Susanne Matthews's Blog, page 9
December 23, 2019
Tuesday Tales: From the Word GIFT
Well, it’s Christmas Eve. Where did the year go? It seems just days ago, I was hoping for cooler days and now, I’m praying for heat!
[image error]I’m still hard at work on The Price of Courage. This week’s word prompt is GIFT. For those of you who’ve been following the story, I’ve made a name changed. Marie-Louise Emond is now Amaya Emond since I wanted to use her basque ancestry and giving her a Basque name made sense. I carry Basque blood in my veins and wanted to honor that aspect of my ancestry.
Enjoy!
“Amen to that,” Guy said. “Now, I should like to freshen up before the meal. Can you show me to our room?”
“With pleasure,” Richard answered. “I hope you’ll be warm enough tonight. Your room has its own fireplace, and there’s plenty of fuel in the wood box should you want to add to it before you get into bed. I cleared three more acres last spring. I intend to plant wheat, corn, barley, and hemp.”
Guy chuckled as he followed his host down the hall.
“Let me guess. You grow the hemp so that your wife can have thread. I’m sure you’ll be happy to see the end of Talon’s thread monopoly.”
[image error]“I will, but Amaya insists I grow the plant for its fibers. The cloth she weaves from it is far sturdier than wool or imported linen and cotton. With six children to dress, she’s always weaving, knitting, or sewing. My sister-in-law has a fine eye for tatting lace, and her mother crochets like none other, but it’s my Amaya who makes the children’s clothing. In Biarritz where we lived before I had her come to me, her skills as a modiste were much sought after. In addition, she’s befriended a few of the native women in the area and has learned to work with buckskin and leather. She’s managed to teach some of these skills to my tenants’ wives. They meet here once a week to gossip and sew. The quilt on your bed was finished just last week. Amaya stuffed it with feathers from all the fowl hunted on the estate. We have one on all the beds now. It’s amazingly light and yet warm. Her talent with a needle is a true gift. Here we are.” He rapped on the door.
The sound of rustling fabric caught Guy’s attention before the door opened.
He smiled broadly at the woman, his grin growing at the sight of Izzy behind her, clad in a deep blue velvet dress. Without crinolines, the garment molded to her frame, highlighting the slight bulge of her abdomen.
“I’ve come to clean up for dinner,” he said.
The dark-haired beauty who’d answered the door nodded.
Richard stepped forward. “May I present my wife, Amaya, my sister-in-law, Alasne, and my mother-in-law, Jakinda Eneko. They arrived from Biarritz earlier this year.”
Amaya Emond was slightly taller than Izzy with the darker complexion of her Basque ancestors.
Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
Merry Christmas to all.
December 21, 2019
Saturday Surprise! Special Agent Murphy. More from Mimi Barbour!
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Book Blurb:
It’s Christmas in Washington, but not for one heartsick family.
Agent Shane Murphy has a hard time believing his life could get so crazy. Because of a choice – one he’d make again – he loses his superiority in the FBI. Now he’s forced to work surveillance with a rookie female yapper. And… gets caught up in the kidnapping of a sixteen-year-old that pulls at the heartstrings he keeps hidden.
Fighting the budding attraction for his new partner, he stresses his way through an escalating nightmare. How can he be so infatuated with a trouble-magnet female who drives like a granny and isn’t able to hide her sensitive reactions when on the job?
Agent Kathleen Edwards does a lot of things her new partner dislikes, but what’s a girl to do when a man ties her in knots and turns her into a chatterbox. Working to uncover the mystery of who kidnapped the Senator’s daughter, and where they’re holding her, continuous conflicts arise.
Working alongside an attractive realist whose high morals make him someone to live up to, Kayti’s heart doesn’t stand a chance.
Here’s and excerpt to further pique your interest!
His hands lowered to lift her away from him, to stop the train wreck. They were partners. This couldn’t happen. He wrenched his mouth from hers and looked into her drenched sultry eyes. His hands somehow landing on a smooth, warm thigh. “This can’t happen, doll.”
As if she didn’t hear him, she smiled and brushed her lips over his chin, her hand caressing his cheek. ‘You’re not such a meanie after all.”
“Of course, I am. Stop that.”
“No. I like it.” She kissed his mouth and moaned when he let her. He got caught up in the rioting sensations for a few breaths. Before sanity surfaced yet again.
