Lacey Wolfe's Blog, page 29

Researching Publishers #WWOW

I've been published a little over a year. One thing many authors do is use multiple publishers so they can have more releases a year than if they only used one. It also helps you reach a different audience as well. Which brings me to today's topic...research before you submit.

I've been burned quite a few times. I've had two publishing houses close on me and a few other things that I won't mention. And since this has happened, I research a publisher the best that I can before I will even consider submitting to them. 

Now to share what I do with you. The first thing I do when a publisher crosses my radar is:


Check out their website: This is the first impression. I read the about us section, their submission guidelines, and if my story fits. After that, I look at their list of authors. This is what's important to me - How many return authors do they have? That speaks volumes in my mind. If they have a ton of authors but only a few have multi-published books with them, it throws up a red flag. Why are the other authors not returning? Guess what, authors have websites! Go check them out. And if you're feeling brave, email a few of the authors. Those who return and those who haven't to get their take on the publisher. Remember...this is your book. You want it in the right hands!

Check their sales: I use a website www.salesrankexpress.com to check not only my amazon ranks, but publishers. Its easy. Either type in author name or in the publisher box, put the publishers name and wa-la you get a whole list of their books and their current rank on amazon. The lower the numbers, the better. And you want to see low numbers. If most of the publishers books are in the 400,000 range, that most likely means the publisher is putting books out and isn't doing much to promote. Its also a sign if they are new, they could go under. Which is something else. 

How long have they been open: A new publisher isn't bad. They are ready to make you happy and are excited for this new opportunity. Some authors who've been burned like I have will kinda veer away but if you email the owner, ask them their plan. If you like it, consider submitting. You never know, they might become one of the big ones!

Absolute Write: I love this website. Its a forum and you can learn A LOT here! People are honest and ask tough questions. Many publishers will interact with with those asking questions. You will get peoples opinions - good or bad. If the publisher isn't brand-spanking new, then they most likely have a thread there somewhere.

Got any tips of your own? Please share! #WWOW or Writers Word of Wisdom - A Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write a weekly feature for their blog -Writer's Words of Wisdom- each Wednesday. The goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

For more Wisdom, be sure to check out these authors as well.

Paloma Beck: http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW
Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/
Melinda Dozier: http://melindadozier.blogspot.com

Sneak Peek - Opposites Attract (Hot Bods 4)

Coming February 18, 2013, the last Hot Bods, Opposites Attract! I certainly can't wait for that day and to share this story. I just finished reading the galley and fell in love all over again with Randy and Francesca! I know you will too!

Francesca thought she knew what she wanted in life until one stormy night when she got a blast from the past.

When Randy receives a call at his auto shop one night from a woman whose car has broken down and needs a tow, he never imagined he'd be coming face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Randy has never loved a woman the way he loved Francesca, but she broke his heart, claiming he could never provide the life she was determined to have. That was years ago, but he's still bitter about the way she tossed him aside.

Seeing Randy again, Francesca realizes what a mistake it was to breakup with him. She'd like to try to rekindle the old flame, and she can tell he's still attracted to her too, but every time they're together, all they do is argue. Can she convince Randy she isn't the girl he remembers and that she can settle for love even if it comes without money?

Excerpt Randy cleared his throat, hoping to break the tension between him and Francesca. The way she was looking at him, he was worried she was about to pounce. It was taking everything in him to not walk over there and kiss her.

Picking up a work towel, he wiped his hands on it and then directed her toward the front office. She walked in front of him and it was his turn to devour her ass. And hot damn, the jeans she wore were tight and molded to her butt perfectly. Her pants hugged her legs all the way down. She wore black boots that came to her knees. He wasn’t sure what shirt she wore, because his eyes had yet to make it past her luscious ass.

Once in the office, he stepped around her, getting a whiff of a very tempting smell. He quickly sat and scooted under the desk as far as he could. His cock was hardening and he didn’t want her to see.

Francesca took a seat in front of him and he now noticed her pink tank top that was cut low enough he got a hint of cleavage. Inhaling again, he wondered what perfume she used. It really was igniting his senses.

“I spent some time looking at your car today. When was the last time you had an oil change?” he asked.

“It’s been awhile.”

“I can tell. And how long has the car been leaking oil?”

She shrugged. “Not sure. I wasn’t concerned since it was just little drops here and there.”

“Those little drops here and there add up. You almost had no oil in your car. And I hate to tell you, but you have torn up your engine.”

