Tag Archives: The Wild Rose Press

January 24, 2016 · 10:40 am

A visit with Misty Simon, Candy Hearts Author

Today I get to interview MISTY SIMON, author of the Candy Hearts romance ONE KISS which releases tomorrow! Getting to know Misty I realize we share a lot in common: our love for Stephanie Plum, our need for tunnelvision when working, and the fact we both think a bare wrist can be a turn on! Here’s Misty:

Misty, The Writer

What drives you to write? I have so many stories running around through my head and things I’d like to share.

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? I write contemporary and romance with mystery because I love happy endings!

What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I read historical because they are the one genre I’ll never write so I get to just enjoy them for what the are. Plus, who doesn’t love when a bare wrist can turn a guy on?

What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I write every day and try to hit at least 1500 words around my day job and family.

Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I have a huge desk that’s actually supposed to a breakfast bar. LOL. It’s in the library surrounded by shelves of books.

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? Tunnelvision, baby! There are too many things going on with three dogs a teenager and a husband to find total quiet, but I do love my iPod with earbuds.

Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? And that answered this question, partially I listen to everything and anything that strikes my fancy at the moment from the 20’s to current plus a ton of classical.

How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? Because it’s the next book in my Kissinger Kisses story the couple was already there, I just had to come up with their obstacles. I think one very serious woman and one fun-loving guy can create their own shenanigans.

Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Character for romance but plot is super important for the mysteries.

What 3 words describes you, the writer? Romance, Mystery, Sass

Misty – The Person

Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I was classically trained to sing opera
Who was your first love and what age were you? Wil Wheaton and I was twelve ( Awww! Love that! PJ)
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…. The day I signed my first contract.
Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Well, not that depends…but I really like boxers.
If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Lip gloss
What three words describes you, the person? Fun, outgoing, dependable
If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? I Want You Now by Depeche Mode
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? Stephanie Plum who I would teach to shot and help her remember to get her gun out of her cookie jar

Bonus round

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

Favorite sound – rain on a tin roof
Least favorite sound – nails on the chalkboard
Best song every written – Somebody
Worst song ever written – That one about the shoes at Christmas
Favorite actor and actress – Harrison Ford and Sandra Bullock
Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) A duchess in the 1700s just to see what it was like
What turns you on? Intelligence and laughter
What turns you off? Arrogance
Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) You can’t put that way…
What’s your version of a perfect day? Reading, writing, talking, napping and snuggling.

ONE KISS

Blurb:

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.

About Misty

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.

Buy Links for One Kiss:

Amazon Wild Rose Press

Find Misty here: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon Author Page

Here’s a review for One Kiss from a happy reader

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Filed under Candy Hearts, Contemporary Romance, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as Candy Hearts Romance Series, Divorce, Romance, Romance Author, second chance at love, The Wild Rose Press, Valentine's Day

January 17, 2016 · 9:13 am

A visit with Candy Hearts author Desiree Holt

Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Candy Hearts author Desiree Holt, author of TWEET ME, a timely, fun, and sexy addition to the Candy Hearts Series. Read about her journey in the writing realm, and don’t forget to enter the RAFFLECOPTER at the end of this blog for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE donated by The Wild Rose Press. And you can read my review of TWEET ME here

A Writer’s Journey

I think that I wanted to be a writer for my entire life. When my children were young I loved making up stories for them. I could hardly wait for the opportunity to put those words down on paper and create something of substance. Unfortunately life got in the way, and beyond work and raising a family my dream got stuffed in the closet until I finally retired. Even then it too four more years before I was able to actually begin to write.

Now, you’d think since I’d been dreaming about this for so long that the writing would be easy, right? Wrong! Oh, I even had an outline for my story, a murder mystery. No, not a romance. Not then. Why? Because growing up, my mother and my sister only read mysteries while I was growing up so I sort of followed in their footsteps. I enjoyed reading, them, really, and could hardly wait until I had the time to write one of my own.

That didn’t happen until both my late husband and myself retired. Then I was so excited to begin. I even had a complete plot and my list of characters all worked out. But a funny thing happened on the way to writing that book. After three months I still had only three chapters written. Now anyone who knows me knows that I can really crank out the words so it wasn’t hard to figure out that something was wrong.

Then one day I read a romantic suspense, fell in love with the plot and the genre and thought to myself, Okay, this is for me. Overnight it seemed a plot crystalized in my brain and I began writing. I loved that book. Just loved it. Of course, I had no idea what to do with it. I found the local romance authors group, almost by accident, and joined. I realized before the first meeting was over exactly how much I had to learn about writing a book. What a sock! You mean have to do all those things? Follow a plan? Etc etc etc.

