Category Archives: Authors

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Author Spotlight, Authors, Book Tour, Current Release, Guest Blog, Recipes

Interested in a Spanish Diversion anyone?

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My guest today is Elyzabeth M. VaLey. She has a sexy new release, and she’s sharing a recipe.  I do love new recipes.  But first, I have to get past the picture.  *sigh*  

Greetings everyone!

I’m here to talk about my recent release Spanish Diversion.

Elyzabeth M. VaLey

Elyzabeth M. VaLey

Here is the blurb:

Ever since his last boyfriend labeled him as predictable and boring, Shane has gone out of his way to demonstrate that he’s not. He’s moved to Spain, taken a job as an English teacher and decided that partying all night long is going to be his thing. Fun first is his new motto, regardless of what his heart has to say about it after meeting Alejandro. 

 After leaving his bed without even a goodbye, Alejandro thought he’d never see the sexy American again, so when he reappears in his life he can hardly believe his luck. With a chemistry between them that is off the charts, he wants something more than just a night of passion. 

 Shane insists he just wants to party but Alejandro is determined to make him see that, together, they can have much more than just fun.

As you can see, it takes place in Spain. I didn’t know what to talk about in this post, but Anne suggested in her email a recipe. I love food, so why not? The problem was picking a recipe. Spain has a lot of yummy things to eat… the classic tortilla, chorizo,  patatas bravas, jamón Serrano, huevos rellenos, cocido… and some delicious typical drinks too: Sangria, calimocho, tinto de verano…

My dilemma was fortunately solved when a friend suggested I share the recipe for Gazpacho. It’s a typical tomato based soup, served cold and best eaten during the summer.

There are a lot of different recipes around, but this one has worked okay for me in the past (and it’s quite easy too).

Here goes.

Serves 2

  • 6 ripe tomatoes
  • ½ cucumber
  • A piece of green pepper
  • 1 garlic head
  • 2 slices of white bread
  • 3 spoonfuls of oil (preferably virgin oil)
  • 1 spoonful of vinegar
  • Salt
  1. Remove the crust from the bread slices, cut into stripes and then into cubes. Place in a sauce pan or pitcher
  2. Clean the tomatoes and remove the stem. Cut them up however you wish and add them to the pitcher with the bread.
  3. Peel the cucumber, the garlic and the pepper. Cut them up and put them into the pitcher.
  4. Throw in ½ a liter of water, the oil and the vinegar. Add the amount of salt you deem necessary and carefully mash with an electric mixer until you have an homogenous cream.
  5. Pass it through a sifter to get rid of any chunks and put it in the fridge for at least an hour.

Eat up while enjoying a sexy summer read like Spanish Diversion *wink*

Buy Links

Evernight Publishing

Amazon.com

Amazon. uk

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Author Bio

Defined as weird since she was about eight, Elyzabeth honors the title by making up songs about her chores, doodling stars and flowers on any blank sheet of paper and talking to her dog whenever he feigns interest.

Losing the battle to the voices in her head is her favorite pastime after annoying her younger sister with her singing. Writing stories full of passion and emotion where love conquers all is her happy pill and she’ll forgo sleep to make her readers live the dream.

Connect with Elyzabeth

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Blog: www.inadreambeyond.blogspot.com

Website: www.elyzabethmvaley.weebly.com

Gracias por compartir! Elyzabeth

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Author Spotlight, Authors, Current Release, Random, Recipes

Men in Kilts & Cranberry-Walnut Zucchini Bread

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Today I have a wonderful treat…literally! Cranberry-Walnut Zucchini Bread by Dawn Marie Hamilton author of Just Beyond the Garden Gate, a Highland Gardens Novel.  Welcome!

Enjoying food with friends is an integral social activity in our culture. We buy cookbooks featuring mouth-watering photos and tantalizing recipes by the zillions. I have a shelf full of them, along with a few coffee table volumes that can make a foodie’s taste buds weep.

So it’s no surprise food is an important element in many romance novels, providing an insight into the characters and/or the setting. There are even foodie romance novels with recipes included.

