Showing posts with label Self Published. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Published. Show all posts

Nov 21, 2014

#MFRWorg gets DOWN AND DIRTY with #MFRWauthor Savannah Morgan @AuthorSavvyM

An Interview with Savannah Morgan.
Savannah lives in the Deep South with her husband and two dogs. She loves animals, travel, and reading. She has traveled and lived throughout the US and Europe during her 25 year marriage and has looked at every move as a new adventure. She enjoys meeting new people, seeing new things, and any type of adventure. She has often thought she would have been an anthropologist if she hadn't started writing first.

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
It takes me about three to four months to write a complete manuscript, if I can get the time to actually write. Because of hectic schedules, life interruptions and all the rest, I don't have a writing schedule and usually just go with the flow, writing when I get the chance. I do take a notebook with me everywhere I go so I can jot down ideas, sketch out new characters, and add to existing characters, etc..., otherwise, I would lose a lot of my ideas.

How do you come up with story ideas?
I don't really have a process where I sit down and brain storm for ideas. My story ideas come to me from any and all sources and then while I sleep I dream of the characters, what they are going through, what of their story is important and needs to be told. Once I wake up I usually have a pretty good idea of who, what, when, where and why.

What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels?
Well, of course I'm all for them. I think they are needed and I personally love to read a smokin' hot love scene between the hero and heroine.

What does your spouse think of your writing?
Well he calls my erotica, my smut novels all the while he is snorting trying not to laugh. He is a great fan of my Suspense/Thriller Romances and my fantasy book, neither of those genres have been published at this time, but just wait they will be soon.

Do you ever ask him/her for advice?
Yes, he helps me crawl into the mind of a man. He has saved me numerous times by telling me the male perspective on any given situation. He’s very honest and has no problem telling me, 'A man wouldn't do that, say that, act that way'.

Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Mostly other authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon was giving a workshop and I had the chance to chat with her. She gave me encouragement and talked to me about my concerns of how dark some of my writing is. She told me sometimes we just have to write dark to get it out of our system. I think that is where the character of Allen McKinnon came from, that dark place, deep inside of me, that just had to come out. At times, while writing him, he frightened even me. A lot of Allen ended up in the chopped file, but I have to say he is the most terrifying villain I've ever written. Honestly though, I've drawn either some sort of inspiration or encouragement from nearly every author I've read.

What can we expect from you in the future?
As I mentioned previously, I have several things in the works. The second and third books of Sapphire Springs will hopefully be out next year. I have a new contemporary suspense/thriller series about seven female cousins who band together to form their own private security team. Each of the seven women have their own specialties, martial arts, weapons, explosives, technology. Along with their fighting and expertise in weaponry they are each professionals, one is a biochemist, another a trauma surgeon, and another is an expert at international law and holds a law degree. The others have just as exciting careers, but each has faced something in their career or personal life that has driven them to ban together to form this group. The first book in that series will hopefully be out sometime this coming winter. I'm also working on a fantasy story set in another realm with magick, dragons, and curses.

How do we find out about you and your books? How can readers/fans contact you?

http://www.author-savannahmorgan.com/home.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Savannah-Morgan/227175397443904
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112593002112213180392
http://www.pinterest.com/smorganauthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21774574-dreams?from_search=true

Do you fans’ comments and letters influence you in any way?
I'm a new author; therefore, my fan base is rather small at present. I do answer every email and private message I get personally. I’m a firm believer that if someone takes the time to write me, whether it is to tell me how much they enjoyed the book or to give me constructive criticism, I should take the time to thank them and respond to their correspondence. Will I always be able to answer them as quickly as I am doing now? I don’t know, but I can promise I will try.

Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
One of my readers wrote a very nice review. She said I wrote evil very well. Another review congratulated me and said I had found my calling. Both of those reviews made me feel as if I was doing what should be. They made me feel great.

Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book? Favorite series?
I have so many favorite authors it would take another post to list them all, but to name a few, Sherrilyn Kenyon, her Dark Hunter and League series is a favorite; Christine Feehan, her Dark, Drake and Sisters of the Heart series are some more favorites, Kallypso Masters’ Rescue Me series has me completely hooked and dying to know what comes next. Recently I’ve read Danielle James’ Forbidden Love series and I really liked, enough that I have every book she’s written. Like I said, I have a lot of favorite authors and series and this isn’t even the tip of the list."


Tell us about your latest book, including genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so what are they?
Dreams: A Sapphire Springs Novel is my first book released. It is designated Adult Contemporary/
Erotica, but I think it is also a Romantic Suspense...just with language and hot sex.

Dreams is the story of Devin Blackthorn and Kylie James. Devin is a lot older than Kylie and Kylie had at one time been in a relationship with Devin's half-brother, Allen McKinnon. Devin had been attracted to Kylie from the start, but knew she was too young for him. He also wasn’t going to go after a girl that was with his brother. Through the years Devin developed strong feelings for Kylie, emotional and sexual, but felt he didn't have the right to make anything happen between them because of all the issues separating them. When Devin finally has enough of being tortured by erotic dreams of Kylie, he decides to claim her for his own, his brother and anyone else who wants to object be damned. But when Devin and Kylie finally get together, Allen returns and Devin learns some truths about Kylie, Allen and their real relationship. From that point on everything goes sideways and Devin has no choice but to protect Kylie and Jamie from his own brother. The action and sex in Dreams is both exciting and explosive, but I do warn my readers there is a part in the book that could be a trigger for rape survivors. You can read the entire interview where I talk about writing Dreams on my website www.AuthorSavannahMorgan.com.

Book BLuRB
Devin’s taken care of Kylie and her son, Jamie, ever since his brother, Allen, abandoned them eleven years ago. Never allowing his feelings for Kylie to show or asking for anything in return, Devin’s tortured nightly by erotic dreams of Kylie. At his limit, Devin is now ready to admit he wants Kylie for himself.

Kylie has made mistakes in her life, but her son is not one of them. For eleven years she has kept the secret of Allen’s betrayal and remained quiet of his crimes. But when Allen returns, Kylie is afraid he is coming after her once again. To stop Allen from destroying her son, Kylie must confront her past and reveal the painful secrets she’s kept.

When Devin learns Allen has targeted Kylie and Jamie, once again he must put all his resources into protecting them, even if it means destroying his brother to do it.
5 out of 5 stars... This is the first in a series......Savannah has written an excellent book. The characters are very well developed and the story of Kylie and Devin is awesome. Didn't think they'd ever get together and I HATE Allen Savannah can write evil really well) Ready for next one!!!!!!! It is an easy read and once you get started, you will not put it down!!!!!!!... August 2, 2014, Wendy Higgs, Kindle Edition

Nov 20, 2014

#Thursday13 Things @SydneyJaneBaily Can't Write Without #MFRWorg

MFRW Author Sydney Jane Baily shares 13 Things She Can't Write Without.
Sydney Jane Baily completed her first novel at the tender age of 17. Thankfully, that manuscript was soundly rejected and resides in an undisclosed location. She went on to get degrees in English literature and history (inducted into Phi Beta Kappa's alpha chapter), and has spent her professional career in publishing. She has been a copy editor, cat snuggler, proof reader, production editor, mother of two, developmental editor, indexer, dog walker, among other things literary and not. Besides writing historical romances, she continues to edit for fellow writers, and resides in New England with her family—human, feline, and canine.

