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Starr Gardinier is here for Interview Friday!

My guest today for Interview Friday is Starr Gardinier, a fellow Wild Rose Press author. Starr is here to tell us a little about herself and her writing, and introduce us to her new release. 

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, since I was about 14. I used to read the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys’ books. I loved them. When I was around 14, I thought I could write something like that. So, I tried and penned four chapters. My father was an avid book reader, so I thought he’d be the best person to read my attempt. He did read it all right, then set me down and gave me a ½ hour lecture on plagiarism. He didn’t believe I wrote those words. As young as I was, I was, like most children, impressionable. It crushed me. As an adult, I realized that it really was a compliment, albeit backhanded, but one just the same. My father thought I’d copied someone else’s work, yet those were my words.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

As in writing them? No. I concentrate on one set of characters and their issues at a time. But, as I’m doing now, I do write one while marketing another. I think all authors do that.

Do you have any words of advice to beginning writers? 

Absolutely. Don’t Give Up! It’s a hard road, but if writing is truly your passion, keep at it. Don’t let anyone tell you not to do it. Over time, you’ll hone your craft; the more you write, the better you’ll get.

What is the hardest part of being a writer for you? 

I’d have to say the hardest part is not having the time to write more. I work full-time and write on the weekends or in the evenings. My preference would be to write all day, every day.

What comes first for you – plot or character? 

Plot. Once I have a plot, characters seem to create themselves. For instance, with this book, “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” I wanted to write a book where the protagonist was telling her story to a doctor and I wanted it to be paranormal. The character, Melinda James, was just a teenager when everything started happening. It had to be a youngster. An adult wouldn’t have worked. So, Melinda created herself.

What do you hope readers gain from your stories? 

Sheer entertainment. It’s why I write; to allow people a break from their own lives and place them in a story far removed from their own. I want everyone to simply enjoy a good story.

Tell us a bit about you. Where do you live, and how long have you been writing? 

I started writing when I was 14, but as you can see from my self-revelation above, I didn’t continue until I was an adult. But I did pick up that pen and paper again, obviously. I live in sunny Southern California, where it’s been hot and humid and I feel like I’ve been transplanted back to the east coast.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it? Does it help you with your writing?

Yes, I’m a paralegal by day. You would be amazed at some of the clients and their stories I’ve seen over the years. I’ve been known to take bits and pieces of the legal issues, fictionalize them, and insert them in my stories. I doubt that anyone could ever recognize them, however. Not even the client. They’re too fictionalized.

Do you have any pets? Are you cat person or a dog person? Or are you into totally different pets, like goldfish? What do you like best about your pet? 

My husband and I have a dog. Ziggy. He’s part long-haired Chihuahua and dachshund mix. Absolutely adorable! We rescued him from the shelter when he was two years old. He’s only about 2 ½ now. The best thing about Ziggy is his unconditional love he gives us. He’s truly excited when we come home. He actually smiles, with all of his teeth showing!

What are your hobbies away from the computer? 

I love to scrapbook. I take photos and preserve them for later years, using all of the latest embellishments and tools. It’s fun and creative.

What do you like best about your heroine in "The Other Side: Melinda's Story"?

Her persistence. Melinda James is bound and determined to live her life. She’s not about to let anyone, doctor or otherwise, to allow her to sway from her longing. She has her doubts along the way, but she is completely firm in her resolve.

How do you choose the names and physical characteristics of your characters? Do you base them on real people?

Not names, but characteristics. Remember above when I told you that I’ve gained some pretty interesting ideas from my day job? Well, some of those just might be particular characteristics I’ve seen displayed from people over the years. I’m snickering just thinking about some of them.

How can readers reach you or find you online? 

They can see more about me on my website: www.QueenWriter.com. They can reach me anytime by emailing me at sgardinier@queenwriter.com. My blog is qw-blog.blogspot.com. My twitter handle is @StarrGardinier. And of course, there’s my author facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AuthorStarr.

What’s your tagline? Why did you choose it? 

The tagline for this book is “If I told you the story, would you believe it?” I thought that was quite fitting and it just came to me. It’s a question Melinda James asks because over the years, no one believed her and she’s searching for someone who will. Could it be you?

Do you have an event coming up you’d like to tell us about?

