Beth D. Carter's Blog, page 36

Blast From the Past...Spotlighting "The Treasure Hunters" by Beth D. Carter!

When the stock market crashes on October 29, 1929, it doesn’t take long for Ruby Talcott to lose everything. Her father’s shipping legacy slips through her fingers. Alone, destitute, she packs up her two best friends Eden and Merridie, and takes them to England for a new life.Working in her family’s warehouse of unclaimed cargo, she foils a plot to steal a map. But this isn’t just any map…it’s to a lost pirate treasure. Ruby takes the map for herself and convinces Eden and Merridie to go with her to find the priceless treasure.She finds Captain Sinclair Dardon, a man also hit hard by the economic turn, to sail them towards adventure. But Ruby didn’t count on her wild attraction to the handsome Captain. Nor did she expect he has his own bad guys hunting him.

Q & A
1.       Did you plot this book out or write wherever an idea took you?
      Actually, I had originally written this story as a screenplay I wrote years ago. Once upon a time, I had wanted to be a screen writer in Hollywood, until I realized how stifling it was. I couldn't curb my imagination like that, so I decided to go back to my first love...novel writing. 
2.       What was your hardest scene to write in this book?
       I had originally written the three females with a kickass modern feel, in a semi-nod to Xena Warrior Princess. While that might have worked in a cheesy Sci-Fi movie, it didn't really translate well. So I had to tone them down, and it was difficult to make Noah, Merridie and Eden worthy of their journey.
3       Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?
       I do. When I got the acceptance letter for publication, I didn't know how the cover artist was going to incorporate not only the treasure hunt but the time period (1930).  I was blown away by how beautiful it is! 
4.       Any advice you would like to give to your younger self?                                                                           Learn the difference between passive and active voice, how NOT to write independent moving body parts, and just keep at it. Today's book publishing is all about your backlog. Have fun and make lots of writing friends along the way.
Excerpt: She was vaguely aware her mouth dropped open. Before her wasn’t the typical scruffy-bearded, dirty boat captain. This man was young. And handsome. More butterflies fluttered in her stomach. He had short black hair that looked like he’d been running his fingers through it in aggravation. He needed a shave, but Ruby rather thought his slight whiskers enhanced his looks rather than detracted. Although he looked tough, he had kind eyes––blue maybe, or green. It was hard to tell in the muted lantern light. He was tall, muscular, and when their gazes met her heart stuttered in her chest.“My name is Sin,” he said, introducing himself, although his gaze stayed locked upon her.“Literally or figuratively?” Merridie asked dryly.He winked at her. “Captain Sinclair Dardon. Who are you, and how may I help you?”“I’m Ruby Talcott, and that’s Merridie Morgan and Eden Cariker. We need passage to Africa,” Ruby said, ignoring the odd excitement gripping her insides. Now was not the time to get distracted by a pretty face. Oh, but that was easier said than done, especially once he turned those hypnotizing eyes back her way.“Why do you think I can help?”“The registry office has you listed as heading to Africa this morning. We just need a ride.”“I’m not a passenger ship.”“We won’t be passengers,” Ruby insisted. “We can earn our way.”The way his gaze traveled up and down her body had her blood heating up and leaving little doubt to what was going through his lascivious mind.“This isn’t a whorehouse either,” he stated.
Where to Buy: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-treasure-hunters-by-beth-d-carterhttps://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Hunters-Beth-D-Carter-ebook/dp/B00Q1Q46NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539531610&sr=8-1&keywords=the+treasure+hunters+by+beth+d.+carter

Discover Your Worth by Brenda A. Haire!

Hello Brenda!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
My book is nonfiction so my characters are real and boy are they characters!
Q) Is this book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?
It is not, but I do have a second book in the works!
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
My book, Save the Butter Tubs!: Discover Your Worth in a Disposable World (STBT) is a mix of memoir, biography, self-help and history. We need to come up with a new category name for that! The title is a metaphor. The book is not about recycling butter tubs even though that is a great idea!
Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?
My strongest is that I am resourceful and understand the marketing side of being a writer. No matter how you are published, if you want readers, you have to market your work. My weakest time management, but I’m working on that! Now that my first book is done, I have a better sense of the time it takes to do all the tasks involved. I have a feeling book two will be a bit less time stressed.
Q) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Original, but I think that is what readers want. My readers are looking for authenticity and transparency. 
Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
Again, mine is nonfiction. I didn’t plan out all the stories that would go into the book or the people I’d discuss. I just let it develop. I was pleased with what came up. I’ve thought a bit more about this for the next book and will strategically plan some of my “characters.”
Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? 
Each book will stand alone, but the audience will be the same and possibly expand. Again, looking at the strategy of “character” and cover art.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I am currently in full promotion mode for STBT. I’ve got two launch parties planned and a book tour underway starting October 14th. My next project has been outlined, but my focus is writing the course and sermon series for STBT.
Over the years, I’ve jotted down many lessons, thoughts, and memories. I’ve been living with this book in mind and filtering everything that happens to me through this book. The best part about life’s distractions is that they are usually affirming your purpose. I stand in awe! When God put the desire in my heart to write back in 2003, I had no idea what the outcome would be. Still I don’t. He can do whatever He wants. I’m surrendering it all to Him. Interestingly, my desire never wavered over the fifteen years it took to write this book. As ideas came, I jotted them down in my journals, favorite writing apps, or whatever slip of paper I could find. Even though I wasn’t actively writing the book, it was writing itself.

