Category Archives: Historical Romance

A new book from Author Mary Morgan…

You all know I lovelovelove introducing authors to you who may be new to you but are so worth knowing and reading. Mary Morgan, one of my Wild Rose Press sistahs is such an author. Her newest book, DRAGON KNIGHT’S RING just released last week and already it’s gotten rave reviews. She’s sharing a little taste of her work here with me today. Read on and you’ll agree with me, she’s an author you want to get to know and read!

DRAGON KNIGHT’S RING by Mary Morgan

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Blurb:

Death destroyed their love. Yet, can a trio of Fenian warriors roll back time to reunite two lost souls?

Crusader, Adam MacFhearguis is on one last quest to the standing stones in Scotland where he seeks to bury the past. However, a silent prayer sends him to an unknown future and to his beloved Meggie. When he uncovers a shocking revelation, Adam questions everything about the woman he thought he knew and loved. He may have traveled the veil of ages, but time is now his enemy.

Margaret MacKay lives a life in the future without the memories of her past—her death. When Adam arrives at her door confessing he knows her, she is confused and wary. With each passing day, she yearns to learn more from this stranger. Yet, when a truth is revealed, can she trust the man to unlock the chains from her mind and heart?

Will love free the bonds to unite the two lovers who were doomed centuries ago? Or will evil finally claim victory over the Dragon Knights?

Excerpt:

Meggie brushed her fingers over the leather pouch. “It feels empty.”

“Are you not tempted to take a wee look inside?”

She snatched her hand back. “I’m not peering inside the man’s belongings. As soon as he wakes, he and his horse can leave.” Giving the horse a firm pat, Meggie walked out of the stall and away from her smirking cousin—only to run smack into her other cousin, Lena.

“Blast,” snapped Meggie, grabbing her cousin by the arm to help steady them both. “Sorry, didn’t see ye,” Seeing the excitement in Lena’s eyes, she stepped back. “What?”

“I hear you have a Highlander in the guest room,” she replied, giving Meggie a wink. “Are you going to share?”

Meggie placed her hands on her hips. “He’s not my Highlander. Feel free to have him, though as soon as he wakes he’s gone from here.”

Lucas strode out of the stables, wiping his hand on a cloth. “I think I’ll go introduce myself, since I think this man bothers you. You keep stating he must leave as soon as he wakes.”

Lena pushed her cousin aside. “No, Lucas. I will go check on him.”

“Ye are both crazy,” protested Meggie. “He’s just a man.” Stepping past them both, she marched away from the stables.

Approaching the entrance of the castle, her nerves tingled and the air cooled. Halting on the gravel courtyard, she slowly glanced up at the guest bedroom window. Gazing down at her was the dark Highlander. His hands were braced on either side of the glass, and Meggie could swear for an instant, she recognized him from somewhere. A dream, perhaps? The look he gave her pierced her soul, and she shivered.

“Impossible,” she muttered. “I don’t dream. And ye are leaving now.”

Breaking from his stare, Meggie entered the castle, almost running up the stairs. By the time she reached the guest room, her hands were shaking. Not even bothering to knock, she pushed open the door and stormed inside.

Her mouth became dry, unable to form the words to order this giant out of her home. His bulk blocked the light from the window as he leaned against the ledge staring at her. She was not one prone to swoon at men—any man, but this one made her a jumbled mess. Moving to the table, she picked up his sword and took it over to him. His eyes widened as she approached and she fell into their dark blue depths.

“I…um…” she stammered before continuing. “Ye should leave.” There, she got the words out.

Instead of reaching for his sword, the man lifted two fingers and caressed her cheek. She gasped, the touch searing her skin, and she took a step back. She could see the look of shock pass over his features, as if he felt the same reaction.

Meggie shoved the sword into his arms and ran for the door. Yet, when her hand touched the handle, she heard him speak.

“Dinnae leave me again, Meggie.”

Buy Links:

Amazon:  //  BN: //  Kobo://   Apple iBooks://   The Wild Rose Press://  All Romance eBooks:

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:marymorgan

Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

You can find more information about Mary Morgan here:

WEBSITE //   BLOG  // Twitter  // Facebook//   Goodreads // Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Alpha Male, Author, Historical Romance, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Evolving Romance reader….

When I was a teenager ( 175 years ago!), my taste in, and selection of, romance books was a tad different from what it is today. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers were my top reads back in the day and this little sheltered Catholic girl learned a whole lot about love, sex, and romance ( you thought I was gonna say Rock and Roll, admit it!) from those talented writers. In a world before the Internet, cell phones, reality TV and fame for fame’s sake, these books educated me in the ways of seduction, foreplay, and the real difference between men and women. Being transported back to the times when manners mattered, words could be used to seduce or slay, and women came to a marriage bed untouched and unknowing was fun to read.

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Flash forward to the present day and I’m invested in, and now  read a, different kind of romance story. While Regency tales of naughty noblemen and lascivious Lords are still fun for me to loose myself in, I know all about sex now, firsthand (!) so my eyes don’t need to be opened from reading about it, and I have a different perspective on what I want to read in today’s romance book.

Contemporary romantic fiction runs the gamut from sweet (no sex) tales of Amish women finding their true loves, to mild ( some sex, bedroom door closed) stories of women embarking on new life challenges; from sensual (sex with bedroom door wide open) stories of women discovering the meaning of their lives, to spicy (LOTS of sex in every place imaginable!) tales of women who are discovering their sexual – and personal – identities.

The common denominator in all the books I like to read now? The word contemporary.

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I lovelovelove reading about present day women of any age who are struggling, trying to make a better life, wondering if they will ever find their own happily ever after. Contemporary women in the here and now are my tribe. They live their lives with passion, fight for the ideas they believe in, aren’t afraid to speak their minds, and would do anything for, and sacrifice everything for,  the people they love. The men they let into their hearts may not always be deserving of such a place of honor in the beginning of the tale, but by the end of it, my contemporary girls have brought about a profound change in them – and in herself – that it facilitates their lifetime love. Their own happily ever after.

The contemporary romances I read – I will freely admit – run from sensual to spicy. Unlike when I was growing up, women can have sex freely these days without the dread of being burned at the stake ( don’t laugh – it happened), without fear of being abandoned by family and society, and without worry about getting pregnant – although this last one is a popular romantic trope to this day ( the unplanned OOPS baby).  They can engage in behavior that at one time would have lead to their banishment from society, their public censure, and their economic downfall. And they can have fun doing it now. Some of my favorite books to read are romantic comedies where the laughs equal the sexy parts, measure for measure.

