Tag Archives: #newrelease

March 27, 2023 · 1:12 am

A Visit with #author Jennifer Wilck #newrelease #TWRP #ScarredHeartsseries

My dear writing friend Jennifer Wilck has been a visitor to my blog many times and each time she brings me another fabulous book that I can’t put down! Her newest, released today(!) is A HEART RESTRAINED the 3rd book in her Scarred Hearts series from the Wild Rose Press ( love my WRP sistahs!!) I was lucky enough to read this one prior to publication and I loveloveloved it! You can read my review here after you listen to Jenn tell you a little about the journey to the book’s publication below.

Jenn…take it away.

A Heart Restrained released today. It’s the third book in my Scarred Hearts series but can be read as a standalone. What does that mean? Well, it means that each book can be read on its own, without the reader having to read the previous books. There are no cliffhangers, and anything that happened before that might be vital to the reader’s understanding is explained.

Now, you might think that lets me off the hook, but I think standalone books within a series are harder to write than books that must be read in a specific order. Hear me out.

As an author, I want to hook the reader. I want to hook them so deeply that they can’t live without reading all my books. Devouring them. But I also want to constantly attract new readers. And I understand that time, money, and life prevent readers from following a specific order. If you’ve never read my books, but A Heart Restrained sounds interesting, I want you to buy it and read it immediately. If I force you to read the first in the series, you might get distracted before you get to book three. So, I need to make sure each story I write is complete in and of itself.

When I developed the Scarred Hearts series, I wanted it to be about a group of guys, best friends, who were wealthy but cared about others. They use their money for good. So, I wrote one book for each hero. Damaged heroes are my favorite trope to read and write, so each hero is damaged in some way. Each heroine is the perfect match for the hero, even if he or she doesn’t know it yet. And each philanthropic cause is one that is near and dear to the characters’ hearts and becomes a way to throw them together. If you only choose one of the books to read, you’ll have a complete story. The hero and heroine will get their happily ever after.

But there will also be bits and pieces from previous books. For example, the hero and heroine from book one makes an appearance in books two and three, and loyal readers will get to see how their relationship plays out. The heroine in book two offers advice to the heroine in book three. Does it cause new readers to get lost? No, I believe my readers are smart enough to follow along. I hope seeing characters that are clearly from a previous book might get them to want to read that book, too. And I hope that loyal readers get warm fuzzies from seeing an old favorite pop up again.

Giving those little glimpses is hard for the writer. How much is too much or not enough? What color was their hair again? What types of speech patterns and behaviors did they have? Trying to keep everything straight can be difficult. It’s why we create what we call a “bible” where we list characters, locations, jobs, etc. Anything that will remind us of the world we’ve created so we can revisit it and hopefully not change anything essential mid-stride.

So, if you’ve read my Scarred Hearts series so far, A Heart Restrained is Caleb’s story. Simon and Meg, and Ted and Abby all make appearances. After all, they’re all friends, and life is nothing without your friends.

And if you haven’t read my Scarred Hearts series yet, welcome! I hope you fall in love with Caleb and Fiona. And I hope you love them so much that you want to check out their friends’ stories.

Let me know what you think about reading a series. I love to hear from readers!

Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 

Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can’t let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?

“Wouldn’t you enjoy this more if it were in English?”

She paused and shifted so she faced him, one leg bent under her, the other dangling off the edge. “Absolutely not! Telenovelas are so much more emotional than American TV.”

“Why don’t you at least research online to find a plot summary?”

“I’m happy with the way things are,” she said. “I don’t need to hear the words to feel the story.”

“But…you’re crying.”

She smiled through her tears and wiped her cheeks. “I know.”

Staring at her, his heart rate increased, and he tamped the panic her tears caused. At first, he thought pain caused her tears, but her rapt attention to the screen made him realize otherwise.

Why would she want to do this to herself? And how could she enjoy a show she couldn’t understand?

He should leave, before she recognized his complete lack of comprehension. But her rapt attention to the screen fascinated him. She was smart—his business dealings with her had proven it. Yet she focused as if she understood her show.

She stared at the TV screen, but he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Her skin, despite its bruising, was luminous. Her lips were parted, and she gripped the edges of the sofa cushions until her knuckles turned white. This close to her, heat radiated from her body. He could hear a faint sigh.

If she were this passionate about a television show, how passionate would she be if he kissed her?

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3k2G5n

Jennifer Wilck…

is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

You can connect with Jennifer here:

Website: https://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/JenniferWilck

** PEGGY HERE – Jenn thanks so much for being here today. As I said, I loved this book. Congratulations on another winner!
You can read my review for A HEART RESTRAINED here: AHR

And don’t miss the other books in the SCARRED HEARTS series

A Reckless Heart (Scarred Hearts Book 1)

Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she’s found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he’s lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he’s not lonely. Simon’s new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg’s secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg’s love?

Unlock My Heart (Scarred Hearts Book 2)

Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his hearing problem to clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby’s help?

As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client’s system shows one of Ted’s employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?

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February 7, 2023 · 3:00 am

The Art of Seducing a Husband releases today! #ClairBrett #Victorianromance #historicalromance

One of my favorite authors ( and humans!) CLAIR BRETT has a new release today and I’m tickled she’s allowing me to share the deets with you all. THE ART OF SEDUCING A HUSBAND, book 5 in the Improper Wives for Proper Lords series is out today.

