Constance Phillips's Blog, page 6
August 19, 2016
Featured Author: Christine Alvarez
Please welcome Christine Alvarez here today! She is our Featured Author. Before I get to the Interview, let me share her bio with you.
Bio
I am Christine Alvarez, mother of four spectacular hoodlums and married to the man of my dreams. We all currently reside in my home state of Missouri. When I am not writing I spend my spare time as a chauffeur, maid, cook, and everything in between.
I am addicted to Dr. Pepper and chocolate. They are my vices and lend a large hand in getting the creative juices flowing. I write anything from paranormal romance to erotica. I am a sucker for romance whether it is the kind with a happily ever after or burned and broken end. You will find my work covers those gray areas in between as well.
You can learn more about my work at Facebook and my website.
The Interview
Tell us about your latest release?
My latest release is an extended release of a novella that was originally released as part of an anthology.
Sealed in Blood is a paranormal romance where Kyon, the hellhound, is given a contract to retrieve the soul of Claire, a Nephilim, who wasn’t the one to make the deal to begin with.
When things go wrong all hell is out to get them both.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I am a pantser all the way. I try and plot and that never goes well.
A perfect example is the Beyond Blood series. Plotted as an Urban Fantasy which ended up transforming into a Paranormal Erotic Horror.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
Editing
At times I feel like I’m doing an entire rewrite. I also struggle with “What the hell is that supposed to mean” syndrome. That generally happens after a late night cram session.
How about the most fun?
Hitting Publish.
It’s a huge high-inducing moment.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I hadn’t written in years. A growing family had put it on the backburner, but when my oldest daughter won a Young Author award in 4th grade it all changed. We went to the conference where two authors were speaking and one told me you weren’t ever too old to write.
So, long story short I went home that day and opened a word doc and started to write. I had no expectations, but it felt amazing and the words poured from my fingers to the keys.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc?)
Having 4 kids 11 and under my only ritual is finding time and peace and quiet. I do tend to eat a load of junk food. I tried carrots once and the story fell flat. My muse needs her sweets, lol.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
I have a few on my long list. Lately, my mood has been on the darker side of the spectrum so I’ve been reading Ella Dominguez religiously.
What projects are you working on at the present?
Currently, I am working on the final installment in my very first book and series. I have my sights set on Deveno releasing at the end of this month.
What do your plans for future projects include?
Though, I started out writing paranormal romance my muse has dove head-first into the darker waves of the ocean. Most, if not all, of my currently In progress works dip into those darker waters.
I’ll be finishing up the Beyond Blood series as well as starting a few dark standalones.
I also have a few shorts in some amazing upcoming anthologies.
Sealed in Blood, The Hellbound Chronicles, VOL. 1
An agreement sealed in blood, forged by the blind love of a mother for her daughter, but was it the right choice?
Claire, a being created from the union of man and angel, has been hidden in plain sight, her lineage kept a secret from everyone – including herself. Kyon, a Hellhound, has been sent to collect her soul, but one look and those plans have changed.
What happens when fate intervenes? When you fall for the soul you were meant to take? Or for the being that was meant to kill you?
All Hell breaks loose and you take on the demon’s wrath.
https://amazon.com/Sealed-Blood-Hellb...
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August 16, 2016
Phoenix by Madison Sevier is the Tuesday Teaser
PHOENIX, Asphalt Cowboys 2
He Lives Between The Lines…
Aiden “Phoenix” Hunt would leave it all behind for one chance with the woman he knows he can never have. A born loser, Phoenix has climbed back from failure countless times and even when he had nothing, he’s always held onto two things–his heart and his pride. Hayley Shaw is the only person in the world who can set his body, mind, and soul ablaze. When her safety is threatened, Phoenix will go to Hell and back to save her.
She Has One Rule…Never Date A Trucker
Hayley Shaw knows all too well what being a trucker means for the people they leave at home. But sexy and dangerous Aiden Hunt just might change her mind. When a crazed woman threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, Hayley will find herself in a fight to hold onto the one thing she thought she didn’t need.
