Friday, March 26, 2021

OPEN DOOR TO LOVE: Coming Soon from Amber Cross

 Amber Cross joins me today to talk about her newest book, OPEN DOOR TO LOVE, which will be released May 17. This is book three in her Love in the Kingdom series which is set in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom area in the fictional town of Somerset. Amber is giving us a glimpse into her book's world with an interview of her characters, David and Jonnie. Welcome Amber!



A Conversation with David and Jonnie from OPEN DOOR TO LOVE

Question: What did you want to be when you grew up? If that isn’t the path your career took, what do you do now?

Jonnie: A businesswoman. I became a cosmetologist, then a municipal marketing specialist.

David: A private investigator. I became a chef and restaurateur, now a resort owner.

Q: What do you want most out of life?

Jonnie: I want a big family. My mother sent me away when I was a teen and I didn’t grow up with my siblings.

David: I want a big family. My mother left me with my grandparents when I was young and I didn’t grow up with my siblings.

Q: What was the first thing you thought when you first met David? When you first met Jonnie?

Jonnie: Nothing, really. I was involved with his friend and didn’t pay much attention to him.

David: What was my friend thinking when he hooked up with her? There was no he could handle that much color and energy.

Q: The two of you didn’t see one another for three years after that first meeting. What was your impression the next time you met?

Jonnie: The man is hot! Seriously, how did I miss that the first time?

David: Everything about her called to me, but she pretended we hadn’t met before. What was she up to?

Q: What do you like most about David? About Jonnie?

Jonnie: He is calm. Frustratingly unflappable, really, but exactly what I need.

David: She is dynamic, wide open, emotionally, and exactly what I need.

Q: What is your greatest fear about getting involved with David? With Jonnie?

Jonnie: That he will discover my past and turn away from me.

David: That she won’t trust me with her heart.

Thank you for speaking with me. I can't wait to read your story!


Blurb:

Jonnie Moulton's chance for a fresh start as Somerset's marketing consultant might be over before it begins unless she can convince David Wang she knows what she's doing and isn't the desperate woman he met three years ago. This confident new Jonnie makes David's blood sizzle. He plans to keep her close and not just because she's living in one of his resort cabins. He "gets" her like no one else. She excites him more every day. But is this simply passion, or have they found an open door to love?

Excerpt:

They couldn’t run in the morning. Much as he wanted to spend time with her, the temperature had risen so much over the last two days the trail wasn’t safe. A thick layer of mud covered still-frozen ground. One misplaced foot could result in an injury.

“Makes sense,” she said when he explained this at the gazebo, the disappointment in her tone gratifying.

“You can always use the gym.” He wanted her to. Wanted to know she worked out one floor below his bedroom.

“Hmm. Thank you. And I will,” she hurried to add, as if he might not believe her. “It’s just that I need an aerobic workout in the morning, and being outside gives me a rush nothing else can match.”

David looked out over the hill, at the lake shrouded in fog and the white steepled church in the distance. He didn’t trust himself to look at her because he wanted to give her a rush, and he was afraid she’d see that on his face. She might find him attractive, but she hadn’t given him a green light, and he didn’t want to scare her off.

“Maybe I’ll just take a walk around the common.”

Under control once more, he met her gaze. She would never be content with a gentle stroll or simply stretching her legs for a few minutes.

“How many times around?”

She grinned, and he couldn’t help smiling with her.

“A few.”


Author Bio:

Amber Cross was raised on a family farm in New England, one of a dozen siblings, each one inspiring her writing in some way. She still lives in that same small town with her husband and the youngest of their five children. She loves spending time in the woods, in the water, and watching people because every one of them has a unique and fascinating story to tell. 

Social Media Links:

Find Amber online at: https://www.amber-cross.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/ann.ruby.96

https://www.amazon.com/Amber-Cross/e/B07MB6BNXP/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

SEEING THINGS 40% Off! #MFRWhooks



Seeing Things

When psychic Leah McKenna “sees” the abduction of a small boy, she knows she must help find him, no matter the danger to herself. David Logan, the boy’s uncle, doesn’t believe in psychic phenomenon. He believes Leah knows who kidnapped his nephew, and plans to stick close to her to discover the truth. As they search for Jeremy they uncover truths about themselves and the way they feel about each other. Can Leah convince him her visions, and her love for him, are real before time runs out for all of them?