“Well, can’t you just pop a new one in and it will be good as new?” she asked.

“I wish it was that simple. Here, look this over.” He slid a sheet of paper across the desk. “The top portion has to be done, the middle is recommended, and the bottom is optional. The price is on there too.”

Her eyes widened as she read over the paper. She then glanced up at him. “This can’t be right.”

“I’m afraid it is. You haven’t taken very good care of the car.”

“I get it washed and detailed all the time. I take very good care of it.”

Randy shook his head. “There is a lot more to a vehicle than just its appearance. You’ve got to take care of the things people don’t see too.”

She was quiet for a moment and then finally spoke. “I don’t know if I can afford this.”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t you have some rich man who can pay for it?” He regretted saying it the moment it left his lips.

Francesca’s mouth fell open and he could see the shock on her face.

“I’m so—” he started to apologize.

“I can’t believe you would say that, Randall. You of all people,” she snapped.

“Me of all people,” he repeated. “What the hell is that suppose to mean? If I recall correctly, you dumped me because you wanted a rich man to take care of you. Tell me, how is that working out for you?”

Francesca stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward slightly. As much as he hated it, his focus darted in for a peek inside her shirt.

“I’ll have you know that I’m not the gold digger you think I am,” she argued.

“I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn’t meet your standards. Tell me, why haven’t you married one of them yet?”

“Why aren’t you married? Can’t find a girl who will have you as a husband?”

Randy stood and stepped around the desk. “I haven’t found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could.” He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. “Haven’t you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?”

Holiday Kisses - a #free anthology from Beachwalk Press!

I'm thrilled to be a part of this anthology that is free - always! There are a variety of authors in this collection, so you're sure to find one that you love!

This anthology features my free story, The Gift Beneath The Tree, that you might remember me posting a few weeks back. Be sure to get your copy of this anthology today!

Beachwalk Press / All Romance /  Manic Readers A collection of short stories by various Beachwalk Press authors, available for FREE download.

Positively Holly by Pepper Anthony
When Holly and Evan run into each other at the Toy Palace the week before Christmas, the last thing on their minds is rekindling their failed love affair. After all, Holly is one of those wide-eyed optimists, and Evan is a man who deals in practicalities. Things would never work out between them. But two cups of coffee, a pair of shopping bags, and a touch of sexy Christmas magic just might help them find their common ground.

Hometown Miracles by Patricia Bates
The holidays hold little interest for Leanne Wilson, a single mother who receives devastating news mere days before heading home. Once she arrives, she runs into the one man who holds her heart. But she can’t reach out to him now…after all, this may be her very last Christmas. Jay Locke has loved Leanne for years. When she left town, he forced himself to move on, but now she's back with a darling little girl and a Christmas wish he just can't say no to.

Believe in Me by Aimée Duffy
Leona Sharp and Ryan Lee have been friends forever, it seems. Although there's an attraction between them, they've never acted on it. On New Year's Eve, Leona finally allows herself to give into the temptation, but she vows that it will only be for one night and as soon as the clock strikes midnight they will put it in the past and go on as if it never happened. Ryan, however, has other plans…

His Holiday Lifesaver by Hazel Gower
Brad isn't looking forward to Christmas dinner with his family as they are always trying to set him up with women. This year he has a plan involving Hailey, a female tourist he rescued at the beach, posing as his girlfriend for the next couple of weeks. The only problem with the plan is he didn't expect to fall in love with her.

Drawn To You by Tara Mills
If a picture's worth a thousand words, what does that make a series of sketches? Drawn to the same beach over and over again to secretly sketch this quiet, contemplative man, Rachel is about to find out.

Reunion by Ashlynn Monroe
Years ago, Shayla left her small hometown to pursue her dream. When she did, her family turned their back on her. Leaving also meant she had to forget about the boy she loved. When her mother dies, Shayla realizes that while some things change, other things are doomed to remain the same. She returns home, but doesn't feel very welcome until the boy who haunts her memories steps into her present. Luc is no longer the farm boy she'd fallen for—he's grown up, and quite nicely too. Can Shayla rekindle what she lost with the man she never stopped loving?

Winter Break by Kaylie Newell
Harper Smith is a horrible skier. She can't stand it, almost as much as she can't stand her irritatingly sexy ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be a member of the ski patrol. So when she finds herself in a life-or-death situation on a cold, dark mountain, she has mixed feelings when Justin Noble shows up to rescue her. Part of her would rather freeze to death than accept his help. The other part can't help but warm up at the sight of his messy, sun-bleached hair and cocky grin. Without her consent, Harper's heart tips dangerously close to falling for him again. But will this time be any different?

