Karen Docter's Blog, page 243
May 26, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH **DOUBLE FEATURE** Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
PICTURE PERFECT LOVE
A Year of Weddings Novella
BY MELISSA McCLONE
Blurb
When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart.
Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren’t always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God’s plan and His perfect timing.
Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton’s heart still hasn’t recovered.
It was me. His younger sister’s three words turn Ashton’s world upside down. He must ask Jenna’s forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?
PICTURE PERFECT LOVE
A Year of Weddings Novella
BY MELISSA McCLONE
Excerpt
Her ex-fiancé, Ashton Vance, was the last person Jenna expected to see. Wanted to see. Ever.
He looked . . . good. His classically handsome features seemed more chiseled than two years ago. Maybe that was due to his shorter, corporate haircut. So different from the longer, curly-at-the-ends style he’d worn before. His tailored suit screamed successful attorney. No sign of the beard stubble she’d found so appealing.
She blinked, thinking she must be hallucinating, then refocused. He was still standing on her front step, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Hello, Jenna.”
His voice washed over her like chocolate fondue. Deep, rich, warm. Exactly how she remembered. But hearing him say her name no longer gave her the good, shoot-to-her toes chills. More like a shiver down her spine.
Please, God, give me strength. A little grace wouldn’t hurt.
She forced herself to breathe. “Why are you here?”
Her voice sounded shaky, the way her insides felt. Ashton had been the man she’d dreamed of being with for the rest of her life. The man who hadn’t believed his own fiancée was telling the truth. The man who’d broken her heart.
“A fair question.”
Nothing had been fair. Not the weeks of crying. Not the months trying to get over him. Not the nearly two years putting herself and her life back together. Jenna’s muscles bunched, one after another, into a mass of triple knots.
She raised her chin, not about to make this easy on him. She was no longer a pushover and had found strength, not in herself, but in God. “Then answer my question.”
Ashton flinched.
Jenna didn’t care. Ashton Vance . . . Ash had been her world. She would have done anything for the man, but she had zero patience now. She wanted him gone.
He glanced around. “May I come in?”
“No.” Turning the cheek was one thing. Acting like an idiot was another. She wasn’t being rude, but practical. “Clients will be arriving soon.”
“Fine.”
A vein throbbed at his jaw. His blue eyes resembled the color of the Columbia River during a storm. She probably shouldn’t take so much pleasure in his unease.
He cleared his throat. “I just found out you didn’t post that photo. I’m sorry for blaming you and calling you a liar.”
Finally.
She waited for relief to hit. It didn’t. Nor did any other emotion now that he’d accepted the truth. She felt disconnected, more observer than participant. Strange, given the times she’d imagined this moment, but his showing up seemed anticlimactic. Maybe because she’d realized their relationship hadn’t been based on unconditional love, but on being the perfect couple, attending the most popular church in town, and having a big wedding so voters would think he was a happily married family man, rather than a bachelor who lived in a downtown condo.
“Amber came clean,” Jenna said.
His lips parted, matching the surprise in his eyes. “You knew my sister sent the photo?”
“Having me Photoshop the picture was her idea. She was the only other person who knew it existed.”
Ash’s gaze narrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did, but you’d made up your mind I had to be the one who posted the picture to the newspaper’s Facebook page.”
“I had. That’s why I want to apologize.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I feel horrible for everything that happened.”
“Welcome to my world.”
“Jenna . . .”
“What?” Okay, maybe her words hadn’t been polite, but she’d been honest. The one thing she’d been through the ordeal. Though few had believed her. Everyone—from their friends to those who attended Westside Christian Church—had sided with him. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“Accepting my apology would be nice.”
“Nice.” The word tasted like dirt in her mouth. “There’s nothing nice about this.”
“I thought you’d be happy I don’t blame you any longer.
“I am, but I would be happier if you’d believed before this.”
“I thought about calling you. Several times.”
“But you didn’t. You’re only here because you have proof.”
About the author, Melissa McClone…
Melissa McClone has published over thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.
~~~~~~~
Links to Melissa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/melissamcclo...
Twitter: @melissamcclone
Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect...
BN NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pictu...
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a prize pack that contains a $10 Amazon gift card, a Picture Perfect Love magnet, Ghirardelli chocolate bar and bookmarks to one lucky reader who answers the following question on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. QUESTION: HAVE YOU EVER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO WRONGED YOU IN THE PAST? Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your story with us!
May 25, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: A Kiss for Lady Mary by Ella Quinn
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
A KISS FOR LADY MARY
The Marriage Game
BY ELLA QUINN
Blurb
Ella Quinn’s bachelors do as they like and take what they want. But when the objects of their desire are bold, beautiful women, the rules of the game always seem to change…
Handsome, charming, and heir to a powerful Viscount, Christopher “Kit” Featherton is everything a woman could want—except interested in marriage. So when he hears that someone on his estate near the Scottish border is claiming to be his wife, Kit sets off to investigate.
Since her parents’ death, Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin, a fortune-hunting fool after her inheritance. Refusing to settle for anything less than love, Mary escapes to the isolated estate of rakish bachelor, Kit Featherton. Knowing he prefers Court to the country, she believes she will be safe. But when Kit unexpectedly returns, her pretend marriage begins to feel seductively real…
A KISS FOR LADY MARY
The Marriage Game
BY ELLA QUINN
Excerpt
Kit had had had a great deal of time over the past several days to plan how he would arrive. In the end, he decided to do so in as impressive a way as possible. That ought to convey to the woman that he was serious about recovering his property. All his life he had worked hard to avoided scandal, and he refused to have one touch him or his family now. He would give no quarter. She’d probably pack her bags and leave by to-morrow morning. If not, he’d help her out the door.
He glanced at his pocket watch again. For the past half hour, he had been waiting on the outskirts of Rosebury for Piggott to catch up with him. Finally he spied a carriage being led by his father’s coachman. Of all the bad luck. The wheeler had gone lame. At least it wasn’t one of his father’s horses. After they’d left York, he’d been on his own for cattle. He’d have to get that poor fellow looked after. Hopefully, Rosebury would have a decent hostelry. He’d be damned if he’d have the carriage led all the way to Rose Hill.
“Sorry, sir.” Jack Coachman said as he approached. “He threw a shoe. Shouldn’t be too bad once we get it fixed.”
“There’s nothing you could have done to prevent it. We’ll just have to find a replacement.”
After making their slow way to the center of the town, Kit located the blacksmith, while his groom asked about a place to keep the horse and hire another.
Kit stepped into the large stone building, peering through the dim light until he located a man. “Good day. I have a horse that’s thrown a shoe. Can you help me?”
A large, middle-aged man with coal black hair materialized from the dark interior. “Aye, gimme time ta finish here.” The next sound was the sizzle of hot iron being put in water. “Pass’n through?”
“Here on business. Name’s Featherton.”
The smithy stopped what he was doing and turned. “Be ye the Featherton what owns Rose Hill?”
Kit smiled. “I am.”
The other man scowled. “See here, ya not plan’n on causing trouble for our Lady Mary are ya?”
Good God, what had the blasted female been doing? He wondered if Mary was even her real name. “Not at all. I’m just making sure everything is going well.”
Not exactly a lie.
“We don’t hold with wife beating here aboots.”
“Why would I want to . . . No, of course not. I don’t know who would. Can’t a man visit his wife?”
Why the hell had he said that? He should not have given credence to her lie.
“Took yer sweet time,” the smithy said, in only a slightly less belligerent tone.
Kit opened his mouth to respond in kind, but thought better of it. He had no wish to continue this conversation.
About the author, Ella Quinn…
Bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them. She has just finished her first series, The Marriage Game, and her new series will start in April 2016.
She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and granddaughter, one cat and a dog. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat cruising the Caribbean and North America.