Yes. October 3, 2015 between 10 am and 1 pm, along with 10 other others, I’m hosting a Facebook Launch Party. Each other will be giving away a free prize. I will be giving away an ebook of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story.” To join us and enter to win, go to:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1204016436282600/. It will be a lot of fun. All of us authors will be standing by to answer questions and respond to any comments. Please join us!

Tell us about your next (or current) release. 

“The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” is the first in the series and released on September 18, 2015. It’s a paranormal, as you may have guessed. The second in the series is “The Other Side: Trent’s Story” and that will hopefully be released early 2016. I’ll let everyone know when I get that release date. The third in the series: “The Other Side: Ben’s Story” is being written. Who is Trent? You’ll find that out in book one. Who is Ben? You’ll find that out in book two. Read on, my paranormal fans!

Author bio:

A paralegal by day, she’s an author by night. Apart from being an award winning author for her short story "Cut", Starr has appeared in a blaze and made her mark on the literary world with her Ivanovich Series. She has found her unique style and is known for her works' distinctive voice, making every character stand out.

She is the former executive editor of Suspense Magazine. She has been interviewed in the newspaper and on the radio with relation to her fiction work. She has been a co-host on Suspense Radio.

Starr is a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW) and of Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter and nationally. She has won three Best Speaker awards as well as Best Evaluator at the Voice Ambassadors chapter of Toastmasters. She has always been active in events. As co-chair and main coordinator for the West Coast Author Premiere, she arranged the weekend-long event to help authors from all over network, learn and share their work with the public. Reina has also been instrumental in compiling authors and planning a local author event at Barnes and Noble in Ventura, California along with the store’s event manager.

Blurb: "The Other Side: Melinda's Story":

Melinda's family is dead, killed for information that is hidden deep within her mind. Her father tries to warn her from the 'Other Side' that she is in danger from the killers who want what only she can give them. Committed to Skyview Haven, she must determine if the 'Other Side' truly exists or if it is a trick of her heart and mind.

With time running out Melinda must determine who she can trust. Is it the ghosts of her family, a boy who may not be who he appears to be, or the doctor who is determined to cure her? Can she figure out the truth before it is too late?

Buy Links:

Amazon   Kobo   Barnes and Noble   All Romance Ebooks   Bookstrand   The Wild Rose Press

See the book trailer for "The Other Side: Melinda's Story" on YouTube!

Recipe Tuesday with Andrea Downing!

Andrea Downing is here with a contribution to Recipe Tuesdays. Writers, if you've got a recipe you want to share like Andrea did here, send me a note at jana.richards@hotmail.com I'd love to have you!

IT’S NOTHING TO TRIFLE ABOUT: AN ENGLISH TRIFLE IN AMERICA

With English aristocrats and English gentry running cattle companies and settling colonies in the 1880s American West, one cannot envisage a group of people who ate any less graciously than they did back home.  Out on the Faringdon Ranch of my book, Loveland, there was a cook who would no doubt have brought her favourite recipes from the home country, and served them up to Oliver Calthorpe—brother of a Duke—and his niece, Lady Alexandra, my heroine.  And one dessert that most certainly would have graced their table would be a Trifle.  Cook might well have had a copy of ‘Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management,’ although, most likely, she would have adapted any recipes therein for the American groceries she was able to buy.  Soooo…here is the Faringdon Ranch cook’s recipe for an English Trifle.  I hope you enjoy it!

1 pint heavy cream

3 oz./ ½ cup superfine sugar

2 egg whites

small glass sweet sherry/madeira/dessert wine

1 pint Bird’s Custard from a packet OR homemade with 1 pt. heavy cream, 4 large egg yolks, 1 Tbs. super fine sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1 dessertspn cornstarch

6 small spongecakes or lady’s fingers or Nilla cookies

12 macaroons, pref. almond not coconut 

24 Ratafia biscuits OR 12 amaretti

2 oz. slivered almonds, toasted

grated rind of one lemon (optional)

raspberry jam of good quality

½ pint sweet wine or sherry

6 Tbs brandy or cognac

slivered almonds and candied peels or berries for decorating top

You should have a very pretty, medium-sized glass bowl for this dessert.  

For the whipped cream topping:  stiffly beat cream, sugar, egg whites  and sweet wine to stand in peaks.  A solid consistency is required.

If making custard, whisk yolks, vanilla, cornstarch and sugar and slowly add heated cream.  Return to saucepan and continue whisking until thick and slightly simmering.  Let cool.

