Blog Archives

UnCover Monday ~ Trailer Videos ~ Calisa Rhose

It’s just like movie night (or day), so grab a bag or tub of popcorn and a soda and settle in a comfy seat for some great videos. I’m honored to share some awesome and superbly done book trailers here on the Ranch! It’s only the best for my guests! 😀

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A BEASTLY SCANDAL by SHEREEN VEDAN

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DANGEROUS PARADISE by DEBRA ANDREWS

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THE MARK OF ABEL by VIOLA RYAN

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MONA LISA’S ROOM by VONNIE DAVIS

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WEATHERING ROCK by MAE CLAIR

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TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by STACY JUBA

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DARE TO BELIEVE by LESLIE ANN SARTOR

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SWEET REVENGE by KAY ROGAL

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THE BELTANE CHOICE by NANCY JARDINE

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UnCover Monday ~ Banners ~ Calisa Rhose

I found some great banners from some awesome romance writers to share with you today! Which one is your favorite? CAN you pick just one? I can’t.

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

Beltanebanner_NancyJardine

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

CaptiveHerobanner_DonnaMichaels

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

ComingHomebanner_PalomaBeck

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

Signaturebanner_KimCarmichael

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

TermsBanner_PippaJay

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

SandyRowlandbanner

Buy the Book presents ~ The Gaze by Javier A Robayo

Buy the Book Blog Tours presents Rosanne Bittner’s Ride the Free Wind

Osiyo~

The Ranch has joined  with Buy the Book virtual tour company, so once a month I will offer a slot to a tour guest on whichever day they need a hostess for. Please grab a seat and a drink and have fun with me.

Buy the Book presents ~ Laura DeLuca's Destiny

Ride the Free Wind by Rosanne Bittner

Buy the Book presents ~ Laura DeLuca's Destiny

Ride the Free Wind

Book 2 of the Savage Destiny Series

Amazon
This book is exclusive to Amazon

Abigail Trent Monroe abandons the only life she’s ever known to live among the Cheyenne with her half-breed husband, Zeke. Together they face peril and enjoy a passion most never experience. Their love is so strong that no amount of danger or rugged living can come between this man and woman so devoted to one another.

Against the backdrop of a magnificent landscape and during a time when freedom meant everything to the Native Americans, Zeke and Abbie cling to one another for courage and strength.

Excerpt:

Clinging to Zeke tightly, Abbie pleaded. “Don’t let go! Don’t ever let go!”

“It’s all right, Abbie-girl,” he told her quietly. 



He gladly kept his arms around her, and she kissed his neck, breathing in the wonderful, manly scent of him, running her hands across his broad, strong shoulders. He moved his lips back to her own in one long, lingering, hungry kiss, then he swung her up into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and asked no questions. 
 It did not matter at the moment where he had been or why. All that mattered was that he was here now. 


Buy the Book presents ~ Laura DeLuca's Destiny

Rosanne Bittner

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

I’ve been writing for nearly thirty years and to date have had 57 novels published, all about the American West of the 1800’s and Native Americans. I write romance, but not the typical bodice-ripping adventures. My stories are deep love stories, often family sagas told as a series. It is the hero and heroine’s love that holds them together through the trials and tribulations of settling America’s western frontiers. I absolutely love the Rockies, the Tetons, the Sierras, and the wide-open plains, prairies and desert land west of the Mississippi. In my books, I strive to tell the truth about the settling of the West and how it affected our American Indians, as well as the gritty depth of what our brave pioneers suffered in their search for free land and a better life. 

I am a member of the Nebraska and Oklahoma Historical Societies, my local southwest Michigan historical society, Women Writing the West, Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America (treasurer) and the national RWA, and a local charity group called the Coloma Lioness Club. I help run a family business and love doing things with my three young grandsons. If you visit my web site at www.rosannebittner.com, where all my titles are listed as well as a page that lists all my many writing awards; or you can visit me on Facebook. At either site you will learn news of new books to come as well as reprints of many of my past titles soon to be published in trade paperback and as e-books! I also have an author site at Amazon.com.

Idea and a Poll

Osiyo!

