Flies - 2011 Goals: "In a little over two weeks the New Year will be here. I can't believe 2010 is almost over. After the holidays are over, I need to get back..."

Last chance to win

2010-12-16T06:00:00.006-05:00

Today is your last chance to win with the Wild Roses Christmas blog tour. The ten participating authors are discussing their favourite Christmas traditions. Please drop by and share yours.

For links to all the blogs, visit our communal blog at http://rosestour.blogspot.com, or you can start at mine and follow the circuit around.

Each of the ten blogs is running a tour contest. A full list of prizes up for grabs is available at The Roses Tour Blog, which is also where the winner announcements will be posted early next week. Signed books, gift vouchers, popcorn and Christmas ornaments .... you'll find prizes here to suit all tastes.

Good luck, and have a wonderful, joyous holiday season!

BOOKSIGNING

2010-12-14T19:31:00.000-05:00

Saturday, December 18

12 - 4pm

Linda Mooney

Anna Kathryn Lanier

Skhye Moncrief

Anne Marie Novark

Elizabeth Pina

5 multiple genre romance authors

Boomerang Books

Come Join us for Snacks and Fun!

Boomerang Books

907 W Main St (FM 518)

League City, TX 77573

281-316-1404

Avenue Of Dreams novella.

2010-12-12T21:57:00.000-05:00

Molly Daniels is summer holidaying in a small town in the country to recover from a broken marriage. She’s hurt, disillusioned and unsure of her future. She last thing she is looking for is a man. Sebastian Lord is the town’s most eligible bachelor, a title he hates. Having given up on a successful career in the city he now owns a small farm and is content to hide away there, away from the real world that has hurt him in the past. Since his fiancé was killed four years ago, he’s refused to enter the dating game again.
They’re an unlikely pair, but Seb’s wayward dog has a habit of bringing them together. They give into their attraction and share a hot summer together, but can they let go of the past enough to embrace a future together?

Excerpt:
Why was he asking her out to dinner? This wasn't what he did. Dates, women, and the whole relationship business weren't his thing anymore, hadn't been for many years.
Molly stopped and turned. "No, thanks."
He frowned at her refusal. She was as prickly as a thorn, but quite stunning. "I'm only trying to be friendly."
"I'm sure you are, but I'm not interested."
"What can it hurt?" He shrugged with a smile. Normally, he wasn't one to be pushy, and didn't really believe in chemistry and all that nonsense, but something about this woman affected him. He wanted, very much so, to spend time with her. It had been so long since a woman had stirred the latent embers of his interest. Some instinct told him to not let this one go.

Miniature Rose
Hot
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/avenue-of-dreams-p-592.html

Review for ADAM'S TREASURE by Diane Wylie

2010-12-12T11:28:00.003-05:00

Siren Book Reviews

Rating: 4 1/2 siren stones

"Adam’s Treasure was a wonderful cloak and dagger style story set among the upheaval of the aftermath of the Civil War. James Bond style his and her spies, Adam and Marilla penetrate a secret society, Knights of the Golden Circle, who are bent upon restoring the South to its former glory and ousting the current government of the United States of America. Pinkerton agents, Adam and Marilla, must decode a treasure map and discover the hidden gold before the Golden Circle can use it to buy their way back into power.

Ms. Wylie’s story was great fun and a good all around read. Anyone that favours conspiracy, treasure hunting, mystery novels will enjoy Adam’s Treasure. The story flowed nicely from start to finish and I would definitely recommend it."

Reviewed by Rhonda Callum-King

http://sirenbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/diane-wylie-adams-treasure.html

http://knights-of-the-golden-circle.blogspot.com/2010/12/adams-treasure.html

Night Owl Reviews - 3 1/2 Stars for A Gift Beyond All Measure

2010-12-10T23:17:00.000-05:00

Night Owl Reviews has given A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEAUSRE 3 1/2 stars and a grade-A review.

"A seasonal read, A Gift Beyond All Measure delivers on it's title. If you are looking for a heart warming story and don't mind a hero that needs to be taught a thing or two about tenderness, then I think you will like this story. Tessa is a character that steps right out of the page and into your heart. She's a tough cookie that you want to find love and happiness." ~ Talina

Buy A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE now.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
http://www.aklanier.com/

A Gift Beyond All Measure

2010-12-09T00:25:00.000-05:00

Blurb

Arriving home for Christmas, the last thing Jacob Scott expects in his house is a sexy, shotgun-toting stranger. Worse, his attraction to her bothers him even more than the gun. Still reeling from the deception of his long-time girlfriend, he’s not looking for romance.