Now assemble by putting lady’s fingers, macaroons and amaretti/ratafia in bottom of bowl and pouring the sweet wine mixed with the brandy over, making sure all are thoroughly soaked.  Spread a layer of jam on that, sprinkled with the lemon rind if using, and the slivered almonds.  Top this with the cooled custard and on top of that goes the whipped cream.  You can decorate with more slivered almonds, candied peels or berries to match the jam.

Many cooks add berries (fresh or frozen & defrosted) on top of the wine-soaked cakes, and that’s delicious, too.  Whatever your preference, this is a lovely dessert in any century.  Then again, they weren’t watching their cholesterol and counting calories in the 1800s…

Blurb for "Loveland":

When Lady Alexandra Calthorpe returns to the Loveland, Colorado, ranch owned by her father, the Duke, she has little idea of how the experience will alter her future. Headstrong and willful, Alex tries to overcome a disastrous marriage in England and be free of the strictures of Victorian society --and become independent of men. That is, until Jesse Makepeace saunters back into her life...

Hot-tempered and hot-blooded cowpuncher Jesse Makepeace can’t seem to accept that the child he once knew is now the ravishing yet determined woman before him. Fighting rustlers proves a whole lot easier than fighting Alex when he’s got to keep more than his temper under control.

Arguments abound as Alex pursues her career as an artist and Jesse faces the prejudice of the English social order. The question is, will Loveland live up to its name?

Excerpt:  

The light was failing and the birds were settling with their evening calls. Somewhere in the pasture a horse nickered. She sensed Jesse was there, watching, but she never turned as he stood at the fence. She heard him climb over and ease up behind her. He took the coiled rope from her in his left hand and slid his right hand over hers on the swing end, almost forcing her backward into his arms.

She thought of paintings and statues she had seen, imagining his naked arms now, how the muscles would form them into long oblique curves, how he probably had soft downy fair hair on his forearms, how his muscle would slightly bulge as he bent his arm. His voice was soft in her ear, and she could feel his breath on her neck like a whispered secret.

“Gentle-like, right to left, right to left to widen the noose, keep your eye on the post—are you watchin’ where we’re goin’?”

He made the throw and pulled in the rope to tighten the noose. Alex stood there, his hand still entwined with hers and, for a moment, she wished they could stand like that forever. Then she took her hand away and faced him. For a second he rested his chin on the top of her head, then straightened again and went to get the noose off the post while coiling in the rope. She looked up at him in the fading light and saw nothing but kindness in his face, simplicity and gentleness that was most inviting. A smile spread across her face as he handed her the coiled rope and sauntered away, turning once to look back at her before he opened the gate. Emptiness filled her like a poisoned vapor seeking every corner of her being, and she stood with the rope in her hand listening to the ring of his spurs as his footsteps retreated.  

Author Bio:   

Andrea Downing likes to say that when she decided to do a Masters Degree, she made the mistake of turning left out of New York, where she was born, instead of right to the west, and ended up in the UK. She eventually married there, raising a beautiful daughter and staying for longer than she cares to admit. Teaching, editing a poetry magazine, writing travel articles, and a short stint in Nigeria, as well as extensive travel throughout Europe, Africa and Latin America, filled those years.  She returned to NYC in 2008.  She now divides her time between the city and the shore, and often trades the canyons of New York for the wide open spaces of Wyoming. Family vacations are frequently out west and, to date, she and her daughter have been to over 25 ranches throughout the west. Loveland, her first book, was a finalist for Best American Historical at the 2013 RONE Awards and her three further novels and novellas have garnered several awards.

Links to social media: 

  

WEBSITE AND BLOG:  http://andreadowning.com

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

Twitter:  @andidowning  https://twitter.com/AndiDowning

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446229.Andrea_Downing

Linkedin:  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=124888740&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic 

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Downing/e/B008MQ0NXS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 

Buy Links for LOVELAND:  

For the eBook, Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Loveland-Andrea-Downing-ebook/dp/B014RUQ746/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1441679216&sr=1-1&keywords=loveland

For the print book, The Wild Rose Press:  http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=991&zenid=8056610c65a9d0f13b6883882eb494a6

Review snippets:

"Andrea Downing has crafted a masterpiece with Loveland. Her fast-paced romantic western keep readers wondering how the story can ever be resolved...Downing is a strong writer who has written a worthy premiere novel. She handles romantic scenes with flair while showing the nitty-gritty of ranch life in the 1880s. Loveland is packed with action and emotion, leaving the reader wanting more. Loveland is one of those books I hated to have end. A hands-down five-star novel."  Mary E. Trimble,  Captivating Stories from the American West to West Africa

"…Great storytelling! Even though the happy ending is a given, the journey was much more satisfying because of the snappy dialogue, the pivotal plotting, and the realistic progression of Alex and Jesse's emotional connection. I'm happy to give this book Five Stars!"

