Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 147

*Insert Jaws Theme Music Here* By Ripley Proserpina

Every so often, I come up with an idea that I know will be the start of a story, but it just sits in my brain, stagnant. For Missing Linc, my novella releasing this week, two separate ideas coalesced into this book. Years ago, I imagined a girl who fell in love with a boy kept prisoner by her family. I didn’t know how this would pan out—I knew he’d be supernatural and she’d be human—but that was as far as I got.

I also have an unhealthy obsession with lake monsters. Where I grew up in Northern Vermont, our very own Lake Memphremagog boasted a lake creature aptly named, Memphre. Having watched Jaws way too young, I had no problem imagining sharp toothed beasties winding around my submerged feet.

But it wasn’t until this fall that my two separate ideas turned into something with an actual plot. Edythe, is a smart girl who, after finding a boy in a cage in her basement, sets him free. Linc is the Aegean who falls in love with her and is subsequently captured by an evil scientist (who happens to be Edie’s dad).

Missing Linc releases on Tuesday, May 16th and is the first in The Aegeans series. It’s almost summer—think of it as an early beach read. Here’s an excerpt!

“Linc,” Edythe said under her breath, hoping he could hear her. “I’m coming. I’m coming. I’m almost there.” 

She wrestled the lock, dropping it onto the grass before bracing her foot on one side of the bulkhead and lifting with all her might. 

Her house was old, and the first time she’d lifted it, the bulkhead was heavy and rusted. The sound it made when opened was so loud it frightened the birds out of the trees. Edythe found the blue can of spray oil her mother used on the bedroom hinges and squirreled it to the bulkhead. She sprayed the sides, and the next day when she lifted it, it didn’t make a squeak. 

“Linc!” she whisper-yelled just like she always did. “I’m almost there.” 

She listened for his movement. Sometimes, he would smack the bars of his cage, or on really bad nights, he’d flop on the cold concrete floor. Edythe would hear the wet slap of his flesh against the hard surface. 

Tonight, all she heard was the steady drip, drip, drip of water in the sink. She found her flashlight. Problem solved. It was dark in the workshop. On the first night, when she’d turned on the light, Linc had screamed at the brightness. Now, Edythe flipped on her flashlight, the front taped with tissue paper so the only light was dim and blue. It was all Linc could handle, though Edythe thought maybe, when she got him out, his eyes would adjust to sunlight again. 

“Linc!” she called again, becoming more and more upset. She dumped the backpack on the floor and swept the beam across the floor. 

There. 

He lay on the floor, a dark pool of liquid around his body, his beautiful skin ravaged by her father’s merciless scalpel. The scales that covered his chest were pried off, cut in some places, ripped in others. All of them laid around his body, as if her father couldn’t be bothered to clean up his mess.

Universal Book Link (Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Nook):

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Filed under: Missing Linc, Ripley Proserpina, romance, science fiction romance, shapeshifters, The Aegeans

Do Cats Stress?

Stress is tearing down humanity. Stress makes us unhappy and vulnerable to disease. Do cats stress? Though I know the scientific method, I decided to dispense with that and use anecdotal evidence. So I observed the kitty sisters of my house – Buffy and Bella.

[image error]Because we sometimes have power outages, we have glow sticks in the house. We stress about losing power. Obviously Buffy and Bella think it’s a game.

[image error]Sleep is a good thing. It’s important to get enough shut-eye every night to promote good health. It’s also a good thing to stretch out and relax the body as Bella demonstrates above.

[image error]Read books to promote a healthy mind. We’re not sure if Bella is actually reading them or just sitting on them.

[image error]Buffy and Bella take time out of each day to enjoy nature. If given the chance they would stop to smell the daisies. Actually in their case, it would be eat the daisies. That’s why they’re on the other side of the glass.

[image error]Bella and Buffy never miss a meal. Experts will tell you that skipping meals is not healthy and creates stress on the body. Be sure to eat healthy!

[image error]Most of all, it’s important to hang out with people you love. We de-stress when in the company of those we consider fun and emotionally supportive.

In our observations to determine if cats stress, I have to say: “No! Not under normal conditions.”

I say, “If the cats can do all these things to relieve stress, so should we.” I’m off to take a nap!

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!  Coming soon in Print on July 4th!

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Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Barnes and Noble Print

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Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Filed under: romance

Twitter Pitching For Authors by Stacy Hoff

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Lately I’ve been running some workshops for my writers’ groups, speaking about effective Twitter use for authors. My classes have ranged from the basics to more advanced. The most helpful news to my audience, however, has been about Twitter pitch parties.

