Laurel Greer's Blog, page 4

One-Click Monday: In Deep by Stacy Gold

I one-clicked on this one the minute it came available – it promises to be a delicious mix of sexy tension, smart characters, and hard skiing. Order links are on Stacy Gold’s website.

Sophie Tremore is trying to build a career in the male-dominated world of Ski Patrol. Hard to do when her new boss is her smokin’ hot ex-lover. She hasn’t forgotten how he made her body tingle and her heart pound, although he’s making it a lot easier by treating her like she’s incompetent—when he’s not ignoring her existence altogether.

Emerald Mountain Ski Patrol Director Max Demford has been doing his best to avoid working with his feisty former flame, given his judgment is clouded by those eight mind-blowing weeks two years ago. Ski patrol is dangerous enough, and no way could he handle another person he cares about getting hurt on the mountain.

Forced to work together, their simmering attraction becomes difficult to ignore. When Sophie gets caught in a slide, an adrenaline-filled day could turn into a spectacular night they will never forget—one that could risk both their careers.

Releasing January 31, and available for pre-order now!

Stacy Gold gave up her day job as Communications Director of a nonprofit mountain biking organization to write sassy, steamy, contemporary romance novels. Her stories are packed with strong, independent women finding love and adventure in the great outdoors.

When Stacy’s not busy reading or writing, you can find her in Boulder, Colorado dancing, laughing or playing hard in the mountains with her wonderful hubby and happy dog. Learn more, and join the Gold Club for early release news, freebies, contests and more at http://stacygold.com/goldclub

 

Have I mentioned I love my From Exes to Expecting Cover?

Because I do! It captures the setting (on a dock with mountains in the background? Squee!) and the sense of awe both characters have over Lauren’s pregnancy. The hero and heroine might not know how to find common ground in their relationship, but the babyーand their sizzling attraction to each otherーgives them more than enough motivation to try.

I can’t wait for you to get to know Tavish and Lauren! Pre-sale links are available on the From Exes to Expecting page.

And without further ado… Ta da!

 

Romance for the Holidays Giveaway!

Ho-Ho-Ho! Kindle Santa is on his way! Enter our giveaway from November 13-30 and you could be one of 7 lucky winners to take home some Christmas loot, including Kindles and Ebook Prize Packs where you choose the books you want to win!

Enter Here

(Sponsored by the 59 authors listed below)

Alicia Kobishop • Allison Gatta • Amanda Uhl • Anna Durand • Anne Stone • Anni Fife • Astrid Arditi • Bokerah Brumley • C.E. Wilson • Cailin Briste • Calinda B • Cherie Claire • Christine d’Abo • Connie Davé • Constance Phillips • Cynthia A Clement • Cynthia Cooke • Dakota Willink • Debbie White • Denise Devine • Donna R. Mercer • Elizabeth Rose • Emily Leigh • Gayle Parness • Gemma Snow • Holland Rae • Holly Cortelyou • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jana Richards • Jeanne St. James • Jo-Ann Carson • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Josie Riviera • Judith Keim • Kris Michaels • Lana Campbell • Laurel Greer • Leanne Banks • Liz Durano • Maria K. Alexander • Mary Morgan • Melissa Belle • N.D. Jones • Natalie Ann • R.M. Gauthier • Robyn Neeley • Sahara Roberts • Siera London • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Stephanie Julian • Susan Jean Ricci • Suzanne Jenkins • Tamara Ferguson • Taylor Lee • Tena Stetler • Victoria Pinder • Whitley Cox

Shop Our Book Fair

And while you’re stopping by, pull up a cozy chair next to our virtual fireplace to shop for your next read at our Holiday Book Fair. Many titles 99 cents or FREE.

 

 

 

A song for Tavish

A little teaser for my upcoming FROM EXES TO EXPECTING soundtrack – I was browsing through Maren Morris’ album, Hero (My Church is one of the best songs to sing along to on the radio at the moment, IMO) and came along this gem. You can’t get much closer to Lauren and Tavish’s themes than broken hearts and not being able to let go of love, and this one reminded me of Tavish’s perspective on their relationship.

Enjoy, and if you’d like an early crack at the full soundtrack, as well as cover and presale announcements, please sign up for my newsletter. Lauren’s song will be posted soon!

Lauren and Tavish will be coming your way in FROM EXES TO EXPECTING in print on Feb 20, 2018 and digitally on Mar 1, 2018.

Happy listening!

This time, there’s a baby on board…

I have a blurb for From Exes to Expecting, folks! Ta dah!

This time there’s a baby on board… 

Dr. Lauren Dawson knows her brief marriage to footloose photographer Tavish Fitzgerald ended for a reason. That doesn’t mean their undeniable chemistry isn’t as potent as ever. And when Tavish returns home to Sutter Creek for his sister’s wedding, the sparks between them turn into a blaze. But when Lauren finds herself pregnant, these exes have nine months to build a forever family together…

Cover Coming Soon! And check out the pre-order links on my books page. I can’t wait for you to meet Lauren and Tavish!

