#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Her Ladyship's Ring @PJMacLayne

Her Ladyship's Ring
Book 2 of the Oak Grove Mysteries
P.J. MacLayne

Harmony Duprie is back, and so is trouble in Oak Grove.

When a man is murdered in the back yard of the old Victorian house she is remodeling, Harmony is determined to locate his next-of-kin so he can be put to rest properly. But with her ex-boyfriend Jake out of prison, back in town and one of the suspects in the murder, she takes on the challenge of solving the crime.

With Eli, her current love interest, in Florida and Jake close by, old emotions come back to haunt her. Can Harmony clear Jake's name and solve the mystery of her own heart?

BUY LINK

EXCERPT

We tromped up the steps and I headed to my kitchen to start another pot of coffee, my cut-back-on-caffeine resolution forgotten.  Then I took my place on the loveseat next to Eli. “Have you figured out who shot the window yet?” I asked.
“No, but we determined that the blast that broke the window was from a shotgun.”
“Pellets?” Eli asked.
Freddie nodded. “Explains why the glass shattered so badly. A bullet from a rifle likely would have punched a solitary hole in the window, but left it otherwise intact. That means it was from a different gun than the one used to kill the victim. We don't have the results back on its make, but we can rule out a shotgun based on the wound.”
“So are you back to your theory about a dumb kid testing out the gun he got for Christmas?” I asked.
“Yes. Still trying to track down the lead we got yesterday.”
The coffeemaker beeped and I jumped up to bring out the pot and the cups. “How long until I can get back to work?”
“Don’t rush it. We’ve got the back yard marked off as a crime scene. Someone from the department will let you know when we’ve finished processing the area.”
I felt bad that I couldn’t go back right away. At least people would be nearby to keep the house company.
“Why are you in such a hurry to get back to the house?” Eli asked after Freddie had left. I was washing the dirty dishes; he was drying them and putting them back in the cupboard.
“I have a connection to it, and don't want it to be lonely,” I confessed. “Alone all these years, and it has such potential. Can’t you imagine what it will be like all fixed up? And hopefully a young couple will buy it and fill it up with kids and cats and dogs.”
Eli grinned as he put down the towel and wrapped his arms around me. “You know how they make kids, right?”
“Maybe you should show me,” I answered, my voice a breathy whisper.

ABOUT P.J. MacLayne
Born and raised among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, P.J. MacLayne still finds inspiration for her books in that landscapes. She is a computer geek by day and a writer by night who currently lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. When she's not in front of a computer screen, she might be found exploring the back roads of the nearby national forests and parks.

Facebook https://facebook.com/pjmaclayne
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Amazon http://www.amazon.com/P.J.-MacLayne/e/B00HVE8WZI
My Blog http://pjmaclayne.blogspot.com/

Seeking Love on #Thursday13 with #MFRWauthor JM Maurer @JMMaurer1

Our guest at Thursday13 is lovely MFRW Author J M Maurer. She started working as a registered nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She loved transporting critically ill children from outlying hospitals, caring for them and their families, and picking up overtime hours treating patients of all ages while inside a hyperbaric chamber. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, she loves to write about strong characters and their struggles in life. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, consuming chocolate from around the world, and engaging in most any sport. She resides in Chicago and is the author of the Emerging From Darkness trilogy.

She gives us 13 reasons why she loves Halloween:

13) White Chocolate12) Ghost towns11) Jack-O-Lanterns10) Milk Chocolate9) Ghoulish decorations8) Candy corn7) Dark Chocolate6) Costumes!5) Haunted houses4) Chocolate liquor3) Jello shots to adults2) Corn mazes1) It's a month-long fall festival of spooky good times. And did I mention CHOCOLATE? 

           Seeking Love by J.M. Maurer
                   Erotic Contemporary Romance
Blurb

Every day, Jessica Winters does what she does best—bury herself in patient care within the walls of the neuro intensive care unit, keeping herself busy to escape the dark sadness that controls her life. But the day she sees Matthew Moi, the intriguing man seated at her new patient’s bedside, her shattered heart begins to frantically beat once again.

As Matthew pins his mesmerizing gaze upon her, trying to distract her with his humorous and playful banter, she does her best to ignore him. Somehow he already knows a great deal about her, breaking down Jessica’s barriers and awakening her soul, drawing her out of the darkness and into his arms.