Ella is a member of the Romance Writers of American, The Beau Monde and Hearts Through History. She is represented by Elizabeth Pomada of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency, and published by Kensington.
~~~~~~~
Links to Ella’s website, blog, books, etc.
A Kiss for Lady Mary
Available Now:
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Apple
Website: www.ellaquinnauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor
Blog: http://ellaquinnauthor.wordpresscom
~~~
Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Ella, for sharing your story with us!
May 24, 2015
**Author Peek** Interview with Melissa McClone
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
MELISSA McCLONE
~~
INTRODUCING…MELISSA.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
Hi! It’s so good to be back on your blog, Karen. About me? Let’s see…I live in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, it’s raining right now! I’m a writer and mom of many two-legged and four legged kiddos. I foster senior cats for a no-kill animal shelter and spend a lot of my time driving kids to various practices and places. My kids say I’m a crazy cat lady and a swim mom. I wouldn’t disagree with them! I enjoy reading, love Star Wars, and am trying to get back in shape so I can keep up with the family this summer.
1. What appeals to you about the genre that you write?
I love happy endings. It doesn’t matter if Im reading a book, writing one or watching a movie, the payoff for me is that happy ending! With Picture Perfect Love, I’m entering a new-to-me romance genre—Christian romance. There’s still a happy journey, and the story is similar to the sweet romances I’ve written before, but with the addition of a faith journey.
2. Are you a plotter or a pantser (one who writes “by the seat of your pants”)?
Plotter, no question about it. I have various forms/charts I’ve found and created over the years to keep me on track. I also write the last chapter after I write the first three. I must know where the story is going or I flounder.
3. What is your favorite part of writing?
Rewriting! Staring at a blank page can be intimidating. My first drafts are really bad, but I can get the story down and figure out the characters. The good stuff happens when I’m rewriting and doing revisions!
4. If you had to give up writing and do something else, what would you do instead?
It would have to be something creative. I love crafting, but not sure I could make any money at that. I do love making prize packages to give away on my Facebook page and more than one reader has told me I could make a living doing it so maybe I’d try that!
5. What’s your favorite meal of the day?
I’d say breakfast, and I’ll add that it’s my favorite meal to eat out!
6. Which are your favorite characters to write, the female characters or the male characters? Why?
I love writing male characters. Men are fascinating and writing one is a way to get into their heads. Plus I enjoy researching my guy characters. I’ve interviewed mountain climbers and rescuers, an internet dating site founder, police officers, firemen, farmers, hi-tech executives, venture capitalists, and many others. So much fun and educational!
7. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
I’d want to be invisible so I could do in-depth research (and eavesdropping on conversations) for my stories.
8. Many writers dream of having the ideal location to write. If you could live anywhere in the world or live a particular lifestyle, where would you be answering these questions right now?
I’d be living in a log cabin near Bend, Oregon with a view of Ponderosa pines and snow-capped peaks out my window.
9. Do you have any rejection stories to share? Reviews that meant something special to you?
I’ve been very fortunate when it comes to rejections since I sold my first manuscript back in 1997. The books rejected before that point weren’t ready for publication and deserved to be rejected, but with each rejection letter, I learned something that helped make me a better writer.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
Well, Picture Perfect Love goes on sale tomorrow, and I have a Harlequin Special Edition titled His Proposal, Their Forever that comes out on July 1st.
~~~~~~~
Links to Melissa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/melissamcclo...
Twitter: @melissamcclone
Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect...
BN NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pictu...
~~~~
BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Melissa, her release, and an excerpt from PICTURE PERFECT LOVE on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a prize pack that contains a $10 Amazon gift card, a Picture Perfect Love magnet, Ghirardelli chocolate bar and bookmarks to one lucky reader who answers the following question on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. QUESTION: HAVE YOU EVER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO WRONGED YOU IN THE PAST? Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your story with us!
May 21, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Kat Martin
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with KAT MARTIN!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Kat Martin, and her favorite recipe for CHILLED ASIAN ASPARAGUS!
AGAINST THE TIDE
The Brodies of Alaska, Book Three
B
Y KIT MARTIN
Blurb
Secrets—and safety—melt under a midnight sun…
Liv Chandler is running for her life, and the cops haven’t been able to do a thing to help. But there’s one man who makes her feel safe, no matter what…rugged charter boat captain Rafe Brodie.
To Rafe, Liv is a beautiful mystery, one he can’t ignore. He means to unearth her secrets, and in the process, if luck is on his side, maybe the spark between them will ignite.
But Liv’s past is more dangerous than Rafe could guess, and when his first mate turns up dead, she fears that she’s next. That there’s something else coming she can’t see. That even Rafe and the remote village of Valdez, Alaska can’t protect her forever…
[Release date: 5/26/15]
REVIEWS:
“Martin’s latest novel leaves readers breathless with the absorbing combination of mystery and romance.” —RTBookReviews
“This book is action packed. It has plenty of suspense and I love that the story wasn’t just given away. It all evolved into something fabulous. It will have you looking for the other Brodie books.” —Crystal’s Reviews
What are readers saying about AGAINST THE TIDE?
“A sexy romantic thriller I didn’t want to stop reading.” —Paige, Mertztown, PA
“Thrilling, suspenseful and keeps you hanging on till the very end! And…delicious romance!” — Misty, Galt, CA
“This book was a great read! Characters were intriguing. Story was easy to get swept away with.” —Elissa, Collegeville, PA
“Awesome book from start to finish. I was hooked right away & couldn’t put it down!” —Amy, Las Cruces, NM
“Sexy and Intriguing read. A must read if you love to get caught up in love and romance and danger.” —Kristen, Oklahoma City, OK
“I loved it! Kat martin describes the scenes with such detail it feels as if you’re right there in the story. Loved the characters and the whole plot.” —Lisa, Slippery Rock, PA
AGAINST THE TIDE
The Brodies of Alaska, Book Three
B
Y KIT MARTIN
EXCERPT
Valdez, Alaska
The piercing ring of the cell phone lying on his nightstand didn’t bode well. There was no such thing as good news at three o’clock in the morning.
With a sigh, Rafe rolled over and grabbed the phone, scrubbed a hand over his face as he pressed it against his ear. “Brodie.”
“Police Chief Rosen here. We’ve got a problem, Rafe, and it’s not a good one. I need you to meet me down at the harbor. How soon can you get here?”
Rafe swung his long legs to the side of the bed and sat up. “Ten minutes. What’s this about, Chief?”
“It’s Scotty Ferris, Rafe. I’m afraid he’s dead. I’ll fill you in when you get here. I’ll be waiting on the dock next to the Scorpion.” The police chief hung up the phone.
For several long moments, Rafe just sat there. His chest felt tight. Scotty Ferris was twenty-four years old, a handsome, hard-working kid who was engaged to be married. His June wedding to Cassie Webster, one of the local girls, was only three weeks away. Cassie was going to be crushed.
Rafe swore softly. What the hell could have happened?
But in this rugged country where the climate, wild animals, or just bad judgment could get you killed, accidents happened all the time.
Shoving himself up from the bed, Rafe grabbed a pair of worn jeans off the chair and jerked them on, pulled a sweatshirt over his head, pulled on his heavy sox, and shoved his size-thirteen feet into a pair of high-topped, rubber-soled boots. Since the temperature at night even in late May was still in the thirties and it had rained during the night, he grabbed his jacket as he headed for the steps down to the garage.
The boat harbor wasn’t far from his house. Sea Scorpion was his flagship charter fishing boat, a thirty-eight-foot Mac, his pride and joy. It was the boat he usually captained himself, one of three that made up his fleet. Scotty Ferris was part of Scorpion’s crew.
Rafe thought of the young man as he parked his dark green Ford Expedition in a spot in front of the harbor, climbed out, and closed the door. Puddles from last night’s rain sloshed against his boots as he made his way toward the dock. The occasional street light burned into the darkness but quiet surrounded him, along with the familiar salty tang of the sea.
