L.D. Rose's Blog, page 18

RELEASING THE DEMONS Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Guess what, guys?

I HAVE A COVER.

My very first cover for my debut novel, RELEASING THE DEMONS, a dark paranormal romance due out in a few weeks! And I also have a rafflecopter giveaway! *fist pump*

The cover artist, Fiona Jayde, did a wonderful job of depicting the feel and atmosphere of the book, along with the hero (hello, Blaze!). I’m very happy with the result. :D

So without further ado…

You ready?

Are you sure?

Wait for it…

BOOM.

Blurb:

Blaze Knight has been through hell and back, but the nightmares aren’t over yet.

Five years after Blaze was maimed by Cyrus Chimola, a powerful vampire with a penchant for torture, he’s still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. As a genetically engineered mercenary with the ability to bend fire to his will and to see in infrared, Blaze’s mission is to protect what’s left of humanity. When Chimola and his crew return to the Bronx gunning for Blaze’s blood, Blaze is forced to face the demons of his past. Hell-bent on revenge, he seeks the help of Valerie Medeiros, an NYPD detective who manages to steal his heart and save his life in more ways than one.

Motivated by her sister’s gruesome death, Valerie has made it her life’s goal to bury every vampire in the ground where they belong. When she brings in Blaze Knight for suspected murder, she discovers he’s not only innocent, he isn’t a man at all—he’s a half-vampire hybrid working with a band of brothers for the U.S. military. Valerie has a hard time trusting anything with fangs, yet she quickly falls headlong into Blaze’s life, a life full of darkness and horror she can’t even begin to fathom. The bodies are stacking up, but Valerie can’t seem to let go of this hybrid, a beautiful monster filled with pain, rage, and passion unlike anything she’s ever known.

In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Blaze and Valerie will find danger at every turn, risking everything they’ve come to know and love, including one another.

Is that badass or what?! SO PERFECT. And check out the RtD Pinterest Board and Spotify Playlist.

And now for the giveaway! The prize is a $10 Amazon giftcard and an eBook copy of RtD. Giveaway ends on Sunday, July 26th. I’m still awaiting the final release date from my publisher, so stay tuned! Thank you so much for stopping by and please feel free to spread the word. :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest blog and author interview with Joanne Guidoccio!

Hey everyone! I have the wonderful Joanne Guidoccio on my blog today talking about her latest release, A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES (I love that title!). Read on to find out more about this intriguing novel and the equally intriguing author herself. :)

Welcome, Joanne! Tell us about your latest release.

While undergoing cancer treatments, I gravitated toward cozy mysteries. After devouring over fifty books in that genre, I imagined the following scenarios: What if a brunette lottery winner moves back to her hometown and finds herself involved in a murder investigation? And what if all the victims are blondes? Since I had plotted the story during the most challenging season of my life, I decided to use A Season for Killing Blondes as the title. Based in Northern Ontario, the novel features a fifty-something Italian woman, her relatives, deserving and undeserving men, and food.

Ha, that sounds amazing! And what a way to help you through a difficult time in your life. What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

Once I had the idea for the book, it was very easy to start writing. I still had several months before returning to my teaching position, so I bunkered down and wrote the first draft of the novel. And then I let it sit for several years. When I returned to the manuscript, I struggled to get back into the groove and often felt like giving up on the project. Thankfully, the muse returned and I rewrote the entire manuscript, changing POV to first person and adding several characters and another sub-plot.

Our muses can certainly be stubborn! But they always come through in the end. ;) If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you chose? Why?

At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I will say that I would love to bring Gilda Greco (the protagonist) to life. I identify strongly with Gilda. So much so, that I used the first-person POV. Our similarities…Italian Canadian, born and raised in Sudbury, relocated to Southern Ontario, mathematics teachers, career development practitioners, yoga enthusiasts, non-foodies.

One major difference – Gilda won a $19 million lottery. If I could bring Gilda to life, then I could also manifest a lottery win.

You don’t need to convince me! $19 million dollars would be spectacular. Okay, so Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Since most of the characters are boomers, I would prefer to use actors in that age group. Lorraine Bracco would make a great Gilda Greco. For her love interest, I would go with Pierce Brosnan.

Pierce Brosnan! Ohhh, yesss. ;) Now on to you. Tell us a little about yourself.

For most of my life, I was a poster child for left brainers. I gravitated toward degrees in mathematics and education and found teaching to be a good career fit. But after thirty-one years, I was ready for a change.