Mistletoe & Holly by Tamaria Soana
Zoey is going through the normal Christmas Eve ritual with her three-year-old twins. The only difference is that her husband Preston isn't there to share it with them. He's been deployed overseas and won't be home for the holidays. After Zoey tucks the kids in for the night, she places the gifts under the tree, snuggles on the sofa to watch It's a Wonderful Life, and falls asleep. She's startled awake by a loud noise. Is she dreaming, or is her Christmas wish standing under the mistletoe?

Katrina's Christmas by Sidda Lee Tate
Christmas has always been just another day to Katrina Bryant. She works hard and expects her employees to do the same. When her sexy assistant, Grant Ward, quits on Christmas Eve she becomes worried she will never see him again, and she wonders why that bothers her so much. To her surprise, he arrives at her home hours later and whisks her away for a Christmas she will never forget.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Todd by Elise Whyles
Recently widowed, Mary Todd isn't looking forward to spending Christmas alone. She's determined to keep a low profile during the madness—that is, until she meets her sexy neighbor, Walter. He seems intent on helping her get into the holiday spirit, and she just might let him.

The Gift Beneath the Tree by Lacey Wolfe
Tara won't be spending Christmas with her family this year, but she's not entirely alone. Her roommate, Brad, who's currently single, is also at home with her. Tara goes to bed Christmas Eve with hopes Santa might bring her what she most desires. After hearing a loud crash, she goes to investigate, and underneath the tree, she finds the present she's been dying to unwrap.

Content Warning: some stories contain explicit sex 

Release Day Blitz - Falling in Love by Melissa Kendall #giveaway!

Michael Dunbar runs his family's cattle station in the far north of Western Australia. Station life is lonely and he wishes there was a way he could find a companion that wouldn’t mind living the outback life with him. In hopes of finding a woman, Michael heads to Broome for a few weeks holiday. What he finds is something he never expected.

Mia Mason is a Perth girl who longs to leave the city behind for a life in the country.

Can two like minds fall in love? Only destiny knows.

Excerpt The white sands and the deep-blue sea of Cable Beach never ceased to amaze me. As a child we’d visited Broome a couple of times for family holidays, though we had a pond at home, it was nothing compared to the ocean.

As I admired the scenery around me, I saw a camel train headed my way. Of all the things I’d experienced on previous visits to Broome, a camel ride wasn’t one of them. I decided I’d correct that on my trip.

Just as the camels passed by, the wind whipped something at my face. It scared the crap out of me. At once I grabbed the item and held it out in front of me—a straw hat. I searched around for an owner.

When I glanced up, I saw a stunning, petite brunette looking down at me from her seat on one of the camels. She appeared very apologetic as the camel train continued to move forward. I ran to catch up with the sluggish animals and I handed the hat back to the beautiful woman, feeling lucky I was tall enough to reach.

“Thank you,” she said as she tried to shake my hand.

It worried me she might fall off the camel as she reached for my hand, so, I just waved her away and said, “You’re welcome.”

I watched the camels continue up the beach for a little ways before I resumed my walk.

As I walked along the beach, every now and then, the waves lapped on to my feet. My mind wandered to the brown haired beauty perched on the camel’s back. I could tell from her thank you she had an Aussie accent. I wondered where she was from, or if I would ever see her again. If ever there were a woman whose beauty optimised what I viewed as perfection, she would be it. Her beauty was natural and understated, not marred by tonnes of make-up. And, although she was by no means fat, she wasn’t one of those stick thin girls you see with absolutely no curves. I wasn’t one to shy away from the fact I liked my women with curves.

I walked for about an hour then sat down on the beach and watched the red and yellow colours dance across the sky as the sun sank below the horizon.

After a while, I became hungry so I headed back to the hotel to grab some dinner at the restaurant.

One of the main things I looked forward to during my holiday was the chance to eat something other than meat and vegetables for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, my mum was a great cook and no one did a better steak and mash than her. However, they say variety is the spice of life and I planned to spice up my life with many different dishes.

I headed back to my room to change before dinner. After a quick shower to rid myself of the salt from the beach, I pulled on a pair of well-worn jeans and a button-down shirt. I rolled the sleeves up to my elbows and on my way out the door, I grabbed the book I brought to read while I ate.

