Jennifer Anderson's Blog, page 7
August 12, 2014
8 Authors in 2 Weeks
A good author should always read. ALWAYS. All the big ones do it and while I hardly have time to take a shower, I do try to make time to read. And I've read Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson. Loved it! Funny! Sweet! I could gush all day but I'll let Jennifer have chance to speak.
Hello, I’m Jennifer Johnson, and I’m excited my book Double Dog Dare is part of the Sweet, But Sexy boxed set.
Double Dog Dare came about from a game I like to play called “What If.” I’d heard a song about a woman who wakes up next to a man she doesn’t know because she drank too much the night before. Although it was a catchy tune, good girl me, thought, Wow! That’s something I’d never do. But then I thought what if a good girl like me did wake up in a hotel room next to some guy she didn’t know? How could that possibly happen?Hence the story of Double Dog Dare.Each chapter begins with a quotation from a famous children’s book. And Cheris, the heroine, spouts lines from old movies when she gets nervous. Geoff, the hero, grew up a child prodigy and now spends most of his nights stargazing, that is, until he meets Cheris.This is a story about the healing redemption of love, even love at first sight.
Romancing the Book rated it 5 stars: “Double Dog Dare is a charming read filled with memorable characters, lots of laughs, and tons of fun.” Romancing the Books says, “Double Dog Dare is a sweet and funny contemporary story. I enjoyed it very much and had many opportunities to smile and laugh. If you love a heartwarming story about falling in love, Then I dare you — double dog dare you even, to get yourself a copy of this great book.”
Who is Jennifer Johnson?
I am a writer.
I write contemporary romantic fiction.
I aspire to be Wonder Woman with the awesome leotard and the criminal-fighting boots on some days.
On other days, I am Wonder Woman with my lasso of Truth and my no-nonsense-pursuit of justice.
I live in the South across the river from the Mid-west. I'm married to Super Man with a Tony Stark mind. We have Wonder/Super children and a bionic dog. All in all, it's a comic book kind of life.
Find me at www.booksbyjenniferjohnson.comhttps://www.facebook.com/jenniferjohnson.authorhttps://twitter.com/BooksbyJennifer
Hello, I’m Jennifer Johnson, and I’m excited my book Double Dog Dare is part of the Sweet, But Sexy boxed set.
Double Dog Dare came about from a game I like to play called “What If.” I’d heard a song about a woman who wakes up next to a man she doesn’t know because she drank too much the night before. Although it was a catchy tune, good girl me, thought, Wow! That’s something I’d never do. But then I thought what if a good girl like me did wake up in a hotel room next to some guy she didn’t know? How could that possibly happen?Hence the story of Double Dog Dare.Each chapter begins with a quotation from a famous children’s book. And Cheris, the heroine, spouts lines from old movies when she gets nervous. Geoff, the hero, grew up a child prodigy and now spends most of his nights stargazing, that is, until he meets Cheris.This is a story about the healing redemption of love, even love at first sight.
Romancing the Book rated it 5 stars: “Double Dog Dare is a charming read filled with memorable characters, lots of laughs, and tons of fun.” Romancing the Books says, “Double Dog Dare is a sweet and funny contemporary story. I enjoyed it very much and had many opportunities to smile and laugh. If you love a heartwarming story about falling in love, Then I dare you — double dog dare you even, to get yourself a copy of this great book.”
Who is Jennifer Johnson?
I am a writer.
I write contemporary romantic fiction.
I aspire to be Wonder Woman with the awesome leotard and the criminal-fighting boots on some days.
On other days, I am Wonder Woman with my lasso of Truth and my no-nonsense-pursuit of justice.
I live in the South across the river from the Mid-west. I'm married to Super Man with a Tony Stark mind. We have Wonder/Super children and a bionic dog. All in all, it's a comic book kind of life.
Find me at www.booksbyjenniferjohnson.comhttps://www.facebook.com/jenniferjohnson.authorhttps://twitter.com/BooksbyJennifer
August 11, 2014
8 Authors in 2 Weeks!
Jan Scarbrough has a long list of books under her belt and I'm honored to work with her in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set. Her story, Secrets, is one of 8 stories available in the $.99 set.
How was she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a living thing for twenty-one years.
I’m glad Secrets is included
A “sweet” romance, Secretsis a book my mother would have liked. In fact, she told all her blue-haired lady friends that the “editor” wrote the love scene in my first romance. And it was really tame!
Seneca Park
Louisville, Kentucky
“Kelly, will you marry me?”
Heat swept Kelly Baron’s face, and it had nothing to do with the warm June day. Choking back dismay, she stared at the kneeling man at her feet. “For goodness sakes, Thomas, stand up.”
Thomas struggled to his feet and sat down beside her on the park bench. His normally flushed face was peppered with sweat, and he had an expectant look in his eyes. “I’m serious,” he said, fumbling in his pocket and withdrawing a small, black velvet box. “Dead serious.” He lifted the lid.
Secured inside the box was a spectacular princess-cut diamond solitaire set in a white gold, cathedral setting. Kelly was somewhat of an expert about diamond engagement rings because of her daughter’s recent wedding, but she never expected Thomas Dunlap to offer her one, let alone one that looked to be the size of a carat.
Kelly focused on the beautiful ring, avoiding the conflicting emotions whirling in her head and the warning bells ringing in her ears.
Her usually reticent suitor became assertive and removed the ring from its box. “Here. Try it on.”
Before Kelly could demur, Thomas grabbed her left hand and slipped the ring on the third finger.
“It’s too big,” were the only words she could force from her dry lips.
“That’s no problem,” Thomas said, bending over her hand. She could see the thinning spot of hair at the top of his head. He slid the ring up and down on her finger, and then raised his eyes. “We can get it sized to fit. What do you think?”
“It’s lovely.”
“No, about marrying me.”
