Jan Romes's Blog, page 11
November 2, 2015
Brides of Christmas: Volume One
The Wild Rose Press has done something sweet for Christmas this year with the Twelve Brides of Christmas series - they've taken the twelve individual stories and divided them into four volumes with three stories in each.
The Twelve Brides of Christmas series is loosely based on the English Christmas carol the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each author was given a day from the song and wrote a story pertaining to that day.
For volume one:
Jan Romes - Big on Christmas (Partridge in a pear tree)
Barbara Edwards - Late for the Wedding (Two turtle doves)
Fleeta Cunningham - Till the World is Safe For Dreams (Three French hens)
Blurb for Big on Christmas:
Cassie New left L.A. with a secret and finds herself in Woodstock, VT - a town rich with Christmas tradition. She tries to forget the world she knew but the small-town charm makes her even more aware of the life she never had.
Luke Stennett doesn't have time for relationships. Things are starting to go right but he has a secret of his own that could possibly turn everything upside down.
Once their secrets are revealed, will it kill the chemistry and send Cassie back to L.A. or will she fight for her happiness and stay firmly planted in a place big on Christmas?
Blurb for Late for the Wedding:
Despite an impending nor'easter, Heather Green sets out for her twin sister's wedding with the dress, cake, and favors. As the snow piles up, she wrecks her car in an accident.
Driving a tow truck, Nicholas Burnes has the task of helping Heather. When the storm closes the roads he ends up offering her shelter. Warm and rested, Nick and Heather explore their attraction for each other, only to part when he delivers her to her sister's wedding. But weddings breed weddings...
Blurb for Till the World is Safe for Dreams:
Dreams were put on hold when the bombs hit Pearl Harbor, including Kay and Jeremy's wedding plans. Now he's half a world away, and Kay is spending her days in a war plant, forging bonds with other women who worry and wait. Then she receives news that Jeremy has life threatening injuries. Will he come back? If he does, will he be the same? Will the world ever be safe for dreams?
If any of these stories sound like something that might touch your heart, you can find Volume One here:
The Wild Rose Press
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
*Volumes 2, 3, & 4 will soon be released to add to the collection*
The Twelve Brides of Christmas series is loosely based on the English Christmas carol the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each author was given a day from the song and wrote a story pertaining to that day.
For volume one:
Jan Romes - Big on Christmas (Partridge in a pear tree)
Barbara Edwards - Late for the Wedding (Two turtle doves)
Fleeta Cunningham - Till the World is Safe For Dreams (Three French hens)
Blurb for Big on Christmas:
Cassie New left L.A. with a secret and finds herself in Woodstock, VT - a town rich with Christmas tradition. She tries to forget the world she knew but the small-town charm makes her even more aware of the life she never had.
Luke Stennett doesn't have time for relationships. Things are starting to go right but he has a secret of his own that could possibly turn everything upside down.
Once their secrets are revealed, will it kill the chemistry and send Cassie back to L.A. or will she fight for her happiness and stay firmly planted in a place big on Christmas?
Blurb for Late for the Wedding:
Despite an impending nor'easter, Heather Green sets out for her twin sister's wedding with the dress, cake, and favors. As the snow piles up, she wrecks her car in an accident.
Driving a tow truck, Nicholas Burnes has the task of helping Heather. When the storm closes the roads he ends up offering her shelter. Warm and rested, Nick and Heather explore their attraction for each other, only to part when he delivers her to her sister's wedding. But weddings breed weddings...
Blurb for Till the World is Safe for Dreams:
Dreams were put on hold when the bombs hit Pearl Harbor, including Kay and Jeremy's wedding plans. Now he's half a world away, and Kay is spending her days in a war plant, forging bonds with other women who worry and wait. Then she receives news that Jeremy has life threatening injuries. Will he come back? If he does, will he be the same? Will the world ever be safe for dreams?
If any of these stories sound like something that might touch your heart, you can find Volume One here:
The Wild Rose Press
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
*Volumes 2, 3, & 4 will soon be released to add to the collection*
October 19, 2015
Even a "Meh" can be good!
Regarding leaving a book review...
I'm on quite a few writing loops and one thing comes up often - the lack of book reviews. My take on the subject is that many readers don't wish to leave a review because it makes them feel like they're back in school and they have to write a book report. A few readers are happy to share what they liked, didn't like, what worked, what needed some depth, which emotions (if any) the author was able to draw from them with the story. That's wonderful feedback! Reviews don't have to be long. They can be a few words. Regardless of length, each review is as good as gold - even the ones that say the story was "Meh!" Yep! Even the not-so-good reviews help an author. They keep us grounded and possibly make us a better writer in the long run.
Regarding the rating given to a book...
As a reader, do you only navigate to stories that have four or five star ratings? I don't. I consider books to be like movies when it comes to ratings. Some movies that are ripped to shreds by film critics, I find enjoyable. On the flip side, some films given two-thumbs up, aren't my cup of tea. The same goes for books. I read the blurb and sometimes an excerpt before I choose to read or not read.
Regarding well-known authors...
A certain author (who shall remain nameless) had and is still having quite a bit of success with what has been called mommy-porn. If you look at the reviews and ratings for her trilogy - both good and bad - the numbers will blow you away. Did the number of reviews play a huge part in her success. Yeah, buddy, they did!
If you're not comfortable leaving a review under your name (and that's fine if you're not)...
Did you know you can change your screen name in Amazon to leave a review simply as an Amazon Customer or other name of your choosing? You surely can. When you're in your Amazon account, click the review button. At the top right hand corner you'll get the option to change your name. Again, if posting anonymously is how you'd rather do it, we're good with that.
This may sound corny but...
YOU have magic in your fingertips! Make good things happen for the authors who try their best to help you escape reality with their hard work!
Lastly...
Muahhhhhh! (You've been blog-kissed!)
I'm on quite a few writing loops and one thing comes up often - the lack of book reviews. My take on the subject is that many readers don't wish to leave a review because it makes them feel like they're back in school and they have to write a book report. A few readers are happy to share what they liked, didn't like, what worked, what needed some depth, which emotions (if any) the author was able to draw from them with the story. That's wonderful feedback! Reviews don't have to be long. They can be a few words. Regardless of length, each review is as good as gold - even the ones that say the story was "Meh!" Yep! Even the not-so-good reviews help an author. They keep us grounded and possibly make us a better writer in the long run.
Regarding the rating given to a book...
As a reader, do you only navigate to stories that have four or five star ratings? I don't. I consider books to be like movies when it comes to ratings. Some movies that are ripped to shreds by film critics, I find enjoyable. On the flip side, some films given two-thumbs up, aren't my cup of tea. The same goes for books. I read the blurb and sometimes an excerpt before I choose to read or not read.
Regarding well-known authors...
A certain author (who shall remain nameless) had and is still having quite a bit of success with what has been called mommy-porn. If you look at the reviews and ratings for her trilogy - both good and bad - the numbers will blow you away. Did the number of reviews play a huge part in her success. Yeah, buddy, they did!
If you're not comfortable leaving a review under your name (and that's fine if you're not)...
Did you know you can change your screen name in Amazon to leave a review simply as an Amazon Customer or other name of your choosing? You surely can. When you're in your Amazon account, click the review button. At the top right hand corner you'll get the option to change your name. Again, if posting anonymously is how you'd rather do it, we're good with that.
This may sound corny but...
YOU have magic in your fingertips! Make good things happen for the authors who try their best to help you escape reality with their hard work!
Lastly...
Muahhhhhh! (You've been blog-kissed!)
August 28, 2015
An interview with author and Duke University professor, Julie Tetel Andresen
It's my pleasure to welcome Julie Tetel Andresen to my blog!
I asked Julie five questions. Before we get to them and to her answers, I wanted to share a bit about this multi-talented author:
Julie has written about language and love for more than 20 years. A professor of linguistics at Duke University, she's also written more than twenty romance novels and novellas. Before moving to publish exclusively on the Amazon Kindle library, she was published by Fawcett Crest, Warner Books and Harlequin. Her novels cross many sub-genres of romance, including mystery, contemporary, BDSM, motorcycle club, and historicals.
Julie loves to travel, and has lived for extended periods in Germany, France, Romania, Vietnam, and Mongolia. As a child, she had a passion for playing the piano, and transferred that passion as an adult into writing romance novels and scholarly books about language. For Julie, writing essays in foreign languages is like playing scales and arpeggios as a warm-up exercise for writing in English.
Now that I've given you a insight into who Julie is, it's interview time.
Your love for the written word and language is apparent in the number of books you've written and also that your day job is a professor of linguistics at Duke University. When did you discover this incredible passion?
My passion for language goes all the way back to when I was five years old. I shared a room with my sister, and at night, when we went to bed, I would tell her all the new words I had made up that day. Then, somewhere along the way, I discovered there were languages with the words already made up, and I thought that was marvelous. I didn't have to invent new words anymore. I could just go learn other languages!