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In my youth, the heroines I read fell into a very small category: ladies of noble birth or not. No in between. No shopkeepers, governesses, scullery maids.

Today, the heroines I read about are brilliant doctors, powerful lawyers, CEO’s of their own companies, tech executives. They are  nurses, teachers, veterinary techs, bus drivers, race car enthusiasts, television producers. And they are stay-at-home moms, policewomen. writers. They are all the women I know.

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So, in the past several decades I can truly say I have evolved as a romance reader.

But I have to admit I still love a Regency rake!

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Since I love contemporary romances, here’s where you can find the ones I write – stories about strong women, the families who support them, and the men  who can’t live without them. Amazon author page

 

My most recent book, THE VOICES OF ANGELS.

Blurb:

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Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.

Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.

Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook

If you need to find me, you can:  Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Alpha Hero, Alpha Male, Author, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, Historical Romance, Kensington Publishers, Life challenges, Lyrical Author, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, Strong Women, The Voices of Angels, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

#RWA16 the final day….Whew!

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So I’m sitting right now at the San Diego airport waiting for my flight. it’s 4 am PCT and I am TIRED with a capital T! Yesterday was a whirlwind, but I’ll try to hit the highlights.

It started with another book signing. The total now is 72.( this picture isn’t all of them!)

rwa26And I did break down and ship some of them home today. I just didn’t want to be bothered having to lug them all in my suitcase and then back home. Then off to Elizabeth Hoyt’s Emotion workshop. If you don’t know Hoyt, you don’t know historical romance. Her heat level is lava worthy. Her male characters are each and every one the type of man I could so see myself with IF I lived in Regency times. She gave an in-depth workshop on exactly what is needed to give your characters emotional depth and substance. And she should know – she’s an award-winning writing chicita with the writing chops to go with it.

A quick lunch of Diet Mountain Dew and a mounds bar – honestly there is never enough time to actually sit down and eat something nutritious for lunch!! and then it was on to a talk with Kristan Higgins, Elizabeth Hoyt and  Alyssa Day titled Sex with the terrible trio… This class was a no holds barred laugh fest about how to write sex for any heat level from sweet, to  close the door, to down and dirty and hothothot.  I haven’t laughed so much nor learned so much from a lecture since I took anatomy class in nursing school and saw my very first ( dead, as in, cadaver) penis. Truly, these three would be a hoot to just hang out and have drinks with.

My last workshop of the day concerned the DARK MOMENT on your story, and I’m not referring to Voldemort’s tattoo! Lisa Kessler gave numerous examples in film and fiction of that moment in the story when all seems lost and hopeless, the h/h will never get their chance at a happily ever after and your heart is pounding. Excellent discussion on how to up  the stakes on your story to make that dark moment the one people remember..

Alas, I did not actually get to attend the RITA awards live because my shuttle bus was coming for me at oh0threehundred-dark for my flight. But I did get to watch up until Robyn Carr’s acceptance speech on my computer from the webcam streaming, so I feel like I hit the high points.

Now, as I sit here – tired, hungry, and yet elated, I am thankful to go home because really, you can eat only so much bad food for a week, and I miss my bed. And my husband – I need to say that! But I take away from this conference so many first’s as memories: My first RWA literacy signing, the first time I volunteered at RWA, the first time I moderated worskhops. The first time I really got up my gumption and talked TALKED with uberfamous and wonderful authors like Jill Shalvis ( fan girl sigh) Kristan Higgins, and Elizabeth Hoyt. My first publishing party at my new home, Kensington/Lyrical.

My fan girl moments in the hallways included a quick chat with Jayne Ann Krentz, who was walking along with all the romance rabble ( like me!) like she was just another gal getting to an elevator. I saw Nora Roberts twice – I almost wet my pants both times!! Sylvia Day, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, the amazing Brenda Novak…. so many faces for the writers I love  and worship.

In the next few days I will come down off this high and get back to the work of actually writing – I have deadlines now!!- but I will remember for years to come how wonderful, how supported, how inspired I was by everyone and everything RWA related.

Until next time…..be well, find your joy, and write your little hearts out.

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Filed under #RWA16, Author, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Kensington Publishers, Lyrical Author, NHRWA, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

A stroll down romance book memory lane…

What was the first book you read that taught you about romantic love?

Pride and Prejudice? Gone with the Wind? Wuthering Heights? The Fault is in our Stars? The Notebook? Lady Chatterly’s Lover?

Okay that last one really shouldn’t be included because it was more about repressed sexual urges than really romantic love, but it is a favorite still with many people.

For me – as with a great deal of people – my introduction to romantic fiction was when I was 11 years old and I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I will admit at the time I didn’t know it was about romance, and as an 11 year-old I had some trouble with the flowery prose. But I thought it was a cool story about English history ( hahahahah) and that it had a happy ending, something I knew I liked in a book.

As I matured I realized the book was much more than a simple happily-ever-after story. It was a love letter to the time, craftily weaving a story of personal intrigue and discovery, social mores, and class distinctions. Through Elizabeth, we see the struggles of a woman feeling trapped between doing what is familiar and best for her family ( marry well) and wanting to have a life filled with happiness and joy that only a love match – she feels – will give her. The Bennets will lose everything when their father dies due to the archaic and misogynistic entailment of the property to only a male heir – something not present in the Bennet household. The five daughters must be married off, and married off to hopefully rich husbands.  Lizzy grapples with the idea her future is dependent on a rich man wanting her and a romantic notion that she will marry for love and not social and financial gain.

But it still had that happily-ever-after ending I was so found of.

When I began writing my own romantic fiction, the book became much more to me. I saw it as a blueprint- for lack of a better word – in how the classic hero and heroine must go through obstacle after obstacle before they can come together as a couple and find their joined happiness. The romance story must be layered with emotions and discoveries – not only about the love interest, but the hero and heroine themselves must find out who they are and what they truly want in love and in a partner. The story must be  peppered not only with situations that keep them apart but also characters who place impediments in their way to being together. Misdirection, unknown facts, secrets and the like, all add dimension and layering to the story to make it a page turner and not a snore inducer.