Yes, yes. I know. It’s Tuesday and yet, instead of a special guest, here I am talking to you about Monday’s programs. LOL It’s ok, though. I had a thought about my Monday features today while preparing the video post for next week. By the way– I need more videos to share! I know there are more than five authors out there with awesome videos to share! C’mon, send them to me. Go to the UnCover Monday page here on my site and see what it takes to have your book trailer (or banner or book cover) spotlighted. Here’s the link for ease: https://calisarhose.wordpress.com/ranch-guests/un-cover-monday/

Okay, back to my thought this morning (and remember, it’s way too early for me to be thinking so this could be dangerous! 😆 You’ve been warned). I love helping authors get their books and themselves out where everyone can see them. Some of the art on the covers, banners and videos is inspiring and jealousy-inducung. Most I see are.

Hence my thought. I’m giving polling a newbie’s shot for this and we’ll see how this works. I may just have to do it by comment. LOL

I think the creators, the awesome artists, of these beautiful works of art need to be recognized and acknowledged and not just the authors behind the books. I want to include the artists and creators on UnCover Monday, including a link to their websites.

The thing is, I started this feature for authors first so…it doesn’t matter if you’re a writer, artist (both?) or a wonderful reader or just curious; What do you think of this idea?

There’s the idea.

Here’s the poll: 

 

Feel free to comment below as well if you have an idea to share.

UnCover Monday ~ Cover Reveals ~ Calisa Rhose

UnCover Mondays on The Ranch!!! Enjoy this weeks’covers to ogle and explore. I’ve added two more for a total of EIGHT each month instead of the six I’ve been doing. You can follow the author links by clicking each book cover to learn more about them and see what other books they have to offer. Be sure to return on alternate Mondays for some amazing banners and video trailers by authors!

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WitchWayToTurn_KarenBynumTitle: Witch Way to Turn

Author: Karen Bynum

Site: karenbynum.blogspot.com

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.

Release date: August 2012

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?

The last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work. But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural underworld. Myles, Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load of secrets–one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence. Orin is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though it means risking his own. Despite a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness within, she could lose her sister
forever. WARNING: Contains strong language and some graphic content.

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Title: The Doubting HeartTheDoubtingHeart_BrendaGayle

Author: Brenda Gayle

Website: www.BrendaGayle.com

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Release Date: January 25, 2013

A woman determined to prove her friend was murdered questions her sanity when his look-alike appears.

When Shelby Holt convinces a friend to work at Wildhorse Pass tourist ranch, she never imagines he will die there. The police say Michael’s death was accidental, but Shelby doesn’t believe it. Haunted by guilt, she puts her academic career on hold to investigate.  Just back from the Middle East, Chad Graham is guilt-ridden over Michael’s death too. He poses as a ranch hand at Wildhorse Pass to investigate the woman claiming his cousin’s death is suspicious. Were the police wrong? Or is Shelby hiding something? Shelby knows she can’t trust her heart, but when it comes to Chad, she can’t trust her head either. He looks uncannily like Michael. Yet even as their distrust deepens, sensual attraction simmers between them. The closer Shelby and Chad get to answers—and to each other—the closer they get to danger
and to a killer who will stop at nothing to avoid discovery.

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LoveOfHerLives_SharonClareTitle: Love of Her Lives

Author: Sharon Clare

Website: www.sharonclare.com

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Release Date:August 6, 2012

Calum and Beth are soul mates who have lived many lives together until Beth decides to live a life on her own. Left behind in the Upper World, Calum sees a wrongful imprisonment in her future, so he bargains with Finn, an elven trickster to return to Earth, rescue Beth and reclaim her heart. Unfamiliar with the twenty-first century, he must determine who plots against her while playing Finn’s passion-provoking game.

Beth has no recollection of their lives together and didn’t ask this sexually-charged stranger to come to her aid. She is horrified to find her house ransacked and her life threatened. With a secret to keep, she takes the greatest risk of all—trusting Calum. Her life soon depends upon re-evaluating everything she thought normal. Their eternal bond will only be saved if Beth can rescue the man who spanned worlds to rescue her.

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Title: KeirKeir_PippaJay

Author: Pippa Jay

Website: pippajay.blogspot.com

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.

Release Date: May 7, 2012

Outcast. Cursed. Dying. Is Keir beyond redemption?