My favorite book as a kid was Dr. Seuss's On Beyond Zebra. I still love different alphabets. The most intriguing is Georgian. Last year when I did an around-the-world trip, I made sure to stop in Tbilisi, Georgia mostly to see the signage in the streets (as well as the Great Caucasus mountains to the east). I wasn't disappointed.
As a multi-genre author, do you find one genre easier to write? Which one is the most difficult?
No genre is easy to write, although I think some authors have good ears for particular ones, such as the Regency, and they stick with that. In my case, I've been eclectic and have made my way through the various subgenres of Romance, tuning my ear to their different melodies.
I liken myself to the Rolling Stones who I've always admired for trying their hand at all the subgenres of rock: anthem, ballad, hard, blues, honky-tonk. They even did disco.
So I've written: Americana, BDSM, contemporary, Motorcycle Club, medieval, MMA, paranormal, Regencies, Scottish Highlands, along with a Western. I've even written a historical murder mystery romance (Suspicious Hearts).
The hardest for me have been paranormals. My three paranormals -- The Blue Hour, The Crimson Hour, and The Emerald Hour -- are intricate, too intricate for some readers. However, those who like them really like them.
Can you describe your writing style? (i.e. Is your writing voice fast-paced and funny, or deep and angsty?)
My writing style varies with the subgenre I'm writing. My contemporary, DeMarco's Café, is fast-paced, because that's what's required. My first medieval, My Lord Roland, is slow (in a good way, I hope), because the pace of life was very slow back then.
I love comedy. And Heaven Too (set in the 17th century England), and Swept Away (set in 17th century Caribbean) are comedies, and I hope readers get laughs from both.
You've traveled the world and have lived in some exciting places. Have any of those incredible locales become settings for your stories? If so, could you share some examples?
In 2012 I lived for six months in Vietnam. I loved every minute of it. A few months after leaving Saigon, I woke up one day and started writing my Forest Breeze trilogy: Tied Up, Captured, and Knocked Out -- all three set in Saigon. I surprised myself only because I was about to start writing something else when these stories seized me, and that was that. Third, Knocked Out, is new this month, available on Amazon.
Bucharest, Romania where I spend summers is a location in The Crimson Hour, as is Hong Kong, which I've visited. I love Rio, and it is a location in The Emerald Hour along with London. I know Paris really well, and it figures in The Blue Hour.
If you were to mentor an aspiring author what tips would you offer?
If I were to mentor an aspiring author, I would say, "Honor your vision." This advice is both wonderful and excruciating.
It's wonderful because it gives the aspiring author exactly what he or she needs: encouragement to write the story they want and need to write.
It's excruciating because an author's vision may not coincide with current trends in the marketplace, and so the work might not find a ready audience which can be discouraging. However, writing to trends is a bad idea, because trends change, and it may well change in the direction of what you wanted to write in the first place, while you've been wasting your time and talent on something you didn't have in your heart. So you have to follow your vision whose emotional center is your heart.
In my case, honoring my vision has been wonderful because I have indulged myself in a vast exploration of the Romance genre.
It has also been excruciating because I've known for 20 years that the way to make it in the commercial publishing industry is to establish yourself in a particular genre and to consistently write in that genre.
I sometimes think: "Lucky is the author whose vision matches market trends and whose imagination produces consistent stories a given audience can easily recognize!"
Then I have to remind myself to honor my vision, which just happens to be - for better or for worse - eclectic.
Thank you for being here today, Julie, and for sharing who you are and what you do. I am in awe of your talent and drive, and I wish you continued success in your writing. Please come back again. We'd love to hear more about the great stories you're writing and planning to write. I may never get to the wonderful places you've been and will visit in the future, so I'd be happy to 'visit them vicariously' by having you tell us about your journeys. Until then, take care and keep the creativity flowing.
To learn more about Julie...
Her Amazon author page -- http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Tetel-Andresen/e/B000APUP4G/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1440784573&sr=8-1
Twitter -- @JTAbooks
I asked Julie five questions. Before we get to them and to her answers, I wanted to share a bit about this multi-talented author:
Julie has written about language and love for more than 20 years. A professor of linguistics at Duke University, she's also written more than twenty romance novels and novellas. Before moving to publish exclusively on the Amazon Kindle library, she was published by Fawcett Crest, Warner Books and Harlequin. Her novels cross many sub-genres of romance, including mystery, contemporary, BDSM, motorcycle club, and historicals.
Julie loves to travel, and has lived for extended periods in Germany, France, Romania, Vietnam, and Mongolia. As a child, she had a passion for playing the piano, and transferred that passion as an adult into writing romance novels and scholarly books about language. For Julie, writing essays in foreign languages is like playing scales and arpeggios as a warm-up exercise for writing in English.
Now that I've given you a insight into who Julie is, it's interview time.
Your love for the written word and language is apparent in the number of books you've written and also that your day job is a professor of linguistics at Duke University. When did you discover this incredible passion?
My passion for language goes all the way back to when I was five years old. I shared a room with my sister, and at night, when we went to bed, I would tell her all the new words I had made up that day. Then, somewhere along the way, I discovered there were languages with the words already made up, and I thought that was marvelous. I didn't have to invent new words anymore. I could just go learn other languages!
My favorite book as a kid was Dr. Seuss's On Beyond Zebra. I still love different alphabets. The most intriguing is Georgian. Last year when I did an around-the-world trip, I made sure to stop in Tbilisi, Georgia mostly to see the signage in the streets (as well as the Great Caucasus mountains to the east). I wasn't disappointed.
As a multi-genre author, do you find one genre easier to write? Which one is the most difficult?
No genre is easy to write, although I think some authors have good ears for particular ones, such as the Regency, and they stick with that. In my case, I've been eclectic and have made my way through the various subgenres of Romance, tuning my ear to their different melodies.
I liken myself to the Rolling Stones who I've always admired for trying their hand at all the subgenres of rock: anthem, ballad, hard, blues, honky-tonk. They even did disco.
So I've written: Americana, BDSM, contemporary, Motorcycle Club, medieval, MMA, paranormal, Regencies, Scottish Highlands, along with a Western. I've even written a historical murder mystery romance (Suspicious Hearts).
The hardest for me have been paranormals. My three paranormals -- The Blue Hour, The Crimson Hour, and The Emerald Hour -- are intricate, too intricate for some readers. However, those who like them really like them.
Can you describe your writing style? (i.e. Is your writing voice fast-paced and funny, or deep and angsty?)
My writing style varies with the subgenre I'm writing. My contemporary, DeMarco's Café, is fast-paced, because that's what's required. My first medieval, My Lord Roland, is slow (in a good way, I hope), because the pace of life was very slow back then.
I love comedy. And Heaven Too (set in the 17th century England), and Swept Away (set in 17th century Caribbean) are comedies, and I hope readers get laughs from both.
You've traveled the world and have lived in some exciting places. Have any of those incredible locales become settings for your stories? If so, could you share some examples?
In 2012 I lived for six months in Vietnam. I loved every minute of it. A few months after leaving Saigon, I woke up one day and started writing my Forest Breeze trilogy: Tied Up, Captured, and Knocked Out -- all three set in Saigon. I surprised myself only because I was about to start writing something else when these stories seized me, and that was that. Third, Knocked Out, is new this month, available on Amazon.
Bucharest, Romania where I spend summers is a location in The Crimson Hour, as is Hong Kong, which I've visited. I love Rio, and it is a location in The Emerald Hour along with London. I know Paris really well, and it figures in The Blue Hour.
If you were to mentor an aspiring author what tips would you offer?
If I were to mentor an aspiring author, I would say, "Honor your vision." This advice is both wonderful and excruciating.
It's wonderful because it gives the aspiring author exactly what he or she needs: encouragement to write the story they want and need to write.
It's excruciating because an author's vision may not coincide with current trends in the marketplace, and so the work might not find a ready audience which can be discouraging. However, writing to trends is a bad idea, because trends change, and it may well change in the direction of what you wanted to write in the first place, while you've been wasting your time and talent on something you didn't have in your heart. So you have to follow your vision whose emotional center is your heart.
In my case, honoring my vision has been wonderful because I have indulged myself in a vast exploration of the Romance genre.
It has also been excruciating because I've known for 20 years that the way to make it in the commercial publishing industry is to establish yourself in a particular genre and to consistently write in that genre.
I sometimes think: "Lucky is the author whose vision matches market trends and whose imagination produces consistent stories a given audience can easily recognize!"
Then I have to remind myself to honor my vision, which just happens to be - for better or for worse - eclectic.