One of the reasons Pride and Prejudice, written over 200 hundred years ago, is still a favorite with romance readers today is because it is a universal story of boy meets girl/boy loses girl/ boy gets girl in the end.

And it has that wonderful happily-ever-after feel to it.

So, what was the first romantic book you ever read? let’s discuss……

here’s my current favorite romantic novel, and LOOK! – it’s mine!

THE VOICES OF ANGELS

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Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.

Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.

Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook

If you need to find me, you can:  Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

Exciting news, people. I’m having a ‪#‎goodreads‬ ‪#‎giveaway‬ of THE VOICES OF ANGELS. Here’s the link to try and get a paperback copy plus one of my hand painted book boxes to house it in.https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/189562-the-voices-of-angels
And pssssst! Want an even greater chance of winning? I’m going to give 2 lucky winners the chance to get a free e-copy of the book if you do one of these things within the next week: ( remember, you must have a kindle in order to win!!)
1. visit my website on Tuesday 6/7 or Thursday june 9 and leave a comment and follow me on WordPress. Here’s my website link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/
2. Follow me on Twitter anyday! : https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger
or
3. Follow me on instagram anyday!:https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/

On June 12th I’ll pick two random winners (so make sure to check back here!) and I’ll get your email addresses, and send a copy of THE VOICES OF ANGELS directly to your kindle, via amazon.
Sound good???

 

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Filed under Author, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, Historical Romance, Life challenges, Literary characters, love, MacQuire Women, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women, The Voices of Angels, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Final Week of CandyHearts releases…

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It’s the final week of the Wild Rose Press Candy Hearts Romance series. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to authors Barbara Burke, Nancy Fraser,  Doreen Alsen, and, well, me,  and our releases today NOT2NIGHT,  ONLY YOURS, OohLaLa, and 3 WISHES. And remember to enter the Wild Rose Press RAFFLECOPTER at the end of this blog for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

NOT2NIGHT by Barbara Burke

Blurb:

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When ARP warden Molly sees a light shining through the darkness of London on a cold winter’s night in the middle of the blitz she’s infuriated with the careless American who struck it. Doesn’t he know there’s a war on?

Guy’s just trying to find his way through a maze of unlit streets. He’s very sorry and Molly reluctantly forgives him. When he accompanies her on her nightly rounds the two learn about each other, themselves and whether it’s really possible to fall in love in only one night – especially when there’s no guarantee of tomorrow.

Excerpt:

They stood silently. Slowly her hand came out of her pocket to rest on the top of his arm. The other one reached up to gently touch his cheek. He could see the glint of her eyes, those impossible brown eyes, as she gazed up at him gravely.

“Are you going to kiss me?” Her cool British voice gave him no inclination of how she felt.

“Is that what you want?” Guy wasn’t sure what he would do if the answer was no.

She didn’t reply, and he took that for her answer. Quickly he undid the clasp on her helmet and pulled it away, letting it drop to the ground without a thought. Free of its weight, she tilted her face up, her lips dark and full in the black night, and settled more deeply into his grasp.

It was invitation enough.

He bent his head toward her.

Her lips were soft and cold. Willing, but tentative. Her arms circled his neck, and he pulled her to him more tightly, body to body despite the thick winter clothing they both wore.

The night suddenly got a lot warmer.

The kiss didn’t last long. It was too sweet to be sustained, and they were too new to the sensation to change it into something more. As soon as Guy sensed Molly withdrawing, he broke it off.

But he didn’t release her. And she made no move to pull away.

“Was that a mistake?” he asked.

“No.” Molly sounded quite sure, and Guy’s heart soared. But then she continued, “However, repeating it might be.”

Buy Links   Amazon    The Wild Rose Press

About Barbara

Barbara Burke

Barbara Burke’s peripatetic life means she’s lived everywhere from a suburban house in a small town to a funky apartment in a big city, and from an architecturally designed estate deep in the forest to a cedar shack on the edge of the ocean. Everywhere she’s gone she’s been accompanied by her husband, her animals and her books. For the last fifteen years she’s worked as a freelance journalist and has won several awards. She was a fan of Jane Austen long before that lady was discovered by revisionists and zombie lovers and thinks Georgette Heyer was one of the great writers of the twentieth century. She lives by the philosophy that one should never turn down the opportunity to get on a plane no matter where it’s going, but deep down inside wishes she could travel everywhere by train.

 

Find Barbara here: Facebook

ONLY YOURS by Nancy Fraser

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Everyone expects Rebecca Winston to marry her high school/college sweetheart, Garrett Langley. The problem is, the flame’s gone out on their romance. They’re still best of friends, but only friends. When Garrett’s father has a heart attack, his older brother Wyatt (an L.A. attorney) returns home for the first time in years. The attraction between Rebecca and Wyatt is immediate.

Can Rebecca expect her family and, especially, Garrett to understand that her desires have changed and turned toward Wyatt?

Can Wyatt get past the feeling that he’s poaching his younger brother’s girl?

Excerpt:

Wyatt pressed down on the accelerator, pushing the sports car a little harder, skirting the legal speed limit for the boulevard leading to her parents’ home. The purr of the finely tuned engine echoed through the tight confines of the car, setting her pulse on a complementary rhythm. Soft jazz played in the background, its melodic tones sinking into her senses, ratcheting up her heartrate yet another notch.

Before she realized it, he’d pulled the car to stop in her parents’ driveway.

“Home sweet home,” he said. “Or, at least I assume you still live with your parents. I guess I should have asked.”

She bit back an outright laugh in favor of a more ladylike chuckle. “Yes, I do still live at home. According to my mother, it’s the proper thing to do.”

Wyatt hopped out and came around the back of the car to open her door. Her mother would have been proud of how she’d waited for his assistance. Usually, she opened her own door before Garrett could get there.

“Would you like to come in and say hello?”

“I’d better not. I’ve been given an order to relay to the cook. I wouldn’t want Christina to have to wait for her supper.” He took hold of her elbow, as he had in the hospital. “I’ll see you to the door.”

Another round of sparks shot up her arm. She pulled away and took two steps forward. “It’s not necessary.”

He caught hold of her wrist and turned her to face him. His dark gaze flared. “Thank you for coming to see Pops. He obviously adores you.”

“It was my pleasure.”