Part of the reason I had to complete this project was for you, my reader, my friend. I don’t want you to wait to fully live.Unleash your potential! You don’t need to wait until next year, until things are “right,” or you have it “all together” to make the transformation. You only need this moment. Take time to reflect on the cost of not accomplishing what your heart desires. My deepest desire is to help you shine your light. It’s not enough that you see my light; you need to see your own. It’s there. You’re valuable. Your story matters. The role you play in the stories of others matters. BrendaSpeaker, Coach, Author ofSave the Butter Tubs: Discover Your Worth in a Disposable World
www.BrendaHaire.com
www.facebook.com/brendaahaire
www.instagram.com/brendaahaire
www.twitter.com/brendahaire
www.pinterest.com/brendaahaire
Short bio: Brenda has been sharing transformative messages since 2006. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, she serves the defeated, discouraged, and distracted. She’s been there. Through her transparency, she helps individuals move along their faith journey. It is a journey! Brenda’s passion is to help you live a life worthy of your calling. She values life experience, relationships, creativity, and continual learning.

She and her hubs (as she so lovingly refers to him on social media), Darren, are both military veterans. They love hiking and chasing waterfalls. They live in Texas with their beautifully blended family and their loyal Jack Russell, Maggie.

A Fantasy Journey by Robert Lummus!

Hello Robert! Thank you for visiting Written Butterfly! So tell me...
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
            I have based a lot of my characters on people that I know in my personal life. When I create a character, I start by focusing on one part of their personality that caught my attention allowing the character to change as the story continues. A lot of the events my characters go through are inspired by actual events that I have witnessed in my everyday life.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
            My story is based on the idea that all mythology from every culture is based on fact allowing me to incorporate different legends into my writing.
Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
            I plan out a certain personality to introduce with the character, but I allow them to develop as the story continues.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
            I am working on book two of the Last Necromancer book series following the story of the necromancer in my first novel.

Blurb
 A young man discovers his powers and a world hidden from ordinary people. He struggles to survive the mysterious dangers of this new world while struggling to learn more about the mysterious power that he wields while an unseen danger pursues him. Join him on his journey discovering mystical creatures and the true limit of his powers.


From the Author…My story revolves around a young necromancer who discovers his powers, and is thrown into the dangers of the magical world by an unknown enemy. After the first fight for his life, he learns that the magical community sees him as a threat, and goes into hiding to learn more about his powers. In time , he will have to face the threats of the magical world, hiding the true source of his power, to find a place that he can belong while trying to discover more about his past and the mysterious enemy coming after him discovering that all mythology is based on reality.

Buy It Here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1720180210

Q & A with Kait Gamble on her NEW RELEASE!

Hello Kait!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…
Hi Beth! Thanks for having me!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
I’m a pantser so I generally make it up as I go. I usually start with a vague idea of characters, who they are, what they do, what they want and how I can keep them from getting it. From there they develop as the story does. There have been a few times where I’ve had the characters fully fledged and ready to go before even starting the story, but that’s pretty rare.
Q) Is this book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?
Sight is the second book in the Sensations series, a collection of non-connected stories based on, you guessed it, the senses. Sight takes place in Paris where two people connect after watching each other through their windows night after night. It starts off innocently enough but then heats up considerably…
Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?
I think my strongest asset is that I can adapt quite quickly. Taking new ideas and information and making them work is fun for me. Like a puzzle. But it’s also my weakness because knowing where and when to stop can be a struggle.

Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I do like to have each book stand on its own, but there are threads throughout a few that link them together. There are several stories where characters from one of my other books appear, they visit a few familiar places, companies that characters own show up in more than one book, familiar names pop up here and there…

Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I’m usually working on multiple projects, but at the moment I’ve prioritized work on a secret one that I hope I can reveal soon! All I can say at the moment is it’s exciting and has me in caffeine fueled writer mode. On top of that I’ve got two series going, Sensations and one that will be announced soon, two others and a YA series…looks a little insane when I write it out like that! Wish me luck!

BLURB:
Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met?

Chloe has. Or, at least, she’s fallen into lust with the man who lives in the apartment opposite hers. Night after night they catch glimpses of each other going through their evening routines. But it’s a delicious surprise when things take a more salacious turn inviting her into a voyeuristic fantasy.Mason can’t believe his luck that he’s found himself in what can only be described as the perfect relationship. Companionship, nightly stress relief, and all without having to deal with any drama. All he has to do is look across the way at the gorgeous siren in the window who’s more than happy to play along.

But what happens when watching no longer enough?



EXCERPT:
Chloe lifted her gaze to the building across the way. The fact that she could see directly into a few of the multipaned windows used to bother her, but now it helped with the loneliness of living alone in the city. Seeing others going about their lives had a soothing quality.
That was a predilection she’d never seen coming.

Sighing, she undid the tight bun her hair had been trapped in and shook it loose. As she massaged her scalp, Chloe caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye.

She turned to the window where her attention always seemed to be drawn—right across the way. 
They both had penthouses. He didn’t seem to feel the need to make use of curtains or blinds, while Chloe left hers open until she went to bed. It allowed her to see inside the rooms he inhabited. While she couldn’t see everything, she was close enough to witness what was happening as if it were a modular television.

