Lily Bly's Blog, page 3
March 20, 2019
THE SANDBOX by JW Patrick #blitz #YA #scifi #YABoundTours
The Sandboxby JW Patrick-available now-
Do they control this new-found power? Or is it controlling them?
What would you do? After a mysterious impact in the dry Oklahoma landscape, three teenagers discover a world where they can do anything they want. Anything at all: Play. Explore. Fly. Destroy. But as a ripple of consequences impact on reality, Sonny, Isla and Dan realise this is far from a game. Do they now have the power to change the real world? Because if they do, they know exactly what they want to do first. Dirt-poor Sonny Monroe blames the oil company that fracked his family ranch for his problems. Dan Hawk, a Native American from the Chickatawa tribe, has never forgotten who stole his native Homelands. Idealistic Isla Duncan, a Scottish Paralympian junior on a charity handcycle tour, would just like to make the world a better place. As the three teens attract global enemies and the killings begin, grave doubts divide them: Do they control this new-found power? Or is it controlling them? If so, what on Earth does The Sandbox want?Add THE SANDBOX to your Goodreads shelf
"A memorable new work of YA science fiction. The focal characters of this novel make for a brilliant trio of protagonists wrestling with powers they had previously thought were impossible. The true beauty of the writing comes in the development of these central characters. This is a patient, timely, creative and thoughtful book that discusses key social and environmental issues within the framework of a thrilling adventure. Fascinating and thought-provoking, the book and the magical realm of The Sandbox are well worth exploring." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
“In The Sandbox, the stakes are high as alien technology and three, over-excited teenagers take the lead in this fun adventure story. Fantasy meets science fiction to create an action-packed plot that will keep readers guessing all the way through. With whimsical imagery, Patrick’s imaginative novel is entertaining, stimulating, and captivating.” Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. www.bookreviewdirectory.com
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THE SANDBOX Excerpt:
“So what are you doing in Oklahoma? Isla Duncan from the Kingdom of Fife,” asked Dan, competing for her undivided attention.
“I’m doing a sponsored handcycle for charity. The more miles I rack up, the more funds we raise. My dad’s driving my support van, a camper van, you guys call them RVs. He’s writing a book on the Scottish diaspora where all the Scottish emigrants ended up in America, so we’re visiting libraries all over. Tracing family names, contacting descendants. That sort of thing. Oh and our route takes in as many of the Wild West movie sites as possible. We’re driving down to Texas next.”
“You a big Cowboys and... Indians fan, huh…” said Dan.
She nodded hesitantly, “My dad is.” She threw him a sidelong glance, uncertain if that was OK or not. Dan busied himself nursing their nascent fire, neither judging her or letting her off the hook. Sonny returned to the cave mouth to watch nature’s spectacular demonstration of raw power outside, his eyes shining with excitement as he stood as near to the entrance as he dared.
Settling on to the ground mat, tracing out the pattern of a glorious sunrise with her fingertip, Isla took time to assess her predicament. As her eyes became accustomed, she realised the cave was the size of a large basement, with a wide entrance and several smaller caves off-shooting in other directions, into ever deeper, darker areas.
Sonny, hair rippling in the wind, grinned at Isla, but startled by a sudden, especially large gust, he staggered backwards, then quickly regained his composure to prove he wasn’t scared. No sireee. But Isla didn’t care.
The incessant howling wind, and the intense whistling outside began to worry itself deep into Isla’s skin. She shivered — then looked up. Even the massive walls and ceilings of solid stone now seemed vulnerable. Each boy was trying to be brave but when one spectacular gust reached deep into the cave as if some invisible giant was groping for them, Sonny scurried back to join them by the campfire. Dan grinned at Sonny’s failure to keep his cool.
Isla covered her ears from the incessant roar of the beast and stared at the cave mouth as if some horrific monster was about to burst inside at any second. Now the wall etchings of birds flickered in the firelight and she felt surrounded, and watched, by crows and by hawks.
Dan shuffled closer to her and put an awkward arm around her back which she accepted gratefully and spoke in her ear:
“This is quite unusual. A really big one!”
“No kidding!” she yelled back, eyes wide with fear.
“You couldn’t ask to be in a safer place though.”
Isla didn’t seem at all convinced. Behind her back, Sonny and Dan exchanged another rapid-fire series of glances and expressions:
Do something.
What?
I don’t know!
You do something!
No!
You!
“So what happened to your legs?” asked Sonny, finally.
Dan rolled his eyes. Dude! How could you?
What? What did I do?
“Car accident when I was four. My mum died. It was me that killed her.”
The Sandbox
By JW Patrick
A little more about JW Patrick…
JW Patrick lives in Scotland and has written voice-over scripts for television in the UK and USA.
My novels include The Invincibles, The Sandbox
I most recently completed a non-fiction book called Why have Adventures? for parents of young teens exploring the benefits of outdoor education.
Connect
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Additional titles by JW Patrick
**This blog uses affiliate links for many of the products featured. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
March 19, 2019
Interview with Sandra Dailey, Author of THE CO-PARENT PROJECT #sweet #romance #suspense
Welcome to The Daisy, Sandra! Let’s get to know you. Then we’ll take a look at your new book from The Wild Rose Press The Co-Parent Project.