That again. Panic set in. It’s not that Kelly didn’t like Thomas. They had been dating since his divorce. He was an elementary school principal in Jefferson County, and she taught fifth grade in a local Catholic school. They liked to walk for exercise, go to Broadway Series plays, and eat Italian. They had a lot in common. But she had never, ever considered marrying anybody, not even when she’d been pregnant with C.B. and needed to get married in the worst way.
“I’m not sure it’s the right time,” Kelly mumbled, looking at the way a thin strand of salt and pepper hair fell across his forehead.
….
Time for a forced smile. Did she want to spend the rest of her life with Thomas Dunlap? Become Mrs. Thomas Dunlap? No. For one thing, if she ever married, she would keep her maiden name. She would never succumb to an out-of-date tradition. And besides, she was too self-reliant, too used to doing what she pleased with only her daughter and her aunt to put her life in the hands of another.
But Aunt Bess was dead and C.B. was married. Thomas was right. She was free.
“This is such a surprise. Will you let me think about it?” She hated the timid note that crept into her voice. Slowly, Kelly disengaged her hands and withdrew the sparkling ring from her finger. It was too much bling. It was too much pressure. She handed it back to him. “You know I don’t do change well.”
Thomas slid the ring back into its protective velvet box. He had the look of a man receiving a death sentence. I hate to hurt his feelings. She hadn’t quite told him “no,” but she hadn’t said “yes.” If the situation were reversed, she’d feel like shit.
“You have a habit of avoiding things,” he said with a sharp shake of his finger, reprimanding her as if she was a six-year-old caught hitting another child on the playground. “It’s a character flaw you need to work on.”
Kelly shifted on the park bench. Thomas was always too blunt. That was his character flaw. She pressed her right hand hard against the bench and fought down her annoyance.
Yet could Thomas be right?
Twenty-one years ago she had avoided telling C.B.’s father she was pregnant, but that was because his mother had found out they were secretly dating and warned her away from him. She made it perfectly clear her son had a future that didn’t include a small town girl from the wrong side of the tracks. It was evident she went behind her son’s back because he never said anything about his mother’s interference. Probably her husband didn’t even know about her scare tactics.
But his mother was right. When they talked about life after high school, he made it clear he didn’t intend to end up in a small town like his father. He intended to go places, be important. Kelly was never part of that future he painted for himself.
When she found out she was pregnant, Kelly couldn’t tell him. He didn’t love her. He would reject her and their child.
And so once Kelly started keeping the secret, she had never revealed the truth to anyone, especially not her own father, who had threatened to beat it out of her and confront the boy and his parents. It was just as easy to avoid telling her mother, who could be bullied by her husband, and later C.B., who accepted life without a father. Leaving her hometown and moving to Louisville put distance between her and the problem.
Thomas cleared his throat. “I won’t wait forever,” he told her.
“Of course not.” Kelly shook off the memories and touched his sleeve. How did she soften her response? “I just need time to process this. Please?”
He kissed her then—a typical Thomas kiss with lips pressed firmly shut and eyes closed. Kelly responded, as always, timidly, tepidly—trying to deny the longing in her heart for the love of her life—someone who cherished her, didn’t want to change her and loved her just the way she was.
Someone she was too afraid to find.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
How was she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a living thing for twenty-one years.I’m glad Secrets is included
A “sweet” romance, Secretsis a book my mother would have liked. In fact, she told all her blue-haired lady friends that the “editor” wrote the love scene in my first romance. And it was really tame!
Seneca ParkLouisville, Kentucky
“Kelly, will you marry me?”
Heat swept Kelly Baron’s face, and it had nothing to do with the warm June day. Choking back dismay, she stared at the kneeling man at her feet. “For goodness sakes, Thomas, stand up.”
Thomas struggled to his feet and sat down beside her on the park bench. His normally flushed face was peppered with sweat, and he had an expectant look in his eyes. “I’m serious,” he said, fumbling in his pocket and withdrawing a small, black velvet box. “Dead serious.” He lifted the lid.
Secured inside the box was a spectacular princess-cut diamond solitaire set in a white gold, cathedral setting. Kelly was somewhat of an expert about diamond engagement rings because of her daughter’s recent wedding, but she never expected Thomas Dunlap to offer her one, let alone one that looked to be the size of a carat.
Kelly focused on the beautiful ring, avoiding the conflicting emotions whirling in her head and the warning bells ringing in her ears.
Her usually reticent suitor became assertive and removed the ring from its box. “Here. Try it on.”
Before Kelly could demur, Thomas grabbed her left hand and slipped the ring on the third finger.
“It’s too big,” were the only words she could force from her dry lips.
“That’s no problem,” Thomas said, bending over her hand. She could see the thinning spot of hair at the top of his head. He slid the ring up and down on her finger, and then raised his eyes. “We can get it sized to fit. What do you think?”
“It’s lovely.”
“No, about marrying me.”
That again. Panic set in. It’s not that Kelly didn’t like Thomas. They had been dating since his divorce. He was an elementary school principal in Jefferson County, and she taught fifth grade in a local Catholic school. They liked to walk for exercise, go to Broadway Series plays, and eat Italian. They had a lot in common. But she had never, ever considered marrying anybody, not even when she’d been pregnant with C.B. and needed to get married in the worst way.
“I’m not sure it’s the right time,” Kelly mumbled, looking at the way a thin strand of salt and pepper hair fell across his forehead.
….
Time for a forced smile. Did she want to spend the rest of her life with Thomas Dunlap? Become Mrs. Thomas Dunlap? No. For one thing, if she ever married, she would keep her maiden name. She would never succumb to an out-of-date tradition. And besides, she was too self-reliant, too used to doing what she pleased with only her daughter and her aunt to put her life in the hands of another.
But Aunt Bess was dead and C.B. was married. Thomas was right. She was free.
“This is such a surprise. Will you let me think about it?” She hated the timid note that crept into her voice. Slowly, Kelly disengaged her hands and withdrew the sparkling ring from her finger. It was too much bling. It was too much pressure. She handed it back to him. “You know I don’t do change well.”
