C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 161
August 4, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Duchess of Mine
Shines on
Duchess of Mine
By
Red L. Jameson
If you like time travel series The Glimpse Time Travel Series could be right in your time zone. While each is a stand alone story having read them from the beginning I (Donald) think gives the reader more of an understanding of what is going on. Each story has its own merits but the first and this one of the series I think are the best but, the others are good as well.
Blurb:
**Book 4 of The Glimpse Time Travel Series, where mythical muses play naughty matchmakers**
Seventeenth century Highlander Michael Cameron should have been prepared for his journey to Philadelphia in 1895. After all, it wasn’t the first time he’d been kidnapped by two mischievous muses, who delighted in taking him by surprise and shuffling him off to far-flung lands and eras. But nothing could have readied him for angelic Gabriella Murray, the Duchess of Northampton. She’s a beautiful, lovely, gorgeous—did he mention just how bonny Gabby is?—duchess, and he’s a lowly Scot. How is he going to solve the missing children case the muses have given him with such a distracting woman?
Becoming friends with a muse, Gabby feels her life has taken a turn for the fantastic, which suits her fine, since being a duchess is gray and depressing. So, when that muse asks her to go on an adventure imitating her idol, Sherlock Holmes, of course she says yes. However, Michael, who is to play her Dr. Watson, is quite possibly the most handsome and intriguing Highlander she’s ever encountered. Lord, Sherlock never had to contend with an overwhelming desire for Watson. How can she concentrate on the case when he’s more fun than she’s ever had before?
As Michael and Gabby hunt through the mean streets of cities such as Chicago and Detroit, they dive deeper into a world of danger and violence. Fighting against their growing attraction to each other, they race against time to find the children, knowing that with every corner they turn, they might be too late.
Excerpt:
“So,” his smile waned, “the point of that long story is there are some men who wouldn’t want ye to be invisible, wouldn’t want ye to not have a say. That’s a double negative sentence, ‘tisn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. I asked Polymnia to tutor me with grammar, and I’m really tryin’ to sound—”
“Absolutely perfect, Michael. You sounded perfect.”
“Nay.”
“Yes.”
“Nay.”
“Highlander—”
“Nay, it didn’t.”
“Oh, shut u—”
“Did ye almost tell me to shut up?”
She covered her mouth with her fingers. “I’m sorry, but I nearly did.”
“Ye more or less told me to shut up.” He frowned, but she noticed his dark hazel eyes twinkling.
“Again, terribly sorry about that.” She folded her hands together. “But I well-nigh did.”
“Was the nigh for my sake, being I’m a thousand years old?”
“Of course it was, you fossil. As I was saying, your sentence was perfect. I loved it. And if you try to correct it, I’ll—”
“You’ll do what?” Now, he held a tiny smile as he leaned closer, domineering over her.
She pushed against his massive chest, but he wouldn’t budge, which—oddly enough—made her laugh. “You must stop this, Michael. I’m giving you fair warning.”
He scooted even closer, towering even more over her. “What are ye goin’ to do, Gabby?” His voice was low and turned into velvet.
She shook her head once. “I’m warning you…”
“Aye. But ye’d better follow through with yer threat.”
She sighed as if annoyed, to which she wasn’t in the least. “Very well then.”
He started to smile even wider, but then she leaned closer. He stilled as she tilted her head just so, her visage even with his neck. He wore a modern shirtfront with a blue cravat that matched his dapper kilt. However, his collar wasn’t too high and revealed a wildly beating vein. His scent enveloped her as she glided her nose against that pumping vein. His breath hitched. Oh, she liked this game. Perhaps loved it a little.
Then she bit him right on that vulnerable mark where her nose had been. She’d masticated hard enough for him to draw away, sucking in a breath.
She batted her eyes and smiled coyly. “I did warn you.”
“Vicious wee thing, aren’t ye?” he whispered, holding his hand over her bite mark. “Why, I have in mind to take ye over my knee and spank ye.”
Where you can find Duchess of Mine:
Amazon — http://amzn.to/1dqiJPT
iBooks — https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/duchess-of-mine/id998617862?mt=11
Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1BU6sJF
Universal link for Duchess of Mine – myBook.to/DuchessofMine
And other retail book sellers
Bio for Red:
As a military historian by day, sometimes Red does feel a bit clandestine when she writes romance at night. No one knows that while she researches heroes of the past and present, she uses everything for her characters in her books. Her secret’s been safe . . . until now.
