Sarah Ballance's Blog, page 64

Lynne Connolly’s “Rendezvous at Midnight”: A Haunted Ocean Liner–How Ridiculous!

Have a little RENDEZVOUS of your own! Click image for more information.

Ready to kick off another week? Today we’re joined by Lynne Connolly and her erotic romance novella RENDEZVOUS AT MIDNIGHT. Y’all, I saw the blurb for this story and I was hooked. Anything that starts with “A haunted ocean liner” is sooo on my wish list, and I think after you read this guest blog you’ll agree this sounds like a fascinating story. Lynne, welcome, and take it away!

Lynn Connolly: A Haunted Ocean Liner – how ridiculous!

Q: Lynne, what inspired you to write “Rendezvous at Midnight”?

My inspiration for “Rendezvous at Midnight” came from a real life example!

Years ago I saw a TV program called “Most Haunted,” a UK program where the participants went to a reputedly haunted location and had a tour, and then a séance. The program usually ended with a lot of screaming, and towards the end was more about sensationalism than true investigation.

However, it was amusing, and occasionally thought-provoking. One of these took place on the old “Queen Mary” and in particular, they claimed to have discovered wet footprints on the site of the old plunge pool. That remained with me, and when I wanted to write a ghost story, I finally got to use it.

Q: But you put the child of a vampire into the story! Where did he come from?

I’ve written about vampires for years, and created a world that is consistent over all my paranormals. “Rendezvous at Midnight” gave me a chance to write about an aspect I’d wanted to cover for years – ghosts and what the children of vampires who aren’t vampires themselves do. In my world, there are no hybrids, so if a vampire makes love to a mortal, they could have a vampire child, or a mortal one. Michael is a non-vampire, but the children of vampires have another gift, which some claim is a curse—they can see and communicate with ghosts.

Q: Do you believe in ghosts?

I certainly do! As a child, I lived in a haunted house!

Q: How chilling! Tell us more!

We had a shop in the city of Leicester that was made of three houses, and was across the road from St. Margaret’s Church, a fifteenth century church that had a lot of influence at one time. We used to hear footsteps where there was nobody, and hear noises. In our bathroom, a converted bedroom, a strange light used to appear on the wall. I hated that light, and I used to have very fast baths!

Q: So you used your knowledge of ghosts in the book?

Not really. I decided to incorporate ghosts into my paranormal world, so I decided that ghosts are sometimes restless spirits who needed closure. Michael Scott is a medium who helps them get that closure, but he needs to earn a living, so he works for a TV franchise, “Ghosts at Home,” which visits haunted locations and compiles an hour long TV program on them. There are several teams of camera, presenter and mediums. Lisa Perez is the presenter, and someone Michael has wanted for a long time. Once she has ended her current relationship, Michael sees his chance, and moves in.

Q: How does Lisa fit in to the story?

Her mother died aboard the “Gem of The Sea” and Lisa wants to find out what happened, as she was never happy about the outcome, which involved a prominent politician. She’s always suspected a coverup. However, she doesn’t suspect that her mother is one of the ghosts!

Q: So the story is ghosts, vampire children, and…?

Hot sex. Yes, there is some coming together in this book. Quite a lot, really. Michael has wanted Lisa for a long time, and Lisa has been thinking and fantasizing guiltily about Michael, so when they finally get it on, it’s action all the way!

RENDEZVOUS AT MIDNIGHT | blurb

A haunted ocean liner, a woman with a family mystery to solve, and a man who can talk to ghosts—what do they have in common? A timeless love and the very real threat of murder, that’s what.

Lisa, a host for the TV program Ghost at Home, and Michael, a medium also for the program, share a past together. But it remains to be seen if they have a future….

When the program gets offered to spend a weekend of ghost-hunting on The Gem of the Sea, Lisa sees her chance to discover what really happened to her mother the day she died on the great ocean liner. But over the course of one passion-filled weekend, Lisa and Michael must fight a malevolence the likes of which neither has encountered before.

Will they win or become two more of the unquiet spirits haunting the old ship?

Rendezvous at Midnight is published by Decadent Publishing, and is available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, All Romance eBooks and all other good eBook retailers.

LYNNE CONNOLLY | about the author

I was born in Leicester, England, and lived in our cobbler’s shop with my parents and sister. It was an old house and most definitely haunted, but I didn’t find out until I left that my great uncle had hung himself in the living room! But I think our ghost might have been older than that. It was built on the site of the old Roman cemetery, and the land had been constantly inhabited, being in the centre of town. Then, when the council bought the house from us to build a road, my grandfather retired and my father went and worked for the Post Office. My mother was a sample machinist; that is, she worked with designers on the prototypes (models or samples) of garments. So I was very well dressed! We bought a relatively modern house in the country, and my mother was blissfully happy. It’s all very well living in a large old house, but it’s a dreadful task to keep it clean and warm!

My mother’s side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven’t any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.

I’ve always had an interest in the paranormal and it’s been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.

Website: http://lynneconnolly.com

Sarah here: Lynne, what a fantastic post! Thanks so much for visiting and sharing this story with us. (And I wasn’t kidding … you had me at “haunted ocean liner,” LOL!) Readers, I hope you’ll welcome Lynne with your comments. *grin* Have a wonderful day, everyone!

05.13.12 #SixSunday with Tide of Lies

Thrilling new romantic suspense! Click image for several electronic formats, including PDF and Kindle/Nook files.

TIDE OF LIES is *now available* from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Noble Romance! And for the scoop on the unsolved murders leading to the lies, check out FAMILIAR LIGHT, on sale for $1.50.

In this six, Holden approaches the beach house where he believes Julia is held by a killer.

