Tag Archives: The Wild Rose Press

February 18, 2016 · 11:38 am

Starting anew..

I’ve started a new series of books ( see my previous post about storyboarding) and this time I’ve invented an entire town in New Hampshire as the setting.

Scary stuff…but also a little exciting.

I wanted a town with a specific name ( no sharing details for you yet, peeps!!) because the name is integral to the stories and it needed to be made-up because I needed to have total control over the street names, store names, etc. Can I just tell you how HARD this was?!! To not only come up with the town’s name, but the street names to go along with the theme and then the stores, businesses, etc, to further it? My head hurt after an hour of planning. There’s a reason I didn’t go into municipal development, folks.

city

But, after a while, the names started flowing and I felt…okay, I’ll admit it:  omnipotent. Tycoon-ish.  I made a town, I named the streets, shops, roads and government office buildings. It was like playing Monopoly, but for real!

All the other stories I’ve written have taken place in actual settings; cities like New York; states like Connecticut. This time I wanted a New England feel, so, of course, I chose my home state of New Hampshire, the prettiest state in the east, and built the town somewhere between Concord and Peterborough. A large enough geographic divide that I could play around with it, but far enough distance between the two where I wouldn’t be stepping on another town’s toes. Does that make sense?

Anyway, this is kind of cool. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes out and together and what the reader response will be.

So, writing peeps… ever make up your own setting? How hard was it? Or, how easy? Let’s discuss…..

 

New release 3 WISHES (A Candy Hearts Romance)perf5.000x8.000.indd

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 30th birthday, she just might get her three wishes.

Get it here: Amazon //  The Wild Rose Press // Nook//  Kobo //

Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me //Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

 

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Author, Candy Hearts, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Life challenges, New Hampshire, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

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February 16, 2016 · 2:42 pm

The art of Storyboarding…

On Saturday, my New Hampshire chapter of RWA was given a treat: our chapter President, Christyne Butler, gave us a masterclass on storyboarding. What is storyboarding? I am so happy you asked.

Typically used in visual media, a storyboard is defined as such: a sequence of drawings, typically with some directions and dialogue, representing the shots planned for a movie or television production. This helps the film people plot the story, frame by frame, sequence by sequence.

But writers use storyboarding as well.

Most books are comprised of chapters, scenes within chapters, and actions within scenes. Instead of framing the novel action by scene by chapter, writers approach the storyboard a different way. Christyne showed us her way, which is how her characters are plotted out. She boards each individual character and things that might pertain to him/her when she starts to write. She has a complete visual reference for the entire book at her fingertips when she begins to write her story. She must be doing something right because she is a multi-published, very popular author!

Now, when I plot a new story it looks something like this:

dashboard2 dashboard

I write everything out longhand once I find pictures of my  characters. I fill entire composition books with pictures, descriptions, motivations, and backstory. It takes a while, but so far it has worked for me. With Christyne’s method – a more visual one – it seemed like it was worth a try, so I did it. Here’s where I’m at after 2 days: ( those are my feet in the bottom of the photo – damn crop app didn’t work!

dashboard3

This is a three book arc. My heroines are on the left side of the board, my heroes on the right. Just from viewing this I can see I know a whole bunch more about my girls than my boys!! SO right away, this has become a valuable tool for me. Since I am character driven, I have pictures of my peeps, their bedrooms ( I always want to imagine where they sleep!), things about their careers – quotes or pictures of occupations, and the colors on their individual blocks are foils for one another. For instance, the top is black and white because those two love interests perceive everything emotionally in shades of black and white – no gray. My goal is to get them to the gray! I love assigning colors to characters because I think of them in shades of colors. It’s hard sometimes to explain how my brain works, but the black and white instance is the easiest way for me to get you to understand how I envision people/characters.

This is all after 2 days. I’m hoping ( wishing?praying?) to have it done this weekend. I’ve already written two chapters, but I feel as if now I’ll know my characters much better when I write the rest.

So, if you’re a writer, do you storyboard? Write out everything in longhand? Fly by the seat of your pants? What? let’s discuss……

New release 3 WISHES (A Candy Hearts Romance)perf5.000x8.000.indd

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 30th birthday, she just might get her three wishes.

Get it here: Amazon //  The Wild Rose Press // Nook//  Kobo //

Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me //Pin Me//Friend Me// Google+Me//

 

 

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February 11, 2016 · 10:07 am

A visit with Candy Hearts author C.J. Fosdick

Today, for my final CandyHearts installment, I’m introducing you to author C.J.Fosdick. CJ was nice enough to agree to be interviewed by me and suffer through my long list of questions! Stick around because after the interview she’s got alittle sumthin’ sumthin; for your from her Candy Hearts release, HOT STUFF.

Here’s C.J.

CJ – The Writer 

cj fosdick

  1. What drives you to write? Perspiration, Inspiration and Deadlines! When I’m not hit by holidays and other distractions, I “drive” with my laptop. With an empty nest and horse barn now, I hope to become a writing tornado, mobilized by readers who loved my debut novel and can’t wait for the sequel! Deadlines are also a good fire starter. Working with WR editors between assignments from a local magazine always brings the deadline deal home!
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? Historicals so far. I may have a reincarnated soul; I’ve always been curious about the past and there’s never a shortage of stories to research about any era. All costume dramas—and even living history sites—grab and inspire me. We can learn so much from the resourceful lives and crisis’s our ancestors faced. But stopping at one genre is like eating only potatoes at every meal. I also love writing romantic comedy and suspense. ALL my books will have some history/mystery/romance and a thread of humor in them—multi genres to be sure.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? Reading historicals is like armchair time travel. International settings, colorful dramas, rich dialects always make me think about our ancestors, how resourceful and tough they were with a lot less than we have, and how their values relate to us today. As a teen, I read a lot of mysteries and suspense and later became a fan of Robin Cook, Anne Rice and Sue Grafton’s books. I also loved romances by the late Kathleen Woodiwiss. Today I’ll read romantic suspense and contemporary romance if it isn’t too dark and serious.
  1. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day? In small undisciplined ways, yes. Every email, tweet, newsletter or Facebook post is an exercise in writing. When I’m rolling with my new novel, I am in another writing zone entirely. I can write for 8 hours without moving much more than my fingers. I might even skip eating if the hubster didn’t fix me snacks and protein drinks.
  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. I write on my laptop in a far corner of the living room by large windows with an outside view on two sides. My comfy upholstered wing rocker has been in the family for nearly 50 years. It’s been recovered twice. Once, after I was shocked to learn my children referred to it as “the booger chair.” Let your imagination run!
  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 concentrate better with few distractions, and hate phone interruptions. We live in a super-insulated house surrounded by acres of woods so we don’t even hear wind or rain.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? I love a background of instrumental easy listening, Enya, or light classical with the volume low. There are also some great movie soundtracks that curry memories…and envy. I can especially imagine my sweeping historicals with that kind of visualization, someday. Grin.
  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I fell in love with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series a few years ago. Her unique time-travel historic theme has to resound with history buffs, and the robust romance of two very strong characters is a multi-genre feast. Her writing is well-researched, intelligent and often lyrical. Time-travel is a great way to compare civilizations and provide instant conflict. I became more of a Gabaldon fan after meeting Diana twice at Historical Writer Conferences, and found her very accessible. She was touched when I put her in my novel’s dedication. She even offered to read for me when I developed laryngitis at the Denver Conference last June.
  1. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Depends on the romance. With a historical or mystery, plot becomes naturally paramount. With a contemporary, a strong character has to carry the story. Strong characters, however, seem to take over my plots and sometimes even wake me up at night with their conversations. (I keep a notepad and pen at my bedside.)
  1. What 3 words describe you, the writer? Curious, Creative, Capricious.