When her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten her future, Jessica struggles through her issues and fights to stay on a healing path . . . seeking love.
Buy link  Amazon US: bit.ly/SeekingLove  

 Excerpt
One thing I knew: I wasn’t that woman anymore. I wouldn’t be her anymore.

My heart was racing at the thought of being separated from Matthew by only the door, and I watched as it opened, knowing he stood mere feet away. I drew in a deep breath to calm my frantic nerves and steady my racing heart. It was the moment my eyes would see him again, and the same moment I knew all involuntary muscle movements would cease.

As Matthew stepped in and around the door, his alluring eyes captured me. The feeling was nothing new. I’d been imprisoned by his gaze before. And locked in it again, I watched as he drifted to me, the indisputable chemistry between us palpable and absolute. His mesmerizing eyes had hypnotized my burning soul, completely bewitching me.

“Hello, Jessica,” he murmured, pointing to an open area of the bed. “Mind if I sit?”

I gave a slight shake of my head, having difficulty forming the simple word “no,” and watched as he made himself comfortable facing me. His crisp charcoal-colored trousers bunched as he scooted on the bed. My sight roamed along his classic plum-colored dress shirt and stopped searching once I focused on his face. 

You can stalk the author here:
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#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Life and Love in Vivid Color by Rhonda Jackson Joseph @rJacksonJoseph

MFRW Author Rhonda Jackson Joseph recently released Life and Love in Vivid Color, a Mainstream Contemporary Romance, with Tea and a Tome Publishing.

Enjoy the romantic journey with these colorful characters as they experience life and love, in vivid color. Walk with Rosalind Davis as she realizes getting a chance at love later in life can be more than a bother. Come along with Eva Grant while she and Santos help one another heal from the death of her husband, his friend. Laugh at Melanie Durst navigating the dating scene with a relationship of her own devising. Root for Daria and Maurice James as their loving marriage takes a hit from tragedy. Wish for Tisha Randall to get what she wants from Brian, when he comes into her store unsure of what his deepest wishes are. Urge Aliyah and Andre to build on their childhood friendship and make a go of a proper relationship. Warm in the sunshine that Jasmine brings for Lemond when she smiles.

BUY LINK

EXCERPT

"Bad idea. Terrible. Rosalind Davis kicked herself inside for attending the speed dating event that called itself “Mature Mingles”. She’d had no idea when she’d signed up that “mature” actually meant “looking for a caregiver with benefits or a spouse who would become a caregiver”.
She should have known that trying to make a romantic connection at her age would be difficult. Rosalind had only just decided she even wanted companionship and there she was, in a huge mess.
Her lips were exhausted from the effort she had to put into the tight, polite smile. Ring, buzzer. I’m ready to go.
She sighed in relief and closed her eyes. Only one more to go. She should have indicated that she was interested in meeting females, too. That way she might have at least gotten a good tennis partner out of the deal.
“I’m not trying to get married.” The words tumbled from her mouth before the last man could take the seat across from her.
He sat down and held her gaze. “That’s a relief. I don’t usually propose until the first real date.”
Rosalind flicked her gaze over the ID tag the man wore.
“Sorry.”
“No apology necessary. I’m Darren.”
“Rosalind.”
“I’m glad this is the last stop tonight.” He continued to look directly at her.
She felt the heat rise in her face at his intense gaze. “Me, too.”
“I’m glad for your beautiful mouth.”
“Excuse me?” Rosalind straightened in her chair and glared. She would get a bold pervert for the last contact of the night.
“I only meant that if you had to paste that little fake smile on one more time, your lips might crack and fall off.”
The indignant anger leapt out of her and Rosalind laughed, the first genuine chuckle she’d emitted that evening.
“In that case, thank you. You’re right.”
He shrugged. “It would be such a shame to lose it. You might need your mouth later on. To eat or laugh or something.”
She confirmed his observation with another giggle. He joined in, and she noticed how he laughed from his depths, and his smile completely reached his eyes.
“Nice to meet you, Darren.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Darren held his hand across the table and Rosalind grabbed it. He firmly shook and then released her.
A part of her wanted him to hold onto her a bit longer.

ABOUT Rhonda Jackson Joseph
Rhonda Jackson Joseph was born in Richmond, Texas. Her earliest foray into writing was during junior high school when she produced romance short stories. The stories were circulated and garnered quite a following, confirming that romance writing came natural to her.

Rhonda is on the steering committee for the National Black Book Festival in Houston. She earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University.