Rafe couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Which brought his thoughts full-circle to Scotty. With year-round residents numbering less that forty-five hundred, everyone knew everyone who lived there. And everyone knew and liked Scotty. The kid had been born in Valdez. He thrived on the rugged lifestyle, planned to marry and raise kids here, probably never would have left.
What the hell had happened? Rafe thought again as he walked toward his boat.
And why did Chief Rosen want to meet him at the Scorpion?
A few spaces down from where’d he parked, Rafe spotted a black-and-silver Ford police SUV. In the distance, the familiar antenna above the wheelhouse of the Scorpion marked where the boat bobbed near the middle of the dock.
Rafe started down the long wooden walkway, his gaze on the group of people gathered next to where the Scorpion was moored. The area was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, the boat clearly off limits until the police were finished collecting evidence.
Police Chief Clifford Rosen, a stout man in his fifties, bald head ringed by thinning gray hair, stood next to a figure lying on the dock, covered by a long white cloth. Knowing Scotty Ferris lay under the cloth made Rafe’s stomach burn.
“What happened?” he asked the chief.
“Looks like he was robbed,” Rosen answered. “Wallet’s missing, jewelry’s gone. Car keys. Cell phone’s missing. Single blow to the back of the head. Blunt instrument. Baseball bat seems the most likely, something that size that was easy to handle.”
“Jesus.”
“I asked you to come down because I need someone to identify the body. With his parents both dead, I figured better you than his fiancée. Soon as you do that, I’ll break the news to the Webster girl.”
Rafe just nodded. Cassie was going to be devastated. She and Scotty were crazy in love, the kind Rafe figured had a good chance of lasting. Sometimes fate could be a real bastard.
One of the officers, a red-haired young cop Rafe recognized as Rusty Donovan, leaned down and lifted the edge of the sheet. As the cover rolled back, Rafe’s gaze fixed on Scotty. The boy’s brown eyes were open, staring sightlessly into the black night sky. His handsome face was frozen in a look of surprise.
He was wearing a jacket but it was unzipped, revealing a long-sleeved blue T-shirt that read FISHERMEN DO IT DEEPER. Rafe could almost see the grin on the kid’s face when he’d put it on.
“It’s him,” he said darkly. “Scott Ferris.”
“You know what he was doing down here?”
“No.”
But once he got his head wrapped around Scotty’s death, he intended to find out.
***
The breakfast crowd at the Pelican Café had begun to arrive, as people did every morning when it opened at six A.M. The café had been started in the fifties and been going strong every since. Of course it had passed through a dozen different owners, had its ups and downs, and been near financial ruin more than once.
Having purchased the restaurant six months ago, Olivia Chandler was the most recent person to step into the driver’s seat. Unlike the previous owner, who had let the place sink into disrepair, Olivia had been making changes, most of which had been heralded with great enthusiasm by the local customers.
“Well, look who’s coming,” Nell said. The buxom woman with salt-and-pepper hair helped her run the café. “If it isn’t Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.”
Liv followed her gaze out the window to the man in jeans and a sweatshirt crossing the outside patio. The brick patio was empty now while it was still cold, but with summer approaching, soon would be noisy with people.
Katie walked past just then, heading for a table with a platter of bacon and eggs on the flat of her hand. “I just call him Mr. Freakin’ Hot.”
“Shame on you,” Liv teased. “You just turned twenty one. Rafe Brodie’s got to be at least a dozen years older.”
“Just means he’s a man not a boy. And I like a guy with a little experience.”
“From what I hear, he has plenty of that,” Liv said dryly as Katie sailed off to deliver the food.
Nell chuckled. “I’m fifty years old and that man can still make me swoon.”
Olivia busied herself wiping off the long Formica-topped counter as Rafe shoved through the door, ringing the bell above. Seating himself in his usual booth, he stretched his long legs out in front of him. Rafe was a regular in the café, which sat on North Harbor Road right across from the boat dock.
“Katie’s busy,” Nell said with a match-making glint in her eyes. “Why don’t you wait on him?”
Olivia shook her head. “I’m busy, too. You go ahead.”
Knowing there was no persuading her, Nell sighed. “Probably better you don’t. Everyone in town knows Rafe’s a dedicated bachelor.”
Dedicated bachelor or not, Nell and Katie were right. With the thick dark brown hair curling just over his collar, the faint shadow of beard that usually lined his hard jaw, and those hot, whiskey-brown eyes, he was one of the best-looking men Olivia had ever seen.
Which was exactly the reason she had avoided him since the day she had met him.
No use putting temptation in her path. It was simply too dangerous.
She watched as Nell chatted with him a moment, then the easy smile Nell usually gave him slipped from her face. The coffee pot wavered. Rafe grabbed the glass pot to keep her from dropping it and spilled hot coffee over his hand.
Olivia didn’t hesitate, just grabbed a towel, wet it with cold water, and hurried in Rafe’s direction. He was sitting down again, Nell fussing over him, relieved to see Olivia approaching.
“Here–wrap this around your fingers.” Liv handed him the wet towel. “It’s cold enough to ease the pain and keep the burn from getting worse.”
“I’m all right,” Rafe said. “It’s no big deal.” But he accepted the wet cloth and looped it over the back of a big suntanned hand.
The man was all of six-four, two-hundred-plus pounds, with a solid, athletic build and very wide shoulders. Liv was five-nine, but Rafe was more than half a head taller. She tried not to stare at his mouth, which seemed harder this morning, without the smile he always had for Nell.
She glanced in her friend’s direction, sucked in a breath as Nell’s pale blue eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, God, what is it?”
Nell blinked and the tears rolled down her cheeks. She wiped at the wetness with a trembling hand. “I could tell something was wrong. It was stamped all over Rafe’s face.”
Liv glanced from one of them to the other, saw the same grim expression on both of their faces. “Tell me what’s happened.”
Nell swallowed. “It’s…it’s Scotty. He was murdered last night.”
Liv glanced across the table at Rafe. His jaw looked iron-hard, his eyes so dark she could barely see a hint of gold. For the first time it occurred to her that Rafe was hurting, too. Scotty was his first mate and they were friends. Cassie had said Scott idolized Rafe, had thought of him as an older brother.
His dark eyes to her face. “Scott was a good man. One of the best. Whoever killed him is going to pay.”
A little shiver ran through her. It wasn’t a statement. It was a vow.
And Liv completely believed it.
[Release date: 5/26/15]
About the author…Kat Martin.
New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. She is married to L.J. Martin, author of western, non-fiction, and suspense novels.
Kat has written more than sixty-five novels. Sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries, including Japan, France, Germany, Argentina, Greece, China, Russia, and Spain.
Born in Bakersfield, California, Kat currently resides in Missoula, Montana, on a small ranch in the beautiful Sapphire mountains.
Her last eleven books have hit the prestigious New York Times bestseller list. Both AGAINST THE WILD and AGAINST THE SKY, her latest release, took top ten spots. AGAINST THE TIDE the 3rd book in the Brodies of Alaska series will hit shelves in a couple weeks!
Visit Kat’s website at www.katmartin.com
Or look for her on Facebook at Katmartin/author.
Links to Kat’s website, blog, books, etc.
ASIN: B00ONTR60Q
ISBN: 9781420133868
ISBN-10: 1420133861
ISBN-13: 978-1420133868
Website: http://www.katmartin.com/
Video: https://youtu.be/Yfajue8HliQ
Netgalley Link:
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/63760
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Against-Tide-Brodies-Alaska-Book-ebook/dp/B00ONTR60Q/
B&N:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/against-the-tide-kat-martin/1120138025?ean=9781420133868
Indiebound:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420133868
Goodreads link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22812429
Twitter: @katbooks https://twitter.com/katbooks
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KatMartinAuthor
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/luvromance/
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Martin/e/B000AQ0OJQ/
I hope you enjoy the recipe Kat is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 203 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHILLED ASIAN ASPARAGUS
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh asparagus (the skinnier the better)
Marinade:
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced ginger root
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
fresh ground pepper
Directions:
Put approximately 1 inch of water in a 12-inch skillet and bring water to a boil.
