J. Kenner's Blog, page 92

Need Relationship Advice? Judy Teel gets Serious about Love, Romance, and Being You

Judy Teel joins me today to talk about what we all need advice for at one time or another : love! She’s got some great insights on choosing that perfect someone…so read on!

Five Ways to Find True Love

(or make what you have even better)

I’m not a psychologist or a therapist, but I’ve enjoyed life here on Earth for more decades than I might want to admit, and I’ve picked up a few things along the way about relationships. With Valentine’s Day just behind us and Easter approaching, what better time to talk about five key aspects to finding, or keeping, true love in your life?

The cornerstone to a good relationship revolves around one thing…

Tip #1 – Who a person is doesn’t change.

My grandmother used to say, “The older you get, the more you become like you are.” Resist starting a serious relationship until you know if a person is wired in a way that’s similar to you. Then once you’re in a relationship, don’t waste your time trying to change the other person. Ain’t gonna happen. Let it go, or move on.

So, before bringing anyone into you life, know who you are first because…

Tip #2 – The best relationships are built on things you have in common.

Friendships form when we have things in common. Romantic relationships are no different. When you share common interests and philosophies with your love interest, you not only have things to talk about, but you also have things to do. You both love to travel? Yay! Let’s book a flight. You both love opera. Excellent. Get season tickets, enjoy the shows and chat for hours about it afterwards. When you know what you like, you know what to look for in a partner. You also know where to look for a partner. Here’s a bonus tip: Clubs involving your hobbies will be made up of other people who have similar interests and personalities—a great place to find love!

Knowing yourself also means realizing that you’re not perfect. Understanding that leads to…

Tip #3 – Expect your partner to have some flaws.

Everyone has quirks, lets stupid words come out of their mouths, and forgets something important occasionally. There’s a lot to be said for the psychological phenomena known as seeing what you want to see, if applied correctly. If all the biggies are covered (your mate or potential mate is kind, loving, thoughtful, responsible, likes the same leisure activities as you, etc.), ignore the small stuff. In fact, go one better than that and focus only on the good stuff. When you think of that person, talk about them or interact with them, focus on the traits that you love and admire. The more you do that, the more good stuff you’ll see and the happier your relationship will be.

Understanding that everyone has flaws means being willing to think outside the box in a relationship. And that means…

Tip #4 – Embrace a flexible attitude.

In tip number one, I pointed out that who a person is doesn’t change over the course of their lives. Unfortunately, almost everything else does. A perfect example of this is having children. Adding babies to the relationship mix changes everything about your life and the life of your partner. Energy levels, physical appearance, time to be together…it all shifts around.

Keeping a flexible attitude means cutting yourself and your partner some slack. Nothing lasts forever. Kids grow, jobs come and go, and so will that extra five around the middle. Take practical measures if you need to and refer to tip number three. If your partner snores, buy ear plugs. If he’s overweight, learn to cook healthy meals or ask him to go for a walk with you every evening.

Doing your best to keep a broad perspective ultimately means…

Tip #5 – Treasure what you have.

Life can change in an instant for better or worse. At this time of year when every store is swathed with pink hearts, eggs, and bunnies, use them to remember that in this tired old world, love is a precious commodity. When you find it, treasure that experience and your loved one to the fullest.

Judy Teel is the author of contemporary romance and paranormal mystery novels. Her current book Deceiving an Heiress, is now on Kindle!

See her Amazon Author Page here!

To see more from Judy, check out her website, Facebook, or follow her @JudyTeelBooks on Twitter!

 

 

Much thanks to Judy for her blog post, and happy hunting out there!

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Hump Day Books from Patricia McLinn, Kathryn Shay, Judith Arnold, Julie Ortolon, Karen Rose Smith, Mara Jacobs, Margaret Daly, Robert Costelloe, V.K. Sykes, June Shaw, and Tina Ferraro

After last week’s thrillers, this week enjoy these feel-good books from some great authors! Pick up your Wednesday with a favorite new book!

The Long Way Home: One Mom’s Journey Home From War

I’m happy to include my friend Jessica’s new book this week!

Learn more at her website!


Heart Stealers

Have your heart stolen by four complete contemporary romances from four best-selling authors — only $0.99!

Learn more at Kathryn’s, Patricia’s, Judith’s, orJulie’s websites!


Yours, Mine and Ours (Second Chances)

The last thing Tess Morgan, divorced mother of three rambunctious kids, needs is a speeding ticket–especially not one delivered by sexy-as-sin Officer Zachariah Smith…

Learn more at Margaret’s website!


Coinage of Commitment

Now available as a 2nd edition eBook!

Learn more at Robert’s website!


Her Sister (Search For Love series)

NEW RELEASE!

Learn more at Karen’s website!