FROM EXES TO EXPECTING is just the beginning of the Dawson family’s adventures in Sutter Creek. Stay tuned for updates on books two and three in the series.

Release date news and pre-sale links!

~~~

Standing on her toes, she pressed a kiss just above the collar of his T-shirt. “I dunno. If we’re needing closure… Maybe you should stay.”

~~~

Big news! My first Harlequin Special Edition romance, FROM EXES TO EXPECTING, is arriving on February 20, 2018 in print and March 1, 2018 digitally!

Debuting the Sutter Creek, Montana miniseries, it is officially up on Amazon. I will post more pre-sale information as available. Want to be the first to know? Sign up for my newsletter or like my Facebook page for cover news, blurbs, and bonus material.

A Chris Evans epilogue

My critique partner wrote a thoughtful piece about real-life monsters and the power of fiction in fighting said monsters. It’s worth a read for the truth spoken. And it’s worth a look for the Chris Evans GIF.

As has happened frequently over the last few weeks, our conversation spun on into further Chris Evans GIFs (a gal needs a beautiful outlet when trying to process the ugliness around her). And as I’m an epilogue addict, it only seemed right to share:

Some days, writing the frisky bits is the most fun…

…and figuring out what my characters are listening to while they’re getting up to no good (all the good?) is equally enjoyable. I’ve played this song on repeat enough that I should be tired of it, but I can’t seem to get enough. And I’m pretty sure my hero and heroine agree:

A song for writing the melancholy bits… Hallelujah.

This isn’t a unique choice by any means. And as a proud Canadian, I should probably link to the original Leonard Cohen version or at least kd lang’s… Also, My inner urge for 90s nostalgia is yelling at me for the Jeff Buckley rendition. But I came across this duet on YouTube and it resonated. So if it’s new to you, too, have a listen. And if you’ve come across it already, enjoy it again. Happy (or in this case, melancholy) writing:

Cover Reveal: Pretty Wicked by Kelly Charron

 

The daughter of a local police detective, fifteen-year-old Ryann has spent most of her life studying how to pull off the most gruesome murders her small Colorado town has ever seen.

But killing is only part of it. Ryann enjoys being the reason the cops are frenzied. The one who makes the neighbors lock their doors and windows on a hot summer’s day. The one everyone fears but no one suspects.

Carving out her own murderous legacy proves harder than she predicted. Mistakes start adding up. And with the police getting closer, and her own father becoming suspicious, Ryann has to prove once and for all that she’s smarter than anyone else—or she’ll pay the ultimate price. 

*warning – some graphic content

Pretty Wicked is a mature YA novel intended for ages 16 and up.

 

Praise for Pretty Wicked:

“This creepy novel places you inside the mind of a twisted teen killer, which is even more unsettling because of how familiar and normal she seems. Be prepared to leave the lights on and look at the people around you in a whole new way.”

-Eileen Cook | Author of WITH MALICE

 “Dark and haunting, this witty thriller with its petite feminine anti-hero is an American Psycho for teens. Be prepared to sleep with the lights on.”

–Lisa Voisin | Author of THE WATCHER SAGA

“Pretty Wicked is fresh, thrilling, and deeply haunting. I’ve never read anything like it! The story escalates from page one and will leave your pulse pounding as you wonder just how far Ryann will go. 5/5 stars.”

–Tiana Warner | Author of ICE MASSACRE & ICE CRYPT

 

Excerpt from Pretty Wicked:

I heard the bell ring in the distance. Lunch was over. I leapt up to go when I was struck with panic. What if someone had seen me walk out there with Veronica? No one could know what I’d done. My breath hitched.

I ran as fast as I could back to the yard and to the first teacher I saw.

“Mrs. Hopkins! Come quick, Veronica’s really hurt!” I pretended to be hysterical so effectively that she couldn’t understand me the first few times.

She bent down so we were at eye level. “Where?”

“We went into the woods at the far end of the property. I’m sorry. I know we’re not allowed, but she fell and she’s not moving! You have to hurry!” I sobbed, shoulders shaking, snotty nose. I don’t know how I’d managed to look so distraught, but I nearly convinced myself.

Mrs. Hopkins turned to a kid named Austin, who was in the grade ahead of me. “Go get Mr. Chute. Tell him to call 911 and to come out and meet me in the woods.”

Austin, who was paper white, nodded and took off like his ass was on fire.

I ran back with Mrs. Hopkins to the rocks where I’d left Veronica. She was in the exact position I’d left her. Thankfully there was no miraculous recovery waiting for us.

After she was taken away in an ambulance, Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Chute walked me back and called my parents.

My dad showed up to the school, hugged me, and told me how brave I was.

After my mother had finally stopped fussing and checking on me every twenty minutes, I sat on my bed and thought about Veronica. It would be weird not to see her in class every day or hang out with her at lunch, not that we hung out that much. I was usually with Bao-yu anyway, but sometimes she came along. Maybe now B and I would be better friends. She wouldn’t have to share me anymore.