She was about to pull from his grasp when he tightened his grip, stopping her in her tracks. “My brother’s a lucky man.”

Her cheeks flooded with warmth. “Thank you.” He smiled and her heart did a little flip inside her chest.

His deep voice softened to a mere whisper. He released her wrist. “You’re welcome, Re…becc…a.”

She swallowed, smiled and dashed to the porch. By the time she turned back toward the drive, Wyatt had already climbed into the car and cranked the engine. The way he’d said her name, drawn out and distinct, had reminded her of a cat unfurling its lazy body in front of a raging fire.

And her with no extinguisher in sight.

Buy Links   Amazon    Wild Rose Press

About Nancy:

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Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in 2016. She is currently working on her next Rock and Roll novella and two new erotic romance novellas.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Find Nancy here: Website // Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads // Amazon

Ooh La La by Doreen Alsen

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Aspiring choreographer and dance teacher, Simon West is walking along the hall in the college where he teaches when he gets knocked over by klutzy, two left feet, accounting professor Veronica Cooke. Simon wants to get to know the beautiful woman who ran him down, but how will she react when she finds out his alter-ego is a super sexy cowboy at an upscale exotic dancing male revue and that he makes ends meet by taking off his clothes?

Excerpt:

Her eyes were a dreamy shade of blue, the greenish blue of a calm sea. Her nose was small and straight in the middle of an oval face. Pretty. Very pretty.

“Yes,” she said. “I came to apologize for running you over. Unfortunately I’m Queen of the Klutzes.”

“Okay.” He held out a hand for her to shake.

“Simon West. How did you know where to find me?”

She smiled and nodded at the Barrett University Dance T-shirt he wore. “I went to the Dance Department office and asked. I’m Veronica Cooke. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“You didn’t. Hurt me, that is.” Since when did he babble? Since now, he guessed. He had a hard time thinking around her. He wanted to reach out and touch her cheek to see if her skin was as soft and smooth as it looked.

“Well, good. You’re a wonderful dancer. I wish I had that talent.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get to my office hours. It was nice to meet you.” She turned to leave.

He didn’t want her to. He found he very much wanted her to stay. Here. With him. “Um, do you have time to get coffee later?” He wasn’t dancing at Hardbody that night.

“I might. When?”

“Around four?”

“Four sounds great. Where?”

“Sammy’s?”

“Okay. I’ll see you then.” She gave him one last smile and left.

He indulged himself and watched her trundle down the hall. “I think I need to get to know you better, Veronica Cooke.”

Buy Links  Amazon    WIld Rose Press

About Doreen:

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Doreen has wanted to be a writer her whole life but took a detour into being an opera singer and choral conductor. She realized that maybe she should spend more time writing when creating the back stories was more fun than actually singing them. Plus her romance lovin’ heart couldn’t take all the dead bodies littering the stage at the end of the performance. She is still an active conductor and is regularly found waving her arms around in front of singers.

Find Doreen here: Website

 

 

3 WISHES by Peggy Jaeger ( that’s me!!)

perf5.000x8.000.inddBlurb:

Valentine’s Day is chocolatier Chloe San Valentino’s favorite day of the year. Not only is it the busiest day in her candy shop, Caramelle de Chloe, but it’s also her birthday. Chloe’s got a birthday wish list for the perfect man she pulls out every year: he’d fall in love with her in a heartbeat, he’d be someone who cares about people, and he’d have one blue eye and one green eye, just like her. So far, Chloe’s fantasy man hasn’t materialized, despite the matchmaking efforts of her big, close-knit Italian family. But this year for her big 3-0 birthday, she just might get her three wishes.

Excerpt    

At about five minutes of ten I was almost ready to turn the Closed sign on the door when it opened. I heard Janie’s breath hitch and turned from where I was sweeping up. Staying open late is always a risk, with the thought thieves will invade at the end of the day.

If the guy standing at the door glancing around the shop was a thief, then Dio mio, I wanted to be robbed.

About six foot, his hair was the color of a deer’s pelt, with autumnal golds and browns shot together in a glorious patchwork that grazed the collar of his jacket and curled a little at the ends. He wore a faded brown bomber jacket over a shirt I couldn’t see, but he had shoulders almost as wide as my doorway. A pair of well-worn jeans covered his mile long legs, and the fabric on the stress points at his knees was practically white.

“We’re about to close,” I heard myself say. “Can I help you?”

It was at that moment he looked over at me.

His face could have been sculpted by Da Vinci or Michelangelo. A broad, smooth, forehead housed naturally arched eyebrows I knew some of my gay guy friends would have paid a fortune to have on their own faces. His cheeks were carved from marble, high, smooth and deep. And his mouth, mother-of-God, his mouth. Full, thick beautiful lips sat perfectly over a chin with a dent you could shove a button into and have it stay put.

“Sorry,” he said, those fabulous lips pulling up a little shyly at the corners. “I got stuck at work and couldn’t get here until now. I’ll be quick. Promise.”

So here’s the thing: the guy was gorgeous. But even if he’d looked like a frog with raw antipasto smothering his face, I would have dropped to my knees when he opened his mouth. Warm honey, a shot of raw whiskey, and a little hot puff of smoke wafted from his mouth like a fine and rare brandy being decanted.

Buy Links:  Amazon   Wild Rose Press

About Peggy:

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Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance author who writes about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.

Her current titles, available now, include SKATER’S WALTZ and THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, and FIRST IMPRESSIONS books 1, 2 and 3 in her 6-book The MacQuire Women Series, published by The Wild Rose Press.

Tying into her love of families, her children’s book, THE KINDNESS TALES, was illustrated by her artist mother-in-law.

Peggy holds a master’s degree in Nursing Administration and first found publication with several articles she authored on Alzheimer’s Disease during her time running an Alzheimer’s in-patient care unit during the 1990s.

FInd Peggy here: website // twitter // facebook //goodreads // pinterest

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Author, Candy Hearts, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Candy Hearts Week two

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Week 2 in the Wild Rose Press Candy Hearts Series starts with BE MINE by April Hollingworth, and YOU + ME by Stephanie Kepke, and You’re Tops By Sydney St. Clare And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE from the Wild Rose Press ( details at the end of the release data below)

 

                                     Be Mine(April Hollingworth)bemine

Blurb:

Beth has always loved Mark. He was the boy of her dreams even though she was nothing more than his little sister’s best friend. Now he’s back from the military and looking at her differently. Though that could be the plate of lasagna she dropped in his lap.