Can their longtime friendship survive a life-changing turn of events that rockets them into each other’s arms?
Or will heartbreak be the one thing that prevents this Phoenix from rising out of the ashes again?
“Asphalt Cowboys Do It With Straps & Chains”
Buy: All Romance Ebooks
Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes
About Madison
Romance author and self-proclaimed Coffee Queen, Madison Sevier, spends her days pressing coffee beans into a magical potion that allows her to bring life to unique and lovable characters in realistic worlds you’ll want to fall into. Against a romantic backdrop of the Ohio River and surrounding hillsides, she creates contemporary and paranormal romance stories that work their way into the hearts of readers worldwide.
Actually, she just lives on coffee, inappropriate thoughts, sass, and making stuff up. Whatever that combination creates is what you get.
Some of her favorite hobbies include; extreme coffee research (drinking), mug collecting (for the drinking), hiking, reading, baking, horseback riding and keeping your romance hot and steamy– just the way you like it.
She loves hearing from her readers and meeting new ones, so feel free to contact her at any of the following places…
Facebook | Twitter: @MadisonSevier | Instagram: @madison_sevier
Naughty Is The New Nice…
The post Phoenix by Madison Sevier is the Tuesday Teaser appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
August 12, 2016
Featured Author: Cassidy K. O’Connor
I’m so pleased to share Cassidy K. O’Connor with all of you this week. Before we get to the interview, let me share her bio.
Cassidy K. O’Connor
Cassidy K O’Connor is a born and raised Floridian who loves to travel but never forgets where her roots are. She married her high school sweetheart, they have 3 kids and a crazy dog. Travelling and reading are her two favorite hobbies. Cassidy loves all things Ireland and has been lucky enough to visit twice. Her dream is to watch a baseball game in every MLB stadium in the country.
She is passionate about Building Women Up and helps run a site dedicated to enriching women’s lives.
Find out more about me on my website. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
The Interview
Tell us about your latest release?
Forever Yours, Casey started out with this idea I had about a grandmother on her death bed admitting she had been keeping love letters written to her daughter hidden away for many years. I quickly became obsessed with the storyline and managed to write the story in a very short amount of time. I did change the main idea a little, though. Casey is a successful lawyer, engaged, running for D.A. He has everything he ever wanted, but he isn’t happy. One day he gets a phone call that the love of his life who disappeared when they were 16 is in jail and needs his help. Desperate for closure he goes to her rescue. Secrets are revealed, passion is burning between them, but he’s engaged, and they both have a lot of hurt to get past. I’m not able to write a straight up dramatic story; I have a lot of humor in my story, including a kooky grandma that really did hide away some letters but not exactly like my original idea.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I am pretty much a panster, I get a general idea and then let it flow. I can never say how long a story will be or when I will be done with it since I don’t know what’s going to happen. I actually have a huge eight book series I want to write, and I have tried plotting it out, and I think that is why I still haven’t written it. I am intimidated by the plot lines. Hopefully, I’ll get the guts to sit down and write it one day. I might even be more relaxed about it if I accidently spilled tea on my plot sheets and had to start from scratch.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
Anyone that says there is an easy part is lying…writing ‘The End’ is hard, editing is hard, don’t forget about designing a cover and shoot me when it comes time for that blurb. Every single step is hard, but when the step is done, I feel accomplished. I think the most difficult part was and always will be marketing. I’m a small fish in a giant ocean, swimming around like Dory, lost and begging for friends. I truly love the Indie community and met some amazing women; they definitely make all of this much easier.
How about the most fun?
Conventions…I love meeting people, talking about my books, hearing what people liked, and getting that face to face time with people that I think we as a society need more of.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My husband was my inspiration…that man hates to read (I know, cringe right?). He was always giving me crap about reading so much. I became convinced I could get him to read an entire book if it was written specifically to his likes and tastes. The Evolution of Sam was born, his version is slightly different than the copy you all read but almost identical. I’m happy to say he read the entire book and enjoyed it, but he never did fully change his ways. Now instead of grumbling about reading too much he says I write too much.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc?)