There he was. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired, and so very sexy. Even across the distance, she could see that. Almost feel it. He exuded power and privilege. It was there in his bearing, the feline grace of his movements. But he was no weakling. He had the long lean body of someone who worked hard to maintain it. She could see from the way the clothing pulled on his skin as he moved that there were powerful muscles hidden beneath. Muscles she wished she could see right that moment.He’d just gotten home from work, judging by his attire. He swiftly slipped off the jacket of his dark suit and slung it over the back of the couch. His tie quickly followed.

Chloe watched as he rolled up his sleeves to reveal sculpted forearms, and the movement of the muscle there as he undid the top buttons of his shirt. His body relaxed as he appeared to sigh with relief. She knew the feeling well.

He pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and dialed. Probably to order a meal just as she had.Smiling, Chloe continued to linger near the window, dusting an already glossy wooden end table as an excuse. When she looked up again, she found him still speaking but staring out through his own window. Directly at her.
Caught, Chloe stood frozen. Their eyes stayed locked until she broke the stillness with a small wave. It was nothing more than the lifting of her hand, but she thought she saw a faint smirk as he nodded. Chloe smirked back. It seemed she’d made a friend.

She didn’t have time to dwell on it before there was a knock at her door.

Letting her gaze linger on him a moment longer, she turned to retrieve her meal from one of the beaming concierges. Thanking and tipping him, Chloe then headed back into the dimly lit room.She took a portion of the food and put it on a plate, poured the wine, then she headed to the couch to enjoy her meal. Instead of turning on the television to hear nothing but doom and gloom in the world, she opted to turn on the stereo instead. The light jazz that filtered into the room was perfect for her mood. After the day she’d had, it was all Chloe wanted.

She swayed along with the music as she enjoyed her noodles and pot stickers. It really was the simple pleasures that kept her going. Good food, beautiful home … all she needed now was good sex.Chloe almost choked on her wine as she snorted at the thought. Not likely.

The city might have been filled with handsome men but none of them had truly caught her attention. Her gaze was drawn across the way again.None except him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him regarding the city under him in the manner of a king surveying his kingdom. Who was he? What did he do? He was obviously quite well off to be living where he was. Maybe he was a model? An actor?

Chloe shook her head. Not with those suits and regular hours. He was like clockwork. Just as she was. She pictured him in a boardroom commanding attention, everyone cowering from him. He’d be a terror in the office and a demon in bed. Did he have a soft side? Maybe one only that special someone saw?Huffing a laugh, she stuffed a pot sticker into her mouth. Not that she’d ever find out.When she lifted her gaze again, she found he’d grown two more arms. They wrapped around his chest from behind, the red nails clawed into his pecs, the need in the person they belonged to quite evident. When had she arrived?

The stab of jealousy was a surprise. The man wasn’t hers. Who he got naked with certainly had nothing to do with her.She did watch with great interest as he turned to grip her face in his hands and devoured her mouth with a ferocity that Chloe herself had never experienced. She could feel the heat as if she’d been the once he’d kissed.The darkness of the room enveloped her, the food forgotten. Everything but the two people lost in each other dropped from existence. Entranced, Chloe could do nothing but watch them.


BUY LINKS:


Amazon: amazon.com/Kait-Gamble/e/B008EJ0THS/
B&N: barnesandnoble.com/s/Kait+Gamble
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/author/kait-gamble/id527340940
Google Play: play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Kait+Gamble
Smashwords: smashwords.com/profile/view/kaitgamble
Kobo: kobo.com/us/en/search?query=kait%20gamble&fcsearchfield=Author
Bookstrand: bookstrand.com/kait-gamble



ABOUT KAIT:
An inveterate traveler, Kait has set foot on three continents and has the other four on her bucket list (yes, even Antarctica). Until she can see them all, she writes romances that take readers to far flung locales, often to places she’s been or hopes to one day go. For now, she’s settled in England where she spends most of her time plotting, scribbling ideas on every available scrap of paper and trying out dialogue on her cat.SOCIAL MEDIA:
Site: kaitgamble.comFacebook: facebook.com/authorkaitgamble/Instagram: instagram.com/kaitgamble/Pinterest: pinterest.com/kaitgamble/Twitter: twitter.com/kaitgamble

Blast From the Past...Spotlighting "Lost Until You" by Kimberly Daniels!

Camryn Singer never imagined that she would return to the place where she lost everything. To grant a dying wish, she and her young son make the move back to the small Jersey beach town where she grew up, hoping to somehow find the missing pieces of her life. Determined to keep her heart guarded, the last thing she needs is the force that is sexy surfer, Cole Stevens, literally slamming into her life.
Struggling against growing feelings for Cole, Camryn tries to focus on life with her son. But when Cole picks the lock to her heart, Camryn knows he might be the one to change everything. Just when Camryn thinks she’s finally finding her happiness, a ghost from the past comes back to haunt her.
Camryn must now decide between letting Cole stand with her in the fight for her life, or staying lost in the pain of the past.
Q & A
1.       Did you plot this book out or write wherever an idea took you?
I tend to always start by just writing. As the story starts to take form, I tend to plot out each chapter. However, more times than not I travel completely off the plot as new ideas spring to mind.
2.       What was your hardest scene to write in this book?
The surf scenes were no doubt the hardest to write. To understand the lingo and be able to use it in the story was a challenge. Also, just the overall art of the sport was all so new to me. Meeting with and learning from surfers definitely made it a little easier, though!
3.       Any advice you would like to give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be more patient. I’ve found that things happen at their own pace and always when they’re supposed to happen. This novel’s book life began four years ago, and I wish I could’ve been more patient and less crazed. I have no doubt that I’ll be tapping into that patience in the future!