The Starter Boyfriend

Half-price NOW from two-time RITA Finalist, Tina Ferraro!

Learn more at TIna’s website!


Worth The Weight (The Worth Series Book 1:The Nice One)

Recently Named a “Breakout Book” by iTunes. Now Free!

Learn more at Mara’s website!


The Philadelphia Patriots 3 Book Box Set

Three sexy romances for only 99 cents!

Learn more at V.K.’s website!

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

I’ve added a Street Team info page to my site!

Enamored with Downton Abbey? Jan Scarbrough gives us the Real History (and a Great Book to satiate your Addiction!)

Today I’m very excited to welcome Jan Scarbrough to the blog! If you’re as obsessed with Downton Abbey as we are, and can’t wait for Season 4, read on!

 

Are you addicted to Downton Abbey?

I must admit I missed the first two seasons. I had no clue what it was about. However, I was a fan of Upstairs Downstairs back in the day, so I should have known what was going on. As it turns out, I ran across it while channel surfing one Sunday afternoon. It was a rerun of the first season. I was hooked.

So I begged the hubby to rent both seasons. He’s a computer geek, so he got one from iTunes and the other from Netflix. One weekend, we had a marathon watching session. He was hooked too.

That brings us to season three. I admit I’d found out from the Internet which two actors were not returning for season four. That’s why the final scene did not surprise me. But it left me wanting more.

That’s when I ran across a book called Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle.

I’m dangerous with that Buy-with-1-Click button on Amazon, and I instantly had a copy on my iPad.

Downton Abbey is set at the real Highclere Castle, the ancestral home of the Earl of Carnovan. In fact, this non-fiction account was written by the current countess, Lady Fiona Carnovan.

Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, was the basis of the fictional character Lady Cora Crawley. Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild. Just like Lady Cora, Lady Almina’s dowry helped to preserve the estate, and during World War I, Lady Almina opened a hospital at Highclere Castle.

Sound familiar?

One thing I found interesting is that the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, Lady Almina’s husband, discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian Boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun, in 1922 with his archaeological colleague, Howard Carter.

So if you’re still in Downton Abbey withdrawal, you might check out Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle. 

But I warn you, don’t check out the Internet to see who else is not returning to season four. I’ve already done that. And I’m not telling.

To see the Countess giving a tour, click here!

Jan Scarbrough is the author of The Reunion Game (Ladies of Legend), Kentucky Flame (Bluegrass Reunions), and many other great books! To see more from her, check out her website and Amazon profile.

Thanks so much, Jan, for stopping by!

Readers, how about you?  Are you a fan of Downton Abbey? Are you familiar with the real history? What do you think will happen next season? (Be careful not to include spoilers!)

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Are erotica and horror like yin and yang?

I’m over at The Romance Man’s blog talking about that little buzz you get from reading steamy stories (don’t even pretend not to know what I’m talking about!) … and about the fact that that buzz is similar to the heart-pounding that goes with watching horror movies.  Ergo, erotic and horror are pretty much the same. Right?  Right!

Here’s a peek at my post:

Let me slide into full-disclosure mode and say that, yes, Release Me has sex.  I haven’t actually done a page count, but I think it’s fair to say there’s lots of sex.  But there are also some really interesting characters with bucketsful of issues hanging about them as they communicate and move through their story arcs, and the sex is integral to the tale.

So come for the story and stay for the sex.  Or come for the sex and stay for the story.  Either way works.

And as I discovered when I wrote my first Harlequin Temptation years ago, there will always be a few friends or relatives who purse their lips and nod and say, “Oh, you write those books.”  By “those” they are not talking about fiction or romance or even the quality of the paper (or the zippiness of the electrons if we’re talking ebooks).  No, “those” books have sex.

Gasp!

Read more at The Romance Man’s site!

 

And as an added bonus, I’m giving away a copy of Release Me to a lucky commenter!

Come on by!

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Stark On Saturday – a steamy Claim Me excerpt! (Stark Trilogy book 2)

Happy Almost St. Patty’s Day
It’s #StarkOnSaturday again — and that means it’s time for other snippet from the upcoming Claim Me, book two in the Stark Trilogy that began with Release Me.

 

Soon we are in darkness, bathed only by the flickering orange of a single candle.

“Oh . . . ”

“Disappointed?” he asks.

“No,” I say. I feel my cheeks heat. “But I might have been a little intrigued.”

“Were you? I’ll have to remember that. But where were we? Oh, yes.” He eases onto the bed and kneels between my widespread legs. My breath comes in small gasps as he gently rests his hands on my thighs just above my knees, his thumbs on the soft inner skin. “Humiliation was next, I believe. Are you humiliated, Ms. Fairchild? You’re exposed to me, after all. Wide open like a blossoming flower and so very wet. You’re beautiful, Nikki,” he says, and I hear the raw passion in his voice. “But are you humiliated?”

