Devika Fernando's Blog, page 24
August 18, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Sadie from "Directions of the Heart" by Marie Lavender
Marie Lavender's latest book "Directions of the Heart" features several stories, so that gave us the idea to interview all the main characters. You can read my Q&A with Jenna, Reece, Victoria and Rick if you click on their names. Now let's bug Sadie with some questions!
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Sadie. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Sadie: Thank you for inviting me!
Devika: Sadie, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Sadie: I used to be a reporter in Austin, but now I own and manage my family’s horse ranch in Hustonville, Kentucky.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Sadie: Like I said, my family always owned the ranch. Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents years ago. My mama to an unfortunate accident, and Daddy got cancer.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Matt?
Sadie: (Struggles to hide a smile.) Matthew was a surprise. He showed up at my ranch, asking me to sell it. Of course I refused, but I couldn’t help babbling like a loon. And he had Yankee written all over him, so I thought he didn’t stand a chance in that kind of environment. Boy, was I wrong! Well, for the most part.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Sadie: He sure is handsome. What woman in her right mind would deny that? But, he’s strong, incredibly generous and protective. (Mutters a curse under her breath.) He’s a fine kisser! Still, I think I fought what I was feeling for a while. I don’t trust men as a rule.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Sadie: Sadly, it was probably the moment I realized I was truly on my own, after both my mom and dad were gone. Other moments shaped me, of course, but it was then that I found out the truth. And I realized how much all of this was worth fighting for, and why it was such a struggle for my parents.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Sadie: I will do everything in my power to keep my family’s ranch going. Beyond that? I guess it wouldn’t be too bad to get married and have a few children. I gave up that dream long ago, but there’s a certain someone who has made me rethink that decision.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Sadie: My greatest fear is never seeing Matt again. In the dark place I’m in, I am not certain I will.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Sadie: I want to make a life with Matthew Reed, at least if he’ll have me.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama Collection
Blurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Sadie. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Sadie: Thank you for inviting me!
Devika: Sadie, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Sadie: I used to be a reporter in Austin, but now I own and manage my family’s horse ranch in Hustonville, Kentucky.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Sadie: Like I said, my family always owned the ranch. Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents years ago. My mama to an unfortunate accident, and Daddy got cancer.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Matt?
Sadie: (Struggles to hide a smile.) Matthew was a surprise. He showed up at my ranch, asking me to sell it. Of course I refused, but I couldn’t help babbling like a loon. And he had Yankee written all over him, so I thought he didn’t stand a chance in that kind of environment. Boy, was I wrong! Well, for the most part.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Sadie: He sure is handsome. What woman in her right mind would deny that? But, he’s strong, incredibly generous and protective. (Mutters a curse under her breath.) He’s a fine kisser! Still, I think I fought what I was feeling for a while. I don’t trust men as a rule.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Sadie: Sadly, it was probably the moment I realized I was truly on my own, after both my mom and dad were gone. Other moments shaped me, of course, but it was then that I found out the truth. And I realized how much all of this was worth fighting for, and why it was such a struggle for my parents.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Sadie: I will do everything in my power to keep my family’s ranch going. Beyond that? I guess it wouldn’t be too bad to get married and have a few children. I gave up that dream long ago, but there’s a certain someone who has made me rethink that decision.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Sadie: My greatest fear is never seeing Matt again. In the dark place I’m in, I am not certain I will.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Sadie: I want to make a life with Matthew Reed, at least if he’ll have me.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama CollectionBlurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
August 15, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Rick from "Directions of the Heart" by Marie Lavender
Marie Lavender's latest book "Directions of the Heart" features several stories, so that gave us the idea to interview all the main characters. You can read my Q&A with Jenna, Reece and Victoria if you click on their names. Now let's bug Rick with some questions!
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Richard. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Rick: Thank you for having me here. Please call me Rick. All my friends do.
Devika: Rick, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Rick: I work as an architect over at the Steffian Bradley. I’m doing very well, but unfortunately, my boss decided to pair me up with someone from a rival firm for a huge merger project the two companies are doing.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Rick: I came from a down-to-earth Catholic family. We lived in East Boston. I have two siblings, my pain-in-the-ass brother Lucas and my meddling sister Sofia. (Laughs.) But seriously, we’re all very close.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Tory?
Rick: Well…it was at Venu, where I was hanging out because Lucas works there. This beautiful woman came in, and after she brushed me off the first time, I was set to give up on her. But then some bastard tried to rough her up, so I had to step in. After that, I think she just scrambled my brain because it hasn’t worked right ever since.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
Rick: I guess I didn’t, not at first. But she affected me differently than other women, and I did some things I regret deeply now.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Rick: This is a little known fact, but I got tied up in a street gang when I was a teenager. I was lucky to get out when I could, or my life would’ve been completely different. So you could say that made me the man I am today, because I knew I’d have to work that much harder to make a good life for myself.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Rick: Of course I want to take on larger projects in my career, land some greater opportunities. Beyond that, I guess I’d like to get married and have children sometime in the future. But, not immediately.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Rick: My worst fear is that I really hurt Tory, and I have no way of finding her again. Plus, I know I don’t deserve her.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Rick: It’s purely loco, but I want her. More than anything, despite the lies that tore us apart, I still want her in my life any way I can have her. She woke me up, and now I can’t stop thinking about her.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama Collection
Blurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Richard. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Rick: Thank you for having me here. Please call me Rick. All my friends do.
Devika: Rick, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Rick: I work as an architect over at the Steffian Bradley. I’m doing very well, but unfortunately, my boss decided to pair me up with someone from a rival firm for a huge merger project the two companies are doing.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Rick: I came from a down-to-earth Catholic family. We lived in East Boston. I have two siblings, my pain-in-the-ass brother Lucas and my meddling sister Sofia. (Laughs.) But seriously, we’re all very close.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Tory?