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For those of you who don’t know, a Twitter pitch party is when literary agents, and publishing house editors, check a particular Twitter hashtag on a certain date (I’ll explain that in a minute), in order to search out new manuscripts. This is an effective way for agents and editor to scan the “Twitterverse” for potential acquisitions.

Twitter pitch parties are an equally effective tool for writers who want to publish their manuscript. Each particular pitch party day will have it’s own rules (again, I’ll explain in a minute), but all pitch parties work the same—an author has got up to 140 characters to tweet their manuscript’s tag line. (By the way, a “tag line” is a one-sentence catchy summation of the story, meant to draw the reader in.)

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Twitter pitch parties happen periodically. To know when they happen, I check Twitter. (Duh, right???) I check to see if there are any trending hashtags with the word “pit” somewhere in it. If so, I hop on to that hashtag to see if a pitch party is underway. That said, not every Twitter part contains the word “pit.” Some use “pitch,” and some use something else entirely (ie. the Knight Agency, which runs its own pitch party, uses a hashtag that begins with #TKA).

If you’re the organized type of personality, who likes to prepare in advance, check out this link, which provides a great calendar for pitch parties: http://micascottikole.com/events/ This link is also great for upcoming writing contests, too. Bookmark this page, because it’s great.

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Once you know that a Twitter pitch party is happening, check out who is hosting (either through the link I gave you above, or by simply checking out the Twitter feed for that hashtag, which will make the host’s identity readily apparent). Once you have the host’s information, you should check out the party’s rules. The rules spell out: the hours for the party, how many times in a day an author can tweet their pitch, the hashtags that each author’s tweet must include, and the types of manuscripts that are allowed.

You should only participate in a Twitter pitch party that allows to your type of manuscript. You’ll need to read each party’s rules to be sure. Some parties, like #PitMad, are pretty all-inclusive (although a lot of all-inclusive pitch parties may  leave out erotica). Some pitch parties, however, will be very limited. #DVpit, for instance, only applies to manuscripts with diverse characters &/or authors who are diverse.

An important note: most (if not all) of these parties require the manuscript to be completely finished, highly polished, and never before published (usually, this includes manuscripts that have been previously self-published).

Whichever parties you’ve selected, here are some examples of hashtags to include. That being said—be sure to check the rules. Each party host can change around the rules for any of these hashtags.

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1. the Twitter party’s hashtag is mandatory (or your tweet won’t show up in the party’s feed). Examples of Twitter party hashtags are: #PitMad, #TKA17, #PitchMas, #SFFPit, #PitDark, and #DVpit. These party hashtags are typically included at the end of a tweet-pitch, although it can be included at the very beginning of the tweet.

2. the hashtag age-range for the book, such as: children (#C), children picture book (#CP), middle grade (#MG), young adult (#YA), new adult (#NA), which is applicable for protagonists who are either college-age or recent college grads, and adult (#A).

3. the hashtag for the genre: romance (#R), Scifi (#SF) SciFi/fantasy (#SFF), fantasy (#F), horror (#H), suspense (#S), thriller (#T). There are many more!

Okay, so you’re now ready to pitch! Here are some upcoming Twitter pitch parties to attend (party hats optional):

May 18, 2017: #PitDark http://jasonhuebinger.com/pitdark/

June 7, 2017:  #pg70pit  https://larawillard.com/70pit/

June 8, 2017: #PitMad http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitmad/

June 22, 2017: #SFFpit http://dankoboldt.com/sffpit/

Good luck, partygoers! May the tweets be with you!!!!

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WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, #1) http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t

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DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

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DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie

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LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k

LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

 

Filed under: A writer's life, Christmas, Nothing is Impossible!, Prom Promise: Parents' Promise, publishing, St. Patrick's Day, Writing Exercises

Remembering My Mother by Heather Novak

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Three generation picture of my late grandma, my late mom, and itty bitty me!

Sunday will be the first Mother’s Day without by biological mom and I am NOT looking forward to it. Truth be told, I didn’t like the day all that much to begin with…but that’s a different tangent. 

I wanted to tell you a story about my mother, something I only found out when we were cleaning out her place.

She was a writer.

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My mom’s high school senior picture and me. You can tell we’re related!

I knew it abstractly, something she mentioned a few times in conversation when we were kids. What I didn’t know was that she was submitting to agents when I started college. 

There are many handwritten pages, notes on looseleaf paper, and some fully typed [image error]chapters, clearly done on a typewriter. I know these are the only records of these words and I think that I will use them in a story somehow to preserve them. Reading through them is like being with her again. 