Anthony Colcord, Earl of Wolverton, is determined to rise above the legacy his parents left him and the rumors of his legitimacy. Losing his mother to suicide at nine left him fearing his own future. He will not become a monster like his father and to make sure of it, he must keep his new bride at a distance. If he does not let his emotions engage, he will remain level-headed. However, finding the perfect English bride untainted by the Ton and assuming he would not be attracted to her was his first mistake. His second mistake was thinking his friends would let him live in a loveless marriage.

Lady Jemma Colcord, Countess of Wolverton, was twelve when her parents perished in a barn fire. Her brother, the new Baron Pontefract, at sixteen and allowed his solicitors to convince him to send his sister to the New Hall school, run by nuns. Now grown, Jemma is determined to belong and have what she remembers her parents shared. However, her new husband seems content to leave her to rot in the country while he escapes to London without consummating their union. Undeterred, Jemma must rely on her new-found friends, including Lord Wolverton’s former courtesan, to teach her that which the nuns did not.

After an encounter at a function, Anthony decides he can have the best of both worlds. In the darkened closets and alcoves of the wealthiest homes, he plans on enjoying all his new wife offers. But, during the light of day away from a potential scandal, he must keep his distance and save his sanity.

The more Jemma tastes of her new husband only fuels her determination to not only win him for a tryst in a closet, but for her days as well.

In the ballrooms and hallways of London drawing rooms, a battle will wage for the most valiant of causes—Love.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seducing-Husband-Improper-Wives-Proper-ebook/dp/B0BRBQ61C8

Ibooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-art-of-seducing-a-husband/id6445258870

Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-seducing-a-husband-clair-brett/1142897093

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-art-of-seducing-a-husband

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-art-of-seducing-a-husband-improper-wives-for-proper-lords-book-5-by-clair-brett  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75403203-the-art-of-seducing-a-husband

Books2Read, universal link:  https://books2read.com/Art-of-Seducing-a-Husband:

“Is it her intent to annul?” Anthony asked, almost inaudible to his own ears.

“I don’t think so. But what I think is that you need to come up to snuff quickly, because when my wife is involved, whatever it is will be diabolical. And you will be brought to your knees.”

Max continued drinking, but never took his eyes off Anthony, clearly waiting for him to have an epiphany. What he did instead was bristle.

“Might I suggest you demand your wife return to the country and stop meddling in others’ lives?” There, Anthony felt marginally better being able to blame his friend for poor control of his own wife as the result of Anthony’s current issues.

All Max did was chuckle while swirling his whiskey in his glass. “You are correct. I am well within my legal right to make such demands on my wife. She would be legally bound to obey my demands or suffer my wrath. However, I have plans to be blissfully happy for the next thirty-odd years and to do that, I must have my wife blissfully in love with me. So, at the expense of sounding like I repeat myself as I have told you many times already, now that you are married, you must throw out whatever mixed up, deranged ideas about women and weddings that your father filled your head with and just love your wife.”

Anthony sat in the middle of the club he had been a patron of from the time he was old enough to order a port, and watched as the room shrunk around him as the noise rose to the level of an orchestral crescendo.

“So, you will not aid your truest of friends by holding your wife to task in this matter?” The anger he’d earlier put on himself found a home, settling its sights on the man he trusted most in life. He was being abandoned.

Not flinching in the least, Max raised his glass to Anthony. “What is it you always say? Bet on the horse you think will win, not the one who prances the most?”

Fur baby wrangler and historical romance author of 7 published novels, Clair Brett lives in NH with her hard-working husband of 23 years.

Her office staff during the day consists of Cinta, a black cat and the matriarch of the fur babies, Mojo, a yellow kitten who spends his day holding Clair down in her seat to get her word count in, a boxer/beagle mix puppy named Willow, who sleeps next to her chair to make it hard to do an Oreo run without doing a pee run as well, Sanibel, a lab mix, who is the HR dept. keeping morale up, and sometimes her “grand dog”, Bailey, an 80 pound shepherd mix who is always up for a good time. When not writing, she tries to keep tabs on her newly minted adult daughters who are working on figuring it all out.

A former middle and high school English teacher, Clair has had a lifetime love affair with reading. Once she read Pride and Prejudice as an extra read in high school, she was hooked. Clair began her pursuit of publication when she was a new mother in need of a hobby. Her oldest daughter graduated high school in 2017, so you do the math. Clair is a firm believer that a reader finds a piece of who they are or learns something about the world with every book they read. She wants her readers to be empowered and to have a refreshed belief in the goodness of people and the power of love after reading her work.

Visit Clair on the web at: http://www.clairbrett.com or hang out with her on Facebook: @authorclairbrett or Twitter at: @clairbrett.

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November 29, 2022 · 3:00 am

#author JAN SIKES SADDLED HEARTS #newRelease

You all know I love when my author friends come to visit and bring me their latest work. While Jan Sikes and I have never met, we are very good email and social media buddies! Today she is visiting me and talking about her newest release SADDLED HEARTS which is garnering fantastic reviews from readers everywhere. Let me have her tell you a little about it…

Jan….

Thank you, Peggy, for reaching out to me about a guest blog post for my newest book release, Saddled Hearts! I am honored to be visiting!

While the book is no longer on tour, there were still some parts of the story I had wanted to feature but ran out of time, so I’m going to share one of those here with your followers.

