Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 35

Kindle Freebie Promo – Ice Captain’s Daughter

Short, sweet, historical romance…a perfect way to start your summer. The Ice Captain’s Daughter is a Kindle Freebie for three days (Thursday, May 29 – Saturday, May 31st). Just add ice and stir.

~ S.G. Rogers

All Kinds of Neat – Double Readers’ Crown Finalist!

Originally posted on S.G. Rogers, Author:

2014 Readers’ Crown




Finalist

My good friend, romantic mystery writer extraordinaire Maggie Toussaint, just emailed me with the news that two of my titles,  Jessamine’s Folly and Duke of a Gilded Age, were honored as 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalists in the Historical category.  See the complete list HERE. Maggie’s novel Hot Water is a finalist in the Romantic Suspense category, so congratulations to Maggie! Being a Readers’ Crown Finalist is all kinds of neat, and I really appreciate it! ~ S.G. Rogers

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Excerpt from Dancing With Raven – The ‘M’ Word

Originally posted on S.G. Rogers, Author:

Here’s an excerpt from my work-in-progress, paranormal novel

Dancing With Raven

(The Young Shakespeareans Series). I’m writing the final few chapters now, and I’m getting excited! ~ S.G. Rogers

Before he could go home, Raven had to grab a history book from his locker. As he made his way across the deserted quad afterward, Kirstin passed by. Her imp made a rude gesture toward him. I’m never going to get a better chance to off that demon than now. Although he never brought weapons to school, he always kept a sterling silver fountain pen in his jacket pocket for emergencies. As soon as Kirstin opened the door of the Administration building, Raven whispered, “Macbeth!”

In a paroxysm of fury, the imp sprang off Kirstin’s head. Hissing and spitting, the demon loped across the grass with its claws extended. Fountain pen in hand, Raven waited until the imp sprang toward him…

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Last Great Wizard of Yden – Meet the Cygards

Originally posted on S.G. Rogers, Author:

In the first book of my Yden series,

The Last Great Wizard of Yden

, Jon travels between Earth and Yden using a silvery bracelet called a transporter cuff. When he travels to Yden to ask questions about his father’s disappearance, however, he runs afoul of the local law enforcers—Cyclops guards, also known as cygards. Here’s a little snippet to give you a taste of what Jon’s up against. Enjoy!

~ S.G. Rogers

Excerpt:

“Look, kid, I know that cuff is stolen. Hand it over quietlike and I’ʹll give you the ribbon and the necklace. Do it quick and I won’t call the cygards on you.”

“Forget it. Let me—”

“Thief!” Moala yelled. “Cygards, help!”

Before Jon could blink, the merchant shoved him backward. Jon stumbled and tripped on the rolled edge of carpet. Cygards clamped down on his arms and he couldn’t move. The merchant stood over him, his…

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Baking Indian Flatbread with the Redcakes – Guest Author Heather Hiestand

A big welcome to author Heather Hiestand as she brings us a delicious recipe and tells about her spicy newest novel, His Wicked Smile. Check out the link, below, for a Rafflecopter giveaway!  ~ S.G. Rogers 

As you may remember from my previous visits to the Child of Yden blog, I love to bake. My Redcakes series has a reputation of being a “foodie” romance series, so when it came to writing Gawain’s book, I had to dig a little deeper. Why? Because this hero is done with Redcake’s Tea Shop! He served in the army in India after growing up working in the Redcakes cake factories, but is forced home when he is injured during battle. His father gives him a job in the accounting department so he can learn the businesses – he’s the only surviving son of the family after all – but he hates it. Gawain is a man who wants to make his own way in the world. Of all my Redcakes books, this is the one that couldn’t be about the cake. Now cake is pretty personal to me, so I had to think about what other foods have such resonance.

I learned some of the basics of Indian cuisine when I became friends in high school with a family who had moved to the United States from Pakistan. That’s when my love of curries, flatbread and fabulous vegetable dishes was born. Today I’m sharing with you a basic flatbread recipe. Once you mastered the basics, please look online or in cookbooks for many fabulous variations that can turn this simple bread into a delicious, nourishing meal.