EXCERPT 
I start to graze my hands over his arms, tracing his tattoo of a rose within a cracked heart with my fingers. My need for him is screaming over my rational side, which tells me to slow it down. But I want every part of his body over and over again, and if I don’t get it, I might just explode. I have to let Cole know there is nothing more I crave right now than our bodies intertwined together as we discover what can make us moan and the places that will cause us to scream.
“Did I ever tell you how sexy you are, Mr. Stevens?” I whisper into Cole’s ear.
Either  Cole is stunned by my forwardness or planning a way to get me on my back like he promised before, his stroking hands freeze on my waist. His comforting gaze transforms into a hunger that needs to be fed. I watch as a seductive smirk appears on his face. In a husky voice, he warns, “I think I already told you what I’d do to you if you called me that again?”
“Hmm… I think I might remember that. Maybe I’m just waiting for you to follow through.” I hold his gaze and plant a soft kiss on his lips.
He tilts his head and cocks his eyebrow, suggesting that he is going to take my challenge. Sweeping my legs out from under me, Cole floats me over to the oversized lounge chair and gently places me down on my back. He slowly crawls up and kisses each part of me until he reaches my lips.
While he teases every inch of my body,  my hands are weaving through his hair, feeling the short silky strands beneath my fingers. Every time his lips touch my skin, I tug at his hair and a moan would rise in his throat.
I pull his mouth to mine and savor the taste of him. My hands leave his hair and run down the lines of his carved chest, tracing around his nipples. Feeling the hairs rise from his skin, I travel further south over the ridges of his stomach muscles and then slowly slide my hands under the waistband of his shorts. I let them teeter there and tease him to arousal.
“God, Cam, you’re gonna kill me.” He runs his tongue down my neck and over the exposed part of my stomach, cupping his hand over my core. He murmurs in between contact. “I. Need. This. Right. Now.”
With a sigh, I beg, “Please, Cole … take it … take me.”
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Until-You-Finding-Book-ebook/dp/B07CMXFGY1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525125574&sr=8-1&keywords=lost+until+you
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lost-until-you/id1372196279?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lost-until-you-1
B&N: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lost-until-you-1
Evernight: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Until-You-Finding-Book-ebook/dp/B07CMXFGY1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525125574&sr=8-1&keywords=lost+until+you

Lacee Hightower Visits with her NEW RELEASE!!

Hello Lacee!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

 Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters? I’m obsessed with ice hockey, especially the Dallas Stars and Tyler Seguin.  Thus, the idea for book one.  As for book two, I was writing it in my head as I worked on book two.
Q) Is this book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?  This is Book 2 of The Gentry Duo.  Both are standalone reads but each book has both of the brothers in eachQ) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?   My strongest asset is my determination to get something finished once I’ve started it.  There’s no ‘wait until tomorrow’ for me.  Once I start, everything else, including house work, etc., takes a back burner.  My weakest factor is most definitely overthinking absolutely everything.  I write and rewrite scenes until I’m sometimes ready to beat myself in the head. Q) What are your upcoming projects?  I’m working on my darkest character yet, a dominant sadist.  I hope to be done before Christmas.  

Blurb:
“Be a good girl,” my mother always said.  And I did.Until Reese Gentry looked my way.Eyes holding a beautiful guarantee of wicked unchaste, sin and sex.  Smile flashing shameless bliss and obscene desire.  Hands offering sweet pleasure and bitter punishment.Sometimes even the good girl next door needs a dirty secret.With no clingy strings, I’ll willingly give him what he wants, when he wants it, wherever he wants it.But strings are sometimes broken.Reese Gentry is used to two things.  Getting what he wants … and repeating.But then life has its own ideas.Two years pass, and he’s back.  But I’m no longer that spirited girl from the past.  Those days were only the beginning of my story. Those days were before I was left a … slut.

Adult Excerpt:
My body is instantly on fire, my heart thundering. Temptation slides through my core as his hand creeps down my torso, reaching underneath my dress and brushing over the damp fabric of my panties. I feel his intensity, his dominance. This power he has.  It’s who he is.  Who he’s always been.  I want him. His hands on me. Inside me. No more doubt. No worrying. No jealousy.“I need you, Reese,” I whisper, watching the blue in his eyes, the expression on his face, both shameless hot seduction.I love you so damn much.“Open your legs, Graycee,” his voice lowers, “so I can give you what you need.”I open my legs and a finger, then two, slides inside my panties, pushing into my sex so deep that I think I might shatter. “Oh, God, Reese. Feels so good.” “Shh, baby.” There’s a command to his voice as his palm cups my mouth to quieten me while his fingers push and thrust, his thumb doing crazy insane circling motions over my clit. He kisses at the tender spot just below my ear, knowing just how much that tiny move affects me. “Now I’m going to lick all that modesty and lingering doubt out of you. And you, Graycee, are going to stay very quiet.”Dropping to his knees, he urges my dress up and slides my panties to the side. Burying his face against my cleft, his tongue pushes into me. He’s rough and urgent, greedy and fierce, like wicked voodoo, licking, stroking, teasing, doing everything that I crave. I can barely breathe, so lost in Reese, this connection between us something way deeper than sex. My fingers automatically wind through his hair as my hips seethe around the firm movements of his mouth. We’re staring at each other like there’s no other person in existence. Like a hundred or more people aren’t footsteps away from us.“Oh my God. Reese. No more. Not here.” The smooth sleekness of his tongue licks through me, inside me, slowly.  Quickly.  Then slow once again before flickering over my clit as he pulls me hard against him, his hands tightening against my hips.  “Don’t ever do that to yourself again,” he says in a voice that’s heavy with intensity. “Or to me, Graycee. Don’t let that man, or the past, control you. You’re stronger than that. You’re stronger than he ever was.” He licks through my sex again, stopping at my clit. I rake my nails through the sides of his hair, my pleasure building. Consuming me.“Reese, this is crazy. You’re going to make me come.”“Yes, I am. And you’re going to stay silent. And then, when we get home, I’m going to make you come again, until you scream my name.”His lips cover my sex, and I’m instantly grinding against his mouth, squeezing my eyes shut, stirring with twenty sensations as he delves deep inside, his hands all over me. I’m shamelessly writhing, my sex clenching with every impatient thrust. Too late to care where we are or how many people are only feet away, he’s tonguing me into a shattering orgasm. My body spasms around him, my nails drilling into his shoulders as I bite down on my lip, choking back a scream. He pulls me closer to his face, his lips still sealed tight. My sex convulsing, my entire lower body trembling. When I open my eyes again, only feet away from me, his gaze dark and evil, is none other than Rodney. “Reese!” I push at him, lowering my dress.“Rodney! He was there! Right there!”