 

CJ – The Person 

 Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I am passionate about horses and most animals. We had horses for years that my daughters competed with and over 15 summers, I gave riding lessons to 60 kids. We even took in rescue horses, dogs, cats, and trained two wild Mustangs. I’m currently training dozens of wild deer with a bell and cracked corn. Can’t get enough pictures and videos of them at our feeding stations twenty feet from our kitchen window!

  1. Who was your first love and what age were you? The neighborhood paper boy. Both of us were 15.
  2. 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… I usually look forward to the celebration of every new day. It would be fun, however, to take my best day writing and live that over and over—if it didn’t produce the same manuscript.
  3. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? I’ll take a tall, trim, thoughtful guy any day, in any of the three.
  4. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? I can do without the “dewy” look! Mascara makes my eyes water.
  5. What three words describe you, the person? Fun, Emotional, Creative.
  6. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” (No really, this IS an old song from a classic Fred Astaire movie!)
  7. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it be, why, and what would you do together? Scarlett O’Hara and we would sow field oats instead of cotton and redecorate Tara after the Civil War—after convincing Rhett Butler to pay for it all.

 

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

  1. Favorite sound? Babies laughing or birds chirping. Same thing?
  2. Least favorite sound? Whiny, jabboring people—of all ages.
  3. Best song every written — A tie: John Lennon’s “Imagine” or Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
  4. Worst song ever written — Was “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall” even written down?
  5. Favorite actor and actress—Right now it is Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe from the Starz Outlander series. But Aiden Turner gives Sam competition in the wonderful PBS series, Poldark.
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) I’d love to be Diana G. to get tips on how an international best-selling author (26 million books) balances fame, family and…gets anywhere on time.
  7. What turns you on? Besides a great review, a movie or book with a great love scene.
  8. What turns you off? Negative, unkind, sarcastic people.
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date—Want to meet my mother?
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? Riding bareback on my late white Arabian on a sandy beach with turquoise water, followed by a spa massage package and a seafood dinner at a seaside café with either Aidan or Sam! All with the blessing of my dear hubby. Oh wait, that was my laughing-gas-fantasy when I got a root canal!

Anything Else?: I knew when Rhonda announced the premise for the Candy Heart line, I HAD to have the slogan, “Hot Stuff” to play with the double meaning. This was where character and plot coincide. The rookie cop who comes to investigate a simple theft (hot stuff), turns out to be pretty hot himself, in the eyes of a klutzy, single slogan writer with a brother who has Asperger’s and a penchant for “collecting” neighborhood lawn statuary. I have a couple friends with autistic sons who handle the syndrome with amazing grace and a balance of humor. Inspiration for my heroine and her cookie-bribing grandmother.

HOT STUFF

Blurb:

hot stuff

Hot Stuff takes on double meaning when klutzy Kate is faced with rookie cop Dallas looking for a stolen lawn statue. In her quiet, crime-free Wisconsin village, Kate has her hands full writing slogans for candy hearts and keeping her kleptomaniac brother with Asperger’s Syndrome inside the law. Even her grandmother’s famous snickerdoodle cookies can’t ameliorate the crime when a stolen lawn statue turns out to be a drug dispenser. Will Kate rise above her concern of what Dallas’s uniform represents and admit the charming Texas rookie is the man of her dreams?

Excerpt

“Over the years, we’ve learned some lawn décor Evan brought home belonged to that category you call a 10-99…er…some might call it this.” He finally smiled when I pulled a handful of candy hearts from my pocket and singled out the one that read Hot Stuff.

“Billington knows about all this?”

“Certainly. Our neighbors are aware of this, too. When something goes missing, they usually show up here first to see if it’s planted in his garden. If they can identify it, we simply have a custody exchange, then mollify my brother with a trip to a local garden shop for some kind of a replacement.” I popped a candy heart into my mouth and offered him one after flicking a strand of cat fur off the KissMe heart.

He screwed up his face, clearing his throat. “Valentine candy in July?”

“I won a six-month supply after writing new imprints for the company. The candy has a long shelf life,” I added.

He declined my offer.

“Bite Me.”

“Ma’am?”

“That was one of my slogans. The candy boss wanted something modern. You Know was another one. Kids today can’t get through a sentence without sprinkling it with ‘you know’.”

He studied me with a lopsided grin. “Why didn’t Billington tell me all this?”

“I don’t think he knows I write slogans and ads.”

He pulled on his ear. “I mean about your brother stealing yard ornaments.”

“Oh well, I suspect Evan’s fancy may be an inside joke at the precinct.”

Buy Links:   The WIld Rose Press   Amazon

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, CJ Fosdick has freelanced for over 30 years, writing stories and articles for local and national publications. She has stories published in three anthologies, including Minnesota’s Blossoms & Blizzards. Her debut novel is The Accidental Wife published in 2015. She pursues her novel dreams on a wooded country hilltop in Rochester, MN, with husband, family, and a menagerie of wild and domestic animals. Follow her on…

Fin CJ Here:  Website //Newsletter // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads //

 

 

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February 8, 2016 · 10:07 am

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:

nancy

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:

doreen

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

Enter the Wild Rose Press RAFFLECOPTE for a chance to win a Kindle fire. Clink on the http://link

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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

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February 5, 2016 · 10:06 am

A visit with Candy Hearts author Beverly Breton

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Today, I’ve got a nice little post from Candy Hearts author Beverly Breton, author of I’M SURE. Did you know in addition to being a published author, she’s a floral designer? I didn’t either, but don’t you think being a floral designer gives you some exceptional insight into one of the busiest flower buying days of the year, Valentine’s Day, which just so happens to be the themes of all the Candy Hearts books? I do! Let’s listen to Bev, oh, and don’t forget to enter the RAFFLECOPTER for a KINDLE FIRE at the end of this blog, donated by THE WILD ROSE PRESS.

here’s Beverly:

Smiles and Warm Hearts are what I write about, and what I hope readers find in my light sweet contemporary romances. I’m also a floral designer, and since floral design is about smiles and warm hearts, too, to be a romance writer and a floral designer feel s like two sides of the same coin. Love and flowers–pure magic, both of them!

Valentine’s Day is for flowers and romantic notes so most of the Valentine’s orders for flowers that we send out aren’t particularly memorable. More memorable are real-life romantic heroes when romance isn’t on the national calendar. Like the man who always picks up a long-stemmed rose to give to his date every time he takes a woman out for the first time. Or the high school senior boy who sent a hand-tied bouquet to the high school senior girl on the day he was asking her to the prom!

Surrounded by blooms is a pretty fantastic way to spend a day. Nonetheless, the profession can be physically grueling, and not for the faint-hearted. Flowers are leading players in life’s biggest events. I’ve helped people who are bubbling with the joy of an impending wedding along with those sobbing with grief over the loss of a loved one. And sometimes, on holidays like Valentine’s Day, I find myself in uncharted–and uncomfortable–territory.

