Lynn Cahoon's Blog, page 35

Covert Desires by Sondrae Bennett New release

We have a special guest on A Fairy Tale Life, Sondrae Bennett, a Lyrical Press author just release Covert Desires. The cover is AMAZING!

Will desire be enough once all their secrets are revealed?



Still recovering from a traumatic assignment, Amber is wary of the man who shows up at her door with a plate of cookies and a welcoming smile. Instinct warns her he’s not all he seems. Then again, neither is she. Since she was sent to root out the secrets of the town and its people, she might as well accept his invitation to dinner. But when things start to heat up between them, will her loyalty lie with her job, or the man trying to win her heart?

Danny knows Amber is an FBI agent. Tasked by his brothers and the shifter council to keep her from discovering too much, he sets out to seduce her, a perfect cover to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t learn about his pack or their society. He hadn’t counted on a blazing attraction at first sight, though. His wolf knows Amber is his mate, and he’ll do anything to keep her safe and happy. But how can he reveal everything he is, and everything he’s been keeping from her, without losing her forever?

Excerpt:

Amber put her hands on Danny’s chest as he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. Pleasure rushed through her, pooling in her belly, but she turned her head to the side, determined to maintain control.

Instead of being deterred, he grazed his lips against her cheek, sliding them toward her ear. A shot of lust spiraled toward her core. She closed her eyes against the rush of sensations.

Everything inside begged her to lean into the embrace. To catch his lips with her own and lose herself in passion.

But in the end it came down to duty. When she’d taken this assignment, she’d sworn to herself and to her boss, that she’d prove the doubters wrong. And if that meant she had to resist temptation, then she’d resist. No matter how much she wished otherwise, or how much she wished to be someone else. To be a woman without the baggage of her job. One who could lean into Danny and take everything he promised.

She gave herself a moment. One small moment to bask in the comfort and pleasure before pushing against his chest. For a second, she thought he wasn’t going to back up, and a flash of fear took her back to another time, when a man had pretended to care for her only to turn against her when he learned she was an agent and responsible for taking down major members of his cartel.

Danny backed away so quickly Amber stumbled against him and almost lost her footing. Hard hands gripped her shoulders as he leaned down and stared directly into her eyes.

“What’s the matter?” he demanded. Concern reflected in the brown depths. Concern for her, she realized with a start. He’d been so in tune to her body and emotions, he’d sensed her mental recoil when she’d flashed back.

She stared at him, amazed at the realization.

“Amber?” Impatience and worry clear in his voice.

“Nothing,” she choked out, coughing against the tightness in her throat. “Nothing’s the matter,” she said with more certainty. “It’s… We’re moving a bit fast for me. I just met you. I need some time to think, is all. It’s been a rough morning.” All true, but she hadn’t included her real reason for pulling away. She could never give in to the pull she felt toward him.

“Are you sure that’s all?” he asked, his hand cupping her cheek while the other moved up and down her arm.

The security he offered felt like a warm blanket surrounding her. She hadn’t expected to find comfort here. Looking up into Danny’s eyes, she knew the concern was genuine. He was beginning to care for her. A pang built in her chest, because when all of this was over, she was going to hurt him.

Amber swallowed against the lump in her throat. After everything that had happened that morning–the nightmare and the attack–the realization that she would hurt this man, who’d not only come to her rescue against a pack of crazed wolves, but had offered her comfort when she’d needed it most, caused tears to well up in her eyes. What she wouldn’t give to be the woman he thought she was.

***

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Covert-Desires-Alpine-Shifters-ebook/dp/B00AEUSCRE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354166714&sr=1-1&keywords=covert+desires

Meet the Neighbors – Kathryn Bain’s – Knight and Day

On Meet the Neighbors, today, we’re meeting mystery writer, Kathryn Bain.  Mystery with a touch of romance, if I read her blurb right. But here I am chatting your ear off again, when you really came to hear from Kathryn.  So here we go… 

Oh, and Kathryn’s giving away an e-copy of Knight and Day to one lucky duck who leaves a comment.  So make sure you stop to say hey! 

***

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to write what you read. I love mystery and suspense so that’s what I write. I like to throw in a little romance sometimes, but I’m not particularly fond of romantic books in general. Probably because I don’t have any in my life at the moment.