Though dining alone wasn’t one of my favourite things, I’d done it quite a few times. After the first couple of times I sat bored and twiddled my thumbs as I waited for my food, I now found time passed quicker if I had a book to read. This time around, I’d brought with me the latest John Grisham novel.

After ordering deep fried Camembert and cranberries for entrée and garlic butter lobster for the main course, I opened my book and began to read. I’d only read a few lines when I heard a very quiet, “Excuse me.”

When I looked up from my book, I expected to see a waitress with my entrée but instead, I saw the gorgeous woman from earlier. “Hi?” I said.

“It looks like you’re eating alone. Would you mind if I joined you?”

Stunned that she asked to sit with me, it took a few seconds for my thoughts to catch up. All I managed to say was, “Of course.”

“I’m Mia Mason,” she said as she took the seat opposite me and held her hand out to me.

“Michael Dunbar,” I replied as I shook her hand.

The moment we touched, I felt a strange, yet pleasurable sensation move up my arm and quickly spread throughout my body.

“Nice to meet you.” A cheeky grin lit up her face—as if she knew a secret nobody else did.

Buy Links Amazon / All Romance Giveaway Melissa is Giving away a digital copy of Fall In Love. To enter to win just fill out the Raffllecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway About The Author Melissa is a 37 year-old stay at home mum and part-time Software Support Consultant. She lives in Perth Western Australia the most isolated capital city in the world. 

She’s always loved to read and write and spent most of her teens scribbling poetry and short stories on any scrap of paper she could get her hands on. Over the years as daily life pressures got in the way she lost the passion for it. After her son was born, she discovered online books and her interest in writing was rekindled. It has been a large part of her life ever since.

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Morrigan by Laura DeLuca #Youngadult #giveaway!

Shuffled from place to place in the foster system, Morrigan doesn't know the meaning of home. Plus, she is different. She has power over fire, the ability to move objects with her mind,  and glimpse into the future. Just when she believes her life can’t get any stranger, she discovers her true identity.

Filtiarn, a knight with a dark past and a surprising secret, has been tasked with guiding the heir of Tír Na NÓg through countless perils to be returned to her family. Once Morrigan has been reunited with her mother and grandmother, their triad can save the forgotten land of magic from being devoured by an ancient evil.

Excerpt Morrigan took out a white candle and a stick of dragon blood incense, and set them up in the corner of the room. She sat cross-legged, and leaned forward to light them. No matches were necessary. No lighter either. She simply touched her finger to the end of the wick, and with an iridescent spark, the candle flickered to life. It shone at first with a bright blue flame that gradually settled into a more normal orange. It was the same with the incense—another reason why she preferred not to have an audience.

She stared into the candle for a moment, and took a few deep breaths to clear her mind of all thoughts but those of the magic she intended to perform. Danu and Dagda sat on either side of her, instantly falling into silence, as though they knew she needed her complete concentration. Their energy beside her only seemed to add to the growing sense of power that charged the room.

Morrigan closed her eyes and began to shuffle the cards. As she did, she allowed her breathing to become more even. A silence filled the room as the rest of the mortal world fell away. Soon the only sound she heard was the light thump of her own heartbeat, echoed by the quicker, fast paced beat of the cats’ hearts. She wasn’t sure how much time passed as the cards slipped through her fingers. It might have been minutes. It might have been hours. When she allowed herself to fall into a trance, time became insubstantial, irrelevant.

The tarot cards were so old; the designs on the back were almost completely worn away. She had to shuffle gently to keep them from crumbling to pieces in her hands. Yet they held a power that she knew no newer cards could offer her. As she shuffled them, she focused her energy into them, silently requesting to be given the answers she was seeking.  She allowed the image of her mother to fill her mind. When she finally felt the cards had fallen into the order they were meant to be in, she placed the deck face down on the floor, and cut them with her right hand. Then, taking one last, calming breath, she lifted the top card from the pile. With a trembling hand, she laid it down and read it.

 “Wheel of Fortune,” she said aloud.

In the center of card was a wheel. As she stared at the picture, that wheel seemed to turn clockwise. The movements made her feel slightly dizzy. The bedroom around her became more and more surreal.  The scene on the card became her reality. The figure of the sphinx that sat on top of the turning wheel looked so very real. It might have turned its head to look at her. Its lips may or may not have moved. Morrigan swore she heard a deep, resonating voice whispering the meaning of the card into her ear. Destiny approaching. An unexpected and sudden change was coming—change that could lead to good fortune.