A series of mishaps gives Mark opportunity to spend time with her. He is sure that he is the man for her but experience has taught Beth not all men can be trusted. Can he convince her that he wants her to be his for Valentine’s Day and ever after?

Excerpt:

Exiting my car, I spot Mark’s, a couple of parking spaces away. Hurrying into the building, I can’t wait to see him. When I do, I come to a screeching stop, tripping over my own feet; I stumble forwards only to be caught in his strong arms.

“You okay?” He asks steadying me.

“I’m fine, thanks to you,” I reply, looking him up and down, I ask the question slamming around my brain, “So why are you dressed in only shorts?”

A laugh escapes him, as he traces my jaw line. “I was training,” he explains.

A second later, the door opens to the gym area; Jonathan appears also dressed in loose shorts, similar to Mark’s.

“Hey Beth, are you early or am I running late?” he inquires while wiping the sweat from his muscular torso.

“Both,” I reply, for lack of anything better to say.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a second,” he replies, walking past us and into the men’s changing rooms.

“I best get ready too,” Mark informs me, releasing me slowly, before heading into the changing rooms.

I can’t help turning around and watching his fantastic back disappear.

Just before the door closes, he pops his head out, and with a wicked grin on his face asks, “Did you enjoy the view?”

“Oh yes,” the words fly from my mouth before I can think about stopping them. Heat enters his eyes burning brightly into mine, before he retreats behind the closing door.

“Damn.” I mutter, before finally moving into the ladies room to get ready for class.

Buy Links:

Amazon     Wild Rose Press 

Author Bio: 

aprilholl

Born in Dublin I moved to England finally we came back home to Ireland. I now live in West Cork but want to move to America.
When I was a child I fell in love with books, amazing stories filled with mystery and intrigue, danger and fantasy this love has progressed into a passion with me. I also like photography and cemeteries the older the better.

I self-published a book of poetry called “Different Kinds of Emotions” also.
My first novel Double Magick in the Falls (The Candi Reynolds Series #1) is published through The Wild Rose Press.
I’ve signed the contract for the second book in the series, The Prophecy and it will be coming soon.
My short novella Be Mine is part of a multi author series A Candy Hearts Romance due out on January 11th 2016.
I’m currently writing The Protectors (The Candi Reynolds Series #3) the final book in the series.
My next two projects are:
Reborn by Water (Celtic Trinity #1)
The Dark Goddess (Mystic Soulmates book #1)

~ Where everything is possible ~

You can find April in the following places:

Amazon Author Page:      Pinterest:

Goodreads Author Page:     Tsu:    Google+:

My Facebook Author Page:     My website:

 

 

                                                       You & Me(Stephanie Kepke)

 

perf5.000x8.000.inddBlurb:

Forty year old Alex Spencer has given up on love. Having escaped five years earlier from the verbally abusive and two decades older, Trent Peterson, her life revolves around her daughter, sixteen-year-old Josie, even if Josie wants nothing to do with her.

But with Valentine’s Day looming, Alex’s high school sweetheart, Billy Leibowitz, whom she kicked out of her life twenty years earlier thanks to Trent’s demands, has been invading her thoughts. Alex searches for Billy in vain—it seems as if he’s simply disappeared. Suddenly, Candy Hearts, which Billy sent to Alex every Valentine’s Day, start arriving in the mail. Is Billy sending the Candy Hearts? Will this finally be her chance at happily ever after?

Buy Links:

Amazon       The Wild Rose Press:

Excerpt:

She belonged in blossom pink or cerulean blue, sage green mixed with crisp white. But, all she wore was black or occasionally charcoal gray. On my single mom budget, I bought her skinny jeans at Target and cute cotton tops at Kohl’s. Still, she wore her baggy sweatpants and that black hoodie that hid her figure. Not that I wanted her to flaunt it, but I wanted her to own her beauty. Her glossy, raven hair was kept in a messy topknot at all times. Her stormy gray eyes, just like her father’s, almost blue, but not quite, were ringed in thick black liner. She was hiding. Better not to be noticed.

I was the complete opposite at sixteen. I wore tight, faded jeans: bleached and frayed, the denim almost white; and fuzzy angora sweaters that hugged my curves. My hair was in wild curls, just as inky black as Josie’s, but never pulled into a bun. The higher my curls were, the better and I went through a bottle of hair spray a month. I may have hit my peak back then.

My boyfriend, Billy, was crazy about me and we were kind of like a verse in a song, a song about longing and perfect love and innocence. We dated from the time we were fifteen until we were almost twenty. We were born three days apart and as we planned our yearly joint birthday party on the beach, I suddenly felt suffocated. I had celebrated my birthday the same way with the same people for four birthdays in a row and I just couldn’t do a fifth. I needed to break away and see what else was out in the world. But, I always wished I didn’t break Billy’s heart in the process. The song ended as I turned out of the parking lot and left me wondering what ever happened to Billy Leibowitz. 

stephanie

About the Author: An award winning writer and blogger, Stephanie’s second grade teacher told her she should be a writer and she hasn’t wavered in her path since. In her past life – before kids – Stephanie was an arts reporter and music journalist. She spent her twenties listening to loud rock bands (including her drummer husband’s) in bars all around Boston and New England. She lives in New York on Long Island with her husband, three boys and two slightly crazy rescue dogs (one of whom is three-legged). She lives in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound and loves to her toes in the sand.

Find Stephanie here:

Website:    Facebook:   Twitter:

Blog:   Amazon Author Page:  The Wild Rose Press

Goodreads:

 

                                                    You’re Tops(Sydney St. Claire)

Blurb

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When her husband ran off with a perky, much younger woman, Regina Cox got the house, a decrepit car, and her freedom. Divorced, she plans to remain man-free and focus on her career as a writer. Trouble is, the skinny boy next door who used to tease her about her braces is now a handsome hunk and features as the hero in her latest romance novel.

Tucker Owen is a Dom with his eye on the new divorcee next door. His fantasies center around draping Regina over his spanking bench. Too bad she’s a strong woman and not submissive in the least. But when he learns she writes erotica romance and is having trouble getting the research right, he offers a week-long tutorial that’s bound to teach them both a few things.