So, I put pen to paper and I revisited a writing dream from my high school years. A writing practice slowly emerged, and I watched with delight as my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines, and online. Buoyed by this success, I took on the challenge of revamping A Season for Killing Blondes, a manuscript I had written during my “cancer” year.

While shopping the cozy around, I wrote Between Land and Sea and was thrilled when Debby Gilbert of Soul Mate Publishing offered me a contract. The following year, Johanna Melaragno of The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract for A Season for Killing Blondes.

From the camp of left brainers, I salute you! And big congratulations on both novels. :D Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

After retiring, I filled my life with several “Yin” activities among them book clubs, writing, scrapbooking, and yoga. In need of a “Yang” activity, I decided to join Toastmasters. I’ve been a member for seven years and have achieved my Bronze certification. (I’m two speeches away from Silver) I’ve also won and placed in club, area, and division contests and held several executive positions.

Oh my God, I’m terrified of public speaking! I consciously have to keep myself from hyperventilating and running out of the room, screaming. That’s awesome–you go, girl! What are you working on now?

In August, Soul Mate Publishing will release The Coming of Arabella, Book 2 of the Mediterranean trilogy. I have two WIPs in various stages of completion – Book 3 of the Mediterranean trilogy and Book 2 of the Gilda Greco Mystery series.

Fantastic! Looking forward to it. :) Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story with us. Check out A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES!

Blurb

Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the dead body of golden girl Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside her office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation.

When three more dead blondes turn up all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders. Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

Trailer

https://youtu.be/QURgFbybQVw

BUY LINKS

Amazon (Canada) – http://is.gd/t0g1KZ

Amazon (United States) – http://is.gd/jADjPp

Amazon (United Kingdom) – http://is.gd/8mknFJ

Amazon (Australia) – http://is.gd/r843iX

Kobo – http://is.gd/BpO9gY

More about Joanne:

In high school, Joanne dabbled in poetry, but it would be over three decades before she entertained the idea of writing as a career. She listened to her practical Italian side and earned degrees in mathematics and education. She experienced many fulfilling moments as she watched her students develop an appreciation (and sometimes, love) of mathematics. Later, she obtained a post-graduate diploma as a career development practitioner and put that skill set to use in the co-operative education classroom. She welcomed this opportunity to help her students experience personal growth and acquire career direction through their placements.

In 2008, she took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne:

Website:   http://joanneguidoccio.com/

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanneguidoccio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio

Pinterest:   http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

Guest blog and character interview with Fix Ainran!

Welcome, ladies and gents! I’m happy to welcome Fix Ainran, the hero of Kira Shayde’s erotic paranormal romance, DESIRES AT WAR. You don’t want to miss this one, he’s quite the guy if I do say so myself. ;)

L.D.: Welcome, Fix! Pleasure to meet you. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Fix: I’m a 28-year-old lion-shifter from New Tanzania. I’ve spent the last year in a wheelchair.

L.D.: Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Let’s backtrack. What kind of work did you used to do?

Fix: Before I was injured, I was a career soldier. Spent five years in the Alpha Force and then another five in the Alpha Elites as a marksman.

L.D.: Sounds intense! Before the story began, what were your hopes for the future?

Fix: *takes a deep breath* Didn’t have much, honestly. Knew I’d never be a soldier again. Guess I was kinda floundering.

L.D.: What changed?

Fix: Falling for Caryn. She gives me hope and strength. Sounds corny, I know, but she gives me something to fight for…a better world where hyenas have the same rights as lions. That and convincing her I’m the right man for her.

L.D.: I’m sure it didn’t take much convincing. ;) What do you love most about Caryn Plumar?

Fix: The sound of her laughter and the dimples in her cheeks when she smiles. And her toughness. When she shifts to hyena, watch out. Those jaws of hers are killer. But I think what I love the most about Caryn is how she’s raw and honest.

L.D.: Aw, that’s wonderful! Relationships can’t survive with honesty or trust. If you had a day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

Fix: *laughs* Spend it curled up in bed with my babe, Caryn.

L.D.: Curling up with the one you love sounds like a good day to me. Okay, let’s talk booze. Favorite drink?

Fix: Dark beer. Nothing better than a King Oryx Dark Lager.

L.D.: Agreed! Although I tend to like my beer lighter. Favorite music?

Fix: Everything from rock to bongo flava.