My Scottish historical time travel, ‘Just Beyond the Garden Gate’, begins in the fictitious town of Anderson Creek in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The heroine is staying at the Whispering Pines Inn, a bed and breakfast owned by an older Scottish couple. The B&B serves breakfast and dinner. In town, there is a French café and a vegetarian café.

One of the items that might be found on the B&B’s breakfast menu during the summer is Cranberry-Walnut Zucchini Bread and here is the recipe.

Note: using a food processor to grate the zucchini makes prep a snap. 

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 cups zucchini, grated
  • 1 and 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1 and 1/2 cups white flour
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  1. Combine oil and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in vanilla and zucchini.
  1. In another bowl, sift together the flours, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture until moistened.
  1. Then fold in walnuts and cranberries.
  1. Spoon batter into two, oiled, 5 by 9 inch loaf pans and bake for sixty minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. The outside should be golden.

At the inn, the cranberry-walnut zucchini bread is served with yogurt cheese, which is easy to make.

  1. Set a colander into a slightly larger bowl.
  2. Line the colander with a length of cheesecloth.
  3. Pour the yogurt onto the cloth and cover with same.
  4. Place a small plate over top, set in refrigerator and let the yogurt drain until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Usually 24 hours. Use as you would cream cheese.

‘Just Beyond the Garden Gate’, a Highland Gardens Novel

The Scottish Highlands—a place where faeries and brownies and other fae creatures dance through time. On occasion, so do mere mortals.

GG Cover200by300Determined to regain her royal status, a banished faerie princess accepts a challenge from the High-Queen of the Fae to unite an unlikely couple while the clan brownie attempts to thwart her.

Passion ignites when a faerie-shove propels burned-out business consultant Laurie Bernard through the garden gate, back through time, and into the embrace of Patrick MacLachlan. The arrogant clan chief doesn’t know what to make of the lass in his arms, especially when he recognizes the brooch she wears as the one his stepmother wore when she and his father disappeared.

With the fae interfering at every opportunity, the couple must learn to trust one another while they battle an enemy clan, expose a traitor within their midst and discover the true fate of the missing parents. Can they learn the most important truth—love transcends time?

Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1509 with Just Beyond the Garden Gate.

Purchase Just Beyond the Garden Gate

Kindle | Nook

Excerpt:

After visiting two more garden centers, Laurie slid behind the wheel and sighed. The morning had been long and judging by the height of the sun, the afternoon was slipping by. She glanced sideways at Caitrina. “You are tireless, but I’m hungry. Could we stop for a bite to eat?”

“We probably should return to the cottage. We don’t want the plants to dry out in the car. We can stop at the vegetarian restaurant in the village for a sandwich and soup to go. Teddy makes fabulous tomato, roasted-garlic soup.”

Laurie’s stomach growled. “You’re making my mouth water. Let’s hurry.”

The Baked Potato was a storefront vegetarian café located next door to the Celtic Image shop on the main drag of Anderson Creek. Tantalizing aromas greeted them when they stepped into the crowded restaurant. Several customers waited in line at the counter in front of them.

One stood out among the others, not only due to his substantial height, but also for his mode of dress. His handsome six-foot-seven body was clothed in a cream fisherman’s sweater, a red plaid kilt, and around his waist hung a fur sporran with a badger head.

He strode to them and gave Caitrina a cursory glance before smiling at Laurie. “Hello. You must be our new resident. Iain says nice things about you.”

Laurie expected Caitrina to introduce them. When she glanced at her friend, she found her glaring at the guy.

“Douglas MacKinnon,” Caitrina snapped. “Rude as usual.”

His eyes turned cold. “Love, where were you last night? You were supposed to meet me.”

“You assume much. I never agreed to meet you.” Caitrina grabbed Laurie by the arm and pulled her past Douglas to the counter. He chuckled from behind her as she ordered sandwiches and soup from Teddy.

Douglas leaned close to Caitrina, and she stiffened.

“Ach, lass. Why do you fight it? You know we are meant to be together.” Although he whispered the words near Caitrina’s ear, Laurie overheard.