When did you begin your writer’s journey?Would you describe yourself as an introvert or extrovert?I was a late bloomer. I made up stories for my younger sibs, then my children. When they were all grown, I took a course with The Longridge Writer’s Group. I won a contest for a short story with Harlequin. That gave me the courage to submit my first manuscript to The Wild Rose Press. It was accepted and the rest is history.
What drives you nuts?That’s hard to say. I like my alone time. Being in crowds makes me feel claustrophobic. On the other hand, I’ve worked in management for a long time. I have no problem giving speeches or leading a training session.
Do you have an established writing routine, or do you write as inspiration happens?Quote from most people I know~ “Oh, are you playing on the computer again? I wish I had time to sit around and make up stories.”
What do you do when you’re not writing?Nothing in my life is established. I just sneak into my office when no one is looking. (I’ve got to get a lock for this door.)
How do you choose your characters’ names?I like to craft, sew, knit, anything like that. My favorite is making toys for the grandkids.
Who is your favorite character in The Co-Parent Project?After I get the general idea for a story I write my character bios. I usually go through baby name websites, but I choose depending on the characters age, personality, and ancestry or nationality.
What is the single best piece of WRITING advice you have ever received?I can’t decide. The judge is clearly eccentric or at least unconventional. But, Eric goes through so many changes in a short time—you practically see him growing up.
What is the single best piece of LIFE advice you have ever received?The only writer to whom you should compare yourself is the writer you were yesterday.
What’s your favorite quote about writing or by an author?Don’t ever tell someone something you don’t want repeated.
Thanks for joining me today, Sandra. Best of luck with The Co-Parent Project!What doesn’t kill us gives us something new to write about. ~Julie Wright
Collect #GameOn clues each week, unscramble, and enter to win an Amazon gift card. This month’s theme is #ThingsJoMarchSays.
A little more about Sandra Dailey…From childhood I've moved from place to place, from Indiana to Florida, stopping in several places in between. I also moved from job to job; as a waitress, soldier, retail manager, dental assistant, etc… The one thing I never had to leave behind was my imagination. Storytelling has always been my favorite way to pass time. I've often been told I should write a book. Finally, I did. It was so much fun: I felt I must write more, so I have. I've been a student of Long Ridge Writers Group and once won a short story contest with Harlequin. I currently live in North Florida with my husband, whom I torture with crazy story lines and half written manuscripts.Connect
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The Co-Parent Projectby Sandra Dailey-now available-
Luca Wolff and Joy Sullivan are competing for guardianship of their estranged, teenage nephew, Eric, after his parents are killed in a plane crash. Evidence shows the crash wasn't an accident. Neither was a recent explosion that destroyed Luca's house. When a fire is intentionally set in Joy's home, suspicion points to Eric--and that's not the end of their trouble. Eric has been in his share of mischief, but now he has a chance to clean up his reputation. That's hard to do when the only people who believe in you are the ones you're accused of targeting. Just as Luca and Joy give in to romance, new information comes to light that could tear them apart along with Eric's dream for a happy family. The three have to set aside their grief, personal issues, and disagreements to figure out who is out to kill them…and why.
The Co-Parent Project
By Sandra Dailey
Excerpt:
Luca sat back with a frown. “I remember. Do you suspect the plane wasn’t maintained properly?”
Anderson shook his head. “Your father paid to have a dive team salvage the wreckage. We’ve been all over every piece they found. We have the records provided by the mechanic. We even have an extra man who witnessed that everything was checked and double checked that morning. Your brother went over the plane again before take-off. It was in pristine condition…except for one thing. The fuel line had been loosened. Both the men who worked in the hanger that morning said it was a brand-new part. They swear they were careful to install it properly, fearing that something like this could happen. They filled the tank hours before the plane left. If there had been a leak, they’d have evidence on the floor. Also, the threads showed wear all the way up, but it had been backed off by a few turns. Like I said before, it was a brand-new part. The packaging was still in the trash barrel. Someone loosened it on purpose.”
Was Joy hearing correctly? “Why would anyone want to hurt David and Melissa?”
Luca covered her hand with his. “When you do business to make money, you can often make enemies, as well. I just wouldn’t expect David to be a target. He worked internally. He didn’t have direct contact with outsiders?”
Anderson gave Luca an intense stare. “How about you, Mr. Wolff? Do you make enemies?”
also available through Barnes & Noble and other online retailersAdditional titles from Sandra Dailey
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Interview with Sadira Stone, author of THROUGH THE RED DOOR #erotic #romance #contemporary
Thanks for joining me, Sadira! Let’s get to know you. Then we’ll take a look at your new book from The Wild Rose Press, Through the Red Door
How did the idea for this book occur to you?What’s coming up next in the Book Nirvana series?Ever since I was a wee lass, I dreamed of owning a bookshop. Add to that my fascination with historical erotic art and literature, and you’ve got the Book Nirvana series, set in an indie bookshop with an extensive erotica collection behind a locked red door.