Put 2 inches of water and several large cups of icecubes into a large bowl. Set aside.
Clean asparagus; break off the ends and rinse in cold water.
Put all marinade ingredients in a small bowl and wisk together until well mixed. Set aside.
Place asparagus in boiling water and let them cook for 2-4 minutes. Asparagus should be crisp (do not over cook!).
After cooking asparagus for 2-4 minutes, immediately drain the hot water and rinse asparagus under cold water.
Transfer the asparagus from skillet to the bowl with water & ice and let the asparagus cool for 10-15 minutes.
Remove the asparagus from ice water and gently wrap in paper towels to remove as much water as possible.
Place asparagus in serving dish and pour marinade over asparagus and gently toss.
Serve within 30 minutes.
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: To celebrate the release of AGAINST THE TIDE (The Brodie Brothers of Alaska, Book Three) Kat Martin is giving away elegant Swarovski crystal necklace AND autographed copies of the three books in her wildly popular AGAINST series (Against the Mark, Against the Edge, Against the Sun) to one lucky winner. Enter the contest here:
TIDE CONTEST: http://www.katmartin.com/contests/
Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Kat, for sharing your story with us!
May 20, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH **DOUBLE FEATURE** Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
THE DARING EXPLOITS OF A RUNAWAY HEIRESS
Millworth Manor #5
BY VICTORIA ALEXANDER
Blurb
To Do:
Swim naked in the moonlight
Play in a high stakes card game
Ride an elephant
Be painted sans clothing.
Take a lover…
Lucy Merryweather has inherited a fortune—and her great-aunt’s list of unfulfilled wishes. What better way to honor her memory than by accomplishing as many of them as possible? And with Lucy’s family an ocean away in New York, nothing stands in her way—if one ignores the private investigator hired to spy on her.
Yet Cameron Effington is infuriatingly difficult to ignore…
As a reporter, Cameron is always looking for a good story. An American heiress running rampant between Millworth Manor and Mayfair is the perfect subject. Not to mention captivating. And extremely kissable. And if Lucy believes he’s a detective? Well, the truth should never get in the way of a good story—or hinder delicious, impetuous passion…
THE DARING EXPLOITS OF A RUNAWAY HEIRESS
Millworth Manor #5
BY VICTORIA ALEXANDER
Excerpt
When the family had finished dinner, his mother drew a deep breath. “Cameron, your father has something he wishes to discuss with you.”
Father’s brow furrowed. “I had planned to have that discussion privately.”
“Absolutely not.” Mother shook her head. “I do not intend to take sides, but I will not be left out of this.”
“Nor will I,” Grandmother said in a deceptively pleasant tone. Obviously she too knew what this was about.
“Very well.” Father’s tone was sharp. “The rest of you may leave.”
“I believe I prefer to stay,” Spencer said mildly.
Thad glanced at Grace and Simon and nodded. “As do we.”
“As you wish.” Father paused, then his hard gaze met his youngest son’s. Unease clenched Cam’s stomach. “I have not been happy at this rift between us. So, a few days ago, in the spirit of harmony or even perhaps compromise, I read an edition of the Daily Messenger for the first time.”
“For the first time?” Cam said slowly.
“Good Lord, Father!” Grace stared. “He’s been writing for the paper for over a year and you haven’t read it until now?”
“No,” Father snapped, and glared at his daughter. “I have not.”
“Don’t you think you should have?” Simon asked.
“The rest of us have,” Thad added.
Cam stared at his father, disappointment and something that might well have been hurt rising within him. “You haven’t read anything I’ve written?”
“I have.” Mother raised her chin. “I have read every single issue since Cam began his work there.”
“And I have read most of them as well,” Grandmother said.
“As have I.” Spencer gestured at his siblings. “We all have.”
“You needn’t look at me like that, any of you.” Father glared. “I said I haven’t read the Daily Messenger. In point of fact, I have read every word Cameron has written.” Father slanted Mother an annoyed look. She refused to meet his gaze. “Your mother has clipped every story, every article for me in what I now see as a most devious attempt to keep me in a state of innocent ignorance. However, three days ago I read the Messenger in its entirety and I now understand why she went to such great efforts to prevent that.” Father’s eyes narrowed. “I have never before read something as filled with slander and gossip and salacious skewing of facts and events. Something so scandalous and so . . . so liberal. It’s appalling and not worth the paper it’s written on.”
“I don’t think it’s any worse than any other paper, Father,” Spencer said.
“The Cadwallenders are an honorable family and I do not understand how they can publish this sort of rubbish.”
“Admittedly there is a great deal of emphasis on scandal and gossip and sensationalism, but unfortunately, Father”— Thad shrugged—“that is what sells papers. It’s what people want to read.”
“It’s not what I want to read,” Father said firmly. “It’s not what respectable members of society want to read.”
“Then perhaps you would do well not to read it again,” Cam said in as calm a manner as he could muster.
“Cam’s work is very good, Father.” Thad offered Cam a smile of support. “He is an excellent writer.”
“I know that,” Father snapped. “But he should put that talent to a better use.”
“What would that be, Father?” Cam’s voice hardened. “Should I occupy myself with the family’s business interests alongside Simon and Thad and write reports on investment strategies and import regulations? Should I work with Spencer and write about the newest agricultural methods for increasing profitability of the estates?”
“Don’t be absurd.” Father scoffed. “You know as well as I you aren’t suited for any of that. You could write books. That’s respectable enough.”
Cam’s jaw tightened. “One doesn’t just sit down and write a book. It’s not that easy.”
“Balderdash.” Father waved off the comment. “Your grandmother did it.”
“Thank you, dear,” the dowager said in a wry tone.
“I don’t have anything to write about.” Cam drew a deep calming breath. “I have led a life of privilege and wealth. I have been well educated and have been fortunate enough to have had the means to travel. All in the comfort we are accustomed to. I think one should know the world in its fullness, the good and the bad, before one attempts to create worlds of one’s own. But I know nothing of the real world and the real people in it. I know nothing of life.”
“I thought we were real people,” Grace murmured.
“Stuff and nonsense.” Father huffed. “Your grandmother knew nothing of life and yet she—”
“She,” Grandmother said sternly, “had a mother who died when she was quite young and a father who gambled and drank away the family fortune and honor. A father prepared to sell his daughters to the highest bidders to finance his vices. She and her orphaned sisters lived in a country house that was barely held together by little more than prayer and hope. She knows what it’s like to have little to eat, no dowry, no prospects for improvement, and no future. I should think that would give me some sense of life beyond the privileged world we now inhabit.”
“My apologies, Mother.” Father grimaced. “I had forgotten about all that.”
Cam stared in surprise. This was a story he had never heard before, and judging from the looks on the faces of his siblings, neither had they.
“It’s best forgotten, really.” Grandmother shrugged. “It was a very long time ago and most of my life has been quite lovely. But those early days taught me a great deal about life I never would have known otherwise.” She turned toward Cam. “Every experience, every new person you meet, every new situation you observe is all fuel, Cameron. Muses are notoriously hungry, but if you feed them they will shower you with inspiration.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
Father stared for a moment. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why, I wrote as a young man. Certainly, I never had anything published—”
“They do say certain talents are known to skip a generation, dear,” Mother said pleasantly.
“Regardless, I had no need for a muse.” Father snorted.