She lives in Montana with her family and far too many animals but never enough books.
She loves her readers, so please feel free to contact her at http://www.redljameson.com
You can find Red L. Jameson at . . .
Website: http://www.redljameson.com/
Blog: http://immortalhistory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005536457451
Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/Gvd2vq
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/redljameson/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Gvpo5O
Twitter: @RedLJameson
August 3, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday How to Make the Most of a Blog Hop
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
How to Make the Most of a Blog Hop #writing #amwriting #writertips #blogging
July 1, 2015 ~ authorangelachristinaarcher
Joining a blog hop is easy, but participating in one is not so much. Certainly, participating in blog hops is just a matter of visiting the blogs on the list and commenting on them, but there are also several other tips you can do take your blog hopping experience to a whole other level.
So how can a participant make a blog hop work for them? And what are the other tips you can use to help boost the incentives of partaking in a hop?
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://longvalleypress.com/2015/07/01/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-blog-hop/
July 30, 2015
Friday Features ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS
Today is
ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS
Never Turn Your Back…
Never Reveal Your Name…
Never surrender Your Heart…
BLURB:Madison Sinclair is a smart-mouthed photographer that enjoys the simple things in life. Recently landing a job at one of Manhattan’s top imaging companies, she works hard to prove herself but often falls short of the mark. Taking pictures of the New York scenery, relaxing at home with a glass of wine, and caring for her stray cat is the highlight of her day. But when her best friend convinces her into covering a charity event thrown by a handsome billionaire, Madison’s life suddenly becomes anything but simple as she finds herself in a constant race for survival. There is nowhere she can turn, no one she can trust.
Seth Reynolds has been in the game a long time. He knows how to get in, get a job done, and get out with no complications and no witnesses. Trained to be cold and heartless, he is committed to follow through with this mission no matter what. Racing against an impossible time table, everything is in place to take out the madman intent on destroying New York City. But when the naïve Madison Sinclair stumbles into his world, all of his carefully laid plans go to hell.
Determined to do what is right at all costs, Seth must choose between the rules he’s lived by his entire life or saving Madison from a fate worse than death. If he follows orders, he will be an unsung hero, saving millions of innocent people. But if he risks his own life for Madison’s, the entire city will be in jeopardy. The choice should be easy. Risk one to save many. That’s the unbreakable code of The Perfect Order. But now, without even trying, Madison has gotten under his skin and inside his heart. With the fate of the city resting in his hands, how he can do the right thing when he no longer knows what that is?
EXCERPT:
Just like Seth, the Porsche was dark, mysterious, and masculine. Things were not improving. She shied away from thinking about that monster in the alleyway, the one that had his hands on her, touching her. She couldn’t think of that now because she would come apart completely. So she focused on Seth instead and used the anger that had been building up for the lost several hours. God, she really needed to get away from him. But she needed to understand what she was up against. And that was nearly impossible since Seth was refusing to tell her anything. The sneaky bastard! She would just have to figure out a way to make him talk.
Making her voice as strong and determined as she could, she looked at him and said, “I have a right to know what is going on.”
He didn’t even look in her direction. “Your rights end when and where I say they do. Don’t push me too far Miss Sinclair. You won’t like the result,” he warned.
This guy was really beginning to piss her off. “Damn you! Tell me what the hell is going on!”
A ghost of a smile crossed his soft lips, drawing her attention to them. He remembered how they felt on hers. She shoved that away before the annoying lust could distract her from her plan of action.
“Damn me? Sorry to ruin your little tirade but I’ve been damned for a very long time. Nothing you can say or do can make it worse,” Seth’s voice was low and quiet, reflective.
She must have imagined the small amount of emotion in his voice. But real or not, it cooled some of her anger, making her wonder again just who the hell this guy was. Definitely not the self-effacing personal assistant she had taken him for just yesterday. But as intriguing as that question may be, she had no intentions to stick around and find out the answer. There was the saying about curiosity killing the cat and as curious as she was, learning that particular bit information was not something she was willing to die for. Maybe if she could open the door and jump out. But he was going so fast. He didn’t slow down much as he took the corners but maybe that small change in speed would make the difference between getting injured and being killed. At this point, she didn’t think she had much to lose by trying. Furtively, she reached over and gripped the door handle, waiting for the next turn.
“Don’t think you can try jumping out when I slow down. You really don’t want to make me angrier than I am now.” Seth’s voice was calm and soft, not betraying any emotion but she had enough sense to be afraid. Releasing the door handle, she crossed her arms over her chest, her hands balled into tight fists. Man, she wanted to just sock him!