Keeping to the ornamental grasses and what little bit of cover the landscaping offered, Holden crept closer. When he was out of hiding spots, he darted to the first of several pilings holding the house a dozen feet off the ground. He drew several deep breaths. It occurred to him (BLEEP) might not even be inside, but Holden didn’t dwell on the possibility—especially considering a property search in neighboring counties didn’t turn up a thing.

He needed to find Julia. Now.

MORE INFO @ Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Noble Romance

Enjoy your Sunday six sentences at a time!  To see other participating authors, click here.

05.12.2012 #SweetSat Samples: Unforgiven

Riley Beckett’s past just came back to haunt her … and this time he’s got a gun. UNFORGIVEN … click image.

Congratulations to nancy777ca(at)etc, this week’s gift card winner! If you’d like to be eligible for my weekly giveaways of a $10 gift card to Noble Romance or $5 to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice), simply subscribe by email using the box to your left. You’ll be automatically entered every week for as long as you remain a subscriber.

Gage and Riley were once lovers, but a deadly twist of fate tore them apart. Now, one year later, they’re thrown together by a murder in which Gage was the intended victim and Riley is wanted for the crime.

Here, Riley has just walked into her house for the first time since days before when Gage showed up in her living room, an encounter that ended with shots fired, shattering her front window. Now she’s dealing with the reality of losing him all over again.

Riley tucked her bag to her side and hugged her arms to her chest. She didn’t want to go in the front room, but she knew she’d never sleep until she put that particular task behind her. From her position in the doorway, the broken glass reminded her of the bullet that took a chunk out of Gage and her heart lurched, her emotions sprawling like the shards across the floor.

The window beckoned.

Glass crunched underfoot, but she kept her attention to the outdoors. She scanned the woods, the hairs on the back of her neck drawing to attention when she thought of a murderer there, waiting. He’d probably watched her drive up that day and let herself through the front door. Why hadn’t he killed her then? Chills raced down her spine, electrifying her limbs. The thought of dying didn’t bother her nearly as much as the thought of dying without knowing Gage again. What she wouldn’t give to have the past twelve months back.

She backed from the window, and her gaze swept the bloodstain Dawson left on the floor. In the waning light, it gaped black and threatening. Unsettled, sickened by the sight, she gasped and backpedaled, stumbling over her own feet in an attempt to put distance between her and the bloodshed.

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For more Sweet Saturday clean excerpts, click here.

UNFORGIVEN

Riley Beckett’s past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he’s got a gun.

When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage’s former lover, Riley. He and she didn’t part ways on good terms, and he’s not planning to rekindle anything now–not when he’s got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.

A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.

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Angela Aaron: “The Fire of Beltane” & a Hot Irish Character Interview

Immerse yourself in the heat … click image.

Sarah here: Today I’m thrilled to welcome author Angela Aaron to the stage with her newest release, THE FIRE OF BELTANE. I’m about halfway through this book and I’ve got to tell you all, the writing is just exquisite. I hope you all enjoy this introduction to this captivating story. Angela, take it away!

ANGELA AARON
Feel good romance at its barest.  Feel the heat.

***
THE FIRE OF BELTANE

When the impossible becomes possible and dreams do come true…literally

When Aedan is denied his soul mate that fateful Beltane night, he is given the gift of immortality, permitting him to wait for her prophesized return. Reunited after eleven-hundred years, he is disheartened to learn his true love holds no memory of him.

Wishing for a distraction from the winter doldrums, Aislinn never expected to be caught up in a whirlwind of magic and danger with a man she has spent her whole life dreaming about. What he asks of her tests the very reality she holds dear.

Now, as Beltane approaches, and with time running out, Aedan and Aislinn must reach Ireland to pledge their love to one another. But in order to live out their destinies, they must overcome an ancient foe determined to see an end to their fated love.

Eleven hundred years he waited for her. He could lose her in a single moment.

Content warning:  Sizzling graphic love scenes, ancient public fertility ceremony

A Note from Angela:

Hi. Thanks for inviting me to introduce my newest Erotic Romance, The Fire of Beltane.

Imagine this:  It is 6:30 a.m. on a freezing February morning.  The air is biting crisp and the sky is clear.  It is “nose-hair-sticking” cold.  There isn’t another soul around as I pull into the parking lot of work.  I have no desire to get out of my warm car and instead decide to finish my coffee and mumble about the winter doldrums. I look to my left and there is the biggest, brightest full moon I’ve ever seen and it captivates my full attention.  Being the hopeless romantic I am, found myself wondering how much magic that moon really has, and wouldn’t it be grand if I walked inside the building and stepped into an adventure with a handsome alpha hero.  Well, the whimsical thought came and went and I eventually braved the cold and headed into work.  As I entered the building the thought came to me that I should write down what I was just thinking and make a story out of the experience. That’s how The Fire of Beltane was born.

I spent the next few months observing and jotting down notes and ideas that kept flooding my brain. I developed my characters from watching the people around me.  My heroine, Aislinn (pronounced Ashlynn) is the combination of 3 different people and my Hero Aedan, on the other hand is pure made-up alpha fantasy. I love to write strong but flawed and terribly perfect heroes because that is what I like to read.  I’m sure I’m not the only one.

The Fire of Beltane is a story full of sizzling romance, magic and mystery; where the impossible becomes possible.  It’s a story where dreams come true…literally.

It is a feel good story at its barest! The love scenes are hot-hot-hot, but it can be no other way for Aedan and Aislinn.

And yes…I did write the “moon” scene into the story.

THE FIRE OF BELTANE | Interview with Aedan

Sarah here. We have a special treat today, as Aedan has agreed to join us for a few questions. (*whispers* You guys are going to LOVE this!) Aedan, welcome!