Thomas slid the ring back into its protective velvet box. He had the look of a man receiving a death sentence. I hate to hurt his feelings. She hadn’t quite told him “no,” but she hadn’t said “yes.” If the situation were reversed, she’d feel like shit.
“You have a habit of avoiding things,” he said with a sharp shake of his finger, reprimanding her as if she was a six-year-old caught hitting another child on the playground. “It’s a character flaw you need to work on.”
Kelly shifted on the park bench. Thomas was always too blunt. That was his character flaw. She pressed her right hand hard against the bench and fought down her annoyance.
Yet could Thomas be right?
Twenty-one years ago she had avoided telling C.B.’s father she was pregnant, but that was because his mother had found out they were secretly dating and warned her away from him. She made it perfectly clear her son had a future that didn’t include a small town girl from the wrong side of the tracks. It was evident she went behind her son’s back because he never said anything about his mother’s interference. Probably her husband didn’t even know about her scare tactics.
But his mother was right. When they talked about life after high school, he made it clear he didn’t intend to end up in a small town like his father. He intended to go places, be important. Kelly was never part of that future he painted for himself.
When she found out she was pregnant, Kelly couldn’t tell him. He didn’t love her. He would reject her and their child.
And so once Kelly started keeping the secret, she had never revealed the truth to anyone, especially not her own father, who had threatened to beat it out of her and confront the boy and his parents. It was just as easy to avoid telling her mother, who could be bullied by her husband, and later C.B., who accepted life without a father. Leaving her hometown and moving to Louisville put distance between her and the problem.
Thomas cleared his throat. “I won’t wait forever,” he told her.
“Of course not.” Kelly shook off the memories and touched his sleeve. How did she soften her response? “I just need time to process this. Please?”
He kissed her then—a typical Thomas kiss with lips pressed firmly shut and eyes closed. Kelly responded, as always, timidly, tepidly—trying to deny the longing in her heart for the love of her life—someone who cherished her, didn’t want to change her and loved her just the way she was.
Someone she was too afraid to find.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
August 9, 2014
8 authors in 2 Weeks!
I'm over the moon to have Maddie James on my blog today! *giggles* *falls over*
IT’S A RARE opportunity for me to participate in a sweet boxed set, but I’m thrilled to be able to share my story Hard Candy Kisses in the Sweet, But Sexy BoxedSet! I have very few stories that are written without sex, but this one just seemed like what Patti Jo and Jim would want – all of their hard candy kisses to happen behind closed doors!
Hard Candy Kisses is the last book in the Matchmaking Chef series. I like for my Legend characters to make appearances in all of my books, if possible, and I realized that Kate and Mike, and Patti Jo Baker and Jim Hamilton, had not appeared in any other books besides Murder on the Mountain . This meant that I had to hook Jim and Patti Jo up, and I hope that I did their story justice!I love writing quirky and fun characters like Patti Jo and pairing them with unlikely subjects. Hard Candy Kisses was a fun write for me, and I really hope you enjoyed their story—and the series!If you have only visited Legend through the Matchmaking Chef series, be sure to look for my other books set in Legend, Tennessee, along with books by my friends and fellow authors who write about Legend—Janet Eaves, Jan Scarbrough, and Magdalena Scott. You can visit us at www.legendtennessee.com
Suzie is likely going to retire from matchmaking soon, after all, there are only so many single people in the town of Legend, but be on the lookout for a cozy mystery featuring Suzie. Deadly Scoop will be available in 2015. Who knew that a simple scoop of ice cream could be a murder weapon?
Here’s the book description for Hard Candy Kisses:
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Legend Elementary teacher Patti Jo Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge. This includes setting up a kissing booth at the Legend Elementary Winter Carnival—a booth which Principal Jim Hamilton promptly shuts down. Because if Patty Jo Baker is passing out kisses, any kind of kisses, he wants to be both first, and last, in line—and he definitely doesn’t want to sample them in front of the student body.
IT’S A RARE opportunity for me to participate in a sweet boxed set, but I’m thrilled to be able to share my story Hard Candy Kisses in the Sweet, But Sexy BoxedSet! I have very few stories that are written without sex, but this one just seemed like what Patti Jo and Jim would want – all of their hard candy kisses to happen behind closed doors!
Hard Candy Kisses is the last book in the Matchmaking Chef series. I like for my Legend characters to make appearances in all of my books, if possible, and I realized that Kate and Mike, and Patti Jo Baker and Jim Hamilton, had not appeared in any other books besides Murder on the Mountain . This meant that I had to hook Jim and Patti Jo up, and I hope that I did their story justice!I love writing quirky and fun characters like Patti Jo and pairing them with unlikely subjects. Hard Candy Kisses was a fun write for me, and I really hope you enjoyed their story—and the series!If you have only visited Legend through the Matchmaking Chef series, be sure to look for my other books set in Legend, Tennessee, along with books by my friends and fellow authors who write about Legend—Janet Eaves, Jan Scarbrough, and Magdalena Scott. You can visit us at www.legendtennessee.com
Suzie is likely going to retire from matchmaking soon, after all, there are only so many single people in the town of Legend, but be on the lookout for a cozy mystery featuring Suzie. Deadly Scoop will be available in 2015. Who knew that a simple scoop of ice cream could be a murder weapon?
Here’s the book description for Hard Candy Kisses:
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Legend Elementary teacher Patti Jo Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge. This includes setting up a kissing booth at the Legend Elementary Winter Carnival—a booth which Principal Jim Hamilton promptly shuts down. Because if Patty Jo Baker is passing out kisses, any kind of kisses, he wants to be both first, and last, in line—and he definitely doesn’t want to sample them in front of the student body.
August 7, 2014
8 Authors in 2 weeks!
I'm pleased to welcome Amie Denman today on my blog. She's the author of
Blue Bottle Beach
, a sweet romance featured in the Sweet, But Sexy boxed set for only $.99!