At least I discovered where and how to submit my book, and so began the next part of my journey. One hundred and thirty seven rejections later the book still had not found a home, all though It took me five years to get that first book polished enough to finally make the sale.

In the meantime, however, I wasn’t getting any younger and I saw my shiny career disappearing into the dust of the future. But writing was in my blood and the ideas kept churning around in my brain so each day I was back at the computer, pounding away.

And guess what? I finally made my first sale. First I was numb. Then I opened a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and we had a drink to celebrate. Good thing I didn’t drink too much because the lessons on how tow rite a book that sells were just beginning. I’ll bet you thought all you had to do was sit down at the computer and start pounding away.

Wrong!

I learned things like “the hero’s journey” and “Big Black Moment” and “backstory” and…and…and… I was exhausted just looking at all the rules and regulations. But after I got over the shock I realized they were there for a reason and really did make for a better book. In all the hundreds of books I’ve read since then, it’s been easy to spot the books that break the rules. And trust me, they aren’t as good as the ones that don’t. A good story still needs to be told well.

Over the years I have worked hard to grow my talent and create stories people would love. I discovered early on that I write character-driven stories. To me, the character is the essence of a story. Create your characters, play the What If game with them and the stories will almost create themselves. I also learned that very often the finished product bears very little resemblance to what I began with. Again, it’s the characters. They live in my head and talk to me if they don’t like what I’m doing. I’ve learned I’d better listen to them.

Once I began writing romance I realized it as the best of all possible worlds. Under the romance banner I could—and have—written many subgenres—suspense, thriller, paranormal, to name just a few. I love living with my characters and telling their stories.

I’ve had so many funny things happen to em when people meet me and realize I fit well into the Senior Citizen category. I guess they think if you’re over forty-five you don’t know what romance is. I tell them that’s when it just begins. I’m even writing a series for couples fifty-five and over. It’s never to late to write and it’s never too late to love.

I have learned that if you really work hard at your craft you can succeed. I love writing so I don’t ever see myself not doing this. My characters and their love stories are my gift to my readers of all ages, who I truly love, and I plan to keep creating them for a very long time.

If you have the urge, it’s never too late to start.

About Desiree

Desiree Holt has produced more than two hundred titles in nearly every subgenre of romance fiction. She has won the EPIC Award for action/adventure, the Authors After Dark Award for Author of he Year, The Holt Medallion and been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The (London) Daily Mail, The Daily Beast, The Village Voice, US News and World Report and The Huffington Post, to name a few. Her stories are enriched by her personal experiences, her characters by the people she meets. After fifteen ears in the great state of Texas she relocated back to Florida to be closer to members of her family and a large collection of friends. Her favorite pastimes are watching football, reading, and researching her stories.

Learn more about her and read her novels here:

Website/ Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

To receive Desiree’s newsletter sign up/click here:

Win a KINDLE FIRE, courtesy of the Wild Rose Press: (Click on the http://link)<a class=”rcptr” href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/126861c115/” rel=”nofollow” data-raflid=”126861c115″ data-theme=”classic” data-template=”” id=”rcwidget_vibd13mu”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Tagged as CandyHearts romances, Desiree Holt, The Wild Rose Press, The Wild Rose Press Author, Tweet Me, wedding planner

January 15, 2016 · 9:14 am

A visit with Kayden Claremont

I’d like you to meet CandyHearts Romance author Kayden Claremont, author or RED HOT. I wanted to get to know her a little better and she answered a few questions for me today. You can read an excerpt of her new Candy Hearts release RED HOT below, and remember to enter the WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECOPTER at the end of this blog for a chance at a KINDLE FIRE.

Here’s Kayden:

What drives you to write?

The characters. I know that sounds crazy but it’s true. Since I was a kid characters haunted my brain. They won’t leave me alone until their story is finished. Then there are more characters wanting me to tell their story. Even when I decide to quit, and we all do, within hours I’m typing again.

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?

I write Paranormal Erotic Romance. Paranormal because that’s the geek in me. I’m labeled erotic because the characters like having sex, and romance because I believe everyone and thing deserves to be in love.

How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?

Red Hot is set in a western theme park. The family went to Arizona and we took a day trip to Tombstone. I fell in love with the idea of spending my day reenacting the Old West. I wanted to pack up and move there, but my husband and the kids didn’t like the idea. This story just blossomed in my mind while I was walking around this fascinating town.

RED HOT

Blurb:

Treena Stanton, artistic coordinator of Sierra’s Cowboy Theme Park, wants to exact revenge on Clayton Wagner. She had a crush on him in school, but he never acknowledged her existence. Revenge is sweet but not as sweet as the pleasure of his touch.