Tessa Jones has learned one hard lesson—when everyone in your life has failed you the only one you can trust is yourself. Facing the whispers of the townsfolk and an arson charge, Tessa unexpectedly finds herself trusting Jacob with more than her legal troubles.

Struggling between the promise of the present and the hurts of the past, can these two lost souls overcome their pain long enough to discover a gift beyond all measure?

UNEDITED EXCERPT:

Jacob Scott raised a brow, then broke away from her hypnotic stare to glance at the shotgun pellets embedded in his wall. “You could have killed me.”

“You broke into the house in the middle of the night.”

He reached into his jeans’ pocket and pulled out his keys. “I didn’t break in. I have the damn key to my own front door.”

She put a hand on her hip and cocked her head. “And how was I to know it was you making all that noise? You’re not supposed to be here.”

Irritation boiled inside his gut. She was treating him like a criminal for entering his own home.

“Well, I am here and this is my house. And just who are you?”

She drew in a breath and glanced to her left. “Tessa Jones,” she mumbled.

The name rattled around in his brain. It was familiar. She was familiar, but he didn't think he'd actually met her before. He sure would have remembered that thick auburn hair and lush body if they'd been introduced. So, why did he know the name?

Oh, no. Not that Tessa Jones.

“Tessa Jones? The cook for Baxter’s Diner who burned down half of Spencerville after she started a kitchen fire last month?” Thrusting a hand through his hair, he shifted his weight “What are you doing in my house?”

Her face reddened as she glared at him. “I’m the cook for the cowboys here on the Triple H.”

What was Christina thinking? Hiring an arsonist as a cook?

What he thought must have shown on his face, because the hand on her hip fisted, bunching the flannel and inching it up to reveal more of her lovely thighs. Fire blazed in her eyes. “You know, things aren’t always what they appear to be.”

With that, she strode down the hallway to a bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE available now at The Wild Rose Press.

Christmas Memories

2010-12-02T05:39:00.000-05:00

I have so many over the years, but a post on another blog reminded me of how my brother and I used to sneak downstairs very early Christmas morning to take a peak at our presents, only to be twarted when we found our dad asleep on the couch. We'd take a quick took, then sneak back up and go back to our beds.

To me, the decorated Christmas tree, family dinners, cookies and homemade fudge all bring those childhood memories back, even though, now, my own children are all young adults.

In closing, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from my American Civil War set novella, The Christmas Ball, from the American historical Christmas anthology, An American Rose Christmas.

Excerpt:

Sara closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Doc Ellison's kiss had scattered her senses. For months she'd dreamed of being in his arms. As he reached for the buttons on her shirt, her breath caught. His hands on her body thrilled her. She'd never felt like this before.

After loosening the buttons, he opened the shirt and gazed at her bosom.

She studied him, wondering what he was thinking. Did he like what he saw?

He dropped his hands and half-turned away.

"Please," she gasped. "Don't stop."

Turning back, his gaze roved over her. She tried to read his expression. Was that desire she saw, or disgust?

"We should be going now," he said. His gaze dropped to the hay strewn ground.

"No!" Boldly she reached out and fingered the buttons of his coat. He didn't move as she slowly undid them and parted the material. Her fingers tingled as they brushed over his shirt, feeling hardened muscle beneath.

His breath hitched, but he gently pushed her away. "Miss Brewster, we mustn't..."

"Doc!" A shout from outside, startled her. She jerked away from the doctor and scanned the barn opening.

"Yes," Ellison called. He eyed her. "You'd best go."

She nodded, hurriedly fastening her buttons. One of the other stewards approached. His dark eyes slid from her to the doctor. "They don't need me in the hospital tent, and told me to come on over and give you a hand."

Ellison glanced at Sara. "We're about finished here. I was on my way back."

"All right, Doc," the soldier said. "I'll head back with you."

She swallowed, not sure she could find her voice. "Ah... I'm off duty, so I reckon I'll head back to my tent."

Ellison reached up and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She caught his gaze, trying to gauge his thoughts. Would he have allowed her to undress him if they hadn't been interrupted?

An American Rose Christmas, available at The Wild Rose Press and discounted for the holidays http://www.thewildrosepress.com/an-american-rose-christmas-p-3807.html?zenid=fbfeb2eb47f18b45e780e54c46f21563

new review for Muddy Waters!