L.D.: Bongo flava! I’ve got to check that out. Well, it looks like we’re running out of time. Any parting thoughts?

Fix: I’m just a guy fighting for answers. Someday I’ll find out who knocked me off that cliff in the barren lands and turned me over to the rogue hyenas as a prisoner of war. Until then, I’m working on my recovery one step at a time, begrudgingly helping my father with a parliamentary alliance, and accepting that my former Alpha Elites commander mated my sister.

L.D.: I hope you find all of the answers you’re searching for, Fix. Good luck and keep Caryn close to keep you afloat. ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Check out DESIRES AT WAR to learn more about Fix’s journey!

Primal Shifters Book 2: Desires at War

Passion and danger on the Serengeti in a world where the animals are humans…shape-shifting humans.

Months as a POW leaves lion shifter Fix Ainran struggling to recover, but he can’t get the curvaceous Caryn Plumar out of his mind. Yet the beautiful daughter of the hyena Chairman only torments the disabled former soldier with heated trysts before pulling away.

No matter how much she desires Fix’s touch, Caryn’s obligations involve more than fighting for an independent hyena state in a land ruled by lions and fraught with war. She must sacrifice any chance of happiness and freedom by marrying within the clan to ensure her safety.

Unable to stay apart, Fix and Caryn defy societal rules and risk their lives as they battle enemies, search for the truth about his captivity…and fall in love.

Buy Links

Loose Id, LLC: http://www.loose-id.com/primal-shifters-2-desires-at-war.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Desires-War-Primal-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/B00YAZPA5Q

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-desiresatwar-1815112-340.html

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desires-at-war-kira-shayde/1122017239?ean=9781623009090

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/desires-at-war

About Kira Shayde

Kira enjoys studying love, sex, and relationships, and has a weakness for shifters.

As a romance writer, Kira explores somewhat atypical pairings and settings and can’t help adding a twinge of societal awareness to her works, but the focus is always on the developing romance, passion, and happy endings. In her erotic romances, you won’t find any hard-core BDSM. Kira prefers her hero and heroine to share the power and share the love.

A former university research associate and wildlife rehabilitator, Kira is addicted to the Instagram accounts of conservation groups and sanctuaries and spends far too much time online looking at pictures of birds, big cats, wolves, chocolate desserts, and Jamie Dornan.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.kirashayde.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirashayde

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kirashayde

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8319459.Kira_Shayde

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kirashayde

Guest blog and author interview with Angela Scavone!

Hey everyone! I have the very awesome Angela Scavone on my blog today (just in time for Memorial Day!) talking about her latest release, A JOURNEY HOME, starring a heroine who escorts fallen soldiers back home from war-torn countries. How can you not want to read this book?! Read on to find out more about this great novel and Angela herself. :)

L.D.: Tell us about your latest release!

Angela: My latest release is a contemporary romance about an Air Force captain, Steph, who flies back and forth from war zones bringing home the bodies of fallen soldiers. She then gets partnered up with her ex-husband DA. You can only imagine how that can turn out :)

L.D.: I’m already in love with the concept! What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

Angela: The hardest thing was the research. The number of heartbreaking stories I read, to gain insight into military procedures, was unbelievable. The easiest was the characters–they were so likeable from the start. I loved writing their story and how they evolved throughout the book.

L.D.: I can just imagine how sad those stories are. :/ Particularly when it involves the death of one of our fallen heroes. If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you choose? Why?

Angela: I would totally bring DA to life. He is such a down to earth guy that I think he would be fun to have around in real life (not to mention super hot!!!).

L.D.: Oh, yeah! A super hot military man? *swoon* Okay, so Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Angela: Bradley Cooper as DA (see, totally hot!) and Jennifer Lawrence as Steph. I know it sounds like Silver Linings Playbook, but I think they would play these characters well. Steph is a strong person that only Jennifer Lawrence could portray and Bradley Cooper — well, he’s Bradley Cooper. :)

L.D.: Ha, you’ve got that right! And I LOVE Jennifer Lawrence! Great casting, Silver Linings Playbook or not. ;) So tell us a little about yourself.

Angela: By day, I am a corporate application analyst who works for the public school board analyzing student data. But by night, I am a writer who likes to spend time with her two pups and my wonderful little niece and nephew.