13 things I can't write without
1. my dog Perry snoozing nearby
2. chocolate (preferably dark, organic, sometimes with coconut or sea salt)
3. a theme song for the story or for one of the main characters (often a popular song on the radio that gets stuck in my head months before I start to write)
4. a messy desk (just because it always is)
5. endless cups of strong Irish tea with a tspn of honey and whole milk
6. a bathroom nearby (see #5)
7. a pad of lined paper for writing when out in the world
8. a Uni-ball Signo pen (I'm very particular; these flow smoothly and keep up with my thoughts)
9. a comfy chair
10. a little peace and quiet
11. no one standing close or looking at my work
12. easy Internet access for researching 19th century
13. personal care items: lip balm, hand moisturizer, and more chocolate

Check out Sydney's latest release...

The Defiant Hearts Series Box Set

Mainstream Historical Romance
ePublishing Works!
10/2/2014

From critically acclaimed author, Sydney Jane Baily, comes the first two stories in her Victorian Romance series, Defiant Hearts.

AN INTRIGUING PROPOSITION (Prequel): Intent on keeping the news of foreclosure from her grieving, funds-starved family, Elise answers the bank summons and faces Michael Bradley, an old flame who still owns her heart. When Michael extends an unseemly dinner invitation, Elise invents a nameless suitor as an excuse. Now, to save face, she must produce him.

AN IMPROPER SITUATION (Book One): Desperate to keep the children she's come to love, Charlotte heads for Boston to find Reed Malloy, the heart-stealing lawyer who left the orphans in her care, only to discover that Boston's glittering high society intends to keep them apart.

Amazon BUY LINK

What Reviewers Are Saying...
""...a glittering tale of star-crossed lovers, threatened by a web of lies... a great new book in a new series."" ~Adrienne deWolfe, Bestselling Author of Scoundrel for Hire (http://writingnovelsthatsell.com/)

""...a tantalizing glimpse of the author's delicate writing style as she melds romance with humor, conflict, and adventure. An entertaining read."" ~Bestselling Author, Marliss Melton (http://www.marlissmelton.com)

Nov 17, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Misfits by #MFRWauthor Brenda Jernigan @bkj1608

MFRW Author Brenda Jernigan released The Misfits, a Mainstream Historical Western.

They were misfits that no one wanted.  Watch how they come together to become a family against all odds.

What Reviewers Are Saying...
If you love Julie Garwood’s “For the Roses”, I think you will enjoy The Misfit series. The author, somehow, was able to make me care for all the characters throughout the entire trilogy. Each book is a stand-alone story, but if you read all three you will see just how brightly the writing talent of Brenda Jernigan shines! Past characters, such as Thunder, return for an encore. Be warned that there is a lot of adventure in the fast paced novel, so do not begin reading until you have plenty of time with no interruptions. Unputdownable! Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

"Until September is definitely Brenda’s BEST book so far.  I’ll be looking forward to the next one and the next one.  Claire and Billy have earned their places in my heart.”  Merry Cutler - Annie’s Book Shop

“Ms Jernigan writes with such passion for her characters, that they come alive for the reader.  The plot setting are accurate and very believable and will make you feel as if you were right there in the stagecoach.  I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.  This is a definite keeper!”  Deb Kepler - A Romance Review

EXCERPT
Finally everyone was gone. Brandy moved back to the gravesite one last time before they went home. Amy had fallen asleep on her shoulder, and Brandy had to switch her to the other arm to ease the weight. “Goodbye, Father,” she whispered, then added, “Promises are sometimes hard to keep, but I’ll try.”
Before turning to leave, she glanced up at a nearby hill. There, seated on a large horse, sat a powerfully built man. Animal and rider stood perfectly still while long, black hair blew around his square jaw. Brandy couldn’t make out the rest of his features but something about the man impressed her.
Fascinated, she stared boldly at the stranger. Who was he? And why did he stay in the background instead of coming closer?
“Come on, Brandy,” Mary called.
Though Brandy would rather have looked at the stranger just a little longer, she knew it was time to leave.
Before stepping up onto the buckboard, she turned and looked back toward the hill, but the stranger had disappeared. It was as if he’d vanished into thin air.
A wave of disappointment washed over her. She didn’t understand this odd reaction to someone she didn’t know and would probably never meet.
But for just a moment, she’d felt an odd excitement as if she were dancing on the wind.
Brandy smiled for the first time in days.

ABOUT Brenda Jernigan
Brenda Jernigan grew up living the life of a tomboy – climbing trees, playing ball, and excluding starry-eyed romance from her daily repertoire.  Brenda discovered the love of books while taking her son to Story Hour at the local library -- she was hooked.  She set an ambitious goal and began work on her first novel.  She continued to write six more novels in rapid succession.  She figured having the same birthday as Ernest Hemingway couldn’t hurt.
facebook  |  website  |   blog

Nov 15, 2014

#MFRWAuthor Feature Author for November Kayelle Allen Shares an Excerpt


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A Romance for Christmas
By Kayelle Allen
A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.
A sweet holiday romance showcasing love, loss, and the spirit of giving.
It's Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves has been lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.



Excerpt
Dara was gaining strength daily, and would finish therapy the first week of January and return to work. Disability paid for the basics - lights, phone, water, trash collection, and she'd never bought anything on credit, refusing to dig herself into a hole she'd never escape once it got started.

She went to the closet and pulled down a box with a ball, crayons, paper, and three books. A friend had brought over a few things as well. This wasn't the grand Christmas Dara had wanted for her daughter, but all the other valuables had been sold. There was nothing left but her wedding ring.

She didn't wear it. Removing it had been part of saying good-bye to Jack.

They said it would help, and it had. Sort of. But not much.

Dara sank into one of the kitchen chairs and put her face in her hands.

Sometime later, when the doorbell rang, she grabbed a paper towel and dried her eyes. The clock over the stove said nine o'clock. Who would be calling at this hour on Christmas Eve? She stuffed the wet towel in her robe pocket on the way to the door.



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Buy Links

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/1wpYfL2
CreateSpace http://is.gd/gazeza

Giveaway

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This giveaway is for everyone. Click below to download an illustrated pdf containing an excerpt, the history of the story, the meaning behind the names, and more. A Romance for Christmas is a sweet holiday romance that makes you feel great about giving. http://is.gd/rom4cmaspeek Visit my website to download a free 22p Christmas cookbook you can share with friends. You don't have to sign up for anything, click anything, or register for something. It's really free.

Early Merry Christmas! http://kayelleallen.com/exc-romchristmas.html





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Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award winning Science Fiction Romance author. She was first published in 2004. In 2006, she founded Marketing for Romance Writers, a peer-mentoring group open to the entire literary community. The site is now the largest online author group of its kind, and provides no-cost training in book marketing skills as well as promotional services.

In 2009, Kayelle opened her Romance Lives Forever blog for authors, publishers, and blog tour companies. The blog now has an online reach of over one million.

In 2011, she launched The Author's Secret which offers editing, eBook conversions for manuscripts, custom and premade book covers, and graphics for authors. Kayelle teaches workshops online, and is an invited speaker on numerous online conferences. She has been a featured speaker at Outlantacon since its founding, is a former board member of Gaylaxicon, and a panelist at DragonCon. Kayelle's books have won multiple awards, including the EPIC eBook Award for Science Fiction Erotic Romance, and became an EPIC finalist in Fantasy. Her motto is "romance lives forever" and she is known for books with unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.