We might just have to change your mind on romance.  I’ve found I love writing romance, mostly because of the idea of happy ever afters for everyone. Back to the interview, what’s your writing schedule?  Are you a full time writer? 

I get up at 5:30 every morning and exercise, shower, then sit down to write for an hour. I leave for work about 7:30. I’m a paralegal but only work 24 hours a week. Once I get home about 3:30, I get back into writing/marketing mode until about eight. I do take breaks for dinner and snacks. After all, what good are you if you don’t have a brownie now and again.

Love brownies.  Seriously.  So what’s your writing must have snack?  Or drink?

Actually, I don’t eat when I write. (Not that I would turn down a chocolate bar.) I only have a bottle of water next to me. However, when I’m at home all day working, I do get up every 50 minutes and make sure I walk around. I’ve got sciatica. If I don’t move every hour, my legs freeze up on me.

Lynn looks around her own desk and moves the coke cans and candy wrappers farther away… So, Kathryn, how long does it take you to write a book?

I actually can write the first draft of a book in a month to a month and a half. My latest release Knight & Day was written November of 2012 during NaNoWriMo. I had it done in one month. Of course, you wouldn’t want to read that draft because it is totally unpolished and bad. My first draft has no scene settings, only dialogue and action.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

A lot of my ideas for books come from songs. My first book Breathless came from the Toby Keith song, “God Love Her”. I just loved the idea of the Bible on the motorcycle. I’m working on a Christmas book called Joshua’s Gift that was inspired by a Matthew West song, “One Last Christmas.”

I love my Toby! How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve got four books available, and two more should be out this year, if I get the Christmas book done. My favorite is probably my upcoming release Beautiful Imperfection. My heroine in that book is dealing with the aftermath of breast cancer. I think it’s my favorite because I learned so much. Being a female, I thought I’d know how to react to breast cancer, I was wrong. I learned I didn’t know anything. It’s about so much more than boobs.

Being a breast cancer survivor, I could tell you stories…but we’ll save those for another day.   What do you enjoy most about life?

My biggest enjoyment right now revolves around my oldest daughter. She’s having my first grandchild in May. It’s a girl, so we’re busy buying clothes, getting ready for showers and everything like that. And I’m having a blast. Can’t wait to hold her.

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

Janet Evanovich and Leighton Gage. I know I go from one extreme to the other.

I tend to read anything I can get my hands on, so no judgment here! Thanks so much for taking time to talk with us at A Fairy Tale Life.  You can find more about Kathryn at her website. 

Knight and Day – by Kathryn Bain

A name can mean a lot. You expect a Jasper to be the CEO of a company. Name your son Phineas, well, he might get beat up a lot. However if you chose to call your daughter Trubleh (True blay), you get what you ask for.

Trubleh Lawrence makes a habit out of discovering dead bodies. When the police look to her as a suspect, she has no choice but to search for the killer. If that’s not bad enough she has to deal with a grandmother who has visions, a co-worker who makes the Wicked Witch of the West look like Shirley Temple, and a guy who constantly reminds her that celibacy is hard when a hot male’s around.

Argue your limitations…Or why aren’t you writing?

I gave a talk Saturday morning on time management.  If there’s one subject I’m passionate about besides goal setting, it’s time management. Today’s 30 minute talk to my romance writer’s group, gave them a taste of the workshops I’m doing in Shreveport, LA (March) and Memphis, TN (June.)

Wait, why are you sleeping?  You don’t think time management is sexy? 

It is when you do it right.

Let me show you.

First you have to know why you want to do something. Motivation for a goal gives you the energy to make sure you ‘find’ the time to devote. No motivation, no progress.

At the beginning of the workshop, I asked everyone to write down one goal. At the end, I asked them what they had written down.

Most were generic, ‘I’m going to write two manuscripts.’

Cool beans.

Then I challenged them.  ”How?  What specifically are you going to do to make sure you write two manuscripts?”

Then we got the good stuff.  One woman said she surrounded herself with other successful people who guilted her into writing her words.  Not the most positive use of accountability partners, but for her, it was effective.

So What’s your goal?  And, more importantly, how are you going to get there?

