Sandra Jones's Blog, page 4

Sunday Swans

Some of you will remember I love to post my critter counts here at the cabin. We keep a log of all the random animals that happen by, and yesterday we received our most unusual guests so far: four beautiful Trumpeter swans! These birds aren't native to our state and are rarely seen in the South, so this was a wonderful treat. They preened and swam from bank to bank outside our cabin, sunning their wings. 


They were a little shy of us watching, so we took out our telescope and got a better view. There were three pure white birds and one smaller gray adolescent.

Other visitors to the Jones cabin include: bald eagles, deer, bobcats, a panther, mink, turkeys, ducks, Canada geese,  cormorants, and much more.
This place is a little distracting to my writing, but it's so much fun to watch the wildlife all around. I'm still waiting for my first bear, though!

Cover Reveal--VERSIONS by Megan Mitcham

Today it's my pleasure to share with you the cover of my friend Megan Mitcham's latest novella, VERSIONS:




Versions - Blacklist Novella 1

The truth doesn't have versions. Or does it?

Rin Lee covered her childhood in dirt and danced on its grave. Only she pranced a little too hard and spent her young-adult life tiptoeing the straight and narrow. Things finally paid off in the form of a job with the Department of Defense, a home of her own, and a boyfriend muscled enough he put Zach Efron to shame. Until one text reveals a hideous truth that splinters her world.

Suddenly she can’t trust Nate or their surrogate family of friends. Can she possibly trust Luck—the man who mirrors her soul, scares her beyond the neat confines she’s erected around herself, and makes her scrutinize the versions she’s always been too angry to see?

Luck turned to the streets out of necessity, while Rin slapped on blinders and ignored those willing to help her. A stupid move for a sultry young woman. But the skills she learned in the rough and tumble underbelly of DC will serve his latest assignment well. Because people like them have the instinct to survive.
KINDLE EXCLUSIVE - DECEMBER 1, 2014AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE - MARCH 1, 2014
Pre-Order Available

About the Author:Megan Mitcham was born and raised among the live oaks and shrimp boats of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her enormous family still calls home. She attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a bachelor's degree in curriculum, instruction, and special education. For several years Megan worked as a teacher in Mississippi. She married and moved to South Carolina and began working for an international non-profit organization as an instructor and co-director.

In 2009 Megan fell in love with books. Until then, books had been a source for research or the topic of tests. But one day she read Mercy by Julie Garwood. And Oh Mercy, she was hooked!

Megan lives in Southern Arkansas where she pens heart pounding romantic thriller novels and window steaming erotic romance. For sneak peeks and giveaways sign up for her newsletter at www.meganmitcham.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Goodreads! 

Book Blast: White Collar Wedding

An Amazon exclusive bonus short from Shadow Maverick Ranch

Only $0.99!

The wedding you’ve all been waiting for…

You've been cordially invited to the wedding of Gavin Mathis and Lauren Delgado…


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Gavin has waited long enough to make Lauren his. He is counting the days until he will stand before his family and friends and pledge his life to hers. For better or worse. Forever.

Lauren is more than ready to say her vows, but with the construction of their new home far behind deadline, she knows there’s only one thing she can do … cancel the honeymoon so she and Gavin can supervise the completion themselves.

Gavin knows arguing with Lauren will get him nowhere. But missed deadlines aren’t worth missing a pleasure-filled week alone with his bride-to-be.

It’s time to take matters into his own hands…



White Collar Wedding
By Parker Kincade

Publication Date: November 18, 2014

PREORDER TODAY! ONLY $0.99

Available exclusively at Amazon for Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

http://www.amazon.com/White-Collar-We...