Social Media Links

Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
The Author's Secret https://theauthorssecret.com
Marketing for Romance Writers http://marketingforromancewriters.org




Nov 9, 2014

A Short and Sweet Interview with #MFRWauthor @JenBritt

Author Jennifer Britt gives a short interview with MFRW. Ain't she sweet?
After graduating from law school, Jennifer Britt worked for a leading tax publication as a legal editor. She then moved to an accounting firm as an associate director and legal editor. While her day job keeps her busy, Jennifer has managed to find time to write and, most nights, she can be found in front of her laptop writing her next contemporary romance novel.

Why did you decide to write romance novels?
It's what I enjoy When I'm looking for a book to read or a movie to watch, I gravitate toward romance. I love happy endings.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
For years, I had different story ideas in my head, but I didn't do anything with them. One day, I was reading a book and I told my husband that I was going to try to write one. That was about four years ago. It was a romantic suspense and it's still hidden away on my hard drive. After I completed a couple of other manuscripts, my husband encouraged me to submit. He's always been very supportive of my writing.

What kind of research do you do for a book?
It depends on the story. I love to research different places, but with my current series, the town is fictional. Most of my research is done on the Internet, but I've also interviewed people if I need information about a particular area of expertise.

Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? 
Finding the Dream is the second book in my Lincoln Falls series. Jessica James is an out of work Broadway actress who is forced to move back home with her parents in Lincoln Falls. She meets their neighbor and sparks fly.

The idea for the story came to me one Easter. I was thinking about the people behind those Easter Bunny costumes in the malls and I started playing the what if game. An out of work Broadway actress came easy to me because I once had dreams of being on stage. While in college, I decided I didn't want to move to New York and struggle so I became a lawyer instead. I wish I could say I had the rest of the story planned out, but I didn't. I knew I wanted a little girl in the story and Sophie was created. Then Eric was developed and I went from there.

What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I don't have a set routine. I tend to write anywhere I can. Dialogue comes easy to me so my first draft tends to be all dialogue and then I go back and layer in all the details.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I love to watch TV. When I want to unwind, I catch up on my Spanish novelas.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
Nora Roberts, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Carly Phillips

Tell us about your latest book.
Finding the Dream is an Erotic Contemporary Romance.



BLURB
Jessica James had her dream—a career on Broadway as a successful actress—until one night when it was taken all away. Forced to move back to Lincoln Falls and live with her parents, Jessica's only goal is to regain her career and go back to New York. She doesn't count on a honeysuckle hating man standing in her way or the town of Lincoln Falls itself. Now everything she thought she ever wanted may not be her dream at all.

Eric Mason and his daughter have quietly lived next door to Jessica's parents. That all changes when he meets Jessica. She is overly dramatic and the most annoying person he's ever met. Yet, he can't get her off his mind.

Will they find a new dream together?

BUY LINK

EXCERPT
"Great," Jessica said half-heartedly. She hung up and turned to Eric. ""Everything okay?""
""Just fabulous. My daughter's convinced she's getting a chocolate turtle. I can't seem to convince her otherwise.""
""You might be surprised.""
""I doubt it. Is the tow truck coming?""
""Yes, but it's going to be thirty minutes.""
""Sophie and I will wait with you. Then we can give you a ride home.""
""I'm fine. I'm going to have my mother pick me up. So you can head on home.""
He snorted. ""My mother raised me better than that. You might not be one of my favorite people, but I'm not going to leave you on this secluded road where some psycho can come along and do God knows what.""
Funny. She'd thought the same thing before she'd realized he was the one who'd pulled in behind her. ""No one is going to mess with me. Nothing ever happens around here.""
""I'm not leaving.""
""Yes, you are. I bet Sophie is hungry. Aren't you?"" she shouted to Sophie.
""I'm starving,"" Sophie said.
""You're dragging my daughter into this. You dislike me that much that you'd rather sit out here by yourself and take your chances.""
""I don't dislike you.""
""You don't?""
""Okay, maybe a smidgeon,"" she said, holding her thumb and index finger about a half inch apart.
""You're not one of my favorite people either, but I'm still not leaving. That's the end of it.""

Nov 6, 2014

#Thursday13 Favorite Foods @AuthorTinaGayle #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Tina Gayle shares her favorite foods and her newest book.
Tina grew up a dreamer and loves escaping into a good romantic book. She is currently working on two different series the Executive Wives’ Club and the Family Tree series both combine elements of women fiction with the passion of romance. Read the 1st chapter of any of her books on her website.

website  |  blog  |  twitter  |  goodreads  |  facebook

13 Favorite Foods in no particular order.
Mainly, because on any given day my taste can change.

1. Nachos
2. Cheesecake
3. Ham with strawberry sauce (I make this every year for Christmas eve)
4. Divinity - love to make this too.
5. Lasagna 
6. Pizza – all meat with a thin crust
7.  Fudge with walnuts
8. A thick steak – medium with a baked potato 
9. Salad – Red Robin – Barbque Chicken salad (oh, oh, really like this)
10. Manicotti
11. Pineapple coconut cake (have a great recipe I cook for this one too)
12. Kolaches (make these too with apricot filling. So good)
13. Mexican food – name it I probably love it. 



Tina released Stormy, an Erotic Contemporary Romance, in October 2014.

Can friends become lovers? Even after the age of forty?

His wife is dead.
She’s divorce with adult children.

For two years, Daniel and Karen have consoled each other during the trails of losing their spouses. Now, they are ready to turn their friendship into a loving relationship. After sharing a night of passion, all appears golden for a bright future for Karen and Daniel until she receives a call from her children saying her ex has had a heart attack.

Torn between, her need to support her children and her desire to be with Daniel, Karen leaves him and flees to the hospital. Coming face to face with  her ex-husband’s new trophy wife, Karen begins to question exactly why her marriage fell apart. Was she to blame, and if so, should she try again?
On the outside looking in, Daniel must now convince Karen to let go of her past mistake and share a future with him?

What Reviewers Are Saying...
Samantha Chase (Reviewer): "I loved this story, There is nothing better then reading about finding love all over again. The characters are older then most stories out there and this makes the book so much better. I enjoyed this book so much and I was able to read it in one sitting. This was the first story i have read from Tina and I for one can't wait to pick up her next work...."

Sam Destiny (Reviewer): This was a sweet story and an easy read. I am actually a fan of Daniel because he seems to be a truly amazing man. You need distraction? Something that you can drown in and yet won't need weeks to get through This book absolutely is it! The steam is well written and amazing, the love scenes ultimately cute. Nice read, really.

