S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 33

Thursday Threads

Welcome to Thursday Threads, where each week we feature a different Soul Mate Publishing offering.

Today we feature Jessica Jefferson’s sensual regency romance, Taming Miss Tisdale:

 

Title: Taming Miss Tisdale

Author: Jessica Jefferson

Series: 2nd in the Regency Blooms Series from Soul Mate Publishing

Heat Level: Sensual

A bit about the book –

 

Miss Tamsin Tisdale believes herself to be completely unsuitable for London life. After a myriad of social mishaps, and the potential ruination of her family name, she’s shipped away to her cousin’s northern estate. Only after she accepts the type of existence Society dictates she must follow will she be welcomed home.

 

Marcus Winston, the Duke of Grayson, has a lackluster reputation. The last in a dying line, he’s endured a protected life—rank with privilege, but encumbered by isolation. After a brief encounter with rebellion, he learns the devastating consequences of his carelessness and willingly accepts living life from inside his gilded cage.

 

However, a chance meeting with the brazen Miss Tisdale gives Marc the opportunity to reinvent himself into the man he’s always dreamed of being. But when his deception comes to light, and ghosts from both their pasts threaten to unravel the intimacy they’ve come to cherish, will either of them set their fears aside long enough to embrace love? Or will Miss Tisdale’s stubbornness divide them?

 

 

A little bit of the book -

 

Marc watched the faint outline come across the dense morning fog, becoming more discernible as it approached. The tall, thin figure was riding along at a perilous speed, given the morning’s lack of visibility. He thought perhaps it was some gangly young man misguided in the fog. It wouldn’t be the first time someone accidentally stumbled upon the vast property that made up his family’s immodest estate.

 

Then the fog parted in an almost biblical manner, revealing his gross inaccuracy.

 

Were those … breasts?

 

Marc closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Typically, women didn’t ride alone at such an hour and they certainly didn’t wander unexpectedly across his property. It’d been quite a while, his last birthday to be exact, since his last intimate encounter with a woman—a gift, compliments of St. Regis—so there was always the possibility that perhaps his half-drunk, sex-starved mind had conjured up the sensual image.

 

He shook his head, opened his eyes, and looked back again toward the horizon.

 

Yes, those were most certainly breasts.

 

And she was most definitely not a young man. The woman’s riding habit pulled taut against her body as she raced toward him. Her hair was blowing behind her—various hues of auburn and gold, like wild flames curling about in the wind.

Then a decidedly feminine voice burst through the morning’s silence, interrupting his self-doubt.

 

“Oh, thank goodness I found you!”

 

This was no mirage. She was indeed very real.

 

And very loud.

 

 

A bit about the author –

 

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it—almost Chicago. She is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novel-but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.

 

http://www.JessicaJefferson.com

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Ch…ch…ch…changes

Have you ever wished you could go back and relive parts of your life knowing everything you do now? I know I do.

Starting out on this whole writing adventure I made my share of mistakes. Thankfully, at least on my self-published books, I always have the opportunity to go back and make changes. This will be the third, and hopefully last, set of changes to my 4 novellas, which will include new covers and tweaking in the text fonts and interior design to improve readablilty. The stories themselves will not change, so if you have an earlier version there’s no reason to update.

Anyway, today I posted the updated files for the print and digital version of Swiftly Beats The Heart so it is currently unavailable for purchase. When it comes back up all the new stuff will be (hopefully) active.

Here’s the new cover:

Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!

 

If you found me via Feona Riplee’s wonderful blog ( http://fionariplee.com/blog ) , or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.

 

This week’s questions come from Carolyn Spear (http://www.carolynspearromance.com/blog ).

Here are my answers:

1. If someone could observe you writing without you knowing they were there, what strange practices might they catch you doing?

I had a whole thing written about how I don’t think I have any unusual practices, and while I was sitting here editing it, I realized I do. I pull my hair when I’m editing. I reach to the back, grab a hunk and just pull it up and down while I’m reading. I hadn’t realized I did that until just now.

2. Other than a creative outlet, how does writing benefit you?

I think my writing has given a focus to my retirement. It would be easy to spend all my time reading, playing computer games and putzing with my garden (summer) or crafts (winter) with no real direction, but my writing is what really gets me up in the mornings and going.

3. How do you feed your muse?

The things I mentioned above, reading, computer games, gardening, and crafts, all help to feed my muse. Also traveling to fun places with my wife helps to inspire my writing. All that and of course…wine!