Strategic accounts manager, Clayton Wagner lost a bet and has to work the next twenty-four hours at his buddy’s theme park. But when his “boss for the day” with mouth-watering curves demands he wear a cowboy costume, all he can think about is finding out what’s under her petticoat. But when the truth is revealed about their past, will the sparks of passion fizzle or burst into Red Hot flames?

Excerpt: Treena smiled at him. How could she not smile at that head of thick, black hair and those mahogany-colored eyes that had driven all the girls wild in school?

Clayton had been the captain of the football team and Treena had been–well, totally invisible to him.

She stood, straightened her shoulders to make her C-cups seem bigger, moved her hand down her navy skirt to accentuate her hips, and pointed to the costume. “No. I’m not kidding.” She took a step closer, tucking her long, red hair behind her ear as his spicy aftershave enticed her. “You applied for a job at Sierra’s Cowboy Theme Park and you’re confused about working as a character?” Darting her tongue across her bottom lip, she waited for her words to pierce his pride. “What kind of work did you think you’d be doing here?”

He tensed, as every fiber in his masculine body screamed not this. Satisfaction danced deep inside her. Even in his Italian suit, she could see that he was still athletic, with muscular arms and thighs. Clay still made her pulse race.

By the way he looked at her, she could tell she still had no effect on him at all. He stood inches away from her, looking her right in the eye, and hadn’t recognized her. Should she wave? Chant the school’s victory song?

Buy LInks:

Amazon The WIld Rose press

About the Author:

Kayden loves sexy, well-crafted stories of lust and love. Her sensuous style drives the characters in lustful romps. When she is not crafting erotic romantic stories, she can be found crocheting or making jewelry.

Kayden is a member of Romance Writers of America, Toronto Romance Writers, and Writing Community of Durham Region.

She hopes you enjoy her other books, Hell’s Bounty, and Timeless Passion, all published by The Wild Rose Press.

Kayden loves to hear from her readers. You can find her here:

Website/ Blog/ Twitter/ facebook

Enter to win a KINDLE FIRE courtesy of THE WILD ROSE PRESS clinck the http://link

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Tagged as fiction, Kayden CLremont, red Hot, Romance, The Wild Rose Press

January 14, 2016 · 9:06 am

Candy Hearts Author Judy Davis Visits

Today I’ve got Candy Hearts Romance author JUDY ANN DAVIS, author of SWEET KISS with me, talking about how she “digs up” ideas for her writing. Judy began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communications and has written for industry and education throughout her career.

Over a dozen of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards.

When Judy Ann is not behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.

She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and lives with her husband in Central PA.

AT the end of the blog is a link to enter the WILD ROSE PRESS RAFFLECTOPTER for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE.

Here’s Judy:

Digging Up Story Ideas

One of the many questions people ask when they know I‘m a writer is: How do writers come up with a story ideas? Ideas abound all over and are all around us. They spring from various sources such as our dreams, books and newspapers we’ve read, movies we’ve seen, television shows and current events we’ve watched, and writing groups we belong to. But many writers find that their own experiences and people watching are two of the best ways to get inspiration.

In “Sweet Kiss,” my novella for The Wild Rose Press “Candy Heart Romance” series, the first thing I chose, after selecting the title “Sweet Kiss,” was the setting. Where do I want my characters to live and work and play? I knew I wanted the hero to be a marina owner, and I knew I wanted the heroine to be a small business, coffee shop owner. Because I’m familiar with New Smyrna Beach in Florida, a small town below Daytona Beach on the west coast, I decided to fashion my town after it and call my fictitious town, “Little Heron Shores.”

Let me add that I personally love to write romance with a touch of mystery—and if possible, a little comedy, at least in the dialogue. I believe humor keeps the storyline from falling flat. And who doesn’t like to chuckle or laugh?

Knowing that I wanted some comedy, I decided a quirky and ditzy post mistress called Eva May Poole would be my so-called “villainess” who could mix the plot, hound the hero as she searched for a third husband, and aggravate the main character, Kate Clark. I also decided Kate would need to have a prior relationship with—or prior connection to—Tappe Vanderberg, the hunky Dutch hero. Also, they would have had to share a “sweet kiss” when they were high school sweethearts.

And thus, the story begins to take flight inside what we call the bizarre brain of the writer. After laying the foundation, I usually let my characters do some talking and walking on their own…unless they get overzealous. Then, I sit down and outline to rein them in.