Lynda Coker, Between the Pages

"Andrea Downing does a very good job of depicting the hard life on a ranch in the late 1800´s as well as the struggles of a high-society woman to gain independence. I like the authors descriptive style and the pace throughout the book is very high, with one dramatic event after the other unfolding...The author does a good job in adding a lot of interesting historical detail and a fun group of supporting characters to give this classic romantic story more depth. I would recommend Loveland for lovers of romance and historical fiction enthusiasts."

--Daniella, The TBR Pile

Isla Grey on Amazing Stories Wednesdays!

Isla Grey is here today with a favorite scene from ASYLUM HARBOR for Amazing Stories Wednesdays. Take it away Isla!

Thank you Jana for letting me stop by today to share a favorite scene from my latest book, “Asylum Harbor”.  From time to time I get asked if certain places or people in my stories are real.  Usually, they’re a mix of different things.  This is the case in the scene where the heroine, Devon Brown, arrives at the boarding house where she’ll be staying on Shell Island.  From the moment she opens the door, she feels like she’s been swept back in time.

This scene was fun to write because the room is a combination of a bedrooms in my grandparents’ home.  Their house was built in 1885 and they very rarely changed the décor during their years there. While the metal frame bed and the radiator are gone, the rose printed linoleum still remains.  The armoire is with me now but I still have wonderful memories of spending summer nights with them. Even though there was no air conditioning!

Here's Isla's favorite scene:

“Oh my God,” Devon whispered when she glimpsed inside. The room was stuck in whatever century the house had been built in. She walked across the room, unable to divert her attention from the large pink roses imprinted on the floor’s linoleum and almost tripped on a tattered scatter rug in the middle of the room.

The rusty metal frame of the bed squeaked when she put her things on it. She sat on the edge, praying it was sturdy enough to hold her, and buried her head in her hands. If the situation wasn’t so ridiculous, she would have cried. She reached for the antique lamp on the bedside table and pulled the beaded copper chain that hung down. “Yes!” she cheered when the light came on. At least the place had electricity.

Devon examined the rest of the sparsely furnished room. She trailed her fingers across a vanity that wobbled under her touch and paused in front of a dusty armoire wedged in the corner. She flung the door open and coughed at the overwhelming scent of mothballs. At least there would be a place to hang her clothes once it aired out, since there wasn’t a closet in the room.

An overpainted radiator stood against a boarded-up fireplace, to be used for heat in the winter. Unfortunately, it was only late spring. The room was already stifling, and it wouldn’t bring relief in the sweltering heat of summer. Devon opened both of the room’s windows to let the breeze flow through and to air out the musty smell.


Publisher’s Info.

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Title:  Asylum Harbor
Series Name:  The Salty Dog Series, Book One
SubGenre(s):  Contemporary, Suspense
Rating:  Spicy (PG-13)
Page Count:  198
Word Count:  45,430
Buy link: Available from Amazon

Tagline

“Still Waters Run Deep”

Blurb

Trouble is the last thing Devon Brown needs when she leaves the painful memories of her past behind and heads to Shell Island. As the Salty Dog’s new bartender, she finds herself drawn to Kerr, the Shell Island harbormaster. But finding her happily-ever-after is difficult when dealing with an obnoxious bootlegger who supplies the bar with illegal liquor and a jealous coworker.

A standoffish loner with damaged emotions, Kerr avoids relationships like the plague. Things change when Devon catches his eye. As a simple flirtation grows serious, the coworker and bootlegger quickly become obstacles to any future Kerr and Devon may have together. As the situation worsens, Devon realizes that even the still waters of Asylum Harbor are no refuge during a storm.


Excerpt

“You already got dibs on this one Kerr?”

Porter shot an evil glare at the opposite end of the bar and looked back toward her. “I’ll see you tonight.” He flicked his tongue. “After work.” He raised his glass in a mock toast and chugged it in one gulp.