Hi Ya Lass,

Thanks for havin me on yer blog.  Ms Aaron spoke verra highly of ya, and suggested I give a few questions a go.  So…I’m ready and willin (and I do have a twinkle in me eye sayin that!)

The pleasure is all ours, Aedan! I have to say, I love your story. You waited so long for Aislinn. How did you not lose hope?

Eleven hundred years is a verra long time to be waitin on someone. I dinnae think it ‘twould be that long.  I did start loosin a bit of hope toward the end, just before meeting Aislinn.  I became restless and frightened the magic wouldnae last. I feared my existence was destined to be eternal and empty. But now I ken the restlessness was my spirit awaking, preparing me for once again meeting Aislinn.

Now, donnae go thinkin me a saint. I’m nae even close.  I am a mon after all.  I did have lasses warmin me bed on occasion. They were a wee bit of comfort on lonely nights but nothing more. My heart always did and always will belong to Aislinn.

What was the moment like when you saw her for the first time? How did the feelings compare to when you first met her in her previous life?

Och, Ms. Ballance.  Ye have to ken when I met Aislinn in the past, I already had a sense of her in me heart from the age of eight.  She was always a part of me, as I was a part of her. When me brother destroyed our union and she taken away, her feelins vanished from inside me.  I was so empty I didnae ken if I would be able to survive. I missed her so much. But ’twas the promise of one day finding her that kept me goin. When I saw her again, standin in the gift shop, all the sensations of her came flooding through me with such force, for a moment I dinnae ken what was happenin. I could feel her again. That warm “thrum” inside me that would only grow and entwine with my soul with the coming Beltane. There are nae words to describe how that feels. ‘Tis magic.

When did you first find out of your brother Brennis’s intentions?

I hadnae done any magic for a verra long time.  Your world isnae so accepting, you ken. But ’twas necessary that night on the beach at Aislinn’s grandmare’s cottage.  I had to find out who was trying to harm Aislinn. I scared her that night, with the power I wielded, but because of that power, I was able to learn Brennis was alive and continued to plot against me. I should have known he’d continue to torment me long after he should have been dead.

Looking back over everything you went through to get back to Aislinn, is there anything you’d do differently?

Och, Christ Lass, I wouldnae have waited so long!  I would undo all the pain and heartache Aislinn went through, but ’twas not in my power to change any of it. Only the Lady knew when the time would be right, when our destinies would meet.

Are ya satisified with these answers, Ms. Ballance?  I’m needin to get back to my woman, now.  She’s givin me a verra hungry look and I’m  thinking I can quench her appetite.

Oh, dear. Have at her, Aedan. (And don’t mind Ms. Aaron taking notes over there in the corner while you’re … quenching. It’s an author thing. *wink*) As for the rest of us, let’s indulge in a little excerpt, shall we?

THE FIRE OF BELTANE | excerpt

Aislinn nervously peaked out the window for the hundredth time to make sure she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Surely, no one would find her up here. But every little noise made her jump. She was having second thoughts about her decision to flee Aedan’s hotel last night. This seemed a pattern with her, fleeing when things

seemed too impossible. And impossible they were, and unlikely, and unreal, and unbelievable and all the other “uns” she could think of.

She paced across the small living room, stopping to warm her hands by the fire and to turn over her jeans, which were hanging over a chair drying out. She hadn’t planned this little escape very well and hadn’t prepared for such rough arrangements in the tiny cottage with no heat and no electricity. All her belongings were still at the hotel except for her wallet, which she’d had sense enough to grab, knowing she would have to buy food on the way here. God, this was déjà vu.

The key still resided over the doorjamb where Gram always kept it, and there were a few logs cut and stacked in the backyard; she’d trudged through the drifts and carried them in for a fire. She placed the leftover food in the snow bank out the back door and hoped the raccoons didn’t discover it. Water trickled from the faucet, so the pipes were not totally frozen.

She could make do, she thought.

She chided herself for not seeing to the upkeep of the cottage after Gram had passed. But she hadn’t the heart. There were a lot of memories here, and it was extremely difficult for her to come here. Still, the small house would feel more comforting if she had a lantern, candles, or even batteries in the flashlight, now, as darkness approached.

Making a mental list of everything she should do tomorrow, such as shovel the walkway, bring in more wood, and make sure her car wasn’t stuck in the snow covered driveway, didn’t really keep her thoughts from straying to Aedan.

Weird, but she felt safer when Aedan was present. She wished with night approaching, he was here, regardless of who or what he was.

Aedan was definitely imposing enough to discourage anyone from harming her, but that didn’t seem to stop the man yesterday. She reminded herself. However, he was dead, right?

Unbelievable.

She shook her head. Dead guys on the television, a man from the past, public fertility ceremonies, warriors, battles . . . .

Aislinn paced and peered outside again, thinking any sleep tonight probably out of the question. She hadn’t slept at all since being shot and learning Aedan’s story. She was functioning on pure adrenalin.

Aislinn picked up the poker from the fireplace and sat on the floor between the couch and the hearth, perched for any would-be attacker. She would have to face the fact some time and admit she hadn’t stopped tingling since the intimate interlude in the living room of Aedan’s hotel.

His whole body covered hers and wrapped around her so possessively. He would have taken her, pinning her right there against the window with his hard, muscled thighs, and lord knows she was going to let him if not for the whole “I’m from the past” thing creeping into her thoughts at that very moment. Very little conversation passed between them after he’d been so intimately pressed against her.

By how tense and irritable he’d acted the rest of the evening, he had been obviously frustrated by the abrupt halt she’d called to their lovemaking.

She couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him. The attraction pulsed so strongly within her, she could hear it. She couldn’t seem to come to grips with everything else he’d explained though.

And now, here she sat, with no more answers, and no more in control of anything than before, equally as frustrated at how her body betrayed her mind.

Now dark was descending, and she was scared, and even if he was only a figment of her dreams, she’d give anything for that figment to be here. She didn’t know what to do if someone came at her with a gun again, and she didn’t like feeling so frightened and alone.

She stiffened, hearing a noise outside. Her grip on the fire poker tightened. She stood quietly while the seconds ticked away, then tiptoed toward the small kitchen where she thought she heard the sound. She tried to look out, but the darkness

prevented her seeing anything. She heard the noise again, and raised the poker above her head.

The door suddenly burst open, and Aislinn squeezed her eyes tight and brought the stick down with all of her might. The rod halted mid-stroke, jolting her arms in their sockets. The poker was yanked from her grasp. Aislinn let out a scream.

“God’s blood, woman!” Aedan bellowed loudly, easily catching the iron rod in his large hand. “I’m tryin’ to protect ya, and I cannae do that if ya run away from me.”

Relief crossed Aislinn’s face at recognizing Aedan’s voice. She patted her heart, trying to slow the frantic beating. Aedan hurriedly pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

“Donnae run again.” He commanded, resting his chin on the top her head, reluctant to let her out of his embrace. “Och, ’tis good yer safe, lass,” he whispered into her hair.

“You scared the shit out of me.” Aislinn pulled out of his arms and stepped away.

“Ya looked a might fine and brave, screaming and waving that wee stick around.”

“Stop teasing me. I can take care of myself.”

“Och, Christ. Not that again.” He rolled his eyes as Aislinn jerked the poker from his hand, scowling at him.

“Where are yer trews?” Aedan’s eyes deliberately raked slowly down her long, shapely legs, then as slowly back up, lingering where the juncture of her thighs hid under the hem of her shirt.

“Uh?”

“Yer pants, lass? Why are ya runnin’ around in yer underwear? Not that I mind—makes the drive up here weel worth it—but you’ll catch a chill.” He smiled smugly.

She squirmed from his bold admiration of her body.

“Drying out. I spent half the day bringing in the wood and I got soaked. I didn’t bring anything else with me.” Aislinn stepped to the couch and grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around her waist affording him no more opportunity to leer.

“I’ve got yer bags in my car.” He said, moving his gaze from her to the room.

“The cottage is a bit primitive,” Aislinn apologized.

Aislinn watched Aedan’s keen sense of observation firsthand, as he glanced around making mental notes of the layout of the cabin.

“‘Tis sturdy enough. Is there no light?” Aedan asked, inspecting a lantern on the table and checking for fuel.

“No lantern fuel.” Aislinn shrugged.

“‘Twill be warm enough if we stay by the fireplace tonight.” He rubbed her arm reassuringly. “In the morning, I’ll check the propane tank,” Aedan said, apparently at ease with the simplicity of all he saw and the lack of comforts the modern world took for granted.

“I’ll get our bags from the car. I think there is enough wood for the night; tomorrow, I will gather more…

Want more? Read the entire first chapter for free at Noble Romance (no registration required). But before you go, check out the video trailer and let Angie know what you think. We’re looking forward to your comments!

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D. Dye’s “Zapocalypse–The Midnight Special” & Awesome Goodies!

Click image … if you dare.

It’s almost the weekend, guys, and what better way to kick it off early than by spending some time with D. Dye, a fellow Noble Romance author who comes bearing gifts, including the kick-butt book you see to your right. But that’s not all you can win, so stay tuned for the deets. For now, let’s get the party started with D. Dye!

Welcome! I’m so glad to have you here. Can you tell us a little about how you became a writer? When and why did you decide to pursue publication?

A nightmare and fabulous language arts teacher started it all. I’d jotted down a rather extreme nightmare as my chosen class project. She’d loved it and encouraged my writing. In my early twenties wrote a full-length novel then sat on it. I dabbled with fan fiction, built a small following, was encouraged by friends as well as an author I adore to do my own thing.

Get off my arse, pull up ma big girl panties and submit. Take the chance!

Oooh, that’s the first time I’ve heard of a nightmare starting it all! What kinds of stories can readers expect from you?

Stories that help one escape real life for a bit. Quirky paranormal adventures that I hope leave the reader smiling when done.  Heat level? All my stories have heat but it depends on my characters as to what level. Some want the nice romantic champagne and bubble bath heat and some like the leather and toys, hard and rough heat!

With all this talk of heat, it’s getting hawt in here! LOL. Seriously, I love an author who writes for all audiences. *grins* Today you’re here to talk about Zapocalypse-The Midnight Special. Can you introduce us to the story? Tell us something we won’t learn from the blurb!

Zapocalypse-The Midnight Special, part of a special call through Noble Romance publishing features music, lots of it! Now, Gina and Ginger love some old school CCR (Creedance Clearwater Revival) but they also love all those great B horror flicks from the 80′s. Maybe that’s what gives them the edge, when the dead get back up with midnight munchies from hell!

I love those 80s horror flicks! Like, really love them. (See how I’m eyeing your book now? You’ve totally hooked me, lol.) What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of Zapocalypse-The Midnight Special?

That when the zombie apocalypse hits, no one is going to care who’s doing who! So many think this is a story about lesbians. It’s not. This is a zombie story where the heroines happen to be lesbians. Gina and Ginger rock and rock out!

Have I mentioned how much I love your enthusiasm? Because I *so* love your enthusiasm! LOL. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

“Butch?” I whispered, slowly taking the gun from Ginger and leveling it at his heart.