Thank you for being here today, Julie, and for sharing who you are and what you do. I am in awe of your talent and drive, and I wish you continued success in your writing. Please come back again. We'd love to hear more about the great stories you're writing and planning to write. I may never get to the wonderful places you've been and will visit in the future, so I'd be happy to 'visit them vicariously' by having you tell us about your journeys. Until then, take care and keep the creativity flowing.
To learn more about Julie...
Her Amazon author page -- http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Tetel-Andresen/e/B000APUP4G/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1440784573&sr=8-1
Twitter -- @JTAbooks
August 11, 2015
Special Guest: Marcia Carrington
Today my guest is Marcia Carrington!
A little bit about Marcia...
Marcia Carrington writes about the human condition, exploring what makes people tick, but in an upbeat and optimistic tone. She is an interested observer of popular culture, and fan of cinema from all eras and countries, especially from the 1930-1970s. Marcia is a long-time soap opera viewer, watching daytime, and night time serials from a very young age.
She's also a food connoisseur, with a particular love of chocolate, and coffee. The morning coffee has always been a staple for Marcia, and something which she cannot do without. There is just something about the fresh aroma of coffee early in the morning, and anytime for that fact, which proves irresistible to her.
*
Thank you so much Jan for having me on your blog today. I would like to offer your readers and blog followers an excerpt from my new novella, BRANDY’S SUMMER IDOL, which will be released on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, I-Tunes and Amazon on the 12th August 2015. It is a section from the novella’s second chapter which springboards the action for the remainder of the story. Thank you again for this opportunity.
~ Marcia
Brandy had risen from the bed, and was walking around the bedroom listlessly. She heard what was going on downstairs, and went to check from her balcony. Brandy peered down, sighting Garth with Ryan, seeing him shirtless, and her eyes widened. She took in Ryan’s blond hair, tight body, the slow but sensual way he did things, and was spellbound by him. Brandy looked away for a moment, thinking she was seeing things, and again took a peek at Ryan. Her eyes ran all over him, and she studied him carefully. She had never seen anyone so handsome, so rugged, and this triggered something inside of her, something she had never felt before. There were great-looking guys in high school, but they were nothing compared to the man she was ravishing with her eyes at the moment. Ryan had now completed his job, and grinned at Garth.“Can you start the car?” Ryan said, leaning on the front of the car. “Sure,” Garth said, moving into the driver’s seat, and turning on the ignition. The roar of the engine pleased Garth, and he smiled with happiness. Ryan closed the hood, and approached the driver’s side of the car.“Looks like it’s okay, but reverse it, and then run it in drive,” Ryan said. Garth nodded, with Ryan backing away from the car, and did as he said. The car was again working, and Garth breathed a sigh of relief as he exited the car, closing the door.“Thanks Ryan.”“No trouble,” Ryan said, with a subtle smile.At this point, Ryan could sense he was being watched from somewhere, but the vibe he was receiving was not a negative one. He peered off into the houses opposite to see whether it was emanating from there, but there was no one around in those homes. Seeing this, Ryan knew it must have been coming from behind him, and turned around. When he did, Ryan noticed Brandy observing him from the balcony, and their eyes connected. Brandy shyly looked away from him, but as she turned back to Ryan, threw him a sly smile, as he did the same. Garth saw what had transpired, and chuckled.“That’s my daughter, Brandy.” Ryan and Brandy continued looking at each other, which Garth witnessed with bemusement. Ryan was hooked on watching Brandy, as was she, and they could not stop their exchange. This was interrupted by a loud voice which appeared to originate from Brandy’s bedroom.“Brandy, answer me…” It was Agnes, and she had entered Brandy’s room. She was absolutely chilled to see the eye play between Ryan and Brandy, and her face filled with horror. “Come inside right now young lady,” Agnes said, as Brandy reluctantly left her perch, and smiled solemnly at Ryan. Ryan turned back to Garth, with an expression of confusion.*
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarCarring
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Marcia’s Book Talk Blog: http://marciasbooktalk.wordpress.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marcarring/
Buy links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Brandys-Summer-Idol-Marcia-Carrington-ebook/dp/B013SGXSEW/ref=la_B008AGYTHQ_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439370430&sr=1-13&refinements=p_82%3AB008AGYTHQ
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brandys-Summer-Idol-Marcia-Carrington-ebook/dp/B013SGXSEW/ref=la_B008AGYTHQ_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439370452&sr=1-10
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/551849
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brandys-summer-idol-marcia-carrington/1122176095?ean=2940151981378
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/brandys-summer-idol/id1009046670?mt=11
*
August 5, 2015
A snippet from NO SWEAT PANTS ALLOWED - WINE CLUB!
Small snippet from...
No Sweat Pants Allowed - Wine Club "I scoffed when Corbett jabbed me about turning forty. I was fearless and ready to embrace my prime. 'Bring it on' I'd said. I swear at the stroke of midnight on my fortieth some crusty old goat sprinkled me with geriatric dust and my eyesight blurred." ~ Stephanie Samuels
Available through Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/No-Sweat-Pants-Allowed-Wine-ebook/dp/B00SQ7SQ14/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1438786657&sr=8-1
No Sweat Pants Allowed - Wine Club "I scoffed when Corbett jabbed me about turning forty. I was fearless and ready to embrace my prime. 'Bring it on' I'd said. I swear at the stroke of midnight on my fortieth some crusty old goat sprinkled me with geriatric dust and my eyesight blurred." ~ Stephanie Samuels
Available through Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/No-Sweat-Pants-Allowed-Wine-ebook/dp/B00SQ7SQ14/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1438786657&sr=8-1
July 27, 2015
Author Spotlight - SHARON SARACINO
I've recently had the pleasure of reading the 3rd book in the Max Logan series and thought I'd spotlight, Sharon Saracino and the main character of the series, the incredible Maxine "Max" Logan.
Don't you just love when an author breathes life into a character in such a way that the character feels real? It takes considerable talent and the ability to fully know who that character is. In this series, Max is a self-deprecating woman trying to find her balance now that she's divorced. A lack of balance, however - by way of a slip in the shower - starts the action. Max's world spins out of control but her quick wit and snarky attitude propels the story and kept me reading to find out what she'd get herself into next. The 3 books are filled with funny one-liners, tender moments, and there's serious love at stake.
Sharon put a paranormal spin on things that also held my interest. While the titles include the word 'death', Max's journey to happily-ever-after isn't based on grief, but rather the opposite - pulling herself up and allowing her heart to find love again, despite some unusual circumstances.
Here's a bit about Sharon --
She's a Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and two loveable dogs. When she's not caring for her patients and family, or writing incredible stories, she can be found enjoying photography and genealogy. Oh, and she likes to brew limoncello. (If you check out her blog I believe you'll find a recipe for limoncello) Intrigued by Italy, she's visited twice and dreams of one day making it her home.
If you'd like to check Sharon out further, you can find her here:
www.SharonSaracino.com
On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/SharonSaracino
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Saracino-Author/309710765720741?fref=ts
All of her books can be found on her Amazon Author Page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Saracino/e/B00CLXDNYO/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Book #1
Book #2
Book #3
Don't you just love when an author breathes life into a character in such a way that the character feels real? It takes considerable talent and the ability to fully know who that character is. In this series, Max is a self-deprecating woman trying to find her balance now that she's divorced. A lack of balance, however - by way of a slip in the shower - starts the action. Max's world spins out of control but her quick wit and snarky attitude propels the story and kept me reading to find out what she'd get herself into next. The 3 books are filled with funny one-liners, tender moments, and there's serious love at stake.
Sharon put a paranormal spin on things that also held my interest. While the titles include the word 'death', Max's journey to happily-ever-after isn't based on grief, but rather the opposite - pulling herself up and allowing her heart to find love again, despite some unusual circumstances.
Here's a bit about Sharon --
She's a Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and two loveable dogs. When she's not caring for her patients and family, or writing incredible stories, she can be found enjoying photography and genealogy. Oh, and she likes to brew limoncello. (If you check out her blog I believe you'll find a recipe for limoncello) Intrigued by Italy, she's visited twice and dreams of one day making it her home.
If you'd like to check Sharon out further, you can find her here:
www.SharonSaracino.com
On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/SharonSaracino
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Saracino-Author/309710765720741?fref=ts
All of her books can be found on her Amazon Author Page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Saracino/e/B00CLXDNYO/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Book #1
Book #2
Book #3 June 22, 2015
Beach Reads Giveaway!
Summer has officially arrived! That means sunshine, sunscreen and possibly time spent at the beach, or in a lounge chair in the backyard; possibly on the patio or at the campground. Wherever you find yourself in the next few months, I hope it includes some rest and relaxation! Myself along with 5 other authors have joined together to do a Beach Reads Giveaway. All you have to do for a chance to win, is leave a comment below.
Double your chances of winning by sharing the information about the giveaway by June 30th.
One winner will be chosen on July 1st.