It was the card of fate and karma returned. It meant that she needed to be prepared—to expect the unexpected. Morrigan knew the cards were telling her something was going to happen—and soon. Her destiny, whatever it was, was about to be realized. Even if it did bring fortune, it still scared her to death. She considered packing up the cards right then and there. Her rational mind had every intention of doing just that. Her hands didn’t get the message her brain was sending. Before she knew what she was doing, she had already flipped over the second card.

“The Empress,” she whispered. She exhaled deeply. “My mother.”

It was the only interpretation imaginable. Even as she said it, the pregnant woman, crowned with stars and adorned in a gown decorated with pomegranates, turned to her and smiled. She was no longer a vague featureless stranger, but the same woman Morrigan had sketched earlier that day—a face that mirrored her own. It was an older version of herself, which she saw in the reflection in the nearby full length mirror, had turned chalk white.

The Empress was a symbol of maternal power—of strong feminine influence. But could it mean that her mother was returning? She had never allowed herself to consider such a possibility. To dwell on something so unlikely would have been too painful. But now, with just the flip of a card, she found herself daring to dream. There was only one way to find out for sure. She had to keep going with the reading.

 “Six of Cups.”

The third card in the spread represented her past, and even her immediate present. The six of cups specifically symbolized childhood, and she was, technically, still a child. But she had a feeling that her childhood was about to end quite abruptly. The cups in the picture were lined up across a high stone wall, each cup holding the memories of her past.

Her past. It was nothing but a childhood filled with longing—longings which were perhaps about to be fulfilled. She visualized herself taking each cup down from the wall, and pouring the troubling memories away. It was time to start fresh. A new world was about to open up for her. She had known it as soon as she had seen the image of her mother’s face. But what would that world be like? What was waiting for her in the future?

Morrigan turned over the fourth card.

“The Knight of Wands.”

The man on the horse carrying the staff had her baffled. Not because she didn’t know its normal meaning, but because as she stared at the card, it began to take on the physical attributes of the knight in her drawings. He had the same long dreadlocks, the same bewitching stare, even the same cocky smile. The familiarity did not cancel out the meaning of the card. The knight of wands was representative of a dark man filled with a kind of honey-tongued charm. He was also fiery and arrogant, a man with a definite possibility of a dark side. If the knight of wands was coming into her life, she knew she needed to proceed with caution.

She thought she was done with the fourth card, and was preparing to move on to the next, when once again, she found she had lost control of her body. This time, her hands refused to move, while her eyes forced their way back to the knight in the card. She watched as the long haired stranger began to move forward—wandering over various landscapes, some high mountains, some meadows and fields ripe for the harvest. He kept looking back over his shoulder, as though he were speaking to someone. He was on a journey, and he wasn’t alone. Morrigan didn’t need to see his companion to know who it must be.

So, her journey would soon begin, and she wouldn’t be traveling alone. She would have a guide. Whether or not that would be a good thing was another question best left to the cards to answer. The next card told her nothing she didn’t already know.

“The Moon,” she said. “Caution.”

It was a scary card. It warned of tricks and illusions. The two howling wolves that stood under the moon looked back at her menacingly, growling, showing their pointed fangs in a snarl. For the first time since she began the reading, Danu and Dagda made their presence known by lifting their heads and hissing threateningly in the direction of the beasts.

Even the cats sensed it. The journey she was about to embark on wouldn’t be all fun and family reunions. There would be obstacles and deceit, most likely from people she thought could be trusted. The moon was a sign that danger was certainly awaiting her. In was an ominous omen.

“Shhhh.”

She hushed the hissing cats, and gave them each a gentle stroke to try to settle them down, though she was far from settled herself. Again she felt the urge to stop the spread. Her instincts were telling her that no good was going to come out of this reading. She was only going to scare herself. She should never have done it in the first place. When would she learn that sometimes it was best to let life play out without interference or prophetic warnings? Then again, she knew that to be forewarned might be her only advantage. So with more bravery than she felt, Morrigan flipped over the final card.

 “No . . . .” she gasped when she looked down at the terrible, skeletal face. “Oh no.”

She should have known. She thought a part of her did know even before she glanced down at the gruesome scene—a skeleton with a scythe in a field of body parts. With the divination going in the direction it was, what else could be the final outcome?

“Death,” she whispered. “Death.”