“FucpfBitcsst.”

“What the fuck did he call us?” Ginger held a hand over her nose. “Gah, dude! Breath mint pa-leeze.”

If the whole story has this awesome playful tone, I’m loving it already! What inspired the title of Zapocalypse-The Midnight Special?

Creedence Clearwater Revival! Love them and when I heard the requirement of the call was music cranked em up, and thought Zombies + Apocalypse=Zapocalypse and ohhh, The Midnight Special. J

Absolutely perfect! Before we show off the book a little more, can you tell us what else you’ve got going on?

The last thing I completed that’s live was a free follow-up story over at the L vs Z site. SPOILER ALERT but here’s the link: http://lvsz.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/welcome-to-lesbians-vs-zombies/

Many of the other wonderful authors participating have features there as well. LOL Come to find out we each have very different takes on Zombies, so truly there is a Zombie tale for everyone in this fun series.

And let’s start with this one, shall we? *grins*

ZAPOCALYPSE-THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL | blurb & linkage

Who knew that two lesbians stranded in some hick-ass town deep in the swamps of southern Georgia would become local legends, heroes in their own right? Gina and Ginger sure as hell didn’t.

But that’s exactly what they became on the night of The Midnight Special.

Battling redneck hypocrites on a nightly basis at the diner was bad, but battling those same inbreds turned zombie was a whole different breed of stupid. Yet with their iPods jacked up and blasting Creedence Clearwater Revival, that’s just what they’re doing: kicking some serious zombie ass!

With half the town looking out their back doors and the other half dreading that bad moon a’rising, Gina realizes she and Ginger have been thrust into a fight for the town as well as their lives.

MORE INFO & BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | ARe

D. DYE | bio & linkage

They say I’m quirky, cantankerous and more than a little eclectic…I just call myself fun.

KEYS TO STALKING @ AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

**D. Dye’s Apocalyptic Giveaway**

Like prizes? Just tell me, if you had to chose only ONE person to battle beside you during the Zombie Apocalypse…who would you chose and why?

*Winner to receive a copy of Zapocalypse-The Midnight Special (ebook only) AND (2) songs (your choice) from Zapocalypse’s soundtrack. (CCR or George Thorogood)!

Sarah here: Okay, that sounds like wicked-fun. What a great prize, and I am *so* looking forward to reading your responses. I’d like to thank you all for being here and D. Dye for the awesome giveaway. Now let’s see those answers! *grins*

“A Very Southern Affair” with Elaina Lee … and a Paperback up for Grabs!

Get caught up in Elaina Lee’s VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR! Click image for more information.

I am *very* excited to have my pal Elaina Lee here today, and she brought company . . . a *paperback* copy of her book to give away. Check out the full details at the end of the interview, and in the  meantime, prepare to be entertained. A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR is one of those rare romantic comedies that will *literally* have you laughing out loud. You’re going to love this!

Welcome, Elaina! A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud Southern comedy I’ve made no secret of absolutely loving. What inspired you to tackle the genre?

Well I wasn’t so inspired to write the genre as I was to write the story itself.  I’m from Oregon, and while I did a brief stint in Florida, nothing was like moving to Alabama for a northern raised person such as myself!  The people and culture in the south are so different from anywhere else, I just had to attempt to tackle the topic!

I had no idea you weren’t from Alabama—talk about culture shock, lol! I can see how the transition inspired the book, and you did such an amazing job with it. Can you introduce our readers to the book? How about something we won’t learn from the blurb!

My heroine, Hollee, has a bad influence for a best friend who is constantly getting Hollee into trouble, including being the little voice telling her to ‘go for it’ with my hero, Kaiden!

But she’s so much FUN! Lol. I’m a Southern girl myself, as I know you are, and it didn’t get past me the fun you poked at some long-standing clichés. They were, of course, monumentally funny. Any worries about igniting controversy?

Not really, because while they may be cliches there really are people like that out there, or situations in my book that still do happen!  I’ve experienced them, LOL!  And I tried really hard to put everything in a respectful light, no matter the situation. 

I dare say most of us Southerners—especially the rural ones—really have encountered some of these folks (and may even be related to a few such characters. *ahem*) I think you did a great job! As far as A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR goes, what might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters?

Two of the supporting characters are not actually mine!  My long time crit partner and good friend Kate Devlin and I were talking one day about odd names and she said “Lynzee” I immediately said I woman with a name like that has to be married to a man named “Bubba”.  And Bubba and Lynzee were born!  She will feature them in her books as well, so be sure to look for this hilarious duo in BOTH our books in the future!

Those two are HILARIOUS! That’s so cool they’ll appear in more stories—they’re unforgettable in AVSA. *grin* Let’s have some fun with the book, shall we? What’s the first sentence?

The faint tinker-tinker of the door chime echoed around the quiet parlor of Hollee Emmaleigh Rutherford’s bridal agency.

I think that was her last semi-calm moment, LOL! What’s your favorite line in the book?  

“Sure, give me a shovel and a hole in your backyard… I’ll do something about him.”  *snicker* It’ll come as no surprise to those who have read the book my favorite line would have to do with demise of Teddy.

Of course! LOL. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three! 

His fingers still brushed along her jaw, sending little flutters through her chest to her stomach. Hollee’s eyes fell to his mouth, which was so close all she had to do was lean forward and she could kiss him. Did she dare be so bold?

Awesome glimpse at the sexy side of this AFFAIR. ;c) Which scene was most difficult for you to write? Why? 

None of it was actually hard to write because it was a comedy without a lot of extra drama.  I think the hardest part was trying to keep my hero from being completely immasculated with the situations I put him into!