For Keirlan de Corizi–the legendary ‘Blue Demon’ of Adalucien–death seems the only escape from a world where his discolored skin marks him as an oddity and condemns him to life as a pariah. But salvation comes in an unexpected guise: Tarquin Secker, a young woman who can travel the stars with a wave of her hand. But Quin has secrets of her own. She’s spent eternity searching through space and time with a strange band of companions at her back. Defying her friends’ counsel, Quin risks her apparent immortality to save Keir. She offers him sanctuary and a new life on her home world, Lyagnius. When Keir mistakenly unleashes his dormant alien powers and earns instant exile from Quin’s home world, will she risk everything to stand by him again? 

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InLovingHate_LynetteSofrasTitle: In Loving Hate

Author: Lynette Sofras

Website:  www.lynettesofras.com

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Muse It Up Publishing

Release Date: November 9, 2012

How far will the rich and powerful go in order to achieve their goals?

That is the question Lyssa must decide when she finds herself caught between two formidable adversaries: powerful business tycoon and shipping magnate, Alex Andrakis and close childhood friend, ‘Dynamic’ Nell Winters, brewery heiress and prolific businesswoman. Following the failure of her marriage in Greece, Lyssa returns to her family home in London, to discover that her mother, a once-celebrated actress, is now facing crippling debts.  When Lyssa begins to investigate these, she becomes embroiled in the intricate business dealings of Nell and her arch-rival Alex.  Irresistibly drawn towards widower Alex and his unhappy young son, Lyssa begins to uncover some unexpected and disturbing facts.  The more involved she becomes, the more shocking are the discoveries she makes.  The conflicts culminate in a frightening battle for survival as Lyssa finds herself the prime target between the possessive Nell and obsessive Alex.   With her loyalties deeply divided, can Lyssa make the right choice for everyone concerned?

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Title: Dream OnDreamOn_RenitaPizzitola

Author: Renita Pizzitola

Website: renitapizzitola.com

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Release Date: March 4, 2013

Her quest begins when she closes her eyes.

Emory Bennett owns a lucrative dreamwalking business. Trained in weaponry and Muay Thai, she spends her nights entering the dream realm resolving her clients’ nightmares, whatever they might be: bad guys, scary beasts, or the classic forgot-to-wear-my-pants nightmare. Her jobs get complicated when a gorgeous man keeps appearing requesting her help. Grayson, a fellow dreamwalker, is stuck in the dream realm while a stranger inhabits his body. He needs Emory’s assistance in the waking realm, which he can’t visit if he can’t get back into his body. Once Emory is convinced Grayson’s not a figment of her imagination, they concoct a plan to lure the body snatcher out. But as Emory begins to fall for Grayson, the line blurs between him and the stranger who inhabits his body. She must keep it together to get close enough to discover his secrets, or divide her very soul if she can’t bring the man she loves back.     CONTENT WARNING: Strong language

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roses2Title:  Crimson and Clover

Author: Juli Page Morgan

Website:  www.julipagemorgan.com

Genre:  Historical romance

Publisher:  Crimson Romance

Release Date:  February 18, 2013

Under Katie Scott’s flower child exterior beats the heart of June Cleaver. Though she digs her bellbottoms and love beads, she longs for the idyllic family life she was denied as a child. Laughed out of San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury after the Summer of Love for believing rock ’n roll and white picket fences can coexist she decides to try her luck in the bohemian neighborhood Ladbroke Grove in London. When she discovers her new friend Adam is starting a band with Jay Carey, she’s ecstatic. She’d admired the British guitar god from afar for years, and when she and Jay finally meet the attraction between them is instantaneous. But life with a rock ’n roll star doesn’t lend itself well to white picket fences. And when Katie tells Jay the secret she’s carried for two years it may end the dream before it begins.

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Title: Forgiving PatienceForgivingPatience_JenniferSimpkins

Author: Jennifer Simpkins

Website: www.jennifersimpkins.net

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Release Date: January 8, 2013

Anna Kelly had no intention of returning to her hometown of Patience, Tennessee. At eighteen, feeling powerless from an abusive childhood and heartbroken from her high school sweetheart, she needed to put distance between her and the small town. Now, eleven years later she’s invited to her best friend’s wedding and has no other choice but to return. Though she feels much stronger the second time around, nothing can prepare her for when she sees her ex again.  After a baseball injury, Jake limped back into Patience, damaged and angry. Throwing himself into remodeling Anna’s childhood home has given him purpose again. He is just getting his life back together. He can’t risk sending it all back to hell again, but the woman who broke his heart has whipped back into town…and she wants her house back. In hopes of reminding Anna of what she ran away from all those years ago he makes her an offer she can’t refuse—three dates, that have Anna rethinking Patience…and the life she was supposed to have with Jake.

