B.L. Blair's Blog, page 26

Giveaways

To celebrate the release of the third novella in my Lost and Found Pets series, I am hosting a number of giveaways this month. Enter to win a Lost Savannah koozie. a Rafflecopter giveaway I am also giving away a $25 gift card if you buy (or have already purchased) a copy of the first novella, The Lost Great Dane. a Rafflecopter giveaway To see all the giveaways, visit The Lost and Found Pets blog: http://lostandfoundpetsnovellas.blogspot.com/ or my website: http://www.blblair.com/monthly-giveaway.html. Good Luck!

The Lost Macaw Snippet

I am working on the next novella in the Lost and Found Pets series. It is called The Lost Macaw. Here's another snippet:

There was a large Oak tree near the back fence. The treehouse wasn’t much more than a few pieces of plywood with a rope ladder, but it looked sturdy enough. I smiled when I saw it. I had always wanted a treehouse. We had never had a house when I lived with my mother, and when I came to live with Nora, I was too old for one. The McMillan’s treehouse looked like fun.“Cool,” I said to Anna. She grinned. I grinned back. “Can you show me how you saw him?”I followed Anna up the ladder. There wasn’t room for both of us so I stood at the top of the ladder and looked around. Anna settled on the floor and pointed out a small opening. Leaning over I saw that she could see directly into Mrs. Kearns backyard.“The man walked through the gate,” Anna said pointing to the gate fence, “and then to the back door.”“Did he just open the door and go in?”Anna shook her head. “No. He knelt by the door and played with the doorknob. After it opened, he went inside.”He probably used picklocks. Mrs. Kearns didn’t have a security system so he hadn’t had to worry about setting off any alarms.“Did he look around or over here at the treehouse?”“No, he just went inside.”“Can you describe him?” Anna looked a little confused. I smiled at her. I like kids. They don’t worry about small talk or social niceties. They do just fine with my default communication style. I ask questions. They answer. They want to know something. I tell them. It’s easy.“Do you remember what he was wearing?”“Oh, um, jeans, I think, and a blue shirt.”“Okay, good. What color was his hair?”“Kinda brown, but it looked funny.”“How so?”“Well, it had a spot on one side that was a different color.”“Like he dyed it?” I asked. She nodded. I doubt the man dyed just part of his hair although it was possible. More likely, it was something natural. “What color was the spot?“White?”“You’re doing great, Anna. Was the man’s skin light or dark or in the middle?”This time she shrugged. With brown hair, the man was probably Caucasian. I verified with Anna that his hair was not dark brown.“Okay, one more question. Was he wearing glasses?”“No, I don’t think so.”“Great. Thanks.”We came back down where Leslie was waiting with the other kids. Leslie had a worried look on her face. I thanked Anna for her help. She grinned and started chasing her brother around the yard. Leslie watched her a minute before turning to me.“Do you think she’s in danger?”“No. The man didn’t see her. She is well-hidden in the treehouse, and she said he didn’t look over here.”“Good.”“Anna described a man with brown hair and with a light spot on one side. That’s distinctive. Have you seen anyone like that around the neighborhood?”
Leslie’s eyes widened. She swallowed once and then looked away for just a moment. When she turned back, her face was devoid of expression. She shook her head. I didn’t believe her for a moment.