I’ll end with this. For those who want to try writing piece of fiction, just do it. One of my favorite authors, who could spin a tightly-written, clean and interesting tale, was Louis L’Amour. His advice to those who want to write was: “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Sweet Kiss ( A CandyHearts Romance)

Blurb

Hard-working Kate Clark opens a thriving coffee shop that quickly becomes the local hang-out for students and the community. Her one wish is to eventually buy out her sister’s share of the old Florida home they inherited. However, Violet is in desperate need of cash and has other plans.

Tappe Vanderberg, Kate’s childhood friend and high school sweetheart, has sold his lucrative internet security business to return to Little Heron Shores and fulfill his dreams of owning a marina. Now the handsome Dutch-born businessman is making waves with single women all over town—including loony, post mistress Eva May Poole who’s in search of husband number three.

But it’s Kate Clark who’s wreaking havoc with Tappe’s heart, not Eva May. Can he find a way to shake the dingbat post mistress and convince Kate to give him a second chance and the sweet kiss he remembers from an earlier time?

Excerpt:

Tappe picked up the grimy jar of candy hearts. “No way! I can’t believe Fay saved your candy hearts.” He twisted off the lid and shook one into his hand.

“Neither can I. Don’t you dare put that into your mouth. Those candies are over a decade old!”

“So? Sugar doesn’t spoil.”

“Okay, go ahead. Eat it. Poison yourself. Why should I care?” Kate said drily. “Just don’t call me in the middle of the night.” With a shake of her head, she turned back to the stove, took out a cold plate from the freezer, and plopped a teaspoon of the liquid from the bubbling pot on it, then ran a finger through the mixture to see if the jam stayed parted and stable, refusing to run together. She removed the pot from the stove, set it on the table, and started filling the pint and half-pint jars.

“You don’t mean that.” He dropped the candy back into the jar, and came up behind her. He started nuzzling her on the side of her neck.

“Do you realize I’m working with hot liquids?” She tried to be stern as she squirmed away still holding the hot pot. She could never quite pull off reprimanding

Tappe, especially when he was on a roll. And he was on a roll.

“Not as hot as you are. Want to make out?”

Kate looked at him askance. “Now? Here? Are you sane?”

“Yes, I’m fairly lucid. But if your answer is a no to making out, then can I lick the pot instead?”

“If you promise to quit licking my neck.”

Buy Links:

Amazon Wild Rose press

My review of SWEET KISS is here:

Find Judy here:

Website/ Blog/ Facebook Author Page

Twitter / Goodreads/ The Wild Rose Press/

Amazon Author Page / Newsletter FB Page

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

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Filed under Author, Candy Hearts, Contemporary Romance, Friends, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, Wild Rose Press Authoe

Tagged as Candy Hearts Romance, Contemporary romance, Judy Ann Davis, Sweet Kiss, The Wild Rose Press

January 12, 2016 · 9:21 am

A little talk with Monique DeVere 1/12

Today I’ve got a little interview with Monique DeVere, Candy Hearts author of KISS ME AGAIN, available tomorrow.

Here’s a glimpse into Monique’s writing life. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this blog for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE, courtesy of the Wild Rose press.

What drives you to write?

Monique: I can’t NOT write, or create something. I write because I love people, because I love LOVE, and the idea that God created two people especially for each other. I love happy-ever-afters, and enjoy writing about people who finds theirs with laughter, and sometimes tears, along the way.

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?

Monique: I write Romantic Comedy and Romantic Comedy/Mystery/Suspense.

What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why?

Monique: I enjoy reading Romantic Suspense, Category Romance, and of course Romantic Comedy, but my thirst for knowledge leads me to read more nonfiction.

What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday?

Monique: Early morning is my ultimate writing time, and I try to get my words in early. However, this doesn’t always work out because, more often than I care to admit, I let doubts and negative reviews stop me from writing. This type of funk can last for weeks! I’ve promised myself to do better in 2016! First stop…read NO reviews.

Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?

Monique: I have a study where I can thankfully close the door and write. I very much doubt I would ever get a word written otherwise.

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?

Monique: I only wish I had tunnel vision. It takes no effort at all for me to come up with story ideas, so the slightest distraction can trip my imagination on a new story path, even in the middle of a full-on writing flow. Needless to say: this is my gift, and my curse.

Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not?

Monique: Sadly no, I can’t listen to music while I write. I need total silence in order to focus on creating a story, to visualize every scene with enough clarity to translate it to the written word. I’m easily distracted, so I tend not to allow any type of distractions. I’ll listen to music before and after writing, but never during.

KISS ME AGAIN will be released tomorrow. Here’s a little snippet about it and then… a little snippet of it!

What can be more romantic than a Valentine’s Day wedding?

A Valentine’s Day wedding on a Caribbean beach!