“Which explains a great deal,” Grandmother said under her breath.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Don’t take that tone with me, Jonathon. I am an old lady and I deserve respect if nothing else.” Grandmother pinned him with a firm gaze. “I’m not saying anything you don’t already know. Although I will say, your writing was better than your father’s poetry.” She shuddered. “Sentiment is not the same thing as good, although he did try, the dear man. And while you may have been a dreadful writer, you have been an excellent duke. The family is as sound as the Bank of England itself, thanks to your leadership, in terms of its finances and reputation. And I am extraordinarily proud of you.”
Father’s mouth dropped open and a stunned look crossed his face. “I don’t think I have ever heard you say that before.”
“Don’t be absurd, Jonathon.” She picked up her sherry. “I say it all the time.”
“Well, that’s that then,” Mother said brightly, and started to rise, her sons getting to their feet as well. “I think we should all retire to the—”
“Sit down all of you, I am not finished.” Father glared and they all sat back down. “I have yet to make my point.”
“I thought he made any number of points,” Grace said in an aside to Simon beside her.
“Exactly what I hoped to avoid.” Mother sighed. “Very well then, go on.”
“I intend to,” Father said sharply, then turned to Cam. “Regardless of the fact that you are writing under a different name, this reporting of yours for that disreputable rag of a newspaper is scandalous and embarrassing and puts this family in the poorest of lights.” Father’s tone hardened. “You will resign your position at once.”
Mother groaned. “Jonathon!”
About the author, Victoria Alexander…
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and has never looked back. Victoria grew up traveling the country as an Air Force brat and is now settled in a very old house in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two allegedly grown children and two bearded collies. She firmly believes housework is a four-letter word, there are no calories in anything eaten standing up, procrastination is an art form, and it’s never too soon to panic.
~~~~~~~
Links to Victoria’s website, blog, books, etc.
Link to Follow Tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/03/the-daring-exploits-of-runaway-heiress.html
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22715903-the-daring-exploits-of-a-runaway-heiress?ac=1
Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/92540-millworth-manor
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo | Publisher
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
May 19, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench **Double Feature**: Brilliant Disguise & A Good Girl by Mary Anne Edwards
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH **DOUBLE FEATURE** Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
BRILLIANT DISGUISE
A Charlie McClung Mystery
BY MARY ANNE EDWARDS
Blurb
Detective Charlie McClung no longer finds his job fulfilling and has given up finding that “someone” his granny promised he would find. So he leaves behind the big city and his close-knit family and takes a job in a small town police department in Georgia, resigned to live a quiet life in solitude.
Things change when he meets Marian Selby while investigating the mysterious death of her best friend. But Marian swore never to love again after the death of her husband 11 years ago. What seems to be a simple suicide turns into a tangled web of deceit, corruption, and complicated shadows.
Can the two of them come to grips with their feelings for each other before the killer closes in on them?
BRILLIANT DISGUISE
A Charlie McClung Mystery
BY MARY ANNE EDWARDS
Excerpt
The intruder turned on the hall light. A thin solid sliver of light burst underneath the bedroom door but was eclipsed by moving shadows as someone tried to open the door.
This is it. A surprising calm descended on Marian. It reminded her of when she had the lead in one of the Hometown Player productions. She was nervous to the point of fainting but once she stepped onto the stage all fear was gone. But this wasn’t make believe. This was to do or die. And she didn’t want to die.
She pulled open a dresser drawer to steady her hands as she aimed the 9mm belly high toward the door. Finger on the trigger, she was ready to kill. The .38 was next to her foot ready for back up.
The jiggling door knob became quiet. Next was the sound of someone trying to pick the lock. The knob twisted and the door eased open and then stopped with just a small slice of light cutting through the darken bedroom.
Marian heard panting on the other side. Then a huge shadow blocked the light that had spilled through the crack of the opened door. Suddenly the shadow was gone and light again flowed into the bedroom. Marian’s mind raced. Maybe they changed their mind. Maybe they went away. She began to relax when nothing happened. There were no sounds, no more shadows. All was at peace.
The door flew open as the intruder kicked it open. Bits of sheet rock flew into the air as the door knob smashed violently into the wall.
Time stood still as Marian stared at the black heaving silhouette. Its dark malevolent shape reminded her of an angry grizzly bear. She saw the intruder’s arm swing up. The outstretched hand was holding a gun. It swung side to side searching the room for its prey.
One of her mother’s odd quotes popped into her brain. You can’t run for a frog. It made sense finally. She couldn’t wait for a savior. She pulled the trigger twice. The first bullet hit the doorframe. Slivers of wood exploded into the air. Marian knew the second one struck its target. The inhuman figure snarled in pain. An agonizing scream hung in the air as the intruder staggered backward.
Marian heard a police siren approaching. The wounded intruder recovered quickly as someone banged on the front door and yelled, “Open up this is the police!”
It wasn’t Charlie. Even though the voice was distorted by the siren and the banging. Marian knew it wasn’t his voice. She heard the intruder lumbering toward the front door. Then she heard shots being fired through the door. The new silence was broken by the constant whirling noise of the siren.
Marian gasped. They killed the policeman! Hearing the intruder thudding back toward the bedroom, Marian grabbed the .38 and then ran into the bathroom locking the door behind her. She thought about going out the window but there were safety locks. Knowing the locked door would give her a few seconds before the intruder broke in, she knew she didn’t have time to fumble with the locks on the windows and get out.
She looked for something, anything that would give her some advantage. She spied a tall cylindrical vase sitting on the corner of the soaking tub. It was filled with yellow tulips and blue marbles to hold them in place. Setting the guns inside the walk-in closet, she grabbed the vase and stood just inside the closet’s door then hurled it toward the middle of the bathroom floor. The glass marbles danced around the tiles covering the floor. Big shards of glass jutted up from the floor like stalagmites.
As she shut the closet, she wished it had a lock. She seized the guns and ducked behind some pants hanging in the left corner of the closet. Her back was pressed against the wall. Resting her elbows on her knees, she pointed the 9mm chest high. She waited, hoping the sound of the breaking glass would make the intruder think she had gone out the window tricking the intruder to go outside to look for her. Marian inhaled sharply as she heard the sound of the intruder smash open the locked door. She heard the intruder struggling on the marbles.
Fall on the glass. Fall on the glass.
The intruder screamed grossly obscene threats as she hit the floor.
A GOOD GIRL
A Charlie McClung Mystery
BY MARY ANNE EDWARDS
Blurb
For Charlie McClung, going home to Virginia with Marian was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but upon arrival at his childhood home, he’s met with a note instead of his family.
“Don’t worry, Love, we’re all okay. Come to the shop. A dead girl was found in an armoire delivered just now. Huggies, Ma”
Charlie is quickly recruited to help solve the murder of a young girl who was on the path to become a nun. The suspects begin to mount as Charlie delves deep into the girl’s life, revealing a sordid and ugly side of the town’s good girl.
A GOOD GIRL
A Charlie McClung Mystery
BY MARY ANNE EDWARDS
Excerpt
Charlie tapped lightly on the bedroom door. Marian was sharing his sister’s old bedroom with Aunt Ella, who was too spooked to go home alone. He heard footsteps. Marian slipped out into the hallway wearing a long pink billowy nightgown and robe. Her hair looked as if she had quickly finger-combed it. Goosebumps danced up his back. Man, she’s beautiful, even first thing in the morning, he thought.
Smiling, she kissed his stubbled cheek. She hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Once I brush out the morning breath, I’ll give you a proper kiss.” She kissed his ear. “What time is it? It’s still dark outside.”
“Five o’clock. I wanted to have a little time alone with you.” He took her hand. “Come on, I’ll make you some coffee and maybe some breakfast,” Charlie said with a wink. “Walk softly, Ma’s got ears like a bat.”