Beside her, Seth shrugged indifferently. “Then again, maybe you should jump out. Though it would probably be suicide. I’m not sure how you feel about dying but at least I wouldn’t have to save you again.”
“I never asked you to save me. You did that on your own,” Madison replied heatedly.
“My mistake. Next time, I’ll just let them have you.”
“Next time? Who says there’s going to be a next time?”
Another uncaring shrug of his strong shoulders. “Just call it an educated guess.”
Scowling, she asked, “Why even take the time to save me? You’re just going to kill me.”
“I never said I was going to kill you.”
“No, but you didn’t say you weren’t either.”
“Touché” He turned to her with a small, tight lipped smile.
“Why don’t you just tell me what is going on?”
He sighed, exasperated. “If I tell you anything, you’re as good as dead.”
His threat was ominous but she sensed he was telling her the truth this time. Considering the circumstances, that fact wasn’t exactly encouraging. But maybe his honesty would continue for a while longer.
“I’m probably a dead woman anyway so there’s really no harm in satisfying my curiosity is there? Consider it a last request.” Madison tried to sound brave and add some humor to her situation. As long as she could remain lighthearted, she would be able to keep her wits about her so maybe she could get out of this thing alive.
“I applaud you for your attempt at levity. But believe it or not, this situation is not funny in the least and it’s not my intention to see you dead, Miss Sinclair.”
She twisted in the seat, facing him, one eyebrow raised questioningly. “No? Then just what are your intentions Mr. Reynolds?”
“I really can’t tell you. You’re just going to have to trust me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You know,” he replied lightly, “if you would have trusted me in the first place, your friend would still be alive.”
A little bit about the author Amy Deason:
Amy learned to read at the tender age of three. Once she started, she never stopped. Growing up, she could always be found snuggled in some quiet corner with her nose stuck in one book after another. Her desire to read soon led to her passion for writing. As a child and teenager, Amy wrote poetry and short stories for her family and friends, delighting them with her vast imagination. From child to adult, she has continued to read everything she can get her hands on. Her love for a good book knows no boundaries and crosses every genre imaginable.
Amy currently lives in NW Arkansas with her wonderful husband, Shaun, and three energetic children. But of course their family would not be complete without their two loveable shih tzus, Tucker and Dylan. Recently, they welcomed a new addition to their household, a rambunctious boxer puppy named Buck, and since then, their lives have never been the same.
When Amy’s not working or writing, or possibly sneaking in a few quiet minutes of quiet reading, she can be found with her family riding bicycles around town, playing sports, watching movies, or taking pictures. (Although she takes so many photographs, the kids try to run and hide every time she breaks out the camera).
Amy would love to hear from you. You can reach her several ways:
Website: http://www.amydeason.wordpress.com/
http://www.amydeason.weebly.com/
She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter(@Ames13011), and Ask.fm(AmesGrace13011) or you can email her at DeasonDozier13011@yahoo.com.
July 28, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Anne B. Cole
Focuses on
Anne B. Cole
Our spotlight today is about Anne B. Cole, author of Souls Entwined and her upcoming fall release of Souls Estranged. Here is a look at her two books.
Souls Entwined
Released on e-book April 30, 2014 from Soul Mate Publishing
Released in paperback January 2015
A Romantic Suspense, Time Travel, YA/NA Novel
Souls Entwined
Blurb
Book One of The Souls Trilogy
A tree crashes upon two strangers. Time stands still. A cursed family heirloom catapults eighteen-year-old Gretta Dobbs back in time with Sam Daggett, who reluctantly agrees to help despite an instant infatuation with her. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they collect information on the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding revenge-seeking pirates. Can Gretta and Sam find the secrets needed to save her from an afterlife in purgatory? Or will they become trapped in the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse?
Souls Estranged Blurb
Book Two of The Souls Trilogy
Back from their adventures in Souls Entwined, Sam Daggett begins a new relationship with Gretta Dobbs, whose memories of their time traveling experience have been erased. Determined to never leave her again, Sam vows to help Gretta, despite the bad luck curse on her heirloom ring. Within hours of their return, tragedy strikes.
As Sam becomes the third victim of the bad luck curse, Gretta’s memories of her time spent in the past begin to return. Unable to remember more than snippets, she realizes that anyone close to her is in grave danger. In order to keep Sam and her family safe, she flees in the middle of the night.
