Moira Keith's Blog, page 315
March 7, 2014
Cover Pretties for Debora Dennis!
One of my lovely crit partners, the amazing and oh-so-talented Debora Dennis, re-released A Fistful of Fate and her cover was done by none other than Elaina at For the Muse Designs (who I absolutely adore to no end). If you haven’t happened upon this little gem when it was first released, I suggest you read the blurb, check out the excerpt, and then go buy!
Would you die for love…twice?
William Montgomery, a blacksmith wrongly sentenced to death in 1806 for the murder of the woman he loved, cannot rest. As a ghost, he’s been bound to Clayton Creek for over two hundred years…waiting for the soul of his true love to find him and finally set him free.
Rebecca Prescott, tormented by a strange recurring nightmare of her ancestor’s murder, is drawn to a two-week colonial reenactment at the scene of the ancient crime. She expects to put her nightmares to rest, instead she finds one charming blacksmith and past life memories of an undying love.
William needs to break the witch’s curse by winning Rebecca’s love in the present and earning her forgiveness for the past before his fistful of magic pearls disappear and he’s condemned to Clayton Creek forever.
Can Rebecca’s soul finally reunite with her destined love or will she repeat the past and die once again for the man she loves?
A FISTFUL OF FATE is a tale of love, deceit and second chances.
Debora Dennis weaves a dreamy hero with touches of humor, and a unique plot into a very enjoyable romance!
A dreamy hero, touches of humor=a very enjoyable romance.
A blacksmith wrongly sentenced to death in 1806 waits for the soul of his true love to find him and finally set him free.
Would you die for love…twice? A FISTFUL OF FATE available now!
February 13, 2014
Jimmy Fallon ~ Thursday Three Fun
It’s been a rough and very long week. So when that happens, I go find happy. That isn’t very hard. I love Jimmy Fallon. He makes me laugh. Here are three random pics from the Tonight Show Jimmy vault o’ fun. Do you have a fav who always brings a smile to your face? Do tell.
Love when he plays games. This made me laugh.
or does #
Or through music…
February 3, 2014
A Little Taste
So Anything but Safe, which is the first story in the McGregor series, is scheduled for release on March 18th, 2014! Yay! So very excited about the release of this story. It is a sweeter romance but it will take you through an emotional journey of heartache, love, and the search for happiness. Today I thought I would share the blurb with you. Ladies and gents, may I introduce you to Wallace McGregor and Cheyenne Murphy?
Anything but Safe Blurb
Wallace “Ace” McGregor ran off to chase the rodeo, but not before playing the knight in shining armor to his best friend Cheyenne Murphy after a tragic assault left her pregnant. With his latest injury leaving his chase for rodeo gold in the dust, he finds himself back home. Haunted by the past and trying to do what he thinks is right, he will have to mend his relationship with the best friend he all but abandoned in her time of need and the older brother he left holding the bag.
Cheyenne Murphy’s life hasn’t been easy. Now the man who’d left her broken and pregnant has re-surfaced and is threatening to destroy the safety and family she’s found at McGregor Ranch. At risk of losing her son and destroying the McGregor family, she will do whatever it takes to ensure they are all safe, even if it means relying on the parents that disowned her.
When everything is on the line, will Wallace and Cheyenne come to realize that in life and love, they are anything but safe?
All of My Tomorows
Enjoy your Monday everyone!
January 20, 2014
Head Above Water
Today’s music Monday is brought to you by Theory of a Deadman and my current story, Bewitching Ways. This song is one of Avalynn’s favorites. It is a good one and of course, I do like TOD so it helps. Hope you enjoy. Feels kind of perfect for a Monday too. Bonus!
I’m going to get back to writing. Have a great week everyone!
January 16, 2014
First Lines Friday
Openings to books can be so difficult to get right, and as an author you feel satisfied with those first few lines, well…that is worth celebrating and sharing. Here are the first few lines to the book I’m currently working on, Bewitching Ways.
Avalynn hated the dead.
Their souls called to her. It was nothing personal against them. She hadn’t known most of them during their lives. It was the audacity of those beyond the grave wanting to communicate with her that she loathed. Yet even with her discomfort in dealing with the dearly departed, she often found comfort in the cemetery. Go figure.
January 12, 2014
Cowboys and Angels
I have a confession to make. I’m a YouTube surfer. I get out on there and click videos until my eyes can hardly stay open (Now you know why some days there are no words added to an MS). Now I have a pretty varied collection when it comes to music, but I proudly admit that I am a country girl at heart. Blame it on being born in Texas, blame my parents, blame Garth, Tim, and Kenny. So you guessed it. Another country music post. I came across this one and I just had to pull it for a Music post! What a great song!