Rick: Well…it was at Venu, where I was hanging out because Lucas works there. This beautiful woman came in, and after she brushed me off the first time, I was set to give up on her. But then some bastard tried to rough her up, so I had to step in. After that, I think she just scrambled my brain because it hasn’t worked right ever since.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
Rick: I guess I didn’t, not at first. But she affected me differently than other women, and I did some things I regret deeply now.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Rick: This is a little known fact, but I got tied up in a street gang when I was a teenager. I was lucky to get out when I could, or my life would’ve been completely different. So you could say that made me the man I am today, because I knew I’d have to work that much harder to make a good life for myself.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Rick: Of course I want to take on larger projects in my career, land some greater opportunities. Beyond that, I guess I’d like to get married and have children sometime in the future. But, not immediately.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Rick: My worst fear is that I really hurt Tory, and I have no way of finding her again. Plus, I know I don’t deserve her.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Rick: It’s purely loco, but I want her. More than anything, despite the lies that tore us apart, I still want her in my life any way I can have her. She woke me up, and now I can’t stop thinking about her.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama CollectionBlurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
August 13, 2017
Featured - Review & Spotlight of "Ethan's Daughter" by Rachel Brimble
My ReviewI previously read one of Rachel Brimble’s ‘Templeton Cove’ books: “Saved by the Firefighter” wiggled its way into my heart and stayed with me for quite some time, so I happily picked up “Ethan’s Daughter” to get lost in during a weekend. The cover is appealing, as are all in the series. And the story was just as appealing, pulling at the heart strings and making me smile in turns.I’m a rather reclusive writer myself, so falling in love with brooding yet charismatic Ethan was easy for me. His love for his super-adorable little daughter Daisy made him believable and even more attractive. And what a contrast sassy nurse Leah was to him, yet they fit together like two (or rather, three) pieces of an intricate puzzle. Often in books, you find the heroine suffering because of her ex-boyfriend or ex-husband, but in this novel, it’s different. And let me tell you, I hated Anna with a vengeance!
I wouldn’t say the story was an easy or fast-paced read, but it was filled with emotions and authentic characters, and once again the setting came alive too. The story flows well and was entertaining as well as thought-provoking.
At the beginning of the book, Ethan sums his situation up quite succinctly: “Holy Mother of God, his messed-up life had just gotten ten times worse.” There’s a noticeable shift towards the middle of the book when he says: “You’re not making my life harder, Leah. You’re just scaring the hell out of me.” It’s all the more rewarding to see how much things have changed by the end of the story: “I want you, Leah. I want you in my life. I want you in Daisy’s life.”
Rating: 4/5
About the BookSeries: Templeton Cove Stories # 7 (can be read as a standalone)
Genre: Romantic suspense
Release Date: August 1st 2017
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
There's safety in solitude…isn't there?
Single dad and best-selling thriller writer Ethan James has no problem being Templeton Cove's most famous recluse…until a surprise visit from the past plunges him into a real-life crime drama just as feisty nurse Leah Dixon barges her way into his world.
Ethan's first priority is to protect his daughter. His second priority is to keep Leah out of this dark web—and that means out of his bed. Except Leah isn't going anywhere; she's afraid little Daisy is in danger. Ethan couldn't live with himself if anything happened to Leah…but pushing her away may be even harder..
EXTRACT
On the other side of the front door, the kitchen/dining room stretched from the front to the back of the house. Even though it was in semi-darkness, Leah could see straight through to some French doors at the back, the only illumination coming from the overhead light of the stove as it glinted on steel toward the center of the room.
Snapping her gaze to Daisy, Leah’s opinions on personal tastes flew to the wayside. The little girl’s eyes were wide as she chewed her bottom lip. Leah frowned. “Are you all right, sweetheart? Do you want me to knock?”
Daisy nodded and raised her arms toward Leah as though asking to be picked up. “Yes, please. Daddy might be mad.”
“Oh, Daddy won’t be mad.” Leah bent down and picked her up, hitching her onto her hip as Daisy’s arms wound around her shoulders. “If Daddy’s mad, I’ll show him how to calm himself down real quick. Don’t you worry about that.” Leah lifted the brass knocker and let it fall a little harder than necessary.
No answer.
Narrowing her eyes, she knocked again.
She was readying to knock a third time when the door swung open.
“I told you to get the hell out of here and not come back.” The man’s dark hair sprouted from every angle, his raging eyes bulging and his right hand swathed in a blue and white––and bloodied––dishtowel. His gaze held Leah’s for a split-second before he snapped his attention to Daisy. “My God, Daisy. What are you…” He cupped Daisy under her armpits, wincing slightly as he pulled her from Leah’s arms to hold her close. He pressed a lingering kiss to her temple, his raging eyes hidden behind his closed lids.
Leah stared, completely stunned by this flannel-shirted, blue jeaned, incredibly good-looking man…despite the bulging eyes. She coughed in a bid to find her voice. “Mr. James?” She planted her hands on her hips. “You’re Daisy’s father, I presume?”
He opened his eyes and Leah stepped back.
Apparently when his eyes had softened and were filled with regret rather than rage, they looked good. Really good.
She stilled. Oh, good Lord. Be damned if those weren’t the eyes of Templeton’s reclusive novelist, Ethan James.
BUY LINKS
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAMY53H/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Amazon UK:
http://amzn.eu/eYGTixj
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ethans-daughter-rachel-brimble/1125531674?ean=9781488017186
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/ethan-s-daughter-mills-boon-superromance-templeton-cove-stories-book-7
About the AuthorRachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had seven books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and an eight coming in Feb 2018. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press.Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble & https://twitter.com/TempletonCove
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806411.Rachel_Brimble
Blog: http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/
Website: http://rachelbrimble.com/
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
August 11, 2017
Featured - Release Day Blitz for "Avishi" by Saiswaroopa Iyer
~ Release Day Blitz ~Avishi by Saiswaroopa Iyer12th August, 2017
Long before the times of Draupadi and SitaImmortalised in the hymns of the Rig VedaBut largely forgotten to the memory of IndiaIs the Warrior Queen with an iron leg, Vishpala
Brought up in the pristine forest school of Naimisha, Avishi reaches the republic of Ashtagani in search of her destiny. When Khela, the oppressive King of the neighbouring Vrishabhavati begins to overwhelm and invade Ashtagani, Avishi rises to protect her settlement. But peril pursues her everywhere.Separated from her love, her settlement broken, with a brutal injury needing amputation of her leg, can Avishi overcome Khela?