Don’t rent a Moped in Key West: The inspiration behind Blue Bottle Beach
Have you ever taken a vacation that didn’t turn out exactly as you planned? Uh…I’m not the only one, right? Here’s a story taken right from my own honeymoon in Key West. And I swear it’s all true.When we got married, my new husband was a physically adventurous kind of guy. Motorcyles. Jetskis. Scuba diving. Roller coasters. As a new wife, I was determined to play right along. So we planned a semi-adventurous trip to Key West, Florida. I’m pretty sure any trip to Key West is an adventure, but we planned to add moped riding and scuba diving. Keep in mind, I had never been on a motorcycle or moped of any kind in my life. Bicycle, yes. I thought that qualified me to ride a moped.It did not.Did you know you have to pass a “Moped Test” in order to rent one in Key West? I was under the impression there were NO RULES there. I was wrong. The teenager in charge of rentals set up a little course with orange cones in the parking lot, gave me fifteen seconds of instruction on operating the machine and wished me good luck. After two false starts and two crushed cones, the test was over. I failed. Failed! The teenager (who did not look sad or apologetic at all) said, “Lady, I can’t rent you a moped.”My new husband, whom I had hoped to impress, watched from the sidelines. He consoled me by suggesting I could ride on the back of his moped after he sailed right through the obstacle course like a pro. Seeing Key West on the back of a moped with a confident and somewhat reckless driver was not as much fun as you might think.The next day, we were signed up for a scuba diving course. My new husband was already a certified diver. I knew how to swim and hold my breath, so I thought this qualified me to sail right through the scuba course at the hotel.It did not.After a day of pool instruction in which I didn’t embarrass myself much, our crew of divers went out on a boat. Into the OCEAN. The ocean is very large, salty, and wavy. There were nine-foot waves that day. NINE FEET!! This is too tall. I know this now. Before our boat got out to the reef where we planned to dive, I had already barfed over the side of the boat thrice. I was not alone. Still, I was determined to gut it out and prove to myself and my new man that I was an adventurous gal.We got in the water with the assurance from the dive instructor that it would be less wavy underneath. Our seasickness would abate.It did not.Did you know that you can puke under water? Did you also know that if you puke under water, pretty colorful fish will swim over and eat it?I tell this story not to impress you with my glamor and talent, but instead to make a point. When I write about flawed and goofy heroines who end up in situations they never would have expected, I know what I’m talking about.
They say you should write what you know. I do.
Thanks for the advice Amie!
Now here's a sneak peak at Blue Bottle Beach!
Blue Bottle Beach is a contemporary romance that will take you to the hot sands of Key West.
There’s no better place for a bachelorette party than Key West, Florida. Jackie and her accountant friends call in sick and escape wintry Chicago to celebrate in the sunshine, but an unexpected twist breaks up the party. On her own for a weekend in America’s least inhibited city, Jackie meets a man who makes her heart do a tropical dance. Mitchell is handsome, charming, and knows just where to touch her. If he looks a little familiar, the thought is quickly lost on the hot sands.
Mitchell finds Jackie equally irresistible as he romances her on Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her cubicle in Chicago balancing the books for one of his many companies. Opening his heart to any woman after an ugly divorce is tough for Mitchell, but something about Jackie makes him want to forget everything.
When they both return to reality and wintry Chicago at Christmastime, they have to face who they really are without the sparkling sunshine and sands of Key West blinding them.
Remember, Sexy But Sweet is only $.99 for a limited time! Available everywhere e-books are sold!
Don’t rent a Moped in Key West: The inspiration behind Blue Bottle Beach
Have you ever taken a vacation that didn’t turn out exactly as you planned? Uh…I’m not the only one, right? Here’s a story taken right from my own honeymoon in Key West. And I swear it’s all true.When we got married, my new husband was a physically adventurous kind of guy. Motorcyles. Jetskis. Scuba diving. Roller coasters. As a new wife, I was determined to play right along. So we planned a semi-adventurous trip to Key West, Florida. I’m pretty sure any trip to Key West is an adventure, but we planned to add moped riding and scuba diving. Keep in mind, I had never been on a motorcycle or moped of any kind in my life. Bicycle, yes. I thought that qualified me to ride a moped.It did not.Did you know you have to pass a “Moped Test” in order to rent one in Key West? I was under the impression there were NO RULES there. I was wrong. The teenager in charge of rentals set up a little course with orange cones in the parking lot, gave me fifteen seconds of instruction on operating the machine and wished me good luck. After two false starts and two crushed cones, the test was over. I failed. Failed! The teenager (who did not look sad or apologetic at all) said, “Lady, I can’t rent you a moped.”My new husband, whom I had hoped to impress, watched from the sidelines. He consoled me by suggesting I could ride on the back of his moped after he sailed right through the obstacle course like a pro. Seeing Key West on the back of a moped with a confident and somewhat reckless driver was not as much fun as you might think.The next day, we were signed up for a scuba diving course. My new husband was already a certified diver. I knew how to swim and hold my breath, so I thought this qualified me to sail right through the scuba course at the hotel.It did not.After a day of pool instruction in which I didn’t embarrass myself much, our crew of divers went out on a boat. Into the OCEAN. The ocean is very large, salty, and wavy. There were nine-foot waves that day. NINE FEET!! This is too tall. I know this now. Before our boat got out to the reef where we planned to dive, I had already barfed over the side of the boat thrice. I was not alone. Still, I was determined to gut it out and prove to myself and my new man that I was an adventurous gal.We got in the water with the assurance from the dive instructor that it would be less wavy underneath. Our seasickness would abate.It did not.Did you know that you can puke under water? Did you also know that if you puke under water, pretty colorful fish will swim over and eat it?I tell this story not to impress you with my glamor and talent, but instead to make a point. When I write about flawed and goofy heroines who end up in situations they never would have expected, I know what I’m talking about.
