Osiyo~
I just have to share this post from Tattered Pages and author friend AJ Nuest. Angel Nicholas is the debut author of Sweet Deception from Harper Impulse and her new book comes with a BANG! Several actually, judging by the blurb. But the book will also offer something for your funny bone if the excerpt shared over at AJs is any indication.
But don’t take my word for it. Go on over and take a peek for yourself.
AJ’s Tattered Pages: Sweet Deception with Angel Nicholas: Her boring existence seems perfect until a charming detective threatens Ally’s heart and lethal contract killers jeopardize her happily ev…
In the meantime, I’ma see if I can convince Angel to come visit the Ranch and share some about the writing of this story. Watch for an interview or post before Christmas (if she isn’t fully booked until then). 🙂
Thank you for stopping by!
Dodadagohvi~
Great news for fans. As you may have heard (I was pretty vocal 🙂 ) in January my small epublisher, Lyrical Press, Inc., sold to Kensington Publishing as the new digital imprint. Some of my LPI sisters’ books have been released for weeks, while some, like myself, have taken a little longer. There has been a few months of new contracts and re-releases. I’ve been waiting somewhat impatiently for Risk Factors to come back to life. Well…
Today is the day! Actually, yesterday was, but I found it today–and I’m super excited! I’ll be putting together a re-release mini blog tour this month and I hope to see you there.
I have to tell ya’ll, not having my baby up there, not knowing when I’d see it’s beautiful ‘face’ again somewhere other than on the background of my laptop was a bit discomboobalating for me. I was a published author without a book. LOL But now… It’s a relief to know when you google my name or book it’s there again. 🙂
Please go check it out if you haven’t. Oh- and great news for you, it’s at a new, lower price at just $2.99! Here’s a refresher of Risk Factors:
Title: Risk Factors
Publisher: Kensington-Lyrical Press Digital Imprint
Editor: Piper Denna
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Steamy sensual
Pages: 149
Length: 56,056
Publication: March 4, 2013 (re-release) 2014
Cover artist: Valerie Tibbs
Blurb:
Love, like life, is not without risk.
Veterinarian Vivian Dane has purchased her uncle’s practice in the tiny town of Wales, Missouri, where most residents still doubt her ability to treat their pets. But Viv is used to being considered less-worthy than her predecessors. After all, her parents are world-renowned wildlife vets, and most everyone is unimpressed she’s chosen to not follow directly in their footsteps.
Now Connor, a patient’s owner, is hot for Viv, but clearly doesn’t think she’s dating material because he has a daughter…who he believes no woman is good enough for. Being a perfect dad is EMT paramedic Connor’s life focus. He can’t seem to stay away from sexy Doctor Viv, but attraction is as far as he’ll ever let it go. His mother abandoned him, leaving him to be raised in the foster system, and then his wife abandoned both him and their daughter.
He absolutely will not risk bringing another woman into his little girl’s life and having her feel the hurt of being left…again. Forfeiting is easier than attempting and failing. So why does Viv feel compelled to prove she’s a sure bet for Connor and his daughter? Can Connor trust Viv–and himself–enough to play the possibilities?
Highlight:
Viv’s smile and throaty laughter burrowed deeper by the second, mutating into hot want that seemed to draw him to her at every opportunity. But her invitation shook him back to level ground. Dinner. With her. Vivian Dane, the woman who seemed to freely access his dreams lately, was asking him out. Her voice fell to a low smoky grade that slid like satin over him, tightening around his chest, making it hard to breathe. He wanted to kiss her. Period. There was something about her in the lab coat he couldn’t put his finger on. She appeared so fragile and delicate in pink that matched her lips…china doll perfect. Kissable. He opened his mouth to refuse. He couldn’t afford to get close to anyone, wouldn’t risk Janna. He knew his daughter already liked the vet, had said so. If he got involved and it all nosedived south, he couldn’t stand to have Janna hurt. Even if she didn’t know it, Viv was their veterinarian now and he’d have to see her, Jelly Bean would notice the tension– “Connor?” “I’d like that.”
***
Right now RF is only available on Amazon, but as soon as it’s back up on other venues I’ll post those links on the Bookshelf page (accessible by clicking on the cover here). Until then, feel free to use the direct link below for the available NOW copy.
Hi Chrys. Welcome to the Ranch!