Goodreads * Amazon
Read an Excerpt
“I am the Queen! This will be my throne!” The seven-year-old chirped leaping from the middle of the porch towards the broken mortar which served as a mock throne. “You will be my guard!”“Guard?” the man pondered scratching his unkempt beard. “No.” He shook his head and smiled seeing her indignant eyes. “I will be the Queen’s elephant.” He beamed.Sukratu stepped out of the house to see his daughter in action, perching herself on the tramp Loha’s back, pretending in all earnestness that he was her elephant. He smiled and was about to set out for his duty as the night guard of the King. A sudden lightning appeared in the eastern skies. Sukratu had barely walked a few paces when a deafening thunder made him instinctively turn towards home. He heaved a sigh, finding Loha shielding the girl as if he would, his own child. “Father, don’t go.” The girl pleaded. Sukratu smiled and shifted his gaze towards the sky. He saw dark clouds loom over the city. The monsoon winds had started to make their presence felt. He had to reach the palace soon. “Isn’t my little Queen brave?” He called out. The girl nodded. He saw the fear fade. From her eyes. From her heart. She knew she was the queen! Pride filled his heart. His mind ached to stay home but duty beckoned. Tearing his gaze away from the one he treasured the most in his life, braving the drizzle that would soon turn into a storm, he unwillingly walked towards the King’s residence. Sukratu’s house was in the third ring of the concentric structure of Vrishabhavati. In the centre, was the structure, that served as the residence of the king and as the centre of all trade activity of the city. Here no wealth or goods could change hands without the king’s knowledge and approval. The residences of the noblemen formed the two rings around it. The guards and soldiers forming the outermost circle with the citizens living around them. As per the protocol, Sukratu approached General Ugra’s residence quite ahead of his reporting time— an hour before the moonrise. He walked into the empty courtyard. But the rain made it impossible for him to stand there any longer. He knocked at the giant wooden door fervently. The doors creaked as a strange woman clad in a dark indigo garment opened them and glared at him with a frown on her forehead. General Ugra, Sukratu knew was never faithful to one woman. His superior’s romantic exploits were not his concern either. But something about the woman at the door disconcerted him. “Please let General Ugra know that…”“He has already left for the palace!” The woman frowned before attempting to shut the door. “What? How ca…” Sukratu’s words hung in air as the door slammed on his face and the woman disappeared from his line of vision all of a sudden. Something did not feel right. He knocked at the door again. Firmly this time, as though seeking answers. Any change in the reporting time would have been announced the day before and he remembered that nothing of the sort had happened. His knocks went unanswered. Frowning and muttering under his breath, Sukratu hurried towards an empty cowshed three houses away from Ugra’s place hoping to catch his companions who he knew would be equally surprised. The first to arrive was Khela, the eighteen-year-old guard, holding a metal shield above his head. The newest addition to the King’s guard, Khela was related to General Ugra and Sukratu felt that his position in the King’s guard was largely a result of undue favours that Ugra showered upon an otherwise impudent boy. “Sukratu! By the great Varuna, I should have come to you earlier!” Khela hurried towards him. Pausing for breath, he added. “Our platoon has been given a relief tonight! It was a sudden decision and I personally informed all the others.”“Relief for tonight? That happens only when…”“Our guarding hours change from night to day!” Khela completed in a hurry. “Now, come with me.” He turned towards the western direction and the javelin he held started to sway dangerously and came close to grazing Sukratu’s arm. The older guard’s instincts made him dodge the cut. “Where?” Sukratu hissed, visibly annoyed, first with the fact that he was kept in dark about the change in guarding hours and then about Khela’s irreverent behaviour. “And watch who your weapon hurts, boy.”Khela shrugged and changed the position of his weapon. “We are now going to the place.” He winked, stretching his hand in the direction. “Follow me, this is the only night we get to have some fun.”Sukratu did not move. The place he knew implied the tavern where wine was served. “We cannot drink tonight, Khela. When do we have to report tomorrow? By sunrise?”“You ask too many questions. The rest of us are there too!”“That does not answer my question.” “Well, I don’t know, and I don’t care to. The palace is paying for the wine. Are you coming or not?” The last sentence sounded more like a threat than an invite. Sukratu had all the mind to give the youth a piece of his mind and storm back home. His daughter would be overjoyed to see him before she went to sleep. It gnawed at Sukratu’s heart every day to leave her under the care of Loha— the tramp who had begged him for shelter about six months ago and then became a part of his life. The girl liked him instantly and had begged Sukratu to let Loha live with them and he, despite his misgivings about the tramp’s origins and his unkempt appearance, could not refuse his only daughter. Over time, Sukratu felt grateful for Loha’s company. Now his daughter did not have to be all by herself every night. The guard’s home would have been unguarded if not for that stranger. Sukratu brushed aside these thoughts and had almost decided to go home when the thought of meeting other senior guards and clarifying the confusion struck him. He followed Khela’s lead, making no attempt to hide his displeasure. When they reached the tavern, Sukratu to his dismay, found many of his brothers in arms deeply drunk. “When did they reach here and when did they…”“Quite some time before. I just forgot to tell you in advance!”Sukratu’s eyes scrutinized the men and women of the tavern who were serving wine to the guards. There were no other citizens or travellers in the tavern. “Just for us, the whole night!” Khela said as if reading his thoughts, bringing him an earthen goblet. The older guard accepted the goblet taking his first sip with a sense of foreboding. “Where were you all the time, old friend?” The voice belonged to Tunga one of the senior guards in the platoon. The grin on his friend’s face brought a smile to Sukratu’s lips. “Tunga, what is this about the sudden change in our guarding hours?” “The King… that imbecile, has finally remembered that we are human too!” Tunga guffawed, emptying his goblet, waving vigorously at a woman of the tavern who obliged with a seductive wink. She approached them, skilfully distributing her attention between both the men, winking at Tunga and pouting her lips at Sukratu. Her brows rose at Sukratu’s filled cup. “Don’t keep the Sura nor this Sundari waiting, my love...” Serving Tunga his wine, she placed her fingers upon Sukratu’s shoulders, digging her nails into his skin for a moment locking her gaze with his and turned around swiftly, letting her light upper garment rest on his face for a fleeting moment. It was a wilful invitation and Sukratu knew it. His attention though was caught by the colour of the garment. The Indigo hued garment! All the women of the tavern wore clothes of the same colour. So did the woman he saw in General Ugra’s house! Was Ugra at home while the woman lied that he was at the palace? If the General and the whole platoon of the night guard were lying down drunk, who was minding the security of the King? Sukratu looked at the rest of the guards. No one seemed sober enough to talk. The only sober man Khela had disappeared!“By the great Varuna!” Sukratu exclaimed aloud and rushed out, pushing the woman who tried to stop him away. He raced to the King’s residence, as fast as his legs could carry him. The huge wooden gates of the structure were closed and secured from inside. The rain lashed drowning his cries. Misgivings regarding the King’s welfare made him shudder. He had to meet General Ugra. Something told him that the General had his own reasons to send the whole platoon of guards to enjoy a drunk night. He was a guard who had sworn to protect the King with his life. The general owed him an answer. Sukratu rushed to General Ugra’s house determined to confront him. That, Sukratu realized was the biggest mistake of his life. At the gates of the general’s residence he saw a familiar figure hurrying out of his house, a heavy bundle on his shoulders. “General Ugra!” he called out, feeling relieved. The figure started, and the bundle fell to the ground. Sukratu came to a sudden halt as he realized it wasn’t a bundle after all, but a blood-drenched corpse. A stroke of lightning from the sky revealed the face and the very familiar greying curls. Sukratu froze for a long moment before he could speak. “K... King...”Something hit him on the head even before he could utter the name. Sukratu staggered, reeling at the impact, clutching at his long sword in a vain attempt to defend the next move. “Finish him!” The General shout behind him. Before he turned around, Sukratu felt the cold metal tear into his back. Lightning struck revealing the contours of the person. Khela! The javelin stabbed him again. Thunder drowned his screams. Falling to the ground with the weapon still stuck to his back, Sukratu lifted his sword and managed to slash Khela’s palm though the latter, unlike him was vigilant and alert. Crawling away from the menacing duo, knowing very well that he could not last more than a few moments, Sukratu’s thoughts, went to his innocent daughter. She would now languish as an orphan remaining in dark about the monsters who killed her father. Or would they kill her too?Sukratu would never know.
