V.L. Locey's Blog, page 87

Wine Service Cover Reveal!

I tell you it`s been a great week for guests sharing new covers! I`m all sorts of beside myself. Today it`s Zenobia Renquist`s turn to show off her upcoming cover for the book, Wine Service (Professional Courtesy 1) as well as some info! 





Author: Zenobia Renquist
Publisher: Musa Publishing, Eros
Genre: Contemporary Erotica, BDSM, MF, MFM
More Info Link: http://zenobiarenquist.com/bookshelf/...
Blurb:She offers satisfaction above and beyond what is requested.
Lexie's job as a housekeeper at a five-star hotel doesn't normally include the unique and risqué form of room service that important hotel guest Mr. Malena has requested, nor the generous tip he's offered. Lexie can't resist, and what should have been a one-time thing turns into an introduction into the sensual world of customer satisfaction. She finds much enjoyment in her "work," but is it worth risking her job?
Author Bio:Zenobia Renquist is an Air Force brat turned Air Force wife. She and her husband are owned by two demanding cats of the long-haired persuasion. Born in Europe and currently stationed in Hawaii, Zenobia has been traveling all her life. "Where are you from?" is not a question she likes to be asked but will usually answer Virginia, because it's the one place that feels like home.
Zenobia's stories range from steamy to scorching and she writes whichever genre catches her interest at the time. When not coming up with ways to torture her characters, she enjoys knitting and crochet (both regular and Tunisian) as well as reading shoujo and yaoi manga.
Learn More About Zenobia Renquist:Website – http://zenobiarenquist.comBlog – http://blog.dreneebagby.com/Twitter – http://twitter.com/ZenobiaRenquistNew... – http://ymlp.com/xgeusujygmgqFacebook Fan Page – http://www.facebook.com/Author.DRBagb... – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Goodreads Group – https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Throwback Thursday Tune

I think this song is part of my collective consciousness or something. It seems to have been playing throughout my teen years, or maybe that`s just how I remember it. Anyway, here`s Looking Glass with Brandy.

A Hint of Cayenne Cover Reveal!

I am a cover art junkie. I could spend hours looking at book covers. I`m quite happy to be able to share Decadent Kane`s new cover for A Hint of Cayenne with you! Isn`t it just lovely?? 

Road Trip!

Today I'm visiting the lovely blog of author Rita Bay! I hope you can drop by for my special 'An Author`s Desk' post.

Rita Bay`s Blog

S.M. Shade Visits!

Please welcome S.M. to our little corner of the interweb. She`s brought along a couple of her characters from her new release, The Last Woman, as well! 


Blurb:
    When Abby Bailey meets former model and actor, Airen Holder, in a darkened department store, romance is the last thing on her mind. A plague has decimated the population, leaving Abby to raise her son alone in a world without electricity, clean water, or medical care. Her only priority is survival.    Traumatized by the horror of the past months, Abby and Airen become a source of comfort for one another. Damaged by her past and convinced Airen is out of her league, Abby is determined to keep their relationship platonic. However, Airen is a hard man to resist, especially after he risks his life to save hers.      When a man named Joseph falls unconscious in their yard, and Abby nurses him back to health, everything changes. How does love differ in this new post apocalyptic world? Can three unlikely survivors live long enough to find their place in it? 
Author Bio:
S. M. Shade is a homeschooling mom hopelessly addicted to Dr. Pepper, love stories, sunshine, and men with full sexy lips, though not necessarily in that order. A voracious reader since sounding out her first word, she started writing as a teenager and rediscovered her love of writing as an adult. Originally from Indianapolis, she now lives in a small Kentucky town with her teenage son.Links:www.smshade.blogspot.comwww.facebook.com/authorsmshadewww.twitter.com/authorSMShadeBuy links:http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=50&products_id=919&zenid=31b8d26db3671c83377c6647d1a70d77