EXCERPT
“Daniel, if you’re in the bathroom come out this minute.”
The entrance opened, and he stood in the doorway.
Problem, he wore only a towel.
Awe, shit...she didn’t need to see his bare chest covered in crisp dark hair, the sculptured muscles of his arms and shoulders, developed pecs, and thick thighs.
Damn, how was she supposed to resist such temptation?
Desire added with the anxiety she’d already experienced on her drive here, lit her anger. “Why the hell didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling and texting you for the last two hours.”
A confused frown passed over his handsome face. Instead of responding, he stepped to the bedside table. He lifted his cell phone and clicked a few buttons.
Unable to contain her impatience, Karen stalked forward.
He glanced up when she grew closer and showed her the phone. “I don’t understand it. I don’t show receiving any messages or calls. The signals must have gotten lost because of the storm.”
She’d suspected as much. Still, she refused to let him off the hook because he could’ve contacted her before he left town. “You should’ve called me. But no...”
Having endured his inability to communicate for months now, she stabbed her finger through the air at him. “You never call. You always expect me to phone you. Well, I’ve had it.”
The distance closed between them and she stood inches from him. Her fingertip tapped his chest. Static electricity sparked between them and her fist unfolded. She stumbled backward.
“Whoa.” Daniel caught her around the waist with one hand and held her close. His phone landed on the bed before he circled his other arm around her. His strong grip held her steady and didn’t allow her to step away. “You’re right. I guess I’m just use to...”
“Don’t say it. I’ve heard it too many times. Sharon might have resented the interruptions but I’m not her. I’m never in any type of meeting that you could possibly disrupt.” Karen spread her hands over his chest and worked to maintain a smidgen of distance. Nevertheless with him so near, his warmth surrounding her in a seductive cocoon, she had to fight the urge to melt against him.
“Yes, but if I called you whenever I wanted we’d never get off the phone.” The husky tone of his voice pulled her gaze upward.

Oct 14, 2014

A Short 'N Sweet Interview @Jill_Blake_ #MFRWauthor

A Short 'N Sweet Interview with Jill Blake
Jill Blake loves chocolate, leisurely walks where she doesn’t break a sweat, and books with a guaranteed happy ending. A native of Philadelphia, Jill now lives in southern California with her husband and three children. By day, she works as a physician in a busy medical practice. By night, she pens steamy romances.

Why did you decide to write romance novels? 
The guaranteed HEA.
My daily life consists of what physicists call entropy – that state of ever-expanding chaos:  busy medical practice, three little kids…
Writing gives me at least the semblance of control over characters and their fates.  On paper, I can create a world where, no matter what else happens, my characters will get their happily ever after.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
My characters—especially the female ones—have many of my personality quirks.  They’re driven, a little prickly, and often out of their element.  My medical background informs some of the situations in my books.  For example, the heroine in my second novel, Taking a Chance, is a burnt out physician looking for a break.  My third novel, This Time for Keeps, deals with a physician whose career is blown to bits after she falls victim to an act of workplace violence.

What kind of research do you do for a book? 
Google, I love you!
I also tap into the expertise and advice of friends and friends-of-friends when needed.  For example, my heroine in Without a Net is a graphic designer.  I know zilch about the field, so I am indebted to several acquaintances who work in graphic design and marketing who were kind enough to answer my questions and do a beta-read of the book.  

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
As a kid, I used to watch old reruns of “Bonanza.”   Even at age seven, I got annoyed over the fact that all the women seemed to move away or get killed off within one episode.   None of them ever came back for a recurring guest role, so no “happily ever after” for the Cartwright boys.  I rewrote the scripts, with yours truly in the starring role, and for several seasons I lived a double life:  by day, elementary school kid, by night, daring and heroic foreman (forewoman?) running the Ponderosa ranch in 1870s Nevada.

Fast-forward a few decades, and I had accumulated several boxes of miscellaneous writing—most of it unfinished manuscripts.   With each move due to job change and/or growing family, those boxes came along.  At my husband’s repeated prompting, I finally pulled out those moldering pages, and started reading.  I remembered how much I loved the whole writing process.  I enjoy it even more now that research can be done online, and storage requires no more than an itty-bitty flash drive.  So here I am, back to scribbling (typing) away…

What genre is it? Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre? 
Contemporary Romance.
In future, I’d like to try my hand at medical thrillers.  Max, my hero in Without a Net, writes a thriller that delves into the psychology of high-stakes competitive sports and the seamy side of corporate politics.  Sounds like an intriguing start…

Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? Where did the idea come from?
I often think about what would happen if the things I take for granted were suddenly taken away…
Without a Net is about a woman who thinks she has it all:  loving husband, fulfilling life as a stay-at-home mother to her son, financial security.  Then her husband gets ill, and she finds out that the perfect life was not-so-perfect behind the scenes.  Everything comes crashing down.  She finds herself widowed, a single mom, and saddled with massive debt.
Then her best friend’s brother, the ultimate playboy and adrenaline junkie, offers her a job.  And she embarks —however reluctantly—on what may be the biggest adventure of her life.

Jill Blake most recently released Without a Net, an Erotic Contemporary Romance.

Eva has always played it safe…and where has it gotten her?  Betrayed by her husband, left alone to raise her young son, and fighting to hang on to what’s left, the last thing she needs is another philandering male.

Max has always pursued adventure…until he gets sidelined by an accident.  While recovering from his injuries, he discovers that the biggest adventure of his life may be closer than he ever imagined—in the form of Eva, his baby sister’s best friend.

The problem?  Convincing Eva to risk it all…without a net.

Review from Jennifer Hines:
Eva thought she had a good life. She had a husband who worked hard, a wonderful son, and the enjoyment of being a good mom and wife. It wasn’t until a deathbed confession did her world turn upside down. It changed the way she looked at her husband, her life, and her entire look on life and relationships.
“It wasn’t every day that a man offered his heart to the woman of his dreams.”
Trying to get on her feet without anyone knowing she had fallen off them was a small challenge for Eva, but she had the help of her sister and best friend.
Max had been intrigued by Eva ever since the first time he laid eyes on her. It didn’t matter to him that she had been married at the time and for some crazy reason it didn’t matter that now she had a seven year old son. For the playboy he’d always been his desire to be more with Eva was a first, but he was up for the challenge.
“He wanted to be part of her charmed inner circle. Wanted to wake up with her every morning. Wanted to kiss her whenever he felt like it, regardless of who might be looking.”
I loved the humorous banter between Eva and Max. It weaved throughout the pages…right down to the very last page. Mix in some steamy sex and a kid who speaks his mind and you’ve got a really good story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Jill Blake.
My Favorite Moment: The ending. Everything from the moment she goes home until the last sentence. I loved the humor, the trickery, and the ‘need you now’ vertical sex. 
Do you feel humor is important in fiction and why? 
Absolutely!  Even when dealing with weighty issues, fiction ought to provide some comic relief.  Without it, reading would be more a chore than a pleasure.

What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I’m a planner. With a full-time job and three small kids, I wouldn’t survive if I didn’t plan ahead. This approach carries over to my writing, from carving out dedicated time for writing, to doing the “foundational work” of research and outlining. I prepare character sketches, chapter-by-chapter outlines, timelines (on an actual calendar!), and individual files for background information (aka research)–all before I even begin chapter 1.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
Contemporary Romance: Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Sarah Mayberry, Kate Hardy, Maya Banks.  Historical Romance: Stephanie Laurens, Julia Quinn, Johanna Lindsay.  Other: Leon Uris (Exodus: Ari is still one of my all-time favorite alpha heroes!). Howard Fast, Irwin Shaw, John Updike, Joe Konrath, Jasper Fforde.
 