Finding the perfect summer job in the back hills of Virginia, Gretta unknowingly crosses paths with a serial killer. With guidance from their ancestral spirits, Roxana and Katarina, Sam desperately attempts to find Gretta before the curse strikes again.
Souls Estranged Excerpt
Prologue: Sunday
In the dim morning light of the hospital room, Sam Daggett watched the little cat stretch its front paws before zeroing intense green eyes on him.
“Roxana?” He scrutinized the feline for the slightest twitch of recognition.
Nothing.
Doubting Roxana’s spirit remained entwined within the gray and white cat, he moved his focus to Gretta Dobbs. She slept peacefully with her hand nestled in his. Neither of their families had returned to the hospital. Her garnet ring caught his attention and immediately a sense of foreboding crept up his spine.
His heart sped as images of his time traveling, out-of-body adventure with Gretta flashed through his mind. Roxana, Gretta’s long-dead ancestor, enabled their souls to entwine within nineteenth century lovers in order to gather information on the cursed ring. Pride, determination, and fear filled him.
“I’m so sorry we didn’t find all of the answers we needed,” Sam whispered as he lifted her hand to his lips. He watched her eyes and listened for the beep of the heart monitor to quicken. Satisfied she remained in dreamland, he continued. “I know you don’t remember our time together or what we’ve been through.”
He shuddered at the memories. His gaze fell back to the ring. Frustration filled him. The urge to rip it off her hand coursed through him, but he remembered she remained cursed with or without the ring.
Control. I must control my emotions.
He refocused his thoughts on the present and relished in the gratitude of simply being in the same room with her.
A soft sigh escaped her lips and she squeezed his hand before slipping into a deeper slumber.
“With you, nothing is impossible.” Careful not to bump his broken collarbone, Sam leaned closer and continued inches from her ear. “Brave and beautiful. Ready and willing to face pirates, spirits, and the horrors of the purgatories to end the family curse.” His heart hammered in his chest as memories of seeking treasure, falling in love, and losing it all flashed within his mind.
“I love you, Gretta and I’ll do everything in my power to earn your love.”
Tracing his fingers over the back of her hand, he touched the face of the ring’s oval red stone. He remembered every moment of their time together, while Gretta’s memories had been erased. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t prevent his thoughts from wandering. Concern prickled his skin as he remembered their quest to understand the ring’s curses.
The most dangerous one, a curse of bad luck, remained a mystery.
He inhaled and pushed his failures away. “Katarina told me to keep my distance from you because of potential tragedy. Nothing will keep me away and I vow to protect and love you forever.”
Sam felt Gretta’s grip on his hand tighten. He touched her cheek with his free hand. She nuzzled into his palm with a tiny sigh. He closed his eyes, content to be back in his own body and time with her.
Yet, uneasiness crept deep within and the dreadful feeling of impending tragedy grew stronger with every passing minute.
A Bit about Anne B. Cole
Souls Entwined is Anne B. Cole’s debut release, combining sweet romantic suspense, time travel, and paranormal elements in a novel attractive to a wide range of readers.
In addition to writing, Anne teaches preschool and is raising three very active teenagers with her husband of twenty-two years. Her love for making fresh baked goodies, running, hiking, historical fiction, and her three pet cats continue to be her inspiration while editing the sequel, Souls Estranged, scheduled to be released fall 2015. The third book of The Souls Trilogy has been verbally contracted and has a tentative release date of 2016.
Connect With Anne
To follow Anne’s publishing journey and connect with her, check out her website and find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Trailer Website Twitter Facebook
Click on the Buy Link below to see Souls Entwined on Amazon.
July 27, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Insecure Writers Support Group: Triggers
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
IWSG: Triggers
Welcome to another episode of How the Writer Turns, aka- The Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Once a month, writers from across the globe join forces to shout into the ether our hopes, dreams, and just whatever comes to mind (we’re writers after all ;)).
Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Today isn’t really about anything I’m feeling insecure about. I think insecurity is becoming such a regular state of mind I’m beginning to ignore it (folks ask me what my sales are and I just smile, shrug, and say “don’t know!”- it’s keeping me sane ;)).