Good luck! ♥♥ You may find a new author whose style of writing and knack for storytelling resonates with you!
Double your chances of winning by sharing the information about the giveaway by June 30th.
One winner will be chosen on July 1st.
Good luck! ♥♥ You may find a new author whose style of writing and knack for storytelling resonates with you!
June 17, 2015
An Interview with Linda Joyce!
It's my pleasure to welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Linda Joyce to my blog with an interview and information about her Fleur de Lis series. Book #3 -
Bayou Beckons
has recently been published.
I was intrigued by Linda’s dossier on Amazon, which I’ll share at the end of this post. Linda's led an interesting life which makes for great stories.
Grab a cup of coffee (or beverage of choice) and read what this amazing writer has to say!
Q: Linda, I’m going to start with the standard question, how long have you been writing? I feel it gives insight into the passion that brought you to become a published author.
A: First, Jan, thank you so much for inviting me. I’m happy to share this time with you. In Louisiana, people drink coffee with chicory. My dad hates to drink anything else. Me? I’m off caffeine, so I drink decaf Rishi teas.
But about writing…I officially declared myself a writer on January 1st, 2009. I had been tossing around the idea. Dabbling. When I made my resolutions for 2009 writing topped the list. I threw myself into it. My first writing mentor said she’d never seen anyone so hungry to learn.
Even though I declared myself a writer, it took a couple of years before I truly believed it. Felt it. I think the feeling settled in when I received my first contract for a short memoir in an anthology.
Q: What have you found to be the most challenging thing about writing a series?
A: Remembering everythingthat’s happened in the first three books!
Time has passed, real calendar time, since I wrote the first and second books. Book three just released, so it’s still very fresh in my mind. Now, I’m working on book four, Bayou Brides—it’s a three-parter with each heroine in books one through three getting married at Fleur de Lis, just not at the same time. I finished Branna’s wedding and I’m staring on her cousin Biloxi’s special day. I’m having to consult my spreadsheet with details and actually find facts in the previously released books.
For example, Ida is a secondary character in book one. She’s a young girl, and she’s going to be the flower girl in Branna’s wedding I couldn’t remember Ida’s mother’s name, which sent me on the hunt. As they say, the Devil is in the details. I want to get them right.
I do hope readers will enjoy book four. There is drama unique to each bride. A couple of years ago, I started reading a series and when book two came out, the hero and heroine from book one were already married. I was disappointed. I so wanted an invitation to that wedding. Which is the reason I’m approaching book four in three parts. Everyone’s invited to all three weddings!
Q: Is there a particular method you found that helps you keep everything straight as you transitioned from book #1 to #2 to #3?
A: Each book has characters that carry over, but each book can also stand alone.
I do work to be as organized as possible. Each book has its own folder (in Word) and a spreadsheet where I track information: character descriptions. Their education. Places they’ve traveled, etc. Birthdays. Etc…I add in conflict questions for plotting. I save links for research. And, the fun part—I have a Pinterest Board for each book to keep me inspired. All of this to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Q: In your bio you mention your Cajun roots. Can you expand on that for our readers since your books are based in the bayou?
A: I don’t have a Cajun accent. I only speak a few words of French. But I’m a bayou girl. It’s where I fished, shrimped, and crabbed. I paddled a pirogue—it’s like a canoe. I learned to cook at my grandmother’s knee—stuffed mirlitons, gumbo, étouffée. I learned about the tides on the Rigolets, music, and partying! And on the bayou is where I received my first real kiss.
My father is Irish on his father’s side and Cajun on his mother’s side. My grandfather died when I was very young, so I only have one memory of him. He was second generation Irish born in Louisiana and a riverboat captain. In the opening scene of the movie, Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans, his riverboat chugs into the Port of New Orleans. But when you live in Louisiana for a while, you can’t help but embrace joie de vivre—the enjoyment of life.
My grandmother, she passed away in 2008, was a Guidry from Terrebonne Parrish—total Cajun country. While she was an only child, her father was one of thirteen children.
Historically, Guidrys were one of the original sixty families relocating from Arcadia—part of Canada—after the British burned them out. Arcadians—later shortened to Cajun—were invited to come to Louisiana; back before Louisiana was a U.S. Territory, before President Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase. (Yes, I LOVE the history of my home state.)
Q: Can you share a few words about the characters that have become part of the Fleur de Lis series?
A: Branna and James are wary about love. They’re the “responsible” people in their families, always trying to please everyone else.
Biloxi and Nick—he’s my book boyfriend, hot Cajun man that he is—are seeking to get beyond old grudges between their families who stand in the way of their happiness. A Romeo-and-Juliet story with a happy ending.
Party girl Camilla and Jared, the Wyoming rancher with Cajun roots—have a hurricane of chemistry…and conflict.
I believe love can change the world and when you love, you love completely, which is what my characters do.
Q: With book #3 under your belt, will there be a book #4 in the series? Or will you be working on something else in the near future?
A: I am indeed working on book 4 – Bayou Brides. The final book of the series will be Bayou Brothers.
And I’m going to be self-publishing The Sunflower series. Book one, Her Heart’s Desire is set for an August release.
As if that’s not enough—I’m working on a women’s fiction story set in New Orleans titled Secrets. It’s about three women, childhood best friends, reunited when a pivotal man in their lives dies. Now they’re the widow, sister, and ex-wife of the deceased. Each woman is at a cross roads in her life and needs the support their old friendship offered, only each has a secret, which if revealed, and threatens to tear the friendship apart forever.
Q: Do you have some words of wisdom to share for aspiring writers?
A: Something I learned very early in my writing days: Triumph comes through perseverance.That is the motto author, Jodi Thomas, instilled in me when I attended the Writer’s Academy. I am so proud to know her. I seek to exemplify the giving nature she exudes.
Q: Last question, Linda. Would you share your favorite passage from Bayou Beckons?
A: Only one? lol Remember, Camilla is a party girl, but trying to change. Here’s one passage I believe shows some of her conflict.
Whenever her thoughts drifted to Jared, tingling delight washed over her, head to toe, like silk buffing her body, which caused the imaginary devil on her shoulder to dance an Irish jig and coo, “Sensually delicious!” while the angel on the other shoulder tsked in dark disapproval.
Thank you so much for being my guest, Linda! Your books sound wonderful! Come back anytime.
About the author:
Writing in the bleachers of a mostly bare playground in Japan where girls lined up to read pages gave award-winning author Linda Joyce "writing fever." Before her foray into authorship, she graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Management, then spent her next years in corporate America. Her debut romance novel, Bayou Born is a 2014 RONE Award finalist. Her second novel, Bayou Bound won 1st Place in Romance from the Southeastern Writers Association.
Linda also writes short stories and poetry. She's most proud of Arctic Arkansas published by Missouri Writer's Guild in Storm Country: The Anthology, which raised money for the Joplin School District after a F4 tornado wiped out the town, and her poem, True American Music featured in by the Johnson County Historical Society with the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit: With New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. She served as the Vice President of Whispering Prairie Press and the Creative Director for Kansas City Voices, a literary magazine.
Linda's Cajun roots intertwine with her Asian ones. She graduated with a business degree from the University of Florida, where she met and married her husband. They reside in Atlanta. She's an avid traveler, foodie, music fan, and dog lover with three four-legged boys, General Beauregard, Gentleman Jack and Masterpiece Renoir. Linda is a member of Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, Atlanta Writer's Club, and Southern Writers Association. She enjoys speaking about writing and has presented workshops at the Writer's Academy at West Texas A&M University, WWP Conference and RWA Nationals.
If you’d like to follow Linda and her career:
Website: www.linda-joyce.com
Blog: http://linda-joyce.com/blog/linda-joyce-contemplates-blog/
Twitter: @LJWriter https://twitter.com/LJWriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyceAu...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Joyce/e/B00BODDROS/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=69773158&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
I was intrigued by Linda’s dossier on Amazon, which I’ll share at the end of this post. Linda's led an interesting life which makes for great stories.
Grab a cup of coffee (or beverage of choice) and read what this amazing writer has to say!
Q: Linda, I’m going to start with the standard question, how long have you been writing? I feel it gives insight into the passion that brought you to become a published author.
A: First, Jan, thank you so much for inviting me. I’m happy to share this time with you. In Louisiana, people drink coffee with chicory. My dad hates to drink anything else. Me? I’m off caffeine, so I drink decaf Rishi teas.
But about writing…I officially declared myself a writer on January 1st, 2009. I had been tossing around the idea. Dabbling. When I made my resolutions for 2009 writing topped the list. I threw myself into it. My first writing mentor said she’d never seen anyone so hungry to learn.
Even though I declared myself a writer, it took a couple of years before I truly believed it. Felt it. I think the feeling settled in when I received my first contract for a short memoir in an anthology.