He stepped back and raised his chin. “Talk about rude, Caitrina. Wouldn’t it be polite for you to introduce me to your friend?”

Visibly bristling, she turned to Laurie. “This horny toad owns the Celtic shop next door. Douglas, meet Laurie.”

“Nice to meet you.” Laurie shook his hand.

“My pleasure. As I said before this minx interrupted, Iain speaks highly of you.”

Laurie couldn’t help but notice the yearning in his tawny eyes when he gazed at Caitrina and felt a twinge of longing. Would be nice to have someone look at her that way.

The image of the man in the woods popped into her mind for the umpteenth time. What would it be like to have him desire her the way Douglas obviously wanted Caitrina?

About Dawn Marie:

Dawn Head Shot SmallDawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. She is a member of The Golden Network, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Celtic Hearts, and From the Heart chapters of RWA. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or paddling the local creeks with her husband.

Connect with Dawn Marie:

Blog | Website | Facebook  | Twitter

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Cover Reveal
Author Spotlight, Authors, Cover Reveal, Video

Cover Reveal – Milly Taiden’s Wolf Fever

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Coming June 21st

MT_Wolf fever_600x900

Blurb

When Raine Bowe volunteers for a sleep study for the extra cash, she didn’t expect to wake in a lab or to be victimized by a mad scientist. She escapes with one objective–to find someone strong enough to wage war with the evil growing inside her.

Ryder Storm is a man with a reputation–the bad boy of his own universe. He doesn’t take prisoners, won’t give into a sweet smile, and doesn’t cut his pack an inch of slack. He knows the desperate woman in his bar is his the moment he lays eyes on her. He’ll give her anything she wants, except the one thing she’s begging for. Death.

Raine enlists Ryder’s help to unravel the mystery surrounding the hours she lost in the lab and to help tame the beast inside her. In their search for answers, the road will lead them to a twisted experiment involving shifters, humans, and the creation of the ultimate Alpha. He’s ready for the adventure and she’s ready for her answers. Neither are ready for the lust that calls down from the mating moon. But a wolf knows its mate, and an alpha will not stop until he or she gets what they want.

Meet the Characters

characterbio RBcharacterbio RS

Author Bio:

MillyBioWant to know about me? Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

 

Contact Milly

Website: 
http://www.millytaiden.com

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

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

Books:

As Milly Taiden

Wolf Protector – Federal Paranormal Unit – Book 1

Wynter’s Captive

Halloween Heat III – Mate Event

Fate’s Wish

Sharp Change – Black Meadow – Book 1

Caged Heat – Black Meadow – Book 2

 Coming Soon

Wolf Fever

Scent of a Mate

As April Angel

A Hero’s Pride

Party Crasher

Wicked Valentine – Sizzling Encounters – Book 2

Stranded Temptation

Mr. Buff – Sizzling Encounters – Book 1

Coming Soon

Lucky Break – Sizzling Encounters – Book 3

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Spotlight3
Author Spotlight, Authors, Current Release

Dark Studies, by C.P. Foster

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I am very pleased to have C.P. Foster visiting me today with her latest Urban Fantasy release.

Dark  Studies Arcaneology: Book One

 

Professional victim. Escaped slave. Grad student. Angie Clark is  all three.

DarkStudes_ByCPFoster-453x680Angie Clark began life as Sarah Miller, an innocent girl deceived  and enslaved by vampires. Her escape from torture and captivity set off a  political firestorm among the vampires of North America, and in order to survive  she took on a new identity. Now Angie leads a double life. By day she is a grad  student obsessed with arcaneology—the study of supernatural species. At night,  she is Angeline Devereaux, a woman who specializes in fulfilling vampires’  fantasies. She has everything under control until Steffen Scott, Lord of the  Puget Sound vampire Province, makes an unusual request: he wants to fall in  love.

It’s the ultimate challenge, and Angie can’t resist. But Steffen  turns out to be the least of her worries when Angie puts her life on the line to  prevent a war between humans and vampires. Fantasy and reality become blurred  when she turns to Steffen for comfort and discovers that while he was falling in  love with her, she was developing feelings of her own. Now she must decide how  to deal with emotions she fears even more than death.