OMGosh, that poor guy. I almost felt guilty laughing sometimes, but, well, *only* almost. LOL! Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

I guess Hollee’s, when she gets the one up on Teddy, who created all kinds of a havoc.  I would have love to have seen his face in real life when she told him about the tick!  *grin*

Yes, folks, she said tick. And yes, it’s funny! LOL. What inspired A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR’s title?

The title was actually a last minute change when my editor agreed my working title was far too long.  I wanted something that had Southern in it, but it was hard to find anything that sounded good.  So I just decided A Very Southern Affair, simple and to the point. 

And a great, wildly appropriate title! And speaking of great titles, what’s next for you?

I was working on a new series, but I’m sort of stalled.  I think I’m actually going to start writing the sequel to AVSA while I figure out where to go next in my WIP.  I’m also working on rewriting a novella I wrote six years ago, which will hopefully release at Halloween!

I’m excited to know there’s so much on your horizon, Elaina. ;c) Let’s give readers a closer look at AVSA, then we’ll tell them how they can win it.

A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR | blurb & links

Convinced everyone she falls in love with will end up six feet under, Hollee isn’t looking for a relationship when Mr. Kaiden Thorne shows up in front of her bridal agency.  She’s just looking for a way to save her small southern town from going bankrupt, and he’s the only person who can make sure that happens.  Hollee is in for more than she bargains as her attraction to Kaiden takes over and the city begins to show just how far they’ll go to make sure big changes don’t come to their small town.

Kaiden agreed to come to the tiny community for one reason: To salvage what’s left of his career.  Mistakes begin repeating themselves the second he lays eyes on Hollee, however.  If  he can’t make the project work and keep his hands off her, his second chance will be gone forever.  He learns quickly though, he’ll need patience in more ways than one when it comes to Belleville, Alabama.

MORE INFO & BUY @ Amazon – $2.99 | Barnes and Noble – $2.99 | Smashwords  – $2.99 | Print Edition – Amazon – $9.99

ELAINA LEE | bio & links

Elaina lives in the Deep South with her husband and their two boys, a teenager and a three-year-old.  Writing came for Elaina at an early age, when a teacher gave an assignment to create a fictional world.  The words haven’t stopped flowing since.   Elaina’s other works include the acclaimed, award-winning romantic suspense, Written in Blood, and the contemporary romances First Kiss and To Urn Her Love.

STALK @ Website | Blog | Facebook

**Giveaway**

As promised, there is a paperback copy of A VERY SOUTHERN AFFAIR for one lucky reader to win! (Please note: Due to the cost of international shipping, this giveaway is only open to U.S. addresses.) To enter, leave a comment with your email address. And for fun, although it’s not required, tell about us your favorite South vs. North moments. (I’ve had several, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget the shock of going to Wendy’s in Pennsylvania and learning they did not serve sweet tea. *gasp* No, really, I was troubled by this. Incredulous, even.)

You can also enter Elaina’s ongoing contests by visiting her website - click here to learn more.

Elaina, I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to have you here today. Thanks so much for your generous giveaway! Readers, good luck, and I can’t wait to hear your stories, so bring ‘em on. *grins*

Discover the Multi-Author Clearwater Series

Marissa Dobson of Ruby Lioness Press is back to tell readers about The Clearwater Series, a multi-author adventure with fascinating roots. Ready to learn more? Please welcome Marissa!

It’s great to have you back, Marissa! Can you explain to readers what the Clearwater Series is?

The Clearwater series is a multi-author series at Ruby Lioness Press. Clearwater is a small fictional town in Teton County, Wyoming (a real county). Clearwater is a very small town, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Jackson, with just fewer than 500 residents. You can find more information about the town and its residents by visiting our website: http://clearwaterrlp.wordpress.com/

I’ve been to the Tetons and the area is absolutely gorgeous. As an author *and* a reader, it’s hard not to be inspired by such a setting! How are the books related? Do authors use one another’s characters?

The major requirement is that all the books are set in Clearwater, Wyoming. You don’t have to use the characters listed on the site, in fact if you do wish to use any of them as a main character the idea needs to be ran past me at marissa@rubylionesspress.com this way we can make sure no one else is writing the story for the character and that you stay true to the characters nature as was already described in the previous books. We love for you to make your own characters. I do ask that your characters interact with some of the other residents of Clearwater to keep with the series, giving readers a view into characters’ lives that have already had their book. We can help any questions someone might have about characters, personalities, etc.

It sounds like such a great interactive series. What’s the story behind the series name?

A few years back my husband and I visited Wyoming, it is a beautiful state with mountains, and beautiful scenery. I wanted something that made me picture Wyoming. I remember one of the places we visited had this beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. It was so peaceful. It was the inspiration behind the setting and name of the series.

It is so incredibly beautiful. I haven’t been there in years and I still tell people about it, LOL! How many books do you expect to fill the series? Is it ongoing, or will it reach an end?

There is no set number for how many books I see in the series. It is open until I feel it ran its course (meaning authors and/or readers are no longer interested in the series)

What types of genres, themes, and heat levels will readers find in the series?

The Clearwater series is open to all genres and heat levels.

Sounds like it’s time for readers to head over and check out the list of books. *grins* What about authors? If an author is interested in writing for the Clearwater Series, where should he or she start?

The best part is to check out the Clearwater website – http://clearwaterrlp.wordpress.com/ and Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterSeries

After that  if there are any questions or they want to run their idea past me you can contact me at marissa@rubylionesspress.com

Sounds fantastic! Can you tell us about what’s currently available?