Enjoy an Excerpt from Without A Net...
"Eva had forty minutes to handle the most urgent messages, finish shopping, unload the groceries, and race to school to pick up her son. 

That was why she nearly ran the man down.

Of course, it didn’t help that the shopping cart had a wobbly wheel and a mind of its own, veering left when she steered right. It wouldn’t have mattered had the aisle remained empty. Or if she’d been better at multi-tasking. The last six months had taught her a lot, but not how to manage a renegade shopping cart while catching up with emails on her iPhone. 

“Whoa, there.” 

She glanced up in time to see the man stagger back, straight into a display of organic, gluten-free quinoa flakes. Boxes went flying. 
Eva froze. “Are you okay?”

He glanced around at the mess and then turned a pair of startling green eyes her way. “There’s a law against that, you know.”

“What?” 

“No texting while driving.”

“I wasn’t—” she broke off as he grinned. She experienced a sense of déjà vu. She’d seen him before, she was sure of it, but couldn’t remember where. “I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”

“Nah,” he said, setting his basket on the floor. “Been through worse.”

That was when she noticed the cane, and the stiff way he held his leg as he bent to pick up a box. She dropped the phone in her bag and skirted around the cart to help with the clean-up. “I really am sorry.”

“No worries.”

“Is your leg okay?” She glanced at the twin furrows between his brows, the light sheen of sweat on his forehead. It was a balmy sixty-eight outside, a little warmer than average for Santa Monica in mid-May. But inside, the air-conditioning kept the temperature much cooler, enough to raise goose-flesh along her bare arms. If he was sweating, he was probably in a lot more pain than he was letting on.

“It’s fine,” he said, leaning awkwardly on the cane as he reached for another box. “Another month or two of rehab, I’ll be good as new.”

“Wait,” she said. “I’ll hand them up, you stack them.”

Their fingers brushed as he accepted the boxes, and she felt a frisson of awareness. It was so unexpected that she fumbled and one of the boxes fell again. 

“Sorry,” she murmured. And then to cover up her confusion, she said, “What happened to your leg, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Tibial plateau fracture. I was skiing, and that tree—I swear, it came out of nowhere.”

She winced. “Trees can be tricky that way.” 

He laughed, a warm, mellow sound that set off a fluttery sensation in her belly. “Next time, I’ll try to give the trees a miss.”

Connect with Jill Blake
blog ~ http://jillblake.blogspot.com/
FB ~ https://www.facebook.com/jill.blake.3386
twitter ~ https://twitter.com/Jill_Blake_
Amazon ~ http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00B1ZIHKS
Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6899971.Jill_Blake

Oct 3, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Rent Me @BrinaBrady #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Brina Brady released Rent Me, a GLBT Erotica Book, on Smashwords on May 27, 2014.

Rent Boy Brennen wants to belong to his lover Dmitri Dubrovsky. The Russian mobster controls every inch of his life in and out of bed. Brennen works for Dmitri’s escort service. His only desire is to please his lover. When Dmitri marries Nika, his lover moves him out of their home to an apartment in Beverly Hills and tells him nothing has changed. What is Brennen going to do now?

Warning: This is a Gay adult consensual story focused on themes of corporal discipline punishment and explicit sex with some elements of BDSM between adult men over the age of eighteen.


What Reviewers Say...
"Wow! This book is super hot, but the story itself is so compelling I was up until 4 am reading. I spent half my time wanting to smack the guys upside the head, and the other half going awwww...
Their relationship is by no means conventional, but it somehow manages to work for them. Now if they could just learn to communicate! But oh, such sexy sweet, naughty, and downright horrid boys they are! All I can say is... more please!"​ - Amazon Reviewer

"This author can write! I loved this story. The characters were interesting and relatable, and the storyline is HOT! Every scene got better than the next. I'll be looking for more from this author." -
Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt
"Dmitri pounded his fists on the table and said, “Now, you are being disrespectful to me.”
“Well, you are siding with all our enemies.”
 “What the hell are you talking about? You are under my protection and in exchange, I asked you to respect me. And if you disrespect me, I am in charge of the consequences. You agreed to this. Do you remember our written agreement?”
“Yes, I remember. Sorry if I was disrespectful, but I feel you don’t treat me like an adult.”
“Sorry is not good enough this time. For your punishment, you have three choices. Your first choice is to quit being an escort. Your second choice is for me to take you back to Adrik. Your third choice is to give your consent to be whipped with my belt and it won’t be play discipline.”
“I can’t believe you want to bring me back to Adrik.” Brennen shook his head. “I’m not quitting my job. Especially now since you are married. And you are not going to punish me with a belt. You're my boyfriend.”
Dmitri got up from the table, picked up the red apple timer on the stovetop, and set it down in front of Brennen. When he had gotten into trouble, Dmitri and Mischa used the timer for time-outs. The timer was their way of giving him some quiet space to think about what he had done wrong.
“Why a belt? Brennen looked up at Dmitri.
“Did you think I would discipline you with our play paddle?”
“But Adrik used to hit me with a belt.” He was annoyed at his own whining voice.
“It’s punishment. Quit your damn escort job, then.”
“I can’t believe you are doing this to me,” Brennen said.
“You have twenty minutes to decide which punishment you want. You only have three choices, but if you don’t accept any of the choices, then you are choosing to walk away from me as your lover.”
“You don’t mean this, do you?” Brennen asked.
“Have you ever known me to lie to you?”
“No.”
“I will always take care of you, but you will no longer be my lover if you don’t choose one of the three punishments. Our relationship is based on me being the top man who makes the rules and you are the bottom man who follows the rules. You knew this when we became lovers.”
 Dmitri set the apple timer. “You have twenty minutes to decide.” He left him alone in the kitchen with the red ticking frying pan clock.
Why was he doing this?
Brennen knew Dmitri could force him back to Adrik. But even if he made him go there, he would probably be able to run away. He did not want to take any chances. No, that was not an option, and Dmitri knew that.
Dmitri playing God again.
This was all about Dmitri forcing him to quit the escort job at the agency. Brennen was not going to quit his job. He loved it, and it made him feel good about himself. But to walk away from Dmitri as his lover was not what he wanted either. The only thing left was to give consent to be punished with the belt. How hard would he hit him? The timer continued to tick along with the clock on the wall. His nerves went to hell.
Dmitri entered the kitchen as the timer buzzed. Brennen covered his ears and slapped it. He picked the apple timer up and returned it to its proper place.
“What have you decided?” Dmitri asked.

About Brina Brady
I am from Huntington Beach, Ca. I taught various subjects at a Continuation High School in Los Angeles, California for 27 years. I obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in history, Secondary Social Science Credential and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Reading and Secondary Education from California State University, Long Beach. I also enrolled in some creative writing classes at UCLA. I am currently taking classes from Romance Writers of America. I belong to the Rainbow Romance Writers.