What’s your favorite scene in the book and why?Runaway Love Story, Book Two in the Book Nirvana series is coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. To avoid spoiling Book One, let’s just say the guy Clara doesn’t choose and a new employee at Clara’s bookshop get caught up in a viral social media story. I’m currently writing Book Three, which features Margot, Darcy, and a new guy who appears in Book Two, a sexy, tattooed, ginger-bearded ceramics artist.
What drives you to write?(Dancing around spoilers again) Let’s say I loved writing all the steamy love scenes.
What’s your go-to relaxation technique?If I don’t write down the stories in my head, the constant yammering in there drowns out other daily concerns—like grocery shopping, remembering to shower, remembering friends’ names…
Do you have an established writing routine, or do you write as inspiration happens?Reading romance novels, of course! I also love mystery stories and historical fiction.
What kind of music do you listen to?I get up every morning, pull on comfy clothing not suited for public viewing, pour a mug of coffee, and check my email. After that, I stand at my desk (I have a stand/sit desk topper and a marvelous squishy floor mat) and write until noonish. Sometimes I take breaks to walk around the block or do a little housework. But if the words are flowing, I may stay at my desk until early afternoon.
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or extrovert?Hubs and I are big blues fans. Luckily for us, Tacoma, Washington offers a great music scene. If you’re ever in town, stop by The Spar Tavern on Sunday night to hear some blues. While writing, I can only listen to mellow instrumental music such as jazz piano or guitar. Anything with lyrics interferes with the words in my head.
What is the single best piece of LIFE advice you have ever received?I’m right on the fence. Too much time among people drains me, especially raucous types and non-stop talkers. On the other hand, too much time alone makes me itchy, so I aim for that sweet spot with a bit of social contact each day and lots of solitary time for writing.
What makes this book stand out from the stacks?A wise older Southern lady I once worked with told me, “Honey, ever’body’s got something to teach you, even if it’s how not to be.”
Thanks for joining me today, Sadira. Best of luck with Through the Red Door!Well, I’ve never read a sexy romance set in a bookshop, especially one featuring so much historical erotica. Also, my protagonists are mature, well past thirty, with the complexity that comes from life experience and heartbreak.
A little more about Sadira…Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. But it wasn’t until her 50s that she tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com
Through the Social Door…
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Through the Red Doorby Sadira Stone-now available-Letting him inside could her be her salvation… or her undoing.Clara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it's time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger's powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can't help but want to show him more.Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana's collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara's battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.
Through the Red Door (The Book Nirvana Series 1)
By Sadira Stone
Excerpt:
Clara and Jared were adventurous lovers, but this was beyond anything they’d tried, or even imagined. She turned the book sideways and peered closer at the drawing. Something touched her shoulder and, startled, she squeaked like a little girl and slammed the book shut.
Beside her stood Nick, the smutty professor, holding a plate with two scones. Was that a blush coloring his chiseled cheeks? With his deep olive complexion, it was hard to tell. She lowered her gaze and found herself looking right at his crotch.
Damn it!
With no safe place to direct her gaze, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Sorry, Clara. Beautiful women bring out my devilish side. Please forgive me.” He slid a new scone onto her empty plate, then sat beside her. “I guess Shunga isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.”
“Shunga?”
Nick nodded. “This type of painting or woodblock print. There’s usually a funny text to go with it.” He balanced the book between them, resting on the arms of their two chairs, then glanced at her, an eyebrow raised.
Okay, Clara, time to put on your big girl panties. You can handle this.
She nodded.
Nick flipped to a new page. “The beautiful costumes and hair arrangements date from the Edo era, roughly the 1600s through the mid-1800s. And here’s the text.” He pointed to columns of delicate Oriental writing.
“Can you read it?”
“Not very well. I have a friend here at the university who can help with the translations. This really is an extraordinary book.” He sipped his coffee and flipped the page.
“Are their, um, private parts always so large?”
He shot her another devilish grin. “Always. You know, it’s funny. In European artwork, male genitals are often unusually small, compared to…” He glanced down at his own lap.
She followed his gaze, then jerked her eyes away. Her voice creaked like a twelve-year-old boy’s. “Yes, I’ve—uh—I’ve noticed.”
“But in Shunga, all the genitals are outsized.”
“Doesn’t that scare women away?”
“On the contrary—these drawings were presented in ‘Pillow Books’ designed to instruct young couples in the art of love.” Nick flipped the page again and pointed to an image of a couple going at it fiercely. “Notice how the woman’s toes are curled?”
She giggled. “I thought that was just an expression. You know, he made my toes curl.”
Nick closed the book and gazed into her eyes. The corner of his full lips twitched upward. “I hope someone’s curling your toes, lovely lady.”