I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Brenda Margariet at http://www.brendamargriet.com/blog .

 

On Becoming A Rapscallion

 

I’m guest blogging over at the Soul Mate Author Blog and contemplating a change of lifestyle: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/on-becoming-a-rapscallion/

Thursday Threads

Today we feature Sarah Hegger’s sizzling medieval historical romance, The Bride Gift.

Title: The Bride Gift by Sarah Hegger

Genre: Historical Romance (Medieval)

Heat Level: Sizzling

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bride-Gift-Sarah-Hegger-ebook/dp/B00KBAYOTM/

 

Blurb

It’s 1153 in the period dubbed ‘The Anarchy’, King Stephen and Empress Maud are not the only ones embroiled in a fierce battle of the sexes.

 

Determined to control her own destiny, willful Helena of Lystanwold has chosen just the husband to suit her purposes. But, when her banished guardian uncle attempts to secure her future and climbs through her bedroom window with a new husband by a proxy marriage, she understandably balks. Notorious warrior, Guy of Helston, is everything Helena swore she would never marry; a man who lives by the sword, like the man who murdered her sister.

 

This marriage finally brings Guy close to his lifetime dream of gaining lands and a title. He is not about to let his feisty bride stand in his way. A master strategist, Guy sets out to woo and conquer his lady.

 

Against a backdrop of vengeance, war and betrayal, Guy and Helena must learn to forge a united front or risk losing everything.

 

 

Excerpt

Slowly, Helena turned and approached her husband.

 

His large body barely fit in the wooden tub. He sat with his knees almost to his ears. A slight frown creased his dark brows.

 

Helena dipped her hand in the soft soap they kept for bathing; more jasmine. She rubbed it between her fingers to create lather. When they next made soap she would need to produce something less feminine for Guy.

 

From this position, his head was almost on a level with her breasts. A feeling akin to excitement fluttered through her belly.

 

He watched her face as she leaned forward to soap his head, working it through his cropped hair. The bristly ends tickled her palm.

 

She reached for a bucket of rinsing water. He closed his eyes as soap and bubbles streamed down the strong planes of his cheeks. Droplets clung to his lashes. They were almost ridiculously long and so incongruous with the rest of him. Probably the only part of him that could be called soft.

 

He dropped his head forward onto his knees so she could finish rinsing.

 

Guy presented the broad expanse of his back, and she laid her hands across the sun-darkened skin. He was warm under her fingers and beneath the smooth skin, his muscles bunched slightly as she spread the soap. This might be bearable. When she rubbed her fingers on either side of his spine, he made a soft purr of enjoyment.

 

Her pulse jumped.

 

“Soft hands,” he said.

 

Her fingers traced a long, puckered scar running beneath his shoulder blade and disappearing around his side.

 

“A lance man with poor aim,” he murmured.

 

The skin on his back was firm, but marked by the scars of a lifetime spent wielding a sword. “It appears you really do fight,” she commented lightly.

 

For some reason those accumulated injuries and the pain they had caused angered her as well as rendered her sorry for his suffering. Helena steeled her resolve. It was just these sorts of wounds that made him perfect for her purpose.

 

She lathered soap across his shoulders and down the thick, corded muscle of each arm. Her belly reacted with another odd little quiver as her fingers slid across his skin like oil poured from a vial.

 

Guy raised his eyes to her face. A slumberous warmth made them glow nearly silver.

 

Her breath quickened in her chest as if she had been running; her hands tingled where they touched him.

 

Sarah is always delighted to hear from readers. She can be reached at any and all of the following places:

Website

Facebook

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Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!

 

If you found me via Katie O’Connor’s wonderful blog ( http://katieoh.blogspot.com/ ) , or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.

 

This week’s questions come from Amy Jarecki. You know what to do. Just open the edit box and add your name & blog address after the parson on the bottom of the list. Here are the questions. (Thanks Amy!)

 

1. When did you start writing, and why?

 

It was right after the birth of my first child, so June of 1980. Wow, 34 years just flew by. I remember he was napping and I decided “I’m going to write a book.” It was a beautiful summer day, so I took my old typewriter out to the picnic table, rolled that first clean white sheet of paper into it . . . and stared at the blank page for a very long while.

 

2. What do you like best about writing?

 

I love to watch a story unfold. Many times, especially in the beginning of a new project, I have no idea where the story is going. As I sit, ponder, and daydream, I get to play with what happens next. It’s always great to get one of those ‘Oh, so that’s what happened” moments.