Once in the kitchen, Marian sat at the island while Charlie quietly made a huge pot of coffee. “You know, Charlie, I feel at home here. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt a sense of belonging.” Marian stared out the kitchen window. She could see a few stars refusing to relinquish their place in the sky. “I’ve missed so much but then again …” Marian didn’t want to cry even though she did feel sorrow for the years she had drifted alone. She was happy, truly happy. “But I have to look at that time alone as a healing, a time to prepare myself to be able to accept this wondrous gift. You and all you bring with it.”
Charlie grinned and wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t care about morning breath.” His gentle kiss grew more passionate as she slid her arms around him.
“I’d say get a room but ya not properly wed just yet, and I’ll not be havin’ any improper relations under my roof,” Ma chuckled. “But I do like to see ya happy, son.”
Charlie whispered, “So much for alone time.”
Marian giggled and kissed his neck.
Releasing Marian, Charlie gave Ma a peck on the cheek. “And good morning to you too, Ma.”
She patted her son’s cheek and kissed Marian’s. “Good morning, love. Did ya sleep okay? Ella didn’t snore all night did she?”
“Mmm, just a little but I was too tired to let it bother me.” Charlie handed her a cup of coffee.
“Well, son, I’m glad I taught ya proper to be takin’ care of ya lass.” Da joined the morning party. “Now get ya poor ol’ Ma and Da a cup o’ caife.” He kissed his wife and settled next to Marian. “Good morning, my dear.”
Charlie handed Ma a cup and said, “Sit Ma, I’ll make us a full breakfast. Da can help.”
“Aye, carry on, son.” Ma pushed her husband, “Go on then. Marian and I will need our strength.” She kissed Marian’s cheek. “We’ll be goin’ to town. I hav’ta show off my new daughter. Lots o’ places to go and people to see.”
“Aw, you’re so sweet, Ma. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.” Marian wrapped her arms around her new ma and felt at peace.
About the author, Mary Anne Edwards…
Mary Anne Edwards is the author of The Charlie McClung Mysteries, traditional mysteries with a touch of romance. Brilliant Disguise, the first book in the series, was released January, 2014. Its cover was a finalist in the InD’tale Magazine Crème de la Cover contest. A Good Girl, the second book, was released September, 2014. A Good Girl was voted one of the 50 Best Indie Books 2014 by ReadFree.ly. The third book, Criminal Kind, will be released on June 30, 2015. There will be seven more books in the series. Mary Anne was born in Mercedes, Texas. She now lives in Georgia with her husband of 34 years and her Tuxedo cat, Gertrude. With the encouragement of her husband, she left the accounting world to write full-time. When Mary Anne isn’t writing, she loves watching crime dramas and traveling with her husband.
~~~~~~~
Links to Mary Anne’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website:
http://maryanneedwards.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authormaryanneedwards
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Anne-Edwards/e/B00HZ28TIQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1428350582&sr=1-2-ent
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MaryAnneEdwards/posts
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/maryanneedwards
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/maryanneedwards/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7791576.Mary_Anne_Edwards
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/maedwards58
Amazon Brilliant Disguise:
http://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Disguise-Charlie-McClung-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00HYYOARE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428350831&sr=1-1&keywords=brilliant+disguise
Amazon A Good Girl:
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Girl-Charlie-McClung-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00N2EHLFS/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0EKSDGFRPRZJZM0N5JER
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Mary Anne is giving away an E-copy of both BRILLIANT DISGUISE and A GOOD GIRL to one lucky reader who comments on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss the chance to read these books! Thanks, Mary Anne, for sharing your stories with us!
May 18, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Love Released, Women of Courage #1-5 by Geri Foster
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #1
[Best if books are read in order.]
BY GERI FOSTER
Blurb
EMOTIONALLY GRIPPING!
She’s running from a past, he’s duty-bound to protect her.
He stands on the other side of sorrow and despair with a love so vast and strong it reaches into her soul and sparks the courage to become the woman she dares.
Cora Williams is an ex-con with no place to go but Gibbs City, Missouri. A small mid-western town where she hopes to remain undisturbed and unobtrusive. With her nephew Jack, her wants are simple, to hide from the horrors of her past.
Sheriff Virgil Carter is a WW2 veteran with demons of his own, but Parker County is his to protect. That includes a young, beautiful woman newly released from prison who longs to be left alone.
Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes and dream.
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #2
[Best if books are read in order.]
BY GERI FOSTER
Blurb
RIVETING AND REVEALING!
The past stands between them, but a strong abiding love bridges the gap.
Violence and crime intrude on the quiet town of Gibbs City, Missouri when a citizen does the unthinkable, but Sheriff Virgil Carter is determined to uphold the law at all cost.
Cora Williams reaches out to an abused child whose tiny heart is capable of great love and innocent acceptance. Cora must decide if she can tear down the invisible walls she’s erected to protect herself and love greater than her fear.
There is no sorrow love cannot heal and no challenge that does not bow to an act of courage.
Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes and dream.
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #3
[Best if books are read in order.]
BY GERI FOSTER
INTENSELY MOVING!
Fate, the great equalizer, binds two broken and battered hearts together in their true destiny.
When those wanting to silence Cora show up in Gibbs City, Missouri to do her harm, Sheriff Virgil Carter fights against Cora’s past as it rises and threatens to destroy them both.
Caught between her past and the future she longs for, Cora must make a difficult decision. Torn between her desire to hold on to love, Cora must surrender what she holds dear to her heart and allow the healing to begin.
Fate says one thing, the heart another. Destiny stands at the crossroads.
Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes and dream.
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #4
[Best if books are read in order.]
BY GERI FOSTER
Blurb
SPELLBINDING!
Death knocks on the door of every home in Gibbs City, Missouri. Who will answer?
Sheriff Virgil Carter’s strength and valor is tested as Gibbs City, Missouri faces it’s most challenging foe. An influenza epidemic strikes and Virgil can no longer control the outcome as the town erupts in chaos.
As the consequences of her past actions move closer, Cora Williams must use all her knowledge and physical strength to fight an invisible adversary. One that threatens the life of every citizen and challenges her to be the person she’s afraid to become.
Death and loss have no chance against a love held close to ones heart, for the heart never forgets.
Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes and dream.
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #5
[Best if books are read in order.]
BY GERI FOSTER
Blurb
HEARTFELT!
THE PAST CRAWLS BACK LIKE AN UNWANTED MEMORY TO SHATTER THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE.
Sheriff Virgil Carter must find evidence to keep the woman he loves from imprisonment and certain death. When his investigation reveals a web of corruption and greed, an attempt is made on his life and leaves him severely injured. His profound love for Cora gives him the strength to battle for her freedom.
Cora Williams must face her toughest challenge of all times by revealing her tragic past. Her worst fear is that once her secrets are exposed, Virgil will turn away and all will be lost. She must gather the courage to face evil and learn to trust her heart.
Love is powerful and strong, but can it survive the truth?
Love often comes like sleep, softly, quietly and unexpectedly. You just have to close your eyes and dream.
LOVE RELEASED
Women of Courage #1
BY GERI FOSTER
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
Jefferson City, Missouri – 1947
Cora Williams focused on her work-hardened hands clasped in front of her and the cinderblock wall on the other side of the room.
“Well now, it can’t be time for you to leave us, is it?” Herbert Grubber, the head prison guard, hiked his belted pants over his massive girth and continued in his harassing tone. “I thought you’d be here at least another month.” His bushy brows plowed together tightly then the left side of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin. “We sure hate to see you go.”
Cora didn’t say a word or give him the satisfaction of changing the poker-faced expression she’d perfected.
Not with freedom so close.
After several more condescending words, Grubber shoved a fountain pen and the long-anticipated release papers at her with a sour expression. Swallowing hard, she scribbled her name before training her eyes back on the far wall.
Her tormenter creased her copies and slid them across the battered counter. Before she left, Grubber tossed her a sneering wink. “You have 48 hours to check in with the law.” A sadistic chuckle curled his lips. “Come back and see us soon, ya hear?”