2010-12-01T15:18:00.006-05:00

Exciting news!!!
I just received a glowing review for Muddy Waters, my October 2010 romantic suspense release from The Wild Rose Press. Perhaps the most poignant phrase was what the reviewer said in her remarks before the email.

"Muddy Waters was a great read, and I can't help but think of it time after time even after I'm done. " Steph Burkhart, author of science fiction and suspense

Here are snips from her review:

"Toussaint crafts an edge of your seat romantic suspense with Muddy Waters."

"Toussaint's writing is crisp and easy to read. The plot is tight, filled with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes. One of the most endearing aspects of the story is how Toussaint captures the authenticity of small town America, giving delicious depth to the setting and characters. Mossy Bog is full of wonderful characters and the supporting cast shines. "

"Muddy Waters is a thrilling kayak ride full of suspense and romance!"

I couldn't be more pleased with her thoughts on Muddy Waters!

Maggie Toussaint
http://www.maggietoussaint.com/
http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/

Coming December 8 - A Gift Beyond All Measure

2010-12-01T00:48:00.001-05:00

Blurb:

Arriving home for Christmas, the last thing Jacob Scott expects in his house is a sexy, shotgun-toting stranger. Worse, his attraction to her bothers him even more than the gun. Still reeling from the deception of his long-time girlfriend, he’s not looking for romance.

Tessa Jones has learned one hard lesson—when everyone in your life has failed you the only one you can trust is yourself. Facing the whispers of the townsfolk and an arson charge, Tessa unexpectedly finds herself trusting Jacob with more than her legal troubles.

Struggling between the promise of the present and the hurts of the past, can these two lost souls overcome their pain long enough to discover a gift beyond all measure?

UNEDITED EXCERPT:

“You could have killed me.”

“You broke into the house in the middle of the night.”

He reached into his jeans’ pocket and pulled out his keys. “I didn’t break in. I have the damn key to my own front door.”

She put a hand on her hip and cocked her head. “And how was I to know it was you making all that noise? You’re not supposed to be here.”

Irritation boiled inside his gut. She was treating him like a criminal for entering his own home.

“Well, I am here and this is my house. And just who are you?”

She drew in a breath and glanced to her left. “Tessa Jones,” she mumbled.

The name rattled around in his brain. It was familiar. She was familiar, but he didn't think he'd actually met her before. He sure would have remembered that thick auburn hair and lush body if they'd been introduced. So, why did he know the name?

Oh, no. Not that Tessa Jones.

“Tessa Jones? The cook for Baxter’s Diner who burned down half of Spencerville after she started a kitchen fire last month?” Thrusting a hand through his hair, he shifted his weight “What are you doing in my house?”

Her face reddened as she glared at him. “I’m the cook for the cowboys here on the Triple H.”

What was Christina thinking? Hiring an arsonist as a cook?

What he thought must have shown on his face, because the hand on her hip fisted, bunching the flannel and inching it up to reveal more of her lovely thighs. Fire blazed in her eyes. “You know, things aren’t always what they appear to be.”

With that, she strode down the hallway to a bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

Available for FREE December 8-31, 2010 at http://www.aklanier.com/, 27 mouth-watering recipes from Tessa Jones Scott and friends.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/
Holiday Cheer Dec. 1-31

Take a Trip to the Rainforest

2010-11-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

LAZULI MOON, now available!

Three people search for the legendary Lazuli Moon in the Valdivian Rainforest.
Two of them will find a treasure they never expected.
One won’t live to see another day.

Archaeologist and professor Dr. Nivia Charu can’t let the Lazuli Moon remain hidden forever. With her teaching position threatened and no funds for an expedition, Nivia fears the blue diamond fabled to have healing powers will never be unearthed.

Physician Dr. Benjamin Forrester wants to cure his uncle’s cancer. His attempts at manufacturing a remedy, however, have failed. Desperate and out of options, Ben needs a miracle, and Nivia may just hold the key.

Up against a crazed boat captain and ancient curses, Ben and Nivia join forces to seek the Lazuli Moon. What waits for them in the depths of the rainforest will either make them famous or kill them.

Click here to download today!

Visit me at http://www.christinedepetrillo.blogspot.com/!

Happy Holidays,
Christine

The Roses and I are going on tour...