EXCERPT:

Chapter One

Three weeks before the wedding…

“We’re going to have to cancel.”
Gavin held onto his patience by a thread. “Lauren. Be reasonable.”
His bride-to-be spread her arms and twirled in the middle of what should’ve been their new kitchen, if the fucking contractor had done what Gavin paid him a fortune to do.
Lauren laughed with a manic tone Gavin could go the rest of his life without ever hearing again.
“I am being reasonable. How can we leave for our honeymoon when…” She waved her hand to encompass the area. Her beautiful eyes turned glassy with tears.
Son of a…
Gavin wanted to hit something. Lauren wasn’t prone to shed tears over messes and missed deadlines. She shared his no-nonsense approach to business. More than once he’d been in awe of her strength, the steel in her spine as she’d out-maneuvered countless boardrooms of men.
Every woman had her limits. It seemed the business of building their home had caused Lauren to hit hers.
What was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives had turned into a complete nightmare.
He glanced around the room, which was nothing more than a construction zone. The custom cabinets had been installed, leaving gaping holes where the appliances should be. There were no countertops. No trim. No. Goddamn. Sink.
And that was just the kitchen. The master bathroom didn’t have a shower. The guest bedrooms didn’t have flooring. The walls throughout had yet to be painted.
 Anger fired his blood. Oh, he was definitely going to hit something—the chubby jaw of the bastard who’d left this shit undone.
“We aren’t canceling our honeymoon.” He’d waited more than twelve years to make this woman his. They were less than a month from making it official. Lauren deserved the wedding of her dreams, which included their honeymoon in Hawaii. He’d be damned if she wouldn’t get it.
Seemed Lauren had other ideas.
“Let me rephrase. It’s done. I called the travel agent this morning.”
“Damn it, Lauren. You should’ve talked to me before you made that decision for both of us.”
“Talking about it wouldn’t have changed the situation, Gavin, and you know it. Look around. Our home is in shambles. We’re scheduled to move in a month. You really think that’s going to happen if we aren’t here every single day to make sure things are getting done?”
Gavin couldn’t help but take her comment personally. He didn’t believe in micro-management. He paid good money to others so he wouldn’t have to. But the fact remained: the ranch kept him so busy these days that he hadn’t done his job to make sure their house was completed on time.
“So we postpone our move-in date. We’ll stay at the cabin a little longer. It’s not the end of the world, and certainly not worth missing out— ”
“No. We need to stay and deal with this mess. We can go on our honeymoon later.”
“With calving season right around the corner? You know I can’t leave my brothers to handle all the work.”
“They handled it themselves all the years you lived in London. You think they couldn’t handle one more?”
Gavin stared at the woman he loved, wondering at what point she’d decided to turn on him.
“That’s not what I meant,” he said slowly. “Clay has his hands full with the new stock coming in over at Ainsley’s. Even with Jared’s help, it’s all Pax and I can do to keep up without Clay. You know we’re hiring more help, but until then, it’s all hands on deck, baby. We’ve talked about this.”
He reached for her and muttered a curse when she stepped away.
“Lauren.” Gavin folded his arms to avoid the urge to reach for her again. “When I came back to Texas, I made a promise—to myself and to my family. I have a responsibility to be here for them.”
 Lauren shoved both hands through her hair, leaving behind a mess of shining waves Gavin longed to bury his own fingers in.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I didn’t mean … of course we can’t go away during calving season. But we can’t go away now either. I wouldn’t be able to relax knowing things are such a mess here.”
Gavin was on her before she could retreat. He pulled her into his arms and breathed a sigh of relief when she melted against him. “I can think of a few ways to help you relax.”
“I have no doubt.” She nuzzled his chest. “I know it’s not ideal, but we could spend our wedding night at the beach house. Maybe spend a day or two there?”
He loved his—their—place on Galveston Island. However— “November isn’t the greatest time for swimming in the Gulf.”
“Who said anything about swimming?”
Gavin stroked a hand over her silky hair, struggling for the words to express how precious she was to him. He settled for, “All right, baby. If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
He’d find a way to give this woman the moon if she asked for it, but spending what should be their honeymoon fighting with housing contractors was not his idea of a good time.
He had to make this right.
It was time to call in reinforcements.

* * * * *


Author Bio and Links

[image error]National Bestselling Author, Parker Kincade, writes edge-of-your-seat-sexy romantic suspense, hot and steamy sports romance, and erotic western romance. Her first novel, One Night Stand, won the 2013 Reader’s Crown Award for Best First Book, the category of Best Erotic Romance in the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Golden Claddagh contest, and was named finalist in the Romance Writers of America/Passionate Ink Stroke of Midnight contest.

