Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 39

Cuddle Up with a Contemporary Romance...enter to Win a Book!

Welcome! Thanks for joining the blog hop!  
 Some of my books are sweet and some, spicy. Pick your favorite cover, put it in a comment with your EMAIL ADDY. 5 people, chosen at random, will win their choice of my books & for every comment, I'll donate $1.00 to Curly Tail Pug Rescue.

"She dreamed of getting lost in his embrace, tumbling down into the soft safety of his heart and wrapping the strength from his arms around her body, protecting her from heartbreak forever."






“Should be illegal to be so attractive and out of reach on a night like this.”
She smiled at his compliment. Desire shone in his eyes, reflecting the moonlight mixed with the soft glow of a street lamp.




 “If we can agree on three goals, then I’ll prepare sort of a proposal…” 
“Proposal? You’re going to propose to me? We’ve known each other such a short time!” He lifted his eyebrows in mock shock.



"Betcha my story’s worse than yours!" A small smile played at the corners of her lips.
"Ooh, sounds like a challenge. Sure you're up to it?" He shot her a one-sided grin.
“Bring it on.”
"First, what are the stakes? Dinner? A walk on the beach?"








“It stinks. We sure don’t have women up here who look like you,” he blurted out. Idiot! Shut the hell up. Smooth, real smooth. Why don’t you just ask her to take off her clothes and lie on the floor? Jerk!














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Welcome Kathleen Ball, Western Romance Writer to my HARD Interview!

Come on in, Kathleen. You've written some of my favorite books. Have a seat. Have a brownie while I pour the coffee. Get comfortable before I grill, I mean ask, you some questions.
  1.     Why do you write the genre you write? I write Contemporary Western Romance because that is what I like to read. I’ve read just about every genre out there and I found myself gravitating towards books with cowboys. 2.     What does your family say about your writing? They are very supportive. My dad wears a t-shirt with Callie’s Heart cover on it at his retirement home and he loves when people ask what it is. The outpouring of support has been absolutely amazing. 3.     What is the hardest part of being a writer for you? Staying off facebook.  Seriously the hardest part is knowing there is a deadline. 4.     What’s one piece of advice you give to an aspiring writer? Build your social network before you are published. If you do a little everyday by the time your book is released you can hit the ground running. 5.     Do you open a bottle of wine if you get a bad review? No, maybe I should. 6.     How do you handle rejection? First I’m insulted, then mad. If feedback is given I take that into consideration. Sometimes feedback and advice is needed. 7.     What advice would you give to an aspiring writer who gets rejections? Don’t give up. I was told by a contest judge to never write again. I can laugh now but at the time I was devastated—BUT—I reread what she said a few days later when I was in a better frame of mind. I didn’t know the rules of writing and the rules of romance writing. I knew my story was good. I reedited it after looking up the rules and kept entering it – Texas Haven – into RWA contests. Ones that gave feedback from a judge. It became my best learning tool.  8.     What one thing would you change about your writing career? I feel as though I wasted a whole year trying to find an agent. For some reason I thought that’s what you were supposed to do. I wish I had known that you could submit to publishers yourself. 9.     Is editing a learning experience for you or a nightmare? Explain. The first edit of each book is a nightmare when you see all the red marks and corrections you have to make. I take a deep breath and dive in, taking one thing at a time. I have learned so much. I believe that a good editor works with an author and offers advice and explanations as to why things need to be changed. I’m happy to change it to make it right, but I also like to educate and push myself to be a better writer. 10.  Paperback or ebook? I love my kindle 11.  Publisher or Self-Publishing? Both, either 12.  How important are your book covers? A cover can make or break sales. The cover artist asks what is the most important thing you want on your cover—I always say that it needs to scream western. I shop using my kindle and the covers are small. I scroll through until I see a western. Having a good looking male on the cover never hurts.  1.     What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Pumpkin pie 2.     Favorite meal is… Prime Rib 3.     Name one place you’ve never been that you’re dying to visit. Ireland 4.     Your favorite vacation spot is… I love cruises 5.     First name of the one man or woman who got away. Starts with a D 6.     Favorite color is… Blue 7.     Favorite car is… Mine- I’m not fussy 8.     Gourmet meal out or shopping trip? Shopping trip 9.     What do you do to cheer yourself up if you’re having a bad day? I write 10.  Name an embarrassing moment you’ve had in four sentences or less. For the first month or so after meeting my daughter in law, Brittany I kept calling her Courtney. Have no idea why. A BIT ABOUT TEXAS HAVEN Everything in Annie Douglas' life has taught her that men can’t be trusted. Although Burke is big, strong, and not seemingly gentle, Annie feels drawn to the handsome Texas cowboy. Upon discovering Burke’s advertisement for a wife, Annie shyly asks if he might consider her.      Burke Dawson wants children; unfortunately, that also includes a wife. His first wife was a citified hellcat who stole half of his ranch. Now Burke’s determined to find an honest country girl with no expectations of love. Misunderstandings, accidents, and treachery leads to Annie leaving shattered and alone. Can their shaking start lead to the possible loving relationship they both desire but neither is sure of?  BUY LINKS Secret Cravings (all formats)Amazon  Barnes & Noble