L.D.: Sounds wonderful! Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

Angela: I like to cook, I’m not good at it by any stretch of the imagination. However, I am lactose intolerant, so I like to try and make recipes that are lactose-free. I have successfully made many lactose free meals, however some aren’t so successful. Once I tried to make pudding–I love pudding–and I hadn’t found a way to make it lactose-free without it tasting horrible. This time I tried to make it with tofu, peanut butter and banana. I was told it would be absolutely delicious…I was lied to. It was absolutely horrendous, so sadly I am still in search of a lactose-free pudding recipe that tastes delicious.

L.D.: Oh, no! I wish I could help, but I am most definitely not a cook, never mind when it comes to lactose-free, gluten-free, whatever-free foods. Maybe one of our readers could help out! Feel free to chime in with a good recipe, dear Reader. :) So, Angela, tell us what you’re working on now.

Angela: I’m actually working on two manuscripts. One is a christmas story that involves the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and a fictional history of its origin. The second manuscript I’m working on is a contemporary romance involving time travel. :) The time travel romance is in extremely early stages though.

L.D.: Both sound awesome and I’m looking forward to reading them! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story with us. This sounds like a great read for tomorrow, doesn’t it? ;)

A JOURNEY HOME:

What a great cover!

Blurb:

Stephanie Tyler’s sole job is to fly overseas to war torn areas of the world to retrieve and escort the bodies of fallen soldiers back home to the United States. It is a tough and emotional job but she is honored for the privilege. Her duty also helps her to escape her past and her failed marriage.

But those flights have become increasingly more dangerous and she is forced to have a partner accompany her. Much to Stephanie’s surprise and dismay, she is partnered up with her ex-husband, Captain “D.A.” Douglas Aston.

From the moment Captain D.A. enters the scene, he irritates her. It could have something to do with the fact he slept with her best friend while they were married. As they go on several missions together, Stephanie is forced to be courteous and professional with D.A. even though the very sight of him irritates her beyond comprehension.

Then, Stephanie’s cheating, husband stealing, ex-best friend is killed in Afghanistan and Stephanie and D.A. must escort her body home. While executing this difficult duty, a myriad of conflicting emotions makes Stephanie ponder how short life really is . . . and to question her own ability to forgive.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W3UK05A/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_BdEyvb0TBT4WP

Excerpt:

The phone intercom buzzed and Pam came over the speaker. “Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but you wanted me to let you know when Captain Aston was here.”

I stared at the Colonel wide-eyed.

He merely smiled and said, “Thanks, Pam. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“He’s here now?” I asked, incredulously.

“Didn’t I mention that?” He rose from his chair and walked to the door as I stood and straightened my uniform.

The Colonel stood with his hand on the doorknob, watching me fuss. “You look tremendous, Captain.”

“What? Oh I don’t care what I look like for him,” I immediately protested, waving my hand in the air.

“Of course.” He was still smiling as he opened the door. “Captain Aston, please come in.”

I heard his voice first. “Thank you, Colonel.”

I glanced down at my uniform to make sure everything was in place before he came into the room. When I looked back up, Captain Aston was walking through the door.

To the female eye, he was a very attractive man. He stood at six-four and was well built, but not so much that muscles and tendons were popping out everywhere. He had a strong jaw and black hair just long enough to run your fingers through. Dressed in full uniform, his handsome features were even more prominent.

Not that I noticed.

“Please come in and we can discuss your new role.”

“Yes, Sir.” Captain DA put out his hand for me to shake, flashing his killer smile that started in his bright blue eyes and ended in a set of mouth-framing dimples. “Good to see you again, Captain.”

I returned his smile and handshake, determined to be professional in front of the Colonel even if it killed me.

Colonel Madison resumed his place behind his desk. “Please sit. This is a quick, informal meeting to get reacquainted with each other.”

I remained on my feet which kept both men standing. “Sir, with all due respect,” I began, facing the Colonel, “I cannot work with Captain Aston.” Apparently, my mouth wasn’t on board with being professional.

“Why not?” DA asked, sounding offended.

I ignored his question and kept my attention on the Colonel, who looked as if he were about to laugh. “We used to be married.”

“I know that.” He smiled.

“Our marriage did not end on a positive note,” I continued, “and I don’t think I can work with him on a day to day basis. In fact, I left Virginia to get away from him.”

“You know, I’m standing right here,” DA chimed in.

“Captain Tyler, are you telling me you can’t put your differences aside to work together as a team? Even though I asked you as a personal favor?” The Colonel’s smile had vanished and there was now a warning in his tone.