While doing my research for this book, I visited The Gold Horse Ranch. The owners shared a story with me about a colt born on the ranch. The mother died giving birth, and they had to pair the colt with an adopted mother. It was a process to find the right mare who would accept the baby as her own. On the Gold Horse Ranch, they named the baby Magic, and she has a star on her forehead. They said all the other horses gathered around the stall to witness the birth. I was so taken by the story I had to include at least something similar in Saddled Hearts.

Here is the excerpt:

Colt rambled on about the horses while he drove. Genuine caring came through his words. “Lightning is a horse I’ve had since I was a boy. He was born right here on this ranch, and it was a magical experience.”

“Magical?” Sage glanced in his direction.

“His mother died giving birth. I was there with my grandfather that night, and I swear to you, a light shone down inside the stall. I know it sounds corny, but like the pictures you see of baby Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem.”

The description made the hairs stand up on Sage’s arms. “That’s amazing! What do you do when a mom can’t feed her baby?”

“We have to pair the colt with another mare. We had to bottle-feed Lightning for a while. It took a few tries, but a mare finally adopted him and raised him. Now he’s getting up in years. The average lifespan of a horse, if it’s well-cared for, is twenty-five to thirty years. Lightning is sixteen.”

“How did he get his name?”

“You’ll see when you meet him. He has a mark on his forehead that looks like a lightning bolt, and he could run like the wind. Still can when he wants to. His mother was a Thoroughbred, and his sire a Quarter Horse. That’s a great combination. I won many a race on his back.”

***

I’ll always treasure the day I spent on The Gold Horse Ranch soaking up the way of life and all the stories. I shared some versions of several of them in my book. I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever been around animals that had to be adopted by another to survive? Let’s talk!

BLURB:

Colt Layne owns the Layne Horse Sanctuary. He lives an idyllic life between caring for the animals and playing music with his band. That is until a stranger appears with unreasonable demands. When someone murders the man, Colt is arrested. He’s been framed, but by whom and why? 

He needs to talk with his deceased grandfather. But that’s impossible. Or is it?

Sage Coventry is gifted with the ability to communicate with the deceased. Skeptical but desperate, when Colt consults with her, he gets more than messages from beyond the grave as she breezes into his heart with sweet patchouli fragrance and tempting lips he longs to kiss.

The race against time to clear his name and save the ranch launches them on a mission that brings shocking revelations.

UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK:  https://linktr.ee/Rijanjks

BOOK TRAILER: https://youtu.be/_MQ9fYH5PrI

You can connect with Jan here:

WEBSITE: http://www.jansikes.com

BLOG:   http://www.jansikesblog.com

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/jansikes3

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/jks0851/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes

BOOKBUB:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-sikes

INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/sikesjan/

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Sikes/e/B00CS9K8DK

Peggy here: Jan thanks so much for stopping by today. SADDLED HEARTS sounds amazing!

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April 22, 2022 · 2:15 am

Apple Blossoms in Montana – the Orchard Brides, by Lucinda Race releases today!

It’s been twenty years; Renee and Hank are back where things started but reality is like a spring frost and is a long-distance relationship their only option for a second chance at love?

Renee Mitchell has returned to the small Montana town of River Junction to take over her family’s orchard. With big dreams for the future, she plants a large parcel of land with new apple trees. No sooner is the job done, when a herd of cattle from the neighboring ranch breaks through a fence line and creates mulch from the tiny saplings. With a streak of stubbornness as wide as the Colorado River, Renee’s determined to be a success. Even when her first love shows up with the offer to pay for replacement trees and lend muscle to replant.

Hank Shepard left River Junction at eighteen and, except for losing his chance with Renee Mitchell, he’s lived life with zero regrets. He takes a short-term leave of absence from his law practice, returning to his family ranch to help his dad get back on his feet. The last thing he expects while he’s there is to reconnect with the woman he let get away. But wayward Shephard Ranch cattle bring him full circle back to Renee.

Hank is determined to make amends for the destruction to her orchard and for how they left things almost twenty years ago. It doesn’t take long for Renee and Hank to rediscover their long dormant feeling are like the orchard after the long winter, ready to flourish.

When it’s time for Hank to return to his law practice, will they be able to make a long-distance relationship work? Or, is the difference between city life and big sky country too much to overcome?

Renee Mitchell couldn’t believe her eyes. The small apple trees that had taken her days to plant were trampled into the ground and the culprits were grazing on the new shoots of grass between what was to be the new section in her orchard. She threw her head back and let out an ear-splitting scream. That helped her feel a smidge better, not that anyone could hear her since this was Big Sky Country, Montana, where every day of the growing season was critical. If she could even get new stock, it would be at least a two-week setback and she was not calling her parents in New Mexico to share the bad news. Riverbank Orchard was her business now and she’d figure out a solution on her own. But first these stupid cows needed to get off her land before they did even more damage.

Cautiously, she inched closer to the large beasts, wary of how they might react. At least they didn’t have those wide horns that were famous in Texas. All these cows had were yellow tags dangling like earrings from their ears. Maybe it had the name of the ranch stamped on them. Once she got close enough without spooking one, she discovered they were numbers only. She popped her hands on her hips. “That’s not going to do me a bit of good.”

She reached for her cell phone but didn’t bother pulling it out. Cell reception was spotty out here, and besides, who was she going to call with her tale of woe? It’s not like there was a local resource to help find lost cattle, was there?