Buy Link: https://www.untreedreads.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=832


Excerpt:

David closed his eyes in anguish, barely stifling a groan. They'd been in such a hurry that he hadn't even told Jeremy he loved him that morning.

Leah stooped to retrieve a couple of plastic toys left abandoned on the floor. She stared at the bright red brontosaurus and the purple stegosaurus as if waiting to hear them speak. David straightened the unmade bed to give himself something to do, his hand brushing against a lump under the blanket. He pulled Jeremy's well-worn Teddy bear from its hiding place.

"This is one of his favorites," he said. "Jeremy calls him Mr. Cuddles. He's had him since he was a baby. He never goes to sleep without him. He'll be missing him..."

David's hands clenched into fists. Rage poured through him. What kind of monster takes a child away from his mother, from everything that's familiar to him? When he got his hands on the bastard who did this, he'd make him pay.

His gaze collided with Leah's. He sensed she read the chaotic thoughts that tumbled through his brain. Her warm brown eyes were full of compassion and understanding, and for a moment he almost forgot his belief that she had something to do with Jeremy's disappearance. David stepped toward her, wanting to bury his face in her honey-colored hair and hold her until the fear and worry abated.

What the hell was he doing? He stopped abruptly, appalled by the direction of his thoughts. How could he even consider such a thing when he was sure she was involved in his nephew's disappearance? Yet, she seemed so innocent, the look in her eyes sincere and caring. His thoughts whirled in confusion.


Thursday, March 18, 2021

#BacklistThursday - SEEING THINGS 40% Off!

 


Seeing Things

When psychic Leah McKenna “sees” the abduction of a small boy, she knows she must help find him, no matter the danger to herself. David Logan, the boy’s uncle, doesn’t believe in psychic phenomenon. He believes Leah knows who kidnapped his nephew, and plans to stick close to her to discover the truth. As they search for Jeremy they uncover truths about themselves and the way they feel about each other. Can Leah convince him her visions, and her love for him, are real before time runs out for all of them?

Buy Link: https://www.untreedreads.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=832


Excerpt:

David closed his eyes in anguish, barely stifling a groan. They'd been in such a hurry that he hadn't even told Jeremy he loved him that morning.

Leah stooped to retrieve a couple of plastic toys left abandoned on the floor. She stared at the bright red brontosaurus and the purple stegosaurus as if waiting to hear them speak. David straightened the unmade bed to give himself something to do, his hand brushing against a lump under the blanket. He pulled Jeremy's well-worn Teddy bear from its hiding place.

"This is one of his favorites," he said. "Jeremy calls him Mr. Cuddles. He's had him since he was a baby. He never goes to sleep without him. He'll be missing him..."

David's hands clenched into fists. Rage poured through him. What kind of monster takes a child away from his mother, from everything that's familiar to him? When he got his hands on the bastard who did this, he'd make him pay.

His gaze collided with Leah's. He sensed she read the chaotic thoughts that tumbled through his brain. Her warm brown eyes were full of compassion and understanding, and for a moment he almost forgot his belief that she had something to do with Jeremy's disappearance. David stepped toward her, wanting to bury his face in her honey-colored hair and hold her until the fear and worry abated.

What the hell was he doing? He stopped abruptly, appalled by the direction of his thoughts. How could he even consider such a thing when he was sure she was involved in his nephew's disappearance? Yet, she seemed so innocent, the look in her eyes sincere and caring. His thoughts whirled in confusion.


Tuesday, March 16, 2021

#NewRelease in The Bangers Tavern Series by Sadira Stone

Sadira Stone drops in to tells us about OPPOSITES IGNITE, the newest release in her Bangers Tavern series. Sometimes opposites are the hottest matches! OPPOSITES IGNITE released March 15, 2021. Thanks for being here, Sadira!


Blurb:

A mismatch sparks the hottest flames.

Blue-haired, buxom, and bodacious, server Rosie needs her job at Bangers Tavern, where her work family adores her weirdness and supports her hunt for a tattoo apprenticeship. When too much New Year’s bubbly tumbles her into a sweet, shy coworker’s bed, she craves more. But guys like Eddie never stick with girls like her. 