Parker lives in the southern United States. She loves to read, play golf, spend time with her family and friends, snuggle with her beloved boxer, ice cream from the ice cream truck, and watching old musicals.

Links:

Website: www.parkerkincade.com
Blog: www.parkerkincade.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/parkerkincade
Twitter: www.twitter.com/parkerkincade
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

All In! My Release Day THANK YOU!

Yesterday marked the release of my third historical romance novel, Her Wicked Captain , book one of The River Rogues. My hands are still fluttering with excitement as I type this!

It's been a long ride these past two years from the beginning of the idea, my crush on X-men's Gambit:


Then the research, traveling, and writing...not to mention all the copyedits and revisions I worked on with my patient and wonderful editor, Jessica. Then the fabulous cover.......!


And now, most importantly, a THANK YOU to everyone who went "ALL IN" with Philadelphia and Rory's story of gamblers, revenge, passion, & love! I couldn't do this without my wonderful readers. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to read the books.
By the way, I'm keeping you all in mind as finish River Rogues, book two: Kit's story! XOXO 

Goodreads WINNER!!

Congratulations to EE Giorgi, winner of my Goodreads Giveaway. I'll be sending Ms. Giorgi her $10 gift card very soon!

HER WICKED CAPTAIN Blog Tour Giveaway

Choose your poison! Click on the options below to enter my virtual blog tour giveaway for HER WICKED CAPTAIN (available Nov. 4).


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HER WICKED CAPTAIN Virtual Book Tour

I've added a few new stops to the virtual book tour for HER WICKED CAPTAIN. Here's the latest list. Be sure to stop at as many of these wonderful bogs as possible to enter to win the prizes, including a $15 gift card, swag, and a signed print book! There will also be excerpts from the book and a few more surprises, so don't miss it!


Oct. 25--Romance CooksOct. 28--Diamond State Romance AuthorsOct. 29--Everybody Needs a Little Romance*Oct. 30--I Love Historical Romance Group (Facebook)Oct. 31--Brinda Berry's Blog*                 Sexy Siren Book Blog*Nov. 1--Megan Mitcham's Blog*Nov. 2--Cynthia D'Alba's Blog*Nov. 3--Timeless Quills*Nov. 4--Christine Warner's Blog*                 Written Love Reviews*Nov. 5--Petit Fours and Hot Tamales*Nov. 6--Parker Kincade's Blog*                 Cowboy Kisses*Nov. 7--Sizzling Hot*Nov. 8--Romancing Rakes 4 The Love of Romance*                 Love, Lust, and Laptops*Nov. 9--Lynda Frazier's Blog*Nov. 10--Arkansas Authors                --Manga Maniac Cafe*Nov. 12--Delilah Devlin*Nov. 13--Robyn Bachar's Blog*Nov. 14--The Lusty Literate*Nov. 15--Petticoats and Pistols*Nov. 23--Wild and Wicked Cowboys
* Official virtual book tour stop

Enchanted Lover Boxed Set

Today it's my pleasure to share Margaret Ethridge's newest release on the blog. Not only is Margaret one of my favorite writer friends, she's also an amazing author. 
Margaret's paranormal romance, Paramour, is included in the new boxed set, Enchanted Lover: 7 Tales of Everlasting Love. Sounds like perfect reading for October nights! I can't wait to get started.








ENCHANTED LOVER: Tales of Everlasting Love  Seven Novels of Mystical, Magical and Paranormal Romance

PARAMOUR by Margaret Ethridge (ghost)
Two men: one living, one dead, and both vying for her love. Camellia Stafford has never been alone in her room. For twenty years, she's been engaged in a fierce power struggle with her bedroom's previous tenant, Frank DeLuca, the ghost trapped in the light fixture above her bed.

ENTRANCED by Maddie James (time travel, reincarnation)
Jack and Claire set out on a wild search through time, not only for the resolution to a powerful attraction between them, but also for a historical artifact that holds the key to their future happiness--the coveted silver-plated chalice made from Blackbeard's skull.