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Too close to my own dirt

Osiyo~

I was looking around the bathroom this morning and realized I need to give it a deep scrub. It’s the one most neglected room in my house I think. LOL Yes, I need to bleach the tub and scrub the floor. And those kiddie smears of only-God-knows-what around the knobs? Gotta go.BathroomMess

It got me thinking about my writing and the responses we authors often encounter to our ‘babies’ tossed out into the world to sink or swim. They are only as presentable as we make them.

Back to cleaning house. Why haven’t I noticed the hand grime before? Why haven’t I seen, and picked up, those scattered hair ties the ‘kid’ has strewn around the toilet (normally kept in a container on the rack above the throne)? How could I not have seen the stain ringing the tub–from a kid who loves the outdoors more than washing the outdoors off–before that moment? Ewwww.

The answer is easy. It’s my dirt, my mess, my bathroom. It’s not crusty and gross. The toilet is clean, the sink only has a couple of toothpaste smears today (as opposed to covered in the sticky goop) and I can see myself in the mirror (I only have to tilt slightly right, instead of doing the bob and duck to see around specks and spots). I mean, honestly, it’s looked a LOT worse. It’s clean enough to me as I gather the left over towels and clothes left behind by a kid in a hurry to go play for just another half hour before bed.

It’s my mess.

Have you ever gone to someone’s house and noticed these same things (maybe not the tub ring and probably not as bad as my own–have I mentioned that I hate house work) and wanted to clean the smudge or speck for them? I have. Yet, I don’t see the same thing in my house, which I look at daily, hourly.

AnimBroomSo how does house cleaning tie into writing? Well, we write a book, it may take weeks, months, or in many cases, years of struggle and sweat, but we finish. Whew! Then it’s time to shop the baby. Find that perfect publishing home for it. Right?

Wrong. It’s now time to clean house. Scrub all those bad spots out, wash the smudgy areas so they shine, wipe away the rings we thought should stay, but honestly it’s better off without, and polish the whole thing.

We often set it aside thinking that will make it look better, or to allow us to distance ourselves from the clutter so we can make sense of it later. But left too long it will grow mold or rot to oblivion. Usually it gathers dust at the least.

How many wips have you written, only to set aside and never look at again? Shove those under the bed
let’s face it–some of those really don’t belong under the bed, some actually belong in a bag gracing the garbage can (but I didn’t say that–as I peer at all the ‘bunnies’ hiding under my bed).

Okay, so for this we won’t go there


We pull that baby out and clean it up. We might even clean it two or three times. This is called editing.

Sometimes we pull them out, wipe the dust off and think they are miraculously all fixed. Wa-la. We didn’t need to do nearly as much as we thought we would to make it all spiffy and pretty. We’re just that good of a writer. They have steeped long enough to have rearranged those poorly written areas without us, and all we need to do is mail it out and watch it flourish.

Wrong again. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! Don’t fool yourself and set yourself up for rejection.

Take another look at it and I’m sure you’ll find something to correct, something to add a better word to, something–

TeamworkBetter yet, have someone else take a look at it. It often takes teamwork to dig deep into those cracks and crevices.

Let someone else walk into your house and see what you can’t. Have them point those smudges out to you, not clean them for you. You won’t learn to recognize those dirt specks if you do. No
that green spot is not part of the wall paper. No, your cabinets didn’t come with blue speckles all over them. It’s more likely toothpaste spatter.

I had an epiphany while staring at my dirty bathroom this morning.Idea

I’m too comfortable in my house, and no, that’s not a bad thing, it’s a fact. I can clean my house, pick up the laundry, do the dishes. I can clean my own house. But it often takes an outsider, an unbiased eye to notice the little things I can’t see in my own writing.

I’m too close to the dirt to see the mess.

I challenge you to look around your clean house. Really look at it as a visitor might having seen it for a first time. What do you see that you never noticed until you read this post?

Don’t tell me.

Go get your wip out and look at it as if it isn’t yours. Now
what do you see?