 

3. If you could go on a writing retreat, where would you go and for how long?

 

For an inspiring vacation I would love to go to Europe and tour castles, but for a true writing retreat (where I’d actually get some writing done) you can’t beat a secluded cabin in the north woods and the company of other writers. I spent a great weekend last year with four other writers drinking wine and talking craft. There’s no better inspiration.

 

I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Kim Handysides at http://kimhandysides.com/

Thursday Threads

Today we feature author Elle Hill’s amazing paranormal romance Haunted Dreams:

Genre: Paranormal romance

Heat level: Sensual.

Hook: A woman trapped in an endless cycle of nightmares. A handsome hero committed to rescuing her. It’s just like Sleeping Beauty – except the dreaming damsel is the sword wielder and the hero is a psychic vampire feeding off her pain.

Excerpt:

“The Leeches got their nickname from the way they eat.” Reed’s voice was even.

“They drink blood?” she breathed.

He shook his head. “A little less literal. The Broschi are empathic. They can feel and even evoke other people’s feelings, negative ones like fear, pain, horror.”

“Sun and stars,” she breathed. She got it.

She got it.

“They’re eating me,” she said, and laughed, but not humorously. “These superhuman, psychic Leech people are keeping me trapped in nightmares, eating my feelings.” Her chest felt heavy. She pressed her left hand against it and felt its gentle rise and fall.

None of this is real. All this drama, all this fear, all the pain and anger and malice. None of it exists except in the form of juicy brainwaves that these beings sip like mint juleps. No wonder she couldn’t die, couldn’t escape, couldn’t ever wake up.

Reed’s face was flushed, his nostrils wide. Her handsome hero. For a minute, she hated him, hated that he got to wake up, hated this situation, hated everything boxing her in this narrow world.

Katana glared at him for a moment. “I’m trapped in here,” she grated.

His face relaxed into compassion. Hers hardened.

“I know,” he said.

She stared at him for a moment longer. Finally, with a sigh, she leaned her head against the glass. “Who are you, Reed?”

“I’m a Leech, too, Katana.”

Links:

Blog: http://ellehillauthor.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.ellehill.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Elle-Hill/155409064486649?ref=hl

Purchasing the book: http://www.amazon.com/Hunted-Dreams-ebook/dp/B00CHUEIIG

Twitter: @ellehillauthor

Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!

 

If you found me via LaNora Mangano’s wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.

 

Here are my answers to today’s probing questions:

 

1. Do you prefer to write futuristic, contemporary or historical romances and why?

 

I would have to go with futuristic. In fact…BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! I just received a contract from Soul Mate Publishing for a new novel entitled Hearts in Orbit: The Blarmling Dilemma, a deep space, Sci-Fi, futuristic romance.

 

I have the utmost respect for historical writers. They have to do a ton of research, and be so knowledgeable in the era of history they are writing. Get something wrong, and your readers will let you know. Me? I prefer to make things up. Who’s to say in the future there won’t be a substance called gandasol used in powering starships, or a new ore discovered called synganite? By the time we find out, I’ll be long gone.

 

2. What is your favorite time in history and how and why does it inspire you?

 

I’m going to pick prehistoric times. Not the dinosaurs, but the history of man before things were written down and recorded. Once again, no facts to go back and look at, so it makes for a cleaner slate to paint my story against. Old gods and dead religions, creatures long gone extinct—what could be more fun to play with? I set the background of my Demons Rising series in old Atlantis. I did a bit or research there, but made most of it up. Go ahead. Prove I got it wrong.

 

3. How has your life experience contributed to your writing?

 

I’ve had a long and varied employment history, which is a nice way of saying I didn’t stick with any one job very long. I’ve been a commercial copywriter, radio announcer, computer game programmer, banker, musician, librarian, computer desktop support specialist, and network analyst. I’ve also owned and operated my own business, a retail hobby shop and book store.

Lots of different jobs and experiences, but it seemed I was never satisfied and always looking for that next step up financially that also offered something different to learn and experience. Even when I hit that last job, with the ‘golden handcuffs’ that gave me wages and benefits far above what I had expected I’d ever make without a college degree, I never stopped looking. That was probably the reason I went back to my writing in hopes of making enough to step away from the computer field. Now that I’m ‘retired’ and writing full time, who knows what’s next. I’m thinking astronaut…or lion tamer.