So today I wanted to talk about triggers. A few weeks ago I posted about where ideas come from. This is sort of an example of how those ideas become a major part of a story (plotters–you may want to . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://faeriesdragonsspaceships.blogspot.com/2015/07/iwsg-triggers.html
July 23, 2015
Friday Feature Awakening Carly Jordynn
Special
Character Interview of Jennifer Burke Kyle McGuire
A main character from
Forest of the Mist: Awakening
By
Carly Jordynn
Today we have the pleasure to interview of one of the main character from Carly Jordynn’s new release. The book is Forest of the Mist: Awakening. This is book two in the Forest of the Mist series and scheduled to come out August 5th from Soul Mate Publishing. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Awakening through the eyes of Jennifer Burke Kyle McGuire.
You’ve been in a coma for quite awhile now, how did you feel when you first woke up?
Angry. I had been in a semi-conscious state for a while before fully waking. When I did, it was to find Lilith and her ex-boyrfriend, Alex, plotting to keep the little kiss they shared a secret from Connor and me.
Rumor has it you married and had a child while in the coma. Could you explain how that happened?
I won’t give you all the details . . . a girl has to have some secrets. I married David Kyle while in the alternate realm of Paradise Valley. This is a place where coma patients who are near death and alone in reality, find others like themselves. We became a family. David and I fell in love and decided to marry. We didn’t know if either of us would ever wake from our comas so we decided to grab whatever happiness we could. After our marriage, I became pregnant with Davy.
Did you and your husband wake at the same time?
No, sadly David was killed before he woke. We had a fight in the Dark Land, the alternate realm for the “not so nice” people who were in comas. It’s all good though, because David came back as the Host of Paradise Valley.
Will you see him again?
No, David, in his questionable wisdom, decided I should marry somebody else and have that man raise our son as his own.
Is that why you woke up angry?
Heck yes, I woke up angry. The misfit my darling husband expected me to marry was the cheating jerk, Alex McGuire! I listened to him and Lilith discussing this kiss they shared on their way to see me. Did I mention Lilith is engaged to Connor? Did I also mention that Alex is a total stranger to me? Yeah, angry doesn’t begin to cover what I felt.
If Alex was supposed to marry you, and Lilith is supposed to marry Connor, why were they kissing?
I asked Alex that same question when we were alone. Lilith and Alex are still close. They have loved each other in some form or fashion since they were children. They said they needed closure. I know Lilith loves Connor . . . they were married in Paradise Valley too. I was her Matron of Honor for pete’s sake. I hope they have all that nonsense behind them now.
What happened to Davy, your son with your husband, David?
Davy is a piece of work. He is the only person to be conceived and born to parents who were in comas. We discovered he runs on accelerated time, just like Paradise Valley does. One month is reality equals a year in Paradise. Davy can create portals, enter both alternate realms at will, and can read minds when he is near a portal or in the alternates.
Davy came back to reality when Alex was kidnapped through a portal to Paradise Valley. The kicker is Davy should be a toddler, but through all the crazy growth spurts, is about the size and intelligence of a sixteen year old. I missed my son’s childhood.
So tell us, are you going to marry Alex since David wanted you to?
I suppose I will. Davy really likes him. He’s really bent over backwards to help me and my family. Oh, and there is that whole thing about goading him into a heart attack . . . not to mention being chased around by those Agents of PRI. Yeah, that is a scary bunch of dudes.
It sounds like you have had quite the adventure. Are you happy?
Surprisingly, yes. Now that I have gotten to know Alex and accepted the fact that my “baby” is no longer a baby, I am starting to live again. We moved to Ireland to escape the PRI Agents. We have two new friends, Shannon and Keegan. I think we may stay here awhile.
Well, best of luck to you, Jennifer. Is there anything else you would like to add?
*snickers* Make sure you ask Alex about the night at Mrs. Green’s B&B in Dublin. He loves reliving that memorable moment. That’s all I’m going to say about it. *snickers again*
We will have to see if we can get Alex to stop by in the near future and ask that question plus a few more. This Paradise Valley sounds interesting for those of us who haven’t visited. To learn a little more about the book and author keep reading.
Blurb for Awakening
ALEX McGUIRE never dreamed his life would take such a turn. His plan to complete college, become a lawyer, and marry his girlfriend, LILY LAVERY, tanked following his kidnapping to the alternate realm known as Paradise Valley. Now Alex has been ordered by a dead man, DAVID KYLE, to marry his young wife, JENNIFER BURKE KYLE, and raise their infant son, DAVY KYLE, as his own. That would be a great plan if it weren’t for the fact that Jennifer is still in a coma, has never met him, and her son has some strange attributes too.