“No, Sir.” I heard the warning and decided it was time to back off the fight. “I’ll try putting our differences aside to work together, but I can’t promise I won’t kill him in the process.”

The Colonel coughed out a chuckle. “That’s all I can ask for. Now, you—hopefully—have some time off before another call comes in. Why don’t you show Captain DA around?”

The Colonel spoke as I reached for the door handle. “I’m curious, off the record, of course. How did your marriage end? I remember the wedding. You two seemed so compatible and so in love. What happened?”

DA and I looked at each other for the first time since his arrival.

“He cheated on me with a friend of mine,” I replied baldly.

“I did not cheat on you! How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?” he retorted, all vestiges of professionalism gone.

“Oh, here we go again!” I shouted back. “I came home early, I walked into the kitchen and there was Alex on top of you on the kitchen floor.”

“I told you it wasn’t what it looked like. I have said over and over again that I did not sleep with Alex!” His tone increased until he was shouting, too.

“You’re telling me that you two never slept together?” I demanded an answer.

“Well . . .” He looked away from me. “Not while we were married.”

“I knew it!”

“It was after we were separated and you had moved here! What did you want me to do? Never sleep with anyone again?”

“You can sleep with whomever or whatever you want for all I care—”

“Ahem.” The Colonel cut in. I jerked back, startled; in the heat of arguing with my frustrating ex, I had forgotten my boss was there.

“Sorry, Sir. Do you see why I can’t work with him?”

The Colonel regarded us both. “Alex?” he questioned DA.

“Alexandra Keating, Sir. She was Stephanie’s best friend.”

“Best friend, my left toe! She’s a traitorous, backstabbing, two-faced, lying, husband stealing bitch.”

“Wow, that’s quite descriptive, Captain. Why don’t you tell us your true feelings about her?” Both of the Colonel’s eyebrows rose in shock.

“I’m only speaking the truth, Sir.” I addressed the Colonel but glared at DA.

“Well.” He clapped his hands together to signal the end of our bickering. “I know you two can be respectful when escorting a fallen soldier home and I know you will be professional during the dignified transfer ceremonies. However, please try and be professional at other times as well or at least civil to each other.” He waved us toward the door.

DA and I both nodded and exited the office. Before we could leave the reception area, the Colonel poked his head out of his office door.

“And, Captain Tyler-”

“Sir?”

“Try not to kill him, please. He just arrived at our base and it wouldn’t look good in the press.”

Knowing the Colonel had a wicked sense of humor, I still couldn’t find my own jocularity. “No promises, Sir, But I’ll give it my best shot.”

“That’s all I ask.”

(Haha, I LOVE IT!)

More about Angela Scavone:

Angela lives in Ontario, Canada sharing her home with her father and two much-loved pups (and one evil cat).  She currently works for the Board of Education behind the scenes supporting and analyzing student data, however, in her spare time, apart from her avid love of storytelling, she likes to read, spend time with family and friends and concoct dairy free recipes from scratch. Sometimes she wins some and sometimes she loses some – tofu, banana and peanut butter pudding we are looking at you.

Where you can find Angela:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/angela.scavone.52

Twitter https://twitter.com/busterwhyte

Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6683076-angela-scavone

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/busterwhyte/

Guest blog and character interview with Grace McConnell!

Hey everyone! Today I have my very first character interview with Grace McConnell from Kim Loraine’s RESTORATION. She has a fascinating (and sad) story and I’m really excited to have her here today.

L.D.: Hi Grace! Welcome. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Grace: Hello! I’m thirty-three years old. I’m from Golden Beach, Virginia and until recently I’d never lived anywhere else. My parents still live there.

L.D.: I’ve been to Virginia Beach twice and had a great time, but I understand about staying close to your parents when you were engaged. More on that later. Tell us about your work.

Grace: I’m a restorative architect. I restore historic structures and make sure they maintain their historical status. I love it.

L.D.: That sounds like a lot of fun! One of my goals is to restore an abandoned old church someday and make it my home. If you had a day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

Grace: I guess that depends on who I am with. If I were by myself I’d spend the day in Scotland, roaming the highlands, checking out all of the amazing architecture of the castles and ancient structures that are still standing.

L.D.: I’d love to go to Scotland someday. I’ve never been and I’m sure the architecture is wonderful. Favorite alcoholic beverage?

Grace: Red wine. Lemondrop Martinis come a close second though.