Please visit my website here: http://brinabrady.wordpress.com
Please visit my blog here: http://brinabrady.blogspot.com
Find me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/brina.brady.3
Follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BrinaBrady
Follow me on Pinterest here: http://www.pinterest.com/brinabrady/
Follow me on Google+ here: https://plus.google.com/+BrinaBrady/posts
Find me on Stumble Upon here: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/brinabrady

Sep 26, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Love Seeks No Boundaries by #MFRWauthor Sourabh Khanna @SourabhK85

MFRW Author Sourabh Khanna released Love Seeks No Boundaries with Notion Press in May 2014.
What is so important in this world?
Love or hate?
Of course, it’s “HATE”.
We hate others because they are from different religion. If they are from same religion then we hate them because they are from different sub castes. That goes on and on. There should be only one religion to follow in this world, that is, HUMANITY.
But we have totally forgotten about humanity to live with. We just know about which religion we belong to or who are our relatives and with whom we have to gel up. But this was not what god intended. God didn’t create those religions and castes. These were made by humans like us. These beliefs have been engrained in the natural way of our culture, passed down through generation to generation that we have no choice but to follow and worship.
Well, this is a story of two souls who fell in love with each other and then get into trap of blind society and mythical religions & caste systems and how they managed to remove the shackles and freed from any barriers as Love Seeks No Boundaries….
About Sourabh Khanna
Sourabh Khanna is a commerce graduate from Punjab University and a business diploma holder from Wintec, Hamilton, New Zealand. He was born and brought up in a small town in Punjab, India and is currently residing in New Zealand. The author loves writing poems and songs, which reflect the sensitive and emotional side of his personality. He was inspired by the famous author Paulo Coelho. Apart from reading and writing, he is fond of movies and cricket. You can reach him at www.sourabhk.com.

Sep 16, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Dream Hume @JJDiBenedetto #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author J.J. DiBenedetto released Dream Hume (Dream Series, Book 7), a new
paranormal story.

“Oh, my God, I’m not even starting the job for four months!  How can I have an enemy already?”

Sara thought she had found the perfect job, the perfect new house and the perfect place to build a bright future for herself and her family.

But her new life is not quite perfect.  Her husband and her children are fitting right in, but before Sara even shows up for her first day of work, her coworkers are dreaming about getting rid of her.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the one friend she’s made is dreaming nightly about a disaster that could wipe out the entire town…and Sara is beginning to think he might be right…

Dream Home is the exciting seventh book in the Dream Series.

About J.J. DiBenedetto
J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve University, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.

He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.

The ""Dreams"" series is James' first published work.

Facebook  |  Website  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Sep 14, 2014

A Quick & Quirky INTERVIEW @LetaBlake #MFRWauthor

A Quick & Quirky Chat with Leta Blake
While Leta Blake would love to tell you that writing transports her to worlds of magic and wonder and then safely returns her to a home of sparkling cleanliness and carefully folded laundry, the reality is a bit different. Instead, piles of laundry and forgotten appointments haunt her life, but the joy of writing and the thrill of finishing a book make the everyday chaos all worth it.

Leta’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively, but her passion has always been in writing, and she most enjoys crafting romance stories that she would like to read. At her home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.
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We asked a few quick questions. Leta had some quirky answers!
If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?
New York City for the summer and Florida on the beach for the winter.

What's your most embarrassing moment?
The time I somehow stopped up the toilet at my place of work so badly that it was messed up for a week and they had to hire special plumbers. I swear I think it was messed up before I used it!

Ebook or paperback?
Ebook because I'm so lazy that I don't want to have to get out of bed at night to turn out the light.

Zebras or elephants?
Elephants. They seem to love each other a lot and those trunks are so cool!

Tell us about the scariest thing that ever happened to you.
During the summer on one of the most sleep deprived days of my daughter's infancy, I drove to work in daze, got out of my car, and started to walk into the office when I suddenly recalled that I hadn't taken my daughter to her childcare and SHE WAS STILL IN THE CAR. I get sick chills every time I think about that day. Thank God I remembered before going into the office and everything was okay.

What is your secret guilty pleasure?
I don't have one! No guilt in pleasure!

Leta's new book is The River Leith, a Contemporary m/m Romance.
Memory is everything.

After an injury in the ring, amateur boxer Leith Wenz wakes to discover his most recent memories are three years out of date. Struggling to face his new reality, Leith must cope with painful revelations about his family. His brother is there to support him, but it’s the unfamiliar face of Zach, a man introduced as his best friend, that provides the calm he craves. Until Zach’s presence begins to stir up feelings Leith can’t explain.

For Zach, being forgotten by his lover is excruciating. He carefully hides the truth from Leith to protect them both from additional pain. His bottled-up turmoil finds release through vlogging, where he confesses his fears and grief to the faceless Internet. But after Leith begins to open up to him, Zach's choices may come back to haunt him.

Ultimately, Leith must ask his heart the questions memory can no longer answer. If memory is everything. Can love survive when the memory of it is gone?

Amazon Buy Link  |  Smashwords Buy Link  |  Barnes & Noble Buy Link  |  iTunes Buy Link

What Reviewers Are Saying...
"Leta Blake is fast becoming one of the most exciting new voices in the romance genre." - I'm With Geek Reviews

"Raw, beautiful, lyrical, painful, sensual, hopeful. This author gets inside all of it and then lays it open, exposed, for us. The writing. The dialogue. The characters. The love. They're all here. I recommend this to everyone." - Prism Book Alliance

Aug 26, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The River Leith @LetaBlake #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Leta Blake self-published The River Leith, a GLBT Contemporary Romance on May 13, 2014.

Memory is everything.

After an injury in the ring, amateur boxer Leith Wenz wakes to discover his most recent memories are three years out of date. Struggling to face his new reality, Leith must cope with painful revelations about his family. His brother is there to support him, but it’s the unfamiliar face of Zach, a man introduced as his best friend, that provides the calm he craves. Until Zach’s presence begins to stir up feelings Leith can’t explain.

For Zach, being forgotten by his lover is excruciating. He carefully hides the truth from Leith to protect them both from additional pain. His bottled-up turmoil finds release through vlogging, where he confesses his fears and grief to the faceless Internet. But after Leith begins to open up to him, Zach's choices may come back to haunt him.

Ultimately, Leith must ask his heart the questions memory can no longer answer. If memory is everything. Can love survive when the memory of it is gone?

Amazon Buy Link  |  Smashwords Buy Link  |  Barnes & Noble Buy Link  |  iTunes Buy Link

What Reviewers Are Saying...
"Leta Blake is fast becoming one of the most exciting new voices in the romance genre." - I'm With Geek Reviews

"Raw, beautiful, lyrical, painful, sensual, hopeful. This author gets inside all of it and then lays it open, exposed, for us. The writing. The dialogue. The characters. The love. They're all here. I recommend this to everyone." - Prism Book Alliance