One anguished male customer implored that I inform him how many roses he needed to send to have his apology accepted? Needless to say, there’s no floral design class for that. And the obvious question that popped into my head was: what on earth did you do? But my writer’s imagination was already winging, and I realized I did not want to know! I might want to stop talking to him if I did. So we perused arrangement photos and possibilities for quite some time, and he finally decided to go traditional–two dozen long-stem red roses arranged in a giant crystal vase. I hope the flowers did their job for him…I think.

Megan in my Candy Hearts romance I’m Sure designs ponds and water gardens. She spends her days around lily pads and water iris. Her job is not all glamour either; the first time firefighter Jason lays eyes on her, she’s up to her knees and elbows in mud. But that doesn’t stop Jason from recognizing the fiery-haired water sprite in front of him—the woman he’s been waiting for his whole life. A water hose, a lunch, a fire, a stroke, a few conversation hearts, and one long-stemmed lavender rose later, and Megan and Jason are ready for Valentine’s Day, together. I hope you’ll read my story and find out how they get there, discovering some smiles along the way, and warm hearts at the finish.

Here’s to love and magic every day of the year!

I’M SURE

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Blurb
During the day, Megan surrounds herself with water lilies and goldfish in the ponds she creates. At night, memories of her lying ex-boyfriend are a reminder she can never again trust a man.

Jason embraces his career as paramedic firefighter, even though ugly experience declares his profession a greedy mistress. During quiet nights at the station, he wonders if this bachelor existence is all he’ll ever know.

Then Jason meets Megan and sparks fly, chased by flashes of anger when Jason, battling a raging apartment fire, stands up Megan on their first date. Is St. Valentine powerful enough to bring these two strong-willed people together?

Excerpt

Jason reaches over the table and takes my hand in his.

Much as I try scrubbing at the dirt, my nails are almost never 100% clean, and I’ve got a long scratch across my knuckles. And anyhow, in the middle of a work day, that’s part of who I am.

He turns my hand palm up and runs his finger across the calluses.

My heart skitters a beat at the feel of his hands cradling mine. His touch exudes caring. Imagining him tending a person in distress is easy.

Need I say it? I like the feel of him touching me. The world is charmingly in order right here, right now. But what is he doing? “Is something wrong with my hand?”

“Every time I see you, you’re in the water. And you’re the odd duck. I was just seeing”—he turns his head to examine my palm, his carved cheeks in profile—“if there’s a web between your fingers…”

Bemusement laces his tone. “Like a Labrador retriever?” I retort, stifling the urge to flex my fingers; I don’t want him to let my hand go.

He laughs and releases my hand. “My favorite animal. But a dog? No. That’s not what you bring to mind.”

His grin is so open, so easy, I decide to divulge something I’ve never told anyone. “I did wish for scales when I was younger. I thought it would be cool to be a mermaid.” He takes me in for a beat, his gaze deep.

“I can see that.”

His voice is low and velvety. I draw in a ragged breath.

Buy Links:
amazon     The Wild Rose Press

About Bev:

bev betton

Beverly Breton is an eternal fan of the happy ending, and a sucker for any book that grabs the reader through characterization and emotion. A career non-fiction writer and editor, Beverly has written articles and personal essays for newspapers and magazines across the country, and has taught college writing at the undergraduate and graduate level. She now writes romantic short stories, and has garnered such awards as Night Owl Reviews Top Pick and You Gotta Read Reviews highest rating You Gotta ReadFive Stars. She is also a professional floral designer, and her garden nursery experience and love of plants is fondly woven into her latest short story I’m Sure featuring a pond garden designer and the emergency responder who falls for this fiery-haired near-mermaid when he discovers her up to her thighs in water one February morning.

Find Bev Here:

Website/ Amazon Author Page / Goodreads

Enter to win A Kindle Fire from The Wild rose Press. Click on the “Http://link… to enter

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February 4, 2016 · 9:52 am

A visit with Heidi Kneale author of Marry Me…

Today I am so pleased to introduce you to another new author to me, WRP and Candy Hearts Romance author Heidi Kneale. Heidi’s CHR book, MARRY ME just hit the new release block and it’s a goodie! After you read her interview, stick around for a little sumthin’ sumthin’ from the book.

Here’s Heidi:

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Heidi: The Writer

  1. What drives you to write? Possibly the need to be able to change the world. I want to be able to explore the possibilities of human choice, and what happens when we choose for the better. That, and I can’t not write. Drives me nuts, sometimes. A character or a plotline natters on in the corner of my brain and won’t leave me alone until I get it out.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? Anything but contemporary. Also I tend to stay on the sweeter side of spicy. I’m more interested in the emotional and psychological impact of love. I’m especially fond of blending genres–Fantasy Romance, Historical Romance, Science Fiction Romance. Fantasy Historical Romance…
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I’ll read nearly anything, but confess a strong preference for Regency Romance.
  1. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day? Nearly every day. I’ve got a Day Job and some volunteer work. Sometimes between those two I find my day eaten up with no time to write. But I do have one day scheduled that’s ONLY for writing. Nobody touches my Tuesdays unless it’s an emergency. Also, I’ve booked out the hour between 5:45-6:45am to write every weekday morning. I belong to a Write Club. We meet once a fortnight at a central library and we spend three hours (or so) just writing. Not talking, not being distracted, but writing. We all find this highly motivational.
  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I’ll write nearly anywhere I can get a comfy seat. My office is a terrible mess, so until I get it cleaned up, I can’t write much in there. Instead, I’ll retreat to the lounge or the theater or prop myself up in bed. I’ve sat in the car and on a padded pew in a church.
  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 prefer quietude. Sometimes I can filter out ambient sounds, but if music’s involved, I get lost.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? Absolutely no music whatsoever. None. It distracts me. I’m a musician in another life and it’s too easy to be absorbed by the music and taken off-track. This is why early-early morning and a Tuesday (when the kids are at school) are ideal writing times for me. If I’m not “writing”, but daydreaming about writing, sometimes I’ll hum an earworm that’s suitable to a particular character. But when it comes time to write, it must be relatively silent. When we built our house, we put in solid, sound-resistant doors to my office so I could shut out the household noise.
  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I’ve developed the skill for writing to order. When my editor told me about the call for subs for the Candy Hearts Romance series, I did a bit of research into candy hearts. I feared it would be Contemporary only. However candy hearts are 150 years old. Awesome. Let’s write an historical. I spent an hour brainstorming, then pitched the idea to her. She wondered if I was going off-brand, and I thought, why not throw magic in? So I did. It seemed like a whackadoodle idea, but she loved it. Apparently, so do my readers.
  2.  Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? I find I am more successful when the plot comes first. With a plot, the characters have a goal, so their motivations are in that direction. When I come up with a character first, I have trouble getting them motivated.
  1. What 3 words describes you, the writer? Complex, far-sighted, creative.