L.D.: Mmm, lemondrop martinis! We should have a round now. ;) Along with some really good music. What’s your favorite band?

Grace: I love something with a nice driving beat. I’m a runner and my playlist is always upbeat to help me keep going. Muse is usually my go-to, but I’m not against a little Britney Spears either.

L.D.: Muse is great! And I’m not against Britney either–she has some great songs to dance to. Running is so exhilarating, isn’t it? Especially when you’re listening to something with a hefty dose of bass. :D Now let’s get down to business and talk about that sexy Brit you met in the U.K. What do you love most about Drew?

Grace: He’s kind. It is easy for people to be nice. Nice is so different from kind. Drew’s kindness is there in everything he does. He genuinely cares about his friends, his family, and his community.

L.D.: He sounds like a great guy. And I think there’s definitely a difference between “nice” and “kind”. Nice seems obligatory whereas kindness is genuine. Before RESTORATION began, what were your hopes for the future?

Grace: My hopes were to eventually marry John. To build a life in Golden Beach, have a family, be happy.

L.D.: What changed?

Grace: Everything. John died. My world ended. I left everything I’d ever known and took a job in the U.K. just to get away from it all.

L.D.: Which is totally understandable, as I’m sure many would do the same. I’m so sorry to hear about John. :( Sometimes we have to take a risk and do something big for ourselves to help us heal, which it sounds like you did. And I’m sure Drew helped a little with that too. ;)

Well, it looks like our time is up! Do you have any parting thoughts for our readers before you go?

Grace: Hm, that’s tough. I feel like I need to lay some wisdom down on you or something. I guess I’ll just say, it gets better. I was at my worst until I met Drew. I’d thought I would never find another person I could love again. He proved me wrong.

L.D.: And I’m so glad he did! I’m looking forward to reading more about your story in RESTORATION. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Check out Grace in RESTORATION, a fantastic contemporary romance by Kim Loraine.

After the tragic death of her fiancé, Grace McConnell turns to the only remaining constant in her life, her work. So when she’s offered the lead position for an international restoration project, she jumps at the chance to get away from her small town, full of John’s memories.

Drew Tensley has always been a hard worker. Dedicated to his family and community, he put aside his own London career to take over the family business after his mother’s terminal diagnosis. Five years later, he’s ready to start living for himself when he literally runs into his hometown’s newest architect.

Grace quickly discovers that traveling halfway across the world was the best decision she’s ever made. Until she meets Drew, a man whose personality and lifestyle are the exact opposite of John’s, but whose face is the spitting image. Struggling with her own motivations and feelings, research uncovers secrets she isn’t ready for; secrets that could ruin her second chance for true love.

Buy link for Restoration: http://amzn.com/B00VS8X28U

EXCERPT:

“So, this is really something people do here? Dress up and pretend they’re colonials?”

“Well, they’re paid. It’s a job for them, and I think they’re a little crazy.” She smiled and elbowed him. “I mean, who would want to pretend to be … English?”

“Oi, watch it, you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “I’ll teach you not to be so cheeky.”

“Really? Promise?”

Drew lowered his lips to hers in a searing kiss. His hand pressed against her lower back and pulled her to him.

“Promise,” he whispered, heat in his voice.

Her heart sped up as his breath feathered across her neck. “Let’s go.” She wiggled away from him, a heated blush creeping up her cheeks as she noticed the few people on the street who’d stopped to watch them.

“How long until we’re somewhere private, love?”

“A few hours at least, depending on traffic.”

He groaned. “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

She tried to hide her smile of satisfaction at his professed need. “We could always go back to the hotel. If you don’t want to see our display of independence from English dominance and tyranny.”

“Oh, I’ll give you plenty of English dominance and tyranny. In fact, I’m reasonably sure you’re going to quite enjoy it.”

(Ah, I love it! :D)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Loraine started writing at a young age, scribbling down song lyrics, short stories, and poems she was too afraid to share with anyone. Busy working as a music teacher in her Pacific Northwest hometown, it wasn’t until her family of four picked up everything and moved to beautiful Japan that she decided to finally take the plunge and send her characters out into the world.

The central theme in Kim’s books is self-discovery, whether that is found through taking risks, breaking down walls, or admitting mistakes. Kim likes to write characters that seem like ‘someone you actually know’, who find that love is a journey not without its challenges.

When not writing Kim spends her time with her husband, chasing around their crazy kids, exploring Japan, and binge-watching Doctor Who on Netflix.