About the Author:
Saiswaroopa is an IITian and a former investment analyst turned author. Her keen interest in ancient Indian history, literature and culture made her take to writing. Her debut novel Abhaya, set in the times of Mahabharata was published in 2015. Avishi, her second novel set in Vedic India explores the legend of India’s first mentioned female warrior queen Vishpala.She holds a certificate in Puranas from Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. She is also trained in Carnatic Classical music and has won a state level gold medal from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Website * Facebook * Twitter
');
Long before the times of Draupadi and SitaImmortalised in the hymns of the Rig VedaBut largely forgotten to the memory of IndiaIs the Warrior Queen with an iron leg, Vishpala
Brought up in the pristine forest school of Naimisha, Avishi reaches the republic of Ashtagani in search of her destiny. When Khela, the oppressive King of the neighbouring Vrishabhavati begins to overwhelm and invade Ashtagani, Avishi rises to protect her settlement. But peril pursues her everywhere.Separated from her love, her settlement broken, with a brutal injury needing amputation of her leg, can Avishi overcome Khela?
Goodreads * Amazon
Read an Excerpt
“I am the Queen! This will be my throne!” The seven-year-old chirped leaping from the middle of the porch towards the broken mortar which served as a mock throne. “You will be my guard!”“Guard?” the man pondered scratching his unkempt beard. “No.” He shook his head and smiled seeing her indignant eyes. “I will be the Queen’s elephant.” He beamed.Sukratu stepped out of the house to see his daughter in action, perching herself on the tramp Loha’s back, pretending in all earnestness that he was her elephant. He smiled and was about to set out for his duty as the night guard of the King. A sudden lightning appeared in the eastern skies. Sukratu had barely walked a few paces when a deafening thunder made him instinctively turn towards home. He heaved a sigh, finding Loha shielding the girl as if he would, his own child. “Father, don’t go.” The girl pleaded. Sukratu smiled and shifted his gaze towards the sky. He saw dark clouds loom over the city. The monsoon winds had started to make their presence felt. He had to reach the palace soon. “Isn’t my little Queen brave?” He called out. The girl nodded. He saw the fear fade. From her eyes. From her heart. She knew she was the queen! Pride filled his heart. His mind ached to stay home but duty beckoned. Tearing his gaze away from the one he treasured the most in his life, braving the drizzle that would soon turn into a storm, he unwillingly walked towards the King’s residence. Sukratu’s house was in the third ring of the concentric structure of Vrishabhavati. In the centre, was the structure, that served as the residence of the king and as the centre of all trade activity of the city. Here no wealth or goods could change hands without the king’s knowledge and approval. The residences of the noblemen formed the two rings around it. The guards and soldiers forming the outermost circle with the citizens living around them. As per the protocol, Sukratu approached General Ugra’s residence quite ahead of his reporting time— an hour before the moonrise. He walked into the empty courtyard. But the rain made it impossible for him to stand there any longer. He knocked at the giant wooden door fervently. The doors creaked as a strange woman clad in a dark indigo garment opened them and glared at him with a frown on her forehead. General Ugra, Sukratu knew was never faithful to one woman. His superior’s romantic exploits were not his concern either. But something about the woman at the door disconcerted him. “Please let General Ugra know that…”“He has already left for the palace!” The woman frowned before attempting to shut the door. “What? How ca…” Sukratu’s words hung in air as the door slammed on his face and the woman disappeared from his line of vision all of a sudden. Something did not feel right. He knocked at the door again. Firmly this time, as though seeking answers. Any change in the reporting time would have been announced the day before and he remembered that nothing of the sort had happened. His knocks went unanswered. Frowning and muttering under his breath, Sukratu hurried towards an empty cowshed three houses away from Ugra’s place hoping to catch his companions who he knew would be equally surprised. The first to arrive was Khela, the eighteen-year-old guard, holding a metal shield above his head. The newest addition to the King’s guard, Khela was related to General Ugra and Sukratu felt that his position in the King’s guard was largely a result of undue favours that Ugra showered upon an otherwise impudent boy. “Sukratu! By the great Varuna, I should have come to you earlier!” Khela hurried towards him. Pausing for breath, he added. “Our platoon has been given a relief tonight! It was a sudden decision and I personally informed all the others.”“Relief for tonight? That happens only when…”“Our guarding hours change from night to day!” Khela completed in a hurry. “Now, come with me.” He turned towards the western direction and the javelin he held started to sway dangerously and came close to grazing Sukratu’s arm. The older guard’s instincts made him dodge the cut. “Where?” Sukratu hissed, visibly annoyed, first with the fact that he was kept in dark about the change in guarding hours and then about Khela’s irreverent behaviour. “And watch who your weapon hurts, boy.”Khela shrugged and changed the position of his weapon. “We are now going to the place.” He winked, stretching his hand in the direction. “Follow me, this is the only night we get to have some fun.”Sukratu did not move. The place he knew implied the tavern where wine was served. “We cannot drink tonight, Khela. When do we have to report tomorrow? By sunrise?”“You ask too many questions. The rest of us are there too!”