Clearwater Series Blurbs:

Right now we have one book in the series already out, Winterbloom by Marissa Dobson and Finding Home by Lacey Wolfe will release on May 11th. Below are the blurbs:

[image error]Winterbloom by Marissa Dobson:

As Chloe Frost focuses on renovating Winterbloom Bed and Breakfast, a blizzard dumps blankets of snow upon the sleepy town of Clearwater. An unexpected guest desperately needs a room after his car breaks down in the storm, but this mystery man seems tortured by his past. Can Chloe help him see through the pain and anger? Can Jordan Sheppard, once a Gunnery Sergeant of the Marines, finally let someone in and show him just what love is?

 

[image error]Finding Home by Lacey Wolfe:

Julie Miller has returned to her home in Clearwater, Wyoming after discovering she is pregnant. All she wants is her mother to comfort her after her boyfriend told her to either have an abortion or leave. The only problem is, when she gets to her mother’s house, she doesn’t find her mom—she finds a half-naked man cooking breakfast.

Mark Thomas has moved to Clearwater to escape his past. He needs a fresh start to try and forget the things that haunt him, and Clearwater seems like the perfect place.

As if it isn’t bad enough that Julie doesn’t find her mother, a blizzard buries the town, and she is snowed in with Mark. Leaving them no choice, they begin a friendship while trying to resist the attraction they feel for one another.

Once the snow melts, Julie is free to leave. Will she choose to start a life in Clearwater or run back to New York? Meanwhile, Mark struggles to let go of his past and, if he does, is Julie his future?

Clearwater Series Links:

Clearwater website – http://clearwaterrlp.wordpress.com

Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterSeries

It sounds like a great series, Marissa! Thanks so much for taking the time to tell us about it. Readers, thank you for spending part of your day right here. If you have any questions about the Clearwater Series, you can leave them in the comments or feel free to contact Marissa directly. Happy reading!

Special Guest Jenna Jaxon: “Almost Perfect” Proceeds Benefit Relay for Life

For a little more ALMOST PERFECT — and to donate to a worthy cause — please click the book cover image.

Today’s special guest Jenna Jaxon is here with a fantastic guest blog and a very generous gesture: proceeds for the month of May from her book “Almost Perfect” will benefit the Relay for Life. I hope you enjoy her visit today!

ROMANCE NOVEL RELATIONSHIPS: Memorable Meetings by Jenna Jaxon

We’ve all experienced that rush of tension when we are introduced to someone new–especially a potential romantic relationship.  We don’t know how they will react:  will they like me?  Will we hit it off?  Will this be a big bust?  These are some anxieties of the Initiating Stage in relationship development, according to Mark Knapp’s Relational Development Model.  This stage is where a lot of people use their “scripts” for meeting people for the first time–“Hello, how are you?”  “Pleased to meet you.”  It’s the stage where you make judgments about each other–he’s friendly, she’s cute.

Very often physical factors play a role in the impression we make about people we meet. We notice things like height, clothing, hairstyle, perfume, general appearance.  Most often want to make a good first impression and want to be perceived as easy to talk to, interested and interesting.  During this stage, people reveal general information–no deep dark secrets.  Things like their name, music preference, where they are from, what kind of job they have.  We have conversations that break the ice and lead us to decide if we want to pursue this relationship beyond a wave of the hand if we see this person again.

I find that often romance novels turn this stage in relationship development on its head.  Many romance novels, including my own, throw people together at a critical time in their lives–they’ve met because they’re hiding out from zombies, or they’ve just witnessed a murder and are being questioned by a cop, or, as in my case, they’ve been kidnapped and sold to someone in an auction.  Not exactly the time to say, “Hello, my name’s Amanda.  What do you do for a living?”

Romance writers can’t always follow the typical model.  They are busy hooking their readers into the book, setting up the conflict that is to come.  They must, by the very nature of the beast, compress the events of real life to compel the reader to keep reading.  Real life usually moves at its own pace; in fiction that pace is accelerated because the author is streamlining life, choosing the order and frequency of events to keep their audience engaged.

Some memorable first meetings in literature:  Scarlett O’Hara meets Rhett Butler in a library where he’s been eavesdropping on her declaration of love to Ashley Wilkes in Gone With The Wind.  Claire Randall setting Jamie Fraser’s dislocated shoulder in Outlander. Elizabeth Bennett being snubbed by Mr. Darcy at a ball in Pride and Prejudice.

In my erotic contemporary novella, Almost Perfect, I too am setting up the conflict for the rest of the book.  My hero and heroine meet again after more than two years apart.  Take a look at this “first meeting.”

Excerpt from Almost Perfect:

“Hello!” A faint shout sounded down the beach.

“Shit!” She pulled the top back down, thankful she hadn’t gotten it over her head. The wet fabric clung to her; if she’d taken it off, she’d never have gotten it back on. Crouching down, she grabbed her shorts and struggled into them.

“Hello?” The voice moved closer, definitely masculine.

She finished zipping the shorts and ducked lower behind the bushes. Was it the pirates? Sounded too friendly. Maybe the Nautilus had come back. Doubtful. They hadn’t had time. Then it hit her. This was her one-night stand. Her pirate had arrived. Maybe they would spend their night here on a deserted island and be rescued in the morning by a ship like the Black Pearl.

“Hello? Is someone there?” His deep voice sounded pleasant and…somehow familiar. Too familiar.

“Shit!” The expletive slipped out again as she shot up from behind the shrubs and stalked onto the beach.

The man headed toward her, still at least ten yards away.

Pamela put her hands, now balled into fists, on her hips and glared at his approach. “I am so getting a refund from Madame Eve!” she yelled when he came within earshot. “Roger! What the hell are you doing here?”