Strait-laced, soft-spoken, and skinny, barback Eddie has a huge crush on his curvy, tattooed coworker. Their New Year’s surprise is a dream come true—until grandma walks in on them.  Eddie begs Rosie to fake-date him to appease his old-fashioned family. He’s already keeping secrets, so what’s the harm in one more? But the longer he pretends with Rosie, the deeper he falls.

Their boss lays down the law: No relationship drama at work, or you’re fired. Rosie’s everything Eddie ever wanted—but to keep her, he’ll have to drop a terrifying truth bomb on his loving but stifling family. And Rosie must trust her bruised heart with the guy who nearly crushed it.

Come back to Bangers Tavern for a steamy, laugh-out-loud, opposites-attract romance that ignites in all the worst ways—and the best! 


Excerpt:

But why did Dawn hang mistletoe from the bar’s ceiling if she didn’t want people to kiss? Eddie would wait until the boss was in her office, then find some excuse to linger beneath that clump of green, his eyebrows flicking up in a flirtatious question. You wanna?

Damn it, she did wanna. His crooked smile was so tempting. And his lips were so soft, his kisses so sweet—unlike the slobbery mauling she got from most guys she dated. Desire simmered under his cool surface, making her want to dive deeper.

New Year’s Eve served up the perfect excuse. When the bar staff toasted the new year, it was so easy to land in Eddie’s arms. So easy to keep dancing as their coworkers filed out, leaving them alone beneath the kitschy disco ball, its dizzy sparkle whirling them around and around. 

And now he slept beside her, sunlight glinting off his wavy brown hair, glossy lashes fanned across his cheekbones, dark scruff shadowing his razor-sharp jaw. So pretty, so vulnerable, so one hundred percent wrong for her. Clean-cut guys like Eddie never stuck around with girls like her. God knows she’d bashed her head against that brick wall enough times to learn her lesson.

Breath held, she gingerly removed his hand from her breast and wriggled toward the edge of the bed. Eddie sighed and squirmed into the space she’d vacated, nuzzling her pillow. No, she corrected herself, his pillow. Gotta get out of here.

Rising on unsteady legs, she turned back for a final look. Sleep melted his solemn daytime expression into peaceful sweetness. His bare shoulders rose on a shiver. As she bent to tuck the quilt around him, her boob brushed his arm. 

“Huh?” His eyes fluttered open. His brow rumpled, then smoothed as a bleary smile spread across his pillow-creased face. “Good morning,” he croaked and pushed up on his elbow. His gaze sharpened as it raked over her naked body. “Wow.”

“Yeah. Wow.” She waved a limp hand over the bed. “Last night was, uh—really something.” She shuffled backward, stifling the impulse to cover her bits. After all, he’d seen every inch of her. He’d sampled it all, too. Twice, if she recalled correctly. The details were still kind of blurry, but she remembered lots of giggling, Eddie’s silky hair tickling her inner thighs, the slap of flesh on flesh, and a climax so powerful she nearly blacked out. 

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WLKB3S8

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/opposites-ignite-sadira-stone/1138878794?ean=2940162422211

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/opposites-ignite/id1554956375

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57191079-opposites-ignite

Universal book link: https://books2read.com/u/m0wjvP


Author Bio: 

Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance from her new home in Washington State, U.S.A. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, plays darts (pretty well), plays guitar (badly), and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com.

I’d love to hear from you! Please visit me on all the socials.

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SadiraStone

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/

Author newsletter: https://eepurl.com/dKLMP2

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

#MFRWauthor TO HEAL A HEART #onsale for #99cents!

On Sale!

TO HEAL A HEART is available for .99cents until March 12!

Here's what readers are saying about this emotional story:

"Anytime a story brings me to tears, I know it was a good one. This one not only brought tears, it made me feel the anguish of the two main characters, neither of whom feels worthy of the other."

"The author does a great job of mixing witty banter into an emotion-filled story line. The bond of family and friendship is heartwarming, and some scenes will bring a tear to the eyes."

"To Heal a Heart … is a lovely romance, a pleasure to read, with wonderful, relatable characters and an amazingly realistic and well written wounded hero…I loved the story, the setting and all the characters."


Garrett Saunders' world changed two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including him.

Blair Greyson moves to Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett's rescue horse and he'll help with repairs around her farm.

Garrett finds purpose working with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she's hiding a secret. Can she forgive herself and accept Garrett's love, or will she let guilt and regret continue to rule her life?