Q: What have you found to be the most challenging thing about writing a series?
A: Remembering everythingthat’s happened in the first three books!
Time has passed, real calendar time, since I wrote the first and second books. Book three just released, so it’s still very fresh in my mind. Now, I’m working on book four, Bayou Brides—it’s a three-parter with each heroine in books one through three getting married at Fleur de Lis, just not at the same time. I finished Branna’s wedding and I’m staring on her cousin Biloxi’s special day. I’m having to consult my spreadsheet with details and actually find facts in the previously released books.
For example, Ida is a secondary character in book one. She’s a young girl, and she’s going to be the flower girl in Branna’s wedding I couldn’t remember Ida’s mother’s name, which sent me on the hunt. As they say, the Devil is in the details. I want to get them right.
I do hope readers will enjoy book four. There is drama unique to each bride. A couple of years ago, I started reading a series and when book two came out, the hero and heroine from book one were already married. I was disappointed. I so wanted an invitation to that wedding. Which is the reason I’m approaching book four in three parts. Everyone’s invited to all three weddings!
Q: Is there a particular method you found that helps you keep everything straight as you transitioned from book #1 to #2 to #3?
A: Each book has characters that carry over, but each book can also stand alone.
I do work to be as organized as possible. Each book has its own folder (in Word) and a spreadsheet where I track information: character descriptions. Their education. Places they’ve traveled, etc. Birthdays. Etc…I add in conflict questions for plotting. I save links for research. And, the fun part—I have a Pinterest Board for each book to keep me inspired. All of this to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Q: In your bio you mention your Cajun roots. Can you expand on that for our readers since your books are based in the bayou?
A: I don’t have a Cajun accent. I only speak a few words of French. But I’m a bayou girl. It’s where I fished, shrimped, and crabbed. I paddled a pirogue—it’s like a canoe. I learned to cook at my grandmother’s knee—stuffed mirlitons, gumbo, étouffée. I learned about the tides on the Rigolets, music, and partying! And on the bayou is where I received my first real kiss.
My father is Irish on his father’s side and Cajun on his mother’s side. My grandfather died when I was very young, so I only have one memory of him. He was second generation Irish born in Louisiana and a riverboat captain. In the opening scene of the movie, Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans, his riverboat chugs into the Port of New Orleans. But when you live in Louisiana for a while, you can’t help but embrace joie de vivre—the enjoyment of life.
My grandmother, she passed away in 2008, was a Guidry from Terrebonne Parrish—total Cajun country. While she was an only child, her father was one of thirteen children.
Historically, Guidrys were one of the original sixty families relocating from Arcadia—part of Canada—after the British burned them out. Arcadians—later shortened to Cajun—were invited to come to Louisiana; back before Louisiana was a U.S. Territory, before President Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase. (Yes, I LOVE the history of my home state.)
Q: Can you share a few words about the characters that have become part of the Fleur de Lis series?
A: Branna and James are wary about love. They’re the “responsible” people in their families, always trying to please everyone else.
Biloxi and Nick—he’s my book boyfriend, hot Cajun man that he is—are seeking to get beyond old grudges between their families who stand in the way of their happiness. A Romeo-and-Juliet story with a happy ending.
Party girl Camilla and Jared, the Wyoming rancher with Cajun roots—have a hurricane of chemistry…and conflict.
I believe love can change the world and when you love, you love completely, which is what my characters do.
Q: With book #3 under your belt, will there be a book #4 in the series? Or will you be working on something else in the near future?
A: I am indeed working on book 4 – Bayou Brides. The final book of the series will be Bayou Brothers.
And I’m going to be self-publishing The Sunflower series. Book one, Her Heart’s Desire is set for an August release.
As if that’s not enough—I’m working on a women’s fiction story set in New Orleans titled Secrets. It’s about three women, childhood best friends, reunited when a pivotal man in their lives dies. Now they’re the widow, sister, and ex-wife of the deceased. Each woman is at a cross roads in her life and needs the support their old friendship offered, only each has a secret, which if revealed, and threatens to tear the friendship apart forever.
Q: Do you have some words of wisdom to share for aspiring writers?
A: Something I learned very early in my writing days: Triumph comes through perseverance.That is the motto author, Jodi Thomas, instilled in me when I attended the Writer’s Academy. I am so proud to know her. I seek to exemplify the giving nature she exudes.
Q: Last question, Linda. Would you share your favorite passage from Bayou Beckons?
A: Only one? lol Remember, Camilla is a party girl, but trying to change. Here’s one passage I believe shows some of her conflict.
Whenever her thoughts drifted to Jared, tingling delight washed over her, head to toe, like silk buffing her body, which caused the imaginary devil on her shoulder to dance an Irish jig and coo, “Sensually delicious!” while the angel on the other shoulder tsked in dark disapproval.
Thank you so much for being my guest, Linda! Your books sound wonderful! Come back anytime.
About the author:
Writing in the bleachers of a mostly bare playground in Japan where girls lined up to read pages gave award-winning author Linda Joyce "writing fever." Before her foray into authorship, she graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Management, then spent her next years in corporate America. Her debut romance novel, Bayou Born is a 2014 RONE Award finalist. Her second novel, Bayou Bound won 1st Place in Romance from the Southeastern Writers Association.
Linda also writes short stories and poetry. She's most proud of Arctic Arkansas published by Missouri Writer's Guild in Storm Country: The Anthology, which raised money for the Joplin School District after a F4 tornado wiped out the town, and her poem, True American Music featured in by the Johnson County Historical Society with the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit: With New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. She served as the Vice President of Whispering Prairie Press and the Creative Director for Kansas City Voices, a literary magazine.
Linda's Cajun roots intertwine with her Asian ones. She graduated with a business degree from the University of Florida, where she met and married her husband. They reside in Atlanta. She's an avid traveler, foodie, music fan, and dog lover with three four-legged boys, General Beauregard, Gentleman Jack and Masterpiece Renoir. Linda is a member of Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, Atlanta Writer's Club, and Southern Writers Association. She enjoys speaking about writing and has presented workshops at the Writer's Academy at West Texas A&M University, WWP Conference and RWA Nationals.
If you’d like to follow Linda and her career:
Website: www.linda-joyce.com
Blog: http://linda-joyce.com/blog/linda-joyce-contemplates-blog/
Twitter: @LJWriter https://twitter.com/LJWriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyceAu...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Joyce/e/B00BODDROS/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=69773158&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
June 12, 2015
In Vegas, In Love - Heather Thurmeier
My guest today is Heather Thurmeier with a magical post - IN VEGAS, IN LOVE! ♥♥
Welcome, Heather!
In Vegas, In Love
For our 7th anniversary, my husband and I went to Las Vegas for a week and it was amazing. Sure, it’s known as a place to indulge in things you maybe wouldn’t do elsewhere… a place to get a little wild and crazy… a place where people tend to think about being ‘in the moment’ and not ‘what comes next.’ But it doesn’t have to be about that. It can also be a great place to just hang out with the person you love!
There are so many things to see and do that you can really keep as busy or as low key as you want. In our week together in Vegas we did a lot of great things. Here are my top 5 faves to do with your special someone:
n Relax poolside! You’re on vacation, right? So take a little time to actually relax and recharge. Our hotel had a great pool area where you could chill out (Or bake in the sun, actually!) for hours. Just remember to drink plenty of liquids, and a little water too. ;)n Take in a show. There are so many to choose from. They are huge, and spectacular and a fun way to spend a date night out.n Ride the gondola boats at the Venetian. Yes, okay it’s a touristy, cheesy thing to do, but it’s also strangely romantic! You’re cuddling, on a boat, with singing, away from the crowds, out of the heat… What more could you ask for?n Watch the fountains at the Bellagio at night. It really is a pretty sight and worth the effort to wander past the fountains at any time of day, b
In WITH THIS KISS Jenna and Max, who dated previously, spend just a weekend in Vegas to be a part of their mutual friends’ wedding. The bride-to-be has her whole wedding party along for the ride while they take in the sights that are on her faves list, including the fountains and the gondola ride. But when she requests Jenna and Max play along with a kiss that’s supposed to be tinted with magic, they suddenly find themselves enjoying more than the sights in Las Vegas…
WITH THIS KISS Blurb:
Jenna knew the weekend in Vegas, as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, wouldn’t be easy—especially since her ex-boyfriend Max was the best man. Surely they’ve moved past their breakup enough to survive a few days together. When the bride asks them to play along during the pre-wedding festivities, they’re tricked into participating in a kiss that will allegedly bring them eternal love. Good thing they don’t believe in fairytales or legends, and no amount of magic could spark desire between them again... Suddenly, Jenna and Max can’t keep their hands off of each other, but if they give in to their rekindling feelings, are they having a “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” moment, or was there some truth to that magical kiss?