In the distance, on the other side of the small riverbed, she could see a lone figure galloping in her direction. Maybe that was the person responsible for these beasts. She stomped through the now downed trees, closing the distance between herself and the horse and rider. A man was in the saddle, and as they got closer, she could tell he was tall but not who he was. His cowboy hat was pulled low over his face, probably to keep the bright sun from his eyes, or more likely to not see the mess his cows made to her field. For a fraction of a second she thought about the fence she should have put up first, but once the cows were out of the barn, there was no use worrying about the door being closed.

She lifted a hand in greeting and called out to him. “Missing any cows?”

He pulled up on the reins and came to a full stop on the opposite side of the river. He scanned the landscape in back of her and scowled. “As a matter of fact, I am and I can see they’ve invaded your orchard.”

There was something about the man that was vaguely familiar, and his smooth voice tickled a long-ago memory, but Renee dismissed it. She needed to stick to the business at hand and have him move his cows back across the river. If they crossed once, they could do it again; the water wasn’t that high or running too fast now that the spring thaw was over for the most part.

“Well, we’re going to need to discuss the damage they did.”

The man urged his horse through the stream, and it danced up the low-rise bank in front of her. He swung his leg over the saddle and jumped down before giving her a hard look. A flicker of recognition flashed in his caramel-brown eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. Clearly, they must have met, and then Renee knew. She took a step back and stumbled. Before she landed on her butt, he had reached out and steadied her.

“Renee, are you alright?”

The deep timbre of his voice caused her heart to skip. Hank Shepard. The first boy she had ever kissed and the one man she had never forgotten. It had been almost twenty years since she had seen him and other than a touch of gray in his light-brown hair and the sun crinkles around his eyes, he looked exactly the same—drop-dead gorgeous as ever. It would have been better if he’d gotten out of shape with a big belly but no, he had stayed trim and muscular. And this was all with a quick assessment.

“Renee?”

Despite the way his voice made her belly flip, she had to focus on the question and not the man asking it.

“Yes, I’m fine. I just tripped on a root.”

He looked down at the grassy bank and gave her a quirk of a smile. “Glad it wasn’t anything bigger.”

She wanted to groan but there wasn’t much else to say about the invisible root. “So, about your cows.” She couldn’t help but notice he still held her arm in his hand and she took a step back to break the connection so she could think clearly.

“There not really mine, more like my parents’. I’m home helping out while Dad recovers from a broken hip, you know, kinda running things for him. Then I’ll head back to Dallas. I’m a lawyer now.”

It was funny how he slipped that in, and there went the idea of suing the cows for damages. She laughed—suing cows.

“What’s funny, me being a lawyer or living in Dallas?” He gave her a long look just like he did when they were kids and he was trying to figure out what she was thinking.

“It’s nothing other than we need to talk about the damage done to my orchard. I just planted new tree stock last week and now your cows”—she pointed over her shoulder—“your dad’s cows used them like they were the yellow brick road.”

“It might not be that bad; do you mind if I take a look?”

She swept her hand in the direction of the field. “See for yourself.”

He looked from side to side. “Where’s the fencing?”

She kicked the ground with the toe of her work boot. “On order. It should be here in a few days.” Which was the least of her problems. Once it was delivered, she didn’t know how she’d hire anyone to help her get it installed. She had resigned herself to setting posts herself. She was more than capable given that she had done it a bunch of times with Dad years ago. It was like muscle memory; the know-how would just come back to her.

If he sensed she was holding anything back, he didn’t show it. With a curt nod, he said, “Care to lead the way?”

With his horse walking behind him, Hank followed Renee as she crossed the section of field that hadn’t been planted, at least not this year, and she wanted to cry when she saw the tiny green leaves crushed into the rows of dirt and the brown sticks split like strands of spaghetti noodles. The analogy was the best she could up with and since pasta was her least favorite food, it was okay to compare the damage to Italian food.

“Renee, I’m really sorry about the mess. Get me the cost estimate of the damage and I’ll cut you a check so you can buy new trees.”

That was nice of him but he didn’t understand; it wasn’t just the tree stock. She’d need to turn over the soil again, prep the bare root stock, and replant. She was looking at a couple more weeks of work and then the fence on top of that.

“I can do that.” She looked at the cows munching on what was left of her field, and not that she was counting, but there had to be at least fifty of them. On the upside, any cow patties left behind were free fertilizer, but who was she kidding. That wasn’t much of a consolation prize.

He pulled his billfold out of his front jeans pocket and handed her a business card. “My email address is on there so just send it over and I’ll drop off a check tomorrow if that’s okay.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll probably be out here so you can just leave it in the mailbox.” She’d have to hook up the plow to get the rows churned up again. But at least she could get the stock on order and the land would be ready when it arrived. Then again, maybe she could expedite the shipment too; after all, how much could that cost?

She gave Hank a steady look. Maybe she’d just slide the air freight charges into the price of the trees so he’d have to pay for it. But she quickly dismissed that idea. That was dishonest, and they had been friends once upon a time. She wouldn’t do that to an enemy, let alone an old friend.

He gave her that wide smile that she remembered so well and her stomach was like a bunch of honey bees buzzing around the buttercups in spring.