I’ve turned my head to the side, because the truth is that I do feel exposed. Exposed and open and decadent and wild. I don’t, however, feel humiliated. On the contrary, I feel aroused. And I think it’s that odd combination of emotions that heats my cheeks with a ridiculous blush. “No,” I whisper.

“Look at me.”

I turn my head until I can see his eyes, the amber one shining in the candlelight, and the near-black one as dark as eternity.

“Not humiliated,” he says. “And not suffering, either, I assume?”

“No.”

“Good.” His lips curve into a smile as his hands stroke my inner thighs, the pad of one thumb brushing ever so softly over the worst of my scars. “You are exceptional, Ms. Fairchild,” he says. “I could look at you forever. Lose myself in you forever.”

 

 Claim Me will be on-sale April 23!

Pre-order Claim Me from Amazon!

Pre-order Claim Me from Barnes & Noble!

Pre-order Claim Me from Books-a-Million

Pre-order Claim Me from Random House

Pre-order Claim Me from your favorite independent bookseller

Pre-order Claim Me in the U.K. from Amazon

Pre-order Claim Me in the U.K. from Waterstones

Pre-order Claim Me in the U.K. from WH Smith

Want more? You can even pre-order Complete Me from Amazon or from Barnes and Noble!  On-sale July 30!

And if you missed Release Me, you can snag your copy from your favorite retailers here:

Random House

Amazon (print)

Amazon (kindle)

Amazon United Kingdom

Barnes and Noble (print or Nook)

Books-A-Million

Kobo

iBooks

Indie BoundAnd don’t miss the contest! We’re celebrating Release Me being 8 weeks on the USA Today bestseller list!  Learn all about it here!

More soon,

XXOO

Lucky in Love? Maybe You’ll Snag an Early Read of Claim Me (Stark Trilogy, Book 2) or another Blog Hop prize!

Are you lucky enough to win an early read of Claim Me (Book 2 in the Stark Trilogy?) Enter the Rafflecopter below and find out.

Do you love St. Patrick’s day? Do you chase rainbows to find the pot of gold at the end? What would make you feel lucky in love? Hot nights? Romantic gestures? Expensive cars, LOL? (I think that may be the reason you need to find that pot of gold at the rainbow’s end–so you can get your own fast cars!)

So why am I giving away an early read of Claim Me for the Lucky in Love hop?  Because as far as I’m concerned Nikki Fairchild (the heroine and narrator of the Stark Trilogy) is pretty dang lucky!  After all, it’s Nikki that Damien Stark wants.  And Damien is, well, yummy!  (He’s rich, too, but to be honest, that’s not my personal line of demarcation for “lucky.”  Then again, those cars and presents are pretty sweet…)

As for Damien’s appeal, it’s not just me saying so.  Check it out: “Dare I say it?  Yes, I do.  Damien Stark has replaced Gideon Cross in my head and heart.  I am now Damienized, Damienessed.  I am a Damien junkie.  So many books make the claim, but this one actually lives up to it.” – Romantic Reading Escapes

But wait! There’s more! in addition to entering the Rafflecopter for a chance at an early read of Claim Me, you can also leave a comment below to be in the running for one of the fabulous Lucky in Love hop prizes.  Read all about it below!

Lucky in Love? Well, are you? It’s a time of luck and wealth…or not. With each romance we find ourselves in a new world of love and memories. Are these just by chance? Is it luck? Welcome to your second annual Lucky in Love Blog Hop where we want to hear about your love, your romance, and how much you love St. Patrick’s Day!!! Are you wearing green? Ready to get pinched…or wait…do you like that?

Almost 300 bloggers have giveaways and posts about those men we love!

But that’s not all….

We have TWO 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 $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

2nd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

Here’s the Rafflecopter to enter to win Claim Me, and below that is link follow the hop.  If you can’t see the Rafflecopter, refresh your page!  And don’t forget to leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS so that you can be entered for one of the two grand prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE HOP PARTICIPANTS AND HOP TO THE NEXT SITE!

Military and Motorcycles: Tracey Cramer-Kelly talks about her Writing and her New Book out This Year!

Today I’m very happy to welcome Tracey Cramer-Kelly to talk about her story and her new book, Take Two, which will be released this summer!

Hi Julie, and thank you for hosting me today! I’m writing from small-town Minnesota, where I live with my hubby and two kids, age 5 and 10. I work a full-time job, running our family motorcycle business.

At heart I am a storyteller; I love digging deep into a character and exploring how things that happen in their life impact and transform them. I’ve published two novels (both of which have been winners or finalists in contests), and my third will release this summer.