WITH THIS KISS Excerpt:
“Hurry up. Kiss her,” Jacob urged.Max leaned forward and slipped his hand around the nape of her neck, pulling her into his space. He whispered in her ear, “Let’s get this over with and make them happy, okay?”“Fine,” she whispered back.“And don’t wish to fall in love with me, you know, just in case.” He was joking, of course. Their time as a couple was over long ago.“That ego of yours never stops growing more inflated, does it?” she asked, sounding annoyed. Apparently she hadn’t heard the joking tone in his whisper. “Don’t worry. I have plenty of other things to wish for. Not that I believe this guy or some stupid kissing bridge legend.”“What are you waiting for? We’re almost out from under the bridge,” Leah said, urgency in her voice. “Do it. It’s not like we’re asking you to marry each other. It’s only a little kiss. Surely you’re both mature enough to handle that.”Without giving Leah the benefit of a reply, Max cupped Jenna’s jaw in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers. The instant their lips touched, he felt her straighten and stiffen against him. A hum of electricity made his lips tingle. His kiss softened and so did she, melting against his side.Her lips parted and he slipped his tongue inside, savoring the heat of her mouth. It felt so good to kiss her again. Surprisingly good. Like coming inside to the roaring warmth of a fireplace aglow after being out in a snowstorm. He deepened his kiss, tilting his head slightly to the side to connect with her more. She responded by pressing into him.He could’ve stayed there forever, kissing her, tasting her, but instead he forced himself to pull back, ending their kiss with a firm yet gentle peck on the lips. Her eyes fluttered open and she met his gaze. A hint of unexpected pleasure and passion reflected his feelings in her eyes.
WITH THIS KISS is a part of the Magical Weddings romance box set, which is on sale now for a limited time for only $0.99!
15 Romances by USA Today and National Bestselling Authors
--All stand-alone stories (no cliffhangers)--Includes 14 New Releases written expressly for this set!--Limited time (get your copy now)--Over 97% off retail for the individual books once they become available separately!
Whether real or only in the hearts of the bride and groom, the magic of weddings is undeniable. And irresistible! As these 15 enchanting happily-ever-afters by bestselling and award-winning authors prove.
From sweet to spicy, the romances bundled into this set cross time and unite hearts, cast spells of laughter, battle wedding jitters and fight back tears, while weaving love's hopeful magic throughout 1400 pages.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GEDBPe Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ewV9SE Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1dyBCRp B&N: http://bit.ly/1dAAdtJ Kobo: http://bit.ly/1SrS6us iTunes: http://apple.co/1RcL2Ai GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1emycBp
Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders and a reality TV junkie. Born and raised in the Canadian prairies, she now lives in New York with her husband and kids where she’s become some kind of odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and pets, Heather’s writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after. She loves to hear from readers on social media and her website at heatherthurmeier.com!
Email: heatherthurmeier@gmail.com
Author Website: heatherthurmeier.comAuthor Twitter: @hthurmeierAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherThurm... https://madmimi.com/signups/91094/join
Welcome, Heather!
In Vegas, In Love
For our 7th anniversary, my husband and I went to Las Vegas for a week and it was amazing. Sure, it’s known as a place to indulge in things you maybe wouldn’t do elsewhere… a place to get a little wild and crazy… a place where people tend to think about being ‘in the moment’ and not ‘what comes next.’ But it doesn’t have to be about that. It can also be a great place to just hang out with the person you love!
There are so many things to see and do that you can really keep as busy or as low key as you want. In our week together in Vegas we did a lot of great things. Here are my top 5 faves to do with your special someone:
n Relax poolside! You’re on vacation, right? So take a little time to actually relax and recharge. Our hotel had a great pool area where you could chill out (Or bake in the sun, actually!) for hours. Just remember to drink plenty of liquids, and a little water too. ;)n Take in a show. There are so many to choose from. They are huge, and spectacular and a fun way to spend a date night out.n Ride the gondola boats at the Venetian. Yes, okay it’s a touristy, cheesy thing to do, but it’s also strangely romantic! You’re cuddling, on a boat, with singing, away from the crowds, out of the heat… What more could you ask for?n Watch the fountains at the Bellagio at night. It really is a pretty sight and worth the effort to wander past the fountains at any time of day, b
In WITH THIS KISS Jenna and Max, who dated previously, spend just a weekend in Vegas to be a part of their mutual friends’ wedding. The bride-to-be has her whole wedding party along for the ride while they take in the sights that are on her faves list, including the fountains and the gondola ride. But when she requests Jenna and Max play along with a kiss that’s supposed to be tinted with magic, they suddenly find themselves enjoying more than the sights in Las Vegas…
WITH THIS KISS Blurb:
Jenna knew the weekend in Vegas, as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, wouldn’t be easy—especially since her ex-boyfriend Max was the best man. Surely they’ve moved past their breakup enough to survive a few days together. When the bride asks them to play along during the pre-wedding festivities, they’re tricked into participating in a kiss that will allegedly bring them eternal love. Good thing they don’t believe in fairytales or legends, and no amount of magic could spark desire between them again... Suddenly, Jenna and Max can’t keep their hands off of each other, but if they give in to their rekindling feelings, are they having a “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” moment, or was there some truth to that magical kiss?
WITH THIS KISS Excerpt:
“Hurry up. Kiss her,” Jacob urged.Max leaned forward and slipped his hand around the nape of her neck, pulling her into his space. He whispered in her ear, “Let’s get this over with and make them happy, okay?”“Fine,” she whispered back.“And don’t wish to fall in love with me, you know, just in case.” He was joking, of course. Their time as a couple was over long ago.“That ego of yours never stops growing more inflated, does it?” she asked, sounding annoyed. Apparently she hadn’t heard the joking tone in his whisper. “Don’t worry. I have plenty of other things to wish for. Not that I believe this guy or some stupid kissing bridge legend.”“What are you waiting for? We’re almost out from under the bridge,” Leah said, urgency in her voice. “Do it. It’s not like we’re asking you to marry each other. It’s only a little kiss. Surely you’re both mature enough to handle that.”Without giving Leah the benefit of a reply, Max cupped Jenna’s jaw in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers. The instant their lips touched, he felt her straighten and stiffen against him. A hum of electricity made his lips tingle. His kiss softened and so did she, melting against his side.Her lips parted and he slipped his tongue inside, savoring the heat of her mouth. It felt so good to kiss her again. Surprisingly good. Like coming inside to the roaring warmth of a fireplace aglow after being out in a snowstorm. He deepened his kiss, tilting his head slightly to the side to connect with her more. She responded by pressing into him.He could’ve stayed there forever, kissing her, tasting her, but instead he forced himself to pull back, ending their kiss with a firm yet gentle peck on the lips. Her eyes fluttered open and she met his gaze. A hint of unexpected pleasure and passion reflected his feelings in her eyes.
WITH THIS KISS is a part of the Magical Weddings romance box set, which is on sale now for a limited time for only $0.99!
15 Romances by USA Today and National Bestselling Authors
--All stand-alone stories (no cliffhangers)--Includes 14 New Releases written expressly for this set!--Limited time (get your copy now)--Over 97% off retail for the individual books once they become available separately!
Whether real or only in the hearts of the bride and groom, the magic of weddings is undeniable. And irresistible! As these 15 enchanting happily-ever-afters by bestselling and award-winning authors prove.
From sweet to spicy, the romances bundled into this set cross time and unite hearts, cast spells of laughter, battle wedding jitters and fight back tears, while weaving love's hopeful magic throughout 1400 pages.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GEDBPe Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ewV9SE Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1dyBCRp B&N: http://bit.ly/1dAAdtJ Kobo: http://bit.ly/1SrS6us iTunes: http://apple.co/1RcL2Ai GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1emycBp
Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders and a reality TV junkie. Born and raised in the Canadian prairies, she now lives in New York with her husband and kids where she’s become some kind of odd Canuck-Yankee hybrid. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and pets, Heather’s writing her next romance, which will probably be filled with sassy heroines, sexy heroes that make your heart pound, laugh out loud moments and always a happily ever after. She loves to hear from readers on social media and her website at heatherthurmeier.com!
Email: heatherthurmeier@gmail.com
Author Website: heatherthurmeier.comAuthor Twitter: @hthurmeierAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherThurm... https://madmimi.com/signups/91094/join
June 10, 2015
An interview with the writing duo, Rob and Joan Carter!
It's a pleasure to welcome the writing duo, Rob and Joan Carter as my guests!
It’s exciting to have you here,for several reasons – you write a different genre than I do, the titles of your books draw attention right off the bat, your stories sound amazing, I’ve never had co-authors on my blog, you live in the sunshine state and the graphics you use on Twitter are absolutely amazing. I thought it would be great to find out more about the Carter novelists! So welcome, Rob and Joan.