She knew that in most cases, the death card was a symbol of personal transformation rather than literal death. But a deeper sense of understanding told her that this time the card was meant to be taken literally. She saw only glimpses and shadows in her mind. Brief flashes of faces, some familiar, like her mother and the knight—some still strangers, like a beautiful, almost angelic blonde woman in a flowing white gown. But around them all, including herself, she saw the shadows of death.

Morrigan felt decidedly shaky as she gathered up her tarot cards. She placed them securely in the bottom of her bag just as she heard the door downstairs slam shut. The reading hadn’t made everything as crystal clear as she had hoped, but one thing was certain. Her whole life was about to change.

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Giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway About The Author Laura "Luna" DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and three children. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Old high school friends would tell you she was always scratching in her notebook instead of paying attention in class and the children she used to babysit for always loved to hear her scary stories at bedtime. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  She loves writing young adult novels, because it keeps her young at heart. She is the author of three published works including Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, and Phantom, and has several more projects in the works.

Something More by Ella Jade #eroticromance with a #giveaway!

Ella Jade is here today and I have to tell you, she's outdone herself with this novel! Yes novel...and I read it in almost one sitting...it was THAT good!  An affair and a shocking secret threaten to tear apart a rich and powerful family.

Claudia Samson, housekeeper to the privileged Callahan family, finds herself alone and pregnant after a brief fling with Gavin, the youngest Callahan son. When she informed him of the pregnancy he accused her of running a scam and made it clear that she was on her own.

Brody Callahan, Gavin's older half-brother, has devoted his entire life to running the family business. He doesn't realize what he's been missing by throwing himself into his work until he finds Claudia asleep in the family guest bedroom. He has discovered his very own Sleeping Beauty. Intrigued by the young woman, he vows to get to know her better.
Although Claudia is instantly attracted to the charismatic businessman, she knows her secret will destroy any chance they have for a future together, but Brody's awfully hard to resist.

Meanwhile, as Gavin watches Brody and Claudia's relationship develop, he begins to devise a plan to use the secret to his advantage. He wants full partnership in the business—something he was denied by both his brother and their deceased father—and maybe now he can finally obtain it.

Can Brody and Claudia survive the storm, or will the secrets and blackmail destroy both them and their love?
Excerpt As Claudia placed the last throw pillow on the bed, she couldn’t help but think how inviting it looked. It was a little after three o’clock, and she still had an hour to work, but she was so tired, and her back was sore. She just needed to sit for a moment. She knew Angela was down at the stables and wasn’t due back for a bit, so she sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.

She was only eleven weeks pregnant, but that little baby was sucking every last ounce of energy from her body. The afternoons were the worst. All she wanted to do was cuddle on the couch in her tiny apartment and sleep for an hour or two. She leaned back and sunk deep into the soft mattress. Her bed at home was nowhere near this comfortable. Everything was spotless and pretty in the guest bedroom. The sunlit room smelled like fresh-cut roses. The soft pink tones adorning the walls and curtains lulled her into a deep state of relaxation.

The last thing she remembered was the white of the ceiling before she heard a voice pull her from her unintentional slumber. She felt a warm hand on her arm. As soon as she opened her eyes she realized what had happened.

She’d fallen asleep, on the job, in a guest bedroom of a home she was hired to clean. As she gazed into his stunning blue eyes she tried to recover from her nap. She’d never noticed how clear his eyes were. Then again, she’d never been this close to Brody Callahan before.

“Is everything okay, Ms. Samson?” He pushed a strand of his thick, dark hair from his forehead. He and Gavin had almost the same messy kind of haircut, but Brody’s hair was darker and tamer.
Claudia stood from the bed much too quickly. The room swirled around her and then she lost her balance, falling against his hard, muscular chest.

“Whoa.” He caught her by the forearm, staring down at her with concern. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Callahan.”

Could my day get any worse? Buy Links Beachwalk Press Buy Link       Amazon           Barnes & Noble 
Giveaway! Ella is giving away a digital copy of her book. To enter for a chance to win please fill out the Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keri Ford - Rough Tumble #giveaway #eroticromance

Today I have author Keri Ford visiting. I'm very excited to have her here today, as she is one of my "go to" authors.  Thanks Lacey so much for having me here today!!! I’m excited to talk about my recent release!