Snatching up the legal papers and her meager belongings, she turned to leave the stench and rotting hell in her wake. Only a few yards separated her from hell and the outside.
Two other guards stood behind Grubber snickering like school girls, making the flesh on her arms prickle as if insects crawled over her flesh.
As she headed toward freedom, the young guard, Jim Duffer, tipped his hat politely and pushed the gate wide. “Run, Miss Cora. Get out of here and don’t ever come back.” His soft words were as much a warning as a plea.
About the author, Geri Foster..
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Geri Foster is a multi-genre author with over 15 titles. They include her bestselling Romantic Suspense series Falcon Securities, the Historical Romantic Suspense serial Women of Courage and cute, short, sexy ERoms, Accidental Pleasures. She stays busy continuing her series and consistently coming up with new and exciting stories for her readers.
She’s been writing for years and enjoys hearing from her fans and chatting on her Facebook Groups, Women of Courage Book readers and Smart Women’s Romantic Suspense Readers Group. She’s been a member of RWA for almost twenty years, and belongs to two local chapters.
She enjoys her grandchildren, friends, family, and traveling. Europe is her favorite destination. She always has fun at conferences and can usually be found at the bar.
She lives with her husband and their shy rescue dog, Lola, in the DFW area of Texas.
~~~~~~~
Links to Geri’s website, blog, books, etc.
Women of Courage
Book One
http://amzn.to/1JoFEbQ
http://bit.ly/1b7tjtl
http://apple.co/1GibUHy
http://bit.ly/1FlUPjO
http://bit.ly/1HANopd
Book Two
http://amzn.to/1z4mGUN
http://bit.ly/1JEAK7g
http://apple.co/1ORBCar
http://bit.ly/1ORC7kT
http://bit.ly/1HB38bM
Book Three
http://amzn.to/1HDDFQC
http://bit.ly/1PFQ73m
http://apple.co/1KoxIVY
http://bit.ly/1bs0CIn
http://bit.ly/1E40adt
Book Four
http://amzn.to/1IWQRND
http://bit.ly/1Gl9MPd
http://apple.co/1OZ3qJZ
http://bit.ly/1HFi36o
http://bit.ly/1PBav5B
Book Five
http://amzn.to/1ErLNRC
http://bit.ly/1OvQkcc
http://apple.co/1HL6rx5
http://bit.ly/1DnBGrI
http://bit.ly/1JpSO8I
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Geri is giving away a copy of LOVE RELEASED, Women of Courage ~ Book One, to two lucky readers who comment on her Killer Fixin’s blog. Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Geri, for sharing your story with us!
May 17, 2015
**Author Peek** Interview with Mary Anne Edwards
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
MARY ANNE EDWARDS
~~
INTRODUCING…MARY ANNE.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
I was born in Mercedes, Texas, but moved to Georgia when I was five years old, which was a very long time ago. I’ve been married to the most practically perfect man on Earth for almost 35 years. We recently adopted a five-year-old Tuxedo cat named Gertrude. I used to show Appaloosa horses and teach aerobics. I love to read and watch crime dramas but I don’t have much time for it anymore. My husband and I also love to travel. I refuse to jaywalk and I cry at the drop of a pin.
1. How did you get started writing?
My mother used to write poems and such, so I grew up thinking that’s what I was supposed to do. I had a few short stories published then decided to write with my husband’s encouragement. My first manuscript was finished but put on a shelf. One day I may dust it off and have it published. “Brilliant Disguise” is the first book in the Charlie McClung Mysteries.
2. What genre(s) do you write in and why?
I write traditional mysteries with a touch of romance. My genre could also be classified as Romantic Suspense or Modern Cozy. I love all kinds of mysteries so I decided that I should write what I love.
3. What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
I think I’m invisible! I swear, every car on the road is out to smash my little red car. But when I’m not dodging cars, I think about my current manuscript.
4. What is your favorite part of writing?
Creating my own little worlds, saying and doing things I’d never do. I am master of my own universe!
5. What is your least favorite part of writing?
Editing! It’s so humbling and embarrassing. I can’t self-edit, no way, no how. How many mistakes have you found so far? LOL.
6. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who would they be and why? Cary Grant and Natalie Wood because I think they are the most attractive, graceful, and suave actors ever.
7. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?
Real life and music, plus a wild and crazy imagination. No, I’m not crazy … what? One of the voices in my head said that was up for debate.
8. Tell me about your ideal reader.
Someone who enjoys a good, clean, believable mystery and who will fall in love with my characters. Oh, and someone who will leave a review and tell the world about my books. Seriously, I deeply appreciate anyone who reads my books.
9. What is your “go to” routine that helps you get in the mood to write? Special beverage? Music? Etc.
My big comfy chair next to a sunny window with a big glass of Dr Pepper Ten by my side.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published? “Criminal Kind” is the third book in the Charlie McClung Mysteries. It takes place two weeks after the second book ends. It will be released June 30, 2015. The cover reveal will be May 22, 2015
~~~~~~~
Links to Mary Anne’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website:
http://maryanneedwards.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authormaryanneedwards
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Anne-Edwards/e/B00HZ28TIQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1428350582&sr=1-2-ent
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MaryAnneEdwards/posts
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/maryanneedwards
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/maryanneedwards/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7791576.Mary_Anne_Edwards
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/maedwards58
Amazon Brilliant Disguise:
http://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Disguise-Charlie-McClung-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00HYYOARE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428350831&sr=1-1&keywords=brilliant+disguise
Amazon A Good Girl:
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Girl-Charlie-McClung-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00N2EHLFS/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0EKSDGFRPRZJZM0N5JER
~~~~
BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Mary Anne, her releases, and an excerpt from both BRILLIANT DISGUISE and A GOOD GIRL on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
~~~~
**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Mary Anne is giving away an E-copy of both BRILLIANT DISGUISE and A GOOD GIRL to one lucky reader who comments on her *Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss the chance to read these books! Thanks, Mary Anne, for sharing your stories with us!
May 14, 2015
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Kate L. Mary
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with KATE L. MARY!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Kate L. Mary, and her favorite recipe for SODA FOUNTAIN CUPCAKES!
THE LIST
B
Y KATE L. MARY
Blurb
The List. Twenty things every girl must do before she turns twenty. . .
Body piercing
Get drunk
First kiss
But thanks to her crazy, over-protective father, Annie Roth is way behind schedule. Good thing it’s her first semester of college, because Annie is more than ready to start checking off items. . .
Fake ID
Skinny dipping
Road trip!!!
Where it gets complicated? Ryan and Chris. Best friends. Both sweet, funny, totally hot, and totally into Annie.
But there are some things on The List that Annie only wants to do with Ryan. . .
Lose it
Get Heart Broken
Fall in love
THE LIST
B
Y KATE L. MARY
EXCERPT
Cami crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. She didn’t look satisfied.
“Boyfriend?” I shook my head and she pursed her lips.
“What do you do for fun?”
“I told you, volleyball.” I squirmed while I tried to figure out exactly what she wanted from me. No matter what I said, her lips got tighter and her eyes more narrowed until they were nothing but tiny slits.
She exhaled and puckered her lips before saying, “What else? I like to go shopping and to the beach, hang out with friends.”
“That sounds like fun.” What did she want me to say?
She was staring at me like I didn’t speak English, shaking her head. “Are you shy?” I shrugged again and Cami nodded. “We’ll work on that. I plan on having an awesome time in college, and I’m taking you with me. Got it?” She tilted her head and grinned at her plan. Then went back to organizing her things, which were still strewn all over the place.
My stuff was neatly put away, and it suddenly occurred to me how grungy I was. I’d taken the red-eye from California. Spent the whole night either on a plane or scrunched up in airport chairs.
“I think I’m going to take a shower.”
Cami shrugged, but didn’t look up from organizing her massive earring collection. “Just be ready in two hours. We’re going out.”