Let’s get to the Q & A right away:
Q: I’ll start with an easy question. How long have you been writing?
Rob: I started writing in Junior High School while under the influence of JRR Tolkien. Unfortunately my first venture was rather similar to his amazing work and, well that didn’t go anywhere. At the same time I experimented in the poetry realm. With the advent of raising a large family, my writing endeavors took a back seat but Joan and I continued to write scripts for plays and other articles for our church. Finally after everyone left the nest, we were able to bring our first novel to completion in 2013.
Joan: I began writing at the age of 6. I wrote, directed and starred in an Easter play when I was in the first grade. I lived in a small town and the whole town came to see our performance at the local school. There was even a article written about it in the local newspaper which my mother kept until the day she died. I continued to write short stories, plays and skits through all my school years. As Rob said above, writing took a back seat until we had finished raising our family. Rob and I did write skits, plays, articles, etc. while our children were growing up. I also wrote women’s Bible studies and Sunday school lessons.
Q: Writing isn’t easy. Do you find it easier or harder to write as a couple? Have you been doing this so long that you know where each other is going with a thought without needing clarification?
Rob: It’s definitely easier to do as a couple. With the the O’Rourke series, I take the lead on the story line and Joan follows closely with her ideas and where the story line should go. Then when we are finished with the first draft we do two more rewrites and edits together and sometimes a third. Joan definitely has the eye for editing and keeping our perspective in line.
Joan : I really enjoy writing as a couple. We don’t always know where each other is going with a thought but we play off each other’s ideas very well. Rob would have the characters eating hamburgers, French fries, steak and baked potatoes all the time. He’s never met a salad or a vegetable (except a potato) that he liked. So when Siobhan complains to Ryan that he needs to eat more vegetables and fruit – that’s all me. When Ryan orders Martinis and pitchers of Margaritas – that’s all Rob. If you are wondering if that happens in our real life, well yes it does. Also Siobhan constantly punching Ryan on the shoulder may or may not happen in our real life. Rob thinks of things that I would never think of and vice versa.
Q: You write crime novels, more specifically the O’Rourke series. Have you always loved thrillers and investigative stories? Can you tell us a little about the research that goes into writing these type of stories?
Rob: I have always liked detective stories and especially the old fashioned type from the 1940’s and 1950’s. My favorite author in that style is Max Collins. His Nate Heller series is historical fiction. I don’t have the patience to research to that degree so you won’t see that in the O’Rourke series. I do however research all the hi-tech aspects of our books. Bioprinting was and still is an eye opener. Human body parts are being reproduced by 3D printers and they are close to replicating human tissue and arteries (Yikes!). I also draw upon my own experience in air traffic to help in the aviation portions of the books.
Joan : I love to read. I have always been a fan of mysteries. I love historical fiction and especially historical mysteries. I also enjoy science fiction, dystopian novels and cozy mysteries. Did I just say mysteries a few times? I have always loved them so that was definitely why I chose the mystery genre. As far as the research goes - I love it! I am always researching what a C.I.F.I. would or wouldn't be able to do (Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator). I have also researched the hierarchy in the FBI, the type of mobile crime units they use and which agent would be called in for which crime. Just about everything our characters do I research to see if it is a feasible action. Actually I have looked up so many criminal acts and what the punishments would be, I sometimes worry I might be on a watch list somewhere. For example, I looked up what countries didn't have extradition treaties with the U.S. (now that doesn't look suspicious does it?)
Q: You’re both very involved in the promo part of being an author. Who comes up with the wonderful meme’s or graphic art you use on Twitter and Facebook? Can you show a few so my readers know what I’m talking about?
A: We both work on the publicity part. A friend has helped with some of the graphic art we use. Most of our graphics we have put together ourselves. We use readily available apps and our own or royalty free pictures.
Q: You currently have Bioprints, Flash Zombies and Clone Drones in the O’Rourke series. Will there be a book #4?
A: We are currently working on a complete overhaul of our first novel Bioprints. When we complete that project we’ll start book 4. We have ideas brewing in our heads already and even some notes jotted down.
Q: Could you share some excerpts or favorite passages from your books?
A: Excerpt from the Bioprints rewrite:
Malibu, California……..three weeks earlier…..
A black sedan waited silently in the darkness just off the beach access road. The partial moon cast a glow on the relentless surf on the beach down below. The driver waited patiently for the call that would set things in motion that couldn’t be stopped. Shortly after midnight, the silence was broken by his buzzing cell phone. Slightly startled by the call that he expected, he answered the call.
“Yes?”
“Delete the target,” a deep voice instructed and the line went dead.
Excerpt from Flash Zombies:
Oakbrook Mall, Oakbrook, Illinois…
It was a bright spring afternoon in northern Illinois. A tall, handsome, dark haired man with a pencil thin moustache strolled into the high end Mason’s Jewelry store. The store had several locations in the Chicagoland area and was perhaps one of the oldest and most respected jewelers in America. Dressed in a jet black Hugo Boss suit with a light blue shirt and thin red tie he was not at all out of place. He asked to see the Harry Winston collection in order to select a bracelet for his wife. The sales clerk was delighted to show this obviously qualified gentleman the most exclusive and expensive display in the store.
The brightly lit case was located in the back center part of the store. It was surrounded by six evenly placed security cameras. As he looked over the selection of sparkling bracelets, he asked to see the two on the rotating stand. The seven inch platinum and diamond bracelets were each close to thirty carats. Taking out a pair of reading glasses he examined them very closely, admiring them as he set them down side by side on the blue velvet cloth.
The sound of a buzzing cell phone broke the pensive silence. The man reached in his pocket and took out his phone. Typing in a response to the text, he also selected an app. Two keystrokes later, he glanced up at the security cameras and watched as they all winked off. No one else seemed to notice.
Excerpt from Clone Drones:
Chicago, Illinois suburb...
A full August moon bathed the northern Illinois landscape in a soft ghostly light. The security guard, at the entrance to the exclusive collection of imposing homes, yawned as he monitored the video feed from numerous cameras. Tirelessly keeping watch on the sleeping residents, the electronic eyes maintained their vigilant task. The walled and gated community was surrounded by a county forest preserve and was designed to offer the utmost in privacy and security.
A Senator resided in one of the stately homes. On this evening the Senator's wife had already fallen asleep as he finished the last chapter of his crime novel. He put his book on the shelf and poured himself a nightcap before making his way upstairs for the night. Glancing at the security panel he made sure everything was secure.
His normal routine, when he wasn't in Washington, was to sit out on the massive balcony and enjoy a cigar with his Scotch before retiring for the night. This evening was no exception. He made his way out to his evening retreat to relax and clear his mind. Pleased with the way his novel had ended, he exhaled a large cloud of smoke that drifted slowly out over the railing and hung in the still night air. A few minutes later, as he thought about tomorrow's busy schedule, he noticed the smoke begin to ripple from below the balcony rail.
Soon the smoke cleared away with a whisper of sound as a small black box with rotors on top appeared hovering in front of him. The Senator stood rubbing his eyes in disbelief. Suddenly a small panel retracted on the front of the box and two muffled shots hit him in the chest. He looked down as blood began pouring out and soaking his shirt. Grabbing his chest he turned and stumbled toward the bedroom door. Another muffled shot from behind dropped him in his tracks.
On the other side of the balcony railing the flying black box retreated silently into the darkness.
Q: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do for fun or to unwind?
A: We both love our children and grandchildren and spend most of our free time with them. Last year we took a family vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We rented a huge cabin high in the mountains. There were beautiful views from every room, a hot tub, a pool table, four indoor fireplaces, four decks and one outdoor fireplace. We went hiking, took a scenic train trip and visited an orchard. Every night Joan did Bigfoot whoops off the deck to the delight of our grandchildren. This year we are renting a beach house on the Atlantic coast for all of us. We also like to do paranormal investigating, traveling, cruising and camping.
A word from Jan:
Rob and Joan are incredible authors who are incredibly helpful to other authors. Their generosity comes in many ways. One of the big ways is by BROWSE for BOOKS (Formerly AHA – Authors Helping Authors). It’s a cool site. Check out the carousel.
http://carternovels.com/browse-for-books.html
It’s been a pleasure having Rob and Joan as my guests. If you’d like to learn more about them and their books, you can follow them here:
Website: http://www.CarterNovels.com
Twitter for Rob:
http://www.twitter.com/rcarter67606
Twitter for Joan:
http://www.twitter.com/JPCarter47
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carter.novels
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rc-and-jp-carter/90/605/162/Edit
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26814988-rc-and-jp-carter
Blog: http://carternovels.com/carters-blog.html
Amazon Authors Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HFQSXHO
It’s exciting to have you here,for several reasons – you write a different genre than I do, the titles of your books draw attention right off the bat, your stories sound amazing, I’ve never had co-authors on my blog, you live in the sunshine state and the graphics you use on Twitter are absolutely amazing. I thought it would be great to find out more about the Carter novelists! So welcome, Rob and Joan.