Heidi: The Person 

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I’m also an astronomer and citizen scientist. Most people find this odd, as my bachelor degree is an arts degree. (My forthcoming masters degree is in Astronomy.)
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? Puppy love or solid I’ll-never-forget-you? First puppy love? I fell in love with Jeff when I was three years old. We moved when I was five, so he faded from my heart. First forever love? I fell in love with Paul when I was twelve. He was never interested in me in that way, alas, but we remained good friends. As I watch how well he treats his wife and children, I take joy in the fact that I did choose well.
  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…. When I was a teenager I belonged to an orchestra. Every summer we’d go on tour. I remember one particular day when we had a really good day. I can’t remember what we did in the morning, but we had a concert in the afternoon which I found rather enjoyable, and we all got together for dinner that night. I wish I could remember details. All I remember is that from start to finish it was a really good day. I would live that over and over. 
  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? Tough call. I have two can’t-live-without products: a good lip balm and a good conditioner. But if I had to choose one, I’ll cry as I give up my conditioner. Ain’t nobody touching my lip balm.
  6. What three words describes you, the person? Curious, polymath, spiritual 
  7. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? Heck, we could sing anything and have a great time! Actually, I’d write a comedic duet just for him and me. Maybe something along the lines of “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…”
  8. 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? In my inventory I have a Fantasy trilogy with a demi-god as the main character. I’d choose him. He’s powerful, he’s got a sense of humor and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He’s excellent company when he’s in a good mood. What would we do? Why, just hang out. He’s got an extensive repertoire of funny jokes.

Bonus round

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

  1. Favorite sound Full choir singing. 
  2. Least favorite sound Martian call-to-arms during invasion: https://youtu.be/w1hURW6Vxqs
  3. Best song every written Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
  4. Worst song ever written My mind has blanked out so many bad songs…
  5. Favorite actor and actress Actress? Can’t say I have one. Actor: Richard Armitage forever.
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) Honestly? No idea.
  7. What turns you on? Smart people with good senses of humour. That, and Richard Armitage.
  8. What turns you off? Stupid people who don’t know when to shut up.
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) “You aren’t fun, are you?”
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? Getting everything done I wanted to get done. I mean, EVERYTHING.

Peggy here: Heidi it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you! I feel as if I have a brand new literary friend for life! Cheers. And now, dear readers, here’s that little sumthin’ sumthin” I promised you: A sneak peak at MARRY ME

MARRY ME ( A Candy Hearts Romance)

Blurb:

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In 1905 New York City, affluent Millie Moore wants to be outspoken like the suffragettes she admires. She also wants to rid herself of an annoying and controlling suitor. For a well-brought up young lady whose mother fears her impending spinsterhood, speaking her mind is an uphill battle.

When Raymond Wilson sees Millie at a rally, it’s love at first sight. Not wanting his stutter to ruin his chances, he enchants a little candy heart to do his talking for him.

For Millie, Raymond is a breath of fresh air. And maybe, just maybe, someone she could love. But for her social-climbing suitor Guy Elliot, he’s a threat to his plans. And Raymond isn’t the only one who knows something about magic. Now the ante has been upped and Millie is the prize…

Excerpt:

A giggle rose up inside Millie. “Do you always carry around candy?”

“A g-g-ood uncle is a-a-a-always p-prepared.”

Raymond patted down his pockets. His hand rested over his heart for a moment. A coy little smile played his lips. Then he reached into another pocket and brought out a rumpled white bag from Smith’s. He pulled out a heart.

“I—I been s-s-aving th-th-these in c-c-ase I f-found you ag-g-gain.” From the inside of his jacket he produced a pencil. He wrote a tiny message on the heart before he gave it to her.

“Eat me!” it squeaked.

How adorable.

Her laughter bubbled up unrestrained. “Is it safe?”

He nodded.

She looked at the heart, hesitated, and then held it up to his lips. “You first.”

He opened his mouth and accepted the heart from her delicate fingers. He sucked on it and closed his eyes in delight. “Mmmm…” He leaned back against the iron railing and gave himself over to the joys of a little conversation heart.

Millie let out a breath. “Are you teasing me?”

He lifted a single eyelid. “Yep.”

Extracting another heart, he wrote, “Sweet Lips.”

He held it up for her. “Y-your t-turn.”

 

Buy Links: The Wild Rose Press // Barnes&Noble // Amazon // Kobo

About Heidi:

Heidi Kneale is an Australian author of moderate repute best known for her escapist fiction–especially Fantasy and Romance. She lives in Western Australia, near the ocean. Like most humans, she has a family. She also associates with the World’s Most Boring Cat. When not writing novels, she composes music and stares at the stars.

 

FInd Heidi Here:

Website//   Blog // Facebook//  Twitter // Goodreads // Amazon 

 

 

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February 1, 2016 · 9:43 am

Week 5 of the Candy Hearts Romances

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Today I get to introduce you to  Debra Druzy, Heidi Kneale, J.C.McKenzie, and Annette Miller and their Candy Hearts Romances DARE ME, MARRY ME, BE MY LOVE, and WWW.CUPID. And remember: there’s a RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST from the WILD ROSE PRESS to win a KINDLE FIRE. Details are below.

DARE ME ( Debra Druzy)

Blurb:

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For wedding stylist Misty Morningside, mixing business with pleasure is a professional no-no. That is, until she runs into wedding photographer Adam Wright at a Valentine’s Day event. Dare they set aside business for one night of pleasure?

Excerpt:

“A girl could get used to this kind of TLC. Don’t spoil me or you’ll never get rid of me.” Misty licked the marinade from her lips.

“I have every intention of keeping you, Misty Morningside. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you go. Ever.” Hunger radiated from his gaze as if she were the next course.

Heat crept into her cheeks at his soulful secret that stole her breath. She dodged the last bite on the fork and swooped in for a first kiss but he stealthily avoided it.

“One more bite.” Adam fed Misty final morsel then dabbed her mouth with a white linen napkin.

He might be playing the role of a perfect alpha-gentleman, but beneath that proper tuxedo was the scrappy teenager notorious for cutting class to sneak onto the football field, under the bleachers with the flavor-of-the-week. She’d studied those smooth moves, watching bird’s-eye from the second story window of Scenic View High School, wishing she could be one of his many conquests. Now was her chance.

He held a fresh flute of champagne to her lips, but the mischievous twinkle in his whiskey eyes had her craving something else—something harder between her thighs.

“Ready for dessert?”

More than ready. She clenched her lips to keep from saying something that would come back to bite her in the end and nodded instead.

God, what am I thinking? Where’s my mantra? Drowning in champagne, so it seemed.

It was only fair to warn him her career came before everything, but she didn’t want to ruin the mood talking about work. Just because they were single, consenting adults didn’t mean this filly should break the stallion and make him her stud—not when her commitment to the family business left so little room for monkey business.

Then again…

If there ever was a perfect time to be fooling around, Valentine’s Day was it. Only a couple of hours remained, and by God, her libido deserved to go out with a bang. A great big mind-blowing she-bang. As much as she wanted to get her hands on the bridal boutique in the near future, she wanted Adam now.

Forget the mantra for one night. She’d be sure to screw on her head properly tomorrow.

Buy Links:

Amazon    WIld Rose Press

About the Author:

Debra Druzy by KMPNY-11Debra Druzy is a married, stay-at-home mom, writing romance in between running errands and doing household chores.

Find Debra here: Debra Druzy’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | TWRP | Amazon | Newsletter

 

MARRY ME by Heidi Kneale

Blurb:

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In 1905 New York City, affluent Millie Moore wants to be outspoken like the suffragettes she admires. She also wants to rid herself of an annoying and controlling suitor. For a well-brought up young lady whose mother fears her impending spinsterhood, speaking her mind is an uphill battle.