My heart jumped and my stomach dropped, but I kept my mouth shut. The idea terrified me, but at the same time I was more than ready to do something. For once.
Cami was already primping when I stepped out of the bathroom.
She paused long enough to flash me her movie-star smile before going back to her mascara. “Ryan is going to be here in thirty, so you better hurry.”
My hair was dripping; it was going to take me thirty minutes just to get it dry. “I thought you said we had two hours?” Why was that my only question? Shouldn’t I have been asking where she planned on going?
She shrugged and I tried to get a closer look while she expertly curled her eyelashes. How did girls do that without poking themselves in the eye? “He called and said they were going out earlier. They want to catch dinner first.”
I ran a comb through my hair and did my best to calm my pounding heart. It didn’t work. “Where are you going?”
Cami giggled as she put a tissue between her burgundy lips and smacked them together. “We, and who cares? Anywhere Ryan will take us! It’s our first night as college students and I want to have fun!”
She turned the music up on her iPhone and bopped across the room. My heart pounded harder. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever really had a day of fun in my life. Not real fun. Not the way other teenagers did.
I got busy blow-drying my hair, trying not to think about the night ahead. Thinking about going out made my stomach twist into knots, but I was determined to go through with it. Whatever it was. I’d chosen a school far away from home so I could experience life, and that was what I was going to do.
About the author…Kate L. Mary.
Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children. You can visit her at www.katelmary.com
Links to Kate’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: www.katelmary.com
I hope you enjoy the recipe Kate is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 201 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SODA FOUNTAIN CUPCAKES
Ingredients
1 two-layer size white cake mix
2 3-ounce packages fruit-flavored gelatin (choose two flavors, such as lime, cherry, strawberry, grape or orange)
1/2 cup boiling water, divided
1/2 cup lemon-lime carbonated beverage, ginger ale or cold water; divided
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
6 – 7 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk, divided
Drinking straws, cut into 3-inch pieces
Directions
Line twenty-four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Fill muffin cups two-thirds full with batter. (Do not overfill; it will be easier to spoon the gelatin mixture over the cupcakes later if they are not domed.) Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in cups on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve half of one box of gelatin (about 3 tablespoons) in 1/4 cup of the boiling water. In a separate small bowl, repeat with another flavor of gelatin. Let stand for 5 minutes. (Reserve remaining gelatin from each box for frosting.) Slowly pour 1/4 cup carbonated beverage into each bowl; stir gently.
While cupcakes are still in the pan, poke each cake a few times with a fork. Generously but carefully spoon or brush one of the warm gelatin mixtures over 12 of the cupcakes, and the other gelatin mixture over the remaining cupcakes. Repeat, if necessary, to ensure cupcakes are well saturated with the gelatin mixture. Discard remaining gelatin mixture. Chill cupcakes in pans about 3 hours or until set.
For frosting: In two small mixing bowls, dissolve each flavor of remaining gelatin in 1 tablespoon each milk. Set bowls aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar to reach piping consistency. Remove about half the white frosting to a medium bowl; set aside. (That portion will remain white.) Divide the remaining frosting (in the large mixing bowl) between the two smaller bowls with the gelatin mixtures. Beat each with a spoon to tint the frosting. (In the end, you will have two small bowls of colored frosting and one medium bowl of white frosting.)
Fit two pastry bags with large open-star decorating tips. To fill each bag, spoon one colored frosting and half the white frosting into the bag, placing the frostings side by side (not one on top of the other). Pipe two-tone swirls onto the tops of cupcakes. Garnish each with a cut drinking straw. Cover; chill to store.
~~~
Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Kate, for sharing your story with us!
May 13, 2015
Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Faking It by Leah Marie Brown
KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
~~
FAKING IT
An It Girls Novel
BY LEAH MARIE BROWN
Blurb
Vivia Grant couldn’t be happier. She has her dream job and is about to marry her dream man. Does it really matter that she’s led him to believe she’s a virgin? After all, being in love makes every experience feel like the first time anyway! But an unexpected encounter with an ex-lover is about to expose her embarrassing lie…
When Vivia’s fiancé discovers the truth, he ends their engagement—via text—and uses his connections to get her fired. Unemployed and heartbroken, Vivia begins planning her new future—as a homeless spinster. But her best friend has a better idea. They’ll skip the Ben & Jerry’s binge and go on Vivia’s honeymoon instead. Two weeks cycling through Provence and Tuscany, with Luc de Caumont, a sexy French bike guide. Too bad Vivia’s not a big fan of biking. And she’s abysmal at languages. Will she fib her way through the adventure, or finally learn to love herself—and Luc—flaws and all?
FAKING IT
An It Girls Novel
BY LEAH MARIE BROWN
Excerpt
Once, I bought a fake Prada from a sketchy boutique near Chinatown. A burgundy satchel in buttery soft leather, with braided biker chain handles. Later, Fanny pointed out the shiny emblem read Prado instead of Prada.
The editor who interviewed me said she dug my “edgy youth on the verge vibe” and hired me on the spot. Since then, I’ve been assigned pieces titled Out of the Recycle Bin and Into Your Closet and Fabulous & Faux: How to Rock a Fake Fur.
It isn’t hard-hitting, investigative journalism, but I like to think my work at San Francisco Magazine serves an educational purpose. Besides, if I hadn’t gotten that job, I might not have met Nathan. Nathaniel Edwards, III.
Nathan’s family owns Opulent Style Publications, the publisher that produces San Francisco Magazine and a slew of other upscale monthlies devoted to culture, art, and posh living. He is a junior partner in one of the largest law firms in the Bay Area, but also serves on Opulent Style’s Board of Directors. He is smart, driven, stable, respectable, and honest. He would make any woman the perfect husband. In fact, in seventy two hours and thirty four minutes he is supposed to become my perfect husband.
—
“What do you mean you think the wedding is off?”
I barely open the door before Fanny rushes in, an impeccable vision in knee high black leather boots and a fuchsia Burberry trench. She takes one look at my puffy, tear-streaked face, shrugs out of her trench, and engulfs me in a hug. I must look a wreck because Fanny is not a hugger.
“Tell me what happened, ma chérie.”
We stop hugging and snake our way through a labyrinth of packing boxes until we locate my couch. Fanny sits with her legs crossed, hands folded in her lap, while I assume a fetal position, knees tucked under my chin, a wad of soggy Kleenex clutched in my hand.
Fanny waits patiently until I begin my story.
“I met Nathan at Snob tonight.”
Snob is this super swank wine bar/art gallery in the Mission District. Each month they feature the work of a different local artist. One month, marionettes hung from the ceiling, and the next month, mixed media collages depicting the conflicting patterns found in nature, chaos versus order, covered the walls. I don’t really like wine all that much, but Snob has this hip, laid back vibe that stimulates my creativity. And they serve the best tapas. Nathan thinks the artwork is “weird” and the tapas overrated, but he waxes poetic about Snob’s impressive selection of wines. As I see it, Snob is the perfect place for us.
Make that, was the perfect place for us…
About the author, Leah Marie Brown…
Leah Marie Brown has worked as a journalist and photographer. An avid traveler, she has had adventures and mishaps from Paris to Tokyo. She doesn’t buy cheesy tee-shirts or useless bric-a-brac, but prefers friendships and memories as souvenirs from her travels. She lives a bike ride away from the white sand beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast with her husband, children, and pampered poodles. She is hard at work on the next novel in The It Girls series, but loves to hear from readers.
~~~~~~~
Links to Leah Marie’s website, blog, books, etc.
Please visit her website at www.leahmariebrown.com Follow Vivia on Twitter @Chic_Traveler and Pinterest as Vivia Perpetual Grant, Perpetual Virgin.
Amazon Link: http://goo.gl/cTJ95R
~~~
Don’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks, Leah Marie, for sharing your story with us!