Meet the Neighbors – Cait O’Sullivan – Romancing the Seas

So, today the neighborhood goes international as we visit with Cait O’Sullivan, who’s book, Romancing the Seas, released with Crimson Romance January 7th. Welcome to Meet the Neighbors, Cait!  So excited to hear about your new romance, the cover is amazing.

***

Lynn, thanks very much for having me here, it’s really great to be set against such a lovely backdrop .

So my favorite question for newbies like me, what’s it like to be a debut author?

Totally surreal. I sent the very first 3 chapters that I had ever written off to Mills and Boon in the UK about 6 years ago. And bless, I’m being very kind to me when I say I hadn’t a clue. But they came back to say my writing was fluid and engaging so that encouraged me. I then concentrated on baby rearing and about 3 years later, started again. And now here am I. Yay!

I remember the craziness of getting my first acceptance, tell us your call story.

Aw, I love my call story. My mother was over visiting from Ireland and I was heading out that night with friends for dinner. So I was just floating around when Mum and my girls were eating and suddenly Jennifer Lawler’s name popped into my inbox. And you know, just looking at it gave me a good feeling. So I opened it and through a blur saw ‘love to have your book’. So I just whooped and laughed and sang and danced. All my girls looked at me as though I was mad and then I told them. I am so very thrilled that my mother was over at the time because it was a very special moment to be able to share with her. Even now, 3 months later, seeing Jennifer’s name in my inbox gives me a thrill.

That is so sweet. Tell us about your release.

I wrote Romancing the Seas when I was going through a bit of a rough patch and writing was my saving grace. Rather than having to deal with the stuff around me, I nose-dived into writing my book, it was my escapism. So I have a very soft spot for Pippa and Jonathon. New Zealand, for me, is also a fairy tale place, as I had the time of my life when I spent 10 weeks hiking around both islands. I would live there, if it weren’t so far away from my family. It stood out in my mind when I was thinking location. Also, the Hotel and Catering industry was one I had studied and worked in too, so that side of it – Pippa is a head-chef – was very easy to write about. All in all, I love it. Bless my little book – going out into the big wide unknown world. I hope folk like it .

Sous-chef Pippa Renshaw thinks a change of scene will mend a bruised heart, so she swaps her job in a prestigious London restaurant to head-chef on a cruise ship sailing around New Zealand. A great plan until she meets her new CEO, the delectable Jonathon Eagleton, and discovers she has to share a suite with him.

Even though sparks fly whenever they are together, Jonathon steadfastly keeps her at arm’s length, which suits Pippa just fine because she’s still getting over the betrayal of the last time she had a relationship with the boss.

The situation is starting to feel like solitary confinement until a thunderstorm traps them in a tramper’s hut while hiking. Suddenly a different kind of storm unleashes inside the hut.

But will they be able to go back to their previous status now the line has been crossed?

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Oooh, I have a grand total of 3! Romancing the Seas is my first, Sefton Manor is my third and I’m editing the second, ‘The Tango Champion’. I know I’m incredibly lucky to see my first baby going into print (as such!)

Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

The wonderful Musa Publishing has just picked up my newest, which is called Sefton Manor. It’s a short, only 15k words and it is Gothic romance. It’s fast-paced and fun, taking place over 36 hours. There’s a little bit of the devil in a huge old pile in the English countryside, a haunted basement, a willow tree with a steel box hidden under it and strange goings-on’s galore.

I’ll be picking that one up!  I love my Gothic romance!  So what do you enjoy most about life?

The things I have created, my girls, my books, my friendships – both familial and other, my writings, my dancing. I enjoy it all and consider myself very blessed to have the life I do. I love music too and think that without music, all these other things wouldn’t have been so easy. Well hang on, let’s think – certainly my books, writings and dancing wouldn’t have come about so easy without the inspirational affects of live music. Some friendships definitely. My girls?! LOL. (even though their father is an amateur musician, thinking about it!).

What is the craziest thing you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?

Well, I tried to knock down a car when on my bicycle? That could get into a book. But it was the crazy things as adults that are more fun for me – sky diving, bungee jumping, leaping off cliffs into rivers – you know the way. Paragliding (although that’s not very crazy).

Hmm time for more crazy things methinks.