The lights dimmed for Victoria’s dance of the night. Devon watched Kerr, who was usually headed for the exit by now, and breathed a sigh of relief when he remained glued to his seat with his back to the stage. He wasn’t staying for Victoria’s peep show. There must have been something about this Porter character that got under his skin in a bad way.

Devon was eager for the quick break. She hustled to the back as the chords to “Simply Irresistible” began to pelt over the speakers and ran some cold water over her forearm. A red welt was beginning to show where Porter had held onto it. She hoped he would be gone by the time she got back.

Making it out before mid-song, Devon rounded the bar when someone snagged her wrist and thrust her hard against the bar, knocking the wind out of her. She could smell Porter’s alcohol-laced breath as his weight pinned her under him. One of his grubby hands shot under her shirt while the other wrestled with the button on her pants. “Let’s give them a real show.”

She struggled to reach the Equalizer, but it remained hidden, out of her grasp. Devon hoisted her knee toward his crotch, but Porter lost his balance and fell backward before she could make contact.

Kerr towered over him. “Get your hands off her.”

Author Bio

Isla Grey is from Central Virginia and still lives in the same small town she grew up in. She developed a love of writing at an early age and over the years has tried her hand at penning poetry (some good, some not so good), screenwriting, newspaper articles and historical stories. She’s “old school” when it comes to writing and is a hoarder of more pens, post-it notes and writing journals than she’ll ever need. Isla likes to write different types of stories from romance to mystery and anything in between and loves a “happy for now but there could be some bad things coming” feel.

When Isla’s not writing, she spends her time being called “Mom, Mama, Mommy” (well, you get the picture) by her daughter who is forever active, even in her sleep. She considers herself an unofficial “cat whisperer” and is a pet human to a plethora of cats that have taken up residence at her home over the years. Isla also enjoys reading a good biography or ghost story, traveling even though “there’s no place like home”, good music played loud and walking.

Isla loves movies and is the movie mistakes editor at Bellaonline.com where she talks about…well…movies.  Her novella, “A Voice in the Dark”, is available now and her book, “Asylum Harbor”, will be released September 16th, 2015 through Wild Rose Press.


You can connect with Isla at:

Website:  http://www.islagrey.com/
Blog:  http://www.islagrey.com/islas-inklings
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorIslaGrey
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/IslaGrey1
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/islagrey
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00MMTEYEK

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDfqmyddcQ4

Interview Friday with Karyn Good

My friend Karyn Good is here today for Interview Friday. EXPOSED, Book Two in her Aspen Lakes series, releases today from The Wild Rose Press! Let's find out a little more about Karyn:


What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

A sense of time well spent. A connection to the characters and the writing that will make them want to read more of my stories. I hope Kate’s struggles will inspire people to keep moving forward. That my fictional town of Aspen Lake and its characters entertained them. And most importantly, I hope that if they were looking for a couple of hours of escape they found it within the pages of my book.

Do you work on more than one book at a time? 

I try to! But I find it hard unless those books are in different stages. For instance, I can work on changes for my editor while working on the first draft of another story, promote an already published work, and jot down notes for a new project that is stewing. But I find it impossible to work on two first drafts at the same time. Likely because getting that first draft down is the hardest part of the process for me. 

I agree Karyn; I multitask, but I have to concentrate on one first draft at a time. What comes first for you – plot or character?

That’s an interesting question. If I think of the projects collecting in my head that are at their barest beginning, I would have to say character, but once in a while the plot comes first. Or sometimes it’s the setting, which was the case in a previous book OFF THE GRID, which is Book 1 of my Downtown Eastside series. I was very taken with the idea of setting a story in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, infamously known as Canada’s poorest urban postal code, and Sophie and Caleb were created with that setting in mind. 

Do you write in the same place every day or do you like to change it up?

I generally write in the same place, my office. I love my office. It’s my sanctuary and I’m very blessed to have a space I can call my own. There is a desk in the family room that I use on occasion. But I don’t write in coffee shops or restaurants or those types of places. I’ve tried, but I end up being distracted by the stuff happening around me. I think if I did feel the need to write away from home I’d go to the library. 

What genre is your favorite to read?