Character Interview with Airen Holder and Joseph Crane from The Last Woman.
Welcome, guys. Would you introduce yourselves?Airen: My name is Airen Holder, and the man beside me with the unfortunate dimples is Joseph Crane.Joseph: Thank you for having us. So, how are things? I understand you’ve had a tough couple of years.Airen: That’s one way to put it. Watching the world fall to a plague is certainly tough.Joseph: We’re doing well, thank you. It’s been hard, be we’ve learned a lot in the past two years. We have a working farm, solar power, and most importantly, a family of wonderful people to share it with.Speaking of wonderful people, Airen, tell me about Abby. How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?Airen: We met a few months after the virus, in an abandoned department store. I don’t know about love at first sight, but I was taken with Abby from the very beginning. There is something about her that’s different from any other woman I’ve ever met. I knew I had to have her.Joseph: He’s a complete doting schoolboy in her presence. It’s kind of sickening. All kidding aside, Abby is a lovely woman. Selfless, brave, and compassionate.Airen: And mine.Whoa. Do I sense some tension? Is there a tug-of-war over her affections?Joseph: He’s teasing. I love Abby, and I’m very grateful to her, but she and Airen are perfect for one another.And do you have a love interest?Joseph: My boyfriend’s name is Troy. We’re very happy together.Airen: I have to agree. I’ve caught them being “Happy Together” quite a few times.I’ll address this question to you both. What is your greatest dream?Joseph: You go first.Airen: Oh no, after you, dimples.Joseph: Asshole. My greatest dream is to raise my son in a peaceful world. To surround him with people who will allow him to be himself with no judgment.What a lovely thought. Airen?Airen: Two years ago, I’d have said to win an Emmy.Joseph: *cough* shallowAiren: Now, I reckon I’m living my dream. I have the woman of my dreams, and beautiful kids.I imagine it’s been quite an adjustment for you, though. What did you do for a living before the plague?Airen: And I thought you recognized me. I was a model and an actor.Joseph: Both skills that endlessly come in handy in an apocalypse. I was an electrician.Airen: I have many other skills that shall remain unnamed in such mixed company.Joseph, would you say Airen is your best friend?Joseph: Well, you have to understand that my choices are very limited, but yes.Airen: Ha, you love me.You two are quite amusing together.Airen: You notice he didn’t deny it.Joseph: I’d advise you to take slow, deep breaths to avoid smothering in the cloud of arrogance.Just one more question. Will you be appearing in future books?Airen: Of course! We wouldn’t tease with just a taste of us, and then deny the public.Joseph: Yes. We will appear in two future books. Our author has written our story as a trilogy. So we’ll be back, and hopefully, so will the readers.


Buy Links:


Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Last-Woman-That-Remains-Book-ebook/dp/B00MEVYJBO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1407200297&sr=1-1&keywords=sm+shade
B&N
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-woman-sm-shade/1120058169?ean=2940149623136
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22873807-the-last-woman
All Romance
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thelastwoman-1588013-149.html