Her breath escaped in a soft whoosh. Discussing sexy artwork with this gorgeous professor was uncomfortable, if titillating. But no way was she ready to discuss her own love life, or lack thereof. Nestled beside him in the squishy leather chair, her mind and body waged a battle. The combination of his warmth, his husky voice, and the beautiful, explicit images laid out before her—it was too much, leaving her hot and tingly, but also squirmy with embarrassment. She wasn’t ready to feel this way again. And yet, her body had other ideas.
also available through Barnes & Noble // Google PlayKobo // iTunesOverdrive **This blog uses affiliate links for many of the products featured. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.March 18, 2019
Jules by Giulia Lagomarsino - #blitz #adult #contemporary #romance #giveaway #XpressoTours
Jules(Reed Security, #12) by Giulia Lagomarsino -now available-Julian swore he would always love her. He said he would never leave her. He’s about to break that promise. If only she would listen. If only she would trust him. But how much crap can one man take? It’s time to move on.
Ivy wants Julian more than anything, but she’s won’t trust anyone with her secrets. Now it’s too late. He doesn’t want her, but she needs him more than ever. If only she could make him understand. If only she had told him sooner how she felt, but that train has left the station and her life is going to hell. She should have told him she loved him when she had the chance. WATCH THE TRAILER:
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LEARN MORE AND ENTER TO WIN About Giulia Lagomarsino…
I'm a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, "No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book." I didn't think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn't already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven't been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.
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Additional titles by Giulia Lagomarsino
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Bad Luck Charlie by Scott Baron - #blitz #fantasy #adult #scifi #giveaway #XpressoTours
Bad Luck Charlie(The Dragon Mage, #1) by Scott Baron -now available-Charlie Gault had all the luck. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the good kind. It was looking like Lady Luck had quite a grudge against him. In fact, at this point merely crashing the multi-billion-dollar ship he had helped design would have felt like winning the lottery compared to his current dilemma. If only he were so lucky.Things had started off all right––that is, until a freak wormhole unexpectedly swallowed his ship, leaving him stranded on an unknown planet far, far from home. With the crew’s lives at stake, Charlie had no choice but to stop his whining, put on his big boy pants, and step up to save them all, and much to his surprise, it actually looked like he might succeed. Of course, that was when things really went sideways in ways that made merely crashing on an uncharted planet seem like a walk in the park. Suddenly faced with alien space pirates, talking dragons, and something that seemed very much like magic, Charlie found himself adrift, feeling like a space age Robinson Crusoe––only his man Friday was a blue-skinned alien, and this wasn’t just a desert island. It was a whole new galaxy.
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Excerpt:
Rough hands shoved and herded the prisoners down the dank corridor. The faint smell of smoke, ozone, and something else Charlie couldn’t quite place, wafted to their noses, growing stronger as they walked.
“What’s going on?” the lone human asked the guard nearest him.
The man just looked at him and motioned to keep moving. It seemed the translators worked for the ship’s crew just fine, so it was only the prisoners who couldn’t understand one another.
A blast of air suddenly created a vacuum, sucking the men off their feet en mass before abruptly ceasing. They crawled off of one another and stood up, the guards urging them forward. The smells, Charlie noted, had vanished momentarily.
What the hell was that? he wondered. Felt scarily like a decompression.
In space, that was always a concern. And with no EVA suit to protect him from the vacuum, unconsciousness and death would find him in minutes if that were the case. It was cold in space, sure, but asphyxiation would kill him long before he froze, since the only way to lose heat in a vacuum is by radiant cooling, and that would take over a half hour, if not longer.
Of course, there was also the painful possibility of death by embolism as the air in your lungs tried to exit your body to the no pressure environment of space. You wouldn’t explode, as old-timey science fiction loved to depict, but your lungs could rupture, and, if not, deadly air bubbles could be forced into your blood stream, causing a most painful demise.
Whatever had just happened, however, had been rectified almost immediately. For that, he was grateful. Captivity may have been bad, but death was a far worse option.
The smell of sweat and tangy smoke grew strong as the group of men were guided down a corridor Charlie had never seen before. Up ahead a door was open. A door that seemed to lead to what appeared to be an adjacent vessel. A large ship of some type that was floating no more than ten meters from their craft.
The lead guard stepped right out the door into the seeming void, but he kept walking. Some invisible force was creating a walkway from one ship to the other. He turned and motioned for the others to stop gawking and follow him. The prisoners did as they were bade and made their way single-file out of the open door.
“I’m stepping into space,” Charlie muttered, experiencing what no human ever had.
An unprotected spacewalk. Technically, he was surrounded by an invisible protective bubble, but the effect of the experience was that of being in space with no suit yet no death.
“Okay, maybe this isn’t entirely bad.”
A roughly human-looking man ran screaming toward them from the far end, rushing toward the open hole in the other ship’s hull.
“Hokta!” one of his gray captors shouted, aiming his slaap at the approaching man.
He crumpled to the ground in a pile. Dead.
From within the other ship, a pair of prisoners Charlie recognized from mealtime rushed into the force field passageway and dragged the man’s body back into the other ship, clearing the way for the arriving reinforcements.
And reinforcements was what they were, he realized as he unglued his eyes from the door ahead of him and let himself take in the scene before him.