MYSTIC THUNDER by JC Wardon (witch, mystic)
Millennia of tempestuous ancestral history forewarn Rayne Cavanaugh to hide her ability to communicate with ghosts. But-- When the nephew of the man she just can't resist goes missing in the mountains of Mystic Waters, West Virginia, she must decide between self-preservation and love.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Cheryl Norman (time travel)
When Stacy Webber travels to Germany for her best friend's wedding, she loses more than her luggage and purse. She lands in a different time, fifty years ago, with no idea how to return to her world.

TIMELESS by Jan Scarbrough (psychic, ghost, reincarnation)
When Beth Abbott receives a surprise inheritance from her birth mother, she travels to the family's nineteenth century mansion in Old Louisville, KY, now a bed and breakfast. There she meets the resident ghost, a little girl whose crying not only scares, but also intrigues guests.

MAN OF HER DREAMS by Cat Shaffer (dreams, parallel times)
Jessi Flint has a perfectly good life with a successful business and the perfect man. So, he's only in her dreams...until her flaky assistant goes to a New Age fair and Jessi suddenly begins receiving gifts with love notes signed by a mysterious Damian.

ALMOST MAGIC by J.M. Kelley (magic, witch, gifts)
When it came to Vivian Burroughs' unique connection with nature, her grandmother always said, 'Mediocrity may not burn as bright as a firecracker, but it seldom blows up in your face.' But the old woman never advised her on what to do when a sexy new neighbor stokes the flames of attraction.
Release Date: October 7, 2014 Category: Romance > ParanormalLength: Seven full-length novels, Boxed SetPublisher: Turquoise Morning PressISBN: 978-1-62237-340-6Retail Price: $5.99Ebook Price: $0.99 (Special Promotional Price)
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | IBOOKS | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

Room with a View

Painter's BluffJust so you know, I'm not lying when I say my hubs and I live in the middle of nowhere. We juggle our calendars to be able to find the time to visit our weekend cabin as frequently as possible. Not only is it our retreat, vacation home, and fishing cabin, it's also where I do the most of my writing. It's here that I wrote my upcoming release, Her Wicked Captain, with its frontier river scenes, and the next River Rogues book after that.

Wildlife watching is one of my favorite cabin activities, and our place allows me to view all kinds of animals. Just this weekend we saw eagles, dozens of teal, Canada geese, deer, wood ducks, herons, and a mink. The only animals rumored to be in our woods that I've yet to see are bear and panthers--but it's only a matter of time. :-)

~~~~~~~~
Have you entered either of my current contests? One is for a $10 Giftcard. Details are here.

And another contest is for newsletter subscribers. It includes a signed print book by me, a cute pistol necklace, and a River Rogues bookmark. Add your name and email to my list for an easy entry here and of course you'll be the first to know about upcoming book release dates. Newsletter subscribers also receive exclusive book excerpts.

Tempting Fate: Guest Post & Giveaway

Brinda Berry, one of my favorite author friends, has a new book out this week. Tempting Fate is a New Adult romance that's hot, hot, hot. Watch the video and see what I mean!
Check it out and enter her FABULOUS giveaway below:
When two worlds collide, it can only be fate.
Collin knows trouble when he sees it. A beautiful girl crashing into his car? She should be flashing a neon DANGER sign. He knows better than to get involved with a fresh-faced babe who could break his already-tattered heart. After graduating from college, he's on track to start over in a new place. He's discovering what he wants from life, away from the shadow of his overbearing father and the betrayal of his cheating ex-fiancé.
Veronica's home life morphs from trailer park to homeless after a bloody fight between her brother and her ex. She's on the run from a situation that promises to be deadly. Without a home, money, or friends, she's at Collin's mercy.
Fate brought them together. Will a secret from her past tear them apart?   
Amazon: http://bit.ly/TemptingFateAmazon
iBooks:  http://bit.ly/TemptingFateiBooksPage Foundry: http://bit.ly/TemptingFatePageFoundry
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​Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72ZOTcEfnv0
Rafflecopter link:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZGQ2ZDA4NGUwNzgwOWU2YjkzZDZhOWJhYTczODc0Ojc1/

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