Unfortunately, by this time, his hand had strayed from her thigh and traveled up her hip, his T-shirt rising with it. When she winced, he saw it. “What? Did I hurt you?”
“No. Don’t stop. Please… it’s just a bruise from where I fell earlier.”
He looked down, and there on her beautiful body, the discoloration had already settled in. The black and blue area on her skin ripped him to shreds.
Rage at the animal who’d laid his hands on her, marked her, rampaged his system, and he had to fight back the incredible urge to go out now, find him and kill the bastard.
“You need to go to bed. I can’t keep my hands off you, and we have a lot to do in the next while. Go to the other room.”
“No. I’ll be good. I promise. Let me stay here with you.” He had a hard time believing she could stare him down without flinching from his eyes drilling her to stop it. Behave.
Losing the battle, he lifted the wool cover his mother had crocheted for him, the one he always kept folded in the basket by his chair and covered them both.
While she cuddled her face into his neck and relaxed like a trusting child, he held her close. Settling comfortably, he watched her as she dozed. Her childish trust spiking his role from a dude slightly interested to a man caught and accepting the new status.
He leaned his head gently over hers so as not to wake her up. He closed his eyes and planned the next day, a custom he’d had since he was a rookie.
The first item on his agenda was to contact Kale and advise her he needed a different partner.
Want more? Here are the Amazon Links:
International Link: http://mybook.to/SpecialAgentMurphy
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Agent-Murphy-Undercover-Book-ebook/dp/B082K8X6V6/
Bio:
[image error]NYT & USA Today, best-selling, award-winning author, MIMI BARBOUR, has nine romance series to her credit. She also has many single titles and a huge number of box sets – her own and multi-author collections.
Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her new puppy and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye. She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their everyday grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”
**Visit her blogs at http://mimibarbour.com / http://Authorsbillboard.com
**Sign up for her monthly newsletter at http://mimibarbour.com
**Follow on Amazon https://www.facebook.com/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page-203964072966134/
December 20, 2019
Friday Reads: New From Mimi Barbour
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Good morning and welcome to Living the Dream. Today’s guest author is Mimi Barbour here with her newest novel, Mischievous Christmas Angel, part of the Angels With Attitudes Series, Book 5. This novel is a Contemporary Romance, published by Sarna Publishing.
[image error] After one night of blistering lovemaking that would bring any sane man to his knees clutching a ring, Jack’s forced to accept Mia’s unexpected rejection. Then when she seems to be warming up to having a relationship, danger erupts around him in freakish accidents and mystical happenings. How can he permit her and her little girl to be anywhere near these threats?
Mia lovingly adopts her best friend’s four-year-old child in accordance with her will. She also agrees to move her new family and her business to live with her aunt before the Christmas holidays arrive. But… she isn’t willing to hold on to a man because of one incredible night’s loss of restraint.
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**On Sale for only 99 cents! ** Get your copy today!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48637257-mischievous-christmas-angel
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mischievous-Christmas-Angel-Angels-Attitudes-ebook/dp/B07ZPZ5X1R
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Mimi is an incredibly busy NYT and USA Today award-winning, best-selling author who has seven series to her credit. The Vicarage Bench Series – Spirit/Time -Travel tales that have a surprising twist / The Angels with Attitude Series – Angels Love Romance / The Elvis Series – Make an Elvis song a book / Vegas Series – 6 books full of romantic suspense, humor and gritty conflicts / and… the fast-paced, edgy, humorous, romantic suspense, Undercover FBI Series /The Holiday Heatwarmer Series – puppies become cupids. And the latest, explosive Mob Tracker Series – six books full of conflicts and characters you’ll hate to leave.
Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her husband and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye. She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”
**1st place prize of the 2015 – Chanticleer Reviews – Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Awards.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads * Newsletter
Author Links
Website: https://mimibarbour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MimiBarbour
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/barbour0499
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mimi-barbour
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mimi-Barbour/e/B0051EAN52
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3376439.Mimi_Barbour
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/MimiBNewsletter
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$25 Amazon
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/mischievous-christmas-angel-book-tour-and-giveaway
December 16, 2019
Tuesday Tales: From the Word PERSUADE
[image error]Only a week left until Christmas Eve! Welcome to this week’s edition of Tuesday Tales. If you are new to this weekly blog post, let me assure you that we have something for everyone. Once a week, a select group of authors share a scene from a work in progress with you the readers. Once a month, we have a picture prompt and a 300 word post. The other weeks, we offer you a 400 word scene written to incorporate a word prompt. This week’s word is PERSUADE. I’m continuing with The Price of Courage, Book 2 in my Canadiana Series.