When going after what you want turns out to be not what you wanted after all. That’s the case for Tonya in Rough Tumble. She starts out craving this family and ideal that she’s dreamed up. The husband, the kid, the dog—all that stuff, but she’s stuck where she’s at with a fake boyfriend her small town frequently asks her about. Embarrassed to admit the truth about the “fake” part of the boyfriend, Tonya is good and stuck.
Until she finally admits it all to a dear friend—Trent. In fact, there’s a lot about Trent she likes. And the more she looks, the more she likes.

Enough that she can face the town and break up with her fake boyfriend in order to have Trent. This is her chance at that Happily Ever After. She’s been friends with Trent for years. She knows they’ll be perfect together.

They already see each other every day. He fixes things for her, she takes care of him while he’s sick. The only thing changing is the smoking hot sex. This should be a breeze of a relationship!

But it’s not.

Because being friends with Trent is one thing. Being his girl—whole different animal there.

I don’t want to give away the ending, but Tonya has to really figure out what she wants versus what she can live with. The two aren’t always the same. 

Have you ever been faced with a tough choice? If not, that’s okay. You can tell me you like Trent’s arm on the cover. I’ll still enter you for a chance to win Natalie Damschroder’s Under The Moon. Winner’s choice between a print or e edition and it’s open internationally!! Woot woot! Thanks Natalie for donating to my tour!!
Rough Tumble, last in The Roughnecks Series, is now available!

Having her fiancé admit through email that he married another girl while away was humiliating enough. Telling the small town the truth was something Tonya just couldn’t face yet. With him in the military, it seemed easy to let everyone think they were still together. Just for a little while. Fast-forward through time a few months and Tonya’s restless, lonely, and unsure how to fix her lie. To add to that, she’s finding her best friend, Trent Iverson, more and more attractive.

When Tonya confesses the truth, Trent feels like his life is finally on the right path. Everything is smooth sailing until old fears that makes him controlling surface. He has to face the mirror and see his controlling ways if he wants to keep Tonya.

$2.99 at Amazon Kindle | B&N Nook | AllRomanceEbooks | TMP | Smashwords

Coming soon in print and B&N

For the latest information on Keri and her books at
Website http://bit.ly/Heo4Vr
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Twitter http://bit.ly/HRgGgu
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Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16131231-rough-tumble

The importance of critique partners #WWOW

This is my first week joining some other talented authors in this weekly meme. I've been a published author a little over a year, and while I might not know everything--yet--I am learning more and more each day. I hope that my words of wisdom help you!

Today I wanted to talk about the importance of critique partners and having ones who will be honest. Of course we all want to hear that our work is great and its going to be the next best seller, but I can tell you, it can always be better. There are always plot holes or somewhere it could be better. So when your choosing a critique partner, be sure to look for someone with experience in this industry.
I have two wonderful critique partner. Ella Jade and Tamaria Soana. Every now and then I write something and turn it in without them reading it first. Guess how those edits go? No where near as as good as when I have them do a read through.

What are some things you want your critique partner to look for?

1. Plot holes of course. A funny example. In the last Hot Bods book, Opposites Attract, I didn't have my CP's read it. During edits, my editor found a naughty scene where the couples was intimate. My hero reached behind his head to get a pillow. Guess what? He was on top, straddeling her. I don't think there were any floating pillows in that room. lol. So, if I'd taken the time to have them read it, I bet they would've spotted that!

2. Over used words. You might not always see that you used the word normal six times in a paragraph. Eventually you'll learn to spot those, but when you're reading your own writing, you're going to miss those things.

3. Things just not reading right. You wrote it and when you read it, it makes sense. But your CP might read a sentence and think "what the heck is she trying to say?" And that's important! If they don't get it, chances are someone else won't either. And do you want to leave your readers wondering if they know what you're trying to say?

4. Overall suggestions. Do they think something could be taken away or something needs to be added. Should something be reworded or was there too much telling and not enough showing.

Most importantly, if you read a suggestion that you don't agree with. Never forget, you're the author. But before you make a rash decision to ignore what your CP has said, let the comment sit before you move on. Your CP isn't there to trash you. Your CP if there to help you and your writing succeed.

I'm very thankful to have the two I have. And I hope that you're able to find one as well. Need more wisdom? For more WWOW posts, check out these authors who participate as well.

Carol Burnside/Annie Rayburn http://AnnieRayburn.com/blog
Melinda Dozier http://melindadozier.blogspot.com
Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/
Paloma Beck http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW

Check out this blog post as well from Melinda Dozier about where she gets her critique partners. 
http://melindadozier.blogspot.com/2012/10/creeped-out-by-critique-group-try-out.html

Why #NaNoWriMo was good for me.