Go forth my grasshoppers (you probably won’t know what that means unless you had dinosaurs for pets). Edit.

I’m going to clean a bathroom.

Dodadagohvi~

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes
 for Cait O’Sullivan

Osiyo~

I’m turning the round pen over to my critique partner and a wonderful writer, Cait O’Sullivan to talk about her debut book, Romancing The Seas. Take it, Cait!

CaitCh Ch Ch Ch Changes


I got to thinking the other day when my sister said in an offhand comment ‘everyone hates change’.

I don’t.

 Quite the opposite in fact. I love change.

My favourite season is when they change: winter to spring is inspirational, spring to summer joyful, summer to autumn brings appreciation for the beauty of the changing world and on to winter, when the bright, brisk days exhilarate me.

My favourite weather is when it changes, sun being eclipsed by billowing, purple clouds, the first fat raindrop falling. Vice versa, sunshine through the rain and rainbows arcing through the sky.

Dawn when the moon gives way to the sun, dusk when the sun starts to leave. All wonderful times to be alive with the very air seeming to dissolve in the changing light.

Then there’s the life changing thing. Not quite so easy, or so enjoyable, but heck, when you’ve survived it, nothing beats that feeling. Change scoops you up to tumble in its force, cursing it, helpless but emerging the other side brand spanking new, with a different, more mature outlook on life, and one step closer to peace.

So I scooped up Pippa, my heroine in Romancing the Seas, and put her through the change wringer. She leaves a settled life in London behind for a new life in New Zealand. How exciting for her, and the first three chapters were hard for her. But hey she settled and now loves it there, in her brand spanking new life.  Here she is at the start, wondering whether she’s done the right thing:

RomancingtheSeasThere were several top-of-the-range treadmills and she chose one, slowly working her stride.

But her mind refused to let up. Why had she come out here to New Zealand? She should have stayed in London, working for Marcus. Okay, maybe she would have moved to a different restaurant, but even then she would have been surrounded by the familiar, not the unknown — and the downright scary. Now she was a prisoner of her own design: new country — heck, new continent — new job, new boss, no friends, and not even any space to call her own.

Maybe she had done the right thing. How could she have stayed in London after what Marcus had done? An up and coming celebrity chef, she had supported him all the way. Until his publicist had said to him, “Lose the sous chef; she’s too ordinary a look for you. You need an it girl on your arm, so all the paparazzi will be snapping you for the celebrity magazines.”

“Look, Pippa,” Marcus had pleaded. “Just give me a couple of years to get to the top of my career and then we can be together properly. We can still be together, but just keep our relationship under cover.”

Pippa had wanted to cry, but instead picked up her bag and walked out of the flat she had never quite moved into.

She had been right to leave. But whether she had been right to leave so drastically, swapping everything she had ever known for the unknown, was very questionable.

Her heart pounded rapidly and she pressed the treadmill button to lower the speed, concentrating on breathing deeply to slow her heart rate down. A light cough from the treadmill beside her nearly threw her off her treadmill in surprise.

Her new roomie.

In an attempt not to let the machine sweep her off, she pumped her legs and finally caught back up with the pace. Great. Glances at the monitor, proudly proclaiming a heart rate of 190, made her want to curl up and die. Mr. Eagleton, on the other hand, appeared very relaxed and loose limbed beside her as he lengthened into his pace, despite a faint sheen of sweat — clearly he had been in the gym for a while.

Breathe.

****

How about you – how do you feel about Change? Drop me a comment and let me know, then come to Cait’s Place to read the first chapter of Romancing the Seas.

Buy Romancing the Seas

 To stay in touch with Cait, join her on Facebook and Twitter.

 That is a beautiful cover and great excerpt, Cait. Thank you for sharing!

Dodadagohvi~

What do you do AFTER MIDNIGHT? ~ Calisa Rhose

Osiyo~

Sarah Grimm has a super special offer for my Ranch guests today. Keep reading to find out about it. All I’m going to say is I’ve read this book and can’t wait for the next one! 🙂

It’s all yours, Sarah.

Oh- and I just had to snag this from AJ Nuest! Because it fits!hot and British

After Midnight is On Sale!

It’s official, for the next two weeks my award winning contemporary romance, After Midnight, is on sale for the super low price of 99 cents! So, I’m celebrating with a re-blog, re-tweet and share to win celebration!