Basic Paratha

1 cup whole wheat flour

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Water

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 teaspoons whole wheat flour

Mix first four ingredients into a smooth ball. Break into four or five balls. Roll each out into a circle individually. Brush butter onto each circle, then fold into a half circle. Brush butter on again, then fold into a triangle. At this point, dust triangle with a ½ teaspoon of flour, then roll each triangle into a circle again. Fry each circle in the remaining butter over medium high heat. It should take 2 to 4 minutes for each side, depending on thickness. Side is done when brown spots form.

You are probably wondering why Indian food would become so important in His Wicked Smile. Gawain loves it, for one reason, because he served on the North-west frontier of India during his army days, but also, it’s because I’m dragging Gawain away from the aristocratic bride he so desires and am unleashing an entirely new type of love interest for him.

Enter a new character in the series: the widowed, half-Indian Ann Haldene, a provincial innkeeper and trained healer whose mother was once an Indian queen. Ann and Gawain meet when she serves him an expertly prepared North Indian meal at her inn. She offers to massage his battle-damaged body, a service she is trained for as part of her healing arts, but neither of them is prepared for the erotically charged results. Or the baby that comes nine months later.

Ann is many things. A woman who loved her murdered husband, a woman who lost a baby, a talented, lonely person in her twenties who craves sensual contact. But she’s also a gifted cook, and one thing the Redcakes can appreciate is good food. While Ann considers herself almost entirely British, the food of her childhood and her mother’s kitchen connects her to the exotic past she has no memory of, having come to England so young that she remembers nothing of India or her native tongue.

Whether you read His Wicked Smile as a standalone or as part of the larger Redcakes series, I hope you enjoy Gawain’s journey to love with my feisty Ann!

BLURB

Some temptations are impossible to resist, even for a bakery heir…

Ann Haldene is the most beautiful woman Gawain Redcake has ever seen. A gifted healer who soothes his battle-scarred body like never before, the widow’s touch has a powerful effect on him. It’s no wonder the rugged Redcake heir forgets his quest for a society bride during one passionate night in Ann’s arms. But once he learns she is pregnant with his child, he searches for her, intent on giving her his name, if not his heart….

Ann is shocked by Gawain’s proposal, mostly because he has not uttered a word of love. For the sake of their baby, she accepts, even knowing that Gawain dreamed of marrying to secure a title and all she has is a severed royal Indian bloodline. Now the new bride faces her greatest challenge: showing her husband that their union is more powerful than pedigree—and love is the ultimate reward….

EXCERPT

His lips curved. “And how long should I continue my program with you?”

“What do you mean?” She put her back to the fire and faced him.

“How often should I ask you to marry me? How often should I demand you move to my family home? I have been looking for houses for us in Enfield.”

“You haven’t asked me today.” She thought about the few pounds she had left, the need to eat good food so that she could feed Noel. Clothes for a growing baby. Coal for the fire. The censure she would face back in Leeds for having an illegitimate child.

His gaze left the box she was holding and moved to her face. “You are correct. I have not been following my own program. Ann, will you marry me?”

She shivered. Could she tolerate a loveless marriage? Or to phrase it better, could she bring a husband who didn’t love her to love? Gawain had not yet had a chance to love her, but at least he had come looking for her. He had come twice, to Leeds and then to London. He loved Noel already. Thankfully, he had no doubts there. She was lucky the baby took after the Redcakes and not her family.

Going back to Leeds felt wrong. She had to move forward for Noel’s sake. Clasping her hands around her upper arms, she whispered, “Yes.”

“Yes?” he said doubtfully.

She swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes. It will be best for all of us. You caught me by surprise last week, but yes.”

He moved his head back and forth as if beating time. “Would you like a civil or religious marriage? We can be married a bit sooner with a civil marriage.”

The unromantic nature of the moment deflated her further. “Will you not kiss me to celebrate?” she asked. “And worry about details some other time?”

He let his cane drop to the ground next to the armchair. With a wolfish grin, he reached for her arm and pulled her down to him. He sighed and set his head against her shoulder. “I should not remember the feel of you, Ann, but I do.”

“My body is completely different since Noel. And I don’t even smell the same.”

“You smell like cake and wind now,” he said. “It’s not a bad thing. But there is still a spicy under-layer that will never leave you.”

She wriggled. “I am glad to hear it.”

He held her firm. “Don’t do that, not with Fern here.”