TUESDAY TALES PICTURE PROMPT - THE BIG LIE - 300 Words

 Welcome to Willow Falls! Thanks for stopping by to read my Tuesday Tales short piece written to this picture. This WIP has a tentative title.  Scroll down for link to rejoin Tuesday Tales.

THE BIG LIEWillow Falls lost its charm for Dale Carruthers many years ago, after she found out Cliff Thomas had married someone else. Now, she hurried down Main Street doing errands, Drugstore, Library.  Dale left her stepmother’s coffee house in the capable hands of Jonesy, an old family friend.
Traveling from New York City to Willow Falls to look after her ailing stepmother wasn’t a big inconvenience. Dale was a widow now for three years. Her father had passed on four years earlier. Her mother died when she was a child. Dora, her father’s second
wife, was sliding downhill fast. “I don’t expect her to make it to the holidays,” Dr. West had said.
Dale’s chest had constricted at his death sentence. 
But she had to be practical. The lease on the coffee house was up in two months. Dale would live in the house she grew up in and run the business until the lease expired. Then she’d go back to her empty life in Manhattan until Dora died. 
Dale returned to find her twenty-year-old son chatting with Jonesy.
“You’ve got an internship for the holidays?” The older woman inquired.
“Yep. With a lawyer in town.”
“Good. We’ll probably have to be up here anyway,” Dale said as she unpacked small bottles of pills. Jonesy poured coffee.
“Funny thing, Dora keeps apologizing to me. Keeps saying she’s sorry. But I don’t know what she’s talking about. Do you, Jonesy?”
Jonesy sipped her coffee and lowered her eyes. “Nope.”
“She has dementia but still. She murmured ‘the lie, the big lie’ several times, then she cried. I haven’t a clue.” Dale stared at Jonesy.  
The older woman checked her watch. “Oops. Gotta go. Past break time.”
“You were her best friend, Jonesy...”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! THE TULIPS OF CENTRAL PARK

A SALUTE TO MOM'S. HERE ARE THE TULIPS OF CENTRAL PARK.

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MEMORIES OF LOVE IS PUBLISHED ON AMAZON!

Today is the launch of book 3 in the Hollywood Hearts series. MEMORIES OF LOVE is now available at the links below. But first profiles of our hero and heroine and a few snippets.

Can true love survive anything? A marriage to another? A seven year separation? Pregnant and alone, Cara stars in her first movie while Grant marries another. When felled by illness, she’s forced to give her child to Grant. Five years later, Fate strikes, reuniting them by chance. Will they discover that true love never dies?  Meet the hero and heroine Grant Hollings - a heart-breaker who falls for Carol Anne, a beautiful young actress. His heart is broken when she gets her big chance and leaves him for Hollywood. With his guard down, he's caught in the web of Evelyn, a lovesick woman determined to have him. Seven years later, does his heart still belong to Carol Anne or has Evelyn won him over with her devotion? Cara Brewster - A gifted actress saddled with the financial responsibility of supporting her mother and sister, she strikes out to turn her one chance at fame into reality. Reluctant to leave behind the love or her life, she moves forward in the hopes that he'll wait for her. An unexpected pregnancy drives Cara to call her lover with the exciting news only to discover he's already married to another. Shattered, she struggles on alone until felled by illness.  A few quotes “I’m talking about reality. We’ll be three thousand miles away from each other, Cara Mia. That’s beyond geographically undesirable. That’s straight to…impossible.”                                                                                         ****