I’m also a vocalist (I’ve released two cover songs and been featured on other albums) and play taiko drums, which is like a cross between martial arts and banging on BIG drums (great exercise!). I’ve even toyed with video and production; in fact, my second music video, featuring a female motorcyclist, was just released: http://www.traceycramerkelly.com/cool-rider-music-video/

Writing Style

There is no such thing as a typical day when you own a business and have active kids! So my writing time is “stolen” hours whenever I can get them. It makes it harder to get into the “flow” but I’m proof it can be done if you want it badly enough! I also daydream anywhere and everywhere, so that when I do sit down to write I have an idea where I want to go.

I spent five years in the National Guard as a paramedic, and that figures prominently in my writing. I’m also a biker chick, so I started writing motorcycle-riding characters. Because of my hobbies and my military background, I’ve had the fortune of meeting, working and playing with some very interesting people! I think everything I write is affected by what I’ve experienced. Yes, there’s a healthy dose of imagination and plenty of creative license, but a seed has to be sown somewhere, and for me it is often a ‘human’ interchange.

About the Books

My first novel, Last Chance Rescue: a Story of Rescue and Romance in the Rocky Mountains, is about two members of a search-and-rescue team who have a problem trusting each other with more than their physical safety.

True Surrender is a military romance with a wounded veteran hero whose struggle with an amputation and PTSD nearly destroy his relationships and career.

I like to say that my second book True Surrender led to my third. The first video I produced (“The Rose / Surrender Version”) features scenes from True Surrender. The experience of seeing my writing come to life was exhilarating and empowering but also humbling. The seed for Take Two was planted then, but as is often the case, the characters told me what would happen next!

Take Two, expected to release this summer, is about an actor who is poisoned on set and forced to recover at the (rather older, ahem) director’s home with her two teenage daughters.

Starting March 6, I’m sharing a new “installment” of Take Two (for FREE) on my blog every week. I hope all you readers will come and enjoy this. Click here for details: http://www.traceycramerkelly.com/read-my-next-novel-for-free-heres-how/

 

Where to Stalk Me:

My “hub” is my web site: www.TraceyCramerKelly.com

Take Two installments will be posted to my blog: http://www.TraceyCramerKelly.com/blog

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Special thanks to Tracey for coming on the blog today!

How about you? Any experience in the military or with motorcycles? (I had a tiny Suzuki motorcycle back in the day! Was sad to sell it, but I was never very good at it!). 

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Cover Reveal for COMPLETE ME (Stark Trilogy, Book 3)!

I absolutely love this cover for Complete Me, book 3 in the Stark Trilogy! It’s a bit different than the first two books, Release Me and Claim Me, but I think it really pops and the colors are stunning.

Please share!  And please let me know what you think!

pre-order Complete Me from Amazon or from Barnes and Noble!  On-sale July 30!

 

 

Hump Day Books from Jo Robertson, Michele Lang, Carolyn Scott, Pamela Fryer, Nicola Marsh, Jenna Ives, Judythe Morgan, and Norah Wilson

Need a little excitement for your Wednesday?  The books in this week’s Hump Day Reads are both adventurous and thrilling!

The Watcher (The Bigler County Romantic Thriller Series)

“Gripping. This book is a first-rate thriller.” (NY Times Best-selling author Brenda Novak)

Learn more at Jo’s website!

Rebel Angels (Lady Lazarus)

The thrilling conclusion of the LADY LAZARUS World War II fantasy trilogy!

Learn more at Michele’s website!

Finders Keepers Losers Die (humorous romantic mystery) (Cat Sinclair Mysteries)

New Release!

Learn more at Carolyn’s website!

August Unknown

Danger lurks in a past she can’t remember…Heartache lies in a past he can’t forget.

Learn more at Pamela’s website!

Brash

Now out on Amazon!

Learn more at Nicola’s website

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Programmed For Pleasure

Tau Cetus police agent Jai Turner poses as a sex robot to bring down notorious arms dealer Marque Callex, but neither Jai nor Marque are who they seem and their week together has consequences neither expect…

Learn more at Jenna’s website!

The Pendant’s Promise

“This is one of those stories that make you weep and cheer and wonder long after you put the book down.” ~~ Mary Buckham, co-author Break Into Fiction

Learn more at Judithe’s website!

Nightfall (A Vampire Romance)

Learn more at Norah’s website!

P.S. - I have a new Protector (Superhero) novella out!  Check out Aphrodite's Embrace (currently only on the Kindle, but coming soon to other etailers!)

And in super fab news, Bantam has moved the pub date for the next two books in the Stark Trilogy even sooner! Claim Me will be out April 23, and Complete Me out July 30.  WOOT!  (And if you missed book 1, Release Me, grab your copy now!)


P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.