Regina can’t refuse all the research she could ask for and no strings sex on top. And with the sassy sub, Tucker soon discovers the pleasure that comes when the topper is topped.

Excerpt 

“Trust me, Gina.”

Tuckers voice crawled through her veins like warmed honey. She didn’t dare admit she didn’t trust herself to be alone with him. Still, she was curious as to what he wanted to show her. “Fine. But if you’re trying to trick me into your bed, I know basic self-defense.”

“I promise to keep my hands to myself.” He headed down a long hallway.

She hesitated when he started up the stairs. “Maybe you should tell me what you’re going to show me.” Sighing, he retraced his steps.

“Don’t trust easily, do you, Gina.”

She tipped her chin. “No.” Men are pigs. Except this man was one hell of a sexy jungle cat, and if he did take her into his bedroom, she might beg him to tame her–. She nearly choked. Good heavens. Now she was throbbing in earnest.

He laughed low in his throat. “I’d love to know what just went through your mind. Care to share?”

“Hell no.” She couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Knowing your active imagination, I can guess. Look at me.” He waited until she sighed and obeyed. “I’m a Dom. You said you needed some research, so I thought you might like to see a playroom firsthand, see the equipment, and I can answer any questions you might have.”

Of all the things she’d expected, his confession came as a complete surprise. The spit in her mouth dried even as her heart did a couple of hard thumps behind her breast. “You’re a Dom. For real?” Holy cow.

He smiled gently. “Yes, for real. You know enough to know that a D/s relationship is built on trust and mutual agreement. As much as I might like to see you on my spanking bench, I’m not going to ask you to do anything you don’t want.” He let his gaze travel over her from the tip of her head to her tingling toes. “And if you want a demonstration, well, I’d be more than happy to oblige.”

“Yeah, I bet.” The idea of him giving her a demonstration sent heat zinging through her. Her mouth was dry as a desert. She had dozens of butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. When he indicated she should go up the stairs, she went, hyper-aware of him following close behind.

“To the right, second door.” He leaned past her, opened the door, and flipped on a light switch.

Regina stepped inside, and her jaw dropped. God, not only was Tucker her hero, but he was a Dom as well. She stared at the king sized bed with four posts stretching toward the ceiling. And she gulped as she recalled the scene she’d written, her heroine tied to the bedpost with a silk scarf, foot raised and resting on the bed while the hero— Heat seared her neck and rose into her face, burning her cheeks. Thank god, Tucker hadn’t read that little naughty bit.

Behind her, his hands closed over her shoulders. He leaned close, whispered in her ear. “What are you thinking about, pet?” His voice was silky smooth, low and amused. He trailed a finger along her cheek. “Your blush is very becoming.”

“Blushing is a curse,” she barely managed. She did not need her overactive mind running away with her or fantasies centered around her childhood nemesis clouding her mind. Research, she reminded herself as she glanced away from the bed and nearly groaned aloud when she spotted the spanking bench against the far wall.

“Ah, here we go.” He strode over, pulled it toward the center of the room. He lifted a brow when she remained just inside the door. “You are here to check it out, are you not?”

Buy Links

Wild Rose       Amazon

susanpic (1)

BIO

Sydney St. Claire is the pseudonym of Susan Edwards, author of 14 Historical Native American/Western/Paranormal romances and the author of the popular “White” Series.

Sydney loves writing and sharing stories of love, happiness and dreams come true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success. Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre. Sydney takes her readers into the world of erotica romance where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.

Sydney’s office is quite crowded with three dogs at her feet and five cats to keep her company while she writes. Three cats always insist on beds on her desk, barely leaving enough room for her monitor and keyboard. Life gets fun when all five insist on supervising…

When not writing, she enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. She and her husband of 30 + years are avid gardeners. He takes care of the veggies, and Susan is in charge of the ‘pretties’. Her medicine wheel garden is in a contact state of war: flowers vs. weeds. Sadly, right now the weeds are wining…

While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music. Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.

Get in touch with Sydney here:

Website:     Twitter:     Facebook:     Blog:

Goodreads:      Pinterest:

Enter for a chance to win a new KINDLE FIRE, courtesy of the Wild Rose Press. ( Click on the http://link)

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Author, Candy Hearts, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Romance, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Author Marin McGinnis pays a visit…

I love introducing new authors to new followers, so let me introduce you to Marin McGinnis, a Wild Rose Press sistah. Marin hails from Ohio and her romance genre is historical  – which I lovelovelove to read but have no talent in writing, so I am happy when I find talented authors of historical romance like Marin! I recently did a sit-down interview with Marin and I learned we have a little more in common than just the same publisher.  After the interview is an excerpt from her newest release, and it is well worth a read, believe me. You’ll be clicking on the “buy links” before the end of the excerpt.

Meet Marin….

MarinMcGinnis

The Writer In You

  1. What drives you to write? The stories in my head drive me to write—they must come out or they’d drive me nuts. Writing is also enormously satisfying. Except of course when it’s not. 
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you write, and why? I write historical romance, because I love losing myself in another era. I enjoy the research that goes into depicting the time period accurately, the manners of the Victorian era, and it’s lovely to think about life in a simpler time.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? Historical is my favorite, for the reasons above, but I also enjoy paranormal and contemporary romance as well.
  1. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I try to write every day, but with a full-time day job, numerous volunteer commitments, and a household to feed, it doesn’t always happen. So I write when I can—I usually manage to get a lot done during my son’s hockey practice.
  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I have an office in my house where I usually write, but I can also be found writing in hockey rinks, at the kitchen table, or outside on the patio.
  1. Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvisionI don’t need quiet at all. When I’m in the zone, I can write anywhere. The only time I can’t write is when my husband might be looking over my shoulder—he has a tendency to point out my first draft typos.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? I don’t, usually. It’s the only type of noise I find distracting, for some reason.
  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? Wild Rose Press suggested an idea for a new historical series in a chat room, which sparked a tiny portion of the plot, and the rest snowballed out of my own brain. 
  1. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Plot, usually. I have no idea why.