When Raymond Wilson sees Millie at a rally, it’s love at first sight. Not wanting his stutter to ruin his chances, he enchants a little candy heart to do his talking for him.

For Millie, Raymond is a breath of fresh air. And maybe, just maybe, someone she could love. But for her social-climbing suitor Guy Wilson, he’s a threat to his plans. And Raymond isn’t the only one who knows something about magic. Now the ante has been upped and Millie is the prize…

Excerpt:

A giggle rose up inside Millie. “Do you always carry around candy?”

“A g-g-ood uncle is a-a-a-always p-prepared.”

Raymond patted down his pockets. His hand rested over his heart for a moment. A coy little smile played his lips. Then he reached into another pocket and brought out a rumpled white bag from Smith’s. He pulled out a heart.

“I—I been s-s-aving th-th-these in c-c-ase I f-found you ag-g-gain.” From the inside of his jacket he produced a pencil. He wrote a tiny message on the heart before he gave it to her.

“Eat me!” it squeaked.

How adorable.

Her laughter bubbled up unrestrained. “Is it safe?”

He nodded.

She looked at the heart, hesitated, and then held it up to his lips. “You first.”

He opened his mouth and accepted the heart from her delicate fingers. He sucked on it and closed his eyes in delight. “Mmmm…” He leaned back against the iron railing and gave himself over to the joys of a little conversation heart.

Millie let out a breath. “Are you teasing me?”

He lifted a single eyelid. “Yep.”

Extracting another heart, he wrote, “Sweet Lips.”

He held it up for her. “Y-your t-turn.”

Buy Links:
Wild Rose Press    Amazon

About the Author:

heidikneale-small

Heidi Kneale is an Australian author of moderate repute best known for her escapist fiction–especially Fantasy and Romance. She lives in Western Australia, near the ocean. Like most humans, she’s got a family. She also associates with the World’s Most Boring Cat. When not writing novels, she composes music and stares at the stars.

You can find Heidi here:

Website/ Blog/ Facebook/  Twitter/

Goodreads/ Amazon/

 

BE MY LOVE, by J.C. McKenzie

Blurb:

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Broken-hearted and bitter, Brenna Jones plans to spend Valentine’s weekend at her parents’ cabin, reading romance novels and devouring heart-shaped candy. When her truck hits a snowdrift and plows into a bank—during a storm, no less—her plans take a drastic detour. Eric Buchanan, the playboy jerk from her past, comes to her aid. He’s her only option for reaching safety.

Eric can’t wait to escape his parents’ latest attempt to set him up. He’s given up on happiness, knowing he blew his chance at love a decade ago. When his snowmobile ride turns into a harrying escape from a blizzard, he discovers Brenna stranded in the storm. After he ensures her safety, he plans to explain the misunderstanding that tore them apart. Can a secluded cabin help Eric convince Brenna to be his love?

Excerpt:

Candlelight probably wasn’t a great idea. It wouldn’t exactly dampen the growing tension in the cabin, but at least it would distract her from the near-naked man a few feet away.

After searching a few drawers, she found the matches. She milled around, lighting candles and placing them in the kitchen and living room. The soft light flooded the room, adding shadows and the soft fragrance of vanilla. She didn’t use all of them. The candles and flashlight batteries needed to last. They might be holed up here for days.

Days.

Alone with Eric Buchanan in a candle-lit, secluded cabin.

Another deep breath.

She switched off the flashlight and turned to Eric. He sat in front of the fire, leaning back and supporting himself with his arms. The light from the roaring fire licked his chest and highlighted his well-defined abs.

As if he sensed the weight of her attention, he turned and his green gaze locked with hers. Images overtook her mind—their naked bodies entangled in the dancing light of the fire, his hard body pressed against hers, Eric leaning back wearing the same content expression he wore now as she straddled him.

A little devil popped up on her shoulder. You could have that.

Buy Links:

Amazon         The Wild Rose Press

About the Author:

View More: http://photos.pass.us/headshot2

Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

Find J.C. Here:

J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | TWRP | Amazon | Newsletter

 

 

 

 

WWW.CUPID by Annette Miller

Blurb:

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Allison McCall, supervisor in the Romance and Proposal Department of Cupid Corp., firmly believes rules are meant to be followed, yet her own love life is unfulfilling.

Preston Carlyle, Allison’s former boyfriend and one of her more creative agents, believes rules should be broken occasionally to give true love a chance. Only, he’s having a hard time convincing Allison and Cupid his techniques are working.

From the disastrous paperwork and the frequency of Allison’s visits to Cupid’s office on Preston’s behalf, she fears her position and his job are in jeopardy.
But when she finds out he’s requested a transfer to the Holiday Security Agency, Allison decides to prove she cares for him…even if it means breaking a few rules.

Excerpt:

“Come in, Preston, and shut the door.”

“Uh oh,” he said and the door closed with a quiet click. “Not even a please. What did I do this time?”

“This time?” Flinging open his file, she snatched the top paper off and shook it at him. “How about your recent trip to a major theme park? You were supposed to get the young man to propose during the fireworks show, but did you?”

Preston grinned. “Any rookie could have pulled that off. My idea was much better.”

Allison jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on her desk. “Your ‘much better idea’ just landed me in hot water with Cupid! I’m sick of being called on the carpet because you can’t follow the rules and do your job within the parameters of the file you’re given.”

“Come on, Allie. The fact he proposed while she was throwing up after getting off the roller coaster and she accepted, ought to count for something. Think of the great stories they’ll have to tell their kids.”

She narrowed her eyes. The fact he still insisted on calling her by her college nickname told her he’d never live up to become the agent she, and Cupid, she quickly added, wanted him to be.

“Their future relationship is not our department. Shape up or I swear I’ll ship you back down to Flowers and Poetry. As much as you complained about being there, do you really want to go back?”

He stared at her. “No, ma’am. But you wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”

“Yes, I would, in a heartbeat. We have to watch what we do and say these days. Cupid Corporation is merging with Aphrodite Enterprises. Any hiccup now could hinder the merger going through on time. You know how skittish Aphrodite can be. She’s already unsure she should go through with it. Now get your report written and in to me by the end of today. I’m still waiting for the ones from yesterday, too. And my name is Allison, not Allie. Please remember that next time.”

“Fine.” He gazed at her for a few moments. “You’ve changed, Allie, and I’m not sure it’s good for you.”

“I could say the same about you,” she said quietly.

Allison watched Preston leave, then sat, laid her head on her desk, and thumped her fist lightly against the stack of paperwork next to her. Why couldn’t he be the way he was in college? Why did he always have to do things his way? Why was the man so infuriating? She lifted her head before sitting back and smiled. And why did he have to look so adorable while he did it? If only he would follow the rules.

Sarah poked her head into Allison’s office. “So, not good?”

“No. We still on for lunch?”

“Of course.”

Buy Links:

Wild Rose Press      Amazon

About Annette:

I graduated from Mercy High in Baltimore, MD in 1981 and got married to an Air Force man in 1982. We have two amazing boys who have grown into amazing young men. We spent sixteen years in southern New Jersey, four of them at McGuire AFB and the rest in Hammonton. We currently live in Memphis, TN where science fiction, wrestling, and hockey take up what time the cat doesn’t.