The ship they were boarding was riddled with holes, the hull torn open in several areas where the boarding parties had breached it. Bodies floated in the space nearby where force fields were not in use, either sucked out or thrown out before the openings had been sealed with the strange alien tech.
Bandolier-wearing men from his own ship were fighting their way through the other craft, he could see through the jagged holes. Fighting with not only slaaps, but also short swords, knives, and clubs. They were taking over the crippled vessel by force.
“Pirates,” he gasped as realization set in. “I’ve been Shanghaied by fucking alien space pirates.”
The guard nearest him glanced at his astonished face and laughed, then pushed him through the hole and aboard the other ship.
COLLECT #GAMEON CLUES EACH WEEK, UNSCRAMBLE, AND ENTER TO WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD. THIS MONTH’S THEME IS #THINGSJOMARCHSAYS.
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A native Californian, Scott Baron was born in Hollywood, which he claims may be the reason for his off-kilter sense of humor. Before taking up residence in Venice Beach, he spent a few years studying abroad before settling into the film and television industry, where he has worked off and on for some time. Scott not only writes, but is also involved in indie film and theater both in the U.S. and abroad.
Scott’s Intergalactic Socialization Stops:
Additional titles by Scott Baron
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March 17, 2019
Interview with Barbara Bettis, author of FOR THIS KNIGHT ONLY #romance #medieval #historical #releaseday
Thanks for visiting with me on The Daisy, Barbara! Let’s learn a little more about you and your medieval romance For This Knight Only…
Listen to the text-to-speech render of this post
When did you begin your writer’s journey?
Is this book part of a series? If so, what can we expect in the future?Honestly, I have no clear idea. I’ve always just taken for granted the fact that I write. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the different worlds and people revealed through reading. And I recall loving to make up my own stories and telling them or writing them out. In second grade, I wrote a play and made my friends perform it. But life took me down different writing paths (journalist and college teacher) before I started my first book.
What’s your favorite quote about writing or by an author?For This Knight Only is third in the Knights of Destiny series. Readers can expect to see more stories of disenfranchised knights or mercenaries who must find their own ways to the essential thing that each fought for—land. And in the process they find/rescue/exasperate/irritate/persuade the only ladies who can make their lives complete. Right now, I’m working on a Christmas novella and will finish another story this year, both featuring knights you’ll meet in this book.
What drives you to write?I believe Ernest Hemingway said: “There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”
What drives you nuts?The story and the characters just won’t leave me in peace.
What’s your go-to relaxation technique?I’m usually pretty easy-going. Sometimes, perhaps, too much so. But I can invariably get extremely exasperated at people who talk on their cell phones in public. Usually loud enough for anyone on the other side of the room to hear. I don’t want to know the details of a stranger’s life. And it’s disturbing if I’m trying to dine or to conduct a conversation with someone.
Who is your favorite character in this book?Read, watch a favorite show on TV, or go to the movies. Sometimes, I go for a drive. Something to remove me from the source of stress and divert my mind. Driving is my go-to way to work out a plot problem. Somehow the story winds out in my mind like a movie. The trouble is rushing back to write it—those words come a lot harder than they did in the car. :-)
What do you do when you’re not writing?Can’t choose just one :-) -- Roark and Alyss both.
How did you choose your characters’ names?I like to read. If I’m not in stress-reduction mode, I love to hang out with friends.
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or extrovert?Roark was always—Roark. It sounded strong. Determined. Like someone who would persevere. But for the heroine’s name, I had to think. Then I recalled that in grade school, a teacher had asked us each what name we would choose for ourselves if we could. I said, “Alice.” I liked the way the word sounded. (I didn’t know an Alice at the time.) So I decided to call my lady that, but with a more medieval spelling. This book was the only one whose characters were easy to name, however.
Thanks for joining me today, Barbara. Best of luck with For This Knight Only!Introvert trying hard to be better at small talk :-)
A little more about Barbara…
I love to read and I love to write. I love creating stories of other times and places, of heroines ‘to die for’ and heroes to live for. And, of course, happy endings.
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For This Knight Onlyby Barbara Bettis-RELEASES TODAY-
He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.
Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin. Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.
Collect #GameOn clues each week, unscramble, and enter to win an Amazon gift card. This month’s theme is #ThingsJoMarchSays.
For This Knight Only Excerpt:
What would it take to persuade her to marry him? A sudden pain burst between his legs, and he gasped, eyes blurry. The little hell-cat kneed him. Even though chain mail deflected some of the impact, he used every bit of his willpower to remain standing.
Apparently persuasion took more than a kiss.
He drew a steadying breath. “You don’t understand, my lady. You will be my wife before the sun sets. It was your brother’s dying wish. It was my pledge to a comrade.”
By God, he’d begun to believe it himself.
Alyss met him toe to toe. “This morning I had never seen you, and by tonight, you think I will marry you?”
Her head tilted back and she glared into his eyes. “Were you, perhaps, wounded in the head during a fight? Have you lost your senses as well as your hearing? How do you propose to force me to the altar? With your army?”
With an exaggerated look around, she nodded at Alain. “Ah, yes. There it is. Impressive to be sure.”