January 9, 2014
Flirting with Debora Dennis!
Oooh I am so excited! I’ve known this lovely lady for a few years now and I have to tell you, she is definitely a bright spot along this crazy writing journey. Whether you know and are familiar with her work or not, you are in for a real treat! Help me make her feel welcome!
Moira: Hi Debora! Why don’t you pull up a chair and get comfy. I am so glad to have you visiting today. I hope you are staying warm. Can I offer you a drink? How about a little something for dessert?
Debora: Coffee and a piece of chocolate cheesecake and I’m set to go!
Moira: You are in luck. I happen to have those on hand. Now that we are settled in, let’s break the ice! If you were stuck in the middle of the apocalypse and you had three people to help you survive, who would they be?
Debora: Wow, talk about throwing me right into the fire. I think I’d definitely need Dwayne Johnson and Robert Downey Jr (as Iron Man, of course!) to protect me. Then, because I am always challenged in the kitchen and I’m assuming during the apocalypse I’d be even more up the creek than normal, I’d have to tap Rachel Ray to make sure me and the “boys” are well fed! 
Moira: Very good choices. Since you have Dwayne with you, I think I’m going to come along…you know, to make sure he’s well taken care of so he can be effective at protecting you. Now that we know how you intend to survive, tell us a little more about yourself so my readers who haven’t had the privilege of curling up in bed with you—I mean with one of your books!
Debora: I’m a native New Yorker and have been an avid romance reader since I first discovered Barbara Cartland on the shelves of my Junior High library. Since discovering romance novels a parade of characters and plots have been marching through my head on a regular basis. Now, many years later, with a supportive husband and family I’m finally free to indulge my fantasy and let all those characters out of my head and onto pages of their own. I don’t believe in sticking to one genre and my stories stretch from spicy time travels to lighthearted contemporaries. Always the optimist and firm believer in love conquers all, every story I write celebrates romance. I can usually be found writing at my computer early in the mornings or late at night with a mug of coffee and a bag of Lindt chocolate truffles keeping me sane.
Moira: Truffles and coffee, I knew there was a reason we got along so well. Any deep, dark, and/or dirty secrets you’d like to share? Trust me, my readers can keep a secret.
Debora: I have a weird obsession with lipstick. I have 5 different shades in my purse all the time, no matter how much I try to rationalize that I will only wear one color at a time, it makes no difference. I also put my lipstick on in the car – always. It’s the first thing I do when I get in the car.
Moira: I’m obsessed with lipgloss so I can totally relate. Shall we talk about why we’re really here? BOOKS! I love books. Can’t seem to get enough of them. So I must know…if I were to buy you a book for your birthday, or just because I’m made of awesome sauce and a good friend, what genre would I need to scour?
Debora: I’m easy…a romance! Make me swoon and I’m a happy girl.
Moira: Don’t worry, we’ll keep the easy part under wraps. 
In this business everyone needs a great support system. So who are your biggest cheerleaders?
Debora: My family and my awesome critique partners are my biggest cheerleaders.
Moira: Not that I’m biased or anything, but the awesome critique partners…I totally have to agree with. I’ve heard some authors say they have a love hate relationship with the process. So, tell us what part do you love? What part do you hate?
Debora: I love new beginnings, fleshing out my characters, and plotting…yes, I love the plotting process! I hate revisions and editing, necessary evils I know, but no less painful for me to finish.
Moira: I love the premise of Muffins and Mistletoe. How did you come up with it?
Debora: My muffin-making matchmaker started as a very small character in a novel I was working on and put on the back burner for a while. I knew I wanted to develop her character, but I didn’t want her to ever be the main character. Muffins & Mistletoe simply grew around the idea of a bakeshop and gingerbread muffins.
Moira: Well who doesn’t love a great bakeshop with a side of romance? Tell me, who is your favorite character in Muffins and Mistletoe and why?
Debora: Bitty Crane is my muffin making matchmaker, she’s a secondary character and maybe it’s odd that she’s my favorite, I mean, should my hero and heroine be my favorite? Bitty is fun to write, she’s opinionated and has her nose in everyone’s business, she’s also what holds my series together, she the constant in every story, so maybe it does make sense that I have a certain fondness for her.
Moira: Make perfect sense to me! Tell us a bit about your latest release and share an excerpt. Pretty please? I have more cheesecake and chocolate! (I’m not above bribing to get what I want)
Debora: Welcome to Starlight Hills! Mountain views, small town charm, and one little bake shop, where romance is always on the menu.