The last thing Riley Flynn wants is to be present at her ex-fiancé’s wedding—which should have been hers—but she refuses to give him the satisfaction, despite the nosedive her life has recently taken. Now, if she can only find a plus one to prove she isn’t a complete failure.

All Sam Rutherford wants is a peaceful life, but his zany neighbor is making it impossible. The woman is a menace to herself, and anyone in her path—he has the dent in his car to prove it. But when she raises those big amber eyes and confides in him, how can he say no to anything she wants? Soon she’s invading his life and bungling her way… into his heart.

Excerpt

“I’d have to kiss you first before I can kiss you again.” The low intimate timbre of his tone sent a prickle over her, tightened her skin.

To disguise the sudden wired sensation in the pit of her stomach, Riley popped the sweet into her mouth, smiled then shrugged. “Well, there’s that.”

Even from the distance of his desk that separated them, Riley noticed the way his gaze dipped to her mouth then darkened as she crunched the chalky sweet.

“C’mere.” His voice, richer, darker, and sexier caressed her.

Riley gulped against the tension constricting her throat; her heart pounded in anticipation as she swallowed the chewed candy. “I don’t think that would be wise, Sam.”

“I’m not asking you to be wise, Riley. I’m asking you to come over here.”

“Why? Do you need me to look at something in that file you were reading?” She kept a playful smile in place as she thought of a way to ease out of yet another potentially awkward moment she’d created with Sam. She was pretty sure she’d make a fool of herself if she closed the space between them.

“Riley.” Her insides liquefied whenever he said her name with such command. “Come here.” With that rusty edge to his usually smooth voice, she couldn’t help but obey.

She slowly pushed to her feet and, on shaky legs, she moved around the desk toward him. “Sam?”

He stood, closed the remaining space between them. “Say my name again.”

“Sam…” This time it came out breathy and needy.

Buy Links:

Amazon Wild Rose Press

Author Bio

Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.

You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.

Where to Find Monique:

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

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Filed under Candy Hearts, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as Candy Hearts Author, Candy Hearts Romance, Kiss Me Again, Monique DeVere, Romance, The Wild Rose Press

January 10, 2016 · 2:11 am

Candy hearts Author Jana Richards

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Jana Richards, author of CHILL OUT (A Candy Hearts Romance.) I love a story with an animal as one of the characters. Jana is sharing what her inspiration for her hero’s dog, Spike was.

Don’t forget to enter the WILDROSE PRESS RAFFLECOPTER at the end of this blog for a chance at a KINDLE FIRE.

Here’s Jana:

My Inspiration for Spike

In my contemporary romance, CHILL OUT, my hero Noah arrives at his friend’s cottage with his dog Spike in tow. Spike is a rather large dog, to say the least. He’s an English Mastiff, and according to Dog Breed Info, the male of this breed averages 30 inches (76 cm) in height, and about 160 pounds (72 kg), though a male Mastiff can exceed 200 pounds. That’s a lot of dog!

Fortunately, English Mastiffs are not aggressive and are known as Gentle Giants. But that doesn’t mean they’re pushovers. They’re natural guard dogs and are fiercely loyal to their families. They rarely bark, but if an intruder were to break into the house, he might find himself cornered by a two hundred pound Mastiff, or possibly being sat on by one!

Just how big is an English Mastiff? Check out this link to dozens of pictures of the breed. I’m especially fond of ones that show the dog with a pony – they’re the same size!

The inspiration for Spike came from my colleague Michelle’s dog Indigo, Indy for short. Indy comes to work with Michelle almost every day, and spends her day greeting staff, drooling and sleeping, not necessarily in that order. While not nearly as big as some Mastiffs can get, Indy is a powerful girl. Fortunately, she’s a well-behaved girl, and can be bribed with doggie treats to go wherever Michelle wants her to go.

I borrowed a lot from real life for this story. Michelle rescued Indy from a shelter, and in my story Noah also rescued Spike when nobody else wanted him because of his size. He says he looked into Spikes eyes and saw a kindred spirit, which is what Michelle says about Indy. And the fact that Spike likes to sleep in his human’s bed, under the covers? That also comes from Michelle and Indy.

I decided I wanted an English Mastiff in my story because I wanted a dog that was hard to ignore. And let’s face it, that face just makes you smile, doesn’t it?

My only problem now is that the other dogs in my office – Huey, the poodle cross, Aero the pure-bred Standard poodle, and Abby the Pomeranian – want their own stories, too!

Are you a dog/pet lover? Tell me about your pet. Would you ever want a dog as big as Spike? What’s the biggest pet you’ve ever owned?