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

New Series and #NewRelease from Jennifer Wilck: A RECKLESS HEART

Today's guest is Jennifer Wilck, a fellow writer with The Wild Rose Press. Jennifer has a new series with The Wild Rose Press called Scarred Hearts and it begins with book 1, A RECKLESS HEART. The ebook releases on March 29, 2021 but you can pre-order it today. Welcome Jennifer!


Jana, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today! My latest book, A Reckless Heart, is a contemporary romance and is Book 1 in my Scarred Hearts Series. Here are five things you need to know:

1) I came up with the premise of the series in 2016. Four college buddies, scarred in some way, have found tremendous financial success in their careers. They use their vast wealth for good, supporting philanthropy projects that are close to their hearts. And then they meet the women who draw them out of their shells, challenge them and turn their worlds upside down. I wrote the first 5,000 words of A Reckless Heart while in Boston on a college tour with my oldest daughter—she’s now about to graduate college!

2) The heroine of A Reckless Heart is Meg, a former socialite with a secret past. Her past is actually based on a news report one of my writing buddies showed me, about a publicist to the stars who commits a crime. I can’t tell you anymore, because, SPOILERS!

3) The hero of A Reckless Heart is Simon. He’s a world renowned landscape architect, and I had a lot of fun researching the profession. They design college campuses, the landscaping around palaces, royal gardens, etc. And their work is stunning.

4) One of the things that helps Simon recover from his accident is a therapy garden. I also was able to do research into those, and they help with everything from fine motor skills, to the elderly, to cognitive therapy. It’s a fascinating topic.

5) The Scarred Hearts Series consists of four books. It’s a hero-centric series, meaning the heroes appear in all four stories, so you’ll catch a glimpse of each of them starting with Book One. And I had a lot of fun creating the perfect heroine for each of them. I hope you’ll join me in following their stories!


Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X429BMX/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-reckless-heart-jennifer-wilck/1138858163?ean=2940162335382

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-reckless-heart/id1554790505


Excerpt:

Simon took her arm and led her in the direction Jed pointed. The walkways were deserted, and Simon was in his element. She warmed as he talked about how much he admired the flowers and herbs, climbed on walls to get a different view of the plants, or crouched to see the stems, mulch, and rocks on the ground. His excitement was contagious, and although she didn’t know what half of the plants he named were, she admired their colors and textures. 

After a few moments, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dictated notes. When he put his phone away, Meg spoke. “These gardens are beautiful.” 

“Want to see what I planted when I was here?” 

His work was here? “I’d love to.” She hadn’t seen any of his finished projects, just his plans. She was eager to see what he’d done. He led her once again toward the pavilion. In one area, sweeping in an arc, were leafy plants and flowers. At first glance, they looked as if they’d landed there any old way, but as she studied them, a pattern and a purpose emerged. Varying shades of greens and golds merged with reds and oranges. 

She gasped. “They look like flames! They’re beautiful.” 

He smiled. “When they’re in full bloom in the summer, you can see the design more clearly.” 

He’d created this because of his accident. To think he’d intentionally planted to make a thing of beauty out of destruction...her chest swelled, and she blinked away unwanted moisture. She wrapped her arms around him. “Does it help you to look at it?” 

He shrugged. “Now, it matters less to me. Then? I needed to remove the image from my mind and this formation helped. Instead of seeing the fire that destroyed my family, I turned those visions into something that created life—flowers that stunned and soothed at the same time. Plus, the ability to do the work myself was therapeutic as well.” 

“You’re amazing.” She looked around, turning in a slow circle. “I don’t think I could ever do anything like this.” The car accident and flash bulbs flickered in her mind once again. What beauty could she possibly create from her experience? 

He massaged his hand. “Took way longer than it should.” 

“And probably involved a lot of cursing.” 

Simon huffed. “In the beginning, I made sure to only be here alone. Toward the end, Jed allowed a few select people to work here at the same time as me. But never children. Because, you know, language.”


Blurb:

Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she's found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.

Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he's lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he's not lonely. 

Simon's new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg's secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg's love? 


Author Links:

Website: https://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck


Bio:

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. When she’s not writing, she loves to laugh with her family and friends, is a pro at finding whatever her kids lost in plain sight, and spends way too much time closing doors that should never have been left open in the first place. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate. 