About the Author:
Lacee Hightower is an American writer and romance novelist, referring to her style as contemporary, sweet romance with a “twist.” Living in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, she describes herself as a foodie that can’t cook, a large lover of fashion and SHOES, and an enormous hopeless romantic.  Since she was old enough to know what the word meant, she loved the whole concept of romance and happy endings. Even though she has always enjoyed writing, life got in the way and she never really thought of pursuing it seriously until she decided to write her first book after both her children were grown in 2017.  Now with a nice glass of wine in hand, or not, she is learning to love bringing the characters in her head to life on paper for those who enjoy peeking into another world.



Buy Links:





Social Media Links:
facebook.com/Lacee-Hightower-Author-495594097304430
twitter.com/LaceeHightower
Instagram – laceehightower8786

Science Fiction Romance & Adventure by Eva Gordon!

Hello Eva!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…
Q) Is this book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?
Yes. It’s book 1 in the Shalhinari (Talzorian for matchmaker) series. Mitzi Selig is a traditional matchmaker who is competing with the hundreds of online dating sites. She mentored with her grandmother, a famous traditional matchmaker who conducted her interviews old school style, face to face. Planet Talzor needs brides and Captain Jax is sent to find the best shalhinari to find soul mates for some of his men.
Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?
My strongest asset is my creativity. My weakest is my marketing skills. I am learning you can’t sell without advertizing, so lately that takes a bigger chunk of my writing time.
Q) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I do prefer to be original. If you read my reviews for my other books, you will see that the words unique, different and new are always mentioned. I do focus on a passionate romance, at your edge of your seat suspense and plot and twists to delight my readers. I enjoy creating characters you fall in love with.
Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both. Each novel in the series is a stand-alone with a complete happily ever after, but there will be connections with the heroes from book 1
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I have a number of series and I have a new release from on of my various series each season. 

Blurb
Mitzi leads a quiet life as a professional matchmaker. Her cozy life is turned upside down when she is chosen as the matchmaker for an alien species searching for wives. Naturally, she refuses. Unfortunately, she’s having a hard time saying no to the dashingly handsome but domineering alien warrior. Although, he makes her heart flutter, it’s a good thing he’s not her type.
Jax, captain of the Talzor starship, is ordered to hire a shalhinari, a spiritual matchmaker, to find soul mates for six of his men. He locates the best shalhinari on Earth; yet, Mitzi Selig the earthbound woman tries his patience. To his distress, he is drawn to her beauty, questioning his judgment. Worse, his long suppressed empathy gene awakens, a trait not seemly for a warrior.
The magnetic pull between Captain Jax and Mitzi is astronomical. Yet, can a tormented warrior and a woman who refuses to leave Earth find love? A long light-year distance relationship is one thing, but looming danger could curtail any chance for their star-crossed passion.
Follow the misadventures of an earthling matchmaker.