“Pamela? What are you doing here?” Roger Ware’s baritone voice, her ex-husband’s best feature as far as she was concerned, sounded as shocked as she felt.

“I asked you first. But there’s apparently been some horrible mistake. You’re on a one-night stand, too, aren’t you?”

His pale gray eyes narrowed. “How did you know that? Nobody knows that.”

She shook her head. “Madame Eve must have seen our applications, realized we used to be married, and decided to play matchmaker. Why can’t people just mind their own damned business and do their job?”

“How did you know about the one-night stand, Pam?” His lips thinned into a straight line.

God, was he as dense as ever? “I’m here for a one-night stand. You show up on a deserted island three thousand miles from sunny California and you expect me to believe it’s just a coincidence? Coincidences only happen in the movies. Like Harrison Ford and Ann Heche in Six Days Seven Nights. He just happens to be on his way to Tahiti, there just happens to be a storm, her cell phone just happens not to work.”

“I might have known we couldn’t be together two minutes before you cited some stupid movie.”

“I’m telling you why I knew you were on a one-night stand.” She cocked her head. “Aren’t you supposed to be dressed like a pirate?”

Almost Perfect is Decadent Publishing’s Read For A Cure book for the month of May. All publisher proceeds from sales of the book from any vendor during the month will go to benefit Relay for Life. And a portion of the author’s proceeds will be donated as well.  That means whoever purchases the book during the month will make a wonderful contribution to cancer research.   Please Read For A Cure and help us close the book on cancer.

Blurb for Almost Perfect:

Pamela Kimball’s birthday present, a 1Night Stand adventure, promises to jump-start her life, put a new man in her bed, and help her forget her past.  Unfortunately, movie-buff Pam’s Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy takes an alarming wrong turn when she’s abandoned on a not quite deserted island—with ex-husband Roger Ware.

Forced by hunger to accept Roger’s offer of dinner,  Pam realizes the geek she married has transformed into one of the most charming, sexiest men she’s ever met. His newfound confidence—and hot body—re-kindle old fires.  A simple kiss leads Roger to challenges her to discover how much his lovemaking skills have improved, leaving Pam torn between self-preservation and burning desire.

With time running out before they’re rescued, Pam must decide if her heart can survive the consequences of becoming Roger’s “almost” perfect 1Night Stand.

Author Bio

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical  and contemporary romance who has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own writing.

Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets.  When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director.  She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.

She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Website / Facebook

Buy Links: Decadent Publishing / Amazon / Barnes & Nobles / All Romance Ebooks

READERS! What are some memorable first meetings that you’ve experienced, either in real life or in the pages of a novel?

05.06.12 #SixSunday with Tide of Lies

Thrilling new romantic suspense! Click image for several electronic formats, including PDF and Kindle/Nook files.

TIDE OF LIES is *now available* from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Noble Romance! And for the scoop on the unsolved murders leading to the lies, check out FAMILIAR LIGHT, on sale for $1.50.

In this six, Holden is about to confront the killer. There’s a team of law enforcement on the ground, but Holden isn’t wasting any time. The opening line is that of a senior officer, right after Holden says he’s going in.

Content warning: explicit language.

“Have you lost your damn mind?”

“Trust me, Clancy. He’s waiting.” Holden moved to slip from the car.

Clancy grabbed Holden’s arm and drew him to an abrupt stop. “That’s my fucking point.”

MORE INFO @ Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Noble Romance

Enjoy your Sunday six sentences at a time!  To see other participating authors, click here.

05.05.2012 #SweetSat Samples: Unforgiven

Riley Beckett’s past just came back to haunt her … and this time he’s got a gun. UNFORGIVEN … click image.

Congratulations to sherggyy(at)etc, this week’s gift card winner! If you’d like to be eligible for my weekly giveaways of a $10 gift card to Noble Romance or $5 to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice), simply subscribe by email using the box to your left. You’ll be automatically entered every week for as long as you remain a subscriber.

Gage and Riley were once lovers, but a deadly twist of fate tore them apart. Now, one year later, they’re thrown together by a murder in which Gage was the intended victim and Riley is wanted for the crime.

After learning of Gage’s lie, Riley took off in his truck, leaving him alone to question her brother Colt. In this snippet, Riley goes home.

The trip home from Tehcotah took less than an hour, and the more distance Riley put between herself and Gage, the worse she felt. She maintained her right to be angry he kept the truth from her—learning her own father helped with the lie stung even more—but she also knew she was holding onto something they’d long since left behind. She’d forgiven everything else—even the accident. Not that Gage could have changed anything. He just happened to be the guy behind the wheel when her world was ripped apart. He hadn’t deserved to shoulder blame alone.

Her anger back then had come at an immeasurable cost to them both.

Riley’s house slipped into view. She steered Maverick’s truck into her drive and parked next to her car, surprised it hadn’t been towed in light of her recent involvement in a crime spree. Dawson’s patrol car was gone, but the shattered front window of her home and a strand of crime scene tape offered reminder enough.

She sat in the truck, absent-mindedly watching the yellow ribbon waver in the breeze and fighting the urge to turn around and drive right back to Gage. Unease washed over her in the form of a full body shiver when she realized she didn’t have his phone number, and she couldn’t find Maverick’s place again if her life depended on it. The sun was getting low, and the dimming light took her right back to the night Gage walked back into her life, weapon drawn, and changed everything all over again.

She knew she’d see him again. She just didn’t know what he’d come after: her or the truck.

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For more Sweet Saturday clean excerpts, click here.

UNFORGIVEN

Riley Beckett’s past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he’s got a gun.

When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage’s former lover, Riley. He and she didn’t part ways on good terms, and he’s not planning to rekindle anything now–not when he’s got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.

A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.

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