CHILL OUT

Blurb:

Renata Cabral needs to hide for the weekend. Her cousin’s Valentine’s Day wedding means she’ll face embarrassing questions from her large, extended family. Questions like “Why aren’t you married yet?” Since the breakup of her last relationship, she’s not ready to answer that question. She invents a work-related excuse and escapes to a friend’s lakeside cottage.

Noah Brownlee has been hiding for two years. But now he’s ready to come home and mend his broken relationship with his brother. When a friend offers the use of his lakeside cottage, Noah arrives in the middle of a blizzard with his English Mastiff, only to find the place is already occupied. With her big brown eyes and quirky sense of humor, Renata stirs feelings he thought long dead.

As the blizzard rages, the candy hearts predict love. Can Valentine’s Day work its magic between them?

Excerpt:

Dylan wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend, and in some ways, he was like a father. When our mother died, he petitioned the court to make him my legal guardian so I wouldn’t have to go into care. He made sure I studied, pushed me to apply to med school, helped me with expenses.”

“He sounds like a wonderful big brother.”

His lips curved in a sad smile and Renata’s heart ached for him. “He was, and I know he’s going to be an amazing father. I want this animosity between us to end. I want my brother back.” His voice cracked. “But I’m not sure he feels the same way. I said some ugly things…”

“Perhaps, with the baby coming, he wants to mend the rift between you as much as you do.” She hoped she was right.

“Maybe. I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m going to phone Dylan and try to arrange a meeting.”

“It’ll work out. You’ll see.”

He leaned toward her, the corners of his eyes wrinkling with his smile. “I appreciate the pep rally.”

“Well, I was a cheerleader in high school. Rah, Rah.”

He laughed softly, then cupped her face with his hand, his thumb idly stroking her cheek. Her breath hitched at his tender touch. “Thank you for making this easier for me, Renata.”

He leaned in and her heart pounded in anticipation of his kiss. When his lips touched hers, a firestorm of longing ignited inside her. She strained toward him, needing his kiss, needing to heal his pain. His lips parted against hers, and she opened her mouth eagerly, reveling in his taste as his tongue danced with hers. The world faded away, and nothing existed for her except this man and all the tenderness she felt for him. It felt so right to kiss him, so perfectly, completely right.

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press Amazon US:

Author Bio:

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com

Social Media Links:

Website/ Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter/

Amazon Author Page/ Newsletter Signup/

Goodreads / Google+ Profile

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Author, Contemporary Romance, Friends, love, Romance, Romance Books, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as Candy Hearts, Contemporary romance, humor, Jana Richards, second chance at love, The Wild Rose Press

January 4, 2016 · 9:52 am

The Candy Hearts are Here!

The first in the new series from The Wild Rose Press, The CANDY HEARTS have arrived. Join me in welcoming authors Ally Hayes and Emma Kaye and Jana Richards today as they celebrate their additions to the series: SECRET ADMIRER, FOR YOU, and CHILL OUT. And don’t forget: at the end of the release data there is a link to enter a RAFFLECOPTER to win a KINDLE FIRE courtesy of the Wild Rose Press! You gotta be in it to win it!

SECRET ADMIRER ( Ally Hayes)

Blurb:

Andi’s new to town and looking for a fresh start in the dating department. She’s attracted to the guy she sees each morning, but begins flirting via text with Garrett, a friend of her new co-workers. Despite many attempts and determination, she misses opportunities to introduce herself to Cute Coffee Shop Guy or actually meet Garrett in person. With Valentine’s Day approaching she succumbs to the sugar rush of Candy Hearts and when ‘Secret Admirer’ continues to appear in the messages, she takes it as a sign to decide which guy is her real Secret Admirer.

Excerpt:

I pulled my sporty hybrid into a spot right in front of the aptly named Fresh Start Café. The irony did not escape me. A loud overhead door chime announced my entrance. Though still not quite perky, I gave a weak smile to the few people who instinctively turned. I ordered a large cup to go and walked past the glass case of pastries toward the counter along the far wall offering the requisite sugars, creamers, stirrers, and lids. I only needed a lid, but that proved to be more challenging than I could’ve imagined. I struggled to secure it while avoiding a spill, but I couldn’t produce a seal.

“They are a bit tricky, but the upside is once they’re on, they’re on for good.”

Upon hearing a sexy, yet friendly, male voice, I looked up and blushed upon discovering the face matched the voice. He had medium length, messy, brown hair and soft blue eyes framed by amazing eyelashes. I caught myself staring and quickly looked away and resumed my mission with a renewed effort.