What can you win???

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM BARNES & NOBLE or AMAZON
(winners choice)

 Here’s how to play:

  1. Tweet (or retweet) about the sale. Every tweet will earn you one entry in the drawing. Make sure to include @SarahGrimmAuthr in your tweet so I can track your entry.
  2. Post or Share the sale on Facebook. Every post/share will earn you one entry in the drawing. Be sure to tag Sarah Grimm – Author in your post so I can track your entry.
  3. Reblog this post. Make sure to leave a link here so I can keep track.

That’s it. Pretty simple, yes? The more you tweet, retweet, share or repost, the more entries you receive!   I will announce the winner of the gift certificate on my personal blog on February 11, 2013.

http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

AfterMidnight_w3440_300 Sarah GrimmCan music heal a fractured soul?
Or will it tear them apart forever?

Alicia LaRanceThirteen years—that’s how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother’s life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar


Noah ClarkBlack Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal—one that doesn’t include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won’t be easy, but he can’t get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

2012 Romance Through the Ages Award Winner ~ 1st Place Contemporary
2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist
2012 Readers Favorite Award Finalist
2011 Book of the Year Finalist ~ Long and Short Reviews

GET IT TODAY – Just $0.99!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/11kD7JS  (1/25 – 2/08)
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/TNBRdL  (1/25 – 2/08)
The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/VohFcm (1/25 – 1/28)

“After Midnight is one hell of a love story! I was hooked at the end of the first chapter. I had to read more. I had to know more. And Sarah Grimm definitely delivered more.” —5 Stars, Fire Pages

“Ms. Grimm creates characters that grab hold of your heart and never let go. This is an emotional ride that you won’t want to miss.”—BEST BOOK, Long and Short Reviews

“I am in love. This book was amazing. I would even go as far as to say that it was one of the best books that I read this year.” — 5 cocktails, Cocktails and Books

Thanks for bringing your contest to The Ranch, Sarah!!! 🙂

Dodadagohvi~

Friday Fanfare with… ~ Calisa Rhose

Kelly Moran…

Welcome to Friday Fanfare!

This is a simple twice-a-month blog feature. Rather than a long interview full of questions everyone asks guests, I’ll get right to the heart of the book with five sections, that aren’t really questions so much as allowing the author to tell you what they want you to know about them and their book. 

Please show Kelly Moran some Ranch love!

kelmoran 

It all began when


A few friends and I decided to visit this secluded house. We used to go to places that were once reportedly haunted. This house is in the middle of dense woods. So it’s dark, we’re walking down this gravel road, almost upon the house now, when the flashlight flies from my hand and lands several feet away. I freeze, feeling like I’m being held in place, as something not human whispers in my ear. Needless to say we booked it outta there, but it gave me the idea for this book.

Tell us three things about you-the writer-readers wouldn’t typically know.

I’d rather live in my imagination than the real world, I wish my heroes were real, and all of my heroines have a strong flaw based off my own personality.

What stands out about this story that makes it different for you?

This is my first stab at romantic suspense. Though a light mystery, I won’t do it again soon. I’m much more in my niche writing heartfelt or quirky contemporaries.

Tell about any challenges you came across while writing this book or the subject matter.

The heroine has had nightmares and sleepwalking incidents since childhood. Not a lot of books use this premise to solve murders while interlacing a ghost story. It was a struggle to make it all feel and sound believable to the reader. I hope I pulled it off.

Finally- tell us about the finished book. Anything we might not know?3D TDH_KM

Blurb:

In her dreams, a ghost demands to be heard…

Once plagued by mysterious nightmares, Trisha Eaton always chalked them up to childish nuisances–until they return with a vengeance. Something about the Drake house next door haunts her, and now her night terrors and sleepwalking seem to be luring her to something dark. After a series of strange events, Trisha turns to Nick Mackey. As the new deputy in town, Nick wants to forget his traumatic past. His undeniable attraction for Trisha has him wondering if a shot at a normal life is possible. But Trisha has somehow struck a nerve in their small, superstitious town, and a long-buried secret threatens to surface again. A secret that someone will kill to keep veiled. Answers only lead to more questions in a case where nothing makes sense, but one chilling fact remains…some nightmares are all too real.