JENNIFER BURKE KYLE woke from the coma to the realization that she was a widow and the mother of a young son who could read minds, create portals to an alternate realm, and have unforeseen growth spurts when he is in or near Paradise Valley. As if that wasn’t enough, a complete stranger has stated he is to marry her and raise her son as his own. All on the order of her dead husband, David.
DAVY KYLE was tickled pink that Alex McGuire would be his Dad and couldn’t wait for his mother to wake from the coma so the wedding could take place. What Davy didn’t see, was the trouble in the form of PRI, otherwise known as the Percival Research Institute. PRI agents were after his family and it was going to be up to Davy to hide them all until it was safe.
Together, Alex, Jennifer, Davy, and their friends from Paradise Valley, must join together to keep the family safe, destroy PRI, and protect the still comatose COLIN O’BRIEN, the last member of their Paradise Valley family. With the help of student nurse, DEANA COOK, they may just succeed in their plan and find happiness along the way.
Still with us? Here is a little information about the author:
Carly Jordynn is a writer from Northern Kentucky who loves to weave tales of fantasy, paranormal, and romance. When she isn’t writing a book, she writes lyrics for the Christian band, Phil Parks and One Step Closer.
Carly loves to travel. You can find her at various conferences and other author events throughout the year. Her hobbies include: travel, photography, reading, party-planning, dinner with friends, and hanging out with her family.
Carly is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Where to find Carly:
www.facebook.com/carlyjordynn777
www.pinterest.com/CarlyJordynn
http://carlyjordynn.blogspot.com/
July 21, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Conquest of the Heart
Shines on
Conquest of the Heart
Blurb:
Her people conquered his country. How can they overcome the distrust they feel to find love?
In 1067 England, Madeline, a Norman, wants a big, brash, never-defeated-in-battle, Norman knight. What she gets, by order of the king, is a wiry Saxon who once studied for the priesthood instead of warfare. But is this gentle man she is falling in love with entangled in the rebellion now sweeping the land?
Ranulf wants to marry the girl next door. What he gets, by order of the king, is a lush, strong Norman woman who just might be a spy reporting his every move. He wants her in every way a man can possibly want a woman. But can he trust his heart to a woman who might have been sent to root out the struggle for freedom his people are engaged in?
Excerpt:
He let his gaze travel back to his bride walking stiffly, reluctantly, toward him. For once, Ranulf felt speech was beyond him. She was so much more than he had expected. So beautiful. So clean. She glittered like a bright jewel in a dung heap. For Etherby, no matter how much he loved it, was not much better than one right now.
If only he could say to this magnificent woman, “Go away. Come back in a year. Give me time to build the castle the king has ordered, tear down this rotting hall, teach cleanliness to servants to whom filth is a way of life. Then you won’t have to grit your teeth and square our shoulders as if going into battle as you come to wed me.” But it was already too late. She was here. The wedding was now. And he felt as randy as a billy goat.
He would begin building the king’s castle immediately. The work would distract him from Lady Madeline’s seductive lure. She would find no treason with which to fill the king’s ears, and, like his mother’s attitude toward his father, he was sure the lady would be glad not to have him in her bower, not the way he felt now, the things he wanted to do to her.
Buy links for Conquest of the Heart
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1cVjVKN
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1IWkXSq
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1JP7QFB
Bio:
Michele Stegman has always loved history and she lives it every day. She spins, weaves, makes her own soap and bread, and lives in a 175 year old log cabin with her husband, Ron, who is the basis for all her heroes.
You can contact Michele on her website, http://www.michelestegman.com/, or on her Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/MicheleStegmanAuthor.
July 20, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday The Problem with Adverbs
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
The Problem with Adverbs
Nat Russo July 3, 2015
If you’ve been studying the craft of writing for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly come across countless writers who think adverbs are evil. As you can see from the previous sentence, I don’t think they’re evil. But I do think you need to exercise . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://www.erindorpress.com/2015/07/the-problem-with-adverbs/
July 16, 2015
Friday Feature Anne B. Cole Souls Entwined
Talks with
Anne B. Cole
Author of
Souls Entwined
Today we are Featuring Author Anne B. Cole who has graciously agreed to visit with us today. She is sharing a little about her paranormal romantic suspense entitled Souls Entwined and an interesting cookie recipe. She has agreed to answer a few questions about the origin of the inspiration for her book.
Thanks for agreeing to chat with us Anne.
Thanks so much for hosting me.
Anne, what was the inspiration for your book?