The only must I have is silence. I can’t have a T.V. on or anyone home making noise. For me, this means I really only get writing time in after ten p.m. when everyone in the house has gone to sleep. Unfortunately, I can’t stay up too late as I have a day job too. I did just purchase noise canceling ear muffs so I’m hoping those will help me to write when the family is around. Or I’ll be completely unaware of the house being robbed or some other calamity and I’ll have to stop using them. One of the best parts about being Indie is making my own schedule so I don’t have to sacrifice family time to meet a deadline.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
I am fanatical about historical romance, I follow Tessa Dare pretty closely and pick up every book of hers as soon as they release. Other than that I read a lot of YA and it’s usually whatever book my teen throws at me and begs me to read. Sadly, like most authors we rarely have time to read for pleasure and I do miss it. I guess I’ll have to start scheduling reading time in addition to writing time.
What projects are you working on at the present?
So I have an obsession with anthologies. I love the variety, and the opportunity to throw out a quick, fun story on a topic you may not normally write in. I did a Gargoyle for an unusual creature antho which became hugely popular. I just released a twisted Fairy Tale antho where I gender bended Robin Hood and now I’m working on a Halloween antho that is going to be so much fun. Right now we have ten authors working on it and we’re all intertwining our stories and characters. It’s the hardest one I’ve done yet but also the one I am most excited about.
I’m also working on the fourth book in the Love’s Protector Series. It’s been a long time and readers have been begging for more Keara so I think it’s time to continue her story.
What do your plans for future projects include?
Besides the two stories mentioned above I also plan to get out the second book after Broken Dreams, the second book after Wicked Wonderland and then I have a five-book YA series I want to write in addition to the eight book Contemporary series I have plotted. I’m sure in the middle of all of that I will come up with the idea for another antho. Of course, I have to write what is in my head so if a story comes along that wasn’t on the list but demands to be written I am always happy to jump in and get it done.
Forever Yours
When you’re a mother, you do whatever it takes to protect your kids, even if that means landing yourself behind bars.
Brittany Celdonio made the toughest decision of her life 15 years ago, but was it the right one? A lot has changed in that time, and now she’s a hardworking single mother of two. When her daughter is threatened and Brittany finds herself in trouble, the past may be the only thing that can get her out.
Casey Sanders has been writing a letter every single year for the last 15 years, since the love of his life disappeared without a word. Attempting to live a new life, he has the job he dreamed of, the perfect fiancé, everything he could want…except her. An unexpected phone call could change his life forever.
What do you do when your past comes calling? You drop everything and go.
Buy Link: Amazon
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August 9, 2016
The Mortal One by Shannon Bell is the Tuesday Teaser
Explore the love story between Nico, an Italian vampire, and Dylan, an American woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Dylan must deal with another vampire who wants to claim her, vampire politics at their worst, and is swept away in a romance with Nico that is so strong, she wonders if it could be real.
All four books of The Mortal One Series are included, with bonus & extended scenes as well as Nico’s Origins Story. Over 1,100 pages if they were in print!!
The Mortal One:
Dylan is a mortal woman who is in desperate need of finding herself. What she finds instead is a vampire in the streets of Florence and is suddenly swept up in an immortal love affair. It’s not that easy, though. She’s got vampire politics to deal with and a hot Parisian vampire who thinks he can claim her. Nico must mark her and guide her through these tough times. Will she be able to receive the mark? Can a mortal and immortal find true love? Read #1, the Amazon bestselling novel today.
Immortality Stolen:
Dylan is still the mortal one in the equation, but now she has learned that it’s not just vampires that go bump in the night. She is now torn between Olivier who has apologized and Nico who has shown her nothing but kindness and love. She gets a good dose of what it means to be a truth seeker thanks to Olivier, though he wants to share more than knowledge with her. Will Dylan be able to resist Olivier’s charms? Can she make sense of this world with her heart and dignity intact?