Gone Fishin`

Sometimes I get the most pleasantly surprising emails. One that came recently was an invitation to spend the day with a certain couple on the shores of Otter Tail Lake. Being an adventurous sort, I was more than willing to pack up my van and head out. The drive was long, but stunning, and the deeper I got into the beautiful state of Minnesota, the more I fell in love with it. Summer was at its peak, the thick trees seemed to engulf me as I drove along the dirt road leading to Derrick Andersson`s fishing retreat.
Otter Tail Lake came into view, as did the modest cabin Maggie, Derrick, Maggie`s son, Trevor, and his girlfriend, Ashley, were spending the week in. It was rustic log home, nothing grand or overstated. It fit in perfectly with the crystal blue lake that backed it as well as the heavy pines that hugged it. Stepping out of my van I inhaled deeply. The air was similar to what I was accustomed to back in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Perhaps the wind held a touch of metallic lake water scent, but aside from that it was crisp, clean, and soothing.
"You can tell a country girl. They always breathe deep when they`re in the woods. Those city girls wrinkle their noses."
I turned from looking at the lake to find Derrick and Maggie, hand in hand, walking towards me. The couple looked relaxed, tan, and deeply in love. It made my heart sing.
"I never wrinkled my nose," Maggie stated after she and I exchanged a long hug.
"And I never said I was talking about you, now did I?" Derrick countered, tugging me into his huge chest for a bear hug. It was like embracing a freezer: wide and firm. My nose got smashed into warm flannel. "Good you could come," the ex-Wildcats captain said before releasing me. Maggie looped an arm around my waist as we walked down to the lake.
 "I`m thrilled to be here. Are you sure you have room for an overnight guest?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder at the cabin.
"Oh yah, we got lots of room. The kids can sleep in the living room. So, you brung a camera?" Derrick asked. I nodded, noting that he was not wearing a sling. "Good. I wanted to make sure them readers see what I`m doing with the Cup."
"The Commissioner will not be pleased," Maggie whispered in my ear. The soft sounds of the lake lapping on the shore grew louder.
"It ain`t the worst thing that ever was done to it," Derrick argued. 
When we broke from the woods Maggie and I stopped. We were both dressed similarly in jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, and a light cardigan. She was in shades of yellow. I was in blues. I looked around the small clearing. A rowboat bobbed on the water, secured to the shore by a rope tied around a fat oak tree. Three fishing poles were resting in sticks with V`s on one end, the other end was shoved into the soft soil surrounding the water. 



My husband and I do that very same thing when we go lake fishing. The poles are placed gently against the homemade holders, and there they sit, lines out, bobbers resting on top of the water, waiting for a strike. When a fish bites the pole will jump sharply as the fish tries to swim away. The scene could have come right out of a sporting goods catalog or an ad for a serenity weekend getaway if not for one thing: a huge silver trophy sitting beside the lake as bait fish leaped out of the bowl-like top. I rolled my head back to look at Derrick. The bearded man was smiling like an imp.
"Tell me you did not fill the top of Lord Stanley`s cup with minnows," I said.
"We needed something to hold the bait." He winked, his green eyes merry then moved around we ladies. I looked at the blonde next to me.
"Is there really an escort for the Cup?" I asked then peered into the dark Minnesota woods.
"He`s in the cabin taking a nap. Come on, let`s get fishing. Derrick has been waiting for you to arrive." 

Maggie led me down to the shore. I got settled on one of several stumps that were used as seats. The Cup sat behind us. Filled with minnows. I shook my head as I chuckled to myself.
"Yah, and they was jumping this morning, don`t you know?"
"Sorry," I said as I reeled in to check the hook. It was bare as I had assumed it might be sitting unattended. "It takes time to drive up from Pennsylvania."
"You could of flew. I`da paid." Derrick sat on the left of me, Maggie on the right. "You need me to bait that?"
"Nope." I smiled proudly as I reached into the Cup, grabbed a wiggly minnow, then hooked him up.
"Looks like your man taught you good. That one," he jerked a thumb at Maggie sitting with an empty hook dangling at the end of her line, "don`t got the heart to be a real angler. Makes her sad to bait the hook."
"Just stop grumbling and bait my hook." Maggie passed her pole to me. I handed it to the big man in chopped flannel and worn denim.
I stood, casted, then sat down. "Where are the kids?" I inquired as I got my pole situated just so in the holder.
"They went for a nature walk," Maggie said, purposely not looking at the hook-baiting taking place next to me.
"Yah, right, nature walk. They think we forget what it was like to be a teenager. They`re out there rolling around in the pine needles like a couple of horny badgers," Derrick said. I snorted. Maggie made a sound of disbelief.
"Derrick, for the love of God!" She snatched her pole back angrily then casted out. The cast was an ugly one, her fish landing with a huge 'plop' that sounded like she had a shoe tied to the end of her line.
"What? You think Vicki don`t know about the birds and bees? She wrote our book. I think she knows what sex is, Mags."
"I do," I reassured the blushing blonde. Maggie`s cheeks were as red as Derrick`s old flannel shirt. "I think I did a pretty good job with the sex scenes, don`t you two?"
"Oh, yah! I got no complaints. You got any complaints about the way I—"
"That`s really enough." Maggie couldn`t look at either of us so she stared out at the lake."I don`t have any complaints either," she mumbled a moment later. Derrick elbowed me. I slid off the stump to the ground.
"Sorry," he murmured as he helped me from the damp shore.
"No worries," I smiled as I got settled again. "I`m really glad to hear that you both are satisfied with the sex scenes. Who says couples in their forties or fifties can`t be smoking hot?"