Excerpt
Mitzi followed Jenkins down the hall to the office where she’d meet the alien. Her laptop in hand, ready to work. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can go back to my life.Jenkins knocked on the door. “Captain.”“Enter,” said a deep voice, somewhere between a growl and a command. All grouchy. Possibly hangry for human flesh.“Captain Jax. This is Mitzi Selig, the shalhinari.”Mitzi gaped at the tall man with a broad chest and shoulders. He looked more like a warrior from some popular battle game or fantasy movie. Nothing like the skinny gray alien creature she expected to see. His dark uniform gave him a strong military bearing, as indicated by his title. Black hair, sapphire blue eyes and dashing defined jawline. A scar near his left eye, the only noticeable flaw. She felt like she was meeting an actor in a casting call for a superhero role. Or worse, her latest book boyfriend from a historical romance novel about a devilish, handsome pirate who took a duchess prisoner. She’d only been attracted to alpha-type men in the novels she read. If she ever married, she’d choose the sweeter beta male. Although, didn’t she make the mistake of thinking her ex-fiancé was the sweet type? “I thought you would be gray, green…” Shit. “I mean, not so human looking.” Great, his first impression of her was a babbling fool.Jax lifted a brow as if scolding an ill-mannered child. “You are referring to the reptilian drones. We Talzorians are humanoid.”Get your shit together, Mitzi. She bowed her head. “A pleasure to meet you.”Jax turned to Jenkins. “That will be all.”“Understood.” Jenkins gave her an encouraging nod and left.The gorgeous alien captain’s scowl remained. “I’m pleased you finally relented to being our shalhinari.”Like I had a choice? “Colson Tate has a real knack for convincing people.”“To both of our benefits.”Yeah, I get to live and you get six women. “I understand the term shalhinari means matchmaker.”“Correct. The shalhinari understands not only bringing together people with similar likes and goals in life, but the union of their spirits.”“I learned that from my grandmother, which is why all her matches have the lowest divorce rate of any other matchmaking service.” Still, this had to do more with properly vetting the eligible couple, not magic.“Good, my men deserve the skills of the best.”“I tend to be very thorough and scientific. I will require the profiles of your men.” She tilted her head at the man who belonged in fantasy dreams. “Please, don’t take this personally, but is this your actual form? The women of earth must know your true appearance.” Because if this was his real look, she’d have women lined up around the globe. Even she might take a number.“I don’t take anything personally. As I mentioned earlier, we are humanoid, and yes, this is my real appearance.”“Got it.” She reached for her laptop. “Let’s get started.”“No.”“Huh?”“I have better technology on my ship.”No one mentioned space travel. Mitzi stepped back. “I rather not leave terra firma. I figure since I get sea sick, I’m not a good candidate for zero gravity.”“Our medical lab is fully equipped. Don’t worry. We’ll remain stationed on Earth.”How could she trust him? “I’d feel more comfortable here, thank you very much.”Jax stiffened and stared at her as if she had grown a horn or something. He swallowed and his tone softened. “Don’t be frightened. We are not going anywhere, for now.”What about no spaceship don't you understand? “I’m not scared. I figure, why waste a perfectly good office set up that accommodates my needs?” 
Buy Linkshttps://books2read.com/u/mYolep  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GNND8QWhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GNND8QWhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GNND8QWhttps://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07GNND8QWhttps://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/planet-talzor-needs-brideshttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/planet-talzor-needs-brides-eva-gordon/1129348680https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1432005924


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Paranormal Romance:
Beast Warrior, Viking in my Wolf Maiden Saga: Winter 2018
Fur, Cloak and Dagger in the Team Greywolf Series Spring 2019.
Fantasy:
Book 3 in The Realms Trilogy 2020
Science Fiction Romance/Adventure
And more to come in the Shalhinari Series. 2019

Welcome Sue Horsford!

Hello Sue!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
I originally wanted Gabriel to be a bit of a cad, to be emotionally unavailable and to break Faye’s heart. I didn’t mean for it to turn into a love story. But when I started writing, I felt it would be more interesting if he started out that way and she changed him as much as he changed her. I wanted Faye to represent every woman. So, she’s not stunningly beautiful or incredibly talented but she is happy in her own skin. I didn’t want her to be the sort of woman who would have her head easily turned by a handsome stranger, I wanted her to be a no-nonsense down to earth woman and I loved the idea that this man could come into her life and turn all her ideas about herself upside down. I gave Faye a job working with women going through domestic abuse because I was fascinated by the dichotomy of a woman who works every day to empower women, suddenly being faced with this desire to submit to a man.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
The most common question I get asked about A Fine Line is: Am I writing about my own sex life?
Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?
I think my strongest asset is that I have a good ear for dialogue. I love that moment when my characters start speaking and all I have to do is listen. Though they don’t always say what I expected them to say! My weakest point is that I’m easily distracted. I tend to write my first draft longhand because once I’m at my computer, the internet is such a tempting distraction!
Q) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I think in A Fine Line, I was trying to be more original. I’ve since studied the genre more thoroughly and I think my second book is maybe closer to what readers often want, my female character is less down to earth, more beautiful and successful. My third book which is a fantasy is very different and quite experimental. It remains to be seen whether readers will like it!
Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
I have a rough idea of who my characters are but I do find them changing and developing as I write and I find out more about them.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I’ve finished another two novels, one is another BDSM themed story and the other is a love story with elements of fantasy and contains a story within a story. I need to finish editing both of them, but it’s difficult because creating is so much more fun and I really have to discipline myself not to start anything else.
 BLURB
No one would understand that my submission empowered me, that I felt stronger kneeling at Gabriel’s feet than I ever had standing at Paul’s side.
Faye Austin seems to have it all – a fulfilling career, a successful husband, a beautiful home. But appearances can be deceptive and sometimes Faye can’t help thinking she’s living the wrong life. A lifetime of being compared to her beautiful younger sister, Ginny, has left her feeling second best, and a chance discovery while looking at her husband’s laptop has led her to realize that her marriage is not all it seems.
Then she meets the handsome Gabriel Scott, a man who likes to play sexual games of power and control, and suddenly everything makes sense. Gabriel’s natural dominance is so compelling that Faye feels her own submissiveness awakening in response, a reaction that both horrifies and excites her. She works with victims of domestic abuse and is adamant that no man will ever tell her what to do. But there’s something about Gabriel that draws her in and gives her a glimpse of who she really wants to be.
Excerpt