“Yes, snug I guess. You’re right.” Thankfully the lid made a satisfying pop at that moment indicating my victory in the lid battle. I quickly straightened, my hands shaking in time with my racing heart. I wasn’t expecting to meet a cute guy first thing in the morning.

The combination of surprise and attraction woke me better than any cup of French Roast could.

Buy Links:
Amazon WIld Rose Press

About the Author:

As the mother of three girls, Ally finds creating drama for her characters an escape from the real drama in her own home. Originally from Boston, she now lives with her husband and family outside Chicago and writes when not driving to practices and games.

Contact Information:

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(Read my review of SECRET ADMIRER here)

FOR YOU(Emma Kaye)

Blurb:

It’s Valentine’s Day, and candy heart sayings mock Drew Engledown’s lonely state. He wants more in his life than work, but hasn’t met anyone he can imagine spending his life with. When he puts his own life at risk to save a friend, he’s sent back in time to Regency London and mistaken for a murdered earl. Has he been given a chance at love with the earl’s beautiful widow, or will he suffer the same fate as the previous lord?

When her husband’s heir lays claim to all she once owned, Lady Engledown is left nearly destitute. So she doesn’t know whether to be relieved or angry when the earl returns but claims he’s not her husband. Could he be telling the truth, or is he toying with her? She doesn’t know what to think of this man who is so different from the husband she never loved. Can they find happiness together, or will this man she comes to love leave her worse off than before?

Excerpt:

She took a delicate sip of the chilled liquid when they paused near the doors to the terrace. They were closed against the cool night, but a draft kept the over-warm air of the crowded ballroom at bay.

He pulled at his cravat, something he’d done repeatedly throughout the night, and let out his breath in a gush. “That’s better. It’s hot as an oven in here.”

She placed a hand over his to get him to release his collar. “We’ll stay but a few more hours. You may untie your cravat the moment we are out of sight within our carriage. Until then, please refrain from disrobing in public.”

He grinned and pulled her closer to his side than was seemly. “You’re just dying to get me naked, I see.”

She gasped. Heat flooded her face. “I meant no such thing. I—”

Drew laughed. “Sorry, sorry. I couldn’t resist. Modern humor.”

She flipped open her fan, waving it before her face in an attempt to hide a bit of the blush that had surely turned her face a brilliant shade of red. For a moment, she’d thought him capable of reading her mind, for thoughts of him naked had indeed entered her head.

Buy Links:

WIld Rose Press Amazon

About the Author:

Emma Kaye is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful kids that she spends an insane amount of time driving around New Jersey. Before ballet and Scouts entered her life, she decided to try writing one of those romances she loved to read and discovered a new passion. She’s been writing ever since. Add in a hyper dog and an extremely patient cat and she’s living her own happily ever after while making her characters work hard to reach theirs.

Contact Information:

Website: Facebook Page: Twitter Page:

Goodreads: The Wild Rose Press:

Amazon: Newsletter: Sign up on my website:

CHILL OUT (Jana Richards)

Blurb:

As the blizzard rages, the candy hearts predict love. Can Valentine’s Day work its magic between them?

Excerpt

“Dylan wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend, and in some ways, he was like a father. When our mother died, he petitioned the court to make him my legal guardian so I wouldn’t have to go into care. He made sure I studied, pushed me to apply to med school, helped me with expenses.”

“He sounds like a wonderful big brother.”

“Perhaps, with the baby coming, he wants to mend the rift between you as much as you do.” She hoped she was right.

“Maybe. I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m going to phone Dylan and try to arrange a meeting.”

“It’ll work out. You’ll see.”

He leaned toward her, the corners of his eyes wrinkling with his smile. “I appreciate the pep rally.”

“Well, I was a cheerleader in high school. Rah, Rah.”

He laughed softly, then cupped her face with his hand, his thumb idly stroking her cheek. Her breath hitched at his tender touch. “Thank you for making this easier for me, Renata.”

Buy Link:

Wild Rose Press Amazon

Author Bio:

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Website: Blog: Facebook:

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Goodreads: Google+ Profile:

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

Tagged as Ally Hayes, Candy Hearts, contemporary romantic fiction, Emma Kaye, Historical romantic fiction, Jana Richards, Romance, Romance Writers, The Wild Rose Press, The Wild Rose Press Authors

December 14, 2015 · 12:55 pm

New Year’s Coming Soon…

You will be seeing the above banner every Monday and Wednesday on my blog beginning in January and going ’til February. I will be highlighting each of the 40 CANDY HEARTS SERIES books that the Wild Rose Press is issuing, including their purchase links, author bios, book covers, blurbs and excerpts.