“Dreaming about her again?” His sister, Jane, had an annoying way of zeroing in on just what was on his mind, whether he wanted her to or not. 
                                                  ****
“She’s had five years to contact you, Grant. If she hasn’t by now…well, you know how I feel,” Jane sniffed, unwrapping her food. “There must be a reason. There must. I tried to reach her a couple of times, but she was always on location. Never home…” His voice trailed off. 

                                                         ****
Cara stood by the back gate and gazed out to the hills, remembering the day seven years ago, when she had called him to tell him she was pregnant. A frown creased her brow as the memory flashed in her mind.
                                             ****

Skip turned away from her, lying back and closing his eyes. The sound of chirping insects and an occasional songbird could be heard over the silence engulfing them. Finally, he stood up and walked over to her. Plopping down on the cushion, he put his arm around her.
“Maybe it’s time to give up waiting for Grant to call,” he whispered. “He’s married, babe.”  
Buy Links
AMAZON
Secret Cravings
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks

MEMORIES OF LOVE IS PUBLISHED!

Today is the launch of book 3 in the Hollywood Hearts series. MEMORIES OF LOVE is now available at the links below. But first profiles of our hero and heroine and a few snippets.

Can true love survive anything? A marriage to another? A seven year separation? Pregnant and alone, Cara stars in her first movie while Grant marries another. When felled by illness, she’s forced to give her child to Grant. Five years later, Fate strikes, reuniting them by chance. Will they discover that true love never dies?  Meet the hero and heroine Grant Hollings - a heart-breaker who falls for Carol Anne, a beautiful young actress. His heart is broken when she gets her big chance and leaves him for Hollywood. With his guard down, he's caught in the web of Evelyn, a lovesick woman determined to have him. Seven years later, does his heart still belong to Carol Anne or has Evelyn won him over with her devotion? Cara Brewster - A gifted actress saddled with the financial responsibility of supporting her mother and sister, she strikes out to turn her one chance at fame into reality. Reluctant to leave behind the love or her life, she moves forward in the hopes that he'll wait for her. An unexpected pregnancy drives Cara to call her lover with the exciting news only to discover he's already married to another. Shattered, she struggles on alone until felled by illness.  A few quotes “I’m talking about reality. We’ll be three thousand miles away from each other, Cara Mia. That’s beyond geographically undesirable. That’s straight to…impossible.”                                                                                         ****

“Dreaming about her again?” His sister, Jane, had an annoying way of zeroing in on just what was on his mind, whether he wanted her to or not. 
                                                  ****
“She’s had five years to contact you, Grant. If she hasn’t by now…well, you know how I feel,” Jane sniffed, unwrapping her food. “There must be a reason. There must. I tried to reach her a couple of times, but she was always on location. Never home…” His voice trailed off. 

                                                         ****
Cara stood by the back gate and gazed out to the hills, remembering the day seven years ago, when she had called him to tell him she was pregnant. A frown creased her brow as the memory flashed in her mind.
                                             ****

Skip turned away from her, lying back and closing his eyes. The sound of chirping insects and an occasional songbird could be heard over the silence engulfing them. Finally, he stood up and walked over to her. Plopping down on the cushion, he put his arm around her.
“Maybe it’s time to give up waiting for Grant to call,” he whispered. “He’s married, babe.”  
Buy Links
Secret Cravings
Bookstrand

FOR MOM, FLOWERS AND PAPERBACKS!