Gabriel came to stand before me. “Relax,” he said softly. “I’ll take good care of you.”
Slowly, he unbuttoned my dress and slipped it off my shoulders, his dark, hypnotizing eyes never leaving mine, until I stood before him in nothing but my underwear and shoes.
He gave a slow, sexy smile. “Very nice.” He ran his thumbs over my breasts through the lace of my bra and pinched my nipples between his thumb and forefinger. “This is beautiful, but it needs to come off.”
He reached behind me, and, after unhooking the clasp, he slipped my bra down my shoulders and let it drop to the floor, then he unknotted his tie and eased it out from under his collar. He held it between his hands as I watched, mesmerized.
“Turn around and put your hands together behind your back,” he ordered.
I turned and clasped my fingers together, then he wrapped his tie several times around my wrists and drew it tight. He threaded one hand in my hair and pulled my head sideways so my neck was exposed to him, and I closed my eyes in ecstasy as he nipped at my earlobe.
Still holding my hair, he turned me back to face him. “Now that is a magnificent sight,” he said, “my beautiful submissive bound and obedient for her Master.”
His words sent a thrill coursing through my body.
“I’m going to do whatever I please to you tonight,” he said, “but I want you to think of a word to use if it gets too much for you. Any word will do.” He paused, and his eyes bored into mine. “Except the word no. You will never say no to your Master.”
I cast about me for a word I would remember, and my gaze fell on the dress now pooled at my feet. “Velvet,” I said.
“Velvet, then. I promise you, Faye, the next time you say velvet, I’ll stop whatever I’m doing. Do you trust me, sweetheart?”
“I do.”
“Good. Now, I want you to keep very still for me. Don’t respond until I tell you to.”
He slipped off his jacket, taking something from his pocket and unbuttoned his shirt, exposing a broad, tan chest. A T-shape of dark hair ran from between his pectorals to vanish teasingly beneath his waistband, drawing my gaze downward over his lean stomach and well-defined abs. Fully dressed, Gabriel had the air of a sophisticated gentleman. Half-naked, the untamed man beneath was revealed. He stepped in close to me until we were touching, and my breath caught at the sensation of warm skin on skin. Then he opened his hand and showed me what was inside—two tiny metal clamps, tipped with rubber and joined with a silver chain.
Buy Links
 https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Line-Sue-Horsford-ebook/dp/B01MCSVXHH
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Line-Sue-Horsford-ebook/dp/B01MCSVXHH
https://www.totallybound.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4803

About Sue…
I am a qualified hypnotherapist and Reiki practitioner living in the North of England with my husband and soul mate. Over the years I must have started and abandoned over fifty novels before I decided to try my hand at writing erotica. Finally, I had a finished novel and a new hobby all in one. I never realized writing could be so much fun!


 Find her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/fingal1962

Blast from the Past...Spotlighting "Not Afraid" by Elizabeth Monvey!

Raleigh Hewes has known Augustus Rains his whole life, and for the past year they’ve been lovers. They’ve kept it a secret because Gus is afraid of what people will say. Not only are they a gay couple in a small town but he is black and Raleigh is white. Raleigh wants to be out and proud, but Gus is concerned since both their businesses revolve around the local market.After an argument, Raleigh has doubts that their love can last because he’s tired of hiding their relationship. When a storm sweeps over his farm, he’s caught in the eye of a tornado, and Gus races frantically to find the man he loves.The danger has put into perspective his fears and Gus decides not to be afraid anymore. He just hopes it’s not too late to lay claim to Raleigh’s heart.
Q & A
1.       Did you plot this book out or write wherever an idea took you?
I knew where I wanted the story to go, so for this one I did a strong plot outline. I wanted to show that even in today’s modern and civilized world, there is still prejudice between interracial couples. I also wanted to include a tornado, so it was interesting researching how to do that.
2.       Since the publication, what would you say has improved in your writing?
Yes, definitely! A writer should always be learning how to fine tune his or her craft. I constantly read and listen to my editors so I’m constantly refining my craft.
3.       Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?
This is one career where a book is definitely judged by its cover! I loved the cover for “Not Afraid”.  I like how the tornado twisting between the two men is the visual division between them.  



EXCERPT  

And then Augustus reached out with his big, beefy hands and pulled him flush against his body to claim his lips in a deep, penetrating kiss. Raleigh reached up to hold on as Gus licked and sucked on his tongue, fusing them in a way that made his dick hard as steel. It was always like this with Gus, always this raw and powerful and hot. Christ, Gus was the sexiest thing on two legs, and Raleigh always sported a boner within two seconds of laying eyes on the man. When Gus tried to break the kiss and come up for air, Raleigh practically attacked him back, throwing himself into the hard, muscled body. Gus’s arms hit the evenly stacked paint cans and knocked all them off their perfectly set row.
“Jesus, Leigh,” Gus muttered as Raleigh pressed kisses over Gus’s jaw.
“Three fucking days, Gus,” he said roughly in between nips and licks. Gus moaned at Raleigh’s attention. “I’ve been jacking off with mental images of you for three days.”
He sank to his knees in front of Gus and worked on getting his jeans undone. He carefully eased the zipper teeth over the straining erection and some white boxer briefs poked out, barely able to contain the large girth pushing against them.
“I’ve dreamed of this cock, of tasting it and sucking it,” he murmured as he yanked the jeans and underwear down far enough to ease out the huge dick. It was a bit darker than Gus’s skin, and the head was bulbous over a long, thick shaft. Gus’s balls hung, large and heavy. Liquid dribbled out of the tip like crazy, and his mouth watered, so he leaned over and licked.
“Holy shit!” Gus panted. His fingers sank into Raleigh’s hair to either hold him in place or direct his movement. Raleigh didn’t actually care. He was too happy sucking on Gus’s cock to really think about anything else. 
WHERE TO BUY 

Evernight: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/not-afraid-by-elizabeth-monvey
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Afraid-Romance-Elizabeth-Monvey-ebook/dp/B00O2GL322/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1538180798&sr=8-16&keywords=elizabeth+monvey

Nix Whittaker Chats With Me Today!