I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Jeana E. Mann http://jeanaemann.net

Intoxicated by Jeana E. Mann

 

 

 

Thursday Threads

Hot off the presses, this week we feature Anne B. Cole’s new paranormal, Souls Entwined:

Souls Entwined

A Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Scheduled to Release April 30, 2014

By Soul Mate Publishing

Heat Level: Sweet Romance

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Souls-Entwined-Anne-B-Cole-ebook/dp/B00K0W80JQ/

 

Souls Entwined is Anne B. Cole’s debut release, combining sweet romantic suspense, time travel, and paranormal elements in a New Adult novel attractive to a wide range of readers.

In addition to writing, Anne teaches preschool and is raising three very active teenagers with her husband of twenty-two years. Her love for making fresh baked goodies, running, hiking, historical fiction, and her three pet cats continue to be her inspiration while she pens the sequel to Souls Entwined.

Blurb

When a cursed family heirloom sends Gretta Dobbs back in time, a hunky construction worker, Sam Daggett, suddenly finds himself love struck and joins her adventure. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they begin to unravel the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding a bloodthirsty pirate who is determined to seek revenge. Gretta and Sam must find the secrets needed to save her and her relatives from an afterlife in purgatory and return to their own lives—or risk becoming prisoners of the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse.

Excerpt

From Chapter Two

Not a sound was heard as Sam’s eyes snapped open. Under the branches of the downed tree, Purple Shorts began to stir.

“Sorry, are you okay?” Sam gently lifted his weight off her.

“I think so,” she replied faintly. Sam released his hold on her shoulder, amazed her face wasn’t scratched. He wondered how bad he appeared.

“Do you think you can stand?”

She nodded. Together they rose to their feet, easily stepping out from the tangle of branches. Eyes growing wide, she began to sway.

“Sit,” Sam commanded, steadying her.

“No, look!” She pointed.

Sam gazed over his shoulder. His mouth fell open. Beneath the tree, their bodies lay, motionless.

“Are we . . .” Purple Shorts began, but Sam shook his head slowly.

Before she could say more, he interrupted, “I don’t know. Do you feel—”

“Dead?”

He scanned the area for help. Everything around them was still, as if they were watching a movie and someone hit ‘pause.’ No wind, no sound, no movement. He flinched when cold fingers clutched his hand.

Squeezing gently, he lifted her hand in front of their faces. “Can you feel this?”

Purple Shorts nodded.

“I don’t think we’re dead,” Sam whispered, gazing into her blue eyes.

Connect With Anne

To follow Anne’s publishing journey and connect with her, check out her blog site and find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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Thursday Threads

Today we feature Cathy MacRae’s wonderful historical romance, The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride

The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride, Book 2 in The Highlander’s Bride series

Written by Cathy MacRae

Historical Romance set in the Highlands of Scotland, 1377

Heat Scale: Sensual

Cover blurb:

Determined to keep the Macrory clan’s holdings out of the clutches of the Lord of the Isles and marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lays dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird—and marry Laird Macrory’s headstrong daughter.

Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother’s stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king’s decision to send a man to oversee the castle and people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him.

Her disappointment turns to panic when the king’s plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a 4-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald’s chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve?

Excerpt:

“So, the king forced Eaden to wed,” Riona murmured. Her gaze caught Ranald’s. “What will he do to me?”

Ranald noted her sudden pallor, her grey eyes widening until they were naught but huge silver orbs glowing against her skin. Now was as good a time as any to tell her what King Robert intended for her, but he could not force the words.

“Ye are a laird’s daughter,” he reminded her. “And an heiress. Yer mother’s dower lands north of here are of great value to the king.”

“And I am of little worth, aye?” Riona flared.

“Nae. Ye are of great worth.”

“But a pawn to the king.”

Ranald sighed. This was not going as he planned. “We are all pawns in one way or another, Ree. The king willnae let ye stay on yer own. Ye are a ward of the crown, now.”

“So, he’ll marry me off to some rebellious laird he wants to drag over to his side, using me and my lands to hold him?”

“Nae. No’ so bad as all that.”

“Then, to a wealthy laird who’s all but doddering in his cups, hoping I’ll no’ breed an heir before he dies, giving title to the land to the king and my next husband?”

Ranald lifted an eyebrow. The lass was getting worked up over nothing.

“Marriage, yes. Doddering auld man, no.”

Riona snapped her head to one side, a glower on her face. “Then, who?”

Ranald swallowed and gave her a crooked smile.

“Me.”

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