Romance is my absolute favorite genre to read. I love happy endings. Love, love, love them. When I need to escape the world for a little while that’s my go-to choice. But I’m also part of a book club and have been for 13+ years. So, I read all different kinds of books. But nothing settles my soul like a happy ending.

What are your hobbies away from the computer?

I love to take pictures. I like to feed people, but wouldn’t consider myself a foodie. And I love to walk. Which might explain why I enjoy golf.

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

Of the places I’ve been, I’d have to say Hawaii. It really is paradise. I wouldn’t mind giving London, England a try! But I would only consider those places part-time. I love where I live. I feel like the Canadian Prairies is the place I’m meant to be.

I have to agree with you, Karyn. I love Hawaii, and London is exciting, but I belong here on the prairies. What do you like best about your hero?

Seth Stone is this easy-going guy on the surface, but underneath he’s still trying to figure it all out. Who he is and where he fits. But probably one of my favorite things about Seth is the fact that as a young guy, he’s only 22 years old, he doesn’t have all the answers and he doesn’t pretend he does. 

What do you like best about your heroine?

Hands down it’s her attitude. And Kate Logan has plenty of it. She’s not always likeable, but hopefully she’s real. 

How do you choose the names and physical characteristics of your characters? Do you base them on real people?

Choosing names for characters is always interesting and I’m not particularly good at it. But I do find movie credits helpful and also sport team rosters. I also try to make them slightly symbolic in some way, if that makes sense. I generally have a sense of what they look like in my head and then I try and find a likeness. But with Seth Stone it was different, from day one he has always looked like Travis Fimmel to me. 

How can readers reach you or find you online?

Website and Blog: www.karygood.com/blog/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karyngood

Instagram: https://instagram.com/karyngoodauthor/

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

Tell us a little about your current work in progress.

My current work in progress is the third installment of my Aspen Lake series and it’s Grace Bighill and Constable Mike Davenport’s story. A body is found and an old cold case is reopened. Old rumors, enemies, and hurt feelings resurface and leave the town reeling. 

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

You can start with either BACKLASH or OFF THE GRID. Each one is the first in a series. EXPOSED follows BACKLASH and is the second book in my Aspen Lake series. OFF THE GRID is book one in my Downtown Eastside series. But really they are each stand-alone novels and can be read out of order.

Tell us about your current release.

Kate Logan is back home in her hometown of Aspen Lake working hard to rebuild her life and her reputation. A series of events have Kate worried about her safety and the future of the Gothic Revival Festival she is spearheading. She hires Seth Logan, who is new to town, to repair the damage to her boutique after a freak break-in. 

Seth agrees to help out Kate even though he’s pretty sure working for her is going to give him frostbite. He’ll risk it for the extra money he’ll earn. Money he needs to push his art career forward. He soon learns there is much more to Kate Logan than a pretty face. But helping her out is going to cost him. In fact, it’s going to cost them both.

BLURB:

Kate Logan needs a safe haven, a place to start over after her modeling career disintegrates in scandal. But her hometown of Aspen Lake isn’t the sanctuary she hoped. Her vow of a low-key life is disrupted by a break-in and other strange happenings at her boutique. As the chair of Aspen Lake’s Gothic Revival Festival, she’s also drawn the ire of a religious fanatic. Kate is up to her stilettos in drama and intrigue including one sexy carpenter who’s determined to get in her way.

New to town, Seth Stone is seeking inspiration and solitude to concentrate on his art. Short on funds, he agrees to take on a second job restoring the damage to Kate’s Closet. Trouble erupts along with the desire to get to know Kate better. When he’s used as a pawn in a smear campaign against his gorgeous boss Seth fights back. But now the whole town is watching. Including the man determined to further his own agenda. Time is running out with nowhere to hide.

EXCERPT:

Kate folded the piece of paper and stuffed it back into her pocket. She wasn’t going to ask Seth out on a date, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have things she needed to say to him. 

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” Even though it looked like it was the last thing he wanted.

“I’ll just find something to do somewhere else.” Grace flashed her a thumbs up and headed for the back of the shop.

When you screwed up, you admitted it. Or you were supposed to. She’d always had problems with the admitting it part. “About earlier? That thing with Matthew Parsons threw me off, and I took it out on you. I got pissy. I’m sorry.”

Seth went on wiping his hands with a rag. No eye contact. No great smile. Blank. “That guy is not going to back off.”