I will be frank – my mother and I were not close for the many years. She was sick and very dependent for nearly all of m[image error]y life and the decline was steeper every year.

 

 

 

 

 

In the last few weeks of her life, when it was discovered that her multi-organ failure was the cause of a lot of her “non-caring” ways, the resentment and the anger all subsided and we had a wonderful month together.

Rereading her manuscript and agent notes, I’ve realized that there are huge chunks of her life that I know nothing about. Not for lack of her telling me, but for lack of my listening. 

Her writing is novice, but it’s imaginative and emotional. With a few more years of work, she would’ve been a phenomenal author. It’s a good reminder that with each story, each year, you’ll get better and better. Just keep writing. 

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Mom and me while she was in hospice.

I’m heartbroken that I can’t call her or talk to her about her writing. However, I’m very lucky to have a fabulous step-mom and mother-in-law. I also have my mom’s manuscripts…and that’s kind of like having a piece of her with me.

If you’re lucky enough to have a mother you’re close with this Mother’s Day, count your blessings. If you are heartbroken for whatever reason this year, know that you’re not alone. 

As for my own books? Grief took a toll on my last manuscript. I’m giving myself a much needed break and will get back to writing in a few weeks.

 

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On this day in 1918 – Sheila Burnford was born. She was a British author, known for her book The Incredible Journey which was the basis of the 1963 Disney film of the same name (d. 1984)

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,[image error]

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available

I was happy with my West Coast life – 24-hour pizza delivery and bikini-clad bodies as far as the eye could see. Now I’m in the small-ass town of  Hayvenwood  to extract a ransom to save my little brother’s life. And that ransom is locked inside of the sexiest witch I have ever met, Hazel Evanora.

Filed under: romance

Get ‘Er Done

I’m not sure how or when it started, but I’ve got a growing bucket list of experiences I aim to have before I die. I’m a list person anyway–I love the feeling of crossing something off a list. It brings with it a small sense of accomplishment.

I’ve noticed my bucket list more of late because my oldest son’s interests seem to trigger additions. He has been over the moon about insects lately and in particular, monarch butterflies. I remember reading about them years ago and thinking I’d love to make it down to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. It’s now on the list. But it doesn’t stop there. At least once a month I come across something I’d like to do. Admittedly, it is harder to cross some of these off than it is to put them on.

So why the list? For me it is more than lists, it is about doing and knowing myself. I know I work well off of lists and they help me “do.” The questions for those of you out there reading this, are how well do you know yourselves and what will help you move forward, make progress, cross goals off your own list?

I know, this sounds too simple to be, but there are still steps to take within each goal. When I set out to write my first book, it certainly didn’t happen at overnight and even after a year plus of writing the finished product never saw the light of day. I had accomplished what I set out to do and had learned so much along the way. So much that I realized the book needed to be rewritten. I’m still learning.

Moral of the blog? Move forward. Stop talking and start doing. If that means lists or 1 goal a year, try it. You can’t accomplish if you never try.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly

Back From Atlanta by Mandy Rosko

I’m Back! Woot!

And I’ve still got a cold -_- Not so fun that one, and I’ve been doing a lot of sleeping and not nearly enough work, but at the same time, I’m glad to be home. I took video of my dog greeting me at the door, which involved a lot of jumping, scratching, and even a little nipping, but it made me feel loved for sure ❤

Atlanta was great, even with a little cold. Kathryn Faulk was lovely as always, and she was unafraid to give me a hug even when I warned her. I also picked up some postcards from Atlanta for the Patrons this month who get them, along with some other cute little giveaways.

Watercolor Rain Paranormal-Scope

I love when it rains in the spring. Everything looks like a watercolor painting. It soothes pains and leaves the world feeling better and looking shining.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Vampires love the rain. Step out and dance in the raindrops. Let go of the troubles that are weighing you down.

Taurus:

Werewolves love to run and roll in it. Being with the pack is going to be more fun this week. Get work done but remember to play too.

Gemini:

Shapeshifters love grocery shopping. Fruits and vegetables are coming in. Eat healthier and feel better.

Cancer:

Dragons are fire power. Embrace the warmth and energy coming your way.

Leo:

Gnomes have cuteness down. Revamp your wardrobe with some statement pieces. Show off your personality.

Virgo:

Mermaids swim free. There’s adventure in the air. A possible romance. A new opportunity.

Libra:

Faeries study ancient human history to learn from past mistakes. Take a hint. Learn then put it behind you. Every day is a new day for you.

Scorpio:

Orcs are running your way. Run faster. Trouble can be averted with some quick moves on your part. Be clever.