“I’ll drive these girls across the river, and I’ll swing by tomorrow so don’t forget to email me. And I’m real sorry about all of this, but you should get the fence installed before you plant again.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah, she should do a lot of things and if she ever got to that to-do list she wrote out for herself, she’d be organized and already prepared for fall harvest. As it was, she hadn’t even had time to turn the list over and start with what she had thought was the number one priority. Not that she’d admit any of this to Hank, but as far as he was concerned, she was the businesswoman of the year in River Junction—well, maybe the orchard businesswoman of the year at a bare minimum.

She forced a bright smile. “It’s at the top of my list.”

“Good.” He stuck his left boot in the stirrup and settled into the saddle like he’d been born to be a cowboy. She thought it was ironic since that was what he’d been born into and now it seemed he turned in his Wranglers and Stetson for a suit and tie.

He gave a sharp whistle, and the cows slowly raised their heads while he maneuvered his horse through the herd. Once he got to the farthest bunch, he began to herd them in her direction. She moved off to one side and was surprised to see it looked like he had been doing this forever, instead of leaving Montana after high school graduation, never to return except for quick holiday trips.

But who was she to judge? Hadn’t she done the same thing? College and then worked in a city? At least her plan had always been to make money so that someday she’d return home and run the family orchard. Once, when they were young, Hank said when he left, he wasn’t ever living in small town USA again.

Get your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RMFQ316

Barnes and Nobel – Paperback https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apple-blossoms-in-montana-lucinda-race/1141042475?ean=9781954520295

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of romantic fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading romance novels and getting lost in the hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dreams were to become a writer—a romance novelist.

As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for The Loudon Series, it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys she weaves stories about strong women and the men who love them.

Lucinda lives with her two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she’s not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on.

Find Lucinda here:

FB https://www.facebook.com/LucindaRaceAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Goodreads – Lucinda Race- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10174985.Lucinda_Race

Youtube Lucinda Race https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lucinda+race+author

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Universal Link  https://books2read.com/ap/xyYO2g/Lucinda-Race

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lucinda-race

Amazon Author Page  https://www.amazon.com/Lucinda-Race/e/B00Q0MMNUM

Lucinda’s Heart Racers Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/118597305361578

https://lucindarace.com

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August 25, 2021 · 12:01 am

7 days until BALANCE releases!

It’s so exciting to think that in one week my newest NYCromance releases into the book reading world!
This absolutely never gets old!

When I wrote WOKE last year, I just knew when it was finished I needed to give Aurora’s BFF, Phillipa, her own HEA. She’d survived an emotionally abusive marriage and was just too young to give up on love. Finding her a man who could love her and see beyond her wealth was, I’ll admit, a struggle. But in Decker Madina I found a hero any woman – wealthy or not – would want in their life.

I’m so happy to be sharing their story with you IN JUST 7 DAYS!!! Hee hee

Have you pre-odered your copy yet so you’ll have it on 9.1? No? Well, here, let me help you do that:

BALANCE

She’s a wealthy socialite who survived an abusive marriage.
He’s a hardworking guy raising his son and caring for his widowed father.
They come from different worlds, but it’s said…opposites attract.
Can they find the balance between their two lifestyles to make their love work?
Or will their differences tear them apart?

Life and love are a balancing act.

Early Reviews for BALANCE:

Mistress of Reviews

Goodreads

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August 18, 2021 · 12:01 am

Lucinda Race releases 3rd addition to the Crescent Lake Winery series : BLUSH

My lovely writing friend, Lucinda Race, has just published ( TODAY!) the third installment in her Crescent Lake Winery series, BLUSH.

Friends to lovers to friends…to lovers?

For Peyton Brien, working as the manager of the tasting room at Crescent Lake Winery is more than a job. It’s her passion. The single mother’s other passion is her seven-year-old son. Years before, she’d had those same feelings for the winery owner’s son, Jack. She’d thought they had a forever kind of love—until he moved away and broke her heart. But now he’s back. Friends to lovers to friends again. They’ve agreed the past is the past. But is it?

Jack Price ran to California to escape from the future his father saw for him. His passion isn’t business; it’s working about the grape vines. The years away didn’t change that, and they didn’t change Jack’s love for Peyton. And now her hero-worshipping son is wrapping himself around Jack’s heart as well. But just as Peyton and Jack’s relationship begins to sprout new tendrils of hope, a secret from Jack’s past threatens to destroy his dreams.

They’re long past the sweet blush of first love. But just as red and white wines blend to form a blush wine, can Peyton and Jack find a way to blend their pasts and their present to create a rosy new future?

And if you haven’t read books 1 and 2, don’t worry. Here they are:

Breathe

Romance and fine wine both need time to breathe…

Her family’s successful winery business in the Finger Lakes region of New York should have gone to Tessa Price. She’d always dreamed of running the winery, but when her brother, the prodigal son returns to take up the reins, she boldly strikes out on her own, purchasing Sand Creek Winery—a cash-strapped competitor—right out from under her family. She can forge her own destiny, using her marketing skills and big plans to bring new life to the small winery. But first she has a proposition for the sexy previous owner. And he’s likely to hate it.

Kevin “Max” Maxwell would never have willingly sold his winery to anyone named Price. Family always comes first, and if paying for his sister’s cancer treatment cost him his business, it was worth it. But when the new owner offers him a one-year contract to stay on as general manager, with a possible bonus, he really can’t afford to turn it down. He can ignore the effect her deep brown eyes and heart-shaped face have on his senses for a year, can’t he?