Web site: http://www.kimlorainewriter.com/

Follow me on Twitter: @kimloraine2

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kimlorainewriter

Contact Kim at: kimlorainewriter@gmail.com

The mad rush for THE END.

I’m over at the SMP blog today talking about the exhilaration of typing The End. Stop on by for a wee bit of entertainment. :D

https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/the-mad-rush-for-the-end/

Guest Blog and Author Interview with Celia Breslin!

Welcome, Celia Breslin, to my little corner of the internet! Today we’ll be talking about her latest release (check out that cover *swoon*) and learning a few things about her fictional world. Without further ado…

Tell us about your latest release!

Diamond Moon is the twelfth book released in Decadent Pub’s multi-author, shared world series. The series is set in The Black Hills of South Dakota. Much of the action happens in or around the small shifter town of Los Lobos. The Tao pack owns the area–the pack itself is fractured but on the mend after the death of its crazed and cruel Alpha.

Diamond Moon stars Ross, a Dominant Wolf, and his love-interest Darci, a human-wolf hybrid. Darci journeys to Los Lobos seeking help with her life-threatening shifts. She lands on Ross’s doorstep, romantic sparks fly, and… read the story to find out what happens next… :-)

What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

The most challenging thing to write about was Gee. Gee is a mysterious, badass, Werebear bar owner living in Los Lobos. He appears in every story in the series. He was hard because he’s not my character. That said, it was super fun getting to know him for his appearance in my story. Everything else flowed just fine for this book.

If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you chose? Why?

Wow, just one? There are so many I would love to hang out with. But if I have to choose one, let’s go with my vampire Jonas. You can meet him in my vampire series, The Tranquilli Bloodline. An ancient vampire originally from England, Jonas embodies extreme violence in a pretty package. He’s a man of few words, dark and moody, fiercely loyal and violently protective of those few people he loves, such as Carina, the series heroine. Why him? Because he’s utterly fascinating. I think we’d have a great chat!

Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Darci is 23, petite and curvy, with pale skin, green eyes and black hair styled in a pixie cut. Amanda Seyfried or Emma Stone, if they would die their hair black.

Ross is 29, 6’ 6” with a runner’s body of lean, hard muscle. Brown hair with red highlights worn straight to his shoulders. Brown eyes. If they could find an actor who resembles the cover model for the book, I’d be one happy writer! Or Chris Hemsworth or Alex Pettyfer…

Tell us a little about yourself.

I write urban fantasy and paranormal romance. My favorite paranormal creatures are werewolves, and vampires. Also have a soft spot for the Fae. Let’s see…what else… I’m a terrible morning person… Joss Whedon is my hero… I live in San Francisco with my family and two cats that love to drape themselves on my laptop when I’m trying to write. When not writing, you’re likely to find me reading or working out (really!).

Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

Hm… Little known fact about me: I was classically trained on piano from age six through sixteen, and sang in an a cappella group in high school.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on two more stories for Decadent Pub’s Black Hills Wolves series, featuring Ross’s two siblings, a younger sister and an older brother. More Wolf goodness, action, and love…

Where can we find you?

Website: http://www.celiabreslin.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslin

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/celiabreslin/

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Celia! Jonas sounds like someone I’d love to meet too and Joss Whedon is a genius. Also, I love piano! Talk about multi-talented. ;)

Check out DIAMOND MOON’s book blurb, buy links and a very sexy excerpt below!

DIAMOND MOON Cover and Book Blurb:

Human-wolf hybrid Darci Diamond spends every full moon locked in auntie’s basement in Southern Oregon. Her excruciating shifts terrify her, the last one causing her heart to stop beating. Seeking a cure, she journeys to Los Lobos.

Ross Luparell returns to the struggling Tao pack, using his millions made in the tech industry to build homes for pack families in need. He never imagined he would also find his one true mate. But when a hybrid with the biggest green eyes he’s ever seen lands on his doorstep in the middle of a wicked summer storm, there’s no denying it. She’s the one.

She wants a normal human life, free from pain-filled shifts. He won’t give up on her Wolf, and will do whatever it takes to help her accept her true nature. But can he convince her to trust him with her heart?

Available now at:

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-diamondmoon-1760499-340.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Moon-Black-Hills-Wolves-ebook/dp/B00T2E7ZEY

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121371749

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Celia_Breslin_Diamond_Moon?id=CkOvBgAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/diamond-moon/id963546627?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/diamond-moon 

DIAMOND MOON excerpt:  

He reached out with his Wolf senses. The feedback froze his fingers on the doorknob. Female. Damn, she smelled good. Human. Wolf. Wait…both? The copper tang of blood hit his nose. And injured.