“That does not answer my question.” “Well, I don’t know, and I don’t care to. The palace is paying for the wine. Are you coming or not?” The last sentence sounded more like a threat than an invite. Sukratu had all the mind to give the youth a piece of his mind and storm back home. His daughter would be overjoyed to see him before she went to sleep. It gnawed at Sukratu’s heart every day to leave her under the care of Loha— the tramp who had begged him for shelter about six months ago and then became a part of his life. The girl liked him instantly and had begged Sukratu to let Loha live with them and he, despite his misgivings about the tramp’s origins and his unkempt appearance, could not refuse his only daughter. Over time, Sukratu felt grateful for Loha’s company. Now his daughter did not have to be all by herself every night. The guard’s home would have been unguarded if not for that stranger. Sukratu brushed aside these thoughts and had almost decided to go home when the thought of meeting other senior guards and clarifying the confusion struck him. He followed Khela’s lead, making no attempt to hide his displeasure. When they reached the tavern, Sukratu to his dismay, found many of his brothers in arms deeply drunk. “When did they reach here and when did they…”“Quite some time before. I just forgot to tell you in advance!”Sukratu’s eyes scrutinized the men and women of the tavern who were serving wine to the guards. There were no other citizens or travellers in the tavern. “Just for us, the whole night!” Khela said as if reading his thoughts, bringing him an earthen goblet. The older guard accepted the goblet taking his first sip with a sense of foreboding. “Where were you all the time, old friend?” The voice belonged to Tunga one of the senior guards in the platoon. The grin on his friend’s face brought a smile to Sukratu’s lips. “Tunga, what is this about the sudden change in our guarding hours?” “The King… that imbecile, has finally remembered that we are human too!” Tunga guffawed, emptying his goblet, waving vigorously at a woman of the tavern who obliged with a seductive wink. She approached them, skilfully distributing her attention between both the men, winking at Tunga and pouting her lips at Sukratu. Her brows rose at Sukratu’s filled cup. “Don’t keep the Sura nor this Sundari waiting, my love...” Serving Tunga his wine, she placed her fingers upon Sukratu’s shoulders, digging her nails into his skin for a moment locking her gaze with his and turned around swiftly, letting her light upper garment rest on his face for a fleeting moment. It was a wilful invitation and Sukratu knew it. His attention though was caught by the colour of the garment. The Indigo hued garment! All the women of the tavern wore clothes of the same colour. So did the woman he saw in General Ugra’s house! Was Ugra at home while the woman lied that he was at the palace? If the General and the whole platoon of the night guard were lying down drunk, who was minding the security of the King? Sukratu looked at the rest of the guards. No one seemed sober enough to talk. The only sober man Khela had disappeared!“By the great Varuna!” Sukratu exclaimed aloud and rushed out, pushing the woman who tried to stop him away. He raced to the King’s residence, as fast as his legs could carry him. The huge wooden gates of the structure were closed and secured from inside. The rain lashed drowning his cries. Misgivings regarding the King’s welfare made him shudder. He had to meet General Ugra. Something told him that the General had his own reasons to send the whole platoon of guards to enjoy a drunk night. He was a guard who had sworn to protect the King with his life. The general owed him an answer. Sukratu rushed to General Ugra’s house determined to confront him. That, Sukratu realized was the biggest mistake of his life. At the gates of the general’s residence he saw a familiar figure hurrying out of his house, a heavy bundle on his shoulders. “General Ugra!” he called out, feeling relieved. The figure started, and the bundle fell to the ground. Sukratu came to a sudden halt as he realized it wasn’t a bundle after all, but a blood-drenched corpse. A stroke of lightning from the sky revealed the face and the very familiar greying curls. Sukratu froze for a long moment before he could speak. “K... King...”Something hit him on the head even before he could utter the name. Sukratu staggered, reeling at the impact, clutching at his long sword in a vain attempt to defend the next move. “Finish him!” The General shout behind him. Before he turned around, Sukratu felt the cold metal tear into his back. Lightning struck revealing the contours of the person. Khela! The javelin stabbed him again. Thunder drowned his screams. Falling to the ground with the weapon still stuck to his back, Sukratu lifted his sword and managed to slash Khela’s palm though the latter, unlike him was vigilant and alert. Crawling away from the menacing duo, knowing very well that he could not last more than a few moments, Sukratu’s thoughts, went to his innocent daughter. She would now languish as an orphan remaining in dark about the monsters who killed her father. Or would they kill her too?Sukratu would never know.
About the Author:
Saiswaroopa is an IITian and a former investment analyst turned author. Her keen interest in ancient Indian history, literature and culture made her take to writing. Her debut novel Abhaya, set in the times of Mahabharata was published in 2015. Avishi, her second novel set in Vedic India explores the legend of India’s first mentioned female warrior queen Vishpala.She holds a certificate in Puranas from Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. She is also trained in Carnatic Classical music and has won a state level gold medal from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Website * Facebook * Twitter
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August 10, 2017
Featured - Book Spotlight for "The House with Old Furniture" by Helen Lewis
About the BookGenre: Contemporary FictionRelease Date: 20 July 2017
Publisher: Honno Press
The ghosts of a century’s worth of secrets and betrayals are coming home to Pengarrow…
Evie has lost her eldest son, Jesse, to gang violence. Leaving the house he grew up in is pulling apart the few strings left holding her heart together. Only the desire to be there for her younger boy, Finn, impels Evie to West Wales and the ancient house her husband is sure will heal their wounds.
Days later, Andrew is gone – rushing back to his ‘important’ job in government, abandoning his grieving wife and son. Finn finds solace in the horse his father buys by way of apology. As does his evasive and fearful new friend, Nye, the one who reminds him and Evie of Jesse… Evie loses herself in a dusty 19th century journal and glasses of homemade wine left by the mysterious housekeeper.
As Evie’s grasp on reality slides, Andrew’s parents ride to the rescue. It is clear that this is a house they know. They seem to think they own it, and begin making changes nobody wants, least of all Alys and her son, Nye, the terrified youth who looks so like Jesse.