Relationships, like slowly ripening vineyards, take time. But Max has been keeping a secret from Tessa, one that could destroy her hopes for their future. Will a terrible accident force Tessa and Max to face how much they have to lose, or tear apart their budding relationship forever? Sometimes a romance is like a fine wine. To be its best, it just needs time to breathe.

Crush

He’s just the spark she needs…

Anna Price is an enologist, a world-renowned expert in anything having to do with wine. Her work at her family’s Crescent Lake Winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York has her feeling as if she’s treading water. There has to be more to life than just wine. Has she lost her spark? She’s jolted when her father suffers a heart attack, then gets a jolt of a different kind from the man taking care of him.

Colin Grant is a nurse practitioner specializing in the care of cardiac patients. He’d met Anna once before, but had just ended a long-distance relationship and wasn’t ready for someone new. But this time, it’s different. There’s no denying his attraction to the curvy girl who has no idea how beautiful she is.

When Anna is offered a job in France, they may find their growing relationship crushed. How can she say no to the offer of a lifetime? Colin’s job is caring for other people’s hearts; he’s determined not to have his own broken again. Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. But is it worth the risk for a lifetime of love?

ABout Lucinda Race:

Award winning author Lucinda Race writes about family, love and happily ever afters.

Award-winning author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of romantic fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading romance novels and getting lost in the hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dreams were to become a writer—a romance novelist.

As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for The Loudon Series, it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys as she weaves stories about strong women and the men who love them.

Lucinda lives with her husband and their two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she’s not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on. It’s too bad her husband doesn’t cook, but a very good thing he loves takeout.

Please visit her website lucindarace.com and sign up for her newsletter and don’t forget to follow her on social media.

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May 7, 2021 · 1:00 am

Christmas in June? Yup!

So, I’m super excited to tell you that SANTA BABY ( A Dickens Holiday prequel – Dorrit’s Diner) is releasing on June 7, 2021. Get the title of this blog now?

Hee hee.

This is a prequel/novella for my upcoming Dickens Holiday Romance, FIXING CHRISTMAS, which will release on November 9. But SANTA BABY is a stand alone novella with an HEA and NO cliffhangers!

I had such a ball writing Angel Kisses and Holiday Wishes for last year’s Christmas Comes to Dickens Holiday Romance Anthology, that I jumped on board immediately when asked if I wanted to continue the trend. SANTA BABY is an origin story in many ways, but most of all it’s a love story about 2 people and a baby, abandoned on Christmas Eve.

Here’s the blurb:

It’s Christmas Eve morning in the tiny New England town of Dickens.

Santa’s arrival is imminent, and a hint of snow is in the air.

Amy Dorrit is just about to open her popular diner for the breakfast rush when she discovers an abandoned baby on her back doorstep.

Amy knows she should call the authorities and turn the infant over to them, but she just can’t. Thoughts of her own abandonment as a baby flood through her and she wants to keep the little one out of the hands of the authorities until the mother – hopefully –returns.

But will the mom come back? And if she doesn’t, what is Amy prepared to do about the baby who has, already, claimed her heart?

The book is up for preorder now, across all digital media, here: SANTA BABY and, if you’re a Booksprout Subscriber, you can request an ARC and read it for free as long as you review it before May 30, here: BOOKSPROUT. Last time I checked there were still some copies left to grab!

I know some of you are thinking DON’T RUSH TO THE HOLIDAYS!!! LET’S GET THROUGH SUMMER AND FALL FIRST. I hear ya. But…..it’s never too early for a Holiday Romance book! heehee

And Don’t forget to add SANTA BABY to your GOODREADS TBR list and BOOKBUB

And and and….check out the fabulous book trailer Nancy Fraser produced for me:

Happy reading, Peeps ~ Peg

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September 17, 2020 · 12:00 am

#Author Jennifer Wilck presents WHISPERS IN WASHINGTON….

I love when my author/writer friends come to visit me here on this blog, and today is no exception!!! One of my talented sistahs, Jennifer Wilck,  has a new  book out – her very first indie release!!! – and she graciously agreed to come talk about it here with us all today!!!

So, without any more of me talking, I’m gonna give the virtual mic to Jenn….

Thanks so much, Peggy, for allowing me to visit with your readers today. I’m so happy to be here and to talk about why I decided to go the indie route.

In this particular case, I was actually asked to join a group of writers who were putting together a multi-author series, called Ticket to True Love. JB Schroeder, a fellow New Jersey Romance Writers author, was looking to make her group of authors a little more diverse, and knew I write Jewish romance. So she contacted me to see if I’d be interested.

I was flattered for many reasons. First of all, I’ve written four contemporary romances with Jewish characters, and it’s always nice for an author to be “known” by her peers—and readers—for something. Writing Jewish characters is something that’s near and dear to my heart—I truly believe diversity, in whatever way it is expressed, adds flavor and texture to romance.

Second of all, the other authors who are part of this series are very talented, and for them to consider me made my day. Authors like Savannah Kade, Shirley Hailstock, Terry Osburn, and Julie Strauss, just to name a few. I mean, I’ve READ their books and admired the way they told their stories. And now I’m writing with them!