The Immortal Compromise:
Dylan, Nico, and Olivier are working on a compromise that allows them to live within the city together. There are power struggles going on everywhere and Dylan is learning that it’s becoming a liability that she is still mortal. However, she’s not ready to let go of her mortality. Dylan and Nico are growing stronger as a power couple and that is causing some feelings of jealousy from a few different people within their lives. Dylan is learning about being “a sensitive” and trying to forge a new home within Paris. Will she be able to survive as a mortal? Can Nico and Olivier come up with a compromise that allows them to work together?
Mortality Lost:
Dylan is the mortal one still..but not for long. Nico is ready to provide her with the wedding of her dreams, but first they must go in search of the Celtic bloodline. There are dangers that lie ahead in Scotland and vampires invited into the city are not making it easy for Dylan to say ‘I do’ as a mortal. Will she be married? Will she get the bloodline of her choosing? Find out in the final installment of The Mortal One Series
https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-One-BOX...
Author Bio:Shannon Bell grew up in Florida and has always dreamed about vampires – and still secretly hopes they exist. She is married to someone who tolerates her crazy story-telling about Romania and has a daughter she hopes will have the same enthusiasm for vampires when she grows up that her mommy does.
Shannon has a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida as well as an online degree in vampirology. She loves writing about vampires, romance, food and drink, as well as travel. She is a full-time writer and currently hard at work on her next novel.
You can also choose to sign up for my newsletter at any time at shannonwritesandblogs.com/newsletter. It’s a way to find out about upcoming books, contests, & more!
The post The Mortal One by Shannon Bell is the Tuesday Teaser appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
August 8, 2016
Meet T.G. Ayer, Featured Author
T.G. Ayer is our featured author (from last week. Sorry, I didn’t get this posted last week). Before we get to the interview, let me tell you a little bit about T.G.
T.G. Ayer
I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognize that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practice given that I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other’s loves – it works wonderfully…
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.
I love talking to my readers so email me if you have any questions or even if you just want to chat…
Email: tgayer@xtra.co.nz or tgayerauthor@gmail.com
Tee also writes Thrillers and Horror under a different pen name. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Keep up to date with news, release dates and giveaways by subscribing to the newsletter HERE
The Interview
Tell us about your latest release?
My most recent release is the fourth in my Hand of Kali series. Maya’s in deep trouble in this book, and she’s pretty much on her own without any divine intervention.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I’m a bit of both. I plot in the sense that I do a vague outline, but that’s as far as I go. Despite the need to be organized and to write fast, I still feel that a story needs to be organic or else it’s too restrictive.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
Juggling all the balls. The curse of my publishing like if that I do layout and cover art myself. I’m having to learn to let go now, so I’ve passed my layout on to someone who specializes in it, and I’m also farming out half of my cover art work. Maybe now I won’t’ go gray so fast.
How about the most fun?
The writing process is definitely the most fun, with release day coming a close second!
What inspired you to write your first book?
I was reading a book by Graham Masterton – I forget the name. In this story, a group of long-lived people used the skins of innocent victims to prolong their lives. It was the image of one victim being skinned that stuck with me long enough that I wrote it down on a slip of paper and tucked it in my handbag. I probably didn’t need to do that since I kept thinking about it for weeks and the story just formed around it without me doing much planning. That became Second Skin which became Skin Deep – Book 1 in the SkinWalker series.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc?)
I prefer to write in the morning. Crack open the eyes, morning ablutions, then start writing. I like to get my creative work done first thing because there’s usually so much else to get done that I’m often a little scatterbrained. If I don’t manage to get all my words done by midday, I give it a second go after ten pm for a couple hours. When I’m writing I like a cup of tea every few hours but I taught myself a long time back to avoid snacking. Helps me to not turning into a blob with a pair of hands.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
Tess Gerritsen is my current fave since I’m on a thriller binge. I change all the time so it may just be Stephen King or Dean Koontz tomorrow.