BUY LINKS
http://www.honno.co.uk/dangos.php?ISBN=9781909983663
https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Old-Furniture-Helen-Lewis/dp/1909983667/
https://www.amazon.com/House-Old-Furniture-Helen-Lewis/dp/1909983667
About the AuthorHelen was born in 1967 in the New Forest. She spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a ballerina and doodling in the margin. She graduated from Southampton Faculty of Art and Design (so long ago now, that the place doesn’t even exist!) and worked as a professional Doodler of Margins (Graphic Designer) for twenty years. In 2006 She moved to Pembrokeshire with her family and lives in the middle of nowhere where she reads, writes, and runs.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenlewisauthor
Twitter: @hedlew
Blog: http://www.helen-lewis.co.uk/blog
Website: www.helen-lewis.co.uk
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August 9, 2017
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Yours to Love, Yours to Take" by Reshma Ranjan
Print Length: 202 pagesPublication Date: July 21, 2017Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLCLanguage: EnglishAvailable on Kindle Unlimited Genre: Romance
As if losing her parents and her voice in a childhood accident wasn’t cruel enough, Anita Batra now has to come to terms with her twin’s death and help her sister’s partner get a new lease in life.
Adopted by the Verma Clan after his parents died in an accident, Dr. Salim Verma finally finds love and a chance to be happy only to lose it in an accident he himself survives.
When fate strikes a final blow and brings two strangers together, Salim can’t help but punish Anita and make her tread through the hell he himself was in, while all Anita wants is to help her sister’s partner start afresh, no matter what the cost.
Will Salim ever be able to ignore Anita’s resemblance to his dead girlfriend and fall in love with her instead? Will Anita be able to reveal the real Salim hiding behind the monster? Will they be able to embrace their tumultuous attraction for each other despite their terrible start?
Yours To Love Yours To Take is a heartwarming saga of love and sacrifice that will reinstate your belief that love conquers all.
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR.
Here is a passionate romantic who loves literatureand has created many happy ending in her imagination, for every movie or book with a sad conclusion.
She soon began to create her own characters and situations, creating plenty of romances and happy endings to satisfy her imagination. "But for my laziness and diffidence," says Reshma "I would have penned umpteen stories of unexpected pairs meeting and falling in love, overcoming troubles and hurdles to unite for a lifetime."
A voracious reader, Reader, Reshma is a poet as well, and feels that she would be blessed as a writer if she could bring a happy content sigh on the readers lips.
Click here to check out all the titles by the author...
You can stalk her @
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August 8, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Victoria from "Directions of the Heart" by Marie Lavender
We've already got to know Jenna and Reece better. Now let's bug Victoria (I love her name!) with some questions too.
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Victoria. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Victoria: I appreciate the invitation!
Devika: Victoria, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Victoria: Well, I am an architect at the Margulies Perruzzi firm in South Boston. (Laughs.) But, my alter ego Tory just flies by the seat of her pants…or those skimpy dresses she wears!
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Victoria: I came from a pretty wealthy family. We lived in Somerville. Unfortunately, we were never close, and I broke away from them to make a name for myself several years ago.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Rick?
Victoria: It was all an accident really. I set out to pretend to be someone I wasn’t – Tory – and I met him in a club the first night I went there. He just happened to be there right when I needed some help. But I didn’t count on being so attracted to him.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Victoria: You could say it was a whirlwind romance, full of ups and downs, but we connected on a lot of levels. Plus, he has the hottest accent on the planet!
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Victoria: Yeah, I always knew I wanted to draw and sketch buildings. I think I disappointed my parents when I pursued this career. They had my life mapped out for me, and I just wasn’t comfortable with that. So, you could say that the way they treated me shaped me into the person I am today.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Victoria: Besides excelling as an architect, I’d like to settle down someday. Here’s to hoping the guy I want right now gets with the program!
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Victoria: I think the worst has already happened to me, but I guess I’m afraid that I might have lost myself in my quest to prove a point. But I am working on figuring things out.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Victoria: I guess it’s crazy, but I wish I could go back and change some things, even though that’s not possible. I should’ve told the truth from the beginning…
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama Collection
Blurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Victoria. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Victoria: I appreciate the invitation!
Devika: Victoria, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Victoria: Well, I am an architect at the Margulies Perruzzi firm in South Boston. (Laughs.) But, my alter ego Tory just flies by the seat of her pants…or those skimpy dresses she wears!
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Victoria: I came from a pretty wealthy family. We lived in Somerville. Unfortunately, we were never close, and I broke away from them to make a name for myself several years ago.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Rick?
Victoria: It was all an accident really. I set out to pretend to be someone I wasn’t – Tory – and I met him in a club the first night I went there. He just happened to be there right when I needed some help. But I didn’t count on being so attracted to him.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Victoria: You could say it was a whirlwind romance, full of ups and downs, but we connected on a lot of levels. Plus, he has the hottest accent on the planet!
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Victoria: Yeah, I always knew I wanted to draw and sketch buildings. I think I disappointed my parents when I pursued this career. They had my life mapped out for me, and I just wasn’t comfortable with that. So, you could say that the way they treated me shaped me into the person I am today.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Victoria: Besides excelling as an architect, I’d like to settle down someday. Here’s to hoping the guy I want right now gets with the program!
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Victoria: I think the worst has already happened to me, but I guess I’m afraid that I might have lost myself in my quest to prove a point. But I am working on figuring things out.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Victoria: I guess it’s crazy, but I wish I could go back and change some things, even though that’s not possible. I should’ve told the truth from the beginning…
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama CollectionBlurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
August 1, 2017
August Surprise Giveaway (BBBH Multi-Author Giveaway)
¸.·´¸.·´¨) ¸.·*¨) SURPRISE UNVEILING ROMANCE GIVEAWAY¸.·´¸.·´¨) ¸.·*¨)We are celebrating #romance by having a “SURPRISE” giveaway! 25 authors have come together to offer 1 ebook + a “Surprise Giveaway”. Could be #ebooks #paperback #swag #amazongiftcard & MORE>. Enter with the rafflecopter link PLUS join the Facebook Event and meet each author!!!
#LIKE #SHARE #TAG #GIVEAWAY #FREE #AMAZON
Get your books and enter the giveaway by clicking here: http://www.shannynleah.com/free-books-and-giveaways.php
Authors participating & the day of their “unveiling”.