Enjoy!
“But you have capable men here on your estate who could protect your family,” Guy argued.
“Capable men?” Richard asked, scratching his chin. “That’s an interesting turn of phrase. Unlike you, only a handful of my tenants were from the soldiers who remained in the colony. Most of my centimes are occupied by new settlers from France who seek a better life. Some came with families of their own. I have no doubt they are good, honorable, God-fearing men. Others have yet to marry. I sent six men to Ville-Marie as you requested and persuaded the remaining bachelors to trap for the estate. As compensation, all men on the estate, including the ones in Ville-Marie and those who remain here, will share in the profits just as they do on the profits from their farming and lumbering. I saw it as the best solution until the enemy is uncovered.”
“And it’s an excellent one. Your fears are mine, and those of every man in the colony with a family. There was a time when the enemy was easy to identify, but now, he wears the familiar face of those we expected to be our allies. Greed supported and encouraged by lies is at the root of our troubles. Have you heard any talk among your people of government sanctioned exploration to the west?”
“You mean beyond the borders currently recognized for trapping?” Richard asked, his brow deeply furrowed.
“Yes. There is a rumor circulating, encouraging trappers to join an illegal expedition in the spring.”
Richard shook his head. “This is the first I hear of it, but I’ll warn my men as soon as they return. In the meantime, have you made any progress on the Leclerc murder?”
“Sadly, we have, but not the kind of progress I’d hoped. My best suspect turned up dead himself, and that’s left me with no suspects at all. But I’ve increased the militia and thanks to you and others who’ve sent men, I’m certain the colony is secure.”
“That’s good, but what about our estates? I will need all my men back once the winter’s over.”
“By then, I’ll have discovered the traitor in the colony and Talon will have caught the bastard in France and put an end to his machinations.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear,” Richard said, making the sign of the cross to seal his prayer.
Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
December 13, 2019
Friday Reads: His Candy Christmas
Today, I’m pleased to welcome fellow Canadian author, Darlene Fredette.
Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast where the summers are too short and the winters are too long. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to develop the many stories coming to life in her head. She writes contemporary romances with happy-ever-afters. When not working on her next book, she can be found with her husband, her daughter, and her yellow Labrador. Darlene favourite pastime is taking summer day-trips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel. You can stay in touch with Darlene by:
Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Web Site: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLF
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DarleneLF
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Fredette/e/B005NAF660/
[image error]This morning, Darlene is here to promote her new Christmas romance, His Candy Christmas.
Who knew returning home would contain a cool nip in the air, irresistible chocolate, and a Santa suit?
Back Cover Blurb
It’s going to take more than a few pieces of chocolate to fill this Scrooge’s heart with Christmas cheer. Luckily Candy has a whole shop full.
Candice Cane is not proud of the way she acted after her last encounter with Jackson Frost. Sure revenge was fun, but now Jackson is angry and looking for answers, and standing on the welcome mat in her chocolate shop. Now he’s after some revenge of his own.
Jackson returned to his small hometown for one reason and one reason only. So, he’s not sure how he ended up in a Santa suit in the middle of a chocolate shop, at the behest of its beautiful owner, instead of high-tailing it back to the city as fast as he can.
Neat factoid! The heroine in my own novel, Murder & Mistletoe is called Candace Kayne. Great minds think alike!!!
Here’s an excerpt to intrigue you:
An acquisition of her own popped in her head. He might be a bit too tall, but nothing a quick readjustment to a hem couldn’t fix.
Jackson walked to the supply shelf, picked up a pen, and offered it to her. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’m in a hurry.”
She tapped the pen against her chin. Yes, this plan could work.
“Why the hesitation?”
Not just yet. Candy had a problem and Jackson was her solution. “You need a divorce, I need a Santa.”
“What?” He raised an eyebrow.
She flashed a sinister smile and winked, pointing to the clothing bag hanging from a hook on the wall. A Santa hat peeked from the open zipper. “Give me your best ho ho ho.”
“No…no way!” Jackson stepped back, colliding with the wall. “If you think I’m going to dress up as Santa, you’re out of your mind!”