I think paragliding is pretty crazy!  Something I’d say, sure, I’ll do that, then be scared to death until my feet were back on the ground.  

Thanks for stopping by the neighborhood today.  Good luck with Romancing the Seas! 

***

Cait O’Sullivan is a romance author with a love of words and magic, having had the good fortune to grow up in Ireland. The wanderlust in her blood sent her out to travel the world and now, residing in a leafy suburb of London, it is her thoughts and memories that journey far and wide in order to create her stories.

Romancing the Seas is now available for order from Amazon,  BookStrand or Crimson Romance

Learn more about Cait:

FACEBOOK - Come by and ‘like’ me to stay updated with my news.

TWITTER

WEBSITE/BLOG

Taking time to recharge!

First the important stuff…

Winner of their choice of either of my three books is dragonkeep62.  Dragonkeep62,  check your inbox for an email from me.

Now more good news – Harlequin Junkie gave The Bull Rider’s Manager 5 STARS. Check out what they had to say here…  And another 5 Stars from Love in a Book Reviews.  My reviewer’s ready to move to Boise, which isn’t a bad thing. See what she has to say here.

 

And A Member of the Council got 4 STARS from You Gotta Read Reviews and 5 STARS from Romance Book Scene .

 

As an author, it’s amazing to hear how others are enjoying your stories.  And the best way you can support an author is to leave an honest review.

 

So today, I took a half day from the day job and headed over to the art museum for some inspiration time.  I’m starting the last in the bull rider’s series soon, and I needed to play with some character development.  After walking through an exhibit on the works of Federico Barocci, a renaissance artist, I ate lunch and sketched out some notes about Jesse Sullivan and his new love interest.

She was hard to pin down. I’d played with several types for Jesse’s perfect match and I think, today, I found someone who will drive him crazy.  In both good and bad ways.  (Insert evil author laugh.)

I love visiting the museum.  The art speaks to me and I always come home overflowing with ideas and ready to write.

How do you recharge?

Lynn

Cover Reveal – Solomon’s Compass by Carol Kilgore

COVER REVEAL -Carol Kilgore’s newest is out today – and she’s granted A Fairy Tale Life readers a first view of the cover. Carol will be visiting,  Wednesday on Meet the Neighbors, so consider this an appetizer.

 

Solomon’s Compass

Taylor is in Rock Harbor, Texas, on a quest to unearth her uncle’s treasure—a journey far outside the realm of her real life. There’s one glitch. Taylor’s certain the buried treasure was all in Uncle Randy’s dementia-riddled mind. Now he’s dead.

Former SEAL Jake Solomon is in Rock Harbor under false pretenses to protect Taylor from the fate that befell her uncle and the other members of a tight circle of Coast Guardsmen called the Compass Points who served together on Point boats in Vietnam.

Jake is definitely not supposed to become involved with Taylor. That was his first mistake. Taylor is attracted to Jake as well, but she refuses to wait for him to locate the killer when she knows her plan will force her uncle’s murderer into action.

But the killer’s actions are just what Jake is afraid of.

Carol Kilgore is an award-winning author of several published short stories and many essays and articles. Solomon’s Compass is her second novel, a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss – always at least one crime; always a love story. Carol and her Coast Guard husband live in San Antonio, Texas, with two herding dogs that like nothing better than pack time on the patio.

You can find Carol here:

website . blog . facebook . twitter . goodreads . amazon

 

New Year, New You?

I’ll admit it, I love goal setting. Oh, the possibilities. I could be skinny by Valentines. I could write 4 books a year.  I could be skinny and athletic. If only I’d follow my goals.  (You can see skinny is a high priority. LOL)

Resolutions though seem to be a commitment.  It’s a stronger word. Goal setting is try.  Resolutions are do. I like try better than do.

My heroines are a lot like me in this manner.  They want to be better people, but sometimes, life get in the way.  Parris McCall, my witch in training heroine in A Member of the Council, is finding out all about what happens when you start a new life.  And sometimes, that new life, forces you into changes you didn’t want to make.

But in the spirit of the new year, here’s my resolutions…

In 2013, I will live a healthier lifestyle. (Working out more, eating better, losing weight.)