Yay! I won! What a feeling. Now to polish up what I've written!

Besides writing 50,ooo words in a month, how was NaNo good for me? I pushed myself. As a full-time writing I sometimes slack in it. I'll write a few days a week and the other days goof off. But during NaNo, getting my word count in was most important.

Before NaNo, I typically could write about 2,500 words a day. And that would be if I spread it out all day. I'm proud to say now in a hour and a half, maybe two hours, I would write 3,500. Yes, I really upped it! And it felt nice. In fact, I had a few days where I think I wrote around 5,000 words.

So, I'm very happy I did NaNo and I think next year when it comes around, I'll join in again.

If you did NaNo this year, did it benefit you in anyway?

A Hearts Endeavor by Mary Wehr #eroticromance

There are times when it's best to allow your heart to overrule your head.

Being diagnosed with depression not only messed up Melanie Manning's life, but her marriage as well. Her husband made it very clear that he considered her "damaged goods" and he didn't have time to coddle a mentally ill wife. After his sudden death, Melanie knew she was destined to be alone. Loneliness sounded a hell of a lot better than exposing her illness to another man. Her self-esteem couldn't survive another blow.

When state trooper Jack Horan meets Melanie, the attraction is immediate. Her deep blue eyes make him weak in the knees, but those eyes also hold a hint of sadness. Jack is determined to wipe away her pain, but how can he do that when Melanie refuses to let him get close to her?

Can Melanie learn to face her fears and trust her heart in the hands of another man?

Content Warning: some strong language, spanking, and sex play with a piece of fruit wielded by a hot guy in uniform.

Excerpt Melanie poked her head under the table piled high with Kaiser rolls, paper plates, and plastic utensils. She swept the candy into a neat pile. There. That should be the last of them. She rested on her heels and arched her back. Geez, I'm getting too old for this.

A low hiss sounded from above and she twisted at the waist. The first thing she saw was a pair of black shoes spit-polished to a shine. Dark, charcoal gray slacks covered a pair of long legs. Her gaze continued upward and a gun came into view. Great, a state trooper. It would be her luck to meet one in this undignified position. If the poor guy had been standing there the entire time the upper half of her body was underneath the table then he sure as hell didn't get a view of her best side. Not that she had one.

Melanie recognized a flashlight and radio tucked in the utility belt hugging his lean waist. Other unfamiliar items were strapped to it too. The belt looked heavy enough to weigh a pound or more. How in the world did his pants stay in place if he had to hit the ground at a run? Her cheeks warmed. Of all the things that could've popped into her head, why did she always think of the most inane?

She purposely avoided looking at the impressive bulge peeking between his fingers. Oh, and what a bulge it was. Stop it, Mel. You're here to work and get your mind off your problems.

She tilted her head. Her heart skipped a beat. The man was gorgeous. Square jaw, firm lips, hawk-like nose, and forest green eyes framed by ridiculously long lashes mixed well with his short, black hair. A touch of gray at his temples sexed him up all the more. Powerful shoulders stretched the seams of a meticulously pressed light gray uniform shirt. The name tag pinned to the right of his broad chest read Horan. Her eyes rested on his face. Stone face. The noise she heard hadn't come from this guy.

Embarrassed to be caught in such an awkward position, and by a state trooper no less, Melanie scrambled to her feet. She hurried to the sink and washed her hands. She did her best to act the professional employee, but the pulse hammering at the base of her throat threatened to cut off her air supply. Her lips trembled and the palms of her hands grew moist with sweat.

"W-what can I get you, officer?" Way to go, now you're stuttering.

A dark brow arched, but he remained silent. She bit her bottom lip in consternation. Okay, not a talker. But how was she supposed to know what he wanted?

After a second or two had passed he said, "I'd like something hot."

Melanie blinked and her breath hitched. She wouldn't have minded being on the menu. He means food, you dolt. No way can you be considered hot. She tossed a dish towel over her shoulder and gestured toward the two crockpots on the table behind her. "Um, we have homemade chili and pulled pork barbecue, plus hoagies made to order." Her voice rose to a nervous pitch. Her first impulse was to run, but she stood there and waited for him to decide.

She shuffled her feet. Men in uniform always made her pulse leap. A leaping pulse she could deal with, but the throbbing between her legs threw her for a loop. As far as she was concerned that pulse just didn't…pulse anymore.

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