This sounds like an awesome read. Pick up your copy from:
December 9, 2019
Tuesday Tales: From a Picture
[image error]Welcome back to Tuesday Tales, the weekly blog that takes you inside the writing process as authors craft new stories incorporating word or picture prompts into the action. This week is picture prompt week, so we are limited to 300 words. I continue with The Price of Courage. Here’s the picture I chose.
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Richard smiled. “Luc,” he said addressing the man he’d met many times in the past. “I see you haven’t lost your excellent hunting skills. I have a challenge for you. My mother-in-law claims there’s a large moose in the woods behind the house. She caught him foraging in her garden last fall. If you’ve a mind to hunt larger game, don’t hesitate. A moose roast makes a tasty meal.”
Luc laughed. “The sergeant presents a tempting challenge. I have not had moose in many months. If I don’t see him this time, I will watch for him on our return trip.” He turned to Guy. “Lieutenant, we will tend to the animals now. When do you want to leave in the morning?”
“Not until after the sun is up, and only if the temperature rises. It’s far too cold for Izzy to travel any distance otherwise. Make sure you put all of the stones in the fire tonight. We’ll certainly need them tomorrow.”
The scout nodded and climbed back into the sleigh. Guy turned, and will Richard’s assistance, carried everything into the house. Expecting to see Izzy and the other women, he was surprised to find the large room empty, but Izzy’s boots were standing near the fire as was her coat, mitts, and hat.
The aroma of fresh baked bread permeated the room. Guy’s stomach rumbled. There was nothing he liked better than freshly baked bread.
“Your wife baked bread for us. There’s nothing I like better.”
Richard laughed. “Marie -Louise might have suggested the bread, but I’ve become the baker. Pounding the dough relieves my tension on these long winter days of inactivity.”
“Do you no longer trap?” Guy asked surprised.
“I would if I could, but I can’t leave my family with a faceless enemy at large.”
Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
December 5, 2019
You’re all invited!
December is here at last, and while this year has been a tough one for me, I’ve had a few wonderful things happen, too. One of the best things was being invited to join the Authors’ Billboard, a select group of authors, some traditionally published, others indy published, almost all of them NY Times and USA Today best selling authors. I can tell you I was truly amazed to become part of their group. My first official activity is a Christmas party to which you’re all invited. There will be prizes and lots of other fun stuff. This will be your chance to meet new authors and get to know them, too.
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My slot is on December 11th at 4:00 pm EST. Here’s the link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/414604506092518
Hoping you can all drop by and visit! Merry Christmas!
December 2, 2019
Tuesday Tales: From the Word Frozen
[image error]Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. While it may have been frigid back in 1668, it’s surprisingly mild here in Eastern Ontario. This week, the members of the Tuesday Tales Blog, offer you new scenes based on the word FROZEN. As always, I continue with The Price of Courage. There’;s more than one kind of courage and for a pregnant woman to travel without our basic amenities takes real courage–or is that just the twenty-first century spoiled brat in me?
Enjoy!
It was well after dark when Felix pulled into the lane that led to Richard Emond’s manor house. Light spilled from the windows and ribbons of smoke curled into the sky from the house’s three chimneys. Guy glanced over at Izzy. She hadn’t complained, but by how she had to be cold and stiff. The temperature had started dropping earlier before sunset. Whatever heat the stones had provided had long since dissipated. Even the horses were finding it hard going now. Both of the Percherons would welcome hot mash and a night in the stable.
Luc had rejoined the sleigh a couple of hours ago. He’d cut across the river, now frozen, following the tracks he’d found until he located a small party of Mohawk checking their traps. They seemed innocent enough, so he’d returned, bringing a wild turkey with him. It never hurt to have gifts for the hostess. With the brace of rabbits he’d caught earlier, this would give the Emonds two meals and more than make up for the inconvenience.
The sleigh pulled to a stop in front of the main doors and Richard Emond stepped out. Guy jumped down from the sleigh and turned to help Izzy.
“I’ve been watching for you,” he said. “Marie-Louise fed the children earlier, but we’ve waited to sup with you. Your men can take the sleigh around back. My engagé, Grégoire, has beds ready for them in the loft and cook has food in the kitchen.” The man bowed. “Madame Poirier, welcome to our home. My wife has a room ready for you to refresh yourself before you eat. You must be frozen.”
Izzy smiled and stepped forward. “Not frozen yet, but definitely in need of refreshing. Thank you for offering us a roof over our heads this night.”
“The pleasure is ours, especially the ladies who lack genteel company at this time of year.”