Friend Annette Here:  Facebook

 

Enter the WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECOPTER for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE. Click the http//link

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January 27, 2016 · 10:10 am

New Candy Hearts Releases

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Today, I’m introducing you t0 3 more Candy Hearts authors, Tanya Henson, Erin Bevan, and Anita Kidesu and their Candy Hearts stories:   PICK ME, TEXT ME and SURPRISE ME. And don’t forget to enter THE WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECOPTER for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE. Details below.

PICK ME (Tanya Hanson)

Blurb:

pick me

Volunteering at a horse rescue has helped heal schoolteacher Kelsey Hunter after her celebrity ex’s betrayal. Life in the rural California community suits her better than the bling of Hollywood. When she seeks help for a classroom project, she’s thrown into the sphere of a down-to-earth organic farmer and horseman who could really steal her heart…

Landry Mills, successful mega-spokesmodel for a famed Westernwear line, returns to his hometown to regroup and reconsider signing the next contract. Meeting Kelsey explodes feelings in him he wants to make real. But finding out a fancy director’s son recently crushed her spirit has him take things slow. What will Kelsey do when she finds out he’s a celebrity in his own right? He might not be able to bear it…

Excerpt:

Landry stalked to the house and banged the screen door behind him. His furrowed brow stared back at him from his sister’s hallway mirror. A long, long time since any woman had said no to being with him. He didn’t much like the feeling.

Truth was, most times he did the refusing. Holding off pop stars seeking Americana photo-ops, keeping at bay minor European royalty in pursuit of a Wild West cowboy. Or the current divorced/separated/estranged Housewife of Somewhere Stupid wanting to appear wholesome.

He grumbled. And coffee wasn’t even a date.

On his way to the kitchen, he passed a credenza crowded with framed pictures. All the right family ones, but far too many of him.

From inside Amy’s fridge, he grabbed a bottle of cold water, held it against his hot face, then slammed the appliance door. Grunted, wondered at his pique. Maybe because he had decided to come home. To stay this time. Maybe try to find what Amy and Declan had had. Something real.

Even though it hadn’t lasted long enough for his sister. Iraq…There was something different about Kelsey Hunter. Something real about a hard-working woman in tight jeans helping out critters. He took a long swig, remembered. Stretchy pink tank top damp in the right places. Righteous dirt underneath her fingernails. Cinnamon freckles sprinkled across her nose, bright eyes, and brunette hair just a tad lighter than dark-roast coffee mixed with cream. All delicious.

Coffee!

“My goodness, big brother, what’s the deal?” Amy interrupted, trudging in from the living room. She reached for her car keys from a basket on the granite counter. Joy flitted across her face even now. The old house’s kitchen renovation had been his gift to her two Christmases ago. Sometimes his shoulder still felt the damp tears of her gratitude.

For a flash, he glanced out the window up into the hills. He couldn’t see the construction site from here, but he knew exactly where it was. Winsome Hill, the eco-friendly house he was building for himself. Amy had great taste all her own. Her choices for the place had been spot on. Just the right touch of woman for a bachelor pad.

And not so much to threaten another woman.

“You look like you’ve gone and lost your best friend,” she said.

Landry grumbled. He hadn’t had any real friends for far too long. Just hangers-on. Sycophants. An “entourage” of butt-kissers eager for handouts.

Buy Links:

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Author Bio

tanya

A native Californian, I call the central coast my happy home where I live with my firefighter husband.  Traveling to gorgeous places like Hawaii and the Canadian Rockies, volunteering at the local horse rescue, and cuddling up with my two little grandsons are pretty much the chapters of my life.
I’m a high school English teacher by profession, but romance writing is tons different than the classroom. Thanks to the Romance Writers of America and Los Angeles Romance Authors, I learned how to do it right.
Find Tanya here:   Website /Twitter

 

TEXT ME (Erin Bevan)

Blurb:text me

When Erika’s ex becomes her boss less than a year after dumping her by text, she gets desperate to find a date to the corporate Valentine’s dance so he doesn’t suspect she still has feelings for him. Though not a fan of texting for the obvious reason, she doesn’t have much choice but to tap the keypad in order to gain the attention of the only viable candidate from the classified ads.

Grayson made the mistake of listening to his brother a year ago and has regretted what he did to Erika ever since. But his brother’s next suggestion just might be his salvation when he takes out an ad for a Valentine’s date…and Erika answers.

Using a pseudo name and keeping contact to text messages only, Grayson’s plans to make Erika fall back in love with him appears to be working…until the date of the dance draws near, and she pushes a meeting—face to face.

Excerpt:

Valentine’s Day.

She sank deeper into the couch. What was she going to do? She couldn’t show up alone to the company dance. Not with the chance of Grayson being there. No way.

“Maybe go to another speed dating session?” She grabbed a tissue off the coffee table and wiped the excess slime from her fingers.

“My hairdresser’s single. You want me to ask him?”

“Your hairdresser’s gay. I don’t think he’d be interested in me.”

“Really?” Megan gave her a funny stare.

“Really.” Erika snorted. “Have you not seen the picture of him and his ex-partner at his station?”

“That was his partner?” Her friend’s mouth gapped open. “I thought it was his brother.”

She shook her head. Her friend was one of the smartest people she knew, but common sense eluded the girl.

Megan popped more hearts in her mouth. “That explains so much now,” she mumbled around the candy. “No wonder my hair always looks good.”

“Yes, it does.” Erika sipped her wine.

Her friend swallowed. “Well, I’m sorry, honey. I don’t know any single guys. If I did, I’d try to date them myself.”

“That’s okay.” She sighed and slumped back onto the sofa.

“Is Grayson single?”

“I don’t know. Why are you asking?” She narrowed her gaze. “You want to date him?”

“No.” Her friend said “no” as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. “I’m thinking about you. You wouldn’t go back out with Grayson again, would you? Please say no.” Megan’s shoulders sagged.

Go back out with Grayson. She never thought she’d be given another chance. Would she go back out with him after the way he treated her? Of course not. She deserved better, despite how wonderful he had been.

“I don’t think so. He really hurt me. I can’t give him that privilege again.”

“Good for you.” Her roommate perked up and patted her on the back. “Stay strong. You’ll find someone.”

“You’re right. I’m going to have a date for that corporate Valentine’s dance, even if I have to search the classifieds.”

“Surely, it won’t come to that.” Megan held up her glass for a toast.

Erika clinked hers with her friend’s. “Yeah, surely.”

Her roommate sat her glass down on the table and reached for more hearts.

“Here, give me one of those.”

“I love reading the little sayings.” Megan passed her a heart and tossed her dark hair behind her shoulder. “What’s yours say?”

She flipped over the candy to see the phrase. Bright pink letters stared back at her. Oh, you can’t be serious. “‘Text me’. Seriously?”

Megan burst out laughing.

“You would find that funny.” Erika popped the heart in her mouth and obliterated the little saying she had grown to hate so much.

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press         Amazon 

About Erin Bevan

Erin8

 

Erin Bevan is a wife and mother of three. An avid reader, one day she decided to try her luck in writing stories of her own, and the idea paid off. She spends her days deep in the heart of Texas, fighting mosquitoes, cleaning dirty faces, and writing when the kids nap. If it’s a really good day, she even finds time to brush her hair.