Aug 8: Angela Scavone
9: Bella Emy
10: Cailin Briste
11: Connie Lafortune
12: Brianna West
13: Virginia Lee Johnson
14: Bonnie Edwards Author
15: Kelly Moore
16: Crystal S Authoress
17: Alyssa Drake
18: Bree Kraemer
19: Whitley Cox
20: Kimberly Reese
21: Author Amelia Bronson
22: Andrew Mackay
23: Author Isabel Love
24: Author J.A. Miller
25: Tracy Lorraine
26: Jeanne St. James
27: Chloe Quinn
28: Lexi Miles
29: Shannyn Leah & Devika Fernando
30: Kayla Reese
31: Erica Lynn - Erotic Romance Author
Featured - Character Interview with Reece from "Directions of the Heart" by Marie Lavender
Last week, we got to know more about Jenna from "Directions of the Heart" by Marie Lavender (link). Today, Reece answers my questions.
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Reece. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Reece: Thank you! I heard Jenna landed an interview, and I was surprised to receive your call too.
Devika: Reece, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Reece: Actually, I am a manager over at West Side Books in Denver. But I don’t want to be there forever. I’m hoping to finally go to college and take some business classes, figure out a plan for my life.
Reece: Interesting. What about your family background?
Jenna: I currently live with my mom. I guess I could afford to be on my own, but sometimes I think she really needs me. I’ve been the man of the house for a long time, at least since my deadbeat dad left us when I was a kid. Good riddance! But I would’ve done something about the way he hurt my mom.
Reece: I see. So how did you meet Jenna?
Reece: Oh, we were always inseparable, the ‘dynamic duo’, as our mothers liked to call us. At least until Jenna left to go to New York to find herself. But it’s hard to be apart from the one person who knows you best.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
Reece: I never realized it until after she was in New York. But I think I’ve always loved her in so many ways. I never got serious about the few girls I dated; the relationships just fizzled out. I believe that’s a sign. Plus, it’s not like I could overlook the fact that I was suddenly crazy attracted to Jenna.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Reece: Yeah, I’d like to think that witnessing everything my father put my mom through made me a better man. I know I would never do that to anyone.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Reece: Like I said, I have some plans. I’m gonna figure everything out, and then I’ll be worthy of Jenna.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Reece: Losing Jenna for good. Even if she won’t have me, and we aren’t a thing, I can’t lose her as a friend.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Reece: I think I’d be the happiest guy ever if I got hitched with Jenna. But I really don’t want to scare the poor girl off. I mean, we’re not even an ‘us’ yet.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama Collection
Blurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Reece. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Reece: Thank you! I heard Jenna landed an interview, and I was surprised to receive your call too.
Devika: Reece, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Reece: Actually, I am a manager over at West Side Books in Denver. But I don’t want to be there forever. I’m hoping to finally go to college and take some business classes, figure out a plan for my life.
Reece: Interesting. What about your family background?
Jenna: I currently live with my mom. I guess I could afford to be on my own, but sometimes I think she really needs me. I’ve been the man of the house for a long time, at least since my deadbeat dad left us when I was a kid. Good riddance! But I would’ve done something about the way he hurt my mom.
Reece: I see. So how did you meet Jenna?
Reece: Oh, we were always inseparable, the ‘dynamic duo’, as our mothers liked to call us. At least until Jenna left to go to New York to find herself. But it’s hard to be apart from the one person who knows you best.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
Reece: I never realized it until after she was in New York. But I think I’ve always loved her in so many ways. I never got serious about the few girls I dated; the relationships just fizzled out. I believe that’s a sign. Plus, it’s not like I could overlook the fact that I was suddenly crazy attracted to Jenna.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Reece: Yeah, I’d like to think that witnessing everything my father put my mom through made me a better man. I know I would never do that to anyone.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Reece: Like I said, I have some plans. I’m gonna figure everything out, and then I’ll be worthy of Jenna.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Reece: Losing Jenna for good. Even if she won’t have me, and we aren’t a thing, I can’t lose her as a friend.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Reece: I think I’d be the happiest guy ever if I got hitched with Jenna. But I really don’t want to scare the poor girl off. I mean, we’re not even an ‘us’ yet.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Genre: Modern Romantic Drama CollectionBlurb for Directions of the Heart:
Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...
In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?
Without You
Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?
Strange Heat
Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?
Memories
Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?
A Touch of Dawn
Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?
(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV
myBook.to/DoH
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31351684-directions-of-the-heart
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
July 31, 2017
Featured - Exclusive excerpt of "Shadow in the Mirror" by Deepti Menon
I love it when I get the chance to feature wonderful friends who are also prolific authors! Ladies and gents, please give it up for the fabulous Deepti Menon and her acclaimed novel The Shadow in the Mirror!
About the Book Excerpt
Vinny bubbled over with excitement. Roma was coming home finally. They would relive the old days. They would be the Siamese twins again. Her friends tried to curb her enthusiasm, secretly a wee bit piqued, but nothing could quell her high spirits. Her mind bubbled over with plans of what they would do together. How wonderful it would be to have Roma back in her life again! This time nothing would separate them!
Roma appeared, resplendent in a dress that seemed to have all the colours of the rainbow on it. Her eyes sparkled as she gave Vinny a bear hug. She was taller and slimmer, and the kohl in her eyes made her look older. As she moved, the various bangles on her wrists jingled, and with every coquettish shake of her head, her long earrings grazed her shoulders. She had acquired new mannerisms… a way of fluttering her eyelashes, a well practiced pout which twisted her lips into a perfect bow, all of which signified that she was on the threshold of womanhood. As she looked at her, Vinny suddenly felt gauche. Roma seemed alarmingly different. She felt she had been left far behind. She was not too sure she liked this change in her old friend.
“Vinny, here’s something I picked up for you!” smiled Roma, as she handed over an expensive perfume that would have suited Roma to a nicety, but looked out of place in Vinny’s bedroom ensconced with Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, both of whom adorned her walls, along with the other stuffed toys strewn around.
The next day Vinny went over, and Roma welcomed her into her room. Roma’s room? Roma’s room had always been special because it was so much like her own, cute and girlish. But now her stunned eyes took in the changes. Gone were the flowery curtains, replaced by satin drapes edged with gold braids, her desk was cleared and on it lay a mountain of glossy magazines. Her dressing table might have belonged to a film star with its dazzling array of cosmetics… lipsticks of every hue, make up kits, numerous brushes and bits of cotton. “Well, Vinny, what do you think of the new ‘me?’” Roma’s query made her smile as she replied flippantly, “Well, the butterfly emergeth!” but the irony was lost on Roma who laughed huskily. “Always the magician with words, aren’t you?”