When I was about 10, my grandmother gave me an heirloom ring. She told me that it was her great, great grandmother’s ring and that her brother had brought it over from 
Europe when he was a sailor in the early 1800s. When I realized how old it was, I tried to give it back. She insisted that the stone was only a garnet and that it wasn’t worth much, but it was the oldest thing she ever owned and wanted me to keep it safe. Since it was too big for me to wear, I put it in my jewelry box for years.
So the ring from your grandmother was the inspiration or is there more to the story?
Fast forward to 2003.
Ah, a little time travel, how appropriate. What happened in 2003?
My husband and I researched the family tree and noticed that a branch of my grandmother’s side had a few holes. My grandmother was in a nursing home then and we went for a visit. She told us about a tiny family cemetery in the middle of nowhere and proceeded to give us directions to the cemetery which included the following: “Drive down this dirt road a few miles, pass over a little creek, and find two big hemlock trees. The cemetery is in the woods a ways behind the hemlocks.”Then my grandmother added with a glint in her eyes, “If you find it, watch out for witches.”
Witches!? Catherine almost choked on a piece of chocolate she was eating. She’s okay now. With those directions did you find the cemetery?
Surprisingly enough, we did find the little cemetery and luckily one of my ancestors fought in the war of 1812, so the local American Legion places a flag at his marker every year.
So you found the cemetery, what shape was it in? Any big construction encroaching?
The unkempt cemetery sits nestled in the woods, unseen from the dirt road. If you were not looking for it, you’d never know it was there. Years ago the property was turned over to the state game commission. Today it remains protected from development due to surrounding wetlands.
How many graves were there?
There were only a couple dozen graves, and all were my ancestors.
Neat, so it is your family’s graveyard. Did you find anyone of interest?
I found the grave of the original owner of my heirloom ring—talk about getting the shivers! She lived for 90 years, and so did her husband. Back then that was crazy old!
That is so special. Hey, what about the witches your grandmother warned you about?
Despite the eerie location and my grandmother’s warning, I did not see a witch or a ghost that day. When we arrived back at the nursing home, I pressed my grandmother for more information about my ring and why she told me to watch out for witches. She just giggled at me and said, “You never know. I heard stories about her.” My grandmother passed away a year later, so my ring is very special to me.
We have several family heirlooms that are special to us. Donald even has and wears his father’s turquoise ring from New Mexico. Rings seem to be a theme here. Is there more to the story?
In 2009, I decided to write a story about my ring based on the little bits of information I remember. I wasn’t writing for publication, just for something to do while I waited at my kids’ sports activities. My hobby grew into an addiction and on April 30th, 2014, my story was released. Needless to say, I dedicated my book to all grandmothers.
Yes, our grandmothers are very special to us all. They are usually very good at making cookies. Now how about that cookie recipe you promised?
Chocolate chips have always been my favorite. Chocolate chip pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, waffles, cookies—you name it, I put chocolate chips in it. Even on my oatmeal! I remember sneaking chips straight from the bag when I was a child. I’d run up to my room to eat them before they melted in my little hands. I cannot go through a day without the scrumptious, tiny little bits of chocolate in something that I eat!
Gretta’s love for chocolate chip cookies dough—straight from the stick—reappears in the second book, Souls Estranged, scheduled to be released fall 2015, with a ‘cookie dough kiss’. My daughters and I have tweaked the standard recipe found on the back of the chocolate chip bag. These cookies are softer and chewier than traditional chocolate chip cookies.
I know about the dangers of consuming raw eggs, so bake these cookies completely before consuming!
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 ¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup Crisco shortening
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups Hershey’s chocolate Chips (I like the special dark ones!)
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir together the first three ingredients.
In a separate bowl, cream the shortening, sugars, vanilla and eggs.
Gradually add in the flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes. The cookies will be slightly gooey, but will harden upon cooling—if they last that longJ
(If you want to just eat the dough… omit the eggs and add ¾ cup applesauce.)
Well with those clear instructions we bet that there are going to be some cookies made this weekend.
Do any of you out there have an interesting heirloom story or (shiver) graveyard/ghost story or a special cookie recipe you would like to share with us and Anne?
Speaking of special, the following is more information about our Friday Feature Author Anne B. Cole and her book.