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Rue Allyn & WAIT FOR ME: Part of Storm & Shelter Anthology

Rue Allyn is part of a Regency anthology and shares a bit of her novella, WAIT FOR ME. The anthology is currently available for pre-order at a special price. Thanks for joining me today, Rue!


Rue Allyn’s newest novella, Wait for Me can be found in the Bluestocking Belles Collection, Storm & Shelter available for pre-order at a discounted price.

About Wait for Me: 

Enemies by nature—Esmeralda Crobbin, aka the pirate Irish Red, and Captain, Lord Brandon Gilroy have met before.

Fate trumps nature—When a fierce storm creates a chance encounter and forced proximity, Erstwhile pirate, Esmeralda discovers Captain Gilroy is more than a uniform stuffed with rules and regulations. Gilroy learns the pirate is a woman of serious honor and responsibility. Both love the sea with boundless passion, but can they love each other?

Excerpt: 

She landed with the expected splat but unexpectedly not in the mud. Whatever she'd tripped over had broken her fall and kept her breathing. The object was large, seemed to be covered in cloth, and as she pushed up into a seated position, she discovered it was rather lumpy. It also groaned. A very human sounding groan.

Good lord I've landed on a man. Well it might be another woman, but the size and shape of the body beneath her was more suited to a male. Aware of where she sat, she scrambled off, to lean over him, her knees sinking into the muck. 

She leaned closer and peered through the soggy light, feeling with her hands to locate his head and check for injuries. She found only a shallow bump on the back of his head. Thank heaven he lay on his back. The rain had kept his face clear of sludge, and beneath her palms his chest rose and fell. He was alive for now. But how long had he been here, and what caused him to be lying in the mud?

On that thought, his eyes opened. They were blue, though she couldn't see the exact color in the rainy dawn. They might have been gray.

He blinked rapidly. She fished in a pocket for her handkerchief. Damp as it was, it would clear his vision. She used the kerchief to wipe water from his eyes and face. She bent to place the cloth in her pocket, and when she returned her gaze to his, he glared at her. A very familiar glare. A glare that had haunted her for the past three years. Now I know fate is laughing at me. Before her lay the one man who hated her most in the world. The storm had placed him exactly where she would to trip over him then feel compelled to help him before she had any clue as to his identity. "By all that's holy, Lieutenant Gilroy."

"You! What are you doing here? Why am I lying in this muck with you atop me like a doxy? And my rank is now Captain."

Captain or not, she wasn't atop him, but accuracy seemed irrelevant at the moment. To put him in his place she stood. "I might ask the same of you. I found you lying here unconscious." He doesn't need to know I tripped over him. "I was checking for injuries just before you woke. Had I known it was you, I would have left you to drown in the flood. However, having gotten completely filthy attempting to aid a stranger, I might as well help you up." She held out a hand.

He lifted himself to a sitting position and looked at her hand.

As the rain began to patter again, his hesitation was completely unreasonable. "What's the matter? My hand is no dirtier than your own." She noted his lack of uniform. "You are or were a naval officer and cannot possibly be so fastidious that a bit of mud would deter you from accepting assistance."


Title: Storm & Shelter

Genre: Regency Anthology

Authors: Grace Burrowes, Mary Lancaster, Jude Knight, Sherry Ewing, Rue Allyn, Alina K Field, Cerise Deland, Caroline Warfield

Words: circa 200,000

Pages: 668

Release Date: April 13, 2021

ISBN:

9781733245029 (print)

9781393235842 (epub)


Blurb: 

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.


Buy Links: 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3kgRmLG

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3lZYHja

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3o0z977

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/b5k2pO


About Rue Allyn: 

Author of historical and contemporary romances Rue Allyn is insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler. She loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. Contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can't wait to hear from you. Keep up with Rue Allyn by subscribing to her newsletter and get a free download of one of Rue's books.


Find Rue Allyn On-Line:

Website~~https://RueAllyn.com

Facebook~~https://www.facebook.com/groups/RueAllynCrew/

Twitter~~https://twitter.com/RueAllyn

Amazon~~https://www.amazon.com/Rue-Allyn/e/B00AUBF3NI/

Goodreads~~https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5031290.Rue_Allyn

Pinterest~~https://www.pinterest.com/RueAllyn/