What projects are you working on at the present?
Right now, I’m working on an FBI profiler story for my alter ego Toni Vallan. I’m also fleshing out the outlines for SkinWalker 5 and SoulTracker 2 – both books are crying out to be written.
What do your plans for future projects include?
The next 6 to 10 months will be devoted to:
Hand of Kali 5 – Spirit and Soul – which concluded that series
Irin 3 – Resonance – I haven’t’ decided yet how far that story goes. I figure when I outline Resonance I’ll have more of an idea.
SkinWalker 6 – Fate’s Edge. This was meant to be the final book in the series but because there is so much that needs to go into the other offshoot series, I may delay its release until the SoulTracker and MindMelder books are released.
The Lost Daughter – also set in the DarkWorld this is a standalone spin-off that explores the story of a young girl destined to be a great queen who is stolen and hidden for almost a decade. Characters from the SkinWalker series feature strongly in this book.
SoulTracker 2, 3 & 4 – these are scheduled to be outlined and written over the next 6 months to a year. Mel needs to catch up to Kai a little more and my fans are impatient for more tracker/djinn/gargoyle goodness.
Valkyrie Part 2 After Ragnarok – the second Valkyrie series is also on the cards. I’ve had a lot of emails about the series so as soon as I can find the time I’ll start writing them.
My alter-ego Toni Vallan has the FBI Profiler series coming – currently 3 books planned which will explore suicide bombing and the adoption black market.
Toni also has a couple more psychological thrillers planned so look out for those too.
Fury & Virtue: The Hand of Kali #4
You think it would be perfect if dreams came true?
Maya would disagree.
Dancers are dying all over the world, and Maya Rao must find the killer before she ends up being the next victim.
Maya must track down the killer & fight off zombies. Worst of all, she’d better watch her back because betrayal is in the air.
BUY: Amazon
The post Meet T.G. Ayer, Featured Author appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
August 2, 2016
Deep Within by Heather Mullins is Tuesday Teaser
Today I am so pleased to share Deep Within, the newest release from Heather Mullins.
Angelo Baldoni is no stranger to violence. As a Veteran Homicide Detective for Detroit he has seen his fair share of crime. After coming to terms with the loss of his fiancé, he has a new look on life and a new relationship blossoming.
When bodies start popping up all over Detroit, Angelo and Bobby are sent to solve a new string of murders. But things are not always what they seem, and Angelo is put into a position that forces him to step out of the box. Trying to save his best friend’s career and life he does the only thing he can think of to get to the bottom of the grave.
Having to go deep undercover to catch a killer tests everything Angelo has ever believed in. Will he be able to keep his identity hidden and his sanity intact or will he end up sleeping with the fishes?
Heather Mullins
Heather Mullins has always loved to read and has been writing poems and stories since childhood. She truly enjoys doing so much with other indie authors and fully supports this outstanding community. She uses her outgoing opinionated personality to help write and run multiple blogs.
Heather is a full-time student working to get her Bachelors in Human services specializing in substance abuse counseling. She’s an Air Force Veteran and enjoyed fighting for her country.
Heather supports many different groups that help out other veterans.
She is a mother of 3 wonderfully crazy kids and has been married for 15 years. When she isn’t playing taxi she is living vicariously through the lives of characters in any number of books
The post Deep Within by Heather Mullins is Tuesday Teaser appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
July 29, 2016
Heather H. Mullins is the Friday Featured Author
Heather H. Mullins has a new release out right now–Deep Within. I’m happy to feature her today.
The Interview
Tell us about your latest release?
Deep Within is another case that Detective Angelo Baldoni picks up that will make him step outside his comfort zone.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
Pantser. I try to outline and set chapters up but my characters always take me somewhere else.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
Giving up control to my publisher! This is the first book I haven’t published myself.
How about the most fun?
Hearing what readers think of the book. Knowing some want to hurt me if I don’t fix it!