Buy Dark  Studies 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble |  All Romance Ebooks

Learn more about C. P. Foster:
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Misc. Love Picture
Authors, Blog Hops, Events

Bad Boys of Romance BlogHop

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It’s the Bad Boys of Romance Blog Hop! 

June 7 to 17th. 

Wow, this is a long one and

there’s a whole lot of chances to WIN!

Bad Boys of Romance

Oh you know you love them. Those “bad boys” of romance. And now we’re celebrating them and all their naughty deliciousness.  :)

Who are some of my favorites?  Well there are so many, but let’s see…

First we have the wild boys..

Wild Card
Then what about the dangerous boys…
Dangerous Games
And how about those hot boys…
Hot Zone
And gosh, don’t forget about those fabulous sinners…
Rock Hard
But I think, my personal favorites, are the nauti boys
Nauti Boy

And while you’re here, I hope you’ll take a moment to check out my bad boy, Tanner from Worth the Risk.  Well, he’ s not really bad, he’s actually very, very good!

So, now a question for you.

Which “bad boy” revs your motor? Is he a hero? Villain? A secondary character?

 I’m giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card.

 All you need to do is tell me who’s your favorite bad boy.

Leave me a comment (and don’t forget your email)

 

But wait, there’s more…

This “Bad Boys” of Romance Giveaway Hop” hosted by herding cats & burning soup, Rantings of a Reading Addict and author Blue Remy! and they have a GRAND PRIZE!   To enter, click on the rafflecopter link below.

Grand Prize Rafflecopter

But wait, there’s more…

Don’t forget to check out the other Blogs for LOTS of chances to win gift cards, swag, books -a all kinds of things!

 

Have fun!  And I hope you find your bad boy for the summer :)

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Harlie's signature banner
Authors, Guest Blog, Random

It’s time for a break…

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NEWS from Harlie

Harlie has an announcement to make and I hope that you will understand where I’m coming from and celebrate with me.

As some of you know, I am a published author.  My debut short was published on December 26, 2012 with MuseItUp Publishing.  Since then, I’ve been working on three different MS or should I say, they are sitting on my computer waiting to be worked on.  And there lies the problem.  When my debut published, Harlie’s Books exploded, in a good way.  I had more work than I could handle. :)

I had decided that May was going to be my personal NANO month and well…that didn’t work out at all.  Baseball season started, in-laws visited and just plain, getting ready for the end of the school year.  I’m exhausted, cranky and I needed a break.

See, as soon as The Couple was released, I should have been writing the next book, but found myself too busy on Harlie’s Books to do so.  In some ways, I really felt like a failure.  Since my debut was short (20 pages), it didn’t do very well.  I found out that most people don’t read short stories and don’t take the time to read them for what they are worth. L   I had authors tell me that you are only as good as your next book.  Don’t worry about your debut, write the next one.  Well, that was easier said than done.  I still had a blog to maintain, books to read and a life, too.

Can you guess what I’m talking about?  Harlie is taking a break from reviewing for a while.  I had an epiphany a week ago and really figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. And I want to write.  Plain and simple.  Yes, I’m walking away from my review site for a time.  It’s the only way that I can get any writing done and with summer fast approaching, and time is limited on how much I can devote to the site.  Its time-consuming and I figured out that with the amount of time that I have devoted to the blog, I could have written two books; one of them being published already and working on edits for another one.  That pissed me off.

So now I have restructured my schedule and am working on revving up my creativity.  New books, here I come!  Honestly, I don’t see how my fellow reviewers that have been published do it.  Some of them have had two books released since mine in December.  I shouldn’t compare myself to them, but in some ways I do.  I should have been right there with them but instead…

I look forward to the summer even if I haven’t figured out what we are going to do but at least, I’m not in the carpool line until August.  Go me!