How did the writer’s journey begin for you?
My journey began at a very young age. I wrote my first story when I was six, which I still have. I became a serious writer at twelve after a strange find sparked the idea for a series of books. I later rewrote these books, and I was searching for an agent to represent them when I sent Hurricane Crimes to The Wild Rose Press. I count myself very lucky, but I still hope to publish my supernatural-thriller series one day.
Tell us three things about you-the writer-readers wouldn’t typically know.
1. I had spine surgery when I was fifteen, so I can seriously say I am a woman of steel. 😉
2. Last year, I donated 14 inches of hair to Locks of Love.
3. I rescued four stray kittens.
Those are very interesting facts!
It all began when…
Hurricane Frances visited Florida back in 2004 and Tropical Storm Fay came and didn’t want to leave in 2008. I was inspired greatly by Tropical Storm Fay and even wrote a song while she was causing floods, but Hurricane Frances by far impacted me the most. I always knew something would come out of her reign of stormy chaos. It was only a matter of time.
Where did you get the premise for this book?
I started writing Hurricane Crimes on Christmas morning 2011. I had just finished reading a book set during a blizzard and pondered the fact that I had never been in a snow storm because I live in Florida, so the idea to write a story that really focuses on a hurricane immediately became my goal. Although I wanted Hurricane Crimes to be a romance, I didn’t want it to be a typical romance. Thus, I created Donovan, a sexy and passionate man who may be a murderer.
What stands out about this story that made writing it different for you?
I really wanted the hurricane in Hurricane Crimes to be one of the essential characters, but I had never created a character before that wasn’t alive in the way that human beings and animals are, so it was a challenge to make a force such as a storm into a character that readers could identify with on a human level. I think I did a good job though.
Were there any difficult challenges or special subject matter you came across while writing this book?
In the beginning I did have a problem with the POV because there were moments when I wanted readers to know Donovan’s suspicious thoughts, but since the story is in Beth Donovan’s perspective I had to omit it. I think it came out better though because it made Donovan even more mysterious.
What about this book would make us want to read it more than others of similar taste?
There are many romantic-suspense stories out there, but not a lot are set in Florida during a hurricane. And if they are, they probably don’t have a murder mixed with the romance and extreme weather.
What do you want readers to take away from this book?
Strength comes when you least expect it, and so does love.
Tell us about the finished book. Is there anything special we might not know after reading it?
I am a huge advocate of domestic violence awareness, and with Hurricane Crimes I had the opportunity to give one of my passions to Beth Kennedy, a tough woman who is a self-defense instructor.
Blurb:
After her car breaks down, Beth Kennedy is forced to stay in Florida, the target of Hurricane Sabrina. She stocks up supplies, boards up windows, and hunkers down to wait out the storm, but her plan unravels when she witnesses a car accident. Risking her life, she braves the winds to save the driver. Just when she believes they are safe, she finds out the man she saved could possibly be more dangerous than the severe weather.
Donovan Goldwyn only wanted to hide from the police, but the hurricane shoved his car into a tree. Now he’s trapped with a beautiful woman while the evidence that can prove his innocence to a brutal crime is out there for anyone to find.
As Hurricane Sabrina wreaks havoc, Beth has no other choice but to trust Donovan to stay alive. But will she survive, or will she become another hurricane crime?
Excerpt:
On the television set, which was fighting to stay alive, was breaking news. She caught bits and pieces of it as she emptied the bowl of blood-tainted water and threw out the cloth. It was about a high-speed chase that had occurred about a half-hour ago. Beth shook her head. Apparently, Donovan wasn’t the only idiot driving around during a hurricane.
She went back into the living room and began replacing all the medical supplies into the first-aid kit. Behind her, a reporter was explaining that the driver of the car was believed to be a murder suspect.
“The name of the—”
The lights flashed, prompting Beth to snatch up her flashlight.
“Donovan Goldwyn.”
Her fingers went cold around the plastic tube as ice frosted her veins. She straightened her spine and turned stiffly to the television, her heart wasn’t beating in her chest. On the screen was the picture of the man who was right now changing in her bedroom. Above it was a caption in bold letters that read—SUSPECT.
She gripped the flashlight in her frozen fingers. Her heart thudded fearfully. She stared into the immobilized violet eyes through the glass.
“Oh my god,” she gasped.