What inspired you to write your first book?
I have always enjoyed reading and writing but I met some amazing people in the Indie community that pushed me to try new things.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc?)
I find I can focus best when I’m up at Panera.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
Sadly, I haven’t been able to read since I began to write. I’m not sure why and it drives me crazy!
What projects are you working on at the present?
I’m working the novella for the series. This will be a romance about Nate, one of the characters in the series.
What do your plans for future projects include?
I’m not sure as of yet, it will depend on what my characters tell me.
Deep Within
Angelo Baldoni is no stranger to violence. As a Veteran Homicide Detective for Detroit he has seen his fair share of crime. After coming to terms with the loss of his fiancé, he has a new look on life and a new relationship blossoming.
When bodies start popping up all over Detroit, Angelo and Bobby are sent to solve a new string of murders. But things are not always what they seem, and Angelo is put into a position that forces him to step out of the box. Trying to save his best friend’s career and life he does the only thing he can think of to get to the bottom of the grave.
Having to go deep undercover to catch a killer tests everything Angelo has ever believed in. Will he be able to keep his identity hidden and his sanity intact or will he end up sleeping with the fishes?
Buy: Amazon
The post Heather H. Mullins is the Friday Featured Author appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
July 28, 2016
Jody A. Kessler’s New Release When We’re Entwined
Genre: New adult romance and coming-of-age
Release date: July 28th, 2016
When We’re Entwined is the newest release from Jody A. Kessler
On the back cover:
Former circus performer and aerial gymnast, Tara knows it’s time to move on. Tired of the constant abuse and the emotional rollercoaster ride at home, she takes to the road to perform 
on stage with her boyfriend and his band, Paradox 21.
Drunken excursions and late night after-parties lead to an unfathomable betrayal by her boyfriend, Keel. Tara never imagined her summer tour would come to an abrupt end that lands her jobless, homeless, and broke in a city far from home. Unable to reach out to her emotionally distant and unstable mother and her abusive stepfather, a knight disguised as a homeless man gives Tara new perspective. And a punk named Corban, with his gemstone inspired eyes, takes her on a spontaneous road trip that ultimately lands her a job with the traveling sideshow, The Circus of Misfit Marvels.
As Tara searches for a freedom she has never known, she documents her journey by writing her most embarrassing, profound, excruciating, and soul-searching moments in letters to her sister. Despite heartache, love and loss, Tara finds immeasurable strength and wisdom during her travels in this unforgettable adventure of self-discovery.
“When We’re Entwined is a gripping, emotional modern-day adventure with a glimpse of alternative lifestyles in America as one vibrant, young aerial gymnast realizes cruelty and injustice can be outweighed by kindness, humor, and compassion with the help of a most unlikely and wildly colorful cast of characters.”
When We’re Entwined is on: Amazon and Goodreads
Excerpt 1
Desperation is a wholly conscious nightmare. It grips me like a stone ogre engrossed in ripping my hair out. She sits on my chest throttling me with hairy-clawed mitts while breathing putrid stink breath in my face. This emotional beast isn’t going to let me breathe untainted air while I suffer for days over my inadequacies and failings.
I’m leaving home with my backpack on, dragging a duffle bag full of doubt and crooked memories. The knife of guilt stabs my gut for running away. I should feel worse about leaving Evie and Jonah, instead of Ollie, but my dog needs me. I need her—and I can’t take her with me. Evie will be all right. She always is. At least, it’s what I keep telling myself. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to abandon my sister. Jonah is too little to understand what it’s like to be a nineteen-year-old. Ollie is already living down the street at a neighbor’s house.
“Please don’t go,” Evie says, hanging on my neck.
Her kid arms are so thin. That doesn’t mean she’s a wimp. Evie is strong. She has way more strength than I do. Evie can hold up the Statue of Liberty in a hurricane. She grips me like she’s clinging to the edge of the world. A piece of my humanity shatters when I make her let go.