"Not us," Maggie and Derrick said in perfect harmony. We all laughed over that. I reeled the slack out of my line then put the pole back. A soft wind whipped over the water.
"I wanted to tell you two that your book broke into the bestsellers list on Amazon. That`s the first time a book of mine has done that to my knowledge. Thanks." I looked at Derrick warmly. He patted my back, taking care not to pat me off my log. Maggie reached over to grab my hand and squeeze it.
"We`re pleased as punch to hear that. It`s so nice to know that readers don`t cotton to the notion that romance can only happen to perfect people who are barely old enough to vote," Maggie said.
"Hey, who you saying ain`t perfect?" Derrick asked with feigned indignation.
"You," Maggie replied quickly. "And me, and V.L. and everyone else on the planet. Love isn`t contingent on being a young thing with big hooters."
"I like big hooters."
"Derrick, just fish," Maggie chastised the man. He chortled then tended to his own hook and line for a few minutes. "You know what I mean."
"Yes, I do, and I agree. I`m so happy to see that readers are enjoying the books. Maybe if we keep writing romance novels starring older women, or curvy women, or women with disabilities or are too tall or skinny or shy or whatever, the world will start to see that life does not end for a woman at twenty-nine. And I`ll get off my soapbox now," I said sheepishly.
"Nah, you keep preaching. I got no troubles with it. I figure it goes the same for a man. I ain`t no spring chicken. Hell, just watch me get out of bed in the morning if you need proof." Derrick laughed as a small brown bird soared over the surface of the lake in pursuit of a large dragonfly.
"The ladies that read your book don`t seem to mind you having some scars or a bum knee or two." I gave the man a poke in the side. He grinned.
"Well they can`t have him. He`s mine, scars and all," Maggie spoke up.
"I`d kiss you right now if I didn`t have a fish nibbling at my line," Derrick said. We all sat breathlessly, watching the bobber go up and down then still. "Damn thing is playing with it," Derrick grumbled.
"Probably stole your bait," I offered.
"Yah, more`n likely."
"So have you heard from any of the others since you`ve been up here?" I asked, letting the peace and quiet wash over me.
"No, there`s no internet or cell service. The kids are ready to curl into balls and die," Maggie said then giggled merrily.
"That`s why they`re out in the woods getting busy," Derrick added under his breath.
"I heard that," Maggie said.
"I knew you would," Derrick retorted, shot to his feet, grabbed his pole then jerked. The big lake trout gave him quite a fight but eventually the ex-Wildcats captain reeled in his prize. We ladies both praised his angling skills as he held the fish up for our inspection.
"Well, the buzz is that the next book in the series, Reality Check, will have a wedding as well as a big shock or two that may just upset the Wildcats apple cart," I announced, pretending to be intent on my curly fishing line resting on the now placid lake surface.
"Shocks? What kind of shocks? Bad shocks or good shocks?" Maggie asked. I lifted a shoulder than began humming a Cat Stevens song. "You are not going to leave us hanging here like…like…like—"
"A fish on a hook?" Derrick tossed out perfectly.

Throwback Thursday Tune

There were some great things to come out of the 80`s. This band was one of them.


What`s your favorite Culture Club song?

Have You Ever Interviewed a Pirate? Liza O`Connor Visits!

Me either, until today that is! I`m all sorts of tickled to have Liza O` Connor, and one of her wonderful characters here today! Enjoy!