She had brought a murderer into her home!
***
Where can readers find you and your books?
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00GVK921G
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18757793-hurricane-crimes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chrysfey
Blog: www.writewithfey.blogspot.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChrysFey
Google +: www.google.com/+ChrysFey
Is there anything else you want to share or add?
I would like to thank you, Calisa, for having me on your wonderful blog.
It was my pleasure. Thank you for coming over, Chrys. Good luck with your books!
Feb 18
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Osiyo~ I’m turning the round pen over to my friend to share her spankin’ new cover and her fist self published book. There’s more to it than that, so I’ll let her tell you all about it. 🙂 Let’s welcome Jessi Gage! Thanks for hosting me, Calisa! I always love my trips to The Ranch. […]
Osiyo~
Welcome my first guest of the new year! Gemma Brocato is a sister Lyrical-turned-Kensington author here to share her debut book. I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Take it away, Gemma!
Hi Calisa!
Thanks for having me over today and introducing me to your readers.
Here’s a little fact about myself… I love to travel. I live to discover new and exciting places. Frequently, my discovery of new places occurs because I want to explorie old places. Like the castles and keeps I dragged my husband to in England. I was on a quest to spend weekends visiting all the Tudor castles while we lived there. Mr. Gemma finally had to put his foot down and insist he wasn’t going to another heap of smelly stones. One year, I dragged my husband and children to Vermont, in search of Larry, Darrell and Darrell. We never found them, but I developed a love of the Northeast and the Eastern Seaboard while I was there.
The setting for Cooking Up Love came from a trip I took to Boston with my high school choir. That city was fascinating to my impressionable young self. The historical sites and beautiful architecture, the exceptional restaurants, the old churches, even the feel of community I sensed there.
When I started to write my story, I wanted a place that reflected Boston’s history, but still embodied the small town camaraderie I’d known growing up in the Midwest. So I created Granite Pointe, a tourist hamlet my heroine, Jemima George, decides to move to after inheriting a café located there. Building the world of the town, and its citizens included drawing a mental map of the harbor, the main street, and throwing in a high school. I further developed the town while writing Hearts In Harmony, book 2 in the series, to include a farmer’s market and a Christmas Tree Farm. Book 3, which I’m working on now, has a lovely new park and a seaside museum.
I think the best part of Granite Pointe is its residents. The people Jem George meets while settling into her new surrounding made the town a home she comes to love. I tell my children home is wherever your family is and I made the citizens of Granite Pointe Jem’s family. My imagination continues to build a solid, warm community that welcomes guests and new residents. I think I could easily move to Granite Pointe.
Book Title: Cooking Up Love
Author: Gemma Brocato
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press
ISBN-10: 1616504277
ISBN-13: 978-16165-4272
Blurb
Mix a chef and her contractor, stir in a mystery, and cook up a romance.
Jemima George leads a charmed life as a personal chef and assistant to reality television’s latest darling. But that changes in a New York minute when her Aunt Caro dies under odd circumstances, bequeathing her a small restaurant. Jem plans to sell the café and continue her life in NYC, until a dramatic phone call from her cheating boyfriend convinces her to experiment with the ingredients for happiness and accept her Aunt’s legacy. Throwing herself into remodeling the restaurant with the help of the town’s delicious contractor, Jem revamps the menu and renews her faith in herself.
Jack Kerrigan considered Caro a surrogate mother and hates the idea that the café could be sold. He doesn’t need the remodeling project, but if it means Caro’s beautiful, fascinating niece will stay to run the restaurant, he’s all in. He wouldn’t mind being savory to Jem’s sweet.
Jack’s brassy ex-wife is cooking up a scheme of her own, where Jack tosses Jem like a salad and comes back to her. Fold in a creepy attorney hiding secrets of environmental mayhem, add Jem’s claustrophobia, half-pint niece and nephew twins, one mysterious lockbox, and bring to a boil–a recipe for romance.
Excerpt
His sexy baritone voice breezed up her spine and her breath stuttered as his warm hand wrapped around hers.
Oh, no. She was in trouble. Standing this close to him, he even smelled like a hot guy, fresh, outdoorsy, a hint of distinctive male. He had great hands. Narrow wrists, long, elegant fingers, calloused enough, making her imagine how they’d rasp as they trailed along her flesh. She had always been a sucker for a long-fingered man.