The premise for the series also interested me. The series has a legend that every book must refer to somewhere in the story—that of a magical water spring that caused a couple to fall in love. Each author must incorporate that magical water somewhere in their book. For my book, Whispers in Washington, I have the heroine and her mother visit the town where the spring is located. In fact, the heroine’s mom wants her to drink the water and my heroine refuses—she’s been burned by love once and is in no hurry to repeat the experience.

Additionally, each story in the series must reference a “ticket” in some way. Mine uses parking tickets. My heroine gets a parking ticket at her new apartment complex, and my hero gives her his spot until she can fix the issue. Later on, there are more parking tickets that come into play as well.

I loved the idea of a few common threads tying all the books together, yet allowing enough creativity that no book is the same.

And JB is the designer of all our covers, as well, so they all look like they’re part of the set.

Finally, we all market for each other, so I get the benefit of other authors’ experience, as well as providing them with my own.

Now do you see why I jumped at the chance to participate?

WHISPERS IN WASHINGTON 

Naomi’s life has been destroyed…

When Naomi Adelman’s crooked politician husband was arrested, her life, and that of her daughters, was destroyed. Divorced and rebuilding her life, Naomi is wiser, stronger, and determined not to let anyone hurt her or her family again. Her new life doesn’t include falling for her charming and good-looking neighbor.Max bet everything and lost…

 Max Bruder bet his entire career on the Adelman story and lost everything. So, he figures that karma has smiled down on him when Naomi moves in next door. This is his chance to revitalize his career. Except the closer he gets to her, the deeper he falls for her. And soon, the line between interview subject and lover blurs.

If they fall for each other, they may jeopardize their chance at a future. 

Excerpt:

Naomi wanted to finish, but she was full, and with reluctance, she pushed her plate away. “That was amazing. You can order for me anytime.”

A shard of interest sparked in Max’s eyes and he leaned forward. “Does this mean you’ll go to dinner with me again?” His voice beguiled her, his interest in her clear.

Her stomach fluttered. Warning lights flickered in her brain, but something else whispered, “’go for it.” She paused. “I will.”

He smiled, his look of satisfaction somehow attractive, instead of arrogant. She liked confident men, and Max oozed confidence. Except he carried confidence with ease. His broad shoulders emphasized good posture, rather than a puffed-out chest. Whoa, I might have had too much to drink. She looked at the wine bottle. Had she drunk three or four glasses? She couldn’t remember. Her neck heated with the same glow she felt after drinking. Maybe she should slow down.

What she did know was Max was sexy, and she liked the attraction sparking between them. After such a long time of feeling like a prop, and a duped one at that, it was nice to have a man look at her like she was worth something.

He rose, and she realized he’d paid the bill while she sat lost in her thoughts. He held out a hand to her and she took it. His grasp was firm, and her skin prickled beneath his touch. Was this what her daughters felt when they met a new guy? God, it had been ages since she’d done this. Rising, she met his gaze. His brown eyes were full of life—there was depth there, kindness, and inter‐ est. Depending on the light, the color changed from gold to walnut and shades in between. He smelled spicy and clean.

She squeezed his hand, and he kept her palm in his as he led her out of the restaurant. They stood in the doorway, her body only inches away from his, heat zinging between them, as they walked the few blocks to their apartment building. He still didn’t let go of her. She concentrated on the tensile strength of his fingers wrapped around hers, liking his strength and comfort.

He didn’t lead her around or pull her in a particular direction. Their hands together joined them. It felt natural. Holding hands with Malcolm always made her feel like a prop, as if he didn’t want a real connection.

Naomi didn’t want to think about Malcolm now, and she shook her head.

“Problem?” Max asked. They’d stopped in front of their building.

She turned so fast, her hair caught on the stubble at his jaw. “No.” She brushed the hair away from his cheek, the slight textured stubble rubbing against her palm and sending heat straight to her belly. His lips parted, and he leaned forward.

Would he kiss her? Did she want him to? She shouldn’t, she barely knew him, but her skin tingled, her breasts tightened and her breath came in short gasps.

He didn’t kiss her. Instead, he reached his free hand out and stroked the side of her head, smoothing her hair in place. “Yes,” he whispered.

She frowned, and tried to hide her disappointment. “Yes, what?”

“Your hair is as silky as I wondered.” He let his hand glide down her neck to her shoulder, and the contact brought out goose bumps. “Are you cold?” he asked.

She didn’t know how to answer. Was it okay for her to say, “no, I’m attracted to you?” Or should she say “yes”?

As if he understood her dilemma, he let go of her hand, slid his arm behind her shoulders, and drew her into the warmth of his body.

The man was a furnace and she wanted to groan in pleasure. They stood toe to toe, his hand running up and down her spine, her breasts pressed against his hard chest. Would he kiss her? Should she kiss him? Her brain short circuited and desire flooded through her. All she could do was focus on the warmth flooding her, the soothing sound of his humming something she couldn’t quite catch, and the zings of desire running throughout her body.

Too soon, Max pulled back. The cool evening air did little to stop the yearning for the man. Once again, he took her hand, and in silence, he led her into the elevator, down their hallway to where their front doors met. Her legs wobbled, and she leaned against the wall. The last thing she wanted to do was fall at this man’s feet.

“I liked getting to know you better,” Max whispered, leaning his free hand against the wall next to her head.