Sagittarius:

Pixies are hilarious. Watch funny movies and videos. Read funny books. You’re going to find it eases stress.

Capricorn:

Goblins are wonderful accountants. They are urging you to save.

Aquarius:

Elves stay true to the course. Finish that project, and move on to new opportunity.

Pisces:

Griffons plan a vacation. Their checklist includes: Easy to get to, minimum to pack, great company, and satisfying food.  Are you packing yet?

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Barnes and Noble Print

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Slow Burn! New Release By Ripley Proserpina

In the fall, I was asked to write a book for Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle World series. This Thursday, 5/11, my book in this series, Slow Burn, will release. I’m really excited about this suspense/thriller with a twist.

I’m writing this post from the Romantic Times convention in Atlanta, and it has been exciting and exhausting, and I feel like I could sleep for a week. My favorite authors were around— I went to panels and learned so much about writing. Next week I’ll go back to reality— I have a book to finish this month, and another to start.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic May, and if you love firefighters, and you love romance, check out my book, Slow Burn, on Amazon’s Kindle Worlds. ~Ripley

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Filed under: romance

Releasing the Child Within for Free Comic Book Day and Guardians of the Galaxy

This weekend is just a delight!  First off, at participating comic book stores across the U.S.A, it’s Free Comic Book Day!  My favorite comic book store is celebrating their 15th Anniversary. Happy Anniversary, AJ’s Comics!

[image error]After indulging in a few well chosen comics and/or graphic novels, you might want to go to the movies. I braved the rain yesterday to rest my writing head and fly away with the “Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2.”  I loved it.

[image error]My husband who is a harder critique than me thought it was better than the first. It really enhanced my appreciation of the character of Rocket, and I am so in love with Groot. Not only is it swashbuckling space fun, since you know being the Guardians of the Galaxy can be serious business, but it has hilarious parts. All the characters fluctuated between heartwarming and jovial fun in this space-capade about friendship and family and the business of surviving in space. I found their angle on things to be unique with these interstellar anti-heroes.

I would give them Five Stars *****

Husband gives Four and a half Stars ****1/2

Let your hair down. Have fun this weekend. Release your inner child. No one ever says that if you do that you’ll run amok. Oh, go ahead.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Barnes and Noble Print

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

When Other Duties Creep In by Stacy Hoff

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Now that my book, BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS, has launched, I should be back into my writing groove. Book 2 in the BUILDING LOVE series is almost ready to go, but book 3 needs to be completed. I’ve got to get this entire series wrapped up before I disappoint my publisher. Yet life keeps pulling me away.

Sooo many distractions! This winter, I’ve had to help my mother move from her house. Help my kids with extra homework projects. Schlep to medical appointments. Stand on line at DMV.  And those were just some of the time-consuming activities I did while not at work.

Now that springtime is here, I feel torn between whether I should be cavorting outside or locked up in my tiny little upstairs office, curtains drawn so my eyes don’t wander from the computer.

With everything going on, it’s been hard for me to keep my writing focus. Lately, I’ve been doing what I can to keep up my word-count. If I’m too busy keep my computer on, I at least keep my thinking cap on. I use my commute time to dream up new scenes. I look at the people around me as potential inspiration for new characters. I jot down notes whenever I can. Even typing in the “notes” section of my iPhone if that’s all I can manage.

Balancing all my responsibilities is hard to do. It’s a good thing that writing is a labor of love.

Book blurb for BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (Book 1 of the BUILDING LOVE series)

Catherine “Cat” Warner has problems. The profits from her inns are down. The pressure from her parents is up. Her love life is non-existent. But Cat did manage to get the attention of tough, powerful, gorgeous hotel magnate Ty Orland. Unfortunately, his interest in her is for all the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting Cat, this debonair CEO only wants her land—a parcel he desperately needs for his next big development deal. Too bad, it’s not for sale. A people pleaser by nature, Cat knows to stand strong. If she caves in to the demands of this sexy, alluring man, it will be her own neck on the line.

Ty Orland has a lot of things going for him. Success. Power. Respect. Unfortunately, he’s also got an old chip on his shoulder and a new financial nightmare. His development deal is going down in flames—and fast. His only way out is if Cat sells him her strategically located parcel. But romancing the land from her is not easy when love gets in the way. The woman is as beautiful as she is beguiling. And Ty no longer knows which prize is more valuable.

Amazon buy link for BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, #1) http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, book #1): http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t

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DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

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DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie

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LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k

LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

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SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Filed under: A writer's life, New Release, publishing, romance, Stacy Hoff