They say you should write what you know. I do.
Thanks for the advice Amie!
Now here's a sneak peak at Blue Bottle Beach!
Blue Bottle Beach is a contemporary romance that will take you to the hot sands of Key West.
There’s no better place for a bachelorette party than Key West, Florida. Jackie and her accountant friends call in sick and escape wintry Chicago to celebrate in the sunshine, but an unexpected twist breaks up the party. On her own for a weekend in America’s least inhibited city, Jackie meets a man who makes her heart do a tropical dance. Mitchell is handsome, charming, and knows just where to touch her. If he looks a little familiar, the thought is quickly lost on the hot sands.
Mitchell finds Jackie equally irresistible as he romances her on Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her cubicle in Chicago balancing the books for one of his many companies. Opening his heart to any woman after an ugly divorce is tough for Mitchell, but something about Jackie makes him want to forget everything.
When they both return to reality and wintry Chicago at Christmastime, they have to face who they really are without the sparkling sunshine and sands of Key West blinding them.
Remember, Sexy But Sweet is only $.99 for a limited time! Available everywhere e-books are sold!
August 5, 2014
8 Authors in 2 Weeks
Have you heard the one about how a sweet romance became a book? No? Well, hunker down and I'll tell you a little story...
My Brother’s Wedding wasn’t a story I was dying to write. In fact, I didn’t have a clue it lingered in my head until I was attending a TMP meeting. Our boss was describing changes with our new category romance lines and she explained how all the books within each line would have similar covers. For example, Next Door covers would be a blue wavy design with the title at the top and the author’s name at the bottom but the middle pictures were customized for each book. She shared mock-ups and used me for one of them. And she titled this fictitious book My Brother’s Wedding. The more I stared at the cover and enjoyed seeing my name and title on the cover, the more I hashed out a story in my head. As you might know from my Honey Creek stories, I’m a huge fan of the boy next door type of stories. High school loves. People who share a past. Maybe it stems from my own relationship with my high school sweetheart or maybe I’m just a romantic who likes to keep it close to home! Who knows. But as I began writing the story, I knew I wanted to feature St. Louis. In fact, the coffee house, MoKaBe’s, Ryan and Allison share lunch at is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. And the bridal shop is the very location I purchased my own wedding gown many years ago.Originally, the story evolved into more of a women’s fiction book, which never felt complete to me. I want romance. I want my characters to have a HEA ending. So with some cutting and deleting, I finally arrived at the sweet story we have today.
It’s funny where we find inspiration. For My Brother’s Wedding, it all started with a cover!
You can find your copy of Sweet But Sexy at the following retailers: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
My Brother’s Wedding wasn’t a story I was dying to write. In fact, I didn’t have a clue it lingered in my head until I was attending a TMP meeting. Our boss was describing changes with our new category romance lines and she explained how all the books within each line would have similar covers. For example, Next Door covers would be a blue wavy design with the title at the top and the author’s name at the bottom but the middle pictures were customized for each book. She shared mock-ups and used me for one of them. And she titled this fictitious book My Brother’s Wedding. The more I stared at the cover and enjoyed seeing my name and title on the cover, the more I hashed out a story in my head. As you might know from my Honey Creek stories, I’m a huge fan of the boy next door type of stories. High school loves. People who share a past. Maybe it stems from my own relationship with my high school sweetheart or maybe I’m just a romantic who likes to keep it close to home! Who knows. But as I began writing the story, I knew I wanted to feature St. Louis. In fact, the coffee house, MoKaBe’s, Ryan and Allison share lunch at is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. And the bridal shop is the very location I purchased my own wedding gown many years ago.Originally, the story evolved into more of a women’s fiction book, which never felt complete to me. I want romance. I want my characters to have a HEA ending. So with some cutting and deleting, I finally arrived at the sweet story we have today.
It’s funny where we find inspiration. For My Brother’s Wedding, it all started with a cover!
You can find your copy of Sweet But Sexy at the following retailers: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
August 3, 2014
8 Authors in 2 Weeks!
Sunday is finally here but the fun is just beginning. Raise a coffee mug and help me welcome Constance Phillips, author of
All That's Unspoken
. Remember, you can snag your copy of Constance's story along with all the other wonderful sweet stories in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set available for $.99!
For me, writing sweet romance was something new, but it seemed appropriate to the tale that needed to be told in All That’s Unspoken. I am so pleased that it was chosen to be part of the Sweet, but Sexy Boxed Set.I’d always heard that writers put a little bit of themselves into their characters, and would have to say I have done that with every character of every book I’ve written. When it came to All That’s Unspoken, however, I felt myself digging a little deeper into my own psyche while building the heroine, Hailey.I can bottle up my emotions and hold on to things that—if I would only say them aloud—wouldn’t be as bad as they felt internally. In All That’s Unspoken, Hailey has spent eight years trying to forget what she did--or rather the things she didn’t—say to Nate before leaving town early for college.From the time I conceived this story, I knew it was a small-town tale. Caseville, Michigan, wasn’t my first choice, but as I began telling the story and digging into those personal emotions, I knew it needed a personal connection, like being set in the community where I grew up.
While there are pieces of the author dispersed through this story, I hope that you will enjoy Hailey’s and Nate’s special story of letting go of the past and facing the future…together.
*fans herself* Well, isn't he a reason to read this book!!!
Hailey Lambert came home for the holidays to help her father. Instead, eight years later, she is forced to face all that was left unspoken between her and high school crush, Nate.
After eight years, Hailey is back in Caseville, Michigan. Just months after her mother’s death, her siblings want to put their father in a nursiAfter high school, Nate Jenkins planned to leave small town behind, but life dealt him a different hand of cards. He’s now back in Caseville, raising his daughter and running his family’s diner. His daughter’s speech disorder has been improved by therapeutic horse riding and if he can lease the old Lambert farm, he can get her a horse of her own. The only thing standing in the way is Hailey, the same woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye.