Hello Nix!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
It is literally a dream. I have insomnia so one of the tactics to fall asleep is I create elaborate worlds and characters to fall asleep. It has been very helpful in real life as I can have arguments with my boss all in my head without getting into a real confrontation and probably fired.

Q) Is this book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?
I can’t help but do series. I like the characters too much and want to keep coming back to them or something else in the world that appeals to me. This series is set on another planet where humans have been adapted to better survive another planet. The different models of humans are divided into four castes. My main character is desperate for a family so she goes the route of artificial insemination but things get complicated when the father of the baby rocks up on her door. He is a Warrior and she is a Serenity so I get to explore how people from different backgrounds can find a middle ground. Of course there is also world domination and xenophobia as well but those get explored in the other books in the series.

Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
I always think I’ve planned my characters out before I start writing but then when I do write they say and do things that always surprise me. In this case Kaidan turned out a much calmer guy than I expected. He is tough in a quiet way. The brother also was a surprise. I was going to make him very different. You get to see more of him in the next book.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I have a few upcoming projects. I’m organizing an Anthology called Well Said O Toothless One. It is something my dad always says and at the moment he is terminally ill and I wanted something to remember him by. So all the stories in there are stories that are amusing and show good guys winning instead of this toxic macho ideal that pervades literature. I’m also starting a new series in my Wyvern Chronicles world. This is more of a mystery and set a little later about 1853. Of course I still have the other books in this series that I’m only half way through writing.
Blurb
K-I-S-S-I-N-G First comes baby ... wait that isn't right. But that is how Aaru has planned it, have a baby even if she can't find the right guy. On a planet where everyone is in a rigid caste system determined by their genetics, Aaru is part of an outcast model of human called Serenities. They had a tendency to go mad so Aaru wants children before that dreaded day appears. She never expected to meet the donor. Unfortunately, her plans change when the Scribe government comes for her and her baby. She would have been taken if the baby daddy hadn't arrived on her doorstep.

Kaidan is a Warrior and protecting people is part of his DNA. The stakes are just higher because Aaru is carrying his child. But to face the power of the Scribe government means he has to give up everything to follow his heart.


Where to Buy…


Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FD4HJT9
Website: www.nixwhittaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nix-Whittaker-1540555802866070/


Excerpt...“Whatever my brother is paying you I can pay you more.” She couldn’t but she wanted to gauge his depth of loyalty.
He frowned. “Your brother isn’t paying me anything. Is that who you’re hiding from?”
What game was he playing? “Who are you?”
“I’m Kaidan and I’m the father of your child.”
The father? The father was supposed to be sperm in a jar, not a human being standing in front of her. Certainly the father wasn’t supposed to be a man with muscles that bulged against his shirt. She could argue with a jar and fight against a man that didn’t exist to keep her baby. She couldn’t fight another human being let alone a Warrior. Her breath caught in her throat. She coughed but she was already light headed.
Aaru fainted.
She could blame it on the pregnancy but so far she had been robust. She came to lying on the floor with Kaidan holding her in his lap. He rubbed her arm to help revive her. Propped up in his lap she could feel the muscles of his legs as he half crouched under her. His other arm around her kept her head off the floor. Aaru scrambled away from him when she finally came to and he let her. She didn’t fool herself. He was a Warrior. He had reflexes that would put a humming beetle to shame. Aaru watched him studying her.
It was a standoff.
There was no way she could run but she wasn’t about to go along with him either. Then she remembered the last thing he told her before she fainted and said, “That’s impossible. You can’t be the father. The father was some Rustic guy who went to a clinic in Jing. Reduced to a jar of sperm.” Her few years in medical school let her rattle off the word sperm without blushing but the raised eyebrow from the Warrior threatened to have a blush follow the words.
The Warrior tilted his head as he listened to her then carefully spread his arms to show he wasn’t going to hurt her. He slowly got to his feet and offered a hand up off the floor. Aaru wasn’t so pregnant that she couldn’t get up off the floor on her own. She didn’t take his hand but she did stand up. There was no way she would stay huddled on the floor while he stood intimidatingly above her.
She backed up so her back was to the wall as she didn’t like being so exposed. She had no idea if he was alone or not but she didn’t feel safe.
The Warrior didn’t crowd her, instead he stayed by the small table in the middle of the open plan studio. He said, “It wasn’t a Rustic man.”

Author bio: 
Nix Whittaker is a high school teacher in a small rural town tucked away in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. She immigrated to New Zealand when she was a young girl from South Africa and had completely embraced the New Zealand life.


She has been writing from a young age when she read all the books available for people her age and was forced to write her own just to feed her voracious appetite for Literature.
She studied at Auckland University, but opted for a quiet life in the rolling countryside and views of Tongariro National Park. She lives with her dog and her three cats and writes between planning lessons and socialising with friends.