Perfect timing for Mother's Day. Get her a paperback. I have sweet romances in paperback and spicy. Let's look at flowers and sweet romances for mom first:























Sweet Contemporary Romance
LARGE PRINT PAPERBACK















Sweet Contemporary Romance
PAPERBACK

































Sweet Contemporary Romance
PAPERBACK







































Spicy Contemporary Romance
PAPERBACK

NEW RELEASE! MEMORIES OF LOVE

The third book in the Hollywood Hearts series has just been released. It's a stand-alone book you can read without having read the first two. Here's a sneak peek:


Grant Hollings stood naked at the apartment window. Three a.m., no one can see me. He leaned his toned, tanned body against the window sash. The lights of the city didn’t distract him from the pain shooting through his heart.
I’ll never see her again. A lump formed in his throat, choking him, bringing tears to his eyes. He brushed his dark brown hair off his forehead, scratched his chest, then padded back to bed, lowering himself gently so as not to wake Carol Anne.
She stirred slightly in her sleep. Easing onto his side, his stare roamed over her. Moonlight kissed her, creating highlights that emphasized the perfect planes of her face. He lowered his gaze to her creamy shoulders then all the way down to where the sheet hid her from further perusal. She’s lovely. She’s mine. For one more day. A sigh escaped his throat as he slid closer to the young woman, the love of his life.
Moving up against him, she muttered something he couldn’t understand. Grant pulled her into his embrace, folding his arm around her naked body. He kissed her blonde locks and tried to fall back to sleep. He dozed on and off until the early autumn sun peeked in and woke him at six o’clock. The red melting into orange sunrise began the last day Carol Anne Brewster and Grant Hollings would be together before she flew to Los Angeles to star in her first film.
He rolled over and ran his hand down her side. So soft and smooth. She cozied up to him. He spooned her, nuzzling her neck and pulling the soft, fleece blanket up to shield them against the cool, October morning air. She shifted to her side then lay still. Grant loved cuddling in the mornings, before the outside world intruded on them with work obligations, acting classes, and court appearances. Now it was just Grant and Carol Anne.
He breathed in deeply, enjoying the sweet scent of her skin. Her looks, so breathtaking to the public, ran deep. Her inner beauty, and vulnerability which she bared only to him, had captured his heart. Forsaking other women, he cleaved only to her, which was a big deal for Grant Hollings, up-and-coming D.C. attorney and former heartbreaker.
  A Bit About the Book Can true love survive anything? A marriage to another? A seven year separation? Pregnant and alone, Cara stars in her first movie while Grant marries another. When felled by illness, she’s forced to give her child to Grant. Five years later, Fate strikes, reuniting them by chance. Will they discover that true love never dies?
 Buy Link All formats: Secret Cravings Publishing  

TUESDAY TALES - WRITTEN TO THE WORD PROMPT "YELLOW". "THE RESCUED HEART" CONTINUES

Welcome! The word prompt this week is "yellow". This is another installment in the continuing story. The civil lawsuit has been cancelled in favor of criminal charges filed against Hack. Now he's facing his court appearance. 
                                 THE RESCUED HEART