Vicki interviews A Pirate, Gyspy, Thief Extraordinaire, and a Wealthy gentleman.Fortunately they are all the same person.

Jacko: Hold on! I’m not all those things yet. Liza needs to check her timeline. Right now, I’m only three of those things.Vicki: Which one aren’t you? Jacko: A wealthy gentleman…within a year I shall be.Vicki: What happens?Jacko: I cannot say, or Liza might rewrite the story to teach me to keep my mouth shut.Vicki: Yeah, she probably would. So tell me about how you became a gypsy.Jacko: I was born, and voila, I was a gypsy. And here I thought I’d be born a baron’s son.Vicki: Truly?Jacko. Not at all. I had a wonderful mother and thought my life most fine until she paid a tavern owner to take me away to London.Vicki: Why did she do that?Jacko: *Sighs heavily* My mother had the gift of foresight and saw our entire family would be murdered by angry townspeople in the near future. She gave me up so I could have the grand life she foresaw somewhere in my future.Vicki: And did that work out?Jacko: Not yet. She told me I would met a great deal of women but few would touch my heart and one would break it. Only then would I find true love. At least that’s what I recall, but to be honest since I had just learned she intended to send me away, I wasn’t listening all too good.Vicki: Has any of her predictions come true?Jacko: The townspeople did murder everyone in the camp. When no further money came for my keep, the tavern sod sold me to a captain who needed a cabin boy. I begged the fellow to let me go so I could hunt down the men who killed my family, but he refused. insisting I would be better off at sea.Vicki: He was probably right.Jacko: No, he wasn’t. We were attacked by pirates as we entered the West Indies. The captain and his men surrendered, but the pirate still killed every one of them except for me. He made me his cabin boy and I did whatever he wanted, because a crazier, more evil man I have never met. When I reached seventeen, he made me his first mate. It took several more years for the men to accept me as their second in command. Once they did, I killed the pirate and turned the ship to England.Vicki: I imagine you were glad to be back on ground.Jacko: *snorts* I hadn’t been on solid ground an hour before I killed a man trying to rob me. I soon discovered why the man took such a foolish risk. He was starving to death because he couldn’t get a job. No one would hire me either, not even as a day laborer, so I tried my hand at thievery and not only did I have a special gift, but it gave me the first pleasure and sense of rightness I had every felt.Vicki: You felt a sense of rightness when you stole.Jacko: Yes. It’s what I was born to do. So I let the various criminal elements know I was available for hire, but only if the job was deemed impossible. Then after two successful thefts, I increased my take to 30% and demanded half pay up front.  One day, Seth Sojourn hired me to break into the parliament building and steal some papers from the office of the Prime Minister. The place is extremely well guarded, but I got in and out without a hitch. Then I climb into my waiting carriage only to discover it to be occupied and a gun aimed at my chest.Vicki: Who was it?Jacko: Xavier Thorn, the finest sleuth in all of England. He complimented me on my theft, declaring me extraordinarily gifted and wasting my time working for the sludge of Lower Thames. He then explained what I had taken and why it was vital this information be kept secret.Vickie: And you gave it to him?Jacko: I did, but not because it would save England, but because it clearly meant a great deal to the first man who had ever spoken to me with a courteous tone.Vicki: But you said he had a gun.Jacko: Yes, he did. And I had no doubt he would regretfully shoot me, if I went for any of my weapons. But that made his gentle, rational explanation all the more unusual. He had the upper hand, but he still took the effort to convince me to turn over the papers.Vicki: What happened?Jacko: When I gave him the papers, he thanked me, and asked if I would like a more interesting job working for him. I said I’d give it a try and have had steady, enjoyable employment ever since.Vicki: Do you miss stealing?Jacko: *laughs* Xavier has me constantly stealing one thing or another. In this book, I will steal some very fine horses, a beautiful young lady and her brother, and the most impressive collection of black mail items you could imagine. The only difference now is that I am on the side of good, and it turns out I prefer this side. Which reminds me. I do need to steal the horses tonight, so I best be on my way.Vicki: Well, it was a pleasure meeting you.  *extends hand*Jacko: *kisses each knuckle, winks, and disappears into the shadows*Vicki: While I calm down from that kiss, here’s more about The Troublesome Apprentice.