Guy assisted Izzy up the stairs. From the way she was walking, she was a lot colder and stiffer than she let on. They hadn’t stopped to rest once Luc was back on the sleigh, preferring to get to the destination before it got even colder.
Richard stepped out of the way to allow Izzy to enter the house while Guy brought in their valises and satchels.
“My scout did some hunting along the way,” Guy said indicating the large foul and the rabbits. We thought a little extra meat would come in handy.”
Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
November 25, 2019
Tuesday Tales From the Word Thanks
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Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends. I wish you wonderful times with family and friends– and football, of course.
This week, I continue with The Price of Courage. Whenever we travel, we have to make rest stops for food and other necessities, something far harder to do in the seventeenth century.
Enjoy!
“And those six children will no doubt eat all of the fudge.” Guy laughed. “Marie-Louise will be glad to have some company. While her mother and sister live with them, it’s always nice to have a new face around. And I’m sure she’ll have lots of helpful advice about the baby.”
Izzy rolled her eyes. “And if her advice is as helpful as what I received at the fête, no thanks. If I listened to all that twaddle, I would be starving both myself and the child. But, I do believe it’s time to find me a place to relieve myself.”
Luc bent down and whispered in Guy’s ear.
Guy frowned and nodded.
“Luc has arranged something for you. If you’re ready?” He bent and scooped her up once more.
It felt a lot colder away from the fire, but Guy followed the path Luc had made to another pine tree. He kept his eyes fixed the surroundings, trying to stay alert without having Izzy note his concern. The scout had found more tracks, but these belonged to men not rabbits. It could be local trappers, but there was always the possibility that these were the men who’d killed Leclerc.
Less than fifty feet from the camp, he found the privy Luc had made for them. Under the branches of another pine, the scout had propped a log between the ground and a low lying branch, and had left a small amount of moss beside it.
“Pull down your trousers and sit across the branch. It’s sturdy enough a seat. Use the moss to wipe as you usually do, and then I will bury it all in the snow.”
Izzy did as told, gasping when the cold branch met her tender cheeks. Her business complete. she redressed quickly. Once Guy had buried her waste, he carried her back to the camp.
Felix had spruce tea ready for them, as well as soup Maman had sent along.
“I know this isn’t the first time I’ve eaten outdoors, but I must confess I had no idea we would enjoy such luxury. From now on, husband, I’ll worry less when you have to travel.” Izzy turned to Luc. “Thank you for seeing to my comfort.”
The scout nodded.
She smiled at Felix. “And thank you for attending to the food.”
“Mon plaisir, madame,” the former soldier answered. “I hope that by this time next year, I’ll have a wife with child myself.”
That’s it. See you next week. Don’t forget to check out all the other posts on Tuesday Tales.
November 23, 2019
Six-Book Holiday Giveaway!
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Good morning!
Here’s your chance to win six paperback books just in time for holiday and winter vacation reading. Click on the link to find out about the other authors joining me in this promotion. Fill in the ballot for your chance to win. It’s that easy. https://www.universalbydesign.com/6-b...
And take time to check out more about each author. Visit their pages for more about them and the books they have available.
For me, I’m offering Forever & Always, a sweet romance about a woman who loses everything she believes is important to her and claws her way back to happiness.
The Blurb:
[image error]The dance is everything, or is it?
Brandi Alexandra Jameson’s entire life has been dedicated to ballet. When an accident she believes was caused by a crazed stalker fan leaves her close friend and dance partner dead and herself barely able to walk, she’s lost, adrift without a future.
Jarrett Sullivan has spent most of his life in love with the petite red-headed brunette he met when he was in first grade, acting as her protector throughout school, but just as he was ready to make his move, she left Victoria for the National Ballet in Toronto. He’s followed her career, and now that she’s back home, he jumps at the chance to get to know her the way he always wanted to.
Brandi remembers Jarrett, the boy she idolized, and when the man wants to have a relationship with her, she’s thrilled. But that joy turns to horror when she learns the truth about a poster, and believes he’s just another fan and that it’s Alexandra, the dancer, he wants, not Brandi, the broken woman. Fleeing her family and Victoria, she runs to the only friend she has hoping to heal her broken heart.
Discovering Brandi may have misunderstood the situation, Jarrett is frantic to find her and straighten out the mess, but will she be willing to listen and give him a second chance?
Forever and Always is also available from all Amazon online outlets and is free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Enjoy a free preview and good luck!