Time to put the brakes on those ideas. His gaze roved over her body, not hiding the fact that he was checking her out. Heat bloomed in her cheeks and she mentally shook her head to clear the fireworks going off in her imagination when she caught sight of deep dimples bracketing either side of his full, smiling lips and even white teeth. Oh good
Lord, why’d he have to have dimples?
When his gaze made the journey back to hers, she looked pointedly at her hand, still clasped in his. His look was almost apologetic as he released his grip.
***
Author Bio
About Gemma Brocato
Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a fortune from a fortune cookie that said she was a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss even the rejections, addressed to ‘Dear Author’, were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.
Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.
Gemma loves to connect with readers. This is where you can find her:
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gemma.brocato
Twitter, @gemmabrocato or on the web at www.Gemmabrocato.com
Buy Links
Due to the recent acquisition of Lyrical Press by Kensington books, my debut novel, Cooking Up Love is temporarily off the market. But not to worry – it will be back soon. In the meantime, I have some print copies of the book I’d love to give away (A US winner only, please). Leave a comment below to enter a drawing for a signed copy.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Up-Love-Gemma-Brocato-ebook/dp/B00G36CD0K/
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/cooking-up-love-3
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-up-love-gemma-brocato/1117213296
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cooking-up-love/id688219548?mt=11
Before she goes, Gemma has a question.
If you could call any place in the world home, where would it be?
It’s been wonderful having you and your awesome book on the Ranch, Gemma. Thank you for visiting!
Dodadagohvi~
I’m turning the ranch over to my friend Cait to share her new book cover. I hope you enjoy this premier peek. I personally think it’s gorgeous! 🙂
Musa Publishing – October 2013
Sefton Manor is the first of two Gothic romances by Cait O’Sullivan. The second cover reveal will be next Friday, the 27th September. Pop by Cait’s Place then and vote for your favourite to be in with a chance of winning a copy J. Buy links will also be posted there once available.
Sefton Manor, a country house that has somehow withstood the ravages of time, holds the key to Martha Kendall’s dysfunctional family. Asked by her grandmother to uncover the truth about her missing Aunt, Martha comes to Buckhurst Village. Despite unsettling occurrences upsetting her sensibilities, she starts asking questions.
Questions that lead her to Will Fellowes, a man whose family tended the grounds of Sefton Manor for centuries. Amidst whispers of pacts with the Devil, they pair up to wrestle the secret from the house. Or will Sefton Manor consume them all? Title: Sefton Manor Author: Cait O’Sullivan Genre: Gothic Romance Release Date: October 2013
Author bio: Cait O’Sullivan is a romance author with a love of words and magic, having had the good fortune to grow up in Ireland. The wanderlust in her blood sent her out to travel the world and now, residing in a leafy suburb of London, it is her thoughts and memories that journey far and wide in order to create her stories. Cait’s Place | Facebook |Twitter | Amazon
Sep 13
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with: DEATH STRETCH How did the writer’s journey begin for you? Gosh, I remember playing with paper dolls at a young age, and making up sad stories about them having accidents and living miserable lives. A real drama princess! I began writing plays then poetry, moved to science fiction and on to women’s fiction. Finally […]
Aug 16
Friday Fanfare Welcomes: Heidi Vanlandingham With Trail of Hope Was there hope? The lovely and talented Heidi Vanlandingham has an answer! Join Heidi as she answers a few questions and shares Trail of Hope her wonderful new additions to the Tales Scrimshaw Doll series. How did the writer’s journey begin for you? I started reading when I was about […]
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, Charlotte Copper who is here to share her new book, Silver Blade with us!
Please show Charlotte some real Ranch love!
Thank you for having me!
Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.
This was probably the hardest question because I was trying to think of something other than my standard “from Canada, second marriage, one daughter, two step-daughters” and then I realized there is something very important about me that I haven’t really mentioned…I’m a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2001 at the same time I was going through a divorce. I’ve got a clean bill of health now, but having cancer changes you. I find myself thinking more often “life is too short not to (fill in blank)” Since then I’ve gotten remarried, have three tattoos (celebrating one, five & ten years cancer free), and have the wonderful honor of having Silver Blade published.
That is definitely something mention-worthy, Charlotte! Huge celebratory congratulations on beating the demon all women fear will come breathing down on us! Thank you for sharing that and I love the idea of your tats. Very cool idea.