He flung open the door. His abrupt move caught his visitor off guard, one small, white fist raised to knock. The woman startled and fell forward. Catching her, he pulled her inside, kicking the door shut with his foot.

he sagged against him, a shivering bundle of wet woman. Underneath the dampness, her scent drop-kicked his gut. Apples and cinnamon. Roses and honey. His body perked up, taking extreme notice. He fought the growl of possession threatening to tear out of his throat. Holy hell, had his potential mate just walked into his home in the middle of a storm?

The scent of her blood jump-started his brain into action. He lowered her gently to the floor. “Jesus. You okay?”

His instincts urged him to check her for wounds, but he was a stranger and didn’t want to spook her. But goddamn, he wanted to touch her. Peel off her wet clothes. See all of her. With a jacket covering her torso, tight jeans hiding her legs, and her ball cap pulled low on her face, all he’d seen so far was her quivering pale chin, full red lips, and those delicate, trembling hands.

“S-s-sorry, d-dripping all ov-v-ver your f-f-floor,” she said, teeth chattering. Her snow white fingers curled on the hardwood, arms trembling with her effort to keep herself upright. Blood streaked the wood. A line of liquid crimson slid down her jaw and dripped from her chin onto her jacket.

To hell with propriety. “You’re injured. Let me help you.” He pulled off her cap and damn near swallowed his tongue.

Big green eyes blinked up at him from a face so pale it made him think of moonlight. Drenched, short black hair lay plastered to her head, the ends framing features reminiscent of the fairies his sister loved to draw for the hidden-object games she designed. Ethereal beauty. My beauty. He stroked a knuckle down her cheek then ran his thumb over her soft, full lower lip.

She flinched and batted his hand away, falling to her side in the process.

Ross snapped back to reality with a healthy hit of guilt. “Shit. Sorry.”

His gaze shot to her forehead where a two-inch cut sent blood trailing over her prominent cheekbone with its silky-smooth skin he’d so enjoyed caressing—

Shit. He gave himself a mental ass kicking for scaring her. “I’m Ross. You’re safe here. Promise.”

Writing Distractions

L.D. Rose:

I’m blogging over at the SMP website about writing distractions. Stop on by for a visit! :)

Originally posted on :

I just signed up for Pinterest and it’s like crack—totally addictive (not that I would know if crack is addictive…oh, forget it). I’ve started storyboards and gone through all of my saved image files, just PINNING ALL THE THINGS. Meanwhile (oh my, the time is just flying!), I’ve blown off hours of potential writing time.

NOT GOOD.

I tend to do social media on the go—during breaks at work, while I’m drinking coffee in the morning, when I’m standing in line at the grocery store, etc. Sometimes (most times) I’m burned out by the end of the day and I need something mindless to do. But when I think back and realize how much time I spent doing “mindless things”, I feel guilty and realize I could’ve wrote X amount of words in that time. I do the same thing with TV shows and movies (particularly if they’re bad)—I usually…

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Writing is haaaaard.

I’m over at the SMP blog today, talking about why writing is hard. Come for a visit! :)

Writing is haaaaard..

A Romance By Any Other Name – Elle Hill

L.D. Rose:

Great post on romance novels by fellow SMP author, Elle Hill.

Originally posted on :

Before landing at Soul Mate, I sent a past manuscript off to another publisher. It came back with the following comments: “Well-written, but not really a romance.”

After reading my latest novel, my fiancé put it down, turned to me, and said, “It’s weird and awesome, but it’s not a romance.”

Um, what? Of course my books are romances. I’ve been gulping down frothy, romantic yumminess since I was a pre-teen. Heck, I’ve probably read more romances than there are variations on the feisty-heroine-trapped-by-tragic-circumstances-into-a-marriage-she-doesn’t-(but-really-kinda-does)-want, romantic theme. Every stumble into a hero’s arms; every misunderstood interaction with an ex; every improbable, simultaneous orgasm: I’ve read it all, people.

[image error] This bodice ain’t gonna rip itself, you know.

Oh yes, I’m a romance professional (a ro-pro?). While I devour a lot of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, I’m truly at home with the romance, from its tried-and-true formulas to its gooey, homey core…