Can they get over all that’s unspoken between them?
About the AuthorConstance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids. Her son, now on his own, is planning a wedding, reconfirming that romance still lives and breathes. When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.You can friend, follow, or find out more about Constance at the following sites: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
For me, writing sweet romance was something new, but it seemed appropriate to the tale that needed to be told in All That’s Unspoken. I am so pleased that it was chosen to be part of the Sweet, but Sexy Boxed Set.I’d always heard that writers put a little bit of themselves into their characters, and would have to say I have done that with every character of every book I’ve written. When it came to All That’s Unspoken, however, I felt myself digging a little deeper into my own psyche while building the heroine, Hailey.I can bottle up my emotions and hold on to things that—if I would only say them aloud—wouldn’t be as bad as they felt internally. In All That’s Unspoken, Hailey has spent eight years trying to forget what she did--or rather the things she didn’t—say to Nate before leaving town early for college.From the time I conceived this story, I knew it was a small-town tale. Caseville, Michigan, wasn’t my first choice, but as I began telling the story and digging into those personal emotions, I knew it needed a personal connection, like being set in the community where I grew up.While there are pieces of the author dispersed through this story, I hope that you will enjoy Hailey’s and Nate’s special story of letting go of the past and facing the future…together.
*fans herself* Well, isn't he a reason to read this book!!!Hailey Lambert came home for the holidays to help her father. Instead, eight years later, she is forced to face all that was left unspoken between her and high school crush, Nate.
After eight years, Hailey is back in Caseville, Michigan. Just months after her mother’s death, her siblings want to put their father in a nursiAfter high school, Nate Jenkins planned to leave small town behind, but life dealt him a different hand of cards. He’s now back in Caseville, raising his daughter and running his family’s diner. His daughter’s speech disorder has been improved by therapeutic horse riding and if he can lease the old Lambert farm, he can get her a horse of her own. The only thing standing in the way is Hailey, the same woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye.
Can they get over all that’s unspoken between them?
About the AuthorConstance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids. Her son, now on his own, is planning a wedding, reconfirming that romance still lives and breathes. When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.You can friend, follow, or find out more about Constance at the following sites: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
August 1, 2014
8 Authors in 2 Weeks!
Today we start our week long discussion with the 8 authors featured in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set, now available at all e-book retailers for $.99!!!
This morning, I'm pleased to get the ball rolling with Magdalena Scott!!!
Hi there!
I’m so happy to be here today. I feel very fortunate to have a story included in the SWEET, BUT SEXY boxed set. It’s always a treat to hang out with a group of sweet romance writers, and even better when we all get to share our stories with readers.
BUILDING A DREAM is a novella set in Legend, Tennessee. As of this writing, there are 29 published stories in this series, with two more to release this year. Learn about Legend and the other three authors who write about it—Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and Janet Eaves—by visiting the website, www.legendtennessee.com.
Chloe McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating something from nothing. This time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas—this time she’s bought a big dilapidated building to rehab into a classy art gallery. Should be easy enough; she’ll hire Greg Andrews and his construction crew. Greg’s work has gotten good reviews from everyone in Legend. Of course there is kind of a rush on the project…
Greg is a professional, and his professional opinion is that Chloe’s pile of bricks should be put out of its misery. There’s no way he can bring the place up to code by her deadline, let alone turn it into the showplace she has in mind. But Chloe’s a McClain, and besides a wide stubborn streak, that means deep pockets. Speaking of which, Greg can’t keep his eyes off the back pockets of Chloe’s jeans...
When you live in Legend, Tennessee, there are certain things to remember. People in Legend pull together. Community before self. And you never want to take a wrong step around a McClain—even the cute females.****
Excerpt “You must be kidding,” Greg said, walking carefully around the hole he’d dropped his leg into earlier. “No way can this be rehabbed in a month. No possible way. Mike said you had a time frame in mind—but thirty days is plain crazy.”“Fine,” said Chloe McClain. “I'll get someone else.” She closed a small notebook and slid it into the back pocket of her snug jeans, then stuck the ballpoint behind her ear. The motion made the cascade of bell-shaped earrings tinkle softly. The sterling silver caught what little light came through the crud-encrusted windows. There was also a diamond stud up high in one ear. Greg had never considered ears to be particularly sexy, but on Chloe McClain, it seemed everything was sexy. At least, everything he'd seen. Her blonde-and-dark-brown streaked hair was wavy and cropped close to her head, but it grew a bit long in the back, and curls caressed her delicate neck. Her eyes were big and brown and bright as a child's. The long lashes and dusky eye shadow had him wondering what those big dark eyes would look like if Chloe were feeling passionate about something besides an ugly old building. Her mouth was generous and shaped as perfectly as any he'd seen on lipstick commercials. Even her nose intrigued him. Short and straight, but turned up on the end. It made her look spunky, and he had an idea it wasn’t false advertising. Her body wasn't runway model thin, but slender and pleasantly curvy. She looked even better once you started talking to her. Then her eyes began to snap, her head moved in emphasis to her words, the music started from her strange earrings, and that gorgeous mouth had you looking there more of the time than you probably should. Good thing she was nuts, or he might be attracted to her.“So... You’re Mike’s sister?” he asked. Mike McClain had worked for Greg a while now, but there were so many McClains in and around Legend, Greg couldn’t keep them straight.“Cousin.” She rolled her eyes, turned on the heel of her beat-up sandal, and headed for the door, where she flicked off the lights. Greg looked up at the half dozen bulbs hanging from the ceiling, suspended by dangerous-looking wires. Pathetic. The whole place was pathetic. He sure didn’t want to get into a situation of trying to bring this dump up to code in thirty days, let alone do the project to her unreasonable expectations.Chloe shut the door after them, and locked it. Right. As if anybody in his right mind would actually want to go in there.“Well. Thanks for the opportunity, Miz McClain. Sorry I can't help you with this. Good luck finding somebody else.“Uh-huh. Thanks. Well, I've got some contacts around. I'm sure there's somebody who could take it on. I need to have the place ready to go on deadline, or else...” She let the sentence trail off.“Or else?” Not that he cared. Just making conversation.“Or else I can't do the exhibition I've committed to.” She pushed some round-lensed dark glasses onto her nose, and caught her lower lip between her teeth. Frown lines marred that perfect brow, below the fall of wispy dark and light bangs.Exhibition. Whatever. He needed to move on down the street. “So what kind of exhibition is that?” He hadn’t meant to ask.“Nothing. I need to go.” A sultry breeze came down the street, making the bells in her earlobes play again. She turned without another word and walked away from him into the breeze. Greg shivered. Some brush-off. Why he cared, he wasn't sure. He enjoyed watching her from behind until she turned the corner and was gone.Oh well. Cute, but not my type. Dating a cousin of Mike's would surely be more than he wanted to deal with anyway. Might get awkward when it ended. Greg's relationships generally ended dramatically. Yelling and name-calling were sometimes part of it, and he sure didn't need Mike to be in that picture. It was complicated being a single man in Legend, Tennessee.****The other stories in the boxed set areBLUE BOTTLE BEACH by Amie Denman, ALL THAT’S UNSPOKEN by Constance Phillips, SECRETS by Jan Scarbrough, CROSSROADS by Janet Eaves, MY BROTHER’S WEDDING by Jennifer Anderson, DOUBLE DOG DARE by Jennifer Johnson, and HARD CANDY KISSES by Maddie James.