HE TAKES THE CAKE by J. Lynn Rowan - $20 GC Giveaway

BLURB:Tyler’s success as a highly-trained chef has launched him into the stratosphere. He already owns one ridiculously successful restaurant, and he’s aggressively working on plans for a second. But he’s never quite gotten over Tess, and he’s never really been sure what actually went wrong between them. So when a pastry and baking competition is announced for the week following the culinary convention in Charleston, Ty jumps at the chance to tempt Tess with the challenge of being his partner, giving him the perfect opportunity to remind her how good they once were together.
As the competition heats up in the kitchen, it soon becomes clear to Tess that Ty has more than cream puffs and cupcakes on his mind. And she can’t deny that her feelings for Ty never truly cooled, but have been simmering all these years, despite the way their relationship ended. Now Ty’s attention has her wondering—is this just the path to final closure? Or could this be a second chance at true love?
Excerpt:“Before we go in there, I have something for you,” Ty says, reaching out but stopping just short of actually touching me.I stare at his extended hand for a second, then flick my gaze up to his eyes. “Okay.”Smiling, Ty crosses to a chair on the other side of the kitchen, where he’d draped his chef’s jacket so it would be out of the way. He grabs it and shrugs into it, but then picks up something from the seat of the chair. Folded fabric, the same bright white as his chef’s jacket.My breath catches in my throat. “Is that . . .?”“I picked it up for you on my way home yesterday.” He shakes out another chef’s jacket, cut and tailored for a woman’s build. “Hope I guessed the size right.”I take the chef’s jacket, holding it by the shoulders and studying every seam, stitch, and button. “It’s gorgeous, Ty. Thank you!”He shrugs in that nonchalant way of his, but his eyes twinkle with joy at my pleasure. “I figured we ought to match. And it’s a gift. Whether or not we continue to round two or beyond, it’s yours to keep.”“You didn’t need to do this,” I murmur, lowering the garment. “I already owe you for the entry fee, and—”“I would’ve had to pay the entry fee whether you were working with me or not, so forget it.”Ty fastens the buttons on his jacket. Then he takes mine back and circles around me, holding the chef’s jacket open so I can slide my arms in. The starched fabric crinkles a little, coaxing a giggle from me.But the feel of Ty’s hands on my shoulders, the sense of them reaching around to fasten the buttons, makes me freeze. When he notices, he pauses, too. Then his hands drop away, and he clears his throat as he turns and grabs the handle of the serving cart.“We should get this down to the judges.” His voice sounds choked.Nodding, I finish with my buttons and follow him out.
Links:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Cake-Sweet-Somethings-Novel-ebook/dp/B071JSQC3J/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35406878-he-takes-the-cake
About the AUTHOR:J. Lynn Rowan started writing stories as a small child, usually starring her favorite cartoon characters. Most of her work through middle and high school was filled with typical teenage angst and melodrama, and usually mirrored the books she loved to read. But eventually she found her own author’s voice and decided to seriously pursue a writing career.
Historical fiction remains J. Lynn’s “first love”, but she has enjoyed the journey to becoming an author of romance and chick lit. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Central New York Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. She is also a teacher who tries to instill a love of learning, reading, and writing in her students.
When she’s not writing, J. Lynn enjoys travelling, gardening poorly but enthusiastically, studying various topics in American history for her own expertise, and channeling Julia Child every time she steps into the kitchen.
A native of Oswego, NY, she now lives in Charlotte, NC, with her own Romantic Hero of a husband and their little rainbow, affectionately known as Babycakes.
Email: jlynnrowanliterature@gmail.comWebsite: http://jlynnrowanliterature.wordpress.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/JLynnRowanTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/JLynnRowanLitPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jlynnrowan/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UClfsVyA4LQYMA0Cq7T1rb6wGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14191767.J_Lynn_RowanAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Lynn-Rowan/e/B012YC8PQ2/
BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE PURCHASE LINKShttp://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Chocolate-Sweet-Somethings-ebook/dp/B012X1IJD8/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-chocolate-j-lynn-rowan/1123766258?ean=9781682911235
WHEN IN ROME PURCHASE LINKShttp://www.amazon.com/When-Rome-Sweet-Somethings-Book-ebook/dp/B01CZ4LGW4/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-in-rome-j-lynn-rowan/1125876595
THE ONE I’M WITH PURCHASE LINKShttps://www.amazon.com/One-Sweet-Somethings-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B01LX1DXSL/

GIVEAWAY:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit other blogs for more chances to win:books,dreams,life
Buried Under Romance
charline's blog and more...
Edgar's Books
Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
Illuminite Caliginosus
Independent Authors
It's Raining Books
Jazzy Book Reviews
Jersey Girl Book Reviews REVIEW
Long and Short Reviews
Nana Prah's Blog
Nesie's Place
Notes From a Romantic's Heart
Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Stormy Nights Reviewing and Bloggin'
Straight from the Library
The Avid Reader
The Layaway Dragon
Theresa Stillwagon
Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
Travel the Ages
Two Ends of the Pen
Two Heartbeats
underneath the covers
Up 'Til Dawn Book Blog
Wake Up Your Wild Side
Welcome to My World of Dreams
Wendi zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race 
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
T's Stuff
Mixed Book Bag

Cambio Springs Mysteries

I just finished reading the first three books in Elizabeth Hunter’s Cambio Springs series. Very enjoyable. A little bit of paranormal mixed into the romantic mysteries. Here is the link if you are looking something fun to read: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0186IXR7A.

Seducing the Hearbreaker by Christine Glover - Giveaway

Contemporary RomanceDate Published: June 15, 2017
[image error]
Reforming this bad boy makes her want to be very naughty…
PR expert extraordinaire Fiona Maguire must deal with her most challenging task yet: clean up NASCAR champion Jax Hannigan’s act by posing as his girlfriend. She’s determined to help him because she feels responsible for his best friend’s death after setting the wrong man free for all the right reasons. Truthfully, she’s always harbored a secret crush on Jax—one she should ignore now, but can’t when passion flares between them.
To secure a coveted sponsorship and prove he’s got what it takes to win to his slimy former team owner/stepfather, Jax needs to reform his bad boy image. He’s got the best in public relations backing him. The attraction sizzling between them is tempting, but she’s only available because he encouraged her fiancé to drive in a race that killed him.
Soon days of working together turn to passionate, steamy nights. But their feelings for each other could jeopardize his comeback, especially after another scandal erupts. Now Jax must choose the ultimate prize: a championship trophy… or the woman he loves.
Purchase Links
AppleAmazonKobo
About the Author


Christine Glover is the author of tantalizing, sensual, emotional contemporary romances. She resides in Alabama with her husband, two insane cats and FaceTimes her wonderful daughter every chance she gets. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.