I wondered what I was feeling—if I was missing Veronica. But I didn’t think that’s what it was. The twinge in the bottom of my stomach didn’t have the achy hollowness that people refer to as a pit. It was more like butterflies.

Find Pretty Wicked online:

Amazon

Goodreads

 

Author Interview:

 

What inspired you to write such a dark character?

I’ve always been fascinated with psychology and human motivation. Whenever I read a novel or watched a movie or television show, I was drawn to the villain. I wanted to understand what made them act the way they did––delve into what happened in their lives or minds to make them the person they had become.

When there was the odd story from the “villains” point of view, it seemed to characterize them as “misunderstood” and usually spun them into a likeable character who was the hero of that new version of the story. I wanted to write something unique and portray the villain realistically. What would the story look like if they were a true villain? I got the idea for a teenage serial killer who was unapologetic about who she was and what she wanted and thought it was really interesting to explore what her point of view would be if she drove the story and the “villain” was the detective trying to stop her.

Is this your first novel?

Pretty Wicked is the second book I wrote and the first to be published. I have been writing for ten years. My first book was a YA urban fantasy that took me seven years to complete because I kept stopping for huge chunks of time while I completed my degrees (English Lit and Social Work). I finally got serious about writing in 2013 and have just completed my fourth novel.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I did query it to literary agents and received a lot of positive praise for the book. In the end I kept hearing the same feedback: it’s a fascinating concept, the writing and voice are great, but we don’t think we can sell such a dark book to a publisher. I completely understand this. I know this book is going to be very polarizing. People will either love the concept of hate it. So far I have had overwhelmingly encouraging feedback from readers who understand that this is a fictional story that is trying to do something different from most novels. There was some interest from small publishers but the wait times were longer than I was comfortable with. I decided if I wanted to see this book out in the world I was going to have to do it myself. It was an intimidating process, but luckily I have an amazing and brilliant support group who helped me along the way.

What genres do you write in?

Psychological thriller, urban fantasy, and horror. I have two YA urban fantasy books, though one may never see the light of day. It’s my first book and would need to be rewritten before I decide its fate. The second (currently titled Wilde Magic) is the first in a planned series that I am very excited about.

 

The novel follows fifteen-year-old Ainsley Davenport as she moves from her life in Maine to attend a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts after her widowed mother marries a wealthy man that she can’t stand. At Ashbury Academy, Ainsley meets a group of students whom she finds more sophisticated and exciting than any kids she’s ever encountered. Ainsley is pulled into a world of wealth and extravagance, but it isn’t long before she realizes some things aren’t adding up and there is more to Ashbury than meets the eye. One of the oldest covens in history, The Wildes, is hidden beneath the school grounds. Magic is alive and well, and the coven is actively training new witches in this secret enchanted society. Ainsley soon recognizes that she may be in over her head when she uncovers secrets that she was never meant to know. The magical kind. The deadly kind.

Is Pretty Wicked a standalone novel?

The Pretty Wicked series will continue with adult books. The sequel, Wicked Fallout, is currently going through editing and the third book in the series is brewing in my mind. I have some very fun ideas for Ryann.

Wicked Fallout takes place twelve years later when Ryann is 27 years old. That’s all I can say right now as to not reveal spoilers.

Ryann is not a very likable character. Do you like her?

I actually do. I really enjoyed writing her. I don’t agree with anything she does at all! In that sense, Ryann is deplorable! But what I like is her humor and wit and the way she owns who she is. She was a fun character to write because she is so different to most characters out there. It’s like when you see a Hollywood actor discuss their favorite roles. Often they say the villain roles were their preferred because it was more fun and exciting to play. There are forbidden elements that make it a bit more exciting than the standard hero. It’s no different for me as the writer.

What is your writing process?

I have a day job so writing usually happens in the evenings and on weekends. I work in a school so I am fortunate to have shorter days, two vacation break periods, and summers off which really help me carve out the time needed.

On a writing day (Saturday or Sunday) I will get up, shower, eat breakfast, procrastinate with some TV and then get to it. I’ll make a coffee and park myself on my couch (even though I have a beautiful desk in an actual home office). I’ll write for about 2-3 hours (about 1500-2000 words on average). I may do another session later that evening if I’m really inspired. I watch a lot of television and read widely to inspire my creativity and ideas.

I also have an amazing group of friends who are writers as well and we meet up to have writing and brainstorming sessions, which is fantastic!

Author Bio and Contact Information:

Kelly Charron is the author of YA and adult horror, psychological thrillers and urban fantasy novels. All with gritty, murderous inclinations and some moderate amounts of humor. She spends far too much time consuming true crime television (and chocolate) while trying to decide if yes, it was the husband, with the wrench, in the library. She lives with her husband and cat, Moo Moo, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

 

 

Sign up for her mailing list or check out upcoming books at: http://kellycharron.com

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