For a limited time, the boxed set is only 99 cents. Just one more reason to snag a copy at your favorite ebook retailer. Thank you for reading!
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
This morning, I'm pleased to get the ball rolling with Magdalena Scott!!!
Hi there! I’m so happy to be here today. I feel very fortunate to have a story included in the SWEET, BUT SEXY boxed set. It’s always a treat to hang out with a group of sweet romance writers, and even better when we all get to share our stories with readers.
BUILDING A DREAM is a novella set in Legend, Tennessee. As of this writing, there are 29 published stories in this series, with two more to release this year. Learn about Legend and the other three authors who write about it—Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and Janet Eaves—by visiting the website, www.legendtennessee.com.
Chloe McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating something from nothing. This time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas—this time she’s bought a big dilapidated building to rehab into a classy art gallery. Should be easy enough; she’ll hire Greg Andrews and his construction crew. Greg’s work has gotten good reviews from everyone in Legend. Of course there is kind of a rush on the project…Greg is a professional, and his professional opinion is that Chloe’s pile of bricks should be put out of its misery. There’s no way he can bring the place up to code by her deadline, let alone turn it into the showplace she has in mind. But Chloe’s a McClain, and besides a wide stubborn streak, that means deep pockets. Speaking of which, Greg can’t keep his eyes off the back pockets of Chloe’s jeans...
When you live in Legend, Tennessee, there are certain things to remember. People in Legend pull together. Community before self. And you never want to take a wrong step around a McClain—even the cute females.****
Excerpt “You must be kidding,” Greg said, walking carefully around the hole he’d dropped his leg into earlier. “No way can this be rehabbed in a month. No possible way. Mike said you had a time frame in mind—but thirty days is plain crazy.”“Fine,” said Chloe McClain. “I'll get someone else.” She closed a small notebook and slid it into the back pocket of her snug jeans, then stuck the ballpoint behind her ear. The motion made the cascade of bell-shaped earrings tinkle softly. The sterling silver caught what little light came through the crud-encrusted windows. There was also a diamond stud up high in one ear. Greg had never considered ears to be particularly sexy, but on Chloe McClain, it seemed everything was sexy. At least, everything he'd seen. Her blonde-and-dark-brown streaked hair was wavy and cropped close to her head, but it grew a bit long in the back, and curls caressed her delicate neck. Her eyes were big and brown and bright as a child's. The long lashes and dusky eye shadow had him wondering what those big dark eyes would look like if Chloe were feeling passionate about something besides an ugly old building. Her mouth was generous and shaped as perfectly as any he'd seen on lipstick commercials. Even her nose intrigued him. Short and straight, but turned up on the end. It made her look spunky, and he had an idea it wasn’t false advertising. Her body wasn't runway model thin, but slender and pleasantly curvy. She looked even better once you started talking to her. Then her eyes began to snap, her head moved in emphasis to her words, the music started from her strange earrings, and that gorgeous mouth had you looking there more of the time than you probably should. Good thing she was nuts, or he might be attracted to her.“So... You’re Mike’s sister?” he asked. Mike McClain had worked for Greg a while now, but there were so many McClains in and around Legend, Greg couldn’t keep them straight.“Cousin.” She rolled her eyes, turned on the heel of her beat-up sandal, and headed for the door, where she flicked off the lights. Greg looked up at the half dozen bulbs hanging from the ceiling, suspended by dangerous-looking wires. Pathetic. The whole place was pathetic. He sure didn’t want to get into a situation of trying to bring this dump up to code in thirty days, let alone do the project to her unreasonable expectations.Chloe shut the door after them, and locked it. Right. As if anybody in his right mind would actually want to go in there.“Well. Thanks for the opportunity, Miz McClain. Sorry I can't help you with this. Good luck finding somebody else.“Uh-huh. Thanks. Well, I've got some contacts around. I'm sure there's somebody who could take it on. I need to have the place ready to go on deadline, or else...” She let the sentence trail off.“Or else?” Not that he cared. Just making conversation.“Or else I can't do the exhibition I've committed to.” She pushed some round-lensed dark glasses onto her nose, and caught her lower lip between her teeth. Frown lines marred that perfect brow, below the fall of wispy dark and light bangs.Exhibition. Whatever. He needed to move on down the street. “So what kind of exhibition is that?” He hadn’t meant to ask.“Nothing. I need to go.” A sultry breeze came down the street, making the bells in her earlobes play again. She turned without another word and walked away from him into the breeze. Greg shivered. Some brush-off. Why he cared, he wasn't sure. He enjoyed watching her from behind until she turned the corner and was gone.Oh well. Cute, but not my type. Dating a cousin of Mike's would surely be more than he wanted to deal with anyway. Might get awkward when it ended. Greg's relationships generally ended dramatically. Yelling and name-calling were sometimes part of it, and he sure didn't need Mike to be in that picture. It was complicated being a single man in Legend, Tennessee.****The other stories in the boxed set areBLUE BOTTLE BEACH by Amie Denman, ALL THAT’S UNSPOKEN by Constance Phillips, SECRETS by Jan Scarbrough, CROSSROADS by Janet Eaves, MY BROTHER’S WEDDING by Jennifer Anderson, DOUBLE DOG DARE by Jennifer Johnson, and HARD CANDY KISSES by Maddie James.