Souls Entwined book trailer
Souls Entwined Blurb
When a cursed family heirloom sends Gretta Dobbs back in time, a hunky construction worker, Sam Daggett, suddenly finds himself love struck and joins her adventure. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they begin to unravel the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding a bloodthirsty pirate who is determined to seek revenge. Gretta and Sam must find the secrets needed to save her and her relatives from an afterlife in purgatory and return to their own lives—or risk becoming prisoners of the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse.
Here is the Buy Link for Souls Entwined
A bit about AnneSouls Entwined is Anne B. Cole’s debut release, combining sweet romantic suspense, time travel, and paranormal elements in a New Adult novel attractive to a wide range of readers.
In addition to writing, Anne teaches preschool and is raising three very active teenagers with her husband of twenty-two years. Her love for making fresh baked goodies, running, hiking, historical fiction, and her three pet cats continue to be her inspiration while she pens the sequel to Souls Entwined.
Connect With Anne
To follow Anne’s publishing journey and connect with her, check out her blog site and find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Thursday Threads S.C. Mitchell Pirates of the Dark Nebula
Welcomes
S.C. Mitchell
Title: Pirates of the Dark Nebula
Author: S.C. Mitchell
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Heat Level: Sizzling
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Dark-Nebula-Hearts-Orbit-ebook/dp/B0109O7VMQ/
Blurb:
It can’t fall into the wrong hands.
Luna Callista holds the key to a galaxy-changing new technology. Captured by a ruthless band of deep-space pirates, she’s rescued by a man filled with dark secrets of his own. Who is Rik Mazar?
Galactic protector or rogue pirate?
After three years undercover among the Brotherhood of the Dark Nebula, Rik Mazar isn’t sure what side of the law he’s walking. In a world of murder and betrayal, his life goes on the line every day. But, protecting Luna Callista means putting his heart in as much danger as his hide.
A rusting service droid, a Ferang fortuneteller, and a ship full of back-water refugees are their only allies, as two hearts go into orbit to save a galaxy in peril.
HEARTS IN ORBIT: VOLUME 2 – PIRATES OF THE DARK NEBULA is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space-traveling future, continuing the series’ course across a galaxy filled with love and adventure.
Available now at: http://www.amazon.com/Blarmling-Dilemma-Hearts-Orbit-Book-ebook/dp/B00QHND71S/
Excerpt:
He took a step closer and tucked his fist under her chin, raising her lips to meet his. Warm, firm, and enticing. The thrill shot through her core once again as his mouth took her to another place, another world.
Time stopped. Her whole focus was him. Only him. His lips on hers. His hard body pressed against her.
His arms wrapped around her, a comforting cocoon—protection from the cold, dark galactic sector about them. It would be so easy to say it was just comfort and protection she was seeking in this man, but there was so much more to it than that. So much more to him.
His eyes promised safety—his lips heaven.
Still, she barely knew him. Who was he? What was he?
An actor and a con man, to be sure. So, was this all an act too?
His tongue tangled with hers, plundering ever so sweetly. Damp heat built in her core. The bold press of his erection against her stomach betrayed his arousal. This was no act. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Did there need to be anything more to it?
“I am tracking an ion storm entering the quadrant, Captain.” Harvey’s monotone intruded into the passion of the moment. She’d all but forgotten the droid was standing behind her.
Rik broke off the kiss. Reluctance colored his gaze. “Thank you, Harvey. Continue tracking. Let me know if it gets near enough to bring us under its influence.” He shook his head. Lowered his voice. “That was probably a huge mistake.”
He sighed, looking deeply into her eyes.
“Oh, I don’t think so, sir.” Harvey’s retort took Luna by surprise once again. “Those storms can get quite intense.”
Rik chuckled, his heated stare still locked onto her. “Yes, quite intense.”
***
Bio: Hidden strengths, adventurous hearts.
S.C.Mitchell grew up an avid reader of comic books, science fiction and fantasy literature. He’s been writing stories for over thirty years. In 2010 he left his job as a computer desktop support specialist to pursue his passion for writing full time. He is a member of the Romance Writers of America as well as the Wisconsin chapter.
As a writer of paranormal and sci-fi romance, fantasy, and science fiction, Steve crafts unique and wondrous worlds where his characters explore, romp, and fall in love. Whether traveling through dark, demon filled dimensions, the edge of wild space, or ancient mythological heavens, his heroes and heroines, guided by their adventurous hearts, discover hidden strengths on their pathway to enduring love.
Links:
Web Site: http://scmitchellauthor.com/
Blog: http://scmitchell.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSCMitchell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorSMitchell
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007D0Z1MW