Vinny sank into the worn out armchair which was the only link with the old Roma. “Vinny, you haven’t changed a bit! You are still the little innocent you were when I left!” Vinny raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Roma continued, “I didn’t want to come back here. My friends in school were forever convincing me about how I was meant for better, bigger things!” She raised her slim arms gracefully over her head and struck a pose. “The boys felt I have gypsy blood in me. Do you know I have a lust to travel and see the world? I fancy my name is derived from ‘Romany’, the ancient gypsy tribe!”
Vinny giggled. “Roma, you were named so because Mayi liked the name!”
Roma pouted artfully. “Now don’t try and take the romance out of my name, Vinny!” She clapped her hands with a sudden switch of mood. “ROMANCE…ROMA! It symbolizes allure and mystery! I love my name!”
Vinny shrugged in impatience. “Come on, Roma! Stop this nonsense! We have so much to catch up on, for old time’s sake! Don’t you want to know about our school and your old friends?” She leaned forward expectantly, all set to pour her heart out and bring Roma up to date.
Roma wrinkled her nose. “Vinny, we have outgrown those days, and thank God we have! The past is so tedious!” For a moment, Vinny gaped at her and then her mobile face revealed a glimmer of understanding, as something broke deep within her. “You have changed, Roma. The past is the only bond between us… our friendship is based on the past! Is it possible to discard those memories and still remain friends?” Roma was obviously bored. “Hey, let me show you my new wardrobe!” She proceeded to pull out yards and yards of shimmering silks and chiffons, as Vinny watched in silence, struggling to put their new relationship in focus.
Links
Availability: The book has been published by Readomania and is available on Amazon.in and in major bookshops, like Starmark and Odyssey.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/Shadow-Mirror-Thrilling-Quest-Redemption-ebook/dp/B01M4JL112?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect
Genre: Shadow in the Mirror is a psychological thriller.
Editor: Dipankar Mukherjee - dipankar.mukherjee@readomania.com
About the Author Short Bio
Deepti Menon is the author of two books, ‘Arms and the
Woman’ and ‘Deeparadhana’. She has worked as a
journalist with several publications, and is now a freelance
editor. Short stories with deft twists and tongue-in-cheek
articles that tickle the funny bone are her forte. Deepti
lives with her family in Chennai.
About the Book ExcerptVinny bubbled over with excitement. Roma was coming home finally. They would relive the old days. They would be the Siamese twins again. Her friends tried to curb her enthusiasm, secretly a wee bit piqued, but nothing could quell her high spirits. Her mind bubbled over with plans of what they would do together. How wonderful it would be to have Roma back in her life again! This time nothing would separate them!
Roma appeared, resplendent in a dress that seemed to have all the colours of the rainbow on it. Her eyes sparkled as she gave Vinny a bear hug. She was taller and slimmer, and the kohl in her eyes made her look older. As she moved, the various bangles on her wrists jingled, and with every coquettish shake of her head, her long earrings grazed her shoulders. She had acquired new mannerisms… a way of fluttering her eyelashes, a well practiced pout which twisted her lips into a perfect bow, all of which signified that she was on the threshold of womanhood. As she looked at her, Vinny suddenly felt gauche. Roma seemed alarmingly different. She felt she had been left far behind. She was not too sure she liked this change in her old friend.
“Vinny, here’s something I picked up for you!” smiled Roma, as she handed over an expensive perfume that would have suited Roma to a nicety, but looked out of place in Vinny’s bedroom ensconced with Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, both of whom adorned her walls, along with the other stuffed toys strewn around.
The next day Vinny went over, and Roma welcomed her into her room. Roma’s room? Roma’s room had always been special because it was so much like her own, cute and girlish. But now her stunned eyes took in the changes. Gone were the flowery curtains, replaced by satin drapes edged with gold braids, her desk was cleared and on it lay a mountain of glossy magazines. Her dressing table might have belonged to a film star with its dazzling array of cosmetics… lipsticks of every hue, make up kits, numerous brushes and bits of cotton. “Well, Vinny, what do you think of the new ‘me?’” Roma’s query made her smile as she replied flippantly, “Well, the butterfly emergeth!” but the irony was lost on Roma who laughed huskily. “Always the magician with words, aren’t you?”
Vinny sank into the worn out armchair which was the only link with the old Roma. “Vinny, you haven’t changed a bit! You are still the little innocent you were when I left!” Vinny raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Roma continued, “I didn’t want to come back here. My friends in school were forever convincing me about how I was meant for better, bigger things!” She raised her slim arms gracefully over her head and struck a pose. “The boys felt I have gypsy blood in me. Do you know I have a lust to travel and see the world? I fancy my name is derived from ‘Romany’, the ancient gypsy tribe!”
Vinny giggled. “Roma, you were named so because Mayi liked the name!”
Roma pouted artfully. “Now don’t try and take the romance out of my name, Vinny!” She clapped her hands with a sudden switch of mood. “ROMANCE…ROMA! It symbolizes allure and mystery! I love my name!”
Vinny shrugged in impatience. “Come on, Roma! Stop this nonsense! We have so much to catch up on, for old time’s sake! Don’t you want to know about our school and your old friends?” She leaned forward expectantly, all set to pour her heart out and bring Roma up to date.
Roma wrinkled her nose. “Vinny, we have outgrown those days, and thank God we have! The past is so tedious!” For a moment, Vinny gaped at her and then her mobile face revealed a glimmer of understanding, as something broke deep within her. “You have changed, Roma. The past is the only bond between us… our friendship is based on the past! Is it possible to discard those memories and still remain friends?” Roma was obviously bored. “Hey, let me show you my new wardrobe!” She proceeded to pull out yards and yards of shimmering silks and chiffons, as Vinny watched in silence, struggling to put their new relationship in focus.
Links
Availability: The book has been published by Readomania and is available on Amazon.in and in major bookshops, like Starmark and Odyssey.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/Shadow-Mirror-Thrilling-Quest-Redemption-ebook/dp/B01M4JL112?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect
Genre: Shadow in the Mirror is a psychological thriller.
Editor: Dipankar Mukherjee - dipankar.mukherjee@readomania.com
About the Author Short BioDeepti Menon is the author of two books, ‘Arms and the
Woman’ and ‘Deeparadhana’. She has worked as a
journalist with several publications, and is now a freelance
editor. Short stories with deft twists and tongue-in-cheek
articles that tickle the funny bone are her forte. Deepti
lives with her family in Chennai.