2010-11-24T11:56:00.002-05:00

And today my first stop is with Maya Banks. Please join me as I talk about my holiday "To Be Read" pile. It's lengthy and has something for everyone. http://mayabauthor.com/

Want to know about our other tour stops? You can check out our tour dates here: http://rosestour.blogspot.com/

Nana

Nana Malone
Game, Set, Match, Available now from The Wild Rose Press and Amazon
www.nanamalone.com
www.thepopculturedivas.com
Facebook
Twitter

Multi-Author Booksigning - Houston TX - Nov 20

2010-11-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

Join authors Skhye Moncrief, Anne Marie Novark and Anna Kathryn Lanier in Houston (well, Pasadena) Texas on Saturday, November 20th at Absolute Hair, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Snacks, door prizes and lots of books!

Anna Kathryn Lanier

http://www.aklanier.com/

http://www.annakathrynlanier.com/

FREE Cook Book

2010-11-14T20:32:00.001-05:00

Want a cookbook with 27 mouth-watering recipes, including Cheesy Biscuits, Son-of-a-Gun Stew, Green Beans with Basil, Chocolate Cherry Cake, Apple Strudel, Tortellini Soup, Taco Casserole, and Italian Cream Cake?

It can be yours....for FREE, when you purchase my upcoming book A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE.

Sorry, you will need to wait for both the story and the cookbook....A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE doesn't come out until December 8th from The Wild Rose Press. But I wanted to give everyone a heads up....if you purchase the book between December 8th and December 31st, 2010, you can get the book for free off my website. More details will come on how to obtain the A GIFT BEYOND ALL MEASURE COOK BOOK.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
http://www.aklanier.com/
http://www.annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

Adam's Treasure by Diane Wylie

2010-11-06T15:39:00.003-04:00

Excerpt from Adam's Treasure by Diane Wylie

Never, in her wildest dreams, did she imagine witnessing something like this. Seeing the four naked Indians toss Adam off the bank and into the river had frightened her beyond measure. When she saw that he could not swim, she had considered saving him, but the Indians had pushed past her.

In moments she realized that they had decided, for some unknown reason, to teach Adam Skelding to swim. The rest of the afternoon she sat under the oak trees and watched the antics of five very naked men.

Now, the man who captured her attention the most lay next to her. Water glistened on his olive skin. She couldn’t keep her gaze off the hills and valleys of the muscles across those broad shoulders, back, and tight rear end. He breathed hard, making everything ripple just slightly. Entrancing to witness.

With effort she focused on his face, but he had closed his eyes.

“Adam?”

“Mmmph?”

“Why did they do that?”

The Indians had also emerged from the water and donned their loincloths and moccasins once more. The eagle, which had remained perched in one of the trees nearby during most of the day, lifted from its leafy shelter and circled the group of Indians.

First one blue eye opened and then the other. Rolling on his side to face her, Adam propped his head on his hand, resting his elbow on the ground.

“Because I could not swim. Black Wolf and the others knew this.”

“How did they find out?” Marilla hoped he would confide in her enough to tell his story. Curiosity just about ate her up.

He sighed and rolled onto his back, totally distracting her once more. His manhood grew stiff…and big…and swollen, unlike the Indians. She swallowed hard. He appeared not to notice her interest and seemed very comfortable lying nude.

“During the war, my partner, Pamela, and I worked in Richmond. We discovered that the Confederates had built a secret weapon. We had to get that information to the North. But after learning about this weapon, Pamela disappeared. One of my agents saw her leaving town with a Confederate officer. I thought she had been kidnapped, so I rode to the rescue, fool that I was. In the struggle I ended up in the river. Black Wolf and his friends arrived in time to pull me out of the water.”

Sitting up, Adam reached for his shirt, which Marilla had spread to dry on the grassy bank, and started to dress. She found herself wishing he wouldn’t cover his magnificent body, but said nothing to stop him. The idea would be unseemly.

Adam turned away and headed toward the Indians, who had gathered around the wagon to feast again, feeding scraps to the bird on Black Wolf’s arm. Marilla watched him walk away. He had loved Pamela. His obvious pain said so.

A combination of guilt and self-doubt hit her hard. Her Carl was gone, too. It had hurt at the time to lose him in the war, but her grief had faded quickly…too quickly. Maybe she didn’t really know what love meant.

____________

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt. Adam's Treasure is for sale at the following places:

Purchase Adam’s Treasure from Amazon

Purchase Adam’s Treasure from Barnes and Noble

Purchase Adam’s Treasure (ebook) from The Wild Rose Press

Purchase Adam’s Treasure (print) from The Wild Rose Press

Have a great weekend,
~Diane