This is a huge undertaking not only for WRP but me as well, since there are so many books and variety of authors. I will have a range of Sweet romance authors all the way up to hot and spicy. All excerpts, tho, will be no hotter than PG-13.

My addition doesn’t release until 2/8/16, but that’s close to Valentine’s day for me, and the book is all about the V-day love. Here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin’ to whet your reading appetites:

3 Wishes

Blurb:

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” Coming soon ( like next week!! for pre-order. Yippie)

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

Tagged as 3 Wishes, Candy Hearts, chocolatier, Contemporary romance, The Wild Rose Press, Valentine's Day, Valentine's day books

December 9, 2015 · 10:04 am

#MFRWBookHooks Valentine’s Day is just around the corner…

This is the weekly #MFRWBookHooksBlogStop. Click on this link and visit other fabulous authors who are part of this worthwhile BlogHop. You just may find your next favorite author!

I know Christmas is still 3 weeks away and I’m already on to Valentine’s day, but I’ve got a new release dropping 2/8/16 called 3 Wishes and I can’t wait for you all to meet Chole San Valentino and her family.This family is as near and dear to me as my own! Enjoy a little sumthin’ sumthin’ from the book.

Blurb: 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:

As I slipped the broken lock open, an errant page fell out and drifted down to the tabletop. I grabbed it and saw the date: my fifteenth birthday. As I had for every birthday since my eighth, I’d written down three wishes. All of them had to do with a guy. My dream guy. I’d wished he’d have one blue eye and one green, just like I had so I wouldn’t be the only freak I knew, he’d be a healer (I was big on watching reruns of old television shows like Marcus Welby, M.D. and E.R. at this age) and he’d fall in love with me in an instant.

Hey, I was fifteen.

Buy Links: Coming soon! Check back – Often!!

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A picture is worth….?

What my characters look like is important to me. I’m one of the most visual people you will ever meet. Yes, I’m nosy, and will ask 1 million questions when I meet you, but…

I will also be looking you over from head to toe. Not blatantly; not rudely; but very, very intensely. The color of your hair, eyes, the way you carry yourself, the clothes you wear, if you wear flats or high heels… all those things are important to me. And the reason they are is because when I think about you, the person, I get a mental picture of what you actually look like. One of the greatest things about smart phones is when you’re receiving a call from somebody now you can actually have their picture show up on the display as the phone is ringing so you know exactly who it is calling. Love that.

But I digress.

Whenever I start a new book and I get to meet my characters, I always look for pictures online or in magazines of people I think they will resemble. For instance, in my most recent novel, First Impressions, Clarissa Rogers in my mind was a young looking Julia Roberts. Think Steel Magnolias. Mid back length curly cinnamon colored hair, flashing chocolate colored eyes. Padrick Cleary is a dead ringer for Matt Bomer. A simply gorgeous, delicious man.

When I was writing the book and creating dialogue between the two I actually had their pictures on my desk so that I could refer to them while I was writing dialogue tags and visceral descriptions. I do this with all my stories. I need to know what my people look like when they are smiling, frowning, crying, and even eating. It shouldn’t surprise you to discover you can find pictures of just about anyone well known doing anything from sleeping to running, online. And yes I will admit, I feel a little voyeuristic when I do this, but for the creative processes of description and narration it really is beneficial for me to have an actual photograph of what I think my character looks like.

We live in a very visual society. How we look to others is way more important than it should be, but is a very telling fact. When someone reads my novels I really want them to get a feel for what the characters look like. I do this when I read other people’s books. I have a picture in my mind based on the author’s description of the character and I try to liken it to someone well known to me, be it an actress, actor or even a personal friend. This really gets me invested in the story. I simply love knowing what people look like, characters as well. I’ve read some stories that will describe the character as, “a young Julie Andrews” or “Marlon Brando –ish.” That’s all well and good and it does bring a picture of what the character looks like to your mind. But for my purposes I would rather describe the young Julie Andrews, denoting her short cropped golden blonde hair and centered, angular chin to my reader than to let them fill in the blanks. This may have something to do with my sense of wanting to be in control of what the reader thinks when they read my words. I’ll have to ponder on that and get back to you…

So, when you write your character descriptions, do you have someone in mind they resemble? Do you, like I do, go online or research through magazines looking for someone who can depict your character to perfection? And if you don’t, then how do you come up with a description? Does it come out of your head? Do you base it on someone you’ve seen on a corner? In the Mall? How does this person jump to life for you so you can make the character jump to life for me?

You knew this was coming… Let’s discuss…

Coming soon:: 3 Wishes, A Candy Hearts Story 2/8/16 from The Wild Rose Press. Buy Links available soon

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Buy Links for First Impressions:
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