In 2013, I will act like an author. (Writing daily, doing effective self promotion, editing rough drafts.)

In 2013, I will be a better daughter, mother, wife and friend.

What about you?  What are you resolving to do in 2013? Leave a comment and your EMAIL ADDRESS to be included in a giveaway of one of my three books (e-book format of your choice) AND get into the amazing Grand Prizes –

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

 

Now what are those prizes?

 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

 

 

The last day of 2012

Tomorrow we start a New Years blog hop with Carrie Ann Ryan and the gang, but today I wanted to say thank you for such an amazing year.

 

 

 

 

 

March 2012, I signed my first and second contract.  My decision to go digital press instead of holding out for a traditional publisher wasn’t easy. But it was smart.  Since my first  ’I do’, I’ve signed six digital first contracts for novels and/or novellas, one short story, and two Chicken Soup essays. And learned more in the last 9 months about writing tight, writing craft, story telling, marketing, promotion, and publishing than I have in the last four years. And my learning curve is just beginning.

Many bloggers have called 2013 the year of the author.  I hope they’re right.  As I’m winding down my goals for 2012 today and setting up next years plan, I’m setting goals that are a stretch for me.  I’ll be presenting a workshop at NOLA in March, tentatively visiting a near by RWA chapter, and, attending Nat’ls in Atlanta.  Finishing this new cozy will give me something to shop at the big show.

So I’ve got a lot of writing to get done. And a lot of editing. And promotion.

But for all of you who’ve joined me in my journey this year, thanks for your comments, support, and faith.  Let’s celebrate the year of the author with much success and joy for all of us.

Blessings,

Lynn

 

Elizabeth Lynn Casey – Let it Sew – November 2012 Release

Meet the Neighbor Day!!! Okay, so not officially, since I didn’t have anyone scheduled for today due to the holidays so we’ll pull in my friend and partner in crime, Elizabeth Lynn Casey.

Elizabeth Lynn Casey AKA Laura Bradford gave me the push to finish my first book.  The Date Doctor, aka, Paris or Bust (which I still love that title) was the first novel I wrote from beginning to end. And although it’s still in revisions, I learned a lot from the process.  Each month, ELC and I would meet and talk about writing, set goals, and, of course, eat. In those monthly meetings, I found the courage to keep going even when I hit the saggy middle.  And in the process – I found my writer’s voice.

So to share the holiday spirit, here’s ELC’s newest release – Let it Sew.  Isn’t the cover amazing?  (You can read the first chapter on her website at … http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/bo... )

Happy Holidays.

LET IT SEW

November 2012

Berkley Prime Crime

ISBN-10: 0425251713

ISBN-13: 978-0425251713

Order at Indiebound.org , Barnes&Noble.com, or Amazon.com

Instead of spending a nice, relaxing holiday with her fiance, Tori Sinclair has been drafted into Sweet Briar’s Christmas Decorating Committee. And the season has brought sad tidings as well: Charlotte Devereaux, a sewing circle founding member who unraveled after her storybook marriage fell apart, has passed away.

Charlotte’s last days were foggy, distressed, and feverish–except for the sketches she produced. One detail in particular jumps out at Tori and leads to a shocking revelation: Charlotte’s husband didn’t leave her–he was murdered! And as Tori gets closer to the truth, she will discover that just about everyone in town has got notches on the naughty list this year.

Holiday Hop winner announced and new reviews for A Member of the Council.

First the giveaway news – Shar Simms won a copy of The Bull Rider’s Brother in the Holiday Gifts of Love hop last weekend.  Shar = check your email for instructions.

A Member of the Council has been getting great reviews from the blogger-ville.

Open Book Society said… A Member of the Council made me yearn for more…

Romance Book Scene gave AMOTC 5 Stars.  This intro to the world of witches is well written with likable characters. It will be interesting to see where the author takes the story.

I’m so glad reviewers are loving the witching world of Parris McCall.

What’s next for Ty and Parris? Well, since you both asked so nicely…Return of the Fae, the sequel to A Member of the Council is currently in edits for a 2013 release.  Watch upcoming news for more information.

That’s all I got for today.  Santa’s coming in a couple days and I’ve been very good.  So I’m hoping for some bling in my stocking.  How about you?  What did you ask Santa for?