Turning from Roark, she said, “Sir Baldwin, see that these two knights are outside the gates by sundown. Call every man in the garrison to help, if need be. I want them gone.”
Head high as if confident her word would be enforced immediately, she strode to the stairway.
Frowning, Sir Baldwin started forward. Roark lifted a hand to halt him. He glanced at Alain, then back to Alyss. “One moment, my lady. Hear me out.”
She continued to walk, but everyone in the hall had no trouble hearing her. “Unless you intend to apologize, you can say nothing that will interest me.”
Roark had known this would not be easy, but he had expected the female to at least listen to reason. An obedient, well-behaved lady is how Sir Godfrey described her. An excellent housekeeper, but helpless to defend herself if her menfolk were all dead. Obedient, well-behaved. Helpless.
That Lady Alyss wasn’t this Lady Alyss.
also available through Kobo // Barnes & Noble // iTunesAdditional titles by Barbara Bettis
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What He Wants by Jessie Gussman - #blitz #adult #contemporary #romance #giveaway #XpressoTours
What He Wants(Baxter Boys, #1) by Jessie Gussman -now available-Cassidy Kimbell killed a man when she was only nineteen. Torque Baxter took the blame, serving ten years for her crime. He told her to flee the scene of the accident. He told her to run. He told her to keep her mouth shut, so that’s what she’d done. She’d let a boy with a crush become an innocent man behind bars.Today, that man is being released.Cassidy expects Torque to hate her. She knows nothing she has done to atone all these years can compare to what he’s lost. But she hopes becoming his sponsor on the outside, especially since she’s a lawyer now, might help.Little does she know, Torque doesn’t want her to owe him. He wants her to love him. But to do that Cassidy would have to give up the life she’s built for the last ten years. She’d have to sacrifice it all, just like he did. Add What He Wants to your Goodreads shelf2 CHANCES TO WIN$25 Amazon gift card + ebooks of the first 3 in the series $25 Amazon gift card + ebook copy of book 1
Xpresso Tour Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL) - Enter through Rafflecopter (ends 3/28/19)
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Excerpt:
She assumed he hated her.
A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. The delicate watch chain snapped under her shaking fingers. She shoved the broken links into her clutch.
Her hands stilled as the prison door opened. The jaws of a monster spitting out its prey. Prey she had fed it.
A man, tall and straight, strode out into the sunlight. Her eyes devoured him. Same casual arrogance dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Same confident walk, with only a slight limp. The limp was her fault, too.
With his slim build, Torque would never be bulky, but she could see the t-shirt that probably fit him when he first walked into this building as an almost-eighteen-year-old now stretched tight over shoulders that had widened and filled out.
Cassidy bit her lip and lifted her chin, taking a deep breath to calm the cramping of her stomach and disguise the curl of heat that came to life in her chest. Torque had always had that effect on her.
She pushed the feeling aside and channeled her inner upper-crust snob—the only defense that had ever come close to working against the elemental pull that Torque exerted on her.
The last words that man had said to her were, “Shut up, Cassidy.” Now, she intended to get one question answered. Then she had to figure out how to pay him back.
What did ten years of a man’s life cost?
COLLECT #GAMEON CLUES EACH WEEK, UNSCRAMBLE, AND ENTER TO WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD. THIS MONTH’S THEME IS #THINGSJOMARCHSAYS.
LEARN MORE AND ENTER TO WIN About Jessie Gussman…
Jessie Gussman is the award-winning author of The Baxter Boys series and The Sweet Haven Farm series - soul-stirring, SWEET, small town romance with humor and heart.
Jessie lives in central Pennsylvania with a lot of other people. Some of them claim to be related to her. She has five dogs, nine nice cows plus one that tries to kill her every day, and twenty thousand chickens. Some of the people in her home claim a cat lives there, too, but those reports have not been substantiated.
Jessie cooks for a crowd every day (except when she can get out of it) and does as little cleaning as possible.
Jessie is allergic to social media, but she does send out a newsletter once or twice a week to a thriving community of several thousand readers. Anyone can subscribe, as long as Jessie doesn't have to cook for them. Her newsletter includes snippets from her life and books, along with special deals, offers and sneak peaks of soon-to-be released novels. Sign up here and get a FREE sweet romance novella delivered to your inbox
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Short Review of HOOK by Laney Kaye #erotic #romance #paranormal #prn #wrpbks
Hook by Laney Kaye bubbles with vibrant descriptions and snappy humor. The author utilizes a fresh, seductive take on merpeople. As the first book in a series, this new Mer world is boldly and vividly established, broadening the confines of the contemporary while highlighting some very real ecological crises plaguing coral reefs today.
Jayde and Trent negotiate an action-packed, dangerous adventure while whole heartedly falling for one another. The story’s romantic elements have a saucy build with erotic culmination. With so many parts to love, it’s difficult to pick my favorite, but the stellar manner in which the heroine embraces her body and sexual mettle is certainly as refreshing as those warm Australian waters. (...the hero finds her quite refreshing as well ;-)
There are some wonderful Aussie-isms that play into the tone of the story. As a bonus, I will never again think of Hans Christian Andersen, Bill Clinton, or corduroy pants without a few evocative giggles. I can’t wait to read the next book in The Lure of the Mer series!