I’m breaking something that I can’t fix. It’s trust, but there’s probably a long list of sacred sisterhood principles being flushed down the drain as I make my way to the door. I dismiss the feelings like irrelevant background noise. Not that Evie is irrelevant or that she won’t ever trust me again, but I can’t trust myself not to hurt someone who I love more than anyone else in the world. If I can’t trust myself, then I can never forgive myself either.
Jody’s Bio:
Jody A. Kessler is the winner of the Readers’ Crown Award for Best Paranormal Romance and a runner-up for Best First Book with her debut novel, Death Lies Between Us. She also writes historical time travel fiction, contemporary fiction and romance.
When she isn’t navigating the terrain of her imagination and writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen baking cookies & brownies – and trying not to eat them all. She’s passionate about continuing to learn and reads anything and everything that catches her interest. Jody is a Reiki Master and has taught Hatha yoga for over a decade.
Jody invites you to stop by her website and see what’s new at: www.JodyAKessler.com Subscribe to the newsletter and receive a free copy of The Call (An Angel Falls novella.)
Connect with Jody here: Website Facebook Amazon Goodreads Twitter
The post Jody A. Kessler’s New Release When We’re Entwined appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
July 26, 2016
Through Fire by Freya Barker is the Tuesday Teaser
Before we get to the book (Through Fire) Let me share a bit about Freya.
Author Bio
Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. She is the author of the Cedar Tree Series and the Portland, ME, novels.
A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has since published nine more books. She is currently a semi-finalist for the 2016 Kindle Book Awards for her first book of the Portland, ME, novels; “From Dust”.
Freya continues to spin story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FreyaBarkerWriter
Twitter: @freya_barker
Google+: http://plus.google.com/FreyaBarkerWriter
Web: http://www.freyabarker.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Freya-Barker/e/B00N36NDYI/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/FreyaBarker
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1DmiBub
email: freyabarker.writes@gmail.com
Through Fire
Violence corroded her…
Obedience defiled her…
Fear kept her chained…
Freedom is hard to embrace when she’s never learned to trust. Yet in the span of a second, she grabs a single opportunity and runs toward it. Straight into the sanctuary of a pub at the end of a wharf.
She doesn’t understand the concept of friendship. She’s never felt the connection of a relationship. 
She’s as innocent as the driven snow and yet tainted with corruption. Still, she finds herself surrounded by people who accept her, without even knowing the first thing about her.
But one of them is determined to dig deeper.
He treasures his friends, yet he’s steered clear of committed relationships. He likes his life comfortably predictable and entirely controlled. Until it isn’t. For months he’s avoided interacting with The Skipper’s newest addition. Perhaps realizing that once he looked deeply into those liquid brown eyes, he wouldn’t be able to turn away.
When his present and her past puts them both on the brink of change, they are forged through fire as one.
The post Through Fire by Freya Barker is the Tuesday Teaser appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
July 22, 2016
Featured Author: Freya Barker
Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. She is the author of the Cedar Tree Series and the Portland, ME, novels.
A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has since published nine more books. She is currently a semi finalist for the 2016 Kindle Book Awards for her first book of the Portland, ME, novels; “From Dust”.
Freya continues to spin story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
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email: freyabarker.writes@gmail.com
The Interview
Tell us about your latest release?
My latest release is Through Fire, just released July 19th. It’s the third book in the Portland, ME, novels, a series that highlights women who have suffered through tragedy and devastation. The books describe their journey to find their inner strength, a meaningful life and a deep resounding love.
In Through Fire, we meet forty-something Ruby, whose story up to that point, has been almost unimaginable for the majority of us. She’s been trapped in a dark side of life most of us prefer not to think about. When we meet Ruby, she has just managed to break free of the world she was forced into. She slowly discovers her own worth and learns the meaning of love with the help of a caring group of friends and one man in particular.