She was boxed in between the wall and Max, in her own little cocoon. He’d said there were limits to how far a reporter should go. For some reason, she felt safe. She trusted him not to take advantage of her. Her body warmed at his proximity. His eyes were dark—more mahogany than walnut, his forehead touched hers, and his breath was warm and minty. Her mind drifted to when exactly he’d taken a breath mint, and why, and should she. She opened her mouth to tell him how much she’d enjoyed it too, and to ask for a mint, but he didn’t let her utter any words.

Instead, he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her. Warm, commanding, yet soft, lips claimed her own. Her knees buckled and she grabbed his biceps, loving the solid feel of him beneath her fingers. Max wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He exuded strength and she felt more protected than she could remember. His body was hard, his arousal pressing against her, but he didn’t force her or move fast. Instead, he moved with delicious slowness, as if he memorized everything about her lips and mouth. She wanted more. More kissing, more touching, more Max. She whimpered as she pressed against him and his lips stretched into a smile, before he sucked on her tongue and the last of her coherent thoughts fizzled.

Just as she was about to rip his jacket off and begin to unbutton his shirt, he pulled away.

“Goodnight.” His breathing was harsh, his words rough, his pupils wide and dark. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. She could taste him. He pushed away from the wall and entered his apartment, the jingle of his keys echoing throughout the hall.

Get your copy of  here : 

Amazon: // Barnes & Noble: // iBooks: // Kobo:

A little about Jennifer Wilck….

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, many of which feature Jewish characters in non-religious settings (#ownvoices). She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

You can connect with Jennifer here:

Website: // Facebook: // Newsletter: // Twitter: // Instagram: // BookBub:

Peggy here: OMGosh – doesn’t this book sound delicious??!! Thank you, Jenn, for stopping by today and telling us all about the fabulous new project!!! Happy Sales.

Until next time, peeps ~ Peg

 

 

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May 25, 2020 · 12:00 am

A visit with #author Colleen L. Donnelly and LETTERS AND LIES

Another one of my fabulous and talented Wild Rose Press sistahs is visiting today. Give a big hand to Colleen L. Donnelly.

Colleen’s got a new book out titled LETTERS AND LIES and she graciously agreed to tell us a little about it today.

Take it away, Colleen…

Sometimes we just need candy, and in this case, candy with a heart. “Letters and Lies” was written for those moments when you want to smile more than think, laugh more than worry, and clap a hand over your heart at my heroine’s antics which could just as easily have been your own. Follow near-spinster Louise Archer as she heads west to find the man who jilted her, armed with what she believed to be a foolproof plan to marry him in time to save the family business and her reputation.

“Letters and Lies”

 

Blurb:

Louise Archer boards a westbound train in St. Louis to find the Kansas homesteader who wooed and proposed to her by correspondence, then jilted her by telegram – Don’t come, I can’t marry you. Giving a false name to hide her humiliation, her lie backfires when a marshal interferes and offers her his seat.

Marshal Everett McCloud intends to verify the woman coming to marry his homesteading friend is suitable. At the St. Louis train station, his plan detours when he offers his seat to a captivating woman whose name thankfully isn’t Louise Archer.

Everett’s plans thwart hers, until he begins to resemble the man she came west to find, and she the woman meant to marry his friend.

Excerpt:

“He wrote and changed your plans? Why didn’t you tell me? You know I love hearing his letters.”

Everyone loved hearing his letters. Or at least they’d pretended to. I glanced at my friends, especially the one who’d first suggested I correspond with her husband’s homesteading friend in Kansas who was ready to look for a wife. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief while she flicked the fingers of her other hand in a weak wave. I dredged my soul in search of a smile. The man she’d introduced me to truly had penned everything I’d ever wanted in a husband, months of letters which convinced Mama Jim was my open door. Letters I’d foolishly carted from family to friend to blather every word like a desperate spinster. Drat.

“He didn’t send his change of plans in a letter, Mama. He sent them in a telegram.” Don’t come, I can’t marry you. The only words I never shared.

“Well I imagine your Jim has a surprise for you and didn’t have time to send a letter before you left for Crooked Creek. How thoughtful to wire you instead.”

Thoughtful…I felt poisoned and Mama would too if she ever found out Jim had shut my open door. Which she wouldn’t, since as soon as I got out there and found him, I’d wedge it back open again.

Intrigued? Get your copy here:

Amazon // B&N // Kobo  // Google play //

A little about Colleen

Born and raised in the Midwest, Colleen studied and worked in science, using that career to travel and explore other parts of the country. An avid fan of literature, both reading and writing, she loves tales involving moral dilemmas and the choices people come up against. A lover of the outdoors as well as a comfy living room, Colleen is always searching inside and out for the next good story.

Social Links:

Connect with Colleen here:

website // facebook // twitter // goodreads //

 

 

 

 

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October 7, 2019 · 12:48 am

Book trailer for It’s A Trust Thing….

I’ve made so many great friends and met so many wonderful writers and people since I started my writing journey. Nancy Fraser is one of them. Not only is she an award winning writer, she’s also a damn fine graphic producer and artist. She made my book trailer to Dirty Damsels and did such a  great job I asked her to do one for my 11.1.19 release of It’s a Trust Thing. I think it captures the essence of the book perfectly. Have a gander:

Isn’t it great!!!??

Remember, It’s a Trust Thing is up for pre-order right now and will be available ONLY in Kindle and KU. And if you haven’t read DIRTY DAMSELS yet, let me whet your appetite with Nancy’s trailer for that book, too! Hee hee

Until next time ~ Peg

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