Christmas is the best time of year to be in love in Starlight Hills. Cold nights perfect for snuggling, plenty of mistletoe to be caught kissing under, and an abundance of gingerbread muffins for sharing under the stars. But when Corinne Mackenzie turns down a proposal from the man she loves at the Thanksgiving table, it could be the worst time of year instead. Convinced the only way to fix the biggest mistake of her life is to enlist the help of the town’s resident matchmaker, she’s got a plan to make this the best Christmas ever.
After his proposal is rejected in front of family and friends, Jimmy Crane knows his only chance of surviving the holiday is to avoid the woman who stomped on his heart. The only obstacle to his plan is his matchmaking mother and Corinne’s knack for getting him under the mistletoe.
Excerpt:
Corinne stood under the fresh pine roping that hung from the arched entrance to the main hall and took a deep, lung-filling breath. Fragrant real trees stood tall at each side of the arch, glittering with tinsel, white lights and red glass ornaments. She pulled off her gloves with a relieved sigh, letting the scents of Christmas surround her. She was determined not to give in to her personal despair and allow it to squelch a festive holiday mood. After all, she had a plan.
Mrs. Crane’s blue eyes danced with merriment as she held out the signature yellow bag and gave it a shake. “Good morning, Corinne. Fresh from the oven—I know how you love them warm.”
”You do know my weakness, Mrs. Crane.” Corinne tried not to let her mind race ahead and think what a wonderful mother-in-law Bitty Crane would be. Then Corinne thought about her waistline and decided she might be better off without the permanent supply of the woman’s irresistible carbs.
It was hard enough walking by the Itty Bitty Bake Shop every day on her way to work with the tantalizing smells of muffins wafting through the air—having it in the family would be way too tempting.
On the other hand, maybe it was all those carbs that gave Bitty her boundless energy. Always bobbing here and there, dark brown curls framing her cherubic face, her cornflower blue eyes filled with mischief and love. There were no frown lines on her sixty-year-old face, only laugh lines that reached up to her eyes when she winked.
Everyone agreed the annual Preservation Society Holiday Gala would never be the most talked-about event of the season if it weren’t for Bitty Crane and her exuberant dedication.
Corinne looked away from the woman whose eyes reminded her so much of Jimmy’s. While Jimmy had inherited his six-foot-one height from his father, there was no doubt those dancing, all-seeing, soul-searching eyes came from his mother.
She let Bitty take her by the elbow and lead her into the ballroom. “There’s been a slight change in setup plans and so much to do before the gala tomorrow night.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Corinne said with a sigh, trying not to smile as her little white lie slipped easily past her lips. She popped a bite-sized morsel of gingerbread heaven into her mouth while she followed Bitty to the stage. It was difficult to keep her mind off Jimmy when she was so close to his mother, and her mind raced in search of a way to get her to intervene.
Surely his mother had the power to make him listen, didn’t she?
Corinne pulled another piece of muffin from the bag while Bitty pointed to her left. “The rest of the ladies will be here any minute, but why don’t you get started moving these tables off to the side to make room for the—oh, good, Jimmy, you’re here!”
Corinne turned her head so quickly it felt like her neck snapped.
She blinked and he was there, every tall, dark and sexy inch of him, and all she could do was stare. Her inability to speak was thankfully masked by her mouth being stuffed with gingerbread.
Though this was exactly the scenario she’d hoped for, she was grateful her mouth was full of muffin since she couldn’t find the right words anyway. It wasn’t every day one groveled for forgiveness.
Moira: Having read the book and touted it’s awesomeness to friends and family, I’m left with a burning question that I just have to know the answer to—What is next for Debora Dennis?
Debora: 2014 will see two more in the Starlight Hills Holiday Novella series. Cupcakes & Cupid will be out for Valentine’s Day and Wishes & Wedding Cake will be a summer release.
Moria: Fantastic! I can’t wait. Starlight Hills was a lot of fun to spend Christmas in, so I’m really looking forward to spending a few more holidays there. Anything else you care to share before we take this cheesecake and run?
Debora: I love to hear from readers and to connect via social media.
Visit me online:
Website: http://www.deboradennis.com
Blog: http://deboradennis.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DeboraDennis
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deboradennis.author
Join the newsletter club to be the first to learn of new releases, enter subscriber only contests and more:
http://deboradennis.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cb7fea1ab3d5d9671407f704e&id=c948a5fc05
Purchase Muffins and Mistletoe at one of these fine retailers:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00GAMRVV8
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/muffins-mistletoe-debora-dennis/1117267300?ean=2940148802419
Thanks for stopping by Deb, it’s been a lot of fun! Any questions you’d like to ask Debora? Feel free!