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 though I do have a room I can go to. What does your writing space look like?
I have an office in my house since I work from home, but because I spend all day in there at my “real” job, I tend to find myself sitting on my bed with my laptop when I’m writing. In the winter, I let the cats in to snuggle and keep me warm. In the summer, they’re locked out of my bedroom.
LOL I have one cat I started locking out of the bedroom when I had my hysterectomy in 2000, the year after I got her.
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?
I hate to rub it in, but both come naturally. For names, I keep a list of names in my notebook, and I often pair my H&H as soon as the names come to me. For titles, I like to have a color + word, like my name, Charlotte + Copper.
They both come naturally to me also. 🙂
What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
Although creativity should be allowed to flow, there really is a lot of structure around writing a book, and if you don’t know the basics then take some courses before you start. I don’t mean you need a 4 year degree in English, but some basic courses in writing can help a lot.
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 think acceptance of non-print books is needed by both writers and readers. I think the e-movement is great for a lot of authors because if you get the right momentum (blog tours, reviews, etc), you can hook new readers versus trying to get prominent shelf space in a book store. For me as a novella-length writer, e-readers are a blessing but I’m still amazed at the number of friends and family that only read paper.
Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?
I wish my fellow Roses (Wild Rose Press authors) lived closer. I’d love to do regular lunches with them to learn and share.
So would I! I’m making a bucket list for when I win the lottery. This just became #6 LOL
It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆
Favorite animal? Giraffe (but don’t tell my cats!)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Summer
Favorite food? Tie: Coke & chocolate
Well done! 🙂
Okay, Flash four. Ready?
What are you working on now?
I’m struggling with whether I re-work a recent story I received back from my editor, or put it aside and focus on another project. (I’ve wasted a lot of time “struggling”, and haven’t moved forward on either side for awhile.)
I think a lot of us have been where you are. I know I have! 😀
What are you sharing today?
I’m keeping it simple, and this is the cover blurb from my recent release Silver Blade. It is a paranormal-romance, e-novella.
Oscar McAvoy hunts demons. Chosen to rid the world of evil, he nevertheless condemns himself as a murderer. When saved by the beautiful Angela Knight, he judges himself undeserving of love.
Angela Knight is on the way back from her brother’s funeral when she stops to help a fallen motorcycle rider. Her body responds to the handsome stranger, a man whose scars and tough exterior suggest a rough and dangerous life. When she can’t stop thinking about him, Angela must decide if she is willing to give the sexy, mysterious stranger a chance.
Love chooses us; we do not choose who we will love or who will love us.
Where can we find you and your books?
website & blog: http://charlottecopperauthor.com or http://is.gd/cNnXmx
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.copper.52 or http://is.gd/C05P6o
Amazon (US): http://amzn.to/10EnetM
Amazon (UK): http://amzn.to/13aL6oH
Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/14E2JUg
Where will you be next?
Angela & Oz are going to be answering some of their own questions in August. Angela will be visiting Babette James (www.babettejames.com/posts) on August 2nd. And Oz is being interviewed by Wild Women Authors (http://wildwomenauthorsx2.blogspot.ca) on August 12th. Come check him out…I mean, check out what he has to say.
I’m biased because Silver Blade is a novella, but I’ve been reading a lot of these shorter (less than 100 page) books lately. I think the novella offers a perfect escape that you can download onto your e-reader and read over lunch or on the bus to work. I’d like to end by asking what other readers think about the increased availability of the shorter book/novella? Are they worth it?
I’ll be giving away a pdf copy of Silver Blade to two readers randomly selected from all of those who leave a comment for me on the blogs I visit during my tour. (Visitors can have multiple entries if they comment at more than one blog. Dates & sites for my tour can be found on my website.)
Thank you again, Calisa, for allowing me to visit.
Thank you so much for playing along Charlotte! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.
Dodadagohvi~
Jul 23
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Welcome to a special edition on the Ranch! I’m excited and honored to host Liza O’Connor and her heroine from her debut book Worst Week Ever. If that title doesn’t drag you in, maybe these two characters will. Carrie Hanson is Executive Assistant to billionaire bad boy Trent Lancaster, who has been said to be […]
Living in the Oklahoma countryside with my husband is all the inspiration I need.
Pen of The Dreamer 