 

The Personal, Fun Stuff:

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I need to arrange the covers on the bed every night before I get in it. This little quirk amuses (thank goodness) my husband no end, who can never understand why I don’t make the bed in the morning after I get up.
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? I crushed hard on TV and movie stars when I was a tween—Randy Mantooth (Emergency), Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Mark Hamill (Star Wars, of course), and Shaun Cassidy (Hardy Boys) were the memorable ones—I think Randy came first. (Peggy here: OMG!! Ilovedlovedloved Randy  Mantooth!! Still do!)
  3. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. Honestly, I can’t remember one day I’d like to repeat. I’ve had plenty of wonderful days, and plenty of awful ones. I like living each one as it comes.
  4. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Boxers.
  5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Probably mascara. I definitely can’t live without concealer!
  6. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? No way!

 

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound — A little kid’s belly laugh
  2. Least favorite sound – The telephone. Not too fond of my dog’s incessant barking, either!
  3. Best song every written – No way I can pick.
  4. Worst song ever written – It’s probably not really the worst song ever, but I absolutely hate Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton.
  5. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) Jane Austen
  6. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date (here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) LOL. I honestly can’t remember—I’ve been married for twenty years.
  7. What’s your version of a perfect day? Sleeping in on a cool fall day, leisurely breakfast, some reading, some writing, a relaxing and tasty dinner out.

SecretPromise_w9701_750

Blurb:

Falsely imprisoned as a blockade-runner during the American Civil War, Edward Mason yearns to go home. But when after seven years he finally returns to England, the life he expected is gone. His parents are dead, his home destroyed, his father’s legacy stolen, and his girl—his girl is now the single mother of a child Edward never knew.

Abandoned by the man she loved and disowned by her family, Anna Templeton has learned to stand on her own two feet and make a home for her son. Now the successful owner of The Silver Gull tavern, she’s not about to put their happiness in the hands of the one man who let her down so badly.

Edward is determined to regain Anna’s love and be a father to his son. But when a series of suspicious accidents threaten him and those he loves, he must stop the man responsible, or lose everything.

Buy links:

The Wild Rose Press     Amazon       B&N   Kobo

Short Excerpt:

“Good day, sir. What can I get you? We have a very good cottage pie today.”

Edward frowned. “Aren’t you a bit young to be working in a public house?”

“Oh, I don’t work here,” the boy said. “Me mam’s the owner, and Molly didn’t come to work today.”

“Molly?”

“The barmaid, of course.” His tone held a hint of derision, as if he thought Edward an idiot for failing to know who Molly was.

“Of course.” Edward was amused. “Well, then, I suppose I shall have the cottage pie, and an ale. And perhaps I could have a word with your mother, when she has a moment?”

“What do you want her for?” The boy’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“I used to live here, many years ago, and would like to speak to someone about…” Edward broke off as a woman emerged from the kitchen, carrying two plates piled with food. She had fiery red hair and a lithe figure, and moved easily through the tables. After setting one of the plates before a man sitting near the bar, she turned and scanned the room. Her gaze alit on the boy first, and she smiled. Then she spotted Edward. All color drained from her face, and the remaining plate slid from her hand, shattering on the stone floor.

“Mam!” The boy raced to the woman and clutched at her skirts, but Edward was unable to move.

“Anna,” he whispered.

Long Excerpt:

She meandered back to the bar through the now empty room, scooting chairs under tables, watching Edward, who now sat slumped over his untouched drink. Lightly squeezing his shoulder, she leaned against the bar at his side.

“What’s the matter? Other than the obvious, of course.”

Edward snorted with little humor and did not look at her. “The obvious. Shouldn’t that be enough to make me cry into my bitter?”

“A different man, maybe. Not you.” She thought for a minute as she gazed at him. He was older, certainly; they both were. He was harder, more…careworn, she supposed, although the scar added an air of devilishness she had to admit was really quite appealing.

She reached out and traced the mark with her index finger before she could stop herself, feeling the warm flush of his skin. Edward barely stirred, just eyed her from beneath his impossibly long, dark lashes.

“But you’re not the same man you were when you left, are you?”

“No. And you aren’t the same woman, I imagine.” He grabbed her hand to keep it still. She could feel the beat of his heart racing through her fingertips. Hers was not far behind.

She pulled her hand away before she rushed headlong into something she wasn’t sure she was ready to do, and changed the subject. “You never did tell me how you got that scar.”

Edward rose from his stool, tossed a coin onto the bar. “No, I didn’t.” In a single movement, he pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers. She closed her eyes, tasting. He was the same as he had been on the cliff top, or at least the way she remembered him. Salty, sweet, the slightest bit sour from his last drink, all mixed together with something that was uniquely Edward. She wanted to crawl inside him, become part of him again, just as she had seven years before.

She moaned, grasping him tighter, even as he pulled away. Her eyelids fluttered as her brain tried to understand the absence of him. He rubbed a finger along her bottom lip, his gaze burning through hers.

“Not yet, Anna. You aren’t ready to take me back. But you will.” He kissed her again, hard, then was gone. Her legs were jelly as she slumped against the bar.

“No, not yet,” she breathed into the empty room. “But bloody close.”

About Marin:

Clevelanders are tough, a bit cynical, and just a little crazy, and Marin McGinnis is no exception. When she’s not chasing after big dogs or watching tweens skate around hockey rinks, she is immersing herself in romantic tales of years gone by. She lives in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, son, and two standard poodles.

You can find her hanging out at marinmcginnis.com, on her group blog at throughheartshapedglasses.com, on Twitter @MarinMcGinnis, Facebook at facebook.com/MarinMcG, Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12256384.Marin_McGinnis, or Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/marinmcginnis/

 

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Filed under Historical Romance, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press

A visit with Author Louise Lyndon

One of my favorite things about being a writer is being exposed to new talented writers. Louise Lyndon is one of those talented new authors I’ve recently met through my publisher THE WILD ROSE PRESS. A native Aussie, she lives in Melbourne ( and how jealous am I of that??!) and writes historical romances. You can learn all about her below, and then stick around for a juicy read from her recently released book Of Love And Betrayal – and what a hothothot cover she has, too!