Find Erin here: Facebook   Website   Twitter

 

 

Surprise Me ( Anita Kidesu)

Blurb:

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Josie and Carson Sandberg are on the cusp of being empty-nesters. With a cross-country move and Carson’s busy work schedule, there hasn’t been much time to connect. When gifted with a romantic getaway and challenge that says “Surprise Me,” the two embark on a trip that reveals secret desires and more. But sometimes a fantasy is better left undiscovered.

Excerpt:

“Follow you home?” he asked, calculating in his mind how long it would take before he could get her in bed.

“I have a better idea.”

“What?”

“I can’t wait to go home to make love. Let’s go parking.”

Carson swallowed around the lump in his throat. “Parking? That’s for kids. We haven’t gone parking since…”

She chucked him under his chin. “I know. Since high school. But, surprise, I want to go parking.” She tugged on his earlobe. “Fumble in the dark. Sex in the back seat. Steam up the windows.”

Grabbing her hand, he headed for the parking lot. His cock pulsed to the beat of his pounding heart. If this was her idea of how to begin their Surprise Me week, then they were off to a good start. “Whose vehicle?”

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press       Amazon:

About Anita:

My picture resized (2)

From the time she was a teenager, Anita would sneak her mother’s romances and read them until all hours of the night. She never thought about creating one herself, but fell into it with a few friends. On an over-long road trip, they started talking about their favorite authors and why they like their books. To kill time, they started making up their own characters and plot.

From that point on, Anita had story ideas and characters filling her head. Finally, to shut them up, (or so she thought), she started writing them down, surprised at how erotic her characters turned out to be.

Now, in between being a pharmacist, taking care of her two cats, and spending time with her family and friends, she writes. Her stories are about love and romance on the edge.

Her first book, South Seas Seduction, an erotica with The Wild Rose Press, was released in March of this year.

Contact Information:

Website/blog:    Facebook:    Twitter: Pinterest:   Amazon:

 

 

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January 26, 2016 · 10:07 am

Reviews – a Necessary Evil?

I’ve talked many times about how important reviews of your writing work have become to the present day author. The old sayings a review can make or break you and you are only as good as your next book seem to still be true. I heard a few days ago that Amazon uploads approximately 100,000 new books/novels/novellas/short stories per day, and even if that is remotely true, your ability to get your work “seen” by people who will buy it is crucial. And several excellent reviews can help you attain that goal.

But what about that bad review? A whole sea of 4’s and 5’s, with excellent comments and praise is sitting alongside that 3 –or even worse – 2 star evaluation. What happens then? Do people even consider it, since all the other reviews are glowing? Does a potential reader’s eyes glaze over it, not recognizing it? These are valid questions, but the one that always leaps to my mind is Why, if they didn’t like the book and had nothing – nothing – good to say about it, did they even bother to write a review?

I grew up in a time (in a galaxy far, far away it appears!) where I was taught “If you can’t say something nice or positive, keep your mouth closed.” It’s a practice I struggle with daily, but somehow manage to achieve. Most other people? Not so much.

You see rude comments everywhere these days: television commentators, political analysts, tweets, Facebook comments, music. Even reality tv shows that get the highest ratings are all about how the “housewives” or other cast members bash one another verbally. What the heck has happened to considering the other person’s feelings? When did treat others as you would wish to be treated fly out the window to fall to its civil death?

The internet has made anonymity and the ability to say any old mean thing that pops into your head a normal occurrence. There are no repercussions for rude comments; no responsibility for hurtful and just plain mean words; and no thoughts that you may damaging another person’s reputation – personally AND professionally.

Is it because the person writing and posting the poor reviews or comments feels powerful? Or are they so narcissistic they need to see their name plastered across the internet whether their comment is vile or not? And again, if you truly did not like the book, why waste your time reviewing it? Move on to another book you can like and say good things about. I have started and/or read hundreds – HUNDREDS – of books that I simply did not care for. Some I tossed down after the first few pages, forgotten, while I picked up another. Some I’ve slushed through only to find I shouldn’t have wasted my time. Those books never got a review or rating from me because (a) it would have been a waste of time for me to do, (b) even though I didn’t like it, someone must have because it made it to print, and ( c) as an author I know negative words can hurt, maim, depress, and cause physical pain and I would never want to be the cause of someone else’s feeling of grief or agony.

Am I the only one who feels this way? I’d love to hear from other writers – and even reviewers – about this. Do you post a negative review? If so, why? From authors, have negative reviews hurt you professionally?

And most importantly – how do you recover from, or steel yourself against – those horrible reviews.

Let’s discuss……

Coming 2/8/16 but avialable for PREORDER NOW:: 3 WISHES ( A Candy Hearts Romance) 

 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.

Buy Links for 3 WISHES : On Amazon     From The Wild Rose Press

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January 25, 2016 · 10:10 am

Week 4 of Candy Hearts

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Today, meet Candy Hearts Authors Misty Simon, Ursula Whistler and Candace Sams and their additions to the series, ONE KISS, JE T’AIME, and EVER AFTER. And don’t forget to enter THE WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECOPTER for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE. Details are below.

                                                   One Kiss  ( Misty Simon)

Blurb:perf5.000x8.000.indd

The last place Lorena Weber wants to be on Valentine’s Day is a singles party thrown by her newlywed best friend. But how can she say no? She’ll give it an hour—two, tops—and then she’s heading back to her normal life. But she didn’t plan on seeing the one man who had turned her world on its side New Year’s Eve with one kiss that opened doors she had firmly locked.

Caleb Manning got coerced into attending this ridiculous party by a co-worker. He’ll stay for an hour at most and then he’ll head home. That was the plan until he recognized Lorena across the room and had to see if that kiss was only New Year’s Eve magic or something more.

Excerpt:

By thirty-three he was on the verge of a divorce. The heart attack never came to pass, but the divorce had finalized just before New Year’s Eve, in time for the taxes to be screwed up.

But at least it was over. And he had celebrated New Year’s by going downtown to a local celebration where his new town actually dropped an eight-foot wrench from a crane in celebration of the New Year. The absurdity of the eight-foot wrench had distracted him from his loneliness for the moment. But then he’d been alone while everyone else was hugging and kissing at the stroke of midnight. He’d turned and seen the woman next to him was alone, too. They’d both laughed, shrugged, and then hugged. He hadn’t meant to kiss her, but she’d looked up at him with her mismatched eyes, and he couldn’t resist. Something had flared between them, something impossible to deny. Hell, he hadn’t even tried. It had been short, as kisses went, but it had packed a wallop. He hadn’t been able to get her name, and that was his only regret.

“Caleb!”

He hadn’t moved fast enough into the room for the ball of energy that was Melanie. She must have thought he wasn’t doing enough to immerse himself in her party. “Hey, Mel.”

“Did Dillon get your coat?”

“Yep.” He tucked his hands into his pockets and hunched a little. He felt gargantuan next to her.

“Well, come in and get something to drink. Mingle. The games are going to start in a few minutes, and I want you hydrated.” She smiled, and he blew out a soft breath. He’d had no idea what to expect, and the prospect of games did not exactly inspire confidence in him. But he could always step outside into the frigid February air if he had to. At least she’d calmed down on the exclamation points that had infused her voice for the last ten days. She was like one of the perpetually happy people he wanted to throttle except they were just too cute for him to actually do anything like that.