Contact Links

WebsiteFacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramAuthor GoodreadsAmazon Author Profile

a Rafflecopter giveaway

June Giveaways

To celebrate the release of the third novella in my Lost and Found Pets series, I am hosting a number of giveaways this month. Enter to win two Great Dane coasters. a Rafflecopter giveaway I am also giving away a $25 gift card if you buy (or have already purchased) a copy of the first novella, The Lost Great Dane. a Rafflecopter giveaway To see all the giveaways, visit The Lost and Found Pets blog: http://lostandfoundpetsnovellas.blogspot.com/ or my website: http://www.blblair.com/monthly-giveaway.html. Good Luck!

Ernie and the Evils of Insurance by Brent Ayscough

Blurb:Ernie, an experienced logger from rural Washington State, loses his job when the logging operation he works for is shut down due to the spotted owl. When he goes in to apply for unemployment, Ernie is persuaded to take a job out of state as a temporary insurance adjuster in Los Angeles. While he knows that Los Angeles will be a lot different than Sedro Woolley, Washington, and insurance adjusting a lot different than logging, really, how hard can it be? And there are lots of downed trees in Southern California after the recent earthquake and storms they had there. So packing up his trusty chainsaw in his saddlebags, Ernie hops on his motorcycle and heads south. But to his dismay, Ernie discovers that LA is a lot farther from Washington in more than just miles. Unprepared for the corruption and callousness rampant in the insurance industry, Ernie soon finds himself not only in trouble with his job, but on the top of an assassin’s hit list. Still, although Ernie might be a hick from the sticks, he’s far from stupid. Blessed with an innate intelligence, an abundance of common sense, and a redneck sense of humor, Ernie will give his enemies a hilarious run for their money…if he can just survive long enough.
Amazon (Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Evils-Insurance-Brent-Ayscough-ebook/dp/B01F9N68JY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1485636091&sr=8-1Amazon (Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Evils-Insurance-Brent-Ayscough/dp/1626944342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485636091&sr=8-1&keywords=ernie+evils+insuranceGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30113850-ernie-and-the-evils-of-insurance
EXCERPT:

He’d thought logging was a dangerous occupation, but it had nothing on insurance adjusting...
Under the boat, Ernie heard the whirring noise of the air saw and turned to see a man coming at him. At first, he first thought the coast guard had arrived.Innocenti expected there might be a deck hand, but had not expected to see someone underneath trying to fix the shaft log. Seeing the man, he moved in aggressively with the air saw, tethered by the yellow air hose to the pump in the speedboat. Swimming rapidly toward the man trying to fix the shaft log, he charged forward, without fear, attacking with his air saw whirring at five thousand rpm, followed by little bubbles of air after the pressurized air spun the saw.Completely surprised to meet someone trying to kill him, Ernie was startled and instinctively backed up, but not fast enough. The assailant struck Ernie in his side, and the spinning blade went through the skin to his ribs. But fortunately for Ernie, his jumping back had kept the saw blade from cutting deeply into him and severing his ribs.Ernie pedaled back a few more feet, blood coming out of his side. He then knew it definitely was not the coast guard, and this would be a fight to the death.
About the Author:Brent Ayscough or Ace, as he is known to friends, retired from the practice of law and lives in a house overlooking the sea in Southern California. He has always loved machines, from airplanes to motorcycles, structural design, and other interests. He has enjoyed the acquaintance of diverse and interesting people, and is widely traveled. Bits and pieces of characters he has known, places he has been, seasoned with the spice of his imagination, help him create unusual stories and characters. Extensive collaboration with experts and sources, hopefully, make his stories credible and interesting.

Snippet from Dead in a Pickup

I've started work on the next Leah Norwood Mystery, Dead in a Pickup. It's still in the early stages, but here's a little snippet:

I found the body on April 12. It was a hot spring day, and I was surprised to see her sitting in the pickup, windows rolled up, and engine turned off. It wasn’t the best part of town, but the vehicle was untouched and intact. I stared into the window. She appeared to be asleep, head back against the headrest, with a peaceful look on her face. Then I saw the bruising around her neck so very reminiscent of my own. Unfortunately, the scarf lying on seat was familiar too.

Giveaways

To celebrate the release of the third novella in my Lost and Found Pets series, I am hosting a number of giveaways this month. Enter to win a Lost Savannah mouse pad. a Rafflecopter giveaway I am also giving away a $25 gift card if you buy (or have already purchased) a copy of the first novella, The Lost Great Dane. a Rafflecopter giveaway To see all the giveaways, visit The Lost and Found Pets blog: http://lostandfoundpetsnovellas.blogs... or my website: http://www.blblair.com/monthly-giveaw.... Good Luck!

South Dakota

I recently took a trip to Rapid City, SD. I love to travel but didn’t really know much about the area. When we were doing research for a trip, we discovered that there are a LOT of national parks, monuments, and memorials in the area. The trip was great, and we had a wonderful time. The area is beautiful. We saw Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, The Mammoth Site, Custer State Park, The Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Theodore Roosevelt National Park (in North Dakota), and Devil’s Tower National Monument (in Wyoming). We did a lot of driving, but it was a lot of fun.