Come back to The Daisy this Friday, March 22, when I interview author LANEY KAYE. She might even give us a sneak peek at LINE, The Lure of the Mer, Book 2!Happy reading,
From the publisher, The Wild Rose Press
Marine biologist, Jayde Collins, has a love affair with the ocean. Lucky for her, because lately, swimming is the only way she can get wet without investing heavily in rechargeable batteries. While out diving, she’s caught by the crew of a trawler, beaten, and dumped as shark bait. Rescued and magically healed by a hot lifeguard, she’s not sure if she’s dreaming, but with the erotic fantasy he offers—sex with two men—she’s not sure she wants to wake up.
Trent Okeanós leads an elite group of Australian lifeguards who hide a secret; they are the last of the Mer. His law forbids sex with humans unless another Mer joins them, but when he saves Jayde, he’s unprepared for the jealousy warring within him. Yet if he dares let his lust turn to love, Jayde will be bonded to him for life and he’ll be stripped of immortality.
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Collect #GameOn clues each week, unscramble, and enter to win an Amazon gift card. This month’s theme is #ThingsJoMarchSays. Learn more and enter to win Additional titles from author Laney Kaye
**This blog uses affiliate links for many of the products featured. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
March 15, 2019
Risky Choices #7WeekStory #Week1 #TwitterVerseExpanded
This story began as a collaborative #SevenDayStory on Twitter in March 2019. Each day for a week, a different author continued the story with a tweet using the #vss365 word of the day.
The authors enjoyed the story so much they decided to continue it. Watch for a new chapter every Saturday at 12pm MDT.
Here’s the beginning of the story as it appeared on Twitter….
Risky ChoicesGreg and Violet's marriage is over, but it's not what you think. It's never what you think in this exciting story of mob bosses, syrup recipes, and ship set sail for the Orient.
Greg’s suitcase filled too quickly. As he situated his last few pairs of socks, Violet’s 20 years of skilled legal negotiation crumbled. “Please don’t do this. We can work it out. I swear—“
“#Listen babe, it’s done. Our marriage has been over since...
"...you ratted out Big Tony. It was all I could do to keep him from putting a hit out on you.”
"You know I did that for us-" she began.
"You did it for YOU!" Greg yelled slamming the lid. "My boat sails for the #Orient in an hour. Do yourself a favor...
..make like a tree and leaf! I am!" She couldn't help but laugh. It didn't help how she felt.
"I'm improvising, dammit. This is as hard for me as it is for you. Big Tony has been looking to even the score and our necks are next on the chopping block.”
"You #overlook one detail, Vi. It's your neck on the line, not mine. You were the one who decided Big Tony'd look better behind bars."
"I never wanted this life! I couldn't defend a guilty mob boss for the rest of my life! What would you have had me do?"
"For starters, I'd never have spilled the secrets of Sara Rosa's #Syrup! Now the Maple Gang have you marked as well. Big Tony's a small nuisance compared to what the Mable Swan will do! I wouldn't be surprised if Tony's working for her! We have to ... "
"NO, I 'have' to! You just run, Greg, you're good at, running; I'm good at cleaning up sticky messes, it's why Big Tony hired me.” Vi thought, maybe Big T. doesn’t #belong behind bars.
Watching Greg's boat sail, Vi scrolled the numbers on her phone...
Now the story continues…... and stops at #SHE. She fingers dial. The tone stops and a male voice says, Do not speak, cough once for yes, twice for no. Is Greg on the boat? She coughs once. She hears an explosion. Turning, she sees the broken boat in flames. She cancels the call.
God dammit. She did it. She actually did it. Greg stood frozen, slack-jawed in the dim alley next to the abandoned warehouse. He watched Vi slip her phone back into the designer bag. As she brushed a wavy hickory lock away from her cheek, he thought regret flashed, but then she set her shoulders and strode, cool as a cucumber on three-inch heels, away from the dock. Scarlet lipstick on her full lips flawless as always. White pant suit pristine. Eyes dry.
As far as anyone was concerned, he’d been on that boat. Absently, he brushed a hand down his face, clearing the clinging wetness from his swim to shore. He stared down at his bare, cold feet as water dripped off his pants. Heartache swelled through him, thicker than the smoke rolling off the decimated boat’s flaming debris in the harbor.
It shouldn’t have hit him so hard. He’d taught Vi to be this way. That was it though. He couldn’t escape the yawning disparity between Violet then, that sweet, loving, law school grad, so full of life, hope, and ambition, and Vi now, the cold-hearted, double-crossing, in-it-for-the-thrill-of-the-kill harpy. What a difference a decade at his side had made.
He sucked in a heavy breath and reassured himself. He needed to be dead to save Vi’s life from both Big Tony and the Maple Gang. Now, they’d all think he was—all except the one person on the inside whose help he needed: Little Toni. They’d worked through the plan time and time again. But he could never see Vi making that phone call. Toni had assured him Vi would. Damn. She sure had, all right.