“Are you sure I can’t help you with anything?” He wasn’t above offering himself to kitchen duty to get out of playing games with a roomful of single people. Knowing Melanie, it would probably be something like Spin the Bottle.

“No, you can’t.” She grabbed his elbow, and he let her lead him out into the living room. “Mingle. And I can find you if you try to sneak away, so don’t.”

With that, she walked away in her four-inch heels like a drill sergeant on a mission, to greet more people coming through the door.

He made no eye contact as he headed for the buffet set up in the spacious dining room. He’d promised Melanie he’d come to her party to get her off his back about finding someone, but he had not agreed to participate in party games. An hour tops and he was leaving.

A woman laughed at the front of the line with a bunch of other women. The husky sound shot like one of Cupid’s arrows down his spine and landed in his gut. Where had he heard that laugh before?

He didn’t place it for a moment. But it all zinged into place when she turned toward him and he caught a full-faced glimpse of her mismatched eyes.

Buy Links

Amazon    Wild Rose Press

Author Bio: Laughter and Love are two main components of any story I write. Laughter really is the best medicine and my heroines always figure that out at some point, though perhaps some later than others. I live in Central Pennsylvania with my family and two rambunctious dogs in a house that is about to celebrate its two hundredth birthday.mistysimon

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Je T’aime ( Ursula Whistler)

Blurb:

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Looking for inspiration, designer Genevieve Hoffman agrees to an apartment swap and heads to the south of France. But when the apartment owner’s brother returns from deployment, she finds herself with a man who inspires fantasies rather than fashion.

Etienne Gagnon barely made it out of Syria alive during his last special forces assignment. All he wants is a little R&R in the apartment he shares with his sister. But the woman making breakfast in his kitchen isn’t his sister. He might not understand a word coming out of her mouth but he has no problem reading body language and likes what she’s saying just fine.

 

Excerpt:

With no more delays, he strode out the door and smiled at her dancing as she cooked in the small kitchen. Her back was to him. Her long black ponytail swung back and forth, opposite her hips. She’d lost some weight, too. Her bare legs had more tone than he remembered from last summer when she’d joined him at the gym. She was singing with such volume she didn’t hear him.

He took advantage of her distraction and grabbed her around the waist as he announced in French, “Surprise! I’m home!”

She snapped her head back, whacking the back of her head into his nose. Sharp pain made him grab his face, letting go of her. Her well-placed elbow cracked against his rib cage. An oof escaped his lips as he absorbed the blow. He backed away just in time to avoid a round kick to his knee. He let go of his side and put both hands in front of his chest in self-defense mode. She’d not land any more hits. “Brigitte! Why? It’s me! Stop this!”

This wasn’t his stepsister. This woman resembled her greatly, except she had larger breasts, better legs, and excellent self-defense tactics. She yelled in English. What she said was a mystery, but her face and body language told him everything he needed to know. She was fully prepared to kick his ass.


 

Buy Links:

Wild Rose Press  Amazon

About the Author:

Ursula Whistler

A few years ago, Ursula Whistler got annoyed at a misunderstanding that happened with a group blog. That anger spurred her to write an erotic romance, which after many rounds of editing, became her first published story. Through some more writing and plenty of support from her colleagues in the Southern Louisiana Romance Writers group, she kept writing contemporary erotic romances mostly set in New Orleans.

Now that she’s moved to Florida, she’s writing and publishing with The Wild Rose Press as she adjusts to beach life and caring for her ailing mother. You won’t hear much about her mother unless you follow her on Facebook or Twitter, but at her website, she writes the stories behind the stories and other snapshots of her life.

 

You can find Ursula here:

Website:     Facebook:    Twitter:      Google+:

                                   Ever After (Candace Sams)

ever after

Blurb:

Dillon Greenleaf is a member of Mythreal royalty and head of his planet’s security. Debutantes have been chasing him his entire adult life in order to wed a man of power, and he’s totally off women in general. But when he meets Keira Foley, an Earth officer, who he suspects is a pirate spy, he finds he quite likes the Plain Jane female.
 
Keira has been pegged brilliant and unattractive by her fellow officers, something she doesn’t mind until she meets the hot, royal stud-muffin who believes she is capable of treason against her own world. When they meet again at the Earth Embassy’s Valentine’s Day ball, Keira however blows Dillon’s mind.
 
Yet, in the midst of trying to find the real traitor, Dillon’s match-making grandmother, and a night made for love, Keira and Dillon must decide if they can put aside their differences in time to find a love that will be ever after.

Excerpt:

What the hell was he thinking?

After raiding Earth’s greenhouses for a way to get his undivided attention, she’d traveled to the remote local in the woodlands, two hours away from any civilization. Aside from this being what she’d romantically referred to as her spot, she’d picked the location because it’d be free of any surveillance devices.

When the sound of a very fast, powerful shuttle sounded in the distance, she stood in the middle of the lovely glen. The time it’d taken him to arrive hadn’t diminished her anger one bit.

As he came closer, slowed the shuttle to a stop and hopped out of it, she didn’t miss the sidearm strapped to his side. Her own was handy on her left hip, being left-handed as she was.

If things went south, there was going to be an investigation that’d rock the whole planet to its core. She prayed he’d listen. But his treacherous act—his obvious sense of being above any laws—led her to believe he wouldn’t.

As he approached, with narrowed eyes and a warrior’s wary stance, she held onto the remaining threads of her temper. How dare he stare at her as though she was the one to be suspected? Where does he get off?

Finally he stopped five feet away. Since she’d called this meeting, she meant to go first.

“I believe this is yours?” she remarked as she held up the small, silver burnt casing of his bugging device between her right thumb and index finger, leaving her gun hand ready. What was left of the device after being remotely fried—in such a way that it wouldn’t even produce a small puff of smoke or any odor—wasn’t much. But the casing had stayed attached to the underside of the embassy desk. No bugging device could be completely eliminated from a remote local, though she was sure he’d counted on her ignorance in even knowing what the remnants of the little round case were.

“The device you used was so highly advanced it heavily scrambled our security camera’s recorded images,” she claimed, “but I managed to piece enough of the video together to see who you were and the date. There was no mistaking a megalithic Mythrealian planting something beneath the general’s desk. All I had to do was check the damned guest list for the last time you were in our compound. The date you were there matched what was on the image!” She slowly shook her head. “Did you honestly think nobody would ever run a security scan? Do you think we’re that backward?”

He lifted his chin and came clean. “I’ll say this for you…your technical skills are beyond good. You managed to reveal my actions so let’s not tarry. Let’s get straight to the point.” He took a deep breath. “Yes…I’ve done exactly as you claim. I bugged your embassy. The act was mine and mine alone. I had no orders to execute this plan.”

She slowly shook her head. “Why? Why, in the name of God, would you do such a thing?”

“Because of you!”

Buy Links:

The WIld Rose Press   Amazon

Amazon Author Bio:

candace sams

CANDACE SAMS (also writing as C. S. Chatterly) graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in agriculture. She worked as a police officer with the State of Texas, the San Diego Police Department, and in a teaching capacity for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Candace is the senior woman on the US Kung Fu Team (three black belts), and has been awarded the Medal of Putien and the Statue of Tao by the Chinese Martial Arts Confederation in Quanzhou, China. She holds international martial arts titles, and is an award-winning fiction author. Contact her through her website at http://www.candacesams.com.

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