The subject matter of the book is not always easy, it’s definitely not a fairy tale. But I want to show with these books, the incredible strength we have at our core, most of it untapped and unrecognized, and our amazing adaptability. Beauty can’t only be found at the end of the line, but also in the journey.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I am SO a pantser! I dream of being a plotter and I try with every new book I start, but in the end things don’t quite work out the way I planned. My characters start out as names on paper but quickly develop into three dimensional people and therefore rather unpredictable.
I develop the best plots on the fly.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
Without a doubt the publicity factor. It still is.
I’m not a good sales person to start with. I used to work in a clothing store a long time ago, and was far too honest in my dealings with customers. I’m no good at a garage sale, because I’d give things away, I hate asking for money. And when it comes to selling myself? My books? It completely makes me uncomfortable.
I keep trying though!
How about the most fun?
WRITING!
I’m a late bloomer and have found such intense pleasure in writing, it has become both therapy and addiction to me.
I also love interacting with readers on a one-on-one basis. At first I dreaded author signings because of the ‘selling yourself’ component, but now I love meeting my readers in person, some of whom have become dear friends.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I had been housebound with illness for almost two years and had lost the ability to even read a book, something that had always been a great love of mine. When decided to try the romantic genres to see if a change of subject matter would be easier, I found my niche. Unfortunately, most of the books dealt with much, much younger individuals, all of them beautiful, often rich and always healthy, often caught in petty drama and angst.
I got tired of trying to identify with something that I left far behind in my own life. I wanted to read about normal folks with regular jobs and normal day-to-day hassles, people I could identify with.
And when I couldn’t find enough of it to read, I thought I’d try my hand at it.
That was Slim To None.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc?)
Nothing that I get really obsessive about, except silence. I need that to keep my thoughts in a straight line. It’s noisy enough inside my head. Other than that I always have water on hand, it’s the only thing other than coffee (a must have for most writers!) I drink.
I do prefer to write in the mornings, the earlier the better. I’m an early riser, often up at four thirty or five, and find the morning quiet great to work in.
I should also confess I do the best writing in my favorite chair. I bought it only five or so years ago, but it’s already falling apart to my horror. I have birthed every single one of my books in this chair and I will be mourning its loss when the last stitch gives the ghost.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
Kristen Ashley first and foremost. I fell in love with her relaxed, but very real style of writing. Her ability to draw a character or a situation without an overabundance of words. And of course her incredibly broody and hot Alphas.
Her books are nice and loooooong, which I love, you really get to settle into a story and make it your home, but it also means the goodbye when you reach the final page is a bit more painful. In my mind I live in all the places she describes.
I can’t say I’ve loved all her books equally, but I happily re-read those right along with the rest of her collection, because her writing and books are just that compelling.
What projects are you working on at the present?
I am writing the first book in a new FBI series. I can’t seem to stay away from the suspense factor! It’s romantic suspense and set in Durango, Colorado. The series is called La Plata County FBI: ROCK POINT and focuses on the agents of the La Plata County FBI field office, located in Durango. The first book is called “Keeping 6”.
Immediately following that I have to write a novella for a great romantic suspense anthology I was invited to participate in. The name is ”Love, Lies & Crime” and I am one of twelve authors participating. I’m very excited about this one!
What do your plans for future projects include?
Well, after I’m done my current WIP and the anthology novella, I’m hoping to write the final book in the Portland, ME, series. Then I’ll focus on rest of the Rock Point series. I find it helps me stay fresh when I work on two series at a time and alternate books as I write. Portland, ME, will be a hard one to let go of. As hard as my first series, Cedar Tree, which ended earlier this year with the seventh book. I hate leaving characters behind.
Of course I’ll be traveling and have about six signings left for this year and another ten signings on my docket for next year. That’s not including my own author signing event in Niagara Falls, Ontario—Romancing The Falls. That baby is a lot of work, but it is promising to be spectacular. The line up of authors is impressive with a great mix of both names we’ve all heard before and authors that may be new to us.
I may have to slow down at some point, but I’m not ready yet!
Come back Tuesday to learn more about Freya’s newest release Through Fire.
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