Excerpt
Memory, as it turned out, was both everything and nothing. It had no substance, no form, no weight, and no color. It was described, in technical terms, as deposits of proteins within cells of the brain. However, these were words that at their heart were as mysterious and ultimately magical as any other metaphor used in an attempt to understand the concept: memory as a storehouse or set of books—a way to keep track of life’s checks and balances; or memory as meaning—a mode of life, and a way of being.
Leith knew now that all these metaphors and all these words boiled down to one thing: memory is the sum of us, the total, and if it is divided, then we are lost.
There were other people in the occupational therapy ward, and Leith studied them with a mixture of horror and envy. There was the droopy, sagging stroke victim Jan Troxell, who could tell anyone the weather report from that morning, but couldn’t remember anything else—not her daughter’s name, not her age, and not her favorite color.
There was David Mueller, for whom every day began as April 12, 2006, until he found out again, and again, and again that he had suffered a brain injury and couldn’t make any more memories.
In some ways these people repulsed Leith, leaving him breathless with terror and disgust at how close he’d come to joining their ranks. People who were shells of the beings they were before, empty and unable to give anything back to the world except for the memory that once they were more, and that they never would be again.
But in other equally scary ways, Leith watched these people with envy. They were free, utterly rudderless in a thrashing ocean, but still free. Their options had been removed from them, and they were at the mercy of the elements and the grace of people’s kindness. But they weren’t tied down to memories of who they were, of what and who they’d loved, the things they’d once dreamed, and the things they’d valued.
Leith was not free. He knew who he was, give or take the last three years of his life. It had been almost two weeks since he’d come out of the coma. The illegal blow to the back of his head during the New York Amateur Boxing Championship match had cost his opponent his career, but it had cost Leith a hell of a lot more than that.
His last memory was learning that he would soon be released from prison. In his sparse, clean cell, he’d sat on a bunk and composed a letter to Arthur asking if it would be all right to start over in Brooklyn instead of going home to New Jersey and their father.
Leith had no memory of finishing that letter. No memory of a bus trip from the jail in Florida to Arthur’s apartment in Manhattan. No memory of meeting a girl named Naomi on the ski slopes of Vermont. No memory of his father’s death and no memory of mourning by his dad’s grave. Leith only knew of these things because he’d been told. And he still didn’t know how to believe them.
About Leta Blake
While Leta Blake would love to tell you that writing transports her to worlds of magic and wonder and then safely returns her to a home of sparkling cleanliness and carefully folded laundry, the reality is a bit different. Instead, piles of laundry and forgotten appointments haunt her life, but the joy of writing and the thrill of finishing a book make the everyday chaos all worth it.

Leta’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively, but her passion has always been in writing, and she most enjoys crafting romance stories that she would like to read. At her home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.
twitter  | blog  |  facebook

Aug 8, 2014

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Dark Mist-The Hidden @LaverneThompson

MFRW Author LaVerne Thompson released Dark Mist-The Hidden, a Contemporary Paranormal Erotica on May 13, 2014.

Can he possess the unattainable?

For over a thousand years, Deacon has led his vampire brethren to live in peace amongst humans. But that was before he entered the dreams of the beautiful Rose, hungering desperately for that which he could not claim because the very laws he had set forbade it. Laws that meant certain death for the Hydden should they be broken...laws that Deacon himself might just shatter for one human. But he hungered for her blood and someone knew it.

Could he take what he desired most while still protecting himself from those who sought to destroy him? Or will Rose mourn the promise of an eternal forever if Deacon brings about his own demise?

Amazon BUY LINK  |  Barnes & Noble BUY LINK


Excerpt
When Rose exited the airport, lightning flashed, illuminating the night sky. For a moment, everything froze, then the world turned dark again. Even though she wore a coat, she shivered and when thunder crackled overhead, goose bumps rose along her arms. This kind of weather always spooked her, but this new job in Memphis should have her crowing in triumph, and she did feel that way, until a moment ago.
She shook her head as she stood in line for a cab. Just nerves acting up, she hadn’t been sleeping lately, but she’d been excited about this move. Rose felt sorry now she didn’t let Krystal come and pick her up at the airport. It’d been late and raining and Krystal Harrington worked as an ER doctor with long hard hours. Still, it would have been nice to see a friendly face.
Rose got into the taxi and gave the driver her destination. Sitting back, she stared outside at the passing darkened landscape. This city would be her new home. Who would’ve thought a girl from a big city like Brooklyn would end up in Memphis? But the company she worked for wanted her at their home office. She would’ve been a fool to turn down the promotion of Executive Business Acquisitions Director for Hydden Enterprises, or HE, as those who worked there liked to call the place. She’d worked her butt off for the company and to get a promotion.
Others told Rose, at twenty-seven, she would be the youngest person in such a high position within the company. She reported directly to the President of HE and would have a staff of four under her supervision. Not too bad for someone who didn’t know who her father was, and whose mother died when she was ten, leaving her alone to grow up in the foster care system. It could’ve been worse she supposed…She’d gotten lucky.
The Robinsons, the family who raised her were good people. She’d been their only foster, but they’d housed exchange college students in the US for a limited time, so Rose never felt lonely, and they’d been heavily involved in the local non-denominational mega-church. Through the church, she’d netted a full-scholarship to college. Even though, she didn’t embrace any one religious doctrine, she did believe something greater existed out there, which no one could control. Then, even at times, it directed humanity onto certain paths. Still, it is up to each individual to decide which road to take or not.
In her case, an opportunity presented itself and she didn’t hesitate to take it. After graduation,
she’d gotten a job at Hydden and thus far, it turned out to be the right decision. Though, she missed her foster parents and didn’t enjoy moving so far away from them. Even if she hadn’t lived with them, since she’d started college, they’d been the first to encourage her to explore this opportunity.
She’d proven herself to the company by working hard and getting an MBA while working full-time and she had her foster parents to thank for her strong work ethic. As a result, Hydden rewarded her with some of the corporate secrets. Like Hydden was really operated and owned by one of the largest churches in Memphis.
The locale of the real head office would be where she would actually work. Yesterday, she’d been happy and excited about this step forward in her career. Now, when the cab pulled up in front of Krystal’s house and the door opened, she found herself hesitating to step out of the car…and with no idea why.
About LaVerne Thompson & Tenaj
The Hidden series is based on the collaboration of two authors.

LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense and new adult romance under the pen name Ursula Sinclair. She is currently working on several projects. Visit her at lavernethompson.com.

Tenaj is a pen name for the co-author of Dark Mist. This is her debut published work. She is also a storyteller at RP World Group, a free read/writers site where she’s taken part in several storylines. Visit her at fantasiavirtuoso.com.
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Facebook2  |  Amazon

Aug 5, 2014

Diane Burton: Short & Sweet #MFRWauthor INTERVIEW @dmburton72

We asked. Diane answered.
MFRW Author Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I write romance novels because I love to read them. My favorite romance sub-genres to read and write are science fiction romance and romantic suspense.

What kind of research do you do for a book?
Research: for romantic suspense, I visit, use maps, tourist info, search online about weapons, etc. For sci-fi rom, I have to use the internet, but I wish I could visit other worlds.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I began writing seriously (for publication) when my children were preparing for college--empty nest. After years of putting them first, I wanted to do something for me so I began writing. That was 20+ years ago. First manuscript was a romance with a mystery. Rejected. Won't see the light of day. LOL

What genre is your newest book?
My latest book is a sci-fi romance about a woman who isn't what she seems. Total ditz covers up a brilliant mind. I love the dichotomy. People aren't always as they appear. I just took it to an extreme.

Do you feel humor is important in fiction and why?
Humor is extremely important. It gives us (readers) a break from intense situations.

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
My family is extremely supportive. Since my husband and I are retired, I have the freedom to write when I want. He is very respectful of my writing time.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
One thing that makes me relax is a visit from my grandkiddies (ages 4 & 6). They are so much fun. They love to write stories with me--they tell me the story and I type it. After we print it out, they illustrate their story. Good division of labor. LOL Another way I relax and recharge is to watch movies. Love action/adventure, romantic comedy, sci-fi. Oh heck, I love all movies except horror and intense drama. And, of course, I read.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
Favorite authors. There are so many. Earlier favs include Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Daphne DuMaurier, Mary Stewart. More recent: Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle, Linnea Sinclair, Janet Evanovich, Ann Aguirre, Kristen Hannah.