About Kelly:

Kelly’s been known to say that she gets her ideas from everyone and everything around her, and that there’s always a book playing out in her head. No one who knows her bats an eyelash when she talks to herself.

She began her writing career in the Indie market, becoming the recipient of an Editor’s Choice Award, a Finalist in the 2008 Best Book Awards, and a Finalist in the 2009 Indie Excellence Awards before moving into traditional publishing. Her books not only have honors from the top review sites, but from NY Times bestsellers too. She is a respected reviewer and a Romance Writers of America member.

Kelly’s interests include: sappy movies, MLB, NFL, driving others insane, and sleeping when she can. She is a closet caffeine junkie and chocoholic, but don’t tell anyone. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband, Darren, three sons, Logan, Evan, & Ethan, and her black lab, Willow. Most of her family lives in the Carolinas, so she spends a lot of time there as well.

Website: http://www.authorkellymoran.com

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

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkmoran

That’s it for this edition of Friday Fanfare. Now it’s your turn to ask those difficult questions about the book. Things you want to know about it, the author and the writing process of this piece of literary work. Kelly will be giving one lucky commenter a copy of the book, so leave your email!

Until next time!

If you would like a special FanFare for you and your work in the future email me: calisa.rhose@gmail.com and put Friday Fanfare Guest in the subject line. In the body, include an approximate date you’d like to appear (Fridays ONLY) and attach the book cover and–if you have them for the book–a banner and video youtube link.

Fender-Bender Interview! ~ Calisa Rhose

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, Niecey Roy, who is sharing her book Fender Bender Blues with us!

Please show Niecey Roy some real Ranch love!JanniceHeadshotAboutMe                

Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, we’d like to know a bit about you, the person wearing the writer’s hat.

I became a writer at a young age, but my moment of enlightenment came after watching the movie You’ve Got Mail.  It was then that I realized my place in life and I happily parked my butt on romance.  My dream was to create sexy vixens, hunky, half naked heroes, and above all, romance; lots and lots of butterflies in the belly, breathless first kisses and happily-ever-afters.

(For more about Niecey visit this link. You won’t regret it. 😉 http://www.nieceyroy.com/about-niecey-2/ )

My writing area at the moment is a corner of the couch in my living room. What does your writing space look like?

I’m one of those writers who prefers to write in bed. I’m just more relaxed there. I have a really beautiful office desk, but when I’m at that desk, it feels like work. So I write in bed, with the TV volume low and the lamp on. And if I’m not at home writing, I’m with my laptop at a little coffee shop called Barista’s. I recently thought I should explain to them that I’m an author because last week I was sitting in the chair, typing away on my laptop and giggling at the scene I was writing. After a few months of coming in giggling to myself, I thought an explanation was in order 🙂

Better to explain to them than those guys standing in corners with the lovely white jacket, I s’pose 😛

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?

Titles, they usually come to me right away. With Fender Bender Blues, I knew the moment I started writing the story that that was the name. I never thought of it as anything else and I was thrilled I didn’t have to change it in order to publish it. I never even though to Google and make sure the name wasn’t taken! Not until after Wild Rose Press offered me a contract, ha! The book I’m writing now I’ve named Woes of the Fabricated Relationship. Whether the publisher lets it stay that way, we’ll see. I like it, even if it’s a bit long. Character names, however, that’s a whole different story. With girl names, they seem to fly off my fingertips and onto the computer screen. With male names, I spend weeks trying to find the right one! 

Have you considered asking the men what their name is? It’s the only way I get their names. LOL

What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?

My advice is simple–never give up! You have a dream, a passion to write, so stick with it. And write, that’s the most important thing; every day if you can. And read 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?

There was a time (and this wasn’t long ago, maybe six years ago) when the idea of ebooks disgusted me. I mean, what??? Why would anyone want to read from a screen??? Madness, I tell you! I was really offended by it because I LOVE my paperback and hardback books. I love my collection of books, the smell of the pages…everything about them! But then I realized times were changing and we’ve become a digital world. I didn’t fall into it gracefully, but last year I downloaded the Kindle app on my phone. I LOVED it! If I forgot my book, I could whip out my phone and read anywhere! What an amazing discovery. 🙂 I realized I really love digital books (though I’ll never love them as much as the physical book, call me old fashioned). I purchased an iPad and never leave home without it. So, after that long-winded comment, a successful author has to be open-minded, even if your old fashioned sensibilities resist.  