LouiseLyndonAuthorPic

 

Part 1: The Writer Questions

  1. What drives you to write? I write because I find that I can’t not write! I know a lot of authors say that and hand on my heart, it’s true. It’s very hard to explain. My head is constantly full with snippets of dialogue or scenes and the longer I try to ignore them, the louder the voices get, the more vivid the scene becomes. And if I don’t write them down then I become extremely frustrated. It’s like I’m denying myself something. I get antsy if I don’t write. So really, I write so the voices in my head don’t get too loud! There are a lot of voices in there.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? I write historical romance set during the medieval period – because that’s where my characters told me they were from. I’m a slave to my characters!
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I don’t have one particular subgenre I read. I really do enjoy reading a cross range.
  1. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? Yes. I’m particularly driven at the moment and I have a weekday writing goal of a thousand words, and on the weekend it’s 5000 for Saturday and Sunday.
  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I don’t have a dedicated writing space, and I know that I really should. I have a spare room that I keep meaning to turn into my writing room but I have yet to set it up. So, at the moment I’ve been writing crossed legged on my couch – which is a good thing because it’s been winter here and cold and the lounge room is where the heater is!
  1. Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision? I used to be someone that could only write in silence. But that has changed now. I actually write with the TV on – but with it volume turned down low. I just need a bit of background noise, but I find music too distracting.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? No. I find music too distracting to write to. I often will hear a song I like, turn up the volume, and start singing. Which means I stop writing!
  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I was procrastinating doing the housework! Of Love and Vengeance (my first release) was only ever going to be a stand alone book. But, to avoid doing the housework, I started to put together the hero and heroine’s family tree. I listed their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and while I was looking at the list one name kept popping up – Troy. One of the grandsons. I kept thinking about him. Who was he? What influence did the hero and heroine of the first book have on him? What’s his journey? I kept asking myself loads of questions and always raising the stakes until I had an outline of a story.
  1. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? For my new release, Of Love and Betrayal, it was definitely the character who came first. As I mentioned earlier, Troy came about because I was doing his grandparent’s family tree. But, that aside, the characters always seem to come to me first. They just pop into my head and I build from there.
  1. What 3 words describes you, the writer? Organized. Motivated. Determined.

The Person Questions:

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I like to run Spartan Races! (Peggy here – I would LOVE to know what these are!!)
  1.  Who was your first love and what age were you? I won’t mention names – but it was when I was still at primary school. I think I was in grade five or six. I went to a country school and we used to have ‘group days’ with other schools in the area to meet other kids. He was a boy there. I don’t think he knew I existed!
  1. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and… Ooooh, good question! I think I would have to pick one of the Christmas’ I spent with my sister and her twins. We always have such a great day. Why not keep reliving it?
  1. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Boxers. No competition! Sometimes it’s best to leave things to the imagination.
  1. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Noooo, I can’t decide. Moisteriser. I know – we should really use it, and I do. But I keep forgetting to, on most days, so giving it up may not be too bad.
  1. What three words describes you, the person? Reliable. Honest. Loyal.
  1. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? Take me to Church by Hozier (Peggy here – one of my favs, too!)
  1. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? James Fraser! No competition. As for why? Have you seen Outlander (the TV series)? As for what we would do together? Again, have you seen Outlander?

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound Laughter.
  1. Least favorite sound Someone screaming in fear.
  1. Best song every written Take Me To Church by Hozier.

Hozier-

  1. Worst song ever written Anything by Nicki Manaj.
  1. Favorite actor and actress Bradley Cooper. Aside from the fact he’s good looking, I really do think he’s a great actor. I don’t really have a favorite actress.

bradcooper

  1. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) A billionaire – so I could donate all my money to help homeless people.
  1. What turns you on? A sense of humor.
  1. What turns you off? Those who think they are better than others and who have no problem belittling others to betwice themselves.
  1. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date (here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) I thought you’d look different.
  1. What’s your version of a perfect day? Being able to write from morning to night with no interruptions!

Of Love and Betrayal by Louise Lyndon

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BLURB:

Aveline de Bondeville is on the run. Determined to keep out of the hands of the cruel Raimbaut de Blois she will do whatever it takes to stay alive. And so when she finds herself in the company of Troy de Gysborne she must quickly decide if she can trust him. But can she confess to murder knowing it would mean her certain death?

Troy de Gysborne did the unthinkable; he tore the bonds of brotherhood and left a path of destruction in his wake. And now Troy must face those he betrayed, including the father who long ago renounced him. But to confess to the crime he committed will cost him everything. Including Aveline. But can he remain silent if it means losing the woman he loves?

Excerpt:

Aveline’s scream burned her throat; she tasted blood. Eudes staggered forward, his eyes wide. He looked at her as he fell to his knees and then slumped forward. Bright red blood rushed from his wound and pooled on the ground. She looked at Raimbaut.

“This time you shall not escape.”

She picked up her skirts and ran headlong into the forest and did not slow her speed as branches slapped her in the face and tore at her arms. The ground beneath her feet was icy and uneven. She risked a glance over her shoulder and did not stop even though Raimbaut was nowhere to be seen. He may not have been behind her, but it did not mean he was not stalking her.

Sweat trickled down her face and burned her eyes. Her heart pumped, her lungs gasped for air. She came to a skidding stop and looked wildly around. Should she keep running straight, go left or right, or make her way back to Gysborne? She turned in a circle and shoved her hair from her eyes.

A twig snapped behind her. She stilled and held her breath. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blur rush by. Was it an animal? Was it Raimbaut?

She ignored the pain in her chest and her sudden need to loosen her bladder. But she could not ignore her trembling. She clutched her arms to her chest. A sour taste flooded her mouth as she did not see how she would be lucky enough a second time to escape from Raimbaut.

Also available from  Louise Lyndon: Of Love & Vengence

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AUTHOR BIO:

Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.

In 2013, Louise won first prize in the historical romance category of the Crested Butte Sandy Writing Contest for her story, The Promise, which has since been retitled and is now known as, Of Love & Vengeance.

When not writing, Louise can be found covered in mud, crawling under barbed wire and hoisting herself over twelve foot walls!

AUTHOR LINKS:

EMAIL:  louise_lyndon@yahoo.com
WEB:
  www.LouiseLyndon.com
FACEBOOK:
  www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Lyndon/1472910852955051
TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/LouiseLyndon1
PINTEREST:
llyndon3513

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/LouiseLyndon

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/ocqp4th

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/qzekwqy

The WIld Rose Press

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/o65utet

Nook: http://tinyurl.com/odqg2ox

iBooks: http://tinyurl.com/odvzs9e

 

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Filed under Historical Romance, Romance