She allowed him to wrap his arms around her and kiss her neck. Closing her eyes, she wondered what he would think of her if he knew why she said yes.

REVIEWS

“A delightful, sexy glimpse into Victorian life and loving with two wonderfully non-traditional lovers.” –Jessa Slade, author of Dark Prince’s Desire and the Steel Born series

At Goodreads: This book was a very sweet and spicy romance. Sylvia, Netgalley reviewer.

5 Stars: It was a wonderful story of romance, love and mystery. I cannot wait to read more from this author. Jennischell, Netgalley reviewer

BUY LINKS

AMAZON • BN.COM • ITUNES • KOBO • GOOGLE • INDIGO

KENSINGTON • ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

ABOUT HEATHER HIESTAND

Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.

HEATHER HIESTAND ON THE WEB

Website • Blog • Facebook Page • Twitter

GO TO THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE, which includes Redcakes ebooks and Amazon gift cards. Good luck!

 

 

The Ice Captain’s Daughter – Excerpt

Originally posted on S.G. Rogers, Author:

My first Victorian romance,

The Ice Captain’s Daughter

, is set in 1899 England. It was lots of fun to research, since the story peripherally involves the ice trade at the turn of the century. It’s been a while since I shared an excerpt. Enjoy! ~ S.G. Rogers

Excerpt:

While Jillian conversed with the constable, Logan sat listening off to one side. As she spoke, he studied her face, mannerisms, and tone of address. Mrs. Lyman is entirely mistaken to label the girl a trollop. Jillian’s conversation was cultivated, refined, and engaging. He’d thought her pretty from the moment he saw her, but now he fully appreciated how stunning she was. The girl’s skin was poured cream and her cheeks bloomed with vitality. She really is exquisite. Logan caught himself staring at her lips and the slight cleft in her chin before tearing his gaze away. Those sorts of thoughts…

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Goodreads Giveaway Dragon Adventure

My dragon fantasy, Tournament of Chance, is up for grabs at Goodreads Blurb:

Heather has trained hard for the Tournament of Chance archery competition, only to discover its promised rewards were a lie. After a daring escape from the king’s dungeon, she joins with a trio of shape-shifting wizards who intend to spark a revolution. When a magical accident sends her back in time, Heather has the opportunity to set things right. If she saves the kingdom, however, will she face the future without the only man she could ever love?

Prince Dane has been waiting for centuries to reclaim his kingdom, wrested away from his family by treachery and deceit. Before he can succeed, he must release the magic bound up in the Dragonstone. When he discovers his fate may depend on a young green-eyed beauty with a skill for archery, he’s skeptical at first. As time goes on, he finds himself increasingly attracted to her strength and character…but can he change his arrogant ways enough to win her heart?

2014 EPIC Award Finalist!

Can’t wait to read Tournament of Chance? For instant gratification, try the e-book version. Now available in all e-formats from Musa Publishing HERE. Also available at

What Would You Do If Time Stopped?

 

In Secrets of Yden, an anomaly is stopping time on Earth for increasing lengths of time. Because he wears the portal key (an ankh), the anomaly doesn’t effect Jon Hansen. What would you do if the world literally stopped all around you? In the following excerpt, Jon is in an art museum when an anomaly occurs, and he’s presented with a dilemma:

Excerpt:

“I hate to admit it, but these shoes are killing me,” January said.

“You want me to carry you?” Jon replied.

She giggled. “Would you?”

January squealed when he scooped her up in his arms. “You’re much lighter than I thought you’d be.”

“Put me down!” she cried. “This is embarrassing.”

“Good,” Jon said as he carried her toward the entrance. “I found something that embarrasses you for a change.”

When they reached the atrium, Jon muttered a not-so-nice word. Almost as soon as he passed underneath the hanging banner with the stylized science fiction and fantasy art exhibit logo on it, everything and everyone suddenly froze in place. The sound of silence pressed against Jon’s eardrums and he had to force himself to breathe.

Time has stopped.

“What’s happening?” January squirmed in Jon’s arms. “Is this a joke? Why isn’t anyone moving?”

“It’s okay. It’s a time anomaly. I’ve been expecting it.”

“What? What are you talking about?” she cried. “You really are crazy!”