For a limited time, the boxed set is only 99 cents. Just one more reason to snag a copy at your favorite ebook retailer. Thank you for reading!
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS
July 17, 2014
Sweet But Sexy boxed set for $.99!
Sweet, But Sexy
Sweet Contemporary Romance Boxed Set
Sweet can still be sexy!
Turquoise Morning Press presents eight sweet contemporary romance stories that will convince you
that sweet, can still be sexy! We’ve selected stories from some of our most popular romance authors to
showcase in this set – stories that will take you from the beach to Christmas, from small town to big city,
from keeping secrets to building dreams.
After all, sweet and sexy romance, comes in all shapes and sizes, right?
Blue Bottle Beach by Amie Denman – Mitchell finds Jackie irresistible as he romances her on
Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her cubicle in Chicago balancing the
sheets for one of his many companies. Amie is an Amazon bestselling author (Unforgettable
Heroes).
All That’s Unspoken by Constance Phillips – The only thing standing in Nate’s way is Hailey,
the woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye. Constance is a TMP 2013
Reader’s Choice Award nominee (All That’s Unspoken).
Secrets by Jan Scarbrough -- How was she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a
living thing for twenty-one years. Jan is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town)
Crossroads by Janet Eaves – Desperation has a way of changing everything…. Janet is an
Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Unforgettable Heroes).
My Brother’s Wedding by Jennifer Anderson – Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life
when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. My Brother’s Wedding
received a StoryFinds.com cover award.
Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson – When Cheris McDowell wakes up in a hotel room
next to the husband she doesn’t remember meeting, she decides the only practical solution is a
quiet divorce. Jennifer is an Amazon bestselling author (Unforgettable Heroes).
Hard Candy Kisses by Maddie James – New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Patti Jo
Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The
Lodge. Maddie James is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Falling for
Grace, The Heartbreaker, and more).
Building a Dream by Magdalena Scott – Chloe McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating
something from nothing. This time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas.
Magdalena is an Amazon bestselling author (Love in a Small Town, Unforgettable Heroes).
Plus, we’ve added two additional stories from Janet Eaves and Magdalena Scott (that’s ten
stories in all!).
Release Date: July 17, 2014
Category: Fiction > Romance > Contemporary
Heat Level: Sweet Romance
Length: 5 full-length novels, 3 long novellas, plus
two bonus stories!
ISBN: 978-1-62237-318-5
Price: Promotional Price, $0.99 (limited time);
Retail $5.99 (October, 2014)
Format: Digital only (no print)
July 3, 2014
I WON!
Last week, My Brother's Wedding was featured as the Book Cover Poll for Storyfinds and I won!
Yes, I'm serious.
I've never won anything...ever! As you can image, I am over the moon!
But wait, it gets better. I'm featured there this week and I'm tied with Grace Greene, who's cover is absolutely beautiful.
If you had a chance, head on over to StoryFinds and cast your vote. Hugs and kisses if you do!
StoryFinds
Yes, I'm serious.
I've never won anything...ever! As you can image, I am over the moon!
But wait, it gets better. I'm featured there this week and I'm tied with Grace Greene, who's cover is absolutely beautiful.
If you had a chance, head on over to StoryFinds and cast your vote. Hugs and kisses if you do!
StoryFindsJune 21, 2014
My Brother's Wedding on StoryFinds.com Summer Reads
Hey guys! Long time no write. Sorry. With the summer on us and school out, I'm swamped with diapers, kids and activities.
Oh, and I'm writing a new NA!
Anyway, My Brother's Wedding is getting some serious attention in the next couple of weeks and I'd love for you to play along. In fact, you can enter to win a copy on StoryFinds.com but if I notice many clicks and follows on there, I'll even throw in a free copy to my followers on here. So grab a friend and let's get reading.
Starting June 22, My Brother's Wedding will be included in StoryFinds Summer Reads.
June 24-25, My Brother's Wedding will be part of StoryFinds Summer Reads Themed Week.
June 29-July 5, Come vote for My Brother's Wedding as the best cover! Click the Book Cover Poll at the top of the website to enter.
If you've entered in their contests and voted on their polls, leave me a comment and I'll get you entered in my own give-away!
Oh, and I'm writing a new NA!
Anyway, My Brother's Wedding is getting some serious attention in the next couple of weeks and I'd love for you to play along. In fact, you can enter to win a copy on StoryFinds.com but if I notice many clicks and follows on there, I'll even throw in a free copy to my followers on here. So grab a friend and let's get reading.
Starting June 22, My Brother's Wedding will be included in StoryFinds Summer Reads.
June 24-25, My Brother's Wedding will be part of StoryFinds Summer Reads Themed Week.June 29-July 5, Come vote for My Brother's Wedding as the best cover! Click the Book Cover Poll at the top of the website to enter.
If you've entered in their contests and voted on their polls, leave me a comment and I'll get you entered in my own give-away!