Let’s get to the Q & A right away:
Q: I’ll start with an easy question. How long have you been writing?
Rob: I started writing in Junior High School while under the influence of JRR Tolkien. Unfortunately my first venture was rather similar to his amazing work and, well that didn’t go anywhere. At the same time I experimented in the poetry realm. With the advent of raising a large family, my writing endeavors took a back seat but Joan and I continued to write scripts for plays and other articles for our church. Finally after everyone left the nest, we were able to bring our first novel to completion in 2013.
Joan: I began writing at the age of 6. I wrote, directed and starred in an Easter play when I was in the first grade. I lived in a small town and the whole town came to see our performance at the local school. There was even a article written about it in the local newspaper which my mother kept until the day she died. I continued to write short stories, plays and skits through all my school years. As Rob said above, writing took a back seat until we had finished raising our family. Rob and I did write skits, plays, articles, etc. while our children were growing up. I also wrote women’s Bible studies and Sunday school lessons.
Q: Writing isn’t easy. Do you find it easier or harder to write as a couple? Have you been doing this so long that you know where each other is going with a thought without needing clarification?
Rob: It’s definitely easier to do as a couple. With the the O’Rourke series, I take the lead on the story line and Joan follows closely with her ideas and where the story line should go. Then when we are finished with the first draft we do two more rewrites and edits together and sometimes a third. Joan definitely has the eye for editing and keeping our perspective in line.
Joan : I really enjoy writing as a couple. We don’t always know where each other is going with a thought but we play off each other’s ideas very well. Rob would have the characters eating hamburgers, French fries, steak and baked potatoes all the time. He’s never met a salad or a vegetable (except a potato) that he liked. So when Siobhan complains to Ryan that he needs to eat more vegetables and fruit – that’s all me. When Ryan orders Martinis and pitchers of Margaritas – that’s all Rob. If you are wondering if that happens in our real life, well yes it does. Also Siobhan constantly punching Ryan on the shoulder may or may not happen in our real life. Rob thinks of things that I would never think of and vice versa.
Q: You write crime novels, more specifically the O’Rourke series. Have you always loved thrillers and investigative stories? Can you tell us a little about the research that goes into writing these type of stories?
Rob: I have always liked detective stories and especially the old fashioned type from the 1940’s and 1950’s. My favorite author in that style is Max Collins. His Nate Heller series is historical fiction. I don’t have the patience to research to that degree so you won’t see that in the O’Rourke series. I do however research all the hi-tech aspects of our books. Bioprinting was and still is an eye opener. Human body parts are being reproduced by 3D printers and they are close to replicating human tissue and arteries (Yikes!). I also draw upon my own experience in air traffic to help in the aviation portions of the books.
Joan : I love to read. I have always been a fan of mysteries. I love historical fiction and especially historical mysteries. I also enjoy science fiction, dystopian novels and cozy mysteries. Did I just say mysteries a few times? I have always loved them so that was definitely why I chose the mystery genre. As far as the research goes - I love it! I am always researching what a C.I.F.I. would or wouldn't be able to do (Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator). I have also researched the hierarchy in the FBI, the type of mobile crime units they use and which agent would be called in for which crime. Just about everything our characters do I research to see if it is a feasible action. Actually I have looked up so many criminal acts and what the punishments would be, I sometimes worry I might be on a watch list somewhere. For example, I looked up what countries didn't have extradition treaties with the U.S. (now that doesn't look suspicious does it?)
Q: You’re both very involved in the promo part of being an author. Who comes up with the wonderful meme’s or graphic art you use on Twitter and Facebook? Can you show a few so my readers know what I’m talking about?
A: We both work on the publicity part. A friend has helped with some of the graphic art we use. Most of our graphics we have put together ourselves. We use readily available apps and our own or royalty free pictures.
Q: You currently have Bioprints, Flash Zombies and Clone Drones in the O’Rourke series. Will there be a book #4?
A: We are currently working on a complete overhaul of our first novel Bioprints. When we complete that project we’ll start book 4. We have ideas brewing in our heads already and even some notes jotted down.
Q: Could you share some excerpts or favorite passages from your books?
A: Excerpt from the Bioprints rewrite:
Malibu, California……..three weeks earlier…..
A black sedan waited silently in the darkness just off the beach access road. The partial moon cast a glow on the relentless surf on the beach down below. The driver waited patiently for the call that would set things in motion that couldn’t be stopped. Shortly after midnight, the silence was broken by his buzzing cell phone. Slightly startled by the call that he expected, he answered the call.
“Yes?”
“Delete the target,” a deep voice instructed and the line went dead.
Excerpt from Flash Zombies:
Oakbrook Mall, Oakbrook, Illinois…
It was a bright spring afternoon in northern Illinois. A tall, handsome, dark haired man with a pencil thin moustache strolled into the high end Mason’s Jewelry store. The store had several locations in the Chicagoland area and was perhaps one of the oldest and most respected jewelers in America. Dressed in a jet black Hugo Boss suit with a light blue shirt and thin red tie he was not at all out of place. He asked to see the Harry Winston collection in order to select a bracelet for his wife. The sales clerk was delighted to show this obviously qualified gentleman the most exclusive and expensive display in the store.
The brightly lit case was located in the back center part of the store. It was surrounded by six evenly placed security cameras. As he looked over the selection of sparkling bracelets, he asked to see the two on the rotating stand. The seven inch platinum and diamond bracelets were each close to thirty carats. Taking out a pair of reading glasses he examined them very closely, admiring them as he set them down side by side on the blue velvet cloth.
The sound of a buzzing cell phone broke the pensive silence. The man reached in his pocket and took out his phone. Typing in a response to the text, he also selected an app. Two keystrokes later, he glanced up at the security cameras and watched as they all winked off. No one else seemed to notice.
Excerpt from Clone Drones:
Chicago, Illinois suburb...
A full August moon bathed the northern Illinois landscape in a soft ghostly light. The security guard, at the entrance to the exclusive collection of imposing homes, yawned as he monitored the video feed from numerous cameras. Tirelessly keeping watch on the sleeping residents, the electronic eyes maintained their vigilant task. The walled and gated community was surrounded by a county forest preserve and was designed to offer the utmost in privacy and security.
A Senator resided in one of the stately homes. On this evening the Senator's wife had already fallen asleep as he finished the last chapter of his crime novel. He put his book on the shelf and poured himself a nightcap before making his way upstairs for the night. Glancing at the security panel he made sure everything was secure.
His normal routine, when he wasn't in Washington, was to sit out on the massive balcony and enjoy a cigar with his Scotch before retiring for the night. This evening was no exception. He made his way out to his evening retreat to relax and clear his mind. Pleased with the way his novel had ended, he exhaled a large cloud of smoke that drifted slowly out over the railing and hung in the still night air. A few minutes later, as he thought about tomorrow's busy schedule, he noticed the smoke begin to ripple from below the balcony rail.
Soon the smoke cleared away with a whisper of sound as a small black box with rotors on top appeared hovering in front of him. The Senator stood rubbing his eyes in disbelief. Suddenly a small panel retracted on the front of the box and two muffled shots hit him in the chest. He looked down as blood began pouring out and soaking his shirt. Grabbing his chest he turned and stumbled toward the bedroom door. Another muffled shot from behind dropped him in his tracks.
On the other side of the balcony railing the flying black box retreated silently into the darkness.
Q: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do for fun or to unwind?
A: We both love our children and grandchildren and spend most of our free time with them. Last year we took a family vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We rented a huge cabin high in the mountains. There were beautiful views from every room, a hot tub, a pool table, four indoor fireplaces, four decks and one outdoor fireplace. We went hiking, took a scenic train trip and visited an orchard. Every night Joan did Bigfoot whoops off the deck to the delight of our grandchildren. This year we are renting a beach house on the Atlantic coast for all of us. We also like to do paranormal investigating, traveling, cruising and camping.
A word from Jan:
Rob and Joan are incredible authors who are incredibly helpful to other authors. Their generosity comes in many ways. One of the big ways is by BROWSE for BOOKS (Formerly AHA – Authors Helping Authors). It’s a cool site. Check out the carousel.
http://carternovels.com/browse-for-books.html
It’s been a pleasure having Rob and Joan as my guests. If you’d like to learn more about them and their books, you can follow them here:
Website: http://www.CarterNovels.com
Twitter for Rob:
http://www.twitter.com/rcarter67606
Twitter for Joan:
http://www.twitter.com/JPCarter47
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carter.novels
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rc-and-jp-carter/90/605/162/Edit
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26814988-rc-and-jp-carter
Blog: http://carternovels.com/carters-blog.html
Amazon Authors Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HFQSXHO