Freaked out, January began to kick her legs, scream, and bang on Jon’s chest, so he was forced to put her down. Contact with Jon was the only thing keeping her in real time, and he had a millisecond to decide whether to release her or not. It didn’t seem right, somehow, to let her freeze. So Jon clamped down on her wrist.

“Don’t do this, January, unless you want to become like those guys,” he said, jerking his head toward the people around them.

Past hysterical, she tried to pull away from him again, and he was compelled to take her into his arms. “Please calm down.”

He tried to use a soothing voice, but she was kicking him in the shins with her pointy-toed designer shoes. He let go. The instant she broke free, January froze like a celebrity wax figure. Jon was alone, and if Casey’s theory was correct, she’d be stuck that way for over an hour and a half. Aggravated beyond measure, he paced back and forth, trying to figure out what to do.

Secrets of Yden, Yden Book Three is available in all formats at Astraea Press and Smashwords, for the Kindle at Amazon, and for the Nook at BN.com.  Now in paperback HERE.

 

 

 

Weird Secrets about S.G. Rogers

I don’t usually talk about myself, but I decided to divulge ten weird facts secrets about me that nobody knows.  Shh! Don’t tell anyone:

1)  In karate class, when something really HURTS, I laugh;

2) Although I’m pathologically shy, I pursued acting;

3) I dislike blue cheese passionately because I got food poisoning from it when I was a teen;

4) When I was thirteen, my family and I attended a quinceañera in Tijuana for the daughter of one of my father’s employees. It was the first (and almost the last) time I ever drank tequila;

5) I was thisclose to winning a guest starring role on Baywatch;

6) When I was a kid in the 60s, there were only a few channels on TV, and a lack of programming. I remember watching Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat over and over again because there was nothing else on. As a result, I almost refused to go see Titanic (1997) when it came out;

7) I sing a great rendition of Honeysuckle Rose;

8) In the 80s, I grew my fingernails fashionably long (see photo, above);

9) I was a tour guide at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. One day, my tram got stuck in the river after Moses had parted the waves and we had to wait for a tow; and

WARNING! SALACIOUS SECRET

10) I got hypothermia once on a springtime canoe trip on the Tuolumne River, when the rapids tossed me into the icy water. Even though I was wearing a wet suit at the time, I turned blue. My group had to strip me in a cave (my fingers and arms wouldn’t work) and use their bodies to warm me up again. Unfortunately, I was too cold to get a thrill.

Bonus Secret: I have been known to hallucinate spiders in the middle of the night.

Tell me your secrets in the comments, below.  I promise not to tell anyone. ~ S.G. Rogers

 

 

Author Snack Snafus

Although I try not to keep junk food in the house, sometimes I get a little desperate for a sugary snack while writing. Okay, perhaps very desperate would be more accurate. I roam the kitchen looking for some kind of fix. In my younger days,  several spoonfuls of canned frosting was my go-to snack. I found a bag of cinnamon candy in the spice cupboard once…the kind you bake into cupcakes and cookies. So what if it was three years past its expiration date? It still tasted okay, and I was very desperate. It’s sort of like the five-second rule that applies whenever you drop anything tasty on the floor. When you’re that desperate, you check for mold and bugs, say a little prayer, and then have at it.

My latest snack snafu involves honey-sweetened oat cereal. I saw the box and I imagined myself contentedly munching on handfuls of dry cereal. What a great idea! What could go wrong? So I filled an empty yogurt container (2 pound size) with a quantity of the stuff and sat down at my computer. I quickly discovered honey-sweetened oat cereal is indeed a delightful snack. Quick and easy. Provides great chewing action, like popcorn but without the annoying husks. You can go through a lot of it, but with such a large container you have a snack-on-tap.

© Kutt Niinepuu | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Back to the snafu part.  What I failed to take into consideration is the amount of fiber this oat cereal possesses. It’s like each little circle is a tiny colon scrub pad, just waiting to go to work. Probably a half-cup of the stuff is enough to keep things moving along properly.  More than that is a foolish indulgence that will come back to haunt you. I am reminded of a Phil Hartman Saturday Night Live commercial from the 80s. It was a riff on all the marketing hype surrounding fiber:

https://screen.yahoo.com/colon-blow-000000540.html

‘Nuff said.  Word to the wise.

Have you ever had any snacks that have come back to bite you?  Leave a comment and we’ll chew on it a while.  ~ S.G. Rogers