Rhonda currently lives in Pearland, Texas, with her four children. She has perpetual works in progress and also teaches college English courses. Otherwise, she can be found wrangling kids or reading—a lot.

www.amazon.com/author/rhondajacksonjoseph
www.rhondajacksonjoseph.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/rjacksonjoseph
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-Jackson-Joseph-WriterEditor/113607275401945
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077543.Rhonda_Jackson_Joseph
https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.jacksonjoseph

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Curse of the Lost Isle @VijayaSchartz #MFRWauthor

Curse of the Lost Isle

* boxed set 1-4 *

Vijaya Schartz

Historical Romantic Fantasy

Books We Love Ltd

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret, stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake. 5 stars on Amazon "Edgy Medieval, yay!" From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse.

BUY LINK

5 stars on Amazon "Edgy Medieval, yay!"

ABOUT Vijaya Schartz
Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims to travel through time, as she writes without boundaries about the future and the far away past. She has more than twenty-five novels published. Her stories collected numerous five star reviews and a few literary awards. Reviewers compared her stories to Indiana Jones with sizzling romance, and she takes that as a compliment anytime.

http://www.vijayaschartz.com
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/blogs.html
http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4/ref=lp_B001JP7UJ4_st?qid=1374183941&rh=n:283155,p_82:B001JP7UJ4&sort=daterank
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vijaya-Schartz-Author/109777709045040
https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz

It's Time! Spring Into Love ANTHOLOGY with 11 Authors including #MFRWauthor @Marcia_James

Spring Into Love

ANTHOLOGY

11 Hot Contemporary Romances

From sensual to spicy, this boxed set of ELEVEN contemporary romances includes bestselling, award-winning, and USA TODAY multi-published authors.

Happy Endings - Chantel Rhondeau

Tasting Los Angeles- Kimmie Easley

Taming Romeo - Rachelle Ayala

Consolation Prize - Abbie St. Claire

Sweet Ride! - Bonnie Edwards

Liveon ~ No Evil - Stacy Eaton

Everybody's After Love - Lyssa Layne

Betrayed - Jade Kerrion

Finding Forever- Michele Shriver

Love Unleashed - Marcia James 

Kiss Me, Dancer - Alicia & Roy Street

SPRING INTO LOVE will warm your heart and tickle your senses. This is a limited time offer, so grab your set today! ONLY 99c!

BUY LINK

Excerpt from ""Love Unleashed,"" a novella by Marcia James

Cara knew this wasn’t fair to Ron. Even if he hated her afterward, he had a right to know why she’d left him. “We got along great everywhere but in the bedroom. You’re just too...nice for me.”
“What the--? Too nice!” He gritted his teeth. “I was so careful with you--”
        “Did I ask you to be careful? You treated me like a porcelain doll, like I’d break if you looked at me cross-eyed.”
He leaned closer, his arms folded over his muscular chest. “I’m over a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier than you. Was I supposed to body slam you to the floor?”
“Yes!” God, it would have been wonderful if he’d been more sexually aggressive. “I loved you, Ron, but I can’t commit to a man whose lovemaking is so...”
“What? Boring?” He was being sarcastic, but his mouth dropped open as something in her eyes must have confirmed his comment. “This is crazy. I put you first every time. You want a selfish bastard who just cares about his own needs?”
He was crowding her personal space, and Cara’s anger spiked. “You can be generous in bed and still open to new things. Selfish and daring aren’t synonymous.”
       “So, Cara, you want spice or kink?”
       “I’m not ashamed of my desires.” She was tired of men scorning her for having a strong sex drive. “You’re the one who’s repressed. Ron Hart, Mr. Perfect Gentleman. Why keep such a tight leash on yourself? I’m not going to faint if you give into your urges.”
His pupils dilated and his jaw clenched, but she wasn’t afraid. Ron would never hurt her, but he might finally let his inner-caveman out. And if he threw off his good-boy manners, there might be a chance for them after all.
Ron’s gaze dropped to her mouth. His voice deep and sensual, he asked, “You want me to give in to my urges, Cara?”
Licking her lips in anticipation, she nodded.

ABOUT Marcia James
Marcia James writes hot, humorous romances and finaled in eleven Romance Writers of America contests before selling her first comic romantic suspense, At Her Command.  Her latest releases are Sex & the Single Therapist (a comic romantic mystery) and Love Unleashed (a sexy novella). In her eclectic career, she has shot submarine training videos, organized celebrity-filled nonprofit events and had her wedding covered by People Magazine. After years of dealing with such sexy topics as how to safely install traffic lights, she is enjoying “researching” and plotting her novels' steamy love scenes with her husband and hero of many years.

Website: www.MarciaJames.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarciaJamesAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marcia_James
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/marciajames/

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Emerald Keep @Torquere @ACatherineNoon #MFRWauthor

Emerald Keep

Book 2 of the Persis Chronicles
A. Catherine Noon
Erotic GLBT Science Fantasy Romance
Torquere Press

When Emerald Keeper Teeka returns to the city of Reghdad and leaves the harsh desert behind, he finds that not all dangers come from the Great Valley. The dangerous Daymonth is nearly upon them and no one can survive on the surface of the planet -- but Senior Hunter Quill Mayer is trying to get to Reghdad, and Teeka, before the start of it. Even if he makes it, Emerald Keep denies Teeka's Contract with Senior Hunter Quill, and Teeka discovers his enemy is more powerful than any of them suspected and he will stop at nothing to separate Teeka and Quill -- even by striking in the very heart of the city.

Trapped by the blazing suns of Daymonth inside a cliff city, will Keeper Teeka be able to save Hunter Quill from the censure of the Emerald Council, as well as a new unseen foe, both whom are determined to part the new lovers?

BUY LINK

ABOUT A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder
For author and textile artist A. Catherine Noon, it's all about the yarn, both metaphorical and literal - spinning a yarn, knitting with yarn, weaving, sewing, painting, sharing stories and good times over a cup of coffee with dark chocolate.  She teaches creative writing, creative expression and textile arts.

For author Rachel Wilder, it’s all about the person – from characters to clients.
Image Consultant | Dominatrix | Author

http://noonandwilder.com/
http://noonandwilder.com/category/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/noonandwilder
http://www.amazon.com/A.-Catherine-Noon/e/B005HKG4EO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_2
http://www.goodreads.com/noony

#Thursday13 Things #MFRWauthor @YolandaAshton Loves

Yolanda Ashton visits MFRW for Thursday13.

Yolanda is the alter ego of a thirty-something mother of three. Throughout daylight hours she's an educational professional and during the nights (when she's not daydreaming, reading and/or watching vampire drama) she's writing, hanging with family and trying to recover from a day spent with middle school students.

My two favorite things to do in the world (outside of family) are reading and writing-I fell in love with words at an early age. I love creating worlds with them and entering new worlds designed by them. Throughout my life I've always felt the epitome of a great ""me"" day is one spent reading a book or creating one.

Thirteen Things I Love (besides my family)...
1. The Vampire Diaries (Damon Salvatore…need I say more)
2. The Originals (Loving Klaus in all his bad-ass glory)
3. Chopped
4. Iron Chef
5. Butterflies
6. Pop music
7. Marvel Super Hero Movies
8. Reading New Adult Romance
9. My Amazon Fire Phone
10. Reading Young Adult
11. McDonald's french fries
12. HEA's
13. The crow Mikael Lockridge had to eat as he asked Lanya to help him........ (find out the reason why in my novella A Will for Love)

A Will for Love

Erotic Contemporary, Multicultural, New Adult Romance

Soulmate Publishing

Lanya gave her love and trust to a man, only to find out their relationship was a lie. Shattered, she decides she’s never give her heart to anyone again. But when her ex, Mikael LockRidge, offers her a proposition she can’t refuse, Layna finds being with him makes it impossible to resist the sensual pull between them. 

Blackmailed to commit an act that still haunts him, Mikael accepts his current loveless relationship as karma. But when he receives unexpected help from the grave, Mikael realizes he wants back what he lost. He just has to convince the ex he hurt to let him back in her life and her heart.

AMAZON Buy Link

EXCERPT

Layna hurried in, her eyes connecting with Mikael as soon as his apartment door closed behind her.
“I came as soon as I got your message.” Concern etched her face. “What’s wrong? Your message said it was important.”
Layna’s heart rate had skyrocketed when she received the text from Mikael telling her it was an emergency and to come to his apartment as soon as possible.
Expecting to see chaos as soon as she entered, Layna stopped and took a deep breath noticing for the first time that everything looked calm, including the sender of the text.Something was not right here.
“Mikael, what’s wrong?”
His blue eyes were chilly and his usually messy black hair was styled perfectly giving him a debonair look. She asked as she realized he was dressed in business attire. Mikael’s usual style was rocker meets prep. He left her and other girls drooling when he wore his trademark tight black tee and faded blue jeans. Although the black suit fit his lean, muscular six–foot-plus frame nicely it also made him look cold and detached. She had jokingly referred to it as his LockRidge armor. He only wore his ‘armor’ when he had to deal with his father.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Room 1024 by #MFRWauthors @erincmcrae @racheline_m

Room 1024
Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae
Erotic GLBT Contemporary Erotica
Torquere Press

When Cameron takes his submissive boyfriend Noah to a gay men's leather convention in San Francisco, Cam expects to spend the week exploring their relationship and experimenting with non-monogamy. What he doesn't expect is to run into his own former dom, Lou, in an embarrassingly public reunion.

While Noah is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play with the former international leather title-holder, Cam is more wary. He and Lou have unfinished business. A four-way encounter with Lou and his sub Stephen could be great fun—or it could show Noah that Cameron can never quite be the dom he wants and needs.

As Cameron and Noah work through the uncertainties in their relationship, Noah is offered everything he ever wanted, in a completely different way than he ever expected, leading all four men to discover that sometimes the only way forward is to revisit the past.

BUY LINK

EXCERPT

"Cameron Evan Beck, get your perfect ass in here!”
Cameron turns to follow the voice, so familiar and fond coming from one of the workshop rooms, before he even thinks about it. It’s only as Lou, completely dressed in leathers and holding a bullwhip in his hand, pulls him into a hug in front of what’s clearly a workshop Lou’s leading, that Cam starts to realize just how fucked he is.
“This,” Lou says, introducing him to the room before Cameron can even manage to make a sound, “is Dr. Cameron Beck, professor of queer studies at Boston University. ” There’s only the slightest of dramatic pauses before he adds, “Cameron used to be my boy.”
With that, Lou gives him a wet, smacking kiss on the cheek.
Cameron can’t help but look sheepish. This is not how he wants to be introduced to a room ever, even if reflex and history leave him a little proud.
Lou calls a break with his class and then turns to Cam again. “Are you here with anyone?” he asks quietly, glancing down appraisingly at the leather band on Cameron’s left wrist. He looks good. Lou’s not tall, but he is broad with wide shoulders, a strong chest and more than a bit of a belly. His charisma is as intense as ever, and although the touch of gray now at his temples is startling to Cam it’s also really hot.
“Yeah,” Cameron says, unsure why he doesn’t mention Noah’s name or any of his many places in Cam’s life. Forming sentences seems really hard.
“Good. Me too,” Lou says and tips his head toward a man who must be in his early thirties sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, quietly rebraiding a whip he’s obviously in the process of repairing.
Cameron feels his jaw tense with unavoidable and incredibly stupid jealousy; his fingers were never nimble enough to be really good at that sort of work.
“Are you competing?” Lou asks as if Cameron has actually been keeping up his end of the conversation.
“No,” Cam says. The whole leatherman beauty pageant competition thing may be fun to watch, but it’s never been among his aspirations. “You?”
“Oh no. Enjoying my emeritus position and a lack of annoying travel way too much. ”
“What about him?” Cameron asks, nodding to the guy. Cameron can imagine him competing for one of the bootblack titles. He’s certainly pretty enough, with tan skin and black hair that falls down into his eyes. He’s lanky, and sits kind of folded in on himself, but that’s attractive, too. Lou would certainly have no problem training him into better posture for the competition.
“What about him?” Lou’s voice is gently mocking.
“Is he competing?”
“No. I don’t feel like sharing him yet. At least not like that. Yours?”
Cameron shakes his head and finally realizes just how much he does not want to be having this conversation. He wants to go back to his hotel room, get Noah, go out and sightsee —-- and pretend none of this world has ever been his.
“We should have dinner,” Lou says. “Call me. I’m in room 1024.”

ABOUT Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese are authors of the gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry -- Starling (September 10, 2014), Doves (January 21, 2015), and Phoenix (June 10, 2015) -- from Torquere Press. Their gay romance novella series Love’s Labours, set in the theater world -- Midsummer (May 2015), and Twelfth Night (Fall 2015), is from Dreamspinner Press. They also have a story in Best Gay Romance 2015 from Cleis Press and edited by Felice Picano.

Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller; Erin is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. They write stories and scripts about the intersection of private lives, fame, and desire.

You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com or on their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.Racheline.

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Rose of Crimson @SecretCravings by Zrinka Jelic @FireTulip

MFRW Author Zrinka Jelic released Rose of Crimson, a Mainstream Paranormal Romance, with Secret Cravings Publishing.

Kate Rokov‘s grades are plummeting. She needs to get the voice out of her head or she will flunk her finals. Matthis Zrin, a three centuries old immortal, born into an aristocratic family as Miles Rusinic, is enthralled with Kate. It is his voice preventing Kate from sleeping and her ignorance is testing his limits. He wants her to write down his story to settle his wife’s earthbound spirit. His tragic love story has become Kate’s obsession since fifth grade during her summer trip to Rusinic castle. Their coming together settles the old spirit and breaks an ancient curse, and in doing so, a flame spanning over three centuries reignites and burns with wild desire. In this tale of two life times and desire versus emotional need, both know some dreams will have to wait for the right time, but the magic between them is impossible to withstand. A three centuries old curse, an eternal love destroyed by a family feud...and only one woman can break the doom and settle the ancient spirits.

BUY LINK

REVIEW
"A Must Read"
By Becky Cox on February 18, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
"This is a well written story that draws you in and allows you to live the experiences along with the characters. I look forwarded to reading Bonded by Crimson. I would recommend this book to not just paranormal readers but anyone who loves a great love story."

"Do not despair. When two souls are meant to be together, eventually they find their way back."

EXCERPT

"He cupped her face in his hands, broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “No, Kate. No. We can’t…I can’t.”
The fantasy shattered and coldness engulfed her. She licked her lips, her mouth dry. “Why not?”
“I lost her, Kate. I lost my wife less than a year ago and without her…” He gulped. His warm breath tickled her skin. “I’m lost too.”
Her heart clenched. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. The pain was all too fresh for him, but she had to ask. “Was your wife Dobrila?”
Stupid question, she realized. Who else could have been? He couldn't mourn anyone like this."

ABOUT Zrinka Jelic
Zrinka lives in Ontario, Canada. A member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic &Paranormal, as well as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction--which leans toward the paranormal--and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic's love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that's about the only break they get.

Connect on her BLOG.

The Write And Long Of It... Author Interview with #MFRWauthor @RuthACasie

MFRW Author Ruth A. Casie talks about her writing.
Ruth A. Casie writes contemporary and historical fantasy romance for Carina Press, Harlequin and Timeless Scribes Publishing. Formerly from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in New Jersey with her very supportive husband Paul. When not writing you can find Ruth reading, cooking, doing Sudoku, or counted cross stitch. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren.  They all thrive on spending time together.  It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world. She loves to hear from readers, so drop her a line at Ruth@RuthACasie.com.

Why did you decide to write romance novels? 
I love reading romance novels and when a friend said she was going to write one I thought I would too.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing? 
I write historical fantasy so not much of my life experiences although being able to zap some people would be really great. I think there’s a bit of me and my daughters in my heroines and my husband and son in my heroes.

What kind of research do you do for a book? 
My research is mostly on-line or in the library. Although, I got so into old manuscripts with these characters that I took a manuscript course at Stanford University.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms? 
A good friend decided to write a romance story. I wanted to help as a critique partner or beta reader. After a few hours of talking about her book she convinced me to write my own story and we would possibly sell hers and mine as a series. Life got in her way with looking at colleges for her daughter and training for the NY Marathon. I, on the other hand, kept on writing. When I was done I really didn’t know what to do with ms. I found RWA. I spent a year editing and learning what to do with the story then submitted it to agents and editors. It was picked up by Carina Press.

Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? 
I have two books coming out in March, The Druid Knight Tales and Knight of Rapture. They are both part of my Druid Knight series and continue the story of Arik and Rebeka. Their story wasn’t over and many fans asked for more.

Knight of Rapture, a Historical PNR Fantasy, with Timeless Scribes Publishing

For months Lord Arik has been trying to find the precise spell to rescue his wife, Rebeka, but the druid knight will soon discover that reaching her four hundred years in the future is the easiest part of his quest.
Bran, the dark druid, follows Arik across the centuries, tireless in his quest for revenge. He’ll force Arik to make a choice, return to save his beloved family and home or stay in the 21st century and save Rebeka. He can’t save them both.
Rebeka Tyler has no recollection of where she’s been the past five months. On top of that, ownership of her home, Fayne Manor, is called into question. When accidents begin to happen it looks more and more like she is the target. Further complicating things is the strange man who conveniently appears wherever trouble brews—watching her, perhaps even….protecting her? Or is he a deliberate attempt to distract her? Rebeka can only be sure of one thing—her family name and manor have survived for over eleven centuries. She won’t let them fall… in any century.

Where did the idea come from? 
The Druid Knight stories are historical fantasy time travel stories. You may see a little Knight in Shining Armor (Jude Deveraux) and Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) influences in the stories. But what really inspired me was the Lisa Kudrow program, Who Do You Think You Are?, the Ancestry.com program. I kept thinking what would it be like for a 21st century alpha-woman to confront a 17th century man of her dreams? And how would he handle the situation?

What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I write an outline to keep me on track then begin to write. My goal is a chapter ever two days. Each day I re-read what I wrote, make some edits and go on from there. The re-read helps me get back into the story and edits help to contain all the rewrite at the end. At least, that’s my plan!

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions? 
We’re empty nesters and I retired from my job eighteen months ago. Other than the community work I do for several organizations, my time is my own. In addition, my husband, Paul, is very supportive. While he is a brainiac and not necessarily into the historical fantasy time travel stuff, it’s great to overhear him tell others what I do.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Paul and I love to go to the movies and we take ballroom dancing lessons. He says that’s one way to get is arms around me.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
The list of my favorite authors are a mix of genres: Jude Deveraux, Diana Gabaldon, Eliza Knight, Terry Brisbane, Diana Cosby, Margaret Mallory, Jennifer Probst, Roxanne St.Claire, Eloisa James, Julie Rowe, DC Stone, Jaci Burton

How can readers connect with you?
Website:  www.ruthacasie.com
Personal Blog:  www.ruthacasie.blogspot.com
Google+: google.com/+RuthSeitelman
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/13GwuQ1
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792909.Ruth_A_Casie

You can also preview her book here:
EXCERPT from Ruth's latest book, Knight of Rapture

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She took another step and past the stone marker.The air chilled and the sky turned an array of colors. Everything around her began to swirl. She realized her mistake too late. The portal, she was in the portal.Arik. Close to him now, she reached for him but her hand passed through the form. She examined her hand turning it over then spotted the shadow of the man. An illusion? The shadow turned towards her. She watched as the wind washed over his face and it changed. “Bran,” she whispered in disbelief. Her head swiveled while she searched for something, anything to grab on to. The portal had one use and she had no intention of leaving.Get out, her brain shouted.His lips twisted into a cynical sneer. He tilted his head in jaunty satisfaction, snapped his fingers and vanished.“No,” she yelled. “Arik,” she closed her eyes and screamed in her head trying to mind touch him while the wind tore at her.“Beka,” he boomed.Her eyes snapped open. She shielded them from the dust and debris and stared at Arik on the other side of the opening. He stood at the high plateau, miles away. His hands were braced on the opening’s edges, which were nothing more than solid streams of whirling wind. He struggled to keep the portal from closing.“Come.” His voice didn’t allow for any argument.The wind whipped at her, pushed her back. She tried again. “I can’t. The wind. Keeps. Pushing. Me. Away.” She shoved her staff in front of her and anchored it in the ground. Against the gusting wind, pulled herself towards him.“A little more, Beka.” He gripped the edge of the portal with one hand and stretched the other out to her. She shoved her hand towards him as far as she could. The tips of their fingers brushed. In a burst of effort he caught the top of her hand, a precarious hold. With a tight grasp she wrapped her fingers around his thumb.Safe, she wasn’t far now.She concentrated on his face. The corners of his mouth turned up as he pulled her towards safety. The wind grew stronger buffeting around them then changed its path. Before she could brace herself for the new direction, the gust blasted them. Without a firm grip, her hand began to slip. She pushed through the building panic. His smile slipped. The expression on his face turned to determination. Again her hand slipped until he held her by her fingertips.He held them fast—crushing them but that didn’t matter. He had to hold on to her. Every muscle strained. Inch by inch he brought her closer to him. She tried to help him the best way she could. Anchored to the edge of the portal, Arik encouraged her on. But his alternatives were limited. The closer she got to him, the stronger the gale blew. Just a little closer, that’s all she needed for Arik to grab her and get her out of the portal.The wind exploded from another direction.The blasting gale pushed her staff away from the opening, across the dirt, cutting an ugly scar in the ground and dragging her away with her staff.Away from Arik.