January 5, 2014
Whiskey
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you are all looking forward to a great week. Me? Well I have Debora Dennis here later this week for a Friday Flirt and that is going to be fun. I love when my critique partners are able to join me on my blog. If you didn’t see the news on Facebook, I contracted another book. Yay! A Soul to Keep was contracted by a new publisher, Hearts Desire Press. I’m really excited about working with them. Other than that, I’m just listening to the music that inspires me to write more stories! Like this one that was introduced to me by the lovely Molly McClain last night. Give it a listen.
January 3, 2014
Friday Flirt with Author Bethanne Strasser!
You know, I really miss flirting with my fellow authors and their stories! So when my dear friend, Bethanne Strasser, told me she had some promo stuff happening over at the Entangled Publishing, LLC Facebook page, I begged and pleaded with her to let me help her flirt with my readers. Without further adieu, let me tempt you with a little excerpt from her book, Letters from Home. After reading, be sure to jump on over to the Entangled Publishing Facebook page where there will be a Q & A session later today where you can grill Bethanne with whatever questions your little hearts desire!
Zack finally caught Lena’s gaze from across the table, and he lifted a brow as if to ask her, what is this?
Not that he didn’t enjoy spending time with the family. As a matter of fact, until the holidays had come around, there’d only been a few dinners since summer ended. School, work, and life had taken precedence.
Lena shrugged and a slight flush rose on her cheeks.
“Lena, you and me, at the pool table for a game.” When it looked like she might refuse, Zack stood and went around the table.
“I play winner.” Juan called out.
“Oh, no. I can’t. I stink at pool, Zack. You know very well how badly I play pool.”
“Come on. Smart girl like you should have no problem setting up a table and sinking a few balls. Practice, that’s all.” Zack tugged on Lena’s chair. He took her hand and was surprised to feel a slight tremble in it. He tightened his grip. “Relax, I’m not going to bite. It’s just a friendly game of billiards.”
She laughed, almost nervously. He let her hand go when they reached the little cove with a table in it. They were just hidden from view, enough to be able to talk privately, or make out. But that was just his imagination running away with him.
They both took a cue, and Zack set the table. Her silence put him on edge. Usually he knew what she was thinking, now he felt out-of-sorts. He’d asked her out on a date—hadn’t he?
She’d come with an entourage.
“Zack?”
He looked up and found her waiting for him. He made the opening break and nodded to her. “Your turn.”
She stared at him with a blush rising on her cheeks. “Where do I start?”
He relaxed, smiled at her, then studied the table, looking for her first move. “Over here,” he started and took her arm to guide her around to where the cue ball sat. “Go for the solids. You can hit the four in, no problem. Easy peasy.”
She stood behind her cue and leaned over the table.
“No. Not like that.” Zack moved in behind her.
The idea hadn’t started out as a ploy, but now that he was here, breathing in the delicious scent of her perfume, he enjoyed the heat of her against his skin where his arms met hers. They were hip to hip. He cupped her hand in his and rested the cue stick on top of it.
She fit perfectly under his arm and against his body.
He cleared his throat as lust shot straight through his bones. “Ready?”
She turned her head and eyed him suspiciously. Her gaze fell to his lips for a fraction of a second, but she turned back to the table and took her shot. The light bracelets at her wrists chimed, and the purple ball rolled into the corner pocket. “Okay.” She grinned, turning into his space. His hands went to her shoulders where they met skin, supple and smooth.
“That wasn’t too hard at all,” she whispered. Her breath seemed caught in her throat, as if maybe, maybe she felt something too.
Zack stayed where he was, absorbing her warmth, the happiness that seemed to roll off her. This was what he’d wanted for her when he asked her to go out with him. Just a chance to have some fun, remember what it was like when they were younger.
He brushed strands of her hair from her face, the touch making his heart stutter. The urge to kiss her overwhelmed him. “Lena.”
“Yes?”
With his thumb, Zack traced a line along her collarbone. He tunneled his hand under the thick weight of her dark hair. Her eyes were wide with wonder. When he dipped his head to taste her, her lips parted, and she sucked in a breath.
Zack’s heart was pounding. Like the staccato of his M16, beating against his chest.
The kiss was soft and slow, and at first she didn’t respond at all. On the verge of letting her go completely, he felt her hands come up and grip his waist. Her lips moved against his.
Nothing in his entire life had felt so right before. He sank into her.
“Hey guys…Whoa!”
Zack groaned at the intrusion. Lena broke away, sucked in another breath, this one filled with shock and what-did-I-do?
His eyes slid shut. Damn it.
Now wasn’t that just lovely and enticing? You know you want to grab this story and put it on your e-reader right now, right? It is a very fun enjoyable story that I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in. Go check it out and don’t forget to hop on over to the Entangled Facebook page for all the fun happenings over there today with Bethanne!