Now I just pray that my CP doesn’t hate me because I’ve been non-com for a while.  I still love you and always will.  *kisses*


http://www.harliewilliams.com/

Harlie's signature banner

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Author Spotlight, Authors, Cover Reveal, Current Release

New Release by Jennifer James – Marked

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I have Jennifer James here today promoting her latest release!  Welcome Jennifer :)

I have a bad habit of creating series. I love to read them, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I keep writing them. *grin* Last week I released my very first Indie title, a short story set in a universe called HOWL. This universe will be in the spirit of Felicity Heaton’s Vampire Realms, with lots of different characters, book lengths, and storylines. I hope you’ll enjoy my take on werewolf soul mates in this first installment, MARKED.

Blurb:

JJ_MarkedFive years ago she ran. . .

Kayla is back where she belongs: in Jack’s arms. But after the initial explosion of pent up longing and need have passed, she has to convince him to complete the bond between them.

Ingrained fears sent her running, but the need for her mate and the love she’s denied has brought her back. To be Marked will join their souls together forever, a bond Kayla can no longer live without.

An Alpha wolf, Jack waited for Kayla to return to him and protected her from afar. When he senses her outside his home, he isn’t beyond setting a trap meant to entice her back.

Once he has her, he has to show her it isn’t just her heart he needs.

He needs her trust and with it, her submission.

Meet the Characters!

Kayla Character Profile

Jack Character Profile

To celebrate the release of MARKED, I’m running a Rafflecopter through May 31. In it, there’s a chance to win a gorgeous book thong I created! I also have two Jennifer James swag packs up for grabs. But don’t worry, if the Rafflecopter doesn’t smile on you, I’m hosting a Facebook party May 31. There will be ebooks, awesome swag, and lots of games.

MARKED book thongEnter the Rafflecopter here!  

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords 

Author Bio:

Jennifer James lives in a fantasy land where it’s always 75 degrees and sunny, a river made of non-fat chocolate runs past her house, and dogs don’t poop. (She hates cleaning up dog pooh.) A mutli-published author of erotica and erotic romance, she loves to write stories with heat, heart, and happily ever afters.

Find me on the web! 

Website: | FaceBook: | GoodReads: | Twitter: | Instagram

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Guest
Author Spotlight, Authors, Current Release, Guest Blog, Interviews, Meet the Character(s)

Meet Peyton Allers of the Allers Clan

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I am so excited to welcome back Denise Golinowski .  A few weeks back Denise visited and brought KT along with her.  I had so much fun that I begged her to come back and bring Peyton with her the next time.  Well, here they are!

(Denise)  Hi Anne! Thank you for having me and Peyton on your blog. After seeing KT’s interview with you, he demanded, um, asked that I try to give him equal time. So, let me introduce you. Anne, this is Peyton Allers, Alpha of the Allers Clan, and the co-protagonist in my new novella, COLLECTOR’S ITEM. Peyton, this is Anne Lange, author of a hot new novella, WORTH THE RISK and our hostess du jour.

(Anne) It’s a pleasure to meet you Peyton.

So, let’s get started, shall we? Again, let me set the stage. In COLLECTOR’S ITEM:

CollectorsItem_7523_300

To find her missing aunt, a headstrong shapeshifter joins forces with a cynical Alpha to investigate an illegal hunt club, but when their plan backfires can she escape a trap of her own making?

 

(Denise) Peyton, could you give us a little about how you came to be involved in Collector’s Item?

(Peyton) Bad luck? No, honestly, it was sheer luck. I was investigating the Collectors’ involvement in the death of a dear friend, Lance Thompson. The Feds and the Alliance had given up but I wasn’t about to let it go. Lance’s death was brutal and I wasn’t about to let the people responsible get away scot-free. So, I took a leave of absence from the Alliance and went undercover to infiltrate the Collectors organization. They recruit the occasional disenfranchised shapeshifter to help with collecting. Shapeshifters are strong, even with tranks. By a strange stroke of chance, my Collectors team was assigned to collect KT.

(Denise) Talk about luck.

(Peyton) Yeah, though at the time, I was pissed. I knew that I couldn’t let the Collectors get a hold of Anton Marant’s daughter, so my usual “chip and tip” routine wouldn’t work.

(Denise) “Chip and tip?”