LOL You could be talking about me there, Niecey. All my friends were going digital, eyes wide open, but not me, not until I was offered a chance to write Home–specifically for an epublisher.

Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?

I want to meet author Patricia Cornwell. Yes, yes, I know, you are thinking, “But you’re a contemporary romance author! You write funny scenes, about love! Cornwell writes crime fiction.” But, I’m a reader of EVERYTHING, and she is one of my favorite authors. I was in high school when I fell in love with her Scarpetta series. I collect them to this day. She has such a brilliant mind! Her grasp on forensics is just amazing.

It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆

Favorite animal? Cat

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Spring

Favorite food? Pizza

Spring for me too. Well done! 🙂

Okay, Flash four. Ready? (answer these with as long or short answers as you want to)

What are you working on now?

A humorous contemporary romance, currently titled Woes of the Fabricated Relationship.

What are you sharing today?FenderBenderBlues_NieceyRoyFENDER BENDER BLUES 

Her life took a wrong turn. He’s driven by success. They didn’t count on crashing into love…

Rachel Bennett loved her job until the day she finds herself doubting her choices.  Now she’s hunting for a new career, but starting over isn’t easy.  Her plan is simple—no distractions until she finds her dream job.  She didn’t plan on fate throwing her a curveball in the form of a fender bender with a sexy guy in an expensive suit.

Craig Larsen is a wealthy, successful business owner with a plan of his own: survive his current PR nightmare and stay away from his overly determined ex-girlfriend.  His need for control and personal success is turned upside down when he meets Rach, a sassy redhead who can’t drive.

Soon they find themselves battling with Rach’s grumpy old neighbor, toilet-papering the trees of a high school nemesis, and fighting over the last slice of pizza.  Can two very different people plus one fender bender equal a chance at forever?

EXCERPT:

“Now what?”

“Nothing.”Rach sniffed.

Craig shifted to eye her warily. “Since when do you answer me with single words?”

“Since I decided I’m not talking to you,” she answered with a shrug, crumpling up the white paper wrapper from her sub.  

Craig leaned his face in close to her neck and enjoyed the startled jerk of her shoulders. Her eyes opened wide in surprise. His breath shifted a few strands of hair at the nape of her neck as he whispered, “Why, because you want me?”

“You’re incorrigible,” she said, breathless, her cheeks flushed.

She’s enjoying this. The thought pleased him. Rach was on her back beside him now, her eyes closed. He glanced around the park to see if anyone was watching. No one was. He could swoop in for a kiss and no one would catch him. No one would care, he told himself. She won’t mind


“I can feel you staring.”

Craig smiled down at her. “So what.”

She peeked at him with one green eye. “So stop it.”

“And if I don’t?” Maybe she’d tackle him, push him down on the blanket and


She didn’t. She promptly closed her eye and went back to pretending indifference. “I’ll hit you, that’s what.”

“Not if I do this, you won’t.”

He’d only meant it to be a short kiss, but the pleasure of touching his lips to hers kept him there longer. Her tongue was velvet soft and warm against his and the slow mating of their mouths quickened his heartbeat even as he told himself, It’s no big deal, just a kiss.

She nipped his bottom lip and sent heat sliding through his body. The woman could kiss.

She whispered soft against his lips, “Now why don’t you admit that it’s you who wants me.”

Where can we find you and your books?

My book will be for sale exclusively through Amazon digital next week, January 30, 2013. If you’re on Facebook, join me for the Fender Bender Blues Facebook Release Party   The buy link for Fender Bender Blues will be posted all throughout the day during the release party. Or you can visit my website at http://nieceyroy.com, or join me on Twitter @NieceyRoy   You can also visit Amazon itself for more information and to purchase Fender Bender Blues.

Where will you be next?

Next, I’ll be at my Fender Bender Blues Facebook Release Party  I would LOVE it if you showed up. We’ll be giving away prizes. You won’t want to miss it! 🙂

For anyone who comments today, they’ll be entered into a drawing. I’ll be giving away a digital copy of an author friend’s book, How Hard Can It Be? as an Amazon gift.  

Thank you so much for playing along Niecey! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.

Dodadagohvi~