Diane released The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel: Book 2), a Sci-fi/Futuristic Story, in May 2014.

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari...

Socialite Jileena Winslott appears to be the spoiled, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s her father's smart, savvy aide, who yearns to run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. But he insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

Adventure and Romance in another world.
Connect with Diane Burton...
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Jul 8, 2014

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Jeep Tour @gwolmsted

MFRW Author Gail Ward Olmsted released JEEP TOUR, a Contemporary Romance on April 10, 2014. 
Jackie Sullivan was drawn to the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona after a failed marriage and an out-of-the-blue job loss. But did she move cross country to chase a dream or a dreamy tour guide?

She had it all – the husband, the house, the job…but that’s in the past. A chance encounter with Rick, a sexy tour guide, gets her dreaming of a new life in Sedona. Jackie’s efforts to re-invent herself in the tight-knit desert community are, well … complicated. Sedona is terrific, but as the locals note, ‘it’s not for everyone.’

Does Rick want a relationship or just a friend with benefits? And in the case of her ex-husband..is it her imagination or is Rob even more amazing than ever? What happens when you hit a bump in the road?

Buckle Up- time for JEEP TOUR!
BUY LINKS

REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars "Mid-life fantasy fulfillment!" -Greta (Los Angeles), Amazon Verified Purchase

5.0 out of 5 stars "Who hasn't been tempted to run away and start all over?" -Betsy Bertuzzi, Amazon Verified Purchase

EXCERPT
12 Months Earlier “Need a hand?” Our tour guide looked down at me. I was the last one to board the brightly colored Jeep.
“Yes, thanks” I mumbled as he took my hand and helped me into the open back seat.
“You dropped this” he told me as he handed me my water bottle. Glistening with condensation, it slipped from my hand a second time and rolled under the Jeep.
“Sorry” I apologized when he bent down to retrieve it. When he stood upright, I really saw him for the first time. I gave a small gasp. God, he was gorgeous! Tall, built and tan, with a shock of blond streaked hair and dazzling green eyes.
 “It’s OK” he said. “I always end up crawling around under the Jeep for one thing or another”.  X- rated images of him crawling around on me flashed before my eyes, but I quickly dismissed them. I’m a middle-aged tourist, not some sex-starved guide groupie. But could I be both?  “Don’t be ridiculous” I told myself. Obviously, my lustful thoughts were not reciprocated. Mr. Hunk patted my hand rather absentmindedly, then swung himself into the driver’s seat.  He turned the key and the Jeep roared to life.
 “OK then, ladies….. before we set off today, I’d like to introduce myself, find out a little about you and go over a few ground rules. I’m Rick and I’ll be your tour guide.  Have any of you been on a tour of the desert before?” I looked over at the other two inhabitants of the Jeep, my colleagues Kate and Linda. Linda spoke for the three of us, since she was riding shotgun and since she was Linda.
“No, we haven’t. You’re our first, Rick,” she replied. Oh grief, was she flirting with him? We’ve been there before, me and Linda. She gets this southern-fried thing going on and although she’s never lived further south than Rhode Island, it somehow works for her. But it’s wrong on so many levels.
‘Not now, Linda,’ I begged silently.
“So Rick, is this really the best tour in all of Arizona?” she drawled.
 “Why yes, ma’am” Rick replied. “You ladies have come to the right place.” He beamed at Linda, who smiled back at him like they were sharing a secret. Leave it to Linda. She always spoke up first, always got noticed and always took center stage. Bitch.
“I’m Linda”, she said as she extended her hand to Rick.
“Well hello there! And who are your friends, Linda?” he responded, still grasping her hand.
 “That’s Kate and her camera and this is Jax” said Linda pointing to me.
“Hi Jack” said Rick shaking my hand, before turning to Kate.
“It’s Jax”, I said.
 “What?” said Rick turning back towards me.
“It’s Jax” I murmured, not Jack.”          
“Jax?” he questioned. Knowing I should just shut up, I found myself explaining how I had been named after former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. What can I say? My Irish American parents came of age in the 60’s, ok? But as a toddler, I lisped and referred to myself as Jackth and the name stuck.
“But you can call me Jackie”, I finished rather inanely.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gail Ward Olmsted is a professor in the School of Business & Information Technology at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, MA.  She was the recipient of the 2011 Deliso Endowed Chair Award and was recently recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s Department of Higher Education as one of “29 Who Shine”.

Olmsted’s first visit to Sedona, AZ prompted her to start writing JEEP TOUR, her first novel. A few years later, her second visit provided the incentive to complete it. A return trip is being planned! A hopeless romantic, she is married to the love of her life, is mom to two young adults, and enjoys reading, music and travel.

Jun 27, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Thunder, Razer 8 @pt_macias #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author P.T. Macias released Thunder, Razer 8, an Erotic Paranormal Thriller Romance on March 21, 2014.

William Davis, Thunder, is a Razer 8 Delta Force operative. He enjoys a dangerous carefree lifestyle along with his identical twin. He’s oblivious to the fact that his mate is close real close.

Cassandra Johnson, Dawn, is a special operative on Tequila 10. Dawn is cute, happy, and full of dreams. She dreams of her mate and wedding day. Dawn is extremely close to Thunder and his siblings.
Thunder’s new mission hauls him into the arms of his mate. Their natural mating is inevitable. The mission keeps them apart.

REVIEWS
This is the first book in this series I have read, but I am definitely going to read them all now. An interesting fast paced story that has suspense and intense sexual attraction. Thunder and Dawn,each a member of a secret elite special ops unit, have a dangerous mission, also an over whelming attraction to each other. Can they do their job or will their lust get in the way? Enjoyed this book very much. -Goodreads Reviewer

I have decided, months ago, that each book from P. T. Macias' pen gets better! Thunder did not disappoint! Thunder is the seventh in a series of books, a series that I hate to see end! The action and suspense in the series does not stop. The romance leaves you wanting more! I can't think of a military romance series that I could ever love more!  Awesome work, P. T. Macias! -Amazon Reviewer

BOOK TRAILER

EXCERPT
It’s early in the morning in Southern California. The sea mist is still thick in the hillside near the coast. Lightning sprints forward, anxious to reach the cliff.

Oh, yes! I’m so excited that I can’t stand it. That’s why I got up extra early to burn up some of this crazy energy running through my blood. Hell, I always take a run when I’m feeling this excited. Everything that we worked for is finally in our hands.

Thunder is happy and excited but not like me. He’s only gone along with me because he always does. He’s my twin and I expect no less. I did the medical school because of him. The great thing is that we have lots of years ahead of us to do both.

Lightning reaches the cliff and raises his snout up, pointing at the fading moon and stars. His ears fold back and he closes his beautiful green eyes. He howls deep and long, expending his excitement. It’s almost sunrise and the moment is momentous for Lightning.

ABOUT P.T. Macias
I was born in San Jose, California and I currently live in Sacramento, California with my family. I have three children. I also enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. I love to read romance and paranormal. I've always dreamed of writing. I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management Administration.

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