(Peyton shrugs) Sub-dermal tracking chip. I’d inject it into the collected shapeshifter before delivery and then the Alliance followed it to take down the Collector involved.

(Denise) And you expected to have to blow your cover to get KT to safety. However, she turned the tables on you, didn’t she?

(Peyton shakes his head) Who would have thought a high-blood princess would put her own life on the line like that? Sure, Alphas are trained to care for their clan, but to actually risk being collected was nuts. But crazy enough that it might work. Besides she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

(Denise nods) Yep, that’s KT. So, it wasn’t love at first sight?

(Peyton bursts into laughter) No. Definitely not love at first sight. (he calms down and looks at Denise & Anne) KT Marant is the most pig-headed, impulsive, argumentative, beautiful, and sexy woman I know.

(Anne) Hmm… I thought I had a chance there myself for a moment.  *sigh*

(Denise chuckles) And speaking of sex…did you have a rebuttal to KT’s description of your relationship?

(One corner of Peyton’s mouth twists in a smile)  A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, but we all know I’m no gentleman. 

(Anne *swoons* )

However, discretion, and KT’s threatened reaction, dictates that I keep it clean. (he leans forward and so does Anne) She’ll kill me for telling you, but the first time she faced off with me, she reminded me of an enraged kitten, all rain-tangled curls and big eyes. (he laughs again) And claws. When she ambushed me in the hospital, I was shocked, but, whoa. That girl tastes as good as she looks and she fits in my arms as if she were built to be there. We connect in all the right places, if you know what I mean.

(Denise snaps open her fan, waves it in front of her face.)

(Anne) Can I borrow that?

Okay, now you’ve done it! I should have known you’d try to top KT. Well, I think that’s all I can take for today, Peyton. Must leave something for the readers to discover on their own. Thank you again, Anne, for giving Peyton equal time here on your blog. It’s been fun, and we wish you the best of luck with WORTH THE RISK.

(Anne) Thank you so much, Denise for stopping buy. I love having you and your friends visit.  You are welcome any time. Truly, I mean that.  And, Peyton, I so enjoyed meeting you.  (Anne leans in close to Peyton) Psst…And, you know … if you ever get tired of KT…

 

About Denise Golinowski:

MyPicDenise Golinowski has always been a writer. A hopeful romantic, she gravitated to fantasy and romance. COLLECTOR’S ITEM, published January, 2013, is her second enovella with The Wild Rose Press. Her first enovella, THE FESTIVAL OF THE FLOWERS: THE COURTESAN AND THE SCHOLAR was published by The Wild Rose Press in September, 2010. Denise lives with her uber-supportive husband and one devoted lap-kitty. She is currently working on more contemporary paranormal and fantasy stories. You can find her on facebook at Denise Golinowski/Author.

Contact: Website | Facebook

Buy:  Collector’s Item

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Spotlight3
Author Spotlight, Authors, Current Release, Interviews

Can Christina Soothe Bull’s Inner Bear?

2 Comments

I’d like to welcome Jane Wakely today.  Jane writes paranormal (and some contemporary) romance. Her current release is Christina’s Bear (A paranormal/shifter romance.)  Welcome Jane! 

So, what drew you to this particular genre, Jane?

I love paranormal romance, and shifters are my fave! I read all genres of romance, but paranormal is my first choice when I’m looking for something new to read. It’s not surprising that most of the ideas that pop in my head have some sort of paranormal element to them! :)

(Anne)  I love shifters too.  Wolves and jungle cats are my favorite.

Have you ever considered attempting another genre?  And if so which one?

I’ve written a few contemporary romances as well. For some strange reason, sometimes the characters don’t want to be “magical!” (Weird, I know! LOL) Fantasy romance is another genre I’m interested in writing! 

What do you do when you’re not writing? How do you relax?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading! I also enjoy watching movies with TG! :)

(Anne) Sounds a lot like me, Jane.  I’ve always got a book on the go!

Okay, if you could be any character in any one of your stories or somebody else’s – who would it be and why?