When this was all over, when Vi was safe, she’d understand why he’d been so cruel in the end, why he’d left. She had to. Maybe they could even go back to the way things were. Greg turned away from the wreckage and picked his way carefully down the narrow alley, side stepping broken glass, littered cardboard, newspapers, styrofoam, and plenty of unrecognizable junk. The warehouse had been abandoned for nearly twenty years, ever since Sara Rosa’s opened up across the city and strong-armed every other syrup manufacturer in a three-state radius out of business.
He reached the stack of boxes where he’d hidden an extra pair of shoes, hat, and coat yesterday morning, hoping they wouldn’t be discovered by a bum through the night. Sirens blared, their wails bouncing off the tall wharfside buildings, as emergency vehicles began arriving at the dock. He tossed the boxes aside and grabbed his shoes, swiping at the alley’s grime on his wet feet before putting the sneakers on. Shrugging into the dark coat, he flicked the collar up, tugged the hat down low, and stuffed his hands in his pockets, striding for the bus depot.
If the ticket booth attendant thought it odd that Greg carried his cash in a double sandwich bag stapled to the inside of his jeans pocket, she said nothing. He thought he might die from nerves in the thirty minutes he spent waiting for the long line bus to arrive. Every passenger boarding and departing might have been someone who recognized him. He pulled his hat down as low as he could and pretended to scrutinize the layered, ripped, and weathered posters plastered over a nearby brick wall, half covered with graffiti.
When he finally slid into an empty seat near the middle of the bus bound for Bannora, his entire body ached from tension that just wouldn’t give. He hunched down, trying to ignore the dampness still seeping into his joints, and pretended to mind his own business for the next four hours, hoping everyone else did too.
With each passing mile, he thought of Vi. His Violet. What he wouldn’t give to go back to their wedding day. To choose her over everything else. They should have never returned to the States from their honeymoon in Jamaica. They should have disappeared. He’d known it then but had been confident he could handle juggling the shipping business for Big Tony and the money laundering for the Maple Gang. One year, that was all it was supposed to take to clean the 12 million. Ten years, one marriage, and 220 million later, he finally understood what was most important in life.
When he stepped off the bus in Bannora and into Little Toni’s waiting arms, he pictured Vi. Out of everything, she was least likely to forgive this, but it had to be done.
“My lover, back from the dead.” Toni giggled, slipping an arm through his, leaning close as they walked to her car.
Greg tried to smile. He hated her heavy musk perfume, her purple-streaked hair, her bright nail polish. Today, it was orange and black tiger stripes. Tomorrow, who the hell knew. Toni’s link between the Maple Gang and Big Tony and Greg’s eventual exploitation of it were the only things that would save Vi’s life. He swallowed hard. “Nice nails.”
“Oh my god, aren’t they savage! Melinda said she couldn’t get me in until Friday, but I said…”
Greg tuned her out as rain began to drizzle, remembering Vi’s subtle floral scent mixed with something entirely her own. Her warm hickory waves. Her unassuming manicures. Someday, she’d understand everything he had to do…and he would understand why she made that phone call. He hoped.
Will Greg’s risky choices be worth it? Stay tuned next week when author Molly Neely continues the story…About this week’s author
When Lily Bly isn’t designing digital multimedia for Plucking Petals or scheduling author promos on The Daisy, she’s writing romance for The Wild Rose Press. She lives in North Dakota on the edge of the Badlands, loves licorice ice cream, winter weather, and crocheting
She’s a huge fan of the Twitter #WritingCommunity and has been participating in #vss365 and #SevenDayStory since 2018. Fellow writers and fans procrastinating on Twitter can look her up @LilyBlyLove. The brevity necessary to participate in the writing trends on Twitter is a great part of the challenge. Occasionally, a story like Risky Choices just begs to be explored more thoroughly, and she’s happy to oblige.
You can also connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
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March 6, 2019
#GameOn at The Daisy #ThingsJoMarchSays #amreading #books #puzzle #giveaway
Announcing Weekly Scavenger Hunts and Puzzles on The Daisy
Every week, readers will have the chance to participate in a scavenger hunt. Clues found in each blog post can be unscrambled and the answer entered into a drawing for a $15 Amazon gift card #giveaway. One gift card will be given away each month, and readers can enter weekly with a puzzle’s solution.
This month’s theme is #ThingsJoMarchSays. HOW TO PLAY:1) In each post during the week, find the scrambled clues with the Plucking Petals’ badge. One clue per post. Each Monday starts a new puzzle.
2) At the end of the week, unscramble all the clues to reveal something Jo March says in the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
3) Enter the solution on the #GameOn page. (It’s linked in the menu at the top of the site.) Be sure to make your weekly entries before midnight on March 31.
4) One random winner will be chosen on April 1.
The above badge will appear with each clue
Next month, the theme will be #ThingsMrDarcySays… yum ;-)
Sound good, readers? Sure it does. You got this.
Best of luck and have fun,
Revisit the classic Little Women with one of these editions
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