“He was speeding and reckless on that bike…” Rory spat out.“The bike got out of control…I couldn’t help it. The breaks malfunctioned,” Hack returned.“The breaks? Hah! It was you!” She pointed her finger at him.
“Me?”
 “Order! Quiet! Quiet!”“But he…”“Settle down or I’ll find you in contempt of court!” The Judge raised his voice.
 Rory slumped sullenly down into her chair. “Your honor, I’ve been railroaded here…”“Sit down, Dr. Roberts! The same applies to you.”Hack’s face registered shock. The judge tapped on his desk with his yellow pencil. “Gentlemen, please control your clients. This trial has become a circus. Disrespectful, out-of-control…outbursts. I’ve had enough. Now you’ll both listen to me…and the first one to open his,” the judge looked at Hack, “or her,” he turned to glare at Rory, “mouth is going to jail. Is that clear?”
 Hack and Rory nodded.“Now! I believe I have the facts straight here. Officer Maloney made it clear. I’m ready to make my ruling. This is the third case of reckless bicycle behavior in the park in this court this month. I’m sick of arrogant bicyclists. Dr. Roberts, you have injured Miss Sampson to the point where she can’t make a living. So you’re going to pay her rent for three months.”“What?” Hack said.“Watch it, Doctor!” The judge warned.Hack’s lawyer, put his hand on his client’s shoulder.“And that’s not all. Ms. Sampson is also a writer. She cannot type with a broken arm. I believe you come from the Roberts real estate family, am I right, Dr?” Hack nodded.“Good. Now I could make you pay for a typist to come to Miss Sampson’s house every day. But that wouldn’t be punishment enough. That’s a walk in the park – if you’ll pardon my pun – for you. You’ll make restitution personally…feel it enough so you’ll never be careless on your bike again. So I’m directing you to show up at Miss Sampson’s apartment Monday through Friday from ten a.m. until three to type her book.” “But Your Honor…I work, I’m a vet.”“You personally,Doctor Roberts. You either survive without working for two months or...you can go to jail for a year.”“But your Honor…”“I could make it three months…”“No! no!”The judge banged his gavel. “Okay, you want three months. You got it.”“I’ve got to have him in my house for three months!” Rory exclaimed, rising out of her seat.“One more word, Ms. Sampson, and I’ll cite you for contempt. You wanted help. Now you’ve got it.  Court is adjourned.”  As people filed out of the court room, Rory sat glued to the bench, staring straight ahead. Hack, his head in his hands, didn’t move. “You’ve ruined my life,” he moaned.“Me?” She turned to look at him. “To have your arrogant, lascivious ass breathing down my neck…”“I’d almost rather go to jail.”“After a week with me, you’ll wish you had.”
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THE ROMANCE REVIEWS TOP PICK! SUNNY DAYS, MOONLIT NIGHTS

Sometimes you stumble upon good news. I did when I found out that THE ROMANCE REVIEWS, had selected SUNNY DAYS, MOONLIT NIGHTS a TOP PICK a while back. Had to share this wonderful review with y'all. 
 5 Stars/Book Reviewed by Tiffy (reviewer) Have you ever wondered what would happen if your first love showed up on your doorstep? Or if you could return to the happiest time of your life and recapture those lost feelings? Jean Joachim answers those questions in this novel with a riveting yet poignant love story.

Caroline Sunny White is trapped in a loveless marriage to Bradley White. Bradley is a multimillionaire who has made Caroline's art work famous by having it shown in all the hot galleries in New York and Connecticut. Caroline is fed up with Brad's three years of infidelity, but can't seem to leave even though her bags have been packed for three months. The last straw is when the owner of the art gallery holding an exhibition of Caroline's work propositions her saying that it was Brad's idea for him to approach her.

Caroline throws her packed bags in the car and runs away to the summer cottage in Willow Falls that her mother bequeathed to her. Because Brad doesn't know about the cabin, Caroline figures that she'll have time to decide which direction her life should take and when to start divorce proceedings.

Moving to the cabin proves to be a healing and enlightening experience for Caroline, who reverts to her nickname Sunny. She finds all her childhood paintings lovingly preserved by her mother, who never encouraged her daughter's artistic talent. She reconnects with the older couple who lived next door and in whom she confided all her childhood problems. Linda, her best friend, lives in the town close by and the two girls pick up their friendship as if they hadn't been separated for 20 years.

But the most amazing coincidence is when her childhood sweetheart, Mickey Foster, turns up in Sunny's bathroom. While taking a shower to wash away the dust of her trip, the hot water spigot came off in Sunny's hand, causing the water to become burning hot. Sunny called out and Mickey came to the rescue just like he did twenty years ago.

Mickey repairs the spigot and helps Sunny refurbish the cabin. Sunny finds out that Mickey is divorced with a 13-year-old son. Sunny begins divorce proceedings against Brad, but doesn't tell Mickey that she is still married. The divorce laws require a 3-month cooling off period, where there can be dire consequences if either party is caught in a compromising position.

As the cabin begins to become a home again, Sunny finds herself again falling under Mickey's spell. Mickey wants to move their relationship to the next level, but every time he presses Sunny, she backs away. Sunny is fearful that Brad will discover her hiding place and find a way to take his rage out on Mickey. Does true love win out? Does Brad get what he deserves? You'll have to read the novel to find out!
 
I absolutely loved this novel and cried at the end. The dialogue between the characters is so well crafted you feel as if you're standing next to them. I can't wait to read Jean Joachim's next book. 
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