I’d like to be Christina (from CHRISTINA’S BEAR) because I’d really like to meet Bull! ;)

Tell us, what’s next for you in terms of writing?

I’m working on Book 6 in the Chestnut Rock Shifters Series and when I’m done, I’ll move on to book seven. (CHRISTINA’S BEAR is Book 2!)

(Anne) Ooh, so we have a nice long series to look forward to!   

What is your favorite part of this particular story, and why? (Hopefully you can tell us without giving anything away J )

My fave part of this story is the Epilogue! All I can tell you is I love a happy ending! :)

(Anne) Me too!

And now for a peek at Christina’s Bear.

Christina's Bear CoverBlurb: 

Christina Mills’ loud, bubbly personality gains her numerous friends and dating opportunities. Unfortunately, being labeled a “party girl” and dating a lot can give people the wrong impression. When Christina’s dates learn the truth about her, they soon move on.

James “Bull” Johnson is a restless bear shifter ready to settle down. At the urging of his friend, he relocates to the mid-sized town of Chestnut Rock. Bull hopes the nearby forest and being near his best friend will help soothe his bear and cure some of his loneliness.

When Bull and Christina meet, he recognizes her as his mate. However, their first two encounters leave Bull thinking Christina is afraid of him and Christina is confused by her feelings toward the stranger. Both Bull and Christina have secrets and insecurities that keep them guarded, but if they can trust one another, they’ll discover they’re made for each other.

Would you care to share an excerpt with us? 

Excerpt:

James “Bull” Johnson sniffed outside the cave before lumbering inside and shifting back into his human form. Because he was new to the area, he had taken a long hike through the woods, checking for danger and hiding places in case he needed them.

Matt had told him that the town of Chestnut Rock, and the connecting forest, would sooth his restless bear, but he honestly hadn’t known what to think. With nothing to lose and very few belongings, he’d packed up his tiny apartment and moved to the mid-sized town.

Matt and Bull had met in college and when they quickly recognized the other as a shifter, they’d formed an unbreakable bond. After college, they each went their own way, traveling and exploring the country. They’d met up once or twice a year until Matt put down roots in Chestnut Rock. Bull had continued to look until he decided he didn’t want to look anymore. He was tired and he wanted a permanent place to call home. Matt constantly raved about his home and convinced Bull to make it his home, too.

Bull pulled his shirt, jeans and flip-flops out of the crevice in the cave wall where he’d stored them earlier. Being a bear shifter meant he needed to take precautions when he allowed himself to shift. If a wolf, bunny or deer was spotted near the hotel, most likely not much would happen. The wolf would be mistaken for a dog and the bunny and deer would charm people with their cuteness. A bear, however, brought a much different reaction—usually involving screaming and the loading of shotgun barrels.

Over time he’d learned to take safeguards against those types of situations.

Author BIO

Jane has always been a writer. Even when she took a break from it for a few years, she couldn’t keep the stories from filling her head. As an avid romance reader, she finally decided her stories needed to be free, and she started writing again.

Reading and liking all genres of romance; it makes sense that she would write that way too. Her stories range from sweet to erotic, contemporary to paranormal, and a bunch in-between. She loves all romance genres, and all levels of spice.

Jane lives on the east coast of the United States with her loving husband, daughter and their Miniature Dachshund.

Thanks, Jane, for visiting today.  I look forward to reading your book.  If you’d like to purchase Christina’s Bear or connect with Jane, check out the links below!

Buy Links 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | All Romance

Social Media Links

WebSite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Spotlight3
Author Spotlight, Authors, Current Release, Interviews, Recipes

San Diego or Bust and Lemonade!

15 Comments

I’d like to welcome Vicki Batman today.  Vicki writes contemporary romance. Her current release is San Diego or Bust!  And stick around because Vicki is sharing a cool, refreshing drink with us today.

Hi Vicki! I’m so glad you could join me today. Tell us a little about yourself.  How did you start writing?

I blame it on Tom Jones and my friend. We were traveling home from a girlfriend trip and she began asking silly questions. For example: Pick one- Tom Jones or Engelburt Humperdinck. Silly me picked TJ. Her next question was: write the opening paragraph of a book using the word window. I had nothing. So two days later, I plopped in front of the computer and ended up writing eight chapters. I haven’t stopped.

What drew you to this particular genre?

I like writing first person and contemporary romance seemed a natural fit, although there are slight deviations. My unsold romantic cozies and I did sell a paranormal sensual romance.

(Anne) I personally find writing in first person difficult.  I can do it, had to for some classes I took, but it wasn’t comfortable for me. Kudus to you!

Have you ever considered another genre?  And if so which one?

Like I said, I haven’t sold my romantic cozies (but cross fingers I do!). And yes, there’s that very sexy paranormal romance.

What is the single most important part of writing for you?  

I’d rather write. Get the story down fast and furious. 

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or…? 

Yeah, none of the above because I’m a Plot (ter) + (pant) ster = Plotster. I get an idea and take off with a zoom. But a romance has a hook, stuff happens in the middle, black moment, and a happily ever after. With those elements in mind, I construct my story. 

(Anne) I do the same!  I go, go, go until I get stuck, stuck, stuck. :)

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to needlepoint, not the fancy stitches, just a kind of paint by number canvas in simple basic stitch. And read. And play mah Jongg.

(Anne) Oh lord, I haven’t played mah Jongg in years! Though I was trying to explain it to my daughter not too long ago.  

So tell us, what’s next for you in terms of writing?

Working on two holiday stories. Have some submissions out. And will probably indie pub a short collection next February. 

Okay, what is your favorite part of this particular story, and why? (Hopefully you can tell us without giving anything away J )

When I explained to a friend about how San Diego or Bust is written, she went, “Oh, it’s written Hangover style.” I’d never thought of it in those terms and loved what she said. So Hangover style means Backstory, usually a big NO-NO. But somehow, I did it.

(Anne) LOL! I’ve never heard that term before.   

Would you share an excerpt with us?

SANDIEGOorBUST333x500Gladly!

Blub from San Diego or Bust:

 Is her Mr. Right the right Mr. Right?          

My boyfriend is a dirt wad. I just decided.

With a humpf, I dragged my pink tote up the narrow aisle to the plane’s exit, accidentally banging it into the seats along the way. The relieving notion of being back home in Sommerville caused the tension in my chest to fade a smidgen.

A quick peek to the exit told me where Davis, my boyfriend, stood waiting for the okay from the ground crew to head out. His glance my way didn’t look at all pleasant. Similar to one wrapped in disappointment with a downward tilt of his mouth.

I didn’t care much. I just decided.

The words creep, jerk, moron, and “why in the hell am I still dating him??” jumbled my thoughts around. My heart pounded as anxiety ratcheted inside me again.

Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should not put up with him anymore.

The deepest part of me knew I shouldn’t be with Davis Griffith Swansea, III any longer. I was just in denial. Over the past year, I’d had brief, momentary twinges of dumping him; then, he’d go and do something incredibly romantic like bring me Godiva chocolates—“I know how you love these.” Or buy me a new book by my favorite author—“I happened to see this today.” Or whisk me off to an intimate dinner à deux at the latest and greatest bistro–”I know you’ll like this place.”

My head had gone stupid.

Author BIO

Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has w06 2012 VBauthor photoorked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm–the list is endless.

She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??“

And just in time for summer, Vicki is sharing a recipe with us for a refreshing summer drink and it looks so good!  I love Lemoncello. Who could pass this up?

glass of lemonadeLemoncello Lemonade

  • 1 large can of lemonade
  • A bottle of lemoncello
  • 1 can of lemon-lime soft drink
  • 1 lemon, washed and cut into thin circles

Make lemonade with two cans of water. Add the soft drink and the lemon. Stir well. Pour over ice and add a splash of lemoncello. It’s addictive!

If you’d like to buy Vicki’s book or connect with her, please check out the links below.  Thanks for stopping in today, Vicki.  It’s been an absolute pleasure!

Purchase San Diego or Bust

MuseItUp Publishing | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

Connect with Vicki Batman

WebSite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | The Plotting Princesses

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