The Adventures of Xavier & Vic–Book 1The Troublesome ApprenticeBy Liza O’Connor
The Key to Aunt Maddy’s DeathThe Missing Husband of Mrs. WimpleThe Disappearing Scarlet NunThe Clever Butcher’s WifeThe Rescue of Lady Anne


While investigating the death of a friend and client, Maddy Hamilton, Xavier Thorn (reputed to be the greatest sleuth in England) is greatly impressed with Maddy’s nephew, Victor, and offers him a job as his secretary. Aware of Xavier’s history of firing secretaries, Victor garners a promise that for three months he cannot be fired. Vic then proceeds, in Xavier’s view, to be cheeky and impertinent at every turn. Xavier endures the impudent pup because Victor is most skilled in extracting the truth from clients and intuiting facts with little evidence to assist.As they solve a string of cases, Xavier discovers a few more important details about his troublesome apprentice, such as her true gender, and the realization that she has awakened his long dormant heart.
“Head out to the estate today. Make no notice or reference to the horses. I’ll send men to assist you in removing them,” Xavier advised.“How will I know they are your men?” He described the lead man. “Jacko’s appearance and manners will give you little confidence you’ll ever see the horses again, but I trust him more than most men.” When Winston left the room, Xavier turned his intimidating stare upon Aaron. “You are lucky to have a man like Winston. You should rely on his instincts in this matter. He is not emotionally involved.”“You think my feelings for Anne are impacting my judgment?” Xavier answered without hesitation. “Yes, I am quite convinced of it.” He sighed and leaned back. “Anne Rothchild is clearly a beguiling woman. Her influence on the Earl of Carlington…and you…is clear proof of her seductive powers.”“It is clear proof she is a woman deserving a life far better than the one she has endured!” Aaron snapped. “If you do not wish to assist me, Xavier, tell me. Otherwise, remain quiet about matters you cannot possibly understand.”His remarked offended Xavier on several levels. “Do you think me devoid of all human emotions?”“Let us not play games. You have emotions, and they are more than obvious when your secretary is in the room. I do not condemn your preference, nor do I insinuate it impedes your ability to think in a rational manner. I only request you offer me the same courtesy.” Xavier laughed beneath his breath. “My dear friend…I hardly know what to say to such a declaration.”


The Troublesome Apprentice

Amazon


I’m tired of telling my proper bio. So you get the improper bio. Liza O’Connor was raised by feral cats, which explains a great deal, such as why she has no manners, is always getting in trouble, and doesn’t behave like a proper author and give you a proper bio.She is highly unpredictable, both in real life and her stories, and presently is writing humorous romances. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.Mostly humorous books by Liza: Saving Casey – Old woman reincarnates into troubled teen’s body. (Half funny/half traumatizing) Ghost Lover —Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. There’s a ghost cat too. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance) Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions. Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible. Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason. Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.Don’t Forget to enter to win one of the two $25 Amazon Gift Cards. Enter Rafflecopter a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...

Welcome Back Kathleen Ann Gallagher! Free Book Giveaway!

I`m so happy to have Kathleen back for another visit. She`s here today to share some information about her newest release, A Summer`s Enchantment. 

Kathleen will give away a copy of A Summer`s Enchantment to a random commenter, so don`t forget to leave a comment!