“I know.” Was the note burning a hole in her pocket? Did she smell smoke? Or was that the blaze of sexual attraction turning to ash. “I appreciate the fact you wanted to help. I do. But I can handle him. I just...need to do it my way.”

“Okay.” He shrugged a flannel-covered shoulder and finally, finally, looked her in the eye. “We’re good.”

She had her doubts and gave another try at sounding contrite. Or, at least, human. “I didn’t say it earlier and I should have. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He tipped his head in the direction of her front door. “Come on, let me know what you think.”

Message received, back to business. She ran a hand over the resurfaced wood, the brand new knob, and deadbolt. What could she say? It looked like her door. But she wanted forgiveness and a smile. “It looks great. I can’t tell a difference. You do amazing work. Really—you do. Fabulous.”

She tacked on a babbling “It’s perfect,” for good measure accompanied by a megawatt smile that hurt her cheeks.

It worked. Sort of. He maintained eye contact. But no flirty grin for her. No casual with an undercurrent of sexy.

She lost the smile, but the crazy she’d tossed around like confetti cluttered the air between them. “I’ll stop now.”

“Appreciate it. It’s just a door.” He stuffed his rag away and dug out a paper. “I gotta go. But I figured I’d give you this first.”

“Sure.” She nodded. “What is it?”

“An invoice for the work already done and a quote for the rest of it.”

“Right. Of course.” She made a show of unfolding the paper and studying it. It wasn’t unreasonable. In fact, it was probably on the low side. “Everything looks to be in order.”

“So, we’re good?”

“Yes.” The need to smooth things out overwhelmed her. “And thanks again. For agreeing to do the job.”

He left on a nod without a backward glance. It hurt. Which was ridiculous. She didn’t need the distraction of mutual attraction. The one-sided kind was bad enough. It took focus to get a business up and running, along with drive, dedication. No room for flirting, or...other messy, silly things.

She was his boss. It was her boutique. Her livelihood. She had the right to demand excellence. To give orders. She squared her shoulders. He liked the silent treatment? Fine. He was about to find out she was the queen of the cold shoulder.

About Karyn Good:

I grew up as a displaced city girl on a mixed cattle and grain farm in the midst of the Saskatchewan prairies. Among other things, I fed chickens, hilled potatoes, and developed a love of dill pickles. I've picked crab-apples, saskatoon berries, chokeberries, and battled grasshoppers.

Eventually, I graduated to a small prairie town and from there to a big prairie city, the word big being relative and somewhat exaggerated, with the relevant word being prairie. I thrive here in this vast open space with its sky, fields, sunshine, beaches, lakes...I could go on forever.

My high school yearbook makes mention of wishing to work in a bank, little did I know numbers and money managing gives me hives. So I married a numbers guy. We lost our minds and decided to become parents. Time passed and they morphed into teenagers. They remain one step ahead of us.


The whole time I read books. Lots and lots of books. Occasionally, I picked up a pen and paper or tapped out a few meagre pages of a story on a keyboard and dreamed of becoming a writer when I grew up. One day, after a rather significant birthday, the inevitable happened and I knew without question the time was right. What to write was never the issue. I'm a together forever type of girl with a love of alpha males and feisty females.

Karyn, thank you for being my guest today. I can't wait to read EXPOSED!

It's Snarktember - For no Rhyme or Reason!

Read my post at http://www.snarkymomreads.com/?p=11536 

It's that time again when Snarky Mom celebrates September (aka Snarktember) and invites us to come along for the ride. This Snarktember, every day's a holiday! We're marking every single possible commemorative day in September, most of which you've probably never heard of. For instance, did you know that today is National No Rhyme or Reason day? No? Neither did I, but you can read all about at my post at Snarky Mom's blog. I'm giving away a $5 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter. Just follow the directions on my post to enter. I'll be drawing the winner at the end of the month.

But the prizes don't stop there. There are grand prize draws for a Kindle, books and other swag. Just enter the Rafflecopter below to be eligible.

And make sure you visit all the other participating authors this month. Every day in September two authors will write about a different nifty and original National holiday or something-the-other. Each post will have a contest just like mine where you can enter to win neat prizes! So make sure you visit us every day in Snarktember at http://www.snarkymomreads.com!

And hey, don't forget my contemporary romance, ONE MORE SECOND CHANCE, (ebook version) is on sale for .99 cents until September 3, so get your copy now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway