Category Archives: Publishers
Calisa Rhose presents~ January 2018~ UnCover Monthly #ineedyourcovers #MFRWauthors #Coverlove
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all!
My apologies for running late, the New Year hit me with busy life and I haven’t had a chance to get on the pc until now (now that school’s back in session and I have a few quiet moments to think, lol).
I still need lots and lots of covers to share for 2018, so I’m leaving this invitation up for a couple of months, or until I have to send out another email begging for your covers! 😆
Apologies, I don’t post erotica, or anything above a heat level 4 in content or cover. You will find everything you need to show the world your covers at this link: https://calisarhose.com/uncover-monthly/
Please, consider submitting your covers, and I’d appreciate if you would share this link to January’s UCM showcase with your loops and groups.
The next post will go live at midnight (CMT) Monday, February 12. We’d love to see new faces in the comments and in the showcase as we move together into a brand new year.
Thank you!!!
Back to business! Welcome to Pen of the Dreamer, where I welcome guest authors with their beautiful covers on UnCover Monthly! I’ve changed the days I post this feature to the second Monday of each month, instead of the first Monday.
Go HERE to get the application, read carefully, then hurry and submit your covers! Remember, the early bird gets the prime slots. 😀
For now, enjoy more awesome cover art by the incredible authors and artists who make them possible for you to gaze upon each month.
It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists, instead of the actual book (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers.
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Bk 3, Knights of Honor
Author: Alexa Aston
Weblink: www.alexaaston.
Genre: Medieval Historical Romance
Heat Level: 3 flames – steamy
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Cover artist: Dar Albert
Release date: March 28, 2017
1365 A.D. – After the Earl of Sandbourne banishes his supposedly unfaithful wife to a convent, his young son Michael swears never to set foot on the family’s estate until after his father’s death. Michael will then claim his title as the new earl and restore his beloved mother to a place of honor.
Fifteen years pass, and the now-knighted Sir Michael Devereux serves Lord Geoffrey de Montfort at Kinwick Castle. He accompanies the nobleman and his family to a wedding, where Michael unknowingly falls in love with the bride before he even knows her identity.
Lady Elysande Le Cler is angry that her usually indulgent father went against her wishes and betrothed her to a stranger prior to his death. Now as her wedding day approaches, dread fills her—until she meets a dashing stranger who helps her deliver a foal. Elysande loses her heart to this knight, frustrated that they can never be together.
Join Michael and Elysande as they find fate has other plans in store for them.
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Title: Crimson Dream
Crimson Series, book 1
Author: Georgiana Fields
Weblink: www.facebook.com/
AuthorGeorgianaFields
Genre:. Paranormal Romance and Suspense
Length: Novel 270 pgs
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: Gilded Dragonfly Books
Cover artist: Gina Dyer
Release date: Aug 26, 2015
A mysterious stranger offers Rose Kelley the opportunity to restore his English home and fulfill a career dream. With nothing to lose, Rose accepts Vaughn Madoc’s offer and accompanies him to England. While touring his house, Rose is catapulted back to 1900 Victorian England.
Vaughn Madoc is Dhampir, the race that originated the legends of vampires, shape shifters, and demons. Working with Scotland Yard to track down a killer plaguing London in the wake of Jack the Ripper, his life has all the complications he can handle. But he’d gladly accept one more when a strangely dress woman appears in his library and who happens to be his true mate, the one he has waited centuries to meet.
Can Vaughn protect Rose from a vicious killer and can a 21-century woman in Victorian England without changing the future?
*Shape shifters, a serial killer, Vampires and time travel all contribute to make this an unforgettable love story.
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Author: Shannyn Schroeder
Weblink: http://www.shannynschroeder.com/
Genre: contemporary romance
Length: novel (304 pages)
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: Shannyn Schroeder
Cover artist: Kim Killion
Release date: 10/12/17
Malcolm “Mac” Sterling has one goal: take over the family matchmaking business. His final obstacle? Host his family’s new dating show and prove he can help each contestant find true love. One catch. Mac’s meddling mother has approved a co-host, a so-called expert who seems impervious to his charms. Now he could lose everything, because if his co-host proves she’s the better matchmaker, he can say goodbye to his legacy.
Natalie “Gem” Hale never intended for her alter ego as an online dating expert to get her the opportunity of a lifetime—or for that opportunity to come with a co-host who’s as infuriating as he is tempting. But she didn’t get this far by backing down from a challenge. All she has to do is keep her secret identity a secret.
Except as sparks fly and the competition heats up, Mac realizes his co-host is hiding something. He’s just got to figure out what.
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Author: Vicki Batman, Merry Holly,
Gerri Brousseau, Cara Marsi,
Bobbi Lerman, Jane Gale
Weblink: www.faceboo
Genre: contemporary
Length: short story anthology
Heat Level: various, 3
Publisher: Indie
Cover artist: n/a
Release date: November 1, 2016
It’s a season of holiday wishes and promises made. Six fun-filled stories to fill your holidays with promises, love, and kisses by award-winning and bestselling authors.
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Title: The Dead Man’s Treasure
Author: Kris Bock
Weblink: www.amazon.com/author/krisbock
Genre: romantic adventure
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Pig River Press
Cover artist: Alan Erickson
Release date: January, 2015
Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.
Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge.
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Title: The Perfect Partner (Love in New Orleans Series #4)
Author: Ursula LeCoeur
Weblink: www.ursulalecoeur.com
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 3- steamy- passionate kissing and light sex
Publisher: Ursula LeCoeur
Cover artist: Diane Millsap
Release date: September 1, 2017
Can a rake and a prude turn loathing into love?
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I want to thank all the authors who submit their covers
and make this a special place to share!
To see YOUR cover here visit the
UnCover Monthly
page for detailed instructions.
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Please note: There’s a heat level rating for covers, a 1-4 scale, for my readers’ benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch–aka my blog– since that’s not what I write.
Some author links may be shortened due to the site format, but the hyperlinks still direct readers to the page link you provide. If any link does not work when clicked, please let me know so I can fix it asap. A note in comments or by email is good.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You can leave it either in a comment or by my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/.
Calisa Rhose~Tuesday Roundup Features Leanna Sain #mfrwauthors #magicalsuspense
Friday Fanfare Welcomes:
Leanna Sain – Half-Moon Lake
How did the writer’s journey begin for you?
My novel writing journey began at a Halloween party where I saw the “Gate to Nowhere” (the title of my first novel) and the stories just keep coming. My “Gate” books have stacked up numerous awards, from Foreword Magazine’s Book-of-the-Year to the Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award from the North Carolina Society of Historians. My fourth novel, WISH, is a stand-alone, YA crossover.
My Southern romantic suspense or “GRIT-lit,” showcases my plot-driven method of writing that successfully rolls the styles of best-selling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Nicholas Sparks, and Jan Karon into a delightfully hybrid style that is all my own. Regional fiction lovers and readers who enjoy suspense with a magical twist will want my books.
Tell us three things about you-the writer-readers wouldn’t typically know.
- I’m one of the fastest goat-milkers I know.
- I’m terrified of heights
- Wasp/Hornet spray stuns a rattlesnake so you can kill it (voice of experience talking here), but you have to unload the whole can on it.
Well, I know what I’m reaching for next time I see a rattler! LOL
It all began when…
It all began when my husband and I were doing a furniture delivery down in the Nantahalla Valley. The kudzu inspired it.
Where did you get the premise for this book?
I was on a ‘twins’ kick. I wondered about something bad happening to one twin that resulted in their death and the psychological trauma causing amnesia in the remaining twin.
Interesting. What stands out about this story that made writing it different for you?
It was my first book written in 1st person. I actually wrote this one before Red Curtains (the first book in my GRITS series). Everything is in Kate’s POV. It was so much fun I decided to do all the GRITS books in 1st person too.
Were there any difficult challenges or special subject matter you came across while writing this book?
No difficult challenges, but since kudzu plays an important part in the story, I had to do a lot of research about the plant. I wove what I learned into the story. There’s more to it than just an invasive vine.
I thought that said invasive wine. I was about to grab my glass! 😆
What about this book would make us want to read it more than others of similar taste?
I think my characters are just more believable and although it’s a suspense/mystery, it’s a FUN read. I made myself laugh…out loud. Plus Levi is just plain HOT!
LOL!
What do you want readers to take away from this book?
I want them to love the book so much that they can’t wait to go out and get all my other books.
Tell us about the finished book. Is there anything special we might not know after reading it?
When Kathryn Dorne is summoned to Half-Moon Lake for the reading of her father’s will, she discovers a shocking truth: everything in her life—including her name—is a lie.
Learning that her name is Katelyn Eubanks is only the first surprise. Second, she had an identical twin sister who drowned at the age of nine. Since Katelyn can’t remember anything prior to that age, it seems more than mere coincidence. The biggest surprise is that her father, a man she never knew existed, left his entire estate to her, enraging other would-be heirs.
With her unremembered, but closest childhood friend, Levi, as well as help from the estate’s deaf-mute gardener, and the outspoken cook, Katelyn searches for answers to questions that have plagued her all her life, but doing so, opens the proverbial Pandora’s box. As her memories return, so does the terrible danger she escaped fifteen years earlier.
I hope readers get their curiosity piqued when the story mentions Half Moon, the Cherokee Indian medicine woman, and the MacKinlay family (see the Gate to Nowhere Trilogy).
Where can readers find you and your books?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/half-moon-lake/id1241572035?mt=11
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/half-moon-lake-leanna-sain/1126450434?ean=2940157456566
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/half-moon-lake-1
Is there anything else you want to share or add?
I love talking to book clubs or women’s groups. If your group is within an hour or two of western NC, I’d love to come see you. Contact me at http://www.LeannaSain.com
I wish I lived closer! Thanks for visiting Leanna!
K folks, it’s a nasty, rainy day here in Oklahoma, and I don’t have a fireplace. So, I’ll gift one commenter with a copy of my ebook Risk Factors if you share this post on FB and Twitter then post both direct links in comments. I’ll draw the winner Sunday night.
Dodadaghovi~
Calisa Rhose presents~Uncover Monthly #Oct2017 #mfrwauthor #coverlove
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all!
I welcome guest authors with their beautiful covers to the new and improved UnCover Monthly!
Go HERE to get the application, read carefully, then hurry and submit your covers! Remember, the early bird gets the earliest slots. 😀
For now, enjoy more awesome cover art by the incredible authors, publishers and artists who make them possible for you to gaze upon each month.
It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers.
There’s a heat level rating for covers, one through four scale, for your benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch since I don’t feature anything erotic in nature. If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You can leave it either in a comment or by my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/.
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Author: Constance Hussey
Weblink: www.constancehussey.com
Genre: Historical
Length: Novel, 314 p
Heat Level: 3 passionate kissing, light sex
Publisher: Constance Hussey
Cover artist: Sheri McGathy
Release date: July 21, 2017
A country maiden—a worldly man—an undeniable love
A determined man on a singular path, Harry Bryce is not pleased when the Crown awards him a title, nor is he gratified to learn of an unexpected inheritance in Cornwall. Even less welcome is the mandatory sabbatical from his position at the War Office, just when England needs every man in the fight against Napoleon’s subversive agents. Chafing at the unwanted holiday, Harry uses the time to inspect his new property, only to be entangled in the affairs of a young Cornish woman whose family and home are threatened with destruction. Compelled by his compassionate nature to assist her, he is caught in a complex situation that thoroughly disrupts his carefully ordered life.
In contending with repeated attempts on her brother’s life, an uncle unashamedly stripping the estate of income, and a greedy earl who is desperate to mine copper on her land, Kerra Trevaine needs all the strength and fortitude she possesses. But the arrival of the mysterious Mr. Bryce is perhaps the greatest danger she faces. For while he stands firmly against Kerra’s enemies, the dangerously attractive gentleman threatens to win Kerra’s heart—and that may be the most challenging test of all.
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Bk4, Alpha Council Chronicle Series
Author: Brenda Sparks
Weblink: www.brenda-sparks.com
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 4.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: Rae Monet
Release date: December 14, 2016
Starved for blood, vampire, Nicholai Peterhof is greatly relieved when two tourists decide to grace his restaurant, but one sip from the pretty brunette and his world is forever turned upside down. Juliette Staint-John is everything he could have asked for in a heartmate; pretty, smart, built with curves in all the right places…and totally unavailable.
Juliette doesn’t want anything to do with the handsome, young-looking Nicholai. As if their differences aren’t enough, the acute grief over the loss of loved ones keeps her heart guarded. He may be her fantasy, but that’s all he can ever be.
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Author: Zara West
Weblink: www.zarawestsuspense.com
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 4- hot- sex
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: Angela Anderson
Release date: June 2016
Ex-Olympic wrestler and reclusive billionaire artist Aristides Stavros has one mission—to rescue his sister, a popular tattoo artist from the old enemy who has kidnapped her. But at every turn, he is confronted by anthropologist Melissa Dermot. Is she just an innocent girl in over her head, or is she working for the international crime boss holding his sister?
Only one thing is certain–when Ari holds the beautiful Asian-American in his arms, questions of guilt and innocence fade against an undeniable fiery attraction. But can their wild passionate love survive the tangled web of long-buried secrets, intentional deceit, and murderous revenge that lie just beneath the surface?
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Author: Rolynn Anderson
Weblink: www.rolynnanderson.com
Genre: Romantic suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 3- steamy
Publisher: Rolynn Anderson
Cover artist: Kris Lynn
Release date: 2017
Three young American women vanish in Aix-en-Provence, France.
The FBI suspects their American tour guide.
Leon Beaudet, formerly a U.S. Olympic wrestler, is proud of his five-star guide business, but when tourists disappear on his watch, the FBI dredges up a violent episode in Leon’s past and tap him for the crime. Worse, his new tour group includes Aline Kerig, who is as beautiful and carefree as the three missing women. Leon is fascinated and puzzled by Aline even while he fears for her safety. She refuses to go back to the States, forcing the FBI and local police to involve her in the hunt.
With the French tourist industry about to collapse and Leon as a prime suspect, how does he protect Aline and find his lost tourists?
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Author: M. S. Spencer
Weblink: www.msspencertalespinner.com
Genre: Romantic suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: RJ Morris
Release date: March 15, 2017
Sydney Bellek’s love for Elian Davies is reignited each time they meet, but in the long years following each encounter she forgets him. For his part, Elian knows from the age of seven that they are meant for each other, but when she finally understands it’s too late. Will he regain his memory and remember her or will their new love be enough to replace the old one?
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Book 2 , Knights of Honor
Author: Alexa Aston
Weblink: www.alexaaston.wordpress.com/
Genre: Medieval Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Cover artist: Dar Albert
Release date: February 10, 2017
1363 A.D. – Lady Beatrice Bordel loses her mother and grandfather on the same day, leaving her penniless. With no protector and no prospects for marriage, her future is dismal. Hoping her grandfather’s oldest friend will take her in, Beatrice journeys north and is set upon by a band of highwaymen. All seems lost—until Sir Raynor Le Roux arrives.
Raynor nurses a broken heart as he returns to his home. He comes upon a scene of horror in the woods and rescues a beautiful woman who stirs strong emotions within him. When he learns that Lady Beatrice travels to her betrothed and is alone in the world, the code of chivalry that guides Raynor’s life compels him to escort her so that she may marry her intended.
But Beatrice has told Raynor a white lie, trying to protect herself, even as she is drawn to the handsome knight. As their growing attraction turns to love, her dishonesty stands in the way. Will Beatrice admit to her deception and tell Raynor the truth—or will this chivalrous knight turn away from the women he desires?
Join Raynor and Beatrice as they travel toward their inevitable destination of love.
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Silver Dollar Saloon series #1
Author: Paty Jager
Weblink: www.patyjager.net/
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 2
Publisher: Windtree Press
Cover artist: Christy Keerins
Release date: September 21, 2017
Escaping a past full of deceit and larceny, Savannah Gentry goes in search of her only kin, a half-brother she discovered after her father’s death. She hopes Shady Gulch in the Dakota Territory can give her a future. However, she stumbles into the arms of Reverend Larkin Webster, finds herself working in the Silver Dollar Saloon, and soon fears she’s gone from the frying pan into the fire.
After dodging death and incarceration, the Topeka Kid decides to turn his life around and takes on a new identity. Reverend Larkin Webster. It works, until he finds a temptation he can’t resist and steals the heart of Savannah Gentry. When her past collides with his, he wonders if this theft could end up with him losing everything, including his life.
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Title: The Skeleton Canyon Treasure
Author: Kris Bock
Weblink: http://www.krisbock.com/
Genre: Romantic Adventure
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 1-Sweet
Publisher: Pig River Press
Cover artist: Alan Erickson
Release date: July, 2016
When Camille Dagneau finds a strange man searching the college machine shop she runs, she’s ready for battle. Ryan MacAllister acts equally suspicious of her, but he claims he’s merely looking for his missing uncle, who disappeared while hunting for a lost treasure. He believes Camie is the key to finding the treasure, and his uncle. But beautiful, brilliant, and prickly Camie isn’t about to trust this oversized geologist, or the attraction she feels.
Following the clues in the missing man’s journal will take Camie, Ryan, and Camie’s remarkable cat Tiger on a trail through New Mexico and Arizona. They’ll visit the Tombstone graveyard at night, uncover clues in museums, and ultimately wind up in Skeleton Canyon, where legend says nineteenth-century cowboy bandits hid their treasure. To rescue Ryan’s uncle, they’ll face steep cliffs, twisty tunnels, and worse dangers in human form, but trusting each other may be the biggest challenge. And they’re running out of time…
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Do You Think About the Homeless? Leanna Sain opens her eyes and heart #thehomeless #mfrwauthor #
Osiyo~
I have Leanna Sain in the Round Pen today. I’ll let her tell you a bit about her book, Red Curtains.
I saw ‘Lily’ while my husband and I were visiting Savannah for our 26th anniversary. We were waiting for a tour bus when she strolled past us, wearing a court jester hat and talking to herself. She walked up to a mailbox by the bus stop proceeded to sprinkle some invisible substance around its base. I cocked an eyebrow at my husband and quipped, “Fairy-dust?” He shrugged, waiting to see what she did next.
She was obviously homeless, and the moment I saw her, my mind started creating her story. As soon as we got on the bus, I began scribbling ideas as fast as my pen could write. Red Curtains is the result.
I know the homeless issue isn’t a comfortable subject, but unfortunately, it’s reality and I hope my book raises awareness. Homeless statistics are staggering, so to help in a small way, I’ll be donating a part of book sales to the “Stand Down” program mentioned in the story.”
***
“Cleo!” she greeted me joyously, as if we were long, lost friends instead of mortal enemies. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Ellie.” Her eyes narrowed at my mispronunciation, but she didn’t correct me. I gave her a cold stare. The only thing that kept me from yanking her out of my seat by her dark rooted, bottle-blond hair was sheer, iron will.
“I saw you come in earlier,” she trilled in her fake- friendly voice. “I wanted to be sure to come tell you ‘hi.’ Imagine my disappointment when I finally made it to your table and found you were gone. But luckily…” she gave Jonas an impudent smile. “…this nice man was good enough to let me sit here and wait for you.”
Finally made it to my table? Yeah, right. I was sure she’d waited—on purpose—for me to leave before she swooped in. I’d seen this act before, and I thought I was ready for it, but I guess I wasn’t. When she finished her little performance with a wink, I think I may have growled.
“Well, that worked out well for you, didn’t it?” My smile was brittle. One false move and my face might shatter into a thousand little pieces. I waited stiffly for her to vacate my seat. Could a person’s blood actually boil?
Jonas was casting an uncertain look between the two of us. I’m sure he was astute enough to feel the undercurrents. He might not understand them, but he had to be aware of them.
Then he sort of jumped, shoulders stiffening, eyes widening in shock as he stared across the table. What was that about? I glanced at Ellie, looking for an answer. Uh-oh. I knew that look. I’d seen her use it often enough. It was her “come and get me” expression—gazing up through her mascara thickened lashes, a seductive smile curving her lips, promising things I didn’t even want to know about—the look that reduced men to puppy-like creatures, eager to please. A movement under the table caught my eye and my jaw dropped. Ellie’s stiletto-clad foot was rubbing suggestively up and down Jonas’ leg. Obviously, Ellie had no intention of relinquishing her spot at the table.
Oh, no you don’t, girlfriend! Not this time! I made a totally out-of-character and utterly rash decision, praying that Jonas would just go with it and that it wouldn’t backfire. I slipped into the seat beside him, snuggling up close. “I like it better on this side, anyway.”
I’ll have to hand it to him. It only took him a split second of startled uncertainty before he dropped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me even closer. He put his lips to my ear, whispering, “I guess you’ll explain what’s going on later?”
His warm breath against my ear caused goose bumps to shiver along my arms and down my legs, but I dimpled up at him and answered, “You know I will.”
Turning to Ellie, I almost shouted over an explosion of laughter from the bar. “Isn’t he a sweetheart? I just love him to death!”
Ellie’s expression had become a bit frosty and I almost giggled with delight. It felt wonderful to be vindicated. Not to mention, it was very, very cozy to be snuggled up against Jonas like this.
She slid toward the outside edge of the seat. “It was good to see you, Cleo. Happy holidays. Nice to meet you, Jonas. Maybe we could meet for a drink sometime?”
“Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll let you set it up with Cleo.”
Ellie’s jaw tightened. “Of course. See you later.” She spun around and stalked away, swaying a little on her four-inch heels.
***
North Carolina native, Leanna Sain, earned her BA from the University of South Carolina, then moved back to her beloved mountains of western NC with her husband. Her “Gate” books have stacked up numerous awards, from Foreword Magazine’s Book-of-the-Year to the Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award from the North Carolina Society of Historians. Sain’s fourth novel, WISH, is a stand-alone, YA crossover.
Her Southern romantic suspense or “GRIT-lit,” showcases her plot-driven method of writing that successfully rolls the styles of best-selling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Nicholas Sparks, and Jan Karon into a delightfully hybrid style that is all her own. Regional fiction lovers and readers who enjoy suspense with a magical twist will want her books.
She loves leading discussion groups and book clubs. For more information or to contact her, visit: www.LeannaSain.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leannasbooks
Twitter: Leanna Sain@Leannasbooks
Website and blog: http://leannasain.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LeannaSain
Buy link:
http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4594-red-curtains.html
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Curtains-Leanna-Sain-ebook/dp/B01L5R53U8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/red-curtains/id1149202885?mt=11
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-curtains-leanna-sain/1124412152?ean=2940156862825
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/red-curtains
Thank you for sharing Red Curtains with my readers, Leanna! I think it’s a wonderful thing for you to donate a portion of sales to a good cause most of us don’t even think about in our own daily lives.
Dodadagohvi~
Calisa Rhose presents ~ Gambler’s Choice by Linda Nightingale #mfrwauthor #abouthorsepeopleforhorsepeople
Osiyo~
Today I have a special guest who is a new and very dear friend and fellow horsewoman who has been instrumental in helping me through an, at-times, unbearably intolerable week. Please welcome the multi-talented and lovely Linda Nightingale to the Ranch! She’s brought her new book to share. I absolutely LOVE this cover and can’t wait to read my copy of the book. Here’s Linda to share about the book.
Gambler’s Choice
By Linda Nightingale
A novel about people who love horses…
From The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Editor: Mary Harmony
Tagline: An English aristocrat and a Virginia socialite go head-to-head—and feet-to-feet—in a battle over ownership of a very special horse.
Rating: Spicy
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Price: $16.99
Here’s a video trailer to enjoy in lieu of a blurb. 😀
Gambler’s Choice:
Rebecca McQuaid was in England for one reason.
To find the perfect match.
Size was important. Becca was a tall girl. Money was of no consequence whatsoever. Becca was a wealthy girl. Heart mattered most. He must have the heart to go the distance. She dreamed of a partnership that would last a lifetime. But looks did rank quite high on her list of priorities.
“I simply can’t ride an ugly horse. That would be like dating an ugly man.” Tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder, she laughed and winked at her friend.
Meg shot her a frown, her tone accusing Becca of being an uncivilized colonist. “Rebecca McQuaid, you say the damnedest things.”
An appreciative chuckle turned her around to squint into the sun. A tall, elegant, dark figure of a man on a magnificent horse caught her imagination mid-stride. She couldn’t see the rider’s face, but she knew he’d overheard the exchange with her friend. He saluted her with a tap of his whip to the brim of his hat as he rode past. Excitement capered over her, and she smiled. The horse’s muscled, blood bay rump glistened. The stallion was sixteen-two hands, fit and impeccably groomed.
“Nice buns. That one’s good-looking enough for me.” She elbowed her friend. “Who is it?”
Meg shaded her eyes. “Gambler’s Choice and Austen Heath. Both horse and rider satisfy your criteria, my dear girl.”
“The horse is handsome.” She wished she had gotten a better look at the bay, but he was a mahogany blaze in the morning sun. “Are you telling me the rider is?”
“That’s the general consensus, but Austen hides in that rambling, dark mansion of his.” Meg studied the pair picking up a trot along the arena. “Fierce competitors. Hard to beat at Intermediate. We’ll see how they handle Advanced.”
“An Advanced horse?” Becca wriggled her shoulders. “I’m in the market.”
“Look elsewhere.” Meg’s finger jutted at Becca’s nose. “Austen won’t sell Gambler for love or money. Guaranteed. Not even for the kind of money you’re willing to spend.”
“Meggie.” She linked arms with her friend. “Everything has a price.”
Meg balked like a donkey. “You’re in a different world, princess.”
“Well, not everything. Love doesn’t have a price.” Pain wrenched her heart as a memory of the breakup with Daniel flashed through her mind. The hurt was too fresh to even think of another man. “But I’m not in the market for love.”
Becca had found that the best way to protect her heart was to play spoiled little rich girl. She had that part down pat, and, as Winston Churchill had said, There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. She was looking for a horse to fall in love with and help mend her broken heart.
*****

Linda and Bonito perform a Musical Freestyle to Phantom of the Opera
From the time I was born, I was in love with horses. Every Christmas, I’d rush to the window to see if there was a pony tied to a tree. Sadly, there never was until my parents moved to a small farm near where we’d formerly lived. Then they bought me a black paint gelding I named First Fling. I was thirteen at the time. From that beginning, after I married, I went on to breed Egyptian Arabians and later the magnificent Andalusian horse. My stallion Bonito was three times National Champion.
So, it was predestined that at some time I would write a book about horses and the people who love them. I can testify that this love can be one to distraction! I had never participated in 3-Day Eventing, a very demanding and dangerous sport, but my friend in Florida was an eventer. If I ran into a problem with the technical information, I called Helen. She’d walk me through the event. I didn’t ramble off into too much detail because I didn’t want to bore the non-horsey reader. The techniques of the half-pass, the shoulder-in, and the canter pirouette are probably not familiar to most people outside the horse aficionado.
Gambler’s Choice is the name of a jumping class in a horse show. I think that name and the excitement of that race against the clock inspired the book. In this class, each team (horse and rider) that makes a clean round goes on to the next. The fences are raised, and again they must beat the best time of other entries. A sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of experience.
I named the equine star after the class. Though the book is a romantic suspense, the story is really about two people who love one horse. Becca is willing to pay any amount for Gambler’s Choice. Austen is not going to sell his best friend for any price. Perhaps, a horse person is the only one who’d understand how dramatic this conflict is.
I love to chat with readers so come see me at these locations around cyberland.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNightingale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor
Buy Link: print http://ow.ly/YaLsh or digital http://ow.ly/YaLFD
Web Site: http://www.lindanightingale.com – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ – Lots of interesting guests & prizes
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
Book Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03972_A_5-Y
Thank you for visiting and sharing GC with my readers today, Linda. I can’t wait for news on future projects!
Dodadagohvi~
Calisa Rhose presents ~ The Connection Between Urban Fantasy and Romance #MeganMorgan #mfrwauthor
I’m turning the Round Pen over to my special guest today. Please welcome author, Megan Morgan! She’s here to enlighten us on the post title.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN URBAN FANTASY AND ROMANCE
Hello everyone! I’m happy to be here today on the Ranch and want to first thank Calisa for having me.
I’m always eager to chat and make new friends! My name is Megan Morgan and I’m an urban fantasy and paranormal romance author—I also write a bit of contemporary erotic romance on the side. You could say that’s my ‘naughty’ side. I’m an author with Lyrical/Kensington and last year was the debut of my Siren Song urban fantasy series with them.
I’m here today to talk about the connection between urban fantasy and romance. Some people say urban fantasy is a subcategory of science fiction while others feel it’s a subcategory of romance. Sometimes urban fantasy is even relabeled as paranormal romance. Much urban fantasy out there today does involve a romantic subplot, even if the main focus is on something else.
In my series, my heroine June Coffin has a lot on her plate, but she also finds herself in a romantic triangle with two very different men. June is a siren living in a world where paranormal people exist, are acknowledged by the general population, and are scientifically studied—sometimes, to nefarious ends. June tries to keep her power low-key and stay away from all the politics and science, until her brother is taken hostage by a shady scientific institute in Chicago and she has to rescue him.
June must find some help to do this, however. She meets Micha Bellevue, a non-paranormal human who advocates for paranormal rights. Micha is a sweet, wholesome, handsome, good guy, who is fascinated with June and her slightly less wholesome, spunky, punkish ways. However, there’s one huge problem—Micha’s wife has just been murdered, but he has no memory of it, or of her, because June accidentally erased his memory with her power.
She also meets Sam Haain, the brash and outspoken leader of a paranormal group that believes humans and paranormals shouldn’t mix—and that scientists certainly shouldn’t be studying paranormal people. He’s the tall, dark, and handsome type with big ambitions and an even bigger mouth. He thinks June would be much better suited in his corner, fighting the good fight at his side.
At first June has misgivings about both of them, for many obvious and not-so-obvious reasons, and she’s much more focused on saving her brother and getting out of Chicago. However, as the series progresses, feelings blossom and she finds herself torn between them. Even in the upcoming third book, on the surface she appears to have made her choice, but deep down, she really hasn’t.
So, does this make my particular series a subcategory of romance? There’s certainly a lot of emotions involved as the story unfolds, and romance does bloom. However, the story doesn’t always focus on the relationships, so does that mean it’s not romance?
I think it’s up to the reader to decide. Fans of urban fantasy probably have a lot of opinions on the matter. As for myself, I like urban fantasy that has a romance subplot. Some say urban fantasy tends to be sexier and racier than typical romance, but again, I think this depends on reading tastes and the author.
How about you? Do you think urban fantasy fits in the romance category, or do you think it’s something else? I’d love to hear your opinions! Comment and you’ll be entered to win an e-copy of the first book in the Siren Song series, The Wicked City.
BLURB FOR THE WICKED CITY (Siren Song #1)
She’s got a voice to die for…
Whatever June Coffin says, goes—literally. And it’s not just because she’s a chain smoking rebel. As a Siren, June has the ability to force people to obey any command she voices. But in a world where those with supernatural powers quickly become lab rats for science, she’d rather look out for herself than fight on the front lines…until her similarly gifted twin brother, Jason, is captured by Chicago’s Institute of Supernatural Research.
To save Jason, June has no choice but to enter a hidden world of conspiracy, murder—and strange bedfellows—including a widowed paranormal advocate whose memory June accidentally erased, and a fiery paranormal separatist leader. Soon the lines between attraction and strategic alliance become blurred. But in a city exploding with paranormal crossfire, and her brother’s life at stake, June will have to face her inner demons and finally take a stand.
Read the first chapter.
WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | All Romance Ebooks | iTunes | Google Play
BLURB FOR THE BLOODY CITY (Siren Song #2)
On the run…
It’s been four months since the head of the Institute of Supernatural Research was murdered. But that doesn’t mean June Coffin is out of hiding yet. In a world where being different can get you killed, it’s best to keep a low profile. Especially for a Siren who can control other people with the call of her voice. That goes double if your powers might be inexplicably growing…
On the hunt…
But June isn’t the only one trying to clear her name. There’s Sam, the charismatic paranormal rights leader, and Micha, the first human on record to go paranormal. All of them must bargain with a mysterious vampire named Occam Reed if they want to stay alive.
Out of time…
As tensions increase between humans and paranormals, June must decide who to trust. If only she could hear the song inside her heart…
Read the first chapter.
WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play | All Romance Ebooks
BLURB FOR THE BURNING CITY (Siren Song #3)
When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?
Tattoo artist June Coffin has another, more hidden talent: she’s a Siren who can influence people with the sound of her voice. But in the wake of a murder and shake-up at the Institute of Supernatural Research, her own powers are starting to kill her. The only chance she has of saving herself—as well as her kidnapped brother and best friend—is to become a vampire. But joining the ranks of the vengeful vamp, Occam Reed, is the last thing June wants to do.
Occam isn’t the only danger June needs to worry about. Power hungry telepath Robbie Beecher will stop at nothing to gain control over Chicago. He’ll destroy anyone who gets in his way—and June’s lover, Sam, is high on the hit list since his bid for Mayor. With the city and June’s heart being pulled in different directions, it’s only a matter of time before the powder keg explodes…and time isn’t something June has much of left. With a city on fire, can she rise from its ashes?
Available July 5, 2016
WHERE TO PRE-ORDER:
Amazon | B&N | Google | iTunes | Kobo
***
AUTHOR BIO:
Megan Morgan is a multi-published award winning urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and erotica author from Cleveland, Ohio. RWA member, bartender by day, and purveyor of things that go bump in the night, she’s trying to turn writing into her day job so she can be on the other side of the bar for a change. Hailing from the often-wintry shores of Lake Erie, she lives with an attention-seeking cat and her adult son, both of which shed too much.
Website: http://www.meganmorganauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/morgan_romance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.morgan.author
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/116773473236786103709/about
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmorganauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8380732.Megan_Morgan
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Morgan/e/B00LBHTUSE/
***
Well, these definitely sounds exciting, Megan, and those covers are to sing for! 😉 To make her visit even better, did you notice up there ^ that Megan is offering one ecopy of THE WICKED CITY (Siren Song #1) to a lucky commenter who leaves their email for her. Believe me, I wish I could qualify to win this one! 😆 *She will randomly draw the winner by nine p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) night, so get your email registered by commenting now! 😀
As usual, I want to thank Megan for dropping by and all of you who visit her. Please don’t forget to Like and share this post from any of the many buttons provided above. 🙂
*If no email is available for contact, and the winner doesn’t respond in the comments with one within 24 hours, Megan will draw another winner, so be sure to check back often to see if you’ve won. 🙂
Calisa Rhose presents ~ Shatterproof by KK Weil #mfrwauthor #tuesdayroundup
Osiyo~
Welcome KK Weil to the round pen today! She’s sharing her new book, Shatterproof, and I’m asking her a few random questions. KK also has a special offer at the end.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I’m very excited to be here.
I’m thrilled to have you! Let’s get started.
What is your writing routine?
As soon as my kids leave for school, my computer goes on. My coffee sits next to me and if the weather is nice, I either work outside or open all my windows. Fresh air inspires me. Usually, I take care of any “business” first, like social media or communications with other authors. After that, I dive into writing. What that means depends on the day. It might be picking up where I left off and spewing out tons of words or maybe I just go over what I did the day before and tweak it. Of course I find the days when I get more pages out to be more productive, but both kinds of days are necessary. I work until the kids come home, which often means losing track of time and neglecting everything else that needs to be done. And then my computer goes back on when they go to sleep.
Which comes first for you—plot or characters?
It depends. For my first book, At This Stage, I knew the premise of the plot before anything else. I developed my characters around what I wanted to happen in the story. In my new release, Shatterproof, my hero, Griffin is a character from the first book. I fell in love with him while I was writing At This Stage, and I knew I wanted to give him his own story. Shatterproof developed entirely around Griffin, so in that case, character definitely came first. In the book I’m working on now, I started with a general idea of the plot, but was having some trouble with my heroine. Then I used a character sketch to get to know her better and then everything started flowing like magic.
What aspect of writing comes easy to you? What is difficult?
For me, the most natural part of writing is the story development. I absolutely love creating something from nothing and every time plots come together in ways I didn’t initially expect, I get very excited. I tend to write about sensitive subjects, so I guess I’d have to say the hardest part is how to handle them. For example, a large part of Shatterproof is about how Griffin deals with his anger towards his mother for staying in an abusive relationship for years. I really wanted to capture what he was going through, while making it clear that the feelings were his as a product of that household, and not mine as a writer. It can be tricky.
What was your first writing piece and where is it now?
I’ve always written, so I couldn’t name my first piece. But my first “full length book” – which would have to be judged by how many pages it took up in a marble composition notebook – was about twin girls. One good, one, bad, naturally. And the trouble they got into. I think I wrote it in Junior High. I still have it, tucked away in my basement, in a duffle bag filled with old stories I’ve written.
Where in the world would you want to visit (all in the name of research, of course) and why?
My number-one dream destination is, without a doubt, Australia. I’ve actually had my itinerary planned for years, because one day, it will happen. There are so many things I want to see there. The opera house and the beautiful Great Barrier Reef are at the top of my list. But above all, I want to visit the outback, Ayer’s Rock and learn about the Aborigines. I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful place to take my family. And imagine the stories it would inspire!
Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry and why?
Margaret Atwood. (https://twitter.com/MargaretAtwood1) To me, she is the queen of dystopian fiction, one of my favorite genres. I’d do anything to pick her brain.
Favorite movie and why?
I have so many, and they truly change with my mood. But two of my all-time favorites are Bullworth and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, because I love satire.
Salty, sweet, or both?
Salty, salty salty. Except if you’re offering me a peanut butter cup.
Shatterproof Blurb
Griffin Stone knows the stats. Sons of abusers become abusers. This is his single fear.
After witnessing firsthand his parents’ tumultuous marriage, Griffin worries that he, too, harbors an explosive dark side. Can he escape from his father’s rage-fueled ways or is he destined to become part of the cycle?
Unable to persuade his mother to leave and wrestling with his resentment towards her for staying, Griffin volunteers at Holly’s House, a safe haven for abused women. Through sculpture, Griffin gives these women pieces of themselves they’ve long forgotten. Holly’s House is the only place where Griffin finds peace and purpose.
Until he meets Frankie Moore.
Frankie is an aspiring photographer, finding beauty in things most people miss, including Griffin. Griffin is attracted to her free-spirited, sassy attitude but fears Frankie will trigger the most intense part of him, the one he must keep buried.
Frankie’s got to get her act together. Her anything-goes behavior is leading nowhere fast. She’s hopeful that her latest hobby will be a building block for the future. But when a stranger appears on the other end of her camera, looking as complex as he is handsome, Frankie thinks this might be just the change she needs.
Shatterproof Excerpt
“You need to grow up, Griffin,” my father spat at me. “Life isn’t perfect. You need to get over it and move on. Your mother can. She’s happy with me and whatever we have between us is our business, not yours. Grow the hell up, and start acting like a man instead of a petulant child.”
Heat shot through my body at lightning speed. “Act like a man—like you?” I shouted. “What should I do, go pick some amazing woman who’s full of life and beat it out of her until she can’t even recognize herself any more, until she can’t even differentiate between love and pain? Is that what a man does, Dad? Is that what I should do?”
My father broke into a smile. An evil, condescending, terrifying smile. “You think you’re so different from me?” He hovered over me. His tone was sinister, as if he was trying to cut through my skin with nothing but his voice. “Get up.” He yanked my arm and pulled me by the elbow into the bathroom. He grabbed the back of my head and forced me to face the mirror. “Look at yourself, Griffin. And look at me. Everything about you comes from me. You may deny it now. You may put yourself on a pedestal, thinking you’re above being human, but just know that the fire inside you, that’s my fire. That passion, it’s mine. And when you have an uncontrollable desire to love, to hurt, to possess a woman, it’s from me. Nothing is yours alone. Even this face.” He snagged my chin between his strong fingers. I tried to yank it away from his grasp, but he held on too tight. “It’s mine. And there’s nothing you can do about it. You can try to mask it in this mess of hair and clothes and tattoos you have going on, but know that every time a woman falls in love with that face, every time she says she can’t resist you because of it, every time she can’t walk away from you…it’s because of me. It’s because you are me. We. Are. The. Same.” He released my chin with a shove and left the bathroom.
Author Bio:
Instead of telling you how I’ve always loved to write (which is true) or how I dabbled in different genres for years while I was a teacher, before I took it up full-time (also true), I’d like to let you get to know me a little.
I love trying all different foods. I enjoy everything from street meat to decadent delicacies. When I travel, I pester the locals for restaurant recommendations, off the beaten path. Having said that, I am a savory fan. I don’t have a sweet tooth. I’d much rather have another bite of dinner and one more glass of wine that save room for dessert. There is one exception to this rule. Reese’s peanut butter cups. Sometimes I think I love those more than I love my children. I’m kidding. Maybe.
I’m left handed. I blame my horrendous handwriting on this, even though I don’t really believe they’re related. Everything in this world is built for and by righties. (Ever try using a can opener with your left hand?) So when I meet another left-handed person, I feel an immediate bond to her, like we’re in this special club. A club founded on being inconvenienced. When I was young, I was desperate for my sister to be a leftie like me. So even though she grabbed things with her right hand, I’d quickly switch them to her left. Now she’s ambidextrous.
I always save the best of everything for last. It’s a compulsion. I don’t like pizza crust very much, so I eat it first. I tear it off, piece by piece (I don’t bite the slice backwards. I’m not a Neanderthal, for God’s sake), until there’s just a little bit left in the center. I use this as a handle.
I have an irrational fear of lice, bedbugs and any other insect that can become an infestation.
I prefer beaches over grass, heels over flats, dramas over comedies, coffee over tea, night over morning and fall over spring.
She sounds interesting, doesn’t she? Check out:
Shatterproof, a New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Amazon http://amzn.com/B015UESACU
Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shatterproof-k-…/1122695550…
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/shatterproof
The Wild Rose Press http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v1…/index.php…
Follow Me
Website: http://www.kkweil.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KKWeilAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KK_WEIL
Blog: KKWeil.blogspot.com
I have one leftie (of my three girls) and teaching her was a challenge in a lot of ways as she grew up, since I’m a rightie. She’s ambidextrous also, mostly because she was right handed until a nine foot fall when she was almost 2 that rewired her brain some. Thank you for visiting the Ranch and sharing your work and yourself, KK!
For a chance to win a copy of one of her books, tell KK if you are a rightie, or a leftie. 🙂
Dodadagohvi~
Calisa Rhose presents ~ UnCover Monday ~ #July #MFRWauthor #CoverLove
UnCover Mondays on The Ranch!!!
Osiyo~
Due to a family crisis spanning the last few weeks, this edition of UnCover Monday is horribly late. I apologize profusely to all of the lovely authors who sent their covers to me for this month, but I’m very happy to finally present some awesome cover art to you, my faithful readers. My apologies to all of you too.
It’s that time again, time for gorgeous covers to take the spotlight in the round pen here on the Ranch! Enjoy awesome cover art and the super authors, publishers and artists who made them possible for you to gaze upon this month and each month. It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers. If I have it, I link the cover to the artist, otherwise, it’s linked to the author. I think they deserve fair mention since they helped create the book!
There’s a heat level rating for covers, one through five scale, for your benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch. If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You can leave it either in a comment or by my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/. 🙂
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Author: Marie Laval
Weblink: www.marielaval.blogspot.co.uk/
Genre: Contemporary romantic suspense
Heat Level: 3-Steamy
Publisher: Áccent Press Ltd
Cover artist: N/A
Release date: January 7, 2015
With few roots in England and having just lost her job, Amy Carter decides to give up on home and start a new life in France, spending her redundancy package turning an overgrown Provençal farmhouse, Bellefontaine, into a successful hotel. Though she has big plans for her new home, none of them involves falling in love – least of all with Fabien Coste, the handsome but arrogant owner of a nearby château. As romance blossoms, eerie and strange happenings in Bellefontaine hint at a dark mystery of the Provençal countryside which dates back many centuries and holds an entanglement between the ladies of Bellefontaine and the ducs de Coste at its centre. As Amy works to unravel the mystery, she begins to wonder if it may not just be her heart at risk, but her life too.
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Title: Passion’s Sacred Dance,
Celtic Stewards Chronicles, # one
Author: Juli D. Revezzo
Weblink: www.julidrevezzo.com
Genre: Fantasy romance.
Heat Level: 2-Sensual
Publisher: Raven Queen Publications
Cover artist: Patty G. Henderson,
Release date: May 1, 2015
Unless Stacy Macken can stave off her creditors, she may lose her renowned history center. Yet she knows in her heart that the center is sacred and what a catastrophe losing it would be. How much of a catastrophe, she hasn’t a clue.
Until Aaron Fielding arrives with his tales of magical guardians and the Tuatha dé Danann, sworn warriors from Celtic legend who protect humanity from a wicked enemy seeking their destruction.
Is the end of the world imminent? What can she, a modern woman and her warrior lover, possibly have to offer when a long-prophesied druidic mythic battle explodes around them?
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Author: Jacqueline Seewald
Weblink: www.jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com
Genre: Paranormal Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: 3 to 4
Publisher: Luminosity
Cover artist: N/A
Release date: July 24, 2015
Cassandra Lowry has a sixth sense. She dreams about a handsome man making love to her. He appears to need and want her. However, danger and evil surround him. Her dreams and visions are disturbingly real. When Cass drives south, her sensitivity warns her that something is not right. She swerves to miss a deer and her car ends up in a ditch. Chased by two country boys, she gets lost in the forest and spends a night exposed to the elements, only to be found the next day by her dream man.
Set in the modern South, this novel reaches back into a troubled family heritage. Two female ghosts, women from different centuries, haunt male members of the Hunt family. The heroine of this sensual gothic romance is young, just graduated from college, and alone in the world. Although in danger herself, Cass seeks to solve the mystery and end the curse that enshrouds the family while at the same time finding the passionate love of her life.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Australian Sports Stars Series, #1
Author: Iris Blobel
Weblink: www.iris-b.blogspot.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: 4- hot
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Release date: July 10, 2014
After his father’s heart attack, Australian Football League player Tyson Gaspaldi takes his parents on holiday to a small place at the New South Wales coast.
One morning, following a surfing session, he comes across a crying woman on the beach. Everything about her intrigues him, and he can’t walk away. She’s not only sexy and humble, but, as he soon finds out, vulnerable as well.
It’s only been a few months since Katie Cassidy lost her sister in a car accident.
Still overwhelmed by the loss, a chance encounter on the beach with an attractive stranger awakens unexpected emotions inside her. She’s instantly drawn to his caring nature, but also his looks.
However, Tyson’s past quickly catches up with them, causing Katie’s childhood demons to return, and the road to romance becomes anything but smooth.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
More Than A Game #Three
Author: Kristina Mathews
Weblink: www.kristinamathews.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: 4- hot
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Cover artist: N/A
Release date: July 7, 2015.
With a divorce in the works, Annabelle Jones heads out to Southern California, the land of sun and starting over. She wants to prove to herself and her young daughters that she still has what it takes to turn heads as a swimsuit model—that she doesn’t need a man to take care of her. Until an accident forces her to rely on the hunky, yet mysterious man next door…
Nathan Cooper is trying to revive his own career. Once a top left-handed relief pitcher, he tried to get over a hidden injury with the aid of banned substances. Not only was he caught and suspended, he was traded and missed out on winning the championship. Now he’s a free agent without a contract, and that means life is ready to play ball…
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Author: Dena Garson
Weblink: www.denagarson.com/
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: 4-Hot
Publisher: Dena Garson
Cover artist: Fiona Jayde
Release date: March 15, 2015
Mia Sanford has admired Jake Hudson from afar ever since she transferred to Marketing. She might be comfortable tangling with the company playboy in meeting rooms but not in private. Facts and figures she can handle, but that blue-eyed devil is out of her league.
Jake was impressed with Mia, the sexy analyst who provides his monthly Marketing data, the first day he met her. Not only is she smart and reliable, she has legs that have inspired a few sizzling hot workplace fantasies. However, her girl-next-door demeanor and the company’s no fraternization rules force Jake to keep things strictly professional.
When Mia becomes the target of an embarrassing betting pool at the annual office party, Jake alerts her to the danger. But since he never expressed an interest in her until now Mia isn’t certain if he’s really looking out for her, or just trying to win the pool himself. If she trusts him, it might place both her reputation and her heart on the line.
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Author: Mariana Gabrielle
Weblink: www.MarianaGabrielle.com
Genre: Regency Romance
Heat Level: 3-Steamy
Publisher: Whaley Digital Press
Cover artist: Mari Christie
Release date: November 28, 2014
When Isabella, the Countess of Huntleigh, returns to England after fifteen years roaming the globe with her husband, an elderly diplomat, she finds herself in a locale more perilous than any in her travels—the Court of King George IV. As the newly elevated Earl and Countess settle into an unfamiliar life in London, this shy, not-so-young lady faces wicked agendas, society’s censure, and the realities of a woman soon to be alone in England.
Unaccustomed to the ways of the beau monde, she is disarmed and deceived by a dissolute duke and a noble French émigré with a silver tongue. Hindered by the meddling of her dying husband, not to mention the King himself, Bella must decide whether to choose one of her fascinating new suitors or the quiet country life she has searched the world to find.
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#1, Hearts series
Author: Andrea R. Cooper
Weblink: www.andreaRcooper.com
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat Level: 2- sensual
Publisher: SilverTree Publishing
Cover artist: SilverTree Publishing
Release date: February 15, 2015
She stole a cop’s heart; will this thief pay for her crimes?
Crystal has spent her entire life training to be a thief in order to find evidence against the man who had her parents murdered. In her pursuit of justice she’s had to give up her identity, her name, and any chance at love. When Crystal is forced on a blind date with the cop who is investigating her, she plays a dangerous game of hearts that could land her in a prison cell.
Kade is in search of a new life, after losing his partner. He’s taken a new job, in a new city, and met a new girl. In order to keep his fresh start, he will have to catch an elusive thief targeting one of the largest corporations in the country. Desperate to forget the failures of his past, Kade has no intention of failing.
But secrets can’t be hidden forever.
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A’yen’s Legacy, #2
Author: Rachel Leigh Smith
Weblink: www.rachelleighsmith.com/
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Heat Level: 3-Steamy
Publisher: Rachel L. Smith
Cover artist: Laura Gordon
Release date: January 20, 2015
Freedom has a cost. Can A’yen pay it without losing his soul?
Liberation of the enslaved Lokmane begins with the king. A’yen and Fae agree to visit the Hidden, a group of escaped Lokmane, to protect his identity while the Shadows make their move with emancipation acts. But he’s not prepared for the prejudice rampant in the Hidden, or their lack of patience for him. And his new linked bodyguard is unstable to the point A’yen fears for the young man’s sanity.
Upon returning to Titan, A’yen is kidnapped and taken to the largest breeding farm in the galaxy. This time he’ll be himself even if it kills him. His resolve to unite his people grows as he wonders if he’ll live long enough to do it.
With A’yen kidnapped, Fae returns to the Lokmane homeworld seeking the final pieces of what happened two thousand years ago when they were conquered and enslaved. Getting as far away from her father as possible is the only way to keep her from disappearing too.
Separated by light years, A’yen and Fae have to stand alone and fight for their right to live in freedom. No matter the cost.
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Title: There’s No Place Like Home,
#2, The MacQuire Women
Author: Peggy Jaeger
Weblink: www.PeggyJaeger.com
Genre: Ceontemporary Romance.
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: Rae Monet
Release date: May 6, 2015
Symphony pianist Moira Cleary comes home after four years of touring, exhausted, sick, and spiritually broken. Emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of someone she trusted has left her gaunt, anxious, and at a crossroads both professionally and personally.
Moira’s best friend, veterinarian Quentin Stapleton, wants nothing more than to help Moira get well. Can his natural healing skills make it possible for her to open her heart again? And can he convince her she’s meant to stay home now with the family that loves her – and with him – forever?
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I want to thank all the authors who submit and make this a special place to share their work!
To see YOUR cover here visit my UnCover Monday page for detailed instructions.
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† Special Note: Some covers might suggest more heat than the actual content of that book. Please take note of the heat level rating on those.
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Calisa Rhose welcomes Christa Maurice #mfrw #interview #TuesdayRoundup
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen.
I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest today, Christa Maurice, who is sharing their book, Waiting For A Girl Like You with us!
Please show Christa some real Ranch love!
Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.
Okay, I’ll begin with five questions, then follow with three more, and end with four final ones.
My writing area at the moment is a corner of the couch in my living room. What does your writing space look like?
Last year I returned from four years living overseas where I was teaching kindergarten. I had a whole room with a lovely corner desk, but I usually ended up sitting on the couch in the living room. Since my return I have been staying with my mother while house hunting and sitting on her couch.
For a lot of writers it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. Others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?
Names are easy. I have been known to walk around for days muttering about how that’s not his/her name, but once I have the name, I have the character. Titles are another issue. Most of the time they are the most difficult words to write in the entire book. For the Drawn To the Rhythm series, I opted to use song titles for each of the books. Satellite Of Love (Lou Reed) worked for book one as a 1972 Plymouth Satellite figured heavily in the plot. Heaven Beside You (Pearl Jam) for book two because it is set in West Virginia and heaven is West Virginia’s nickname, believe it or not. The original title of this book was Twenty Flight Rock (Eddie Cochran) because the elevator in Alex’s building is out of commission and she lives on the tenth floor. Kensington didn’t like that title so I hunted for another and came up with Waiting For a Girl Like You (Foreigner) which suited because Marc is the oldest member of the band so he’s been waiting for Alex. Plus, it’s an excellent earworm.
Earworm? What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
Two things:
One) Write. You will suck. When you leaned to walk, did you not fall? The first time you rode a bike, was it perfect? When you started your first job, were you the best anyone had ever seen? Don’t expect this to be different.
Two) Find a critique partner. I learned as much about writing from seeing what other people were doing wrong and recognizing it in my own work as I did from having them point things out to me.
The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?
I’m pretty sure you have to be a tech savvy octopus with a marketing background who doesn’t need to sleep.
I’ve often thought the same! Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?
I have no idea. My training as an English teacher taught me to not assume the author shared the character’s opinions so I tend to take a book as a complete entity. I’ve also sought out many of the people I found interesting. The only person I was never able to catch was Denny Neill when he was editing Batman. The two times I was in the DC offices, he was out.
Rats, Batman! Foiled again and again. lol
It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆
Favorite animal?
Leopard
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter?
Summer
Favorite food?
Chocolate
And whose isn’t, right? Well done! 🙂
Okay, Flash four. Ready?
What are you working on now?
Right now? A dystopian series and a sports romance.
Interesting switch from this one. What are you sharing today?
They could make beautiful music together…
Hoping to dodge a scandal that could destroy her personal life and her career, Alex fled grad school for a summer job in tiny Potterville, West Virginia. She didn’t expect the town cupids to orchestrate a “chance” meeting with Marc—a sexy, brooding rock star who appreciates her love of poetry. But Alex doubts he’ll want anything more if he discovers the indiscretion she can’t forgive herself for…
Marc came to Potterville to get some space from his band and clear his head. But before he knows it, he’s intrigued with the waitress at the local diner. Alex is not only smart and beautiful, she’s inspiring his songwriting and taking it to the next level. Soon he’s falling for her—and then she runs away. For the first time, Marc is chasing after a woman—and giving both himself and Alex a chance to heal past hurts and take a chance on the future…
Excerpt:
The pneumatic hinge on the stairwell door was easing closed. He pushed through and heard Alex’s footsteps running up.
“Alex!” Marc leaned into the gap between the railings. Based on the white fingers wrapped around the railing, she appeared to be on the third floor. “Alex, hold on.”
Nothing. No footsteps coming down, no footsteps going up. Marc watched her fingers as he climbed. When he came around the fourth flight of stairs to the third floor landing, she was standing as if frozen with one foot two steps higher than the other and her hand with a death grip on the railing.
“Alex?”
She stood, staring down at him, poker faced. “What are you doing here?”
Marc put one foot on the bottom step. Somehow, the energy to climb up to her wasn’t there, like she was putting out some kind of force field that wouldn’t allow him any closer. “You left so suddenly. I was worried that something was wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I submitted my thesis, and if I can get it approved in time, I might be able to have a teaching post here this fall. Everything’s great.” Her voice lacked all the music it had always had before. Now it was off key and toneless. If she’d been a guitar, he would have thought she needed work on her bridge.
“And yet you sound so happy.” With effort, Marc hauled himself up a step. “Ida wasn’t pleased.”
“It was important that I get back here as soon as possible. Far more important than some waitressing job.” She pursed her lips and then licked them. Nowhere near as sexy as usual. “I’m getting back together with my old boyfriend, too.”
The deep dark baggage. “Oh?”
“When I came back to school, I saw him and we talked.”
“And again, you sound so happy.” Her entire body looked like it was carved from one piece of hard wood.
“It’s none of your business.”
Marc braced himself to attempt another step. This was like walking into a blizzard. He picked up two risers this time, bringing him to what should have been arm’s reach and level with her shoulder. Up close, her face looked even more shuttered than it had before. He’d been mistaken about the hard wood. She was carved out of marble.
“I think it is.”
“That’s because you’re a self-centered celebrity who thinks everything is about him. You—” She twitched and something awful surfaced under the marble.
“No, it’s mostly because five days ago we were in WVA playing board games, watching Airplane! and talking about going to Italy, and twelve hours later you had vanished and everybody blamed me.”
“I just woke up. There’s no way you and I could have a successful relationship. I’m intellectually superior to you.”
Marc blinked. It sounded like she’d just called him an idiot. Harsh. “Okay. You could have said good-bye, at least.”
“I assumed you would have figured that out when I left town, but if it helps, good-bye.”
She turned and walked up the steps. Marc stood listening to her footfalls all the way up, followed by the sound of the fire door at the top opening and closing.
Damn.
***
I LOVE that scene! Thanks for sharing it.
Where can we find you and your books?
Probably the easiest place to find me is www.christamaurice.com or swing by my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChristaMauriceWriter?ref=hl where I put up ARC offers and words of wisdom or nonsense.
Where will you be next?
I have no idea.
I do have a quarterly mailing list with a regular contest, which will help figure out where I am and what I’m doing. I can really only plan life three months in advance. You can sign up for that here: http://eepurl.com/4VZuD. I love music so if anyone would like to chat with me about songs, bands or the latest antics of Kanye West, leave me a comment.
Thank you so much for playing along Christ! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.
Dodadagohvi~