BLURB
Cassandra Wales, an independent and determined registered nurse finds her plans for the future shattered when her boyfriend dumps her.  Her witchcraft made him squirm and she wasn’t changing for him. The move into her new home keeps her distracted, but she’ll be sure to keep an eye out for red flags next time.  When an elderly woman shows up at her doorstep and makes an odd request, she comes face to face the woman’s hot and sexy grandson.  He convinces her to come to see his band play. Will she be able to trust a man who has women begging for his attention?Jake Hill is an ambitious, up and coming lead singer in a rock band. When his grandmother asks him to take her over to her first home, he doesn’t question her motives. Instead, he meets the woman of his dreams. Will she stick around while he climbs the ladder in the exciting world of a rock star?
EXCERPT

LINKS             
Buy link  http://bit.ly/1mV4VKu  Blog http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/?zx=a7245435c3267ac9Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.a.gallagherWebsite http://www.kathleenanngallagher.net/Twitter https://twitter.com/KathleenwritesAuthor page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathleenAnnGallagherGoogle https://plus.google.com/u/0/117606070036565136137/posts


BIOKathleen lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two dogs. She’s a registered nurse who works in an emergency room. Writing has been her passion since she was a young girl. Contemporary and paranormal romance are her favorites. She has three adult children and three lovable grandsons. Her favorite romantic getaway is Cape May, New Jersey. You might find Kathleen on a beach down the Jersey Shore, wearing a straw hat, sipping on an iced tea, dreaming up her next romance novel.   
 

Busting Buttons

It probably seems that we authors are always shouting about our work from atop our cow barns. Well, the authors that own cow barns, that is. Part of that is because we simply must help our publishers get the word out. In a world so inundated with books due to the self-publishing and small indie press explosion, marketing and promotion are more important than ever. This post, while it might seem like another 'Look at my accomplishment!' post is not that at all, or a very small part of it is that. Take a peek at what happened on Sunday, July, 27th:


Yes, I am extremely gratified that one of my books became an Amazon best-seller, if even for just a day or two. I`d be lying if I said it didn`t make me feel proud. But, the reason I`m sharing this screenshot of O Captain! My Captain! at #95 on the sports fiction rankings isn`t to try to make you admit how fantastic I am. The reason that I`m sharing this, and doing so proudly, is because of who and what Maggie Charles and Derrick Andersson are, and what they represent.
The stars of my latest Wildcats erotic novel are in their forties. Gasp! Wait, it gets better. Maggie is not a size two. She has a few pounds, and stretch marks. And, sins of all sins, she can lift her breasts. No more cute and pert for our Mags. Maggie is the woman we all will be, are, or were.
Now about our leading man. Those of you with a weak constitution may wish to sit down . . .
Derrick Andersson is not Fabio. He`s a forty year old hockey player with scars, aches, pains, bad knees, a shoulder socket that is worn out, and some grey hair in his beard. He`s not erudite, or suave, or even sophisticated. Derrick is just a really good man that loves his woman with all he has.


Against all the rules of romance books, these two have made readers and reviewers pretty darn happy. And that sends me over the moon. Not because I need to bask in the limelight or roll around in the accolades. What sends me as a writer is knowing that people are embracing a heroine and hero that aren`t perfect, young, skinny, wealthy, jetsetters, etc. etc. etc. . .
Maggie and Derrick`s time on the Amazon bestsellers list is a pat on the back for every author that chooses to present realistic leading ladies. That was the goal of my Wildcats books. To showcase women that weren`t cookies cut from the buxom, blonde, and twenty-one dough. Viviana is a curvy woman, Liz painfully shy, Maggie is in her forties, Isabelle is in her fifties, and Margarite is a young woman with a major handicap. Yet every one of these women gets the dreamy man, after dealing with the complications life throws at them. The couples who are over forty are still hawt as hell, because life really does not end at thirty for women despite what the world, and Geraldo Rivera, wishes us to swallow.
Seeing Maggie and Derrick on the bestsellers list showed that romance novels, and love in real life as well, do not have to have Barbie and Ken as the leads. I plan to do my best to continue bringing you, my friends and fans, strong, realistic, and imperfect women as my Wildcat series continues, and as new ones come along as well. I am so proud of Maggie and Derrick. They`ve gone and did exactly what I hoped they would do. An author cannot ask for anything more from their character than that.
Thank you, Derrick and Maggie. You did good. 
Signed,

One chubby but still smoking hot woman/author of a certain age.